Patent Description:
Conventionally, there has been known a connector assembly in which a fitting operation between a pair of connectors is easily performed using rotation of a lever member. As an example, <CIT> discloses a connector assembly comprising a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> that is fitted to the first connector <NUM> along a fitting direction D1, as shown in <FIG>. A first housing 1A of the first connector <NUM> is provided with a projection 1B projecting in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction D, and a second housing 2A of the second connector <NUM> has a lever member <NUM> rotatably attached to an outer side of the second housing 2A with a rotation fulcrum portion 2B serving as a fulcrum point.

In the lever member <NUM>, a guide groove (not shown) is formed to face an outer surface of the second housing 2A. The second connector <NUM> is brought to the vicinity of the first connector <NUM> along the fitting direction D, the projection 1B of the first connector <NUM> is inserted in the guide groove of the lever member <NUM>, and in this state, the lever member <NUM> is rotated, whereby the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other.

As a result of fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a first contact 1C disposed in the first housing 1A is electrically connected to a second contact 2D inserted in a contact insertion port 2C of the second connector <NUM>.

The second contact 2D is connected to a tip end of an electric wire <NUM>, and, for example, when the first connector <NUM> is mounted on an electrical device (not shown), an electric current can be applied to the electrical device through the electric wire <NUM>.

In a case where an electric current is applied to an electrical device using the connector assembly of this type, the higher the electric current is, the thicker the electric wire <NUM> connected to the second contact 2D needs to be.

However, if the electrical device is mounted on a vehicle or installed in an environment where the electrical device receives an external force such as vibration, the external force would be transmitted to a contacting part between the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D through the thick electric wire <NUM>, causing a contact failure therebetween.

An increase in the contact force between the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D could improve their contact reliability but would require the higher insertion force for fitting the first connector <NUM> with the second connector <NUM>, and accordingly, it may become difficult to easily perform a fitting operation between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> even with use of rotation of the lever member <NUM>. Moreover, an increase in the contact force may also cause damage on surfaces of the first contact 1C and the second contact 2D, and the contact reliability may be lowered.

<CIT> discloses a low insertion force type connector. <CIT> discloses a power supply circuit connector and a method of connecting a power supply circuit.

The present invention has been made to overcome the above problems associated with the prior art and aims at providing a connector assembly that can improve the contact reliability between a first contact and a second contact while a first connector and a second connector are easily fitted to each other.

A connector assembly according to the present invention comprises:.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM> in the non-fitted state. The connector assembly includes a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> that is fitted to the first connector <NUM> along a fitting direction. For instance, with the first connector <NUM> being mounted on an electrical device (not shown) and the second connector <NUM> being attached to end portions of two electric wires C, the connector assembly can detachably connect the two electric wires C to the electrical device.

Fitting and detaching operations of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be performed by operating a lever member <NUM> that is attached to the second connector <NUM> in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis AX.

For convenience, the direction of fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> is referred to as "Z direction," the direction in which the rotational axis AX of the lever member <NUM> extends as "Y direction," and the direction orthogonal to the Z direction and the Y direction as "X direction.

The second connector <NUM> moves from the +Z direction to the -Z direction to be fitted to the first connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the first connector <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> includes a first insulator <NUM>, and a pair of first contacts <NUM> each held by the first insulator <NUM> and extending along the Z direction.

The first insulator <NUM> includes a base portion 13A of flat plate shape extending along an XY plane, a pair of protruding portions 13B protruding in the +Z direction from a +Z directional surface of the base portion 13A and adjoining each other in the X direction, and a pair of support portions 13C of flat plate shape separately joined to a +Y directional end portion and a -Y directional end portion of the base portion 13A and extending in the +Z direction while facing each other in the Y direction.

Each of the pair of protruding portions 13B is provided with a second contact housing portion 13D of recess shape opened toward the +Z direction and extending in the Z direction. Of the +Z directional surface of the base portion 13A, a portion around the pair of protruding portions 13B constitutes an abutment surface 13E which contacts the second connector <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

A pair of pins 13F projecting in the Y direction are separately formed on surfaces of the pair of support portions 13C, the surfaces facing each other. While <FIG> shows only the pin 13F formed in the support portion 13C on the -Y direction side, the support portion 13C on the +Y direction side is also provided with a like pin 13F. The two pins 13F are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction.

