Connector connection structure

Abstract

In a connector connection structure having an optical connector, the effects of external noise on the optical connector and the effects of noise transmitted to the outside by the optical connector are suppressed. [Solution] A connector connection structure comprising a first optical connector having at least one connection portion and a second optical connector paired with the first optical connector and configured to be connectable to the first optical connector, wherein a suppression member capable of suppressing noise that mutually affects each other with the outside is provided around the connection portion between the first optical connector and the second optical connector. The suppression member is provided around the entire area of ​​the connection portion when the first optical connector and the second optical connector are mated together. The suppression member is composed of at least two layers of material, wherein a first noise suppression member provided on the outer circumference is made of a material capable of suppressing noise that is affected by the outside to the connection portion, and a second noise suppression member provided on the inner circumference is made of a material capable of suppressing noise that affects the outside from the connection portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an assembly structure of a FOT (Fiber Optic Transceiver) and a shield case that can enhance the electromagnetic resistance of the FOT.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, noise countermeasures other than when there are active components, such as in the case of a noise countermeasure for an optical connector attached to the tip of an optical fiber, like the above-described FOT, have not been considered at all. In contrast, the present inventor has found that in a connector connection structure having an optical connector, it is necessary to suppress the influence of noise received from the outside on the optical connector and the influence of noise given to the outside by the optical connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a connector connection structure that can suppress the influence of noise received from the outside on an optical connector and the influence of noise given to the outside by the optical connector in a connector connection structure having an optical connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the above objective, the connector connection structure according to the present invention is a connector connection structure having a first optical connector having at least one connection portion and a second optical connector that is paired with the first optical connector and is configured to be connectable to the first optical connector, characterized in that a suppression member capable of suppressing noise that mutually affects each other with the outside is provided around the connection portion between the first optical connector and the second optical connector.

[0007] A connector connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the suppression member is provided around the entire circumference of the connection portion when the first optical connector and the second optical connector are fitted together.

[0008] A connector connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the suppression member provided around the connection portion is composed of at least two layers of material, the first noise suppression member provided on the outer circumference side of the suppression member is composed of a material capable of suppressing noise that is affected by the connection portion from the outside, and the second noise suppression member provided on the inner circumference side of the suppression member is composed of a material capable of suppressing noise that is affected by the connection portion from the outside.

[0009] A connector connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it comprises a housing that houses the connection portion between the first optical connector and the second optical connector, and the suppression member comprises a vibration damping member composed of an elastic body or cushioning material filled in the housing.

[0010] A connector connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in this configuration, the vibration damping member is composed of a laminated structure made of at least two materials with different vibration damping characteristics. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the connector connection structure of the present invention, in a connector connection structure having an optical connector, it is possible to suppress the influence of noise received from the outside on the optical connector and the influence of noise transmitted to the outside by the optical connector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the state of the connector connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention before mating. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the mating state of a connector connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the mating state of a connector connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the mating state of a connector connection structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a front view showing the connection portion of a connector connection structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the connection portion of a connector connection structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0014] (First embodiment) First, the connector connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the connector connection structure according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. In the drawings, for the sake of simplicity in explaining the embodiment and facilitating understanding of the invention, various components inside the housing are drawn in a transparent state.

[0015] In the connector connection structure according to the embodiment described below, there is a connector connection structure having a first connector provided with at least one connection part and a second connector that is configured to be fitted to the first connector and paired with the first connector, and is provided with a noise suppression member around the connection part between the first connector and the second connector.

[0016] Connectors 11 and 12 are paired connectors for connecting signal lines 32 to each other. In addition, for example, a power line such as a cable routed inside a vehicle may be connected together. The power line is composed of, for example, a conductor cable that supplies power from a battery inside the vehicle to electrical components inside the vehicle. The conductor is composed of, for example, a single wire or a stranded wire such as copper (Cu), copper alloy (Cu alloy), aluminum (Al), or aluminum alloy (Al alloy). Further, the single wire or stranded wire constituting the conductor may be plated with tin or the like. Here, the connector 11 as the first connector, which is one of the connectors, is, for example, a male-type connector. The connector 12 as the second connector, which is the other connector, is, for example, a female-type connector. The connector 11 is configured to be fitted so as to be inserted into the connector 12.

