JP2018195455A - On-vehicle connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To facilitate an operation for inserting a plug into an on-vehicle connector with a cover, and to downsize the on-vehicle connector.SOLUTION: When inserting an USB plug into an on-vehicle connector, the USB plug is brought into contact with a front face of an upper shutter plate 18 and a front face of a lower shutter plate 20. A main body casing 12 comprises a mechanism for moving the upper shutter plate 18 upwards and backwards while maintaining a fixed attitude when the front face of the upper shutter plate 18 is pushed, and tilting the upper shutter plate 18 in such a manner that an upper side is positioned in front of a lower side, when the upper shutter plate is moved upwards to a certain height. The main body casing 12 also comprises a mechanism for moving the lower shutter plate 20 downwards and backwards while maintaining a fixed attitude when the front face of the lower shutter plate 20 is pushed, and tilting the lower shutter plate 20 in such a manner that a lower side is positioned in front of an upper side when the lower shutter plate is moved downwards to a certain height. Each of the shutter plates receives the USB plug while opening a plug insertion aperture 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

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

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

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

JP 2016-46062 A

  Some in-vehicle connectors with a lid can be opened manually by a user when a plug is inserted into the connector. With such a connector, it is difficult for the user to insert the plug with one hand. Moreover, a connector may become large sized by providing a cover.

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

  The present invention is movable along a plate surface along an opening directed toward the passenger compartment side, and a shutter plate that opens and closes the opening, and a protrusion that protrudes from the shutter plate in a direction intersecting the opening and closing direction of the shutter plate And an engaging part that engages with the projecting part and guides the projecting part in the opening / closing direction, and the shutter plate is swingable about the projecting part. .

  Preferably, the engaging portion has a slit that is engaged with the protruding portion and extends in the opening and closing direction, and when the direction toward the vehicle interior is defined as a front direction, the slit is the shutter. It has a section extending backward as it goes in the opening direction.

  Desirably, it includes a biasing mechanism that biases the protruding portion in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed, and the shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a vertical direction as an opening and closing direction, It is provided at a position on the vertical side of the shutter plate that is biased toward the closing direction from the center of the vertical side.

  Preferably, the engaging portion has a slit that is engaged with the protruding portion and extends in the opening and closing direction, and when the direction toward the vehicle interior is defined as a front direction, the slit is the protruding portion. Formed by a pair of edge structures sandwiching the section, and having a section extending rearward as the shutter plate opens, and the urging mechanism is provided at a position sandwiching the slit between the shutter plate and the shutter plate. And a spring that biases the protrusion in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed.

  Preferably, the shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a vertical direction as an opening / closing direction, and the upper side or the lower side of the shutter plate is adjacent to the side on the closing direction side from the upper side or the lower side. A slope that protrudes toward the passenger compartment is formed as the distance increases, and when the plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector, the area occupied by the slope is covered by the tip of the plug.

  Desirably, it has a pair of said protrusion part protruded in the left-right direction from the said shutter board seeing the said vehicle compartment side, and the said engaging part is the 1st engagement which guides the said protrusion part protruded to the left direction up and down. And a second engaging portion that guides the protruding portion protruding rightward in the up-down direction.

  Preferably, the urging mechanism includes a first urging mechanism and a second urging mechanism that urge the left and right protrusions in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed.

  The present invention also provides an upper shutter plate that can be moved along a plate surface along an opening directed toward the passenger compartment side, and a lower shutter plate that can be moved along a plate surface along the opening. A lower shutter plate located below the shutter plate and opening and closing the opening together with the upper shutter plate; an upper projecting portion projecting laterally from the upper shutter plate; and a lower projecting projecting laterally from the lower shutter plate Engaging the upper projecting portion and the lower projecting portion and guiding the upper projecting portion and the lower projecting portion in the vertical direction, and the upper shutter plate is in the lowest position. When the lower shutter plate is in the uppermost position, the lower side of the upper shutter plate and the upper side of the lower shutter plate are in contact with each other or close to each other with a predetermined interval, and the upper shutter plate protrudes upward The lower shutter plate is swingable about the part Characterized in that it is a freely oscillating the lower projecting portion as an axis.

