JP2007066783A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a standardized connector which can be connected to a plurality of connectors to be connected. <P>SOLUTION: This connector is characterized by comprising: a plurality of connector pins 6 each having projecting conduction lands on side surfaces and movable in the Z-direction; a Z-coordinate detection means 9 for detecting the travel distance of each connector pin 6 as Z-coordinate data; an X-Y coordinate transmission line 7 for converting X-Y coordinates of each connector pin 6 on one end face 5a of the connector housing 5 to data; and a control part for registering a three-dimensional shape of a female connector 1 and positional data of its connection conduction lands 4 therein, determining whether the positional data identifying the three-dimensional shape based on X-Y-Z coordinates of each connector pin 6 coincides with the positional data identifying the registered three-dimensional shape, and carrying out ON/OFF control of the projecting conduction lands based on the positional data of the connection conduction lands 4 when coincidence is determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Conventionally, various connectors are known as components for connecting between boards or between electronic devices. FIG. 15 shows a pair of conventional connectors 50. Connector pins of a male connector 52 provided in the other electronic device to be connected to an insertion port of the female connector 51 provided in one electronic device to be connected. By inserting 53, the conducting portion 54 of the male connector 52 and the conducting portion 55 of the female connector 51 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. Therefore, it is necessary to use the female connector 51 and the male connector 52 that have the same shape and the same conductive portion.

And about the connector pin of a male connector, in order to match | combine a female connector, its shape, and the position of a conduction | electrical_connection part, high attachment precision is requested | required. Therefore, a connector pin inspection device that inspects whether or not a plurality of connector pins are attached to an accurate position of a male connector is known (see Patent Document 1). Such a connector pin inspection apparatus is provided with a plurality of probes which are attached to predetermined positions and are slidable. And if a male connector is inserted in a connector pin test | inspection apparatus, each of the connector pin attached to the exact position of a male connector will press and slide a probe. Therefore, by detecting whether or not the probe is slid, it is possible to easily inspect whether or not the connector pin is attached at an accurate position.
JP 2002-340965 A

  However, since the conventional connector uses a pair of male connector and female connector in combination, the combination of connectable connectors is determined. Therefore, the male connector and the female connector cannot be replaced, and there is a problem that a unique combination of connectors must be prepared for each connection location.

  In addition, since only one female connector is connected to one male connector, when connecting multiple types of electronic devices, it is necessary to prepare male connectors and female connectors for each connection location. There was also a problem that the number would increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be connected to a plurality of connected connectors.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a connector,
Formed in a quadrangular prism shape, paralleled along the X and Y directions of the XY plane in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and allowed to enter and exit from one end surface of the connector housing along the Z direction, and a conductive land was formed on each side surface Multiple connector pins,
A holding member that is movable along the Z direction while holding the connector pin;
A spring mechanism for applying a biasing force toward the connector pin in a direction protruding from the connector housing;
Z coordinate detection means for detecting the Z coordinate of each connector pin;
XY coordinate detection means for detecting XY coordinates of each connector pin;
Relative position data from a reference position for specifying the three-dimensional shape of the connected connector to be connected and the position data of the connection conduction land are registered in advance, and the detection by the Z coordinate detection means and the XY coordinate detection means Position data for calculating relative position data from a reference position for specifying a three-dimensional shape based on the XYZ coordinates of the connector pins, and the calculated position data for specifying the registered three-dimensional shape. A control unit that performs ON / OFF control of the conductive land based on the position data of the connected conductive land when it is determined that they match,
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 2 is a connector,
Formed in a quadrangular prism shape, paralleled along the X and Y directions of the XY plane in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and allowed to enter and exit from one end surface of the connector housing along the Z direction, and a conductive land was formed on each side surface Multiple connector pins,
Z coordinate detection means for detecting the Z coordinate of each connector pin;
XY coordinate detection means for detecting XY coordinates of each connector pin;
Data relating to the three-dimensional shape of the connector to be connected and the position data of the connection conduction land are registered in advance, and the tertiary based on the XYZ coordinates of the connector pins detected by the Z coordinate detecting means and the XY coordinate detecting means. It is determined whether or not the position data for specifying the original shape matches the registered position data for specifying the three-dimensional shape. A control unit for performing ON / OFF control of the conduction land;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 3 is the connector according to claim 2,
The position data specifying the three-dimensional shape is relative position data from a reference position,
The control unit calculates relative position data from a reference position based on XYZ coordinates of the connector pin as position data for specifying the three-dimensional shape.

