Plug connector and electric connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of realizing a miniaturization, a strength improvement, and durability of a plug connector.SOLUTION: A plug connector 100 mounted to a substrate comprises: a housing 110 having a facing side wall parts 111, a coupling wall part 112 that couples both end parts of the side wall parts 111, and a bottom wall part 113 that couples the side wall parts 111 and the coupling wall part 112; a plurality of terminals 120 that is arranged along the side wall part 111; and a metal fitting 130 that is arranged to one part of the side wall part 111 and the coupling wall part 112. The metal fitting 130 includes: a mounting part 131 that is mounted to the substrate; a curvature part 132 that stands along the side wall part 111 from the mounting part 131, and includes an upper surface part 154 that covers an upper surface 161 of the side wall part 111; an outer side part 133 that is arranged along an outside of the coupling wall part 112; and a coupling part 134 that couples the mounting part 131, the curvature part 132, and the outer side part 133.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector of an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly, and particularly to a plug connector of a board-to-board connector attached to a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a board-to-board type electrical connector has been used as a connector for connecting the surfaces of boards. The board-to-board type electrical connector has a plug connector and a receptacle connector in a set. The plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector, and the contacts (conductive terminals) of each other come into contact to be electrically connected. As a technology related to such a board-to-board type electrical connector, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-159066) and the like can be cited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, with the demand for thinner, lighter, and more compact electronic devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, and portable information terminals, the miniaturization and thinning of the components used in them have been progressing. Along with this, the connectors mounted on the circuit board also need to be miniaturized and thinned, but if an attempt is made to miniaturize and thin them, it becomes difficult to maintain strength and durability.

[0005] The present invention has been completed in order to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a technology capable of realizing miniaturization, strength improvement, and durability improvement of the connector.

[0006] The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Among the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described as follows.

[0008] That is, a plug connector according to a representative embodiment is a plug connector mounted on a substrate, and includes a housing having a pair of opposed side wall portions, a pair of connecting wall portions connecting both ends of the pair of side wall portions, and a bottom wall portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and the pair of connecting wall portions; a plurality of terminals arranged along each of the pair of side wall portions; and a pair of metal fittings arranged on a part of each of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions. Each of the pair of metal fittings has a pair of mounting portions mounted on the substrate, a pair of curved portions rising from the mounting portions along the side wall portions and covering upper surfaces of the side wall portions, an outer portion arranged along an outer side of the connecting wall portion, and a pair of connecting portions connecting the mounting portions, the curved portions, and the outer portion. A slit is provided between the curved portion and the connecting portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] Among the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the effects obtained by a representative one will be briefly described as follows.

[0010] By improving the metal fittings outside the signal terminals, the strength and durability of the connector are improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same members are basically denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof are omitted.

[0013] In the following embodiments, when necessary for convenience, they are described by being divided into a plurality of sections or embodiments. However, unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is related to a partial or entire modification, detail, supplementary explanation, etc. of the other. Also, in the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements, etc. (including the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc.), unless otherwise specified or limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number, and it may be more than or less than the specific number.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof (viewed from the mating side). Since the metal parts such as terminals and the housing part are integrally formed by insert molding, in reality, they cannot be divided. However, for ease of explanation, they are shown separately in FIG. 2.

[0015] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The plug connector 100 according to this embodiment is composed of an insulating housing 110, a plurality of conductive terminals 120 held by the housing 110, and a pair of conductive fittings 130 held by the housing 110.

[0016] The housing 110 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The terminals 120 and the fittings 130 are formed of a conductive material such as metal. The plurality of terminals 120 and the pair of fittings 130 are integrally formed by insert molding. In this embodiment, the number of terminals 120 is shown as an example of 12, but it is not limited thereto and may be any number. However, since the terminals 120 are arranged opposite to each other, the number of terminals 120 is preferably an even number. Each of the plurality of terminals 120 has the same shape. Each of the pair of fittings 130 has the same shape. The fittings 130 can also be used as power terminals, ground terminals, or reinforcing members.

[0017] The housing 110 extends in the X direction and consists of a pair of opposing side wall portions 111, a pair of connecting wall portions 112 that extend in the Y direction and connect both ends of the pair of side wall portions 111, and a bottom wall portion 113 that connects the pair of side wall portions 111 and the pair of connecting wall portions 112. The bottom wall portion 113 is surrounded by the pair of side wall portions 111 and the pair of connecting wall portions 112 and forms the bottom part. The plug connector 100 is formed by a method such as integral molding or insert molding in which, for example, the terminals 120 and the fittings 130 are arranged in a mold and resin is injected to form the housing 110.

[0018] The plurality of terminals 120 are arranged at intervals along each of the pair of side wall portions 111. The terminal 120 includes a contact portion 121 that protrudes and curves in the fitting direction (Z 1 direction) and a mounting portion 122 that extends parallel to the substrate (Y direction). When the contact portion 121 is fitted with a receptacle connector which is the mating connector, it contacts the mating contact portion and the signal lines are electrically connected. The mounting portion 122 is soldered to individual circuit patterns on the substrate during mounting.

