Patent Publication Number: US-7909660-B2

Title: Right angle type spring connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a right angle type spring connector having a small number of components and being easy to assemble. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , an example of a structure of a right angle type spring connector in the related art in which a pin is projected and retracted in substantially parallel to a mounting surface to be provided will be described in brief.  FIG. 12  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the example of the structure of the right angle type spring connector in the related art. In  FIG. 12 , a tube  10  formed of a conductive material is firstly opened at the front end portion thereof and closed at the rear end portion thereof, and is provided with a flange-shaped portion  10   a  on an outer peripheral surface on the front side. A spring  12  and a pin  14  formed of a conductive material are inserted into the tube  10  in sequence from the opening side at the front end portion, and a narrowed portion is formed by caulking the opening at the front end portion in a state in which the spring  12  is compressed, and the distal end portion of the pin  14  is projected from the narrowed portion by a resiliently urging force of the spring  12  so as not to come out toward the front. The tube  10  is inserted and press-fitted into a hole  16   a  formed in a holder  16 , which is formed of an insulating material, from the rear side. Then, a connecting member  18  formed of a conductive material which reaches a mounting surface  22  is provided integrally on the front surface of the hole  16   a  of the holder  16 , a through hole  18   a  is formed so as to face the hole  16   a , and an abutting member  20  bent so as to extend along the mounting surface  22  in an L-shape with respect to the connecting member  18 . Then, when the tube  10  is inserted and press-fitted into the hole  16   a , the connecting member  18  is clamped between the front surface of the holder  16  and the flange-shaped portion  10   a , and the tube  10  comes into abutment with the connecting member  18 , whereby being electrically connected. A right angle type spring connecter having a similar structure as the structure in the related art shown in  FIG. 12  is shown in FIG. 13 in JP-A-2003-17173. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the related art shown in  FIG. 12 , the connecting member  18  is clamped between the front surface of the holder  16  and the flange-shaped portion  10   a  provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube  10 , and the tube  10  comes into abutment with and electrically connected with the connecting member  18 . Therefore, when an impact or the like is applied to the tube  10  for any reason, the tube  10  may move in the direction coming out from the hole  16   a  of the holder  16 , and hence electric connection between the connecting member  18  and the tube  10  may be cut off because clamping of the connecting member  18  cannot be maintained. In addition, the components such as the tube  10  in which the pin  14  and the spring  12  are integrated, the holder  16  and the connecting member  18  are required, and hence a large number of components are required. In addition, since the pin  14  and the spring  12  are integrated, a caulking work for forming the narrowed portion at the front end portion of the tube  10  is required, so that the number of manufacturing processes is disadvantageously increased correspondingly. 
     In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a right angle type spring connector which does not require the caulking work, requires a small number of components, and ensures constant electric connection. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to achieve the object described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a right angle type spring connector, comprising:
         a pin, formed of a conductive material;   a tube, formed of a conductive material, and provided with a narrowed portion at a front end portion thereof so as to allow a distal end portion of the pin to project therefrom and prevent the pin from coming out toward the front, the tube provided with an opening at a rear end portion thereof so as to allow insertion of the pin, the tube integrally provided with a connecting portion that extends to a mounting surface, and a mounting surface abutting portion that extends rearward along the mounting surface and that is provided with an engaging portion; and   a holder, formed of an insulating material, and provided with a bottomed hole at a front end surface thereof for allowing insertion of the tube from the rear end side thereof, the bottomed hole into which the tube in a state of having the pin and a spring inserted therein from the opening in sequence is inserted from the rear end side thereof so as to cause the spring to be compressed and resiliently urge the pin toward the front, the holder provided with a locking portion with which the engaging portion engages in a state in which the tube is inserted into the bottomed hole to prevent the tube from coming out from the bottomed hole by engagement between the engaging portion and the locking portion.       

     An inner hole of the tube in which the pin and the spring are inserted may be formed so as to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface. 
     An inner hole of the tube in which the pin and the spring are inserted may be formed so as to be shifted in the lateral direction with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube in a plane parallel to the mounting surface. 
     A plurality of the tubes may be formed integrally with the connecting portion. 
     Inner holes of the plurality of tubes in which the pins and the springs are inserted may be formed so as to be different from each other in height from the mounting surface. 
     Inner holes of the two tubes in which the pins and the springs are inserted may be formed to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface and be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions or wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes. 
     Inner holes of the two tubes in which the pins and the springs are inserted may be formed to be shifted in the lateral direction in a plane extending in parallel with the mounting surface and be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions or wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes. 
     The mounting surface abutting portion may be configured to be electrically connected to a terminal provided on the mounting surface. 
     In order to achieve the object, according to the present invention, there is also provided a spring connector, comprising:
         a conductive pin;   a conductive tube, one end of which is provided with a first opening having a first diameter larger than a diameter of the pin, the other end of which is provided with a second opening having a second diameter smaller than the diameter of the pin from which a distal end of the pin is projected, the tube monolithically provided with a connecting member to be connected to a terminal, the connecting member provided with an engaging portion; and   a holder, adapted to hold the tube, and provided with a locking portion with which the engaging portion engages.       

     A central axis of the first opening and a central axis of the second opening may be offset with each other. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the connecting portion which extends to the mounting surface and the mounting surface abutting portion extending rearward along the mounting surface provided on the tube formed of the conductive material are formed integrally, electric connection between the mounting surface abutting portion electrically connected to the terminal provided on the mounting surface and the tube is not cut off. In addition, since the connecting portion and the mounting surface abutting portion are formed integrally with the tube, the number of components is small. Since the tube in a state of having the pin and the spring inserted in sequence is inserted into the bottomed hole of the holder, and the engaging portion provided on the mounting surface abutting portion which is formed integrally with the tube and the locking portion formed on the holder are engaged so as to hold the spring in the compressed state and prevent the tube from coming out from the bottomed hole, the caulking work which is required in the related art is not necessary. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the inner hole of the tube is formed so as to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface, or shifted in the lateral direction with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube in the plane parallel to the mounting surface, while the object abutting portion of the pin is pressed by the connected object and hence is retracted, the abutting position of the object abutting portion of the pin with respect to the connected object is shifted, and hence a cleaning effect is obtained. Therefore, reliable electric connection is achieved. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the plurality of tubes are formed integrally with one connecting portion, a plurality of electric paths are formed by bringing a plurality of the pins into abutment with the connected object, and hence positive and reliable electric conduction is achieved. It is also possible to bring the respective pins into abutment with a plurality of different connected objects to electrically connect the plurality of connected objects. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the inner holes of the plurality of tubes in which the pins and the springs are inserted are formed so as to be different in height from the mounting surface, a plurality of electric paths are formed at positions different in height by bringing the plurality of pins into abutment with positions of the connected object different in height, and hence the positive and reliable electric conduction is achieved. It is also possible to bring the respective pins into abutment with the plurality of connected objects different in height from the mounting surface to electrically connect the plurality of connected objects. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the inner holes of the two tubes are formed so as to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface and be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions or wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube, or formed so as to be shifted in the lateral direction in the plane extending in parallel to the mounting surface and be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions or wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube, while the object abutting portion of the pin is pressed by the connected object and hence is retracted, the abutting position of the object abutting portion of the pin with respect to the connected object is shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained. Also, by bringing the two pins into abutment with the connected object, the two electric paths are formed. Therefore, the reliable electric connection is achieved. With the configuration in which the inner holes are arranged with the front end portions narrower than between the rear end portions, the object abutting portions of the two pins may be abutted to the connected object having a small surface area. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, since the mounting surface abutting portion which is integral with the tube is electrically connected to the terminal provided on the mounting surface, the electric connection of the tube with respect to the terminal on the mounting surface is ensured. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a first embodiment of a right angle type spring connector of the present invention, in which  FIG. 1A  is a vertical cross-sectional view and  FIG. 1B  is an appearance perspective view. 
         FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C and  2 D illustrate a member including a tube, a connecting portion and a mounting surface abutting portion integrated with each other in  FIG. 1 , in which  FIG. 2A  is a side view,  FIG. 2B  is a front view,  FIG. 2C  is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2D  is an appearance perspective view. 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D illustrate a holder in  FIG. 1 , in which  FIG. 3A  is a front view,  FIG. 3B  is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG. 3A , FIG.  3 C is an appearance perspective view, and  FIG. 3D  is a perspective view broken in vertical direction. 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a tube used in a first modification of the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a tube used in a second modification of the first embodiment, in which  FIG. 5A  is a front view of the front end portion and  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a second embodiment of the right angle type spring connector according to the present invention, in which  FIG. 6A  is an appearance perspective view of a tube or the like used in the second embodiment and  FIG. 6B  is an appearance perspective view of the entire portion. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a tube used in a first modification of the second embodiment, in which  FIG. 7A  is an appearance perspective view of the tube and  FIG. 7B  is a front view of the front end portion. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a tube used in a second modification of the second embodiment, in which  FIG. 8A  is a front view of the front end portion and  FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in  FIG. 8A . 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate tubes used in a third modification of the second embodiment, in which  FIG. 9A  is a front view of the front end portion and  FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in  FIG. 9A . 
         FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C illustrate tubes used in a fourth modification of the second embodiment, in which  FIG. 10A  is a front view of the front end portion,  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in  FIG. 10A , and  FIG. 10C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C illustrate tubes used in a fifth modification of the second embodiment, in which  FIG. 11A  is a front view of the front end portion,  FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in  FIG. 11A , and  FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I in  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a vertical cross-sectional view of an example of a structure of the right angle type spring connector in the related art. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 3D , a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
     In the first embodiment of the right angle type spring connector according to the present invention, a tube  30  formed of a conductive material is formed with a narrowed portion  30   a  at the front end portion of an inner hole thereof and an opening  30   b  at the rear end portion thereof. A connecting portion  32  is formed integrally from the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion to a mounting surface  22 , and a mounting surface abutting portion  34  bent into an L-shape toward the rear so as to extend along the mounting surface  22  is integrally (monolithically) formed with the connecting portion  32 , and an engaging portion  36  is formed at the free end of the mounting surface abutting portion  34 . The tube  30 , the connecting portion  32 , the mounting surface abutting portion  34  and the engaging portion  36  are formed integrally with each other by, for example, a metal injection mold manufacturing method with a conductive material. A holder  38  formed of an insulating material is formed with a bottomed hole  38   a  from the front surface. A space  38   b  is provided for receiving the engaging portion  36  so that the tube  30  is inserted and press-fitted into the bottomed hole  38   a  from the rear side, and a locking portion  38   c  is provided in the space  38   b  so as to prevent the tube  30  from coming out toward the front by the engagement of the engaging portion  36  of the mounting surface abutting portion  34  in this inserted state. In a state in which a pin  14  and a spring  12  are inserted in sequence into the inner hole of the tube  30  from the opening  30   b  at the rear end portion, the tube  30  is inserted and press-fitted into the bottomed hole  38   a  of the holder  38  from the rear side. Then, the engaging portion  36  of the mounting surface abutting portion  34  engages the locking portion  38   c  of the holder  38 , and the tube  30  is prevented from coming out toward the front from the bottomed hole  38   a  of the holder  38 . The spring  12  here is compressed between the bottom portion of the bottomed hole  38   a  and the pin  14 , and is set to resiliently urge the pin  14  toward the front. The tube  30  is formed with an inner hole for inserting the pin  14  and the spring  12  so as to extend in parallel with the mounting surface  22 , and the outer peripheral surface of the tube  30  is formed to be coaxial with the inner hole. Then, the bottomed hole  38   a  of the holder  38  is formed so as to extend in parallel with the mounting surface  22 . Therefore, the pin  14  is able to project and retract in the fore-and-aft direction of the tube  30  in parallel with the mounting surface  22 . A diameter of the opening  30   b  at the rear end portion the tube  30  is larger than a diameter of the pin  14 . A diameter of an opening of the narrowed portion  30   a  at the front end portion of the tube  30  is smaller than the diameter of the pin  14 . 
     In the right angle type spring connector in the present invention configured as described above, since the connecting portion  32  which extends to the mounting surface  22  provided on the tube  30  formed of a conductive material and the mounting surface abutting portion  34  extending along the mounting surface  22  toward the rear are integrally provided, the mounting surface abutting portion  34  is fixed to a terminal (not shown) provided on the mounting surface  22  by soldering or the like and electrically connected thereto, even when an unexpected impact force or the like is applied to the tube  30 , electric connection between the tube  30  and the terminal is not cut off, and the resistance value therebetween may be reduced to a value smaller than the device in the related art which has a contact surface in the way of the electric path. In addition, the connecting portion  32  and the mounting surface abutting portion  34  are integrally formed with the tube  30 , and hence the number of components is small. Sine the tube  30  including the pin  14  and the spring  12  inserted in sequence is inserted into the bottomed hole  38   a  of the holder  38  and the engaging portion  36  provided on the mounting surface abutting portion  34  which is integral with the tube  30  is engaged with the locking portion  38   c  provided on the holder  38  so that the tube  30  is prevented from coming out toward the front from the bottomed hole  38   a  in a state in which the spring  12  is compressed, a caulking work which is required in the related art is not necessary. Therefore, an operating process is simple, and hence the right angle type spring connector is suitable for mass production. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a first modification of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the first modification, the inner hole of the tube  30  in which the pin  14  and the spring  12  are inserted is formed in such a manner that the front end portion is inclined downward with respect to the mounting surface  22 . What is essential is that the inner hole is inclined with respect to the tube  30  in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface  22 . While the object abutting portion of the pin  14  is pressed by a connected object and hence is retracted, the abutting position of the object abutting portion of the pin  14  with respect to the connected object is shifted, and hence a cleaning effect is obtained and the electric connection is ensured. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a second modification of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the second modification, the inner hole in which the pin  14  and the spring  12  are inserted is formed so as to be shifted in the lateral direction with respect to the tube  30  in the fore-and-aft direction of the tube  30  in a plane parallel to the mounting surface  22 . It is also possible to form the inner hole so as to be shifted with respect to the tube  30  in either lateral directions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube  30  in the plane parallel to the mounting surface  22 . In the same manner as the first modification, while the object abutting portion of the pin  14  is pressed by the connected object and hence is retracted, the abutting position of the object abutting portion of the pin  14  with respect to the connected object is shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained and the electric connection is ensured. The invention is not limited to the first modification and the second modification of the first embodiment, it is also possible to form the inner hole in which the pin  14  and the spring  12  are inserted so as to be inclined with respect to the tube  30  in either vertical directions and shifted with respect to the tube  30  in either lateral directions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tube  30  in the plane parallel to the mounting surface  22 . 
     In the first and second modifications of the first embodiment, a central axis of the opening of the narrowed portion  30   a  of the tube  30  and a central axis of the opening  30   b  of the tube  30  may be offset from each other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the same or the equivalent members as those in  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 3D  are designated by the same reference numerals and overlapped description will be omitted. 
     In the second embodiment, two tubes  30  are integrally provided in a parallel juxtaposed manner, and one each of the connecting portion  32 , the mounting surface abutting portion  34  and the engaging portion  36  are provided for these two tubes  30  and formed integrally by a metal injection mold manufacturing method or the like. A holder  40  formed of an insulating material is provided with bottomed holes in which the integral part including the two tubes  30  can be inserted and press-fitted as needed. In the tubes  30 , the pins  14  and the springs  12  are integrated respectively as in the first embodiment as a matter of course. Then, in  FIG. 6B , the integral part including the two tubes  30  and a part including one tube  30  are inserted and press-fitted respectively into the holder  40 . The two tubes  30  are provided in parallel at the same height from the mounting surface  22  and inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted are formed so as to extend in parallel to the mounting surface  22 , and the outer peripheral surface of the tubes  30  are formed coaxially with the inner holes. The bottomed holes  38   a  of the holder  38  are also formed in parallel to the mounting surface  22 . Therefore, the pins  14  are able to project and retract in the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes  30  in parallel to the mounting surface  22 . 
     In the part in which the two tubes  30  are integrated, in order to form a single electric path, the two pins  14  come into abutment with a single connected object respectively to form a parallel circuit. Therefore, even when one of the pins  14  cannot establish the electric contact from any reason such as attachment of dust or the like, conduction in the electric path is achieved as long as the other pin  14  can establish a normal electric contact, so that the reliable electric path is achieved. In the second embodiment, the respective pins  14  may be brought into contact with two different connected objects so that the two connected objects are electrically connected to each other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a first modification of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in the first modification, the two tubes  30  are formed with inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted are formed at different heights h 1  and h 2  from the mounting surface  22 . By bringing the two pins  14  into abutment with positions at different height of the connected object, two electric paths are formed at the different heights, and hence further positive and reliable electric conduction is achieved. It is also possible to bring the respective pins  14  into abutment with the two connected objects at the different heights from the mounting surface  22  to electrically connect the two connected objects. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , a second modification of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , in the second modification, the two tubes  30  are formed with inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted so as to be shifted in the lateral direction with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes  30  in a plane at the same height from and parallel to the mounting surface  22  to be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions. While the object abutting portions of the pins  14  are pressed by the connected object and hence are retracted, the abutting positions of the object abutting portions of the pins  14  with respect to the connected object are shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained, and by bringing the two pins  14  into abutment with the connected object, two electric paths are formed so that the reliable electric connection is achieved. Furthermore, the inner holes are arranged so as to be narrower at the front end portions than the rear end portions, the object abutting portions of the two pins  14  may be brought into abutment with the connected object having a small surface area. 
     In addition, referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a third modification of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , in the third modification, the two tubes  30  are formed with inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted so as to be shifted in the lateral direction with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes  30  in a plane at the same height from and parallel to the mounting surface  22  to be wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions. In the same manner as the second modification, while the object abutting portions of the pins  14  are pressed by the connected object and hence are retracted, the abutting positions of the object abutting portions of the pins  14  with respect to the connected object are shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained, and by bringing the two pins  14  into abutment with the connected object, two electric paths are formed so that the reliable electric connection is achieved. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C, a fourth modification of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIG. 10A to 10C , in the fourth modification, the two tubes  30  are formed with inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted so as to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface  22  and be wider between the front end portions and narrower between the rear end portions in side view. In the same manner as the second and third modifications, while the object abutting portions of the pins  14  are pressed by the connected object and hence are retracted, the abutting positions of the object abutting portions of the pins  14  with respect to the connected object are shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained, and by brining the two pins  14  into abutment with the connected object, two electric paths are formed so that the reliable electric connection is achieved. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C, a fifth modification of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 11A to 11C , in the fifth modification, the two tubes  30  are formed with inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted so as to be inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the mounting surface  22  and be narrower between the front end portions and wider between the rear end portions in side view. In the same manner as the second and fourth modifications, while the object abutting portions of the pins  14  are pressed by the connected object and hence are retracted, the abutting positions of the object abutting portions of the pins  14  with respect to the connected object are shifted, and hence the cleaning effect is obtained, and by brining the two pins  14  into abutment with the connected object, two electric paths are formed so that the reliable electric connection is obtained. The invention is not limited to the second to fifth modifications of the second embodiment, it is also possible to form the inner holes in which the pins  14  and the springs  12  are inserted so as to be inclined with respect to the tubes  30  in either vertical directions and shifted in either lateral directions with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the tubes  30 . The vertical inclination and the lateral shifting of the inner holes of the tubes  30  may be in the same direction. 
     Either in the first embodiment and in the second embodiment, the shapes of the engaging portion  36  and the locking portion  38   c  are not limited thereto and may be any shapes as long as the tube  30  is prevented from coming out toward the front from the holders  38 ,  40  in the inserted state. In the second embodiment, the part including the two tubes  30  integrated with each other is exemplified, a part including three or more tubes  30  integrated with each other depending on the reliability of the electric path or the current-carrying capacity may also be employed. Furthermore, the bottom portion of the bottomed hole  38   a  provided in the holder  38  is of any form as long as the spring  12  is compressed without projecting rearward, and a small through hole which does not allow the spring  12  to project therefrom is also applicable. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention is applicable to a right angle type spring connector.