Wiring unit

Abstract

Provided is a wiring unit including a flexible printed wiring board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and having a plurality of wires, a connector having a housing and a plurality of terminals, the connector being connected to the first surface on one end side of the flexible printed wiring board in the longitudinal direction, the connector being connected to the second surface on the other end side of the flexible printed wiring board in the longitudinal direction, a holding member, and a cover. A plurality of terminals are provided so as to extend outward from the inside of the housing and are respectively connected to the plurality of wires on the other end side in the longitudinal direction than the housing, a holding member is provided so as to hold the flexible printed wiring board on the second surface, and a cover is provided so as to sandwich the connector in the thickness direction of the flexible printed wiring board by the cover and the holding member. The holding member has a recessed portion that is located further toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction than the plurality of terminals and is provided so as to be recessed toward the opposite side from the connector in the thickness direction, and the cover has a pressing portion that is provided so as to press a portion of the flexible printed wiring board and make the portion enter the recessed portion.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications: This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-109168 filed with the Japan Patent Office on July 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiring unit having a flexible printed wiring board. Background Art

[0002] Flexible printed wiring boards (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "FPCs") are often used with connectors connected to them in order to be connected to other wiring or devices. In the case of outdoor equipment and vehicle-mounted use, the following techniques are known: when used for outdoor equipment or vehicle-mounted use, a resin material is applied to the connection portion to make the connection portion waterproof or a waterproof connector is used to prevent condensed water, etc. from penetrating the connection portion between the FPC and the connector (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-54940). However, these methods have the problem of increased costs.

[0003] In addition, there is also a known technique for suppressing condensed water from penetrating into the connection portion of the connector by studying the configuration method of the connector and the FPC (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-71455). However, if the configuration space of the FPC is limited, there is a problem that such a technique cannot be adopted. Summary of the invention

[0004] A wiring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a flexible printed wiring board, a connector, a holding member, and a cover, wherein the flexible printed wiring board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and has a plurality of wirings, the connector has a housing and a plurality of terminals, the connector is connected to the first surface of the flexible printed wiring board at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the flexible printed wiring board, the plurality of terminals are arranged to protrude from the inside of the housing to the outside, and are respectively connected to the plurality of wirings at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the holding member is arranged to hold the flexible printed wiring board at the second surface of the flexible printed wiring board, the cover is arranged to sandwich the connector between the cover and the holding member in the thickness direction of the flexible printed wiring board, the holding member has a recessed portion, the recessed portion is located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of terminals, and is arranged to be recessed in the thickness direction toward the opposite side of the connector, and the cover has a pressing portion, the pressing portion is arranged to press a portion of the flexible printed wiring board so that the portion of the flexible printed wiring board enters the recessed portion.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wiring unit capable of suppressing the penetration of condensed water or the like into a connection portion between a flexible printed wiring board and a connector.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following means to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] The wiring unit of the present invention includes a flexible printed wiring board, a connector, a holding member, and a cover, wherein the flexible printed wiring board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and has a plurality of wirings, the connector has a housing and a plurality of terminals, the connector is connected to the first surface of the flexible printed wiring board at one end side in the long side direction of the flexible printed wiring board, the plurality of terminals are arranged to extend from the inside of the housing to the outside, and are respectively connected to the plurality of wirings at the other end side in the long side direction of the housing, the holding member is arranged to hold the flexible printed wiring board at the second surface of the flexible printed wiring board, the cover is arranged to clamp the connector in the thickness direction of the flexible printed wiring board by the cover and the holding member, the holding member has a recessed portion, the recessed portion is located on the other end side in the long side direction of the plurality of terminals, and is arranged to be recessed in the thickness direction to the opposite side of the connector, and the cover has a pressing portion, the pressing portion is arranged to press a part of the flexible printed wiring board so that the part of the flexible printed wiring board enters the recessed portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, even if condensed water or the like flows toward the connection portion between the FPC and the connector via the FPC, the condensed water or the like enters the recessed portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the condensed water or the like from penetrating into the connection portion.

[0009] Preferably, the flexible printed wiring board is configured such that a range where the recessed portion and the pressing portion are provided includes a range where the plurality of terminals are provided in a short-side direction of the flexible printed wiring board.

[0010] This can prevent condensed water or the like from being attached to any of the plurality of terminals.

[0011] Preferably, the pressing portion is configured to press the portion of the flexible printed wiring board against a wall surface on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the recess.

