JPH08273755A - Connecter device and connecter unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the operation force for electrical connection and improve operation performance. CONSTITUTION: Elasticity is given to a moving terminal 32 so as to touch a fixed terminal 4 by the elasticity to be electrically connected. An actuator 33 is raised by only the elasticity of the moving terminal 32, and the actuator 33 is pushed down from outside so as to separate the moving terminal 32 from the fixed terminal 4 to shut off electrical connection. Since the actuator 33 can be displaced by only operation force against the elasticity of the moving terminal 32, the operation force is reduced and operation performance is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector device and a connector unit used for electrically connecting two electronic devices such as a video camera and a television receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows an example of a usage mode of a connector device 100. A video camera 120 is mounted on a base 110 of the connector device 100. The video camera 120 and a television receiver 130 are connected to each other. It is electrically connected via the connector device 100.

By making such a connection, the video and audio recorded in the video camera 120 can be reproduced by the television receiver 130.

In order to make such electrical connection, the input contact portion 140 is provided on the base 110 of the connector device 100.
Is formed, and at the bottom of the video camera 120,
An output contact portion 150 that contacts the contact portion 140 is formed.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional connector device for making such a connection.

This connector device 200 includes a base 210.
A connecting member 220 provided on the base 210 and engaged with an external device (see FIG. 8) such as a video camera, and a connector case 230 provided on the connecting member 220.
It has and.

A plurality of slits 2 are formed on the upper surface of the connector case 230 for projecting and retracting movable terminals, which will be described later.
40 is formed.

The plurality of slits 240 are arranged in two rows, and the rows are arranged in a zigzag pattern that is alternately shifted between the adjacent rows.

Lever 250 is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the connector case 230. This lever 250
Operates to cause the movable terminal to protrude from each slit 240, as will be described later.

FIG. 8 shows the bottom of an external device 300 such as a video camera corresponding to the connector device 200.

At the bottom of the external device 300, there is formed a fitting recess 310 for laterally fitting the connecting member 220 of the connector device 200.

On the bottom surface of the fitting recess 310, the connector terminals 320 as the first connector corresponding to the slits 240 of the connector device 200 are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

The connector device 200 of the external device 300
The mounting of the external device 300 is performed by aligning the bottom portion with the front end surface of the connecting member 220 of the connector device 200 and then sliding the external device 300 so that the connecting member 220 fits in the fitting recess 310.

As a result, the lever 250 is fitted into the fitting recess 31.
0 is pressed into the connector case 230 in contact with the inner side surface thereof, and the movable terminal projects from each slit 240 by this pressing.

At the same time, since the connector terminal 320 of the external device 300 faces the corresponding slit 240, the movable terminal and the connector terminal 320 come into contact with each other to establish an electrical connection.

FIG. 9 shows the internal structure of the connector case 230 and is a sectional view corresponding to line RR in FIG.

Inside the connector case 230, there are provided a movable terminal 400, an actuator 410 that engages with the tip of the movable terminal 400, and a return spring 420 that pushes the actuator 410 toward the movable terminal 400. .

The movable terminal 400 has a base end portion 401 bent at a right angle, and the base end portion 401 is inserted into the connector case 230.

A horizontal portion 402 close to the base end portion
Extends in the connector case 230 along the case 230, and the tip of the horizontal portion 402 is bent upward in a substantially U-shape.

The bent portion 403 projects outward from the slit 240, and the connector terminal 320 of the external device 300.
Contact with.

Such a movable terminal 400 has a base end portion 4
01 is inserted into the connector case 230, and the horizontal portion 402 is inserted through the spacer 270 made of an insulator, so that elasticity in the direction of protruding from the slit 240 is imparted.

The actuator 410 has the movable terminal 4
The movable terminal 400 is pulled into the connector case 230 against the elasticity of 00.

On the movable terminal 400 side of the actuator 410, there is formed a lock surface 411 with which the tip portion 404 of the movable terminal 400 abuts.

The actuator 410 moves in the direction of the movable terminal 400, the lock surface 411 of the actuator 410 abuts the tip portion 404 of the movable terminal 400, and the movable terminal 400 is pushed down against its elasticity so that the movable terminal 400 is locked. Terminal 40
The contact between 0 and the connector terminal 320 of the external device 300 is released.

The movement of the actuator 410 is performed by the return spring 420, and the return spring 420
Is arranged inside the connector case 230 so as to be located on the rear side in the sliding direction of the actuator 410.

