Connecting implement and connecting structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a connecting implement of greater compactness and performance capable of connecting and releasing components easily, and a connecting structure for connecting members to each other using the connecting implement.　A connection implement (10, 60) comprising a plug member (11, 61) and a socket member (31, 81), the plug member (11, 61) and the socket member (31, 81) being connected due to protrusions (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61) being inserted into recesses (34A, 34B, 84) of the socket member (31, 81), and subsequently slid in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction, wherein unshielded plug openings (15A, 15B, 65) are formed in the insertion direction from plug-side bottom surface plate parts (22A, 22B, 72) of the plug member (11, 61) toward a plug-side base part (12, 62) .

Description

Connector and connecting structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector used to connect two parts, which connector consists of a plug member attached to one part and a socket member attached to the other part, and to a connecting structure that connects parts using the connector.

[0002] A connecting structure employing a protrusion-recess engagement between a plug member and a socket member is widely used when connecting wooden assembly furniture components, such as shelves and tables, or plastic or metal components, such as automotive interior components. For example, Patent Document 1 (Patent Document 1) describes a connector as shown in FIG. 16 as a structure for connecting two wooden plates (note that FIG. 18 of Patent Document 1 is shown in FIG. 16). This conventional connector secures a plug member 112 to one plate and a socket member 111 to the other plate, and then engages the plug member 112 with the socket member 111 to secure the two plates. The plug member 112 has a protrusion 113 for engagement, and the socket member 111 has a recess 114 that engages with the protrusion 113. This connector is designed so that the plug side member 112 and the socket side member 111 can be connected by inserting the convex portion 113 of the plug side member 112 into the concave portion 114 of the socket side member 111 and then sliding the plug side member 112 relative to the socket side member 111 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0003] In the connector described in Patent Document 1, when the plug side member 112 is slid relative to the socket side member 111, the convex portion 113 of the plug side member 112 is pressed into the concave portion 114 of the socket side member 111, thereby increasing the engagement friction force between the two and resulting in a stronger connection; however, it has the drawback of being difficult to tell how far the connector has been slid to when insertion is complete.

[0004] On the other hand, Patent Document 2, which discloses a similar connecting structure based on concave-convex engagement between a plug member and a socket member, describes providing an elastic locking member on the socket side member so that when the plug side member is slid relative to the socket side member, the operator can sense the completion of insertion of the sliding movement by a clicking sensation (see the configuration relating to the slot cap 90, locking arm 92, and securing lip 94 described in Patent Document 2).

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 8,104,989 U.S. Patent No. 9,765,529

[0006] However, in the connecting structure described in Patent Document 2, the elastic locking member, which is provided so that the operator can sense the completed insertion state by a click, is a separate member from the main body of the socket member (see panel fastener 10 described in Patent Document 2), which has the disadvantage of increasing the number of manufacturing and assembly steps. Furthermore, even if an attempt was made to simply integrate the elastic locking member and the main body of the socket member into one unit, the design of the connecting structure described in Patent Document 2 makes it impossible to manufacture them using only two molds, an upper mold and a lower mold, and the manufacturing mold for integral molding becomes complicated, making it extremely difficult to realize such manufacturing in terms of the mold split design and manufacturing costs.

[0007] Regarding the plug-side component, the plug-side component 112 described in Patent Document 1 cannot be attached to a wooden board with a screw. Instead, an insertion hole approximately the same size as the length of the plug-side component 112 is drilled in the wooden board, and the plug-side component 112 is press-fitted into the insertion hole. This press-fitting attachment method is inferior to fastening with a screw in terms of fine positioning adjustment and re-attachment during repairs. Furthermore, since the insertion hole on the wooden board requires a large amount of machining, the strength around the insertion hole on the wooden board is also inferior. Furthermore, if the plug-side component 112 described in Patent Document 1 were to be attached to a wooden board with a screw rather than a press-fitting, the manufacturing mold for integrally molding the plug-side component 112 would become complicated. In other words, the plug-side component 112 described in Patent Document 1 is designed to be manufactured using two molds with a parting surface parallel to the insertion direction into the wooden board. However, if a screw hole were to be provided, it would not be possible to achieve this with just these two molds; an additional mold would be required, resulting in increased manufacturing costs.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a more compact and high-performance connector that allows parts to be easily connected and disconnected, and a connecting structure that uses the connector to connect members together.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plug member (11, 61) and a socket member (31, 81), wherein the plug member (11, 61) comprises a plug-side base portion (12, 62) and at least one convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) extending from the plug-side base portion (12, 62) in an insertion direction, and the socket member (31, 81) comprises a socket-side base portion (32, 82) and an accommodating portion (33, 83) extending from the socket-side base portion (32, 82) in the insertion direction and having a concave portion (34A, 34B, 84) for receiving the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61), and wherein the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61) is inserted into the concave portion (34A, 34B, 84) of the socket member (31, 81). a connector (10, 60) that connects the plug member (11, 61) and the socket member (31, 81) by inserting the connector into a socket member (34B, 84) and then sliding it in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61) comprises a plug-side side plate portion (21A, 21B, 71) that extends integrally from the plug-side base portion (12, 62) in the insertion direction, and a plug-side bottom plate portion (22A, 22B, 72) that extends integrally from the plug-side side plate portion (21A, 21B, 71) in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the insertion direction from the plug-side bottom plate portion (22A, 22B, 72) toward the plug-side base portion (12, 62) forms a plug opening (15A, 15B, 65) that is not obstructed.

