Connector connection structure

Abstract

This invention provides a connector connection structure that allows for a lower profile at the connection point. [Solution] The plug 100 has an insulating housing 50, the housing 50 has a cylindrical first cylindrical portion 52, a beam-shaped portion 56a that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 52, and a claw portion 56b positioned on the tip side of the beam-shaped portion 56a, the socket 200 has a cylindrical second cylindrical portion 252 and an arc-shaped spring member 253, the second cylindrical portion 252 has at least a portion in the circumferential direction in the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 252 The structure has a slit that is cut deeper than the location where the spring member 253 is positioned. When the first cylindrical portion 52 is fitted inside the second cylindrical portion 252, the beam-shaped portion 56a fits into the slit, and the plug 100 is fitted onto the socket 200. The spring member 253 expands in diameter, and the claw portion 56b that passes on the inner circumference of the spring member 253 locks into the restored spring member 253, preventing the plug 100 from falling out of the socket 200.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection structure of a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a plug electrically connectable to a coaxial cable and a socket joined to the plug. The plug has a center conductor electrically connectable to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, a metal body disposed on the outer peripheral side of the center conductor and electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and an insulating dielectric support disposed between the center conductor and the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical recess into which the mating socket is inserted. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the direction in which the socket is inserted into the plug is also referred to as the axial direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, a first cylindrical portion (referred to as a "metal housing" in the document) of the plug is externally fitted to a second cylindrical portion (metal outer shell) of the socket, and the fitting state between the two is maintained. More specifically, the fitting state between the plug and the socket is maintained by the engagement of a convex portion formed on the inner peripheral side of the first cylindrical portion with a concave portion formed on the outer peripheral side of the second cylindrical portion. In order to elastically deform the first cylindrical portion of the plug to maintain the fitting state with the socket, it is necessary for the first cylindrical portion to have a length of a predetermined value or more. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the height of the plug in the axial direction. As a result, the connector tends to be tall at the connection portion, and there is room for improvement in reducing the height of the connection portion of the connector.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a connector connection structure that allows for a lower profile at the connection point. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of a connector connection structure according to the present disclosure is a connector connection structure comprising a plug to which a coaxial cable is electrically connected, and a socket to which the plug is electrically connected when fitted, wherein the plug has an insulating housing and a conductive first terminal member disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable, the housing has a cylindrical first cylindrical portion, a beam-shaped portion projecting radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion, and a claw portion disposed at the tip of the beam-shaped portion, and the socket has a cylindrical second cylindrical portion and a second terminal member disposed inside the second cylindrical portion and electrically connected to the first terminal member The plug comprises an arc-shaped spring member arranged along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion and held by the second cylindrical portion, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a slit cut out in at least a portion of its circumferential direction along the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion, deeper than the location where the spring member is arranged, the first cylindrical portion is coaxial with the axis of the second cylindrical portion, and the beam-shaped portion fits into the slit so that the plug is fitted onto the socket, thereby electrically connecting the first terminal member and the second terminal member, and preventing the plug from falling out of the socket by expanding the diameter of the spring member and the claw portion passing on the inner circumference of the spring member being locked onto the restored spring member.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the plug has a cylindrical first cylindrical portion, a beam-shaped portion projecting radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion, and a claw portion positioned at the tip of the beam-shaped portion. The socket has a cylindrical second cylindrical portion and an arc-shaped spring member positioned along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion and held by the second cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a slit cut out in at least a portion of its circumferential direction, along the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion, deeper than the location where the spring member is positioned. The first cylindrical portion is coaxial with the axis of the second cylindrical portion, and the beam-shaped portion fits into the slit, so that the plug is fitted onto the socket. As a result, the first terminal member and the second terminal member are electrically connected, and the plug is locked into the socket by the claw portion, which has passed the inner circumference of the spring member as it expands in diameter, and then locks into the spring member as it returns to its original state. At this time, even if one tries to remove the plug from the socket, the spring member does not expand in diameter, so the plug is prevented from falling out of the socket. In this way, the connector can stabilize the connection between the plug and the socket by locking the plug to the socket via an arc-shaped spring member. By using the spring member to lock the plug to the socket, there is no need to elastically deform the beam-shaped portion of the plug to lock it, so there is no need to increase the length of the beam-shaped portion in the direction along its axis. Furthermore, there is no need to form a hole in the socket for locking the claw portion. Therefore, in the connector, the locking area in the axial direction of both the plug and the socket can be reduced by the engagement between the claw portion of the plug and the spring member of the socket. As a result, the height of the connector in the direction along the axis of the plug and the socket can be reduced.

