Connector structure

Abstract

A connector structure includes a circuit board and a connector configured to be mounted on the circuit board. The connector includes a fixing member configured to be mounted to a side surface of the connector, extend toward the circuit board, and be soldered to the circuit board. The connector is configured such that at least a portion of a fillet generated by soldering the fixing member is accommodated in a gap portion defined between a mounting surface of the circuit board and a corner of the connector formed by a bottom surface and a side surface of the connector, the bottom surface facing the mounting surface of the circuit board. The gap portion is exposed outside the connector in a direction in which the corner extends.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector structure in which the connector is mounted on a circuit board. Background Technology

[0002] In existing connector structures, when a circuit board mount type connector is mounted on a circuit board, the fasteners (so-called hooks) that are mounted to the connector are soldered to the circuit board (see, for example, JP2010-055881A).

[0003] In the connector structure of the prior art described above, a plate-shaped fastener (hook) is mounted to the connector, extending along the side surface of the connector. Therefore, when the fastener is soldered to the circuit board, the fillet weld formed along the outer surface of the fastener can be easily visually identified from the outside of the connector, while the fillet weld formed along the inner surface of the fastener (i.e., the surface facing the connector) is difficult to visually identify from the outside. Thus, when a fillet weld of appropriate shape is formed on the outer surface of the fastener and a fillet weld of appropriate shape is not formed on the inner surface of the fastener, it is difficult to detect defects in fillet weld formation on only one side. Since defects in fillet weld formation can impair the bonding strength between the connector and the circuit board (i.e., the retaining force between the connector and the circuit board), it is desirable to prevent this problem as much as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The illustrative aspect of this disclosure provides a connector structure that allows for easy verification of whether the connector is properly secured to the circuit board.

[0005] According to an illustrative aspect of the subject matter of this disclosure, a connector structure includes: a circuit board and a connector configured to be mounted on the circuit board. The connector includes a retainer configured to be mounted to a side surface of the connector, extending toward the circuit board, and soldered to the circuit board. The connector is configured such that at least a portion of a fillet weld created by soldering the retainer is accommodated in a gap defined between a mounting surface of the circuit board and a corner portion of the connector formed by a bottom surface and a side surface of the connector, the bottom surface facing the mounting surface of the circuit board. The gap portion is exposed to the outside of the connector in a direction extending along the corner portion.

[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the subject matter of this disclosure will be set forth in the following description, drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a connector structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 It shows the mating connector and Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of the connector structure in a separated state.

[0009] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector shown.

[0010] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the mating connectors shown.

[0011] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0012] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section A. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Hereinafter, a connector structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, connector structure 1 includes a circuit board 2, a connector 3 mounted on the circuit board 2, and a mating connector 4 capable of engaging with the connector 3. The connector 3 mounted on the circuit board 2 is typically housed and used in devices installed on vehicles.

[0014] For ease of description, the following is as follows: Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the "front-to-back direction," "width direction," and "vertical direction" are defined. These directions are orthogonal to each other. The front-to-back direction coincides with the mating direction of connector 3 and mating connector 4. In each of connector 3 and mating connector 4, the front side of the mating is defined as the front side, and the rear side is defined as the rear side (see...). Figure 1 The connectors 3 and 4 that constitute connector structure 1 will be described in sequence below.

[0015] First, connector 3 will be described. Connector 3 includes a housing 10, a plurality of (four) terminals (male terminals) 20 fixed on the housing 10, and a pair of fasteners (hooks) 30 for securing the housing 10 to the circuit board 2.

[0016] Shell 10 is a resin molded article, and as Figures 2 to 5 As shown, it integrally includes a generally rectangular flat plate-shaped terminal holding portion 11 extending in both the width and vertical directions (see figure). Figure 5 ), and a generally rectangular tubular cover portion 12 extending forward from the outer edge of the terminal holding portion 11. The mating housing 40 of the mating connector 4 (see...) Figure 1 Insert and fit into the internal gap 13 of the cover 12 (see) Figure 4(etc.)

