JP6706557B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric connector, and more particularly to a substantially L-shaped electric connector having a plurality of terminals and having a cable drawn out in a direction substantially perpendicular to a fitting direction with a mating connector.

As a substantially L-shaped electrical connector having a plurality of terminals, for example, a connector described in Patent Document 1 (JP-A-2016-58150) is known. The connector is a plug connector that includes a barrel of a plug that accommodates a plurality of contacts, an end bell that is attached to the end of the cable, and an assembly nut that connects the barrel and the end bell. The barrel is configured to fit into a receptacle connector attached to a housing or panel of the motor, for example.

JP, 2016-58150, A

Generally, when a receptacle connector fitted with a plug connector as described in Patent Document 1 is attached to a panel or the like, it is attached to the panel or the like at a predetermined position (angle). Further, since these connectors have a plurality of terminals, the positional relationship between the plurality of terminals is fixed, so that the barrel (plug shell) of the plug connector is fixed at a predetermined angle (fitting) with respect to the receptacle connector. Mating will be possible). That is, the plug shell can be fitted to the receptacle connector only at a certain position. Therefore, since the cable pull-out direction of the substantially L-shaped plug connector is fixed to the plug shell, it is also a fixed direction to the receptacle connector and the panel.

However, there are cases in which it is desired to freely change the cable withdrawal direction of the substantially L-shaped plug connector depending on the cable routing, connector installation conditions, and the like. Therefore, it is convenient to have a plug connector that can freely adjust the cable withdrawal direction (angle) with respect to the shells of the receptacle connector and the plug connector.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for a substantially L-shaped plug connector, in which the cable pull-out direction (angle) with respect to the shell of the plug connector can be freely adjusted.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

In order to solve the above problems, an electrical connector according to the present invention includes a shell having a plurality of terminals inside and a plurality of first restricting portions on the outer circumference, and a space through which a cable is inserted inside. A first cord tube having a second restricting portion that fits with the first group of the plurality of first restricting portions and a space into which a cable is inserted, A second cord tube having a third restricting portion that fits with the second restricting portion of the first restricting portion, and the first group of the plurality of first restricting portions and the second restricting portion. By fitting the and, the movement of the first cord tube in a direction other than the axial direction of the shell is restricted, and the second group of the plurality of first restricting portions and the third restricting portion are restricted. When the and are fitted, the second cord pipe is restricted from moving in the axial direction of the shell, and the first cord pipe is restricted from moving in the axial direction of the shell. It has been done.

The effects obtained by the representative ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.
(1) It is possible to freely change the cable drawing direction of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector and the attachment target.
(2) Due to the configuration in which the cord tube A and the cord tube B are combined, the height of the plug connector can be reduced.
(3) Due to the separate configuration of the cord tube A and the cord tube B, the efficiency of cable connection work is improved.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing configurations of a plug connector (with cable) and a receptacle connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in Drawing 1 from the fitting direction, respectively. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 (cables are omitted). It is a figure which shows the structure of the shell shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a top view, (b) is the perspective view seen from the bottom side. It is a figure which shows the structure of the code tube A shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a bottom view. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the code tube B shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which made the shell fit the code|cord pipe A shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing by the AA cut surface. It is a figure which shows the state which fitted the code|cord tube B shown in FIG. 3 to the code|cord tube A and a shell, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing by the BB cut surface, (c) is. It is sectional drawing of (a) cut|disconnected along CC line. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing that the arrangement angle of the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is variable with respect to the receptacle connector and the panel.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same members are denoted by the same reference symbols in principle and the repeated description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) of the elements, the case where it is particularly specified and the case where the number is clearly limited to a specific number in principle However, the number is not limited to the specific number, and may be the specific number or more or the following.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing configurations of a plug connector (with cable) and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the fitting direction. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 (cables are omitted).

