JP7294871B2 - Connectors and electrical connectors - Google Patents

Description

The disclosure of the present application relates to an electrical connector, a connection structure of the electrical connector, and an inter-board connection structure using the electrical connector.

2. Description of the Related Art A known electrical connector has a lock structure for locking the fitting connection between a plug connector and a socket connector. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-69545 describes an example of an electrical connector in which each housing of a plug connector and a socket connector is provided with a locking structure.

JP 2013-69545 A, Fig. 11

However, all of the conventional lock structures for electrical connectors require jigs to unlock the plug connector and the socket connector. Therefore, the worker cannot release the lock without using a jig.

The present invention was conceived against the background of the prior art as described above. The object is to make it possible to release the locked state between the connector and the object to be connected without using a jig for an electrical connector having a locking structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features.

The present invention further relates to a connector comprising a first housing to be fitted and connected to a connection object (e.g., a mating connector), and a plurality of terminals that electrically contact the connection object (e.g., mating terminals provided in the mating connector). and a lock spring member for locking fitting connection between the connecting object and the first housing, wherein the lock spring member includes a housing fixing portion fixed to the first housing and the housing fixing portion. a spring portion extending from the connecting object (e.g., a mating connector) and having a locking portion in the middle that can be engaged and disengaged with the object to be connected (e.g., a mating connector); and an operating portion extending from the spring portion, When the operation portion is pressed, the spring portion displaces the lock portion in a direction away from the object to be connected (for example, the mating connector) to release the locked state with the object to be connected (for example, the mating connector). Characterized by

A locking spring member has a spring portion with an intermediate locking portion engageable with a connection object. Therefore, it is possible to lock the fitted connection state so that the connector and the connection target are not pulled out. Further, when the operating portion is pressed, the spring portion of the lock spring member displaces the lock portion in a direction away from the connection object, thereby releasing the locked state with the connection object. By pressing the operation portion of the lock spring member in this manner, the locked state between the lock portion of the lock spring member and the connection object can be released without using a jig.

The operating portion can be configured to protrude from the surface of the first housing.

An operating portion protrudes from the surface of the first housing. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a pressing operation on the operating portion. Here, the "surface" includes the surface of the resin molding that constitutes the first housing.

The lock spring members can be arranged respectively on a pair of side walls positioned at both ends of the first housing in the terminal arrangement direction.

Lock spring members are respectively arranged on a pair of side walls positioned at both ends of the first housing in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, it is possible to reliably lock the fitting connection state between the first housing and the connection object.

The side wall may have a lock spring member receiving portion that receives the spring portion of the lock spring member.

A locking spring member receiving portion provided in the side wall can receive the spring portion of the locking spring member. Therefore, the spring portion is not exposed to the outside of the first housing and can be protected from the outside.

The operation part may be arranged to protrude in a direction away from the side wall.

The operation part is arranged so as to protrude in a direction away from the side wall. For this reason, for example, the worker can release the locked state of the mating connection by putting his thumb on one of the operating parts and his forefinger on the other operating part, and by performing a pressing operation as if pinching with his thumb and forefinger. can.

The spring portion has a fulcrum portion that is displaced by a pressing operation on the operation portion, and a movable spring portion that is between the fulcrum portion and the housing fixing portion, and the movable spring portion moves toward the operation portion. By the pressing operation of , the fulcrum portion is displaced in a direction away from the object to be connected, thereby releasing the locked state between the lock portion and the object to be connected.

When a pressing operation is performed on the operation portion, the movable spring portion is displaced in a direction away from the connection object with the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum. As a result, the lock portion of the movable spring portion is also displaced in the direction away from the connection object, thereby releasing the locked state between the lock portion and the connection object. Therefore, the operator can easily release the locked state of the fitted connection by pressing the operating portion. On the other hand, when the pressing operation to the operating portion is released, the movable spring portion is displaced in the direction of approaching the object to be connected. Thereby, the lock portion of the movable spring portion can engage with the connection object.

The lock spring member further has a base disposed with a movable gap between itself and the first housing, and an elastic arm connecting the base and the housing fixing portion. The elastic arm can be configured to be elastically deformed toward the movable gap upon receiving pressure contact of the fulcrum portion displaced by the pressing operation to the operation portion.

The base portion and the elastic arm can be elastically deformed toward the movable gap in response to the pressing contact of the fulcrum portion displaced by the pressing operation to the operating portion. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the stress generated when the fulcrum portion is pressed against the base portion and the elastic arm so that the stress is not concentrated only on the spring portion. Therefore, the lock spring member can be protected.

The spring portion may further include a reinforcing portion for restricting elastic deformation between the operating portion and the locking portion. Such reinforcements can be formed, for example, as beads.