In this case, the return spring 420 resists the sum of elasticity of all the movable terminals 400 and the actuator 410.
Needs to be moved, and therefore, a spring which itself has a large elasticity or a combination of a plurality of springs is used.

The actuator 410 is connected to a lever 250 (see FIG. 7) protruding to both sides of the connector case 230, and when the lever 250 is pushed in, the actuator 410 resists the return spring 420 and separates from the movable terminal 400. Move to.

By this movement, the lock surface 411 between the actuators 410 retracts from the tip portion 404 of the movable terminal 400, and the lock of the movable terminal 400 is released.

Therefore, the movable terminal 400 projects from the slit 240 of the connector case 230 due to its elasticity and contacts the connector terminal 320 of the external device 300.

The pushing of the lever 250 for moving the actuator 410 causes the external device 300 to be connected to the base 210 of the connector device 200 as described above.
It is done by sliding it on.

The above structure is the same for columns other than the RR line (FIG. 7).

[0032]

In the conventional connector device, the external device is slid against the elasticity of the return spring 420. However, since the elasticity of the return spring is strong as described above, the external device 300 is large. You need to slide it by force.

Therefore, it is difficult to perform the slide operation.

Further, the actuator 410 and the return spring 4
Since 20 is arranged along the same direction as the length direction of the movable terminal 400 and on the extension line thereof, there is a limit to the slidable stroke of the actuator 410.

Therefore, it is necessary to operate the external device with a constant short stroke, which is not only difficult to operate, but also the feeling that the operation has been completed cannot be obtained, giving anxiety.

Further, since the return spring and the like are arranged, the number of parts is increased, the structure is complicated, and the assembly is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and can be electrically connected to an external device with a light operation force, and the connection can be obtained by a feeling of operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector device having a simple structure.

[0038]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector device in which a station 1 having a fixed terminal 4 is removably mounted, and a connector unit slidably mounted on the station 1. 3, an operation lever 6 that is directly or indirectly connected to the connector unit 3 and slides the connector unit 3 with respect to the station 1, and is formed to have elasticity in a direction of protruding from the connector unit 3. The movable terminal 32 disposed in the connector unit 3 and contacting the fixed terminal 4 by the elasticity is partially engaged with the movable terminal 32, and the movable terminal 32 is retracted from the contact with the fixed terminal 4. An actuator 33 disposed inside the connector unit 3 so as to be displaced, and a slide of the connector unit 3. Moving to and characterized in that it comprises an interlocking member 10,36 for displacing the actuator 33.

A connector device according to a second aspect is the connector device according to the first aspect, wherein the interlocking member is provided with an engagement protrusion 36 provided on the actuator 33 and the engagement protrusion 36 so as to slide on the engagement protrusion 36. And a cam 10 that is formed in the station 1 and that displaces the actuator 33 by sliding the engagement protrusion 36 with the slide of the connector unit 3.

The connector unit of claim 3 has a connector housing 31 slidably accommodated in the station 1, and is arranged in the connector housing 31 so as to have elasticity in a direction projecting from the connection surface of the connector housing 31. A movable terminal 32 formed to be bent at
When the connector housing 31 is housed in the station 1, when the connector housing 31 is partially engaged with the movable terminal 32 and the movable terminal 32 is normally projected from the connection surface,
An actuator 33 that causes the movable terminal 32 to project and retract from the connection surface in accordance with the slide with the station 1, and is integrally provided with the actuator 33, and the cam 10 of the station 1 when the connector housing 31 is housed in the station 1. And an engaging projection 36 that slides and displaces the actuator 33 in conjunction with the displacement of the cam 10.

[0041]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector unit slides by the operation of the operation lever, the interlocking member displaces the actuator in conjunction with the slide, and the movable terminal is disengaged from the contact with the fixed terminal.

Only the elasticity of the movable terminal acts on the actuator, and the above-described operation is performed by operating the operation lever against this elasticity. Therefore, the operating force is reduced,
The operability is improved and the number of parts is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the interlocking member is constituted by the cam formed on the station and the engaging projection provided on the connector unit, and the cam can be set without being restricted by the elasticity of the movable terminal.

Therefore, the stroke of the operating force can be lengthened,
A feeling of operation can be added.

The invention of claim 3 can be used as an ordinary connector because a part of the movable terminal always projects from the connecting surface.

