Coming-off prevention structure and manufacturing method of coming-off prevention structure

Abstract

To provide a coming-off prevention structure capable of improving connection reliability of a modular plug and a modular jack.SOLUTION: A coming-off prevention structure 1 comprises: a LAN cable 10; a modular plug 20 provided in an end portion of the LAN cable 10; a connection device 30 including a modular jack 31 having a port 32 into which the modular plug 20 is inserted; a lock part 40 supporting the modular plug 20; and a tension spring 50 which is engaged with the connection device 30 and the lock part 40 and tenses the modular plug 20 via the lock part 40 in a direction of the insertion into the port 32 of the modular jack 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slip-out prevention structure and a method for manufacturing the slip-out prevention structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, mechanisms for preventing connectors from coming loose are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for connecting a female connector at the end of a connection cable to a male connector of a transceiver in a LAN (local area network), and fastening the connection cable to the transceiver. This configuration prevents the female connector at the end of the connection cable from coming loose from the male connector of the transceiver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-48902 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in typical homes and businesses, terminals such as personal computers are connected to the Internet via LAN cables and modular plugs.

[0005] On the other hand, electronic devices that constitute an IVI (In Vehicle Infortainment) prepared according to the user's preferences may be used inside the vehicle. Such electronic devices can be easily added by connecting them to a switching hub or the like via a LAN cable. However, for example, when connecting electronic devices inside the vehicle with a modular plug, there is a risk that the modular plug may be subjected to vibrations while the vehicle is running, or that the modular plug may deteriorate and be damaged due to temperature changes. In such cases, there is a risk that the modular plug may fall out of the modular jack.

[0006] Patent document 1 discloses a structure for preventing a connector from coming loose, but this structure is for preventing the male connector of a transceiver and the female connector provided at the end of a connecting cable, and cannot be used to prevent a modular plug from coming loose.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a disconnection prevention structure and a manufacturing method for the same that can improve the reliability of the connection between a modular plug and a modular jack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A disconnection prevention structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a LAN cable, a modular plug provided at an end of the LAN cable, and a connection device including a modular jack having a port into which the modular plug is inserted. The disconnection prevention structure includes a locking portion that supports the modular plug. The disconnection prevention structure includes a tension spring that engages with the connection device and the locking portion and pulls the modular plug via the locking portion in the direction of insertion into the port of the modular jack.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a pull-out prevention structure according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of inserting a modular plug provided at an end of a LAN cable into a port of a modular jack included in a connection device. The method for manufacturing a pull-out prevention structure includes a step of engaging a tension spring with the connection device and a locking portion. In the pull-out prevention structure, the modular plug is supported by the locking portion, and the modular plug is pulled via the locking portion in the direction of insertion into the port of the modular jack. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pull-out prevention structure and a method for manufacturing the pull-out prevention structure that can improve the connection reliability between a modular plug and a modular jack. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a state before a modular plug is inserted into a port of a modular jack in the pull-out prevention structure according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a state after a modular plug has been inserted into a port of a modular jack in the pull-out prevention structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which a lock portion according to a second embodiment is attached to a LAN cable. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a perspective view showing a state before a modular plug is inserted into a port of a modular jack in a disconnection prevention structure according to a second embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the slip-out prevention structure and the manufacturing method of the slip-out prevention structure according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0013] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a state before a modular plug 20 is inserted into a port 32 of a modular jack 31 in a pull-out prevention structure 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state after a modular plug 20 is inserted into a port 32 of a modular jack 31 in a pull-out prevention structure 1 according to a second embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pull-out prevention structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a LAN cable 10, a modular plug 20, a connection device 30, a locking portion 40, and a tension spring 50.

[0014] The LAN cable 10 is a cable for connecting to the Internet by wire. The LAN cable 10 may be a twisted pair cable such as an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable or a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. The LAN cable 10 may be a twisted pair cable in which, for example, eight electric wires are twisted together in pairs of two.

