A lever-type connector includes a connector housing, a cover attached to the connector housing, a lever rotatably mounted on the connector housing. The lever is rotated in a situation that a mating connector is fitted to the connector housing in a half-fitted condition, thereby moving the mating connector with respect to the connector housing from the half-fitting condition to a completely fitting condition. A retaining portion is provided on the lever. A lock portion provided on the cover is engaged with the retaining portion when the lever has been rotated. A lever claw portion is provided on the retaining portion. The lock portion is provided on a distal end portion of the lock arm. A lock protection portion is provided on the retaining portion so as to be positioned away from a rotation center of the lever than the lever claw portion so that the lock protection portion covers the lock portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a lever-type connector for fitting a mating connector thereto by rotating a lever.

BACKGROUND ART

As a conventional lever-type connector in which a mating connector is fitted thereto by rotating a lever, a lever-type connector disclosed, for example, in PTL 1 has been proposed. In this lever-type connector, by rotating a lever, a mating connector is drawn from a half-fitting position where the mating connector is half fitted to a connector housing to a proper fitting position, and by doing so, the fitting operation can be carried out easily, and also the reliability of the fitting operation, etc., can be achieved.

As shown inFIG. 6, the lever-type connector100includes the connector housing101in which terminals (not shown) each connected to a wire W is mounted, a cover102which is attached to the connector housing101and receives the wires W therein generally over a longitudinal range of the connector housing101to lead the wires W as a wire bundle to the exterior in such a manner that the directions of the wires W led out from a cavity101bof the connector housing101toward the cover converge within the range of from 0° to 90° with respect to the direction of leading-out of the wires W, and the lever103rotatably (pivotally) mounted on the connector housing101so as to be rotated about rotation axis pins101aon the connector housing101.

The connector housing101has the cavity101b, and the terminals each having the wire W connected thereto are mounted in the cavity101b. The cover102is attached to the connector housing101to cover the outside of the cavity101b. A lock retaining portion104is formed at the cover102. The lock retaining portion104projects from the outer surface of the cover102, and when this projecting portion is pressed, the lock retaining portion104is elastically deformed toward the inside of the cover102.

The lever103is mounted so as to be rotated between a standby position and a lock position (shown inFIG. 6) with respect to the connector housing101. Cam grooves103aare formed in the lever103.

Next, the operation for fitting the mating connector (not shown) will be described.

First, the operator inserts the mating connector into the connector housing101from a direction of arrow A, and sets the mating connector in a half-fitting position where cam pins (not shown) of the mating connector are engaged respectively in the cam grooves103aof the lever103. Then, when the lever103located in the standby position is rotated in a direction of arrow B, each cam pin receives a pressing force form the corresponding cam groove103aas a result of the rotating of the lever103, and the mating connector is gradually shifted toward a proper fitting position in the connector housing101. Also, when the rotating lever103reaches a position just before the lock position, the lever103presses the lock retaining portion104of the cover102, so that the lock retaining portion104is elastically deformed toward the inside of the cover102(in a direction of arrow F inFIG. 6). As a result, the lever103is allowed to rotate. When the lever103is rotated to the lock position, the mating connector is drawn into the proper fitting position. Also, when the lever103reaches the lock position, the lever103ceases to press the lock retaining portion104, and the lock retaining portion104is elastically restored toward the outside of the cover102(in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow F inFIG. 6), and locks the lever103.

Next, an operation for canceling the fitted condition of the mating connector will be described.

First, the operator depresses the lock retaining portion104, and when the lever103, located in the lock position, is rotated to the standby position, the mating connector is retracted from the proper fitting position to the half-fitting position. When the operator separates the mating connector, located in the half-fitting position, from the connector housing101, this operation is completed.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the above conventional connector housing101, however, the lock retaining portion104of the cover102is exposed to the exterior when the lever103is locked, and therefore when an external force is inadvertently applied to the lock retaining portion104, the lock retaining portion104is liable to be damaged and deformed, and the locked condition of the lever103is easily canceled, and therefore there has been encountered a problem that a lock holding force for the lever103is low.

