Electrical connector for circuit board and electrical connector with circuit board

Abstract

An electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector with a circuit board, capable of preventing the connector from toppling by the connector itself. A metal plate member is attached to the housing, the metal plate member having a placement portion placed on the circuit board, the placement portion having a main portion and a sub portion, the sub portion being formed smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction, protruding forward from the main portion, contacting the circuit board in a front area and a rear area in the front-rear direction when the connector is arranged on the circuit board, at least a part of the fitting portion being located at a position further forward than the front area, the front area being formed by the placement portion (72A), the rear area being formed by another part of the connector, the center of gravity of the connector being located in the front-rear direction (X) in a range from a middle position between the front area and the rear area to a front end position of the front area, at least the main portion (72A-1) being capable of contacting a solder pad provided on the circuit board (B1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector with a circuit board formed by disposing the electrical connector for the circuit board on the circuit board. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector disposed on a circuit board and having a mating portion for mating with a counterpart connector in a front-back direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board.

[0003] The connector in Patent Document 1 (referred to as a "female connector" in Patent Document 1) has a retaining portion that holds the mating portion (connection port) at the front of the housing (insulator) and holds the terminals at the rear. The retaining portion contacts the circuit board surface, but a gap is formed between the mating portion and the circuit board, so that the lower wall portion of the cover member mounted to the mating portion enters the gap.

[0004] Before being mounted onto the circuit board, the connector is in a state where it is only in contact with and supported by the rear retaining portion, while the front fitting portion is suspended from the circuit board by a gap. In Patent Document 1, the fitting portion is heavier than the retaining portion as a whole. That is, the connector's center of gravity is located within the fitting portion in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, during connector installation, it is prone to tipping forward, affecting soldering. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the tipping is prevented by mounting the cover member to the fitting portion and inserting the lower wall portion of the cover member into the aforementioned gap.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-077119 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in the case of the connector in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the connector from tipping over during installation, a cover component must be prepared, which increases the cost of manufacturing the cover component. In addition, it takes effort to install and remove the cover component.

[0010] In view of the above, the objective of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector with a circuit board, which can prevent the connector from tipping over by the connector itself without the need for additional components such as a cover member.

[0011] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0012] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the following electrical connector for circuit boards and electrical connector with circuit boards.

[0013] Electrical connectors for circuit boards

[0014] The electrical connector for circuit boards of the present invention is disposed on the front edge of the circuit board in a front-rear direction that is parallel to the surface of the circuit board, and has a housing including a fitting portion facing forward. The direction that is parallel to the surface of the circuit board and perpendicular to the front-rear direction is set as the connector width direction.

[0015] The electrical connector for circuit boards described above is characterized in that, in this invention, a metal plate member is mounted on the housing, the metal plate member having a mounting portion mounted on the circuit board, the mounting portion having a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the main portion, when the electrical connector for circuit boards is disposed on the circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-rear direction, at least a portion of the mating portion is located in a position further forward than the front contact area, the front contact area being formed by the mounting portion, the rear contact area being formed by another portion of the connector, the center of gravity of the electrical connector for circuit boards being located in the front-rear direction from the middle position of the front contact area and the rear contact area to the front end position of the front contact area, at least the main portion can contact the solder pads provided on the circuit board surface.

[0016] If the connector of the present invention, having the above-described structure, is positioned at a predetermined location on a circuit board in preparation for soldering to the circuit board, it is supported by the circuit board through the front contact area and the front contact area. In the present invention, the mounting portion of the metal plate member has a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion protruding forward beyond the main portion. Therefore, the front end of the secondary portion extends forward beyond the main portion, and the front-rear direction range of the front contact area expands forward. Thus, the center of gravity of the circuit board electrical connector, preferably positioned at the midpoint between the front and rear contact areas in the front-rear direction, can be set near the front contact area, and it can be located within the range of the front contact area. As a result, before installation, the connector can be positioned on the circuit board in a stable posture by itself without the use of existing additional components such as cover members. Therefore, the connector can be easily soldered to the circuit board without tipping over.

[0017] In this invention, the center of gravity of the electrical connector for the circuit board can also be located within the area of ​​the face-to-face contact region in the front-to-back direction. Because the center of gravity is located within the area of ​​the face-to-face contact region, the electrical connector for the circuit board is less likely to tip over.

[0018] In this invention, the metal plate member may also have an extension portion formed by a portion extending toward the circuit board and a portion bent toward the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction, with the mounting portion formed on the front-rear direction-extending portion of the extension portion. The mounting portion can be easily formed simply by bending the extension portion of the metal plate member toward its thickness direction as described above.

[0019] In this invention, the extension may be bent forward, the bending position of the mounting portion relative to the extension may be formed by the front portion, and the sub-part may be formed by protruding forward from the front edge of the main portion of the mounting portion.

[0020] Alternatively, in this invention, the extension may be bent rearward, the bending position of the main portion relative to the extension may be formed by the rear portion, and the sub-parts may be formed by protruding forward between each other in grooves formed in a part of the main portion.

[0021] In this invention, the aforementioned metal plate component can be configured as a shielding component.

[0022] Electrical connector with circuit board

[0023] The electrical connector with a circuit board of the present invention is formed by mounting an electrical connector for a circuit board onto a circuit board. The electrical connector for a circuit board is disposed on the front edge of the circuit board in a front-rear direction that is parallel to the surface of the circuit board, and has a housing including a fitting portion facing forward. The direction that is parallel to the surface of the circuit board and perpendicular to the front-rear direction is set as the connector width direction.

[0024] In this invention, the electrical connector with a circuit board is appropriately selected and used according to the size and positional relationship of the solder pads used for soldering in the circuit board.

[0025] Firstly, the feature is that a metal plate component is mounted on the housing, the metal plate component having a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board, the mounting portion having a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the main portion, when the electrical connector for the circuit board is disposed on the circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of the mating portion is located in front of the front contact area, the front contact area being formed by the mounting portion, the rear contact area being formed by another portion of the connector, the front end of the secondary portion of the mounting portion being located at the same position as the front end of the solder pad in the front-to-back direction, and the entire area of ​​the mounting portion being soldered and fixed to the solder pad of the circuit board.

[0026] Secondly, the feature is that a metal plate component is mounted on the housing, the metal plate component having a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board, the mounting portion having a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the main portion, when the electrical connector for the circuit board is disposed on the circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of the mating portion is located in front of the front contact area, the front contact area being formed by the mounting portion, the rear contact area being formed by another portion of the connector, the mounting portion being soldered to a solder pad on the circuit board through the main portion, and at least the protruding front end of the secondary portion being located in front of the front end of the solder pad.

[0027] Invention Effects

[0028] In the connector of the present invention, the front contact area of ​​the front contact area and the front contact rear area that are in contact with the circuit board surface are formed by the mounting portion. The sub-part of the mounting portion protrudes forward more than the main part. Therefore, the front end of the protrusion extends forward more than the main part. Thus, before installation, even without using existing additional parts such as cover members, the connector can maintain a stable posture and contact and position itself with the circuit board surface. Therefore, it can be easily soldered and installed to the circuit board without tilting. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 A plug-type connector, which is a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view at the position of the lower shield plate mounting portion in the width direction of the connector.