[0012] Thus, a part of the flexible printed wiring board is sandwiched between the wall surface of the recess and the pressing portion, and thus it is possible to more reliably suppress the penetration of condensed water or the like into the connection portion between the FPC and the connector.

[0013] Preferably, the pressing portion includes a protrusion configured to press the portion of the flexible printed wiring board against the wall surface on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the recess.

[0014] As a result, since the peak value of the surface pressure with which the pressing portion (protrusion) presses the flexible printed wiring board is increased, it is possible to more reliably suppress the penetration of condensed water or the like into the connection portion between the FPC and the connector.

[0015] Preferably, the cover has a pair of wall portions configured to cover both sides of portions of the plurality of terminals extending from the housing.

[0016] This can prevent certain components and the like from coming into contact with the terminals.

[0017] It is also preferred that the wiring unit further includes a hinge, and the holding member and the cover are integrally formed by means of the hinge.

[0018] This can reduce the number of parts.

[0019] It is also preferable that the wiring unit further includes a flexible printed wiring board cover that covers the flexible printed wiring board and is integrally formed with the cover.

[0020] This can reduce the number of parts.

[0021] In addition, the above structures can be used in combination as much as possible.

[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the penetration of condensed water or the like into the connection portion between the flexible printed wiring board and the connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a part of the external view of the wiring unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a front view of the cover according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is an external view of the cover of Modification Example 1. Figure 4A to Figure 4C This is an explanatory diagram of a cover according to Modification Example 2. Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is an external view of a cover according to Modification 3. Figure 6A to Figure 6C This is an explanatory diagram of a cover according to Modification 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the detailed description below, for the purpose of illustration, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments, many specific details are set forth. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, in order to simplify drawing, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown.

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these descriptions unless otherwise specified.

[0025] (Implementation Method) Reference Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 2 , describing a wiring unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a part of the appearance diagram of the wiring unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1A It is part of the top view. Figure 1B is part of the side view. Figure 1A In the figure, part of the main structure is shown in perspective and represented by dotted lines. Figure 2 This is a front view of the cover of the embodiment of the present invention, which is equivalent to Figure 1B The cover is viewed from the right side of the figure.

[0026] <Schematic Structure of Wiring Unit> The wiring unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a flexible printed wiring board (hereinafter referred to as FPC 100 ), a connector 200 connected to the FPC 100 , and a holding member 300 that holds the FPC 100 to which the connector 200 is connected. In this embodiment, sometimes Figure 1A The left-right direction in the top view of the FPC 100 is referred to as the long side direction or length direction. Figure 1A The vertical direction in the top view of FPC 100 is referred to as the short side direction or width direction of FPC 100. Figure 1B The up-down direction in the side view of FIG. 1 is referred to as the thickness direction of FPC 100 .

[0027] As the FPC 100 itself is a known technology, its detailed description is omitted and its structure is simply described. The FPC 100 includes: a base film (not shown); wiring 110, which is composed of copper foil or the like provided on the surface of the base film; and a cover film, which protects the wiring 110. The present invention can be applied to a single-sided FPC in which wiring and a cover film are provided only on one side of the base film, a double-sided FPC in which wiring and a cover film are provided on both sides of the base film, and an FPC with a multi-layer structure. In the present embodiment, the surface of the FPC 100 to which the connector 200 is connected may be referred to as a first surface, and the surface of the FPC 100 opposite to the first surface in the thickness direction may be referred to as a second surface.

[0028] The connector 200 includes a housing 210 and a plurality of terminals 220. The plurality of terminals 220 are arranged so as to extend from the inside of the housing 210 to the outside. In addition, the plurality of terminals 220 are connected to the wiring 110 provided in the FPC 100. More specifically, an opening is provided in a part of the cover film of the FPC 100, and the top of the terminal 220 is connected to the wiring 110 exposed in the opening by soldering. In addition, preferably, the connection between the FPC 100 and the connector 200 is not only to connect the terminal 220 and the wiring 110, but also to fix the housing 210 and the FPC 100 separately by bonding them with an adhesive or a double-sided tape. In the present embodiment, the connector 200 is connected to the first surface (upper surface) of the FPC 100 at the right end side (one end side) in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 100 .

