Abstract:
The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a lever capable of rotating between an unlocked position in which the lever reclines with respect to the insertion direction of a second housing and a locked position in which the lever is upright with respect to the insertion direction of the second housing. The lever is provided with a protruding portion which comes into contact with the edge of an opening in the adjacent first housing before insertion into the second housing has been completed and which causes the lever to approach the locked position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2013-139289, filed Jul. 2, 2013, and to International Application No. PCT/JP2014/067632, filed Jul. 2, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector and, more specifically, to a connector including a lever performing a locking operation. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In certain connectors, a lever provided on a plug housing inserted into a receptacle housing is able to rotate between an unlocked position reclined with respect to the insertion direction of the plug housing and a locked position upright with respect to the insertion direction of the plug housing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     However, with connectors with mating assist levers, it is difficult to get a finger on the lever in the unlocked position because the lever is on or near the receptacle housing. When a plurality of receptacle housings are arranged side by side in the background art, the finger often comes into contact with the terminals of the receptacle housings that do not have an installed connector. Therefore, a connector that provides greater access to the operation portion of the lever overcomes the problems of the prior art. 
     The present disclosure is able to solve this problem by providing a connector comprising: a first housing; a second housing inserted into the first housing; and a lever. This lever is able to rotate around a shaft portion provided on an outside surface of the second housing between an unlocked position reclined with respect to the insertion direction of the second housing and a locked position upright with respect to the insertion direction of the second housing. Either the first housing or the lever is provided with a protruding portion that contacts the other before insertion into the second housing has been completed and causing the lever to approach the locked position. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the protruding portion is provided on the lever so as to protrude on the side closer to the first housing in the direction of rotation. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of first housings are arranged in parallel, and the protruding portion contacts an edge of an opening in the first housing adjacent to the first housing receiving the inserted second housing among the plurality of first housings. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure, the lever comprises: a pair of arm portions arranged so as to interpose the second housing; and a bridge portion spanning the space between the tips of the pair of arm portions; the protruding portion being provided on one of the pair of arm portions. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure, the lever comprises: a pair of arm portions arranged so as to interpose the second housing; and a bridge portion spanning the space between the tips of the pair of arm portions; a finger rest portion being provided on the bridge portion so as to project radially on the side farther from the first housing in the direction of rotation. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure, an engaging groove is formed in the lever to engage an engaging piece provided on an outer surface of the first housing, and the engaging piece is able to become detached from the engaging groove in the insertion/detachment direction of the second housing at the position of the lever when insertion of the second housing has been completed. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure, an engaging piece is provided on each of the second housing and the lever that engages each other restricting rotation of the lever towards the locked position of the lever when the lever is in the unlocked position, contact with the protruding portion causing the engaging pieces to overcome each other and the lever to advance toward the locked position when the second housing is inserted. 
     In the present disclosure, contact with the protruding portion when the second housing is inserted causes the lever to advance toward the locked position, making it easier to get a finger on the lever and reducing the distance required for operating the lever. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a connector in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the same connector; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the same connector; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the same connector; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the second housing and the lever in the same connector; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the lever in the same connector; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of the lever in the same connector; 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the lever in the same connector; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a connector in another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a connector in another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a connector in another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following is an explanation of a connector in an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1C  are perspective views of a connector  1  in an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a side view of the connector  1 .  FIG. 1A  shows the configuration before the second housing  3  has been inserted into the first housing  2 ,  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2  show the configuration after the second housing  3  has been inserted into the first housing  2 .  FIG. 1C  shows the situation when the lever  4  has been rotated to the locked position L after the second housing  3  has been inserted into the first housing  2 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the second housing  3  and the lever  4  in the connector  1 .  FIG. 3  shows the lever  4  at the unlocked position U.  FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4C  are a perspective view, front view, and cross-sectional view of the lever  4 . 
     Here, the solid-line arrow id in  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 3  indicates the insertion/detachment direction of the second housing  3 . In the insertion/detachment direction id, i indicates the insertion side and d indicates the detachment side. Solid-line arrow k and solid-line arrow w in  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 3  indicate the long-axis direction and short-axis direction of the first housing  2  intersecting the insertion/detachment direction id. The dashed-line arrow in  FIG. 1C  and  FIG. 3  indicate the turning direction of the lever  4 . 
