Substrate connector, method of manufacturing the same, and terminal

Abstract

To provide a substrate connector that facilitates impedance matching.SOLUTION: A substrate connector 1 includes a terminal 2 and an inner housing 3. The terminal 2 includes a first connecting portion 21 extending in a first direction X1, a second connecting portion 22 extending in a second direction X2, and a bridge portion 60. The bridge portion 60 includes a first extending portion 61 extending in the first direction X1 from the first connecting portion 21, a second extending portion 62 extending in the second direction X2 from the second connecting portion 22, and a curved portion 63 connecting the first extending portion 61 and the second extending portion 62. The second extending portion 62 includes a pair of press-fit protrusions 65 protruding in directions opposite to each other in a third direction. The second extending portion 62 and the curved portion 63 are accommodated in an accommodation groove 34 formed in an end surface 33 of the inner housing 3 in the first direction X1. The pair of press-fit protrusions 65 are press-fitted and fixed in a pair of inner side surfaces 34a of the accommodation groove 34. The first extending portion 61 is inserted into an insertion hole 35 in a loosely fitted state, the insertion hole opening in the groove bottom surface 34b of the accommodation groove 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8A-8B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a board connector, a manufacturing method thereof, and a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] In the board connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the terminal has an intermediate portion between a first connection portion connected to an electric wire inside the housing and a second connection portion connected to the board outside the housing. The intermediate portion includes an R-shaped portion and connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion perpendicularly.

[0003] The intermediate portion includes a portion extending in the direction in which the first connection portion extends between the R-shaped portion and the first connection portion, the portion including a press-fit protrusion that is press-fitted and fixed to the housing, and a wide portion that is wider than an adjacent portion on the R-shaped portion side than the press-fit protrusion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7043362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The wide portion includes a pair of projections protruding from the main body of the middle portion on both sides, and the pair of projections includes a pair of seats having a large area that can be pressed by a pressing tool during press-fitting. Therefore, the wide portion has a much larger width than the adjacent portions, and impedance is reduced. This makes it difficult to match impedance when transmitting high frequency.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a board connector that is easy to match impedance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a board connector (1) including a terminal (2) and an insulating housing (3). The terminal includes a first connection portion (21) extending in a first direction (X1), a second direction (X2), and a third direction (X3) that are orthogonal to each other, the first connection portion (21) being connectable with a mating terminal (81), a second connection portion (22) extending in the second direction that is connectable with a board (CB), and a bridge portion (60) connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The bridge portion includes a first extension portion (61) extending from the first connection portion in the first direction, a second extension portion (62) extending from the second connection portion in the second direction, the second extension portion including a pair of press-fit projections (65) that protrude in opposite directions to each other in the third direction, and a curved portion (63) connecting between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. The housing includes an end face (33) in the first direction, an accommodating groove (34) formed in the end face and accommodating the second extension portion and the curved portion, the accommodating groove including a pair of inner surfaces (34a) facing each other in the third direction and into which the pair of press-fit protrusions are press-fitted and fixed, and a groove bottom surface (34b), and an insertion hole (35) that opens into the groove bottom surface of the accommodating groove and through which the first extension portion is inserted in a loose-fit state.

[0008] According to this configuration, a press-fit protrusion for fixing the terminal to the housing is provided on the second extension portion of the terminal. The first extension portion that is loosely fitted (i.e., not press-fitted) into the insertion hole of the housing does not need to be provided with a press-fit protrusion as described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the first extension portion does not need to be provided with a wide portion having a pair of protrusions with a large area for receiving a press-fitting tool during press-fitting. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease (or fluctuation) in impedance of the first extension portion, making it easier to achieve impedance matching for high-frequency transmission.

[0009] In addition, alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described below, but this does not, of course, mean that the present invention should be limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereinafter in this section.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first extension portion includes a pair of carrier cut marks (64) that protrude in opposite directions in the third direction. With this configuration, the carrier cut marks that do not need to receive a press-fitting jig can also have a minimum protruding amount in the third direction. This makes it possible to adjust the protruding amount of the carrier cut marks in the third direction from the minimum to an appropriate protruding amount, thereby expanding the impedance adjustment range. As a result, impedance matching for high-frequency transmission is easier to achieve.

