Plug connector and electric connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a technology for realizing miniaturization, strength improvement and durability improvement of a plug connector. A plug connector (100), which is mounted on a substrate, is provided with: a housing (110) having opposing side wall sections (111), a connecting wall section (112) that connects both end sections of the side wall sections (111), and a bottom wall section (113) that connects the side wall sections (111) and the connecting wall section (112); a plurality of terminals (120) disposed along the side wall portion (111); and a fitting (130) disposed on a part of the side wall portion (111) and the connecting wall portion (112), the fitting (130) having: an attachment portion (131) attached to the substrate; a curved section (132) that rises from the mounting section (131) along the side wall section (111) and has an upper surface section (154) that covers the upper surface (161) of the side wall section (111); an outer portion (133) disposed along the outer side of the connecting wall portion (112); and a connecting part (134) which connects the mounting part (131) and the bending part (132) with the outer side part (133).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector of an electric connector and an electric connector assembly, and in particular to a plug connector of a substrate-to-substrate connector mounted on a circuit substrate and an electric connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a substrate-to-substrate type electrical connector is used as a connector for connecting the surfaces of substrates to each other. A plug connector and a socket connector of a substrate-to-substrate type electrical connector form a set, and the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector, and the contacts (conductive terminals) of each other come into contact, thereby electrically connecting. As a technology related to such a substrate-to-substrate type electrical connector, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-159066) and the like can be cited.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-159066

[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-159067

[0005] In recent years, with the demand for lighter, thinner and shorter electronic devices such as smart phones, mobile phones, and portable information terminals, the components used in these devices are being miniaturized and thinned. Along with this, the connectors mounted on the circuit board also need to be miniaturized and thinned, but if miniaturization and thinning are to be achieved, it becomes difficult to maintain strength and durability. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of achieving miniaturization, improvement of strength, and improvement of durability of a connector.

[0007] The above-mentioned objects, other objects and novel features of the present invention will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] The outline of a representative embodiment among the embodiments disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

[0009] That is, the plug connector based on a representative embodiment is a plug connector mounted on a substrate, comprising: a shell having a pair of opposing side wall portions, a pair of connecting wall portions connecting the two ends of the pair of side wall portions, and a bottom wall portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and the pair of connecting wall portions; a plurality of terminals arranged along each of the pair of side wall portions; and a pair of accessories arranged on a portion of each of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions, the pair of accessories respectively having: a pair of mounting portions mounted on the substrate; a pair of bent portions rising from the mounting portions along the side wall portions and having an upper surface portion covering the upper surface of the side wall portions; an outer portion arranged along the outer side of the connecting wall portion; and a pair of connecting portions connecting the mounting portion and the bent portion to the outer portion, a slit being provided between the bent portion and the connecting portion.

[0010] The effects obtained by a representative example among the examples disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

[0011] By improving the accessories outside the signal terminals, the strength and durability of the connector are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the external appearance structure of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (as seen from the mating side).

[0013] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view (viewed from the mating side) showing the external appearance structure of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 (a) and (b) are three-dimensional views (viewed from the mating side) showing the structure of a portion of a plug connector involved in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0015] Figure 4 (a) and (b) are three-dimensional views (viewed from the mating side) showing the structure of a portion of a plug connector involved in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0016] Figure 5 (a) and (b) are three-dimensional views (viewed from the substrate side) showing the structure of a portion of a plug connector involved in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0017] Figure 6 (a) and (b) are three-dimensional views (viewed from the substrate side) showing the structure of a portion of a plug connector involved in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0018] Figure 7 (a) and (b) are top views showing a portion of the structure of a plug connector involved in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0019] Figure 8 (a) and (b) are front views showing the structure of a portion of a plug connector involved in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a portion of the plug connector, and (b) is a view showing only the accessory portion.

