Abstract:
A connector capable of being fitted to a partner connector is provided with a lock member, a solenoid having a plunger, a restriction member having a restricting part, and a restricted part. In a fitted state in which the connector and the partner connector are fitted to each other, the lock member engages the partner connector and locks the two connectors into a fitted state. The solenoid drives the plunger between a restriction position and a release position. The restriction member is movably supported by the plunger. The restricted part receives the restricting part when the plunger is driven into the restriction position. When the plunger is in the restriction position, movement of the restricted part is restricted by the restricting part, and thereby the restricted part directly or indirectly prevents release of the fitted state.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of PCT/JP2011/080385 filed on Dec. 28, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Application No. 2011-014781 filed on Jan. 27, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a connector which is used to supply electric power, for example, to an electric car. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A connector, which is used to supply electric power, is provided with a power pin or a power contact for supplying high electric current. While the electric power is supplied, high electric current flows from the connector to a mating connector, which is mated with the connector, through the power pin or the power contact. It is very dangerous if a mated state, where the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, is released while the electric power is supplied. Therefore, this type of connectors is generally provided with a structure which prevents the mated state from being released when the electric power is supplied. 
     For example, the connector provided with the aforementioned structure is disclosed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The connector of Patent Document 1 comprises a push-type solenoid which has an electric coil and a plunger driven by the electric coil. The connector further comprises an operation lever operable to release the mated state. The operation lever is formed with a hole. While the electric power is supplied, the electric coil drives the plunger so that the plunger protrudes by a predetermined amount. While the electric power is supplied, the protruding part of the plunger is inserted in the hole of the operation lever so that the operation lever is prevented from being operated. The connector of Patent Document 2 comprises a push-type solenoid similar to the push-type solenoid of Patent Document 1, and a release lever which is formed with a hole. While the electric power is supplied, the plunger is inserted in the hole of the release lever to prevent the release lever from being moved so that the mated state is prevented from being unintentionally released. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Document(s) 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP A H6 (1994)-188044 
         Patent Document 2: JP A H7 (1995)-85926 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In order to securely prevent the lever (the operation lever or the release lever) from being operated or moved, it is necessary to adjust the shape and the size of the hole formed in the lever nearly equal to the shape and the size of the plunger. Otherwise, the lever may be shaky when the plunger is inserted in the hole. 
     However, if the shape and the size of the hole of the lever are nearly equal to the shape and the size of the plunger, the hole should be accurately aligned with the plunger. If the location of the hole is slightly apart from the plunger, the plunger may not be inserted into the hole when the solenoid drives the plunger. Accordingly, even when the electric power is supplied, the mated state of the connectors may not be properly locked. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector configured to more securely lock the mated state of the connector with a mating connector. 
     Solution to Problem 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a connector mateable with a mating connector. The connector comprises a lock member, a solenoid, a regulating member and a regulated portion. The lock member is configured to engage the mating connector under a mated state where the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, wherein an engagement of the lock member locks the mated state. The solenoid has a plunger. The solenoid is configured to drive the plunger between a regulating position and a release position along a predetermined direction. The regulating member has a regulating portion extending in an intersecting direction which intersects with the predetermined direction. The regulating member is supported by the plunger so as to be moved by the plunger. The regulated portion is configured to receive the regulating portion along the predetermined direction when the plunger is driven from the release position to the regulating position. A movement of the regulated portion is regulated by the regulating portion when the plunger is located at the regulating position so that the regulated portion directly or indirectly prevents the mated state from being unlocked. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     As for the connector according to the present invention, the regulating portion, which extends in a direction (intersecting direction) intersecting with the predetermined direction, is received in the regulated portion along the predetermined direction. Accordingly, not an end surface but a side portion of the regulating portion is received in the regulated portion. 
