connector unit

Abstract

A connector unit is provided that prevents water droplets generated by condensation or the like from flowing into the terminal connection portion. The connector unit (1) includes: a connector (2); a substrate (3) on which the connector (2) is fixed and has a terminal connection portion (32) exposed from the housing (20) toward the outside; and a waterproof body (4) which is disposed on one side (Z1) of the pull-out direction (Z) with respect to the terminal connection portion (32) and extends in the width direction (Y). The waterproof body (4) has: a main body back surface (sealing surface) (42) which extends in the width direction (Y) and is in close contact with the surface (30a) of the substrate body (30) to seal between it and the substrate body (30); and a first drainage surface (inclined surface) (44) which is inclined toward the housing (20) from the center portion (YO) of the width direction (Y) toward both ends of the width direction (Y).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connector units. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, when connecting a connector from a direction orthogonal to the surface of a flexible printed circuit (FPC), in order to connect the wiring pattern of the FPC to the connector terminals, cuts were made in the wall of the housing such that a portion of the connector terminals were exposed to the outside while the connector terminals were housed in the housing.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a wiring module comprising: a flat wire; and a wire-side connector connected to the end of the flat wire and fitted into a device-side connector.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192336 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in connector units that combine connectors and FPCs, there is room for improvement in the case of water droplets caused by condensation or other factors in the excess length of the FPC, as the water droplets may flow into the connection between the wiring pattern of the FPC and the connector terminals, depending on the orientation of the connector or the configuration of the FPC.

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a connector unit that prevents water droplets generated by condensation or the like from flowing into the terminal connection portion.

[0010] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the connector unit of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a connector having terminals and an insulating housing, the terminals being conductive, the housing accommodating and holding the terminals, and configured to fit into a mating object in a mating direction; a substrate having a substrate body, a conductive wiring pattern, and a terminal connection portion, the substrate body having the connector fixed thereon, and the connector being pulled out to a side in a pull-out direction intersecting the mating direction, the wiring pattern being formed on the substrate body, the terminal connection portion electrically connecting the terminals held by the housing to the wiring pattern exposed from the surface of the substrate body, and being exposed to the outside from the housing; and a waterproof body disposed on the side of the pull-out direction relative to the terminal connection portion, and extending in a width direction orthogonal to the mating direction and the pull-out direction, the waterproof body having: a sealing surface extending in the width direction, closely contacting the surface of the substrate body, and sealing with the substrate body; and an inclined surface inclined from the center portion of the width direction toward both ends of the width direction toward the housing side.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the connector unit of the present invention, the effect achieved is to prevent water droplets generated by condensation or the like from flowing into the terminal connection portion, for example, in the substrate located above the vertical direction of the terminal connection portion. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the outline configuration of the connector unit according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a front view of the connector unit of the embodiment, viewed from the mating direction.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a side view of the connector unit of the embodiment, viewed from the width direction.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a top view of the connector unit of the embodiment as viewed from the pull-out direction. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments. That is, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements readily conceived by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0019] [Implementation Method]

[0020] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The connector unit 1 shown is, for example, suitable for electronic devices mounted in vehicles such as automobiles. Connector unit 1 includes a connector 2, a substrate 3, and a waterproof body 4. Connector unit 1, for example, has a connector 2 mounted on surface 30a of substrate 3, which connects to a mating object 10 (see reference 10) provided in various devices. Figure 3 The mating object 10 and the substrate 3 are electrically connected by fitting together. The substrate 3 is, for example, an electronic circuit board on which various electronic components (not shown) including the connector 2 are mounted on the surface 30a, which serves as the mounting surface. The connector unit 1 will be described in detail below.

[0021] Furthermore, in the following description, the X direction in the illustration is designated as the "insertion direction X", the Y direction as the "width direction Y", and the Z direction as the "pull-out direction Z". The insertion direction X, the width direction Y, and the pull-out direction Z are orthogonal to each other. Here, one side of the insertion direction X is designated as the "fitting direction X1", and the other side is designated as the "removal direction X2". One side of the pull-out direction Z is designated as the "first pull-out direction Z1", and the other side is designated as the "second pull-out direction Z2". The width direction Y and the pull-out direction Z are included in the directions orthogonal to the insertion direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions in the fitted state where the parts are installed on each other and the connector 2 of the connector unit 1 is fitted into the fitted object 10. Furthermore, in the above fitted state, the pull-out direction Z is set to be along the vertical direction. At this time, the "first pull-out direction Z1" is set to the "upper vertical direction", and the "second pull-out direction Z2" is set to the "lower vertical direction".