[0017] The female-type connector 12 is provided, for example, in an electrical connection box that supplies signals from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to electrical components inside the vehicle. In addition, the connectors 11 and 12 may be used for connecting cables to each other. In the following description, for the sake of convenience in explanation, the x-axis direction shown in the figure is taken as the length direction (the positive side is the front and the opposite side is the rear), the y-axis direction is taken as the width direction, and the z-axis direction is taken as the height direction or the vertical direction.

[0018] The connector 11 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and houses an optical connector 101 having a signal line 32 and an optical connection part 101a. The housing 110 is made of a synthetic resin such as, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Note that the synthetic resin is not limited to PBT, and other synthetic resins may be adopted.

[0019] The signal line 32 is a cable that transmits signals exchanged, for example, between electrical components in a vehicle and an ECU, and here, it is composed of, for example, an optical fiber cable or the like. The signal line 32 extends outside the connectors 11 and 12, but its illustration is omitted.

[0020] The optical connector 101 is fixed within the housing 110. Inside the housing 110, the optical connector 101 is attached to the end of the signal line 32, which is the side facing the mating side of the connector 12 (the front side in FIG. 1) in FIG. 1. An optical connection part 101a as a connection part is provided on the tip side of the optical connector 101. The optical connector 101 is, for example, a so-called MU connector. The optical connector 101 is not limited to the MU connector, and it may be a well-known connector such as, for example, an LC connector. The optical connector 101 is an example of a connection part of a signal line.

[0021] Furthermore, a suppression member 130 is provided inside the housing 110. The suppression member 130 is provided around the optical connector 101 inside the connector 11, which is the first connector. The suppression member 130 is configured to have at least a noise suppression member that suppresses noise. The noise suppression member is made of at least one layer of material having noise suppression characteristics that can suppress noise in a predetermined frequency band. Details of the suppression member 130 will be described later. Here, it is preferable to fill the portion of the housing 110 other than the space provided to allow connection with the optical connector 102 with the materials of the suppression member and vibration damping member that constitute the suppression member 130. The noise suppression member in the suppression member 130 provided around the optical connector 101 is configured to suppress noise emitted from the optical connector 101 to the outside, and is also configured to suppress noise that the optical connector 101 receives from the outside.

[0022] The connector 12 includes a housing 120. The housing 120 is made of synthetic resin and houses an optical connector 102 equipped with a signal line 32 and an optical connection part 102a (see Figure 2). The housing 120 has a connection opening formed on the side that connects to the connector 11. The connection opening is sized to allow the tip of the connector 11 to be inserted. The housing 120 is made of a synthetic resin such as PBT. Note that the synthetic resin is not limited to PBT, and other synthetic resins may be used.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, an optical connector 102 is attached inside the housing 120 to the end of the signal line 32, on the side facing the mating side with the connector 11 (the rear side in Figure 1). An optical connection part 102a is provided on the connector 11 side of the optical connector 102, which is configured to be connectable to the optical connection part 101a.

[0024] Here, it is preferable to fill the portion of the housing 120 other than the space provided for connection to the optical connector 101 with the material constituting the suppression member 130. However, it is not necessarily limited to filling it with the material constituting the suppression member 130. The optical connector 102 is an example of a signal line connection part, and is, for example, an LC connector that can be connected to the optical connector 101. The optical connector 102 is not limited to an LC connector as long as it can be connected to the optical connector 101.

[0025] Furthermore, a material constituting the suppression member 130 is provided between the housing 120 and the optical connector 102 so as to surround the periphery of the optical connector 102. In other words, within the housing 120, the suppression member 130 is provided around the optical connector 102 within the connector 12, which is the second connector. It is preferable, however, to fill the space between the housing 120 and the optical connector 102 with the material of the suppression member 130.

[0026] The noise suppression member 130 provided around the optical connector 102 is provided by stacking at least a first noise suppression member 131 and a second noise suppression member 132. The first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 are each made of a material capable of suppressing noise in a predetermined frequency band. Specifically, the first noise suppression member 131 is made of a material that suppresses noise in the range of several hundred MHz to several GHz. The first noise suppression member 131 is made of a material that suppresses noise received by the optical connectors 101 and 102 from the outside. On the other hand, the second noise suppression member 132 is made of a material that suppresses noise in the range of several GHz to several tens of GHz. The second noise suppression member 132 is made of a material that suppresses noise emitted from the optical connectors 101 and 102 to the outside. It is also possible to make the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 from the same material, thus forming a single-layer noise suppression member.

