JP3745630B2

JP3745630B2 - Rotary connector

Info

Publication number: JP3745630B2
Application number: JP2001054857A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 茂生森
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2001-02-28
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-28
Also published as: JP2002260775A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、一対のコネクタの一方に装備された回転操作部材の回転操作によって、対向させたコネクタ部同士の嵌合接続及び離脱を行う回転式コネクタに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図８は、回転式コネクタの従来例を示したものである。
この回転式コネクタ１は、図示しない第１コンタクト（第１コネクタ部）が設けられたソケットコネクタ２と、前記第１コンタクトと互いに嵌合接続される図示しない第２コンタクト（第２コネクタ部）が設けられたプラグコネクタ６とを備えており、これら第１及び第２コンタクト同士の嵌合接続及び離脱を、プラグコネクタ６に装備した結合ナット（回転操作部材）８の回転操作によって行うものである。
【０００３】
前記ソケットコネクタ２の前面には、円形の嵌合凹部３が形成されており、該嵌合凹部３を構成しているその周壁４の外周面には、一対の突起（係合突起）５が突設されている。
一方、前記プラグコネクタ６の前方部は、ソケットコネクタ２の嵌合凹部３内に嵌合されるべき嵌合部７とされている。該プラグコネクタ６の外側には、同軸心に結合ナット８が軸方向に移動自在、かつ回動自在に取り付けられている。
前記結合ナット８の内周面には、その前方端面より一対の螺旋溝（カム溝）９が形成されている。前記プラグコネクタ６の後方からは、第２コンタクトに接続されたケーブル１０が導出されている。
【０００４】
そこで、前記螺旋溝９の開口端９ａの位置を前記突起５に合わせて、前記ソケットコネクタ２の嵌合凹部３内にプラグコネクタ６の嵌合部７を浅く嵌合した後、前記結合ナット８をソケットコネクタ２側に押しながら図中矢印Ａ方向に右回転させると、突起５と螺旋溝９との係合によってプラグコネクタ６が軸方向に引き込まれる。そして、前記突起５が前記螺旋溝９の終端９ｂに到達して互いの第１コンタクトと第２コンタクト同士が電気的接続状態になるまで、プラグコネクタ６の嵌合部７は、ソケットコネクタ２の嵌合凹部３内に嵌入される。
一方、第１コンタクトと第２コンタクト同士の電気的接続を解除する場合は、接続時とは逆方向に、結合ナット８を回転させる。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、上述した如き回転式コネクタ１では、ソケットコネクタ２とプラグコネクタ６とを嵌合する際の結合ナット８の回転方向が、一定方向に限定されている。
そこで、作業者は自身の力の入れ易い方向を選択することができず、不自然な体勢での回転操作を強制されるので、作業性が良くない。又、仕様変更等により螺旋溝９の捩れ方向が反対に形成されたプラグコネクタ６をソケットコネクタ２に嵌合する場合、結合ナット８の回転操作方向が反対となるが、作業者には分かり難く、戸惑う可能性がある。
【０００６】
また、上記回転式コネクタ１では、ソケットコネクタ２の突起５がプラグコネクタ６における螺旋溝９の終端９ｂに到達しているか否かが外部から視認することができない為、既に突起５が終端９ｂに到達しているにも係わらず、無理に結合ナット８を回転操作しようとしたり、或いは、寸法公差等で突起５と螺旋溝９との摺接がきつい場合に、突起５が終端９ｂに到達する前に、結合ナット８の回転操作を止めてしまう等の操作ミスを招く虞があった。
【０００７】
従って、本発明の目的は上記課題を解消することにあり、嵌合作業性が良く、誤操作の発生し難い取り扱い性が優れた回転式コネクタを提供することである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の上記目的は、第１コネクタ部が設けられたソケットコネクタと、前記第１コネクタ部と互いに嵌合接続される第２コネクタ部が設けられたプラグコネクタと、一方の開口端が前記ソケットコネクタに着脱可能とされる共に前記プラグコネクタを中心軸線に沿って一方の開口端側へ進退動自在に収容保持する筒状ケースと、該筒状ケースの他方の開口端に装着されて中心軸線を中心に相対回転可能な回転操作部材と、該回転操作部材の回転操作により前記プラグコネクタを筒状ケースに対して進退動させて前記第１及び第２コネクタ部を嵌合離脱可能とするために前記プラグコネクタと前記回転操作部材との間に構成されたカム機構と、を備えた回転式コネクタであって、
前記カム機構が、前記プラグコネクタ又は前記回転操作部材の何れか一方に設けられた係合突起と、該係合突起に係合することにより前記プラグコネクタを従動させるべく前記プラグコネクタ又は前記回転操作部材の何れか他方に設けられたカム溝とから成り、
前記カム溝は、前記プラグコネクタが前記筒状ケースの一方の開口端側に対して後退状態の際には前記係合突起を非嵌合位置とし、前進状態の際には前記係合突起を嵌合完了位置とすると共に、この非嵌合位置から反対の捩れ方向へ螺旋状にそれぞれの嵌合完了位置まで延びるように連設された右回転用カム溝と左回転用カム溝とを備えることを特徴とする回転式コネクタにより達成される。
【０００９】
上記構成によれば、筒状ケースの一方の開口端をソケットコネクタに装着して相対回転不能とした後、回転操作部材を左右何れかの方向に回転させると、プラグコネクタ又は回転操作部材の何れか一方に設けられた係合突起が、対応する右回転用カム溝又は左回転用カム溝に係合することにより、前記プラグコネクタは第２コネクタ部を第１コネクタ部に嵌合接続する方向に従動させられる。
そこで、第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とを嵌合接続する際の回転操作部材の回転方向は、一定方向に限定されず、該回転操作部材を左右何れの方向に回転させても、円滑に第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とを嵌合接続することができる。
【００１０】
又、第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とは、ソケットコネクタに相対回転不能に装着された筒状ケースに対して回転操作部材を左右何れかの方向に回転させることにより嵌合接続されるので、ソケットコネクタ及び筒状ケースに対する前記回転操作部材の相対回転位置によって、操作者は第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部との嵌合状態を目視確認することができる。
