Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector suggesting a novel design guideline and comprising a novel structure based thereon while conforming to the D-sub standard.SOLUTION: A main structure 20 of a connector 10 comprises a connector body 22 and a flange part 24. The flange part 24 is formed in a flat plate shape and encloses the connector body 22. A pair of holes 241 is formed in the flange part 24. In a lateral direction, a fitting part 22F of the connector body 22 is positioned between the holes 241. A housing 30 of the connector 10 comprises a base part 32, a lid part 36, and fixing parts 345 and 383. The base part 32 and the lid part 36 are combined with each other in a vertical direction, partially store and hold the main structure 20. The base part 32 and the lid part 36 are fixed to each other at two predetermined positions by the fixing parts 345 and 383. The predetermined positions are respectively overlapped with the holes 241 in the lateral direction and respectively positioned behind the holes 241 in a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a connector that complies with D-sub standards (DIN41652, MIL-DTL-24308, IEC-807-3).

[0003] As shown in FIG. 16, the connector 90 of Patent Document 1 is provided with a pair of locking screws 92 for locking the mating with a mating connector (not shown). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-40552 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there have been proposals to add another locking mechanism to connectors that already have a locking screw. In such cases, it is expected that there will be cases where the locking screw can be omitted without causing any problems, depending on the usage situation.

[0006] The present invention aims to propose new design guidelines while complying with the D-sub standard, and to provide a connector with a new structure based on those guidelines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] If the locking screw is omitted from a connector that complies with the D-sub standard, the space for the locking screw becomes dead space. Therefore, it is desirable to make effective use of the space for the locking screw so that dead space does not occur. Therefore, the present invention utilizes the space created by omitting the locking screw to secure the base and lid.

[0008] The present invention provides a first connector that mates with a mating connector along the front-rear direction, The connector includes a main structure and a housing, The main structure includes a connector body and a flange portion, The connector body includes a plurality of terminals, a front portion of the connector body forming a fitting portion; the flange portion has a flat plate shape extending from the connector body in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and surrounding the connector body, the flange portion is located rearward of the fitting portion in the front-rear direction, The flange portion has a pair of holes formed therein, the fitting portion is located between the holes in a lateral direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The housing includes a base, a lid, and a fixing portion; the base portion and the lid portion are combined with each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the lateral direction, and partially accommodate and hold the main structure, the base and the lid are fixed to each other at two predetermined positions by the fixing portions, The predetermined positions overlap with the holes in the lateral direction and are located rearward of the holes in the front-rear direction. Provide a connector.

[0009] The present invention also provides a first connector as the second connector, The fixing portion comprises a locking portion and a locked portion, the locking portion is provided on one of the base portion and the lid portion, The locked portion is provided on the other of the base portion and the cover portion. Provide a connector.

[0010] The present invention also provides a third connector, which is the first connector, Compliant with D-sub standards Provide a connector.

[0011] The present invention also provides a fourth connector, which is the first connector, the mating connector has a pair of hooked portions, The connector further includes a pair of hook members, The hook member is held by the housing, When the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, the hook members are hooked onto the hooked portions, thereby maintaining the mated state. Provide a connector.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a fifth connector, which is the first connector, The main structure is movable in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Provide a connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a connector in which the space created by omitting the locking screw is utilized to fix the base and the cover. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention and a mating connector that can be mated with the connector, the connector and the mating connector being in a separated state; [Figure 2]2 is another perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. 1 in a mated state. [Figure 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1. The main structure of the connector is attached to the base of the housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main structure included in the connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing the primary structure of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view showing a base portion of a housing included in the connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a plan view showing the base of Figure 6. One hook portion of two hook members held by the base is in the hooked position, and the other hook portion of the other hook member is in the non-hooked position. [Figure 8] 4 is a perspective view showing a lid portion of a housing included in the connector of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the base and main structure of the housing included in the connector of FIG. 3. One hook portion of two hook members held by the base is in a hook position, and the other hook portion of the other hook member is in a non-hook position. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 11 and a mating connector. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the connector of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another modified example of the connector of FIG. 1 together with a mating connector. [Figure 15] 15 is another perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector described in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 1 and 2, a connector 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connector that can be mated with a mating connector 50 along the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction is the Y direction. The -Y direction is the front, and the +Y direction is the rear. The connector 10 and the mating connector 50 comply with D-sub standards (DIN41652, MIL-DTL-24308, IEC-807-3). In this embodiment, the connector 10 is a plug connector, and the mating connector 50 is a receptacle connector.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, the connector 10 of this embodiment includes a main structure 20 and a housing 30.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main structure 20 of the connector 10 includes a connector body 22 and a flange portion 24.

