JP2009054510A - Coupling connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling connector that has simpler configuration and is more user-friendly than a conventional one, the coupling connector preventing the end breakage of a cable, protecting plug portions at the front ends of connectors with a cap, and eliminating the possibility of losing the cap. <P>SOLUTION: The coupling connector 1 comprises: the cable 2; first and second connectors 3, 4 connected to one end and the other end of the cable 2, respectively; and a case 5 connecting the first and second connectors 3, 4 together and covering the periphery of the cable 2. The case 5 is formed of an elastic synthetic resin into a stick shape. The case 5 has a connector cover assembly portion 6 on which a connector cover 21 is assembled covering the plug portions 3a, 4a at the front ends of the first and second connectors 3, 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection connector used when connecting a USB terminal of an electronic device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) to an information terminal device such as a music player.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a USB connector 102 is connected to one end of a cable 106 as a connection connector 105 for connecting a USB terminal 102 of an electronic device 101 such as a PC and a terminal 104 of an information terminal device 103 such as a music player. And the other end of the cable 106 provided with a connector 108 for connecting an information terminal device is widely used.

  However, in the connection connector 105, since the cable 106 is formed to have a length of several tens of centimeters, the cable 106 is too long to be an obstacle when used in a narrow place. In the connection connector 105, since the cable 106 is exposed, the cable 106 is connected at the boundary between the cable 106, the USB connection connector 107, and the information terminal device connection connector 108. Disconnection is likely to occur.

  In order to prevent disconnection of the cable 106, a method of covering the boundary portion with a rubber bush 109 for protecting the cable is also employed, but even when the rubber bush 109 is used, the boundary between the rubber bush 109 and the cable 106 is also used. In the portion 110, the cable 106 is disconnected.

Therefore, in order to facilitate the cable 106 and to prevent the cable 106 from being disconnected, the USB connector 107 and the information terminal device connector 108 are respectively housed in a hard case. Conversion adapters (hereinafter referred to as “connecting connectors”) that are foldably connected by connecting means have been developed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-319745 A

By the way, the connection connector of Patent Document 1 has the following problems. (1) The connector 107 for USB connection and the connector 108 for information terminal equipment connection are each housed in a hard case, and these hard cases are connected so as to be bendable by connecting means. Therefore, the manufacturing process becomes complicated and the cost increases.
(2) Since the plug portion at the tip of the connector 107 for connecting USB and the connector 108 for connecting information terminal device is exposed, the plug portion is easily damaged and dust or the like is easily attached.
Although it is conceivable to protect the plug portion by covering it with a cap, since the cap is configured as a separate component from the connection connector, the cap is often lost.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use connection connector that can prevent disconnection of the end portion of the cable with a simpler structure than the conventional connection connector and that is convenient for carrying. is there.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a connecting connector that protects the plug portion at the tip of the connector with a cap and can reduce the possibility of loss of the cap as much as possible.

  The present invention includes a cable, a first connector connected to one end of the cable, a second connector connected to the other end of the cable, and the periphery of the cable and the first and second connectors. The case is formed in a stick shape with a synthetic resin having elasticity.

  In the present invention, the case is provided with a connector cover assembling portion for assembling a connector cover provided with a connector cap that covers the plug portion at the tip of the first and second connectors, and the connector cover assembling portion is provided with a connector. The cover is detachably assembled.

  The connection connector of the present invention is convenient for carrying because the case covering the periphery of the cable and the first and second connectors is formed in a stick shape with an elastic synthetic resin. In addition, since the connector can be inserted into an electronic device or the like while the case is appropriately curved, the connector can be used even in a narrow place and the like, which is easy to use.

  In the connecting connector of the present invention, the connector cap provided on the connector cover is lost by integrally coupling the case and the connector cover by fitting the groove provided on the case with the protrusion provided on the connector cover. To prevent.

  1 is a perspective view of the connection connector, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connection connector turned upside down, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 4 is a front view of the connection connector viewed from the front end surface side, and FIG. It is the front view seen from the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connecting connector 1 includes a cable 2, a first connector 3 connected to one end of the cable 2, and a second connector connected to the other end of the cable 2. A connector 4 and a case 5 that connects the first and second connectors 3 and 4 and covers and protects the periphery of the cable 2 are provided.

  The case 5 is formed in a stick shape from a synthetic resin having elasticity. The first connector 3 is configured as a USB connector, and the second connector 4 is configured as a connector for music information terminal equipment. (Hereinafter, the first connector 3 is referred to as a USB connector, and the second connector 4 is referred to as a terminal connector).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the case 5 includes a front and back surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) 5a and 5b, left and right side surfaces 5c and 5d, and front and rear end surfaces 5e and 5f. It is formed in a shape.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the front end surface 5e is formed to have a width larger than the width of the USB connector 3 and larger than the thickness of the USB connector 3. The peripheral surface of the connector 3 excluding the plug portions 3a and 4a and the cable 2 are covered.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rear end surface 5 f is formed to have a width larger than the width of the terminal connector 4 and larger than the thickness of the terminal connector 4. The peripheral surface excluding the plug portion 4a of the connector 4 and the cable 2 are covered.

