Connector and test fixture

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector and a test fixture. The connector is matable with a mating connector in the front-rear direction. The connector has a main portion formed of a multilayer wiring board. The multilayer wiring substrate includes a first metal conductive layer and a second metal conductive layer. The second metal conductive layer has two conductive exposed portions. Each of the conductive exposed portions is exposed to the outside of the connector at each of the opposite side surfaces of the main portion, respectively. Each conductive exposed part corresponds to each hook of the matching connector. The thickness of each conductive exposed portion is greater than the thickness of the locking portion of the corresponding hook of the mating connector. When the locking portion locks a mating state in which the mating connector and the connector are mated with each other, the locking portion of each hook is in contact with the corresponding conductive exposed portion. The connector of the present invention has a structure for locking the mating state of the mating connector and the connector by using the hook of the mating connector, and can prevent the generation of abrasive dust when the mating connector and the connector are mated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector capable of mating with a mating connector including two hooks. Background Art

[0002] Reference Fig. 9 JP H07-221417A (Patent Document 1) discloses this type of printed circuit board 900 or connector 900. The connector 900 can be matched with a connector 950 or a matching connector 950 in the X direction. The matching connector 950 has two hooks 952, a button 954, and a contact point or a matching contact. The hooks 952 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the matching connector 950 along the Y direction. The hooks 952 can be opened and closed by the button 954. The connector 900 is made of epoxy resin or the like. The connector 900 has a protruding plate 910. A pair of protruding portions 912 and a contact portion 914 or a contact 914 are provided at the distal end of the protruding plate 910.

[0003] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the matching operation of the connector 900 and the matching connector 950 is implemented as described below. First, the user presses the button 954 so that the hook 952 changes its state to the open state. Next, the user attaches the matching connector 950 to the protruding plate 910 of the connector 900. Then, the connector 900 and the matching connector 950 change their states to a matching state in which the connector 900 and the matching connector 950 match each other. Therefore, each matching contact of the matching connector 950 is electrically connected to each contact 914 of the connector 900, respectively. Thereafter, the user stops pressing the button 954 so that each hook 952 changes its state to the closed state. Then, each hook 952 hooks each protrusion 912, respectively, so that the matching state of the connector 900 and the matching connector 950 is locked. Although the above-mentioned mating connector 950 is configured to enable the opening / closing operation of the hook 952 by means of the button 954, Patent Document 1 also discloses an improved mating connector 950 which does not have the button 954 and has the hook 952 opened and closed by its own elasticity.

[0004] As described above, the printed circuit board 900 as the connector 900 is made of epoxy resin or the like. Consider a case where the mating connector 950 has a hook 952 made of a harder material than the material of the printed circuit board 900, such as metal. If a process including locking and unlocking operations is repeatedly performed in a mating state where the mating connector 950 in this case is mated with the printed circuit board 900, the printed circuit board 900 may be worn by the hook 952 to generate abrasive dust and degrade. In addition, in the mating state, the abrasive dust may cause, for example, poor electrical continuity between the connector 900 and the mating connector 950 in this case. That is, in the mating state, the electrical connection reliability of the connector 900 and the mating connector 950 in this case may be reduced. Consider another case where the improved mating connector 950 has a hook 952 made of a harder material than the material of the printed circuit board 900, such as metal. If the process including the mating between the improved mating connector 950 in this case and the printed circuit board 900 and the removal thereof is repeatedly performed, the hooks 952 slide repeatedly on the side surfaces of the printed circuit board 900. The repeated sliding of the hooks 952 may cause further wear of the printed circuit board 900 and generate a large amount of abrasive dust. Therefore, in the mating state where the improved mating connector 950 in this case is mated with the connector 900, the electrical connection reliability of the connector 900 and the improved mating connector 950 in this case may be further reduced. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a structure for locking a mating state of a mating connector with a connector by using a hook of a mating connector and capable of preventing generation of abrasive dust when the mating connector is mated with the connector.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] One aspect of the present invention (first aspect) provides a first connector that can be matched with a matching connector in a front-to-back direction. The matching connector includes two hooks and matching contacts. Each hook is positioned away from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. Each hook extends in the front-to-back direction. Each hook has a locking portion. The locking portion faces inward in the transverse direction. The first connector has a main portion in a tongue-shaped shape. The main portion has opposite side surfaces in the transverse direction. Each hook corresponds to each opposite side surface of the main portion. The main portion is formed by a multilayer wiring substrate. The multilayer wiring substrate includes a first metal conductive layer and a second metal conductive layer. The first metal conductive layer and the second metal conductive layer are insulated from each other. The main portion includes a plurality of contacts. Each contact is formed on the first metal conductive layer. Each contact is at least partially exposed to the outside of the first connector. The contact can contact the matching contact in an up-down direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the transverse direction. The second metal conductive layer has two conductive exposure portions. Each conductive exposure portion is exposed to the outside of the first connector at each opposite side surface of the main portion. Each conductive exposure portion corresponds to each hook. The thickness of each conductive exposure portion is greater than the thickness of the locking portion of the corresponding hook of the matching connector. When the locking portion locks a mating state in which the mating connector and the first connector are mated with each other, the locking portion of each hook comes into contact with the corresponding conductive exposed portion.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention (second aspect) provides a second connector, which is the first connector of the first aspect and also includes the following features: Each hook is made of metal. The second metal conductive layer is a ground layer. The locking portion of each hook is electrically connected to the corresponding conductive exposed portion in a mating state.

