U.S. patent application number 09/829934 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for receptacle type connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to J.S.T. Mgf. Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ushio, Kohei, Ushiro, Yutaka.
Application Number | 20020022400 09/829934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18624510 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020022400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ushio, Kohei ; et
al. |
February 21, 2002 |
RECEPTACLE TYPE CONNECTOR
Abstract
A receptacle type connector fixed to a side plate of an image
forming device body includes a primary inserting and drawing recess
which is open upward. A contact holding wall of an opponent plug
type connector is inserted into and drawn out from the primary
inserting and drawing recess. Even when toner intrudes into the
primary inserting and drawing recess which is open, the toner can
be discharged from the connector via the through-hole, which is
formed in a lower portion of the primary inserting and drawing
recess, by lightly tapping the receptacle type connector.
Inventors: |
Ushio, Kohei; (Osaka,
JP) ; Ushiro, Yutaka; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
J.S.T. Mgf. Co., Ltd.
4-8 Minamisenba 2-chome Chuo-ku
Osaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
18624510 |
Appl. No.: |
09/829934 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 2107/00 20130101;
H01R 13/6658 20130101; G03G 15/0865 20130101; H01R 13/26 20130101;
G03G 15/0855 20130101; H01R 13/743 20130101; H01R 2201/06 20130101;
H01R 24/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/577 |
International
Class: |
H01R 013/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 13, 2000 |
JP |
2000-112320 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A receptacle type connector attached to and detached from a plug
type connector when a maintenance part is attached to and detached
from an image forming device, said receptacle type connector
comprising: a housing including an inserting and drawing recess,
which is open upward, into which a contact holding wall of the plug
type connector is inserted and from which the contact holding wall
of the plug type connector is drawn out, wherein the housing has a
through-hole opening a lower portion of the inserting and drawing
recess to the outside.
2. The receptacle type connector according to claim 1, wherein four
wall sections to define a periphery of the inserting and drawing
recess include a first wall section for holding contacts coming
into contact with contacts of the plug type connector and a second
wall section opposing to the first wall section, and the
through-hole is provided in the second wall section.
3. The receptacle type connector according to claim 2, wherein the
housing includes: a subsidiary inserting and drawing recess
adjacent to the first wall section so as to insert and draw a guide
wall of the plug type connector; and a through-hole opening a lower
portion of the subsidiary inserting and drawing recess to the
outside.
4. The receptacle type connector according to claim 1, wherein an
exit section of the through-hole is arranged at a position except
for an engaging portion of the receptacle type connector with the
plug type connector forming a pair together with the receptacle
type connector.
5. The receptacle type connector according to claim 2, wherein an
exit section of the through-hole is arranged at a position except
for an engaging portion of the receptacle type connector with the
plug type connector forming a pair together with the receptacle
type connector.
6. The receptacle type connector according to claim 3, wherein an
exit section of the through-hole is arranged at a position except
for an engaging portion of the receptacle type connector with the
plug type connector forming a pair together with the receptacle
type connector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a receptacle type connector
which is one of a pair of connectors to connect electronic parts.
For example, the present invention relates to a receptacle type
connector which is one of a pair of connectors to attach a toner
cartridge of an image forming device of a copier, facsimile
terminal equipment or printer to a device body or detach the toner
cartridge of an image forming device of a copier, facsimile
terminal equipment or printer from the device body.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] For example, when a toner cartridge is attached to or
detached from an image forming device body, connectors for
supplying electric power or transmitting signals are simultaneously
connected together with the toner cartridge. Conventionally, the
toner cartridge is inserted into and drawn out from the image
forming device body in the lateral direction. Therefore, it is
common that the inserting and drawing direction of the toner
cartridge coincides with the inserting and drawing direction of the
connectors.
[0005] On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving the
layout of parts arranged in an image forming device, it is
desirable that both connectors are inserted into and drawn out from
each other when the toner cartridge is moved upward and downward in
the image forming device. In this case, the plug type connector is
arranged on a side plate of the toner cartridge and the receptacle
type connector is arranged in an image forming device body.
[0006] The inserting and drawing recess of the receptacle type
connector in the image forming device body for inserting and
drawing the inserting protrusion to hold the contacts of the plug
type connector is open upward when the toner cartridge is
removed.
