JPH044284Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] <Industrial application field> The present invention relates to a portable input device.

<Prior Art> A data processing device that includes a portable input device and a main unit that includes a built-in data processing circuit requires a connector that electrically connects the portable input device and the main unit. With such a connector,
Connects weak currents such as signal currents for transmitting data and connects large currents such as drive power supply currents for each electronic component. In this case, a non-contact optical coupling connector can be used to connect weak currents in order to avoid wear and deterioration of the contacts due to connector insertion and removal, but optical coupling connectors should be used for large currents such as drive power supplies. It is not possible to do so, and a connector is used that connects the contacts mechanically.
A conventional mechanical coupling connector combines a first connector (plug) and a second connector (jack), and the first contact (male contact) protrudes from the first connector and is provided inside the insertion hole of the second connector. This is a structure in which the first and second contacts are electrically connected by mechanically contacting the second contact (female contact).

<Problem to be solved by the invention> When a conventional mechanical coupling connector is applied to the data processing device mentioned above, the contact insertion hole of the connector is always open while the portable input device is removed from the main device and used. Therefore, dust and dirt can be removed from this insertion hole.
Water etc. may enter the inside of the connector and cause problems such as poor contact.

<Means for solving the problem> In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, a removable female connector is used to connect the male connector provided on the main unit containing the data processing circuit. In a portable input device for inputting data, the lead terminal of the female connector that contacts the coupling pin of the male connector is biased by a spring in the direction of pulling out the male connector, and when the male connector is inserted, the lead terminal of the female connector comes into contact with the coupling pin of the male connector. It is configured to be able to slide in the closing direction and to have a closing member in front of the lead terminal.

<Function> In the insertion hole of the second connector, two cylindrical members, for example, are brought into line contact with each other with their axes parallel to each other by a spring, and both cylindrical members are placed so that the contact line is located on the axis of the insertion hole. are arranged in parallel. The insertion hole is this 2
Always closed by the cylindrical member of the book. When the contact of the first connector is inserted into this insertion hole, the second
The cylindrical member of the book is pushed open outwardly by the contacts, and the contacts of the first connector come into contact with the contacts of the second connector in the insertion hole.

<Embodiment> FIG. 3 is an external view of a terminal input/output device (data processing device) to which the present invention is applied. A portable input device 1 (handheld terminal: hereinafter referred to as HHT) is housed in a holder 2 of a main device 18 that includes a built-in data processing circuit. The holder 2 is equipped with a lid 3 that is normally closed by a spring, and this lid 3 is HHT.
1 is pushed open. The data compiled and edited in the main unit 18 are printed by the printer unit 9 and taken out from the printing paper outlet 96. The main body device 18 and the printer unit 9 constitute a data processing device 17. A connector 5 (see FIG. 7) is provided at the bottom of the HHT 1, and is connected to a connector at the bottom of the holder (described later) when stored.

The usage status of such a terminal input/output device is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 shows the device installed above the driver's side window of a truck for transporting goods. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which an operator at a business partner such as a supermarket is inputting data such as product type and quantity into the HHT 1 while actually checking the products. Figure 6 shows a communications interface unit (CIU) 15 connected to a host computer (central processing unit) in an operator's office.
It is a diagram showing a state in which the HHT 1 is attached and aggregated data etc. are input into the host computer.

FIG. 7 is an external view of HHT1. On the surface of the HHT1 are an input key 13 and a liquid crystal display panel 12.
and a connector 5 at the bottom. FIG. 8 is an external view showing the state in which the HHT 1 is attached to the CIU 15. Figure 9 shows a multi-CIU that connects multiple CIUs to enable the use of multiple HHTs.
(MCIU) 16 is an external view.

Details of the connector 5 of the HHT 1 are shown in FIGS. 10 to 13. Figure 10a is a top view;
Figure b is a front view, and Figure 10c is a side view. 1st
Fig. 1 is an external view as seen from the back, Fig. 12 is an external view as seen from the top, and Fig. 13 is an exploded view. The upper surface of the connector body 65 is covered with a transparent plate 60 (for example, an acrylic plate). Guide holes 61 are provided at both ends of the connector 5 for receiving guide studs (described later) of a mating connector. A plurality of LEDs 64 are provided at the center of the connector 5. each
The LED 64 is paired with a phototransistor (described later) of a mating connector to form an optical coupling connector. Holes 62 for receiving coupling pins (described later) of a mating connector are provided on both outer sides of the group of LEDs 64. A hole closing means 63 (described later) for dustproofing and waterproofing is arranged below these holes 62. A connection lead terminal 68 is provided corresponding to each hole 62 . The main body 65 has a hole 70 (13th hole) for receiving the LED.
), a recess 71 for arranging a closing means and a hole 94 for inserting a lead terminal are provided. Lead terminal 6
A conical recess 68a is formed at the upper end of the coupling pin 8 to increase the contact area with the mating coupling pin. The LED 64 is mounted on a support plate 93, and each terminal 64a is connected to a flexible printed board 66. Lead terminal 68 is inserted into hole 94 via spring 69. Lower end 67 of lead terminal 68
are connected via washers 72 to a flexible printed board 66a which is integrally continuous with both sides of the leading end of the flexible printed board 66.

