Abstract:
A shuttered connector including a fitting part that receivee a mating connector including an insertion part having a slanted surface, an insulator, at least one shutter that is rotatably supported by and fixed on the insulator, and helical springs that continuously urge the shutter in the closing direction. The shutter is selectively closed state when the shutter covers the fitting part and in an opened state when the mating connector is capable of being fitted with the shuttered connector. The mating connector includes insertion parts. The shutter further includes a guide units having an inclined surface, the shutter being rotated to open outward, with the including surface being pushed by slanted surface when the fitting part receives the mating connector so that the shutter connector is capable of fitting the mating connector.

Description:
The present application claims priority to prior Japanese application JP 2002-230335, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a shuttered connector, the shuttered connector having at least one shutter or at least one door at a fitting part which fits with a mating connector. 
   Contact portions or contacts for electrical connection in interface connectors are used for commonly used apparatuses including electric circuits, and are exposed to the surrounding environment. Thus, materials, such as dust and dirt, may adhere to the contact portions and such materials have electrical influence on the contact portions. Also, a coin and the like may enter the contact portions and such objects are likely to physically damage the contact portions. 
   Caps called dust caps are mainly used in conventional technologies in order to prevent dust, dirt, and the like from entering the contact portions and to prevent the resulting damage to the contact portions. 
   Since, however, the dust caps must be used when connectors are disconnected and the dust caps must be removed for connection, the use of the dust caps causes trouble and inconvenience. 
   Therefore, it is also suggested that at least one shutter is provided at a connector fitting part of a casing. 
   Descriptions will be made as regards a connector system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-8010 (hereinafter, referred to as conventional technology 1). 
   The connector system includes a pair of connectors composed of a main unit side connector provided in an electronic apparatus main unit and a connecting side connector. The connector system is used for connection to transmit signals between electronic apparatuses. An exterior case of the electronic apparatus main unit has an opening for receiving the connecting side connector. Dustproof shutters are provided at the opening and the shutters are opened and closed perpendicular to the insertion direction of the connecting side connector. The connecting side connector has guide members for fitting with the main unit side connector. The guide members and the shutters have tapered parts. The tapered parts slide and contact each other and thus produce thrust to make the shutters move in the corresponding opening directions when the connecting side connector is inserted into the opening of the electronic apparatus main unit. 
   Next, descriptions will be made as regards an electric connector disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Registration Application Publication No. 6-54260(hereinafter, referred to as conventional technology 2). The electric connector includes a mold base and a shielding case that covers the mold base. The front end of the mold base has an insertion opening, and the front end of a socket type mating connector is fitted into the insertion opening. Also, contacting members are arranged so as to face into the insertion opening. Shutters for opening and closing the insertion opening are made of conductive materials and are connected to the front end of the shielding case with hinges. Helical torsion springs are provided at the front end of the shielding case so as to continuously urge the shutters in the corresponding closing directions. Accordingly, the shutters and the shielding case are electrically connected to each other. 
   In conventional technologies 1 and 2, however, precise adjustment of the positional relationship between the shutters and the mating connector is impossible at the stage of apparatus assembling. Thus, a long fitting stroke is needed to allow for adjustment. In this event, the size of the connectors is increased. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shuttered connector that saves a user from inconvenience of putting on and removing a cap and that prevents the user from forgetting to close a shutter by automatically opening and closing the shutter when fitting. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a shuttered connector that reduces the size of connectors by increasing the accuracy of the positional relationship between a mating connector and a shutter. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shuttered connector that simplifies apparatus assembling after delivery by modularizing parts. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a shuttered connector which includes a fitting part that receives a mating connector, an insulator, at least one shutter, and elastic members (for example, helical springs). The shutter is rotatably supported by and fixed on the insulator. The shutter moves between a closed position at which the shutter covers the fitting part and an opened position at which the mating connector is capable of being fitted with the shuttered connector. The elastic members continuously urge the shutter in the closing direction. The shutter includes guide units and the mating connector includes insertion parts. The insertion parts and the guide units cooperate to rotate the shutter in order to open the shutter so that the mating connector is capable of being fitted with the shuttered connector. 
   In the present invention, it is preferable that the shutter include one shutter plate. The shutter plate may open in the direction orthogonal to the fitting direction of the mating connector. 
   Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that two shutters include corresponding shutter plates. The shutter plates may open upward and downward, and may close by butting the ends of the shutter plates together. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of an electronic apparatus connector system according to conventional technology  1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of an electric connector according to conventional technology  2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a state in which the electric connector shown in  FIG. 2  is fitted with a mating connector; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the appearance of an entire shuttered connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention when a shutter is closed; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIG. 4  when the shutter is opened; 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and a mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows a state before fitting of the shuttered connector and the mating connector; 
       FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows a state in which the mating connector is fitted with the shuttered connector; 
       FIG. 7A  is a sectional view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows the state before fitting of the shuttered connector and the mating connector; 
       FIG. 7B  is a sectional view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows the state in which the mating connector is fitted with the shuttered connector; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the appearance of an entire shuttered connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention when shutters are closed; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIG. 8  when the shutters are opened; 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and a mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows a state before fitting of the shuttered connector and the mating connector; 
       FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows a state in which the mating connector is fitted with the shuttered connector; 
       FIG. 11A  is a sectional view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows the state before fitting of the shuttered connector and the mating connector; 
       FIG. 11B  is a sectional view of the shuttered connector shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  and the mating connector for explaining the fitting operation and shows the state in which the mating connector is fitted with the shuttered connector; and 
       FIG. 12  is an illustration showing a shuttered connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In order to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, electric connectors according to conventional technologies will be described before explaining the embodiments of the present invention with reference to  FIGS. 1  to  3 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a connector system  15  according to conventional technology  1  includes a pair of connectors composed of a main unit side connector  19  provided in an electronic apparatus main unit  17  and a connecting side connector  21 . The connector system  15  is used for connection to transmit signals between electronic apparatuses. An exterior case  23  of the electronic apparatus main unit  17  has an opening  25  for receiving the connecting side connector  21 . Dustproof shutters  27  and  29  are provided at the opening  25  and the shutters  27  and  29  are opened and closed perpendicular to the insertion direction of the connecting side connector  21 . The connecting side connector  21  has guide members  31  for fitting with the main unit side connector  19 . The guide members  31  and the shutters  27  have tapered parts  33  and  35 , respectively. The tapered parts  33  and  35  slide and contact each other and thus produce thrust to make the shutters move in the corresponding opening directions when the connecting side connector  21  is inserted into the opening  25  of the electronic apparatus main unit  17 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the front end of an electric connector  37  according to conventional technology  2  has an insertion opening  41 , and the front end of a socket type mating connector  39  (hereinafter, referred to as a mating connector  39 ) is fitted into the insertion opening  41 . The electric connector  37  also includes a mold base  45  and a shielding case  47  that covers the mold base  45 . The mold base  45  has contacting members  43  which are arranged so as to face into the insertion opening  41 . Shutters  51  and  53  for opening and closing the insertion opening  41  are made of conductive materials and are connected to the front end of the shielding case  47  with hinges  63 . Also, helical torsion springs  55  are provided at the front end of the shielding case  47  so as to continuously urge the shutters  51  and  53  in the corresponding closing directions. Accordingly, the shutters  51  and  53  and the shielding case  47  are electrically connected to each other. 
   In the electric connector  37  according to conventional technology  2  with the structure described above, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the mating connector  39  is fitted into the insertion opening  41  and the leading end of the mating connector  39  pushes the shutters  51  and  53 . Thus, the shutters  51  and  53  are inwardly opened in the upward and downward direction, respectively, against the elastic force of the helical torsion springs  55 . 
   Pushing the mating connector  39  deeply into the insertion opening  41  causes contacting members  59  provided within the mating connector  39  to contact the contacting members  43  of the electric connector  37  and thus to be electrically connected to the contacting members  43 . Also, pushing the mating connector  39  deeply into the insertion opening  41  causes the shutters  51  and  53  to elastically press-contact a shielding case  61  that covers the mating connector  39 . 
   Therefore, static electricity and the like on the mating connector  39  move from the shutters  51  and  53  to the shielding case  61  through the hinges  63  and thus are discharged to the outside. 
   As described above, according to conventional technology  2 , the shutters  51  and  53  prevent foreign matter or dust from entering the insertion opening  41 , thus considerably preventing malfunction. Also, since the shutters  51  and  53  serve as contact terminals that elastically press-contact the mating connector  39 , the shielding case  61  does not need to have any contact terminal. 
   The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a connector  65  with a shutter (hereinafter, referred to as a shuttered connector  65 ) includes a box-type insulator  69 , a shutter  75 , and springs  77 . The upper and lower surfaces of the insulator  69  are covered with upper and lower metal shells  67 . A shaft  73  is fitted with bosses provided at sides of the insulator  69 . The shutter  75  is provided at the front of the shuttered connector  65  and opens upward by rotating around the shaft  73 . The springs  77  function as elastic members and urge the shutter  75  in the closing direction. Also, a plurality of contacts (not shown) is provided inside the insulator  69 . The contacts are similar to contacts that will be described in a description of a third embodiment of the present invention. At the time of fitting, the contacts are brought into contact with corresponding contacts of a mating connector. 
   The front center of the lower shell  67  curls downward and has a part leading to a fitting part  71  to be fitted with the mating connector. Also, both sides of the front end of the lower shell  67  curl upward and have springs protruding backward. When fitting, the mating connector is press-contacted between the upper and lower shells  67  by the springs. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  7 A, and  7 B, the front surface of the shutter  75  has a shutter plate  79  and tilt guide units  85 . The guide units  85  are provided at both sides of the shutter plate  79  and protrude a little obliquely backward with respect to the shatter plate  79 . With this structure, the shutter  75  does not open if an object accidentally hits the shutter  75 . 
   A mating connector  87  is a rectangular board. Both sides of the front end of the mating connector  87  have forward protruding insertion parts  89 . The front portions of the upper surfaces of the insertion parts  89  are tilted and the lower front ends of the insertion parts  89  are rounded. An opening is provided between the insertion parts  89  and contacts are provided behind the opening, as will be described in the description of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  7 A, and  7 B, when the mating connector  87  and the insertion parts  89  are inserted into the fitting part  71  and the guide units  85 , respectively, the guide units  85  are disposed at both sides of the shutter plate  79  of the shutter  75  of the shuttered connector  65  and are brought into contact with the upper slant surfaces at the front ends of the insertion parts  89 . Further insertion of the mating connector  87  causes the slant surfaces of the insertion parts  89  to push the guide units  85  upward. Thus, the shutter  75  is rotated around the shaft  73  against the resisting force of the springs  77  and is pushed upward. 
   When the slant surfaces of the insertion parts  89  push the guide units  85  until they become out of contact, the return force of the springs  77  rotates the shutter  75  around the shaft  73  in the closing direction. The front end of the shutter plate  79  hits against the upper surface of the mating connector  87  to stop the rotation. Accordingly, the mating connector  87  is connected to the shuttered connector  65 . 
   For removing the mating connector  87 , the mating connector  87  is pulled out of the fitting part  71 . In this case, the return force of the springs  77  causes the shutter  75  to rotate downward around the shaft  73  to be closed. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a connector  91  with shutters (hereinafter, referred to as a shuttered connector  91 ) according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a box-type insulator  93 , a first shutter  97 , a second shutter  99 , and springs  101 . The upper and lower surfaces of the insulator  93  are covered with the upper and lower metal shells  67 . The first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  are provided at the front of the shuttered connector  91  and open by rotating upward and downward, respectively, around a shaft  95 . The springs  101  urge the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  to rotate in the corresponding closing directions. The insulator  93  has contacts that will be described in the description of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   The front center of the lower shell  67  curls downward and has a part leading to the fitting part  71  to be fitted with the mating connector  87 . 
   The front surface of each of the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  has a shutter plate  103 , plate-type guide units  105 , and arms  107 . The guide units  105  are provided at both sides of the shutter plates  103  and protrude a little obliquely backward with respect to the shutter plates  103 . The arms  107  are provided at both sides the first shutter and the second shutter  99 . The shaft  95  penetrates the front ends of the arms  107  so that the arms  107  can rotate around the shaft  95 . 
   The mating connector  87  is a rectangular board and is covered with metal-plate shells. The forward protruding insertion parts  89  are provided at both sides of the front end of the mating connector  87 . An opening as in the third embodiment is provided between the insertion parts  89 . Contacts are provided behind the opening and make contact with contacts (not shown) of the shuttered connector  91 . The insertion parts  89  are wedge-shaped. The upper and lower surfaces and the outer surfaces of the insertion parts  89  are tilted and the front end thereof is rounded. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  11 A, and  11 B, the mating connector  87  is inserted into the fitting part  71 , the guide units  105  are disposed at both sides of the shutter plates  103  of the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  of the shuttered connector  91  and are brought into contact with the upper and lower slant surfaces at the front ends of the insertion parts  89 . Further insertion of the mating connector  87  causes the slant surfaces of the insertion parts  89  to push the guide units  105  upward and downward. Thus, the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  rotate upward and downward, respectively, to be opened around the shaft  95  against the resisting force of the springs  101  functioning as elastic members. The insertion parts  89  are sandwiched between the upper and lower shells  67  to be fixed. When the slant surfaces push the guide units  105  upward until they become out of contact, the return force of the springs  101  causes the front ends of the shutter plates  103  of the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  to be maintained to hit against the upper surface and the lower surface of the mating connector  87 , respectively. Accordingly, the mating connector  87  is connected to the shuttered connector  91 . 
   For removing the mating connector  87 , the mating connector  87  is pulled out of the fitting part  71 . In this case, the return force of the springs  101  causes the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  to rotate toward the closing positions to be closed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a connector  111  with shutters (hereinafter, referred to as a shuttered connector  111 ) according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the box-type insulator  93 , the first shutter  97 , and the second shutter  99 . The upper and lower surfaces of the insulator  93  are covered with a metal upper shell  81  and a metal lower shell  83 , respectively. The first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  open upward and downward, respectively, by rotating around the shaft (refer to  FIGS. 8  to  11 B), as in the first or second embodiment. The springs  101  urge the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  in the corresponding closing directions, as in the second embodiment. 
   Also, the insulator  93  has a protruding piece  113  protruding toward the front of the shells. A contact  115  includes a contacting part  117  provided along the lower surface of the protruding piece  113 , a supported part  119  penetrating the insulator  93  and supported by the insulator  93 , and a terminal  123  connected to a substrate  121 . The front center of the lower shell  83  curls downward and has a part leading to the fitting part  71  to be fitted with a mating connector  129 . Reference numerals  125  and  127  represent positioning pins for positioning on the substrate  121 . 
   The mating connector  129  includes an insulator  131  and a contact  137 . The contact  137  has a contacting part  135 . The contacting part  135  protrudes in an opening  133  at the front end of the insulator  131 . The contact  137  further includes a supported part  139  supported by the insulator  131  and a terminal  141  connected to an electrically conductive pattern and the like of a substrate. 
   The circumference of the insulator  131  is covered with metal shells  143 . 
   Reference numerals  145 ,  147 , and  149  represent pins for positioning on the substrate. 
   An operation is carried out in which the shuttered connector  111  is fitted with the mating connector  129  shown in  FIG. 12  in a similar manner being described in the second embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the opening  133  of the mating connector  129  is fitted with the protruding piece  113  of the insulator  93 , the contacting part  117  of the contact  115  is placed on the lower surface of the protruding piece  113  and is subjected to pushing the contacting part  135  of the contact  137  downward. The elastic force of the pushed contact  137  causes the contacting part  135  to make contact with the contact  137  so that they are connected to each other. 
   In contrast, for removing the mating connector  129 , the mating connector  129  is pulled out of the fitting part  71 . In this case, the return force of the springs (not shown) causes the first shutter  97  and the second shutter  99  to rotate toward the original positions to be closed. 
   As described above, according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, automatically opening and closing at least one shutter in the process of connection eliminates inconvenience for a user to put on and remove a cap. 
   Also, according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, installing at least one shutter on a connector achieves a high-precision positional relationship between the shutter and the connector main unit, thus reducing the size. 
   As described above, according to the present invention, at least one shutter is automatically opened and closed in the process of fitting. This eliminates inconvenience for a user to put on and remove a cap, and prevents the user from forgetting to close the shutter. Also, a shutter mechanism is installed, not on a casing, but on a connector main unit. Thus, precision of the positional relationship between the shutter and a mating connector is increased. Consequently, the size of the connectors can be reduced. 
   Also, according to the present invention, a shuttered connector that simplifies apparatus assembling after delivery is provided by installing a shutter mechanism on a connector main unit, in other words, by modularizing parts.