【００１１】
又、好ましくは、前記係合突起が前記カム溝のそれぞれの嵌合完了位置に位置する際には、前記回転操作部材に設けられて前記筒状ケースの係止部に係脱可能な係止部材が該係止部に係止されることにより、該回転操作部材の回転を阻止可能である。
この場合、前記係合突起が前記カム溝の嵌合完了位置に位置すると共に第２コネクタ部が第１コネクタ部に嵌合接続されると、回転操作部材に設けた係止部材が筒状ケースの係止部に係止され、該回転操作部材の回転を阻止することができる。
そこで、第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とを嵌合接続する際には、回転が阻止されるまで前記回転操作部材を回転させれば良く、回転操作部材が回転不能となることにより、操作者は第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部との嵌合状態を感知することができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面に基づいて本発明の一実施形態に係る回転式コネクタを詳細に説明する。
図１は本発明の第１実施形態に係る回転式コネクタの嵌合操作前の状態を示す部分断面正面図、図２は図１のII-II 断面矢視図、図３は図１に示した筒状ケースをソケットコネクタに装着した仮嵌合状態の回転式コネクタを示す部分断面正面図、図４は図１に示したプラグコネクタをソケットコネクタに本嵌合状態とした回転式コネクタを示す部分断面正面図、図５は図４のV-V 断面矢視図である。
【００１３】
本第１実施形態の回転式コネクタ１１は、図１及び図２に示したように、第１コネクタ部（本実施形態においては、雄コネクタ部）１７が設けられたソケットコネクタ１２と、前記第１コネクタ部１７と互いに嵌合接続される第２コネクタ部（本実施形態においては、雌コネクタ部）２９が設けられたプラグコネクタ１３と、一方の開口端（図１中、左側開口端）が前記ソケットコネクタ１２に着脱可能とされる共に前記プラグコネクタ１３を中心軸線に沿って一方の開口端側へ進退動自在に収容保持する筒状ケース２１と、該筒状ケース２１の他方の開口端（図１中、右側開口端）に装着されて中心軸線を中心に相対回転可能な回転操作部材２４と、該回転操作部材２４の回転操作により前記プラグコネクタ１３を筒状ケース２１に対して進退動させて前記第１及び第２コネクタ部１７，２９を嵌合離脱可能とするために前記プラグコネクタ１３と前記回転操作部材２４との間に構成されたカム機構４０とを備える。
【００１４】
前記回転式コネクタ１１は、例えば、電気自動車の充電用コネクタとして利用されるものであり、前記ソケットコネクタ１２が車体側に固定装備され、前記プラグコネクタ１３が充電装置に接続された給電用ケーブル１５の端部に接続され、これらコネクタ相互の嵌合接続によって車載バッテリへの充電を可能とするものである。
【００１５】
車載バッテリーに接続される高圧ケーブル１４の端部に接続された前記ソケットコネクタ１２は、前記第１コネクタ部１７の周囲を略円筒状のアウターケース１９で覆われると共に、車体の所定位置に装着固定される構成である。
前記ソケットコネクタ１２に着脱可能とされる略円筒状の筒状ケース２１の一方の開口端（図１中、左側開口端）には、前記アウターケース１９の開口端内に嵌入された際、揺動先端の係止突起２７ａをアウターケース１９内の係合用段部１９ａに係合させることにより、該筒状ケース２１をアウターケース１９の開口端にロックするロックアーム２７が装備されている。
【００１６】
前記ロックアーム２７は、図３に示したように、アウターケース１９及び筒状ケース２１同士を結合して仮嵌合状態とすることにより、後述する回転操作部材２４の回転操作によって接続が可能な所定の対向位置にソケットコネクタ１２及びプラグコネクタ１３を保持固定する。
尚、前記ロックアーム２７は、図示せぬ解除ボタンの操作により、前記係止突起２７ａを前記係合用段部１９ａに非係合状態とすることにより、アウターケース１９及び筒状ケース２１相互の結合を解除することができる。
【００１７】
充電装置の給電用ケーブル１５の端部に接続される前記プラグコネクタ１３は、先端部に第２コネクタ部２９を備えた略円柱状のハウジング本体２２と、該ハウジング本体２２の後端部に両外側面から延設された一対の突出部３１，３１とを備え、前記筒状ケース２１の中心軸線方向（図１中、矢印Ｃ方向）に沿って一方の開口端側へのみ進退動自在に収容保持されている。更に、対向するこれら突出部３１，３１の内側面には、それぞれ半径方向内方に突出した円柱状の係合突起３３が設けられている。
尚、これらハウジング本体２２や筒状ケース２１は、組立性を配慮して、縦に２分割される半割構造が採用されている。
【００１８】
前記回転操作部材２４は、前記筒状ケース２１の他方の開口端（図１中、右側開口端）に装着されて中心軸線を中心に相対回転可能な円柱状部分３９と、回転操作のために握るグリップ部３７とを備えている。
前記円柱状部分３９の外周面には、前記係合突起３３に係合することにより前記プラグコネクタ１３を従動させるカム溝４１が形成されており、前記係合突起３３と共にカム機構４０を構成している。
【００１９】
前記カム溝４１は、前記プラグコネクタ１３が前記筒状ケース２１の一方の開口端側に対して後退状態の際（図３、参照）には前記各係合突起３３を非嵌合位置４３とし、前進状態の際（図４、参照）には前記各係合突起３３を嵌合完了位置５１とすると共に、この非嵌合位置４３から反対の捩れ方向へ螺旋状にそれぞれの嵌合完了位置５１，５３まで延びるように連設された右回転用カム溝４６と左回転用カム溝４７とを連設した構造である。
【００２０】
前記非嵌合位置４３は、前記回転操作部材２４のグリップ部３７が図２及び図３に示した初期位置にある時に、前記各係合突起３３に係合するカム溝４１の最後退部であり、アウターケース１９及び筒状ケース２１同士を結合して仮嵌合状態とした際にも、前記ハウジング本体２２の第２コネクタ部２９をソケットコネクタ１２の第１コネクタ部１７に対して電気的に非接続な状態とする。
【００２１】
前記右回転用カム溝４６は、前記回転操作部材２４を初期位置から右に所定量（本実施の形態の場合は９０度）回転させた時に、図４及び図５に示すように、前記各係合突起３３に係合するカム溝４１の最進出部である右回転用嵌合完了位置５１に該係合突起３３を従動案内することで、前記ハウジング本体２２をソケットコネクタ１２側に所定長進出させて第１及び第２コネクタ部１７，２９を嵌合接続した状態にする。
【００２２】
前記左回転用カム溝４７は、前記回転操作部材２４を初期位置から左に所定量（本実施の形態の場合は９０度）回転させた時に、前記各係合突起３３に係合するカム溝４１の最進出部である左回転用嵌合完了位置５３に該係合突起３３を従動案内することで、前記ハウジング本体２２をソケットコネクタ１２側に所定長進出させて第１及び第２コネクタ部１７，２９を嵌合接続した状態にする。
