Board connector

Abstract

To avoid a deterioration of reliability in a connection function of a terminal fitting.SOLUTION: A board connector A comprises: a housing 10 having a terminal housing chamber 12; a first terminal fitting 40; a second terminal fitting 55; and a blocking member 30 that is another component from the housing 10. In a rear surface 10R of the housing 10, a rear end of the terminal housing chamber 12 is opened as an insertion port 15. The first terminal fitting 40 includes: a terminal main body part 41 that is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 12 from the insertion port 15; an elastic contact piece 45 that is formed onto the terminal main body part 41; and a first substrate connection part 47 that is extended to a rear direction from the terminal main body part 41, and is arranged to an external part of the housing 10. The second terminal fitting 55 includes: the terminal main body part 41; the elastic contact piece 45; and a second substrate connection part 56 that is extended to the rear direction from the terminal main body part 41, and is arranged to an external part of the housing 10. The blocking member 30 is arranged so as to block the insertion port 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a board connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a housing and multiple plug terminals, which is mounted on a circuit board. A plurality of spaces partitioned by walls are formed inside the housing. The plug terminal is a single component having a main body accommodated in the space, a leg extending rearward from the main body, and a mounting piece connected to the leg and mounted on a cable. The main body has a box shape with a U-shaped cross section, and a contact piece that elastically contacts the relay terminal is disposed at the front end of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-192612 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The rear end of the space is open as an insertion port for inserting the main body of the plug terminal. The main body has a U-shaped cross section and is open at the rear end. Therefore, if a foreign object enters the space from the insertion port, there is a concern that the foreign object will enter the inside of the main body of the plug terminal and adhere to the contact piece. If a foreign object adheres to the contact piece, there is a risk that it will interfere with the contact between the intermediate terminal and the terminal metal fitting.

[0005] The board connector of the present disclosure has been completed in light of the above circumstances, and aims to avoid any decrease in the reliability of the connection function of the terminal fittings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The board connector of the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a terminal receiving chamber; A terminal fitting made of a metal plate; a blocking member that is a separate part from the housing; The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open at the rear surface of the housing as an insertion opening, The terminal fitting is a terminal body portion to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber through the insertion opening; A resilient contact piece formed on the terminal body; a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, The blocking member is disposed so as to block the insertion opening in a rear view when the housing is viewed from the rear. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the reliability of the connection function of the terminal fittings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the board connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the state in which the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings are attached to the housing during the process of assembling the board connector, as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view of the board connector as viewed obliquely from above and rear, showing a state in which a blocking member has been attached to the state shown in FIG. 10 in the process of assembling the board connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the closing member as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the closing member as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the board connector of the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the closing member before it is attached to the housing, as viewed from diagonally above and rearward. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the closing member as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above and behind. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments without causing any contradiction is also included in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention. The board connector of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A housing having a terminal accommodating chamber, a terminal fitting made of a metal plate, and a blocking member which is a separate part from the housing, the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is opened as an insertion port on the rear surface of the housing, the terminal fitting has a terminal body part inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber from the insertion port, a resilient contact piece formed on the terminal body part, and a board connection part extending rearward from the terminal body part and disposed outside the housing, the blocking member is disposed so as to block the insertion port in a rear view of the housing seen from the rear. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the insertion port which is an opening at the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is blocked by the blocking member, so that it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the terminal accommodating chamber and prevent the adhesion of foreign matter to the resilient contact piece. Thus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the reliability of the connection function of the terminal fitting.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the terminal body has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an open rear end, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, and the blocking member is disposed so as to block the opening at the rear end of the terminal body in the rear view. This configuration makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal body.

[0011] (3) In (1) or (2), it is preferable that the blocking member has a plate-like portion disposed parallel to the rear surface of the housing and covering the insertion opening, and the housing and the blocking member are formed with holding portions that hold the plate-like portion in surface contact with the rear surface of the housing or in a state facing closely and parallel to the rear surface of the housing by fitting together. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the plate-like portion from deforming so as to move away from the rear surface of the housing, and therefore to prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber through a gap between the rear surface of the housing and the front surface of the plate-like portion.