[0017] In the terminal holding part 11, a pair of pressing fitting holes 14A (see) extending in the front-rear direction are provided. Figure 5 A pair of pressing engagement holes 14B are configured to be arranged side-by-side at intervals in the width direction in the upper region of the terminal holding portion 11 and to extend through in the front-back direction (see...). Figure 5 The terminals 20A are arranged side-by-side at intervals along the width direction in the lower region of the terminal holding portion 11. (See...) Figure 2 ) are pressed into a pair of upper pressing fitting holes 14A, and a pair of lower terminals 20B (see Figure 2 It is pressed into a pair of pressing fitting holes 14B.

[0018] The locking part 15 is provided on the inner surface (lower surface) of the front end of the upper wall of the cover part 12 in the width direction (see...). Figure 5 When connector 3 and mating connector 4 are connected to each other, locking part 15 engages with locking arm 45 of mating housing 40 (see...). Figure 1 (described later) engagement to maintain the mating state between connector 3 and mating connector 4 (see...) Figure 1 ).

[0019] A pair of slits 16 are provided in each of the outer surfaces (outer surfaces in the width direction) of the two side walls of the cover 12, thus being arranged side by side at intervals in the front-back direction. The pair of slits 16 open to each other in the front-back direction and extend in the vertical direction. A fastener 30 is inserted into and secured to the pair of slits 16.

[0020] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, a pair of corners between a pair of side surfaces and a lower surface (bottom surface) in the width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the generally rectangular tubular cover 12 (shell 10) are chamfered over the entire area in the front-rear direction, so that the tapered surface (inclined surface) 17 is formed to extend over the entire area in the front-rear direction.

[0021] Next, the multiple terminals 20 will be described. The multiple (four) terminals 20 include two upper terminals 20A and two lower terminals 20B (see... Figure 2 (etc.). Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the upper terminal 20A and the lower terminal 20B, each of the upper terminal 20A and the lower terminal 20B will be simply referred to as terminal 20.

[0022] Terminal 20 is formed by stamping, bending, or other processes on a flat metal sheet. For example... Figure 2 As shown, terminal 20 includes a flat connecting portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a hanging portion 22 extending downward from the rear end of the connecting portion 21, and generally has an L-shape (viewed in the width direction). Figure 2It can be seen that the connecting portion 21 of the upper terminal 20A is longer than the connecting portion 21 of the lower terminal 20B, and the suspension portion 22 of the upper terminal 20A is longer than the suspension portion 22 of the lower terminal 20B. A pair of downwardly protruding connecting pins 23 (see...) Figure 2 The connection pins 23 are formed at the lower end of the suspension portion 22 of the terminal 20, and are arranged side by side at intervals along the width direction. Each connection pin 23 is inserted into the connection pin hole 2a of the circuit board 2 (see...). Figure 3 ).

[0023] A pair of upper terminals 20A are secured to the housing 10 by inserting a pair of connecting portions 21 from the rear side and pressing them into a pair of upper pressing fitting holes 14A of the housing 10. A pair of lower terminals 20B are secured to the housing 10 by inserting a pair of connecting portions 21 from the rear side and pressing them into a pair of lower pressing fitting holes 14B of the housing 10 (see...). Figure 5 ).

[0024] When multiple (four) terminals 20 are fixed to the housing 10, the distal ends of the connecting portions 21 of the multiple (four) terminals 20 are positioned such that two in the width direction and two in the vertical direction are arranged in the internal gap 13 of the cover portion 12 (see...). Figure 5 The connection pins 23 of the plurality of (four) terminals 20 are positioned such that the four connection pins 23 are arranged along the width direction at each of the two positions in the front-rear direction (see...). Figure 1 , Figure 4 (etc.). The distal end (lower end) of the connecting pin 23 is positioned below the lower end surface of the housing 10 (cover 12) (see...). Figure 3 and Figure 5 ).

