Integrated member and assembly including the same

Abstract

To provide an integrated member that can integrate two or more connectors, and can replace only one connector.SOLUTION: An integrated member 12 comprises a holding member 20 and a lock member 30. The holding member 20 can hold a connector 60 inserted from backward in a forward and backward direction (X direction). The lock member 30 comprises a lock part 49. The lock member 30 is attached to the holding member 20 so as to be movable between a lock position (a position of a solid line in Fig.2) and an unlock position (a position of a dotted dash line in Fig.2). When the lock member 30 is at the lock position, the lock part 49 is at a prescribed position backward a locked part 68 of the connector 60, and restricts the backward movement of the locked part 68. When the lock part 49 is at the unlock position, the lock part 49 moves from the prescribed position, and the locked part 68 is movable backward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an integration member capable of integrating a plurality of connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an integrated member of this type.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 25, the integrating member disclosed in Patent Document 1 can integrate a plurality of optical connectors 97 into an assembly 90 including one multi-core connector 96. More specifically, the integrating member includes a housing (holding member) 92 and a pressure member 94. After the optical connectors 97 are combined with the multi-core connector 96, they are inserted and housed together in the holding member 92. Thereafter, the pressure member 94 is pushed into the housing 92 from the rear, and the spring force of the pressure member 94 holds the multi-core connector 96 inside the housing 92. As a result, an assembly 90 is obtained in which a plurality of optical connectors 97 are integrated. According to the integrating member of Patent Document 1, a plurality of optical connectors 97 can be easily integrated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-31131 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] After multiple optical connectors are held together in a housing, there is a demand to replace only one optical connector. That is, there is a demand to remove only one optical connector from the holding member and insert a replaced optical connector into the holding member. This demand is not limited to optical connectors, but is common to various connectors such as electrical connectors.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an integrated member capable of integrating a plurality of connectors, in which only one of the connectors can be replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a first integrated member, An integration member capable of integrating a plurality of connectors each having a locking portion and connectable to an object, The integrated member includes a retaining member and a locking member, the holding member is capable of holding the connector inserted from the rear in the front-rear direction, The locking member includes a locking portion, the locking member is attached to the retaining member so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; when the connector is held by the holding member and the locking member is in the locked position, the locking portion is in a predetermined position behind the locked portion and restricts rearward movement of the locked portion; When the connector is held by the holding member and the locking member is in the unlocked position, the locking portion is moved from the predetermined position and the locked portion is movable rearward. An integral member is provided.

[0008] The present invention provides a first integrated member as a second integrated member, The locking member includes a rotating member and a slider. The rotating member has the lock portion, the rotating member is attached to the holding member so as to be rotatable relative to the holding member, the locking member rotates and moves between the locked position and the unlocked position in accordance with the rotational movement of the rotating member; the slider is attached to the rotating member so as to be slidable between a restricting position and a non-restricting position relative to the rotating member; The holding member has a restricting portion, The slider has a regulated portion, when the locking member is in the locking position and the slider is in the restricting position, the restricting portion restricts movement of the restricted portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, thereby restricting rotational movement of the rotating member; When the slider is in the non-restrained position, the restricted portion is disengaged from the restricting portion, thereby allowing the rotating member to rotate. An integral member is provided.

[0009] The present invention provides a third integrated member, which is a first integrated member, The integration member is attachable to the object of the connector. An integral member is provided.

[0010] The present invention provides a fourth integrated member, which is the third integrated member, The object of the connector has a hooked portion, The integrated member includes a hook portion, When the integrated member is attached to the object, the hook portion engages with the hooked portion. An integral member is provided.

[0011] The present invention provides a first assembly comprising any one of the first to fourth integrated members and a connector held by the integrated member. An assembly is provided.