When the connector housing is housed in the station, the cam of the station and the engaging projection of the actuator slide as the station slides, the actuator 33 moves in conjunction with the displacement of the cam, and the movable terminal 32 is connected. Make it appear and disappear from the surface.

Therefore, when housed in the station, only the elasticity of the movable terminal acts on the actuator,
Since the operation lever is operated against this elasticity, the operation force is reduced and the operability is improved.

[0048]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which a station 1 to which an external device 2 is detachably mounted and a connector unit 3 attached to the station 1 are mounted.
It has and.

As the external device 2, the video camera 120 shown in FIG. 6 and other electronic devices are used.

The bottom surface of the external device 2 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of flat plate-shaped fixed terminals 4 which are connector terminals are arranged in a staggered manner, and are electrically connected to the connector unit 3 via the fixed terminals 4.

The external device 2 can be attached to the station 1 by appropriately forming protrusions and grooves which engage with each other at their corresponding portions, or by providing hook members which can be engaged and disengaged with them. This allows the external device 2 to be fixedly mounted at a fixed position on the station 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the station 1 is formed in a hollow shape by covering the lower cover 1a with the upper cover 1b, and the slider 5 and the connector unit 3 are housed therein. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 5 extends in the longitudinal direction of the station 1 and slides inside the station 1 in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to guide the slide, a guide 1c for guiding the slider 5 between the lower cover 1a and the slider 5 is integrally formed with the upper cover 1b inside the station 1.

The slider 5 is manually slid, and an operating lever 6 is provided for this purpose.

The operating lever 6 is pulled out of the station 1 through a groove 1d formed on one side surface of the station 1 in the longitudinal direction, and by manually operating the withdrawing end portion, The slider 5 slides integrally.

The operating force applied to the operating lever 6 is applied to the slider 5
To the station 1 on the operating lever 6 for transmission to
As shown in FIG. 4, a connecting groove 6a into which the connecting portion 5a of the slider 5 fits is formed in the inner portion of the.

As shown in the figure, a return spring 7 is provided between the slider 5 and the station 1 in the same direction as the sliding direction of the slider 5, but when the slider 5 is reciprocally slid manually. This return spring 7 can be omitted.

The connector unit 3 includes the slider 5
It is placed on the slider and moves integrally with the slider 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the connector unit 3 includes a connector housing 31, a plurality of movable terminals 32 arranged in the connector housing 31, and an actuator 33.

Connection surface 3 on the upper surface of the connector housing 31
A plurality of slits 34 are formed in 1a in a zigzag pattern in two rows.

The slit 34 is formed so as to correspond to the fixed terminal 4 of the external device 2, and the movable terminal 32 faces each slit 34.

Each of the movable terminals 32 has a base end portion 32.
a is inserted into the bottom of the connector housing 31 and penetrates the slider 5 below the housing 31.
This penetrating end is soldered to the pattern of the relay board 38 attached to the bottom surface of the slider 5 (see FIG. 1).

A flexible connection board 8 is connected to the lower surface of the relay board 38, and via the connection board 8,
The movable terminal 32 and the circuit board (not shown) on the station 1 side are electrically connected.

As in the case shown in FIG. 9, the movable terminal 32 is provided with elasticity in the direction of protruding from the slit 34 of the connector housing 31 by bending the tip portion into a U shape, and the connecting surface 31a. By projecting from the slit 34, the electric connection with the corresponding fixed terminal 4 is performed with a good contact pressure.

The tip portion 32b of the movable terminal 32 is folded back in the horizontal direction, and the tip portion 32b is engaged with the actuator 33.

As shown in FIG. 5, the actuator 33 has comb-teeth-shaped engagement teeth 35 that engage with the respective tip portions 32b of the movable terminals 32 arranged in two rows.

The tip 32b of the movable terminal 32 is engaged with the engaging tooth 35 from below, whereby the actuator 33 is biased by the elasticity of the movable terminal 32 in its free state, and the connector housing is opened. It is in a raised state within 31.

In such a free state, the movable terminal 32 projects from the connection surface 31a of the connector housing 31.

On both sides of the actuator 33,
The engagement protrusion 36 is integrally formed. Engagement protrusion 36
Is a connector housing 3 as shown in FIGS.
1, which is extracted outward from both side surfaces of 1, and constitutes a linking member for displacing the actuator 33 in the direction opposite to the elasticity of the movable terminal 32 together with the cam 10 described later.