本実施形態の場合、上述の右回転用カム溝４６及び左回転用カム溝４７は、それぞれの嵌合完了位置５１，５３の位置に対して対称となるように円柱状部分３９の全周に連続形成されている。
【００２３】
更に、本実施形態の回転式コネクタ１１の場合、前記各係合突起３３が前記カム溝４１のそれぞれの嵌合完了位置５１，５３に位置し、プラグコネクタ１３がソケットコネクタ１２に本嵌合状態とされた際に前記筒状ケース２１の後端部外周面に形成した係止部６２，６３に係脱可能な係止部材６５が、前記回転操作部材２４のグリップ部３７内に設けられている。
【００２４】
前記係止部材６５は、前記グリップ部３７内の支軸６６回りに揺動自在に支持されたレバーであり、後端側（図１中、右側）に装備された圧縮ばね６７によって、先端係合部６５ａが筒状ケース２１の半径方向内方に付勢されている。
前記係止部６２，６３は、筒状ケース２１の中心軸線と平行に延びる前記係止部材６５の先端係合部６５ａが嵌合可能な凹部であり、該先端係合部６５ａが係止部６２又は係止部６３に嵌合することにより、回転操作部材２４は筒状ケース２１に対する回転が阻止される。
【００２５】
前記支軸６６を挟んで先端係合部６５ａと反対側に位置する係止部材６５の端部には、グリップ部３７の上端に突出する押圧部６５ｂが設けられており、前記圧縮ばね６７の付勢力に抗して該押圧部６５ｂを押下すると、先端係合部６５ａと係止部６２又は係止部６３との係合が解除され、回転操作部材２４は筒状ケース２１に対して回転可能となる。
【００２６】
一方、前記各係合突起３３が前記カム溝４１のそれぞれの非嵌合位置４３に位置し、プラグコネクタ１３がソケットコネクタ１２に仮嵌合状態とされた際には、図２に示したように、前記筒状ケース２１の後端部外周面に形成した平坦部６１に先端係合部６５ａが位置する。
前記平坦部６１は、筒状ケース２１の後端部外周面に滑らかに連続しており、前記回転操作部材２４を回転させる際には、前記先端係合部６５ａが前記圧縮ばね６７の付勢力に抗して摺動することができ、前記押圧部６５ｂを押下する必要はない。又、前記圧縮ばね６７の付勢力によって前記先端係合部６５ａが前記平坦部６１に係止されるので、前記回転操作部材２４が不用意に回転することもない。
【００２７】
即ち、上述した如き回転式コネクタ１１におけるソケットコネクタ１２にプラグコネクタ１３を嵌合接続する場合には、先ず、図３に示したように、筒状ケース２１の一方の開口端をアウターケース１９の開口端内に嵌入すると共に、ロックアーム２７により該筒状ケース２１をアウターケース１９の開口端に装着して相対回転不能な仮嵌合状態とする。
【００２８】
次に、グリップ部３７をつかんで回転操作部材２４を例えば右方向に９０度回転させると、図４に示したように、ハウジング本体２２に設けられた係合突起３３が、円柱状部分３９の外周面に設けられたカム溝４１の右回転用カム溝４６に沿って非嵌合位置４３から右回転用嵌合完了位置５１に従動案内される。
そこで、前記筒状ケース２１の中心軸線方向に沿って一方の開口端側へのみ進退動自在に収容保持された前記ハウジング本体２２は、ソケットコネクタ１２側に所定長進出する。
【００２９】
すると、該ハウジング本体２２の先端部に設けられた第２コネクタ部２９とソケットコネクタ１２の第１コネクタ部１７とが嵌合接続され、本嵌合状態となる。
この時、回転操作部材２４に設けられた前記係止部材６５の先端係合部６５ａが、図５に示したように、筒状ケース２１の後端部外周面に形成した係止部６２に嵌合することにより、回転操作部材２４は筒状ケース２１に対する回転が阻止される。
【００３０】
又、筒状ケース２１をアウターケース１９の開口端に装着して相対回転不能とした後、グリップ部３７をつかんで回転操作部材２４を左方向に９０度回転させた場合には、ハウジング本体２２に設けられた係合突起３３が、円柱状部分３９の外周面に設けられたカム溝４１の左回転用カム溝４７に沿って非嵌合位置４３から左回転用嵌合完了位置５３に従動案内されるので、ハウジング本体２２はソケットコネクタ１２側に所定長進出する。
【００３１】
そこで、該ハウジング本体２２の先端部に設けられた第２コネクタ部２９とソケットコネクタ１２の第１コネクタ部１７とが嵌合接続されると同時に、回転操作部材２４に設けられた前記係止部材６５の先端係合部６５ａが、筒状ケース２１の後端部外周面に形成した係止部６３に嵌合することにより、回転操作部材２４は筒状ケース２１に対する回転が阻止される。
【００３２】
即ち、上記回転式コネクタ１１によれば、ソケットコネクタ１２の第１コネクタ部１７とプラグコネクタ１３の第２コネクタ部２９を嵌合接続する際の前記回転操作部材２４の回転方向は、一定方向に限定されず、該回転操作部材２４を左右何れの方向に回転させても、円滑に第１コネクタ部１７と第２コネクタ部２９とを嵌合接続することができる。
従って、作業者は自身の力の入れ易い方向を選択することができ、不自然な体勢での回転操作を強制されることがないので、作業性が良い。
【００３３】
又、前記第１コネクタ部１７と前記第２コネクタ部２９とは、ソケットコネクタ１２に相対回転不能に装着された筒状ケース２１に対して回転操作部材２４を左右何れかの方向に回転させることにより嵌合接続されるので、ソケットコネクタ１２及び筒状ケース２１に対する前記回転操作部材２４の相対回転位置（本実施形態においては、グリップ部３７が縦状態或いは横状態）によって、操作者は第１コネクタ部１７と第２コネクタ部２９との嵌合状態を目視確認することができる。
【００３４】
従って、既にソケットコネクタ１２とプラグコネクタ１３とが本嵌合状態とされているにも係わらず、無理に回転操作部材２４を回転操作しようとしたり、或いは、寸法公差等で係合突起３３とカム溝４１との摺接がきつい場合に、係合突起３３がそれぞれの嵌合完了位置５１，５３に到達する前に、回転操作部材２４の回転操作を止めてしまう等の操作ミスを防止できる。
【００３５】
更に、本実施形態の回転式コネクタ１１によれば、前記係合突起３３が前記カム溝４１のそれぞれの嵌合完了位置５１，５３に位置する際には、前記回転操作部材２４に設けられた前記係止部材６５の先端係合部６５ａが、筒状ケース２１のそれぞれの係止部６２，６３に嵌合することにより、該回転操作部材２４の回転を阻止できる。
【００３６】
そこで、上述したように第１コネクタ部１７と第２コネクタ部２９とを嵌合接続する際には、回転が阻止されるまで前記回転操作部材２４を左右何れかに回転させれば良く、該回転操作部材２４が左右何れにも回転不能となることにより、操作者は第１コネクタ部１７と第２コネクタ部２９との嵌合状態を感知することができる。
【００３７】
従って、本実施形態の回転式コネクタ１１は、ソケットコネクタ１２とプラグコネクタ１３とを嵌合し、第１コネクタ部１７及び第２コネクタ部２９相互を電気的に接続する操作、及び電気的接続状態を解除する操作のそれぞれを確実に実施することができ、優れた取り扱い性を得ることができる。
【００３８】
図６及び図７は、本発明の第２実施形態に係る回転式コネクタの要部断面図である。
