Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6394842
-
Patent Number
6,394,842
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 17, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 28, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A cable connecting structure includes a shroud adapted to be mounted on a panel carrying pins, the shroud having a shroud body enclosing the pins when the shroud is mounted on the panel and including a plurality of compartments, and a shielding member provided on the shroud body so as to cover an inner wall of the shroud body. The shielding members provide electromagnetic shielding so as to improve the electromagnetic compatibility of the connecting structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cable connecting structure, and more particularly, to a cable connecting structure having improved electromagnetic compatibility.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, it has come to be expected that communications equipment be able to transmit large volumes of data with a high degree of reliability. In order to do so it is necessary to transmit data at speeds as high as, for example, 1 Gigabit per second.
With respect to the connector apparatus, however, as the speed of data transmission increases so, too, does the amount of electromagnetic interference emitted from the connector connecting part as does the degree of susceptibility to external electromagnetic radiation. As a result, a connector apparatus having improved electromagnetic compatibility is sought.
Electromagnetic compatibility means the ability of a communications apparatus to operate normally under a variety of electromagnetic environmental conditions. It is a concept that encompasses electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) and electrostatic discharge (ED).
FIG. 1
shows a conventional connector apparatus
10
. Reference numeral
11
represents the interior of the communications apparatus. Reference numeral
12
represents the back panel of the communications apparatus. A plug
14
having long pins
13
is mounted on a front surface of the back panel
12
. The pins
13
penetrate through-holes
12
a
formed in the back panel
12
and project beyond a back surface side of the back panel. Inside the communications apparatus a jack
15
is connected to the plug
14
.
The connector apparatus
10
consists of a plastic shroud
16
and a cable connector
18
for a tip of a cable
17
. Through-holes
16
a
1
in a floor surface
16
a
of the shroud engage the pins
13
projecting from the back surface side of the back panel
12
, fixedly mounting the connector apparatus
10
to the back panel
12
. The pins
13
project into the interior of the shroud
16
. The cable connector
18
is inserted into the interior of the shroud
16
and is engaged thereat, being connected to the pins
13
.
However, in the conventional connector apparatus
10
, the shroud
16
is made of plastic, with no special measures taken to counter the effects of electromagnetic radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful cable connecting structure in which the problem described above is solved.
The above-described object of the present invention is achieved by a shroud adapted to be mounted on a panel carrying pins, comprising:
a shroud body enclosing the pins when the shroud is mounted on the panel, the shroud body including a plurality of compartments; and
a shielding member provided on the shroud body so as to cover an inner wall of the shroud body.
Additionally, the above-described object of the present invention is also achieved by a plug comprising:
a housing made of electrically insulative material and including signal contacts;
a metallic shield cover enclosing the housing;
a latch member provided at both side surfaces of the housing; and
a lock release member provided on an outer side of the shield cover, said lock release member comprising:
a pull tab on the same side from which a cable is extended; and
a projection disposed opposite the latch member, the projection releasing a locked state by using the latch member when the lock release member is pulled, the projection having a groove, the groove being guided by an edge of an opening of the shield cover.
According to the invention described above, the signal contacts are electromagnetically shielded by the shield cover. Additionally, when the lock release member is pulled any displacement of the projection toward the outside of the housing is restricted and, accordingly, the lock can be securely released.
Additionally, the above-described object of the present invention is also achieved by a connector assembly comprising:
a shroud adapted to be mounted on a panel carrying pins, the shroud comprising:
a shroud body enclosing the pins when the shroud is mounted on the panel, the shroud body including a plurality of compartments; and
a shielding member provided on the shroud body so as to cover an inner wall of the shroud body; and
a plug, the plug comprising:
a housing made of electrically insulative material and including signal contacts;
a metallic shield cover enclosing the housing;
a latch member provided at both side surfaces of the housing; and
a lock release member provided on an outer side of the shield cover, the lock release member comprising:
a pull tab on a side from which a cable is extended; and
a projection disposed opposite the latch member, the projection releasing a lock of the latch member when the lock release member is pulled, the projection having a groove, the groove being guided to a portion facing an opening of the shield cover,
the shield cover of the plug being electrically connected to the shielding member of the shroud, the plug being connected to one of the plurality of compartments of the shroud.
According to the invention described above, the shield plates assume a ground potential, thereby improving electromagnetic compatibility and making it possible to accommodate high-speed signal transmissions.
Additionally, the above-described object of the present invention is also achieved by a connector comprising:
a shroud body including a plurality of compartments for connecting a plurality of plugs;
a shielding member having a body and a plurality of leads provided on the shroud body so that the shroud body covers an inner wall of the shroud body and the leads project from a bottom surface of the shroud body; and
a plurality of pins projecting through and fixed to a bottom surface of the shroud body, the plurality of pins projecting into an interior of the compartments and further projecting from the bottom surface of the shroud body.
According to the invention described above, the shield plate assumes a ground potential when mounted on the panel, thereby improving electromagnetic compatibility and making it possible to accommodate high-speed signal transmissions.
Additionally, the above-described object of the present invention is also achieved by a plug comprising:
a connector body on which a latch member is mounted and which includes a signal contact;
a lock release member disposed on an outer side of the connector body and having a projection opposite the latch member, the projection releasing a lock of the latch member when displaced in a predetermined direction relative to the connector body; and
a spring generating a force to pull the connector body and the lock release member together.
According to the invention described above, it is possible to securely return the lock release member and the connector body to relative original positions because a force is generated between the lock release member and the connector body in a direction that brings the two together after the latch member lock has been released. Accordingly, the latch member can be securely locked each time a plug is connected, thereby achieving a highly reliable plug connection.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a diagram showing a conventional connector apparatus;
FIG. 2
is a diagram showing a connector apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a diagram showing the connector apparatus of
FIG. 2
in a state prior to connection;
FIG. 4
is a diagram showing the connector apparatus of
FIG. 2
in a state of connection;
FIG. 5
is a diagram showing the connector apparatus of
FIG. 2
in a state when released from connection;
FIG. 6
is a diagram showing a disposition atop a back panel of a shroud;
FIG. 7
is an exploded view of the shroud;
FIGS. 8A
,
8
B and
8
C are side, top and front views, respectively, of the shroud;
FIG. 9
is a cross-sectional view along a line IX—IX of the shroud of
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view along a line X—X of the connector apparatus of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional view along a line XI—XI of the shroud of
FIG. 8
;
FIGS. 12A and 12B
show an arrangement of grooves on shroud compartments designed to prevent improper insertion of a plug therein;
FIG. 13
is an exploded view of a cable connector;
FIG. 14
is an exploded view of a housing;
FIGS. 15A and 15B
are diagrams showing exploded and frontal views of a structure of a projection and a surrounding area thereof, respectively;
FIG. 16
is an exploded view of a variation of the shroud;
FIG. 17
is a cross-sectional view along a line XVII—XVII of the shroud of
FIG. 16
;
FIG. 18
is a diagram showing a state of connection of a connector apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19
is an exploded view of the plug shown in
FIG. 18
;
FIG. 20
is an oblique view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21
is an exploded view of the connector of
FIG. 20
;
FIG. 22
is a cross-sectional view along a line XXII—XXII of the connector of
FIG. 20
;
FIGS. 23A and 23B
are partial side and cross-sectional views along a line B—B, respectively, of a variation of a shield plate;
FIGS. 24A
,
24
B and
24
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking a plug from the shroud according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 25
is an exploded view of essential elements of a plug according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 26A
,
26
B and
26
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking the plug from the shroud shown in
FIG. 25
;
FIG. 27
is an exploded view of essential elements of a plug according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 28A
,
28
B and
28
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking the plug from the shroud shown in
FIG. 27
;
FIGS. 29A
,
29
B and
29
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking a plug from the shroud according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 30A
,
30
B and
30
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking a plug from the shroud according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 31A and 31B
are exploded views of essential elements of the plug shown in FIG.
