JP2021033794A - Protection device and extraction device for closing component insertion slot - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an arrangement in which a protection device is locked in the connector and unlocked by the extraction the device and removed therefrom to protect an insertion slot by physically closing a connector insertion port such as a USB connector of a main unit.SOLUTION: A protection device has multiple stopper mechanisms that is configured to lock by plugging into a USB connector of an existing main unit and physically block the connector. The multiple stoppers have a structure that cannot be extracted unless they are released at the same time. The extraction device is capable of releasing multiple stoppers by plugging it into the locked protection device and taking out the connected protection device by pulling the protection device in the unlocked state. Both devices have a simple structure, capable of mass production. With this, a combination structure of the protection device and the extraction device, which allows pulling out using a drawing device with the same combination shape only, is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention is a protective device that closes and locks a component such as a connector having an insertion slot and a pull-out device that unlocks the component, and is particularly suitable for a connector such as a USB standard-A receptacle.

Computers and devices with built-in computer functions (main devices) operate on OSs that support the USB standard, and the installation of a USB interface has become the de facto standard.
In these main devices, USB-compatible peripheral devices are connected to the USB connector to operate the main device and the storage device and peripheral devices.

For USB, all standards have been developed by USB-IF (US Nonprofit Organization USB Implementers Forum, Inc.) and published as specifications. (Non-Patent Document 3, etc.)

By connecting a general-purpose USB-compatible device such as a keyboard, mouse, or USB memory to the USB connector of the main device, important operations for the main device such as operation of the main device and loading / unloading of stored information can be performed.

Although it is a USB function that can be used easily and conveniently, if it is operated with such a connector open, which can greatly affect the operation of the main unit, serious problems in terms of security are likely to occur.
In addition to security measures, there are cases where you do not want to use the connector, such as prohibiting use for purposes other than the intended purpose or preventing foreign matter from being inserted into the connector.

As a conventional prevention method, there is a protective device that covers the insertion port of the connector of the main device.

There is a protective device that has a structure that is difficult to remove by inserting it into the connector of the main device, holding it by the elasticity of the device, and making it a shape that does not have knobs or protrusions on the surface of the device. (For example, Non-Patent Document 1)

There is a protective device that has a function of sticking (locking) inside the connector of the inserted main device, or by using a material that solidifies or sticks, so that it sticks permanently. (For example, Non-Patent Document 2)

In order to incorporate an unlocking structure (unlock) into the connector protection device, it may be created by combining a plurality of small and precise parts.
There is a protective device that allows the connector of the main device to be reused by extending the protective device to the outside of the connector of the main device and providing an unlock mechanism in the protective device so that the protective device can be removed. (For example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2)

Utility model registration No. 3135047 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-228015

Techno Baines Co., Ltd. "USB A Type Connector Cap [Tsumami]" USBCAPK-B0 Catalog Internet <URL: https://www.technoveins.co.jp/y/products/portcap/products/pdf/USBCAPK-B0_G0.pdf ＞ Published on 2013.03 [online] [Search on 2019.08.13] Techno Baines Co., Ltd. "USB-A Connector Fitting Dedicated Cap (Black) No Tsumami" USBALCK-B0 Catalog Internet <URL: https://www.technoveins.co.jp/y/products/portcap/products/pdf/ USBALCK-B0.pdf> Published on 2015.04 [online] [Search on 2019.08.13] USB Implementers Forum, Inc. "Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 2.0" (USA) Published by Apr. 27.2000 "Figure 6-7. USB Series" A "Receptacle Interface and Mating Drawing" P.95 USB Implementers Forum, Inc. "USB 3.1 Legacy Cable & Connector Compliance Document Revision 1.1" (USA) Published by Apr. 03.2018 "USB 3.1 Standard-A Receptacle (Page 2 of 2)" Section 15 Grounding Springs P .28

Especially when the purpose is not to use the connector, the structure that "cannot be easily removed" is not enough for protection, and the structure of the protective device that can "actively lock" is required.
Further, in order to prevent the protective device from being accidentally removed, a higher protective function such as a lock structure that cannot be easily released with a general tool or the like is required.

Further, it is convenient that the device is not a protective device that permanently locks to the connector, but a protective device that can be unlocked and removed due to the convenience of the installer such as change of usage or maintenance work.
It is required that even an actor who is unfamiliar with the handling of the device can easily and safely operate the device, and the device can be attached and detached in a short time.