[0015] The modular plug 20 is provided at an end of the LAN cable 10. The LAN cable 10 is drawn out from a cable drawing surface, which is one end of the modular plug 20. The modular plug 20 may be provided at least at one end of the LAN cable 10, and may be provided at both ends. The modular plug 20 includes a plurality of pins (not shown), a resin case 21 that houses the plurality of pins, and a latch claw 22 provided on one surface of the resin case 21. Wires included in the LAN cable 10 are electrically connected to the plurality of pins, respectively, and the LAN cable 10 and the modular jack 31 are electrically connected to each other via the plurality of pins by connecting the modular plug 20 to a modular jack 31.

[0016] The resin case 21 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The resin case 21 has a rear surface from which the LAN cable 10 is pulled out, a front surface parallel to the rear surface, and an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the rear surface and the front surface. The upper surface and the lower surface are arranged parallel to each other, and the pair of side surfaces are arranged parallel to each other.

[0017] The latch claw 22 prevents the modular plug 20 from slipping out of the port 32 when the modular plug 20 is inserted into the port 32 of the connection device 30. The latch claw 22 is disposed at the center in the width direction on the upper surface of the resin case 21, and protrudes upward from the front to the rear from the center in the front-rear direction. The latch claw 22 is provided so that the modular plug 20 can engage with the modular jack 31. The latch claw 22 is formed of a resin material, and is provided so that a free end can move up and down with a fixed end as a fulcrum when pressed. The modular plug 20 may be, for example, an RJ-45 modular plug or an ARJ-45 modular plug.

[0018] The connection device 30 includes at least one modular jack 31 and a housing 33. The modular jack 31 has a port 32. The port 32 is disposed on the front surface (front face) of the connection device 30, and is configured to be able to receive a modular plug 20. The modular plug 20 is connected to the modular jack 31 by inserting the modular plug 20 into the port 32 of the modular jack 31. The modular jack 31 may be, for example, an RJ-45 modular jack or an ARJ-45 modular jack. The port 32 may be, for example, a LAN port or a WAN port.

[0019] In this embodiment, the port 32 is provided on one surface of the connection device 30, but the location where the port 32 is provided is not particularly limited. In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the connection device 30 has five modular jacks 31. However, it is sufficient that the connection device 30 includes at least one modular jack 31, and the connection device 30 may include a plurality of modular jacks 31, such as two or more, three or more, four or more, or five or more.

[0020] The housing 33 houses at least one modular jack 31. In this embodiment, the surface of the connection device 30 on which the port 32 is provided is exposed from the housing 33, and the surfaces of the modular jack 31 other than the surface on which the port 32 is provided are covered. Specifically, assuming that the surface on which the port 32 of the connection device 30 is provided is the front surface, the rear surface, top surface, bottom surface, and both side surfaces of the connection device 30 are covered by the housing 33. The rear surface of the connection device 30 is the surface opposite to the surface on which the port 32 of the modular jack 31 is provided. The top surface, bottom surface, and both side surfaces are connected to the rear surface. The top surface and bottom surface are arranged in parallel, and both side surfaces perpendicular to the top surface and bottom surface are arranged in parallel.

[0021] The housing 33 has at least one first engagement portion 34 with which the first hook 52 of the tension spring 50 is engaged. In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 34 is a plurality of heat dissipation through holes for dissipating heat in the housing 33 to the outside of the housing 33. However, the use of the first engagement portion 34 is not particularly limited, and it may be for exclusively engaging the tension spring 50. In this embodiment, a plurality of first engagement portions 34 are provided on the upper surface, the lower surface, and both side surfaces of the housing 33, respectively, but it is sufficient that the first engagement portion 34 is provided on at least one surface. In this embodiment, a plurality of first engagement portions 34 are provided on the upper surface, the lower surface, and both side surfaces of the housing 33. However, it is sufficient that at least one first engagement portion 34 is provided at any position of the housing 33, and the number of first engagement portions 34 provided on each surface may be one, or may be a plurality, such as 2 or more, 5 or more, or 10 or more.

[0022] The connection device 30 may be a hub such as a switching hub and a repeater hub. The connection device 30 may be a device compatible with PoE (Power over Ethernet). Specifically, the connection device 30 may be PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment). When the connection device 30 is a PSE, it is not necessary to secure a new power source for the device prepared by the user, which reduces the burden on the user.