[0007] In this connection, when a used toner cartridge is replaced
with a new one in some cases, toner is scattered in the image
forming device through a toner falling hole formed in the toner
cartridge. The thus scattered toner intrudes into the inserting and
drawing recess of the receptacle type connector which is open
upward as described above. When the thus scattered toner tends to
intrude into the inserting and drawing recess of the receptacle
type connector in this way, it is impossible to successfully
connect both the connectors. Therefore, the connectors can not be
electrically connected with each other. According to the
environment in which the image forming device body is used, dust
might intrude into the inserting and drawing recess of the
receptacle type connector and the same problems might be
caused.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been accomplished to solve the
above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide
a receptacle type connector, the function of which is not impaired
even when toner is scattered or dust intrudes into the device.
[0009] In order to accomplish the above object, the invention
described as a first aspect provides a receptacle type connector
attached to and detached from a plug type connector when a
maintenance part is attached to and detached from an image forming
device, including a housing having an inserting and drawing recess,
which is open upward, into which a contact holding wall of the plug
type connector is inserted and from which the contact holding wall
of the plug type connector is drawn out, wherein the housing has a
through-hole opening a lower portion of the inserting and drawing
recess to the outside.
[0010] According to this structure, for example, in the case of
replacing a toner cartridge, even if toner is scattered and
intrudes into the inserting and drawing recess which is open in the
process of replacing the toner cartridge, it is possible to easily
discharge the toner, which has gotten into the inserting and
drawing recess, downward via the through-hole when vibration is
given to the receptacle type connector by lightly tapping it.
Accordingly, there is no possibility that the scattered toner
impairs the connection of the connectors or the electrical
connection between the contacts.
[0011] The invention described as a second aspect provides a
receptacle type connector according to the first aspect, wherein
four wall sections to define a periphery of the inserting and
drawing recess include a first wall section for holding contacts
coming into contact with contacts of the plug type connector and a
second wall section opposing to the first wall section, and the
through-hole is provided in the second wall section. If a
through-hole is formed in the first wall section for holding the
contacts, the intruding toner tends to come into contact with the
contacts until it reaches the through-hole. On the other hand,
according to this structure, it is possible to discharge the
intruding toner without making it come into contact with the
contacts. Therefore, this structure is preferable.
[0012] The present invention described as a third aspect provides a
receptacle type connector according to the second aspect, wherein
the housing includes a subsidiary inserting and drawing recess
adjacent to the first wall section so as to insert and draw a guide
wall of the plug type connector and also includes a through-hole
opening a lower portion of the subsidiary inserting and drawing
recess to the outside.
[0013] When the guide wall of the plug type connector is engaged
with the subsidiary inserting and drawing recess of the receptacle
type connector, both the connectors can be strongly connected with
each other in a connecting state of a so-called ship-lap or rabbet
joint. Since the connecting condition of both the connectors is so
good that it is impossible for toner to intrude inside the
connectors. On the contrary, when both the connectors are
disconnected from each other, the subsidiary inserting and drawing
recess are open upward. When scattered toner intrudes into this
open portion of the recess, the connection of both the connectors
is obstructed. In order to solve the above problems, in the
structure of the present invention, a through-hole is formed in the
subsidiary inserting and drawing recess of the guide wall so that
the toner intruding into this recess can be discharged.
[0014] The invention described as a fourth aspect provides a
receptacle type connector according to the first to third aspects,
wherein an exit section of the through-hole is arranged at a
position except for an engaging portion of the receptacle type
connector with the plug type connector forming a pair together with
the receptacle type connector. In this structure, even in the
connecting condition of both the connectors, the exit of the
through-hole is open. Accordingly, even if the intruding toner
remains in the inserting and drawing recess, since vibration is
transmitted from the drive system to the inserting and drawing
recess when the image forming device is operated, the discharge of
toner from the through-hole can be facilitated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle type
connector of an embodiment of the present invention and a plug type
connector which forms a pair together with the receptacle type
connector.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle
type connector which is viewed from the back face side.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
receptacle type connector.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the receptacle
type connector.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle type
connector and the plug type connector which are combined with each
other in an image forming device body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to the appended drawings, a preferred embodiment
of the present invention will be explained below.
