JP2003229203A - Connector cover structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a plug to smoothly connect with a connector preventing a connector cover from inhibiting the operation of the plug connected with a connector. <P>SOLUTION: With the connector cover structure 4 to open or close a shield part 4a with a mounting part 4b as a fulcrum, a movable tongue piece 4g is formed on the inside face of the shield part 4a. When the plug 5 is connected with the connector 2, the movable tongue piece 4g is rolled in by friction due to the contact with the plug 5, and then, the shield part 4a is moved away from the plug 5 by reaction generated by the rolling operation of the movable tongue piece 4a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a connector cover for protecting a connector provided in an electronic device such as a mobile phone.

[0002]

21 is a sectional view showing a conventional example, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the conventional example. 21 and 22, 11 is a housing of an electronic device formed of resin or the like, 12 is a connector mounted on a board or the like (not shown) provided inside the housing 1 for connection to the outside, and 13 is The plug insertion hole for inserting the plug is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the support portion 13a is provided on one end side, and the stepped receiving portion 13b is provided on the other end side.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a connector cover for protecting the connector 12 by closing the plug insertion hole 13 when the connector 12 is not used, and reference numeral 15 (FIG. 21) denotes a plug which is fitted with the connector 12 and electrically connected thereto. . Connector cover 14
As shown in FIG. 21, is a shielding portion 14a having an outer shape slightly smaller than the shape of the plug insertion hole 13, and a cross-sectional shape L protruding from one outer surface side of the shielding portion 14a.
A mounting portion 14b having a character shape, a retaining portion 14c having a circular sectional shape formed at a tip of the mounting portion 14b, and a hooking portion 14d having a curved surface protruding from the outer surface side of the other end of the shielding portion 14a. , An engaging portion 14e formed so as to project from the center of both ends of the shielding portion 14a, and is integrally formed of an elastic material such as rubber or soft resin, and is formed at the tip of the attaching portion 14b. The detachable retaining portion 14c is elastically deformed through the mounting hole provided in the support portion 13a of the plug insertion hole 13 and is passed therethrough.
Is attached to.

23 and 24 are sectional views showing the operation of the conventional example, and FIG. 23 is a state when the connector 12 is not used, and FIG.
Indicates a state in which the connector cover 14 is being opened.
First, in the unused state of the connector 12 shown in FIG. 23, in order to protect the connector 12, the connector cover 14
The shielding portion 14a of the connector closes the plug insertion hole 13 (FIG. 24), and at this time, the hook portion 14 of the connector cover 14
d is a stepped receiving portion 13 provided in the plug insertion hole 13
b, and the engaging portion 14e of the connector cover 14
Engages with the inner surfaces of the support portion 13a and the receiving portion 13b, and locks the shielding portion 14a so as not to open.

When the plug 15 (FIG. 21) is connected to the connector 12, when a hook or the like is hooked on the hook portion 14d and lifted by a finger, the engaging portion 14e is disengaged from the inner surfaces of the supporting portion 13a and the receiving portion 13b. 14 shields 1
As shown in FIG. 24, 4a rotates around the mounting portion 14b as a fulcrum and opens. As a result, the plug insertion hole 13 is opened, and the plug 15 is connected to the connector 12 by inserting the plug 15 into the plug insertion hole 13 and fitting the connector 12 as shown in FIG.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional technique, when the plug 15 is connected to the connector 12 by inserting the plug 15 into the plug insertion hole 13 of the housing 11 and fitting the plug 15 into the connector 12, Connector cover 1
When the finger is released from 4, the shielding portion 14a moves in the direction of arrow A1 shown in FIG. 21 due to the restoring force due to the elasticity of the mounting portion 14b and comes into contact with the plug 15 to generate friction, which causes the connector cover 14 to plug. There is a problem in that the plug 15 and the connector 12 move by being caught in the plug 15 and hinder the connection operation between the plug 15 and the connector 12.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a plug insertion formed in an elastic material and provided in the housing or the connector for inserting a plug connected to a connector arranged in the housing. A shielding portion that closes the hole, and a mounting portion that is integrally provided with the shielding portion and that is mounted by inserting the tip through a mounting hole provided in the housing or the connector are provided, and the mounting portion serves as a fulcrum. In the structure of the connector cover that opens and closes the shielding portion by forming a movable tongue on the inner surface of the shielding portion and connecting the plug to the connector, the movable tongue causes friction due to contact with the plug. Get involved,
After that, the shield part is moved in a direction away from the plug by a reaction force generated by the movable tongue operating to roll.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the structure of a connector cover according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment, and FIG.
3 is a plan view showing the plug insertion hole, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a single connector cover, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a housing of an electronic device formed of resin or the like, and 2 is a housing 1 for connection to the outside.
A connector 3 mounted on a substrate (not shown) provided inside is a plug insertion hole through which a plug is inserted, and the plug insertion hole 3 has a support portion 3 on one end side as shown in FIG.
a, and a stepped receiving portion 3b is provided on the other end side.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a connector cover for protecting the connector 2 by closing the plug insertion hole 3 when the connector 2 is not used, and 5 (FIG. 1) is a plug which is fitted with the connector 2 and electrically connected thereto. . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connector cover 4 is formed with a shielding portion 4a having an outer shape smaller than the shape of the plug insertion hole 3 (FIG. 3) and one end of the shielding portion 4a protruding from the outer surface side. A hook having a mounting portion 4b having an L-shaped cross section, a retaining portion 4c having a circular cross section formed at the tip of the mounting portion 4b, and a curved surface protruding from the outer surface of the other end of the shielding portion 4a. Part 4d,
An engaging portion 4e formed so as to project from both sides on the inner surface side of the shielding portion 4a, and a movable tongue piece 4g formed in a concave portion 4f provided on the inner surface of the shielding portion 4a, that is, the surface on the connector 2 side.
Is formed integrally with a material having elasticity such as rubber or soft resin, and the retaining portion 4c formed at the tip of the mounting portion 4b is provided with a support portion 3a of the plug insertion hole 3.
It is attached to the housing 1 by elastically deforming and passing through an attachment hole provided in (FIG. 3).

