JP3202614B2 - Operation mechanism of connector device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating mechanism of a connector device for moving a connector unit provided in the connector device, and more particularly, to an electrical connection with an external device such as a video camera mounted on the connector device. Therefore, the present invention relates to an operation mechanism of a connector device for moving a connector unit to connect to an external device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 21 shows an example of use of connecting a portable video camera 120 as an external device and a station 100 as a connector device, for example.
The video camera 120 and the television receiver 130 are electrically connected via the station 100. By making such a connection, the video and audio recorded on the video camera 120 can be reproduced on the television receiver 130.

[0003] In order to make such an electrical connection, a connector unit 140 is formed on the case body 110 of the station 100 so that the contact portion of the movable terminal protrudes.
An output connector section 150 having a fixed terminal elastically contacting the movable terminal 40 is formed. As described above, in general, a movable terminal cannot be used for the output connector section 150 exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the video camera 120 used while being carried, so that the connector unit 140 on the station 100 side is used for mutual connection. Is provided with a movable terminal.

In the station 100 provided with the connector unit, if the movable terminal is exposed even when the external device 120 is not mounted, a short circuit occurs due to contact of the movable terminal with a conductive foreign matter, There has been a problem that an internal circuit is damaged by a finger or the like charged with static electricity and the movable terminal is deformed. Therefore, when the external device 120 is not mounted, an operation mechanism for moving the connector unit 140 and housing the movable terminal in the connector unit 140 is adopted.

The operation mechanism of the conventional connector device for moving the connector unit to move the movable terminal in and out will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25.

Station 200 as a connector device
Is a case body 210 and a slider body 2 slidably provided on the case body 210 as shown in FIG.
20 and a connector unit 230 provided on the slider body 220.

[0007] On the plane of the case body, a housing recess 211 for mounting an external device 300 such as a video camera is formed. The housing recess 211 is shaped to fit with the external device 300 and the side surface of the case body 210. From external equipment 3
The mounted external device 300 is positioned by projecting the positioning protrusion 212 that engages with the inside of the accommodation recess 211.

[0008] The slider body 220 is
0, three engagement slots 213a, 213b,
The guide pins 214a, 214b, and 214c screwed to the back side of the case main body 210 respectively fit loosely into the 213c, so that they slide along the back surface of the case main body 210 so as to be slidable. 22 is urged to the right in FIG. A connector unit 230 having a movable terminal 400 is mounted on the slider body 220, and the connector unit 230 protrudes from an opening 260 formed on the bottom surface of the housing recess 211.

The slider body 220 thus constructed
Has a base end rotatably engaged with an intermediate portion of an operation plate 216 rotatably supported by the case main body 210. Further, a tip of the operation plate 216 is formed with a guide groove 221 formed along the longitudinal direction of the case main body 210.
Is rotatably engaged with the slider block 222 that slides. Since the operation knob 217 protruding from the case main body is integrally connected to the slider block 222, when the operation knob 217 is moved right and left in the drawing, the operation plate is turned to move the slider in the same direction as the operation knob 217. The main body 220 slides.

A lock claw 219 for locking the lock lever 218 is formed integrally with the slider block 222.
The operation knob 217 that has been moved to a position at the time of connection described below against the return spring 215 is locked. The lock lever 218 is urged by the compression spring 223 in a direction to protrude outward from the case main body 210, and the lock with the lock claw 219 is released by pushing down a lock knob 218a integrated with the lock lever 218. .

The upper surface of the connector unit 230 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of slits 240 for projecting and retracting the movable terminal 400 are formed, and levers 250 are provided on both side surfaces. The lever 250 operates to make the movable terminal 400 protrude from each slit 240.

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the connector unit 230. Inside the connector unit 230, there are provided a movable terminal 400, an actuator 410 that engages with the tip of the movable terminal 400, and a pressing spring 420 that pushes the actuator 410 toward the movable terminal 400.

The actuator 410 includes a movable terminal 400
The movable terminal 400 is connected to the connector unit 2 against the elasticity of
It is drawn into 30. This actuator 41
0, a lock surface 411 is formed on the side of the movable terminal 400 with which the distal end portion 404 of the movable terminal 400 abuts. As shown in FIG.
0 moves in the direction of the movable terminal 400 and its lock surface 41
1 is in contact with the tip portion 404 of the movable terminal 400, and the movable terminal 400 is retracted into the slit 240 against its elasticity.

The actuator 410 is connected to levers 250 (see FIG. 22) protruding from both side surfaces of the connector unit 230. When the lever 250 is pushed, the actuator 410 is opposed to the pressing spring 420 and separates from the movable terminal 400. Go to By this movement, the actuator 41
The lock surface 411 between 0 and the tip portion 40 of the movable terminal 400
4 and the pressing of the movable terminal 400 is released.
Therefore, the movable terminal 400 protrudes from the slit 240 of the connector unit 230 by its own elasticity, and
00 and fixed terminal 320.

FIG. 25 shows the bottom of an external device 300 connected to the station 200. At the bottom of the external device 300, an engaging concave portion 310 is formed to be engaged with the positioning ridge 212 of the case body 210 from the lateral direction, and when the connector unit 230 moves, the lever 250 comes into contact with the lever 250. A pressing ridge 321 for pressing the contact lever 250 is provided in a protruding manner. Further, on the bottom surface, when external devices are mounted, fixed terminals 320 are arranged in a staggered manner at positions corresponding to the slits 240 of the station 200.