30
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A description will now be given of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2
is an exploded view of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3
shows a state prior to connection and
FIG. 4
shows a state after connection.
FIG. 5
shows a state in which the connection has just been released. In the drawings, reference numeral
21
is a communications apparatus and
22
is a back panel of the communications apparatus. An interior
21
a
of the communications apparatus
21
is the same as the conventional art. A plug
24
having long pin terminals
23
is mounted on a front surface of the back panel
22
, that is, a surface on an interior side of the communications apparatus
21
, the pins
23
penetrating through-holes
22
a
formed in the back panel
22
and projecting into a rear side surface of the back panel
22
. A jack
25
is connected to the plug
24
in the interior
21
a
of the communications apparatus
21
.
In the communications apparatus
21
described above, differential data transfer is adopted. Differential data transfer involves balancing positive and negative signals to the same size with respect to a signal ground, and has the advantage of being more resistant to interference than the conventional non-differential method of transmission. When performing differential data transfer, it is necessary to separate the signal ground and the frame ground. The connector assembly
20
of the present embodiment is adaptable to separating the signal ground and the frame ground.
The connector assembly
20
comprises a group of pins
31
that project into a rear surface of the back panel
22
, a shroud
40
and a plug
51
having a pull tab on an edge thereof and provided at the end of a cable
50
. In broad outline, the connector assembly
20
is a structure in which a shroud
40
engages the pin group
31
and is fixedly mounted on the rear surface of the back panel
22
, a plurality of plugs
51
engaging the shroud
40
, the plurality of plugs
51
aligned in a closely spaced manner. In this specification, a plug means the connector provided at the end of a cable.
In actuality, as shown in
FIG. 6
a plurality of individual shrouds are closely spaced and fixedly mounted on the rear surface of the back panel
22
. Hereinafter, for descriptive convenience a description will be given of a single shroud
40
or one part of a single shroud
40
, as the case may be.
A description will now be given in the order of the pin group
31
, the shroud
40
and the plug
51
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the pin group
31
consists of a plurality of pin terminal sub-groups
32
-
1
,
32
-
2
,
32
-
3
and so forth, aligned in a vertical direction as indicated by the arrows Z
1
-Z
2
. The pin terminal sub-group
32
-
1
, for example, comprises pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
aligned in two parallel rows of seven pins each in a lateral direction as indicated by the arrows X
1
-X
2
. Pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
comprise signal ground pins
33
-
1
,
33
-
7
,
33
-
8
and
33
-
14
at both ends in the X
1
-X
2
direction and the remaining signal pins. The signal pins comprise positive signal pins
33
-
2
through
33
-
6
aligned laterally on the Z
1
side and negative signal pins
33
-
9
through
33
-
13
aligned laterally on the Z
2
side. Positive signal pin
33
-
2
and negative signal pin
33
-
9
are disposed opposite each other, and make up a pair.
The signal ground pins
33
-
1
and also
33
-
7
,
33
-
8
and
33
-
14
are electrically connected to the signal ground of the back panel
22
.
Through-holes
35
for mounting the shroud
40
are formed on the back panel
22
along both X
1
and X
2
side edges of the pin group
31
in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction. The through-holes
35
are electrically connected to the frame ground of the back panel
22
.
As shown in FIG.
2
and in
FIG. 7
, the shroud
40
has a rectangular shroud body
41
made of electrically insulative plastic and metallic shield plates
42
and
43
insert molded into both X
1
and X
2
sides of the shroud body. A plurality of shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
are closely spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction.
As shown in
FIGS. 8A
,
8
B and
8
C, the shroud body
41
comprises rectangular longer side panels
41
a
and
41
b
, shorter side panels
41
c
and
41
d
, bottom panel
41
e
, a plurality of partitions
41
f
and a plurality of stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h
dispersed and projecting from the side panels
41
a
and
41
b.
The plurality of partitions
41
f
are aligned so as to be evenly spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction. The stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h
are formed at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of partitions
41
f
. Rectangular openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
are formed in the side panels
41
a
and
41
b
at positions between adjacent partitions
41
f.
For convenience,
FIG. 9
shows a cross-sectional view of the shroud body
41
in a state in which the metallic shield plates
42
and
43
are removed. In the drawing, reference numerals
45
and
46
are narrow spaces for inserting the shield plates
42
and
43
.
The shield plates
42
and
43
comprise a body having approximately the same size as the side panels
41
a
and
41
b
and a plurality of leads
42
b
and
43
b
disposed like the teeth of a comb and projecting from the body
42
a
and
43
a
at positions corresponding to the stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h
mentioned previously, and pins
42
c
and
43
c
at the tips of the leads
42
b
and
43
b
having a press-fit structure. A lock opening
42
a
1
for engaging a latch is formed on the body
42
a
at positions between adjacent leads
42
b
. This opening
42
a
1
is used to lock a connected plug
51
. Additionally, a lock opening
43
a
1
is formed on the body
43
a
at positions between adjacent leads
43
b
. Projections
42
a
2
and
42
a
3
are formed at both edges of the bodies
42
a
and
43
a
in the longer vertical direction so that the shield plates
42
and
43
do not come loose from the shroud body
41
. Moreover, stepped portions
42
a
3
and
43
a
3
are formed on the bodies
42
a
and
43
a
where leads
42
b
and
43
b
project therefrom.
As shown in FIG.
10
and
FIG. 11
, the shield plates
42
and
43
are provided inside the narrow spaces
45
and
46
mentioned previously. The bodies
42
a
and
43
a
are exposed on an inner side of the shroud body
41
at the side panels
41
a
and
41
b
, and moreover are suppressed by both edges of each partition
41
f
. Lock openings
42
a
1
and
41
a
1
align, as do lock openings
43
a
1
and
41
b
1
. Openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
are formed by projections of a mold that engage the lock openings
42
a
1
and
43
a
1
during insert molding. These openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
are used for visually checking the lock condition of the plug
51
. The stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h
cover the leads
42
b
and
43
b
. Pins
42
c
and
43
c
project from the tips of the stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h.
The shroud
40
is divided by partitions
41
f
into a plurality of shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
.
Each of the shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
corresponds to one of a plurality of pin sub-plugs
32
-
1
,
32
-
2
,
32
-
3
, and so forth, and moreover, has a size corresponding to the plug
51
. The bodies
42
a
and
43
a
of the shield plates
42
and
43
are exposed on the inside of the X
1
and X
2
sides. A plurality of through-holes
41
e
1
are formed on the bottom panel
41
e
, in an alignment corresponding to the alignment of the pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
.
