Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of improving a positioning accuracy to a circuit board, which is an object to be mounted, while securing a creepage distance between substrate connection parts.SOLUTION: A connector 1 comprises: a housing 30; and a pair of terminal metal fittings 10 that are housed in the housing 30. Each terminal metal fitting 10 includes a substrate connection part 10B that is arranged in an inner part of a connection hole H1 of a circuit board S1 so as to be projected from a lower surface 30N (one surface) of a terminal fixing part 30A of the housing 30. The housing 30 includes a plate-like insulation wall 30D that is arranged between the adjacent substrate connection parts 10B, and is projected downward from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing part 30A of the housing 30. A projection end of the insulation wall 30D is separated from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing part 30A of the housing 30 from the projection end of each substrate connection part 10B. The insulation wall 30D is arranged in a positioning state to an insertion hole H2 of the circuit board S1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector for a high-voltage power supply having a plurality of output protrusions protruding from the connector. In this connector for a high-voltage power supply, ribs are provided so as to partition between adjacent output protrusions. Thereby, adjacent output protrusions are blocked from each other. A configuration similar to that of Patent Document 1 is also disclosed in Patent Document 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attaching a connector for a high-voltage power supply such as that of Patent Document 1 to a substrate, the output protrusions and the ribs are inserted into receiving holes and rib holes formed in the substrate. Considering the fitting with a mating connector, it is preferable to prevent the connector for a high-voltage power supply from being displaced with respect to the substrate.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of improving the positioning accuracy with respect to a circuit board to be mounted while ensuring the creepage distance between substrate connection portions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a housing and a plurality of terminal fittings housed in the housing, and Each of the terminal fittings has a board connection portion that protrudes from one surface of the housing and is disposed inside a connection hole of a circuit board. The housing has a plate-shaped insulating wall that is disposed between adjacent ones of the board connection portions and protrudes from the one surface. A protruding end of the insulating wall is farther from the one surface of the housing than a protruding end of the board connection portion. The insulating wall is disposed in a positioning state in an insertion hole of the circuit board.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the connector with respect to a circuit board to be mounted while ensuring the creepage distance between the board connection portions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A housing, a plurality of terminal fittings housed in the housing, and each of the terminal fittings has a board connection portion that protrudes from one surface of the housing and is disposed inside a connection hole of a circuit board. The housing has a plate-shaped insulating wall that is disposed between the adjacent substrate connection portions and protrudes from the one surface. The protruding end of the insulating wall is farther from the one surface of the housing than the protruding ends of the substrate connection portions. The insulating wall is a connector that is disposed in a positioning state in the insertion hole of the circuit board.

[0010] (1) Since the connector is positioned with respect to the circuit board by the insulating wall, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the connector is displaced with respect to the circuit board when the connector is attached to the circuit board. Here, the positioning state means a state in which the insulating wall is disposed in the insertion hole without sticking out in a direction orthogonal to the penetration direction of the insertion hole.

[0011] (2) The insulating wall has a plurality of wall surfaces that expand in a planar shape in the protruding direction. At least one of each of the wall surfaces has a rib that protrudes and extends in the protruding direction and contacts the inner peripheral surface of the connection hole. The protruding tip of the rib has a guide inclined surface that is tapered toward the tip, the connector according to (1).

[0012] (2) The connector can realize a configuration in which only the rib contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole without the wall surface contacting, and it is easy to suppress the insertion resistance of the insulating wall with respect to the insertion hole. Further, the guide inclined surface enables the rib to be inserted into the insertion hole without being caught.

[0013] (3) The protruding end portion of the insulating wall has a tapered surface that is tapered. When viewed from the direction in which the substrate connection portions are arranged, the tapered surface is located outside the outer shape of each of the substrate connection portions, the connector according to (2).

[0014] (3) The connector makes it easy to insert the insulating wall into the insertion hole and can secure the creepage distance between the substrate connection portions.

[0015] (4) The housing has a recess that is recessed from the one surface and surrounds the base end portion of the insulating wall. The connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein an inclined surface that inclines so as to expand toward the bottom surface of the recess is formed in the base end portion within the recess.

[0016] The connector of (4) can reinforce the base end portion of the insulating wall by the inclined surface and prevent the inclined surface from interfering with the insertion hole when the lower surface of the housing approaches the circuit board, so that it is difficult to cause a situation where the housing tilts with respect to the circuit board.

[0017] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 in which the connector 1 of the present disclosure is embodied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In the figures, “front side”, “rear side”, “upper side”, “lower side”, “right side”, and “left side” are represented by “F”, “B”, “U”, “D”, “R”, and “L”, respectively. Note that the reference of the direction is defined for convenience and does not necessarily match the direction in a state where the connector 1 is mounted on a vehicle or the like. For example, the vertical direction is not limited to the direction of gravity.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 can connect the mating terminal 51 of the mating connector 50 attached to the circuit board S2 to the terminal fitting 10 housed in the housing 30. The connector 1 includes a pair of terminal fittings 10 and a housing 30. The connector 1 is attached to the circuit board S1.