     The connector according to the present invention is configured as described above so that the regulating portion may be easily inserted into the regulated portion when the side portion of the regulating portion is formed to have a large size relative to the regulated portion in the intersecting direction. Moreover, the regulating portion, which is received in the regulated portion, may be stably held, for example, when the regulating portion is formed to have the substantially same size as the regulated portion in a direction perpendicular to both the intersecting direction and the predetermined direction (i.e. a movement-regulation direction or a direction in which the movement of the regulated portion is intended to be regulated when the mated state is locked). According to the present invention, it is therefore possible to more securely lock the mated state with the mating connector. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially cutaway, side view showing main portions of the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  under a state where a plunger is located at a release position, wherein a second shell, power supply contacts (contacts), signal contacts (contacts) and cables connected to these contacts are removed from the connector. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 3  under a state where the plunger is located at a regulating position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a unit consisting of a solenoid, a regulating member and a guide plate of the connector of  FIG. 1  under the state where the plunger is located at the release position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view showing the unit of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the unit of  FIG. 5  under the state where the plunger is located at the regulating position. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view showing a regulated portion and the regulating member of the connector of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view showing a modification of the regulated portion of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a mating connector mateable with the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 10 , taken along its central axis. 
         FIG. 12  is a partially cutaway, side view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  and the mating connector of  FIG. 10 , wherein the connector and the mating connector are in a mating process. 
         FIG. 13  is a partially cutaway, side view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  and the mating connector of  FIG. 10 , wherein the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. 
         FIG. 14  is a partially cutaway, side view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  and the mating connector of  FIG. 10 , wherein the connector and the mating connector are in a removing process. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a connector  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is a power-supply plug. The connector  100  is mateable along the X-direction (mating direction) with a mating connector (power-receiving receptacle)  200  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) installed, for example, in an electric car. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the mating connector  200  comprises a housing  210  made of an insulating material, a plurality of power receiving contacts  220  and a plurality of signal contacts  240 . The power receiving contacts  220  and the signal contacts  240  are held by the housing  210 . The signal contacts  240  are connected to signal lines  250 , respectively. The mating connector  200  is further formed with an inner wall  212  and an engaging portion  230 . The inner wall  212  is formed at the positive X-side end of the inside of the housing  210 . The engaging portion  230  according to the present embodiment is a step which is formed inside of the housing  210  so as to be adjacent to the inner wall  212 . In other words, the inner wall  212  protrudes from the engaging portion  230  toward a central axis of the housing  210 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the connector  100  according to the present embodiment comprises a housing  110  made of an insulating material, a plurality of signal contacts  120 , a plurality of power supply contacts (not shown), a shell  130 , a lock member (lock lever)  140 , a release member (release lever)  150 , a regulated portion  160 , a solenoid  170 , a regulating member  180  and a guide plate  190 . The signal contacts  120  and the power supply contacts (not shown) are held by the housing  110 . The shell  130  is an outer shell of the connector  100 . The lock member  140  is configured to engage the mating connector  200  under a mated state where the connector  100  and the mating connector  200  are mated with each other (see  FIG. 13 ), wherein an engagement of the lock member  140  locks the mated state. On the other hand, the release member  150  is operable to be moved to release the engagement of the lock member  140  with the mating connector  200  (see  FIG. 14 ) so that the mated state is unlocked by the release member  150 . The regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is formed on the release member  150 . However, the regulated portion  160  may be formed on the other member. For example, the regulated portion  160  may be formed on the lock member  140 . The solenoid  170  functions as an electronic lock which locks the release member  150  so that the release member  150  is unmovable. More specifically, the regulating member  180  is moved by the solenoid  170  under the mated state so that the regulating member  180  regulates a movement of the regulated portion  160 . The guide plate  190  is configured to guide the regulating member  180 , which is moved by the solenoid  170 , toward the regulated portion  160 . 