Some conventional protective devices have a portion protruding from the main device in order to incorporate a lock / unlock mechanism.
If there is a protruding part from the main device when it is attached, there is a risk of injury to the human body in places where people come and go, and in the case of a portable main device, damage to the main device due to the impact on the protruding part due to dropping There is a fear.
In addition, the protective device may be forcibly removed from the protruding portion.

In the structure of the conventional protective device equipped with the unlock mechanism, there is also a problem that the manufacturing complexity and cost increase, such as manufacturing by combining a plurality of small and precise parts.

In the present invention, the above problem is solved by a device having the following structure.
The protective device 1 has a secure locking (fixing) mechanism by the stopper 15, and by inserting it into the connector of the main device, it locks inside the connector and prevents the use of the connector.
Further, the locked protective device 1 is removed from the connector by using the pull-out device 2 that unlocks and removes the protective device 1.
The connector can be reused by unlocking.
By providing a structure that cannot be easily removed, a higher security effect is provided.
Further, by separating the functions of the protection device and the extraction device, it can be provided as a small, highly safe and inexpensive device.
With these structures, the attachment / detachment work does not require proficiency, and the device can be operated easily, safely, and in a short time.

By inserting the protective device 1 of the present invention into the existing connector of the main device, the device itself locks inside the connector and serves as a lid.
This makes the existing connector unusable and prevents connections and foreign matter from being inserted.
When using the protective device 1, no processing or auxiliary equipment is required on the existing main device side.
Further, since the protective device 1 is completely housed inside the housing of the main device when the protective device 1 is attached to the connector of the main device, the trouble caused when there is a protruding portion does not occur.

The attachment / detachment method of the present invention is a simple operation method in which the attachment operation is as simple as inserting the protective device 1, and the removal of the protective device 1 is as simple as inserting the withdrawal device 2 and pulling it out as it is.
Anyone can install and remove in a short time.

In the present invention, the lock / unlock function is separated into the protection device 1 and the extraction device 2, and only the person who has the extraction device 2 can unlock the device.
Even with an unauthorized unlocking operation using a general tool such as a thin screwdriver, it is difficult to push in the plurality of blocking arms 14 at the same time, and the lock cannot be released.
The structure in which the extraction device is separated has the effect of increasing safety against unauthorized operation, and has the advantage of being simpler and smaller and lowering the manufacturing cost of the protective device 1 which requires a large number of pieces. ..

Since the electrical contacts of the connector of the main device are covered with the highly insulating resin material of the protective device 1, the main device in the energized state can be safely inserted and removed.

The protective device 1 has a shape that can be manufactured by an injection molding machine made of plastic resin, and has a structure that does not require assembly after molding, additional processing, or other combination parts.
The drawing device has a shape that can be mass-produced by a mechanical cutting method using a press die or an NC laser cutting method.

Both the protective device 1 and the drawing device 2 of the present invention have an advantage that they are hard to break and are durable because they have a simple shape and a structure that does not involve other parts.
Further, by providing a combination structure for the shape of the device, it can be removed only when the combination of shapes matches like a key, and the security effect can be enhanced.
By having a shape suitable for manufacturing with a mold and using a production method using a mold, uniform quality can be obtained and cost reduction due to mass production can be obtained.

