JP2000286002A - Connector and manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To separate and recover, reuse, and recycle a contact and a contact supporting insulator, also to easily fabricate them at a low cost, and to prevent scattering of fragments when recovering or destruction of contact supporting insulator when using. SOLUTION: An insulating housing 20 arranging, supporting, and fixing a plurality of contacts 10 is formed out of engineering plastic. Biodegradable insulating layers 30 formed out of biodegradable plastic degradable by microorganisms are placed between the contacts 10 and the insulating housing 20. Thereby, only by keeping a used and unnecessary connector in a prescribed condition, the biodegradable insulating layers 30 are degraded by microorganisms for separating the contacts and the contact supporting insulators, and they are recovered separately and easily reused or recycled. Since the connector 10 has a simple shape, a structure, and a production method, manufacturing cost is low.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a connector capable of reusing and reusing contacts and contact supporting insulators and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector for electrically connecting and disconnecting circuits, devices, and the like by a simple insertion / removal operation basically includes a contact portion for contact connection with a mating connector contact at least at one end. The configuration and structure include the provided contact and a contact support insulator such as a connector housing for supporting and fixing the contact at a predetermined portion. Note that the number of contacts is determined according to the number of connection circuits, and is singular or plural. Such a connector is usually formed by forming a contact support insulator and then press-fitting the contact into the support to fix the support, or directly molding a predetermined portion of the contact when molding the contact support insulator. It is formed by, for example, sealing and supporting and fixing (mold-in).

[0003] With respect to such connectors as well, there has been an active movement to effectively use resources and reduce the amount of waste disposal, and reuse (reuse) and recycle (recycle) of contacts and contact supporting insulators. ), However, in the above-described structure, the separation between the contact and the contact supporting insulator is difficult and costly, so that it is often disposed of. Then, connectors having a structure advantageous for reuse and recycling of each part have been proposed.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are external perspective views, a first side view, and a second side sectional view showing a first example of this type of conventional connector, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view thereof. (See, for example, JP-A-6-267608). The connector of the first example has a configuration and a structure including a plurality of contacts 10x, an insulating housing (lower) 20x and an insulating housing (upper) 20y for arranging and supporting the contacts 10x. Each part is as follows. Each of the plurality of contacts 10x,
Contact part 1 with the mating connector contact at one end
2x, the other end portion is provided with a connection portion 11x for connecting a substrate circuit or the like, and an insulating housing (20x, 20y) is provided.
Is provided with a protrusion 13 for preventing the
It has a shape and structure bent in a letter shape.

The insulating housing (lower) 20x and the insulating housing (upper) 20y have cross-shaped contact insertion grooves 22x and 22y formed on their joint surfaces, and the contact insertion grooves 22x and 22y are provided with the contact 10x.
The support fixing part including the protrusion 13 for removal prevention is inserted, and the contact 10x is supported and fixed. Further, the insulating housing (lower) 20x and the insulating housing (upper) 20y are connected and fixed to each other at a side portion outside the arrangement of the contacts 10x, and the insulating housing (lower) 20x is provided with coupling protrusions 23 for the insulation. The housing (upper) 20y is provided with a coupling recess (not shown).

The insulating housing (upper) 20y is provided with a mounting portion 21y. By screwing this portion to a mounting board, the connector is mounted and fixed on the board, and at the same time, the upper and lower connectors are mounted. Insulated housing (20
x, 20y), these insulating housings (20
(x, 20y).

In the connector of the first example, the mounting portion 2
If the screw attaching 1y to the substrate is removed, the insulating housing (bottom) 20x and the insulating housing (top) 20y can be very easily divided, and these can be very easily separated from the plurality of contacts 10x. These insulating housings (20x, 20x)
y) can be easily recovered, and can be reused and recycled. Also, the contact 10x can be reused by removing it from the substrate.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a second example of an insulating housing portion of this type of conventional connector (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-88044). The insulating housing 20z of the connector of the second example has a plurality of contact housing chambers 24 for housing, holding and fixing a plurality of contacts, and a side wall 25 and a vertical partition wall 26 forming the plurality of contact housings 24. A notch 27 is formed in each of them, and the wall thickness of the notch 27 is thin, so that the structure is easily broken. In the connector of the second example, a crack is generated in the notch 27 of the insulating housing 20z to divide the insulating housing 20z at the notch 27 (forced destruction), so that the insulating housing 20z and the contact can be separated. The insulating housing 20z and the contacts can be recycled.

