JP2003257561A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector system of which the number of attachment/ detachment times of a connector is surely recorded to make the life management easy. <P>SOLUTION: In place of a conventional electric connector making an electric conduction and breaking by using mechanical contacts and separation of at least a pair of connector terminals, one of a pair of connector terminals, a detection mechanism having an output axis moving at a given stroke in conjunction with mechanical contact and detachment movement of the pair of the terminals, and an integrating means integrating the repetition number of the given strokes of the output axis are provided. <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 removable connector system. In particular, the present invention relates to a connector system characterized by a structure for managing the number of times of insertion and removal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A connector system is an electrical component that provides electrical continuity and interruption. For example, connector systems used in space have a limited number of connector removals. Conventionally, the life management method for the number of times the connector has been attached and detached has relied on recording it in a procedure manual.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned conventional method of managing the lifespan of the number of times a connector is attached / detached, it takes a lot of time to record the number of times the connector is attached / detached, and if the record is forgotten or the record is lost, the history becomes unknown. There was a point.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-162570, a means for detecting the insertion / removal of a removable connector, a counter for adding and subtracting when the insertion / removal of a connector is detected, the integrated value for each connector, and the life limit of the number of times of insertion / removal The safe upper limit value calculated from the above, a memory in which a warning limit value smaller than the use upper limit value by a predetermined number is set and recorded, and when the integrated value of each connector reaches the warning limit value, A connector life warning system having warning means for displaying a warning is disclosed. Further, there is disclosed a configuration in which a counter is incremented by a current flowing through a mechanical contact portion when being pushed. Also, an integrating circuit for electronically integrating is disclosed.

In the above connector system, the number of times of insertion / removal is not counted unless the device using the connector is energized. However, in electrical equipment,
It is a normal work procedure to remove and attach the connector when the equipment is not energized. Further, in a connector (for example, a plug) provided on the cable side, it is necessary to mount a battery on the connector. Further, if the operator misses the warning display of the warning means, it is expected that the connector may be inserted or removed beyond the life limit.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a connector system in which, in place of the conventional connector system, the number of times the connector is detached and attached is surely recorded and the life is easily managed. try to.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connector for electrically connecting and disconnecting by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of connector terminals according to the present invention is one of a pair of connector terminals. One of the connector terminals, a detection mechanism having an output shaft that moves in a predetermined stroke in conjunction with the movement of mechanical contact and separation of the pair of connector terminals, and an integrating unit that integrates the number of times the output shaft repeats the predetermined stroke. , Are provided.

According to the above-described structure of the present invention, the connector terminal is one of the pair of connector terminals, and the output shaft of the detection mechanism moves in a predetermined stroke in conjunction with the mechanical contact and separation movements of the pair of connector terminals. However, since the integrating means integrates the number of repetitions of the predetermined stroke of the output shaft, each time the mechanical contact and separation of the pair of connector terminals is repeated,
The electrical connection and disconnection are repeated, and the number of times of the repetition is integrated by the integration means, and the number of times the electrical connector is connected / disconnected can be automatically recorded, and life management becomes easy.

Further, in the electric connector according to the present invention, the detection mechanism has a shaft member which is held by the connector so as to be movable in the axial direction by a predetermined stroke, and a part of which serves as the output shaft. When mechanically contacting the other connector terminal, the shaft member is pushed by the other connector having the other connector terminal and moves in the predetermined stroke. With the above-described configuration of the present invention, when the shaft member of the detection mechanism is held by the connector so as to be movable in the axial direction by a predetermined stroke, a part of it serves as an output shaft, and the connector terminal makes mechanical contact with the other connector terminal. Since the shaft member is pushed by the other connector having the other connector terminal and moves in the predetermined stroke,
The behavior of connector insertion / removal is mechanically transmitted to the integrating means via the shaft member, even if there is no energy source such as a power supply.
The insertion / removal of the connector can be transmitted to the integrating means.

Further, in the electrical connector according to the present invention, the detection mechanism has a shaft member urging means for urging the shaft member toward the other connector. With the above-described configuration of the present invention, the shaft member urging means of the detection mechanism urges the shaft member toward the other connector side. Therefore, when the shaft member is coupled to the other connector, the shaft member is pushed by the connector and the connector When the connector moves to the opposite side and the other connector comes off, the shaft member is urged by the urging force of the shaft member urging means, the shaft member moves to the other connector side, and the output shaft of the shaft member has a predetermined stroke. You can move back and forth with.

