JP2013214436A - Electric connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fit a plurality of connectors to a mating connector by comparatively low operation force.SOLUTION: An electric connection device includes first and second connectors C1 and C2 and a mating connector 3C fitted with the first and second connectors C1 and C2. The mating connector C3 includes: a lever member 40 having a first fitting guiding portion 48 for guiding the first connector C1; a cam member 50 having a second fitting guiding portion 58 for guiding the second connector C2; and transmitting means for transmitting the rotary operation force of the lever member 40 to the cam member 50. The first and second connectors C1 and C2 are equipped with guided portions 12 and 16. The first fitting guiding portion 48 guides the guided portion 12 by force larger than the operation force of the lever member 40. The second fitting guiding portion 58 starts the guiding of the guided portion 16 at timing later than the guiding start of the guided portion 12, with rotations of the cam member 50 rotated by receiving the rotary force of the lever member 40, and guides the guided portion 16 by force larger than the rotary force received by the cam member 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connection device that performs electrical connection by fitting connectors together.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electrical connection device that performs electrical connection by fitting connectors is known that includes a lever for fitting connectors with a low operating force. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique that allows a plurality of connectors to be fitted with a low operating force.

  The electrical connection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a collective connector in which a collective frame (lever) that supports a plurality of connectors arranged in a row and a fitting recess in which the plurality of connectors can be fitted are arranged in a row. For electrical connection, one end of the assembly connector (one end in the arrangement direction of the fitting recess) is engaged with one end of the assembly frame (one end in the arrangement direction of the connector), and the engagement portion is By rotating the collective frame as a fulcrum, the connectors are fitted into the fitting recesses with a low operating force in order from the connector located on one end side of the collective frame using the principle of the lever.

JP-A-6-140098

  In the conventional electrical connection device described in Patent Document 1, the operating force required for fitting each connector increases in proportion to the distance from the fulcrum of the collective frame (lever) to the connector. Therefore, when the connector fitting operation is mainly performed at the end, that is, when the connector at a position away from the fulcrum is fitted, the effect of fitting the connectors with a low operating force may not be sufficiently enjoyed.

  If the aggregate frame is formed so that the end (power point) of the aggregate frame is located sufficiently outside the position of the connector farthest from the fulcrum, the above inconvenience can be eliminated. However, in this case, the assembly frame (electrical connection device) is remarkably enlarged in the connector arranging direction, which is not practical.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an electrical connection device capable of fitting any of a plurality of connectors to a mating connector with a relatively low operating force without inferiority. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is an electrical connection device that performs electrical connection by fitting connectors together, and includes a first connector and a second connector each having a connector housing, and the first and second connectors. In a state in which the connector housings of the first and second connectors are fitted in parallel, the connector housing being rotatably supported by the connector housing, and receiving the pivoting operation. A lever member having a first fitting guiding portion for guiding one connector in the fitting direction, is rotatably supported by the connector housing of the mating connector, and receives the rotational force to move the second connector in the fitting direction. A cam member having a second fitting guide portion for guiding, and a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force to the cam member as the lever member rotates. The connector housing of the one connector includes a first guided portion that can be engaged with the first fitting guide portion of the lever member, and the connector housing of the two connector includes the first cam A second guided portion engageable with a second fitting guiding portion of the member, wherein the first fitting guiding portion is configured such that each of the first connector and the second connector is predetermined with respect to the mating connector; When the lever member receives a turning operation after being in a temporarily fitted state, the first connector and the mating connector are brought into a completely fitted state as the lever member turns. The first guided portion is formed in a connector fitting direction with a force larger than the operating force received by the lever member, and the second fitting guiding portion is connected to the lever member via the transmission means. Rotational force transmitted from With the rotation of the cam member that receives and rotates, the second guided portion starts to be guided at a timing later than the start of the first guided portion, and the second connector It is formed so as to guide the second guided portion in the connector fitting direction with a force larger than the operating force received by the lever member so that the mating connector is in a completely fitted state. is there.

  In this electrical connection device, the first and second connectors are temporarily fitted to the mating connector, and in this state, the lever member provided in the mating connector is operated to rotate, The second connector is continuously fitted to the mating connector with a relatively low operating force. Specifically, with the rotation of the lever member, the first connector (first guided portion) is guided by the first fitting guiding portion, so that the first connector is fitted to the mating connector. Further, the cam member is rotated in conjunction with the operation of the lever member via the transmission means, so that the second connector (second guided portion) is guided by the second fitting guide portion, whereby the second connector The connector mates with the mating connector. According to such a configuration, while the first and second connectors are fitted to the mating connector by a single turning operation of a single lever member, the operations required for each connector fitting as in the conventional device. It becomes possible to suppress that force changes according to the distance from the rotation fulcrum of a lever member. Therefore, any connector can be fitted to the mating connector with a relatively low operating force without inferiority.