     The connector  1  includes a plurality of receptacle first housings  2 , a plurality of plug second housings  3  inserted into the first housings  2 , a lever  4  rotatably supported on each second housing  3 , and a cover  5  attached to each second housing  3 . In  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 2 , only one second housing  3  is shown.  FIG. 3  shows a second housing  3  and a lever  4  with the cover  5  removed. 
     The first housing  2  includes an angular tube-shaped outer shell  21 . A plurality of terminals  29  extending towards the detachment side d are held in the outer shell  21 . The outer shell  21  includes a pair of long panel portions  211  facing the short-axis direction w and extending in the long-axis direction k, and a pair of short panel portions  212  facing the long-axis direction k and extending in the short-axis direction w. An opening  2   a  on the detachment side d is formed in the outer shell  21 , and the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  has a rectangular frame-shaped profile in a plan view including the long-axis direction k and the short-axis direction w. 
     A ridge portion  25  is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the long panel portion  211  of the outer shell  21  which extends in the insertion/detachment direction id. An engaging piece  27  that engages a lever  4  provided on the outer peripheral surface of the long panel portion  211  of the outer shell  21 . The engaging piece  27  has a disk-shaped large diameter portion  271 , and a small diameter portion  273  with a diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion  271  positioned between the long panel portion  211  and the large-diameter portion  271  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The plurality of first housings  2  are arranged in parallel in the long-axis direction k. In the present embodiment, two first housings  2  are adjacent to each other in the long-axis direction k. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, three or more first housings  2  may be arranged in parallel in the long-axis direction k. 
     The second housing  3  includes an angular column-shaped inserted portion  31  inserted into the first housing  2 . A plurality of terminals not shown in the drawing are held in the inserted portion  31  (see  FIG. 3 ). When the inserted portion  31  is inserted into a first housing  2 , the terminals (not shown) held in the inserted portion  31  make contact with the terminals  29  held in the first housing  2 . The terminals (not shown) held in the inserted portion  31  are connected to a wire harness  9  extending from the second housing  3 . 
     An angular tube-shaped cover  5  is attached to the second housing  3  and positioned so as to surround the inserted portion  31 . When an inserted portion  31  is inserted into the first housing  2 , the cover  5  is positioned so as to surround the first housing  2 . In other words, when the inserted portion  31  is inserted into the first housing  2 , the first housing  2  is inserted into the gap between the inserted portion  31  and the cover  5 . 
     A recessed portion  31   d  extending in the insertion/detachment direction id is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inserted portion  31  in a position corresponding to the ridge portion  25  on the first housing  2 . When the inserted portion  31  is inserted into the first housing  2 , the ridge portion  25  on the first housing  2  is fitted into the recessed portion  31   d  to guide the inserted portion  31  in the insertion/detachment direction id. 
     A backside cover  33  is arranged on the detachment side d of the inserted portion  31  so as to surround the connection with the wire harness  9 . The backside cover  33  is open on one end on the long-axis direction k, and the wire harness  9  protrudes towards the detachment side d in the insertion/detachment direction id from the one side of the backside cover  33  in the long-axis direction k. 
     An engaging piece  35  protruding towards the detachment side d is provided on the detachment side d of the backside cover  33  in order to keep the lever  4  in the locked position L. An engaging piece  331  is also provided between the inserted portion  31  and the backside cover  33  to keep the lever  4  in the unlocked position U (see  FIG. 3 ). An engaging piece  331  is provided on both sides in the short-axis direction w on the other end in the long-axis direction k. 
     A shaft portion  37  protruding in the short-axis direction w is provided between the inserted portion  31  and the backside cover  33  in order to rotatably support the lever  4 . A shaft portion  37  is provided on both sides in the short-axis direction w in the central portion in the long-axis direction k. The tips of the shaft-portions  37  overhang in the insertion/detachment direction id and have a substantially Φ-shaped profile. 
     The lever  4  is able to rotate around the shaft portion  37  provided on the second housing  3  between an unlocked position U and a locked position L, and is used to secure a fitted first housing  2  and second housing  3  to each other. The lever  4  has a substantially U-shaped profile when viewed from the front (see  FIG. 4B ), and has a substantially L-shaped profile when viewed from the side (see  FIG. 4C ). 