Further, the electric connector according to the present invention comprises an insulating member provided with a connector holding hole which is a through hole for holding the connector terminal, and the shaft member has a shaft in the connector holding hole. It is assumed to be held so that it can move in any direction. According to the configuration of the present invention described above, since the shaft member is held movably in the axial direction in the connector holding hole provided in the insulating member, it is not necessary to prepare a holding member dedicated to the detection mechanism, and the existing The shaft member can be held by diverting the existing connector holding hole of the insulating member.

Further, in the electric connector according to the present invention, the counting means has a counting mechanism having an input mechanism movable in the predetermined stroke and a stepping mechanism for counting and integrating the number of the predetermined strokes of the input mechanism. It is assumed that the input mechanism and the output shaft are connected to each other. With the above-described configuration of the present invention, when the output shaft moves, the input mechanism connected to the output shaft moves, the input mechanism of the counting device can move in a predetermined stroke, and the stepping mechanism of the counting device can move the input mechanism of the input mechanism. Since the number of predetermined strokes is counted and integrated, the number of times the connector is connected / disconnected can be integrated without requiring an energy source such as a power source.

Further, in the electrical connector according to the present invention, when the stepping mechanism accumulates a predetermined number of times, it is mechanically locked and the input mechanism cannot reciprocate. With the configuration of the present invention, since the stepping mechanism is mechanically locked when the predetermined number of times is integrated and the input mechanism cannot reciprocate,
When the predetermined number is accumulated, the output shaft that interlocks with the input mechanism cannot move back and forth, and when trying to connect the connector, the output shaft of the detection mechanism does not move, so the operator has decided that the number of times of pricking the connector has reached the predetermined number. You can notice.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

Common connectors are plugs or receptacles. A pair of connectors composed of a plug and a receptacle are often used. Generally, connector terminals are pin connectors and socket connectors. A pair of connectors including a pin connector and a socket connector are often used. The connector type and the connector terminal type can be freely combined, but in a commonly used combination, the plug has a pin connector and the receptacle has a socket connector. In the following description, this frequently used combination will be described as an example.

The structure of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the integrating means of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the receptacle 200
Has a detection mechanism and an integrating means. Therefore, the receptacle corresponds to "one connector" and the plug corresponds to "the other connector". Further, the pin connector 110 included in the plug 100 corresponds to “the other connector terminal”, and the socket connector 210 included in the receptacle 200 corresponds to “one connector terminal”.

First, the structure of the plug 100 will be described.
The plug 100 is electrically connected by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of the pin connector 110 (corresponding to "the other connector terminal") and the socket connector 210 (corresponding to "the one connector terminal"). An electrical connector for disconnecting a pin connector 110, a plug insulating member 120, a plug shell 130, and a plug holder 1
And 40.

The pin connector 110 is a shaft-like structure which is in mechanical contact with the socket connector 210 and is electrically conductive. The pin connector 110 has a pin-shaped conducting portion 111 at one end and an electric wire connecting portion 112 at the other end that is connected to the electric wire by being crimped or soldered. The plug insulating member 120 is a member made of a non-conductive material for holding the pin connector 110 and ensuring an insulating state between the held pin connectors 110. Plug insulation member 12
0 has a substantially columnar shape and is provided with a pin connector holding hole 121 (corresponding to a connector holding hole) whose axial center is aligned with the axial direction. The pin connector 110 fits into the pin connector holding hole 121. Pin connector 11
The 0 conductive portion 111 is exposed from one end of the plug insulating member 120 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and the wire connecting portion 112 is exposed from the other end of the plug insulating member 120 having a substantially cylindrical shape.

The plug shell 130 is a plug insulating member 1.
A casing that encloses 20. The plug shell 130 is
An opening portion is provided on the side of the conducting portion 111 of the pin connector 110 held by the plug insulating member 120. Further, the plug shell 130 has an opening through which an electric wire penetrates on the electric wire connecting portion 112 side of the pin connector 110 held by the plug insulating member 120. The plug holder 140 is a member that screw-connects the plug 100 to the receptacle 200, and has a claw portion that is caught by the plug shell 130 and a female screw portion 141 that is screwed into the male screw portion 233 of the receptacle 200.