  In this electrical connection device, the transmission means includes a gear transmission mechanism including a first gear portion provided in the lever member and a second gear portion provided in the cam member and meshing with the first gear member. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to transmit the rotational force (rotating operation force) smoothly and reliably from the lever member to the cam member with a simple configuration. Therefore, the second connector can be smoothly fitted to the mating connector in accordance with the turning operation of the lever member.

  Further, in this electrical connection device, the second fitting guiding portion may be configured such that the second guided member is simultaneously or later at a timing when the first connector and the mating connector are completely fitted. It is preferable that the guide of the part is started.

  According to this configuration, it is advantageous to keep the peak value of the operating force required for the turning operation of the lever member low. Therefore, the first and second connectors can be fitted to the mating connector with a lower operating force.

  In the above electrical connection device, the housing of the mating connector allows the first fitting guiding portion to guide the first guided portion, and the second fitting guiding portion causes the second guided portion to be guided. A locking portion is provided that locks at least one side of the lever member and the cam member in a releasable manner at the rotation angle position in a state where the cam member is disposed at the rotation angle position at which the guide member can be guided. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, by locking the lever member and the cam member at the rotation angle position by the locking portion, the first and second connectors are temporarily connected to the mating connector in the locked state. Can be fitted. And after this temporary fitting, if the locking state of the locking portion is released and the lever member is rotated, the first and second connectors can be completely connected to the mating connector with a relatively low operating force. Can be fitted. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the fitting operation | work of a 1st, 2nd connector smoothly.

  Further, in the above electrical connection device, each connector housing of the first connector and the second connector includes the guided portion on a side surface on the same side in a posture to be fitted to the connector housing of the mating connector, The lever member and the cam member are arranged in a state where the first and second connectors are aligned along the side surface of the connector housing side of the mating connector along the side surface where the guided portion is located. The lever member is supported by a housing, and when the first and second connectors are completely engaged with the mating connector, the lever member is substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the first and second connectors. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the entire electrical connection device is relatively compact, and the form of the electrical connection device after connector fitting is also apparently accommodated with respect to the mating connector in the connector fitting direction. It becomes compact because it becomes a state.

  In the above electrical connection device, it is preferable that a gear ratio between the first gear portion and the second gear portion is 1 or more.

  According to this configuration, both the first and second connectors can be fitted to the mating connector with a relatively low operating force.

  According to the electrical connection device of the present invention as described above, any connector can be compared without being affected by the distance from the pivot fulcrum of the lever member to the position (guided portion) of each connector. It is possible to fit the mating connector with a low operating force.

It is a perspective view which shows the electrical connection apparatus (temporary fitting state) concerning this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an electrical connection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other party connector, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is sectional drawing (III-III sectional view taken on the line of figure (a)). It is a figure which shows a lever member, (a) is the perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the back side, (c) is an A arrow view of FIG. (B). . It is a figure which shows a cam member, (a) is the perspective view seen from the front side, (b) is the perspective view seen from the back side, (c) is a B arrow view of FIG. (B). . It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the assembly point of the other party connector, (a) is a perspective view which shows the process of incorporating a cam member in the connector housing of the other party connector, (b) is the connector housing of the other party connector. It is a perspective view which shows the process of incorporating a lever member. It is a figure explaining the assembly point of the other party connector, (a) is a front view which shows the state by which the lever member and the cam member were integrated in the connector housing of the other party connector, (b) is a lever member and a cam member. FIG. 6C is a front view showing a state where the lever member and the cam member are disposed at the initial rotation angle position (the mating connector that has been assembled). It is a figure explaining the connector fitting point of an electric connection device, (a) is a front view showing the state where the 1st connector and the 2nd connector were each temporarily fitted to the other party connector, and (b). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the mating connector showing the relationship between each cam portion of the lever member and cam member and the guided portion of each connector at that time. It is a figure explaining the connector fitting procedure of an electric connection device, (a) is a front view at the time of the 1st connector being this fitting to the other party connector, (b) is the lever member and cam at that time It is sectional drawing of the other party connector which shows the relationship between each cam part of a member, and the induced part of each connector. It is a figure explaining the connector fitting procedure of an electric connection device, (a) is a front view at the time of the 2nd connector fully fitting to the other party connector, (b) is the lever member and cam at that time It is sectional drawing of the other party connector which shows the relationship between each cam part of a member, and the induced part of each connector.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 schematically show an electrical connection device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the electrical connection device includes a first connector C1 and a second connector C2, and a mating connector C3 into which the first connector C1 and the second connector C2 are fitted.

  The first connector C1 includes a plurality of female terminals (not shown), and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped male connector housing 10 (hereinafter, abbreviated as the housing 10) made of an insulating resin material that holds these terminals. Is provided. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 11 penetrating in the connector fitting direction are formed in the housing 10, and the plurality of female terminals attached to the ends of the electric wires are respectively held in the terminal accommodating chambers 11. Has been.

