Socket, contact unit, assembly of sockets, and multi-pole connector

Abstract

A contact unit (2) for a multi-pole connector (1) for connecting a plurality of first terminals (A) and second terminals (B) to each other in a conductive manner comprises: a cylindrical socket (20) received in a receiving hole (30) provided on a bottom plate (3); and a contact (10) held by the socket (20), wherein the socket (20) comprises: a socket body (21) inserted into the receiving hole (30), and a front end portion (22) provided in a state of protruding outward of the receiving hole (30), a bulging portion (26) bulging outward in the radial direction of the socket body (21), and a protruding portion (27) protruding outward in the radial direction of the front end portion (22), and a distance from the axis of the socket (20) to the front end of the protruding portion (27) is formed to be greater than a distance from the axis of the socket (20) to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a socket, a contact unit, an assembly of sockets, and a multi-pole connector including the contact unit. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-pole connector that connects a plurality of first terminals and second terminals to each other in a conductive manner. The multi-pole connector includes a cylindrical body formed in an elongated cylindrical shape, contacts that are accommodated inside the cylindrical body and are in a conductive state with the cylindrical body, and a holder that holds the cylindrical body.

[0003] [Prior art literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-98090 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the multi-pole connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the barrel body (socket) that holds the contact is held in a state of being embedded in a hole formed in a holding body (holding member). In other words, the contact is held in the holding body by the friction force exerted by the barrel body of the contact being pressed against the peripheral surface of the hole of the holding body. However, in this configuration, there is a possibility that the holding force of the contact by the holding body is insufficient.

[0008] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a contact unit capable of stably holding the contact unit in a holding member, an assembly of sockets constituting the contact unit, and a multi-pole connector including the contact unit.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] A contact unit of one example of the present invention is a contact unit for a multi-pole connector that connects a plurality of first terminals and a second terminal to each other, and includes: a cylindrical socket that is received in a receiving hole of a retaining member provided on the contact unit; and a contact that is held by the socket, the socket including: a socket body that is inserted into the receiving hole, and a front end side portion that is provided in a state of protruding outward of the receiving hole, a bulging portion that bulges outward in the radial direction of the socket body, a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the front end side portion, and a distance from the axis of the socket to the front end of the protruding portion that is formed to be greater than a distance from the axis of the socket to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion.

[0011] An assembly of sockets according to an example of the present invention is an assembly of sockets constituting the contact unit, comprising: a carrier for conveying the sockets, and a plurality of sockets conveyed together with the carrier; and on the carrier, a plurality of connection portions are arranged at certain intervals so that the axial ends of the sockets can be detachably connected.

[0012] A multi-pole connector according to an example of the present invention includes: the contact unit and a retaining member having a storage hole for the contact unit, wherein the diameter of the storage hole is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the socket body and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bulging portion before being inserted into the storage hole.

[0013] [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The contact unit having such a configuration, the assembly of the sockets constituting the contact unit, and the multi-pole connector including the contact unit can stably hold the sockets of the contact unit on the holding member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a partial cross-sectional view of a multi-pole connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the specific structure of the contact.

[0017] Figure 3 It is an exploded front view of the contact unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 VV line profile.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 VI-VI line cross-sectional diagram.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 VII-VII line cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is a top view showing a state where a socket is stored in a part of the storage hole.

[0024] Fig.10 It is a front view showing the structure of the assembly of the sockets.

[0025] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 XI-XI line cross-sectional view.

[0026] Fig.12 It is a front view showing the manufacturing process of the assembly of the socket.

[0027] Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view showing the socket in the stored state.

[0028] Fig.14 This is a plan view showing a state where the sockets are stored in all the storage holes.

[0029] Fig.15 It is a plan cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the assembly of the socket.

[0030] Fig.16 It is a top view showing a state where a socket is stored in a part of the storage hole.

[0031] Fig.17 Yes means Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a multi-pole connector showing a modified example of the plunger shown.

[0032] Fig.18 Yes means Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the multi-pole connector shown.

[0033] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1: Multi-pole connector

[0035] 2: Contact unit

[0036] 3: Bottom plate (holding member)

[0037] 4.4a: Cover plate (covering member)

