JP2004281364A

JP2004281364A - Board-to-board type connector

Info

Publication number: JP2004281364A
Application number: JP2003195609A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Tomohisa Hirata; 平田　智久; Masami Sasao; 正美笹尾
Original assignee: Molex LLC
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 2002-11-01
Filing date: 2003-07-11
Publication date: 2004-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-11
Also published as: WO2004042874A1; AU2003286824A1; JP4116503B2; TW200414635A

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent trash and dust from entering into the both male and female connectors fitted together. <P>SOLUTION: The board-to-board type connector 1 comprises a male connector 9 mounted to one substrate 5 of two substrates 3, 5, and a female connector 7 mounted to the other substrate 3, and fitted with the male connector 9, to cooperate with the male connector 9 to provide electric connection between the substrates 3, 5. The female and male connectors 7, 9 both have housings 11, 18 equipped with connecting terminals 13, 21 respectively. The housing 11 for the female connector 7 has a fitting recess part 11a for fitting with the male connector 9, and a terminal mounting groove 23 to which a connecting terminal 13 for the female connector 7 is mounted and locked. When the male connector 9 and the female connector 7 are fitted together, an opening 11a1 of the fitting recess part 11a is covered with the one substrate 5 to which the male connector 9 is mounted, with whole of the male connector 9 including the connecting terminal 21 housed inside the fitting recess part 11a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、基板間における電気的接続を確保するための基板対基板型コネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
各種の電気電子機器の機能の向上や多様化に伴い、これらの機器に組み込まれる電子回路の構成は複雑多様化している。また、電気電子機器の軽薄短小化傾向は年々高まっている。
【０００３】
そこで、電気電子機器の電子部品の筐体内に占める占有面積又は／及び占有空間を減少させるために、電子部品が装着される複数の基板を積み重ねて配置する技術が提案されている。この場合、基板間の電気的接続は、基板上にそれぞれ対向配置される雌雄一対のコネクタにより実現する。
【０００４】
このような構成を有するコネクタシステムは、一般に「基板対基板型コネクタ」と称される。
【０００５】
図２７は、従来の基板対基板型コネクタの一例であって、雄型コネクタ３５０Ａと雌型コネクタ３００Ａとを嵌合する前の垂直断面及び両コネクタ嵌合後の状態を仮想線を用いて示す図である（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開平０８−１４８２４０号公報（図９）
【０００７】
また、図２７において、符号３０１は雌型コネクタ３００Ａの接続端子を示し、符号３５１は雄型コネクタ３５０Ａの接続端子を示し、符号３０３ａ及び符号３５３ａは、それぞれ基板３０３及び３５３上に設けられた配線である。なお、以降述べる他の従来例の説明において、本例と同一部分には同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【０００８】
図２７にあっては、雌型コネクタ３００Ａ及び雄型コネクタ３５０Ａがそれぞれ基板３０３及び３５３に表面実装され、両コネクタ３００Ａ，３５０Ａを嵌合すれば、基板３０３及び３５３が積み重ねられた状態になることを示す。
【０００９】
この時、積み重ねられた状態にある両回路基板３０３，３５３の間隔Ｓ１を少しでも小さくすることが、基板対基板型コネクタを用いる電気電子機器の低背化を図る上では好ましい。
【００１０】
一般に、コネクタの基板への取り付けは、コネクタの接続端子を基板に配設した配線に半田付けすることで行うことが多いが、図２７に符号Ｈで示す半田付け部分が多いと、半田付け部分Ｈが妨げとなり、雌雄両コネクタの嵌合割合の低下を招くため、それだけ基板間の間隔Ｓ１が増大し、低背化の実現に支障を来すことが考えられる。
【００１１】
そこで、半田付け部分があることに起因した基板間の間隔Ｓ１の長大化を防止する技術が提案されている（例えば、特許文献２参照。）。
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−２７３９４９号公報（図１，図２）
【００１２】
図２８及び図２９は当該技術の一例であって、図２８は雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの全体斜視図を示し、図２９は雌型コネクタ３００Ｂに対して雄型コネクタ３５０Ｂを嵌合する前の状態と嵌合後の状態を示す図である。
【００１３】
雌型コネクタ３００Ｂは、図２８からわかるように、その上面周縁部３０５のうち対向する一対の長縁部３０５ａに雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの高さ方向における上方、並びに雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの内部側及び外部側の三方に開放する底の浅い長形凹部３０７が形成されている。
【００１４】
この技術によれば、雌雄両コネクタの嵌合時、図２９に示すように、長形凹部３０７内に、雄型コネクタ３５０Ｂの接続端子３５５の一部である半田付け部が載置収納される。このように雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの長形凹部３０７内に雄型コネクタ３５０Ｂの接続端子３５５に係る半田付け部分Ｈが配置されることで、半田付け部分Ｈを当該長形凹部３０７で収容し、もって雌雄両コネクタ３００Ｂ，３５０Ｂの嵌合時の高さ寸法の長大化を回避する（なお、図２８及び図２９において、符号３０９で示すものは、雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの接続端子の一部である。）。
【００１５】
しかしながら、前記長形凹部３０７は、雌型コネクタ３００Ｂの内部側と外部側とに開放されているので、譬え雌雄両コネクタ３００Ｂ，３５０Ｂを嵌合してもそこからゴミやほこりが嵌合状態の雌雄両コネクタ内に入ってしまうため、ゴミやほこりに起因した電気的接触不良を引き起こすことが考えられる。
【００１６】
一方、図３０は、他の雌雄両コネクタ３００Ｃ，３５０Ｃの嵌合状態を示す垂直断面図であり、一方のコネクタ（便宜上、雌型コネクタ）３００Ｃの接続端子３３２と他方のコネクタ（便宜上、雄型コネクタ）３５０Ｃの接続端子３７２とが、それぞれの接触部３３４及び３７４で接触している状態を示す（特許文献３参照。）。
【特許文献３】
特開２０００−２６０５０９号公報（図１）
【００１７】
この場合、雌型コネクタ３００Ｃに係る接続端子３３２の接触部３３４が直線形状であるのに対し、雄型コネクタ３５０Ｃに係る接続端子３７２のうち雌型コネクタ３００Ｃに係る接触部３３４に当接する接触部３７４は角が取れて丸みを帯びた形状であるので、両接触部３３４と３７４とは点接触する。このため、両コネクタ間における摩擦抵抗は小さく、雌雄両コネクタの嵌合時に作業者が感じる接触感覚はスムースであり節度感（以下、クリック感と記す）がない。このため、作業者は確実に嵌合されたか否かを感覚的に認識できないという問題がある。よって雌雄両コネクタの嵌合が不確実な場合には、電気電子機器は不良品として取り扱われてしまう虞がある。
【００１８】
そこで、例えば図３１に示すように、前記直線状の接触部３３４に凹部３３６を設け、この凹部３３６に電気接触部３７４を入れるようにすれば、電気接触部３７４が凹部３３６に入った際に段差があるのでクリック感を持たせることができる。
【００１９】
しかしながら、基板対基板型コネクタの接続端子は、元々が薄くかつ小さいものであるから、そこに凹部を形成してもその凹部は当然浅くて小さなものにしかならない。よって十分なクリック感を期待し難い。
【００２０】
加えて、接続端子３３２や３７２を雌雄両コネクタの各基板３０３，３５３に半田付けするにあたり、これら接続端子３３２，３７２と各基板３０３，３５３（正確には基板上の配線３０３ａ，３５３ａ）との接触面積をある程度確保し、十分な半田付けができるようにする必要がある。接触面積は、接続端子３３２や３７２における半田付け部位の幅と長さに比例して大きくなり、半田強度は接触面積及び半田量に依存する。
【００２１】
一方、電気電子機器の小型化の要請に応えるためには、当該接触面積をも小さくせざるを得ない。しかしながらそれにも限度がある。このため、接続端子と基板との接触面積が小さくても十分な半田付けができる技術が要望されている。
【００２２】
また、雄型コネクタを雌型コネクタに嵌合し易くできるように雄型コネクタの先端部を先細りにすることが考えられる。しかしながらその場合、雄型コネクタの先端部の外径寸法よりも雌型コネクタの内径寸法の方が大きいので、両コネクタを嵌合した時に両コネクタ間に非接触部分が生じることが考えられる。
非接触部分が多いと、嵌合時の両コネクタの安定性がよくないため接触不良の原因となる虞がある。
【００２３】
さらに、リフローによる半田付けでは一般に基板上の配線に予めベースト状の半田（クリーム半田）を供給しておき、そこにコネクタを置いてから加熱して半田を溶かすことにより、接続端子を介して基板にコネクタを接合するようにしている。半田付けを行う場合、溶融した半田が接続端子を伝わり、場合によっては電気的な接触状態に支障を来す虞がある。また本来必要であった半田が接続端子を伝って流れてしまうので、半田付けを行うに必要な量の半田が不足してしまうことが考えられる。
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
【００２４】
本発明は、上記実情に鑑みてなされたものであり、その解決しようとする課題は、少なくとも基板間の間隔を小さくすることで低背化の実現を図るのは勿論、嵌合された雌雄両コネクタ内にゴミやほこりが入るのを防止することができる技術を提供することにある。
【００２５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前述の技術的課題を解決するために以下のようにした。
【００２６】
すなわち、本発明基板対基板型コネクタは、少なくとも２つの基板の一方の基板に実装される第１のコネクタと、他方の基板に実装され、前記第１のコネクタと嵌合し当該基板間を前記第１のコネクタと共に電気的に接続する第２のコネクタとを備え、両コネクタはそれぞれ接続端子が取り付けられたハウジングを有し、前記第２のコネクタに係るハウジングは前記第１のコネクタと嵌合する嵌合凹部を有するとともに、当該第２のコネクタに係る接続端子が取り付けられて閉塞される端子取付溝を有し、前記第１のコネクタと前記第２のコネクタとの嵌合時、前記第２のコネクタに係る前記嵌合凹部内に前記第１のコネクタをその接続端子も含めすべて収納した状態で前記嵌合凹部の開口を前記第１のコネクタに係る一方の基板で覆蓋する。
【００２７】
端子取付溝は、前記嵌合凹部のあるハウジングの内部側には開いているが外部側には閉じてる。
【００２８】
本発明の基板対基板型コネクタによれば、前記第１のコネクタとの嵌合時、前記第２のコネクタの嵌合凹部内に前記第１のコネクタをその接続端子も含めすべて収納する。すなわち、半田付け部分も含めて第１のコネクタのすべてを嵌合凹部内に収納する。したがって、まず、半田付け部分を嵌合凹部内で吸収することができるので、従来技術で述べたごとき半田付け部分の収納用の凹部を第２のコネクタに設けずとも基板間の間隔を小さくできる。このため基板対基板型コネクタを適用する電気電子機器の低背化が実現できる。
また、当該従来技術に係る凹部は、第２のコネクタの内部側と外部側とに開放されていたため、そこから嵌合状態にある両コネクタ内にゴミやほこりが入ってしまうことが考えられた。けれども本発明にあってはそのような凹部を設ける必要がないので、ゴミやほこりの侵入を防止できる。
【００２９】
さらに、本発明にあっては、前記端子取付溝は、前記嵌合凹部のあるハウジングの内部側には開いているが外部側には閉じている。この端子取付溝に接続端子を圧入、すなわちしまり嵌め状に取り付ければ、接続端子が端子取付溝における空気の流通の妨げとなるのでゴミやほこりの流通を防止できる。
【００３０】
また、前記嵌合凹部の開口を前記第１のコネクタに係る一方の基板で覆蓋する。よって、嵌合された両コネクタ内へのゴミやほこりの侵入を極めて有効に防止できる。このように本発明にあってはゴミやほこりの侵入を有効に防止できるのでゴミやほこりに起因した基板間の電気的な接触不良を回避できる。
【００３１】
そして、ゴミやほこりばかりでなく湿気の多い環境や、腐食性ガスが発生するような場所で使用する場合にも湿気やガスの嵌合凹部内への侵入防止に有効である。
【００３２】
加えて本発明基板対基板型コネクタにあっては、前記第１のコネクタおよび前記第２のコネクタは、それぞれ雄型コネクタ及び雌型コネクタとして適用され、雄型コネクタに係る接続端子は、当該接続端子を雄型コネクタに係るハウジングに取り付けられる部位である主部と、この主部の両端からそれぞれ延びる一対の腕部とを備え、当該一対の腕部のうち一方の腕部は前記一方の基板に半田付けされる半田付け部にされると共に他方の腕部は、その一部が折り曲げられて曲折部とされ、前記雌型コネクタに係る接続端子は、前記雌型コネクタに係るハウジングの端子取付溝に取り付けられる部位である主部と、この主部に連続して形成された部位であって前記他方の基板に前記雌型コネクタに係る前記接続端子を半田付けする部位である半田付け部とを有し、前記雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の主部は、前記両コネクタの嵌合時に前記雄型コネクタに係る接続端子と当接する片持はり状の当接部を有し、この当接部には、前記雌型コネクタにおける内部側から外部側に折り返し状に湾曲された湾曲部が形成され、前記雌雄両コネクタの嵌合にあたり当該湾曲部はその最突出位を越えた箇所で前記雄型コネクタに係る接続端子の前記曲折部と係合するようにしてもよい。
【００３３】
この場合、雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の主部の他端に設けられた当接部は、片持はり状、すなわち基端側で固定され先端側で自由であるから、雌型コネクタに雄型コネクタを嵌合すべく雄型コネクタを雌型コネクタに近づけて、雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の前記当接部に雄型コネクタに係る接続端子の曲折部を当接させ、その状態からさらに雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとの嵌合度合いを高めると、雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の当接部は、その基端を起点に雄型コネクタの移動方向に応じた方向に変位する。そして当該変位の度合いに応じて当接部は内部応力を生ぜしめ、当接部には弾性エネルギーが蓄えられる。
【００３４】
そして、さらに両コネクタの嵌合度合いが高まり、雄型コネクタに係る接続端子の曲折部が雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の当接部の最突出位を越えると、前記雄型コネクタに係る接続端子の曲折部と雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の湾曲部とが係合するようになる。
【００３５】
当該最突出位を過ぎるまでは当接しているだけであって係合関係になかった曲折部と湾曲部とが、前記最突出位を境にそれまで蓄積されていた弾性エネルギーを一気に放出して突然係合するようになる。この結果、当該係合時、雄型コネクタを雌型コネクタに嵌合する作業者は、クリック感を覚える。よって、当該クリック感を生ぜしめた時に雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとの嵌合が完了するように設定しておけば、確実な嵌合を期待できる。なお、確たるクリック感を得られるように、雌型コネクタに係る接続端子の湾曲部の曲率半径や最突出部の突出量を調整すればよい。
【００３６】
また、前記雄型コネクタに係る接続端子の半田付け部は、その一部が前記一方の基板から離れる側に凹形状に曲折されて半田溜まり部としてもよい。このようにすると、曲折された腕部の端から端までの直線長さと、曲折部分を含めた実質長さとでは当然実質長さの方が長くなる。よって直線長さは短くても、半田付けを行うに必要な接触面積及び半田量を曲折された部分によって確保できるため、雄型コネクタの半田付け強度を確保することができる。
【００３７】
さらにこの半田溜まり部は、半田付けを行った際のリフロー発生時に溶融した半田をトラップする。この結果、半田の流出を防止できるので、雄型コネクタに係る接続端子のうち、雌型コネクタに係る接続端子と実際に接触する曲折部にまで半田が伝っていくのを防止する。よって、電気的な接触状態に支障を来さないようにできるとともに、半田不足が生じることもなく接続端子の確実な取り付けができる。
【００３８】
前記雌型コネクタは前記嵌合凹部の底部に、前記嵌合凹部内における前記雄型コネクタの位置決めを行う位置決め孔を有し、前記雄型コネクタは、これが前記一方の基板と対峙する面と反対側の面に前記位置決め孔と嵌合する位置決め突起を有するようにもできる。
【００３９】
雌雄両コネクタを嵌合すると、位置決め用の突起が嵌合用のガイドとして機能するので、方形突起が位置決め用の孔に嵌合しなければ、雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとは収まりが悪いため、雌雄両コネクタは正規の嵌合がなされていないということを作業者は簡単にわかる。よって雌雄両コネクタの誤った嵌合を防止できる。
【００４０】
さらにまた、雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとが嵌合した状態では、前記位置決め用の突起が前記位置決め用の孔に収容されるので、両コネクタの嵌合が安定する。この結果、雄型コネクタの雌型コネクタに対するぐらつきを防止し、両コネクタの堅固な嵌合を確保できるので、コネクタ間の電気的接触状態を安定させることができる。
【００４１】
また、位置決め突起を例えば雄型コネクタの四隅に設けるとともにこれを先細りにすれば、位置決め突起を位置決め孔に嵌合し易くできるのでそれだけ作業性が高まるようになることはいうまでもない。
前記第２のコネクタ（７）に係る接続端子（１３）は、打抜き加工によって形成してもよい。打ち抜き加工により接続端子の設計形状の自由度を高めることができる。
【００４２】
【発明の実施の形態】
（第１の実施形態）
【００４３】
以下、本発明に係る第１の実施の形態（以下第１実施形態）を図１〜図１７を参照して説明する。
【００４４】
例えば図１や図１５等に示すように、基板対基板型コネクタ１は、プリント回路基板３及びプリント回路基板５の接続に使用され、両基板を積み重ねて基板間の電気的接続を確保するための電気コネクタアッセンブリである。
【００４５】
基板対基板型コネクタ１は、プリント回路基板３に表面実装されるリセプタクル型の雌型コネクタ７（第２のコネクタ）と、プリント回路基板５に同じく表面実装されるプラグ型の雄型コネクタ９（第１のコネクタ）とで構成されている（図１，図５等参照）。
【００４６】
プリント回路基板３及びプリント回路基板５はそれぞれ雌型コネクタ７及び雄型コネクタ９の専用基板であるので（図３，図４参照）、これらの基板を本実施形態では、雌型コネクタ用基板３及び雄型コネクタ用基板５ということにする。
【００４７】
図１，図２，図３，図５，図６〜図８，図１２〜図１６で示す雌型コネクタ７は、プラスチックをモールド成形して形成した長四角形状をしたハウジング１１と、このハウジング１１の両側縁に沿って一定のピッチで整列配置された複数の接続端子１３と、雌型コネクタ７を雌型コネクタ用基板３に取り付けるための接続具であるネール１５とで構成されている（図１，図３参照）。
【００４８】
ハウジング１１は、雄型コネクタ９が嵌合する嵌合凹部１１ａを有する（図１，図３参照）。
【００４９】
嵌合凹部１１ａは、ハウジング１１のうち対向する一対の長辺部１１ｂ１と、同じく対向する一対の短辺部１１ｂ２と、底板（底部）１１ｃとによって画成される、上方に開口した凹部である。嵌合凹部１１ａの開口を符号１１ａ１で示す（図３参照）。
【００５０】
また各長辺部１１ｂ１には、その内縁に沿って一定のピッチで複数の端子取付溝２３が形成されている（図１〜図３参照）。
【００５１】
当該端子取付溝２３は長辺部１１ｂ１の上表面からハウジング１１の底板１１ｃを抜けるまで長辺部１１ｂ１に貫通形成されている（図２参照）。また、端子取付溝２３は、水平方向において、嵌合凹部１１ａのある側のハウジング内部側には開いているが外部側には閉じている。よって、複数の端子取付溝２３を有する長辺部１１ｂ１を平面で見ると櫛歯状に見える。
【００５２】
さらに端子取付溝２３には、ハウジング１１の底板１１ｃの外面１１ｃ１側から同内面１１ｃ２側に向けて（図１，図２参照）、前記雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３が圧入されるようになっている。換言すれば、接続端子１３は、端子取付溝２３に対してしまり嵌め状態にある。よって、端子取付溝２３は接続端子１３によって閉塞された状態にある。
【００５３】
接続端子１３は、薄肉の金属板を打抜いた後、曲げ加工して形成したものである。また、端子取付溝２３に接続端子１３を圧入すると、図２，図１２〜図１６に示すように、ハウジング１１の底板１１ｃの外面１１ｃ１から接続端子１３の次に述べる半田付け部２０がわずかに突出するようにされている。
【００５４】
加えてハウジング１１の四隅には、前記ネール１５を取り付けるためのネール取付溝１１ｄが形成されている。
【００５５】
接続端子１３は、ハウジング１１の端子取付溝２３に取り付けられる部位である主部１７と、主部１７に連続して形成され雌型コネクタ用基板３に半田付けされる部位である半田付け部２０とを備える。
【００５６】
主部１７は、図１，図２または図１２等からわかるように、接続端子１３を端子取付溝２３に装着した状態において、Ｖの字を倒立させたごとき形態をしている。
また、主部１７は、鉛直方向にまっすぐ延びるとともに実際に端子取付溝２３に挿入されて接続端子１３を雌型コネクタ７のハウジング１１に固定する部位である直線部１７ａと、直線部１７ａに連続して形成される部位であって、雌型コネクタ７と雄型コネクタ９との嵌合時に、雄型コネクタ９の後述する接続端子２１と最初に当接する片持はり状当接部１７ｂとを有する。
【００５７】
直線部１７ａは、図２その他の図面からわかるように、その両側縁に接続端子１３をハウジング１１に固定するための係止片１７ａ１，１７ａ１をそれぞれ有する。
【００５８】
係止片１７ａ１，１７ａ１は、直線部１７ａの両側縁における上下両端部にそれぞれ形成されており、直線部１７ａを端子取付溝２３に挿入すると、端子取付溝２３の側壁面内に食い込んで接続端子１３の抜けを圧入により防止する。
【００５９】
片持はり状当接部１７ｂは、その一端側に雌型コネクタ７における内部側から外部側に向けて折り返し状に緩やかに湾曲された湾曲部１７ｂ１を有する。なお符号１７ｂ１１は、図１２〜図１６に示すように湾曲部１７ｂ１の最突出位である。
【００６０】
湾曲部１７ｂ１は、片持はり状当接部１７ｂの一端側に形成され、雌雄両コネクタの嵌合前、雌型コネクタ７の内部側に向けて端子取付溝２３から弾性をもって幾分突出した状態にあり（図１２参照）、接続端子１３と雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１とが実質係合する部位である。
【００６１】
雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の半田付け部２０は、前記直線部１７ａのうち、前記片持はり状当接部１７ｂのある側と反対側に設けられており、かつ前記直線部１７ａに対して直角に外側に折り曲げられている。また、半田付け部２０は、側面形状でクランク形をしており、半田付け部２０の自由端側部分で雌型コネクタ用基板３と半田付けされる。
【００６２】
図１７に示すように、ネール１５は、Ｌ字形をしており、雌型コネクタ７のハウジング１１に設けたネール取付溝１１ｄに圧入により取り付けられる。ネール１５は、ネール取付溝１１ｄに入る側面形状で直線的形状の挿入部１５ａと、雌型コネクタ用基板３に半田付けされる部位であって、挿入部１５ａに連続して形成され、挿入部１５ａに対して直角に外側へ曲げられている半田付け部１５ｂとからなる。当該圧入用に挿入部１５ａの側縁部には圧入突起１５ｃが形成されている。
【００６３】
図１，図４，図５，図９〜図１６で示す雄型コネクタ９は、プラスチックをモールド成形して形成したものである。また、雄型コネクタ９は、雌型コネクタ７よりも小さく（図１，図５参照）、長四角形状をしたハウジング１８と、このハウジング１８の両側縁に沿って一定のピッチで整列配置された複数の接続端子２１と、雌型コネクタ７で用いたものと同タイプのネール１５とで構成されている（図４，図５参照）。ネール１５は雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ用基板３に取り付けるためのものであることはいうまでもない。
【００６４】
ハウジング１８が雌型コネクタ７のハウジング１１に形成された嵌合凹部１１ａに挿入されることで雄型コネクタ９と雌型コネクタ７とが嵌合する（図１，図５，図１２〜図１５参照）。
【００６５】
前記ハウジング１８の対向する２つの長辺部１８ｂに沿って、一定のピッチで端子取付溝２４がハウジング１８の上面１８ａから下面１８ｃに至るまで貫通形成されており（図１２等参照）、この端子取付溝２４に下面１８ｃの側から雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１が装着される。この結果、複数の接続端子２１が、ハウジング１８の対向する２つの長辺部１８ｂに沿って、雌型コネクタ７の接続端子１３と同数かつ同一ピッチで装着されるようになる（図１，図４，図５参照）。
【００６６】
また、ハウジング１８の対向する２つの短辺部１８ｄには、前記ネール１５を取り付けるためのネール取付溝１１ｄが形成されている。
【００６７】
なお、ここでいう上，下とは、雄型コネクタ９を雄型コネクタ用基板５に取着した状態において、当該基板５を下にしてその上に雄型コネクタ９を載せた状態における場合の上，下であり（図４参照）、雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ７に取り付けた状態ではこの上，下が逆転する（図１，図２等参照）。なお、下面１８ｃを基板５と対峙する面ということができるとともに、上面１８ａを下面１８ｃの反対側の面ということができる。
【００６８】
雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１は、薄肉の金属板を打抜いて曲げ加工して形成したものである。
【００６９】
また図１，図２，図４，図１２〜図１６からわかるように、接続端子２１は、これを前記ハウジング１８に取り付けたときにその全体形状が扁平なＵ字形を横倒しにしたごとき形態をしており、上下に延びる主部２５ａと、主部２５ａの両端からそれぞれ同一方向に向けて延びる下腕２５ｂ及び上腕２５ｃとを有する。そして、下腕２５ｂ及び上腕２５ｃとの先端同士の間を間隙２５ｄとし、間隙２５ｄが側方に向けられた状態で接続端子２１はハウジング１８の端子取付溝２４に取り付けられる。
【００７０】
またここでいう上，下の概念は、前記上，下の概念と同じであり雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ７に取り付けた状態ではこの上，下が逆転する（図１，図２等参照）。
【００７１】
主部２５ａはその両側縁にそれぞれ接続端子２１をハウジング１８に固定するための係止片２５ａ１，２５ａ１を有する。接続端子２１を端子取付溝２４に挿入すると、係止片２５ａ１，２５ａ１は、端子取付溝２４の側壁面内に食い込んで接続端子２１の抜けを圧入により防止する。
【００７２】
上腕２５ｃは、その一部である先端部が内側に折り曲げられて曲折部２５ｃ１とされている。この曲折部２５ｃ１が実質上、雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３が雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１と係合する部位である（図２，図１６参照）。
【００７３】
そして前記下腕２５ｂは、前記雄型コネクタ用基板５に前記接続端子２１を半田付けするための半田付け部とする。半田付け部である下腕２５ｂは、その一部である中央部が雄型コネクタ用基板５から離れる方向、換言すれば、上腕２５ｃ側に凹形状になるように曲折されており、当該部分を表面張力により半田２８が溜まる半田溜まり部２５ｂ１としている。なお、雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の半田付け部２０にこの半田溜まり部２５ｂ１に相当する半田溜まり部（図示せず）を設けてもよい。
【００７４】
雌型コネクタ７と雄型コネクタ９とが嵌合されると、雌型コネクタ７と前記基板５とによって嵌合凹部１１ａの開口１１ａ１は覆蓋され、もって閉塞された空間２９（図１５，図１６参照）が画成され、当該空間２９（嵌合凹部１１ａ）内に雄型コネクタ９はその接続端子２１，２１，・・・を含めてすべて収納される。
【００７５】
また、雌型コネクタ７と雄型コネクタ９とが嵌合状態にある時の両コネクタの安定性は、雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１及び雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の極数や接続端子２１の曲折部２５ｃ１と接続端子１３の湾曲部１７ｂ１とが係合している時の係合力に依るところが大きい。そこで、各端子の極数や係合力を考慮して、最適の安定性が得られるように基板対基板型コネクタ１の各構成部材が設定されている。
【００７６】
また、雄型コネクタ９の上面１８ａの四隅にある方形突起１９（例えば図４参照）及び雌型コネクタ７の底板１１ｃの四隅にある方形孔１２（例えば図５参照）は、それぞれ雌雄両コネクタを嵌合した時の位置決め用突起及び位置決め用孔として機能する。
【００７７】
方形突起１９は、図４からわかるように長辺部１８ｂの端部を上面１８ａに形成される主突起部１９ａと側面１８ｂ１に形成されている副突起部１９ｂとが連続しており、もって長辺部１８ｂの端部を囲繞するようになっている。そして上面１８ａに突出する主突起部１９ａにのみ着目すれば、当該部分は、扁平な截頭四角錐形状を呈する。すなわち、主突起部１９ａは、扁平ではあるが全体として先細り形状を呈する。なお先細り形状の概念には、仮想の四角柱形状体の先端部における四縁を恰も面取りしたごときに形成する場合も含まれる。副突起部１９ｂは長辺部１８ｂの側面１８ｂ１（図４，図５等参照）よりもわずかに外側方に突出している。また、主突起部１９ａと副突起部１９ｂとの交差部分は面取りがされている。
【００７８】
なお、各基板３，５に係る符号３０で示すものは配線であり、各コネクタ７，９の各接続端子１３，２１とそれぞれ当接する。
【００７９】
このような基板対基板型コネクタ１は、少なくとも２つの基板であるプリント回路基板３，５の一方の基板５に実装される雄型コネクタ９と、他方の基板３に実装され、雄型コネクタ９と嵌合して基板３，５間の電気的接続を雄型コネクタ９と共に行う雌型コネクタ７とを備え、両コネクタ７，９の嵌合時、雄型コネクタ９は、その接続端子２１，２１，・・・も含めたすべてが前記閉塞された空間２９に収納される。
【００８０】
すなわち、半田２８が溜まる半田溜まり部２５ｂ１（図１２〜図１６）も含めて嵌合凹部１１ａ内に雄型コネクタ９が全て収納される（図１５参照）。したがって、当該半田溜まり部２５ｂ１を嵌合凹部１１ａ内で収納できるので、従来技術で述べたように半田付け部分を収納するための長形凹部を雌型コネクタに設けなくても基板間の間隔を小さくできる。当該長形凹部は、雌型コネクタの水平方向における内部側と外部側とに開放されていたため空気の流通が発生し易く、よって嵌合状態にある雌雄両コネクタ内にゴミやほこりが入ってしまっていた。しかし、本実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１にあっては、そのような凹部を設ける必要がなく、また前記空間２９は閉塞されているので、嵌合状態にある雌雄両コネクタ７，９内へのゴミやほこりの侵入を防止することができる。
【００８１】
また、雌型コネクタ７の端子取付溝２３は、既述のようにハウジング内部側には開いているが外部側には閉塞しているので、端子取付溝２３を介した嵌合凹部１１ａの内外で空気の流通は生じ難い。
【００８２】
さらに、端子取付溝２３に接続端子１３を圧入される、すなわちしまり嵌め状に取り付けられるようになっているので、接続端子１３が端子取付溝２３における空気の流通の妨げとなるためゴミやほこりの流通を一層防止することができる。
【００８３】
加えて、嵌合凹部１１ａ内に前記雄型コネクタ９をその接続端子２１も含めすべて収納した状態で前記嵌合凹部１１ａの開口１１ａ１を前記雄型コネクタ９に係る一方の基板５で覆蓋して前記閉塞された空間２９を画成する。よってさらに一層空気の流通を防止する。このためゴミやほこりが閉塞された空間２９に極めて入りにくいので、ゴミやほこりに起因したコネクタ間の電気的接触不良を効果的に回避できる。また、空気の流通を生じ難いので、ゴミやほこりばかりでなく湿気の多い環境や、腐食性ガスが発生するような箇所で使用する場合にも適用され、湿気やガスの侵入防止にも有効である。
【００８４】
前記雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の片持はり状当接部１７ｂは、基端側で固定され先端側で自由であるから、雌型コネクタ７に雄型コネクタ９を嵌合すべく雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ７に近づけて（図１２，図１３参照）、前記接続端子１３の片持はり状当接部１７ｂに雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１の曲折部２５ｃ１を当接させ（図１３参照）、その状態からさらに雄型コネクタ９と雌型コネクタ７との嵌合度合いを高めると、前記接続端子１３の片持はり状当接部１７ｂは、その基端を起点に雄型コネクタ９の移動方向に応じた方向に変位する（図１４に実線及び二点鎖線で示した片持はり状当接部１７ｂ参照）。そして当該変位の度合いに応じて片持はり状当接部１７ｂは内部応力を生ぜしめ、もって当該当接部１７ｂには弾性エネルギーが蓄えられる。
【００８５】
そして、さらに両コネクタ７，９の嵌合度合いが高まり、前記雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１の曲折部２５ｃ１が前記雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の前記片持はり状当接部１７ｂの湾曲部１７ｂ１の最突出位１７ｂ１１を越えると（図１３〜図１５参照）、雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１の曲折部２５ｃ１と雌型コネクタ７に係る前記接続端子１３の湾曲部１７ｂ１とが係合するようになる（図１５，図１６参照）。湾曲部１７ｂ１のうち最突出位１７ｂ１１を越えた自由端側箇所を符号１７ｂ２１で示す。最突出位１７ｂ１１を過ぎるまでは係合関係になかった曲折部２５ｃ１と湾曲部１７ｂ１とが前記最突出位１７ｂ１１を越えて箇所１７ｂ２１に至ると最突出位１７ｂ１１を境にそれまで蓄積されていた弾性エネルギーが一気に放出されるようになり、これに起因して曲折部２５ｃ１が湾曲部１７ｂ１と箇所１７ｂ２１で突然かつ強固に係合するようになるので、当該係合時、雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ７に嵌合する作業者は、クリック感を強く認識できる。よって、当該クリック感を生ぜしめた時に雄型コネクタ９と雌型コネクタ７との嵌合が完了するように設定しておけば、両コネクタが嵌合されたことを確認できる。
【００８６】
一層のクリック感を確保できるように、雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３の湾曲部の曲率半径を変更することが考えられる。例えば最突出位１７ｂ１１を越える前後で曲率半径を変更し、越える前よりも越えた後の曲率半径を小さくすれば曲率の相違する部分が境界線になるので一層強いクリック感を覚えられる。この時前述のように接続端子１３を打ち抜き加工で形成すれば曲率半径の変更も容易である。
【００８７】
また、前記雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１の半田付け部である下腕２５ｂは、その中央部が雄型コネクタ用基板５から離れる側に凹形状に曲折されて半田溜まり部２５ｂ１が形成されているので、曲折された下腕２５ｂの端から端までの直線長さと、曲折された部分を含めた実質長さとでは当然実質長さの方が長くなる。よって雄型コネクタ用基板５に雄型コネクタ９の接続端子２１を半田付けをするにあたり必要な接触面積を確保できるようになる。すなわち接続端子２１の下腕２５ｂはその直線長さは短くても、半田付けに必要な接触面積及び半田の量を曲折された部分によって確保できるため、接続端子２１の半田付け強度を確保できる。
【００８８】
半田溜まり部２５ｂ１は、半田付けを行った際のリフロー発生時に溶融した半田をトラップし、表面張力で半田が溜まる。よって雄型コネクタ９に係る接続端子２１のうち、雌型コネクタ７に係る接続端子１３と実際に係合する曲折部２５ｃ１にまで半田が伝っていくのを防止できる。この結果、電気的な支障を来さないようにできる半田不足が生じることもなく接続端子の確実な取り付けができる。
【００８９】
なお、本発明者の実験及び計算によれば、半田溜まり部２５ｂ１がなかった場合に比しておよそ１３パーセントの半田の流出を防止できることが分かっている。
【００９０】
本実施形態では、半田溜まり部２５ｂ１は湾曲形状であるが（図１２参照）、これに限定されるものではない。要は接触面積を拡大できる凹形状であればよい。
【００９１】
さらに雌雄両コネクタ７，９を嵌合すると、図１７に示すように位置決め用の突起である方形突起１９が嵌合用のガイドとして機能するので、方形突起１９が位置決め用の孔である方形孔１２に嵌合しなければ、雄型コネクタ９と雌型コネクタ７とは収まりが悪いため、雌雄両コネクタ７，９は正規の嵌合がなされていないということを作業者は簡単にわかる。よって雌雄両コネクタ９，７の誤った嵌合を防止できる。
【００９２】
また、方形突起１９が方形孔１２に嵌合すれば、それだけ雌雄両コネクタ７，９のハウジング同士の接触面積が増大し、それだけ接触部分に摩擦抵抗を生じるため、雌雄両コネクタ７，９の結合力が高まる。両コネクタの結合力が高まれば、両コネクタがぐらつきにくくなるので、その結果、雄型コネクタ９の接続端子２１と雌型コネクタ７の接続端子１３との接合状態が安定する。
【００９３】
また、方形突起１９は、扁平な截頭四角錐形状（先細り形状）であるから、方形突起１９を有する雄型コネクタ９を雌型コネクタ７に嵌合し易いことはいうまでもない。
【００９４】
なお、この実施形態では、方形突起１９及び方形孔１２をそれぞれ雄型コネクタ９の上面１８ａの四隅と雌型コネクタ７の底板１１ｃの四隅に設けたが、方形突起１９及び方形孔１２の形成箇所はこれに限定されるものではない。要は、雄型コネクタ９と雌型コネクタ７との嵌合を確実にサポートするために効果的な箇所であれば、どこに設けてもよい。
（第２の実施の形態）
【００９５】
次に本発明の第２の実施の形態（以下第２実施形態）に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１０１を図１８〜図２６を参照して説明する。
【００９６】
この第２実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１０１が第１実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１と相違する点は、雌雄各端子の形状，雌雄ハウジングの形状およびそれに関連する箇所である。
【００９７】
本実施形態に係る雌雄コネクタも第１実施形態に係る雌雄コネクタと同様プラスチックをモールド成型して形成してある。
【００９８】
図１８，図１９，図２１等で示す雌型コネクタ１０７は、外形で長四角形状をしたハウジング１１１と、このハウジング１１１の両側縁に沿って一定のピッチで整列配置された複数の接続端子１１３と、雌型コネクタ１０７を雌型コネクタ用基板３に取り付けるための接続具であるネール１１５とで構成されている（図１８，図２１，図２６等参照）。
【００９９】
ハウジング１１１は、雄型コネクタ１０９が嵌合する嵌合凹部１１１ａを有する。
【０１００】
嵌合凹部１１１ａは、ハウジング１１１のうち対向する一対の長辺部１１１ｂ１と、同じく対向する一対の短辺部１１１ｂ２と、底板（底部）１１１ｃとによって画成される、上方に開口した凹部である。
【０１０１】
嵌合凹部１１１ａの開口を符号１１１ａ１で示す（図２１，図２６等参照）。また嵌合凹部１１１ａの中央部にはその長手方向に沿って延びる立方体形状の島部１１４を有する。ハウジング１１１の嵌合凹部１１１ａの中央部に島部１１４があることにより、嵌合凹部１１１ａはリング状の溝形態を呈する。当該リング状の嵌合凹部１１１ａにおいて、雌型コネクタ１０７の接続端子１１３と雄型コネクタ１０９の後述する接続端子１２１とが係合し、もって雄型コネクタ１０９と雌型コネクタ１０７とが電気的に接続される。
【０１０２】
ハウジング１１１の各長辺部１１１ｂ１及び島部１１４には、それぞれ前記接続端子１１３を取り付けるための端子取付溝１２３及び端子収納溝１１４ａが一定のピッチで複数形成されている（図２１参照）。
【０１０３】
ここで接続端子１１３について説明する。
【０１０４】
接続端子１１３は、薄肉の金属板を打抜き加工して形成したものであり、Ｅの字とＬの字とをそれらの長手方向で連結したごとき形状をしている（図１９，図２２等参照）。そしてこの接続端子１１３は、これをハウジング１１１の端子取付溝１２３に圧入固定するための主部１１７と、主部１１７から島部１１４にクランク状に曲折して延びる延在部１２０とを備える。
【０１０５】
主部１１７は、図１９，図２２等からわかるように、接続端子１１３を端子取付溝１２３に装着した状態において、Ｅの字を横倒しにしたごとき形態をしている。主部１１７は接続端子１１３を端子取付溝１２３に圧入した場合に端子取付溝１２３に位置し、水平方向に延びる主片１１７ａと、その中央部に形成され主部１１７の端子取付溝１２３からの抜けを防止する抜け防止脚片１１７ｂと、主片１１７ａの両側に位置し、抜け防止脚片１１７ｂとほぼ並行に形成され、ハウジング１１１の内部側に位置する内側脚片１１７ｃと、ハウジング１１１の外側に位置する外側脚片１１７ｄとを有する。
【０１０６】
内側脚片１１７ｃの先端に前記延在部１２０が連続して設けられ、外側脚片１１７ｄは雌型コネクタ３への半田付け部として機能する。
【０１０７】
延在部１２０はＬ字形態であって、菱形の傘部１２０ａを先端部に有する腕部１２０ｂが鈍角に曲折された状態で形成されている。傘部１２０ａを含む腕部１２０ｂは、島部１１４の端子収納溝１１４ａ内に遊びをもって収納されている。
【０１０８】
ハウジング１１１の端子取付溝１２３は、長辺部１１１ｂ１の上表面に複数形成され、かつ長辺部１１１ｂ１の長手方向に対して直交方向に形成されている。端子取付溝１２３は、上方および両端で開口し、その長手方向中央部には、接続端子１１３の抜け防止脚片１１７ｂが圧入係止される係止穴１２３ａが形成されている。また端子取付溝１２３の両端には、接続端子１１３の内側脚片１１７ｃ及び外側脚片１１７ｄがそれぞれ位置する内側溝１２３ｂ及び外側溝１２３ｃが形成されている（図２２参照）。
【０１０９】
また、島部１１４にも接続端子１１３の先端部である傘部１２０ａを支持する端子収納溝１１４ａが端子取付溝１２３に対して対向する側に複数形成されている。端子収納溝１１４ａは、島部１１４の上表面からハウジング１１１の底板１１１ｃを抜けるまで貫通形成されている（図２２参照）。また、端子収納溝１１４ａは、水平方向において、島部１１４の内部側には閉じているが外部側には開いている。よって、複数の端子収納溝１１４ａを平面で見ると櫛歯状に見える。さらに端子収納溝１１４ａは、その幅が接続端子１１３の少なくとも傘部１２０ａの肉厚よりも大きめに形成されているとともに、そこに傘部１２０ａが差し込まれた時に奥行き方向に十分な余裕ができるよう奥行き寸法も大きめに形成されている。
そして、底板１１１ｃの端子収納溝１１４ａと端子取付溝１２３との間には、接続端子１１３の延在部１２０が嵌合される溝である長溝１１１ｃ１が形成されている。
【０１１０】
加えてハウジング１１１の四隅には、前記ネール１１５を取り付けるためのネール取付溝１１１ｄが形成されている（図１８，図２６参照）。
【０１１１】
ネール１１５やネール取付溝１１１ｄは、第１実施形態のネール１５やネール取付溝１１ｄと同様であるので説明を省略する。
【０１１２】
図１８〜図２０で示す雄型コネクタ１０９は、雌型コネクタ７より小さく、外形で長四角形状を呈しかつ横断面で上方に開口した扁平チャネル状のハウジング１１８と、このハウジング１１８の両側縁に沿って一定のピッチで整列配置された複数の接続端子１２１と、雄型コネクタ１０９を雌型コネクタ用基板３に取り付けるためのネール１１６とで構成されている。
【０１１３】
ハウジング１１８が雌型コネクタ１０７のハウジング１１１に形成された嵌合凹部１１１ａに挿入されることで、雄型コネクタ１０９と雌型コネクタ１０７とが嵌合する（図１８，図１９，図２２及び図２６参照）。
【０１１４】
前記ハウジング１１８の対向する２つの長辺部１１８ｂに沿って、かつ一定のピッチで複数の端子取付溝１２４（図１８，図２２等参照）が長辺部１１８ｂの上面１１８ｂ１から下面１１８ｃを抜けるまで貫通形成されている（図２２参照）。この端子取付溝１２４に下面１１８ｃの側から雄型コネクタ１０９に係る接続端子１２１が装着される。接続端子１２１は、ハウジング１１８の対向する２つの長辺部１１８ｂに沿って、雌型コネクタ１０７の接続端子１１３と同数かつ同一ピッチで装着される（図１８参照）。
【０１１５】
また、ハウジング１１８のうち各長辺部１１８ｂと各短辺部１１８ｄとの交差部分には、前記ネール１１６を圧入にして取り付けるためのネール取付穴１１１ｄ’が形成されている（図１８，図２６参照）。
【０１１６】
なお、雄型コネクタ１０９の説明における上，下とは、雄型コネクタ１０９を雄型コネクタ用基板５に取着した状態において、当該基板５を下にしてその上に雄型コネクタ１０９を載せた状態における場合の上，下であり（図２０参照）、基板５に雄型コネクタ１０９を載せた状態において基板５と対峙する雄型コネクタ１０９の面が下面１１８ｃであり、これに対向する面（反対側の面）が長辺部１１８ｂの上面１１８ｂ１である。ただし、雄型コネクタ１０９を雌型コネクタ１０７に取り付けた状態ではこの上，下が逆転する（図１８〜図２２参照）。
【０１１７】
雄型コネクタ１０９に係る接続端子１２１は、金属板を所定幅で打抜いて細長い矩形状にしたものを曲げ加工して形成したものである。当該接続端子１２１は、極めて剛性が高められており、雌型コネクタ１０７の接続端子１１３と係合した場合でも、接続端子１２１は弾性変形しないようになっている。
【０１１８】
また、接続端子１２１は、図２２〜図２５等からわかるように、ほぼＺ字をした部分と、Ｉ字を真ん中で屈曲したごとき形態のものとをそれらの一端同士で結合したごとき形態をなす。そして、Ｚ字状部分の他端側にある平坦部は、接続端子１２１を基板５に半田付けするための半田付け部１２１ｂとしてある。またＩ字を真ん中で屈曲させたごとき屈曲Ｉ字状部分を便宜上腕部１２１ａとする。腕部１２１ａの屈曲点を符号１２１ａ２で示す。
【０１１９】
屈曲点１２１ａ２は接続端子１２１のうちでハウジング１１８の内部側に一番突出する最突出部（最突出位）である。腕部１２１ａのうち屈曲点１２１ａ２を境に先端側は接続端子２１の内側に曲げられた湾曲部１２１ａ１とされている。
なお、前記Ｚ字状部分と腕部１２１ａとの境界部分も屈曲点ということができる。
【０１２０】
屈曲点が２つあるようにして接続端子１２１を形成したこともその剛性を高めることに寄与する。
【０１２１】
雌型コネクタ１０７と雄型コネクタ１０９とが嵌合されると、雌型コネクタ１０７と雄型コネクタ１０９の前記基板５とによって嵌合凹部１１１ａの開口１１１ａ１は覆蓋され、もって閉塞された空間１２９（図２５参照）が画成され、当該空間１２９（嵌合凹部１１１ａ）内に雄型コネクタ１０９はその接続端子１２１，１２１，・・・を含めてすべて収納される。
【０１２２】
また、図１８，図１９及び図２２〜図２５等からわかるように、雌雄両コネクタ１０７，１０９を嵌合して行くと、雌型コネクタ１０７の接続端子１１３の傘部１２０ａが雄型コネクタ１０９の接続端子１２１の腕部１２１ａのうち、屈曲点１２１ａ２よりも下方で当接する（図２３参照）。雄型コネクタ１０９の接続端子１２１は、既述のごとく剛性が高く弾性変形しないので、接続端子１２１の押圧力（反力）で傘部１２０ａが、島部１１４の端子収納溝１１４ａ内において奥行き方向に変位される。そしてその時に傘部１２０ａに生じる応力により接続端子１１３には徐々に弾性エネルギーが蓄積されて行く。この弾性エネルギーにより、雄型コネクタ１０９の接続端子１２１及び雌型コネクタ１０７の接続端子１１３は、それぞれ腕部１２１ａ、及び傘部１２０ａを有する腕部１２０ｂを介して最終的に係合状態となり電気的に接続される。
【０１２３】
両腕部１２１ａ及び１２０ｂは、傘部１２０ａが雄型コネクタ１０９の腕部１２１ａの最突出部である屈曲点１２１ａ２を過ぎるまでは係合関係にないが（図２３参照）、傘部１２０ａが屈曲点１２１ａ２を越えると、屈曲点１２１ａ２を境にそれまで腕部１２０ｂに蓄積されていた弾性エネルギーが一気に放出されるようになる。そして、これに起因して前記腕部１２１ａの湾曲部１２１ａ１と傘部１２０ａとが突然かつ強固に係合するようになるので（図２４，図２５参照）、当該係合時、雄型コネクタ１０９を雌型コネクタ１０７に嵌合する作業者は、クリック感を強く認識できる。
【０１２４】
この結果、接続端子１１３と接続端子１２１とは両者間に生じる押圧力によって係合するようになる（図２２〜図２５参照）。接続端子１１３はその形状を曲げ加工して形成したものでなく、打抜き加工して形成したものであるから外力を受けた時に生じる応力は、接続端子１１３と同一寸法で同一の形状体を曲げ加工して形成した場合と比べてはるかに大きい。
【０１２５】
このため、雌雄両コネクタの接続端子のいずれをも曲げ加工して形成し、当該端子同士を当接させ、その時に当該当接箇所において各端子に生じる弾性を利用して接続端子同士を係合させる場合と比べ、一方の接続端子のみを曲げ加工するだけで済む。よって歩留まりがよく、接続端子の生産性が高まる。
【０１２６】
このように打抜き加工により形成した接続端子の場合、当該接続端子に外力が加わった場合に発生する応力は、曲げ加工により形成した同一寸法で同一形状の接続端子と比べてはるかに大きい。このため、弾性変形を利用して一対の接続端子を係合させる場合、一方の接続端子を打ち抜き加工で形成すれば、他方の接続端子に弾性変形をさせずとも両端子の当接部分では、十分な弾性を生じて係合できる。
【０１２７】
また、雌型コネクタ１０７と雄型コネクタ１０９とが嵌合状態にある時の両コネクタの安定性は、第１実施形態の場合と同様であって、雄型コネクタ１０９に係る接続端子１２１及び雌型コネクタ１０７に係る接続端子１１３の極数や係合力に比例する。そこで、各端子の極数や係合力を考慮して、最適の安定性が得られるように基板対基板型コネクタ１０１の各構成部材は設定されている。
【０１２８】
また、雄型コネクタ１０９の上面１１８ｂ１の四隅にある角形突起１１９（図２０，図２６参照）及び雌型コネクタ１０７の底板１１１ｃの四隅にある方形孔１１２（図２１参照）は、第１実施形態に係る方形突起１１９及び方形孔１１２と同様、それぞれ雌雄両コネクタを嵌合した時の位置決め用突起及び位置決め用孔として機能する。
【０１２９】
なお、第１実施形態と同様各基板３，５に係る配線３０は、各コネクタ１０７，１０９の各接続端子１１３，１２１とそれぞれ当接するのはいうまでもない。
【０１３０】
本実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１０１にあっても、第１実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタ１と同様、雌雄両コネクタ１０７，１０９の嵌合時、雄型コネクタ１０９は、その接続端子１２１，１２１，・・・も含めたすべてが前記閉塞された空間１２９に収納される。よって嵌合状態にある雌雄両コネクタ７，９内へのゴミやほこりの侵入を防止することができる。
【０１３１】
また、雌型コネクタ７の端子取付溝１２３は、接続端子１１３をそこに取り付けることで端子取付溝１２３は閉塞されているので、端子取付溝１２３を介した嵌合凹部１１１ａの内外で空気の流通は生じ難い。なお、接続端子１１３による端子取付溝１２３の閉塞とは、端子取付溝１２３に対して接続端子１１３を幾分大きめに設定しておくことで、しまり嵌め状態にしておく場合を挙げられる。また、嵌合凹部１１１ａ内に前記雄型コネクタ１０９をその接続端子１２１も含めすべて収納した状態で前記嵌合凹部１１１ａの開口１１１ａ１を前記雄型コネクタ１０９に係る一方の基板５で覆蓋して前記閉塞空間１２９を画成するので一層空気の流通を防止する。このためゴミやほこりが閉塞空間１２９に極めて入りにくいのでゴミやほこりに起因した接触不良を効果的に回避できる。また、空気の流通を生じ難いので、ゴミやほこりばかりでなく湿気の多い環境や、腐食性ガスが発生するような箇所で使用する場合にも適用され、湿気やガスの侵入防止に有効である。
【０１３２】
さらに雌雄両コネクタ１０７，１０９を嵌合すると、図１８や図２６に示すように位置決め用の突起である角形突起１１９が嵌合用のガイドとして機能するので、角形突起１１９が位置決め用の孔である方形孔１１２に嵌合しなければ、雄型コネクタ１０９と雌型コネクタ１０７とは収まりが悪いため、雌雄両コネクタ１０７，１０９は正規の嵌合がなされていないということを、作業者は簡単にわかる。よって雌雄両コネクタ１０９，１０７の誤った嵌合を防止できる。
【０１３３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、基板間の間隔を小さくできるので低背化は勿論、嵌合された第１，第２両コネクタ内にゴミやほこりが入るのを防止し、両コネクタの嵌合時、使用者はクリック感を認識し、もって両コネクタの確実な嵌合を確保し、さらにはコネクタの接続端子が基板と接触する部分が小さくても確実な半田付けができる。
また、第１のコネクタが有する位置決め突起が第２のコネクタが有する位置決め孔に嵌合すれば、それだけ両コネクタのハウジング同士の接触面積が増大し、それだけ接触部分に摩擦抵抗を生じるため、両コネクタの結合力が高まる。両コネクタの結合力が高まれば、両コネクタがぐらつきにくくなるので、その結果、雄型コネクタの接続端子と雌型コネクタの接続端子との接合状態が安定する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態であって一部を省略して示す全体斜視図である。
【図２】図１の要部拡大図である。
【図３】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態に係る雌型コネクタの全体斜視図である。
【図４】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態に係る雄型コネクタの全体斜視図である。
【図５】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態に係る基板対基板型コネクタの一部省略分解斜視図である。
【図６】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態に係る雌型コネクタの平面図である。
【図７】図６の矢印ＶＩＩ方向から見た図である。
【図８】図６の矢印ＶＩＩＩ方向から見た図である。
【図９】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第１実施形態に係る雄型コネクタの平面図である。
【図１０】図９の矢印Ｘ方向から見た図である。
【図１１】図９の矢印ＸＩ方向から見た図である。
【図１２】雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとを組み付ける前の断面図である。
【図１３】図１２の状態から雄型コネクタを雌型コネクタに嵌合する状態を示す断面図であって、雄型コネクタの接続端子が雌型コネクタの接続端子に当接した最初の状態を示す図である。
【図１４】図１３の状態からさらに雄型コネクタを雌方コネクタに嵌合した状態を示す図である。
【図１５】図１４の状態から雄型コネクタと雌方コネクタとが完全に嵌合した状態を示す図である。
【図１６】図１５の領域ＸＶＩ部分の拡大図である。
【図１７】図１のＸＶＩＩ−ＸＶＩＩ線断面図である。
【図１８】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第２実施形態であって一部を省略して示す全体斜視図である。
【図１９】図１８の要部拡大図である。
【図２０】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第２実施形態に係る雄型コネクタの全体斜視図である。
【図２１】本発明基板対基板型コネクタの第２実施形態に係る雌型コネクタの全体斜視図である。
【図２２】雄型コネクタと雌型コネクタとを組み付ける前の断面図である。
【図２３】図２２の状態から雄型コネクタを雌型コネクタに嵌合する状態を示す断面図であって、雄型コネクタの接続端子が雌型コネクタの接続端子に当接した最初の状態を示す図である。
【図２４】図２３の状態からさらに雄型コネクタを雌方コネクタに嵌合した状態を示す図である。
【図２５】図１９の矢印ＩＩＸＶ方向から見た拡大図である。
【図２６】図１８のＩＩＸＶＩ−ＩＩＸＶＩ線断面図である。
【図２７】従来技術を説明するための図である。
【図２８】他の従来技術を説明するための図である。
【図２９】図２８の補足図である。
【図３０】さらに他の従来技術を説明するための図である。
【図３１】さらにまた別の従来技術を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１基板対基板型コネクタ
３プリント回路基板（雌型コネクタ用基板）
５プリント回路基板（雄型コネクタ用基板）
７雌型コネクタ
９雄両コネクタ
１１ハウジング
１１ａ嵌合凹部
１１ａ１開口
１１ｂ１長辺部
１１ｂ２短辺部
１１ｃ底板
１１ｃ１外面
１１ｃ２内面
１１ｄネール取付溝
１２方形孔（位置決め孔）
１３接続端子
１５ネール
１５ａ挿入部
１５ｂ半田付け部
１５ｃ圧入突起
１７主部
１７ａ直線部
１７ａ１係止片
１７ｂ片持はり状当接部
１７ｂ１湾曲部
１７ｂ１１最突出位
１７ｂ２１自由端側箇所
１８雄型コネクタのハウジング
１８ａ上面
１８ｂ長辺部
１８ｂ１側面
１８ｃ下面
１８ｄ短辺部
１９方形突起
１９ａ主突起部
１９ｂ副突起部
２０半田付け部
２１接続端子
２３端子取付溝
２４端子取付溝
２５ａ主部
２５ａ１係止片
２５ｂ下腕
２５ｂ１半田溜まり部
２５ｃ上腕
２５ｃ１曲折部
２５ｄ間隙
２８半田
２９空間
３０配線
１０１基板対基板型コネクタ
１０７雌型コネクタ
１０９雄型コネクタ
１１１ハウジング
１１１ａ嵌合凹部
１１１ａ１開口
１１１ｂ１長辺部
１１１ｂ２短辺部
１１１ｃ底板
１１１ｃ１長溝
１１１ｄネール取付溝
１１１ｄ’ ネール取付穴
１１２方形孔
１１３接続端子
１１４島部
１１４ａ端子収納溝
１１５ネール
１１６ネール
１１７主部
１１７ａ主片
１１７ｂ抜け防止脚片
１１７ｃ内側脚片
１１７ｄ外側脚片
１１８ハウジング
１１８ｂ長辺部
１１８ｂ１長辺部の上面
１１８ｃ長辺部の下面
１１８ｄ短辺部
１１９角形突起
１２０延在部
１２０ａ傘部
１２０ｂ腕部
１２１接続端子
１２１ａ腕部
１２１ａ１湾曲部
１２１ａ２屈曲点
１２１ｂ半田付け部
１２３端子取付溝
１２３ａ係止穴
１２３ｂ内側溝
１２３ｃ外側溝
１２４端子取付溝
１２９閉塞空間
３００Ａ雌型コネクタ
３００Ｂ雌型コネクタ
３００Ｃ雌型コネクタ
３０１接続端子
３０３回路基板
３０３ａ配線
３０５上面周縁部
３０５ａ長縁部
３０７長形凹部
３０９接続端子
３３２接続端子
３３４接触部
３３６凹部
３５０Ａ雄型コネクタ
３５０Ｂ雄型コネクタ
３５０Ｃ雄型コネクタ
３５１接続端子
３５３回路基板
３５３ａ配線
３５５接続端子
３７２接続端子
３７４電気接触部
Ｈ半田付け部分
Ｓ１間隔[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a board-to-board connector for securing electrical connection between boards.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art With the improvement and diversification of functions of various electric and electronic devices, the configurations of electronic circuits incorporated in these devices have become complicated and diversified. In addition, the tendency of electrical and electronic equipment to become lighter and thinner is increasing year by year.
[0003]
Therefore, in order to reduce the occupied area and / or occupied space of the electronic component of the electric / electronic device in the housing, a technique of stacking and arranging a plurality of substrates on which the electronic component is mounted has been proposed. In this case, the electrical connection between the substrates is realized by a pair of male and female connectors arranged on the substrate to face each other.
[0004]
A connector system having such a configuration is generally referred to as a “board-to-board connector”.
[0005]
FIG. 27 is an example of a conventional board-to-board connector, and shows a vertical cross section before fitting a male connector 350A and a female connector 300A and a state after fitting both connectors using virtual lines. It is a figure (for example, refer to patent document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-08-148240 (FIG. 9)
[0007]
27, reference numeral 301 denotes a connection terminal of the female connector 300A, reference numeral 351 denotes a connection terminal of the male connector 350A, and reference numerals 303a and 353a denote wirings provided on the substrates 303 and 353, respectively. It is. In the following description of other conventional examples, the same parts as those of the present example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0008]
In FIG. 27, the female connector 300A and the male connector 350A are surface-mounted on the boards 303 and 353, respectively, and when the connectors 300A and 350A are fitted, the boards 303 and 353 are stacked. Is shown.
[0009]
At this time, it is preferable to reduce the distance S1 between the two circuit boards 303 and 353 in the stacked state as much as possible in order to reduce the height of the electric / electronic device using the board-to-board connector.
[0010]
Generally, the connector is often mounted on the board by soldering the connection terminals of the connector to the wiring arranged on the board. However, if there are many soldering portions indicated by reference numeral H in FIG. Since H hinders and lowers the fitting ratio of the male and female connectors, it is conceivable that the distance S1 between the boards increases accordingly, which hinders the realization of a low profile.
[0011]
Therefore, a technique has been proposed to prevent the distance S1 between the substrates from being increased due to the presence of the soldered portion (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-273949 A (FIGS. 1 and 2)
[0012]
FIGS. 28 and 29 show an example of the technique. FIG. 28 is an overall perspective view of a female connector 300B, and FIG. 29 shows a state before a male connector 350B is fitted to the female connector 300B. It is a figure showing the state after fitting.
[0013]
As can be seen from FIG. 28, the female connector 300B has a pair of long edges 305a opposed to each other on the upper peripheral edge 305 thereof, in the height direction of the female connector 300B, inside and outside of the female connector 300B. An elongated concave portion 307 having a shallow bottom is formed to be open on three sides.
[0014]
According to this technique, when the male and female connectors are fitted, as shown in FIG. 29, the soldered portion, which is a part of the connection terminal 355 of the male connector 350B, is placed and stored in the elongated recess 307. . By arranging the soldering portion H related to the connection terminal 355 of the male connector 350B in the elongated recess 307 of the female connector 300B in this manner, the soldering portion H is accommodated in the elongated recess 307, and Avoid lengthening the height dimension of the male and female connectors 300B and 350B when they are fitted together (note that in FIGS. 28 and 29, a part denoted by reference numeral 309 is a part of the connection terminal of the female connector 300B. ).
[0015]
However, since the elongated concave portion 307 is open to the inside and the outside of the female connector 300B, even if the male and female connectors 300B and 350B are fitted, dust and dust may not be fitted therefrom. Since it enters the male and female connectors, it is conceivable that poor electrical contact due to dust or dust is caused.
[0016]
On the other hand, FIG. 30 is a vertical sectional view showing a fitting state of the other male and female connectors 300C and 350C, and shows the connection terminal 332 of one connector (for convenience, a female connector) 300C and the other connector (for convenience, a male connector). This shows a state in which the connection terminal 372 of the connector 350C is in contact with the respective contact portions 334 and 374 (see Patent Document 3).
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2000-260509 (FIG. 1)
[0017]
In this case, the contact portion 334 of the connection terminal 332 of the female connector 300C has a linear shape, whereas the contact portion of the connection terminal 372 of the male connector 350C that contacts the contact portion 334 of the female connector 300C. Since 374 has a rounded shape with rounded corners, both contact portions 334 and 374 make point contact. For this reason, the frictional resistance between the two connectors is small, and the contact sensation felt by the worker when the male and female connectors are fitted is smooth and has no moderation feeling (hereinafter, referred to as a click feeling). For this reason, there is a problem that the operator cannot intuitively recognize whether or not the fitting has been performed. Therefore, if the fitting of the male and female connectors is uncertain, the electric / electronic device may be treated as a defective product.
[0018]
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, if the concave portion 336 is provided in the linear contact portion 334 and the electric contact portion 374 is inserted into the concave portion 336, when the electric contact portion 374 enters the concave portion 336, Since there is a step, a click feeling can be provided.
[0019]
However, since the connection terminals of the board-to-board connector are originally thin and small, even if a recess is formed therein, the recess is naturally only shallow and small. Therefore, it is difficult to expect a sufficient click feeling.
[0020]
In addition, when the connection terminals 332 and 372 are soldered to the boards 303 and 353 of the male and female connectors, the connection terminals 332 and 372 are connected to the boards 303 and 353 (more precisely, the wirings 303a and 353a on the boards). It is necessary to secure a certain contact area so that sufficient soldering can be performed. The contact area increases in proportion to the width and length of the soldering portion of the connection terminal 332 or 372, and the solder strength depends on the contact area and the amount of solder.
[0021]
On the other hand, in order to meet the demand for miniaturization of electric and electronic devices, the contact area must be reduced. However, it has its limitations. For this reason, there is a demand for a technique capable of performing sufficient soldering even if the contact area between the connection terminal and the substrate is small.
[0022]
It is also conceivable to taper the tip of the male connector so that the male connector can be easily fitted to the female connector. However, in this case, since the inner diameter of the female connector is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end of the male connector, a non-contact portion may be generated between the two connectors when the two connectors are fitted.
If there are many non-contact portions, the stability of both connectors at the time of mating is not good, which may cause poor contact.
[0023]
Furthermore, in reflow soldering, generally, a base-like solder (cream solder) is supplied to the wiring on the board in advance, a connector is placed there, and the solder is melted by heating, so that the board is connected via the connection terminals. The connector is connected to the connector. When soldering, the molten solder is transmitted through the connection terminals, and in some cases, there is a risk that the electrical contact state may be impaired. Further, since the solder originally required flows along the connection terminals, it is conceivable that the amount of solder necessary for soldering becomes insufficient.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0024]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a problem to be solved is to realize a reduction in height by reducing at least a distance between substrates, and, of course, to achieve a mated male and female. An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of preventing dust and dirt from entering a connector.
[0025]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made as follows in order to solve the above technical problem.
[0026]
That is, the board-to-board connector of the present invention includes a first connector mounted on one of at least two boards, and a first connector mounted on the other board. A second connector electrically connected with the first connector, wherein both connectors each have a housing to which a connection terminal is attached, and a housing relating to the second connector is fitted with the first connector; And a terminal mounting groove in which the connection terminal of the second connector is mounted and closed, and when the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the The opening of the fitting recess is covered with one of the substrates of the first connector in a state where the first connector including all the connection terminals is accommodated in the fitting recess of the second connector.
[0027]
The terminal mounting groove is open on the inner side of the housing having the fitting recess but closed on the outer side.
[0028]
According to the board-to-board connector of the present invention, at the time of mating with the first connector, the entire first connector including its connection terminal is housed in the mating recess of the second connector. That is, all of the first connector including the soldered portion is housed in the fitting recess. Therefore, first, since the soldered portion can be absorbed in the fitting concave portion, the interval between the boards can be reduced without providing the concave portion for accommodating the soldered portion in the second connector as described in the related art. . Therefore, the height of the electric / electronic device to which the board-to-board type connector is applied can be reduced.
In addition, since the concave portion according to the related art is open to the inside and the outside of the second connector, it is conceivable that dirt and dust may enter the two connectors in the fitted state from the recess. . However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to provide such a concave portion, so that intrusion of dust and dirt can be prevented.
[0029]
Further, in the present invention, the terminal mounting groove is open on the inside of the housing having the fitting recess but closed on the outside. If the connection terminals are press-fitted into the terminal mounting grooves, that is, they are fitted in a tight fit, the connection terminals hinder the flow of air in the terminal mounting grooves, so that the flow of dust and dirt can be prevented.
[0030]
Further, the opening of the fitting concave portion is covered with one of the substrates according to the first connector. Therefore, it is possible to extremely effectively prevent dust and dust from entering the fitted connectors. As described above, according to the present invention, intrusion of dust and dust can be effectively prevented, so that poor electrical contact between the substrates due to dust and dust can be avoided.
[0031]
In addition, it is effective in preventing moisture and gas from entering the fitting recess even when used in a humid environment or a place where corrosive gas is generated as well as dust and dust.
[0032]
In addition, in the board-to-board connector of the present invention, the first connector and the second connector are applied as a male connector and a female connector, respectively, and the connection terminal according to the male connector includes the connection terminal. A main part, which is a part where the terminal is attached to the housing of the male connector, and a pair of arms each extending from both ends of the main part, and one arm of the pair of arms is the one substrate. The other arm part is bent to form a bent part, and the connection terminal according to the female connector is mounted on a terminal of a housing according to the female connector. A main part which is a part to be attached to the groove; and a part which is formed continuously with the main part and which is a part which solders the connection terminal of the female connector to the other substrate. And a main part of the connection terminal according to the female connector has a cantilevered contact portion that comes into contact with the connection terminal according to the male connector when the two connectors are fitted together, The abutting portion is formed with a curved portion which is folded back from the inner side to the outer side of the female connector, and at the time of fitting of the male and female connectors, the curved portion exceeds the most protruding position. The engagement may be made with the bent portion of the connection terminal according to the male connector.
[0033]
In this case, the contact portion provided at the other end of the main portion of the connection terminal of the female connector is cantilever-shaped, that is, fixed at the base end side and free at the distal end side. The male connector is brought closer to the female connector to fit the mold connector, and the bent portion of the connection terminal of the male connector is brought into contact with the contact portion of the connection terminal of the female connector. When the degree of fitting between the male connector and the female connector is increased, the contact portion of the connection terminal according to the female connector is displaced from the base end thereof in a direction corresponding to the moving direction of the male connector. The contact portion generates an internal stress in accordance with the degree of the displacement, and the contact portion stores elastic energy.
[0034]
When the degree of fitting between the two connectors further increases, and the bent portion of the connection terminal of the male connector exceeds the most protruding position of the contact portion of the connection terminal of the female connector, the connection terminal of the male connector And the bent portion of the connection terminal of the female connector is engaged.
[0035]
Until the protruding position, the bent portion and the curved portion that were only in contact but were not in an engagement relationship emit the elastic energy that had been stored until then at the most protruding position at a stretch. It suddenly becomes engaged. As a result, at the time of the engagement, the worker who fits the male connector to the female connector feels a click feeling. Therefore, if the setting is made so that the fitting between the male connector and the female connector is completed when the click feeling is generated, a reliable fitting can be expected. Note that the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the connection terminal of the female connector and the amount of protrusion of the most protruding portion may be adjusted so as to obtain a secure click feeling.
[0036]
Further, a part of the soldering part of the connection terminal according to the male connector may be bent in a concave shape on a side away from the one substrate to form a solder pool part. In this case, the substantial length of the straight length from the end of the bent arm portion to the end thereof and the substantial length including the bent portion are naturally longer. Therefore, even if the linear length is short, the contact area and the amount of solder necessary for soldering can be secured by the bent portion, so that the soldering strength of the male connector can be secured.
[0037]
Furthermore, the solder pool traps molten solder when reflow occurs during soldering. As a result, the outflow of the solder can be prevented, so that the solder is prevented from being transmitted to the bent portion of the connection terminal of the male connector that actually contacts the connection terminal of the female connector. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electric contact state from being disturbed, and it is possible to securely attach the connection terminal without causing the shortage of the solder.
[0038]
The female connector has a positioning hole at the bottom of the fitting recess for positioning the male connector in the fitting recess, and the male connector is opposite to a surface facing the one substrate. It is also possible to have a positioning projection fitted on the positioning hole on the side surface.
[0039]
When the male and female connectors are mated, the positioning projection functions as a mating guide, so if the square projection does not fit into the positioning hole, the male connector and the female connector will not fit well, The operator can easily recognize that the male and female connectors are not properly mated. Therefore, erroneous fitting of the male and female connectors can be prevented.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the male connector and the female connector are fitted, the positioning projection is housed in the positioning hole, so that the fitting between the two connectors is stabilized. As a result, wobbling of the male connector with respect to the female connector can be prevented, and a firm fit between the two connectors can be ensured, so that the electrical contact state between the connectors can be stabilized.
[0041]
Also, if the positioning projections are provided at, for example, the four corners of the male connector and are tapered, the positioning projections can be easily fitted into the positioning holes, so that the workability is improved accordingly.
The connection terminal (13) according to the second connector (7) may be formed by punching. The degree of freedom of the design shape of the connection terminal can be increased by punching.
[0042]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
[0043]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment (hereinafter, a first embodiment) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0044]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the board-to-board connector 1 is used for connecting a printed circuit board 3 and a printed circuit board 5, and is used for stacking both boards to secure electrical connection between the boards. Electrical connector assembly.
[0045]
The board-to-board connector 1 includes a receptacle-type female connector 7 (second connector) surface-mounted on the printed circuit board 3 and a plug-type male connector 9 (surface-mounted on the printed circuit board 5). (First connector) (see FIGS. 1 and 5).
[0046]
Since the printed circuit board 3 and the printed circuit board 5 are dedicated boards for the female connector 7 and the male connector 9, respectively (see FIGS. 3 and 4), these boards are used as the female connector board 3 in this embodiment. And the male connector board 5.
[0047]
The female connector 7 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, and FIG. The connector 11 includes a plurality of connection terminals 13 arranged at a constant pitch along both side edges of the connector 11 and nails 15 serving as a connector for attaching the female connector 7 to the female connector substrate 3 ( 1 and 3).
[0048]
The housing 11 has a fitting recess 11a into which the male connector 9 fits (see FIGS. 1 and 3).
[0049]
The fitting recess 11a is an upwardly open recess defined by a pair of long sides 11b1 facing each other, a pair of short sides 11b2 facing each other, and a bottom plate (bottom) 11c of the housing 11. . The opening of the fitting recess 11a is indicated by reference numeral 11a1 (see FIG. 3).
[0050]
In addition, a plurality of terminal mounting grooves 23 are formed at a constant pitch along the inner edge of each long side portion 11b1 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).
[0051]
The terminal mounting groove 23 is formed to penetrate the long side portion 11b1 from the upper surface of the long side portion 11b1 to pass through the bottom plate 11c of the housing 11 (see FIG. 2). In the horizontal direction, the terminal mounting groove 23 is open on the inner side of the housing on the side where the fitting recess 11a is located, but is closed on the outer side. Therefore, the long side 11b1 having the plurality of terminal mounting grooves 23 looks comb-shaped when viewed in a plane.
[0052]
Further, the connection terminals 13 of the female connector 7 are pressed into the terminal mounting grooves 23 from the outer surface 11c1 of the bottom plate 11c of the housing 11 toward the inner surface 11c2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Has become. In other words, the connection terminal 13 is tightly fitted into the terminal mounting groove 23. Therefore, the terminal mounting groove 23 is in a state of being closed by the connection terminal 13.
[0053]
The connection terminal 13 is formed by punching a thin metal plate and then bending it. When the connection terminal 13 is press-fitted into the terminal mounting groove 23, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 to 16, the soldering portion 20 described below of the connection terminal 13 slightly extends from the outer surface 11 c 1 of the bottom plate 11 c of the housing 11. It is made to protrude.
[0054]
In addition, nail mounting grooves 11d for mounting the nail 15 are formed at four corners of the housing 11.
[0055]
The connection terminal 13 includes a main portion 17 which is a portion to be mounted in the terminal mounting groove 23 of the housing 11, and a soldering portion 20 which is formed continuously with the main portion 17 and which is to be soldered to the female connector substrate 3. And
[0056]
As can be seen from FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 12, and the like, the main portion 17 has a form in which the V-shape is inverted when the connection terminal 13 is mounted in the terminal mounting groove 23.
The main portion 17 extends straight in the vertical direction and is connected to the linear portion 17a, which is a portion that is actually inserted into the terminal mounting groove 23 and fixes the connection terminal 13 to the housing 11 of the female connector 7, and the linear portion 17a. When the female connector 7 and the male connector 9 are fitted to each other, the cantilever beam-like contact portion 17b that first comes into contact with a later-described connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 is formed. Have.
[0057]
As can be seen from FIG. 2 and other drawings, the straight portion 17a has locking pieces 17a1 and 17a1 on both side edges for fixing the connection terminal 13 to the housing 11, respectively.
[0058]
The locking pieces 17a1 and 17a1 are respectively formed at the upper and lower ends on both side edges of the linear portion 17a. When the linear portion 17a is inserted into the terminal mounting groove 23, the locking pieces 17a1 and 17a1 bite into the side wall surface of the terminal mounting groove 23 to connect the connection terminal. 13 is prevented by press fitting.
[0059]
The cantilevered abutting portion 17b has a curved portion 17b1 which is gently bent in a folded shape from the inside to the outside of the female connector 7 at one end thereof. Reference numeral 17b11 is the most protruding position of the curved portion 17b1 as shown in FIGS.
[0060]
The curved portion 17b1 is formed at one end of the cantilevered abutting portion 17b, and slightly resiliently protrudes from the terminal mounting groove 23 toward the inside of the female connector 7 before mating of the male and female connectors. (See FIG. 12), where the connection terminal 13 and the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 are substantially engaged.
[0061]
The soldering portion 20 of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 is provided on a side of the straight portion 17a opposite to the side having the cantilever beam-shaped contact portion 17b, and is connected to the straight portion 17a. It is bent outward at right angles. The soldering portion 20 has a side surface in a crank shape, and is soldered to the female connector board 3 at a free end portion of the soldering portion 20.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 17, the nail 15 has an L-shape, and is mounted by press-fitting in a nail mounting groove 11 d provided in the housing 11 of the female connector 7. The nail 15 is an insertion portion 15a having a linear shape in a side surface entering the nail attachment groove 11d, and a portion to be soldered to the female connector board 3, and is formed continuously with the insertion portion 15a. And a soldering portion 15b bent outward at a right angle to 15a. A press-fit projection 15c is formed on the side edge of the insertion portion 15a for the press-fit.
[0063]
The male connector 9 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 9 to 16 is formed by molding plastic. The male connector 9 is smaller than the female connector 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 5), and is arranged at a constant pitch along both sides of the housing 18 having a rectangular shape. It is composed of a plurality of connection terminals 21 and nails 15 of the same type as those used in the female connector 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It goes without saying that the nail 15 is for attaching the male connector 9 to the female connector board 3.
[0064]
The male connector 9 and the female connector 7 are fitted by inserting the housing 18 into the fitting concave portion 11a formed in the housing 11 of the female connector 7 (FIGS. 1, 5, and 12 to 15). reference).
[0065]
Along the two opposing long sides 18b of the housing 18, terminal mounting grooves 24 are formed at a constant pitch from the upper surface 18a to the lower surface 18c of the housing 18 (see FIG. 12 and the like). The connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 is mounted in the mounting groove 24 from the lower surface 18c side. As a result, the plurality of connection terminals 21 are mounted along the two opposing long sides 18b of the housing 18 with the same number and the same pitch as the connection terminals 13 of the female connector 7 (FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5).
[0066]
A nail mounting groove 11d for mounting the nail 15 is formed in two opposite short sides 18d of the housing 18.
[0067]
Here, the terms “upper” and “lower” refer to the case where the male connector 9 is attached to the male connector board 5 and the male connector 9 is placed on the board 5 with the board 5 down. Up and down (see FIG. 4), and when the male connector 9 is attached to the female connector 7, the upper and lower sides are reversed (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The lower surface 18c can be referred to as a surface facing the substrate 5, and the upper surface 18a can be referred to as a surface opposite to the lower surface 18c.
[0068]
The connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 is formed by punching and bending a thin metal plate.
[0069]
As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 12 to 16, the connection terminal 21 has a shape such that when the connection terminal 21 is attached to the housing 18, the entire shape is a flat U-shape turned over. It has a main portion 25a extending vertically and a lower arm 25b and an upper arm 25c extending in the same direction from both ends of the main portion 25a. A gap 25d is formed between the distal ends of the lower arm 25b and the upper arm 25c, and the connection terminal 21 is mounted in the terminal mounting groove 24 of the housing 18 with the gap 25d directed sideways.
[0070]
The upper and lower concepts here are the same as the above and lower concepts. When the male connector 9 is mounted on the female connector 7, the upper and lower parts are reversed (see FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.). ).
[0071]
The main portion 25a has locking pieces 25a1 and 25a1 on both side edges for fixing the connection terminal 21 to the housing 18, respectively. When the connection terminal 21 is inserted into the terminal mounting groove 24, the locking pieces 25a1 and 25a1 bite into the side wall surface of the terminal mounting groove 24 to prevent the connection terminal 21 from coming off by press fitting.
[0072]
The upper arm 25c has a bent portion 25c1 formed by bending a part of the distal end thereof inward. The bent portion 25c1 is substantially a portion where the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 engages with the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 (see FIGS. 2 and 16).
[0073]
The lower arm 25b serves as a soldering portion for soldering the connection terminal 21 to the male connector board 5. The lower arm 25b, which is a soldering portion, is bent so that the central portion, which is a part thereof, is away from the male connector substrate 5, that is, is concave toward the upper arm 25c side. A solder pool 25b1 where the solder 28 is stored due to surface tension is formed. The soldering portion 20 of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 may be provided with a solder pool (not shown) corresponding to the solder pool 25b1.
[0074]
When the female connector 7 and the male connector 9 are fitted together, the opening 11a1 of the fitting recess 11a is covered by the female connector 7 and the board 5, and the space 29 thus closed is closed (FIGS. 15 and 16). .) Are defined, and the male connector 9 including the connection terminals 21, 21,... Is entirely stored in the space 29 (the fitting recess 11a).
[0075]
The stability of both connectors when the female connector 7 and the male connector 9 are in the fitted state depends on the number of poles of the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 and the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7. It largely depends on the engaging force when the bent portion 25c1 of the connection terminal 21 and the bent portion 17b1 of the connection terminal 13 are engaged. Therefore, in consideration of the number of poles and the engaging force of each terminal, each component of the board-to-board connector 1 is set so as to obtain optimum stability.
[0076]
The square projections 19 (see, for example, FIG. 4) at the four corners of the upper surface 18a of the male connector 9 and the square holes 12 (see, for example, FIG. 5) at the four corners of the bottom plate 11c of the female connector 7 respectively connect the male and female connectors. It functions as a positioning projection and a positioning hole when fitted.
[0077]
4, the main protrusion 19a formed on the upper surface 18a and the sub-protrusion 19b formed on the side surface 18b1 are continuous with each other. It surrounds the edge of the side 18b. If attention is paid only to the main projection 19a protruding from the upper surface 18a, the portion has a flat truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. In other words, the main projection 19a has a flat shape but a tapered shape as a whole. Note that the concept of the tapered shape includes a case where the four edges at the front end of the virtual quadrangular prism body are formed as if chamfered. The sub-projection 19b projects slightly outward from the side surface 18b1 of the long side 18b (see FIGS. 4, 5 and the like). The intersection between the main projection 19a and the sub projection 19b is chamfered.
[0078]
In addition, what is indicated by the reference numeral 30 on each of the boards 3 and 5 is a wiring, and comes into contact with each of the connection terminals 13 and 21 of each of the connectors 7 and 9.
[0079]
Such a board-to-board connector 1 includes a male connector 9 mounted on one substrate 5 of at least two printed circuit boards 3 and 5, and a male connector 9 mounted on the other substrate 3. And a female connector 7 for making electrical connection between the substrates 3 and 5 together with the male connector 9 by fitting the male and female connectors 9 and 9 together. .. Are all stored in the closed space 29.
[0080]
That is, the male connector 9 is entirely stored in the fitting recess 11a including the solder pool portion 25b1 (FIGS. 12 to 16) in which the solder 28 is stored (see FIG. 15). Therefore, since the solder pool portion 25b1 can be accommodated in the fitting recess 11a, the space between the substrates can be reduced without providing a long recess for accommodating the soldering portion in the female connector as described in the related art. Can be smaller. Since the elongated recess is open to the inner side and the outer side in the horizontal direction of the female connector, air flows easily, so that dirt and dust enter the mated male and female connectors. I was However, in the board-to-board connector 1 according to the present embodiment, there is no need to provide such a recess, and the space 29 is closed, so that the male and female connectors 7, 9 in the fitted state are provided. It is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering the inside.
[0081]
The terminal mounting groove 23 of the female connector 7 is open on the inside of the housing as described above, but is closed on the outside, so that the inside and outside of the fitting recess 11a via the terminal mounting groove 23 are formed. And the circulation of air is unlikely to occur.
[0082]
Further, since the connection terminals 13 are press-fitted into the terminal mounting grooves 23, that is, they are mounted in a tight fit, the connection terminals 13 obstruct the flow of air in the terminal mounting grooves 23, so that dust and dirt are not generated. Distribution can be further prevented.
[0083]
In addition, the opening 11a1 of the fitting concave portion 11a is covered with the one substrate 5 of the male connector 9 in a state where the male connector 9 including the connection terminals 21 are all stored in the fitting concave portion 11a. The closed space 29 is defined. Therefore, the circulation of air is further prevented. As a result, dust and dirt are extremely unlikely to enter the closed space 29, so that poor electrical contact between the connectors due to dirt and dust can be effectively avoided. In addition, since it is difficult for air to flow, it can be used not only in dust and dust but also in humid environments and places where corrosive gas is generated. is there.
[0084]
Since the cantilevered contact portion 17b of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 is fixed at the proximal end and free at the distal end, the male connector 9 is fitted to the female connector 7 in order to fit the male connector 9 to the female connector 7. The mold connector 9 is brought close to the female connector 7 (see FIGS. 12 and 13), and the bent portion 25c1 of the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 is brought into contact with the cantilevered contact portion 17b of the connection terminal 13. When the degree of fitting between the male connector 9 and the female connector 7 is further increased from this state (see FIG. 13), the cantilevered abutting portion 17b of the connection terminal 13 starts from the base end thereof. The male connector 9 is displaced in a direction corresponding to the moving direction (see a cantilever-shaped contact portion 17b shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14). The cantilever beam-shaped contact portion 17b generates internal stress in accordance with the degree of the displacement, so that the contact portion 17b stores elastic energy.
[0085]
Further, the degree of fitting between the two connectors 7 and 9 is further increased, and the bent portion 25c1 of the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 is replaced with the cantilever beam-like contact portion 17b of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7. (See FIGS. 13 to 15), the bent portion 25c1 of the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 and the bent portion 17b1 of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 Are engaged (see FIGS. 15 and 16). The free end side portion of the curved portion 17b1 exceeding the most protruding position 17b11 is indicated by reference numeral 17b21. When the bent portion 25c1 and the curved portion 17b1, which were not engaged with each other until after passing through the most protruding position 17b11, reach the location 17b21 beyond the most protruding position 17b11, the elasticity accumulated up to that point after the most protruding position 17b11. The energy is released all at once, and the bent portion 25c1 suddenly and firmly engages with the curved portion 17b1 at the location 17b21. The worker who fits into the connector 7 can strongly recognize the click feeling. Therefore, if the setting is made so that the fitting between the male connector 9 and the female connector 7 is completed when the click feeling is generated, it can be confirmed that both connectors have been fitted.
[0086]
It is conceivable to change the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 so as to ensure a further click feeling. For example, if the radius of curvature is changed before and after exceeding the most protruding position 17b11 and the radius of curvature after the crossing is made smaller than before the crossing, the portion having a different curvature becomes a boundary line, so that a stronger clicking feeling can be felt. At this time, if the connection terminals 13 are formed by punching as described above, the curvature radius can be easily changed.
[0087]
A lower arm 25b, which is a soldering portion of the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9, has a central portion bent in a concave shape on a side away from the male connector substrate 5 to form a solder pool portion 25b1. Therefore, the substantial length is naturally longer than the straight length from the end of the bent lower arm 25b to the end and the substantial length including the bent portion. Therefore, a contact area required for soldering the connection terminals 21 of the male connector 9 to the male connector board 5 can be secured. That is, even if the linear length of the lower arm 25b of the connection terminal 21 is short, the contact area required for soldering and the amount of solder can be ensured by the bent portion, so that the soldering strength of the connection terminal 21 can be ensured.
[0088]
The solder pool portion 25b1 traps molten solder when reflow occurs during soldering, and the solder pools due to surface tension. Therefore, of the connection terminals 21 of the male connector 9, the solder can be prevented from reaching the bent portion 25 c 1 that actually engages with the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7. As a result, the connection terminals can be securely attached without causing a shortage of solder that does not cause an electrical problem.
[0089]
According to experiments and calculations by the inventor, it has been found that about 13% of the solder can be prevented from flowing out as compared with the case where the solder pool portion 25b1 is not provided.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, the solder pool portion 25b1 has a curved shape (see FIG. 12), but is not limited thereto. In short, any concave shape that can increase the contact area may be used.
[0091]
Further, when the male and female connectors 7, 9 are fitted together, the rectangular projection 19 serving as a positioning projection functions as a fitting guide as shown in FIG. 17, so that the square projection 19 serves as a positioning hole. If the male connector 9 and the female connector 7 are not fitted properly, the operator can easily recognize that the male and female connectors 7, 9 are not properly fitted. Therefore, erroneous fitting of the male and female connectors 9, 7 can be prevented.
[0092]
Further, if the rectangular projection 19 is fitted into the rectangular hole 12, the contact area between the housings of the male and female connectors 7, 9 increases accordingly, and a frictional resistance is generated in the contact portion, so that the coupling of the male and female connectors 7, 9 is performed. Strength increases. If the coupling force between the two connectors is increased, the two connectors are less likely to wobble, and as a result, the connection state between the connection terminal 21 of the male connector 9 and the connection terminal 13 of the female connector 7 is stabilized.
[0093]
Further, since the rectangular projection 19 has a flat truncated quadrangular pyramid shape (tapered shape), it goes without saying that the male connector 9 having the rectangular projection 19 can be easily fitted to the female connector 7.
[0094]
In this embodiment, the square projections 19 and the square holes 12 are provided at the four corners of the upper surface 18a of the male connector 9 and at the four corners of the bottom plate 11c of the female connector 7, respectively. Is not limited to this. The point is that it may be provided at any location that is effective to reliably support the fitting between the male connector 9 and the female connector 7.
(Second embodiment)
[0095]
Next, a board-to-board connector 101 according to a second embodiment (hereinafter, a second embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0096]
The board-to-board connector 101 according to the second embodiment is different from the board-to-board connector 1 according to the first embodiment in the shapes of the male and female terminals, the shapes of the male and female housings, and locations related thereto.
[0097]
The male and female connectors according to the present embodiment are also formed by molding plastic, similarly to the male and female connectors according to the first embodiment.
[0098]
The female connector 107 shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 21 and the like has a housing 111 having an outer shape of a rectangular shape and a plurality of connection terminals 113 arranged at a constant pitch along both side edges of the housing 111. And a nail 115 which is a connector for attaching the female connector 107 to the female connector board 3 (see FIGS. 18, 21, 26, etc.).
[0099]
The housing 111 has a fitting recess 111a into which the male connector 109 fits.
[0100]
The fitting recess 111a is an upwardly open recess defined by a pair of opposed long sides 111b1, a pair of opposed short sides 111b2, and a bottom plate (bottom) 111c of the housing 111. .
[0101]
The opening of the fitting recess 111a is indicated by reference numeral 111a1 (see FIGS. 21, 26, etc.). In addition, a cubic island 114 extending along the longitudinal direction is provided at the center of the fitting recess 111a. Since the island portion 114 is provided at the center of the fitting concave portion 111a of the housing 111, the fitting concave portion 111a has a ring-shaped groove shape. In the ring-shaped fitting recess 111a, the connection terminal 113 of the female connector 107 and a connection terminal 121 of the male connector 109 described later are engaged, so that the male connector 109 and the female connector 107 are electrically connected. Connected.
[0102]
A plurality of terminal mounting grooves 123 and terminal housing grooves 114a for mounting the connection terminals 113 are formed at a constant pitch on each of the long side portions 111b1 and the island portions 114 of the housing 111 (see FIG. 21).
[0103]
Here, the connection terminal 113 will be described.
[0104]
The connection terminal 113 is formed by punching a thin metal plate, and has a shape such that an E-shape and an L-shape are connected in their longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 19, 22, etc.). ). The connection terminal 113 includes a main portion 117 for press-fitting the connection terminal 113 into the terminal mounting groove 123 of the housing 111 and an extending portion 120 extending from the main portion 117 to the island portion 114 by bending in a crank shape.
[0105]
As can be seen from FIGS. 19, 22, and the like, the main portion 117 has a shape in which the letter E is turned sideways in a state where the connection terminal 113 is mounted in the terminal mounting groove 123. The main portion 117 is located in the terminal mounting groove 123 when the connection terminal 113 is press-fitted into the terminal mounting groove 123, and has a main piece 117a extending in the horizontal direction and a central portion formed from the terminal mounting groove 123 of the main portion 117. A detachable leg 117b for preventing detachment, an inner leg 117c located on both sides of the main piece 117a and formed substantially parallel to the detachable leg 117b and located inside the housing 111; And the outer leg piece 117d located at
[0106]
The extending portion 120 is provided continuously at the tip of the inner leg piece 117c, and the outer leg piece 117d functions as a soldering portion to the female connector 3.
[0107]
The extending portion 120 has an L-shape, and is formed in a state in which an arm portion 120b having a rhombus-shaped umbrella portion 120a at a tip portion is bent at an obtuse angle. The arm portion 120b including the umbrella portion 120a is accommodated in the terminal accommodating groove 114a of the island portion 114 with play.
[0108]
A plurality of terminal mounting grooves 123 of the housing 111 are formed on the upper surface of the long side portion 111b1 and are formed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 111b1. The terminal mounting groove 123 is open at the upper side and both ends, and a locking hole 123a is formed in a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the terminal mounting groove 123 so as to press-fit the locking leg piece 117b of the connection terminal 113. At both ends of the terminal mounting groove 123, an inner groove 123b and an outer groove 123c where the inner leg piece 117c and the outer leg piece 117d of the connection terminal 113 are located are formed (see FIG. 22).
[0109]
In the island portion 114, a plurality of terminal housing grooves 114a for supporting the umbrella portion 120a, which is the tip of the connection terminal 113, are formed on the side facing the terminal mounting groove 123. The terminal accommodating groove 114a is formed to penetrate from the upper surface of the island portion 114 to pass through the bottom plate 111c of the housing 111 (see FIG. 22). The terminal housing groove 114a is closed on the inner side of the island portion 114 but is open on the outer side in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the plurality of terminal storage grooves 114a are viewed in a plane, they appear to be comb-shaped. Further, the terminal housing groove 114a is formed to have a width larger than at least the thickness of the umbrella portion 120a of the connection terminal 113, and to allow a sufficient margin in the depth direction when the umbrella portion 120a is inserted therein. The depth dimension is also formed large.
A long groove 111c1, which is a groove in which the extension 120 of the connection terminal 113 is fitted, is formed between the terminal housing groove 114a and the terminal mounting groove 123 of the bottom plate 111c.
[0110]
In addition, nail mounting grooves 111d for mounting the nails 115 are formed at four corners of the housing 111 (see FIGS. 18 and 26).
[0111]
The nail 115 and the nail mounting groove 111d are the same as the nail 15 and the nail mounting groove 11d of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description is omitted.
[0112]
A male connector 109 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is smaller than the female connector 7 and has a flat channel-shaped housing 118 having a rectangular shape in its outer shape and opening upward in a cross section. It is composed of a plurality of connection terminals 121 arranged at a constant pitch along the line and nails 116 for attaching the male connector 109 to the female connector board 3.
[0113]
When the housing 118 is inserted into the fitting recess 111a formed in the housing 111 of the female connector 107, the male connector 109 and the female connector 107 are fitted (FIGS. 18, 19, 22, and FIG. 26).
[0114]
A plurality of terminal mounting grooves 124 (see FIGS. 18 and 22) extend along two opposing long sides 118b of the housing 118 and at a constant pitch from the upper surface 118b1 to the lower surface 118c of the long side 118b. It is formed through (see FIG. 22). The connection terminal 121 of the male connector 109 is mounted in the terminal mounting groove 124 from the lower surface 118c side. The connection terminals 121 are mounted along the two opposing long sides 118b of the housing 118 at the same number and pitch as the connection terminals 113 of the female connector 107 (see FIG. 18).
[0115]
A nail mounting hole 111d 'for press-fitting and mounting the nail 116 is formed at the intersection of each long side portion 118b and each short side portion 118d in the housing 118 (FIGS. 18 and 26). reference).
[0116]
In the description of the male connector 109, the terms “upper” and “lower” mean that the male connector 109 is mounted on the male connector board 5 with the board 5 down. When the male connector 109 is placed on the board 5, the surface of the male connector 109 facing the board 5 is the lower surface 118 c, and the surface facing the lower connector 118 (see FIG. 20). The opposite surface) is the upper surface 118b1 of the long side portion 118b. However, when the male connector 109 is attached to the female connector 107, the upper and lower parts are reversed (see FIGS. 18 to 22).
[0117]
The connection terminal 121 of the male connector 109 is formed by punching a metal plate into a predetermined width to form an elongated rectangular shape and bending the metal plate. The connection terminal 121 has extremely increased rigidity, so that even when the connection terminal 121 is engaged with the connection terminal 113 of the female connector 107, the connection terminal 121 is not elastically deformed.
