Sensor module with connector

Abstract

This invention provides a connector for a sensor module, comprising: an inner housing having a fitting opening for inserting a connected object along a first direction; a plurality of contacts held by the inner housing, each contact having a contact portion extending into the fitting opening and a connection terminal portion opposite to the contact portion; a cable having a plurality of conductors and a cable sheath covering the plurality of conductors, the conductors of the plurality of conductors being respectively fixed to the plurality of contacts and electrically connected to the plurality of contacts; and an outer shell formed by injection molding to partially cover the inner housing. With the above-described connector configuration, the assembly of the sensor module is facilitated and water or moisture intrusion into the sensor module is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connectors for sensor modules, and more particularly to connectors for sensor modules that facilitate assembly of sensor modules and prevent water or moisture from entering the sensor modules. Background Technology

[0002] In sensors such as photoelectric sensors or image sensors, a circuit board constituting a control unit is housed within the sensor housing. A cable passes through the sensor housing to provide power from outside the sensor housing to the circuit board and to transmit signals from the sensor or signals processed by the circuit board to the outside. US Patent US11744025B2 (Patent Document 1) discloses a light sensor that allows for simple cable mounting to a circuit board.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the cable is pre-soldered to one end of the FPC, and the other end of the FPC is inserted into a connector mounted on a circuit board. The cable is then watertightly engaged with the sensor housing via a screw-in connector integrally formed near its end. In Patent Document 1, the mating of the FPC with the connector and the engagement of the cable with the sensor housing require manual assembly. Therefore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not conducive to automated production and makes it difficult to increase production speed. Furthermore, the FPC is a high-priced component, resulting in increased cost of the sensor module. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a connector for a sensor module that facilitates the assembly of the sensor module.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for a sensor module that prevents water or moisture from entering the sensor module.

[0006] According to a solution of the present invention, a connector for a sensor module is provided, comprising:

[0007] The inner housing has a fitting opening for inserting a connected object along a first direction;

[0008] Multiple contacts are held by the inner housing, each contact having a contact portion extending into the fitting opening and a connection terminal portion opposite to the contact portion, the multiple contacts being positioned such that the contact portions of the multiple contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

[0009] A cable having a plurality of conductors and a cable sheath covering the plurality of conductors, wherein the conductors of the plurality of conductors are respectively fixed to and electrically connected to the plurality of contacts; and

[0010] The outer casing is formed by injection molding to partially cover the inner casing, and the fitting opening protrudes from the outer casing, and the cable extends out of the outer casing.

[0011] According to the connector for sensor modules of the present invention, the contact portion of each contact member is composed of a pair of contact arms, the connected object is a plate-shaped connected object, and the pair of contact arms are configured to clamp the connected object.

[0012] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the inner housing has a body portion which is covered by the outer housing. A plurality of dovetail grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion. When the outer housing is formed by injection molding, the material forming the outer housing flows into the plurality of dovetail grooves and solidifies.

[0013] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the inner housing has a boss, the fitting opening is formed on the boss, the boss protrudes from the outer housing, and the boss is configured to accommodate a sealing ring.

[0014] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the cable has four conductors, and the plurality of contacts include four contacts, namely a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, and a fourth contact. The contact portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are arranged sequentially in the second direction. The connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are oriented to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, such that the conductors of the four conductors of the cable are oriented in the third direction and are respectively fixed in the connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the third direction.

[0015] The connection terminal portion of the first contact and the fourth contact is positioned at a different height in the first direction than the connection terminal portion of the second contact and the third contact;

[0016] The first contact is mirror-symmetrical to the fourth contact, and the second contact is mirror-symmetrical to the third contact.

[0017] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the cable has four conductors, and the plurality of contacts include four contacts, namely a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, and a fourth contact. The contact portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are arranged sequentially in a second direction. The connecting terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are oriented to extend in a first direction, such that the conductors of the four conductors of the cable are oriented in the first direction and are respectively fixed to the connecting terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the first direction.

[0018] The shape and size of the first contact are the same as those of the third contact, and the shape and size of the second contact are the same as those of the fourth contact.

[0019] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the connection terminal portion of each of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact and the fourth contact is configured as a groove.

[0020] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are arranged in the second direction, and the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are oriented to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, such that the conductors of the cable wires are oriented in the third direction and respectively fixed to the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the third direction.

[0021] The multiple contacts are identical in shape and size.