[0038] 5: Through hole

[0039] 6: Aggregation of sockets

[0040] 10: Contact

[0041] 11: Cylindrical body

[0042] 11a: Front end opening of the cylindrical body

[0043] 11b: Bottom wall of cylindrical body

[0044] 11c: Base end opening of the cylindrical body

[0045] 11d: Reduced diameter portion of the cylindrical body

[0046] 12: Plunger

[0047] 12b: bulging part of the plunger

[0048] 13: Cup

[0049] 13a: Infundibulum

[0050] 20: Socket

[0051] 21: Socket body

[0052] 21a: Slit part

[0053] 22: Front end side part

[0054] 22a: Front opening of the socket

[0055] 23: Spring for the first terminal

[0056] 24: Contact stopper

[0057] 24a: Incision

[0058] 25: Spring for contact

[0059] 25a, 25a: Slit

[0060] 26: Bulging part

[0061] 27: Protrusion

[0062] 28: The axis of the socket

[0063] 30: Storage hole

[0064] 33: Coil spring

[0065] 40: Concave

[0066] 51: First hole

[0067] 52: Second hole

[0068] 53: The third hole

[0069] 54: Fourth hole

[0070] 61, 62: Carrier

[0071] 63, 64: Connection

[0072] 65: Socket component

[0073] A: First terminal

[0074] B: Second terminal

[0075] C: Arrow

[0076] d: outer diameter of the socket

[0077] D: Inner diameter of the storage hole

[0078] d1: outer diameter of the bulge

[0079] K, K1: Installation interval of the connection part

[0080] L1: Distance from the axis of the socket to the outer circumference of the bulge

[0081] L2: Distance from the axis of the socket to the tip of the protrusion

[0082] Lc: Long side direction of the carrier

[0083] Ls: protruding direction of the protrusion

[0084] P: Concave amount

[0085] S, S1: Arrangement interval of storage holes

[0086] T: The dimension of the protruding portion in the axial direction of the socket DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In addition, the components marked with the same reference numerals in each figure represent the same components, and their descriptions are omitted. In addition, each part of the multipolar connector 1 shown in each figure is schematically shown.

[0088] Figure 1 Indicates the following Fig.14 In this specification, the up and down directions in each figure are defined based on the long side direction of the contact unit 2, the upper side in each figure is set as the front end side in the long side direction of the contact unit 2, and the lower side in each figure is set as the base end side in the long side direction of the contact unit 2.

[0089] Figure 1 The multi-pole connector 1 shown electrically connects a plurality of first terminals A and a plurality of second terminals B. In this embodiment, a first terminal A provided by a connection switching unit (not shown) as a first connection target is connected to a base end portion of the multi-pole connector 1, and a second terminal B provided by a connector for a test fixture (not shown) as a second connection target is connected to a front end portion of the multi-pole connector 1. The first terminal A and the second terminal B are electrically connected to each other via a contact unit 2 provided in the multi-pole connector 1.

[0090] The connection switching unit includes a so-called scanner device used in a substrate inspection device for inspecting electrical characteristics of a wiring pattern provided on a substrate, for example. The scanner device switches the electrical connection relationship between the inspection unit including a power supply unit, a voltage detection unit, and a current detection unit for inspection of the inspection device body and a contact provided in a connector for an inspection jig as a second connection object.

[0091] In the connection switching unit, a plurality of first terminals A including electrode pins are arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the electrode pins are connected to a plurality of switching elements, for example. Figure 1 The connection switching unit on the lower side of the multipolar connector 1 is provided with a plurality of first terminals A protruding toward the base end side of the multipolar connector 1.

[0092] In the connector for the inspection jig, a plurality of second terminals B including electrode pins are arranged at a predetermined pitch. The second terminals B are connected to the respective contacts of the inspection jig via wires, and the inspection jig is crimped to the inspection point such as the wiring pattern to be inspected. Figure 1 The inspection jig connector on the upper side thereof has a plurality of second terminals B protrudingly provided toward the front end side of the multi-pole connector 1 .

[0093] In addition, the multi-pole connector 1 is not limited to a connector for connecting a connection switching unit and a connector for an inspection jig, and can be applied to various other uses. That is, the connection object connected to the base end of the multi-pole connector 1 is not limited to the first terminal A provided in the connection switching unit. In addition, the connection object connected to the front end of the multi-pole connector 1 is not limited to the second terminal B provided in the connector for the inspection jig.

[0094] The multi-pole connector 1 includes a plurality of contact units 2 including contacts 10 , a holding member including a base plate 3 , and a covering member including a cover plate 4 .

[0095] Contact 10 such as Figure 2 As shown, the invention comprises: a cylindrical body 11 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by a conductive member; a plunger 12 formed in a rod shape by a conductive member; and a coil spring 33 disposed in the cylindrical body 11 .

[0096] The front end of the plunger 12 has a crown shape, for example. In addition, the front end of the plunger 12 is not limited to the crown shape, and may be various shapes that are easy to contact the second terminal B. The front end of the plunger 12 has a crown shape, for example. Fig.17 As shown, it may also be a roughly conical sharp shape.

