Connector device

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector device capable of improving resistance to externally applied forces. It includes a cable connector (200) and a substrate connector (300) configured to be interlocked. The cable connector (200) has: a housing (201); a mounting portion (202) disposed on the housing (201) for mounting a cable (S); and a protrusion (205) disposed on the housing (201) that protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the mounting direction of the cable (S) relative to the mounting portion (202) is set as a first direction. The substrate connector (300) has: a housing (301); a engaging portion (306) disposed on the housing (301) for engaging with the protrusion (205) in the first direction; and a reinforcing metal member (304) disposed on the housing (301), the reinforcing metal member (304) having a first portion (304A) mounted on a circuit board (A), the first portion (304A) including a portion overlapping the protrusion (205) in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector device. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional connector devices are well known for electrically connecting cables to circuit boards. For example, the connector device described in Patent Document 1 reinforces the cable support portion with a metal inner shell component. This allows for a lower profile of the cable connector device and supports multiple cables through the cable support portion.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-197685

[0004] However, in existing connector devices, there is a concern that the connector device may break due to external forces such as when the cable is pulled. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the following circumstances, and its object is to provide a connector device capable of improving resistance to externally applied forces.

[0006] (1) The connector device for solving the above problem includes a first connector and a second connector configured to be mutually mated. The first connector has: a first housing; a mounting portion disposed in the first housing for cable mounting; and a protrusion disposed in the first housing that protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the mounting direction of the cable relative to the mounting portion is set as a first direction. The second connector has: a second housing; a locking portion disposed in the second housing for locking the protrusion in the first direction; and a reinforcing metal member disposed in the second housing. The reinforcing metal member has a mounting portion mounted on a circuit board, the mounting portion including a portion that overlaps with the protrusion in the second direction.

[0007] According to the above structure, when the first connector and the second connector are engaged, and the cable is pulled from the mounting portion of the first connector, stress is applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector along the cable mounting direction. In this case, the mounting portion of the second connector, located at the point where the protrusion overlaps with the reinforcing metal member in a direction intersecting the cable mounting direction, bears the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector. This improves the connector assembly's resistance to externally applied forces.

[0008] (2) Based on the connector device described in (1) above, it is preferable that the second housing has a buffer portion sandwiched between the engaging portion and the reinforcing metal part.

[0009] According to the above structure, the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector is buffered by the buffer portion of the second housing. This further improves the connector assembly's resistance to externally applied forces.

[0010] (3) Based on the connector device described in (2) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing metal part and the second housing are formed by insert molding.

[0011] According to the above structure, the reinforcing metal part is tightly fitted to the second housing without gaps, so the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector is appropriately buffered by the buffer portion of the second housing. This further improves the connector assembly's resistance to externally applied forces.

[0012] (4) Based on the connector device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing metal part includes a portion that is bent or flexed into a convex shape in the engagement direction of the protrusion relative to the engagement portion.

[0013] According to the above structure, the rigidity of the reinforcing metal part against stresses applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector can be improved. This further enhances the connector assembly's resistance to externally applied forces.

[0014] (5) Based on the connector device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing metal part includes a portion that overlaps with the engaging portion in the first direction.

[0015] According to the above structure, the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector is borne by the reinforced metal component. This further improves the connector assembly's resistance to externally applied forces.

[0016] According to the present invention, resistance to externally applied forces can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector device according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a 3D diagram of a cable connector.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a side view of the cable connector.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the substrate connector.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the substrate connector.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a top view of the substrate connector.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Sectional view along lines VII-VII.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 IX−IX line sectional view.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a top view of the connector assembly.

[0027] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 XI-XI line sectional view.

[0028] Figure 12 This indicates that the connector device is from Figure 11 The diagram shows the interlocking process of the state shown.

[0029] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 A sectional view along the XIII-XIII line.

[0030] Figure 14 This indicates that the connector device is from Figure 13 The diagram shows the interlocking process of the state shown.

[0031] Figure 15 This is a diagram used to illustrate the function of the connector assembly.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] 100… Connector assembly; 200… Cable connector as an example of a first connector; 202… Mounting part; 205… Protrusion; 300… Substrate connector as an example of a second connector; 304… Reinforcing metal part; 304A… First part as an example of a mounting part; 306… Engaging part; 308… Buffer part; S… Cable. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the connector device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the depth direction of the connector device will be defined as the X-axis direction, the width direction as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction as the Z-axis direction in the description.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, the connector device 100 of this embodiment is composed of a cable connector 200, which is an example of a first connector, and a substrate connector 300, which is configured to be fitted with the cable connector 200, which is an example of a second connector.