[0019] [Configuration of Circuit Board] The circuit board S1 is flat. Electronic components (not shown) and the like are mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board S1. A pair of connection holes H1 and one insertion hole H2 are formed to penetrate in the plate thickness direction in the circuit board S1. As shown in FIG. 2, when the circuit board S1 is viewed from below, the pair of connection holes H1 and the one insertion hole H2 are formed long in one direction (front-rear direction). Both longitudinal ends of the pair of connection holes H1 are formed in a semi-circular shape. The insertion hole H2 has a rectangular shape with four corner portions formed in an arc shape. The insertion hole H2 is disposed sandwiched between the pair of connection holes H1. A conductive portion L is provided on the lower surface of the circuit board S1 so as to surround the connection hole H1. A board connection portion 10B of a terminal fitting 10 inserted into the connection hole H1 and protruding to the lower surface of the circuit board S1 is fixed to the conductive portion L by solder (see FIG. 1).

[0020] [Configuration of Terminal Fitting] The terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate or the like. The terminal fitting 10 is a so-called male terminal fitting. The pair of terminal fittings 10 have the same form. Therefore, the terminal fitting 10 will be described with reference to one of the terminal fittings 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal fitting 10 has a tab 10A and a board connection portion 10B.

[0021] The tab 10A is formed long in the vertical direction by folding a metal plate so as to overlap in the plate thickness direction. A pair of locking pieces 10C are formed at the lower end portion of the tab 10A so as to protrude in the width direction. The board connection portion 10B extends downward continuous with the lower end edge of the tab 10A. The board connection portion 10B is formed by being folded so as to overlap in the plate thickness direction.

[0022] [Configuration of Housing] The housing 30 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 30 has a plate-shaped terminal fixing portion 30A with the plate thickness direction oriented in the vertical direction, and a hood portion 30B having a square tube shape and extending upward from the outer peripheral edge of the terminal fixing portion 30A.

[0023] The terminal fixing portion 30A is formed with a pair of terminal insertion holes 30C penetrating in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). As shown in FIG. 4, when the terminal fixing portion 30A is viewed from the plate thickness direction (downward), the pair of terminal insertion holes 30C are formed long in one direction (front-rear direction). At both longitudinal ends (front end portion and rear end portion) in the lower part of each terminal insertion hole 30C, widened portions 30M wider than the upper part of each terminal insertion hole 30C are formed.

[0024] At each of the four corners of the terminal fixing portion 30A, leg portions 30K protruding downward from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A (one surface of the housing 30) are provided.

[0025] The terminal fixing portion 30A is formed with a plate-shaped insulating wall 30D protruding downward from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A. The insulating wall 30D is disposed between the pair of terminal insertion holes 30C. When the terminal fixing portion 30A is viewed from below, the insulating wall 30D has a rectangular shape with four corners formed in an arc shape (see FIG. 2). The insulating wall 30D has four wall surfaces 30E. Each wall surface 30E extends while spreading downward from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A. In other words, each wall surface 30E spreads in a planar manner in a direction different from each other and in the protruding direction (downward) in which the insulating wall 30D protrudes. When the terminal fixing portion 30A is viewed from below, the longitudinal directions of the pair of terminal insertion holes 30C and the insulating wall 30D extend aligned in one direction (front-rear direction) (see FIG. 2).

[0026] The protruding end portion of the insulating wall 30D has four tapered surfaces 30G formed to be inclined so as to taper toward the protruding end. Each tapered surface 30G is arranged to be connected corresponding to each wall surface 30E.

[0027] Each wall surface 30E is formed with a rib 30F one by one (see Fig. 2). Each rib 30F projects from each wall surface 30E in a semi-circular shape and extends in the vertical direction. In other words, each rib 30F extends in the protruding direction (vertical direction) in which the insulating wall 30D protrudes. Each rib 30F is arranged at the central portion in the width direction of each wall surface 30E (see Fig. 2). These ribs 30F are so-called crash ribs. The lower end portion (tip portion) of each rib 30F has a guide inclined surface 30L formed to be inclined so as to approach each wall surface 30E so as to taper toward the lower end (tip). The lower end portion of each rib 30F is the end portion on the side away from the housing 30 in the protruding direction of the insulating wall 30D. The guide inclined surface 30L is inclined so as to approach the wall surface 30E as it moves downward away from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30. The tip of each rib 30F is arranged within each wall surface 30E above the tapered surface 30G.