[0012] The present invention provides a second assembly, which is a first assembly, The connector includes a connection lock portion and a pull tab, the connection lock unit locks a connected state in which the connector is connected to the object, The connected state can be unlocked by operating the pull tab. An assembly is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, by moving the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position, the restriction on movement of the locked portion of the connector by the locking portion of the holding member can be released. That is, by moving the locking member to the unlocked position, each of the connectors can be moved backward and removed. Also, a connector to replace the removed connector can be inserted from the rear. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an integrated member capable of integrating multiple connectors, and in which only one connector can be replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking member being in a locked position; [Diagram 2] Fig. 2 is a side view showing the assembly of Fig. 1. The position of the locked portion of the connector is drawn with a dashed line. The outline of the locking member when moved to the unlocked position is drawn with a dashed line. [Diagram 3] 2 is a rear view of the assembly of FIG. 1, with the pull tab of the connector not shown, and with the hidden outline of the locked portion shown in dashed lines. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a connector of the assembly of FIG 1. A part of the connector (a part surrounded by a dashed line) is drawn on an enlarged scale. [Diagram 5] 5 is another perspective view showing the connector of Fig. 4. A part of the connector (the part surrounded by the dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the integrated member of the assembly of FIG 1, with the locking member in the locked position and the slider in the restricted position; [Figure 7] Fig. 7 is a front view showing the integrated member of Fig. 6. The outline of the protruding portion of the connector when inserted into the holding member is drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the integrated member of FIG. 6. [Figure 9]7 is another perspective view of the integrated member of FIG 6, with the locking member in the locked position and the slider in the unlocked position. [Figure 10] 10 is another perspective view of the integral member of Figure 9, with the locking member in an unlocked position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1, with the locking member in the locked position and the slider in the unlocked position. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is another perspective view of the assembly of Figure 11, showing the locking member in the unlocked position. [Figure 13] 13 is another perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 12, with the connector removed from the retaining member. [Figure 14] 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 together with an object, the connector being connected to the object; [Figure 15] 15 is a side view showing the assembly and the object of FIG. 14. The side surface of the object is partially cut away. A part of the partially cut away portion (encircled by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Figure 16] 15 is another perspective view of the assembly and object of FIG. 14, with the locking member in the unlocked position and one of the connectors removed from the object and the retaining member. [Figure 17] 7 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the integrated member of Fig. 6. The locking member is in the locking position, and the slider is in the restricting position. [Figure 18] 18 is another perspective view of the integrated member of FIG 17, with the slider in the unconstrained position. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is another perspective view of the integral member of Figure 18, with the locking member in an unlocked position. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the assembly of FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an integral member of the assembly of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] 22 is a perspective view showing a holding member of the integrated member of FIG. 21. FIG. [Diagram 23] 21 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 20 together with an object, the connector being connected to the object. [Figure 24] 24 is a side view showing the assembly and the object of FIG. 23. The side surface of the object is partially cut away. A part of the partially cut away portion (encircled by a dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an integrated member and an optical connector of Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an integrated member 12 and a plurality of connectors 60 held by the integrated member 12. The assembly 10 of this embodiment includes four connectors 60 arranged in a horizontal direction (Y direction). The horizontal direction in this embodiment is the Y direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of connectors 60 may be two or three, or may be five or more. The assembly 10 may further include another member in addition to the integrated member 12 and the connectors 60.

[0016] Each of the connectors 60 in this embodiment is a plug connected to one optical fiber 89. That is, each of the connectors 60 is a single-core optical connector, and forms an optical harness together with the optical fiber 89. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the connectors 60 may be a multi-core optical connector or an electrical connector. Each of the connectors 60 may form an electrical harness together with an electric wire. The connectors 60 may include one or more optical connectors and one or more electrical connectors. Each of the connectors 60 may be a plug or a receptacle. The connectors 60 may include one or more plugs and one or more receptacles.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 14, the assembly 10 of this embodiment can be connected to an object 80 along a front-rear direction perpendicular to the lateral direction. The front-rear direction in this embodiment is the X direction. In this embodiment, the front is the +X direction and the rear is the -X direction. The object 80 in this embodiment is an optical adapter that connects the four connectors 60 to four mating connectors (not shown), respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the object 80 may be any member depending on the application of the connectors 60. For example, the object 80 may be a mating connector.

[0018] In the present embodiment, the object 80 is formed with a plurality of accommodating sections 82 each corresponding to the connector 60. The accommodating sections 82 are arranged in a horizontal direction and penetrate the object 80 in the front-rear direction. In a connected state (the state shown in FIG. 14) in which the assembly 10 and the object 80 are connected to each other, the front ends of the connectors 60 are accommodated in the corresponding accommodating sections 82. That is, in the connected state, each of the connectors 60 is connected to the object 80. In the present embodiment, the number of accommodating sections 82 is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of accommodating sections 82 may be the same as the number of connectors 60. Moreover, the accommodating sections 82 may be provided as necessary.

[0019] Eight lock holes 84 are formed in the object 80 in this embodiment. The lock holes 84 are formed in the upper plate of the object 80 in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the front-rear direction. The up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. In this embodiment, the upside is the +Z direction and the downside is the -Z direction. The lock holes 84 are located near the rear end of the object 80 and are lined up in the lateral direction. The eight lock holes 84 are divided into four pairs of lock holes 84 corresponding to the four storage sections 82, respectively. Each pair of lock holes 84 consists of two lock holes 84 adjacent to each other in the lateral direction.

[0020] 15, each of the lock holes 84 extends in the up-down direction from the upper surface of the target object 80 to the corresponding storage portion 82. A lock surface 86 is formed in each of the lock holes 84. Each of the lock surfaces 86 is an inner wall surface on the rear side of the lock hole 84. Each of the lock surfaces 86 is a plane parallel to the orthogonal plane (YZ plane) and faces forward.

[0021] The target object 80 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the structure of the target object 80 can be modified as necessary. For example, the lock holes 84 may be provided in the required number as necessary.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the connectors 60 of this embodiment have the same shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connectors 60 may have different shapes. Below, one of the connectors 60 will be described. The following description is applicable to each of the connectors 60.

[0023] 4 and 5, the connector 60 of this embodiment includes a connector body 61, a portion extending rearward from the connector body 61, and a pull tab 70 made of an insulator. An optical fiber 89 is held by the connector body 61. The connector body 61 has a connecting portion 62 and a held portion 63. The connecting portion 62 is a front portion of the connector body 61, and is housed in a housing portion 82 (see FIG. 15) of an object 80 (see FIG. 15) in a connected state. The held portion 63 is a rear portion of the connector body 61, and is held by an integrated member 12 (see FIG. 1) in the assembly 10.

[0024] The held portion 63 has a support portion 64 and an overhang portion 67. The support portion 64 is the upper portion of the held portion 63. The support portion 64 is a bent metal plate, and has a rectangular tubular shape extending along the front-to-rear direction. A notch 69 is formed in the upper plate of the support portion 64. The overhang portion 67 is located at the rear end of the held portion 63 including the support portion 64, and overhangs outside the YZ plane.

[0025] The pull tab 70 is a member for pulling the entire connector 60 rearward. It passes through the inside of the support portion 64 and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The pull tab 70 has a stopper 72 and an operating portion 74. The operating portion 74 is located at the front end of the pull tab 70 and protrudes forward from the support portion 64. The stopper 72 is located behind the operating portion 74. The stopper 72 is located inside the notch 69 of the held portion 63 and protrudes upward.

[0026] 5, the pull tab 70 is supported by the support portion 64 so as not to move forward beyond the position shown in FIG. 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "front limit position") and so as to remain at the front limit position unless pulled rearward. When the pull tab 70 is pulled rearward, the stopper 72 hits the rear inner wall surface of the notch 69, and the rearward movement of the pull tab 70 stops. The position of the pull tab 70 at this time is referred to as the rear limit position. In other words, the pull tab 70 is supported by the connector body 61 so as to be movable between the front limit position and the rear limit position.

[0027] The connector 60 of this embodiment has the basic structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the basic structure of the connector 60 can be modified depending on the application of the connector 60. For example, the pull tab 70 may be provided as necessary. If the pull tab 70 is not provided, there is no need to provide the support portion 64. On the other hand, the connector 60 may further include other members and portions in addition to the members and portions described above.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, a connector body 61 of the present embodiment has a lock piece 65 and two connection lock portions 66. The lock piece 65 and the two connection lock portions 66 are arranged in a substantially rectangular shape.

[0029] 4, the front end of the lock piece 65 is fixed to the upper surface of the connection part 62. The lock piece 65 is supported by the connection part 62 in a cantilever shape, and extends rearward while projecting upward. The lock piece 65 thus formed is elastically deformable. The rear end of the lock piece 65 branches into two in the horizontal direction. That is, the lock piece 65 has two rear ends aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0030] The connection locking portion 66 in this embodiment is the rear end surface of the two rear end portions of the locking piece 65. The two connection locking portions 66 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Each of the connection locking portions 66 is a plane parallel to the YZ plane and faces rearward. The connection locking portion 66 can move up and down in accordance with the elastic deformation of the locking piece 65. The two rear end portions of the locking piece 65 in this embodiment are located directly below the operating portion 74 of the pull tab 70. According to this arrangement, when the pull tab 70 at the front limit position is pulled rearward to move the operating portion 74 rearward, the locking piece 65 is elastically deformed by receiving a downward force from the operating portion 74, and the connection locking portion 66 moves downward.

[0031] 15 , in the connected state, the lock piece 65 is accommodated in the corresponding accommodation portion 82 of the object 80 together with the operating portion 74 of the pull tab 70 at the front limit position. In the connected state, the two connection lock portions 66 are respectively located immediately before the lock surfaces 86 of the two lock holes 84. When the assembly 10 is pulled backward, the connection lock portions 66 abut against the lock surfaces 86, thereby preventing the connector 60 from being removed from the object 80. In other words, the connection lock portions 66 lock the connected state in which the connector 60 is connected to the object 80.

[0032] In the connected state, when the pull tab 70 is pulled rearward toward the rearmost position, the operating portion 74 presses the lock piece 65 downward, and the connection lock portion 66 moves below the lock surface 86. As a result, the connection state is unlocked. That is, according to this embodiment, the connection state can be unlocked by operating the pull tab 70. According to this embodiment, the lock piece 65 of the connector 60 is located inside the accommodation portion 82 of the object 80, and is difficult to directly elastically deform. On the other hand, the lock piece 65 can be indirectly elastically deformed by operating the pull tab 70.

[0033] As described above, the connector 60 of this embodiment includes a connection lock portion 66 supported by the lock piece 65 so as to be movable in the up and down direction. The connection lock portion 66 can be moved by operating the pull tab 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the structure and arrangement of the connection lock portion 66 can be modified as necessary. Furthermore, the lock piece 65 and the connection lock portion 66 may be provided as necessary. If the lock piece 65 and the connection lock portion 66 are not provided, there is no need to provide the operation portion 74 of the pull tab 70.