[0029] The holding member 300 includes a first holding member 310 and a second holding member 320. In this embodiment, the holding member 300 is provided on the second surface (lower surface) of the FPC 100 from the right end (one end) to the left end (the other end) in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 100 to hold the FPC 100. The first holding member 310 holds the vicinity of the FPC 100 to which the housing 210 is connected. The plurality of second holding members 320 are coupled to each other in a state where each is allowed to slightly move in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 100 . The FPC 100 and the first holding member 310 may be directly fixed by adhesive or double-sided tape. Alternatively, the connector 200 and the first holding member 310 may be fixed by using a fixing member such as a screw member or a snap-fit ​​structure, thereby indirectly fixing the FPC 100 and the first holding member 310. Figure 1B , as an example, a structure in which the FPC 100 and the first holding member 310 are bonded together by a double-sided tape 510 is shown. Regarding the fixing structure of the second holding member 320 and the FPC 100, various structures such as a locking claw that locks both sides of the width direction of the FPC 100 can be adopted on the second holding member 320. As described above, since the plurality of second holding members 320 are connected in a state that allows slight movement in the long side direction of the FPC 100, it can also be appropriately applied to a device that expands and contracts in the long side direction of the FPC 100 and a device with a large dimensional tolerance. In addition, since the FPC 100 is flexible, even if the second holding member 320 moves slightly, it will not cause an impact that becomes a problem in terms of quality.

[0030] Furthermore, the wiring unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a cover 400. The cover 400 is provided so as to sandwich the connector 200 between the cover 400 and the holding member 300. Specifically, the connector 200 is Figure 1BThe FPC 100 is sandwiched by the cover 400 and the holding member 300 in the up-down direction (the thickness direction of the FPC 100 ) in the side view. The cover 400 has a top plate portion 410 and a pressing portion 420. In addition, the cover 400 can be fixed to the FPC 100 and the holding member 300 by, for example, bonding the top plate portion 410 and the connector 200 (housing 210) by an adhesive or double-sided tape. In the example shown in the figure, a structure in which the cover 400 and the housing 210 of the connector 200 are fixed by a double-sided tape 520 is shown. However, for example, the cover 400 and the connector 200 can also be fixed by a fixing member such as a screw member. In addition, by using a fixing member such as a screw member or adopting a snap-fit ​​structure, the cover 400 can also be fixed relative to the first holding member 310. In addition, in this embodiment, the holding member 300 and the cover 400 are shown as being composed of independent components (separate bodies). However, the holding member 300 and the cover 400 may also be made of one part as a whole. In this case, for example, Figure 1B As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , a structure is formed in which a portion corresponding to the holding member 300 and a portion corresponding to the cover 400 are connected by a flexible hinge 400H. Thus, the holding member and the cover are integrally formed by the hinge 400H. When this structure is adopted, after the FPC 100 and the connector 200 are mounted on the portion corresponding to the holding member 300, the hinge 400H is bent and the portion corresponding to the cover 400 is fixed. If the above structure is adopted, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0031] <Structure to prevent condensed water from penetrating into the connection between the connector and the FPC> The first holding member 310 is provided with a recessed portion 311. The recessed portion 311 is configured to be recessed toward the side opposite to the cover 400 across the connector 200 at a position opposite to the housing 210 across the portion of the plurality of terminals 220 extending from the housing 210. The recessed portion 311 is located further on the other end side of the FPC 100 than the plurality of terminals 220 of the connector 200 in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 100 ( Figure 1B In addition, the recess 311 is provided to extend toward the opposite side of the connector 200 in the thickness direction of the FPC 100 ( Figure 1B The lower side of the () is concave.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, the cover 400 includes the pressing portion 420. The pressing portion 420 is configured to press a portion of the FPC 100 so that the portion of the FPC 100 enters the recess 311. That is, by attaching the cover 400 to the housing 210 or the first holding member 310, the pressing portion 420 presses a portion of the FPC 100. As a result, the pressed portion of the FPC 100 bends and enters the recess 311. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 420 is provided to push a portion of the FPC 100 located on the upper side of the recess 311 in a direction from the first surface of the FPC 100 toward the second surface (in the direction of Figure 1B Press from top to bottom).

[0033] Here, it is configured that the range H1 in which the pressing portion 420 is provided in the short side direction of the FPC 100 includes the range H2 in which the plurality of terminals 220 of the connector 200 are provided in the short side direction of the FPC 100. In addition, the range in which the recessed portion 311 is provided in the short side direction of the FPC 100 also includes the range H1 in which the pressing portion 420 is provided. Therefore, in the short side direction of the FPC 100, it can be said that the range in which the recessed portion 311 and the pressing portion 420 are provided includes the range H2 in which the plurality of terminals 220 are provided. In addition, in the present embodiment, the recessed portion 311 is provided across the entire width direction of the first holding member 310, but it is not necessarily provided in the entire width direction. In addition, the pressing portion 420 is provided across the entire width direction of the cover 400, but it is not necessarily provided in the entire width direction.