The station 200 of the external device 300
After the bottom is fitted to the accommodation recess 211 of the station 200, the external device 300 is slid so that the positioning ridge 212 fits into the engagement recess 310.

The electric connection with the external device 300 is made by operating the operation knob 217 after mounting the slider body 220.
Is performed, and the connector unit 230 on the slider body 220 is moved. When the connector unit 230 moves, the lever 250 comes into contact with the pressing ridge 321 of the external device 300 positioned in the accommodation recess 211, and the lever 250 is pushed into the connector unit 230. 40
0 protrudes. At this time, the slit 240 faces the fixed terminal 320 of the corresponding external device 300, and the movable terminal 40
0 and the fixed terminal 320 are in elastic contact with each other, and an electrical connection is made.

That is, the connector unit 230 projects the movable terminal 400 in cooperation with the pressing ridge 321 of the external device. Therefore, when the external device is not mounted in the accommodation recess, the movable terminal 400 is not projected and the movable terminal 400 is not projected. Is protected.

Accordingly, when the external device 300 is not mounted, the movable terminal 400 is not exposed even if the operation knob 217 is operated by mistake, and the exposed movable terminal 40 is not exposed.
In addition, it is possible to prevent a short circuit caused by contact with a conductive foreign object, damage to an internal circuit by touching a charged finger or the like, or deformation of the movable terminal 400.

[0020]

However, in the operation mechanism of the conventional connector device, since the operation knob 217 and the connector unit 230 are always engaged, the operation of the operation knob 217 and the movable terminal 400 and the movable terminal The components such as the slider body 220, the lever 250, the actuator 410, and the pressing spring 420 for displacing the terminal 400 move each time, and are operated by, for example, an infant or the like for a purpose other than the original connection operation with the external device 300. When the member 217 is repeatedly operated, these components and the movable terminal 40 may be worn due to wear between parts and fatigue due to deformation.
0 has a short life.

Further, since the connector unit 230 always faces the housing recess 211, the external equipment 300
The mounting direction of the case main body 210 is impaired because the mounting direction of the case body 210 is limited, and it is difficult to mount the case body 210.

For this reason, the applicant of the present invention provides a selective engagement between the interlocking member of the connector unit and the operation lever for moving the connector unit, which only engages the interlocking member when the external device is mounted in the accommodation recess. A mechanism has been arranged, and only the operation lever is moved during standby when no external device is attached, and a connector unit operation mechanism that does not link the movable parts on the connector unit side has been developed, and a patent application has been filed.

However, since the return lever for returning the connector unit does not act on the operation lever disengaged from the connector unit side, it is easy to reciprocate with a light operation force, and if the operation lever is moved to the lock position. There is a problem that only the operation lever is locked.

In a state where only the operation lever is locked,
Since the connector unit cannot be moved, it cannot be connected even when an external device is attached, and if the operation lever is repeatedly operated outside the intended use and the operation lever is locked each time, the lock There was a problem that the mechanism was consumed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a problem, and when the external device is not attached,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation mechanism of a connector device in which a movable component on a connector unit side does not move even when an operation lever is operated outside a purpose of use, and the operation lever is not locked.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation mechanism of a connector device, comprising: a case main body having a concave recess for accommodating an external device in a detachable manner; and a connector unit for electrically connecting to a connector of the external device. And an operation lever protruding outward from the case main body to move the connector unit with respect to the case main body. When the external device is mounted in the accommodation recess, the operation lever is operated to connect the connector unit to the external device connector. An operation mechanism of the connector device, the operation mechanism of the connector device being an external device detection mechanism for detecting attachment of the external device to the accommodation recess, and one of an interlocking member between the connector unit and the operation lever. The interlocking members are engaged while the attachment of the external device is detected by the external device detection mechanism, and the attachment of the external device is not detected. Comprises a selection engagement mechanism for releasing the engagement between the interlocking members, a first return means and a second return means for independently returning the connector unit and the operation lever to the standby position, and the connector unit being connected to the connector of the external device. A lock mechanism is provided in which the operation position of the operation lever when operated until the connection is established is a lock position, the return movement of the operation lever is restricted at the lock position, and the restriction of the operation lever is released by operating the lock knob. A stopper that protrudes into the movement path between the standby position and the lock position of the operation lever when in the standby position, and retracts from the movement path in conjunction with the movement of the connector unit from the standby position. It is characterized by.

The engagement between the interlocking member between the connector unit and the operation lever is released while the external device detection mechanism does not detect the mounting of the external device in the accommodation recess. The connector unit stands by at the standby position under the action of the first return means, and the stopper interlocking with the connector unit projects into the movement path of the operation lever. The operation lever also stands by at the standby position by the action of the second return means. However, even when the operation lever is moved from the standby position to the lock position at the time when the external device is not mounted, the operation lever remains in the movement path. It contacts the protruding stopper and does not reach the lock position. Therefore, even if the operation lever is operated in the standby state, the operation lever is not locked.

