JP2007149499A - Connector, plug, and jack - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector which can prevent a jack from dropping out of a plug even excessive much tension etc. is applied. <P>SOLUTION: The connector 2 comprises the plug 3 having an approximately round bar of an electrode 10, and the jack 4 which holds the plug 3 so that it can be freely inserted in or pulled out. The electrode 10 has two electrodes of a sleeve 12 and a tip 13. The jack 4 is equipped with a leaf spring 21 for the chip, and the tip of the leaf spring 21 is pressed to the tip 13 to conduct electricity with the tip 13 when the plug 3 is inserted into the jack 4. The jack 4 holds tiltingly the inserted plug 3 with the pressing force of the leaf spring 21. At that time, a step 12c formed in the outer side surface of the plug 3 engages with a step 20c formed in the inner side surface of the jack 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector comprising a plug having a substantially round bar-like electrode part and a jack in which an insertion hole for holding the electrode part in a freely insertable / removable manner is formed.

When connecting each device via a cable, such as connecting an earphone to a portable audio player or connecting an electronic musical instrument such as an electric guitar to an amplifier, a phone plug having a substantially round bar electrode ( A connector (for example, see Patent Document 1) including a single-head plug) and a jack that holds the phone plug so as to be freely inserted and removed is generally widely used. In such a connector, the cable and the electronic device are usually mechanically and electrically connected by inserting a phone plug attached to the tip of the cable into a jack attached so as to be embedded in the electronic device. The
Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-27862

  In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the phone plug is provided with a frustoconical tapered surface whose diameter increases toward the tip side, and an elastic member provided on the jack is pressed against the taper surface so that the phone plug can be removed from the jack. Try to prevent. However, if something is caught on the cable and unexpectedly strong tension is applied, it is difficult to hold the phone plug with only the pressing force of the elastic member, and the phone plug may come out of the jack. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector, a plug, and a jack that can prevent the plug from being detached from the jack even when an excessive tension is applied. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the connector of the present invention comprises a plug having a substantially round bar-shaped electrode part and a jack in which an insertion hole for holding the electrode part removably is formed. An elastic member that presses the electrode portion inserted into the insertion hole in one direction is provided, and a protrusion provided on one of the outer surface of the electrode portion and the inner surface of the insertion hole according to the pressing by the elastic member. And a recess provided on the other of the outer surface of the electrode portion and the inner surface of the insertion hole.

  The electrode portion has a first outer diameter portion formed on the distal end side, and a second outer diameter formed on the rear end side of the first outer diameter portion with a smaller outer diameter than the first outer diameter portion. And forming a step formed between the first outer diameter portion and the second outer diameter portion as the convex portion, and the insertion hole has a first step formed on the inlet side of the electrode portion. A first inner diameter portion and a second inner diameter portion formed with an inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter portion on the back side of the first inner diameter portion, and the first inner diameter portion and the second inner diameter portion It is preferable that the step formed between the recesses is the recess.

  Further, the electrode portion is eccentric to the center axis of the electrode portion on the rear end side with respect to the step, and the convex portion and the concave portion are engaged with each other according to the rotation around the central axis. It is preferable to have a circular cam-like disengagement member that switches between the disengaged state and the disengaged state.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the elastic member has conductivity, presses the electrode part in one direction, and obtains conduction with the electrode part.

  The electrode portion includes at least two electrodes, a tip electrode formed at a tip and a sleeve electrode attached to the tip electrode via an insulating member, and the first outer diameter portion and the second electrode The outer diameter portion is preferably formed on the sleeve electrode.

  Further, the insertion hole is formed to penetrate therethrough and the length thereof is shorter than that of the electrode portion. The jack tilts the plug obliquely when the elastic member presses the electrode portion. It is preferable to engage the convex portion and the concave portion.