[0018] 4 and 5, connector body 22 includes a plurality of terminals 221 and a holding portion 223 that holds terminals 221. Terminals 221 are made of metal, and holding portion 223 is made of insulating resin. In this embodiment, terminals 221 are pin terminals.

[0019] As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the connector body 22 includes a shell 225 that surrounds the periphery of the holding portion 223 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the shell 225 includes a front shell 225F and a rear shell 225R. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The connector body 22 does not necessarily have to include the shell 225. However, in order to protect the terminals 221, it is preferable that the connector body 22 include at least the front shell 225F.

[0020] 4, the connector main body 22 has a front portion 22F that protrudes forward beyond the flange portion 24. The front portion 22F of the connector main body 22 forms a mating portion 22F that mates with the mating connector 50. The flange portion 24 is located rearward of the mating portion 22F in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 , the flange portion 24 has a rectangular flat plate shape extending from the connector body 22 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The flange portion 24 surrounds the connector body 22 in the plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the flange portion 24 is composed of a front flange portion 24F and a rear flange portion 24R. The front flange portion 24F and the rear flange portion 24R are joined to each other. In this embodiment, the front flange portion 24F is formed integrally with the front shell 225F using a single metal plate, and the rear flange portion 24R is formed integrally with the rear shell 225R using another single metal plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The flange portion 24 may be composed of a single metal plate. The flange portion 24 may also be formed integrally with the holding portion 223 of the connector body 22 using insulating resin.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of holes 241 are formed in the flange portion 24. The holes 241 conform to the D-sub standard. The holes 241 penetrate the flange portion 24 in the front-to-rear direction. The holes 241 are located outside the connector main body 22 in the lateral direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the fitting portion 22F of the connector main body 22 is located between the holes 241 in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the lateral direction is the X direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the housing 30 includes a base 32 and a lid 36. The base 32 and the lid 36 are fitted together in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-rear and lateral directions, and partially house and hold the primary structure 20. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. The housing 30 further includes a fixing portion that fixes the base 32 and the lid 36 to each other. The fixing portion will be described later.