Here, the movable tongue 4g rises from a portion closer to the mounting portion 4b than the center of the recess 4f, and the recess 4g
It is bent toward the hooking portion 4d side at a position projecting a certain height from f, contacts the shielding portion 4a near the center of the recess 4f, and further bends away from the shielding portion 4a so that the tip projects again from the recess 4f. When the plug 5 is inserted into the plug insertion hole 3 for connecting to the connector 2 as shown in FIG. 1, only the tip of the movable tongue 4g comes into contact with the plug 5.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. 6 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a state when the connector 2 is not used, FIG. 7 is a state in which the connector cover 4 is being opened, and FIG. The state of connecting to the connector 2 is shown. First, in the unused state of the connector 2 shown in FIG. 6, the shield portion 4a of the connector cover 4 closes the plug insertion hole 3 (FIG. 1) in order to protect the connector 2, and at this time, the hook portion Four
d is received by the receiving portion 3b provided in the plug insertion hole 3, and the engaging portion 4e of the connector cover 4 engages with the inner surfaces of the supporting portion 3a and the receiving portion 3b, so that the shielding portion 4a of the connector cover 4 is removed. It's locked to prevent it from opening.

When the plug 5 (FIG. 1) is connected to the connector 2, when a hook or the like is hooked on the hooking portion 4d and lifted by a finger, the engaging portion 4e is disengaged from the inner surfaces of the supporting portion 3a and the receiving portion 3b. As shown in FIG. 7, the shield portion 4a of No. 4 pivotally opens with the mounting portion 4b as a fulcrum. As a result, the plug insertion hole 3 is opened, and the plug 5 is attached to the housing 1
The plug 5 is connected to the connector 2 by fitting the connector 2 through the plug insertion hole 3 of the connector 2. When the finger is removed from the connector cover 4 at this time, the elastic force of the mounting portion 4b restores the shielding portion 4a. Is the arrow A1 shown in FIG.
The movable tongue piece 4g contacts the outer peripheral surface of the plug 5 by moving in the direction.

Here, when the plug 5 is inserted into the plug insertion hole 3, the movable tongue 4g is wound in the direction of arrow A2 as shown in FIG. 8 due to the friction with the plug 5, whereby the movable tongue 4g. Produces a reaction force that causes the tip to curl and lift. By this reaction force, the shielding portion 4a of the connector cover 4
Moves in the direction of arrow A3 and moves away from the plug 5, so that the plug 5 smoothly fits and connects with the connector 2.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the movable tongue piece is provided on the inner surface of the shield portion of the connector cover, and when the plug is connected to the connector, the movable tongue piece comes into contact with the plug. The connector cover obstructs the plug connection operation because the shield part is moved in the direction away from the plug due to the reaction force generated by being caught by friction and then moving the tongue. The effect that the plug and the connector can be smoothly connected is obtained.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. 9 is a sectional view showing the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a plug insertion hole, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the plug insertion hole. 13 is a perspective view of the connector cover alone, FIG. 14 is a plan view of the connector cover alone as seen from the inner surface side, and FIG. 15 is a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