[0011] In one embodiment, the terminal includes a plurality of terminals arranged at predetermined intervals in the third direction, which makes it possible to reduce the distance between adjacent terminals.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pair of press-fit projections are disposed at an end (62b) of the second extension portion adjacent to the curved portion, and the second extension portion includes a pressable surface (RP) that extends in the second direction and the third direction and can be pressed in the first direction at a position close to the pair of press-fit projections. With this configuration, the distance between the pressable surface of the terminal and the first extension portion is short in the second direction. Therefore, even if the first extension portion receives a frictional force from the insertion hole when the press-fit surface is pressed to press the pair of press-fit projections, unintended deformation of the curved portion or the like can be suppressed.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a board connector, the method including: a terminal manufacturing process for manufacturing the terminal; and a terminal press-in process for pressing the pair of press-in protrusions into the pair of inner surfaces of the accommodating groove by pressing the pressed surface of the second extension portion of the terminal in the first direction with a portion of the first extension portion of the manufactured terminal inserted into the housing insertion hole.

[0014] According to this configuration, after the terminal having the curved portion is manufactured, the terminal can be press-fitted and fixed into the housing. Even if the first extension portion receives a frictional force from the insertion hole during the press-fitting, unintended deformation of the curved portion can be suppressed.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal including a first connection portion extending in a first direction and connectable with a mating terminal, a second connection portion extending in the second direction and connectable with a board, and a bridge portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The bridge portion includes a first extension portion extending from the first connection portion in the first direction, a second extension portion extending from the second connection portion in the second direction, the second extension portion including a pair of press-fit projections protruding in opposite directions in the third direction, and a curved portion connecting between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. With this configuration, when used in a board connector, a terminal that is easy to match impedance with respect to high frequency transmission can be realized. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The present invention can provide a board connector that facilitates impedance matching, a manufacturing method thereof, and a terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A-1B] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a board connector and a mating connector according to one embodiment of the present invention before and after mating. [Figure 2A-2B] 2A and 2B are perspective views of the board connector from different angles. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the board connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the board connector mounted on the circuit board. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the inner housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a subassembly including a terminal and an inner housing. [Figure 8A-8B] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a process of press-fitting a terminal. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the board connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a board connector mated with a mating connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a process diagram showing a modified example of the terminal press-fitting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a board connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a mating connector 80 before and after mating. Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of the board connector 1 from different angles, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the board connector 1. Figure 4 is a front view of the board connector 1 mounted on a circuit board CB.

[0020] 1A and 1B, the mating connector 80 is a cable connector connected to an end of a communication cable K. The mating connector 80 is connected to the board connector 1 from behind. As shown in FIG. 1A, the mating connector 80 includes a plurality of mating terminals 81 (see FIG. 10) which are female terminals, an insertion protrusion 82 which holds the mating terminals 81, an insulating mating outer housing 83 which houses the insertion protrusion 82, and an elastically deformable lock arm 84 supported on the outer surface of the mating outer housing 83.

[0021] Each mating terminal 81 is connected to a corresponding electric wire (not shown) of the communication cable K. As shown in Fig. 10, which is a cross-sectional view of the board connector 1 mated with the mating connector 80, the insertion convex portion 82 includes an insulating mating inner housing 92 including a mating terminal holding hole 91 in which the mating terminal 81 is housed and held, and a mating metal shell 93 surrounding the periphery of the mating inner housing 92. The mating metal shell 93 is connected to a shield wire (not shown) of the communication cable K.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the board connector 1 includes a plurality of conductive terminals 2, an insulating inner housing 3, a conductive metal shell 4, and an insulating outer housing 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the board connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board CB.

[0023] 2A and 2B, the rear portion of the metal shell 4 is fitted and held within the outer housing 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminals 2 are male terminals, and a plurality of terminals 2 are provided. An intermediate portion of the terminal 2 is housed and held within the inner housing 3, and a pair of ends of the terminal 2 protrude from the inner housing 3 (see FIG. 7). The inner housing 3 is housed and held within the metal shell 4.

[0024] First, the terminals 2 of the board connector 1 will be described.

