Patent Publication Number: US-6666697-B2

Title: Connector assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector assembly. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-319271 discloses a connector assembly designed to improve connection operability. This assembly has first and second connectors that are connectable by movement along connecting directions. The first connector has a slider movable in a direction normal to the connecting directions and is formed with a cam groove oblique to both a moving direction of the slider and the connecting directions. The second connector includes a cam pin engageable with the cam groove. 
     The cam pin engages the entrance of the cam groove by lightly fitting the two connectors together. The slider then is moved and the connectors are pulled toward each other by the cam action of the cam groove and the cam pin. The two connectors are connected easily and securely even if an operation force given to the slider is small. 
     Frictional resistance between terminal fittings increases as the number of contacts between the terminal fittings increases, and a certain degree of force is required to operate the slider. An operator may inadvertently fail to move a slider completely to a proper connection position if a large operation force is required. Thus, the two connectors may be left only partly connected. 
     Human eyes can detect partial connection of the connectors easily if the slider is stopped a large distance from the proper connection position. However, it is difficult for human eyes to detect an improper connection if the slider is close to the proper connection position. 
     Moreover, connection resistance created between terminal fittings of both connectors increases if the connectors have many contacts. Thus, it becomes difficult to connect such connectors by hand. Levers typically are used as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,179 to reduce connecting forces for connector assemblies with many contacts. This connector assembly has a lever rotatably supported on one connector. The lever has arcuate cam grooves that engage cam pins on the other connector. The lever is rotated with the cam grooves and the cam pins engaged to connect the two connectors by cam action. A relatively small operation force on the lever can connect the two connectors easily even if connection resistance between the connectors is large. 
     Space saving has been required for automotive vehicles in recent years, and a space for installing wiring harnesses and lever-type connectors has become smaller. Thus, sufficient space for rotating the lever may not be available. 
     Some lever-type connector assemblies (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,179) have cam grooves formed in the lever. The cam groove entrances are open in the outer periphery of the lever so that the cam pins can enter the cam grooves. Thus, the outer peripheral portion of the lever at the entrances of the cam grooves is divided or the thickness of outer peripheral portion of the lever at the entrances of the cam grooves is reduced. Consequently, the strength of the outer peripheral portion of the lever is reduced, and there has been a demand for a countermeasure. 
     The present invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to improve an operability of a connector assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a connector assembly with first and second connectors that can move along a connecting direction for connection with one another. A slider is mounted on the first connector for linear movement between an initial position and a connection position. The moving direction of the slider is aligned at an angle to the connecting directions of the connectors. The connectors are connected by the cam action of a cam means as the slider is moved from the initial position toward the connection position. The connector assembly also includes a detector that is displaceable between a standby position and a detection position. The detector preferably is on the first connector. A movement detecting means keeps the detector at the standby position before the slider reaches the connection position and permits displacement of the detector to the detection position only after the slider reaches the connection position. Thus, the connector detects whether the slider has been operated properly. 
     The cam means preferably comprises a cam groove in one of the slider and the second connector and a cam pin on the other. The cam pin extends oblique to both the moving direction of the slider and the connecting directions of the connectors, and is engageable with the cam groove. 
     The detector can be displaced to the detection position after the slider reaches the proper connection position. However, displacement of the detector to the detection position is prevented when the slider has not reached the proper connection position and the connectors are not connected fully. Thus, the position of the slider can be detected based on whether the detector can be displaced to the detection position. 
     The slider may have a recess that aligns with and receives the detector when the slider reaches the connection position. The recess is not aligned with the detector before the slider reaches the connection position. Thus, the detector will not move to the detection position until the slider reaches the connection position. 
     Engagement of the detector in the recess prevents a return movement of the slider. Thus, the slider is locked at the connection position. 
     The slider preferably has an operable portion that is near the detector when the slider is moved to the connection position. Accordingly, after the operation of the slider, a hand or fingers that were on the operable portion can be transferred to displace the detector without being moved significantly. Thus operational efficiency is good. 
     The connector assembly also may comprise a lever pivotably provided in or on the first connector. Linking means may be provided for linking the lever and the slider and hence for linking the pivotal movement of the lever with the sliding movement of the slider. A cam groove in one of the lever and the slider is engageable with the cam pin of the second connector to achieve a cam action as the lever is pivoted and/or as the slider is slid. 
     Accordingly, a pivoting movement applied to the lever causes the connectors to be connected by the cam action of the cam groove and the cam pin and, through the linking means, also causes the sliding movement of the slider. Similarly, a sliding movement applied to the slider causes the connectors to be connected by the cam action of the cam groove and the cam pin and, through the linking means, also causes the rotation of the lever. The user selects the lever or the slider depending on which is easier to operate in view of installation conditions of the connector assembly. 