[0019] Each of the two fittings 130 is arranged opposite and spaced apart in the X direction outside the plurality of terminals 120. Also, the fitting 130 is arranged straddling a part of the side wall portion 111 and the connecting wall portion 112. The two fittings 130 have the same shape. Also, each of the two fittings 130 has a shape that is line-symmetric with respect to the X axis.

[0020] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, the detailed configuration of the fitting 130 will be described. FIGS. 3 to 6 are perspective views showing the configuration of a part of the plug connector 100. Also, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views seen from the fitting side, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views seen from the substrate side. FIG. 7 is a top view showing the configuration of a part of the plug connector 100. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of a part of the plug connector 100. In FIGS. 3 to 8, (a) shows a part of the plug connector and (b) shows only the part of the fitting 130.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, each of the pair of metal fittings 130 includes a pair of mounting portions 131 that extend outward (in the Y direction) from the side wall portion 111 and are mounted on the substrate, a pair of curved portions 132 that rise from the mounting portions 131 along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 and curve along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 via the upper surface 161 of the side wall portion 111, an outer portion 133 disposed along the outer side 116 from the upper surface 153 of the connecting wall portion 112, and a pair of connecting portions 134 that connect the mounting portions 131, the curved portions 132, and the outer portion 133. Further, a slit 135 is provided between the curved portion 132 and the connecting portion 134. The outer portion 133 has an outer surface 146 extending in the Z 2 direction and an upper surface 147 coupled to the outer surface 146 and extending in the XY plane. The connecting portion 134 is coupled to the upper surface 147 of the outer portion 133 and has an upper surface 148 extending in the XY plane and an outer surface 149 rising along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111. The lower portion 150 of the outer surface 149 of the connecting portion 134 is coupled to the mounting portion 131 and the curved portion 132. Also, the side surface 151 on the terminal side (X 1 direction) of the connecting portion 134 forms the side surface 136 of the slit 135. A part of the side surface 152 of the curved portion 132 that forms the slit 135 is exposed from the side wall portion 111. As shown in FIG. 8, the side surface 136 of the connecting portion of the slit 135 is located on the terminal side (X 2 direction) from the side surface 137 on the outer portion side (X 1 direction) of the mounting portion 131. Due to this positional relationship, the strength of the metal fitting 130 can be maintained while providing the slit 135.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, etc., a through hole 138 is provided between the curved portion 132 and the connecting portion 134 of the metal fitting 130 and the mounting portion 131. The through hole 138 prevents the solder from rising during soldering at the time of mounting, and the metal fitting 130 and the housing 110 are firmly fixed by filling the inside of the through hole 138 with resin.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, etc., the curved portion 132 of the metal fitting 130 has a convex portion (locking portion) 144 protruding in the outer direction (Y direction) and a fitting direction (Z 1It has an upper surface portion 154 located on the (side), and an inner side surface portion 155 along the inner wall 115. The convex portion (locking portion) 144 is adapted to engage with the terminals of the mating connector (receptacle connector) and be locked to maintain the fitting force when mating with the mating connector. However, the connecting portion 134 of the metal fitting 130 is not provided with such a convex portion (without a locking portion) to prevent the connecting portion 134 of the metal fitting 130 from being shaved. As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, when viewed from the fitting side (Z 1 side), the outer surface 145 of the convex portion 144 of the curved portion 132 of the metal fitting 130 is located outside (in the Y direction) of the outer surface 149 of the connecting portion 134.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, both side surfaces 141 of the curved portion 132 of the metal fitting 130 are exposed. When the resin is poured in by integral molding, the metal fitting 130 can be held and fixed by a mold due to the exposure of the end face or side face of the metal fitting 130.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the like, at the end portion 139 on the substrate side (Z 2 direction) of the outer portion 133 of the metal fitting 130, there is no mounting portion to be mounted on the substrate, and the end face of the end portion 139 of the outer portion 133 is exposed. Also, both side surfaces 140 of the outer portion 133 are exposed. Exposure means a state where the resin of the housing is not in contact. When the resin is poured in by integral molding, the metal fitting 130 can be held and fixed by a mold due to the exposure of the end face or side face of the metal fitting 130.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, a concave portion 143 (dimple) is provided on the inner surface 142 of the outer portion 133 of the metal fitting 130. The concave portion 143 engages with a convex portion 117 (see FIG. 2) provided on the outside 116 of the connecting wall portion 112 of the housing 110 to prevent the outer portion 133 of the metal fitting 130 from being turned up.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 8, etc., each of the pair of connecting wall portions 112 of the housing 110 is provided with a pair of protruding portions 118 on the outside of the corner where the side wall portion 111 and the connecting wall portion 112 intersect. Also, when viewed from a direction (Y direction) parallel to the substrate and the connecting wall portion 112, the outer surface 119 of the protruding portion is located outside (X direction) of the outer surface 146 of the outer portion 133 of the fitting 130. By providing the protruding portion 118 at the corner of the lower portion of the housing 110, when mounting the plug connector on the substrate, it becomes easier for the machine to grasp the protruding portion 118 and move it. As shown in FIG. 8, etc., the upper surface 147 of the outer portion 133, the upper surface 148 of the connecting portion 134, and the upper surface 154 of the curved portion 132 are at the same height position in the fitting direction (Z 1 direction). With this configuration, the upper surface of the side wall portion 111 and the upper surface 153 of the connecting wall portion are covered by the fitting 130 to protect the housing 110, and since the upper surfaces 147, 148, 154 of the fitting 130 are at the same height position, a situation where the receptacle connector 200 (the mating connector) collides intensively with a specific portion of the fitting 130 can be avoided, and deformation and breakage of the fitting 130 can be prevented.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9, the electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a plug connector 100 and a receptacle connector 200 (the mating connector). The plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 are each a type of board-to-board electrical connector that electrically connects the circuits of printed circuit boards to each other, and are generally mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) and used. On the printed circuit board, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a mobile phone or a portable information terminal, its control circuit, etc. are connected. Then, the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 are fitted, and their respective power terminals and signal terminals come into contact with each other to be electrically connected, and are electrically connected to the circuit on the printed circuit board.