[0097] In addition, at the front end of the plunger 12, for example Fig.18 As shown, a cup 13 having a larger diameter than the plunger 12 may also be provided. A funnel portion 13a recessed in a funnel shape is formed at the front end of the cup 13. The diameter of the cup 13 is larger than the second terminal B. Thus, when the second terminal B is connected to the multipolar connector 1, the outer peripheral portion of the front end of the second terminal B contacts the inclined surface of the funnel portion 13a, thereby the second terminal B contacts the cup 13 stably.

[0098] Located in Figure 2The front end portion of the cylindrical body 11 on the upper side is formed with a front end opening 11a. Figure 2 The base end of the cylindrical body 11 on the lower side is provided with a bottom wall 11b including a base end opening 11c. Furthermore, the base end side portion of the plunger 12 is configured to be insertable into the cylindrical body 11 from the front end opening 11a.

[0099] The inner diameter of the base end opening 11c is formed larger than Figure 1 The outer diameter of the first terminal A shown in FIG. In addition, a reduced diameter portion 11 d is provided in the middle portion of the cylindrical body 11 in the axial direction, in which a part of the cylindrical body 11 is deformed so as to be recessed inward.

[0100] The base end of the plunger 12 is provided with a bulging portion 12b having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 11d of the cylindrical body 11. The bulging portion 12b is inserted into the cylindrical body 11 and squeezed into the base end side of the reduced diameter portion 11d. Thus, the plunger 12 is prevented from coming out to the upper side of the cylindrical body 11 and is supported by the cylindrical body 11 in a slidable manner.

[0101] The outer diameter of the coil spring 33 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 11 and larger than the inner diameter of the proximal end opening 11c of the cylindrical body 11. The coil spring 33 is disposed between the proximal end of the plunger 12 and the bottom wall 11b of the cylindrical body 11 to urge the proximal end of the plunger 12 upward.

[0102] Contact unit 2 Figure 3 As shown, the socket 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape using a conductive metal material. The inner diameter of the socket 20 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the contact 10. In addition, the base end side portion of the contact 10, specifically, the lower portion of the cylindrical body 11 is inserted and held in the socket 20.

[0103] The socket 20 has a slit 21a formed on its peripheral wall extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket 20. The slit 21a is a gap that is inevitably formed on the peripheral wall of the socket 20 when the socket 20 is formed by bending a rectangular socket component into a cylindrical shape as described later.

[0104] The socket 20 includes a socket body 21 inserted into the receiving hole 30 of the bottom plate 3 and a front end portion 22 provided to protrude outward from the receiving hole 30. The outer diameter d of the socket 20 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter D of the receiving hole 30 formed in the bottom plate 3 (see Figure 1 and Fig. 9 Thereby, when the contact unit 2 is inserted into the receiving hole 30, a small gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the socket 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 30.

[0105] In addition, in the socket body 21, from the Figure 3 A first terminal spring 23, a contact stopper 24, a contact spring 25, and a bulging portion 26 are provided in order from the base end side of the socket body 21 on the lower side.

[0106] That is, at the base end side portion of the socket body 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, three first terminal springs 23 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21. The first terminal springs 23 are cantilever beam-shaped leaf springs formed by bending the upper portion of the trapezoidal cutout formed in the socket body 21 toward the inside of the socket body 21.

[0107] On the upper side of the first terminal spring 23, three contact stoppers 24 for positioning the base end of the contact 10 are provided. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the contact stopper 24 is provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21. The contact stopper 24 is formed by, for example, forming a notch 24a extending in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ) is formed by being recessed radially inwardly of the socket body 21.

[0108] On the upper side of the contact stopper 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , three contact springs 25 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21. The contact springs 25 are as follows. Figure 3 As shown, a double-arm beam-shaped leaf spring material is formed by pressing a portion located between a pair of slits 25 a and 25 a extending in the axial direction and formed on the peripheral wall of the socket body 21 toward the radial inside of the socket body 21 .

[0109] In addition, the following example is shown in the illustration: three first terminal springs 23, contact stoppers 24, and contact springs 25 arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21 are formed at overlapping positions in a top view of the socket body 21. This is not limiting, and each of the first terminal springs 23, contact stoppers 24, and contact springs 25 may be formed at positions offset in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21 in a top view thereof.

[0110] In addition, near the front end of the socket body 21, that is, slightly below the protrusion 27 described later, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the peripheral wall of the socket body 21 is provided with an annular bulging portion 26 that bulges radially outward over the entire circumference. The outer diameter d1 of the bulging portion 26 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter D of the receiving hole 30 provided in the bottom plate 3 (refer to Fig. 9 ) is slightly larger. In addition, the bulging portion 26 does not necessarily need to be formed over the entire circumference of the socket body 21, and may be configured to include a plurality of bulging portions divided in the circumferential direction of the socket body 21.

