JPH07335329A - Rush current limiting connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify structure and sufficiently suppress rush current in a rush current limiting connector which is installed at the connecting end of a power source or a signal line and suppresses rush current produced on connection. CONSTITUTION:A first contact piece 11 which is electrically short-circuited to one connecting end and made of a conductor, and a contact part 12 made of a resistant body at the front along the path in contact with the first contact piece 11 are included. In addition, a second contact piece 14 having a contact part 13 made of a conductor in the rear, which is electrically short-circuited to the other connecting end is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inrush current limiting connector provided at a connection end of a power supply or a connection end of a signal line and suppressing an inrush current generated when connecting these.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an electric device is connected to a commercial power source or another power source, the internal capacity of the electric device is rapidly charged to generate a large inrush current. The rush current instantaneously flows through the power supply device or the power supply line, so that the voltage greatly changes.

Such fluctuations in the power supply voltage have caused malfunctions in electrical equipment, loss of data in the memory device, and the like. Therefore, as a connector for suppressing such an inrush current, a conventional example described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-3744 has been proposed as follows.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional connector.
In the figure, the power plug 81 has pins 82 and 83 and a pin 84 shorter than the pin 83. The pin 82 is connected to the first terminal of the power receiving unit 85, and the pin 83 is connected to the pin 84 and the second terminal of the power receiving unit 85 via the current limiting element 86. The power jack 87 has pins 82 to
The receptacles 88 to 90 corresponding to 84 are individually provided. Receptacle 8
8 is connected to the first terminal of the power source 91, and the receptacle 89 and the receptacle 90 are connected to the second terminal of the power source 91.

In the conventional example having such a structure, when the power plug 81 is inserted into the power jack 87, the pins 82,
83 and the receiving ports 88 and 89 individually contact each other, and the power receiving unit 85 is connected to the power supply 91 via the current limiting element 86 in series. Therefore, the inrush current to the power receiving unit 85 is limited by the current limiting element 86. In this state, the power receiving unit 85
The internal capacitance (not shown) of the battery is gradually charged via the current limiting element 86.

When the power plug 81 is further inserted into the power jack 87, the pin 84 and the socket 90 contact each other to short-circuit both ends of the current limiting element 86, so that the power receiving portion 85 is connected to the power source 91 with low impedance. To be done.

As described above, once the current limiting element 86 is interposed in series, the rush current at the moment when the pins 82 and 83 of the connector and the receptacles 88 and 89 contact each other is suppressed.

[0008]

However, in the conventional example,
At the end of the connection, the current limiting element 86 is short-circuited. At that moment, if the internal capacity of the power receiving unit 85 is not sufficiently charged, an inrush current is generated to charge the uncharged portion. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, an excessive inrush current was generated when the current limiting element 86 was short-circuited (in the figure, the moment when the time was 1.0 second).

In the figure, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents inrush current. The setting condition is that the power source 91 is set to 10
V, the current limiting element 86 is a resistance of 1 kΩ, the internal capacitance of the power receiving unit 85 is 330 μF, the internal resistance serially connected to the internal capacitance is 100 Ω, and the load resistance provided in parallel with the internal capacitance is 1 kΩ. .

Since such an inrush current instantaneously flows through the inductor of the power supply device or the power supply line, the voltage of the power supply to be supplied greatly fluctuates. As a result, serious troubles such as malfunction of electric equipment and loss of data in the memory device have occurred.

Therefore, on the side using the power source, it is necessary to limit the electric equipment connected to the power supply line in consideration of the inrush current, and it is impossible to freely operate the equipment. On the other hand, on the supply side of the power supply, in consideration of the occurrence of inrush current, it is necessary to provide a current capacity much larger than the current capacity under normal conditions.

Further, in the conventional example, when the current limiting element 86 is incorporated inside the power plug 81 and wired, the structure of the power plug becomes complicated. In addition, power plug 8
The number of contacts in 1 was at least three. Therefore, the shapes and structures of the power jack 87 and the power plug 81 are complicated, and a strong force is required when the power plug 81 is attached and detached.

Further, since the power jack normally used in the commercial power source has two contacts, the power plug 81 as described above cannot be directly connected. When such a connector is used as a connector for a signal line that transmits and receives a signal between electric devices, for the same reason as above,
Inrush current generated in the signal line could not be suppressed sufficiently. Therefore, an excessive current may flow in the signal transmission / reception unit, which may cause a failure. Therefore, it is necessary to turn off the power switch of the electric device and then connect the signal line, or to add a separate circuit for limiting the current flowing through the signal line.

