Fixing member and substrate connector

Abstract

Provided is a fixing member that can reduce the material cost of the fixing member. The fixing member (40) has a housing mounting portion (60) that is mounted to a housing (20), and a substrate locking portion (70) that protrudes from the housing mounting portion (60) and is locked to a circuit substrate (12). The substrate locking portion (70) has a spring portion (71) that is configured by bending a protruding portion of the substrate locking portion (70) in a width direction that intersects with a protruding direction of the housing mounting portion (60), and a substrate contact portion (72) that is disposed on a top end side of the substrate locking portion (70) in the protruding direction and contacts the circuit substrate. The spring portion (71) is disposed on an inner side of the width direction with respect to both end portions (60A) of the housing mounting portion (60) on an outer side of the width direction in a deployed state of the spring portion (71).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors for fixing components and substrates. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector fixing part for fixing a connector to a circuit board. The connector fixing part is manufactured by stamping a metal sheet.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a connector fixing member that is flat and includes: a press-in stop portion that contacts an insulator; a fixing spring portion that serves as a leg for fixing the connector to an assembly object; and a bending tab that forms a branch portion extending in the same direction as the leg portion. After the fixing member is inserted into the receiving portion of the insulator, the free end of the branch portion is bent to form a bending portion, and the receiving portion is held between the bending portion and the press-in stop portion.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a connector assembly component comprising: a stop portion, the width of which is larger than the mounting hole of the insulator; a press-in portion, which is inserted into the mounting hole; and a pair of spring strips extending downward from the press-in portion. The pair of spring strips are bent into a U-shape that is opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the plate.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-296369

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-285654

[0009] Patent Document 3: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-12169 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] In the fixing members disclosed in Patent Documents 1-3, a spring portion is included that is fixed to a circuit board. As a countermeasure against deformation when the fixing member is inserted into the circuit board, it is desirable to increase the restoring force of the spring portion. For example, it is considered to extend the spring portion in the width direction to increase the spring length. However, in such a structure, the fixing member becomes larger in the width direction, increasing material costs.

[0012] Therefore, this disclosure provides a technique that can reduce the material cost of fixing components.

[0013] Solution for solving the problem

[0014] The fixing component disclosed herein has:

[0015] Housing mounting part, installed on the housing; and

[0016] The substrate locking portion protrudes from the housing mounting portion and locks onto the circuit board.

[0017] The substrate locking portion includes:

[0018] The spring portion capable of elastic deformation is formed by bending the protruding portion of the base plate locking portion in the width direction that intersects the protruding direction from the housing mounting portion; and

[0019] The substrate contact portion is disposed at the top end side in the protruding direction, which is closer to the spring portion, and contacts the circuit board.

[0020] The spring portion, in its unfolded state, is positioned at both ends, which are located on the inner side of the width direction, relative to the outer side of the housing mounting portion in the width direction.

[0021] The connector for the substrate disclosed herein

[0022] It has the fixing member and the housing.

[0023] The housing has a support portion that supports the fixed member.

[0024] The support portion has a thickness in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion when the fixing member is assembled.

[0025] The spring portion is disposed within the thickness range of the support portion in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion.

[0026] Invention Effects

[0027] According to this disclosure, the material cost of fixing components can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view from the front showing the state in which the connector for the substrate of Embodiment 1 is fixed to the circuit board.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view from the rear, showing the state in which the connector for the substrate is fixed to the circuit board.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the state in which the connector for the substrate is fixed to the circuit board.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a right view showing the state in which the connector for the substrate is fixed to the circuit board.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a right view showing the state of the fixing member being installed on the connector for the substrate.

[0033] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 An enlarged view showing the fixed components and their surroundings.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the fixed member and its surroundings enlarged, with the fixed member mounted on the connector for the substrate.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the fixing component of Embodiment 1.

[0036] Figure 9 From and Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the fixed component viewed from the opposite side.

[0037] Figure 10 This is the front view of the fixed component.

[0038] Figure 11 This is a side view of the fixed component.

[0039] Figure 12 This is a front view showing the unfolded state of the fixed components. Detailed Implementation

[0040] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0041] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described and illustrated.

[0042] The fixing components disclosed herein,

[0043] (1) Has:

[0044] Housing mounting part, installed on the housing; and

[0045] The substrate locking portion protrudes from the housing mounting portion and locks onto the circuit board.

[0046] The substrate locking portion includes:

[0047] The spring portion capable of elastic deformation is formed by bending the protruding portion of the base plate locking portion in the width direction that intersects the protruding direction from the housing mounting portion; and

[0048] The substrate contact portion is disposed at the top end side in the protruding direction, which is closer to the spring portion, and contacts the circuit board.