The invention according to claim 4 is the connector according to claim 2 or 3,
The connector pin is held by a holding member that is movable along the Z direction, and an urging force is applied in a direction protruding from the connector housing by a spring mechanism.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the connector to be connected is inserted, the connector pin is pressed and moves in the Z direction against the biasing force of the spring mechanism while being held by the holding member. In the control unit, relative position data from the reference position for specifying the three-dimensional shape of the connector to be connected and position data of the connection conduction land are registered in advance, and the XYZ coordinates of the connector pin moved in the Z direction If the relative position data from the reference position of the connected connector inserted based on the reference position is calculated and matches the registered relative position data from the reference position that identifies the three-dimensional shape of the connected connector Judge whether or not. If there is a match in the relative position data from the reference position that specifies the three-dimensional shape of the connected connector that has been registered, the control unit performs the conduction land based on the position data of the connection conduction land. ON / OFF control is performed.

  In this way, the ON / OFF control of the conduction land is performed based on the three-dimensional shape of the plugged connector to be plugged in, so that it is possible to connect to all the registered plugged connectors. Therefore, the combination at the time of connector connection can be changed, and a connector that can handle multiple types of connected connectors can be obtained.

Further, since a state in which a plurality of connected connector groups are inserted is regarded as a state in which one connector is inserted, and determination can be made based on position data thereof, the number of connectors that are inserted simultaneously is not limited to one. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare male connectors and female connectors for the number of connection points, and the number of connectors to be used can be reduced.

  Further, since the position data when comparing the three-dimensional shapes is relative position data from the reference position, the three-dimensional shape of the inserted connector can be recognized regardless of the insertion position of the connector. Therefore, the insertion position of the connector is arbitrary, and it is possible to reliably prevent the fitting displacement when the connector is connected.

  Further, each connector pin is held by a holding member, and after use, is urged by a spring mechanism to return to its original position and reset the position in the Z direction. Therefore, it can be repeatedly connected to other connected connectors.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, when the connector to be connected is inserted, the connector pin is pushed and moved in the Z direction according to the shape of the connector. Then, the XYZ coordinates of the connector pin slid by the Z coordinate detection means and the XY coordinate detection means are detected, and the control unit determines the three-dimensional shape calculated from the coordinates and the pre-registered connected connector. It is determined whether or not the position data specifying the three-dimensional shape matches. When there is a match among the registered position data specifying the three-dimensional shape, the control unit performs ON / OFF control of the conduction land based on the position data of the connection conduction land, so that it is inserted. The conductive land can be turned on based on the three-dimensional shape of the connected connector. Therefore, it is possible to connect to all the registered connectors to be registered, and it is possible to replace the connector to be connected and to be a connector that can handle multiple types of connectors.

  In addition, since a state in which a plurality of connected connector groups are inserted is regarded as a state in which one connector is inserted, and determination can be made based on the position data thereof, only one connected connector can be inserted at a time. Not. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare male connectors and female connectors for the number of connection points, and the number of connectors to be used can be reduced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines the relative position data from the reference position specified from the XYZ coordinates of the connector pin and the reference position for specifying the registered three-dimensional shape of the connected connector. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the relative position data coincides with the three-dimensional shape regardless of the insertion position of the connected connector. Therefore, since the connected connector can be inserted and connected at an arbitrary position of the connector, it is possible to reliably prevent the fitting displacement at the time of connection with the connected connector.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the connector pins move in the Z direction while being held by the holding members, the connectors are connected in a state where the connector pins are pressed and moved, and the connector is removed when the connected connector is removed. The connector pin is returned to the original position by being biased by the mechanism. Therefore, by removing the connected connector, the connector pin returns to the original position and is reset, so that it can be repeatedly connected to another connected connector.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the connector in this embodiment is the male connector 2 connected to the well-known female connector (connector connector) 1 with which the electronic device was equipped. As shown in FIG. 3, the female connector 1 is formed with an insertion recess 3 having a rectangular shape in front view. A plurality of connection conductive lands 4... That are electrically connected to the inside of the electronic device are provided at the end of the lower surface of the insertion recess 3.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the male connector 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped connector housing 5, and the connector housing 5 is formed with a holding recess 5 b that opens toward one end surface 5 a thereof. A connector cable (not shown) or the like is connected to the other end surface of the connector housing 5. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the one end surface 5a is defined as the X direction in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, the direction orthogonal to the X direction is defined as the Y direction, and the depth direction of the connector housing 5 is defined as the Z direction.