First, the configuration of the plug connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A plug connector 1 according to the present embodiment is an electrical connector in which a cable 3 is pulled out in a direction substantially perpendicular to a fitting direction (axial direction Z) with a receptacle connector (a mating connector) 2 and has a cylindrical shell. 10, a cord tube A (first cord tube) 20 having a space through which the cable 3 is inserted, and a cord tube B (second cord tube) 30 having a space through which the cable 3 is inserted inside A plurality of terminals 40 provided inside the shell 10, a sleeve 50 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the shell 10, a cable tightening ring 60 attached to a cable outlet of the cord tube B30, and the like. There is.

Further, the receptacle connector 2 fitted with the plug connector 1 is provided with a cylindrical shell 4, a plurality of terminals 5 arranged at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminals 40 of the plug connector 1, and the like, and is provided with a nut 6. , A panel or the like, and is fixed to an attachment target 7. To connect the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2, the slit 11 provided on the fitting port side of the shell 10 of the plug connector 1 and the projecting rib 8 provided on the fitting port side of the shell 4 of the receptacle connector 2 are connected. Are aligned with each other, the shell 10 and the shell 4 are fitted to each other, and the plurality of terminals 40 of the plug connector 1 and the plurality of terminals 5 of the receptacle connector 2 are correspondingly connected. Then, the sleeve 50 is rotated and fixed so that the connection between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 is not disconnected.

Therefore, the receptacle connector 2 is attached to the attachment object 7 such as a panel at a predetermined position (angle), and the shell 10 of the plug connector 1 is attached to the receptacle connector 2 at a predetermined angle (fittable angle). ) Will be fitted. That is, the plug shell 10 can be fitted to the receptacle connector 2 only at a certain position.

Next, the configuration of the shell 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the configuration of the shell 10 shown in FIG. 3, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from the bottom side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shell 10 has a cylindrical shape, and includes a plurality of restricting portions (first restricting portions) 12 on the outer periphery of the side opposite to the fitting port side (cable side). There is. Although FIG. 4 shows eight examples of the plurality of regulating portions 12, the number is not limited to this, and the number may be any number as long as it is plural. When the number of the restricting portions 12 is 8, the pull-out direction of the cable 3 can be changed in units of 45 degrees. Further, the plurality of restricting portions 12 have a convex shape and are arranged at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the shell 10, and each restricting portion 12 has the same shape and the same size. In addition, the shape of the restriction portion 12 is shown as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped along the circumference in FIG. 4, but the shape is not limited to this, and may be a trapezoid, another rectangle, a triangle, or another shape. May be. Further, the shape of the restriction portion 12 may be a concave shape instead of the convex shape (in this case, the restriction portions of the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30, which will be described later, have a convex shape).

Further, the plurality of restricting portions 12 are respectively the restricting surface 22 of the restricting portion (second restricting portion) 21 of the cord tube A20 or the restricting surface 32 of the restricting portion (third restricting portion) 31 of the cord tube B30. A restricting surface (side surface, first restricting surface) 13 in the same direction that prevents the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30 from rotationally moving in the circumferential direction (R) by contact, and a restricting portion (first section) of the cord tube B30. The restriction surface (bottom surface, second restriction surface) 14 that prevents the cord tube B30 from coming off in the axial direction of the shell 10 by contacting the restriction surface 33 of the third restriction portion 31).

Further, the shell 10 is provided with a slit 11 which is fitted to the protruding rib 8 of the receptacle connector 2 on the fitting port side. The slits 11 and the ribs 8 enable the terminals to be aligned between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2.

Next, the configuration of the cord tube A20 will be described with reference to FIG. 5A and 5B are views showing the configuration of the cord tube A20 shown in FIG. 3, in which FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a bottom view. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the cord tube A20 has a space into which the cable 3 is inserted, and has a plurality of concave shapes that fit with the first group of the plurality of restricting portions 12 of the shell 10. A regulation unit (second regulation unit) 21 is provided. When the first group of the plurality of restricting portions 12 of the shell 10 and the restricting portion 21 are fitted to each other, the cord tube A20 is restricted from moving in a direction other than the axial direction (Z) of the shell 10.