     The lever  4  includes a pair of plate-like arm portions  41  extending parallel to each other. This pair of arm portions  41  are arranged so as to interpose the second housing  3 . A shaft hole  40   a  is formed in the base end of the arm portions  41  that receive the shaft portions  37  of the second housing  3 . The shaft holes  40   a  have a substantially Φ-shaped profile enabling the inserted tips of the shaft portions  37  to be received. 
     A plate-like bridge portion  44  spans the tips of the pair of arm portions  41 . The bridge portion  44  is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the radial direction centered on the shaft holes  40   a . The tips of the arm portions  41  protrude towards the tip side with respect to the bridge portion  44  in the radial direction. 
     An engaging piece  441  is provided in the bridge portion  44  on the side nearer the unlocked position U in the turning direction (that is, on the side closer to the first housing  2 ) and protrudes towards the base side in the radial direction. The engaging piece  441  meshes with the engaging piece  35  on the second housing  3  to keep the lever  4  in the locked position L. 
     A plate-like finger rest portion  45  is provided in the bridge portion  44  on the side nearer the locked position L in the turning direction (that is, on the side farther from the first housing  2 ) and overhangs in the tip side in the radial direction. The finger rest portion  45  is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the turning direction and is continuous with the tip of the arm portions  41 . The operator places a finger on the finger rest portion  45  to operate the lever  4 . 
     A protruding portion  43  is provided on one side of the tips of the pair of arm portions  41  on the side nearer the unlocked position U in the turning direction (that is, on the side closer to the first housing  2 ). A section of the protruding portion  43  connects the arm portion  41  to the bridge portion  44 . 
     The protruding portion  43  has a contact portion  432  making contact with the other protruding portion, and two reinforcing portions  431 ,  433  provided on the tip side of the contact portion  432  in the radial direction and extending linearly in the turning direction. A groove  43   a  extending linearly in the turning direction is provided between the two reinforcing portions  431 ,  433 . The contact portion  432  is continuous on the same plane as the bridge portion  44 , and the reinforcing portions  431  are continuous on the same plane as the arm portions  41 . 
     By providing reinforcing portions  431 ,  433  on the tip side of the contact portion  432  in the radial direction, the rigidity of the contact portion  432  can be improved. By dividing the reinforcing portions  431 ,  433  with grooves  43   a  at intervals, the contact width of the contact portion  432  can be increased. 
     An engaging portion  47  is provided in the middle of an arm portion  41  in the direction of extension in order to keep the lever  4  in the unlocked position U. The engaging portion  47  includes a band-like elastic beam  471  extending linearly in the turning direction and an engaging piece  473  protruding to the inside of the elastic beam  471  (that is, on the side with the second housing  3 ). The elastic beam  471  is disconnected from the arm portion  41  in the radial direction to provide elasticity in the thickness direction. The engaging piece  473  meshes with the engaging piece  331  on the second housing  3  to keep the lever  4  in the unlocked position U. 
     The lever  4  includes a band-like acting portion  42  protruding radially around the shaft hole  4  in the direction different from the extension direction of the arm portion  41 . In the present embodiment, the acting portion  42  protrudes in the same direction as the protruding portion  43 , that is, in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the arm portion  41 . The acting portion  42  protrudes farther than the protruding portion  43  in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the arm portion  41 . 
     A slit-like engaging groove  42   a  is provided in the acting portion  42  to engage an engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2 . The engaging piece  27  is guided in the direction of the engaging groove  42   a  and prevents movement in any other direction. The engaging groove  42   a  extends from the tip of the acting portion  42  in a curved direction opposite the arm portion  41  including the shaft hole  40   a . The engaging groove  42   a  has a trajectory which gradually approaches the shaft hole  40   a  as it moves away from the tip of the acting portion  42 . 
     More specifically, the acting portion  42  has a three-layered structure including an outer portion  421 , a middle portion  422 , and an inner portion  423 . The outer portion  421  and the middle portion  422  have a guiding edge  427  forming a portion of the engaging groove  42   a , and the large diameter portion  271  of the engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2  is fitted against this guiding edge  427 . The inner portion  423  has a guiding edge  428  forming another portion of the engaging groove  42   a , and the small diameter portion  273  of the engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2  is fitted against this guiding edge  428 . 