[0027] It is desirable that the space between the second noise suppression member 132 and the optical connector 102 be filled with a vibration damping member 133. The vibration damping member 133 has a single-layer or multi-layer structure made of an elastic body or a cushioning material, but is not limited to that. This ensures vibration damping of the connector 11 in the radial direction (width direction and height direction). The vibration damping member 133 in the suppression member 130 is a member configured to suppress impacts, especially spike-like impacts, and is configured to suppress vibrations and impacts of a specific range of frequencies. The vibration damping member 133 is made of an elastic body or a cushioning material. Examples of materials that make up the vibration damping member 133 include natural rubber, synthetic rubber (including silicone rubber, fluororubber, urethane rubber, etc.), elastomers, fibers such as aramid fibers, and foams or gels of resins (polystyrene, polyurethane, polyolefin, etc.). Furthermore, the vibration damping member 133 can also be provided on the outer periphery of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132, or between the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132, and it is also possible to omit the vibration damping member 133.

[0028] The suppression members 130 inside the housings 110 and 120 described above are formed, for example, around the optical connectors 101 and 102 as follows: First, the material of the first noise suppression member 131 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 110, and then the material of the second noise suppression member 132 is fixed to the inner surface of the first noise suppression member 131. Next, after the optical connector 101 is fitted into the housing 110, the material of the vibration damping member 133 is filled into the gap between the optical connector 101 and the second noise suppression member 132. In parallel, after the material of the first noise suppression member 131 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 120, the material of the second noise suppression member 132 is fixed to the inner surface of the first noise suppression member 131. Next, after the optical connector 102 is fitted into the housing 120, the material of the vibration damping member 133 is filled into the gap between the optical connector 102 and the second noise suppression member 132. As a result, a suppression member 130 is formed around each of the optical connectors 101 and 102.

[0029] Furthermore, before inserting the optical connector 101 into the housing 110, the materials of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 may be wrapped around the optical connector 101 in a tape-like manner or applied to a predetermined thickness. Alternatively, the housing 110 may be pre-filled with a material having noise suppression properties, and the optical connector 101 may be pushed in. The same applies to the housing 120. In any of these methods, the suppression member 130 is formed in a state that allows the connectors 11 and 12 to be mated.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the connector connection structure 10 according to this embodiment is formed by the mating of connector 11 and connector 12, and the optical connection portion 101a at the tip of optical connector 101 and the optical connection portion 102a of optical connector 102 are connected by the mating of connector 11 and connector 12. That is, first, connectors 11 and 12 are brought relatively close to each other, and the tip side of the housing 110 of connector 11 is inserted into the interior of the tip side of the housing 120 of connector 12. Connectors 11 and 12 are brought close to each other and mated, and the optical connectors 101 and 102 as connection portions are also brought into contact with each other and connected. At the same time as this, or thereafter, housing 110 is inserted into housing 120 and locked by a conventionally known predetermined locking mechanism. Through the above, the mating of connectors 11 and 12 is performed.

[0031] As a result, when the optical connectors 101 and 102 are connected to each other, the suppression member 130 is provided around the optical connectors 101 and 102 that constitute the connection portion of connectors 11 and 12. Here, it is preferable that the suppression member 130 is provided so as to cover the optical connectors 101 and 102 when the optical connectors 101 and 102 are fitted together, by filling the entire area around the connection portion of the optical connectors 101 and 102 with the suppression member 130.

[0032] According to the first embodiment described above, when the connectors 11 and 12 are mated, a noise suppression member 130 having noise suppression characteristics is provided around the optical connectors 101 and 102, thereby making it possible to suppress the effects of external noise on the connectors 11 and 12, and the effects of noise emitted from the connectors 11 and 12 to the outside, within the housings 110 and 120.

[0033] (Second embodiment) Next, a connector connection structure 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the mating state of the optical connector according to the second embodiment, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line in Figure 4.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, connectors 11A and 12A are a pair of connectors for connecting signal lines 32 to each other. Connector 11A, which is one of the connectors and is the first connector, and connector 12A, which is the other connector and is the second connector, each have housings 110A and 120A with substantially the same cross-sectional shape.

