JP2011086552A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a miniaturized connector having drip-proof and dust-proof functions with a single body of the connector, low in cost and simple in structure, requiring no additional work for drip-proof and dust-proof, having high space using efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The connector 1 includes a housing 10 containing contacts 20 and having an opening 11 for receiving a mating connector, and multiple insulating and flexible needle-like structures 30 fixed to the housing 10 and covering the opening 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector having a drip-proof / dust-proof function as a single connector.

  For example, a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone may be provided with a pin jack for an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone. This pin jack is often provided on the outer surface of the mobile terminal device body in order to connect an earphone or the like from the outside. Since the pin jack is provided on the outer surface of the mobile terminal device body, when the mobile terminal device is taken outdoors, raindrops and other foreign matter may enter the pin jack and cause abnormalities in the mobile terminal device. There is. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a drip-proof and dust-proof function to such a pin jack.

Conventionally, although it is not a pin jack, what was shown in FIG. 7 is known as what gave the waterproof function to the connector used for an endoscope (refer patent document 1).
The electrical connector 110 shown in FIG. 7 is connected to the tip of a flexible cable 130 that is connected to a solid-state image sensor of an electronic endoscope (not shown). By connecting the electrical connector 110 to an image processing device called a processor, a subject image captured by a solid-state imaging device is displayed on a monitor.

Here, each time the endoscope is used, the endoscope is immersed and cleaned in the cleaning solution. However, since the electronic endoscope has the electrical connector 110, the endoscope is cleaned with the waterproof cap 120 attached to the electrical connector 110. The
The waterproof cap 120 has a double cylinder structure including an outer cylinder 121 and an inner cylinder 124 whose end is closed. A plurality of clip balls 123 are provided on the cylindrical portion 122 of the outer cylinder 121. The cylindrical portion 122 of the waterproof cap 120 is pushed into the gap between the shell 111 and the release sleeve 112 on the electrical connector 110 side. Then, the pressing force causes the release sleeve 112 to move in the right direction in FIG. As a result, the clip ball 123 engages with the recess 113 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shell 111, and the waterproof cap 120 is attached to the electrical connector 110.

  On the other hand, an O-ring 125 is mounted on the outer peripheral portion on the opening side of the inner cylinder 124 of the waterproof cap 120. As shown in FIG. 7, the O-ring 125 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shell 111 when the waterproof cap 120 is attached to the electrical connector 110. As a result, the inner cylinder 124 and the shell 111 are sealed by the O-ring 125, so that the cleaning liquid is prevented from entering the inside of the shell 111 during cleaning.

Further, although not a pin jack, a connector with a shutter provided with a dustproof shutter is conventionally known, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (see Patent Document 2).
A connector with shutter (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) 200 shown in FIG. 8 is used for an I / O port of a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. The connector 200 includes a housing 210, a plurality of contacts 220 attached to the housing 210, a grounding terminal 230 attached to the housing 210, and a shutter 240.
The housing 210 is provided with an opening 211 for receiving a mating connector (not shown). In the internal space of the housing 210, the shutter 240 is opened and closed by sliding in the front-rear direction between a closed position that closes the opening 211 and an open position that opens the opening 211. The shutter 240 is normally biased to the closed position side (front side) by the spring body 250.

In this connector 200, when the mating connector is not inserted, the shutter 240 biased by the spring body 250 is located at the closed position and the opening 211 is closed. As a result, dust does not enter the inside of the housing 210 from the opening 211, and a ground contact piece (not shown) connected to the contact 220 and the grounding terminal 230 accommodated in the housing 210 is dust-proof.
When the mating connector is inserted into the opening 211, the shutter 240 is pushed backward from the closed position toward the open position by the mating connector against the bias of the spring body 250. As a result, the mating contact (not shown) of the mating connector comes into contact with the contact 220.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-102166 JP 2003-31318 A

However, the conventional electrical connector 110 shown in FIG. 7 and the connector 200 shown in FIG. 8 have the following problems.
In the case of the electrical connector 110 shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning liquid prevents the cleaning liquid from entering the inside of the shell 111 of the electrical connector 110, but requires additional work for attaching and removing the waterproof cap 120. Become. That is, the waterproof cap 120 is provided separately from the electrical connector 110 and is attached to the electrical connector 110 when the electrical connector 110 is not used (when the mating connector is not inserted). Thereby, the waterproof function is exhibited. On the other hand, when using the electrical connector 110, the attached waterproof cap 120 is removed and fitted to the mating connector. The attaching / detaching operation of the waterproof cap 120 needs to be performed every time the mating connector is not inserted or inserted, which is a complicated operation for the operator.