[0012] (4) In (2), it is preferable that the front end of the board connection portion is disposed at a position offset toward the outer surface side of the terminal body portion with respect to the rear end of any one of the plate portions, and the blocking member blocks the entire opening in the rear view. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal body portion.

[0013] In (5) and (4), it is preferable that the front end of the board connection part and the rear end of any one of the plate parts are connected in a crank shape. With this configuration, even if a foreign object attached to the front end of the board connection part moves forward, the foreign object hits a stopper formed by the crank shape, so that the intrusion of the foreign object into the inside of the terminal body can be suppressed.

[0014] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A board connector A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 1 to 9 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The H direction in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 to 9 is defined as the up direction with respect to the up-down direction. The R direction in Figs. 1, 3 to 9 is defined as the right direction with respect to the left-right direction. The left-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0015] The board connector A of the present embodiment 1 is a connector mounted on an FPC 60 (Flexible Printed Circuits), which is a type of circuit board. The area of ​​the FPC 60 where the board connector A is mounted is strengthened by a reinforcing plate 62 to suppress bending deformation. In the present embodiment 1, the mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60 is arranged horizontally facing upward.

[0016] The board connector A is constructed by assembling a synthetic resin housing 10, a synthetic resin blocking member 30, a plurality of first terminal fittings 40, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 55. The housing 10 is a single component having a terminal accommodating portion 11 and a pair of protective walls 19. The housing 10 is fixed to a mounting surface 61 of the circuit board via pegs 39.

[0017] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 12 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 11. The terminal accommodating chambers 12 are elongated spaces in the front-rear direction, and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 12 when cut perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 14 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 12 is formed in the front wall portion 13 of the terminal accommodating portion 11. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 14 from the front of the housing 10. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 14 on the front surface of the front wall portion 13 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 12. The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 12 opens as an insertion port 15 on the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 (terminal accommodating portion 11). The opening shape of the insertion port 15 on the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 is rectangular.

[0018] A pair of left and right guide holes 16 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 11. The pair of guide holes 16 are arranged between the upper terminal accommodating chamber 12 and the lower terminal accommodating chamber 12. The guide hole 16 is an elongated space that opens in the left-right direction at the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 and extends forward from the rear surface 10R of the housing 10. A retaining hole 17 is formed in the terminal accommodating portion 11. The retaining hole 17 is arranged between the pair of guide holes 16. A pair of left and right protruding first retaining portions 18 are formed inside the retaining hole 17.

[0019] The pair of protective walls 19 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface 10R of the housing 10. The pair of protective walls 19 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with the wall thickness direction facing the left-right direction. A guide groove 20 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the inner surface of each of the protective walls 19. A second retaining portion 21 having a recessed shape is formed in each of the guide grooves 20.

[0020] The blocking member 30 is a single component separate from the housing 10. The blocking member 30 is a single component having a plate-shaped portion 31, a pair of left and right guided portions 33, a pair of left and right first holding arms 34, and a pair of left and right second holding arms 36. The plate-shaped portion 31 is a rectangular portion with a wall thickness direction facing the front-rear direction. The plate-shaped portion 31 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 32 penetrating the plate-shaped portion 31 in the front-rear direction. In a state where the blocking member 30 is assembled to the housing 10, in a rear view of the blocking member 30 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion holes 32 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 12 (insertion opening 15) on the rear surface 10R of the housing 10. The upper surface of the insertion holes 32 is lower than the lower surface of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 12. The height difference between the upper surface of the insertion hole 32 and the lower surface of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 12 is equal to or slightly larger than the thickness dimension of a first extension portion 48 of the first terminal fitting 40 described later. The lower surface of the insertion hole 32 is lower than the lower surface of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 12.

[0021] The pair of guided parts 33 are plate-like parts that extend forward in a cantilever manner from both left and right ends of the front surface of the plate-like part 31, with the plate thickness direction facing the up-down direction. The pair of first holding arms 34 are disposed between the pair of guided parts 33, and extend forward in a cantilever manner from the front surface of the plate-like part 31. A first holding protrusion 35 is formed at the front end of the first holding arm 34. The first holding arm 34 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction. The second holding arm 36 is a part that extends backward in a cantilever manner from both left and right side edges of the plate-like part 31. A second holding protrusion 37 is formed at the rear end of the second holding arm 36. The second holding arm 36 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction.