本実施形態の回転式コネクタ７１は、上述した第１実施形態における回転式コネクタ１１の回転操作部材２４に設けた係止部材６５に代えて、係止部材７３を回転操作部材６４のグリップ部７７に設けたものであり、その他の構成は上記第１実施形態の回転式コネクタ１１と同様であるので、同符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。
【００３９】
本実施形態に係る係止部材７３は、図６に示したように、グリップ部７７内の支軸７４回りに揺動自在に支持されたレバーであり、先端係合部７３ａが筒状ケース２１のそれぞれの係止部６２又は係止部６３に嵌合することにより、回転操作部材６４は筒状ケース２１に対する回転が阻止される。
又、前記係止部材７３の後端部７３ｂには、握持操作部材７５が係合されており、グリップ部７７の中央部内に装備された該握持操作部材７５を握る動作によって、図７に示したように、前記係止部材７３が揺動し、先端係合部７３ａと係止部６２又は係止部６３との嵌合が解除される。
【００４０】
尚、前記握持操作部材７５は、背面側に装備された圧縮ばね６７の付勢力によって、回転操作部材６４の前方側（図６中、左方側）に弾性付勢されている。そこで、前記係止部材７３は、前記後端部７３ｂとの間のカム作用によって、先端係合部７３ａが係止部６２又は係止部６３との嵌合方向（筒状ケース２１の半径方向内方）へ弾性付勢される。
【００４１】
即ち、本実施形態の回転操作部材６４は、グリップ部７７を握る動作だけで、係止部材７３の先端係合部７３ａと係止部６２又は係止部６３との係合が解除されるように、該係止部材７３を係合解除方向に揺動させる為の握持操作部材７５がグリップ部７７の中央部に配置されている。
そこで、前記回転操作部材６４を回転操作する際には、該回転操作部材６４のグリップ部７７を握るだけで握持操作部材７５を操作でき、操作性が向上する。
【００４２】
尚、上記第１実施形態の回転操作部材２４においては、係止部材６５を係合解除方向に揺動させる為の押圧部６５ｂが、グリップ部３７の上端に突出するように設けられている。そこで、前記回転操作部材２４は、前記押圧部６５ｂの操作性を考慮して回転範囲が略１８０度に制限されている。
ところが、上記第２実施形態の回転操作部材６４によれば、グリップ部７７の向きに係わらず、握持操作部材７５を操作して係止部材７３を係合解除方向に揺動させることができるので、回転操作部材６４は回転範囲が制限されず、３６０度回転させることもできる。
【００４３】
従って、ソケットコネクタ１２とプラグコネクタ１３とを嵌合して第１コネクタ部１７及び第２コネクタ部２９相互を電気的に接続する回転操作方向と、電気的接続状態を解除する回転操作方向とを同一にすることもでき、更に操作性が向上する。
【００４４】
尚、本発明の回転式コネクタにおけるソケットコネクタ、プラグコネクタ、筒状ケース及び回転操作部材の構成や、プラグコネクタと回転操作部材との間に構成されるカム機構等の構成は、上記実施形態の構成に限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨に基づいて種々の形態を採りうることは言うまでもない。
例えば、上記実施形態においては、カム機構を構成する係合突起をプラグコネクタ側に設けると共にカム溝を回転操作部材側に設けたが、係合突起を回転操作部材側に設けると共にカム溝をプラグコネクタ側に設けることもできる。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
上述した如き本発明の回転式コネクタによれば、筒状ケースの一方の開口端をソケットコネクタに装着して相対回転不能とした後、回転操作部材を左右何れかの方向に回転させると、プラグコネクタ又は回転操作部材の何れか一方に設けられた係合突起が、対応する右回転用カム溝又は左回転用カム溝に係合することにより、前記プラグコネクタは第２コネクタ部を第１コネクタ部に嵌合接続する方向に従動させられる。
そこで、第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とを嵌合接続する際の回転操作部材の回転方向は、一定方向に限定されず、該回転操作部材を左右何れの方向に回転させても、円滑に第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とを嵌合接続することができる。
【００４６】
又、第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部とは、ソケットコネクタに相対回転不能に装着された筒状ケースに対して回転操作部材を左右何れかの方向に回転させることにより嵌合接続されるので、ソケットコネクタ及び筒状ケースに対する前記回転操作部材の相対回転位置によって、操作者は第１コネクタ部と第２コネクタ部との嵌合状態を目視確認することができる。
従って、嵌合作業性が良く、誤操作の発生し難い取り扱い性が優れた回転式コネクタを提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態に係る回転式コネクタの嵌合操作前の状態を示す部分断面正面図である。
【図２】図１のII-II 断面矢視図である。
【図３】図１に示した筒状ケースをソケットコネクタに装着した仮嵌合状態の回転式コネクタを示す部分断面正面図である。
【図４】図１に示したプラグコネクタをソケットコネクタに本嵌合状態とした回転式コネクタを示す部分断面正面図である。
【図５】図４のV-V 断面矢視図である。
【図６】本発明の第２実施形態に係る回転式コネクタの要部断面図である。
【図７】図６に示した係止部材の解除操作を説明する要部断面図である。
【図８】従来の回転式コネクタの分解斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１１回転式コネクタ
１２ソケットコネクタ
１３プラグコネクタ
１７第１コネクタ部
１９アウターケース
２１筒状ケース
２４回転操作部材
２９第２コネクタ部
３３係合突起
４１カム溝
４３非嵌合位置
４６右回転用カム溝
４７左回転用カム溝
５１右回転用嵌合完了位置
５３左回転用嵌合完了位置
６２，６３係止部
６５係止部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rotary connector that performs fitting connection and disconnection between opposing connector portions by a rotation operation of a rotation operation member provided in one of a pair of connectors.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 8 shows a conventional example of a rotary connector.