  In the holding recess 5b, as shown in FIG. 6, connector pins 6 formed in a quadrangular prism shape and juxtaposed along the X and Y directions of the XY plane have one end surface 5a of the connector housing 5 along the Z direction. It is equipped with free access. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of a rod-shaped shaft 8 as a holding member is attached to one end of the connector pin 6 inside the connector housing 5 so as to hold the connector pin 6. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of slits 11 that are concave in a side view are formed on the upper surface of the shaft 8 at a predetermined interval.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a slide amount detection sensor 9 is attached to the other end of each shaft 8 as Z coordinate detection means for holding the shaft 8 movably along the Z direction. The slide amount detection sensor 9 is provided with a light source that emits light (not shown) and a phototransistor (not shown) that detects light from the light source so as to face each other with the shaft 8 interposed therebetween. When the shaft 8 moves along the Z direction, the slit 11 passes between the phototransistor and the light source. Therefore, the amount of movement of the shaft 8 based on the number of times light from the light source passes through the slit 11 and reaches the phototransistor. That is, the Z coordinate of the connector pin 6 is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a spring mechanism that is sandwiched between one end of the connector pin 6 and the slide amount detection sensor 9 and biases the connector pin 6 in a direction in which it protrudes from the connector housing 5. The coil spring 10 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of convex conductive lands 13... Whose central portions protrude outward are provided at predetermined intervals on all side surfaces of each connector pin 6. Inside the connector pin 6, the bus line 12 is connected to all the convex conductive lands 13 in parallel. As shown in FIG. 11, a switch circuit 14 that controls the ON / OFF state of the convex conductive land 13 is connected to the end of the bus line 12. The switch circuit 14 includes, for example, an alphabet for identifying each side surface of the connector pin 6 such as the lower surface A, the right side surface B, the upper surface C, and the left side surface D of the connector pin 6 and a number indicating the order from the tip on each side surface. Are combined to distinguish all the convex conductive lands 13. Connected to the switch circuit 14 is a connection terminal 15 for transmitting an electrical signal from the convex conductive land 13 to a connector cable or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each connector pin 6 is connected to an XY coordinate transmission line 7 as an XY coordinate detecting means for detecting the XY coordinate. When the connector pin 6 slides, for example, a predetermined electrical signal representing the XY coordinates of the connector pin 6 is output to the control unit 16 described later via the XY coordinate transmission line 7.

  The male connector 2 is provided with a control unit 16 that is electrically connected to the switch circuit 14, the slide amount detection sensor 9, the XY coordinate transmission line 7, and the like and controls them. The control unit 16 includes, for example, a CPU 16a, a nonvolatile memory 16b, a RAM 16c, and the like. The processing program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 16b is expanded in the RAM 16c, and this processing program is executed by the CPU 16a. Further, in the nonvolatile memory 16b, position data specifying three-dimensional shapes of various types of female connectors and position data of the connection conduction lands are registered in advance.

Further, an interface 17 with an external PC or the like is connected to the control unit 16, and relative position data from a reference position for inputting an operation instruction and specifying the three-dimensional shape of the female connector via the interface 17 and its data The position data of the connection conduction land can be registered in the nonvolatile memory 16b.

