Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector which can prevent foreign matters from entering the rear side of a cover part and can ensure the strength of the opening side of the cover part. The connector (10) is provided with a cover part (16) which can be embedded with the opposite side connector (P) on the inner side, and when the opening side of the cover part (16) is used as the front side and the side opposite to the opening side is used as the rear side, the cover part (16) is provided with a flange part (16A) which is formed in a flange shape on the periphery of the end edge of the front side; a second flange section (16B) disposed so as to face the flange section (16A) from the rear side; and a groove part (16C) which is formed between the second flange part (16B) and the flange part (16A) and into which a plate-shaped housing (80) is fitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a structure in which a cover portion formed of four walls in a square tube shape is sandwiched between an upper shell and a lower shell in the vertical direction. The cover portion is formed with a recessed portion extending in the circumferential direction (i.e., the four walls) and recessed inward, and a convex portion provided on the upper shell and the lower shell enters the recessed portion and fits in, thereby limiting the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-70855 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-123558 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] The hoods of the connectors of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured to protrude outside the upper and lower housings. Therefore, foreign matter may move along the outer surface of the hood toward the upper and lower housings and enter the interior of the housings. In addition, when the other connector and the hood are engaged, if the wires led out of the other connector vibrate or are pulled upward, the front end (the edge of the opening) of the hood may expand and deform.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can prevent foreign matter from entering and ensure the strength of the opening side of the cover. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The connector of the present invention comprises a cover portion which can be fitted with a counterpart connector on the inner side. When the opening side of the cover portion is regarded as the front side and the side opposite to the opening side is regarded as the rear side, The cover portion has: A flange portion formed in a flange shape at the outer periphery of the end edge on the front side; an opposing portion arranged to be opposed to the flange portion from the rear side; and A groove portion is formed between the facing portion and the flange portion, and the plate-shaped housing is fitted into the groove portion. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from intruding toward the rear side of the cover portion, and to ensure the strength of the opening side of the cover portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view of the connector with the housing assembled. Figure 3 is the rear view of the connector. Figure 4 is a side view of the connector with the housing assembled. Figure 5 It is a side view of a connector according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The connector of the present invention, wherein: (1) A cover portion is provided which can be fitted with a connector of the other side on the inner side. When the opening side of the cover portion is regarded as the front side and the side opposite to the opening side is regarded as the rear side, the cover portion has a flange portion, an opposing portion and a groove portion. The flange portion is formed in a flange shape at the outer periphery of the end edge of the front side. The opposing portion is arranged to be opposed to the flange portion from the rear side. The groove portion is formed between the opposing portion and the flange portion, and the plate-shaped housing is embedded in the groove portion.

[0010] According to this structure, the plate-shaped shell is embedded in the groove portion, so that the shell can be engaged with the flange portion and the opposing portion. As a result, foreign matter can be prevented from invading the shell from between the flange portion and the opposing portion. In particular, since the flange portion is formed at the end edge (opening end) of the front side of the cover portion, the intrusion of foreign matter can be quickly prevented. In addition, the end edge (opening end) of the front side of the cover portion is not only strengthened by the flange portion, but also strengthened by the shell sandwiched in the groove portion. As a result, when the wires led out from the other side connector engaged with the inner side of the cover portion vibrate or are pulled up, the deformation of the end edge of the front side of the cover portion can be suppressed.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the facing portion is a second flange portion formed in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the cover portion further rearward than the front end edge.

[0012] According to this structure, the depth of the groove portion can be increased, so that the groove can be more deeply fitted with the plate-shaped housing, and the chance of foreign matter intruding into the inner side of the housing can be further reduced.

[0013] (3) Preferably, the cover portion is formed as follows: one of the four surfaces of the outer periphery in the shape of a square tube is a mounting surface mounted on a circuit substrate, and the flange portion and the second flange portion are formed over three surfaces of the four surfaces of the outer periphery, including a pair of side surfaces other than the mounting surface, and an end surface located on the side opposite to the mounting surface.

[0014] According to this structure, foreign matter can be prevented from invading the housing along any of the three peripheral surfaces. Even if foreign matter is about to invading the housing along the mounting surface, the foreign matter can be prevented from colliding with the front end of the circuit board.

[0015] (4) Preferably, the flange portion and the second flange portion have a side flange portion and a second side flange portion on each side surface, and the side flange portion and the second side flange portion are shaped such that the amount of protrusion to the outside of the side surface increases from the end surface side toward the mounting surface side.

