Connector device

Abstract

The utility model provides a better connector device. A connector device (10) is provided with a housing (12), a cable (16) connected to an electric contact (28), and a cover member (18), an opening (44) for taking out the cable to the outside is formed in a side surface of the cover member, and the cover member and the housing have a mounting structure (46) that can be changed to a first mounting state and a second mounting state. The first attachment state is a state in which the cover member is attached to the housing such that the opening faces a first direction, and the second attachment state is a state in which the cover member is attached to the housing such that the opening faces a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a connector device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A tool changer device for replacing a tool (end effector) is attached to a robot arm. The tool changer device has a robot adapter attached to the robot arm and a tool adapter attached to the tool. The robot adapter is detachable with respect to the tool adapter. A connector device for driving the tool (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-101169) is attached to the robot adapter.

[0003] A better connector device is desired. SUMMARY

[0004] The utility model discloses a purpose to solve the above technical problem.

[0005] One mode of the utility model is a connector device, which has a housing provided with an electrical contact point, a cable connected to the electrical contact point, and a cover member that can be attached to and detached from the housing in a manner of covering the electrical contact point. An opening portion for taking the cable out to the outside is formed on the side surface of the cover member. The cover member and the housing have an attachment configuration that can be changed to a first attachment state and a second attachment state. In the first attachment state, the cover member is attached to the housing in a manner of the opening portion facing a first direction. In the second attachment state, the cover member is attached to the housing in a manner of the opening portion facing a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0006] According to the utility model, a better connector device can be obtained.

[0007] The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages are more easily understood by the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tool changer device having the connector device of one embodiment of the utility model.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a robot adapter and a connector device.

[0010] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector device.

[0011] Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector device.

[0012] Figure 5is a plan view of the connector device in a first mounting state.

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover member.

[0014] Figure 7 is an explanatory view of changing the order of the extraction direction of the cable.

[0015] Figure 8 is an explanatory view of changing the order of the extraction direction of the cable.

[0016] Figure 9 is a plan view of the connector device in a second mounting state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The cable of the connector device is connected to a tool driving device for driving a tool. Depending on the positional relationship of the robot adapter and the tool driving device, it is sometimes desired to change the extraction direction of the cable of the connector device. The extraction direction of the cable of the connector device is determined in advance at the time of manufacturing the connector device. Therefore, the user cannot change the extraction direction of the cable after purchasing the connector device. Therefore, in the case where it is desired to change the extraction direction of the cable of the connector device, a new connector device having a different extraction direction of the cable needs to be prepared. The present application has an object to provide a connector device capable of changing the extraction direction of the cable.

[0018] An embodiment of the connector device 10 of the present application will be described using drawings. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tool changer 11 provided with the connector device 10 of the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 1 , the tool changer 11 is a device for changing a tool (end effector) 102 mounted to a robot arm 100. The tool 102 is, for example, but not limited to, an air-driven pneumatic chuck. The tool 102 can also be a configuration driven by electric power.

[0019] The tool changer 11 has a robot adapter 104, a tool adapter 106, a connector device 10, and a tool connector 108. The robot adapter 104 is mounted to the robot arm 100. The tool adapter 106 is mounted to the tool 102. The robot adapter 104 is detachable with respect to the tool adapter 106.

[0020] The connector device 10 is mounted to the robot adapter 104. The tool connector 108 is mounted to the tool adapter 106. The connector device 10 is detachable with respect to the tool connector 108. The connector device 10 is connected to the tool connector 108, thereby electrically connecting the connector device 10 and the tool connector 108.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2As shown, an outer peripheral surface 110 of a circular arc shape and a flat mounting surface 112 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the robot adapter 104. The connector device 10 is detachable with respect to the mounting surface 112. A pair of screw holes 118 in which a pair of screw members 116 for mounting the connector device 10 are installed are formed on the mounting surface 112. The number, position, shape, size, and the like of the screw members 116 and the screw holes 118 can be appropriately set.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the connector device 10 has a housing 12, a connection portion 14, a cable 16, a cover member 18, and a cable support member 20. In addition, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the IV-IV line of Figure 5 .