[0023] The locking portion 40 supports the modular plug 20. Specifically, the locking portion 40 supports the cable outlet surface of the modular plug 20. The locking portion 40 is not joined to the modular plug 20 by, for example, an adhesive. However, the locking portion 40 presses the modular plug 20 toward the port 32 by engagement of the tension spring 50, and supports the modular plug 20 in contact with the cable outlet surface of the modular plug 20.

[0024] In this embodiment, the locking part 40 is a rectangular tubular member having an internal space 43 in which four portions of a rectangular metal plate-like member 41 are bent by 90 degrees each, and the longitudinal end faces face each other. The LAN cable 10 is disposed in the internal space 43 of the locking part 40, and the locking part 40 is disposed so as to surround the LAN cable 10. The LAN cable 10 is inserted into the internal space 43 formed by the plate-like member 41, and the locking part 40 is not fixed to the LAN cable 10. Therefore, the locking part 40 is configured to be movable in the axial direction of the LAN cable 10. The modular plug 20 is configured not to pass through the internal space of the plate-like member 41, and the modular plug 20 is supported by the short end of the plate-like member 41.

[0025] The locking portion 40 has at least one second engaging portion 42 with which the second hook 53 of the tension spring 50 engages. The locking portion 40 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the bending direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member 41, and each of the four faces that form the internal space 43 is provided with a cylindrical through hole that serves as the second engaging portion 42.

[0026] In this embodiment, the second engagement portion 42 is a cylindrical through hole provided in the plate-like member 41. However, the shape of the second engagement portion 42 and the position at which the second engagement portion 42 is provided are not particularly limited. In addition, the second engagement portion 42 is not limited to a through hole and may be, for example, a hook provided in the plate-like member 41.

[0027] The locking part 40 may include a metal plate-like member 41, and the periphery of the LAN cable 10 may be surrounded by the plate-like member 41. The plate-like member 41 may be removable from the LAN cable 10. In this embodiment, the locking part 40 is formed of a deformable metal plate-like member 41. The thickness of the plate-like member may be, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In addition, the end faces in the longitudinal direction of the plate-like member 41 constituting the locking part 40 face each other, and there is a gap between the end faces. That is, since the end faces of the plate-like member 41 are not joined to each other, the locking part 40 can be easily attached to or detached from the LAN cable 10 by opening the cut in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the locking part 40 is formed of one metal plate-like member 41, but the locking part 40 may be formed by assembling a plurality of members.

[0028] The tension spring 50 engages with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40. The tension spring 50 is a spring that generates a force resisting a tensile load when applied in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the tension spring 50 is a tension coil spring, and includes a coil 51 and a first hook 52 and a second hook 53 provided at both ends of the coil 51. The first hook 52 is provided at a first end, which is one end of the coil 51, and the second hook 53 is provided at a second end, which is the other end of the coil 51. The first hook 52 is inserted into the first engagement portion 34, which is a through hole provided on the side of the connection device 30, so that the first hook 52 and the first engagement portion 34 engage with each other. The second hook 53 is inserted into the second engagement portion 42, which is a through hole provided on the side of the locking portion 40, so that the second hook 53 and the second engagement portion 42 engage with each other. The tension spring 50 engages with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40 , so that the tension spring 50 pulls the modular plug 20 via the locking portion 40 in the direction of insertion into the port 32 of the modular jack 31 .

[0029] In this embodiment, the tension spring 50 may be a metal spring or a ceramic spring. The metal contained in the tension spring 50 is not particularly limited, and any known metal used for tension springs 50 may be used. The tension spring 50 may be, for example, a steel spring or a non-ferrous metal spring.

[0030] The shape of the first hook 52 or the second hook 53 is not particularly limited, and the first hook 52 or the second hook 53 may be a round hook, a semi-round hook, a U hook, a V hook, a square hook, an inverted round hook, a diagonal round hook, a narrowed round hook, or a side round hook. The shape of the first hook 52 and the shape of the second hook 53 may be the same or different. As the tension spring 50, a single tension spring 50 may be used, or a combination of multiple tension springs 50 may be used.