The first connector <NUM> also includes a pair of shells <NUM> separately fixed to inner surfaces of the pair of second contact housing portions 13D of the first insulator <NUM>, and a waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional surface of the base portion 13A of the first insulator <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM> of tubular shape, a rotational shaft member <NUM> that penetrates the second insulator <NUM> in the Y direction and is rotatably attached to the second insulator <NUM>, the lever member <NUM> that is fixed to the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a pair of second contacts <NUM> that are separately connected to end portions of the two electric wires C.

The second connector <NUM> also includes a pair of inner insulators <NUM> that separately house the pair of second contacts <NUM>, and two sets of shells <NUM> that separately surround the pair of inner insulators <NUM>.

Each of the pair of second contacts <NUM> is housed in the inner insulator <NUM> and is held inside the second insulator <NUM> while being also surrounded by the shell <NUM>.

In addition, a pair of through holes 23A are separately formed in opposite side portions of the second insulator <NUM> and serve as rotational-shaft-member housing portions through which the rotational shaft member <NUM> is passed and which separately house opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>. While <FIG> shows only the through hole 23A formed in the +Y directional side portion of the second insulator <NUM>, the -Y directional side portion of the second insulator <NUM> is also provided with a like through hole 23A. The two through holes 23A are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction.

The lever member <NUM> includes a handle portion 22A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of circular plate portions 22B separately joined to opposite ends of the handle portion 22A so as to face each other in the Y direction and each extending along an XZ plane. The pair of circular plate portions 22B are separately provided with center holes 22C. The opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> passing through the pair of through holes 23A of the second insulator <NUM> are separately jointed to the center holes 22C, whereby the lever member <NUM> is held in a rotatable manner with respect to the second insulator <NUM>.

In addition, cam grooves 22D are separately formed on outer surfaces of the pair of circular plate portions 22B, the outer surfaces facing in opposite directions from each other. While <FIG> shows only the cam groove 22D formed in the circular plate portion 22B on the +Y direction side, the circular plate portion 22B on the -Y direction side is also provided with a like cam groove 22D.

The pair of pins 13F of the first insulator <NUM> are separately inserted into the cam grooves 22D of the pair of circular plate portions 22B, and the cam grooves 22D and the pins 13F constitute a cam mechanism that relatively moves the first insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> along the Z direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member <NUM>.

In addition, the second connector <NUM> includes a pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> which separately surround the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane and each of which seals between an inner surface of each of the pair of through holes 23A of the second insulator <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of each of the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> which is disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and which seals between the abutment surface 13E of the first insulator <NUM> and the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> extends in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX, a cam portion 25A is formed at a center part in the Y direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a pair of fitting portions 25B extending in the Y direction are separately formed at Y directional opposite ends of the rotational shaft member <NUM>. In addition, a pair of packing holding grooves 25C of annular shape are each formed between the cam portion 25A and one of the pair of fitting portions 25B at the outer periphery of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane.

The pair of fitting portions 25B are joined to the lever member <NUM> by being each inserted into the center hole 22C of the corresponding circular plate portion 22B of the lever member <NUM>. Moreover, the pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> are separately fitted into the pair of packing holding grooves 25C of annular shape to be thereby held by the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cam portion 25A has a sectional shape similar to an elliptical shape having a short radius and a long radius, and along a circumference of the cam portion 25A, two small radius portions P1 with a relatively small radius R1 from the rotational axis AX and two large radius portions P2 with a relatively large radius R2 from the rotational axis AX are adjacently and alternately disposed at <NUM> degree intervals along the circumferential direction. A surface of the large radius portion P2 constitutes an outer peripheral cam surface 25D.

Next, the fitting operation between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> with the handle portion 22A extending in the Y direction is defined as "zero degrees," and this rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "initial rotation position. " The lever member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the second connector <NUM> such that the rotation angle can be changed from zero degrees to <NUM> degrees.

First, with the lever member <NUM> having the rotation angle of zero degrees, the second connector <NUM> is moved from the +Z direction to the -Z direction toward the first connector <NUM>, whereby a +Z directional portion of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted in the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Consequently, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to an entrance of the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM> attached to the second connector <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> is situated at a start-of-fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM>.

In the second connector <NUM>, the second contact <NUM> held inside the second insulator <NUM> is situated at the same Y directional position as that of the cam portion 25A formed at the center part of the rotational shaft member <NUM> penetrating the second insulator <NUM> in the Y direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the second contact <NUM> is composed of a spring contact bent into a U-shape, and includes a fulcrum portion 24A formed at a bent portion of U-shape, a contact point portion 24B situated on the +Z direction side of the fulcrum portion 24A, and a point-of-effort portion 24C situated on the +Z direction side of the contact point portion 24B and forming a free end.

