A connector member equipped with a lock release mechanism, and a connector device using this connector member.
The connector member with a seesaw-like lock release mechanism addresses the challenge of unlocking with limited protrusion by using an operating and release lever for efficient and durable unlocking.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HIROSE ELECTRIC CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing connector devices face challenges in releasing the lock lever when the protrusion amount of the connection plug from the housing is small, making it difficult to operate the elastic locking piece.
A connector member with a lock release mechanism featuring an operating lever and a release lever, both pivotally supported in a seesaw-like manner, allowing for a direct contact structure that moves the elastic locking piece through a seesaw motion, even with limited protrusion, using an actuated portion and a release portion that are not physically connected.
Facilitates easy and reliable unlocking of the connector device by minimizing force transmission loss and ensuring durability through a simple contact structure, even with minimal protrusion, enhancing the operational ease and reliability.
Smart Images
Figure 2026076514000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a connector member provided with a lock release mechanism and a connector device using this connector member.
Background Art
[0002] A connector such as a modular jack used for connection to an electronic device may be provided with a lock lever for preventing disconnection. The lock lever engages with a part of a receiving portion (jack) that receives the connector when connecting to the electronic device, to lock the connector with respect to the receiving portion. This locked state can be released by pressing down the lock lever.
[0003] Patent Document 1 is a lock release mechanism used for a connector having the above-described lock lever, and relates to a release mechanism that enables the lock lever to be depressed even in a situation where the protruding amount of the connection plug 1 from the housing 4 of a communication device or an automation device integrated with the connection socket 3 is small. This release mechanism includes an operating element 100 that acts on the lock tab 13, and the operating element 100 further includes a first deflection lever 101 and a second deflection lever 102 that are rotatable about lateral rotation axes 110 and 120 with respect to the longitudinal axis 10 of the connection plug 1. The first deflection lever 101 is connected to the spring-type lock tab 13 at the first end, and is connected to the first end of the second deflection lever 102 at the second end using a hinge. The second deflection lever 102 can move the second end toward the longitudinal axis 10 of the connection plug 1 by applying a force. In response to this movement, the first end of the second deflection lever 102 and the second end of the first deflection lever 101, which are hinge-connected, pivot in a direction away from the longitudinal axis 10 of the connection plug 1. As a result, the first end of the first deflection lever 101 moves toward the longitudinal axis 10 of the connection plug 1 and acts on the lock tab 13 to release the lock.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 4312322 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0005] The present invention aims to provide a connector member equipped with an improved unlocking mechanism, and a connector device using this connector member. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To solve the above problems, a connector member equipped with a lock release mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a base that can be attached at one end in the longitudinal direction to a connector body having an elastic locking piece for locking that protrudes in a cantilever shape; an operating lever extending in the longitudinal direction and pivotally supported on the outer surface of the base in a seesaw-like manner; and a release lever extending in the longitudinal direction and pivotally supported on the outer surface of the base in a seesaw-like manner, wherein the operating lever includes an operating portion positioned on the side farther from the free end of the elastic locking piece in the longitudinal direction when the base is attached to the connector body, and an operating portion positioned on the side closer to the free end, and the release lever is positioned in front of the base The connector member is characterized by a lock release mechanism comprising an actuated portion, which, when attached to the connector body, is positioned on the side furthest from the free end in the longitudinal direction, and a release portion provided to engage with the free end, wherein the actuated portion is provided sandwiched between the outer surface of the base and the actuated portion, and is not physically connected to the actuated portion, and when the operating portion is operated, the actuated portion moves toward the contact side with the actuated portion through a first seesaw motion of the operating lever, and the release portion uses the contact between the actuated portion and the actuated portion to move the free end in the release direction of the elastic locking piece through a second seesaw motion of the release lever. According to this embodiment of the connector member, the working part and the working part can be directly related by a simple contact structure. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] We can provide a connector member equipped with an improved unlocking mechanism, and a connector device using this connector member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a top-down perspective view of a connector device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector device from below. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the connector device. [Figure 4] This is a top-view perspective of a connector member according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connector component from below. [Figure 6] Figure 3 shows a side view of the connector member, along with a modified example of the upper surface of the working part. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing the operating status of the connector device. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the connector components from the front before assembly. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a side view of the connector component. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is a front view of the connector component. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view illustrating the procedure for attaching connector components to a cable before assembly. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view illustrating the procedure for attaching connector components to a cable before assembly. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view illustrating the procedure for attaching connector components to a cable before assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Only preferred embodiments are shown here, but of course, this is not intended to limit the invention. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (for example, terms including "top," "bottom," "side," and "edge") will be used as needed, but the use of such terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the invention is not limited by the meaning of such terms. Also, the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension, etc., do not necessarily correspond to reality.
