Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6435890
-
Patent Number
6,435,890
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, April 4, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 20, 200221 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Bradley; P. Austin
- Hammond; Briggitte
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 247
- 439 248
- 439 557
- 439 559
- 439 544
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A connecting portion for elastically connecting a receiving member to a stationary member is formed in such a manner as to be integral with the receiving portion. The connection portion is attached to the stationary member through the stationary portion. This stationary portion is surrounded by the receiving member across a gap SR. There is no frame serving as a stationary member around the receiving member. Thus, the movable structure becomes thin as a whole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a movable structure for connectors
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a connector is used for electrical connection between electrical units (for example, electrical connection between a body of a vehicle and an instrument panel). For instance, when there are two units to be interconnected, a connector is provided on each of these units. Then, these units are electrically connected to each other by connecting these connectors together.
As the connectors, hitherto, there have been proposed various kinds of connectors having a movable structure in which one of a pair of connectors to be connected to each other is ordinarily connected to a corresponding unit and in which the other connector is attached to a unit opposed to the former unit so that the latter connector can be displaced in a direction perpendicular to a direction along which the connectors are connected to each other.
For example, in the case of connectors which the applicants of the present application have previously proposed (see JP-A-10-134900), as illustrated in
FIG. 8B
, in a connector fixed to a counterpart connector in a state in which the former connector is fixed to a stationary member, a connector housing
11
connected to the counterpart connector, a stationary portion
200
to be connected to the stationary member, and a connecting member for connecting the connector housing
11
to the stationary portion
200
are integrally formed by using an elastically deformable material. Moreover, the connecting portion
201
is formed into a shape adapted to have a first flexible portion
202
extending in a first direction nearly perpendicular to a direction, in which this connector is connected to the counterpart connector, and also have a second flexible portion extending in a second direction nearly perpendicular to both the direction, in which the connector is connected to the counterpart connector, and the first direction.
However, in the case of the aforementioned connectors, the stationary portion
200
supports the connector housing
11
in a state in which the stationary portion
200
covers the entire circumference of the connector housing
11
. It is, thus, necessary to form a gap S between the stationary portion
200
and the connector housing
11
to thereby cause relative displacement therebetween. There is also a necessity for securing the thickness of the stationary portion
200
. Consequently, the stationary portion
200
formed around the gap S becomes considerable large in size. Moreover, the connectors each have a thick two-layer structure containing the stationary portion
200
and the connector housing
11
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is accomplished in view of the aforementioned drawbacks. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to reduce the size of the stationary portion and to provide a movable structure for the connector, which is thin as a whole.
According to the invention, there is provided a movable structure for connectors, which comprises a receiving member including at least a connector, a stationary portion for fixing the receiving member to a stationary member, and a connecting portion for connecting both the receiving member and the stationary portion, the receiving member, the stationary portion, and the connecting portion being integrally formed from a elastically deformable material, wherein the stationary portion is surrounded by the receiving member in a state in which a gap for allowing relative displacement between the stationary portion and the receiving member is provided therebetween.
According to the invention, the stationary portion is surrounded by the receiving member in a state in which the stationary portion is spaced from the receiving member through a gap for allowing the relative displacement therebetween. Thus, there is no stationary portion around an outer circumferential portion of the receiving member. This eliminates the need for the gap provided in the conventional connector. Therefore, the size of the stationary portion is reduced. Moreover, a thinner structure can be realized. Moreover, this enables the reduction in the weight of the entire connector. Furthermore, the material cost thereof can be decreased. In the connector of this invention, the “receiving member” may be a connector housing itself. Alternatively, the receiving member may be a holder to be used for a predetermined object (for example, for obtaining a low inserting force structure).
Preferably, the connecting portion comprises a first flexible portion extending in a first direction nearly orthogonal to a connecting direction, in which a connector is connected to a counterpart connector, and also comprises a second flexible portion extending in a second direction nearly orthogonal to both the connecting direction and the first direction.
In the invention, the first flexible portion can perform bending deformation in a direction orthogonal to the second direction. The second flexible portion can perform bending deformation in a direction orthogonal to the second direction. Thus, the receiving portion can perform relative displacement with respect to the stationary member in the bending directions.
