Spring connector

Abstract

To provide a spring connector capable of suppressing occurrence of discontinuous conduction due to vibration or impact.SOLUTION: A spring connector includes a tube, a contact pin having a tip portion protruding from an opening of the tube, and a spring that biases the contact pin in a protruding direction, wherein the tube has a through hole on an outer periphery thereof, the through hole exposing a part of the contact pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to the protruding direction of the tube, and an elastic member that presses an exposed portion of the contact pin exposed from the through hole in the substantially perpendicular direction is attached to the outer periphery of the tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventional spring connectors are known to be composed of three components: a contact pin, a tube, and a spring. In this case, the current conduction path is from the tip of the contact pin → the contact pin entry tube (the part inside the tube) → the inner surface of the tube hole → the rear end of the tube. In order to stabilize the contact resistance, it is necessary to ensure contact pressure between the side of the contact pin entry tube and the inner surface of the tube hole. Conventionally, the structure that generates this contact pressure has been a diagonally cut surface on the rear end of the contact pin, which is applied axially by a spring, generating a force toward the side of the contact pin, i.e., lateral pressure.

[0003] The above structure can experience discontinuous conduction due to vibration or impact. This occurs because vibration or impact momentarily weakens the contact pressure, causing the contact pin and tube to separate, a phenomenon known as internal contact separation. Therefore, the challenge was to develop a structure that would maintain contact pressure even when subjected to stronger vibration or impact, i.e., a constant connection structure.

[0004] Furthermore, in this conventional structure, the spring pressure changes depending on the spring design and the amount of contact pin depression, making it impossible to maintain a constant contact pressure and making it difficult to design the spring pressure and contact pressure independently.

[0005] In addition, there is a structure in which a thin flat spring is added to generate contact pressure by clamping the contact pin entry tube portion, as in Patent Document 1 below, but when this structure is applied to a spring connector with a tube, the diameter of the tube becomes large. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-88040 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Conventional spring connectors can sometimes experience discontinuous electrical continuity due to vibration or impact.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a spring connector that can be used in special environments where vibration or shock occurs by suppressing the occurrence of discontinuous conduction due to vibration or shock. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a spring connector, Tube and a contact pin whose tip protrudes from the opening of the tube; a spring that biases the contact pin in a protruding direction, the tube has a through-hole on its outer periphery that exposes a portion of the contact pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to the protruding direction of the tube; An elastic member is attached to the outer periphery of the tube, and presses the exposed portion of the contact pin exposed from the through hole in the substantially perpendicular direction.

[0010] According to the above aspects of the present invention, a spring connector can be realized that can suppress the occurrence of discontinuous conduction due to vibration or impact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the spring connector 1, in which the annular elastic body is not shown. FIG. [Figure 3]1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a tube that is a component of the spring connector 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the spring connector 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spring connector 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1E according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1F according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1G according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1H according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1I according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1J according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1K according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention [Figure 18] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1L according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention [Figure 19] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1M according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1N according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spring connector 10 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment 1) A spring connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 to 6. As shown in these figures, the spring connector 1 includes a conductive contact pin 10, a conductive tube 20 that slidably houses the contact pin 10, a coil spring 30 that is disposed within the tube 20 and biases the contact pin 10 in a direction that causes it to protrude from the tube 20, and an annular elastic body 40 that serves as an elastic member that presses the contact pin 10 laterally. Here, the left direction when viewing Figure 1 from the front is defined as the front end direction of the spring connector 1, and the right direction is defined as the rear end direction.

[0013] The conductive contact pin 10 is cylindrical and has a large diameter portion 11 that can slide within the large diameter surface 21a of the tube 20, and a small diameter portion 12 that can protrude from the tube 20. The contact pin 10 is made of, for example, a copper alloy with a metal plating layer such as Au plating applied to the surface. The tip of the contact pin 10 is, for example, hemispherical and forms one of the contact points of the spring connector 1. The contact pin 10 has a blind hole 13 that opens to the rear end surface, into which the tip side of the coil spring 30 fits. In other words, a part of the tip side of the coil spring 30 is located inside the blind hole 13.

