JP4599276B2 - Receptacle connector with shutter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-core connector used for coupling electrical wiring between electronic devices connected to each other using a plurality of electrical wirings. Specifically, this multi-core connector has a plug connector portion and a receptacle connector portion that receives the plug connector portion, and the receptacle connector portion includes a shutter that can shield the opening when the plug connector portion is not inserted. It relates to a core connector.

  Signals to be transmitted and received are diversified and complicated in high-performance electronic devices such as medical devices such as ultrasonic diagnostic devices, semiconductor manufacturing devices, semiconductor inspection devices, computers, and communication devices. For this reason, connections between input / outputs of a plurality of electronic devices connected to each other, between transmission / reception cables, and between transmission / reception cables and electronic devices tend to be multicore. As a result, there has been a demand for multi-core connectors that require further multi-core, smaller size, higher density, higher reliability, and easier operation.

  A multi-core ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector requires mutual connection between a large number of contact portions formed in a plug connector portion and a receptacle connector portion. In addition, it is desired to supply a connector having a long service life with a very small insertion / extraction force when the plug connector portion and the receptacle connector portion are connected to each other and when the plug connector portion is pulled out and the contact portion is less worn.

  An example of a conventional ZIF multi-core connector is shown in FIG. The multi-core connector 80 includes a plug connector 81 connected to one electronic device (not shown) of two electronic devices to be connected, and a receptacle (not shown) connected to the other electronic device (not shown). receptacle) constituted by a connector 82. When both are connected, the plug connector 81 is inserted into the receptacle connector 82 from the opening 91 of the receptacle connector 82 with a zero insertion force, and the two are joined together. A camshaft 84 provided at the center of the connector 81 is rotated.

  By this process, the actuator 86 in the plug connector 81 is slid in the lateral direction by the action of the cam 85 provided at the side portion of the cam shaft 84. Then, the actuator 86 elastically displaces the contacts 88 formed at the tips of the contact pins 87 of the plug connector 81 in the lateral direction so as to contact the corresponding contacts 89 of the receptacle connector 82. Let In this way, the contacts 88 of the plug connector 81 are respectively brought into pressure contact with the contacts 89 of the corresponding receptacle connector 82 to thereby electrically connect them. Further, the rotation of the camshaft 84 causes a lock to be fixed between the plug connector 81 and the receptacle connector 82, and the plug connector 81 and the receptacle connector 82 are securely fixed.

  For example, when this connector is used to connect the apparatus main body and the signal cable of the ultrasonic sensor in the ultrasonic apparatus, the receptacle connector 82 is fixed to the circuit board (not shown) of the ultrasonic apparatus and the lower contact terminal 90 is attached. Solder mounted on the circuit board. A form is adopted in which the plug connector 81 is fitted to the receptacle connector 82 to obtain electrical connection.

  When a cable is wired to the plug connector 81, a plurality of core wires of a cable (not shown) are crimped to a plurality of corresponding upper terminals 92 of the contact, or the contact upper terminals 92 are connected to a specific circuit board (see FIG. (Not shown) and pull out the cable from the wiring of this circuit board.

In such a multi-core connector 80, a plurality of contacts 89 planted on the receptacle connector 82 side are exposed at the opening 91, and there is a risk that the operator contacts the contacts 89 of the receptacle connector 82. For example, in a device such as a medical device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a current may flow in the contact portion on the receptacle connector 82 side, and there are regulations that easily regulate the structure that human hands and fingers touch. . In addition, there is a possibility that dust, foreign matter, etc. may adhere to and contact the contact surface. In the conventional connector shown in FIG. 16, as a countermeasure against exposure of the contact 89, when the connector is not connected, a dust cover, a protective cover or the like is attached to the upper surface of the receptacle connector 82, and is removed when mated. Was necessary.
JP 2004-71400 A 6-54260

  In order to prevent the operator from making electrical contact with the inside of the receptacle connector at the opening of the receptacle connector such as a multi-core connector, the purpose is to shield the contact portion of the receptacle connector and to prevent dust and foreign matter from entering. Provided is a connector with a shutter having a structure in which when a shutter is provided at an opening of a receptacle connector for the purpose, it is not easily opened by a human finger or the like, but the shutter is opened only when the plug connector is fitted.

