Patent Description:
Conventionally, there has been known a connector assembly using rotation of a lever member to easily perform a fitting operation between a pair of connectors. For instance, <CIT> discloses a connector assembly comprising a first connector <NUM> and a second connector <NUM> to be 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 protrusion 1B protruding in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction D, and a lever member <NUM> is rotatably attached to the outside of a second housing 2A of the second connector <NUM> with a rotation fulcrum portion 2B as a fulcrum.

In the lever member <NUM>, a guide groove (not shown) is formed to face an outer lateral surface of the second housing 2A. The second connector <NUM> is brought close to the first connector <NUM> along the fitting direction D, the protrusion 1B of the first connector <NUM> is inserted into 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 together.

Upon fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, first contacts 1C disposed inside the first housing 1A are electrically connected to second contacts 2D inserted in contact insertion ports 2C of the second connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The second contacts 2D are connected to ends of electric wires <NUM>, and for instance, when the first connector <NUM> is mounted on an electric device which is not shown, electric current can flow to the electric device through the electric wires <NUM>.

In the case of flowing electric current to an electric device using the foregoing connector assembly, the electric wires <NUM> connected to the second contacts 2D need to have a larger thickness as electric current increases.

However, when, for instance, the electric device is disposed in an environment where the electric device receives an external force such as vibration, e.g., mounted on a vehicle, the external force would be transmitted via the thick electric wires <NUM> to the points of contact between the first contacts 1C and the second contacts 2D, resulting in poor contact.

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

<CIT> discloses a connector system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Similar connector systems are known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing conventional problems 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 together.

A connector assembly according to the present invention comprises:.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM> before fitting operation. 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, when the first connector <NUM> is mounted on an electrical device (not shown) and the second connector <NUM> is attached to ends of two electric wires C, the connector assembly can detachably connect the two electric wires C to the electrical device.

Fitting and detachment between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are carried out by rotating a lever member <NUM> included in the second connector <NUM> 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> is moved 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>, a pair of first contacts <NUM> held by the first insulator <NUM>, a pair of metal shells <NUM> corresponding to the pair of first contacts <NUM>, and a waterproof packing <NUM> for device mounting use.

The first insulator <NUM> includes: a frame-like outer wall portion 13A made of an insulating resin material, having a U-shape opening toward the -X direction when viewed from the Z direction, and extending in the Z direction; and a pair of projecting portions 13B arranged side by side in the Y direction inside the outer wall portion 13A. The pair of projecting portions 13B each have a U-shape opening toward the -X direction when viewed from the Z direction and extend in the Z direction. The interior of the projecting portion 13B forms a second contact accommodating portion 13C in a recess shape opening toward the +Z direction and extending in the Z direction.

A pair of pins 13D are formed separately on the +Y directional outer surface and the -Y directional outer surface of the outer wall portion 13A to protrude in the Y direction.

The pair of first contacts <NUM> are made of a metal material having conductivity, and as shown in <FIG>, held by the first insulator <NUM> by press-fitting or other methods. Each first contact <NUM> projects within the corresponding second contact accommodating portion 13C of the first insulator <NUM> and extends in the +Z direction. Lateral surfaces of the pair of projecting portions 13B are covered with the corresponding metal shells <NUM>.

The pair of pins 13D formed to protrude from the outer wall portion 13A of the first insulator <NUM> are arranged on the same straight line extending along the Y direction.

The waterproof packing <NUM> for device mounting use is made of an elastic material such as rubber and disposed on the bottom surface of the first insulator <NUM> facing the -Z direction.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the second connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM>, a pair of second contact structures S connected to ends of two electric wires C, a rotational shaft member <NUM> penetrating the second insulator <NUM> in the Y direction and rotatably attached to the second insulator <NUM>, and the lever member <NUM> fixed to the opposite ends, in the Y direction, of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The second insulator <NUM> includes a fitting portion 23A of tubular shape made of an insulating resin material and extending in the Z direction and an electric wire connection portion 23B of tubular shape joined to the -X directional side of the fitting portion 23A and extending in the X direction. The fitting portion 23A opens toward the - Z direction and is accommodated in the first connector <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted together. The electric wire connection portion 23B opens toward the -X direction and accommodates the pair of second contact structures S connected to the ends of the two electric wires C.

