JP2004335275A - Connector coming-off prevention device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector coming-off prevention device capable of surely preventing the coming-off of a connector in communications with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A lock claw 54 is so formed as to appear and disappear from/into a through-hole 56 formed in a connection part 32 of a female connector 30. When a first pressing plate 58 made of a shape-memory alloy, a base end part of an arm 44 is pressed by a shape restoration operation of the pressing plate 58 and the lock claw 54 is evacuated from the through-hole 56. When a second pressing plate 60 similarly made of a shape-memory alloy is heated, the tip of the arm 44 is pressed by a shape restoration operation of the pressing plate 60 and the lock claw is projected from the through-hole 56. The lock claw 54 projected from the through-hole 56 is fitted to a locking hole 18 formed in the upper part of a connection part 16 of a male connector 10, and thereby the male connector 10 is locked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector retaining device, and more particularly to a connector retaining device that connects and transmits electronic devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
USB is one of the serial interface standards for personal computers. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the USB connector (A connector). As shown in the figure, the connecting portion 2 of the USB male connector 1 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and a pair of locking holes 3 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof. On the other hand, the connection part 5 of the female connector 4 is formed in a rectangular tube shape into which the connection part 2 of the male connector 1 can be fitted, and a pair of leaf spring parts 6 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof. . The leaf spring portion 6 is formed so as to protrude inside the connection portion 5, and a claw portion 6 </ b> A is formed at the tip thereof. When the connecting portion 2 of the male connector 1 is inserted into the female connector 4, the claw portion 6A is fitted into the locking hole 3 formed in the male connector 1, thereby preventing the male connector 1 from coming off. . Further, the left and right surfaces of the connecting portion 5 of the female connector 4 are formed with leaf spring portions 7 projecting inward, and the male connector 1 inserted into the female connector 3 is connected to the left and right leaf spring portions 5. Is sandwiched from both sides.
[0003]
By the way, as above-mentioned, since the USB connector is only the male connector 1 clamped with the urging | biasing force of a leaf | plate spring with respect to the female connector 4, the male connector 1 can be easily extracted from the female connector 4. FIG. For this reason, there is a possibility that it may be accidentally pulled out during data communication.
[0004]
Therefore, in Cited Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-209460), a retaining member for holding the USB cable connected to the USB connector between the side surface of the USB connector is attached to and detached from the side portion of the USB connector mounting opening. The USB connector is prevented from coming off by attaching it freely.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-209460 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the retaining device disclosed in the cited document 1 is configured to be difficult to be pulled out by pulling a cable. However, if the retaining member is removed, the connector can be easily pulled out, so that the user mistakenly pulls it out during data communication. It is not possible to deal with the situation that it ends.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector retaining device that can reliably prevent disconnection of a connector during communication with a simple configuration.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a connector retaining device for retaining a male connector inserted into a female connector provided in a device, wherein a hole formed in an outer peripheral surface of the male connector. And a recess formed in a hole formed in the inner peripheral surface of the female connector and protruding from the hole so as to fit into the hole or recess of the male connector inserted into the female connector. A connector retaining device comprising: a lock member that prevents the male connector from being pulled out; and a drive unit that causes the lock member to protrude from the hole.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the hole is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the female connector, and the lock member is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the hole. When inserting a male connector, it inserts in the state which retracted the lock member in the hole, and makes a lock member protrude from a hole after insertion. The lock member protruding from the hole fits into a hole or recess formed in the outer peripheral surface of the male connector, thereby preventing the male connector from coming off.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 includes a control means for controlling the driving means, and the control means starts communication between the male connector and the female connector. 2. The connector retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the driving member is controlled to retract the locking member into the hole when the locking member protrudes from the hole and communication is terminated. I will provide a.
[0011]
According to the present invention, the drive means for causing the lock member to protrude from the hole is controlled by the control means. When communication is started, the control means drives the drive means to cause the lock member to protrude from the hole, and when communication is completed, the control means retracts the lock member into the hole. As a result, the male connector cannot be removed during communication, and communication can be performed safely.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the lock member is provided at a distal end portion of an arm supported so as to be swingable, and the arm can swing out of the hole by swinging the arm. The drive means is extended by heating, presses the base end of the arm, and swings the arm so as to retract the lock member from the hole. A pressing member and a second pressing member made of a shape memory alloy that extends by heating, presses the tip of the arm, and swings the arm so that the locking member protrudes from the hole. A connector retaining device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.