The rotary connector 1 includes a socket connector 2 provided with a first contact (first connector portion) (not shown) and a second contact (second connector portion) (not shown) that is fitted and connected to the first contact. The plug connector 6 is provided, and the first and second contacts are connected and disconnected by rotating the connecting nut (rotating operation member) 8 provided in the plug connector 6. .
[0003]
A circular fitting recess 3 is formed on the front surface of the socket connector 2, and a pair of protrusions (engaging protrusions) 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 4 constituting the fitting recess 3. Projected.
On the other hand, the front portion of the plug connector 6 is a fitting portion 7 to be fitted in the fitting recess 3 of the socket connector 2. A coupling nut 8 is attached coaxially to the outside of the plug connector 6 so as to be axially movable and rotatable.
A pair of spiral grooves (cam grooves) 9 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling nut 8 from the front end surface thereof. A cable 10 connected to the second contact is led out from the rear side of the plug connector 6.
[0004]
Therefore, after the fitting portion 7 of the plug connector 6 is shallowly fitted into the fitting recess 3 of the socket connector 2 with the position of the opening end 9a of the spiral groove 9 aligned with the protrusion 5, the coupling nut 8 When the plug connector 6 is rotated rightward in the direction of arrow A in the figure while being pushed toward the socket connector 2, the plug connector 6 is pulled in the axial direction by the engagement between the protrusion 5 and the spiral groove 9. Then, until the protrusion 5 reaches the terminal end 9b of the spiral groove 9 and the first contact and the second contact of each other are in an electrically connected state, the fitting portion 7 of the plug connector 6 It is inserted into the fitting recess 3.
On the other hand, when the electrical connection between the first contact and the second contact is released, the coupling nut 8 is rotated in the direction opposite to the time of connection.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the rotary connector 1 as described above, the rotation direction of the coupling nut 8 when fitting the socket connector 2 and the plug connector 6 is limited to a certain direction.
Therefore, the operator cannot select the direction in which his / her power can be easily applied, and is forced to perform a rotating operation with an unnatural posture, so the workability is not good. Further, when the plug connector 6 in which the twisting direction of the spiral groove 9 is reversed due to the specification change or the like is fitted to the socket connector 2, the rotation operation direction of the coupling nut 8 is reversed, but it is difficult for the operator to understand. , May be confused.
[0006]
Further, in the rotary connector 1, since it cannot be visually recognized from the outside whether or not the protrusion 5 of the socket connector 2 has reached the end 9 b of the spiral groove 9 in the plug connector 6, the protrusion 5 has already reached the end 9 b. In spite of reaching, when the coupling nut 8 is forcibly rotated or the sliding contact between the protrusion 5 and the spiral groove 9 is tight due to dimensional tolerance, the protrusion 5 reaches the end 9b. Previously, there has been a risk of causing an operation error such as stopping the rotation operation of the coupling nut 8.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a rotary connector that has good fitting workability and is easy to handle with no misoperation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is to provide a socket connector provided with a first connector part, a plug connector provided with a second connector part fitted and connected to the first connector part, and one open end of the socket. A cylindrical case that can be attached to and detached from the connector, and that accommodates and holds the plug connector along the central axis so as to move forward and backward, and a central axis that is attached to the other open end of the cylindrical case A rotation operation member that can rotate relative to each other, and a rotation operation of the rotation operation member to move the plug connector forward and backward relative to the cylindrical case so that the first and second connector portions can be fitted and detached. And a cam mechanism configured between the plug connector and the rotation operation member,
The cam mechanism includes an engagement protrusion provided on one of the plug connector and the rotation operation member, and the plug connector or the rotation operation to follow the plug connector by engaging with the engagement protrusion. Consisting of a cam groove provided on either one of the members,
The cam groove is configured such that when the plug connector is in a retracted state with respect to one opening end side of the cylindrical case, the engaging protrusion is in a non-fitting position, and in the forward state, the engaging protrusion is A right rotation cam groove and a left rotation cam groove are provided so as to extend from the non-fitting position to the respective mating completion positions spirally in the opposite twist direction from the non-fitting position. This is achieved by a rotary connector characterized in that.
[0009]
According to the above configuration, when one of the open ends of the cylindrical case is attached to the socket connector so as not to be relatively rotatable, when the rotation operation member is rotated in either the left or right direction, either the plug connector or the rotation operation member A direction in which the plug connector fits and connects the second connector portion to the first connector portion by engaging an engagement protrusion provided on either side with the corresponding right rotation cam groove or left rotation cam groove. Be driven.
Therefore, the rotation direction of the rotation operation member when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are connected to each other is not limited to a fixed direction, and the rotation operation member can be smoothly turned in any direction. The first connector portion and the second connector portion can be fitted and connected to each other.
[0010]
In addition, the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted and connected by rotating the rotation operation member in either the left or right direction with respect to the cylindrical case that is mounted on the socket connector so as not to be relatively rotatable. The operator can visually check the fitting state between the first connector part and the second connector part according to the relative rotational position of the rotary operation member with respect to the socket connector and the cylindrical case.