[0034] 4 and 5, the connector body 61 of this embodiment has a locked portion 68 in addition to the above-mentioned portions. The locked portion 68 is the rear end surface of the protruding portion 67. The locked portion 68 is a plane parallel to the YZ plane and faces rearward. As will be described later, the locked portion 68 locks the state in which the connector 60 is held by the integrated member 12 (see FIG. 1). The connector 60 of this embodiment has the locked portion 68 formed as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the structure and arrangement of the locked portion 68 can be modified as necessary.

[0035] The integrated member 12 (see FIG. 1) of this embodiment will be described below.

[0036] 6 and 8, the integrated member 12 of the present embodiment includes a holding member 20 made of an insulator and a locking member 30. The locking member 30 of the present embodiment includes a rotating member 40 made of an insulator and a slider 50 made of an insulator. The three members, the holding member 20, the rotating member 40, and the slider 50, are formed separately from each other and then combined with each other to form the integrated member 12. That is, the integrated member 12 of the present embodiment includes three members that are separate from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the rotating member 40 and the slider 50 may be a part of an integrated member. Meanwhile, the integrated member 12 may further include another member in addition to the above-mentioned three members.

[0037] The holding member 20 of this embodiment has a holding portion 21. Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 1, the holding portion 21 is formed with four holding holes 22 corresponding to the four connectors 60, respectively. The holding holes 22 are aligned in the horizontal direction and penetrate the holding portion 21 along the front-rear direction. In the assembly 10, each of the connectors 60 is inserted into the corresponding holding hole 22 from the rear. As a result, each of the held portions 63 of the connectors 60 is received and held in the corresponding holding hole 22. That is, each of the connectors 60 is partially received in the corresponding holding hole 22 and extends in the front and rear of the holding member 20 along the front-rear direction.

[0038] As described above, the holding member 20 can hold the connectors 60 inserted from the rear in the front-rear direction. Each of the connectors 60 is held by a corresponding holding hole 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the method of holding the connectors 60 by the holding member 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the connectors 60 may be held by a portion other than the holding hole 22.

[0039] 6 and 8, the holding member 20 of this embodiment has, in addition to the holding portion 21, two shaft portions 23 and two restriction portions 24. The shaft portion 23 and the restriction portion 24 are provided on the holding portion 21. The shaft portion 23 and the restriction portion 24 are located at the front end of the holding portion 21 and are aligned in the horizontal direction. The shaft portions 23 are located on both sides of the holding portion 21 in the horizontal direction. Each of the shaft portions 23 has a cylindrical shape extending in the horizontal direction. The two restriction portions 24 are located between the two shaft portions 23 in the horizontal direction. A restriction hole 25 is formed in each of the restriction portions 24. Each of the restriction holes 25 has a rectangular shape in the YZ plane and penetrates the restriction portion 24 in the front-rear direction.

[0040] The holding member 20 of the present embodiment has the structure described above. However, as long as the holding member 20 can hold the connector 60, the structure of the holding member 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the number of the restricting portions 24 may be one, or may be three or more. The shaft portion 23 and the restricting portions 24 may be provided as necessary.

[0041] The rotating member 40 of this embodiment has a base 42, two arms 43, and a pressing portion 44. The base 42 has a rectangular flat plate shape. The base 42 shown in Figs. 6 and 8 extends parallel to the XY plane. The arms 43 are located on both sides of the base 42 in the lateral direction. Each of the arms 43 protrudes upward from the base 42 and extends along the side of the base 42 in the lateral direction. The pressing portion 44 protrudes downward from the base 42 and extends along the lateral direction between both ends of the base 42 in the lateral direction.

[0042] A shaft hole 46 is formed in each of the arm portions 43. Each of the shaft holes 46 is formed at the front end of the arm portion 43 and penetrates the arm portion 43 in the horizontal direction. The two shaft holes 46 are provided corresponding to the two shaft portions 23 of the holding member 20, respectively. Each of the shaft holes 46 is attached to the corresponding shaft portion 23, thereby allowing the rotating member 40 to rotate relative to the holding member 20 around the shaft portion 23. In other words, the rotating member 40 is attached to the holding member 20 so as to be rotatable relative to the holding member 20.

[0043] The rotating member 40 has a locking portion 49. In this embodiment, the locking portion 49 is a part of the pressing portion 44, and is a surface facing the holding member 20. The locking portion 49 of the rotating member 40 shown in FIG. 6 is in contact with the rear end surface of the holding member 20 or is slightly rearwardly spaced from the rear end surface of the holding member 20. The position of the locking portion 49 at this time is called a predetermined position. Also, the position of the locking member 30 when the locking portion 49 is in a predetermined position is called a locked position.

[0044] When in a predetermined position, the locking portion 49 is a plane parallel to the YZ plane and faces forward. As will be described later, the locking portion 49 locks the state in which the connector 60 (see FIG. 2) is held by the integrated member 12 together with a locked portion 68 (see FIG. 2) of the connector 60.