[0111] A pair of protrusions 27 protruding radially outward are provided at the base end of the front end portion 22. The protrusions 27 include a cutout portion formed by, for example, expanding the upper portion of a cutout extending in the circumferential direction formed on the peripheral wall of the front end portion 22 radially outward of the front end portion 22. In addition, the lower end surface of the protrusion 27 is formed as a horizontal surface.

[0112] The two protrusions 27 are as follows Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the protrusions 27 are provided in opposite directions with the axis 28 of the socket 20 being clamped. Moreover, the distance L2 from the axis 28 of the socket 20 to the front end of the protrusion 27 is formed to be greater than the distance L1 from the axis 28 of the socket 20 to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion 26.

[0113] The bottom plate 3 constituting the multipolar connector 1 is formed into a plate having a rectangular plan view shape using an insulating member having a predetermined thickness. Fig. 9 As shown, a plurality of receiving holes 30 into which the sockets 20 are inserted are arranged at regular intervals.

[0114] The storage hole 30 includes a circular through hole that penetrates the bottom plate 3 in the thickness direction. The inner diameter D of the storage hole 30 is formed to be relatively large. Figure 8 The outer diameter d of the socket 20 shown is slightly larger and slightly smaller than the outer diameter d1 of the bulging portion 26. Furthermore, when the user holds the socket 20 on the bottom plate 3 as described later, the bulging portion 26 is pressed into the storage hole 30, and the lower end surface of the protrusion 27 touches the upper wall surface of the bottom plate 3. As a result, the socket 20 is positioned in its axial direction.

[0115] exist Fig. 9 In the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 3 extending in the vertical direction, for example, 64 storage holes 30 are formed. Fig. 9 In the horizontal direction of the bottom plate 3 extending in the left-right direction, for example, 64 storage holes 30 are also formed. Thus, on the bottom plate 3, 4096 storage holes 30 are arranged in a grid shape.

[0116] The cover plate 4 constituting the multipolar connector 1 is formed into a plate-like shape having a rectangular plan view using an insulating member having a predetermined thickness. Figure 1 As shown, the front end portion of the contact unit 2 held on the bottom plate 3 is covered and fixed to the bottom plate 3 by means of nuts or the like.

[0117] The cover plate 4 is formed with a recess 40 having a dimension T (see FIG. 1 ) larger than the protrusion 27 in the axial direction of the socket 20. Figure 1 and Figure 8) a larger recess P; and a through hole 5, which is externally embedded in the front end of the contact unit 2. The through hole 5 includes a first hole portion 51, a second hole portion 52, a third hole portion 53, and a fourth hole portion 54 formed at a position overlapping with the storage hole 30 of the bottom plate 3 when viewed from above.

[0118] Among the holes 51 to 54 provided in the cover plate 4 , the inner diameter of the first hole 51 located at the bottom is formed to be larger than the outer diameter d of the socket 20 . Thus, the front end of the socket 20 can be inserted into the first hole 51 .

[0119] A second hole portion 52 is provided above the first hole portion 51, and the second hole portion 52 has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 11 of the contact 10. By inserting the front end portion of the cylindrical body 11 into the second hole portion 52, the inner circumferential surface of the second hole portion 52 and the outer circumferential surface of the front end portion of the cylindrical body 11 are in substantially close contact with each other.

[0120] A third hole 53 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the plunger 12 of the contact 10 is formed above the second hole 52. The plunger 12 can be inserted into the third hole 53.

[0121] A fourth hole portion 54 is formed above the third hole portion 53, and the fourth hole portion 54 has an inner diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the third hole portion 53 and larger than the outer diameter of the second terminal B. The front end portion of the plunger 12 and the second terminal B are inserted into the fourth hole portion 54 and are electrically connected.

[0122] Furthermore, the multi-pole connector 1 such as for example Fig.18 As shown, the cover plate 4 may be replaced with a cover plate 4a. Figure 1 The second hole portion 52, the third hole portion 53, and the fourth hole portion 54 of the cover plate 4 are shown. The first hole portion 51 extends to the upper surface of the cover plate 4a. In addition, the upper ends of the socket 20 and the cylindrical body 11 are flush with the upper surface of the cover plate 4a. By using the cover plate 4a, the contact unit 2 having the cup 13 provided at the front end of the plunger 12 can be easily covered by the cover plate 4a.

[0123] Reference Fig.10 The assembly 6 of the sockets 20 includes: a carrier 61 and a carrier 62 for transporting the sockets, and a plurality of sockets 20 transported together with the carriers 61 and 62. Fig.10 The carrier 61 on the upper side of the socket 20 is provided with a plurality of connection parts 63 at regular intervals to which the axial end of the socket 20 is connected in a detachable manner. Fig.10 A plurality of connection portions 64 to which the lower end portions of the sockets 20 in the axial direction are connected in a detachable manner are provided at regular intervals on the carrier 62 below.