[0014] The conductive tube 20 (see Figure 3) has a divided structure, and has an inner tube portion 21 as a first tube portion and an outer tube portion 25 as a second tube portion, and the two are integrated by press-fitting when assembling the spring connector 1.

[0015] The inner tube portion 21 is conductive and has an open bottom, i.e., a through structure with openings at both ends. The inner circumferential surface of the inner tube portion 21 has a large diameter surface 21a and a small diameter surface 21b. The large diameter surface 21a slidably accommodates the large diameter portion 11 of the conductive contact pin 10 and also accommodates the coil spring 30. The small diameter surface 21b is located at the tip of the inner tube portion 21 and prevents the conductive contact pin 10 from slipping out. In other words, the small diameter surface 21b has a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 11 of the contact pin 10 and larger than that of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, and slidably supports the small diameter portion 12. The contact pin 10 is prevented from slipping out of the inner tube portion 21 by the boundary between the large diameter portion 11 and the small diameter portion 12 (the tapered step portion) abutting the rear end of the inner tube portion 21 relative to the small diameter surface 21b. The outer shape of the inner tube portion 21 has, in order from the tip side, a small diameter portion 22a, an intermediate diameter portion 22b, a large diameter portion 22c, and an insertion portion 22d. The small diameter portion 22a is the portion through which the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10 passes, and its inner periphery forms a small diameter surface 21b. The intermediate diameter portion 22b has an outer diameter intermediate between the small diameter portion 22a and the large diameter portion 22c, and the large diameter portion 22c has an outer diameter suitable for press-fitting into a mating housing or the like. The small diameter insertion portion 22d is the portion that enters the inside of the outer tube portion 25 during press-fitting.

[0016] The outer tube portion 25 is conductive and has a bottomed hole portion 26 that accommodates the rear portion of the inner tube portion 21. The hole portion 26 has an inner circumferential surface 26a and a bottom surface 26b, and the bottom surface 26b has a substantially planar shape (substantially flat shape) that is perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface 26a. The rear end surface 27 of the outer tube portion 25 is also substantially planar and forms a pad that serves as the other contact point of the spring connector 1 and is capable of contacting a mating contact point.

[0017] The outer peripheral surface of insertion portion 22d of inner tube portion 21 has an outer diameter that allows it to be press-fitted into inner peripheral surface 26a of outer tube portion 25. Insertion portion 22d of inner tube portion 21 generates a required holding force to maintain the connection between inner tube portion 21 and outer tube portion 25 after being press-fitted into hole 26 of outer tube portion 25.

[0018] Coil spring 30 is made by forming a common metal wire such as piano wire or stainless steel wire into a coil shape, and most of it, including the tip, is a small diameter section 31, with the rear end being a large diameter section 32 for stabilizing its position. The tip of small diameter section 31 enters and abuts against the bottom of bottomed hole 13 of contact pin 10, and the rear end of coil spring 30, i.e., the rear end of large diameter section 32, abuts against bottom surface 26b of hole 26 in outer tube section 25, thereby causing coil spring 30 to urge contact pin 10 in the protruding direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the inner tube portion 21 has a lateral groove 23 on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 22a, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20. The depth of the lateral groove 23 is formed greater than the thickness of the small diameter portion 22a, so that a through hole 24 is formed in the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23. In this case, the exposed portion 12a, which is a part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10 exposed from the through hole 24, has a portion that is higher than the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23. In other words, as can be seen from FIG. 4, it has a portion (exposed portion 12a) that protrudes from the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23.

[0020] The annular elastic body 40 is made of elastic resin such as elastic rubber that is flexible to stretch, and for example, a standard O-ring can be used. The annular elastic body 40 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 22a so that a portion of it fits into and engages with the lateral groove 23. As shown in Figure 4, the annular elastic body 40 goes around the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 22a and presses the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 exposed from the through hole 24 sideways, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (towards the center of the tube 20 in Figure 4), thereby generating lateral pressure (contact pressure).