  Further, in the electrical connector 110 shown in FIG. 7, when the electrical connector 110 is used (when the mating connector is fitted), the waterproof cap 120 is unnecessary, but may be lost at that time. . In order to prevent the waterproof cap 120 from being lost, it may be possible to attach the waterproof cap 120 integrally with the electrical connector 110 with a string or the like, but in that case, the structure becomes complicated.

Further, in the case of the connector 200 shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 240 and the spring body 250 are required to impart the dustproof function to the connector 200, and the number of parts is large, the structure becomes complicated, and the cost increases. Further, a space occupied by the shutter 240 and the spring body 250 is required in the housing 210, and the connector itself becomes large. That is, there is a problem that the contact 220 and the grounding terminal 230 cannot be arranged in this space, and the use efficiency of the space is very low.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to require no additional work for drip-proof / dust-proof, simple structure, low cost, and use of space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector having a drip-proof / dust-proof function with a single connector that is highly efficient and downsized.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a housing having an opening for receiving a contact and receiving a mating connector, and an insulating and flexible cover fixed to the housing and covering the opening. And a large number of needle-like structures having characteristics.
The connector according to claim 2 of the present invention is the connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the needle-like structures has a diameter from the base portion fixed to the housing to the tip of greater than 0 mm to 1 mm. The needle-like structures are configured as follows, and the distance between the tips of adjacent needle-like structures is arranged at a pitch greater than 0 mm and 1 mm or less.

Furthermore, the connector according to claim 3 of the present invention is the connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening is formed in a rectangular shape, and the needle-like structure is opened from both sides of the opening. Extending toward the center line between the opposing sides.
The connector according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the first or second aspect, wherein the opening has a circular outer shape, and the needle-like structure extends from the entire periphery of the opening to the center of the opening. It is characterized by extending towards.
The connector according to claim 5 of the present invention is the connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the needle-like structures is gently from the outer periphery of the opening on the front surface side of the housing toward the center line of the opening. It is characterized by extending so as to be curved.

The connector according to claim 6 of the present invention is the connector according to claim 4, wherein each of the needle-like structures is gently from the outer periphery of the opening on the front side of the housing toward the center of the opening. It is characterized by extending so as to be curved.
A connector according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the connector according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein each of the needle-like structures is directed from a base portion fixed to the housing toward a distal end. It is characterized in that the tip is formed to be thin.

The connector according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein each of the needle-like structures includes a needle-like structure body extending from a base fixed to the housing, and the needle-like structure. And a small structure that branches off from the middle of the structure main body to the tip.
Furthermore, a connector according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the connector according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the housing has the needle when the mating connector is received in the opening. It is characterized by having a space for entering the structure.

According to the connector of the present invention, since it has a large number of needle-like structures that are fixed to the housing and have insulation and flexibility to cover the opening, water drops and foreign matter that enter the opening from the outside of the housing are needles. Intrusion is prevented by the structure. For this reason, drip-proof and dust-proof can be aimed at, without requiring additional work, such as attaching a waterproof cap.
In addition, the needle-like structure has a smaller number of parts and a simple structure as compared with the case where the waterproof cap is connected with a string or the shutter is biased with a spring body. Further, the space in the housing is hardly sacrificed by the needle-like structure. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector having a drip-proof / dust-proof function with a simple connector, having a simple structure, low cost, high space use efficiency, and miniaturization.

1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a state where a part of the connector shown in FIG. 1 is cut. It is a perspective view of the needle-like structure provided in the connector shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a needle-like structure. It is a perspective view of 2nd Embodiment of the connector which concerns on this invention. However, the contact is omitted in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the 6-6 line in FIG. It is a half sectional view of an electric connector in the state where a conventional waterproof cap was attached. It is sectional drawing of the conventional connector with a shutter.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A first embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
A connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a pin jack for an electroacoustic transducer such as an earphone, and is attached, for example, such that an opening 11 is exposed on an outer surface of a terminal device body of a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone.
The connector 1 includes a housing 10, a pair of contacts 20, and a large number of needle-like structures 30.
Here, the housing 10 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by molding an insulating resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 11 whose one side is open is provided therein. The opening 11 has a circular outer shape. A mating connector (pin, not shown) is received in the opening 11 from the opened side.

