Connector fixture

Abstract

Provided is a connector fixture capable of preventing the connector of a transmission cable from being easily disconnected. 【Solution means】The connector fixture 1 is a connector fixture 1 that fixes the plug C1 and the socket C2 of the connector C in a connected state, and includes a first frame 11 attached to the plug C1, a second frame 12 attached to the socket C2, and a fixing member 13 that fixes the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 to each other with a tool T. The first frame 11 has a first hook portion 21 that is engaged with the plug C1 and holds the first frame 11 in a positioned state with respect to the plug C1, and a first connecting portion 22 that is overlapped and connected to the second frame 12 by the fixing member 13. The second frame 12 has a second hook portion 31 that is engaged with the socket C2 and holds the second frame 12 in a positioned state with respect to the socket C2, and a second connecting portion 32 that is overlapped and connected to the first frame 11 by the fixing member 13.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector fixing tool for fixing a connector of a transmission cable in a connected state.

Background Art

[0002] In a connector of a transmission cable, when the pair of connection parts of the connector are connected to each other, the claw part of one connection part is configured to fit into the other connection part so that the connection parts do not accidentally become disconnected due to vibration or the like (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The connector of Patent Document 1 is a connector attached to the terminal of a flexible flat cable, and includes a plug (connector) and a socket (opposite connector). A claw part (lock arm) is provided on the cover of the plug, and when the plug is connected to the socket, the claw part catches on the socket, so that the plug and the socket are held in a connected state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above connector, by pressing and swinging the claw part with a finger or the like, the catching of the claw part on the socket is released, so that it is easy to remove the plug from the socket. However, for example, in the case of a connector of a transmission cable that connects an anti-theft device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile to a control device, if it is easy to remove the connector as described above, it will take less time to remove the anti-theft device from the vehicle, which poses a problem in terms of security.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a connector fixing tool capable of preventing a connector of a transmission cable from being easily detached.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the connector fixing tool of the present invention takes the following technical means.

[0008] A connector fixing tool according to an aspect of the present invention is a connector fixing tool for fixing the plug and socket of a connector of a transmission cable in a connected state, and includes a first frame to be attached to the plug, a second frame to be attached to the socket, and a fixing member for fixing the first frame and the second frame to each other by a tool. The first frame has a first hook portion that is engaged with the plug and holds the first frame in a positioned state with respect to the plug, and a first connecting portion that is overlapped and connected to the second frame by the fixing member. The second frame has a second hook portion that is engaged with the socket and holds the second frame in a positioned state with respect to the socket, and a second connecting portion that is overlapped and connected to the first frame by the fixing member.

[0009] The plug has a claw portion that is removably fitted to the socket, and the first hook portion may be engaged with the claw portion.

[0010] The first hook portion may be engaged with the claw portion from the same direction as the connection direction of the plug with respect to the socket. direction.

[0011] The socket has a stepped portion on the outer peripheral portion of the socket, and the second frame may be engaged with the stepped portion from the direction opposite to the connection direction of the plug with respect to the socket.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] The connector fixture of the present invention can engage the first hook portion of the first frame with the plug and the second hook portion of the second frame with the socket, and connect the two frames with a fixing member, thereby firmly fixing the plug and the socket in a connected state, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the connector from being easily removed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples of embodying the present invention, and do not limit the configuration of the present invention with those specific examples.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector fixture 1 of the present embodiment fixes the plug C1 and the socket C2 of the connector C of the transmission cable L in a connected state. The connector fixture 1 of the present embodiment is mainly attached to the connector C of the transmission cable L that connects the anti-theft device SE mounted on a vehicle M such as an automobile and the vehicle control device S1 for use.

[0016] Incidentally, the anti-theft device SE is a device capable of invalidating the start instruction from the starting device S2 mounted on the vehicle M to the vehicle control device S1. The anti-theft device SE receives an instruction from the user's portable information terminal or a dedicated remote operation terminal, and automatically or manually restricts or permits the start of the prime mover PU by the vehicle control device S1.

