JP6898147B2 - Automotive connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle connector, and more particularly to a connector having a lid.

Automobiles are equipped with accessory devices such as car navigation systems and audio devices. Some accessory devices can transfer data between the accessory device and the information processing device by connecting an information processing device such as a personal computer or a smartphone brought into the vehicle by the user.

In many cases, an instrument panel of an automobile is provided with a data transfer connector such as a USB connector (USB socket) together with an accessory device. The user connects the information processing device to the data transfer connector using a cable provided with a plug compatible with the data transfer connector, and causes the accessory device and the information processing device to transfer data.

Some data transfer connectors are provided with a lid in order to avoid poor contact due to moisture, dust, etc. For example, Cited Document 1 proposes an in-vehicle USB terminal device provided with an opening / closing lid. In this in-vehicle USB terminal device, the opening / closing lid is closed by urging force when the USB plug is not inserted in the USB socket, and the contact pressure between the USB plug and the USB socket when the USB plug is inserted in the USB socket. The open / close lid presses the USB plug so that

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-46062

Some in-vehicle connectors with a lid can be opened manually by the user when the plug is inserted into the connector. With such a connector, it is difficult for the user to insert the plug with one hand. In addition, the connector may become large due to the provision of the lid.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate the operation of inserting a plug into an in-vehicle connector with a lid and to reduce the size of the in-vehicle connector.

The present invention includes a front panel having a plug insertion opening facing the passenger compartment side, a front plate having a plug insertion hole, and a housing body portion in which the front panel is covered with the front panel, and the plug insertion opening. A shutter plate that is movable along the plate surface and opens and closes the plug insertion opening, a protruding portion protruding from the shutter plate in a direction intersecting the opening and closing direction of the shutter plate, and a rear portion from the back surface of the front panel. a guide wall extending to the opening and closing direction overhangs are formed on the front plate, and a guide structure projecting shape extending in the closing direction, the guide wall and the guide structure opens the closing direction of the projecting portion The shutter plate is characterized in that a slit is formed to guide the shutter plate, and the shutter plate is swingable around the protruding portion.

Desirably, before Symbol slit has a section extending rearwardly toward the direction in which the shutter plate is opened.

Desirably, includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the protruding portion in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed, said shutter plate has a vertical side extending in opening and closing direction, the protruding portions, the vertical sides of said shutter plate Is provided at a position biased toward the closing direction side from the center of the vertical side.

Desirably, a spring that urges the projecting portion in the direction in which the shutter plate is closed, a spring pressing projecting portion that projects from the back surface of the front panel and sandwiches the spring between the projecting portion, and a back surface of the front panel. A shutter plate stopper that protrudes from the shutter plate and comes into contact with the protruding portion when the shutter plate is closed, and the spring pressing protrusion is between the shutter plate stopper and the shutter plate stopper when the shutter plate is closed. The spring and the protruding portion are sandwiched between the two. Desirably, when you define the forward direction toward the front Symbol cabin side, the slit, the is formed by a pair of edge structure sandwiching the protruding portion, rearward toward the direction in which the shutter plate is opened The urging mechanism has an extending section, is provided at a position where the slit is sandwiched between the urging mechanism and the shutter plate, and has a spring that urges the protruding portion in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed.

Desirably, the shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening / closing direction, and among the upper side or the lower side of the shutter plate, the vicinity of the side on the closing direction side is from the upper side or the lower side. A slope that projects toward the passenger compartment side is formed as the distance increases, and when the plug is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector, the range occupied by the slope is covered by the tip of the plug.

Desirably, the first engaging portion includes a pair of the protruding portions protruding from the shutter plate in the left-right direction when viewed from the passenger compartment side, and the engaging portion guides the protruding portion protruding to the left in the vertical direction. A portion and a second engaging portion that guides the protruding portion protruding to the right in the vertical direction are provided.

Desirably, the urging mechanism includes a first urging mechanism and a second urging mechanism that urge the left and right protrusions in the closing direction of the shutter plate, respectively.

Further, the present invention includes a front panel having a plug insertion opening facing the passenger compartment side, a front plate having a plug insertion hole, and a housing main body portion in which the front panel is covered with the front panel, and the plug. the upper shutter plate which is movable in and along the plate surface in the insertion opening, a lower shutter plate which is movable in and along the plate surface to the plug insertion opening, situated below the upper shutter plate, said plug A lower shutter plate that opens and closes the insertion opening together with the upper shutter plate, an upper protruding portion that protrudes laterally from the upper shutter plate, a lower protruding portion that protrudes laterally from the lower shutter plate, and a back surface of the front panel. a guide wall extending to the opening and closing direction protrudes rearward from being formed on the front plate, and a guide structure projecting shape extending in the closing direction, the guide wall and the guide structure, the upper protrusion and A slit is formed to guide the lower protruding portion in the vertical direction, and when the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position and the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position, the lower side of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter are formed. The upper side of the plate is in contact with or close to each other at a predetermined interval, the upper shutter plate is swingable about the upper protrusion, and the lower shutter plate is swingable about the lower protrusion. It is characterized by being movable.