  Further, the control unit 16 determines the tertiary of the female connector 1 based on the XY coordinates of the slid connector pin 6 transmitted from the XY coordinate transmission line 7 and the Z coordinate of the connector pin 6 detected by the slide amount detection sensor 9. Relative position data from a reference position for specifying the original shape is recognized. In addition, the control unit 16 uses the relative position data from the reference position for specifying the recognized three-dimensional shape of the female connector 1 based on the reference position for specifying the three-dimensional shape of the female connector registered in the nonvolatile memory 16b. It is determined whether or not it matches the relative position data. Further, when the control unit 16 determines that they match, the control unit 16 transmits the position of the convex conductive land 13 facing the connection conductive land 4 of the female connector 1 to the switch circuit 14.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the female connector 1 is inserted into the male connector 2 (step S1), the slide amount detection sensor 9 detects whether or not the slit 11 has passed through the optical path, thereby specifying the slid connector pin 6 (step S2). . Then, the slide amount detection sensor 9 counts the number of slits 11 passed by the phototransistor, detects the movement amount of the shaft 8, and detects the Z coordinate of each connector pin 6 (step S3). Further, based on the electrical signal output via the XY coordinate transmission line 7, the XY coordinates of the slid connector pin 6 are detected (step S3).

  Subsequently, the control unit 16 recognizes relative position data from the reference position that specifies the three-dimensional shape of the inserted female connector 1 from the detected XYZ coordinates of the connector pin 6. And the control part 16 judges whether the data which correspond to the relative position data from the reference position which specifies the three-dimensional shape of the inserted female connector 1 are registered into the non-volatile memory 16b (step S4). ). At this time, since the position data for determining whether or not they match is relative position data from the reference position, whether or not each position data matches regardless of the position where the female connector 1 is inserted. Can be judged. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the three-dimensional shape of the female connector to be recognized is the same even if the insertion position of the female connector 1 is different.

  When data matching the non-volatile memory 16b of the control unit 16 is registered (step S4; Yes), the control unit 16 determines that it is inserted into the registered female connector 1, and the registered data Based on the position data of the connection conductive land 4 corresponding to the female connector 1, the position of the opposing convex conductive land 13 is transmitted to the switch circuit 14. Then, the switch circuit 14 turns on the corresponding convex conductive land 13 via the bus line 12 and conducts the connection terminal 15 in the subsequent stage (step S5). Then, the convex conductive land 13 in the ON state and the connection conductive land 4 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected to the connection terminal 15. And since the connector cable by the side of the male connector 2 is connected to the connection terminal 15, the electronic device by the side of the female connector 1 and the to-be-connected object by the side of the male connector 2 are connected.

  In this way, the male connector 2 and the female connector 1 are connected to operate as a connector (step S6), and when a series of operations are completed, the female connector 1 is removed (step S7). Then, the connector pin 6 biased by the coil spring 10 returns to its original position, and the control unit 16 turns off all the convex conductive lands 13 by the switch circuit 14 in order to set the standby state (step S8), and the process ends. .

On the other hand, when the corresponding data is not registered in the database (step S4; No),
The control unit 16 switches to the connector registration mode (step S9). Then, when the user inputs the shape of the female connector 1 and the position data of the connection conduction land 4 through the interface 17 (step S10), the information is stored in the memory 16d of the control unit 16 and is temporarily terminated.

  Thus, according to the male connector 2 of the present embodiment, when the female connector 1 is inserted, the connector pin 6 is pressed and moved in the Z direction against the urging force of the coil spring 10 while being held by the shaft 8. To do. In the control unit 16, relative position data from a reference position for specifying the three-dimensional shape of the female connector 1 and position data of the connection conductive land 4 are registered in advance, and the connector pin 6 moved in the Z direction is registered. Whether relative position data from the reference position of the female connector 1 is calculated on the basis of the XYZ coordinates of the female connector 1, and whether or not it matches the relative position data from the reference position that specifies the registered three-dimensional shape of the female connector Determine whether. If there is a match in the relative position data from the reference position that specifies the three-dimensional shape of the registered female connector, the control unit 16 projects the convexity based on the position data of the connection conduction land 4. ON / OFF control of the conductive lands 13 is performed. In this way, since the ON / OFF control of the convex conductive land 13 is performed based on the three-dimensional shape of the inserted female connector 1, it can be connected to all the registered female connectors. Therefore, the combination at the time of connector connection can be changed, and it can be set as the male connector 2 which can respond to multiple types of female connectors.