[0035] Housing 110A, like housing 110, is made of, for example, synthetic resin and houses the signal line 32 and the portion of the optical connector 101 on the signal line 32 side. A noise suppression member 130 having noise suppression characteristics is provided between housing 110A and the signal line 32 and optical connector 101. As a result, the housing 110A and the optical connector 101 are fixed together by the noise suppression member 130. Housing 110A has a connection opening formed on the side that connects to connector 12A. At the connection opening, which is the front side of the optical connector 101, the optical connection portion 101a is exposed from the noise suppression member 130 filled in housing 110A. Optical connector 101 is an example of a connection portion for the signal line 32.

[0036] Housing 120A, like housing 120, is made of synthetic resin, for example, and houses an optical connector 102 equipped with a signal line 32 and an optical connection part 102a (see Figure 5). Housing 120A has a connection opening formed on the side that connects to connector 11A. The cross-sectional shape of the connection opening of housing 120A is approximately the same as the cross-sectional shape of the connection opening of housing 110A. Inside housing 120A, the optical connector 102 is provided at the end of the signal line 32, on the side facing the connection to connector 11A in Figure 4 (the rear side in Figure 4).

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, in connector 12A, an optical connection part 102a is provided on the connector 11 side of the optical connector 102, which is configured to be connectable to the optical connection part 101a. The optical connector 102 is an example of a signal line connection part. Furthermore, a suppression member 130 is provided between the housing 120A and the optical connector 102. Here, it is preferable to fill the portion of the housing 120A other than the space required to connect to the optical connector 101 with the material that constitutes the suppression member 130. In other words, the suppression member 130 in the housing 120A is provided around the optical connector 102.

[0038] In this embodiment, the noise suppression member 130 provided around the optical connector 102 is provided by stacking at least a first noise suppression member 131 and a second noise suppression member 132. The materials of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 are the same as in the first embodiment. It is also possible to construct the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 from the same material, thus forming a single-layer noise suppression member.

[0039] It is desirable that the space between the second noise suppression member 132 and the optical connector 102 be filled with a vibration damping member 133. The vibration damping member 133 can also be provided on the outer periphery of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132, or between the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132. It is also possible to omit the vibration damping member 133 altogether.

[0040] In this embodiment, the vibration damping member 133 is composed of a laminated structure made of at least two different materials having different vibration damping characteristics. According to the inventors' knowledge, generally, the frequency bands in which vibrations can be absorbed and the temporal changes in vibrations after vibration is applied (for example, characteristics such as elastic modulus) differ depending on the characteristics of the vibration damping member. Therefore, in order to ensure vibration damping in the radial direction (width direction and height direction) of the connector 12A, it is possible to more effectively enhance vibration damping by combining two or more types of vibration damping members having different vibration damping characteristics. Similarly, in the connector 11A, as with the connector 12A, the frequency bands in which vibrations can be absorbed differ depending on the characteristics of the vibration damping member. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively enhance vibration damping by combining two or more types of vibration damping members having different vibration damping characteristics. Specifically, for example, it is preferable to configure the suppression member 130 around the optical connector 101 in the same way as the vibration damping member 133 around the optical connector 102. That is, the vibration damping member 133 around the optical connector 101 may be composed of a laminated structure made of at least two different materials 133a and 133b having different vibration damping characteristics. This ensures vibration damping of the connector 11A in the radial direction (width direction and height direction).

[0041] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the vibration damping member 133 is a two-layer laminated structure of materials 133a and 133b, but it may also be a laminated structure of three or more layers. Here, it is preferable to have a laminated structure of three or more layers in which vibration damping members made of three or more different materials have different vibration damping characteristics. Alternatively, it may be a laminated structure of three or more layers in which the vibration damping characteristics of adjacent layers are different, and the vibration damping characteristics of the layers on both sides of a particular layer are the same. In these cases as well, by using different vibration damping members, it is possible to more effectively enhance vibration damping performance. The materials 133a and 133b are composed of various materials as described in the examples of elastic bodies and cushioning materials mentioned above.