Desirably, before Symbol slit has a section extending rearwardly toward the section and downwardly extending rearwardly toward the upper direction.

Desirably, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate include an upper urging mechanism for urging the upper protruding portion downward and a lower urging mechanism for urging the lower protruding portion upward. has a vertical side extending in the opening and closing direction, wherein the protrusion is provided on the lower side in the vertical-edge of the upper shutter plate, the lower projection, provided on the upper side in the vertical-edge of the lower shutter plate Has been done.

Desirably, the upper spring for urging the upper protruding portion downward, the lower spring for urging the lower protruding portion upward, and the upper spring protruding from the back surface of the front panel and said to be between the upper protruding portion. The spring retainer upper protrusion that sandwiches the upper spring, the spring retainer lower protrusion that projects from the back surface of the front panel and sandwiches the lower spring between the lower protrusion, and the upper shutter that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel. A shutter plate stopper that contacts the upper protruding portion when the plate is in the lowest position and the lower protruding portion contacts when the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position is provided, and the spring presser upward protrusion is provided. When the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position, the portion sandwiches the upper spring and the upper protruding portion with the shutter plate stopper, and when the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position, the portion is said. The lower spring and the lower protruding portion are sandwiched between the shutter plate stopper and the lower spring. Desirably, when a direction toward the front Symbol cabin side and front direction, the slit is formed by a pair of edge structure sandwiching the upper projection and the lower projecting portion, rearward toward the upper direction It has a section that extends and a section that extends rearward as it goes downward, and the upper urging mechanism is provided at a position where the slit is sandwiched between the upper urging mechanism and the upper shutter plate, and the upper protruding portion is urged downward. The lower urging mechanism is provided at a position where the slit is sandwiched between the lower urging mechanism and the lower shutter plate, and has a spring that urges the lower protruding portion upward.

Desirably, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening / closing direction, and the upper shutter plate projects toward the passenger compartment side from the lower side toward the upper side. The lower shutter plate has a slope, and the lower shutter plate has a slope that projects toward the passenger compartment side from the upper side downward, and the slope of the upper shutter plate in a state where the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are closed. The vertical length of the range occupied by the slope of the lower shutter plate is shorter than the height of the plug inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector.

Desirably, a pair of the upper protrusions protruding from the upper shutter plate in the left-right direction when looking at the passenger compartment side, and a pair of the lower protrusions protruding from the lower shutter plate in the left-right direction when looking at the passenger compartment side. The engaging portion includes a portion, and the engaging portion includes a first engaging portion that guides the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion protruding to the left in the vertical direction, and the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion protruding to the right. A second engaging portion for guiding the portion in the vertical direction is provided.

Desirably, the upper urging mechanism includes a first upper urging mechanism and a second upper urging mechanism that urge the left and right upper protrusions downward, respectively, and the lower urging mechanism is the left and right. A first lower urging mechanism and a second lower urging mechanism for urging the lower protruding portion in the upward direction are provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the operation of inserting the plug into the vehicle-mounted connector with a lid and to reduce the size of the vehicle-mounted connector.

It is a perspective view of an in-vehicle connector. It is an exploded perspective view of an in-vehicle connector. It is a front view of an in-vehicle connector. It is a figure which shows the AA line cross section of an in-vehicle connector. It is a figure which shows the BB line cross section of a vehicle-mounted connector. It is a figure which shows the CC line cross section of an in-vehicle connector. It is a figure which shows the AA line cross section when a USB plug is inserted into an in-vehicle connector. It is a figure which shows the BB line cross section when a USB plug is inserted into an in-vehicle connector. It is a figure which shows the CC line cross section when a USB plug is inserted into a vehicle-mounted connector. It is a front view of the vehicle-mounted connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the DD line cross section of the vehicle-mounted connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the EE line cross section of the vehicle-mounted connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the FF line cross section of the vehicle-mounted connector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an in-vehicle connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle connector is fixed to, for example, an instrument panel in the vehicle interior. The positive x-axis direction of FIG. 1 corresponds to the direction from the vehicle-mounted connector toward the passenger compartment side, and the positive z-axis direction corresponds to the upward direction of the passenger compartment. In the following description, the left-right direction is defined from the viewpoint of looking at the passenger compartment side from the in-vehicle connector. The top, bottom, left, and right defined with respect to the vehicle-mounted connector in the present specification are for convenience of explaining the structure, and do not limit the orientation and posture in which the vehicle-mounted connector is arranged.

The in-vehicle connector includes a main body housing 12 and a vehicle interior side housing 10. A USB socket is housed inside the main body housing 12. The vehicle interior side housing 10 is attached to the vehicle interior side of the main body housing 12, and closes the opening on the vehicle interior side of the main body housing 12. The vehicle interior side housing 10 includes a front panel 16 provided with a plug insertion opening 14. The plug insertion opening 14 is provided with an upper shutter plate 18 and a lower shutter plate 20 as lids. Each of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 is movable up and down, and opens and closes the plug insertion opening 14. When the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 close the plug insertion opening 14, the lower side of the upper shutter plate 18 contacts the upper side of the lower shutter plate 20. Alternatively, the lower side of the upper shutter plate 18 and the upper side of the lower shutter plate 20 may be close to each other with a predetermined interval.