Solution to Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the problem of this conventional construction, and an object of the invention is to provide a lever-type connector in which damage and deformation are prevented, and a lock holding force is high.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a lever-type connector comprising:

a connector housing configured to receive terminals connected respectively to end portions of electric wires;

a cover that is attached to the connector housing so as to lead the electric wires out to the exterior;

a lever that is rotatably mounted on the connector housing and is rotated in a situation that a mating connector is fitted to the connector housing in a half-fitted condition, thereby moving the mating connector with respect to the connector housing from the half-fitting condition to a completely fitting condition in which the mating connector is completely fitted to the connector housing;

a retaining portion that is provided on the lever; and

a lock portion that is provided on a lock arm of the cover and is engaged with the retaining portion of the lever when the lever has been rotated thereby completely fitting the connector housing to the mating connector,

wherein a lever claw portion is provided on the retaining portion;

wherein the lock portion is provided on a distal end portion of the lock arm;

wherein at least one of the retaining portion and the lock arm has elasticity; and

wherein a lock protection portion is provided on the retaining portion so as to be positioned away from a rotation center of the lever than the lever claw portion so that the lock protection portion covers the lock portion.

Preferably, the lock arm has elasticity, and when the lever is rotated, the lever claw portion elastically deforms the lock arm, and then slides over the lock portion of the lock arm, so that a distal end engagement portion of the lock portion and the lever claw portion are engaged with each other in the proper fitting condition and the lock portion abuts against the lock protection portion by an elastic force of the lock arm.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the lock protection portion is provided on the retaining portion so as to be positioned away from a rotation center of the lever than the lever claw portion so that the lock protection portion can cover the lock portion. Therefore, after the lever claw portion and the lock portion are retainingly engaged with each other to thereby lock the lever, the lock protection portion covers the lock portion, and the lock portion can be positively prevented from damage and deformation.

Furthermore, since the lock protection portion covers the lock portion, the locked condition of the lever will not be canceled even when a force is applied to the lever from the exterior. Therefore, there can be provided the lever-type connector in which such damage and deformation are prevented, and the lock holding force is high.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the distal end engagement portion of the lock portion and the lever claw portion are engaged with each other, and also the lock portion abuts against the lock protection portion by the elastic force of the lock arm, and therefore a lock sound can be obtained, and a user can confirm from this lock sound that the locking of the lever has been completed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First, the construction of the lever-type connector of this embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the lever-type connector1broadly includes a female connector10and a male connector20which can be brought into and out of fitting connection with each other, and further includes a lever30rotatably mounted on the male connector20, and a wire cover40of a generally dome-shape for leading wires W out to the exterior.

As shown inFIG. 2, the female connector10includes a connector body (not shown) having female connector-side terminal receiving chambers, a fitting hood12for fitting into the male connector20, and a pair of cam pins13formed on and projecting respectively from left and right outer side surfaces of the fitting hood12.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the male connector20includes a connector housing22having a plurality of male connector-side terminal receiving chambers21for respectively receiving terminals (not shown) connected respectively to end portions of the wires, and rotation axis pins23by which the lever30is rotatably mounted on the connector housing22.

The lever30includes a pair of right and left arm portions31and31, and an interconnecting portion38interconnecting these arms31and31. Each of the arm portions31and31includes a rotation axis hole32for the insertion of the rotation axis pin23thereinto, a cam groove33formed such that the distance between this cam groove33and the rotation axis hole32is varying along the circumferential direction of the arm portion31, and an operating portion34for pivotally moving the lever30. The operating portion34is formed at the interconnecting portion38, and the retaining portion35is formed at the operating portion34. This retaining portion35has elasticity, and serves to retain the pivotally-moved lever30.