[0049] The spring portion, in its unfolded state, is positioned at both ends, which are located on the inner side of the width direction, relative to the outer side of the housing mounting portion in the width direction.

[0050] According to the structure disclosed herein, since the spring portion is positioned in the unfolded state at both ends that are wider in the width direction than the outermost ends of the housing mounting portion, the size of the fixing member can be reduced. Therefore, the material cost of the fixing member can be reduced.

[0051] (2) Preferably, the spring portion is shaped to extend from one end to the other end, and has bent portions at both ends in the extension direction.

[0052] Due to this structure, the spring section becomes more prone to flexing and deformation.

[0053] (3) Preferably, the bent portion is formed along an imaginary line passing through both ends of the spring portion in the extension direction.

[0054] According to this structure, the bending part of the spring can be formed by a single bend via an imaginary line, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0055] (4) Preferably, the spring portion is a shape that is bent and erected from a planar plate portion including the housing mounting portion and the base plate locking portion.

[0056] According to this structure, since the fixing member is formed by bending the protruding part from the flat member (flat part) to form the spring part, the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0057] The connector for the substrate disclosed herein

[0058] It has the fixing member and the housing.

[0059] The housing has a support portion that supports the fixed member.

[0060] The support portion has a thickness in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion when the fixing member is assembled.

[0061] The spring portion is disposed within the thickness range of the support portion in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion.

[0062] According to the structure disclosed herein, since the spring portion does not protrude to the outside of the support portion, the size of the connector can be reduced.

[0063] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0064] [Example 1]

[0065] Reference Figures 1-12 Embodiment 1 illustrates the connector for the substrate disclosed herein. In this embodiment 1, regarding the vertical direction, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 4-6 , Figures 8-12The directions shown are defined as up and down as is. Regarding the front and back directions, Figures 1 to 7 The left and right sides shown are defined as front and back, respectively. Regarding the left and right directions, Figure 4 , Figure 7 The inside and outside sides are defined as the left and right sides, respectively.

[0066] (Connector structure)

[0067] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the board connector 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as connector 10) of this embodiment 1 is disposed on the board surface of the circuit board 12. The connector 10 includes a housing 20, a plurality of terminal parts 31, 32, and a pair of fixing members 40. The housing 20 can be fitted with the opposite housing (not shown). The fixing members 40 are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the housing 20. The fixing members 40 are mounted on the circuit board 12 to fix the housing 20 to the circuit board 12.

[0068] (Structure of the shell)

[0069] The housing 20 is, for example, made of synthetic resin. Figures 1-4 As shown, the housing 20 has a square-shaped cover 21 with an opening at the front. Figure 2 As shown, the cover 21 has a rear wall 22 along the vertical direction. The rear wall 22 is provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) that pass through the front and rear and are pressed into the terminal parts 31, 32.

[0070] like Figures 1-4 As shown, protruding walls 23 extending rearward from the rear end of the cover 21 are provided on both the left and right sides of the housing 20. A support portion 50 for supporting the fixing member 40 is provided on the outer surface of the protruding wall 23 (the side opposite to the other protruding wall 23). The support portion 50 has a thickness in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction) of the housing mounting portion 60 when the fixing member 40 is assembled. The support portion 50 has a pair of receiving portions 51 that support the fixing member 40 from both sides in the front-rear direction. The receiving portions 51 protrude from the outer surface of the protruding wall 23. The pair of receiving portions 51 are separated in the front-rear direction.

[0071] like Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, a groove 52 is provided on the inner side of the receiving portion 51 in the front-rear direction (towards the other receiving portion 51). The groove 52 is recessed on the outer side in the front-rear direction (opposite to the other receiving portion 51). The groove 52 is open on the inner side in the front-rear direction and the upper side. The groove 52 is provided with a stop surface 53 for the housing mounting portion 60 (more specifically, the upper side plate portion 61) of the fixing member 40, which will be described later. The stop surface 53 is formed by the bottom surface of the groove 52 along the front-rear direction. The groove 52 is provided with a receiving surface 54 for a pair of locking portions 63 of the fixing member 40, which will be described later. The receiving surface 54 is formed by the side surface of the groove 52 along the vertical direction.