[0025] Next, a pair of fasteners 30 will be described. The fasteners 30 are formed by stamping or other processes on a flat sheet of metal. For example... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the fastener 30 includes a flat body portion 31 (see...) Figure 2 And a plurality of (three) fixed pins 32 extending downward from the lower edge of the main body 31. Each fixed pin 32 is inserted into a fixed pin hole 2b of the circuit board 2 (see Figure 3 ).

[0026] Each of the pair of fasteners 30 is secured to the housing 10 by inserting and pressing the two side edges of the main body 31 from the top into a pair of slits 16 provided in each of the two side walls in the width direction of the housing 10. With the fasteners 30 secured to the housing 10, the plurality (three) fixing pins 32 of each fastener 30 are positioned in a front-rear direction. The distal end (lower end) of each fixing pin 32 is located below the lower end surface of the housing 10 (cover 12) (see...). Figure 3 and Figure 5 ).like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the width direction, the fixed pin 32 is positioned within the width direction region occupied by the tapered surface 17. The connector 3 has been described above.

[0027] Next, the installation of connector 3 on circuit board 2 will be described. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the circuit board 2 has a plurality of (eight) connection pin holes 2a corresponding to the connection pins 23 of the plurality of (four) terminals 20 fixed to the housing 10, such that the four connection pin holes 2a are arranged along the width direction at each of the two positions in the front-back direction. The circuit board 2 has a plurality of (two) fixing pin holes 2b corresponding to the fixing pins 32 of the pair of fixing members 30 fixed to the housing 10, each having an elongated hole shape extending along the front-back direction at each of the two positions in the width direction. Connection pads (not shown) are provided at the periphery of each connection pin hole 2a, and fixing pads (not shown) are provided at the periphery of each fixing pin hole 2b. Each connection pad constitutes part of a conductive circuit provided on the circuit board 2.

[0028] When connector 3 is mounted on circuit board 2, solder paste is first applied to the surface (upper surface) of circuit board 2 to cover the connection pin holes 2a and the fixing pin holes 2b. Next, connector 3 is positioned above circuit board 2. Then, connector 3 and circuit board 2 are brought closer together vertically until the lower surface of housing 10 abuts against the surface (upper surface) of circuit board 2, such that connection pins 23 are inserted into the corresponding connection pin holes 2a of circuit board 2, and fixing pins 32 are inserted into the corresponding fixing pin holes 2b of circuit board 2.

[0029] Next, a reflow process is performed on the solder. Specifically, the solder paste on circuit board 2 is heated and melted using a predetermined heating device. After the reflow process, the molten solder is solidified, thereby fixing and electrically connecting the connection pads and connection pins 23 to each other via the solder, and fixing the fixing pads and fixing pins 32 to each other via the solder. When the molten solder is solidified, a fillet weld H that bulges to cover the entire outer periphery of the connection pin 23 is formed near the upper and lower opening edges of the connection pin hole 2a, and a fillet weld H that bulges to cover the entire outer periphery of the fixing pin 32 is formed near the upper and lower opening edges of the fixing pin hole 2b (see...). Figure 1 , Figures 4 to 6 Therefore, the installation of connector 3 on circuit board 2 is complete.

[0030] When connector 3 is fully installed on circuit board 2, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 (in particular, Figure 6As shown, a gap S extending in the front-rear direction is defined between the tapered surface 17 of the housing 10 and the surface (mounting surface) of the circuit board 2. In other words, the gap S defined between the tapered surface 17 and the surface (mounting surface) of the circuit board 2 opens outward toward the connector 3 in the front-rear direction. A portion of the fillet weld H formed around the fixing pin 32 near the upper opening edge of the fixing pin hole 2b (i.e., the fillet weld portion formed on the inner surface of the fixing member 30) is accommodated in the gap S. The fillet weld H is formed on the inner side in the width direction and the outer side in the width direction of the fixing pin 32. As described above, the overall shape of the fillet weld H accommodated in the gap S can be easily confirmed from the front or rear side by visual observation, image processing, etc.