[0013]
According to the present invention, the lock member is provided at the tip of the arm supported so as to be swingable, and is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the hole by swinging the arm. The arm swings by alternately heating the first pressing member and the second pressing member made of a shape memory alloy, so that the lock member can be projected and retracted from the hole with a simple configuration.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a connector retaining device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and a side sectional view of a USB connector (A connector) in which a connector retaining device according to the present invention is incorporated, respectively.
[0016]
As shown in the figure, the configuration of the male connector 10 is not different from the conventional one. That is, the male connector 10 includes a male connector main body 14 to which a cable 12 is connected, and a connection portion 16 provided at the distal end portion of the male connector main body 14. The connecting portion 16 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, and a pair of locking holes 18 and 20 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The locking holes 18 and 20 are formed in a rectangular shape and penetrate the surface of the connecting portion 16. Further, a base plate 22 is disposed inside the connecting portion 16, and four terminals 24 are arranged in parallel on the base plate 22.
[0017]
On the other hand, the female connector 30 is incorporated in an electronic device main body 26 such as a personal computer or a digital camera. The connection portion 32 of the female connector 30 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape from a metal such as aluminum.
[0018]
A base plate 34 is disposed inside the connection portion 32, and four terminals 36 are disposed in parallel on the base play 34. The terminal 36 is formed in a thin plate shape, and its tip is bent into an arc shape.
[0019]
The male connector 10 is connected to the female connector 30 by inserting the connecting portion 16 into the connecting portion 32 of the female connector 30. When the connecting portion 16 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the connecting portion 32 of the female connector 30, The base plate 34 of the female connector 30 is inserted inside the connection portion 16 of the male connector 10. Then, the terminal 36 provided on the base plate 34 is pressed and brought into contact with the terminal 24 provided on the male connector 10 so that the male connector 10 and the female connector 30 are electrically connected.
[0020]
The connection portion 32 of the female connector 30 is provided with horizontal leaf spring portions 38 on both the left and right sides. The horizontal leaf spring portion 38 is formed by notching both the left and right sides of the connection portion 32 in a trapezoidal shape, and is formed so as to protrude inside the connection portion 32. When the connecting portion 16 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the connecting portion 32 of the female connector 30, the pair of horizontal leaf spring portions 38 sandwich the connecting portion 16 of the male connector 10 from both the left and right sides. Thereby, the male connector 10 inserted into the female connector 30 is temporarily fixed to the female connector 30.
[0021]
In addition, a pair of lower leaf spring portions 40 are provided on the lower surface of the connection portion 32 of the female connector 30. The pair of lower leaf spring portions 40 is formed by notching the lower surface of the connection portion 32 in a trapezoidal shape, and a claw portion 40A is bent at the tip thereof. When the connection portion 16 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the connection portion 32 of the female connector 30, the claw portions 40 </ b> A are fitted into the pair of locking holes 20 formed on the lower surface of the connection portion of the male connector 10. Thereby, the male connector 10 inserted into the female connector 30 is temporarily fixed to the female connector 30.
[0022]
As described above, the male connector 10 inserted into the female connector 30 is temporarily fixed to the female connector 30 by the action of the horizontal leaf spring portion 38 and the lower leaf spring portion 40 formed in the female connector 30. The male connector 10 temporarily fixed to the female connector 30 in this way is locked by a retaining device 42 provided on the upper portion of the female connector 30, and is prevented from coming off from the female connector 30.
[0023]
The retaining device 42 includes a pair of arms 44 that are swingably supported, a drive unit 46 that swings the arms 44, and a control unit 48 that controls the drive unit 46.
[0024]
The pair of arms 44 are disposed at the same interval as the pair of locking holes 18 formed on the upper surface of the connection portion of the male connector 10. A mounting hole 44A is formed at the center of the arm 44, and a support shaft 50 is inserted through the mounting hole 44A. The pair of arms 44 are fixed to the support shaft 50. The support shaft 50 is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 52 disposed on the upper surface of the female connector 30, whereby the arm 44 swings around the support shaft 50.