     Receiving edges  425 ,  426  are provided in the middle portion  422  and the inner portion  423  that receives the engaging piece  27  of the first housing  2  into the engaging groove  42   a  at the tip of the acting portion  42 . The receiving edges  425 ,  426  extend in the protruding direction of the acting portion  42  and are continuous with the guiding edges  427 ,  428 . 
     A protruding portion  429  is provided in the outer portion  421  on the inside of the acting portion  42  (that is, on the side with the second housing  3 ) at the tip of the acting portion  42 . The large diameter portion  271  of the engaging piece  27  provided on the first housing  2  is inserted into the engaging groove  42   a  in the gap between the receiving edge  425  and the protruding portion  429 . 
     The lever  4  is able to rotate around the shaft portion  37  on the second housing  3  inserted into the shaft hole  40   a  between the unlocked position U and the locked position L (see  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 3 ). 
     In the unlocked position U, the lever  4  is reclined with respect to the insertion/detachment direction id. More specifically, the extension direction of the arm portion  41  of the lever  4  is relatively close to the long-axis direction k orthogonal to the insertion/detachment direction id at the unlocked position U. In the present embodiment, the extension direction of the arm portion  41  is parallel to the long-axis direction k orthogonal to the insertion/detachment direction id in the unlocked position U. Also, in the unlocked position U, the tip of the arm portion  41  is positioned opposite the wire harness  9  extending from the backside cover  33  in the long-axis direction k. Also, in the unlocked position U, the acting portion  42  of the lever  4  protrudes on the insertion side i. 
     In the locked position L, the lever  4  is reclined with respect to the insertion/detachment direction id. More specifically, the extension direction of the arm portion  41  of the lever  4  is relatively close to the insertion/detachment direction id at the locked position L. In the present embodiment, the extension direction of the arm portion  41  is parallel to the insertion/detachment direction id in the locked position L. Also, in the locked position L, the tip of the arm portion  41  is positioned on the detachment side d. Also, in the locked position L, the acting portion  42  of the lever  4  protrudes opposite the wire harness  9  extending from the backside cover  33  in the long-axis direction k. 
     The following is an explanation of the series of operations performed to insert the second housing  3  into the first housing  2  and to secure the housings using the lever  4 . 
     Before the second housing  3  is inserted, the lever  4  is in the unlocked position U (see  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 3 ). In other words, the extension direction of the arm portion  41  of the lever  4  is parallel to the long-axis direction k orthogonal to the insertion/detachment direction id, and the protruding portion  43  on the tip of the arm portion  41  protrudes on the insertion side i. The acting portion  42  of the lever  4  also protrudes on the insertion side i, and the gap between the receiving edge  425  and the protruding portion  429  opens on the insertion side i. In the present disclosure, the extension direction of the insertion edges  425 ,  426  is on a slight incline away from the insertion/detachment direction id on the insertion side i. 
     When the lever  4  is in the unlocked position U, the second housing  3  is moved towards the first housing  2  on the insertion side i and begins to be inserted (see  FIG. 1A ). 
     While the second housing  3  is being inserted, the engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2  enters the engaging groove  42   a  via the gap between the insertion edge  425  and the protruding portion  429  on the acting portion  42  of the lever  4  (see  FIG. 3 ). In addition, the protruding portion  43  of the lever  3  contacts the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the first housing  2  adjacent to the first housing  2  receiving the inserted second housing  3  (see  FIG. 1B ). 
     In the present embodiment, the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  contacts the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the first housing  2  adjacent to the first housing  2  receiving the inserted second housing  3  on the side including the tip of the arm portion  41  in the long-axis direction k. More specifically, the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  contacts one of the pair of sides on the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2  facing the short-axis direction w and extending in the long-axis direction k. 
     In the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4 , the reaction to the force used to insert the second housing  3  is received by the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2 . The force of the reaction acts in the direction turning the lever  4  towards the locked position L. 
     When the lever  4  is in the unlocked position U, the engaging piece  331  on the second housing  3  engages the engaging piece  473  on the lever  4  to restrict turning of the lever  4  to the locked position L (see  FIG. 3 ). When the force of reaction is applied to the lever  4 , the engaging pieces  331 ,  473  overcome each other and the lever  4  begins to turn towards the locked position L. 