     The housing  110  has a roughly cylindrical shape extending along a central axis parallel to the X-direction so that the housing  110  has a negative X-side end (front end). The housing  110  is formed with holding holes  112  for holding the power supply contacts (not shown) and holding holes  114  for holding the signal contacts  120  (see  FIG. 2 ). Each of the holding holes  112  and the holding holes  114  extends rearward from the front end (mating end) of the housing  110 . The power supply contact (not shown) is configured to supply high electric current to the power receiving contact  220  which is connected thereto under the mated state. On the other hand, the signal contact  120  is configured to transmit signal to the signal contact  240  which is connected thereto under the mated state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shell  130  includes a first shell  132  and a second shell  134  each having a half-pipe shape. The first shell  132  and the second shell  134  are connected to each other to form the shell  130 . More specifically, according to the present embodiment, the second shell  134  is fixed to the first shell  132  by screwing. The shell  130  is dividable into the first shell  132  and the second shell  134  by a plane passing the central axis of the housing  110 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 to 4 , when the connector  100  is assembled, the housing  110 , which holds the signal contacts  120  and the power supply contacts (not shown), is installed in the first shell  132  together with the lock member  140 , the release member  150 , and the solenoid  170  attached with the regulating member  180 . Then, the second shell  134  is attached to the first shell  132  so as to cover the aforementioned members from a lateral side. As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the shell  130  is formed with a hole  136 . The hole  136  is provided at an inserted part of the shell  130 , wherein the inserted part is inserted in the housing  210  of the mating connector  200  under the mated state. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  100  comprises a grip  138  configured to be held by an operator when the electric power is supplied. The grip  138  is formed behind the shell  130 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the lock member  140  has a lock portion  142 , an axis  144  and a pressed portion  146 . The lock member  140  is held by the shell  130  so as to be pivotable on the axis  144 . The lock portion  142  is configured to lock the mated state of the connector  100  with the mating connector  200 . In detail, the lock member  140  has a front end (i.e. negative X-side end) and a rear end (i.e. positive X-side end) on opposite ends in the X-direction, respectively. The lock portion  142  is formed on the front end of the lock member  140  and has a hook-like shaped cross-section which is formed so as to protrude upward. The lock member  140  is attached with a spring  148 . The spring  148  constantly urges the lock portion  142  upward so that the lock portion  142  protrudes upward over the hole  136 . The hook of the lock portion  142 , which passes through the hole  136  of the shell  130 , is engaged with the engaging portion  230  of the mating connector  200  under the mated state so that the mated state is locked (see  FIGS. 2 and 13 ). The pressed portion  146  is formed on the rear end of the lock member  140  while the axis  144  is located between the lock portion  142  and the pressed portion  146  in the X-direction. As can be seen from the above description, when the pressed portion  146  is pushed to move upward, the lock portion  142  moves downward. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the release member  150  has an operated portion  152 , a pivot  154  and a pressing portion  156 . The release member  150  is held by the shell  130  so as to be pivotable on the pivot  154 . The release member  150  has a front end (i.e. negative X-side end) and a rear end (i.e. positive X-side end) on opposite ends in the X-direction, respectively. The operated portion  152  is formed on the rear end of the release member  150 . The operated portion  152  protrudes outward from the shell  130  to be located at a top part of the grip  138  so that the operated portion  152  is operable to be pressed by the operator. The pressing portion  156  is formed on the front end of the release member  150 . In other words, the release member  150  has the front end which functions as the pressing portion  156 . The pivot  154  is located between the operated portion  152  and the pressing portion  156  in the X-direction. As can be seen from the above description, when the operated portion  152  is pressed to move downward, the pressing portion  156  moves upward. The pressing portion  156  according to the present embodiment is located under the pressed portion  146 . Accordingly, when the operated portion  152  is operated to be moved downward, the pressing portion  156  presses the pressed portion  146  upward. As a result, the lock portion  142  moves downward so that the engagement of the lock member  140  with the mating connector  200  is released (i.e. the mated state is unlocked). 