[0009] Yet another aspect (third aspect) of the present invention provides a test fixture for evaluating the transmission characteristics of a mating connector. The test fixture comprises the second connector of the second aspect.

[0010] The connector of the present invention is configured as follows: the second metal conductive layer of the multilayer wiring substrate has two conductive exposed portions; each conductive exposed portion is exposed to the outside of the connector at each opposite side surface of the main portion; the thickness of each conductive exposed portion is greater than the thickness of the locking portion of the corresponding hook of the matching connector; and when each locking portion locks the matching connector and the connector in a mating state where they mate with each other, the locking portion of each hook contacts the corresponding conductive exposed portion. Therefore, compared with the connector 900 of patent document 1, the connector of the present invention prevents the wear of the multilayer wiring substrate of the connector and the generation of abrasive dust when the matching connector mates with the connector. Therefore, the connector of the present invention avoids reducing the reliability of the electrical connection between the connector and the matching connector due to the generation of abrasive dust. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a test fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the mating connector is only partially shown, and a part of the test fixture is enlarged and shown.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a test fixture is shown. In the figure, a portion of the test fixture is shown enlarged.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partially cutaway perspective view of a test fixture is shown. In the figure, a portion of the test fixture is shown enlarged.

[0014] Figure 4 Is Figure 3 An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line A is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional top view of a test fixture is shown. In the figure, a portion of the test fixture is shown enlarged.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts included in the test fixture is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 Is Figure 6 An enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dotted line B is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A top view of the main part is shown. In the figure, a part of the main part is shown enlarged.

[0019] Fig. 9 : is a top view of the printed circuit board and the connector of Patent Document 1. In the figure, the printed circuit board and the connector are in an unmatched state in which the printed circuit board and the connector are not matched with each other, and each hook is in an open state.

[0020] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A top view of a printed circuit board and a connector is shown. In the figure, the printed circuit board and the connector are in a mating state where the printed circuit board and the connector are mated with each other, and each hook is in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Reference Figure 1 The test fixture 500 according to the embodiment of the present invention is used to evaluate the transmission characteristics of the matching connector 700 .

[0022] like Figure 5 As shown, the mating connector 700 of this embodiment includes two hooks 710 and a mating contact 720 .

[0023] Reference Figure 5 , each hook 710 of the present embodiment is made of metal. Each hook 710 extends in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the front-to-back direction is the X direction. Specifically, it is assumed that the forward direction is the positive X direction, and the backward direction is the negative X direction. Each hook 710 has elasticity. The hooks 710 are positioned away from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the transverse direction is the Y direction. The two hooks 710 can be opened and closed by their own elasticity. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the two hooks 710 can be configured to be opened and closed by a button similar to the hook 952 of the matching connector 950 of patent document 1. Each hook 710 has a locking portion 712. The locking portion 712 faces inward in the transverse direction.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the test fixture 500 includes the connector 100 .

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can be matched with the matching connector 700 in the front-to-back direction. The connector 100 has a housing 150 made of metal. The housing 150 is open at its front end in the front-to-back direction. In other words, the connector 100 has an opening 110 at its front end in the front-to-back direction.

