JP2012089286A - Plug type connector and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely maintain a connection condition between a first terminal and a second terminal of a receptacle type connector, and to electrically securely connect between a multiplicity of first terminals and second terminals with small force.SOLUTION: A plug type connector includes: a plurality of elastically deformable first terminals 11 formed into pin shapes; a fixation portion 12 to which a base end portion 11a of each first terminal 11 is fixed; a movement restriction portion 13 for restricting the movement of the tip portion 11b side of the first terminal 11 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first terminal 11, while allowing the movement of the first terminal 11 along the longitudinal direction of the first terminal 11; and a switch portion 15 for switching between electric connection and non-connection of the first terminal 11 with a second terminal 17 of a receptacle type connector 3, by changing a protrusion amount of the tip portion 11b of the first terminal 11 from the movement restriction portion 13 by elastically deforming the center portion 11c of the first terminal 11 in a bending shape.

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug-type connector provided with a plurality of terminals, and a connector provided with the plug-type connector and a receptacle-type connector.

  As this type of connector, a multi-pin connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-34316 is known. The multi-pin connector includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector that can be fitted to each other. The plug connector includes a plurality of contact pins (hereinafter also referred to as “plug side contact pins”), and the receptacle connector includes a plurality of contact pins (hereinafter referred to as “receptacles”) that are electrically connected to the respective plug side contact pins. Side contact pins ”). In the plug connector, one cam for pressing the tip end portion of the plug-side contact pin in a direction orthogonal to the length direction is provided for each plug-side contact pin. The plug connector is provided with a camshaft that rotates each cam. In this multi-pin connector, when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are fitted, each plug-side contact pin and each receptacle-side contact pin are in a state where their outer peripheral surfaces are close to each other (non-contact state). overlap. In this state, for example, when the handle attached to the camshaft is rotated, each cam is rotated, whereby the tip of each plug-side contact pin is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the length direction. Then, each plug-side contact pin and each receptacle-side contact pin are electrically connected to each other in contact with the outer peripheral surface of each receptacle-side contact pin.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-34316 (page 3, FIG. 1-2)

  However, the above multi-pin connector has the following problems. That is, in this multi-pin connector, the cams arranged one by one for one plug-side contact pin place the tip of the plug-side contact pin in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the plug-side contact pin. By pressing, the plug-side contact pin and the receptacle-side contact pin are electrically connected. In this case, in order to maintain the electrical connection state between the plug-side contact pin and the receptacle-side contact pin, it is necessary to maintain the pressing state by the cam (the state in which the cam is rotated). However, this multi-pin connector is not provided with a mechanism for maintaining the pressed state by the cam, and in this state, the reaction force due to the elasticity of the plug-side contact pin acts on the cam, so that a light impact is applied. There is a possibility that the cam is rotated in the reverse direction by the reaction force acting on the cam just by adding or lightly touching an object, and the pressing state by the cam may be released. Therefore, this multi-pin connector has a problem that the electrical connection between the plug-side contact pin and the receptacle-side contact pin may be released due to the pressure being released by impact or contact with an object. .

  Also, in this multi-pin connector, the cam is rotated to press the plug-side contact pin, but in order to securely connect the plug-side contact pin and the receptacle-side contact pin, the tip of the plug-side contact pin is It must be displaced (moved) to some extent. In this case, the force applied to the elastic body is proportional to the amount of displacement (Hooke's law). For this reason, in this multi-pin connector, it is necessary to apply a certain amount of pressing force to the plug-side contact pins, that is, to apply a certain amount of torque to the cam. In this case, by adjusting the size and shape of the cam, the torque applied to the cam can be reduced to about a fraction of the pressing force applied to the plug-side contact pin, but when the number of plug-side contact pins is large In order to rotate each cam, it is necessary to apply a considerably large torque to the camshaft. For this reason, this multi-pin connector also has a problem that the operability may be lowered or it may be difficult to reliably connect all the contact pins.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem to be solved, and reliably maintains the connection state between the first terminal and the second terminal of the receptacle-type connector, and includes a number of first terminals and second terminals. The main object of the present invention is to provide a plug-type connector and a connector that can be reliably connected electrically with a small force.