     The front end of the release member  150  according to the present embodiment extends along the negative Z-direction so that the front end is formed with an downward extending portion. The downward extending portion is formed with a regulated portion  160 . The regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is a recess which is recessed in the negative Y-direction. It is possible to regulate a movement of the pressing portion  156  in the Z-direction by regulating a movement of the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction. The regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is located at a position which is nearer to the pressing portion  156  than the pivot  154 . In other words, a distance between the regulated portion  160  and the pressing portion  156  is shorter than a distance between the regulated portion  160  and the pivot  154 . More specifically, the pressing portion  156  according to the present embodiment is located between the regulated portion  160  and the pivot  154  in the X-direction. Accordingly, a relatively small force applied to the regulated portion  160  is able to regulate the movement of the pressing portion  156  in the Z-direction. 
     The regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is provided so that the mated state is unlocked by a movement of the regulated portion  160  along the Z-direction (movement-regulation direction). When the movement of the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction is regulated, the movement of the pressing portion  156  along the positive Z-direction (i.e. the elevation of the pressing portion  156 ) is regulated so that the mated state is prevented from being unlocked. According to the present embodiment, the connector  100  further comprises guide portions  162 . In detail, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is a space surrounded by a vertical wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall and the bottom wall face each other in the Z-direction. The positive Y-side edges of the top wall and the bottom wall are beveled so that the regulated portion  160  is formed with the guide portions  162 . Each of the guide portions  162  extends obliquely to both the Y-direction (predetermined direction) and the Z-direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the solenoid  170  has a frame  172 , a magnet coil  174  and a plunger  176 . The solenoid  170  is configured to drive the plunger  176  between a regulating position (see  FIGS. 4 and 7 ) and a release position (see  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 ) along the Y-direction. More specifically, the magnet coil  174  is held by the frame  172  so as to receive an electric current (i.e. to be activated) while the connector  100  supplies the electric power to the mating connector  200 . The magnet coil  174 , which is activated, drives the plunger  176  between the regulating position and the release position along the Y-direction. The solenoid  170  according to the present embodiment is a so-called pull-type solenoid. The release position of the plunger  176  is located outward from the regulating position in the Y-direction. In other words, as comparing with the plunger  176  located at the regulating position, the plunger  176  located at the release position protrudes outward in the Y-direction. On the other hand, the plunger  176  located at the regulating position stays inward in the Y-direction. Accordingly, it is possible to install all the members related to the lock of the mated state (for example, the lock member  140 , the release member  150  and the solenoid  170 ) into the first shell  132 , and to put the aforementioned members in a state where they are activatable without the second shell  134 . In other words, the connector  100  according to the present embodiment is provided with no structure which is activatable only when the first shell  132  and the second shell  134  are connected to each other. The connector  100  with the pull-type solenoid is assemblable by covering the first shell  132 , into which the members related to the lock of the mated state are installed, with the second shell  134 . Therefore, the connector  100  may be more easily assembled. In addition, a pull-type solenoid is more popular and available than a so-called push-type solenoid. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the plunger  176  is formed with a holding hole  178  which pierces the plunger  176  along the X-direction (intersecting direction). The regulating member  180  is inserted in and supported by the holding hole  178 . In detail, the regulating member  180  according to the present embodiment has a regulating portion  182  and a held portion  184  each extending in the X-direction so that the regulating member  180  has a pin-like shape extending in the X-direction. The held portion  184  is inserted in and held by the holding hole  178  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). According to the present embodiment, an extending direction in which the regulating member  180  extends (i.e. a piercing direction in which the holding hole  178  piercing the plunger  176 ) is perpendicular to the Y-direction. In other words, the intersecting direction (X-direction) intersects with the predetermined direction (Y-direction) at right angles. However, the extending direction (the piercing direction) may not be perpendicular to the Y-direction, provided that the extending direction intersects with the Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the regulating portion  182  according to the present embodiment has a circular cross-section in the YZ-plane. The diameter of the circular cross-section of the regulating portion  182  is substantially same as the size of the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction (movement-regulation direction). As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 , the regulating member  180  extends in the X-direction while supported by the plunger  176 . In the X-direction, the size of a part which is workable as the regulating portion  182  of the regulating member  180  is larger than the size of the regulated portion  160 . 
