JP2017027822A - Connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-height connector for connecting circuit boards, which is adapted to be waterproof and prevents unexpected removal.SOLUTION: A connector assembly has a first connector 10A and a second connector 20A. The first connector 10A and the second connector 20A have housings 11 and 21; metallic shells 12 and 22; and a plurality of contacts 13 and 23. The metallic shell 12 has an endless collar portion 121 formed over the whole circumference at an upper part. The metallic shell 22 of the second connector 20A has a retaining portion 223 formed at its top to lock the collar portion 121 to prevent coming-off. The second connector 20A has a waterproof rubber 24 integrally molded on the hosing 21. The waterproof rubber 24 is formed in an endless string shape. The waterproof rubber 24 is pressed by the collar portion 121 of the first connector 10A at the time of fitting and then crushed. The retaining portion 223 locking the collar portion 121 receives reaction force thereof, and prevents unexpected removal of the first connector 10A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector which are soldered to and assembled with each of a first circuit board and a second circuit board.

  Conventionally, a connector assembly of the type described above may be employed to electrically connect a circuit board and a circuit board. This type of connector assembly is required to have a low profile and may be further required to have a waterproof function.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a low-profile connector that connects a circuit board and a circuit board.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a waterproof connector in which a waterproof packing is integrally formed in a connector fitting portion of a housing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-50702 JP-A-6-310201

  Here, in the case of the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a problem that the waterproof function is not provided and the holding force is not sufficient.

  Further, in the case of the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, when an attempt is made to configure a low-profile connector for connection between the circuit board and the circuit board, the mating connector interferes with the waterproof packing and releases the fitting. There is a problem that it is not guaranteed to maintain the fitting between the connectors due to the force in the removal direction.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that is suitable for waterproofing and prevents unintentional removal in a low-profile connector that connects a circuit board and a circuit board.

The connector assembly of the present invention that achieves the above object is a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector that are solder-connected to each of a first circuit board and a second circuit board in a posture with their respective lower surfaces facing each other. Three-dimensional
The first connector is
A first housing having an upper surface formed with a fitting portion for fitting with the second connector;
It has a shape that rises from the bottom to the top along the side surface of the first housing, curves in an outwardly bulging direction at the upper part of the side surface, and then extends inward so as to cover the outer edge of the fitting portion. A first metal shell formed with an endless flange that curves and bulges outward over the entire circumference by enclosing the first housing over the circumference by extending its shape laterally;
A plurality of first contacts fixed to the first housing and responsible for electrical connection with the second connector;
The second connector is
A second housing having a receiving portion for receiving the fitting portion formed on the upper surface;
The first connector extends in a lateral direction so as to circulate around the receiving portion, and has a shape in which at least a portion extending in the lateral direction terminates with an upper portion extending inward so as to protrude toward the receiving portion. A second metal shell having a retaining portion that is locked to the flange when fitting to prevent the first connector from coming off;
A plurality of second contacts each in contact with each of the plurality of first contacts when fitted with the first connector;
It is integrally formed with the second housing, extends around the receiving portion of the second housing and continuously extends in an endless string shape, and is deformed by being pushed by the collar when mated with the first connector. And a waterproof rubber that continuously adheres to the buttocks over the entire circumference.

  In the case of the connector assembly of the present invention, the second connector is provided with waterproof rubber integrally formed with the second housing and extending in an endless string shape over the entire circumference. The flange portion of the first metal shell is in close contact with the waterproof rubber continuously over the entire circumference. Thereby, the watertightness of the fitting part of a 1st connector and a 2nd connector is ensured.

  In the case of the connector assembly of the present invention, the second metal shell has the above-described retaining portion, and the retaining portion locks the collar portion of the first metal shell to prevent the first connector from coming off. The structure prevents inadvertent removal.

Here, in the connector assembly according to the present invention, the first metal shell crushes the waterproof rubber in such a direction that the reaction force in the direction of removing the first connector from the second connector is received from the waterproof rubber. ,
The retaining part may prevent the collar part from coming off against the reaction force.

  In the connector assembly of the present invention, the waterproof rubber is integrally formed with the second housing. At this time, the integrally formed waterproof rubber has a shape in which it is crushed in a direction to receive a reaction force in the direction of removing the first connector from the second connector.

  In the case of the present invention, even if the waterproof rubber is crushed in such a manner, the retaining portion can be formed in a shape sufficient to prevent the collar portion from coming off against the reaction force. .

  Further, in the connector assembly according to the present invention, the first metal shell has a solder connection portion that is solder-connected to the first circuit board at the lower portion and extends continuously in an endless belt shape around the entire circumference. It is preferable that the solder connection portion of each of the first contacts is provided on the inner side surrounded by the solder connection portion over the circumference of the first metal shell.

  When a solder connection portion extending continuously in an endless band shape is provided at the lower portion of the first metal shell, the space between the lower surface of the first connector and the first circuit board is sealed by the solder connection portion. Thereby, the penetration | invasion of the water to the inner side of the area | region where the solder connection part makes a round from between the 1st connector and the 1st circuit board is prevented. In addition, the solder connection portions of the plurality of first contacts are provided inside the solder connection portions over one circumference of the first metal shell. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the solder connection portion of the first contact from getting wet with water due to the intrusion of water from between the first connector and the first circuit board.

  According to the present invention described above, the low profile connector that connects the circuit board and the circuit board is suitable for waterproofing and prevents unintentional removal.

1 is an external perspective view of a connector assembly as a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which showed the state which the 1st connector and 2nd connector which were shown in FIG. 1 fitted each other. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is an external appearance perspective view of the connector assembly as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the first connector and the second connector illustrated in FIG. 4 are fitted to each other. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 5 along arrows CC.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a connector assembly as a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the first connector 10A and the second connector 20A, respectively, constituting the connector assembly of the first embodiment. FIGS. 1A and 1B are both perspective views in a state in which the fitting portion to the mating connector faces upward.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector shown in FIG. 1 are fitted to each other.

  In FIG. 2, the first connector 10 </ b> A is shown in a posture that is upside down from the posture of the first connector 10 </ b> A shown in FIG.

  3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIGS.

  Here, FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of portions along arrows AA and BB, respectively, in the fitted state shown in FIG. 3 (C) and 3 (D) are cross-sectional views taken along arrows AA and BB, respectively, in a state immediately before fitting.

  Here, the first connector 10A shown in FIG.

  The first connector 10A is a connector that is soldered to the circuit board with the lower surface in the posture shown in FIG. 1A facing the first circuit board (not shown). The first connector 10 </ b> A includes a housing 11, a metal shell 12, and a plurality of contacts 13.

  The housing 11 has a fitting portion 111 that fits with the second connector 20A shown in FIG. 1 (B) on the upper surface in the posture shown in FIG. 1 (A).

  The metal shell 12 has a flange 121 on the upper side and a solder connection part 122 on the lower side.

  The flange portion 121 of the metal shell 12 rises upward from below along the side surface of the housing 11 in the vertical direction, curves in an outwardly bulging direction at the upper portion of the side surface, and then extends inward from the fitting portion 111. It has a shape that extends and covers the outer edge. Moreover, the shape of the flange 121 extends in the lateral direction and surrounds the housing 11 over the entire circumference. Thereby, this collar part 121 has an endless shape which curved and bulged outward over the circumference.

  The metal shell 12 also extends downward, and a solder connection portion 122 is formed in the lower portion. The solder connection portion 122 has a shape that continuously extends in an endless belt shape over one circumference. The solder connection portion 122 is soldered to a first circuit board (not shown) on which the first connector 10 is mounted.

  Further, the fitting portion 111 of the housing 11 is provided with a fitting groove 112 extending in the longitudinal direction. In the fitting groove 112, the fitting protrusion 212 of the second connector 20A shown in FIG. Further, a concave portion 113 that divides the fitting groove 112 is provided at the center portion of the fitting groove 112. A convex portion 213 protruding by dividing the fitting protrusion 212 of the second connector 20 shown in FIG. 1B is fitted into the concave portion 113.

  Here, the plurality of contacts 13 constituting the first connector 10 </ b> A shown in FIG. 1A are arranged along the fitting grooves 112. The plurality of contacts 13 are fixed to the housing 11 by press-fitting. On the other hand, a plurality of contacts 23 are also arranged on the fitting protrusion 212 of the second connector 20A of FIG. At the time of fitting, the fitting protrusion 212 of the second connector 20A shown in FIG. 1B is fitted into the fitting groove 112 of the first connector 10 shown in FIG. Then, each of the plurality of contacts 13 of the first connector 20 comes into contact with each of the plurality of contacts 23 of the second connector 20A, and the contacts 13 and 23 are electrically connected to each other.

  Further, each of the plurality of contacts 13 constituting the first connector 10 shown in FIG. 1A has a solder connection portion 131 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to be soldered to the first circuit board. Is provided.

  Here, the arranged plurality of contacts 13 are alternately in opposite postures. Accordingly, the plurality of solder connection portions 131 are arranged in a staggered manner in two rows.

  Further, the housing 11 of the first connector 10A shown in FIG. 1A has a plurality of holes 114 arranged in a line on both sides of the fitting groove 112. These holes 114 are holes for press-fitting the contact 13.

  The solder connection portions 131 of the plurality of contacts 13 are provided on the inner side of the metal shell 12 surrounded by the solder connection portions 122 (see FIG. 2) extending in an endless belt shape over the entire circumference. Therefore, the lower surface of the first connector 10A and the first circuit board (not shown) on which the first connector 10A is mounted are watertight by the solder connection of the solder connection portion 122 of the metal shell 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the solder connection portions 131 of the plurality of contacts 13 from being immersed in water through the space between the lower surface of the first connector 10A and the surface of the first circuit board.

  Next, the second connector 20A shown in FIG. 1B will be described.

  FIG. 1B shows the second connector 20A in the same posture as that of the first connector 10A shown in FIG. That is, the second connector 20A is a connector that is solder-connected to the second circuit board with the lower surface in the posture shown in FIG. 1B facing the second circuit board (not shown). The second circuit board to which the second connector 20 is soldered is another circuit board different from the first circuit board to which the first connector 10 is soldered.

  The second connector 20A shown in FIG. 1B also has a housing 21, a metal shell 22, and a plurality of contacts 23, like the first connector 10A shown in FIG.

  The housing 21 has a receiving portion 211 on the upper surface in the posture shown in FIG. The receiving portion 211 receives the fitting portion 111 of the first connector 10 during fitting. At the center of the receiving portion 211, the above-described fitting protrusion 212 and convex portion 213 protruding from the receiving portion 211 are provided. The fitting protrusions 212 and the convex portions 213 are fitted into the fitting grooves 112 and the concave portions 113 of the first connector 10A during fitting, and the contacts 13 and 23 are connected to each other. The convex portion 213 can be used for suction of the second connector 20A by a suction nozzle (not shown).

  Further, the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20 shown in FIG. 1 (B) has a side surface portion 221 and a curved portion 222 that extend in the lateral direction over one turn so as to go around the receiving portion 211 of the housing 21. The curved part 222 is an inwardly curved part that is continuous on the side part 221.

  In addition, the metal shell 22 is formed with a retaining portion 223 having a shape that extends further inward from the curved portion 222 and terminates so as to protrude toward the receiving portion 211 over almost the entire circumference of the metal shell 22. The retaining portion 223 is engaged with the flange 121 formed on the metal shell 12 of the first connector 10A when fitted to the first connector 10A shown in FIG. It plays the role of retaining 10A.

  In the present embodiment, the retaining portion 223 is provided over the entire circumference, but some parts are divided by the notches 224. These notches 224 facilitate the elastic deformation of the retaining portion 223 as compared to the case where these notches 224 are not provided.

  Further, the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20A partially extends to the lower end, and a solder connection portion connected to a second circuit board (not shown) on which the second connector 20A is mounted at the lower end portion. 225 is formed. The solder connection portions 225 of the metal shell 22 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and are also provided at the left and right of the central portion in the longitudinal direction. This is to prevent the central portion of the second connector 20A from floating up from the second circuit board when the first connector 10A is removed.

  Further, as described above, the second connector 20A has a plurality of contacts 23 arranged on the fitting protrusion 212 at the center of the receiving portion 211. The plurality of contacts 23 are insert-molded in the housing 21. Accordingly, these contacts 23 are in close contact with the housing 21 unlike the press-fitted contacts 13 in the first connector 10A. For this reason, in the case of the second connector 20A, there is no possibility that water may enter between the housing 21 and the contact 23, or it is extremely small. The solder connection portions 231 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the plurality of contacts 23 alternately extend left and right, and are soldered to a second circuit board (not shown).

  Further, the second connector 20A includes a waterproof rubber 24. The waterproof rubber 24 is integrally formed with the housing 21. The waterproof rubber 24 surrounds the receiving portion 211 of the housing 21 and has a shape extending continuously in an endless string over one circumference. The first connector 10A is fitted into the second connector 20A through the states shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. At this time, the waterproof rubber 24 is pushed and deformed by the flange 121 formed on the metal shell 22 of the first connector 10A during the fitting. The waterproof rubber 24 is pressed and deformed by the flange portion 221 so as to be in close contact with the metal shell 12 over the entire circumference and keep this portion watertight.

  3A and 3B, the waterproof rubber 24 is illustrated so as to bite into the flange 121 of the metal shell 12 of the first connector 10. This is because the waterproof rubber 24 in a state where no external force is applied is shown as it is. Actually, the waterproof rubber 24 is crushed by being pressed by the flange 121 of the metal shell, and is in close contact with the flange 121. At this time, the first connector 10 </ b> A receives from the waterproof rubber 24 a reaction force in a direction to be removed from the second connector 20 </ b> A. The retaining portion 223 provided on the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20A has a sufficient locking force and locks the flange 121 of the metal shell 12 of the first connector 10A against this reaction force. . Therefore, even if this reaction force exists, the first connector 10A is prevented from being inadvertently pulled out from the second connector 20A.

  Further, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the contact 13 is shown to bite into the contact 23. This is because, similarly to the waterproof rubber 24, it shows a shape in which no external force is applied. Actually, the contact 13 is elastically deformed by interference with the contact 23. Due to this elastic deformation, the contact 13 and the contact 23 are brought into electrical contact with each other with an intended contact pressure.

  This is the end of the description of the connector assembly of the first embodiment. Next, the connector assembly of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a connector assembly as a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the first connector and the second connector, respectively, constituting the connector assembly of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector shown in FIG. 4 are fitted to each other.

  6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 5 along the arrow CC.

  4 to 6, the same components as those of the first connector 10A and the second connector 20A of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The same reference numerals are used to indicate. Here, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  The first connector 10B and the second connector 20B constituting the second embodiment are not provided with the concave portion 113 and the convex portion 213 (see FIG. 1) in the center in the longitudinal direction. The lengths of the first connector 10B and the second connector 20B are shortened accordingly. Further, the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20A in the first embodiment is provided with a retaining portion 223 that goes around the receiving portion 211. On the other hand, the second connector 20B in the second embodiment is provided with the retaining portions 223 only at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20B in the second embodiment is provided with solder connection portions 225 only at both ends in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the solder connection portions 225 (see FIG. 1) on the left and right of the central portion in the longitudinal direction provided on the metal shell 22 of the second connector 20A in the first embodiment are not provided. In the case of the second embodiment, the material and shape of the waterproof rubber 24 are improved as compared with the first embodiment described above. That is, in the case of the second embodiment, the waterproof connector 24 is improved so that the first connector 10B is removed from the second connector 20B due to the crushing portion 121 crushed the waterproof rubber 24 while maintaining watertightness. This is because the reaction force can be weakened. In the case of this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the retaining portion 223 locks the flange portion 121 formed on the metal shell 12 of the first connector 10B only at both ends in the longitudinal direction. .

  As described above, the retaining portion 223 has an appropriate shape at an appropriate position in the circumferential direction according to the structure and dimensions of the entire second connector, the shape and material of the waterproof rubber, and the like.

10A, 10B 1st connector 11 Housing 111 Fitting part 112 Fitting groove 113 Recess 114 Hole 12 Metal shell 121 Hook part 122 Solder connection part 13 Contact 131 Solder connection part 20A, 20B Second connector 21 Housing 211 Receiving part 22 Metal shell 221 Side surface part 222 Curved part 223 Stopping part 222 Notch 223 Solder connection part 23 Contact 231 Solder connection part

Claims (3)

A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector which are solder-connected to each of the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a posture with their respective lower surfaces facing each other,
The first connector is
A first housing having a fitting portion for fitting with the second connector formed on an upper surface;
A shape that rises from the lower side to the upper side along the side surface of the first housing, curves in an outwardly bulging direction at the upper part of the side surface, and then extends inward so as to cover the outer edge of the fitting portion. A first metal shell having an endless collar portion that is curved and bulged outwardly over the entire circumference by having the shape extend in the lateral direction and surround the first housing over the entire circumference. ,
A plurality of first contacts fixed to the first housing and responsible for electrical connection with the second connector;
The second connector is
A second housing having a receiving portion for receiving the fitting portion formed on the upper surface;
The first connector has a shape that extends in a lateral direction so as to circulate around the receiving portion, and has a shape in which at least a portion extending in the lateral direction is terminated with an upper portion extending inward so as to protrude toward the receiving portion. A second metal shell having a retaining portion that is latched to the flange portion to prevent the first connector from being pulled off when fitting,
A plurality of second contacts each in contact with each of the plurality of first contacts when mated with the first connector;
It is integrally formed with the second housing, and extends continuously into an endless string around the receiving portion of the second housing. When the second housing is fitted with the first connector, And a waterproof rubber that is deformed and continuously adheres to the collar part over one circumference. The first metal shell crushes the waterproof rubber in a direction to receive a reaction force from the waterproof rubber in a direction to remove the first connector from the second connector;
The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion prevents the collar portion from coming off against the reaction force. The first metal shell has a solder connection portion which is soldered to the first circuit board at a lower portion and extends continuously in an endless belt shape over a circumference;
3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a solder connection portion of each of the plurality of first contacts is provided on an inner side surrounded by the solder connection portion that extends around the first metal shell.

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