Protective member for protecting a connector having a housing with a central boss, and connector provided with the protective member

Abstract

Provided is a protection member for improving protection of a central protrusion end of a housing of a connector, preventing damage to the housing. The protection member has a protrusion side protection portion (340) provided with a side portion (450) and a transition portion (455) continuous with the side portion, the side portion covering at least a portion of a protrusion end wall (137) and at least a portion of one or both of a first protrusion end side wall and a second protrusion end side wall, and the transition portion covering at least one of a first three-sided connecting portion (187) and a second three-sided connecting portion (189), the first three-sided connecting portion being formed by an end wall connecting portion (143) between the protrusion end wall and a protrusion end upper surface (142), and a first side wall connecting portion (144) between the first protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface, and the second three-sided connecting portion being formed by the end wall connecting portion, and a second side wall connecting portion (145) between the second protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a protection member for protecting a connector having a housing with a central protrusion, and a connector provided with the protection member. BACKGROUND

[0002] In small electronic devices such as wireless earphones, wearable devices such as smart glasses, notebook computers, mobile phones, tablet computers, and the like, miniaturization of components for electronic devices has been sought. For connectors that are part of the components, further miniaturization is required. On the other hand, due to miniaturization, the housing of the connector becomes more susceptible to damage.

[0003] In Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679), socket members 141, 142, 241, 242 (Figs. 3, 4) are disclosed that prevent damage to the housing. As can be understood from Fig. 2, the side surface of the central protrusion portion in the housing 121 on the socket side in the short side direction, a portion of the side surface in the long side direction continuous with the side surface in the short side direction, and a portion of the upper surface of the central protrusion portion continuous with the side surface in the short side direction are protected by the socket members.

[0004] In Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-168210), a protection member 410 (Figs. 7, 8) is also disclosed that prevents damage to the housing. As can be understood from Fig. 1, the side surface of the central protrusion portion of the housing on the socket side in the short side direction, and a portion of the upper surface of the central protrusion portion continuous with the side surface in the short side direction are protected by the protection member 410.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679

[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-168210

[0007] In the connectors of Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the protection member does not protect not only the three-surface connecting portion formed by the upper surface, the side surface in the long side direction, and the side surface in the short side direction of the central protrusion portion of the housing, but also the long side direction upper surface connecting portion connecting the upper surface of the central protrusion portion and the side surface in the long side direction of the housing. In the above-described technology, while the short side direction upper surface portion is protected, the long side direction upper surface portion also comes into contact with the object connector at a high frequency as with the short side direction upper surface portion when the connector is fitted. Therefore, the long side direction upper surface portion can also be damaged, and problems such as short circuiting can occur due to the damage. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application provides a protection member for improving protection of the end portion of the central protrusion of the housing of a connector, and preventing damage to the housing.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, a protective member for protecting a connector is used, wherein the connector has a housing having a central protrusion, the central protrusion including at least a protrusion end wall having a surface formed in a connector depth direction and a connector height direction, a first protrusion end side wall having a surface formed in a connector width direction and the connector height direction, a second protrusion end side wall parallel to the first protrusion end side wall, and a protrusion end upper surface having a surface formed in the connector width direction and the connector depth direction, connected to the protrusion end wall, the first protrusion end side wall, and the second protrusion end side wall, the protective member has a protrusion side surface protection portion having a side surface portion and a transition portion continuous with the side surface portion, the side surface portion covers at least a portion of the protrusion end wall and at least a portion of one or both of the first protrusion end side wall and the second protrusion end side wall, and the transition portion covers at least one of a first three-way connection portion and a second three-way connection portion, wherein the first three-way connection portion is formed by an end wall connection portion between the protrusion end wall and the protrusion end upper surface, and a first side wall connection portion between the first protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface, and the second three-way connection portion is formed by the end wall connection portion, and a second side wall connection portion between the second protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1a FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector viewed from above.

[0011] Figure 1b FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector viewed from below.

[0012] Figure 1c FIG. 3 is a perspective view of only the housing in the connector viewed from above, which is the same as FIG. 1. Figure 1a

[0013] Figure 2a FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an object connector viewed from above.

[0014] Figure 2b FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the object connector viewed from below.

[0015] Figure 3a FIG. 6 is a view of the connector viewed from above.

[0016] Figure 3b FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connector taken along a line indicated by the letter "A" in FIG. 6, which is a view viewed from the arrow direction indicated in FIG. 6. Figure 3a Figure 3a

[0017] Figure 4a ​​​Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0018] Figure 4b Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0019] Figure 4c Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0020] Figure 4d Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0021] Figure 4e Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0022] Figure 4f Protective member of the first embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0023] Figure 5a Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0024] Figure 5b Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0025] Figure 5c Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0026] Figure 5d Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0027] Figure 5e Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0028] Figure 5f Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0029] Figure 5g Protective member of the second embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0030] Figure 6 Connector of the second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7a Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0032] Figure 7b Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0033] Figure 7c Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0034] Figure 7d Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0035] Figure 7e Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0036] Figure 7f Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0037] Figure 7g Protective member of the third embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0038] Figure 8 Connector of the third embodiment.

[0039] Figure 9a Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0040] Figure 9b Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0041] Figure 9c Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0042] Figure 9d Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0043] Figure 9e Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0044] Figure 9f Protective member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from various angles.

[0045] Figure 10 Connector of the fourth embodiment.

