connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector that improves the positional accuracy of terminals relative to a circuit board. The connector (10) comprises: a plurality of terminals (20); a housing (30) having a main body (31) for holding the plurality of terminals (20) and insulating walls (32) disposed between the plurality of terminals (20) protruding from the main body (31), the connector (10) being fixed to a circuit board (40) having a through hole (41) into which the insulating wall (32) is inserted. The insulating wall (32) has an insulating elastic sheet (32a) that is elastic and suppresses wobble relative to the circuit board (40) by pressing into contact with the inner surface of the through hole (41).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, connectors fixed to circuit boards include those having multiple terminals and a housing that maintains insulation over the terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This housing has: a main body portion that holds the multiple terminals; and an insulating wall disposed between the multiple terminals protruding from the main body portion and inserted into a through-hole in the circuit board. In such connectors, the insulating wall ensures a longer creepage distance and spatial distance between the multiple terminals. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-50745 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve However, in connectors like the described above, the positional accuracy of the terminals relative to the circuit board is low. For example, even in a structure where multiple terminals protruding from the main body pass through terminal holes provided on the circuit board, the connector may wobble relative to the circuit board due to the need for minute gaps between the terminal holes and the terminals, and between the through holes and the insulating wall. This results in a problem of low positional accuracy of the terminals relative to the circuit board. Furthermore, this can cause defects, for example, when soldering terminals protruding from the terminal holes to the circuit board.

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve the positional accuracy of terminals relative to a circuit board. Solution for solving the problem

[0005] The connector disclosed herein comprises: a plurality of terminals; and a housing having a main body portion for holding the plurality of terminals and an insulating wall disposed between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion, the connector being fixed to a circuit board having a through hole for insertion of the insulating wall, wherein the insulating wall has an insulating elastic sheet that is elastic and suppresses wobbling of the insulating wall relative to the circuit board by pressing it into the inner surface of the through hole. Invention Effects

[0006] The connector disclosed herein can improve the positional accuracy of the terminals relative to the circuit board. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a front view of the connector and circuit board assembled in one embodiment. Figure 2This is a perspective view of the connector and circuit board before assembly in one embodiment. Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the connector in one embodiment. Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector and circuit board before assembly in one embodiment. Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector and circuit board assembled in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0008] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments of this disclosure are first described by listing them. The connector disclosed herein [1] The connector comprises: a plurality of terminals; and a housing having a main body portion for holding the plurality of terminals and an insulating wall disposed between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion, the connector being fixed to a circuit board having a through hole for insertion of the insulating wall, wherein the insulating wall has an insulating elastic sheet that is elastic and suppresses the wobbling of the insulating wall relative to the circuit board by pressing it into the inner surface of the through hole.

[0009] According to this structure, the insulating wall has an insulating elastic sheet that is elastic and suppresses wobble relative to the circuit board by pressing it against the inner surface of the through-hole. Therefore, wobble of the connector relative to the circuit board is suppressed. This improves the positional accuracy of the terminal relative to the circuit board. Furthermore, since the insulating elastic sheet presses against the inner surface of the through-hole using its own elasticity, it is less prone to generating debris compared to, for example, a simple rib that presses against the inner surface of the through-hole. That is, in the case of a structure where the insulating wall has ribs that press against the inner surface of the through-hole, the ribs are ground while sliding contact when the insulating wall including the ribs is pressed into the through-hole, easily generating debris. In contrast, since the insulating elastic sheet presses against the inner surface of the through-hole using its own elasticity, it is less prone to grinding, thus reducing the generation of debris. Additionally, debris can cause defects during soldering on the circuit board, but this phenomenon can be suppressed.

[0010] [2] Based on [1] above, the insulating elastic sheet may also have claws, which prevent the insulating elastic sheet from falling out of the through hole when the insulating elastic sheet is inserted into the through hole. According to this structure, since the insulating elastic sheet has claws that prevent it from falling out of the through hole when it is inserted into the through hole, it is possible to prevent the insulating elastic sheet from falling out of the through hole simply by inserting it into the through hole.

[0011] [3] Based on the above [1] or above [2], a pair of insulating elastic sheets may be provided on one of the insulating walls, and the pair of insulating elastic sheets are pressed against the opposing surfaces of the inner surface of the through hole.