[0072] (Structure of terminal components)

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, terminal parts 31 and 32 are configured as male terminal parts, for example. Terminal parts 31 and 32 are made of conductive metal and extend in an elongated, tab-like shape. Terminal part 31 is thicker than terminal part 32. Terminal parts 31 and 32 are bent midway along their extension direction, formed by a front portion extending in the front-rear direction and a rear portion extending in the vertical direction. When the front portion of terminal parts 31 and 32 is fitted into the opposite side housing (not shown), it is electrically connected to the opposite terminal part (not shown) mounted on the opposite side housing. The lower portion of terminal parts 31 and 32 is inserted into a through hole 13 provided on the circuit board 12 (see reference). Figure 2 It is electrically connected to the conductive part of the circuit board 12 by welding.

[0074] (Structure of fixed components)

[0075] The fixing component 40 is made of metal, such as Figures 8-11 As shown, it is formed into a flat plate shape overall. (As...) Figures 1-3 As shown, the fixing members 40 are respectively assembled on both sides of the housing 20. The two plates of the fixing members 40 are flush and continuous from the housing mounting part 60 to the base plate locking part 70, and are formed flat except for the spring part 71 described later.

[0076] like Figures 8-11 As shown, the fixing member 40 has a housing mounting portion 60, a pair of substrate locking portions 70, and a protruding piece 41. The housing mounting portion 60 is the part mounted on the housing 20. The substrate locking portions 70 protrude from the housing mounting portion 60. The substrate locking portions 70 are elastically deformable and lock into the circuit board 12. The protruding piece 41 protrudes downward from between the pair of substrate locking portions 70 in the housing mounting portion 60.

[0077] like Figure 8As shown, the housing mounting portion 60 has an upper side plate portion 61, a lower side plate portion 62, and multiple locking portions 63. The upper side plate portion 61 is a rectangle that extends in the width direction. The width direction is the front-rear direction when the fixing member 40 is mounted on the housing. The lower side plate portion 62 is a rectangle that is smaller than the upper side plate portion 61 and extends in the width direction. The lower side plate portion 62 extends from the center of the lower end of the upper side plate portion 61. Two locking portions 63 are provided on each side of the upper side plate portion 61 in the front-rear direction (width direction). Figure 6 As shown, the locking part 63 enters the corresponding receiving part 51 and is received. (As indicated...) Figure 7 As shown, the housing mounting portion 60 is arranged along the outer surface of the protruding wall 23.

[0078] like Figure 10 As shown, a pair of substrate locking portions 70 protrude downwards from the housing mounting portion 60 (on both sides of the lower side plate portion 62 in the width direction). Each substrate locking portion 70 is formed in a shape that is symmetrical to each other in the width direction. The pair of substrate locking portions 70 are arranged in the width direction. Figure 4 As shown, the substrate locking part 70 is inserted into the hole 14 of the circuit board 12 and locked in the hole 14.

[0079] like Figure 8 As shown, the substrate locking portion 70 includes a spring portion 71 and a substrate contact portion 72. The spring portion 71 is elastically deformable. The spring portion 71 is formed by bending a protruding portion (protrusion portion 70A) of the substrate locking portion 70 in the width direction that intersects the protruding direction (vertical direction) from the housing mounting portion 60. Figure 12 As shown, the protrusion 70A protrudes outward from the width of the lower plate portion 62 in the unfolded state (flat plate portion 45) of the fixing member 40. In the unfolded state before the fixing member 40 is bent, the protrusion 70A extends in a meandering shape in the width direction. This meandering shape in the width direction does not protrude in a straight line towards the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the base plate locking portion 70, but rather avoids the space S located below the housing mounting portion 60 (see reference). Figure 12 The shape extends outward in the width direction of the board. The protrusion 70A is a U-shaped part that convexes outward in the width direction of the board (on the side opposite to the other substrate locking part 70).

[0080] like Figure 12 As shown, in its unfolded state before bending, the protruding portion 70A is positioned at both ends 60A, which are located on the outer side of the housing mounting portion 60 in the width direction, and on the inner side in the width direction. Therefore, the substrate locking portion 70 is housed within the forming range of the housing mounting portion 60 in the width direction. Consequently, the size of the fixing member 40 in its unfolded state can be reduced, thus lowering material costs.

[0081] By using a protrusion 70A extending in a meandering shape in the width direction of the plate as the spring portion 71, the spring length can be increased. By bending such a protrusion 70A to form the spring portion 71, the restoring force of the spring portion 71 can be increased. In this way, the fixing member 40 can reduce material costs and increase the restoring force of the spring as described above.

