CN210379556U

CN210379556U - Protection member, connector with protection member, and protection member attachment structure

Info

Publication number: CN210379556U
Application number: CN201790001618.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 南井勇希; 宫崎洋二
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-09
Filing date: 2017-12-08
Publication date: 2020-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-08
Also published as: JP6990879B2; JPWO2018163546A1; WO2018163546A1

Abstract

The utility model provides a make the foreign matter be difficult for adhering to the contact of connector, provide protection component, take the connector of protection component and the mounting structure of protection component. The protection member (1) is provided with a main section (10). The main part (10) is a resin molded body and is mounted on a surface mounting type substrate-to-substrate connector (2). The main section (10) has a pair of attachment surfaces (13, 14) and an opening (15). The pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are in contact with two substrates on which the connector (2) and the other connector are mounted, respectively, in a state in which the connector (2) and the other connector are connected to each other. The main section (10) is configured to surround the connector (2) and another connector inside the opening (15) in a state of being sandwiched between two substrates.

Description

Protection member, connector with protection member, and protection member attachment structure

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a protective member, a connector with a protective member, and a mounting structure of a protective member, and more particularly, to a protective member for protecting a connector, a connector with a protective member, and a mounting structure of a protective member.

Background

The following board connectors are known in the art: a connector receptacle (connector) and a connector plug (other connector) are fitted to each other through a window hole of a housing of an electronic device, and inner and outer printed boards are connected to each other, for example, as disclosed in patent document 1. In the board connector described in patent document 1, the connector receptacle is fixed to an inner printed board in the housing. In addition, the connector plug is fixed to the outer printed board outside the housing. The connector receptacle is exposed outside the housing through the window hole. Further, the connector receptacle and the window hole are sealed by an annular seal member (a protective member).

However, in the protective member of the above-described conventional example, when foreign matter (e.g., water, dust, etc.) enters the housing from a portion other than the window hole, the entered foreign matter may adhere to the contact (contact) of the connector.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-146286

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a protection member in which foreign matter is less likely to adhere to a contact of a connector, a connector with the protection member, and a mounting structure of the protection member.

Means for solving the problems

The protection member according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main portion. The main portion is a resin molded body and is mounted on a surface-mount-type board-to-board connector. The main portion has a pair of attachment surfaces and an opening portion. The pair of mounting surfaces are respectively brought into contact with two substrates on which the connector and another connector are respectively mounted, in a state where the connector and the another connector for connection with the connector are connected to each other. The opening portion penetrates the main portion so as to connect the pair of attachment surfaces. The connector and the other connector are provided with contacts having connecting portions connected to the two substrates at one ends, respectively. The main portion is configured to surround the connector and the other connector including the connection portions of the connector and the other connector inside the opening portion in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates.

Preferably, the main portion has a holding structure inside the opening portion, the holding structure holding the main portion to the connector in a state of being in contact with the connector.

Preferably, the holding structure is configured to hold the main part to the connector by a frictional force against the connector.

Preferably, the connector has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. The holding structure is a plurality of receiving portions that respectively come into contact with a plurality of corners of the connector when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned.

Preferably, the opening has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. The receiving portions are provided at a plurality of corners of the opening portion when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged. Further, at least one of the receiving portions has an inclined edge extending in a direction intersecting with two sides having a corner of the one receiving portion, which form the opening portion, and connecting the two sides, as viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned.

Preferably, the connector has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. The holding structure includes a 1 st holding portion and two 2 nd holding portions, the 1 st holding portion is provided on one inner surface of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion and contacts the connector, and the two 2 nd holding portions face the 1 st holding portion across the connector when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned, and are in contact with two corners of the connector.

Preferably, the opening has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. Further, the two 2 nd holding portions are provided at two of a plurality of corners of the opening portion when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. Further, at least one 2 nd holding portion of the two 2 nd holding portions has an inclined side extending in a direction intersecting with two sides having a corner of the one 2 nd holding portion, which form the opening portion, and connecting the two sides, as viewed from a direction in which the pair of attachment surfaces are aligned.

Preferably, the 1 st holding portion protrudes from the one inner surface of the opening portion toward the connector.

Preferably, the holding structure is a plurality of projections projecting from an inner peripheral surface of the opening toward the connector. Further, the plurality of projections project from two inner surfaces of the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion with the connector interposed therebetween.

Preferably, the opening and the connector each have a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. Further, the holding structure is a linear rib protruding from at least one inner surface of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion toward the connector. In addition, the linear rib is in contact with the connector over the entire length in the direction of the one inner surface.

Preferably, the linear ribs protrude from two inner surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion with the connector interposed therebetween.

Preferably, the linear ribs protrude from four inner surfaces forming an inner peripheral surface of the opening portion, respectively.

Preferably, the connector has a step portion protruding outward from a side surface. In addition, the holding structure is a hooking portion hooked on the step portion of the connector.

Preferably, the main portion has an expanded portion that is provided on at least one of the pair of attachment surfaces at the peripheral edge of the opening portion and that is recessed toward a direction away from the one attachment surface.

Preferably, the expanding portion has a tapered portion that is inclined so as to narrow an opening area of the opening portion as the expanding portion is separated from the one attachment surface.

Preferably, the length of the main portion is longer than the length of the connector in a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned. Further, in a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned, a length of the main section is shorter than a maximum length of the connector and the other connector in a state in which: the connector and the other connector are not connected to each other, and the contact of the connector and the contact of the other connector are in contact with each other.

Preferably, at least one of the pair of mounting surfaces has a rib protruding in a direction intersecting the pair of mounting surfaces.

Preferably, the connector and the other connector are provided with contacts having connecting portions connected to the two substrates at one ends, respectively. The main portion is configured to surround the connector and the other connector including the connection portions of the connector and the other connector inside the opening portion in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates.

A connector with a protective member according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the protective member described above and a connector to which the main portion of the protective member is attached.

The protection member mounting structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the protection member, the connector, another connector, and two substrates. The main portion of the protective member is mounted to the connector. The other connector is connected with the connector. The connector and the other connectors are mounted on the two substrates, respectively. The main portion of the protective member is attached to the connector in a state of being sandwiched by the two substrates.

The present disclosure provides a protection member to which foreign matter is not easily attached to a contact of a connector, a connector with the protection member, and a mounting structure of the protection member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of embodiment 1 as seen from above of a protection member and a connector.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the above-described protection member and connector.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the above-described protection member, connector, and other connectors.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the protective member, the connector, the other connector, and the two substrates, showing a state before the connector is connected to the other connector.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protective member, the connector, the other connector, and the two substrates, showing a state in which the connector is connected to the other connector.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the protective member according to modification 1 of embodiment 1, as viewed from below.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the protective member according to modification 2 of embodiment 1, as viewed from above.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the protective member according to modification 3 of embodiment 1, as viewed from above.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the protective member according to embodiment 2 as viewed from above.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the above-described protection member and connector.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the protective member according to modification 1 of embodiment 2, as viewed from below.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate according to modification 2 of embodiment 2.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the protective member according to modification 3 of embodiment 2 as viewed from below.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a protection member and a connector according to modification 4 of embodiment 2.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the protective member, the connector, another connector, and two substrates according to modification 5 of embodiment 2.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the protective member according to embodiment 3 as viewed from above.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the above-described protection member and connector.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the protective member according to embodiment 4 as viewed from above.

Fig. 26 is a plan view of the above-described protection member and connector.

Fig. 27 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the protective member according to embodiment 5 as viewed from above.

Fig. 29 is a plan view of the above-described protection member and connector.

Fig. 30 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view of the protective member, the connector, and the substrate.

