Connector

Abstract

The invention provides a connector stably held on a substrate. A connector (10) is provided with a housing (12) and a terminal fitting (22) attached to the housing (12). The terminal fitting (22) has a substrate connection part (24) that extends in the vertical direction outside the housing (12) and is connected to the substrate (S). The housing (12) has: a pair of side walls (16) disposed on both sides in the left-right direction sandwiching the substrate connection section (24); and at least three substrate protrusions (18) that protrude downward from each of the pair of side walls (16) and are held by the substrate (S). Each of the pair of side walls (16) protrudes a substrate protrusion (18) from two positions spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has multiple terminals that connect to a substrate. Multiple locking portions are provided in the connector to clamp each terminal. Each locking portion passes through a locking hole formed in the substrate and is locked in place. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-67892 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, the locking portions are arranged in a straight line in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the connector is engaged relative to the other connector from the normal engagement direction to the inclined direction (hereinafter referred to as "torsional engagement"), the locking portions cannot adequately resist the external force in the inclined direction. In the worst case, some of the locking portions may break or be damaged, and the stability of the connector held on the substrate may be compromised.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to enable the connector to remain stably attached to the substrate even when subjected to external forces. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a housing; and a terminal part assembled to the housing, the terminal part having a substrate connection portion extending vertically outside the housing and connected to a substrate, the housing having: a pair of sidewalls disposed on both sides in a left-right direction sandwiching the substrate connection portion; and at least three substrate protrusions protruding downward from the pair of sidewalls and held in the substrate, at least one of the pair of sidewalls causing the substrate protrusions to protrude from two or more locations spaced apart in a front-rear direction. Invention Effects

[0007] This disclosure provides a connector that is stably held on a substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the housing and terminal parts viewed from the rear lower side in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the housing from the lower rear side in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the housing from the rear upper side in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the connector in Embodiment 1, showing an enlarged portion of the protrusion and sidewall of the substrate. Figure 5 These are perspective views of the two terminal components in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 6 This is a side sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1. Figure 7 This is a bottom view of the rear of the connector in Embodiment 1. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the pressing clamp used when mounting the connector to the substrate in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 9 This is a rear view showing the state in which the connector is mounted on the substrate using a pressing clamp in the connector of Embodiment 1. Figure 10 This is a side view showing an enlarged view of the portion of the connector in Embodiment 1 where the substrate protrusion is held on the substrate and the portion where the housing protrusion is held on the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0009] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments of this disclosure are first described by listing them. The connector disclosed herein (1) The device comprises: a housing; and a terminal component assembled to the housing, the terminal component having a substrate connection portion extending in a vertical direction outside the housing and connected to a substrate, the housing having: a pair of sidewalls disposed on both sides in a left-right direction sandwiching the substrate connection portion; and at least three substrate protrusions protruding downward from the pair of sidewalls and held in the substrate, at least one of the pair of sidewalls causing the substrate protrusions to protrude from two or more locations spaced apart in a front-back direction.

[0010] According to the structure described in (1) above, each substrate protrusion is arranged around the substrate connection portion in both the front-back and left-right directions. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the connector in an inclined direction, such as due to the twisting engagement of the connector with the other connector, each substrate protrusion can effectively resist the external force. As a result, the stability of the connector held on the substrate can be prevented from being compromised.

[0011] (2) Based on the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the top end of the substrate protrusion is located below the top end of the substrate connection portion. According to the structure described in (2) above, when the connector is mounted to the substrate, the substrate protrusion can contact the substrate before the substrate connection portion, thereby determining the relative positions of the substrate connection portion and the substrate in the front-back direction and the left-right direction before connecting the substrate connection portion to the substrate.

[0012] (3) Based on the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the substrate protrusion has a circular outer peripheral shape when viewed from below, and a hole extending in the vertical direction and opening at the top of the substrate protrusion is formed at the axis of the substrate protrusion. According to the structure described in (3) above, for example, when the substrate protrusion is inserted into the through hole of the substrate, when the substrate protrusion contacts the substrate, the substrate protrusion can be uniformly compressed and deformed as the hole shrinks. As a result, it is possible to prevent the axis of the substrate protrusion from shifting relative to the axis of the through hole, and the stability of the connector held in the substrate can be further improved.

[0013] (4) Based on the connector described in (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the housing has a housing protrusion that protrudes upward from each of the pair of sidewalls and is held in the housing. According to the structure in (4) above, the connector is not only stably held in the substrate but also stably held in the housing.