  The front and rear end surfaces 5e and 5f of the case 5 and the cross sections along the front and rear end surfaces 5e and 5f are formed into rectangles having substantially the same size. That is, the case 5 is formed to have the same thickness over the entire length direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2 with the case 5 turned upside down, a connector cover assembly portion 6 for assembling a connector cover, which will be described later, is provided at the center of the back surface 5b of the case 5. The connector cover assembly 6 is formed by arranging two arc-shaped grooves 7 and 8 on the same circumference.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the case 5 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the inside of the SUS case (stainless steel case) 11 of the terminal connector 4 is heat-resistant reinforced with a protective material 12 of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), so that the heat of the case during the subsequent case molding Prevent melting.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the fixing portion 13 is molded with TPE (polyethylene), and the USB connector 3 and the cable 2 are fixed. Then, heat melting of the case during subsequent case molding is prevented.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, an ABS material case 14 is adhered to the outside of the SUS case 11 of the terminal connector 4 by ultrasonic waves or the like.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6D, the case 15 of the USB connector 3 is formed of PVC material.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6E, the ABS material case 14 and the cable 2 of the terminal connector 4 and the USB connector 3 case 15 and the cable 2 are formed of the same material as the case 5 to be formed next. By fixing with the protective portion 16, the cable 2 is prevented from shaking due to the pressure when the molten resin is injected when the case 5 is injection-molded, and the so-called sink after the case 5 is molded is suppressed. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6F, the case 5 is formed so as to cover the peripheral surfaces of the ABS material case 14 of the terminal connector 4 and the case 15 of the USB connector 3. The case 5 is formed of a synthetic resin rich in elasticity, such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer), TPE (thermoplastic polyethylene elastomer) or TPV (thermoplastic olefin elastomer) having a hardness of 60 ° or more.

  When the case 5 is molded, as shown in FIG. 2, arc-shaped grooves 7 and 8 constituting the connector cover assembly 6 are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the connector cover 21 includes first and second connector caps 22 and 23 covering the plug portions 3a and 4a at the tips of the first and second connectors 3 and 4, and the first and second connector caps 22 and 23, respectively. A connection band 24 that connects the second connector caps 22 and 23, and an assembly portion 25 that detachably attaches the connection band 24 to the connector cover assembly portion 6. The to-be-assembled portion 25 is constituted by arc-shaped protrusions 26 and 27 that are press-fitted into the arc-shaped grooves 7 and 8 of the connector cover assembly portion 6.

  The first and second connector caps 22 and 23 include a lower surface covering portion 31 that covers the lower surface side of the plug portions 3a and 4a at the tips of the connectors 3 and 4, and the left and right side surfaces of the plug portions 3a and 4a. Left and right side cover portions 32, 33 covering the top surface side of the plug portions 3a, 4a, and a top surface cover portion 35 covering the top surface side of the plug portions 3a, 4a. I have.

  The upper surface cover portion 35 includes a connector introduction window portion 36 for introducing the plug portions 3a, 4a at the distal ends of the connectors 3, 4 into the connector caps 22, 23 from the upper surface side of the upper surface cover portion 35. Yes. The first and second connector caps 22 and 23 are connected to each other at their lower surface covering portions 31 by a connecting band 24. The connector cover 21 is integrally formed of a flexible material such as silicon rubber.

  The connector cover 21 is formed by press-fitting arc-shaped protrusions 26 and 27 into arc-shaped grooves 7 and 8 provided on the back surface 5b of the case 5, as shown in FIG. It is assembled in a state where it is overlapped.

  Then, when the plug portions 3a, 4a at the tips of the connectors 3, 4 are pressed toward the first and second connector caps 22, 23, the connector introduction window 36 is expanded, as shown in FIG. As described above, the plug portions 3a, 4a are introduced into the first and second connector caps 22, 23, and the plug portions 3a, 4a are covered with the first and second connector caps 22, 23. In this state, the plug portions 3a, 4a are protected by the first and second connector caps 22, 23.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the connector cover assembling part 6 is constituted by arc-shaped grooves 7 and 8, and the assembling part 25 is constituted by arc-shaped protrusions 26 and 27. When the connector cover 21 is assembled to the back surface 5b of the case 5, the first and second connector caps 22 and 23 are naturally positioned at the plug portions 3a and 4a as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the connector cover assembly portion 6 is configured by an annular groove 9 so that the connector cover 21 is rotatably assembled to the case 5 as shown in FIG. 15. May be. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, the cross-sectional shape of the case 5 may be elliptical. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the surface 5a of the case 5 is formed into a curved surface that gradually becomes thinner from the front and rear end surfaces toward the central portion in the longitudinal direction, so that the case 5 can be easily bent at the central portion. It may be configured. Although FIG. 17 shows the case where the front surface 5a side of the case 5 is curved, the rear surface 5b side may be similarly curved. Moreover, in the said Example, although the groove | channel was formed in the case 5 as the connector cover assembly | attachment part 6, and the protrusion which press-fits in the said groove | channel was formed in the connector cover 21 as the to-be-attached part 25, this is shown. Conversely, a protrusion may be formed on the case 5 and a groove may be formed on the connector cover 21. Further, the number of grooves is not limited to one or two in the embodiment, and may be three or more. Further, the shape of the groove is not limited to an arc shape or an annular shape.