Preferably, the receiving member comprises a projection portion adapted to slide in a point contact with the stationary member during the alignment.
In this invention, when the alignment is performed, the receiving member slides in a point contact with the stationary portion.
Preferably, the receiving member comprises connecting force amplifying means for amplifying connecting forces of both the connectors when the former connector and the counterpart connector are connected to each other.
In the case of this structure, the connector attached to the receiving member is connector to the counterpart connector in a state in which the alignment can be performed. Moreover, the connecting forces of both the connectors are amplified.
Preferably, the movable structure further comprises an elastic member, provided in one of the receiving member and the stationary portion, for elastically attaching the receiving member to the stationary portion in cooperation with the stationary portion in such a way as to enable the receiving member to be displaced in the connector connecting direction.
In the invention, the stationary portion and the elastic member elastically attach the receiving member to the stationary member. Thus, in addition to the elastic displacement of the receiving member by the connecting portion, the displacement caused by the bending deformation of this elastic member in the direction of the connector connecting direction can be performed during the alignment.
Preferably, the elastic member is provided in a spacer for causing the receiving ember and the stationary member to float.
In the invention, even when the elastic member is fully compressed during the alignment of the receiving member, the spacer maintains a state in which the receiving member floats with respect to the stationary member. Thus, the displacement of the receiving member can be performed without regulating the receiving member by the stationary member.
Furthermore, preferably, the stationary member comprises a projection-like elastic clamp adapted to penetrate the stationary member to thereby be engaged on a penetrated-side surface thereof.
In the invention, the elastic clamp is engaged with the stationary member only by causing the stationary portion to penetrate through the stationary member. Moreover, the receiving member is attached to the stationary member in a state in which the alignment of the receiving member can be performed.
Further, the receiving member comprises a displacement regulating portion for regulating displacement of the connecting portion in a direction parallel to the connecting direction parallel to the connecting direction.
Thus, when the connector is connected to the counterpart connector, the large displacement of the receiving member in a direction parallel to the connecting direction, that is, the large deformation of the connecting portion in this direction is prevented from occurring owing to the load imposed thereto. Consequently, the connecting portion is prevented from being damaged owing to this. Additionally, this displacement regulating portion can perform displacement together with the receiving member as one unit. This eliminates the necessity for providing a space between the displacement regulating portion and the receiving member. This contributes the miniaturized structure. That is, in the case that the relative displacement between the displacement regulating portion and the receiving member is caused, similarly as in the conventional connector, there is the need for the gap allowing the relative displacement therebetween. However, the necessity for causing the relative displacement between the displacement regulating portion and the receiving member is eliminated by forming the displacement regulating portion and the receiving member in such a manner as to be integral with each other. Moreover, the stationary portion is constituted by the projection-like member. Consequently, the thickness and size of the entire structure can be reduced.
Further, preferably, the stationary portion comprises an inclination regulating portion for regulating inclination of a base portion.
Thus, even when the stationary portion is shaped like a projection, there is no fear that the connecting portion between the stationary portion and the connecting portion is damaged. Consequently, the stationary portion can be shaped into a form having a section, the area of which is reduced as much as possible. Thus, the size of the structure can be decreased still more.
Furthermore, in a practical, the receiving member may be a holder to which a plurality of connectors are attached.
Additionally, preferably, the stationary portion comprises a protection plate for protecting the elastic clamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a connecting structure for connectors according to the invention.
FIG. 2
is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a primary part of a holder according to the embodiment of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a side view illustrating the holder of the embodiment of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a partially cut away view illustrating the primary part of the holder of the embodiment of FIG.
1
.
FIGS. 5A and 5B
are schematic partially sectional plan views illustrating the first embodiment of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 6
is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a primary portion of a holder according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7
is a side view illustrating an attached state of the holder according to the embodiment of FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8A
is a schematic sectional view illustrating the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8B
is a schematic sectional view illustrating a conventional connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a connecting structure for connectors according to the invention.
The illustrated connecting structure basically has a pair of connectors
10
,
20
, a holder
30
serving as a receiving member attached to a panel
1
, which is constituted by a stay member of an automobile, for supporting one (hereunder referred to a holder-side connector
10
) of the connectors in such a manner as to be able to slide, and a rocking lever
40
composing a primary part of a connecting force amplifying means, placed between the holder
30
and the holder-side connector
10
, for amplifying the connecting forces of the connectors
10
and
20
.
In the illustrated example, the holder-side connector
10
is an assembled connector into which connecting primary parts, for example, a floor harness, a door harness, a signal harness, an audio/visual harness, a navigation harness, an instrument panel harness (that is, a main harness including a main ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and a power supply circuit) of an automobile are assembled. Such kinds of harnesses are manufactured in different harness factories, respectively. Then, such harnesses are tied and assembled into integral harnesses in an assembly factory.
The holder-side connector
10
has a male housing block
14
, which is slidably inserted into the holder
30
, and a plurality of female terminals disposed in terminal accommodating chambers of the housing block
14
.
Further, pairs of upper and lower ribs
17
are provided on both the lateral side surfaces of the housing block
14
so as to guide the connector. Moreover, a temporary fixing portion
18
provided thereon so as to prevent the holder-side connector
10
by temporally fixing the holder-side connector
10
at the connection standby position from being inserted into the holder
30
before a connecting operation is performed.
The other connector
20
(hereunder referred to as a counterpart connector) is a block connector mounted on a circuit board
4
of, for example, an electronic module unit
3
(for instance, center cluster module) of an instrument panel.
This counterpart connector
20
has a female housing block
21
, which is fitted to the outside of and engaged with the housing block
14
of the holder-side connector
10
, and a plurality of male terminals disposed in terminal chambers of the housing block
21
. Further, the housing block
21
is fixed to the circuit board
4
by means, such as screws. Moreover, a connecting portion
22
of the male terminal is drawn out of the rear end portion of the housing block
21
and connected to the conductive portion of the circuit board
4
by soldering. The counterpart connector
20
and the circuit board
4
are accommodated in a case
6
of the electronic module unit
3
. Furthermore, a driven pin
23
to be driven by the rocking lever
40
is provided on each of the top wall portion and the bottom wall portion of the housing block
21
therefrom.
A procedure for connecting both the connectors
10
and
20
is similar in principle to that described in the foregoing description of the conventional structure (regarding the detail of the procedure, see JP-A-10-21992). Thus, the detail description thereof is omitted herein.
The holder
30
is a resin molding that has a body frame portion
31
, which is formed like a rectangular frame as a whole, and a flange portion
32
formed on the outer circumference of an opening portion at one end side of the body frame portion
31
.
FIG. 2
is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a primary portion of the holder
30
according to the embodiment of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a side view illustrating the holder
30
.
FIG. 4
is a partly cutaway perspective view illustrating a primary portion of the holder
30
of the embodiment of FIG.
1
. Incidentally, in the following description, it is assumed that the side, on which the flange portion
32
is formed, of the holder
30
is the front side of the embodiment.
As illustrated in these figures, the body frame portion
31
is basically used for accommodating the holder-side connector
10
in such a way as to enable the displacement of the connector
10
by sliding. The body frame portion
31
has a pair of upper and lower horizontal wall portions
33
and a pair of lateral wall portions
34
, which are integrally provided with one another. Further, a rib
35
serving as an attaching portion for slidably attaching the holder-side connector
10
is formed on each of the inner wall surfaces of both the lateral side wall portions
34
in such a way as to extend horizontally. In the illustrated embodiment, a temporarily holding arm
35
a
is formed at the rear end portion of the rib
35
so that a rear end side portion of the arm is freely rockable. A catching projection
35
b
for temporarily holding the temporarily fixing portion
18
of the holder-side connector
10
is formed at a free end of the arm
35
a
(see FIG.
1
). The engagement of the temporarily fixing portion
18
with the rear end surface of this catching projection
35
b
enables the holder-side connector
10
to be tentatively fixed at the connection standby position (see
FIG. 1
) at which the connector
10
is ready for being connected to the counterpart connector
20
. A rib
33
a
is formed on the inner surface of the horizontal wall portion
33
. This rib
33
a
corresponds to a groove
24
, formed in the housing block
21
of the counterpart connector
20
, in such a way as to be able to be fitted thereinto. This rib
33
a
and the groove
24
determine the positions of both the connectors
10
and
20
when connected to each other.