  In order to achieve the above object, the plug type connector according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first terminal and the receptacle type connector are connected to the receptacle type connector in a connected state of the plurality of first terminals configured in a pin shape that can be elastically deformed. A plug-type connector including a switching portion that switches between electrical connection and non-connection of the second terminal, and a fixing portion to which a base end portion of the first terminal is fixed; A movement restricting portion for restricting movement of the first terminal in the direction orthogonal to the length direction while allowing movement of the first terminal along the length direction, and the switching The part performs the switching by elastically deforming the central part of the first terminal so as to bend and changing the protruding amount of the tip part of the first terminal from the movement restricting part.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the plug-type connector according to the first aspect, wherein the switching portion is rotatably disposed in a state where an action surface is in contact with the central portion of the first terminal. And a rotation mechanism that elastically deforms the central portion of the first terminal by rotating the cam.

  Further, the plug type connector according to claim 3 is the plug type connector according to claim 2, wherein the cam is constituted by an elliptical plate cam that rotates about a central portion in a plan view. When the outer peripheral surface as the working surface is disposed between the pair of first terminals so as to be able to come into contact with the central portions of the pair of first terminals and is rotated by the rotation mechanism. And abut against the central portion of the pair of first terminals to be elastically deformed.

  The plug connector according to claim 4 is the plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the switching portion is configured to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal. It comprises a pressing portion that contacts the central portion of the first terminal during movement, and a moving mechanism that moves the pressing portion and elastically deforms the central portion.

  The connector according to claim 5 is the plug-type connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the second terminal is connected to the tip of the first terminal in a connected state with the plug-type connector. And the receptacle type connector configured to face each other.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the connector includes a lock mechanism that locks the plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector in the connected state.

  The plug-type connector according to claim 1 and the connector according to claim 5 include a pin-shaped first terminal that can be elastically deformed, a fixing portion to which a base end portion of the first terminal is fixed, and a length direction. A movement restricting portion for restricting the movement of the first terminal in the direction orthogonal to the length direction while allowing the movement of the first terminal, and an elasticity so as to bend the central portion of the first terminal Electrical connection and disconnection of the first terminal and the second terminal of the receptacle-type connector in the connected state with the receptacle-type connector by changing the amount of protrusion of the first terminal from the movement restricting portion by deformation. And a switching unit that performs switching. In this case, for example, in a connected state of the plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector, each second terminal is opposed to the tip portion of each first terminal, and the tip portion of the first terminal and the second terminal are bent. The plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector are connected by configuring the receptacle-type connector so that the distance between them is slightly shorter than the difference value of the protruding amount of the tip from the movement restricting part before and after bending. Thus, in a state where the tip end portion of the first terminal is connected to the second terminal, the central portion of the first terminal can be kept slightly curved and slightly elastically deformed. For this reason, according to this plug type connector and connector, as a result of being able to press the tip portion against the second terminal by the elastic force of the first terminal itself, the plug type connector and the receptacle type connector are locked in a connected state. In this case, the connection state between the first terminal and the second terminal can be reliably maintained even if a slight impact is applied from the outside or an object comes into contact. In addition, in this plug-type connector and connector, it is orthogonal to the length direction compared to the displacement amount of the tip portion along the length direction of the first terminal (change in the projection amount of the tip portion from the movement restricting portion) Since the amount of displacement of the central portion along the bending direction is sufficiently small, the amount of displacement of the tip portion along the length direction necessary for reliably switching between connection and non-connection between the first terminal and the second terminal is It can be ensured with a small amount of displacement in the central portion along the bending direction. For this reason, according to this plug-type connector and connector, the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal can be switched with a small force because the amount of displacement along the bending direction is small.