A pair of through holes 23C through which the rotational shaft member <NUM> extending in the Y direction penetrates are formed in the opposite lateral portions, in the Y direction, of the second insulator <NUM> at the +Z directional end of the fitting portion 23A. While <FIG> shows only the through hole 23C formed in the +Y directional lateral portion of the second insulator <NUM>, a like through hole 23C is formed also in the -Y directional lateral portion of the second insulator <NUM>. Those two through holes 23C are arranged on the same straight line extending along the Y direction.

The lever member <NUM> includes a handle portion 22A bent in a U-shape and a pair of flat plate portions 22B joined separately to the opposite ends of the handle portion 22A to face each other in the Y direction and each extending along an XZ plane. A grip portion H extending in the Y direction is formed at the distal end of the handle portion 22A, and a pair of fitting holes 22C are formed in the pair of flat plate portions 22B. The opposite ends of the rotational shaft member <NUM> penetrating the pair of through holes 23C of the second insulator <NUM> are jointed separately to the pair of fitting holes 22C, whereby the lever member <NUM> is held in a rotatable manner with respect to the second insulator <NUM>.

Cam grooves 22D are separately formed at inner surfaces, facing each other, of the pair of flat plate portions 22B. While <FIG> shows only the cam groove 22D formed in the flat plate portion 22B on the -Y direction side, a like cam groove 22D is formed also in the flat plate portion 22B on the +Y direction side.

The pair of pins 13D of the first insulator <NUM> are separately inserted into the cam grooves 22D of the pair of flat plate portions 22B, and the cam grooves 22D and the pins 13D constitute a fitting 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>.

The second connector <NUM> further includes a pair of rotational shaft waterproof packings <NUM> disposed at the opposite ends of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, a fitting portion waterproof packing <NUM> disposed at the -Z directional end of the second insulator <NUM>, and a packing holding member <NUM> preventing the fitting portion waterproof packing <NUM> from coming off the second insulator <NUM>.

The rotational shaft waterproof packings <NUM> each surround the corresponding end of the rotational shaft member <NUM> along an XZ plane and seal between an inner surface of the corresponding through hole 23C of the second insulator <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of the corresponding end of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the fitting portion waterproof packing <NUM> seals between the first insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted together.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> includes a shaft body 25A extending in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX, and the shaft body 25A is provided at its opposite ends separately with a pair of round columnar portions 25B that take the rotational axis AX as their center and have the same diameter. Protruding plates 25C are disposed at a distance in the Y direction between the pair of round columnar portions 25B to protrude in the radial direction from the shaft body 25A. The shaft body 25A and the protruding plates 25C have a common outer peripheral surface of cylindrical shape taking the rotational axis AX as their center.

The pair of round columnar portions 25B are separately provided with packing retaining grooves 25D of annular shape formed along an XZ plane in outer peripheral portions of the round columnar portions 25B. The pair of rotational shaft waterproof packings <NUM> shown in <FIG> are fitted in those packing retaining grooves 25D and thereby retained in the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

Of the pair of round columnar portions 25B, the round columnar portion 25B disposed on the +Y direction side is provided at its +Y directional end surface with a protrusion 25E protruding in the +Y direction, and the round columnar portion 25B disposed on the -Y direction side is provided at its -Y directional end surface with a protrusion 25F protruding in the -Y direction and having a different shape from that of the protrusion 25E on the +Y direction side, in other words, extending longer in the Z direction than the protrusion 25E.

Further, a large diameter portion <NUM> having a larger diameter than the round columnar portion 25B is formed between the packing retaining groove 25D and the protrusion 25F to be adjacent to the round columnar portion 25B disposed on the -Y direction side.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of, of the pair of second contact structures S, the second contact structure S disposed on the +Y direction side. The second contact structure S includes: a second contact <NUM> connected to the +X directional end of the electric wire C and made of a metal material having conductivity; and a frame member <NUM> attached to the second contact <NUM>.

The second contact structure S further includes: a pair of inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> that accommodate the second contact <NUM> to which the frame member <NUM> is attached, by sandwiching the second contact <NUM> from the +Y direction and the -Y direction; and a pair of shells <NUM> and <NUM> that surround the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> to sandwich the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> from the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the frame member <NUM> is formed from a tubular metal plate having a substantially rectangular shape in YZ cross section and extending in the X direction, and includes a top surface portion 31A extending along an XY plane and situated on the +Z direction side, a bottom surface portion 31B extending along an XY plane and situated on the -Z direction side, a lateral surface portion 31C extending along an XZ plane and joining the +Y directional ends of the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B together, and a lateral surface portion 31D extending along an XZ plane and joining the -Y directional ends of the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B together.