[0025]
At the tip of the arm 44, a lock claw 54 formed in an arc shape projects downward.
[0026]
Here, a pair of through holes 56 are formed on the upper surface of the connection portion 32 of the female connector 30 at the same interval as the pair of locking holes 18 formed on the upper surface of the connection portion 16 of the male connector 10. When 44 swings, the lock claw 54 appears and disappears from the through hole 56. Then, by causing the lock claw 54 to protrude from the through hole 56 in a state where the connection portion 16 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the connection portion 32 of the female connector 30, the lock claw 54 is connected to the male connector 10 as shown in FIG. Are fitted into a pair of locking holes 18 formed on the upper surface of the connecting portion 16. Thereby, the male connector 10 inserted in the female connector 30 is locked.
[0027]
The drive unit 46 includes a pair of pressing plates 58 and 60 and a heating unit 62 that individually heats the pair of pressing plates 58 and 60.
[0028]
The pressing plates 58 and 60 are formed by bending a shape memory alloy flat plate formed in a rectangular shape with substantially the same width as the arm 44 into a dogleg shape. The pair of pressing plates 58, 60 are arranged symmetrically about the support shaft 50, and the upper pieces 58A, 60A are attached to the lower part of the heating unit 62 so as to be horizontal. The lower pieces 58B and 60B are in contact with the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the arm 44, respectively.
[0029]
The shape memory alloy is an alloy that returns to its original shape when heated even when deformed at room temperature. When the pressing plates 58 and 60 are heated, the lower pieces 58B and 60B are 30 degrees with respect to the upper pieces 58A and 60A, respectively. It is formed to be bent to some extent.
[0030]
Here, under a normal temperature environment, the lower piece 58B of the first pressing plate 58 provided on the base end side of the arm 44 is bent to be parallel to the upper piece 58A and provided on the tip end side of the arm 44. When the lower piece 60B of the second pressing plate 60 is bent and parallel to the upper piece 60A, the arm 44 is not pressed and is supported in a swingable manner.
[0031]
When the first pressing plate 58 provided on the base end side of the arm 44 is heated from this state, the lower piece 58B of the first pressing plate 58 tries to return to its original shape as shown in FIG. It extends downward (between the lower piece 58B and the upper piece 58A), and presses the base end portion of the arm 44 downward. As a result, the lock claw 54 provided at the tip of the arm 44 is retracted into the through hole 56.
[0032]
Further, when the second pressing plate 60 provided on the distal end side of the arm 44 is heated from the state in which the base end portion of the arm 44 is pressed by the first pressing plate 58, as shown in FIG. The lower piece 60B of the pressing plate 60 extends downward (opens between the lower piece 60B and the upper piece 60A) so as to return to the original shape, and presses the tip of the arm 44 downward. As a result, the lock claw 54 protrudes from the through hole 56.
[0033]
When the second pressing plate 60 is heated to press the distal end portion of the arm 44, the first pressing plate 58 provided on the base end side of the arm 44 is the original of the second pressing plate 60. It is pushed and bent by the force to return to the shape of
[0034]
Similarly, when the first pressing plate 58 is heated to press the proximal end portion of the arm 44, the second pressing plate 60 provided on the distal end side of the arm 44 is the original of the first pressing plate 58. It is pushed and bent by the force to return to the shape of
[0035]
Thus, the arm 44 can be swung by selectively heating the first pressing plate 58 and the second pressing plate 60. Then, by swinging the arm 44, the lock claw 54 appears and disappears from the through hole 56.
[0036]
The heating unit 62 that individually heats the first pressing plate 58 and the second pressing plate 60 is attached above the connection portion of the female connector 30 via a bracket (not shown). The heating unit 62 individually heats the pressing plates 58 and 60 by flowing currents individually to the first pressing plate 58 and the second pressing plate 60. The control unit 48 controls the heating unit 62 based on the communication state, controls heating to the pressing plates 58 and 60, and controls locking / unlocking of the male connector 10.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for locking / unlocking the male connector 10.
