GB2160033A

GB2160033A - Connector socket structure

Info

Publication number: GB2160033A
Application number: GB08502121A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keisuke Ishikawa; Syuichi Shibuya
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-06-08
Filing date: 1985-01-29
Publication date: 1985-12-11
Also published as: GB2160033B; GB8502121D0; JPS61781U

Abstract

A connector socket (10) for use in an electronic device such as a video tape recorder includes a substantially cylindrical outer connector (11), an inner connector (12) extending centrally through the outer connector (11) and having a projection (12b) projecting at an end thereof from the outer connector (11) and an insulator (13) by which the outer and inner connectors (11 and 12) are electrically insulated from each other, the projection (12b) being arcuate in shape or including a junction which is stepped in shape or narrower than the inner connector. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector socket structure for electronic devices Background of the invention The present invention relates to a connector socket structure for use in establishing electric connection between electronic devices such as a personal computer, a video tape recorder, etc.

Figures 1 through 7 illustrate a conventional connector socket mounted on an electronic device such as an RF modulator assembled in a video tape recorder, for example.

An electronic device such as an RF modulator has a frame body 1 including a cover 2 and a circuit board 3 disposed in the frame 1 and supporting transistors and resistors (not shown). A connector socket 4 such for example as a phono jack is composed of an insulator 4a, an inner connector 4b, and an ounter connector 4c. A casing 5 such as of a video tape recorder includes a side panel 5a having a hole 5b defined therein with the connector socket 4 projecting therethrough. The casing 5 is secured in position by legs 5c. A plug 6 includes an outer contact 6a and an inner contact 6b. A main board 7 is disposed in the casing 5, and legs 1a of the frame body 1 are secured to the main board 7.A tip end of the inner connector 4b of the connector socket 4 exceeds through the circuit board 3 and joined thereto by a body of solder 8 at a reverse side of the circuit board 3. A plug 6' has a relatively long inner contact 6b'.

Connecting operation of the connector socket structure in the electronic device will be described.

As shown in FIGURE 7, the plug 6 is forcibly fitted, in the direction of the arrow A, into the connector socket 4 projecting frmo the casing 5. At this time, the inner contact 6b of the plug 6 is forced into the inner connector 4b formed centrally in the connector socket 4, while the outer contact 6a is forced into the outer connector 4c thereby connecting the plug and the socket. Dependent on the length of the inner contact 6b, the tip end thereof may project into the casing 1 beyond a bent portion 4d of the inner connector 4b.

A process of pulling the plug 6 out of the connector socket 4 will be described. Electronic devices such as a VTR or the like are generally installed at a height lower than the operator's arm.

When the operator is to pull the plug 6 from the electronic device, the plug 6 is liable to be pulled out obliquely upwardly in the direction of the arrow B, rather than horizontally from the casing 5, due to the difference between the heights of the electronic device and the operator's arm. When the plug 6 is subjected to a pulling force in the direction of the arrow B, the tip end of the inner contact 6b of the plug 6 is forced at a point 9 against the bend portion 4d of the inner connector 4b of the connector socket 4, causing the inner connector 4b to be pressed downwardly about the point 9. The downward force on the inner connector 4b breaks the solder body 8 off the circuit board 3, thus disconnecting the inner connector 4b from a circuit pattern 3a on the circuit board 3.

Therefore, the end of the inner connector 4b tends to be disconnected from the circuit pattern 3a on the circuit board 3 under forces with which the inner connector 4b of the connector socket 4 is pressed when the plug 6 is inserted into and pulled out of the connector socket 6.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector socket structure which prevents an inner connector thereof from being disconnected from a circuit pattern when a plug is inserted into and pulled out of the connector socket.

According to the present invention, a connector socket for use in an electronic device such as a video tape recorder includes a substantially cylindrical outer connector, an inner connector extending centrally through the outer connector and having a projection projecting at an end thereof from the outer connector, an insulator by which the outer and inner connectors are electrically insulated from each other, the projection being arcuate in shape. The projection may include a junction which is stepped in shape or narrower than the inner connector.

The above and other projects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a frame body of an electro c device; Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the frame body of FIGURE 1 assembled in a VTR or the like; Figures 3 and 5 are fragmentary cross-sectional views showing the manner in which plugs are connected to a conventional connector socket; Figures 4 and 6 are side elevational views of the plugs; Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrative of operation of the conventional socket structure; Figure 8 is a perspective of a connector socket of the present invention; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the connector socket; Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a casing to which the connector socket of the invention is attached; Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing operation of the connector socket;; Figure 12(A) is a perspective view of a connector socket according to another embodiment; Figure 12 (B) is a side elevational view of the connector socket of FIGURE 12(A); and Figure 13 is a perspective view of a connector socket according to still another embodiment.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGURES 8 through 11 are illustrative of a con nector socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Like or corresponding parts in FIGURES 8 through 11 are denoted by like or corresponding reference characters in FIGURES 1 through7.

A connector socket 10 such as a phono jack comprises a substantial cylindrical outer connector 11, an inner connector 12 extending centrally through the outer connector 11 and having a projection 12b, and an insulator 13. The projection 12b of the inner connector 12 extends arcuately downwardly from a junction 12a with the insulator 13.

For attaching the connector socket 10 to a frame body 1, the outer connection 11 of the connector socket 10 and the insulator 13 are held against the edge of a hole 1b defined in a side panel 1a of the frame body 1, and then the outer connector 11 is staked or soldered to the frame body 1. The outer connector 11 and the frame body 1 are now electrically interconnected. The projection 12b of the inner connector 12 extends through a terminal hole 3b defined in a circuit board 3 disposed in the frame body 1 and is secured by a body of solder 8 to a circuit pattern 3a formed on a reverse side of the circuit board 3.

If a force is applied obliquely upwardly in the direction of the arrow B or obliquely downwardly in the direction of the arrow C when a plug 6 is to be coupled to the connector socket 10 as shown in Figure 11, a tip end 6c of the inner contact 6b of the plug 6 is not held against the projection 12b of the inner connector 12 of the connector socket 10, and hence no leverage force acts on the projection 12b which would then not serve as a fulcrum or a point to which a force is applied. Accordingly, the projection 12b is not pressed toward the circuit board 3, with the result that the circuit pattern 3a will not be broken, or subjected to a shift which would be caused by deformation or movement of the projection 12b.

Figures 12(A) and 12(B) illustrate a connector socket according to another embodiment in which an inner connector 14 is connected to an insulator 13 through a junction 14a of a stepped configuration. Figure 13 shows a connector socket in which an inner connector 15 is connected to an insulator 13 through a junction 15a narrower than the inner connector 15, the junction 15a serving as a damper or cushioning portion.

With the arrangement of the present invention, a connector socket includes a cylinderical outer connector, an inner connector having a projection, and an insulator by which the outer and inner connectors are insulated from each other, the projection being arcuate in shape. When a plug is inserted into or pulled out of the connector socket, no tensioning or pushing force is applied by an inner contact of the plug to the projection of the inner connector of the connector socket. Therefore, the projection is prevented from being disconnected from a circuit pattern, and an electronic device to which the connector socket is attached has increased reliability.

Although certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector socket for use in an electronic device, comprising: (a) a substantially cylindrical outer connector; (b) an inner connector extending centrally through said outer connector and having a projection projecting at an end thereof from said outer connector; (c) an insulator by which said outer and inner connectors are electrically insulated from each other; and (d) said projection being arcuate in shape.

2. A connector socket according to claim 1, wherein said projection has a junction of a stepped configuration.

3. A connector socket according to claim 1, wherein said projection has a junction which is narrower than said inner connector.

4. A connector socket substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to any one of Figures 8 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.