EP2557638B1

EP2557638B1 - Lever-type connector and method of assembling it

Info

Publication number: EP2557638B1
Application number: EP12005124.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keiichi Nakamura; Yuuichi Nankou; Satoru Nishide
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-09
Filing date: 2012-07-11
Publication date: 2018-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-11
Also published as: EP2557638A1; JP5686069B2; JP2013037957A

Description

The present invention relates to a lever-type connector and to a method of assembling it.
A conventional lever-type connector is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-130244 . This includes a pair of male and female connector housings connectable to each other and a lever rotatably supported on the female connector housing. A moving plate to be pushed by the female connector housing in the process of connecting the two connector housings is assembled into the male connector housing. A divided cam pin is formed to project from the moving plate and another divided pin is formed to project from the female connector housing. Further, a cam groove is formed to extend in the lever.
In the process of connecting the two connector housings, the both divided cam pins are united with each other, thereby forming a cylindrical cam pin, and this cam pin slides along a groove surface of the cam groove to effect cam action as the lever is rotated, whereby a connecting operation of the two connector housings proceeds.
In a multi-pole connector as described above, a large load is applied to a cam pin from a lever in a connection process since a multitude of terminal fittings have to be connected at a time. Thus, it is required to increase the strength of the cam pin. However, if the diameter of the cam pin is simply increased on the whole, the width of a cam groove for receiving this cam pin is also increased. This leads to the enlargement of the lever and consequently the enlargement of the connector.
EP 2 075 879 A1 discloses a connector and connecting method having sliding force and rotating force multiplying mechanisms formed on a single lever.
JP 2003-178 837 A discloses a lever type connector in which a lock piece is installed at a lever side as disclosed in the preamble of independent claim 1. JP 2010-140701 A discloses a lever-type connector, in which a coupling of connector housings is carried out by the engagement of a cam groove of the lever with cam followers.
A similar lever-type connector is known from EP 1 679 768 A2 .
The present invention was completed in view of the above situation and an object thereof is to increase the strength of a cam pin without enlarging a connector.
This object is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Particular embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.
According to the invention, there is provided a lever-type connector as disclosed in independent claim 1, comprising a lever which is formed with an extending cam groove; a first connector housing on which the lever is displaceably or movably (particularly rotatably or pivotably) supported; and a second connector housing which is connectable to the first connector housing and from which a cam pin projects; the cam pin being inserted into the cam groove and, in that state, the lever being displaced or moved (particularly rotated or pivoted), whereby the cam pin substantially slides along a groove surface of the cam groove to effect cam action and an operation of connecting the first and second connector housings proceeds, wherein the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove comprises a pin main body (45), wherein said pin main body (45) is longer in a width direction than in a direction along a connecting direction of the first and second connector housings, wherein the width direction is perpendicular to the connecting direction.
Since the part of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove is long in the width direction and short in the connecting direction,
the strength of the cam pin is ensured to be high by thickening parts long in the extending direction of the cam groove and an increase in the width of the cam groove is prevented by inserting the parts short in the groove width direction of the cam groove into the cam groove. Thus, the strength of the cam pin can be increased without enlarging the connector.
According to a particular embodiment, a pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove is in the form of a solid cylinder.
Since the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove is in the form of a solid cylinder, the strength of the cam pin is further increased.
Particularly, the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove is formed with at least one hollowed portion.
Since the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove is formed with the hollowed portion, formation of sinks can be prevented and shape accuracy of the cam pin can be improved.
Further particularly, the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove has an oval outer shape.
Since the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove has the oval outer shape with the long side in the extending direction of the cam groove, curved surfaces of the cam pin and the cam groove slide along each other, wherefore sliding stability is excellent.
Further particularly, the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove has a polygonal outer shape.
Since the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove has the polygonal outer shape with the long side in the extending direction of the cam groove, the strength of the cam pin is further increased by thickened angular parts.
Further particularly, the cam pin comprises at least one projecting piece projecting radially outwardly from a projecting end of the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove.
Further particularly, a dimension of the pin main body of the cam pin to be inserted into the cam groove in a shorter side direction corresponds to the width of the cam groove.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is further provided a method of assembling a lever-type connector as disclosed in independent claim 8, in particular according the above aspect of the invention or a particular embodiment thereof, comprising the following steps: displaceably or movably mounting a lever formed with at least one extending cam groove on a first connector housing; and connecting a second connector housing from which at least one cam pin projects to the first connector housing such that the cam pin is at least partly inserted into the cam groove and, in that state, displacing the lever, whereby the cam pin slides along a groove surface of the cam groove to effect cam action and an operation of connecting the first and second connector housings proceeds, wherein the cam pin inserted into the cam groove comprises a pin main body configured such as to be longer in a width direction than in a direction along a connecting direction of the first and second connector housings, wherein the width direction is perpendicular to the connecting direction.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lever-type connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention before connection,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lever-type connector when the connection is started,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lever-type connector during the connection,
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lever-type connector when the connection is completed,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a second embodiment,
FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of a pin main body of a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a third embodiment,
FIG. 7 is an enlarged section of a pin main body of a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a fourth embodiment,
FIG. 8 is an enlarged section of a pin main body of a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a fifth embodiment,
FIG. 9 is an enlarged section of a pin main body of a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a sixth embodiment, and
FIG. 10 is an enlarged section of a pin main body of a cam pin in a lever-type connector according to a seventh embodiment.