[0014] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates specific examples of this disclosure. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, which are intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0015] <Implementation Method 1> The connector 10 of embodiment 1 is mounted on a rigid printed circuit board or other substrate S (see embodiment 1). Figure 9 and Figure 10 Furthermore, in the following description, for ease of explanation, the surface on which the connector 10 is mounted on the substrate S will be designated as the upper surface, and in each figure, the upper, right, and front directions will be indicated by the reference numerals X, Y, and Z, respectively. The reference numerals for these directions may not be consistent with the reference numerals for the directions of the connector 10 when mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown). For example, the lower direction in this disclosure is not limited to the lower direction of gravity.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, connector 10 includes a housing 12 and a plurality of terminal parts 22 assembled on the housing 12. The housing 12 is made of synthetic resin. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 12 has a terminal holding portion 13, a cover portion 14, a pair of sidewalls 16 in the left-right direction, at least three or more substrate protrusions 18, and a pair of housing protrusions 19. The terminal holding portion 13 is formed as a wall, with the wall thickness facing the front-rear direction. The cover portion 14 is formed as a cylinder, specifically, as a flat cylinder that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The terminal holding portion 13 is disposed inside the cover portion 14, dividing the interior of the cover portion 14 in the front-rear direction.

[0017] A pair of sidewalls 16 are formed in a wall shape, with the wall thickness facing left and right. Each sidewall 16 protrudes rearward from both ends in the left and right directions of the rear end edge of the cover portion 14. A weight-reducing groove 16A that opens upward and rearward is formed in each sidewall 16.

[0018] In this embodiment 1, two protrusions 18 are provided on each sidewall 16, for a total of four. Each protrusion 18 protrudes downward from the lower end of each pair of sidewalls 16. Each protrusion 18 is formed into a cylindrical or cylindrical shape with a pointed tip, and has a circular outer periphery when viewed from below (see [reference]). Figure 7 ).like Figure 4 As shown, a hole 18A is formed at the axis of each substrate protrusion 18. The hole 18A extends vertically within the substrate protrusion 18 and opens at the top (lower end) of the substrate protrusion 18. The inner end of the hole 18A is located at the lower end of the sidewall 16. The hole 18A is not connected to the weight-reducing groove 16A. The lower end of each substrate protrusion 18 is formed in a tapered shape, tapering circumferentially towards the top. A sidewall 16 allows the substrate protrusion 18 to protrude from two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0019] A circular recess 18B is formed on the lower end face of the sidewall 16, surrounding the root of each substrate protrusion 18. Additionally, a C-shaped protrusion 18C, viewed from below, surrounds a portion of the recess 18B on the lower end face of the sidewall 16. The lower end of each protrusion 18C is formed as a plane parallel to the lower end face of the sidewall 16. Each substrate protrusion 18 is inserted (pressed into) a through-hole H1 in the substrate S (see...). Figure 9 Each substrate protrusion 18 is held (fixed) to the substrate S by pressing in through holes H1. The lower end of each protrusion 18C rests on the upper surface of the substrate S.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing protrusions 19 are circular in shape and protrude upwards from a pair of sidewalls 16. The diameter of the housing protrusions 19 is the same as the diameter of the substrate protrusions 18. The upper end of each housing protrusion 19 is tapered, tapering towards the top. Each housing protrusion 19 and the front substrate protrusion 18 of the two substrate protrusions 18 arranged along the front-rear direction are coaxial in the vertical direction. Each housing protrusion 19 is solid and does not have holes. An upwardly opening weight-reducing hole 16B is formed on the sidewall 16, in a position forward of the housing protrusions 19.

[0021] Terminal part 22 is formed by bending a slender metal raw material into an L-shape. Terminal part 22 is a male terminal part. Figure 5As shown, the terminal part 22 has: an extension 23 extending in the front-rear direction; and a substrate connecting part 24 extending in the vertical direction from the rear end of the extension 23 at a right angle downward. A portion of the terminal part 22 ( Figure 5 The extension 23 of the right-side terminal part 22 includes more than other parts of the terminal part 22 ( Figure 5 The left-side terminal part 22) has a wide extension 23. A rectangular part 25 and a press-fit part 26 are provided at the lower end of the substrate connection part 24. The rectangular part 25 extends outward in a rectangular shape from the main body of the substrate connection part 24 to the left and right.