Next, the structure of the receptacle 200 will be described. The receptacle 200 is electrically connected by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of the pin connector 110 (corresponding to “the other connector terminal”) and the socket connector 210 (corresponding to “the one connector terminal”). It is an electrical connector for shutting off the connection, and includes a socket connector 210, a receptacle insulating member 220, a receptacle shell 230, a detecting unit 250, an integrating unit 260, and an interlocking member 270.

The socket connector 210 is one of the pair of connector terminals and is a cylindrical terminal. The socket connector 210 has a cylindrical conducting portion 211 at one end and an electric wire connecting portion 212 at the other end that is connected to the electric wire by crimping or soldering. The pin-shaped conducting portion 111 of the pin connector 110 is inserted into and removed from the tubular-shaped conducting portion 211 of the socket connector 210,
It can be electrically connected or disconnected.

The receptacle insulating member 220 holds the socket connector 210 and the detection mechanism 250, and is a member made of a non-conductive material for ensuring an insulating state between the held plural socket connectors 210. .
The receptacle insulating member 220 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a socket connector holding hole 221 whose axial center is aligned with the axial direction.
(Corresponding to a connector holding hole). The socket connector holding hole 221 is provided in the receptacle insulating member 220 so as to be in a position facing the pin connector holding hole 121 when the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 are coupled. The socket connector 210 is
The socket connector holding hole 221 is fitted. The conducting portion 211 of the socket connector 210 is provided so as not to be exposed from one end of the substantially cylindrical shape of the receptacle insulating member 220, and the electric wire connecting portion 212 is provided to the receptacle insulating member 22.
It is exposed from the other end of the substantially cylindrical shape of 0. Further, the detection mechanism 250 fits into one socket connector holding hole 121.

The receptacle shell 230 is a casing that surrounds the receptacle insulating member 220, and is provided with a flange portion 231, a receptacle insulating member fixing portion 232, and a male screw portion 233. The flange portion 231 is a portion for attaching the receptacle 200 to an electronic device,
For example, a square flange. The receptacle insulating member fixing portion 232 is a portion that fixes the receptacle insulating member 220, and holds the outer periphery of the receptacle insulating member 220 in a substantially columnar shape. The male screw part 233 is provided in the receptacle 20.
This is a part for screwing 0 into the plug 100, and a male screw that meshes with the female screw part 141 of the plug holder 140 is provided.

The detection mechanism 250 includes a pair of connector terminals 1
When the movement of mechanical contact and separation of 10, 120 is detected, the output shaft 253 is moved in a predetermined stroke.
It has a shaft member 251 and a shaft member urging means 252. The shaft member 251 is a shaft-shaped member that is held by the socket connector holding hole 221 so as to be movable in the axial direction by a predetermined stroke, and the shaft end opposite to the plug is the output shaft 253. It is held in the hole 221 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Shaft member biasing means 252
Is a member for urging the shaft member 251 toward the plug 100, and is, for example, a spring provided in the socket connector holding hole 221.

The accumulating means 260 is a counting device for accumulating the number of repetitions of the predetermined stroke of the output shaft 253,
It has an input mechanism 261 and a step mechanism 262. The input mechanism 261 is a mechanism for inputting a signal to be counted,
For example, it is depressed. The step mechanism 262 is a mechanism that counts a predetermined stroke of the input mechanism and integrates the number of times, and has a plurality of numeral wheels 263, a feed mechanism 264, and a digit feed mechanism 265. The number ring 263 is a ring that represents a number of a plurality of digits, and divides the outer circumference of the ring into ten equal parts, from “0” to “9”.
The numbers up to are engraved. The feed mechanism 264 is a mechanism that rotates the first digit number wheel 263 by one graduation each time a predetermined stroke of the input mechanism 261 is counted.
The first digit number wheel 263 is rotated one full revolution by reciprocating one stroke of the input mechanism. Shift mechanism 265
Is a mechanism that sequentially shifts the numeral wheel of the upper digit, and when the numeral wheel of the lower digit makes one rotation, the numeral wheel of the nearest upper digit makes one full rotation.

The interlocking member 270 connects the input mechanism and the output shaft, and is a wire cable 271.
Have. The wire cable 271 connects the output shaft 253 of the shaft member 251 and the input mechanism 261 of the integrating means 260. The output shaft 253 of the shaft member is the shaft member urging means 25.
When moving against the urging force (compressive force) of 2 (spring),
The input mechanism 281 (push button) is pushed via the wire cable 271, and the stepping mechanism 252 of the integrating means 260 is pushed.
Is designed to rotate the number wheel 263 of the least significant digit one tenth.