  Desirably, the engaging portion has a slit extending in the up-down direction, with each of the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion being engaged, and when the direction toward the passenger compartment side is the front direction, The slit has a section extending backward as it goes upward, and a section extending backward as it goes downward.

  Preferably, an upper urging mechanism that urges the upper protruding portion downward, and a lower urging mechanism that urges the lower protruding portion upward, and the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate include The upper protrusion is provided on the lower side of the vertical side of the upper shutter plate, and the lower protrusion is formed on the lower shutter plate. It is provided on the upper side of the vertical side.

  Desirably, the engaging portion has a slit extending in the up-down direction, with each of the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion being engaged, and when the direction toward the passenger compartment side is the front direction, The slit is formed by a pair of edge structures sandwiching the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion, and has a section extending backward as it goes upward and a section extending backward as it goes downward, and the upper bias A mechanism is provided at a position sandwiching the slit between the upper shutter plate and a spring for urging the upper projecting portion downward, and the lower urging mechanism is provided between the lower shutter plate and the lower shutter plate. And a spring that urges the lower protrusion upward.

  Preferably, the upper shutter plate has a slope projecting toward the vehicle compartment side as it goes upward from the lower side, and the lower shutter plate has a slope projecting toward the vehicle compartment side as it goes downward from the upper side. The length of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate in the closed state of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate in the range occupied by the inclined surface of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate is the length of the plug inserted into the in-vehicle connector Shorter than height.

  Preferably, the pair of upper protrusions protruding in the left-right direction from the upper shutter plate when viewed from the vehicle compartment side, and the pair of lower protrusions protruding from the lower shutter plate in the left-right direction when viewed from the vehicle compartment side. A first engaging portion for vertically guiding the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion protruding to the left side, and the upper protruding portion and the lower protrusion protruding to the right side. A second engaging portion that guides the portion in the vertical direction.

  Preferably, the upper urging mechanism includes a first upper urging mechanism and a second upper urging mechanism that urge the left and right upper projecting portions downward, respectively, and the lower urging mechanism includes the left and right upper urging mechanisms. A first lower urging mechanism and a second lower urging mechanism for urging the lower protrusions upward are provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while making the operation which inserts a plug into the vehicle-mounted connector with a lid | cover easy, a vehicle-mounted connector can be reduced in size.

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

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

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

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

  When the USB plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector, the USB plug contacts the front surface of the upper shutter plate 18 and the front surface of the lower shutter plate 20. When the front surface of the upper shutter plate 18 is pushed, the main body housing 12 of the in-vehicle connector raises and retracts the upper shutter plate 18 while maintaining a certain posture. A mechanism is provided for tilting the upper shutter plate 18 so as to be positioned in front of the lower side. Further, when the front surface of the lower shutter plate 20 is pushed, the main body housing 12 of the in-vehicle connector lowers and retracts the lower shutter plate 20 while maintaining a certain posture, and when it is lowered to a certain height, A mechanism is provided for tilting the lower shutter plate 20 so that the lower side is positioned forward of the upper side.

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

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

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle connector. The main body housing 12 is formed in a container shape that is long in the front-rear direction and has an opening in the front. The main body housing 12 may have a cylindrical shape with the rear opened. A board 22 on which a USB socket 24 is disposed is inserted into the main body casing 12 through an opening on the vehicle compartment side, and the board 22 is accommodated in the main body casing 12.