[0008] In another embodiment of the connector connection structure according to this disclosure, the second cylindrical portion has a spring retaining portion formed circumferentially on its outer circumference, and the spring member is housed in the spring retaining portion.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the spring member is housed in a spring retaining portion formed circumferentially on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion of the socket. Therefore, the spring member can be stably held on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion by the spring retaining portion. As a result, even if an attempt is made to remove the plug from the socket, the spring member does not move in the direction along the axis, so the plug will not fall out of the socket, and the connector can increase the locking force of the spring member against the claw portion of the plug. Consequently, the connector can connect the plug and the socket more stably.

[0010] In another embodiment of the connector connection structure according to the present disclosure, the plug is configured to be removable from the socket by removing the spring member from the second cylindrical portion and releasing the locking of the claw portion, the second cylindrical portion having a groove formed along the axial direction up to the location where the spring member is positioned, and the inner diameter end of the spring member is visible when the spring member is viewed along the groove.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the second cylindrical portion of the socket has a groove formed along the axial direction up to the location where the spring member is positioned, and when the spring member is viewed along the groove, the inner diameter end of the spring member is visible. Therefore, when the plug and socket are connected, the connector can be removed from the socket by inserting the tip of a tool with a flat, rod-shaped tip into the groove and moving the tip of the tool outward from the socket, thereby expanding the diameter of the spring member. This releases the engagement between the spring member and the claw, allowing the plug to be removed from the socket. As a result, the connector can easily and reliably release the connection between the plug and the socket. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the connector according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the configuration of the plug and socket. [Figure 3]This is a perspective view of a disassembled spark plug. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-section of a plug and socket. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the socket. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the socket. [Figure 7] This is a side cross-sectional view of the plug and socket in the process of being mated together. [Figure 8] This is a side cross-sectional view of the plug and socket in a mated state. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the process of disconnecting the plug and socket. [Figure 10] This figure shows the plug and socket disconnected. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of a different type of socket. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector connection structure according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are illustrative examples for explaining the connector connection structure and do not limit the connector connection structure to these embodiments only. Therefore, the connector connection structure according to this disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.

[0014] The connector 300 according to this embodiment comprises a plug 100 and a socket 200. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a coaxial cable 85 is electrically connected to the plug 100. The plug 100 is configured to be electrically connectable to the socket 200, which is the object to be mated.

[0015] [Plug configuration] The configuration of the plug 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the plug 100 includes a first contact 10 (an example of a first terminal member), a first holder 20, a first shell 30, a first grounding member 40, a first housing 50 (an example of a housing), a packing 60, a holder cover 70, a shell cover 75, a ferrule 80, a coaxial cable 85, and a cable cover 90.

[0016] 〔First Contact〕 As shown in FIG. 3, the first contact 10 is made of a metal such as a copper alloy having conductivity and elasticity, and is formed in an L shape as a whole. The first contact 10 has a connection portion 12 and a plate-like portion 14. The connection portion 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Hereinafter, the central axis of the connection portion 12 is referred to as the axis P. Also, the direction parallel to the axis P is referred to as the "Z direction", the side in the Z direction in which the connection portion 12 is arranged with respect to the plate-like portion 14 is referred to as the "Z1 direction" and the "Z1 side", and the opposite direction and side are referred to as the "Z2 direction" and the "Z2 side". The Z direction is a general term for the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. Among the directions orthogonal to the Z direction, the direction parallel to the extending direction of the plate-like portion 14 is referred to as the "Y direction", and the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the plate-like portion 14 is referred to as the "X direction". In the Y direction, the direction and side from the connection portion 12 toward the extending end of the plate-like portion 14 are referred to as the "Y1 direction" and the "Y1 side", and the opposite direction and side are referred to as the "Y2 direction" and the "Y2 side". In the X direction, the right direction and side as viewed from the connection portion 12 toward the extending end of the plate-like portion 14 are referred to as the "X1 direction" and the "X1 side", and the opposite direction, which is the left direction, and side are referred to as the "X2 direction" and the "X2 side".

[0017] The connection portion 12 expands in diameter due to elastic deformation when the second contact 210 (an example of a second terminal member) of the socket 200 described later is inserted, and is electrically connected to the second contact 210. The plate-like portion 14 extends from the end portion on the Z2 side of the connection portion 12. The plate-like portion 14 extends from the end portion on the Z2 side of the connection portion 12 in the Z2 direction, and then is bent 90 degrees and extends along the Y1 direction. The plate surface of the plate-like portion 14 is orthogonal to the axis P.