A first particular embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. A lever-type connector 10 according to this embodiment includes first and second connector housings 20, 40 connectable to each other along a connecting direction CD and a lever 60 to be displaceably (particularly rotatably or pivotably) mounted on the first connector housing 20.
The first connector housing 20 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a housing main body 21 (particularly substantially in the form of a rectangular block long in a width direction) and a (particularly substantially cap-shaped) wire cover 22 to be mounted on (particularly a rear end part of) the housing main body 21. One or more, particularly a plurality of unillustrated female terminal fittings are to be at least partly accommodated in the housing main body 21 and connected to one or more respective end portions of unillustrated wires. Each wire is to be pulled out from the rear surface of the housing main body 21, at least partly accommodated in a bent state in the wire cover 22 and drawn out to the outside through an opening at one widthwise side of the wire cover 22. One or more, particularly a pair of supporting shafts 23 are formed to project from one or more widthwise intermediate parts of one or more side surfaces of the housing main body 21, particularly from substantially widthwise central parts of both side surfaces of the housing main body 21. The (both) supporting shaft(s) 23 particularly has/have a substantially cylindrical shape and form rotary shafts for the lever 60.
The lever 60 (as a particular movable member) is made e.g. of synthetic resin and/or particularly substantially gate-shaped and includes an operating portion 61 and one or more, particularly a pair of arm portions 62 particularly projecting substantially in parallel from both ends of the operating portion 61. The lever 60 particularly is to be mounted from behind to straddle the first connector housing 20 and the both arm portions 62 are arranged at the outer sides of the both side surfaces of the housing main body 21 when the lever 60 is mounted. One or more, particularly a pair of cam grooves 63 extending in a curved manner in a specified (predetermined or predeterminable) direction ED and one or more (particularly substantially circular) bearing holes 64 are formed to penetrate through the (both) arm portion(s) 62. The supporting shaft(s) 23 is/are to be at least partly fitted and inserted into the bearing hole(s) 64 of the (particularly both) arm portion(s) 62. Such a lever 60 is displaceable (particularly rotatable or pivotable) about the supporting shaft(s) 23 between an initial position IP where the operating portion 61 particularly is located on the other widthwise side of the first connector housing 20 and a connection position CP where the operating portion 61 particularly is located at one widthwise side of the first connector housing 20. Note that the (both) arm portion(s) 62 is/are (each) formed with an introducing groove 65 communicating with the entrance of the cam groove 63, and the introducing groove(s) 65 is/are arranged to substantially face forward at the initial position IP.
The second connector housing 40 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a receptacle 41 particularly substantially in the form of a rectangular tube long in the width direction. One or more, particularly a plurality of unillustrated male terminal fittings are arranged to project into the receptacle 41. The (particularly each) male terminal fitting is to be electrically conductively connected to the corresponding female terminal fitting as the first and second connector housings 20, 40 are connected.
One or more, particularly a pair of cam pins 43 engageable with the one or more respective cam grooves 63 by being inserted thereinto are formed to project in a widthwise intermediate part (particularly substantially in a widthwise central part) of the receptacle 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the cam pin 43 is composed of or comprises a solid and substantially cylindrical pin main body 45 and one or more, particularly a pair of projecting pieces 46 projecting radially outwardly from (particularly substantially opposite radial ends of) the projecting end of the pin main body 45. Specifically, the pin main body 45 substantially has an oval cross-section, specifically an elliptical cross-section and/or is formed to have substantially the same diameter over the entire height. Specifically, the pin main body 45 has an elliptical outer shape long in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the connecting direction CD) and short in forward and backward directions (directions along the connecting direction CD). A dimension of the pin main body 45 in a shorter side direction corresponds to the width of the cam groove 63. Further, the (particularly both) projecting piece(s) 46 particularly is/are in the form of rectangular plate(s) and/or project(s) from the (particularly both) end(s) of the pin main body 45 in the shorter-side direction. The (both) projecting pieces 46 can slide along front and rear groove edge part(s) of the cam groove 63 on the outer side surface of (each of) the both arm portion(s) 63 in the process of displacing (rotating) the lever 60.
The lever-type connector 10 according to this embodiment is structured as described above. Next, an operation of connecting the first and second connector housings 20, 40 is described.
First, the lever 60 is held or positioned at the initial position IP and, in that state, the housing main body 21 of the first connector housing 20 is at least partly inserted into the receptacle 41 of the second connector housing 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the pin main body/bodies 45 of the cam pin(s) 43 is/are introduced into the introducing groove(s) 65 and further inserted into the entrance(s) of the cam groove(s) 63. At this time, the pin main body/bodies 45 particularly is/are arranged such that a longer-side direction thereof substantially is aligned with an extending direction ED of the cam grooves 63 and/or the shorter-side direction thereof particularly substantially is aligned with a direction perpendicular to the extending direction ED of the cam grooves 63, i.e. a groove width direction.
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lever 60 is displaced (particularly rotated or pivoted) toward the connection position CP particularly by holding the operating portion 61. Then, the outer peripheral surface(s) of the pin main body/bodies 45, specifically, the outer surface(s) at the (both) end(s) of the outer peripheral surface(s) of the pin main body/bodies 45 in the shorter-side direction slide along the groove surface(s) of the cam groove(s) 63 and cam action works between the lever 60 and the second connector housing 40. By this, the housing main body 21 is fitted into the receptacle 41 with a small connecting force or its insertion is assisted. As the connecting operation further proceeds and the lever 60 is displaced (rotated or pivoted) to the connection position CP as shown in FIG. 4, the operating portion 61 particularly comes into contact with the rear end part of the wire cover 22 to be locked and the pin main body/bodies 45 reach(es) the back end(s) of the cam groove(s) 63 and stop(s). Note that, while the lever 60 is moving from the initial position IP to the connection position CP during the connecting operation and when the lever 60 reaches the connection position CP, the longer-side direction of the pin main body/bodies 45 particularly substantially is aligned in the extending direction ED of the cam grooves 63, the shorter-side direction thereof particularly substantially is aligned with the groove width direction of the cam grooves 63 and/or the outer surface(s) of the pin main body/bodies 45 at the (both) end(s) in the shorter-side direction slide in contact or held in contact with the groove surface(s) of the cam groove(s) 63 as when the lever 60 is located at the initial position IP.
As described above, according to this embodiment, the pin main body/bodies 45 that is/are part(s) of the cam pin(s) 43 to be inserted into the cam groove(s) 63 is/are formed to substantially be long in the extending direction ED of the cam groove(s) 63 and short in the groove width direction (direction perpendicular to the extending direction ED of the cam groove(s) 63). Thus, the strength of the cam pin(s) 43 is ensured to be high by thickening the part(s) long in the extending direction ED of the cam groove(s) 63 and an increase in the width of the cam groove(s) 63 is prevented by inserting the part(s) short in the groove width direction of the cam groove(s) 63 into the cam groove(s) 63. Thus, according to this embodiment, the strength of the cam pin(s) 43 can be increased without enlarging the connector. Further, since the pin main body/bodies 45 particularly substantially is/are in the form of solid cylinder(s), the strength of the cam pin(s) 43 is further increased.
Further, since the pin main body/bodies 45 particularly has/have the oval outer shape long in the extending direction ED of the cam grooves 63, the curved surfaces of the cam pins 43 and the cam grooves 63 slide along each other, wherefore sliding stability is excellent.
Accordingly, to increase the strength of a cam pin without enlarging a connector, one or more cam pins of a second connector housing 40 are at least partly inserted into one or more respective cam grooves 63 of a lever 60 and, in that state, the lever 60 is displaced (particularly rotated or pivoted), whereby the cam pin(s) slide(s) along groove surface(s) of the cam groove(s) 63 to effect cam action and an operation of first and second connector housings 20, 40 proceeds. Part(s) of the cam pin(s) to be inserted into the cam groove(s) 63 is/are long in an extending direction ED of the cam groove(s) 63 and short in a groove width direction perpendicular to the extending direction ED of the cam groove(s) 63.

FIG. 5 shows a second particular embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a projecting piece 46A of a cam pin 43A differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. The projecting piece 46A projects from the projecting end of a pin main body 45 over at least part of the circumference, particularly over the entire circumference. The projecting piece 46A particularly has an elliptical outer shape concentric with the pin main body 45.

FIG. 6 shows a third particular embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a pin main body 45B of a cam pin 43B differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. The pin main body 45B has an angular circular outer shape which particularly substantially has an oval cross-section, although not an elliptical cross-section, and is long in a width direction and short in forward and backward directions. The outer peripheral surface of the pin main body 45B particularly includes a pair of facing sides 47 substantially parallel to each other along the width direction.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth particular embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, a pin main body 45C of a cam pin 43C differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. The pin main body 45C is formed with a hollowed portion 44 hollowed particularly over the substantially entire height. The hollowed portion 44 substantially extends in forward and backward directions in a widthwise central part of the pin main body 45C and has open front and rear ends. By forming the hollowed portion 44, formation of sinks can be prevented and shape accuracy of the cam pin 43C can be improved.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth particular embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, a pin main body 45D of a cam pin 43D differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the pin main body 45D is formed with hollowed portions 44D hollowed over the entire height. These hollowed portions 44D are paired at opposite sides of a widthwise central part of the pin main body 45D and each in the form of an opening having a semi-circular cross-section.

FIG. 9 shows a sixth particular embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, a pin main body 45E of a cam pin 43E differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. Similarly to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the pin main body 45E is formed with one or more hollowed portions 44E particularly hollowed over the substantially entire height. The hollowed portions 44E particularly are paired at substantially opposite sides of a widthwise central part of the pin main body 45E and/or at substantially opposite sides of a central part thereof in forward and backward directions and/or particularly each in the form of an opening having a quarter-circular cross-section.