[0022] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the connector for a sensor module includes a wire holding member that holds the wires in such a way that the wires are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the second direction.

[0023] According to the connector for a sensor module of the present invention, the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are arranged in the second direction, and the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are oriented to extend in the first direction, such that the conductors of the cable wires are oriented in the first direction and respectively fixed to the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the first direction.

[0024] The multiple contacts are identical in shape and size.

[0025] The connector according to the present invention enables automated assembly of sensor modules, thereby increasing production speed.

[0026] Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will be able to best understand the technical features, other objects, and advantages of this invention after referring to the specification and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the sensor module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the inner housing of a connector for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the contact has been inserted into the inner housing.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 10 This is another perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 14 This is another perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown.

[0041] Figure 15 This is another exploded perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown.

[0042] Figure 16 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 19 This is another perspective view of a connector for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown.

[0046] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0048] 1: Sensor Module

[0049] 10: Connector for sensor module

[0050] 11: Inner shell

[0051] 110: Ontology part

[0052] 111: convex platform

[0053] 1110: Fitting Opening

[0054] 112: Cable positioning part

[0055] 113: Conductor positioning section

[0056] 114: First Dovetail Groove

[0057] 115: Second Dovetail Groove

[0058] 116: Trench

[0059] 117: Containment Space

[0060] 118: Divider

[0061] 12: Outer shell

[0062] 121: Clamping Surface

[0063] 123: Mounting holes

[0064] 124: Mounting Hole

[0065] 13: Contacts

[0066] 131: Ontology part

[0067] 132:Contact Department

[0068] 133: Connecting Terminal

[0069] 135: Misaligned extension

[0070] 13a: First contact element

[0071] 13a1: Ontology

[0072] 13a2: Contact part

[0073] 13a3: Connection Terminal

[0074] 13a4: Stop section

[0075] 13a5: Misaligned extension

[0076] 13b: Second contact element

[0077] 13b1: Ontology part

[0078] 13b2: Contact area

[0079] 13b3: Connection Terminal

[0080] 13b5: Misaligned extension

[0081] 13c: Third contact

[0082] 13d: Fourth contact

[0083] 13G: Contact Group

[0084] 14: Cable

[0085] 140: Cable sheath

[0086] 141: Conductor

[0087] 1410: Conductor sheath

[0088] 1411: Conductor

[0089] 15: Plug

[0090] 150: Plate body

[0091] 151: Convex Rib

[0092] 1510: Maintain a narrow gap in the conductor

[0093] 20: Outer shell

[0094] 30: Circuit board

[0095] 40: Sealing ring

[0096] D1: First Direction

[0097] D2: Second Direction

[0098] D3: Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0099] The connector for a sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same components or components having the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0100] [First Embodiment]

[0101] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is another perspective view of the sensor module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The sensor module as a whole is indicated by reference numeral 1. Figure 2 As shown, sensor module 1 includes: a sensor module connector 10, a housing 20, a circuit board 30, and a sealing ring 40. Sensor module 1 also includes a sensor (not shown) and electronic components. The circuit board 30 is housed within and held by the housing 20. One end of the circuit board 30, which is the connection object, has a contact pad and is inserted into the mating opening of the sensor module connector 10. The sensor module connector 10 establishes a path for power transmission and / or signal transmission between sensor module 1 and external electronic devices. The sealing ring 40 is disposed at the interface between the sensor module connector 10 and the housing 20 to prevent water or moisture from entering sensor module 1 through the gap between the sensor module connector 10 and the housing 20.

[0102] Figure 3This is an exploded perspective view of a connector 10 for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The connector 10 for the sensor module includes an inner housing 11, an outer housing 12, a contact group 13G consisting of four contacts (a first contact 13a, a second contact 13b, a third contact 13c, and a fourth contact 13d), and a cable 14. The contact group 13G is held by the inner housing 11. The cable 14 is a four-core cable, including four conductors 141 and a cable sheath 140 covering these conductors 141. Each conductor 141 includes a conductor 1411 and a conductor sheath 1410 covering the conductor 1411. The conductor 1411 of each conductor 141 is soldered to its respective contact. After the conductors are soldered to the contacts, the outer housing 12 is formed to partially cover the inner housing 11, such that a portion of the inner housing 11 is exposed from the outer housing 12, and the soldering joint area between the contacts and the cable 14 is also covered and sealed by the outer housing 12.

