JP4022354B2 - Board connector and connector mating detection structure - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a board connector used for connecting an electric wire to a circuit on a board, and a connector fitting detection structure using the board connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, it is common to connect a flat cable to a circuit on a board by mounting a board connector on a circuit board and fitting a mating connector holding a flat cable (electric wire) to the connector for this board. Has been done.
[0003]
For example, the board connector has an elongated housing 52 as shown in FIG. A large number of terminal storage chambers 54 are arranged in parallel in the housing 52, and a terminal 56 is stored in each terminal storage chamber 54. Further, a pair of fixing leg portions 58 are provided at both left and right end portions of the housing 52, and these leg portions 58 are soldered to fixing lands on the circuit board P, whereby the circuit board P is attached to the circuit board P. The connector 50 is fixed and each terminal 56 is connected to a circuit (pattern) on the substrate by being soldered to a fixing land of the circuit substrate P. Although not shown, when the mating connector holding the flat cable is fitted into the board connector 50, the flat cable is connected to the circuit on the board by both connectors.
[0004]
In such a connection structure, if the connectors are in an incompletely fitted state, there is a possibility that conduction is not ensured. Therefore, for example, the board connector 50 is provided with a dedicated terminal 56 for detecting the fitting, and the terminal 56 is mounted on a dedicated pattern for detecting the fitting formed on the circuit board P, while the mating connector is connected. An electric wire for fitting detection is provided (that is, one conductor of the flat wiring material is used as a dedicated conductor for detecting the fitting), and after both connectors are fitted, the electrical connection state between the electric wire and the pattern is examined. Things have been done.
[0005]
In addition, even if it is initially in a completely mated state, it may become incompletely mated during use and the continuity may be cut off, so a mechanism for locking the mated state is provided in the housing of both connectors. In addition, it is also performed to prevent both connectors from being incompletely engaged in a later state.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional fitting detection structure as described above requires a dedicated terminal and electric wire for fitting detection in addition to the circuit connection terminals for both connectors. In this case, there is a problem that the number of electric wires and terminals not related to circuit connection increases.
[0007]
Therefore, it is desired to be able to investigate the fitting state of both connectors with a more rational structure.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and a first object is to rationalize the fitting state between connectors in a board connector used to connect an electric wire to a circuit on a board. A second object of the present invention is to provide a connector fitting detection structure using the board connector.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a first connector mounted on a circuit board and a second connector for holding an electric wire. A connector for connecting to a circuit, wherein a pair of legs made of a metal conductor for fixing the connector on the circuit board is provided on both the left and right sides of the first connector, and contacts that can be elastically displaced from each leg. While the part is extended to a position close to each other, the second connector is engaged with the locked part provided in the first connector only when the connector is completely fitted to the first connector, and both connectors are detached. A fitting lock piece is provided that restrains the contact portion in an impossible state and presses the contact portion in the engaged state to bring the contact portions into contact with each other (Claim 1).
[0010]
According to this structure, the first connector is fixed on the circuit base via each leg. Each contact portion of the first connector is in a non-contact state until both connectors are in a completely fitted state, and when both connectors are in a completely fitted state, it is pressed by the fitting lock piece of the second connector. It becomes a contact state. Therefore, if the continuity state of each leg portion is checked after the two connectors are fitted, the fitting state of both the connectors including the fitting lock state can be detected.
[0011]
In this board connector, each leg is extended from the left and right sides of the first connector to the top of the connector to form a contact portion supported in a cantilevered state on the top of the first connector. When the contact portions are close to each other in the vertical direction and the two connectors are in a completely fitted state, the contact portions are pressed in the vertical direction by the fitting lock pieces so as to contact each other (Claim 2).
[0012]
According to this configuration, when the connector is in a completely fitted state, both contact parts are bent up and down by being pressed by the fitting lock piece , and as a result, both contact parts are in contact.
[0013]
In the case of a connector for connecting a flat wiring material to the circuit board as an electric wire (Claim 3), since a long span to the tip of the contact portion can be secured, both contact portions are brought into contact with a low pressing force. be able to.
[0016]
On the other hand, the connector fitting detection structure according to the present invention is a connector fitting detection structure using the board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , and each of the first connectors on the circuit board. A pattern capable of detecting the conduction state of the leg is formed, and the first connector is fixed on the circuit board by fixing each leg to a fixing land provided at a specific portion of the pattern. (Claim 4 ).
[0017]
According to this structure, after both connectors are fitted, if the conduction state of both legs is examined by applying a voltage to the above pattern on the circuit board, the fitting state of both connectors can be simplified only on the circuit board side. Can be examined.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
1 and 2 schematically show a board connector according to the present invention. As shown in these drawings, the board connector includes a first connector C1 mounted on the circuit board P and a second connector C2 holding the flat wiring member 10, and the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted to each other. By combining, each conductor 11 of the flat wiring member 10 and the circuit board P are connected. As the flat wiring material 10, FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) is used in the present embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the flat wiring material is referred to as FFC 10. In addition to the FFC, a flat cable, a ribbon electric wire, an FPC (Flexible Printed Cable), or the like can be applied as the flat wiring member 10.
[0020]
The first connector C1 has an elongated housing 20 corresponding to the FFC 10, and a number of terminal storage chambers 22 are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20, and terminals 24 are provided in the terminal storage chambers 22. It is stored. At the tip of each terminal 24, a connecting flexure piece 24 a that can be deflected up and down is formed. When the FFC 10 is inserted into the housing from the insertion opening 26 formed on one end side of the housing 20, the FFC 10 Each of the conductors 11 is configured to come into contact with the connecting bending piece 24 a of the terminal 24.
[0021]
A lock portion 28 is provided on the upper surface of the housing of the first connector C1 at the center in the longitudinal direction. The locking portion 28 is formed with a locking projection 30 (locked portion). When both the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted, a later-described fitting lock piece 44 of the second connector C2 is connected to the locking projection 28. 30 to be locked. As shown in the figure, the locking projection 30 is formed so as to rise toward the rear side of the housing (the right side in FIG. 2), and is fitted with the connectors C1 and C2. The tip 44b of the piece 44 is configured to be guided while being lifted.
[0022]
Further, the first connector C1 has a pair of leg portions for fixing the housing 20 on the circuit board at both longitudinal ends (left and right ends) of the housing 20. These leg portions 32 are made of a metal conductor and exposed on the bottom surface of the housing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the central portion extends through the inside of the housing, and each end portion is exposed to a space 29 formed on the rear side of the locking projection 30. The contact portion 33 is formed by these end portions by being cantilevered and supported in a deformable state in the space 29 in a vertical direction. Each contact portion 33 is arranged in a state of overlapping vertically as shown in the figure, and when an external force is applied from the upper side, the upper contact portion 33 bends so that both contact portions 33 come into contact with each other. It is configured.
[0023]
Then, as shown in FIG. 1, each leg 32 is soldered to lands L1 and L2 provided on the circuit board P, whereby the first connector C1 is fixed on the circuit board P and the housing 20 The leg portions 24b of the terminals 24 housed in the circuit board P are soldered to lands (not shown) on the circuit board P.
[0024]
Although not shown, the circuit board P has a pattern for detecting the fitting state of both connectors C1 and C2 (referred to as a fitting detection pattern), specifically both legs of the first connector C1. A pattern for checking the conduction state of the portion 32 is formed, and the lands L1 and L2 are provided as a part of this pattern.
[0025]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the second connector C <b> 2 has an elongated housing 40 that can be fitted into the housing 20 of the first connector C <b> 1, and holds the FFC 10 in the housing 40.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the FFC 10 is processed to expose the end of each conductor 11, and a reinforcing plate 12 that restricts the bending of the FFC end is laminated and fixed to the back surface of the end. . And the front-end | tip part of FFC10 is being fixed on the tongue piece 42 provided in the housing 40 in the state passed through the inside from the lower side of the housing 40, and bend | folded substantially horizontally.
[0027]
A fitting lock piece 44 corresponding to the lock portion 28 of the first connector C1 is provided at the upper portion of the housing of the second connector C2 and in the center in the longitudinal direction. The engagement lock piece 44 is formed with a locking hole 44a at the tip (near the right end in the figure), and when the both connectors C1 and C2 are fitted, the locking portion 28 is inserted into the locking hole 44a. When the engaging protrusion 30 is fitted, the fitting lock piece 44 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 30, and as a result, the connectors C 1 and C 2 are locked in an inseparable state. .
[0028]
As a specific structure of the second connector C2, in this embodiment, the housing 40 of the second connector C2 includes an upper part 40a having the fitting lock piece 44 and the tongue as shown in FIG. The housing 40 is constituted by a lower part 40b having a piece 42, and the parts 40a and 40b are fitted to each other.