[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a connector device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of the same connector device, and Figure 3 shows a side view of the same connector device.
[0011] The connector device 1 includes a connector body 2 and a connector member 3 according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connector body 2 constitutes the front portion of the connector device 1 in the longitudinal direction "Y", while the connector member 3 constitutes the rear portion of the connector device.
[0012] The connector body 2 is a so-called "modular plug connector" and complies with RJ45. This connector body 2 has the same structure and function as the front part of a normal connector device. Inside the connector body 2, the tip side of the cable 5 is accommodated. The rear end side of the cable 5 passes through the connector body 2 and the connector member 3, and is then taken out to the outside along the length direction "Y" at the rear end extraction port 32. A plurality of terminals 23 respectively connected to the cable 5 are arranged along the width direction "X" orthogonal to the length direction "Y" at the bottom of the tip side of the connector body 2. Also, at the top of the tip side of the connector body 2, an elastic locking piece 21 protruding in a cantilever shape obliquely rearward is provided. The elastic locking piece 21 is for engaging with a part of the receiving portion that receives the connector device 1 when connecting to an electronic device or the like, and locking the connector device 1 with respect to the receiving portion. This locked state can be released by pressing down the elastic locking piece 21, similar to a general connector device.
[0013] Figures 4 to 6 show the connector member 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in individual part drawings. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector member 3 seen from above, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the same connector member 3 seen from below, and Figure 6 is a side view of the same connector member 3. The connector member 3 has a lock release mechanism, similar to the device of Patent Document 1. More specifically, it has a mechanism that can push down the elastic locking piece 21 even in a situation where the protrusion amount of the connector device from the receiving portion is small and it is difficult to operate the elastic locking piece 21.
[0014] The connector member 3 is an integrally molded resin product. The connector member 3 has a configuration that can be assembled as will be described later, but the connector member 3 shown in Figures 1 to 6 shows the state after assembly. The connector member 3 mainly includes a base 30, an operation lever 40 extending in the length direction "Y" attached to the base 30, and a release lever 50.
[0015] The base 30 has a cylindrical accommodation space 31 capable of accommodating the cable 5. The accommodation space 31 has a substantially rectangular cross-section "X-Z plane" perpendicular to the length direction "Y" along the length direction "Y". The base 30 is attached to the connector main body 2 at one end side in the length direction "Y". The connector member 3 is provided with a locking hole 34, and the connector main body 2 is provided with a locking projection 24, respectively. Note that the terms "length direction", "width direction", and "height direction" in this specification are terms for distinguishing the three directions, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by these terms. Therefore, for example, the "length direction" does not necessarily mean longer than the "width direction" and the "height direction".
[0016] The operation lever 40 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and has a plurality of bending portions 421, 422, 423 arranged along the length direction "Y" as well shown in side view. The bending portion 422 located at the center of the operation lever 40 is bent so as to protrude upward, while the bending portions 421, 423 located before and after it are bent so as to protrude downward, respectively. Near the upper center of the operation lever 40 in plan view, a reinforcing rib 420 with an increased thickness in the height direction "Z" perpendicular to the length direction "Y" and the width direction "X" is provided across the bending portion 421 to the bending portion 423. By providing the rib 420 and further increasing its thickness, the strength of the operation lever 40 can be enhanced. Below the bending portion 422, a support portion 41 for pivotally supporting the operation lever 40 in a state capable of performing a seesaw motion on a step portion 45 provided on the base 30 is provided.