  Each contact 20 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. Each contact 20 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 20 and has a contact portion 21 extending into the opening 11 and a connection portion 22 extending to the outside of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of contacts 20 are disposed so as to face each other, and the contact portions 21 are disposed so as to be displaced from each other in the fitting direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). A mating connector (pin) inserted from the opening side of the opening 11 contacts the contact portion 21. Moreover, the connection part 22 is connected to a circuit board (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of needle-like structures 30 are fixed to the housing 10 and cover the openings 11 of the housing 10. Specifically, a large number of needle-like structures 30 extend from the entire periphery of the opening 11 toward the center C of the opening 11. Each needle-like structure 30 is gently moved from the outer periphery of the opening 11 on the front side of the housing 10 (the side where the opening 11 is open, the upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) toward the center C of the opening 11. It extends to curve. As shown in FIG. 2, the curved portion of each needle-like structure 30 protrudes from the front surface of the housing 10. Each needle-like structure 30 is formed in a substantially conical shape, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tip 32 is narrowed from the base 31 fixed to the housing 10 toward the tip 32. Has been. Moreover, the material of each needle-like structure 30 has insulation and a softness | flexibility, for example, resin like polyester is suitable.

  Next, how to arrange the needle-like structures 30 will be described. A large number of needle-like structures 30 are arranged over the entire outer periphery of the opening 11 at a pitch at which the distance d1 (see FIG. 3) between the tips 32 of adjacent needle-like structures 30 is greater than 0 mm and 1 mm or less. Since the distance d1 is arranged at a pitch that is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm, each needle-like structure 30 has a diameter from the base 31 fixed to the housing 10 to the tip 32 that is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. Is done. Further, the distance d2 (see FIG. 2) between the tips 32 of the opposing needle-like structures 30 is also arranged so as to be greater than 0 mm and not greater than 1 mm. The method for fixing the needle-like structure 30 to the housing 10 is not particularly limited. Individual needle-like structures 30 may be implanted in the housing 10, or a member provided with a large number of needle-like structures 30 may be prepared and attached to the housing 10.

  The length of each needle-like structure 30 is set to a length that does not hinder the contact between the mating connector and the contact portion 21 of the contact 20 when the mating connector (pin) is received in the opening 11. Further, the contact portion 21 of each contact 20 is provided at a position where each needle-like structure 30 does not reach when the mating connector (pin) is received in the opening 11. Further, on the open side of the opening 11 of the housing 10, a space 12 into which all the needle-like structures 30 enter when the mating connector is received in the opening 11 is formed over the entire circumference of the opening 11. The space 12 is formed by a stepped recess having a larger diameter than the opening 11.

  As described above, the connector 1 configured as described above is attached so that the opening 11 is exposed on the outer surface of the terminal device body of the mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. Here, since a large number of needle-like structures 30 covering the opening 11 of the housing 10 are fixed to the housing 10, water drops and foreign matter that enter the opening 11 from the outside of the housing 10 are caused by the needle-like structure 30. The intrusion is prevented. For this reason, drip-proof and dust-proof can be aimed at, without requiring additional work, such as attaching a waterproof cap.

  Further, the needle-like structure 30 has a smaller number of parts and a simple structure as compared with the case where the waterproof cap is connected with a string or the shutter is biased with a spring body. Moreover, the space in the housing 10 is hardly sacrificed by the needle-like structure 30. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector having a drip-proof / dust-proof function with a simple connector, which is simple in structure, low in cost, high in space use efficiency and downsized.

  The needle-like structures 30 are arranged at a pitch where the distance d1 between the tips 32 of the adjacent needle-like structures 30 is greater than 0 mm and 1 mm or less, and between the tips 32 of the opposite needle-like structures 30. The distance d2 is also arranged to be greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. For this reason, it is possible to prevent water droplets or foreign matters having an outer shape larger than 1 mm from entering the opening 11 in the vicinity of the tip 32 of the needle-like structure 3. In general, raindrops are about 2 to 3 mm in diameter and smaller than 1 mm, so that the penetration of raindrops can be particularly effectively prevented by arranging the needle-like structures 30 as described above. If the distances d1 and d2 are greater than 1 mm, it is not possible to prevent intrusion of water droplets or foreign matters having an outer shape ranging from 1 mm to the distance d1. Further, if the distances d1 and d2 are 0 mm, the number of needle-like structures 30 increases more than necessary, resulting in an increase in cost. Therefore, the distances d1 and d2 are preferably greater than 0 mm and 1 mm or less. The distances d1 and d2 are appropriately determined depending on the size of water droplets and foreign matter that prevent intrusion, and may be larger than the minimum outer shape of the water droplets and foreign matter that prevent intrusion, and are limited to be larger than 0 mm and equal to or less than 1 mm. I can't.