[0025] 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the first direction X1, the second direction X2, and the third direction X3 are defined as three mutually orthogonal directions. Each terminal 2 includes a first connection portion 21 extending in the first direction X1 and connectable with a corresponding mating terminal 81 (see FIG. 10) of a mating connector 80, a second connection portion 22 extending in the second direction X2 and connectable with a circuit board CB (see FIG. 4), and a bridge portion 60 connecting the first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the second connection portion 22 is inserted through a through hole TH of the circuit board CB to form a DIP terminal soldered to a conductor portion on the back surface of the circuit board CB.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the bridge portion 60 includes a first extension portion 61, a second extension portion 62, and an R-shaped curved portion 63 connecting the first extension portion 61 and the second extension portion 62. The first extension portion 61 extends in a first direction X1 from the first connection portion 21 to the curved portion 63. The first extension portion 61 includes a first end portion 61a adjacent to the first connection portion 21 and a second end portion 61b adjacent to the curved portion 63. The first extension portion 61 includes a pair of carrier cut marks 64 disposed at the second end portion 61b and protruding in opposite directions in the third direction X3. The carrier cut marks 64 are marks resulting from cutting a carrier (not shown) that connects a plurality of terminals in a strip shape in a chain terminal that is a manufacturing intermediate.

[0027] The first extension portion 61 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a pair of surfaces (an upper surface 61U and a lower surface 61L in FIG. 5) extending in the first direction X1 and the third direction X3, and a pair of surfaces (a pair of side surfaces 61S in FIG. 5) extending in the first direction X1 and the second direction X2. The pair of carrier cut marks 64 protrude from the pair of side surfaces 61S.

[0028] The second extending portion 62 extends in the second direction X2 from the second connecting portion 22 to the curved portion 63. The second extending portion 62 includes a second end 62a adjacent to the second connecting portion 22 and a second end 62b adjacent to the curved portion 63. The second extending portion 62 is disposed at the second end 62b and includes a pair of press-fit protrusions 65 protruding in opposite directions in the third direction X3. The second extending portion 62 includes a pressed surface RP at a position close to the pair of press-fit protrusions 65, which extends in the second direction X2 and the third direction X3 and can be pressed in the first direction X1.

[0029] The second extension portion 62 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a pair of faces (a front face 62F and a rear face 62R in FIG. 5) extending in the second direction X2 and the third direction X3, and a pair of faces (a pair of side faces 62S in FIG. 5) extending in the first direction X1 and the second direction X2. The pair of press-fit protrusions 65 protrude from the pair of side faces 62S of the second extension portion 62. The pressed surface RP is provided on the front face 62F of the second extension portion 62.

[0030] Next, the inner housing 3 will be described.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a front view of the inner housing 3. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a subassembly SA including the terminal 2 and the inner housing 3. As shown in Fig. 7, the inner housing 3 includes a first portion 31 extending in a first direction X1 and a second portion 32 extending in a second direction X2.

[0032] The inner housing 3 also includes an end face 33 in the first direction X1 provided on the second portion 32, a plurality of accommodating grooves 34 formed in the end face 33 and extending in the second direction X2, a plurality of insertion holes 35 (see FIG. 6) extending in the first direction X1, and a communicating groove 36. The first portion 31 extends in the first direction X1 from an upper portion of the second portion 32. The communicating groove 36 is formed in the end face 33, extends in the third direction X3, and communicates between ends (upper ends) of the plurality of accommodating grooves 34.

[0033] The accommodating groove 34 accommodates the second extending portion 62 and the curved portion 63 of the terminal 2 (see FIG. 8B). The accommodating groove 34 includes a pair of inner side surfaces 34a (see FIG. 9, which is a vertical cross-sectional view of the board connector 1) that face the third direction X3 and into which the pair of press-fit protrusions 65 are press-fitted and a groove bottom surface 34b (see FIGS. 6 and 8B). The pair of inner side surfaces 34a are surfaces that extend in the first direction X1 and the second direction X2. The groove bottom surface 34b is a surface that extends in the second direction X2 and the third direction X3.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 6, the insertion hole 35 opens to a groove bottom surface 34b of the accommodation groove 34. The insertion hole 35 has a rectangular cross section that allows the first extension portion 61, which has a rectangular cross section, to fit loosely therein. As shown in Fig. 10, the first extension portion 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 35 in a loose-fitting state.

[0035] When manufacturing the board connector 1, a subassembly SA (see FIG. 7) including the terminals 2 and the inner housing 3 is assembled by press-fitting and fixing the manufactured terminals 2 into the inner housing 3. That is, the manufacturing method of the board connector 1 includes a terminal manufacturing step of manufacturing the terminals 2 and a terminal press-fitting step.