[0038]
First, the connecting portion 16 of the male connector 10 is inserted into the connecting portion 32 of the female connector 30 with the lock claw 54 retracted in the through hole 56 (step S10). Thereby, the terminal 24 of the male connector 10 and the terminal 36 of the female connector 30 contact each other, and the male connector 10 and the female connector 30 are electrically connected.
[0039]
When the male connector 10 is connected to the female connector 30, it is determined whether the power of the electronic device provided with the female connector 30 is ON / OFF (step S12). Here, since communication cannot be performed when the power of the electronic device is OFF, the male connector 10 is maintained in a state where it can be freely inserted and removed (the state where the lock claw 54 is retracted into the through hole 56 is maintained). .)
[0040]
On the other hand, since the communication is started when the power of the electronic device is ON, the control unit 48 outputs a drive signal to the heating unit 62 simultaneously with the start of the communication and is provided on the distal end side of the arm 44. The second pressing plate 60 is heated (step S16).
[0041]
When the second pressing plate 60 is heated, the distal end portion of the arm 44 is pressed by a force with which the second pressing plate 60 attempts to restore the original shape. As a result, the lock claw 54 provided at the distal end portion of the arm 44 protrudes from the through hole 56 and fits into the locking hole 18 provided on the upper surface of the connection portion of the male connector 10. Thereby, the male connector 10 is locked so that it cannot be removed (step S18).
[0042]
During communication, the male connector 10 is always locked. When the communication is completed (step S20) and the connection release on the software is confirmed (step S22), the control unit 48 outputs a drive signal to the heating unit 62 and is provided on the proximal end side of the arm 44. The first pressing plate 58 is heated (step S24).
[0043]
When the first pressing plate 58 is heated, the base end portion of the arm 44 is pressed with a force that the first pressing plate 58 tries to restore the original shape. As a result, the lock claw 54 provided at the distal end portion of the arm 44 is retracted into the through hole 56, and the lock claw 54 comes out from the locking hole 18 provided in the upper surface of the connection portion of the male connector 10. Thereby, the lock | rock of the male connector 10 is cancelled | released (step S26), and extraction of the male connector 10 is attained (step S28).
[0044]
Thus, according to the USB connector of the present embodiment, the lock claw 54 provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the inner peripheral portion of the female connector 30 is fitted into the locking hole 18 provided in the male connector 10, The male connector 10 is locked. Since locking of the male connector 10 is performed in conjunction with communication, the male connector 10 is not accidentally pulled out during communication, and communication using a USB cable can be performed safely.
[0045]
In addition, by using the shape memory alloy press plates 58 and 60 for the mechanism for projecting and retracting the lock claw 54 from the inner peripheral portion of the female connector 30, the mechanism becomes simpler than the configuration using a motor or the like. A compact configuration can be achieved. Thereby, it becomes possible to install even in a place where the installation space is very narrow.
[0046]
Further, as in the present embodiment, the base end portion and the distal end portion of the arm 44 supported so as to be swingable are pressed by the pair of pressing plates 58 and 60, and the lock claw 54 is moved to the inner periphery of the female connector 30. By allowing the pressing plates 58 and 60 to heat up and down from the part, the heating time of the pressing plates 58 and 60 is only required when the male connector 10 is locked and unlocked, and an energy saving configuration can be achieved.
[0047]
In this embodiment, after the connection on the software is released, the lock of the male connector 10 is released. However, the lock of the male connector 10 may be released together with the end of communication. . That is, the male connector 10 may be locked in conjunction with communication, and the male connector 10 may be locked only while communication is being performed.
[0048]
Further, a switch for selecting locking / unlocking of the male connector 10 may be provided in the electronic device body, and the locking / unlocking of the male connector 10 may be performed based on the input of this switch.
[0049]
Further, in the present embodiment, the lock claw 54 is caused to appear and disappear from the inner peripheral portion of the female connector 30 using a shape memory alloy, but the mechanism for causing the lock claw 54 to appear and disappear is not limited to this. Absent. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a configuration using an electromagnet may be used. In this mechanism, a lock pin 72 supported slidably through a bush 70 is projected and retracted from the through hole 56 by an electromagnet 74. When the current of the electromagnet 74 is turned on, the lock pin 72 is provided at the upper end of the lock pin 72. The permanent magnet 76 is magnetically attached to the electromagnet 74, and the lock pin 72 is retracted into the through hole 56. When the current of the electromagnet 74 is turned off, the magnetic adhesion force is released, and the lock pin 72 protrudes from the through hole 56 and fits into the locking hole 18 of the male connector 10.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to a USB connector has been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this.