[0028] On the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A, a recess 30J is formed which is recessed upward and surrounds the base end portion of the insulating wall 30D. On the base end portion of the insulating wall 30D located within the recess 30J, a curved surface 30H is formed which is inclined so as to widen toward the bottom surface of the recess 30J (see Fig. 1). Specifically, the curved surface 30H is a surface curved in a concave shape.

[0029] [An example of assembling the terminal fitting to the housing] As shown in Fig. 1, each terminal fitting 10 is inserted into each terminal insertion hole 30C from below the housing 30. Then, the locking piece 10C is press-fitted into each terminal insertion hole 30C from below. In this way, each terminal fitting 10 is housed in the housing 30, and the connector 1 is completed.

[0030] In the completed connector 1, the tab 10A is disposed within the hood portion 30B. The board connection portion 10B protrudes downward from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30. The pair of board connection portions 10B and the insulating wall 30D are arranged such that their respective board surfaces are parallel. The insulating wall 30D is disposed between adjacent board connection portions 10B (see FIG. 2). The protruding end of the insulating wall 30D is farther from the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30 than the protruding end of the board connection portion 10B. That is, the protruding dimension of the insulating wall 30D from the circuit board S1 is larger than the protruding dimension of the board connection portion 10B. As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the direction in which the board connection portions 10B are arranged, the outer shape of the insulating wall 30D is located outside the outer shape of each board connection portion 10B. Both front and rear edges of the insulating wall 30D in the longitudinal direction are widened compared to both front and rear edges of each board connection portion 10B. Specifically, the tapered surfaces 30G corresponding to the wall surfaces 30E at both ends in the longitudinal direction are located outside the outer shape of each board connection portion 10B.

[0031] [Example of Assembly of Connector to Circuit Board] First, the insulating wall 30D and the board connection portion 10B are approached from the upper surface side with respect to the circuit board S1. Then, the insulating wall 30D of the housing 30 is inserted into the insertion hole H2 of the circuit board S1. Next, the board connection portions 10B of each terminal fitting 10 are simultaneously inserted into the respective connection holes H1 of the circuit board S1.

[0032] In the process of approaching the housing 30 to the upper surface of the circuit board S1, the insulating wall 30D is inserted into the insertion hole H2 while each rib 30F of the insulating wall 30D is slightly crushed by the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H2 (see FIG. 2). At this time, all the ribs 30F are slightly crushed. Each wall surface 30E of the insulating wall 30D does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H2 (see FIG. 2). Also, in the process of approaching the housing 30 to the upper surface of the circuit board S1, the outer peripheral surface of the board connection portion 10B facing the inner peripheral surface of the connection hole H1 does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the connection hole H1 (see FIG. 2).

[0033] Then, when the leg portion 30K of the housing 30 contacts the upper surface of the circuit board S1, the board connection portion 10B is connected to and fixed to the conductive portion L of the circuit board S1 using solder. In this way, the connector 1 is assembled to the circuit board S1 (see FIG. 1). At this time, a part of the board connection portion 10B is disposed inside the connection hole H1 of the circuit board S1 (see FIG. 1). The other part of the board connection portion 10B excluding a part thereof is disposed below the circuit board S1. Further, when the rib 30F contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H2 of the circuit board S1, rattling in a direction orthogonal to the penetration direction of the insertion hole H2 is suppressed for a part of the insulating wall 30D, and it is disposed in a positioned state (see FIG. 2). The other part of the insulating wall 30D excluding a part thereof is disposed below the circuit board S1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the direction (left - right direction) in which the board connection portions 10B are arranged, the tapered surface 30G is located outside the outer shape of each board connection portion 10B so as not to overlap with the outer shape of each board connection portion 10B. In FIG. 5, the board connection portion 10B disposed deeper than the insulating wall 30D in the drawing plane is not shown.

[0034] Next, the mating connector 50 is inserted into the hood portion 30B from above. Thereby, the mating terminal 51 (female terminal fitting) of the mating connector 50 and the terminal fitting 10 are connected (see FIG. 1).

[0035] Next, the operation and effects of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0036] The connector 1 includes a housing 30 and a pair of terminal fittings 10 housed in the housing 30. Each terminal fitting 10 has a board connection portion 10B that protrudes from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30 and is disposed inside the connection hole H1 of the circuit board S1. The housing 30 has a wide plate-shaped insulating wall 30D in the front-rear direction that is disposed between adjacent board connection portions 10B and protrudes downward from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30. The protruding end of the insulating wall 30D is farther from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30 than the protruding end of the board connection portion 10B. In other words, with respect to the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing portion 30A, the insulating wall 30D protrudes longer than the board connection portion 10B. The insulating wall 30D is disposed in a positioning state in the insertion hole H2 of the circuit board S1.