  The second connector C2 has the same configuration as the first connector C1. That is, the second connector C2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped male connector housing 14 (hereinafter referred to as an insulating resin material) in which a plurality of female terminals (not shown) and a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 15 are formed. , Abbreviated as housing 14), and a plurality of female terminals attached to the ends of the electric wires are respectively held in the terminal accommodating chambers 15.

  On the other hand, the mating connector C3 includes a plurality of male terminals (not shown), a connector housing 20 (hereinafter abbreviated as “housing 20”) made of an insulating resin material that holds these terminals, A lever member 40 and a cam member 50 are provided.

  The housing 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped female housing made of an insulating resin material. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, the housing 20 has a first fitting into which the housing 10 of the first connector C1 can be fitted. It has the combination recessed part 22 and the 2nd fitting recessed part 23 with which the housing 14 of the 2nd connector C2 can be fitted. These fitting recesses 22 and 23 are arranged in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3A). A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 28 and 29 are formed in the inner bottoms of the fitting recesses 22 and 23, and the plurality of male terminals (not shown) attached to the ends of the electric wires are respectively tab-shaped. These contact pieces are accommodated in the terminal accommodating chambers 28 and 29 in a state where the contact pieces protrude into the fitting recesses 22 and 23.

  The first and second connectors C1, C2 and the mating connector C3 are connected by connecting the first and second connectors C1, C2 to the first and second fitting recesses 22, 23 of the mating connector C3. The first and second connectors C1 and C2 are inserted into the first and second fitting recesses 22 and 23 from the front end side, and the housings 10 and 14 and the housing 20 are fitted to each other. . As described above, the first and second connectors C1 and C2 and the mating connector C3 are fitted to each other, so that the first and second connectors C1 and C2 and the mating connector C3 are electrically connected. The electrical connection is made through male and female terminals.

  The lever member 40 and the cam member 50 reduce the operating force required for fitting the first and second connectors C1, C2 and the mating connector C3 as described above, and the mating connector C3. The housing 20 is incorporated. The lever member 40 receives a turning operation, thereby generating a fitting force larger than the force operated for the fitting together with the housings 10 and 14 of the first and second connectors C1 and C2. Configure the booster mechanism.

  More specifically, on one side surface of the housing 10 of the first connector C1 (one side surface in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the connectors C1 and C2 are arranged), as shown in FIG. A guiding portion 12 (corresponding to the first guided portion of the present invention) is provided. The guided portion 12 is configured by a protrusion protruding outward from the side surface of the housing 10, and is provided at a specific position in the width direction of the housing 10 and in the connector fitting direction. The same applies to the second connector C2, and a guided portion guided by the cam member 50 is provided on one side surface of the housing 14 (the side surface on the same side as the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1). 16 (corresponding to the second guided portion of the present invention) is provided. The guided portion 16 is a projection similar to the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1, and is provided at a specific position in the connector fitting direction, which is an intermediate position in the width direction of the housing 14.

  Each guided portion 12, 16 is engaged with a fitting guiding portion 48, 58 described later in a predetermined temporary fitting state before the connectors C 1, C 2 are completely fitted to the mating connector C 3. Each of the housings 10 and 14 is formed so as to be located at a predetermined position. In the present embodiment, the respective guided portions 12 and 16 are formed in the housings 10 and 14 so as to be located at substantially the same position in the connector fitting direction in the temporary fitting state (see FIG. 8B). ).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 (a) to 4 (c), the lever member 40 is formed in an elongated plate shape having a predetermined thickness and has a support shaft portion 41 serving as a rotation fulcrum in the longitudinal direction. A lever main body portion 42 at one end, a first gear portion 44 arranged in the thickness direction with respect to the lever main body portion 42, and an outer portion of the first gear portion 44 and formed in the middle portion of the support shaft portion 41. The first cam portion 46 is formed, and these portions 41 to 46 are integrally formed of a resin material.

  The first gear portion 44 is a sector gear (sector gear) having a central angle of about 160 ° with the support shaft portion 41 as a rotation center. The first gear portion 44 has an arcuate opening 44a for interposing first projections 38a and 38b, which will be described later, in a region inside the tooth surface. The lever main body portion 42 is formed adjacent to the first gear portion 44 so as to be along one of the two sides forming the central angle of the first gear portion 44, and the first gear portion 44. The gear portion 44 is formed so as to largely protrude outward in the radial direction.

  The first cam portion 46 has a disk shape centered on the support shaft portion 41. The first cam portion 46 is provided at a position in the support shaft portion 41 with a predetermined gap from the first gear portion 44 (see FIG. 4C). The first cam portion 46 is provided with a first fitting guiding portion 48 for guiding the first connector C1 so that the first connector C1 is fitted to the mating connector C3. The first fitting guide portion 48 is formed by a groove that can be engaged with the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1, and is on the opposite side of the first cam portion 46 from the first gear portion 44 side. The surface is formed in a substantially spiral shape from the outer peripheral portion of the first cam portion 46 toward the support shaft portion 41.