[0017] An operating part 43 is provided at one end of the operating lever 40, more specifically at the end located on the side furthest from the free end 22 of the elastic locking piece 21 in the longitudinal direction "Y" when the base 30 is attached to the connector body 2 (the rear side) (right side in Figures 6 and 7). On the other end, more specifically at the other end located on the side closer to the free end 22 of the elastic locking piece 21 in the longitudinal direction "Y" (the front side), an action part 44 is provided. Normally, the operating lever 40 is elastically held in a forward-tilting position relative to the outer surface of the base 30 by the action of the support part 41. When the operating part 43 is operated against the elastic force of the support part 41, the operating part 43, together with the action part 44, performs a seesaw motion around the support part 41. More specifically, when the operating part 43 moves away from the base 30, the action part 44 moves towards the base 30. When the operating part 43 moves toward the base 30, the working part 44 moves toward the base 30. When the operation of the operating part 43 is stopped, the operating lever 40 returns to its original forward-tilted position due to the action of the support part 41.
[0018] The support portion 41 has an elastically curved portion 410 that is curved in a roughly C-shape so as to protrude from the operating portion 43 toward the working portion 44 in the longitudinal direction "Y". The surface of the mounting portion 411 of the support portion 41 to the base portion 30, particularly the surface on the operating portion 43 side, forms an inclined surface 413 that slopes in a roughly straight line toward the base portion 30 as it moves from the working portion 44 toward the operating portion 43 in the longitudinal direction "Y", while the surface on the working portion 44 side forms a curved recess 412 that is curved in a roughly C-shape so as to recess toward the working portion 43 toward the working portion 44. As a result, the surface on the operating portion 43 side has a structure that is more flexible than the surface on the working portion 44 side. Furthermore, these inclined surfaces 413 and curved recess 412 allow for the effective distribution of the force received by the support portion 41 when the elastically curved portion 410 is curved.
[0019] The release lever 50, like the operating lever 40, has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view and, as clearly shown in the side view, has a bent portion 510 arranged along the length direction "Y". The bent portion 510, located approximately in the center, is bent so as to protrude upward. Near the upper center of the release lever 50 in plan view, a reinforcing rib 520 is provided, extending from one end to the other of the release lever 50, with its thickness increased in the height direction "Z". By providing the rib 520, and by further increasing its thickness, the strength of the release lever 50 can be increased. Below the bent portion 510, a support portion 51 is provided that pivotally supports the release lever 50 on a stepped portion 55 provided on the base portion 30 in a seesaw motion.
[0020] One end of the release lever 50, more specifically the end located on the side furthest from the free end 22 in the longitudinal direction "Y" when the base 30 is attached to the connector body 2 (rear side), is provided with a worked portion 53. On the other end, more specifically the other end located on the side closer to the free end 22 of the elastic locking piece 21 in the longitudinal direction "Y" (front side), is provided with a release portion 54. The worked portion 53 is provided such that, in the height direction "Z", with the working portion 44 sandwiched between it and the outer surface of the base 30, a portion of the lower surface 530 of the worked portion and a portion of the upper surface 440 of the working portion can come into contact. The upper surface 440 of the working portion may be provided with a projection 441 that protrudes upward toward the side of the lower surface 530 of the worked portion (shown only in a partially enlarged view in Figure 6). By providing the projection 441, the timing of contact between the upper surface 440 of the working portion and the lower surface 530 of the worked portion can be adjusted when operating the operating portion 40. This timing can be finely adjusted by adjusting the degree of protrusion of the projection 441. The actuated part 53 is not physically connected to the actuated part 44. Therefore, it does not move simply by the movement of the actuated part 44, but only when some force is applied through contact with the actuated part 44. Normally, the release lever 50 is elastically held in a slightly backward tilted position relative to the outer surface of the base 30 by the action of the support part 51. When a force is applied to the actuated part 53 against the elastic force of the support part 51, the actuated part 53, together with the release part 54, performs a seesaw motion around the support part 51. More specifically, when the actuated part 53 moves away from the base 30, the release part 54 moves in a direction approaching the base 30. And when the actuated part 53 moves in a direction approaching the base 30, the release part 54 moves in a direction away from the base 30. When no force is applied to the actuated part 53, the release lever 50 returns to its original backward-tilted position due to the action of the support part 51.
