JPH0628186B2 - Loosening prevention connector - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a connector that does not loosen due to mechanical vibration, temperature or pressure changes. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector which can be attached and detached by a simple operation and which has a low number of parts and which has a high reliability.

[Prior Art] A connector used in a place where mechanical vibrations or environmental conditions greatly change, such as a vehicle, an aircraft, or a robot, is required to have high reliability.

These connectors usually have a plug inserted into the receptacle and are screwed to the receptacle by a coupling that rotates about the axis of the connector. However, even if the screws are firmly fixed, they are loosened due to vibration or the like, and eventually contact failure of the connector is caused.

A connector for solving such a problem is Japanese Patent Publication No.
No. 9-8033, 8034 and JP-A-59-13679. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-8033
Discloses a receptacle device including a shell of a receptacle, a shell of a plug, a coupling nut screwed onto the plug-shell, and a coupling ring-housing keyed to the coupling nut. A plug device, an electrical contact element for instructing electrical engagement and disengagement within the receptacle and the shell of the plug, and an engagement position of the contact element on the coupling ring housing and receptacle shell. An electrical connector having a fixed position for detachably holding in a relationship, wherein a device for audibly displaying a completely engaged and fixed positional relationship between the receptacle device and the plug device is provided.
The display device includes an inner annular groove in the coupling housing, a detent member having arcuate elasticity in the annular groove, and a device for restricting relative rotational movement between the shell of the plug and the detent member. And the detent member has an end portion that is directed outward in the radial direction, and the annular groove has a recessed portion that is spaced apart and is located outward in the radial direction to selectively receive the end portion. So that when the housing is rotated into the fully locked engagement position, the end is forced out of one set of recesses to force a sound into the second set of recesses. A connector which is engaged. It is.

The connector disclosed herein is characterized in that the end of the arc-shaped elastic detent member is extruded from one set of recesses into the second set of recesses when forcedly rotated. It is audible and forced into engagement, where the housing is fully secured.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] For example, as is clear from the claims and the detailed description of the invention of Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-8033 and its drawings,
One problem is that the number of components is extremely large.

Further, some of these constituent parts are not suitable for press working or working using a mold such as a casting or a mold, and these cause a high cost, and the range of use is limited.

For example, the shell of the plug and the coupling nut have screws which are screwed together and these screws cannot be manufactured by pressing or using a die. Also,
It is difficult to manufacture by the concave portion press work for receiving the end portion of the arc-shaped detent member facing outward in the radial direction or the work using the die. There was such a big problem in processing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is a receptacle shell having a key groove and a fixing land, and a recess formed parallel to the key and the shaft. Coupling in which a plurality of detent recesses and a plug shell having a mountain-shaped surface, and a detent key groove and a taper land having a taper portion for connecting both are provided between the plurality of detent recesses A detent spring ring having a detent key and a detent key that move along the mountain-shaped surface to perform a detent action; a backup ring for pressing the detent spring ring; The retainer ring is provided to prevent the ring from coming off.

[Operation] Fit the detent spring ring and the backup ring into the plug shell, cover the coupling from the top of this plug shell, and fit the retainer ring into the cub ring after the backup ring. Integrate the shell, insert the plug shell using the key of the receptacle shell as a guide, and rotate the coupling to the right by a predetermined angle.
The detent convex part of the detent spring ring that fits in the key groove and rotates with the rotation of the coupling moves out of the detent concave part parallel to the axis of the plug shell and goes up and down the mountain-shaped surface. Then, it is fitted and fixed in the next detent recess in the valley. Due to the rotation at this time, the tapered land of the coupling causes the tapered portion to slide along the end surface of the fixing land of the receptacle shell while sliding, while the plug ring that does not rotate due to the action of the cab ring and the key and key groove. The shell is advanced to fully engage the connectors incorporated in the receptacle shell and plug shell.

At this time, when the detent convex portion moves along the mountain-shaped surface and fits into the next detent concave portion in the valley portion, a sound is generated and an extremely clear reaction occurs.