[0037] According to this configuration, since the connector 1 is positioned with respect to the circuit board S1 by the insulating wall 30D, it is possible to avoid a situation where the connector 1 is displaced with respect to the housing 30 when the connector 1 is attached to the circuit board S1.

[0038] The insulating wall 30D has a plurality of wall surfaces 30E that expand in a planar shape in the protruding direction and face different directions. On each of the plurality of wall surfaces 30E, ribs 30F that extend in the protruding direction and contact the inner peripheral surface of the connection hole H1 are formed to protrude. The tip portion of the rib 30F in the protruding direction has a guide inclined surface 30L that is tapered toward the tip. According to this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which only the rib 30F contacts the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole H2 without the wall surface 30E contacting it, and it is easy to suppress the insertion resistance of the insulating wall 30D with respect to the insertion hole H2. Further, the guide inclined surface 30L enables the rib 30F to be inserted into the insertion hole H2 without getting caught.

[0039] The protruding end portion of the insulating wall 30D has a tapered surface 30G formed in a tapered shape, and when viewed from the direction (left - right direction) in which the respective substrate connection portions 10B are arranged, the tapered surface 30G is located outside the outer shape of the respective substrate connection portions 10B. According to this configuration, it is easy to insert the insulating wall 30D into the insertion hole H2, and the creepage distance between the substrate connection portions 10B can be ensured.

[0040] The housing 30 has a recess 30J that is recessed upward from the lower surface 30N (one surface) of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30 and surrounds the base end portion of the insulating wall 30D. On the base end portion of the insulating wall 30D, a curved surface 30H that is inclined so as to widen and expand toward the bottom surface of the recess 30J in the recess 30J is formed. According to this configuration, the base end portion of the insulating wall 30D is reinforced by the curved surface 30H, and when the lower surface 30N of the terminal fixing portion 30A of the housing 30 is brought close to the circuit board S1, it is possible to prevent the curved surface 30H from interfering with the insertion hole H2. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for a situation where the housing 30 is inclined with respect to the circuit board S1 to occur.

[0041] [Other Embodiments] It should be considered that all aspects of the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed this time, but is indicated by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0042] The number of terminal fittings with respect to the housing is not limited to the number in the above - described embodiment.

[0043] The present disclosure may be applied to a housing to which a female terminal fitting having a substrate connection portion is attached.

[0044] Unlike the above - described embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the mating - side connection portion and the substrate connection portion are not folded back.

[0045] The number of wall surfaces of the insulating wall may be three, or may be five or more.

[0046] The position and number of ribs with respect to the wall surface are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the wall surface positioned in the longitudinal direction, by providing ribs at each of both end portions in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the deviation in the rotational direction of the connector with respect to the circuit board. Further, it is sufficient that ribs are formed on at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces.

[0047] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the curved surface formed at the base end portion of the insulating wall may be an inclined surface inclined in a planar shape.

[0048] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the tapered surface may be a curved surface that curves so as to bulge outward while being continuous with the wall surface.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1: Connector 10: Terminal fitting 10A: Tab 10B: Board connection portion 10C: Locking piece 30: Housing 30A: Terminal fixing portion 30B: Hood portion 30C: Terminal insertion hole 30D: Insulating wall 30E: Wall surface 30F: Rib 30G: Surface 30H: Curved surface 30J: Recessed portion 30K: Leg portion 30L: Guide inclined surface 30M: Wide portion 30N: Lower surface (one surface) of terminal fixing portion 50: Mate connector 51: Mate terminal H1: Connection hole H2: Insertion hole L: Conductive portion S: Circuit board

Claims

1. Housing and A plurality of terminal fittings accommodated in the housing; Equipped with Each of the terminal fittings has a board connection portion that protrudes from one surface of the housing and is disposed inside a connection hole of a circuit board, the housing has a plate-shaped insulating wall disposed between adjacent board connection portions and protruding from the one surface, a protruding end of the insulating wall is farther from the one surface of the housing than a protruding end of the board connection portion; The insulating wall is disposed in a position relative to the insertion hole of the circuit board.

2. The insulating wall has a plurality of wall surfaces extending in a plane in a protruding direction, a rib extending in the protruding direction and contacting an inner circumferential surface of the connection hole is formed on at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a tip end portion of the rib in the protruding direction has a guide inclined surface tapered toward the tip end.

3. The protruding end of the insulating wall has a tapered surface formed to be tapered, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the tapered surface is positioned outward from an outer shape of each of the board connection portions when viewed from a direction in which the board connection portions are arranged.

4. the housing has a recess recessed from the one surface and surrounding a base end portion of the insulating wall, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the base end portion is formed with a curved surface that is inclined so as to widen within the recess toward a bottom surface of the recess.

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