[0018] 〔First Holder〕 The first holder 20 houses the first contact 10 and is made of an insulator such as resin. The first holder 20 is formed by injection molding. As shown in Figure 3, the first holder 20 has a cylindrical portion 22 and a contact mounting portion 24 located at the Z2 end of the cylindrical portion 22. The axis of the cylindrical portion 22 is coaxial with the axis P when the first contact 10 is housed in it. The first contact 10 housed in the first holder 20 is restricted from moving in the Z1 direction relative to the first holder 20, moving in directions perpendicular to the Z direction including the Y direction, and rotating relative to the first holder 20.

[0019] A plate-shaped holder cover 70 is attached to the contact mounting portion 24 of the first holder 20. The holder cover 70 is fixed to the contact mounting portion 24 by methods such as press-fitting or adhesive bonding. By attaching the holder cover 70, the space of the contact mounting portion 24 that is open in the Z2 direction is partitioned, and the first contact 10 becomes invisible when viewed from the Z2 side toward the Z1 direction (hereinafter also referred to as a plan view). With the holder cover 70 attached to the contact mounting portion 24, the Z2 side surface of the holder cover 70 and the contact mounting portion 24 of the first holder 20 are flush.

[0020] As described later, the holder cover 70 is attached to the contact mounting section 24 after electrically connecting the internal conductor 86 (connection portion 86a) and external conductor 88 of the coaxial cable 85 to the first contact 10 and the first shell 30, respectively. The attachment of the holder cover 70 restricts the movement of the first contact 10 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the first contact 10 is fixed immovably to the first holder 20.

[0021] [First Shell] The first shell 30 houses the first holder 20 and is made of a conductive metal such as iron. As shown in Figure 3, the first shell 30 has a cylindrical housing portion 32 in which the first holder 20 is housed, and a cylindrical cable holding portion 34 extending from the side of the housing portion 32 toward the Y1 direction. The first holder 20 is housed in the first shell 30 from the Z2 side toward the Z1 direction. The internal space of the housing portion 32 and the internal space of the cable holding portion 34 are in communication. The first shell 30 is provided to ensure shielding for the first contact 10. The first shell 30 is the part that becomes ground potential when the plug 100 is in use.

[0022] [First grounding member] As shown in Figure 3, the first grounding member 40 has a pair of support parts 42 and a first ground contact 44. The pair of support parts 42 and the first ground contact 44 are integrally formed. The first grounding member 40 is made of a metal such as a copper alloy that has conductivity and elasticity. The pair of support parts 42 are spaced apart from each other, and multiple first ground contacts 44 are arranged to connect the pair of support parts 42. The first grounding member 40 is provided to establish an electrical connection between the first shell 30 and the second shell 230 of the socket 200, which will be described later. The support parts 42 have an arc shape with a central angle of 240 degrees in a plan view. The first ground contacts 44 are formed at points with a central angle of 0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees from one end of the circumferential direction of the arc-shaped support part 42 in a plan view.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the coaxial cable 85 has an inner conductor 86 with a circular cross-section that is the centerline, an insulating dielectric 87 arranged around the inner conductor 86, an outer conductor 88 arranged around the dielectric 87, and an insulating protective sheath 89 arranged around the outer conductor 88. Of the coaxial cable 85, the inner conductor 86 is electrically connected to the first contact 10, and the outer conductor 88 is electrically connected to the first shell 30. The coaxial cable 85 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis P (Y1 direction). In other words, the plug 100 has an L-shape where the insertion direction of the first contact 10 into the socket 200 (Z direction) and the extension direction of the coaxial cable 85 (Y direction) are perpendicular to each other.

[0024] The outer conductor 88 is in close contact with the outer surface of the cable holding portion 34 of the first shell 30. At this time, a cylindrical ferrule 80 is pre-inserted through the coaxial cable 85. By crimping the ferrule 80 with the outer conductor 88 and the cable holding portion 34 overlapping, the outer conductor 88 and the cable holding portion 34 are electrically connected.

[0025] [Housing 1] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first housing 50 is made of an insulating resin and is formed by insert molding in an assembled and integrated state with the first contact 10, first holder 20, first shell 30, first grounding member 40, holder cover 70, shell cover 75, coaxial cable 85, and ferrule 80. The first housing 50 has a first portion 52 (an example of a first cylindrical portion) fitted onto the first shell 30, a second portion 54 fitted onto the ferrule 80, and a third portion 56 positioned on the X1 side and X2 side of the first portion 52, respectively. The first grounding member 40 may be attached after the insert molding of the first housing 50.