When pulling out the plug shell from this state, rotate it to the left by a predetermined angle. At the start of this rotation,
A slight amount of force is required to remove the detent convex portion from the detent concave portion. This force produces a clear reaction. After a predetermined angle of rotation along the chevron surface, the plug shell can be removed from the receptacle shell together with the coupling, engaging the detent recess and producing a very distinct reaction. The connector will not be loosened due to vibration or the like because it cannot be removed unless such a slight rotational force is applied.

Since the detent convex portion moves on the mountain-shaped surface, a small force is required for insertion / removal, the detent convex portion is hard to stay on the mountain-shaped surface, and quickly falls into the detent concave portion in the valley portion.

Embodiment One embodiment of the present invention is shown by the exploded perspective view of FIG.

10 is a receptacle shell into which a socket contact insert having a large number of socket contacts, which is a first connector means (not shown), is inserted. The receptacle shell 10 has three fixing lands 11, a master key groove 12, four key grooves 13, a mounting flange 14 and a mounting hole 15.

50 is a plug shell into which a pin contact insert having a large number of pin contacts, which is a second connector means not shown, is inserted. The plug shell 50 includes a master key 51 for fitting in the master key groove 12, four keys 52 for fitting in the four key grooves 13, and a circumference of the plug shell 50. In the plug flange 55 surrounding the plug flange 55, as shown in FIG. 2C, a surface facing the rear side of the coupling 30 among the both side surfaces of the plug flange 55, as compared with the peripheral surface parallel to the axis. 4 on the depressed circumference
Four detent recesses 53 at equal positions, four arcuate surfaces 56 having an arcuate surface between the four detent recesses 53, and a surface around the plug flange 55 parallel to the axis. And two rotation stoppers 54 protruding forward.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a coupling, which is integrated with the plug shell 50, so that the plug shell 50 can be attached to and detached from the receptacle shell 10. The coupling 30 has a tapered land 31 having a tapered portion 32 on the inner surface thereof and having a circular arc shape in the circumferential direction, two detent key grooves 33 provided on the inner surface of the rear portion parallel to the shaft, and a shaft. The rotary protrusion 34 protruding rearward on the inner surface thereof in parallel with the retainer ring groove 3 provided on the circumference of the rear inner surface thereof.
5 and 5.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a detent spring ring, which is two detent convex portions 71 that equally divide the circumference of the circle protruding forward in parallel with the axis thereof.
And two Denant keys 72 projecting in the outer circumferential direction of the detent spring ring between the two detent convex portions.

Reference numeral 81 is a backup ring that presses the detent spring ring 70 from the rear and fits the retainer ring 85 into the retainer ring groove 35 of the coupling 30 to prevent the backup ring 81 from projecting rearward.

The function of each of these elements is the state before the receptacle shell 10 and the plug shell 50 are fitted with each other by the coupling 30, and the plug of the receptacle shell 10 to the plug shell 50.
A half-fitting state in which the shell 50 is inserted but the coupling 30 is not rotated, and a fitting in which the receptacle shell 10 and the plug shell 50 are fixed by rotating the coupling 30 by a predetermined angle. State and second
A description will be given with reference to FIGS. A, B, C, FIGS. 3A, B, and 4A, B.

FIG. 2A shows a state before fitting by a partial side sectional view, and the receptacle shell 10 has a socket contact insert 102 having a large number of socket contacts 106 incorporated therein. Plug shell 50
A pin contact insert 101 having a large number of pin contacts 105 for fitting with a large number of socket contacts 106 is incorporated in the connector. Reference numeral 82 is a gasket which is an elastic body such as ring-shaped rubber,
Is a panel to which the flange 14 is attached by the attachment hole 15. A sectional view taken along the line A-A is shown in FIG.
A sectional view of D is shown in FIG. 2C (a).

In FIG. 2B, in the direction of arrow 121, that is,
When viewed from the right side of Fig. A, the coupling 3 turns clockwise.
It is shown that when 0 is rotated by 90 °, the rotation protrusion 34 comes to the position 34d shown by the dotted line and hits the rotation stopper 54 to stop.

FIG. 2C (a) shows that the detent convex portion 71 of the detent spring ring 70 is fitted in the detent concave portion 53 of the first set from the slope of the circular arc surface 56. From this figure, it can be seen that the detent spring ring 70 is pressed by the backup ring 81, and the backup ring 81 is pressed by the retainer ring 85 so as not to pop out to the rear (right side in the drawing). It can be understood. Section EE is shown in FIG. 2C (b). From this figure, the detent key 72 is fitted in the detent key groove 33 on the inner surface of the coupling 30, and when the coupling 30 is forcibly rotated, the detent spring ring 70 also rotates with it. Be understood.

