JP4165383B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for electrically connecting circuit boards or electronic components to a circuit board in a portable device such as a mobile phone or a digital camera.

  Conventionally, a connector composed of a header and a socket has been put into practical use in order to connect a plurality of circuit boards on which electronic components are mounted (see Patent Document 1). In particular, in mobile devices such as mobile phones, miniaturization and thinning of connectors are required due to the miniaturization and thinning of devices. In addition, due to the higher functionality of equipment, the mounting density of electronic components on the circuit board is increased, the number of contacts arranged in the connector is increased, and the width and arrangement pitch of each contact are very narrow. . As an example, a stacking height (height of the whole connector) in a state where the header and the socket are combined is 1 mm or less, a contact arrangement pitch is 0.4 mm, and a contact arrangement number of about 30 is practical. It has become. The contact width is 0.2 mm and the plate thickness is 0.1 mm or less.

  With such an ultra-small connector, it is virtually impossible to handle contacts one by one. Therefore, comb-shaped cuts are formed on the sides of the band-shaped metal plate (hoop material), and each comb-tooth portion is bent into a predetermined shape to form an array of contacts. The array of contacts is handled as one part and is press-fitted into a resin-molded body or inserted into a mold during resin molding. Then, after each contact is fixed to the body, the connector is completed by separating each contact from the array.

When press-fitting a contact into the body, a part wider than the press-fitting groove formed on the body side (press-fitted part) is formed in a part of the contact, and the press-fitted part is cut into the side wall of the press-fitted groove. By fixing, the contact is fixed to the body. Specifically, the contact array is opposed to the resin body, and each contact of the contact array is press-fitted into the press-fitting groove of the resin body using a pressure device.
JP 2002-8753 A

  However, in the conventional connector, since all contacts arranged in a line have the same shape, the wide press-fit portions of each contact are also arranged at the same height. For this reason, a load when the contacts are press-fitted into the body is applied to the pressurizing device all at once, and the load fluctuation of the pressurizing device is large, and there is a possibility that variations in the press-fit state of the individual contacts occur. In addition, internal stress is generated in the resin-made body by press-fitting the press-fitted portion of the contact, but the press-fitted portions are arranged at the same height as described above. Deformation such as warping due to stress may occur.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. The load variation when the contact array is press-fitted into the body is reduced, and the press-fitted state of the individual contacts is made uniform. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that reduces the possibility of deformation such as warping by dispersing the internal stress of the body due to the press-fitting.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that an array of a predetermined number of contacts formed at a predetermined pitch in a substantially comb shape on one side of a metal plate has the same pitch as the array of contacts. The connector is completed by press-fitting into a resin body having press-fitting grooves arranged in the same number in the above, and then separating the contacts from the metal plate, each of the contacts being larger than the width of the press-fitting groove. A press-fit portion that is wide and has a press-fit portion that is press-fitted into a side wall of the press-fit groove, and the press-fit portions of two contacts adjacent to each other in the contact arrangement body are different from each other in the press-fit direction of the contact. is provided in the press-fit groove, the are tapered is provided so as to gradually width decreases in the press-fitting direction of the contact, the one of the press-fitted portion Conta Those located in front of the bets of the press-fitting direction, depending on the taper of the press-fitting groove, and having a width smaller than those located in the rear of the press-fitting direction of the contact.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the first aspect, the pressed-in portions of the contacts located every other one of the contact arrays are provided at the same position in the press-in direction of the contacts. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the first aspect, the pressed-in portions of a predetermined number of three or more adjacent contacts in the contact array are predetermined in the same direction in the press-fitting direction of the contacts. It is provided at a position shifted by a distance.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the connector of the third aspect, the arrangement pattern of the pressed-in portions of the predetermined number of contacts of three or more is repeated in the same order or in the reverse order.

In the invention of claim 5 , an array of a predetermined number of contacts formed at a predetermined pitch in a substantially comb shape on one side of the metal plate is arranged in the same number at the same pitch as the array of contacts. A connector completed by press-fitting into a resin body having a press-fit groove and then separating the contact from the metal plate, wherein the contacts are each wider than the press-fit groove, and the press-fit groove A press-fit portion to be press-fitted into the side wall of the contact, and the press-fit portions of two contacts adjacent to each other in the contact array are located at different positions in a direction in which the contacts protrude in a substantially comb-like shape. provided, said press-fit groove, the are gradually tapered so that the width is narrowed is provided in the press-fitting direction of the contact, press-fitting of the contact of the pressed insertion portion Those located in front of the direction, depending on the taper of the press-fitting groove, and having a width smaller than those located in the rear of the press-fitting direction of the contact.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the pressed-in portions of the two contacts adjacent to each other in the contact array are provided at different positions in the contact press-fitting direction, the contact array is arranged on the body. The load at the time of press-fitting into the press-fitting groove is applied stepwise to the pressurizing device, and the load fluctuation of the pressurizing device is reduced. As a result, the possibility of variations in the press-fit state of individual contacts is reduced. In addition, internal stress is generated in the resin-made body by press-fitting the press-fit portion of the contact, but the internal stress of the body is dispersed because the press-fit portions of two adjacent contacts are provided at different positions. The possibility of deformation such as warping of the body after assembly of the connector is reduced. The press-fitting groove is tapered so that the width is gradually narrowed in the press-fitting direction of the contact. Among the press-fitted parts, the portion located in the front of the press-fitting direction of the contact depends on the taper of the press-fitting groove. Since the contact has a narrower width than that of the contact located in the press-fitting direction, the contact arrangement body is formed even when a so-called punch taper is provided in the press-fitting groove when the body is formed by injection molding or the like. The load fluctuation of the pressurizing device when press-fitting into the press-fitting groove can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, every other contact press-fit portion of the contact array is provided at the same position in the press-fit direction of the contacts, that is, alternately provided. The effect of claim 1 can be obtained with a relatively simple configuration.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the press-fit portions of a predetermined number of adjacent three or more contacts in the contact array are provided at positions shifted by a predetermined distance in the same direction in the press-fit direction of the contacts. Therefore, although the configuration is complicated as compared with the second aspect, the fluctuation of the load applied to the pressurizing device is further reduced, and the possibility that the press-fit state of the individual contacts varies is further reduced. Further, since the internal stress of the body is further dispersed, the possibility of deformation such as warping of the body after assembly of the connector is further reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the arrangement pattern of the press-fit portions of the predetermined number of contacts of 3 or more is repeated in the same order or in the reverse order. The effect is obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the press-fit portions of the two contacts adjacent to each other in the contact array are provided at different positions in the direction in which the contacts protrude in a substantially comb-like shape. The internal stress is distributed in the protruding direction of the contact, and the possibility of deformation such as warping of the body after assembly of the connector is reduced. The press-fitting groove is tapered so that the width is gradually narrowed in the press-fitting direction of the contact. Among the press-fitted parts, the portion located in the front of the press-fitting direction of the contact depends on the taper of the press-fitting groove. Since the contact has a narrower width than that of the contact located in the press-fitting direction, the contact arrangement body is formed even when a so-called punch taper is provided in the press-fitting groove when the body is formed by injection molding or the like. The load fluctuation of the pressurizing device when press-fitting into the press-fitting groove can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In general, a connector includes a socket corresponding to a female connector and a header corresponding to a male connector. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a socket 1 which is a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the socket 1 and the header 2 are combined.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the socket 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped socket body 3 made of a synthetic resin molded product which is an insulating material. Insertion grooves 31 are formed in the socket body 3 so as to form four substantially rectangular sides. On both side walls 32 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion groove 31, a predetermined number of press-fitting grooves 33 are disposed at a predetermined pitch, and the contacts 4 are held in the press-fitting grooves 33 by press-fitting.

  The contact 4 is formed by bending an elastic strip-shaped metal plate (for example, a metal plate obtained by applying gold plating to a copper alloy such as phosphor bronze) into a predetermined shape. A terminal portion 43 that is surface-mounted on the circuit board by soldering is formed at one end of the contact 4. A held portion 41 is formed at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the contact 4 so as to have a substantially U-shaped cross section and the substantially U-shaped cross section is substantially perpendicular to the terminal portion 43. A leaf spring portion 42 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is formed on the opposite side of the terminal portion 43 on the extension of the end portion of the held portion 41 opposite to the terminal portion 43 having a substantially U-shaped cross section. . The leaf spring portion 42 can be bent in the left-right direction in FIG. Furthermore, a contact convex portion 44 formed by bending so as to protrude to the opposite side to the held portion 41 is provided at the tip of the leaf spring portion 42. That is, the contact 4 of the socket 1 is connected to the terminal portion 43 in the direction intersecting the direction in which the socket body 3 moves relative to the header body 5 when the socket 1 is coupled to the header 2 on the other side. The held portion 41, the leaf spring portion 42, and the contact convex portion 44 are formed continuously and integrally by bending.

  By forming the held portion 41, the terminal portion 43 can be disposed outside the socket body 3 and the contact convex portion 44 can be disposed inside the insertion groove 31 across the side wall 32 of the socket body 3. . As shown in FIG. 2, the surface 4 a of the terminal portion 43 to be soldered to the circuit board is located outside the outer surface 3 a of the socket body 3. Further, the leaf spring portion 42 is located inside the insertion groove 31 of the socket body 3. Thereby, even if the socket 1 is mounted on the circuit board, the leaf spring portion 42 does not come into contact with a wiring pattern or the like on the circuit board, and a short circuit can be prevented. Further, by interposing the side wall 32 of the socket body 3 between the terminal portion 43 and the contact convex portion 44, flux or solder when soldering the terminal portion 43 to the circuit board adheres to the contact convex portion 44. Can be prevented.

  The post 6 of the header 2 is formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape. However, unlike the contact 4 of the socket 1, elasticity is not required. In this description, a contact that does not require elasticity is particularly distinguished as a post.

  Next, the shape of the contact 4 in the vicinity of the held portion 41 is shown in FIG. The width of the press-fit groove 33 of the socket body 3 is substantially the same as the width of the held portion 41 of the contact 4, and the width of the press-fit portion 45 provided in a part of the held portion 41 is larger than the width of the press-fit groove 33. It is also slightly wider. Thereby, by pressing the held portion 41 into the press-fit groove 33, both side portions of the press-fit portion 45 bite into the inner wall of the press-fit groove 33, and the contact 4 is fixed to the socket body 3.

  As an example, the width of the leaf spring portion 42 of the contact 4 is 0.2 mm, the width of the terminal portion 43 is 0.15 mm, the plate thickness is 0.1 mm, and the arrangement pitch is 0.4 mm. The number of contacts 4 arranged is about 10 to 30.

  It is difficult to bend or press-fit such minute contacts 4 one by one. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, one side (not shown) of one metal plate is processed into a comb-teeth shape according to the arrangement pitch and the number of arrangement of the contacts 4 in the socket 1, and all contacts on one side are processed. 4 is press-molded simultaneously. The array 40 of the contacts 4 formed in this way is handled as one component, and the held portions 41 of the respective contacts 4 are simultaneously fitted into the press-fitting grooves 33 of the socket body 3, and the pressed-in portions of the respective contacts 4 are also fitted. 45 is press-fitted into the side wall of the press-fitting groove 33. Then, after the contact 4 is press-fitted into the socket body 3, the terminal portion 43 of the contact 4 is separated from the metal plate, thereby completing the socket 1.

  A procedure for press-fitting the contact 4 into the socket body 3 is shown in FIG. First, as shown to (a), the socket body 3 and the array body 40 of the contact 4 which were shape | molded previously are prepared. Next, as shown in (b), each contact 4 is so fitted that the held portion 41 of each contact 4 gets over the side wall 32 and a part of the held portion 41 is fitted into the press-fitting groove 33. 4 are temporarily inserted into the corresponding press-fitting grooves 33, respectively. After temporarily inserting the held portions 41 of the respective contacts 4 into the respective press-fitting grooves 33 of the both side walls 32, the top and bottom are reversed as shown in FIG. Is pressed against each contact 4 side. Each contact 4 is in a predetermined position with respect to the socket body 3, specifically, a substantially U-shaped bent portion between the held portion 41 and the leaf spring portion 42 does not contact the bottom of the insertion groove 31. The press-fitting by the pressurizing device 7 is stopped in the press-fitted state. And as shown to (d), it takes out from the pressurization apparatus 7, and cuts the terminal part 43 of the contact 4 from a metal plate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the array 40 of contacts 4, the press-fit portions 45 of the two contacts 4 adjacent to each other have different positions in the press-fit direction X of the contacts 4, specifically, every other position. The press-fit portions 45 of the contacts 4 that are positioned are provided alternately so that they are in the same position in the press-fit direction X of the contacts 4. With this configuration, when the arrayed body 40 of the contacts 4 is press-fitted into the press-fitting groove 33 of the socket body 3, the press-fit portion located in front of the press-fit direction X of the contacts among the press-fit portions 45 of the contacts 4. When 45 is press-fitted into the side wall of the press-fitting groove 33, the load of the pressurizing device 7 increases first. Then, the press-fit portion 45 advances by a certain stroke while biting into the side wall of the press-fit groove 33, and when the press-fit portion 45 located behind the contact press-fit direction X is press-fitted into the side wall of the press-fit groove 33, The load of the pressure device 7 increases for the second time. Thus, since the load on the pressurizing device 7 increases stepwise, the load fluctuation of the pressurizing device 7 is larger than that of the conventional connector in which the press-fit portions 45 of all the contacts 4 are simultaneously press-fitted into the press-fit grooves 33. Get smaller. As a result, the possibility of variations in the press-fit state of the individual contacts 4 is reduced. Further, when the press-fit portion 45 of the contact 4 is press-fitted, internal stress is generated in the resin socket body 3, but the press-fit portions 45 of the two adjacent contacts 4 are provided at different positions in the press-fit direction X of the contacts. Therefore, the internal stress of the socket body 3 is dispersed, and the possibility of deformation such as warpage of the socket body 3 after assembly of the socket 1 (connector) is reduced.

  As described above, the socket body 3 is molded by injection molding or the like, but generally, a so-called punch taper is provided in order to easily take out the molded product from the mold. Also in the press-fitting groove 33, the width between the both side walls becomes narrower as it goes forward in the press-fitting direction X of the contact (not shown by public knowledge). When the press-fit portions 45 of all the contacts 4 are formed to have the same width with respect to such press-fit grooves 33, the press-fit portions 45 that are located in front of the press-fit direction of the contacts are tapered in the press-fit grooves 33. Accordingly, the amount of biting into the side wall of the press-fitting groove 33 increases, and as a result, the load on the pressurizing device 7 is increased. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the width B of the press-fitted portion 45 located in front of the contact press-fitting direction X is positioned behind the contact press-fitting direction X according to the taper of the press-fitting groove 33. By making it narrower than the width A (A> B), the amount of biting into the side wall of the press-fit groove 33 can be made substantially constant. As a result, even if the press-fit groove 33 is provided with a so-called draft taper, it is possible to reduce the load fluctuation of the pressurizing device 7 when the array body 40 of the contacts 4 is press-fit into the press-fit groove 33 of the socket body 3.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the array 40 of contacts 4, three or more (four in the figure) adjacent press-fitted portions 45 of a predetermined number of contacts 4 are respectively contacted. In the press-fitting direction X, they may be provided at positions shifted by a predetermined distance in the same direction (forward or backward) in order. In that case, although the configuration is complicated as compared with the configuration in which the press-fit portions 45 of the two adjacent contacts 4 are alternately arranged as shown in FIG. 3, the load applied to the pressure device 7 is divided into three or more stages. Since it fluctuates, the load fluctuation applied to the pressurizing device 7 is further reduced, and the possibility of variation in the press-fit state of the individual contacts 4 is further reduced. Further, since the internal stress of the socket body 3 is further dispersed, the possibility of deformation such as warping of the body after assembly of the socket 1 (connector) is further reduced.

  When the number of contacts 4 is set to about 10 to 30 as described above, the arrangement pattern of the press-fit portions 45 of the contacts 4 needs to be repeated a plurality of times. At that time, the arrangement pattern of the press-fit portions 45 of the contacts 4 may be repeated in the same order as shown in FIG. 7A, or may be repeated in the reverse order as shown in FIG. 7B. . In either case, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the array 40 of the contacts 4, the press-fit portions 45 of the two contacts 4 adjacent to each other are placed at different positions in the direction Y in which the contacts protrude in a substantially comb-like shape, for example, approximately You may provide in each side which pinches | interposes the side wall 32 among the U-shaped held parts 41, respectively. In that case, since the internal stress of the socket body 3 generated by press-fitting the pressed portion 45 of the contact 4 into the press-fitting groove 33 is distributed in the protruding direction of the contact, the socket body 3 is assembled after the socket 1 (connector) is assembled. The possibility of deformation such as warpage is reduced. Furthermore, by providing the press-fit portions 45 of the two adjacent contacts 4 at different positions in the contact press-fitting direction, the configuration of the contacts 4 becomes complicated. Since the load at the time of press-fitting into the press-fitting groove is applied to the pressurizing device 7 stepwise, the load fluctuation of the pressurizing device 7 can be reduced.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the socket 1 that mainly constitutes the connector has been described. However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the post 6 of the header 2 is pre-molded when the header body 5 is injection molded. The header body 5 is integrally formed and fixed at the same time. However, the fixing method of the post 6 of the header 2 is not limited to this, and it may be fixed by being press-fitted into the pre-formed header body 5 similarly to the contact 4 of the socket 1.

The top view which shows the structure of the connector (socket) which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which couple | bonded the socket and header which comprise a connector. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the press-fit part of the contact in the said one Embodiment. The figure which shows the arrangement body of the contact in the said one Embodiment. The figure which shows the process of press-fitting a contact in a socket body. The figure which shows the modification of the to-be-inserted part of the contact in the said one Embodiment. The figure which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the press-fit part of the contact in the said one Embodiment. The figure which shows another example of arrangement | positioning of the press-fit part of the contact in the said one Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Socket 2 Header 3 Socket body 32 Side wall 33 Press-fit groove 4 Contact 40 Contact arrangement body 41 Hold part 45 Press-fit part 7 Pressurizing device

Claims (5)

An array of a predetermined number of contacts formed at a predetermined pitch in a substantially comb-like shape on one side of the metal plate is made of a resin having press-fitting grooves arranged in the same number at the same pitch as the contact array. A connector completed by press-fitting into a body and then separating the contact from the metal plate,
Each of the contacts is wider than the width of the press-fit groove, and has a press-fit portion to be press-fitted into a side wall of the press-fit groove,
Of the contact array, the press-fit portions of two contacts adjacent to each other are provided at different positions in the press-fit direction of the contacts ,
The press-fitting groove is provided with a taper so that the width is gradually narrowed in the press-fitting direction of the contact, and the portion of the press-fitted portion that is located in front of the press-fitting direction of the contact is a taper of the press-fitting groove. Accordingly, the connector has a narrower width than that of the contact located behind the contact in the press-fitting direction .   2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, in the contact arrangement body, the press-fitted portions of every other contact are provided at the same position in the press-fitting direction of the contacts.   Of the contact array, the press-fit portions of a predetermined number of adjacent three or more contacts are provided at positions shifted by a predetermined distance in the same direction in the press-fit direction of the contacts. The connector according to claim 1.   The connector according to claim 3, wherein an arrangement pattern of the pressed-in portions of the predetermined number of contacts of 3 or more is repeated in the same order or in the reverse order. An array of a predetermined number of contacts formed at a predetermined pitch in a substantially comb-like shape on one side of the metal plate is made of a resin having press-fitting grooves arranged in the same number at the same pitch as the contact array. A connector completed by press-fitting into a body and then separating the contact from the metal plate,
Each of the contacts is wider than the width of the press-fit groove, and has a press-fit portion to be press-fitted into a side wall of the press-fit groove,
Of the array of contacts, the press-fit portions of two contacts adjacent to each other are provided at different positions in the direction in which the contacts protrude in a substantially comb-tooth shape ,
The press-fitting groove is provided with a taper so that the width is gradually narrowed in the press-fitting direction of the contact, and the portion of the press-fitted portion that is located in front of the press-fitting direction of the contact is a taper of the press-fitting groove. Accordingly, the connector has a narrower width than that of the contact located behind the contact in the press-fitting direction .

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