When an external device is mounted in the housing recess, the external device detecting mechanism detects the mounting, and the interlocking member between the connector unit and the operation lever is engaged by the selective engagement mechanism. When the operation lever is moved from the standby position toward the lock position against the elasticity of the first return means and the second return means, the connector unit is also interlocked, and the stopper further interlocked with the connector unit provides a movement path of the operation lever. Evacuate from Therefore, the operation lever can be moved to the lock position, and in the lock position, the connector unit is connected to the connector of the external device, and the return movement of the operation lever is restricted, so that the operation force applied to the operation lever is released. Thus, the connection state of the connector unit is maintained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating mechanism of the connector device, wherein the connector unit is mounted and the slider body is slidably supported in the case body, and is interlocked with the slider body via a compression spring to accommodate the case body. A link plate that slides along the back surface of the recess and a hook guide hole that is erected from the link plate and that is drilled in the inner bottom surface of the housing recess, and moves in the housing recess as the link plate slides. A stopper which is urged by a third return means in a direction protruding into the movement path of the operation lever, abuts on the link plate, and when the connector unit moves from the standby position, the slider body The stopper is retracted from the movement path of the operation lever by a link plate that slides in conjunction with the operation lever.

The link plate on which the fixed hooks are formed is linked with the slider body to which the connector unit is attached, so that the link plate moves in the housing recess after an external device is mounted in the housing recess. Therefore, since the external device is positioned in the housing recess by the movement of the fixing hook after being mounted in the housing recess, the mounting direction of the external device is not limited in order to lock the external device. Since the difference between the moving stroke of the fixed hook and the moving stroke of the connector unit is absorbed by the bending of the compression spring, strict manufacturing accuracy is not required for the locking portion between the fixed hook and the external device. When the compression spring bends, the fixed hook is securely locked to the external device.

Since the stopper protrudes and retracts in the movement path of the operation lever by sliding of the link plate, the interlocking member for interlocking the connector unit and the stopper can be used as the link plate for moving the fixed hook.

When the lock of the operating lever is released, the link plate moves in the returning direction after the compression spring expands in response to the returning movement of the operating lever, so that the operating lever moves from the locked position to the standby position. After that, the stopper projects into the movement path of the operation lever by the third return means.

According to a third aspect of the operation mechanism of the connector device, the operation lever includes a slider block guided by a guide groove formed along an inner surface of the case body and a slit formed in the side surface of the case body. An operation knob connected to the slider block by a connecting plate to be inserted and moving along the outer surface of the case body, wherein the lock mechanism is swingably housed in the operation knob and opens on one surface of the operation knob. A lock knob that exposes the operation unit from the opening, and a lock claw that is integrally formed with the lock knob and that is engaged with a lock projection protruding from the outer surface of the case body when the operation lever reaches the lock position. And a stopper interlocking with the connector unit protrudes and retracts in the guide groove between the standby position and the lock position of the slider block.

When the operation knob is moved, the lock projection moves along the outer surface of the case body, and is locked on the lock projection at a position where the slider block reaches the lock position, thereby restricting the return movement of the operation knob. . Since the operation portion of the lock knob for releasing the restriction faces the operation opening portion opened on one surface of the operation knob, the lock can be released without looking for the lock knob and holding the operation knob.

Since the entire connector unit is moved and connected to the connector of the external device, a pressing spring for pulling the movable terminal into the connector unit does not act on the operation lever, and the lock projection is integrated with the case body. Even with a simple structure formed, the lock does not come off.

[0036]

1 to 20 show an embodiment of the present invention in which a connector device is connected to a video camera as a station 1. The station 1 has an external device 2 detachably mounted thereon. And a connector unit 4 that is electrically connected to the external device 2 attached thereto. As the external device 2, a video camera which is a VTR integrated with a camera and other electronic devices are used, and a connector (not shown) provided with a large number of male contacts in parallel is attached to a side surface of the external device 2. I have.

The case body 3 is formed by engaging the upper case 3a and the lower case 3b with each other and forming a substantially hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. A housing recess 5 having substantially the same shape as that of the external device 2 is provided so that the external device 2 can be mounted on the case body 3 without play.

FIG. 1 shows the station 1 in a standby state before the external device 2 is mounted in the housing recess 5, and the connector unit 4 is retracted into an opening 6 opened on the inner side surface of the housing recess 5. The sensor pin 7 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the accommodation recess 5.
And a fixed hook 8 that engages with the bottom surface of the external device 2 protrudes.

When the external device 2 is mounted in the housing recess 5 of the case main body 3 and the operation knob 9 is moved from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 from the standby state, the connector unit 4 is opened as shown in FIG. 6 protrudes into the housing recess 5 and is electrically connected to the connector of the external device 2. Hereinafter, an operation mechanism for causing the connector unit 4 to move into and out of the accommodation recess 5 will be described.

The connector unit 4 includes an insulating housing 4
“a” is formed in an outer shape to be fitted and connected to the connector of the external device 2, and a number of female terminals are arranged in parallel at an equal pitch inside (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector unit 4 is screwed and fixed to the rear end (left side in FIG. 3) of the slider body 11 made of insulating synthetic resin by the connector holder 10. In this state, it is supported parallel to the slider body 11, that is, horizontally. Each terminal of the connector unit 4 is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board 12 extending downward through the rear end of the slider body 11, and a predetermined electronic circuit (not shown) in the case body 3 via the board. Electrically connected to parts.