[0022] First, connector 2 will be described. Connector 2 is a substrate-mounted connector that is mounted on surface 30a of substrate 3. Connector 2 constitutes a connection mechanism that electrically connects substrate 3 and mating object 10 by mating, for example, with mating object 10 provided in various devices. Connector 2 includes terminals T and a housing 20.

[0023] Terminal T, formed of a conductive metal or similar material, is a terminal component that electrically connects the substrate 3 and the mating object 10. Terminal T extends in a generally rod-like shape along the insertion / removal direction X, with one end connected to a terminal connection portion 32 in the wiring pattern 31 formed on the substrate 3 via soldering or the like, and the other end connected to an object-side terminal (not shown) held by the mating object 10. In the mated state where the connector 2 is mated to the mating object 10, multiple terminals T are arranged at intervals along the width direction Y and the pull-out direction Z, respectively, and are housed and held within the housing 20. Here, in the mated state, two rows of terminals T are arranged along the pull-out direction Z, and an even greater number are arranged along the width direction Y.

[0024] The housing 20 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and the insertion hole 21 (see reference) Figure 1 The inner side of the housing 20 retains the terminal T, and the mating object 10 is mated. The housing 20 is, for example, via a pair of lugs (fixing members) 50 provided on the substrate 3 (see reference). Figures 1-3 The connector 2 is fixed to the substrate 3. In the mating state where the connector 2 is fitted into the mating object 10, the housing 20 arranges and holds multiple rows of terminals T spaced apart along the width direction Y and the pull-out direction Z. Here, in the mating state, the housing 20 arranges two rows of terminals T along the pull-out direction Z and more rows along the width direction Y, and holds them in this configuration. In this embodiment, the housing 20 does not block both sides of the pull-out direction Z, which is orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction X, and is relatively open to the outside compared to both sides of the width direction Y of the housing 20. That is, the housing 20 has a shape that allows each terminal T to be connected to the wiring pattern 31 by soldering or the like when the housing 20 holds multiple terminals T.

[0025] Next, substrate 3 will be described. Substrate 3 is, for example, made of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). Substrate 3 is formed as a whole into a generally rectangular shape. Substrate 3 includes a substrate body 30, wiring pattern 31, and terminal connection portion 32.

[0026] The substrate body 30 is constructed by laminating flexible thin-film insulating base films, conductor layers, and insulating films, for example, and wiring patterns 31 corresponding to various functions are formed in the conductor layers. A connector 2 is fixed to the surface 30a of the substrate body 30, and the connector 2 is pulled out to the side of the pull-out direction Z (first pull-out direction Z1). The substrate body 30 is constructed including a fixing part 33 and a bending part 34.

[0027] The fixing part 33 is a portion of the end of the fixing housing 20 in the substrate body 30 that is opposite to the fitting direction X1 (pull-out direction X2). The fixing part 33 is located on the second pull-out direction Z2 side of the substrate body 30. The fixing part 33 extends in a plate shape along the insertion / pull-out direction X in the thickness direction, along the width direction Y, and along the pull-out direction Z.

[0028] The bent portion 34 is a portion formed continuously within the fixing portion 33 in the substrate body 30. When the connector 2 is fitted into the mating object 10, its shape, viewed from the width direction Y, is bent in a manner that bulges towards the pull-out direction Z (first pull-out direction Z1). Figure 1 In the example shown, the degree of bending of the bent portion 34 changes toward the removal direction X2.

[0029] Wiring pattern 31 is a conductive printed circuit formed on substrate body 30. Wiring pattern 31 is formed from thin copper foil or the like, constituting circuits corresponding to various functions. Wiring pattern 31 may have a thin film-like insulating film laminated on it, with the portion corresponding to terminal connection portion 32 exposed to the outside.

[0030] The terminal connection portion 32 is the portion that electrically connects the terminal T held by the housing 20 to the wiring pattern 31 exposed from the surface 30a of the substrate body 30, and is exposed to the outside from the housing 20. Like the terminal T, multiple terminal connection portions 32 are arranged at intervals along the width direction Y and the pull-out direction Z when the connector 2 is engaged with the mating object 10. Here, in the engaged state, two rows of terminal connection portions 32 are arranged along the pull-out direction Z, and a larger number are arranged along the width direction Y. The terminal connection portion 32 is formed by connecting a portion of the wiring pattern 31 exposed from the insulating film to one end of the terminal T in the extension direction (insertion direction X) (removal direction X2).

[0031] Next, the waterproof body 4 will be described. The waterproof body 4 is disposed on the Z1 side of the pull-out direction Z relative to the terminal connection portion 32, and extends in the width direction Y. When the pull-out direction Z is along the vertical direction, the waterproof body 4 is located above the vertical direction of the terminal connection portion 32 in the mating state of the connector 2 mating with the mating object 10. The waterproof body 4 has a main body surface 41, a main body back surface 42, a first drainage surface 44, a second drainage surface 45, a pair of end faces 47, and a pair of positioning surfaces 48.

[0032] The main body surface 41 is the surface located on the side when the main body back surface 42 is bonded to the substrate body 30. In the mating state, the main body surface 41 is located on the mating direction X1 side, and its shape is formed into an approximately inverted V shape when viewed from the mating direction X1.

[0033] The back surface 42 of the main body extends in the width direction Y and closely contacts the surface 30a of the substrate body 30 while being fixed to the substrate 3, forming a sealing surface between the main body 30 and the substrate body 30. In the fitted state, the back surface 42 of the main body is located on the pull-out direction X2 side and, like the main body surface 41, is formed in a generally inverted V shape.

[0034] The first drainage surface 44 is an inclined surface that slopes towards the housing 20 from the central part YO in the width direction Y towards both ends of the width direction Y. In the engaged state, the first drainage surface 44 is located on the side of the pull-out direction Z (first pull-out direction Z1).

[0035] The second drainage surface 45 is continuous with the first drainage surface 44 in one or the other of the width direction Y, and is connected to the end face 47 in the other or one of the other directions. The inclination angle of the second drainage surface 45 is relatively smaller than that of the first drainage surface 44. Here, the second drainage surface 45 is formed orthogonally to the end face 47, and is composed of non-inclined surfaces. The widths of the first drainage surface 44 and the second drainage surface 45 in the insertion / removal direction X are the same in the fitted state. That is, the thickness of the waterproof body 4 is consistent along the insertion / removal direction X. Figure 4 As shown, the thickness of the waterproof body 4 is formed such that, when viewed from the first pull-out direction Z1, all terminal connection portions 32 are hidden when the waterproof body 4 is bonded to the substrate body 30.

[0036] The positioning surface 48 is the opposite side of the second drainage surface 45, and when the waterproof body 4 is bonded to the substrate body 30, it abuts against the flat surface of the end formed on the first pull-out direction Z1 side of the housing 20.

[0037] In existing connector units, such as Figure 2 As shown, when CO condensation occurs on the substrate 3 located above the vertical direction of the terminal connection portion 32, water droplets DOR may flow from the condensed CO into the terminal connection portion 32 side.

[0038] Therefore, in the connector unit 1 of this embodiment, the waterproof body 4 is located above the vertical direction of the terminal connection portion 32 in the mating state, the back surface 42 of the main body is in close contact with the substrate body 30, and the first drainage surface 44 is inclined from the central portion YO in the width direction Y toward both ends of the width direction Y toward the housing 20 side, thereby preventing water droplets DOR generated by CO condensation from flowing into the terminal connection portion 32 side. That is, the connector unit 1 is bonded to the surface 30a of the fixing portion 33 in the substrate body 30 by the back surface 42 of the main body in the waterproof body 4 and sealed, thereby preventing water droplets DOR generated by CO condensation from flowing directly into the terminal connection portion 32. In addition, the connector unit 1 is inclined from the central portion YO in the width direction Y toward both ends of the width direction Y by the inclined first drainage surface 44, so that water droplets DOR generated by CO condensation can be easily discharged to the outside of the housing 20. In addition, the positioning surface 48 abuts against the housing 20 to suppress water droplets DOR from flowing into the terminal connection portion 32 in the width direction Y.

[0039] As described above, the connector unit 1 of this embodiment includes a waterproof body 4, which is disposed on the first pull-out direction Z1 side relative to the terminal connection portion 32. The terminal connection portion 32 electrically connects the terminal T held by the housing 20 to the wiring pattern 31 exposed from the surface 30a of the substrate body 30. The waterproof body 4 has: a main body back surface (sealing surface) 42, which extends in the width direction Y and is in close contact with the surface 30a of the substrate body 30, sealing between the main body 30 and the substrate body 30; and a first drainage surface (inclined surface) 44, which is inclined from the central portion YO in the width direction Y toward both ends of the width direction Y toward the housing 20 side.

[0040] According to the above structure, even if water droplets DOR condensate CO or other substances generated from the surface 30a of the bend 34 in the substrate body 30 flow into the terminal connection portion 32 side, the connector unit 1 can prevent the water droplets DOR from flowing in through the first drainage surface 44, and the water droplets DOR are discharged to the outside in the width direction Y by the inclination of the first drainage surface 44. As a result, the connector unit 1 can prevent water droplets DOR generated by condensate CO or other substances from flowing into the terminal connection portion 32.

[0041] Furthermore, in connector unit 1, the waterproof body 4 is located above the vertical direction of terminal connection portion 32 in the mating state. Thus, connector unit 1, through the waterproof body 4, can prevent water droplets (DOR) generated by condensation of CO, etc., from flowing into the terminal connection portion 32 located below the vertical direction.

[0042] Furthermore, since the substrate body 30 in connector unit 1 has a fixing portion 33 for fixing the housing 20, the housing 20 can be easily fixed to the substrate body 30. In addition, in connector unit 1, the substrate body 30 is continuously formed in the fixing portion 33 and includes a bent portion 34. In the mating state, the bent portion 34 is bent and configured to bulge towards the first pull-out direction Z1 when viewed from the width direction Y. Thus, in connector unit 1, the bent portion 34 becomes a flexure of the substrate body 30, making it easier to perform the mating operation of connector 2 relative to mating object 10.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connector unit 1 forms the waterproof body 4 and the housing 20 separately, but it is not limited to this; the waterproof body 4 and the housing 20 can also be formed integrally. Thus, for example, compared to the component management cost when the waterproof body 4 and the housing 20 are managed as separate units, the component management cost of the housing 20 integrated with the waterproof body 4 can be made relatively cheaper.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is described that the substrate 3 of the connector unit 1 has overall flexibility, but it is not limited to this. In this case, the substrate 3 may only have flexibility in the bent portion 34.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the waterproof body 4 has the first drainage surface 44 and the second drainage surface 45 formed at different inclination angles, but it is not limited to this. For example, the first drainage surface 44 and the second drainage surface 45 may also be formed at the same inclination angle.

[0046] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0047] 1 Connector Unit

[0048] 2 connectors

[0049] 3 substrate

[0050] 4 Waterproof body

[0051] 10. Chimera Objects

[0052] 20. Housing

[0053] 30 substrate body

[0054] 31 Wiring Pattern

[0055] 32 Terminal connection section

[0056] 33 Fixing part

[0057] 34. Bend

[0058] 42. Back of the main body

[0059] 44 First drainage surface

[0060] 45 Second drainage surface

[0061] T-terminal

[0062] CO condensation

[0063] DOR Water Drop

Claims

1. A connector unit, characterized in that, include: A connector having terminals and an insulating housing, the terminals being conductive, the housing accommodating and holding the terminals, configured to engage with a mating object in a mating direction; A substrate having a substrate body, a conductive wiring pattern, and a terminal connection portion, wherein the connector is fixed to the substrate body and can be pulled out from the connector in a pull-out direction intersecting the mating direction; the wiring pattern is formed on the substrate body; the terminal connection portion electrically connects the terminal held by the housing to the wiring pattern exposed from the surface of the substrate body and is exposed from the housing towards the outside; and A waterproof body is disposed on one side of the pull-out direction relative to the terminal connection portion, and extends in a width direction orthogonal to both the engagement direction and the pull-out direction. The waterproof body has the following characteristics: A sealing surface, which extends in the width direction, closely contacts the surface of the substrate body, thereby sealing it with the substrate body; as well as An inclined surface that slopes toward the housing side from the center of the width direction toward both ends of the width direction.

2. The connector unit according to claim 1, The pull-out direction is along the vertical direction when the connector is engaged with the mating object. The waterproof body is located on the vertical side of the terminal connection in the fitted state.

3. The connector unit according to claim 1 or 2, The waterproof body is integrally formed with the shell.

4. The connector unit according to claim 1 or 2, The substrate body includes: A fixing part, which has the end of the housing fixed to the side opposite to the fitting direction; as well as The curved portion, which is continuously formed with the fixed portion, is configured to bend in such a way that its shape, when viewed from the width direction, bulges toward the side of the pull-out direction when the connector is fitted into the fitted object.

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