[0016] In the case where the flange portion and the second flange portion are formed over three surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion, the housing has a square concave opening portion (hereinafter also referred to as the opening portion) that fits with the three surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion. Here, the opening side of the opening portion of the housing is preferably set to be wider than the inner side. According to this structure, the end of the opening side of the opening portion in the housing can be sandwiched by the side flange portion and the second side flange portion. As a result, a structure in which the end of the opening side of the opening portion is arranged between the side flange portion and the second side flange portion and the concave and convex fits can be achieved.

[0017] (5) Preferably, the cover portion has a press-fit portion on a side surface, a fixing member for fixing the cover portion to the circuit board is press-fitted into the press-fit portion, and a front end of the press-fit portion is integrally connected to the second flange portion.

[0018] According to this structure, since the press-fitting portion is reinforced by the second flange portion, the fixing member can be appropriately held. In addition, since the second flange portion is reinforced by the press-fitting portion, the second flange portion can be prevented from being deformed due to contact with the housing.

[0019] (6) Preferably, the housing is in contact with at least one of the rear surface of the flange portion and the front surface of the second flange portion.

[0020] According to this structure, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from intruding into the housing.

[0021] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] <Implementation Method 1> Reference Figures 1 to 4 The connector 10 provided on the circuit board 90 is described. In the figure, "front side", "rear side", "upper side", "lower side", "right side" and "left side" are represented by "F", "B", "U", "D", "R" and "L", respectively. In the following description, the direction in which the counterpart connector P and the connector 10 are mated is defined as the mating direction (front-back direction) (refer to Figure 4 ). In the first embodiment, the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction.

[0022] The connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 11, a fixing member 12, and a plurality of terminal parts 13 (see Figure 1 The connector 10 is covered by the housing 80 in a state of being mounted on the circuit board 90 except for the front surface side which is the mating side with the mating connector P (see Figure 2 ).

[0023] [Connector Configuration] The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. Figure 1 As shown, the housing 11 extends long in the left-right direction and has a wall portion 15 arranged with the plate thickness direction facing the front-back direction, and a cover portion 16 protruding forward in a square tube shape from the outer edge of the wall portion 15. The other side connector P (see Figure 4 ). The opening side of the cover 16 is located on the front side, and the side opposite to the opening side of the cover 16 (the wall 15 side) is the rear side. The cover 16 has an upper wall 17 and a lower wall 18 arranged in pairs up and down, and side walls 19 arranged in pairs left and right. A plurality of inner walls 24 protruding into the cover 16 are provided on the inner surfaces of each of the upper wall 17 and the lower wall 18. The wall 15 has a plurality of through holes 26 (see Figure 2 The terminal parts 13 are installed in each through hole 26 from the rear by press-fitting or inserting.

[0024] The upper surface of the upper wall 17 is the end surface 22A. The lower surface of the lower wall 18 is the mounting surface 22B (see Figure 2 , 4 The mounting surface 22B is a surface that faces and contacts the surface 90A of the circuit board 90 when the connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 90 .

[0025] Each side wall 19 has a side surface 22C (see Figure 3 ). Each side surface 22C is a surface facing outward in the left-right direction. A press-in portion 27 protruding outward in the width direction is provided on each side surface 22C. On one side surface 22C, the press-in portion 27 is divided into a front side and a rear side. A groove 28 cut into a slit shape is formed on the inner surfaces of the front and rear press-in portions 27 on one side surface 22C that face each other (see Figure 4 ). A fixing member 12 to be described later is pressed into the groove 28 from above and held.

[0026] The cover portion 16 further includes a flange portion 16A, a second flange portion 16B as an opposing portion, and a groove portion 16C. The flange portion 16A is formed in a manner that protrudes in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the end edge of the front side of the cover portion 16. The flange portion 16A includes a side flange portion 16E. The flange portion 16A and the side flange portion 16E are each formed as a flat plate having the same plane. The flange portion 16A and the side flange portion 16E are formed over three surfaces of the four surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion 16, namely, a pair of side surfaces 22C other than the mounting surface 22B, and an end surface 22A located on the side opposite to the mounting surface 22B. The side flange portion 16E is provided on each side surface 22C in a manner that protrudes outward in the left-right direction. The front surface of the flange portion 16A defines the opening surface of the cover portion 16.