[0034] <Advantages of the Wiring Unit of the Present Embodiment> According to the wiring unit 10 of this embodiment, a recess 311 is provided in the first holding member 310, and a pressing portion 420 is provided in the cover 400, and the pressing portion 420 presses a part of the FPC 100 so that the part of the FPC 100 enters the recess 311. Thus, even if condensed water or the like flows through the FPC 100 toward the connection portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the connection portion) between the FPC 100 and the connector 200, the condensed water or the like will enter the recess 311, so that the condensed water or the like can be suppressed from penetrating into the connection portion. Therefore, a short circuit and degradation of the terminal 220 can be suppressed.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the range where the recess 311 and the pressing portion 420 are provided in the short-side direction of the FPC 100 includes the range H2 where the plurality of terminals 220 are provided. This can prevent condensed water or the like from adhering to any of the plurality of terminals 220 .

[0036] Here, it is preferable that the pressing portion 420 is configured to press a part of the FPC 100 against the wall surface 311a (see FIG. 31a ) on the side where the connector 200 is provided in the recess 311. Figure 1B ). If configured in this way, since a part of the FPC 100 is clamped by the wall surface 311a of the recess 311 and the pressing portion 420, it is possible to more reliably suppress the penetration of condensed water or the like into the connection portion. In addition, the side provided with the connector 200 corresponds to one end side of the FPC 100 in the long side direction.

[0037] Modifications of the cover 400 will be described below.

[0038] (Variant 1) Figure 3A and Figure 3B is an appearance diagram of a cover 400X according to modification example 1. Figure 3A This is the front view of the lid 400X. Figure 3B is a side view of the cover 400X. Figure 3B , the FPC 100 and a portion near the recess 311 in the first holding member 310 are also shown.

[0039] The cover 400X of the modification example 1 also includes a top plate portion 410 and a pressing portion 420, similarly to the cover 400 shown in the above embodiment. In the cover 400X, the pressing portion 420 is provided with a protrusion 430 that presses a part of the FPC 100 against the wall surface 311a of the recess 311 on the side where the connector 200 is provided.

[0040] The cover 400X constructed as described above can also achieve the same effect as the case where the cover 400 is used. In addition, when the cover 400X is used, since the peak value of the surface pressure of the pressing portion 420 (protrusion 430) pressing the FPC 100 is increased, it is possible to more reliably suppress the penetration of condensed water or the like into the connection portion. Figure 1B Compared with the case where a part of the FPC 100 is pressed by the flat portion of the pressing portion 420 as shown, the FPC 100 can be locally pressed by pressing a part of the FPC 100 by the protrusion 430. This can increase the peak value of the surface pressure.

[0041] (Variant 2) Figure 4A to Figure 4C is an appearance diagram of a cover 400Y according to a second modification. Figure 4A FIG. 4 is a part of a top view of the wiring unit 10 including the cover 400Y. Figure 4B This is the front view of cover 400Y. Figure 4C 400Y is a side view of the cover. Figure 4A In the figure, part of the main structure is shown in perspective and represented by dotted lines.

[0042] The cover 400Y of Modification 2 also includes a top plate portion 410 and a pressing portion 420 similarly to the cover 400 shown in the above embodiment. The cover 400Y also includes a pair of walls 440 covering both sides of the portions of the plurality of terminals 220 extending from the housing 210 .

[0043] The cover 400Y configured as above can also obtain the same effect as the case where the cover 400 is used. In addition, when the cover 400Y is used, it is possible to suppress certain components from contacting the terminal 220. That is, it is possible to suppress certain components constituting a device to which the wiring unit 10 is applied from contacting the terminal 220, or when the wiring unit 10 is used in an outdoor device, certain objects such as garbage from contacting the terminal 220.

[0044] (Variant 3) Figure 5A and Figure 5B is an appearance diagram of a cover 400Z according to a third modification. Figure 5A This is the front view of the 400Z. Figure 5B It is a side view of the lid 400Z.

