JP5298044B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a board connector for achieving slim and compact construction of whole circuit boards by reducing its height from the surfaces of the circuit boards. <P>SOLUTION: The board connector 10 includes a board side connector 50 on the circuit board 1, a board side connector 50 on the circuit board 2, and a joint connector 20 for connecting the board side connectors 50 to each other with the circuit board 1 and the circuit board 2 located in almost the same plane. The joint connector 20 has a receptacle contact on which a rear side fitting terminal and a front side fitting terminal are formed, and a joint housing 30 having a rear side connection end 31B and a front side connection end 31F for holding the receptacle contact when the rear side fitting terminal and the front side fitting terminal are exposed downward. The rear side connection end 31B and the front side connection end 31F are located and received in vertical receiving recesses 62 after entering downward into the vertical receiving recesses 62 in the direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector used by being surface-mounted on a circuit board.

  Conventionally, as the electrical connector, an electrical connector for electrically connecting a circuit board and a circuit board and an electrical connector for connecting a circuit board and an electrical cable are known. These electrical connectors are usually configured to include a receptacle connector (female connector) on one side and a plug connector (male connector) on the other side, and connect them by fitting them.

  Recently, along with the progress of surface mounting technology and the like, further miniaturization and ease of mounting are required for electrical connectors as well as electronic components surface-mounted on a circuit board. In response to such a demand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a receptacle connector having a receptacle contact on one circuit board and a plug connector having a plug contact on the other circuit board are mounted on the surface. ing. In Patent Document 1, the circuit boards are brought close to each other to fit both connectors, and conversely, the circuit boards are kept away from each other and both connectors are removed.

  By the way, the present applicant has invented the electrical connector 510 shown in FIG. 18 that has not yet been disclosed as an electrical connector for electrically connecting the circuit board and the circuit board. The electrical connector 510 includes one joint connector 520 and two board-side connectors 550 (one surface-mounted on the circuit board 501 and one surface-mounted on the circuit board 502). The joint connector 520 is provided with a receptacle contact (not shown) exposed on the lower surface side, and a side wall 521 extending downward is formed at the left and right ends, and a joint is formed on the left and right inner sides of the side wall 521. A side lock portion 522 is formed. The board-side connector 550 is configured by holding a plurality of plug contacts 570, and a board-side lock portion 551 that is engaged with the joint-side lock portion 522 is formed on the left and right side wall portions.

  When connecting the two board-side connectors 550 to each other, the circuit boards 501 and 502 are brought close to each other at a predetermined interval, and the joint connector 520 is fitted so as to cover the upper side of the board-side connector 550, thereby receiving the receptacle contact. And the plug contact 570 are brought into contact with each other. At this time, the joint side lock part 522 and the board side lock part 551 are engaged with each other so that the fitted state is maintained.

JP 2008-210805 A

  In recent years, along with downsizing of electrical equipment on which circuit boards are mounted, it has been demanded that the entire circuit board including electronic components and electrical connectors be made slim and compact. However, since the electrical connector 510 is configured such that the joint connector 520 is fitted so as to cover the upper part of the board-side connector 550, the joint connector 520 is further increased to the height of the board-side connector 550 when fitted. The height was added, and the electrical connector 510 protruded greatly from the surface of the circuit board. As described above, the electrical connector 510 has a structure that easily protrudes greatly from the surface of the circuit board due to its structure, and thus there is a problem that it is difficult to make the entire circuit board slim and compact.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector capable of forming the entire circuit board slim and compact by keeping the height from the surface of the circuit board low.

