WO2003065515A1

WO2003065515A1 - Ground connector

Info

Publication number: WO2003065515A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000216
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung-Kee Mo
Original assignee: Seung-Kee Mo
Priority date: 2002-02-01
Filing date: 2003-01-30
Publication date: 2003-08-07

Abstract

A connector is manufactured by only one injection molding without changing the structure of the insulator. Even more the connector has a ground function that eliminates noise and yet enhances safety by improving the structure of the housing and locker. The ground connector is formed in one body and includes plural connection terminals, an insulator to receive the plural connections, a ground part formed adjacent to the insulator, a housing formed in one body with the insulator and receiving the insulator and the ground part, and a ground slot formed on the outer face of the housing. Since the housing and the locker can be formed in one body without a separate assembling step, the overall structure has been quite simplified, the production cost can be reduced, and noise is effectively eliminated while safety is still enhanced.

Description

GROUND CONNECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ground connector, and more particularly to the

ground connector that can be easily manufactured with grounding function based on a

simple structure within one body that includes a housing, a locker, and an insulator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional connector for the communication devices generally causes a

severe noise when minute signals of human body are applied. In case that a delicate change

of signal causes a big difference of result, such a noise has a critical effect on a final result,

therefore the occurrence of the noise should be prevented.

In particular, the connector for the medical electronic devices should be harmless

to a human body, so the part such as a grounding part should not be exposed to the outside.

The connector housing that meets the above requirements is disclosed in the

Korean utility model patent No. 20-0198597. The connector housing consists of a housing

around its circumference, connection pins inside of the housing to be connected to a pin

terminal and a locker in the front end of the housing, wherein the connector housing further

includes at least one groove at the inner wall of the front end of the female connector

opened inwardly and extended to the front end, and a projection at the inner wall of the front end, the inner radius of the locker is the same as the inner radius of the housing, and

the locker includes a connecting groove at the contact point with the front end of the

housing that forms a engaging projection in which a detaching device of the male

connector is engaged.

In such a housing structure that male and female connectors are connected to each

other, the connector housing must have a connecting groove formed in the female

connector in which the detaching device of the male connector is secured in order to

connect the male and female connectors to each other. In order to form the connecting

groove easily, the housing and locker of the female connector are manufactured separately,

and then assembled. Until the present time it has been difficult to make a connector

housing including a connecting groove at an inner wall with one injection mold. In

addition, the manufacturing cost to make an injection mold that can have the housing and

locker in one body would be high.

However, parallel problems can occur since the housing, locker, and mini jack

should be formed separately by injection molding and thereafter assembled. As a result

the number of production processes increase and become more complicated, while the

corresponding production costs increase and productivity decreases. Moreover, the above

connector housing still retains the noise problem. Moreover, the above connector housing

still has a problem about the noise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ground connector

having a simplified structure formed in one body, which can be easily manufactured.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the ground connector

manufactured at reduced production cost by incorporating the conventional mini jack that

is common in the market.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide the ground connector

that provides a ground function by the ground hole formed in the connector housing which

includes the ground-type mini jack.

that can secure the male connector more tightly by including a locking structure in the

connector housing.

To accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a ground

connector that includes plural connection terminals, an insulator receiving the plural

connection terminals, a ground part that earths in the outer face of the insulator, a housing

formed in a body with the insulator and a ground hole formed in the housing.

The ground connector of the present invention can be manufactured by the

injection molding to form the housing and the ground hole in the conventional mini jack in

one body. While the locking occurs between the inner wall of the female connector and the

outer wall of the male connector in the conventional connector housing, in the present invention the locking occurs between the ground parts of the male and female connectors.

Therefore, no connecting groove is required in the inner wall of the housing, and

the housing can be easily formed via injection molding. Since the housing and the

insulators form one body, the assembling process can be eliminated resulting in the

production process and cost to be greatly reduced.

Also, the ground connector of the present invention includes the ground part and

the ground hole through which the ground part located inside of the housing can be

connected to the external devices. Since, when the ground connector of the present

invention is used as a female connector, the ground part isn't exposed to the outside, the

ground connector is very useful for the connectors of the medical devices.