Additionally, grooves
47
designed to prevent the mistaken insertion of a plug other than the plug that should be connected thereto are formed on the surfaces of the individual shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
disposed opposite a Z
1
-Z
2
direction, that is, on the top and bottom surfaces of the partitions
41
f
. The disposition of the grooves
47
differs with each individual shroud compartment
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
.
As shown in an expanded fashion in
FIG. 12A
, the grooves
47
are arranged so as to be asymmetrically distributed with respect to a center point O
1
of any given shroud compartment
44
-
1
, etc. Doing so prevents not only insertion of an incorrect plug
51
but also prevents even upside-down insertion of the correct plug
51
.
Additionally, as shown in
FIG. 12B
, if the grooves
100
for preventing improper insertion of a plug
51
are formed at the same position on both the top surface
41
fa
′ and the bottom surface
41
fb
′ of the partition
41
f
′ in a direction of a thickness of the partition
41
f
′, a thickness t
1
of the partition increases, which is not preferable. In the present embodiment, the grooves in the top and bottom surfaces of the partition
41
f
are offset from each other with respect to the direction of the thickness of the partition
41
f
, that is, in a vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction. Accordingly, a thickness t
2
of the partition
41
f
decreases, shortening a distance or pitch c between adjacent shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
and also shortening the length L of the shroud
40
in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, the shroud
40
described above engages pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
which correspond to through-holes
41
e
1
, pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
project into the inside of the shroud
40
, the pins
42
c
and
43
c
having the press-fit construction are pressed into the through-holes
35
in the back panel
22
and the tips of the stand-offs
41
g
and
41
h
contact the back surface of the back panel
22
. As a result, less back panel
22
back surface area is required to mount the shroud
40
as compared to a case in which screws are used to fixedly mount the shroud
40
.
Additionally, as shown in
FIG. 3
, of the entire length of the pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
that portion thereof
76
which corresponds to the standoffs
41
g
and
41
h
is used as the wire wrapping area for accommodating alterations in the wiring pattern of the back panel
22
.
With the shroud
40
engaging the pins
33
-
1
through
33
-
14
and mounted on the back panel
22
as described above, a connector
48
is configured on top of the back panel
22
.
As shown in
FIG. 13
, FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, the plug
51
has a size suitable for insertion into a shroud compartment
44
-
1
and has a longer longitudinal dimension in the Y
1
-Y
2
direction, and comprises an electrically insulative plastic housing
52
, a first signal contact and a second signal contact and a wire retaining member
55
made of electrically insulative plastic all included within an interior of the housing
52
, metallic latch members
56
and
57
mounted on both sides of the housing
52
, a metallic lower shield cover
58
, a metallic top cover
59
and a lock release member
60
made of electrically insulative plastic.
The first signal contact
53
has a fork-shaped first pin contacting part
53
a
on a forward Y
1
side tip of the first signal contact
53
and a fork-shaped first wire mounting
53
b
projecting upward in the Z
1
direction, the first wire mounting
53
b
located at a rear Y
2
side tip of the first signal contact
53
. At an intermediate point the first signal contact
53
has a bent portion
53
c
of length a and has a substantially crank-shaped form from the forward Y
1
direction toward the rear Y
2
direction, the arm of the crank dropping downward in the Z
2
direction.
The second signal contact
54
forms a straight line, and has a fork-shaped second pin contacting part
54
a
at a forward Y
1
side tip and a fork-shaped second wire mounting
54
b
located at a rear Y
2
side tip and projecting upward in the Z
1
direction.
The housing
52
has a pin contacting part retainer
52
a
at a forward Y
1
edge side, a wire mounting positioning groove
52
b
on a top surface of an approximately central portion extending along the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
axis, projections
52
c
and
52
d
on both side surfaces of the approximately central portion extending in the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction and projection-like keys
52
e
for preventing improper insertion, the keys
52
e
being positioned at both a top surface and a bottom surface of the pin contacting part retainer
52
a
along a forward Y
1
edge thereof.
As seen in an exploded view in
FIG. 14
, the pin contacting part retainer
52
a
comprises two rows of seven tunnels, including seven upper tunnels
52
a
1
through
52
a
7
aligned side by side in a lateral X
1
-X
2
direction at a height H
1
and seven lower tunnels
52
a
8
through
52
a
14
also arranged side by side in the lateral X
1
-X
2
direction at a height H
2
. An X
1
side of tunnels
52
a
1
and
52
a
8
on an X
1
side edge are open to form a window
52
a
15
, and a window
52
a
16
is similarly formed on an X
2
side of tunnels
52
a
7
and
52
a
14
on an X
2
side edge. Into these windows
52
a
15
and
52
a
16
are inserted contacts
58
B
b
2
,
58
B
b
3
,
58
B
c
2
and
58
B
c
3
, shown in FIG.
19
and to be described later.
Similarly, as shown in
FIG. 14
, the wire mounting positioning groove
52
b
comprises a first wire mounting positioning groove
52
b
1
and a second wire mounting positioning groove
52
b
2
, disposed on a flat surface having a height approximately the same as the height H
2
mentioned previously.
The first signal contact
53
is attached in such a way that the first pin contacting part
53
a
is inserted into the upper H
1
-position tunnels
52
a
2
through
52
a
6
, that is, excepting the two tunnels
52
a
1
and
52
a
7
at both sides, and the first wire mounting
53
b
is engaged by the wire mounting positioning groove
52
b
1
. The second signal contact
54
is attached in such a way that the second pin contacting part
54
a
is inserted into the lower H
2
-position tunnels
52
a
9
through
52
a
13
, that is, excepting the two tunnels
52
a
8
and
52
a
14
at both sides, and the second wire mounting
54
b
is engaged by the groove
52
b.
From the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction, the first pin contacting part
53
a
and the second pin contacting part
54
a
are in the same position, with the first wire mounting
53
b
disposed closer to a forward Y
1
direction than the second wire mounting
54
b
by a dimension b as seen in FIG.
13
. This dimension b is equivalent to the length a of the bent portion
53
c
described above. Accordingly, a length along the first contact
53
between the first pin contacting part
53
a
and the first wire mounting
53
b
of the first signal contact
53
is equivalent to a length along the second contact
54
between the second pin contacting part
54
a
and the second wire mounting
54
b
of the second signal contact
54
. As will be explained later, this is to prevent the occurrence of a time lag, or skew, between the positive signal and the negative signal of a differential data transfer.
The keys
55
e
for preventing improper insertion are positioned at locations corresponding to the grooves
47
on the shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
. The position of a given key
55
e
differs with each plug
51
and only the corresponding plug for a given shroud compartment
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
is inserted therein and connected thereto, with all other plugs restricted from entering the opening of the shroud compartment. Accordingly, the improper insertion of a plug into a shroud compartment other than the shroud compartment for that plug is prevented.
Additionally, the keys
55
e
are arranged so as to be asymmetrical with respect to a center O
2
of a edge surface in the forward Y
1
direction of the pin contacting part retainer
52
a
. Accordingly, even upside-down insertion of the correct plug
51
is prevented.