On the other hand, the cam 10 of the interlocking member is formed in the portion corresponding to the engagement protrusion 36 in the station 1 (the guide 1c portion in FIG. 3 in this embodiment), and the engagement protrusion 36 slides.

Such sliding is possible because the actuator 33 is urged by the elasticity of the movable terminal 32. Therefore, the movable terminal 32 also brings the engaging projection 36 into contact with the cam 10. To work.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cam 10 extends entirely along the longitudinal direction of the station 1. The cam 10 is provided with a lock portion 10 from the right side to the left side in the figure.
a, taper portion 10b, slide portion 10c, guide portion 1
0d and the releasing unit 10e are sequentially connected in this order.

The lock portion 10a pushes down the engaging projection 36, whereby the actuator 33 is displaced in the opposite direction against the elasticity of the movable terminal 32.
In the illustrated example, the actuator 33 is pulled down, whereby the movable terminal 32 is pulled down and separated from the fixed terminal 4, as indicated by the chain line in the figure.

The taper portion 10b further pushes down the actuator 33 via the engaging projection 36 at the beginning of the time when the connector unit 3 moves integrally with the slider 5 by operating the operating lever 6 to slide. Gives a light moderation at the beginning of operation.

The slide portion 1 following the taper portion 10b
0c is a horizontal plane, which moves the connector unit 3 while pushing down the actuator 33.

By tilting the guide portion 10d obliquely upward from the slide portion 10c, the elastic lock state of the movable terminal 32 is gradually released.

As a result, the engaging projection 36 is fixed to the guide portion 10.
At the time of reaching d, the actuator 33 moves to the movable terminal 3
Since it is gradually pulled up by the elasticity of 2, the operation force of the slide operation becomes light.

The guide portion 10d also acts to lock the engagement projection 36 that has reached the release portion 10e, which will be described later, from moving in the opposite direction from the release portion 10e, whereby the engagement projection 36 is released. Stabilizes in contact with 10e. Therefore, the contact between the movable terminal 32 and the fixed terminal 4 can be stabilized.

In the releasing portion 10e, the elasticity of the movable terminal 32 is released, and the elasticity of the movable terminal 32 pulls up the actuator 33, and as shown by the solid line in FIG.
The actuator 33 is in a lifted state.

In this state, the movable terminal 32 projects from each slit 34 and comes into contact with the fixed terminal 4 of the external device 2 due to its elasticity, so that these can be conducted. In order to make such an electrical connection, the station 1 is formed with an opening 11 for exposing the connector unit 3.

During the slide movement as described above,
It is not preferable that the moving force acts on the external device 2 because the external device 2 is displaced. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
An escape slit 2a for avoiding interference with the slider 5 and the connector unit 3 is formed on the bottom of the external device 2 at a portion corresponding to these.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, an auxiliary spring 37 is arranged below the actuator 33 to push up the actuator 33, but the actuator 33 has only the elasticity of the movable terminal 32. The operation described above can be performed.

The auxiliary spring 37 is arranged to assist the movable terminal 32. Therefore, the auxiliary spring can be omitted when unnecessary.

In the above structure, since the engaging projection 36 of the connector unit 3 is in contact with the lock portion 10a of the cam 10, the actuator 33 is pulled down, whereby the movable terminal 32 is pulled into the connector housing 31.

When the operating lever 6 is slid in this state to move the slider 6, the engaging projection 36 reaches the taper portion 10b to give a feeling of moderation of the operation, and thereafter,
It slides along the slide portion 10c.

Then, when the engaging projection 36 passes through the guide portion 10d and reaches the releasing portion 10e, the pushing down of the engaging projection 36 by the cam 10 is released, so that the movable terminal 32 is elastic and thus the actuator. While pulling up 33, it projects from the slit 34 of the connector housing 31.

As a result, the fixed terminals 4 of the external device 2 are brought into contact with each other to electrically connect them.

In this state, the guide portion 10d prevents the engaging projection 36 from coming off the releasing portion 10e, so that the electrical connection is stabilized.

In the present embodiment as described above, since only the elasticity of the movable terminal 32 is used, an operating force that overcomes this elasticity is sufficient, and an operation with a light operating force is possible.

Further, the cam 10 on which the engaging projection 36 slides
Can be set independently of the direction of elasticity of the movable terminal 32, and the length of the cam 10 is not restricted by the elasticity of the movable terminal 32.