  The casing 10 is composed of a front panel 16, an upper shutter plate 18, a lower shutter plate 20, an upper right spring 28, a lower right spring 30, an upper left spring 32, a lower left spring 34, and a main body 36. The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are each formed in a horizontally long and substantially rectangular shape. The ratio of the vertical and horizontal lengths of the substantially rectangular upper shutter plate 18 and lower shutter plate 20 is appropriately determined according to the shape of the plug insertion opening 14. A helical spring is used for each spring. Other types of springs such as torsion springs and leaf springs may be used for each spring.

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

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

  In the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the lower side of the upper shutter plate 18 is in contact with or faces the upper side of the lower shutter plate 20, and the left and right protrusions are in contact with the left and right guide structures 52 of the main body 36. It is disposed in front of the main body 36. Further, the upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32 are disposed in front of the main body 36 so that the lower ends thereof are in contact with the right protrusion 38 and the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18, respectively. The lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34 are disposed in front of the main body 36 so that the upper ends thereof are in contact with the right protrusion 42 and the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20, respectively. In a state where the shutter plates and the springs are arranged in front of the main body 36, the front panel 16 covers the front surface of the main body 36 together with the shutter plates and the springs.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, on the rear surface of the front panel 16, spring-pressing upper protrusions that contact the upper ends of the upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32, and lower ends of the lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34, respectively. A spring-pressing lower protrusion is formed in contact with. The upper right spring 28 and the upper left spring 32 are respectively between the spring pressing upper protrusion and the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate 18 and between the spring pressing upper protrusion and the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18. Sandwiched. The lower right spring 30 and the lower left spring 34 are respectively between the spring pressing lower protrusion and the right protrusion 42 of the lower shutter plate 20, and between the spring pressing lower protrusion and the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate 20. Sandwiched between.

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

  The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 close the plug insertion opening 14 from the rear of the front panel 16. The upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are movable in the vertical direction along the plate surface of the plug insertion opening 14 directed toward the vehicle compartment. On the lower side of the upper shutter plate 18 and the upper side thereof, there is formed a sliding slope 56 that projects obliquely toward the passenger compartment as it goes upward. Similarly, on the upper side of the lower shutter plate 20 and the lower side thereof, there is formed a sliding slope 58 that obliquely projects toward the passenger compartment as it goes downward. The vertical length (the length projected on the z-axis) of the range occupied by the sliding slope 56 on the upper shutter plate 18 and the sliding slope 58 on the lower shutter plate 20 is shorter than the height of the USB plug. The surface of each sliding slope may be a flat surface, or a two-dimensional curved surface that draws a convex curve on the vehicle interior side in the zx plane and draws a straight line in the xy plane and the yz plane. Further, the surface of each sliding slope may be a three-dimensional curved surface that draws a convex curve on the vehicle interior side in the zx plane and draws a curve in the xy plane or the yz plane.

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

  The slit 65 is provided with a rear offset section 65-1 that extends rearward in the upward direction. Above the rear offset section 65-1, the slit 65 extends upward. The slit 65 is provided with a rear offset section 65-2 that extends rearward as it goes downward. On the lower side of the rear offset section 65-2, the slit 65 extends downward.

  In the slit 65 as the engaging portion, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate penetrate, and the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate are The slit 65 is engaged so as to be slidable. Of the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate, the portion that passes through the slit 65 has a cylindrical shape. Similarly, the portion of the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate that passes through the slit 65 has a cylindrical shape. The left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate is movable along the slit 65 and is guided in the direction in which the slit 65 extends. Similarly, the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate is movable along the slit 65 and guided in the direction in which the slit 65 extends.

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

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

  When the upper shutter plate is at the lowermost position, the lower surface of the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the shutter plate stopper 66, and when the lower shutter plate is at the uppermost position, The upper surface of the right protrusion 42 contacts the lower surface of the shutter plate stopper 66.