[0010] In some embodiments, the recess (34A, 34B, 84) of the socket member (31, 81) includes a socket-side side plate (41A, 41B, 91) extending integrally from the socket-side base portion (32, 82) in the insertion direction, and a socket-side bottom plate (42A, 42B, 92) extending integrally from the socket-side side plate (41A, 41B, 91) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the insertion direction from the socket-side bottom plate (42A, 42B, 92) toward the socket-side base portion (32, 82) forms an unobstructed socket opening (35A, 35B, 85). In some embodiments, the plug-side base portion (12, 62) is provided with a pair of plug mounting portions (16) and mounting holes (17), and the mounting holes (17) are drilled in the insertion direction. In some embodiments, the socket side base portion (32, 82) is provided with a pair of socket mounting portions (36) and mounting holes (37), and the mounting holes (37) are drilled in the insertion direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the convex portion of the plug member (11, 61) comprises a first convex portion (14A) and a second convex portion (14B), the first convex portion (14A) comprises a first plug-side side plate portion (21A) extending integrally from the plug-side base portion (12) in the insertion direction, and a first plug-side bottom plate portion (22A) extending integrally from the first plug-side side plate portion (21A) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the second convex portion (14B) comprises a first plug-side The plug is provided with a second plug side side plate portion (21B) extending integrally from the base portion (12) in the insertion direction, and a second plug side bottom plate portion (22B) extending integrally from the second plug side side plate portion (21B) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, the first plug side side plate portion (21A) being positioned closer to one side in the width direction of the plug side base portion (12), and the second plug side side plate portion (21B) being positioned closer to the other side in the width direction of the plug side base portion (12). In some embodiments, the recess of the socket member (31) comprises a first recess (34A) and a second recess (34B), the insertion direction side of the first recess (34A) is a first socket opening (35A), and the insertion direction side of the second recess (34B) is a second socket opening (35B), and the socket member (31) comprises a first slide opening (38A) that opens continuously from the first socket opening (35A), and a second slide opening (38B) that opens continuously from the second socket opening (35B), the first slide opening (38A) is provided closer to one side in the width direction of the socket side base portion (32), and the second slide opening (38B) is provided closer to the other side in the width direction of the socket side base portion (32).In some embodiments, the first recess (34A) includes a first socket-side side plate (41A) extending integrally from the socket-side base portion (32) in the insertion direction, and a first socket-side bottom plate (42A) extending integrally from the first socket-side side plate (41A) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the second recess (34B) includes a second socket-side side plate (41B) extending integrally from the socket-side base portion (32) in the insertion direction, and a front and a second socket side bottom plate portion (42B) extending integrally from the second socket side side plate portion (41B) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, and at least one of the first socket side bottom plate portion (41A) or the second socket side bottom plate portion (41B) is an elastic member having elastic force in the insertion direction, with a step portion (46) provided at its tip, and the plug member (11) is provided with a receiving portion (26) that engages with the step portion (46). In some embodiments, the plug-side base portion (12) includes a first wall portion (23A) extending integrally from one plug mounting portion (16) and integrally connected to the first plug-side side plate portion (21A), and a second wall portion (23B) extending integrally from the other plug mounting portion (16) and integrally connected to the second plug-side side plate portion (21B), and the first wall portion (23A) and the second wall portion (23B) are connected by a central plate portion (24). In some embodiments, the socket-side base portion (32, 82) includes an upper plate portion (43B, 93) extending integrally from one socket mounting portion (36). In some embodiments, the socket side bottom plate portion (42A, 42B, 92) is an elastic member having elastic force in the insertion direction, and has a step portion (46) at its tip, and the plug member (11) has a receiving portion (26) that engages with the step portion (46).

[0012] A connecting structure according to one aspect of the present invention is a connecting structure using the connecting device (10) of any of the above-described embodiments, characterized in that a countersunk hole is provided in the first connecting body (51) and the plug member (11, 61) is attached to the countersunk hole, a countersunk hole is provided in the second connecting body (52) and the socket member (31, 81) is attached to the countersunk hole, and the plug member (11, 61) and the socket member (31, 81) are engaged with each other to connect the first connecting body (51) and the second connecting body (52).

[0013] The connector of the present invention has many advantages, such as excellent integral molding properties and ease of attachment to connected parts such as plate materials, and the connecting structure of the present invention also has many advantages, such as ease of connecting and disconnecting connected parts.

[0014]

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coupler before combining a plug member and a socket member. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plug member, where the left figure is a perspective view of the plug member from the insertion surface side (the side inserted into the socket member), and the right figure is a perspective view of the plug member from the attachment surface side (the side attached to a connected component). Figure 3 is a view of the plug member from the insertion surface side. Figure 4 is a side view of a plug member, where the left figure is a view of the plug member of Figure 3 from the left side of Figure 3, and the right figure is a view of the plug member of Figure 3 from the right side of Figure 3. Figures are views of a plug member from the front or back, where the upper figure is a view of the plug member of Figure 3 from the bottom of Figure 3, and the lower figure is a view of the plug member of Figure 3 from the bottom of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a socket member, where the left figure is a perspective view of the socket member from the attachment surface side (the side attached to a connected component), and the right figure is a perspective view of the socket member from the insertion surface side (the side into which the plug member is inserted). 10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler in FIG. 10 taken along a plane parallel to the insertion direction at the center line position in the width direction of the coupler. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler in FIG. 10 taken along a plane parallel to the insertion direction and illustrating a state in which the plug member and the socket member are attached to a connected component (connection body) for use (an example of a T-shaped connection structure). 10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler in FIG. 10 taken along a plane parallel to the insertion direction and illustrating a state in which the plug member and the socket member are attached to a connected component (connection body) for use (an example of a surface-connection ...