[0124] The connecting portions 63 and 64 are cut by bending, and are formed to have a narrow width so that the socket 20 is separated from the carriers 61 and 62 , respectively.

[0125] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, when viewed from above the socket 20, the pair of protrusions 27 are protruding in the direction Ls, and the direction Ls intersects at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the long side direction Lc of the carriers 61 and 62. As described later, when the user inserts the socket body 21 into the storage hole 30 of the bottom plate 3 for storage, the pair of protrusions 27 are respectively inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the storage holes 30.

[0126] In order to manufacture the assembly 6 of the socket 20, firstly, a metal plate of a predetermined thickness is punched. Fig.12 As shown, a punch plate 60 is formed, and the punch plate 60 includes: a pair of upper and lower carriers 61 and 62, and a plurality of socket forming parts 65 including rectangular plate-shaped bodies arranged therebetween.

[0127] Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the first terminal spring 23 , the contact stopper 24 , the contact spring 25 , the bulging portion 26 , and the protruding portion 27 are formed at predetermined positions of the socket forming portion 65 by press working or the like.

[0128] Then, in Fig.12 The left and right sides of the socket component 65 are bent gradually in the direction indicated by the arrow C. Fig.10 As shown, a socket 20 assembly 6 in which a plurality of sockets 20 are arranged is formed between upper and lower carriers 61 and 62 .

[0129] The arrangement interval K of the adjacent sockets 20 provided in the assembly 6, specifically, the arrangement interval K of the adjacent connecting portions 63 and 64 provided on the carriers 61 and 62, is set to, for example, an integer multiple of the arrangement interval S of the adjacent storage holes 30 and storage holes 30 provided on the bottom plate 3. In this embodiment, the arrangement interval K of each connecting portion 63 and connecting portion 64 is set to, for example, 3 times the arrangement interval S of the storage holes 30 and storage holes 30 arranged in the horizontal direction of the bottom plate 3 (see Fig. 9 ).

[0130] In addition, the setting interval K of each connecting portion 63, 64 is not limited to 3 times the arrangement interval S of the storage holes 30, 30, but may be 2 times, or may be more than 4 times the arrangement interval S. Furthermore, the setting interval K of each connecting portion 63, 64 may also be set to 1 times the arrangement interval S of the storage holes 30, 30, that is, the setting interval K of each connecting portion 63, 64 is equal to the arrangement interval S of the adjacent storage holes 30, 30.

[0131] In order to use the assembly 6 of the socket 20 and assemble the contact unit 2 and the multi-pole connector 1, the user first bends and cuts the upper end of the connecting portion 64 provided between the lower carrier 62 and the base end of the socket 20, so as to Fig.13 As shown, the lower carrier 62 is set to be separated from the base end portion of the socket 20 .

[0132] The base end of each socket 20 connected only to the upper carrier 61 as described above is made to face the upper end opening of the storage hole 30 arranged in the horizontal direction of the bottom plate 3. In this state, the base end side parts of the plurality of sockets 20, that is, the socket body 21, are inserted into the storage hole 30. Thereby, the bulging part 26 of the socket body 21 is inserted into the storage hole 30, and the lower end surface of the protrusion 27 provided on the front end side part 22 touches the upper wall surface of the bottom plate 3.

[0133] Then, the user bends and cuts the lower end of the connecting portion 63, thereby separating the upper carrier 61 from the front end of the socket 20. As a result, Fig. 9 and Fig.13 As shown, in each two storage holes 30, a plurality of sockets 20 are stored in a parallel state at the same time. Furthermore, by repeatedly storing the socket 20 in the storage hole 30 adjacent to the storage hole 30 in which the socket 20 is stored, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown, the sockets 20 are received and held in all the receiving holes 30 of the bottom plate 3 .

[0134] In the stored state of the sockets 20, the pair of protrusions 27 provided on each socket 20 are arranged in a state of being inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction (lateral direction) of each socket 20. That is, the pair of protrusions 27 are arranged as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the projections 27 are provided in a direction Ls, and the direction Ls intersects at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the long side direction Lc of the carrier 61 and the carrier 62. Therefore, after the user inserts a plurality of sockets 20 into the storage holes 30 of the bottom plate 3, the front end of each socket 20 is separated from the carrier 61, and the setting direction of the pair of projections 27 and the arrangement direction of the storage holes 30 intersect at an angle of about 45 degrees.

[0135] Then, Figure 3The base end side portion of the contact 10 shown is inserted into the socket 20 from the front end opening 22a, and the bottom wall 11b of the contact 10 contacts the contact stopper 24 of the socket body 21. As a result, the contact spring 25 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the contact 10, and the contact unit 2 in which the contact 10 and the socket 20 are electrically connected is assembled.

