Abstract:
In order to drive connectors relatively to mating connectors in a housing for connection and disconnection of the connectors with the mating connectors, the connectors have projections thereon which projects outside of the housing when received in the housing, and a slider is slidably mounted on the housing and having a groove with a cam portion for receiving the projection. When the slider is pulled or pushed, the projection is driven by the cam portion of the groove to drive the connectors. Partitions are mounted in the housing to partition an inner space of the housing into a plurality of rooms for accommodating the connectors so as to separate between adjacent connectors by the partition. Each of the partition has engaging projections engaged with engaging holes formed in the housing wall. One of the engaging holes is registry with the groove of the slider so that the corresponding one of the engaging projection is also received in the groove at the projecting end through the engaging hole. The slider is also provided with a slot for receiving the other engaging projection projecting through the other corresponding engaging hole. Thus, the slider, if it is made with small size, has a desired mechanical strength and can be smoothly moved.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector driving apparatus for driving a plurality of connectors relatively to a plurality of mating connectors in the housing so as to perform connection and disconnection of the plurality of connectors with the plurality of mating connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in size of such a connector driving apparatus. 
     A conventional one of such a connector driving apparatus comprises a housing for receiving the plurality of connectors and a slider mounted on the housing for driving the plurality of connectors relatively to the plurality of mating connectors. The housing having a plurality of frames defining a space in which the plurality of connectors are arranged one by one therein so that the plurality of connectors are movable in a first direction such as an X-direction. Each of the connectors has a projection which outwardly projects from each connector in a second direction, such as a Y-direction, perpendicular to the X-direction. A particular one of the frames of the housing is formed with a plurality of slits extending in the X-direction for receiving the projections of the plurality of connectors to permit the projections to move in the X-direction. The particular frame is also formed with a plurality of pairs of first and second engaging holes at positions where the slits are not formed. The hole pairs are arranged with predetermined intervals between adjacent ones in a third direction, such as a Z-direction, perpendicular to the X- and Y-directions. The first hole and the second hole of each of the hole pair are separated at a predetermined distance in the X-direction. 
     Further, the housing has a plurality of partitions for partitioning a space in the housing into a plurality of rooms and are arranged parallel to each other in the Z-direction, so that each of the rooms accommodates one or a predetermined number of ones of the plurality of the connectors. Herein, each of the partitions has a pair of first and second engaging projections which are engaged with the first and second engaging holes, respectively, to fix itself into the housing. 
     On the other hand, the slider is mounted on the particular frame to be slidable in the Z-direction. The slider has a groove and first and second engaging slots. More particularly, the groove is for receiving the projections of the connector projecting through the slits of the particular frame while the first and second engaging slots receiving the first and second engaging projections projecting through the first and second holes of the particular frame. Each of the grooves mainly extends in the Z-direction and has a cam portion at its one end for driving the projections so as to drive the connectors in the X-direction. Besides, the first and second engaging slots all extend in the Z-direction, too. Furthermore, the groove and the first and second engaging slots are arranged independently and apart from each other in the X-direction. 
     With this structure, the above connection and disconnection are controlled by the operation of the slider. In detail, when the slider is moved in the Z-direction, the cam portions drive the respective projections of the connectors in the X-direction so that the connectors move in the X-direction accordingly. 
     In the above description, each connector has one projection and, accordingly, the groove is also one As the same manner, each partition has the pair of first and second engaging projections and, accordingly, the first and second engaging slots are all one each. 
     In another conventional one of such an apparatus, each of the partitions further has another pair of first and second engaging projections at the opposite end in the Y-direction which will be referred to as “first and second opposite engaging holes. The first and second opposite engaging holes are engaged with another pair of first and second engaging holes formed in another one of flame opposite to the particular frame which will be referred to as “first and second opposite engaging holes” and “opposite frame”, respetively. In the structure, the partitions are rigidly fixed to the housing. Further, each connector often has another projection oppositely projecting outside the connector in the Y-direction which will be referred to as “opposite projection”, an the opposite flame is further provided with slits ending in the X-direcion for receiving and guiding the opposite projections of the connectors. In the structure, the each of the connector can stably be moved in the housing. Herein, an additional slider having a like groove with cam portions is also mounted on the opposite frame so as to drive the opposite projections of the connectors. The connectors can be driven stably in cooperation of the slider and the additional slider. In this structure, the additional slider also has a pair of slots for receiving the first and second opposite engaging projections. 