[0036] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a process of pressing in the terminal 2. In the terminal press-in process, as shown in Fig. 8A and 8B, in a state in which a part of the first extension portion 61 of the manufactured terminal 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 35 of the inner housing 3, the pressed surface RP adjacent to the pair of press-in protrusions 65 in the second extension portion 62 of the terminal 2 is pressed in the first direction X1 with a pressing force F by a press-in jig (not shown). As a result, the pair of press-in protrusions 65 are pressed into the pair of inner side surfaces 34a of the accommodating groove 34, and the subassembly SA is assembled as shown in Fig. 8B. The press-in completion position of the terminal 2 is determined by the pressing position of the press-in jig (not shown).

[0037] Next, the metal shell 4 will be described.

[0038] The metal shell 4 is integrally formed by, for example, zinc die casting. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 10, the metal shell 4 includes a first portion 41 that houses and holds the inner housing 3, and a second portion 42 that protrudes from the first portion 41 rearward in the first direction X1 (toward the mating connector 80). The first portion 41 surrounds the inner housing 3. The second portion 42 houses the first connection portion 21 of the terminal 2 that protrudes from the inner housing 3.

[0039] 10, when the board connector 1 and the mating connector 80 are mated, the insertion protrusion 82 of the mating connector 80 is inserted and fitted into the second portion 32 of the inner housing 3. The first connection portion 21 of the terminal 2 of the board connector 1 is inserted and fitted into the mating terminal 81 in the mating terminal holding hole 91 of the mating inner housing 92. In addition, a mating metal shell 93 is inserted and fitted into the second portion 42 of the metal shell 4 of the board connector 1, and the metal shell 4 and the mating metal shell 93 are electrically connected.

[0040] Next, the outer housing 5 will be described.

[0041] 2A and 2B, the outer housing 5 includes an outer housing main body 50 including a first portion 51 and a second portion 52, and a lock engaging portion 53. The first portion 51 of the outer housing main body 50 holds a rear portion of the first portion 41 of the metal shell 4.

[0042] 10 , the second portion 52 of the outer housing main body 50 accommodates the second portion 42 of the metal shell 4. A mating outer housing 83 of a mating connector 80 is inserted and fitted into a gap space between the second portion 52 of the outer housing main body 50 and the second portion 42 of the metal shell 4. Also, an insertion protrusion 82 of the mating connector 80 is inserted and fitted into the second portion 42 of the metal shell 4.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2A, the lock engaging portion 53 is a groove-shaped frame formed to protrude from the outer surface of the second portion 52 of the outer housing main body 50. As shown in Fig. 1B, when the board connector 1 and the mating connector 80 are mated, a hook portion of a lock arm 84 of the mating connector 80 elastically climbs over and engages with the lock engaging portion 53, thereby locking the mated state of the board connector 1 and the mating connector 80.

[0044] According to the board connector 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the press-fit protrusion 65 for fixing the terminal 2 to the inner housing 3 is provided on the second extension portion 62 extending in the second direction X2. The first extension portion 61 (see Fig. 10) that is loosely fitted (i.e., not press-fitted) into the insertion hole 35 of the inner housing 3 does not need to be provided with a press-fit protrusion as described in Patent Document 1, and therefore the first extension portion 61 does not need to be provided with a wide portion having a pair of protrusions with a large area for receiving a press-fitting tool during press-fitting. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease (or fluctuation) in the impedance of the first extension portion 61, making it easier to achieve impedance matching for high-frequency transmission.

[0045] 5, the first extension portion 61 includes a pair of carrier cut marks 64 that protrude in opposite directions in the third direction X3. With this configuration, the carrier cut marks 64 that do not need to receive a press-fitting jig can have a minimum protruding amount in the third direction X3. Therefore, the protruding amount of the carrier cut marks 64 in the third direction X3 can be adjusted from the minimum to an appropriate protruding amount, and the impedance adjustment range is expanded. As a result, impedance matching for high-frequency transmission is easier to achieve.

[0046] Furthermore, since the amount of protrusion of the carrier cut marks 64 in the third direction X3 can be reduced, the distance between adjacent terminals 2 in the third direction X3 can be reduced, and the board connector 1 can be made smaller.

[0047] 5, the pair of press-fit protrusions 65 are disposed at a second end 62b of the second extension portion 62 adjacent to the curved portion 63. The second extension portion 62 includes a pressed surface RP at a position adjacent to the pair of press-fit protrusions 65, the pressed surface RP extending in the second direction X2 and the third direction X3 and capable of being pressed in the first direction X1.

[0048] According to this configuration, the distance in the second direction X2 is short between the pressed surface RP of the terminal 2 and the first extending portion 61. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, when the pressed surface RP of the second extending portion 62 is pressed to press-fit the pair of press-fit protrusions 65 of the second extending portion 62, even if the first extending portion 61 receives a frictional force from the insertion hole 35 of the inner housing 3, it is possible to suppress unintended deformation of the curved portion 63, etc.

[0049] According to the manufacturing method of the board connector 1 of this embodiment, after manufacturing the terminal 2 having the curved portion 63, the terminal 2 can be press-fitted and fixed into the inner housing 3. Since the distance between the pressed surface RP of the terminal 2 and the first extending portion 61 is short, even if the first extending portion 61 receives a frictional force from the insertion hole 35 of the inner housing 3 when the pressed surface RP is pressed to press-fit the pair of press-fit protrusions 65 of the second extending portion 62, unintended deformation of the curved portion 63, etc. can be suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the terminal of this embodiment, when used in the board connector 1, it is possible to realize a terminal 2 that can easily achieve impedance matching for high frequency transmission.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the press-fit completion position of the terminal 2 may be determined by abutment between a positioning protrusion 34c provided on a groove bottom surface 34b of the accommodating groove 34 and a rear surface 62R (surface opposite to the pressed surface RP) of the second extending portion 62.

[0052] Furthermore, the second connection portion 22 of the terminal 2 may constitute a surface mount terminal including a portion extending in the first direction X1 along the surface of the circuit board CB. The terminal 2 may be a single terminal, or three or more terminals 2 may be provided. In addition, various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Board Connector 2 Terminal 3 Inner housing 4 Metal Shell 21 First connection part 22 Second connection part 33 End face 34 Storage Groove 34a Inside surface 34b Groove bottom surface 35 Insertion hole 60 Crosslinked part 61 1st extension section 62 2nd extension section 62b Second end 63 Curved Section 64 Carrier cut marks 65 Press-fit projection 81 Mating terminal CB Circuit Board RP Pressed surface X1 1st direction X2 2nd direction X3 3rd direction

Claims

1. a terminal including: a first connection portion extending in a first direction and connectable with a mating terminal, a second connection portion extending in the second direction and connectable with a board, and a bridging portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the bridging portion including: a first extension portion extending from the first connection portion in the first direction, a second extension portion extending from the second connection portion in the second direction, the second extension portion including a pair of press-fit projections protruding in opposite directions to each other in the third direction, and a curved portion connecting between the first extension portion and the second extension portion; a housing having an end face in the first direction, an accommodating groove formed on the end face and accommodating the second extension portion and the curved portion, the accommodating groove including a pair of inner surfaces facing the third direction and into which the pair of press-in protrusions are press-fitted, and a groove bottom surface, and an insertion hole opening into the groove bottom surface of the accommodating groove and through which the first extension portion is inserted in a loose-fit state.

2. The board connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first extension portion includes a pair of carrier cut marks protruding in opposite directions from each other in the third direction.

3. 3. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminals include a plurality of terminals arranged at predetermined intervals in the third direction.

4. the pair of press-fit projections are disposed at ends of the second extension portion adjacent to the curved portion, The board connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second extension portion includes a pressable surface that extends in the second direction and the third direction and can be pressed in the first direction at a position adjacent to the pair of press-fit protrusions.

5. A method for manufacturing a board connector according to claim 4, comprising the steps of: a terminal manufacturing process for manufacturing the terminal; a terminal pressing process in which, with a portion of the first extension portion of the manufactured terminal inserted into the housing insertion hole, the pressed surface of the second extension portion of the terminal is pressed in the first direction, thereby pressing the pair of press-in protrusions into the pair of inner surfaces of the accommodating groove.

6. a first connection portion extending in a first direction and connectable to a mating terminal, a second connection portion extending in the second direction and connectable to a substrate, and a bridging portion connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the first direction, the second direction and a third direction being defined as three orthogonal directions; The bridging portion is a terminal including a first extension portion extending from the first connection portion in the first direction, a second extension portion extending from the second connection portion in the second direction and including a pair of press-in protrusions protruding in opposite directions in the third direction, and a curved portion connecting between the first extension portion and the second extension portion.

Images