[0030] Figure 2 Will Figure 1 An exploded perspective view showing the components of a plug-type connector.

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower shield of the plug connector, (A) is a view viewed from the rear side, and (B) is a view of the lower shield of (A) flipped up and down and viewed from the front side.

[0032] Figure 4 An example of the positional relationship between the mounting portion and the pad is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the IVB-IVB section of (A) together with the weld fillet weld.

[0033] Figure 5 Another example of the positional relationship between the mounting portion and the pad is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the VB-VB section of (A) together with the weld fillet weld.

[0034] Figure 6 A socket-type connector, which is a second embodiment of the present invention, is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view at the position of the mounting portion of the lower shield plate in the width direction of the connector.

[0035] Figure 7 Will Figure 6 An exploded perspective view showing the components of a socket-type connector.

[0036] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the lower shield of the socket connector, (A) is a view viewed from the front and below, and (B) is a view of the lower shield of (A) flipped up and down and viewed from the front and above.

[0037] Figure 9 An example of the positional relationship between the mounting portion and the pad is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the IXB-IXB section of (A) together with the fillet weld.

[0038] Figure 10 Another example of the positional relationship between the mounting portion and the pad is shown. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the XX-XX section of (A) together with the fillet weld.

[0039] Symbol Explanation

[0040] 1. Plug-type connector (connector)

[0041] 2. Socket type connector (connector)

[0042] 10 casing

[0043] 11 Chimeric part

[0044] 70 Lower side shielding plate (metal plate component)

[0045] 72 extension

[0046] 72A Front Mounting Section (Mounting Section)

[0047] 72A-1 main part

[0048] 72A-2 Deputy Minister

[0049] 72A-2A Front (Protruding Front End)

[0050] 77A Grooving

[0051] 110 casing

[0052] 170 Lower Side Shielding Plate (Metal Plate Component)

[0053] 174 Extension

[0054] 174A Front Mounting Section

[0055] 174A-1 main part

[0056] 174A-2 Deputy Minister

[0057] 174A-2A Front (protruding front end)

[0058] X forward and backward direction

[0059] Y connector width direction

[0060] Z (up and down directions) Detailed Implementation

[0061] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Regarding the electrical connector for the circuit board in this embodiment, it is shown as a plug-type connector in the first embodiment and as a receptacle-type connector in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the plug-type connector is fitted and connected to a receptacle-type connector (not shown) that serves as the counterpart connector; in the second embodiment, the receptacle connector is fitted and connected to a plug-type connector (not shown) that serves as the counterpart connector. The present invention is applicable to both plug-type connectors and receptacle connectors and is shown in different forms.

[0063] <First Implementation>

[0064] Figure 1 The diagram shows the state in which the plug-type connector 1 of this embodiment is disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board B1. Figure 1 (A) is a 3D diagram. Figure 1 (B) is a cross-sectional view at the location of the mounting portion of the lower shield plate, which will be described later, in the width direction of the connector.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In (A) and (B), the plug-type connector 1 is positioned and mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 from above, and the front-rear direction X, which forms a direction along the mounting surface of the circuit board B1, is used as the connector insertion / removal direction, allowing the opposite-side connector (a socket-type connector not shown) to be inserted and connected from the front side (X1 side). The plug-type connector 1 is a so-called L-shaped electrical connector (right-angle electrical connector) whose direction of mounting on the circuit board B1 (vertical direction Z) is perpendicular to the connector insertion / removal direction (front-rear direction X). Hereinafter, regarding the plug-type connector 1, in the front-rear direction X, the X1 direction is designated as "front" and the X2 direction as "rear".

[0066] The plug-type connector 1 includes: a housing 10 made of electrically insulating material and formed into a generally rectangular shape; a plurality of metal upper terminals 20 and metal lower terminals 30 arranged and held in the housing 10 with the connector width direction Y, which is perpendicular to both the front-back direction X and the vertical direction Z, serving as the terminal arrangement direction; and a metal upper outer shielding plate 50, upper inner shielding plate 60, and lower shielding plate 70 mounted on the housing 10. Hereinafter, without needing to distinguish between the upper terminals 20 and the lower terminals 30, they will be collectively referred to as "terminals 20 and 30".

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown in (A), the front portion (the portion facing the X1 direction) of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction X is formed as a fitting portion 11 for engaging with the opposite connector, and the rear portion (the portion facing the X2 direction) in the same direction is formed as a terminal holding portion 12 for holding the terminals 20 and 30. The fitting portion 11 has a fitting peripheral wall 13 with a cuboid shape having the connector width direction Y as its long side, and two plate-shaped terminal arrangement portions 14 extending along the connector width direction Y within the internal space of the fitting peripheral wall 13.

[0068] The mating peripheral wall 13 has a pair of sidewalls (upper wall 13A and lower wall 13B) extending along the connector width direction Y and facing each other in the vertical direction Z, and a pair of end walls 13C extending vertically at both ends of the mating peripheral wall 13 in the connector width direction Y and connecting the ends of the pair of sidewalls to each other. In addition, in order to receive the opposite connector, the space enclosed by the mating peripheral wall 13 is formed as a receiving recess 15 that opens forward (in the X1 direction).

[0069] like Figure 1 (A) and Figure 2 As shown, upper mounting grooves 13A-1 are formed at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) along the connector width direction Y of the upper wall 13A, extending into the lower surface of the front end of the upper wall 13A (the portion forming the opening edge of the receiving recess 15). The upper mounting grooves 13A-1 are open downwards and forwards to accommodate the mounting piece 64 (see reference 64) of the upper inner shielding plate 60, which is pressed in from the front as described later. Figure 1 (A) and Figure 2 (To be maintained.)

[0070] In addition, such as Figure 1 (A) and Figure 2As shown, lower mounting grooves 13B-1 are formed at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) along the connector width direction Y of the lower wall 13B, extending into the upper surface of the front end portion (the portion forming the opening edge of the receiving recess 15) of the lower wall 13B. The lower mounting grooves 13B-1 open upwards and forwards to accommodate the mounting piece 73 of the lower shielding plate 70, which is pressed in from the front as described later (see...). Figure 1 (A) Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 (B) is maintained.

[0071] Two terminal arrangement portions 14 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction (connector width direction), each protruding forward X1 from the front surface of the terminal holding portion 12 and being plate-shaped, having a plate surface extending throughout the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction Y and parallel to the respective wall surfaces of the upper wall 13A and lower wall 13B. Multiple terminal slots 14A extending in the front-rear direction X are formed on the two plate surfaces of the terminal arrangement portions 14, namely the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, along the connector width direction Y. Corresponding contact pieces 21 and 31 for terminals 20 and 30 (described later) are disposed in each terminal slot 14A.