[0020] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing the appearance structure of a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 100...plug connector; 110...housing; 111...side wall; 112...connecting wall; 113...bottom wall; 114...outer wall; 115...inner wall; 116...outer side; 117...convex part; 118...extending part; 119...outer surface; 120...terminal; 121...contact part; 122...mounting part; 130...accessory; 131...mounting part; 132...bent part; 133...outer side; 134...connecting part; 135...slit; 136...side surface; 137 ...side surface; 138...through hole; 139...end; 140...side surface; 141...side surface; 142...inner surface; 143...recess; 144...convex; 145...outer surface; 146...outer surface; 147...upper surface; 148...upper surface; 149...outer surface; 150...lower part; 151...side surface; 152...side surface; 153...upper surface; 154...upper surface; 155...inner surface; 161...upper surface; 200...socket connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings for describing the embodiment, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components in principle, and the repeated description thereof is omitted.

[0024] In the following embodiments, for convenience, when necessary, they are divided into multiple parts or embodiments for description, but except for the cases that are particularly clearly stated, they are not unrelated to each other, but are in a relationship where one is a modification example, detailed content, supplementary explanation, etc. of a part or all of the other. In addition, in the following embodiments, except for the cases where the number of elements (including the number, value, amount, range, etc.) is mentioned, the cases that are particularly clearly stated, and the cases that are clearly limited to a specific number in principle, etc., are not limited to the specific number, and can be more or less than the specific number.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance structure of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view (viewed from the mating side). Since the metal parts such as the terminal and the housing are integrally formed by insert molding, they cannot actually be separated, but for ease of explanation, Figure 2 Shown separately in the middle.

[0026] First, according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The plug connector 100 of this embodiment includes an insulating housing 110 , a plurality of conductive terminals 120 held by the housing 110 , and a pair of conductive fittings 130 held by the housing 110 .

[0027] The housing 110 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The terminal 120 and the accessory 130 are formed of a conductive material such as metal. The plurality of terminals 120 and a pair of accessories 130 are integrally formed by insert molding. In the present embodiment, an example in which the number of terminals 120 is 12 is shown, but it is not limited to this, and any number is acceptable. However, since the terminals 120 are arranged opposite to each other, the number of terminals 120 is preferably an even number. Each of the plurality of terminals 120 has the same shape. Each of a pair of accessories 130 has the same shape. The accessory 130 can also be used as a power terminal, a ground terminal, or a reinforcing component.

[0028] The housing 110 is composed of a pair of side walls 111 extending in the X direction and facing each other, a pair of connecting walls 112 extending in the Y direction and connecting both ends of the pair of side walls 111, and a bottom wall 113 connecting the pair of side walls 111 and the pair of connecting walls 112. The bottom wall 113 is surrounded by the pair of side walls 111 and the pair of connecting walls 112 and forms a bottom portion. The plug connector 100 is formed by, for example, an integral molding or insert molding method in which the terminal 120 and the fitting 130 are arranged in a mold and a resin is injected to form the housing 110.

[0029] A plurality of terminals 120 are arranged separately along each of a pair of side wall portions 111. The terminal 120 includes a contact portion 121 that is protruding and curved in the mating direction (Z1 direction) and a mounting portion 122 that extends parallel to the substrate (Y direction). When the contact portion 121 is mated with a receptacle connector as a mating connector, the contact portion 121 contacts the mating side and the signal line is electrically connected. When mounted, the mounting portion 122 is soldered to an individual circuit pattern on the substrate.

[0030] Each of the two fittings 130 is disposed outside the plurality of terminals 120 and is separated and opposed in the X direction. In addition, the fittings 130 are disposed across a portion of the side wall portion 111 and the connecting wall portion 112. The two fittings 130 have the same shape. In addition, each of the two fittings 130 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the X axis.

[0031] Next, according to Figure 3 to Figure 8 , the detailed structure of accessory 130 is described. Figure 3 to Figure 6 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the structure of the plug connector 100. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a perspective view from the mating side. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a perspective view viewed from the substrate side. Figure 7 It is a plan view showing a part of the structure of the plug connector 100 . Figure 8 1 is a front view showing a part of the structure of the plug connector 100. Figure 3 to Figure 8 In each of the figures, (a) shows a portion of the plug connector and (b) shows only the accessory 130 portion.

