JP5977487B2 - Inspection connector and inspection relay connector device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a test connector and a test relay connector device suitable for testing by connecting to an HDMI terminal, a USB port, or the like provided in a television or personal computer, for example.

  HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an interface capable of transmitting both a digital audio signal and a video signal. In recent years, televisions equipped with an HDMI terminal are increasing. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the most popular general-purpose interface standard in personal computers and peripheral devices.

  Generally, when inspecting an electronic device having various connectors, an inspection signal is sent from the inspection device to the electronic device via the connector to check whether or not the device operates normally. For example, in the case of a television provided with an HDMI terminal, an HDMI cable is inserted into the HDMI terminal on the television side, and a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted from the inspection device to inspect whether normal video output and audio output can be obtained.

JP 2009-70647 A

  HDMI cables, USB cables, and other general-purpose cables are not supposed to be inserted and removed many times, and usually do not have durability for inspection purposes. For example, since the connector of the connector to be inspected and the terminal of the connector for inspection are rubbed each time it is inserted and removed, there is a problem that the terminals of the connector for inspection are turned up. This problem leads to an increase in cost due to exhaustion of the inspection connector and an increase in the amount of dust discharged. Further, when the inspection connector with the terminals turned up is inserted into the connector to be inspected, there is a risk that the connector to be inspected may be damaged.

The present invention has been made aware of this situation, and its object is to provide an existing inspection connector and inspection relay connector apparatus with improved durability of the inspection applications as compared to the connector of the cable There is.

One embodiment of the present invention is an inspection connector. This inspection connector
A terminal,
A terminal holding member for holding the base end of the terminal;
A guide member for guiding the distal end side of the terminal;
The terminal holding member has a base part, a support wall part rising from the base part, and a hole part formed in the support wall part, and a terminal pressing plate is inserted into the hole part,
The terminal extends so that a base end portion is held by the base portion, and a distal end side rises from the base portion from the base end portion,
The guide member includes an inner guide wall portion in which the terminal extends between itself and the support wall portion, and an outer guide wall portion that presses an end portion of the terminal pressing plate opposite to the terminal with an inclined surface. And is movable relative to the terminal holding member along the rising direction of the support wall,
The terminal is inclined toward the inner guide wall by the terminal holding plate,
When the guide member is moved relative to the terminal holding member and the guide member is retracted from the reference position to the retracted position, the terminal holding plate moves away from the inner guide wall, and the terminal is moved to the inner side. Tilt away from the guide wall.

There may be urging means for urging the guide member in the protruding direction.
The guide member may have a retaining means for preventing the guide member from coming off to the distal end side of the terminal holding member.

A groove portion or a notch portion may be provided in the support wall portion so as not to be caught by the retaining convex portion of the target connector.

Another aspect of the present invention is a relay connector device for inspection,
And before dangerous査用connector,
A substrate in which the terminal holding member of the inspection connector is fixed to one surface;
Another connector fixed to the other surface of the substrate,
The inspection connector and the another connector are electrically connected to each other by a circuit pattern on the substrate.

A handle portion fixed to the other surface of the substrate may be provided, and the handle portion may be located at substantially the same position as the inspection connector when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and those obtained by converting the expression of the present invention between methods and systems are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, unlike an existing cable connector, the terminal can be prevented from rubbing with the terminal of the connector at the connection destination each time it is connected, so that it is more durable as an inspection application than an existing cable connector. It is possible to realize an inspection connector and an inspection relay connector device with improved characteristics.

Sectional drawing of the relay connector apparatus 101 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The top view which saw through a part of relay connector apparatus 101. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector device 101 in a state in which a guide member 40 is retracted from a reference position in FIG. 1. Sectional drawing of the state which inserted the main connector 11 in the target connector 801 to the middle. Sectional drawing of the state which the front-end | tip of the main connector 11 contacted the base end surface 814 of the object connector 801. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the main connector 11 is further pressed against the target connector 801 from the state of FIG. 5. Sectional drawing of the relay connector apparatus 102 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The top view which saw through a part of relay connector apparatus 102. FIG. Sectional drawing of the state which pressed the main connector 12 further against the object connector 802 from the state shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the relay connector apparatus 103 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the state which pressed the main connector 13 to the target connector 803 to the last. Sectional drawing of the relay connector apparatus 104 which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. The top view of the relay connector apparatus 104. FIG. Sectional drawing of the state which pressed the main connector 14 to the object connector 804 to the last.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or equivalent component, member, etc. which are shown by each drawing, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. In addition, the embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of relay connector device 101 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this figure, the front, rear, top and bottom directions are defined as indicated by arrows. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the relay connector device 101 seen through. 1 corresponds to FIG. 1. The relay connector apparatus 101 of this embodiment is an inspection relay connector apparatus for inspecting a known HDMI terminal (HDMI connector) provided in a television or personal computer.