Details of the closure means 63 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the recess 71 of the main body 65 below the hole 62 for receiving the coupling pin 73 of the mating connector, i.e.
Entrance of hole 62 which is a pin insertion hole and lead terminal 68
Two cylindrical collars 95 are arranged between.
Each cylindrical collar 95 is brought into contact with the spring 74 with their axes parallel to each other. A sealing member 92 having a substantially triangular cross section (FIG. 1) corresponding to the outer shape of the cylindrical collar 95 is provided on the lower surface of the transparent plate 60 between two adjacent holes 62 and at positions on both sides thereof ( (See Figure 10a). This fills the upper gap along the contact portion between both cylindrical collars, and prevents dust, water, etc. from entering the interior through this gap. The two cylindrical collars 95 can be moved towards and away from each other in the recess 71 as indicated by arrow D. When the general pin 73 is inserted through the hole 62, the cylindrical collar 95
are pushed outwardly against the spring 74, and the conical tip of the coupling pin 73 is received in the conical recess 68a at the tip of the lead terminal 68, thereby electrically connecting the pin 73 and the lead terminal 68. At this time pin 7
The lead terminal 68 is pressed against the spring 6 by the pressing force of step 3.
If the length of the coupling pin 73 and the length of the lead terminal 68 are set so as to descend somewhat against the angle 9, a reliable connection can be achieved. Flexible printed board 6 joined to end 67 of lead terminal 68
As shown in FIGS. 10b and 11, the lead terminal 6a is provided with an extra length, so that the lead terminal 6
8 in the vertical direction.

Details of the main unit side connector 6 provided at the bottom of the holder are shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. FIG. 14a is a top view, FIG. 14b is a front view, and FIG. 14c is a side view. 15 and 16 are perspective views seen from the back and top, respectively, and FIG. 17 is an exploded view. The top surface of the main body 75 constituting the connector 6 is an insulating plate 7 having a transparent portion 76a in the center.
Covered by 6. The lower part of this transparent part 76a is
A phototransistor 79 is provided facing the LED 64 of the HHT. Each phototransistor 79 is mounted on a support plate 82, and its terminal 79a is joined to a flexible printed board 80 on the lower surface of the support plate 82. A hole 81 for inserting a phototransistor and a hole 78 for attaching a connector are formed in the main body 75. Reference numeral 73 denotes a coupling pin that connects to the lead terminal 68 of the HHT connector 5 described above, and its lower terminal 73a is joined to the flexible printed board 80. 77 is a guide stud for positioning;
It is provided corresponding to the guide hole 61 of the HHT connector 5 described above.

When the HHT is housed in the holder, the guide stud 77 of the holder side connector 6 is inserted into the guide hole 61 of the HHT side connector 5, and the connectors 5, 6 are inserted into the guide hole 61 of the HHT side connector 5.
are combined with each other. The four coupling pins 73 and lead terminals 68 are used for large current connections (for example, for supplying charging power to the built-in HHT battery, for supplying power to drive the HHT circuit during charging, for grounding, and for HHT set detection signals). It is used as a mechanical coupling connector, and the LED 64 and phototransistor 79 are used as optical coupling connectors for connecting weak currents such as signal currents of each element in the circuit. That is, in the mechanically coupled connector part, electrical continuity is obtained through mechanical contact between the lead terminal 68 and the coupling pin 73, and in the optically coupled connector part, the LED of one connector emits light due to the signal current of the element. Then, the phototransistor of the mating connector facing this operates and passes current, thereby transmitting the signal current. One LED and one phototransistor constitute a pair of optical coupling connectors, and the connector or the optical coupling connector as a whole has a plurality of pairs (nine pairs in the embodiment). In the example, each pair
Although all the LEDs are mounted on the HHT side connector 5, it is optional to attach the LEDs to which connector side in each pair. The mechanical coupling means does not frictionally engage the lead terminal 68 and the coupling pin 73 during insertion/extraction, but presses them together by the pressing force in the direction of connector insertion/extraction between the tips of both members, so the lead terminal This eliminates the problem of wear and deterioration due to frictional contact between the coupling pin 68 and the coupling pin 73.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of an in-vehicle terminal unit equipped with the HHT holder 2 according to the present invention. The main body device 18 equipped with the holder 2 is connected to a wiring fitting 19 attached to the automobile side via connectors 24d and 24e. This wiring fitting 19 further includes a printer unit 9 and a connector 2.
4b and 24c. Wiring fittings 19
is connected to a car battery (not shown) via a connector 24a. The HHT connection connector 6 of the holder 2 is the signal line 6b (connected to the optical coupling connector)
is connected to the interface circuit 22 via the connector 24j, and further connected to the processor 21 via the interface circuit 22. This processor 21 aggregates and edits the data sent from the HHT, and creates predetermined (for example, date, product code, product quantity, etc.) output data.
This output data is printed on the wiring fitting 19.
It is sent to the printer unit 9 via. 20 is
It is a DC-DC converter (transformer) that converts the car battery voltage (usually 34V) to +5V, ±12V, or +
Convert to 26V. The output of the converter 20 is supplied to each circuit in the main unit 18 and also to each circuit in the printer unit 9 via a wiring fitting 19. When the HHT is attached to the holder 2, the output of the converter 20 is further connected to the drive power source and power source of the HHT via the power lines 6a and 6c (connected to the mechanical coupling connector) of the connector 6.
Used as a power source for charging the battery inside the HHT. Reference numeral 23 denotes a display panel, which has an LED lamp and displays the operating status of the device, such as power on, off, online status, etc.