The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are urged downward and upward by an urging mechanism described later, respectively. As a result, when the USB plug is not inserted, the plug insertion opening 14 is closed by the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20.

When the USB plug is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector, the USB plug comes into contact with the front surface of the upper shutter plate 18 and the front surface of the lower shutter plate 20. When the front surface of the upper shutter plate 18 is pressed, the main body housing 12 of the vehicle-mounted connector raises and retracts the upper shutter plate 18 while maintaining a constant posture, and when the upper shutter plate 18 is raised to a certain height, the upper side thereof is raised. A mechanism for tilting the upper shutter plate 18 so as to be located in front of the lower side is provided. Further, when the front surface of the lower shutter plate 20 is pressed, the main body housing 12 of the vehicle-mounted connector lowers and retracts the lower shutter plate 20 while maintaining a constant posture, and when the lower shutter plate 20 is lowered to a certain height, the lower shutter plate 20 is lowered and retracted. It is provided with a mechanism for tilting the lower shutter plate 20 so that the lower side is located in front of the upper side.

When the front surfaces of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are pushed by the USB plug, the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 receive the USB plug while opening the plug insertion opening 14.

The USB plug inserted from the plug insertion opening 14 is inserted into the USB socket housed in the main body housing 12 with the receiving port facing the passenger compartment side.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the vehicle-mounted connector. The main body housing 12 is formed in a container shape that is long in the front-rear direction and has an opening in the front. The main body housing 12 may have a tubular shape with an open rear portion. A board 22 in which the USB socket 24 is arranged is inserted into the main body housing 12 through an opening on the vehicle interior side, and the board 22 is housed in the main body housing 12.

The vehicle interior side housing 10 is composed of a front panel 16, an upper shutter plate 18, a lower shutter plate 20, an upper right spring 28, a lower right spring 30, an upper left spring 32, a lower left spring 34, and a main body 36. The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are each formed in a horizontally long substantially rectangular shape. The ratio of the length and width of the substantially rectangular upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 is appropriately determined according to the shape of the plug insertion opening 14. Coil springs are used for each spring. For each spring, other types of springs such as torsion springs and leaf springs may be used.

A right protruding portion 38 (upper protruding portion on the right side) projects to the right from the vertical side on the right side of the upper shutter plate 18. A left protruding portion 40 (upper protruding portion on the left side) projects to the left from the vertical side on the left side of the upper shutter plate 18. The right protrusion 38 is located below the vertical side on the right side of the upper shutter plate 18, and the left protrusion 40 is located below the vertical side on the left side of the upper shutter plate 18. A right protruding portion 42 (lower right protruding portion) projects to the right from the vertical side on the right side of the lower shutter plate 20. A left protruding portion 44 (a lower protruding portion on the left side) projects to the left from the vertical side on the left side of the lower shutter plate 20. The right protrusion 42 is located above the vertical side on the right side of the lower shutter plate 20, and the left protrusion 44 is located above the vertical side on the left side of the lower shutter plate 20.

The main body 36 has a front plate 46 and a side wall 48 that surrounds the back side of the front plate 46 along the periphery of the front plate 46, and has a shape that covers the front opening of the main body housing 12. The front plate 46 is formed with a plug insertion hole 50 through which a USB plug is inserted. A guide structure 52 for guiding the protruding portion of each shutter plate is formed in the vicinity of the left and right vertical sides of the front plate 46. The guide structure 52 is a protrusion extending vertically along the left and right vertical sides, and protrudes forward near the center in the vertical direction.

In the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the lower side of the upper shutter plate 18 contacts or faces the upper side of the lower shutter plate 20, and the left and right protruding portions contact the left and right guide structures 52 of the main body portion 36. It is arranged in front of the main body 36. Further, the upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32 are arranged in front of the main body 36 so that the lower ends of the upper shutter plate 18 come into contact with the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40, respectively. The lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34 are arranged in front of the main body 36 so that the upper ends of the lower right spring plate 20 come into contact with the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20, respectively. With each shutter plate and each spring arranged in front of the main body 36, the front panel 16 covers the front surface of the main body 36 together with each shutter plate and each spring.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the front panel 16, there is a spring retainer upper protrusion that contacts the upper ends of the upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32, and the lower ends of the lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34, respectively. A protruding portion under the spring retainer that comes into contact with the spring retainer is formed. The upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32 are located between the spring retainer upper protrusion and the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate 18, and between the spring retainer upper protrusion and the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18, respectively. Sandwiched. The lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34 are located between the lower protrusion of the spring retainer and the right protrusion 42 of the lower shutter plate 20, and between the lower protrusion of the spring retainer and the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20, respectively. It is sandwiched between.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the vehicle-mounted connector. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the AA line cross section that passes through the center of the vehicle-mounted connector and is parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side. The USB socket 24 is fixed to the substrate 22 so that the receiving port 54 faces the passenger compartment side. A plug insertion hole 50 formed in the front plate 46 of the main body 36 is located in front of the receiving port 54. The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 face the receiving port 54 of the USB socket 24 with the front plate 46 of the main body 36 interposed therebetween. From the receiving port 54 of the USB socket 24, the back surfaces of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 can be seen through the plug insertion hole 50.