[0118]
As can be seen from FIGS. 22 to 25 and the like, the connection terminal 121 has a form in which a substantially Z-shaped portion and a form in which an I-shape is bent in the middle are connected at one end thereof. . The flat portion on the other end of the Z-shaped portion serves as a soldering portion 121b for soldering the connection terminal 121 to the substrate 5. A bent I-shaped portion obtained by bending the I-shaped portion in the middle is referred to as an arm portion 121a for convenience. The bending point of the arm 121a is indicated by reference numeral 121a2.
[0119]
The bending point 121a2 is the most protruding portion (most protruding position) of the connection terminals 121 that protrudes the most inside the housing 118. The distal end side of the arm portion 121a at the boundary of the bending point 121a2 is a curved portion 121a1 bent inside the connection terminal 21.
The boundary between the Z-shaped portion and the arm portion 121a can also be referred to as a bending point.
[0120]
The formation of the connection terminal 121 with two bending points also contributes to increasing its rigidity.
[0121]
When the female connector 107 and the male connector 109 are fitted, the opening 111a1 of the fitting recess 111a is covered by the female connector 107 and the board 5 of the male connector 109, and the space 129 (which is closed) is closed. 25) is defined, and the male connector 109 including the connection terminals 121, 121,... Is entirely accommodated in the space 129 (the fitting recess 111a).
[0122]
As can be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19 and FIGS. 22 to 25, when the male and female connectors 107 and 109 are fitted together, the umbrella portion 120a of the connection terminal 113 of the female connector 107 is connected to the male connector 109. Of the connecting portion 121 of the connecting terminal 121 below the bending point 121a2 (see FIG. 23). Since the connection terminal 121 of the male connector 109 has high rigidity and does not elastically deform as described above, the pressing force (reaction force) of the connection terminal 121 causes the umbrella portion 120a to move in the depth direction in the terminal storage groove 114a of the island portion 114. Is displaced. Then, elastic energy is gradually accumulated in the connection terminal 113 due to the stress generated in the umbrella portion 120a at that time. Due to this elastic energy, the connection terminal 121 of the male connector 109 and the connection terminal 113 of the female connector 107 are finally brought into an engaged state via the arm portion 121a and the arm portion 120b having the umbrella portion 120a, respectively. Connected to.
[0123]
The arms 121a and 120b are not engaged with each other until the umbrella 120a passes the bending point 121a2, which is the most protruding portion of the arm 121a of the male connector 109 (see FIG. 23). After the point 121a2 is reached, the elastic energy stored in the arm 120b up to that point at the bending point 121a2 is released at once. As a result, the curved portion 121a1 of the arm portion 121a and the umbrella portion 120a suddenly and firmly engage with each other (see FIGS. 24 and 25). Is fitted to the female connector 107, the click feeling can be strongly recognized.
[0124]
As a result, the connection terminal 113 and the connection terminal 121 are engaged by the pressing force generated between them (see FIGS. 22 to 25). Since the connection terminal 113 is not formed by bending the shape but formed by punching, the stress generated when an external force is applied to the connection terminal 113 is the same size and the same shape as the connection terminal 113 is bent. It is much larger than when formed.
[0125]
For this reason, both of the connection terminals of the male and female connectors are formed by bending, and the terminals are brought into contact with each other. At that time, the connection terminals are engaged with each other by utilizing the elasticity generated at each of the terminals at the contact position. In comparison with the case where only one connection terminal is required, only one connection terminal needs to be bent. Therefore, the yield is good and the productivity of the connection terminals is increased.
[0126]
In the case of a connection terminal formed by punching as described above, the stress generated when an external force is applied to the connection terminal is much larger than that of a connection terminal having the same dimensions and the same shape formed by bending. For this reason, when engaging a pair of connection terminals using elastic deformation, if one of the connection terminals is formed by punching, the contact portion between the two terminals can be formed without elastically deforming the other connection terminal. Engagement can be achieved with sufficient elasticity.
[0127]
The stability of the two connectors when the female connector 107 and the male connector 109 are in the fitted state is the same as in the first embodiment. It is proportional to the number of poles and engagement force of the connection terminal 113 of the mold connector 107. Therefore, in consideration of the number of poles and the engaging force of each terminal, each component of the board-to-board connector 101 is set so as to obtain optimum stability.
[0128]
The square projections 119 (see FIGS. 20 and 26) at the four corners of the upper surface 118b1 of the male connector 109 and the square holes 112 (see FIG. 21) at the four corners of the bottom plate 111c of the female connector 107 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Similarly to the rectangular projection 119 and the rectangular hole 112 according to the above, the respective portions function as positioning projections and positioning holes when the male and female connectors are fitted.
[0129]
It is needless to say that the wiring 30 on each of the boards 3 and 5 comes into contact with each of the connection terminals 113 and 121 of each of the connectors 107 and 109 as in the first embodiment.
[0130]
In the board-to-board connector 101 according to the present embodiment, similarly to the board-to-board connector 1 according to the first embodiment, when the male and female connectors 107, 109 are fitted, the male connector 109 is connected. Everything including the terminals 121, 121,... Is housed in the closed space 129. Thus, it is possible to prevent dust and dirt from entering the male and female connectors 7, 9 in the fitted state.
[0131]
Further, since the terminal mounting groove 123 of the female connector 7 is closed by attaching the connection terminal 113 to the terminal mounting groove 123, air flows inside and outside the fitting recess 111 a via the terminal mounting groove 123. Is unlikely to occur. Note that the closing of the terminal mounting groove 123 by the connection terminal 113 includes a case where the connection terminal 113 is set to be slightly larger than the terminal mounting groove 123 so as to be tightly fitted. Further, the opening 111a1 of the fitting concave portion 111a is covered with the one substrate 5 of the male connector 109 in a state where the male connector 109 including the connection terminal 121 is completely stored in the fitting concave portion 111a. Since the closed space 129 is defined, the flow of air is further prevented. For this reason, dust and dust are extremely unlikely to enter the closed space 129, so that poor contact due to dust and dust can be effectively avoided. In addition, since it is difficult for air to flow, it is applied not only to dust and dust but also to a humid environment or a place where corrosive gas is generated, which is effective in preventing moisture and gas from entering. .
[0132]
Further, when the male and female connectors 107 and 109 are fitted together, the rectangular projection 119 serving as a positioning projection functions as a fitting guide as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 26, so that the rectangular projection 119 is a positioning hole. If the male connector 109 and the female connector 107 do not fit well without fitting into the square hole 112, the operator can easily confirm that the male and female connectors 107, 109 are not properly fitted. Understand. Therefore, erroneous fitting of the male and female connectors 109 and 107 can be prevented.
[0133]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the distance between the substrates can be reduced, not only the height can be reduced, but also dust and dirt can be prevented from entering the fitted first and second connectors. At the time of fitting, the user recognizes a click feeling, thereby ensuring reliable fitting of both connectors, and furthermore, reliable soldering can be performed even if a portion where the connection terminal of the connector contacts the substrate is small.
Further, when the positioning projection of the first connector is fitted into the positioning hole of the second connector, the contact area between the housings of the two connectors increases accordingly, and frictional resistance is generated in the contact portion. Increases the binding power of If the coupling force between the two connectors is increased, the two connectors are less likely to wobble, and as a result, the connection between the connection terminal of the male connector and the connection terminal of the female connector is stabilized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a first embodiment of a board-to-board connector of the present invention, with a part thereof being omitted.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a female connector according to the first embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of the male connector according to the first embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a partially omitted exploded perspective view of the board-to-board connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the female connector according to the first embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow VII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow VIII in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the male connector according to the first embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
10 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow X in FIG. 9;
11 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow XI in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view before assembling a male connector and a female connector.
13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the male connector is fitted to the female connector from the state of FIG. 12, and shows a first state in which the connection terminal of the male connector abuts on the connection terminal of the female connector. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a view showing a state where the male connector is further fitted to the female connector from the state shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the male connector and the female connector are completely fitted from the state of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a region XVI in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is an overall perspective view showing a second embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention, with a part thereof being omitted.
19 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is an overall perspective view of a male connector according to a second embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an overall perspective view of a female connector according to a second embodiment of the board-to-board connector of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a sectional view before assembling a male connector and a female connector.
23 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the male connector is fitted to the female connector from the state shown in FIG. 22, and shows an initial state where the connection terminal of the male connector abuts the connection terminal of the female connector. FIG.
FIG. 24 is a view showing a state where the male connector is further fitted to the female connector from the state shown in FIG. 23;
FIG. 25 is an enlarged view as viewed from the direction of arrow IIXV in FIG. 19;
26 is a sectional view taken along line IIXVI-IIXVI of FIG.
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique.
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining another conventional technique.
FIG. 29 is a supplementary diagram of FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a view for explaining still another conventional technique.
FIG. 31 is a view for explaining still another conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Board-to-board connector
3 Printed circuit board (female connector board)
5 Printed circuit board (male connector board)
7 Female connector
9 Male and female connectors
11 Housing
11a Fitting recess
11a1 opening
11b1Long side
11b2 Short side
11c bottom plate
11c1 outer surface
11c2 inside
11d nail mounting groove
12 square hole (positioning hole)
13 Connection terminal
15 Nehru
15a insertion part
15b Soldering part
15c Press-fit projection
17 Main part
17a Straight section
17a1 Locking piece
17b Cantilever beam abutment
17b1 curved part
17b11 Most protruding position
17b21 Free end side
18 Male connector housing
18a top surface
18b Long side
18b1 side view
18c bottom surface
18d short side
19 Square protrusion
19a Main projection
19b Secondary projection
20 Soldering part
21 Connection terminal
23 Terminal mounting groove
24 Terminal mounting groove
25a main part
25a1 Locking piece
25b lower arm
25b1 Solder pool
25c upper arm
25c1 bend
25d gap
28 Solder
29 space
30 Wiring
101 Board to Board Connector
107 female connector
109 male connector
111 housing
111a fitting recess
111a1 opening
111b1 Long side
111b2 Short side
111c bottom plate
111c1 Long groove
111d nail mounting groove
111d 'nail mounting hole
112 square hole
113 connection terminal
114 Shimabe
114a Terminal storage groove
115 Nail
116 Nehru
117 main part
117a Main piece
117b Fall prevention leg piece
117c Inside leg piece
117d Outer leg piece
118 Housing
118b Long side
118b1 Upper surface of long side
118c Lower surface of long side
118d short side
119 Square projection
120 Extension
120a umbrella
120b arm
121 connection terminal
121a arm
121a1 curved part
121a2 Inflection point
121b Soldering part
123 Terminal mounting groove
123a Lock hole
123b inner groove
123c Outer groove
124 Terminal mounting groove
129 Closed space
300A female connector
300B female connector
300C female connector
301 connection terminal
303 circuit board
303a Wiring
305 Top edge
305a Long edge
307 Long recess
309 connection terminal
332 connection terminal
334 contact part
336 recess
350A male connector
350B male connector
350C male connector
351 connection terminal
353 circuit board
353a Wiring
355 connection terminal
372 connection terminal
374 electrical contacts
H Solder part
S1 interval

Claims

A first connector (9) mounted on one substrate (5) of at least two substrates (3, 5);
A second connector (which is mounted on the other board (3), fits with the first connector (9), and electrically connects the boards (3, 5) together with the first connector (9). 7)
Both connectors (7, 9) have housings (11, 18) to which connection terminals (13, 21) are attached, respectively.
The housing (11) according to the second connector (7) has a fitting recess (11a) that fits with the first connector (9), and the connection terminal (11) according to the second connector (7). 13) has a terminal mounting groove (23) which is mounted and closed.
When the first connector (9) and the second connector (7) are fitted, the first connector (9) is placed in the fitting recess (11a) of the second connector (7). Board-to-board type in which the opening (11a1) of the fitting recess (11a) is covered with the one board (5) according to the first connector (9) in a state where all of the connection terminals (21) including the connection terminals (21) are stored. Connector (1).

The board-to-board type according to claim 1, wherein the terminal mounting groove (23) is open on the inner side of the housing having the fitting recess (11a) but closed on the outer side. Connector (1).

The connection terminal (21) of the first connector (9) has a soldering part (25b) to be soldered to the one substrate (5), and the soldering part (25b) is one of the soldering parts (25b). The board-to-board connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion is a solder pool portion (25b1) having a concave shape on a side away from the one substrate (5).

The second connector (7) has a positioning hole (12) for positioning the first connector (9) in the fitting recess (11a) at the bottom (11c) of the fitting recess (11a). Have
The first connector (9) has a positioning projection (19) fitted on the positioning hole (12) on a surface (18a) opposite to a surface facing the one substrate (5). A board-to-board connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

The first connector (9) and the second connector (7) are applied as a male connector (9) and a female connector (7), respectively.
The connection terminal (21) according to the male connector (9) includes a main part (25a) that is a portion where the connection terminal (21) is attached to the housing (18) according to the male connector (9);
A pair of arms (25b, 25c) extending from both ends of the main portion (25a),
One arm (25b) of the pair of arms (25b, 25c) is a soldered portion to be soldered to the one substrate (5), and the other arm (25c) is one of the arms. The part is bent to form a bent part (25c1),
The connection terminal (13) according to the female connector (7) includes:
A main part (17) which is a part to be attached to the terminal attachment groove (23) of the housing (11) according to the female connector (7);
A soldering portion which is a portion formed continuously with the main portion (17) and which is used to solder the connection terminal (13) of the female connector (7) to the other substrate (3). (20)
The main part (17) of the connection terminal (13) of the female connector is cantilevered to abut the connection terminal (21) of the male connector (9) when the two connectors (7, 9) are fitted. It has a beam-shaped contact portion (17b),
The abutting portion (17b) is formed with a bent portion (17b1) which is bent from the inside to the outside of the female connector (7) so that the female and male connectors (7, 9) fit. In this case, the curved portion (17b1) engages with the bent portion (25c1) of the connection terminal (21) of the male connector (9) at a position (17b21) beyond the most protruding position (17b11). The board-to-board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein