Connector

• US 5,545,049 A
• Filed: 12/20/1994
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Toshiaki, Masuda, Satoki
• Primary Examiner(s): Pirlot, David L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WITTELS, DANIEL NMN
• Application Number:
  US08/359,422
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310, 439/259, 439/261, 439/372, 439/476, 439/483, 439/481
• US Class Current: 439/310
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A connector of a type where a female connector and a male connector are fitted to each other wit ha small force through the use of a lever. An elongated hollow case houses a connector body slidable in an front half of the case. The connector body has a plurality of terminals therein. A handle is mounted to a rear half of the case and is adapted to advance and retract with the connector body longitudinally within the case. A lever has a acting portion and an operating portion and journaled at an intermediate portion thereof within the case. The acting portion is pivotally connected to the handle or the connector body. The operating portion projects outwardly of the case. Pivoting the lever about the intermediate portion journaled within the case causes the connector body to advance said connector body into a fitting engagement with an external mating connector body. The ever includes the operating portion integrally continuous with the acting portion, a handlebar pivotally connected to the operating portion, and a tension spring mounted between the handlebar so that the spring yieldably stretches if a force applied to the handlebar exceeds a predetermined value when the handlebar is operated.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

an elongated hollow case;

a connector body slidably housed in an front half of said case, and having a plurality of terminals therein;

a handle mounted to a rear half of said case, and adapted to advance and retract with said connector body longitudinally within said case;

a lever having a first portion and a second portion and journaled at an intermediate portion thereof within the case, said first portion being pivotally connected to any one of said handle and said connector body, and said second portion projecting outwardly of said case;

whereby pivoting said lever about the intermediate portion journaled within the case causes said connector body to advance into a fitting engagement with a mating connector body, wherein said lever includes;

said second portion integrally continuous with said first portion;

a handlebar pivotally connected to said second portion; and

a tension spring mounted between said handlebar and said second portion so that said spring yieldably stretches if a force applied to said handlebar exceeds a predetermined value when said handlebar is operated.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said lever further includes an adjustment screw, said spring being mounted to the lever via said adjustment screw and adjusted a tension thererof by means of said adjusment screw.