The cable
50
has at its tip a shield mesh
70
which, together with a tongue portion
58
d
of the lower shield cover
58
and a tongue portion
59
d
of the upper shield cover
59
, is clamped by a metallic ring
61
compressed and fixedly mounted to the plug
51
. A positive signal wire
71
and a negative signal wire
72
of the same length are extended from the tip of the cable
50
. The first wire mounting
53
b
is pressed onto The tip of the positive signal wire
71
is pressed into the first wire mounting
53
b
and the tip of the negative signal wire
72
is pressed onto the second wire mounting
54
b
, and, further, are suppressed by the wire retaining member
55
and connected to the first signal contact
53
and to the second signal contact
54
, respectively. The wire retaining member
55
engages an interior of the housing
52
and its movement in the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction is restricted.
The latch members
56
and
57
have at a front edge hooks
56
a
and
57
a
, respectively, at a base side bent portions
56
b
and
57
b
, and shallow U-shaped base intermediate portions
56
c
and
57
c
. As shown also in
FIG. 5
, the bent portions
56
b
and
57
b
on the base sides of the latch members
56
and
57
engage a concavity
52
f
of the housing
52
, and further, an outer side is elastically suppressed by side panels
58
b
and
58
c
of the lower shield cover
58
. The base portions
56
c
and
57
c
advance into the inside of the housing
52
by passing through the housing window
52
g
. The base portions
56
c
and
57
c
have inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
near the bent portions
56
b
and
57
b.
As shown in
FIG. 13
, the lower shield cover
58
comprises a bottom panel
58
a
, side panels
58
b
and
58
c
in both lateral X
1
and X
2
directions and a tongue portion
58
d
on a rear Y
2
side thereof. The upper shield cover
59
comprises a cover panel
59
a
, side panels
59
b
and
59
c
in both lateral X
1
and X
2
directions and a tongue portion
59
d
on a rear Y
2
side thereof. The lower shield cover
58
and the upper shield cover
59
are mounted so that the bottom panel
58
a
covers a bottom surface of the housing
52
, the cover panel
59
a
covers the first signal contact
53
and the second signal contact
54
, thus enclosing the whole of the housing
52
. Side panels
59
b
and
59
c
are positioned outside of side panels
58
b
and
58
c.
Outwardly projecting contacts
59
b
2
and
59
c
2
are formed on the side panels
59
b
and
59
c
of the upper shield cover
59
, near the forward Y
1
edge of thereof. These contacts
59
b
2
and
59
c
2
contact the shield plates
42
and
43
. Further, openings
58
b
2
,
58
b
3
,
58
c
2
and
58
c
3
are formed on the side panels
58
b
and
58
c
of the lower shield cover
58
, near a forward Y
1
edge thereof and at positions corresponding to windows
52
a
15
and
52
a
16
. These are for electrically dividing the signal ground and the frame ground.
Notches
58
a
1
and
59
a
1
corresponding to keys
55
e
are formed on the forward Y
1
edges of the bottom panel
58
a
of the lower shield cover
58
and the cover panel
59
a
of the upper shield cover
59
, respectively.
As shown in
FIGS. 13 and 15A
, a guide opening
59
b
1
having a longer longitudinal dimension in the Y
1
-Y
2
direction is formed on the side panels
59
b
and
59
c
of the upper shield cover
59
, though the guide opening in the side panel
59
c
is not shown in the drawing. This guide opening
59
b
1
has a widened portion
59
b
1
a
widened in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction at a point just forward of a center in the forward Y
1
direction. This widened portion
59
b
1
a
is formed so as to accommodate a projection
60
d
. Reference numerals
59
b
2
a
and
59
b
3
a
are edge-formed guides disposed so as to face a guide opening
59
b
1
in the side panel
59
b
, and extend in the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction.
The lock release member
60
comprises a box
60
a
, arms
60
b
and
60
c
extending from the lateral X
1
-X
2
sides of the box
60
a
parallel to the Y
1
direction, projections
60
d
and
60
e
projecting so as to oppose an inner side of an edge in the forward Y
1
direction of the arms
60
b
and
60
c
, and a pull tab
60
f
extending toward a rear Y
2
direction from the box
60
a.
As depicted in
FIG. 3
, the box
60
a
just encloses the tip of the cable
50
, and a forward Y
2
edge portion of the upper shield cover
59
and the lower shield cover
58
.
The arms
60
b
and
60
c
extend along the side panels
59
b
and
59
c
of the upper shield cover
59
that in turn covers the housing
52
. Openings
60
b
1
and
60
c
1
in the arms
60
b
and
60
c
engage the projections
52
c
and
52
d
described above.
Projections
60
d
and
60
e
are substantially rectangular and have a size corresponding to the widened portion
59
b
1
a
described above, with guide grooves
60
da
,
60
db
,
60
ea
and
60
eb
formed near the arms
60
b
and
60
c
. Guide grooves
60
da
,
60
db
,
60
ea
and
60
eb
are cut out of a Z
1
side surface and a Z
2
side surface so as to correspond to guide opening
59
b
, and extend in the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction.
In a state prior to the connection of the plug
51
as shown in
FIG. 3
, the projection
60
d
is inserted inside the guide opening
59
b
1
in the X
2
direction through the widened portion
59
b
1
a
, and is positioned at a position slightly displaced in the rear Y
2
direction. As shown in
FIG. 15B
, guide grooves
60
da
and
60
db
engage edge-formed guides
59
b
2
a
and
59
b
3
a
, respectively. Projection
60
d
passes through the opening
58
b
1
in side panel
58
b
of lower shield cover
58
and the housing window
52
g
, and projects into the interior of the housing
52
in such a way as to oppose the base portion
56
c
of the latch member
56
. As shown in
FIG. 3
, with separate projection
60
e
, as with projection
60
d
described above, guide grooves
60
ea
and
60
eb
engage edge-formed guides and a tip of the projection
60
e
opposes a base portion
57
c
of the latch member
57
.
The lock release member
60
, as noted previously, has a box portion
60
a
which encloses the housing
52
. The projections
60
d
and
60
e
engage the housing window
52
g
so as to support the lock release member
60
in such a way that the lock release member
60
is movable in the Y
2
direction.
As shown in
FIG. 13
, a tag
75
is attached to the pull tab
60
f
by using a slit
60
f
1
indicating the type of signal the plug
51
handles and the position at which the plug
51
is attached. This tag
75
is also used instead of the pull tab
60
f
by an operator to remove the plug
51
.
In the above-described plug
51
, the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
are mounted on the housing
52
as follows. Longitudinally in the Y
1
-Y
2
direction notch
58
b
4
of side panel
58
b
and notch
59
b
3
of side panel
59
b
engage projection
52
c
. Additionally, notch
58
c
4
of side panel
58
c
and a notch not shown of side panel
59
c
engage projection
52
d
. Vertically, that is, in the Z
1
-Z
2
direction, mounting is accomplished by a ring
61
located on a Y
2
side while on a Y
1
side projections
60
d
and
60
e
engaging housing window
52
g
further engage guide openings
59
b
1
and
58
b
1
.
Next, descriptions will be given of an operation of connecting the above-described plug
51
to the shroud
40
, of a state of connection of the plug
51
to the shroud
40
and of an operation of pulling out the plug
51
from the shroud
40
.