[0046] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0047] 100...connector; 105...housing; 110...first end wall; 115...second end wall; 120...first side wall; 121...housing; 125...second side wall; 130...bottom wall; 135...central protrusion; 137...protrusion end wall; 139...protrusion end side wall; 142...protrusion end upper surface; 143...end wall connecting portion; 144...first side wall connecting portion; 145...second side wall connecting portion; 146...first end wall side wall connecting portion; 147...second end wall side wall connecting portion; 150...protective member; 155...power terminal; 155-1...power terminal inner side held portion; 155-2...power terminal bent portion; 155-3...power terminal outer side held portion; 155-4...power terminal contact portion; 160...signal terminal; 180...object connector housing portion; 185...fitting portion; 187...first three-surface connecting portion; 189...second three-surface connecting portion; 200...object connector; 205...housing; 210...first end wall; 215...second end wall; 220...first side wall; 225...second side wall; 230...bottom wall; 235...central recess; 250...protective member; 255...power terminal; 260...signal terminal; 280...stuck portion; 305...end wall exposed portion; 310...held portion; 310-1...outer side held portion; 310-2...bent held portion; 310-3...stuck portion; 310-4...inner side held portion; 335...linking portion; 340...protrusion side surface protective portion; 345...protrusion upper surface protective portion; 405...side wall linking portion; 410...side wall held portion; 415...side wall fixed portion; 420...standing portion; 450...side surface portion; 450-1...protrusion end portion side surface protective portion; 450-2...protrusion end wall side surface protective portion; 450-3...protrusion end side wall side surface protective portion; 455...transition portion; 455-1...protrusion end portion transition portion; 455-2...protrusion end wall transition portion; 455-3...protrusion end side wall transition portion; 460...housing space; 540...protrusion side surface protective portion; 545...protrusion upper surface protective portion; 550...side surface portion; 555...transition portion; 560...housing space; 580...inner side wall of end side portion; 605...central portion; 610...first end side portion; 615...second end side portion; 740...protrusion side surface protective portion; 750...side surface portion; 755...transition portion; 760...terminal linking portion; 940...protrusion side surface protective portion; 950...side surface portion; 955...transition portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] [SUMMARY]

[0049] Figure 1a FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the connector 100 as viewed from above. Figure 1b FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the connector 100 as viewed from below. Figure 1c FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the connector 100 as viewed from the side. Figure 1aA perspective view of only the housing 105 in the connector 100 as viewed from above. The connector 100 includes the housing 105 formed using an insulating member such as a resin, the protection member 150, the power supply terminal 155, and the signal terminal 160. The housing 105 has a first end wall 110 extending in the Y direction, a second end wall 115 extending parallel to the first end wall 110, a first side wall 120 continuous with the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 115, a second side wall 125 parallel to the first side wall 120 and continuous with the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 115, a bottom wall 130 (see Figure 1b ), and a central protrusion 135 formed like an island in the center.

[0050] The protection member 150 is a member held by being insert-molded in the housing 105, and is disposed around the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 115. The protection member 150 is preferably a material harder than the housing, and is more preferably a metal plate that can be subjected to bending processing, stretching processing, or the like. In one embodiment, the protection member 150 can also be an electrically conductive member.

[0051] The power supply terminal 155 and the signal terminal 160 are formed of an electrically conductive member. The power supply terminal 155 can be larger in width in the X direction than the signal terminal 160, and is used as a power supply larger in power than the signal terminal. The signal terminal 160 is disposed in two rows at the same pitch in the X direction. In other embodiments, the signal terminal 160 can also be one row or three or more rows, and the pitch width in the X direction can also be different. In other embodiments, the power supply terminal 155 and the signal terminal 160 can also be disposed at positions other than those shown.

[0052] The housing 105 has an object connector housing portion 180 formed like a groove with the bottom wall 130 as a bottom surface and between the central protrusion 135 and the first end wall 110, the second end wall 115, the first side wall 120, and the second side wall 125. The object connector housing portion 180 formed as a groove around the central protrusion 135 has a fitting portion 185 near the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 115. The fitting portion 185 is used to house an object connector, and fit the connector 100 and the object connector. The central protrusion 135 has an end surface covered by the protection member 150 at least at one end portion of both sides or one side. According to Figure 1a and Figure 1cIt is understood that each end face is formed by four walls or faces, which are constituted by a convex end wall 137 forming a face parallel to the YZ plane, a pair of convex end side walls 139 forming faces continuous with the convex end wall 137 and parallel to the XZ plane, and a convex end upper surface 142 forming a face continuous with the convex end wall 137 and parallel to the XY plane. The pair of convex end side walls 139 face each other at least at the end face of the central convex portion 135 covered by the protective member 150. The end of the central convex portion 135 in the housing 105 has a first three-face connecting portion (first corner portion) 187 formed by an end wall connecting portion 143 between the convex end wall 137 and the convex end upper surface 142, and a first side wall connecting portion 144 between one of the convex end side walls 139 and the convex end upper surface 142, a second three-face connecting portion (second corner portion) 189 formed by the end wall connecting portion 143, and a second side wall connecting portion 145 between the other of the convex end side walls 139 and the convex end upper surface 142, a first end wall side wall connecting portion 146 connecting the convex end wall 137 and one of the convex end side walls 139, and a second end wall side wall connecting portion 147 connecting the convex end wall 137 and the other of the convex end side walls 139. The first three-face connecting portion 187 and the second three-face connecting portion 189 of the convex end side walls 139 are one of the sites most likely to cause breakage when the connector 100 and the object connector 200 are fitted together due to the connectors colliding with each other. In addition, the first end wall side wall connecting portion 146 and the second end wall side wall connecting portion 147 are also one of the sites likely to cause breakage when the connector 100 and the object connector 200 are fitted together.