[0031] An electronic device may be connected via a connector (not shown) to the end of the LAN cable 10 opposite the modular plug 20. The electronic device may be an audio device, a car navigation device, an FM tuner, an AM tuner, a CD player, a DVD player, a TV tuner, or the like.

[0032] [Manufacturing method for preventing falling out] Next, a description will be given of a manufacturing method of the slip-off prevention structure 1. The manufacturing method of the slip-off prevention structure 1 according to this embodiment includes an inserting step and an engaging step.

[0033] The insertion process is a process of inserting the modular plug 20 provided at the end of the LAN cable 10 into the port 32 of the modular jack 31 included in the connection device 30. By inserting the modular jack 31 into the port 32, the LAN cable 10 and the modular plug 20 are electrically connected to the modular jack 31.

[0034] When modular plug 20 is inserted into port 32 of modular jack 31, latch claw 22 engages within port 32, and modular plug 20 cannot be pulled out simply by pulling on modular plug 20. On the other hand, when latch claw 22 is pressed toward resin case 21, latch claw 22 elastically deforms and the engagement of latch claw 22 is released, allowing modular plug 20 to be pulled out of port 32 of modular jack 31.

[0035] The engagement step is a step of engaging the tension spring 50 with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40. Specifically, the first hook 52 is engaged with the first engagement portion 34 of the connection device 30, and the second hook 53 is engaged with the second engagement portion 42 of the locking portion 40. By engaging the tension spring 50 with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40, the modular plug 20 can be supported by the locking portion 40.

[0036] The pull-out prevention structure manufactured by the above-mentioned method can prevent the modular plug 20 from falling out even if the modular plug 20 is damaged due to vibration or deterioration of the modular plug 20 caused by temperature change. This can improve the connection reliability between the modular plug 20 and the modular jack 31. The order of the insertion step and the engagement step is not particularly limited, and the engagement step may be performed after the insertion step, or the insertion step may be performed after the engagement step.

[0037] As described above, the pull-out prevention structure 1 includes the LAN cable 10, the modular plug 20 provided at the end of the LAN cable 10, and the connection device 30 including the modular jack 31 having the port 32 into which the modular plug 20 is inserted. The pull-out prevention structure 1 includes a locking portion 40 that supports the modular plug 20. The pull-out prevention structure 1 includes a tension spring 50 that engages with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40 and pulls the modular plug 20 via the locking portion 40 in the direction of insertion into the port 32 of the modular jack 31.

[0038] The manufacturing method of the pull-out prevention structure 1 according to this embodiment also includes a step of inserting the modular plug 20 provided at the end of the LAN cable 10 into the port 32 of the modular jack 31 included in the connection device 30. The manufacturing method of the pull-out prevention structure 1 also includes a step of engaging the tension spring 50 with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40. In the pull-out prevention structure 1, the modular plug 20 is supported by the locking portion 40, and thereby the modular plug 20 is pulled via the locking portion 40 in the direction in which it is inserted into the port 32 of the modular jack 31.

[0039] According to the pull-out prevention structure 1 and its manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the tension spring 50 engages with the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40, so that the connection device 30 and the locking portion 40 are pulled together. In addition, the locking portion 40 supports the modular plug 20. Therefore, the tension spring 50 pulls the locking portion 40 in a direction in which the modular plug 20 is inserted into the port 32 of the modular jack 31 via the locking portion 40.

[0040] Therefore, for example, when the modular plug 20 vibrates while the vehicle is running or when the modular plug 20 deteriorates and breaks due to temperature changes, it is possible to prevent the modular plug 20 from falling off. Therefore, the anti-disconnection structure 1 according to this embodiment can ensure connection with an electronic device and improve the connection reliability between the modular plug 20 and the modular jack 31.

[0041] The tension spring 50 may include a coil 51, and a first hook 52 and a second hook 53 provided at both ends of the coil 51. The connection device 30 may include a housing 33, and the housing 33 may have a first engagement portion 34 with which the first hook 52 is engaged. The lock portion 40 may have a second engagement portion 42 with which the second hook 53 is engaged. The first engagement portion 34 and the second engagement portion 42 may be through holes. Even with this configuration, the modular plug 20 can be easily prevented from coming off the modular jack 31. Therefore, the first hook 52 and the second hook 53 of the tension spring 50 can be engaged with the through holes with a simple structure.

