JP2002033166A - Fixing structure of connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent cracking or the like of a soldered part in the attachment and detachment of a counter connector to and from a connector provided on a printed wiring board. SOLUTION: In this fixing structure of connector 1, the connector 3 is mounted on the printed wiring board 2, and a wall part 12 for surrounding the side surface of the connector 3 is provided on a cover 11 for covering the printed wiring board 2. Accordingly, even if a transverse external force is applied in the fitting or pulling of the counter connector to and from the connector 3, the transverse movement of the connector 3 can be arrested to surely prevent the break such as cracking or the like of the soldered part of the terminal 5 of the connector 3 to a circuit pattern 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing structure of a connector which is mounted for transmitting / receiving signals to / from a printed wiring board and power supply, and more particularly to a printed wiring board which is integrated with a board provided with a bus bar or a connector. The present invention relates to a connector fixing structure suitable for being applied to a junction block configured to be fitted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Usually, a large number of electronic devices are mounted on a vehicle or the like for various controls. Therefore, connectors for connecting the electronic devices to the wire harness and various connectors for relaying the wire harness are often used. ing. In addition, a junction block in which electronic devices and connectors are concentrated and integrated is used.

[0003] An example of a conventional connector fixing structure 41 of a junction block (hereinafter simply referred to as JB) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. 9 and 1
As shown in FIG.
This is a configuration in which a PCB (abbreviated simply as PCB) 42 is fixed on a substrate 44 via a spacer 43. Various components P such as a connector 45, a resistor, a capacitor, and a shielded coil, for example, are attached to the PCB 42.

On the other hand, various parts P are mounted on a substrate 44, and bus bars 47, 48 and the like are mounted on the other parts. In FIG. 10, a part of the bus bar 47 is not shown, but its end is formed as shown in FIG.
It is configured to become an external connection terminal of the fuse cavity 49 when assembled as B41. The end of the bus bar 48 is configured to be an external connection terminal of the connector 51 when assembled as the JB 41.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 9, when assembled as a JB 41, the entire upper portion of the PCB 42 and the substrate 44 is covered with a cover 52 made of synthetic resin, and the lower side is also covered with a lower cover 53. At the top of this JB41,
The fitting surface of the connector 45 is exposed on the substantially same plane from the opening provided in the cover 52, and the fuse cavity 49 and the connector 51 project from the surface of the cover 52.

Next, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, JB4
1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a bus bar 54 through which the substrate 44 is inserted is connected to a part of the circuit pattern 46, and the other end is connected to the bus bar 47 and the like via a conductive member 55 so as to be able to conduct electricity. As shown in FIG. 12, a circuit pattern 46 is formed on the lower surface of the PCB 42, and terminals of various parts P and terminals 45a of the connector 45 are soldered.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
Regarding the relationship between the connector 42 and the cover 52, each terminal 45a of the connector 45 is inserted through the PCB 42, and its end is soldered to the circuit pattern 46. A substantially central portion of the connector 45 is fastened and fixed to the PCB 42 by screws 56. A wide gap G is formed between the opening edge of the cover 52 and the outer side surface of the connector 45 so that they do not come into contact in a steady state. And this connector 45
When a mating connector (not shown) is connected to the connector 45, the mating is performed by inserting the front end of the mating connector into the mating surface of the connector 45 and then pushing the mating connector downward. When the connector is to be removed from the connector 45, the partner connector is pulled out upward.

[0008]

However, since the terminals of the connector 45 and the mating connector are connected in a press-contact state in order to prevent a contact failure or the like, there is an appropriate frictional resistance, so that the connector 45 is simply attached downward or upward. It is not easy to connect or disconnect simply by applying force. In particular, when disconnecting, it may be distorted by twisting.

That is, when the mating connector is pulled out from the connector 45 as shown in FIG. 12, a wide gap G is formed between the connector 45 and the cover 52, so that the connector 45 is swung in the direction of arrow B. To be squeezed. As a result, a load is applied to the soldering position between the terminal 45a of the connector 45 and the circuit pattern 46, and a crack (crack) may be formed in the soldered portion. In this case, contact failure occurs between the terminal 45a and the circuit pattern 46, and normal circuit operation is not performed.

When a mating connector is connected to the connector 45 as shown in FIG. 13, when the mating connector is pushed in, the PCB 42 is bent and deformed into a bow shape as shown by a solid line from a horizontal state shown by an imaginary line. Furthermore, when the mating connector is pulled out, it is bent and deformed upward from the position shown by the imaginary line. As a result, a load is applied to the soldered portion at the time of insertion and at the time of removal, and the same problem as described above has occurred. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector fixing structure configured to prevent cracking of a soldered portion when attaching and detaching a mating connector to and from a connector provided on a printed wiring board.

[0011]

The above objects of the present invention are attained by a connector fixing structure described in the following 1) to 5). 1) In a connector fixing structure including a connector attached to a printed wiring board and a cover that covers the printed wiring board and has an opening that exposes a fitting surface of the connector, a peripheral edge of the opening is provided. A connector fixing structure, characterized in that a wall for suppressing a lateral movement of the connector when the connector is attached / detached is vertically provided. According to the connector fixing structure having the above-described configuration, the wall portion that suppresses the lateral movement of the connector when the connector is attached or detached is provided along the side surface of the connector. In addition, even if a lateral external force is applied, the lateral movement of the connector is prevented by the wall, so that an accident such as damaging the soldered portion can be reliably prevented.

2) In the connector fixing structure described in 1) above, a convex support portion is arranged close to a desired position on a solder surface of the printed wiring board opposite to a component surface on which the connector is mounted. A support member is provided. According to the connector fixing structure having the above-described configuration, the support member for disposing the convex support portion close to the solder surface of the printed wiring board opposite to the component surface to which the connector is attached is provided. Therefore, even when the printed wiring board is pressed downward when the mating connector is inserted into the connector, the printed wiring board abuts on the support portion and the downward bending deformation is reliably prevented.

3) In the connector fixing structure described in 1) above, the wall provided on the cover is extended to a position close to the printed wiring board. According to the connector fixing structure having the above configuration, the wall provided on the cover extends to a position close to the printed wiring board. Therefore,
The wall prevents lateral displacement of the connector,
The upward deformation of the printed wiring board is reliably prevented. Therefore, in combination with the configuration described in the above item 2), breakage of the soldered portion can be more reliably prevented.

4) In the connector fixing structure described in 1) above, a holding rib is provided on the inner wall of the wall at a position that covers a part of the upper end of the connector and does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the mating connector. According to the connector fixing structure having the above-described configuration, the holding rib is provided at a position that covers a part of the upper end of the connector on the inner wall of the wall and does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the mating connector. Therefore, similarly to the connector fixing structure described in the above item 3), the lateral portion of the connector is prevented from being displaced by the wall portion, and the upward deformation of the printed wiring board when the mating connector is removed is reliably prevented. You. Therefore, in combination with the configuration described in the above item 2), breakage of the soldered portion can be more reliably prevented.

5) In the connector fixing structure described in 1) above, the connector is provided with a fixing boss which comes into contact with the printed wiring board, and a screw member which comes into contact with the lid surface covering the solder surface with the screw surface. The printed wiring board is sandwiched between the connector and the connector and the cover member are fastened and fixed by screws. According to the connector fixing structure having the above-described configuration, the printed wiring board is screwed and fixed while being sandwiched between the connector and the cover member. Therefore, when the mating connector is inserted and removed, the printed wiring board does not bend and deform, the load on the soldered portion is reduced, and the prevention of breakage is further ensured.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a connector fixing structure to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the description of the embodiments, FIGS. 9 to 13 referred to in the description of the conventional example are appropriately used. FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a connector fixing structure of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part showing a configuration of the connector fixing structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a connector fixing structure 1 according to the present embodiment has a flat PCB 2 on which a circuit pattern 6 is formed, and a connector having a plurality of terminals 5 soldered to the PCB 2. 3 and a cover 11 for covering the PCB 2
It is composed of The terminal 5 protruding from the lower part of the connector 3 passes through the PCB 2 and is connected to a circuit pattern 6 formed on the solder surface of the PCB 2 by soldering.
Further, the connector 3 is fastened and fixed to the PCB 2 by screws 7, and the PCB 2 and the connector 3 are firmly integrated with the soldering.

At the opening edge of the cover 11 exposing the mating surface of the connector 3, a wall portion 12 is integrally and vertically suspended downward along the side surface of the connector 3 so as to surround the side surface. Is extended to a position close to. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the wall portion 12 is formed along the entire periphery of the connector 3. At a portion between the side surface of the connector 3 and the wall portion 12, an insertion gap G1 for inserting the locking portion of the mating connector is formed with a wide width, but there is a minute gap g other than the insertion gap G1. Just do it.

Next, the operation of attaching and detaching a mating connector to and from the connector 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the mating connector is connected to the mating surface of the connector 3 so as to be inserted from above. At this time, since there is a frictional resistance between the terminals, the entire periphery of the connector 3 is entirely covered with the wall portion 12 even if an attempt is made to apply while applying an external force that oscillates in the lateral direction, so-called “twisting”.
, The lateral swing of the connector 3 is prevented. Accordingly, the mating connector is substantially urged only in the vertical direction, so that no load is applied to the soldered portion between the terminal 5 and the circuit pattern 6 from the lateral direction, and the soldered portion is reliably prevented from being broken or otherwise damaged. can do.

When the mating connector fitted to the connector 3 is pulled out, since the entire periphery of the connector 3 is surrounded by the wall portion 12, the connector 3 is laterally moved to separate the pressed terminals from each other. The "pry" operation that swings in the direction is prevented. Further, since the wall portion 12 is extended to a position close to the PCB 2, P
The upward deformation of the CB 2 can be prevented by the lower end of the wall portion 12. As a result, even when the mating connector is unplugged, no load is applied to the soldered portion between the terminal 5 and the circuit pattern 6, and damage to the soldered portion can be reliably prevented.

Next, in the embodiment of the connector fixing structure of the present invention described above, an embodiment for preventing the bending of the PCB when the mating connector is attached to and detached from the connector will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure for preventing bending of a PCB, FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a support member 22 is provided below the PCB 2 with a spacer 21 interposed therebetween. A cylindrical support portion 23 is provided on the upper surface of the support member 22 so as to surround the screw 7 in correspondence with the position where the connector 3 is tightened by the screw 7. The upper end of the support portion 23 is close to the solder surface of the PCB 2.

The support member 22 is a plate-like member, and is provided on the entire lower portion of the portion where the connector 3 is provided in the JB 1 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. The support portion 23 is disposed so as to surround the screw 7 disposed substantially at the center of the two connectors 3. The lower end of the wall 12 extends to a position close to the PCB 2.
FIG. 5 shows a portion related to the connector 3 in the JB1. For the block B1 on the upper side in the figure, the wall portion 12 is shown in a sectional configuration for convenience, and for the block B2 on the lower side in the figure, The surface configuration is illustrated.

Next, the operation when the mating connector is inserted into the connector 3 will be described. When the connector 3 is pushed downward, the PCB 2 is also pushed downward. But PCB
2 is provided near the support portion 23,
The solder surface of No. 2 abuts on the support portion 23 and does not bend downward from that position. As a result, no load is applied to the soldering position between the terminal 5 of the connector 3 and the circuit pattern 6, and damage such as cracking of the soldered portion can be prevented, and the reliability of the JB1 can be improved. .

Next, the operation of extracting the mating connector from the connector 3 will be described. In the above embodiment, in addition to the support member 22 and the support portion 23, the wall portion 12 surrounding the connector 3 is moved to a position close to the PCB 2 in the vicinity. Since the extension is provided, the upward deformation of the PCB 2 when the mating connector is pulled out can be prevented at the lower end of the wall portion 12. Therefore, the soldered portion of the PCB 2 is not subjected to the load caused by the “torsion” of the connector 3 and can be prevented from bending upward, so that double protection is added in combination with the operation of the support portion 23, which has conventionally existed. Problems can be solved at once.

Next, a second embodiment of the connector fixing structure to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a load is not applied to the soldering position by using a cover that covers the upper part of the fixing structure of the connector. Members that perform the same operations as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present embodiment, a wall portion 12 is close to the lower PCB 2 along the side surface of the connector 3 and surrounding the side surface of the connector 3 at the opening edge of the cover 11 exposing the fitting surface of the connector 3. It is suspended vertically to the position. That is, the wall 12 is formed along the entire periphery of the connector 3. A holding rib 25 is provided on the inner wall of the wall portion 12 so as to cover a part of the upper end of the connector 3 and not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the mating connector 35. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the wall portion 12 prevents the connector 3 from being displaced in the lateral direction, and also reliably prevents the PCB 2 from being bent upward when the mating connector 35 is pulled out. Therefore, in combination with the configuration of the first embodiment, breakage of the soldered portion can be more reliably prevented.

Next, a third embodiment of the connector fixing structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that a load is not applied to the soldering position by using a lid member that covers the lower part of the connector fixing structure. Members that perform the same operations as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, a fixed boss 31 of a predetermined length is provided together with the terminal 5 at the lower portion of the connector 3, and the fixed boss 31 has a screw hole 32 as shown by a dotted line.
Are formed. When the terminal 5 is soldered to the circuit pattern 6 of the PCB 2, the lower end of the fixed boss 31 contacts the upper surface of the PCB 2.

On the other hand, the lower surface of the PCB 2 is covered with a plate-shaped lid member 33 to prevent dust from adhering. In the present embodiment, a convex screw fixing portion is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing boss 31. A part 34 is provided. The height of the screw fixing portion 34 is set in accordance with the distance between the lid member 33 and the PCB 2. When the lid member 33 is fixed properly, the tip of the screw fixing portion 34 is It is designed to be close to the lower surface.

In the connector fixing structure having the above-described configuration, when assembling the connector 3, the connector 3 is connected to the PCB 2.
The terminal 5 is inserted into the PCB 2 and soldered to the circuit pattern 6 formed on the PCB 2. The amount of the terminal 5 to be inserted is determined by the fixed boss 31
It is determined naturally at the position where it touches. Then, when the cover member 33 is put on after the soldering of the terminal 5 and the circuit pattern 6 is completed, the fixing boss 31 and the screw fixing portion 34 are arranged to face each other via the PCB 2. In this state, the cover member 33 is fastened and fixed to the fixing boss 31 so that the screw 7 is inserted from below the screw fixing portion 34. As a result, the connector 3, the PCB 2, and the lid member 33 are fastened together and integrated.

In the above configuration, when the mating connector 35 is connected to the connector 3, a force Fa acts on the connector 3, but since the connector 3 is fixed to the PCB 2 and fixed to the lid member 33, the terminal The load applied to the soldering portion 5 is reduced, and the cracking of the soldering portion can be prevented in combination with the operation of the wall portion 12. Further, when the mating connector 35 is removed from the connector 3, a force Fb acts on the connector 3, but also in this case, the load applied to the soldered portion is reduced by fixing the connector 3 to the PCB 2 and further fixing the lid member 33. Is done. And the wall 12
In combination with the action of (1), cracking of the soldered portion can be prevented.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various embodiments are possible. For example, in the third embodiment, reinforcing ribs are provided radially or in a lattice or the like around the screw fixing portion 34 so as to prevent bending deformation of the cover member 33 itself and improve strength. May be. The support 23
Is not limited to the position surrounding the screw 7 as well.

[0034]

As described above, in the connector fixing structure according to the present invention, the connector is attached to the printed wiring board, and the connector is attached to or detached from the periphery of the opening of the cover covering the printed wiring board when the connector is attached or detached. A wall that restrains lateral movement is suspended. Therefore, even if a lateral external force is applied when fitting or removing the mating connector to or from the connector, the lateral movement of the connector is prevented by the wall. Therefore, no load is applied to the soldering position between the circuit pattern and the terminal of the connector, and damage such as cracking of the soldered portion can be prevented, and a highly reliable connector fixing structure can be obtained.

Further, a support member is provided for disposing a convex support portion close to the solder surface opposite to the component surface of the printed wiring board on which the connector is mounted. Therefore, even when the printed wiring board is pressed downward when the mating connector is fitted to the connector, the printed wiring board can be reliably prevented from being bent downward by contacting the support portion. Therefore, no load is applied to the soldering position between the circuit pattern and the terminal of the connector, and it is possible to reliably prevent breakage such as cracking of the soldered portion.

Further, the wall extends to a position close to the printed wiring board. Therefore, it is possible to prevent not only the lateral displacement of the connector but also the upward deformation of the printed wiring board when the mating connector is removed from the connector. Therefore, in combination with the configuration of the support member, the prevention of breakage of the soldered portion can be further ensured, and the reliability of the device to which the connector fixing structure is applied can be improved.

Further, a holding rib is provided on the inner wall of the wall portion so as to cover a part of the upper end of the connector and not to interfere with the attachment / detachment of the mating connector. Therefore, the connector prevents the connector from being displaced in the lateral direction, and also reliably prevents the printed wiring board from being bent upward. Therefore, in combination with the configuration of the support member, breakage of the soldered portion can be more reliably prevented.

Further, the printed wiring board is screwed and fixed while being sandwiched between the connector and the cover member. Therefore, the strength of the printed wiring board is improved, there is no bending deformation when connecting / disconnecting the mating connector, the load on the soldered portion is reduced, and the prevention of breakage is further ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a first embodiment of a connector fixing structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part showing a configuration of a connector fixing structure in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a lower structure of the printed wiring board in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional junction block.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of the connector in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main part in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a bending deformation of the printed wiring board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Connector fixing structure (first embodiment) 2 Printed wiring board 3 Connector 5 Terminal 6 Circuit pattern 7 Screw 11 Cover 12 Wall 20 Connector fixing structure (Second embodiment) 22 Support member 23 Support portion 25 Holding Rib 30 Connector Fixing Structure (Third Embodiment) 31 Fixing Boss 33 Lid Member 34 Screw Fixing Parts Fa, Fb Force Direction g Minute Gap

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connector fixing structure comprising: a connector attached to a printed wiring board; and a cover that covers the printed wiring board and has an opening that exposes a fitting surface of the connector. A connector fixing structure, characterized in that a wall for suppressing lateral movement of the connector when attaching and detaching the connector is vertically provided on a peripheral edge of the connector. 2. A support member for disposing a convex support portion close to a desired position of a solder surface of the printed wiring board opposite to a component surface on which the connector is mounted is provided. The connector fixing structure according to claim 1. 3. The connector fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein a wall provided on the cover extends to a position close to the printed wiring board. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall of said wall portion covers a part of an upper end of said connector and is provided with a holding rib at a position not interfering with attachment / detachment of a mating connector. Fixed structure. 5. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector has a fixing boss for contacting said printed circuit board, and a lid member for covering said solder surface is provided with a screw fixing portion for contacting said solder surface. The connector fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector and the lid member are fastened and fixed by screws.