JP2017033744A - Connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve security when connecting equipment to a communication network or the like using a connector device.SOLUTION: A connector device 1 comprises: a male connector 2; a female connector 3 that is fitted with the male connector 2; and a sounding part 43 which is sounded at least when cancelling the fitting of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3. The sounding part 43 is sounded when cancelling the fitting of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, such that the sound can warn a malicious third person if the third person attempts to fraudulently cancel the fitting of the male connector 2 and the female connector 3. Thus, the sound may make the third person cautious and become a trigger that deters the third person from implementing the fraudulent action. Otherwise, if there are people around the connector device, it is transmitted to the surroundings by the sound that the fitting is being attempted to be cancelled, it may become deterrence that deters the malicious third person from implementing the fraudulent cancellation. Therefore, security is improved when connecting equipment to a communication network or the like using the connector device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device including a male connector and a female connector.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector device that includes a male connector and a female connector that fits into the male connector is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, a device is connected to a communication network or a power source using such a connector device.

JP 2001-110523 A

By the way, when a device is connected to a communication network or power supply using a connector device, there is a risk that communication data may be illegally acquired by a malicious third party or the device itself may be stolen. .
For example, when a device is connected to a communication network using a connector device, the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released, and an unauthorized device is connected between them, thereby acquiring communication data. There is danger. Further, when the device and the power source are connected by the connector device, there is a risk that the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released and the device itself is stolen.

  The present specification discloses a technique for improving security when a device is connected to a communication network or the like using a connector device.

  The connector device disclosed in the present specification includes a male connector, a female connector fitted to the male connector, and a sounding portion that generates sound when at least the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released. Prepare.

  According to the connector device described above, the sounding part sounds when the mating between the male connector and the female connector is released, so a malicious third party tried to release the mating between the male connector and the female connector. Sometimes, the sound can warn third parties. As a result, the third party can be wary and discourage fraudulent acts. Alternatively, when there are people in the surroundings, the fact that the person is trying to release is transmitted to the surroundings by sound, so that it becomes a deterrent to discourage unauthorized release by a third party. For this reason, according to said connector apparatus, the security at the time of connecting an apparatus to a communication network etc. using a connector apparatus improves.

  Further, provided in any one of the male connector and the female connector, comprising at least a movable member that moves when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released, You may sound according to the movement of a movable member.

  According to the connector device described above, since the sound generation unit generates sound according to the movement of the movable member, sound generation can be performed when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released.

  Further, one of the male connector and the female connector is provided with an elastically deformable lock member, and the other connector is provided with an engaging portion for engaging the lock member. The connector device is locked in a state in which the male connector and the female connector are fitted by the elastic deformation of the locking member and engaging with the engaging portion, and the movable member is It is a lock member, and the sounding portion may be sounded by being pressed by the lock member when the lock member is elastically deformed.

  Since the lock member always moves when the male connector and the female connector are released from each other, if the lock member is a movable member, the lock member can be sounded when the male connector and the female connector are released from each other. .

  In addition, the sound generation unit includes an air bag and a sounding unit, and when the lock member is elastically deformed, the air bag is pressed against the lock member and air is blown out, and the sounding unit is sounded by the blown-out air. May be.

  According to the connector device described above, it is possible to produce sound with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the sound is electrically produced using an amplifier or a speaker.

  The ringing portion may have an air outlet, and the air outlet may be blocked by a sealable member that can be opened.

  Assuming that the air outlet is not blocked, the sounding part will sound when an operator engages the male connector with the female connector at the factory where the connector device is shipped, resulting in noise. . According to the above connector device, since the air outlet of the sounding part is blocked by the sealing member, the sounding part does not emit sound when fitting the male connector and the female connector at the factory of the shipping destination, and noise. Can be suppressed. Then, when the operator opens the sealing member after fitting them, the sounding portion can be made to sound when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released.