[0103] The inner housing 11 is made of insulating synthetic resin or polymer material by injection molding. The inner housing 11 has a body portion 110 and a boss 111 formed on one side of the body portion 110. The boss 111 has a fitting opening 1110, into which the circuit board 30 can be inserted along a first direction D1 (fitting direction). The outer housing 12 is made of insulating synthetic resin or polymer material by insert molding. The boss 111 with the fitting opening 1110 protrudes from the outer housing 12. The boss 111 (especially its outer peripheral surface) is configured to accommodate a sealing ring 40, and the outer housing 12 has a clamping surface 121 surrounding the boss 111 for pressing against the sealing ring 40. Furthermore, the outer housing 12 has mounting holes 123 and 124.

[0104] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a connector 10 for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the inner housing 11 of the connector 10 for the sensor module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the contact has been inserted into the inner housing 11. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Details of the bottom side relative to the insertion side of the connecting object relative to the inner housing 11 are shown.

[0105] The body portion 110 of the inner housing 11 has a cable positioning portion 112 for placing the cable 14 and two wire positioning portions 113 for placing the wires 141. The cable positioning portion 112 and the wire positioning portion 113 can stably hold the cable 14 and the wires 141 in the proper position when the wires are soldered to the contact.

[0106] To facilitate the adhesion of the outer shell 12 to the inner shell 11, a first dovetail groove 114, a plurality of second dovetail grooves 115, and a plurality of grooves 116 are preferably formed on the circumferential surface of the body portion 110 of the inner shell 11. The first dovetail groove 114, the plurality of second dovetail grooves 115, and the plurality of grooves 116 are oriented in a first direction D1. When the outer shell 12 is formed by injection molding, the material forming the outer shell 12 flows into the first dovetail groove 114, the plurality of second dovetail grooves 115, and the plurality of grooves 116, and then solidifies.

[0107] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. To clearly show the details of each contact, the spacing between the contacts is increased. The connector 10 for a sensor module according to the first embodiment includes a contact group 13G consisting of four contacts. The four contacts are a first contact 13a, a second contact 13b, a third contact 13c, and a fourth contact 13d. The first contact 13a, the second contact 13b, the third contact 13c, and the fourth contact 13d are arranged at a predetermined spacing along a second direction D2 (spacing direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1. In the first embodiment, the first contact 13a and the fourth contact 13d are mirror-symmetrical, and the second contact 13b and the third contact 13c are mirror-symmetrical. Therefore, the description of the third contact 13c and the fourth contact 13d is omitted.

[0108] The first contact 13a includes a body portion 13a1, a contact portion 13a2 extending from one side of the body portion 13a1, and a connecting terminal portion 13a3 extending from the other side of the body portion 13a1. The contact portion 13a2 is composed of a pair of contact arms for clamping a plate-shaped or flat connecting object and making electrical contact with the connecting object. The connecting terminal portion 13a3 is formed on a plane perpendicular to a first direction D1 and extends toward a third direction D3. The connecting terminal portion 13a3 has a stop portion 13a4 for preventing molten solder from overflowing from the connecting terminal portion 13a3.

[0109] The second contact 13b includes a body portion 13b1, a contact portion 13b2 extending from one side of the body portion 13b1, and a connection terminal portion 13b3 formed on the other side of the body portion 13b1 and connected to the body portion 13b1 via a misaligned extension portion 13b5. The contact portion 13b2 is composed of a pair of contact arms.

[0110] The body portion 13a1 of the first contact 13a and the body portion 13b1 of the second contact 13b are formed with barbed structures and are pressed into the inner housing in an interference fit, and are held by the inner housing. The connecting terminal portion 13b3 of the second contact 13b is positioned at a different height from the connecting terminal portion 13a3 of the first contact 13a by the offset extension portion 13b5. The contact portion of each contact extends to the fitting opening 1110 to make electrical contact with a flat connecting object (i.e., circuit board 30) inserted into the fitting opening 1110. When viewed from the first direction D1, the connecting terminals of these contacts are arranged in a roughly 2x2 array.

[0111] The structure and arrangement of the contact group 13G enable the cable to be oriented in the third direction D3 while its conductors are welded to their respective contacts, and also suppress the degree of conductor bending.

[0112] In the first embodiment, the conductors of the two wires are first soldered to two contacts (i.e., the first contact 13a and the fourth contact 13d) in the contact group 13G, whose connection terminals are positioned at the same plane or height. The conductors of the other two wires are then soldered to two other contacts (i.e., the second contact 13b and the third contact 13c) in the contact group 13G, whose connection terminals are positioned at the same plane or height.

