Patent Publication Number: US-9887502-B2

Title: Connector structure, jack, plug, and electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation based on PCT Application No. PCT/JP2016/055585 filed on Feb. 25, 2016, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2015-034642, filed on Feb. 25, 2015. PCT Application No. PCT/JP2016/055585 is entitled “Connector Structure, Jack, Plug, and Electronic Device”, and Japanese Application No. 2015-034642 is entitled “Connector Assembly Structure, Jack Module, Plug Module, and Electronic Device.” The content of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a connector structure, a jack, a plug, and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a connector including a plug and a jack. 
     SUMMARY 
     A connector structure based on the present disclosure includes a jack including a receiver, and a plug connectable to the jack. The jack includes a wall located around the receiver and defining a receiving region configured to receive a locking portion. The plug includes a plug body to be inserted into the receiver along a first axis, a plug holder configured to hold the plug body, and the locking portion including a portion projecting from the plug holder at least laterally, at least a part of the locking portion being inserted into the receiving region. The receiving region includes a first region where at least a part of the locking portion is configured to enter and exit by a movement of the locking portion along the first axis, and a second region where at least a part of the locking portion is configured to enter when the locking portion is rotated about the first axis with at least the part of the locking portion being inserted into the first region. The second region is covered by the wall when the receiver is seen from the front. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged plan view of and around a cap of a jack included in a connector structure according to a second embodiment based on the present disclosure, with the cap being closed. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the jack included in the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged plan view of and around an opening of the jack included in the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure, with the cap being opened. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory drawing of a first stage of an operation of connecting the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory drawing of a second stage of the operation of connecting the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory drawing of a third stage of the operation of connecting the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a plug according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a conceptual view of an electronic device according to a third embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a conceptual view of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment based on the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     (First Embodiment) 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device according to a first embodiment based on the present disclosure will be described. An electronic device  501  includes a housing  1  and a cap  2 . Electronic device  501  includes a jack  101  which will be described later. Jack  101  is located in housing  1 . Although the shape of jack  101  is schematically indicated as a rectangular parallelepiped by the broken line, the actual shape and size of jack  101  are not limited to this. Jack  101  may have a size that occupies the most part of housing  1 . 
     Since electronic device  501  according to the first embodiment includes jack  101 , a plug can be less likely to be fallen out even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. The details of jack  101  will be described later. 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 9 , a connector structure according to a second embodiment based on the present disclosure will be described. The connector structure includes a jack and a plug. The structure of the jack will be described first. As shown in  FIG. 1 , jack  101  is located in electronic device  501 .  FIG. 2  shows cap  2  shown in  FIG. 1  and its neighborhood in an enlarged scale.  FIG. 2  shows cap  2  as seen from the front side. The shape of cap  2  shown here is merely an example, and is not limited to such a shape.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of jack  101  with cap  2  being closed. The presence of cap  2  itself is not indispensable for jack  101 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a jack body  3  including a receiver  4  is located in cap  2 . A wall  7  is located around jack body  3 . Jack  101  includes wall  7 . Wall  7  includes portions  7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c . Wall  7  defines a receiving region  10  surrounded by portions  7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c . Receiving region  10  is intended for receiving a locking portion. Receiving region  10  is located on the outer side of portion  7   a  as seen from jack body  3 . Portions  7   a  and  7   b  are made of a waterproof material. Jack body  3  is in contact with portion  7   b  of wall  7  with a packing  5  located therebetween. Cap  2  is in contact with portion  7   b  with a packing  6  located therebetween. Packing  6  seals a gap between jack body  3  and portion  7   b  such that water does not pass therethrough. Electrodes  9   a  and  9   b  are exposed at the inner surface of receiver  4  of jack body  3 . 
     The outer surface of jack  101  is divided into a waterproof region and a non-waterproof region. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the waterproof region and the non-waterproof region are separated by jack body  3 , packing  5  and wall  7 . For example, the upper surface of portion  7   b  of wall  7  in  FIG. 3  is included in the non-waterproof region. The inner surface of receiver  4  of jack body  3  is included in the non-waterproof region. The outer surface of jack body  3  located above packing  5  is included in the non-waterproof region. The lower surface of portion  7   b  is included in the waterproof region. The outer surface of jack body  3  located below packing  5  is included in the waterproof region. 