To achieve the above object, an electrical connector according to the present invention includes a first connector (for example, the board-side connector 50 in the embodiment) attached to a flat first board (for example, the circuit board 1 in the embodiment), flat-shaped second substrate (e.g., a circuit board 2 in the embodiment) (substrate-side connector 50 in the example, the embodiment) second connector attached to the front Symbol wherein the first substrate and the second substrate and substantially the same plane A joint connector for connecting the first connector and the second connector in a state of being positioned inside, and a connector for connecting the first connector and an electric cable (for example, the cable-side connector 80 in the embodiment). comprising, a electrical connector for selectively connecting the joint connector and the connector to the first connector The joint connector has a joint contact (for example, the receptacle contact 40 in the embodiment) in which joint terminal portions (for example, the rear fitting terminal portion 42 and the front fitting terminal portion 43 in the embodiment) are formed at both ends. ) And two connection end portions (for example, the rear connection end portion 31B and the front connection end portion 31F in the embodiment) and the joint terminal portion is exposed below the connection end portion. A joint housing for holding the joint contact, wherein the connection connector has a connection terminal portion (for example, a rear fitting terminal portion 93 in the embodiment) formed at one end portion and the other end portion. Is connected to the electrical cable (for example, the receptacle contact 95 in the embodiment) and the cable at the end. A connection terminal holding the connection contact in a state in which the connection terminal portion is exposed below the cable connection end portion, and a cable connection end portion (for example, the rear connection end portion 81B in the embodiment) is formed. And a first receiving recess for joint (for example, an upper and lower receiving recess 62 in the embodiment) that removably receives the connection end. ) is formed by opening upwardly, the first contact to the first-receiving recess for the joint (e.g., Rutotomoni formed protruding plug contacts 70) in the embodiment, removably said cable connection end A first receiving recess for a cable (for example, the front and rear receiving recesses 65 in the embodiment) that opens in a direction substantially parallel to the first board Is formed, the first contact in the first-receiving recess for the cable is formed to project, the second connector, the second receiving recess for the joint to freely receive releasably the connector end portions (e.g., implemented vertical receiving recess 62) is formed by opening upwardly in the form, the second contact in the second-receiving recess joint (e.g., plug contacts 70) is formed to project in the embodiment, the first for the joint one of the connecting end into the receiving recess, the other connecting end is respectively received in the second receiving recess for the joint, each of the joint terminal portion in the first contact and the second contact The first connector and the second connector are connected to each other by being contacted, and the cable connecting end portion is connected to the first receiving recess for the cable. Is received, the connection terminal portion is brought into contact with the first contact, and the first connector and the electric cable are connected. The first connector is connected to the joint connector. In some cases, the connection end is inserted into the joint first receiving recess from above in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate, and the connection end is inserted into the joint first receiving recess. When the connection connector is connected, the cable connection end is inserted into the first substrate with respect to the cable first receiving recess so as to be in a direction substantially parallel to the cable. The connecting end is positioned in the first receiving recess for the cable and is received .

In addition, on the side surface of the connection end portion, a joint side horizontal lock portion (for example, the joint side lock base portion 32 in the embodiment) protruding sideways is formed, and in the first receiving recess for joint , A first horizontal lock portion (for example, a locking projection 64 in the embodiment) that protrudes in the protruding direction of the joint side horizontal lock portion and engages with the joint side horizontal lock portion is formed, and is formed in the second receiving recess for joint . Is formed with a second horizontal lock portion (for example, a locking projection 64 in the embodiment) that protrudes in the protruding direction and engages with the joint-side horizontal lock portion, and each of the connection end portions is the joint. the first is received in the receiving recess and the second receiving recess for the joint use, the joint-side first horizontal locking portion and the horizontal locking unit, the joint-side horizontal b And the second horizontal lock portion are engaged with each other, so that the joint connector is protruded in a plane substantially parallel to the first board with respect to the first connector and the second connector. It is preferable to be held and received in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

Further, the side surface of the connecting end, the joint-side vertical locking portion projecting laterally (e.g., locking protrusion 33 in the embodiment) is formed on the first-receiving recess for the joint, the joint A first vertical lock portion (for example, the substrate-side lock portion 63 in the embodiment) that is engaged with the side vertical lock portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate is formed to protrude, and the second receiving recess for joint A second vertical lock portion (for example, the substrate-side lock portion 63 in the embodiment) that is engaged with the joint-side vertical lock portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second substrate is formed so as to protrude. , wherein each of the connecting end portion is received in the second receiving recess for the joint with the first receiving recess for the joint, the joint-side vertical locking portion and the first vertical locking portion, said Joy And the second vertical lock portion is engaged with each other, and the joint connector is held in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first board with respect to the first connector and the second connector. It is preferably accepted.

Further, the second connector has a second receiving recess for a cable for detachably receiving the end for connecting the cable, and is formed to open in a direction substantially parallel to the second substrate, so that the second receiving for the cable is received. Preferably, the second contact protrudes in the recess, and the first connector and the second connector have the same configuration.

  In the electrical connector according to the present invention, when the joint connector is fitted to the first connector and the second connector, the connection receiving end portion of the joint connector is formed in the first connector and the second connector. The first receiving recess formed in the first receiving recess enters the direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate, and is received in the first receiving recess and the second receiving recess. Therefore, the joint connector can be fitted to the first connector and the second connector without protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first board. Therefore, the height of the electrical connector from the surface of the circuit board can be kept low, and the entire circuit board can be configured to be slim and compact.