  Further, according to the plug-type connector according to claim 2 and the connector according to claim 5, the cam disposed rotatably with the outer peripheral surface in contact with the central portion of the first terminal, and the cam The first terminal can be reliably elastically deformed while having a simple configuration by including a rotation mechanism that rotates and elastically deforms the central portion of the first terminal. The switching portion and thus the plug-type connector can be sufficiently miniaturized. In addition, since the amount of elastic deformation of the central portion can be easily changed simply by changing the size and shape of the cam (the length from the central portion to the outer peripheral surface), the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal Accordingly, the amount of displacement of the tip can be easily changed.

  Further, according to the plug type connector according to claim 3 and the connector according to claim 5, the cam is disposed between the pair of first terminals and the outer peripheral surface can be brought into contact with the central portion of the pair of first terminals. And a pair of first terminals are elastically deformed by one cam, so that each first terminal is deformed by half the number of cams of the first terminal (the first terminal and the second terminal). Therefore, the plug-type connector can be further simplified. Further, according to the plug-type connector and the connector, since the same (substantially equal) force is applied from the pair of first terminals that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cam toward the center portion, both the forces are offset. As a result of reducing the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the cam and the central axis when the cam rotates, the cam can be rotated with a smaller driving force (the first terminal is deformed). Can do.

  Furthermore, according to the plug type connector according to claim 4 and the connector according to claim 5, the first terminal is configured to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal. The first terminal is surely elastic even though it has a simple structure by comprising a switching portion comprising a pressing plate that contacts the central portion and a moving mechanism that elastically deforms the central portion by moving the pressing plate. Since it can be deformed, the switching portion and thus the plug-type connector can be sufficiently miniaturized. In addition, since the switching unit is configured with a small number of components, it is possible to sufficiently suppress malfunctions and failures of the switching unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism for locking the plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector in the connected state is provided, so that the second terminal can be connected to the second terminal in the connected state between the first terminal and the second terminal. The separation between the plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector due to the pressing force of the first terminal applied to the first terminal can be reliably regulated.

It is a top view of the connector 1 in a non-connecting state. It is a top view of the connector 1 in a connection state. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a connector 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the connector 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a force applied when the cam 51 rotates. 3 is a first configuration diagram showing a configuration of a plug connector 202. FIG. 6 is a second configuration diagram showing the configuration of the plug connector 202. FIG. 3 is a first configuration diagram showing a configuration of a plug connector 302. FIG. FIG. 6 is a second configuration diagram showing the configuration of the plug connector 302.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a plug-type connector and a connector will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the connector 1 will be described. The connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, for example, a connector used when connecting a cable in which a plurality of electric wires are collected to another cable (none of which is shown), and can be connected to each other. Type connector) 2 and receptacle connector (receptacle type connector) 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plug connector 2 includes a proximal end portion 2 a and a distal end portion 2 b. An opening is formed in the base end 2a, and a cable is inserted from the opening, and each electric wire of the cable is connected to a base end 11a of the first terminal 11 described later. The distal end portion 2b is configured to be able to be fitted (inserted) into the distal end portion 3b of the receptacle connector 3, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are connected by inserting the distal end portion 2b into the distal end portion 3b and fitting them together. Link. The plug connector 2 includes a claw portion 2c. The claw portion 2c constitutes a locking mechanism together with a later-described jaw portion 3c of the receptacle connector 3, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are connected to each other by engaging with the jaw portion 3c as shown in FIG. Lock (fix).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the plug connector 2 is provided with a plurality of first terminals 11, a fixing portion 12, and a movement restricting portion 13. 3 and 4, only a part (eight first terminals 11) of the first terminals 11 is illustrated.

  The 1st terminal 11 is comprised by the pin shape (column shape) as a whole. The first terminal 11 is configured to be elastically deformable by a conductive material (for example, beryllium copper alloy, SKH (high speed tool steel), tungsten steel, etc.). In addition, a portion of the first terminal 11 excluding the base end portion 11a and the tip end portion 11b is made of an insulating coating material (for example, a fluorine resin such as Teflon (registered trademark), polyurethane, polyester, polyimide, etc.). The formed insulating layer is formed. Moreover, in this connector 1, as shown to FIG.3, 4, a pair of 1st terminal 11 is arrange | positioned so that the cam 51 of the switching part 15 may be pinched | interposed.