Further, since the number of contacts increases, the structure of the connector becomes very complicated, especially when connecting a plurality of signals. An object of the present invention is to provide an inrush current limiting connector that strongly suppresses inrush current while simplifying the structure.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram corresponding to the invention described in claim 1. In FIG. In the invention described in claim 1, the first contact piece 11 which is electrically short-circuited to one of the connection ends and which is made of a conductor, and the resistor on the front side along the path in which the first contact piece 11 contacts the first contact piece 11. A contact portion 12 made of a conductor, and a contact portion 13 made of a conductor on the rear side, and the contact portion 13 has a second contact piece 14 electrically short-circuited to the other connecting end. It is characterized by

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contact piece that connects both of the connection ends of the return path to the outward path of electricity formed by the connection of the connection ends, and these connection pieces are connected to the first connection part. The first contact piece 11 and the second contact piece 14 are provided side by side.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a pin made of a conductor, a pin having a contact portion made of a resistor on the tip side and a contact portion made of a conductor on the rear side, and these pins protruding in parallel are provided. And an insulating member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a receiving port made of a conductor, a receiving port having a contact portion made of a resistor on the tip side and a contact portion made of a conductor on the rear side, and these receiving ports are parallel to each other. And an insulating member provided as described above.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram corresponding to the invention described in claim 5. The invention according to claim 5 has a contact piece 21 made of a conductor electrically short-circuited to one connection end, and a contact piece 22 made of a resistor, and one end side of the contact piece 22 of the resistor. A first connector 23, which is electrically short-circuited with the conductor contact piece 21, and a contact interval with respect to the other end side of the resistor contact piece 22 are provided on a path connected to the first connector 23. Has a contact portion 24 and a contact portion 25 which is farther from the contact distance than the contact piece 21 of the conductor, and these contact portions 24, 25 and the other connecting end are electrically short-circuited. And a second connector 26 that has been formed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a contact piece for connecting both the connection ends of the return path and the forward path of electricity formed by the connection of the connection ends, and these connection pieces are connected. The first connector 23 and the second connector 26 are provided side by side.

[0021]

In the inrush current limiting connector according to the invention described in claim 1, when the contact piece 11 and the contact piece 14 are brought into contact with each other, first,
The contact piece 11 contacts the contact portion 12 made of a resistor. By making contact via the resistor in this way, the inrush current generated when the connection end of the power supply or the signal line makes contact is suppressed.

Further, the contact portion 12 and the contact piece 11 are slidably contacted with each other along the path where the contact piece 11 and the contact piece 14 are in contact with each other, so that the resistance value between the connection ends is gradually reduced. As the resistance value decreases, the current flowing through the connection end of the power supply or the signal line gradually increases and approaches the steady value at the time when the connection is completed. Further, the capacitance of the power supply or the signal line that is charged and discharged at the time of connection is quickly charged and discharged with a short time constant due to such a decrease in the resistance value.

Then, the contact piece 11 contacts the conductor 13 along the path where the contact piece 11 and the contact piece 14 contact each other, whereby both connection ends are electrically short-circuited. At this time point, as described above, the value of the current flowing through the power supply or the signal line is close to the steady value, and the capacity is charged and discharged quickly, so that the inrush current is suppressed to a small value.

The inrush current limiting connector according to the third aspect of the present invention is a power supply plug of two terminals, in which a resistor is formed on the tip side of one terminal. Since the operation when connecting to a commercially available power jack is the same as that of the invention described in claim 1, the description thereof is omitted here.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rush current limiting connector in which a resistor is formed at the front edge of one of the receptacles in a two-terminal power jack. The operation in the case of connecting to a commercially available power plug is the same as that of the invention described in claim 1, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The inrush current limiting connector according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the first connector 23 and the second connector 2.
When 6 and 6 are connected, first, the contact piece 22 contacts the contact portion 24.

As described above, the connection ends are connected via the contact piece 22 of the resistor in series, so that the rush current flowing when the power source or the signal line is contacted is suppressed. Further, when the connectors 23 and 26 are connected, the contact piece 22 and the contact portion 2
4 makes sliding contact with each other, and the resistance value between the connectors 23 and 26 gradually decreases. As the resistance value decreases, the current flowing through the connection end of the power supply or the signal line gradually increases and approaches the steady value at the time when the connection is completed. Further, the capacitance of the power supply or the signal line that is charged and discharged at the time of connection is quickly charged and discharged with a short time constant due to such a decrease in the resistance value.