As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the plug
51
is inserted right side up into a particular shroud compartment, for example shroud compartment
44
-
1
, up to a final position beyond which insertion is restricted. The keys
55
e
and the groove
47
prevent the insertion of the plug in a different shroud compartment and prevent the upside down insertion of the plug in the correct shroud compartment.
A description will now be given of a connected state. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the first pin contacting part
53
a
is connected to the positive signal pins
33
-
2
through
33
-
6
, the second pin contacting part
54
a
is connected to the corresponding negative signal pins
33
-
9
through
33
-
13
, the contacts
59
b
2
and
59
c
2
are elastically contacted with the bodies
42
a
and
43
a
of the shield plates
42
and
43
, respectively, and hooks
56
a
and
57
a
engage openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
in the shield plates
42
and
43
.
The shield plates
42
and
43
of the shroud
40
are electrically connected to the frame ground of the back panel
12
and the shield covers
58
and
59
which cover the plug
51
are electrically connected to the frame ground of the back panel
12
via the shield plates
42
and
43
. As a result, the effects of EMI, ESI and ESD are countered and EMC improved for the first signal contact
53
, the second signal contact
54
and the wires
71
and
72
inside the plug
51
as well as for the signal pin and the signal ground pin inside the shroud compartment
44
-
1
.
Additionally, the lengths of the first signal contact
53
and the second signal contact
54
are adjusted and the occurrence of a time lag or skew between the positive signal and the negative signal of a differential data transfer is suppressed, making it possible to transmit data with a high degree of reliability at speeds as high as, for example, 1 Gigabit per second.
Additionally, hooks
56
a
and
57
a
engage openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
, locking plug
51
into shroud compartment
44
-
1
. As a result, the plug
51
will not come loose from the shroud
40
even if the cable
50
were to be mistakenly pulled with a strong force F
1
. Additionally, this force F
1
is absorbed by the metallic shield plates
42
and
43
, so the plastic shroud body
41
is not cracked or otherwise damaged. Additionally, when viewed from the front the shroud
40
is mounted in such a way that each of the shroud compartments
44
-
1
is fixedly mounted to the back panel
22
at the four corners of the shroud openings by the leads
42
b
and
43
b
and the press-fit pins
42
c
and
43
c
. Additionally, the force F
1
is also absorbed by the press-fit pins
42
c
and
43
c
pressed into the through-holes
35
in the back panel
22
at shroud compartments other than shroud compartment
44
-
1
. Accordingly, the shroud
40
does not come loose from the back panel
22
.
Additionally, a plurality of plugs
51
are closely spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction and the density of connection is thus high because the distance, or pitch, between the individual shroud compartments
44
-
1
through
44
-
8
is short.
Additionally, it is possible to visually inspect the engagement of hooks
56
a
and
57
a
with openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
, respectively, in respective shield plates
42
and
43
through openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
.
A description will now be given of the releasing of the plug
51
from the shroud
40
.
The tag
75
and the pull tab
60
f
are pulled in the Y
2
direction. By this operation, as shown in
FIG. 5
, the lock release member
60
moves in the Y
2
direction, the projections
60
d
and
60
e
press the inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
of the latch members
56
and
57
, the latch members
56
and
57
are in turn elastically bent in the direction of a center of the plug
51
, the hooks
56
a
and
57
a
are released from the openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
and the lock released. At the same time as the lock is released an inner surface
60
b
1
a and
60
c
1
a in the Y
1
direction of the openings
60
b
1
and
60
c
1
contact the projections
52
c
and
52
d
, a force pulling on the tag
75
or the pull tab
60
f
is transmitted to the housing
52
, the plug
51
is extracted from the shroud compartment
44
-
1
and the connection of the plug
51
to the shroud compartment
44
-
1
is released. That is, the single operation of pulling the tag
75
and the pull tab
60
f
in the rear Y
2
direction accomplishes the two operations of releasing the lock and extracting the plug
51
. The operation of releasing the connection of the plug
51
is achieved by the single operation of pulling the tag
75
or the pull tab
60
f
in the Y
2
direction, thus improving operability.
Additionally, the latch members
56
and
57
do not bend significantly because the inner surfaces
60
b
1
a
and
60
c
1
a
of the openings
60
b
1
and
60
c
1
in the forward Y
1
direction contact projections
52
c
and
52
d
at the same time as the lock is released. Additionally, the force pulling the tag
75
or the pull tab
60
f
in the rear Y
2
direction is securely transmitted to the plug
51
, and, moreover, to both lateral sides of the plug
51
. Accordingly, the plug
51
can be pulled out with ease from the shroud
44
-
1
.
Additionally, the tag
75
extends rearward from the pull tab
60
f
. Accordingly, where a plurality of plugs
51
are closely spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction and it is difficult to get hold of the pull tab
60
f
itself, it is still easy to get hold of the tip of the tag
75
. Accordingly, by using the tag
75
it is possible to easily release a given desired plug
51
even where a plurality of plugs
51
are closely spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction.
When the tag
75
or the pull tab
60
f
is released, the inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
press the projections
60
d
and
60
e
back in the Y
1
direction by the spring force of the latch members
56
and
57
themselves, the lock release member
60
is automatically returned slightly in the Y
1
direction to the state shown in FIG.
3
. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately return the lock release member
60
to its original position after pulling the plug
51
, thus improving operability.
Additionally, the guide grooves
60
da
and
60
db
of the projections
60
d
and
60
e
are guided by edge-formed guides
59
b
2
a
and
59
b
3
a
, respectively, such that displacement in the lateral X
1
-X
2
direction is restricted. Accordingly, when moving in the Y
2
direction the projections
60
d
and
60
e
, though pressed by the outside of the plug
51
via the latch members
56
and
57
, are not much displaced thereby. Accordingly, the lock release member
60
securely elastically bends in a direction to release the hooks
56
a
and
57
a
of the latch members
56
and
57
from the openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
, thus securely releasing the lock. Additionally, arms
60
b
and
60
c
do not float off the side surfaces of the plug and the plug thus does not expand laterally in the X
1
-X
2
direction.
A description will now be given of a variation of the shroud
40
, with reference to
FIGS. 16 and 17
.
A shroud
40
A has a construction such that shield plates
42
and
43
are pressed into and fixedly mounted on interior grooves
45
A and
46
A on both sides of a shroud body
41
A from a bottom surface of the shroud
40
A.
A description will now be given of a second embodiment of the present invention, with reference to
FIGS. 18 and 19
.
FIG. 18
shows a connected state of a connector assembly
20
B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The connector assembly
20
B has a structure suitable for a case in which the signal ground of the back panel
22
has the same potential as the frame ground, the only difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment of the connector assembly
20
being a plug
51
B. As shown in
FIG. 19
, the plug
51
B differs from the plug
51
above only with respect to the lower shield cover
58
B. The lower shield cover
58
B differs from the lower shield cover
58
shown in
FIG. 13
only in that contacts
58
B
b
2
,
58
B
b
3
,
58
B
c
2
and
58
B
c
3
which project into an interior of the lower shield cover
58
B are formed at the location of openings
58
b
2
,
58
b
3
,
58
c
2
and
58
c
3
.