  In addition, the structure by which the joint side horizontal lock part was formed in the side surface of the connection edge part in a joint connector, the 1st horizontal lock part in the 1st receiving recessed part, and the 2nd horizontal locking part in the 2nd receiving recessed part is respectively preferable. . With this configuration, when the joint connector is fitted to the first connector and the second connector, the first horizontal lock portion and the second horizontal lock portion are substantially omitted from the first board with respect to the joint side horizontal lock portion. Engage in parallel directions. Therefore, for example, even when a force is applied to the first board in a direction substantially parallel to the first board, the joint connector is held so as not to be detached from the first connector and the second connector. A fitting state can be maintained stably.

  Further, it is preferable that the joint-side vertical lock portion is formed on the side surface of the connection end portion of the joint connector, the first vertical lock portion is formed in the first receiving recess, and the second vertical lock portion is formed in the second receiving recess. . With this configuration, when the joint connector is fitted to the first connector and the second connector, the first vertical lock portion and the second vertical lock portion are substantially omitted from the first substrate with respect to the joint-side vertical lock portion. It can be engaged in a vertical direction. Therefore, the joint connector fitted to the first connector and the second connector can be held in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate, and the fitted state can be maintained stably.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the first connector and the second connector have the same configuration. Since the number of parts can be reduced by sharing the component parts in this way, effects such as reduction in manufacturing cost, easy management of the component parts, and reduction in assembly work errors are achieved. The

  In the electrical connector according to the present invention, when the connection connector is fitted to the board connector, the connection end of the connection connector is substantially parallel to the board with respect to the receiving recess formed in the board connector. Enters the direction and is received in the receiving recess. For this reason, the connector can be fitted to the board connector without protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the board. Therefore, the height of the electrical connector from the surface of the circuit board can be kept low, and the entire circuit board can be configured to be slim and compact.

It is the perspective view which showed the use condition of the connector for board | substrate connection which concerns on this invention, and the connector for cable connection. It is a perspective view of a board | substrate side connector. It is a perspective view of a plug contact. It is sectional drawing of a board | substrate side connector, Comprising: (a) is IV (a) -IV (a) part in Fig.2 (a), (b) is IV (b) -IV in FIG.2 (b). (B) Each part is shown. It is a perspective view of a joint connector. It is a perspective view of a receptacle contact. It is sectional drawing of a joint connector, Comprising: The VII-VII part in Fig.5 (a) is shown. It is a perspective view of the connector for board | substrate connection, Comprising: (a) shows the state before a fitting, (b) respectively shows the state fitted. It is sectional drawing of the connector for board | substrate connections, Comprising: The IX-IX part in FIG.8 (b) is shown. It is a perspective view of the connector for cable connection. It is a perspective view of a cable assembly. It is sectional drawing of the connector for cable connection, Comprising: The XII-XII part in Fig.10 (a) is shown. It is a perspective view of the connector for cable connection, Comprising: (a) shows the state before a fitting, (b) shows the state fitted. It is sectional drawing of the connector for cable connection, Comprising: The XIV-XIV part in FIG.13 (b) is shown. It is the perspective view and side view which show the 1st modification of a board | substrate side connector. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd modification of a board | substrate side connector. It is a perspective view which shows the application example of the connector for board | substrate connection which concerns on this invention, and the connector for cable connection. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional board | substrate connection connector.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow directions shown in the drawings are defined as front and rear, left and right, and up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a board connecting connector 10 according to the present invention includes, for example, a circuit board 1 on which a plurality of LEDs 1 a are surface-mounted and a circuit board 2 on which a plurality of LEDs 2 a are surface-mounted in substantially the same plane. It is for connecting while holding. Further, another cable connection connector 15 according to the present invention is for connecting, for example, the circuit board 3 on which the plurality of LEDs 3 a are surface-mounted and the electric cable 99. In FIG. 1, a cable connection connector 15 is provided at each of the front and rear ends, one cable connection connector 15 is connected to a power source (not shown), and the other cable connection connector 15 is not shown in the circuit. The case where it uses for the relay for connecting with a board | substrate is illustrated. For example, when the circuit boards to be connected are only the circuit boards 1 to 3, the cable connection connector 15 for relaying is not necessary, so the cable connection connector 15 is provided only at one of the front end and the rear end. A provided configuration is also possible.

  Hereinafter, the board connecting connector 10 according to the present invention will be described as a first embodiment, and the cable connecting connector 15 according to the present invention will be described as a second embodiment. First, the basic configuration of the board connecting connector 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the board connection connector 10 includes, for example, a board-side connector 50 that is surface-mounted on the circuit board 1 and a board-side connector 50 that is surface-mounted on a circuit board 2 different from the circuit board 1. And the joint connector 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the board-side connector 50 includes a board-side housing 60 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and a plug contact 70.

  The substrate-side housing 60 is formed with an upper and lower receiving recess 62 opened upward, and a front and rear receiving recess 65 connected to the upper and lower receiving recess 62 and opened rearward. A pair of left and right engaging projections 64 are formed on the rear end of the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 so as to protrude inward in the left and right directions. On the left and right side walls in the upper and lower receiving recesses 62, a pair of left and right substrate side lock portions 63 are formed to protrude toward the left and right inner sides. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a front and rear lock locking portion 66 that is recessed to the left and right outside is formed below the board side lock portion 63. As shown in FIG. 2B, a lock forming hole 61 that penetrates the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate side housing 60, and this forms a substrate side lock portion 63. Therefore, it is necessary for the structure of the molding die.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the plug contact 70 is configured by forming a rear lead portion 73 on the rear side and a front lead portion 74 on the front side with respect to a plate-like base portion 71 extending in the front-rear direction. A fitting terminal portion 72 that is chamfered is formed on the upper portion of the base portion 71. The plug contact 70 is formed by, for example, forming a thin plate of a conductive elastic metal material such as phosphor bronze into a shape shown in the figure by pressing or the like, and then performing a required surface treatment such as gold plating or tin plating. The The plug contact 70 is held by the substrate-side housing 60 by, for example, insert molding.

  In the above holding state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the fitting terminal portion 72 protrudes into the upper and lower receiving recesses 62, and the rear lead portion 73 and the front lead portion 74 are formed on the substrate side housing 60. Exposed on the bottom surface. When the board-side connector 50 is surface-mounted on the circuit board as described later, each of the rear lead part 73 and the front lead part 74 is exposed to a board-side connection pad (not shown) exposed on the circuit board. Soldered. As described above, since the plug contact 70 is solder-connected to the circuit board at two locations, the mounting strength of the board-side connector 50 to the circuit board can be sufficiently secured. Therefore, in order to increase the attachment strength of the board-side connector 50 to the circuit board, for example, it is not necessary to additionally use a reinforcing bracket or the like, and a simple configuration can be achieved while securing the attachment strength. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which each board-side connector 50 includes two plug contacts 70 is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the joint connector 20 includes a joint housing 30 and a receptacle contact 40.

  The joint housing 30 includes a front connection end 31F formed at the front, a rear connection end 31B formed at the rear, and a front connection end 31F and a rear connection end 31B. The intermediate spacer portion 31M is connected to the intermediate spacer portion 31M. The joint housing 30 is formed with two contact insertion holes 39 penetrating front and rear, and (four) insertion hole forming holes 31a penetrating from the upper side to the contact insertion hole 39. The insertion hole forming hole 31a is necessary in terms of the structure of the molding die in order to form the contact insertion hole 39.

  The front connection end portion 31F is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a joint side lock base portion 32 is formed on the left and right end portions so as to protrude outward in the left and right directions and extend up and down. At the lower end portion of the joint-side lock base portion 32, a locking projection 33 protruding outward in the left and right directions is formed. Further, since the joint side lock base 32 is formed with a thinned portion 34 extending vertically, the joint side lock base 32 is easily elastically deformed left and right. On the other hand, the rear connection end portion 31B has the same configuration as that of the front connection end portion 31F, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The intermediate spacer portion 31M is configured by forming left and right wall portions 35 protruding from the left and right end portions to the left and right outer sides, and upper and lower wall portions 36 protruding downward from the lower portion. The joint housing 30 and the substrate side housing 60 are injected using a thermoplastic resin material having electrical insulation properties such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and the like. It is formed into the shape shown in the figure by molding means such as molding.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the receptacle contact 40 includes a plate-like base portion 41 extending in the front-rear direction, a rear fitting terminal portion 42 extending in a bifurcated shape behind the base portion 41, and a bifurcated portion in front of the base portion 41. It is comprised from the front side fitting terminal part 43 extended in the shape. At the rear end of the rear fitting terminal portion 42, a pair of fitting protrusions 42 a are formed so as to protrude inward in the left and right directions. Similarly, the front end of the front fitting terminal portion 43 has a pair of fittings. The protrusions 43a are formed so as to protrude inward and left and right so as to face each other. A plurality of fixing projections 44 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the base 41 so as to protrude outward in the left and right directions. The receptacle contact 40 is formed, for example, in the same manner as the plug contact 70 described above.

  Here, an assembly configuration of the joint connector 20 will be described. First, the receptacle contact 40 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 39 from the rear of the joint housing 30 toward the front. By doing so, the fixing protrusion 44 is locked to a side wall (not shown) that forms the contact insertion hole 39, and the receptacle contact 40 is fixed (press-fitted) to the joint housing 30. In this fixed state, as shown in FIG. 7, the rear fitting terminal portion 42 is provided on the lower surface of the rear connection end portion 31B, and the front fitting terminal portion 43 is provided on the lower surface of the front connection end portion 31F. Each is exposed.

  So far, the basic configuration of the board connecting connector 10 has been described. Hereinafter, a fitting configuration of the board connecting connector 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 additionally.

  As a premise at the time of fitting, as shown in FIG. 1, the board-side connector 50 is surface-mounted in the vicinity of the end of the circuit board 1 with the front and rear receiving recesses 65 facing the outside of the circuit board 1. It is assumed that the board-side connector 50 is surface-mounted with the front and rear receiving recesses 65 facing the outside of the circuit board 2 in the vicinity of the end of the board. At this time, the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 of the board-side connector 50 are opened upward (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board), and the front and rear receiving recesses 65 are arranged in a direction along the circuit board (with respect to the circuit board). It is opened toward the direction (substantially parallel).

  First, the board-side connectors 50 are brought close to a predetermined interval with the front and rear receiving recesses 65 facing each other (see FIG. 8A). In this close state, the rear connection end 31B of the joint connector 20 is surface-mounted on the circuit board 2 with respect to the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 of the board-side connector 50 surface-mounted on the circuit board 1. The front connection end 31F of the joint connector 20 is inserted into the vertical receiving recess 62 of the board-side connector 50 from above in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board (see FIG. 8B). By doing so, the rear connection end portion 31B and the front connection end portion 31F are positioned and received in the upper and lower receiving recesses 62.

  When received and fitted in this manner, as shown in FIG. 9, in the board-side connector 50 located on the rear side, the fitting terminal portion 72 is moved by the rear fitting terminal portion 42 (fitting protrusion 42a). It is pinched and touched. Although not shown, in the board-side connector 50 located on the front side, similarly, the fitting terminal portion 72 is sandwiched and contacted by the front-side fitting terminal portion 43 (fitting protrusion 43a). In this way, the plug contact 70 of the board-side connector 50 located on the rear side and the plug contact 70 of the board-side connector 50 located on the front side are connected via the receptacle contact 40.

  In the above-mentioned fitting state, the rear connection end 31B and the front connection end 31F are accommodated so as to be completely embedded in the upper and lower receiving recesses 62, and upward with respect to the board-side connector 50. It does not protrude. Therefore, the height of the board connecting connector 10 from the circuit board does not become higher than the height of the board side connector 50 main body even when the joint connector 20 is fitted to the board side connector 50. Therefore, the height of the board connecting connector 10 from the surface of the circuit board can be kept low, and the entire circuit board can be configured to be slim and compact.

  Further, in this fitted state, as can be seen from FIG. 9, the locking protrusion 33 formed on the joint housing 30 and the board side locking portion 63 formed on the board side housing 60 are engaged. Since the joint connector 20 is held so as not to easily come out from the upper and lower receiving recesses 62, the fitting state can be stably maintained. Further, in this fitted state, the joint-side lock base 32 formed on the joint housing 30 and the locking projection 64 formed on the board-side housing 60 are engaged in the front-rear direction, and the board-side connector 50 is engaged. The joint connector 20 is held so as not to slide back and forth. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 8B, even when a forward force is applied only to the circuit board 1, the joint connector 20 does not come off from each board-side connector 50. In this way, the board-side connectors 50 are connected to each other by the joint connector 20, and the circuit board 1 and the circuit board 2 are held in substantially the same plane.

  In the above-mentioned fitting state, as can be seen from FIG. 8B, the two left and right wall portions 35 and the upper and lower wall portions 36 are positioned so as to fill the gap between the two substrate-side housings 60. For this reason, it is effective that foreign matters such as dust enter the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 from the gap between the rear connection end portion 31B (front connection end portion 31F) and the front and rear receiving recess portions 65 to cause poor contact. Can be prevented.

  By the way, depending on the location of the circuit board, etc., it is desired to connect the board-side connectors 50 with the joint connector 20 with the circuit board 1 and the circuit board 2 separated as much as possible, or on the contrary, as close as possible. There is a desire to connect the board-side connectors 50 with each other. In the board connecting connector 10 according to the present invention, the above-mentioned demand can be satisfied by setting the front-rear width of the intermediate spacer portion 31M (the left and right wall portions 35 and the upper and lower wall portions 36) to a value according to the demand.

  Moreover, the following is also mentioned as an effect of the configuration using the board connecting connector 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in a configuration in which a plurality of circuit boards 1 to 3 are connected and held using the board connection connector 10, a problem occurs in the LED 2 a surface-mounted on the circuit board 2, and only the circuit board 2 is present. Can be replaced simply by removing the joint connector 20 fitted to both ends of the circuit board 2. Furthermore, for example, when transporting the circuit board unit shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to transport the circuit boards 1 to 3 in a short divided state by removing each joint connector 20. It becomes simple.

  A basic configuration of the cable connection connector 15 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10 to 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cable connection connector 15 includes, for example, a board-side connector 50 that is surface-mounted on the circuit board 3 and a cable-side connector 80. Since the board-side connector 50 is as described above, a description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the cable side connector 80 includes a cable side housing 81 and a cable assembly 90. The cable-side connector 80 has two contact insertion holes 89 penetrating in the front-rear direction.

  The cable-side housing 81 includes a front base portion 81F that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a rear connection end portion 81B. On the left and right side surfaces of the front base portion 81F, contact protrusions 82 protruding outward in the left and right sides and a knob portion 83 recessed in the left and right sides are formed. In addition, a locking hole 84 opened corresponding to the number of cable assemblies 90 is formed in the upper portion of the front base portion 81F.

  Guide protrusions 85 projecting outward in the left and right directions are formed at the lower portions of the left and right side surfaces of the rear connection end portion 81B. Further, a locking projection 86 is formed protruding outward from the guide projection 85 to the left and right, and a bending hole 87 penetrating vertically is formed in a portion of the guide projection 85 corresponding to the position where the locking projection 86 is formed. Yes. By providing the bending hole 87, the locking projection 86 is easily elastically deformed in the left and right sides. The cable-side housing 81 is formed in the shape shown in the figure by molding means such as injection molding, for example, like the joint housing 30.

  11 and 12, the cable assembly 90 includes a receptacle contact 95 and an electric cable 99 having a core wire 99a at the center. The receptacle contact 95 has a substantially U-shape in a cross-sectional view, a rear fitting terminal portion 93 extending in a bifurcated shape behind the base 91, and a substantially cylindrical shape on the front side of the base 91. And a front connection portion 92 extending in the direction. At the rear end portion of the rear fitting terminal portion 93, a pair of fitting protrusions 93a are formed so as to protrude inward on the left and right sides. Further, a locking projection 91a having springiness is formed on the upper portion of the base 91 so as to protrude upward. The receptacle contact 95 is formed in the same manner as the plug contact 70 described above, for example.

  Here, an assembly configuration of the cable-side connector 80 will be described. First, the core wire 99a of the electric cable 99 is exposed, and the front connection portion 92 of the receptacle contact 95 is attached so as to cover the exposed core wire 99a. Then, the front contact portion 92 is bent toward the core wire 99 a and bites into the core wire 99 a, whereby the receptacle contact 95 is fixed to the electric cable 99 and the cable assembly 90 is assembled. The cable assembly 90 is inserted from the front to the rear into the contact insertion hole 89 with the rear fitting terminal portion 93 facing rearward.

  At this time, when the locking projection 91a that has been pressed and bent downward reaches the position of the locking hole 84, the downward pressing is released and the locking protrusion 91a protrudes upward. It is locked in the hole 84 (see FIG. 12). In this way, the cable assembly 90 is held by the cable side housing 81, and the cable side connector 80 is assembled. When the cable assembly 90 is extracted from the cable-side housing 81, the cable 99 can be easily extracted by pulling the electric cable 99 forward in a state where the locking projection 91a is pressed downward and bent.

  So far, the basic configuration of the cable connection connector 15 has been described. Hereinafter, the fitting configuration of the cable connecting connector 15 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 additionally.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the rear connection end portion 81B of the cable connection connector 15 is moved from the front to the rear with respect to the front and rear receiving recesses 65 of the board side connector 50 mounted on the surface of the circuit board 3. It is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the circuit board 3. At this time, since the guide projection 85 of the cable connection connector 15 is guided under the locking projection 64 of the board-side connector 50, the cable connection connector 15 can be inserted straight back and fitted. it can. When the contact protrusion 82 of the cable connection connector 15 and the locking protrusion 64 of the board-side connector 50 are inserted and received to a position where they contact each other in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 13B), FIG. As shown, the fitting terminal portion 72 is sandwiched and contacted by the rear fitting terminal portion 93 (fitting protrusion 93a). By doing so, the plug contact 70 of the board-side connector 50 surface-mounted on the circuit board 3 and the core wire 99a of the electric cable 99 are connected via the receptacle contact 95.

  In this fitted state, the rear connection end portion 81 </ b> B is housed so as to be completely embedded in the upper and lower receiving recesses 62 and the front and rear receiving recesses 65, and the cable side connector 80 is connected to the board side connector 50. Does not protrude upward. Therefore, the height of the cable connecting connector 15 from the circuit board does not become higher than the height of the board-side connector 50 main body even when the cable-side connector 80 is fitted to the board-side connector 50. Therefore, the height of the cable connection connector 15 from the surface of the circuit board can be kept low, and the entire circuit board can be configured to be slim and compact.

  In the above-mentioned fitting state, the locking projection 86 of the cable-side connector 80 is formed on the front-rear lock locking portion 66 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) formed on the board-side connector 50. The cable-side connector 80 is held so as not to easily come out forward with respect to the board-side connector 50, and the fitting state can be stably maintained.

  Further, in this fitted state, the contact protrusion 82 is in contact with the front and rear receiving recesses 65 so as to close the opening from the front, so that foreign matters such as dust are present in the front and rear receiving recesses 65 (in the upper and lower receiving recesses 62). It is possible to effectively prevent intrusion and poor contact.

  As an effect of the configuration using the cable connection connector 15, in addition to the above, like the above-described substrate connection connector 10, only a necessary circuit board can be easily replaced in a configuration in which a plurality of circuit boards are connected, It is mentioned that the handling in general including transportation becomes simple.

  By the way, the board-side connector 50 is not limited to the configuration described in the first and second embodiments. For example, the board-side connector 150 shown in FIG. 15 or the board-side connector 250 shown in FIG. It is also possible to configure.

  The board-side connector 150 shown in FIG. 15 has the same configuration as that of the board-side connector 50 except for the board-side housing 160. Omitted. As can be seen from FIGS. 15A and 15B, a relief slope 161 is formed on the front surface of the substrate-side housing 160. By forming the escape slope 161, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the LED 168 is surface-mounted on the circuit board 169 close to the board-side connector 150, the board-side housing out of the emitted light. The light blocked by 160 is reduced, and more light can be effectively used for illumination.

  Since the board-side connector 250 shown in FIG. 16 has the same configuration as the board-side connector 50 except for the board-side housing 260, the same components as those of the board-side connector 50 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Omitted. As shown in FIG. 16, a relief slope 261 is formed on the front surface of the substrate-side housing 260, and a protruding portion 262 having a flat suction region 263 on the top surface is formed at, for example, a central portion of the relief slope 261. The Thus, by forming the escape slope 261 and the suction region 263, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of illumination light even if the board-side connector 250 and the LED are brought close to each other and surface-mounted, and the board-side connector 250 is connected to the circuit board. When placed on the top, the suction region 263 can be sucked and transported.

  FIG. 17 shows an LED illumination 9 as an application example of the board connecting connector 10 and the cable connecting connector 15 according to the present invention. The LED lighting 9 is configured by connecting each circuit board elongated in the front and rear directions by a board connecting connector 10 and accommodating the plurality of connected circuit boards in a cylindrical shape extending in the front and rear. Is done. Since this LED illumination 9 is formed in the same size as the existing fluorescent lamp, if it is connected to an illumination power source (not shown) using the cable connector 15, it can be replaced with the existing fluorescent lamp. It has become. In the LED lighting 9 configured in this way, a cable-side connector 80 connected to a power source (not shown) is usually connected to a board-side connector 50 provided at the opening end of the lighting tube 8 so that one set of cables is connected. Power is supplied by the connector 15 for connection. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide the board-side connector 50 at either one of the opening end portions (front end and rear end) of the illumination tube 8. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, the board-side connector 50 provided at the front end and the board provided at the rear end are provided by providing the board-side connector 50 at each of the opening ends of the illumination tube 8. The cable-side connector 80 can be selectively connected to the side connector 50 to supply power. Therefore, of the two board-side connectors 50, for example, the board-side connector 50 that is easier to connect can be selected from the positional relationship with the power source, and the cable-side connector 80 can be connected.

  The present invention is not construed as being limited to the above-described configuration, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea.

