JP2013186974A - Connector for sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for a sensor, which suppresses the occurrence of an electrical connection failure.SOLUTION: The connector for a sensor, which is electrically and physically connected to a connector (90) by inserting the connector (90) into an insertion hole (51), includes: a case (50) having the insertion hole; a holder (10) fixed to the case (50); a terminal (30) partially embedded in the holder (10); and a fixing part (70) which fixes the holder to the case and fixes the connector to the insertion hole. The fixing part is formed integrally with the holder.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor connector that is electrically and physically connected to each other by being inserted into an insertion hole.

  Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, an optical sensor including a sensor housing, a mold IC, an optical lens, and a terminal has been proposed. The sensor housing is composed of a case and a holder, and each of the case and the holder is made of a synthetic resin. The case has a cylindrical shape, and the holder is fitted into the upper part of the case. And the mold IC is arrange | positioned in the upper surface center part of the holder, and the terminal is insert-molded. The holder functions as a light receiving element mounting portion, and the case functions as a connector portion.

Japanese Patent No. 3783451

  By the way, in the optical sensor shown in Patent Document 1, a holder and a connector in which a part of a terminal is embedded are arranged in the hollow of the case, and the connector is fixed (held) to the case. As described above, since the connector is fixed to the case, not the holder in which the terminal is embedded, if there is a large assembling error between the holder and the case, there is a possibility that an electrical connection failure occurs between the terminal and the connector.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor connector in which the occurrence of poor electrical connection is suppressed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sensor connector that is electrically and physically connected to each other by inserting a connector (90) into an insertion hole (51). A case (50) having a holder (10) fixed to the case (50), a terminal (30) partially embedded in the holder (10), and fixing the holder to the case and inserting A fixing portion (70) for fixing the connector to the hole, and the fixing portion is formed integrally with the holder.

  Thus, according to this invention, the fixing | fixed part (70) is integrally formed in the holder (10). Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the fixing portion is integrally formed with the case, that is, the configuration in which the connector is fixed to the case, the positions of the fixing portion (70) and the terminal (30) are the same as the case (50) and the holder. No longer depends on the assembly error with (10). According to this, it is suppressed that a poor electrical connection occurs between the terminal (30) and the connector (90).

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows schematic structure of the connector for sensors which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the holder of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the yz plane which shows schematic structure of the connector for sensors. It is a top view of the yz plane which shows schematic structure of a connector. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the area | region X enclosed with the broken line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an extending part. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an extending part.

Hereinafter, an embodiment when the present invention is applied to an optical sensor will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
The sensor connector according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, the three directions that are orthogonal to each other are indicated as the x direction, the y direction, and the z direction, and the plane defined by the x direction and the y direction is defined by the xy plane, and the y direction and the z direction. The plane is referred to as a yz plane, and the plane defined by the z direction and the x direction is referred to as a zx plane. In FIG. 6, the connector 90 is shown in order to clarify the insertion of the connector 90 into the sensor connector 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor connector 100 includes a holder 10, a terminal 30, a case 50, and a fixing part 70 as main parts. A part of the terminal 30 is embedded in the holder 10, and the holder 10 and the case 50 are fixed by the fixing portion 70. When the connector 90 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the case 50, the connector 90 is fixed in the insertion hole 51 by the fixing portion 70, and the terminal 30 and the female terminal of the connector 90 are brought into contact with each other. . As a result, the connector 90 and the sensor connector 100 are electrically and physically connected to each other.

  The holder 10 mounts an optical sensor (not shown) and fulfills a function of holding the terminal 30. The holder 10 is made of a resin material, and the cross-sectional shape of the zx plane is a disk shape. An optical sensor is attached to one surface along the zx plane, and a fixing portion 70 is formed on the back surface thereof. A part of the terminal 30 is embedded in the holder 10. One surface of the holder 10 described above corresponds to the mounting surface described in the claims.

  The terminal 30 functions to electrically connect the optical sensor and the connector 90. In the present embodiment, a plurality of terminals 30 are insert-molded in the holder 10, one end of which extends in the y direction from the back surface of the holder 10, and the other end protrudes from one surface of the holder 10. One end of the terminal 30 is in contact with the female terminal of the connector 90 and is electrically connected to each other, and the other end is electrically connected to the optical sensor via a wire (not shown).

  The case 50 has an insertion hole 51 for inserting the connector 90. One opening surface of the insertion hole 51 is closed by the holder 10, and the other opening surface is closed by inserting the connector 90. The case 50 is made of a resin material softer than the holder 10, and a claw portion 52 for fixing the sensor connector 100 to an external device is integrally formed (integrated molding) on the outer wall surface of the case 50. Further, a hole 53 that functions as a snap fit is formed at the end of the case 50 on the holder 10 side.

  The fixing portion 70 functions to fix the holder 10 to the case 50 and fix the connector 90 in the insertion hole 51. The fixing portion 70 is made of the same material as the holder 10 and is integrally formed (integrated molding). The fixing part 70 has an extending part 71 extending from the holder 10 in the y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing portion 70 in the present embodiment includes two extending portions 71 a and 71 b that face each other in the z direction, and the two extending portions 71 a and 71 b surround the terminal 30. A part is surrounded. The cross-sectional shape of the zx plane in the first extending portion 71a is a rectangle, and the cross-sectional shape of the zx plane in the second extending portion 71b is a U-shape. Further, the tip of the second extending portion 71b partially protrudes (hereinafter, this portion is referred to as a tongue portion 72), and the tongue portion 72 is disposed in an installation space described later. Each of these extending portions 71a and 71b is surrounded by inner wall surfaces 51a and 51b that constitute the insertion hole 51, and the outer surface thereof contacts the inner wall surfaces 51a and 51b, whereby the holder 10 is fixed to the case 50. When the connector 90 is inserted into the insertion hole 51, the connector 90 is surrounded by the extension portions 71 a and 71 b, and the inner surfaces of the extension portions 71 a and 71 b come into contact with the outer surface of the connector 90, thereby The connector 90 is fixed to. As shown in FIG. 2, a taper 73 whose thickness in the z direction gradually decreases from the holder 10 toward the tip is formed at the tip of each of the extension portions 71a and 71b. , 71b is formed with a flange 74 that functions as a snap fit at the end on the holder 10 side. The taper 73 described above corresponds to the first taper and the second taper described in the claims.

  Next, fixing of the holder 10 and the case 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 corresponds to an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region X surrounded by a broken line shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a part of each of the inner wall surface 51a whose main surface in the case 50 is orthogonal to the x direction and the inner wall surface 51b whose main surface is orthogonal to the z direction partially protrudes. Yes. Each of the partially projecting portions on the inner wall surface 51a (hereinafter referred to as the first projecting portion 54a) and the partially projecting portions on the inner wall surface 51b (hereinafter referred to as the second projecting portion 54b) are respectively z−. The shape of the x plane forms a triangle and extends in the y direction. Further, the case 50 is formed with a convex portion 55 for wrapping a part of the inner surface of the second extending portion 71b. The convex portion 55 has a rectangular shape and is formed on each of the two inner wall surfaces 51a. As shown in FIG. 6, an installation space for installing the tongue portion 72 of the second extending portion 71 b is configured by the convex portion 55 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) and the inner wall surface 51 b.

  Before the holder 10 is fixed to the case 50, the distance between the two first protrusions 54a that are in contact with the first extending portion 71a is slightly narrower than the length of the first extending portion 71a in the x direction. When the holder 10 is inserted into the case 50, the first extending portion 71a comes into contact with the first projecting portion 54a, and the first projecting portion 54a is slightly crushed, so that the first projecting portion 54a slightly collapses the first extending portion. 71 a is fixed to the case 50.

  In addition, the distance between the second protrusion 54 b that contacts the tongue 72 of the second extending portion 71 b and the protrusion 55 is slightly narrower than the length of the tongue 72 in the z direction. When the tongue 72 is inserted into the case 50, the tongue 72 comes into contact with the second protrusion 54b, and the second protrusion 54b is slightly crushed, so that the second protrusion 54b and the second protrusion 54b The extending portion 71 b is fixed to the case 50. Note that when the holder 10 is completely inserted into the case 50, the above-described collar portion 74 is inserted into the hole 53. Also by this, the holder 10 and the case 50 are fixed. Thus, the sensor connector 100 according to the present embodiment has two fixing mechanisms for the holder 10 and the case 50.