  In the multi-core connector 1, at least two shutters 20 that open and close in the form of double doors are provided in the opening of the receptacle connector 3 in which a plurality of contact portions are arranged. For this reason, the rotation projection shaft 11 of the shutter 20 is disposed on the opening side wall of the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 3, and the rotation projection shaft 11 is fitted to the elongated hole-shaped bearing portions 21 formed on both side surfaces of the shutter 20. Engaged. Protrusions 22 for controlling the rotation trajectory are formed on both sides of the shutter 20 on the opening side, and shutter trajectory cams 31 are formed on both inner sides of the receptacle connector, and the protrusions 22 of the shutter 20 are engaged. The shutter 22 rotates while being controlled in the cam 31.

  The shape of the cam 31 is such that the shutter 20 is not opened by simply pressing the shutter 20 from above. Further, the cam 31 and the long hole-shaped bearing portions 21 formed on both side surfaces of the shutter 20 make the rotation locus of the shutter 20 a constant rotation around the fixed axis, that is, around the fixed axis when the shutter is opened and closed. It is possible to reduce the height of the connector as compared with the simple rotation locus that rotates.

  The plug connector 2 which is the mating connector is formed with a key projection 52 at a position matching the position of the key window 24 of the shutter 20. When the key projection 52 of the plug connector 2 is fitted, first, the key projection 52 The shutter 20 is moved in the lateral direction by a certain amount against the force of the tension spring 40 by the inclined shape and the cams 31 formed on both inner sides of the receptacle connector. In this state, the shutter 20 becomes rotatable, the plug connector 2 can be fitted, and the plug connector 2 is inserted and fitted into the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 3 while the shutter 20 is opened.

  Note that the key window 24 of the shutter 20 and the key protrusion 52 of the plug connector 2 are formed at asymmetric positions with respect to the center, so that when the plug connector 2 is inserted in the reverse direction, it cannot be engaged, so that an error occurs. It can be set as the structure of a fitting prevention.

  When the plug connector 2 is detached from the receptacle housing 10, at least two shutters 20 are automatically rotated in the closing direction by the urging of the tension springs 40 attached to both sides of the shutter 20. The shutter 20 is pulled in the horizontal direction to return to a predetermined position.

That is, the invention described in the embodiment is a receptacle connector that forms a connector together with a plug connector,
A housing having an opening;
At least two shutters provided in the opening;
The shutter is in an open state with respect to the opening when mated with the counterpart plug connector, and is closed when the plug connector is not inserted into the housing, and the shutter rotates and moves linearly. An elongated hole-shaped bearing portion that engages with a projection shaft provided on a side surface of the housing, and has a key window that receives the key projection formed on the plug connector,
A cam plate having a cam shape for controlling an opening / closing locus of the shutter;
An elastic member that urges the shutter toward the normally closed side;
When the key projection is inserted into the key window when the connector is fitted, the two shutters move laterally by a certain amount in the direction away from the force of the elastic member due to the cam shape, and then rotate. The shutter includes a receptacle connector with a shutter that is opened by rotating at a possible position.

  Furthermore, the cam shape is a receptacle connector in which a locus is formed so that the shutter is not opened even when the shutter is pushed in the rotation direction in the closed state.

  Furthermore, the key window of the shutter is a receptacle connector having a structure that cannot be engaged with the plug connector when the plug connector is inserted in the reverse direction.

  Furthermore, at least two key windows are formed in the shutter, and the at least two key windows are receptacle connectors arranged at positions asymmetric with respect to the center of the receptacle connector.