Even if the pressing force is transmitted to the spring portion by pressing the operating portion, it is possible to suppress the free elastic deformation of the portion of the spring portion where the reinforcing portion is formed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation force for pressing the operation portion from escaping due to flexible elastic deformation of the portion between the operation portion and the lock portion. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the spring portion is displaced in the direction away from the mating connector, the operating force can be efficiently transmitted. Here, "between the operating part and the locking part" in which the reinforcing part is provided includes both the case of forming over the entire length between the operating part and the locking part and the case of forming a part thereof. .

The operating portion can be configured to have a laterally elongated plate-shaped operating piece extending along the first housing.

Since the operation piece has a horizontally long plate shape, it has a certain length. Therefore, it is easy to apply a pressing operation, and the unlocking operation can be performed easily and reliably.

The operation portion can be configured to have a stopper portion that abuts on the first housing by being displaced by a pressing operation.

When the operating portion is displaced by the pressing operation, the stopper portion comes into contact with the first housing. The lock between the lock portion of the lock spring member and the object to be connected is released after they abut. Therefore, the operator can know that the locked state of the mating connection is released by the feeling of the stopper portion coming into contact with the first housing. Therefore, the operator can easily and reliably perform the pressing operation.

The locking spring member may further comprise a board fixing portion fixed to a first board on which the first housing is arranged.

Since the board fixing portion can be fixed to the first board, the lock spring member can also be used as a member for fixing the connector to the first board. Therefore, it is possible to omit the use of fixing metal fittings for fixing the first housing to the first substrate, in addition to the lock spring member.

In the lock spring member, the distance from the fulcrum portion to the lock portion may be longer than the distance from the operation portion to the fulcrum portion.

Since the distance from the fulcrum to the lock is longer than the distance from the operating part, which is the force point, to the fulcrum, even if the displacement of the operating part due to the pressing operation is small, the spring part can be displaced greatly according to the principle of the lever. You can release the locked state of the connection.

The first housing has a pair of substrate housing walls protruding from the bottom surface on which the first substrate is arranged and surrounding the first substrate. Configurable.

When placing the first substrate in the first housing, the pair of substrate housing walls can guide the first substrate to a proper position. In addition, since the pair of substrate housing walls protects the first substrate arranged inside, the arrangement state of the first substrate can be maintained.

The first housing can be configured to have a displacement guide portion that slides and displaces the stopper portion.

Displacement of the operating portion can be guided by the displacement guiding portion slidingly displacing the stopper portion. Therefore, the lock can be released more reliably.

The first housing can be configured to have a displacement restricting portion that stops displacement of the stopper portion.

By stopping the displacement of the stopper portion by the displacement restricting portion, the displacement of the operating portion can also be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excessive pressing operation on the operating portion, and to suppress breakage and deformation of the lock spring member.

The present invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a first connector comprising a first housing, and a second connector comprising a second housing which is fit-connected to the first housing, wherein the first connector comprises: A lock spring member for locking the fitting connection between the second housing and the first housing is provided, and the second connector has a lock receiving portion engageable with the lock spring member. The lock spring member has a housing fixing portion fixed to the first housing and a lock portion extending from the housing fixing portion and capable of being engaged and disengaged with the lock receiving portion. A spring portion and an operation portion extending from the spring portion are provided. When the operation portion is pressed by the spring portion, the lock portion is displaced in a direction away from the second housing, thereby causing the lock portion to move away from the second housing. It is characterized by releasing the locked state with the receiving part.

Since the lock spring member of the first connector has a spring portion having a lock portion in the middle which can be engaged with the second connector, the first connector and the second connector are fitted and connected so as not to come off. state can be locked. When the operation portion is pressed, the spring portion of the lock spring member of the first connector displaces the lock portion in a direction away from the second connector to release the locked state with the lock receiving portion of the second connector. By pressing the operation portion of the lock spring member in this manner, the locked state between the lock portion of the first connector and the lock receiving portion of the second connector can be released without using a jig. .

According to the present invention, the locked state of the connector and the object to be connected, which are fitted and connected to each other, can be released without using a jig.

1 is an external perspective view including a front, a right side, and a plane of a socket connector according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3; FIG. 2 is a front view of a lock spring member provided in the socket connector of FIG. 1; Fig. 6 is a left side view of Fig. 5; Fig. 6 is a right side view of Fig. 5; FIG. 2 is an external perspective view including the front, top, and right side of the plug connector; 9A is a plan view of a connection structure between a socket connector and a plug connector, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is an enlarged view of part C of FIG. 9B. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a socket connector and a plug connector in a mating connection state; FIG. 11 is an external perspective view including a front, a right side, and a plan showing the fitting connection state of the socket connector and the plug connector according to the second embodiment; FIG. 4 is an external perspective view including the front, top, and right side of the plug connector according to the second embodiment; A cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Although the embodiments according to the present disclosure illustrate and describe the socket connector 10, the plug connector 20, and the electrical connector 1 including them, the present invention is not limited to those embodiments. The socket connector 10 corresponds to "connector" and "first connector" in the claims, and the plug connector 20 corresponds to "mating connector" and "second connector".