The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 close the plug insertion opening 14 from the rear of the front panel 16. The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are movable in the vertical direction along the plate surface along the plug insertion opening 14 facing the passenger compartment side. A sliding slope 56 is formed on the lower side and the upper side of the upper shutter plate 18 so as to project diagonally toward the passenger compartment toward the upper side. Similarly, a sliding slope 58 is formed on the upper side and the lower side of the lower shutter plate 20 so as to project diagonally toward the passenger compartment toward the lower side. The vertical length (length projected on the z-axis) of the range occupied by the sliding slope 56 on the upper shutter plate 18 and the sliding slope 58 on the lower shutter plate 20 is shorter than the height of the USB plug. The surface of each sliding slope may be a flat surface, or may be a quadric surface that draws a convex curve toward the passenger compartment in the zx plane and a straight line in the xy plane and the yz plane. Further, the surface of each sliding slope may be a three-dimensional curved surface that draws a convex curve toward the passenger compartment in the zx plane and draws a curve in the xy plane or the yz plane.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a BB line cross section (FIG. 3) passing through the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate and parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side. ing. A guide wall 60 facing the guide structure 52 is formed on the back surface of the front panel 16. The guide wall 60 projects rearward from the back surface of the front panel 16 and extends in the vertical direction, and has a recessed section 62 recessed forward at a position facing the protruding portion 64 of the guide structure 52. A slit 65 is formed in a region sandwiched between the front edge of the guide structure 52 and the rear edge of the guide wall 60. That is, the slit 65 is formed by a pair of edge structures including the front edge of the guide structure 52 and the rear edge of the guide wall 60.

The slit 65 is provided with a rear offset section 65-1 that extends rearward as it goes upward. Above the rear offset section 65-1, the slit 65 extends upward. Further, the slit 65 is provided with a rear offset section 65-2 that extends rearward as it goes downward. Below the rear offset section 65-2, the slit 65 extends downward.

The left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate penetrate through the slit 65 as the engaging portion, and the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate pass through the slit 65. It is engaged with the slit 65 so as to be slidable. Of the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate, the portion penetrating the slit 65 has a cylindrical shape. Similarly, of the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate, the portion penetrating the slit 65 has a cylindrical shape. The left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate is movable along the slit 65 and is guided in the extending direction of the slit 65. Similarly, the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate is movable along the slit 65 and is guided in the extending direction of the slit 65.

The in-vehicle connector has a symmetrical structure. Here, the structure on the left side of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate has been described, but the structure on the right side of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate is the same as the structure on the left side.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the CC line cross section (FIG. 3) passing through the upper right spring 28 and the lower right spring 30 and parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side. A shutter plate stopper 66 projects from the back surface of the front panel 16. Of the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate, the portion in contact with the upper right spring 28 has a quadrangular prism shape, and of the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate, the portion in contact with the lower right spring 30 has a quadrangular prism shape. It has become.

When the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position, the lower surface of the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the shutter plate stopper 66, and when the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position, the lower shutter plate The upper surface of the right protruding portion 42 comes into contact with the lower surface of the shutter plate stopper 66.

A spring retainer upper protrusion 68 projects rearward from the vicinity of the upper end of the front panel 16. The front plate 46 of the main body 36, the spring retainer upper protrusion 68, the back surface of the front panel 16, the shutter plate stopper 66, the guide wall 60 (FIG. 2), and the side wall extending rearward from the vertical side on the right side of the front panel 16 ( (Not shown) forms a space for accommodating the upper right spring 28. The spring retainer upper protrusion 68 sandwiches the upper right spring 28 and the right protrusion 38 with the shutter plate stopper 66.

From the vicinity of the lower end of the front panel 16, the spring-pressing lower protrusion 70 projects rearward. The front plate 46 of the main body 36, the spring-pressing lower protrusion 70, the back surface of the front panel 16, the shutter plate stopper 66, the guide wall 60 (FIG. 2), and the side wall extending rearward from the vertical side on the right side of the front panel 16 ( (Not shown) forms a space for accommodating the lower right spring 30. The spring retainer lower protrusion 70 sandwiches the lower right spring 30 and the right protrusion 42 with the shutter plate stopper 66.