[0026] The first portion 52 is in close contact with the housing portion 32 of the first shell 30. As shown in Figure 3, a pair of third portions 56 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 52 in the X direction. The third portions 56 also serve to position the plug 100 when it is fitted into the socket 200. The width of the third portions 56 (length parallel to the Y direction) is smaller than the width of the slit 254 formed in the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200, which will be described later.

[0027] The second portion 54 is formed extending from the ferrule 80 to the protective sheath 89 of the coaxial cable 85. Multiple (four in this embodiment) annular projections are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second portion 54.

[0028] The third portion 56 is formed in an elongated plate shape along the Z direction of the first portion 52, and this shape is used for positioning when the plug 100 is fitted into the socket 200. The third portion 56 has a beam-shaped portion 56a formed along the Z direction and a claw portion 56b formed at the Z1 side end of the beam-shaped portion 56a. The claw portion 56b is formed to protrude radially outward from the beam-shaped portion 56a of the first portion 52.

[0029] 〔rubber seal〕 As shown in Figure 2, the packing 60 is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the housing portion 32 of the first shell 30 and the inner circumferential surface of the first portion 52 of the first housing 50. The packing 60 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has an annular shape with a uniform thickness (radial length) as a whole.

[0030] [Cable cover] The cable cover 90 is a so-called heat-shrinkable tube and, as shown in Figure 4, covers the area from the second portion 54 of the first housing 50 to the protective sheath 89 of the coaxial cable 85. The cable cover 90 is tightly fitted to the second portion 54, thereby preventing the cable cover 90 from moving or falling off. By covering the second portion 54 of the first housing 50 and the coaxial cable 85 with the cable cover 90, the ingress of dust, water droplets, etc., from the surface of the coaxial cable 85 to the first contact 10 and the first shell 30 is prevented. However, if the ingress of dust, water droplets, etc., into the first shell 30 can be prevented by the presence of the second portion 54 of the first housing 50, the cable cover 90 may not be necessary. In this case, the annular projection formed on the outer surface of the second portion 54 is unnecessary.

[0031] [Socket configuration] As shown in Figures 2, 4 to 6, the socket 200 is configured to include a second contact 210, a second holder 220, a second shell 230, a second grounding member 240, and a second housing 250. The socket 200 is the object to which the plug 100 is mated.

[0032] The second contact 210 has a rod shape made of a conductive metal or the like, and is positioned along the axis P. The second contact 210 is electrically connected to the connection portion 12 of the first contact 10 of the plug 100 by fitting the plug 100 and the socket 200 together.

[0033] The second holder 220 is made of resin and positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the second contact 210 at the midpoint of the axis P. It is formed by insert molding and is integrated with the second contact 210. The second holder 220 has a cylindrical shape with the second contact 210 passing through its center.

[0034] The second shell 230 is made of a conductive metal. The second shell 230 covers the outside of the second holder 220 and has a cylindrical shape. The second shell 230 is electrically connected to the first shell 30 by contact with the first grounding member 40 of the plug 100 through the mating of the plug 100 and the socket 200. The second shell 230 is provided to ensure shielding to the second contact 210. The second shell 230 is the part that becomes ground potential when the socket 200 is in use.

[0035] The second grounding member 240 is made of an elastic conductive metal and is electrically connected to the second shell 230. Multiple second grounding members 240 are arranged in a ring shape. The second grounding members 240 are also provided to ensure shielding to the second contact 210.

[0036] The second housing 250 is made of insulating resin and houses the second contact 210, second holder 220, second shell 230, and second grounding member 240. The second housing 250 has a cylindrical second cylindrical portion 252 that houses the first housing 50 of the plug 100 when the plug 100 is fitted into the socket 200. The axis P is also the axis of the second cylindrical portion 252.

[0037] The socket 200 has an arc-shaped spring member 253 that is positioned along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252 and held by the second cylindrical portion 252. In this embodiment, the second cylindrical portion 252 has a first groove 257 (an example of a spring holding portion) formed along the circumferential direction on its outer circumference, and the spring member 253 is housed in the first groove 257.

[0038] The second cylindrical portion 252 has a slit 254 in at least a portion of its circumferential direction that is cut out more deeply than the location where the spring member 253 is positioned, along the axial direction P of the second cylindrical portion 252. In this embodiment, the slit 254 is provided on the X1 side and the X2 side, respectively, in the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 252. The slit 254 is for fitting the third portion 56 of the first housing 50 of the plug 100.

[0039] The second cylindrical portion 252 has a slit 255 into which the coaxial cable 85 is fitted. Thus, the second cylindrical portion 252 has three slits 254, 255, and the central angles between adjacent slits 254, 255 with respect to the axis P are all 90 degrees. Furthermore, a cylindrical sealing wall 256 is formed on the inner circumference side of the second cylindrical portion 252, spaced apart from the second cylindrical portion 252.

[0040] The second cylindrical portion 252 has a second groove 258 (an example of a groove) formed on its outer circumference, extending along the axial direction to the location (first groove 257) where the spring member 253 is positioned. In this embodiment, the second groove 258 is positioned 180 degrees from the slit 255 with respect to the axis P in the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 252. The second groove 258 is formed in the second cylindrical portion 252 such that when the spring member 253 is viewed along the axial direction of the second groove 258, the inner diameter end 253a of the spring member 253 is visible. More specifically, the radially inner end 258a of the second groove 258 is closer to the axis P than the inner diameter end 253a of the spring member 253. The second groove 258 is used when removing the plug 100 from the fitted state of the plug 100 and socket 200. Details will be described later.

[0041] [Mating between plug and socket] The process will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. To fit the plug 100 into the socket 200, the third portion 56 of the plug 100 and the coaxial cable 85 are aligned with the slits 254 and 255 of the socket 200. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the first portion 52 is pushed toward the second cylindrical portion 252 in the Z1 direction. At this time, the first portion 52 becomes coaxial with the axis P of the second cylindrical portion 252. In addition, the spring member 253 expands in diameter when pressed by the claw portion 56b. As a result, the first portion 52 of the plug 100 can be moved toward the Z1 direction by passing through the inner circumference of the spring member 253 (Figure 8). When the claw portion 56b passes through the spring member 253, the spring member returns to its original state (reduced in diameter), and the beam-shaped portion 56a of the third portion 56 is locked in place by the returned spring member 253. As a result, the plug 100 is prevented from falling out of the socket 200. This structure, which prevents the plug 100 from falling out of the socket 200, is the connection structure of the connector 300 in this embodiment.

[0042] At the same time, the plug 100 and the socket 200 are electrically connected when the plug 100 is fitted onto the socket 200 with the beam-shaped portion 56a fitted into the slit 254 (Figure 8).

[0043] Furthermore, when the plug 100 is fitted into the socket 200, as shown in Figure 8, the first housing 50 of the plug 100 is housed inside the second cylindrical portion 252 of the second housing 250 of the socket 200. At this time, the sealing wall 256 abuts against the outer surface of the packing 60 (Figure 4), sealing the gap between the plug 100 and the socket 200. This prevents dust, water droplets, etc. from entering the contact points between the first contact 10 of the plug 100 and the second contact 210 of the socket 200, and the contact points between the first shell 30 of the plug 100, the first grounding member 40, and the second shell 230 of the socket 200.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first portion 52 of the plug 100 is coaxial with the axis P of the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200, and the beam-shaped portion 56a fits into the slit 254, so that the plug 100 is fitted onto the socket 200. As a result, the first contact 10 and the second contact 210 are electrically connected, and furthermore, the plug 100 is locked to the socket 200 by the claw portion 56b that has passed through the inner circumference of the spring member 253 as it expands in diameter and then locking onto the spring member 253 as it returns to its original state. At this time, even if one tries to remove the plug 100 from the socket 200, the spring member 253 does not expand in diameter, so the plug 100 is prevented from falling out of the socket 200. In this way, the connector 300 can stabilize the connection between the plug 100 and the socket 200 by locking the plug 100 to the socket 200 via the arc-shaped spring member 253. By using the spring member 253 to lock the plug 100 to the socket 200, there is no need to elastically deform the third portion 56 of the plug 100 to lock it, so there is no need to increase the length of the third portion 56 in the Z direction. Also, there is no need to form a hole in the socket 200 for locking the claw portion 56b. Therefore, in the connector 300, the area of ​​the locking portion in the axial direction can be reduced by the engagement between the claw portion 56b of the plug 100 and the spring member 253 of the socket 200. As a result, the height of the plug 100 and socket 200 in the Z direction of the connector 300 can be reduced (low profile).