[0082] The spring portion 71 extends from the planar flat plate portion 45 (see reference 60), which includes the housing mounting portion 60 and the base plate locking portion 70. Figure 12 The spring portion 71 is formed by bending and standing up from the flat member (flat portion 45). Therefore, the fixing member 40 can be formed by bending the spring portion 71 from the flat member (flat portion 45), thus simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0083] Spring portion 71 is located on plate portion 45 (see reference) Figure 12 The spring sections 71 are bent and erected in the direction of plate thickness. Both spring sections 71 are bent and erected on the same side in the direction of plate thickness. The surface of the spring section 71 is parallel to the direction of plate thickness. Figure 11 As shown, the spring portion 71, when viewed from the width direction (left-right direction), has a U-shaped form that convexes towards the thickness direction. Figure 8 As shown, the spring portion 71 has a shape that extends from one end (end 71D) to the other end (end 71E).

[0084] like Figure 8 As shown, the spring portion 71 has a first structural portion 71A, a second structural portion 71B, a third structural portion 71C, and bending portions 74A and 74B. The first structural portion 71A extends from the lower side plate portion 62 outward in the plate thickness direction (opposite to the lower side plate portion 62) via the bending portion 74A. The second structural portion 71B extends downward from the extended end of the first structural portion 71A. The third structural portion 71C extends from the lower end of the second structural portion 71B inward in the plate thickness direction (towards the lower side plate portion 62) via the bending portion 74B.

[0085] like Figure 8 As shown, bent portions 74A and 74B are provided at both ends 71D and 71E in the extending direction. The bent portions 74A and 74B are along the imaginary line L (refer to...). Figure 12 The imaginary line L is formed such that it passes through the two ends 71D and 71E of the spring portion 71 in the extending direction. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the imaginary line L passes through the boundary between the lower side plate portion 62 and the protrusion 70A, and the boundary between the protrusion 70A and the substrate contact portion 72. The spring portion 71 is shaped by bending along the imaginary line L. The imaginary line L extends in the vertical direction (the protruding direction of the substrate locking portion 70). One imaginary line L is provided in each substrate locking portion 70. Thus, a spring portion 71 can be formed with a single bend via the imaginary line L, simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0086] The substrate contact portion 72 contacts the circuit board 12. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the substrate contact portion 72 is positioned at the top end of the substrate locking portion 70 in the protruding direction (vertical direction) compared to the spring portion 71. The substrate contact portion 72 extends downward from the end of the third structural portion 71C on the inner side in the plate thickness direction (the side of the lower plate portion 62). A hook portion 72A with a width larger than the upper end portion is provided at the lower end of the substrate contact portion 72. The lower end of the hook portion 72A is inclined in a manner that approaches the inner side in the plate width direction (the other hook portion 72A side) as it moves downward. Figure 4 As shown, the hook part 72A hooks onto the hole 14 of the circuit board 12 to fix the member 40 from the circuit board 12 and prevent it from detaching.

[0087] like Figures 5-7 As shown, the fixing member 40 is mounted on the housing 20 in a manner supported by the support portion 50. The fixing member 40 is inserted from the top side between a pair of receiving portions 51. The two sides of the housing mounting portion 60 (more specifically, the upper side plate portion 61) in the plate width direction are respectively abutted by a pair of abutting surfaces 53. A pair of locking portions 63 are locked into the receiving surfaces 54.

[0088] like Figure 7 As shown, the housing mounting portion 60 is arranged parallel to the vertical and horizontal directions along the outer surface of the protruding wall 23 (the side opposite to the other protruding wall 23). Figure 6 As shown, the upper end of the fixing member 40 is at the same height as the upper ends of each receiving part 51. The lower side plate part 62, the pair of base plate locking parts 70, and the protruding piece 41 are located between the pair of receiving parts 51 in the left-right direction. The front and rear spring parts 71 are slightly separated from the front and rear receiving parts 51, respectively. The pair of spring parts 71 do not protrude below the protruding wall 23. The pair of base plate locking parts 70 and the protruding piece 41 protrude below the protruding wall 23.

[0089] like Figure 7 As shown, the spring portion 71 is disposed within the thickness range of the support portion 50 in the thickness direction (left-right direction) of the housing mounting portion 60. That is, the spring portion 71 does not protrude beyond the support portion 50 in the left-right direction. This prevents the left-right dimension of the connector 10 from increasing.

[0090] (Effect of Example 1)

[0091] In the fixing member 40 of Embodiment 1, the spring portion 71, in its unfolded state, is positioned on the inner side of the width direction at both ends 60A, which are located on the outer side of the housing mounting portion 60 in the width direction. Therefore, the size of the fixing member 40 can be reduced. Consequently, the material cost of the fixing member 40 can be reduced.