[0017] Specifically, the starting device S2 has a start operation unit SW. The starting device S2 is connected to the vehicle control device S1 via the transmission cable L. When a predetermined start operation is performed at the start operation unit SW, the starting device S2 instructs the vehicle control device S1 to start the prime mover PU. Further, when a predetermined stop operation is performed at the start operation unit SW, the starting device S2 instructs the vehicle control device S1 to stop the prime mover PU.

[0018] Generally, the anti-theft device SE is retrofitted and mounted on the vehicle M. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the anti-theft device SE is retrofitted and mounted on the vehicle M, the connector C (plug C1) at one end of the original transmission cable L (original cable L1) that directly connects the starting device S2 and the vehicle control device S1 is removed from the vehicle control device S1 and connected to the socket C2 of the relay transmission cable L (relay cable L2). On the other hand, the plug C1 of the relay cable L2 is connected to the vehicle control device S1. In this way, the relay cable L2 is connected between the vehicle control device S1 and the original cable L1. The anti-theft device SE is connected to the branch cable LE of the relay cable L2. Thereby, the anti-theft device SE is connected between the vehicle control device S1 and the starting device S 2.

[0019] The connector fixture 1 of the present embodiment is attached to a connector C that connects the genuine cable L1 and the relay cable L2 as described above. The attachment structure of the connector fixture 1 to the connector C will be described later.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the connector C that connects the genuine cable L1 and the relay cable L2 includes a plug C1 and a socket C2. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the plug C1 has a plug housing 80, a cable connection portion 81, a plug end portion 82, and a claw portion 83. The socket C2 has a socket housing 90, a cable connection portion 91, a plug connection portion 92, and a claw receiving portion 93.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, the connection direction between the plug C1 and the socket C2 (the directions indicated by the arrows X1 and X2 in FIGS. 2 to 5) is defined as the front-rear direction of the connector C and the connector fixture 1 in the direction of attachment to the connector C. The first direction orthogonal to the connection direction (the directions indicated by the arrows Y1 and Y2 in FIGS. 2 to 5) is defined as the left-right direction of the connector C and the connector fixture 1. The second direction orthogonal to each of the connection direction and the first direction (the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2 in FIGS. 2 and 3) is defined as the up-down direction of the connector C and the connector fixture 1. Further, in the present embodiment, with the connector C as a reference, the socket C2 side of the connector C is described as the front side, and the plug C1 side of the connector C is described as the rear side.

[0022] The plug housing 80 is formed in a flat rectangular cylindrical shape. The cable connection portion 81 is where the connection terminal of the genuine cable L1 is inserted and holds the connection terminal in a state where it cannot come out. The plug end portion 82 is inserted into the plug connection portion 92 of the socket C2 to connect the genuine cable L1 to the relay cable L2 in a conductive state.

[0023] The claw portion 83 fits into the claw receiving portion 93 of the socket C2 when the plug C1 is properly connected to the socket C2. Thereby, the plug C1 is held in a state where it cannot come out from the socket C2.

[0024] The claw portion 83 is a cantilevered plate piece connected to the plug housing 80 at the base end portion of the claw portion 83, and is configured to be swingable elastically with the base end portion as a fulcrum. The tip end portion (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "claw tip end portion") 84 of the claw portion 83 projects rearward at a position above the cable connection portion 81. The claw portion 83 releases the fitting state with the claw receiving portion 93 by pushing down the claw tip end portion 84. That is, the claw tip end portion 84 serves as a lock release operating element when releasing the fitting state between the claw portion 83 and the claw receiving portion 93.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the socket housing 90 is formed in a flat rectangular tubular shape. The socket housing 90 has a stepped portion 94. The socket housing 90 of the present embodiment has a first housing portion 90A that constitutes the outer peripheral wall of the cable connection portion 91 and a second housing portion 90B that constitutes the outer peripheral wall of the plug connection portion 92.

[0026] The stepped portion 94 of the present embodiment is provided along the outer periphery of the socket housing 90. Specifically, both the width (left - right dimension) and the thickness (up - down dimension) of the first housing portion 90A are set larger than the corresponding portions of the second housing portion 90B. The stepped portion 94 is a step formed at the boundary between the first housing portion 90A and the second housing portion 90B.