  From the vicinity of the upper end of the front panel 16, a spring-pressing upper protrusion 68 protrudes rearward. The front plate 46 of the main body 36, the spring-pressing upper protrusion 68, the rear surface of the front panel 16, the shutter plate stopper 66, the guide wall 60 (FIG. 2), and a side wall (backward extending from the vertical side on the right side of the front panel 16) A space for accommodating the upper right spring 28 is formed. The spring retainer upper projecting portion 68 sandwiches the upper right spring 28 and the right projecting portion 38 with the shutter plate stopper 66.

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

  The space for accommodating the upper right spring 28 and the upper right spring 28 constitute a biasing mechanism (right upper biasing mechanism) that biases the right protruding portion 38 in a downward direction at a position where a slit is sandwiched between the upper shutter plate and the upper shutter plate. To do. In other words, the upper right spring 28 applies an elastic force downward to the right protrusion 38 and biases the right protrusion 38 downward. The right protrusion 38 is pressed against the shutter plate stopper 66 by the elastic force (biasing force) of the upper right spring 28.

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

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

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

  The operation when the USB plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector will be described. 7A to 7D show cross sections taken along line AA when the USB plug 72 is inserted into the in-vehicle connector.

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

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

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

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

  As the upper shutter plate 18 rises and retracts, the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate 18 move to the upper side of the USB plug 72 (FIG. 7B). In this state, when the USB plug 72 is further pushed backward, the upper shutter plate 18 is pushed backward only in the area below the right protruding portion 38 and the left protruding portion 40, and the upper side is forward of the lower side. Tilt to be located at. FIG. 7C shows a state in which the upper shutter plate 18 is tilted about the left protruding portion 40 as an axis.

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

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

  Immediately after the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the tip of the USB plug 72 covers the sliding slopes of the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20. It contacts the shutter plate 20. Therefore, immediately after the USB plug 72 comes into contact with the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20, the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 are less likely to receive rotational force from the USB plug 72 and have a posture in which the front faces forward. Ascending and descending operations are performed.

  When the USB plug 72 is further pushed backward, the USB plug 72 is inserted into the USB socket 24 from the receiving port 54. The upper shutter plate 18 is tilted about the right projecting portion 38 and the left projecting portion 40 as the center, and the lower shutter plate 20 is tilted about the right projecting portion 42 and the left projecting portion 44 as the center. The insertion opening is opened larger. The upper shutter plate 18 remains at the position where the lower side contacts the USB plug 72, and the lower shutter plate 20 remains at the position where the upper side contacts the USB plug 72 (FIG. 7D).

  8A to 8D show cross sections taken along line BB when the USB plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector. The states shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D correspond to the states shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, respectively.

  When the USB plug is not inserted, that is, when the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate close the plug insertion opening, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate are in the slit 65. It is located in a section bent forward (FIG. 8A). When the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are in the state where the plug insertion opening is closed, the distance from the center of the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate to the center of the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate is determined by the USB connector. Less than the tip thickness. When the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate rises and retracts along the direction in which the slit 65 extends (FIG. 8B). When the left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate moves to the upper side of the USB plug, the upper shutter plate is tilted so that the upper side is positioned forward of the lower side and the lower side is moved to the back side as viewed from the plug insertion opening ( FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C). Similarly, the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate descends and retracts along the direction in which the slit 65 extends. When the left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate moves to the lower side of the USB plug, the lower shutter plate is tilted so that the lower side is positioned in front of the upper side and the upper side is moved to the back side when viewed from the plug insertion opening. (FIG. 8 (c)). In a state where the USB plug is inserted into the USB socket, the left protruding portion 40 of the upper shutter plate remains at the uppermost position when the lower side of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the USB plug, and the left protruding portion 44 of the lower shutter plate. Remains at the lowest position when the upper side of the lower shutter plate contacts the lower surface of the USB plug (FIG. 8D).