     Portion  7   a  projects like a wall. Portion  7   a  may be annular, but may not be perfectly annular. 
     Electrodes  8   a  and  8   b  are located in the waterproof region. Electrode  8   a  is electrically connected to electrode  9   a . Electrode  8   b  is electrically connected to electrode  9   b . In  FIG. 3 , the shape of electrodes  8   a ,  8   b ,  9   a , and  9   b  is shown schematically, and their actual shape and positional relation are not limited as such. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a state with cap  2  being opened. Cap  2  in the opened state may be removed completely or may remain connected to housing  1  with any component. Cap  2  is not illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this state, an opening  11  is visible since cap  2  has been removed. The shape of opening  11  conforms to the shape of cap  2 . The shape of opening  11  may be asymmetric in this manner. The shape of opening  11  shown here is merely an example, and is not limited to such a shape. The shape of opening  11  may differ greatly from the shape of cap  2 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , jack body  3  is visible within opening  11 . Receiver  4  in the opened state is visible at the center of jack body  3 . Portion  7   a  is visible in a manner surrounding jack body  3 . Portion  7   c  is visible at one end of opening  11 . Portion  7   c  is visible at a position closer to this side than portion  7   b . In  FIG. 4 , first region  81  and second region  82  are indicated by the thin lines. First region  81  refers to a region located closer to this side than portion  7   b  and is directly visible. Second region  82  refers to a region located closer to this side than portion  7   b  and hidden by portion  7   c.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , an operation of connecting the connector structure according to the second embodiment based on the present disclosure will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a plug  201  enters jack  101  as indicated by an arrow  91 , The center line of plug  201  is a first axis  93 . Arrow  91  is in parallel to first axis  93 . A plug body  51  is located at the tip of plug  201  so as to project in a direction parallel to first axis  93 . Plug body  51  is held by a plug holder  52 . Plug holder  52  is also a part of plug  201 . At least a part of plug body  51  is made of a conductor. Plug holder  52  is mainly made of an insulator. Plug  201  includes a locking portion  53  projecting laterally from plug holder  52 . Locking portion  53  advances toward first region  81 . Since first region  81  is exposed directly without being covered by portion  7   c , the tip of locking portion  53  can arrive at first region  81  by moving along first axis  93 .  FIG. 6  shows that plug  201  has completed entrance in the direction of arrow  91 . The tip of locking portion  53  has already been fitted within first region  81 . At this time, the tip of locking portion  53  is visible. In this state, insertion has been completed, but the connector is in an unlocked state. 
     Plug  201  is then rotated in the direction of arrow  92  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Arrow  92  indicates the rotation about first axis  93 . The rotation angle may be 50°, for example. Since plug  201  is rotated while remaining inserted in jack  101 , locking portion  53  is moved rotationally about first axis  93 . With the rotational movement of locking portion  53 , the tip of locking portion  53  has entered the back side of portion  7   c  of wall  7 . In this state, the locking of the connector has been completed.  FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of this state.  FIG. 8  shows a section taken in a different direction from  FIG. 3 . In the state shown in  FIG. 8 , portion  7   a  of wall  7  is located so as to surround plug holder  52 . Locking portion  53  has reached the outer side of portion  7   a  over portion  7   a.    
       FIG. 9  shows plug  201  as taken out independently. Plug  201  includes plug body  51 , plug holder  52  and locking portion  53 . 
     Since locking can be achieved using locking portion  53  in the connector structure according to the second embodiment, the plug can be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     (Third Embodiment) 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an electronic device according to a third embodiment based on the present disclosure will be described. An electronic device  502  includes any of plugs  201  based on the present disclosure. Plug  201  includes plug body  51 , plug holder  52  and locking portion  53 . The details of plug  201  will be described later. 