     Recently, electrical parts generally require small in size more and more and the connector driving apparatus does also. 
     However, the conventional driving appaatus is subjected to the restriction of down sizing with the above structure where the groove and the first and second engaging slots are arranged independently and apart from each other. If small-sized, the slider considerably becomes flimsy in strength owing to the structure thereof so that it is difficult that the slider can reliably move the plurality of connectors without destroy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the connector driving apparatus with the above structure and, more particularly, to be small-sized with a guarantee relating to the strength thereof. 
     According to the present invention, a connector driving apparatus comprises a housing and a slider each having the following structure and is for driving a plurality of connectors relatively to a plurality of mating connectors in a first direction so as to perform connection and disconnection of the plurality of connectors with the plurality of mating connectors. Herein, each of the connectors has a projection outwardly projecting therefrom in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
     In detail, the housing is for fixedly holding therein the plurality of mating connectors arranged one by one in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. Also, the housing is for receiving the plurality of connectors arranged one by one in the third direction so that the plurality of connectors are movable in the first direction relatively to the plurality of mating connectors. Such housing comprises a pair of parallel frames, opposite side blocks and a plurality of partitions. 
     The pair of parallel frames extend in the third direction and apart from each other in the second direction. Herein, first one of the parallel frames has a plurality of pairs of first and second holes at predetermined positions spaced in the third direction. The first and second holes are positioned spaced from each other in the first direction. Furthermore, the first one of parallel frames has a plurality of slits extending in the first direction for receiving and permitting the projections of the plurality of connectors to be moved therein in the first direction. 
     The opposite side blocks fixedly connect the parallel frames to each other at opposite ends in the third direction. 
     Each of the plurality of partitions has a pair of first and second engaging projections on one side thereof. The pair of first and second engaging projections are engaged with a corresponding one of said pairs of first and second holes. And, thereby, the partition are fixed to the first one of the parallel frames to partition a space in the housing into a plurality of rooms arranged in the third direction between the opposite side blocks. 
     On the other hand, the slider is mounted on the first one of parallel frames and slidable in the third direction. This slider has a groove extending in the third direction for receiving the projections of the plurality of connectors received in the housing. Besides, the groove has a cam portion for driving the projections in the first direction when the slider is moved in the third direction so as to drive the plurality of connectors. Specifically, the groove is in registry with the first holes of the plurality of pairs of first and second holes and receives therein the first engaging projections projecting through the first holes. 
     With this structure, since the groove also serves for the first engaging slot of the conventional slider, the slider according to the present invention can be small-sized in the first direction so that the strength does not become decrease. Thus, the connector driving apparatus is totally small-sized in the first direction not to be flimsy. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a housing and connectors in a conventional connector driving apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a slider member of the conventional connector driving apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view for use in describing the problem of the conventional apparatus; 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a connector driving apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view for use in describing a structure of a housing of the connector driving apparatus of FIG. 4 together with connectors received therein; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view for use in describing a structure of a slider plate used together with the housing of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connector driving apparatus of FIG. 4 for use in describing a relationship among the housing, a slider plate, a partition, the connector, and a mating connector, where the connector is separated from the mating connector; 
     FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a part enclosed by a circle in FIG. 7 for use in describing the relationship among a groove of the slider, a projection of the connector, an engaging hole of the housing, and an engaging projection of the partition; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but the connector is engaged with the mating connector; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the part enclosed by a circle in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a view for describing a positional relationship between the projection of the connector and the first engaging projection of the partition in both conditions when the connector is separated from and engaged with the mating connector, respectively; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the housing and connectors of the apparatus of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 13 shows an enlarged perspective view of the slider plate together with a further enlarged view of a main part enclosed by a dotted line in the enlarged perspective view, for use in describing a cam portion of the slider plate. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Prior to description of embodiments of this invention, brief description of a connector driving apparatus of the conventional techniques will at first be made for a better understanding of this invention. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the conventional apparatus has a housing  10  and a slider member  70  and is for driving a plurality of connectors  20  relatively to a plurality of mating connectors (not shown but corresponding to ones shown at  80  in FIG. 7) in the housing  10 . The housing  10  receives the connectors  20  to be moved in an X-direction. Each of the plurality of connectors  20  has two projections  21  which are opposite to each other and outwardly project from each connector  20  in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction. Herein, one of the two projections  21  of each connector  20  is not shown in FIG. 1 Also, the housing  10  is for receiving the plurality of connectors  20  arranged one by one in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and the Y-direction so that the plurality of connectors  20  are movable in the X-direction relatively to the plurality of mating connectors. 