This document is a drawing and description of a protective device to which the invention has been applied to a USB-A socket. In the use of the present invention, the direction in which the device is used does not matter, but for convenience of explanation, the usage pattern of FIG. 1 will be used as a reference direction, and the front, back, left, right, top and bottom will be described with reference to some drawings. In the drawing, a direction arrow and one English character for the direction are written and displayed as follows. F: Front front side (main unit front side), B: Back back side (insertion back side), L: Left left side, R: Right right side, U: Up top surface, D: Down bottom surface There are multiple parts with the same configuration. In this case, after the number following the code, one English character indicating the position and direction is added. When simply explaining a part, describe only the number of the part code, and when the position and orientation are important, add one letter such as the number L and the number R to the part name left and part name right. write. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an apparatus and an apparatus using the apparatus. FIG. 1a is an explanatory diagram showing a protective device to which the present invention is applied to a USB-A socket. From the left, the state in which the protective device 1 is inserted into the USB-A socket 3, the state immediately before the protective device 1 is inserted, and the USB-A socket 3 itself are shown. The partially cut-out plate 5 in front of the USB-A socket 3 represents a part of the surface panel or the housing (case) of the main unit. FIG. 1b shows an example of the USB-A plug 4. The USB-A plug 4 is used as a tip component such as a USB memory or a USB cable connected to the USB socket of the main device. It is an orthographic projection which shows the detail of each part of protection device 1. (Fig. 2) Each figure of FIG. 2 shows FIG. 2a: front view, FIG. 2b: rear view, FIG. 2c: plan view, FIG. 2d: bottom view, FIG. 2e: left side view, and FIG. 2f: right side view. .. FIG. 3 is an auxiliary diagram for showing the structure of the protection device 1. In order to explain the present invention, the protection device is shown from three directions using an isometric projection. FIG. 3a is a view (isometric view) showing the back surface, the left side surface, and the plane. 3b and 3c are views in which the top and bottom of the protective device of FIG. 3a are interchanged in order to display the locking / unlocking mechanism in detail. 3b is a view showing a back surface, a plane and a right side surface, and FIG. 3c is a view showing a front surface, a bottom surface and a left side surface. The figures after FIG. 3b are drawn with the bottom surface facing up for the sake of explanation. From FIG. 3d onward, in order to explain the internal structure of the protective device 1, FIG. 3c is cut and disassembled into functional blocks and displayed. FIG. 3d is a view of the inside of the protective device 1 as viewed from the left side in order to show the cutting position. FIG. 3e is a reference diagram for showing the blocking arm 14 and the virtual frame 12 for fixing the blocking arm 14 by cutting the A-B position. FIG. 3f is a reference view showing the front surface 11 and the side wall 13 of the protective device for stably fixing the protective device 1 to the USB-A socket by cutting the A-B position. FIG. 3g is an explanatory diagram showing that a part in front of the frame 12 is removed from the reference diagram of FIG. 3e and the blocking arm 14 is connected to the frame 12B in the back in order to clarify the blocking arm 14 which is particularly important. .. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a protective device 1 and a drawing device 2. FIG. 4a is a diagram showing a drawing device 2. FIG. 4b is a diagram showing the protective device 1, the front panel 5 of the main device, and the USB-A socket 3 from the left. C-C'and D-D'in FIGS. 4a and 4b indicate the cross-sectional positions in FIG. C-C'shows the stopper 15, and D-D'shows the cross section of the unlocker 17 and the extraction coupler 16. FIG. 4c is a diagram in which the extraction device 2 is inserted into the protection device 1. FIG. 4d is a diagram in which the extraction device 2 is inserted into the protection device 1 to the extraction position. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the inside of the protective device 1 when it is inserted and pulled out. The locking and unlocking operations will be described with reference to cross-sectional views divided at the C-C'and D-D'positions of FIGS. 4a and 4b. FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional reference view when the extraction device 2, the protection device 1, and the USB-A socket 3 are cut on the stopper 15 (C-C'in FIG. 4). FIG. 5b is a diagram showing a state in which the protection device 1 of FIG. 5a is inserted into the USB-A socket 3 and locked. FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional reference view in which the protective device 1 and the USB-A socket 3 are cut by the unlocker 17 and the extraction coupler 16 (FIG. 4 D-D'). FIG. 5d is a diagram showing a state in which the protection device 1 of FIG. 5c is inserted into the USB-A socket 3 and a extraction device 2. FIG. 5e is a diagram in which the extraction device 2 is inserted into FIG. 5d to a position where it can be extracted. FIG. 5f is a diagram in which the protective device 1 is connected by the pulling device 2 inserted to the pullable position in FIG. 5e and pulled out halfway. (Refer to the explanation in Fig. 7 for the pullable position.) FIG. 6 is an orthographic projection showing details of each part of the extraction device 2. 6a: rear view, FIG. 6b: plan view, FIG. 6c: front view, FIG. 6d: side view, and FIG. 6e: bottom view. The side view is the same on the left and right. FIG. 7 is a reference diagram showing the structure of the combination of the protection device 1 and the extraction device 2. 7a, 7b, and 7c show examples of the structure.

First, the protective device 1 will be described.

USB is the de facto standard for device interfaces in almost all main devices sold worldwide. (Fig. 1a) (At the time of filing)

The USB-A socket 3 is arranged as a connector component inside a panel covering the surface of the main device, a case 5, or the like.
The USB-A plug 4 can be inserted into the plug insertion port 38 of the USB-A socket 3 through the opening 58 of the main device as a tip component such as a USB memory or a USB cable. (Fig. 1b)
The panel and case 5 of the main device are provided with an opening 58 as an insertion port for inserting the USB plug 4.
Even when the protective device 1 is attached, it is not necessary to open the panel or the case 5 of the main device, and the protective device 1 can be inserted and attached through the panel opening 58 of the main device in the same manner as the USB plug 4.