[0026] like Figure 8 As shown, the connector 100 of the present embodiment has a main portion 200 in a tongue-like shape.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, the main part 200 of this embodiment has two opposite side surfaces 220 in the lateral direction. The hooks 710 of the mating connector 700 correspond to the opposite side surfaces 220 of the main part 200 in the lateral direction.

[0028] Reference Figure 8 , the main portion 200 has two guide portions 230 , two protrusions 240 and two recesses 250 .

[0029] Reference Figure 8 , each guide portion 230 of the present embodiment is located at the opposite end of the main portion 200 in the transverse direction. Each guide portion 230 intersects the front-to-back direction and the transverse direction. In more detail, each guide portion 230 is inclined relative to the front-to-back direction and the transverse direction. Each guide portion 230 is positioned at the front end of the main portion 200 in the front-to-back direction. Each guide portion 230 corresponds to each protrusion 240 and each recessed portion 250, respectively. Each guide portion 230 is positioned in front of the corresponding protrusion 240 in the front-to-back direction.

[0030] Reference Figure 8, the protrusions 240 of this embodiment are respectively located at opposite ends of the main part 200 in the lateral direction. Each protrusion 240 protrudes outward in the lateral direction. Each protrusion 240 is positioned between the corresponding guide part 230 and the corresponding recessed part 250 in the front-to-back direction. Each protrusion 240 is located behind the corresponding guide part 230 in the front-to-back direction. Each protrusion 240 is located in front of the corresponding recessed part 250 in the front-to-back direction.

[0031] Reference Figure 8 In this embodiment, the recessed portions 250 are located at opposite ends of the main portion 200 in the transverse direction. Each recessed portion 250 is recessed inward in the transverse direction. Each recessed portion 250 is located behind the corresponding protruding portion 240 in the front-to-back direction.

[0032] like Figure 7 As shown, the main part 200 is formed of a multilayer wiring substrate 300. The multilayer wiring substrate 300 includes a first metal conductive layer 310 and a second metal conductive layer 320.

[0033] like Figure 7 As shown, the first metal conductive layer 310 of the present embodiment is exposed upward from the multilayer wiring substrate 300 in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z direction. Specifically, the upward direction is the positive Z direction, and the downward direction is the negative Z direction.

[0034] Reference Figure 7 In this embodiment, the second metal conductive layer 320 is a ground layer 320. The second metal conductive layer 320 is located below the first metal conductive layer 310 in the up-down direction. The second metal conductive layer 320 has two conductive exposed portions 322.

[0035] Reference Figure 7 , each conductive exposed portion 322 is exposed to the outside of the connector 100 at each opposite side surface 220 of the main portion 200. Figure 4 and Figure 5 , each conductive exposed portion 322 corresponds to each hook 710. Figure 4 and Figure 7 , a thickness TA of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than a thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700 .

[0036] Reference Figure 7 , each conductive exposed portion 322 corresponds to each guide portion 230 , each protrusion 240 and each recess 250 , respectively.

[0037] like Figure 7 As shown, each conductive exposed portion 322 of the present embodiment has a first exposed portion 3223 , a second exposed portion 3224 and a third exposed portion 3225 .

[0038] like Figure 7 As shown, the first exposed portion 3223 of the present embodiment is exposed to the outside of the connector 100 at the corresponding guide portion 230. Figure 4 and Figure 7 , a thickness TA1 of the first exposed portion 3223 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than a thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700 .

[0039] like Figure 7 As shown, the second exposed portion 3224 of the present embodiment is exposed to the outside of the connector 100 at the corresponding protrusion 240. Figure 4 and Figure 7 , a thickness TA2 of the second exposed portion 3224 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than a thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700 .

[0040] like Figure 7 As shown, the third exposed portion 3225 of this embodiment is exposed to the outside of the connector 100 in the corresponding recessed portion 250. Figure 4 and Figure 7 , a thickness TA3 of the third exposed portion 3225 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than a thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700 .

[0041] like Figure 7 As shown, the multilayer wiring substrate 300 of the present embodiment further includes two resin insulating layers 340 and 360. The resin insulating layers 340 and 360 are respectively located on opposite sides of the second metal conductive layer 320 in the up-down direction. The resin insulating layer 340 is located between the first metal conductive layer 310 and the second metal conductive layer 320 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the first metal conductive layer 310 and the second metal conductive layer 320 are insulated from each other.