     In FIG. 1, the housing  10  of the conventional techniques has opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b , a pair of parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b , a plurality of partitions  50  while each connector  20  further has an engagement portion  22  and a cable  23 . 
     The pair of parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  extend in the Z-direction and apart from each other in the Y-direction. Herein, the upper one of the parallel frames  40   a  has a plurality of pairs of first and second holes  41  and  43  at predetermined positions spaced in the Z-direction and, also the lower one of the parallel frames  40   b  does. The first and second holes  41  and  43  are positioned spaced from each other in the X-direction. Furthermore, the upper one of parallel frames  40   a  has a plurality of slits  42  extending in the X-direction for receiving and permitting the projections  21  of the plurality of connectors  20  to be moved therein in the X-direction and, also, the lower one of parallel frames does. Besides, each of the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  has U-shaped rails at both edge in the X-direction thereof, so as to movably hold the slider member  70  in the Z-direction, as described later. 
     The opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b  fixedly connect the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  to each other at opposite ends in the Z-direction. In detail, each side block  30   a  and  30   b  has screw holes  31  while each parallel frame  40   a  and  40   b  also has respective screw hole (not shown). Beside that, the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  are fixed to the opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b  with screws  60 . 
     Each of the plurality of partitions  50  has two pair of first and second engaging projections  51  and  52  on opposite edges or ends thereof in the Y-direction, that is, on the upper and lower ends. The first and second engaging projections  51  and  52  are engaged with the corresponding first and second holes  41  and  43 , respectively. And, thereby, the partition  50  are fixed to both of the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  to partition a space in the housing  10  into a plurality of rooms arranged in the Z-direction between the opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b . Furthermore, each partition  50  has two lances  53  toward different direction from each other. Each lance  53  serves to hold the connector  20  in cooperation with the neighbor lance  53  in the Z-direction. 
     On the other hand, the slider member  70  as shown in FIG. 2 is movably held thereon by the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  and slidable in the Z-direction. 
     In detail, the illustrated slider member  70  has a pair of parallel slider plates  71  and a slider block  72 . The pair of parallel slider plates  71  extend in the Z-direction and apart firm each other in the Y-direction. Furthermore, the parallel slider plates  71  are fixedly connected to each other at one end in the Z-direction by the slider block  72 . More specifically, the parallel slider plates  71  are fixed to the slider block  72  with a plurality of screws  73  as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Besides, the slider member  70  has a drawer  74  projecting from the slider block  72  and extending in the Z-direction. In operation of the drawer  74 , the slider member  70  can slide in the Z-direction. 
     More in detail, each of parallel slider plates  71  has a groove  711  and first and second engaging slots  712  and  713 . The groove  711  mainly extends in the Z-direction to receive the projections  21  of the plurality of connectors  20  when the housing  10  receives the plurality of connectors  20  therein. Besides, the groove  711  has a cam portion for driving the projections in the X-direction when the slider member  70  is moved in the Z-direction so as to drive the plurality of connectors  20 . On the other hand, the first and second engaging slots  712  and  713  extend in the Z-direction and are for accommodating or receiving therein the first and second engaging projections  51  and  52  projecting through the first and second holes  41  and  43 , respectively. 
