Terminal structure and vacuum pump

• US 20060281352A1
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Japan Limited (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: BOC Edward Japan Limited
• Inventors: Kabasawa, Takashi, Sakaguchi, Yoshiyuki, Okudera, Satoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,393,228 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 19/04 specially adapted to the production of a high vacuum, e.g. molecular pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/0693 Details or arrangements of the wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/901 Connector hood or shell

Abstract

Provided are a terminal structure capable of preventing damage due to an excessive force and having high sealing property, and a vacuum pump to which the terminal structure is applied. When a control device (400) undergoes transition to a turbo molecular pump main body (300), a cylindrical wall (603) of a female connector (600) is fit-engaged with a cavity (504) of a male connector (500). As the connection progresses, head portions (511a) at one ends of male pins (511) are inserted into pin insertion elongated holes (624). When, after that, a forward end of the cylindrical wall (603) of the control device (400) abuts a bottom portion (501) of the female connector (600), the female connector (600) on the control device (400) side, which is of low rigidity, is pushed back against an elastic force of waved washers (613). As a result, even when an excessive force is applied to the female connector (600) and the male connector (500), the force can be mitigated through deformation of the waved washers (613), so there is no fear of the connectors suffering damage.

Claims

1. A terminal structure, comprising:

a first connector;

a first member having the first connector;

a second connector electrically connected by being fit-engaged with the first connector;

a second member having the second connector; and

elastic retaining means for elastically retaining the first connector with respect to the first member, and/or elastically retaining the second connector with respect to the second member.

2. A terminal structure according to claim 1, further comprising movement regulating means for effecting regulation to prevent a distance through which the fit-engagement is effected from exceeding a predetermined length.

3. A terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein mounting members are formed around the first connector and the second connector.

4. A terminal structure according to claim 3, wherein through-holes are provided in the mounting members of the first connector and the second connector, and wherein bolts are passed through the through-holes.

5. A terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein bolts are fastened to one of the first member and the second member.

6. A terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the first member has a hole formed therein, allowing passage of the first connector, or the second member has a hole formed therein, allowing passage of the second connector.

7. A terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein one of the first connector and the second connector has a cavity formed in a portion where the connectors are fit-engaged, and wherein the fit-engagement is effected through insertion of one connector into the cavity.

8. A terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein, a plurality of pins passing through bottom portions of the first connector and the second connector are respectively arranged in the bottom portions of the first connector and the second connector.

9. A terminal structure according to claim 2, wherein one of the first connector and the second connector has a cavity formed in a portion where the connectors are fit-engaged, wherein the fit-engagement is effected through insertion of one connector into the cavity, and wherein the predetermined length for the movement regulating means is a distance regulated through reaching of an end portion of the one connector to an end portion in the cavity.

10. A vacuum pump comprising the terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the first member is applied to a vacuum pump main body, and wherein the second member is applied to a control device.

11. A vacuum pump, comprising:

at least one cable whose conductor is exposed at a portion between both ends of the cable;

a molding member formed through solidification-molding with at least the exposed conductor portion of the cable included; and

an outer cylinder to or with which the molding member is mounted or integrated.

13. A vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein a control device is provided side by side with the outer cylinder,

wherein a cable inside the outer cylinder and a cable inside the control device are electrically connected through the molding member, and

wherein the solidification-molded portion of the molding member and at least one of the portion of the molding member mounted to the outer cylinder, and the portion of the molding member integrated with the outer cylinder, are formed as seals.

12. A vacuum pump, comprising:

at least one pin with conductivity;

cable conductor fixing means arranged at both ends of the pin and allowing conductors of cables fixed to the pin;

a molding member formed through solidification-molding with the pin included; and

an outer cylinder to or with which the molding member is mounted or integrated.

14. A vacuum pump according to claim 12, wherein a control device is provided side by side with the outer cylinder,

wherein a cable inside the outer cylinder and a cable inside the control device are electrically connected through the molding member, and

wherein the solidification-molded portion of the molding member and at least one of the portion of the molding member mounted to the outer cylinder, and the portion of the molding member integrated with the outer cylinder, are formed as seals.