[0011]
Preferably, when the engaging projection is located at each fitting completion position of the cam groove, the engaging member is provided on the rotation operation member and can be engaged with and disengaged from the engaging part of the cylindrical case. When the member is locked to the locking portion, the rotation operation member can be prevented from rotating.
In this case, when the engaging protrusion is located at the fitting completion position of the cam groove and the second connector portion is fitted and connected to the first connector portion, the locking member provided on the rotation operation member is the cylindrical case. The rotation of the rotary operation member can be prevented.
Therefore, when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted and connected, the rotation operation member may be rotated until rotation is prevented, and the rotation operation member becomes non-rotatable. A person can sense the fitting state between the first connector part and the second connector part.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a rotary connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a state before the fitting operation of the rotary connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a rotary connector in a temporarily fitted state in which a cylindrical case is mounted on a socket connector, and FIG. 4 shows the rotary connector in which the plug connector shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional front view, and FIG. 5 is a VV sectional arrow view of FIG.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary connector 11 according to the first embodiment includes a socket connector 12 provided with a first connector portion 17 (a male connector portion in the present embodiment), and the first connector A plug connector 13 provided with a second connector portion 29 (in this embodiment, a female connector portion) 29 that is fitted and connected to one connector portion 17 and one open end (left open end in FIG. 1) A cylindrical case 21 that is detachably attached to the socket connector 12 and accommodates and holds the plug connector 13 so as to be movable forward and backward along one central axis, and the other open end of the cylindrical case 21 (A right opening end in FIG. 1) is attached to the rotation operation member 24 that can be rotated relative to the center axis, and the plug connector 13 is attached to the cylindrical case 21 by the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 24. By retracted and a cam mechanism 40 which is configured between the rotation operating member 24 and the plug connector 13 to enable fitting leaving the first and second connector portions 17, 29.
[0014]
The rotary connector 11 is used, for example, as a charging connector for an electric vehicle. The power supply cable 15 includes the socket connector 12 fixed on the vehicle body side and the plug connector 13 connected to a charging device. The vehicle-mounted battery can be charged by fitting and connecting these connectors to each other.
[0015]
The socket connector 12 connected to the end of the high-voltage cable 14 connected to the in-vehicle battery is covered with a substantially cylindrical outer case 19 around the first connector portion 17 and is mounted and fixed at a predetermined position on the vehicle body. It is the composition which is done.
When fitted into the opening end of the outer case 19 at one opening end (left opening end in FIG. 1) of the substantially cylindrical cylindrical case 21 that can be attached to and detached from the socket connector 12. A lock arm 27 is provided for locking the cylindrical case 21 to the open end of the outer case 19 by engaging the engaging protrusion 27 a at the moving tip with the engaging step 19 a in the outer case 19.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock arm 27 can be connected by a rotation operation of a rotation operation member 24 to be described later by connecting the outer case 19 and the cylindrical case 21 to a temporarily fitted state. The socket connector 12 and the plug connector 13 are held and fixed at a predetermined facing position.
The lock arm 27 is connected to the outer case 19 and the cylindrical case 21 by disengaging the locking projection 27a with the engaging step 19a by operating a release button (not shown). Can be released.
[0017]
The plug connector 13 connected to the end portion of the power feeding cable 15 of the charging device includes a substantially cylindrical housing body 22 having a second connector portion 29 at the front end portion, and a rear end portion of the housing body 22 at both ends. A pair of projecting portions 31 extending from the outer side surface, and can be moved forward and backward only to one opening end side along the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical case 21 (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1). Contained and held. Furthermore, cylindrical engaging projections 33 projecting radially inward are provided on the inner surfaces of the opposed projecting portions 31, 31.
The housing main body 22 and the cylindrical case 21 adopt a halved structure that is vertically divided into two in consideration of assemblability.
[0018]
The rotation operation member 24 is attached to the other opening end (the right opening end in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical case 21 and can be rotated relative to the center axis, and for rotation operation. And a grip portion 37 for gripping.
A cam groove 41 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 39 to engage the engaging protrusion 33 to follow the plug connector 13, and constitutes a cam mechanism 40 together with the engaging protrusion 33. ing.
[0019]
In the cam groove 41, when the plug connector 13 is in the retracted state with respect to one opening end side of the cylindrical case 21 (see FIG. 3), the engaging protrusions 33 are set to the non-fitting positions 43. In the forward state (see FIG. 4), each engagement protrusion 33 is set to the fitting completion position 51, and each fitting completion position is spirally moved from the non-fitting position 43 to the opposite twist direction. In this structure, a cam groove 46 for right rotation and a cam groove 47 for left rotation which are continuously provided so as to extend to 51 and 53 are provided.
[0020]
The non-fitting position 43 is the last retracted portion of the cam groove 41 that engages with each of the engaging protrusions 33 when the grip portion 37 of the rotation operation member 24 is in the initial position shown in FIGS. Yes, even when the outer case 19 and the cylindrical case 21 are joined together to be in a temporarily fitted state, the second connector portion 29 of the housing body 22 is electrically connected to the first connector portion 17 of the socket connector 12. Is in a disconnected state.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right rotation cam groove 46 is configured so that when the rotation operation member 24 is rotated by a predetermined amount (90 degrees in the present embodiment) to the right from the initial position, as shown in FIGS. The housing main body 22 is moved to the socket connector 12 side by a predetermined length by following the engagement protrusion 33 to the right rotation fitting completion position 51 which is the most advanced portion of the cam groove 41 engaged with the engagement protrusion 33. The first and second connector parts 17 and 29 are fitted and connected to advance.
[0022]
The left rotation cam groove 47 is a cam groove that engages with each of the engagement protrusions 33 when the rotation operation member 24 is rotated by a predetermined amount (90 degrees in this embodiment) to the left from the initial position. The first and second connector portions are moved forward by a predetermined length to the socket connector 12 side by following the engagement projection 33 to the left rotation fitting completion position 53 which is the most advanced portion 41. 17 and 29 are brought into a connected state.
In the case of this embodiment, the right rotation cam groove 46 and the left rotation cam groove 47 described above are arranged on the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 39 so as to be symmetric with respect to the respective fitting completion positions 51 and 53. It is continuously formed.
[0023]
Furthermore, in the case of the rotary connector 11 according to the present embodiment, the engagement protrusions 33 are positioned at the respective engagement completion positions 51 and 53 of the cam groove 41, and the plug connector 13 is fully engaged with the socket connector 12. A locking member 65 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the locking portions 62 and 63 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 21 is provided in the grip portion 37 of the rotation operation member 24. Yes.