     Since electronic device  502  according to the third embodiment includes plug  201 , the plug can be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     (Fourth Embodiment) 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment based on the present disclosure will be described. An electronic device  503  includes electronic device  501  and electronic device  502 . Electronic device  503  includes any of connector structures  301  based on the present disclosure. Connector structure  301  includes jack  101  and plug  201 . Electronic device  501  includes jack  101 . Opening  11  of jack  101  is located in the outer surface of electronic device  501 . The details of connector structure  301  will be described later. 
     Since electronic device  503  according to the fourth embodiment includes connector structure  301 , the plug is less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     Although electronic devices  501 ,  502  included in electronic device  503  are each shown as having a box-like shape in  FIG. 11 , this is merely a schematic illustration. Actually, the shape of electronic devices  501 ,  502  is not limited to this. Electronic devices  501 ,  502  may be in various forms depending on their applications. 
     The disclosure in the above-described embodiments will be summarized now for clarification. Some description about structural variations will also be added. 
     (Connector Structure) 
     Connector structure  301  includes jack  101  including receiver  4  and plug  201  connectable to jack  101 . Jack  101  includes wall  7  located around receiver  4 . Wall  7  defines receiving region  10  for receiving a locking portion. Plug  201  includes plug body  51  to be inserted into receiver  4  along first axis  93 , plug holder  52  holding plug body  51 , and locking portion  53  including a portion projecting from plug holder  52  at least laterally, at least a part of locking portion  53  being inserted into receiving region  10 . 
     Receiving region  10  includes first region  81  where at least a part of locking portion  53  can enter and exit by the movement of locking portion  53  along first axis  93 , and second region  82  where at least a part of locking portion  53  can enter when locking portion  53  is rotated about first axis  93  with at least the part of locking portion  53  being inserted into first region  81 . 
     When receiver  4  is seen from the front, second region  82  is covered by wall  7 . In more detail, second region  82  is covered by portion  7   c  which is a part of wall  7 . 
     By employing this structure, the locking of connector structure  301  can be achieved using locking portion  53 , and the plug can be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     In connector structure  301 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , locking portion  53  may include a first portion  61  projecting laterally from plug holder  52 , a second portion  62  extending from first portion  61  along first axis  93 , and a third portion  63  extending laterally from an end of second portion  62  opposite to first portion  61 . By employing this structure, even if there is a wall-like projection between jack body  3  and receiving region  10 , it is possible to cause third portion  63  to reach receiving region  10  beyond the projection. 
     When a force which is smaller than or equal to a predetermined reference value is applied in a direction that plug  201  is pulled away from jack  101  with at least a part of locking portion  53  being located in second region  82 , wall  7  covering second region  82  comes into contact with at least the part of locking portion  53  to make plug  201  unlikely to be pulled out from jack  101 . If the force exceeds the reference value, locking portion  53  may be able to be removed from receiving region  10  by elastic deformation of at least one of locking portion  53  and wall  7 . By employing this structure, locking portion  53  can be less likely to be damaged. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , jack  101  included in connector structure  301  may include cap  2  capable of at least closing receiver  4  when plug  201  is not connected thereto. By employing this structure, jack body  3  can be protected. By closing opening  11  with cap  2  when jack  101  is not connected with plug  201 , the likelihood that foreign substances will enter receiver  4  can be reduced. 
     As described in the second embodiment, in connector structure  301 , the outer surface of jack  101  is divided into the waterproof region and the non-waterproof region, and receiver  4  and receiving region  10  may be exposed in the non-waterproof region. When the outer surface of jack  101  is divided into the waterproof region and the non-waterproof region in this way, the plug can be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted, while maintaining waterproofness of the waterproof region. 
     As described in the second embodiment, connector structure  301  may include electrodes  8   a  and  8   b  within jack  101 , and an electric connection may be made between electrodes  8   a ,  8   b  and at least a part of the inner surface of receiver  4 . By employing this structure, an electric connection using electrodes between the surface of the plug inserted in receiver  4  and the inside of jack  101  can be achieved reliably. “At least a part of the inner surface of receiver  4 ” refers to electrodes  9   a  and  9   b , for example. 
     (Jack) 
     Jack  101  is jack  101  including receiver  4 , and includes wall  7  around receiver  4 . Wall  7  defines receiving region  10 . Receiving region  10  is intended for receiving a locking portion. Receiving region  10  includes first region  81  where at least a part of locking portion  53  can enter and exit by the movement of locking portion  53  along first axis  93 , and second region  82  where at least a part of locking portion  53  can enter when locking portion  53  is rotated about first axis  93  with at least the part of locking portion  53  being inserted into first region  81 . When receiver  4  is seen from the front, second region  82  is covered by wall  7 . By employing this structure, the locking can be achieved in jack  101  using locking portion  53  located on the plug  201  side, and the plug is less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     Jack  101  described above may include cap  2  capable of at least closing receiver  4  when plug  201  is not connected thereto. By employing this structure, jack body  3  can be protected. By closing opening  11  with cap  2  when jack  101  is not connected with plug  201 , the likelihood that foreign substances will enter receiver  4  can be reduced. 
     Cap  2  may include packing  6 , and may be configured such that packing  6  is pressed against a part of wall  7  with cap  2  being closed. By employing this structure, the likelihood that foreign substances will enter receiver  4  through a gap around cap  2  while cap  2  is closed can be reduced. “A part of wall  7 ” refers to portion  7   a , for example. In the example shown here, cap  2  includes a cylindrical portion on the back surface, and packing  6  is an annular component and is located so as to surround this cylindrical portion. Portion  7   a , which is a part of wall  7 , is a wall-like portion located so as to surround the cylindrical portion of the back surface of cap  2  with cap  2  being closed. With cap  2  being closed, portion  7   a  and cap  2  are in contact with each other with packing  6  located therebetween. Packing  6  may be waterproof Packing  6  may be resistant to dust. 
     As described in the second embodiment, the outer surface of jack  101  is divided into the waterproof region and the non-waterproof region, and receiver  4  and receiving region  10  may be exposed in the non-waterproof region. When the outer surface of jack  101  is divided into the waterproof region and the non-waterproof region in this way, the plug can be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted, while maintaining waterproofness of the waterproof region. 
     As described in the second embodiment, jack  101  may include electrodes  8   a  and  8   b  therein, and an electric connection may be made between electrodes  8   a ,  8   b  and at least a part of the inner surface of receiver  4 . By employing this structure, an electric connection can be achieved reliably using the electrodes between the surface of the plug inserted in receiver  4  and the inside of jack  101 . “At least a part of the inner surface of receiver  4 ” refers to electrodes  9   a  and  9   b , for example. 
     (Plug) 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , plug  201  is plug  201  connectable to jack  101 , and includes plug body  51  to be inserted into receiver  4  located in jack  101  along first axis  93 , plug holder  52  holding plug body  51 , and locking portion  53  including a portion projecting from plug holder  52  at least laterally, at least a part of locking portion  53  being inserted into receiving region  10  located in jack  101 . By employing this structure, plug  201  can be locked after being connected to jack  101 , and the plug can thus be less likely to fall out from the jack even when an excessive tensile force is exerted. 
     In plug  201  described above, locking portion  53  may include first portion  61  projecting laterally from plug holder  52 , second portion  62  extending from first portion  61  along first axis  93 , and third portion  63  extending laterally from an end of second portion  62  opposite to first portion  61 . By employing this structure, even if there is a wall-like projection between jack body  3  and receiving region  10 , it is possible to cause third portion  63  to reach receiving region  10  beyond the projection. 
     Each of the above-described embodiments shows an example where one plug includes only one locking portion, but one plug may include a plurality of locking portions. 
     The shape of the locking portion shown in each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example, and is not a limitation. Other locking portions of various shapes are conceivable. The same applies to the shape of the wall. 
     Some of the above-described embodiments combined as appropriate may be adopted. 
     The term “electronic device” as used herein has a broad concept including, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a game machine, a television set, a portable music player, a CD (Compact Disc) player, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, an electronic dictionary, a digital book reader, a digital camera, a video camera, a radio set, a car navigation system, and the like. A smartphone is included in the concept of a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present disclosure being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.