As shown in
FIG. 18
, a plug
51
B is connected to the shroud
40
. Contacts
58
B
b
2
,
58
B
b
3
,
58
B
c
2
and
58
B
c
3
contact signal ground pins
33
-
1
,
33
-
7
,
33
-
8
and
33
-
14
. Accordingly, the potential at the signal ground of the back panel
22
is the same as that at the frame ground of the back panel
22
via the lower shield cover
58
B and the upper shield cover
59
, and further, the shield plates
42
and
43
.
A description will now be given of a third embodiment of a connector
80
according to the present invention, with reference to
FIGS. 20
,
21
and
22
. As shown in
FIG. 20
, the connector
80
is a structure in which a plurality of pins
81
are aligned and fixedly mounted to a shroud
40
C.
The shroud
40
C comprises a substantially rectangular shaped shroud body
41
C made of electrically insulative plastic and metallic shield plates
42
C and
43
C insert molded along both sides of the shroud body in a lateral X
1
-X
2
direction. A plurality of shroud compartments
44
-
1
C through
44
-
8
C are closely spaced in a vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction, and further, press-fit pins
42
C
c
and
43
C
c
project in rows from each of the shroud compartments. Instead of being insert molded, the shield plates
42
C and
43
C may be pressed into grooves on the shroud body
41
C.
The shroud body
41
C comprises rectangular longer side panels
41
C
a
and
41
C
b
, shorter side panels
41
C
c
and
41
C
d
, bottom panel
41
C
e
and a plurality of partitions
41
C
f
. The plurality of partitions
41
C
f
are aligned so as to be evenly spaced in the vertical Z
1
-Z
2
direction. Grooves
47
C for preventing the mistaken or improper insertion of a plug are formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the partitions
41
C
f.
The shield plates
42
C and
43
C comprise bodies
42
C
a
and
43
C
a
having approximately the same size as the side panels
41
C
a
and
41
C
b
and a plurality of press-fit pins
42
C
c
and
43
C
c
projecting from the bodies
42
C
a
and
43
C
a
like the teeth of a comb at positions corresponding to the shroud compartments
44
C-
1
through
44
C-
8
.
The plurality of pins
81
are pressed into a plurality of through-holes
41
C
e
1
in the bottom panel
41
C
e
and mounted thereto, and arranged in two rows at each shroud compartment
44
C-
1
through
44
C-
8
. The pins
81
have portions
81
a
that project into the interior of the shroud compartments
44
C-
1
through
44
C-
8
and portions
81
b
that project from a bottom surface of the shroud
40
C.
As shown in
FIG. 22
, the pin portion
81
b
of the connector
80
is inserted into a through-hole
85
a
in a printed circuit board
85
and soldered thereto, with the press-fit pins
42
C
c
and
43
C
c
pressed into through-holes
85
b
in the printed circuit board
85
and mounted thereto. In this mounted state the plug
51
is connected.
A description will now be given of a variation of a shield plate, with reference to
FIGS. 23A and 23B
.
The shield plate
43
D shown in the diagrams has a lock step portion
43
D
a
for a lock engaging part in place of the lock opening. As shown in
FIG. 23B
, this lock step portion
43
D
a
engages the hook
56
a
of the latch member
56
.
A description will now be given of a plug according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, with reference to
FIGS. 24A
,
24
B and
24
C, which show steps in a process of unlocking such plug from the shroud.
FIG. 24A
shows a state in which a plug
100
is connected to and locked to the shroud
40
,
FIG. 24B
shows a state just prior to unlocking of the plug
100
and
FIG. 24C
shows a state after the plug
100
has been unlocked. In
FIGS. 24A
,
24
B and
24
C, elements identical to the structural elements of plug
51
of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof omitted.
As shown in
FIGS. 24A
,
24
B and
24
C, the plug
100
is fitted to the shroud
40
. The plug
100
comprises a housing
102
made of electrically insulative plastic and which includes first and second signal contacts
53
and
54
, latch members
56
and
57
attached to both sides of the housing
102
, lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
covering the housing
102
and a lock release member
104
made of electrically insulative plastic and covering a portion of the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
. The lock release member
104
, the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
and the housing
102
are configured so as to be mutually displaceable within a predetermined range in the longitudinal Y
1
-Y
2
direction. Hereinafter the housing
102
and the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
are referred to collectively as a connector assembly
106
.
An internal space
107
is formed between a forward Y
2
edge of the housing
102
and an inner surface of a forward Y
2
edge of the lock release member
104
. The plug
100
has a spring
108
disposed so as to be exposed to this internal space
107
. The spring
108
is a substantially V-shaped leaf spring and is composed of an upper arm
108
a
and a lower arm
108
b
. A catch
102
a
is provided on the housing
102
and a catch
104
a
is provided on the lock release member
104
, and therein the housing
102
and the lock release member
104
each differ from the housing
52
and lock release member
60
, respectively, of the first embodiment described previously. The leaf spring
108
is further disposed so that a tip portion of the lower arm
108
b
is mounted on the catch
102
a
of the housing
102
and a tip portion of the upper arm is mounted on the catch
104
a
of the lock release member
104
. The leaf spring
108
generates a force that pulls together the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
.
As shown in
FIG. 24A
, in a state in which the plug
100
is connected to the shroud
40
, the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
are maintained at predetermined positions by the leaf spring
108
. In such a state, as shown in
FIG. 24B
, when the lock release member
104
is moved in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
106
, projections
104
a
and
104
b
formed on a Y
1
edge of the lock release member
104
press inward inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
of latch members
56
and
57
. Then, as the lock release member
104
continues to move in the Y
2
direction, the latch members
56
and
57
are released from openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
formed on the shroud body
41
and, as shown in
FIG. 24C
, the locked connection between the plug
100
and the shroud
40
is released. Accordingly, as with the first embodiment described above, according to the present embodiment the connection of the plug
100
to the shroud
40
can be released simply and easily.
In the present embodiment, after the locked connection between the plug
100
and the shroud
40
is released, the lock release member
104
is moving in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
106
, so the relative distance between the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
increases and the leaf spring
108
elastically deforms in a direction in which a distance between the tip of the upper arm
108
a
and the tip of the lower arm
108
b
widens. At this time, a large pressing force is generated between the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
so as to bring the two together. When such a force is generated the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
are brought together.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, immediately after the locked connection between the plug
100
and the shroud
40
is released by moving the lock release member
104
in the Y
2
direction, it is possible to securely return the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
to original relative positions as shown in
FIG. 24C
without any additional manipulation of the lock release member
104
.
By securely returning the lock release member
104
and the connector assembly
106
to original relative positions, the plug
100
and the shroud
40
can be securely connected to each other the next time the plug
100
is connected to the shroud
40
as well. Accordingly, according to the plug
100
of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve a highly reliable connection to the shroud
40
.
A description will now be given of a plug
110
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG.
25
and
FIGS. 26A
,
26
B and
26
C.
FIG. 25
is an exploded view of essential elements of a plug
110
according to this fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 26A
,
26
B and
26
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking the plug
110
from the shroud
40
.
FIG. 26A
shows a state in which the plug
110
is connected to and locked to the shroud
40
,
FIG. 26B
shows a state just prior to unlocking of the plug
110
and
FIG. 26C
shows a state after the plug
110
has been unlocked. In
FIGS. 26A
,
26
B and
26
C, elements identical to the structural elements of plug
51
of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof omitted.