The space for accommodating the upper right spring 28 and the upper right spring 28 are configured such that an urging mechanism (right upper urging mechanism) for urging the right protruding portion 38 downward is positioned so as to sandwich a slit between the upper right spring 28 and the upper shutter plate. To do. That is, the upper right spring 28 applies an elastic force downward to the right protruding portion 38 to urge the right protruding portion 38 downward. The right protruding portion 38 is pressed against the shutter plate stopper 66 by the elastic force (urging force) of the upper right spring 28.

The space for accommodating the lower right spring 30 and the lower right spring 30 are positioned so as to sandwich a slit between the lower right spring plate and the lower right shutter plate for the urging mechanism (right lower urging mechanism) for urging the right protruding portion 42 upward. Configure to. That is, the lower right spring 30 applies an elastic force upward to the right protruding portion 42 to urge the right protruding portion 42 upward. The right protruding portion 42 is pressed against the shutter plate stopper 66 by the elastic force (urging force) of the lower right spring 30.

In this state, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate close the plug insertion opening. In this state, the lower side of the upper shutter plate may be in contact with the upper side of the lower shutter plate, or may be close to each other with a predetermined interval.

Here, the structure on the right side of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate has been described, but the structure on the left side of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate is symmetrical with the structure on the right side.

The operation when the USB plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector will be described. 7 (a) to 7 (d) show AA line cross sections when the USB plug 72 is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector.

The tip of the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the front surfaces of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 (FIG. 7A). As described above, the vertical length of the range occupied by the sliding slope 56 of the upper shutter plate 18 and the sliding slope 58 of the lower shutter plate 20 is shorter than the height of the USB plug. Therefore, the tip of the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 within a range covering the sliding slopes of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 (FIG. 7A). When the front surface of the upper shutter plate 18 is pushed backward (in the negative direction on the x-axis) by the USB plug 72, the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18 are guided by the slits. The upper shutter plate 18 is swingable with the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 penetrating the slit as axes (fulcrums). When only the region below the right protrusion 38 and the left protrusion 40 is pushed backward, the upper shutter plate 18 is tilted so that the upper side is located in front of the lower side.

In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the upper shutter plate 18 has a USB plug 72 in the front of the right protrusion 38 and the left protrusion 40, or in the area above the right protrusion 38 and the left protrusion 40. Is pushed backwards by. That is, the area below the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 is not pushed backward by the USB plug 72. Therefore, the upper shutter plate 18 rises and falls in the direction in which the slit extends while maintaining its posture.

Similarly, when the front surface of the lower shutter plate 20 is pushed by the USB plug 72, the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20 are guided by the slits. The lower shutter plate 20 is swingable around a right protruding portion 42 and a left protruding portion 44 penetrating the slit. When only the area above the right protrusion 42 and the left protrusion 44 is pushed rearward, the lower shutter plate 20 is tilted so that the lower side is located in front of the upper side.

In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the lower shutter plate 20 has a USB plug in a region in front of the right protrusion 42 and the left protrusion 44, or below the right protrusion 42 and the left protrusion 44. Pushed backwards by 72. That is, the area above the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44 is not pushed backward by the USB plug 72. Therefore, the lower shutter plate 20 descends and retracts along the direction in which the slit extends while maintaining its posture.

As the upper shutter plate 18 moves up and down, the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18 move to the upper side of the USB plug 72 (FIG. 7 (b)). In this state, when the USB plug 72 is further pushed rearward, the upper shutter plate 18 is pushed rearward only in the area below the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40, and the upper side is pushed forward of the lower side. Tilt to be located in. FIG. 7C shows how the upper shutter plate 18 is tilted about the left protruding portion 40 as an axis.

Similarly, as the lower shutter plate 20 descends and retracts, the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20 move to the lower side of the USB plug 72 (FIG. 7 (b)). In this state, when the USB plug 72 is further pushed rearward, the lower shutter plate 20 is pushed rearward only in the area above the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44, and the lower side is pushed forward of the upper side. Tilt to position. FIG. 7C shows how the lower shutter plate 20 is tilted about the left protruding portion 44 as an axis.

The sliding slope of the upper shutter plate 18 receives a force for rotating the upper shutter plate 18 when the USB plug 72 is pushed backward. As a result, the sliding slope of the upper shutter plate 18 tilts while sliding on the tip of the USB plug 72, and moves upward. The sliding slope of the lower shutter plate 20 receives a force for rotating the lower shutter plate 20 when the USB plug 72 is pushed backward. As a result, the sliding slope of the lower shutter plate 20 tilts while sliding on the tip of the USB plug 72, and moves downward.

Immediately after the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the tip of the USB plug 72 covers the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 so as to cover the sliding slopes of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20. It comes into contact with the shutter plate 20. Therefore, immediately after the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are less likely to receive rotational force from the USB plug 72, and are in a posture in which the front surface is directed forward. The ascending and descending operations are performed, respectively.

When the USB plug 72 is pushed further rearward, the USB plug 72 is inserted into the USB socket 24 from the receiving port 54. The plug is formed by the operation of the upper shutter plate 18 tilting with respect to the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 as the axial center, and the operation of the lower shutter plate 20 tilting with the right protruding portion 42 and the left protruding portion 44 as the axial center. The insertion opening is opened wider. The upper shutter plate 18 stays at a position where its lower side is in contact with the USB plug 72, and the lower shutter plate 20 stays at a position where its upper side is in contact with the USB plug 72 (FIG. 7 (d)).