Further, the flange portion
32
is formed so that a pair of catching projections
50
(projection-like members) corresponding to a pair of lateral mounting holes
5
formed in the panel
1
is frontwardly protruded therefrom. This embodiment is configured so that the holder-side connector
10
is attachably fixed in the holder
30
through an insertion hole
7
, which is formed between the mounting holes
5
, by fitting this catching projection
50
into the mounting holes
5
.
In the illustrated embodiment, an opening portion
60
, which has a nearly U-shaped horizontal section (see
FIGS. 5A and 5B
) and penetrates through the flange portion
32
in a direction of a larger thickness thereof is formed at each of four corner parts of both the side walls of the flange portion
32
. The catching projection
50
is erected in the central portion in the frontward and backward directions of each of the opening portions
60
. Incidentally, in
FIG. 4
, reference character
60
a
designates a drawing hole formed when the catching projections
50
are formed.
As illustrated in
FIG. 2
, the catching projection
50
constitutes the stationary portions of the illustrated embodiment. The projection
50
is provided by forming a pair of elastic clamps
51
, which are opposed to each other in a direction of width and a plate portion
52
erected between the elastic clamps
51
, with each other in such a way as to be integral with each other at the rear end portion thereof and as to be frontwardly projected therefrom Each of the elastic clamps
51
has a catching portion
53
whose horizontal section is formed like an arrowhead. This catching portion
53
elastically penetrates through the through hole
5
and is engaged with the front of the panel
1
. Thus, the holder
30
is attached to the panel
1
through the catching projection
50
.
Incidentally, as illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, a pair of cantilevers
54
is disposed in front of the flange portion
32
in such a manner as to catch the catching projections
50
at the upper and lower positions. A pushing projection
55
is provided in such a manner as to be frontwardly projected from the free end of each of the cantilevers
54
. Further, the pushing projections
55
elastically pinch the panel
1
between the catching portions
53
of the catching projections
50
. Thus, the catching projections
50
(therefore, the holder
30
) attached to the panel
1
in such a manner as to be elastically displaced in the frontward and backward directions by an amount of deformation of the cantilevers
54
. Furthermore, nib-like projections
56
are provided in front of the flange portion
32
in such a way as to project therefrom. When the displacement thereof is caused by the cantilevers
54
, the holder
30
is in contact with the panel
1
in a point contact state by the nib-like projections
56
, so that the sliding resistance at the time of an occurrence of the displacement.
Referring next to
FIG. 4
, there is shown the catching projection
50
that has a pair of protection plates
57
,
57
(omitted in
FIG. 2
) disposed in such a way as to face each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the elastic clamps
51
,
51
face each other. The clamps
51
and the plate portion
52
are placed in a state in which the clamps
51
and the plate portion
52
are put between these protection plates
57
and
57
. Moreover, the protection plates
57
,
57
, the elastic clamps
51
and the plate portion
52
are formed in such a manner as to be integral with one another at a base portion. Furthermore, each of the protection plates
57
and
57
is formed in such a way as to be integral with the flange portion
32
of the holder
30
through a corresponding connecting arm
70
serving as the connecting portion.
In the opening portion
60
, each of the connecting arms
70
has thin first flexible portions
71
, which outwardly longitudinally extend in the direction of the X-axis from both X-axis portions
32
b
and, and a second flexible portion
72
that extends in the direction of the Y-axis horizontally orthogonal to the X-axis from an end of this first flexible portion
71
and that is integral with the first flexible portions
71
. Each of the connecting arm
70
is shaped like a letter “L” extending along the contour of the shape of a horizontal section of the opening portion
60
(see
FIGS. 5A and 5B
) Further, the first flexible portion
71
is formed in such a way as to be integral with the flange portion
32
. The second flexible portion
72
is formed in such a manner as to be integral with the protection plate
57
. Thus, the holder
30
is connected to the catching projection
50
in such a way as to be able to be displaced in the directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis. This provides a receiving structure in which the holder-side connector
10
to be attached to the holder
30
by displacement thereof can be aligned with the counterpart connector
20
.
