JP2007287350A - Connector with display function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector with display function in which a light guide member with a simple shape, minitualization, and low cost can be used by arranging the light guide member with a linear shape, total size can be made smaller with a small space of arranging the light guide member, the light guide member can be arranged in any arbitrary location, and the assembly cost is suppressed with easy installation work of the light guide member. <P>SOLUTION: The connector with display function comprises a connector main body made of an insulating material, terminals which are installed on the connector main body and contacts the mating terminals of a mating connector, and the light guide member which guides the light emitted by a light-emitting member to the outside of the connector main body. The connector main body is mounted on the substrate face so that the insertion engagement direction of the mating connector may be parallel to the substrate, and the light guide member is a member having a linear shape and has a light receiving portion located at the middle part of the connector main body with respect to the insertion direction of the mating connector, and is arranged along the face of the substrate side of the connector main body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector with a display function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector with a display function including an indicator has been provided as a modular rosette connector for connecting a cable for Ethernet (R) (Ethernet) or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, by displaying light from a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to the outside, the state where the modular jack is connected to the modular rosette and the state where signals are transmitted and received are displayed. Yes.

  FIG. 7 shows a conventional connector with a display function.

As shown in the figure, the connector with a display function includes a front surface portion 302 and a bottom surface portion 303, and a box-shaped connector housing 301 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and a metal that covers the periphery of the connector housing 301 The shield member 304 is made of and is mounted on a substrate 305 such as a circuit board. An LED 306 is mounted on the substrate 305. The light from the LED 306 is emitted from the lower portion of the front surface portion 302 through the light guide 307 attached to the connector housing 301. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain the state of a connector with a display function. Further, since the LED 306 is mounted on the substrate 305 and is not attached to the connector itself, it is not affected by noise generated when the LED 306 is turned on.
JP-A-10-308258

  However, in the conventional connector with a display function, the light guide 307 has a shape bent in a substantially L shape. For this reason, the shape of the light guide 307 becomes complicated, making it difficult to manufacture and increasing the cost. Further, the volume of the light guide 307 is increased, and as a result, the size of the entire connector with a display function is increased. Furthermore, since the shape of the light guide 307 is complicated, it is difficult to install the light guide 307, which takes time.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional connector with a display function and uses a light guide member having a simple shape, small size, and low cost by arranging a light guide member having a straight shape. Since the space for disposing the light guide member is small, the size can be reduced, the light guide member can be disposed at an arbitrary position, and the light guide member can be easily attached. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector with a display function that can reduce assembly costs.

  Therefore, in the connector with a display function of the present invention, a connector main body made of an insulating material, a terminal attached to the connector main body and in contact with the counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector, and a light emitted from the light emitting member of the connector main body. A connector with a display function having a light guide member led out to the outside, wherein the connector body is mounted on the board surface so that the mating direction of the mating connector is parallel to the board surface; The member is a member having a straight shape, and includes a light receiving portion positioned at an intermediate portion of the connector main body with respect to the mating direction of the mating connector, and is disposed along the board-side surface of the connector main body.

  In another connector with a display function of the present invention, the light guide member further includes an inclined surface at a light emitting member side end.

  In still another connector with a display function of the present invention, the light guide member further includes a concave portion at a light emitting member side end, and at least a part of the light emitting member enters the concave portion, and the concave portion is formed. At least a part of the defining surface directly receives the light emitted by the light emitting member.

  In still another connector with a display function of the present invention, at least a part of a surface defining the concave portion overlaps a part of a main light emitting surface of the light emitting member.

  In still another connector with a display function of the present invention, the surface that defines the concave portion includes a surface of a flange that protrudes in the fitting direction of the mating connector.

  In still another connector with a display function of the present invention, the light emitting member is mounted on the substrate surface such that a main light emitting direction is perpendicular to the substrate surface, and the light guide member is mounted on the connector body. It accommodates in the accommodation recessed part formed in the said fitting direction formed in the board | substrate side, and the light emission member side edge part is exposed to the end surface by the side of the said connector main body.

  According to the present invention, the connector with a display function includes the light guide member having a straight shape. This makes it possible to use a light guide member that is simple in shape, small in size, and low in cost, and can be reduced in size because the space for disposing the light guide member is small. The light guide member can be easily attached and the assembly cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector with a display function according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector with a display function according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state before the connector with a display function in 1 embodiment and the other party connector fit.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a connector with a display function according to the present embodiment, which is mounted on a substrate 51 such as a printed circuit board, fitted with a counterpart connector 60, and connected to the substrate 51 and the counterpart connector 60. Connect electrically. In the present embodiment, the counterpart connector 60 may be of any type as long as it is a connector connected to the end of the cable, but here, 100BASE, which is one of the Ethernet (R) standards. In the following description, it is assumed that the modular jack conforms to the standard. In FIG. 3, drawing of the cable connected to the counterpart connector 60 is omitted. Further, the display function connector 10 may be of any type as long as the mating connector 60 can be fitted thereto, but here, it conforms to the example of the mating connector 60 and conforms to the 100BASE standard. It will be described as a modular rosette.

  In the present embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as upper, lower, left, right, front, rear, etc. used for explaining the configuration and operation of each part of the connector with display function 10 and the counterpart connector 60 are as follows. Although it is relative rather than absolute, it is appropriate when the connector with display function 10 and the counterpart connector 60 are in the orientation shown in the figure, but the orientation of the connector with display function 10 and the counterpart connector 60 changes. In such a case, it should be interpreted according to changes in posture.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 10 with a display function is integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and includes a housing 11 as a connector body that fits with the mating connector 60, and the housing 11. And a shield member 21 made of a conductive material such as metal and covering the periphery of the housing 11.

  The housing 11 has a substantially square box shape, and is vertically connected to a bottom plate portion 12 having a surface facing the substrate 51 as a lower surface, and both side ends of the bottom plate portion 12. A side wall portion 13 extending in the direction, the upper portion of the bottom plate portion 12, that is, the upper surface, the side mated with the mating connector 60, that is, the end surface on the mating side, and the end surface on the counter mating side Is open. The open end surface on the fitting side functions as a fitting opening for fitting with the mating connector 60. And the light guide accommodating part 15 provided with the accommodation recessed part 15a in which the light guide 41 as a light guide member is accommodated is formed in the connection part with the side wall part 13 in the both ends of the said baseplate part 12. As shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the housing recesses 15a are formed on both sides of the bottom plate portion 12, and a total of two light guides 41 are housed. The bottom plate portion 12 is integrally formed with a mounting leg portion 14 extending downward. The mounting legs 14 fix the housing 11 to the substrate 51 by being inserted into and engaged with mounting through holes formed in the substrate 51.

  The terminal unit 31 includes a substantially rectangular unit main body 32 integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and an eaves-like terminal protruding forward from the upper end edge of the unit main body 32. The support portion 36 and a plurality of terminals 33 which are made of a conductive material such as metal and which are bent in the middle and are substantially V-shaped rod-shaped members. The terminal 33 is held at the root portion by the terminal support portion 36, and the tip side extends obliquely downward from the bent portion and extends toward the unit main body portion 32. The number of terminals 33, the pitch, and the like are compliant with the 100BASE standard.

  The unit main body 32 is provided with a plurality of connection pins 34 which are made of a conductive material such as metal and extend downward. Each connection pin 34 is electrically connected to a corresponding terminal 33 via a conductive wire 35 disposed on the upper surface of the unit main body 32. The connection pin 34 is inserted into a through hole formed in the substrate 51 and passes therethrough. The through holes are formed in the substrate 51 in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the connection pins 34, and are electrically connected to conductive traces (not shown). And the lower end part of the connection pin 34 is soldered in the state which penetrated the through hole, and functions as a board | substrate connection part electrically connected with the conductive trace formed in the board | substrate 51. FIG. Furthermore, the connector 10 with a display function is fixed to the substrate 51 by soldering the lower end portion of the connection pin 34 to the through hole. The number of connection pins 34, the pitch, and the like are compliant with the 100BASE standard.

  In addition, an arm portion 37 that extends forward, that is, in the fitting direction, is integrally formed on the fitting-side surface of the unit main body portion 32. Further, on both side surfaces of the terminal support portion 36, mounting convex portions 36a extending in the fitting direction are integrally formed. On the other hand, on the inner surface side of the upper end portion of the side wall portion 13 of the housing 11, a unit mounting portion 16 having a mounting groove 16a extending in the fitting direction is formed. Then, the terminal unit 31 is inserted into the housing 11 from the open end face on the opposite side of the housing 11 and attached. In this case, the mounting convex portion 36a is fitted into the mounting concave groove 16a, and the lower surface of the arm portion 37 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the one light guide housing portion 15, so that the terminal unit 31 and the housing 11 are positioned. Done.