The operation of the electrical connector of the first embodiment will be described below. For ease of explanation, plug 100
It is assumed that two pin connector holding holes 121 are provided in the socket and the socket 200 is provided with two socket connector holding holes 221 in the receptacle 200. Plug 10
Two pin connector holding holes 121 of 0 hold the pin connector 110 respectively. Receptacle 200
One socket connector holding hole 221 holds one detection mechanism 250, and the other socket connector holding hole 221 holds one socket connector 210. The state where the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 are separated and the integrated number of the integration mechanism 260 is “000” will be described. Stepping mechanism 26 of integrating mechanism 260
In 2, the highest digit is the specified number of revolutions (for example, 3 / 10th revolution)
It shall be mechanically locked so that it cannot rotate further. This is because the number of lifespans of attaching and detaching the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 is 1000 times the predetermined number of rotations (for example, 300 times).
Times).

The plug 100 is inserted into the receptacle 200, and the female screw portion 141 of the plug holder 140 is screwed into the male screw 233 of the receptacle shell 230.
One pin connector 110 is inserted into the socket connector 210 and electrically connected. Another pin connector 110 is inserted into the detection mechanism 250, and the shaft member 251 is pushed in. The shaft member 251 moves in the socket connector holding hole 221 by a predetermined stroke, against the biasing force (compressing force) of the shaft member biasing means 252 (spring). Since the output shaft 253 of the shaft member 251 pushes the wire cable 271, the input mechanism 261 (push button) of the integrating means 260 is pushed for a predetermined stroke. When the input mechanism 261 (push button) moves by a predetermined stroke, the step mechanism 2
62 counts 1 and the number wheel 253 of the least significant digit makes 1/10 rotation. The integrated number of the integration mechanism becomes "001".

The plug 100 is removed from the receptacle 200. Pin connector 110 is socket connector 210
Removed from the pin connector 110 and socket connector 2
And 10 are electrically disconnected. Other pin connector 110
Are removed from the detection mechanism 250. By the urging force (compressive force) of the shaft member urging means 252 (spring), the shaft member 251
It moves to the plug side in the socket connector holding hole 221 by a predetermined stroke. Output shaft 253 of shaft member 251
Pulls the wire cable 271, so the integrating means 2
The input mechanism 261 (push button) of 60 is returned by a predetermined stroke. The input mechanism 261 (push button) returns by a predetermined stroke. The cumulative number of the cumulative mechanism 260 remains “001”.

When the plug 100 is repeatedly inserted into and removed from the receptacle 200, the stepping mechanism 262 of the integrating means 260 integrates the number of times the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 are attached and detached. When the step mechanism 262 integrates a predetermined number of times (for example, “300”), the highest digit digit wheel cannot rotate and the push button 261 cannot move. When the plug 100 is inserted into the receptacle 200, the shaft member 251 is interlocked with the push button 261 via the wire cable 270.
Cannot be moved, and the pin connector 11 is blocked by the shaft member 251 and cannot be inserted into the detection mechanism 150.
A person who tries to insert the plug 100 into the receptacle 200 notices that the number of times the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 are coupled has reached a predetermined number (for example, “300”).

Next, the structure of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the step mechanism of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the plug 200 has a detecting mechanism and an integrating means. Therefore, the plug 100 corresponds to “one connector” and the receptacle 200 corresponds to “the other connector”. The pin connector 110 included in the plug 100 corresponds to “one connector terminal”, and the socket connector 210 included in the receptacle corresponds to “the other connector terminal”.

First, the structure of the plug 100 will be described.
The plug 100 is electrically connected by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of the pin connector 110 (corresponding to "one connector terminal") and the socket connector 210 (corresponding to "other connector terminal"). An electrical connector for disconnecting a pin connector 110, a plug insulating member 120, a plug shell 130, and a plug holder 1
40, detection means 150, integration means 160, and interlocking member 17
With 0 and.

Since the structure of the pin connector 110 is the same as that of the first embodiment, it will be omitted.

The plug insulating member 120 is the pin connector 1
It is a member made of a non-conductive material that holds 10 and secures an insulating state between the held pin connectors 100. The plug insulating member 120 has a substantially columnar shape and is provided with a pin connector holding hole 121 (corresponding to a connector holding hole) whose axial center is aligned with the axial direction. The pin connector holding hole 221 is provided in the plug 100 and the receptacle 20.
Socket connector holding hole 221 when 0 and 0 are connected
Is provided on the code tag insulating member 120 so as to face the position. The pin connector 110 fits into the pin connector holding hole 121. The conducting portion 111 of the pin connector 110 is exposed from one end of the plug insulating member 120 having a substantially columnar shape, and the wire connecting portion 112 is exposed from the other end of the plug insulating member 120 having a substantially columnar shape. Furthermore, the detection mechanism 15
0 fits into one socket connector holding hole 121.

Plug shell 130 and plug holder 140
The structure of is the same as the structure of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The detection mechanism 150 includes a pair of connector terminals 1
When the movements of mechanical contact and separation of 10, 210 are detected, the output shaft is moved in a predetermined stroke, and has a shaft member 151 and a shaft member urging means 152. Shaft member 15
Reference numeral 1 denotes a shaft-shaped member which is held by a pin connector holding hole 121 so as to be movable in the axial direction by a predetermined stroke, and a part of which serves as the output shaft 153. It is held so that it can move freely.
The shape of the shaft member 151 on the side toward the receptacle is the same as the conductive portion 111 of the pin connector 110. The shaft member urging means 152 urges the shaft member 151 toward the receptacle 200, and is, for example, a spring provided in the pin connector holding hole 121.

The accumulating means 160 is a counting device for accumulating the number of repetitions of the predetermined stroke of the output shaft 153,
It has an input mechanism 161 and a step mechanism 162. Since the structures of the input mechanism 161 and the step mechanism 162 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The interlocking member 170 interlocks the movement of the input mechanism 161 with the movement of the output shaft 153.
It has a wire cable 171. Wire cable 1
71 is an output shaft 153 of the shaft member 151 and an integrating means 160.
The input mechanism 161 is connected. When the output shaft 153 of the shaft member 151 moves against the urging force (compressing force) of the shaft member urging means 152 (spring), the wire cable 171.
The input mechanism 161 (push button) is pressed via the, and the step mechanism 162 of the accumulating means 160 causes the number wheel 16 of the lowest digit to be displayed.
3. Rotate 3/10 times.

Next, the structure of the receptacle 200 will be described. The receptacle 200 is electrically connected by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of the pin connector 110 (corresponding to “the other connector terminal”) and the socket connector 210 (corresponding to “the one connector terminal”). It is an electric connector for disconnecting the electric field, and includes a socket connector 210, a receptacle insulating member 220, and a receptacle shell 230.

Socket connector 210 and pin connector 1
Since the structure of 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The receptacle insulating member 220 holds the socket connector 210 and the solid shaft 213, and is a member made of a non-conductive material for ensuring the insulating state between the held plurality of socket connectors 210. is there.
The receptacle insulating member 220 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a socket connector holding hole 221 whose axial center is aligned with the axial direction.
(Corresponding to a connector holding hole) is provided. The solid shaft 213 has the same outer diameter as the socket connector 210, and is a solid shaft member. Socket connector holding hole 2
21 is provided on the receptacle insulating member 220 so as to be positioned so as to face the pin connector holding hole 121 when the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 are coupled. The socket connector 210 fits into the socket connector holding hole 221. The conducting portion 211 of the socket connector 210 is exposed from one end of the receptacle insulating member 220 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and the wire connecting portion 212 is exposed from the other end of the receptacle insulating member 220 having a substantially cylindrical shape. Further, the solid shaft 213 is fitted into the socket connector holding hole 121 at a position facing the detection mechanism 150 of the plug 100.

Since the structure of the receptacle shell 230 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the electric connector of the second embodiment will be described below. For ease of explanation, plug 100
It is assumed that the receptacle 200 is provided with two connector holding holes, and a pair of pin connectors 110 and socket connectors 210 are provided.
In the plug 100, one pin connector holding hole 121
Holds one detection mechanism 150, and the other pin connector holding hole 121 holds one pin connector 110. In the receptacle 200, one pin connector holding hole 121 holds the socket connector 210,
Pin connector holding hole 121 corresponding to the detection mechanism 150
Holds the solid shaft 213. First, plug 100
And the receptacle 200 are separated from each other, and the integration mechanism 1
The state where the integrated number of 60 is "000" will be described. It is assumed that the step mechanism 162 of the accumulation mechanism 160 is mechanically locked so that the most significant digit cannot rotate more than a predetermined rotation speed (for example, three-tenth rotation speed). This corresponds to the number of lifespans of attachment / detachment of the plug 100 and the receptacle 200 being 1000 times (for example, 300 times) the predetermined number of rotations.