  Each needle-like structure 30 extends so as to be gently curved from the outer periphery of the opening 11 on the front surface side of the housing 10 toward the center C of the opening 11. For this reason, the curved portion of each needle-like structure 30 protrudes from the front surface of the housing 10, and water droplets and foreign matter that are prevented from entering near the tip of the needle-like structure 30 protrude from the front surface of the housing 10. It will be captured at the place. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent water droplets and foreign matter from entering the opening 11. In addition, since each needle-like structure 30 extends from the front side of the housing 10, the space in the opening 11 of the housing 10 is not sacrificed by the needle-like structure.

  Further, each needle-like structure 30 is formed so that the tip 32 becomes narrower from the base 31 fixed to the housing 10 toward the tip 32, so that it is easy to bend when the needle-like structure 30 is curved. Further, each needle-like structure 30 is formed so that the tip 32 becomes narrower from the base portion 31 toward the tip 32, so that the needle-like structure 30 is mechanically configured like an equal strength beam. Can do.

  When the mating connector (pin) is inserted into the opening 11 in the connector 1 attached to the terminal device body, the mating connector enters between the contact portions 21 of the pair of contacts 20 and is electrically connected. When the mating connector is received in the opening 11, all the needle-like structures 30 are pressed into the space 12 by the mating connector. For this reason, the needle-like structure 30 does not interfere with the contact 20 and does not hinder the contact between the mating connector and the contact 20. Note that each needle-like structure 30 extends from the front side of the housing 10 so as to be gently curved toward the center C of the opening 11 as described above. For this reason, when the needle-like structure 30 enters the space 12, it is less likely to break than when it is formed in a straight line. Further, when the needle-like structure 30 enters the space 12, it is easier to enter the space 12 than when it is formed in a straight line.

Next, a modification of the needle-like structure will be described with reference to FIG.
Each needle-like structure 30a shown in FIG. 4 includes a needle-like structure body 31a and a large number of small structures 31b. The needle-like structure main body 31a is formed in a substantially conical shape, and extends from the base portion 31aa fixed to the housing 10 toward the tip 31ab so that the tip 31ab becomes thinner. The needle-like structure main body 31 a extends from the outer periphery of the opening 11 on the front side of the housing 10 so as to be gently curved toward the center C of the opening 11. In addition, a large number of small structures 31b extend in a branched manner from the base 31aa of the needle-like structure main body 31a to the tip 31ab. The arrangement of the small structures 31b is not particularly limited, but in the example shown in FIG. 4, it extends so as to protrude diagonally upward alternately left and right from the base 31aa to the tip 31ab of the needle-like structure body 31a. Each of the small structures 31b is formed in a substantially conical shape, and extends so that the tip 31bb becomes narrower from the fixed end 31ba to the needle-like structure body 31a toward the tip 31bb.
Thus, each needle-like structure 30a is composed of a needle-like structure main body 31a and a small structure 31b that branches and extends from the middle from the base 31aa to the tip 31ab of the needle-like structure main body 31a. By doing so, it is possible to more effectively prevent water droplets and foreign matter from entering the opening 11 from the outside of the housing 10.

Next, a second embodiment of the connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The connector 50 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a LAN cable connector, and is attached, for example, so that the opening 61 is exposed on the outer surface of a computer housing such as a personal computer. A mating plug connector (not shown) is fitted to the connector 50.
Here, the connector 50 includes a housing 60, a plurality of contacts 70, and a large number of needle-like structures 80.
The housing 60 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by molding an insulating resin. As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 61 whose one side is open is provided therein. Unlike the opening 11 in the connector 1 in FIG. 1, the opening 61 has a rectangular outer shape. The mating plug connector is received in the opening 61 from the opened side.