[0072] The terminal holding portion 12 has a slit-shaped terminal holding groove 16 (see reference). Figure 1 (B)). Before describing the shape of the terminal retaining groove 16, the shapes of the terminals 20 and 30 held by the terminal retaining groove 16 will be described first. The terminals 20 and 30 are made by punching metal sheet members and bending them into a bent shape along the thickness direction of the sheet. When viewed along the connector width direction Y, the terminals 20 and 30 are generally L-shaped (see reference). Figure 1 (B)). For example Figure 2 As shown, the upper terminal 20 of terminals 20 and 30 has a contact portion 21 formed on one end, a connecting portion 22 formed on the other end, a connecting portion 23 connecting a pair of contact pieces 21, and an extension portion 24 extending in an L-shape from the connecting portion 23 toward the connecting portion 22.

[0073] A pair of contact pieces 21 are capable of contacting the opposite terminal (not shown) of a socket connector. Each contact piece 21 is formed as a strip with the same length in the front-rear direction X and extends in a straight line. Furthermore, each contact piece 21 has a plate surface perpendicular to the vertical direction Z (a surface perpendicular to the plate thickness surface), and these plate surfaces face each other in the vertical direction Z. The upper contact piece 21 of the pair is disposed in a terminal groove 14A on the upper surface of the terminal arrangement portion 14 formed on the upper side of the housing 10 (see reference). Figure 1 (B)). On the other hand, the contact piece 21 located below is disposed in the terminal groove 14A on the lower surface of the terminal arrangement portion 14 formed on the upper side of the housing 10 (see reference). Figure 1 (B)

[0074] The connecting portion 23 has a plate surface parallel to the ZX plane, which is perpendicular to the Y direction of the connector width (see reference). Figure 1 (B) connects the rear side edges of a pair of contact pieces 21 to each other.

[0075] like Figure 2 As shown, the extension 24 has: a horizontal portion 24A extending vertically X2 from the rear end edge of the connecting portion 23, having a plate surface parallel to the ZX plane perpendicular to the connector width direction Y; and a vertical portion 24B extending vertically Z2 downward from the rear end of the horizontal portion 24A. The horizontal portion 24A is connected to the rear end edge of the connecting portion 23. The connecting portion 22 extends downward Z2 from the lower end of the vertical portion 24B, protruding from the lower surface (bottom surface) of the terminal holding portion 12 of the housing 10, and its lower end is at the same height as the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 in the vertical direction Z (see reference). Figure 1 (B)). The connecting part 22 is soldered to the corresponding circuit part (not shown) on the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 at its lower end so that it can conduct electricity.

[0076] Similar to the aforementioned upper terminal 20, the lower terminal 30 has a contact piece 31, a connecting portion 32, a connecting portion 33, and an extension portion 34. However, it differs from the upper terminal 20 in that the horizontal portion 34A and the vertical portion 34B of the extension portion 34 are shorter than the horizontal portion 24A and the vertical portion 24B of the upper terminal 20, respectively.

[0077] Returning to the description of casing 10. (As follows...) Figure 1 As shown in (B), the terminal holding groove 16 of the housing 10 that holds the terminals 20 and 30 has: an upper groove 16A, which receives the rear portion of a pair of contact pieces 21 of the upper terminal 20, the connecting portion 23, and the horizontal portion 24A; a lower groove 16B, which receives the rear portion of a pair of contact pieces 31 of the lower terminal 30, the connecting portion 33, and the horizontal portion 34A; and a rear groove 16C, which extends to the rear end and lower end of the terminal holding portion 12 in a region further rear of the upper groove 16A and the lower groove 16B.

[0078] like Figure 1As shown in (B), the upper groove portion 16A extends along the front-rear direction X above the terminal holding portion 12, with its front end opening towards and communicating with the receiving recess 15, and its rear end communicating with the rear groove portion 16C. The lower groove portion 16B is located below the upper groove portion 16A and extends along the front-rear direction X, and is formed to be shorter than the upper groove portion 16A in the front-rear direction X. The front end of the lower groove portion 16B opens towards and communicates with the receiving recess 15 at the same position as the front end of the upper groove portion 16A, and its rear end is located X1 forward of the rear end of the upper groove portion 16A and communicates with the rear groove portion 16C. The rear groove portion 16C extends to the rear end and lower end of the terminal holding portion 12 as described above, and opens rearward X2 and downward Z2 to communicate with the outside.

[0079] In this embodiment, as shielding components, an upper outer shielding plate 50, an upper inner shielding plate 60, and a lower shielding plate 70 are installed on the outer casing 10 to be formed by bending a portion of the metal plate component.

[0080] At the rear of the terminal holding portion 12, the holding piece 52A (see above) is attached to the upper outer shielding plate 50 described later. Figure 2 A retaining hole (not shown) is formed at the corresponding position, which is recessed into the rear surface of the terminal retaining portion 12. As described later, the retaining hole allows the retaining piece 52A of the upper outer shielding plate 50 to be pressed forward X1 and retained thereon.

[0081] On the upper part of the outer casing 10, such as Figure 1 As shown in (B), the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12 is located Z2 below the upper surface of the fitting portion 11, and a stepped portion 10A is formed in the boundary region between the fitting portion 11 and the terminal holding portion 12. An upper through hole 10A-1 is formed at the stepped portion 10A, extending through the rear portion of the fitting portion 11 in the front-rear direction X. The upper through hole 10A-1 is formed at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) in the connector width direction Y, corresponding to the inner connecting portion 63 of the upper inner shielding plate 60 described later, for the inner connecting portion 63 to be inserted from the front.

[0082] At the lower part of the outer casing 10, such as Figure 1 As shown in (B), the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 12 is located Z1 above the lower surface of the mating portion 11, and a stepped portion 10B is formed in the boundary region between the mating portion 11 and the terminal holding portion 12. A lower through hole 10B-1 is formed from the front end of the lower part of the terminal holding portion 12 throughout the stepped portion 10B. The lower through hole 10B-1 extends from the receiving recess 15 to the bottom surface of the terminal holding portion 12 and opens forward and downward. The lower through hole 10B-1 is formed at multiple locations (six locations) in the connector width direction Y, corresponding to the extension 72 of the lower shielding plate 70 (described later), and receives the extension 72 from the front.

[0083] like Figure 1 (B) and Figure 2 As shown, the upper outer shielding plate 50 is formed by bending a metal plate component along its thickness direction so that its overall shape is approximately L-shaped when viewed along the connector width direction Y. The upper outer shielding plate 50 has an upper plate portion 51 extending along the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12, a rear plate portion 52 extending along the rear surface of the terminal holding portion 12, and a rear mounting portion 53 formed by bending rearward X2 from the lower end of the rear plate portion 52. The upper outer shielding plate 50 covers approximately the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12 by the upper plate portion 51, and covers approximately the entire area of ​​the rear surface of the terminal holding portion 12 by the rear plate portion 52.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper plate portion 51 is connected to the upper through hole 10A-1 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction Y (refer to...). Figure 1 (B) corresponds to multiple parts ( Figure 2 The upper plate portion 51 (which has six parts) has an external connecting portion 51A, which is formed by bending in the thickness direction of the plate in a crank-like manner when viewed along the connector width direction Y at the front end of the upper plate portion 51. The external connecting portion 51A is located above the other parts of the upper plate portion 51, and a gap is formed between the external connecting portion 51A and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12. This gap is used to receive the inner connecting portion 63 of the upper inner shielding plate 60 from the front. The external connecting portion 51A contacts the upper surface of the inner connecting portion 63 through its lower surface (see reference). Figure 1 (B) Thus, electrical conduction is achieved between the upper outer shielding plate 50 and the upper inner shielding plate 60.