FIG. 3A is a partial side sectional view showing a half-fitted state,
In particular, pay attention to the relationship between the fixing land 11 shown by the dotted line and the taper land 31 shown by the dotted line. When the coupling 30 is rotated, the taper
Since the land 31 moves downward, the upper left end corner of the fixing land 11 in the figure slides while meshing with the taper portion 32 of the taper land 31, and the taper land flat surface portion 36 continues there. Reach By this operation, the coupling 30 and the plug shell 50 fixed thereto move to the left in the figure and a complete fitting is possible.
A cross-sectional view at section BB is shown in Figure 3B.
In this figure, the master key 51 has the master key groove 12
Shows that the four keys 52 fit into the keyway 13 and the plug shell 50 does not rotate when the coupling 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow 121 or vice versa. ing. Further, since there is no overlapping portion between the fixing land 11 and the taper land 31, it is shown that in this state, the plug shell 50 can be inserted into and removed from the receptacle shell 10.

FIG. 4A is a partial side cross-sectional view showing a fitted state, in which the coupling 30 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side of the drawing, that is, from the rear of the plug shell 50. During this rotation, the taper portion 32 of the taper land 31 shown by the dotted line in the figure is pushed by the fixing land 11 also shown by the dotted line to move the plug shell 50 to the left and taper. The taper land flat surface portion 36 of the land 31 contacts the fixing land 11 and the plug shell 50
Has completely moved to the left, and the detent convex portion 71 indicated by the dotted line slides on the slope of the circular arc surface 56 indicated by the dotted line.
A second set of detent recesses 53 shown in dotted lines in the valleys
Fits in, makes a sound, and conveys a clear reality. This completes the fitting of the large number of pin contacts 105 and the large number of socket contacts 106. Section C-
A cross-sectional view at C is shown in Figure 4B. This figure shows the relative relationship between the fixing land 11 and the taper land 31, and the portion of the fixing land 11d shown by the dotted line is in mesh with the taper land 31. In this state, the plug shell It indicates that 50 cannot be removed.

From the state before fitting shown in FIGS. 2A, B and C to 3A,
B, the force required to insert the plug shell 50 into the receptacle shell 10 in the process of reaching the half-fitted state shown in the figure is not large. However, in order to reach the fitted state shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B from the half-fitted state, the greater the number of pin contacts 105 and socket contacts 106, the greater the force required to insert them. A large force in this process is obtained by the relative rotational movement of the taper portion 32 and the fixing land 11, and the detent convex portion 71 drops the slope of the circular arc surface 56 into the detent concave portion 53 at the sliding valley portion. It only requires a small force to rotate the.

The reverse of the above operation occurs when the plug shell is removed. That is, when viewed from the right side of FIG. 4A, that is, from the rear of the plug shell 50, when the plug shell 50 is rotated counterclockwise by 90 °, the half-fitted state shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is obtained. At the start of this rotation, the detent protrusion 71
Is required to be removed from the second set of detent recesses 53. After rotating 90 °, the detent convex portion 71 slides on the circular arc surface 56 as shown in FIG. 3A.
It fits in the detent recess 53 of the pair, and a sound is generated, and a clear reaction is transmitted. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the receptacle shell 10 and the coupling 30 are
The plug shell 50 can be removed because there is no overlap between the and.

In the above description, the master key 51 is on the receptacle 10 side and the master key groove 12 is on the coupling 50 side.
It can be provided on the side. The same applies to the key 52 and the key groove 13. Similarly, the positions of the fixing land 11 and the taper land 31 can be exchanged. Further, a taper portion may be provided also on the side of the fixing land 11. From the position shown in FIG. 4A, the gasket 82 is
It will be apparent that the tip of the plug shell 50 may be provided inside the opposing receptacle shell 50.

It will be apparent that the arcuate surface 56 may be replaced by a surface that is approximated to a polygonal line, for example, a mountain-shaped surface having two slopes, an upslope and a downslope.