  In addition, since a state in which a plurality of female connector groups are inserted is regarded as a state in which one connector is inserted, and determination can be made based on the position data thereof, the number of connectors that are simultaneously inserted is not limited to one. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare male connectors and female connectors for the number of connection points, and the number of connectors to be used can be reduced.

  Further, since the position data when comparing the three-dimensional shapes is relative position data from the reference position, the three-dimensional shapes can be recognized regardless of the insertion position of the female connector 1. Therefore, the insertion position of the female connector 1 is arbitrary, and it is possible to reliably prevent the fitting displacement at the time of connecting the connector.

  Further, the connector pins 6 are respectively held by the shafts 8 and are biased by the coil springs 10 after use to return to their original positions and reset the positions in the Z direction. Therefore, it can be repeatedly connected to other female connectors.

  Although the female connector 1 is inserted with the connector according to the present invention as the male connector 2, the connector according to the present invention can also be used as a female connector.

It is a perspective view of a male connector and a female connector in the present invention. It is a perspective view at the time of connector connection in the present invention. It is a front view of the female connector in the present invention. It is AA part sectional drawing of the male connector in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the BB portion when the connector is connected in FIG. It is a front view of the male connector in the present invention. It is a side view which shows the holding mechanism of the connector pin in this invention. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the shaft in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view of the connector pin in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the connector pin in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the male connector in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the connection operation | movement of the male connector in this invention. It is a front view of the male connector at the time of the connector connection in this invention. It is a front view of the male connector at the time of the connector connection in this invention. It is a perspective view of the conventional male connector and female connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Female connector 2 Male connector 4 Connection conduction land 6 Connector pin 7 XY coordinate transmission line 8 Shaft 9 Z coordinate detection sensor 10 Coil spring 13 Convex conduction land 16 Control part

Claims (4)

Formed in a quadrangular prism shape, paralleled along the X and Y directions of the XY plane in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and allowed to enter and exit from one end surface of the connector housing along the Z direction, and a conductive land was formed on each side surface Multiple connector pins,
A holding member that is movable along the Z direction while holding the connector pin;
A spring mechanism for applying a biasing force toward the connector pin in a direction protruding from the connector housing;
Z coordinate detection means for detecting the Z coordinate of each connector pin;
XY coordinate detection means for detecting XY coordinates of each connector pin;
Relative position data from a reference position for specifying the three-dimensional shape of the connected connector to be connected and the position data of the connection conduction land are registered in advance, and the detection by the Z coordinate detection means and the XY coordinate detection means Position data for calculating relative position data from a reference position for specifying a three-dimensional shape based on the XYZ coordinates of the connector pins, and the calculated position data for specifying the registered three-dimensional shape. A control unit that performs ON / OFF control of the conductive land based on the position data of the connected conductive land when it is determined that they match,
A connector comprising: Formed in a quadrangular prism shape, paralleled along the X and Y directions of the XY plane in the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and allowed to enter and exit from one end surface of the connector housing along the Z direction, and a conductive land was formed on each side surface Multiple connector pins,
Z coordinate detection means for detecting the Z coordinate of each connector pin;
XY coordinate detection means for detecting XY coordinates of each connector pin;
Data relating to the three-dimensional shape of the connector to be connected and the position data of the connection conduction land are registered in advance, and the tertiary based on the XYZ coordinates of the connector pins detected by the Z coordinate detecting means and the XY coordinate detecting means. It is determined whether or not the position data for specifying the original shape matches the registered position data for specifying the three-dimensional shape. A control unit for performing ON / OFF control of the conduction land;
A connector comprising: The position data specifying the three-dimensional shape is relative position data from a reference position,
The connector according to claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates relative position data from a reference position as position data for specifying the three-dimensional shape based on XYZ coordinates of the connector pin.   4. The connector pin according to claim 2, wherein the connector pin is held by a holding member that is movable in the Z direction, and an urging force is applied in a direction protruding from the connector housing by a spring mechanism. Connector described in.

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