  Further, the elastic member is formed of a tension spring whose both ends are locked to shafts respectively formed on the opposed shutter side surfaces, and the opposed shutters are always pulled in the center direction of the receptacle connector. It is.

  Further, the elastic member is locked to the shaft of the opposing shutter, and is supported by a convex portion provided at a position higher than the horizontal position of the shutter on the side of the receptacle connector. Therefore, when the shutter is closed, it has a biasing force in the upward direction. Therefore, the receptacle connector can return the shutter to a predetermined position.

  Further, the elongated hole-shaped bearings formed on both sides of the shutter and the cam shape provided inside the housing of the receptacle connector are compared with a simple rotation locus that rotates around a fixed shaft when the shutter is opened and closed. A receptacle connector that lowers the height of the receptacle connector.

Furthermore, a lock spring formed of an elastic member is provided on the shutter,
When the shutter is closed, the tip of the lock spring is engaged with a groove provided in the bushing, and the slide to the left and right of the shutter is locked.
When the plug connector is inserted, the shaft tip of the plug connector moves the slider provided on the bushing of the receptacle connector to the left and right to unlock the lock spring provided on the shutter to open the two shutters. This is a receptacle connector provided with a locking mechanism that enables this.

  According to the present invention, the operator can be prevented from contacting an electrically active contact or the like inside the receptacle connector at the opening on the receptacle connector side. Further, dust, foreign matter and the like are prevented from entering the connector. Also, the operator does not easily open the shutter simply by pressing the shutter from above with a finger or the like, but the shutter may be opened only when the plug connector corresponding to the receptacle connector is inserted. it can.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description is an example of the present invention and is intended to illustrate the general principles of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration specifically described in this embodiment. In the following detailed description and in the drawings, like elements are designated with like reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 shows a receptacle connector 3 constituting a multi-core connector 1 with a shutter according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plug connector 2 inserted into the receptacle connector 3. The multi-core connector 1 is a connector for interconnecting a plurality of connection lines of two electronic devices, for example. Plug connector 2 is connected to a connection line (not shown) of one electronic device, and receptacle connector 3 is connected to a connection line (not shown) of the other electronic device. A plurality of contacts coupled to the connection line are shown below the plug connector 2 in FIG.

  When connecting both, the lower part of the plug connector 2 is pressed against the receptacle connector 3 to open the shutter 20 covering the opening of the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 3, and the plug connector 2 is inserted into the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 3. Combine both connectors. After the coupling, the shaft 4 is rotated by a predetermined angle to rotate a cam shaft (not shown) provided at the center of the plug connector 2. As in the prior art shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of contacts (not shown) arranged on the plug connector 2 and a plurality of contacts (not shown) arranged on the receptacle connector 3 are brought into contact with each other by this method. Connect to.

  FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the receptacle connector 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle connector 3 has a housing 10. The housing 10 has side walls 41 and 42 and a bottom portion 43, and an opening 35 surrounded by the side walls 41 and 42 is formed at the top of the housing. A plurality of contact module support portions 44 for receiving and fixing a contact module (not shown) having a plurality of contacts are formed on the bottom portion 43.

  Left and right 2 closing the opening 35 of the receptacle connector when the plug connector 2 is not connected to the pair of side walls forming the opening 35 around the longitudinal center 45 (see FIG. 4) of the housing 10. Two shutters 20 are provided. In addition, a cam plate 30 is inserted and disposed inside a pair of side surfaces 36 facing each other in the longitudinal direction in the housing 10 to determine the rotation locus of the shutter 20 when it is moved. The cam plate 30 is formed with a shutter locus cam 31 that restricts the movement of the shutter 20. The cam plate 30 is provided with a tension spring 40 that biases the two shutters 20 in the closing direction. For this reason, the cam plate 30 is formed with a convex portion 34 that forms a hook-shaped portion that supports the tension spring 40.