Detailed Description

(embodiment mode 1)

(1) Summary of the invention

Hereinafter, an outline of the protective member 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. The protection member 1 of the present embodiment includes a main portion 10, and the main portion 10 is a resin molded body and is mounted on a surface-mount type connector 2 for a substrate-to-substrate. The connector 2 is used to electrically connect a plurality of

boards

4 and 5 mounted on a portable terminal such as a smartphone. Specifically, the plurality of

boards

4 and 5 are electrically connected to each other by connecting the connector 2 mounted on the board 4 and the other connector 3 mounted on the board 5 to each other. Hereinafter, the "substrate 4" is also referred to as a "1 st substrate 4". In addition, hereinafter, the "substrate 5" is also referred to as a "2 nd substrate 5".

Of course, the use of the connector 2 and the other connector 3 is not limited, and the connector 2 and the other connector 3 may be used for electronic devices other than a mobile terminal, such as an image pickup module. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 are not limited to the use for electrically connecting the plurality of

substrates

4 and 5, and may be used for electrically connecting a plurality of components, such as the

substrates

4 and 5 and a display, and the

substrates

4 and 5 and a battery.

The connector 2 includes a housing 21 and a plurality of contacts 22. The housing 21 holds a plurality of contacts 22. The other connector 3 includes another connector-side housing 31 (hereinafter referred to as "housing 31") and a plurality of other connector-side contacts 32 (hereinafter referred to as "contacts 32"). One end of the contact 22 is soldered to the connecting portion 221 of the 1 st board 4. One end of the contact 32 is soldered to the connection portion 321 of the 2 nd substrate 5.

The housing 31 holds a plurality of contacts 32. The dimensions of the

housings

21, 31 in the thickness direction (the 3 rd direction described later) are, for example, several mm or less. The longitudinal dimensions (the 1 st direction described later) of the

housings

21, 31 are, for example, ten and several mm. The dimension of each of the

housings

21 and 31 in the width direction (the 2 nd direction described later) is, for example, several mm. Further, the arrangement interval, that is, the pitch of the plurality of

contacts

22, 32 is, for example, a fraction of mm. In the present embodiment, the plurality of

contacts

22 and 32 are arranged at equal pitches, but may be arranged at different pitches.

The main portion 10 of the protective member 1 has a pair of attachment surfaces 13, 14 and an opening 15. Hereinafter, the "mounting surface 13" is also referred to as a "1 st mounting surface 13". In addition, hereinafter, the "mounting surface 14" is also referred to as a "2 nd mounting surface 14". In a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are connected to each other, the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are in contact with the two

substrates

4, 5, respectively. The opening 15 penetrates the main portion 10 so as to connect the pair of attachment surfaces 13 and 14.

The main unit 10 is configured to surround the connector 2 and the other connector 3 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 of the connector 2 and the other connector 3 inside the opening 15 in a state of being sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5. That is, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment surrounds the connector 2 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 and the other connector 3 so as to be spaced from the outside of the protective member 1 with the two

substrates

4 and 5 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the present embodiment has the following advantages: foreign matter on the outer side of the protective member 1 is less likely to enter the inside of the opening 15, and the foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the contact 22 of the connector 2.

(2) Detailed description of the invention

The protection member 1, the connector with the protection member, and the mounting structure of the protection member 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the main portion 10 is defined as the front-rear direction (1 st direction), the width direction of the main portion 10 is defined as the left-right direction (2 nd direction), and the thickness direction of the main portion 10 is defined as the up-down direction (3 rd direction). Note that, although arrows indicating the directions (up, down, left, right, front, and rear) as viewed from the center of the protective member 1 are shown in fig. 1 to 31, these arrows are described merely for the purpose of assisting the description, and are not solid. The above-described direction is not intended to limit the use of the protective member 1 of the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the protective member 1 includes a main portion 10. Fig. 1 to 3 show a state in which the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2 attached to the 1 st substrate 4. In other words, fig. 1 to 3 show a connector with a protective member, which includes a protective member 1 and a connector 2 to which a main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached. In fig. 1 and 2, the 1 st substrate 4 is not shown.

The main portion 10 is a resin molded body in a rectangular frame shape in plan view, which is made of, for example, silicone rubber and is long in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction). Hereinafter, "in plan view" means viewed from the 3 rd direction (up-down direction), in other words, from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are arranged. The main portion 10 has a pair of 1 st walls 11 and a pair of 2 nd walls 12. The pair of 1 st walls 11 is a pair of walls that are long in the 1 st direction. The pair of 2 nd walls 12 is a pair of walls that are long in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction). The 1 st surfaces (lower surfaces) in the 3 rd direction of the pair of 1 st walls 11 and the 1 st surfaces in the 3 rd direction of the pair of 2 nd walls 12, that is, the 1 st surfaces in the 3 rd direction of the main section 10 are the 1 st mounting surfaces 13. Further, the 2 nd surface (upper surface) in the 3 rd direction of the pair of 1 st walls 11 and the 2 nd surface in the 3 rd direction of the pair of 2 nd walls 12, that is, the 2 nd surface in the 3 rd direction of the main portion 10 are the 2 nd attachment surface 14.

In a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 (see fig. 4) are connected to each other, the 1 st mounting surface 13 is in contact with the 1 st substrate 4. In other words, the 1 st mounting surface 13 is in contact with the 1 st substrate 4 in a state where the main section 10 is sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5. In a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 have been connected to each other, the 2 nd mounting surface 14 is in contact with the 2 nd substrate 5. In other words, the 2 nd mounting surface 14 is in contact with the 2 nd substrate 5 in a state where the main section 10 is sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5. In the present embodiment, both the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are flat. That is, at least one face (here, both faces) of the pair of mounting faces 13, 14 is flat. Therefore, in a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are connected to each other, the 1 st mounting surface 13 and the 2 nd mounting surface 14 are in full-surface contact with the 1 st substrate 4 and the 2 nd substrate 5, respectively.

The portion surrounded by the pair of 1 st walls 11 and the pair of 2 nd walls 12 is an opening 15. That is, the opening 15 penetrates the main portion 10 in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) so as to connect the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14. The opening 15 has a rectangular shape elongated in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction) in plan view. The size of the opening 15 is a size for accommodating the connector 2 and the other connector 3.

The main portion 10 has a plurality of (four in this case) projections 17 of a semi-cylindrical shape. The plurality of projections 17 project from the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15 toward the inside of the opening 15. In the present embodiment, two of the four protrusions 17 protrude from the 1 st surface (right surface) in the 2 nd direction in the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15 toward the 2 nd surface (left surface) (leftward). The remaining two projections 17 project from the 2 nd surface in the 2 nd direction toward the 1 st surface (toward the right) on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15. In a state where the main section 10 is attached to the connector 2, the plurality of projections 17 project from the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15 toward the side surface of the connector 2.

In the present embodiment, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where the plurality of projections 17 are in contact with the side surface of the connector 2. That is, the main section 10 has a holding structure 16 inside the opening 15, and the holding structure 16 holds the main section 10 to the connector 2 in a state of being in contact with the connector 2. In the present embodiment, the holding structure 16 is a protrusion 17 that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15 toward the connector 2. In the present embodiment, the number of the projections 17 is plural, and the plural projections 17 project from both inner surfaces (the 1 st surface and the 2 nd surface in the 2 nd direction) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15 with the connector 2 interposed therebetween. The two protrusions 17 protruding from the 1 st surface of the opening 15 in the 2 nd direction and the two protrusions 17 protruding from the 2 nd surface of the opening 15 in the 2 nd direction are opposed to each other in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction).

Here, the plurality of projections 17 are all in contact with the side surface of the connector 2. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact of the plurality of projections 17 with the side surface of the connector 2. That is, the plurality of projections 17 (holding structures 16) are configured to contact the side surface of the connector 2, thereby generating a frictional force with the side surface of the connector 2. In other words, the plurality of projections 17 (holding formations 16) hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 with a frictional force against the connector 2.