  A jack having a substantially round bar-shaped electrode portion, and an insertion hole for holding the electrode portion so as to be insertable / removable, and an elastic member for pressing the electrode portion inserted into the insertion hole in one direction. The plug of the present invention connected to a protrusion on the inner surface of the insertion hole or an engaging portion that engages with the recess on the outer surface of the electrode portion in response to pressing by the elastic member. It is provided.

  Further, the jack of the present invention, which has an insertion hole for holding the electrode portion having a substantially round bar shape so as to be freely inserted and removed, is connected to the plug provided with the electrode portion via the insertion hole. An elastic member that presses the inserted electrode portion in one direction is provided, and a convex portion provided on the outer surface of the electrode portion or an engaging portion that engages with the concave portion according to the pressing by the elastic member, It is provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole.

  In the connector of the present invention, when the elastic member provided in the jack presses the electrode part inserted into the insertion hole, a convex part provided on one of the outer side surface of the electrode part and the inner side surface of the insertion hole, The recess provided on the other side is engaged. These engagements cause mechanical engagement against the plug pulling direction, so that it is possible to prevent the plug from coming out of the jack even when an excessive tension is applied via a cable or the like.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage form of a connector 2 to which the present invention is applied. The connector 2 includes a plug 3 attached to the tip of a cable 5 and a jack 4 that holds the plug 3 so as to be freely inserted and removed. The jack 4 is attached to the inside of the electronic device 6, and the insertion hole 4 a is exposed through an opening 6 a formed in the case of the electronic device 6. The connector 2 mechanically and electrically connects the cable 5 and the electronic device 6 by inserting the plug 3 into the insertion hole 4 a of the jack 4.

  For example, other electronic devices, speakers, headphones, a microphone, and the like are attached to the other end of the cable 5 (not shown). The cable 5 connects these devices and the electronic device 6 via the connector 2 and enables transmission and reception of electrical signals between the devices. Note that the other end of the cable 5 may not be directly connected to the device. For example, a plug 3 or the like may be provided at the other end and connected via a connector similarly to the electronic device 6, or a jack 4 or the like may be provided at the other end to function as a relay cable.

  The electronic device 6 may be any device as long as it requires transmission / reception of an electrical signal (for example, an audio signal or a video signal). Examples of the electronic device 6 include a well-known AV device such as a music player and a television, an electronic musical instrument, a personal computer, and a home game machine.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the plug 3. The plug 3 is a so-called bipolar monaural phone plug, and includes an electrode portion 10 formed in a substantially round bar shape and a housing 11 that protects a connection portion between the electrode portion 10 and the cable 5. . The electrode unit 10 includes a sleeve 12 having one end attached to the housing 11 and a tip 13 provided at the other end of the sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 and the tip 13 are formed of a conductive material, and each carries one pole of the plug 3. Further, an insulating member 14 is provided between the sleeve 12 and the chip 13 to prevent conduction between the poles.

  The sleeve 12 has a first outer diameter portion 12a formed on the front end side so as to be in contact with the insulating member 14, and an outer diameter smaller than that of the first outer diameter portion 12a on the rear end side of the first outer diameter portion 12a. The second outer diameter portion 12b is formed, and a tapered step 12c is formed at the connection interface between the outer diameter portions 12a and 12b. Further, a constricted portion 13 a that is recessed into a curved surface is formed on the side surface of the chip 13. When the constricted portion 13 a is inserted into the jack 4, the constricted portion 13 a engages with a terminal on the jack 4 side to prevent the electrode portion 10 from being easily detached from the jack 4.

  Terminals (not shown) for connecting the cables 5 are provided at the end portions of the electrode portions 10 protected by the housing 11 corresponding to the sleeves 12 and the chips 13, respectively. The cable 5 has at least two conducting wires, and a corresponding conducting wire is connected to each terminal. In general, a signal line for transmitting signals from each device is connected to the terminal on the chip 13 side, and a ground line for adjusting the ground level of each device is connected to the terminal on the sleeve 12 side.

  For example, a coaxial cable or a multi-core cable may be used as the cable 5. The types of the cables 5 and the uses (so-called pin assignments) of the conductors connected to the respective terminals may be appropriately determined according to the types and functions of the respective devices to be connected. Moreover, the connection method of each terminal and each conducting wire may be a known method such as soldering, caulking, or screwing.

  The housing 11 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape covers the connection portion between each terminal and each conductive wire, thereby suppressing a load applied to these connection portions and preventing disconnection between each terminal and each conductive wire. Further, the housing 11 functions as a grip when the plug 3 is inserted into and removed from the jack 4 and improves the operability during insertion and removal. The housing 11 may be detachable with respect to the electrode unit 10 or may be removed once it is attached.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the jack 4. The jack 4 includes a jack body 20, a chip leaf spring (elastic member) 21, a sleeve leaf spring 22, and a cap 23. The jack body 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape having an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the first outer diameter portion 12a, and forms the aforementioned insertion hole 4a. Thereby, the jack main body 20 is fitted with the inserted electrode portion 10 and mechanically holds the plug 3.

  The inner surface of the jack body 20 has a first inner diameter portion 20a located on the inlet side with respect to the insertion direction of the plug 3, and a first inner diameter portion located on the inner side of the first inner diameter portion 20a and having a slightly larger inner diameter. Two inner diameter portions 20b are formed. The length of the first inner diameter portion 20a is substantially equal to or slightly longer than the length of the second outer diameter portion 12b. A tapered step 20c is formed at the connection interface between the inner diameter portions 20a and 20b.

  On the other hand, a flange portion 20 d that protrudes in a disk shape is formed on the outer surface of the jack body 20. The flange portion 20d is used, for example, when the jack 4 is attached to the electronic device 6. The jack 4 may be attached to the electronic device 6 by using a known method such as screwing or bonding.

  The tip leaf spring 21 is a contact terminal that contacts the tip 13 of the inserted plug 3 to obtain electrical continuity with the tip 13 and is made of a material having elasticity and conductivity, such as copper or stainless steel. Molded. The leaf spring 21 for chip has an attachment portion (not shown) formed in a ring shape in accordance with the outer diameter of the jack body 20 and is attached to the jack body 20 by inserting this attachment portion from the outlet side. . The tip leaf spring 21 has a first bent portion 21a bent approximately 90 ° and a second bent portion 21b bent substantially U-shaped, and the tip thereof is in the cylinder of the jack body 20. Is invading. Thereby, when the plug 3 is inserted, the tip leaf spring 21 urges the plug 3 in the downward direction in the drawing so as to press the tip, so that the contact state with the tip 13 is maintained. .

  In addition, a bent portion 21 c is formed at the tip of the tip leaf spring 21 that is in contact with the tip 13, and is bent in a generally U shape so as to face the plug 3. The bent portion 21c engages with the constricted portion 13a formed on the chip 13 when contacting the chip 13, thereby preventing the plug 3 from coming off. Further, the leaf spring 21 for chip is provided with a section 21 d for wiring with the electronic device 6. Thereby, the electronic device 6 connected to the slice 21d and the cable 5 connected to the terminal of the electrode unit 10 are electrically connected by contact between the chip 13 and the leaf spring 21 for chip.

  The sleeve leaf spring 22 is a contact terminal configured in substantially the same manner as the tip leaf spring 21, and comes into contact with the sleeve 12 of the inserted plug 3 to obtain conduction with the sleeve 12. The sleeve leaf spring 22 is attached to the tip leaf spring 21 by rotating about 90 °, and presses the contact surface 22a against the sleeve 12 from the side. The positional relationship between the tip leaf spring 21 and the sleeve leaf spring 22 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and may be set arbitrarily within a range where there is no risk of conduction between the two. The sleeve leaf spring 22 is also provided with a section (not shown) and wired with the electronic device 6.

  The cap 23 formed in a substantially ring shape is attached to the jack body 20 from the outlet side, and clamps and fixes the leaf springs 21 and 22 together with the flange portion 20d. The cap 23 may be attached to the jack body 20 by using a known method such as screwing or fitting (claw locking).

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the electrode portion 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 4a until the housing 11 comes into contact with the jack body 20, the tip 13 and the tip leaf spring 21 come into contact with each other, and the sleeve 12 and the sleeve leaf spring 22 are brought into contact with each other. And the two conductors included in the cable 5 are connected to the electronic device 6 respectively.

  The tip leaf spring 21 is elastically deformed when it comes into contact with the tip 13 and presses the tip 13 downward in the figure, and the bent portion 21c is engaged with the constricted portion 13a so that the plug 3 comes out of the jack 4. To prevent. At this time, the first inner diameter portion 20a of the jack body 20 has an inner diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter portion 12a of the sleeve 12, and is excessively large with respect to the second outer diameter portion 12b. As shown in FIG. 4, the plug 3 is tilted and held in response to the pressing of the leaf spring 21.

  In addition, since the length of the first inner diameter portion 20a is adjusted to be substantially equal to the length of the second outer diameter portion 12b, when the plug 3 is tilted, it is formed in the plug 3 in the tilt direction. The step 12c and the step 20c formed on the jack 4 engage with each other, and mechanical engagement against the pulling direction of the plug 3 occurs. That is, the step 12c formed in the plug 3 corresponds to the convex portion described in the claims, and the step 20c formed in the jack 4 corresponds to the concave portion described in the claims.

  Thus, according to the connector 2 of this example, the bent portion 21c and the constricted portion 13a are engaged with each other, and the plug 3 is prevented from being pulled out by the pressing force of the tip leaf spring 21, and the steps 12c and 20c. Since the plug 3 is prevented from being pulled out even by mechanical engagement due to, it is possible to prevent the plug 3 from being pulled out from the jack 4 even when an excessive tension is applied via the cable 5. it can. Further, since no complicated mechanism or structure is required, the invention can be implemented easily and inexpensively.

  The inclination angle D of the plug 3 is preferably about 2 to 3 ° in consideration of operability when the plug 3 is intentionally pulled out. Further, not only the tip leaf spring 21 but also the pressing force of the sleeve leaf spring 22 affects the inclination of the plug 3. At this time, the plug 3 may be inclined obliquely by the resultant force of the pressing force of the leaf springs 21 and 22, or the pressing force of the tip leaf spring 21 may be sufficiently increased with respect to the pressing force of the sleeve leaf spring 22. The size may be increased so as not to be affected by the sleeve leaf spring 22. Of course, the plug 3 may be inclined only by the leaf spring 22 for the sleeve, contrary to the above.

  In the above-described embodiment, each step 12c, 20c is formed as a convex portion and a concave portion. However, the convex portion and the concave portion are not limited to this, and for example, those formed in a protruding shape are convex portions. A recess formed in a groove shape may be used. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the convex part is provided in the plug 3 and the recessed part is provided in the jack 4, when the convex part and the recessed part are protrusion shape or groove shape, on the contrary, the plug 3 A concave portion may be provided on the jack 4 and a convex portion may be provided on the jack 4.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the plug 3 is tilted and held. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plug 3 is pressed so as to move in parallel, and the convex portion and the concave portion are engaged. May be. However, by holding the plug 3 at an angle as in this example, there is a difference between the original pull-out direction of the plug 3 and the direction of the tension transmitted through the cable 5, thereby further enhancing the effect of preventing the disconnection. Can do. In the above-described embodiment, the insertion hole 4a is penetrated. However, when the plug 3 is moved in parallel, the insertion hole may be a bottomed hole.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the plug. The plug 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes an electrode portion 41 formed in a substantially round bar shape and a housing 42 that protects a connection portion between the electrode portion 41 and the cable, like the plug 3 of the above embodiment. Yes. The electrode part 41 includes a chip 45 that bears one pole of the plug 40, a sleeve 46 that bears the other pole of the plug 40, and an insulating member 47 that insulates each of these poles. The chip 45, the insulating member 47, and the housing 42 have the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, and the constricted portion 45a is formed in the chip 45.

  The sleeve 46 is formed in four parts of a first outer diameter portion 50, a second outer diameter portion 51, a third outer diameter portion 52, and a fourth outer diameter portion 53 in order from the insulating member 47 side. The second outer diameter portion 51 has a smaller diameter than the first outer diameter portion 50. In addition, a tapered step 50a is formed at one end of the first outer diameter portion 50, and the first outer diameter portion 50 and the second outer diameter portion 51 are smoothly connected. The third outer diameter portion 52 is formed to have an intermediate diameter between the first outer diameter portion 50 and the second outer diameter portion 51 and is substantially flush with the first outer diameter portion 50 in the downward direction in the drawing. In this way, the second outer diameter portion 51 is connected. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the third outer diameter portion 52 is connected in an eccentric state with respect to the central axis of the first outer diameter portion 50, the second outer diameter portion 51, and the like. In the figure, C1 indicates the center position of the first outer diameter portion 50 and the like, and C2 indicates the center position of the third outer diameter portion 52.

  The fourth outer diameter portion 53 is formed to be substantially the same as the third outer diameter portion 52, and the third outer diameter portion 52 is substantially flush with the first outer diameter portion 50 in the upward direction in the figure. It is connected. That is, the fourth outer diameter portion 53 is eccentric with respect to the first outer diameter portion 50, the second outer diameter portion 51, and the like as shown in FIG. The connection is made with the phase shifted by 180 °. In the figure, C3 indicates the center position of the fourth outer diameter portion 53.

  The housing 42 attached to the fourth outer diameter portion 53 is aligned with the first outer diameter portion 50 and the center axis. As a result, when the plug 40 is rotated with the housing 42 held, the third outer diameter portion 52 and the fourth outer diameter portion 53 rotate in a state of being eccentric from the rotation axis. In addition, after each external shape part 50-53 is shape | molded separately, it may be connected by adhesion | attachment, fitting, etc., and may be integrally shape | molded by metal shaving etc.

  When the plug 40 configured in this manner is inserted into the jack 4 with the third outer diameter portion 52 protruding upward as shown in FIG. 7A, as in the plug 3 of the above embodiment, The bent portion 21c and the constricted portion 45a are engaged, and the steps 20c and 50a are engaged to prevent the plug 40 from coming off. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the housing 42 is grasped and the plug 40 is rotated 180 degrees so that the third outer diameter portion 52 protrudes downward, the third outer diameter portion 52 becomes a jack. While being in contact with the lower side of the inner surface of the main body 20, the fourth outer diameter portion 53 is in contact with the upper side of the inner surface of the jack main body 20 to release the engagement of the steps 20 c and 50 a. That is, the third outer diameter portion 52 and the fourth outer diameter portion 53 constitute the disengagement member described in the claims.

  It is preferable that the pressing force of the tip leaf spring 21 be as strong as possible in view of preventing the plug from coming off. However, in the plug 3 of the above-described embodiment, when the plug 3 is pulled out from the jack 4, the inclination of the plug 3 must be restored against the pressing force of the leaf spring 21 for chip, and the engagement of the steps 12c and 20c must be released. For this reason, if the pressing force of the tip leaf spring 21 is excessively increased, there is a concern that it becomes difficult to pull out the plug 3.

  On the other hand, in the plug 40 of this example, each step 20c, 50a is engaged by making the third outer diameter portion 52 upward, and each step 20c, 50a is made by making the third outer diameter portion 52 downward. Since the engagement can be released, it is possible to achieve both enhancement of the pressing force of the tip leaf spring 21 and ease of removal. At this time, for example, a marking indicating the direction of the third outer diameter portion 52 is provided on the housing 42 so that the direction of the third outer diameter portion 52 can be recognized even when inserted into the jack 4. Is preferred.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a bipolar monophonic plug has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a single-pole plug. Further, an electrode (so-called ring) may be provided between the two, so that the present invention may be applied to a three-pole type stereo phone plug. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a four-pole type plug that can send a video signal, or may be applied to a multi-pole plug.