The second contact <NUM> is disposed along the inner surface of the lateral surface portion 31C, and the corresponding first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted to the interior of the frame member <NUM> through a first contact insertion port 31E formed in the bottom surface portion 31B in fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>.

The frame member <NUM> is provided in its interior with a contact spring member 31F formed from a plate spring made by cutting a metal plate constituting the lateral surface portion 31D into a substantially U-shape and bending the cut portion toward the interior of the frame member <NUM>. The contact spring member 31F is configured to press the first contact <NUM>, which has been inserted to the interior of the frame member <NUM> through the first contact insertion port 31E, against the second contact <NUM> disposed along the inner surface of the lateral surface portion 31C to bring the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> into contact with each other when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted together. By elastic deformation of the contact spring member 31F, a first contact insertion portion constituted of a space extending in the +Z direction from the first contact insertion port 31E is formed in the interior of the frame member <NUM>.

The frame member <NUM> further includes a frame moving spring member <NUM> formed from a plate spring made by cutting the metal plate constituting the lateral surface portion 31D into a U-shape and bending the cut portion toward the outside of the frame member <NUM>, that is, bending the cut portion in the -Y direction from the lateral surface portion 31D. The frame moving spring member <NUM> is configured to move the frame member <NUM> in the Y direction by elastically contacting the inner surface of the inner insulator <NUM> in the second contact structure S in fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. The frame moving spring member <NUM> has an elastic force weaker than that of the contact spring member 31F.

The top surface portion 31A of the frame member <NUM> is provided with a protruding plate insertion port <NUM> used to insert the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM> to the interior of the frame member <NUM> in fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. The protruding plate insertion port <NUM> is made by cutting a metal plate constituting the top surface portion 31A into a U-shape and bending the cut portion toward the interior of the frame member <NUM>, and the bent portion of the metal plate forms a protruding plate receiving portion 31J extending along an XZ plane inside the protruding plate insertion port <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the contact spring member 31F is formed to be inclined with respect to the X direction and has a pair of cuts N1 and N2 formed at the opposite ends of the contact spring member 31F in the width direction thereof in the metal plate constituting the lateral surface portion 31D. The cut N1 on the -Z direction side is longer than the cut N2 on the +Z direction side, and this configuration allows the contact spring member 31F to have an elastic force gradually increasing toward the +Z direction. In other words, as shown in <FIG>, the contact spring member 31F has an elastic force that gradually increases from the first contact insertion port 31E, which is an opening end of the first contact insertion portion formed inside the frame member <NUM>, toward an inner part of the first contact insertion portion in the +Z direction.

Since the contact spring member 31F is inclined with respect to the X direction, a pressing portion <NUM> inclined with respect to the Z direction and linearly extending along an XZ plane is formed on the contact spring member 31F as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

When the second contact <NUM> is disposed along the inner surface of the lateral surface portion 31C of the frame member <NUM>, the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F faces the second contact <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The frame moving spring member <NUM> formed in the frame member <NUM> projects in the -Y direction from the lateral surface portion 31D when receiving no external force.

It should be noted that, of the pair of second contact structures S, the second contact structure S disposed on the -Y direction side has a similar configuration as the second contact structure S disposed on the +Y direction side. The second contact structure S disposed on the -Y direction side is configured to be symmetrical in the Y direction to the second contact structure S disposed on the +Y direction side.

As shown in <FIG>, the pair of second contact structures S are fixed in a pair of structure accommodating portions 23D formed side by side in the Y direction in the second insulator <NUM>. A frame member accommodating portion <NUM> is formed between the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> of each second contact structure S, and the frame member <NUM> is accommodated in the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>. The dimension of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> in the Y direction is larger than the length of the frame member <NUM> in the Y direction by a predetermined length, and the frame member <NUM> is accommodated to be movable in the Y direction within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>.

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

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

When the lever member <NUM> is in the first rotational position, as shown in <FIG>, the protruding plate 25C formed in the rotational shaft member <NUM> is situated on the +Z direction side of the second contact structure S and is not inserted in the interior of the second contact structure S.

At this time, no external force is exerted on the contact spring member 31F of the frame member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and a gap G1 in the Y direction between the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F and the second contact <NUM> has a dimension smaller than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> which is not shown herein.

From this state, as the rotational angle of the lever member <NUM> is increased from <NUM> degrees toward <NUM> degrees, the protruding plate 25C formed in the rotational shaft member <NUM> starts to be inserted into the frame member <NUM> through the protruding plate insertion port <NUM> formed in the frame member <NUM> of the second contact structure S as shown in <FIG>.