As shown inFIGS. 4A to 4C, a lever claw portion36is formed at the retaining portion35, and is adapted to be retainingly engaged with the lock portion45(described later). Also, the lock protection portion37is formed at the retaining portion35, and is provided at that side disposed in the direction of engagement of the lever claw portion36with the lock portion45so that the lock protection portion37can cover the lock portion45.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the wire cover40includes a cover body41which receives the wires W therein generally over a longitudinal range of the connector housing22to lead the wires W as a wire bundle to the exterior in such a manner that the directions of the wires W led out from the connector housing22toward the wire cover40converge in a direction Y within the range of from 0° to 90° with respect to the direction X of leading-out of the wires W. The wire cover40further includes a lock arm42which has elasticity and is provided at a ceiling portion of a generally dome-shape.

The cover body41includes a cover portion43located to cover the male connector-side terminal receiving chambers21, and a wire lead-out portion44for leading the wires W out from an opening formed in the cover body41.

As shown inFIGS. 3A,3B andFIGS. 4A to 4C, the lock portion45is formed at a distal end portion of the lock arm42, and is retainingly engaged with the retaining portion35formed at the operating portion34, as described above. More specifically, when the lever30is rotated, the lever claw portion36(seeFIG. 4C) elastically deforms the lock arm42in a direction F (shown inFIGS. 4A,4B,5A, and5B), and then slides over the lock portion45of the lock arm42, so that a distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other in a proper fitting position, thereby locking the lever30.

As shown inFIGS. 4A to 4CandFIGS. 5A to 5C, the retaining portion35is formed into a generally V-shaped cross-section, and the lock protection portion37is so formed as to cover the lock portion45when the distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other. Therefore, the lock portion45is not exposed to the exterior, and therefore even when an external force is applied, the force will not be applied directly to the lock portion45, and therefore the lock portion45can be positively prevented from damage and deformation. In addition, the lock protection portion37thus covers the lock portion45, and therefore even when a force is applied from the exterior, the locked lever30will not be accidentally pivotally moved, and the fitted condition of the female and male connectors10and20will not be canceled.

As shown inFIGS. 5A to 5C, the lock portion45is so formed as to be able to be disposed between the lever claw portion36and the lock protection portion37in abutting relation thereto. When the lever30is rotated, the lever claw portion36elastically deforms the lock arm42in the direction F (FIGS. 4Band5B), and then slides over the lock portion45of the lock arm42, so that the distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other in the proper fitting position, and at this time the lock portion45abuts against the lock protection portion37by its own elastic force (seeFIG. 5C) since the lock arm42has elasticity. Thus, since the lock portion45strikes against the lock protection portion37, a large lock sound can be obtained. It can be confirmed from this lock sound that the locking of the lever30has been completed.

Furthermore, when the lock portion45abuts against the lock protection portion37, the struck surface of the lock protection portion37is substantially parallel to the striking surface of the lock portion45as shown inFIGS. 5B and 5C, and the lock portion45and the lock protection portion37abut against each other at their flat surfaces, and therefore a larger lock sound can be obtained.

Furthermore, in order to obtain a large lock sound, an elastic reaction force of the lock arm42may be increased, and also the speed of restoration of the lock portion45from its elastically-deformed condition may be increased. Furthermore, the retaining portion35of the lever30and the lock portion45of the lock arm42may be formed respectively by lock sound-generating members which can generate a large lock sound upon striking.

Next, the fitting operation of the lever-type connector1of this embodiment will be described.

First, the wire cover40is attached to the connector housing22in a manner to cover the upper surface thereof, and then the rotation axis pins23of the connector housing22are passed respectively through the rotation axis holes32of the lever30, thereby rotatably mounting the lever30on the connector housing.

Then, the operator inserts the female connector10into the connector housing22of the male connector20from a direction of arrow A (inFIG. 1). The cam pins13of the female connector10inserted in the connector housing22are brought into engagement respectively with the cam grooves33of the lever30, and the female connector10is set in the half-fitting position relative to the connector housing22.