  In each of the above embodiments, the tip leaf spring 21 is used as the elastic member so as to achieve both pressing of the electrode portion and conduction with the electrode portion. May be performed by different members.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the utilization form of the connector to which this invention is applied. It is a top view which shows the structure of a plug roughly. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a jack roughly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the plug was inserted in the jack. It is a top view which shows the example which provided the engagement cancellation | release member in the plug. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state from which the 3rd outer diameter part and the 4th outer diameter part were eccentric. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which each level | step difference was engaged, and the state by which engagement was cancelled | released.

Explanation of symbols

2 Connector 3, 40 Plug 4 Jack 4a Insertion hole 10, 41 Electrode part 12, 46 Sleeve 12a, 50 First outer diameter part 12b, 51 Second outer diameter part 12c, 50a Step (convex part, engaging part)
13 Chip 20 Jack body 20a First inner diameter portion 20b Second inner diameter portion 20c Step (recess, engagement portion)
21 Leaf spring for tip (elastic member)

Claims (8)

In a connector comprising a plug having a substantially round bar-like electrode part and a jack formed with an insertion hole for holding the electrode part in a freely insertable / removable manner,
The jack is provided with an elastic member that presses the electrode portion inserted in the insertion hole in one direction,
In response to the pressing by the elastic member, the convex portion provided on one of the outer surface of the electrode portion and the inner surface of the insertion hole, and the other of the outer surface of the electrode portion and the inner surface of the insertion hole A connector characterized by engaging with a provided recess. The electrode portion includes a first outer diameter portion formed on the front end side, and a second outer diameter portion formed on the rear end side of the first outer diameter portion with a smaller outer diameter than the first outer diameter portion. And a step formed between the first outer diameter portion and the second outer diameter portion as the convex portion,
The insertion hole includes a first inner diameter portion formed on the inlet side of the electrode portion, and a second inner diameter portion formed on the back side with respect to the first inner diameter portion and having an inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter portion. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a step formed between the first inner diameter portion and the second inner diameter portion is defined as the concave portion.   The electrode part is eccentric to the central axis of the electrode part on the rear end side of the step, and the convex part and the concave part are engaged with each other according to the rotation around the central axis. 3. The connector according to claim 2, further comprising a circular cam-like disengagement member that switches between a disengaged state and a disengaged state.   4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has conductivity, presses the electrode portion in one direction, and obtains conduction with the electrode portion. 5. . The electrode part has at least two electrodes, a tip electrode formed at the tip and a sleeve electrode attached to the tip electrode via an insulating member,
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first outer diameter portion and the second outer diameter portion are formed on the sleeve electrode. The insertion hole is formed through, and the length thereof is shorter than the electrode part,
6. The jack according to claim 1, wherein, when the elastic member presses the electrode portion, the plug is inclined to engage the convex portion and the concave portion. 6. Connector described in. Connected to a jack that has a substantially round bar-shaped electrode part, and is provided with an insertion hole for holding the electrode part so that it can be inserted and removed, and an elastic member that presses the electrode part inserted into the insertion hole in one direction. In the plug to be
A plug characterized in that a protrusion provided on the inner side surface of the insertion hole or an engaging part that engages with the concave portion is provided on the outer side surface of the electrode portion in response to pressing by the elastic member. In the jack that has an insertion hole for holding the electrode portion in a substantially round bar shape so that it can be inserted and removed, and is connected to the plug provided with the electrode portion through the insertion hole,
While providing an elastic member that presses the electrode portion inserted into the insertion hole in one direction,
A jack characterized in that a convex portion provided on the outer surface of the electrode portion or an engaging portion that engages with the concave portion is provided on the inner surface of the insertion hole in response to pressing by the elastic member.

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