Both sides and the front of the slider body 11 (in FIG. 3,
Elongated holes 13 extending in the front-rear direction
a, 13b, 13c are drilled, and as shown in FIG.
Three guide pins 1 screwed to the back of upper case 3a
The slider main body 11 is slidably supported along the back surface of the upper case 3a by loosely inserting the long holes into the sliders 4a, 14b, and 14c. When the slider body 11 slides forward (to the right in FIG. 10), the connector unit 4 protrudes into the housing recess 5 and retreats into the opening 6 when sliding backward. This slider body 11 is
a and the spring receiving projection 15, the return spring 16 is the first return means, and is always rearward (in FIG. 10,
(Left). Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular positioning hole 17 is formed in the center of the slider body 11, and an interlocking projection 19 which is vertically provided at a rear end of a link plate 18 described later is inserted therethrough. When the slider body 11 is returned rearward by the return spring 16, the positioning holes 17
The interlocking projection 19 abuts on the front edge of the
When the interlocking projection 19 abuts on the stopper projection 20 integrated with the upper case 3a shown in the figure, the sliding of the slider body 11 also stops at this abutting position. Unless an external force is applied, the slider body 11 and the link plate 18 are stopped with the contact position as a standby position.

The lock arm 21 rotatably connected to the front end of the slider body 11 is provided by a selective engagement mechanism disposed between the lock arm 21 and the operation plate 25 rotatably supported by the case body 3. The operation plate 25 is selectively engaged or disengaged. Hereinafter, the selective engagement mechanism will be described.

The lock arm 21 is formed by bending a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 5, the lock arm 21 is brought into contact with the sensor pin 7 clockwise in FIG. Direction (hereinafter, referred to as a rotation direction).

The distal end of the lock arm 21 is an inclined guide wall 23 that is inclined from the distal end in the direction of rotation with respect to the longitudinal direction, and is continuously engaged with the base end of the inclined guide wall 23. A recess 24 is formed. The engagement recess 24 is
The inclined guide wall 23 is engaged with the engagement pin 26 of the operation plate 25 even though the engagement recess 24 is at the engagement position with the engagement pin 26 of the operation plate 25. When the pin 26 is located at a position off the engagement recess 24, the engagement pin 26 is guided to the engagement recess 24.

The remaining side surface on the rotation direction side is a flat cam piece 27 cut and raised diagonally upward (downward to the left in FIG. 5), and the lock arm 21 is urged by the torsion spring 22 to The flat cam piece 27 is used as the sensor pin 7
Abut.

On the side surface in the direction opposite to the rotation direction (hereinafter referred to as the retreat direction), a slide stopper piece 28 is integrally formed so as to protrude laterally from the tip. The slide stopper piece 28 is connected to the station 1
During the standby state (see FIG. 10), the slider body 11 is opposed to the slide stopper ridge 29 provided vertically from the upper case 3a to prevent the slider body 11 from swinging.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the position where the flat cam piece 27 of the lock arm 21 turns in the turning direction, the sensor pin 7 supported by the upper case 3a by the sensor pin holder 30 so as to advance and retreat is arranged. Has been established. The sensor pin 7 also serves as an external device detection mechanism for detecting the mounting of the external device 2 in the accommodation recess 5, and has an elongated rod vertically separated by a disk-shaped spring receiving portion 7 c (in the figure). A lower) detecting portion 7a, a lower guide shaft portion 7b, a pair of retaining pieces 7d, 7d, which are provided downward from the periphery of the spring receiving portion 7c, and a spring receiving portion 7c.
Driven protruding piece 31 which is continuously provided diagonally downward from the periphery of
Are provided integrally with each other.

The sensor pin 7 thus configured is
It is housed in a sensor pin holder 30 which is vertically suspended from the upper case 3a so as to surround the sensor pin insertion hole 32 formed in the upper case 3a.

As shown in the figure, when the guide shaft portion 7b is inserted into the sensor pin insertion hole 32 while the guide shaft portion 7b is inserted from the surface side of the upper case 3a into the coil spring 33 serving as a compression spring, the inner bottom surface of the sensor pin holder 30 is formed. Guide hole 30a
A guide shaft portion 7b penetrates through the pair of retaining pieces 7d, 7d.
Are locked in the window holes 30b, 30b on the side surfaces, and are positioned in the sensor pin holder 30 so as to advance and retreat. In the state accommodated in the sensor pin holder 30, the coil spring 33 is compressed between the spring receiving portion 7c and the inner bottom surface of the sensor pin holder 30, and the detecting portion 7a of the sensor pin 7 is moved from the sensor pin insertion hole 32 through the sensor pin insertion hole 32. Energize to protrude. Sensor pin insertion hole 32
Is located on the inner bottom surface of the housing recess 5, the detection unit 7 a projects into the housing recess 5. An escape hole 30c communicating with the sensor pin 7 insertion hole is formed on one side of the sensor pin holder 30 where the window hole 30b is not formed, and the driven protrusion 31 projects in the direction of the lock arm 21. .

The driven protruding piece 31 gently falls outward from the connection with the spring receiving portion 7 c, and the tip of the driven protruding piece 31 contacts the flat cam piece 27 of the lock arm 21.

During standby when the external device 2 is not mounted in the housing recess 5, the detecting portion 7a of the sensor pin 7 protrudes into the housing recess 5, and as shown in FIGS. It contacts the upper end of the piece 27. Therefore, during standby, the lock arm 21 contacts the sensor pin 7 at a position separated from the sensor pin 7 and stops at this contact position (hereinafter, referred to as a first rotation position).