FIG. 10 shows a seventh particular embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, a pin main body 45F of a cam pin 43F differs from the first embodiment. The other configuration is similar or substantially the same as in the first embodiment and not repeatedly described. The pin main body 45F particularly has a polygonal cross-section, specifically an octagonal cross-section and/or has substantially the same diameter over the entire height. Specifically, the pin main body 45F is defined by first facing sides 42 substantially parallel to each other along the width direction, second facing sides 48 substantially parallel to each other along forward and backward directions and four oblique sides 49 connecting both front and rear ends of the second facing sides 48 and both widthwise ends of the first facing sides 42 and extending obliquely straight. The first facing sides 42 are longer than the second facing sides 48 and the pin main body 45F is long in the width direction as a whole. Since the pin main body 45F has the polygonal outer shape according to the seventh embodiment, the strength of the cam pin 43F is further increased by thickened angular parts.

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the appended claims.

(1) The projecting piece(s) may be omitted.
(2) The pin main body of the seventh embodiment may have a polygonal cross-section other than the octagonal cross-section.
(3) A pin main body having a polygonal cross-section as in the seventh embodiment may be formed with hollowed portion(s).
(4) The lever may be formed of a single plate which is flat as a whole.

Reference Numerals

10 ... lever-type connector
20 ... first connector housing
21 ... housing main body
40 ... second connector housing
41 ... receptacle
43, 43A, 43B, 43C, 43D, 43E, 43F ... cam pin
44, 44D, 44E ... hollowed portion
45, 45B, 45C, 45D, 45E, 45F ... pin main body (part of cam pin to be inserted into cam groove)
46 ... projecting piece
60 ... lever
62 ... arm portion
63 ... cam groove

Claims

A lever-type connector (10), comprising:
a lever (60) which is formed with at least one extending cam groove (63);

a first connector housing (20) on or in which the lever (60) is displaceably supported; and

a second connector housing (40) which is connectable to the first connector housing (20) and from which at least one cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) projects;

the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) being at least partly inserted into the cam groove (63) and, in that state, the lever (60) being displaced, whereby the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) is configured to slide along a groove surface of the cam groove (63) to effect cam action for connecting the first and second connector housings (20, 40),

characterized in that

the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) comprises a pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) to be inserted into the cam groove (63),

wherein said pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) is longer in a width direction than in a direction along a connecting direction (CD) of the first and second connector housings (20, 40), and

wherein the width direction is perpendicular to the connecting direction (CD),

wherein at least one outer surface of the pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) at at least one end in the connecting direction (CD) is configured to slide in contact with the groove surface of the cam groove (63) when the lever (60) is being displaced.
A lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the pin main body (45) is in the form of a solid cylinder.
A lever-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the pin main body (45C; 45D; 45E) is formed with at least one hollowed portion.
A lever-type connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E) has an oval outer shape.
A lever-type connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pin main body (45F) has a polygonal outer shape.
A lever-type connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cam pin (43) comprises at least one projecting piece (46) projecting radially outwardly from a projecting end of the pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) of the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) to be inserted into the cam groove (63).
A lever-type connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dimension of the pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) of the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) to be inserted into the cam groove (63) in a direction along the connecting direction (CD) of the first and second connector housings (20, 40) corresponds to the width of the cam groove (63).
A method of assembling a lever-type connector (10), comprising the following steps:
displaceably mounting a lever (60) formed with at least one extending cam groove (63) on a first connector housing (20); and

connecting a second connector housing (40) from which at least one cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) projects to the first connector housing (20) such that the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) is at least partly inserted into the cam groove (63) and, in that state, displacing the lever (60), whereby the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) slides along a groove surface of the cam groove (63) to effect cam action for connecting the first and second connector housings (20, 40),

characterized in that

the cam pin (43; 43A; 43B; 43C; 43D; 43E; 43F) comprises a pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) inserted into the cam groove (63) and in that said pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) is longer in a width direction than in a direction along a connecting direction (CD) of the first and second connector housings (20, 40),

wherein the width direction is perpendicular to the connecting direction (CD);

wherein at least one outer surface of the pin main body (45; 45B; 45C; 45D; 45E; 45F) at at least one end in the connecting direction (CD) is configured to slide in contact with the groove surface of the cam groove (63) when the lever (60) is being displaced.