  Each contact 70 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. Each contact 70 is fixed to the housing 60 and has a contact portion 71 extending into the opening 61 and a connection portion 72 extending to the outside of the housing 60 as shown in FIG. Contacts (not shown) provided on the mating plug connector inserted from the opening side of the opening 61 are in contact with the contact portion 71. Moreover, the connection part 72 is connected to a circuit board (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the many needle-like structures 80 are fixed to the housing 60 and cover the openings 61 of the housing 60. Specifically, a large number of needle-like structures 80 extend from the upper and lower opposing sides of the opening 61 toward the center line CL between the opposing upper and lower sides of the opening 61. Each needle-like structure 80 is gently curved from the outer periphery of the opening 61 on the front surface 60a side (the side where the opening 61 is open, the left side in FIG. 6) of the housing 60 toward the center line CL of the opening 61. It extends to do. As shown in FIG. 6, the curved portion of each needle-like structure 80 protrudes from the front surface of the housing 60. Further, each needle-like structure 80 is formed in a substantially conical shape, like the needle-like structure 30 of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1, and has a distal end from the base 81 fixed to the housing 60 toward the distal end 82. 82 is formed to be thin. Moreover, the material of each acicular structure 80 has insulation and a softness | flexibility similarly to each acicular structure 30, for example, resin like polyester is suitable.

  Next, the arrangement of the needle-like structures 80 will be described. In many needle-like structures 80, the distance d1 (see FIG. 5) between the tips 82 of adjacent needle-like structures 80 is greater than 0 mm and less than 1 mm. Are arranged at a pitch of Since the distance d1 is arranged at a pitch that is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm, each needle-like structure 80 is configured such that the diameter from the base 81 fixed to the housing 60 to the tip 82 is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. Is done. Further, the distance d2 (see FIG. 6) between the tips 82 of the opposed needle-like structures 80 is also arranged so as to be greater than 0 mm and not greater than 1 mm. The method for fixing the needle-like structure 80 to the housing 60 is not particularly limited, as is the case with the needle-like structure 30. Individual needle-like structures 80 may be implanted in the housing 60, or a member provided with a large number of needle-like structures 80 may be prepared and attached to the housing 60.

  The length of each needle-like structure 80 prevents the contact between the mating contact and the contact portion 71 of the contact 70 when the mating plug connector is received in the opening 61, as in the needle-shaped structure 30. No length. Further, the contact portion 71 of each contact 70 is provided at a position where each needle-like structure 80 does not reach when the mating plug connector is received in the opening 61. On the open side of the opening 61 of the housing 60, spaces 62 into which all the needle-like structures 80 enter when the mating plug connector is received in the opening 61 are formed on both sides (upper and lower sides) of the opening 11. Yes. The space 62 is formed by a stepped recess that enters from the opening 61.

  As described above, the connector 50 configured in this manner is attached so that the opening 61 is exposed on the outer surface of a computer housing such as a personal computer. Here, since a large number of needle-like structures 80 covering the openings 61 of the housing 60 are also fixed to the housing 60, water drops and foreign matter that enter the openings 61 from the outside of the housing 60 are caused by the needle-like structures 80. The intrusion is prevented. For this reason, drip-proof and dust-proof can be aimed at, without requiring additional work, such as attaching a waterproof cap.

  The needle-like structure 80 also has a simple structure with fewer parts compared to connecting a waterproof cap with a string or energizing a shutter with a spring body. Moreover, the space in the housing 60 is hardly sacrificed by the needle-like structure 80. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector having a drip-proof / dust-proof function with a simple connector, which is simple in structure, low in cost, high in space use efficiency and downsized.

  The needle-like structures 80 are also arranged at a pitch where the distance d1 between the tips 82 of adjacent needle-like structures 80 is greater than 0 mm and 1 mm or less, and between the tips 82 of the needle-like structures 80 facing each other. The distance d2 is also arranged to be greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm. For this reason, it is possible to prevent water droplets or foreign matters having an outer shape larger than 1 mm from entering the opening 61 in the vicinity of the tip 82 of the needle-like structure 80. In general, raindrops are about 2 to 3 mm in diameter and smaller than 1 mm, so that the penetration of raindrops can be effectively prevented by arranging the needle-like structures 80 as described above. The distances d1 and d2 are appropriately determined depending on the size of water droplets and foreign matter that prevent intrusion, and may be larger than the minimum outer shape of the water droplets and foreign matter that prevent intrusion, and are limited to be larger than 0 mm and equal to or less than 1 mm. I can't.