  The relay connector device 101 includes a main connector 11, a printed circuit board 70, a connection connector 81, and a handle portion 90. The main connector 11 is fixed to one surface of the printed circuit board 70, and the communication connector 81 and the handle portion 90 are fixed to the other surface of the printed circuit board 70. The handle portion 90 exists at substantially the same height as the main connector 11 in the vertical direction. The main connector 11 or the handle 90 is fixed to the printed circuit board 70 by, for example, screws 251 to 253. Any number of screwing points may be used. The contact connector 81 is the same type of connector as the connector to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as “target connector”), and is fixed to the printed circuit board 70 by a general method such as soldering.

  When using the relay connector device 101, the connection connector 81 is connected to an inspection device (not shown) with a cable (here, an HDMI cable), and the main connector 11 is inserted into the target connector with the handle 90. Conduct appropriate inspections. A wiring pattern provided on the printed circuit board 70 electrically connects the main connector 11 and the connection connector 81. By inserting the main connector 11 into the target connector, the communication path between the target connector and the inspection apparatus Establish.

  The main connector 11 includes a terminal holding member 20 made of, for example, an insulating resin, a metal terminal 30, and a guide member 40 made of, for example, an insulating resin. The terminal holding member 20 includes, for example, a flat base portion 21 and support wall portions 22a and 22b. The support wall portions 22a and 22b rise forward from the base portion 21. Note that the support wall portions 22a and 22b and a support wall portion (not shown) that rises forward from the base portion 21 have four sides in a rectangular tube shape, and are dimensioned to be inserted into the target connector (preferably without a gap). Entering dimensions). The groove portion 24 (may be a notch) formed in the support wall portion 22b aims at avoiding a convex portion (described later) that the target connector has for retaining (disengagement of retaining). The through-hole 25 formed in the support wall portion 22a exists for passing the metal plate 27 that prevents the guide member 40 from coming out of the terminal holding member 20.

  The terminal 30 is bent so that the base end portion 31 is bent in a hook shape and is hooked in the terminal hooking hole 21 b on the back surface of the base portion 21, and rises forward from the base portion 21 through the terminal passage hole 21 a of the base portion 21. Extend. The base end portion 31 is stably held by being sandwiched between the base portion 21 and the printed circuit board 70. A plurality of terminals 30 are arranged corresponding to the electrodes of the target connector. Note that one terminal passing hole 21 a and one terminal hooking hole 21 b may be provided for each terminal 30, or one common terminal may be provided for a plurality of terminals 30.

  The guide member 40 includes guide wall portions 41a to 41c and a guide wall portion (not shown) facing the guide wall portion 41c, and has four side surfaces in a rectangular tube shape. The guide wall portion 41 a extends between the support wall portion 22 a and the terminal 30, and the guide wall portion 41 b extends between the support wall portion 22 b and the terminal 30. On the inner surfaces of the guide wall portions 41a and 41b (surfaces opposite to the support wall portions 22a and 22b), there are the same number of guide grooves 42 as the terminals 30 extending in the front-rear direction. The terminal 30 extends into the guide groove 42. The guide groove 42 has an inclined surface 43 on the base end side of the bottom surface. The inclined surface 43 increases linearly toward the front. In FIG. 1, the terminals 30 facing each other have an inclined portion inclined with respect to the front-rear direction along the inclined surface 43 and are in the guide groove 42. The terminals 30 facing each other have a restoring force due to their own elasticity in the direction in which the tips open, and are in elastic contact with the upper and lower guide wall portions 41 a and 41 b of the guide member 40.

  The guide member 40 is movable relative to the terminal holding member 20 along the direction in which the support wall portions 22a and 22b rise (front-rear direction). Specifically, the rectangular tube-shaped guide wall portion is inside the rectangular tube-shaped support wall portion of the terminal holding member 20 and is slidable with respect to the support wall portion. The forward sliding range is regulated by a metal plate 27 as a retaining means.

  Both ends of the metal plate 27 are bent, for example, vertically and in opposite directions. The bent portion 27 a on the one end side is located in the groove portion on the front surface of the base portion 21 and is fixed to the base portion 21 with screws 251. The screw 251 passes through the bent portion 27 a, the base portion 21, and the through hole of the printed circuit board 70 and is screwed into the screw hole of the handle portion 90. The bent portion 271 on the other end side of the metal plate 27 passes through the through hole 25 of the support wall portion 22a and extends into the concave portion 411 of the guide wall portion 41a. For this reason, the relative movement of the guide member 40 in the forward direction is limited to a range until the bent portion 271 and the side surface of the concave portion 411 come into contact with each other.

  A pusher 50 and a spring 92 as urging means are provided in the recess 91 of the handle portion 90 behind the guide member 40. The pusher 50 is biased forward by a spring 92. The pusher 50 has, for example, a base 51 and a shaft 52 integrally. The base 51 is located on the opposite side of the guide member 40 with the printed board 70 interposed therebetween. The back surface of the base 51 is pushed forward by a spring 92. The shaft 52 extends forward from the central portion of the base portion 51, passes through the printed circuit board 70 and the base portion 21 of the terminal holding member 20, and contacts the back surface of the guide member 40. Therefore, the shaft 52 pushes the guide member 40 forward until the front surface of the base 51 abuts against the printed circuit board 70 as shown in FIG. The relative position of the guide member 40 at this time is defined as a “reference position”. Further, the tilted state of the terminal 30 when the guide member 40 is at the reference position is defined as a “reference state”. In the reference state, each terminal 30 is in the guide groove 42.

  3 is a cross-sectional view of the relay connector device 101 in a state where the guide member 40 is retracted from the reference position of FIG. When the guide member 40 is retracted with respect to the reference position, the inclined portion of the terminal 30 is pushed by the guide wall portions 41a and 41b, and the terminal 30 is inclined toward the center from the reference state shown in FIG. The space | interval of 30 front-end | tips becomes narrow.

  Hereinafter, the movement when the main connector 11 of the relay connector device 101 is inserted into the target connector will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main connector 11 inserted into the target connector 801 halfway. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the distal end of the main connector 11 is in contact with the proximal end surface 814 of the target connector 801. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the main connector 11 is further pressed against the target connector 801 from the state of FIG.

  At the stage where the main connector 11 is inserted from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5, the guide member 40 does not retract from the reference position, and the terminal 30 does not tilt with respect to the reference state. For this reason, the terminal 30 does not contact the substrate 811 of the target connector 801 and the electrode on the substrate 811. On the other hand, when the main connector 11 is pressed against the target connector 801 from the state shown in FIG. 5 until the distal end of the terminal holding member 20 abuts against the base end surface 814, the guide member 40 moves to the base end surface of the target connector 801 as shown in FIG. The guide wall portions 41a and 41b push the inclined portion of the terminal 30 toward the substrate 811 side, and the terminal 30 is moved to the inner side. Tilts toward the electrode 8 and comes into contact with the electrode on the substrate 811 (the substrate 811 is sandwiched between the tips of the terminals 30 facing each other). As a result, the target connector 801 can be inspected.

  When the main connector 11 is disconnected from the target connector 801, the states of FIGS. 6, 5, and 4 are followed in order. At this time, since the terminal 30 is rod-shaped or plate-shaped and has elasticity in the direction in which the tip of the opposing terminal 30 opens, the guide member 40 is moved by the spring 92 when transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. As the terminal 30 is moved forward relative to the terminal holding member 20 by the urging force, the terminal 30 is automatically separated from the electrode on the substrate 811 and the tilted state returns to the reference state. In addition, since the engagement with the retaining protrusion 812 of the target connector 801 is avoided by the groove portion 24 formed in the support wall portion 22b, the resistance related to the insertion / removal of the main connector 11 is small (can be inserted / removed with a small force).

  According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

(1) Even if the main connector 11 is inserted into the target connector 801, the terminal 30 is not in contact with the electrode on the substrate 811 of the target connector 801 until the state shown in FIG. 5 (before the guide member 40 is relatively retracted from the reference position). In the case where the connector 30 of the existing cable is used because the terminal 30 is in contact with the electrode on the substrate 811 only after the guide member 40 is relatively retracted from the reference position after being inserted to the state shown in FIG. Compared with the case where the terminal and the electrode rub against each other from the beginning of insertion, the rub between the terminal 30 and the electrode on the substrate 811 can be reduced or eliminated. For this reason, the main connector 11 has higher durability as an inspection application compared with the connector of the existing cable, is low in cost, and has little dust. Further, in the case of an existing cable connector, there is a risk of damaging the target connector 801 due to turning up of the terminals, but in the main connector 11, such a risk is low.

(2) In the case of using an existing cable connector, the engagement with the retaining protrusion 812 of the target connector 801 is not suitable for inspection due to the large resistance related to insertion / extraction. Since it is avoided that the protrusion 812 is caught, resistance for insertion / extraction is small, workability of inspection is good, and high-speed insertion / removal is possible.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of relay connector apparatus 102 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the target connector 802 is also shown. The state shown in this drawing is a state immediately before the main connector 12 is inserted into the target connector 802 and the guide member 40 starts to retract with respect to the terminal holding member 20. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of the relay connector device 102 seen through.

  The target connector 802 and the communication connector 82 of the present embodiment are USB ports (USB connectors). For this reason, the terminal 30 provided on the upper side in FIG. 1 is eliminated. The guide wall portion 41a is retracted compared to FIG. 1 so that the convex portion 824 of the target connector 802 can enter. The retaining screw 27b is screwed into the screw hole of the guide wall portion 41a, and the relative movement range of the retaining screw 27b by the long hole 25a of the support wall portion 22a of the terminal holding member 20, that is, the front and rear of the guide member 40 is increased. Regulate the relative movement range. Note that the terminal 30 has a restoring force due to its own elasticity in a direction away from the electrode 828 of the target connector 802, and is elastically in contact with the upper surface of the guide wall portion 41b of the guide member 40.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the main connector 12 is further pressed against the target connector 802 from the state shown in FIG. By pressing in this way, the guide member 40 is pushed by the convex portion 824 of the target connector 802 and moves backward with respect to the terminal holding member 20 against the biasing force of the spring 92. As a result, the inclined surface 43 of the guide wall portion 41 b pushes up the inclined portion 30 a of the terminal 30, and the terminal 30 tilts inward and comes into contact with the electrode 828 of the target connector 802. As a result, the target connector 802 can be inspected. When the main connector 12 is removed, the states of FIGS. 9 and 7 are followed in order. That is, the guide member 40 moves forward relative to the terminal holding member 20 by the urging force of the spring 92, and the terminal 30 is automatically in the reference state (FIG. 7) as in the first embodiment by its own elastic force. Return to the state. The support wall portion 22a is provided with a notch 24a, and the support wall portion 22b is provided with a groove portion 24b so as to avoid the retaining protrusion 812 of the target connector 802 (invalidation of retaining). Other points of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. This embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of relay connector device 103 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, the target connector 803 is also shown. The target connector 803 has electrodes on the inner surface 829. For this reason, the main connector 13 of the present embodiment is configured such that the terminals 30 open outward (up and down) when inserted into the target connector 803.

  The terminal holding member 20 includes a support wall portion 22c that rises forward from the base portion 21 between the support wall portions 22a and 22b. The guide member 40 has a rectangular tube shape surrounding the support wall portion 22c. The guide wall portions 41 a and 41 b extend between the support wall portion 22 c and the terminals 30. The retaining screw 27c is screwed into the screw hole of the support wall portion 22c. The relative movement range of the retaining screw 27c, that is, the relative movement range of the guide member 40 in the front-rear direction is regulated by the long hole 413 of the guide wall portion 41b. The terminals 30 facing each other have a restoring force due to their own elasticity in a direction in which the distance between the tips becomes narrow, and are in elastic contact with the guide wall portions 41 a and 41 b of the guide member 40.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the main connector 13 is pressed to the target connector 803 to the end. By pressing in this way, the guide member 40 is pressed against the base end surface 814 of the target connector 803 and relatively retracts against the urging force of the spring 92 with respect to the terminal holding member 20, and the guide wall portions 41a and 41b. Pushes up the inclined portion of the terminal 30, and the terminal 30 tilts up and down (the tip of the opposing terminal 30 opens) and contacts the electrode on the inner surface of the target connector 803. As a result, the target connector 803 can be inspected. When the main connector 13 is disconnected, the states of FIGS. 11 and 10 are followed in order. That is, the guide member 40 moves forward relative to the terminal holding member 20 by the urging force of the spring 92, and the terminal 30 is automatically in the reference state (FIG. 10) as in the first embodiment by its own elastic force. Return to the state. In the case where the target connector 803 includes a retaining protrusion, a groove or a notch may be provided in at least one of the support wall portions 22a and 22b to avoid the retaining protrusion, as in the first embodiment. . Other points of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. This embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of relay connector device 104 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, the target connector 804 is also shown. The target connector 804 and the connection connector 84 are D terminals (D connectors). FIG. 13 is a plan view of the relay connector device 104.