The protruding plate 25C is provided with a cam surface <NUM> inclined in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and this cam surface <NUM> makes contact with an end, in the width direction, of the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F of the frame member <NUM>. Specifically, the cam surface <NUM> makes contact with the +Z directional end of the pressing portion <NUM> inclined with respect to the Z direction.

The lever member <NUM> is further rotated up to the position where the handle portion 22A makes an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the X direction as shown in <FIG>. The rotational position of the lever member <NUM> at this time is defined as "second rotational position.

When the lever member <NUM> is in the second rotational position, as shown in <FIG>, the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is inserted in the interior of the second contact structure S. It should be noted that <FIG> shows the interior of the second connector <NUM> with the second insulator <NUM> being omitted.

Since the protruding plate 25C is inserted to the interior of the second contact structure S with the cam surface <NUM> of the protruding plate 25C being in contact with the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F as shown in <FIG>, the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F receives a force acting in the -Y direction from the protruding plate 25C that has been inserted in the interior of the frame member <NUM> through the protruding plate insertion port <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Consequently, the contact spring member 31F is elastically deformed, and the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F is moved in the -Y direction away from the second contact <NUM> disposed along the inner surface of the lateral surface portion 31C of the frame member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, a gap G2 in the Y direction having a dimension larger than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion <NUM> and the second contact <NUM>.

Thus, a first contact insertion portion M that allows the first contact <NUM> to be inserted along the Z direction without contacting the second contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F and the second contact <NUM>.

It should be noted that the protruding plate 25C elastically deforming the contact spring member 31F receives a force acting in the +Y direction, as a reaction, from the contact spring member 31F; however, since the protruding plate 25C makes contact with and is supported by the protruding plate receiving portion 31J of the frame member <NUM>, the protruding plate 25C can elastically deform the contact spring member 31F without moving in the +Y direction.

The length from the rotational axis AX of the rotational shaft member <NUM> to the handle portion 22A of the lever member <NUM> is set larger than the length from the rotational axis AX to the protruding plate 25C. Owing to this configuration, the protruding plate 25C can be inserted into the frame member <NUM> to elastically deform the contact spring member 31F by rotating the lever member <NUM> with a small operational force by use of the handle portion 22A.

Furthermore, the contact spring member 31F is configured to have an elastic force gradually increasing toward the +Z direction, and the protruding plate 25C elastically deforms the contact spring member 31F upon contacting the +Z directional end of the contact spring member 31F, the +Z directional end having a larger elastic force. Accordingly, the contact spring member 31F can be elastically deformed sufficiently even with a small amount of movement of the protruding plate 25C in the Z direction, thus leading to a small size of the second connector <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner insulator <NUM> of the second contact structure S is provided with a restriction surface 32A facing, from the +X direction, the common outer peripheral surface of cylindrical shape formed on the shaft body 25A and the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

Therefore, even when a force acting in the -X direction is exerted on the second contact structure S via the contact spring member 31F of the frame member <NUM> when the protruding plate 25C elastically deforms the contact spring member 31F, the restriction surface 32A makes contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 25A and the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM> and thereby prevents the second contact structure S and the electric wire C from being pulled off the second insulator <NUM> in the -X direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> penetrates the pair of through holes 23C of the second insulator <NUM> in the Y direction, and spaces between the inner surfaces of the pair of through holes 23C of the second insulator <NUM> and the pair of round columnar portions 25B of the rotational shaft member <NUM> are separately sealed due to the presence of the rotational shaft waterproof packings <NUM> retained in the pair of packing retaining grooves 25D of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The large diameter portion <NUM> formed at the -Y directional end of the rotational shaft member <NUM> and having a larger diameter than the round columnar portion 25B is rotatably accommodated in a shaft end accommodating portion 23E adjacent to the through hole 23C of the second insulator <NUM> on the -Y direction side. No shaft end accommodating portion 23E is formed in the vicinity of the through hole 23C of the second insulator <NUM> on the +Y direction side. Accordingly, even when an attempt is made to insert the rotational shaft member <NUM> to the pair of through holes 23C of the second insulator <NUM> in a wrong orientation, the large diameter portion <NUM> of the rotational shaft member <NUM> interferes with the second insulator <NUM> to prevent the pair of round columnar portions 25B of the rotational shaft member <NUM> from being accommodated in the pair of through holes 23C of the second insulator <NUM>.