  Each needle-like structure 80 extends from the outer periphery of the opening 61 on the front surface side of the housing 60 so as to be gently curved toward the center line CL of the opening 61. For this reason, the curved portion of each needle-like structure 80 also protrudes from the front surface of the housing 60, and water droplets and foreign matter that are prevented from entering near the tip of the needle-like structure 80 also protrude from the front surface of the housing 10. It will be captured at the place. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent water droplets and foreign matter from entering the opening 61. Moreover, since each needle-like structure 80 extends from the front surface 60a side of the housing 60, the space in the opening 61 of the housing 60 is not sacrificed by the needle-like structure.

  Further, each needle-like structure 80 is also formed so that the tip 82 becomes narrower from the base 81 fixed to the housing 60 toward the tip 82, so that it is bent when the individual needle-like structure 80 is bent. Cheap. Further, each needle-like structure 80 is formed so that the tip 82 becomes narrower from the base 81 toward the tip 82, so that the needle-like structure 80 is mechanically configured like an equal strength beam. Can do.

  When the mating plug connector is inserted into the opening 61 in the computer, it contacts the contact portion 71 of the mating contact contact 70 and is electrically connected. When the mating plug connector is received in the opening 61, all the needle-like structures 80 are pressed into the space 62 by the mating plug connector. For this reason, the needle-like structure 80 does not interfere with the contact 70, and the contact between the counterpart contact and the contact 70 is not hindered. Each needle-like structure 80 extends so as to be gently curved from the front surface 60a side of the housing 60 toward the center line CL of the opening 61 as described above. For this reason, when the needle-like structure 80 enters the space 62, it is less likely to break than when it is formed in a straight line. Further, when the needle-like structure 80 enters the space 62, it is easier to enter the space 62 than when the needle-like structure 80 is formed in a linear shape.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change and improvement can be performed.
For example, the needle-like structure 80 is not limited to extending from the opposite upper and lower sides of the opening 60 toward the center line CL between the opposite upper and lower sides of the opening 60 and extends only from one side of the opening 60 to the opposite side. You may do it. Specifically, the needle-like structure 80 may extend only from the upper side to the lower side of the opening 60, from the lower side to the upper side, from the left side to the right side, and from the right side to the left side. Further, the needle-like structure 30 is not limited to the case where it extends from the entire periphery of the opening 11 toward the center C of the opening 11.

Further, the shapes of the openings 11 and 61 of the housings 10 and 60 are not limited to the case where the outer shape is circular or rectangular.
Further, each of the needle-like structures 30 and 80 is formed in a substantially conical shape so that the tip is narrowed from the base portion 31 or 81 fixed to the housing 10 or 60 toward the tip 32 or 82. Not limited to cases. For example, the individual needle-like structures 30 and 80 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, or may have the same width and diameter from the bases 31 and 81 fixed to the housings 10 and 60 toward the tips 32 and 82.
Furthermore, it is not always necessary to provide the housings 10 and 60 with the spaces 12 and 62 into which the needle-like structures 30 and 80 enter.

1,50 Connector 10, 60 Housing 11, 61 Opening 12, 62 Space 20, 70 Contact 30, 30a, 80 Needle-like structure 31, 31aa, 81 Base 32, 31ab, 82 Tip 31a Needle-like structure body 31b Small structure Body C Center CL Center line d1 Distance between tips of adjacent needle-like structures

Claims (9)

  A connector comprising: a housing having an opening for receiving a contact and receiving a mating connector; and a plurality of needle-like structures fixed to the housing and having an insulating property and flexibility to cover the opening.   Each of the needle-like structures has a diameter from a base portion fixed to the housing to the tip of more than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm, and the needle-like structure is between the tips of adjacent needle-like structures. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the distances are arranged at a pitch greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 1 mm.   The opening is formed in a rectangular shape, and the needle-like structure extends from opposite sides of the opening toward a center line between the opposite sides of the opening. Connector   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a circular outer shape, and the needle-like structure extends from the entire periphery of the opening toward the center of the opening.   4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the needle-like structures extends so as to be gently curved from the outer periphery of the opening on the front side of the housing toward the center line of the opening.   5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein each of the needle-like structures extends so as to be gently curved from the outer periphery of the opening on the front side of the housing toward the center of the opening.   7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the needle-like structures is formed so that a tip end thereof becomes narrower from a base portion fixed to the housing toward the tip end. .   Each of the needle-like structures includes a needle-like structure main body extending from a base fixed to the housing, and a small structure extending in a branched manner from the base to the tip of the needle-like structure main body. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising:   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing has a space into which the needle-like structure enters when the mating connector is received in the opening.

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