[0023] The housing 12 is formed in a quadrilateral ring shape. Specifically, an outer shape of the housing 12 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in a thickness direction (Z direction) of the housing 12. An inner side hole 22 of the housing 12 has the same shape as the outer shape of the housing 12 when viewed in the Z direction. A pair of insertion holes 24 through which the pair of screw members 116 (refer to Figure 2 ) are inserted are formed in the housing 12. The pair of insertion holes 24 are located at positions sandwiching the inner side hole 22 of the housing 12 in a long side direction (X direction) of the housing 12. The insertion holes 24 penetrate the housing 12 in a short side direction (Y direction) of the housing 12.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4 , the connection portion 14 has a connection support portion 26 and a plurality of electrical contacts 28. The connection support portion 26 is fixed to the housing 12 in a state of being disposed in the inner side hole 22 of the housing 12 by a pair of fastening members 30 (refer to Figure 3 ). The fastening members 30 are, for example, screw members, but are not limited thereto. The number, position, shape, size, and the like of the fastening members 30 can be appropriately set.

[0025] The connection support portion 26 is composed of a material having electrical insulation. The connection support portion 26 supports the plurality of electrical contacts 28. The plurality of electrical contacts 28 are fixed to the connection support portion 26. The electrical contacts 28 extend in the Z direction. One end portion of the electrical contacts 28 protrudes in a Z1 direction with respect to the connection support portion 26. The other end portion of the electrical contacts 28 protrudes in a Z2 direction with respect to the connection support portion 26. The one end portion of each of the electrical contacts 28 is connected to a plurality of electrical contacts 120 (refer to Figure 1 ) of the tool connector 108 in a state in which the connector device 10 is connected to the tool connector 108. The shape of the electrical contacts 28 can be appropriately set.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, cable 16 includes multiple conductors (leads) 32 and a sheath 34. Each conductor 32 is covered by an electrically insulating material. One end of the multiple conductors 32 (one end of cable 16) is connected to the other end of multiple electrical contacts 28. The sheath 34 is a tubular component that covers the multiple conductors 32 in a bundled state. The other end of the multiple conductors 32 (the other end of cable 16) is connected to a tool drive device (not shown) for driving tool 102. Connector device 10 is capable of supplying power from tool drive device to tool 102. In addition, connector device 10 is capable of transmitting signals between tool drive device and tool 102.

[0027] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, an example is illustrated where the connector 14 has 12 electrical contacts 28 and the cable 16 has 8 wires 32. That is, each of the 8 wires 32 is connected to the other end of one of the 8 electrical contacts 28. In other words, 4 electrical contacts 28 are not connected to the wires 32. That is, 4 electrical contacts 28 are unused. In this embodiment, the number of wires 32 and electrical contacts 28 can also be the same.

[0028] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cover component 18 can be attached to and detached from the housing 12 in a manner that covers a plurality of electrical contacts 28 in the Z2 direction. Figure 3 As shown, the cover member 18 can be secured relative to the housing 12 by four fastening members 36. The fastening members 36 are, for example, threaded members, but are not limited to this. The cover member 18 is a plate-shaped member extending in one direction (X direction). Four mounting holes 38 are formed in the housing 12 for the fastening members 36 to be inserted. The mounting holes 38 are, for example, threaded holes, but are not limited to this. The number, position, size, shape, etc., of the fastening members 36 and the mounting holes 38 can be appropriately set.

[0029] The cover component 18 includes a cover body 40 and an extension 42. The cover body 40 overlaps with the housing 12 in the Z2 direction. When viewed from the Z2 direction, the shape of the cover body 40 corresponds to the shape of the housing 12. That is, the cover body 40 is rectangular when viewed from the Z2 direction.