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A coupler 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention functions by combining a plug member 11 and a socket member 31. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coupler before the plug member and socket member 31 are combined. FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating the plug member 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the socket member 31 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the combined state of the plug member 11 and socket member 31. Furthermore, the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 of the coupler 10 of the present invention are each attached to the components to be connected (connected components, such as furniture boards or automobile interior components). These connected components (connected components, such as furniture boards or automobile interior components) are referred to as a "first connecting body 51" and a "second connecting body 52" (see FIGS. 12 and 13 for the drawings). In the description herein, the direction in which the plug member 11 is inserted into the socket member 31 is defined as the "insertion direction" (see arrow Z in FIGS. 1 and 11), and the direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 slide and engage (the longitudinal direction of the plug member 11 and the socket member 31) is defined as the "sliding direction" (see arrow Y in FIGS. 1 and 11). Note that in this specification, the term "substantially perpendicular direction" refers not only to a completely perpendicular direction but also to a direction that includes a tolerance of approximately ±5 degrees, taking into account mold design considerations, manufacturing errors, and other factors. In addition, for ease of viewing and explanation, some of the ridges of the corners of components are omitted in the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the state before the plug member 11 and socket member 31 are combined in a coupler 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. From the state shown in Fig. 1, the plug member 11 and socket member 31 are brought closer together in the insertion direction (the direction of the Z arrow) to insert the first convex portion 14A and the second convex portion 14B of the plug member 11 into the first socket opening 35A and the second socket opening 35B of the socket member 31, respectively. The plug member 11 is then moved in the sliding direction (the direction of the Y arrow) toward the socket member 31, thereby coupling the two members together. These features of the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 will be described in more detail below.

[0017] First, the plug member 11 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug member 11. The left side of Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug member 11 as seen from the insertion surface side (the side inserted into the socket member), and the right side of Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug member 11 as seen from the attachment surface side (the side attached to the connected component). Fig. 3 is a view of the plug member 11 as seen from the insertion surface side. Fig. 4 is a side view of the plug member 11. The left side of Fig. 4 is a view of the plug member 11 in Fig. 3 as seen from the left side, and the right side of Fig. 4 is a view of the plug member 11 in Fig. 3 as seen from the right side. Fig. 5 is a view of the plug member 11 as seen from the front or rear, with the upper view of Fig. 5 being a view of Fig. 3 as seen from the top of Fig. 3, and the lower view of Fig. 5 being a view of Fig. 3 as seen from the bottom of Fig. 3. In this first embodiment, the plug member 11 has two convex portions, a first convex portion 14A and a second convex portion 14B. The first protrusion 14A and the second protrusion 14B extend from the plug base 12 in the insertion direction. That is, the first protrusion 14A includes a first plug side surface plate 21A extending integrally from the plug base 12 in the insertion direction, and a first plug bottom surface plate 22A extending integrally from approximately the tip of the first plug side surface plate 21A in the insertion direction in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction (the width direction of the plug member). Similarly, the second protrusion 14B includes a second plug side surface plate 21B extending integrally from the plug base 12 in the insertion direction, and a second plug bottom surface plate 22B extending integrally from approximately the tip of the second plug side surface plate 21B in the insertion direction in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction (the width direction of the plug member). In this specification, "extending integrally" means that the two components are not manufactured separately and then joined together, but are manufactured as a single component from the beginning, i.e., manufactured as a single component by resin injection molding.

[0018] Regarding the plug member 11, the plug-side base portion 12 is provided with a plug mounting portion 16 and a mounting hole 17 at each of its longitudinal ends. The mounting holes 17 are drilled in the insertion direction, and screws, nails, or the like are passed through the mounting holes 17 to secure the plug member 11 to a first connecting body 51, which is the component to be connected (such as a furniture panel or an automobile interior component). The plug-side base portion 12 also includes a first wall portion 23A extending integrally from one mounting portion 16 and integrally connected to the first plug-side side panel portion 21A. Similarly, the plug-side base portion 12 includes a second wall portion 23B extending integrally from the other mounting portion 16 and integrally connected to the second plug-side side panel portion 21B. The first wall portion 23A and the second wall portion 23B are connected by a central panel portion 24. As one of the features of the embodiment of the present invention, the integrated portion consisting of the first wall portion 23A, the first plug-side side plate portion 21A, and the first plug-side bottom plate portion 22A and the integrated portion consisting of the second wall portion 23B, the second plug-side side plate portion 21B, and the second plug-side bottom plate portion 22B are arranged at staggered positions in the width direction of the plug member 11 (the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, i.e., the short direction of the plug member), as shown in Figures 2 and 3. That is, the first wall portion 23A and the first plug-side side plate portion 21A are provided close to one end of the plug-side base portion 12 in the width direction, and conversely, the second wall portion 23B and the second plug-side side plate portion 21B are provided close to the other end of the plug-side base portion 12 in the width direction. One design option would be to position the first plug side side panel 21A along the center line in the width direction, but if the first wall 23A and the first plug side side panel 21A are positioned at a distance in this way, each part would have to be a thin structure, which would result in a decrease in overall strength, and would also result in other problems such as the manufacturing mold becoming more complex and the mold portion that fits into the first wall 23A and the first plug side side panel 21A not being able to be thick enough.However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first wall portion 23A and the first plug-side side plate portion 21A are moved toward one side in the width direction, in other words, are gathered at one end in the width direction, so that the first wall portion 23A and the first plug-side side plate portion 21A can be designed to be integrally thick, and moreover, the thickness of the manufacturing mold can be secured with a margin, thereby improving the strength of the plug member 11. (The same can be said for the second wall portion 23B and the second plug-side side plate portion 21B, but a description thereof will be omitted.) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first wall portion 23A and the second wall portion 23B are connected by the central plate portion 24, further improving the overall rigidity of the plug member 11.

