JP2023001183A - Metal fitting, connector with metal fitting, and connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability by preventing deformation of a reinforcing metal fitting during fitting or unfitting work.

SOLUTION: A connector main body includes: fitting guide portions that are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body and extend in a width direction of the connector main body, and that fit into mating fitting guide portions formed at both longitudinal ends of a mating connector main body of the mating connector. A reinforcing bracket includes: a main body exposed on an inner wall surface of the fitting guide; an upper wall portion connected to an upper end of the body portion and exposed on an upper surface of the fitting guide portion; an outer wall portion connected to an end of the upper wall portion opposite to the body portion and exposed on an outer wall surface of the fitting guide portion; and a pair of fixed portions connected to a lower end of the body portion, each of the fixed portions extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body and in the width direction of the connector body and having a substantially L shape when viewed from a fitting direction.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present disclosure relates to connectors.

Conventionally, connectors such as board-to-board connectors are used to electrically connect a pair of parallel circuit boards. Such a connector is attached to each of the mutually facing surfaces of a pair of circuit boards and mated with each other to provide electrical continuity. Further, a technique has been proposed in which reinforcing metal fittings attached to both ends function as locking members to maintain the mated state with the mating connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing metal fitting of a conventional connector. In the figures, (a) is a diagram showing the second reinforcing metal fitting, and (b) is a diagram showing the first reinforcing metal fitting.

In FIG. 10(b), 851 denotes first reinforcing metal fittings attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing of the first connector mounted on the first circuit board (not shown). second reinforcing metal fittings attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the housing of the second connector that is mounted on the second circuit board that is not connected.

The first reinforcing metal fitting 851 is a member integrally formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. Side engaging pieces 858 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector from both ends of the connector 852, and board connecting portions 856 for fixation soldered to the first circuit board connected to the lower ends of the side engaging pieces 858. , a side engaging projection 858 a formed on the inner surface of the side engaging piece 858 , and a housing locking projection 854 formed at the tip of the side engaging piece 858 .

The second reinforcing metal fitting 951 is a member integrally formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. , side engaging pieces 958 extending outward in the width direction of the second connector from the left and right ends of the body portion 952, side engaging projections 958a formed at the tips of the side engaging pieces 958, the body A board connecting portion 956 for fixing to be soldered to the second circuit board connected to the lower end of the portion 952 (the upper end in the posture shown in the figure), and a housing locking portion formed on one surface of the main body portion 952. A protrusion 952a is provided.

Then, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the lateral engaging protrusions 858a of the first reinforcing metal fittings 851 and the lateral engaging protrusions 958a of the second reinforcing metal fittings 951 are engaged with each other. As a result, the first connector and the second connector are locked and their mated state is maintained.

JP 2009-277365 A

However, in the conventional connector described above, the side engaging piece 958 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 951 is wound during the unmating operation, that is, when releasing the mated state between the first connector and the second connector. (Turn up) It may be deformed so that it rises. When releasing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector, the side engaging protrusions 858 a of the first reinforcing metal fitting 851 and the side engaging protruding parts 958 a of the second reinforcing metal fitting 951 are engaged. A releasing force is applied in a similar manner, but while the side engagement projection 858a of the first reinforcement fitting 851 is relatively close to the board connection portion 856 fixed to the first circuit board, the second Since the side engagement protrusion 958a of the reinforcing metal fitting 951 is relatively separated from the main body 952 fixed to the housing and the second circuit board, the main body 952 and the side engagement protrusion 958a are connected. A large force is applied to the side engagement piece 958 .

It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the conventional connector described above and to provide a highly reliable connector in which reinforcing metal fittings are not deformed during fitting or unfitting operations.

For this purpose, a connector includes a connector main body, terminals loaded into the connector main body, and reinforcing metal fittings loaded into the connector main body, wherein the connector main body has two ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body. a mating guide portion extending in the width direction of the connector main body, the mating guide portion for mating with mating mating guide portions formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the mating connector body of the mating connector. The reinforcing metal fitting includes a main body portion exposed to the inner wall surface of the fitting guide portion, an upper wall portion connected to the upper end of the main body portion and exposed to the upper surface of the fitting guide portion, and the upper wall portion. and an outer wall portion exposed to the outer wall surface of the fitting guide portion, and a pair of fixing portions connected to the lower end of the main body portion, each of the fixing portions being , extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body and extending in the width direction of the connector main body, and are substantially L-shaped when viewed from the fitting direction.

Another connector comprises a connector main body, terminals mounted on the connector main body, and reinforcing metal fittings mounted on the connector main body, wherein the connector main body is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body. A mating guide portion formed to extend in the width direction of the connector body, the mating guide portion being fitted with mating mating guide portions formed at both longitudinal ends of the mating connector body of the mating connector. , the reinforcing metal fitting includes a main body portion exposed to the inner wall surface of the fitting guide portion, an upper wall portion connected to the upper end of the main body portion and exposed to the upper surface of the fitting guide portion, and Side wall cover portions connected to both ends of the connector body in the width direction and exposed to the side wall portions of the fitting guide portion, and a pair of fixing portions connected to the lower end of the main body portion, each of the fixing portions , a tip portion extending in the direction of the outer wall surface of the fitting guide portion.

A connector pair includes the connector and a mating connector to be fitted with the connector.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve reliability without deformation of the reinforcing metal fitting during fitting or unfitting work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view of the 1st connector in this Embodiment, Comprising: (a) is the figure seen from diagonally above, (b) is the figure seen from diagonally below. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the first connector viewed obliquely from above in the present embodiment, showing a state in which only the first reinforcing metal fitting is removed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first reinforcing metal fitting of the first connector according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a view obliquely from above and (b) is a view obliquely below. It is a perspective view of the 2nd connector in this Embodiment, Comprising: (a) is the figure seen from diagonally above, (b) is the figure seen from diagonally below. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the second connector in the present embodiment as seen obliquely from above, showing a state in which only the second reinforcing metal fitting is removed; FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second reinforcing metal fitting of the second connector according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a view obliquely from above and (b) is a view obliquely below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector in the process of fitting the connectors according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector fitting process has been completed according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a view from the second connector side and (b) is a view from the first connector side. FIG. 4A is a side view and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the reinforcement metal fitting of the conventional connector, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows a 2nd reinforcement metal fitting, (b) is a figure which shows a 1st reinforcement metal fitting.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first connector according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the first connector according to the present embodiment as seen obliquely from above, and shows a state in which only the first reinforcing bracket is removed; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first reinforcing metal fitting of the first connector in this embodiment. 1 and 3, (a) is a diagram viewed obliquely from above, and (b) is a diagram viewed obliquely from below.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a connector in this embodiment, which is a first connector as a mating connector of a pair of board-to-board connectors. The first connector 1 is a surface-mounted connector mounted on the surface of a first substrate (not shown) serving as a mounting member, and is fitted with a second connector 101 as a connector described later. . The second connector 101 is the other of a pair of board-to-board connectors, and is a surface mount type connector mounted on the surface of a second board (not shown) serving as a mounting member.

Note that the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in the present embodiment are preferably used for electrically connecting the first board and the second board as boards, but other members can also be used to electrically connect the The first substrate and the second substrate are, for example, a printed circuit board, a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), etc. used in electronic equipment. It may be a substrate of any kind.

In the present embodiment, expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are It is not absolute but relative, and is appropriate when each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is in the posture shown in the figure, but if the posture changes, the posture may change. It should be interpreted with change according to change.

The first connector 1 has a first housing 11 as a mating connector body integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, the first housing 11 has a substantially rectangular thick plate shape, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The upper side) is formed with a substantially rectangular recess 12 surrounded. A first convex portion 13 as an island portion is formed integrally with the first housing 11 in the concave portion 12 . An extending side wall portion 14 is integrally formed with the first housing 11 .

In this case, the first convex portion 13 and the side wall portion 14 protrude upward from the bottom surface of the concave portion 12 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 . As a result, on both sides of the first protrusion 13 , recessed grooves 12 a are formed as part of the recesses 12 , which are elongated recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 .

Here, groove-shaped first terminal receiving inner cavities 15a are formed on both side surfaces of the first protrusion 13. As shown in FIG. Further, the inner side surface of the side wall portion 14 is formed with a groove-shaped first terminal-accommodating outer cavity 15b. Since the first terminal-accommodating inner cavity 15a and the first terminal-accommodating outer cavity 15b are connected and integrated with each other at the bottom surface of the recessed groove portion 12a, the first terminal-accommodating inner cavity 15a and the first terminal-accommodating outer cavity are integrated. 15b will be collectively described as the first terminal receiving cavity 15. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the first terminal accommodating cavities 15 are formed on both sides of the first housing 11 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 . Specifically, on both sides of the first protrusion 13, a plurality of protrusions are formed at a predetermined pitch. A plurality of first terminals 61 as mating terminals accommodated in each of the first terminal accommodating cavities 15 are also arranged on both sides of the first convex portion 13 at the same pitch.

In addition, the first terminals 61 accommodated in each of the first terminal accommodating cavities 15 are of two types, ie, the wide first terminals 61A and the narrow first terminals 61B. Also, there are two types of wide first terminal accommodating cavities 15A for accommodating wide first terminals 61A and narrow first terminal accommodating cavities 15B for accommodating narrow first terminals 61B. The wide first terminal accommodating cavities 15A are formed at both longitudinal ends of each row on both sides in the width direction of the first housing 11, and the narrow first terminal accommodating cavities 15B are formed at both ends of each row. are formed between the wide first terminal receiving cavities 15A. In the example shown in the drawing, four narrow first terminal accommodating cavities 15B are formed on each side of the first convex portion 13 for convenience of explanation, but the number of narrow first terminal accommodating cavities 15B is three or less. However, the number may be five or more, and can be set arbitrarily.

Note that the wide first terminal accommodating cavity 15A and the narrow first terminal accommodating cavity 15B have the same configuration except for the width dimension. explain. Moreover, since the wide first terminal 61A and the narrow first terminal 61B have the same configuration except for the width dimension, they will be described as the first terminal 61 when collectively described.

The first terminal 61 is a member integrally formed by stamping or bending a conductive metal plate. One end of the first terminal 61 is connected to a held portion (not shown) and the lower end of the held portion. an upper connection portion 67 connected to the upper end of the held portion; a second contact portion 66 formed near the inner end of the upper connection portion 67; and a first contact portion 65 formed in the vicinity of the free end of the lower connection portion 64 .

The held portion extends in the vertical direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the first housing 11, and is a portion that is fitted and held in the first terminal-accommodating outer cavity 15b. The tail portion 62 is bent and connected to the held portion, extends outward in the lateral direction, that is, in the width direction of the first housing 11, and is connected to the conductive trace of the first substrate. It is connected to the connection pad by soldering or the like.

A curved second contact portion 66 that is bent downward and protrudes inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 is formed at the inner end of the upper connection portion 67 . The lower connection portion 64 is a portion having a U-shaped side surface connected to the lower end of the second contact portion 66 . At the free end of the lower connecting portion 64 , i.e., near the inner upper end, there is provided a curved first contact that is bent in a U-shape and protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 . A portion 65 is formed.

The first terminals 61 are inserted into the first terminal accommodating cavities 15 from the mounting surface 11b side (lower side in FIG. 2), and the first terminal accommodating cavities 15 are held by the first terminal accommodating cavities formed on the inner side surfaces of the side wall portions 14 . It is fixed to the first housing 11 by being sandwiched from both sides by the side walls of the outer cavity 15b. In this state, that is, in a state where the first terminal 61 is loaded into the first housing 11, the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 are positioned on both left and right sides of the concave groove portion 12a and face each other. there is

In addition, since the first terminal 61 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate, it has a certain degree of elasticity. As is clear from the shape, the distance between the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 facing each other can be elastically changed. That is, when a second terminal 161, which is provided in the second connector 101 and will be described later, is inserted between the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66, the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 are thereby connected. The interval between and elastically expands.

Furthermore, all the first terminals 61, i.e. both the wide first terminals 61A and the narrow first terminals 61B, have a vertical cross-sectional shape, i.e. The cross-sectional shape along the axis extending to the free end is the same. Therefore, all the first terminals 61 have the same electrical length from the tail portion 62 to the contact portion with the second terminal 161 .

At both ends of the first housing 11 in the longitudinal direction, first projecting end portions 21 are provided as mating mating guide portions. A fitting recess 22 is formed in each first protruding end 21 as a part of the recess 12 . The fitting recesses 22 are substantially rectangular recesses and are connected to both longitudinal ends of each recessed groove 12a. A second projecting end portion 122 of the second connector 101 is inserted into the fitting recess 22 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together.

Further, the first projecting end portion 21 includes side wall extension portions 21c extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 from both longitudinal direction ends of the side wall portion 14 and end wall portions extending in the width direction of the first housing 11 . 21b. In each first protruding end 21 , the end wall 21 b and the side wall extension 21 c form a substantially U-shaped side wall and define three sides of a substantially rectangular fitting recess 22 .

A first reinforcing metal fitting 51 as a counterpart reinforcing metal fitting is attached to the first projecting end portion 21 . The first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is accommodated and held in the first metal fitting holding recess 26 formed in the first projecting end portion 21 . The first fitting holding recess 26 has a continuous U-shape when viewed from the fitting surface side, and opens to the upper surface 21a of the first protruding end 21, extending in the thickness direction of the first housing 11 from the upper surface 21a. It is a slit-shaped space extending downward.

A substantially U-shaped side wall formed by the end wall portion 21b and the side wall extension portion 21c is divided into an inner wall portion 21f and an outer wall portion 21k by the first fitting holding recess 26. As shown in FIG. The inner wall portion 21f has a substantially U-shape and is connected to both ends of the side wall portion 14 in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, each outer wall portion 21k is divided into three parts, a central portion 21g and left and right corner portions 21h, by a first arm portion accommodating opening portion 26f and a first fixing portion accommodating opening portion 26e provided in the first fitting holding recess portion 26. ing. The first fixing portion accommodating opening 26e opens to the outer surface of the end wall portion 21b, and the first arm accommodating opening 26f opens to the outer surface around the connecting portion between the side wall extension portion 21c and the end wall portion 21b. . The outer wall surface of the central portion 21g is the outermost surface of the first housing 11 in the longitudinal direction.

A second fixing portion accommodating opening 26g is formed in a portion of the inner wall portion 21f adjacent to the end wall portion 21b of the side wall extension portion 21c. The second fixing portion accommodating opening 26g is formed so as to penetrate the bottom plate of the fitting recess 22. As shown in FIG.

Further, an inner end convex portion 25 that protrudes toward the first convex portion 13 is formed on the inner surface of the end wall portion 21b. A facing plane 25 a of the inner end convex portion 25 facing the first convex portion 13 is a plane that functions as a reference plane for positioning each portion of the first connector 1 in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 .

In the present embodiment, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is a member integrally formed by punching, bending, or otherwise processing a metal plate, and has an elongated belt-like shape extending in the width direction of the first housing 11 . A first main body portion 52 as a main body portion, an elongated strip-shaped connection arm portion 53 connected to both left and right ends of the first main body portion 52, and a side guide portion 55 connected to the tip of the connection arm portion 53. , and a central guide portion 57 connected to the upper end of the first body portion 52 .

The first body portion 52 is fixed to the central portion 21g of the outer wall portion 21k. The connection arm portion 53 is a portion that is bent into a substantially L-shape when viewed from above, that is, in a plan view, and is a portion that can be elastically displaced vertically and horizontally. The connecting arm portion 53 is accommodated in the first arm portion accommodating opening portion 26f in a state where the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first projecting end portion 21 as shown in FIG.

The side guide portion 55 is a substantially rectangular tubular portion extending from the tip of the connecting arm portion 53 in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11, and includes an upper wall portion 55a, an inner wall portion 55b and an outer wall portion 55d. there is The upper wall portion 55a is substantially parallel to the fitting surface 11a of the first housing 11, and covers the side wall extension portion 21c when the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first projecting end portion 21. there is The inner wall portion 55b is a flat portion extending downward from the inner end of the upper wall portion 55a. It covers the inner surface of the fitting recess 22 . Further, the outer wall portion 55d extends downward from the outer end of the upper wall portion 55a, and is a flat plate-like portion that is substantially parallel to the inner wall portion 55b and flush with the connecting arm portion 53. In the state where the 1 reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first projecting end portion 21, it covers the outer surface of the side wall extension portion 21c.

At the front end of the inner wall portion 55b (the end opposite to the first body portion 52), an engagement recess 55c is formed as a mating engagement portion. In the example shown in the figure, the engaging recess 55c is an opening penetrating the inner wall portion 55b in the plate thickness direction. As long as the tip 158a of the engaging protrusion 158 provided on the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 described later can be engaged, it may have any shape, and does not necessarily have to penetrate the inner wall portion 55b. Furthermore, the mating engaging portion does not necessarily have to be a concave portion like the engaging concave portion 55c, and may be a protrusion that can be engaged with the tip portion 158a of the engaging protrusion 158. However, here, A case of the engaging recess 55c will be described.

Further, from the lower end of the rear end portion of the connecting arm portion 53 (the portion connected to the first main body portion 52) and the lower end of the rear end portion of the inner wall portion 55b (the end portion on the first main body portion 52 side), , a first fixing portion 56a and a second fixing portion 56b, which are connected and fixed to the surface of the first substrate by means such as soldering, extend. Therefore, in the state where the first connector 1 is mounted on the surface of the first substrate, the side guide portion 55 is a cantilever-shaped spring member with a fixed rear end and a free front end that is elastic in the vertical direction. can be displaced to Moreover, since it is fixed at the two rear end portions, ie, the first fixing portion 56a and the second fixing portion 56b, it will not be peeled off from the surface of the first substrate.

Further, from the first fixing portion 56a and the second fixing portion 56b to the engaging concave portion 55c located at the front end portion of the connecting arm portion 53, the length along the members such as the connecting arm portion 53 and the side guide portion 55 is The length of the part that is long and functions as a spring, that is, the spring length is increased. As a result, the engaging recess 55c can be elastically displaced over a wide range in the vertical direction.

The central guide portion 57 is a member that covers the upper surface 21a of the inner wall portion 21f and a part of the inner surface of the end wall portion 21b when the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first projecting end portion 21 . The center guide portion 57 includes an upper covering portion 57a having a base end connected to the upper end of the first main body portion 52 and a tip end curved downward, and a tip end of the upper covering portion 57a. and an inner covering portion 57b having a connected end and a downwardly extending tip end.

A protrusion accommodation opening 57c for accommodating the inner end protrusion 25 is formed in the center of the lower end of the inner covering portion 57b. In this state as well, the opposing flat surface 25a is exposed inside the fitting recess 22. As shown in FIG. Further, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is positioned with respect to the first protruding end portion 21 by fitting the convex portion accommodation opening 57c with the inner end convex portion 25 .

Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 will be described.

4 is a perspective view of the second connector according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the second connector according to the present embodiment as seen obliquely from above, showing a state in which only the second reinforcing bracket is removed, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second reinforcing metal fitting of the second connector in this embodiment. 4 and 6, (a) is a diagram viewed obliquely from above, and (b) is a diagram viewed obliquely from below.

A second connector 101 as a connector in the present embodiment has a second housing 111 as a connector body integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, the second housing 111 has a substantially rectangular thick plate shape that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. On the side of the second housing 111 to be fitted into the first connector 1, that is, on the side of the fitting surface 111a (upper side in FIG. 5), an elongated groove portion 113 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111, A second convex portion 112 as an elongated convex portion that defines the outside of the concave groove portion 113 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111 is integrally formed. The second protrusions 112 are formed along both sides of the groove 113 and along both sides of the second housing 111 .

A second terminal 161 as a terminal is arranged on each of the second protrusions 112 . The concave groove portion 113 is closed by a bottom plate on the side to be mounted on the second substrate, ie, the side of the mounting surface 111b (lower side in FIG. 5).

There are two types of the second terminals 161, a wide second terminal 161A and a narrow second terminal 161B. The wide second terminals 161A are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction of each row on both sides in the width direction of the second housing 111, and the narrow second terminals 161B are formed on both ends of the wide second terminals in each row. It is formed between two terminals 161A. In the example shown in the drawing, for convenience of explanation, four narrow second terminals 161B are arranged on each of the second projections 112 on both sides, but the number should be three or less. may be 5 or more, and can be set arbitrarily.

In addition, since the wide second terminal 161A and the narrow second terminal 161B have the same configuration except for the width dimension, they will be described as the second terminal 161 when collectively described.

The second terminal 161 is a member integrally formed by stamping or bending a conductive metal plate, and is connected to a held portion (not shown) and a lower end of the held portion. A tail portion 162, a second contact portion 166 connected to the upper end of the held portion, a connecting portion 164 connected to the upper end of the second contact portion 166, and an inner end of the connecting portion 164. and a first contact portion 165 . A second contact concave portion 166 a is formed on the surface of the second contact portion 166 .

The held portion is a portion that is surrounded and held by the second housing 111 and is a portion that is not shown in the drawing. The tail portion 162 is connected to the lower end of the main body extending in the left-right direction, that is, in the width direction of the second housing 111, extends outward from the second housing 111, and serves as a conductive portion of the second board. They are connected, such as by soldering, to connection pads that are coupled to the traces.

The second terminal 161 is integrated with the second housing 111 by a molding method called overmolding or insert molding. That is, the second housing 111 is molded by filling an insulating material into a mold cavity in which the second terminals 161 are previously set. As a result, the held portion of the second terminal 161 is buried in the second housing 111 , and the surfaces of the first contact portion 165 , the connection portion 164 and the second contact portion 166 are aligned with the side surfaces of the second convex portion 112 and the mating surfaces of the second terminal 161 . It is integrally attached to the second housing 111 while being exposed to the mating surface 111a.

Furthermore, all the second terminals 161, i.e. both the wide second terminals 161A and the narrow second terminals 161B, have a longitudinal cross-sectional shape, i.e. The cross-sectional shape along the axis extending to the tip is the same. Therefore, all the second terminals 161 have the same electrical length from the tail portion 162 to the contact portion with the first terminal 61 .

At both longitudinal ends of the second housing 111, second projecting end portions 122 are provided as fitting guide portions. The second projecting end portion 122 is a thick member extending in the width direction of the second housing 111 and having both ends connected to both longitudinal ends of each second projecting portion 112. Have a shape. The second projecting end portion 122 is inserted into the fitting recess 22 of the first projecting end portion 21 of the first connector 1 in a state where the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together. Functions as an insertion protrusion.

A second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is attached to the second projecting end portion 122 as a reinforcing metal fitting. The second reinforcing metal fitting 151, like the second terminal 161, is integrated with the second housing 111 by a molding method called overmolding or insert molding. That is, the second housing 111 is molded together with the second terminal 161 by filling an insulating material into a mold cavity in which the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is previously set.

In FIG. 5, the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 and the second housing 111 are separately formed members, and are drawn as if they are combined with each other, but such drawing is for the sake of convenience. and is not necessarily accurate. In the second housing 111 of the present embodiment, at least part of the periphery of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is covered with an insulating material by a molding method called overmolding or insert molding as described above. It is obtained by molding so as to be integrated with each other.

The second reinforcing metal fitting 151 in the present embodiment is a member integrally formed by punching, bending, or otherwise processing a metal plate, and has an elongated belt-like main body extending in the width direction of the second housing 111. a second main body portion 152 as a part, a central covering portion 157 connected to the upper end of the second main body portion 152, and engaging protrusions extending outward from both left and right ends of the second main body portion 152. 158 and a fixing portion 156 extending from the lower end of the connecting portion between the engaging protrusion 158 and the second body portion 152 .

The second body portion 152 is exposed on the inner wall surface of the end wall portion 122a of the second projecting end portion 122. As shown in FIG. The center covering portion 157 includes an upper wall portion 157a that covers the upper surface of the end wall portion 122a, and an outer wall that extends downward from the outer end of the upper wall portion 157a and is exposed to the outer wall surface of the end wall portion 122a. and side wall cover portions 157c extending downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall portion 157a and exposed to the outer wall surfaces of the side wall portions 122b of the second projecting end portion 122. As shown in FIG. Further, the fixed portion 156 is bent into a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side, and the tip portion thereof is parallel to the fitting surface 111 a of the second housing 111 . The tip portion is branched into a first fixing portion 156a extending in the direction of the outer wall surface of the end wall portion 122a and a second fixing portion 156b extending in the direction of the outer wall surface of the side wall portion 122b. ing. The first fixing portion 156a and the second fixing portion 156b are connected and fixed to the surface of the second substrate by means such as soldering.

At least the tip 158a of the engaging protrusion 158 protrudes outward from the outer wall surface of the side wall 122b. At least a portion of the outer surface of the engaging protrusion 158, excluding the portion protruding outward from the outer wall surface of the side wall portion 122b, is covered with the resin forming the side wall portion 122b. More specifically, at least a portion of the outer surface of the engaging protrusion 158 on the fitting surface 111a side is covered with an insulating material forming the side wall portion 122b. In addition, on the outer wall surface of the side wall portion 122b, a recessed portion 122c that is recessed inward from the periphery of the engaging protrusion 158 is formed in at least a portion of the periphery of the engaging protrusion 158. As shown in FIG. As a result, even if the insulating material protrudes around the engaging projection 158, ie, burrs, it is possible to secure the amount of protrusion from the outer wall surface of the side wall 122b to the tip 158a.

Therefore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 that are fitted to each other are released from the fitting, the fitting recess 55c of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 with which the tip portion 158a is engaged is removed. Even if a force directed toward the surface 111a is received, the force is partially supported by the side wall portion 122b, so that the engaging protrusion 158 is not deformed toward the fitting surface 111a.

Next, the operation of fitting the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector in the connector fitting process according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows the state after the connector fitting process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view, and FIG. 9 is a two-sided view showing a state in which the connector fitting process in this embodiment is completed. 8, (a) is a view from the second connector side, (b) is a view from the first connector side, and in FIG. 9, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a ( It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in a).

In this embodiment, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 may be connected to a signal line or may be connected to a power line.

For example, all of the first terminals 61 and all of the second terminals 161 can be connected to the power line as a parallel circuit. In this case, the wide first terminal 61A and the narrow first terminal 61B have the same longitudinal cross-sectional shape and the same electrical length, but differ only in the width dimension. The narrow second terminals 161B have the same vertical cross-sectional shape, the same electrical length, and differ only in the width dimension. Therefore, the resistance value depends only on the width dimension, and the shunt current calculation can be easily performed. becomes. In addition, since the wide first terminal 61A and the second terminal 161A, which have a large amount of current and thus generate a large amount of heat, are present at both ends of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111 in the longitudinal direction, heat is transferred to the outside. The heat is easily dissipated, and heat is not trapped inside the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 .

Further, for example, the wide first terminal 61A and the second terminal 161A can be connected to the power line, and the narrow first terminal 61B and the second terminal 161B can be connected to the signal line. In this case, for example, a power line from a battery mounted on an electronic device or the like is connected to the wide first terminal 61A and the second terminal 161A, and a signal indicating the identification number, remaining amount, temperature, etc. of the battery is conveyed. Signal lines can be connected to the narrow first terminal 61B and second terminal 161B. Also in this case, since the wide first terminal 61A and the second terminal 161A connected to the power line are present at both longitudinal ends of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111, heat is dissipated to the outside. The heat is not trapped inside the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 .

Here, in the first connector 1, the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 are connected by soldering or the like to the connection pads connected to the conductive traces of the first substrate (not shown), and the first reinforcement brackets 51 of the first reinforcing metal fittings 51 are connected to the connection pads. It is assumed that the fixing portion 56a and the second fixing portion 56b are connected and fixed to the reinforcing connection pads of the first substrate by soldering or the like, thereby being surface-mounted on the first substrate. The conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the narrow first terminal 61B is connected is a signal line and is connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the wide first terminal 61A is connected. The conductive traces drawn shall be power lines. Also, the connection pads to which the respective tail portions 62 are connected are separated from each other. Therefore, it is assumed that each of the four wide first terminals 61A provided in the first connector 1 is connected to each of the four power lines.

Similarly, in the second connector 101 , the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 are connected by soldering or the like to the connection pads connected to the conductive traces of the second substrate (not shown), and the first reinforcement metal fittings 151 of the second reinforcing bracket 151 are connected to the connection pads. It is assumed that the fixing portion 156a and the second fixing portion 156b are surface-mounted on the second substrate by connecting and fixing to the reinforcing connection pads of the second substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the narrow second terminal 161B is connected is a signal line and is connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the wide second terminal 161A is connected. The conductive traces drawn shall be power lines. Also, the connection pads to which the respective tail portions 162 are connected are separated from each other. Therefore, it is assumed that each of the four wide second terminals 161A provided in the second connector 101 is connected to each of the four power lines.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator places the fitting surface 11a of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1 and the fitting surface 111a of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 facing each other. The position of the second protrusion 112 of the second connector 101 matches the position of the corresponding concave groove 12 a of the first connector 1 , and the position of the second projecting end 122 of the second connector 101 corresponds to the position of the first connector 1 . When the positions of the fitting recesses 22 are matched, alignment between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed.

In this state, when the first connector 1 and/or the second connector 101 are moved in the direction of approaching the mating side, that is, in the mating direction, the second projecting portion 112 and the second protruding end portion 122 of the second connector 101 are moved. is inserted into the concave groove portion 12 a and the fitting concave portion 22 of the first connector 1 . Thus, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are completely fitted, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are electrically connected.

Specifically, the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 is inserted between the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 of each first terminal 61, and the first contact portion 65 and the first contact portion 65 of the first terminal 61 are inserted. The first contact portion 165 of the second terminal 161 is in contact, and the second contact portion 66 of the first terminal 61 and the second contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 are in contact. As a result, the conductive traces coupled to the connection pads on the first substrate to which the tails 62 of the first terminals 61 are connected and the connection pads on the second substrate to which the tails 162 of the second terminals 161 are connected. Conductive with the associated conductive traces.

Due to the function of the first terminal 61 as a spring portion, the first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 sandwich the second terminal 161 from both sides. Furthermore, the second contact portion 66 of the first terminal 61 engages with the second contact recess 166 a formed on the surface of the second contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 . As a result, the second terminal 161 is firmly held by the first terminal 61, so that the second terminal 161 is prevented from being detached from the first terminal 61, and the fitting between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is prevented. is reliably maintained.

By the way, since the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are respectively mounted on the first board and the second board having a large area, the operator must insert the fitting surface 11a of the first connector 1 into the second connector 101. Since the surface 111a cannot be visually observed, the fitting operation is performed by groping. As a result, the position of the first connector 1 and the position of the second connector 101 may be deviated from each other because accurate alignment cannot be performed because of groping. For example, the second connector 101 is displaced from the first connector 1 and the fitting surface 111a of the second connector 101 is inclined with respect to the fitting surface 11a of the first connector 1. can be.