[0045] The cover 400Z of the modification 3 is also provided with the top plate portion 410 and the pressing portion 420, similarly to the cover 400 shown in the above embodiment. Moreover, in the cover 400Z, the protrusion portion 430 is provided similarly to the modification 1, and the pair of wall portions 440 is provided similarly to the modification 2. The cover 400Z having the above-mentioned structure can also obtain the same effect as the case where the cover 400 is used. In addition, when the cover 400Z is used, the effect of the modification 1 and the effect of the modification 2 described above can also be obtained.

[0046] (Variant 4) In the structure in which the FPC is held in the holding member, it is also appropriate to provide a cover for the flexible printed wiring board in order to protect the FPC. For example, a cover for protecting the above-mentioned connector 200 and a cover for protecting the flexible printed wiring board may be integrally formed. Figure 6A to Figure 6C An example of this structure is shown. Fig. 6A 1 is a schematic diagram of a part of a side view of a wiring unit using a cover 400P of Modified Example 4. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as those shown in the embodiment, and their descriptions are appropriately omitted. The cover 400P of Modified Example 4 is similar to the cover 400 shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, and includes a top plate portion 410 and a pressing portion 420 that cover the connector 200. Moreover, in the cover 400P, an FPC cover 450 that covers the FPC 100 is provided integrally with the top plate portion 410 and the pressing portion 420. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0047] In addition, the structure for fixing the FPC cover 450 is not particularly limited, and a fixing member such as a screw member can be used. Figure 6A to Figure 6C In the example shown, a structure using a buckle 315 as an example of a fixing member is shown. That is, the FPC cover 450 can be fixed by the buckle 315 provided on the holding member 300S. In this case, Figure 6BAs shown, a structure in which a pair of buckles 315 are provided on both sides of the first holding member 310 can be adopted. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the holding member 300S and the cover 400P are integrated. In this case, for example Figure 6C As shown, the holding member 300S (first holding member 310) and the FPC cover 450S can be integrated with each other by means of the hinge 312. In this case, for example, a buckle 315 can be provided on one side of the first holding member 310 (the side opposite to the hinge 312). Figure 6B and Figure 6C Equivalent to Fig. 6A In addition, the structure of the cover 400P of the above-mentioned modification example 4 can also apply the structure shown in any one of the above-mentioned modification examples 1 to 3. The detailed description has been given for the purpose of example and illustration. In light of the above teachings, many variations and changes are possible. The detailed description is not exhaustive or intended to limit the subject matter described herein. Although the subject matter has been described in words with specific structural features and / or method processes, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or specific processes described. More specifically, the specific features and specific processes are described as examples of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A wiring unit, characterized in that: including a flexible printed wiring board, a connector, a retaining member and a cover, The flexible printed wiring board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and has a plurality of wirings. The connector has a housing and a plurality of terminals. The connector is connected to the first surface of the flexible printed wiring board at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the flexible printed wiring board. The plurality of terminals are arranged to extend from the inside of the housing to the outside and are respectively connected to the plurality of wirings at the other end side of the housing in the longitudinal direction. The holding member is provided to hold the flexible printed wiring board on the second surface of the flexible printed wiring board, The cover is provided so that the connector is sandwiched by the cover and the holding member in the thickness direction of the flexible printed wiring board, The holding member has a recessed portion, the recessed portion is located on the other end side of the longitudinal direction relative to the plurality of terminals, and is provided to be recessed toward the side opposite to the connector in the thickness direction. The cover has a pressing portion provided to press a portion of the flexible printed wiring board so that the portion of the flexible printed wiring board enters the recessed portion.

2. The wiring unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible printed wiring board is configured such that a range where the recess and the pressing portion are provided includes a range where the plurality of terminals are provided in a short-side direction of the flexible printed wiring board.

3. The wiring unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing portion is configured to press the portion of the flexible printed wiring board against a wall surface on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the recess.

4. The wiring unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressing portion has a protrusion, The protrusion is configured to press the portion of the flexible printed wiring board against the wall surface on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the recess.

5. The wiring unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The cover has a pair of wall portions, The pair of wall portions is configured to cover both sides of portions of the plurality of terminals that protrude from the housing.

6. The wiring unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: It also has a hinge. The holding element and the cover are formed integrally with each other by means of a hinge.

7. The wiring unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: It also has a cover for a flexible printed wiring board, The flexible printed wiring board cover covers the flexible printed wiring board and is integrally formed with the cover.

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