[0113] When the sensor module connector 10 is assembled into the sensor module housing 20, the sensor module connector 10 can be fixed to the housing 20 by inserting a pin (not shown) through the housing 20 into the mounting holes 123 and 124 formed in the housing body 12.

[0114] [Second Embodiment]

[0115] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of sensor module 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Descriptions of configurations identical or similar to those in the first embodiment in the second embodiment are omitted.

[0116] The connector 10 for the sensor module in the second embodiment includes an inner housing 11, an outer housing 12, a contact group 13G consisting of four contacts, and a cable 14. The contact group 13G is held by the inner housing 11. The cable 14 is a four-core cable, including four conductors 141 and a cable sheath 140 covering these conductors 141. Each conductor 141 includes a conductor 1411 and a conductor sheath 1410 covering the conductor 1411. The conductor 1411 of each conductor 141 is soldered to its respective contact. After the conductors are soldered to the contacts, the outer housing 12 is formed to partially cover the inner housing 11, such that the bosses 111 of the inner housing 11 protrude from the outer housing 12, and the soldering joint area between the contacts and the cable 14 is also covered and sealed by the outer housing 12.

[0117] Figure 10 This is another perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown. Figure 10 Details of the bottom side relative to the insertion side of the connecting object on the inner housing 11 are shown. (See image.) Figure 10 As shown, cable 14 is soldered to the contact in a direction oriented in the first direction D1. In the first embodiment, the mating direction of the flat connecting object (i.e., the circuit board) is perpendicular to the direction in which the cable extends from the connector, while in the second embodiment, the mating direction of the flat connecting object (i.e., the circuit board) is parallel to the direction in which the cable extends from the connector.

[0118] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the contacts of a connector for a sensor module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. To clearly show the details of each contact, the spacing between the contacts is increased. The connector 10 for a sensor module in the second embodiment includes a contact group 13G consisting of four contacts. The four contacts are a first contact 13a, a second contact 13b, a third contact 13c, and a fourth contact 13d. The first contact 13a, the second contact 13b, the third contact 13c, and the fourth contact 13d are arranged at a predetermined spacing along a second direction D2 (spacing direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1. In the second embodiment, the first contact 13a and the third contact 13c have the same shape and size, and the second contact 13b and the fourth contact 13d have the same shape and size. Therefore, the description of the third contact 13c and the fourth contact 13d is omitted.

[0119] The first contact 13a includes a body portion 13a1, a contact portion 13a2 extending from one side of the body portion 13a1, and a connection terminal portion 13a3 formed on the other side of the body portion 13a1 and connected to the body portion 13a1 via a misaligned extension portion 13a5. The contact portion 13a2 is composed of a pair of contact arms for clamping a plate-shaped or flat object to be connected and making electrical contact with the object to be connected. The connection terminal portion 13a3 is formed into a groove shape extending in a first direction D1.

[0120] The second contact 13b includes a body portion 13b1, a contact portion 13b2 extending from one side of the body portion 13b1, and a connecting terminal portion 13b3 extending from the other side of the body portion 13a1. The contact portion 13b2 is composed of a pair of contact arms. The connecting terminal portion 13b3 is formed into a groove shape extending in a first direction D1.

[0121] The body portion 13a1 of the first contact 13a and the body portion 13b1 of the second contact 13b are formed with barbed structures and are pressed into the inner housing in an interference fit, and are held by the inner housing. Through the misaligned extension 13a5, the connecting terminal portion 13a3 of the first contact 13a is positioned so that it is not aligned with the connecting terminal portion 13b3 of the second contact 13b in the second direction D2. When viewed from the first direction D1, the connecting terminals of these contacts are approximately arranged in a 2x2 array. The grooved connecting terminals prevent molten solder from overflowing from the connecting terminals. The opening direction of the grooved connecting terminals of the first contact 13a and the third contact 13c is opposite to the opening direction of the grooved connecting terminals of the second contact 13b and the fourth contact 13d.

[0122] In the second embodiment, the conductors of the two wires are first soldered to two contacts (i.e., the first contact 13a and the third contact 13c) in the same direction of the opening of the groove-shaped connection terminal in the contact group 13G, and the conductors of the other two wires are then soldered to two other contacts (i.e., the second contact 13b and the fourth contact 13d) in the same direction of the opening of the groove-shaped connection terminal in the contact group 13G.

[0123] [Third Embodiment]

[0124] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Descriptions of configurations identical or similar to those in the first or second embodiments of the third embodiment are omitted.

[0125] The connector 10 for the sensor module in the third embodiment includes an inner housing 11, an outer housing 12, four contacts 13, a cable 14, and a plug 15. The four contacts 13 are arranged at a predetermined spacing along a second direction D2 and held by the inner housing 11, and the four contacts 13 are identical in shape and size. The cable 14 is a four-core cable, including four conductors 141 and a cable sheath 140 covering these conductors 141. Each conductor 141 includes a conductor 1411 and a conductor sheath 1410 covering the conductor 1411. The conductors 1411 of these conductors 141 are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1 and oriented in a third direction D3, and are then soldered to their respective contacts.

[0126] Figure 14 This is another perspective view of the connector 10 for the sensor module according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 This is another exploded perspective view of the connector 10 for the sensor module according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 and Figure 15 The outer shell is not visible in the middle. Figure 14 and Figure 15 Details of the bottom side relative to the insertion side of the connecting object relative to the inner housing 11 are shown.

[0127] The inner housing 11 has a body portion 110 and a boss 111 formed on the body portion 110. The body portion 110 also has a cable positioning portion 112. A receiving space 117 is formed on the bottom surface of the body portion 110 away from the boss 111. After the contact member 13 is inserted into the inner housing 11, the plug member 15 is assembled into the receiving space 117. The plug member 15 can stop the contact member 13, further preventing the contact member 13 from being pulled out of the inner housing 11, and can also function as a wire retaining member. Specifically, the plug member 15 has a plate-shaped body 150, which may be further formed with barbs to prevent the plug member 15 from detaching from the inner housing 11. Ribs 151 are formed on the edge of the plate-shaped body 150, and the ribs 151 form a plurality of wire retaining slits 1510. These wire retaining slits 1510 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The wire 141 can be pressed into the wire holding slit 1510 and held by the plug 15 (i.e. the wire holding member), so that the wire 141 can be arranged in a desired manner, making it easy to solder the conductors of the wire.

[0128] The bottom surface of the body portion 110, away from the boss 111, is further provided with a plurality of partition walls 118 for separating the connection terminals of adjacent contacts. During the soldering of the conductors of the wires, the partition walls 118 also serve to prevent the overflow of molten solder.

[0129] Figure 16This is a perspective view of the contact 13 of a connector for a sensor module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The contact 13 includes a body portion 131, a contact portion 132 extending from one side of the body portion 131, and a connection terminal portion 133 formed on the other side of the body portion 131 and connected to the body portion 131 via a misaligned extension portion 135. The contact portion 132 is composed of a pair of contact arms. The connection terminal portion 133 is configured as a flat, elongated shape. The contact 13 is positioned such that the connection terminal portion 133 is located in a plane perpendicular to a first direction D1 and extends along a third direction D3. The conductor 1411 of the wire 141 is soldered to the connection terminal portion 133 of the respective contact 13. In the third embodiment, the mating direction of the flat connected object (i.e., the circuit board) is perpendicular to the direction in which the cable extends out of the connector.

[0130] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0131] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Descriptions of configurations identical or similar to those in the first, second, or third embodiments of the fourth embodiment are omitted.

[0132] The connector 10 for the sensor module in the fourth embodiment includes an inner housing 11, an outer housing 12, four contacts 13, a cable 14, and a plug 15. The four contacts 13 are arranged at a predetermined spacing along a second direction D2 and held by the inner housing 11, and the four contacts 13 are identical in shape and size. The cable 14 is a four-core cable, including four conductors 141 and a cable sheath 140 covering these conductors 141. Each conductor 141 includes a conductor 1411 and a conductor sheath 1410 covering the conductor 1411. Unlike the third embodiment, the conductors 1411 of these conductors 141 are positioned in a plane perpendicular to a third direction D3 and oriented in a first direction D1, and then soldered to their respective contacts.

[0133] Figure 19 This is another perspective view of the connector 10 for a sensor module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing is not shown. Figure 19 Details of the bottom side relative to the insertion side of the connecting object relative to the inner housing 11 are shown.

[0134] The plug 15 in the fourth embodiment does not function as a wire holding member. In the fourth embodiment, through the cooperation of the partition wall 118 and the connection terminal of the contact member 13, the wires can be temporarily positioned at a predetermined interval before welding.

[0135] Figure 20This is a perspective view of a contact 13 of a connector for a sensor module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The contact 13 includes a body portion 131, a contact portion 132 extending from one side of the body portion 131, and a connecting terminal portion 133 extending from the other side of the body portion 131. The contact portion 132 is composed of a pair of contact arms. The connecting terminal portion 133 is not centered and aligned with the contact portion 132. The connecting terminal portion 133 is configured as a flat, elongated shape. The contact 13 is positioned such that the connecting terminal portion 133 is located in a plane perpendicular to a third direction D3 and extends along a first direction D1. The conductor 1411 of the wire 141 is soldered to the connecting terminal portion 133 of the respective contact 13. In the fourth embodiment, the mating direction of the flat connected object (i.e., the circuit board) is parallel to the direction in which the cable extends out of the connector.

[0136] In the third and fourth embodiments, the connection terminals of the contacts are positioned on the same plane and arranged in a row. Therefore, hot bar soldering can be used to solder the conductors of four wires to the connection terminals of the contacts at one time using a hot bar soldering head.

[0137] In the first to fourth embodiments, all the various contact elements exemplified can be manufactured in a single blanking process, that is, by punching and bending the metal sheet into the required contact element shape in a single stamping process.

[0138] It should be understood that, unless incompatible, the technical features of any of the embodiments disclosed above can be applied to another embodiment.

[0139] While the present invention has been described and demonstrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is subject to the wording of the claims; that is, any equivalent variations and modifications made without departing from the claims should still be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for a sensor module, comprising: The inner housing has a fitting opening for inserting a connected object along a first direction; Multiple contacts are held by the inner housing, each contact having a contact portion extending into the fitting opening and a connection terminal portion opposite to the contact portion, the multiple contacts being positioned such that the contact portions of the multiple contacts are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; A cable having multiple conductors and a cable sheath covering the multiple conductors, wherein the conductors of the multiple conductors are respectively fixed to the multiple contacts and electrically connected to the multiple contacts; as well as The outer casing is formed by injection molding to partially cover the inner casing, and the fitting opening protrudes from the outer casing, and the cable extends out of the outer casing.

2. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact portion of each contact member is composed of a pair of contact arms, the connected object is a plate-shaped connected object, and the pair of contact arms are configured to clamp the connected object.

3. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner housing has a body portion, the body portion of the inner housing is covered by the outer housing, and a plurality of dovetail grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion, wherein when the outer housing is formed by injection molding, the material forming the outer housing flows into the plurality of dovetail grooves and solidifies.

4. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner housing has a boss, the fitting opening is formed on the boss, the boss protrudes from the outer housing, and the boss is configured to accommodate a sealing ring.

5. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cable has four conductors, and the plurality of contacts include four contacts, namely a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, and a fourth contact, wherein the contact portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are arranged sequentially in the second direction, and the connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are oriented to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, such that the conductors of the four conductors of the cable are oriented in the third direction and are respectively fixed in the connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the third direction; The connection terminal portion of the first contact and the fourth contact is positioned at a different height in the first direction than the connection terminal portion of the second contact and the third contact; The first contact is mirror-symmetrical to the fourth contact, and the second contact is mirror-symmetrical to the third contact.

6. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cable has four conductors, the plurality of contacts include four contacts, namely a first contact, a second contact, a third contact and a fourth contact, the contact portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact and the fourth contact are arranged sequentially in the second direction, the connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact and the fourth contact are oriented to extend in the first direction, such that the conductors of the four conductors of the cable are oriented in the first direction and are respectively fixed in the connection terminal portions of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact and the fourth contact, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the first direction; The shape and size of the first contact are the same as those of the third contact, and the shape and size of the second contact are the same as those of the fourth contact.

7. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connection terminal portion of each of the first contact, the second contact, the third contact and the fourth contact is configured as a groove.

8. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are arranged in the second direction, the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are oriented to extend in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, such that the conductors of the cable wires are oriented in the third direction and respectively fixed to the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the third direction. The multiple contacts are identical in shape and size.

9. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a wire holding member that holds the wires in such a way that the wires are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the second direction.

10. The connector for a sensor module as claimed in claims 1 to 1, wherein the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are arranged in the second direction, the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts are oriented to extend in the first direction, such that the conductors of the cable wires are oriented in the first direction and respectively fixed to the connection terminals of the plurality of contacts, and such that the cable extends out of the housing along the first direction. The multiple contacts are identical in shape and size.

Images