Besides, as shown in <FIG>, the large diameter portion <NUM> of the rotational shaft member <NUM> projects in the -Y direction from the second insulator <NUM>, and the large diameter portion <NUM> is provided with a first step portion T1 and a second step portion T2 in two places along the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, each of the step portions T1 and T2 having a step in the radial direction.

The shaft end accommodating portion 23E of the second insulator <NUM> is provided with a stopper <NUM> protruding toward the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The stopper <NUM> selectively makes contact with the first step portion T1 and the second step portion T2 in accordance with the rotation of the rotational shaft member <NUM>. When the lever member <NUM> is situated in the second rotational position after being rotated up to the position where the handle portion 22A makes an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the X direction as shown in <FIG>, the stopper <NUM> makes contact with the first step portion T1 to inhibit the lever member <NUM> from being rotated to the position where the handle portion 22A is inclined to the +X direction side over <NUM> degrees.

With the lever member <NUM> being in the second rotational position, the second connector <NUM> is moved toward the first connector <NUM> in the -Z direction, whereby the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The interior of the second connector <NUM> at this time is shown in <FIG>. The frame moving spring member <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> makes contact with the inner surface of the inner insulator <NUM> within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> formed between the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM>, and the frame member <NUM> attached to the second contact <NUM> is pressed in the +Y direction against the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> due to an elastic force of the frame moving spring member <NUM>.

Thus, the frame member <NUM> is moved in the +Y direction (first direction) within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> until the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 31C on the +Y direction side makes contact with the inner surface, on the +Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>, so that a gap G3 is formed between the inner surface, on the -Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> and the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 31D on the -Y direction side of the frame member <NUM>.

In addition, due to the lever member <NUM> being in the second rotational position, the contact spring member 31F is elastically deformed, so that the gap G2 in the Y direction having a dimension larger than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F and the second contact <NUM>. At this time, the second contact <NUM> is in a state where it has been moved in the +Y direction along with the frame member <NUM>. Accordingly, the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted into the first contact insertion portion M, while forming a gap G4 with the second contact <NUM>, without contacting the second contact <NUM>.

When the lever member <NUM> is in the second rotational position, as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13D of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is not yet inserted to the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM> attached to the second connector <NUM>.

From this state, when the lever member <NUM> is rotated such that the handle portion 22A is inclined toward the -X direction as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13D of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> starts to be inserted into the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM>.

When the lever member <NUM> is further rotated up to the first rotational position where the handle portion 22A extends in the X direction as shown in <FIG>, the pin 13D of the first insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted up to the deepest part of the cam groove 22D of the lever member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and the fitting state between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> is locked.

Due to the lever member <NUM> being in the first rotational position, the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM> is retracted to the +Z direction side of the frame member <NUM> away from the contact spring member 31F, and as shown in <FIG>, the pressing portion <NUM> of the contact spring member 31F exerts a pressing force acting in the +Y direction to the first contact <NUM>.

Consequently, the frame member <NUM> receives a force acting in the -Y direction as a reaction; however, since the frame moving spring member <NUM> in contact with the inner surface of the inner insulator <NUM> has an elastic force weaker than an elastic force of the contact spring member 31F, the frame moving spring member <NUM> elastically deforms, so that the frame member <NUM> is moved in the -Y direction (second direction) within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> until the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 31D on the -Y direction side makes contact with the inner surface, on the -Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>.

As a result, the second contact <NUM> is also moved in the -Y direction along with the frame member <NUM>, so that the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> make contact with and are electrically connected to each other at a predetermined contact pressure.

Since the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are thus pressed against each other in the Y direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, it is possible to bring the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> into contact at a high contact pressure while easily fitting the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> together, thereby obtaining a reliable electrical connection.

When the lever member <NUM> is rotated up to the first rotational position where the handle portion 22A extends in the X direction, the stopper <NUM> formed at the shaft end accommodating portion 23E of the second insulator <NUM> makes contact with the second step portion T2 of the rotational shaft member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In other words, the first step portion T1 and the second step portion T2 of the rotational shaft member <NUM> and the stopper <NUM> constitute a rotation stopper mechanism that inhibits the lever member <NUM> from being rotated beyond the range between the first rotational position and the second rotational position.

To release the fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> from the state where the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted together and the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are electrically connected together, it is sufficient that the lever member <NUM> is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position to unlock the fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, whereafter the second connector <NUM> is relatively pulled up in the +Z direction with respect to the first connector <NUM> and thereby detached from the first connector <NUM>.