[0036] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the cable connector 200 includes: a housing 201, which is hollow and generally rectangular in shape, extending long in the X-axis direction, serving as an example of a first housing; a mounting portion 202 provided on the end face of the housing 201 in the longitudinal direction; and a terminal 203 housed in the mounting portion 202 and electrically connected to one end of a cable S. The mounting portions 202 are arranged side by side in one direction corresponding to the number of cables S connected to the cable connector 200, configured such that the cables S can be mounted in the X-axis direction. In the example shown in the figure, the cable connector 200 is shown with two cables S mounted, but it can also be equipped with one or more cables S.

[0037] A slit-shaped terminal insertion portion 204 is provided on the surface of the housing 201 opposite to the substrate connector 300 in the Z-axis direction. The ends of the terminal insertion portions 204 relative to the X-axis direction of the housing 201 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The pair of terminal insertion portions 204 are positioned symmetrically in the Y-axis direction with reference to the central position of the housing 201 in the Y-axis direction. The terminal insertion portions 204 penetrate the lower wall of the housing 201 in the Z-axis direction and communicate with the mounting portion 202 through a space extending in the X-axis direction inside the housing 201. During the engagement of the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300, the terminals 302 of the substrate connector 300 (described later) are inserted into the terminal insertion portions 204 of the housing 201 of the cable connector 200 and electrically connected to the terminals 203 of the cable connector 200.

[0038] On the side surfaces 201a of the housing 201 in the Y-axis direction, there are protrusions 205 protruding outward in the Y-axis direction. Each pair of protrusions 205 has: a first portion 205A, which is rectangular in shape in side view and extends linearly in the Z-axis direction; and a second portion 205B, which is trapezoidal in shape in side view and gradually widens from the Z-axis end of the first portion 205A towards the X-axis direction and extends taperedly along the Z-axis direction. The side surfaces of the first portion 205A and the front end surfaces of the second portion 205B are coplanar, and the protrusions of the first portion 205A and the second portion 205B from the side surfaces 201a of the housing 201 in the Y-axis direction are equal. The second portion 205B of the protrusion 205 engages with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 (described later) in the X-axis direction.

[0039] A locking claw 206 is provided on the side surface 201a located at the center in the X-axis direction of the housing 201. The locking claw 206 protrudes outward in the Y-axis direction. When the cable connector 200 is engaged with the substrate connector 300, the pair of locking claws 206 lock the engagement state of the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 by locking the front end with a part of the substrate connector 300.

[0040] An operating part 207 is provided at the end of the housing 201 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, by the user lifting the operating part 207 upward, the cable connector 200 is tilted in the X-axis direction, and the locking claw 206 disengages from the base plate connector 300, thereby releasing the locking of the engagement state between the cable connector 200 and the base plate connector 300.

[0041] like Figures 4-6 As shown, the substrate connector 300 is a connector mounted on the circuit board A, and has a housing 301, which is generally U-shaped when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, serving as an example of a second housing. The housing 301 includes a first sidewall portion 301A, a second sidewall portion 301B, and a third sidewall portion 301C. The first sidewall portion 301A is located at the center of the housing 301 in the Y-axis direction. The second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C are located on both sides of the housing 301 in the Y-axis direction. A terminal 302 is provided in the first sidewall portion 301A. An insertion portion 303 is provided in the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C, into which the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is inserted. When the portion connecting to the first side wall portion 301A is designated as the base end in the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, a reinforcing metal member 304 is provided at the front end of each of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C. A recess 305 is provided in the housing 301 on the surface opposite to the cable connector 200 in the Z-axis direction; this recess 305 accommodates the housing 201 of the cable connector 200.

[0042] like Figure 7As shown, the insertion portion 303 is disposed at a position corresponding to the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the X-axis direction. The insertion portion 303 is configured to allow the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 to be inserted when the cable connector 200 is engaged with the substrate connector 300. The insertion portion 303 is configured to penetrate the housing 301 in the Z-axis direction. The insertion portion 303 is stepped and includes a first portion 303A, a second portion 303B, and a third portion 303C. The first portion 303A extends linearly along the Z-axis direction from the upper surfaces of the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C, respectively. The second portion 303B extends linearly at an angle relative to the Z-axis direction from the lower end of the first portion 303A toward the front ends of the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C, respectively. The third portion 303C extends linearly from the lower end of the second portion 303 along the Z-axis and opens on the lower surfaces of both the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C. The end face of the second portion 303B on the front end side of both the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C forms a downward-sloping surface towards the front ends of both the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C. This sloped surface functions as an engaging portion 306 for engaging the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the X-axis direction. The end face of the second portion 303B on the base end side of both the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C forms a downward-sloping surface towards the front ends of both the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C. The inclined surface functions as a guide surface 307. When the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, the guide surface 307 causes the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 to slide toward the front ends of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, respectively, so that the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 move relative to each other in the X-axis direction and are positioned.