In the USB-A socket, there is a leaf spring 31 with a structure in which an iron plate around the connector is cut out, which is called a grounding spring. (In Fig. 4 of Non-Patent Document)
The USB-A plug has a hole 41 for receiving the tip of the leaf spring 31, and its arrangement and dimensions are specified in the specification (Non-Patent Document 3). (Fig. 1b)

In the present invention, the stopper 15 is pressed against the hole, groove, notch, or other catching portion (the notch groove of the USB-A socket leaf spring 31) inside the connector of the main device to pull it out to the protective device 1. Blocks operation and sticks inside the connector of the main unit. (Fig. 5b)

In conventional devices such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a hook (such as a claw) extended from the outside of the device is hooked in the notch groove of the USB-A socket leaf spring 31 to prevent it from being pulled out. The structure is different from.
Further, in the conventional apparatus, it is necessary to precisely make a hook to be a fixing claw from a thin and hard metal or the like, but the stopper 15 of the present invention has a shape suitable for resin molding.

The blocking arm 14 is connected to the frame 12B located at the back in the state of a cantilever, and the elasticity (deflection) of the material gives an effect like a leaf spring.
The stopper 15 and the pull-out coupler 16 having a latch structure on the blocking arm 14 are pushed in when pressure is applied in the direction perpendicular to the latch structure, and are restored when the pressure is removed, similar to the operation of the door latch and the like.

The latch used in the present invention has a semi-equilateral triangular shape and is inserted from the inclined surface side. (Fig. 3g)
The latch is pushed inward by pushing the inclined surface by the insertion.
The opposite side of the inclined surface is vertical, and when the apex of the latch gets over the hole, groove, or catch, it recovers from pushing and functions as a stopper.
The stopper 15 having a latch structure is pushed in the internal direction (upward in FIG. 5a) by being pushed by the peripheral metal fittings of the USB socket when the protective device 1 is inserted.
When the tip of the stopper 15 passes through the notch groove, it recovers from pushing and locks to the connector.

The protective device 1 is entirely composed of a resin material.
When creating a mold, as shown in Fig. 3, a shape that sandwiches all the parts that make up the device, such as the frame 12 and blocking arm 14, from both the top and bottom sides (does not three-dimensionally intersect with other parts) is suitable. , Good compatibility with the manufacturing method by injection molding.
By constructing all the necessary structures as one shape, no additional processing or parts to be combined is required.
By using a manufacturing method using a mold for all processes, it is possible to reduce the cost due to mass production.
* Since the protective device 1 is assumed to be manufactured as a single unit, the frame 12 and the like described in the explanation do not exist as parts that can be individually disassembled.

Next, the drawing device 2 will be described.

Insert the extraction device 2 into the extraction device insertion port 18 of the protection device 1 locked in the USB-A socket 3. (Fig. 4c)
The pulling device 2 passes through the slope of the unlocker 17 and overlaps, and the blocking arm 14 is pushed inward. (Fig. 4d) (Fig. 5e)
Since the height at which the extraction device 2 and the unlocker 17 overlap is higher than that of the stopper 15, the stopper 15 slips inside the metal plate around the USB-A socket 3.
As a result, the locks on both sides are released at the same time, and the protective device 1 is unlocked.

Further, when the pull-out device 2 gets over the pull-out coupler 16 (pull-out position), the pull-out catch 21 of the pull-out device 2 hangs on the pull-out coupler 16 of the protection device 1. (See Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7a)
Since the pull-out device 2 is designed so that it can be pulled out from the pull-out device insertion port 18 as far as it will go, there is no need to adjust the insertion depth.
When the pull-out device 2 is pulled out with the pull-out catch 21 coupled to the pull-out coupler 16 (in the state of being inserted all the way), the protective device 1 can be pulled out while being connected to the pull-out device 2. (Fig. 5f)

The drawing device 2 is designed in a shape that can realize all the necessary functions by cutting a flat plate.
The drawing device 2 does not require any additional processing or parts to be combined, and has a simple structure.
Cost reduction can be achieved by using these manufacturing methods suitable for mass production.
In this description, it is assumed that the material is cut into a thin plate or the like, but any material that can obtain sufficient strength against the pulling force of the device can be manufactured, and the present invention does not limit the material.
Further, there are manufacturing methods by cutting such as press working with a punching die, cutting with an NC laser, and manufacturing without cutting such as casting molding and injection molding, and the present invention is not limited to the manufacturing method.

In the device incorporating the combination function in the present invention, extraction can be performed only when the protection device 1 and the extraction device 2 having the matching combination shape are used.
The structure of the mechanism of the combination is presented by an example diagram. (Fig. 7)
This combination mechanism is not always required, but by using this mechanism, it is necessary to have a matching combination shape in order to perform unlocking, so that higher security performance can be obtained.

The device incorporating the combination function can reach the extraction coupler 16 and can be extracted only when the device has a combination shape that matches the back surface 12B of the frame and the tip of the extraction device 2.
When the E line of the pull-out device 2 exceeds the F line (pull-out possible position) of the protection device 1 (combination state), the pull-out catch 21 can be pulled out by capturing and connecting the pull-out coupler 16. (Fig. 7a)
When the combination shapes that do not match are used, the extraction device 2 is obstructed by the combination mechanism A61 or the combination mechanism B62 (in a misaligned state), and the extraction coupler 16 cannot reach the extraction catch 21, and as a result, the extraction cannot be performed. ..
When using a combination / combination structure, the combination shape is placed at the right position of the F line.
As for the shape of the combination mechanism A61 or the combination mechanism B62, various shapes can be used as in this example.
Further, by designing the shape of the combination mechanism to be symmetrical with the center line of the drawing device 2, the drawing device 2 can be used on any surface. (Fig. 7)
The present invention does not limit the shape and arrangement of the combination / combination structure.

The protective device 1 uses a resin material, and the entire device is manufactured as a single resin component.
The explanatory diagrams and symbols in this document describe the device for each function for the sake of explanation, and are not composed of individual parts, and there are no individual parts.

The present invention is not limited to the USB-A socket, and can be applied to connector parts having a similar structure.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the connector as long as it has the same structure.
The description of this document expresses one of the manufacturing methods for realizing the present invention, and does not limit the present invention to the material, the manufacturing method, and the manufacturing as a single resin part.
In addition, the present invention does not deny additional processing or combination with other parts in the device for protection and drawing.

The letters added after the numbers in the code number are basically based on the above orientation.
F: Front front (main unit front side), B: Back back (insertion side back), L: Left left side, R: Right right side, U: Up top, D: Down bottom

1 Protective device
2 Extraction device
3 USB-A socket (USB standard-A receptacle connector)
4 USB-A plug (USB standard-A plug connector)
5 Main unit surface panel, housing / case, etc.
11 Front of protective device
12 frames
12F frame front
12B frame back
12L frame left side
12R frame right side
13 side wall
13L left side wall
13R right side wall
14 Blocking arm
14L left blocking arm
14R right blocking arm
15 Stopper
15L left stopper
15R right stopper
16 Pull-out coupler
16L left pull-out coupler
16R right pull-out coupler
17 Unrocca
17L Left Unrocca
17R Right Unrocca
18 Extraction device insertion slot
21 Pull-out catch
21L left pull-out catch
21R right pull out catch
31 USB-A Socket Leaf Spring (Grounding Springs)
38 USB-A socket plug insertion port
41 USB-A plug Leaf spring receiving hole
58 Panel opening
61 Combination mechanism A [Protective device side]
62 Combination mechanism B [Pulling device side]

Claims (3)

It is a protective device that closes the connector insertion slot by inserting it into a component such as a connector that has an insertion slot and locking it inside the connector. It is characterized by having the following requirements.
-Has multiple mechanisms with a stopper function to prevent the protective device from being removed.
-Mechanisms with multiple stopper functions function independently, and lock / unlock within the connector by the stopper function.
-It has a structure that can be removed from the connector by releasing the locks by multiple stoppers at the same time. A pull-out device capable of removing a protective device that blocks a connector insertion slot, which comprises the following requirements.
-By inserting it into a protective device, it is possible to unlock (unlock) the lock by a mechanism having multiple stopper functions at the same time.
-The lock can be released by inserting it, and the protective device can be removed at the same time by pulling it out. A combinational structure is provided for the protection device and the extraction device of the present invention, and a structure that cannot be extracted unless the extraction device has the same combination shape corresponding to the protection device is provided.