[0092] Furthermore, the spring portion 71 has a shape that extends from one end (end 71D) to the other end (end 71E), and has bends 74A and 74B at both ends 71D and 71E in the extending direction. As a result, the spring portion 71 becomes easy to bend and deform.

[0093] Furthermore, the bent portions 74A and 74B are formed along an imaginary line L passing through the two ends 71D and 71E in the extending direction of the spring portion 71. Thus, the bent portions 74A and 74B of the spring portion 71 can be formed with a single bend via the imaginary line L, simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0094] Furthermore, the spring portion 71 is bent upright from the planar flat plate portion 45, which includes the housing mounting portion 60 and the base plate locking portion 70. In other words, the fixing member 40 can be formed by bending the spring portion 71 from the flat plate member (flat plate portion 45), thus simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0095] Furthermore, the spring portion 71 is disposed within the thickness range of the support portion 50 in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion 60. As a result, the spring portion 71 does not protrude beyond the outer side of the support portion 50, thus reducing the size of the connector 10.

[0096] [Other Embodiments]

[0097] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, but is illustrated by the claims. The invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, as well as the embodiments described below.

[0098] In the above embodiment 1, the meandering shape of the spring part 71 can also be an arc shape.

[0099] In the above embodiment 1, the spring portion 71 is a shape formed by bending both ends (ends 71D, 71E) of the extended portion 70A in the meandering length direction. However, it can also be a shape formed by bending the spring portion 71 towards the outer side of the plate width direction, which is closer to the ends (ends 71D, 71E). That is, it can also be a shape formed by bending the spring portion 71A midway in the length direction and the spring portion 71B midway in the length direction.

[0100] In the above embodiment 1, the spring part 71 is bent in the thickness direction of the housing mounting part 60, but it can also be bent in a way that tilts to one side in the width direction of the plate.

[0101] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0102] 10: Connectors for substrates

[0103] 12: Circuit board

[0104] 13: Through hole

[0105] 14: Kong

[0106] 20: Shell

[0107] 21: Cover

[0108] 22: Posterior wall

[0109] 23: Extending out of the wall

[0110] 31, 32: Terminal parts

[0111] 40: Fixed components

[0112] 41: Prominent film

[0113] 45: Flat plate section

[0114] 50: Support section

[0115] 51: Reception Department

[0116] 52: Groove

[0117] 53: Stopping surface

[0118] 54: Acceptance

[0119] 60: Housing mounting section

[0120] 60A: End

[0121] 61: Upper side panel

[0122] 62: Lower side panel

[0123] 63: Locking part

[0124] 70: Baseboard locking portion

[0125] 70A: Protruding part

[0126] 71: Spring section

[0127] 71A: First Structural Section

[0128] 71B: Second Structural Section

[0129] 71C: Third structural section

[0130] 71D, 71E: End

[0131] 72: Substrate contact part

[0132] 72A: Hook and Hanging Part

[0133] 74A, 74B: Bending section

[0134] L: Imaginary line

[0135] S: Space

Claims

1. A fixing component, comprising: Housing mounting part, installed on the housing; The substrate locking portion protrudes from the housing mounting portion and locks onto the circuit board; and The protruding piece protrudes from between a pair of substrate retaining portions of the housing mounting portion in the protruding direction of the substrate retaining portions. The substrate locking portion includes: The spring portion capable of elastic deformation is constructed by bending the protruding portion of the base plate locking portion in the width direction that intersects the protruding direction from the housing mounting portion; and The substrate contact portion is disposed at the top end side in the protruding direction, which is closer to the spring portion, and contacts the circuit board. In its unfolded state, the spring portion is positioned at both ends, which are located on the inner side of the width direction, relative to the outer side of the housing mounting portion in the width direction. When the substrate locking part is locked onto the circuit board, the substrate locking part and the protruding piece are inserted into the same hole.

2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein, The spring portion has a shape that extends from one end to the other, and has bent portions at both ends in the direction of extension.

3. The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein, The bent portion is formed along an imaginary line passing through both ends of the spring portion in the direction of extension.

4. The fixing member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The spring portion is a shape that is bent and erected from a planar flat plate portion including the housing mounting portion and the base plate locking portion.

5. A connector for a substrate, comprising the fixing member as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and the housing, The housing has a support portion that supports the fixed member. The support portion has a thickness in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion when the fixing member is assembled. The spring portion is disposed within the thickness range of the support portion in the plate thickness direction of the housing mounting portion.

Images