[0027] The cable connection portion 91 has the connection terminal of the relay cable L2 inserted therein and holds the connection terminal in a state where it cannot come off. The plug connection portion 92 connects the relay cable L2 to the original cable L1 in a conductive state by inserting the plug end portion 82 of the plug C1.

[0028] As described above, the claw receiving portion 93 has the claw portion 83 of the plug C1 fitted therein when the plug C1 is properly connected to the socket C2. Thereby, the socket C2 holds the plug C1 in a state where it cannot come off. The connector fixture 1 of the present embodiment fixes the thus - connected plug C1 and socket C2 to each other in a state where they cannot come off.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the connector fixture 1 of the present embodiment includes a first frame 11, a second frame 12, and a fixing screw (fixing member) 13. When attaching the connector fixture 1 to the connector C, the first frame 11 is attached to the plug C1 of the connector C. On the other hand, the second frame 12 is attached to the socket C2 of the connector C. The fixing screw 13 connects the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 to each other. Thereby, the connector fixture 1 is fixed to the connector C and fixed in a state where the plug C1 and the socket C2 of the connector C are connected to each other.

[0030] The first frame 11 of the present embodiment is formed of a highly rigid metal material such as iron or stainless steel. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the first frame 11 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially J shape in a side view. The first frame 11 has a first hook portion 21 and a first connecting portion 22.

[0031] The first hook portion 21 is formed in a substantially L shape downward from the trailing edge portion of the first connecting portion 22. A first engaging piece 23 is provided at the lower end portion of the first hook portion 21. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first engaging piece 23 is a plate piece having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a bottom view, and protrudes substantially parallel to the first connecting portion 22 from the lower end portion of the first hook portion 21 toward the center between the front and rear of the first frame 11.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, when attaching the first frame 11 to the plug C1, the first hook portion 21 is engaged with the plug housing 80 of the plug C1 from behind the plug C1. That is, the first hook portion 21 is engaged with the plug C1 and holds the first frame 11 in a positioned state with respect to the plug C1.

[0033] Specifically, the first hook portion 21 inserts the first engaging piece 23 into the gap between the plug housing 80 and the claw end portion 84 from behind and engages it with the lower portion of the claw end portion 84 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In this way, the first hook portion 21 is engaged with the claw portion 83 from the same direction (rearward) as the connection direction of the plug C1 with respect to the socket C2.

[0034] The first hook portion 21 restricts the fitting release operation (lock release operation) of the claw portion 83 when removing the plug C1 from the socket C2 by engaging the first engaging piece 23 with the claw end portion 84 of the plug C1 as described above. That is, the first hook portion 21 restricts the movement of the claw portion 83 when removing the plug C1 from the socket C2. Therefore, in order to perform the lock release operation on the claw portion 83, the first frame 11 needs to be removed from the plug C1.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the first connecting portion 22 is formed in a flat plate shape. The first connecting portion 22 is formed in a substantially pentagonal shape in a top view with the two corner portions on the left and right of the front edge portion being at right angles. The first connecting portion 22 has a screw insertion hole 24.

[0036] The screw insertion hole 24 is opened at the center between the left and right of the first connecting portion 22 and at a position near the front edge of the first connecting portion 22. The screw insertion hole 24 is a circular through hole. When connecting the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, the fixing screw 13 is inserted through the screw insertion hole 24 of the first connecting portion 22 from above.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, when attaching the connector fixture 1 to the connector C, the first connecting portion 22 is connected by being overlapped with the second connecting portion 32 of the second frame 12 by the fixing screw 13. Specifically, the fixing screw 13 is screwed and connected to a screw hole 34 provided in the second connecting portion 32 of the second frame 12 through the screw insertion hole 24 of the first connecting portion 22. Thereby, the first connecting portion 22 is fixed in a state of being overlapped with the second connecting portion 32 of the second frame 12 from above.

[0038] The second frame 12 of the present embodiment is formed of a highly rigid metal material such as iron or stainless steel, similar to the first frame 11. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the second frame 12 is formed by bending a metal strip-shaped plate body into a substantially C shape. The second frame 12 has a second hook portion 31 and a second connecting portion 32.