[0022] The first terminal fitting 40 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a piece of metal plate material punched out to a predetermined shape. The first terminal fitting 40 is a female terminal having a terminal body portion 41 that is elongated in the front-rear direction and a first board connecting portion 47 that extends rearward from the rear end of the terminal body portion 41.

[0023] The terminal body 41 is generally shaped like a rectangular tube with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 41 has a lower plate 42, a pair of left and right side plate portions 43, and an upper plate portion 44. The lower plate portion 42 is elongated in the front-rear direction with its thickness direction facing up and down. The pair of left and right side plate portions 43 extend upward from both left and right side edges of the lower plate portion 42. The upper plate portion 44 extends parallel to the lower plate portion 42 from the upper edge of the right side plate portion 43.

[0024] A resilient contact piece 45 is provided inside the terminal body 41. The resilient contact piece 45 resiliently contacts a tab of a mating terminal (not shown) inserted into the terminal body 41 from the front of the first terminal fitting 40. A press-fit protrusion 46 is formed on the upper plate 44. The press-fit protrusion 46 is a portion formed by hammering a part of the upper plate 44 upward. The press-fit protrusion 46 is located at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate 44 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The first board connection part 47 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 42. The first board connection part 47 has a first extension part 48 extending rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 42 in a flush manner, a first leg part 49 extending downward from the rear end of the first extension part 48, and a first mounting part 50 extending rearward from the lower end of the first leg part 49. Since the first extension part 48 extends flush from the lower plate part 42 and the first leg part 49 and the first mounting part 50 are disposed lower than the first extension part 48, the first board connection part 47 does not exist within the range of the opening area of ​​the opening part 51 at the rear end of the terminal main body part 41 in the rear view. The first mounting part 50 is welded to the land of the mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60 by reflow soldering.

[0026] The second terminal fitting 55, like the first terminal fitting 40, is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc. a single metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. The second terminal fitting 55 has a terminal body portion 41 having the same configuration as the terminal body portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40, and a second board connecting portion 56.

[0027] The second board connection part 56 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate part 42. The second board connection part 56 has a second extension part 57 extending flush from the rear end of the lower plate part 42, a second leg part 58 extending downward from the rear end of the second extension part 57, and a second mounting part 59 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg part 58. Since the second extension part 57 extends flush from the lower plate part 42 and the second leg part 58 and the second mounting part 59 are disposed lower than the second extension part 57, the second board connection part 56 does not exist within the range of the opening area of ​​the opening part 51 at the rear end of the terminal main body part 41 in the rear view. The second mounting part 59 is welded to the land of the mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60 by reflow soldering.

[0028] Next, the assembly process of the board connector A of this embodiment 1 will be described. Before assembly, the first terminal fitting 40 has a preformed terminal body 41, and the first board connection portion 47 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 41. Before assembly, the second terminal fitting 55 has a preformed terminal body 41, and the second board connection portion 56 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 41.

[0029] During assembly, the terminal body 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 12 from the rear of the housing 10. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 46 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 12 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 41 abuts against the front wall 13, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 40 is complete. Next, the terminal body 41 of the second terminal fitting 55 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 12 from the rear of the housing 10. When the front end of the terminal body 41 abuts against the front wall 13, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 55 is complete.

[0030] When the terminal body 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 12, the press-in projection 46 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 12, thereby holding the terminal body 41 in the terminal accommodating chamber 12 in a retained state. Since the first terminal fitting 40 is a member having an elastic contact piece 45 that is elastically deformable, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 40 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-in projection 46 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 55.

[0031] Next, the blocking member 30 is assembled to the housing 10. During assembly, the plate-shaped portion 31 is brought close to the housing 10 from the rear, and the first board connection portion 47 is inserted into the insertion hole 32. At this time, the second board connection portion 56 is located slightly below the lower end of the plate-shaped portion 31, so that it does not interfere with the blocking member 30. In the process of inserting the first board connection portion 47 into the insertion hole 32, the pair of guided portions 33 are fitted into the pair of guide holes 16. The engagement between the guided portions 33 and the guide holes 16 stabilizes the insertion posture of the blocking member 30 during the insertion process, and stabilizes the insertion path in the vertical and horizontal directions. As the insertion progresses, the pair of first holding arms 34 are inserted into the holding holes 17, and the pair of second holding arms 36 slide against the guide grooves 20 in an elastically deformed state.