     The regulating member  180  is driven by the plunger  176  to move along the Y-direction. In other words, the regulating member  180  is supported by the plunger  176  so as to be moved by the plunger  176 . In general, the plunger  176  driven by the solenoid  170  may rotate about its axis, which extends in the Y-direction, while moving along the Y-direction. Accordingly, the regulating member  180  supported by the plunger  176  may pivot on the plunger  176 . According to the present embodiment, the guide plate  190  is provided so that the regulating portion  182  of the regulating member  180  stably moves along the Y-direction. In other words, the guide plate  190  guides the regulating portion  182  along the Y-direction when the plunger  176  driven by the solenoid  170  moves the regulating portion  182 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the plunger  176  is located at the release position, the regulating member  180  is apart from the regulated portion  160 . Accordingly, when the plunger  176  is located at the release position, the regulating portion  182  of the regulating member  180  does not interfere with the movement of the regulated portion  160 . The regulated portion  160  is configured to receive the regulating portion  182  along the Y-direction when the plunger  176  is driven from the release position to the regulating position (see  FIG. 4 ). More specifically, when the plunger  176  is driven, not an end surface of the regulating portion  182  in the X-direction but a side surface of the regulating portion  182  is received into the regulated portion  160 . According to the present embodiment, the release member  150  is provided with the guide portion  162  oblique to both the Y-direction and the Z-direction so that the regulating portion  182  is guided by the guide portion  162  to be received into the regulated portion  160  even if the position of the regulating portion  182  in the Z-direction is a little above or below the position of the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction. In other words, the guide portion  162  is configured so that the regulating portion  182  is guided by the guide portion  162  to be received in the regulated portion  160 . According to the present embodiment, the mated state is securely preventable from being unlocked even if the position of the regulating portion  182  in the Z-direction is not accurately adjusted to the position of the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction. In detail, when the plunger  176  is located at the regulating position, the regulating portion  182  received in the regulated portion  160  regulates a movement of the release member  150  so that the release member  150  becomes inoperable to be moved. As can be seen from the above description, the regulating portion  182  according to the present embodiment indirectly prevents the mated state from being unlocked. Moreover, if the regulated portion  160  is provided at the lock member  140 , it is possible to directly prevent the mated state from being unlocked. In other words, the movement of the regulated portion  160  is regulated by the regulating portion  182  when the plunger  176  is located at the regulating position so that the regulated portion  160  directly or indirectly prevents the mated state from being unlocked (i.e. prevents the lock by the lock member  140  from being released). 
     As previously described, the regulating portion  182  according to the present embodiment is longer than the regulated portion  160  in the X-direction so that the regulated portion  160  more surely receives the regulating portion  182 . Moreover, the regulating portion  182  has the substantially same size as the regulated portion  160  in the Z-direction so that the regulated portion  160  more stably holds the regulating portion  182  which is received therein. In other words, the size and the shape in the Z-direction of the regulating portion  182  according to the present embodiment are designed so as to effectively prevent the movement of the regulated portion  160  along the Z-direction under a state where the regulating portion  182  is received in the regulated portion  160 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the height (i.e. the size in the Z-direction) of the regulated portion  160  according to the present embodiment is constant along the Y-direction. However, the height of the regulated portion  160  may be varied along the Y-direction. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the connector  100  may comprise a release member  150   a  instead of the release member  150 . The release member  150   a  has guide portions  162   a  facing each other in the Z-direction. Each of the guide portions  162   a  is a slope oblique to both the Y-direction and the Z-direction. The release member  150   a  is formed with a recess which functions as a regulated portion  160   a . In detail, the regulated portion  160   a  is a recess located between two slopes each extending continuously from the guide portion  162   a . The regulated portion  160   a  is formed so that the size of the regulated portion  160   a  in the Z-direction gradually becomes smaller as the position in the Y-direction is nearer to the inner wall of the regulated portion  160   a . Thus configured regulated portion  160   a  may securely hold the regulating member  180  even if the diameter of the regulating member  180  is changed, for example, by design-change. Accordingly, the regulated portion  160   a  may more properly prevent the lock of the mated state from being released (i.e. prevent the mated state from being unlocked). 