[0042] The suppression members 130 inside the housings 110A and 120A described above are formed, for example, around the optical connectors 101 and 102 as follows. First, the material for the first noise suppression member 131 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110A, and then the material for the second noise suppression member 132 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the first noise suppression member 131. Meanwhile, a material 133b having predetermined vibration damping characteristics is wrapped around the optical connectors 101 and 102 in a tape-like manner or applied to a predetermined thickness. Next, the optical connectors 101 and 102, with the material 133b attached, are fitted into the housings 110A and 120A, respectively. After that, the gaps between each of the optical connectors 101 and 102 and each of the housings 110A and 120A are filled with a material 133a having vibration damping characteristics different from material 133b. As a result, a laminated suppression member 130 made of materials 133a and 133b with different vibration damping characteristics is formed around the optical connectors 101 and 102. Alternatively, before inserting the optical connectors 101 and 102, each with material 133b on its outer circumference, material 133a may be pre-filled into the housings 110A and 120A, and the optical connectors 101 and 102, each with material 133b on its outer circumference, may be pushed into the housings 110A and 120A, respectively.

[0043] Furthermore, before inserting the optical connector 101 into the housing 110A, the materials 133b, 133a, the first noise suppression member 131, and the second noise suppression member 132 may be wrapped around the optical connector 101 in a tape-like manner or applied to a predetermined thickness. Alternatively, a material having noise suppression properties may be pre-layered and filled into the housing 110A, and the optical connector 101 may be pushed in. The same applies to the housing 120A. In any of these methods, the suppression members 130 are formed in a state that allows the connectors 11 and 12 to be connected to each other. As a result, suppression members 130 are formed around the optical connectors 101 and 102, respectively.

[0044] In this embodiment, the connector connection structure 10A is connected by bonding connectors 11A and 12A together, as shown in Figure 4. Specifically, connectors 11A and 12A are brought relatively close to each other, and the tip end of the housing 110A of connector 11A and the tip end of the housing 120A of connector 12A are bonded together. Alternatively, housings 110A and 120A may be locked together by a predetermined locking mechanism to ensure close contact. The close contact of connectors 11A and 12A also connects the optical connectors 101 and 102 as connection points.

[0045] As described above, with the optical connectors 101 and 102 connected to each other, a vibration damping member 133, consisting of a laminated structure of materials 133a and 133b, a second noise suppression member 132, and a first noise suppression member 131 are laminated and provided around the optical connectors 101 and 102 that constitute the connection portion of connectors 11A and 12A. In other words, the suppression member 130 is provided inside the housings 110A and 120A so as to cover the optical connectors 101 and 102 when they are connected.

[0046] According to the second embodiment described above, by providing the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 around the optical connectors 101 and 102, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, by providing a suppression member 130 around the optical connectors 101 and 102, which has a vibration damping member 133 made of a laminated structure of materials 133a and 133b having different vibration damping characteristics, noise can be suppressed within the housings 110A and 120A, and radial shocks and vibrations can be further suppressed.

[0047] (Third embodiment) Next, a connector connection structure 10B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the mating state of the connector connection structure 10B according to the third embodiment, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6.

[0048] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connector connection structure 10B according to this embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that the optical connectors 101 and 102 are arranged inside the housing 110B with the optical connectors 101 and 102 connected. The optical connectors 101 and 102, and the optical connection parts 101a and 102a are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, with the optical connector 101 as the first connector and the optical connector 102 as the second connector connected, a restraining member 130 is provided around the connected portion of the optical connectors 101 and 102. In this embodiment, the connected optical connectors 101 and 102 constitute the connection portion of the connector connection structure 10B.

[0050] Housing 110B, like housings 110 and 110A, is made of, for example, synthetic resin. Housing 110B houses the signal line 32 and optical connectors 101 and 102. The space between housing 110B and the signal line 32 and optical connectors 101 and 102 is filled with a restraining member 130. As a result, the space between housing 110B and optical connectors 101 and 102 is fixed by the restraining member 130.

[0051] The noise suppression member 130 is provided by laminating at least a first noise suppression member 131 and a second noise suppression member 132. The materials of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 are the same as in the first and second embodiments. It is also possible to construct the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132 from the same material, resulting in a single-layer noise suppression member. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a vibration damping member 133 in the space between the second noise suppression member 132 and the optical connector 102. The vibration damping member 133 is composed of a laminated structure made of at least two different materials with vibration damping characteristics. The other configurations are the same as in the second embodiment. Note that the vibration damping member 133 can also be provided on the outer periphery of the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132, or between the first noise suppression member 131 and the second noise suppression member 132, and it is also possible not to provide the vibration damping member 133. The other configurations are the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0052] According to the third embodiment described above, by providing the suppression member 130 around the optical connectors 101 and 102, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

[0053] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a connector connection structure 10C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 8 and 9 are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, showing the connector connection structure 10C according to the fourth embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the connector connection structure 10C according to the fourth embodiment consists of a first connector, for example, a male plug-shaped connector 11C, and a second connector, for example, a female outlet-shaped connector 12C.