The terms "first" and "second" described in this specification and claims are used to distinguish different components of the invention and embodiments, and indicate a specific order and superiority. It is not used for In addition, in this specification and claims, for convenience of explanation, the width direction, the left-right direction, the terminal arrangement direction, and the longitudinal direction of the socket connector 10 are referred to as the "X direction", and the depth direction, the front-rear direction, and the lateral direction are referred to as the "Y direction." , the height direction, and the vertical direction are referred to as the “Z direction”. However, specifying these directions does not limit the mounting method or usage method of the electrical connector 1, the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20. FIG.

Electrical connector 1 of the first embodiment

The electrical connector 1 comprises a socket connector 10 and a plug connector 20. As shown in FIG. The electrical connector 1 is configured as a "connector assembly" in which a socket connector 10 and a plug connector 20 are fitted and connected. The socket connector 10 is arranged on the first substrate P1 and the plug connector 20 is arranged on the second substrate P2. The mounting method of the socket connector 10 is DIP (Dual-in-line package), and the mounting method of the plug connector 20 is SMT (Surface Mount Technology). The first substrate P1 is a flexible substrate in this embodiment, and the second substrate P2 is a rigid substrate. The electrical connector 1 is a board-to-board connector that can electrically connect the circuit of the first board P1 and the circuit of the second board P2 by fitting and connecting the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20. is.

socket connector 10

The socket connector 10 includes a socket housing 11 as a "first housing", a plurality of socket terminals 12 as a "plurality of terminals", and a lock spring member 13. As shown in FIG.

socket housing 11

The socket housing 11 is made of a resin molding. The socket housing 11 has a housing body portion 11a and an outer side wall portion 11b.

The housing main body portion 11 a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated along the terminal arrangement direction X of the socket connector 10 . A plurality of socket terminals 12 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X of the socket connector 10 . An insertion opening 11a1 for a plug terminal 22, which will be described later, is opened in the housing body portion 11a. At the back of the insertion port 11a1, there are formed contact chambers in which the socket terminals 12 are in conductive contact with the plug terminals 22, and a plurality of terminal accommodating portions for respectively accommodating the socket terminals 12 (not shown).

The outer side wall portion 11b has an outer wall portion 11b1 and a bottom wall portion 11b2. The outer wall 11b1 has an upper side wall 11b3, a middle partition wall 11b4, and a lower side wall 11b5.

The upper side wall 11b3 is formed as an outer wall that is spaced apart from the housing body portion 11a and covers the side surface thereof. A movable spring portion accommodating portion 11b31 for accommodating the movable spring portion 13f7 of the lock spring member 13 is formed inside the upper side wall 11b3. The movable spring portion accommodating portion 11b31 is formed as a movable space in which the movable spring portion 13f7 can be displaced.

The middle partition 11b4 is formed as a partition separating the upper side wall 11b3 and the lower side wall 11b5. The intermediate partition wall 11b4 is formed at the same height position in the height direction Z as the bottom wall portion 11b2. The bottom surface of the intermediate partition wall 11b4 and the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 11b2 are formed as continuous flat surfaces, forming a placement portion 11b6 on which the first substrate P1 can be placed (FIG. 3). The first substrate P1 placed on the placement portion 11b6 is placed on a placement protrusion 11b17 that protrudes one step higher than the bottom wall portion 11b2. Therefore, a gap 11b18 is formed between the first substrate P1 placed on the placement protrusion 11b17 and the surface of the placement portion 11b6. This gap 11b18 is formed to prevent solder from adhering to the elastic arm 13b from the substrate fixing portion 13d due to capillary action when the substrate fixing portion 13d of the lock spring member 13, which will be described later, is soldered to the first substrate P1. It functions as a space for insulating solder wicking. If solder adheres to the elastic arm 13b, the spring constant may change, but such a problem can be suppressed by providing the gap 11b18.

A groove-shaped lock spring member fixing portion 11b7 is formed in the middle partition 11b4. The lock spring member 13 is held in the socket housing 11 by press-fitting the housing fixing portion 13c into the lock spring member fixing portion 11b7.

The middle partition 11b4 is formed with an insertion recess 11b8 through which the spring portion 13f of the lock spring member 13 is inserted. The insertion recess 11b8 is formed so that the spring portion 13f can be displaced in the left-right direction X without coming into contact with the spring portion 13f.

The lower side wall 11b5 is formed as a wall protruding from the bottom surface of the intermediate partition wall 11b4. The lower side wall 11b5 is formed higher in the height direction Z than the substrate connecting portion 12a of the socket terminal 12, which will be described later. Therefore, when the socket connector 10 is placed, the substrate connection portions 12a of the socket terminals 12 can be floated from the installation surface and protected.

The inner surface of the lower side wall 11b5 is formed as a surface continuous with the arrangement portion 11b6 described above. Therefore, the inner surface of the lower side wall 11b5 forms a substrate accommodation portion 11b9 in which the first substrate P1 can be placed while being positioned together with the placement portion 11b6. The board housing portions 11b9 are formed at both ends of the socket housing 11 in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the first board P1 does not protrude laterally in the longitudinal direction X of the socket housing 11, and is positioned inside the pair of board accommodating portions 11b9.

The lower side wall 11b5 is formed with a slit 11b10 that opens to the lower end and the side surface of the socket housing 11 in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG. The slit 11b10 is formed through the lower side wall 11b5, and a spring portion 13f of the lock spring member 13, which will be described later, is inserted therethrough. The slit 11b10 is formed so that the spring portion 13f can be displaced in the horizontal direction X and the height direction Z without contacting the spring portion 13f.

The lower side wall 11b5 has stopper guide portions 11b11 formed on both sides of the slit 11b10 (FIG. 4) into which stoppers 13g2 of the lock spring member 13, which will be described later, are inserted. The stopper guide portion 11b11 has a displacement guiding portion 11b12 inclined with respect to the outer surface of the lower side wall 11b5, and a displacement restricting portion 11b13 extending from the displacement guiding portion 11b12 to the lower end of the lower side wall 11b5. These functions will be described later.

A spring portion accommodation recess 11b14 for accommodating the spring portion 13f of the lock spring member 13 is formed inside the outer wall 11b1. That is, the spring portion accommodating recess 11b14 is composed of the movable spring portion accommodating portion 11b31 of the upper side wall 11b3, the insertion recess 11b8 of the middle partition 11b4, and the slit 11b10 of the lower side wall 11b5. By disposing the spring portion 13f in the spring portion accommodating recess 11b14 inside the socket housing 11, the spring portion 13f can be protected from the action of external force.

The bottom wall portion 11b2 is formed to connect the lower end side of the housing body portion 11a and the outer wall portion 11b1. An insertion hole 11b15 penetrating in the height direction Z is formed between the bottom wall portion 11b2 and the outer wall 11b1 (intermediate partition wall 11b4). The insertion hole 11b15 is formed as a "movable gap" that allows a base portion 13a and an elastic arm 13b of the lock spring member 13, which will be described later, to elastically deform in a direction toward the housing body portion 11a.

A space along the height direction Z of the bottom wall portion 11b2 adjacent to the housing main body portion 11a serves as a peripheral wall fitting portion 11b16 into which the peripheral wall 21a of the plug housing 21 described later is inserted and fitted.

socket terminal 12

The socket terminal 12 is made of a conductive metal piece. The socket terminals 12 are mounted on the housing body portion 11a in a matrix form. That is, the plurality of socket terminals 12 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X of the housing body portion 11a, and are arranged in two rows in the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. The socket terminal 12 is formed with a contact portion that conducts contact with the plug terminal 22, and a board connection portion 12a that protrudes from the bottom surface of the housing body portion 11a.

Lock spring member 13

The lock spring member 13 is made of a piece of metal. The lock spring member 13 has a base portion 13a, a pair of elastic arms 13b, a pair of housing fixing portions 13c, a pair of board fixing portions 13d, a projecting piece portion 13e, a spring portion 13f, and an operating portion 13g. .

The base portion 13 a is formed of a plate piece extending in the front-rear direction Y of the socket housing 11 . The pair of elastic arms 13b are formed of plate pieces extending in the front-rear direction Y from the base portion 13a. The base portion 13a and the pair of elastic arms 13b are elastically deformable toward the hole 11b15 as the "movable gap". This point will be further described later.

A pair of housing fixing portions 13c are formed so as to protrude from each elastic arm 13b. The pair of housing fixing portions 13c are press-fitted into the lock spring member fixing portions 11b7. The lock spring member 13 is thereby fixed to the socket housing 11 . Moreover, the pair of housing fixing portions 13c serve as portions that function as displacement fulcrums when the base portion 13a and the pair of elastic arms 13b bend and displace toward the holes 11b15 serving as the " movable gap " .

The pair of board fixing portions 13d and the pair of protruding pieces 13e are both formed to protrude from the placement portion 11b6 of the socket housing 11. As shown in FIG. The substrate fixing portion 13d and projecting piece portion 13e are provided to hold the first substrate P1 accurately and reliably. Further, the board fixing portion 13d is soldered to the first board P1. Therefore, the lock spring member 13 can also be used as a fixture for fixing the socket housing 11 to the first substrate P1.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of ear portions P11 are formed on each plate edge along the longitudinal direction of the first substrate P1. A concave portion P12 is formed between the pair of ear portions P11. A mounting hole P13 is formed in each ear portion P11. Each board fixing part 13d is inserted into the corresponding mounting hole P13 to position the first board P1 at the correct position of the placement part 11b6. Therefore, the board fixing parts 13d are positioned at the four corners of the board accommodating part 11b9, and the first board P1 can be placed in the correct position of the board accommodating part 11b9.

Such a substrate holding structure is particularly advantageous in this embodiment in which the first substrate P1 is a flexible substrate. That is, in this embodiment, FPCs (flexible printed circuits) can be used as the flexible substrate, but the FPC has the disadvantage of being easily misaligned because the base film is flexible and easily bent. Therefore, by providing the lock spring member 13 with the substrate fixing portions 13d arranged so as to be positioned at the four corners of the substrate accommodating portion 11b9, such a demerit is eliminated. Also, the pair of protruding pieces 13e of the lock spring member 13 are provided so as to face the concave portion P12 between the pair of ear portions P11. Therefore, the first substrate P1 can be guided and positioned between the pair of projecting pieces 13e.

The spring portion 13f includes a first extending portion 13f1 extending from the lower edge of the base portion 13a, a first bending portion 13f2 bending in the opposite direction, and a second bending portion 13f2 extending from the first bending portion 13f2 toward the base portion 13a. a second bent portion 13f4 bent in a direction away from the base portion 13a at a position facing the base portion 13a; a third elongated portion 13f5 extending from the second bent portion 13f4; It has a third bent portion 13f6 bent from the portion 13f5 and connected to the operation portion 13g. Among these, the first elongated portion 13f1, the first bent portion 13f2, and the second elongated portion 13f3 constitute a movable spring portion 13f7.

A wide portion 13f8 projecting in the plate width direction is formed in the middle of the first elongated portion 13f1 (FIG. 6). A lock portion 13f9, which is a through hole, is formed in the wide portion 13f8. The opening width of the locking portion 13f9 is wider than the plate width of the first extending portion 13f1 excluding the wide portion 13f8. By forming the wide portion 13f8 to protrude in the plate width direction, it is possible to form the locking portion 13f9 having such a large opening width. Further, by forming the plate width of the first extending portion 13f1 excluding the wide portion 13f8 to be shorter than the width of the wide portion 13f8, the first extending portion 13f1 is elastically deformed as a spring so that it can be displaced. The lock portion 13f9 engages with the lock protrusion 21b as a "lock receiving portion" of the plug housing 21 when the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are fitted and connected, and the spring portion 13f is not elastically deformed. This is the part that fits.

Further, the first elongated portion 13f1 extends with a predetermined inclination angle in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the first bent portion 13f2 with respect to the plate surface of the base portion 13a (FIG. 5). This is to allow the lock portion 13f9 to engage deeply with the lock projection 21b in the height direction.

By pressing the operating portion 13g in a direction approaching the base portion 13a, the spring portion 13f has a continuous portion connecting the spring portion 13f and the base portion 13a (a connecting portion spanning the spring portion 13f and the base portion 13a), It can be elastically deformed using the contact point between the second bent portion 13f4 and the base portion 13a as a displacement fulcrum.

More specifically, when the operating portion 13g is pressed, the second bent portion 13f4 begins to displace toward the base portion 13a and comes into contact with the base portion 13a. After contact, the second bent portion 13f4 functions as a "fulcrum" for displacing the second extended portion 13f3 side of the movable spring portion 13f7. A continuous portion connecting the first extension portion 13f1 and the base portion 13a also functions as a fulcrum for displacing the first extension portion 13f1 side of the movable spring portion 13f7.

That is, when the second bent portion 13f4 abuts against the base portion 13a, the operating portion 13g begins to rotate upward from the projecting piece portion 13e with the abutting portion as a fulcrum. Here, the second extending portion 13f3, the second bending portion 13f4, the third extending portion 13f5, and the third bending portion 13f6 are provided with a series of "reinforcing portions" for restricting elastic deformation . A bead 13f10 is formed. Therefore, the portion of the spring portion 13f where the bead 13f10 is formed has increased rigidity and is less likely to elastically deform. Therefore, when the operating portion 13g starts rotating about the fulcrum portion (the second bent portion 13f4 in contact with the base portion 13a), the movable spring portion 13f7 can be displaced away from the plug housing 21. FIG. By this operation, the locking portion 13f9 of the first extending portion 13f1 is displaced outward until it is disengaged from the locking projection 21b, and the locked state between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 by the locking spring member 13 can be released. .

The operation portion 13g has a horizontally long plate-shaped operation piece 13g1 and stoppers 13g2 formed at both ends of the operation piece 13g1. One end side of a bead 13f10 is formed on the operating piece 13g1. Therefore, the operating piece 13g1 has increased rigidity, and is made difficult to be elastically deformed even when a pressing operation is performed. Further, since the operation piece 13g1 has a horizontally elongated plate shape extending in the front-rear direction Y along the outer side wall portion 11b of the socket housing 11, it is easy to apply a pressing operation, and the unlocking operation can be easily and reliably performed.

The stopper 13g2 protrudes toward the stopper guide portion 11b11. The stopper 13g2 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with a longer base than the upper side. The stopper 13g2 is formed with a pointed portion 13g3 having an inclined edge projecting toward the base portion 13a on the bottom side thereof.

As described above, when the operation portion 13g rotates and the stopper 13g2 enters the stopper guide portion 11b11, the pointed portion 13g3 contacts the displacement guide portion 11b12. The displacement guide portion 11b12 is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined in the rotational direction of the operating portion 13g. Therefore, when the pointed portion 13g3 comes into contact with the displacement guide portion 11b12, it slides on the inclined surface of the displacement guide portion 11b12, thereby smoothly promoting the rotational displacement of the operation portion 13g.

Next, the pointed portion 13g3 abuts against the displacement restricting portion 11b13, and further displacement is restricted. When the pointed portion 13g3 comes into contact with the displacement restricting portion 11b13, the lock portion 13f9 is disengaged from the lock projection 21b and unlocked. Therefore, the operator can feel that the sharp head 13g3 abuts against the displacement restricting portion 11b13 and can stop the pressing operation, so that excessive pressing operation of the operating portion 13g can be suppressed.

plug connector 20

The plug connector 20 includes a plug housing 21 and a plurality of plug terminals 22, as shown in FIG. The plug connector 20 is mounted on the second substrate P2 via plug terminals 22 and the like.

The plug housing 21 is formed of a resin molding, and has a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 21a and a bottom wall (not shown) closing one end side of the peripheral wall 21a. The peripheral wall 21a is formed with a protruding lock projection 21b as a "lock receiving portion". The plug terminals 22 are press-fitted into terminal holding holes (not shown) formed in the bottom wall.

Fitting connection between socket connector 10 and plug connector 20

Fitting connection between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 will be described. The socket connector 10 is mounted on the first board P1, and the plug connector 20 is mounted on the second board P2. Then, the plug housing 21 of the plug connector 20 is fitted to the outer periphery of the socket housing 11 (housing body portion 11a) of the socket connector 10 . Alternatively, the housing body portion 11a of the socket connector 10 is inserted into the peripheral wall 21a of the plug connector 20 and fitted. At this time, the lock projection 21b contacts the first bent portion 13f2 of the lock spring member 13, and elastically deforms the spring portion 13f in a direction away from the lock projection 21b. If the fitting is continued as it is, the lock projection 21b goes over the first bent portion 13f2 and enters the lock portion 13f9, and the elastically deformed spring portion 13f returns. When the plug housing 21 and the socket housing 11 abut each other, the fitting connection between the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 is completed.

In this fitted connection state, the lock portion 13f9 and the lock projection 21b can be engaged with each other in the withdrawal direction opposite to the fitting direction. That is, the mating connection is locked, and the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are prevented from coming out of each other.

Next, in order to release the locked state, for example, the thumb is placed on the operating piece 13g1 of the one operating portion 13g, the index finger is placed on the operating piece 13g1 of the other operating portion 13g, and the thumb and the forefinger grip the operating piece 13g. to apply pressure.

At this time, in the lock spring member 13, the distance from the second bent portion 13f4 to the lock portion 13f9 is larger than the distance from the operating portion 13g, which is the force point, to the second bent portion 13f4, which is the fulcrum portion. long formed. Therefore, the operator can largely displace the movable spring portion 13f7 by the principle of leverage even if the displacement of the operation portion 13g is small. Therefore, the locking portion 13f9 can be reliably displaced so as to be disengaged from the locking projection 21b.

When the operation piece 13g1 is pushed, the entire spring portion 13f is moved around the continuous portion where the first elongated portion 13f1 and the base portion 13a are connected and the contact point between the second bent portion 13f4 and the base portion 13a as fulcrums. It is displaced in the direction away from the plug housing 21 (opposite direction to the pressing operation direction with respect to the operation portion 13g). This action displaces the lock portion 13f9 until it is disengaged from the lock projection 21b. Thus, the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 can be unlocked simply by pressing the operating portion 13g of the lock spring member 13 without using a jig.

Effects of the electrical connector 1

Furthermore, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

In the above-described embodiment, the lock spring members 13 are arranged on the outer side wall portions 11b as " side walls " at both ends of the socket housing 11 in the terminal arrangement direction X, respectively. Therefore, the fitting connection state between the socket housing 11 and the plug housing 21 can be reliably locked at both ends of the socket housing 11 in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the operating piece 13g1 of the operating portion 13g protrudes outward from the surface of the outer wall 11b1 of the socket housing 11. As shown in FIG. Therefore, for example, when the operator presses the side surface of the outer wall 11b1 of the socket housing 11 with the thumb and forefinger, the operating piece 13g1 protruding from the side surface can be pressed. In addition, even if the operator does not directly look at the operating piece 13g1 protruding from the surface of the socket housing 11, the operator can use the finger to touch the operating piece 13g1 that protrudes from the surface of the outer wall 11b1. A pressing operation can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, when the second bent portion 13f4 as the “fulcrum portion” presses against the base portion 13a, the base portion 13a and the elastic arm 13b are elastically deformed toward the insertion hole 11b15 as the “movable gap”. can. Therefore, the stress caused by the pressing contact of the second bent portion 13f4 can be distributed to the base portion 13a and the elastic arm 13b instead of being concentrated only on the spring portion 13f. Therefore, the lock spring member 13 can be protected.