  Specifically, the first fitting guiding portion 48 is engaged with the guided portion 12 and substantially guides the guided portion 12, and continues to the effective portion 48 a to rotate the lever member 40. Accordingly, there is an ineffective portion 48 b that allows the guided portion 12 to escape.

  On the other hand, the cam member 50 has a configuration similar to that of the lever member 40 other than the lever main body 42. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5A to 5C, the cam member 50 includes a second gear portion 54 having a support shaft portion 51 at the center of rotation, and a midway of the support shaft portion 51. It has the 2nd cam part 56 formed in a part, and these each parts 51-56 were integrally formed with the resin material.

  The second gear portion 54 is a sector gear (fan gear) having substantially the same shape (gear ratio 1: 1) as that of the first gear portion 44 of the lever member 40. That is, both gear portions 44 and 54 are formed so that the gear ratio thereof is 1: 1. The second gear portion 54 is formed with an arcuate opening 54a for interposing second projections 39a and 39b, which will be described later, in a region inside the tooth surface.

  The second cam portion 56 has a disc shape centered on the support shaft portion 51. This 2nd cam part 56 is provided in the position which separated the predetermined clearance gap between the said 2nd gear parts 54 among the spindle parts 51 (refer FIG.5 (c)). The second cam portion 56 is provided with a second fitting guiding portion 58 for guiding the second connector C2 so that the second connector C2 is fitted to the mating connector C3. The second fitting guide portion 58 is formed by a groove that can be engaged with the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2, and the second cam portion 56 is opposite to the second gear portion 54 side. The surface is formed in a substantially spiral shape from the outer peripheral portion of the second cam portion 56 toward the support shaft portion 51.

  The lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are incorporated in the housing 20 of the mating connector C3 with the gear portions 44 and 54 engaged with each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one side of the side wall of the housing 20 that is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the fitting recesses 22 and 23 are arranged has a double wall structure. . The inner side of the double wall is partitioned in the direction in which the fitting recesses 22 and 23 are arranged, whereby the housing 20 is provided with a first cam storage chamber 25 adjacent to the first fitting recess 22 and a second fitting. A second cam storage chamber 26 is formed adjacent to the combination recess 23. Each of the storage chambers 25 and 26 has a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to the alignment direction of the respective fitting recesses 22 and 23 and penetrates in the connector fitting direction.

  Of the side walls forming the first cam storage chamber 25, a pair of side walls 25a and 25b arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the storage chambers 25 and 26 are arranged extend in the connector fitting direction and are fitted in the same fitting direction. A first slit 34 is formed to open to the distal end side (lower side in FIGS. 3B and 3C). Similarly, of the side walls forming the second cam storage chamber 26, the pair of side walls 26a, 26b arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the storage chambers 25, 26 are arranged extend in the connector fitting direction, respectively. A second slit 35 that opens to the front end side in the fitting direction is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lever is attached to the housing 20 so that the first cam portion 46 is located in the first cam storage chamber 25, and the first gear portion 44 and the lever main body portion 42 are located outside the housing. A member 40 is attached. More specifically, from the front end side in the connector fitting direction, the both sides of the first cam portion 46 of the support shaft portion 41 are interposed in the first slits 34 of the side walls 25a and 25b. One cam portion 46 is stored in the first cam storage chamber 25. And the lever member 40 is arrange | positioned so that the spindle part 41 may be located in the back end part of each 1st slit 34, and the narrowing part 34a (refer FIG. 2) provided in each 1st slit 34 in this position The lever member 40 is held (mounted) on the housing 20 by engaging with the support shaft portion 41.

  Similarly, the cam member 50 is also configured so that the portions on both sides of the second cam portion 56 of the support shaft portion 51 are interposed in the second slits 35 of the side walls 26a and 26b from the front end side in the connector fitting direction. The second cam portion 56 is stored in the second cam storage chamber 26. The cam member 50 is disposed such that the support shaft portion 51 is located at the back end portion of each second slit 35 and the second gear portion 54 meshes with the first gear portion 44 of the lever member 40. The cam member 50 is held (mounted) on the housing 20 by engaging the throttle portion 35a (see FIG. 2) provided in each second slit 35 with the support shaft portion 51 at the position.