The plug 100 is inserted into the receptacle 200, and the female screw portion 141 of the plug holder 140 is screwed into the male screw portion 233 of the receptacle shell 200.
One pin connector 110 is inserted into the socket connector 210 and electrically connected. The shaft member 151 of the detection mechanism 150 is the solid shaft 220 of the pin connector holding hole 121.
Abut. The shaft member 151 is replaced by (the shaft member urging means 152
It moves in the pin connector holding hole 121 by a predetermined stroke against the urging force (compressing force) of the (spring). Since the output shaft of the shaft member 151 pushes the wire cable 171, the input mechanism 171 (push button) of the integrating means 160 is pushed for a predetermined stroke. When the input mechanism 171 (push button) moves by a predetermined stroke, the step mechanism 162
Counts 1 and the least significant digit circle 163 is 1/10
Rotate. The integrated number of the integration mechanism becomes "001".

The plug 100 is removed from the receptacle 200. Pin connector 110 is socket connector 120
Pulled out and electrically disconnected. The solid shaft 213 moves away from the detection mechanism. The shaft member 151 causes the pin connector holding hole 12 to move for a predetermined stroke by the compression force of the spring 152.
Move to the side of the receptacle in 1. Shaft member 151
Since the output shaft of the pulls the wire cable 171, the input mechanism 161 (push button) of the integrating means 160 is returned by a predetermined stroke. The input mechanism 161 (push button) returns by a predetermined stroke. The cumulative number of the cumulative mechanism 160 is “0.
01 ”remains.

When the plug 100 is repeatedly inserted into the receptacle 200 and then removed, the stepping mechanism 162 of the accumulating means 160 accumulates the number of times the plug 100 and the receptacle 299 have been attached and detached. When the step mechanism is operated a predetermined number of times (for example, "3
00 ”), the most significant digit wheel 163 cannot rotate and the push button 161 cannot move.
When the plug 100 is inserted into the receptacle 200, the shaft member 151 is interlocked with the push button 161 via the wire cable 171, so that the shaft member 151 is blocked by the push button 161 and cannot move.
Even if the shaft member 151 is pushed by the solid shaft 213, the shaft member 15
1 cannot move. A person trying to insert the plug into the receptacle notices that the number of times the plug and the receptacle are coupled has reached a predetermined number (for example, "300").

Next, the structure of the electrical connector according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an overall view of the third embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector according to the third embodiment,
It is a configuration when the first embodiment and the second embodiment are applied to an actual device. Since the basic structure is the structure of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted and different points will be described. The plug 100 is provided with a substantially cylindrical accumulating means 160 so as to be integrated with the outer circumference of the cable. The receptacle 200 has
The numeral portion of the step mechanism 262 of the accumulating means 260 is provided beside the receptacle 200.

When the electrical connector of the above-described embodiment is used, when the plug and the receptacle are repeatedly attached and detached, the electrical connection and disconnection of the pin connector and the socket connector can be repeatedly performed, and the number of times of attachment and detachment can be increased and decreased. Is automatically added, the number of times the plug and receptacle are attached / detached can be automatically recorded, and life management becomes easy. Also,
Since the attachment / detachment operation of the plug and the receptacle is mechanically transmitted to the integrating means via the shaft member, the attaching / detaching operation of the plug and the receptacle can be reliably transmitted to the integrating means even without energy such as a power source. Further, the shaft member urging means (spring) constantly urges the shaft member toward the connector (plug or receptacle) facing the shaft member, and when the connector is attached or detached, the shaft member is pushed by the opposing connector (plug or receptacle). Then, the attachment / detachment behavior can be transmitted to the integrating means. In addition, since the existing plug insulation member or receptacle insulation member is diverted and the detection mechanism is installed in the pin connector holding hole or the socket connector holding hole,
It is not necessary to prepare a dedicated plug insulating member or receptacle insulating member, and the detection mechanism can be easily installed in the existing connector. Further, since the integrating mechanism is a counter that integrates strokes by mechanical operation, it can operate without requiring special energy such as electricity, and can reliably integrate the number of times the connector is attached and detached. In addition, when the cumulative number of times reaches a predetermined number, you can notice that by touching when attaching and detaching the connector, so even if you do not visually check the integrating mechanism, the number of times the connector is attached and detached exceeds the predetermined number. It can be prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Although the combination of the plug and the receptacle has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a combination of the plug and the plug may be used. Although the combination of the pin connector and the socket connector has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and another combination may be used.

[0052]

As described above, the electrical connector of the present invention, which electrically connects and disconnects by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of connector terminals, has the following effects due to its configuration. Each time mechanical contact and separation between a pair of connector terminals is repeated, electrical continuity and disconnection are repeated, and the integration means accumulates the number of repetitions and the number of electrical connector insertions and removals can be recorded automatically, facilitating life management. become. Further, the behavior of connector insertion / removal can be mechanically transmitted to the integrating means via the shaft member, and the connector inserting / removing can be transmitted to the integrating means even without an energy source such as a power source. When coupled to the other connector, the shaft member is pushed by the connector to move to the opposite side of the connector, and when the other connector is disengaged, the shaft member is urged by the urging force of the shaft member urging means, and the shaft member is urged. The member moves to the other connector side, and the output shaft of the shaft member can reciprocate with a predetermined stroke. In addition, since the shaft member is movably held in the connector holding hole provided in the insulating member in the axial direction, it is not necessary to prepare a holding member dedicated to the detection mechanism, and the existing insulating member can be used. The shaft member can be held by diverting the connector holding hole. Further, since the stepping mechanism of the counting device counts and integrates the number of predetermined strokes of the input mechanism, it is possible to integrate the number of connector insertions and removals without requiring an energy source such as a power source. Also, when the predetermined number of times is integrated, the output shaft that interlocks with the input mechanism cannot move back and forth, and when trying to connect the connector, the output shaft of the detection mechanism cannot move, so the operator has reached the predetermined number of times of pricking the connector. You can easily notice that. Therefore, it is possible to surely record the number of times the connector is attached and detached, and to provide a connector system whose lifespan is easily managed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial detailed view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial detailed view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the step mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 plug 110 pin connector 111 Conducting part 112 Wire connection part 120 plug insulation 121-pin connector holding hole 130 plug shell 140 plug holder 141 female thread 150 detection mechanism 151 shaft member 152 Shaft member biasing means (spring) 153 Output shaft 160 integrating means (counter) 161 input mechanism 162 step mechanism 163 number wheel 164 feeding mechanism 165 shift mechanism 170 Interlocking member 171 wire cable 200 receptacles 210 socket connector 211 Conductor 212 Wire connection part 213 solid shaft 220 Receptacle insulation member 221 Socket connector holding hole 230 receptacle shell 231 Flange 232 Receptacle Insulation part Fixed part 233 Male thread 250 detection mechanism 251 shaft member 252 Shaft member biasing means (spring) 253 output shaft 260 integrating means (counter) 261 input mechanism 262 Stepping mechanism 263 number wheel 264 feed mechanism 265 shift mechanism 270 interlocking member 271 wire cable

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector that electrically connects and disconnects by mechanical contact and separation of at least a pair of connector terminals, wherein one connector terminal of the pair of connector terminals and a pair of connector terminals are mechanically connected. An electrical connector, comprising: a detection mechanism having an output shaft that moves in a predetermined stroke in conjunction with contact and separation movements; and a summing unit that counts the number of repetitions of the predetermined stroke of the output shaft. 2. The detection mechanism has a shaft member which is held by a connector so as to be movable in the axial direction by a predetermined stroke and a part of which serves as the output shaft, and a connector terminal mechanically contacts the other connector terminal. 2. The electric connector according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member is pushed by the other connector having the other connector terminal and moves in the predetermined stroke when performing the operation. 3. The electric connector according to claim 2, wherein the detection mechanism has a shaft member urging means for urging the shaft member toward the other connector. 4. An insulating member provided with a connector holding hole which is a through hole for holding the connector terminal, wherein the shaft member is axially movably held in the connector holding hole. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connector is provided. 5. The counting mechanism, wherein the integrating means has an input mechanism that is movable in the predetermined stroke and a step mechanism that counts and integrates the number of times of the predetermined stroke of the input mechanism, and the input mechanism. And the output shaft are connected,
The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein when the stepping mechanism accumulates a predetermined number of times, it is mechanically locked so that the input mechanism cannot move back and forth.