  In addition, a communication cable mounted on a vehicle is connected to one of the male connector and the female connector, and the other connector communicates with other devices of the vehicle via the communication cable. It may be provided in the apparatus to do.

  According to the connector device described above, the security when connecting a device to the communication network laid on the vehicle using the connector device is improved.

  According to the connector device disclosed in the present specification, it is possible to improve security when a device is connected to a communication network or the like using the connector device.

The schematic diagram which shows the communication apparatus currently laid in the connector apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and a vehicle. Cross section of male connector and female connector Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the air bag was pressed by the movable member when fitting a male connector and a female connector Sectional view showing male connector and female connector in a mated state Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the air bag was pressed by the movable member when releasing fitting with a male connector and a female connector Sectional drawing of the connector apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Enlarged view of the area around the sound generator of the connector device

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the vertical direction and the front-rear direction are based on the vertical direction and the front-rear direction shown in FIG.

First, an outline of the connector device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The connector device 1 is for connecting a gateway 5 to a communication network 4A installed in a vehicle such as an automobile. The gateway 5 is an example of a device.
Specifically, in the vehicle according to the present embodiment, two communication networks 4A and 4B that communicate according to different communication standards are laid, and ECUs 7 (Engine Control Unit) and the like are provided in the two communication networks 4A and 4B, respectively. In-vehicle device is connected. The in-vehicle device is an example of another device of the vehicle. The two communication networks 4A and 4B are connected to each other via the gateway 5 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The gateway 5 is a relay device that performs communication protocol conversion between two communication networks having different communication standards.

  The connector device 1 includes a male connector 2 attached to a gateway 5 and a female connector 3 to which a communication cable 8 of a communication network 4A is connected. The male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are fitted to each other. As a result, the gateway 5 is connected to the communication network 4A.

(1) Configuration of Connector Device As shown in FIG. 2, the male connector 2 includes a small hood portion 21 made of synthetic resin, a male terminal fitting 22 protruding from the back wall of the small hood portion 21, and the like. Yes. Although only one male terminal fitting 22 is shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of male terminal fittings 22 are provided in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

The female connector 3 is fitted into the terminal accommodating portion 31, the large hood portion 32 fitted to the outside of the small hood portion 21, the female terminal fitting 33 that contacts the male terminal fitting 22, and the terminal accommodating portion 31 from the front. A retainer 34 that prevents the female terminal fitting 33 from coming off, and the retainer 34 that is fitted inside the small hood portion 21 and is fitted to the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion 31 so as to be fitted to the terminal accommodating portion 31 and the small hood portion 21. And an O-ring 35 made of synthetic resin that seals between the two.
A plurality of female terminal fittings 33 are also provided in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface corresponding to the male terminal fitting 22. Each female terminal fitting 33 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 31 from the rear, and the communication cable 8 is connected to the rear end portion.

  The connector device 1 includes a lock mechanism that locks the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 in a fitted state, and a sounding portion that generates sound when at least the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released. 43. Hereinafter, the lock mechanism and the sound generation unit 43 will be described.

(1-1) Lock Mechanism The lock mechanism includes an engaging portion 23 provided on the male connector 2 and an elastically deformable lock arm 37 provided on the female connector 3. The lock arm 37 is an example of a lock member and a movable member.
The engaging portion 23 protrudes from the upper surface of the small hood portion 21 of the male connector 2. The engaging portion 23 has a front surface that is substantially straight along the vertical direction, while a rear surface that is a tapered surface that has a steep downward slope toward the rear.

The lock arm 37 is provided on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 31 of the female connector 3 and has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. On the upper wall of the large hood portion 32, an upper part of the lock arm 37 is cut out to form a relief groove 38, and the lock arm 37 is exposed upward from the escape groove 38.
The lower surface of the lock arm 37 is connected to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 31 through a connecting portion 39, and the connecting arm 39 can be elastically deformed into a seesaw shape. The lock arm 37 includes a locking portion 40 on the front side and a pressing operation portion 41 that is pressed by an operator on the back side with respect to the connecting portion 39. The lock portion 40 is provided with an opening 42 into which the engagement portion 23 is fitted slightly behind the front end.

(1-2) Sound Generation Unit The sound generation unit 43 includes a rubber air bag 44 and a sounding unit 45 provided integrally with the air bag 44. The air bag 44 is provided below the pressing operation portion 41 and is fixed to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 31 with an adhesive or the like. The air bag 44 may be fixed to the lower surface of the pressing operation unit 41. The ringing portion 45 is formed by overlapping two rubber plates extending from the opening edge of the air bag 44. When the air bag 44 is pressed and air is blown out, the two rubber plates vibrate due to the air, thereby causing the ringing portion 45 to ring and a sound such as “boo” is generated.

(2) Fitting between male connector and female connector and release of fitting First, the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. As shown by the arrow 46 in FIG. 2, in fitting the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, first, the female connector 3 is pushed toward the male connector 2. When the female connector 3 is pushed toward the male connector 2, the front end of the lock portion 40 abuts against the engaging portion 23. When the front end of the lock portion 40 abuts against the engaging portion 23, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing operation portion 41 is pushed downward by the operator in order to get over the engaging portion 23. Here, in FIG. 3, a chain line 47 indicates the operator's finger.

  When the pressing operation unit 41 is pushed downward, the lock arm 37 is elastically deformed to raise the locking unit 40 and the air bag 44 of the sound generating unit 43 is pressed by the pressing operation unit 41. As a result, the ringing unit 45 rings. That is, in the connector device 1 according to the first embodiment, the sound generation unit 43 generates sound when the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are fitted.

  Then, the female connector 3 is further pushed in with the pressing operation portion 41 pushed downward, and the lock arm 37 is returned to the original posture by the elastic force as shown in FIG. It fits into the opening 42 of the part 40. Thereby, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are locked in a fitted state.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the cancellation | release of fitting with the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 5, in releasing the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, first, the pressing operation portion 41 is pushed downward by the operator in order to release the lock. When the pressing operation unit 41 is pushed downward, the locking unit 40 is lifted and unlocked, and the air bag 44 of the sound generation unit 43 is pressed by the pressing operation unit 41. As a result, the ringing unit 45 rings. That is, the sound generating unit 43 generates a sound when the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released. Then, when the female connector 3 is pulled out in a state where the pressing operation portion 41 is pushed downward, the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released.

(3) Effects of the Embodiment According to the connector device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the sound generation unit 43 generates a sound when the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released. When the three parties try to release the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, a warning can be given to the third party by the sound. As a result, the third party can be wary and discourage fraudulent acts. Alternatively, when there are people in the surroundings, the fact that the person is trying to release is transmitted to the surroundings by sound, so that it becomes a deterrent to discourage unauthorized release by a third party. For this reason, according to the connector apparatus 1, the security at the time of connecting the gateway 5 to the communication network 4A using the connector apparatus 1 improves.

  Furthermore, according to the connector device 1, since the sound generation part 43 generates sound in accordance with the movement of the movable member (here, the lock arm 37) that moves when the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 can be sounded when the fitting is released.

  Further, according to the connector device 1, the movable member is the lock arm 37, and the sound generation portion 43 is pressed by the lock arm 37 to generate sound when the lock arm 37 is elastically deformed. Since the lock arm 37 always moves when the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released, when the lock arm 37 is a movable member, the fitting between the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 is released. Can be pronounced.

  Furthermore, according to the connector device 1, when the lock arm 37 is elastically deformed, the air bag 44 is pressed and air is blown out, and the sounding portion 45 is sounded by the air blown out. It is possible to pronounce with a simple structure compared to the case of pronunciation.

  Furthermore, according to the connector device 1, the communication cable 8 mounted on the vehicle is connected to the female connector 3, and the male connector 2 is provided on the gateway 5, so that the communication network 4A laid on the vehicle is provided. The security when connecting the gateway 5 using the connector device 1 is improved.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The connector device 101 according to the second embodiment is also for connecting the gateway 5 to the communication network 4A. However, in the connector device 101 according to the second embodiment, when the connector device 101 is shipped from the manufacturer of the connector device 101 to the vehicle manufacturer, the sound generation unit 130 (see FIG. 6) is prevented from sounding.

(1) Configuration of Connector Device As shown in FIG. 6, the connector device 101 includes a male connector 102 and a female connector 103. The male connector 102 includes a hood portion 111, a male terminal fitting 112 projecting from the back wall of the hood portion 111, and the like.
The female connector 103 includes a terminal accommodating portion 121 fitted inside the hood portion 111, a female terminal fitting 122 that contacts the male terminal fitting 112, and the like. The female terminal fitting 122 is inserted into the terminal accommodating portion 121 from the rear, and the communication cable 8 is connected to the rear end portion.

  The connector device 101 includes a lock mechanism that locks the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 in a fitted state, and a sounding portion that generates sound when at least the fitting between the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 is released. 130 is provided.

(1-1) Lock Mechanism The lock mechanism includes an engaging portion 113 provided on the male connector 102 and an elastically deformable lock arm 123 provided on the female connector 103. The lock arm 123 is an example of a lock member and a movable member.

The engaging portion 113 protrudes downward from the rear end portion of the upper wall of the hood portion 111. The engaging portion 113 has a front surface that is substantially straight along the vertical direction, while a rear surface that is a tapered surface that forms an upward gradient toward the rear.
The lock arm 123 is provided on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 121 of the female connector 103 and has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the lock arm 123 is connected to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 121 via a connecting portion 124, and the connecting portion 124 can be elastically deformed up and down with the connecting portion 124 serving as a fulcrum.

  A protrusion 125 that engages with the engaging portion 113 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the lock arm 123. The projection 125 has a rear surface that is substantially straight along the vertical direction, whereas the front surface is a tapered surface that has a downward slope toward the front. Further, the lock arm 123 has a rear end portion protruding rearward from the hood portion 111 in a state where the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 are fitted, and a pressing operation portion 126 is connected to the upper surface of the rear end portion. . The operator can elastically deform the lock arm 123 downward, that is, in the unlocking direction by pressing the pressing operation portion 126.

(1-2) Sound Generation Unit The sound generation unit 130 according to the second embodiment also includes an air bag 131 and a ringing unit 132. The configurations of the air bladder 131 and the ringing portion 132 are substantially the same as the configurations of the air bladder 44 and the ringing portion 45 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the air bag 131 is provided below the lock arm 123 and is fixed to the upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 121 with an adhesive or the like. When the operator pushes the pressing operation portion 126 downward, the air bag 131 is pressed by the lock arm 123, and the sounding portion 132 sounds.

  However, as shown in FIG. 6, the sound generation unit 130 according to the second embodiment is a seal that can open the air outlet of the ringing unit 132 when the connector device 101 is shipped from the manufacturer of the connector device 101 to the vehicle manufacturer. The member 133 is blocked. Specifically, the sealing member 133 according to the present embodiment is a sheet formed of paper, vinyl, or the like, and is closed by being attached to the air outlet.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the sealing member 133 is peeled off by an operator after the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 are fitted or a hole is formed in the sealing member 133. Is opened.

(2) Effects of the Embodiment According to the connector device 101 according to the second embodiment described above, the air outlet of the sounding unit 132 is blocked by the openable sealing member 133. Assuming that the air outlet is not blocked, the sound generation unit 130 generates sound even when an operator fits the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 at a factory to which the connector device 101 is shipped, and noise is generated. End up.

  On the other hand, according to the connector device 101, since the air outlet is blocked by the sealing member 133, the sound generation unit 130 generates sound when the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 are fitted in the factory at the shipping destination. Without noise. Then, by opening the sealing member 133 after fitting them, the sound generation unit 130 can generate sound when the fitting between the male connector 102 and the female connector 103 is released.

<Other embodiments>
The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope disclosed by the present specification.

  (1) The shapes of the male connector and the female connector described in the above embodiment are examples, and the shapes of the male connector and the female connector are not limited to these. The shape of the male connector or the female connector may be any shape.

(2) In the above embodiment, the lock arm is described as an example of the movable member that moves when at least the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released. However, the movable member is not limited to this.
For example, the movable member may be a spring provided between a male connector and a female connector. Specifically, a spring is provided inside the male connector, and when the female connector is inserted into the male connector, the spring is compressed and the female connector is pushed back in the anti-fitting direction, and further the female connector is resisted against the biasing force of the spring. The male connector and the female connector may be locked by pushing in. In this case, when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released, the compressed spring moves so as to return to the natural length. The structure which a ringing part rings by pressing an air bag with the motion of the spring which it tries to return may be sufficient.

  Alternatively, a slide member may be provided on the female connector or the male connector, and when the female connector is pulled out from the male connector, the slide member slides to press the air bag.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sound generation unit generates a sound according to the movement of the movable member has been described as an example. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion of the female connector, and when the female connector is pulled out from the male connector, the air bag is pressed against the protrusion to blow out air, thereby causing the ringing portion to ring. .

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the two rubber plates extending from the opening edge of the air bag are described as examples of the sounding part. However, the sounding part may be a whistle that sounds by the blown air. In the above-described embodiment, the sound generation unit that generates sound by the blown-out air has been described as an example. However, the sound generation unit may be electrically generated by an amplifier, a speaker, or the like.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the gateway 5 is described as an example of a device connected to the communication network 4A. However, the device is limited to the gateway 5 as long as the device communicates with other devices of the vehicle via the communication network 4A. is not. For example, the connector device may connect an in-vehicle device such as the ECU 7 and the communication network 4A. In that case, the in-vehicle device is an example of the device.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the connector device that connects the gateway 5 and the communication network 4A has been described as an example. However, the connector device may connect a device and a power source. In that case, the possibility that the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is illegally released and the device itself is stolen can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector apparatus, 2 ... Male connector, 3 ... Female connector, 5 ... Gateway (equipment), 7 ... ECU (other apparatuses of a vehicle), 8 ... Communication cable, 23 ... Engagement part, 37 ... Lock arm (movable) Member ... and lock member), 43 ... sound generating part, 44 ... air bag, 45 ... ringing part, 101 ... connector device, 102 ... male connector, 103 ... female connector, 113 ... engaging part, 123 ... lock arm (movable member and Lock member), 130 ... Sound generating part, 131 ... Air bag, 132 ... Sounding part, 133 ... Sealing member

Claims (6)

A male connector;
A female connector mated with the male connector;
At least a sounding portion that sounds when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released;
A connector device comprising: Provided in any one of the male connector and the female connector, comprising at least a movable member that moves when the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is released,
The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the sound generation unit generates a sound according to a movement of the movable member. One of the male connector and the female connector is provided with an elastically deformable lock member, and the other connector is provided with an engaging portion with which the lock member is engaged.
The connector device is locked in a state in which the male connector and the female connector are fitted by the elastic deformation of the locking member and engaging with the engaging portion.
The connector device according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is the lock member, and the sound generation unit is pressed by the lock member to generate sound when the lock member is elastically deformed.   The sound generation unit includes an air bag and a sounding unit, and when the lock member is elastically deformed, the air bag is pressed against the lock member to blow out air, and the sounding unit sounds by the blown-out air. Item 4. The connector device according to Item 3.   The connector device according to claim 4, wherein the ringing portion has an air outlet, and the air outlet is closed by an openable sealing member.   A communication cable mounted on a vehicle is connected to one of the male connector and the female connector, and the other connector communicates with other devices of the vehicle via the communication cable. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the connector device is provided on the connector.

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