[0012] According to this structure, since a pair of insulating elastic sheets are provided on an insulating wall, and the pair of insulating elastic sheets press against the opposing surfaces in the inner surface of the through hole, the wobbling of the insulating wall relative to the circuit board can be suppressed by an insulating wall without relying on other structures.

[0013] [4] Based on any of the above [1] to [3], the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body may also pass through terminal holes provided on the circuit board. According to this structure, since multiple terminals protruding from the main body pass through terminal holes provided on the circuit board, the positional accuracy of the terminals relative to the terminal holes can be improved. This, for example, reduces defects when soldering terminals protruding from the terminal holes.

[0014] [5] Based on any of the above [1] to [4], the plurality of terminals may be held in the main body in a manner of three or more arrangements, and all the insulating walls disposed between adjacent terminals have the insulating elastic sheet.

[0015] According to this structure, since multiple terminals are held in the main body in a manner of arrangement of three or more, and all insulating walls between adjacent terminals have insulating elastic sheets, it is possible to suppress wobbling relative to the circuit board at all locations between adjacent terminals.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates specific examples of connectors according to this disclosure. In the drawings, for ease of explanation, some parts of the structure are sometimes exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts sometimes differ between the drawings.

[0017] The term "orthogonal" in this specification includes not only strictly orthogonal cases, but also cases that are approximately orthogonal within the range that achieve the effects described in this embodiment. As used in this specification, "cylindrical" includes not only shapes with a continuous circumferential wall, but also shapes formed by combining multiple components to form a cylindrical shape, or shapes with a slit in a portion of the circumference, such as a C-shape. The outer circumferential shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with sharp or rounded corners. "Cylindrical" refers to a shape having a through hole when viewed from above, including shapes whose outer circumferential shape is the same as the inner circumferential shape of the through hole, and shapes whose outer circumferential shape is different from the inner circumferential shape of the through hole. "Cylindrical" includes shapes extending along an axial direction with a defined length, regardless of the magnitude of the length, where the axial direction is the direction extending along a central axis passing through the center of the through hole.

[0018] In this specification, "opposite" means that the surfaces or components are in a position facing each other, including not only the case where they are in a position where they are completely facing each other, but also the case where they are in a position where they are partially facing each other.

[0019] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in this instruction manual are used only to distinguish the objects and do not indicate a ranking of the objects. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0020] (Structure of connector 10) like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connector 10 includes multiple terminals 20 and a housing 30. The connector 10 is fixed to a circuit board 40. Furthermore, the circuit board 40 in each figure schematically shows, for example, a portion within the circuit board 40 for fixing the connector 10. Additionally, in each figure, a first axis X, a second axis Y orthogonal to the first axis X, and a third axis Z orthogonal to both the first axis X and the second axis Y are shown. Furthermore, in the figures, a first direction X1 along the first axis X and a first opposite direction X2 are shown. Additionally, in the figures, an upward direction Z1 along the third axis Z and a downward direction Z2 opposite to the upward direction Z1 are shown.

[0021] (Structure of circuit board 40) like Figure 2 As shown, the circuit board 40 has, for example, a conductor pattern (not shown) on its surface, and has through holes 41 and terminal holes 42 extending along the third axis Z. Multiple through holes 41 and terminal holes 42 are provided along the first axis X.

[0022] In detail, this embodiment provides eight terminal holes 42. Four of the eight terminal holes 42 are equally spaced on the first direction X1 side of the circuit board 40, and the remaining four are equally spaced on the first opposite direction X2 side of the circuit board 40. Additionally, this embodiment provides ten through holes 41. Five of the ten through holes 41 are equally spaced on the first direction X1 side of the circuit board 40, with one terminal hole 42 positioned between adjacent through holes 41. The remaining five through holes 41 are equally spaced on the first opposite direction X2 side of the circuit board 40, with one terminal hole 42 positioned between adjacent through holes 41.

[0023] The through hole 41 is an elongated hole whose length along the second axis Y is longer than its length along the first axis X when viewed along the third axis Z. The terminal hole 42 is a hole that is perfectly circular when viewed along the third axis Z. The terminal holes 42 are provided between adjacent through holes 41, and are positioned corresponding to the midpoint of the through holes 41 along the second axis Y.