8 (a) to 8 (d) show a BB line cross section when the USB plug is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector. The states shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (d) correspond to the states shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d), respectively.

In the state where the USB plug is not inserted, that is, when the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate close the plug insertion opening, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate are formed in the slit 65. It is located in a section that bends forward (Fig. 8 (a)). When the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are in the state where the plug insertion opening is closed, the distance from the center of the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate to the center of the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate is the USB connector. It is smaller than the thickness of the tip of. When the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate rises and falls in the direction in which the slit 65 extends (FIG. 8 (b)). When the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate moves upward from the USB plug, the upper shutter plate is tilted so that the upper side is located in front of the lower side and the lower side moves to the back side when viewed from the plug insertion opening ( 8 (b) and 8 (c)). Similarly, the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate descends and retracts along the direction in which the slit 65 extends. When the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate moves below the USB plug, the lower shutter plate is tilted so that the lower side is located in front of the upper side and the upper side moves to the back side when viewed from the plug insertion opening. (Fig. 8 (c)). When the USB plug is inserted into the USB socket, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate stays at the uppermost position when the lower side of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the USB plug, and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate. Stays in the lowest position when the upper side of the lower shutter plate comes into contact with the lower surface of the USB plug (FIG. 8 (d)).

9 (a) to 9 (d) show CC line cross sections when the USB plug is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector. The states shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d) are shown in the states shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d) and the states shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (d), respectively. Corresponds to the state of being. When the USB plug is not inserted, the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate is pressed against the upper surface of the shutter plate stopper 66 by the upper right spring 28, and the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate is pressed by the lower right spring 30. It is pressed against the lower surface of the shutter plate stopper 66 (FIG. 9A).

When the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate rises and falls along the direction in which the slit extends, and the upper right spring 28 contracts with respect to the right protruding portion 38. An elastic force is applied downward (Fig. 9 (b)). When the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate moves upward from the USB plug, the upper shutter plate is tilted so that the upper side is located in front of the lower side. Along with this, the right protruding portion 38 rotates in the tilting direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 9). The upper right spring 28 applies an elastic force to the upper surface of the right protruding portion 38, and applies torque in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the right protruding portion 38 (FIG. 9 (c)). Similarly, when the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate descends and retracts along the direction in which the slit extends, and the lower right spring 30 protrudes to the right while contracting. An elastic force is applied upward to the portion 42 (FIG. 9 (b)). When the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate moves below the USB plug, the lower shutter plate tilts so that the lower side is located forward of the upper side. Along with this, the right protruding portion 42 rotates in the tilting direction (clockwise in FIG. 9). The lower right spring 30 applies an elastic force to the lower surface of the right protruding portion 42, and applies torque in the rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the right protruding portion 42 (FIG. 9 (c)).

When the USB plug is inserted into the USB socket, the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate stays at the uppermost position when the lower side of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the USB plug, and the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate. Stays in the lowest position when the upper side of the lower shutter plate comes into contact with the lower surface of the USB plug (FIG. 9 (d)). The upper right spring 28 is pressed upward by the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate, and the lower right spring 30 is pressed downward by the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate (FIG. 9 (d)).

The operation when the USB plug is pulled out will be described. When the USB plug is pulled out, the upper right spring 28 stretches and pushes down the upper surface of the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate, and the lower right spring 30 stretches and pushes up the lower surface of the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate (FIG. 9 (d)). )-Fig. 9 (a)).

The left and right protrusions of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate move along the slits due to the elastic force that each spring extends. The left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate returns to the section bent forward in the slit 65 from the uppermost position in the order shown in FIGS. 8 (d) to 8 (a). The left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate returns to the section bent forward in the slit 65 from the lowest position in the order shown in FIGS. 8 (d) to 8 (a).

As shown in FIGS. 7 (d) to 7 (a), the upper shutter plate 18 returns to the lowest position while returning to the posture in which the plate surface faces forward, and the lower shutter plate 20 has the plate surface forward. Return to the best position while returning to the posture facing. As a result, the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are in a state where the plug insertion opening is closed.

According to such a configuration, when the USB plug is inserted, the upper shutter plate is raised and retracted while maintaining the posture in which the plate surface is facing forward, and the lower shutter plate is in a posture in which the plate surface is facing forward. Maintain and descend and retreat. Then, after ascending to a certain height of the upper shutter plate and descending to a certain height of the lower shutter plate, the upper shutter plate and the lower side are directed so that the lower part of the upper shutter plate goes to the back and the upper part of the lower shutter plate goes to the back. As the shutter plates tilt, the distance between these shutter plates increases. As a result, the range in which the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate move in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is reduced, and the vehicle-mounted connector can be miniaturized.