[0019] One of the features of the embodiment of the present invention is that the plug openings 15A, 15B are unobstructed in the insertion direction from the plug-side bottom plate portions 22A, 22B toward the plug-side base portion 12. By doing so, when the plug member 11 is resin injection molded, no undercuts are provided in the insertion direction from the plug-side bottom plate portions 22A, 22B toward the plug-side base portion 12, so that the plug member 11 can be manufactured using only two manufacturing dies, an upper die and a lower die (two dies whose faces perpendicular to the insertion direction are the parting faces). Furthermore, because the faces perpendicular to the insertion direction are the parting faces, it is possible to easily provide mounting holes 17 for screws in the insertion direction (which is also the direction of movement of the manufacturing dies).

[0020] The plug member 11 configured as described above can be manufactured as a one-piece molded product by resin injection, and the mold used in its manufacture is advantageous in terms of manufacturing in that the shapes of each part are designed so that it can be manufactured using only a mold that is divided into upper and lower parts without using a slide core.

[0021] It is preferable to provide an auxiliary wall 25 on one of the first protrusion 14A and the second protrusion 14B to prevent the plug member 11 from being installed in the wrong longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the auxiliary wall 25 is provided only on the first protrusion 14A. Because the auxiliary wall 25 is provided on the first protrusion 14A, even if an installer accidentally inserts the plug member 11 into the socket member 31 by sliding it from the side where the auxiliary wall 25 is provided, the auxiliary wall 25 will get in the way and prevent the sliding operation, allowing the installer to sense that the installation direction is reversed. Note that if there is no need to specify a specific direction for the installation direction of the connected components, the auxiliary wall 25 may not be provided.

[0022] Next, the socket member 31 of the coupler 10 will be described. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the socket member 31, with the left side of Fig. 6 being a perspective view of the socket member 31 as viewed from the attachment surface side (the side attached to the connected component), and the right side of Fig. 6 being a perspective view of the socket member 31 as viewed from the insertion surface side (the side into which the plug member is inserted). Fig. 7 is a view of the socket member 31 as viewed from the insertion surface side. Fig. 8 is a side view of the socket member 31 of Fig. 7 as viewed from the right side (the side view as viewed from the opposite side, left side, has a similar shape and is therefore omitted). Fig. 9 is a front view of the socket member 31 of Fig. 7 as viewed from the bottom of Fig. 7 (the back view as viewed from the opposite side, top side, has a similar shape and is therefore omitted). In this first embodiment, the socket member 31 has two recesses, a first recess 34A and a second recess 34B, which are positioned so that the first convex portion 14A and the second convex portion 14B of the plug member can be inserted, respectively. The first recess 34A and the second recess 34B are provided inside the accommodating portion 33, which extends integrally from the socket base portion 32 in the insertion direction. That is, the first recess 34A includes a first socket side surface plate portion 41A extending integrally from the socket base portion 32 in the insertion direction, and a first socket bottom surface plate portion 42A extending integrally from the first socket side surface plate portion 41A in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (the same direction as the sliding direction). Similarly, the second recess 34B has a second socket side side plate portion 41B that extends integrally from the socket side base portion 32 in the insertion direction, and a second socket side bottom plate portion 42B that extends integrally from the second socket side side plate portion 41B in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction (the same direction as the sliding direction).

[0023] Further, with regard to the socket member 31, a socket mounting portion 36 and a mounting hole 37 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the socket-side base portion 32. The mounting holes 37 are drilled in the insertion direction, and screws, nails, etc. are passed through the mounting holes 37 to secure the socket member 31 to the second connecting body 52, which is the part to be connected (such as a furniture board or an automobile interior part). The first recess 34A and the second recess 34B described above are disposed between the pair of socket mounting portions 36, and the insertion surface sides of the first recess 34A and the second recess 34B form the first socket opening 35A and the second socket opening 35B, respectively. The socket member 31 is further provided with a first slide opening 38A that opens continuously from the first socket opening 35A, and a second slide opening 38B that opens continuously from the second socket opening 35B. The first sliding opening 38A is adapted to receive the first plug-side side plate portion 21A of the plug member 11 when the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 are slid relative to each other, and similarly, the second sliding opening 38B is adapted to receive the second plug-side side plate portion 21B of the plug member 11. Here, the first sliding opening 38A is provided near one side in the width direction of the socket-side base portion 32 in accordance with the arrangement of the first wall portion 23A and the first plug-side side plate portion 21A of the plug member 11, and similarly, the second sliding opening 38B is provided near the other side in the width direction of the socket-side base portion 32.