[0024] (Structure of multiple terminals 20) The connector 10 of this embodiment has eight terminals 20. The terminals 20 are made of metal and are formed in the shape of rods. The terminals 20 are configured such that the lower Z2 end is electrically connected to a conductor pattern (not shown) on the circuit board 40, and the upper Z1 end is electrically connected to the opposite terminal (not shown) of the opposite connector connected to the connector 10.

[0025] (Structure of housing 30) like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 30 has a main body 31, an insulating wall 32, a side insulating wall 33, and an internal insulating wall 34.

[0026] (Structure of main body 31) The main body 31 holds a plurality of terminals 20. In this embodiment, the main body 31 has a square cylindrical portion 31a that opens upward in the Z1 direction and a bottom 31b that closes the lower end of the cylindrical portion 31a in the Z2 direction. In addition, the main body 31 has abutment portions 31c that protrude slightly downward in the Z2 direction from the four corners of the bottom 31b.

[0027] Furthermore, the main body 31 uses the bottom 31b to hold the middle portion of the terminal 20 along the third axis Z. Alternatively, the main body 31 may be configured to hold the terminal 20 by integrally forming the terminal 20 with the main body 31 as an insert, or it may be configured to hold the terminal 20 by pressing it in.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the main body 31 holds the terminals 20 in positions corresponding to the terminal holes 42. That is, the main body 31 holds the terminals 20 such that eight terminals 20 are arranged along the first axis X. In this embodiment, four of the eight terminals 20 are equally spaced on the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, and the remaining four terminals 20 are equally spaced on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 pass through terminal holes 42 provided on the circuit board 40.

[0029] (Structure of insulating wall 32) Insulating walls 32 are disposed between a plurality of terminals 20 protruding downward in a Z2 direction from the main body 31. The insulating walls 32 are provided to protrude downward in a Z2 direction from the bottom 31b. The insulating walls 32 are formed in a shape corresponding to the through hole 41 at positions corresponding to the through hole 41.

[0030] In this embodiment, four insulating walls 32 are equally spaced on the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, and four are also equally spaced on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31. On the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, three of the four insulating walls 32 are disposed between the terminals 20, and the remaining insulating wall 32 is disposed on the first opposite direction X2 side of the terminal 20 closest to the first opposite direction X2. Similarly, on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31, three of the four insulating walls 32 are disposed between the terminals 20, and the remaining insulating wall 32 is disposed on the first direction X1 side of the terminal 20 closest to the first direction X1. The insulating walls 32 extend downward in the Z2 direction from the terminals 20. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the insulating wall 32 is formed in the housing 30 along the entire length of the second axis Y. The insulating wall 32 ensures a longer creepage distance and spatial distance between the terminals 20 protruding downwards in the Z2 direction from the bottom 31b of the main body 31.

[0031] (Structure of side insulating wall 33) like Figure 2 As shown, side insulating walls 33 are disposed on both sides of the eight terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31. Specifically, one side insulating wall 33 is disposed on the first direction X1 side of the terminal 20 closest to the first direction X1 and on the first opposite direction X2 side of the terminal 20 closest to the first opposite direction X2. The side insulating wall 33 protrudes downwards in a Z2 direction from the bottom 31b. The side insulating wall 33 extends downwards in a Z2 direction than the insulating wall 32.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the side insulating wall 33 is a plate-shaped wall whose length along the second axis Y is longer than its length along the first axis X. The side insulating wall 33 is formed in the housing 30 over a region integral along the second axis Y.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the side insulating wall 33 has a tapered portion 33a at its top end, which is the end in the downward direction Z2. The side insulating wall 33 ensures a longer creepage distance and space distance between the terminal 20 protruding downward Z2 from the main body 31 and electrical components (not shown) arranged side-by-side with, for example, the connector 10. The insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 pass through a through hole 41 provided on the circuit board 40.

[0034] (Structure of internal insulating wall 34) like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, an internal insulating wall 34 is disposed between a plurality of terminals 20 protruding upward in a Z1 direction from the bottom 31b of the main body 31. The internal insulating wall 34 is provided to protrude upward in a Z1 direction from the bottom 31b. The internal insulating wall 34 is positioned at the same location as the insulating wall 32 along the first axis X. The internal insulating wall 34 ensures a longer creepage distance and spatial distance between the terminals 20 protruding upward in a Z1 direction from the bottom 31b of the main body 31.