[0039] Furthermore, if the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 have high rigidity and are not easily deformed or damaged, they may be formed of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene or polyacetal. Also, the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 may be formed of different materials from each other.

[0040] The second hook portion 31 is formed in a substantially L shape extending downward from the left and right side end portions of the second connecting portion 32. A second engaging piece 33 is provided at the lower end portion of the second hook portion 31. The second engaging piece 33 is a plate piece having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from below (see FIG. 5), and is formed to protrude substantially parallel to the second connecting portion 32 from the lower end portion of the second hook portion 31 toward the center between the left and right sides of the second frame 12.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, when the second frame 12 is attached to the socket C2, the second hook portion 31 is engaged with the first housing portion 90A of the socket C2 from the side of the socket C2. That is, the second hook portion 31 is engaged with the socket C2 and holds the second frame 12 in a positioned state with respect to the socket C2.

[0042] Specifically, the second hook portion 31 engages the second engaging piece 33 with the lower outer periphery of the first housing portion 90A of the socket C2 from below (see FIGS. 7 and 8). At this time, the second frame 12 abuts the step portion 94 of the socket C2 with the rear edge portion (frame rear edge portion) 35 of the second frame 12 from the front of the step portion 94 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). That is, the second frame 12 is engaged with the step portion 94 from the direction opposite to the connection direction of the plug C1 with respect to the socket C2 (front).

[0043] Thus, the connector fixing tool 1 of the present embodiment sandwiches the connector C by a total of three hook portions 21 and 31, namely, the first hook portion 21 of the first frame 11 and the two second hook portions 31 on the left and right of the second frame 12. Thereby, the connector C can be appropriately fixed with a relatively simple configuration.

[0044] Moreover, in this device, the connector C is clamped by the first hook portion 21 of the first frame 11 and the frame rear edge portion 35 of the second frame 12 in the front-rear direction of the connector C, that is, from the direction in which the connector C is to be removed. Thereby, the connector C can be fixed more firmly and appropriately.

[0045] In addition, since the second frame 12 does not have flexibility, when mounting it on the socket C2, it is mounted by fitting it into the first housing portion 90A from the front of the socket C2, that is, from the front end side of the first housing portion 90A. Therefore, when removing it from the socket C2, the second frame 12 needs to be slid forward along the first housing portion 90A with respect to the socket C2.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the second connecting portion 32 is formed in a flat plate shape that is long in the left-right direction. The second connecting portion 32 has a screw hole 34.

[0047] The screw hole 34 is opened at the center in the front-rear direction and at the center in the left-right direction in the second connecting portion 32. The screw hole 34 is a hole with a thread cut on the inner circumference thereof. The fixing screw 13 is screwed and connected to the screw hole 34 from above the second connecting portion 32 through the screw insertion hole 24 of the first frame 11.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing screw 13 fixes the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 to each other with a tool T. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the fixing screw 13 of the present embodiment is a screw with a hexagonal socket. Therefore, when connecting or separating the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 from each other, the operator needs to use a special tool T such as a hexagonal wrench (see FIG. 2).

[0049] Thus, without using a special tool T, the connector fixture 1 of this embodiment cannot remove the fixing screw 13 from the first frame 11 and the second frame 12, and cannot separate the first frame 11 and the second frame 12. Therefore, in order to remove the plug C1 and the socket C2 from each other and remove the anti-theft device SE from the vehicle M, the operator needs to have the tool T corresponding to the fixing screw 13. In addition, the work until the plug C1 and the socket C2 are removed from each other also takes time and effort. Thus, the security is improved accordingly.

[0050] The fixing screw 13 of this embodiment is formed of a highly rigid metal material such as iron or stainless steel, like the first frame and the second frame 12.

[0051] Note that the fixing screw 13 may be formed of a material different from that of the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 as long as it can firmly fix the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 to each other and is not easily damaged.

[0052] Also, as described above, the fixing screw 13 may be a screw with a triangular hole, a two-hole screw, or a screw with a hexalobular socket as long as it cannot be easily removed from the first frame 11 and the second frame 12.