     As readily understood from FIG. 2, the groove  711  and the first and second engaging slots  712  and  713  are arranged independently and apart from each other in the X-direction Therefore, it is difficult for the conventional apparatus to be small-sized with a guarantee relating to the strength and the function thereof 
     Moreover, the difficulty of the conventional apparatus become conspicuous in case that the projection  21  of each connector  20  locates in each one of two positions in the X-direction when the plurality of connectors  20  connect with the plurality of mating connectors, as shown in FIG.  3 . In this event, each of the parallel slider plates has two grooves  711  relative to two positions, respectively. Such modification about structure in the conventional techniques promotes the difficulty of being small-sized of the apparatus because both of the two grooves  711  must be independently arranged in the X-direction apart from the first engaging slot  712 . Moreover, it should be noted that the number of the groove and slots on the slider plate increases the difficulty about down sizing. Therefore, this invention improves the structure of the apparatus so that number of the groove and slots on the slider plate decreases 
     Now, explanation of a preferred embodiment of this invention will be made with reference to drawings, applying this invention to a connector driving apparatus. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a connector driving apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of this invention is for driving a plurality of connectors  20   a  relatively to a plurality of mating connectors  80  which are arranged on a printed circuit plate  92  attached to a cage  91 . The illustrated mating connectors  80  are right-angle connectors, which are divided into two groups. Also, the illustrated connectors  20   a  are divided into two groups. The connector driving apparatus according to preferred embodiment are fitted up with the cage  91  with guide pins  93  guided into respective guiding holes  94  so as to perform connection and disconnection of the plurality of connectors  20   a  with the plurality of mating connectors  80 . 
     Now, for easily understanding, detail description about structure of the connector driving apparatus according to this invention with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a housing  10  of the present invention has opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b , a pair of parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b , a plurality of partitions  50  while each connector  20   a  has two projections  24 , an engagement portion  22  and a cable  23 . The two projections  24  of each connector  20   a  are opposite to each other and outwardly project from each connector  20   a  in the Y-direction. Herein, one of the two projections  24  of the connector  20   a  is not shown in FIG.  5 . Specifically, each projection  24  has a particular shape where the each projection  24  has different sizes in the X- and Z-directions, from each other. Concretely, the particular shape is approximately elliptical shape which has a long axis in the X-direction. 
     The parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  extend in the Z-direction and apart from each other in the Y-direction. Herein, the upper one of the parallel frames  40   a  has a plurality of pairs of first and second holes  41  and  43  at predetermined positions spaced in the Z-direction and, also, the lower one of the parallel frames  40   b  does. The first and second holes  41  and  43  are positioned spaced from each other in the X-direction. Furthermore, the upper one of parallel frames  40   a  has a plurality of slits  42  extending in the X-direction for receiving and permitting the projections  24  of the plurality of connectors  20   a  to be moved therein in the X-direction and, also, the lower one of parallel frames  40   d  does. Besides, each of the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  has U-shaped rails at both edge in the X-direction thereof, so as to movably hold the slider in the Z-direction, as described later. 
     The opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b  fixedly connect the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  to each other at opposite ends in the Z-direction. In detail, each side block  30   a  and  30   b  has screw holes  31  while each parallel frame  40   a  and  40   b  also has respective screw hole (not shown). Beside that, the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  are fixed to the opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b  with screws  60 . 
     Each of the plurality of partitions  50  has two pair of first and second engaging projections  51  and  52  on opposite side thereof in the Y-direction. The fist and second engaging projections  51  and  52  are engaged with the corresponding first and second holes  41  and  43 , respectively. And, thereby, the partition  50  are fixed to both of the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  to partition a space in the housing  10  into a plurality of rooms arranged in the Z-direction between the opposite side blocks  30   a  and  30   b . Furthermore, each partition  50  has two lances  53  toward different direction from each other. Each lance  53  serves to hold the connector  20   a  in cooperation with the neighbor lance  53  in the Z-direction. 
     On the other hand, the slider member  70   a  of this invention is movably held by the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  and slidable in the Z-direction, as illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     In detail, the illustrated slider member  70   a  has a pair of parallel slider plates  76  and a slider block  72 . The pair of parallel slider plates  76  extend in the Z-direction and apart from each other in the Y-direction. Furthermore, the parallel slider plates  76  are fixedly connected to each other at one end in the Z-direction by the slider block  72 . More specifically, the parallel slider plates  76  are fixed to the slider block  72  with a plurality of screws  73 , as shown in FIG.  6 . Besides, the slider member  70   a  has a drawer  74  projecting from the slider block  72  and extending in the Z-direction. In operation of the drawer  74 , the slider member  70   a  can slide in the Z-direction. 