[0021] In assembling the spring connector 1, the large diameter portion 11 of the contact pin 10 and the coil spring 30 are placed inside the inner tube portion 21, then the insertion portion 22d at the rear side of the inner tube portion 21 is pressed into the hole portion 26 of the outer tube portion 25, the inner tube portion 21 and the outer tube portion 25 are integrated to form the tube 20, and the annular elastic body 40 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 22a to complete the spring connector 1.

[0022] The current conduction path in the spring connector 1 is from the tip of the contact pin 10 → the inlet tube portion of the contact pin 10 (the portion inside the inner tube portion 21) → the inner surface of the inner tube portion 21 → the small-diameter insertion portion 22d of the inner tube portion 21 → the inner circumferential surface 26a of the hole 26 of the outer tube portion 25 → to the rear end of the outer tube portion 25. In this case, the annular elastic body 40 constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small-diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (for example, toward the center of the tube), so that the inlet tube portion of the contact pin 10 and the inner surface of the inner tube portion 21 come into contact with a sufficiently large contact pressure (line contact is possible between the two).

[0023] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0024] (1) In the spring connector 1, the inner tube portion 21 has a through hole 24 on its outer periphery that exposes the contact pin 10, and the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 exposed from the through hole 24 is constantly pressed laterally by the annular elastic body 40 serving as an elastic member, so that the contact portion of the contact pin 10 can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the inner tube portion 21 with a sufficiently large and stable contact pressure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of discontinuous conduction due to vibration or impact, and a spring connector 1 with low contact resistance and high stability and reliability can be realized.

[0025] (2) The contact pressure between the inlet tube portion of the contact pin 10 and the inner surface of the inner tube portion 21 depends only on the elasticity of the annular elastic body 40, so the contact pressure can be kept constant regardless of the elastic force design of the coil spring 30 or fluctuations in spring pressure due to the amount of depression of the contact pin 10. In addition, the contact pressure design can be made independent of the spring design, so the contact pressure can be stabilized even when applied to a variety of models, and resistance to vibration and short-term interruptions can be ensured.

[0026] (3) The inner tube portion 21 has a lateral groove 23 on its outer periphery that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20, and a through hole 24 is formed in the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23. Therefore, the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 that is exposed from the through hole 24 has a portion that is higher than the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23, i.e., a protruding portion. Therefore, a special shape is not required as the elastic member, and a general, stretchable, annular elastic body 40 that can tighten the outer periphery of the inner tube portion 21 can be used. For example, a standard O-ring can be used, which is inexpensive.

[0027] (4) The annular elastic body 40 goes around the outer periphery of the inner tube portion 21 so as to fit into the lateral groove 23 of the inner tube portion 21, and therefore will not come off the inner tube portion 21 under normal use conditions. Furthermore, fitting the annular elastic body 40 into the lateral groove 23 prevents the annular elastic body 40 from shifting position. Furthermore, it is possible to stabilize the pressing force that presses the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 laterally.

[0028] (5) The tube 20 is configured by press-fitting together the inner tube portion 21 as a bottomless first tube portion and the outer tube portion 25 as a bottomed second tube portion connected to the base end side (small-diameter insertion portion 22d) of the inner tube portion 21, and a structure for preventing the contact pin 10 from coming out can be formed in advance in the inner tube portion 21. This eliminates the need for crimping after the contact pin 10 is assembled, and eliminates the need for the inner tube portion 21 to have a thin-walled portion for crimping. As a result, the inner tube portion 21 can be made to have only a thick-walled portion that is strong enough to withstand deformation due to external forces even when the lateral groove 23 for fitting the annular elastic body 40 is formed, and the entire spring connector can be shortened.

[0029] (Embodiment 2) 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1A uses an annular elastic body 40A having a cross-section different from that of the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. In other words, the cross-section of the annular elastic body 40A in the spring connector 1A is substantially rectangular with rounded corners. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0030] (Embodiment 3) 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1B uses an annular elastic body 40B having a cross section different from the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. In other words, the cross section of the annular elastic body 40B in the spring connector 1B is oval. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0031] (Embodiment 4) 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1C uses an annular elastic body 40C having a cross section different from the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the cross section of the annular elastic body 40C in the spring connector 1C is substantially rectangular with the side facing the inner tube portion 21 formed in an arc shape. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0032] (Embodiment 5) 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1D uses an annular elastic body 40D having a cross section different from that of the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the cross section of the annular elastic body 40D in the spring connector 1D is substantially rectangular in shape, with a narrow convex portion formed on the side facing the inner tube portion 21. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0033] (Embodiment 6) 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a spring connector 1E according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1E uses a circular elastic body 40E having a cross section different from that of the circular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the cross section of the circular elastic body 40E in the spring connector 1E is a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners and recessed centers on each side. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0034] (Embodiment 7) 12 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1F according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1F uses an annular elastic body 40F having a different annular shape from the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the annular shape of the annular elastic body 40F in the spring connector 1F is a substantially triangular shape with rounded corners. In this case, the annular elastic body 40F is made of an elastic metal, an elastic resin, or the like, and due to its flexibility, the annular elastic body 40F constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0035] (Embodiment 8) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1G according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1G uses an annular elastic body 40G having a different annular shape from the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the annular shape of the annular elastic body 40G in the spring connector 1G is a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. In this case, the annular elastic body 40G is made of an elastic metal, an elastic resin, or the like, and due to its flexibility, the annular elastic body 40G constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0036] (Embodiment 9) 14 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1H according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1H uses an annular elastic body 40H having a different annular shape from the annular elastic body 40 of the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the annular shape of the annular elastic body 40H in the spring connector 1H is a polygonal shape with rounded corners. In this case, the annular elastic body 40H is made of an elastic metal, an elastic resin, or the like, and due to its flexibility, the annular elastic body 40H constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0037] (Embodiment 10) 15 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1I according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. While the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment uses an annular elastic body 40, the spring connector 1I uses a non-annular elastic body 40I as the elastic member. That is, the non-annular elastic body 40I in the spring connector 1I has a linear connecting portion 41 and arc-shaped portions 42 formed on both sides of the linear connecting portion 41. The pair of arc-shaped portions 42 engage with and clamp the outer periphery of the inner tube portion 21, thereby attaching the non-annular elastic body 40I to the inner tube portion 21, and the linear connecting portion 41 engages with (enters) the lateral groove 23 of the inner tube portion 21. The linear connecting portion 41 abuts against the exposed portion 12a, which is a part of the small-diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10. In this case, the non-annular elastic body 40I is made of elastic metal, elastic resin, or the like, and due to its flexibility, the non-annular elastic body 40I constantly presses the exposed portion 12a laterally, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and substantially the same effects are achieved. Furthermore, when the non-annular elastic body 40I is made of metal, there is also the advantage that it can be formed by sheet metal processing of a plate material.

[0038] (Embodiment 11) FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1J according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. While the spring connector 1 of the first embodiment uses an annular elastic body 40, the spring connector 1J uses a non-annular elastic body 40J as the elastic member. Specifically, the non-annular elastic body 40J in the spring connector 1J is substantially U-shaped. When attached, one side of the non-annular elastic body 40J engages (enters) with the lateral groove 23 of the inner tube portion 21, and the other side abuts against the opposite side of the inner tube portion 21 from where the lateral groove 23 is formed. In this case, the non-annular elastic body 40J is made of an elastic metal, elastic resin, or the like, and its flexibility constantly presses the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and substantially the same effects are achieved. Furthermore, if the non-annular elastic body 40J is made of metal, it has the advantage of being able to be formed by sheet metal processing.