[0029] Therefore, according to the plug connector of the present embodiment, miniaturization, strength improvement, and durability improvement of the connector can be achieved.

[0030] As described above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on its embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0031] For example, as the curved portion 132, instead of rising from the mounting portion 131 along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 and curving along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 via the upper surface of the side wall portion 111, it may rise from the mounting portion 131 along the inner wall 115 of the side wall portion 111 and curve along the outer wall 114 of the side wall portion 111 via the upper surface 161 of the side wall portion 111.

Industrial Applicability

[0032] The connector according to the present embodiment can be widely used in industrial, business, household, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 100: Plug connector 110: Housing 111: Side wall portion 112: Connecting wall portion 113: Bottom wall portion 114: Outer wall 115: Inner wall 116: Outer side 117: Protrusion 118: Overhang portion 119: Outer surface 120: Terminal 121: Contact portion 122: Mounting portion 130: Metal fitting 131: Mounting portion 132: Curved portion 133: Outer portion 134: Connecting portion 135: Slit 136: Side surface 137: Side surface 138: Through hole 139: End portion 140: Side surface 141: Side 142: Inner side 143: Recess 144: Protrusion 145: Outer side 146: Outer side 147: Top surface 148: Top surface 149: Outer side 150: Lower part 151: Side 152: Side 153: Top surface 154: Top surface 155: Inner side 161: Top surface 200: Receptacle connector

Claims

1. A plug connector mounted on a board, a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of connecting walls connecting both ends of the pair of side walls, and a bottom wall connecting the pair of side walls and the pair of connecting walls; a plurality of terminals disposed along each of the pair of side walls; a pair of fittings disposed on each of a portion of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions, Each of the pair of fittings is A pair of mounting parts mounted on the substrate; a pair of curved portions each having an upper surface portion that rises from the mounting portion along the side wall portion and covers an upper surface of the side wall portion; an outer portion disposed along an outer side of the connecting wall portion; A plug connector having a pair of connecting portions that connect the mounting portion, the curved portion, and the outer portion.

2. The plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein a slit is provided between the curved portion and the connecting portion.

3. The plug connector according to claim 2 , wherein a side surface of the connecting portion of the slit is located closer to the terminal than a side surface of the mounting portion on the outer portion side.

4. The plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein a through hole is provided between the curved portion and the connecting portion of the metal fitting and the mounting portion.

5. The end of the outer portion of the metal fitting on the side of the board does not have a mounting portion to be mounted on the board, and the end surface of the end is exposed, The plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein both side surfaces of the curved portion and both side surfaces of the outer portion of the metal fitting are exposed.

6. The plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the outer portion of the metal fitting is provided with a recess.

7. 2. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the curved portion of the metal fitting has a protrusion, and an outer surface of the protrusion is positioned outside an outer surface of the coupling portion when viewed from the fitting side.

8. Each of the pair of connecting walls of the housing includes a pair of protruding portions on the outside of a corner where the side wall portion and the connecting wall portion intersect, The plug connector according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the protruding portion is positioned outward from an outer surface of the outer portion of the metal fitting when viewed in a direction parallel to the board and the connecting wall portion.

9. An electrical connector assembly comprising a plug connector and a receptacle connector mated with the plug connector, The plug connector comprises: a housing having a pair of opposing side walls, a pair of connecting walls connecting both ends of the pair of side walls, and a bottom wall connecting the pair of side walls and the pair of connecting walls; a plurality of terminals disposed along each of the pair of side walls; a pair of fittings disposed on each of a portion of the pair of side wall portions and each of the pair of connecting wall portions, Each of the pair of fittings is A pair of mounting parts mounted on the substrate; a pair of curved portions each having an upper surface portion that rises from the mounting portion along the side wall portion and covers an upper surface of the side wall portion; an outer portion disposed along an outer side of the connecting wall portion; an electrical connector assembly having a pair of connecting portions connecting the mounting portion, the curved portion, and the outer portion;

Images