Incidentally, it may be that the second flexible portion
72
and the first flexible portion
71
do not extend in a direction completely parallel to the directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis, and that the flexible portions
71
and
72
are slightly inclined to the directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis, respectively.
Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, the first flexible portion
71
is connected to both side portions from the side surfaces of the flange portion
32
in the direction of the X-axis in a state in which the portion
71
is inserted into the opening portion
60
. Further, the second flexible portion
72
connects the first flexible portion
71
to the protection plate
57
in the opening portion
60
. Moreover, the connecting arm
70
is adapted to be able to be displaced by an inner wall portion of the opening portion
60
in a direction (that is, in the frontward and backward directions of the holder
30
), in which the connectors are fitted to each other, by a predetermined stroke. In other words, this opening portion
60
constitutes the regulating means for regulating the displacement in the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, of the connecting arm
70
in such a way as to be within a predetermined range.
Moreover, as illustrated in
FIG. 4
, a pair of inclination regulating ribs
75
is formed on both sides of the catching projection
50
in each of the protection plates
57
. Each of the inclination regulating ribs
75
is operative to restrain a corresponding one of the catching projections
50
from excessively being inclined in the direction of the Y-axis around an axis extending in the frontward and backward directions of the holder
30
. This prevents the base portion of each of the catching projections
50
from excessively being inclined and damaged when the catching projections
50
are rocked by the first flexible portions
71
of the connecting arm
70
.
FIGS. 5A and 5B
are schematic partially sectional plan views illustrating the embodiment of FIG.
1
.
In this embodiment, when the first flexible portion
71
bends in the direction of the Y-axis as illustrated in
FIG. 5A
, the relative displacement of the holder
30
can be performed in the direction of the Y-axis with respect to the catching projections
50
(that is, with respect to the panel
1
). Further, when the second flexible portion
72
bends in the direction of the X-axis as illustrated in
FIG. 5B
, the relative displacement of the holder
30
can be performed with respect to the catching projections
50
(that is, with respect to the panel
1
). That is, the bending deformation of the entire connecting arm
70
enables the free and relative displacement of the holder
30
in the directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis. Therefore, even when there is an error in a place on the panel
1
, to which each of the catching projections
50
is fixed, the error can be absorbed by the displacement of the holder
30
. Consequently, an operation of connecting both the connectors
10
and
20
to each other can be smoothly performed.
Further, the displacement of the holder
30
in the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, with respect to the catching projections
50
is regulated by the regulating ribs
75
provided on the protection plates
57
. This prevents large displacement in the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, of the holder
30
, that is, large displacement of each of the connecting arms
70
in the same direction from occurring due to a load imposed thereto when the terminals of the connectors are fitted to each other. Furthermore, this embodiment can have an advantage in that the connecting arms
70
can be prevented from being damaged owing to this deformation.
FIGS. 8A and 8B
are schematic views for making comparison in configuration between the connector according to this embodiment and the conventional connector. Further,
FIG. 8A
is a schematic sectional view illustrating this embodiment. Moreover,
FIG. 8B
is a schematic sectional view illustrating the conventional connector.
As schematically illustrated in
FIGS. 8A and 8B
, the catching projections
50
are surrounded by the holder
30
through a gap SR for permitting the relative displacement thereof with respect to the holder
30
. Thus, no stationary portion is provided in an outer peripheral portion of the holder
30
. This eliminates the necessity for forming the gap S (that is, a portion indicated by in
FIG. 8A
) similarly as formed in the conventional connector. Consequently, the size of the stationary portion (thus, the catching projections
50
) can be reduced. Moreover, a thinner structure can be realized. Furthermore, the weight of the entire connector can be reduced. Additionally, the material cost thereof can be decreased.
As described above, according to this embodiment, there is no stationary portion, such as a frame, around the peripheral portion of the holder
30
. Moreover, the gap as provided in the conventional connector is not formed in the embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the size of the stationary portion is decreased. A thinner structure can be realized. Furthermore, the weight of the entire connector is reduced. Moreover, the material cost thereof can be decreased.
Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiment, the holder-side connector
10
attached to the panel
1
through the holder
30
is connected to the counterpart connector
20
. When connected to each other, the connecting forces of both the connectors
10
and
20
are amplified by the connecting force amplifying means (such as the rocking lever
40
) provided in the holder
30
. At that time, in this embodiment, the connecting arms
70
for elastically connecting the holder
30
to the panel
1
are formed in such a way as to be integral with the holder
30
. The connecting arms
70
are formed and shaped in such a way as to have the first flexing portion
71
extending in a first direction nearly orthogonal to a direction (that is, the direction of the X-axis in the case of the illustrated example), in which the connectors are connected to each other, and also have the second flexing portion
72
extending in a second direction (that is, the direction of the Y-axis in the case of the illustrated example) nearly orthogonal to both the direction, in which the connector
10
and the counter connector
20
are connected to each other, and first direction. Thus, as illustrated in
FIGS. 5A and 5B
, the first flexible portion
71
and the second flexible portion
72
can perform bending deformation in the direction of the Y-axis and the direction of the X-axis, respectively. The relative displacement of the holder
30
with respect to the panel
1
can be performed in the bending directions. Therefore, in this mode, the connector attached to the holder
30
is connected to the counterpart connector
20
in a state in which the former connector can be aligned with the panel
1
through the holder
30
. Moreover, the connecting forces of both the connectors
10
and
20
are amplified.
Especially, in the aforementioned embodiment, the holder
30
has the nib-like projections
56
serving as a projection portion, which is operative to slide in a point contact with the panel
1
during the alignment thereof. Thus, the holder
30
is caused by the nib-like projections
56
to slide in a point contact with the panel
1
during the alignment. As compared with the case that the holder
30
has a face-like portion, which is subject to the sliding resistance, the displacement of the holder
30
can be smoothly performed.
Further, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the connecting arms
70
has the catching projection
50
(that is, the projection-like stationary portion) adapted to penetrate through the panel
1
to thereby fix the holder
30
to the panel
1
. Thus, the fixing structure of the holder
30
to the panel
1
is reduced as much as possible. Consequently, a more compact structure can be realized.
Moreover, the illustrated embodiment has the cantilevers
54
serving as elastic members for elastically attaching the holder
30
to the panel
1
by operating in cooperation with the catching projections
50
so that the displacement of the holder
30
in the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, can be achieved. Thus, the catching projection
50
and the cantilevers
54
elastically connect the holder
30
to the panel
1
. Consequently, not only the elastic displacement of the holder
30
by the connecting arms
70
but the displacement thereof in the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, owing to the bending of the cantilevers
54
can be achieved during the alignment thereof.
Furthermore, the catching projection
50
has the catching portions
53
(that is, the elastic clamps) adapted to penetrate through the panel
1
thereby to be engaged on the surface at the penetrated side. Thus, the elastic clamps of the catching projections
50
can be engaged with the panel
1
and the holder
30
can be attached to the panel
1
in a state, in which the alignment of the holder
30
with the panel
1
can be performed, only by causing the catching projection
50
to penetrate through the panel
1
.
Therefore, an attaching operation is considerably facilitated.
Furthermore, the catching projection
50
has the opening portion
60
serving as the displacement regulating portion for regulating the displacement of the holder
30
in a direction parallel to the direction in which the connector
10
and the counter connector
20
are connected to each other. Thus, the large displacement of the holder
30
in the direction parallel to the direction, in which the connectors are connected to each other, that is, the large displacement of the connecting arms
70
in such a direction is prevented from being caused owing to the load imposed onto the holder
30
at the time of the connection between the connector
10
and the counterpart connector
20
.
Especially, the opening portion
60
is formed in the flange portion
32
of the holder
30
. Thus, the displacement of the opening portion
60
together with the holder
30
can be performed. This eliminates the necessity for providing the gap between the opening portion
60
and the holder
30
. The size of the connector can be reduced still more for that. That is, in the case that the connector employs the configuration in which the relative displacement of the displacement regulating portion (the portions corresponding to the opening portion
60
) with respect to the holder
30
is performed, similarly as in the case of the conventional connector, the gap for allowing the relative displacement therebetween is needed. However, both of the holder
30
and the opening portion are integrally formed, so that the need for causing the relative displacement thereof is eliminated. Moreover, the stationary portion is constituted by the catching projection
50
. These contribute to the reduction in the thickness and size of the entire connector.