At the time of connection in which the external device 2 is mounted in the accommodation recess 5, the detecting portion 7a is pushed down by the external device 2, and as shown in FIGS.
It comes into contact with the base end (lower end) of the flat cam piece 27. Therefore,
At the time of connection, the lock arm 21 contacts the sensor pin 7 at a position rotated in the rotation direction, and the contact position (hereinafter, referred to as the contact position).
At the second rotation position).

When the lock arm 21 is at the second rotation position, the slider body 11 engages with the operation plate 25 whose base end 25a is pivotally supported by the case body 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation plate 25 is formed by stamping a metal plate. The operation plate 25 is inserted into an insertion hole of the base end 25a and is screwed to the upper case 3a. It is rotatably supported. Operation plate 25
An engaging pin 26 is provided upright at the middle of the upper case 3a toward the back side of the upper case 3a, and an engaging long hole 35 is formed at the tip.

The mounting position of the engagement pin 26 of the operation plate 25 is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the operation plate 25 is at the standby position, the engagement recess of the lock arm 21 which has been rotated to the second rotation position. 24. When the lock arm 21 is in the second rotation position, the inclined guide wall 23 is located on the movement locus of the engagement pin 26. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the lock arm 21 is retracted to the first rotation position, the engagement pin 26 is displaced from the movement trajectory, and does not come into contact even if the operation plate 25 rotates. .

The tip of the operation plate 25 is engaged with the operation lever, and the operation plate 2 is operated by the above-described selective engagement mechanism.
When the lock arm 21 is engaged with the lock arm 5, the slider body 11 and the connector unit 4 also move by operating the operation lever. The operating lever is slider block 3
6 and an operation knob 9. Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation lever will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation plate 25 and the operation lever are connected to the engagement slot 3 at the tip of the operation plate 25.
A male screw 37 serving as an engagement shaft portion screwed to the bottom surface of the slider block 36 is loosely engaged with the slider block 36. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the slider block 36 slides in a slide guide groove 39 in the front-rear direction of an L-shaped guide case 38 attached along the inner surface of the upper case 3a. A return spring 42 serving as second return means is provided between a hook 40 protruding from a rear surface (a left end surface in FIG. 10) and a spring receiving protrusion 41 of the case body 3 so as to be attached rearward. It is being rushed.

One side surface of the slider block 36 projects laterally from the cutout recess 43 on the side surface of the guide case 38, and is formed by a metal connecting plate 44 passing through a slit 65 formed on the side surface of the upper case 3a. It is connected to a more protruding operation knob 9 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, when the operation knob 9 is moved along the side surface of the case body 3, the slider block 36 is also moved along the slide guide groove 39, and the operation of the slider block 36 causes the operation plate 25 to move about the base end 25 a. Rotate. When the operation knob 9 is not manually operated, the connection plate 44 abuts on the rear end of the notch recess 43 by the return spring 42, and the abutment position is set as the standby position, and the movement of the slider block 36 and the operation plate 25 stops.

FIG. 10 and FIG.
As shown in the figure, a lock knob 46 is swingably disposed inside the operation knob 9 by passing a spring pin 45 through the operation knob 9. The lock knob 46 functions as a lock mechanism for the operation lever.
3 and the lock knob 46 is urged clockwise in FIG.
The lock claw 47 is integral with the outer surface of the case body 3. A rib 48 for locking the lock claw 47 is formed integrally with the outer surface of the upper case 3a near the slit 65. When the operation knob 9 is moved, the lock claw 47 is moved.
Moves along the outer surface of the case body 3 and the lock claw 4
When 7 gets over this rib 48, it locks on the rib 48,
The return movement of the entire operation knob 9 is regulated. As shown in FIG. 18, when the operation knob 9 reaches the lock position, the slider block 36 that slides in the slide guide groove 39 slides to the lock position close to the front wall 38a of the guide case 38. ing.

An operation opening 9 opening on one side of the operation knob 9
The lock operation part 46a of the lock knob 46 faces a. The lock operation part 46a is opposed to the lock spring 63,
When rotated counterclockwise in the figure, the locking of the lock claw 47 to the rib 48 is released, and the lock of the operation knob 9 is released.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, a stopper 50 is slidably disposed in a lock guide groove 49 in the left and right (up and down in FIG. 16) direction of the L-shaped guide case 38. . The stopper 50 is urged in the direction of the slide guide groove 39 by a compression spring 51 as a third return means.
9 is in contact with the stepped portion 38b at a portion intersecting with the portion 9. Therefore, the tip of the stopper 50 projects into the movement path to the locked position of the slider block 36. Also, on the upper surface (the bottom surface in FIG. 6) of the stopper 50,
A columnar pressure receiving projection 52 is protrudingly provided, and an inclined operation piece 54 of the link plate 18 into which the window hole 53 of the guide case 38 is inserted from behind comes into contact with the pressure receiving projection 52.

After storing these parts, the guide case 38 is attached to the guide case cover 5 as shown in FIG.
5, and screwed together with the guide case cover 55 to the upper case 3a.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of the link plate 18, which is formed in a rectangular frame shape as shown in FIG. In the link plate 18, fixed hooks 8 erected at four positions on the upper surface pass through hook guide holes 56 formed in the accommodation recesses 5 respectively (see FIG. 19), and are provided on the rear surface of the upper case 3a. The guide pin 57 to be screwed slides in the front-rear direction along the back surface of the housing recess 5 of the case body 3 by loosely inserting the long hole 58 (see FIG. 10). As described above, the link plate 18 and the slider main body 11 are interlocked by the interlocking projection 19 vertically provided at the rear end thereof being inserted into the positioning hole 17 of the slider main body 11. ,
The pair of spring receiving projections 60, 60 provided in 59 and the spring receiving projection on the front surface of the slider body 11 are connected by a compression spring 61 elastically mounted.