[0085] like Figure 2 As shown, the rear plate portion 52 has multiple portions corresponding to the retaining holes (not shown) of the terminal retaining portion 12 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction Y. Figure 2 At the six locations in the middle, the lower part of the rear plate 52 is cut open towards the front to form a retaining piece 52A. When the upper outer shielding plate 50 is installed on the terminal retaining part 12 from the rear, the retaining piece 52A is pressed in from the rear and held in the aforementioned retaining hole of the terminal retaining part 12.

[0086] The rear mounting portion 53 is provided at various positions in the connector width direction Y corresponding to the outer connecting portion 51A, such as... Figure 1 As shown in (B), it is formed to bend rearward at the lower end of the rear plate portion 52. Figure 1 As shown in (B), the rear mounting portion 53 is located at the same height as the connecting portions 22 and 32 of the terminals 20 and 30, and is soldered to the pads of the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 as corresponding circuit portions so as to be grounded.

[0087] The upper inner shielding plate 60 and the upper outer shielding plate 50 are formed separately, and are manufactured by bending metal plate components along the thickness direction. For example... Figure 1 As shown in (B), the upper inner shielding plate 60 is positioned within the receiving recess 15 of the housing 10 along the upper inner wall surface of the inner wall surface forming the receiving recess 15, and covers approximately the entire area of ​​the inner wall surface.

[0088] The upper inner shielding plate 60 has: a plurality of upper long shielding contact pieces 61 and a plurality of upper short shielding contact pieces 62 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "upper shielding contact pieces 61, 62") arranged alternately along the connector width direction Y; a plurality of inner connecting portions 63 formed at the rear end of the upper inner shielding plate 60; and a plurality of mounting pieces 64 and guide portions 65 formed at the front end of the upper inner shielding plate 60.

[0089] The upper shielding contact pieces 61 and 62 are formed by cutting open the upper inner shielding plate 60. The upper short shielding contact piece 62 is formed to be shorter than the upper long shielding contact piece 61 in the front-rear direction X. The upper shielding contact pieces 61 and 62 extend slightly downwards with respect to the forward direction X1, forming cantilever beam-shaped elastic pieces that can elastically displace in the vertical direction Z (see reference). Figure 1 (B) can contact the upper shield (not shown) provided on the other side connector through its front end.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown, the inner connection portion 63 is connected to the upper through hole 10A-1 of the housing 10 (see reference) in the connector width direction Y. Figure 1 At multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) corresponding to (B), the rear end of the upper inner shielding plate 60 is bent into a crank shape when viewed along the connector width direction Y. The inner connection portion 63 is located Z2 below other parts of the upper inner shielding plate 60, passes through the upper through hole 10A-1 of the outer shell 10 from the front, and enters from the front into the gap between the outer connection portion 51A of the upper outer shielding plate 50 and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12. The inner connection portion 63 located in the gap contacts the lower surface of the outer connection portion 51A through the upper surface of the inner connection portion 63 (see reference). Figure 1 (B)

[0091] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting piece 64 is disposed at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) in the connector width direction Y corresponding to the upper mounting groove 13A-1 of the housing 10 between adjacent guide portions 65, and is formed by bending the front end of the upper inner shield plate 60 into a crank shape. The mounting piece 64 extends upward and then bends forward, so that the forward-extending portion is pressed into and held in the upper mounting groove 13A-1 from the front.

[0092] The guide portion 65 is formed by bending the front end of the upper inner shielding plate 60 in a manner that tilts upwards towards Z1 as it faces forward X1. For example... Figure 1 As shown in (B), the guide portion 65 is located on the front end side of the upper wall 13A. When the connector is engaged, the lower surface of the guide portion 65 guides the opposite connector into the receiving recess 15.

[0093] like Figure 1 (B) Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the lower shielding plate 70 is manufactured by bending a metal plate component in the thickness direction. Regarding this lower shielding plate 70, Figure 2 The image is shown in a three-dimensional view from the front (X1) and above (Z1). Figure 3 (A) is shown as a stereoscopic view viewed from the rear (X2) and above (Z1). Figure 3 (B) as the Figure 3 The lower shielding plate 70 of (A) is shown in a perspective view, flipped up and down and viewed from the front X1 and from the bottom Z2. The lower shielding plate 70 has: a lower inner shielding portion 71, which is positioned within a receiving recess 15 of the housing 10 to cover approximately the entire area of ​​the inner wall surface of the lower side of the receiving recess 15; a plurality of extensions 72, which are bent into a crank shape from the rear end edge of the lower inner shielding portion 71 and extend rearward; and a plurality of mounting pieces 73 and guides 74, which are bent and extend from the front end edge of the lower inner shielding portion 71.

[0094] The lower shielding plate 70 has contact pieces that form a shape that allows the upper shielding contact pieces 61 and 62 of the aforementioned upper inner shielding plate 60 to flip up and down. That is, at the lower inner shielding portion 71, lower long shielding contact pieces 75 and lower short shielding contact pieces 76 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lower shielding contact pieces 75 and 76" as needed) are arranged alternately in the connector width direction Y, and are elastic pieces that can elastically displace in the vertical direction. The lower shielding contact pieces 75 and 76 can elastically contact the lower shielding plate (not shown) provided on the opposite connector through their front ends.

[0095] Mounting tabs 73 are provided at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the lower mounting groove 13B-1 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction Y, between adjacent guide portions 74, and are bent into a crank shape from the front end edge of the lower inner shield 71 when viewed along the connector width direction Y. The mounting tabs 73 are shaped to flip the mounting tabs 64 of the upper inner shield 60 up and down, extend downward Z2 and then bend forward X1, and are pressed into and held in the lower mounting groove 13B-1 from the front by the forward-extending portion.

[0096] The guide portion 74 is formed in a shape that allows the guide portion 65 of the aforementioned upper inner shield plate 60 to flip up and down. It is located on the front end side of the lower wall 13B. When it is engaged with the other connector, the upper surface of the guide portion 74 guides the other connector into the receiving recess 15.

[0097] Extensions 72 are provided at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) in the connector width direction Y corresponding to the lower through-hole 10B-1 of the housing 10. Extensions 72 are formed by bending the rear end of the lower shielding plate 70 into a crank shape when viewed along the connector width direction Y. Furthermore, the extension 72 has a window 77 formed in the crank-shaped bent portion, extending through the plate thickness direction in the middle region of the connector width direction Y. Extensions 72 extend rearward X2, bend downward Z2, and extend towards the circuit board B1 side, then bend rearward X2 at the front end and extend further. The portion extending rearward X2 at the front end is formed as a front mounting portion 72A that can contact the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 at the front position of the terminal holding portion 12.