  The effective portion 48a of the first fitting guide portion 48 of the lever member 40 (first cam portion 46) is operated by the lever member 40 from an initial rotation angle position (position shown in FIG. 1) described later. By receiving, the shape which guides the to-be-guided part 12 so that the 1st connector C1 and the other party connector C3 may be fitted by force larger than the said operating force, receiving the to-be-guided part 12 of the 1st connector C1. Have. The ineffective portion 48 b has a shape that allows the guided portion 12 to escape as the lever member 40 rotates. On the other hand, the second fitting guide portion 58 formed on the cam member 5 (second cam portion 56) rotates in conjunction with the turning operation of the lever member 40 as described above, and the second connector C2 A shape for guiding the guided portion 16 so that the second connector C2 and the mating connector C3 are fitted with a force larger than the rotational force transmitted from the lever member 40 to the cam member 50 while receiving the guided portion 16. Have. That is, the gear ratio between the first gear portion 44 and the second gear portion 54 is 1: 1, and considering only the transmission of rotational force (ignoring the inductive load of the connector), the force that rotates the lever member 40 And the force for rotating the cam member 50 (the rotational force received by the cam member 50) is equivalent. Accordingly, the second fitting guiding portion 58 is formed to guide the guided portion 16 so that the second connector C2 and the mating connector C3 are fitted with a force larger than the operating force of the lever member 40. ing. Note that the surface of the cam member 50 on which the second fitting guide portion 58 is formed is such that the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1 is connected to the first fitting guide portion 48 as the lever member 40 rotates. Until the end of the effective portion 48a is reached, the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2 and the cam member 50 are partially cut off so as to be in a disengaged state ( (Refer FIG.5 (b)). Accordingly, the second fitting guiding portion 58 starts guiding the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2 after the guided portion 12 reaches the end of the effective portion 48a of the first fitting guiding portion 48. It is formed as follows. Thus, as will be described in detail later, during the connector fitting operation, the first and second connectors C1 and C2 are fitted to the mating connector C3 with a relatively low operating force as the lever member 40 is rotated. To get.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, of the side walls 25 a and 25 b forming the first cam storage chamber 25, the side wall 25 a common to the side wall forming the first fitting recess 22 extends in the connector fitting direction. Further, a slit 30 that opens to the rear side in the fitting direction (upper side in the figure) is further formed. Similarly, among the side walls forming the second cam housing chamber 26, a side wall 26a that is shared with the side wall forming the second fitting recess 23 is a slit that extends in the connector fitting direction and opens rearward in the fitting direction. 31 is further formed. These slits 30 and 31 are for interposing the guided portions 12 and 16 of the connectors C1 and C2, respectively, and when the connectors are fitted, the leading ends of the guided portions 12 and 16 respectively connect the slits 30 and 31. Projecting into the cam storage chambers 25 and 26.

  Next, the assembly procedure of the mating connector C3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the cam member 50 is mounted on the housing 20 of the mating connector C3. As shown in FIG. 6A, this mounting is performed from the lower side of the housing 20 (lower side in FIG. 6: front end side in the connector fitting direction). Specifically, with the tooth surface of the second gear portion 54 positioned on the upper side (upper side in the drawing: rear end side in the connector fitting direction), the second cam portion 56 is moved from the lower side to the second cam storage chamber 26. The support shaft 51 is interposed in the second slits 35 of the side walls 26a and 26b while being inserted into the second slit 35. Then, the cam member 50 is pushed into the housing 20 so that the support shaft portion 51 is located at the far end portion with respect to the portion of the throttle portion 35 a of the second slit 35. As described above, when the cam member 50 is pushed into the back end portion of the second slit 35, the restricting portion 35a restricts the displacement of the cam member 50 (support shaft portion 51) in the reverse direction. 50 is held (mounted) on the housing 20. Further, a pair of positioning second protrusions 39a and 39b formed on the outer surface of the housing 20 of the second gear portion 54 engage with the second gear portion 54 from the lower side, whereby the cam member 50 is engaged. It is locked to the housing 20 while being positioned at a specific rotational angle position (see FIG. 6B).

  Here, the second protrusions 39a and 39b are positions on both sides of the support shaft portion 41 of the cam member 50 on the two sides forming the central angle of the second gear portion 54 on the side surface of the housing 20. It is formed in the position to engage. In this way, the second protrusions 39a and 39b are engaged with the second gear portion 54 at positions on both sides of the support shaft portion 41, whereby the rotation of the cam member 50 is restricted. As a result, the cam member 50 is It is latched by the housing 20 at the rotational angle position.

  Next, the lever member 40 is attached to the housing 20. The mounting of the lever member 40 is also performed from the lower side of the housing 20 (the front end side in the connector fitting direction) as shown in FIG. In this case, the tip of the lever main body 42 is obliquely downward (inclined downward in the figure), that is, of the two sides forming the central angle of the first gear portion 44, one side opposite to the lever main body 42 side is approximately In a posture parallel to the connector fitting direction, the support shaft portion 41 is interposed in the first slit 34 of each of the side walls 25a and 25b while the first cam portion 46 is inserted into the first cam storage chamber 25 from below. Then, the first cam portion 46 is pushed into the housing 20 so that the support shaft portion 41 is located at the far end portion with respect to the portion of the throttle portion 34 a of the first slit 34. As described above, when the lever member 40 is pushed into the back end portion of the first slit 34, displacement of the lever member 40 (support shaft portion 41) in the reverse direction is restricted by the throttle portion 34a. 40 is held (mounted) on the housing 20 (see FIG. 7A).