[0035] (Details of Insulation Barrier 32) like Figure 5 As shown, the insulating wall 32 has an insulating elastic sheet 32a, which is elastic and suppresses wobbling relative to the circuit board 40 by pressing it into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 41. All insulating walls 32 in this embodiment have an insulating elastic sheet 32a.

[0036] In detail, a pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are provided on an insulating wall 32 such that they press against the opposing surfaces of the inner surface of the through hole 41. The pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are arranged along the first axis X. The pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are bent towards each other when inserted into the through hole 41, thereby pressing against the opposing surfaces of the inner surface of the through hole 41. In addition, in this embodiment, the middle portion of the pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a protrudes in a direction separating them from each other, so as to press against the middle portion of the inner surface of the through hole 41 along the third axis Z.

[0037] Furthermore, the insulating elastic sheet 32a has claws 32b that prevent it from falling out of the through hole 41 when inserted into it. The claws 32b are located at the top end of the insulating elastic sheet 32a at its downward Z2 end. The pair of claws 32b of the pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a protrude in a direction separating from each other, thereby engaging with the circuit board 40 to prevent the insulating elastic sheet 32a from falling out of the through hole 41. Additionally, the pair of claws 32b of the pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are formed such that the amount of protrusion along the first axis X decreases as they face downward Z2, i.e., as they face the top end, thereby facilitating insertion into the through hole 41.

[0038] (Function of connector 10) like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the connector 10 configured as described above is assembled onto the circuit board 40 from top to Z1. At this time, the insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 are inserted into the through hole 41. In addition, the terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal hole 42.

[0039] Furthermore, when the contact portion 31c contacts the circuit board 40, that is, when the insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 are inserted into the through hole 41, the insulating elastic sheet 32a presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 due to its own elasticity. This suppresses the wobbling of the connector 10 relative to the through hole 41 of the circuit board 40, and further suppresses the wobbling of the terminal 20 relative to the terminal hole 42 of the circuit board 40. Additionally, by engaging with the circuit board 40 via the claw 32b, the insulating elastic sheet 32a is prevented from detaching from the through hole 41. In this state, the terminal 20 protruding from the terminal hole 42 is soldered to a conductor pattern (not shown) on the circuit board 40. Furthermore, in Figure 5 In the diagram, solder 50 is schematically shown using a double-dotted line.

[0040] (Effects of this implementation method) (1) The insulating wall 32 has an insulating elastic sheet 32a, which is elastic and suppresses wobble relative to the circuit board 40 by pressing it into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 41. Therefore, the wobble of the connector 10 relative to the circuit board 40 is suppressed. As a result, the positional accuracy of the terminal 20 relative to the circuit board 40 is improved. In addition, since the insulating elastic sheet 32a presses into contact with the inner surface of the through hole 41 by its own elasticity, it is less likely to generate debris compared to the case where the insulating wall 32 has a simple rib that presses into the inner surface of the through hole 41. That is, for example, in the case where the insulating wall 32 has a rib that presses into the inner surface of the through hole 41, when the insulating wall 32 including the rib is pressed into the through hole 41, the rib is ground while sliding contact, which easily generates debris. In contrast, since the insulating elastic sheet 32a presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 using its own elasticity, it is not easily ground, thus minimizing the generation of debris. Furthermore, while debris can cause defects during soldering on the circuit board 40, this phenomenon can be suppressed.

[0041] (2) The insulating elastic sheet 32a has claws 32b that prevent the insulating elastic sheet 32a from falling out of the through hole 41 when it is inserted into the through hole 41. Therefore, by simply inserting the insulating elastic sheet 32a into the through hole 41, it is possible to prevent the insulating elastic sheet 32a from falling out of the through hole 41. That is, it is possible to prevent the connector 10 from falling out of the circuit board 40.

[0042] (3) A pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are provided on an insulating wall 32 in such a way that they press against the surfaces opposite to the inner surface of the through hole 41. Therefore, without relying on other structures, the wobbling of the insulating wall 32 relative to the circuit board 40 can be suppressed by an insulating wall 32.

[0043] (4) Multiple terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 pass through terminal holes 42 provided on the circuit board 40, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the terminals 20 relative to the terminal holes 42. This, for example, reduces defects during soldering of the terminals 20 protruding from the terminal holes 42. Specifically, for example, the gap between the terminals 20 and the inner surface of the terminal holes 42 can be made nearly uniform around the terminals 20, enabling good soldering.

[0044] (5) Multiple terminals 20 are held in the main body 31 in a manner of three or more, and all insulating walls 32 disposed between adjacent terminals 20 have insulating elastic sheets 32a. As a result, wobbling relative to the circuit board 40 can be suppressed at all locations between adjacent terminals 20.

[0045] (Example of Change) The above-described embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to implement them within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the insulating elastic sheet 32a has claws 32b that prevent the insulating elastic sheet 32a from falling out of the through hole 41 when it is inserted into the through hole 41, but it is not limited to this and may also be configured without claws 32b.

[0047] In the above embodiment, a pair of insulating elastic sheets 32a are provided on an insulating wall 32 such that they press against the opposing surfaces of the inner surface of the through hole 41. However, this is not a limitation, and the structure can also be configured to work in conjunction with other structures to suppress shaking. For example, the structure can be configured such that an insulating elastic sheet is provided on each of adjacent insulating walls 32, and the two insulating elastic sheets press against the inner surface of the through hole 41 in opposite directions, thereby suppressing shaking.

[0048] In the above embodiment, a plurality of terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 pass through terminal holes 42 provided on the circuit board 40, but it is not limited to this, and may not pass through the circuit board 40 but may be disposed on the circuit board 40.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the terminals 20 are held in the main body 31 in a manner that is arranged in three or more, but this is not a limitation. For example, it is also possible to configure the main body 31 to have only two terminals. That is, the connector 10 may also be configured to have only two terminals 20.

[0050] In the above embodiment, all the insulating walls 32 disposed between adjacent terminals 20 have insulating elastic sheets 32a, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be configured such that only a portion of the insulating walls 32 have insulating elastic sheets 32a.

[0051] The number of terminals 20 in the connector 10 described in the above embodiment can also be changed to other numbers. In addition, the number of insulating walls 32 in the connector 10 can also be changed to other numbers depending on the number of terminals 20, etc.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the terminal 20 is formed in the shape of a rod, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can also be changed to a bent shape, a flat shape or other shapes of terminal 20.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the housing 30 has a side insulating wall 33, but it is not limited to this and may also be configured without the side insulating wall 33. Alternatively, the side insulating wall 33 may be formed with the same shape as the insulating wall 32 having the insulating elastic sheet 32a.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the invention is not limited to these illustrative examples. That is, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0055] 10 Connectors 20 terminals 30 Casing 31 Main Body 31a Cylinder section 31b Bottom 31c Contact part 32 Insulating wall 32a Insulating Elastic Sheet 32b claw 33 Side insulation wall 33a Conical part 34 Internal insulation wall 40 Circuit board 41 Through hole 42 terminal holes 50 Solder X Axis 1 X1 Direction 1 X2 First opposite direction Y-axis 2 Z Third Axis Z1 Upward Z2 Downward

Claims

1. A connector comprising: Multiple terminals; and The housing has a main body portion that holds the plurality of terminals and insulating walls disposed between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion. The connector is fixed to a circuit board having a through hole for insertion of the insulating wall. In the connector, The insulating wall has an insulating elastic sheet that is elastic and suppresses the wobbling of the insulating wall relative to the circuit board by pressing it into contact with the inner surface of the through hole.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The insulating elastic sheet has claws that prevent the insulating elastic sheet from falling out of the through hole when the insulating elastic sheet is inserted into the through hole.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, A pair of insulating elastic sheets are provided on one of the insulating walls, and the pair of insulating elastic sheets are respectively pressed into the opposing surfaces of the inner surface of the through hole.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of terminals protruding from the main body pass through terminal holes provided on the circuit board.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of terminals are held in the main body in a manner of arrangement of three or more. All the insulating walls disposed between adjacent terminals have the insulating elastic sheet.

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