[0136] Next, a cover plate 4 is provided to cover the front end of the contact unit 2 held on the bottom plate 3 and is fixed to the bottom plate 3. As a result, Figure 1 As shown, a multi-pole connector 1 is assembled, which includes: a contact unit 2 including a contact 10 and a cylindrical body 11 , a holding member including a bottom plate 3 , and a covering member including a cover plate 4 .

[0137] As described above, a bulge 26 is provided on the socket body 21, and a protrusion 27 is provided on the front end side portion 22 of the socket 20, and a distance L2 from the axis 28 of the socket 20 to the front end of the protrusion 27 is formed to be larger than a distance L1 from the axis 28 of the socket 20 to the outer peripheral surface of the bulge 26. Therefore, the contact unit 2 can be stably held on the base plate 3 by the multiplication of the holding effect of the bulge 26 on the socket 20 and the positioning effect of the protrusion 27 on the socket 20.

[0138] That is, when the user inserts the socket body 21 into the receiving hole 30 formed in the bottom plate 3 for storage, the bulging portion 26 is pressed into the receiving hole 30, and the bottom plate 3 stably holds the socket 20. Therefore, the contact unit 2 held on the bottom plate 3 and the first terminal A and the second terminal B can be properly connected to each other while being accurately positioned.

[0139] Furthermore, the lower end surface of the protrusion 27 provided on the front end side portion 22 protruding to the outside of the storage hole 30 contacts the upper wall surface of the bottom plate 3 to perform axial positioning of the socket 20, so that the socket body 21 can be maintained at an appropriate position in the storage hole 30. That is, it is prevented that the insertion operation is interrupted or the front end side portion 22 of the socket 20 is sunken into the storage hole 30 when the bulging portion 26 protrudes outside the storage hole 30. In this way, the contact unit 2 can be stably maintained in the storage hole 30 of the bottom plate 3.

[0140] Furthermore, since the front end portion 22 is arranged to protrude outside the storage hole 30, when the user removes the contact unit 2 from the bottom plate 3, the front end portion 22 can be removed and easily pulled out upward. Therefore, the maintainability of the contact unit 2 can be improved.

[0141] Furthermore, as shown in the above embodiment, when the bulging portion 26 is disposed at a position close to the protruding portion 27 and slightly below it, the bulging portion 26 is pushed in just before the insertion operation of the socket body 21 into the receiving hole 30 is completed. Therefore, compared with the case where the bulging portion 26 is disposed at a position far below the protruding portion 27, the user can easily perform the operation of inserting the socket body 21 into the receiving hole 30.

[0142] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the pair of protrusions 27 are configured to protrude in opposite directions while holding the axis 28 of the socket 20, the circumferential spacing of the two protrusions 27 is sufficiently ensured. Therefore, compared with the case where the two protrusions 27 are arranged at a deviated spacing, the holding state of the contact unit 2 relative to the base plate 3 can be stabilized. In addition, the number of the pair of bulging portions 26 is not limited to two, and may be one, or may be three or more.

[0143] Instead of the above embodiment in which the slit portion 21a extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket 20 is formed on the peripheral wall of the socket 20, the socket may be formed using a cylindrical pipe without a slit. However, since the diameter of the socket 20 is extremely small, it is extremely difficult to form the first terminal spring 23, the contact stopper 24, the contact spring 25, the bulging portion 26, and the protruding portion 27 on the socket including the pipe.

[0144] On the other hand, as described above, in the case of a configuration including the slit portion 21a extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket 20, the socket 20 can be easily formed by bending the plate-shaped socket component into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, before forming the socket 20 using the plate-shaped socket component, the bulging portion 26 and the protruding portion 27 can be easily formed by performing a stamping process on a part of the socket component. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the contact unit 2 including the socket 20 having the above-mentioned parts can be effectively reduced.

[0145] In addition, in the case of a configuration including the slit portion 21a extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket 20, the socket 20 is easily deformed by expansion and contraction, and thus there is a tendency that it is difficult to stabilize the storage state of the socket 20. However, as described above, the socket 20 includes the bulging portion 26 that makes the socket body 21 bulge radially outward, and thus has sufficient rigidity due to the reinforcement effect of the bulging portion 26. Therefore, the expansion and contraction deformation of the socket 20 is suppressed, and the socket 20 is stably held in the storage hole 30.

[0146] In the above embodiment, since the protrusion 27 is formed by cutting a part of the front end portion 22 outward in the radial direction, the protrusion 27 having a predetermined protrusion amount can be formed relatively easily at an appropriate position of the socket 20 .

[0147] In addition, by using the socket 20 assembly 6 including the socket transport carrier 61, the carrier 62, and the plurality of sockets 20 transported together with the carriers, the user can easily store the sockets 20 in the storage holes 30 of the bottom plate 3. That is, after inserting the lower part of each socket 20 connected to the carrier at the upper end, that is, the socket body 21, into the storage hole 30, the upper carrier 61 is separated from the front end of the socket 20, so that the sockets 20 can be stored in the plurality of storage holes 30 at the same time.

[0148] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the connection portions 63 and 64 provided on the carriers 61 and 62 are provided at intervals K (see Fig.10 ), is set to the arrangement interval S of the adjacent storage holes 30 arranged on the bottom plate 3 (refer to Fig. 9 ), so that a plurality of sockets 20 can be stored in a row in the storage hole 30 at the same time. In addition, a comb-shaped collection of sockets 20 can be used, in which the lower carrier 62 and the connecting portion 64 are omitted, and the upper ends of the sockets 20 are connected in a detachable manner using a plurality of connecting portions 63 provided on the upper carrier 61.

[0149] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, if a pair of protrusions 27 provided on the socket 20 are provided in a direction Ls of the socket 20, the direction Ls intersects with the long side direction Lc of the carrier 61 and the carrier 62 at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees, then Fig.14 As shown, the pair of protrusions 27 can be provided in a state of being inclined at a certain angle with respect to the arrangement direction of the storage holes 30 .

[0150] As a result, the interference between adjacent protrusions 27 can be effectively prevented compared to the case where a pair of protrusions 27 are arranged along the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the bottom plate 3. Therefore, the protrusion amount of the protrusion 27 can be sufficiently ensured, and the positioning function brought by the protrusion 27 can be fully exerted.

[0151] Fig.15 In the modified example of the assembly 6 of the socket 20 shown in FIG. 1 , the direction Ls in which the pair of protrusions 27 provided on the socket 20 protrude is parallel to the long side direction Lc of the carrier 61 and the carrier 62. In this case, the arrangement interval K1 of the connecting portions 63 and the connecting portions 64 provided on the carrier 61 and the carrier 62 is as follows: Fig.16 As shown, it is preferably set to an integral multiple of the arrangement interval S1 of the adjacent storage holes 30 arranged in the inclined direction of the bottom plate 3.

[0152] Thus, when the user inserts the lower portion of the socket 20 into each storage hole 30 for storage while the carriers 61 and 62 are arranged in the storage holes 30 along the inclined direction of the bottom plate 3, the pair of protrusions 27 are arranged in a state of being inclined in the inclined direction of the bottom plate 3.

[0153] In addition, according to the multi-pole connector 1, it includes: a contact unit 2 constructed as described above, and a base plate 3 (retaining member) provided with a storage hole 30, wherein the storage hole 30 has an inner diameter D that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the socket body 21 and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bulging portion 26. The contact unit 2 stably maintained on the base plate 3 is accurately positioned with the first terminal A and the second terminal B, and is properly conductively connected.

[0154] Furthermore, according to the multi-pole connector 1, it includes: a recess 40 having a recess amount P that is larger than the size T of the protrusion 27 in the axial direction of the socket 20; and a covering member including a through hole 5 provided to cover the front end portion of the contact unit 2; the cover plate 4 is used to protect the front end portion of the contact unit 2 and prevent the contact unit 2 from escaping from the base plate 3.

[0155] In addition, when the user fixes the cover plate 4 to the bottom plate 3, the front end of the contact 10 held by the socket 20 is inserted into the through hole 5 of the cover plate 4, specifically, inserted into the second hole 52 and constrained. Thereby, the axis of the contact 10 can be accurately aligned with the axis of the through hole 5 (see Figure 1 Therefore, even when the axis of the socket 20 held on the bottom plate 3 and the axis of the contact 10 are offset, the cover plate 4 can correct the offset of the axis.

[0156] As described above, a contact unit of one example of the present invention is a contact unit for a multi-pole connector that connects a plurality of first terminals and a second terminal to each other, and includes: a cylindrical socket that is received in a receiving hole of a retaining member provided on the contact unit; and a contact that is held by the socket; and the socket includes: a socket body that is inserted into the receiving hole, and a front end side portion that is provided in a state of protruding toward the outside of the receiving hole; a bulging portion that bulges outward in its radial direction is provided on the socket body, and a protruding portion that protrudes outward in its radial direction is provided on the front end side portion; and the distance from the axis of the socket to the front end of the protruding portion is formed to be greater than the distance from the axis of the socket to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion.

[0157] According to this configuration, the contact unit can be stably held on the bottom plate by the synergistic effect of the socket holding effect by the bulging portion and the socket positioning effect by the protruding portion.

[0158] Furthermore, it is preferable that the front end portion is provided with a pair of the protruding portions that protrude in opposite directions to each other while sandwiching the axis of the socket.

[0159] According to this configuration, since the circumferential interval between the two protruding portions is sufficiently ensured, the holding state of the contact unit with respect to the base plate can be stabilized compared to the case where the two protruding portions are arranged at an offset interval.

[0160] Furthermore, it is preferable that a slit portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket is formed on the peripheral wall of the socket.

[0161] According to this configuration, the socket can be easily formed by bending the plate-shaped socket component into a cylindrical shape. Moreover, before forming the socket, the protrusion and the bulge can be easily formed by performing a stamping process on the socket component. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the contact unit including the socket having the above-mentioned parts can be effectively reduced.

[0162] Furthermore, the protruding portion preferably includes a cutout portion formed by cutting out a part of the front end portion toward the outside in the radial direction.

[0163] According to this configuration, the protruding portion having a predetermined protruding amount can be relatively easily formed at an appropriate position of the socket.

[0164] In addition, a socket assembly according to an example of the present invention includes a socket transport carrier and a plurality of sockets transported together with the carrier, wherein a plurality of connection portions for detachably connecting axial ends of the sockets are provided on the carrier at regular intervals.

[0165] According to this configuration, using the assembly of sockets in which the upper end of each socket is connected to the upper carrier, the user inserts the lower portion of each socket into the storage hole and then separates the upper carrier from the front end of the socket, thereby allowing the sockets to be stored in a plurality of storage holes at the same time. Therefore, the operation of inserting the socket body into the storage hole and storing it in the base member can be easily performed.

[0166] In addition, it is preferable that the arrangement interval of the connection parts is set to an integral multiple of the arrangement interval of the adjacent storage holes arranged on the base part.

[0167] According to this configuration, a plurality of sockets can be stored in a row in the storage hole at the same time, so the user can insert the socket body into the storage hole and perform the storage operation on the base member more easily.

[0168] In addition, a multi-pole connector of one example of the present invention includes: the contact unit, and a retaining member provided with a storage hole for the contact unit, wherein the diameter of the storage hole is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the socket body and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bulging portion before being inserted into the storage hole.

[0169] According to this structure, the contact unit is stably held on the bottom plate by the multiplication of the holding effect of the socket brought by the bulging part and the positioning effect of the socket brought by the protruding part. Therefore, it has the following advantages: the contact unit held on the bottom plate and the first terminal and the second terminal are properly connected in a state where they are accurately positioned.

[0170] In addition, it is preferred that the cover member also includes a cover member that covers the front end portion of the contact unit held by the holding member, and the cover member is provided with: a recess having a larger recess amount than the size of the protrusion in the axial direction of the socket; and a through hole that is embedded in the front end portion of the contact unit.

[0171] According to this structure, the front end of the contact unit is protected by the cover member, and the contact unit is prevented from coming off the base plate. In addition, when the axis of the socket held on the base plate is offset from the axis of the contact, the cover member can be used to correct the offset.

Claims

1. A socket for a multi-pole connector that electrically connects a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals to each other, characterized in that: The socket includes: a cylindrical socket body inserted into a receiving hole of a holding member of the multipolar connector, and a front end portion provided in a state of protruding outward from the receiving hole. The socket body is provided with a bulging portion bulging outward in the radial direction thereof, A protrusion is provided on the front end side portion and protrudes radially outward, and The distance from the axis of the socket to the front end of the protrusion is greater than the distance from the axis of the socket to the outer peripheral surface of the bulging portion. The protruding portion includes a cut portion formed by cutting a portion of the front end portion outward in the radial direction.

2. The socket according to claim 1, wherein: A pair of protrusions are provided on the front end side portion, The pair of protrusions sandwich the axis of the socket and protrude in opposite directions to each other.

3. The socket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A slit portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the socket is formed on the peripheral wall of the socket.

4. A contact unit, characterized in that: include: The socket according to any one of claims 1 to 3; as well as A contact is held by the socket.

5. A collection of sockets, which is a collection of sockets according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: include: a carrier for transporting the sockets, and a plurality of sockets transported together with the carrier, and The carrier is provided with a plurality of connection portions at regular intervals to which the axial end portions of the socket are detachably connected.

6. The assembly of sockets according to claim 5, wherein: The arrangement interval of the connection parts is set to an integral multiple of the arrangement interval of the adjacent storage holes arranged in the holding member.

7. A multi-pole connector, characterized in that: include: The contact unit according to claim 4; as well as A holding member having a receiving hole for the contact unit is provided, and The inner diameter of the receiving hole is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the socket body, and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bulging portion before being inserted into the receiving hole.

8. The multi-pole connector according to claim 7, wherein: A covering member is further included to cover the front end portion of the contact unit held by the holding member, and The cover member is provided with: a recessed portion having a recessed amount larger than a dimension of the protruding portion in the axial direction of the socket; and a through hole, which is embedded in the front end of the contact unit.

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