1 Circuit board (first board)
2 Circuit board (second board)
3 Circuit board (board)
10 Board connector (electrical connector)
15 Cable connector (electrical connector)
20 Joint connector 30 Joint housing 31B Rear connection end (connection terminal)
31F Front connection end (connection terminal)
32 Joint side lock base (joint side horizontal lock)
33 Locking projection (joint side vertical lock)
40 Receptacle contact (contact for joint)
42 Rear mating terminal (joint terminal)
43 Front mating terminal (joint terminal)
50 Board side connector (first connector, second connector, board connector)
62 Upper and lower receiving recesses (first receiving recess, second receiving recess)
63 Substrate side lock part (first vertical lock part, second vertical lock part)
64 Locking projection (first horizontal lock part, second horizontal lock part)
65 Front / rear receiving recess (receiving recess)
70 Plug contact (first contact, second contact)
80 Cable side connector (connector)
81 Cable side housing (connection housing)
81B Rear connection end (connection end)
93 Rear mating terminal (connection terminal)
95 Receptacle contact (connection contact)
99 Electric cable

Claims (4)

The first connector is mounted on a flat first substrate, a second connector attached to a flat plate-like second substrate, the a pre-Symbol first substrate and the second substrate in a state of being positioned in the same plane A joint connector for connecting the first connector and the second connector; and a connector for connecting the first connector and an electric cable, wherein the joint connector and the connection connector are connected to the first connector. An electrical connector for selective connection ,
The joint connector includes a joint contact having joint terminal portions formed at both ends and two connection end portions, and the joint terminal portion is exposed below the connection end portion. A housing for the joint holding the contacts,
The connection connector includes a connection contact having a connection terminal portion formed at one end and the other end connected to the electric cable, and a cable connection end formed at the end and the connection terminal portion A connection housing that holds the connection contact in a state exposed below the cable connection end,
The first connector includes a first receiving recess for a joint that detachably receives the connection end, and a first contact that protrudes into the first receiving recess for the joint . In addition, a first receiving recess for cable for detachably receiving the cable connecting end is formed to open in a direction substantially parallel to the first substrate, and the first receiving recess for cable is formed in the first receiving recess for cable. 1 contact is formed protruding,
The second connector is formed with a second receiving recess for joint that detachably receives the connection end, and a second contact protrudes into the second receiving recess for joint . ,
One of the connecting end to the first receiving recess for the joint, the other of the connector end portion to the second receiving recess joint is respectively receiving each said first contact of the joint terminal portion and The first contact and the second connector are configured to be in contact with the second contact,
The cable connection end is received in the cable first receiving recess, and the connection terminal is brought into contact with the first contact so that the first connector and the electric cable are connected. ,
The first connector is
When the joint connector is connected, the connection end is inserted into a direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate from above with respect to the joint first receiving recess, and the connection end is Receiving in the first receiving recess for the joint,
When the connection connector is connected, the cable connection end is inserted into a direction substantially parallel to the first substrate with respect to the cable first receiving recess, and the cable connection end is connected to the cable. An electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector is received in the first receiving recess . On the side surface of the connection end portion, a joint side horizontal lock portion protruding sideways is formed,
In the first receiving recess for joint, a first horizontal lock portion that protrudes in a protruding direction of the joint side horizontal lock portion and engages with the joint side horizontal lock portion is formed,
A second horizontal lock portion that protrudes in the protruding direction and engages with the joint-side horizontal lock portion is formed in the joint second receiving recess.
Each of the connection end portions is received by the joint first receiving recess and the joint second receiving recess, and the joint side horizontal lock portion, the first horizontal lock portion, and the joint side horizontal lock portion, When the second horizontal lock portion is engaged with the first connector and the second connector, the joint connector is orthogonal to the protruding direction in a plane substantially parallel to the first substrate. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is held and received in a direction. On the side surface of the connection end portion, a joint side vertical lock portion protruding sideways is formed,
In the first receiving recess for the joint, a first vertical lock portion that is engaged with the joint-side vertical lock portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first substrate is formed to protrude.
In the second receiving recess for joint, a second vertical lock portion that is engaged with the joint-side vertical lock portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second substrate is formed to protrude.
Each of the connection end portions is received in the joint first receiving recess and the joint second receiving recess, and the joint side vertical lock portion, the first vertical lock portion, and the joint side vertical lock portion, The second vertical lock portion is engaged with each other, and the joint connector is held and received in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first board with respect to the first connector and the second connector. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2. In the second connector, a second receiving recess for a cable for detachably receiving the end for connecting the cable is formed to open in a direction substantially parallel to the second substrate, and the second receiving recess for the cable is formed in the second receiving recess for the cable. And the second contact is formed to protrude.
The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector have the same configuration.

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