[0022] The press-fit portion 26 is located at the lower end (top end) of the substrate connection portion 24 and is connected to the lower end of the rectangular portion 25. A pair of elastic contact pieces 26A and a deflection space 26B disposed between the two elastic contact pieces 26A are formed in the press-fit portion 26. The pair of elastic contact pieces 26A are formed to protrude in a manner that separates them in the left-right direction. The pair of elastic contact pieces 26A can elastically deform in the left-right direction by narrowing the deflection space 26B.

[0023] like Figure 6 As shown, the terminal component 22 is fixed to the terminal holding portion 13 with the protrusion 23 passing through the terminal holding portion 13 in the front-rear direction. When multiple terminal components 22 are installed and fixed to the housing 12, the protrusions 23 are arranged parallel to each other (see [reference]). Figure 7 Furthermore, the substrate connecting portions 24 are arranged parallel to each other (see...). Figure 9 The front end of the extension 23 protrudes from the front surface of the terminal holding portion 13 into the forward-extending cover portion 14.

[0024] like Figure 7 As shown, the rear end of the protrusion 23 and the substrate connecting portion 24 are exposed between a pair of sidewalls 16. When viewed from above, the substrate protrusion 18 is arranged to surround the area where the plurality of substrate connecting portions 24 are disposed. In other words, the substrate protrusion 18 extends downwards on both sides that sandwich the substrate connecting portions 24 from the left and right directions. A pair of sidewalls 16 are disposed on both sides sandwiching the plurality of substrate connecting portions 24 in the left and right directions. The top end (lower end) of the press-fit portion 26 of the substrate connecting portion 24 protrudes downwards beyond the lower edge of the sidewall 16 (see [reference]). Figure 6 , 9 The top (bottom) of the substrate protrusion 18 is located below the top (bottom) of the substrate connector 24 (see...). Figure 6 , 9 This forms connector 10.

[0025] On the substrate S used for mounting connector 10, a plurality of through holes H1, H2 are formed through the substrate along the thickness direction (see...). Figure 9 When mounting connector 10 onto substrate S, use... Figure 8 The pressing clamp 50 is shown. The pressing clamp 50 is used to press the substrate protrusion 18 into the through hole H1 and the press-fit part 26 into the through hole H2.

[0026] The pressing clamp 50 has a block-shaped base 51 that is elongated in the left-right direction and a pressing body portion 52 that protrudes downward from the base 51. An upwardly recessed insertion hole 51A is formed at each of the two ends in the left-right direction of the base 51.

[0027] The pressing body 52 is formed as a block that extends in the left-right direction. Multiple clearance grooves 52A and multiple pressing grooves 52B are formed in the pressing body 52. ​​Each clearance groove 52A is recessed at the lower end of the pressing body 52. ​​Each clearance groove 52A extends in the front-back direction in the pressing body 52. ​​The clearance grooves 52A are arranged in a left-right direction in the pressing body 52.

[0028] Each pressing groove 52B is recessed at the lower end of the pressing body portion 52. Each pressing groove 52B extends in the left-right direction and is formed in the pressing body portion 52. The pressing grooves 52B are arranged in a straight line in the left-right direction. The upper end (inner end) of each pressing groove 52B is located below the upper end (inner end) of each clearance groove 52A (see [reference]). Figure 9 That is, the pressing groove 52B is formed shallower than the clearance groove 52A. In this way, the pressing clamp 50 is formed.

[0029] An example of the steps for mounting connector 10 to substrate S will be described. For example... Figure 9 As shown, firstly, the pressing clamp 50 is placed on the connector 10. Specifically, the posture of the pressing clamp 50 is adjusted so that the pressing body 52 protrudes downward from the base 51, and the pressing clamp 50 approaches the connector 10 from above. Then, the substrate connecting portion 24 of the terminal part 22 enters each of the clearance grooves 52A from below. At the same time, the housing protrusion 19 enters each of the insertion holes 51A from below.

[0030] As the pressing clamp 50 approaches the connector 10 from above, the rectangular portion 25 enters each pressing groove 52B from below. Furthermore, when the base 51 contacts the upper ends of the pair of sidewalls 16 from above, the upper edge of the rectangular portion 25 contacts the upper (inner) end of each pressing groove 52B. This completes the installation of the pressing clamp 50 onto the connector 10.

[0031] When mounting the connector 10 onto the substrate S, each substrate protrusion 18 is aligned with the through hole H1. At this time, each substrate connection portion 24 extends vertically toward the substrate S from the outside of the housing 12. If the connector 10 is brought closer to the substrate S from above while maintaining this posture, each substrate protrusion 18 first passes through the through hole H1 from above. This determines the relative position of the housing 12 with respect to the substrate S in the front-back and left-right directions.

[0032] The diameter of each substrate protrusion 18 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole H1. Therefore, by pressing down the base 51 of the pressing clamp 50, the substrate protrusion 18 is pressed into each through hole H1 as the hole 18A shrinks. The outer peripheral surface of the substrate protrusion 18 is compressed by the through hole H1 in a diameter-reducing manner, and is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole H1. As a result, the substrate protrusion 18 is fixed to the substrate S, maintaining the state in which the housing 12 is mounted on the substrate S.

[0033] With the connector 10 positioned on the substrate S by pressing the substrate protrusion 18 into the through hole H1, each press-fit portion 26 passes through the through hole H2 from above. As each press-fit portion 26 passes through the through hole H2, a pair of elastic contact pieces 26A elastically deform towards each other. As a result, each elastic contact piece 26A elastically contacts the inner circumferential surface of the through hole H2. In this way, the substrate connecting portion 24 is connected to the substrate S. Furthermore, when the protrusion 18C formed at the lower end of each sidewall 16 contacts the upper surface of the substrate S from above, the installation of the connector 10 onto the substrate S is completed. Then, the pressing clamp 50 is removed from the connector 10. At this time, since a gap is formed between the insertion hole 51A and the housing protrusion 19, the pressing clamp 50 can be smoothly removed from the connector 10.

[0034] like Figure 10 As shown, after the connector 10 is mounted on the substrate S and the pressing clamp 50 is removed, a metal housing 70, serving as the frame for the ECU, is mounted so that each side wall 16 is covered from above. A fitting hole 71 is formed in the housing 70. When the housing 70 is mounted on the substrate S, the housing protrusion 19 is inserted into the fitting hole 71. Thus, the side wall 16 of the connector 10 is clamped between the substrate S and the housing 70 from above and below. Therefore, even if the opposite connector (not shown) is twisted and fitted with the connector 10 from a non-standard fitting direction, displacement of the connector 10 relative to the substrate S can be suppressed, thereby maintaining the connection between the press-fit portion 26 and the through hole H2 (see [reference]). Figure 9 ).

[0035] As described above, the connector 10 of this embodiment 1 includes a housing 12 and a terminal part 22 mounted on the housing 12. The terminal part 22 has a substrate connecting portion 24 extending vertically out of the housing 12 and connected to the substrate S. The housing 12 has a pair of sidewalls 16 disposed on both sides in the left-right direction that sandwich the substrate connecting portion 24; and substrate protrusions 18 that protrude downward from the pair of sidewalls 16 and are held on the substrate S. The pair of sidewalls 16 respectively allow the substrate protrusions 18 to protrude from two locations spaced apart in the front-back direction.

[0036] Accordingly, compared to the case where the substrate protrusion 18 is arranged in a straight line in the left-right direction, the substrate protrusion 18 can make extensive contact with the substrate S in both the front-back and left-right directions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mounting posture and position of the housing 12 relative to the substrate S from becoming unstable when an external force is applied to the housing 12.

[0037] Furthermore, the top tip of the substrate protrusion 18 is located below the top tip of the substrate connector 24. Therefore, when the connector 10 is mounted to the substrate S, the substrate protrusion 18 can contact the substrate S before the substrate connector 24, thereby determining the relative positions of the substrate connector 24 and the substrate S in the front-back and left-right directions before connecting the substrate connector 24 to the substrate S. This allows the substrate connector 24 to be smoothly inserted into the through hole H2.

[0038] Furthermore, the substrate protrusion 18 has a circular outer peripheral shape when viewed from below, and a hole 18A is formed at the axis of the substrate protrusion 18, extending in the vertical direction and opening at the top of the substrate protrusion 18. Accordingly, when the substrate protrusion 18 is pressed into the through hole H1 of the substrate S, the substrate protrusion 18 can be compressed uniformly in the radial direction throughout its entire circumference through the hole 18A. As a result, the substrate protrusion 18 can be pressed into the through hole H1 in a manner that prevents the axis of the substrate protrusion 18 from shifting relative to the axis of the through hole H1.

[0039] Additionally, the housing 12 has housing protrusions 19 that protrude upward from a pair of side walls 16 and are fixed to the housing 70. Accordingly, the side walls 16 of the housing 12 can be connected by clamping the base plate S and the housing 70.

[0040] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] It should be considered that the above-described implementation method 1 disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, a recess is formed to surround the protrusion of the substrate. In contrast, according to other embodiments, a structure may be provided with only a protrusion and no recess. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the tips of all the substrate protrusions are located below the tip of the substrate connector. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the structure can also be configured such that the tip of one of the substrate protrusions provided on each of the pair of sidewalls is located below the tip of the substrate connector. That is, the structure can also be configured such that the tips of a portion of the substrate protrusions are located below the tip of the substrate connector. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the protrusion for the substrate has a circular outer peripheral shape. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the protrusion for the substrate may also have a polygonal, elliptical, or other outer peripheral shapes. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the substrate protrusion is pressed into the through-hole of the substrate. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the structure may be as follows: the substrate protrusion is formed in a so-called snap-fit ​​manner, so that the substrate protrusion elastically deforms in a way that wraps around the two sides of the substrate from the side. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the housing protrusion is provided on the side wall. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the housing protrusion may be provided at the rear end edge of the cover. In Embodiment 1 described above, the total number of substrate protrusions is four. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the total number of substrate protrusions can be three, or five or more. When the total number of substrate protrusions is three, it is preferable to have a structure in which two substrate protrusions are provided on one sidewall and one substrate protrusion is provided on the other sidewall. Alternatively, when there are four substrate protrusions, it is preferable to have a structure in which the substrate protrusions from three positions spaced apart in the front-back direction on one sidewall and from one position on the other sidewall. That is, it is preferable to have a structure in which the substrate protrusions from two or more positions spaced apart in the front-back direction on at least one of a pair of sidewalls. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the housing protrusion and the substrate protrusion are arranged coaxially, and the diameter of the housing protrusion is the same as the diameter of the substrate protrusion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the housing protrusion and the substrate protrusion may be arranged non-coaxially, and the diameter of the housing protrusion may be different from the diameter of the substrate protrusion. In Embodiment 1 described above, a hole is formed in the protrusion of the substrate. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the protrusion of the substrate may be divided into two or four sections in the circumferential direction to form a slit. In this case, it is preferable to provide a larger diameter portion at the protruding end of the substrate protrusion than at the base end. When the substrate protrusion is passed through the through hole, the larger diameter portion engages with the through hole to prevent it from falling out. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the structure has a protrusion for the housing. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the structure may not have a protrusion for the housing. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the terminal part is a male terminal part. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the terminal part may also be a female terminal part having a housing portion. In this case, a cavity for accommodating the female terminal part can be formed in the terminal holding portion. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the terminal part is L-shaped. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the terminal part may also be a shape that extends linearly along the vertical direction. When the terminal part is linearly extended, it is preferable to have a shape where the mating surface of the cover opens upwards and the sidewalls protrude downwards from the lower end of the cover. In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the terminal part is a press-fit terminal having a press-fit portion capable of elastic deformation. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the terminal part may not have a press-fit portion, but may instead be fixed to a substrate by soldering. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0041] 10… connectors 12…shell 13…Terminal holding section 14…covering 16…sidewall 16A…weight reduction tank 16B…weight reduction hole 18…Protrusion for substrate 18A…hole 18B…concave part 18C…convex part 19…Protrusions for the box body 22…Terminal parts 23…Extension 24…Substrate connection portion 25… Rectangular section 26… Press-fit part 26A…elastic contact sheet 26B…flexible space 50… Pressing clamp 51…base 51A…Insert Hole 52… Press the main body 52A… clearance slot 52B…Pressing groove 70…box 71…fitting hole H1, H2... Through holes S…Substrate

Claims

1. A connector comprising: Casing; and Terminal components are assembled into the housing. The terminal component has a substrate connection portion that extends vertically outside the housing and connects to the substrate. The housing has: A pair of sidewalls are disposed on both sides in the left-right direction, sandwiching the substrate connection portion; and At least three substrate protrusions protrude downward from each of the pair of sidewalls and are held in place on the substrate. At least one of the pair of sidewalls causes the substrate to protrude from two or more locations spaced apart in the front-back direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The tip of the protrusion for the substrate is located below the tip of the substrate connector.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, Viewed from below, the protrusion for the substrate has a circular outer periphery. A hole is formed at the center of the protrusion for the substrate, extending in the vertical direction and opening at the top of the protrusion for the substrate.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The housing has a box-shaped protrusion that protrudes upward from a pair of side walls and is held in place within the box.

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