[0029]
In assembling the second connector C2 (holding the FFC 10), after processing the terminal of the FFC 10 to fix the reinforcing plate 12, the reinforcing plate 12 is pasted on the tongue piece 42 of the lower part 40b as shown in FIG. . Then, the FFC 10 is bent downward at the rear end (the left end in the figure) of the lower part 40b, and in this state, the lower part 40b is assembled to the upper part 40a from the lower side. At this time, although not shown, the hook formed on the lower part 40b is locked to the upper part 40a, and both the parts 40a and 40b are fixed integrally.
[0030]
In the configuration as described above, in order to connect the FFC 10 on the circuit board P, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both the connectors C1 and C2 are opposed to each other, and the fitting lock piece 44 of the second connector C2 is connected to the lock portion. 28, the connectors C1 and C2 are brought close to each other. Then, the housings 20 and 40 of both the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted while the tongue piece 42 of the second connector C2 is pushed into the housing of the first connector C1 from the insertion port 26.
[0031]
In this way, first, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tip end portion 44 b of the fitting lock piece 44 is guided above each contact portion 33 while being lifted along the locking projection 30. When the connectors C1 and C2 are completely engaged, the engaging protrusion 30b is fitted into the engaging hole 44a of the engaging lock piece 44 as shown in FIG. The locking piece 44 is locked to the locking protrusion 30, and the connectors C1 and C2 are locked in a state where they cannot be separated.
[0032]
When both the connectors C1 and C2 are in the fitted state in this way, the conductors 11 of the FFC 10 are pressed against the connecting bending pieces 24a of the terminals 24 via the reinforcing plate 12 by the tongue piece 42, whereby the FFC 10 It will be in the state connected to the circuit by the side of a circuit board via each terminal 24. FIG.
[0033]
Further, when the fitting lock piece 44 is locked to the locking projection 30 as described above, that is, when both the connectors C1 and C2 are in a completely fitted state, as shown in FIG. The contact portion 33 is pressed from the upper side by the tip end portion 44b, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper contact portion 33 is bent and the contact portions 33 are in contact with each other.
[0034]
Therefore, after fitting both the connectors C1 and C2, a voltage is applied to the above-mentioned fitting detection pattern formed on the circuit board P to check the conduction state of both the legs 32, thereby fitting the two connectors C1 and C2. The state can be detected. That is, when both connectors C1 and C2 are in a completely fitted state, both contact portions 33 are in contact with each other as described above, and both leg portions 32 are in a conductive state, while both connectors C1 and C2 are in an incompletely fitted state. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 5A, both the contact portions 33 are not in contact with the tip end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44 being lifted, and both the leg portions 32 are in a non-conductive state. Therefore, the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 can be detected by applying a voltage to the fitting detection pattern and checking the conduction state of both the leg portions 32.
[0035]
As described above, the contact portion 33 is pressed from the upper side by the tip end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44, and as a result, the contact portion 33 is bent and the contact portions 33 are in contact with each other. Then, as described above, the housing 40 is formed in an elongated shape corresponding to the FFC 10, and the span to the tip of the contact portion is long. Therefore, the contact portion 33 is easily bent with a small pressing force, and as a result, the contact of both the contact portions 33 is favorably performed.
[0036]
According to the board connector as described above, the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 can be electrically checked as described above, but the fitting is made on the second connector C2 side holding the FFC 10. There is no need to provide a dedicated wire for detection. Further, the first connector C1 side to be fixed to the circuit board P is provided with a contact portion 33 for detecting fitting, which is for fixing (soldering) the first connector C1 to the circuit board P. The leg part 32 is formed by extending to the upper part of the housing of the first connector C1. That is, a leg portion for fixing a connector on a circuit board usually provided in this type of connector is also used as a contact portion.
[0037]
Therefore, according to the above-described fitting detection structure, there is no need for a dedicated electric wire or terminal as in the conventional fitting detection structure of this type, and an electric wire that is not related to circuit connection even when an electric unit or the like is configured. It is possible to check the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 without increasing the number of terminals and terminals (that is, the electric wires and terminals for fitting detection). Therefore, there exists an effect that the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 can be detected with a rational structure.
[0038]
In addition, according to this configuration, only the voltage is applied to the fitting detection pattern formed on the circuit board P, that is, the fitting state of the connectors C1 and C2 can be examined only on the circuit board P side. Compared with the conventional structure for checking the electrical connection state between the electric wire connected to the connector and the pattern on the circuit board, there is an effect that the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 can be easily checked.
[0039]
Furthermore, since it is comprised so that both the contact parts 33 may be contacted by pushing down the contact part 33 with the front-end | tip part 44b of the fitting lock piece 44, it can be detected that the fitting lock is achieved reliably. There is also an effect. That is, for example, it is possible to provide a member that presses the contact portion 33 separately from the fitting lock piece 44, but in this case, even if both the contact portions 33 are in contact with each other, the fitting portion is temporarily connected for some reason. If the lock piece 44 is lifted, it is impossible to detect such an incomplete lock state. On the other hand, according to the configuration in which the contact portion 33 is pressed by the fitting lock piece 44 as described above, the both contact portions 33 are not formed until both the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted and the fitting lock is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to detect the fitting state of both the connectors C1 and C2 including the fitting lock, that is, whether or not the fitting lock is reliably achieved.
[0040]
In the above-described board connector, the contact portions 33 are overlapped in the vertical direction, and the contact portions 33 are brought into contact with each other by pressing the contact portions 33 from above with the fitting lock pieces 44. For example, the contact portions 33 are overlapped in the fitting direction of the connectors C1 and C2 (the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 2), and the contact portion 33 is pressed in the same direction by the distal end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44. You may make it contact both the contact parts 33. FIG. In short, the contact portions 33 and the pressing portions for these may be provided so that both contact portions 33 can contact only when both the connectors C1 and C2 are in a completely fitted state.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the case where the FFC 10 is connected to the circuit board P. However, the electric wire is not limited to the FFC, and the above-described flat cable, ribbon electric wire, FPC (Flexible Printed Cable). Other flat wiring materials such as) may be used, and electric wires other than the flat wiring materials may be used.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention fixes the first connector on the circuit board via the pair of legs provided on the first connector and detects the continuity formed on the circuit board. When the second connector connected to the pattern and holding the electric wire is fitted into the first connector, the pair of contact portions connected to the respective leg portions are pressed by the fitting lock pieces of the second connector and are mutually connected. Therefore, it is possible to detect the fitting state of both connectors by examining the conduction state of both leg portions by applying a voltage to the pattern or the like.
[0043]
According to such a fitting detection structure, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated electric wire for fitting detection in the second connector, and in the first connector, a conventional connector fixing leg portion is provided. The fitting state of both connectors can be detected using Therefore, even when an electric unit or the like is configured, the number of wires and terminals not related to circuit connection is not increased, and the fitting state of both connectors can be detected with a rational structure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a board connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a board connector according to the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2 showing the configuration of the first connector.
FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of a second connector.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a fitting state of the first and second connectors ((a) shows an incomplete fitting state, and (b) shows a complete fitting state).
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5 (b) showing a fitted state of the first and second connectors.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a conventional board connector.
[Explanation of symbols]
C1 1st connector C2 2nd connector P Circuit board 10 FFC (electric wire)
20, 40 Housing 30 Locking protrusion 32 Leg 33 Contact point 44 Fitting lock piece 44a Locking hole (locked part)
44b Tip

Claims (4)

A connector comprising a first connector mounted on a circuit board and a second connector for holding an electric wire, and connecting the electric wire to a circuit on the board by fitting both the connectors together,
A pair of leg portions made of metal conductors for fixing the connector on the circuit board are provided on both the left and right sides of the first connector, and contact portions that can be elastically displaced are extended from the leg portions to positions close to each other. On the other hand, the second connector engages with the locked portion provided in the first connector only when the connector is completely fitted to the first connector, and restrains both the connectors so that they cannot be detached. board connector, characterized in that the mating locking pieces in contact with each other both contacts and presses the contact portion in the engaged state is provided. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein
The leg portions are extended from the left and right sides of the first connector to the upper portion of the connector to form a contact portion that is supported in a cantilevered state on the upper portion of the first connector. When the connectors are close to each other and are in a completely fitted state, the contact portions are pressed in the vertical direction by the fitting lock pieces to come into contact with each other. The board connector according to claim 2, wherein
The both connectors are connectors for connecting a flat wiring material to the circuit board as the electric wires. A connector fitting detection structure using the board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A pattern capable of detecting the conduction state of each leg portion of the first connector is formed on the circuit board, and each leg portion is fixed to a fixing land provided at a specific position of the pattern, thereby the first leg. A connector fitting detection structure, wherein the connector is fixed on a circuit board.

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