[0024] Furthermore, the socket-side base portion 32 of the socket member 31 is provided with a first upper plate portion 43A and a second upper plate portion 43B adjacent to the first slide opening 38A and the second slide opening 38B in the width direction, respectively. The first upper plate portion 43A is provided in approximately the center of the socket-side base portion 32 in the longitudinal direction, and the second upper plate portion 43B is provided so as to extend integrally from one of the socket mounting portions 36. The lower surfaces of the first upper plate portion 43A and the second upper plate portion 43B are configured to come into surface contact with the upper surfaces of the first plug-side bottom plate portion 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate portion 22B of the plug member 11, respectively, during a sliding operation of the plug member 11 and the socket member 31. After the sliding operation is completed, the first upper plate 43A and the second upper plate 43B overlap the first plug-side bottom plate 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate 22B, respectively, in the insertion direction so that the plug member 11 does not slip out in the insertion direction. The degree of surface contact between the first upper plate 43A and the second upper plate 43B and the first plug-side bottom plate 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate 22B may be such that an operator can feel the sensation of sliding operation due to an appropriate frictional force, but in this embodiment, in order to prevent the frictional force from becoming too large, the design is such that no clear gap is created between them and there is no overlap in the thickness of the two in the insertion direction. If the two parts are designed so that there is an overlap in thickness in the insertion direction, one part elastically deforms the other during operation, and the slide operation is performed while being pressed in, which makes the operator feel the slide operation more strongly, but on the other hand, it can be difficult to operate and difficult to remove when reassembling or repairing, so in this embodiment, the design does not have an overlap. Note that even if a clear gap occurs between the two, there is no problem with the connection function of the connected parts, so if a loose slide engagement operation is desired, a gap may be intentionally provided.

[0025] Furthermore, to allow the operator to sense the completion of the sliding operation by a click when sliding the plug member 11 into the socket member 31, it is preferable that at least one of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A or the second socket-side bottom plate 42B be made of an elastic material that has elasticity in the insertion direction. In this embodiment, only the first socket-side bottom plate 42A is made of an elastic material. Furthermore, in addition to the first socket-side bottom plate 42A being made of an elastic material, a thickened portion 45 and a step portion 46 are provided at the tip of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A (see FIGS. 7 and 11 ). The thickened portion 45 has a mountain-like shape with an upward and downward surface that are continuous in the direction of the sliding insertion operation (for convenience of explanation, the inclined curved surface closer to the tip of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A will be referred to as the downward surface, and the inclined curved surface closer to the socket-side side plate 41A will be referred to as the upward surface), and the step portion 46 has an L-shape. With this configuration, when sliding the plug member 11 into the socket member 31, the lower surface of the first plug-side bottom plate portion 22A moves along the inclined upward surface of the thick-walled portion 45, pushing aside the thick-walled portion 45 and elastically deforming the first socket-side bottom plate portion 42A downward, and then the receiving portion 26 of the plug member 11 drops into the step portion 46, thereby releasing the elastic force generated in the first socket-side bottom plate portion 42A and giving the operator a clicking sensation. Also, when removing the plug member 11 from the socket member 31, if the plug member 11 is pulled out in the sliding direction relative to the socket member 31, the receiving portion 26 of the plug member 11 moves along the downward surface of the thick-walled portion 45, pushing aside the thick-walled portion 45 and elastically deforming the first socket-side bottom plate portion 42A downward, so that the plug member 11 can be easily removed from the socket member 31.Furthermore, if the step portion 46 were not L-shaped, when the plug member 11 was removed from the socket member 31, the receiving portion 26 of the plug member 11 would not be guided along the downward surface of the thick portion 45 but would come into abutment with the tip of the first socket side bottom plate portion 42A, pushing in the first socket side bottom plate portion 42A and causing it to bend upward, which could result in damage to the first socket side bottom plate portion 42A. However, in this embodiment, the receiving portion 26 of the plug member 11 will not go below the L-shaped shape of the step portion 46, so it can be removed reliably.

[0026] One of the features of the embodiment of the present invention is that the socket openings 35A, 35B are unobstructed in the insertion direction from the socket bottom plate portions 42A, 42B toward the socket base portion 32. This configuration eliminates undercuts in the insertion direction from the socket bottom plate portions 42A, 42B toward the socket base portion 32 when the socket member 11 is resin injection molded. This allows the socket member 11 to be manufactured using only two manufacturing dies, an upper die and a lower die (two manufacturing dies whose faces perpendicular to the insertion direction form the parting plane). Furthermore, because the faces perpendicular to the insertion direction form the parting plane, screw mounting holes 37 can be easily formed in the insertion direction (which is also the direction of movement of the manufacturing dies).

[0027] The socket member 31 configured as described above can be manufactured as a one-piece molded product by resin injection, and the mold used in its manufacture is advantageous in terms of manufacturing in that the shapes of each part are designed so that it can be manufactured using only a mold that is divided into upper and lower parts without using a slide core.

