JP2010232115A - Electric connecting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connecting tool prevented from being inadvertently pulled off when plugged into a receptacle, and making operation units uniformly abut each other, in a simpler mechanism instead of a mechanical locking method by a falloff prevention member. <P>SOLUTION: The electric connecting tool includes a pair of electric connection terminals 1, 2 plugged into a receptacle, a first terminal support 3 as well as a second terminal support 4 supporting each of the pair of electric connection terminals 1, 2, a supporting mechanism supporting the first and the second terminal support bodies 3, 4 in free rotation from a first position to a second around an axis core X along a direction where the pair of electric connection terminals 1, 2 are arrayed against body covers 6, 7, and a widening mechanism for evenly widening a width between the pair of electric connecting terminals 1, 2, by rotating the first and the second terminal support bodies 3, 4 from the first position to the second. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a pair of electrical connection terminals to be plugged into an outlet, and more particularly to an electrical connector that does not easily come out of the outlet.

  When an electrical connector such as a power plug is connected to the outlet, the power plug may be inadvertently pulled out of the outlet by being caught in the cord.

  When this happens, for example, in the case of electrical equipment with a built-in timer such as TV, video, and audio, the timer setting is canceled due to the power plug being disconnected, and tropical fish In the case of the temperature control equipment of the aquarium, the temperature cannot be controlled, and tropical fish will be killed. In the case of a personal computer, the data in the memory will be lost or the hard disk unit will be damaged. Cause adverse effects.

  Therefore, as a structure for preventing the power plug from being easily removed from the outlet, an electrical connector provided with a drop-off preventing member as disclosed in the following patent document is known. That is, when the electrical connector is inserted into the outlet, it is prevented from coming off by being mechanically locked by the drop-off preventing member.

Japanese Patent No. 3429302 Japanese Patent No. 3359010 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-275651 JP 2006-049233 A

The subject of the present invention is not a mechanical locking method using a drop-off prevention member, and when the “widening operation means” described in “Patent Document 1” of Japanese Patent No. 3429302 is operated. However, only one of the pair of working parts abuts and the width between the terminals of the electrical connection terminal can be widened. However, since the pair of working parts do not evenly abut, The burden on one of the working parts that come into contact is also large, which may cause damage.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector with a simpler mechanism that is less likely to be inadvertently removed when it is inserted into an outlet, and in which an action portion abuts evenly.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electrical connector according to the present invention includes a pair of electrical connection terminals to be inserted into an outlet, a first terminal support body and a second terminal support body that respectively support the pair of electrical connection terminals, The first and second terminal supports are supported relative to the connector main body so as to be relatively rotatable from the first position to the second position around the axis along the direction in which the pair of electrical connection terminals are arranged. By rotating the support mechanism and the first and second terminal supports relative to each other from the first position to the second position, the action portion of the widening action means abuts uniformly, and the pair of electrical connections And a widening mechanism for increasing a width dimension between the terminals.

  The operation and effect of the electrical connector according to this configuration is as follows. First, the pair of electrical connection terminals are configured to be relatively rotatable from the first position to the second position while being supported by the first and second terminal supports, respectively. The rotation axis is along the direction in which the pair of electrical connection terminals are arranged. Then, by rotating each terminal support and the electrical connection terminal from the first position to the second position, the action portion of the widening action means abuts uniformly, and the width dimension between the pair of electrical connection terminals is increased. Can be bigger. Therefore, when the electrical connection terminal is in the first position, the electrical connection tool is inserted into the outlet, and then the electrical connection terminal is rotated to the second position, thereby widening the width between the terminals. After the tip of the electrical connection terminal is inserted into the electrical connection part in the outlet, the width dimension between the terminals increases, so that even if it is attempted to be removed, it cannot be easily removed due to frictional force. As a result, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that is less likely to be inadvertently removed when it is inserted into an outlet by a simpler mechanism than by a mechanical locking method using a drop-off prevention member.

  Further, according to the present invention, a widening means is provided in the electric connector main body between the first and second terminal supports attached to the electric connection terminal, and the first and second terminal supports are rotated. Thus, the acting portion formed on the first and second terminal supports is brought into contact with the acting portion formed on the widening means, and the width dimension between the terminals is increased.

  When the action part formed in the widening action means abuts the acted part formed on each terminal support, the width between the terminals of the electrical connection terminals can be widened. Also, the widening means and each terminal support can be provided in a place where there is a space, unlike the drop-off prevention member in the prior art. Therefore, it is possible to have a margin in terms of design.

  Further, it is preferable that a plurality of widening action means are prepared in which the shape of the action portion is different, and any of the widening action means is provided depending on the application.

  Even when it is difficult to disconnect the electrical connection tool, for example, the degree of difficulty of disconnection required differs between household electrical equipment and a machine installed in a factory. Accordingly, a plurality of widening action means having different shapes of the action portions are prepared, and appropriate widening action means are used according to the application. If the shape of the action part is different, the width dimension between the terminals at the second position also changes. This makes it possible to adjust the degree of difficulty in removal.