  Since the connecting connector 1 of the present invention has the case 5 formed in a stick shape, it is convenient to carry it in a pocket P of clothes as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, by curving the case 5, it becomes convenient for use in a narrow place.

The perspective view of a connection connector. The perspective view which turned the connection connector upside down. FIG. The front view which looked at the connection connector from the front end surface side. The front view which looked at the connection connector from the rear-end surface side. AF is explanatory drawing which shows the formation process of a case. The perspective view of the state before attaching the connection band of a connector cap to a connection connector. The perspective view of the state after attaching the connection band of a connector cap to a connection connector. The perspective view of the state which covered the connector cap on the 1st, 2nd connector. AA sectional drawing of FIG. BB sectional drawing of FIG. CC sectional drawing of FIG. DD sectional drawing of FIG. EE sectional drawing of FIG. The perspective view of the other Example of the connector cover assembly | attachment part provided in the case. Explanatory drawing which shows the case where the cross-sectional shape of a case is formed in the ellipse. The perspective view which shows the case where the surface of a case is formed in a curved surface. Explanatory drawing which shows a use condition. Explanatory drawing which shows a use condition. Explanatory drawing of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connection connector, 2 ... Cable, 3 ... 1st connector, 3a ... Plug part, 4 ... 2nd connector, 4a ... Plug part, 5 ... Case, 5a, 5b ... Front and back of case, 5c, 5d ... Left, right side of the case, 5e, 5f ... Front and rear end faces, 6 ... Connector cover assembly, 7,8 ... Arc-shaped groove, 21 ... Connector cover, 22,23 ... First and second connector caps, 24 ... Connecting band, 25 ... Assembled portion, 26,27 ... Arc-shaped projection, 31 ... Lower surface covering portion, 32,33 ... Side surface covering portion, 34 ... End surface covering portion, 35 ... Upper surface covering portion, 36 ... Window for connector introduction.

Claims (11)

The cable, the first connector connected to one end of the cable, the second connector connected to the other end of the cable, and the cable and the first and second connectors are covered. A case, and
The connection connector is characterized in that the case is formed in a stick shape from a synthetic resin having elasticity. The above case is formed in a cylindrical shape with a flat cross section consisting of a front surface, a back surface, a left side, a right side surface, and front and rear end surfaces.
The front end surface is formed with a width greater than the width of the first connector and a thickness greater than the thickness of the first connector;
The connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the rear end surface is formed to have a width larger than a width of the second connector and a thickness larger than a thickness of the second connector.   The connection connector according to claim 2, wherein a cross-sectional shape along the front and rear end faces of the case is formed in a rectangular shape having substantially the same size.   The connection connector according to claim 2, wherein a cross-sectional shape along the front and rear end surfaces of the case is formed in an elliptical shape having substantially the same size.   The case is characterized in that both the front and back surfaces or either one of the front and back surfaces are formed in a curved surface so as to gradually become thinner from the front and rear end surfaces toward the central portion in the longitudinal direction. The connection connector according to 1.   2. The connection connector according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a connector cover assembling portion for assembling a connector cover that covers the plug portions at the distal ends of the first and second connectors.   The connecting connector according to claim 6, wherein the connector cover assembly portion is configured by an arc-shaped groove.   The connecting connector according to claim 6, wherein the connector cover assembly portion is configured by an annular groove.   The connector cover to be assembled to the connector cover assembling part connects the first and second connector caps to cover the plug parts at the tips of the first and second connectors, and the first and second connector caps. The connecting connector according to claim 6, further comprising: a connecting band that is provided on the connecting band and is fitted to a connector cover attaching portion of the case. .   The connecting connector according to claim 9, wherein the assembled part is configured by an arc-shaped protrusion. The first and second connector caps include a lower surface covering portion that covers the lower surface side of the distal end portion of the connector, a left and right surface covering portion that covers the left and right side surfaces of the distal end portion of the connector, and the connector A tip surface cover portion covering the tip surface side of the tip portion, and an upper surface cover portion covering the upper surface side of the tip portion of the connector,
The connecting connector according to claim 9, wherein the upper surface covering portion includes a connector introducing window portion for introducing the connector into the connector cap from the upper surface side of the upper surface covering portion.

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