The main portion 10 also has an expansion 18. The expanded portion 18 is provided on at least one mounting

surface

13, 14 of the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 at the periphery of the opening 15, and is recessed in a direction away from the one mounting

surface

13, 14. In other words, the expanded portion 18 is a part of the opening 15, and in a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are connected to each other, the expanded portion 18 is opposed to the connection portion 221 of the connector 2 and is recessed toward a direction away from the connection portion 221 of the connector 2. In the present embodiment, the expanded portion 18 is located on one end side (lower side) in the 3 rd direction at each of the plurality of projections 17. That is, of the connection portions 221 of the plurality of contacts 22 of the connector 2, the connection portion 221 located at a position overlapping the projection 17 in a plan view is located inside the expanded portion 18 without contacting the projection 17. In other words, the expanded portion 18 is a relief portion for avoiding the contact portion 221 of the contact 22 of the connector 2 from contacting the main portion 10.

The connector 2 is a receptacle (female connector) and includes a housing 21 and a plurality of (50 in this case) contacts 22. The housing 21 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction), and is a resin molded body having insulating properties. The housing 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped table portion 23 that is long in the 1 st direction and is fitted into a fitting recess 33 (see fig. 5) of another connector 3 described later. The housing 21 holds 25 contacts 22 arranged in the 1 st direction on both sides of the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) with the table portion 23 interposed therebetween.

The other connector 3 is a header (male connector) and, as shown in fig. 4, includes a housing 31 and a plurality of (here, 50) contacts 32. The housing 31 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction), and is a resin molded body having insulating properties. The housing 31 has a fitting recess 33 which is long in the 1 st direction and has a rectangular shape in plan view, and which is fitted to the table portion 23 of the connector 2. In addition, the housing 31 holds two contact groups arranged in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) with 25 contacts 32 arranged in the 1 st direction as one contact group.

The connector 2 is mounted on a 1 st substrate 4 built in an electronic device such as a smartphone. The other connectors 3 are mounted on the 2 nd substrate 5 built in the electronic device. Further, by connecting the connector 2 to the other connector 3, the 1 st conductor of the 1 st substrate 4 and the 2 nd conductor of the 2 nd substrate 5 are electrically connected to each other. Specifically, the plurality of contacts 22 of the connector 2 and the plurality of contacts 32 of the corresponding other connector 3 are electrically connected by fitting the step portion 23 of the connector 2 into the fitting recess 33 of the other connector 3.

(3) Mounting structure of protection member

The following describes an attachment structure of the protective member 1 with reference to fig. 1 to 6. As shown in fig. 6, the mounting structure of the protection member 1 includes the protection member 1, the connector 2, the other connector 3, and two

substrates

4 and 5. The main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. The other connector 3 is connected to the connector 2. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 are mounted on the two

substrates

4 and 5, respectively. The main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2 in a state of being sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5.

Here, a method of assembling the mounting structure of the protective member 1 will be described. First, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is press-fitted into the connector 2 so that the connector 2 is positioned inside the opening 15. As a result, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the plurality of projections 17 (holding structure) are in contact with the side surface of the connector 2 in a flexed state, and the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is held by the connector 2. That is, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. Here, as shown in fig. 3, in the present embodiment, the length L1 of the main portion 10 is longer than the length L2 of the connector 2 in the 3 rd direction (the vertical direction, that is, the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are aligned). In other words, the main section 10 has a larger dimension in the thickness direction than the connector 2.

Next, the other connector 3 is connected to the connector 2 by fitting the fitting recess 33 of the other connector 3 to the step portion 23 of the connector 2. Specifically, the 2 nd substrate 5 is pressed toward the 1 st substrate 4 so that the fitting recess 33 is aligned with the table portion 23 in a plan view, and the fitting recess 33 is fitted to the table portion 23. Here, in the present embodiment, the main portion 10 of the protection member 1 does not contact the 2 nd substrate 5 at the time when the contact 32 of the other connector 3 first contacts the contact 22 of the connector 2 (see fig. 5). That is, in the 3 rd direction (the up-down direction, that is, the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are arranged), the length L1 of the main section 10 is shorter than the maximum length L3 of the connector 2 and the other connector 3 in the following state: the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are not connected to each other, and the contacts 22 of the connector 2 and the contacts 32 of the other connector 3 are in contact with each other. In other words, the length L1 of the main portion 10 is shorter than the maximum distance from the upper surface of the 1 st substrate 4 to the lower surface of the 2 nd substrate 5 in a state where the

contacts

22, 32 are in contact with each other.

By further pressing the 2 nd substrate 5 toward the 1 st substrate 4 from the state shown in fig. 5, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is pressed and flexed by the 2 nd substrate 5. Thereby, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5 in a bent state. In addition, in a state where the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is flexed, the table portion 23 is fitted into the fitting recess portion 33, and the connector 2 is connected to the other connector 3. In the present embodiment, the master section 10 is configured such that the elastic force acting from the master section 10 on the two

substrates

4 and 5 is smaller than the force required to release the state of mutual connection between the connector 2 and the other connector 3 (hereinafter referred to as "fitting force"). Therefore, even if the external force pushing the 2 nd substrate 5 toward the 1 st substrate 4 is lost, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is maintained in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates 4 and 5 (see fig. 6).

Specifically, parameters such as the thickness dimension (the dimension in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction)), the compression ratio, and the hardness of the main portion 10 are set such that the elastic force is smaller than the fitting force. As an example, the main section 10 has a compression rate of the following degree: the main portion 10 has a thickness dimension of about 3.5mm in a state before a certain force is applied and a thickness dimension of about 3.0mm in a state after a certain force is applied. In addition, the main portion 10 has a hardness of about 3 degrees to 30 degrees, as an example. Of course, the compression ratio and the hardness are merely examples, and are not intended to be limited to the main portion 10 having these compression ratios and hardnesses.

(4) Advantages of the invention

The protective member 1 of the present embodiment surrounds the connector 2 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 and the other connector 3 via the two

substrates

4 and 5 and the main portion 10 so as to be spaced from the outside of the protective member 1 in a state of being sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5. Therefore, the present embodiment has the following advantages: foreign matter on the outer side of the protective member 1 is less likely to enter the inside of the opening 15, and the foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the contact 22 of the connector 2.

Here, unlike the seal of patent document 1, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment can surround the connector 2 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 and the other connector 3 only with the two

substrates

4 and 5 and the main portion 10. That is, in the present embodiment, the connector 2 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 and the other connector 3 can be protected without using a window hole provided in a case of an electronic device as in the seal of patent document 1. Therefore, unlike the sealing material of patent document 1, the present embodiment does not require the two

substrates

4 and 5 to be disposed at a specific position, and has an advantage of high degree of freedom in the disposition of the two

substrates

4 and 5.

In the protective member 1 according to the present embodiment, the main portion 10 may be designed to match the size of the connector 2. Therefore, unlike the seal of patent document 1, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment does not need to be designed to fit in a window hole provided in a casing of an electronic device. That is, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment has an advantage of high versatility, compared to the sealing material of patent document 1, since it can be used without depending on the type of electronic device.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the opening 15 is partitioned from the outside of the protective member 1 by the two

substrates

4 and 5 and the main portion 10 of the protective member 1, it is easy to ensure airtightness of the space where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are located.

Further, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment can expect an effect of absorbing vibration or impact from the outside. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the two

substrates

4 and 5 are less likely to be tilted by an external force, the two

substrates

4 and 5 are easily kept horizontal, and the state in which the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are connected to each other is easily stabilized.

Further, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment can absorb the force of pushing the other connector 3 into the connector 2, and therefore has an advantage that the force generated by excessive pushing is less likely to affect the connector 2 and the other connector 3.

In addition, in the case where the space between the two

substrates

4 and 5 is sealed by a sealing material made of, for example, epoxy resin, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment also has the following advantages: it is easy to prevent the intrusion of the sealing material into the space where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are located.

Further, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment has an advantage that it can be replaced with a new one even if it is assumed that it is deteriorated with time.

(5) Modification example

Modifications of the present embodiment will be described below. The basic configuration of each of the modifications described below is common to the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, and therefore, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. For example, the 3 rd modification can be combined with any one of the 1 st modification and the 2 nd modification. For example, modification 3 can be combined with embodiment 2, and any of modifications 1 to 5 and embodiments 3 to 5 of embodiment 2, which will be described later.

(5.1) variation 1

In the protective member 1 according to the modification 1, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the main portion 10 includes the expanded portion 18 extending over the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the opening 15 at the 2 nd end (lower end) in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) in addition to the expanded portion 18 of embodiment 1. In the present modification, the expanding portion 18 has a tapered portion 181.

The tapered portion 181 is inclined so as to increase the opening area of the opening 15 from the 1 st end (upper end) to the 2 nd end (lower end) in the 3 rd direction of the main portion 10. In other words, the tapered portion 181 is inclined so as to narrow the opening area of the opening 15 as it goes away from the connection portion 221 (or the mounting surface 13) of the connector 2.

In this configuration, when the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2, the main portion 10 can be pushed toward the connector 2 along the tapered portion 181, which has an advantage that the main portion 10 can be easily positioned with respect to the connector 2.

(5.2) variation 2

In the protective member 1 according to modification 2, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the main portion 10 has an expanded portion 18 extending over the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the opening 15 at the 1 st end (upper end) in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) in addition to modification 1. That is, in the present modification, the main portion 10 has the expanding portions 18 at both ends in the 3 rd direction, respectively. In the present modification, the expanding portion 18 on the 1 st end side (upper side) in the 3 rd direction also has a tapered portion 181.

In a state where the main unit 10 is attached to the connector 2 with the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) of the main unit 10 reversed, the expansion portion 18 on the 1 st end side (upper side) in the 3 rd direction faces the connection portion 221 of the connector 2. The tapered portion 181 of the expanded portion 18 is inclined so as to increase the opening area of the opening 15 from the 2 nd end to the 1 st end in the 3 rd direction of the main portion 10. In other words, in a state where the main portion 10 is attached to the connector 2 by being turned upside down, the tapered portion 181 is inclined so as to narrow the opening area of the opening 15 as it goes away from the connecting portion 221.

In this configuration, when the other connector 3 is connected to the connector 2, the tapered portion 181 on the 1 st end side (upper side) of the other connector 3 in the 3 rd direction can be pushed toward the connector 2. That is, in this structure, there is an advantage that it is easy to position the other connector 3 with respect to the connector 2. In addition, the present modification also has the following advantages: even when the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) of the main section 10 is reversed, the main section 10 can be attached to the connector 2.

(5.3) variation 3

In the protective member 1 according to modification 3, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the pair of attachment surfaces 13 and 14 have

ribs

131 and 141, respectively. Hereinafter, the "rib 131" is also referred to as a "1 st rib 131". Hereinafter, the "rib 141" is also referred to as a "2 nd rib 141". The 1 st rib 131 is an annular body surrounding the opening 15 in a plan view, and protrudes upward from the 1 st mounting surface 13. The 2 nd rib 141 is an annular body surrounding the opening 15 in a plan view, and protrudes downward from the 2 nd mounting surface 14. That is, at least one surface (here, both surfaces) of the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 has

ribs

131 and 141 protruding in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) intersecting the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14.

In this structure, the 1 st rib 131 and the 2 nd rib 141 are in contact with the 1 st substrate 4 and the 2 nd substrate 5, respectively, in a state where the connector 2 and the other connector 3 have been connected to each other. That is, in this configuration, the force with which the two

substrates

4 and 5 sandwich the main section 10 is likely to concentrate on the

ribs

131 and 141, and therefore the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are likely to be brought into close contact with the two

substrates

4 and 5, respectively.

In the present modification, there is one

rib

131 and 141, but a plurality of ribs may be provided. For example, the plurality of

ribs

131 and 141 may be arranged concentrically so as to surround the opening 15. In addition, only one of the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 may have the

ribs

131 and 141. For example, only the 1 st mounting surface 13 may have the 1 st rib 131, or only the 2 nd mounting surface 14 may have the 2 nd rib 141.

(embodiment mode 2)

(1) Detailed description of the invention

The protection member 1 according to embodiment 2 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 13 to 15. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is common to the protective member 1 of embodiment 1, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 described in this embodiment are the same as the connector 2 and the other connector 3 of embodiment 1. Fig. 14 and 15 show a state in which the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. In other words, fig. 14 and 15 show a connector with a protective member including the protective member 1 and the connector 2. In fig. 14, illustration of the 1 st substrate 4 is omitted.

In the protection member 1 of the present embodiment, the main portion 10 does not have the plurality of projections 17 unlike the protection member 1 of embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where the pair of 1 st walls 11 of the main section 10 are in contact with the side surfaces of the connector 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the holding structure 16 is a pair of the 1 st walls 11. Here, the pair of 1 st walls 11 are each in contact with a side surface of the connector 2. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact between the pair of first walls 11 and the side surfaces of the connector 2. That is, the pair of first walls 11 (holding structures 16) are configured to contact the side surfaces of the connector 2, thereby generating a frictional force between the first walls and the side surfaces of the connector 2. In other words, the pair of 1 st walls 11 (the holding formations 16) hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 with a frictional force against the connector 2.

In the present embodiment, the main portion 10 has an expanded portion 18 extending over the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the opening 15 at the 2 nd end (lower end) in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction). The expanded portion 18 is recessed from the 1 st mounting surface 13 toward the 1 st end in the 3 rd direction (upward).

Similarly to embodiment 1, the protective member 1 of the present embodiment can surround the connector 2 including the

connection portions

221 and 321 and the other connector 3 with a space from the outside of the protective member 1 in a state of being sandwiched between the two

substrates

4 and 5. Therefore, the present embodiment has the following advantages as in embodiment 1: foreign matter on the outer side of the protective member 1 is less likely to enter the inside of the opening 15, and the foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the contact 22 of the connector 2.

(2) Modification example

Modifications of the present embodiment will be described below. The basic configuration of each of the modifications described below is common to the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, and therefore, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. For example, the 5 th modification can be combined with any one of the 1 st modification to the 4 th modification. For example, modification 5 can be combined with any of

embodiment

1, 1 st to 3 rd modifications of embodiment 1, and embodiments 3 to 5 described later.

(2.1) variation 1

In the protective member 1 of modification 1, as shown in fig. 16, the expanded portion 18 has a tapered portion 181. The tapered portion 181 is inclined so as to increase the opening area of the opening 15 from the 1 st end (upper end) to the 2 nd end (lower end) in the 3 rd direction of the main portion 10. In other words, the tapered portion 181 is inclined so as to narrow the opening area of the opening 15 as it goes away from the connection portion 221 of the connector 2.

(2.2) variation 2

In the protective member 1 according to modification 2, as shown in fig. 17, the main portion 10 has an expanded portion 18 extending over the entire circumference of the peripheral edge of the opening 15 at the 1 st end (upper end) in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) in addition to modification 1. That is, in the present modification, the main portion 10 has the expanding portions 18 at both ends in the 3 rd direction, respectively. In the present modification, the expanding portion 18 on the 1 st end side (upper side) in the 3 rd direction also has a tapered portion 181.

(2.3) variation 3

In the protective member 1 of modification 3, as shown in fig. 18 and 19, the main portion 10 has two catching portions 19. Both the engaging portions 19 are rectangular parallelepiped shapes elongated in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction), and project from the 1 st surface (right surface) and the 2 nd surface (left surface) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15 toward the inside of the opening 15. In the present modification, the expanded portion 18 is located on one end side (lower side) in the 3 rd direction at each of the two engaging portions 19.

In the present modification, the connector 2 has two step portions 24. The two step portions 24 each have a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction), and protrude outward from the 1 st side surface (right side surface) and the 2 nd side surface (left side surface) of the connector 2, respectively.

In the present modification, the main section 10 can be attached to the connector 2 by pushing the main section 10 into the connector 2 while opening the opening 15. In a state where the main section 10 is attached to the connector 2, the two engaging sections 19 are located between the step section 24 and the connecting section 221 of the connector 2. Therefore, even if the connector 2 is intended to be moved relative to the protective member 1, the two engaging portions 19 engage with the two stepped portions 24 of the connector 2, respectively, and therefore the movement of the connector 2 is hindered. That is, in the present modification, the holding structure 16 is the hooking portion 19 hooked on the step portion 24 of the connector 2. In this configuration, the hooking portion 19 of the main section 10 hooks on the step portion 24 of the connector 2, and the main section 10 is easily held by the connector 2.

(2.4) the 4 th modification

As shown in fig. 20, the protective member 1 of modification 4 does not have the expanded portion 18. That is, in the present modification, in the state where the main part 10 is attached to the connector 2, the plurality of connection parts 221 of the connector 2 are all housed inside the opening 15 in a plan view and do not overlap with the main part 10. In fig. 20, illustration of the 1 st substrate 4 is omitted. In the present modification, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where the pair of 2 nd walls 12 of the main section 10 are in contact with the side surfaces of the connector 2. That is, in the present modification, the holding structure 16 is a pair of the 2 nd walls 12.

Here, the pair of 2 nd walls 12 are each in contact with the side surface of the connector 2. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact between the pair of 2 nd walls 12 and the side surfaces of the connector 2. That is, the pair of 2 nd walls 12 (holding structures 16) are configured to contact the side surfaces of the connector 2, thereby generating a frictional force between the side surfaces of the connector 2. In other words, the pair of 2 nd walls 12 (holding formations 16) hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 with a frictional force against the connector 2.

In this structure, the processing for providing the expanded portion 18 in the main portion 10 is not required. That is, in this structure, the protection member 1 is easily manufactured.

(2.5) variation 5

In the protective member 1 of the 5 th modification, as shown in fig. 21, the length L1 of the main portion 10 in the 3 rd direction (the up-down direction, that is, the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are aligned) is shorter than the length L2 of the connector 2. In other words, the main section 10 has a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the connector 2. In the mounting structure of the protection member 1 of the present modification, the main portion 10 of a plurality of (two in this case) protection members 1 stacked in the 3 rd direction (up-down direction) is mounted to the connector 2 in a state of being sandwiched by the two

substrates

4 and 5.

In this configuration, by attaching the main portions 10 of the plurality of protective members 1 to the connector 2, the attachment structure of the protective members 1 according to the dimension of the connector 2 in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) can be realized. Here, a spacer may be interposed between the protective members 1 adjacent in the 3 rd direction. That is, the mounting structure of the protection member 1 may further include a gasket. Each of the plurality of protective members 1 may have a concave-convex portion to be fitted into the protective member 1 adjacent in the 3 rd direction.

(embodiment mode 3)

The protection member 1 according to embodiment 3 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 22 to 24. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is common to the protective member 1 of embodiment 1, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 described in this embodiment are the same as the connector 2 and the other connector 3 of embodiment 1. Fig. 23 and 24 show a state in which the main section 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. In other words, fig. 23 and 24 show a connector with a protective member including the protective member 1 and the connector 2. In fig. 23, illustration of the 1 st substrate 4 is omitted.

In the protection member 1 of the present embodiment, unlike the protection member 1 of embodiment 1, the main portion 10 includes a plurality of (here, four) receiving portions 160 instead of the plurality of projections 17. In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the main portion 10 has the expanded portions 18 at both ends in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) as in the 2 nd modification of embodiment 2. These expansion portions 18 each have a tapered portion 181. Whether or not the main portion 10 has the expanded portion 18 is arbitrary.

The receiving portions 160 are provided at the four corners of the opening 15 in a plan view (i.e., when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are arranged), and are in contact with the corners 2A to 2D of the connector 2.

Each of the receiving portions 160 has a sloped side in a plan view. The "inclined side" as referred to herein extends in a direction intersecting, in plan view (i.e., as viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are aligned), two sides having corners of the receiving portion 160 forming the opening 15, and connects the two sides.

In the present embodiment, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where the plurality of sockets 160 are in contact with the corners 2A to 2D of the connector 2, respectively. That is, in the present embodiment, the holding structure 16 is a plurality of receiving portions 160. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact of the plurality of receiving portions 160 with the corners 2A to 2D of the connector 2. That is, the plurality of receiving portions 160 (holding structures 16) hold the main portion 10 to the connector 2 by a frictional force against the connector 2.

connection portions

substrates

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of receiving portions 160 contact the connector 2 in a plurality of directions (four directions in this case) corresponding to the number of corners of the connector 2 in a plan view. Therefore, the protection member 1 of the present embodiment also has the following advantages: it is easy to hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 in such a manner that positional deviation does not occur.

In the present embodiment, the connector 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view (that is, as viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are arranged), but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the connector 2 may have a polygonal shape in a plan view. Similarly, the opening 15 may have a polygonal shape in a plan view.

In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of receiving portions 160 has a sloped side in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one receiving portion 160 of the plurality of receiving portions 160 may have a slanted side in a plan view, or all of the receiving portions 160 may not have a slanted side in a plan view. For example, each of the receiving portions 160 may have a shape curved inward of the opening 15 when viewed from the 3 rd direction (vertical direction).

(embodiment mode 4)

The protection member 1 according to embodiment 4 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 25 to 27. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is common to the protective member 1 of embodiment 1, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 described in this embodiment are the same as the connector 2 and the other connector 3 of embodiment 1. That is, the connector 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view (i.e., as viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are aligned). Fig. 26 and 27 show a state in which the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. In other words, fig. 26 and 27 show a connector with a protective member including the protective member 1 and the connector 2. In fig. 26, illustration of the 1 st substrate 4 is omitted.

In the protection member 1 of the present embodiment, unlike the protection member 1 of embodiment 1, the main portion 10 includes one 1 st holding portion 161 and two 2 nd holding portions 162 instead of the plurality of projections 17. In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the main portion 10 has the expanded portions 18 at both ends in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) as in the 2 nd modification of embodiment 2. These expansion portions 18 each have a tapered portion 181. Whether or not the main portion 10 has the expanded portion 18 is arbitrary.

The 1 st holding portion 161 is provided on the 2 nd surface (left surface) 152 in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) among the four inner surfaces 151 to 154 forming the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion 15. The 1 st holding portion 161 is a projection projecting from the center of the 2 nd surface 152 in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction) toward the connector 2, and contacts the connector 2. That is, the 1 st holding portion 161 is provided on one inner surface (the 2 nd surface 152) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion 15, and contacts the connector 2.

The two 2 nd holding portions 162 face the 1 st holding portion 161 across the connector 2 in a plan view (i.e., when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are aligned), and contact the two

corners

2A and 2B of the connector 2.

In addition, each of the two 2 nd holding portions 162 has a slanted side in a plan view. The "inclined side" described here extends in a direction intersecting two sides forming corners of the opening 15 having the 2 nd holding portion 162 in a plan view (that is, as viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are aligned), and connects the two sides.