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

  When the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate rises and retracts along the direction in which the slit extends, and the upper right spring 28 contracts with respect to the right protrusion 38. An elastic force is applied downward (FIG. 9B). When the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate moves to the upper side of the USB plug, the upper shutter plate is tilted so that the upper side is positioned forward of the lower side. Accordingly, the right protrusion 38 rotates in the tilt direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 9). The upper right spring 28 applies an elastic force to the upper surface of the right protruding portion 38, and applies torque in a rotational direction opposite to the rotational direction of the right protruding portion 38 (FIG. 9C). Similarly, when the USB plug is inserted into the plug insertion opening and pushed backward, the right projecting portion 42 of the lower shutter plate descends and retracts along the direction in which the slit extends, and the lower right spring 30 projects to the right while contracting. An elastic force is applied upward to the portion 42 (FIG. 9B). When the right protrusion 42 of the lower shutter plate moves to the lower side of the USB plug, the lower shutter plate is tilted so that the lower side is positioned forward of the upper side. Accordingly, the right protrusion 42 rotates in the tilt direction (clockwise in FIG. 9). The lower right spring 30 applies an elastic force to the lower surface of the right protrusion 42, and applies torque in a rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction of the right protrusion 42 (FIG. 9C).

  In a state where the USB plug is inserted into the USB socket, the right protruding portion 38 of the upper shutter plate remains at the uppermost position when the lower side of the upper shutter plate contacts the upper surface of the USB plug, and the right protruding portion 42 of the lower shutter plate. Remains at the lowest position when the upper side of the lower shutter plate contacts the lower surface of the USB plug (FIG. 9D). The upper right spring 28 is pressed upward by the right protrusion 38 of the upper shutter plate, and the lower right spring 30 is pressed downward by the right protrusion 42 of the lower shutter plate (FIG. 9D).

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

  The left and right protrusions of the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate move along the slits by the elastic force of each spring extending. The left protrusion 40 of the upper shutter plate returns from the uppermost position to the section bent forward in the slit 65 in the order shown in FIGS. The left protrusion 44 of the lower shutter plate returns to the section bent forward from the slit 65 from the lowest position in the order shown in FIGS.

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

  According to such a configuration, the USB plug is inserted, and the upper shutter plate is lifted and retracted while maintaining the posture in which the plate surface faces forward, and the lower shutter plate is in the posture in which the plate surface faces forward. Maintain and descend and retract. Then, after the upper shutter plate is raised to a certain height and lowered to a certain height, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are moved so that the lower portion of the upper shutter plate is directed to the back and the upper portion of the lower shutter plate is directed to the rear. While the shutter plates are tilted, the distance between these shutter plates increases. As a result, the ranges in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction in which the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate move are reduced, and the in-vehicle connector can be reduced in size.

  Further, the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate are inclined so that the lower portion of the upper shutter plate is directed toward the back and the upper portion of the lower shutter plate is directed toward the rear, so that the distance between these shutter plates is increased so that each shutter plate The sliding slope is further inclined. As a result, the force for inserting the USB plug is distributed to the force in the direction of opening each shutter plate, and the shutter plate can be opened with a lighter force.

  Each spring biases the left and right protrusions of the upper shutter plate and the left and right protrusions of the lower shutter plate. Therefore, for example, as compared with the case where the upper side of the upper shutter plate and the lower side of the lower shutter plate are urged, the allowance for expansion and contraction of each spring is increased, and the elasticity of each spring is enhanced. Furthermore, the height of the in-vehicle connector is lower than when the upper side of the upper shutter plate and the lower side of the lower shutter plate are energized.

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

  In addition, when inserting the USB plug into the in-vehicle connector, the user does not need to open the upper shutter plate and the lower shutter plate by hand, so that the operation for inserting the USB plug is simplified.

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

  The in-vehicle connector according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The in-vehicle connectors shown in these drawings employ only the mechanism relating to the upper shutter plate 18 among the upper shutter plate 18 and the lower shutter plate 20 of the in-vehicle connector shown in FIGS. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

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

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

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

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

  The shutter plate 74 is urged downward by an urging mechanism. As a result, when the plug is not inserted, the plug insertion opening 14 is closed by the shutter plate 74. On the upper side of the lower side of the shutter plate 74, a sliding slope is formed that projects obliquely toward the passenger compartment as it goes upward. In other words, when the shutter plate 74 opens and closes the plug insertion opening 14, a sliding slope is formed in the vicinity of the lower edge that is separated from or close to the periphery of the plug insertion opening 14 and protrudes toward the passenger compartment as the distance from the edge increases. ing.

  When the plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector, the plug contacts the front surface of the shutter plate 74. When the front surface of the shutter plate 74 is pushed backward by the same mechanism as in the first embodiment, the shutter plate 74 rises while maintaining a certain posture, and when the shutter plate 74 rises to a certain height, the upper side is higher than the lower side. The shutter plate 74 is inclined so as to be positioned in front.

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

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case side housing | casing, 12 Main body case, 14 Plug insertion opening, 16 Front panel, 18 Upper shutter board, 20 Lower shutter board, 22 Board | substrate, 24 USB socket, 28 Upper right spring, 30 Right lower spring, 32 Upper left spring , 34 Lower left spring, 36 Main body, 38, 42 Right protrusion, 40, 44 Left protrusion, 46 Front plate, 48 Side wall, 50 Plug insertion hole, 52 Guide structure, 54 Receiving port, 56, 58 Sliding slope, 60 Guide wall, 62 recessed section, 64 projecting part, 65 slit, 65-1, 65-2 rear offset section, 66 shutter plate stopper, 68 spring retainer upper projecting part, 70 spring retainer lower projecting part, 72 USB plug, 74 shutter Plate, 76 socket, 78 spring.

Claims (5)

A shutter plate that is movable along the plate surface along the opening directed toward the passenger compartment, and that opens and closes the opening;
A protruding portion protruding from the shutter plate in a direction intersecting with the opening / closing direction of the shutter plate;
An engagement portion that engages with the protrusion and guides the protrusion in the opening and closing direction,
The in-vehicle connector, wherein the shutter plate is swingable about the protrusion. The in-vehicle connector according to claim 1,
The engaging portion is
The protrusion is engaged and has a slit extending in the opening and closing direction,
When the direction toward the passenger compartment is defined as the forward direction,
The in-vehicle connector, wherein the slit has a section extending rearward as it goes in a direction in which the shutter plate opens. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 1 or 2,
An urging mechanism for urging the protrusion in a direction in which the shutter plate is closed;
The shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening and closing direction,
The vehicle-mounted connector, wherein the protruding portion is provided at a position on the vertical side of the shutter plate that is biased toward the closing direction from the center of the vertical side. In the vehicle-mounted connector according to claim 1 or 2,
The shutter plate is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the opening and closing direction,
Of the upper side or the lower side of the shutter plate, in the vicinity of the side on the closing direction side, a slope projecting toward the vehicle compartment is formed as the distance from the upper side or the lower side increases.
When the plug is inserted into the in-vehicle connector, the range occupied by the inclined surface is covered with the tip of the plug. An upper shutter plate movable along the plate surface to the opening directed toward the passenger compartment,
A lower shutter plate movable along a plate surface along the opening, the lower shutter plate positioned below the upper shutter plate, and opening and closing the opening together with the upper shutter plate;
An upper projecting portion projecting laterally from the upper shutter plate;
A lower projecting portion projecting laterally from the lower shutter plate;
Engaging with the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion, and an engaging portion for guiding the upper protruding portion and the lower protruding portion in the vertical direction,
When the upper shutter plate is at the lowermost position and the lower shutter plate is at the uppermost position, the lower side of the upper shutter plate and the upper side of the lower shutter plate are in contact with each other or close to each other with a predetermined interval. And
The upper shutter plate is swingable about the upper projecting portion,
The in-vehicle connector, wherein the lower shutter plate is swingable about the lower protrusion.

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