[0039] (Embodiment 12) FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1K according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1K uses a non-annular elastic body 40K similar to the annular elastic body 40F, which is a generally triangular shape with rounded corners, of the spring connector 1F of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 12. That is, the non-annular elastic body 40K has a shape in which one apex of the generally triangular shape with rounded corners is cut off and opened. The non-annular elastic body 40K is made of an elastic metal, an elastic resin, or the like. The non-annular elastic body 40K engages with the outer periphery of the contact pin 10, and due to its flexibility, constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the seventh embodiment, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0040] (Embodiment 13) FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1L according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1L uses a non-annular elastic body 40L similar to the annular elastic body 40G, which has a roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners, of the spring connector 1G of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 13. That is, the non-annular elastic body 40L has a shape in which one side of the roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners is cut out to make it discontinuous. The non-annular elastic body 40L is made of an elastic metal, elastic resin, or the like. The non-annular elastic body 40L engages with the outer periphery of the contact pin 10, and due to its flexibility, constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the eighth embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0041] (Embodiment 14) FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1M according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1M uses a non-annular elastic body 40M similar to the annular elastic body 40H, which has a polygonal shape with rounded corners, of the spring connector 1H of the ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 14. That is, the non-annular elastic body 40M has a shape in which one side of the polygonal shape with rounded corners is cut out and opened. The non-annular elastic body 40M is made of an elastic metal, an elastic resin, or the like. The non-annular elastic body 40M engages with the outer periphery of the contact pin 10, and due to its flexibility, constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the ninth embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0042] (Embodiment 15) FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 1N according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 1N uses a non-annular elastic body 40N similar to the annular elastic body 40G, which has a roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners, of the spring connector 1G of the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 13. That is, the non-annular elastic body 40N has a shape with three orthogonal sides, with one side of the roughly rectangular shape with rounded corners removed. The non-annular elastic body 40N is made of an elastic metal, elastic resin, or the like. The non-annular elastic body 40N engages with the outer periphery of the contact pin 10, and due to its flexibility, constantly presses the exposed portion 12a, which is part of the small diameter portion 12 of the contact pin 10, laterally, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube 20 (toward the center of the tube). The other configurations are the same as those of the eighth embodiment described above, and substantially the same functions and effects are achieved.

[0043] (Embodiment 16) 21 is a cross-sectional view of a spring connector 10 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention. The spring connector 10 has contact pins 10A without bottomed holes 13, instead of the contact pins 10 with bottomed holes 13 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, a coil spring 30A with a different diameter than that of the first embodiment is used. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and substantially the same effects are achieved.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0045] In each of the above embodiments, the explanation is based on the premise that the tube 20 has a lateral groove 23 on its outer periphery in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the inner tube portion 21, a component of the tube 20, a through hole 24 formed in the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23, and the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 exposed from the through hole 24 has a protruding portion higher than the bottom surface of the lateral groove 23. In this case, the lateral groove 23 and the through hole 24 are not limited to being provided in one location, but may be provided in multiple locations.

[0046] Alternatively, one or more through holes may be formed by drilling one or more horizontal holes (for example, tapered holes) in the radial direction of the tube 20. In this case, the annular elastic body or non-annular elastic body serving as the elastic member may need to have a special shape so that the exposed portion 12a of the contact pin 10 can be pressed through the through holes.

[0047] In each of the above embodiments, the tube 20 is made up of two parts, the inner tube portion 21 and the outer tube portion 25, which are press-fitted together, but the tube may be made up of one part or three or more parts.

[0048] The material of the annular elastic body or non-annular elastic body as the elastic member is rubber, resin, metal, etc., but the material is not critical as long as it can produce the required elasticity or flexibility.

[0049] In the above embodiment, a coil spring is used as the spring that biases the contact pin in the direction of protruding from the tube, but the spring shape is arbitrary, and for example, a straight spring, a barrel-shaped spring, etc. Also, in embodiment 1 etc., the rear end of the coil spring 30 has a large diameter portion 32 for stabilizing the posture, but the present invention is not limited to this structure.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the contact pin has a semi-spherical tip, but the shape of the contact pin is arbitrary.

[0051] According to the present specification, there is provided a spring connector having the following aspects.