     When the second housing  3  has been inserted, the lever  4  is pressed on the detachment side d by the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2 . As a result, the lever moves to interim position P between the unlocked position U and the locked position L (see  FIG. 1B  and  FIG. 2 ). When the second housing  3  has been inserted, the interim position P is the position at which the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  comes into contact with the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2 . 
     When the second housing  3  has been inserted, the lever  4  moves to the interim position P, and the gap between the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2  and the finger rest portion  45  of the lever  4  increases. This makes it easier for the operator to place a finger on the finger rest portion  45  of the lever  4 , and reduces the distance over which the lever  4  is operated. It also keeps the finger of the operator from coming into contact with the terminals  29  held in the adjacent first housing  2 . As a result, the lever  4  is easier to operate. 
     When the lever  4  is in the interim position P in the present embodiment, the extension direction of the receiving edges  425 ,  426  is parallel to the insertion/detachment direction id. In other words, when the lever  4  is in the interim position P, the engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2  is able to pass through the gap between the receiving edge  425  on the acting portion  42  of the lever  4  and the protruding portion  429 . 
     The force of reaction acting on the lever  4  so as to cause the engaging pieces  331 ,  473  to overcome each other depends on the degree to which the engaging piece  331  on the second housing  3  and the engaging piece  473  on the lever  4  engage each other and the degree to which the elastic beam  471  holding engaging piece  331  is elastic. However, sometimes the momentum turns the lever  4  from the interim position P to a position N near the locked position L (see FIG.  2 ). At this time, the lever  4  becomes easier to operate because the gap between the edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2  and the finger rest position  45  of the lever  4  increases. 
     After the second housing  3  has been inserted, the operator places a finger on the finger rest portion  45  of the lever  4  which has moved to the interim position P to turn the lever  4  from the interim position P to the locked position L (see  FIG. 1C ). In this way, the first housing  2  and the second housing  3  are secured to each other. In other words, by turning the lever  4  to the locked position L, the engaging piece  27  of the first housing  2  is held inside the engaging groove  42   a  in the lever  4  to restrict movement in the insertion/detachment direction id. 
     Because, in the present embodiment, the finger rest portion  45  is positioned closer to the locked position L in the turning direction of the lever  4  (that is, away from the first housing  2 ), the finger of the operator used to operate the lever  4  is farther away from the first housing  2 . This can keep the finger of the operator from coming into contact with the terminals  29  held in the adjacent first housing  2 . 
     When the lever  4  is moved towards the interim position P from the locked position L, the second housing  3  can be detached from the first housing  2 . Because the extension direction of the receiving edges  425 ,  426  is parallel to the insertion/detachment direction id when the lever  4  is in the interim position P, the engaging piece  27  on the first housing  2  can be easily detached from the engaging groove  42   a  via the gap between the receiving edge  425  on the acting portion  42  of the lever  4  and the protruding portion  429 . 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are perspective views of connectors  1  in other embodiments of the present disclosure. The components and structures identical to those in the embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numbers and further description of these components and structures has been omitted. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 5A , a protruding portion  43  is provided on the tip of both arm portions  41 , and a notch  43   b  is formed between the two protruding portions  43 . Each protruding portion  43  has a contact portion  435  continuing on the same plane as the bridge portion  44  and a reinforcing portion  434  continuing on the same plane as the arm portion  41 . The two protruding portions  43  contact both edges  23  in the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  2  facing the short-axis direction w and extending in the long-axis direction k. In the example shown in  FIG. 5B , a notch is not formed but the contact portion  435  is larger in the width direction. 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above. A person skilled in the art could certainly devise modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     In the embodiment described above, a plurality of first housings  2  are provided, and the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  comes into contact with an edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the first housing  2  other than the first housing  2  receiving the inserted housing. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, there can be a single first housing  2  and the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  can come into contact with an integrally provided contacted portion. 
     In the embodiment described above, the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  comes into contact with an edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in a first housing  2  adjacent to the first housing  2  receiving the inserted housing in the long-axis direction k. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the protruding portion  43  of the lever  4  may come into contact with an edge  23  of the opening  2   a  in the adjacent first housing  1  in the short-axis direction w or in an oblique direction. 
     In the embodiment described above, a protruding portion  43  is provided on the lever  4 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a protruding portion may be integrally formed in the first housing  2  to make contact with the arm portion  41  or bridge portion  44  of the lever  4 .