[0053] At least a portion of the protective member 150 faces the end face of the central convex portion 135. Preferably, at least a portion of the protective member 150 is in contact with the end face of the central convex portion 135. More preferably, at least a portion of the protective member 150 is in close contact with the end face of the central convex portion 135. By the protective member 150 being in contact with, facing, or in close contact with the end face of the central convex portion 135, the protective member 150 is held in the housing 105. In other embodiments, the protective member 150 can be held in the housing 105 by a combination of at least two or more of the protective member 150 facing the end face of the central convex portion 135, the protective member 150 being in contact with the end face, and the protective member 150 being in close contact with the end face.

[0054] According to Figure 1b It is understood that a portion of the protective member 150 is exposed on the back face of the bottom wall 130. In the case where the connector is made by insert molding, the face of the portion of the protective member 150 exposed can be substantially the same face as the face of the bottom wall 130.

[0055] Figure 1bThe signal terminals 160 and the power terminal 155 shown protruding from the housing are connected to a substrate (not shown) in the electronic device by soldering or the like.

[0056] Figure 2a A perspective view of the subject connector 200 as viewed from above is shown. Figure 2b A perspective view of the subject connector 200 as viewed from below is shown. The subject connector 200 includes a housing 205 formed using an insulating member such as resin, a protection member 250, a power terminal 255, and a signal terminal 260 in a manner corresponding to the connector 100. The housing 205 has a first end wall 210 extending in the Y direction, a second end wall 215 extending in parallel with the first end wall 210, a first side wall 220 continuous with the first end wall 210 and the second end wall 215, a second side wall 225 parallel with the first side wall 220 and continuous with the first end wall 210 and the second end wall 215, and a bottom wall 230 (see Figure 2b ). A central recessed portion 235 recessed in the center is formed by the first end wall 210, the second end wall 215, the first side wall 220, the second side wall 225, and the bottom wall 230. The protection member 250 of the subject connector 200 has an engaged portion 280 engaged with the engagement portion 310-3 of the connector described later. The engaged portion 280 is shaped to correspond to the engagement portion 310-3 and is formed by a recess or a hole in the protection member 250.

[0057] Referring to Figure 1a and Figure 3b , the central protrusion 135 of the connector becomes shaped to correspond to the central recessed portion 235 of the subject connector, and the connector 100 accommodates the subject connector 200. By fitting the connector 100 and the subject connector 200, the power terminal 155 and the signal terminal 160 of the connector 100 are connected to the power terminal 255 and the signal terminal 260 of the subject connector 200, respectively, thereby achieving electrical connection.

[0058] Figure 3a is a view of the connector 100 as viewed from above. Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100 taken along the line "A" shown in Figure 3a , as viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3a .

[0059] Referring to Figure 3bThe protection member 150 has an end wall exposed portion 305 exposed to the outside of the housing in the first end wall 110. The end wall exposed portion 305 can also protrude in the Z direction and be fixed to a substrate (not shown) by welding or the like as a fixing portion. The exposed portion 305 extends to the inside of the connector and is continuous with a curved substantially inverted U-shaped held portion 310. The held portion 310 has an outer held portion 310-1 extending in the Z direction from the exposed portion 305, a curved held portion 310-2 corresponding to the bottom of the U shape, a locking portion 310-3, and an inner held portion 310-4 extending in the -Z direction from the locking portion 310-3. The locking portion 310-3 locks the locked portion (see 280 of FIG. 2) of the object connector, so that the connector 100 and the object connector 200 are fixed. Figure 2b

[0060] The outer held portion 310-1 and the inner held portion 310-4 substantially face each other in the Z direction (on the YZ plane) by the curvature of the curved held portion 310-2. The inner held portion 310-4 is continuous with a link portion 335 disposed on the XY plane. The link portion 335 is continuous with a convex portion side surface protection portion 340. The convex portion side surface protection portion 340 is continuous with a convex portion upper surface protection portion 345. The convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 form a protection portion. In the embodiment of the present application, the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 or the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 do not have a connection site. It is preferable that the protection member 150 as a whole does not have a connection site. Therefore, as can be understood from FIG. 1, the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 can cover the first three-way connection portion 187 and the second three-way connection portion 189 of the end portion of the central convex portion 135 so as not to be seen from any of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. In other embodiments, the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 can be configured to cover only one of the first three-way connection portion 187 and the second three-way connection portion 189. In the present embodiment, the first three-way connection portion 187 and the second three-way connection portion 189 of the end portion of the central convex portion 135 are covered so as not to be seen by the protection member 150, and this does not mean that the first three-way connection portion 187 and the second three-way connection portion 189 are covered by a member other than the protection member 150. For example, a structure in which at least one of the first end wall 110, the second end wall 115, the first side wall 120, and the second side wall 125 of the housing 105 covers the first three-way connection portion 187 and the second three-way connection portion 189 so as not to be seen is different from the structure of the present application.

[0061] ​The protection member 150 on the second end wall 115 is disposed as a mirror image of the protection member 150 on the first end wall 110. In other embodiments, the protection member 150 may be disposed on only one of the first end wall 110 and the second end wall 115.

[0062] In this embodiment, the retained portion 310 is generally in an inverted U-shape. However, in other embodiments, the retained portion 310 may be in another shape, such as a generally inverted L-shape or a generally inverted J-shape, as long as the housing 105 can retain the retained portion 310. When the retained portion 310 is in an inverted L-shape or a generally inverted J-shape, the protective member 150 may be configured to lack the exposed end wall portion 305, lack the outer retained portion 310-1 and the exposed end wall portion 305, or lack a portion of the outer retained portion 310-1 and the exposed end wall portion 305.