  After the mounting of the lever member 40, as shown in FIG. 7B, the lever member 40 is rotated to the cam member 50 side (clockwise in the figure), and the first gear portion 44 is moved to the cam member 50. Engage with the second gear portion 54. In this case, as described above, when the second gear portion 54 (cam member 50) is positioned at a specific rotation angle position by the second protrusions 39a and 39b, the lever member 40 is moved when the lever member 40 is moved. The first gear portion 44 and the second gear portion 54 of the cam member 50 mesh with each other at a position determined by design.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the pair of first protrusions 38a and 38b (corresponding to the locking portion of the present invention) formed on the housing 20 are further connected while the gear portions 44 and 54 are engaged with each other. The lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are rotated to a position where the first gear portion 44 is engaged. In this case, when the lever member 40 is rotated, the second gear portion 54 moves over the second protrusion 39a that locks the second gear portion 54 in conjunction with the rotation of the lever member 40. As a result, the second gear portion 54 The engagement state between the portion 54 and the second protrusions 39a and 39b is released. The protrusion 39a is interposed in the arcuate opening 54a of the second gear portion 54.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the first protrusions 38a and 38b have the lever member 40 at a predetermined initial rotation angle position where the tip of the lever main body portion 42 is obliquely upward (diagonally upward in the figure). It is formed so as to engage with the first gear portion 44 when reaching. Specifically, the protrusions 38 a and 38 b are engaged with two sides of the side surface of the housing 20 on both sides of the support shaft portion 41 of the lever member 40 and forming the central angle of the first gear portion 44. Formed in position. As described above, the first protrusions 38a and 38b are engaged with the first gear portion 44 at the positions on both sides of the support shaft portion 41, so that the rotation of the lever member 40 is restricted. The engaging cam member 50 is in the initial rotation angle position, that is, the first cam portion 46 receives the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1 in the first fitting guiding portion 48, and the second cam portion 56 is in the first position. 2 The lever member 40 is locked to the housing 20 in a state where the guided portion 16 of the connector C2 is positioned at a position where the second fitting guide portion 58 can receive the guided portion 16 (see FIG. 8B). The Thereby, the assembly of the mating connector C3 is completed.

  Next, the point of the fitting operation | work with the connectors C1 and C2 and the other party connector C3 in this electrical connection apparatus is demonstrated using FIGS. 8-10.

  First, the housing 10 of the first connector C1 is inserted into the first fitting recess 22 of the mating connector C3 (housing 20), and the housing 14 of the second connector C2 is inserted into the second fitting recess 23. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the connectors C1 and C2 and the mating connector C3 are connected to each other by a predetermined temporary fitting before they reach a complete fitting state (main fitting state). Make a match. In this example, the temporary fitting state is an initial state of terminal fitting in which, for example, the terminals of the connectors C1 and C2 and the terminals of the mating connector C3 start to contact.

  Next, the lever main body 42 is picked, and the lever member 40 is rotated to the cam member 50 side (clockwise in FIG. 8A). At this time, the lever member 40 is rotated so that the first gear portion 44 gets over the first protrusion 38b. This forcibly releases the engagement state between the first gear portion 44 and the first protrusions 38a and 38b. At this time, the first protrusion 38 b on one side is interposed in the opening 44 a of the first gear portion 44.

  When the lever member 40 is rotated through the lever main body 42 in this way, the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1 is received by the effective portion 48a of the first fitting guiding portion 48 and along the effective portion 48a. Be guided. As a result, the guided portion 12 is guided in the connector fitting direction with a fitting force larger than the operating force of the lever member 40 (lever main body portion 42), whereby the mating connector C3 is moved toward the fully fitted state. The fitting of the first connector C1 to is started.

  As described above, the second fitting guide portion 58 of the cam member 50 (second gear portion 54) has the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1 connected to the effective portion 48a (first fitting guide portion 48). After reaching the end portion, the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2 is started. That is, when the lever member 40 receives the turning operation as described above, the cam member 50 also rotates in conjunction with this, but at this stage, the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2 is still in the second fitting induction. Therefore, the fitting of the second connector C2 does not proceed.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), when the lever main body 42a is rotated to a position substantially parallel to or close to the connector fitting direction, as shown in FIG. 9 (b). The first connector C1 and the mating connector C3 are in a completely fitted state (mainly fitted state). On the other hand, the guided portion 16 of the second connector C2 is received by the second fitting guide portion 58 of the cam member 50, and guidance of the guided portion 16 by the second fitting guide portion 58 is started. At this time, when the lever main body 42 is subjected to a turning operation, the operating force of the lever main body 42 is transmitted to the cam member 50 and guided by a fitting force larger than the rotational force (= operating force) of the cam member 50. The part 16 is guided in the connector fitting direction. Thereby, fitting of the 2nd connector C2 with respect to the other party connector C3 is started toward this fitting state.