[0031] For example, it is possible that the fillet weld H is properly formed on the inner side of the fixed pin 32 along the width direction, but not properly formed on the outer side of the fixed pin 32 along the width direction; or it is possible that the fillet weld H is properly formed on the outer side of the fixed pin 32 along the width direction, but not properly formed on the inner side of the fixed pin 32 along the width direction. When the fillet weld H cannot be properly formed integrally as described, there is a possibility that the fixing strength between the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 cannot be properly ensured. In this embodiment, by checking the overall shape of the fillet weld H accommodated in the gap S from the front or rear side, the problem of the fillet weld H not being properly formed integrally can be easily discovered. Furthermore, since the fillet weld H is accommodated in the gap S, the corner of the connector 3 and the fillet weld H interfere with each other, thereby preventing the connector 3 from being installed in an inclined state relative to the mounting surface of the circuit board 2.

[0032] Next, the mating connector 4 will be described. The mating connector 4 includes a mating housing 40 and a plurality of (four) terminals (female terminals) 50 housed in the mating housing 40.

[0033] The mating shell 40 is a resin molded product, and as... Figure 1 As shown, it has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-to-back direction. Inside the mating housing 40, a plurality of (four) terminal receiving chambers 41 extending in the front-to-back direction are configured to correspond to a plurality of (four) terminals 20 of the connector 3, such that two terminal receiving chambers 41 are arranged in the width direction and two terminal receiving chambers 41 are arranged in the vertical direction (see...). Figure 1 ).

[0034] Terminals 50, connected to wires (not shown), are inserted from the rear and housed in each terminal housing 41 (see [link]). Figure 1A spring sheet (not shown) is located at the distal end of the terminal (female terminal) 50. When the connector 3 and the mating connector 4 are engaged, the distal end of the connecting portion 21 of the terminal (male terminal) 20 of the connector 3 is pressed and contacts the spring sheet. A locking arm 45 is located at the center of the upper surface of the mating housing 40 in the width direction.

[0035] Next, the engagement between connector 3 and mating connector 4 will be described. To engage connector 3 and mating connector 4, firstly, connector 3 and mating connector 4 are positioned such that their front end surfaces face each other in the front-rear direction. Next, connector 3 and mating connector 4 are brought closer together in the front-rear direction until the locking arm 45 of mating housing 40 engages with the locking portion 15 of housing 10, thereby inserting mating housing 40 into the internal gap 13 of housing 10, and inserting the connecting portions 21 of the plurality of terminals 20 into the plurality of terminals 50. When the engagement between connector 3 and mating connector 4 is completed, the following is obtained: Figure 1 Connector structure 1 is shown.

[0036] When connector 3 and mating connector 4 are fully engaged, such as Figure 1 As shown, the locking arm 45 engages with the locking part 15 to maintain the mating state. In the mating state, the distal end of the connecting part 21 of the male terminal 20 of the connector 3 contacts the spring sheet of the female terminal 50 of the mating connector 4. Therefore, the terminal 20 (i.e., the circuit board 2 connected to the terminal 20) and the terminal 50 (i.e., the wire connected to the terminal 50) are electrically connected to each other.

[0037] <Functions and Effects>

[0038] As described above, in the connector structure 1 of this embodiment, the fastener 30 (e.g., a hook) is mounted to the side surface of the connector 3. Furthermore, the fillet weld H is accommodated in the gap S defined between the corner of the connector 3 (between the bottom and side surfaces) and the mounting surface of the circuit board 2. Since the gap S opens outwards towards the connector 3 in the direction extending from the corner, the shape of the fillet weld H accommodated in the gap S can be easily confirmed by visual observation, image processing, etc. Therefore, the connector structure 1 of this embodiment allows for easy confirmation of whether the connector 3 is properly secured to the circuit board 2. The interference between the corner of the connector 3 and the fillet weld H also prevents the connector 3 from being mounted in an inclined state relative to the mounting surface.