  The fixing portion 12 is formed in a plate shape from a non-conductive resin material or the like. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of insertion holes 21 are formed in the fixing portion 12. In this case, the first terminal 11 is fixed by the fixing portion 12 by press-fitting (or inserting and bonding the base end portion 11 a of the first terminal 11 into the insertion hole 21 with an adhesive).

  The movement restricting portion 13 is formed in a plate shape from a non-conductive resin material or the like, and is arranged in a state parallel (or substantially parallel) to the fixed portion 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the movement restricting portion 13 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 31 through which the distal end portion 11 b side of the first terminal 11 can be inserted. The movement restricting portion 13 is long while allowing the movement of the first terminal 11 along the length direction of the first terminal 11 in a state where the distal end portion 11b side of the first terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion hole 31. The movement on the tip end 11b side in the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is restricted.

  The plug connector 2 is provided with a switching unit 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the switching portion 15 is elastically deformed so as to bend the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11 in a connected state of the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3, and releases the elastic deformation. The amount of protrusion of the first terminal 11 from the movement restricting portion 13 of the distal end portion 11b is changed, whereby the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 of the receptacle connector 3 to be described later are connected in the connected state of the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3. Is switched between electrical connection and non-connection (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Specifically, the switching unit 15 includes a plurality of cams 51 and a rotation mechanism 52 as shown in both drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cam 51 is a plate cam having an elliptical shape in a plan view, and an insertion hole 51c is formed in a central portion 51a in a plan view, and a central shaft 51d inserted in the insertion hole 51c is rotated. It is comprised so that rotation is possible as a center. In this connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer peripheral surface (working surface) 51b of the cam 51 is brought into contact with each central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11 facing each other with the cam 51 interposed therebetween. The cam 51 is arranged on the front.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating mechanism 52 includes an arm 52a, a shaft 52b, a handle 52c (see FIG. 1), an arm 52d, and a rod 52e. The arm 52 a is attached to each cam 51. Both ends of the shaft 52b are supported by support portions (not shown) of the plug connector 2. The handle 52c is attached to one end of the shaft 52b. The arm 52d is fixed to the shaft 52b and is rotated along with the rotation of the shaft 52b. The rod 52e connects the arm 52a and the arm 52d attached to each cam 51, and rotates each cam 51 in conjunction with the rotation of the arm 52d.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, when the orientation of the handle 52c attached to one end of the shaft 52b is parallel to the length direction of the plug connector 2 (lateral orientation), the cam 52 51 is maintained in a posture in which the longitudinal direction forms a right angle (substantially a right angle) with the length direction of the first terminal 11 (hereinafter, this posture is also referred to as a “first posture”). As shown in FIG. 2, when the handle 52c is in a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the length direction of the plug connector 2, as shown in FIG. 11 is maintained in a posture that is parallel (substantially parallel) to the length direction of 11 (hereinafter, this posture is also referred to as a “second posture”).

  In this connector 1, since the cam 51 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface 51 b of the cam 51 comes into contact with each central portion 11 c of the pair of first terminals 11 facing each other with the cam 51 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3. In the state where the cam 51 is maintained in the first posture, one cam in a direction away from each other (a direction away from the central portion 51 a of the cam 51) with respect to the central portion 11 c of the pair of first terminals 11. The pressing force from 51 acts. As a result, the pair of first terminals 11 is elastically deformed by one cam 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the cam 51 is maintained in the second posture, the pressing force from the cam 51 against the central portion 11 c of the pair of first terminals 11 is released.

  Further, in this connector 1, as shown in FIG. 5, an equal (substantially equal) force is applied from the pair of first terminals 11 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface 51b of the cam 51 toward the central portion 51a. Is offset. For this reason, in this connector 1, the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 51c and the central shaft 51d in the cam 51 when the cam 51 is rotated can be reduced. As a result, the cam 51 is driven with a small driving force. It can be rotated (the first terminal 11 is deformed).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle connector 3 includes a proximal end portion 3a and a distal end portion 3b. An opening is formed in the base end portion 3a, and a cable is inserted through the opening, and each electric wire (not shown) of the cable is connected to a second terminal 17 described later. The distal end portion 3b is configured so that the distal end portion 2b of the plug connector 2 can be inserted. Further, a jaw portion 3c is formed at a boundary portion between the base end portion 3a and the distal end portion 3b, and the claw portion 2c of the plug connector 2 is engaged with the jaw portion 3c.

  The receptacle connector 3 is provided with a terminal plate 16 as shown in FIGS. Further, the same number of second terminals 17 as the first terminals 11 disposed on the plug connector 2 are fixed to the terminal plate 16. 3 and 4, only a part (eight second terminals 17) of each second terminal 17 is illustrated. Further, each second terminal 17 is arranged so as to face the tip end portion 11b of each first terminal 11 in the connected state of the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3, and as shown in FIG. When the elastic deformation is released, each of the first terminals 11 is electrically connected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the terminal plate 16 is in a state where the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are coupled and the first terminal 11 is elastically deformed (the cam 51 is maintained in the first posture). In this state, the distal end portion 11b of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 are disposed so as to be separated by a predetermined distance L. In this case, the amount of protrusion of the tip 11b from the movement restricting portion 13 when the cam 51 is maintained in the first posture, the cam 51 is maintained in the second posture, and the first terminal 11 is linear. The distance L is defined as the distance L that is slightly shorter than the difference value from the amount of protrusion of the distal end portion 11b from the movement restricting portion 13 (for example, a distance of 80% to 90% of the difference value). . Therefore, in this connector 1, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cam 51 is maintained in the second posture in the connected state of the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3, the first terminal 11 has the central portion 11c. Slightly curved and slightly elastically deformed (a state in which elastic deformation corresponding to the length of 10% to 20% of the difference value described above remains) is maintained.

  Next, the usage method of the connector 1 is demonstrated with reference to drawings. In addition, each electric wire of a cable not shown is connected to the first terminal 11 in the plug connector 2, and each electric wire of another cable not shown is connected to the second terminal 17 in the receptacle connector 3. It shall be. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are not connected (initial state), the handle 52c is turned sideways, and the cam 51 is maintained in the first posture as shown in FIG. It shall be.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 2 b of the plug connector 2 is inserted into the distal end portion 3 b of the receptacle connector 3 so as to be fitted together, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are connected. At this time, the claw portion 2c of the plug connector 2 is engaged with the jaw portion 3c of the receptacle connector 3, whereby the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are locked (fixed) in a connected state. At this time, the handle 52c is in a sideways state.

  Further, in this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip end portion 11 b of the first terminal 11 disposed in the plug connector 2 and the second terminal 17 disposed in the receptacle connector 3 are defined in advance. Is separated by a distance L.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the handle 52c is rotated, for example, counterclockwise. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 52b to which the handle 52c is attached and the arm 52d attached to the shaft 52b rotate in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. Each arm 52a connected to the arm 52d via the rod 52e and each cam 51 attached to each arm 52a rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the arm 52d.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, each cam 51 is switched from a 1st attitude | position to a 2nd attitude | position. Further, along with this switching of the posture, the pressing force from the cam 51 against each central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11 facing each other across the cam 51 is released, and accordingly, the first terminal 11 is elastically deformed. Return to the released state. Furthermore, with the release of the elastic deformation of the first terminal 11, the amount of protrusion of the distal end portion 11 b of the first terminal 11 from the movement restricting portion 13 increases. As a result, the tip end portions 11b of the first terminals 11 that are separated by the distance L come into contact with the second terminals 17 fixed to the terminal plate 16 disposed in the receptacle connector 3, and both ends The children 11 and 17 are electrically connected.

  In this case, in this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the central portion 11 c of the first terminal 11 is kept slightly curved and slightly elastically deformed. For this reason, in this state, the tip end portion 11 b presses the second terminal 17 by the elastic force of the first terminal 11 itself. Further, in this state, the claw portion 2c and the jaw portion 3c that function as a lock mechanism are engaged with each other, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are locked in a connected state, thereby restricting the separation between them. Therefore, in this connector 1, even if a slight impact is applied from the outside or an object comes into contact with the handle 52 c, the connection state between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 is ensured by the pressing force of the first terminal 11. Maintained.