[0063] In other embodiments, the protective member 150 may not include the locking portion 310 - 3 . In this case, the bent held portion 310 - 2 is directly connected to the inner held portion 310 - 4 .

[0064] [First embodiment]

[0065] A first embodiment of the protective member 150 that covers the end portion of the central convex portion 135 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . Figure 4a-4f The protective member 150 is shown as viewed from various angles.

[0066] exist Figure 4a In the embodiment, the end wall exposed portion 305 is continuous with the outer retained portion 310-1. By insert molding, a portion of the outer retained portion 310-1 (mainly the portion forming the XY plane and the YZ plane) is covered by the first end wall 110 (or the second end wall 115) (refer to FIG. Figure 1a The outer held portion 310-1 is continuous with the curved held portion 310-2, and the curved held portion 310-2 is curved along the upper surface of the first end wall 110 (or the second end wall 115). The curved held portion 310-2 is connected to the inner held portion 310-4 ( Figure 4b The Y-direction end portion of the outer retained portion 310-1 (the portion disposed near the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 125) is continuous with the side wall retained portion 410 via the side wall connecting portion 405 at the portion bent along the upper surface. The portion bent along the upper surface of the Y-direction end portion of the outer retained portion 310-1 and the side wall connecting portion 405 are not covered by the housing 105, and the side wall retained portion 410 is covered by the first side wall 120 (or the second side wall 125) (see Figure 1a). The protection member 150 is held to the housing 105 by at least a part of the outer side holding portion 310-1 and the side wall holding portion 410 being covered with the housing 105. The side wall holding portion 410 is continuous with a side wall fixing portion 415 that forms an XY plane at the bottom. The side wall fixing portion 415 can also be fixed to the substrate or the like by welding or other means. The connector 100 can be made by insert molding. In this case, the end wall exposure portion 305 and the bottom surface of the side wall fixing portion 415 or a part of the bottom surface are formed substantially in the same plane (substantially one plane) as the bottom surface of the housing 105. In other embodiments, the side wall connecting portion 405 and the side wall holding portion 410 can be configured as a group and not disposed at both the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 125 but only at one of the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 125.

[0067] In Figure 4b , the inner side holding portion 310-4 is continuous with the connecting portion 335. The inner side holding portion 310-4 and the connecting portion 335 are not covered with the housing and are exposed on the upper surface of the housing (see also Figure 1a and Figure 3a ). In other embodiments, the connecting portion 335 can be configured to be covered with the housing and exposed on the bottom surface of the housing (the surface shown as the upper surface in Figure 1b ), or covered with the housing but not exposed on the bottom surface of the housing.

[0068] In Figure 4a and 4b, the connecting portion 335 is continuous with the first end wall 110 (or the second end wall 115) side of the held portion 310 and the convex portion side protection portion 340. The convex portion side protection portion 340 has a side portion 450 and a transition portion 455. The side portion 450 of the convex portion side protection portion 340 covers at least a part of each of the convex portion end wall 137 and the pair of convex portion end side walls 139 in the central convex portion 135 of the housing 105. The side portion 450 can also be configured to curve at a portion where the object to be protected transitions from the convex portion end wall 137 to the pair of convex portion end side walls 139. That is, the side portion 450 is formed so that, although the portions that protect the convex portion end wall 137 and the pair of convex portion end side walls 139 are respectively parallel to the YZ plane and the XZ plane, the direction of the surface of the side portion 450 changes from the YZ plane to the XZ plane at the transition portion. Regarding the change in the direction of the surface, the curvature is an example, and the surface can also be bent at a right angle. The transition portion of the side portion 450 can protect the connection portion (the substantially right-angled portion where the YZ plane and the XZ plane intersect) that connects the convex portion end wall 137 and the pair of convex portion end side walls 139.

[0069] The transition portion 455 of the convex side protection portion 340 transitions the protection target of the housing 105 from the convex end wall 137 and the pair of convex end side walls 139 to the convex end top surface 142. Specifically, the transition portion 455 changes the shape of the convex side protection portion 340, which is a surface parallel to the YZ plane and the XZ plane, to the convex top surface protection portion 345, which is a surface parallel to the XY plane. The transition portion 455 of the convex side protection portion 340 protects the connection portion between the convex end wall 137 and the convex end top surface 142 (the portion where the YZ plane and the XY plane intersect at a substantially right angle, the end wall connection portion 143) and the connection portion between the pair of convex end side walls 139 and the convex end top surface 142 (the portion where the XZ plane and the XY plane intersect at a substantially right angle, the first and second side wall connection portions 144 and 145). Therefore, the transition portion 455 of the convex side protection portion 340 can protect the YZ plane, the XY plane, and the connection portion where the XZ plane is connected to the central convex portion 135 ( Figure 4a 455-1). The transition portion 455 is formed as a curved surface. According to the above structure, according to the various figures of FIG. 4 and Figure 1c It can be understood that the transition portion 455 includes a convex end transition portion 455-1, a convex end wall transition portion 455-2 and a convex end side wall transition portion 455-3. The convex end wall transition portion 455-2 of the transition portion 455 located on the convex end wall 137 side protects at least a portion of the end wall connection portion 143, the convex end side wall transition portion 455-3 of the transition portion 455 located on the convex end side wall 139 side protects at least a portion of the first and second side wall connection portions 144 and 145, and the convex end transition portion 455-1 of the transition portion 455 located at the corner protects at least a portion of the first three-sided connection portion 187 and the second three-sided connection portion 189. The convex side protection portion 450 includes a convex end side protection portion 450-1, a convex end wall side protection portion 450-2 and a convex end side wall side protection portion 450-3. The convex end wall side protection portion 450-2 of the convex side protection portion 450, which is located on the convex end wall 137 side, protects at least a portion of the convex end wall 137. The convex end side wall side protection portion 450-3 of the convex side protection portion 450, which is located on the convex end side wall 139 side, protects at least a portion of the convex end side wall 139. The convex end side protection portion 450-1 of the convex side protection portion 450, which is located at the corner, protects at least a portion of the first end wall side wall connection portion 146 and the second end wall side wall connection portion 147.