[0009]

In the above-described conventional connector, the first example has a structure in which the insulating housing can be divided into upper and lower portions (20x, 20y) at a portion for supporting and fixing the contact 10x. Because the insulation housing (2
0x, 20y) and the contact 10x are easy to separate and reuse and recycle, but the structure is such that the insulating housing is divided into upper and lower parts and these are combined, and the upper and lower insulating housings are combined. A structure for holding and fixing the contacts between them is required, and the shapes and structures of the contacts 10x, the insulating housing (upper) 20y, and the insulating housing (lower) 20x are complicated, and their manufacturing costs, and hence the connector Has a problem that the manufacturing cost of the insulating housing 2 is high.
A notch 27 is formed in each of the side wall portion 25 and the vertical partition wall portion 26 forming the 0z contact accommodating chamber 24 so as to reduce the wall thickness of the notch portion so that a crack is easily generated in the notch portion, and forced destruction is performed. Since the insulating housing 20z is sometimes divided at the notch, the recycling of the insulating housing 20z and the contacts is facilitated, but there is a danger that fragments of the insulating housing 20z are scattered around when forcibly destroyed. When an impact is applied to the insulating housing 20z at the point or in actual use, there is a risk that the insulating housing 20z is broken at the notch 27 and the internal contacts come into contact with each other.
There is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to separate, collect, reuse and recycle contact support insulators such as contacts and an insulating housing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which is inexpensive, has no risk of fragments of the contact support insulator being scattered at the time of recovery, and has no danger of breaking the contact support insulator at the time of actual use, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention has the following means. That is, the connector of the present invention is a connector having a contact provided with a contact portion with a mating connector contact, and a contact support insulator for supporting and fixing a predetermined portion of the contact, wherein the contact support insulator Is formed of engineering plastic, between the support fixing portion of the contact and the contact support insulator, a structure in which a biodegradable insulating layer formed of biodegradable plastic decomposed by microorganisms is interposed. I do.

A method of manufacturing a connector according to the present invention is the method of manufacturing a connector, and includes the following steps. (A) a contact forming step of forming a contact of the connector (b) a biodegradable insulating layer forming step of forming a biodegradable insulating layer covering the entire surface of the support and fixing part with biodegradable plastic on the support and fixing part of the contact ( C) a contact supporting insulator forming step of forming a contact supporting insulator using engineering plastic so that the contact on which the biodegradable insulating layer is formed is supported and fixed via the biodegradable insulating layer.

The biodegradable insulating layer forming step may be a step of forming a biodegradable insulating layer by winding a biodegradable plastic film around a support fixing portion of the contact.
The method includes a step of forming a biodegradable insulating layer by molding with a biodegradable plastic on the support fixing portion of the contact.

Further, the contact supporting insulator forming step is a step of forming the contact supporting insulator by molding.

Another connector of the present invention is a connector having a contact having a contact portion with a mating connector contact, and a contact supporting insulator for supporting and fixing a predetermined portion of the contact. The contact supporting insulator is formed of biodegradable plastic decomposed by microorganisms and has a structure for directly supporting and fixing the contact.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first embodiment of the connector according to the present invention, a contact supporting insulator for supporting and fixing a contact is formed of engineering plastic, and
It is configured as a structure in which a biodegradable insulating layer formed of biodegradable plastic separated by microorganisms is interposed between the support fixing portion of the contact and the contact support insulator. With such a configuration and structure, the used and unnecessary connectors are stored under predetermined environmental conditions, whereby the biodegradable insulating layer is decomposed by microorganisms, and the contact and the contact support insulator are separated. And can be reused and recycled.