In the present embodiment, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where one 1 st holding portion 161 and two 2 nd holding portions 162 are in contact with the connector 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the holding structure 16 is one 1 st holding portion 161 and two 2 nd holding portions 162. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact of one 1 st holding portion 161 with the side surface of the connector 2 and the contact of the two 2 nd holding portions 162 with the

corners

2A and 2B of the connector 2. That is, one 1 st holding portion 161 and two 2 nd holding portions 162 (holding configurations 16) hold the main portion 10 to the connector 2 with a frictional force against the connector 2.

connection portions

substrates

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the one 1 st holding portion 161 and the two 2 nd holding portions 162 contact the connector 2 at three points in a plan view. Therefore, the protection member 1 of the present embodiment also has the following advantages: it is easy to hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 in such a manner that positional deviation does not occur.

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the 1 st holding portion 161 is a protrusion protruding from one inner surface (the 2 nd surface 152) of the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15 toward the side surface of the connector 2, but is not intended to be limited thereto. For example, the 1 st holding portion 161 may be provided over the entire length of the inner surface (the 2 nd surface 152) of the opening 15 in the 1 st direction (the front-rear direction).

In the present embodiment, each of the two 2 nd holding portions 162 has a slanted side in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one 2 nd holding portion 162 of the two 2 nd holding portions 162 may have a slanted side in a plan view, or both 2 nd holding portions 162 may not have a slanted side in a plan view.

surfaces

(embodiment 5)

The protection member 1 according to embodiment 5 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 28 to 31. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is common to the protective member 1 of embodiment 1, the description of common aspects will be omitted. The connector 2 and the other connector 3 described in this embodiment are the same as the connector 2 and the other connector 3 of embodiment 1. That is, the connector 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view (i.e., as viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13, 14 are aligned). Fig. 29 and 30 show a state in which the main section 10 of the protective member 1 is attached to the connector 2. In other words, fig. 29 and 30 show a connector with a protective member including the protective member 1 and the connector 2. In fig. 29, illustration of the 1 st substrate 4 is omitted.

In the protection member 1 of the present embodiment, unlike the protection member 1 of embodiment 1, the main portion 10 includes four linear ribs 163 instead of the plurality of protrusions 17. In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the main portion 10 has the expanded portions 18 at both ends in the 3 rd direction (vertical direction) as in the 2 nd modification of embodiment 2. These expansion portions 18 each have a tapered portion 181. Whether or not the main portion 10 has the expanded portion 18 is arbitrary.

The four linear ribs 163 are provided on the four inner surfaces 151 to 154 forming the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15. The four linear ribs 163 protrude from the inner surfaces 151 to 154 of the opening 15 toward the connector 2. In addition, two linear ribs 163 provided on the 1 st surface (right surface) 151 and the 2 nd surface (left surface) 152 in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) among the four linear ribs 163 are in contact with the connector 2 over the entire length in one direction (here, the 1 st direction (front-rear direction)) of the

inner surfaces

151 and 152. That is, the linear ribs 163 that contact the connector 2 protrude from the two inner surfaces (the 1 st surface 151 and the 2 nd surface 152) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 15 with the connector 2 interposed therebetween, respectively. The two inner surfaces (the 1 st surface 151 and the 2 nd surface 152) are surfaces along the long side of the connector 2 in a plan view (that is, when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are aligned). In other words, the two inner surfaces (the 1 st surface 151 and the 2 nd surface 152) are two surfaces arranged in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) among the four inner surfaces 151 to 154.

In the present embodiment, the main section 10 is held by the connector 2 in a state where two linear ribs 163 aligned along the 2 nd direction (left-right direction) are in contact with the connector 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the holding structure 16 is two linear ribs 163 arranged in the 2 nd direction among the four linear ribs 163. Therefore, when an external force acts on the connector 2, the movement of the connector 2 is prevented by a frictional force (static frictional force) generated by the contact of the two linear ribs 163 with the side surfaces of the connector 2. That is, the two linear ribs 163 (holding structures 16) are configured to contact the side surface of the connector 2, thereby generating a frictional force between the side surface and the side surface.

connection portions

substrates

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the two linear ribs 163 are in contact with the connector 2 interposed therebetween in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction). Therefore, the protection member 1 of the present embodiment also has the following advantages: it is easy to hold the main section 10 to the connector 2 in such a manner that positional deviation does not occur.

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, two linear ribs 163 protruding from the two

inner surfaces

153, 154 of the opening 15 aligned in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction) among the four linear ribs 163 do not contact the connector 2, but may contact the connector 2. That is, the linear ribs 163 that contact the connector 2 may protrude from the four inner surfaces 151 to 154 that form the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15.

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the linear ribs 163 are provided on the four inner surfaces 151 to 154 of the opening 15, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the following structure is also possible: of the four inner surfaces 151 to 154 of the opening 15, linear ribs 163 are provided on each of two inner surfaces (the 1 st surface 151 and the 2 nd surface 152) across the connector 2, and no linear rib 163 is provided on the other

inner surfaces

153 and 154.

In the protective member 1 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the linear rib 163 as viewed from the 1 st direction (front-rear direction) is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 30 and 31. For example, the linear rib 163 may have a semicircular or semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape as viewed from the 1 st direction.

surfaces

(other modifications of embodiments 1 to 5)

In embodiments 1 to 5, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 is a resin molded body made of silicone rubber, but may be another resin molded body. That is, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 may be a resin molded body having plasticity that allows the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 to be brought into close contact with the two

substrates

4 and 5, respectively.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are both long in the 1 st direction (front-rear direction), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 may be both long in the 2 nd direction (left-right direction). In this case, the plurality of

contacts

22 and 32 are held by the

housings

21 and 31 in a state of being aligned in the 2 nd direction, respectively.

In embodiments 1 to 5, both

substrates

4 and 5 are rigid substrates, but the substrates are not intended to be limited thereto. For example, both the

substrates

4 and 5 may be Flexible Substrates (FPCs). One of the

substrates

4 and 5 may be a rigid substrate and the other may be a flexible substrate. The

substrates

4 and 5 may be rigid-flexible substrates.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the number of the plurality of contacts 22 of the connector 2 and the number of the plurality of contacts 32 of the other connector 3 are all 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of the plurality of

contacts

22 and 32 may be smaller than 50, or may be larger than 50. Further, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 may have only one

contact

22 and 32, respectively.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 each have only the

contacts

22 and 32 as metal components, but may further have a mounting fitting. The attachment fittings are metal components for reinforcing the housing 21 of the connector 2 and the housing 31 of the other connector 3. In this case, the main portion 10 of the protective member 1 may further include an expanding portion 18 for avoiding the attachment fitting.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the connector 2 is a socket and the other connector 3 is a plug, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the connector 2 may be a plug, and the other connector 3 may be a socket.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 are each chamfered at two of the four corners, and have an asymmetrical shape (that is, a shape that is not centrosymmetrically shaped) in a plan view, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the connector 2 and the other connector 3 may have shapes that are not chamfered at all four corners and are centrosymmetric in a plan view.

(conclusion)

As described above, the protection member (1) according to claim 1 includes the main portion (10). The main part (10) is a resin molded body and is mounted on a surface mounting type substrate-to-substrate connector (2). The main section (10) has a pair of attachment surfaces (13, 14) and an opening (15). The pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are in contact with two substrates (4, 5) on which the connector (2) and another connector (3) are mounted, respectively, in a state in which the connector (2) and the other connector (3) for connecting to the connector (2) are connected to each other. The opening (15) penetrates the main section (10) so as to connect the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14). The main section (10) is configured to surround the connector (2) and the other connector (3) inside the opening (15) in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates (4, 5).

By adopting the structure, the structure has the following advantages: foreign matter on the outer side of the protective member 1 is less likely to enter the inside of the opening 15, and the foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the contact 22 of the connector 2. In addition, the structure has the following advantages: the connector (2) of the main part (10) to which the protection member (1) is attached is protected against vibration or impact from the outside.

In the protective member (1) according to claim 2, in addition to claim 1, the main portion (10) has a holding structure (16) inside the opening (15), and the holding structure (16) holds the main portion (10) to the connector (2) in a state of being in contact with the connector (2).

With this configuration, the main portion (10) can be attached to the connector (2) simply by press-fitting the main portion (10) into the connector (2) so that the connector (2) is positioned inside the opening (15) in a plan view. However, this structure is not essential, and the main portion (10) of the protective member (1) may not have the holding structure (16). In other words, the main portion (10) of the protective member (1) may not contact the connector (2) in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates (4, 5). In this case, the main section (10) is fixed in position relative to the connector (2) in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates (4, 5). That is, the main portion (10) of the protective member (1) is substantially attached to the connector (2) even if the main portion does not have the holding structure (16).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 3, in addition to claim 2, the holding structure (16) is configured to hold the main part (10) to the connector (2) by a frictional force against the connector (2).

With this structure, the main section (10) is easily held by the connector (2). However, this structure is not essential, and the holding structure (16) may be a structure that holds the main section (10) to the connector (2).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 4, in addition to claim 3, the connector (2) has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. The holding structure (16) is a plurality of receiving sections (160) that are in contact with a plurality of corners (2A-2D) of the connector (2) when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are aligned.

With this configuration, the contact area is reduced as compared with the case where the connector (2) and the inner surface of the opening (15) are in direct contact, and therefore, the resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the holding structure (16) may not have a plurality of receiving parts (160).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 5, in addition to claim 4, the opening (15) has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. The receiving sections (160) are provided at a plurality of corners of the opening section (15) when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. At least one bay (160) of the plurality of bays (160) has a sloped edge. The inclined side extends in a direction intersecting two sides having a corner of the one receiving portion (160) forming the opening (15) when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged, and connects the two sides.

With this configuration, the contact area between the connector (2) and the main portion (10) is smaller, and therefore resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be further reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the receiving portion (160) may not have an inclined side when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are aligned.

In the protective member (1) according to claim 6, in addition to claim 3, the connector (2) has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. The holding structure (16) is composed of a 1 st holding part (161) and two 2 nd holding parts (162). The 1 st holding portion (161) is provided on one inner surface (the 2 nd surface (152)) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening (15) and contacts the connector (2). The two 2 nd holding portions (162) face the 1 st holding portion (161) with the connector (2) therebetween when viewed in the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged, and contact the two corners (2A, 2B) of the connector (2).

With this configuration, the contact area is reduced as compared with the case where the connector (2) and the inner surface of the opening (15) are in direct contact, and therefore, the resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the holding structure (16) may not have one 1 st holding part (161) and two 2 nd holding parts (162).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 7, in addition to claim 6, the opening (15) has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. The two 2 nd holding portions (162) are provided at two of a plurality of corners of the opening (15) when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. At least one 2 nd holding part (162) of the two 2 nd holding parts (162) has an inclined edge. The inclined side extends in a direction intersecting two sides having a corner of the one 2 nd holding portion 162 forming the opening portion 15 when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting

surfaces

13 and 14 are arranged, and connects the two sides.

With this configuration, the contact area between the connector (2) and the main portion (10) is smaller, and therefore resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be further reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the 2 nd holding portion (162) may not be inclined in the tangential direction of the corners (2A, 2B) of the connector (2) when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are aligned.

In a protective member (1) according to claim 8, in addition to claim 6 or 7, a 1 st holding portion (161) protrudes from one inner surface (2 nd surface (152)) of the opening portion (15) toward the connector (2).

With this configuration, the contact area of the 1 st holding portion (161) with the connector (2) can be made relatively small, and therefore the resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the 1 st holding portion (161) may not protrude as described above.

In a protective member (1) according to claim 9, in addition to claim 3, the holding structure (16) is a plurality of projections (17) projecting from an inner peripheral surface of the opening (15) toward the connector (2). The plurality of protrusions (17) protrude from two inner surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the opening (15) with the connector (2) therebetween.

With this configuration, the contact area is reduced as compared with the case where the connector (2) and the inner surface of the opening (15) are in direct contact, and therefore, the resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be reduced. In addition, with this configuration, the main section (10) is attached to the connector (2) with the plurality of projections (17) sandwiching the connector (2), so the connector (2) is easily positioned at the center of the opening (15). However, this structure is not essential, and the plurality of projections (17) may project from only one of the two inner surfaces of the opening (15) with the connector (2) therebetween.

In the protective member (1) according to claim 10, in addition to claim 3, the opening (15) and the connector (2) each have a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are arranged. The holding structure (16) is a linear rib (163) that protrudes from at least one inner surface (151, 152) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening (15) toward the connector (2). The linear rib (163) is in contact with the connector (2) over the entire length in one direction (1 st direction) of the one inner surface (151, 152).

With this configuration, the contact area is reduced as compared with the case where the connector (2) and the inner surface of the opening (15) are in direct contact, and therefore, the resistance when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2) can be reduced. However, this structure is not essential, and the holding structure (16) may not have the linear rib (163).

In a protective member (1) according to claim 11, in addition to claim 10, linear ribs (163) protrude from both inner surfaces (151, 152) of the inner peripheral surface of the opening (15) with the connector (2) interposed therebetween.

With this configuration, the main section (10) is attached to the connector (2) with the two linear ribs (163) sandwiching the connector (2), so the connector (2) is easily positioned at the center of the opening (15). However, this structure is not essential, and the linear rib (163) may protrude from only one of the two inner surfaces of the opening (15) with the connector (2) therebetween.

In a protective member (1) according to claim 12, in addition to claim 10, linear ribs (163) protrude from four inner surfaces (151 to 154) forming an inner peripheral surface of the opening (15).

With this configuration, the main section (10) is attached to the connector (2) in a state in which the four linear ribs (163) sandwich the connector (2), so the connector (2) is easily positioned at the center of the opening (15). However, this structure is not essential, and the linear rib (163) may protrude only from at least one of the four inner surfaces (151-154) of the opening (15) with the connector (2) interposed therebetween.

In the protective member (1) according to claim 13, in the case of claim 2, the connector (2) has a step portion (24) protruding outward from the side surface. The holding structure (16) is a hook (19) that hooks onto a step (24) of the connector (2).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 14, the main portion (10) has an expanded portion (18) in addition to any one of claims 1 to 13. The expansion section (18) is provided on at least one mounting surface (13, 14) of the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) at the periphery of the opening section (15), and is recessed in a direction away from the one mounting surface (13, 14).

With this configuration, the main portion (10) is less likely to come into contact with the connection portion (221) of the connector (2) in a state where the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2), and therefore, external force is less likely to be applied to the connection portion (221) of the connector (2). However, this structure is not essential, and the main portion (10) may not have the expanded portion (18).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 15, in addition to claim 14, the expanded portion (18) has a tapered portion (181). The tapered portion (181) is inclined so as to narrow the opening area of the opening (15) as the tapered portion moves away from the one mounting surface (13, 14).

With this configuration, when the main portion (10) is attached to the connector (2), the main portion (10) can be pushed toward the connector (2) along the tapered portion (181), and therefore the main portion (10) can be easily positioned with respect to the connector (2). However, this structure is not essential, and the expanding portion (18) may not have the tapered portion (181).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 16, in addition to any one of claims 1 to 15, a length (L1) of the main portion (10) is longer than a length (L2) of the connector (2) in a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are aligned. Further, the length (L1) of the main section (10) in the direction in which the pair of attachment surfaces (13, 14) are aligned is as follows. That is, the length (L1) of the main section (10) is shorter than the maximum length (L3) of the connector (2) and the other connector (3) in the following state: the connector (2) and the other connector (3) are not connected to each other, and the contacts (22) of the connector (2) and the contacts (32) of the other connector (3) are in contact with each other.

With this configuration, when another connector (3) is connected to the connector (2), the other connector (3) can be pushed toward the connector (2) along the inner surface of the opening (15) of the main portion (10). That is, with this structure, it is easy to position the other connector (3) with respect to the connector (2). In addition, with this configuration, when another connector (3) is connected to the connector (2), no force is applied to the main section (10) until the contact (22) of the connector (2) and the contact (32) of the other connector (3) come into contact with each other. That is, with this configuration, force is applied to the main portion (10) after the connector (2) is initially connected to the other connector (3), and therefore it is easy to connect the other connector (3) to the connector (2). However, this structure is not essential, and the length (L1) of the main section (10) in the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are aligned may be equal to or less than the length (L2) of the connector (2). In addition, the length (L1) of the main section (10) may be equal to or greater than the maximum length (L3) in the direction in which the pair of attachment surfaces (13, 14) are aligned.

In the protective member (1) according to claim 17, in addition to any one of claims 1 to 16, at least one of the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) has a rib (131, 141) protruding in a direction intersecting the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14).

With this configuration, the force with which the main section (10) is sandwiched by the two substrates (4, 5) is easily concentrated on the ribs (131, 141), and therefore the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) are easily brought into close contact with the two substrates (4, 5), respectively. However, this structure is not essential, and the pair of mounting surfaces (13, 14) may not have the ribs (131, 141).

In the protective member (1) according to claim 18, in addition to any one of claims 1 to 17, the connector (2) and the other connector (3) include contacts (22, 32), and the contacts (22, 32) have connection portions (221, 321) connected to the two substrates (4, 5) at one ends, respectively. The main section (10) is configured to surround the connector (2) and the other connector (3) including the connection sections (221, 321) of the connector (2) and the other connector (3) inside the opening (15) in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates (4, 5).

The connector with a protective member according to claim 19 includes the protective member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and a connector (2) to which a main portion (10) of the protective member (1) is attached.

With this configuration, a connector with a protective member in which foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the contact (22) of the connector (2) can be realized.

A mounting structure of a protective member (1) according to claim 20 includes the protective member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, a connector (2), another connector (3), and two substrates (4, 5). A main portion (10) of a protective member (1) is attached to a connector (2). The other connector (3) is connected to a connector (2). A connector (2) and another connector (3) are mounted on the two substrates (4, 5), respectively. A main portion (10) of a protective member (1) is mounted to a connector (2) in a state of being sandwiched between two substrates (4, 5).

With this configuration, a structure for attaching the protection member (1) to the contact (22) of the connector (2) can be realized in which foreign matter is less likely to adhere.

The protection member 1, the connector with the protection member, and the mounting structure of the protection member 1 according to embodiments 1 to 5 have been described above. However, the embodiments 1 to 5 described above include modifications, but are one of various embodiments of the present invention. As long as the above embodiments 1 to 5 can achieve the object of the present invention, various modifications can be made in accordance with the design and the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1. A protective member; 10. a main section; 13. 14, mounting surface; 131. 141, ribs; 15. an opening part; 151-154, inner surface; 16. a holding configuration; 160. a receiving part; 161. 1 st holding part; 162. The 2 nd holding part; 163. a linear rib; 17. a protrusion; 18. an expansion section; 181. a tapered portion; 19. a clamping and hanging part; 2. a connector; 22. a contact; 221. a connecting portion; 24. a step portion; 2A-2D, angle; 3. Other connectors; 32. a contact; 321. a connecting portion; 4. 5, a substrate.

Claims

1. A protective member characterized in that,

the protection member includes a main portion which is a resin molded body and is mounted on a surface-mount-type connector for a substrate to a substrate,

the main section has:

a pair of mounting surfaces that are respectively brought into contact with two substrates on which the connector and another connector for connecting to the connector are respectively mounted, in a state where the connector and the another connector are connected to each other; and

an opening portion that penetrates the main portion so as to connect the pair of attachment surfaces,

the main portion is configured to surround the connector and the other connector inside the opening portion in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates.

2. The protective member according to claim 1,

the main portion has a holding structure inside the opening portion, the holding structure holding the main portion to the connector in a state of being in contact with the connector.

3. The protective member according to claim 2,

the holding structure is configured to hold the main portion to the connector by a frictional force with respect to the connector.

4. The protective member according to claim 3,

the connector has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged,

the holding structure is a plurality of receiving portions that respectively come into contact with a plurality of corners of the connector when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned.

5. The protective member according to claim 4,

the opening portion has a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged,

the plurality of receiving portions are respectively arranged at a plurality of corners of the opening portion when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged,

at least one of the receiving portions has an inclined edge extending in a direction intersecting with two sides having a corner of the one receiving portion, which form the opening portion, when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned, and connecting the two sides.

6. The protective member according to claim 3,

the holding structure is composed of a 1 st holding part and two 2 nd holding parts,

the 1 st holding portion is provided on one inner surface of the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion, and contacts the connector,

the two 2 nd holding portions face the 1 st holding portion across the connector when viewed from the direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned, and come into contact with two corners of the connector.

7. The protective member according to claim 6,

the two No. 2 holding portions are respectively provided at two of a plurality of corners of the opening portion when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged,

at least one 2 nd holding portion of the two 2 nd holding portions has an inclined edge extending in a direction intersecting with and connecting two edges having a corner of the one 2 nd holding portion, which form the opening, when viewed from a direction in which the pair of attachment surfaces are aligned.

8. The protective member according to claim 6,

the 1 st holding portion protrudes from the one inner surface of the opening portion toward the connector.

9. The protective member according to claim 3,

the holding structure is a plurality of projections projecting from an inner peripheral surface of the opening portion toward the connector,

the plurality of protrusions protrude from two inner surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion with the connector interposed therebetween.

10. The protective member according to claim 3,

the opening portion and the connector each have a polygonal shape when viewed from a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are arranged,

the holding structure is a linear rib protruding from at least one inner surface of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion toward the connector,

the linear rib is in contact with the connector over the entire length in the direction of the one inner surface.

11. The protective member according to claim 10,

the linear ribs protrude from two inner surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion with the connector interposed therebetween.

12. The protective member according to claim 10,

the linear ribs protrude from four inner surfaces forming an inner peripheral surface of the opening portion, respectively.

13. The protective member according to claim 2,

the connector has a step portion protruding outward from a side surface,

the holding structure is a hooking portion hooked on the step portion of the connector.

14. The protective member according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

the main portion has an expanded portion that is provided on at least one of the pair of attachment surfaces at the peripheral edge of the opening portion and that is recessed toward a direction away from the one attachment surface.

15. The protective member according to claim 14,

the expanding portion has a tapered portion that is inclined so as to narrow an opening area of the opening portion as the expanding portion is separated from the one attachment surface.

16. The protective member according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

the length of the main section is longer than the length of the connector in the direction in which the pair of mounting faces are aligned,

in a direction in which the pair of mounting surfaces are aligned, a length of the main section is shorter than a maximum length of the connector and the other connector in a state in which: the connector and the other connector are not connected to each other, and the contact of the connector and the contact of the other connector are in contact with each other.

17. The protective member according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

at least one of the pair of mounting surfaces has a rib protruding in a direction intersecting the pair of mounting surfaces.

18. The protective member according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

the connector and the other connector are provided with contacts having connecting portions connected to the two substrates at one ends, respectively,

the main portion is configured to surround the connector and the other connector including the connection portions of the connector and the other connector inside the opening portion in a state of being sandwiched between the two substrates.

19. A connector with a protection member, characterized in that,

the connector with the protection member includes:

the protective member of any one of claims 1 to 18; and

a connector to which the main portion of the protection member is mounted.

20. A mounting structure of a protection member, characterized in that,

the mounting structure of the protection member includes:

the protective member of any one of claims 1 to 18;

a connector to which the main portion of the protection member is mounted;

a further connector for connection with the connector; and

two substrates to which the connector and the other connector are respectively mounted,

the main portion of the protective member is attached to the connector in a state of being sandwiched by the two substrates.