Further, the restricting portions 21 are arranged at equal intervals on the inner circumference of the cord A20, and the restricting portions 21 have the same shape and the same size. Further, the shape of the restricting portion 21 is shown as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped along the inner circumference in FIG. 5, but the shape is not limited to this, and may be a trapezoid, another rectangle, a triangle, or another shape. It may be. Further, the shape of the restriction portion 21 may be a convex shape instead of the concave shape (in this case, the restriction portion 12 of the shell has a concave shape).

In addition, although the example of the plurality of restricting portions 21 is three in FIG. 5, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number thereof may be any number, and the number and the arrangement thereof are not limited. It is determined corresponding to the restricting portion 12 of the shell 10.

In addition, each of the plurality of restricting portions 21 includes a restricting surface (side surface) 22 that comes into contact with the restricting surface 13 of the shell 10 and prevents the cord tube A20 from rotationally moving in the circumferential direction (R).

Further, the cord tube A20 is integrated with the two projecting portions 23 for fitting in the holes (not shown) of the cord tube B30, the screw holes 24 for fixing the cord tube B30, and the cord tube B30. A packing groove 25 into which an O-ring is fitted to ensure the airtightness, and a projecting portion 26 projecting toward the cable outlet side so as to be integrated with the cord tube B30.

Next, the configuration of the cord tube B30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cord tube B30 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the cord tube B30 has a space in which the cable 3 is inserted, and has a plurality of concave shapes that fit with the second group of the plurality of restricting portions 12 of the shell 10. A regulation unit (third regulation unit) 31 is provided. When the second group of the plurality of restricting portions 12 of the shell 10 and the restricting portion 31 are fitted to each other, the movement of the cord tube B30 in the axial direction (Z) of the shell 10 is restricted.

Further, the restriction portions 31 are arranged at equal intervals on the inner circumference of the cord tube B30. Further, the shape of the restriction portion 31 is shown as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped along the inner circumference in FIG. 6, but the shape is not limited to this, and it may be a trapezoid, another rectangle, a triangle, or another shape. It may be Further, the shape of the restriction portion 31 may be a convex shape instead of the concave shape (in this case, the restriction portion 12 of the shell has a concave shape).

In addition, although the example of the plurality of restricting portions 31 is three in FIG. 6, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number may be any number, and the number and arrangement are not limited. It is determined corresponding to the restricting portion 12 of the shell 10.

Further, the plurality of restricting portions 31 respectively contact the restricting surface 13 of the shell 10 to prevent the cord tube B30 from rotationally moving in the circumferential direction (R), and the restricting surface of the shell 10. A regulation surface (bottom surface) 33 that comes into contact with the surface 14 and prevents the cord tube B30 from coming off in the axial direction (Z) of the shell 10.

Further, the cord tube B30 has a screw hole 34 for fixing the cord tube A20, a cable outlet 35 to which the cable tightening ring 60 is attached, and a shape which is retracted on the cord tube A20 side to be integrated with the cord tube A20. The notch 36 and the like are provided.

Next, a process of combining the shell 10, the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7: is a figure which shows the state which made the code|cord tube A20 shown in FIG. 3 fit into the shell 10 from the upper side, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing by the AA cut surface. 8: is a figure which shows the state which fitted the code tube B30 shown in FIG. 3 to the code tube A20 and the shell 10, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing by the BB cut surface. , (C) are sectional views of (a) taken along the line C-C. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing that the arrangement angle of the plug connector 1 is variable with respect to the receptacle connector 2 and the attachment target 7 (panel).

As shown in FIG. 7, the cord tube A20 is fitted into the shell 10 from above in the axial direction (Z). At this time, the restricting surface 13 and the restricting surface 22 come into contact with each other, and the restricting portion 12 (first group) of the shell 10 and the restricting portion 21 of the cord tube A20 are fitted together. The movement of the cord tube A20 in a direction other than the axial direction (Z) is restricted. In addition, the angle of the cord tube A20 in the circumferential direction (R) with respect to the shell 10 can be freely set by changing the combination of the restricting portion 12 and the restricting portion 21, and thus the pulling direction of the cable 3 is determined.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the cord tube B30 is combined with the cord tube A20 from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction (Z). At this time, the restricting surface 13 and the restricting surface 32 come into contact with each other, and the restricting surface 14 and the restricting surface 33 come into contact with each other, so that the remaining restricting portion 12 (second group) of the shell 10 and the restricting portion 31 of the cord tube B30 are connected. Mating. Then, the movement of the cord tube B30 in a direction other than the cable drawing direction is restricted. Further, since the restricting surface 14 and the restricting surface 33 are in contact with each other, the cord tube B30 is prevented from slipping out in the axial direction (Z) of the shell 10. Further, since the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30 are united, the cord tube A20 is also prevented from coming off in the axial direction (Z). That is, by fitting the second group of the restriction portion 12 and the restriction portion 31, the movement of the code tube B30 in the axial direction (Z) of the shell 10 is restricted, and the code tube A20 is the axis of the shell 10. Movement in the direction (Z) is restricted. Then, the screw is passed through the screw hole 24 of the cord pipe A20 and the screw hole 34 of the cord pipe B30 to fix the cord pipe A20 and the cord pipe B30 so as not to come off.

The actual assembling work is performed after passing the cable 3 through the cord tube A20, the cord tube B30, and the ring 60 and soldering the core wires of the cable 3 to the terminals 40 of the shell 10. As a result, the cable 3 is bent inside the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30, and the cable can be pulled out in any direction. Further, since the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30 are separated from each other, there is no need to bend and pass the cable, which facilitates the passage of the cable and improves work efficiency. Moreover, since the structure of the plug connector 1 on the fitting port side of the shell 10 is the same as that of a normal plug connector, it is possible to use the receptacle connector that has been used until now without changing it.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the cable pull-out direction (angle) of the plug connector 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the cable drawing direction of the plug connector 1 can be arbitrarily changed with respect to the attachment target 7 and the receptacle connector 2. For example, when eight restricting portions 12 of the shell 10 are provided, the cable pull-out direction can be changed in units of 45 degrees.

Therefore, according to the electrical connector of the present embodiment, it is possible to freely change the cable drawing direction of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector and the attachment target. Moreover, the plug connector can be made low in height by the configuration in which the cord tube A20 and the cord tube B30 are combined.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

1 Plug connector 2 Receptacle connector (mating connector)
3 cable 4 shell 5 terminal 6 nut 7 object to be attached 8 rib 10 shell 11 slit 12 restriction part (first restriction part)
13 Regulation (first regulation)
14 Regulation (second regulation)
20 Code tube A (first code tube)
21 Regulatory Section (Second Regulatory Section)
22 Restriction Surface 23 Projection 24 Hole 25 Packing Groove 26 Projection 30 Code Tube B (Second Code Tube)
31 Regulation Department (Third Regulation Department)
32 restriction surface 33 restriction surface 34 hole 35 cable outlet 36 notch 40 terminal 50 sleeve 60 tightening ring

Claims (4)

An electrical connector in which a cable is pulled out in a direction substantially perpendicular to a mating direction with a mating connector,
A shell including a plurality of terminals inside and having a plurality of first restricting portions on the outer periphery;
A first cord tube having a space through which a cable is inserted and having a second restricting portion that fits into the first group of the plurality of first restricting portions;
A second cord tube having a space through which the cable is inserted and having a third restricting portion that fits with the second group of the plurality of first restricting portions,
The plurality of first restricting portions have the same shape and the same size, and are arranged at equal intervals,
The second cord tube is configured to be united with the first cord tube from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shell,
By a first group of said plurality of first regulating portion and the second restricting portion are fitted, the first code pipe movement in the direction other than the axial direction of the shell is restricted , An electrical connector configured as. The plurality of first restricting portions respectively contact the second restricting portion to prevent the first cord tube from rotating and moving in the circumferential direction, and the third restricting portion. The electric connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second restricting surface that comes into contact with the restricting portion and prevents the second cord tube from coming off in the axial direction of the shell. Each of the plurality of first restricting portions has a convex shape,
Wherein said second restricting portion and the third regulating portion, each having a concave shape, the electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2. Each of the plurality of first restricting portions has a concave shape,
The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second restricting portion and the third restricting portion each have a convex shape.

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