[0024] 6 and 7, the base 32 of the housing 30 has a lower accommodating portion 321 that partially accommodates the connector main body 22. A first fixing portion 34 is provided outside the lower accommodating portion 321 in the lateral direction. The first fixing portion 34 is located relatively forward of the base 32 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the first fixing portion 34 is located forward of the center of the base 32 in the front-rear direction. Each first fixing portion 34 has a wall portion 343 that defines an upwardly open receiving portion 341 and a locking protrusion (locking portion) 345 that protrudes from the wall portion 343 into the receiving portion 341. The locking protrusion 345 protrudes inward in the lateral direction and has a locking surface (not shown) that faces downward in the vertical direction. The locking protrusion 345 is located above the locking surface in the vertical direction and has a tapered portion 347 that protrudes more downward. The locking projections 345 are each located at a predetermined position, which will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a groove 325 extending laterally and recessed downward in the up-down direction is formed in the bottom plate 323 of the base 32 of the housing 30. The bottom plate 323 of the base 32 is also provided with at least one front restricting portion 327 located in front of the groove 325 and at least one rear restricting portion 329 located behind the groove 325. The front restricting portion 327 is a protrusion that protrudes upward in the up-down direction. The rear restricting portion 329 is a wall surface that extends upward and is continuous with the inner wall of the groove 325. In this embodiment, there are two front restricting portions 327 and two rear restricting portions 329. In this embodiment, the front restricting portions 327 correspond to the respective rear restricting portions 329 and the respective first fixing portions 34. The rear restricting portions 329 corresponding to the respective front restricting portions 327 and the corresponding first fixing portions 34 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 3 , the groove 325 of the base 32 partially receives the flange portion 24. The size of the groove 325 is set so that the primary structure 20 held in the housing 30 can move within an allowable range in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction relative to the housing 30. The allowable range is set so as to absorb misalignment between the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated. The front and rear restricting portions 327 and 329 restrict forward and rearward movement of the flange portion 24 so that the primary structure 20 does not fall off the housing 30 even if the flange portion 24 comes out of the groove 325. The size of the groove 325 and the number and size of the front and rear restricting portions 327 and the rear restricting portions 329 are not particularly limited as long as they allow movement of the primary structure 20 and prevent it from falling off the housing 30.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 8 , the lid portion 36 of the housing 30 has an upper accommodating portion 361 that partially accommodates the connector main body 22. Second fixing portions 38 are provided on the outer side of the upper accommodating portion 361 in the lateral direction. The second fixing portions 38 are located at positions corresponding to the first fixing portions 34. That is, the second fixing portions 38 are located relatively forward of the lid portion 36 in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the second fixing portions 38 are located forward of the center of the lid portion 36 in the front-to-rear direction. The second fixing portion 38 has a rectangular flat plate shape and extends in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction. The second fixing portion 38 has an opening 381 that penetrates the second fixing portion 38 in the lateral direction and extends in the vertical direction. The opening 381 has a size that allows the locking protrusion 345 of the first fixing portion 34 to be received therein. The second fixing portion 38 is elastically deformable. Due to the elastic deformation of the second fixing portion 38, its tip portion (locked portion) 383 can move at least in the lateral direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8 , a groove 365 extending laterally and recessed upward in the up-down direction is formed in the top plate 363 of the lid portion 36 of the housing 30. The top plate 363 of the lid portion 36 is also provided with at least one front restricting portion 367 located in front of the groove 365 and at least one rear restricting portion 369 located behind the groove 365. The front restricting portion 367 is a protrusion that protrudes downward in the up-down direction. The rear restricting portion 369 is a wall surface that extends downward and is continuous with the inner wall of the groove 365. In this embodiment, there are two front restricting portions 367 and two rear restricting portions 369. In this embodiment, the front restricting portions 367 correspond to the respective rear restricting portions 369 and the respective second fixing portions 38. The rear restricting portions 369 corresponding to the respective front restricting portions 367 and the corresponding second fixing portions 38 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] 3 and 8 , the groove 365 of the lid 36 partially receives the flange 24, similar to the groove 325 of the base 32. The size of the groove 365 of the lid 36, similar to the size of the groove 325 of the base 32, is set so that the primary structure 20 can move relative to the housing 30 within an allowable range in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. Similar to the front and rear restricting portions 367 and 369 of the base 32, the front and rear restricting portions 367 and 369 restrict the forward and rearward movement of the flange 24 so that the primary structure 20 will not fall off the housing 30 even if the flange 24 comes out of the groove 365. The size of the groove 365 and the number and size of the front and rear restricting portions 367 and 369 are not particularly limited as long as they allow movement of the primary structure 20 and prevent it from falling off the housing 30.

[0030] As can be seen from FIG. 3 , the first fixing portion 34 of the base 32 and the second fixing portion 38 of the lid 36 correspond to each other. When the base 32 and the lid 36 are assembled, the second fixing portion 38 is inserted into the corresponding receiving portion 341 of the first fixing portion 34. Then, the tip end portion (locked portion) 383 of the second fixing portion 38 rides up onto the tapered portion 347 of the locking protrusion 345, and the second fixing portion 38 is elastically deformed. When the tip end portion 383 of the second fixing portion 38 rides over the locking protrusion 345, the restoring force of the second fixing portion 38 positions the tip end portion 383 below the locking protrusion 345. At this time, the locking protrusion 345 is partially positioned within the opening 381 of the second fixing portion 38. As a result, the locking surface (not shown) of the locking protrusion 345 restricts the upward movement of the tip end portion 383 of the second fixing portion 38. Thus, the locking projection 345 and the tip 383 of the second fixing portion 38 function as the locking portion 345 and the locked portion 383 that constitute the fixing portion that fixes the base 32 and the lid 36 to each other. Thus, the base 32 and the lid 36 are fixed to each other at two predetermined positions by the fixing portion consisting of the locking portion 345 and the locked portion 383. Because the predetermined positions are located relatively forward of the housing 30 in the front-to-rear direction, the base 32 and the lid 36 are fixed by the fixing portion relatively forward of the connector 10. This prevents the housing 30 from opening when a twisting force is applied to the mating portion 22F, such as when mating the connector 10 with the mating connector 50. Additionally, in this embodiment, the base 32 and the lid 36 are also fixed to each other by an additional fixing portion 42 consisting of a screw and a nut (not shown). The additional fixing portion 42 is located relatively rearward of the connector 10 in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the additional fixing portion 42 is located rearward of the center of the connector 10 in the front-to-rear direction, which prevents the housing 30 from opening when force is applied to a cable (not shown) connected to the connector 10.