[0028] Next, the state in which the plug member 11 and socket member 31 configured as described above are connected will be described using FIGS. 10 and 11 . FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plug member 11 and socket member 31 assembled together, with the upper view of FIG. 10 being a view from the mounting surface side of the plug member 11, and the lower view of FIG. 10 being a view from the mounting surface side of the socket member 31. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the cross section of the coupler 10 in the state shown in FIG. 10 , taken along a plane parallel to the insertion direction at the centerline position in the width direction of the coupler 10. The method for connecting the coupler 10 in this embodiment will be described in more detail. First, from the separated state shown in FIG. 1 , the plug member 11 and socket member 31 are moved toward each other in the insertion direction (the direction of the Z arrow), and the first convex portion 14A and the second convex portion 14B of the plug member 11 are inserted into the first socket opening 35A and the second socket opening 35B of the socket member 31, respectively. When inserted all the way in, the lower surfaces of the first plug-side bottom plate 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate 22B of the plug member 11 abut against the upper surfaces of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A and the second socket-side bottom plate 42B of the socket member 31, respectively. At this time, the first socket-side bottom plate 42A, which is an elastic member, is slightly bent. From this state, when the plug member 11 is moved in the sliding direction (direction of the Y arrow) toward the socket member 31, the first plug-side bottom plate 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate 22B of the plug member 11 enter the spaces below the first upper plate 43A and the second upper plate 43B of the socket member, respectively. As the sliding operation continues, the receiving portion 26 at the corner of the end of the first plug-side bottom plate 22A goes from being guided along the generally flat portion of the upper surface of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A to climbing over the upwardly inclined portion of the thick portion 45 of the first socket-side bottom plate 42A, then moving along the downwardly inclined portion of the thick portion 45, dropping into the step 46, and finally engaging with the step 46. At this time, the first socket-side bottom plate 42A, which is an elastic member, moves in a direction returning from its bent state to its original state due to its elastic force, allowing the operator to feel a click and sense the completion of the sliding operation. Meanwhile, the second plug-side bottom plate 22B is guided along the flat portion of the upper surface of the second socket-side bottom plate 42B and enters the space below the second upper plate 43B.In this way, the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 are connected to each other.

[0029] To separate the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 from their connected state, the above-described connecting operation can be reversed. That is, when the plug member 11 is slid toward the socket member 31 from the connected state shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the opposite direction to the direction of sliding during connection, the receiving portion 26 of the plug member 11 moves from its recessed position in the step portion 46 along the downward surface of the thick portion 45. By continuing the sliding operation, the receiving portion 26 and the first plug-side bottom plate portion 22A slide, pushing aside the thick portion 45 and elastically deforming the first socket-side bottom plate portion 42A downward. Finally, the first plug-side bottom plate portion 22A and the second plug-side bottom plate portion 22B of the plug member 11 slide until they no longer overlap with the first upper plate portion 43A and the second upper plate portion 43B of the socket member, respectively, in the insertion direction. From this state, the plug member 11 is removed from the socket member 31 by moving the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 apart in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

[0030] Next, the use of the connector 10 by attaching it to the parts it is intended to connect (such as furniture boards or automotive interior parts) will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The plug member 11 and socket member 31 of the connector 10 are attached to the parts it is intended to connect (such as furniture boards or automotive interior parts), respectively, and these parts it is intended to connect (such as furniture boards or automotive interior parts) are represented in Figures 12 and 13 as a first connecting body 51 and a second connecting body 52. ​​Note that while the detailed shapes of the plug member 11 and socket member 31 are depicted in abstraction in Figures 12 and 13, in reality, the plug member and socket member in any embodiment described herein are used.

[0031] First, let us consider the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52 are both rectangular plate-shaped members, and the two members are connected in a T-shape to assemble a connected structure. The left side of FIG. 12 is a view from the side where the plug member 11 is visible, and the right side is a view from the side where the socket member 31 is visible. That is, both views are views of the same object from opposite directions. As shown in the left side of FIG. 12, the plug member 11 is attached to one of the first connecting bodies 51. To attach the plug member 11 to the first connecting body 51, a counterbore hole is first drilled into the first connecting body 51 so that the plug member 11 can be embedded. If the first connecting body 51 is made of wood, the counterbore hole is drilled in post-processing. If the first connecting body 51 is made of resin, the counterbore hole is pre-formed to provide the counterbore hole. Meanwhile, as shown in the right side of FIG. 12, the socket member 31 is attached to the other second connecting body 52. The socket member 31 is attached to the second connecting body 52 in the same manner as described above, and a countersunk hole is provided in the second connecting body 52 so that the socket member 31 can be embedded therein.

[0032] As described above, the plug member 11 of the first connecting body 51 and the socket member 31 of the second connecting body 52 are aligned, and the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 are inserted and slid in the manner described above to connect the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52. ​​Furthermore, when disconnecting the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52, the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 can be slid in the direction opposite to that used when they were connected, and then removed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, thereby separating the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52.

[0033] Next, another embodiment of the connection structure of the connector 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . While the embodiment of the connection structure shown in FIG. 12 previously illustrates a T-shaped connection between the wide flat surface of the first connecting body 51 and the narrow flat surface of the second connecting body 52, which has a smaller area and width than the first connecting body 51, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 illustrates a face-to-face connection between the wide flat surface of the first connecting body 51 and the wide flat surface of the second connecting body 52, which has approximately the same area and width. The left side of FIG. 13 is a view from the side where the plug member 11 is visible, and the right side is a view from the side where the socket member 31 is visible. That is, both views are views of the same object from opposite directions. As shown in FIG. 13 , the plug member 11 is attached to one of the first connecting bodies 51, and the socket member 31 is attached to the other of the second connecting bodies 52. The method for attaching the plug member 11 and the socket member 31 to the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52, and the method for connecting the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52 are the same as those described in the embodiment of Figure 12.

[0034] Next, another embodiment of a coupler according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. While the previously described coupler 10 was an embodiment having two sets of convex and concave portions, a coupler 60 according to an embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15 has one set of convex and concave portions. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the plug member 61 and socket member 81 of coupler 60, viewed from a direction in which the insertion surface side of socket member 81 is visible, and Figure 15 is a perspective view of the same coupler 60, viewed from the opposite direction (a perspective view viewed from a direction in which the insertion surface side of plug member 61 is visible).

[0035] In this embodiment, the plug member 61 has one protrusion 64. This protrusion 64 extends from the plug-side base portion 62 in the insertion direction. That is, the protrusion 64 includes a plug-side side plate portion 71 that extends integrally from the plug-side base portion 62 in the insertion direction, and a plug-side bottom plate portion 72 that extends integrally from the plug-side side plate portion 71 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (the width direction of the plug member 61). On the other hand, the socket member 81 has one recess 84. This recess 84 is positioned at a position where the protrusion 64 of the plug member 61 can be inserted, and is shaped so that the protrusion 64 of the plug member 61 can be inserted. This recess 84 is provided inside a housing portion 83 that extends integrally from the socket-side base portion 82 in the insertion direction. That is, the recess 84 comprises a socket side side plate portion 91 that extends integrally from the socket side base portion 82 in the insertion direction, and a socket side bottom plate portion 92 that extends integrally from the socket side side plate portion 91 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction (the same direction as the sliding direction).

[0036] In this embodiment, the protrusion 64 of the plug member 61 includes an auxiliary wall 25 extending integrally from the plug-side base portion 62 in the insertion direction. A receiving portion 26 is provided at the corner between the auxiliary wall 25 and the plug-side bottom plate portion 72 so that the assembler can sense a click. The socket-side bottom plate portion 92 is made of a resilient member having elasticity and includes a thick portion 45 and a step portion 46 at its tip. The plug-side base portion 62 of the plug member 61 includes mounting portions 16 and mounting holes 17 at both ends, with a wall portion 23 and a plug opening 65 located between them. The socket-side base portion 82 of the socket member 81 also includes mounting portions 36 and mounting holes 37 at both ends, with a socket opening 85 and a slide opening 88 that opens continuously from the socket opening 85 located between them. An upper plate portion 93 is provided adjacent to the slide opening 88. The functions of each component are the same as those described in the previous embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0037] The connector 60 of this embodiment has a pair of convex and concave portions, resulting in a more compact overall configuration, making it an advantageous embodiment for connecting small connected structures. However, it is not necessarily used only for connecting small connected structures, and the pair of convex and concave portions may be longer to match the size of the connected structure.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, if the connecting structure is longer, three or more sets of convex portions and concave portions may be provided accordingly. Since there is a tendency for the rigidity of the plug member or socket member to decrease when a single convex portion or concave portion is designed to be long, it may be preferable from the standpoint of strength to provide multiple sets of convex portions or concave portions of a length that ensures appropriate rigidity, rather than designing a single convex portion or concave portion to be long, and to provide the central plate portion 24 and upper plate portions 43A, 43B as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 between them.

[0039] Furthermore, the plug member and socket member may be attached to the first connecting body 51 and the second connecting body 52 by adhesive rather than by screws, in which case there is no need to provide the mounting holes 17 and 37.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above, and it is possible to appropriately utilize, use as an alternative technology, or add to, technologies that are substantially the same as or that have similar effects as the technical matters described in the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to implement the present invention by rearranging the characteristic configurations of the above embodiments.

[0041] 10, 60: Connector 11, 61: Plug member 12, 62: Plug side base portion 14A: Convex portion, first convex portion 14B: Convex portion, second convex portion 64: Convex portion 15A: Plug opening, first plug opening 15B: Plug opening, second plug opening 65: Plug opening 16: Plug mounting portion 17: Mounting hole 21A: Plug side side plate portion, first plug side side plate portion 21B: Plug side side plate portion, second plug side side plate portion 71: Plug side side plate portion 22A: Plug side bottom plate portion, first plug side bottom plate portion 22B: Plug side bottom plate portion, second plug side bottom plate portion 72: Plug side bottom plate portion 23A: First wall portion 23B: Second wall portion 24: Central plate portion 25: Auxiliary wall 26: Receiving portion 31, 81: Socket member 32, 82: Socket side base portion 33, 83: Storage portion 34A: Recess, first recess 34B: Recess, second recess 84: Recess 35A: Socket opening, first socket opening 35B: Socket opening, second socket opening 85: Socket opening 36: Socket mounting portion 37: Mounting hole 38A: Slide opening, first slide opening 38B: Slide opening, second slide opening 38: Slide opening 41A: Socket side side plate portion, first socket side side plate portion 41B: Socket side side plate portion, second socket side side plate portion 91: Socket side side plate portion 42A: Socket side bottom plate portion, first socket side bottom plate portion 42B: Socket side bottom plate portion, first socket side bottom plate portion 92: Socket side bottom surface plate portion 43A: Upper plate portion, first upper plate portion 43B: Upper plate portion, second upper plate portion 93: Upper plate portion 45: Thick portion 46: Step portion 51: First connecting body 52: Second connecting body