[0052] (Aspect 1) Tube and a contact pin whose tip protrudes from the opening of the tube; a spring that biases the contact pin in a protruding direction, the tube has a through-hole on its outer periphery that exposes a portion of the contact pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to the protruding direction of the tube; a spring connector, wherein an elastic member is attached to the outer periphery of the tube, the elastic member pressing the exposed portion of the contact pin exposed from the through hole in the substantially perpendicular direction;

[0053] According to the above-described first aspect, it is possible to realize a spring connector that can suppress the occurrence of discontinuous conduction due to vibration or impact.

[0054] (Aspect 2) The exposed portion of the contact pin has a portion protruding from the through hole.

[0055] According to the above-mentioned second aspect, the elastic member does not need to have a special shape, and an elastic body that can tighten or press the outer periphery of the tube can be used.

[0056] (Aspect 3) A spring connector, wherein the elastic member is an annular elastic body that encircles the outer periphery of the tube.

[0057] According to the above-mentioned third aspect, since the elastic member is an annular elastic body, it is difficult to come off the tube. Also, it is possible to stabilize the pressing force that presses the exposed portion of the contact pin laterally.

[0058] (Aspect 4) A spring connector, wherein the elastic member is a non-annular elastic body that engages with the outer periphery of the tube.

[0059] According to the above-mentioned fourth aspect, since the elastic member is a non-annular elastic body, various shapes can be adopted. In addition, when the non-annular elastic body is made of metal, there is an advantage that it can be formed by sheet metal processing of a plate material.

[0060] (Aspect 5) The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a lateral groove on its outer periphery in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube, and the through hole is formed in the bottom surface of the lateral groove.

[0061] According to the fifth aspect, since a through hole is formed in the bottom surface of the horizontal groove, the exposed portion of the contact pin exposed through the through hole has a portion higher than the bottom surface of the horizontal groove, i.e., a protruding portion. Therefore, a special shape is not required for the elastic member, and an elastic body that can tighten or press the outer periphery of the tube can be used. The horizontal groove is also effective in positioning the elastic member and preventing it from coming off.

[0062] (Aspect 6) The tube has a first tube portion with no bottom and a second tube portion with a bottom connected to the base end side of the first tube portion, and the through hole is formed in the first tube portion, in this spring connector.

[0063] According to the above-mentioned sixth aspect, it is possible to form a structure for preventing the contact pin from coming out in advance in the first tube portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform crimping on the first tube portion after the contact pin is installed, and it is easy to make the wall thickness of the first tube portion thick enough to allow for processing of grooves such as horizontal grooves for attaching the elastic member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1,1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,1F,1G,1H,1I,1J,1K,1L,1M,1N,1O Spring Connector 10,10A contact pin 11 Large diameter section 12 Small diameter section 12a Exposed part 20 tubes 21 Inner tube section 23 Yokomizo 24 Through hole 25 outer tube 30,30A coil spring 40 Annular Elastic Body 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H Annular elastic body 40I, 40J, 40K, 40L, 40M, 40N Non-annular elastic body

Claims

1. Tube and a contact pin whose tip protrudes from the opening of the tube; a spring that biases the contact pin in a protruding direction, the tube has a through-hole on its outer periphery that exposes a portion of the contact pin in a direction substantially perpendicular to the protruding direction of the tube; a spring connector, wherein an elastic member is attached to the outer periphery of the tube, the elastic member pressing the exposed portion of the contact pin exposed from the through hole in the substantially perpendicular direction;

2. 2. The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of the contact pin has a portion protruding from the through hole.

3. 3. The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an annular elastic body that surrounds the outer periphery of the tube.

4. 3. The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a non-annular elastic body that engages with the outer periphery of the tube.

5. 3. The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a lateral groove on its outer periphery that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube, and the through hole is formed in a bottom surface of the lateral groove.

6. 3. The spring connector according to claim 1, wherein the tube has a first tube portion having no bottom and a second tube portion having a bottom connected to the base end side of the first tube portion, and the through hole is formed in the first tube portion.

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