Then, when the lever30located in the standby position (shown inFIG. 2) is rotated in a direction of arrow B (inFIG. 2), each cam pin13receives a pressing force form the corresponding cam groove33as a result of this rotating operation, and the terminals of the female connector10are gradually shifted toward the proper fitting position in the connector housing22. Also, when the rotating lever33reaches a position just before the lock position (shown inFIG. 3A), the lever claw portion36of the retaining portion35elastically deforms the lock arm42of the wire cover40in the direction F (FIGS. 4B and 5B), and then slides over the lock portion45of the lock arm42, so that the distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other in the proper fitting position, and at this time the lock portion45abuts against the lock protection portion37by its own elastic force.

Next, the operation for canceling the fitted condition of the lever-type connector1of this embodiment will be described.

First, the operator depresses the lock portion45in the direction F (inFIGS. 4B and 5B), and then when the lever30located in the lock position is rotated to the standby position (shown inFIG. 2), the terminals of the female connector10are moved from the proper fitting position to the half-fitting position. When the operator separates the terminals of the female connector10, located in the half fitting position, from the connector housing22, the fitting cancellation operation of the female connector10is completed.

As described above, the lever-type connector1of this embodiment includes the connector housing22receiving the terminals connected respectively to the end portions of the wires, the wire cover40attached to the wire lead-out side of the connector housing22so as to lead the wires out to the exterior, the lever30which is rotatably mounted on the connector housing22and is rotated when the female connector10is disposed in the half-fitted condition relative to the connector housing22, thereby moving the female connector10from the half-fitting position to the proper fitting position, the retaining portion35formed at the lever30, and the lock portion45which is formed at the wire cover40and is retainingly engaged with the retaining portion35of the lever30when the lever30has been operated to properly fit the connector housing22and the female connector10together. The lever claw portion36is formed at the retaining portion35, and the lock portion45is formed at the distal end portion of the lock arm42, and one of the retaining portion35and the lock arm42has elasticity, and the lock protection portion37is formed at that side disposed in the direction of engagement of the lever claw portion36with the lock portion45so that the lock protection portion37can cover the lock portion45.

In the lever-type connector1of this embodiment, the lock protection portion37is formed at the side disposed in the direction of engagement of the lever claw portion36of the lever30with the lock portion45of the wire cover40so that the lock protection portion37can cover the lock portion45. Therefore, after the lever claw portion36and the lock portion45are retainingly engaged with each other to thereby lock the lever30, the lock protection portion37covers the lock portion45, and the lock portion45can be positively prevented from damage and deformation.

Furthermore, since the lock protection portion37covers the lock portion45, the locked condition of the lever30will not be canceled even when a force is applied from the exterior. Therefore, there can be provided the lever-type connector1in which such damage and deformation are prevented, and the lock holding force is high.

Furthermore, in the lever-type connector1of this embodiment, the lock arm42has elasticity, and when the lever30is rotated, the lever claw portion36elastically deforms the lock arm42, and then slides over the lock portion45of the lock arm42, so that the distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other in the proper fitting position, and at this time the lock portion45abuts against the lock protection portion37by its own elastic force.

In the lever-type connector1of this embodiment, the distal end engagement portion46of the lock portion45and the lever claw portion36are engaged with each other, and also the lock portion45abuts against the lock protection portion37by its own elastic force, and therefore a lock sound can be obtained, and it can be confirmed from this lock sound that the locking of the lever has been completed.

Although the lever-type connector of the present invention has been described above with respect to the illustrated embodiment, the invention is not limited to this embodiment, the constructions of the various portions can be replaced by arbitrary constructions having similar functions.

For example, in the above embodiment, although the lock protection portion37of the lever-type connector1is formed into the generally V-shaped cross-section, this lock protection portion can be suitably modified in so far as it is formed into such a shape as to cover the periphery of the lock portion45.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described for the particular preferred embodiments, it is apparent to a person skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made on the basis of the teachings of the invention. It is apparent that such changes and modifications are within the spirit, scope, and intention of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-006113 filed on Jan. 14, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the present invention, damage and deformation of the lever-type connector for fitting the mating connector thereto by rotating the lever are prevented, and therefore the invention is quite useful in increasing the lock holding force.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST