JP2016207407A - Inter-engagement connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inter-engagement connector device which allows for perception of the fact that first and second connectors capable of being attached to two wiring boards, respectively, and used are brought into a proper inter-engagement state or maintaining proper inter-engagement state, by an electrical method.SOLUTION: An inter-engagement connector device includes a receptacle connector 11 having a housing 14 to which metal members 16, 17 are attached, and a plug connector 12 having a housing 31 to which metal members 33, 34 are attached. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is not brought into proper fitting state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, it is determined that the metal members 16, 17 are insulated electrically from the metal members 33, 34. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is brought into proper fitting state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, it is determined that the metal members 16, 17 are connected electrically with the metal members 33, 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The invention described in the claims of the present application includes a first connector and a second connector that can be used by being attached to two wiring boards (including a flexible printed wiring board (FPC)), respectively. Wiring provided on each wiring board by the first and second connectors engaging each other while the two wiring boards to which the second connectors are attached are superposed in close proximity to each other The present invention relates to an interengaging connector device for electrically interconnecting parts.

  A relatively small electronic device such as a cellular phone also includes a large number of various electronic components. Many of these electronic components include a plurality of wiring boards (hereinafter, the term “wiring board” refers to a flexible printed wiring board (FPC)). In other words, each function is implemented. A plurality of wiring boards on which various electronic components are mounted, for example, when viewing two of them, the occupied volume should be as small as possible when accommodated in a limited space inside a relatively small electronic device. Therefore, the state where one is superposed on the other in close proximity to each other and the wiring portions provided on each other are connected so as to be electrically interconnected. Hereinafter, a connection mode in which one of the two wiring boards is overlapped with each other in close proximity to each other will be referred to as facing proximity overlapping connection.

  In general, electrical connection for wiring portions provided on each of a plurality of wiring boards is often performed by attaching connectors to each wiring board and engaging the connectors with each other. Even in the case where the facing and overlapping connection states of two wiring boards are taken, a pair of connectors are attached to the two wiring boards, respectively, and the pair of connectors are engaged with each other. In this way, when the pair of connectors attached to the two wiring boards are engaged with each other in the face-to-face overlapping connection of the two wiring boards, the pair of connectors are sandwiched between the two wiring boards that are close to each other. Therefore, it is difficult to visually confirm the process of mutual engagement and the state in which the mutual engagement is completed from outside each wiring board. Therefore, the mutual engagement of the pair of connectors respectively attached to the two wiring boards that are close to each other is said to have to be performed by the operator.

  Under such circumstances, conventionally, in the face-to-face proximity superimposition connection for two wiring boards, the process and completion of mutual engagement for a pair of connectors respectively attached to the two wiring boards are performed. An interengagement connector device has been proposed in which an operator who causes a pair of connectors to perform such mutual engagement can be detected through mechanical feel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The mutual engagement connector device (connector assembly (1)) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first connector (receptacle type connector (20)) mounted on a first wiring board and a second wiring board. And a second connector (plug-type connector (10)) that is attached to be engaged with the first connector. The first connector (20) and the second connector (10) are: The first wiring board and the second wiring board on which they are respectively mounted are brought into an interengaged state in close proximity to each other. The first connector (20) includes a plurality of contacts (22) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing (21) and the insulating housing (21), and both ends of the insulating housing (21) in the longitudinal direction. And a solder peg (23) attached to each of the two. The solder peg (23) is formed of a metal plate member, and is provided with a lock projection (2331) having a pair of elasticity. The second connector (10) includes a plurality of contacts (12) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing (11) and the insulating housing (11) and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing (11). And a solder peg (13) attached to each of the parts. The solder peg (13) is formed of a metal plate member, and is provided with a lock protrusion (1331) having a pair of elasticity.

  Under such circumstances, when the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) are placed in the mutually engaged state, the plurality of contacts (22) and the plurality of contacts (12) are mutually connected. In this case, for example, the second connector (10) attached to the second wiring board is attached to the first wiring board by an operation by an operator. The first connector (20) is engaged with the solder peg (13) of the second connector (10), and the solder peg (23) of the first connector (20) comes into contact therewith. When the engagement of the second connector (10) with the first connector (20) is completed, the lock protrusion (1331) provided on the solder peg (13) is provided on the solder peg (23). The lock projection (2331) is elastically engaged.

  The lock protrusion (1331) provided on the solder peg (13) of the second connector (10) is elastically engaged with the lock protrusion (2331) provided on the solder peg (23) of the first connector (20). In this case, an operator who engages the second connector (10) with the first connector (20) obtains a mechanical feeling, that is, a so-called click feeling, accompanying the elastic engagement. Therefore, the operator completes the engagement of the second connector (10) with the first connector (20), and the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) are mutually engaged. The lock protrusion (1331) provided on the solder peg (13) of the second connector (10) is the lock protrusion provided on the solder peg (23) of the first connector (20). (2331) can be recognized through a mechanical touch that is a click feeling caused by elastic engagement.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-50702

  In the mutual engagement connector device (1) configured to include the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) that have been conventionally proposed as described above, the first connector (20 ) And the second connector (10) are in the mutually engaged state, the operator who operates the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) is the first connector (20). That the first connector 20 and the second connector 10 are mutually engaged, but the first connector 20 and the second connector 10 are mutually connected. After the engaged state is established, there is a disadvantage that it cannot be recognized whether or not the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) maintain the mutual engagement state properly. Therefore, for example, after the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) are engaged with each other, the proper mutual engagement state is undesirably released for some reason. In this case, it cannot be recognized that the first connector (20) and the second connector (10) are in a state where the proper mutual engagement state is released.

  In view of such a point, the invention described in the claims of the present application includes first and second connectors that can be used by being attached to two wiring boards, respectively. The first and second connectors form a mechanism that allows two attached wiring boards to be in a state in which the wiring portions provided on each of the two wiring boards are electrically connected by face-to-face close overlapping connection. Provided is an inter-engagement connector device that can recognize by electrical means that the motor is in an appropriate mutual engagement state and that the proper mutual engagement state is maintained, without using a mechanical touch. To do.

  An interengagement connector device according to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5 (hereinafter referred to as the present invention) in the claims of the present application is provided in the first housing and the first housing. A first housing having a plurality of first contacts arranged and a first connector having a first metal member attached to the first housing, and a second housing in a fitted state with the first housing , A plurality of second contacts arranged in a second housing and abuttingly connected to the plurality of first contacts when the second housing is properly fitted with the first housing, And a second connector comprising a second metal member fixed to the second housing, the second connector being brought into engagement with the first connector when the second housing is fitted into the first housing; Including It is made. The first metal member has a main body portion that extends along the outer side surface portion of the first housing and a first contact connection portion that is bent from the main body portion and extends to the inner side of the first housing. And the second metal member is placed in an electrically connected state with the first contact connecting portion when the second housing is in a properly fitted state with the first housing. The second housing is not properly fitted with the first housing at a position near the second contact connecting portion in the second housing. The first metal member is electrically insulated from the second metal member by separating the first contact connection portion of the first metal member from the second contact connection portion of the second metal member. The second housing is the first housing In the proper fitting state, the first contact connection portion of the first metal member is brought into contact with the second contact connection portion of the second metal member, so that the first contact connection portion has the first contact connection portion. A contact control unit that makes the metal member electrically connected to the second metal member is provided.

  In particular, in the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention described in claim 3 in the claims of the present application, the contact control portion provided in the second housing includes the second contact in the second housing. It is formed to project outward at a position in the vicinity of the connecting portion, and forms a projecting portion with which the first contact connecting portion abuts at least temporarily when the second housing is fitted to the first housing. It is said that it is characterized by.

  In the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention as described above, when the first and second connectors are in an appropriate mutual engagement state, the second housing in the second connector is the first. When the first connector is properly fitted with the first housing, and the first and second connectors are maintaining proper mutual engagement, the second housing of the second connector is One connector is in a properly fitted state with the first housing. When the second housing is in a properly fitted state with the first housing, a plurality of second contacts arranged in the second housing are arranged in the first housing. The first contacts are in contact with each other. Thereby, when the first and second connectors are respectively attached to the first and second wiring boards, the first and second wiring boards are respectively provided by facing and overlapping connection. The parts are placed in an electrically connected state.

  Under such circumstances, when the second housing of the second connector is brought into the fitting state with the first housing of the first connector, first, the second housing is properly fitted with the first housing. The first contact connecting portion of the first metal member of the first connector is provided with the contact control portion provided in the second housing when not in the proper fitting state prior to being put into the combined state. Is separated from the second contact connection portion of the second metal member of the second connector, so that the first metal member is electrically insulated from the second metal member. After that, when the second housing is properly fitted with the first housing, the contact control unit provided in the second housing has the first contact of the first metal member in the first connector. The connection portion is brought into contact with the second contact connection portion of the second metal member of the second connector, and the first metal member is electrically connected to the second metal member. None, the second contact connection of the second metal member at the first contact connection portion of the first metal member while the second housing is in a properly fitted state with the first housing The state in which the first metal member is electrically connected to the second metal member is maintained by maintaining the connection state with the portion. In addition, when the second housing is once placed in the proper fitting state with the first housing and then is not put in the proper fitting state, the contact control unit provided in the second housing is provided with the first housing. The first contact connection part of the first metal member in the connector of the second connector is separated from the second contact connection part of the second metal member of the second connector, and the first metal member is separated from the second metal member. It shall be electrically insulated from the member.

  Under such circumstances, the contact control portion provided in the second housing in the second connector is, for example, a position that is in the vicinity of the second contact connecting portion of the second metal member in the second housing. And a first contact connection portion of the first metal member of the first connector when the second housing is fitted to the first housing of the first connector. The protrusion part which contact | abuts at least temporarily is comprised. As a result, the first contact connection portion of the first metal member contacts the contact control portion that forms the protruding portion of the second housing, and the contact control portion has the first metal member that the first metal member has. The state in which the first metal member is electrically insulated from the second metal member by separating the contact connection portion from the second contact connection portion of the second metal member is taken.

  In the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention, the second housing in which the second housing in the second connector is in a fitted state with the first housing in the first connector. Is not properly fitted with the first housing, the first metal member in the first connector is electrically insulated from the second metal member in the second connector, When the second housing takes the proper fitting state with the first housing and when the second housing is in the proper fitting state, the first metal member in the first connector is the second metal in the second connector. It is assumed that it is electrically connected to the member. As a result, the second housing in the second connector has taken a proper fitting state with the first housing in the first connector and is in a proper fitting state, and accordingly, the first and second That the first metal member in the first connector is the second metal in the second connector, and that the second connector is in the proper mutual engagement state and is maintained in the proper mutual engagement state. It is detected that the first metal member in the first connector and the second metal member in the second connector are electrically connected to each other. Can be recognized by electrical methods.

  As a result, according to the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention, not only the first and second connectors are placed in an appropriate mutual engagement state, but also the first and second connectors are once appropriate. The fact that the proper mutual engagement state is maintained after being placed in the mutual engagement state can also be recognized by an electrical method at any time.

  In particular, the contact control portion provided in the second housing of the second connector protrudes toward the outside at a position near the second contact connection portion of the second metal member in the second housing. A protrusion formed as a projection, at which the first contact connection portion of the first metal member of the first connector abuts at least temporarily when the second housing is fitted to the first housing of the first connector. If the first contact connection portion of the first metal member abuts on the contact control portion that forms the protruding portion of the second housing, the contact control portion is The first contact connection part of the metal member is separated from the second contact connection part of the second metal member so that the first metal member is electrically insulated from the second metal member. The state is taken , Cognitive by electrical method that the first and second connectors maintains the proper interengagement be placed in state and proper mutual engagement, can be performed more reliably.

It is a perspective view which shows the receptacle connector and plug connector which comprise an example of the mutual engagement connector apparatus based on this invention in the state isolate | separated from each other, when the receptacle connector was attached to the wiring board. It is a top view which shows the receptacle connector attached to the wiring board. It is a side view which shows the receptacle connector attached to the wiring board. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st metal member with which a receptacle connector is provided. It is a top view which shows a plug connector. It is a side view which shows a plug connector. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd metal member with which a plug connector is provided. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the receptacle connector and plug connector attached to the wiring board mutually engaged. It is a top view which shows the state which the receptacle connector and plug connector attached to the wiring board mutually engaged. It is a partially broken side view which shows the state which the receptacle connector and plug connector attached to the wiring board mutually engaged. It is sectional drawing which shows the XI-XI line cross section in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which expand and show the inside of the dashed-dotted line frame A in FIG. It is a partial expanded sectional view which expands and shows the inside of the dashed-dotted line frame B in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the process in which a plug connector engages with the receptacle connector attached to the wiring board. It is a conceptual diagram used for description of an example of the detection means for detecting that the 1st metal member with which a receptacle connector is provided, and the 2nd metal member with which a plug connector is in an electrical continuity state.

  The form for implementing this invention is demonstrated with the Example about this invention described below.

  FIG. 1 shows a receptacle connector 11 forming a first connector and a plug connector 12 forming a second connector constituting an example of an interengaging connector device according to the present invention in a state where they are separated from each other. The receptacle connector 11 is attached to the wiring board 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (plan view) and FIG. 3 (side view), the receptacle connector 11 constituting the first connector shown in FIG. 1 is a housing 14 (first connector) formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. 1), and the housing 14 is disposed on the surface of the wiring board 13 facing upward in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface).

  In the housing 14, a plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15 (first contacts), each of which forms a bent belt-like member formed of a conductive plate material having elasticity, are arranged in two rows. Yes. Each of the receptacle-side contacts 15 is connected to a wiring terminal portion (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 13 by, for example, a board connecting portion 15a that is electrically connected by soldering, and will be described later. A contact connection portion 15b is provided which is in contact with and electrically connected to a plug-side contact provided in the plug connector 12 to be provided.

  A pair of receptacle-side metal members 16 and 17 (first metal members) are respectively attached to both ends of the housing 14 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15. The receptacle-side metal member 16 is shown in a state separated from the housing 14 in FIG. 4. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 4, the metal plate material having elasticity as a whole is punched and bent. And a contact connecting portion 19 (first contact connecting portion) having a tongue-like shape that bends and extends from a central portion of the main body portion 18. ). The main body portion 18 is provided with a pair of substrate connection portions 20 connected to the wiring substrate 13. The contact connecting portion 19 includes an elastic bent portion 19a that forms a connecting portion with the main body portion 18 and an end edge portion 19b that can be pressed and displaced by a predetermined jig.

  Further, like the receptacle-side metal member 16, the receptacle-side metal member 17 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate having elasticity as a whole, and has a U-shaped cross section. And a contact connection portion 22 (first contact connection portion) having a tongue-like shape that bends and extends from the central portion of the main body portion 21. The main body 21 is provided with a pair of board connection parts 23 connected to the wiring board 13. In addition, the contact connecting portion 22 can be pressed and displaced by a predetermined jig and an elastic bent portion forming a connecting portion with the main body portion 21 corresponding to the elastic bent portion 19a and the end edge portion 19b included in the contact connecting portion 19. And an end edge portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the receptacle-side metal members 16 and 17 are attached to the housing 14, the main body portion 18 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 and the main body portion 21 of the receptacle-side metal member 17. Each extends along the outer surface of the end of the plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15 in the arrangement direction of the housing 14, and the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 and the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17. Each extends inside the housing 14. The board connecting portion 20 provided in the main body portion 18 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 and the board connecting portion 23 provided in the main body portion 21 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 are the upper surface of the wiring board 13 on which the housing 14 is arranged. For example, it is electrically connected to a ground connection portion 25 (shown in FIG. 15 described later and not shown in other figures) by soldering.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (plan view) and FIG. 6 (side view), the plug connector 12 constituting the second connector shown in FIG. 1 is a housing 31 (first structure) formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. 2), and when it is put to practical use, it is supposed to be mounted on another wiring board (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as a plug connector side wiring board). In this case, the housing 31 is arranged on the plug connector side wiring board that is close to the wiring board 13 on which the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 is arranged. The housing 31 is in a fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 when the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are in the mutually engaged state.

  In such a housing 31, a plurality of plug-side contacts 32 (second contacts), each of which forms a bent band member formed of an electrically conductive plate material having elasticity, are arranged in two rows. Has been. Each of the plurality of plug-side contacts 32 includes a board connection portion 32a that is electrically connected to a wiring terminal portion (not shown) provided on the plug connector-side wiring board, for example, by soldering, and a receptacle. A contact connection portion 32 b that abuts on the contact connection portion 15 b in the receptacle-side contact 15 provided in the connector 11 is provided.

  A pair of plug-side metal members 33 and 34 (second metal members) are respectively attached to both ends of the housing 31 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of plug-side contacts 32. The plug-side metal member 33 is shown in a state separated from the housing 31 in FIG. 7. As can be clearly understood from FIG. 7, the metal plate material having elasticity as a whole is punched and bent. A main body portion 35 formed in a flat plate shape and a contact connection portion 36 (second contact connection portion) formed in a tongue shape that bends and extends from a central portion of the main body portion 35. doing. The main body portion 35 is provided with a ground connection portion 41 provided on the plug connector side wiring board on which the housing 31 is disposed (shown in FIG. 15 described later and not shown in other drawings). In addition, for example, a pair of board connection portions 35a that are electrically connected by soldering are provided.

  Similarly to the plug-side metal member 33, the plug-side metal member 34 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate material having elasticity as a whole, and is formed into a flat plate shape. 37 and a contact connection portion 38 (second contact connection portion) having a tongue-like shape that bends and extends from the central portion of the main body portion 37. The main body portion 37 is provided with a pair of substrate connection portions 37a that are electrically connected to the ground connection portion 41 provided on the plug connector side wiring substrate on which the housing 31 is disposed, for example, by soldering. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, when the plug-side metal members 33 and 34 are attached to the housing 31, a pair of board connections provided on the main body portion 35 of the plug-side metal member 33. A pair of board connection portions 37 a provided in the body portion 37 of the portion 35 a and the plug-side metal member 34 are fixed to the housing 31, and the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 and the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34. Each extends to the outside of the housing 31. Then, when the housing 31 is in the fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 corresponds to the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11. The contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 is brought into contact with the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34, and the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 is in contact with the contact connection portion 38. It is supposed to take.

  Further, on the outer surface of the end portion of the housing 31 to which the plug-side metal member 33 is attached, a position that is in the vicinity of the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 and that exceeds the contact connection portion 36 toward the outside. A contact control unit 39 is provided as a projecting portion formed so as to project to the outer surface of the housing 31 to which the plug-side metal member 34 is attached. A contact control unit 40 is provided at a position in the vicinity of the contact connection portion 38 and forms a protruding portion that is formed to protrude to a position beyond the contact connection portion 38 toward the outside. When the housing 31 is engaged with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact control unit 39 contacts the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 of the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11. The contact control unit 40 controls the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 when the housing 31 is engaged with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. The contact state of the plug-side metal member 34 with respect to the contact connection portion 38 is controlled.

  In addition, the contact control part 39 provided in the outer surface part in the edge part of the housing 31 protrudes to the position beyond the contact connection part 36 of the plug side metal member 33 toward the outside, and the outside in the edge part of the housing 31. It is not an essential requirement for the plug connector 12 that the contact control part 40 provided on the surface part protrudes to the outside beyond the contact connection part 38 of the plug-side metal member 34.

  Then, the housing 31 of the receptacle connector 11 is fitted to the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 in correspondence with the contact control portions 39 and 40 that are provided on the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 and form protrusions. When taking the combined state, accommodating portions 14a and 14b (shown in FIG. 2) in which the contact control portions 39 and 40 are respectively arranged are formed.

  8 (perspective view), FIG. 9 (plan view), and FIG. 10 (partially cutaway side view) show the state in which the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 mounted on the wiring board 13 are engaged with each other. The plug connector side wiring board to which 12 is attached is not shown. When the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are in the mutually engaged state, a pair of plug-side metal members 33 and 34 are respectively attached to both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of plug-side contacts 32. The housing 31 is assumed to be fitted to the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 in which a pair of receptacle-side metal members 16 and 17 are respectively attached to both ends in the arrangement direction of the plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15.

  When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted to the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, as shown in FIG. 11 showing a cross section taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. The contact connection portions 32b of the plurality of plug-side contacts 32 of the plug connector 12 abut on the contact connection portions 15b of the plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15 respectively. As a result, the plurality of plug-side contacts 32 are electrically connected to the plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15, respectively, and the wiring terminal portions provided on the plug connector-side wiring board on which the plug connector 12 is mounted are connected to the plurality of plug-side contacts. 32 and a plurality of receptacle-side contacts 15 are connected to wiring terminal portions provided on the wiring board 13 on which the receptacle connector 11 is mounted. As a result, the wiring portions provided on the plug connector side wiring board and the wiring board 13 are electrically connected to each other.

  In addition, when the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is in a properly fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, an enlarged view of the inside of the one-dot chain line frame A in FIGS. 9, 10, and 9. 12 and FIG. 13 showing the inside of the one-dot chain line B in FIG. 10 in an enlarged manner, the contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 attached to the end portion of the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 is a plug connector. The contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 attached to the end portion of the 12 housings 31 is brought into elastic contact with the contact connection portion 36 to be in an electrically connected state. As a result, the receptacle-side metal member 16 and the plug-side metal member 33 are placed in an electrically conductive state.

  Similarly, although not shown in the drawing, the contact connecting portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 attached to the end portion of the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 is plugged to the end portion of the housing 31 of the plug connector 12. The contact connection portion 38 of the side metal member 34 is elastically contacted to be in an electrical connection state with the contact connection portion 38. Thereby, the receptacle-side metal member 17 and the plug-side metal member 34 are brought into an electrically conductive state.

  As described above, when the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is in the fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted from the state in which it is not properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is not in the proper fitting state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 prior to the proper fitting state, for example, FIG. As shown, the contact control portion 39 provided at a position where the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is near the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 at the end of the housing 31 of the plug connector 12. To the contact connecting portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33. It is things. As a result, the receptacle-side metal member 16 and the plug-side metal member 33 are not placed in an electrically conductive state. After that, when the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is detached from the contact control portion 39, or The receptacle-side metal member 16 and the plug-side metal member 33 are brought into an electrically conductive state by coming into contact with the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 while being in contact with the contact control unit 39.

  At this time, the contact control unit 39 provided in the vicinity of the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 at the end of the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is configured so that the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is connected to the receptacle connector 11. When not properly fitted with the housing 14, the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is separated from the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33, so that the receptacle-side metal member 16 is plug-side metal. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is not electrically insulated from the member 33. The electrical connection state with the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 is taken into contact with the receptacle. It makes with that placed a side metal member 16 and the plug-side metal member 33 to the electrical conduction state.

  Further, in the plug connector 12 shown in FIG. 1, the contact control part 39 provided on the outer surface part at the end part of the housing 31 extends to a position beyond the contact connection part 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 toward the outside. When the plug connector 12 is moved away from the receptacle connector 11 with the contact connection portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 coming into contact with the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33 because it protrudes. The contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 comes into contact with the portion of the contact control portion 39 that protrudes outward from the contact connecting portion 36 to generate resistance to the movement of the plug connector 12 in the direction away from the receptacle connector 11. . Thereby, the situation where the plug connector 12 is undesirably separated from the receptacle connector 11 is avoided.

  Similarly, the contact control unit 40 provided in the vicinity of the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 at the end of the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is configured such that the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is the housing of the receptacle connector 11. 14, the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 is separated from the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34, so that the receptacle-side metal member 17 is plug-side metal member. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 is not formed. An electrical connection state with the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 is established, and the receptacle Makes with that placed the metal member 17 and the plug-side metal member 34 to the electrical conduction state.

  Further, in the plug connector 12 shown in FIG. 1, the contact control unit 40 provided on the outer surface portion at the end of the housing 31 extends to a position beyond the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 toward the outside. When the plug connector 12 is moved away from the receptacle connector 11 with the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 coming into contact with the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 because it protrudes. The contact connecting portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 contacts the portion of the contact control portion 40 that protrudes outward from the contact connecting portion 38, thereby generating resistance to movement of the plug connector 12 in the direction away from the receptacle connector 11. . Thereby, the situation where the plug connector 12 is undesirably separated from the receptacle connector 11 is avoided.

  In this way, when the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the receptacle-side metal member 16 that abuts the contact connection portion 36 of the plug-side metal member 33. For the contact connection portion 19 and the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 that is in contact with the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34, the end edge portion 19b of the contact connection portion 19 is used with a predetermined jig. By pressing and displacing toward the outside of the housing 14, the contact state of the contact connection portion 19 with respect to the contact connection portion 36 can be released, and the end edge portion of the contact connection portion 22 can be removed using a predetermined jig. 14, the contact state of the contact connection portion 22 with respect to the contact connection portion 38 is released. Rukoto can.

  Under such circumstances, FIG. 15 conceptually shows an example of detection means for detecting whether or not the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is in a proper fitting state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. Show.

  When the detection means conceptually shown in FIG. 15 is used, one of the pair of receptacle-side metal members 16 and 17 in the receptacle connector 11, for example, the board connection portion 20 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is connected. The ground connection portion 25 on the upper surface of the wiring board 13 is grounded, and the other of the pair of receptacle-side metal members 16 and 17 in the receptacle connector 11, for example, the substrate connection portion 23 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 is connected. The ground connection portion 25 on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 13 is connected to the gate of a P-type MOSFET (P-type MOS field effect transistor) 45. The drain of the P-type MOSFET 45 is connected to an operating power supply (Vcc), and the source of the P-type MOSFET 45 is grounded via a resistance element 46 and a light emitting diode 47 connected in parallel. Furthermore, the plug side of the plug connector 12 where the board connection portion 35a of the plug side metal member 33 is connected to the ground connection portion 41 of the plug side wiring board connected to the substrate side connection portion 37a of the plug side metal member 34 of the plug connector 12. A ground connection 41 on the wiring board is interconnected.

  Under such circumstances, the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is in a fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, and the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is in a properly fitted state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. As described above, since the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11 and the plug-side metal member 33 in the plug connector 12 are placed in an electrically conductive state as described above, the board connection portion 23 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 is A ground potential is applied to the gate of the P-type MOSFET 45 connected to the ground connection portion 25 on the upper surface of the connected wiring board 13. As a result, the drain-source of the P-type MOSFET 45 is kept conductive, and the current from the operating power supply (Vcc) through the light-emitting diode 47 connected to the source of the P-type MOSFET 45 passes between the drain-source of the P-type MOSFET 45. Flowing. As a result, the light emitting diode 47 is maintained in the light emitting state.

  On the other hand, if the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is not properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, as described above, the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11 and the plug in the plug connector 12. Since the side metal member 33 is electrically insulated, the P-type MOSFET 45 to which the ground connection portion 25 is connected on the upper surface of the wiring substrate 13 to which the substrate connection portion 23 of the receptacle side metal member 17 is connected. The gate is placed in a floating state in terms of potential without being applied with a ground potential. As a result, the drain-source of the P-type MOSFET 45 is maintained in a non-conductive state, and no current from the operating power supply (Vcc) flows through the light emitting diode 47 connected to the source of the P-type MOSFET 45. As a result, the light emitting diode 47 is maintained in a non-light emitting state.

  Thus, according to the detection means conceptually shown in FIG. 15, the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is properly connected to the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 depending on whether or not the light emitting diode 47 is maintained in the light emitting state. It can be detected whether or not it is in a fitted state.

  In the example of the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention configured to include the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 as described above, the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is fitted into the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is not properly fitted with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11 is plugged in the plug-side metal member in the plug connector 12. 33, the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 is electrically insulated from the plug-side metal member 34 in the plug connector 12, and the housing 3 of the plug connector 12 is provided. When the connector connector 11 is properly fitted with the housing 14 and is in the properly fitted state, the receptacle-side metal member 16 of the receptacle connector 11 is electrically connected to the plug-side metal member 33 of the plug connector 12. It is assumed that the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 is electrically connected to the plug-side metal member 34 in the plug connector 12. As a result, the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 has taken a proper fitting state with the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11 and is in a proper fitting state. Therefore, the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are properly fitted. The receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11 is electrically connected to the plug-side metal member 33 in the plug connector 12 so that the mutual engagement state and the proper mutual engagement state are maintained. The receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 is electrically connected to the plug-side metal member 34 in the plug connector 12, that is, the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11. And plug connector 12 By an electrical method for detecting that the plug-side metal member 33 is in an electrically conductive state and that the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 and the plug-side metal member 34 in the plug connector 12 are in an electrically conductive state. Can be recognized.

  As a result, according to the example of the mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention configured to include the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12, the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are in an appropriate mutual engagement state. In addition, the electrical connector also recognizes that the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are maintained in the proper mutual engagement state after being placed in the proper mutual engagement state. Will be able to.