     More in detail, each of parallel slider plates  76  has a groove  761  and an engaging slot  713 . The groove  761  mainly extends in the Z-direction to receive the projections  24  of the plurality of connectors  20   a  when the housing  10  receives the plurality of connectors  20   a  therein. Besides, the groove  711  has a cam portion  762  for driving the projections  24  in the X-direction when the slider member  70   a  is moved in the Z-direction so as to drive the plurality of connectors  20   a.    
     More specifically, the groove  761  can serve for the first engaging slot of the conventional slider member  70  illustrated in FIG.  2 . The groove  761  is in registry with the first holes  41  of the parallel frames  40   a  and  40   b  and receives therein the first engaging projections  51  projecting through the first holes  41 . Herein, the engaging slot  713  extends in the Z-direction and is for receiving therein the second engaging projections  52  projecting through the second holes  43 . 
     The following explanation will be made about the operation of connection and disconnection of the connector  20   a  with the mating connector  80 , with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 as sectional views along the X-direction, the engagement portion  22  of the connector  20   a  is disconnected to pins of the mating connector  80  and, thereby, the connector  20   a  is separated from the mating connector  80 . That is, the projection  24  and the first engaging projection  51  are all located in the groove  761  and, in particular, relative to the cam portion  762  on an opposite side of the slider block  72 . Further, size of the projection  24  in the X-direction is substantially equal to the width of the groove  76  in the X-direction. 
     Under this condition, if the drawer  74  are operated and, thereby the slider member  70   a  are sliden in the Z-direction, for instance, a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet, the connector driving apparatus of this invention drives the connector  20   a  relative to the mating connector  80  so that the connector  20   a  is engaged with the mating connector  80 , as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     In FIGS. 9 and 10, it should be noted that the projection  24  and the first engaging projection  51  are all located in the groove  761  and, in particular, relative to the cam portion  762  on the same side of the slider block  72 . Also, note that the size of the projection  24  in the X-direction is substantially equal to the width of the groove  76  in the X-direction, as same as the separated condition illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
     As clearly from the above description with FIGS. 7 through 10, in the present invention, the first engaging projection  51  is accommodated within the groove  761  at all time. Needless to say, other first engaging projection  51  not shown also do. In detail, the first engaging projection  51  (also the first hole  41 ) belongs to a range R of the X-direction, where the projection  24  can move, as illustrated in FIG.  11 . 
     Also, the difference D between sizes of the projection  24  and of the first engaging projection  51  in the X-direction on a separated condition is equal to the difference D on an engaged condition, as shown in FIG.  11 . This difference D depends on a minimum length necessary to connect and disconnect the engagement portion  22  of the connector  20   a  with the pins of the mating connector  80 . That is, the difference D may be equal to any value longer than the minimum length but is preferably equal to the minimum length in order to achieve the best small-sized of the connector conventional apparatus. 
     With the above structure, since the groove  76  also serves for the first engaging slot of the conventional slider member, the slider member according to this invention has no engaging slot only for the first engaging projections  51  and, thereby, the connector driving apparatus can be totally small-sized in the X-direction without loss of the strength of the apparatus. 
     This effect according to this invention becomes conspicuous in case that the projection  24  of each connector  20   a  locates in each one of two positions in the X-direction when the plurality of connectors  20  are received in the housing  10 , as illustrated in FIG.  12 . In this event, each of the parallel slider plates  76  has two grooves  761   a  and  761   b  relative to two positions of the projection  24 , respectively. On the other hand, accordingly to this invention, the connector driving apparatus does not require to have the first engaging slot of conventional techniques. Thus, the structure of this apparatus is superior to the known structure of the conventional apparatus. Besides, the tendency goes forward more and more, if the number of the positions arranged in the X-direction increases. 
     Moreover, the groove may have a plurality of the cam portions as illustrated in FIG. 13, in correspondence with the performance of the connectors. For instance, the connector driving apparatus copes with the two groups of the connectors  20   a , as mentioned above with FIG.  4 . It is assumed that each group further divided into a plurality of subgroups and the performance of connectors requires to be independent at every sub-groups. In this case, it is effective to have the plurality of the cam portions in order to move the sub-groups of the connectors  20   a  independently for each other. Herein, the groove mainly extends in the Z-direction and meanders in the X-direction.