[0021] The support portion 51 is inclined in a substantially straight line along the length direction "Y" so as it moves from the actuated portion 53 towards the release portion 54, it approaches the base portion 30. The surface of the mounting portion 511 of the support portion 51 to the base portion 30, in particular, the surface on the actuated portion 53 side, forms a curved recess 513 that curves in a substantially C shape so as it moves inward from the actuated portion 53 towards the release portion 54 side, while the surface on the release portion 54 side forms an inclined surface 512 that is inclined in a substantially straight line along the length direction "Y" so as it moves from the actuated portion 53 towards the release portion 54 side, it approaches the base portion 30. As a result, the surface on the actuated portion 53 side has a structure that is more flexible than the surface on the release portion 54 side. Furthermore, these inclined surfaces 413 and curved recess 513 allow the force acting on the support portion 51 to be appropriately distributed.
[0022] Figures 1 to 6 show the non-operated state in which the operating lever 40 has not yet been operated. In this state, the operating part 43 of the operating lever 40 is positioned away from the base 30, while the acting part 44 is positioned close to the base 30. Similarly, the actuated part 53 of the release lever 50 is positioned close to the base 30, while the release part 54 is positioned away from the base 30.
[0023] Figure 7 shows the operating state of the connector device in a side view similar to that of Figure 3. In contrast to the non-operating state shown in Figures 1 to 6, in the operating state shown in Figure 7, the operating part 43 is pushed down in direction "a" to position it closer to the base 30. In response, the working part 44 is pushed up in direction "b" towards the contact side with the actuated part 53 through a first seesaw motion by the operating lever 40, positioning it away from the base 30. At this time, the actuated part 53 is pushed up in direction "c" by utilizing the contact between the working part 44 and the actuated part 53, positioning it away from the base 30. In response, the release part 54 is pushed down in direction "d" through a second seesaw motion by the release lever 50. As a result, the release part 54 moves the free end 22 in the release direction of the elastic locking piece 21. With this configuration, the working part 44 and the actuated part 53 can be directly related with a simple contact structure. Furthermore, almost all of the force from the acting part 44 can be transmitted to the acted part 53 in the height direction "Z" without being distributed in the length direction "Y", and therefore, force transmission loss is less likely to occur. In addition, if a connecting part is provided between the acting part 44 and the acted part 53, repeated use will cause force to be applied to the connecting part, which may raise concerns about its durability, but with a contact structure, there is no need to worry about such problems.
[0024] The release portion 54 preferably has a shape that allows it to easily engage with the free end 22. For example, the release portion 54 has a gripping portion that grips the free end 22. The gripping portion may be a space 541 formed by two plate portions 540 that sandwich the free end 22 in the width direction "X".
[0025] To ensure reliable operation of the operating section 43, it is preferable to provide an extension section 36 at the cable 5 outlet 32 of the base section 30. The extension section 36 is provided so as to extend in the cable 5 outlet direction "Y" from the cable 5 outlet 32, allowing a portion of the cable 5 taken out through the outlet 32 to be positioned between the cable 5 and the operating section 43. By providing the extension section 36, when pushing down the operating section 43 in direction "a", one finger can be placed on the operating section 43, and the other finger can be placed on the stable extension section 36, rather than on the unstable cable 5. Therefore, force can be applied to the operating section 43 easily and reliably.