[0042] The locking portion 40 may include a metal plate-like member 41, and the periphery of the LAN cable 10 may be surrounded by the plate-like member 41. The plate-like member 41 may be detachable from the LAN cable 10. With this configuration, the locking portion 40 can be easily attached to and detached from the LAN cable 10. Therefore, the connection reliability between the modular plug 20 and the modular jack 31 can be easily improved.

[0043] In this embodiment, the locking portion 40 supports the pull-out surface of the modular plug 20, thereby pulling the modular plug 20 through the locking portion 40 in the direction of insertion into the port 32 of the modular jack 31. In this embodiment, the locking portion 40 is pulled by the tension spring 50 and is in contact with the modular plug 20, but the locking portion 40 is not joined to the modular plug 20. However, when the tension spring 50 is engaged with the locking portion 40, a force acting to insert the modular plug 20 into the port 32 acts on the modular plug 20. Therefore, the locking portion 40 may support the modular plug 20 by joining to the modular plug 20. In addition, the locking portion 40 is provided so as to surround the LAN cable 10, but as long as the locking portion 40 is joined to the modular plug 20, the modular plug 20 can be supported. Therefore, the locking portion 40 does not need to surround the LAN cable 10.

[0044] [Second embodiment] Next, the fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the locking portion 40. Also, the fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the first embodiment in the position where the tension spring 50 is connected. Other than these points, the fall-off prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Regarding the locking portion 40, in the slip-out prevention structure 1 according to the first embodiment, the plate-shaped member 41 is bent at four locations and the end faces of the plate-shaped member 41 are opposed to each other to form the locking portion 40. On the other hand, in the slip-out prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment, the plate-shaped member 41 is bent at four locations as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Then, the locking portion 40 is formed by making the outer surface of the plate at the first end, which is one end in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped member 41, face the inner surface of the plate at the second end, which is the other end.

[0046] In the pull-out prevention structure 1 according to the second embodiment, the first hook 52 of the tension spring 50 is engaged with the first engagement portion 34 provided on the upper surface of the housing 33. The second hook 53 of the tension spring 50 is engaged with the second engagement portion 42 provided on the upper side of the lock portion 40. With this configuration as well, it is possible to easily improve the connection reliability between the modular plug 20 and the modular jack 31, as in the first embodiment.

[0047] The fall-off prevention structure 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used in places where vibrations and temperature changes occur, such as in vehicles.

[0048] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Anti-disconnection structure 10 LAN cable 20 Modular Plug 30 Connection Device 31 Modular Jack 32 Ports 33 Case 34 First engagement portion 40 Rock Section 41 Plate-shaped members 42 Second engagement portion 50 Tension spring 51 Coil 52 First Hook 53 2nd Hook

Claims

1. A LAN cable, a modular plug provided at an end of the LAN cable; a connection device including a modular jack having a port into which the modular plug is inserted; a locking portion for supporting the modular plug; a tension spring that engages with the connecting device and the locking portion and pulls the modular plug via the locking portion in a direction for insertion into the port of the modular jack; Equipped with a structure to prevent slipping out.

2. The tension spring includes a coil and a first hook and a second hook provided at both ends of the coil, the connection device includes a housing having a first engagement portion with which the first hook is engaged; the locking portion has a second engaging portion with which the second hook is engaged, The pull-out prevention structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are through holes.

3. 3. The pull-out prevention structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion includes a metal plate-like member, the LAN cable is surrounded by the plate-like member, and the plate-like member is detachable from the LAN cable.

4. A method for manufacturing a slip-out prevention structure, comprising the steps of: A step of inserting a modular plug provided at an end of a LAN cable into a port of a modular jack included in a connection device; engaging a tension spring with the connecting device and a locking portion; Including, In the method for manufacturing the pull-out prevention structure, the modular plug is supported by the locking portion, and the modular plug is pulled via the locking portion in a direction in which the modular plug is inserted into the port of the modular jack.

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