  The side surface 45 of the shutter 20 is formed with a long hole-shaped bearing portion 21 that moves the shutter 20 left and right (in FIG. 2, in the horizontal direction with respect to the opening 35). The shape of the bearing portion is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2 as long as the shape allows the shutter 20 to move in the horizontal direction with respect to the opening 35. A shaft 22 is provided at the end of the side surface 45 as a protrusion that engages with a cam 31 formed on the cam plate 30. A shaft 23 that locks the tension spring 40 that biases the shutter 20 in the closing direction is provided at a substantially central portion of the side surface 45.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the shutter 20 is closed, the key window 24 is located at a position corresponding to the key protrusion 52 (see FIG. 9) formed on the housing 53 of the plug connector 2 at the contact portion of the two shutters 20. It is provided. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the left and right key windows 24 can be provided at positions that are not symmetrical. The left key window 24 is adjacent to the cam plate 30, and the right key window 24 is spaced from the cam plate 30. It is also possible to arrange them at symmetrical positions.

  Holes 12 are formed at both ends of the longitudinal side wall 42 of the connector housing 10. The shaft 11 that engages with the bearing portion 21 of the shutter 20 is inserted into the hole.

  A tension spring 40 is engaged with the shaft 23 of the side surface 45 of the two shutters 20. By this tension spring 40, the shutters 20 are always urged in a direction to close each other. The tension spring 40 is disposed on the back surface of the cam plate 30 and is always supported by a convex portion 34 formed at the upper center portion of the cam plate 30, and always urges the shutter 20 to be raised above the horizontal. Is given.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the bushing 56 that supports the distal end portion of the inserted shaft 4 can have a lock function for maintaining the closed state of the shutter 20. In FIG. 10, the central part of the left and right shutters 20 has a substantially U shape configured so that the locked state is released only when the shaft 4 of the plug connector 2 is inserted into the receptacle connector housing 10. A pair of lock springs 55 formed of an elastic member are incorporated. Each lock spring 55 has a pair of arm portions 59 and a lock portion 64 at the tip of the bay portion. When the shutter 20 is in the closed state, the lock portion 64 enters the groove 62 of the bushing 56 by the urging of the lock spring to prevent the shutter 20 from opening. In this state, the lock spring 55 provided on the shutter 20 is locked in the bushing hole 61 so that the shutter cannot slide left and right.

  FIG. 12 shows the positional relationship between the bushing 56 provided at the center of the receptacle connector housing 10 and the lock spring 55 disposed on the shutter 20.

  13 and 14, which are cross-sectional views, a pair of sliders 57 that are movable in the left-right direction, that is, in the horizontal direction in FIG. When the distal end portion 63 of the shaft 4 of the plug connector 3 is inserted into the bushing 56, the inclined portion 65 of the slider 57 is pushed and spread. For this reason, a pair of slider 57 incorporated in the groove part 62 moves so that it may space apart. Therefore, the lock portion 64 located inside the bushing 56 is released from the bushing 56 by the lock spring 55 that presses the arm portion 59 in the closing direction, and the lock is released. When the lock is released, the shutter 20 can rotate, and the plug connector 2 can be fitted into the receptacle connector 3.

  In the above embodiment, the shutter 20 is shown in a two-sheet configuration, but as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the left and right shutters can be divided into two and each can have a four-sheet structure that is housed in one side. is there. The four-sheet shutter mechanism has a structure in which the inner shutter is housed in the outer shutter, and the inner and outer shutters are urged away from each other by an elastic body (not shown). When opening and closing, the projection shaft provided on the inner shutter is guided by the cam shape part that controls the shutter opening and closing locus provided on the side of the housing, the outer shutter rotates, and the inner shutter can be stored in the outer shutter It becomes. With this structure, it is possible to minimize the pop-up of the shutter when the mating plug connector is stored. FIG. 15 shows a state where the shutter is closed, and FIG. 16 shows a state where the shutter is open.

  Next, an outline of the operation will be described. 3 to 5 show a state in which the shutter 20 is closed. 3 and 4 are perspective views, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view. The two shutters 20 provided on the housing 10 of the receptacle connector 3 are pulled toward each other by a tension spring 40 locked to the shaft 23 on the side surface 45 of the shutter 20, and the shutter 20 is in a closed state. In this state, even if the operator's hand or other object pushes the shutter 20 from the upper direction, it is restricted by the cam shape 31 of the cam plate 30 and the shutter 20 does not open.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the plug connector 2 is inserted into the receptacle connector 3, the key protrusions 52 provided on the left and right of the plug connector 2 are inserted into the key window 24 of the shutter 20. Since the key protrusion 52 of the plug connector 3 is inclined, both the shutters 20 move in the horizontal direction against the pulling force of the pulling spring 40. When the mating plug connector 2 is further inserted, both the shutters 20 are rotated along the cam shape 31 of the cam plate 30 by the housing 53 of the mating plug connector 2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the key window 24 of the shutter 20 and the key protrusion 52 of the plug connector 2 are different in the left and right positions with respect to the center of the connector 1. For this reason, the shutter 2 does not open in the horizontal direction when inserted in the reverse direction, so the shutter 20 is not opened and the mating plug connector 2 is not inserted.

  6 to 8 show a state where the shutter 20 is completely opened. When the mating plug connector 2 is completely inserted into the receptacle connector 3, both the shutters 20 are completely opened, and the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 3 are in a fitted state. The shutter 20 is held open by the housing 53 of the plug connector 2. Note that the axial direction of the shutter 20 is opened upward by the long hole bearing portion 21 of the shutter 20 and the cam shape 31 of the cam plate 30.

  When the plug connector 2 is detached, both shutters 20 are rotated in the closing direction by pulling out the plug connector 2 and finally become horizontal. When the key projection 52 of the plug connector 2 is detached, the respective shutters 20 are horizontally moved in the center direction by the tension springs 40 and are completely closed.

  When the plug connector 2 is fitted, the shaft of the plug connector 2 passes through the hole 58 provided at the center of the housing 10 of the receptacle connector in which two shutters 20 are combined as shown in FIG. 4 is inserted first. The tip of the shaft 4 moves the left and right sliders 57 for releasing the lock spring provided on the bushing 56 shown in FIG. In this state, the shutter 20 is slidable left and right.

  Next, key projections 52 provided on the left and right of the mating plug connector 2 are inserted into the key window 24 of the shutter 20. Since the key protrusion 52 of the plug connector 3 has an inclined shape, the shutter 20 is pushed right and left against the pulling force of the pulling spring 40. Both shutters 20 are regulated by the bearing portion 21 and the upper horizontal portion 46 of the trajectory cam 31 and first move in the horizontal direction. When the plug connector 2 is further inserted downward, it is pushed down by the housing 53 of the plug connector 2, and the projections 22 of both shutters 20 rotate along the cam shape 31 of the cam plate 30.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the embodiments of the present invention described herein are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