Further, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are tilted so that the lower side of the upper shutter plate is directed toward the back and the upper side of the lower shutter plate is directed toward the back, and the distance between these shutter plates is increased so that the shutter plates are separated from each other. The sliding slope is further tilted. As a result, the force for inserting the USB plug is dispersed in the force in the direction of opening each shutter plate, and the shutter plate can be opened with a lighter force.

Further, each spring urges the left and right protrusions of the upper shutter plate and the left and right protrusions of the lower shutter plate. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the upper side of the upper shutter plate and the lower side of the lower shutter plate are urged, the expansion and contraction allowances of each spring are increased, and the elasticity of each spring is enhanced. Further, the height of the vehicle-mounted connector is lower than that in the case where the upper side of the upper shutter plate and the lower side of the lower shutter plate are urged.

Further, the right protruding portion and the left protruding portion of the upper shutter plate are located below the left and right vertical sides of the upper shutter plate, and the right protruding portion and the left protruding portion of the lower shutter plate are the left and right vertical portions of the lower shutter plate. Located on the upper side of the side. That is, the right protruding portion and the left protruding portion of the upper shutter plate are provided at positions on the vertical side of the upper shutter plate that are biased to the lower side (the direction in which the upper shutter plate closes) than the center of the vertical side, and the lower shutter. The right-protruding portion and the left-protruding portion of the plate are provided at positions on the vertical side of the lower shutter plate that are biased upward from the center of the vertical side (the side in the direction in which the lower shutter plate is closed). This enables the operation of each shutter plate as described above, and increases the expansion and contraction allowances of each spring.

Further, when inserting the USB plug into the in-vehicle connector, the user does not need to manually open the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate, so that the operation of inserting the USB plug becomes easy.

In the above, the USB plug has been described. The present invention may be used not only for USB but also for other plugs or connectors such as MIDI and earphone plugs.

The vehicle-mounted connector according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. The vehicle-mounted connector shown in these figures adopts only the mechanism related to the upper shutter plate 18 among the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 of the vehicle-mounted connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the vehicle-mounted connector. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a DD line cross section that passes through the center of the vehicle-mounted connector and is parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side. Further, FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the EE line cross section that passes through the left protruding portion of the shutter plate 74 and is parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side. Further, FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the FF line cross section that passes through the right spring and is parallel to the zx plane when viewed from the y-axis positive direction side.

The shutter plate 74 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has the same structure as the upper shutter plate 18 in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates a socket 76 into which a plug having a height about half that of the USB plug is inserted, but the type of plug to be inserted is arbitrary. That is, the in-vehicle connector according to the present embodiment may be designed so that a USB plug or a MIDI plug can be inserted. Further, the spring 78 shown in FIG. 13 has the same structure as the upper right spring 28 in the first embodiment.

In the vehicle-mounted connector according to the first embodiment, the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 operate independently. The operation of the shutter plate 74 in the vehicle-mounted connector according to the present embodiment is the same as the operation of the upper shutter plate 18.

A shutter plate 74 is provided in the plug insertion opening 14 shown in FIG. The shutter plate 74 is movable up and down, and opens and closes the plug insertion opening 14. When the shutter plate 74 closes the plug insertion opening 14, the lower side of the shutter plate 74 closes the plug insertion opening 14.

The shutter plate 74 is urged downward by the urging mechanism. As a result, when the plug is not inserted, the shutter plate 74 closes the plug insertion opening 14. Above the lower side of the shutter plate 74, a sliding slope that projects diagonally toward the passenger compartment is formed as it goes upward. That is, in the vicinity of the lower edge that is separated from or approaches the periphery of the plug insertion opening 14 when the shutter plate 74 opens and closes the plug insertion opening 14, a sliding slope that projects toward the vehicle interior side as the distance from the edge is formed is formed. ing.

When the plug is inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector, the plug comes into contact with the front surface of the shutter plate 74. By the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the front surface of the shutter plate 74 is pushed backward, so that the shutter plate 74 rises while maintaining a constant posture, and when it rises to a certain height, the upper side is higher than the lower side. The shutter plate 74 is tilted so as to be located forward.

When the front surface of the shutter plate 74 is pushed by the plug, the shutter plate 74 accepts the plug while opening the plug insertion opening 14. The plug inserted through the plug insertion opening 14 is inserted into the socket.

10 passenger compartment side housing, 12 main body housing, 14 plug insertion opening, 16 front panel, 18 upper shutter plate, 20 lower shutter plate, 22 board, 24 USB socket, 28 upper right spring, 30 lower right spring, 32 upper left spring , 34 lower left spring, 36 main body, 38, 42 right protruding part, 40, 44 left protruding part, 46 front plate, 48 side wall, 50 plug insertion hole, 52 guide structure, 54 receiving port, 56, 58 sliding slope, 60 Guide wall, 62 recessed section, 64 protruding part, 65 slit, 65-1, 65-2 rear offset section, 66 shutter plate stopper, 68 spring holding upper protruding part, 70 spring holding lower protruding part, 72 USB plug, 74 shutter Plate, 76 sockets, 78 springs.