Further, since the shape and structure of the contact and the insulator for supporting the contact are simple, the manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced. In addition, since the separation treatment is performed by microorganisms, the contact support at the time of recovery is removed. There is no danger that fragments of the insulator will be scattered, and there is no danger that the contacts will come into contact with each other because they do not break even if a strong impact is applied to the contact support insulator during actual use.

In order to manufacture this connector, first, a contact is formed, and then a biodegradable insulating layer made of biodegradable plastic is formed on the support fixing portion of the contact so as to cover the entire surface of the contact. This biodegradable insulating layer may be formed by winding a biodegradable plastic film around the support fixing portion of the contact, or may be molded with biodegradable plastic. Next, the contact supporting insulator is molded with engineering plastic so that the contact is supported and fixed via the biodegradable insulating layer, thereby completing the connector.

A second embodiment of the connector of the present invention is as follows.
The structure is such that the contact is directly supported and fixed by the contact supporting insulator, and the contact supporting insulator is formed of biodegradable plastic. Such a configuration,
With this structure, the contact supporting insulator cannot be recycled, but the contact can be easily reused.

As in the first embodiment, the manufacturing cost is low and there is no danger of fragments of the contact supporting insulator being scattered at the time of recovery or contact between the contacts at the time of actual use.

[0021]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A to 1C are an external perspective view, a first side view, and a second cross-sectional side view showing a first embodiment of the connector of the present invention. The connector according to the first embodiment has a plurality of L-shaped bent portions each having a contact portion 12 with a mating connector contact at one end portion and a connection portion 11 to a circuit board or the like at the other end portion. , And an insulating housing 20 made of engineering plastic, which is a contact supporting insulator for arranging and supporting the plurality of contacts 10 via a biodegradable insulating layer 30. The biodegradable insulating layer 30 It has a configuration and structure made of biodegradable plastic that is degraded by microorganisms.

The method of manufacturing this connector is as follows.
A plurality of contacts 10 are formed, and subsequently, a biodegradable plastic tape is wound around a support fixing portion of each of the plurality of contacts 10 to the insulating housing 20 so as to cover the entire surface of the support fixing portion. To form the biodegradable insulating layer 30. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the insulating housing 20 is made of engineering plastic so that the plurality of contacts 10 on which the biodegradable insulating layers 30 are formed are arranged and fixed via the respective biodegradable insulating layers 30. ,
The connector is completed by molding or the like. With such a configuration, structure, and manufacturing method, used and unnecessary connectors can be stored under predetermined environmental conditions, and the biodegradable insulating layer 30 can be stored.
Is decomposed by microorganisms, and the contact 10 and the insulating housing 20 are separated from each other. Therefore, the contact 10 and the insulating housing 20 can be separately separated and collected, and their reuse and recycling can be facilitated.

Further, since the shape and structure of the contact 10 and the insulating housing 20 and the method of manufacturing the entire connector including the contact 10 and the insulating housing 20 are simple, the manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced, and the separation process is performed by microorganisms. Therefore, there is no danger of fragments of the insulating housing being scattered at the time of their collection, and there is no notch in the insulating housing 20 as in the second conventional example.
Even if a strong impact is applied to the insulating housing 20, the insulating housing 20 will not be broken, and there is no danger that the contacts come into contact with each other.