As shown in FIG.
25
and
FIGS. 26A
,
26
B and
26
C, the plug
110
comprises a housing
52
made of electrically insulative plastic and which includes first and second signal contacts
53
and
54
, latch members
56
and
57
attached to both sides of the housing
52
, lower and upper shield covers
112
and
59
covering the housing
52
and a lock release member
114
made of electrically insulative plastic and covering a portion of the lower and upper shield covers
112
and
59
. Hereinafter the housing
52
and the lower and upper shield covers
112
and
59
are referred to collectively as a connector assembly
116
.
The lower shield cover
112
comprises a bottom panel
112
a
and side panels
112
b
and
112
c
extending upward from the from both X
1
- and X
2
-side edges of the bottom panel
112
a
. A leaf spring
112
c
1
is integrally formed on a Y
2
-side edge of the side panel
112
c
of the lower shield cover
112
. A notch
114
a
for mounting a leaf spring
112
c
1
is provided on the lock release member
114
. The leaf spring
112
c
1
is substantially V-shaped, and is disposed so that a forward edge of the leaf spring is affixed to the notch
114
a
of the lock release member
114
when the lock release member
114
and the connector assembly
116
are assembled. The leaf spring
112
c
1
generates a force that pulls the lock release member
114
and the connector assembly
116
together.
In the present embodiment, when the lock release member
114
is moved in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
116
as shown in
FIG. 26B
from a state in which the plug
110
is connected to the shroud
40
as shown in
FIG. 26A
, latch members
56
and
57
are released from openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
in the shroud body
41
, thereby releasing the locked connection between the plug
110
and the shroud
40
. Accordingly, according to the present embodiment the connection of the plug
110
to the shroud
40
can be released simply and easily.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, a large force can be generated by the leaf spring
112
c
1
between the lock release member
114
and the connector assembly
116
in a direction to pull the two together because the leaf spring
112
c
1
elastically deforms in a direction of an extension of an overall length of the leaf spring
112
c
1
immediately after the locked connection between the plug
110
and the shroud
40
is released.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, as with the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to securely return the lock release member
114
and the connector assembly
116
to original relative positions as shown in
FIG. 26C
without any additional manipulation of the lock release member
114
by moving the lock release member
114
in the Y
2
direction. Accordingly, as with the plug
100
of the fourth embodiment as described above, according to the plug
110
of the present embodiment it is possible to attain a highly reliable connection to the shroud
40
.
Additionally, in the present embodiment, as described above, the leaf spring
112
c
1
is integrally formed on the lower shield cover
112
. As a result, as with the fourth embodiment described above, according to the present embodiment it is possible to limit the number of component parts as compared to a case in which a leaf spring is provided as a separate member between the lock release member and the connector assembly, and, as a result, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the plug
110
.
It should be noted that, although in the present embodiment the leaf spring
112
c
1
is integrally formed on the side panel
112
c
of the lower shield cover
112
, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Accordingly, a leaf spring may be integrally formed on the side panel
59
c
of the upper shield cover
59
.
A description will now be given of a plug according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG.
27
and
FIGS. 28A
,
28
B and
28
C.
FIG. 27
is an exploded view of essential elements of a plug
120
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Additionally,
FIGS. 28A
,
28
B and
28
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking the plug
120
from the shroud
40
.
FIG. 28A
shows a state in which the plug
120
is connected to and locked to the shroud
40
,
FIG. 28B
shows a state just prior to unlocking of the plug
120
and
FIG. 28C
shows a state after the plug
120
has been unlocked. In
FIGS. 28A
,
28
B and
28
C, elements identical to the structural elements of plug
51
of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof omitted.
As shown in FIG.
27
and
FIGS. 28A
,
28
B and
28
C, the plug
120
comprises a housing
122
made of electrically insulative plastic and which includes first and second signal contacts
53
and
54
, latch members
56
and
57
attached to both sides of the housing
122
, lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
covering the housing
52
and a lock release member
124
made of electrically insulative plastic and covering a portion of the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
. Hereinafter the housing
122
and the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
are referred to collectively as a connector assembly
126
.
The housing
122
has a structure such that a leaf spring
122
a
is integrally formed on a Y
1
edge of the housing
52
of the first embodiment as described above. A notch portion
124
a
for mounting the leaf spring
122
a
is provided on the lock release member
124
. The leaf spring
122
a
is substantially V-shaped, and is disposed so that a forward edge thereof is affixed to the notch portion
124
a
of the lock release member
124
when the lock release member
124
and the connector assembly
126
are assembled. The leaf spring
122
a
generates a force that pulls the lock release member
114
and the connector assembly
116
together.
In the present embodiment as well, when the lock release member
124
is moved in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
126
as shown in
FIG. 28B
from a state in which the plug
120
is connected to the shroud
40
as shown in
FIG. 28A
, the locked connection between the plug
120
and the shroud
40
is released. Accordingly, according to the present embodiment the connection of the plug
120
to the shroud
40
can be released simply and easily.
In the present embodiment, a large force can be generated between the lock release member
124
and the connector assembly
126
in a direction to pull the two together by the leaf spring
122
a
formed on the housing
122
because the leaf spring
122
a
elastically deforms in a direction of an extension of an overall length of the leaf spring
122
a
immediately after the locked connection between the plug
120
and the shroud
40
is released.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, as with the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to securely return the lock release member
124
and the connector assembly
126
to original relative positions as shown in
FIG. 28C
without any additional manipulation of the lock release member
124
by moving the lock release member
124
in the Y
2
direction. Accordingly, as with the plug
100
of the fourth embodiment as described above, according to the plug
120
of the present embodiment it is possible to attain a highly reliable connection to the shroud
40
.
Additionally, in the present embodiment as described above, the leaf spring
122
a
is integrally formed on the housing
122
. As a result, as with the fifth embodiment described above, according to the present embodiment it is possible to limit the number of component parts as compared to a case in which a leaf spring is provided as a separate member between the lock release member and the connector assembly, and, as a result, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the plug
120
.
A description will now be given of a plug according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, with reference to
FIGS. 29A
,
29
B and
29
C.
FIGS. 29A
,
29
B and
29
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking a plug
130
from the shroud
40
.
FIG. 29A
shows a state in which the plug
130
is connected to and locked to the shroud
40
,
FIG. 29B
shows a state just prior to unlocking of the plug
130
and
FIG. 29C
shows a state after the plug
130
has been unlocked.
The plug
130
of the present embodiment is achieved by using a housing
132
in place of the housing
52
of the plug
51
of the first embodiment described above and using a lock release member
134
instead of the lock release member
60
. Hereinafter, the housing
132
and the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
are referred to collectively as a connector assembly
136
. In
FIGS. 29A
,
29
B and
29
C, elements identical to the structural elements of plug
51
of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof omitted.
As shown in
FIGS. 29A
,
29
B and
29
C, the lock release member
134
comprises a box
134
a
, and arms
134
b
and
134
c
extending from the lateral X
1
-X
2
sides of the box
134
a
in the Y
1
direction. An inverted S-shaped spring
134
a
1
is integrally formed on an interior surface edge on a Y
2
side of the box
124
a
. A latch
132
a
for mounting the spring
134
a
1
is mounted on a Y
2
side edge of the housing
132
. The spring
134
a
1
is disposed so that a forward tip of the spring
134
a
1
is mounted on the latch
132
a
of the housing
132
when the lock release member
134
and connector assembly
136
are assembled. The spring
134
a
1
generates a force that pulls the lock release member
134
and the connector assembly
136
together.