  And the contact control part 39 provided in the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 protrudes outside in the position which becomes the contact connection part 36 which the plug side metal member 33 in the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 has. When the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is formed and fitted into the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11, the contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 in the receptacle connector 11 forms a protruding portion that at least temporarily abuts. The contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 is brought into contact with the contact control portion 39 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 when the contact connecting portion 19 of the receptacle-side metal member 16 abuts against the contact control portion 39 forming the protruding portion of the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 19 is a contact that the plug-side metal member 33 has. A state in which the receptacle-side metal member 16 is electrically insulated from the plug-side metal member 33 while being spaced apart from the connection portion 36 is taken, and the contact control unit 40 provided in the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is used. Is formed so as to protrude outward at a position near the contact connection portion 38 of the plug-side metal member 34 in the housing 31 of the plug connector 12, and the housing 31 of the plug connector 12 is the housing 14 of the receptacle connector 11. The contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 in the receptacle connector 11 forms a projecting portion that at least temporarily comes into contact with the receptacle connector 11, and the contact connection portion 22 of the receptacle-side metal member 17 serves as the plug connector 12. Control for projecting part of the housing 31 40, the contact control unit 40 separates the contact connection part 22 included in the receptacle-side metal member 17 from the contact connection part 38 included in the plug-side metal member 34, so that the receptacle-side metal member 17 is connected to the plug-side metal. Since the member 34 is electrically insulated from the member 34, the receptacle connector 11 and the plug connector 12 are in the proper mutual engagement state and the proper mutual engagement state is maintained. This can be recognized more reliably by the electric method.

  The above-described mutual engagement connector device according to the present invention includes first and second connectors that can be used by being attached to two wiring boards, respectively, and the first and second connectors are attached to each other. The two wiring boards form a mechanism that allows the wiring portions provided in each to be electrically connected to each other by the face-to-face close overlapping connection, and the first and second connectors are appropriate. Widely used in a variety of electronic devices, etc. as being able to recognize that they are in an interengaged state and maintain an appropriate interengaged state by means of an electrical technique without mechanical touch. It can be applied.

  11 ... receptacle connector (first connector), 12 ... plug connector (second connector), 13 ... wiring board, 14 ... housing (first housing), 14a, 14b,. · Receiving portion, 15 ··· receptacle side contact (first contact), 15a, 20, 23, 32a, 35a, 37a ··· substrate connection portion, 15b, 32b ··· contact connection portion, 16, 17 .... Receptacle side metal member (first metal member), 18, 21, 35, 37 ... main body part, 19, 22 ... contact connection part (first contact connection part), 19a ... elastic Bending portion, 19b... Edge portion, 25, 41 .. ground connection portion, 31... Housing (second housing), 32 .. plug side contact (second contact), 33. 4 ... plug side metal member (second metal member), 36, 38 ... contact connection part (second contact connection part), 39, 40 ... contact control part, 45 ... P type MOSFET, 46... Resistance element, 47.

Claims (5)

A first connector including a first housing, a plurality of first contacts arranged in the first housing, and a first metal member attached to the first housing;
A second housing that is in a fitted state with the first housing, arranged in the second housing, and when the second housing is in a properly fitted state with the first housing; A plurality of second contacts each abuttingly connected to the plurality of first contacts; and a second metal member fixed to the second housing, wherein the second housing is the first housing. A second connector placed in engagement with the first connector when fitted to
Comprising
The first metal member has a main body portion extending along an outer surface portion of the first housing and a first contact connection portion bent from the main body portion and extending inward of the first housing. As well as
The second metal member has a second contact that is placed in an electrical connection state with the first contact connection portion when the second housing is in a properly fitted state with the first housing. It has a connection part,
The first contact connection when the second housing is not properly fitted with the first housing at a position in the vicinity of the second contact connection portion in the second housing. The first metal member is electrically insulated from the second metal member by separating the portion from the second contact connection portion, and the second housing is connected to the first housing. When placed in a proper fitting state, the first metal member is electrically connected to the second metal member by causing the first contact connection portion to be brought into contact with the second contact connection portion. A mutual engagement connector device comprising a contact control unit connected to the connector.   A pair of the first metal members are respectively disposed at both ends of the first housing in the arrangement direction of the plurality of first contacts, and the pair of the second metal members is the second metal member. The mutual engagement connector device according to claim 1, wherein the mutual engagement connector device is disposed at both ends of the housing in the arrangement direction of the plurality of second contacts.   The contact control portion is formed to protrude outward at a position in the vicinity of the second contact connection portion in the second housing, and the second housing is fitted to the first housing. The mutual engagement connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact connection portion forms a projecting portion that at least temporarily abuts.   The receiving portion in which the contact control portion that forms the protruding portion is disposed when the second housing is fitted into the first housing is formed in the first housing. 3. The mutual engagement connector device according to 3.   The first contact connecting portion in the first metal member is an edge portion where the elastic bending portion forming a connecting portion with the main body portion in the first metal member and a pressing operation by a predetermined jig are enabled. The inter-engagement connector device according to claim 1, further comprising:

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