JP3745630B2 - Rotary connector - Google Patents

Rotary connector Download PDF

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Publication number
JP3745630B2
JP3745630B2 JP2001054857A JP2001054857A JP3745630B2 JP 3745630 B2 JP3745630 B2 JP 3745630B2 JP 2001054857 A JP2001054857 A JP 2001054857A JP 2001054857 A JP2001054857 A JP 2001054857A JP 3745630 B2 JP3745630 B2 JP 3745630B2
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Japan
Prior art keywords
connector
operation member
rotation operation
cylindrical case
rotation
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JP2002260775A (en
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茂生 森
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Yazaki Corp
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Yazaki Corp
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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 (2)

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。
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.
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とを特徴とする請求項1に記載の回転式コネクタ。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.
JP2001054857A 2001-02-28 2001-02-28 Rotary connector Expired - Fee Related JP3745630B2 (en)

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JP5272901B2 (en) * 2009-06-03 2013-08-28 住友電装株式会社 connector
JP5312214B2 (en) * 2009-06-11 2013-10-09 矢崎総業株式会社 Lever-type electrical connector with misoperation prevention
JP5393444B2 (en) * 2009-12-28 2014-01-22 株式会社フジクラ Power supply connector
KR101801396B1 (en) * 2011-08-29 2017-11-27 엘에스전선 주식회사 Connector of Electric Vehicle Charger
KR101803579B1 (en) * 2011-11-17 2017-11-30 엘에스전선 주식회사 Connector of Electric Vehicle Charger
JP6200321B2 (en) 2013-12-26 2017-09-20 矢崎総業株式会社 connector
CN112201906A (en) * 2020-08-24 2021-01-08 中煤科工开采研究院有限公司 Mining battery plug locking device and mining battery box

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