Connector
There is provided a connector that allows easy engagement even when visual judgment is not possible and that has superior durability as well. In a connector for connecting a first connecting cable connected to one end of a socket and a second connecting cable connected to one end of a plug, through engagement between the socket and the plug, the socket includes a cutout portion formed by cutting away at least one portion from one opening of a cylinder along the peripheral direction thereof, the cutout portion having a V-shape at its deepest portion, a first guiding portion projecting from at least one portion of the opening along the peripheral direction, the first guiding portion having a substantial V-shape at its leading end, and a retaining portion to be retained to a lateral face of the cylinder at the time of engagement with the plug, thus retaining this engagement. The plug includes a second guiding portion engageable into the cutout portion and having a substantial V-shape at its leading end and a pawl portion to be retained to the retaining portion at the time of the engagement with the socket.
1. A connector for connecting a first connecting cable connected to one end of a socket and a second connecting cable connected to one end of a plug, through engagement between the socket and the plug,
wherein said socket includes:
a cutout portion formed by cutting away at least one portion from one opening of a cylinder along the peripheral direction thereof, the cutout portion having a V-shape at its deepest portion;
a first guiding portion projecting from at least one portion of said opening along the peripheral direction, the first guiding portion having a substantial V-shape at its leading end, and
a retaining portion to be retained to a lateral face of said cylinder at the time of engagement with the plug, thus retaining this engagement;
wherein said plug includes:
a second guiding portion engageable into said cutout portion and having a substantial V-shape at its leading end; and
a pawl portion to be retained to said retaining portion at the time of the engagement with the socket.
2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein said pawl portion includes, on its rear side in the engaging direction of the socket and the plug, a perpendicular face perpendicular to said engaging direction and includes also, on its front side in the engaging direction, an inclined face inclined to the rear side in the engaging direction, and the pawl portion has a trapezoidal shape in its axial cross section.
3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein on the rear side in the engaging direction of the pawl portion, at least one of the plug and the socket includes a space that allows release by a tool.
4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein said plug includes a recess having a predetermined depth.
5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein said plug forms a rib along the axial direction thereof.
6. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of said first connecting cable and said second connecting cable comprises a three-layered cable having a core wire, a first insulating portion covering the core wire and a second insulating portion covering the first insulating portion; and
when said cable is to be connected to at least one of said socket and said plug, there is employed a cable packing to be press-fitted with said first insulating portion.
7. The connector according to claim 6 , wherein said cable packing is configured to be compressed upon engagement between at least one of a body constituting said socket and a body constituting said plug and a cap fixed on said bodies to cover said cable packing, thereby to fill the gap therebetween.