That is, when the slider body 11 slides in the return direction, the front edge of the positioning hole 17 comes into contact with the interlocking projection 19, so that the link plate 18 also interlocks, and the slider body 1 slides.
1 slides forward from the standby position, the link plate 1
8 is also urged by the compression spring 61 and slides forward.
As the link plate 18 slides forward, the fixed hook 8 moves along the hook guide hole 56 in the accommodation recess 5, and at the same time, the tilting operation piece 54 comes into contact with the pressure receiving projection 52 of the stopper 50 while the lock guide The stopper 50 enters the groove 49 and retracts the tip of the stopper 50 from the slide guide groove 39.

Next, the operation of the operation mechanism of the station 1 configured as described above will be described.

In the standby state before the external device 2 is mounted, since the external device 2 is not housed in the housing recess 5, FIG.
As shown in (1), the sensor pin 7 is urged upward by the compression spring 33, and the detecting portion 7a protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing recess 5. During this standby, the driven protrusion 3 of the sensor pin 7 is
1 abuts on the upper part of the flat cam piece 27 of the lock arm 21 and the lock arm 21 urged by the torsion spring 22 stops at the first rotation position away from the sensor pin 7 as shown in FIG. are doing. When the sensor pin 7 is at the first rotation position, the engagement recess 24 of the sensor pin 7 is located at a position deviated from the movement locus of the engagement pin 26 of the operation plate 25. Is disengaged.

Accordingly, the slider body 11 to which the connector unit 4 is attached is subjected to the action of the return spring 16 for urging the slider body 11 rearward, and the positioning hole 17 is provided.
Is retracted until the front edge thereof contacts the stopper projection 20 integrated with the upper case 3a via the interlocking projection 19, and stops at the contacted standby position. At this standby position, the connector unit 4 is retracted into the case main body 3, so that the connector unit 4 and the movable terminals provided on the connector unit 4 are damaged by an external force, and there is no foreign matter between the movable terminals. There is no short circuit. Also, since the connector unit 4 is not exposed in the housing recess 5,
It does not interfere with the mounting of the external device 2.

When the slider body 11 is at the standby position, the link plate 18 is
7 comes into contact with each other and stops at the rear standby position. In this state, as shown in FIG. 16, the tilting operation piece 54 of the link plate 18 retreats from the lock guide groove 49, and the stopper 50 in the lock guide groove 49 Is in contact with

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 19, when the link plate 18 is at the standby position, the fixed hook 8 stands up from the rear of the hook guide hole 56 in the accommodation recess 5.

On the other hand, during standby, the operating lever is urged by the return spring 42 as long as no operating force is applied, as shown in FIG.
And at the standby position shown in FIG. Since the operation plate 24 that engages with the operation lever is not engaged with the lock arm 21, even if the operation lever is operated to rotate the operation plate 25, the slider body 11 does not slide.
Therefore, even when a child or the like repeatedly operates the operation knob 9 in a standby state in which the external device 2 is not mounted, the operation mechanism such as the slider body 11 is not damaged by fatigue, and the external device 2 is erroneously mounted. Even if the operation knob 9 is operated immediately before, the connector unit 4 does not protrude from the opening 6, so that there is no danger that the bottom of the external device 2 may be hit against the connector unit 4 to damage the connector unit 4.

When the operation knob 9 is operated in the lock position during the standby, the slider block 36 slides in the slide guide groove 39. As described above, the stopper 50 comes into contact with the step 38b, and Since the distal end projects into the slide guide groove 39, as shown in FIG. 17, it contacts the distal end of the stopper 50 before reaching the front wall 38 a, and the lock claw 47 of the operation knob 9 does not climb over the rib 48. . Therefore, during standby, the operation knob 9 is not locked even if it is moved.

When the external device 2 is connected to the housing recess 5, as shown in FIG. 15, the detecting portion 7 a of the sensor pin 7 is pushed down by the external device 2, and the driven projection 31 is
It comes into contact with the base end of the flat cam piece 27. Therefore, the lock arm 21 rotates in the rotation direction and stops at the second rotation position shown in FIG.

When the lock arm 21 is rotated to the second rotation position, the engagement pin 26 of the operation plate 25 is
And the operation plate 25 and the lock arm 21 are engaged with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the operation knob 9 is moved forward, the slider body 11 slides forward by the operation plate 25 that rotates clockwise in FIG. The operation using the operation knob 9 includes
Since a strong spring for retracting the movable terminal in the connector unit 4 does not act, it can be operated with a light operating force. Further, since the point of action is located in the middle of the operation plate 25 and the point of force is at the tip, It is possible to operate with a light operating force by using this principle.

If the operation knob 9 is operated by mistake immediately before the external device 2 is mounted, the engagement pin 26 is disengaged from the engagement recess 24 even after the lock arm 21 is rotated to the second rotation position. Remain in position and they do not engage. However,
When the operation knob 9 is moved in the direction of the standby position (rearward), the engagement pin 26 comes into contact with the inclined guide wall surface 23 on the movement locus of the engagement pin 26, and the lock arm 21 is slightly retracted. Rotate. When the engagement pin 26 is further moved, the engagement pin 26 falls into the engagement recess 24,
At the same time, the lock arm 21 returns to the second rotation position by the torsion spring 22. Therefore, returning to the state shown in FIG. 11, the above-described operation can be performed.