Claims (10)

A front panel with a plug insertion opening facing the passenger compartment and
A housing main body having a front plate having a plug insertion hole and having the front panel covered with the front panel.
Is movable in and along the plate surface to the plug insertion opening, the shutter plate for opening and closing the plug insertion opening,
A protrusion protruding from the shutter plate in a direction intersecting the opening / closing direction of the shutter plate,
A guide wall that projects rearward from the back of the front panel and extends in the opening / closing direction.
It is provided with a protruding guide structure formed on the front plate and extending in the opening / closing direction.
The guide wall and the guide structure, a slit for guiding the protrusion in the opening closing direction,
The shutter plate is an in-vehicle connector characterized in that it can swing around the protruding portion as an axis. The in-vehicle connector according to claim 1.
Before SL slit, automotive connectors, characterized in that it has a section extending rearwardly toward the direction in which the shutter plate is opened. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 1 or 2.
A urging mechanism for urging the protruding portion in the direction in which the shutter plate is closed is provided.
The shutter plate has a vertical side extending in opening and closing directions,
An in-vehicle connector characterized in that the protruding portion is provided at a position on the vertical side of the shutter plate that is biased toward the closing direction side with respect to the center of the vertical side. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 1 or 2.
A spring that urges the protrusion in the direction in which the shutter plate closes,
A spring holding protrusion that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel and sandwiches the spring between the protrusion and the protrusion.
A shutter plate stopper that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel and comes into contact with the protruding portion when the shutter plate is closed is provided.
The spring holding protrusion is
An in-vehicle connector characterized in that the spring and the protruding portion are sandwiched between the shutter plate and the shutter plate stopper when the shutter plate is closed. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening / closing direction.
Of the upper side or the lower side of the shutter plate, a slope overhanging the passenger compartment side is formed in the vicinity of the side on the closing direction side as the distance from the upper side or the lower side increases.
An in-vehicle connector characterized in that when a plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector, the range occupied by the slope is covered by the tip of the plug. A front panel with a plug insertion opening facing the passenger compartment and
A housing main body having a front plate having a plug insertion hole and having the front panel covered with the front panel.
An upper shutter plate that can be moved along the plate surface along the plug insertion opening,
A lower shutter plate which is movable in and along the plate surface to the plug insertion opening, the lower shutter plate located below the upper shutter plate, for opening and closing the plug insertion opening with the upper shutter plate,
An upper protrusion protruding laterally from the upper shutter plate,
A lower protrusion protruding laterally from the lower shutter plate,
A guide wall that projects rearward from the back of the front panel and extends in the opening / closing direction.
It is provided with a protruding guide structure formed on the front plate and extending in the opening / closing direction.
The guide wall and the guide structure form a slit that guides the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion in the vertical direction.
When the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position and the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position, the lower side of the upper shutter plate and the upper side of the lower shutter plate are in contact with each other or are close to each other at a predetermined interval. And
The upper shutter plate is swingable around the upper protrusion.
The lower shutter plate is an in-vehicle connector characterized in that it can swing around the lower protruding portion as an axis. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 6.
The vehicle-mounted connector is characterized in that the slit has a section extending rearward as it goes upward and a section that extends rearward as it goes downward. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 6 or 7.
An upper urging mechanism for urging the upper protruding portion downward and a lower urging mechanism for urging the lower protruding portion upward are provided.
The upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate have vertical sides extending in the opening / closing direction, the upper protruding portion is provided on the lower side of the vertical side of the upper shutter plate, and the lower protruding portion is the said. An in-vehicle connector characterized in that it is provided on the upper side of the vertical side of the lower shutter plate. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 6 or 7.
An upper spring that urges the upper protrusion downward, and a lower spring that urges the lower protrusion upward.
A spring retainer upper protruding portion that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel and sandwiches the upper spring between the upper protruding portion and the upper protruding portion.
A spring retainer lower protrusion that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel and sandwiches the lower spring between the lower protrusion and the lower spring.
A shutter plate that protrudes from the back surface of the front panel, the upper protruding portion contacts when the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position, and the lower protruding portion contacts when the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position. With a stopper,
The protrusion on the spring retainer is
When the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position, the upper spring and the upper protruding portion are sandwiched between the upper shutter plate and the stopper.
An in-vehicle connector characterized in that the lower spring and the lower protruding portion are sandwiched between the lower shutter plate and the shutter plate stopper when the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to any one of claims 6 to 9.
The upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are
It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening and closing direction.
The upper shutter plate is
It has a slope that overhangs toward the passenger compartment from the bottom to the top.
The lower shutter plate is
It has a slope that overhangs toward the passenger compartment from the top to the bottom.
The vertical length of the range occupied by the slope of the upper shutter plate and the slope of the lower shutter plate when the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are closed is shorter than the height of the plug inserted into the vehicle-mounted connector. An in-vehicle connector characterized by this.

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