For this reason, the length of the cam 10 can be changed to adjust the stroke of the slide operation, the inclination can be changed to adjust the operation force, and a moderation can be given at an appropriate position.

Furthermore, since only the elasticity of the movable terminal is used, a return spring for returning the operating lever 6 to its original position is unnecessary, which reduces the number of parts and simplifies the structure, and facilitates assembly. Become.

In addition, the connector unit 3 of this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, the movable terminal 32 is normally in a state of protruding from the connector housing 31 due to its elasticity, and this state is a free state of the connector unit 3 alone.

Therefore, the connector unit 3 can be electrically connected to another device by itself, and only the connector unit 3 can be used as a connector for connecting to another device.

In this case, for example, when connecting with another device, if the engaging projection 36 of the actuator 33 is brought into contact with an appropriate member such as a connector housing of the other device to displace it, the engaging depth will vary depending on the fitting depth. It can be switched on and off, and the connector unit 3 can also be used as a connector with a switch.

The present invention can be variously modified without being limited to the above embodiments.

For example, the present invention can be used as a connector for charging electric equipment. Further, according to the present invention, since the intended purpose can be achieved only by moving the connector unit, the slider for mounting the connector unit may be omitted. In this case, by providing the operation lever directly on the connector unit, its structure can be improved. Can be simplified.

[0099]

According to the invention of claim 1, since only the elasticity of the movable terminal is used and the movable terminal makes contact with the fixed terminal and retracts from the contact in cooperation with the sliding of the connector unit, the operating force is increased. Is reduced, the operability is improved, and the number of parts is reduced to simplify the structure.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the interlocking member is constituted by the cam formed on the station and the engaging projection provided on the connector unit, the cam can be set independently of the movable terminal. The stroke can be lengthened and the end of operation can be confirmed.

According to the invention of claim 3, since a part of the movable terminal is normally projected from the connection surface, it can be used as an ordinary connector, and thus has versatility.

When the station is housed,
Since only the elasticity of the movable terminal acts on the actuator and the operation lever is operated against this elasticity, the operation force is reduced and the operability is improved.

[0103]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the operation.

3 is a cross-sectional view in which the cross sections taken along the lines AA and BB of FIG. 1 are continuous.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the station.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the connector unit.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a usage example of the connector device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional connector device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional external device from the bottom side.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional connector device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Station 2 External Equipment 3 Connector Unit 4 Fixed Terminal 6 Operation Lever 10 Cam 31 Connector Housing 31a Connection Surface 32 Movable Terminal 33 Actuator 36 Engagement Protrusion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A station (1) to which an external device having a fixed terminal (4) is detachably mounted, and a connector unit (3) slidably provided with respect to the station (1), The station (1) is connected to the connector unit (3) directly or indirectly to connect the connector unit (3) to the station (1).
An operating lever (6) that slides with respect to the connector unit (3), and is arranged in the connector unit (3) so as to have elasticity in a direction protruding from the connector unit (3), and with the elasticity, the fixed terminal (4) The movable terminal (32) in contact with the movable terminal (32) is partially engaged, and the movable terminal (32) is displaced in a direction of retreating from contact with the fixed terminal (4). (3) An actuator (33) disposed inside, and an interlocking member (10) that displaces the actuator (33) in conjunction with the slide of the connector unit (3).
(36) is provided, The connector device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The interlocking member is formed at the station (1) so as to slide on the engagement protrusion (36) provided on the actuator (33) and the engagement protrusion (36), The connector device according to claim 1, further comprising: a cam (10) for displacing the actuator (33) by sliding an engagement protrusion (36) associated with the sliding of the connector unit (3). 3. A connector housing (31) which can be slidably accommodated in the station (1), and a direction which is arranged in the connector housing (31) and protrudes from a connection surface (31a) of the connector housing (31). The movable terminal (3
2) and the movable terminal (32) are partially engaged with each other, and a part of the movable terminal (32) is normally projected from the connection surface so that the connector housing (31) is housed in the station (1). An actuator (33) that causes the movable terminal (32) to project and retract from the connection surface (31a) according to sliding with the station (1), and is integrally provided with the actuator (33), and the connector housing ( 31) is housed in the station (1), the cam (1) of the station (1) is
Connector unit which slides with 0) and displaces the actuator (33) in conjunction with the displacement of the cam (10).