When the slider body 11 slides forward by operating the operation knob 9, the link plate 18 also slides forward via the compression spring 61. Due to this sliding, the fixing hook 8 of the link plate 18 is
The inner device moves forward along the hook guide hole 56 on the inner bottom surface and engages with the bottom surface of the external device 2 to position and fix the external device 2 in the accommodation recess 5 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the tilt operation piece 5 of the link plate 18
When the link plate 18 slides forward, it enters the lock guide groove 49 while contacting the pressure receiving projection 52 of the stopper 50, and retreats the tip of the stopper 50 from the slide guide groove 39. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG.
Until the inside of the slide guide groove 39 moves to the lock position close to the front wall 38a of the guide case 38, the operation knob 9 can be moved forward, and the lock claw 47 rides over the rib 48 to operate the operation knob 9. Can be locked.

When the operation knob 9 is moved to the locked position, the connector unit 4 projects from the opening 6 into the accommodation recess 5 with the slider body 11 sliding forward (see FIG. 2). 5 is fitted and connected to the connector of the external device 2 mounted on the device 5. As described above, in this state, the operation knob 9 can be locked, so that even if the operation force applied to the operation knob 9 is released, each state of the operation mechanism can be maintained. Other operations on the station 1, such as an editing operation, can be performed.

The movement of the slider body 11 until the lock position shown in FIG.
During the interlock, the guide pin 57 comes into contact with the trailing edge of the elongated hole 58 and stops, and as shown in FIG. 20, the spring pressure of the compressed compression spring 61 acts on the fixed hook 8. Therefore, the fixed hook 8 engaged with the external device 2
Does not rattle and does not come off due to the movement of the fixed hook 8.

When the lock operating portion 46a of the lock knob 46 is pushed down against the lock spring 63 from the locked state shown in FIG. 13, the lock knob 46 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and The lock is released, and the lock of the operation lever is released. When the lock is released, the operation lever is returned to the standby position by the return spring 42, and by this return movement, the operation plate 25 also rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. Therefore, the slider body 11 is moved backward by the return spring 16, and the connector unit 4 is disconnected from the connector of the external device 2 and retreats into the opening 6. The rearward movement of the slider body 11 causes the interlocking projection 19 of the link plate 18 to abut the positioning hole 17 of the slider body 11, and the link plate 18 also moves rearward and stops at the standby position shown in FIG. In this state, the tilting operation piece 54 also moves backward, so that the stopper 50 is again urged by the compression spring 51 and comes into contact with the step portion 38b at a portion crossing the slide guide groove 39. At the same time, the fixing hook 8 of the link plate 18 is also
9, the engagement with the external equipment is released.

Thereafter, when the external device 2 is removed from the housing recess 5, the detecting portion 7a of the sensor pin 7
And protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing recess 5 again. Therefore, the contact position with the lock arm 21 is separated from the sensor pin 7, and the lock arm 21 is retracted from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. As a result, the state returns to the standby state in FIG. 10 in which the engagement between the lock arm 21 and the operation plate 25 is released.

In the above embodiment, the selective engagement mechanism selects engagement and disengagement by changing the contact position between the connecting members by moving the sensor pin forward and backward.
The mechanism is not limited to this mechanism. For example, a mechanism may be used in which the protrusion length of the engagement pin that engages with another interlocking member changes as the sensor pin advances and retreats, thereby switching between engagement and disengagement.

The stopper 50 does not necessarily need to be protruded and retracted into the movement path of the slider block 36 by the link plate 18 on which the fixed hook 8 is provided upright.
Further, it is not necessary to use the compression spring 51 as the third return means. For example, the slider body 11 or the like may be directly engaged with the stopper 50 and may be made to protrude and retract into the movement path of the operation lever.

[0082]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the operation knob 9 is operated during standby when the external device 2 is not connected,
Since the slider body 11, the lock arm 21, and the like do not interlock, the durability of the connector device 1 can be increased without these interlocking components being worn or being deformed and fatigued.

In this standby mode, the operation lever is not locked even if it is operated. Therefore, even if the operation lever is repeatedly operated out of its intended purpose, the lock mechanism of the operation lever is not damaged.

When the external device 2 is mounted, since the connector unit 4 does not protrude into the housing recess 5, the external device 2 can be easily mounted without being restricted by the mounting direction.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the stopper is moved by the link plate on which the fixing hook for fixing the external device to the accommodation recess is erected. The interlocking member for interlocking the stopper can also be used, so that the structure is not complicated and the number of parts does not increase.

Further, since the fixed hook does not move before the external device is mounted, the fixed hook is not moved forcibly after mounting, so that it is not damaged. It can be locked to an external device without rattling, and the locking does not come off accidentally.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, since the lock knob faces one side of the operation knob, the lock can be released without searching for the lock knob. Can be performed, and the lock can be released while holding the operation knob, so that the operation lever and the case main body 3 do not collide with each other by the return action by the second return means, so that a loud impact sound is not generated. Further, the operation lever is not damaged by the impact.

Further, since a large return force unlike the conventional pressing spring does not act on the operation lever, even if the lock projection has a simple structure such as a rib integrally formed on the case main body, the lock claw is not required. Lock does not come off. In addition, since the lock projection can be formed at any position with a simple configuration, it can be easily formed at a position corresponding to the lock position of the slider block.

[0089]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state of a connector device 1 provided with an operation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention in a standby state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of connection shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the slider body 11 to which the connector unit 4 is attached.

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing a relationship between a sensor pin 7 and a lock arm 21 from the back side.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing the relationship between the operation plate 25 and the operation lever from the rear side.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state where an operation lever is incorporated.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the link plate 18. FIG.

9 is a side view of the link plate 18. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the connector device 1 in a standby state with the lower case 3b removed.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the connector device 1 at the time of connection with the lower case 3b removed.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing a state in which the operation lever has been operated since the connection in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view showing the locked state by operating the operation lever to the lock position from the time of connection in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows the sensor pin 7 and the lock arm 21 during standby.
It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the relationship.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing the connection state of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged bottom view of a main part of FIG. 10 in which an operation lever is at a standby position.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged bottom view of a main part showing a state where an operation lever is operated during standby.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged bottom view of a main part of FIG. 13 in which an operation lever is in a lock position.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view partially cut along the line AA of FIG. 10;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a partly omitted line BB of FIG. 13;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of use in which the external device 120 and the connector device 100 are connected.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing an operation mechanism of a conventional connector device 200.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a connection portion of the connector device 200.

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector unit 230 provided in the connector device 200.

FIG. 25 is an external device 1 mounted on the connector device 200.
It is a perspective view which shows 20 from the bottom surface side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 station (connector device) 2 external device 3 case body 4 connector unit 5 housing recess 7 sensor pin 8 fixing hook 9 operation knob 9a operation opening 11 slider body 16 return spring (first return means) 18 link plate 24 engagement recess 26 engaging pin 36 slider block 39 slide guide groove 42 return spring (second return means) 44 connecting plate 46 lock knob 46a lock operation part (operation part) 47 lock claw 48 rib (lock projection) 50 stopper 51 compression spring (second 3 Return means) 56 Hook guide hole 61 Compression spring 65 Slit

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-65558 (JP, A) JP-A-6-89755 (JP, A) JP-A-60-257088 (JP, A) JP-A-2-254874 (JP) JP-A-9-82406 (JP, A) JP-A-62-76087 (JP, A) JP-A-53-49286 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB (Name) H01R 13/629 H01R 13/642

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A case body (3) having a recessed accommodation recess (5) in which an external device (2) is removably mounted, and a connector unit (4) electrically connected to a connector of the external device (2). And an operation lever protruding outward from the case body (3) to move the connector unit (4) relative to the case body (3), and when the external device (2) is mounted in the housing recess (5). To
An operation mechanism of the connector device for operating the operation lever to connect the connector unit (4) to the connector of the external device (2), wherein the operation mechanism of the connector device detects the attachment of the external device to the housing recess. The device detection mechanism is disposed between any of the interlocking members between the connector unit (4) and the operation lever.
A selection engagement mechanism that engages between the interlocking members while the attachment of the external device is detected, and releases the engagement between the interlocking members while the attachment of the external device is not detected; A first return means (16) and a second return means (42) for independently returning the connector unit (4) and the operation lever to the standby position, and the connector unit (4) is connected to the connector of the external device (2). A lock mechanism that sets the operation position of the operation lever when operated until connected to a lock position, restricts the return movement of the operation lever at the lock position, and releases the restriction of the operation lever by operating the lock knob (46); When the connector unit (4) is at the standby position, it protrudes into a movement path between the standby position and the lock position of the operation lever, and interlocks with the movement of the connector unit (4) from the standby position. Stopper for al retreat (50)
And an operating mechanism for the connector device. 2. A slider body (11) to which a connector unit (4) is attached and slidably supported in a case body (3), interlocks with the slider body (11) via a compression spring (61). A link plate (18) sliding along the back surface of the housing recess (5) of the case body (3); and a link recess (5) standing upright from the link plate (18).
And a fixed hook (8) penetrating through a hook guide hole (56) drilled in the inner bottom surface and moving in the housing recess (5) as the link plate (18) slides. The stopper (50) urged by the means (51) in the direction protruding into the movement path of the operation lever is brought into contact with the link plate (18), and when the connector unit (4) moves from the standby position, 2. The stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is retracted from a movement path of the operation lever by a link plate sliding in conjunction with the slider body.
The operating mechanism of the connector device according to the above. The operation lever is provided in a slider block (36) guided by a guide groove (39) formed along an inner surface of the case body (3), and is formed in a side surface of the case body (3). An operating knob (9) connected to the slider block (36) by a connecting plate (44) inserted through the slit (65) and moved along the outer surface of the case body (3). The operation opening (9) is swingably accommodated in the knob (9) and opens on one surface of the operation knob (9).
a) The lock knob (4) exposing the operation unit (46a) from (a).
6) and a lock claw (46) which is formed integrally with the lock knob (46) and locks with a lock projection (48) projecting from the outer surface of the case body (3) when the operation lever reaches the lock position. 47) and a stopper (50) interlocked with the connector unit (4).
The operating mechanism of the connector device according to claim 1, wherein the slider protrudes and retracts in a guide groove between the standby position and the lock position of the slider block.