[0030] An opening 44 for removing the cable 16 from the outside is formed on the side of the cover member 18. The cover member 18 and the housing 12 have a mounting structure 46 that can be changed to a first mounting state and a second mounting state. The first mounting state is the state in which the cover member 18 is mounted on the housing 12 with the opening 44 facing the first direction (X1 direction) (see reference). Figure 5 The second installation state is that the cover member 18 is installed on the housing 12 with the opening 44 facing a second direction (X2 direction) opposite to the first direction (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0031] The mounting structure 46 is formed so that, when the cover member 18 is viewed from the Z2 direction in the first mounting state, the cover member 18 is able to be changed from the first mounting state to the second mounting state by being rotated 180 degrees with respect to the center of the cover main body 40.

[0032] The cover main body 40 is formed with four insertion holes 48. The insertion holes 48 are for the fastening members 36 to be inserted through. The insertion holes 48 pass through the cover main body 40 in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 5 When the cover member 18 is viewed from the Z2 direction, the four insertion holes 48 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation center C point of the cover main body 40. Specifically, when the cover member 18 is viewed from the Z2 direction, the four insertion holes 48 are arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary line (symmetry line L) that passes through the rotation center C of the cover main body 40 and extends in the X direction. The cover main body 40 has an outer shape that is symmetric with respect to the rotation center C point when the cover member 18 is viewed from the Z2 direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6 The cover main body 40 has a first end wall portion 50 and a pair of first side wall portions 52. The first end wall portion 50 is located at one end portion of the cover member 18. The first end wall portion 50 extends in the width direction (Y direction) of the cover member 18. The pair of first side wall portions 52 extend from both end portions of the extension direction of the first end wall portion 50 toward the other end portion of the cover member 18. Two insertion holes 48 are formed in each of the first side wall portions 52. The two insertion holes 48 formed in each of the first side wall portions 52 are separated from each other in the X direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5 The extension portion 42 extends from the cover main body 40 in a manner that protrudes from the housing 12. The width dimension (dimension in the Y direction) of the extension portion 42 narrows toward the extension direction of the extension portion 42. As shown in Figure 6 The extension portion 42 has a second end wall portion 54 and a pair of second side wall portions 56. The second end wall portion 54 is located at the other end portion of the cover member 18. The second end wall portion 54 extends in the width direction (Y direction) of the cover member 18. The pair of second side wall portions 56 connect the second end wall portion 54 and the pair of first side wall portions 52 to each other. The Z1 direction face of the second side wall portion 56 is located in the direction opposite to the housing 12 (Z2 direction) compared to the Z1 direction face of the first side wall portion 52. That is, a step is formed between the Z1 direction face of the second side wall portion 56 and the Z1 direction face of the first side wall portion 52.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the cover member 18 has a recess 58 that, when mounted on the housing 12, accommodates a plurality of electrical contacts 28 and cables 16. The recess 58 is surrounded by a first end wall portion 50, a pair of first side wall portions 52, a second end wall portion 54, and a pair of second side wall portions 56. A cable placement groove 60 for placing the cables 16 is formed on the Z1-facing surface of the second end wall portion 54. The cable placement groove 60 extends through the second end wall portion 54 in the X direction. The cable placement groove 60 includes the aforementioned opening 44 for removing the cables 16 to the outside. The opening 44 is formed on the end face (side surface of the cover member 18) in the extending direction of the extension portion 42.

[0036] like Figure 6 As shown, two mounting holes 62 are formed in the extension 42. Fastening members 64 for mounting the cable support member 20 are inserted into the mounting holes 62. The fastening member 64 is, for example, a threaded member, but is not limited thereto. The mounting holes 62 are, for example, threaded holes, but are not limited thereto. The two mounting holes 62 are formed in the second end wall portion 54. The two mounting holes 62 are configured to clamp the cable mounting slot 60 from the Y direction. The number, position, shape, size, etc., of the fastening members 64 and the mounting holes 62 can be appropriately set.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cable support member 20 is mounted to the extension 42 by two fastening members 64, thereby supporting the cable 16. The cable support member 20 has an external shape corresponding to the extension 42. Figure 3 As shown, the cable support member 20 has two through holes 66 through which two fastening members 64 are inserted. The cable support member 20 also has a recess 68 that communicates with the recess 58 of the cover member 18. By forming the recess 68 in the cable support member 20, interference between the wire 32 and the cable support member 20 can be suppressed.

[0038] Next, the sequence for changing the removal direction of the cable 16 in the connector assembly 10 will be explained. In the initial state, the connector assembly 10 is in the first installation state ( Figure 5 (as shown in the diagram). In this first installation state, the opening 44 for removing the cable 16 to the outside faces the X1 direction.

[0039] When the direction of cable 16 removal is changed, in the connector assembly 10 in the first installation state, the cable support member 20 is removed from the cover member 18 by removing one pair of fastening members 64. In addition, the cover member 18 is removed from the housing 12 by removing four fastening members 36.

[0040] After that, as Figure 7As shown, the cable 16 is bent and deformed by changing its orientation by 180 degrees relative to the housing 12. As a result, the cable 16 extends from the connector 14 in the X2 direction.

[0041] Next, as Figure 8 As shown, with the cover member 18 rotated 180 degrees so that the opening 44 faces the X2 direction, the cover member 18 is mounted to the housing 12 by four fastening members 36. In this case, when viewed from the Z2 direction, the positions of the four through holes 48 of the cover member 18 coincide with the positions of the four mounting holes 38 of the housing 12. Additionally, the cable support member 20 is mounted to the cover member 18 by a pair of fastening members 64.

[0042] Therefore, as Figure 9 As shown, the connector device 10 changes from a first mounting state to a second mounting state. In the second mounting state, the opening 44 for removing the cable 16 to the outside faces the X2 direction. Furthermore, the connector device 10 can be changed from the second mounting state to the first mounting state through the same operation sequence described above.

[0043] According to this embodiment, by changing from the first mounting state to the second mounting state, the orientation of the opening 44 for removing the cable 16 can be changed. Therefore, after manufacturing the connector assembly 10, the direction in which the cable 16 is removed can be changed. This results in a better connector assembly 10.

[0044] This invention is not limited to the structure described above. The insertion hole 48 of the cover member 18 may be configured symmetrically with respect to the rotation center C of the cover member 18, or it may not be configured symmetrically with respect to the symmetry line L of the cover body 40. Furthermore, the insertion hole 48 of the cover member 18 may be configured symmetrically with respect to the symmetry line L of the cover body 40, or it may not be configured symmetrically with respect to the rotation center C of the cover member 18.

[0045] Regarding the above disclosure, the following notes are further disclosed.

[0046] (Postscript 1)

[0047] The connector device 10 includes: a housing 12 having an electrical contact 28; a cable 16 connected to the electrical contact; and a cover member 18 detachable from the housing in a manner that covers the electrical contact. An opening 44 for removing the cable to the outside is formed on the side of the cover member. The cover member and the housing have a mounting configuration 46 that can be changed to a first mounting state and a second mounting state. The first mounting state is a state in which the cover member is mounted to the housing with the opening facing a first direction, and the second mounting state is a state in which the cover member is mounted to the housing with the opening facing a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0048] With this structure, the installation can be changed from a first mounting state to a second mounting state, thereby changing the orientation of the opening for cable removal. Therefore, the cable removal direction can be changed after the connector assembly is manufactured. Consequently, a better connector assembly can be obtained.

[0049] (Postscript 2)

[0050] In the connector device described in Appendix 1, the cover member may also have a cover body 40 that overlaps with the housing, and the mounting configuration is such that when the cover member in the first mounting state is viewed from a direction opposite to the housing, the cover member can be rotated 180 degrees relative to the center of the cover body to change from the first mounting state to the second mounting state.

[0051] With this structure, by rotating the cover component 180 degrees relative to the center of the cover body, it is possible to easily change from the first installation state to the second installation state.

[0052] (Note 3)

[0053] In the connector device described in Appendix 2, a plurality of insertion holes 48 may be formed in the cover body for insertion of a plurality of fastening members 36 for mounting the cover component relative to the housing, and the plurality of insertion holes are symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotation center point C of the cover component.

[0054] With this structure, when the cover component is rotated 180 degrees relative to the center of the cover body, the positional displacement of multiple through holes relative to the housing can be suppressed.

[0055] (Note 4)

[0056] In the connector device described in Appendix 2 or 3, a plurality of insertion holes may be formed in the cover body for insertion of a plurality of fastening members for mounting the cover component relative to the housing, and the plurality of insertion holes may be symmetrically arranged with respect to a line of symmetry L extending along the first direction and passing through the rotation center of the cover component.

[0057] With this structure, when the cover component is rotated 180 degrees relative to the center of the cover body, the positional displacement of multiple through holes relative to the housing can be suppressed.

[0058] (Note 5)

[0059] In any of the connector devices described in Appendices 2-4, the cover body may also have an external shape that is symmetrical with respect to the rotation center point of the cover component.

[0060] With this structure, the shape of the cover body does not change depending on the mounting state of the cover component relative to the housing, thus suppressing interference between the cover body and the adapter when the connector device is mounted on the adapter (robot adapter).

[0061] (Note 6)

[0062] In any of the connector devices described in Appendices 1-5, the cover member may also have: a cover body that overlaps with the housing; and an extension 42 that extends from the cover body in a manner that extends out of the housing, the opening being formed on the end face of the extension in the extending direction.

[0063] This structure can prevent the cable from bending near the electrical contacts when external forces are applied to it.

[0064] (Note 7)

[0065] In the connector device described in Appendix 6, it may also include a cable support member 20, which is mounted on the extension and supports the cable.

[0066] This structure further suppresses the bending of the cable near the electrical contacts when external forces are applied to the cable.

[0067] Furthermore, this utility model is not limited to the above disclosure, and various structures can be adopted without departing from the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A connector device, characterized in that, have: The housing is provided with electrical contacts; A cable, which is connected to the electrical contact; and A cover component that can be attached and detached from the housing in a manner that covers the electrical contacts. An opening is formed on the side of the cover component for removing the cable to the outside. The cover component and the housing have a mounting structure that allows them to be changed to a first mounting state and a second mounting state. The first installation state is a state in which the cover component is installed on the housing with the opening facing a first direction. The second installation state is a state in which the cover component is installed on the housing with the opening facing a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The connector device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The cover component has a cover body that overlaps with the housing. The mounting configuration is such that, when the cover component in the first mounting state is viewed from a direction opposite to the housing, it can be changed from the first mounting state to the second mounting state by rotating the cover component 180 degrees relative to the center of the cover body.

3. The connector device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The cover body has a plurality of through holes for insertion of a plurality of fastening components for mounting the cover component relative to the housing. The plurality of the through holes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation center point of the cover component.

4. The connector device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The cover body has a plurality of through holes for insertion of a plurality of fastening components for mounting the cover component relative to the housing. The plurality of said through holes are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line of symmetry extending along the first direction and passing through the rotation center of the cover component.

5. The connector device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The main body of the cover has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the rotation center point of the cover component.

6. The connector device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The cover component has: The main body of the cover overlaps with the shell. as well as An extension that extends from the cover body in a manner that extends out of the housing. The opening is formed on the end face of the extension in the extending direction.

7. The connector device as claimed in any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The cover component has an extension that extends from the cover body in a manner that extends out of the housing, and the opening is formed on the end face of the extension in the extending direction.

8. The connector device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a cable support component, which is mounted on the extension and supports the cable.

9. The connector device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a cable support component, which is mounted on the extension and supports the cable.

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