Further, when the connectors 23 and 26 are continuously connected, the contact piece 21 of the conductor comes into contact with the contact portion 25,
Both connection ends are electrically short-circuited. At this point, as described above, the current value flowing in the power supply or the signal line is close to the steady value, and the capacity is rapidly charged and discharged.
The inrush current is suppressed to a small level.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1, 2, and 3.

In the figure, the power plug 31 is a pin 32,
33, and the organic conductive material 34 is attached to the tip end side of the pin 33. The pins 32 and 33 are individually connected to the terminals of the power receiving unit 85. Also, the power jack 36 is pin 3
Receptacles 37 and 38 corresponding to 2 and 33 are individually provided, and the receptacles 37 and 38 are individually connected to the terminals of the power supply 91.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the principle diagram shown in FIG. 1 shows that the organic conductive material 34 corresponds to the contact portion 12.
The conductor portion of the pin 33 corresponds to the contact portion 13, and
Corresponds to the contact piece 14, and the socket 38 corresponds to the contact piece 11.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the power plug 31 is connected to the power jack 36, first, the tip ends of the pins 32 and 33 individually contact the receptacles 37 and 38. The tip side of the pin 33 is an organic conductive material 3 made of a resistance material in which carbon or metal powder is mixed with plastic or other organic material.
Covered with 4. Therefore, the power receiving unit 85 is connected to the power source 91 via the resistance component of the organic conductive material 34 in series, and the inrush current is suppressed.

Further, the power plug 31 is the power jack 3
6, the contact area between the organic conductive material 34 and the receiving port 38 increases. As shown in FIG. 4, the resistance value interposed between the power receiving unit 85 and the power supply 91 decreases in proportion to the increase in the contact area. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the time after the connection is started at a constant speed, and the vertical axis represents the resistance value between the pin 33 and the socket 38.

As described above, since the resistance component connected in series between the power source 91 and the power receiving section 85 gradually decreases, compared to the case where the resistance value of the current limiting element 86 does not change as in the conventional example, the power receiving unit 85 receives power. The current flowing through the portion 85 gradually increases. Therefore, the internal capacity of the power receiving unit 85 is quickly charged. In addition, the current flowing through the power receiving unit 85 increases and approaches the value of the steady current at the time when the connection ends.

Further, the power plug 31 is connected to the power jack 3
When it is inserted into 6, the receptacle 38 contacts the conductor portion of the pin 33, and the power source 91 and the power receiving portion 85 are short-circuited. At that time, as described above, the internal capacity of the power receiving unit 85 is quickly charged, and the current value is close to the steady value, so that the rush current flowing through the power receiving unit 85 is suppressed to a small level. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the maximum value of the inrush current in this embodiment is suppressed to be smaller than that in the conventional example (FIG. 10).

In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time,
The vertical axis represents the current value flowing through the power receiving unit 85. This figure shows a case where the conductor portion of the pin 33 and the receptacle 38 contact each other after 1.0 second. Further, the setting conditions of the power receiving unit 85 and the power supply 91 are the same as the setting conditions of FIG. 10 shown in the conventional example.

Thus, in this embodiment, the power plug 31
Suppresses the rush current at the moment when the contact between the power supply jack 36 and the power supply jack 36 starts,
The inrush current at the moment when is short-circuited can be suppressed.

Further, since the power plug 31 of this embodiment has two contacts, it can be directly connected to the two-contact commercial power supply to suppress the inrush current as described above. Further, unlike the conventional example, there is no need to wire the current limiting element 86, and the shape and structure of the power plug 31 are simplified.

In the present embodiment, the organic conductive material 34 is attached to the front end side of the pin 33, but, for example, the organic conductive coating material may be applied to the front end side of the pin 33. By using the organic conductive material or the organic conductive paint in this way, the durability and slidability of the contact portion of the resistor can be improved. Further, when the organic conductive paint is applied, it is sufficient to immerse the pin 33 in a container containing the organic conductive paint about half and then to dry it, so that a large number of pins 33 can be processed at one time.

Alternatively, the pin 33 may be formed of a resistor, and a conductor may be attached, pressure-bonded or vapor-deposited on the rear end side. Further, the rear end of the pin may be formed of a conductor, the front end of the pin may be formed of a resistor, and they may be joined together.

Although the present embodiment shows an example applied to a power plug, it may be applied to a signal line connector. In that case, it is possible to suppress an inrush current generated when connecting a signal line having a large input capacitance. Therefore, the signal line can be attached and detached in a live state. Further, when applied to a connector for connecting a plurality of signal lines, the number of contacts is smaller than in the conventional example, so that the structure of the connector is simple.

Further, as an embodiment of the invention described in claim 4, a resistor may be formed at the front edge of the socket 37 or socket 38 of the power jack 36. In that case, it is possible to directly connect with the conventional power plug and suppress the inrush current.

Resistors may be formed at the tips of the pins 32 and 33, respectively, and resistors may be formed at the front edges of the socket 37 and the socket 38, respectively. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment corresponding to the first and second aspects of the invention.

In the figure, the power plug 61 has arc-shaped metal pieces 62 and 63, and an organic conductive material 64 is attached to the lower side of the metal piece 63. Further, the metal pieces 62 and 63 are individually connected to the terminals of the power receiving unit 85. The power jack 66 has an arc-shaped insertion opening 67 corresponding to the metal pieces 62 and 63,
68 are individually provided, and the receiving ports 67a and 68a are individually provided so as to face the ends of the arcs of the insertion ports 67 and 68. Mouth 67
a and 68a are individually connected to the terminals of the power supply 91.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the principle diagram shown in FIG. 1 shows that the metal piece 63 corresponds to the contact piece 14, the organic conductive material 64 corresponds to the contact portion 12, and the conductor of the metal piece 63 is formed. The exposed portion corresponds to the contact portion 13, and the socket 68a is the contact piece 11
Corresponding to.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. The metal pieces 62 and 63 of the power supply plug 61 are inserted into the insertion openings 67 and 68 of the power supply jack 66, and are fitted by rotating clockwise in the drawing.

When the power plug 61 is rotated in this manner, first, the metal piece 62 and the receiving port 67a come into contact with each other, and the organic conductive material 64 and the receiving port 68a come into contact with each other. further,
When the power plug 61 is rotated, the contact area between the organic conductive material 64 and the contact point of the receiving port 68a increases.

At the end of the rotation, the metal piece 63 and the receiving port 68a come into contact with each other. In this embodiment, the rush current at the time of contact and the rush current at the time of short-circuiting of the organic conductive material 64 are suppressed in the same manner as the electrical operation described in the above embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 5 and 6. In the figure, a power plug 71 includes a conductor pin 72, a pin 73 made of a cermet resistor, and a conductor pin 74 shorter than the pin 73.
Have and. The pin 72 is connected to the first terminal of the power receiving unit 85, and the pins 73 and 74 are connected to the second terminal of the power receiving unit 85. Power jack 76 has pins 72-74
It has sockets 77-79 corresponding to. Receptacle 77 is power supply 9
1 and the socket 78 and socket 79 are connected to the second terminal of the power supply 91.

The relationship between this embodiment and the principle diagram of FIG. 2 is shown. The pin 73 corresponds to the contact piece 22, the pin 74 corresponds to the contact piece 21, and the socket 78 corresponds to the contact portion 24. And accept 7
Reference numeral 9 corresponds to the contact portion 25.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the power plug 71 is connected to the power jack 76, the pins 72 and 73 first come into contact with the receptacles 77 and 78, respectively. In this way, the resistor forming the pin 73 is connected in series,
By connecting the power supply 91 and the power receiving unit 85, the inrush current at the time of contact is suppressed.

Further, the power plug 71 is the power jack 7
When inserted in 6, the length of the resistor between the contact point between the pin 73 and the socket 78 becomes shorter and the resistance value gradually decreases. Therefore, the current flowing through the power receiving unit 85 increases. Therefore, the internal capacity of the power receiving unit 85 is quickly charged, and the current value flowing through the connector approaches the steady value.

Further, the power plug 71 and the power jack 7
When 6 is connected, the pin 74 and the receiving port 79 come into contact with each other, and the power source 91 and the power receiving unit 85 are short-circuited. At that time, as described above, the internal capacity of the power receiving unit 85 is quickly charged, and the current value flowing through the power receiving unit 85 is close to the steady value, so that the rush current is suppressed to a small value.

As described above, in this embodiment, the power plug 71
It is possible to suppress the rush current at the moment when the power supply jack 76 and the power supply jack 76 start contacting each other, and also suppress the rush current at the moment when the power supply plug 71 and the power supply jack 76 are connected with low impedance.

Further, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to wire the current limiting element 86, and the shape and structure of the power plug 71 are simplified. Although the pin 73 made of a resistor is used in the present embodiment, the receptacle 78 may be made of a resistor.

Further, in this embodiment, the pin 73 is formed of a cermet resistor, but any resistor may be used, and for example, a resistive material such as an organic conductive material may be attached to the pin-shaped body. Further, in the present embodiment, the pin 74 is shorter than the pin 73, but it is sufficient if there is a time difference when making contact, so that, for example, as shown in FIG. You may install it. In the figure, the same components as those shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0057]

As described above, according to the invention described in each claim, the rush current at the moment when the contact piece comes into contact is suppressed by the resistor, and the resistor and the contact piece are continuously slid in contact with each other. By gradually decreasing the resistance value, the inrush current at the moment when the resistor is short-circuited can be strongly suppressed.

Further, as compared with the conventional example, the wiring of the current limiting element is unnecessary, so that the structure is simplified. Further, in the invention described in claims 1 to 4, the number of contacts is smaller than that of the conventional example, so that the structure is simplified and the connector can be attached and detached with a small force.

As described above, in the electric equipment to which the present invention is applied, by suppressing the inrush current, sudden voltage fluctuation is prevented and the operation of the electric equipment is ensured. Further, it is possible to reduce the current capacity required for the power supply or the signal transmission unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram corresponding to the invention of claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram corresponding to the invention of claim 5;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change with time of a resistance value of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the change over time of the inrush current according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment corresponding to the invention described in claims 5 and 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a connector of a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change over time in the inrush current of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 14, 21, 22 Contact piece 12, 13, 24, 25 Contact part 23, 26 Connector 31, 61, 71 Power plug 32, 33, 72, 73, 74 Pin 34, 64 Organic conductive material 36, 66, 76 Power jack 37, 38, 67a, 68a, 77 to 79 Receptacle 62, 63 Metal piece 85 Power receiving section 91 Power source

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An inrush current limiting connector provided at both electrical connection ends, the first contact piece (11) electrically short-circuited to one connection end and comprising a conductor, A contact part (12) made of a resistor is provided on the front side and a contact part (13) made of a conductor is provided on the rear side along the path of contact with the first contact piece (11), and the contact part is further provided. (1
3) Inrush current limiting connector, characterized in that 3) comprises a second contact piece (14) electrically short-circuited with the other connecting end. 2. A connecting piece for connecting both connecting ends of a return path to an outward path of electricity formed by connecting the connecting ends, and these connecting pieces are connected to the first connecting piece (11). The inrush current limiting connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector and the second contact piece (14) are provided side by side. 3. A pin (32) made of a conductor, a pin (33) having a contact part made of a resistor on the tip side, and a contact part made of a conductor on the rear side, the pin (32) and the pin ( 33) An insulative member in which 33) is provided in parallel, and a power plug-like inrush current limiting connector. 4. A receptacle having a conductor, a receptacle having a contact portion made of a resistor on the tip side, and a contact portion made of a conductor on the rear side, and an insulation provided in parallel with the receptacle. An inrush current limiting connector in the form of a power jack, which is provided with a member. 5. A rush current limiting connector provided at both electrical connection ends, comprising a contact piece (21) made of a conductor electrically short-circuited to one connection end, and a resistor. A first connector (2) having a contact piece (22) made of, and one end side of the contact piece (22) of the resistor and the contact piece (21) of the conductor are electrically short-circuited.
3), and a contact portion (24) having a contact interval with the other end side of the contact piece (22) of the resistor, on the path connected to the first connector (23), and Pieces of said conductor (21)
A second connector (26) having a contact portion (25) spaced apart from the contact distance with respect to, and further electrically short-circuiting these contact portions (24, 25) and the other connection end.
And an inrush current limiting connector. 6. A connecting piece is provided for connecting both connecting ends of a return path to an electric outward path formed by the connection of the connecting ends, and these connecting pieces are connected to the first connector (23) and The inrush current limiting connector according to claim 5, wherein each of the second connectors (26) is provided side by side.