FIG. 5 shows another modification of the embodiment of the present invention described above. The detent recess 53 shown in FIG. 2C (a) may be an arc-shaped detent recess 53R as shown in FIG. 5 (a). Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the detent convex portion 71 also supports a detent ring 73, which is a rotatable columnar ring, by a detent wheel shaft 74 provided on the detent spring ring 70. Good. Further, the detent convex portion 57 and the detent concave portion 75 may be shaped as shown in FIG. 5 (c). The detent spring ring 70 shown in FIG. 1 had a shape warped with respect to the line connecting the two detent convex portions 71 (see FIG. 2C (a)). A flat detent spring ring 70b as shown in (d), and a ring-shaped wave spring ring 76 in which a wave is applied to further reinforce the spring force.
It is also possible to replace with. Alternatively, a coil spring may be used instead of the wave spring ring 76.

Since the detent convex portion 71 protrudes in the direction parallel to the axis, the detent concave portion 53 can also be recessed in the direction parallel to the axis, and the dimension of the outermost diameter of the plaque shell 50 and the coupling 30 can be reduced. can do.

[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a connector that is extremely easy to use and prevents the connector from slackening due to vibration or the like, in a shape that is easy to manufacture and with a small number of parts. The effect is extremely large because it can be provided at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a partial side sectional view showing a state before fitting, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view showing a section AA in FIG. 2A. 2C is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A is a partial side sectional view showing a half-fitted state, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view showing a section BB in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is a partial side sectional view showing a fitted state, FIG. 4B is a sectional view showing a section C-C in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view and a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. is there. 10 ... Receptacle shell 11 ... Fixing land, 12 ... Master keyway 13 ... Keyway, 14 ... Flange, 15 ... Mounting hole, 30 ... Coupling 31 ... Taper land, 32 ... Taper section 33 ... Detent key Groove 34 ... Rotating projection 35 ... Retainer ring groove 36 ... Taper land flat portion 50 ... Plug shell, 51 ... Master key 51 ... Key, 53 ... Detent recess 54 ... Rotation stop, 55 ... Plug flange 56 ... Arc Surface, 57 ... Detent convex portion 70 ... Detent spring ring 71 ... Detent convex portion, 72 ... Detent key 73 ... Detent ring, 74 ... Detent wheel shaft 75 ... Detent concave portion, 76 ... Wave spring ring 81 ... Backup ring 82 ... Gasket, 85 ... Retainer ring 99 ... Panel 101 ... Insert for pin contact 02 ... insert 105 ... pin contact 106 ... socket contacts for socket contacts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An outer surface of the circumference of the receptacle is at least 1
A plurality of arc-shaped first land means and at least one first key means parallel to the axis on the inner surface of the circumference of the receptacle, and receptacle shell means for incorporating the first connector means And at least one arc-shaped second land means for engaging and advancing with the first land means by rotation on the inner surface of the coupling circumference, at least one rotating projection, and the coupling circumference. A coupling means provided with a retainer ring groove on the inner circumference of the inner periphery of the plug and at least one detent key groove parallel to the axis on the inner surface of the coupling circumference, and an outer surface of the circumference of the plug. Second key means for mating with at least one of said first key means, and plug and flange means wrapped around the outer surface of said plug circumference,
A rotation stop means provided on the plug / flange means for limiting the rotation range of the rotary projection, and a start point and an end point of the rotation range provided on the plug / flange means are notified, and the start point and the end point are notified. Recess that requires a constant rotational force to escape the recess is formed in the valley of at least one pair of mountain-shaped surfaces, and is opened rearward in parallel with the axis provided on the surface facing the rear side of the coupling means. And a second detent means, which is one of a convex portion projecting rearward, for incorporating a second connector means for fitting the first connector means inside the circumference of the plug. The plug-shell means and the plug-shell means are inserted from the rear of the coupling means and moved along the mountain-shaped surface of the first detent means to move into the concave portion of the first detent means. A second detent means which is either a convex portion or a concave portion protruding so as to be fitted in a pair with any one of the portion and the convex portion, and which is fitted in the detent / key groove. A ring-shaped detent spring ring means having a detent key for rotating together with the coupling means, and a ring-shaped backup means for pressing the detent spring ring means from the rear. Characteristic slack prevention connector.