In this embodiment, a protrusion 4h for holding the shield portion 4a of the connector cover 4 in an open state is formed, and a relief portion 3c corresponding to each protrusion 4h is provided in the plug insertion hole 3. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the protrusion 4h has a semi-cylindrical shape and is provided so as to extend from both ends of the mounting portion 4b toward the plate thickness direction of the shielding portion 4a so that the curved surface faces outward. ing.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the connector cover 4 of the second embodiment is integrally formed of an elastic material such as rubber or soft resin. Further, chamfered portions 4i are provided at the ends of the protrusions 4h on the retaining portion 4c side, that is, at the portions that engage with the edges of the plug insertion holes 3 in the operation described later, in such a manner that the curved surface is cut obliquely. The relief portions 3c are provided at both ends of the support portion 3a of the plug insertion hole 3 so that the protrusion 4h can pass therethrough, as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a view showing the relationship between the plug insertion hole and the connector cover. As shown in this figure, the width L1 of the plug insertion hole 3, the interval L2 between the tips of the projections 4h, and the projection 4 are shown.
The maximum width L3 between h is set so that L2 <L1 <L3. That is, the protrusion 4h is formed such that the tip thereof is inside the plug insertion hole 3 and the most protruding portion of the curved surface (outer surface) is outside the plug insertion hole 3.

Since the other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. 17 to 20 are sectional views showing the operation of the second embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a state when the connector 2 is not used, and FIG.
8 is a state in which the connector cover 4 is being opened, FIG. 19 is a state in which the connector cover 4 is open, and FIG. 20 is a state in which the plug 5 is connected to the connector 2.

First, in the unused state of the connector 2 shown in FIG. 17, the shield portion 4a of the connector cover 4 closes the plug insertion hole 3 (FIG. 9) in order to protect the connector 2. At this time, the hooking portion 4d of the connector cover 4 is received by the stepped receiving portion 3b provided in the plug insertion hole 3, and the engaging portion 4e of the connector cover 4 is the supporting portion 3a.
Also, the shield 4a of the connector cover 4 is locked so as not to open by engaging with the inner surface of the receiving portion 3b, and the projection 4h
Is located in the escape portion 3c (FIG. 12).

When the plug 5 (FIG. 9) is connected to the connector 2, when a hook or the like is hooked on the hook portion 4d and lifted by a finger, the engaging portion 4e is disengaged from the inner surfaces of the supporting portion 3a and the receiving portion 3b. As shown in FIG. 18, the shielding portion 4a of No. 4 rotates about the mounting portion 4b as a fulcrum and opens. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the angle of the shielding portion 4 a of the connector cover 4 is approximately 90 with respect to the upper surface of the housing 1.
When the time comes, the plug insertion hole 3 is opened, and at the same time, the protrusion 4h is pulled out from the plug insertion hole 3.

The protrusion 4h is formed so that the most protruding portion of its curved surface (outer surface) is outside the plug insertion hole 3, so that the chamfered portion 4i of the protrusion 4h is the edge of the plug insertion hole 3. Will be engaged. Therefore, the shielding portion 4a
When the finger is detached from the connector cover 4 after opening the connector by about 90 degrees or more, the shielding portion 4a tries to move in the closing direction as shown by the arrow A1 in FIG. 19 due to the restoring force of the elasticity of the mounting portion 4b. When the angle reaches approximately 90 degrees, the chamfered portion 4i of the projection 4h is caught by the edge portion of the plug insertion hole 3 and stops, so that the shield portion 4a is held in the open state.

In this state, the plug 5 is connected to the connector 2 by inserting the plug 5 into the plug insertion hole 3 of the housing 1 and fitting it with the connector 2. The plug 5 is inserted into the plug insertion hole of the housing 1. As shown in FIG. 9, when moving the tongue 4 through the movable tongue 4
The tip of g contacts the outer peripheral surface of the plug 5. When the plug 5 is further inserted into the plug insertion hole 3, the movable tongue 4g is wound in the direction of arrow A2 as shown in FIG. It produces a reaction force that causes it to roll over and lift.

By this reaction force, the shielding portion 4a of the connector cover 4 moves in the direction of arrow A3 and separates from the plug 5,
The plug 5 smoothly fits and connects with the connector 2.
When closing the shielding portion 4a of the connector cover 4 after removing the plug 5 from the connector 2 or the like, pushing the shielding portion 4a in the direction of arrow A1 shown in FIG. The chamfered portion 4i of the engaging projection 4h slides along the edge of the projection 4h, so that the projection 4h bends inward and enters the plug insertion hole 3, so that the shielding portion 4a of the connector cover 4 rotates about the mounting portion 4b as a fulcrum. Move and close.