  Further, in this connector 1, the switching portion 15 is configured so that the cam 51 is rotated to elastically deform the first terminal 11, and the amount of protrusion of the distal end portion 11b from the movement restricting portion 13 is changed by the elastic deformation. ing. In this configuration, as is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, compared to the displacement amount of the tip portion 11 b along the length direction of the first terminal 11 (change in the amount of protrusion of the tip portion 11 b from the movement restricting portion 13). Thus, it is understood that the displacement amount (elastic deformation amount) of the central portion 11c along the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal 11 (hereinafter also referred to as “curving direction”) is sufficiently small. In this case, by adjusting the length of the first terminal 11 and the shape of the cam 51, the amount of displacement of the central portion 11c along the bending direction can be suppressed to about 1/10, which is several tens of the amount of displacement of the distal end portion 11b. it can. That is, the switching unit 15 can function as a displacement enlargement / reduction mechanism. And in this switching part 15, the displacement amount of the front-end | tip part 11b along a length direction required in order to switch the connection and non-connection of the 1st terminal 11 and the 2nd terminal 17 reliably was followed along the curve direction. The center portion 11c can be secured with a small amount of displacement. As described above, the force applied to the elastic body is proportional to the amount of displacement. For this reason, in this switching part 15, the amount of displacement along the bending direction is small, and the pressing force applied to each first terminal 11, that is, the shaft 52 b (handle 52 c) is rotated to rotate each cam 51. It is possible to reduce the applied torque.

  Next, when the connection state between the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 is released, the handle 52c is rotated clockwise. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 52b to which the handle 52c is attached and the arm 52d attached to the shaft 52b rotate in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. Each arm 52a connected to the arm 52d via the rod 52e and each cam 51 attached to each arm 52a rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the arm 52d. Thereby, each cam 51 is switched from the second posture to the first posture.

  In addition, along with the switching of the posture, the outer peripheral surface 51b of the cam 51 presses each central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11 facing each other with the cam 51 interposed therebetween, whereby the central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11 is pressed. The first terminal 11 is elastically deformed so that the central portion 11c is curved in a direction away from each other (a direction away from the central portion 51a of the cam 51). Further, the amount of protrusion of the distal end portion 11 b from the movement restricting portion 13 is reduced by elastic deformation of the first terminal 11. As a result, the distal end portion 11 b that has been in contact with the second terminal 17 is separated from the second terminal 17 by a distance L, and the electrical connection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 is released. Next, the engagement between the claw portion 2c and the jaw portion 3c is released, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are separated. Thereby, the connection state of both the connectors 2 and 3 is cancelled | released.

  Thus, the plug connector 2 and the connector 1 allow the first terminal 11 that can be elastically deformed, the fixing portion 12 to which the base end portion 11a of the first terminal 11 is fixed, and movement along the length direction. However, the movement restricting portion 13 that restricts the movement of the first terminal 11 in the direction orthogonal to the length direction on the tip end portion 11b side and the center portion 11c of the first terminal 11 are elastically deformed so as to be curved, thereby restricting the movement. A switching unit 15 that switches between electrical connection and non-connection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 by changing the amount of protrusion of the tip end part 11b from the part 13 is provided. In this case, as described above, in the state where the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are coupled and the tip portion 11b of the first terminal 11 is connected to the second terminal 17, the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11 is slightly curved. Thus, it can be maintained in a slightly elastically deformed state. Therefore, according to the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, the distal end portion 11 b can be pressed against the second terminal 17 by the elastic force of the first terminal 11 itself. As a result, the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are connected to each other. In the locked state, even if a slight impact is applied from the outside or an object comes into contact with the handle 52c, the connection state between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 can be reliably maintained.

  Further, in the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, as described above, the displacement amount of the distal end portion 11 b along the length direction of the first terminal 11 (change in the protruding amount of the distal end portion 11 b from the movement restricting portion 13). In comparison, the displacement amount of the central portion 11c along the bending direction orthogonal to the length direction is sufficiently small, so that it is necessary to switch the connection and disconnection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 with certainty. The amount of displacement of the tip portion 11b along the length direction can be secured with a small amount of displacement of the center portion 11c along the bending direction. For this reason, according to the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, the connection and disconnection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 can be switched with a small force because the amount of displacement along the bending direction is small. it can.

  Further, according to the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, the cam 51 disposed so as to be rotatable with the outer peripheral surface 51 b in contact with the central portion 11 c of the first terminal 11 and the cam 51 are rotated. Since the switching unit 15 is configured to include the rotation mechanism 52 that elastically deforms the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11, the first terminal 11 can be reliably elastically deformed with a simple configuration. In addition, the switching unit 15 and thus the plug connector 2 can be sufficiently downsized. Further, since the amount of elastic deformation of the central portion 11c can be easily changed simply by changing the size and shape of the cam 51 (the length from the central portion 51a to the outer peripheral surface 51b), the first terminal 11 and the first The amount of displacement of the tip 11b can be easily changed according to the distance from the two terminals 17.

  Furthermore, according to the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, the cam 51 is disposed between the pair of first terminals 11 so that the outer peripheral surface 51b is in contact with the central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11, Since the pair of first terminals 11 is elastically deformed by one cam 51, each of the first terminals 11 is deformed by the number of cams 51 that is half the number of the first terminals 11 (the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 11). Therefore, the plug connector 2 can be further simplified. In addition, according to the plug connector 2 and the connector 1, an equal (substantially equal) force is applied from the pair of first terminals 11 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface 51b of the cam 51 toward the central portion 51a. Since the offset is offset, the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 51c of the cam 51 and the central shaft 51d when the cam 51 rotates can be reduced. As a result, the cam 51 rotates with a smaller driving force. (The first terminal 11 can be deformed).

  In addition, according to the connector 1, since the lock mechanism that locks the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 in the connected state is provided, the second terminal 17 can be connected to the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17. The separation between the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 due to the pressing force of the first terminal 11 applied to the first terminal 11 can be reliably regulated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said structure. For example, the cam 51 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface 51b contacts the central portion 11c of the pair of first terminals 11 and the pair of first terminals 11 is elastically deformed by one cam 51. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plug connector 202 that elastically deforms one first terminal 11 with one cam 51 may be employed. Note that, in the plug connector 202 and the plug connector 302 described later, the same components as those of the plug connector 2 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In this case, as the cam 51, an eccentric cam other than the above-described elliptical plate cam in plan view can be adopted.

  Moreover, it can replace with the above-mentioned switching part 15 and can also employ | adopt the plug connector 302 provided with the switching part 315 shown in FIG. In this case, the switching unit 315 includes a pressing plate (pressing unit) 351 and a moving mechanism 352. The pressing plate 351 is configured to be movable along the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal 11 (in the directions of arrows A and B shown in both drawings). In addition, an insertion hole 351a is formed in the pressing plate 351, and the central portion 11c of each first terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion hole 351a.

  The moving mechanism 352 moves the pressing plate 351 in the above-described direction under the control of the control unit 6. A rack gear 351c is formed on the pressing plate 351. The moving mechanism 352 includes a shaft 352a whose both ends are supported by a support (not shown) of the plug connector 302, a pinion gear 352b attached to the center of the shaft 352a, and a handle (not shown) attached to one end of the shaft 352a. It is configured with.

  In the plug connector 302, as shown in FIG. 8, in the initial state, the pressing plate 351 is moved to the right side (the front side of the arrow A) in FIG. In this state, the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 351b of the insertion hole 351a of the pressing plate 351, and the pressing plate 351 presses the central portion 11c in the direction of arrow A. Thereby, the 1st terminal 11 is elastically deformed so that the center part 11c may bend in the direction of arrow A. Further, when the plug connector 302 and the receptacle connector 3 in this state are connected, the protruding amount of the tip end portion 11b from the movement restricting portion 13 is kept small by the elastic deformation of the first terminal 11, and the tip end portion 11b. Is separated from the second terminal 17 of the receptacle connector 3 by the distance L described above.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when a handle (not shown) attached to the shaft 352a is rotated counterclockwise, the shaft 352a and the pinion gear 352b attached to the shaft 352a are rotated. Further, by the rotation of the pinion gear 352b, the pressing plate 351 on which the rack gear 351c meshing with the pinion gear 352b is moved to the left side (arrow B side) in FIG. Thereby, the pressing of the pressing plate 351 against the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11 is released, and the elastic deformation of the first terminal 11 is released. In this state, the first terminal 11 is maintained in a slightly elastically deformed state.