[0039] Furthermore, by chamfering the corners of connector 3 (forming a tapered surface 17), a gap S for accommodating the fillet weld H is defined. Because the corners are chamfered, the fillet weld H along the extension direction (front-back direction) of the corners can be easily identified.

[0040] While the subject matter of this disclosure has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art will understand that various improvements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject matter of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the corner between the side surface and the lower surface of the outer peripheral surface of the shell 10 is chamfered over the entire area in the front-rear direction (forming a tapered surface 17), thereby defining the gap S extending in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, a groove or the like with a shape different from the tapered surface 17 may be formed at the corner between the side surface and the lower surface of the outer peripheral surface of the shell 10.

[0042] In this case, the fillet weld H formed around the fixed pin 32 is implemented as a groove or the like that accommodated in the upper opening edge of the fixed pin hole 2b.

[0043] According to an aspect of the above embodiment, a connector structure (1) includes: a circuit board (2) and a connector (3) configured to be mounted on the circuit board (2). The connector (3) includes a retainer (30) configured to be mounted to a side surface of the connector (3), extending toward the circuit board (2), and soldered to the circuit board (2). The connector (3) is configured such that at least a portion of a fillet weld (H) formed by soldering the retainer (30) is accommodated in a gap (S) defined between a mounting surface of the circuit board (2) and a corner of the connector (3) formed by a bottom surface and a side surface of the connector (3), the bottom surface facing the mounting surface of the circuit board (2). The gap (S) is exposed to the outside of the connector (3) in a direction extending along the corner.

[0044] According to the connector structure having the configuration described above, at least a portion of the fillet weld (e.g., a fillet weld portion formed on the inner surface of the fastener) formed on the side surface of the connector is accommodated in a gap defined between the corner of the connector and the mounting surface of the circuit board. Since the gap extends towards the external opening of the connector along the direction of the corner, the shape of the fillet weld accommodated in the gap can be easily confirmed by visual observation, image processing, etc. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is easy to confirm whether the connector is properly secured to the circuit board. The interference between the corner of the connector and the fillet weld also prevents the connector from being mounted in an inclined state relative to the mounting surface.

[0045] The corners can be chamfered.

[0046] With this construction, by chamfering the corners of the connector, a gap can be formed to accommodate the fillet weld. Because the corners are chamfered, the fillet weld along the direction extending from the corner (e.g., along the mounting surface of the circuit board) is easily identified.

Claims

1. A connector structure, comprising: A circuit board and a connector configured to be mounted on the circuit board. The connector includes a retaining member configured to be mounted to a side surface of the connector, extending toward the circuit board, and soldered to the circuit board. The connector is configured such that at least a portion of the fillet weld produced by welding the fastener is accommodated in a gap defined between the mounting surface of the circuit board and a corner of the connector formed by the bottom surface and side surfaces of the connector, the bottom surface facing the mounting surface of the circuit board. The gap portion is exposed to the outside of the connector in the direction extending along the corner portion; Wherein, the corner portion is chamfered over the entire area along the mating direction of the connector, such that a tapered surface is formed over the entire area of ​​the corner portion along the mating direction; The fastener has a plurality of fixed pins arranged along the mating direction, the circuit board has an elongated fixed pin hole extending along the mating direction, and the connector is soldered while the plurality of fixed pins are inserted into the fixed pin hole together. Wherein, in the width direction orthogonal to the mating direction, the fixed pin is located within the area in the width direction occupied by the tapered surface, and the fillet weld is formed on the inner side and the outer side of the fixed pin in the width direction.

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