  Furthermore, it is more preferable to provide a dust intrusion preventing member for preventing the tracking phenomenon on the first and second terminal supports.

  Thereby, an electrical connector with high safety can be provided.

  A preferred embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a power plug (hereinafter simply referred to as “plug”) that is an electrical connector, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the plug in an operating state (second position). 3 is a sectional view in the plane direction, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view in a standby state of the action part of the widening action means, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view in the action state of the action part of the widening action means, and a rotational sectional view 90 ° upward FIG. 6 is a front view seen from the front end direction of the electrical connection terminal, FIG. 7 is a view showing the state of the electrical connection terminal in the operating state, and FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the main part. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a plug according to another embodiment.

  As shown in each drawing, the plug P includes a pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 that are inserted into an outlet. The pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are held by the first terminal support 3 and the second terminal support 4, respectively. Each terminal support 3, 4 is supported with respect to body covers 6, 7 (corresponding to the electrical connector body). The electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal supports 3 and 4 are configured to be rotatable around the axis X with respect to the body covers 6 and 7. The direction of the axis X is parallel to the direction in which the pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are aligned (along the alignment direction). The axis X is set on the base side of the pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2.

  In FIG. 1, the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal supports 3 and 4 are in the first position, and the width dimension between the terminals at the insertion tip of the pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 is represented by H. In FIG. 2, the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are rotatable around the axis X by ± 90 ° (clockwise direction A and counterclockwise direction B in FIG. 1).

  The body covers 6 and 7 can be joined together by screws 14 or formed by resin integral molding. Each body cover 6, 7 is formed with a housing recess 17 that is cut out in a substantially U-shape (rectangular shape) to secure a space for housing the electrical connection terminals 1, 2 and the terminal supports 3, 4. Has been. Widening means 5 formed as a dedicated part is provided at an intermediate position between the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal supports 3 and 4 in the housing recess.

  FIG. 3 shows the internal structure. Connection fittings 8 and 9 are disposed on the main body cover 6 and are mechanically and electrically connected to the lead wires 10 respectively. Both the connection fittings 8 and 9 and the respective electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are coupled by pins 11 and 12 so that they can rotate relative to each other. The axial directions of the pins 11 and 12 coincide with the direction of the axis X. The pins 11 and 12 can be coupled by caulking or the like, and a pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and terminal supports 3 and 4 are rotatably supported with respect to the body covers 6 and 7. Corresponds to the support mechanism.

  <Configuration of Widening Mechanism> Next, the configuration of the widening mechanism will be described. First, the widening means 5 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the widening means 5 is located between the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal supports 3 and 4. In FIG. 8, the widening action means 5 shown is formed in the shape of a plate-like boomerang located between the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 and the terminal supports 3 and 4. That is, the widening action means 5 is formed with an action portion 5a that abuts against the wall surface 17 formed in the housing recess cut out in a substantially U-shape. That is, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the action portion 5 a moves on the widening action means guide wall 30 a by acting on the wall surface 17 formed in the accommodating recess cut out in the substantially U-shape that abuts, thereby acting on the action portion 5 a. Acts on the terminal supports 3 and 4, and acts on the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 by the action of the action bulge 15 of the widening action means 5.

  Next, the affected parts formed on the first and second terminal supports 3 and 4 will be described. On the side where the terminal supports 3 and 4 face each other (the central part between the terminals), recesses 16 for accommodating the action ridges 15 of the widening action means 5 are formed. These recessed portions 16 to be accommodated are formed at positions corresponding only to the action raised portion 15 of the widening action means 5 in the stationary state of FIG.

  The concrete shape of each of the action ridges 15 of the action part 5a and the widening action means 5 and the recesses 16 for accommodating the action ridges 15 can be set as appropriate. It does not necessarily need to be a flat surface, and may be a curved surface. Further, the widening means 5 and the terminal supports 3 and 4 face each other (the central part between the terminals), but these are not simply two types of surfaces but the shape changes continuously. You may comprise by a dimensional surface. That is, at the second position, the action portions abut evenly, and the tips of the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are easily expanded.

  Next, the shape of the main body covers 6 and 7 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, scraped surfaces 6 a and 7 a are formed on both sides in the width direction of the accommodating recess cut out in a U-shape. The scraped surfaces 6a and 7a are formed to be substantially inclined surfaces, but are not limited to specific shapes. This is provided so as not to interfere with the main body covers 6 and 7 when the pair of electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 is widened.

  <Operation> Next, the operation when the plug according to this embodiment is inserted into the outlet will be described. Before connecting to the outlet, the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 (each terminal support 3 and 4) are set in the first position (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 6). In this state, the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are inserted into the outlet 20 (see FIG. 4). Next, the main body covers 6 and 7 are held and rotated. The rotation direction may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. The total rotation angle is 90 ° (FIG. 5). Thereby, the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 (each terminal support body 3 and 4) move from the 1st position to the 2nd position.