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14 , it is described about how the connector  100  is mated with the mating connector  200  and how the connector  100  is removed from the mating connector  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the connector  100  is inserted into the mating connector  200 , the lock portion  142  of the lock member  140  receives a downward force from the mating connector  200 . Accordingly, the lock portion  142  is moved downward from its initial position while resisting an upward force applied from the spring  148 . The lock portion  142  is moved to the inside of the housing  210  to slide on the inner wall  212  of the housing  210 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , when the connector  100  is further inserted into the mating connector  200 , the connector  100  and the mating connector  200  are completely mated each other. In other words, the connector  100  and the mating connector  200  are transferred to the mated state. Under the mated state, the lock portion  142  arrives at the engaging portion  230  beyond the inner wall  212  in the X-direction. The lock portion  142  is urged upward by the spring  148  to return to the initial position. When the lock portion  142  is located at the initial position under the mated state, the mated state is locked. In detail, even if the connector  100  is pulled from the mating connector  200 , the lock portion  142  is engaged with the engaging portion  230  so that the connector  100  is unable to be removed from the mating connector  200 . Moreover, the solenoid  170  is activated under the mated state so that the plunger  176  is driven to the regulating position by the solenoid  170 . The regulating portion  182  held by the plunger  176  is received in the regulated portion  160  (or the regulated portion  160   a ) so that the movement of the release member  150  is regulated. As can be seen from the above description, even if the release member  150  is accidentally operated while the electric power is supplied to the mating connector  200 , the mated state is not unlocked. 
     When the power supply is stopped (for example, when the mating connector  200  is fully charged), the solenoid  170  is deactivated so that the plunger  176  returns to the release position. The regulating portion  182  comes off the regulated portion  160  (or the regulated portion  160   a ) so that the release member  150  becomes operable to be moved (i.e. the mated state becomes unlockable). When the release member  150  is moved under a state where the plunger  176  is located at the release position, the engagement of the lock member  140  with the mating connector  200  is released. In detail, when the operated portion  152  is pressed downward, the pressing portion  156  presses the pressed portion  146  upward so that the lock portion  142  moves downward. The engagement of the lock portion  142  with the engaging portion  230  is released so that the connector  100  is removable from the mating connector  200 . 
     According to the embodiment described above, the mating direction is the X-direction and the predetermined direction is the Y-direction perpendicular to the mating direction. However, the relation between the mating direction and the predetermined direction is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the mating direction and the predetermined direction may be in parallel to each other. 
     Moreover, according to the embodiment described above, the plunger  176  and the regulating member  180  are members separated from each other. However, the plunger  176  and the regulating member  180  may be formed integrally. 
     The present application is based on a Japanese patent application of JP2011-14781 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Jan. 27, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               100  connector (power-supply plug) 
               110  housing 
               112  holding hole 
               114  holding hole 
               120  signal contact 
               130  shell 
               132  first shell 
               134  second shell 
               136  hole 
               138  grip 
               140  lock member (lock lever) 
               142  lock portion 
               144  axis 
               146  pressed portion 
               148  spring 
               150 , 150   a  release member (release lever) 
               152  operated portion 
               154  pivot 
               156  pressing portion 
               160 , 160   a  regulated portion 
               162 , 162   a  guide portion 
               170  solenoid 
               172  frame 
               174  magnet coil 
               176  plunger 
               178  holding hole 
               180  regulating member 
               182  regulating portion 
               184  held portion 
               190  guide plate 
               200  mating connector (power-receiving receptacle) 
               210  housing 
               212  inner wall 
               220  power receiving contact 
               230  engaging portion 
               240  signal contact 
               250  signal line