  In this case, the lever member 40 also rotates. At this stage, the guided portion 12 of the first connector C1 has shifted to the ineffective portion 48b of the first fitting guiding portion 48. As described above, the ineffective portion 48b is formed so as to escape the guided portion 12 with the rotation of the lever member 40. Therefore, the ineffective portion 48b is not necessary for the guided portion 12 even if the lever member 40 receives a turning operation. Force does not act.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), when the lever main body 42a is rotated to a position where it lies so as to be orthogonal to the connector fitting direction, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the second connector C2 And the mating connector C3 are completely engaged. Thus, the fitting operation between the first and second connectors C1 and C2 and the mating connector C3 is completed.

  Here, the fitting operation between the connectors C1 and C2 and the mating connector C3 has been described. However, if the lever member 40 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) from the connector fitting state shown in FIG. The connectors C1 and C2 can be separated from the mating connector C3 in the reverse procedure. Also in this case, the connectors C1 and C2 can be separated from the mating connector C3 with a relatively low operating force as in the connector fitting.

  According to the electrical connecting device as described above, by rotating the lever main body 42 (lever member 40), the first and second connectors C1 and C2 are respectively connected to the mating connector C3 with a relatively low operating force. Can be fitted (main fitting).

  Moreover, in this electrical connection device, as described above, the first fitting guide portion 48 that guides the first connector C1 (guided portion 12) is formed in the lever member 40. A second fitting guiding portion 58 for guiding the connector C2 (guided portion 16) is formed in the cam member 50. With respect to the second connector C2, the operating force of the lever member 40 is transmitted to the cam member 50, The second connector C2 is fitted to the mating connector C3 by the rotational force. According to such a configuration, the cam member 50 side can enjoy the same action as that of the lever in the lever member 40. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operating force required for fitting the connectors C1 and C2 from changing according to the distance from the rotation fulcrum of the lever main body portion 42 (lever member 40). The connectors C1 and C2 can be fitted to the mating connector C3 with a relatively low operating force without inferiority.

  Further, in this electrical connecting device, the cam member is configured so that the induction of the second connector C2 is started after the induction of the first connector C1 is completed, that is, after the first connector C1 is fully fitted to the mating connector C3. 50 (second fitting guiding portion 58 of the second cam portion 56) is configured. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the peak value of the operation force required for the rotation operation of the lever member 40 (lever main body portion 42). There is also an advantage that it can be fitted to.

  Further, in this electrical connection device, the lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are previously positioned at the initial rotation angle position by locking the lever member 40 by the first protrusions 38a and 38b formed on the housing 20. Can be held in. That is, it is not necessary for the operator to position the lever member 40 and the cam member 50 at the initial rotation angle position by hand and perform the fitting operation while maintaining the state. Therefore, when the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted, the connectors C1 and C2 are inserted into the mating connector C3 as they are to be temporarily fitted, and the lever main body 42 (lever member 40) is simply rotated from this state. Both connectors C1 and C2 can be quickly fitted to the mating connector C3. Therefore, there is an advantage that the connector fitting operation can be performed very smoothly while enjoying the above-described effects.

  Moreover, according to the electrical connection apparatus of the said embodiment, since the lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are arrange | positioned along the side surface of the housing 20, the whole electrical connection apparatus is comparatively compact. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the form of the electrical connecting device after the connector is fitted is such that the lever member 40 (lever main body portion 42) is apparently in the housing 20 of the mating connector C3 in the connector fitting direction. Therefore, there is an advantage that it becomes very compact.

  The electrical connection device described above is a preferred embodiment of the electrical connection device according to the present invention, and the specific configuration thereof can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the electrical connection device of the above embodiment is configured to fit the first and second connectors C1 and C2 to one counterpart connector C3, but there are three or more connectors (here, for convenience, A configuration in which each connector is referred to as a unit connector) may be fitted to the mating connector C3. In this case, a fitting recess is formed in the housing (20) of the mating connector (C3) so that the plurality of unit connectors are fitted in series. A lever member (40) for guiding the unit connector located at the end and a plurality of cam members (50) for guiding the other unit connectors are assembled to the housing (20). In this case, the lever member and the plurality of cam members are engaged with each other so that the operation force of the lever member is sequentially transmitted to adjacent members, and the guided portion (12 , 16) are formed so that the fitting guide portions (48, 58) are sequentially started. According to such an electrical connection device, by rotating the lever member, the three or more unit connectors are respectively fitted to the mating connector (main fitting) with relatively low operating force while sequentially shifting the timing. In addition, similarly to the electrical connection device of the above-described embodiment, each unit connector can be fitted to the mating connector with a relatively low operating force without inferiority.

  In the electrical connection device of the above embodiment, after the induction of the first connector C1 (guided portion 12) is completed, that is, after the first connector C1 is fully fitted to the mating connector C3, the second connector C2 ( The cam member 50 (the second fitting guide portion 58 of the second cam portion 56) is formed so as to start the guided portion 16), and the cam member 50 is being guided by the first connector C1. The guide of the second connector C2 may be started. However, in order to fit the connectors C1 and C2 to the mating connector C3 with a lower operating force, the configuration in which the guidance of the second connector C2 is started after the guidance of the first connector C1 is completed as in the above embodiment. Is desirable.

  In the electrical connection device of the above embodiment, the lever member 40 is locked by the first protrusions 38a and 38b formed on the housing 20 of the mating connector C3, whereby the lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are rotated at the initial rotation angle. However, in this case, not the lever member 40 side but the cam member 50 side may be locked to the housing 20, and both the lever member 40 and the cam member 50 are attached to the housing 20. You may make it latch.

  In the electrical connection device of the above embodiment, the first gear portion 44 of the lever member 40 and the second gear portion 54 of the cam member 50 have the same shape (gear ratio is 1: 1), but the second gear portion You may set the gear ratio of these gear parts 44 and 54 so that the ratio of 54 may become large. That is, the gear ratio between the first gear portion 44 and the second gear portion 54 may exceed 1. According to this, even when the number of poles of the second connector C2 is larger than that of the first connector C1, for example, both the connectors C1 and C2 can be fitted to the mating connector C3 with an equally low operating force. Become. The shapes of the first gear portion 44 and the second gear portion 54 are not limited to sector gears (fan gears), and may be a general circular spur gear shape.

  Moreover, although the electrical connection apparatus of the said embodiment transmits the operating force of the lever member 40 to the cam member 50 by what is called a gear transmission mechanism (gear part 44,54), it is a cam member from the lever member 40 by what is called a belt transmission mechanism. 50 may be configured to transmit the operating force.

  In the above embodiment, the mating connector C3 is a connector provided at the end of the wiring material (electric wire). However, the mating connector C3 may be a connector mounted (fixed) on a printed circuit board or the like. Good.

10, 14, 20 Housing 12, 16 Guided portion 40 Lever member 42 Lever body portion 44 First gear portion (transmission means)
46 1st cam part 48 1st fitting guidance part 50 Cam member 54 2nd gear part (transmission means)
56 Second cam portion 58 Second fitting guide portion C1 First connector C2 Second connector C3 Mating connector

Claims (6)

An electrical connection device for electrical connection by fitting between connectors,
A first connector and a second connector each having a connector housing;
A connector housing in which the connector housings of the first and second connectors can be fitted in a state in which the first and second connectors are arranged in parallel, and is rotatably supported by the connector housing. A lever member having a first fitting guiding portion that guides the first connector in the fitting direction by receiving an operation, is rotatably supported by the connector housing of the counterpart connector, and receives the rotational force to receive the first A cam member having a second fitting guiding portion for guiding the two connectors in the fitting direction, and a mating connector provided with a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force to the cam member as the lever member rotates. ,
The connector housing of the one connector includes a first guided portion that can be engaged with the first fitting guide portion of the lever member,
The connector housing of the two connectors includes a second guided portion that can be engaged with a second fitting guide portion of the second cam member,
The first fitting guiding portion is configured so that the lever member receives a turning operation after the first connector and the second connector are each in a predetermined temporary fitting state with respect to the mating connector. As the lever member rotates, the first guided portion is connected to the connector with a force larger than the operating force received by the lever member so that the first connector and the mating connector are in a completely fitted state. Formed to guide in the mating direction,
The second fitting guiding portion starts guiding the first guided portion with the rotation of the cam member that rotates by receiving the rotational force transmitted from the lever member via the transmission means. More than the operating force received by the lever member so that the second guided portion starts to be guided at a timing later than the second connector and the second connector and the mating connector are in a completely fitted state. An electrical connection device, wherein the second guided portion is guided in a connector fitting direction with a large force. The electrical connection device according to claim 1,
The transmission means is a gear transmission mechanism including a first gear portion provided on the lever member and a second gear portion provided on the cam member and meshing with the first gear member. Electrical connection device. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The second fitting guiding portion is configured to start guiding the second guided portion at the same time or at a later timing when the first connector and the mating connector are in a completely fitted state. An electrical connection device formed. In the electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the connector housing of the mating connector, the lever member is disposed at a rotation angle position at which the first fitting guide portion can guide the first guided portion, and the second fitting guide portion is the second fitting guide portion. A locking portion for releasably locking at least one side of the lever member and the cam member at the rotation angle position in a state where the cam member is disposed at the rotation angle position at which the guided portion can be guided. An electrical connection device comprising: In the electrical connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each connector housing of the first connector and the second connector includes the guided portion on the side surface on the same side in a posture fitted to the connector housing of the mating connector,
The lever member and the cam member are arranged in a state where the first and second connectors are aligned along the side surface of the connector housing side of the mating connector along the side surface where the guided portion is located. Supported by the housing,
The lever member is in an almost parallel state to the arrangement direction of the first and second connectors when the first and second connectors are completely engaged with the mating connector. apparatus. The electrical connection device according to claim 2,
The electrical connection device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means has a gear ratio of 1 or more between the first gear portion and the second gear portion.

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