[0053] As described above, the connector fixture 1 of this embodiment is a connector fixture 1 that fixes the plug C1 and the socket C2 of the connector C of the transmission cable L in a connected state, and includes a first frame 11 attached to the plug C1, a second frame 12 attached to the socket C2, and a fixing member 13 that fixes the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 to each other with a tool T. The first frame 11 has a first hook portion 21 that is engaged with the plug C1 and holds the first frame 11 in a positioned state with respect to the plug C1, and a first connecting portion 22 that is overlapped and connected to the second frame 12 by the fixing member 13. The second frame 12 has a second hook portion 31 that is engaged with the socket C2 and holds the second frame 12 in a positioned state with respect to the socket C2, and a second connecting portion 32 that is overlapped and connected to the first frame 11 by the fixing member 13.

[0054] In this case, by engaging the first hook portion 21 of the first frame 11 with the plug C1, engaging the second hook portion 31 of the second frame 12 with the socket C2, and further connecting the two frames 11 and 12 to each other with the fixing member 13, the plug C1 and the socket C2 can be firmly fixed in a connected state. As a result, the plug C1 and the socket C2 are less likely to be easily detached even when excessive stress is applied to the connector C or the transmission cable L is strongly pulled. Moreover, since it takes time and effort to remove the connector fixture 1 of this embodiment from the connector C, by attaching it to the connector C of the transmission cable L (relay cable L2) such as the anti-theft device SE mounted on the vehicle M as described above, the security performance such as anti-theft of the vehicle M is significantly improved.

[0055] The plug C1 has a claw portion 83 that is removably fitted to the socket C2, and the first hook portion 21 is engaged with the claw portion 83.

[0056]

[0057] ​According to this configuration, since the movement of the claw portion 83 when removing the plug C1 from the socket C2 can be restricted by the first hook portion 21, it becomes possible to more reliably hold the plug C1 and the socket C2 in a connected state. Therefore, the security when attached to the connector C of the transmission cable L such as the anti-theft device SE is further improved.

[0058] The first hook portion 21 is engaged with the claw portion 83 from the same direction as the connection direction of the plug C1 with respect to the socket C2.

[0059] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to more effectively hold the plug C1 and the socket C2 in a connected state. Therefore, the security when attached to the connector C of the transmission cable L such as the anti-theft device SE is further improved.

[0060] The socket C2 has a stepped portion 94 on the outer peripheral portion of the socket C2, and the second frame 12 is engaged with the stepped portion 94 from the direction opposite to the connection direction of the plug C1 with respect to the socket C2.

[0061] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to more effectively hold the plug C1 and the socket C2 in a connected state. Therefore, the security when attached to the connector C of the transmission cable L such as the anti-theft device SE is further improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1 Connector fixture 11 First frame 12 Second frame 13 Fixing screw (fixing member) 21 First hook portion 22 First connecting portion 31 Second hook portion 32 Second connecting portion 83 Claw portion 94 Stepped portion C Connector C1 Plug C2 Socket L Transmission cable S1 Vehicle control device S2 Starting device SE Anti-theft device T Tool

Claims

1. A connector fixing tool for fixing the plug and socket of a transmission cable in a connected state, comprising: a first frame to be attached to the plug; a second frame to be attached to the socket; and a fixing member for fixing the first frame and the second frame to each other with a tool. The first frame has: a first hook portion that engages with the plug and holds the first frame in a positioned state with respect to the plug; and a first connecting portion that is overlapped and connected to the second frame by the fixing member. The second frame has: a second hook portion that engages with the socket and holds the second frame in a positioned state with respect to the socket; and a second connecting portion that is overlapped and connected to the first frame by the fixing member.

2. The plug has a claw portion that is removably fitted to the socket, and the connector fixing tool according to claim 1, wherein the first hook portion engages with the claw portion.

3. The connector fixing tool according to claim 2, wherein the first hook portion engages with the claw portion from the same direction as the connection direction of the plug with respect to the socket.

4. The socket has a stepped portion on the outer peripheral portion thereof, and the connector fixing tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second frame engages with the stepped portion from the direction opposite to the connection direction of the plug with respect to the socket.

Images