[0027] The second flange portion 16B is arranged behind the flange portion 16A, and is arranged in a manner of being separated from the rear side relative to the flange portion 16A. The second flange portion 16B is formed in a manner of extending out in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the cover portion 16 behind the end edge of the front side. The second flange portion 16B has a second side flange portion 16D. The second flange portion 16B and the second side flange portion 16D are formed in the shape of a flat plate having the same plane. The second flange portion 16B and the second side flange portion 16D are formed over three surfaces of the four surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion 16, including a pair of side surfaces 22C excluding the mounting surface 22B, and the end surface 22A located on the side opposite to the mounting surface 22B (refer to Figure 3 The second side flange portion 16D is provided on each side surface 22C so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction (see Figure 3 ).

[0028] The side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D are formed so that the amount of protrusion toward the left and right sides gradually increases as the end surface 22A side approaches the mounting surface 22B side (see Figure 2 , 3 ).

[0029] The groove portion 16C is formed between the flange portion 16 and the second flange portion 16B. The groove portion 16C is a portion that is relatively recessed from the top ends of the flange-shaped flange portion 16A and the flange-shaped second flange portion 16B in the protruding direction.

[0030] The fixing member 12 is a metal plate and is mounted in each groove 28 of the housing 11. The fixing member 12 has a housing mounting portion 33 disposed along the side surface 22C with the plate surface facing the width direction, and a substrate fixing portion 34 extending downward from the lower end of the housing mounting portion 33 in a comb-like shape.

[0031] The front end and the rear end of the housing mounting portion 33 are respectively fitted into the grooves 28 formed in the press-fit portion 27 (see Figure 4 ). Thus, the fixing member 12 is held by the cover 16 of the housing 11. The substrate fixing portion 34 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) formed in the circuit substrate 90 and fixed to the circuit substrate 90 by soldering. The cover 16 is fixed to the circuit substrate 90 via the fixing member 12.

[0032] The plurality of terminal parts 13 are male terminal parts, and are formed by stamping and bending a conductive metal plate. Each terminal part 13 is inserted into each through hole 26 from the rear, and is held in a state of penetrating each through hole 26. A protrusion 13A is provided at the top end (front end) of each terminal part 13. Each protrusion 13A is housed in the cover 16. When the connector 10 is engaged with the other side connector P, each protrusion 13A is connected to the other side terminal (not shown) of the other side connector P. The rear end of each terminal part 13 is inserted into the insertion hole formed in the circuit substrate 90, and is connected to the back side 90B of the circuit substrate 90 by soldering.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the connector 10 formed in this way is mounted so that the mounting surface 22B faces the surface 90A of the circuit board 90. The connector 10 is arranged so that the flange 16A and the second flange 16B protrude forward from the front end edge of the circuit board 90.

[0034] [About the shell] In the case of the first embodiment, the housing 80 is die-cast. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 80 includes an upper housing 80A and a lower housing 80B. The upper housing 80A and the lower housing 80B sandwich the circuit substrate 90 equipped with the connector 10 from the top and bottom directions. A square concave opening 80D is formed on the flat front wall 80C of the upper housing 80A, which is cut into a shape consistent with the outer shape of the groove 16C of the connector 10. The plate thickness direction of the front wall 80C of the upper housing 80A is oriented in the front-to-back direction. Considering that the upper housing 80A is die-cast, the opening 80D is formed so that the size in the left-right direction gradually increases from the inner part (upper part) of the upper housing 80A toward the circuit substrate 90 side (lower side). As a result, the demolding property of the housing 80 is improved. When viewed from the front, the opening 80D is trapezoidal in shape.

[0035] The upper housing 80A is mounted on the surface 90A of the circuit substrate 90 so as to cover the connector 10. Figure 4 As shown, the front wall 80C is embedded in the groove 16C between the rear surface of the flange portion 16A and the front surface of the second flange portion 16B. The plate thickness dimension of the front wall 80C is smaller than the dimension between the rear surface of the flange portion 16A and the front surface of the second flange portion 16B. In the case of the present embodiment 1, the rear surface of the front wall 80C contacts the front surface of the second flange portion 16B from the front. Thus, the position of the housing 80 relative to the front and rear directions of the connector 10 is determined. At the same time, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from invading the housing 80 from the outside through the second flange portion 16B. In this way, the rear surface of the flange portion 16A, the second flange portion 16B and the front wall 80C are concave and convex. The front end portion of the shell 11 faces the front of the housing 80 through the opening 80D formed in the front wall 80C of the housing 80.