[0043] The reinforcing metal part 304 is formed by bending a metal sheet and has a predetermined width dimension in the Y-axis direction. When viewed from the side in the Y-axis direction, the reinforcing metal part 304 is crank-shaped and includes a first portion 304A extending linearly along the X-axis direction, a second portion 304B extending linearly from the first portion 304A along the Z-axis direction, and a third portion 304C extending linearly from the second portion 304B along the X-axis direction. The first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal part 304 protrudes from the housing 301, and its lower surface is coplanar with the lower surface of the housing 301. Therefore, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal part 304 functions as a mounting portion for mounting on the circuit board A when the substrate connector 300 is mounted on the circuit board A. The reinforcing metal member 304 includes a portion 304S at the boundary between the second portion 304B and the third portion 304C, which is a convex portion 304S that bends into a convex shape in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 relative to the engagement portion 306 (a direction orthogonal to the engagement portion 306 and from the engagement portion 306 toward the reinforcing metal member 304). The reinforcing metal member 304 may also include a portion at the boundary between the second portion 304B and the third portion 304C that is bent into a convex shape in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 relative to the engagement portion 306. Thus, when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engagement portion 306 of the substrate connector 300, the rigidity of the reinforcing metal member 304 against stresses acting in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 relative to the engagement portion 306 is improved. The reinforcing metal member 304, together with the terminal 302, is inserted into the housing 301 and fits tightly against the housing 301 without gap. Therefore, the housing 301 has a buffer portion 308 sandwiched between the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 and the third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304. The buffer portion 308, when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300, buffers the transmission of stress from the protrusion 205 acting on the engaging portion 306 to the reinforcing metal member 304. The third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304 includes a portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the X-axis direction. At least a portion of the portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the X-axis direction overlaps with the engaging portion 306 in the engaging direction of the protrusion 205 relative to the engaging portion 306. Therefore, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304 is easily located on the stress transmission path from the protrusion 205 to the engaging portion 306, thus appropriately achieving the function of buffering the transmission of such stress to the reinforcing metal member 304. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the example of the buffer portion 308 being configured as part of the housing 301 has been described, but alternatively, or based on this, the buffer portion 308 may be a structure of a component different from the housing 301, such as an elastic material.

[0044] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the first sidewall portion 301A of the housing 301 has an approximately L-shaped cross-section. The upper surface of the first sidewall portion 301A abuts against the housing 201 of the cable connector 200 when the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, positioning the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 in the Y-axis direction. Terminals 302 are held in the first sidewall portion 301A and protrude in the Z-axis direction from two positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. Terminals 302 are integrally formed with the housing 301 together with the reinforcing metal member 304 via insert molding. Two recesses 310 are respectively provided on the upper surfaces of the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C of the housing 301. An opening is formed on the inner side of each of the two recesses 310, through which the reinforcing metal member 304 protrudes to the outside of the housing 301. Each recess 310 is a location where a rod-shaped clamp (not shown) is inserted during the molding of the insert reinforcing metal part 304 and the housing 301 to support the reinforcing metal part 304 and position it relative to the housing 301. Each recess 310 is formed as a space after the clamp is removed from the housing 301 after the insert is molded.

[0045] Next, the operation of the connector device 100 of this embodiment will be described, with particular attention to the operation when the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged.

[0046] like Figure 10As shown, in the state after the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is inserted into the insertion portion 303 of the substrate connector 300 and engages with the engaging portion 306, thus positioning the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 in the X-axis direction. The first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 includes a portion S2 that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 may also overlap with the entire protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. Alternatively, it may partially overlap with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 only needs to include at least a portion that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 does not necessarily have a constant dimension in the Y-axis direction; its dimension in the Y-axis direction can include both wide and narrow portions. In this case, at least the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300, which is mounted on the circuit board A, overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. Alternatively, if a portion of the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 is mounted on the circuit board A, at least the portion of the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 mounted on the circuit board A overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 can extend in a direction that is obliquely intersecting the Y-axis direction. Even in this case, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 of the substrate connector 300 only needs to include the portion that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction.

