Connector and robot system

• US 6,565,371 B1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US09/743,310
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/136, 439/137, 439/135, 439/138, 439/142, 439/924.1
• US Class Current: 439/138
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/26 Pin or blade contacts for sliding co-operation on one side only for modular jack type connectors H01R24/62
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4536 Inwardly pivoting shutter

Abstract

A connecting device and a robot having a cover on a first connector half unit, usually covering first electrodes and turning so that first electrodes come out of electrode projection holes when a second connector half unit is pushed against said first connector half unit, resulting in a state wherein said first electrodes are covered up when said first and second connector units are not connected. Consequently electrical reliability and safety can be remarkably improved.

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising:

a first connector half unit having first electrodes and a second connector half unit having second electrodes;

said first connector half unit comprising an insulated cover pivotally connected to a base at one end thereof and spring-biased in relation thereto, said insulated cover having electrode projection holes corresponding to said first electrodes, and which is pivotable between a first position, wherein said first electrodes are covered by said cover, and a second position, wherein said first electrodes extend from said electrode projection holes without the cover contacting the first electrodes when the second connector half unit is pushed against the first connector half unit;

guide pins placed on the first connector half unit; and

positioning reference holes placed on the second connector half unit corresponding to said guide pins.

2. A connecting device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first connector half unit has a plurality of said first electrodes, some of which project higher than the rest of the other of the first electrodes in the direction of the connecting point to the second connector half unit.

3. A robot comprising charging means comprising:

a first connector half unit with first electrodes and a second connector half unit with second electrodes corresponding to said first electrodes;

said first connector half unit comprising an insulated cover pivotally connected to a base at one end thereof and spring-biased in relation thereto, said insulated cover having electrode projection holes corresponding to said first electrodes, and which is pivotable between a first position, wherein said first electrodes are covered by said cover, and a second position, wherein said first electrodes extend from said electrode projection holes without the cover contacting the first electrodes when the second connector half unit is pushed against the first connector half unit;

guide pins placed on said first connector half unit; and

positioning reference holes placed on said connector half unit corresponding to said guide pins.

4. A robot as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said first connector half unit has a plurality of the first electrodes, some of which project higher than the rest of the other of the first electrodes in the direction of the connecting point to the second connector half unit.