  Next, the insertion of the connector 90 into the sensor connector 100 and the fixing between the holder 10 and the connector 90 will be described. The connector 90 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 along a pointer line indicated by a broken line in FIG. When the distal end of the connector 90 comes into contact with the taper 73 formed at the distal ends of the extending portions 71a and 71b, the connector 90 is guided to a region sandwiched between the two extending portions 71a and 71b. Thereafter, the connector 90 is inserted to the innermost part while the outer surface of the connector 90 and the inner surface of the extending portion 71 are in contact with each other, and the terminal 30 is connected to the female terminal formed on the connector 90. In this state, the connector 90 is clamped by the extending portions 71 a and 71 b and fixed in the insertion hole 51.

  Next, the effect of the sensor connector 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the fixing portion 70 for fixing the holder 10 to the case 50 and fixing the connector 90 to the insertion hole 51 is integrally formed with the holder 10 embedded in the terminal 30. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the fixing portion is formed in the case, that is, the configuration in which the connector is fixed to the case, the positions of the fixing portion 70 and the terminal 30 do not depend on the assembly error between the case 50 and the holder 10. . According to this, it is suppressed that poor electrical connection occurs between the terminal 30 and the connector 90.

  Each of the extending portions 71a and 71b is surrounded by inner wall surfaces 51a and 51b constituting the insertion hole 51, and the outer surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner wall surfaces 51a and 51b (protrusions 54a and 54b and convex portions 55). Is fixed to the case 50. According to this, even if stress is applied to the holder 10 in a direction along the zx plane (hereinafter, referred to as a lateral direction), the movement of the holder 10 in the lateral direction is suppressed by the case 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor electrical connection between the sensor connector 100 and the connector 90.

  When the connector 90 is inserted into the insertion hole 51, the connector 90 is surrounded by the extension portions 71 a and 71 b, and the inner surfaces of the extension portions 71 a and 71 b come into contact with the outer surface of the connector 90, so that the connector 90 is inserted into the insertion hole 51. 90 is fixed. According to this, even if the stress along the lateral direction is applied to the connector 90, the lateral movement of the connector 90 is suppressed by the extending portions 71a and 71b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor electrical connection between the sensor connector 100 and the connector 90.

  When the holder 10 is inserted into the case 50, the first extending portion 71a comes into contact with the first projecting portion 54a, and the first projecting portion 54a is slightly crushed, so that the first projecting portion 54a slightly collapses the first extending portion. 71 a is fixed to the case 50. According to this, the connection strength between the holder 10 and the case 50 is improved as compared with the configuration in which the first protrusion is not formed on the case.

  When the tongue 72 is inserted into the case 50, the tongue 72 comes into contact with the second protrusion 54b, and the second protrusion 54b is slightly crushed, so that the second protrusion 54b and the second protrusion 54b The extending portion 71 b is fixed to the case 50. According to this, the connection strength between the holder 10 and the case 50 is improved as compared with the configuration in which the second protrusion and the protrusion are not formed on the case.

  A taper 73 whose thickness in the z direction gradually decreases from the holder 10 toward the tip is formed at the tip of each of the extending portions 71a and 71b. According to this, when inserting the connector 90 into the insertion hole 51, it is suppressed that the front-end | tip of extension part 71a, 71b is hooked on the connector 90. FIG. Further, when the second extending portion 71 b is inserted into the installation space, the second extending portion 71 b is suppressed from being caught by the convex portion 55.

  The case 50 is made of a resin material that is softer than the holder 10, and a claw portion 52 for fixing the sensor connector 100 to an external device is integrally formed on the outer wall surface of the case 50. According to this, unlike the structure in which the case 50 and the holder 10 are integrally molded, the elasticity of the claw portion 52 can be determined without depending on the constituent material of the holder 10.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the fixed portion 70 includes two extending portions 71a and 71b that face each other in the z direction is shown. However, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixing unit 70 may employ a configuration having one extending portion 71c. The extending part 71c shown in FIG. 7 has a U-shaped cross section in the zx plane. Also with this configuration, the connector 90 is fixed in the insertion hole 51 by the extending portion 71c. Needless to say, the number of the extending portions 71 is not limited to the above example and may be any number. Further, the shape is not limited, and any shape that extends in the y direction and fixes the connector 90 in the insertion hole 51 can be adopted as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the fixing portion 70 includes two extending portions 71a and 71b that face each other in the z direction has been described. However, the facing direction of the extending portions 71a and 71b is not limited to the above example. For example, the x direction and the y direction can be employed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the fixing | fixed part 70 can also employ | adopt the structure which has the extension parts 71d-71f which are not mutually opposed. Also by this, the connector 90 is fixed in the insertion hole 51 by the fixing portion 70.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an optical sensor is mounted on the holder 10 has been shown. However, the sensor mounted on the holder 10 is not limited to the above example.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the protrusions 54a and 54b are formed on the case 50 is shown. However, a configuration in which the protrusions 54a and 54b are not formed on the case 50 and a configuration in which only one of them is formed may be employed. Similarly, a configuration in which the convex portion 55 is not formed on the case 50 can be employed.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the taper 73 was formed in the extending parts 71a and 71b was shown. However, a configuration in which the taper 73 is not formed in any of the extending portions 71a and 71b and a configuration in which only one of them is formed can be employed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Holder 30 ... Terminal 50 ... Case 51 ... Insertion hole 70 ... Fixed part 90 ... Connector 100 ... Sensor connector

Claims (10)

A sensor connector that is electrically and physically connected to each other by inserting the connector (90) into the insertion hole (51),
A case (50) having the insertion hole;
A holder (10) fixed to the case (50);
A terminal (30) partially embedded in the holder (10);
A fixing portion (70) for fixing the holder to the case and fixing the connector to the insertion hole;
A sensor connector, wherein the fixing portion is formed integrally with the holder. The fixing portion has an extending portion (71) extending from the holder in a direction in which the connector is removed from the insertion hole,
The extended portion is surrounded by inner wall surfaces (51a, 51b) constituting the insertion hole, and the outer surface of the extended portion is in contact with the inner wall surfaces (51a, 51b), thereby fixing the holder to the case. ,
2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector is surrounded by the extending portion, and the connector is fixed in the insertion hole by contacting an inner surface of the extending portion with an outer surface of the connector. Connector. A part of the inner wall surface protrudes,
When the holder is inserted into the insertion hole, the projecting portions (54a, 54b) on the inner wall surface are crushed in contact with the extension portion, so that the extension portion is fixed in the insertion hole. The sensor connector according to claim 2, wherein:   The case is formed with a convex portion (55) for wrapping a part of the inner surface of the extended portion, and the extended portion is sandwiched between the convex portion and a projecting portion on the inner wall surface. The sensor connector according to claim 3, wherein the sensor connector is fixed in the insertion hole. An installation space for installing the extension portion is configured by the convex portion and the inner wall surface,
A first taper (73) is formed at the tip for suppressing the catch between the extension and the projection when a part of the tip of the extension is inserted into the installation space. The sensor connector according to claim 4.   The second taper (73) is formed at the tip for suppressing the catch between the tip of the extended portion and the connector when the connector is inserted into the insertion hole. Item 6. The sensor connector according to any one of Items 2 to 5. The fixing portion has a plurality of the extending portions,
The inner surfaces of the plurality of extending portions (71a, 71b) face each other, and at least a part of the terminal is surrounded by the extending portions. The sensor connector described. The case is made of a softer material than the holder,
8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein a claw portion (52) for fixing the case to an external device is integrally formed on an outer wall surface of the case. 9. connector. An attachment surface for attaching the sensor is formed on the holder,
The sensor connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has a function of electrically connecting the sensor and the connector.   The sensor connector according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

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