[0026] Figures 8 to 10 show the state of the connector member 3 before assembly. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the connector member 3 from the front before assembly, Figure 9 is a side view thereof, and Figure 10 is a front view thereof. To facilitate cable installation, the connector member 3 employs an assembly method. In this method, the cable housing space 31 provided in the base 30 of the connector member 3 is divided into two parts along the length direction "Y" by the cross-sectional "XZ plane" of the housing space 31, which is perpendicular to the length direction "Y," before assembly. The two divided parts, the first base portion 30A and the second base portion 30B, are hinged together using a hinge 38. The first base portion 30A is provided with a locking projection 35, and correspondingly, the second base portion 30B is provided with a locking recess 37. By rotating the first base portion 30A toward the second base portion 30B in the "θ" direction around the hinge 38, the projection 35 and recess 37 are locked together, allowing the connector member 3 to be easily assembled.
[0027] Referring to the perspective views shown in Figures 11 to 13, the procedure for attaching the connector member 3 to the cable 5 before assembly, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, will be explained. First, as shown in Figure 11, the middle portion of the cable 5 with the connector body 2 attached is positioned at a predetermined location on the second base portion 30B. Next, as shown in Figure 12, with the cable 5 sandwiched in place, the first base portion 30A is rotated relative to the second base portion 30B, and the locking protrusions 35 and recesses 37 are used to secure them. Finally, the connector body 2 together with the cable 5 is pulled backward relative to the connector member 3, and as shown in Figure 13, the free end 22 of the elastic locking piece 21 provided on the connector body 2 is positioned so that it is sandwiched in the width direction "X" by the plate portion 540 below the release portion 54. After that, the attachment is completed by fitting the triangular locking projection 24 provided on the connector body 2 into the locking hole 34 provided on the connector member 3.
[0028] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified and implemented as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the cable housing space 31 provided in the base 30 of the connector member 3 does not necessarily have to be divided into two parts, but may be divided into three parts, etc. Also, they do not necessarily have to be connected by a hinge, but may be separated. Alternatively, the release lever and the elastic locking piece may be integrated from the outset. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0029] 1. Connector device 2. Connector body 21 Elastic locking piece 22 Free end 30 base 40 Operating levers 43 Operation section 44 Acting part 50 Release lever 53 Actuated part 54 Release section
Claims
1. A base that can be attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the connector body, which has an elastic locking piece for locking that protrudes in a cantilever shape, An operating lever extending in the longitudinal direction is pivotally supported on the outer surface of the base in a manner that allows for seesaw motion, The base comprises a release lever extending in the longitudinal direction, which is pivotally supported on the outer surface of the base in a manner that allows for seesaw motion, The operating lever includes, when the base is attached to the connector body, an operating portion located on the side farther from the free end of the elastic locking piece in the longitudinal direction, and an action portion located on the side closer to the free end. The release lever includes an actuated portion located on the side furthest from the free end in the longitudinal direction when the base is attached to the connector body, and a release portion provided to engage with the free end, wherein the actuated portion is provided with the actuated portion sandwiched between it and the outer surface of the base, and is not physically connected to the actuated portion. A connector member equipped with a lock release mechanism, wherein when the operating part is operated, the acting part moves toward the contact side with the acted part through a first seesaw motion of the operating lever, and the release part uses the contact between the acting part and the acted part to move the free end in the release direction of the elastic locking piece through a second seesaw motion of the release lever.
2. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein the release portion has a gripping portion that grips the free end.
3. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein an extension portion is provided at the base portion, at the cable outlet portion connected to the connector body portion, and the extension portion is extended in the direction of cable outlet so that a portion of the cable taken out through the outlet portion can be positioned between the outlet portion and the operating portion.
4. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever is pivotally supported at the base by a first support portion, and the first support portion has an elastically curved portion that is curved to protrude in the longitudinal direction from the operating portion toward the working portion.
5. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein the release lever is pivotally supported at the base by a second support, and the second support is inclined substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction so as it moves from the acted-on part toward the release part toward the base.
6. The connector member according to claim 1, wherein the housing space of the base in which the cable is housed is divided along the length direction by a cross-section of the housing space perpendicular to the length direction.
7. The connector body is a modular plug connector, A connector device having the modular plug connector and the connector member according to any one of claims 1 to 6.