JP2016035803A - Connector for electronic equipment having thermosetting resin waterproof member having one-layer structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector having a simple hermetically sealed structure that is formed by folding processing, uses a cylindrical body having a gap, has high waterproof and needs no double-layer structure of a housing and a waterproof member.SOLUTION: The connector for electronic equipment has a cylindrical body 2 by folding a plate-like member so that one end 4 and the other end 5 thereof confront each other, and a thermosetting resin waterproof member 3 having one layer structure which is mounted on the outer surface of the cylindrical body. A gap 6 exists between the one end and the other end of the cylindrical body, and the waterproof member does not exist inside the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device connector having a waterproof function. More specifically, this invention relates to the connector for electronic devices provided with the thermosetting resin waterproofing member of single layer structure.

  Electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers have connectors for connecting to external devices, and the electronic devices are connected to other electronic devices and chargers via the connectors. Such a connector is generally attached to an opening formed in a case of an electronic device, and a gap between the opening of the case and the connector is a waterproof member (so that water or the like does not enter the case) Sealed by a sealing member).

  As described above, there are various structures for sealing the gap between the case of the electronic device and the connector.

  For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a sealing structure in which a gap between a charging connector of a mobile phone and a connector mounting opening formed in a case of the mobile phone is sealed with a waterproof member. Here, the connector includes a housing formed by resin molding, a connector terminal attached to one end of the housing, a cylindrical body (shell) for electromagnetic shielding attached to the other end of the housing, and a housing And a waterproofing member mounted on the outer periphery. In this connector, a connection terminal for connection with an external device is inserted into the inside from the other end side of the cylindrical body.

  However, in the sealed structure of Patent Document 1, since the waterproof member is simply attached to the outer periphery of the housing, the adhesion between the waterproof member and the outer peripheral surface of the connector is weak, and the waterproof performance is not sufficient. Further, in the sealed structure of this document, since the cylindrical body is attached to the front part of the housing (end part on the outside of the electronic device), the waterproof member is arranged at a position away from the front part of the housing, There was a problem that water deeply entered and accumulated between the case and the connector.

  In Patent Document 2, the waterproof member is disposed so as to be positioned at the outer end of the connector (the outer end of the electronic device), so that it is possible to prevent water from entering deeply between the case of the electronic device and the connector. However, in Patent Document 2, since the waterproof member has a two-layer structure arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the housing made of hard resin (specifically, polyamide) containing the cylindrical body, There is a problem that the dimension of the outer end becomes large.

JP 2009-176734 A International Publication No. 2011/108679 Pamphlet

  Therefore, a method of directly forming a waterproof member by injection molding on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the cylindrical body for electromagnetic shielding can be considered.

  However, in the method of directly forming the waterproof member by injection molding on the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the cylindrical body for electromagnetic shielding, there is no problem if the cylindrical body is not cut, but for the cost reduction of the cylindrical body. There is a problem when the cylindrical body is formed by punching and bending a metal plate.

  Specifically, when a plate-like piece obtained by punching a metal plate is rounded so that one end and the other end face each other and processed into a cylindrical shape, one end of the metal plate in the cylindrical body in the manufacturing method A gap is inevitably generated at the portion where the other end faces the other end.

  When a waterproof member is formed by injection molding on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body having such a gap, the resin injected into the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical body is tubular from the gap of the cylindrical body due to pressure applied during injection molding. It oozes out inside the body. The resin that oozes out to the inside of the cylindrical body remains as a burr, and the burr interferes with the connection terminal inserted into the connector, so that the connection terminal cannot be correctly inserted into the connector.

  The present invention provides a connector with a simple hermetic structure that does not require a two-layer structure of a housing and a waterproof member, while having high waterproof performance, using a tubular body with a gap formed by bending. The task is to do.

  In view of the above problems, the present inventors have attempted to bond a thermosetting resin waterproof member having a single-layer structure directly to a tubular body with a gap formed by bending by injection molding. However, as described above, the thermosetting resin penetrates into a slight gap in the cylindrical body during injection molding, and oozes out to the inside of the cylindrical body due to the injection pressure, resulting in burrs. The burr interferes with the connection terminal inserted into the connector, and the connection terminal cannot be correctly inserted into the connector.

  As a result of diligent research, the present inventors have succeeded in directly bonding a thermosetting resin waterproof member having a single layer structure to a tubular body formed by bending, thereby completing the present invention. In the connector for electronic equipment of the present invention, a waterproof member made of a thermosetting resin having a single layer structure is directly bonded to a tubular body formed by bending, and this waterproof member is located on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body. Does not exist and no burr occurs.

  More specifically, the thermosetting resin waterproofing member having a single-layer structure of the present invention includes the same thermosetting resin seal portion and main body portion. The thermosetting resin waterproof member having a single-layer structure according to the present invention has a seal portion that covers the gap between the cylindrical bodies and is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as not to generate burrs. It is configured to be adhered to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover.

In one aspect, the present invention provides:
A cylindrical body formed by bending a plate-like member so that one end and the other end thereof are opposed to each other;
A connector for electronic equipment including a thermosetting resin waterproofing member having a single layer structure bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body,
There is a gap between the one end and the other end of the cylindrical body,
The waterproof member provides a connector for electronic equipment that does not exist on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

In one embodiment, the thermosetting resin waterproofing member includes a seal portion and a main body portion,
The seal portion is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover the gap and not to be present inside the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
The main body portion is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover the seal portion.

  In one embodiment, the thermosetting resin is silicone.

  In one embodiment, the distance between the one end and the other end in the gap is 0.0005 mm to 0.07 mm.

  In another embodiment, the distance between the one end and the other end in the gap is 0.001 mm to 0.02 mm.

  In one embodiment, the seal portion is adhered to the cylindrical body by applying a thermosetting resin so as to cover the gap.

  In one embodiment, the main body portion is bonded to an outer surface of a cylindrical body in which the gap is covered with a seal portion by injection molding.

  In one embodiment, the seal portion and the main body portion are the same thermosetting resin.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device including the electronic device connector.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electronic device connector, the method comprising:
A step of bending a plate-like member so that one end and the other end thereof face each other to form a cylindrical body, and there is a gap between the one end and the other end of the cylindrical body The process of
A step of applying a thermosetting resin to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover the gap of the cylindrical body and not to be present inside the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, thereby forming a waterproof member seal portion;
Bonding the thermosetting resin to the tubular body having the seal portion by injection molding on the outer surface of the tubular body so as to at least partially cover the seal portion, thereby forming a waterproof member body portion; Include.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a connector having a single-layer waterproof member that does not require a two-layer structure of a housing and a waterproof member, while having high waterproof performance, using a tubular body formed by bending. Is done. Since the connector of the present invention does not have a complicated structure in which two different types of resins are used for the housing and the waterproof member, the connector can be easily downsized, can be manufactured easily, and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the waterproof member is bonded to the cylindrical body, the waterproof member is difficult to peel from the cylindrical body, and the connector of the present invention has high waterproof performance.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the gap in the cylindrical body of the present invention. Fig.3 (a) is sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the cylindrical body and waterproofing member in the connector of this invention. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where burrs are generated in the connector. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific structure of the waterproof member of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a state in which a seal portion is formed on the cylindrical body. FIG. 6 is a photograph showing the connector of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a photograph showing the connector in a state in which silicone oozes out from the gap between the cylindrical bodies due to the injection pressure during the injection molding of the main body portion, and burrs are generated. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connector is mounted on an electronic device (for example, a smartphone). FIG. 8 (a) shows the connector, and FIG. 8 (b) shows the connector with the housing and the shield tube. FIG. 8C shows a state in which the connector is attached to the electronic device.

  The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where appropriate. Throughout this specification, it should be understood that the singular forms also include the plural concept unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, it is to be understood that the terms used in the present specification are used in the meaning normally used in the art unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

  The embodiments provided below are provided for a better understanding of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that appropriate modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention with reference to the description in the present specification.