1 is a perspective view of a multi-core connector including a receptacle connector according to the present invention. It is an exploded view of the receptacle connector with a shutter concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter closed state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter closed state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the shutter closed state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter open state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the cross section of the shutter open state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter open state of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state before fitting with the receptacle connector with a shutter which concerns on this invention, and the other party's plug connector. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter open state of the receptacle connector with a shutter which has a locking mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter open state of the receptacle connector with a shutter which has a locking mechanism. It is a perspective view shown about the structure of the bushing and lock spring in a lock mechanism. It is sectional drawing (from upper direction) of the bushing of a locking mechanism, a slider, and a lock spring. It is sectional drawing (from the side) of the bushing of a locking mechanism, a slider, and a lock spring. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter closed state of the 4 sheet shutter structure of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter. It is a perspective view which shows the shutter open state of the 4 sheet shutter structure of the receptacle connector connector with a shutter. It is a figure which shows the conventional ZIF connector.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multi-core connector, 2 ... Plug connector, 3 ... Receptacle connector, 4 ... Shaft, 5 ... Hole, 6 ... Contact, 7 ... Contact, 10 ... Housing of receptacle connector, 11 ... Projection shaft for rotation, 12 ... Hole, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Shutter, 21 ... Bearing part, 22 ... Projection, 23 ... Shaft, 24 ... Key window, 30 ... Cam plate, 31 ... Shutter locus cam, 34 ... Convex part, 35 ... Opening part, 36 ... Side, 40 ... Pull Spring, 41 ... side wall, 42 ... side wall, bottom 43, 44 ... contact module support, 45 ... side, 50 ... plug connector, 52 ... key projection, 53 ... housing, 55 ... lock spring, 56 ... bushing, 57 ... slider , 58 ... hole, 59 ... arm part 61 ... hole, 62 ... groove, 63 ... tip part, 6 ... Lock part, 65 ... Inclined part, 80 ... Multi-core connector, 81 ... Plug connector, 82 ... Receptacle connector, 83 ... Shaft, 84 ... Camshaft, 85 ... Cam, 86 ... Actuator, 87 ... Contact pin, 88 ... Contact 89 ... Contact, 90 ... Lower contact terminal, 91 ... Opening, 92 ... Upper terminal,

Claims (8)

A receptacle connector that forms a connector with a plug connector,
A housing having an opening;
At least two shutters provided in the opening;
The shutter is in an open state with respect to the opening when mated with the counterpart plug connector, and is closed when the plug connector is not inserted into the housing, and the shutter rotates and moves linearly. An elongated hole-shaped bearing portion that engages with a projection shaft provided on a side surface of the housing, and has a key window that receives the key projection formed on the plug connector,
A cam plate having a cam shape for controlling an opening / closing locus of the shutter;
An elastic member that urges the shutter toward the normally closed side;
When the key projection is inserted into the key window when the connector is fitted, the two shutters move laterally by a certain amount in the direction away from the force of the elastic member due to the cam shape, and then rotate. A receptacle connector with a shutter, wherein the shutter is opened by rotating at a possible position.   2. The receptacle connector according to claim 1, wherein the cam shape has a locus in which the shutter is not opened even when the shutter is pushed in the rotation direction in the closed state.   3. The receptacle connector according to claim 1, wherein the key window of the shutter has a structure that cannot be engaged with the plug connector when the plug connector is inserted in the reverse direction.   The receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two key windows are formed in the shutter, and the at least two key windows are disposed at positions asymmetric with respect to a center of the receptacle connector. connector.   The elastic member is composed of a tension spring whose both ends are locked to shafts respectively formed on the opposite side surfaces of the shutter, and each of the opposed shutters is always pulled toward the center of the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The elastic member is locked to the shaft of the opposing shutter and is supported by a convex portion provided at a position higher than the horizontal position of the shutter on the side of the receptacle connector. 6. The receptacle connector according to claim 5, wherein the shutter has an urging force in the upward direction when closed, so that the shutter can be returned to a predetermined position.   The elongated hole-shaped bearings formed on both sides of the shutter and the cam shape provided on the inside of the housing of the receptacle connector are compared with a simple rotation locus that rotates around a fixed axis when the shutter is opened and closed, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the height of the receptacle connector is lowered. A lock spring formed of an elastic member is provided on the shutter,
When the shutter is closed, the tip of the lock spring is engaged with a groove provided in the bushing, and the slide to the left and right of the shutter is locked.
When the plug connector is inserted, the shaft tip of the plug connector moves the slider provided on the bushing of the receptacle connector to the left and right to unlock the lock spring provided on the shutter to open the two shutters. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a lock mechanism that makes it possible.

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