The point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> is situated at the same Z directional position as that of the rotational axis AX of the rotational shaft member <NUM> and faces the cam portion 25A of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the rotational shaft member <NUM> is jointed to the lever member <NUM> such that when the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> is zero degrees, the small radius portion P1 of the cam portion 25A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> faces in the X direction while the large radius portion P2 faces in the Y direction. Accordingly, the point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> faces the small radius portion P1 of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and due to the relatively small radius R1 of the small radius portion P1, the point-of-effort portion 24C is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM> in <FIG>.

In this state, while the second contact <NUM> held inside the second insulator <NUM> is inserted to a middle position of the interior in the Z direction of the second contact housing portion 13D of the first connector <NUM>, the contact point portion 24B of second contact <NUM> has not reached the position to face the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> yet.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> is rotated till the handle portion 22A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Y direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> relatively advances along the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> moves in the -Z direction with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Consequently, the contact point portion 24B of the second contact <NUM> is situated to face a side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In this state, the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> is defined as "fitting position," and the rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "first rotation position.

At this time, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates <NUM> degrees about the rotational axis AX, while the outer peripheral cam surface 25D formed in a surface of the large radius portion P2 has not faced in the X direction yet, and the point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> is kept in a non-contact state with the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> in this state is rotated till the handle portion 22A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Y direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to the deepest part of the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM>, while the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> does not change due to the shape of the cam groove 22D.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept to be held at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 24B of the second contact <NUM> is kept to face the side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates about the rotational axis AX, and the outer peripheral cam surface 25D formed in the surface of the large radius portion P2 faces in the X direction. Since the large radius portion P2 has the relatively large radius R2, the outer peripheral cam surface 25D contacts and presses the point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> in the X direction.

Since a distance L2 from the fulcrum portion 24A to the point-of-effort portion 24C in the second contact <NUM> is designed to be longer than a distance L1 from the fulcrum portion 24A to the contact point portion 24B, the so-called principle of leverage works such that the contact point portion 24B receives a force larger than a pressing force the point-of-effort portion 24C receives from the outer peripheral cam surface 25D of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, whereby the contact point portion 24B of the second contact <NUM> contacts the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

The rotation position of the lever member <NUM> at this time is defined as "second rotation position.

As described above, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the initial rotation position where the handle portion 22A has an angle of zero degrees with respect to the Y direction to the first rotation position where the handle portion 22A has an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Y direction, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> can be moved from the start-of-fitting position to the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> while the point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be easily fitted to each other with a small insertion force.

Further, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the first rotation position to the second rotation position where the handle portion 22A has an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Y direction, then, the point-of-effort portion 24C of the second contact <NUM> is pressed in the X direction by the outer peripheral cam surface 25D of the rotational shaft member <NUM> while the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 24B of the second contact <NUM> can be brought into contact with the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

At this time, since the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are pressed against each other in the X direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to each other while preventing surface damages thereof.

Hence, even if the first connector <NUM> is mounted on an electrical device that is installed in an environment where the electrical device receives an external force such as vibration, the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are easily fitted to each other while the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> contact each other with a high contact pressure, thereby enabling to achieve reliable electrical connection therebetween.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is situated at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, the fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> is pressed against the abutment surface 13E of the base portion 13A of the first insulator <NUM> to thereby seal between the front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and the abutment surface 13E.

Moreover, due to the presence of the rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> separately attached to the Y directional opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, a portion between the inner surface of each of the through holes 23A of the first insulator <NUM> and the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is sealed.

Accordingly, the connection parts between the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> can be prevented from water infiltration from the outside.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM> in the fitted state. The connector assembly is configured such that in the connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM>, a second connector <NUM> in place of the second connector <NUM> is fitted with the first connector <NUM>.

The second connector <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM>, a rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a lever member <NUM>, and the rotational shaft member <NUM> is held to be slidable in the Y direction with respect to the second insulator <NUM>. As with Embodiment <NUM>, a pair of second contacts separately connected to end portions of the two electric wires C are held inside the second insulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> corresponds to the rotational shaft member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> having, in place of the fitting portion 25B, a fitting portion 35A formed at the +Y directional end portion thereof, and otherwise has a similar configuration to that of the rotational shaft member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> includes a columnar portion 35B projecting in the +Y direction along the rotational axis AX, and a projection 35C integrally joined to an outer periphery of the columnar portion 35B and projecting in the radial direction to have a fan-like shape when viewed from the Y direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the second insulator <NUM> has a similar configuration to that of the second insulator <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> except that a projection housing portion 33A communicating with the through hole 23A and opened toward the +Y direction is formed in the +Y directional side portion of the second insulator <NUM>.