While, in Embodiment <NUM> described above, the cam surface <NUM> used to elastically deform the contact spring member 31F of the frame member <NUM> in the second connector <NUM> is formed on the protruding plate 25C of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, the invention is not limited thereto.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment <NUM> before fitting operation. This 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>, and the second connector <NUM> has the lever member <NUM> that is rotatable about the rotational axis AX as with Embodiment <NUM>.

The second connector <NUM> is configured such that, in the second connector <NUM> used in Embodiment <NUM>, a rotational shaft member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used in place of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and a frame member <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used in place of the frame member <NUM>; the second connector <NUM> otherwise has the same configuration as the second connector <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The rotational shaft member <NUM> used in the second connector <NUM> includes a shaft body 45A of round columnar shape extending in the Y direction along the rotational axis AX as shown in <FIG>. A pair of packing retaining grooves 25D are formed at the opposite ends, in the Y direction, of the shaft body 45A, and protrusions 25E and 25F are respectively formed on the +Y directional end surface and the -Y directional end surface of the shaft body 45A. Further, a large diameter portion <NUM> is formed between the packing retaining groove 25D at the -Y directional end of the shaft body 45A and the protrusion 25F. The packing retaining grooves 25D, the protrusion 25E, the protrusion 25F, and the large diameter portion <NUM> are identical to those formed in the rotational shaft member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The rotational shaft member <NUM> is provided with a pair of contact spring insertion grooves 45B of annular shape between the pair of packing retaining grooves 25D of the shaft body 45A, the pair of contact spring insertion grooves 45B being situated at a distance in the Y direction and extending in the circumferential direction of the shaft body 45A along an XZ plane. In addition, an abutment portion insertion groove 45C of annular shape is formed on the +Y direction side of, of the pair of contact spring insertion grooves 45B, the contact spring insertion groove 45B situated on the +Y direction side to be adjacent thereto. Likewise, an abutment portion insertion groove 45C of annular shape is formed also on the -Y direction side of the contact spring insertion groove 45B situated on the -Y direction side. These abutment portion insertion grooves 45C extend in the circumferential direction of the shaft body 45A along an XZ plane.

As shown in <FIG>, of the pair of contact spring insertion grooves 45B, the contact spring insertion groove 45B situated on the +Y direction side is provided in its interior with a step portion S <NUM> formed on the inner lateral surface of the contact spring insertion groove 45B, and a first lateral surface portion F11 and a second lateral surface portion F12 are arranged adjacently in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM> with the step portion S1 being disposed therebetween. The first lateral surface portion F <NUM> and the second lateral surface portion F12 each face the -Y direction along the rotational axis AX, and, due to the presence of the step portion S <NUM>, the second lateral surface portion F12 protrudes more in the -Y direction than the first lateral surface portion F <NUM> by a distance L1 to form a cam surface of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

Further, of the pair of abutment portion insertion grooves 45C, the abutment portion insertion groove 45C situated on the +Y direction side is provided in its interior with a step portion S2 formed on the inner lateral surface of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C, and a first lateral surface portion F21 and a second lateral surface portion F22 are arranged adjacently in the circumferential direction of the rotational shaft member <NUM> with the step portion S2 being disposed therebetween. The first lateral surface portion F21 and the second lateral surface portion F22 each face the +Y direction along the rotational axis AX, and, due to the presence of the step portion S2, the second lateral surface portion F22 protrudes more in the +Y direction than the first lateral surface portion F21 by a distance L2 to form an abutment portion receiving surface of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

The first lateral surface portion F21 of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C is disposed back to back with the first lateral surface portion F11 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B adjacent to the abutment portion insertion groove 45C, and the second lateral surface portion F22 forming the abutment portion receiving surface of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C is disposed back to back with the second lateral surface portion F12 forming the cam surface of the contact spring insertion groove 45B adjacent to the abutment portion insertion groove 45C.