     A rotating direction of the lever and a sliding direction of the slider preferably are substantially opposite. Thus, a better selection of the lever or the slider can be made when a great importance is attached to the operating direction of the lever or the slider in view of, for example, space constraints. 
     The connector assembly may comprise a cam functioning means for connecting the connectors. The cam functioning means comprises a link and the cam groove is formed in the link. The outer periphery of the lever has a projection for engaging the link as the lever is pivoted. Thus, the link is displaced as the lever is pivoted and a cam action of the cam groove and the cam pin is displayed. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the cam groove in the lever and the outer peripheral portion of the lever is strong. 
     The link may be provided in the first connector or the second connector may be caused to function as a link. In the former case, the cam action is displayed by engaging the cam groove of the link with the cam pin on the second connector. In the latter case, the projection of the lever functions as the cam pin, the cam groove is in the second connector and the projection of the lever and the cam groove of the second connector are engaged. 
     The link is supported on the first connector to slide in a direction that intersects a connecting direction of the first connector with the second connector, and/or the cam pin is provided on the second connector. 
     The link engages the projection when the lever is rotated. Thus, the link slides in a direction that intersects the connecting directions of the connectors and the cam groove of the link displays a cam action with the cam pin of the second connector to connect the two connectors. 
     The link preferably has an engaging portion for engaging the projection so that the projection moves together with the link and is relatively rotatable. The lever also may be supported pivotably on the first connector by the engagement of an oblong hole and a shaft. The rotation of the lever and the sliding movement of the link can be made smoothly because the center of rotation of the lever moves along the oblong hole as the lever is rotated. 
     The link may include a sliding portion that can be engaged by hand for sliding the link. The connectors are connected by the cam action of the cam groove and the cam pin as the lever is rotated with the engaging portion and the projection engaged. Thus, an operator can select either rotating the lever or sliding the link for connecting the two connectors. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section showing a state where a slider is located at an initial position and cam grooves and cam pins are engaged in one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section showing an intermediate stage of connection of two connectors as the slider is moved. 
     FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section showing a partly connected state of the connectors with the slider immediately before a proper connection position. 
     FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section showing a state where the slider is at the proper connection position and a detector is at a detection position. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of a wire cover and a lever. 
     FIG. 6 is a lateral section of a housing. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the housing. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the slider. 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the slider. 
     FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged section of a structure for supporting the detector. 
     FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section showing a state where a lever and a slider are located at their initial positions in a further embodiment. 
     FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section showing an intermediate stage of displacements of the lever and the sliders from their initial positions toward their connection positions. 
     FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section showing a state where the lever and the slider are located at their connection positions. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of a first connector. 
     FIG. 15 is a rear view of a wire cover and the lever. 
     FIG. 16 is a lateral section of a housing. 
     FIG. 17 is a front view of the housing. 
     FIG. 18 is a section of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 19 is a side view partly in section showing a state where a first connector and a second connector are separated in one further embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a side view in section showing a state where cam grooves and cam pins are engaged. 
     FIG. 21 is a side view in section showing an intermediate stage of rotation of a lever. 
     FIG. 22 is a side view in section showing a state where the two connectors are connected upon completing the rotation of the lever. 
     FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a state where a wire cover and the lever are detached in the first connector. 
     FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the first connector. 
     FIG. 25 is a section along  25 — 25  of FIG.  23 . 
     FIG. 26 is a plan view of the wire cover and the lever. 
     FIG. 27 is a rear view of the wire cover and the lever. 
     FIG. 28 is a plan view of the second connector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. The connector assembly includes a first connector  10  and a second connector  40  that are connectable with one another. The left side of the first connector  10  in FIG. 1 is referred to herein as the front side. 
     The first connector  10  has a housing  11  formed with cavities  12  and a wire cover  16  that is mountable on the housing  11  from a side opposite the second connector  40 . Terminal fittings (not shown) are inserted into the respective cavities  12  from above. Wires (not shown) are connected with the terminal fittings and are drawn out through the upper surface of the first connector  10 . The drawn-out wires are bent transversely inside the wire cover  16  and extend back from the wire cover  16 . Thus, the wires can be drawn out substantially normal to a connecting direction CD of the connectors  10 ,  40 . 
     A substantially rectangular engaging hole  13  is formed in the bottom mating surface of the housing  11  and surrounds an area where all the cavities  12  are formed. Left and right guide slits  14  are open in the front and rear ends of the housing  11  and have a long cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing  11 . The guide slits  14  are outside and adjacent the engaging hole  13  and communicate with the engaging hole  13 . Left and right lever accommodating grooves  15  open in the upper surface of the housing  11 . The lever accommodating grooves  15  are located outside and adjacent to the guide slits  14  and communicate with the guide slits  14 . 
     The connector assembly also includes a lever  20  with an actuator  21  and left and right plate-shaped arms  22  that extend from the actuator  21 . The lever  20  is mounted pivotably on or near the wire cover  16 . Each arm  22  has a linking groove  24  that extends radially from the outer periphery of the arm  22  toward a center of rotation of the lever  20 . The arms  22  are accommodated in the corresponding lever accommodating grooves  15  with the wire cover  16  mounted on the housing  11 . 
     The connector assembly also includes a slider  30  that has left and right elongated movable plates  31  and a plate-shaped operable portion  32  that connects the front ends of the movable plates  31 . The movable plates  31  can be inserted into the corresponding guide slits  14  from the front. The slider  30  is linearly movable in a moving direction MD substantially normal to the connecting directions CD of the first and second connectors  10 ,  40  between an initial position (see FIG. 1) and a connection position (see FIG.  4 ). 
     Each movable plate  31  of the slider  30  has front and rear cam grooves  34  that extend oblique to both the moving direction MD of the slider  30  and the connecting directions CD of the connectors  10 ,  40 . The cam grooves  34  slope up to the front in a direction opposite to the moving direction MD. Rear ends of the cam grooves  34  define open entrances at the bottom edges of the movable plates  31 . A resilient lock  35  is formed at the rear-upper corner of each movable plate  31 , and the slider  30  can be held at the initial position by engaging the resilient locks  35  with locks  14   a  at the upper walls of the guide slits  14 . 
     The operable portion  32  is spaced forward from the front surface of the housing  11  when the slider  30  is at the initial position, but substantially contacts the front surface of the housing  11  when the slider  30  is at the connection position. Further, the entrances of the cam grooves  34  substantially align with guide holes  19  in the bottom surface of the housing  11  through the bottom walls of the guide slits  14  when the slider  30  is at the initial position. 
     A displacement preventing edge  37  extends substantially parallel with the moving direction MD of the slider  30  along the top of each movable plate  31  from the front end to a middle position. Each movable plate  31  also has a recess  38  on the displacement preventing edge  37  near the operable portion  32 . A linking pin  33  projects from each movable plate  31  for engagement with the linking groove  24  of the lever  20 . 
     Detectors  39  are provided on the wire cover  16  above the slider  30  and are moveable vertically substantially normal to the moving direction MD of the slider  30 . The detectors  39  are guided by guide grooves  17  in the wire cover  16  between a standby position (see FIGS. 1 to  3 ) and a detection position (see FIG. 4) below the standby position. The detectors  39  are near the front end of the wire cover  16  and hence are near the operable portion  32  when the slider  30  is at the connection position (FIG.  4 ). Bottom surfaces of the detectors  39  are at the same height as or slightly above the movement preventing edges  37  of the slider  30  when the detectors  39  are at the standby position. The bottom ends of the detectors  39  are dimensioned to fit into the recesses  38  of the slider  30  without forward and backward shaking. 
     The second connector  40  has a substantially rectangular tubular receptacle  41  that opens up along the connecting direction CD. The receptacle  41  is fittable from below into the engaging hole  13  of the first connector  10 . Front and rear cam pins  42  project out on each of the opposite side walls of the receptacle  41 . The cam pins  42  enter the guide holes  19  of the first connector  10  as the receptacle  41  is fitted into the engaging hole  13 . 
     The two connectors  10 ,  40  are assembled by first positioning the lever  20  at the initial position (FIG. 1) on the wire cover  16  so that the entrances of the linking grooves  24  of the arms  22  to face down and in the mounting direction of the wire cover  16  on the housing  11 . The slider  30  is held at the initial position in the housing  11 , and the detecting members  39  are held at the standby position in the wire cover  16 . 
     The wire cover  16  then is mounted on the housing  11  so that the arms  22  fit into the lever accommodating grooves  15 , and the entrances of the linking grooves  24  engage the linking pins  33  of the slider  30  (see FIG.  1 ). At this time, each detector  39  faces a position on the movement preventing edge  37  of the slider  30  behind the recess  38 . Thereafter, the receptacle  41  of the second connector  40  fits in the engaging hole  13  from below, and the cam pins  42  pass through the guide holes  19  to enter the cam grooves  34  of the slider  30 . 
     The slider  30  then is moved in the moving direction MD from the initial position toward the connection position (see FIG. 2) by manually pushing on the operable portion  32  of the slider  30 . As a result, the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  display a cam action that pulls the connectors  10 ,  40  toward each other along the connecting direction CD for proper connection. 
     The recesses  38  are right below the detectors  39 , as shown in FIG. 4, when the slider  30  is pushed to the proper connection position. Thus, the detectors  39  at the standby position can be displaced down in a displacement direction DD toward the detection position. The displacement direction DD is substantially normal to the moving direction MD of the slider  30 . Further, the operable portion  32  of the slider  30  is near the detectors  39  of the wire cover  16 . Thus, the hand or fingers need only be moved slightly obliquely up and the back from the operable portion  32  to the detectors  39  to push the detectors  39  in the displacement direction DD towards the detection position. The downward pushing of the detectors  39  in the displacement direction DD fits the bottom ends of the detectors  39  fit into the recesses  38  without shaking along the moving direction MD of the slider  30 . Thus, the slider  30  is locked and prevented from moving loosely along the moving direction MD toward the initial position. Locking the slider  30  at the connection position locks the two connectors  10 ,  40  in their properly connected state. 
     The connectors  10 ,  40  are left only partly connected if the slider  30  is not pushed fully to the proper connection position. In this partly connected state, the recesses  38  are displaced forward of the detectors  39  along the moving direction MD, as shown in FIG.  3 . Therefore, the movement preventing edges  37  interfere with the bottom ends of the detectors  39 , and the detectors  39  cannot be pushed down to the detection position. Accordingly, the recesses  38  align with the detectors  39  only when the slider  30  is in the connection position (FIG.  4 ), and hence the detectors  39  can be displaced to the detecting position only when the slider  30  is in the connection position (FIG.  4 ). 
     The slider  30  may be difficult to operate in some installations of the connector assembly. However, the lever  20  may be used as an operable means. Specifically, a hand or fingers may be placed on the actuator  21  of the lever  20  to displace the actuator  21  forward above the wire cover  16 . The lever  20  then is pivoted to the connection position and the inner walls of the linking grooves  24  push the linking pins  33 . Thus, the slider  30  is slid from the initial position toward the connection position. In this case as well, the cam action is displayed by the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  as the slider  30  is moved to connect the two connectors  10 ,  40 . 
     As described above, the detectors  39  can be displaced from the standby position to the detection position after the slider  30  reaches the proper connection position. However, displacement of the detectors  39  from the standby position to the detection position is prevented even when the slider  30  is immediately before the proper connection position and when the connectors  10 ,  40  are connected only partly. Thus, the position of the slider  30  or the connected state of the connectors  10 ,  40  can be detected based on whether the detectors  39  can be displaced to the detection position. 
     The slider  30  has its return movement toward the initial position prevented by engaging the detectors  39  in the recesses  38  after the slider  30  is at the proper connection position. In this way, the detectors  39  and the recesses  38  detect the position of the slider  30  and also lock the slider  30  at the connection position. Hence, it is not necessary to have special means for locking the slider  30  at the connection position. 
     The operable portion  32  of the slider  30  is near the detectors  39  when the slider  30  is in the connection position. Accordingly, the hand or fingers that were on the operable portion  32  to move the slider  30  can be transferred easily to the detectors  39 . Thus, operational efficiency is good. 
     A connector assembly according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 to  17 , and is comprised of a first connector  10  and a second connector  40  that are connectable with and separable from each other. In the following description, left side in FIG. 11 is referred to as the front side. 
     The first connector  10  has a housing  11  with cavities  12  inside, and a wire cover  16  is mountable on the housing  11  from a side opposite the mating side with the second connector  40 . Terminal fittings (not shown) are inserted into the cavities  12  from above, and wires (not shown) connected with the terminal fittings are drawn out through the upper surface of the first connector  10 . The drawn-out wires are bent transversely inside the wire cover  16  to extend back (rightward in FIG. 11) from the wire cover  16 . 
     A substantially rectangular engaging hole  13  is formed in the bottom mating surface of the housing  11  and surrounds an area where all the cavities  12  are formed. Left and right guide slits  14  are open in the front and rear ends of the housing  11  and have a long cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing  11 . The guide slits  14  are outside and adjacent the engaging hole  13  and communicate with the engaging hole  13 . Left and right lever accommodating grooves  15  open in the upper surface of the housing  11 . The lever accommodating grooves  15  are located outside and adjacent to the guide slits  14  and communicate with the guide slits  14 . 
     The connector assembly also includes a lever  20  with an actuator  21  and left and right plate-shaped arms  22  that extend from the actuator  21 . The lever  20  is mounted rotatably on the wire cover  16  by engaging bearing holes in the arms  22  with supporting shafts  17  of the wire cover  16 . Each arm  22  is formed with a linking groove or recess  24  that extends radially from the outer periphery of the arm  22  toward a center of rotation of the lever  20 . The longitudinal direction of the linking grooves  24  intersects with a rotating direction RD of the lever  20  and, at the same time, intersects with a moving direction MD of the slider  30  regardless of the position at which the lever  20  is located between an initial position and a connection position. Thus, the linking grooves  24  have a radial component with respect to the bearing hole  23  and the supporting shaft  17  and gradually approach the bearing hole  23  and the supporting shaft  17 . The arms  22  are accommodated in the corresponding lever accommodating grooves  15  with the wire cover  16  mounted on the housing  11 . 
     Each arm  22  is formed with an initial position locking hole  26  and a connection position locking hole  27 . The lever  20  can be held at the initial position (see FIG. 11) where the entrances of the linking grooves  24  face down toward a mating side with the second connector  40  by engaging the initial position holding holes  26  with locking projections  18  on the wire cover  16 . Further, the lever  20  can be held at the connection position (see FIG. 13) where the actuator  21  is at the front end of the lever  20  by engaging the connection position locking holes  27  with the locking projections  18 . 
     The connector assembly also includes a slider  30  with elongated left and right movable plates  31  that have their front ends connected by a plate-shaped sliding portion  32 . The movable plates  31  are inserted into the corresponding guide slits  14  from the front. The slider  30  can be slid linearly in forward and backward movable directions MD substantially normal to connecting directions CD of the first and second connectors  10 ,  40  between an initial position (see FIG. 11) and a connection position (see FIG. 13) while sliding the movable plates  31  inside the guide slits  14 . A round linking pin  33  is formed on the outer surface of each movable plate  31  of the slider  30 , and projects into the corresponding lever accommodating groove  15 . 
     Each movable plate  31  of the slider  30  has front and rear cam grooves  34  that extend oblique to both the moving direction MD of the slider  30  and the connecting directions CD of the two connectors  10 ,  40 . The cam grooves  34  are sloped up to the front in a direction opposite to the moving direction MD and in a connection direction CD, and the rear ends of the cam grooves  34  define open entrances at the bottom edges of the movable plates  31 . A resilient lock  35  is formed at the rear-upper corner of each movable plate  31 , and the slider  30  can be held at the initial position by engaging the resilient locks  35  with locks  14   a  at the upper walls of the guide slits  14 . The sliding portion  32  is spaced forward from the front end of the housing  11  when the slider  30  is at the initial position. Further, the entrances of the cam grooves  34  align with guide holes  19  in the bottom surface of the housing  11  through the bottom walls of the guide slits  14  when the slider  30  is at the initial position. 
     The second connector  40  has a substantially rectangular tubular receptacle  41  that opens up along the connecting direction CD. The receptacle  41  is fittable from below into the engaging hole  13  of the first connector  10 . Front and rear cam pins  42  project out on each of the opposite side walls of the receptacle  41 . The cam pins  42  enter the guide holes  19  of the first connector  10  as the receptacle  41  is fitted into the engaging hole  13 . 
     The two connectors  10 ,  40  are assembled by first holding the lever  20  at the initial position on the wire cover  16 . Thus, entrances of the linking grooves  24  of the arms  22  face down in the mounting direction of the wire cover  16  on the housing  11 . The slider  30  also is held at the initial position. 
     The wire cover  16  then is mounted on the housing  11  in this state so that the arms  22  fit into the lever accommodating grooves  15 , and the entrances of the linking grooves  24  engage the linking pins  33  of the slider  30  (see FIG.  11 ). Thereafter, the receptacle  41  of the second connector  40  is inserted in the connecting direction CD into the engaging hole  13  and the cam pins  42  pass through the guide holes  19  to enter the cam grooves  34  of the slider  30  (see FIG.  11 ). 
     Thereafter, the lever  20  and the slider  30  are moved from their initial positions toward their connection positions. Thus, the connectors  10 ,  40  are pulled toward each other for proper connection by the cam action of the engaged cam grooves  34  and cam pins  42 . Either one of the lever  20  or the slider  30  can be selected as a means for generating the cam action. 
     Specifically, the lever  20  can be used as the operable means by placing a hand, fingers or a tool on the actuator  21  of the lever  20  to displace the actuator  21  forward in the rotating direction RD, over the wire cover  16 , and towards the connection position. The inner walls of the linking grooves  24  push the linking pins  33  as the lever  20  is rotated so that the slider  30  slides in the moving direction MD towards the connection position while being linked with the rotation of the lever  20 , and the cam action is displayed by the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  as the slider  30  is moved. 
     The slider  30  can be used as the operable means by placing a hand or fingers on the sliding portion  32  to slide the slider  30  in the moving direction MD back toward the housing and to the connection position. The cam action is displayed by the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  as the slider  30  is moved. The linear movement of the slider  30  causes the linking pins  33  to push the inner walls of the linking grooves  24 . Thus, the lever  20  is rotated from the initial position to the connection position while being linked with the movement of the slider  30 . 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, the rotatable lever  20  and/or the slidable slider  30  are provided as the operable members for connecting the two connectors  10 ,  40 , and the cam action is displayed by suitably linking these two operable members with each other by the linking means  24 ,  33 . Thus, one of the lever  20  and the slider  30  can be selected depending on installation conditions of the connector assembly and ease of operation, thereby presenting good operability. 
     The actuator  21  is displaced in the forward rotating direction RD when the lever  20  is operated for connection. Alternatively, the sliding portion  32  is displaced in the rearward moving direction MD when the slider  30  is operated for connection. Thus, the operating directions of the actuator  21  of the lever  20  and of the sliding portion  32  of the slider  30  are substantially opposite. Accordingly, a better selection can be made when a great importance is attached to the operating direction of the lever  20  or the slider  30 . 
     A third embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIG.  18 . In the third embodiment, cam grooves  63  are formed in a lever  60  rather than in the slider. Other elements are similar to the previous embodiment, and no description is given for those elements that are the same or similar to the previous embodiments. 
     The third embodiment includes a first connector  50  with a housing  51  and a substantially rectangular engaging hole  52  that opens in the bottom surface of the housing  51 . Left and right lever accommodating grooves  53  are outside and adjacent to the engaging hole  52  and communicate with the engaging hole  52 . Left and right guide slits  54  are outside and adjacent to the lever accommodating grooves  53  and communicate with the lever accommodating grooves  53 . An arcuate cam groove  63  is formed in each arm  62  of the lever  60 , and a linking pin  64  projects from the outer surface of each arm  62 . A vertically extending linking groove  73  is formed in each movable plate  71  of a slider  70  and opens in the upper edge facing toward the lever  60  of the movable plate  71 . The longitudinal direction of the linking grooves  73  is substantially normal to a moving direction MD of the slider  70  and intersects with an arcuate trace of displacement of the linking pins  64  that accompany the rotation of the lever  60  between the initial position and the connection position. 
     The connectors  50 ,  80  are connected by first supporting the lever  60  at the initial position on a wire cover  55  so that entrances of the cam grooves  63  face down. On the other hand, linking grooves  73  in the housing  51  align with the linking pins  64  of the lever  60  when the slider  70  is at the initial position. 
     The wire cover  55  then is mounted on the housing  51  in this state so that the arms  62  fit into the lever accommodating grooves  53  and the linking pins  64  enter the linking grooves  73 . Thereafter, a receptacle  81  of the second connector  80  is fitted into the engaging hole  52  from below and the cam pins  82  enter the cam grooves  63  of the lever  60 . 
     The lever  60  or the slider  70  then is moved from the initial position toward the connection positions. As a result, the two connectors  50 ,  80  are connected with each along the connecting direction CD other by the cam action of the cam grooves  63  and the cam pins  82 . Here, either one of the lever  60  and the slider  70  can be selected as a means for displaying the cam action. 
     If the lever  60  is selected as the operable means, a hand or fingers are placed on an actuator  61  of the lever  60  to displace the actuator  61  forward in the rotating direction RD to rotating the lever  60  towards the connection position. Thus, the cam grooves  63  and the cam pins  82  display the cam action as the lever  60  is rotated. Further, the linking pins  64  push the inner walls of the linking grooves  73  as the lever  60  is rotated. As a result, the slider  70  is slid from the initial position to the connection position while being linked with the rotation of the lever  60 . 
     If the slider  70  is selected as the operable means, a hand or fingers are placed on a sliding portion  72  to push the slider  70  back in the moving direction MD toward both the housing  51  and the connection position. As the slider  70  is moved linearly, the inner walls of the linking grooves  73  push the linking pins  64 . Thus, the lever  60  is rotated from the initial position towards the connection position. The cam action is displayed by the cam grooves  63  and the cam pins  82  as the lever  60  is rotated. 
     A connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention includes first and second connectors  10  and  40 , as shown in FIGS.  19  to  20 . In the following description, left side in FIG. 19 is referred to as front side concerning forward and backward directions. 
     The first connector  10  has a housing  11  with cavities  12  and a wire cover  16  mountable on the housing  11  from above, which is the side opposite to the mating side of the second connector  40 . Terminal fittings (not shown) are inserted into the respective cavities  12  from above, and wires (not shown) connected with the terminal fittings are drawn out through the upper surface of the first connector  10 . The drawn-out wires are bent substantially normal to the terminal fittings inside the wire cover  16  so that the bent wires extend substantially back from the wire cover  16  (rightward in FIG.  19 ). 
     A rectangular engaging hole  13  is formed on the bottom of the housing  11  and surrounds an area where the cavities  12  are formed. A receptacle  41  of the second connector  40  is insertable into the engaging hole  13  from below in a connecting direction CD. Left and right guide slits  14  are formed inside the housing  11 . The guide slits  14  open in the front and rear ends of the housing  11  and having a long cross section along the connecting direction CD of the housing  11 . The guide slits  14  are outside and adjacent to the engaging hole  13  and communicate with the engaging hole  13 . Left and right lever accommodating grooves  15  are open in the upper surface of the housing  11 . The lever accommodating grooves  15  are adjacent to the guide slits  14  and communicate with the guide slits  14 . 
     The connector assembly also has a lever  20  with left and right plate-shaped arms  22  that extend from a rotating portion  21 . The lever  20  is mounted on the wire cover  16  for rotation by engaging oblong holes  123  substantially in the centers of the arms  22  with round shafts  17  on the wire cover  16 . A substantially round projection  124  projecting at a position near the outer periphery of the inner surface of each arm  22 . The arms  22  are partly accommodated in the corresponding lever accommodating grooves  15  and the projections  124  of the lever  20  are positioned in the guide slits  14  when the wire cover  16  is mounted on the housing  11 . The oblong holes  123  of the arms  22  extend substantially parallel with a line connecting substantially center positions of the arms  22  with the projections  124 . 
     The lever  20  is rotatable about the shafts  17  between an initial position (see FIGS. 19 and 20) where the rotating portion  21  is at the rear end of the wire cover  16  and the projections are located obliquely down to the front from the oblong holes  123  and a connection position (see FIG. 22) where the rotating portion  21  is at or towards the front end of the wire cover  16  and the projections  124  are located obliquely down to the back from the oblong holes  123 . The oblong holes  123  are displaced with respect to the shafts  17 . Thus, the center of rotation of the lever  20  is moved along and within the oblong holes  123  as the lever  20  is rotated. 
     The linking member  130  has left and right elongated movable plates  31  and a plate-shaped sliding portion  132  that connects the front ends of the movable plates  31 . The linking member  130  is supported on the first connector  10  by slidably inserting the movable plates  31  into the corresponding guide slits  14  from the front. Thus, the linking member  130  is linearly slidable in forward and backward directions MD substantially normal to connecting directions CD of the first and second connectors  10 ,  40  between an initial position (see FIGS.  19  and  20 ) where the sliding portion  132  is spaced forward from the front end of the housing  11  and a connection position (see FIG. 22) more backward than the initial position. 
     Engaging recesses  133  are formed in the upper edges of the movable plates  31  of the linking member  130 . The engaging recesses  133  have a widths along the moving direction MD and a depths along the connecting direction that are equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the projections  124 . Thus, the projections  124  can be fitted into the engaging portions  133  and can rotate without making loose vertical and transverse movements. 
     Each movable plate  31  of the linking member  130  has front and rear cam grooves  34  that extending oblique to both a moving direction MD of the linking member  130  and the connecting directions CD of the two connectors  10 ,  40 . The cam grooves  34  sloped up and to the front, and the rear ends of the cam grooves  34  are open as entrances at the bottom edges of the movable plates  31 . A resilient lock  35  is formed at the rear-upper corner of each movable plate  31 , and the linking member  130  can be held at the initial position by engaging the resilient locks  35  with locks  14   a  at the upper walls of the guide slits  14 . With the linking member  130  at the initial position, the entrances of the cam grooves  34  substantially register with guide holes  118  in the bottom walls of the guide slits  14  that open in the bottom surface of the housing  11 . 
     The connector assembly also has a second connector  40  with an upwardly projecting rectangular tubular receptacle  41 . The receptacle  41  is insertable into the engaging hole  13  of the first connector  10  in the connecting direction CD. Front and rear cam pins  42  project outward on each of the opposite side walls of the receptacle  41 . The cam pins  42  enter the guide holes  118  of the first connector  10  as the receptacle  41  is fitted into the engaging hole  13 . 
     The projections  124  and the linking member  130  form a cam functioning means  139  that connects the two connectors  10 ,  40  by the cam action of the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  as the lever  20  is rotated. 
     The two connectors  10 ,  40  are assembled by first supporting the lever  20  on the wire cover  16  at the initial position and holding the linking member  130  at the initial position in the housing  11 . The bottom ends of the arms  22  then are inserted into the corresponding lever accommodating grooves  15  and the projections  124  are engaged with the engaging portions  133  (see FIG.  19 ). Thereafter, the first connector  10  is so fit lightly into the engaging hole  13  around the receptacle  41  of the second connector  40 . Then, the cam pins  42  enter the cam grooves  34  through the guide holes  118  (see FIG.  20 ). 
     A hand or fingers can placed on the rotating portion  21  of the lever  20  to push the rotating portion  21  forward above the wire cover  16  for rotating the lever  20  in the rotating direction RD from the initial position towards the connection position. As the lever  20  is rotated, the projections  124  push the inner walls of the engaging portions  133  (see FIG.  21 ). Consequently, the linking member  130  is linked with the lever  20  and slid from the initial position to the connection position. The cam action is displayed by the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  accompanying the movement of the linking member  130 . The two connectors  10 ,  40  are pulled toward each other and properly connected by this cam action (see FIG.  22 ). 
     The height of the projections  124  along the connecting directions of the two connectors  10 ,  40  is constant while the lever  20  is rotated since the projections  124  are moved together with the linking member  130 . However, the lever  20  is supported on the wire cover  16  by the round shafts  17  engaged in the oblong holes  123 . The lever  20  rotates about the shafts  17  of the wire cover  16  but the oblong holes  123  also permit displacement. 
     The linking member  130  can be selected instead of the lever  20  as an operable means for connecting the two connectors  10 ,  40 . In such a case, a hand or fingers push the sliding portion  132  of the linking member  130  in the moving direction MD and back toward the housing  11 . Thus, the linking member  130  is slid from the initial position towards the connection position. As the linking member  130  is moved, the cam action is displayed by the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42 . Further, as the linking member  130  is moved linearly, the inner walls of the engaging portions  133  push the projections  124  back. Consequently, the lever  20  is rotated in the rotating direction RD from the initial position to the connection position while being linked with the linking member  130 . 
     As described above, the linking member  130  has the cam grooves  34  and is relatively displaceable with respect to the first connector  10 . Additionally, the linking member  130  is linked with the connecting operation of the two connectors  10 ,  40  by the engagement of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  of the second connector  40 . The projections  124  project at the outer periphery of the lever  20  and engage with the engaging portion  132  of the linking member  130  to define a cam functioning means or linking means for connecting the two connectors  10 ,  40  by the cam action of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  as the lever  20  is rotated. The lever  20  can be rotated with the projections  124  engaged with the linking member  130 . Thus, the cam action of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  is displayed and the linking member  130  is displaced with respect to the first connector  10 . 
     Specifically, it is not necessary to form the cam grooves in the lever  20  because the cam grooves  34  realizing the cam action are in the linking member  130 . Accordingly, the entrances of the cam grooves  34  need not be formed in the outer peripheries of the arms  22 , and the strength of the outer peripheral portion of the lever  20  is not reduced by the formation of the cam grooves. 
     Further, while the lever  20  is rotated, the projections  124  on the lever  20  are moved linearly with the linking member  130 . In this embodiment, as the lever  20  is rotated, the center of rotation of the lever  20  moves shifts within the oblong holes  123 . Thus, the rotation of the lever  20  and the sliding movement of the linking member  130  can be smoothly made. 
     Further, a hand can be placed on the sliding portion  132  to slide the linking member  130 . Thus, the two connectors  10 ,  40  can be connected by the cam action of the cam grooves  34  and the cam pins  42  while the lever  20  is rotated with the engaging portions  133  and the projections  124  engaged with each other. Accordingly, an operator can select either rotating the lever  20  or sliding the linking member  130  to connect the two connectors  10 ,  40 , thereby presenting good operability. 
     The invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiment. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims. 
     Although the slider is moved normal to the connecting directions of the two connectors in the foregoing embodiment, the moving direction of the slider may be oblique to the connecting directions of the two connectors. 
     The detectors are in the first connector and engage the slider in the first embodiment. However, they may be in the slider and engaged with the first or second connector according to the present invention. 
     Although the detectors are in the first connector in the first embodiment, they may be in the second connector. 
     The lever is rotatable while being linked with the movement of the slider in the first embodiment. However, the connectors may be connected only by operating the slider without providing the lever. 
     The linking mean of the first embodiment may comprise projections on the lever and grooves formed in the slider. 
     The linking mean of the second embodiment may comprise grooves formed in the lever and projections provided on the slider. 
     In the first and second embodiments, the displacing direction of the rotating portion of the lever and that of the sliding portion of the slider may be substantially same. 
     Although one lever and one slider are provided in the foregoing embodiments, two or more of the lever and/or the slider may be provided. 
     In the fourth embodiment, the linking member is separate from the connectors and supported on the first connector, and the cam grooves are engaged with the cam pins on the second connector. However, the second connector may function as the linking member. In such a case, the projections of the lever may function as the cam pins, the cam grooves may be formed in the second connector, and the projections of the lever and the cam grooves of the second connector may be engaged. 
     Although the oblong holes of the lever and the round shafts of the first connector are engaged with each other in the fourth embodiment, round shafts provided on the lever and oblong holes formed in the first connector may be engaged with each other according to the present invention. 
     Although the center of the rotation of the lever is relatively displaced with respect to the first connector as the lever is rotated in the fourth embodiment, it may not be displaced according to the present invention. In such a case, the engaging portions of the linking member may be formed into vertically extending oblong holes.