[0070] Reference Figure 4c , it can be seen from the upper side of the protective member 150 that the transition portion 455 of the convex side protection portion 340 and the convex upper surface protection portion 345 are formed to cover the upper surface of the convex end upper surface 142. Figure 4eAs viewed from the lower side, the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 are formed with a space that accommodates the end portion of the central convex portion 135, that is, an accommodation space 460. The transition portion 455 of the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 and the convex portion upper surface protection portion 345 cover at least a portion of the convex portion end upper surface 142 of the housing 105, protecting the end upper surface of the central convex portion of the housing 105.

[0071] Referring to Figure 1a , 4a , 4b, it is understood from the shape of the protection member 150 that the curved held portion 310-2 and the side wall connecting portion 405 protect the upper surfaces of the first end wall 110 or the second end wall 115 and the upper surfaces of the first side wall 120 and the second side wall 125 of the housing 105, respectively.

[0072] Referring to Figure 4b and Figure 4d , the connecting portion 335 is disposed at the bottom portion. The connecting portion 335 connects the held portion 310 and the convex portion side surface protection portion 340. In other embodiments, the connecting portion 335 can also be configured to connect the side wall held portion 410 and the convex portion side surface protection portion 340. In this case, the connecting portion 335 can also not be connected to the held portion 310. The bottom surface of the connecting portion 335 can also be configured to face, contact, or be in close contact with the housing.

[0073] Referring to Figure 4f , the connecting portion 335 has a standing portion 420 that is continuous with the first end wall 110 or the second end wall 115 side of the convex portion side surface protection portion 340 of the housing 105.

[0074] [Second Embodiment]

[0075] Embodiment two of the protection member 150 that covers the entire end portion side of the central convex portion 135 will be described using FIG. 5. Figure 5a-5g indicates the protection member 150 as viewed from various angles. Figure 6 indicates a connector of the second embodiment. Figure 5g is a cross-sectional view of a line connected by the letters “A” shown in Figure 5c , indicating the protection member 150 and the housing 105 as viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5c . Hereinafter, mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0076] Although the protection member 150 of the second embodiment is substantially the same shape as the protection member 150 of the first embodiment, the shape of the protection portion is different. Specifically, the protection portions 340, 345 of the first embodiment cover only the end portion side of the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105 (see FIG. 4), but the protection portions 540, 545 of the second embodiment cover the entire end portion. In the second embodiment, the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105 has a first end side portion 610 disposed near the first end wall 110, a second end side portion 615 disposed near the second end wall 115, and a central portion 605 disposed between the first end side portion 610 and the second end side portion 615 (see FIG. 5A). Figure 6 ) In the second embodiment, the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105 has a first end side portion 610 disposed near the first end wall 110, a second end side portion 615 disposed near the second end wall 115, and a central portion 605 disposed between the first end side portion 610 and the second end side portion 615 (see FIG. 5A). Figure 5g

[0077] The first end wall 110 (or the second end wall 115) side of the protrusion side protection portion 540 is continuous with the held portion 310. The side portion 550 of the protrusion side protection portion 540 covers the first end side portion 610 or the second end side portion 615 in the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105. As is clear from FIGS. 5d and 5e, the side portion 550 of the protrusion side protection portion 540 covers the two side surfaces (a pair of protrusion end side walls 139) on the XZ plane and the two end surfaces (one of the end surfaces is the protrusion end wall 137, and the other end surface is the face 580 facing the end surface of the central portion 605) on the YZ plane in the first end side portion 610 or the second end side portion 615. Figure 5a 5b Figure 5g

[0078] The side portion 550 can also be configured to cover the portions where the protection object transitions from the protrusion end wall 137 to the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 (the first and second end wall side wall connecting portions 146, 147) and from the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 to the face parallel to the protrusion end wall 137 (the face 580 facing the end surface of the central portion 605 in the first end side portion 610 or the second end side portion 615). Figure 5g ​​​​) The transition portion is curved. That is, the side surface portion 550 is formed so that, in the portion of the protection protrusion end wall 137, the pair of protrusion end side walls 139, and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137, each is parallel to the YZ plane and the XZ plane, but the direction of the surface of the side surface portion 550 changes from the YZ plane to the XZ plane in the transition portion. As to the change in the direction of the surface, the curve is exemplified, but it can also be a right angle. The transition portion of the side surface portion 550 can protect the connection portions (the first and second end wall side wall connection portions 146, 147) at which the protrusion end wall 137 and the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 are connected, and the connection portions (the connection portions at which the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137 intersect at substantially right angles between the YZ plane and the XZ plane) at which the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137 are connected. Figure 5g ) The transition portion is curved. That is, the side surface portion 550 is formed so that, in the portion of the protection protrusion end wall 137, the pair of protrusion end side walls 139, and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137, each is parallel to the YZ plane and the XZ plane, but the direction of the surface of the side surface portion 550 changes from the YZ plane to the XZ plane in the transition portion. As to the change in the direction of the surface, the curve is exemplified, but it can also be a right angle. The transition portion of the side surface portion 550 can protect the connection portions (the first and second end wall side wall connection portions 146, 147) at which the protrusion end wall 137 and the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 are connected, and the connection portions (the connection portions at which the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137 intersect at substantially right angles between the YZ plane and the XZ plane) at which the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the surface 580 parallel to the protrusion end wall 137 are connected.