[0098] When the plug connector 1 is disposed on the circuit board B1, the plug connector 1 contacts and is supported on the circuit board B1 through the front mounting portion 72A of the lower shielding plate 70 and the rear mounting portion 53 of the upper outer shielding plate 50. As a whole, the plug connector 1 has a front contact area formed at the front mounting portion 72A and a rear contact area formed at the rear mounting portion 53, which are the surface contact areas relative to the circuit board B1.

[0099] In this embodiment, the front contact area is formed by the front mounting portion 72A of the lower shielding plate 70. However, instead of the front mounting portion 72A, the front contact area may also be formed by a metal plate member, i.e., a part of the terminal, or the front contact area may be formed together with the front mounting portion 72A. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear contact area is formed by the rear mounting portion 53 of the upper outer shielding plate 50. However, instead of the rear mounting portion 53, the rear contact area may also be formed by a part of the terminal or a part of the housing, or the rear contact area may be formed together with the rear mounting portion 53.

[0100] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the front mounting portion 72A of the lower shielding plate 70 has a main portion 72A-1 and a secondary portion 72A-2. The main portion 72A-1 is formed at the rear portion relative to the curved position of the extension 72 (the boundary position between the vertically extending portion of the extension 72 and the front mounting portion 72A). The main portion 72A-1 is formed to have the maximum width dimension of the front mounting portion 72A in the connector width direction Y. Two slots 77A that open forward are formed at the leading edge of the main portion 72A-1, i.e., at the rear inner edge of the window portion 77. The secondary portion 72A-2 protrudes from the leading edge of the main portion 72A-1 between the two slots 77A and extends forward beyond the curved position of the extension 72. The secondary portion 72A-2 is smaller than the main portion 72A-1 in the connector width direction Y and is located within the area of ​​the window portion 77.

[0101] In this way, by forming the sub-part 72A-2 protruding forward from the main part 72A-1, the front end of the front mounting part 72A forming the front contact area extends further forward, and the front-rear direction range of the front contact area expands forward. Therefore, the center of gravity of the plug connector 1, which is preferably set at the middle position in the front-rear direction X between the front mounting part 72A and the rear mounting part 53, can be set near the front mounting part 72A, and it can also be located within the front contact area of ​​the front mounting part 72A. As a result, the plug connector 1 can be positioned on the circuit board in a stable posture by itself without using additional parts such as cover members as in the past. Therefore, before being installed on the circuit board, the plug connector 1 can be easily soldered to the circuit board by reflow soldering without tilting. According to this embodiment, since the center of gravity of the plug connector 1 can be located forward compared to the past, the plug connector 1 can be placed and installed on the circuit board near the front edge compared to the past.

[0102] Next, a specific example of the method for soldering and fixing the front mounting portion 72A to the pad B1-1, which serves as the mounting surface of the circuit board B1, will be described. Figure 4 (A) is a perspective view showing the front mounting portion 72A and pad B1-1 enlarged. Figure 4 (B) is to Figure 4 A sectional view showing section (A) IVB-IVB and fillet weld F together. Here, Figure 4 (B) shows a cross-section at position IVB-IVB in the connector width direction Y, i.e., at a position closer to Y2 than the sub-part 72A-2, with the front mounting part 72A soldered and fixed to the pad B1-1. Figure 4 In (B), the fillet weld F (Japanese: フィレット, fillet) is marked with a slash in the section shown as a cross-section. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), pad B1-1 does not reach the leading edge B1-A of circuit board B1. That is, pad B1-1 is located slightly behind the leading edge B1-A of circuit board B1, and the part between the leading edge of pad B1-1 and the leading edge B1-A of circuit board B1 is the part that cannot be soldered (hereinafter referred to as the "unsolderable part").

[0103] In Figure 4 In examples (A) and (B), the entire lower surface of the main portion 72A-1 is in contact with and soldered to the surface of the pad B1-1. The front portion 72A-2A of the sub-portion 72A-2, which serves as its protruding front end, protrudes from the leading edge of the pad B1-1 but is not soldered to it. Only the rear portion 72A-2B of the sub-portion 72A-2 contacts and is soldered to the surface of the pad B1-1 through its lower surface. Furthermore, the front portion 72A-2A of the sub-portion 72A-2 reaches the position of the leading edge B1-A of the circuit board B1.

[0104] For example, even if the space of the mounting surface of the circuit board B1 prevents the pad B1-1 from being formed to reach the leading edge B1-A of the circuit board B1, that is, even if there is an unsolderable portion between the leading edge B1-A of the circuit board B1 and the leading edge of the pad B1-1, it is still possible to... Figure 4 The positional relationship shown in (A) and (B) places the front mounting portion 72A on the pad B1-1, so that the front portion 72A-2A of the sub-portion 72A-2 of the front mounting portion 72A is located within the range of the non-solderable portion, thereby enabling the non-solderable portion to be effectively utilized as an area where the front portion 72A-2A can make surface contact.

[0105] If so Figure 4 The front mounting portion 72A, configured as shown in (A) and (B), is welded and fixed to pad B1-1. Then, as... Figure 4As shown in (B), between the front mounting portion 72A and the pad B1-1, a fillet weld F is formed not only on the lower surface but also on the end face. Specifically, fillet weld F is formed on the end face (plate thickness surface) of the rear portion 72A-2B of the main portion 72A-1 and the sub-portion 72A-2, which are in contact with the pad B1-1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the sub-portion 72A-2 is smaller than the main portion 72A-1 in the connector width direction Y, fillet weld F is formed on both sides of the pad B1-1 of the sub-portion 72A-2 in the connector width direction Y. Additionally, the front surface 72A-1A (plate surface) of the main portion 72A-1 is located on both sides of the pad B1-1 of the sub-portion 72A-2 in the connector width direction Y, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 As shown in (B), a fillet weld F of sufficient height is also formed on the front surface 72A-1A of the main part 72A-1. Since a fillet weld F is also formed on the front surface 72A-1A of the main part 72A-1 as described above, the strength of the weld fixation is improved.

[0106] exist Figure 4 In the examples shown in (A) and (B), only the rear part 72A-2B of the sub-part 72A-2 of the front mounting part 72A is soldered and fixed to the pad B1-1. However, in cases such as Figure 5 When pad B1-1 is formed in the front-back direction as in (A) and (B) and covers the entire front mounting portion 72A, for the front mounting portion 72A, not only is the main portion 72A-1 welded and fixed to pad B1-1, but the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the sub-portion 72A-2 is also welded and fixed to pad B1-1, thereby forming a fillet weld F covering the entire circumference of the main portion 72A-1 and the sub-portion 72A-2.

[0107] Figure 5 (A) is a perspective view showing the front mounting portion 72A and pad B1-1 enlarged. Figure 5 (B) is to Figure 5 A sectional view showing section VB-VB of (A) together with the fillet weld F. Here, Figure 5 (B) shows a cross-section at position IVB-IVB in the connector width direction Y, i.e., at a position closer to Y2 than the sub-part 72A-2, with the front mounting part 72A soldered and fixed to the pad B1-1. Figure 5 In (B), regarding the fillet weld F, the portion shown as a cross section is marked with a slash.

[0108] like Figure 5As shown in (A) and (B), when the front end of sub-part 72A-2 is located at the same position as the leading edge of pad B1-1 in the front-rear direction, although the fillet weld F formed on the front end face of sub-part 72A-2 is lower than the fillet weld F of other parts (see reference). Figure 5 (B)), but a fillet weld F of sufficient height can be formed across the entire length of the front-rear direction X at the end faces (plate thickness surfaces) of both sides of the sub-part 72A-2, thus ensuring sufficient weld strength. Here, the aforementioned "same location" includes not only Figure 5 The cases where the front end of sub-part 72A-2 is located slightly behind the leading edge of pad B1-1, as in (A) and (B), also include cases where the front end of sub-part 72A-2 is located at the same position as the leading edge of pad B1-1. In other words, the positional relationship in the front-back direction where a fillet weld F of sufficient height is not formed between the front end of sub-part 72A-2 and the leading edge of pad B1-1, or where a fillet weld F is not formed at all, is called "same position".

[0109] In this embodiment, only one sub-part 72A-2 is formed on the front mounting portion 72A. However, the number of sub-parts 72A-2 is not limited to this. As a variation, multiple sub-parts may be formed at intervals in the connector width direction Y. By forming multiple sub-parts as described above, the periphery of the sub-parts becomes longer accordingly. Therefore, fillet welds are formed over a larger area, thereby increasing the strength of the weld fixation of the front mounting portion.

[0110] <Second Implementation>

[0111] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described using a socket-type connector as an example. The socket-type connector of this second embodiment is fitted and connected to a plug-type connector, which is its counterpart, and is not fitted and connected to the plug-type connector of the first embodiment.

[0112] like Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), the socket connector 2 of this embodiment is disposed and mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board B2 from above, and the front-rear direction X, which forms a direction along the mounting surface of the circuit board B2, is used as the connector insertion and removal direction so that the opposite-side connector (a plug-type connector not shown) can be inserted and connected from the front side (X1 side). Hereinafter, regarding the socket connector 2, in the front-rear direction X, the X1 direction is referred to as "front" and the X2 direction is referred to as "rear".

[0113] like Figure 6As shown in (A) and (B), the receptacle connector 2 has a housing 110 made of electrically insulating material and formed into a generally rectangular shape, a plurality of upper metal terminals 120 and lower metal terminals 130 arranged and held in the housing 110, and an upper outer metal shielding plate 150, an upper inner metal shielding plate 160 and a lower metal shielding plate 170 mounted on the housing 110 (see also...). Figure 7 Hereinafter, as needed, the upper outer shielding plate 150, the upper inner shielding plate 160, and the lower shielding plate 170 will be collectively referred to as "shielding plates 150, 160, and 170".

[0114] like Figure 6 As shown in (A), the housing 110 has a pair of upper walls 111 and a lower wall 112 that are opposite each other in the vertical direction Z and extend in the connector width direction Y, and a pair of end walls 113 that extend in the vertical direction Z at both ends of the housing 110 in the connector width direction Y and connect the ends of the upper walls 111 and the ends of the lower walls 112. The upper walls 111, the lower walls 112 and the pair of end walls 113 form a mating peripheral wall that is embedded in the receiving recess (not shown) of the plug-type connector as the mating side in the connector mating state.

[0115] Furthermore, the housing 110 has a partition wall 114 extending along the connector width direction Y at the central position in the vertical direction Z and connecting the inner wall surfaces of the end walls 113 to each other. The space enclosed by the mating peripheral wall on the opposite side is divided into two smaller spaces in the vertical direction Z by the aforementioned partition wall 114. Each smaller space forms a receiving space 115 for receiving the terminal arrangement portion of the plug-type connector on the opposite side.

[0116] Multiple terminals 120 and 130 are housed within the receiving space 115 in a configuration arranged along the connector width direction Y. For example... Figure 6 As shown in (B), the receiving space 115 extends through the housing 110 in the front-rear direction X, and as described later, terminals 120 and 130 can be pressed in from the rear X2. On the upper and lower inner wall surfaces forming each receiving space 115—that is, for the upper receiving space 115, the lower surface of the upper wall 111 and the upper surface of the partition wall 114; for the lower receiving space 115, the lower surface of the partition wall 114 and the upper surface of the lower wall 112—as shown in (B), Figure 6 As shown in (B), a terminal groove 115A is formed extending in the front-rear direction X, and the terminal groove 115A receives the contact pieces 121 and 131 of the terminals 120 and 130 (described later).

[0117] like Figure 7As shown, upper mounting grooves 111A are formed at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) along the connector width direction Y of the upper wall 111, extending into the upper surface of the front end portion (the end portion on the X1 side) of the upper wall 111. The upper mounting grooves 111A open upwards (Z1) and forwards (X1), holding the mounting piece 162 of the upper inner shielding plate 160, which is pressed in from the front as described later. Furthermore, on the upper surface of the front end portion of the upper wall 111, an upper inclined surface 111B is formed between adjacent upper mounting grooves 111A along the connector width direction Y, sloping downwards towards the front.

[0118] The lower wall 112 of the outer casing 110 is formed in a shape that allows the upper wall 111 to flip up and down. The shape of the lower wall 112 is the same as that of the upper wall 111 except for the fact that it flips up and down, so the description is omitted here.

[0119] The upper terminal 120 and lower terminal 130 of the housing 110 are formed to be connected with Figure 2 The upper terminal 20 and lower terminal 30 of the first embodiment shown have essentially the same shape. Regarding the terminals 120 and 130 of this embodiment, the description will focus on the parts that differ from the terminals 20 and 30 of the first embodiment; details of the common parts will be omitted. The parts of terminals 120 and 130 corresponding to terminals 20 and 30 are indicated by adding "100" to the symbols of the parts of terminals 20 and 30.

[0120] Similar to terminals 20 and 30 in the first embodiment, terminals 120 and 130 are manufactured by punching a metal plate component and bending it in the thickness direction. When viewed along the connector width direction Y, terminals 120 and 130 are generally L-shaped (see reference). Figure 7 ).like Figure 7 As shown, the upper terminal 120 has a pair of contact pieces 121 formed on one end, a connecting portion 122 formed on the other end, a connecting portion 123 connecting the pair of contact pieces 121 to each other, and a straight portion 124 extending vertically from the rear end of the connecting portion 123 toward the connecting portion 122. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, the lower terminal 130 has a pair of contact pieces 131 formed on one end, a connecting portion 132 formed on the other end, a connecting portion 133 connecting the pair of contact pieces 131 to each other, and a straight portion 134 extending vertically from the rear end of the connecting portion 133 toward the connecting portion 132. The pair of contact pieces 121 and the pair of contact pieces 131 are each capable of elastic displacement in the thickness direction, i.e., the vertical direction Z, and can elastically contact the opposite terminal provided on the plug connector through their front ends.