  Also in this plug connector 302, since the tip end portion 11b can be pressed against the second terminal 17 by the elastic force of the first terminal 11 itself, it is assumed that a slight impact is applied from the outside or an object contacts the handle 52c. In addition, the connection state between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 can be reliably maintained. Further, the displacement amount of the distal end portion 11b along the length direction necessary to surely switch between connection and non-connection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 is reduced by a small displacement of the central portion 11c along the bending direction. Since the amount can be secured, the connection between the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 17 can be switched with a small force because the amount of displacement along the bending direction is small.

  Further, according to the plug connector 302, the pressing plate 351 is configured to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal 11, and contacts the central portion 11c of the first terminal 11 during the movement. And the movement mechanism 352 that elastically deforms the central portion 11c by moving the pressing plate 351, and the switching portion 315 is configured to reliably elastically deform the first terminal 11 while having a simple configuration. Therefore, the switching unit 315 and thus the plug connector 302 can be sufficiently downsized. In addition, since the switching unit 315 is configured with a small number of components, it is possible to sufficiently suppress malfunctions and failures of the switching unit 315.

  In addition, the example in which the locking mechanism is configured by the claw portion 2c provided in the plug connector 2 and the jaw portion 3c provided in the receptacle connector 3 has been described above, but the plug connector 2 is provided with the jaw portion and the receptacle connector 3 is provided with the claw portion. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is provided. A screw type locking mechanism can also be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 2,202,302 Plug connector 2c Claw part 3 Receptacle connector 3c Jaw part 11 1st terminal 11a Base end part 11b Tip part 11c Center part 12 Fixing part 13 Movement control part 15,315 Switching part 17 2nd terminal 51 Cam 51b Outer peripheral surface 52 Rotating mechanism 351 Pressing plate 352 Moving mechanism

Claims (6)

A plurality of first terminals configured in an elastically deformable pin shape;
A plug-type connector comprising a switching unit that switches between electrical connection and non-connection of the first terminal and the second terminal of the receptacle-type connector in a connected state with the receptacle-type connector,
A fixing portion to which a base end portion of the first terminal is fixed, and a direction perpendicular to the length direction while allowing movement of the first terminal along the length direction of the first terminal; A movement restricting portion for restricting movement of the first terminal on the tip side,
The switching portion is a plug-type connector that performs the switching by elastically deforming the central portion of the first terminal so as to bend and changing the amount of protrusion of the tip portion of the first terminal from the movement restricting portion. .   The switching portion includes a cam rotatably disposed in a state where an action surface is in contact with the central portion of the first terminal, and the central portion of the first terminal is elastically deformed by rotating the cam. The plug-type connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug-type connector is configured to include a rotating mechanism.   The cam is configured by an elliptical plate cam that rotates about a central portion in a plan view, and an outer peripheral surface between the pair of first terminals as the working surface is a pair of the cams. 3. The first terminals are arranged so as to be able to contact each other, and when they are rotated by the rotation mechanism, they are brought into contact with the center parts of the pair of first terminals to be elastically deformed. Plug type connector.   The switching unit is configured to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the first terminal, and the pressing unit abuts on the central portion of the first terminal during the movement, and the pressing unit The plug-type connector according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism that moves and elastically deforms the central portion.   The plug-type connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the receptacle type configured such that each of the second terminals faces a tip portion of each of the first terminals in a connected state of the plug-type connector. A connector equipped with a connector.   The connector according to claim 5, further comprising a lock mechanism that locks the plug-type connector and the receptacle-type connector in the connected state.

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