Printer unit 9 includes a printer interface 50 consisting of a processor 25 and a printer drive circuit 26, a printer 27, and an operator panel 28. The processor 25 is the main unit 18
A drive signal is sent to the printer drive circuit according to the print data sent from the processor 21 of the printer 2.
7 and print the data. The operator panel 28 displays errors such as paper out, printer failure, and the operating status of the printer unit. 2
4a to 24n are all connectors.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the HHT1. The signal line 5b of the connector is connected to the transmission control circuit 32 on the first printed board 38. The transmission control circuit 32 sets the data transmission speed and the like with the main device. Further on the first printed board 38 are an input/output control circuit 31, a processor 33, and a ROM 3.
4 and a power supply control circuit 35 are provided. Power lines 5 a and 5 c of the connector 5 are connected to a power control circuit 35 . This power supply control circuit 35 selects the power supply voltage of a battery (Ni-Cd battery) 37 built into the HHT1 and the power supply voltage from the main unit supplied via the connector 5, and selects the power supply voltage when the HHT1 is installed in the main unit. When used in the main unit, the power supply voltage supplied from the main unit is used, and when the HHT1 is removed from the main unit and used, the battery 37 is used.
Each circuit is driven using the power supply voltage of Also,
When the HHT 1 is attached to the main unit, the battery 37 is charged by the power supply voltage from the main unit via the power supply control circuit 35. Data input from the keyboard unit 29 is sent to the processor 33 via the input/output control circuit 31, and the processor 33 aggregates and edits the data according to the control program in the ROM 34.
The edited data is sent to the memory circuit 36 of the second printed board 39 and stored therein.

The data stored in the memory circuit 36 is read by the processor of the main unit when the HHT is installed in the main unit, edited as print data, and printed. Input data from the keyboard unit 29 is displayed on a liquid crystal display 30 via an input/output control circuit 31.

When the HHT 1 is removed from the vehicle terminal unit and installed in the CIU installed in the office, the data is sent to the host computer side modem 42 via the modem 41 as shown in FIG. Data is input to 44. The line 45 connecting both modems may be a directly connected dedicated line or may be a public line.

<Effect of the invention> The first contact (coupling pin 73) protruding from the first connector (holder side connector 6) is inserted into the insertion hole 62 of the second connector (HHT side connector 5), and the second contact is provided inside. (Lead terminal 6
8) is provided with a closing means 63 that is always closed by a spring and pushed open by insertion of the coupling pin, so that dust, water, etc. can pass through the insertion hole into the inside of the connector. Insulation deterioration due to intrusion into
Short circuits between terminals, etc. are prevented.

Note that the cylindrical collar 95 itself constituting the closing means is made of an elastic material such as rubber or plastic;
The cylindrical collars of the book are placed in parallel contact with each other as shown in Figure 2, and both ends are connected and fixed, and the spring 74
can also be omitted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are a side view and a top view of a closing means according to the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 3 is an external view of a terminal input/output device to which the connector structure of the present invention is applied,
4 to 6 are perspective views of different usage examples of the terminal input/output device in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is an external view of the HHT of the terminal input/output device in FIG. 3, and FIGS. 9
The figure shows a CIU and MCIU equipped with the HHT shown in Figure 7.
, FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the HHT side connector according to the present invention, FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the connector in FIG. 11 from different angles,
Figure 13 is an exploded view of the connector in Figure 11;
The figure is a configuration diagram of the connector on the other side (holder side connector) of the connector in Figure 11, Figure 15, and Figure 1.
6 is a perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 14 seen from different angles, and FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the connector shown in FIG. 14. 18 is a block circuit diagram of the data processing device shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 19 is a block circuit diagram of the HHT shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 20 is a block circuit diagram connecting the CIU and the host computer. 5... HHT side connector, 6... Holder side connector, 62... Hole, 68... Lead terminal, 73...
...Connecting pin, 74...Spring, 95...Cylindrical collar.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A portable input device that inputs data by connecting a removable female connector to a male connector provided on a main unit that has a built-in data processing circuit; The lead terminal of the female connector that comes into contact with A portable input device comprising a closing member.