[0051]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the present invention can be similarly applied to a connector for connecting an audio cable such as headphones. Since the male connector 80 of this type of connector has a constricted portion (recessed portion) 82 at the tip portion, the constricted portion 82 is provided with a lock that can be protruded and retracted from a through hole 86 formed in the inner peripheral portion of the female connector 84. The claw 88 is fitted to prevent the male connector 80 from coming off. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the lock claw 88 has a U-shaped recess 88 </ b> A formed at the tip, and when the lock claw 88 protrudes from the through hole 86, the recess 88 </ b> A fits into the neck portion 82 of the male connector 80. And lock so that it cannot be pulled out.
[0052]
Thus, the present invention can be applied to any connector having a hole or a recess on the male connector side. Moreover, even if it is a connector of a structure which has a hole part or a recessed part in the male connector side, if there is no problem in use, this invention can be applied by forming a hole part or a recessed part in the male connector side. .
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the male connector is provided by fitting the lock member provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the inner peripheral surface of the female connector into the hole or recess formed in the outer peripheral surface of the male connector. Prevent omissions. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the male connector from coming off. Further, by controlling the lock member to move in and out in conjunction with communication, it is possible to prevent disconnection during communication and use it safely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a USB connector incorporating a connector retaining device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a USB connector incorporating a connector retaining device according to the present invention (when unlocked).
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a USB connector incorporating a connector retaining device according to the present invention (when locked);
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for locking / unlocking the male connector. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the connector retaining device. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the connector retaining device. Side sectional view [Fig. 7] Fig. 7-7 sectional view of Fig. 6. [Fig. 8] Perspective view showing the configuration of the USB connector.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Male connector, 12 ... Cable, 14 ... Male connector main body, 16 ... Connection part, 18 ... Locking hole, 20 ... Locking hole, 22 ... Base plate, 24 ... Terminal, 30 ... Female connector, 32 ... Connection part, 34 ... Base plate, 36 ... Terminal, 38 ... Horizontal leaf spring part, 40 ... Lower leaf spring part, 40A ... Claw part, 42 ... Stop device, 44 ... Arm, 44A ... Mounting hole, 46 ... Drive part, 48 ... Control part 50 ... support shaft, 52 ... bearing, 54 ... lock claw, 56 ... through hole, 58 ... pressing plate, 58A ... upper piece, 58B ... lower piece, 60 ... pressing plate, 60A ... upper piece, 60B ... lower piece, 62 ... Heating unit, 70 ... Bush, 72 ... Lock pin, 74 ... Electromagnet, 76 ... Permanent magnet, 80 ... Male connector, 82 ... Constricted part (recess), 84 ... Female connector, 86 ... Through hole, 88 ... Lock claw , 88A ... concave portion

Claims (3)

In the connector retaining device for retaining the male connector inserted in the female connector provided in the device,
A hole or a recess formed in the outer peripheral surface of the male connector;
It is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from a hole formed in the inner peripheral surface of the female connector, and is fitted into the hole or recess of the male connector inserted into the female connector by protruding from the hole. A locking member that prevents the male connector from coming off;
Drive means for causing the lock member to protrude from the hole;
A connector retaining device characterized by comprising: When the communication is started between the male connector and the female connector, the control means causes the lock member to protrude from the hole and the communication is terminated. 2. The connector retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means is controlled to retract the lock member into the hole. The lock member is provided at a tip portion of an arm that is swingably supported, and is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the hole by swinging the arm.
The driving means is extended by heating, presses the base end of the arm, and a first pressing member made of a shape memory alloy that swings the arm so as to retract the locking member from the hole; A second pressing member made of a shape memory alloy that extends by heating, presses the tip of the arm, and swings the arm so that the locking member protrudes from the hole;
The connector retaining device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:

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