[0024]
The locking member 65 is a lever that is swingably supported around the support shaft 66 in the grip portion 37, and is connected to the front end by a compression spring 67 provided on the rear end side (right side in FIG. 1). The joining portion 65a is urged radially inward of the cylindrical case 21.
The locking portions 62 and 63 are recesses into which the distal end engaging portion 65a of the locking member 65 extending in parallel with the central axis of the cylindrical case 21 can be fitted, and the distal end engaging portion 65a is the locking portion. The rotation operation member 24 is prevented from rotating with respect to the cylindrical case 21 by being fitted to 62 or the locking portion 63.
[0025]
A pressing portion 65b protruding from the upper end of the grip portion 37 is provided at an end portion of the locking member 65 located on the opposite side of the distal end engaging portion 65a with the support shaft 66 interposed therebetween. When the pressing portion 65b is pressed against the urging force, the engagement between the distal end engaging portion 65a and the locking portion 62 or the locking portion 63 is released, and the rotation operation member 24 rotates with respect to the cylindrical case 21. It becomes possible.
[0026]
On the other hand, when each of the engaging projections 33 is positioned at the non-fitting position 43 of the cam groove 41 and the plug connector 13 is temporarily fitted to the socket connector 12, as shown in FIG. Further, a front end engaging portion 65 a is located on a flat portion 61 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 21.
The flat portion 61 is smoothly continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 21, and when the rotation operation member 24 is rotated, the tip engagement portion 65 a is urged by the compression spring 67. Therefore, it is not necessary to press the pressing portion 65b. Further, since the tip engaging portion 65a is locked to the flat portion 61 by the urging force of the compression spring 67, the rotation operation member 24 does not rotate carelessly.
[0027]
That is, when the plug connector 13 is fitted and connected to the socket connector 12 in the rotary connector 11 as described above, first, one open end of the cylindrical case 21 is connected to the outer case 19 as shown in FIG. The tubular case 21 is fitted into the open end of the outer case 19 by the lock arm 27 while being fitted into the open end, and is brought into a temporarily fitted state in which relative rotation is impossible.
[0028]
Next, when the grip portion 37 is grasped and the rotation operation member 24 is rotated 90 degrees rightward, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the engagement protrusion 33 provided on the housing body 22 is A right rotation fitting completion position 51 is guided from the non-fitting position 43 along the right rotation cam groove 46 of the cam groove 41 provided on the outer peripheral surface.
Therefore, the housing main body 22 accommodated and held only in one opening end side along the central axis direction of the cylindrical case 21 is advanced and retracted to the socket connector 12 side by a predetermined length.
[0029]
Then, the 2nd connector part 29 provided in the front-end | tip part of this housing main body 22 and the 1st connector part 17 of the socket connector 12 are fittingly connected, and it will be in this fitting state.
At this time, the front end engaging portion 65a of the locking member 65 provided on the rotation operation member 24 is connected to the locking portion 62 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 21, as shown in FIG. By fitting, the rotation operation member 24 is prevented from rotating with respect to the cylindrical case 21.
[0030]
In addition, when the cylindrical case 21 is attached to the opening end of the outer case 19 to make the relative rotation impossible, and the grip portion 37 is grasped and the rotation operation member 24 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, the housing body 22 The engagement protrusion 33 provided on the left side is moved from the non-fitting position 43 to the left rotation fitting completion position 53 along the left rotation cam groove 47 of the cam groove 41 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 39. Since it is guided, the housing body 22 advances to the socket connector 12 side for a predetermined length.
[0031]
Accordingly, the second connector portion 29 provided at the distal end portion of the housing main body 22 and the first connector portion 17 of the socket connector 12 are fitted and connected, and at the same time, the locking member provided in the rotation operation member 24. 65 is engaged with a locking portion 63 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 21, so that the rotation operation member 24 is prevented from rotating with respect to the cylindrical case 21.
[0032]
That is, according to the rotary connector 11, the rotation direction of the rotation operation member 24 when fitting and connecting the first connector portion 17 of the socket connector 12 and the second connector portion 29 of the plug connector 13 is a constant direction. Without being limited thereto, the first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29 can be smoothly connected to each other by rotating the rotation operation member 24 in either the left or right direction.
Therefore, the operator can select a direction in which his / her power can be easily applied, and is not forced to perform a rotation operation with an unnatural posture, so that workability is good.
[0033]
The first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29 rotate the rotation operation member 24 in either the left or right direction with respect to the cylindrical case 21 that is attached to the socket connector 12 so as not to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, depending on the relative rotational position of the rotary operation member 24 with respect to the socket connector 12 and the cylindrical case 21 (in this embodiment, the grip portion 37 is in a vertical state or a horizontal state), the operator can The fitting state between the connector part 17 and the second connector part 29 can be visually confirmed.
[0034]
Therefore, even though the socket connector 12 and the plug connector 13 are already in the fully fitted state, the rotation operation member 24 is forcibly rotated, or the engagement protrusion 33 and the cam are caused by a dimensional tolerance or the like. When the sliding contact with the groove 41 is tight, it is possible to prevent an operation error such as stopping the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 24 before the engagement protrusion 33 reaches the respective fitting completion positions 51 and 53.
[0035]
Furthermore, according to the rotary connector 11 of the present embodiment, when the engagement protrusion 33 is located at the respective fitting completion positions 51 and 53 of the cam groove 41, the rotation operation member 24 is provided. When the distal end engaging portion 65a of the locking member 65 is fitted into the locking portions 62 and 63 of the cylindrical case 21, the rotation of the rotation operation member 24 can be prevented.
[0036]
Therefore, as described above, when the first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29 are fitted and connected, the rotation operation member 24 may be rotated to the left or right until rotation is prevented. Since the rotation operation member 24 cannot rotate to the left or right, the operator can sense the fitting state between the first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29.
[0037]
Therefore, the rotary connector 11 of the present embodiment has an operation for fitting the socket connector 12 and the plug connector 13 and electrically connecting the first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29 to each other, and an electrical connection state. Each of the operations for releasing can be carried out with certainty, and excellent handleability can be obtained.