The contact spring insertion groove 45B and the abutment portion insertion groove 45C situated on the -Y direction side of the rotational shaft member <NUM> are arranged and configured to be symmetrical in the Y direction to the contact spring insertion groove 45B and the abutment portion insertion groove 45C situated on the +Y direction side of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the frame member <NUM> disposed in, of a pair of second contact structures S of the second connector <NUM>, a second contact structure S situated on the +Y direction side. The frame member <NUM> includes a top surface portion 31A extending along an XY plane and situated on the +Z direction side, a bottom surface portion 31B extending along an XY plane and situated on the -Z direction side, a lateral surface portion 31C extending along an XZ plane and joining the +Y directional ends of the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B together, and a lateral surface portion 31D extending along an XZ plane and joining the -Y directional ends of the top surface portion 31A and the bottom surface portion 31B together, as with the frame member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The bottom surface portion 31B is provided with a first contact insertion port 31E used to insert the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and the lateral surface portion 31D is provided with a frame moving spring member <NUM> made by cutting a metal plate constituting the lateral surface portion 31D into a U-shape and bending the cut portion in the -Y direction.

The frame member <NUM> is further provided in its interior with a contact spring member 51A made by cutting the metal plate constituting the lateral surface portion 31D into a substantially U-shape and bending the cut portion toward the interior of the frame member <NUM>, and the contact spring member 51A is provided with a pressing portion 51B inclined with respect to the Z direction and linearly extending along an XZ plane, as with the frame member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>. In the frame member <NUM>, however, a +Z directional end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B penetrates an opening 51D formed in the top surface portion 31A and projects in the +Z direction from the frame member <NUM>.

The frame moving spring member <NUM> has an elastic force weaker than that of the contact spring member 51A.

The opening 51D is made by cutting a metal plate constituting the top surface portion 31A into a U-shape and bending the cut portion in the +Z direction from the top surface portion 31A, and the bent portion of the metal plate forms an abutment portion 51E that faces the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A in the Y direction, the abutment portion 51E projecting in the +Z direction from the top surface portion 31A.

Of the pair of second contact structures S, a second contact structure S disposed on the -Y direction side has a frame member configured to be symmetrical in the Y direction to the frame member <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In the second connector <NUM>, the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A that projects in the +Z direction from the top surface portion 31A of the frame member <NUM> is inserted into the contact spring insertion groove 45B of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and the abutment portion 51E projecting in the +Z direction from the top surface portion 31A of the frame member <NUM> is similarly inserted into the abutment portion insertion groove 45C of the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

When the lever member <NUM> is in the first rotational position as shown in <FIG>, the first lateral surface portion F11 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B of the rotational shaft member <NUM> faces the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51Aas shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A is situated apart from the first lateral surface portion F11 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B in the -Y direction and is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>. Thus, no external force is exerted on the contact spring member 51A, and a gap G11 in the Y direction between the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51Aand the second contact <NUM> has a dimension smaller than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> which is not shown herein.

It should be noted that, since the first lateral surface portion F21 of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C is disposed back to back with the first lateral surface portion F11 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B, the abutment portion 51E of the frame member <NUM> is situated apart from the first lateral surface portion F21 of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C in the +Y direction and is not in contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM>.

From this state, when the lever member <NUM> is rotated to the second rotational position such that the handle portion 22A makes an angle of <NUM> degrees with respect to the X direction as shown in <FIG>, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates about the rotational axis AX along with the rotation of the lever member <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the second lateral surface portion F12 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B of the rotational shaft member <NUM> faces the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A.

Since the second lateral surface portion F12 protrudes more in the -Y direction than the first lateral surface portion F11 by the distance L1, the second lateral surface portion F12 makes contact with the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A and presses the end portion 51C in the -Y direction.

Consequently, the contact spring member 51A is elastically deformed, and the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A is moved in the -Y direction away from the second contact <NUM> disposed along the inner surface of the lateral surface portion 31C of the frame member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, a gap G12 in the Y direction having a dimension larger than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion 51B and the second contact <NUM>.

Thus, a first contact insertion portion M that allows the first contact <NUM> to be inserted along the Z direction without contacting the second contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A and the second contact <NUM>.

At this time, the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A is pressed in the -Y direction by the second lateral surface portion F12 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B of the rotational shaft member <NUM>, and accordingly, a force acting in the -Y direction is exerted on the frame member <NUM>.

However, the second lateral surface portion F22 of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C that is situated back to back with the second lateral surface portion F12 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B protrudes more in the +Y direction than the first lateral surface portion F21 in the rotational shaft member <NUM> and is therefore in contact with the abutment portion 51E of the frame member <NUM>.

Thus, it is possible to elastically deform the contact spring member 51A without the frame member <NUM> moving in the -Y direction within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> formed between the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM>.