[0031] As described above, the locking projection 345 is located at a predetermined position. The predetermined position corresponds to the hole 241 of the flange portion 24. Referring to FIG. 9, when the connector 10 is viewed from the front, a portion of the wall portion 343 of the first fixing portion 34 can be seen through the hole 241 of the flange portion 24. In other words, the position of the first fixing portion 34 overlaps with positions P1 and P2 of the hole 241 in the lateral direction, and is located behind the hole 241 in the front-rear direction. In this way, the first fixing portion 34 is located at a position where a locking screw would be provided in a conventional connector.

[0032] 10, the position of the locking protrusion (locking portion) 345 overlaps with positions P1 and P2 of the hole 241 in the lateral direction. Furthermore, the position of the locking protrusion 345 is located behind position P3 of the hole 241 in the front-rear direction. The same is true for the position of the tip end portion (locked portion) 383 of the second fixing portion 38 corresponding to the locking protrusion 345. In this way, the predetermined positions at which the locking protrusion 345 and the tip end portion 383 of the second fixing portion 38 that constitute the fixing portion are provided overlap with the hole 241 of the flange portion 24 in the lateral direction and are located behind the hole 241 in the front-rear direction.

[0033] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, connector 10 further includes a pair of hook members 40. Each of hook members 40 has an operating portion 401 at one end and a hook portion 403 at the other end. In this embodiment, each of hook members 40 has two hook portions 403.

[0034] As can be seen from Figure 7, the hook members 40 are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction and are located near the ends of the housing 30. The hook members 40 are held by the base 32 and the cover 36, i.e., by the housing 30, so as to be able to perform a seesaw motion. In each of the hook members 40, the operating portion 401 is exposed to the outside of the housing 30. By operating the operating portion 401, the hook portion 403 can be moved from the hook position to the non-hook position. Each of the hook members 40 has a spring portion, and the hook portion 403 is in the hook position when not subjected to an external force.

[0035] 3, the first fixing portion 34, the second fixing portion 38, and the hole 241 are located between the hook members 40 in the horizontal direction. In other words, the hook members 40 are located outside the first fixing portion 34, the second fixing portion 38, and the hole 241 in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the first fixing portion 34 and the second fixing portion 38 are disposed in the space created by omitting the locking screw (see FIG. 16). Therefore, even if the hook members 40 are provided near both ends of the housing 30, an increase in the size of the housing 30 can be avoided or suppressed.

[0036] 11 and 12, the mating connector 50 includes a mating connector main body 52, a mating flange portion 54, and a pair of hook blocks 56. The hook blocks 56 are located laterally outward of the mating connector main body 52. ​​A hooked portion 561 is provided on each of the hook blocks 56 on its outer lateral side. The hooked portion 561 is a recess that is recessed inward in the lateral direction. In this way, the mating connector 50 has a pair of hooked portions 561.

[0037] 2, when connector 10 and mating connector 50 are in a mated state, hook portions 403 of hook member 40 are respectively hooked onto hooked portions 561, thereby maintaining the mated state between connector 10 and mating connector 50. By operating operating portion 401, hook portions 403 of hook member 40 can be removed from hooked portions 561, and the mated state between connector 10 and mating connector 50 can be released.

[0038] As described above, in connector 10 of this embodiment, the space created by omitting the locking screw is provided with locking portion 345 and locked portion 383, which are used to secure base 32 and lid 36. This makes it possible to obtain connector 10 that conforms to the D-sub standard and effectively utilizes the space created by omitting the locking screw.