[0121] In this embodiment, an upper outer shielding plate 150, an upper inner shielding plate 160, and a lower shielding plate 170 are installed on the outer casing 110 to be formed by bending a portion of the metal plate component.

[0122] The upper outer shielding plate 150 is formed in the same shape as the upper outer shielding plate 50 in the first embodiment. Therefore, for common parts, the symbols formed by adding "100" to the symbols in the first embodiment are omitted from the description. In this embodiment, a surface contact area is formed in the rear mounting portion 153.

[0123] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), except for a portion described later, the upper inner shielding plate 160 and the lower shielding plate 170 are formed with similar shapes to each other. Here, the structure of the upper inner shielding plate 160 will be described with a focus on the structure of the upper inner shielding plate 160. As for the lower shielding plate 170, the similarities to the upper inner shielding plate 160 will be indicated by adding "10" to the symbol on the upper inner shielding plate 160, and the explanation will be omitted. The differences will be explained.

[0124] The upper inner shielding plate 160 is installed to cover the upper surface of the upper wall 111 of the outer casing 110. The upper inner shielding plate 160 has: a shielding plate main body 161, which has a shielding surface facing the upper surface of the upper wall 111; a mounting piece 162 and a guided part 163, which are disposed at the front edge (edge ​​on the X1 side) of the shielding plate main body 161; and an inner connecting part 164, which is disposed at the rear edge (edge ​​on the X2 side) of the shielding plate main body 161.

[0125] like Figure 6 As shown in (A), the shielding plate main body 161 is formed as a flat plate extending throughout the entire terminal arrangement area in the connector width direction Y. Mounting pieces 162 are provided at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the upper mounting groove 111A of the housing 110 in the connector width direction Y, and are formed by bending in a crank-like manner from the front edge of the shielding plate main body 161 when viewed along the connector width direction Y. The mounting pieces 162 extend downwards Z2 and then bend forwards X1, so that the portion extending forwards X1 is pressed in from the front and held in the upper mounting groove 111A.

[0126] like Figure 6 (A) and Figure 7As shown, the guided portion 163 is disposed between adjacent mounting pieces 162 in the connector width direction Y, and is formed by bending downwards Z2 as it slopes forward X1 from the front edge of the shield body portion 161. The guided portion 163 extends along the upper inclined surface 111B of the upper wall 111 (see reference). Figure 6 (B)). When the connector is engaged, the guided portion 163 is guided through the upper surface of the guided portion 163 and under the action of the corresponding guide portion (not shown) of the connector to the corresponding receiving recess (not shown) of the plug connector.

[0127] The inner connection portion 164 is provided at multiple locations (six locations in this embodiment) along the connector width direction Y. Specifically, it is located at the same position as the mounting piece 162 along the connector width direction Y, and extends rearward from the rear end edge of the shielding plate main body portion 161. The inner connection portion 164 contacts the inner surface of the outer connection portion 151A of the aforementioned upper outer shielding plate 150.

[0128] The lower shielding plate 170 is formed in the same shape as the upper inner shielding plate 160 except for the inner connecting portion 164 of the upper inner shielding plate 160. The lower shielding plate 170 is installed in a position that flips up and down relative to the upper inner shielding plate 160 so as to cover the bottom surface of the lower wall 112 of the outer shell 110.

[0129] The difference between this shape and the one formed by flipping the upper inner shielding plate 160 degrees up and down is that, as Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, instead of the inner connection portion 164 of the upper inner shielding plate 160, an extension portion 174, described later, is provided on the lower shielding plate 170. The extension portion 174 extends rearward X2 from the rear end of the shielding plate main body portion 171, then bends downward Z2 and extends towards the circuit board B1 side, subsequently bending forward X1 at its front end and extending thereafter. The portion extending forward X1 at its front end is formed as a front mounting portion 174A capable of surface contact with the mounting surface of the circuit board B2. This front mounting portion 174A surfaces with the circuit board B2, and for the socket connector 2, this front mounting portion 174A forms a front surface contact area within the surface contact area that surfaces with the circuit board.

[0130] like Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the front mounting portion 174A has a main portion 174A-1 and a secondary portion 174A-2, wherein the main portion 174A-1 extends in the connector width direction Y, and the secondary portion 174A-2 is formed in the connector width direction Y to be smaller than the main portion 174A-1, and protrudes forward from the leading edge of the middle portion of the main portion 174A-1 in the connector width direction Y.

[0131] In this way, by forming the sub-part 174A-2 protruding forward from the leading edge of the main part 174A-1, the front end of the front mounting part 174A forming the front contact area extends further forward, and the front-rear range of the front contact area expands forward. Therefore, the center of gravity of the socket connector 2, which is preferably located at the midpoint between the front mounting part 174A and the rear mounting part 153 in the front-rear direction X, can be set close to the front mounting part 174A, and it can also be located within the front contact area of ​​the front mounting part 174A. As a result, the socket connector 2 can be positioned on the circuit board in a stable posture by itself without using existing additional parts such as cover members. Therefore, before being mounted to the circuit board, the socket connector 2 can be easily soldered to the circuit board by reflow soldering without tilting. According to this embodiment, since the center of gravity of the socket connector 2 can be located at the front compared to the past, the socket connector 2 can be placed and installed on the circuit board near the front edge compared to the past.

[0132] Next, a specific example of the method for soldering and fixing the front mounting portion 174A to the pad B2-1, which serves as the mounting surface of the circuit board B2, will be described. Figure 9 (A) is a perspective view showing the front mounting portion 174A and pad B2-1 enlarged. Figure 9 (B) is to Figure 9 A sectional view showing section IXB-IXB of (A) together with the fillet weld F. Here, Figure 9 (B) shows a cross-section at position IXB-IXB in the connector width direction Y, i.e., at a position closer to Y2 than the sub-part 174A-2, with the front mounting part 174A soldered and fixed to the pad B2-1. Figure 9 In (B), the fillet weld F is marked with a slash in the section shown as a cross-section. Figure 9 In examples (A) and (B), pad B2-1 does not reach the leading edge B2-A of the circuit board B2. That is, pad B2-1 is located slightly behind the leading edge B2-A of the circuit board B2, and the part between the leading edge of pad B2-1 and the leading edge B2-A of the circuit board B2 is the unsolderable part.

[0133] In Figure 9 In examples (A) and (B), the entire lower surface of the main part 174A-1 is in contact with and welded to the surface of the pad B2-1. The front part 174A-2A of the sub-part 174A-2, which is its protruding front end, protrudes from the front edge of the pad B2-1 but is not welded to the surface. Only the rear part 174A-2B of the sub-part 174A-2 is in contact with and welded to the surface of the pad B2-1 through its lower surface.

[0134] Based on the first embodiment Figure 4 When explaining (A) and (B), the explanations are the same, according to Figure 9 The positional relationship shown in (A) and (B) places the front mounting portion 174A on the pad B2-1, so that the front portion 174A-2A of the sub-portion 174A-2 of the front mounting portion 174A is located within the range of the aforementioned non-solderable portion, thereby enabling the non-solderable portion to be effectively utilized as an area where the front portion 174A-2A can make surface contact.

[0135] If so Figure 9 The front mounting portion 174A, configured as shown in (A) and (B), is welded and fixed to pad B2-1. Then, as... Figure 9 As shown in (B), a fillet weld F is formed between the front mounting portion 174A and the pad B2-1, which are fixed by welding. Specifically, a fillet weld F is formed on the end face (thickness surface) of the rear portion 174A-2B of the main portion 174A-1 and the sub-portion 174A-2, which are in contact with the surface of the pad B2-1, as well as on the rear surface (plate surface) of the main portion 174A-1. The fillet weld F rises from the surface of the pad B2-1.

[0136] In this embodiment, since the secondary portion 174A-2 is smaller than the main portion 174A-1 in the connector width direction Y, the front end face 174A-1A (thickness face) of the main portion 174A-1 is located on both sides of the secondary portion 174A-2 in the connector width direction Y. A fillet weld F of sufficient height is formed on the front end face 174A-1A of the main portion 174A-1 (see reference). Figure 9 (B) can improve the strength of the weld fixation.

[0137] exist Figure 9 In the examples shown in (A) and (B), only the rear part 174A-2B of the sub-part 174A-2 of the front mounting part 174A is soldered and fixed to the pad B2-1. However, in cases such as Figure 10 When pad B2-1 is formed in the front-back direction as shown in (A) and (B) and covers the entire area of ​​the front mounting portion 174A, for the front mounting portion 174A, not only is the main portion 174A-1 welded and fixed to pad B2-1, but the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the sub-portion 174A-2 is also welded and fixed to pad B2-1, thereby forming a fillet weld F covering the entire circumference of the main portion 174A-1 and the sub-portion 174A-2.

[0138] Figure 10 (A) is a perspective view showing the front mounting portion 174A and pad B2-1 enlarged. Figure 10 (B) is to Figure 10 A sectional view showing section XXB-XX of (A) together with the fillet weld F. Here, Figure 10(B) shows a cross-section at the XXB-XXB position in the connector width direction Y, i.e., at the position Y2 side closer to the sub-part 174A-2, in the front state where the front mounting part 174A is configured and welded to the fillet weld B2-1, compared to the normal state. Figure 10 In (B), regarding the fillet weld F, the portion shown as a cross section is marked with a slash.

[0139] like Figure 10 As shown in (A) and (B), when the front end of sub-part 174A-2 is located at the same position as the leading edge of pad B2-1 in the front-rear direction, although the fillet weld F formed on the front end face of sub-part 174A-2 is lower than the fillet weld F of other parts (see reference). Figure 10 However, a fillet weld F of sufficient height can be formed at the end faces (plate thickness surfaces) of both sides of the connector in the width direction Y of the sub-part 174A-2, extending over the entire length of the front-to-back direction X, thus ensuring sufficient weld strength. Here, "same location" is defined in the same way as "same location" described in the first embodiment.

[0140] As a variation of this embodiment, multiple sub-parts may also be formed in the front mounting portion, which is the same as described in the first embodiment.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a circuit board, wherein the electrical connector for a circuit board is disposed on the front edge of the circuit board in a front-rear direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board, has a housing including a front-facing fitting portion, and the direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board and perpendicular to the front-rear direction is defined as the connector width direction, characterized in that, A metal plate component is mounted on the housing. This metal plate component has an extension formed by a portion extending toward the circuit board and a portion bending forward along the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The extension has a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board. The mounting portion is positioned forward relative to the curved position of the extension portion and is formed on the portion of the extension portion extending in the front-rear direction. The mounting portion has a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the leading edge of the main portion. When the electrical connector for a circuit board is disposed on a circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-to-back direction. At least a portion of the mating portion is located forward of the front contact area, which is formed by the mounting portion, and the rear contact area is formed by another portion of the connector. The front end of the sub-portion extends forward of the main portion, and the front-to-back range of the front contact area extends forward. As a result, the center of gravity of the electrical connector for the circuit board is located in the front-to-back direction from the midpoint between the front and rear contact areas to the front end of the front contact area. At least the main part can contact the solder pad surface provided on the circuit board.

2. The electrical connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The center of gravity of the electrical connector for the circuit board is located within the area of ​​the face contact front region in the front-back direction.

3. The electrical connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The metal plate component is a shielding component.

4. An electrical connector with a circuit board, wherein the electrical connector with a circuit board is formed by mounting a circuit board electrical connector onto a circuit board, the circuit board electrical connector being disposed on the front edge of the circuit board in a front-rear direction parallel to a surface of the circuit board, having a housing including a front-facing fitting portion, and the direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board and perpendicular to the front-rear direction being defined as the connector width direction, characterized in that... A metal plate component is mounted on the housing. This metal plate component has an extension formed by a portion extending toward the circuit board and a portion bending forward along the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The extension has a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board. The mounting portion is positioned forward relative to the curved position of the extension portion and is formed on the portion of the extension portion extending in the front-rear direction. The mounting portion has a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the leading edge of the main portion. When the electrical connector for a circuit board is disposed on a circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-to-back direction. At least a portion of the mating portion is located forward of the front contact area, which is formed by the mounting portion, and the rear contact area is formed by another portion of the connector. The front end of the sub-portion extends forward of the main portion, and the front-to-back range of the front contact area extends forward. As a result, the center of gravity of the electrical connector for the circuit board is located in the front-to-back direction from the midpoint between the front and rear contact areas to the front end of the front contact area. The front end of the sub-part of the mounting portion is located at the same position as the front end of the solder pad of the circuit board in the front-back direction, and the entire area of ​​the mounting portion is soldered and fixed to the solder pad.

5. An electrical connector with a circuit board, wherein the electrical connector with a circuit board is formed by mounting a circuit board electrical connector onto a circuit board, the circuit board electrical connector being disposed on the front edge of the circuit board in a front-rear direction parallel to a surface of the circuit board, having a housing including a front-facing fitting portion, and the direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board and perpendicular to the front-rear direction being defined as the connector width direction, characterized in that... A metal plate component is mounted on the housing. This metal plate component has an extension formed by a portion extending toward the circuit board and a portion bending forward along the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The extension has a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board. The mounting portion is positioned forward relative to the curved position of the extension portion and is formed on the portion of the extension portion extending in the front-rear direction. The mounting portion has a main portion and a secondary portion, the secondary portion being smaller than the main portion in the connector width direction and protruding forward from the leading edge of the main portion. When the electrical connector for a circuit board is disposed on a circuit board, it contacts the circuit board surface through a front contact area and a rear contact area separated in the front-to-back direction. At least a portion of the mating portion is located forward of the front contact area, which is formed by the mounting portion, and the rear contact area is formed by another portion of the connector. The front end of the sub-portion extends forward of the main portion, and the front-to-back range of the front contact area extends forward. As a result, the center of gravity of the electrical connector for the circuit board is located in the front-to-back direction from the midpoint between the front and rear contact areas to the front end of the front contact area. The mounting portion is welded and fixed to the soldering pad of the circuit board via the main portion, and at least the protruding front end of the sub-portion is located in front of the front end of the soldering pad.

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