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are top views, partially in cross section, of a connector which is a counterpart of the connector of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view including a state in which the connector is fitted. Also in this connector, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by interposing a biodegradable insulating layer 30a made of biodegradable plastic between the contact 10a and the insulating housing 20a.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are external perspective views, a first side view, and a second embodiment of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. The connector of the second embodiment is
A plurality of contacts 10 similar to those of the first embodiment are arranged and supported directly on an insulating housing 20b made of biodegradable plastic. In the connector of the second embodiment, since the insulating housing 20b is decomposed by microorganisms, its reuse and recycling cannot be expected much, but the collection, reuse and recycling of the contact 10 become easy. Further, since the configuration, structure, and manufacturing method are further simplified than in the first embodiment, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, a contact supporting insulator for supporting and fixing a contact is formed of engineering plastic, and a biodegradable plastic decomposed by microorganisms is provided between the contact supporting insulator and the contact. The structure and structure of interposing a biodegradable insulating layer allows the used and unnecessary connectors to be stored only under specified environmental conditions. The support insulator is separated and these can be easily separated and collected, and the reuse and recycling can be facilitated, and the shape, structure and manufacturing method of each part are simplified. Therefore, there is an effect that the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and there is a danger that fragments of the contact support insulator may be scattered during recovery. No, and no risk of contact with each other are in contact by breaking the contact support insulator in actual use, there is an effect that.

Further, by forming the contact supporting insulator from biodegradable plastic and directly supporting and fixing the contact with the contact supporting insulator,
Although the reuse and recycling of the contact support insulator is expected to be low, the same effect as described above is obtained for the contact, and the structure, structure, and manufacturing method are further simplified, so that the cost is further reduced. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view, a first side view, and a second cross-sectional side view showing a first embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a method of manufacturing the connector shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a mating connector of the connector shown in FIG. 1 and a cross-sectional side view including a state of fitting to the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view, a first side view, and a second cross-sectional side view showing a second embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a first example of a conventional connector.
It is the 1st side view and the 2nd sectional side view.

6 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an insulating housing portion of a second example of a conventional connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a, 10x contact 11, 11a, 11x connection part 12, 12a, 12x contact part 13 Detachment prevention projection 20, 20a, 20b, 20z Insulation housing 20x Insulation housing (lower) 20y Insulation housing (upper) 21, 21y Mounting Part 22x, 22y Contact insertion groove 23 Coupling projection 24 Contact accommodation room 25 Side wall part 26 Vertical partition wall part 27 Notch 30, 30a Biodegradation insulating layer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) // B29K 86:00 B29L 31:36 F term (reference) 4F204 AA49 AH34 EA03 EA04 EB01 EB11 EB12 EB21 EF01 EF05 EF27 EF37 EK17 EK22 EK24 5E051 BA06 BB02 BB05 5E063 JB01 JB04 JB06 XA01 XA10 5E087 EE12 FF02 FF06 FF19 GG02 GG34 JJ02 KK04 RR06 RR28 RR29 RR47

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connector comprising: a contact provided with a contact portion with a mating connector contact; and a contact supporting insulator for supporting and fixing a predetermined portion of the contact, wherein the contact supporting insulator is an engineering plastic. And a biodegradable insulating layer formed of biodegradable plastic decomposed by microorganisms is interposed between the support fixing portion of the contact and the contact support insulator. 2. The method of manufacturing a connector according to claim 1, further comprising the following steps. (A) a contact forming step of forming a contact of the connector (b) a biodegradable insulating layer forming step of forming a biodegradable insulating layer covering the entire surface of the support and fixing part with biodegradable plastic on the support and fixing part of the contact ( C) a contact supporting insulator forming step of forming a contact supporting insulator using engineering plastic so that the contact on which the biodegradable insulating layer is formed is supported and fixed via the biodegradable insulating layer. 3. The biodegradable insulating layer forming step is a step of wrapping a biodegradable plastic film around a support fixing portion of the contact to form a biodegradable insulating layer.
The manufacturing method of the connector described in the above. 4. The biodegradable insulating layer forming step is a step of forming a biodegradable insulating layer by molding with a biodegradable plastic on a support fixing portion of the contact.
The manufacturing method of the connector described in the above. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming a contact support insulator comprises:
3. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 2, wherein the step of forming the contact supporting insulator by molding is performed. 6. A connector having a contact provided with a contact portion with a mating connector contact, and a contact supporting insulator for supporting and fixing a predetermined portion of the contact, wherein the contact supporting insulator is a microorganism. A connector formed of biodegradable plastic that is decomposed in step (1) and having a structure for directly supporting and fixing the contact.