[0036] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D are formed so that the amount of protrusion toward the outside in the left-right direction gradually increases as the side approaches the mounting surface 22B side from the end surface 22A side. Therefore, even if the opening portion 80D is formed so that the dimension in the left-right direction gradually increases from the inner portion (upper portion) of the housing 80 toward the circuit substrate 90 side (lower side), the side flange portion 16E, the second side flange portion 16D, and the left-right sides of the opening portion 80D can be reliably engaged in the concave and convex manner. In addition, the inner side surface (i.e., the side surface 22C) of the groove portion 16C formed in the side wall 19 is formed so that it gradually expands toward the outside in the left-right direction as the side approaches the mounting surface 22B side from the end surface 22A side, similarly to the side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D (see Figure 2 ). Thus, the inner side surface of the groove portion 16C of the side wall 19 can be arranged along the edges of both sides of the opening 80D in the left-right direction, and the gap formed between the upper case 80A and the housing 11 can be reduced.

[0037] The lower housing 80B is mounted on the back surface 90B of the circuit board 90. The lower housing 80B is arranged on the opposite side of the upper housing 80A across the circuit board 90. A rib 80E protruding upward in a long left-right direction is provided at the front end of the lower housing 80B (see Figure 2 , 4 The rib 80E is arranged so as to cover the front end of the circuit board 90 from the front and so as to face the mounting surface 22B of the cover 16 at the top end (see Figure 4 ). The top end of the rib 80E contacts the bottom end of the front wall 80C on the left-right outer side of the opening 80D (see Figure 2 ).

[0038] In the case of the first embodiment, the mounting surface 22B is in contact with the surface 90A of the circuit board 90, and the distance is set to be less than 1.0 mm. In addition, the rear surface of the front wall 80C is in contact with the front surface of the second flange portion 16B from the front. Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, foreign matter with a diameter of 1.0 mm or more can be prevented from entering the housing 80.

[0039] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The connector 10 includes a cover 16 that can be fitted with a counterpart connector P on the inside. When the opening side of the cover 16 is regarded as the front side and the side opposite to the opening side is regarded as the rear side, the cover 16 includes a flange 16A, a second flange 16B, and a groove 16C. The flange 16A is formed in a flange shape at the outer periphery of the end edge on the front side. The second flange 16B is arranged opposite to the flange 16A from the rear side. The groove 16C is formed between the second flange 16B and the flange 16A, and the front wall 80C of the plate-like housing 80 is embedded in the groove 16C. According to this structure, the housing 80 can be fitted between the flange 16A and the second flange 16B by embedding the plate-like housing 80 in the groove 16C. As a result, foreign matter can be prevented from intruding into the housing 80 from between the flange 16A and the second flange 16B. In particular, since the flange portion 16A is formed at the end edge (opening end) of the front side of the cover portion 16, the intrusion of foreign matter can be quickly prevented. In addition, the end edge (opening end) of the front side of the cover portion 16 is reinforced not only by the flange portion 16A, but also by the housing 80 sandwiched in the groove portion 16C. As a result, when the electric wire led out from the other side connector P fitted to the inner side of the cover portion 16 vibrates or is pulled up, the deformation of the end edge of the front side of the cover portion 16 can be suppressed.

[0040] The opposing portion is a second flange portion 16B formed in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the cover portion 16 behind the front end edge. According to this structure, the depth of the groove portion 16C can be deepened, so that it can be more deeply engaged with the plate-like housing 80, and the chance of foreign matter invading the inner side of the housing 80 can be further reduced.

[0041] One of the four surfaces of the outer circumference of the cover 16 in the shape of a square tube is a mounting surface 22B mounted on the circuit substrate 90. The flange 16A and the second flange 16B are formed over three surfaces of the four surfaces of the outer circumference, namely, a pair of side surfaces 22C other than the mounting surface 22B, and an end surface 22A located on the side opposite to the mounting surface 22B. According to this structure, foreign matter can be prevented from intruding into the housing 80 along any of the three surfaces of the outer circumference. Even if foreign matter is about to intrude into the housing 80 along the mounting surface 22B, the foreign matter can be prevented by the collision of the foreign matter with the front end of the circuit substrate 90.