  Along with this movement, the action portion 5a of the widening action means 5 comes into contact with the wall surface 17 formed in the accommodating recess cut out in a substantially U shape. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the wall surface 17 formed in the housing recess and the action part 5 a face each other, but are not in contact with each other and a space is formed between them. The contact with the action portion 5a starts at a time of 45 ° or more after the rotation starts from the first position. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, each terminal support body 3 and 4 inclines in the direction where the width between the terminals of an electrical connection terminal spreads. In FIG. 7, the width dimension between the terminals at the tip is indicated by H + ΔH. In the widening action means 5 shown at the bottom in FIG. 7, the action part 5 a is in contact with the wall surface 17 formed in the receiving recess, whereby the action part 5 a is against the terminal supports 3 and 4. The tip of the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 is widened by the action of the action bulge 15 of the widening action means 5.

  Further, since the body covers 6, 7 are formed with the scraped surfaces 6 a, 7 a, the electrical connection terminals 1, 2 can be inclined without being interfered with the body covers 6, 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the shaving surfaces 6a and 7a are formed from regions where the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 are rotated by 45 ° or more.

  At the second position rotated by 90 ° from the first position, the width of the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 is large, so that the connection fitting in the outlet is pressed (bite in). Therefore, even if an attempt is made to pull out the plug from the outlet at the second position, it is not easily removed due to the action of frictional force.

  To remove the plug from the outlet, the body covers 6 and 7 are rotated to return the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 from the second position to the first position. Even if it is not completely returned to the first position, the width between the terminals of the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2 returns to the original dimension H in the state of being rotated and rotated by about 45 °. Can do.

  <Another Embodiment> (1) FIG. 9 is a view showing a plug according to another embodiment. This plug has a tracking prevention function. Tracking means that dust gradually accumulates in a gap between the outlet upper surface 20a (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the plug, and spark discharge is repeated, which causes a fire. As shown in FIG. 9, the respective location cover members 19 are attached to the first and second terminal supports 3 and 4 at positions corresponding to the exposed base portions of the electrical connection terminals 1 and 2. The cover member 19 can be formed of a member such as a contraction tube, but is not limited to a specific material. The cover member 19 prevents dust from entering between the terminals.

  (2) In this embodiment, the total rotation angle is 90 °, but is not limited to this angle.

  (3) A dedicated member may be used as the widening action means, and several members having different shapes of the action part 5a may be prepared. For example, in the case of a machine installed in a factory, it may not be necessary to remove it once it is plugged into an outlet. In this case, it is preferable to use a widening action member in which the action portion 5a is formed so that the widening amount ΔH is large. Moreover, in the case of electrical equipment used for home use, a level that allows easy insertion and removal is preferable. Therefore, ΔH does not have to be set so large. Of course, a plurality of main body covers 6 and 7 having different shapes of the action portions 5a can be prepared even when they are formed integrally with the main body covers 6 and 7 instead of the dedicated members.

Figure showing the external configuration of the power plug The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the plug in an action state Cross section in the plane direction Functional longitudinal section in the stationary state Functional longitudinal sectional view in the working state Upper 90 ° rotational sectional view Lower 90 ° rotational sectional view Front view of the electrical connection terminal viewed from the tip The figure which shows the state of the electrical connection terminal in an action state Partially exploded perspective view of main parts Appearance of plug according to another embodiment

  When an electrical connector such as a power plug is connected to the outlet, the power plug may be inadvertently pulled out of the outlet by being caught in the cord. When this happens, electrical devices with built-in timers will have their timers canceled due to unplugging of the power plug, and temperature control devices will not be able to manage the temperature. In the case of a personal computer, data in the memory is lost or the hard disk unit breaks down, causing various adverse effects on the electrical equipment.

  By using the electrical connection device of the present invention, it is possible to live comfortably, and by providing a dust intrusion prevention member for preventing the tracking phenomenon, it is possible to live more safely. When it has to be fixed, it does not require extra incidental equipment and is economical.

1, 2 Electrical connection terminals
3 First terminal support
4 Second terminal support 5 Widening means
5a action part 6,7 body cover 15 action enhancement part 16 recess to accommodate action enhancement part 17 wall surface formed in accommodation recess 19 cover member (dust intrusion prevention material)
20 Outlet 20a Top surface of the outlet 30a Widening action means guide wall

Claims (3)

A pair of electrical connection terminals to be inserted into an outlet, a first terminal support body and a second terminal support body that respectively support the pair of electrical connection terminals, and a direction in which the pair of electrical connection terminals are arranged with respect to the electrical connector body And a support mechanism for supporting the first and second terminal support members so as to be relatively rotatable from the first position to the second position, and from the first position to the second position. And a widening mechanism that increases the width dimension between the pair of electrical connection terminals by relatively rotating the first and second terminal supports, and the widening action means is provided at the root of the electrical connection terminal. By rotating the first and second terminal supports provided on the electrical connector body, the action portion formed on the widening action means abuts uniformly, and the width dimension between the pair of electrical connection terminals is It is configured to spread evenly Electrical connection tool for. 2. The widening action means is provided with a plurality of different shapes that are unlikely to damage the action portion, and any of the widening action means is provided according to the application. The electrical connector as described in. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dust intrusion preventing member for preventing a tracking phenomenon is provided on the first and second terminal supports.

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