In the above embodiment, the operating piece 13g1 has stoppers 13g2 at both ends thereof. Therefore, even if the center of the operation piece 13g1 is not pressed, and the portion off the center of the operation piece 13g1 is pressed, the left and right stoppers 13g2 abut on the displacement guide portions 11b12 to guide the displacement. Therefore, it is possible to correct biased pressing operations on the operating piece 13g1.

Electrical connector 1 of the second embodiment

The electrical connector 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the mounting position of the lock spring member 13 of the socket connector 10 and the position of the lock protrusion 21b provided on the plug connector 20. FIG. The configuration of the lock spring member 13 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment. Since other configurations and effects based thereon are the same, redundant description is omitted.

In the socket connector 10 of the second embodiment, lock spring members 13 are attached to side walls 11c located at both ends of the socket housing 11 in the terminal arrangement direction X. As shown in FIG. A hole-shaped slit 11b10 is formed in the side wall 11c. A second elongated portion 13f3, a second bent portion 13f4, a third elongated portion 13f5, and a third bent portion 13f6 of the spring portion 13f are arranged inside the slit 11b10. The operating portion 13g protrudes from the slit 11b10 and protrudes from the upper surface of the side wall 11c (the surface of the socket housing 11).

On the other hand, the plug connector 20 is formed with a spring portion receiving portion 21c that allows the placement and displacement of the spring portion 13f in the mated state with the socket connector 10. As shown in FIG. A locking protrusion 21b, which is a part of the "connection object", is formed inside the spring portion receiving portion 21c.

The locking operation and the unlocking pressing operation of the lock spring member 13 are performed by pinching the operating portions 13g in the direction of bringing them closer to each other as in the first embodiment. A pressing operation is applied so as to open in the direction of separation. By applying such a pressing operation, the spring portion 13f is displaced away from the inner surface of the spring portion receiving portion 21c on which the lock projection 21b is formed. As a result, the lock portion 13f9 can be displaced away from the lock projection 21b, which is a part of the object to be connected, to release the locked state.

According to the second embodiment, the operating portion 13g does not protrude outward from the side wall 11c of the socket connector 10. As shown in FIG. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, the overall length of the socket connector 10 can be shortened and the size can be reduced.

Modification

In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the board fixing portion 13d of the lock spring member 13 is soldered to the first board P1, but the soldering may be omitted. Moreover, you may fix by adhesives etc. other than soldering.

In the first embodiment, an example in which a pair of lock spring members 13 are provided was shown, but only one side may be provided.

In the first embodiment, the flexible substrate is used as the first substrate P1 and the rigid substrate is used as the second substrate P2. However, both substrates may be flexible substrates or rigid substrates.

Although the socket connector 10 and the plug connector 20 are illustrated in the first embodiment, the "connection object" may be an electrical element instead of the plug connector 20. FIG. That is, the " connection object " of the connector corresponding to the socket connector 10 may be an electric element. In this case, the electrical element as the " connection object " is provided with a lock receiving portion such as the lock projection 21b.

1 electrical connector 10 socket connector (connector, first connector)
11 socket housing (first housing)
11a Housing body portion 11a1 Insertion port 11b Outer side wall portion 11b1 Outer side wall 11b2 Bottom wall portion 11b3 Upper side wall 11b31 Movable spring portion accommodating portion 11b4 Intermediate partition wall 11b5 Lower side wall 11b6 Arranging portion 11b7 Lock spring member fixing portion 11b8 Insertion recess 11b9 Board accommodating portion 11b10 Slit 11b11 Stopper guide portion 11b12 Displacement guiding portion 11b13 Displacement restricting portion 11b14 Spring portion accommodation recess 11b15 Insertion hole (movable gap)
11b16 Peripheral wall fitting portion 11b17 Mounting projection 11b18 Gap 11c Side wall 12 Socket terminal (terminal)
12a Board connection portion 13 Lock spring member 13a Base portion 13b Elastic arm 13c Housing fixing portion 13d Board fixing portion 13e Protruding piece portion 13f Spring portion 13f1 First extending portion 13f2 First bending portion 13f3 Second extending portion 13f4 Second Bending portion 13f5 Third extension portion 13f6 Third bending portion 13f7 Movable spring portion 13f8 Wide portion 13f9 Lock portion 13f10 Bead (reinforcing portion)
13g Operation part 13g1 Operation piece 13g2 Stopper 13g3 Pointed head 20 Plug connector (mating connector, second connector)
21 plug housing 21a peripheral wall 21b lock projection (lock receiving portion)
21c Spring portion receiving portion 22 Plug terminal P1 First substrate P11 Ear portion P12 Recess P13 Mounting hole