The projection housing portion 33A has a shape corresponding to the projection 35C of the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> when viewed from the Y direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the lever member <NUM> corresponds to the lever member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> having, in place of the center hole 22C, a center hole 32A provided in the circular plate portion 22B on the +Y direction side, and otherwise has a similar configuration to that of the lever member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The center hole 32A of the lever member <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> when viewed from the Y direction, that is, a shape in which a projection is formed at and protrudes from an outer periphery of a columnar portion.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> is held by the second insulator <NUM> while passing through the pair of through holes 23A of the second insulator <NUM>, with the fitting portion 35A formed at the +Y directional end portion of the rotational shaft member <NUM> being inserted in the center hole 32A of the lever member <NUM>. Since the center hole 32A of the lever member <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, once the fitting portion 35A is inserted in the center hole 32A, the lever member <NUM> cannot be rotated with respect to the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

In the fitting operation between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> is slid in the +Y direction in the pair of through holes 23A of the second insulator <NUM> and the center hole 32A of the lever member <NUM>, so that the projection 35C of the fitting portion 35A is situated on the +Y direction side of the projection housing portion 33A of the second insulator <NUM>. Accordingly, the lever member <NUM> and the rotational shaft member <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the second insulator <NUM> without interference between the projection 35C of the fitting portion 35A and the projection housing portion 33A of the second insulator <NUM>.

In this manner, as with Embodiment <NUM>, while the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are easily fitted to each other, the first contact and the second contact are brought into contact with each other with a high contact pressure, thereby enabling to achieve reliable electrical connection therebetween.

When the first connector <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are fitted with each other, and electrical connection between the first contact and the second contact is established, as shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> is slid in the -Y direction with respect to the lever member <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> till the +Y directional end portion of the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> forms a single plane with the +Y directional surface of the lever member <NUM>.

Consequently, as shown in <FIG>, the projection 35C of the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is inserted in the projection housing portion 33A of the second insulator <NUM>. Since the projection housing portion 33A of the second insulator <NUM> has a shape corresponding to the projection 35C as shown in <FIG>, when the projection 35C is inserted in the projection housing portion 33A, the rotational shaft member <NUM> cannot rotate with respect to the second insulator <NUM>.

In addition, since the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is inserted in the center hole 32A of the lever member <NUM> at this time, the lever member <NUM> cannot rotate with respect to the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

As a result, rotation of the lever member <NUM> with respect to the second insulator <NUM> is being locked. Accordingly, electrical connection between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be prevented from being impaired by rotation of the lever member <NUM> for any reason, and the reliability of electrical connection can be further improved.

Meanwhile, the projection 35C of the fitting portion 35A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is not necessarily formed into a fan-like shape, and a projection having any shape selected from various shapes can be formed at an outer periphery of the columnar portion 35B.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM> in the non-fitted state. The connector assembly includes a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> that is fitted to the first connector <NUM> along a fitting direction. The second connector <NUM> is attached to end portions of the two electric wires C.

Fitting and detaching operations of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be performed by operating a lever member <NUM> that is attached to the second connector <NUM> in a rotatable manner about the rotational axis AX.

The first insulator <NUM> includes a base portion 53A of flat plate shape extending along an XY plane, a pair of protruding portions 53B protruding in the +Z direction from a +Z directional surface of the base portion 53A and adjoining each other in the Y direction, and a pair of support portions 53C of flat plate shape separately joined to a +Y directional end portion and a -Y directional end portion of the base portion 53A and extending in the +Z direction while facing each other in the Y direction.

Each of the pair of protruding portions 53B is provided with a second contact housing portion 53D of recess shape opened toward the +Z direction and extending in the Z direction. Of the +Z directional surface of the base portion 53A, a portion around the pair of protruding portions 53B constitutes an abutment surface 53E which contacts the second connector <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

A pair of pins 53F projecting in the Y direction are separately formed on surfaces of the pair of support portions 53C, the surfaces facing each other. While <FIG> shows only the pin 53F formed in the support portion 53C on the -Y direction side, the support portion 53C on the +Y direction side is also provided with a like pin 53F. The two pins 53F are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction.

The first connector <NUM> also includes a pair of shells <NUM> separately fixed to outer surfaces of the pair of protruding portions 53B of the first insulator <NUM>, and a waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional surface of the base portion 53A of the first insulator <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM>, a rotational shaft member <NUM> that penetrates the second insulator <NUM> in the Y direction and is rotatably attached to the second insulator <NUM>, a lever member <NUM> that is fixed to the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a pair of second contacts <NUM> that are separately connected to end portions of the two electric wires C extending in the X direction.