Additionally, the catching projection
50
has the inclination regulating ribs
75
serving as the inclination regulating portion for regulating the inclination of the base portion. Thus, even when the catching projection
50
is shaped like a projection, there is no fear that the connecting portion among the projection
50
and the arms
70
is damaged. The catching projection
50
can be shaped so that the section thereof is reduced as much as possible. Moreover, the size of the connector can be decreased still more.
Incidentally, the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this. For example, the following embodiment may be made.
FIG. 6
is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a primary portion of a holder
30
according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7
is a side view illustrating an attached state of the holder
30
according to the embodiment of FIG.
6
.
As illustrated in these figures, in the illustrated embodiment, a nearly ring-like spring seat
150
is provided on a middle portion of a catching projection
50
. A cantilever-like spring
151
is formed in such a way as to be integral with this spring seat
150
. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, this spring
151
operates in cooperation with the catching projection
50
, which constitute an elastic member for elastically attaching the holder
30
to a panel
1
.
Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, this spring
151
is provided on the spring seat
150
acting as a spacer for making the holder
30
and the panel
1
float. Thus, even when the spring
150
is fully compressed during the alignment of the holder
30
, the state, in which the holder
30
floats with respect to the panel
1
(see FIG.
7
), is maintained by the spring seat
150
. This enables the holder
30
to make displacement without being regulated by the panel
1
.
Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the smooth displacement of the holder
30
is achieved during the alignment thereof, without providing the nib-like projection
56
similarly as in the case of the embodiment first described in the foregoing description. The rest of the illustrated embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Thus, in these figures, like reference characters designate like constituent elements of the first embodiment. Further, the description of such constituent elements is omitted.
Thus, the aforementioned embodiments are only the illustration of preferred examples of the invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Obviously, various design variations are possible within the scope of the invention, which is determined by the appended claims.
As described above, the invention has outstanding effects of reducing the size of the stationary portion, and realizing a thinner structure.
Claims
- 1. A movable structure for connectors, comprising:a receiving member including at least a connector; a stationary portion for fixing the receiving member to a stationary member, the stationary portion being surrounded by the receiving member to define a gap for allowing relative displacement between the stationary portion and the receiving member; and a connecting portion for connecting the receiving member with the stationary portion, wherein the receiving member, the stationary portion, and the connecting portion are integrally formed with each other and made from elastically deformable material; and the connecting portion comprises: a first flexible portion extending in a first direction nearly orthogonal to a connecting direction; a second flexible portion extending in a second direction nearly orthogonal to both of the connecting direction and the first direction; and wherein the first and second portions are independently flexible.
- 2. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a projection portion adapted to slide in a point contact state with the stationary member during alignment.
- 3. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a connecting force amplifying unit for amplifying connecting forces between connected connectors.
- 4. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member, provided in at least one of the receiving member and the stationary portion, for elastically attaching the receiving member to the stationary member in cooperation with the stationary portion to enable the receiving member to be displaced in a connector connecting direction.
- 5. The movable structure for connectors, according to claim 1, wherein the stationary portion comprises an inclination regulating portion for regulating inclination of a base portion of the stationary portion.
- 6. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member is a holder to which a plurality of connectors are attached.
- 7. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, wherein the receiving member comprises a displacement regulating portion for regulating displacement of the connecting portion in a direction parallel to a connecting direction.
- 8. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is provided in a spacer for causing the receiving member and the stationary member to float.
- 9. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 1, wherein the stationary member comprises a projected elastic clamp adapted to cause the stationary portion to penetrate the stationary member to thereby be engaged with a surface of the stationary member.
- 10. The movable structure for connectors according to claim 9, wherein the stationary portion comprises a protection plate for protecting the elastic clamp.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2000-104394 |
Apr 2000 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 797 274 |
Sep 1997 |
EP |
0 840 402 |
May 1998 |
EP |
0 961 362 |
Dec 1999 |
EP |
10-21992 |
Jan 1998 |
JP |
10-134900 |
May 1998 |
JP |