[0039] The present invention has been described above by presenting an embodiment thereof, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0040] For example, in the above embodiment, the locking portion 345 is provided on the base 32 and the locked portion 383 is provided on the lid portion 36, but the locking portion 345 may be provided on the lid portion 36 and the locked portion 383 may be provided on the base 32. In other words, in the present invention, it is sufficient that the locking portion 345 is provided on one of the base 32 and the lid portion 36 and the locked portion 383 is provided on the other of the base 32 and the lid portion 36.

[0041] As an example, in the above embodiment, the first fixing portion 34 is provided on the base portion 32 and the second fixing portion 38 is provided on the lid portion 36, but the first fixing portion 34 may be provided on the lid portion 36 and the second fixing portion 38 may be provided on the base portion 32.

[0042] As another example, in the above embodiment, locking protrusion 345 is provided on wall portion 343 of first fixed portion 34, but locking protrusion 345 may be provided on tip portion 383 of second fixed portion 38. In this case, a recess corresponding to locking protrusion 345 is provided on wall portion 343 of first fixed portion 34. Also, in this case, opening 381 of second fixed portion 38 is not necessary.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fixing portion is composed of the locking portion 345 and the locked portion 383, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the connector 10A shown in FIG. 13, the fixing portion may be composed of a screw 44 and a nut (not shown). In this case, too, the screw 44 and the nut overlap with the hole 241 in the lateral direction and are located behind the hole 241 in the front-to-rear direction. In this way, the base 32 and the lid 36 are fixed to each other at two predetermined positions by the fixing portion.

[0044] Furthermore, although the connector 10 in the above embodiment is a plug connector, the connector of the present invention may also be a receptacle connector. For example, a connector 10B shown in Figures 14 and 15 includes a main structure 20B having socket terminals. The connector 10B can be mated in the front-to-rear direction with a mating connector 50B having pin terminals.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the hook member 40 is separate from the housing 30, but a hook body portion instead of the hook member 40 may be formed integrally with at least one of the base portion 32 and the lid portion 36 of the housing 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10, 10A, 10B Connectors 20, 20B main structure 22 Connector body 22F Front part (fitting part) 221 terminal 223 Holding part 225 shells 225F front shell 225R rear shell 24 flange 24F Front flange 24R rear flange 241 holes 30 Housing 32 Base 321 Lower storage section 323 Bottom plate 325 Groove 327 Front regulation part 329 Rear regulation part 34 1st fixed part 341 Receiving 343 Wall 345 Locking protrusion (locking part) 347 Tapered section 36 Lid 361 Upper storage section 363 Top Plate 365 Groove 367 Front regulation part 369 Rear regulation part 38 Second fixed part 381 Opening 383 Tip part (locked part) 40 Hook member 401 Operation section 403 Hook part 42 Additional fixing parts 44 screws 50 Mating connector 52 Mating connector body 54 Counterpart flange 56 Hook Block 561 Hooked part

Claims

1. A connector that mates with a mating connector along the front-rear direction, The connector includes a main structure and a housing, The main structure includes a connector body and a flange portion, The connector body includes a plurality of terminals, a front portion of the connector body forming a fitting portion; the flange portion has a flat plate shape extending from the connector body in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and surrounding the connector body, the flange portion is located rearward of the fitting portion in the front-rear direction, The flange portion has a pair of holes formed therein, the fitting portion is located between the holes in a lateral direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, The housing includes a base, a lid, and a fixing portion; the base portion and the lid portion are combined with each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the lateral direction, and partially accommodate and hold the main structure, the base and the lid are fixed to each other at two predetermined positions by the fixing portions, The predetermined positions overlap with the holes in the lateral direction and are located rearward of the holes in the front-rear direction. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The fixing portion comprises a locking portion and a locked portion, the locking portion is provided on one of the base portion and the lid portion, The locked portion is provided on the other of the base portion and the cover portion. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, Compliant with D-sub standards connector.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, the mating connector has a pair of hooked portions, The connector further includes a pair of hook members, The hook member is held by the housing, When the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, the hook members are hooked onto the hooked portions, thereby maintaining the mated state. connector.

5. 2. The connector of claim 1, The main structure is movable in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. connector.

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