[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle type
connector 1 of an embodiment of the present invention and a plug
type connector 2 which forms a pair together with the receptacle
type connector 1, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
receptacle type connector 1 which is viewed from the back face
side, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
receptacle type connector, FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view
of the receptacle type connector, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional
view of both the connectors which are connected with each
other.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the receptacle type connector 1 is fixed
to the side plate 4 of the image forming device body 3. On the
other hand, the plug type connector 2 is fixed to the side plate 6
of the toner cartridge 5 which is a maintenance part. When the
toner cartridge 5 is attached to and detached from the image
forming device body 3, both the connectors 1, 2 are connected with
and disconnected from each other.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the plug type connector 2
includes: a plug housing 9 for holding a plurality of angle-shaped
contacts 7, 8 which are aligned in line; a cover housing 10
combined with this plug housing 9; and a circuit board 11 held by
both the housings 9, 10.
[0024] Reference numeral 12 is a pair of attaching hooks which are
protruded onto the upper portion on the back face of the cover
housing 10. In FIGS. 1 and 5, only one of the pair of attaching
hooks is shown. Reference numeral 13 is a pair of engaging sections
which are protruding to the lower portion of the cover housing 10.
When the plug type connector 2 is attached to the side plate 6 of
the toner cartridge 5, each engaging section 13 is inserted into
the corresponding engaging recess 14 of the side plate 6, and then
each attaching hook 12 is engaged with the corresponding hook
section 15 of the side plate 6.
[0025] The plug type connector 2 includes: a contact holding wall
17 for holding the contacting sections 16 of the contacts 7, 8
laterally in line; and a guide wall 18, the cross-section of which
is a groove-shape, for covering the contact holding face in
parallel with the contact holding wall 17. The contact holding wall
17 and the guide wall 18 are composed of a portion of the plug
housing 9.
[0026] The circuit board 11 is attached to the back face of the
plug housing 9. For example, IC chip 19 is attached to the rear
face of the circuit board 11. IC chip 19 and the lead ends 20, 21
of the contacts 7, 8 penetrate the circuit board 11 and are
soldered to the circuit on the surface of the circuit board 11.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle type connector 1
is open upward so that the contact holding wall 17 of the plug type
connector 2 can be inserted and drawn out. The receptacle type
connector 1 includes: a housing 24 having a primary inserting and
drawing recess 23 for holding the contacts 22 laterally in line;
and a plug 27 to be engaged with the recess so that the end
portions of all lead wires 26 can be connected with the end
portions of the lead sections 25 of the contacts 22 protruding into
the recess 60 formed on the lower face of the housing 24.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the housing 24 includes: a
front outer wall section 28; a rear outer wall section 29 opposed
to the side plate 4 of the image forming device body 3; right and
left side wall sections 30; and an intermediate wall section 31,
which is a contact holding wall parallel with both the outer wall
sections 28, 29, interposed between the front outer wall section 28
and the rear outer wall section 29. The intermediate wall section
31 composes the first wall section, and the front outer wall
section 28 composes the second wall section.
[0029] Both side edges of the intermediate wall section 31 and both
side edges of the front outer wall section 28 are connected with
each other via the longitudinal ribs 32 provided in the
corresponding side wall section 30. The periphery of the primary
inserting and drawing recess 23 is divided by the front outer wall
section 28, the intermediate wall section 31 and a pair of
longitudinal ribs 32. The bottom of the primary inserting and
drawing recess 23 is composed of an intermediate bottom section 33
provided in the intermediate section of the housing 24 in the
height direction.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, each contact 22 includes: a primary
section 35, the profile of which is a groove-shape, fixed to the
fixing hole 34 of the intermediate bottom wall section 33; an
elastic piece section 36, the profile of which is a wave-form; and
a lead section 25 protruding into the recess 60 on the lower face
of the housing 24. The elastic piece sections 36 are respectively
held by the contact holding grooves 37, which are formed in the
intermediate wall section 31 laterally in line, in the primary
inserting and drawing recess 23. The top portion of the wave-form
of the elastic piece section 36 composes the contact section 38
with respect to the opponent contact 7, 8.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the connecting portion of the
front outer wall section 28 with the intermediate bottom wall
section 33, there is provided a through-hole 39 for discharging
toner which penetrates the front outer wall section 28 and is open
to the outside. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner bottom face 40 of the
through-hole 39 is inclined as it comes outside, so that toner can
be easily discharged outside from the primary inserting and drawing
recess 23. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 41 is a
lightening hole. Each side wall section 30 is provided with a pair
of upper and lower stays 42, 43.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, the subsidiary inserting and drawing
recess 44, the cross-section of which is a groove-shape, is formed
being divided by the intermediate wall section 31, the rear outer
wall section 29 and both the side wall sections 30 having the
longitudinal ribs 32. This subsidiary inserting and drawing recess
44 is provided so that the guide wall 18 of the plug type connector
2 can be inserted into and drawn out from the subsidiary inserting
and drawing recess 44.