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the spring member 253 is housed in a first groove 257 formed circumferentially on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200. Therefore, the spring member 253 can be stably held on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252 by the first groove 257. As a result, even if an attempt is made to remove the plug 100 from the socket 200, the spring member 253 does not move in the Z2 direction, so the plug 100 will not fall out of the socket 200, and the connector 300 can increase the locking force of the spring member 253 on the claw portion 56b of the plug 100. As a result, the connector 300 can stably connect the plug 100 and the socket 200.

[0046] [Removing the plug from the socket] This will be explained with reference to Figures 6, 9, and 10. In order to remove the plug 100 from the socket 200, it is necessary to release the engagement between the claw portion 56b of the plug 100 and the spring member 253 located in the socket 200. To do this, in the connector 300 of this embodiment, a tool T (for example, a flathead screwdriver) having a flat tip and a rod-shaped portion is inserted into the second groove 258 (see Figures 6 and 9) formed in the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200.

[0047] Here, the second groove 258 is formed so that the inner circumferential end 253a of the spring member 253 is visible. Therefore, in the second groove 258, the tip of the tool T can be inserted between the inner circumferential end 253a of the spring member 253 and the radially inward end of the second groove 258. Consequently, by subsequently moving the spring member 253 outward from the second cylindrical portion 252 with the tool T, the spring member 253 expands in diameter, and the spring member 253 can be removed from the second cylindrical portion 252 (Figure 10). This releases the engagement between the spring member 253 and the claw portion 56b, making it possible to remove the plug 100 from the socket 200. As a result, the connector 300 can easily and reliably release the connection between the plug 100 and the socket 200.

[0048] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a first groove 257 is formed along the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200, and the spring member 253 is held in the second cylindrical portion 252 by being housed in the first groove 257. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a pair of protrusions 259 (an example of a spring holding portion) may be formed dispersed on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252 of the socket 200 with a predetermined space between them in the Z direction, and the spring member 253 may be placed between the pair of protrusions 259. In this case, the spring member 253 is held in the second cylindrical portion 252 by a plurality of protrusions 259 dispersed on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 252. Other embodiments are also possible as long as the second cylindrical portion 252 has a configuration that holds the spring member 253 on its outer circumference.

[0049] (2) In the above embodiment, the third portion 56 of the first housing 50 is positioned at a location rotated 90 degrees with respect to the axis P from the location where the coaxial cable 85 is arranged in the circumferential direction, but is not limited to this. The third portion 56 of the first housing 50 in the above embodiment may be located at a different location from the location where the coaxial cable 85 is arranged, and may be arranged in multiples distributed in the circumferential direction. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] This disclosure is widely applicable to connector connection structures. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10: First contact (first terminal member) 50: First Housing (Housing) 52:First part (first cylinder part) 56: 3rd part 56a: Beam-like part 56b: Claw part 85: Coaxial cable 86: Inner conductor 100: Plug 200: Socket 210: Second contact (second terminal component) 252:Second cylinder part 253: Spring component 253a: End 254: Slit 257: First groove (spring retaining part) 258: Second groove (groove) 258a: Radial inner end 259: Convex part (spring retaining part) 300: Connector P: Axial center T:Tool

Claims

1. A connector connection structure comprising a plug to which a coaxial cable is electrically connected, and a socket to which the plug is electrically connected by being fitted, The plug comprises an insulating housing and a conductive first terminal member disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the internal conductor of the coaxial cable. The housing has a cylindrical first cylindrical portion, a beam-shaped portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion, and a claw portion positioned at the tip of the beam-shaped portion. The socket comprises a cylindrical second cylindrical portion, a second terminal member disposed inside the second cylindrical portion and electrically connected to the first terminal member, and an arc-shaped spring member disposed along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion and held by the second cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a slit in at least a portion of its circumferential direction that is cut out more deeply than the location where the spring member is positioned, along the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion. A connector connection structure in which the first cylindrical portion is coaxial with the axis of the second cylindrical portion, and the beam-shaped portion fits into the slit so that the plug is fitted onto the socket, thereby electrically connecting the first terminal member and the second terminal member, and preventing the plug from falling out of the socket by expanding the diameter of the spring member so that the claw portion that passes on the inner circumference of the spring member is locked onto the restored spring member.

2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a spring retaining portion formed circumferentially on its outer circumference, and the spring member is housed in the spring retaining portion.

3. The plug can be removed from the socket by removing the spring member from the second cylindrical portion and releasing the locking of the claw portion. The second cylindrical portion has a groove formed along the axial direction up to the location where the spring member is positioned, The connector connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter end of the spring member is visible when the spring member is viewed along the groove.

Images