  The present invention provides a connector having a single-layer waterproof member that does not require a two-layer structure of a housing and a waterproof member, while having high waterproof performance, using a cylindrical body formed by bending. The connector of the present invention is a single layer structure that does not have a complicated structure that uses two different types of resins for the housing and the waterproof member, so it is easy to miniaturize, is easy to manufacture, and costs are reduced. . Furthermore, since the waterproof member is bonded to the cylindrical body, the waterproof member is difficult to peel from the cylindrical body, and the connector of the present invention has high waterproof performance. In order to provide a waterproof member on a cylindrical body, a conventional connector is provided with a resin housing, and the waterproof member is externally fitted or welded to the housing, so that the structure is complicated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a connector (electronic device connector) is attached to an electronic device (for example, a smartphone), FIG. 8A shows the connector, and FIG. FIG. 8C shows a state where the connector is separated into the housing and the shield cylindrical body, and FIG. 8C shows a state where the connector is attached to the electronic device.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the connector 100 includes a housing 110 formed by resin molding, a connector terminal portion 112 provided on one end side of the housing 110, and an electromagnetic wave mounted on the other end side of the housing 110. A cylindrical body (shell) 2 for shielding and a waterproof member 3 attached to the outer peripheral edge of the cylindrical body 2 are provided.

  Here, the connector terminal portion 112 has two power supply terminals 112 a and four signal terminals 112 b, and these terminals are attached to the housing 110. However, in an actual electronic device, more signal terminals are provided instead of four.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the housing 110 includes a housing main body 111 and an insertion portion 113 that is inserted into the shell 2. The insertion portion 113 is provided with a power connection piece 113a and a signal connection piece 113b corresponding to the power supply terminal 112a and the signal terminal 112b. In the housing 110, the power supply terminal 112a is connected to the power connection piece 113a, and the signal terminal 112b. Is connected to the signal connection piece 113b.

  In the electronic device (for example, smart phone) 1000, as shown in FIG. 8C, the connector 100 having such a configuration is provided in the case 100a of the electronic device 1000, and the tubular body 2 is provided in the connector mounting hole 100b. Is embedded, and the space between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the connector mounting hole 100b is sealed by the waterproof member 3. A circuit board 101 is included in the case 100a, and a power supply board terminal 102a and a signal board terminal 102b are formed on the board body 101a. The power supply board terminal 102 a is connected to the power supply terminal 112 a of the connector 100, and the signal board terminal 102 b is connected to the signal terminal 112 b of the connector 100.

  In the connector 100, a connection terminal 200 for connection with an external device is inserted into the tubular body 2 from the opening on the device surface side of the tubular body 2.

  Examples of the electronic device in the present invention include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a digital camera, and the like. Typically, the electronic device of the present invention is a mobile phone.

  FIG. 1 shows a connector sealing structure 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 100 of the present invention has a sealed configuration 1 in which a waterproof member 3 is bonded to the outer surface of a cylindrical body 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 2 is a member formed by bending a rectangular plate-like member so that one end 4 and the other end 5 thereof face each other. In FIG. 1, it should be noted that the gap 6 is shown enlarged from the actual size in order to emphasize the gap 6 existing between the one end 4 and the other end 5. The cylindrical body of the present invention can be manufactured from any material that can block electromagnetic waves generated inside and outside thereof. The cylindrical body of the present invention is typically made of metal, and preferably made of steel. The surface of the cylindrical body may be plated, and this plating may be, for example, nickel + tin or nickel + gold. The plating on the surface of the cylindrical body can be performed by a known technique.

  The shape and size of the cylindrical body can be appropriately determined by those skilled in the art according to the connection terminal of the external device to be connected and the electronic device provided with the connector. As an example, a cylindrical body for a connector for an electronic device for a mobile phone has a size of about 9 mm in width, about 4 mm in length, and about 4.5 mm in depth when viewed from the insertion direction of the external connection terminal.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the gap 6 of the cylindrical body 2. As apparent from FIG. 2, in the tubular body 2 of the present invention, a gap 6 exists between the one end 4 and the other end 5 that face each other by bending. The distance between the one end 4 and the other end 5 in the gap 6 is typically 0.0005 mm to 0.07 mm, preferably 0.005 mm to 0.05 mm, and more preferably 0.001 mm to 0.02 mm. The gap 6 in the present invention is a region surrounded by one end 4 of the cylindrical body 2, the other end 5 of the cylindrical body 2, the outer peripheral surface 7 of the cylindrical body 2, and the inner peripheral surface 8 of the cylindrical body 2. It is.

  In this specification, that the waterproof member is “adhered” to the cylindrical body means that the cylindrical body and the waterproof member are joined and integrated. It should be noted that the state in which any waterproof member formed into a cylindrical shape or a ring shape is externally fitted to the cylindrical body is not “adhered” in the present invention. Typically, the waterproof member is bonded to the cylindrical body by inserting the cylindrical body into an injection mold and injecting resin around the inserted cylindrical body. Can be achieved by insert molding.

  In the present invention, the resin forming the waterproof member is a thermosetting resin. The “thermosetting resin” in the present invention refers to any resin and elastomer that are bonded to a cylindrical body, have a property of being cured by heating, and have elasticity to function as a waterproof member. Examples of the thermosetting resin of the present invention include, but are not limited to, silicone, fluororubber, and polyurethane resin. The thermosetting resin of the present invention is preferably silicone, more specifically self-adhesive silicone. As used herein, “self-adhesive silicone” refers to silicone that can be adhered to a cylindrical body without requiring an adhesive other than itself. Such self-adhesive silicones are well known to those skilled in the art.

  The viscosity of the self-adhesive silicone in the present invention is about 100 Pa · s to about 2000 Pa · s, preferably about 600 Pa · s to about 1600 Pa · s, more preferably about 800 Pa · s to about 1400 Pa · s. And most preferably from about 1000 Pa · s to about 1200 Pa · s.

  In this specification, a resin member having a “single layer structure” means that the member is not formed by laminating a plurality of resins but formed from a single resin. Say. Accordingly, “single layer silicone” means that there is no resin layer other than silicone in the silicone. On the other hand, a structure formed by laminating two kinds of resins, a first resin and a second resin, is referred to as a “two-layer structure” in this specification. For example, as shown in Patent Document 2, a member formed of a housing made of hard resin such as polyamide and a waterproof member made of soft resin welded around the housing is formed by laminating two kinds of resins. Therefore, it is a “two-layer structure”.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the connector of the present invention, the waterproof member 3 is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 2 and does not exist inside the inner peripheral surface 8 of the cylindrical body 2 in the gap 6. . FIG. 3B shows a state in which the waterproof member protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface 8 of the cylindrical body 2 to form a burr 9. The connector as shown in FIG. 3B cannot function as a connector because the burr 9 interferes with a connection terminal of an external electronic device inserted into the cylindrical body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the waterproof member 3 of the present invention includes a seal portion 10 and a main body portion 11. The seal portion 10 covers the gap 6 and is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 2 so as not to exist inside the inner peripheral surface 8 of the cylindrical body 2. The main body portion 11 is further bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body 2 so as to cover the seal portion 10. The seal portion 10 is formed by applying a thermosetting resin to the tubular body 2 so as to cover the gap 6 and not ooze out from the inner peripheral surface 8 of the tubular body 2. Application | coating to the cylindrical body of a thermosetting resin can be performed by the arbitrary methods well-known in the said field | area. The thermosetting resin applied for forming the seal portion is pre-cured before forming the main body portion. The temperature and time for thermosetting the seal portion can be appropriately determined by those skilled in the art depending on the type of resin used, the thickness of the applied seal portion, and the thickness of the body portion to be formed. For example, thermal curing of the seal portion is performed for about 10 seconds to about 1 minute, preferably about 20 seconds to about 40 seconds, more preferably about 25 seconds. The temperature for heat curing in the present invention is about 100 ° C. to about 150 ° C., preferably about 130 ° C.

  The formation of the main body part on the cylindrical body on which the seal part is formed can be performed by any method known in the art that can achieve adhesion of the main body part to the cylindrical body, but preferably injection. It is done by molding. Specifically, the cylindrical body in which the seal portion is formed is inserted into an injection mold, and the thermosetting resin is injected around the inserted cylindrical body, thereby integrating with the cylindrical body. Formed body portions can be formed. When the thermosetting resin is injected, the seal portion is formed with such strength that no burr is formed on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body due to the injection pressure. A person skilled in the art can easily determine the thickness of such a seal portion, for example, about 0.02 to about 1/2 of the waterproof portion, more specifically about 0.05 to about It is about 1/2 of the waterproof part, more specifically, about 0.07 mm to 0.1 mm.

  The thickness of the main body portion formed by injection molding is about 0.2 mm to about 2.0 mm, preferably 0.50 mm to 0.90 mm.

  Thus, the waterproof member composed of the seal portion and the main body portion formed of a single thermosetting resin has a single layer structure, and the seal portion and the main body portion are in close contact with each other. The strength is excellent.

  Furthermore, the seal part and the main body part of the present invention adhere well to the cylindrical body and are difficult to peel off as compared with a hard resin (for example, polyamide).

  In the waterproof member having a single-layer structure of the present invention, the seal portion and the main body portion do not have to be formed of the same component resin as long as they are formed of the same type of thermosetting resin. Preferably, both the seal portion and the body portion are formed from silicone, more preferably both are formed from self-adhesive silicone. In a preferred embodiment, the seal portion and the body portion are formed from the same type and the same resin components, preferably both are formed from the same silicone, and more preferably both are formed from the same self-adhesive silicone. The

  In the present specification, “about” refers to a range of ± 10% of the following number.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments for easy understanding. In the following, the present invention will be described based on examples, but the above description and the following examples are provided only for the purpose of illustration, not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or examples specifically described in this specification, but is limited only by the scope of the claims.

  The plate-like steel was degreased and nickel + susplated. This steel was bent to form a cylindrical body having a width of 9 mm, a length of 4 mm, and a depth of about 4.5 mm when viewed from the insertion direction of the connection terminal of the external device. This cylindrical body had a gap of about 0.02 mm between one end and the other end opposed to each other by bending.

  A self-adhesive silicone having a viscosity of 1100 Pa · s (made by Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone Co., Ltd., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) is applied at a thickness of about 0.07 mm so as to cover the gap between the cylindrical bodies, and about 130 seconds at about 130 ° C. A seal portion was formed by heat curing. FIG. 5 shows a photograph of a state in which the seal portion is formed on the cylindrical body.

  Insert the cylindrical body with the seal part into the injection mold and inject the same self-adhesive silicone used to form the seal part around the inserted cylindrical body, Part was formed. The injection-molded silicone adhered to the cylindrical body, and since the seal portion and the main body portion were the same silicone, they were completely adhered to form a single layer structure, thereby achieving high waterproof performance. The waterproof part formed in this way did not ooze out from the inner surface of the cylindrical body, and could function normally as a connector (FIG. 6).

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the silicone for the waterproof portion oozes out from the gap between the cylindrical bodies to the inner surface to form burrs. The silicone that oozes out inside the cylindrical body remains as burrs, and the burrs interfere with the connection terminals inserted into the connector, making it impossible to insert the connection terminals into the connector correctly (see the white circles in FIG. 7). ) The connector shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by bonding a waterproof member by injection molding to a cylindrical body without providing a seal portion.

  5 is a photograph of the outer surface of the cylindrical body, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are photographs of the inner surface of the tubular body.

(Other embodiments)
It should be understood that the foregoing description is for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are also within the scope of the following claims.

  The present invention can be used as a connector of various electronic devices such as a charging connector of a mobile phone.

Claims (6)

A cylindrical body formed by bending a plate-like member so that one end and the other end thereof are opposed to each other;
A connector for electronic equipment including a thermosetting resin waterproofing member having a single layer structure bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body,
There is a gap between the one end and the other end of the cylindrical body,
The waterproof member is an electronic device connector that does not exist on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. The thermosetting resin waterproofing member includes a seal portion and a main body portion,
The seal portion is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover the gap and not to be present inside the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body,
The electronic device connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is bonded to the outer surface of the cylindrical body so as to cover the seal portion. The electronic device connector according to claim 1, wherein the thermosetting resin is silicone. The electronic device connector according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the one end and the other end in the gap is 0.0005 mm to 0.07 mm. The electronic device connector according to claim 4, wherein a distance between the one end and the other end in the gap is 0.001 mm to 0.02 mm. An electronic device provided with the connector for electronic devices of any one of Claims 1-5.