Preferably, the ground part should cover the connection terminals and the signal

transfer line completely. It was impossible in the conventional connector. According to the

present invention, however, the connector can be provided with the grounding function by

forming the ground part inside of the housing and connecting the ground part to the

external grounding conductor via the ground hole. Such a ground function is very effective

to reduce the noise that can be generated in the signal processing.

The current testing standard regarding the insulating voltage requires that the

devices to be tested should be safe under 1500N(AC), so the distance between any metal

element of the connector and the exposed face of the connector should be more that 4mm.

However, as the distance increases, the overall size of the connector also increases and the connector may interfere with another elements. Therefore, preferably it is desirable that the

distance is from 4mm to 10mm.

In other words, the distance between either of the ground part or connection

terminals and the front end of the housing should be over 4mm, and preferably from 4mm

to 10mm.

The present invention also provide the ground connector including a locking plate

mounted vertically slidable on the end of the housing and having a hole via which the male

connector is inserted, and an elastic member located between the housing and the locking

plate, wherein the male connector includes a locking groove around its outer face.

The male connector securely attaches to the housing as the lower part of the hole

is engaged in the locking groove by the vertical movement of the locking plate. The elastic

member exerts an elastic force on the locking plate to keep the locking plate engaged in the

locking groove.

Preferably, a push plate can be formed by bending the locking plate and the elastic

member located between the push plate and the housing, by which the male connector can

be easily detached from the housing by pushing the push plate.

Also, a locking pin that moves in the lateral direction of the housing can be

installed in the receiving hole formed in the housing with a elastic member inside of the

receiving hole, and a protrusion is formed in the male connector which pushed the locking

pin as the male connector is inserted into the housing, wherein the locking plate includes a slot formed stepwise at the lower part of the locking plate, and a recess is formed on the

locking pin engaging in the slot. Therefore, the male connector can attach easily and

securely to the housing by only inserting the male connector into the housing.

In order to prevent the connection terminals and the ground parts of the male

connector from being contaminating or rusting, the male connector includes a cover that

can move between inside and outside of the male connector, and a elastic member that

pushes the cover outward. Therefore, the connection terminals and the ground parts of the

male connector remain clean as the cover shields the connection terminals and the ground

parts of the male connector when detached from the housing.

Preferably, a cylindrical cover is used, having a pair of protrusions in one end that

are inserted into a slot formed in the outer case of the male connector and extended

laterally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become

more apparent by detailed describing preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the

attached drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of a conventional mini jack;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is the front view of the second embodiment in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is the cross sectional view of the second embodiment in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention,

wherein the male connector is detached from the housing;

Fig. 7 is the front view of the third embodiment in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is the cross sectional view according to the line A-A' in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is the perspective view of the locking plate in the third embodiment in Fig.

6;

Fig. 10 is the perspective view of the locking pin in the third embodiment in Fig.

6;

Fig. 11 is the perspective view of the cover in the third embodiment in Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is the cross sectional view according to the line A-A' in Fig. 6, wherein the

male connector is inserted into the housing.

EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in

more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is understood that the

present invention should not be limited to the following embodiments.

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of a conventional mini jack.

Referring to the Fig. 1, the mini jack 100 includes six connection terminals 110 made of a conductor, an insulator 120 receiving the connection terminals, and a ground

part 130 arranged outside of the insulator 120 at a predetermined gap from the outer face of

the insulator 120.

The above-mentioned structure is common for the mini jack 100, and the number

and the arrangement of the connection terminals 110 can vary according to the

requirements and its functions. Moreover, the shape and size of each terminal 110 can also

vary. That is, the mini jack 100 shown in Fig. 1 has a circular cross section, however it also

has a polygonal or oval cross section. The each connection terminal 110 is formed with a

hollow conductor that is formed by winding the conductor plate and then arranged inside

of the insulator 120. The pins of the male connector are inserted into the inside of the

connection terminals 110, and parts of the connection terminals 110 that are exposed to the

rear face of the insulator 120 are connected to the external devices.

The male connector(not shown) is connected from the front face of the mini jack

100, and the connection terminals 110 exposed to the rear face of the insulator 120 are

connected to the signal transmitter of the external devices to transmit and receive the signal.

The male connector includes at least one pin corresponding to the connection terminals 110

and a ground part corresponding to the ground part 130 of the mini jack. The signal is

transmitted or received by connecting connection terminals 110 and the pins of the male

connector. Also by connecting each ground part of the mini jack 100 and the male

connector, the grounding and secure attachment between the mini jack 100 and the male connector is completed.

A guide hole 140 formed in the insulator 120 guides the direction for proper

insertion and a secure connection between the male connector and female connector, and

assists the securing between the male connector and female connector, into which the

projection(not shown) formed in the male connector is inserted.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of ground connector 200 according to the first

embodiment of the present invention, which includes the mini jack 100 shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the Fig. 2, the ground connector 200 includes the above-mentioned

mini jack 100, a housing 210 formed in one body with the insulator 120 behind of the mini

jack, a locker 230 formed in one end of the housing 210 and a ground hole 240 formed by

partially cutting the other end of the housing 210.

The housing 210, the locker 230 and the ground hole 240 are formed at one time

in one body by the injection molding. Because of the injection molding, the insulator 120

of the mini jack 100 and the housing 210 are integrated, while the insulator 120 and the

housing 210 are strongly secured to each other in the process.

Compared with the conventional connectors, since there is no need to form a

connection groove in the inner wall of the housing 210, the mold for injection molding is

simplified and easy to manufacture. And it is possible to make the ground connector 200

without preparing several molds, manufacturing each part separately and assembling each

part. Therefore, the ground connector according to the first embodiment is very economical. Regarding standard costs, the ground connector 200 of the present invention can be

manufactured at only 25% of the typical cost for conventional domestic Korean connectors,

and moreover only 5~6% of the typical cost for conventional foreign connectors.

The ground part 130 of the ground connector 200 is connected to the inside of the

electric devices to which the ground connector 200 is used via the ground hole 240 formed

by partially cutting the other end of the housing 210. In this case, the noise that may be

generated in transmitting or receiving signal can be effectively eliminated, since the ground

part 130 of the connector 200 isn't exposed to the outside and grounded via the ground

hole 240. Such a structure complies with the safety standards for the connectors of the

medical electronic devices.

The ground part 130 and connection terminals 110 should have a distance more

than 4mm to be used safely under AC 1500V. Therefore, the distance from the front end of

the locker 230 to the ground part 130 and the connection terminals 110 should be more

than 4mm, preferably from 4mm to 10mm.

Fig. 3 is the perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention,

and Fig. 4 is the front view of the second embodiment in Fig. 3.

Referring to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the ground connector 300 includes the mini jack

100 described in Fig. 1, a housing 310 formed in one body with the insulator 120 behind of

the mini jack 100, a locker 330 formed in one end of the housing 310, threads 320 formed

on the outer face of the housing 310 and a ground hole 340 formed by partially cutting the other end of the housing 310. That is, the threads 320 are formed on the outer face of the

housing 310 except the part corresponding to the ground hole 340.

In the second embodiment, the housing 310, the locker 330, the threads 320 and

the ground hole 340 are formed at one time in one body by the injection molding. Because

of the injection molding, the insulator 120 of the mini jack 100 and the housing 310 are

integrated, while the insulator 120 and the housing 310 are strongly secured to each other

in the process.

Compared with the conventional connectors, since there is no need to form a

connection groove in the inner wall of the housing 310, the mold for injection molding is

simplified and easy to manufacture. And it is possible to make the ground connector 300

part.

Moreover, at least one guide notch 350 can be formed inside of the housing 310.

The guide notch 350 decides and controls the position of the male connector that is

inserted into the connector 300. Although there is formed only one guide notch 350 in Fig.

3, more than two guide notches can be formed inside of the housing 310.

\ The ground part 140 of the ground connector 300 is( connected to the inside of the

electric devices to which the ground connector 300 is used via the ground hole 340. In this

case, the noise that may be generated in transmitting or receiving signal can be effectively

eliminated, since the ground part 140 isn't exposed to the outside and grounded via the ground hole 340. Such a structure can comply with the safety standards for the connectors

of the medical electronic devices.

Fig. 5 is the cross sectional view of the second embodiment in Fig. 3.

Referring to the Fig. 5, the rear part of the mini jack 100 and housing 310 are

connected to each other in one body, and the housing 310 is arranged in order that the inner

wall of the housing 300 should have a certain gap with the mini jack 100. The connector

300 is connected to external devices via the connection terminals 11 projected through the

rear face of the mini jack 100, and secured by the threads 320 to the device to which the

connector is used. The ground part 130 is received inside the housing 310, and the male

connector is inserted. By this configuration the inside ground part 130 is shielded from the

outside. The connector 300 according to the second embodiment is suitable for the medical

devices, since the ground function is provided, but the ground part 130 is shielded.

In this case, the ground part 130 and connection terminals 110 should have a

distance more than 4mm to be used safely under AC 1500N. Therefore, the distance(a)

from the front end of the locker 230 to the ground part 130 and the connection terminals

110 should be more than 4mm, preferably from 4mm to 10mm.

Referring to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the ground connector according to the third

embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The third embodiment has an added

locking structure to the first or second embodiment, so the explanations for the same parts

will be omitted. A vertically slidable locking plate 600 to affix the male connector 500 is included

in one end of the housing 400 into which the male connector 500 is inserted. And a locking

pin 700 is inserted into the lower part of the housing 400, wherein the one end of the

locking pin 700 is projected through the locking plate 600.

Referring to the Fig. 9, the locking plate 600 and locking pin 700 are illustrated.

The locking plate 600 is made of thin metal plate, the upper part is bent at 90 degree to

form a push plate 610 and a hole 630 is formed in the middle through which the male

connector 500 is inserted. The hole 630 includes two slots formed one slot within the other

slot that consist of an upper slot 640 and a lower slot 650 having a smaller width than the

upper slot, both extending from lower circumference of the hole 630. The locking plate

600 is mounted on a end of the housing 400, and the first return spring 620 is located

between the housing 400 and the push plate 610 to exert an elastic force on the push plate

outward.

Referring to the Fig. 10, the locking pin 700 includes a neck 720 in upper end, an

expanded neck having a bigger radius than the neck 720 and a sloping section 740

connecting the neck 720 and the expanded neck 740 continuously. And a spring receiver

750 is formed adjacent to the expanded neck 740 that receives a spring partially in its

inside.

Referring Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 again, the external case of the male connector includes

a engaging slot 520 that is formed partially on the circumference of the external case, preferably the engaging slot 520 extends halfway over of the circumference of the external

case. Also, the male connector includes a projection 510 to push the locking pin 700 as the

male connector is inserted into the housing.

As described above, the male connector generally include connection pins to be

connected to the connection terminals of the mini jack. The male connector includes a

cover 800 to cover the connection pins when the male connector is detached from the

housing. Referring to the Fig. 10, the cover 800 is a hollow cylinder, and includes a pair of

projections 820 formed as a rectangular cross-section on its one end. The cover 800 is

located inside of the male connector and pushed outward by the third return spring

installed between the cover and the male connector, wherein the cover is assembled by

inserting the projections 820 into the slots 530 formed in the outer case of the mal

connector.

The slots 530 are straight except when bent at 90 degrees at two locations near its

end, which prevents the cover from involuntarily being detached but still allows the cover

to be easily detached. That is, the cover can be detached from the male connector by

moving the cover to the end of the connector as much as possible, rotating the cover, and

then pulling the cover out of the male connector.

Referring to the Fig. 8, a end of the first return spring 620 is in contact with the

push plate 610 of the locking plate 600, and the other end of the first return spring is fixed

to the first return spring receiver 410 that is a recessed area formed in the housing. Therefore, the locking plate 600 is pushed upward as illustrated in the Fig. 8 by the elastic

force of the first return spring.

The locking pin 700 is installed in the lower part of the housing that is able to

slide laterally inside of the locking pin receiver 430 that is formed cylindrically in the

housing, wherein the second return spring 710 is located between the spring receiver 750

and the locking pin receiver 430. Therefore, the locking pin 700 is pushed right in the

direction of the projection 510 in the Fig. 8 by the second return spring 710, and the end of

the locking pin 700 is projected through the upper slot 640 of the locking plate 600 after

being installed.

Before the male connector is inserted, the locking pin 700 is projected outward as

much as possible, and the expanded neck 730 is engaged in the upper slot 640 of the

locking plate. Since the third return spring 810 is installed between the cover 800 and the

male connector, the cover is also projected to the outside of the male connector by the

elastic force of the third return spring before inserted into the housing.

Referring the Fig. 12, the inserting process will be explained. As the male

connector approaches the housing, the projection 510 will contact the projected end of the

locking pin 700. When the projection 610 pushes further, the expanded neck 730 retreats

from the upper slot 640 of the locking plate 600, the sloping section 740 is engaged in the

upper slot 640 and then the neck 720 is inserted into the upper slot 640 finally. However,

the locking plate 600 also moves upward simultaneously, which causes the engagement of the neck 720 and lower slot 650.

At that time, the lower part of the hole 630 of the locking plate 600 is engaged in

the engaging slot 520, which maintains the male connector securely attached in the housing.

Detachment of the male connector proceeds in reverse order. The lower part of the

hole 630 escapes from the engaging slot 520 resulting in pushing the push plate 610 to

move the locking plate downward. At that time, the male connector can be easily detached

by pulling out the male connector, which causes the locking pin 700 to project outward.

Also when the user removes his finger from the push plate 610 the locking plate will move

upward, then the expanded neck 730 will engage in the upper slot 640 again, which allows

the housing to be ready for the next connection.

As described above, the ground connector of the present invention can be easily

and inexpensively manufactured by the simplified structure. And the ground connector of

the present invention can reduce the production cost and promote the productivity, because

the manufacturing process comprises only one injection molding using a conventional mini

jack.

Since the ground part of the present invention is connected to the external devices

via the ground hole, the ground part is shielded from the outside. Accordingly noise can be

eliminated that is normally generated during signal transmitting or receiving by providing

the connector with the ground function. Therefore, the ground part of the present invention is quite suitable for medical devices.

Finally, the ground connector of the present invention has a cover that is useful to

protect the connection pins and ground part of the male connector from contamination, and

providing a beautiful appearance. Moreover, since the ground connector of the present

invention can only be locked by inserting the male connector into the housing, it is very

easy to use.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with

reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that many variations,

modifications, and other applications of the present invention may be made without

affecting the spirit and scope.

Claims

What is claimed is

1. A ground connector, comprising:

plural connection terminals;

an insulator to receive the plural connections;

a ground part formed adjacent to the insulator;

a housing formed in one body with the insulator, and receiving the insulator and

the ground part;

and a ground hole formed on the outer face of the housing.

2. The ground connector as in claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a

locker formed in one end of the housing, and the locker forms a locking protrusion that is

projected from the outer face of the housing.

3. The ground connector as in claim 2, wherein the housing further includes

threads formed on the outer face of the housing.

4. The ground connector as in claim 1, wherein a guide notch is formed on the

inner wall of the housing.

5. The ground connector as in claim 1, wherein the connection terminals are hollow conductors.

6. The ground connector as in claim 5, wherein a part of the connection terminals

are exposed to the rear end of the insulator.

7. The ground connector as in claim 1, wherein the ground part surrounds the

insulator circumferentially.

8. The ground connector as in claim 1, wherein the distance from the ground part

and the connection terminals to the front end of the housing is more than 4mm.

9. The ground connector as in claim 8, wherein the distance from the ground part

and the connection terminals to the front end of the housing is from 4mm to 10mm.

10. The ground connector as in claim 1 to 9, wherein

a locking plate mounted vertically slidable on the end of the housing;

a hole via which the male connector is inserted;

and an elastic member located between the housing and the locking plate are

further included and the male connector includes a locking groove around its outer face.

11. The ground connector as in claim 10, wherein a push plate is formed on the

locking plate by bending the locking plate and the elastic member is located between the

push plate and the housing.

12. The ground connector as in claim 11, wherein a locking pin that moves in the

lateral direction of the housing is installed in the receiving hole formed in the housing with

a elastic member inside of the receiving hole, and a protrusion is formed in the male

connector which pushes the locking pin as the male connector is inserted into the housing,

wherein the locking plate includes a slot formed stepwise at the lower part of the locking

plate, and a recess is formed on the locking pin which engages in the slot.

13. The ground connector as in claim 10, wherein the male connector further

includes a cover that can move between inside and outside of the male connector, and a

elastic member that pushes the cover outward.

14. The ground connector as in claim 13, wherein the cover is formed

cylindrically, and have a pair of protrusions in one end which are inserted into a slot

formed in the outer case of the male connector and extended laterally