[0047] Here, as Figure 11 As shown, when the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 and the inner surface of the insertion portion 303 of the substrate connector 300 are opposite each other in the Z-axis direction.

[0048] like Figure 12As shown, when the cable connector 200 approaches the substrate connector 300 in the Z-axis direction, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 abuts against the guide surface 307 of the insertion portion 303 of the substrate connector 300. Furthermore, if the cable connector 200 approaches the substrate connector 300 further in the Z-axis direction, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 slides relative to the guide surface 307 of the substrate connector 300 toward the respective front ends of the second sidewall portion 301B and the third sidewall portion 301C of the substrate connector 300. In this case, the cable connector 200 moves relative to the substrate connector 300 in the Y-axis direction and is positioned in the Y-axis direction, and the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged. Furthermore, in the engaged state of the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300, a gap exists between the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 and the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300.

[0049] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, when the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, the upper surface of the first sidewall portion 301A of the substrate connector 300 is opposite to the guide portion 208 of the cable connector 200 in the Z-axis direction.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 14 As shown, if the cable connector 200 approaches the baseboard connector 300 in the Z-axis direction, the upper surface of the first sidewall portion 301A of the baseboard connector 300 slides relative to the guide surface 208 of the cable connector 200 toward the end of the cable connector 200 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, in the state where the cable connector 200 and the baseboard connector 300 are engaged, the upper surface of the first sidewall portion 301A of the baseboard connector 300 is in close contact with the guide portion 208 of the baseboard connector 300 without gap. That is, in the state where the cable connector 200 and the baseboard connector 300 are engaged, the first sidewall portion 301A of the baseboard connector 300 positions the cable connector 200 and the baseboard connector 300 in the Y-axis direction.

[0051] Next, the function of the connector device 100 in this embodiment will be explained, with particular attention to its function when the cable S is pulled while the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged.

[0052] like Figure 15As shown, when the cable S is pulled in the Z-axis direction from the state where the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300 are engaged, the gap between the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 and the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 functions as a blanking space that allows relative movement between the cable connector 200 and the substrate connector 300. The cable connector 200 tilts in the X-axis direction with the first sidewall portion 301A of the substrate connector 300 as a fulcrum. Furthermore, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 engages with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the circumferential direction around the Y-axis with the first sidewall portion 301A of the substrate connector 300 as a fulcrum, and is positioned relative to the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the Z-axis direction.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304 includes a portion S2 that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the portion S2 of the first portion 304A of the reinforcing metal member 304, mounted on the circuit board A, which overlaps with the protrusion 205 in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the cable S, appropriately withstands the stress applied from the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200. Therefore, when the cable S is pulled, the tilt of the cable connector 200 relative to the direction in which the cable S is pulled can be suppressed by a predetermined amount, maintaining a stable engagement between the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300. Thus, the resistance of the connector device 100 to externally applied forces can be improved.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a buffer portion 308 is provided between the third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304 and the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 308. The buffer portion 308 buffers the transmission of stress from the protrusion 205 acting on the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 to the reinforcing metal member 304 when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300. Therefore, the connector device 100's resistance to externally applied forces is further improved. In particular, in this embodiment, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304 includes a portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the substrate connector 300 in the X-axis direction. Thus, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing metal member 304 is easily located on the stress transmission path from the protrusion 205 acting on the engaging portion 306, appropriately buffering the transmission of such stress to the reinforcing metal member 304.

[0055] Furthermore, the various embodiments of the present invention are not independent and can be appropriately combined for implementation. For example, in this embodiment, the case where the reinforcing metal member 304 is formed as an insert relative to the housing 301 is described, but it is also possible to configure it to be fixed to the housing 301 by pressing instead. Additionally, the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A connector device, characterized in that, Includes a first connector and a second connector configured to be interlocked. The first connector has: First shell; A mounting section, disposed in the first housing, is used for cable installation; and A protrusion, provided in the first housing, protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the installation direction of the cable relative to the mounting portion is set as a first direction. The second connector has: Second shell; A engaging portion, disposed in the second housing, is provided for engaging the protrusion in the first direction; and A reinforcing metal component is provided in the second housing. The reinforcing metal component has a mounting portion that is mounted on the circuit board. The mounting portion includes a portion that overlaps with the protrusion in the second direction.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second housing has a buffer portion sandwiched between the engaging portion and the reinforcing metal part.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reinforcing metal component and the second housing are formed by insert molding.

4. The connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing metal part includes a portion that is bent or flexed into a convex shape in the engagement direction of the protrusion relative to the engagement portion.

5. The connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing metal part includes a portion that overlaps with the engaging portion in the first direction.

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