In the present embodiment, when the lock release member
134
is moved in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
136
as shown in
FIG. 29B
from a state in which the plug
130
is connected to the shroud
40
as shown in
FIG. 29A
, the locked connection between the plug
130
and the shroud
40
is released. In the present embodiment, a large force can be generated between the lock release member
134
and the connector assembly
136
in a direction to pull the two together by the spring
134
a
1
formed on the housing
132
because the spring
134
a
1
elastically deforms in a direction of an extension of an overall length of the spring
134
a
1
immediately after the locked connection between the plug
130
and the shroud
40
is released.
As a result, according to the present embodiment as with the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to securely return the lock release member
134
and the connector assembly
136
to original relative positions as shown in
FIG. 28C
without any additional manipulation of the lock release member
134
by moving the lock release member
134
in the Y
2
direction. Accordingly, as with the plug
100
of the fourth embodiment as described above, according to the plug
130
of the present embodiment it is possible to attain a highly reliable connection to the shroud
40
.
Additionally, in the present embodiment as described above, the spring
134
a
1
is integrally formed on the housing
134
. As a result, as with the fifth embodiment described above, according to the present embodiment it is possible to limit the number of component parts as compared to a case in which a leaf spring is provided as a separate member between the lock release member and the connector assembly, and, as a result, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly of the plug
120
.
It should be noted that in embodiments 4, 5, 6 and 7 as described above the spring that generates the force that pulls the housing and the lock release member together is provided only on an X
1
side edge. However, the spring may also be provided only on an X
2
side edge or on both X
1
and X
2
edges.
A description will now be given of a plug according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, with reference to
FIGS. 30A
,
30
B and
30
C as well as
FIGS. 31A and 31B
.
FIGS. 30A
,
30
B and
30
C are diagrams showing steps in a process of unlocking a plug
140
from the shroud
40
.
FIGS. 31A and 31B
are exploded views of essential elements of the plug
140
.
FIG. 30A
shows a state in which the plug
140
is connected to and locked to the shroud
40
,
FIG. 30B
shows a state just prior to unlocking of the plug
140
and
FIG. 30C
shows a state after the plug
140
has been unlocked.
The plug
140
of the present embodiment is achieved by using a housing
142
in place of the housing
52
of the plug
51
of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the housing
142
and the lower and upper shield covers
58
and
59
are referred to collectively as a connector assembly
144
. In
FIGS. 30A
,
30
B and
30
C and in
FIGS. 31A and 31B
, elements identical to the structural elements of plug
51
of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof omitted.
As shown in
FIGS. 30A
,
30
B and
30
C, the housing
142
has projections
142
a
and
142
b
formed on central parts of interior side surfaces for mounting latch members
56
and
57
. Leaf springs
146
and
148
extending in the Y
1
direction are fixedly mounted on the projections
142
a
and
142
b
. As shown in
FIG. 31A
, the leaf springs
146
and
148
are normally disposed so that tip portions thereof just contact base intermediate portions
56
c
and
57
c
of latch members
56
and
57
, or, as shown in
FIG. 31B
, the tips are pressed laterally in the X
1
-X
2
direction by base intermediate portions
56
c
and
57
c
of latch members
56
and
57
when the locked connection between the plug
140
and the shroud
40
is released. In such a composition, the leaf springs
146
and
148
generate a pressing force to press the latch members
56
and
57
outward by elastically deforming during the process of release of the locked connection described above.
In the present embodiment, when the lock release member
60
is moved in the Y
2
direction with respect to the connector assembly
144
as shown in
FIG. 30B
from a state in which the plug
140
is connected to the shroud
40
as shown in
FIG. 30A
, projections
60
d
and
60
e
press inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
of the latch members
56
and
57
inward. Then, as the lock release member
60
continues to move in the Y
2
direction the latch members
56
and
57
are released from openings
41
a
1
and
41
b
1
in the shroud body
41
and the locked connection between the plug
140
and the shroud
40
is released as shown in FIG.
30
C.
After the above-described locked connection is released a large pressing force is generated outwardly by the leaf springs
146
and
148
against the latch members
56
and
57
. That is, according to the leaf springs
146
and
148
of the present invention, after the above-described locked connection is released, a force to supplement the spring force of the latch members
56
and
57
themselves can be generated. When such force is so generated the inclined portions
56
c
1
and
57
c
1
of latch members
56
and
57
press the projections
60
d
and
60
e
of the latch release member
60
back in the Y
1
direction.
As a result, according to the present embodiment, immediately after the locked connection between the plug
140
and the shroud
40
is released by moving the lock release member
60
in the Y
2
direction, it is possible to securely return the lock release member
60
and the connector assembly
144
to original relative positions as shown in
FIG. 30C
without any additional manipulation of the lock release member
134
. Accordingly, according to the plug
140
of the present embodiment, it is possible to attain a highly reliable connection to the shroud
40
.
The above description is provided in order to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention.
The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments and variations, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present application is based on Japanese priority application no. 11-191028, filed on Jul. 5, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
- 1. A plug, comprising:a housing made of electrically insulative material and comprising signal contacts; a metallic shield cover enclosing the housing; a latch member provided at both side surfaces of the housing; and a lock release member provided on an outer side of the shield cover, the lock release member comprising: a pull tab on a same side from which a cable is extended; and a projection disposed opposite the latch member, the projection releasing a locked state by using the latch member when the lock release member is pulled, the projection having a groove, the groove being guided by an edge of an opening of the shield cover.
- 2. The plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein an edge of the latch member in a direction in which the lock release member is pulled is mounted on a side surface of the housing, a sloped portion being provided in a vicinity of the mounted area, such that an action of releasing the lock is performed by elastic deformation, the projection pulling the sloped portion when the lock release member is pulled, the sloped portion returning the projection to an original position by using a spring force of the latch member when the lock release member is released.
- 3. The plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein a slit having a tag is provided on the pull tab.
- 4. The plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal contacts are arranged in parallel rows and comprise a first bent signal contact and a second straight signal contact, the first signal contact and the second signal contact having identical lengths.
- 5. The plug as claimed in claim 1, the housing having a key that prevents improper insertion of the plug.
- 6. The plug as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an auxiliary spring generating a force to augment the spring force of the latch member.
- 7. An apparatus, comprising:a shield cover enclosing a housing, the housing having two side surfaces; a latch member on the side surfaces of the housing; and a lock release member on an outer side of the shield cover, the lock release member comprising a projection disposed opposite the latch member, the projection releasing a locked state by using the latch member when the lock release member is pulled, the projection having a groove guided by the shield cover.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-095023 |
Apr 1999 |
JP |
|
11-191028 |
Jul 1999 |
JP |
|
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Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5397246 |
Defibaugh et al. |
Mar 1995 |
A |
5460533 |
Broeksteeg et al. |
Oct 1995 |
A |
5951316 |
Kawano et al. |
Sep 1999 |
A |
6093057 |
Lok |
Jul 2000 |
A |