JP2004192983A - Mounting structure of connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily inspect a soldering state between a terminal and a land. <P>SOLUTION: In this structure 1, a space S allowing the soldering state of a soldering part 40 between the terminal 20 and the land 34 to be viewed from the front side of the housing 11 is formed between a housing 11 and a printed circuit board 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector mounting structure for electrically connecting a terminal to a substrate by using a surface mounting technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional surface mount connector, and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a mounting structure of the connector.
[0003]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the so-called surface mount connector 510 has a tip 521 of a terminal 520 extending rearward from a housing 511 on a surface of a board body 531 of a printed board 530 corresponding to the tip 521. The terminal 520 and the land 534 are electrically connected to each other by reflow soldering (540 in FIG. 5 indicates this soldered portion) to the provided land 534.
[0004]
In the structure 500 of the surface mount connector 510, since there is no portion for inserting the terminal 520 into the board main body 531 of the printed circuit board 530, there is an advantage that the pitch of the terminals 520 can be narrowed and the size of the connector can be reduced accordingly. Therefore, it has been widely used in recent years.
[0005]
As a method of fixing the surface mount connector 510 to the printed circuit board 530, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom surface 514 of the housing 511 of the surface mount connector 510 is formed flat, and this flat bottom surface 514 is attached to the printed circuit board 530. A method of directly mounting and fixing is known.
[0006]
Here, a pilot pin 550 is provided on the bottom surface 514 of the housing 511, and the pilot pin 550 is inserted into a through hole 532 provided in the board main body 531 of the printed circuit board 530, so that the housing 511 is positioned. 511 is fixed to the printed circuit board 530.
[0007]
It is also known that the fixing strength is insufficient in the above, and from the viewpoint of strengthening the fixing, feet are provided on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the housing, and the feet are fixed to the printed circuit board with an adhesive. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-45582
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the soldering state between the terminal and the land greatly affects the connection reliability of the surface mount connector, it is general that a human inspects the soldered portion at a glance. On the other hand, since the surface mount connector is a mass-produced product, a drastic reduction in the inspection time is required.
[0010]
However, when this visual inspection is performed in a state where the conventional surface mount connector 510 is mounted on the printed circuit board 530, the visual inspection is easily made from behind the free housing 511 (the direction opposite to B in FIG. 5). Although there is little gap between the housing 511 and the substrate main body 531, it is difficult to visually recognize the housing 511 from the front (the direction of B in FIG. 5).
[0011]
In particular, when a plurality of rows of terminals 520 are provided at a small pitch in the front, rear, left, and right directions behind the housing 511, the terminals 520 overlap each other, making it more difficult to visually recognize the housing 511 from the front.
[0012]
When the housing 511 is mounted on the printed circuit board 530, the solder paste applied to the soldering portion 540 between the terminal 520 and the land 534 is reflowed. Since there is almost no gap, it is difficult to uniformly and quickly apply heat to the soldered portion 540.
[0013]
Therefore, there is a possibility that a defective soldering state (eg, uneven soldering) may occur in the soldering portion 540 and the reliability of connection between the surface mount connector 510 and the printed circuit board 530 may be reduced. There was also a risk that the properties would be reduced.
[0014]
On the other hand, in Patent Literature 1, feet for applying the adhesive are formed on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the housing. However, depending on the positions of the feet, at least a part of a soldering portion between the terminal and the land is formed. Concealed by its feet from the rear of the housing. In addition, the gap between the housing and the printed circuit board becomes insufficient depending on the height of the foot, and the entire soldered portion between the terminal and the land is hidden by the housing. Therefore, it is difficult to visually recognize the soldered portion between the terminal and the land from the rear of the housing by simply providing the foot, and the above problem cannot be solved.
[0015]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector mounting structure capable of easily inspecting a soldering state between a terminal and a land.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for electrically connecting a terminal extending in one direction from a housing to a land provided on a substrate corresponding to the terminal, thereby electrically connecting the terminal to the land. Mounting structure, wherein a gap is provided between the housing and the substrate so that the soldering state between the terminal and the land can be viewed from the other direction of the housing. is there.
[0017]
According to this configuration, a gap is provided between the housing and the board so that the soldering state between the terminal and the land can be visually recognized from the other direction of the housing. When inspecting the soldering state between the terminals, the soldering state on one side of the terminal can be easily visually recognized from the one direction of the free housing, and the other side of the terminal on the other side. The soldering state of the housing can be easily recognized from the other direction through the gap between the housing and the substrate body. As a result, the inspection time is shortened, and the productivity is improved.
[0018]
Further, when the housing is mounted on the board, heat is uniformly and quickly applied to the soldered portion between the terminal and the land through the gap between the housing and the board body. As a result, the connection reliability between the terminal and the land can be improved by eliminating defects in the soldering state (eg, uneven soldering).
[0019]
If the foot for fixing the housing to the substrate is provided at a portion on the bottom surface side of the housing which does not close the gap, the gap is closed after mounting. Therefore, the soldered portion between the terminal and the land can be easily visually recognized from one direction of the housing via the gap, and heat is uniformly and quickly applied to the soldered portion. In addition, since the housing allows the housing to be mounted at a predetermined position on the substrate in a stable posture, the soldering operation and the like are facilitated.
[0020]
As in the invention according to claim 3, the terminals are provided in a plurality of rows in at least the front-rear direction in one direction of the housing, and the terminals overlap each other from the same housing through the gap in the other direction. If they are arranged so as not to be displaced, even if a plurality of rows of terminals are provided in at least the front-back direction in one direction of the housing, the terminals do not overlap each other, so that the soldering state can be easily performed from the other direction of the housing. Will be visible. This terminal arrangement includes, for example, a staggered arrangement.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a surface mount connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a mounting structure of the connector. Hereinafter, a mounting structure of a surface mount connector mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile will be described as an example.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the structure 1 of the surface mount connector according to the present embodiment, the surface mount connector (an example of a connector) 10 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The housing 11 includes a housing 11 and a plurality of metal pin-shaped terminals 20 extending rearward from the housing 11 (in a direction opposite to A in FIG. 2 and corresponding to one direction). 11 is mounted on a printed circuit board 30 as a substrate. Then, by electrically connecting each terminal 20 to each land 34 by so-called reflow soldering, an electrical connection is established between them.
[0023]
The housing 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and foot portions 12 having a predetermined height are formed on both left and right sides of a bottom surface 14 thereof. A pilot pin 50 for positioning the housing 11 at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board 30 is provided. Here, since the both feet 12 are provided in a portion of the bottom surface 14 of the housing 11 which does not close a gap S described later, the gap S is not closed by the feet 12 and the pilot pin 50. Further, since the housing 11 can be stably mounted at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board 30 by the feet 12 and the pilot pins 50, soldering work and the like are facilitated.
[0024]
In FIG. 2, each terminal 20 protrudes in the horizontal direction through the rear wall 12 of the housing 11, is bent downward at a right angle, and further has its tip bent in a direction parallel to the original protruding direction. Therefore, it is formed in an S-shape in side view. The terminals 20 are arranged at equal pitches in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11 so that the terminals 20 do not interfere with each other. The shape and number of each terminal 20 differ depending on the type and size of the surface mount connector 10.
[0025]
The printed board 30 is made of a thin board body 31 and the metallic land formed on the surface of the board body 31 at a position corresponding to the tip 21 so as to contact the tip 21 of each terminal 20. 34. The surface area of each land 34 is set to be slightly larger than the bottom area of each corresponding tip 21, and a solder paste (solder paste) is uniformly applied on the surface of each land 34 by screen printing or the like. .
[0026]
When this solder paste is reflowed by far infrared rays, hot air, or the like during mounting, it becomes molten solder. Such reflow soldering speeds up the soldering work, thereby improving productivity. The printed circuit board 30 is provided with a through hole 32 at a position corresponding to the pilot pin 50 of the foot portion 12 in order to position the housing 11.
[0027]
The mounting of the surface mount connector 10 on the printed circuit board 30 is performed, for example, as follows. The description will be further continued with reference to FIGS.
[0028]
First, a solder paste is uniformly applied to the land 34 of the printed circuit board 30 by screen printing or the like. With the solder paste applied, the surface mount connector 10 is overlaid on the printed circuit board 30, as shown in FIG. At this time, the pilot pin 50 is inserted into the through hole 32 of the substrate main body 31 to position the housing 11. Thereby, an appropriate gap S is secured between the left and right feet 12 on the surface of the board main body 31 of the printed board 30.
[0029]
Next, the solder paste is melted by reflow by far infrared rays or hot air, so that the solder paste interposed between the housing 11 and the printed circuit board 30 becomes molten solder.
[0030]
At this time, heat is uniformly and quickly applied to the terminal 20 through the gap S between the housing 11 and the board main body 31, so that the soldering state of the soldering portion 40 is not defective. The connection reliability between the lands 34 is improved.
[0031]
After the molten solder is solidified by, for example, natural cooling, the positioned housing 11 is securely fixed on the printed circuit board 30 using an adhesive or a screw member (not shown).
[0032]
Then, in the structure 1 in which the surface mount connector 10 is mounted on the printed circuit board 30 in this manner, the soldering state of the soldering portion 40 between the terminal 20 and the land 34 is visually inspected one by one. In the present embodiment, unlike the conventional example, the soldering portion 40 is soldered between the housing 11 and the printed circuit board 30 in front of the housing 11 (the direction of A in FIG. 2 corresponds to the other direction). Is provided, and the gap S is not closed by the foot portion 12 of the housing 11 as described above.
[0033]
Therefore, at the time of inspection, the soldering state of the soldering portion 40 on the rear side of the terminal 20 can be easily visually recognized from the rear of the free housing 11. Further, on the front side of the terminal 20, the soldering state of the soldering portion 40 can be easily visually recognized from the front of the housing 11 via the gap S between the housing 11 and the board main body 31. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the inspection time is greatly shortened, and the productivity is significantly improved in combination with the elimination of the above-described solder failure state.
[0034]
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of rows of terminals 20 are provided behind the housing 11 only in the left-right direction. However, in the surface mount connector 10 used for a vehicle, as shown in FIG. A plurality of 20s are often provided in the front, rear, left and right directions at the rear of the housing 11 (the front side in the figure, which corresponds to one direction).
[0035]
In this case, the terminals 20 do not overlap each other when viewed from the front (the depth side in the figure, corresponding to the other direction) from the housing 11 via the gap S. For example, they may be arranged in a staggered manner. By doing so, even when a plurality of rows of terminals are provided in the front, rear, left and right directions behind the housing 511, the terminals 20 do not overlap each other, so that the terminals 20 are not easily illustrated from the front of the housing 11 here. The soldering state of the soldering portion between the land and the land can be visually recognized.
[0036]
Further, in the above embodiment, the feet 12 are provided at the left and right ends of the bottom surface 14 of the housing 11, but one or more feet 12 are provided at other portions of the bottom surface 14, or the portions separated from the bottom surface 14 are provided. The foot 12 may be extended (see FIG. 3). In short, the foot 12 may be provided at a position on the bottom surface 14 side of the housing 11 where the gap S is not closed.
[0037]
In this case, the soldered portion 40 between the terminal 20 and the land 34 can be easily visually recognized from the front of the housing 11 through the gap S after mounting. Further, at the time of mounting, heat is uniformly and quickly applied to the soldered portion 40 between the terminal 20 and the land 34 via the gap S. However, in order to secure a balance in the left-right direction when the housing 11 is floated on the printed circuit board 30, it is preferable that the foot 12 be as symmetric as possible.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, the structure 1 of the surface mount connector mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile has been described. However, the application range of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a surface used for other applications such as home appliances. The same applies to the structure of the mounting connector.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when mounting a connector on a board | substrate, while eliminating the defect of the soldering state between a terminal and a land, the connection reliability between them can be improved, and the said soldering state inspection The time can be shortened and the productivity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a surface mount connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a mounting structure of the present surface mount connector.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a surface mount connector according to a modification of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional surface mount connector.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a mounting structure of a conventional surface mount connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Structure 10 Surface mount connector (an example of a connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Housing 12 Foot 14 Bottom surface 20 Terminal 21 Tip part 30 Printed circuit board (corresponding to a board)
32 through hole 34 land 40 soldering part 50 pilot pin S gap

Claims (3)

A connector mounting structure for performing electrical connection between the terminal and the land by soldering a terminal extending in one direction from the housing to a land provided on the substrate corresponding to the terminal,
A mounting structure for a connector, wherein a gap is provided between the housing and the board so that a soldering state between the terminal and the land can be viewed from another direction of the housing. 2. The connector mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein a foot for fixing the housing to the board is provided at a portion on the bottom side of the housing that does not close the gap. The terminals are provided in a plurality of rows at least in the front-rear direction in one direction of the housing, and the terminals are arranged so that the terminals do not overlap in the other direction viewed from the housing through the gap. The mounting structure of the connector according to claim 1.

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