  The support wall portions 22a and 22b have extension portions 22d and 22e extending in an L-shaped cross section. A terminal pressing plate 225 is inserted into a through hole formed in the extending portions 22 d and 22 e and extending in the arrangement direction of the terminals 30, and one end of the terminal pressing plate 225 is in contact with the terminal 30. The guide member 40 has an inner guide wall portion 441 and an outer guide wall portion 442. The inner guide wall portion 441 is an arrangement in which the terminal 30 extends between itself and the support wall portions 22a and 22b. The outer guide wall portion 442 extends to the openings of the support wall portions 22a and 22b (the opening 222a of the support wall portion 22a appears in FIG. 13) and is inclined at the end of the terminal pressing plate 225 opposite to the terminal 30. 442a abuts. The inclined surfaces 442a are inclined upward and downward from the inside to the outside, respectively, toward the front. The inner guide wall portion 441 and the outer guide wall portion 442 are separate parts here. The base end portion of the inner guide wall portion 441 is fitted into a concave portion 443a provided at a substantially central portion of the base portion 443 that passes between the outer guide wall portions 442. In this fitted state, the connecting pin 414 penetrates and connects the base portion 443 and the inner guide wall portion 441. It is also possible to bond without providing the connecting pin 414. The opposing terminals 30 each have a restoring force due to their own elasticity in the direction in which the distance between the tips increases, and elastically contact the terminal pressing plate 225.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the main connector 14 of the present embodiment is pressed to the target connector 804 to the end. In the state shown in FIG. 12, the terminal 30 is inclined toward the inner guide wall 441 by the terminal pressing plate 225 and enters the guide groove 42, but the main connector 14 is pressed against the target connector 804 as shown in FIG. When the guide member 40 is retracted against the terminal holding member 20 against the urging force of the spring 92, the inclined surface 442 a of the outer guide wall portion 442 is retracted, so that the terminal pressing plate 225 is moved by the elastic force of the terminal 30. The terminal 30 moves in a direction away from the inner guide wall 441, and the terminal 30 opens outward (up and down) to contact the electrode 848 of the target connector 804. As a result, the target connector 804 can be inspected.

  When the main connector 14 is disconnected, the states of FIGS. 14 and 12 are followed in order. That is, the guide member 40 moves forward relative to the terminal holding member 20 by the biasing force of the spring 92, and the terminal 30 is inclined toward the inner guide wall 441 by the terminal pressing plate 225, as shown in FIG. Return to tilted state. Other points of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. This embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

  The present invention has been described above by taking the embodiment as an example. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to each component and each processing process of the embodiment within the scope of the claims. By the way. Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

  In each embodiment, an inspection cable may be directly connected to the main connector, and in that case, a printed circuit board and a connector for connection are unnecessary.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, depending on the electrode structure of the target connector, the terminals may be provided on only one of the upper and lower sides.

11-14 Main connector 20 Terminal holding member 21 Base portion 22a, 22b Support wall portion 24 Groove portion 27 Metal plate 30 Terminal 40 Guide member 41a-41c Guide wall portion 70 Printed circuit board 81-84 Contact connector 90 Handle portion 101-104 Relay Connector device

Claims (6)

A terminal,
A terminal holding member for holding the base end of the terminal;
A guide member for guiding the distal end side of the terminal;
The terminal holding member has a base part, a support wall part rising from the base part, and a hole part formed in the support wall part, and a terminal pressing plate is inserted into the hole part,
The terminal extends so that a base end portion is held by the base portion, and a distal end side rises from the base portion from the base end portion,
The guide member includes an inner guide wall portion in which the terminal extends between itself and the support wall portion, and an outer guide wall portion that presses an end portion of the terminal pressing plate opposite to the terminal with an inclined surface. And is movable relative to the terminal holding member along the rising direction of the support wall,
The terminal is inclined toward the inner guide wall by the terminal holding plate,
When the guide member is moved relative to the terminal holding member and the guide member is retracted from the reference position to the retracted position, the terminal holding plate moves away from the inner guide wall, and the terminal is moved to the inner side. Inspection connector that tilts away from the guide wall. The inspection connector according to claim 1 , further comprising an urging unit that urges the guide member in a protruding direction. Inspection connector according to Claim 1 or 2 having a retaining means for preventing the guide member comes off the distal end side of the terminal holding member. The inspection connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a groove portion or a notch portion is provided on the support wall portion so as not to be caught by a retaining convex portion of the target connector. A connector for inspection according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A substrate in which the terminal holding member of the inspection connector is fixed to one surface;
Another connector fixed to the other surface of the substrate,
An inspection relay connector device in which the inspection connector and the another connector are electrically connected to each other by a circuit pattern on the substrate. 6. The inspection relay according to claim 5 , further comprising a handle portion fixed to the other surface of the substrate, wherein the handle portion is located at substantially the same position as the inspection connector when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Connector device.

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