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, the main portion 200 includes a plurality of contacts 312 .

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown, each contact 312 of the present embodiment is formed on the first metal conductive layer 310. Each contact 312 is at least partially exposed to the outside of the connector 100. Figure 1 and Figure 7 , each contact 312 can contact each matching contact 720 in the up-down direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the lateral direction.

[0044] Hereinafter, a contact state between the main portion 200 of the connector 100 and the hook 710 of the mating connector 700 when the connector 100 of the test jig 500 of the present embodiment is mated with the mating connector 700 will be explained.

[0045] First, the mating connector 700 is inserted backward into the connector 100 of the test fixture 500 through the opening portion 110. Then, the rear end of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 contacts the first exposed portion 3223 of the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322 of the connector 100. At the same time, the rear end of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 does not contact any of the resin insulation layers 340, 360 of the connector 100.

[0046] From this state, the mating connector 700 moves further backward relative to the connector 100. Then, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 straddles the first exposed portion 3223 of the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322 of the connector 100. As described above, the thickness TA1 of the first exposed portion 3223 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than the thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700. Therefore, in this state, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 is not in contact with any of the resin insulation layers 340, 360 of the connector 100.

[0047] Thereafter, the mating connector 700 is further moved backward relative to the connector 100. Then, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 straddles the second exposed portion 3224 of the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322 of the connector 100. As described above, the thickness TA2 of the second exposed portion 3224 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than the thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700. Therefore, in this state, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 is not in contact with any of the resin insulation layers 340, 360 of the connector 100.

[0048] From this state, the mating connector 700 moves further backward relative to the connector 100. Then, the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 change their states to Figure 3 and Figure 51. In this state, each contact 312 of the connector 100 is in contact with each mating contact 720 of the mating connector 700. In this state, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 reaches the inside of the corresponding recessed portion 250 of the connector 100, and each locking portion 712 locks the mating state in which the mating connector 700 and the connector 100 are mated with each other. In this state, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 is in contact with the third exposed portion 3225 of the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322 of the connector 100. That is, when each locking portion 712 locks the mating state in which the mating connector 700 and the connector 100 are mated with each other, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 is in contact with the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322. In this state, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 is electrically connected to the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322. As described above, the second metal conductive layer 320 having the conductive exposed portion 322 is the ground layer 320. Therefore, the mating connector 700 is grounded to the connector 100. As described above, the thickness TA3 of the third exposed portion 3225 of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than the thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700. Therefore, in this state, each hook 710 of the mating connector 700 does not contact any of the resin insulation layers 340, 360 of the connector 100.

[0049] As described above, the thickness TA of each conductive exposed portion 322 is greater than the thickness TB of the locking portion 712 of the corresponding hook 710 of the mating connector 700, and when each locking portion 712 locks the mating state in which the mating connector 700 and the connector 100 are mated with each other, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 contacts the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322. Therefore, compared with the connector 900 of Patent Document 1, the connector 100 of the present embodiment prevents the wear of the multilayer wiring substrate 300 of the connector 100 and the generation of abrasive dust when the mating connector 700 is mated with the connector 100. Therefore, the connector 100 of the present embodiment avoids the reduction of the reliability of the electrical connection between the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 due to the generation of abrasive dust. Although the hook 710 of the mating connector 700 of the present embodiment can be opened and closed by its own elasticity which is different from the hook 952 of the mating connector 950 of Patent Document 1, the test fixture 500 of the present embodiment still exhibits the same beneficial effects as described above when the connector 100 of the present embodiment is mated with the mating connector 700 having the hook 710 which can be opened and closed by a button similar to the hook 952 of the mating connector 950 of Patent Document 1. That is, regardless of whether the hook 710 of the mating connector 700 can be opened and closed by its own elasticity or by a button, the test fixture 500 of the present embodiment exhibits the same beneficial effects as described above when the connector 100 of the present embodiment is mated with the mating connector 700.