  Further, the shield member 21 has a substantially square box shape, but the surface facing the substrate 51, that is, the bottom surface is open. Moreover, the big fitting opening part 24 which functions as a fitting opening of the connector 10 with a display function is formed in the end surface by the side of a fitting. Further, light guide openings 23 are formed at positions corresponding to the housing recesses 15a on both the left and right sides of the lower portion of the end surface on the fitting side. The shield member 21 is attached so as to cover the housing 11 to which the unit main body 32 is attached from above. As a result, the housing 11 and the unit main body 32 are covered with the shield member 21 except for the surface facing the substrate 51. A shield leg portion 22 extending downward is integrally formed at the lower end of the shield member 21, and the shield leg portion 22 is inserted into a through hole formed in the substrate 51 and penetrates therethrough. The through hole is electrically connected to a ground conductive trace (not shown) included in the substrate 51. The lower end of the shield leg 22 is soldered in a state of penetrating the through hole, and is electrically connected to the ground conductive trace formed on the substrate 51 and grounded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the mating connector 60 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and has a mating housing 61 having a substantially square box shape, and a conductive material such as metal. It has a counterpart terminal 63 made of a material and attached to the upper surface of the counterpart housing 61. Note that the number, pitch, and the like of the counterpart terminals 63 conform to the 100BASE standard. Further, a release operation lever 62 is connected to the lower surface of the counterpart housing 61 to release the engaged state with the display function-equipped connector 10 by an operator operating with a finger or the like. When the connector with display function 10 and the mating connector 60 are fitted, the mating connector 60 is moved toward the connector with display function 10 in the state shown in FIG. Through the inside. When the mating connector 60 enters the interior of the connector 10 with a display function, the mating terminal 63 comes into contact with the terminal 33 and becomes conductive, and the connector 10 with the display function and the mating connector 60 are engaged with each other. The combined state is maintained.

  Next, the light guide 41 will be described in detail.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector with a display function in the first embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the light guide in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is a diagram viewed from the upper front and FIG. 5B is a diagram viewed from the lower rear.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide 41 is a straight rod-shaped member as shown in FIG. 5, and is a light emitting member side end (the right end in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). (The left end portion in FIG. 2) is provided with a concave portion 44 as a light receiving portion. The light guide 41 may be made of ceramics such as quartz or glass, or may be made of a polymer such as acrylic resin or fluorine resin, or a transparent material that transmits light. As long as it is made of any kind of material. Further, in the example shown in the figure, the light guide 41 is a quadrangular prism-shaped member having a substantially square cross section, but the cross section of the light guide 41 may be any shape, for example, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a triangle, It may be a hexagon, a circle, an ellipse, or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 41 is press-fitted into the housing recess 15a of the housing 11 so that the cross-section of the light guide 41 matches the cross-section of the housing recess 15a. To be formed. In this case, the concave portion 44 is located at a position corresponding to the light emitting member 52, that is, at an intermediate portion of the connector main body 11 with respect to the mating direction of the mating connector 60.

  The light guide opening 23 of the shield member 21 is formed to be smaller than the cross section of the light guide 41. Therefore, by attaching the shield member 21 to the housing 11 after the light guide 41 is press-fitted into the housing recess 15a, the end surface on the fitting side of the shield member 21 functions as a retaining member for the light guide 41. It is prevented from detaching from the housing recess 15a.

  And the light emission member side end of the light guide 41 is a display unit 42 that emits light. In the example shown in the figure, the display unit 42 has a flat shape, but may have, for example, a convex lens shape or any shape. Further, a convex strip 43 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the lower surface of the light guide 41, and the convex strip 43 engages with a concave groove formed on the floor surface of the housing recess 15a. In addition, the said protruding item | line part 43 can also be abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the concave portion 44 has a shape such that the flange portion 45 is left from the light emitting member side end portion of the light guide 41 and the lower portion of the flange portion 45 is removed. And a space defined on both sides by a ceiling surface 46a on the lower side of the flange 45 and an inclined surface 46b obliquely connected to the lower surface of the ceiling surface 46a and the light guide 41. As shown in FIG. 4, when the light guide 41 is housed in the housing recess 15 a, a part of the light emitting member 52 enters the recess 44. Further, the tip of the flange 45 abuts against the inner wall in the housing recess 15a. Thereby, the light guide 41 can be positioned with respect to the fitting direction of the counterpart connector 60.

  The light emitting member 52 includes a light emitter 52a and a cover member 52b, and is mounted on the surface of the substrate 51. The light emitter 52a may be, for example, a light bulb or any kind of member that emits light, but here it will be described as an LED. The cover member 52b may be any member as long as it covers the light emitting surface of the light emitter 52a and transmits light. For example, the cover member 52b functions as a lens that collects light from the light emitter 52a. May be provided, or a function as a filter that transmits only light of a predetermined wavelength may be provided. Further, the cover member 52b may transmit light from the light emitter 52a from the entire surface, or may have directivity and transmit from only a part of the surface. Here, the cover member 52b is a member having directivity, and transmits light from the light emitter 52a mainly from the upper surface in FIG. 4 to emit upward, that is, the upper surface in FIG. 4 is the main light emitting surface. In the following description, it is assumed that the main light emission direction is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 51.

  In the present embodiment, the ceiling surface 46a of the light guide 41 is located above the cover member 52b, the inclined surface 46b is located obliquely above the cover member 52b, and serves as the main light emitting surface of the cover member 52b. Covers the upper surface. That is, the concave portion 44 of the light guide 41 overlaps most of the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52. Therefore, most of the light emitted from the light emitting member 52 is directly received by the surface that defines the concave portion 44, that is, the ceiling surface 46a and the inclined surface 46b. Then, the light is guided into the light guide 41 through the ceiling surface 46 a and the inclined surface 46 b, passes through the light guide 41, and is emitted from the display unit 42. Thus, for example, when the light emitting member 52 emits light when a modular jack is connected to a modular rosette, or emits light when signal transmission / reception is performed, the operator can The light is emitted from the display portion 42 of the light guide 41 provided on the end face on the fitting side of the connector 10 so that the modular jack is connected to the modular rosette and signals are transmitted and received. I can recognize that.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the concave portion 44 of the light guide 41 overlaps with most of the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52 has been described. However, the concave portion 44 is the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52. What is necessary is just to overlap with at least one part. If the concave portion 44 overlaps at least part of the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52, at least part of the light emitted from the light emitting member 52 is guided into the light guide 41 and emitted from the display unit 42. Therefore, it can be recognized on the end face on the fitting side of the connector 10 with a display function that the light emitting member 52 emits light. 4 and 5, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 46b is 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the light guide 41. However, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 46b is any number of times. It can be set appropriately.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the light guide 41 has a straight shape. Accordingly, the light guide 41 having a simple shape, a small size, and a low cost can be used, and the space for arranging the light guide 41 is small. Therefore, the size of the connector 10 with a display function can be reduced. Moreover, the light guide 41 can be arrange | positioned in arbitrary site | parts. Further, the light guide 41 can be easily attached, and the assembly cost of the connector 10 with a display function can be suppressed.

  Further, since the light guide 41 includes the inclined surface 46b at the light emitting member side end portion, the light emitting member 52 can be disposed so as to approach the inclined surface 46b. Thereby, since the light emitted from the light emitting member 52 is guided into the light guide 41 through the inclined surface 46b, the display unit 42 of the light guide 41 disposed on the end surface on the fitting side of the connector with display function 10 Light can be emitted and displayed.

  Further, the light guide 41 includes a concave portion 44 at the light emitting member side end portion, and at least a part of the light emitting member 52 enters the concave portion 44, and at least a part of a surface defining the concave portion 44 is a light emitting member. The light emitted by 52 is directly received. Therefore, the space for disposing the light emitting member 52 can be reduced, and the size of the connector 10 with a display function can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since at least a part of the surface defining the concave portion 44 overlaps a part of the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52, the light emitted from the light emitting member 52 is guided into the light guide 41, and the light guide 41 The light can be emitted from the display unit 42 and displayed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a light guide according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a diagram viewed from diagonally upward on the front side, and FIG. 6B is a diagram viewed from diagonally below the rear.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the concave portion 44 of the light guide 41 leaves the flange portion 45 from the light emitting member side end portion of the light guide 41, and the lower portion of the flange portion 45 is It is a space having two shapes defined by a ceiling surface 46a on the lower side of the flange 45 and a vertical surface 46c connected to the ceiling surface 46a and the lower surface of the light guide 41. That is, the light guide 41 in the present embodiment includes a vertical surface 46c instead of the inclined surface 46b in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the light guide 41 is housed in the housing recess 15a, the ceiling surface 46a is located above the cover member 52b, and the vertical surface 46c is located on the side of the cover member 52b. At least a part of the concave portion 44 of the light guide 41 overlaps the main light emitting surface of the light emitting member 52. Therefore, at least a part of the light emitted from the light emitting member 52 is guided into the light guide 41 through the surfaces constituting the concave portion 44, that is, the ceiling surface 46a and the vertical surface 46c, and is transmitted through the light guide 41. Are emitted from the display unit 42.

  Since the configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the first and second embodiments, the concave portion 44 is formed by the ceiling surface 46a and the inclined surface 46b, and by the ceiling surface 46a and the vertical surface 46c, that is, by two planes. Although the case where the space is defined has been described, the concave portion 44 may be defined by a plane and a curved surface. For example, the concave portion 44 is defined by two planes and one curved surface by connecting the ceiling surface 46a and the inclined surface 46b in the first embodiment with a smooth curved surface. it can. Furthermore, the concave portion 44 can be defined by one curved surface by configuring a continuous surface composed of these two planes and one curved surface as a single curved surface. Furthermore, by omitting the flange 45 in the first embodiment, the concave portion 44 can be defined only by the inclined surface 46b, that is, by one plane.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, only the example in which the display function-equipped connector 10 is a modular rosette conforming to the 100BASE standard has been described. As long as the connector has 41, it may have any structure. In the first and second embodiments, the case where the light emitting member 52 and the light guide 41 are disposed below the connector 10 with a display function has been described. You may arrange | position in any site | parts of the connector 10 with a display function, for example, may be arrange | positioned at the upper part. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the light guide 41 extends in a direction parallel to the substrate 51 has been described. However, the light guide 41 may extend in any direction. For example, it may extend in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 51.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is an exploded view of the connector with a display function in the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the connector with a display function in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state before fitting with the connector with a display function in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the other party connector. It is sectional drawing of the connector with a display function in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is a perspective view of the light guide in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the light guide in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional connector with a display function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector with display function 11 Housing 12 Bottom plate part 13 Side wall part 14 Mounting leg part 15 Light guide accommodating part 15a Accommodating recessed part 16 Unit attaching part 16a Mounting concave groove 21, 304 Shield member 22 Shield leg part 23 Light guide opening 24 fitting opening 31 terminal unit 32 unit main body part 33 terminal 34 connecting pin 35 conductive wire 36 terminal support part 36a mounting convex part 37 arm part 41, 307 light guide 42 display part 43 convex strip part 44 concave part 45 collar part 46a Ceiling surface 46b Inclined surface 46c Vertical surfaces 51, 305 Substrate 52 Light emitting member 52a Light emitting body 52b Cover member 60 Mating connector 61 Mating housing 62 Mating terminal 63 Mating terminal 301 Connector housing 302 Front surface portion 303 Bottom surface portion 306 LED

Claims (6)

(A) a connector body (11) made of an insulating material;
(B) a terminal (33) attached to the connector body (11) and in contact with the mating terminal (63) of the mating connector (60);
(C) a connector with a display function (10) having a light guide member (41) for guiding light emitted from the light emitting member (52) to the outside of the connector body (11),
(D) The connector body (11) is mounted on the board (51) surface so that the mating direction of the mating connector (60) is parallel to the board (51) surface,
(E) The light guide member (41) is a member having a linear shape, and includes a light receiving portion positioned at an intermediate portion of the connector main body (11) with respect to a fitting direction of the counterpart connector (60), A connector (10) with a display function, which is disposed along the surface of the connector body (11) on the substrate (51) side. The connector (10) with a display function according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member (41) includes an inclined surface (46b) at an end of the light emitting member (52). The light guide member (41) includes a concave portion (44) at the light emitting member (52) side end, and at least a part of the light emitting member (52) enters the concave portion (44), and the concave portion The connector (10) with a display function according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a surface defining (44) directly receives light emitted from the light emitting member (52). The connector with a display function (10) according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of a surface defining the concave portion (44) overlaps a part of a main light emitting surface of the light emitting member (52). The connector (10) with a display function according to claim 4, wherein the surface defining the concave portion (44) includes a surface (46a) of a flange portion (45) protruding in a fitting direction of the mating connector (60). . (A) The light emitting member (52) is mounted on the surface of the substrate (51) such that the main light emitting direction is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate (51),
(B) The light guide member (41) is housed in a housing recess (15a) extending in the fitting direction formed on the board (51) side of the connector body (11), and is on the side opposite to the light emitting member. The connector (10) with a display function according to claim 1, wherein the end portion (42) is exposed at an end surface of the connector main body (11) on the fitting side.

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