[0045] When the lock portion 49 is in a predetermined position, even if an attempt is made to rotate the rotating member 40 clockwise in Fig. 6, the lock portion 49 is pressed against the holding member 20 and the rotating member 40 cannot rotate. In other words, the rotating member 40 cannot rotate clockwise beyond the position shown in Fig. 6.

[0046] The locking member 30 of this embodiment includes the locking portion 49 formed as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the structure and arrangement of the locking portion 49 can be modified as necessary. For example, the locking portion 49 may be a convex portion protruding downward from the bottom surface of the rotating member 40. The respective locked portions 68 (see FIG. 2) of the connector 60 (see FIG. 2) may be concave portions corresponding to the convex portions. When the locking member 30 is in the locked position, the convex portions (locking portion 49) of the locking member 30 may engage with the concave portions (locked portions 68) of the connector 60 to lock the state in which the connector 60 is held by the integrated member 12.

[0047] 8 together with FIG. 3, in addition to the shaft hole 46, a guide groove 48 is formed in each of the arms 43. Each of the guide grooves 48 is a groove formed in the arm 43. When the lock portion 49 is in a predetermined position, each of the guide grooves 48 is covered from above by the upper plate of the arm 43 and extends in the front-rear direction. The two guide grooves 48 open toward each other in the lateral direction.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 8, the slider 50 of this embodiment has an operated portion 52, two guided portions 56, and two spring portions 58. The operated portion 52 has a rectangular flat plate shape. Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 8, the operated portion 52 is disposed on the base portion 42 of the rotating member 40. Referring to FIG. 8, the guided portions 56 are located on both sides of the operated portion 52 in the lateral direction. Each of the operated portions 52 protrudes outward in the lateral direction from the operated portion 52 and extends along the side of the operated portion 52 in the lateral direction. The spring portions 58 are provided corresponding to the guided portions 56. Each of the spring portions 58 is supported by the corresponding guided portion 56. Each of the spring portions 58 protrudes outward in the lateral direction from the corresponding guided portion 56, and is elastically deformable so that its rear end moves in the lateral direction.

[0049] 3 together with FIG. 8, the two guided portions 56 are provided corresponding to the two guide grooves 48 of the rotating member 40, respectively. Each of the guided portions 56 is inserted into the corresponding guide groove 48 from the rear, whereby the slider 50 is slidable relative to the rotating member 40 along the guide groove 48. That is, the slider 50 is attached to the rotating member 40 so as to be slidable relative to the rotating member 40. Referring to FIG. 6, the slider 50 attached to the rotating member 40 moves and rotates together with the rotating member 40.

[0050] 6 together with FIG. 8, the slider 50 of the present embodiment has, in addition to the above-mentioned portions, two regulated portions 54. The two regulated portions 54 are located at the front end of the slider 50 and are aligned in the horizontal direction. When the lock portion 49 is in a predetermined position, each of the regulated portions 54 has a rectangular shape in the YZ plane and protrudes forward from the front end of the slider 50.

[0051] The two regulated portions 54 are provided corresponding to the two regulating portions 24 of the holding member 20, respectively. When the lock portion 49 is in a predetermined position, and the slider 50 attached to the rotating member 40 is slid forward, the regulated portions 54 are inserted into the regulating holes 25 of the regulating portions 24, respectively. Thereafter, the front end of the operated portion 52 abuts against the rear end of the regulating portion 24, thereby stopping the forward movement of the slider 50. The position of the slider 50 at this time (the position shown in FIG. 6) is called the regulated position.

[0052] When the locking member 30 is in the locked position and the slider 50 is in the restricted position, the restricting portion 24 restricts the movement of the restricted portion 54 in the up-down direction, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the rotating member 40. More specifically, according to this embodiment, when the rotating member 40 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 6, the front end of the restricted portion 54 moves downward and the rear end of the restricted portion 54 moves upward. However, when the slider 50 is in the restricted position, the restricting portion 24 stops these movements of the restricted portion 54, and therefore the rotating member 40 cannot rotate.

[0053] 6 and 9, when the slider 50 in the restricted position is slid rearward, the restricted portion 54 is removed from the restricting portion 24. Thereafter, the rear end of the spring portion 58 (see FIG. 8) of the slider 50 abuts against the rear inner wall surface of the guide groove 48 of the rotating member 40, thereby stopping the rearward movement of the slider 50. The position of the slider 50 at this time is called the non-restricted position. That is, the slider 50 is attached to the rotating member 40 so as to be slidable between the restricted position and the non-restricted position relative to the rotating member 40.

[0054] 9, when the slider 50 is in the non-restricted position, the restricted portion 54 is disengaged from the restricting portion 24, and thus the rotating member 40 can rotate counterclockwise together with the slider 50. In other words, the locking member 30 can rotate in association with the rotational movement of the rotating member 40. More specifically, the locking member 30 rotates between the locked position shown in FIG. 6 and the unlocked position shown in FIG. 10 in association with the rotational movement of the rotating member 40. That is, referring to FIG. 2, the locking member 30 is attached to the holding member 20 so as to be movable between the locked position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) and the unlocked position (position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2).

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, the structures of the holding member 20, the rotating member 40 and the slider 50 are not limited to the present embodiment described above, and can be modified in various ways.

[0056] For example, the number of regulated portions 54 of the slider 50 may be the same as the number of regulating portions 24 of the holding member 20. The holding member 20 may have one flat portion (flat portion) instead of the illustrated regulating portion 24. The flat portion of the holding member 20 may be located directly above the regulated portion 54 when the slider 50 is in the regulated position. The integrated member 12 may include a rod-shaped lock pin instead of the slider 50. In this case, the holding member 20 and the rotating member 40 may be provided with holes into which the lock pin can be inserted. The lock pin may be inserted into the holes of the holding member 20 and the rotating member 40 to regulate the rotational movement of the lock member 30.

[0057] The locking member 30 may include a vertically movable member that is movable in the vertical direction relative to the holding member 20, instead of the rotating member 40. The vertically movable member may be combined with the slider 50, similar to the rotating member 40. In this case, after the restriction of the regulated portion 54 by the restricting portion 24 is released, the vertically movable member may be moved upward to move the locking member 30 to the unlocked position.

[0058] Comparing Fig. 17 with Fig. 6, the assembly 10 (see Fig. 1) may include an integrated member 12A instead of the integrated member 12. The illustrated integrated member 12A includes the same retaining member 20 as the integrated member 12, and includes a locking member 30A that is different from the locking member 30 of the integrated member 12. The locking member 30A includes a rotating member 40A and a slider 50A that are inseparable integral members, i.e., each of the rotating member 40A and the slider 50A is a part of the locking member 30A.

[0059] 17, when the locking member 30A is in the locked position, the shaft hole 46A of the integrated member 12A extends long in the front-rear direction. Each of the shaft portions 23 of the holding member 20 is received in the vicinity of the rear end of the corresponding shaft hole 46A. With reference to FIGS. 17 to 19, in this modified example, when the locking member 30A is moved rearward and then rotated counterclockwise, the locking member 30A is also located in the unlocked position.

[0060] A method for holding the connector 60 (see FIG. 1) by the integrated member 12 (see FIG. 1) will be described below.

[0061] 1 together with FIG. 2, the integrated member 12 can hold a plurality of connectors 60 together. More specifically, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked position (the position of the dashed line in FIG. 2), the connectors 60 can be inserted into the holding member 20 from behind. Referring to FIG. 7, when the connector 60 is inserted into the holding hole 22 of the holding member 20 from behind, the front surface of the overhanging portion 67 of the connector 60 abuts against the rear end of the protruding portion 29 formed in the holding hole 22, and the forward movement of the connector 60 stops. Referring to FIG. 1, at this time, the held portions 63 of the connector 60 are received in the holding holes 22 of the holding member 20, respectively. That is, the connector 60 is positioned in the YZ plane and in the front-rear direction by the holding member 20.

[0062] 1 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, when the locking member 30 is subsequently moved to the locked position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2), the locking portion 49 of the locking member 30 is positioned directly behind the locked portion 68 of the connector 60. As a result, the connector 60 is held by the integrated member 12 so as not to move forward or backward. In other words, when the connector 60 is held by the holding member 20 and the locking member 30 is in the locked position, the locking portion 49 is in a predetermined position behind the locked portion 68, restricting the locked portion 68 from moving backward.

[0063] When the slider 50 is moved to the restricting position after the locking member 30 has moved to the locked position, the locking member 30 cannot rotate, and thus the restriction of movement of the locked portion 68 by the locking portion 49 is locked. With reference to Figures 1 and 14, the connectors 60 held in this manner can be simultaneously connected to an object 80. In other words, the integrated member 12 can integrate a plurality of connectors 60 each having a locked portion 68 and connectable to an object 80.

[0064] 3, the locked portions 68 of the connector 60 in this embodiment are located at the same positions in the front-rear and up-down directions, and are aligned in a row in the horizontal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the locked portions 68 may be located at the same positions in the up-down direction, and at different positions in the front-rear direction. Also, the connectors 60 may be stacked vertically with the positions of the locked portions 68 shifted rearward in the front-rear direction. In this case, two or more connectors 60 may be located at the same positions in the up-down direction. The locking portions 49 of the locking member 30 may be provided in accordance with the arrangement of the locked portions 68.

[0065] 2, 11, and 12, the connector 60 held by the integrated member 12 can be removed from the integrated member 12 as described below. First, the slider 50 is moved to the unrestricted position shown in FIG. 11. Next, when the locking member 30 is moved to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 12, the restriction on movement of the locked portion 68 by the locking portion 49 is released, and the connector 60 can be removed rearward from the holding member 20. In other words, when the connector 60 is held by the holding member 20 and the locking member 30 is in the unlocked position, the locking portion 49 has moved from the predetermined position shown in FIG. 11, and the locked portion 68 can move rearward.

[0066] 12, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked position, the pull tabs 70 of one or more connectors 60 can be pulled backward to remove the connectors 60 from the holding member 20. For example, by pulling backward the pull tabs 70 of all the connectors 60, all the connectors 60 can be simultaneously removed from the holding member 20. According to this embodiment, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked position, the connectors 60 can be removed from the holding member 20 simply by pulling backward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the holding member 20 may have a temporary locking mechanism that engages with the connectors 60. In this case, the pull tabs 70 of the connectors 60 can be pulled backward after the engagement of the connectors 60 by the temporary locking mechanism is released.

[0067] 2 and 12, as described above, according to this embodiment, the restriction on movement of the locked portion 68 of the connector 60 by the locking portion 49 of the holding member 20 can be released by moving the locking member 30 from the locked position to the unlocked position. That is, by moving the locking member 30 to the unlocked position, each of the connectors 60 can be moved backward and removed. Also, a connector 60 (not shown) can be inserted into the holding member 20 from the rear to replace the removed connector 60. In particular, the connector 60, which is an optical connector, is easily damaged. According to this embodiment, only the damaged connector 60 can be easily replaced. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an integrated member 12 capable of integrating a plurality of connectors 60, in which only one connector 60 can be replaced.

[0068] 14, the connectors 60 of the assembly 10 can be inserted into the receiving portions 82 of the object 80 at the same time. That is, the connectors 60 of the assembly 10 can be connected to the object 80 at the same time. With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, when the connectors 60 are connected to the object 80, the connection lock portions 66 engage with the lock surfaces 86 to lock the connection state. In the connected state, the connection locks of all the connectors 60 are released by pulling the pull tabs 70 of all the connectors 60 backward. By continuing to pull the pull tabs 70 backward, the entire assembly 10 can be removed from the object 80.

[0069] 12 and 13, after the entire assembly 10 is removed from the object 80, the locking member 30 is moved to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the one or more connectors 60 to be removed from the holding member 20. Also, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 16, after the locking member 30 is moved to the unlocked position, the pull tabs 70 of the one or more connectors 60 are pulled backward to release the lock on the connected state, allowing the one or more connectors 60 to be simultaneously removed from the object 80 and the holding member 20. As can be understood from the above description, according to this embodiment, the connector 60 connected to the object 80 can be removed from the object 80 and the holding member 20 in various ways, and the connector 60 can be easily replaced.

[0070] In addition to the various modifications already described, the assembly 10 and integrated member 12 of this embodiment can be modified in various other ways. One of the modifications will be described below.

[0071] Comparing Fig. 20 with Fig. 1, assembly 10B according to the modified example includes integrated member 12B that is different from integrated member 12 of assembly 10, and the same multiple connectors 60 as assembly 10. Connectors 60 of this modified example are held by integrated member 12B, similar to assembly 10, and are deformable similar to assembly 10.

[0072] Comparing Fig. 23 with Fig. 14, the assembly 10B of this modified example can be connected to the target 80 in the same manner as the assembly 10. The target 80 of this modified example has the same structure as the target 80 of the above-described embodiment. However, according to this modified example, each of the lock holes 84 of the target 80 functions as a hooked portion 87B, as described below. That is, the target 80 of the connector 60 is provided with a hooked portion 87B.

[0073] Comparing FIG. 21 with FIG. 6, integrated member 12B of this modification includes a holding member 20B that is different from holding member 20 of integrated member 12, and a lock member 30 that is the same as that of integrated member 12. Holding member 20B has an upper plate portion 26B and a lower plate portion 28B that are not provided in holding member 20. Holding member 20B also has two restricting portions 24B that are slightly different from the two restricting portions 24 of holding member 20. The size of each of restricting portions 24B in the up-down direction is smaller than that of restricting portion 24. Except for the above-mentioned differences, holding member 20B has a similar structure to holding member 20, and functions in the same way as holding member 20.

[0074] 21 and 22, the upper plate portion 26B and the lower plate portion 28B each have a flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane. The upper plate portion 26B and the lower plate portion 28B are located at the upper end and the lower end of the holding portion 21 of the holding member 20, respectively. The upper plate portion 26B and the lower plate portion 28B protrude forward from the holding portion 21. Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22 together with FIG. 23, eight hook portions 27B corresponding to the hooked portions 87B of the object 80 are formed at the front end of the upper plate portion 26B. That is, the integrated member 12B includes hook portions 27B. Each of the hook portions 27B has a hook shape protruding downward.

[0075] 21 with FIGS. 6, 9, and 10, the integrated member 12B of this modified example functions similarly to the integrated member 12. For example, the locking portion 49 of the integrated member 12B is attached to the holding member 20B so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, similar to the locking portion 49 of the integrated member 12. Referring to FIG. 20, this modified example can provide an integrated member 12B capable of integrating a plurality of connectors 60, in which only one connector 60 can be replaced.

[0076] 15, the integrated member 12 described above is separated from the object 80 in the connected state and is located behind the object 80. That is, the integrated member 12 is not attached to the object 80. On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the integrated member 12B of this modification can be attached to the object 80 of the connector 60.

[0077] In detail, when the assembly 10B is connected to the object 80, the upper plate portion 26B and the lower plate portion 28B of the holding member 20B sandwich the rear end portion of the object 80 from above and below. In addition, each of the hook portions 27B is partially received by the corresponding hooked portion 87B. As can be understood from the above-mentioned structure, the integrated member 12B can be attached to the object 80 even in a state where the connector 60 is not being held. In other words, the integrated member 12B can be attached to the object 80 independently. When the integrated member 12B is attached to the object 80, the hook portions 27B engage with the hooked portions 87B, respectively. As a result, the state where the integrated member 12B is attached to the object 80 independently is maintained.

[0078] When the integrated member 12B is attached to the object 80 by itself, the integrated member 12B can be removed from the object 80 by pulling the integrated member 12B backward. In addition, after the integrated member 12B is attached to the object 80 by itself with the locking member 30 positioned at the unlocked position, the connector 60 can be connected to the object 80 via the holding member 20. Thereafter, the assembly 10B can be connected to the object 80 by moving the locking member 30 to the locked position.

[0079] When the assembly 10B is connected to the object 80, applying a downward force to the upper plate portion 26B causes each of the hook portions 27B to press downward the operation portion 74 of the corresponding hooked portion 87B. As a result, the connection state locked by the connection lock portion 66 is released. When the assembly 10B is pulled backward in the connection state unlocked state, the assembly 10B is detached from the object 80. That is, the connector 60 of the assembly 10B can be simultaneously removed from the object 80. Thereafter, when the locking member 30 is moved to the unlock position, the connector 60 can be removed from the holding member 20 simply by pulling it backward.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment and modified examples already described, and can be further applied in various ways. For example, referring to Fig. 1, an assembly 10 may include two or more integrated members 12. In this case, one of the two integrated members 12 may be arranged so as to be a mirror image of the integrated member 12 shown in Fig. 1 with respect to the XY plane. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10,10B assembly 12, 12A, 12B Integrated member 20, 20B Retaining member 21 Holding part 22 Retaining hole 23 Shaft 24,24B Regulation Department 25 Restriction hole 26B Upper plate 27B Hook part 28B Lower plate part 29 Protrusion 30,30A Locking member 40,40A Rotating member 42 Base 43 Arm 44 Holding part 46,46A shaft hole 48 Guide groove 49 Rock Section 50,50A slider 52 Operated part 54 Regulated part 56 Guided part 58 Spring part 60 Connectors 61 Connector body 62 Connection 63 Holding part 64 Support part 65 Lock piece 66 Connection lock part 67 Overhang 68 Locked part 69 Notch 70 Pull Tab 72 Stopper 74 Operation section 80 Objects 82 Storage unit 84 Lock hole 86 Lock Surface 87B Hooked part 89 Optical Fiber

Claims

1. An integration member capable of integrating a plurality of connectors each having a locking portion and connectable to an object, The integrated member includes a retaining member and a locking member, the holding member is capable of holding the connector inserted from the rear in the front-rear direction, The locking member includes a locking portion, the locking member is attached to the retaining member so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; when the connector is held by the holding member and the locking member is in the locked position, the locking portion is in a predetermined position behind the locked portion and restricts rearward movement of the locked portion; When the connector is held by the holding member and the locking member is in the unlocked position, the locking portion is moved from the predetermined position and the locked portion is movable rearward. Integrated member.

2. 2. The integrated member according to claim 1, The locking member includes a rotating member and a slider. The rotating member has the lock portion, the rotating member is attached to the holding member so as to be rotatable relative to the holding member, the locking member rotates and moves between the locked position and the unlocked position in accordance with the rotational movement of the rotating member; the slider is attached to the rotating member so as to be slidable between a restricting position and a non-restricting position relative to the rotating member; The holding member has a restricting portion, The slider has a regulated portion, when the locking member is in the locking position and the slider is in the restricting position, the restricting portion restricts movement of the restricted portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, thereby restricting rotational movement of the rotating member; When the slider is in the non-restrained position, the restricted portion is disengaged from the restricting portion, thereby allowing the rotating member to rotate. Integrated member.

3. 2. The integrated member according to claim 1, The integration member is attachable to the object of the connector. Integrated member.

4. 4. The integrated member according to claim 3, The object of the connector has a hooked portion, The integrated member includes a hook portion, When the integrated member is attached to the object, the hook portion engages with the hooked portion. Integrated member.

5. A device comprising the integrated member according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a connector held by the integrated member. assembly.

6. 6. The assembly of claim 5, The connector includes a connection lock portion and a pull tab, the connection lock unit locks a connected state in which the connector is connected to the object, The connected state can be unlocked by operating the pull tab. assembly.

Images