In this state, the second connector <NUM> is moved toward the first connector <NUM> in the -Z direction, whereby the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the frame moving spring member <NUM> of the frame member <NUM> makes contact with the inner surface of the inner insulator <NUM> within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> formed between the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM>, and the frame member <NUM> attached to the second contact <NUM> is pressed in the +Y direction against the inner insulators <NUM> and <NUM> due to an elastic force of the frame moving spring member <NUM>.

Thus, the frame member <NUM> is moved in the +Y direction (first direction) within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> until the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 31C on the +Y direction side makes contact with the inner surface, on the +Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>, so that a gap G13 is formed between the inner surface, on the -Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> and the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 31D on the -Y direction side of the frame member <NUM>.

In addition, the contact spring member 51A is elastically deformed, so that the gap G12 in the Y direction having a dimension larger than the thickness of the first contact <NUM> is formed between the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A and the second contact <NUM>, and the second contact <NUM> is in a state where it has been moved in the +Y direction along with the frame member <NUM>. Accordingly, the first contact <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> is inserted into the first contact insertion portion M, while forming a gap G14 with the second contact <NUM>, without contacting the second contact <NUM>.

In this state, when the lever member <NUM> is further rotated to the first rotational position, the rotational shaft member <NUM> also rotates about the rotational axis AX along with the rotation of the lever member <NUM>, and the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A is moved away from the second lateral surface portion F12 of the contact spring insertion groove 45B of the rotational shaft member <NUM> to face the first lateral surface portion F11 as shown in <FIG>. Consequently, the end portion 51C of the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A makes no contact with the rotational shaft member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and a pressing force acting in the +Y direction is exerted on the first contact <NUM> by the pressing portion 51B of the contact spring member 51A.

As a result, the frame member <NUM> receives a force acting in the -Y direction as a reaction.

In this process, the abutment portion 51E of the frame member <NUM> is also moved away from the second lateral surface portion F22 of the abutment portion insertion groove 45C to face the first lateral surface portion F21 and situated away from the first lateral surface portion F21 in the +Y direction.

Since the frame moving spring member <NUM> in contact with the inner surface of the inner insulator <NUM> has an elastic force weaker than an elastic force of the contact spring member 51A, the frame moving spring member <NUM> elastically deforms, so that the frame member <NUM> is moved in the -Y direction (second direction) within the frame member accommodating portion <NUM> until the outer surface, on the -Y direction side, of the lateral surface portion 31D makes contact with the inner surface, on the -Y direction side, of the frame member accommodating portion <NUM>.

Also in Embodiment <NUM>, since the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are thus pressed against each other in the Y direction without rubbing against each other in the Z direction, it is possible to bring the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> into contact at a high contact pressure while easily fitting the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> together, thereby obtaining a reliable electrical connection.

To release the fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> from the state where the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted together and the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> are electrically connected together, it is sufficient that the lever member <NUM> is rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position to unlock the fitting between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, whereafter the second connector <NUM> is relatively pulled up in the +Z direction with respect to the first connector <NUM> and thereby detached from the connector <NUM>, as with Embodiment <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly comprising:
a first connector (<NUM>) including a first insulator (<NUM>) and a first contact (<NUM>) held by the first insulator;
a second connector (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a second insulator (<NUM>) and a second contact (<NUM>) held by the second insulator, the second connector being fitted to the first connector along a fitting direction;
a contact spring member (31F, 51A) attached to the second contact and including a pressing portion (<NUM>, 51B) configured to press the first contact against the second contact to bring the first contact and the second contact into contact with each other;
a lever member (<NUM>) held by the second insulator and being rotatable about a rotational axis (AX) between a first rotational position and a second rotational position;
a fitting cam mechanism (13D, 22D) relatively moving the first insulator and the second insulator along the fitting direction in conjunction with rotation of the lever member,
characterized in that it further comprises a rotational shaft member (<NUM>, <NUM>) held by the second insulator to rotate about the rotational axis along with rotation of the lever member and including a cam surface (<NUM>, F12) configured to elastically deform the contact spring member; and when the lever member is placed in the second rotational position, the cam surface of the rotational shaft member makes contact with and elastically deforms the contact spring member, whereby a first contact insertion portion (M) that allows the first contact to be inserted thereinto along the fitting direction is formed between the pressing portion and the second contact, and
in a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted together and the first contact is inserted in the first contact insertion portion, when the lever member is rotated from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, fitting between the first connector and the second connector is locked by the fitting cam mechanism, and the cam surface of the rotational shaft member is moved away from the contact spring member, so that the first contact and the second contact are pressed against each other by the pressing portion to make contact with each other.