[0032] like Figure 2 to Figure 8As shown, the pair of fittings 130 respectively include: a pair of mounting portions 131 extending from the side wall portion 111 toward the outside (Y direction) and mounted on the substrate; a pair of bent portions 132 rising from the mounting portions 131 along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 and bent along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 via the upper surface 161 of the side wall portion 111; an outer portion 133 arranged along the outer portion 116 from the upper surface 153 of the connecting wall portion 112; and a pair of connecting portions 134 connecting the mounting portions 131 and the bent portions 132 to the outer portion 133. In addition, a slit 135 is provided between the bent portions 132 and the connecting portions 134. The outer portion 133 includes: an outer surface 146 extending along the Z2 direction, and an upper surface 147 connected to the outer surface 146 and extending along the XY plane. The connecting portion 134 has an upper surface 148 connected to the upper surface 147 of the outer portion 133 and extending along the XY plane, and an outer surface 149 rising along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111. The lower portion 150 of the outer surface 149 of the connecting portion 134 is connected to the mounting portion 131 and the bent portion 132. In addition, the side surface 151 of the terminal side (X1 direction) of the connecting portion 134 forms the side surface 136 of the slit 135. A portion of the side surface 152 of the bent portion 132 forming the slit 135 is exposed from the side wall portion 111. Figure 8 As shown, the side surface 136 of the connection portion of the slit 135 is located closer to the terminal side (X1 direction) than the side surface 137 of the outer side (X2 direction) of the mounting portion 131. With this positional relationship, the strength of the fitting 130 can be maintained while providing the slit 135.

[0033] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the figures, a through hole 138 is provided between the bent portion 132 and the connecting portion 134 of the accessory 130 and the mounting portion 131. The through hole 138 can prevent the solder from rising during soldering during mounting, and the accessory 130 and the housing 110 can be firmly fixed by filling the through hole 138 with resin.

[0034] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the figures, the bent portion 132 of the accessory 130 has: a convex portion (locking portion) 144 protruding in the outward direction (Y direction), an upper surface portion 154 covering the upper surface of the side wall portion 111 and located in the mating direction (Z1 side), and an inner surface portion 155 along the inner wall 115. When the convex portion (locking portion) 144 is mated with the connector on the opposite side (socket connector), it engages with the terminal of the connector on the opposite side and is locked to maintain the mating force. However, such a convex portion (no locking portion) is not provided on the connecting portion 134 to prevent the connecting portion 134 of the accessory 130 from being cut off. As shown in the figures, the convex portion 144 is not provided on the connecting portion 134 to prevent the connecting portion 134 of the accessory 130 from being cut off. Figure 7As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer surface 145 of the convex portion 144 of the bent portion 132 of the fitting 130 is located outside (in the Y direction) relative to the outer surface 149 of the connecting portion 134 when viewed from the fitting side (Z1 side).

[0035] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , both side surfaces 141 of the bent portion 132 of the fitting 130 are exposed. When the end surface or side surface of the fitting 130 is exposed, the fitting 130 can be pressed and fixed by the mold when the resin is poured in the integral molding.

[0036] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the end 139 of the outer portion 133 of the accessory 130 on the substrate side (Z2 direction) is not mounted on the mounting portion of the substrate, and the end surface of the end 139 of the outer portion 133 is exposed. In addition, the two side surfaces 140 of the outer portion 133 are also exposed. Exposure refers to a state in which the end surface or side surface of the accessory 130 is not in contact with the resin of the housing. When the end surface or side surface of the accessory 130 is exposed, the accessory 130 can be pressed and fixed by the mold when the resin is poured in the integral molding.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , a concave portion 143 (recess) is provided on the inner surface 142 of the outer portion 133 of the accessory 130. The concave portion 143 and the convex portion 117 (see FIG. 1 ) provided on the outer portion 116 of the connecting wall portion 112 of the housing 110 are connected. Figure 2 ) to prevent the outer portion 133 of the accessory 130 from curling.

[0038] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the pair of connecting wall portions 112 of the housing 110 has a pair of protruding portions 118 on the outside of the corner where the side wall portion 111 and the connecting wall portion 112 intersect. In addition, when viewed from a direction (Y direction) parallel to the substrate and the connecting wall portion 112, the outer surface 119 of the protruding portion is located further outward (X direction) than the outer surface 146 of the outer portion 133 of the accessory 130. By providing the protruding portion 118 at the corner of the lower portion of the housing 110, it is easy for the machine to grasp the protruding portion 118 and move it when the plug connector is mounted on the substrate. Figure 8As shown in the figure, the upper surface 147 of the outer portion 133, the upper surface 148 of the connecting portion 134, and the upper surface 154 of the bent portion 132 are located at the same height in the mating direction (Z1 direction). With such a structure, the upper surface of the side wall portion 111 and the upper surface 153 of the connecting wall portion are covered by the accessory 130, thereby protecting the housing 110, and the upper surfaces 147, 148, 154 of the accessory 130 are located at the same height, thereby avoiding the situation where the receptacle connector 200 (the counterpart connector) and a specific part of the accessory 130 collide with each other, and the deformation and damage of the accessory 130 can be prevented.

[0039] like Fig. 9 As shown, an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a plug connector 100 and a socket connector 200 (connector on the counterpart side). The plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 are respectively a type of substrate-to-substrate type electrical connector that electrically connects the circuits of printed circuit substrates to each other, and are usually installed on a printed circuit substrate (not shown) for use. For example, a rechargeable battery of a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, etc., its control circuit, etc. are connected to the printed circuit substrate. Moreover, the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 are engaged with each other, and their respective power terminals and signal terminals are in contact with each other to be electrically connected, and are electrically connected to the circuit on the printed circuit substrate.

[0040] Therefore, according to the plug connector of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the connector, and to improve strength and durability.

[0041] As mentioned above, the invention completed by the present inventors has been specifically described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042] For example, the bent portion 132 may be a shape that rises from the mounting portion 131 along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 and bends along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 through the upper surface 161 of the side wall portion 111, instead of a shape that rises from the mounting portion 131 along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 and bends along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 through the upper surface 161 of the side wall portion 111.

[0043]

Industrial Applicability

[0044] The connector according to the present embodiment can be widely used in industry, business, home, and the like.

Claims

1. A plug connector mounted on a substrate, characterized in that: have: The housing has a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of connecting walls connecting both ends of the pair of side walls, and a bottom wall connecting the pair of side walls and the pair of connecting walls; a plurality of terminals arranged along each of the pair of side wall portions; and A pair of accessories are arranged at a portion of each of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions, The pair of accessories respectively comprises: a pair of mounting portions mounted on the substrate; a pair of bent portions, rising from the mounting portion along the side wall portion and having an upper surface portion covering an upper surface of the side wall portion; an outer portion, arranged along the outer side of the connecting wall portion; as well as A pair of connection parts connects the mounting part and the bent part to the outer part.

2. The plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A slit is provided between the bent portion and the connecting portion.

3. The plug connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: A side surface of the slit on the connection portion side is located closer to the terminal than a side surface of the mounting portion on the outer portion side.

4. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: A through hole is provided between the bent portion and the connecting portion of the accessory and the mounting portion.

5. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The end portion of the outer portion of the accessory on the substrate side has no mounting portion mounted on the substrate, and the end surface of the end portion is exposed. Both side surfaces of the bent portion and both side surfaces of the outer portion of the accessory are exposed.

6. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: A recess is provided on the inner surface of the outer portion of the accessory.

7. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The bent portion of the fitting includes a convex portion, and an outer surface of the convex portion is located outside the outer surface of the connecting portion when viewed from the fitting side.

8. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein: The pair of connecting wall portions of the housing each include a pair of protruding portions outside a corner where the side wall portion and the connecting wall portion intersect. When viewed in a direction parallel to the substrate and the connecting wall portion, an outer surface of the extending portion is located outside an outer surface of the outer portion of the attachment.

9. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a plug connector; and a socket connector mated with the plug connector, characterized in that: The plug connector comprises: The housing has a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of connecting walls connecting both ends of the pair of side walls, and a bottom wall connecting the pair of side walls and the pair of connecting walls; a plurality of terminals arranged along each of the pair of side wall portions; and A pair of accessories are arranged at a portion of each of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions, The pair of accessories respectively comprises: a pair of mounting portions mounted on the substrate; a pair of bent portions, rising from the mounting portion along the side wall portion and having an upper surface portion covering an upper surface of the side wall portion; an outer portion, arranged along the outer side of the connecting wall portion; as well as A pair of connection parts connects the mounting part and the bent part to the outer part.

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