[0079] Figure 5c As viewed from the upper side, the transition portion 555 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 540 and the protrusion upper surface protection portion 545 are formed so as to cover the upper surface of the protrusion end upper surface 142 of the housing 105. As viewed from the lower side, Figure 5e As viewed from the lower side, the protrusion side surface protection portion 540 and the protrusion upper surface protection portion 545 are formed with a housing space 560 that houses the end portion of the central protrusion 135, that is, the first end side portion 610 or the second end side portion 615. The transition portion 555 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 540 and the protrusion upper surface protection portion 545 cover the upper surface of the first end side portion 610 or the second end side portion 615 in the housing 105, and protect the upper surface of the end portion of the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105.

[0080] [Third Embodiment]

[0081] A third embodiment of the protection member 150 that covers the end portion side of the central protrusion 135, which also has a power terminal 155, will be described using FIG. 7. Figure 7a-7g indicates the protection member 150 as viewed from each angle. Figure 8 indicates the connector of the third embodiment. Figure 7g is a cross-sectional view of a line connected by the letters "A" shown in FIG. 7, and indicates the protection member 150 and the housing 105 as viewed from the arrow direction shown in FIG. 7. The protection member 150 of the third embodiment is formed in substantially the same shape as the protection member 150 of the first embodiment, but has a different shape of structure related to the power terminal 155. Hereinafter, mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the terminal that the protection member 150 has is described as a power terminal, but it can also be another terminal such as a signal terminal. Figure 7c Figure 7c indicates the protection member 150 as viewed from each angle.

[0082] indicates the connector of the third embodiment.​​Figure 7a 、 7b , 7d, the connecting portion 335 makes the held portion 310 continuous with the first end wall 110 (or second end wall 115) side of the convex side protection portion 740. The side portion 750 of the convex side protection portion 740 covers at least a portion of the convex end wall 137 of the central convex portion 135 of the housing 105 and each of the pair of convex end side walls 139 (at Figure 8 , the connecting portion between the convex end wall 137 and the pair of convex end side walls 139 (the first and second end wall side wall connecting portions 146, 147) is shown as having a portion not covered by the protective component 150. In other embodiments, the side surface portion 750 may also cover the entire connecting portion between the convex end wall 137 and the pair of convex end side walls 139 (the first and second end wall side wall connecting portions 146, 147), and / or the entire convex end wall 137 and the pair of convex end side walls 139, as in the first embodiment. The transition portion 755 of the convex side protection portion 740 transitions the protected object of the housing 105 (at least a portion of the end wall connecting portion 143 and at least a portion of the first and second side wall connecting portions 144, 145) from the convex end wall 137 and the pair of convex end side walls 139 to the convex end upper surface 142. The transition portion 755 of the convex side protection portion 740 is capable of protecting the connection portion between the convex end wall 137 of the shell 105 and the convex end upper surface 142 (the portion at a substantially right angle where the YZ plane and the XY plane intersect, at least a portion of the end wall connection portion 143), and the connection portion between a pair of convex end side walls 139 and the convex end upper surface 142 (the portion at a substantially right angle where the XZ plane and the XY plane intersect, at least a portion of the first and second side wall connection portions 144 and 145).

[0083] Reference Figure 7b 、 7c , 7d and 7e, the side surface portion 750 of the convex side protection portion 340 is continuous with the terminal connection portion 760 near the pair of convex end side walls 139 of the housing 105. The terminal connection portion 760 makes the surface of the side surface portion 750 transition from the XZ plane to the XY plane at the bottom surface of the housing 105, thereby forming the XY plane and extending in the Y direction, thereby connecting the side surface portion 750 to the power terminal 155. The surface of the terminal connection portion 760 facing the bottom surface of the housing 105 ( Figure 7d as well as Figure 7e 760-1) can be formed by being in close contact with, in contact with, facing the shell 105, or a combination of two or more thereof.

[0084] Reference Figure 7a 、 7bThe power terminal 155 has a substantially inverted U shape, and an XZ plane is formed on the connector outer side of the terminal connecting portion 760 and the connector inner side of the power terminal. The power terminal 155 includes a power terminal inner side held portion 155-1, a power terminal outer side held portion 155-3 facing the power terminal inner side held portion 155-1, a power terminal bent portion 155-2 connecting the power terminal inner side held portion 155-1 and the power terminal outer side held portion 155-3 and corresponding to the bottom of the U shape, and a power terminal contact portion 155-4 continuous with the bottom surface of the power terminal outer side held portion 155-3.

[0085] According to Figure 8 As is apparent from the above, in the power terminal inner side held portion 155-1, the connector inner side is exposed from the housing 105, and the connector outer side faces the housing 105. In the power terminal bent portion 155-2, the upper surface is exposed from the housing 105, and the bottom surface faces the housing 105. The power terminal outer side held portion 155-3 is covered by the housing 105. Therefore, by at least a portion of the power terminal inner side held portion 155-1, the power terminal bent portion 155-2, and the power terminal outer side held portion 155-3 being in close contact with, in contact with, or facing the first side wall 120 or the second side wall 125 of the housing, the protection member 150 is held to the housing 105. In other embodiments, the power terminal 155 can have a protruding portion on the connector inner side, or a locking portion. By the locking portion being locked with a non-locking portion (not shown) of a terminal of an object connector, the connector 100 and the object connector 200 can be more firmly fixed.

[0086] The connector 100 can be manufactured by insert molding. In this case, the bottom surface or a portion of the bottom surface of the power terminal inner side held portion 155-1, the power terminal outer side held portion 155-3, and the power terminal contact portion 155-4 is substantially formed on the same plane (substantially one plane) as the bottom surface of the housing 105.

[0087] In other embodiments, the protection member 150 can not be connected to the power terminal 155. In this case, the protection member 150 does not have at least the terminal connecting portion 760. Also, the protection member 150 can omit a portion or all of the portion of the side surface portion 750 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 340 connected to the terminal connecting portion 760. That is, a portion of the protection member 150 corresponding to a portion other than the first three-surface connecting portion 187 and the second three-surface connecting portion 189 of the housing 105, or a portion other than the substantially right-angled portion where the first three-surface connecting portion 187, the second three-surface connecting portion 189, the protrusion end wall 137, and the protrusion end upper surface 142 intersect, and the substantially right-angled portion where the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the protrusion end upper surface 142 intersect, can also be omitted.

[0088] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0089] A fourth embodiment of the protective member 150 that covers a portion of the upper surface of the end portion side of the central protrusion 135 will be described using FIG. 9. Figure 9a-9f The protective member 150 is shown as viewed from each angle. Figure 10 A connector of the fourth embodiment is shown. The protective member 150 of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same shape as the protective member 150 of the first embodiment, but the shape of the protective member 150 that covers a portion of the upper surface of the end portion side is different. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0090] The protective member 150 of the embodiment of the present application has at least a protrusion side surface protection portion 940. In other embodiments, the protective member 150 can be configured to have Figure 4a a portion of the protrusion upper surface protection portion 345 shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the protective member 150 partially covers the upper surface of the end portion side of the central protrusion 135. The side portion 950 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 940 covers at least a portion of each of the protrusion end wall 137 and the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 in the central protrusion 135 of the housing 105, and at least a portion of the first and second end wall side wall connection portions 146, 147. The transition portion 455 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 340 transitions the protection object of the housing 105 from the protrusion end wall 137 and the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 to the protrusion end upper surface 142. That is, the shape of the protrusion side surface protection portion 940, which is a surface parallel to the YZ plane and the XZ plane, is changed to be continuous with the protrusion upper surface 142, which is a surface parallel to the XY plane. The transition portion 955 of the protrusion side surface protection portion 940 can protect the connection portions where the protrusion end wall 137 and the protrusion end upper surface 142 are connected (a substantially right-angled portion where the YZ plane and the XY plane intersect, the end wall connection portion 143), and the pair of protrusion end side walls 139 and the protrusion end upper surface 142 are connected (a substantially right-angled portion where the XZ plane and the XY plane intersect, the first and second side wall connection portions 144, 145) in the housing 105 (refer to FIG. 9). Figure 10

[0091] [Others]

[0092] ​In each of the above-described embodiments, the protection member 150 can cover the three-surface connection portions (corners) of the convex end wall 137 and the convex end upper surface 142, and the pair of convex end side walls 139, that is, the three-surface connection portion 187, 189 (corresponding to the portion of 455-1 in FIG. 1, Figure 4a In the fitting of the connector 100 and the object connector, this three-surface connection portion is the most heavily loaded portion and is the most important portion to be protected. In each of the embodiments of the present application, because the side surface portion and the transition portion of the convex side surface protection portion of the protection member 150 cover this three-surface connection portion of the housing, this three-surface connection portion is properly protected. The convex side surface protection portion of the protection member 150 can cover and protect the connection portion (end wall connection portion 143) of the convex end wall 137 and the convex end upper surface 142, and the connection portions (first and second side wall connection portions 144, 145) of the pair of convex end side walls 139 and the convex end upper surface 142 because it has a side surface portion and a transition portion. Also, in the embodiments of the present application that use a convex upper surface protection portion, the protection member 150 can protect the convex end upper surface 142 of the housing because it covers this upper surface.

[0093] The structures of the second, third, and fourth embodiments can be the same as the structure of the first embodiment, for example, the side surface portions 550, 750, 950 have the convex end portion transition portion 455-1, the convex end wall transition portion 455-2, and the convex end side wall transition portion 455-3, and the transition portions 555, 755, 955 have the convex end portion side surface protection portion 450-1, the convex end wall side surface protection portion 450-2, and the convex end side wall side surface protection portion 450-3.

[0094] In each of the above-described embodiments, the side wall connecting portion 405 connects the held portion 310 and the side wall held portion 410 along the upper surface of the housing, but can be configured to connect the held portion 310 and the side wall held portion 410 along the bottom surface of the housing. In this case, the side wall connecting portion 405 can be exposed on the upper surface of the housing bottom surface or on the back surface of the housing bottom surface, like the connecting portion 335.

[0095] The "connector width direction", "connector depth direction", and "connector height direction" described in the claims correspond to the "X" direction, "Y" direction, and "Z" direction described in the specification.