[0038]
6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the rotary connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The rotary connector 71 of the present embodiment replaces the locking member 65 provided on the rotary operation member 24 of the rotary connector 11 in the first embodiment described above with the locking member 73 as a grip portion 77 of the rotary operation member 64. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the rotary connector 11 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 6, the locking member 73 according to the present embodiment is a lever that is swingably supported around the support shaft 74 in the grip portion 77, and the distal end engaging portion 73 a is the cylindrical case 21. The rotation operation member 64 is prevented from rotating with respect to the cylindrical case 21 by fitting into the respective locking portions 62 or 63.
Further, a gripping operation member 75 is engaged with the rear end portion 73b of the locking member 73, and by the operation of gripping the gripping operation member 75 provided in the center portion of the grip portion 77, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 73 swings, and the engagement between the distal end engaging portion 73a and the locking portion 62 or the locking portion 63 is released.
[0040]
The gripping operation member 75 is elastically urged to the front side (left side in FIG. 6) of the rotation operation member 64 by the urging force of the compression spring 67 provided on the back side. Therefore, the locking member 73 is engaged with the locking portion 62 or the locking portion 63 in the fitting direction (radial direction of the cylindrical case 21) by a cam action between the locking member 73 and the rear end portion 73b. Inward).
[0041]
That is, the rotation operation member 64 of the present embodiment is configured such that the engagement between the distal end engaging portion 73a of the locking member 73 and the locking portion 62 or the locking portion 63 is released only by the operation of gripping the grip portion 77. Further, a grip operation member 75 for swinging the locking member 73 in the disengagement direction is disposed at the center of the grip portion 77.
Therefore, when the rotation operation member 64 is rotated, the grip operation member 75 can be operated simply by grasping the grip portion 77 of the rotation operation member 64, and the operability is improved.
[0042]
In the rotation operation member 24 of the first embodiment, a pressing portion 65 b for swinging the locking member 65 in the disengagement direction is provided so as to protrude from the upper end of the grip portion 37. Therefore, the rotation range of the rotation operation member 24 is limited to about 180 degrees in consideration of the operability of the pressing portion 65b.
However, according to the rotation operation member 64 of the second embodiment, regardless of the direction of the grip portion 77, the grip operation member 75 can be operated to swing the locking member 73 in the engagement release direction. Therefore, the rotation operation member 64 is not limited in the rotation range, and can be rotated 360 degrees.
[0043]
Accordingly, the rotation operation direction for fitting the socket connector 12 and the plug connector 13 to electrically connect the first connector portion 17 and the second connector portion 29 to each other, and the rotation operation direction for releasing the electrical connection state. It can be made the same, and the operability is further improved.
[0044]
The configurations of the socket connector, the plug connector, the cylindrical case, and the rotation operation member in the rotary connector of the present invention, and the configuration of the cam mechanism configured between the plug connector and the rotation operation member are the same as those in the above embodiment. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the configuration, and various forms can be adopted based on the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the engagement protrusions constituting the cam mechanism are provided on the plug connector side and the cam groove is provided on the rotation operation member side. However, the engagement protrusion is provided on the rotation operation member side and the cam groove is plugged. It can also be provided on the connector side.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the rotary connector of the present invention as described above, when one of the open ends of the cylindrical case is attached to the socket connector to make the relative rotation impossible, the rotary operation member is rotated in either the left or right direction. When the engagement protrusion provided on either the connector or the rotation operation member engages with the corresponding right rotation cam groove or left rotation cam groove, the plug connector connects the second connector portion to the first connector. It is driven in the direction of fitting and connecting to the part.
Therefore, the rotation direction of the rotation operation member when the first connector portion and the second connector portion are connected to each other is not limited to a fixed direction, and the rotation operation member can be smoothly turned in any direction. The first connector portion and the second connector portion can be fitted and connected to each other.
[0046]
In addition, the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted and connected by rotating the rotation operation member in either the left or right direction with respect to the cylindrical case that is mounted on the socket connector so as not to be relatively rotatable. The operator can visually check the fitting state between the first connector part and the second connector part according to the relative rotational position of the rotary operation member with respect to the socket connector and the cylindrical case.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a rotary connector that has good fitting workability and excellent handling properties that are unlikely to cause erroneous operations.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a state before a fitting operation of a rotary connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.
3 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a rotary connector in a temporarily fitted state in which the cylindrical case shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a socket connector.
4 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a rotary connector in which the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 is fully fitted to a socket connector. FIG.
5 is a VV cross-sectional arrow view of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a rotary connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a release operation of the locking member shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional rotary connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Rotary connector
12 Socket connector
13 Plug connector
17 First connector part
19 Outer case
21 cylindrical case
24 Rotation operation member
29 Second connector part
33 Engagement protrusion
41 Cam groove
43 Non-fitting position
46 Cam groove for right rotation
47 Left turn cam groove
51 Right turn mating completion position
53 Mating completion position for counterclockwise rotation
62, 63 Locking part
65 Locking member

Claims

A socket connector provided with a first connector portion, a plug connector provided with a second connector portion that is fitted and connected to the first connector portion, and one open end of the socket connector can be attached to and detached from the socket connector. A cylindrical case that accommodates and holds the plug connector so as to be able to move forward and backward along one central axis along the central axis, and is mounted on the other open end of the cylindrical case and is rotatable relative to the central axis. Rotation operation member, and rotation of the rotation operation member to move the plug connector forward and backward with respect to the cylindrical case so that the first and second connector portions can be fitted and detached. A rotary connector provided with a cam mechanism configured between the operation member,
The cam mechanism includes an engagement protrusion provided on one of the plug connector and the rotation operation member, and the plug connector or the rotation operation to follow the plug connector by engaging with the engagement protrusion. Consisting of a cam groove provided on either one of the members,
The cam groove is configured such that when the plug connector is in a retracted state with respect to one opening end side of the cylindrical case, the engaging protrusion is in a non-fitting position, and in the forward state, the engaging protrusion is A right rotation cam groove and a left rotation cam groove are provided so as to extend from the non-fitting position to the respective mating completion positions spirally in the opposite twist direction from the non-fitting position. A rotary connector characterized by that.

When the engaging projections are positioned at the respective fitting completion positions of the cam grooves, a locking member provided on the rotation operation member and capable of being engaged with and disengaged from the locking portion of the cylindrical case is The rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein the rotary operation member can be prevented from rotating by being locked to the portion.