[0050] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 Each conductive exposed portion 322 extends over the entire length of the predetermined area PA of the corresponding one opposing side surface 220 in the front-rear direction. Figure 5 and Figure 8 , when the mating connector 700 is mated with the connector 100, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 slides on a corresponding one of the opposite side surfaces 220 of the main part 200 on the predetermined area PA. Therefore, when the mating connector 700 having two hooks 710 that can be opened and closed by their own elasticity is inserted into and removed from the connector 100 of the test fixture 500, the locking portion 712 of each hook 710 does not slide on the resin insulation layers 340, 360 of the multilayer wiring substrate 300, but slides only on the corresponding conductive exposed portion 322. Therefore, the connector 100 of the present embodiment also prevents the wear of the multilayer wiring substrate 300 of the connector 100 and the generation of abrasive dust when the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 700 having two hooks 710 that can be opened and closed by their own elasticity. Therefore, the connector 100 of the present embodiment also avoids the reduction of the reliability of the electrical connection between the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 due to the generation of abrasive dust.

[0051] Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may have various modifications and alternative forms. In addition, the above embodiments and modifications may also be combined.

[0052] Although the connector 100 of the test fixture 500 of the present embodiment is configured so that each conductive exposed portion 322 extends over the entire length of the predetermined area PA of the corresponding one opposing side surface 220 in the front-to-back direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the connector 100 may be improved so that the conductive exposed portion 322 does not extend over the entire length of the predetermined area PA of the corresponding one opposing side surface 220 in the front-to-back direction. However, if the connector 100 is improved as described above, the improved connector 100 may have the following disadvantages: when the improved connector 100 is mated with a mating connector 700 having two hooks 710, which can be opened and closed by the own elasticity of the mating connector 700 similar to the present embodiment, the locking portion 712 of the hook 710 of the mating connector 700 slides on a portion of the corresponding one opposing side surface 220 of the improved connector 100, at which portion the conductive exposed portion 322 is not exposed to the outside of the improved connector 100, and this portion of the corresponding one opposing side surface 220 is worn to generate abrasive dust. Therefore, each conductive exposed portion 322 preferably extends over the entire length of the predetermined area PA of a corresponding one of the opposing side surfaces 220 in the front-rear direction, similar to the connector 100 of the present embodiment.

[0053] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles used therein. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes such as equivalent transformations, simple replacements, etc. based on the technical solution of the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector that can mate with a matching connector in the front-to-back direction, characterized in that: The matching connector includes two hooks and matching contacts; The hooks are positioned away from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction; Each of the hooks extends in the front-rear direction; Each of the hooks has a locking portion; The locking portion faces inward in the transverse direction; The connector has a main portion having a tongue-like shape; The main portion has opposite side surfaces in the transverse direction; Each of the hooks corresponds to each opposite side surface of the main portion; The main part is formed by a multilayer wiring substrate; The multilayer wiring substrate comprises a first metal conductive layer and a second metal conductive layer; The first metal conductive layer and the second metal conductive layer are insulated from each other; The main part includes a plurality of contacts; Each of the contacts is formed on the first metal conductive layer; Each of the contacts is at least partially exposed to the exterior of the connector; The contact is capable of contacting the matching contact in an up-and-down direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and the lateral direction; The second metal conductive layer has two conductive exposed portions; Each of the conductive exposed portions is exposed to the outside of the connector at each opposite side surface of the main portion; Each of the conductive exposed portions corresponds to each of the hooks; The thickness of each of the conductive exposed portions is greater than the thickness of the locking portion of the corresponding hook of the mating connector; as well as The locking portion of each of the hooks comes into contact with the corresponding conductive exposed portion when the locking portion locks a mating state in which the mating connector and the connector are mated with each other.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: when the mating connector is mated with the connector, the locking portion of each of the hooks slides on a corresponding one of the opposite side surfaces of the main portion over a predetermined area; as well as Each of the conductive exposed portions extends over an entire length of the predetermined region of a corresponding one of the opposing side surfaces in the front-rear direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multilayer wiring substrate further includes two resin insulation layers; The second metal conductive layer has two opposite sides in the up-down direction; and The resin insulating layers are respectively located on two opposite sides of the second metal conductive layer.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each of said hooks is made of metal; The second metal conductive layer is a ground layer; and The locking portion of each of the hooks is electrically connected to the corresponding conductive exposed portion in the mating state.

5. A test fixture for evaluating the transmission characteristics of the matching connector, characterized in that: The test fixture comprises the connector according to claim 4.

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