[0055] The connector 11C is provided with an optical connector 101, which serves as a part of the connection portion, fitted inside a housing 110C, which is roughly circular in front view and serves as the first housing, with the optical connection portion 101a side being the exposed end. Here, a noise suppression member 130 is provided around the optical connector 101, which is made up of at least a first noise suppression member 131 and a second noise suppression member 132 stacked on top of each other. It is also possible for the noise suppression member 130 to be a noise suppression member made of a single layer structure of a predetermined material. Alternatively, the noise suppression member 130 may be wrapped around the optical connector 101 in a tape-like manner or applied to a predetermined thickness.

[0056] The housing 110C and the optical connector 101 are configured such that, during rotation in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connector 11C, i.e., at least during rotation for fixing after connection, the housing 110C rotates while the optical connector 101 does not, but this is not necessarily limited. The connector 11C includes a conductive, protruding convex terminal 111A connected to a power line (not shown).

[0057] Connector 12C is provided with a pair of optical connectors 102 fitted inside a housing 120C, which is a second housing and has a roughly circular shape when viewed from the front, with the optical connector 102a side exposed. The housing 120C and the optical connector 102 are configured such that, when rotating in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connector 12C, that is, at least when rotating for fixing after connection, the housing 120C rotates while the optical connector 102 does not, but this is not necessarily limited. Connector 12C is connected to a power line (not shown) and has a female terminal 112A into which terminal 111A can be inserted.

[0058] (How to connect the connector) The connector connection structure 10C is configured such that, after inserting terminal 111A into terminal 112A in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of connectors 11C and 12A, the housings 110C and 120C can be rotated relative to each other to lock into place. In this case, it is preferable that the optical connectors 101 and 102 remain connected without rotating, but they may also be configured to rotate together. Due to the relative rotation of the housings 110C and 120C, a connection force is applied to terminal 111A of connector 11C and terminal 112A of connector 12C in a direction different from the connection direction of optical connectors 101 and 102, in this case, in the rotational direction. As a result, terminals 111A and 112A are electrically connected. The other configurations are the same as in the first to third embodiments and will not be described.

[0059] In the fourth embodiment, the same effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained by providing a noise suppression member 130 having a noise suppression member around the optical connectors 101 and 102.

[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Combinations of each of the embodiments and components described above are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the numerical values ​​and materials listed in one embodiment described above are merely examples, and different numerical values ​​and materials may be used as needed, and the present invention is not limited by the description and drawings that constitute part of the disclosure of the present invention in this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Connector Connection Structure 11, 11A, 11C, 12, 12A, 12C connectors 32 signal lines 101,102 Optical connectors 101a, 102a Optical connection section 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 120, 120A, 120C Housing 111A, 112A terminals 130 Restraining member 131 First noise suppression member 132 Second noise suppression member 133 Vibration damping material 133a,133b Material

Claims

1. A connector connection structure comprising a first optical connector having at least one connection portion, and a second optical connector configured to be connectable to the first optical connector and paired with the first optical connector, The connection portion between the first optical connector and the second optical connector is provided with a suppression member capable of suppressing noise that mutually affects the external environment. A connector connection structure characterized by the following:

2. The suppression member is provided around the entire perimeter of the connection portion when the first optical connector and the second optical connector are fitted together. The connector connection structure according to feature 1.

3. The restraining member provided around the connection portion is composed of at least two layers of material, The first noise suppression member provided on the outer circumference of the suppression member is made of a material capable of suppressing noise that is affected by external factors on the connection portion. The second noise suppression member provided on the inner circumference side of the suppression member is made of a material capable of suppressing noise that affects the outside from the connection portion. The connector connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The device includes a housing that accommodates the connection portion between the first optical connector and the second optical connector, The suppression member comprises a vibration damping member composed of an elastic body or cushioning material filled in the housing. The connector connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The vibration damping member is composed of a laminated structure made of at least two materials with different vibration damping characteristics. The connector connection structure according to feature 4.

Images