[0032] At the end of the assembly process of the blocking member 30, the first holding protrusion 35 interferes with the first removal prevention portion 18, thereby elastically deforming the first holding arm 34. Then, when the plate-shaped portion 31 reaches a state in which it is in contact with the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 or in a state in which it is closely facing the rear surface 10R of the housing 10, the first holding arm 34 elastically returns to its original state, so that the first holding protrusion 35 engages with the first removal prevention portion 18, and the second holding arm 36 elastically returns to its original state, so that the second holding protrusion 37 engages with the second removal prevention portion 21. The first holding arm 34 and the second holding arm 36 engage with the housing 10 (the first removal prevention portion 18 and the second removal prevention portion 21), thereby holding the blocking member 30 in a removal prevention state in which its relative displacement backward with respect to the housing 10 is restricted.

[0033] After the blocking member 30 is assembled to the housing 10, the first board connection portion 47 in a straight state is bent to form the first leg portion 49 and the first mounting portion 50. The second board connection portion 56 in a straight state is bent to form the second leg portion 58 and the second mounting portion 59. With the above, the assembly of the board connector A is completed.

[0034] When the assembled board connector A is viewed from the rear, the insertion opening 15 at the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 11 is almost entirely covered by the plate-shaped portion 31 of the closing member 30. The openings 51 of the terminal body portions 41 of the first terminal fittings 40 and the second terminal fittings 55 are entirely covered by the plate-shaped portion 31 of the closing member 30. The plate-shaped portion 31 is held in contact with the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 (terminal accommodating portion 11) or in close proximity to and facing the rear surface 10R of the housing 10, so that there is almost no gap between the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 and the front surface of the plate-shaped portion 31 through which foreign matter can enter. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter (not shown) or potting agent (not shown) from outside the housing 10 entering the terminal accommodating chamber 12 or the terminal body portion 41 from the insertion opening 15.

[0035] The board connector A of the first embodiment includes a housing 10 having a terminal receiving chamber 12, a first terminal fitting 40 and a second terminal fitting 55 made of a metal plate material, and a blocking member 30 which is a separate part from the housing 10. The rear end of the terminal receiving chamber 12 opens as an insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 10R of the housing 10. The first terminal fitting 40 is a single part having a terminal body portion 41, a resilient contact piece 45, and a first board connection portion 47. The second terminal fitting 55 is a single part having a terminal body portion 41, a resilient contact piece 45, and a second board connection portion 56. The terminal body portion 41 is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber 12 from the insertion opening 15. The resilient contact piece 45 is formed on the terminal body portion 41. The first board connection portion 47 extends rearward from the terminal body portion 41 and is disposed outside the housing 10.

[0036] The blocking member 30 is disposed so as to block the insertion opening 15 in a rear view of the housing 10. Since the insertion opening 15, which is an opening at the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 12, is blocked by the blocking member 30, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the terminal accommodating chamber 12 and prevent the adhesion of foreign matter to the elastic contact piece 45. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the reliability of the connection function of the terminal fitting.

[0037] The terminal body 41 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an open rear end. The first board connection portion 47 and the second board connection portion 56 extend rearward only from one of the four plate portions (the lower plate portion 42, the left and right side plate portions 43, and the upper plate portion 44) that constitute the terminal body 41. The blocking member 30 is disposed so as to block the opening portion 51 at the rear end of the terminal body 41 in rear view. This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal body 41.

[0038] The blocking member 30 has a plate-like portion 31 arranged parallel to the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 and covering the insertion opening 15. The housing 10 is formed with a first retaining portion 18 and a second retaining portion 21. The blocking member 30 is formed with a first retaining arm 34 and a second retaining arm 36. The plate-like portion 31 is held in surface contact with the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 or in a parallel facing state close to the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 by the engagement between the first retaining arm 34 and the second retaining arm 36. This configuration can prevent the plate-like portion 31 from deforming so as to move away from the rear surface 10R of the housing 10, and can therefore prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber 12 through a gap between the rear surface 10R of the housing 10 and the front surface of the plate-like portion 31.

[0039] [Example 2] A board connector B according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 15. In this second embodiment, with regard to the front-rear direction, the F direction in Figures 10 to 15 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figures 10 to 15 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-right direction, the R direction in Figures 10, 11, and 13 to 15 is defined as the right.

[0040] The board connector B of this embodiment 2 is a connector that is mounted on the horizontally upward mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60, similar to the board connector B of the embodiment 1. The board connector B is configured by assembling a synthetic resin housing 70, a synthetic resin blocking member 80, a plurality of first terminal fittings 90, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 105. The housing 70 is a single component having a terminal accommodating portion 71 and a pair of protective wall portions 77. The housing 70 is configured to be fixed to the mounting surface 61 of the circuit board via a peg 89.

[0041] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 72 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 71. The terminal accommodating chambers 72 are elongated spaces in the front-rear direction, and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 72 when cut perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 74 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 72 is formed in the front wall portion 73 of the terminal accommodating portion 71. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 74 from the front of the housing 70. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 74 at the front surface of the front wall portion 73 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 72.

[0042] The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 72 opens as an insertion opening 75 on the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 (terminal accommodating portion 71). The opening shape of the insertion opening 75 on the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 is rectangular. The opening area of ​​the insertion opening 75 on the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 72. Specifically, the width dimension of the insertion opening 75 is the same as the width dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 72, but the height dimension of the insertion opening 75 is larger than the height dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 72. In a rear view of the housing 70 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion opening 75 extends downward from the lower edge of the terminal accommodating chamber 72. The lower end of the insertion opening 75 functions as a relief portion 76 that is cut out so as to be lower in a stepped manner relative to the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72.

[0043] The pair of protective wall portions 77 are portions extending rearward from both left and right side edges of the rear surface 70R of the housing 70. The pair of protective wall portions 77 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with the wall thickness direction facing the left-right direction. At the front end of each protective wall portion 77, mounting holes 78L, 78R are formed so as to penetrate the protective wall portion 77 in the left-right direction. The mounting holes 78L, 78R are elongated and open in the up-down direction. The front faces of the mounting holes 78L, 78R are continuous and flush with the rear surface 70R of the housing 70. The left mounting hole 78L has a pair of upper and lower retaining portions 79 formed therein.

[0044] The blocking member 80 is a single component having a plate shape as a whole. The blocking member 80 is attached to the rear end of the housing 70 with the plate thickness direction facing the front-rear direction. A locking protrusion 81 protruding upward and downward is formed on the right edge of the blocking member 80. The blocking member 80 is formed with an insertion groove 82 that penetrates the blocking member 80 in the front-rear direction. The insertion groove 82 opens on the left edge of the blocking member 80 and forms a slit shape extending in a straight line to the right of the blocking member 80. A pair of upper and lower lock arms 83 are formed on the left end of the blocking member 80. The lock arms 83 are shaped to extend in a cantilever shape to the left. An upward lock protrusion 84 is formed on the left end of the upper lock arm 83, and a downward lock protrusion 84 is formed on the left end of the lower lock arm 83.

[0045] The first terminal fitting 90 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc. a piece of metal plate material punched out into a predetermined shape. The first terminal fitting 90 is a female terminal having a terminal body portion 91 elongated in the front-rear direction, a first connecting portion 97, and a first board connecting portion 98.

[0046] The terminal body 91 is generally shaped like a rectangular tube with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 91 has a lower plate 92, a pair of left and right side plate portions 93, and an upper plate portion 94. The lower plate portion 92 is elongated in the front-to-rear direction with its thickness direction facing up and down. The pair of left and right side plate portions 93 extend upward from both left and right side edges of the lower plate portion 92. The upper plate portion 94 extends parallel to the lower plate portion 92 from the upper edge of the right side plate portion 93.

[0047] A resilient contact piece 95 is provided inside the terminal body 91. The resilient contact piece 95 resiliently contacts a tab of a mating terminal (not shown) inserted into the terminal body 91 from the front of the first terminal fitting 90. A press-fit protrusion 96 is formed on the upper plate 94. The press-fit protrusion 96 is a portion formed by hammering a part of the upper plate 94 upward. The press-fit protrusion 96 is located at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate 94 in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The first connecting portion 97 is a portion extending downward from the rear end of the terminal body 91. The first board connection portion 98 is a portion extending rearward from the lower end of the first connecting portion 97. The first board connection portion 98 has a first extending portion 99 extending rearward from the lower end of the first connecting portion 97, a first leg portion 100 extending downward from the rear end of the first extending portion 99, and a first mounting portion 101 extending rearward from the lower end of the first leg portion 100. The rear surface of the first connecting portion 97 is disposed at the same position as the rear end surface of the upper plate portion 94 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 93 in the front-rear direction. Since the first connecting portion 97 extends downward from the lower plate portion 92 and the first board connection portion 98 is disposed lower than the first connecting portion 97, the first connecting portion 97 and the first board connection portion 98 do not exist within the range of the opening area of ​​the opening 102 at the rear end of the terminal body 91 in the rear view. The first mounting portion 101 is welded to a land on the mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60 by reflow soldering.

[0049] The second terminal fitting 105, like the first terminal fitting 90, is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc. a single metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. The second terminal fitting 105 is a female terminal having a terminal body portion 91 having the same configuration as the terminal body portion 91 of the first terminal fitting 90, a second connecting portion 106, and a second board connecting portion 107.

[0050] The second connecting portion 106 is a portion extending downward from the rear end of the terminal body 91. The second board connecting portion 107 is a portion extending rearward from the lower end of the second connecting portion 106. The second board connecting portion 107 has a second extending portion 108 extending rearward from the lower end of the second connecting portion 106, a second leg portion 109 extending downward from the rear end of the second extending portion 108, and a second mounting portion 110 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg portion 109. The rear surface of the second connecting portion 106 is located at the same position as the rear end surface of the upper plate portion 94 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 93 in the front-rear direction. The second connecting portion 106 extends downward from the lower plate portion 92, and the second board connecting portion 107 is disposed lower than the second connecting portion 106, so that in rear view, the first connecting portion 97 and the second board connecting portion 107 do not exist within the range of the opening region of the opening 102 at the rear end of the terminal main body portion 91. The second mounting portion 110 is adapted to be welded to the land on the mounting surface 61 of the FPC 60 by reflow soldering.

[0051] The assembly process of the board connector B of the second embodiment will be described. First, the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 72 from the rear of the housing 70. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 73 and the first connecting portion 97 is accommodated in the relief portion 76, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 90 is completed. Next, the terminal body 91 of the second terminal fitting 105 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 72 from the rear of the housing 70. During the insertion process, the press-in projection 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 73 and the second connecting portion 106 is accommodated in the relief portion 76, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 105 is completed.

[0052] When the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 72, the press-in projection 96 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72, thereby holding the terminal body 91 in the terminal accommodating chamber 72 in a retained state. Since the first terminal fitting 90 is a member having an elastic contact piece 95 that is elastically deformable, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 90 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the biting of the press-in projection 96 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 105.

[0053] Next, the blocking member 80 is assembled to the housing 70. During assembly, the left end of the blocking member 80 is inserted into the right mounting hole 78R from the right side of the housing 70. During the assembly process, the blocking member 80 is guided into the right mounting hole 78R, so that the insertion posture of the blocking member 80 is stabilized, and the insertion path of the blocking member 80 is stabilized in the up-down and front-rear directions. During the assembly process, the blocking member 80 is kept in sliding contact with the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 (terminal accommodating portion 71) or in a state of being close to and facing the rear surface 70R of the housing 70. When the left end of the blocking member 80 enters the left mounting hole 78L at the end of the assembly process, the upper and lower locking arms 83 are temporarily elastically deformed in a direction approaching each other.

[0054] When the blocking member 80 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking projection 81 abuts against the outer surface of the right protective wall portion 77, thereby restricting the blocking member 80 from moving leftward from the correct assembly position. Also, when the blocking member 80 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking arm 83 elastically returns and the locking projection 84 locks with the retaining portion 79 from the left side. This locking holds the blocking member 80 in a retained state in which its relative displacement to the rightward with respect to the housing 70 is restricted. With the above, the assembly of the board connector B is completed.

[0055] The first extending portion 99 of the first terminal fitting 90 and the second extending portion 108 of the second terminal fitting 105 are present in the middle of the assembly path of the blocking member 80. However, since a slit-shaped insertion groove 82 in the left-right direction is formed at the same height as the first extending portion 99 in the blocking member 80, the blocking member 80 does not interfere with the first extending portion 99 during the assembly process of the blocking member 80. In addition, since the lower edge of the blocking member 80 is located higher than the second extending portion 108, the blocking member 80 does not interfere with the second extending portion 108 either.

[0056] When the assembled board connector B is viewed from the rear, the insertion opening 75 at the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 71 is almost entirely covered by the blocking member 80. The openings 102 of the terminal body portions 91 of the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 105 are entirely covered by the blocking member 80. The blocking member 80 is held in contact with the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 (terminal accommodating portion 71) or in close proximity to and facing the rear surface 70R of the housing 70, so that there is almost no gap between the rear surface 70R of the housing 70 and the front surface of the blocking member 80 through which foreign matter can enter. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter (not shown) or potting material (not shown) from outside the housing 70 entering the terminal accommodating chambers 72 or the terminal body portions 91 through the insertion opening 75.

[0057] Further, the insertion opening 75 of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 72 has an escape portion 76 that is expanded downward from the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72. Since the upper surface of the insertion hole is located lower than the lower surface of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 72, the entire opening area of ​​the insertion opening 75 of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 72 is blocked by the blocking member 80. Even if foreign matter or potting material enters the escape portion 76 from the rear of the blocking member 80 through the gap between the insertion hole and the first extending portion 99, the rear surface of the first connecting portion 97 located within the escape portion 76 functions as a stopper. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter or potting material entering the upper terminal accommodating chamber 72.

[0058] Also, the insertion opening 75 of the lower terminal accommodating chamber 72 has an escape portion 76 that extends downward from the bottom surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 72, and the second connecting portion 106 is disposed within this escape portion 76. As a result, even if foreign matter or potting material enters the escape portion 76 below the blocking member 80 by running along the top surface of the second extending portion 108, the rear surface of the second connecting portion 106 located within the escape portion 76 functions as a stopper. Therefore, there is no risk of foreign matter or potting material entering the lower terminal accommodating chamber 72.

[0059] The board connector B of the second embodiment includes a housing 70 having a terminal accommodating chamber 72, a first terminal fitting 90 and a second terminal fitting 105 made of a metal plate, and a blocking member 80 which is a separate part from the housing 70. The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 72 opens as an insertion opening 75 on the rear surface 70R of the housing 70. The first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 72 from the insertion opening 75, a resilient contact piece 95 formed on the terminal body 91, and a first board connection part 98. The second terminal fitting 105 has a terminal body 91 inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 72 from the insertion opening 75, a resilient contact piece 95 formed on the terminal body 91, and a second board connection part 107. The first board connection part 98 and the second board connection part 107 extend rearward from the terminal body 91 and are disposed outside the housing 70.

[0060] The blocking member 80 is disposed so as to block the insertion opening 75 in a rear view of the housing 70. With this configuration, the insertion opening 75, which is an opening at the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 72, is blocked by the blocking member 80, so that it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the terminal accommodating chamber 72 and prevent the adhesion of foreign matter to the elastic contact piece 95. This makes it possible to avoid a decrease in the reliability of the connection function of the terminal fitting.

[0061] The terminal body 91 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an open rear end. The first board connection portion 98 and the second board connection portion 107 extend rearward only from one of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plate portions 93, and the upper plate 94) that make up the terminal body 91. The blocking member 80 is disposed so as to block the opening 102 at the rear end of the terminal body 91 in rear view. This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal body 91.

[0062] The front end of the first board connecting portion 98 (first extending portion 99) and the front end of the second board connecting portion 107 (second extending portion 108) are positioned offset toward the outer surface (downward) of the terminal main body 91 with respect to the rear end of the lower plate portion 92. The blocking member 80 blocks the entire opening 102 at the rear end of the terminal main body 91 in rear view. This configuration can more reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the terminal main body 91.

[0063] The front end of the first board connection portion 98 (first extension portion 99) and the rear end of the lower plate portion 92 are connected in a crank shape via the first connecting portion 97. With this configuration, even if a foreign object attached to the front end of the first board connection portion 98 moves forward, the foreign object hits the stopper formed by the crank shape, so that the intrusion of the foreign object into the inside of the terminal main body portion 91 can be suppressed. The front end of the second board connection portion 107 (second extension portion 108) and the rear end of the lower plate portion 92 are connected in a crank shape via the second connecting portion 106. With this configuration, even if a foreign object attached to the front end of the second board connection portion 107 moves forward, the foreign object hits the stopper formed by the crank shape, so that the intrusion of the foreign object into the inside of the terminal main body portion 91 can be suppressed.

[0064] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, the circuit board to which the board connection portion is connected is not limited to an FPC (flexible circuit board), and may be a circuit board that does not have flexibility. In the first and second embodiments, the terminal body may have a shape other than a rectangular tube shape. In the first and second embodiments, the blocking member may block only a part of the insertion opening when viewed from behind. In the first and second embodiments, the blocking member may block only a part of the opening at the rear end of the terminal connection portion when viewed from behind. In the first and second embodiments, the front end of the board connection portion and the rear end of the lower plate portion (any one of the plate portions) may be connected via an inclined portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] A … PCB connector B … PCB connector 10. Housing 10R…Rear side of housing 11...Terminal housing 12...Terminal chamber 13...Front wall part 14...Connection hole 15…Insertion port 16...Guide hole 17...Retaining hole 18...First retaining part (holding part) 19...Protective wall section 20...Guide groove 21...Second retaining part (holding part) 30...Blocking member 31…Plate-shaped part 32...Through hole 33...Guided part 34...First holding arm (holding portion) 35...1st holding protrusion 36...Second holding arm (holding portion) 37…Second holding protrusion 39…Peg 40…First terminal metal fitting 41...Terminal body 42...Lower plate portion (one of the plate portions constituting the terminal body) 43...Side plate portion (plate portion constituting the terminal body portion) 44...Upper plate portion (plate portion constituting the terminal body portion) 45...Elastic contact piece 46…Press-fit protrusion 47…First board connection part 48...First extension part 49...1st leg 50…First mounting section 51...Opening 55...Second terminal metal fitting 56…Second board connection part 57…Second extension part 58...Second leg 59…Second mounting section 60…FPC 61...Mounting surface 62…Reinforcement plate 70…Housing 70R…Rear side 71...Terminal housing 72...Terminal chamber 73…Front wall part 74...Connection hole 75…Insertion port 76…Relief section 77…Protection wall part 78L…Mounting hole 78R…Mounting hole 79…Retaining part 80...Blocking member 81...Latching protrusion 82...Through groove 83...Lock arm 84…Lock protrusion 89…Peg 90...First terminal fitting 91...Terminal body 92...Lower plate portion (one of the plate portions constituting the terminal body) 93...Side plate portion (plate portion constituting the terminal body) 94...Upper plate portion (plate portion constituting the terminal body portion) 95...Elastic contact piece 96…Press-fit protrusion 97…First joint 98…First board connection part 99...First extension part 100...1st leg 101…First mounting section 102...Opening 105...Second terminal fitting 106…Second joint 107...Second board connection part 108…Second extension part 109...Second leg 110…Second mounting section

Claims

1. a housing having a terminal receiving chamber; A terminal fitting made of a metal plate; a blocking member that is a separate part from the housing; The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open at the rear surface of the housing as an insertion opening, The terminal fitting is a terminal body portion to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber through the insertion opening; A resilient contact piece formed on the terminal body; a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, The blocking member is disposed so as to block the insertion opening in a rear view of the housing.

2. The terminal body has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an open rear end, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, 2. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is disposed so as to block an opening at a rear end of the terminal body portion when viewed from the rear.

3. the blocking member has a plate-like portion disposed parallel to the rear surface of the housing and covering the insertion opening, A connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing and the blocking member are formed with a retaining portion that, by fitting together, holds the plate-shaped portion in face-to-face contact with the rear surface of the housing or in a closely spaced, parallel facing state.

4. a front end portion of the board connection portion is disposed at a position shifted toward an outer surface side of the terminal body portion with respect to a rear end portion of any one of the plate portions, The connector for a circuit board according to claim 2 , wherein the blocking member blocks the entire opening when viewed from the rear.

5. 5. The board connector according to claim 4, wherein a front end of said board connecting portion and a rear end of said one of said plate portions are connected in a crank shape.

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