[0042] The flange portion 16A and the second flange portion 16B have a side flange portion 16E and a second side flange portion 16D on each side surface 22C. The side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D are shaped so that the amount of protrusion to the outside of the side surface 22C increases from the end surface 22A side toward the mounting surface 22B side. In the case where the flange portion 16A and the second flange portion 16B are formed over the three surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion 16, the housing 80 has an opening portion 80D that fits with the three surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion 16. Here, the opening side of the opening portion 80D of the housing 80 is preferably set wider than the inner side. According to this structure, the end of the opening side of the opening portion 80D in the housing 80 can be sandwiched by the side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D. As a result, a structure can be realized in which the end portion on the opening side of the opening portion 80D is arranged between the side flange portion 16E and the second side flange portion 16D and the two portions are fitted in a concave-convex manner.

[0043] The side surface 22C of the cover 16 has a press-fit portion 27, and the fixing member 12 that fixes the cover 16 to the circuit substrate 90 is pressed into the press-fit portion 27, and the front end of the press-fit portion 27 is connected to the second flange portion 16B as a whole. According to this structure, since the press-fit portion 27 is reinforced by the second flange portion 16B, the fixing member 12 can be properly held. In addition, since the second flange portion 16B is reinforced by the press-fit portion 27, the second flange portion 16B can be prevented from being deformed due to contact with the housing 80.

[0044] The front wall 80C of the housing 80 contacts the front surface of the second flange portion 16B. According to this structure, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the housing 80.

[0045] [Other embodiments of the present invention] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described in the above description and drawings. The present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and protection scope equivalent to the claims, and also includes the following embodiments. (1) Different from the first embodiment, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the thickness of the upper wall 117 and the pair of side walls 119 may be increased to form the groove 116C in an inwardly recessed manner. That is, the second flange portion may not be provided. In this case, the increased thickness of the upper wall 117 and the pair of side walls 119 correspond to the opposing portion. (2) Unlike Embodiment 1, the flange portion and the second flange portion may be formed on the mounting surface. That is, the flange portion and the second flange portion may be formed on four surfaces of the outer periphery of the cover portion. (3) Unlike Embodiment 1, the front wall of the housing may be configured to be in contact with the rear surface of the flange portion. Alternatively, the front wall of the housing may be configured to be in contact with the rear surface of the flange portion and the front surface of the second flange portion. (4) Unlike the first embodiment, the dimension between the mounting surface and the surface of the circuit board may be set to less than 1.0 mm. Description of Reference Numerals

[0046] 10: Connector 11: Shell 12: Fixed components 13: Terminal parts 13A: Tab 15: Wall 16: Hood 16A: Flange 16B: Second flange portion (opposing portion) 16C, 116C: Groove 16D: Second side flange 16E: Side flange 17, 117: Upper wall 18: Lower wall 19, 119: Sidewall 22A: End face 22B: Mounting surface 22C: Side 24: Inner wall 26: Through hole 27: Press-in section 28: Slot 33: Shell installation part 34: Board fixing part 80: Shell 80A: Upper housing 80B: Lower housing 80C: Front wall 80D: Opening 80E: Rib 90: Circuit board 90A: Surface 90B: Back P: Connector on the other side

Claims

1. A connector, wherein: A cover portion is provided on which a connector of the other side can be fitted. When the opening side of the cover portion is regarded as the front side and the side opposite to the opening side is regarded as the rear side, The cover portion has: A flange portion formed in a flange shape at the outer periphery of the end edge on the front side; an opposing portion arranged to be opposed to the flange portion from the rear side; and A groove portion is formed between the facing portion and the flange portion, and the plate-shaped housing is fitted into the groove portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The facing portion is a second flange portion formed in a flange shape on the outer periphery of the cover portion rearward of the front end edge.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The cover is formed such that one of the four surfaces of the outer circumference of the square tube is a mounting surface for mounting on the circuit board. The flange portion and the second flange portion are formed over three surfaces of the four surfaces of the outer periphery, namely, a pair of side surfaces other than the mounting surface and an end surface located on the side opposite to the mounting surface.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The flange portion and the second flange portion have a side flange portion and a second side flange portion on each of the side surfaces. The side flange portion and the second side flange portion are shaped such that the amount of protrusion to the outside of the side surface increases from the end surface side toward the mounting surface side.

5. The connector according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: The side surface of the cover portion has a press-in portion, and a fixing member for fixing the cover portion to the circuit substrate is pressed into the press-in portion. The front end of the press-fit portion is integrally connected to the second flange portion.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The housing is in contact with at least one of a rear surface of the flange portion and a front surface of the second flange portion.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein: The housing is in contact with at least one of a rear surface of the flange portion and a front surface of the second flange portion.

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