[0096] In the above-described embodiments, the connector is formed by integral molding using the insulating member and the conductive member that forms the terminal, but can be formed by other methods such as press-in.

[0097] In the above-described embodiments, the connector is formed by integral molding using at least the insulating member and the conductive member that forms the terminal, but can be formed by integral molding including other members as long as a person skilled in the art can understand.

[0098] In the above-described embodiments, the bottom surface of the connector is shown as a substantially rectangular shape, but this is an example, and can be a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, or other shapes. The connector assembly is formed in a shape suitable for an electronic device that uses the connector assembly.

[0099] In the above-described embodiments, the connector assembly can be configured by fitting the connector with the object connector. The connector assembly can be used for an electronic device in which the substrate is mounted by being connected with the substrate.

[0100] In the above-described embodiments, the protective member 150 covers the first connecting portion between the first protrusion end side wall 139 and the protrusion end upper surface 142, and the second connecting portion between the second protrusion end side wall 139 facing the first protrusion end side wall 139 and the protrusion end upper surface 142, but as another embodiment, the protective member 150 can cover only one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. In the case where the protective member 150 covers only one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the protective member 150 can be configured to cover only one of the first protrusion end side wall 139 and the second protrusion end side wall 139.

[0101] In the above-described embodiments, the protective member 150 is formed by bending processing, press processing, or the like. In the press processing, drawing processing is particularly preferable. It is known that drawing processing can simply produce a molded product without a connecting portion. Therefore, by drawing processing or other processing means that do not produce a connecting portion, a protective member having a protrusion side surface protection portion without a connecting portion, or a protective member having a protrusion side surface protection portion without a connecting portion and a protrusion upper surface protection portion without a connecting portion is provided.

[0102] As for each of the above-described embodiments, a part or all of each of the embodiments can be combined to realize one embodiment.

[0103] The configuration and arrangement of the elements of each of the above-described embodiments are examples. Many modifications can be made to each of the embodiments by a person skilled in the art. For example, changes in the size, dimensions, configuration, shape, and ratio of various elements, the value of parameters, the arrangement of mounting, the use of materials, color, direction, and the like are examples.

[0104] The above-described embodiments are examples for illustrating the present application, and the present application is not limited to these embodiments. The present application can be implemented in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.

Claims

1. A protection member for protecting a connector, wherein, The connector has a housing having a central protrusion including at least a protrusion end wall having a surface formed in a connector depth direction and a connector height direction, a first protrusion end side wall having a surface formed in a connector width direction and the connector height direction, a second protrusion end side wall parallel to the first protrusion end side wall, and a protrusion end upper surface having a surface formed in the connector width direction and the connector depth direction, connected to the protrusion end wall, the first protrusion end side wall, and the second protrusion end side wall, The protection member is characterized in that, The protrusion side protection portion has a side portion and a transition portion continuous with the side portion, The side portion covers at least a portion of the protrusion end wall and at least a portion of one or both of the first protrusion end side wall and the second protrusion end side wall, The transition portion covers at least one of a first three-way connection portion and a second three-way connection portion, wherein The first three-way connection portion is formed by an end wall connection portion between the protrusion end wall and the protrusion end upper surface, and a first side wall connection portion between the first protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface, The second three-way connection portion is formed by the end wall connection portion, and a second side wall connection portion between the second protrusion end side wall and the protrusion end upper surface.

2. The protection member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition portion of the protection member has a protrusion end wall transition portion covering at least a portion of the end wall connection portion of the housing, The side portion of the protection member has: a first protrusion end portion side protection portion covering at least a portion of a first end wall side wall connection portion of the housing connecting the protrusion end wall and the first protrusion end side wall; and a second protrusion end portion side protection portion covering at least a portion of a second end wall side wall connection portion of the housing connecting the protrusion end wall and the second protrusion end side wall.

3. The protection member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transition portion of the protection member has: a first protrusion end side wall transition portion covering at least a portion of the first side wall connection portion; and a second protrusion end side wall transition portion covering at least a portion of the second side wall connection portion.

4. The protection member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a protrusion upper surface protection portion continuous with the transition portion of the protrusion side protection portion is further provided, the protrusion upper surface protection portion covers at least a portion of the protrusion end upper surface, the protrusion side protection portion and the protrusion upper surface protection portion do not have a connection site.

5. The protection member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the central protrusion has an end side portion, the end side portion has the protrusion end wall, the first protrusion end side wall, the second protrusion end side wall, the protrusion end upper surface, and an inner side wall parallel to the protrusion end wall, the inner side wall being continuous with the first protrusion end side wall, the second protrusion end side wall, and the protrusion end upper surface, ​ The side portion of the convex portion side protection portion also covers at least a portion of the inner side wall and is continuous with the transition portion.

6. The protection member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Further having a terminal connecting portion continuous with the convex portion side protection portion, and a terminal continuous with the terminal connecting portion.

7. A connector characterized by, Possessing the protection member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the housing, The housing further has a first end wall, a second end wall parallel to the first end wall, a first side wall continuous with the first end wall and the second end wall, and a second side wall parallel to the first side wall and continuous with the first end wall and the second end wall, Between the first end wall and the central convex portion, between the second end wall and the central convex portion, between the first side wall and the central convex portion, and between the second side wall and the central convex portion, a groove is formed, The protection member possesses: A held portion held to the first end wall; A connecting portion connecting the convex portion side protection portion and the held portion on the first end wall side; A side wall held portion held to the first side wall; and A side wall connecting portion connecting the held portion and the side wall held portion, The protection member is insert-molded in the housing.

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