In this state, when the operator moves the first connector 1 and/or the second connector 101 in the mating direction, the second connector 101 is attached to the first projecting end 21 of either one of the first connectors 1 . Either one of the second protruding ends 122 comes into contact with the first protruding end 21, and the first protruding end 21 is pushed from the second protruding end 122 in the fitting direction, that is, from top to bottom in FIG. You will be under pressure.

However, in this embodiment, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first protruding end portion 21 , and the first protruding end portion 21 is supported by the central guide portion 57 and the side guide portions 55 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 . Therefore, even if a large pressing force is applied from the second projecting end portion 122, the pressing force is transferred to the first substrate through the first fixing portion 56a and the second fixing portion 56b of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51. Since it is transmitted, it is hardly transmitted to the first protruding end 21 . Therefore, the first projecting end portion 21 is not damaged or broken.

A second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is attached to the second protruding end portion 122, and the second protruding end portion 122 is covered with the central covering portion 157 and the side wall covering portion 157c of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151. Even if a large pressing force is applied from the projecting end portion 21, the pressing force is transmitted to the second board via the first fixing portion 156a and the second fixing portion 156b of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151. Little is transmitted to the protruding end 122 . Therefore, the second protruding end 122 is not damaged or broken.

When the fitting between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed, the first terminals 61 and the second terminals 161 are electrically connected, and the first reinforcing metal fittings 51 provided in the first connector 1 are connected to the second terminals 161 . The second reinforcing metal fittings 151 included in the two connectors 101 are engaged with each other. As a result, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are locked and the mated state is maintained.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second reinforcing metal fittings 151 are inserted inside the first reinforcing metal fittings 51, and formed on the left and right side guide portions 55 of the first reinforcing metal fittings 51. The tip portions 158a of the left and right engaging protrusions 158 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 enter and engage with the engaging recesses 55c. The distance between the inner side surfaces of the inner wall portions 55b of the left and right side guide portions 55 is set to be shorter than the distance between the tip portions 158a of the left and right engaging protrusions 158 in the initial state. Therefore, when the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is inserted inside the first reinforcing metal fitting 51, the distance between the inner surfaces of the inner wall portions 55b of the left and right side guide portions 55 is adjusted by the left and right engaging protrusions 158. 9(b), when the tips 158a of the left and right engaging projections 158 enter the engaging recesses 55c, the spring property of the first reinforcing metal fittings 51 restores the initial state. return to distance. As a result, the engaging state between the engaging concave portion 55c of the side guide portion 55 and the tip end portion 158a of the engaging projection portion 158 is reliably maintained, and as a result, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are securely connected. locked to

Here, since the engaging recess 55c located at the front end of the connecting arm 53 has a long spring length, the amount of elastic displacement is extremely large. As a result, vibrations and impacts generated when the electronic device or the like on which the first board and the second board are mounted are dropped or subjected to external force are transmitted, and the second reinforcing metal fitting is transmitted to the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 . 151 is relatively displaced, the engaging recess 55c can follow the displacement of the tip 158a of the engaging protrusion 158 and maintain the engaged state. and the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 are reliably maintained, and the lock between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is not released.

In addition, when the first connector 1 and/or the second connector 101 are moved in the direction away from the mating side, that is, in the anti-mating direction, in order to release the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101. A force in the direction of pulling out from the second housing 111 (downward force in FIG. 9B) acts on the engaging protrusion 158 whose tip end 158a is engaged with the engaging recess 55c. However, a part of the engaging projection 158 including at least the tip 158a protrudes outward from the outer wall surface of the side wall 122b. The periphery of the engaging protrusion 158 is covered with an insulating material that forms the side wall portion 122b. More specifically, at least a part of the periphery of the engaging protrusion 158 on the side of the fitting surface 111a is covered with an insulating material that forms the side wall 122b. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 158 is prevented from being displaced from the second housing 111, and the engaging protrusion 158 is prevented from curling up.

Thus, in this embodiment, the second connector 101 includes the second housing 111, the second terminals 161 loaded into the second housing 111, and the second reinforcing metal fittings 151 loaded into the second housing 111. Prepare. The second housing 111 has second projecting end portions 122 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is fitted with the first projecting end portions 21 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1 . The second reinforcing metal fitting 151 has an engaging protrusion 158 with which the engaging concave portion 55c and the tip portion 158a of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 loaded in the first housing 11 are engaged. At least a portion of the engaging protrusion 158 including the tip 158 a protrudes from the wall surface of the second protruding end 122 .

As a result, the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is not deformed during fitting or unfitting work, and reliability can be improved.

In addition, at least a portion of the engaging protrusion 158 on the fitting surface 111a side of the second housing 111 is covered with an insulating material that forms the second protruding end 122 . Therefore, the engaging protrusion 158 is prevented from being displaced from the second housing 111, and the engaging protrusion 158 is prevented from curling up.

Furthermore, a recessed portion 122c is formed in at least a portion of the wall surface of the second protruding end portion 122 around the engaging projection portion 158. As shown in FIG. As a result, even if the insulating material protrudes around the engaging protrusion 158, the amount of protrusion from the outer wall surface of the side wall portion 122b to the tip portion 158a can be secured.

Furthermore, the second housing 111 is formed so that at least a part of the periphery of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is covered with an insulating material and integrated. Thereby, the second housing 111 and the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 are firmly coupled.

Further, the wall surface of the second protruding end 122 is the outer wall surface of the side wall 122b of the second protruding end 122, and the first protruding end 21 includes the fitting recess 22 into which the second protruding end 122 is inserted. , the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 includes an inner wall portion 55b covering the inner surface of the fitting recess 22, and the engaging recess 55c is a recess formed in the inner wall portion 55b. Therefore, the engagement state between the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 and the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is reliably maintained, and the lock between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is not released.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present disclosure, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure can be applied to connectors.

1 First connector 11 First housings 11a, 111a Fitting surfaces 11b, 111b Mounting surface 12 Concave portions 12a, 113 Groove portion 13 First convex portions 14, 122b Side wall portion 15a First terminal accommodating inner cavities 15A, 15B First terminal accommodating Cavity 15b First terminal accommodating outer cavity 21 First protruding end 21a Upper surface 21b, 122a End wall 21c Side wall extension 21f, 55b Inner wall 21g Center 21h Corner 21k, 55d, 157b Outer wall 22 Fitting recess 25 Inside End protrusion 25a Opposing flat surface 26 First metal fitting holding recess 26e First fixing part accommodation opening 26f First arm part accommodation opening 26g Second fixing part accommodation opening 51, 851 First reinforcing metal fitting 52 First body part 53 Connection arm portion 55 side guide portions 55a, 157a upper wall portion 55c engaging recesses 56a, 156a first fixing portions 56b, 156b second fixing portion 57 central guide portion 57a upper covering portion 57b inner covering portion 57c convex portion accommodating opening 61A; 61B First terminals 62, 162 Tail portion 64 Lower connection portions 65, 165 First contact portions 66, 166 Second contact portion 67 Upper connection portion 101 Second connector 111 Second housing 112 Second convex portion 122 Second projecting end Part 122c Recessed parts 151, 951 Second reinforcing metal fitting 152 Second main body part 156 Fixing part 157 Central covering part 157c Side wall covering part 158 Engagement protrusion 158a Tip part 161A, 161B Second terminal 164 Connecting part 166a Second contact concave part 852 , 952 main body portions 854, 952a housing locking projections 856, 956 substrate connection portions 858, 958 side engagement pieces 858a, 958a side engagement projections

For this purpose, the metal fitting is attached to the housing of the connector and comprises a main body, connecting arms connected to both ends of the main body, and side guides connected to the connecting arms. The lateral guide portion includes an outer wall portion connected to the connecting arm portion, an inner wall portion extending substantially parallel to the outer wall portion on the inner side in the width direction of the housing from the outer wall portion, and the outer wall portion. and a fixing portion connected to the lower end of the inner wall portion and connected and fixed to the surface of the substrate by soldering or the like .
In another fitting, the body portion further includes a central guide portion covering a portion of the upper surface and inner surface of the housing.
In still another metal fitting, the fixing portion extends in the width direction of the housing.
In yet another metal fitting, the surfaces of the outer wall portion, the inner wall portion and the upper wall portion are exposed when the metal fitting is attached to the housing.
In still another metal fitting, the fixing portion is exposed from the lower surface of the housing.

A fitting-equipped connector comprises a housing, a terminal attached to the housing, and a fitting attached to the housing, wherein the housing comprises a concave groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing; a pair of side walls extending along opposite sides of the housing, side wall extensions having one end connected to opposite ends of each side wall, and end walls having both ends connected to the other ends of the side wall extensions . said metal fitting includes a main body portion attached to said end wall portion, a side wall portion attached to an outer surface of said side wall extension portion, and a fixing portion connected and fixed to the surface of a substrate by soldering or the like; Terminals are attached to the sidewalls .

The connector assembly has the connector with metal fittings and a mating connector to be fitted with the connector with metal fittings.

Claims (3)

(a) A connector comprising a connector main body, terminals mounted on the connector main body, and reinforcing metal fittings mounted on the connector main body,
(b) The connector main body is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body, and is a fitting guide portion extending in the width direction of the connector main body. including a mating guide portion that fits with the mating mating guide portion,
(c) The reinforcing metal fitting includes a main body portion exposed on the inner wall surface of the fitting guide portion, an upper wall portion connected to the upper end of the main body portion and exposed on the upper surface of the fitting guide portion, and the upper wall portion. an outer wall portion connected to the opposite end of the body portion of the portion and exposed to the outer wall surface of the fitting guide portion; and a pair of fixing portions connected to the lower end of the body portion, each of the fixing portions (1) extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body and in the width direction of the connector body, and is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the fitting direction. (a) A connector comprising a connector main body, terminals mounted on the connector main body, and reinforcing metal fittings mounted on the connector main body,
(b) The connector main body is formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector main body, and is a fitting guide portion extending in the width direction of the connector main body. including a mating guide portion that fits with the mating mating guide portion,
(c) The reinforcing metal fitting includes a main body portion exposed on the inner wall surface of the fitting guide portion, an upper wall portion connected to the upper end of the main body portion and exposed on the upper surface of the fitting guide portion, and the upper wall portion. side wall cover portions connected to both ends of the connector body in the width direction and exposed to the side wall portions of the fitting guide portion; and a pair of fixing portions connected to the lower end of the main body portion; Each connector includes a tip portion extending in the direction of the outer wall surface of the fitting guide portion. 3. A connector pair comprising the connector according to claim 1 or 2 and a mating connector to be fitted with the connector.

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