The second connector <NUM> also includes a lid portion <NUM> covering a +Z directional end portion of the second insulator <NUM>.

The pair of second contacts <NUM> are held in the second insulator <NUM>.

In addition, a pair of through holes 63A are separately formed in Y directional opposite side portions of the second insulator <NUM> and serve as rotational-shaft-member housing portions through which the rotational shaft member <NUM> is passed and which separately house opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The lever member <NUM> includes a handle portion 62A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of flat plate portions 62B separately joined to opposite ends of the handle portion 62A so as to face each other in the Y direction and each extending along an XZ plane. The pair of flat plate portions 62B are separately provided with attachment holes 62C. The opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> passing through the pair of through holes 63A of the second insulator <NUM> are separately jointed to the attachment holes 62C, whereby the lever member <NUM> is held in a rotatable manner with respect to the second insulator <NUM>.

In addition, cam grooves 62D are separately formed on outer surfaces of the pair of flat plate portions 62B, the outer surfaces facing in opposite directions from each other. While <FIG> shows only the cam groove 62D formed in the flat plate portion 62B on the +Y direction side, the flat plate portion 62B on the -Y direction side is also provided with a like cam groove 62D.

The pair of pins 53F of the first insulator <NUM> are separately inserted into the cam grooves 62D of the pair of flat plate portions 62B, and the cam grooves 62D and the pins 53F constitute a cam mechanism that relatively moves the first insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> along the Z direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member <NUM>.

In addition, the second connector <NUM> includes a waterproof packing <NUM> which seals between the +Z directional end portion of the second insulator <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>, a pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> which separately surround the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane and each of which seals between an inner surface of each of the pair of through holes 63A of the second insulator <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of each of the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> which is disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and which seals between the abutment surface 53E of the first insulator <NUM> and the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> extends in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX, a pair of insertion grooves 65A are formed near a center part in the Y direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, the insertion grooves 65A each extending in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane that is orthogonal to the rotational axis AX and being arranged in the Y direction with a distance therebetween, and a pair of fitting portions 65B extending in the Y direction are separately formed at Y directional opposite ends of the rotational shaft member <NUM>. In addition, a pair of packing holding grooves 65C of annular shape are each formed between one of the pair of insertion grooves 65A and one of the pair of fitting portions 65B at the outer periphery of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane.

The pair of fitting portions 65B are joined to the lever member <NUM> by being each inserted into the attachment hole 62C of the corresponding flat plate portion 62B of the lever member <NUM>. Moreover, the pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> are separately fitted into the pair of packing holding grooves 65C of annular shape to be thereby held by the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The pair of insertion grooves 65A are not formed to extend along the entire circumference of the rotational shaft member <NUM> but to extend in the circumferential direction along an XZ plane only in a predetermined angle range, e.g., a range of <NUM> degrees. As shown in <FIG>, in each of the pair of insertion grooves 65A, a step portion S <NUM> is provided in a side surface, and a first side surface portion F <NUM> and a second side surface portion F <NUM> are arranged adjacently to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, with the step portion S <NUM> being interposed therebetween. The first side surface portion F <NUM> and the second side surface portion F12 each face in the Y direction, i.e., the axial direction along the rotational axis AX, and, due to the presence of the step portion S <NUM>, the second side surface portion F12 is shifted toward an end portion of the rotational shaft member <NUM> in the Y direction from the first side surface portion F11 by a distance T1 and forms a cam surface.

Meanwhile, regardless of the foregoing configuration, a plurality of cam surfaces may be arranged at regular angle intervals in the circumferential direction and along an XZ plane.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> with the handle portion 62A extending in the Z direction is defined as "zero degrees," and this rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "initial rotation position. " The lever member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the second connector <NUM> such that the rotation angle can be changed from zero degrees to <NUM> degrees.

Consequently, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 53F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to an entrance of the cam groove 62D of the lever member <NUM> attached to the second connector <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> is situated at a start-of-fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM>.

In addition, the second contact <NUM> held inside the second insulator <NUM> is inserted to a middle position of the interior in the Z direction of the second contact housing portion 53D of the first connector <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second contact <NUM> is composed of a spring contact bent into a U-shape, and includes a fulcrum portion 64A formed at a bent portion of U-shape, a contact point portion 64B situated on the +Z direction side of the fulcrum portion 64A, and a point-of-effort portion 64C situated on the +Z direction side of the contact point portion 64B and forming a free end.

In this state, the contact point portion 64B of the second contact <NUM> has not yet reached a position to face the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

While the point-of-effort portion 64C formed at the +Z directional end portion of the second contact <NUM> is inserted in the insertion groove 65A formed in the rotational shaft member <NUM>, when the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> is zero degrees, the first side surface portion F <NUM> of the insertion groove 65A faces the point-of-effort portion 64C as shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the point-of-effort portion 64C of the second contact <NUM> is situated apart from the first side surface portion F11 of the insertion groove 65A in the Y direction and is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> is rotated till the handle portion 62A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 53F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> relatively advances along the cam groove 62D of the lever member <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> moves in the -Z direction with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Consequently, the contact point portion 64B of the second contact <NUM> is situated to face a side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In this state, the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> is defined as "fitting position," and the rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "first rotation position.

At this time, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates <NUM> degrees about the rotational axis AX, while the first side surface portion F11 of the insertion groove 65A still faces the point-of-effort portion 64C, and the point-of-effort portion 64C of the second contact <NUM> is kept in a non-contact state with the rotational shaft member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> in this state is rotated till the handle portion 62A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 53F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to the deepest part of the cam groove 62D of the lever member <NUM>, while the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> does not change due to the shape of the cam groove 62D.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept to be held at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 64B of the second contact <NUM> is kept to face the side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates about the rotational axis AX, and the second side surface portion F <NUM> of the insertion groove 65A forming the cam surface faces the point-of-effort portion 64C as shown in <FIG>. Since the second side surface portion F12 is shifted toward an end portion of the rotational shaft member <NUM> in the Y direction from the first side surface portion F11 by the distance T1, the second side surface portion F12 contacts the point-of-effort portion 64C of the second contact <NUM> to press the point-of-effort portion 64C in the Y direction.

Since a distance L4 from the fulcrum portion 64A to the point-of-effort portion 64C in the second contact <NUM> is designed to be longer than a distance L3 from the fulcrum portion 64A to the contact point portion 64B, the so-called principle of leverage works such that the contact point portion 64B receives a force larger than a pressing force the point-of-effort portion 64C receives from the second side surface portion F12 of the insertion groove 65A of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, whereby the contact point portion 64B of the second contact <NUM> contacts the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

As described above, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the initial rotation position where the handle portion 62A has an angle of zero degrees with respect to the Z direction to the first rotation position where the handle portion 62Ahas an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Z direction, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> can be moved from the start-of-fitting position to the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> while the point-of-effort portion 64C of the second contact <NUM> is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be easily fitted to each other with a small insertion force.

Further, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the first rotation position to the second rotation position where the handle portion 62A has an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Z direction, the point-of-effort portion 64C of the second contact <NUM> is then pressed in the Y direction by the second side surface portion F12 of the insertion groove 65A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> while the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 64B of the second contact <NUM> can be brought into contact with the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

At this time, since the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are pressed against each other in the Y direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to each other while preventing surface damage thereof.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is situated at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, the fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> is pressed against the abutment surface 53E of the base portion 53A of the first insulator <NUM> to thereby seal between the front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and the abutment surface 53E.

Moreover, due to the presence of the rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> separately attached to the Y directional opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, a portion between the inner surface of each of the through holes 63A of the first insulator <NUM> and the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is sealed.

In addition, the waterproof packing <NUM> seals between the +Z directional end portion of the second insulator <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>.

The first insulator <NUM> includes a base portion 73A of flat plate shape extending along an XY plane, a pair of protruding portions 73B protruding in the +Z direction from a +Z directional surface of the base portion 73A and adjoining each other in the Y direction, and a pair of support portions 73C of flat plate shape separately joined to a +Y directional end portion and a -Y directional end portion of the base portion 73A and extending in the +Z direction while facing each other in the Y direction.

Each of the pair of protruding portions 73B is provided with a second contact housing portion 73D of recess shape opened toward the +Z direction and extending in the Z direction. Of the +Z directional surface of the base portion 73A, a portion around the pair of protruding portions 73B constitutes an abutment surface 73E which contacts the second connector <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

A pair of pins 73F projecting in the Y direction are separately formed on surfaces of the pair of support portions 73C, the surfaces facing each other. While <FIG> shows only the pin 73F formed in the support portion 73C on the -Y direction side, the support portion 73C on the +Y direction side is also provided with a like pin 73F. The two pins 73F are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction.

The first connector <NUM> also includes a pair of shells <NUM> separately fixed to outer surfaces of the pair of protruding portions 73B of the first insulator <NUM>, and a waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional surface of the base portion 73A of the first insulator <NUM>.

In addition, a pair of through holes 83A are separately formed in Y directional opposite side portions of the second insulator <NUM> and serve as rotational-shaft-member housing portions through which the rotational shaft member <NUM> is passed and which separately house opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The lever member <NUM> includes a handle portion 82A bent into a U-shape, and a pair of flat plate portions 82B separately joined to opposite ends of the handle portion 82A so as to face each other in the Y direction and each extending along an XZ plane. The pair of flat plate portions 82B are separately provided with attachment holes 82C. The opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> passing through the pair of through holes 83A of the second insulator <NUM> are separately jointed to the attachment holes 82C, whereby the lever member <NUM> is held in a rotatable manner with respect to the second insulator <NUM>.

In addition, cam grooves 82D are separately formed on outer surfaces of the pair of flat plate portions 82B, the outer surfaces facing in opposite directions from each other. While <FIG> shows only the cam groove 82D formed in the flat plate portion 82B on the +Y direction side, the flat plate portion 82B on the -Y direction side is also provided with a like cam groove 82D.

The pair of pins 73F of the first insulator <NUM> are separately inserted into the cam grooves 82D of the pair of flat plate portions 82B, and the cam grooves 82D and the pins 73F constitute a cam mechanism that relatively moves the first insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> along the Z direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member <NUM>.

In addition, the second connector <NUM> includes a waterproof packing <NUM> which seals between the +Z directional end portion of the second insulator <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>, a pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> which separately surround the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane and each of which seals between an inner surface of each of the pair of through holes 83A of the second insulator <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of each of the opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> which is disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and which seals between the abutment surface 73E of the first insulator <NUM> and the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted with each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> extends in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX, a pair of protruding plates 85A are formed near a center part in the Y direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, the protruding plates 85A each extending in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane that is orthogonal to the rotational axis AX and being arranged in the Y direction with a distance therebetween, and a pair of fitting portions 85B extending in the Y direction are separately formed at Y directional opposite ends of the rotational shaft member <NUM>. In addition, a pair of packing holding grooves 85C of annular shape are each formed between one of the pair of protruding plates 85A and one of the pair of fitting portions 85B at the outer periphery of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane.

The pair of fitting portions 85B are joined to the lever member <NUM> by being each inserted into the attachment hole 82C of the corresponding flat plate portion 82B of the lever member <NUM>. Moreover, the pair of rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> are separately fitted into the pair of packing holding grooves 85C of annular shape to be thereby held by the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The pair of protruding plates 85A are not formed to extend along the entire circumference of the rotational shaft member <NUM> but to extend in the circumferential direction along an XZ plane only in a predetermined angle range, e.g., a range of <NUM> degrees. As shown in <FIG>, in each of the pair of protruding plates 85A, a step portion S2 is provided in a surface facing in the Y direction, and a first outer surface portion F21 and a second outer surface portion F22 are arranged adjacently to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, with the step portion S2 being interposed therebetween. The first outer surface portion F21 and the second outer surface portion F22 each face in the Y direction, i.e., the axial direction along the rotational axis AX, and, due to the presence of the step portion S2, the second outer surface portion F22 is shifted toward an end portion of the rotational shaft member <NUM> in the Y direction from the first outer surface portion F21 by a distance T2 and forms a cam surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> with the handle portion 82A extending in the Z direction is defined as "zero degrees," and this rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "initial rotation position. " The lever member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the second connector <NUM> such that the rotation angle can be changed from zero degrees to <NUM> degrees.

Consequently, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 73F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to an entrance of the cam groove 82D of the lever member <NUM> attached to the second connector <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> is situated at a start-of-fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM>.

In addition, the second contact <NUM> held inside the second insulator <NUM> is inserted to a middle position of the interior in the Z direction of the second contact housing portion 73D of the first connector <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second contact <NUM> is composed of a spring contact bent into a U-shape, and includes a fulcrum portion 84A formed at a bent portion of U-shape, a contact point portion 84B situated on the +Z direction side of the fulcrum portion 84A, and a point-of-effort portion 84C situated on the +Z direction side of the contact point portion 84B and forming a free end.

In this state, the contact point portion 84B of the second contact <NUM> has not yet reached a position to face the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

While the point-of-effort portion 84C formed at the +Z directional end portion of the second contact <NUM> is situated at the same Z directional position as that of the protruding plate 85A formed in the rotational shaft member <NUM>, when the rotation angle of the lever member <NUM> is zero degrees, the first outer surface portion F21 of the protruding plate 85A faces the point-of-effort portion 84C as shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the point-of-effort portion 84C of the second contact <NUM> is situated apart from the first outer surface portion F21 of the protruding plate 85A in the Y direction and is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> is rotated till the handle portion 82A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 73F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> relatively advances along the cam groove 82D of the lever member <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> moves in the -Z direction with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Consequently, the contact point portion 84B of the second contact <NUM> is situated to face a side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In this state, the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> is defined as "fitting position," and the rotation position of the lever member <NUM> is defined as "first rotation position.

At this time, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates <NUM> degrees about the rotational axis AX, while the first outer surface portion F21 of the protruding plate 85A still faces the point-of-effort portion 84C, and the point-of-effort portion 84C of the second contact <NUM> is kept in a non-contact state with the rotational shaft member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the lever member <NUM> in this state is rotated till the handle portion 82A is positioned at <NUM> degrees to the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 73F of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to the deepest part of the cam groove 82D of the lever member <NUM>, while the Z directional position of the second insulator <NUM> with respect to the first insulator <NUM> does not change due to the shape of the cam groove 82D.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept to be held at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 84B of the second contact <NUM> is kept to face the side surface of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in accordance with rotation of the lever member <NUM>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates about the rotational axis AX, and the second outer surface portion F22 of the protruding plate 85A forming the cam surface faces the point-of-effort portion 84C as shown in <FIG>. Since the second outer surface portion F22 is shifted toward an end portion of the rotational shaft member <NUM> in the Y direction from the first outer surface portion F21 by the distance T2, the second outer surface portion F22 contacts the point-of-effort portion 84C of the second contact <NUM> to press the point-of-effort portion 84C in the Y direction.

Since a distance L6 from the fulcrum portion 84A to the point-of-effort portion 84C in the second contact <NUM> is designed to be longer than a distance L5 from the fulcrum portion 84A to the contact point portion 84B, the so-called principle of leverage works such that the contact point portion 84B receives a force larger than a pressing force the point-of-effort portion 84C receives from the second outer surface portion F22 of the protruding plate 85A of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, whereby the contact point portion 84B of the second contact <NUM> contacts the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

As described above, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the initial rotation position where the handle portion 82A has an angle of zero degrees with respect to the Z direction to the first rotation position where the handle portion 82Ahas an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Z direction, the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> can be moved from the start-of-fitting position to the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> while the point-of-effort portion 84C of the second contact <NUM> is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> can be easily fitted to each other with a small insertion force.

Further, by rotating the lever member <NUM> from the first rotation position to the second rotation position where the handle portion 82A has an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the Z direction, the point-of-effort portion 84C of the second contact <NUM> is then pressed in the Y direction by the second outer surface portion F22 of the protruding plate 85A of the rotational shaft member <NUM> while the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is kept at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the contact point portion 84B of the second contact <NUM> can be brought into contact with the first contact <NUM> with a high contact pressure.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, when the second insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> is situated at the fitting position with respect to the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, the fitting-part waterproof packing <NUM> disposed on the -Z directional front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> is pressed against the abutment surface 73E of the base portion 73A of the first insulator <NUM> to thereby seal between the front end surface of the second insulator <NUM> and the abutment surface 83E.

Moreover, due to the presence of the rotational-axis waterproof packings <NUM> separately attached to the Y directional opposite end portions of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, a portion between the inner surface of each of the through holes 83A of the second insulator <NUM> and the outer peripheral surface of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is sealed.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly comprising:
a first connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a first insulator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a first contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the first contact being held by the first insulator;
a second connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a second insulator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and being fitted to the first connector along a fitting direction (D), the second contact being held by the second insulator;
a lever member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) held by one of the first insulator and the second insulator in a rotatable manner about a rotational axis (AX):
a cam mechanism (13F, 22D, 53F, 62D, 73F, 82D) moving the first insulator and the second insulator relatively along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member,
wherein, when the lever member is rotated from an initial rotation position to a first rotation position with the second insulator being situated at a start-of-fitting position with respect to the first insulator, the cam mechanism moves the second insulator to a fitting position along the fitting direction,
characterized by a rotational shaft member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending along the rotational axis and rotating in accordance with rotation of the lever member, the rotational shaft member including a cam surface (25D, F12, F22) for pressing the first contact and the second contact against each other; and when the lever member is
further rotated from the first rotation position to a second rotation position, the first contact and the second contact are brought into contact with each other with a predetermined contact pressure due to the cam surface of the rotational shaft member while the second insulator is kept at the fitting position.