When the shielding portion 4a is further pushed in the direction of the arrow A1, the engaging portion 4e hits the supporting portion 3a and the receiving portion 3b, but when pushed in as it is, the engaging portion 4e elastically deforms and passes through the plug insertion hole 3. Then, as shown in FIG.
Engages the inner surface of the and thus completes the closing operation. According to the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in the second embodiment, the protrusion is formed at the end of the attachment portion of the connector cover. When the shield part of the connector cover is opened, the open state is held by the protrusions, so it is possible to release the hand from the connector cover when connecting the plug to the connector. The effect that the property can be improved is also obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the connector cover 4 is attached to the housing 1 has been described as an example, but a mounting hole is provided in the connector 2 and the mounting portion 4b of the connector cover 4 is provided in this mounting hole. Directly attached,
The same effect can be expected by the action of the movable tongue piece 4g even for the structure in which the opening (plug insertion hole) of the connector 2 is closed by the shield 4a.

When the plug 5 is inserted into the plug insertion hole 3, if only the tip of the movable tongue 4g formed on the connector cover 4 comes into contact with the plug 5, the movable tongue 4g is described above. Thus, it does not have to be in contact with the shielding portion 4a. Further, even if the movable tongue 4g does not have the shape as in the above-described embodiment, when the plug 5 is inserted into the plug insertion hole 3, elasticity of rubber or the like is such that only the tip of the movable tongue 4g comes into contact with the plug 5. In this case, the movable tongue piece 4g is preferably provided at a portion closer to the hooking portion 4d than the center of the recess 4f.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of the movable tongue pieces 4g is one, but a plurality of movable tongue pieces 4g may be provided.

[0031]

As described above, the present invention is provided in the housing or the connector for inserting a plug which is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and which is connected to the connector arranged in the housing. A shield portion for closing the plug insertion hole, and an L-shaped mounting portion which is integrally provided with the shield portion and which is mounted by inserting the tip into a mounting hole provided in the housing or the connector. In a structure of a connector cover that opens and closes the shielding part with a mounting part as a fulcrum, a movable tongue is formed on an inner surface of the shielding part, and when the plug is connected to the connector, the movable tongue is the plug. Of the movable tongue is rolled up by the friction of the contact between the movable tongue and the shield, and the shield is moved in a direction away from the plug by a reaction force generated by the movable tongue being rolled. Unishi to have.

Therefore, according to this, the connector cover does not hinder the operation of connecting the plug and the connector, and the effect that the plug and the connector can be smoothly connected can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a plug insertion hole.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connector cover.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plug insertion hole.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a plug insertion hole.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a connector cover.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a connector cover.

FIG. 15 is a view on arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a relationship between a connector cover and a plug insertion hole.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a conventional example.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing the operation of the conventional example.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 connectors 3 plug insertion holes 3a support part 3b Receiver 4 Connector cover 4a Shield 4b mounting part 4c retaining part 4d hook 4e Engagement part 4f recess 4g movable tongue 4h protrusion 4i Chamfer 5 plugs

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideki Ono             3-20-2 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Oki Comtech F-term (reference) 5E087 EE06 LL04 LL17 LL29 LL33                       MM08 QQ01 RR13 RR25

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A shield part which is made of an elastic material and which closes a plug insertion hole provided in the housing or the connector for inserting a plug connected to a connector arranged in the housing, A connector that is provided integrally with the shielding portion and that is attached by inserting the tip through a mounting hole provided in the housing or the connector, and that opens and closes the shielding portion with this mounting portion as a fulcrum. In the structure of the cover, a movable tongue piece is formed on the inner surface of the shielding part, and when the plug is connected to the connector, the movable tongue piece is caught by friction due to contact with the plug, and then the movable tongue piece. A structure of a connector cover, characterized in that the shield part is moved in a direction away from the plug by a reaction force generated by the operation of rolling. 2. The protrusion according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided at an end portion of the mounting portion, and the protrusion engages with an edge portion of the plug insertion hole when the shield portion is opened,
A structure of a connector cover, characterized in that an open state of the shielding portion is maintained. 3. The chamfered portion according to claim 2, wherein a portion that engages with the edge portion of the protrusion is provided,
A structure of the connector cover, wherein when a force in a closing direction is applied to the shielding portion, the chamfered portion slides on the edge portion so that the protrusion enters the plug insertion hole.