Claims

1. A connector comprising a plug member (11, 61) and a socket member (31, 81), wherein the plug member (11, 61) comprises a plug-side base portion (12, 62) and at least one convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) extending from the plug-side base portion (12, 62) in the insertion direction, and the socket member (31, 81) comprises a socket-side base portion (32, 82) and a receiving portion (33, 83) extending from the socket-side base portion (32, 82) in the insertion direction and having a concave portion (34A, 34B, 84) for receiving the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61), a connector (10, 60) that connects the plug member (11, 61) and the socket member (31, 81) by inserting the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61) into the concave portion (34A, 34B, 84) of the socket member (31, 81) and then sliding the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, The connector (10, 60) is characterized in that the convex portion (14A, 14B, 64) of the plug member (11, 61) comprises a plug-side side plate portion (21A, 21B, 71) extending integrally from the plug-side base portion (12, 62) in the insertion direction, and a plug-side bottom plate portion (22A, 22B, 72) extending integrally from the plug-side side plate portion (21A, 21B, 71) in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the insertion direction from the plug-side bottom plate portion (22A, 22B, 72) toward the plug-side base portion (12, 62) forms an unobstructed plug opening (15A, 15B, 65).

2. The connector (10, 60) according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (34A, 34B, 84) of the socket member (31, 81) comprises a socket side side plate portion (41A, 41B, 91) extending integrally from the socket side base portion (32, 82) in the insertion direction, and a socket side bottom plate portion (42A, 42B, 92) extending integrally from the socket side side plate portion (41A, 41B, 91) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the insertion direction from the socket side bottom plate portion (42A, 42B, 92) toward the socket side base portion (32, 82) forms an unobstructed socket opening (35A, 35B, 85).

3. A connector (10, 60) as described in claim 1, characterized in that the plug side base portion (12, 62) is provided with a pair of plug mounting portions (16) and mounting holes (17), and the mounting holes (17) are drilled in the insertion direction.

4. A connector (10, 60) as described in claim 2, characterized in that the socket side base portion (32, 82) is provided with a pair of socket mounting portions (36) and mounting holes (37), and the mounting holes (37) are drilled in the insertion direction.

5. The convex portion of the plug member (11, 61) comprises a first convex portion (14A) and a second convex portion (14B), the first convex portion (14A) comprises a first plug side side plate portion (21A) extending integrally from the plug side base portion (12) in the insertion direction, and a first plug side bottom plate portion (22A) extending integrally from the first plug side side plate portion (21A) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, the second convex portion (14B) comprises a second plug side side plate portion (21B) extending integrally from the plug side base portion (12) in the insertion direction, and a second plug side bottom plate portion (22B) extending integrally from the second plug side side plate portion (21B) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, the first plug side side plate portion (21A) is provided closer to one side in the width direction of the plug side base portion (12), The connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second plug-side side plate portion (21B) is provided closer to the other side in the width direction of the plug-side base portion (12).

6. A connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the recesses of the socket member (31) comprise a first recess (34A) and a second recess (34B), the insertion direction side of the first recess (34A) being a first socket opening (35A) and the insertion direction side of the second recess (34B) being a second socket opening (35B), the socket member (31) further comprising a first slide opening (38A) opening continuously from the first socket opening (35A) and a second slide opening (38B) opening continuously from the second socket opening (35B), the first slide opening (38A) being provided close to one side in the width direction of the socket side base part (32), and the second slide opening (38B) being provided close to the other side in the width direction of the socket side base part (32).

7. The first recess (34A) comprises a first socket side surface plate (41A) extending integrally from the socket side base portion (32) in the insertion direction, and a first socket side bottom surface plate (42A) extending integrally from the first socket side surface plate (41A) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, and the second recess (34B) comprises a second socket side surface plate (41B) extending integrally from the socket side base portion (32) in the insertion direction, and a second socket side bottom surface plate (42B) extending integrally from the second socket side surface plate (41B) in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction, A connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the first socket side bottom plate portion (41A) or the second socket side bottom plate portion (41B) is an elastic member having elastic force in the insertion direction, has a step portion (46) at its tip, and the plug member (11) is provided with a receiving portion (26) that engages with the step portion (46).

8. The connector (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the plug-side base portion (12) comprises a first wall portion (23A) extending integrally from one plug mounting portion (16) and integrally connected to the first plug-side side plate portion (21A), and a second wall portion (23B) extending integrally from the other plug mounting portion (16) and integrally connected to the second plug-side side plate portion (21B), and the first wall portion (23A) and the second wall portion (23B) are connected by a central plate portion (24).

9. A connector (10, 60) as described in claim 4, characterized in that the socket side base portion (32, 82) has an upper plate portion (43B, 93) extending integrally from one of the socket mounting portions (36).

10. A connector (10, 60) as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the socket side bottom plate portion (42A, 42B, 92) is an elastic member having elastic force in the insertion direction, has a step portion (46) at its tip, and the plug member (11) is provided with a receiving portion (26) that engages with the step portion (46).

11. A connecting structure using the connecting device (10) described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a countersunk hole is provided in a first connecting body (51) and the plug member (11, 61) is attached to the countersunk hole, a countersunk hole is provided in a second connecting body (52) and the socket member (31, 81) is attached to the countersunk hole, and the plug member (11, 61) and the socket member (31, 81) are engaged to connect the first connecting body (51) and the second connecting body (52).

Images