Claims (18)

a first housing that fits and connects with a connection object;
A connector comprising a terminal in conductive contact with the object to be connected,
further comprising a lock spring member for locking fitting connection between the connection object and the first housing;
The lock spring member is
a housing fixing portion fixed to the first housing;
a spring portion extending from the housing fixing portion and having an intermediate locking portion that can be engaged and disengaged with the connection object;
and an operating portion extending from the spring portion,
The spring portion is
a fulcrum portion that is displaced by a pressing operation on the operation portion;
a movable spring portion between the fulcrum portion and the housing fixed portion;
When the operation portion is pressed, the lock portion is displaced in a direction away from the connection object,
The movable spring portion is displaced in a direction away from the object to be connected with the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum when the operation portion is pressed, thereby releasing the locked state between the lock portion and the object to be connected . The lock spring member further:
a base;
an elastic arm extending from the base and elastically deformable;
The housing fixing portion protrudes from the elastic arm,
The fulcrum portion is positioned between the lock portion and the operation portion,
In the spring portion, when the operation portion is pressed, the fulcrum portion presses and contacts the base portion to elastically deform the base portion and the elastic arm. Displaces in a direction away from the connection target to release the locked state with the connection target.
The connector of Claim 1. The base is arranged with a movable gap from the first housing,
The elastic arm connects the base portion and the housing fixing portion,
3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein said base portion and said elastic arm are elastically deformable toward said movable gap upon receiving pressing contact of said fulcrum portion displaced by pressing operation to said operating portion. The lock spring member is
4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the distance from the fulcrum portion to the lock portion is longer than the distance from the operating portion to the fulcrum portion. 5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating portion protrudes from the surface of the first housing. The lock spring members are provided on a pair of side walls located at both ends of the first housing in a direction intersecting both the fitting direction of the connection object with respect to the first housing and the plate width direction of the spring portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, arranged. 7. The connector according to claim 6 , wherein said side wall has a lock spring member accommodating portion for accommodating said spring portion of said lock spring member. a first housing that fits and connects with a connection object;
A connector comprising a terminal in conductive contact with the object to be connected,
further comprising a lock spring member for locking fitting connection between the connection object and the first housing;
The lock spring member is
a housing fixing portion fixed to the first housing;
a spring portion extending from the housing fixing portion and having an intermediate locking portion that can be engaged and disengaged with the connection object;
and an operating portion extending from the spring portion,
The first housing has a pair of side walls positioned at both ends of the first housing in a direction intersecting both the fitting direction of the connection object with respect to the first housing and the plate width direction of the spring portion. have
each of the pair of side walls has a lock spring member accommodating portion that accommodates the spring portion of the lock spring member;
The spring portion is accommodated in the lock spring member accommodating portion, and when the operation portion is pressed, the lock portion is displaced in a direction away from the connection object to be in a locked state with the connection object. A connector characterized by releasing the 9. The connector according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein the operating portion is arranged to protrude outwardly away from the side wall. The spring portion further
10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , further comprising a reinforcing portion for restricting elastic deformation between said operating portion and said locking portion. 11. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the operating portion has a laterally elongated plate-shaped operating piece extending along the first housing. The lock spring member further:
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising a board fixing portion fixed to the first board on which the first housing is arranged. 3. The first housing has a pair of substrate housing walls protruding from a bottom surface on which the first substrate on which the first housing is arranged surrounds the first substrate. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the operating portion has a stopper portion that abuts against the first housing when displaced by a pressing operation. 15. The connector according to claim 14 , wherein the first housing has a displacement guide portion that slides and displaces the stopper portion. 16. The connector according to claim 14 or 15 , wherein said first housing has a displacement restricting portion that stops displacement of said stopper portion. The spring portion is
a first extension extending from the housing fixing portion;
a first bend that bends from the first elongated portion;
a second elongated portion extending from the first bent portion toward the housing fixing portion;
The first elongated portion extends obliquely in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the first bent portion.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 16. a first connector comprising a first housing;
An electrical connector comprising a second connector comprising a second housing matingly connected to the first housing,
the first connector includes a lock spring member for locking the fitting connection between the second housing and the first housing;
the second connector has a lock receiving portion engageable with the lock spring member;
The lock spring member is
a housing fixing portion fixed to the first housing;
a spring portion extending from the housing fixing portion and having an intermediate lock portion that can be engaged and disengaged with the lock receiving portion;
and an operating portion extending from the spring portion,
The spring portion is
a fulcrum portion that is displaced by a pressing operation on the operation portion;
a movable spring portion between the fulcrum portion and the housing fixed portion;
When the operation portion is pressed, the lock portion is displaced in a direction away from the second housing,
The electrical connector, wherein the movable spring portion is displaced in a direction away from the second housing with the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum when the operating portion is pressed, thereby releasing the locked state with the lock receiving portion. .

Images