[0033] The lower portion of this subsidiary inserting and drawing
recess 44 for the use of the guide wall 18 is open to the outside
via the through-holes 47 penetrating downward between a plurality
of ribs 45, 46. The ribs 45 connect the intermediate wall section
31 with the rear outer wall section 29, and the ribs 46 connect the
side wall section 30 with the intermediate wall section 31.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which both the
connectors 1, 2 are combined with each other. Referring to FIG. 5,
the contact holding wall 17 and the guide wall 18 of the plug type
connector 2 are engaged in the primary inserting and drawing recess
23 and the subsidiary inserting and drawing recess 44 of the
receptacle type connector 1, so that the contacts 7, 8 of the plug
type connector 1 and the contacts 22 of the receptacle type
connector 2 can be contacted with each other. As shown in FIG. 5,
the exits of the through-holes 39, 47 are arranged at positions
except for the engaging portion of both the connectors 1, 2.
[0035] According to this embodiment, in the case of replacing the
toner cartridge 5, even if toner is scattered and intrudes into the
primary inserting and drawing recess 23 in the process of replacing
the toner cartridge 5, it is possible to easily discharge the
toner, which has intruded into the inserting and drawing recess,
downward via the through-hole 39 when vibration is given to the
receptacle type connector 1 or the side plate 4 in the periphery by
lightly tapping it. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the
scattered toner impairs the connection of the receptacle type
connector with the plug type connector 1 or there is no possibility
that the scattered toner impairs the electrical connection between
the contacts 7, 8, 22.
[0036] Since the through-hole 39 is provided not in the
intermediate wall section 31 for holding the contacts 22 but in the
front outer wall section 28 opposing to the intermediate wall
section 31, this structure is preferable because the toner which
has intruded into the primary inserting and drawing recess 23 can
be discharged outside without making the toner come into contact
with the contacts 22 in the toner conveying process in which the
toner is conveyed to the through-hole 39.
[0037] Even when toner intrudes into the subsidiary inserting and
drawing recess 44 for inserting and drawing the guide wall 18 of
the plug type connector 2, the toner can be smoothly discharged
downward via the through-hole 47 which is open right below the
recess. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the connection of
both the connectors 1, 2 is obstructed. When the guide wall 18 and
the subsidiary inserting and drawing recess 44 are connected with
each other, both the connectors 1, 2 can be strongly connected with
a so-called ship-lap or rabbet joint. Therefore, it becomes
difficult for toner to intrude into the connectors.
[0038] Even in the state of connection of both the connectors 1, 2
shown in FIG. 5, the exits of the through-holes 39, 47 are open.
Accordingly, even if the intruding toner remains in the primary
inserting and drawing recess 23 and the subsidiary inserting and
drawing recess 44 when both the connector 1, 2 are connected, it is
possible to facilitate the toner to discharge from the
through-holes 39, 47 by the vibration transmitted from a drive
system when the image forming device is operated. Therefore, this
structure is preferably adopted.
[0039] In this connection, the present invention is not limited to
the above specific embodiment. For example, the toner cartridge to
which the plug type connector, which is an opponent of the
receptacle type connector, is attached may be a single body, or
alternatively the toner cartridge may be composed of a unit in
which the toner cartridge and at least one component (such as a
developing device, cleaning device, photoreceptor or charger)
composing the image forming device are integrated with each other.
Alternatively, the plug type connector may be attached to an
electronic part except for the toner cartridge. Further, variations
may be made by one skilled in the art without departing the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *