Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that makes it possible to insert a terminal into a connection hole of a substrate from an appropriate position without increasing the number of parts.SOLUTION: A substrate connection part 71 is inserted into a connection hole 91 of a substrate 90 arranged in an arrangement space 42 rearward of the rear surface of a housing 20. When a Y direction is defined as the direction along the plate surface of the substrate 90 and approaching or moving away from the rear surface of the housing 20, and when the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and along the plate surface of the substrate 90 is defined as an X direction, the housing 20 integrally has a Y-direction positioning part 48 for positioning the substrate 90 in the Y-direction with respect to the housing 20 and an X-direction positioning part 34 for positioning the substrate 90 in the X-direction with respect to the housing 20 before the substrate connection part 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the substrate 90 at a position facing the arrangement space 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, the disclosed connector includes a plurality of terminals having legs and a housing to which each terminal is attached. The legs of each terminal are drawn rearward from the rear wall of the housing and inserted into and connected to connection holes of a substrate (circuit board) disposed behind the housing. Further, an alignment plate having a plurality of regulation holes is attached to the housing. The legs of each terminal are inserted into each regulation hole of the alignment plate. Note that connectors attached to a substrate are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, even if the alignment plate aligns the legs of each terminal, it does not guide the legs to a position where they can be inserted into the connection holes of the substrate. For this reason, there is a concern that the tip of the leg contacts the plate surface of the substrate, which may hinder the assembly work to the substrate. Further, since the alignment plate is separate from the housing, there is also a concern that the number of parts increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can insert a terminal into a connection hole of a substrate from an appropriate position without increasing the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal having a substrate connection portion and a housing to which the terminal is attached. The substrate connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a substrate disposed in a placement space behind the rear surface of the housing. When the direction along the plate surface direction of the substrate and the direction of approaching and separating from the rear surface of the housing is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction along the plate surface direction of the substrate is defined as the X direction, the housing has, at a position facing the placement space, a Y-direction positioning portion for positioning the substrate in the Y direction with respect to the housing before the substrate connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the substrate, and an X-direction positioning portion for positioning the substrate in the X direction with respect to the housing, and is a connector that integrally has them.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a connector is provided that can insert a terminal into a connection hole of a substrate from an appropriate position without increasing the number of parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The connector of the present disclosure (1) includes a terminal having a substrate connection portion and a housing to which the terminal is mounted. The substrate connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a substrate disposed in a placement space behind the rear surface of the housing. When the direction along the plate surface direction of the substrate and the direction of approaching and separating from the rear surface of the housing is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction along the plate surface direction of the substrate is defined as the X direction, the housing has, at a position facing the placement space, a Y-direction positioning portion that positions the substrate in the Y direction with respect to the housing before the substrate connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the substrate, and an X-direction positioning portion that positions the substrate in the X direction with respect to the housing, integrally.

[0010] According to the configuration of (1) above, before the board connection part of the terminal is inserted into the connection hole of the board, the board is positioned in the Y direction by the Y-direction positioning part and in the X direction by the X-direction positioning part with respect to the housing. That is, the board connection part of the terminal is positioned in the Y direction and the X direction with respect to the board before being inserted into the connection hole of the board. Therefore, the board connection part is inserted into the connection hole of the board from an appropriate position without contacting the board surface. Further, since the Y-direction positioning part and the X-direction positioning part are integrally formed on the housing and no member for positioning the board separately from the housing is required, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly.

[0011] (2) In the connector according to (1) above, it is preferable that the Y-direction positioning part and the X-direction positioning part are arranged separately from each other at positions facing the arrangement space.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2) above, the Y-direction positioning part and the X-direction positioning part can be formed independently of each other, and the degree of freedom in the shape of each of the Y-direction positioning part and the X-direction positioning part can be increased.

[0013] (3) In the connector according to (1) or (2) above, the Y-direction positioning part preferably has a Y-direction reference part and a Y-direction pressing part respectively arranged on the opposing sides in the Y direction. The Y-direction reference part is fixedly provided at a position facing the arrangement space, and the Y-direction pressing part has a protruding part that protrudes elastically deformably at a position facing the arrangement space, and a pressing part located on the tip side of the protruding part and capable of pressing a part of the board arranged between the pressing part and the Y-direction reference part against the Y-direction reference part before the board connection part is inserted into the connection hole of the board.

[0014] According to the configuration of (3) above, before the board connection part of the terminal is inserted into the board, the board contacts the pressing part of the Y-direction pressing part, and with the protruding part being elastically deformed, a part of the board is sandwiched between the pressing part and the Y-direction reference part. Thereby, a part of the board is positioned in the Y direction with respect to the terminal, and a state can be realized in which the board connection part of the terminal is inserted into the connection hole of the board from an appropriate position.

[0015] (4) In the connector according to (3) above, it is preferable that the pressing part has an inclined surface that inclines in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference part as it goes toward the proximal end side of the protruding part.

[0016] According to the configuration of (4) above, before the board connection part of the terminal is inserted into the board, a part of the board can automatically move along the inclined surface and reach a position where it can be pressed against the Y-direction reference part.

[0017] (5) In the connector according to (3) or (4) above, it is preferable that the Y-direction pressing parts are arranged at both ends in the X direction of the arrangement space, and the Y-direction reference part is arranged on the rear surface side of the housing.

[0018] According to the configuration of (5) above, before the board connection part of the terminal is inserted into the board, a part of the board is evenly pressed against the Y-direction reference part by the Y-direction pressing parts arranged at both ends in the X direction. Also, since the Y-direction reference part, whose shape can be simplified compared to the Y-direction pressing part, is arranged on the rear surface side of the housing, the structure on the rear surface side of the housing does not become particularly complicated.

[0019] (6) In the connector according to (5) above, a plurality of cutout parts are formed to open on the rear surface side of the housing, a partition is formed between the plurality of cutout parts, and it is preferable that the Y-direction reference part is formed continuously with the partition.

[0020] According to the configuration of (6) above, the Y-direction reference part can also function to reinforce the partition formed between the cutout parts of the housing.

[0021] (7) In the connector according to any one of (3) to (6) above, the X-direction positioning portion is fitted into a recess formed at the edge of the substrate in the Y direction, and among one side edge portion and the other side edge portion facing each other in the X direction in the recess, an X-direction reference portion that contacts along the one side edge portion, a facing portion that faces the other side edge portion of the recess, and an X-direction pressing portion that protrudes from the facing portion and contacts the other side edge portion of the recess. It is preferable to have.

[0022] According to the configuration of (7) above, before the substrate connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the substrate, the X-direction positioning portion is fitted into the recess, and the X-direction pressing portion contacts the other side edge portion of the recess, so that the X-direction reference portion contacts along the one side edge portion of the recess. Therefore, it is possible to realize a state in which the X-direction positioning portion is positioned in the X direction with respect to the substrate.

[0023] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this exemplification, and is shown by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0024] <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 10 of the first embodiment is a connector for a substrate that is attached to the substrate 90, and includes a housing 20 and a plurality of terminals 70 mounted on the housing 20. The terminal 70 has a substrate connection portion 71 that is inserted into and connected to the connection hole 91 of the substrate 90. The housing 20 is capable of being mated with a mating connector (not shown). In the following description, regarding the front-rear direction, the right side in FIG. 1, which is the direction in which the housing 20 is mated with the mating connector, is defined as the front. The up-down direction is based on the up-down directions in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. As will be described later, the up-down directions in FIGS. 6 and 7 are opposite to the up-down directions in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The up-down direction may also be referred to as the height direction. The left-right direction, which is a direction orthogonal to each of the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, may also be referred to as the width direction. Also, in the case of the first embodiment, the width direction (left-right direction) corresponds to the X direction described later, and the front-rear direction corresponds to the Y direction described later. These direction references are for convenience and do not necessarily match the direction references in the state where the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0025] (Substrate 90) As an example of the substrate 90, a rigid printed circuit board can be exemplified. As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 90 has an edge 93 that extends in the left-right direction as a whole at the front end, and left and right side edges 92 that extend in the front-rear direction as a whole at both ends in the width direction. A plurality of connection holes 91 are formed to penetrate in the plate thickness direction (up-down direction) at the front end portion of the substrate 90. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the substrate connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 described later is inserted into each connection hole 91 and soldered to the conductive portion 86 of the substrate 90 to be electrically connected. The connection holes 91 are arranged in a plurality in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction so as to correspond to the arrangement of the terminals 70.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, a fixing hole 94 is formed to penetrate through the left and right central portions of the front end portion of the substrate 90 in the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing portion 32 of the housing 20 is inserted into the fixing hole 94 in a positioned state. As shown in FIG. 3, each connection hole 91 is symmetrically arranged on both left and right sides of the front end portion of the substrate 90 with the fixing hole 94 interposed therebetween.

[0027] A recess 95 is formed in the left and right central portions of the edge 93 of the substrate 90. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the recess 95 has a rectangular opening shape and has one side edge portion 96 and the other side edge portion 97 that face each other in the X direction which is the width direction. The one side edge portion 96 and the other side edge portion 97 extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged parallel to each other. The recess 95 has a back edge portion 98 that extends in the width direction and connects between the rear ends of the one side edge portion 96 and the other side edge portion 97. The one side edge portion 96, the other side edge portion 97, and the back edge portion 98 face so as to be capable of contacting the outer edge portion (such as the X direction reference portion 35) of the X direction positioning portion 34 described later.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, notches 99 are formed in the left and right side edges 92 of the front end portion of the substrate 90. Each notch 99 has a rectangular concave shape and has front and rear edge portions that face each other in the Y direction which is the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6, at the lower end corner that is orthogonal to the back surface of the substrate 90 at the front side edge portion among the front and rear edge portions of the notch 99, a portion to be pressed 89 that is pressed by a pressing portion 45 described later is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the substrate 90 has a curved corner portion 88 between each side edge 92 and the edge 93. As shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 90 has a substrate end portion 87 as a part of the substrate 90 that is sandwiched in the Y direction between the pressing portion 45 and the Y direction reference portion 29 described later during the process of assembling the substrate 90 to the housing 20 between the portion to be pressed 89 and the corner portion 88.

[0029] (Terminal 70) The terminal 70 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate material or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 70 has a tab shape or a pin shape and is elongated as a whole. The terminal 70 is bent in the middle of its extending direction, and has a mating connection portion 72 extending in the front-rear direction and a board connection portion 71 extending in the vertical direction with the bent portion as a boundary. The mating connection portion 72 is connected to a mating terminal (not shown). The board connection portion 71 is soldered and connected to the connection hole 91 of the board 90. In the case of the first embodiment, the terminal 70 includes a plurality of types of terminals 70 having different lengths. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 70 also includes a plurality of types of terminals 70 having different thicknesses.

[0030] (Housing 20) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a rear wall 21 having a thickness in the front-rear direction and a cylindrical hood portion 22 protruding forward from the outer peripheral end of the front surface of the rear wall 21, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The rear wall 21 has a shape that extends long in the left-right direction (X direction). As shown in FIG. 1, the hood portions 22 are arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the front surface of the rear wall 21.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of terminal mounting holes 23 are formed through the rear wall 21 at positions corresponding to the respective hood portions 22. Each of the terminal mounting holes 23 is arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction and a plurality of columns in the left-right direction on the rear wall 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the mating connection portion 72 of each terminal 70 penetrates and is mounted in each terminal mounting hole 23. The mating connection portion 72 of the long terminal 70 is mounted in the upper-stage terminal mounting holes 23, and the mating connection portion 72 of the short terminal 70 is mounted in the lower-stage terminal mounting holes 23.

[0032] A mating housing of a mating connector (not shown) is fitted into each hood portion 22. The front end side of the mating connection portion 72 of each terminal 70 protrudes and is arranged inside the hood portion 22, and is electrically connected to the mating terminal when fitted with the mating connector.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a mounting groove 24 is recessed in the outer surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. The mounting groove 24 is continuously formed from the upper surface to the left and right side surfaces of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. The edge of a case (not shown) is fitted and mounted in the mounting groove 24. Thereby, the connector 10 is mounted on the case. The substrate 90 is disposed in the case.

[0034] On the rear surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20, a terminal lead-out portion 25 is formed where the rear ends of the respective terminal mounting holes 23 open. As shown in FIG. 5, below the terminal lead-out portion 25 in the rear wall 21 of the housing 20, a plurality of cutout portions 26 are formed and opened. The respective cutout portions 26 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, on the rear wall 21 of the housing 20, a plurality of partition walls 27 are formed that partition between the adjacent cutout portions 26 in the left-right direction. Each partition wall 27 has a plate shape with the plate surface facing in the left-right direction, and the front end is connected to the front surface portion of the rear wall 21. Further, at the lower end portion of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20, an extension wall 28 that is continuous in the left-right direction is formed below each cutout portion 26 and each partition wall 27.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 20 has a Y-direction reference portion 29 that is continuously formed rearward from four partition walls 27 located on both the left and right end sides and the left and right center sides among the respective partition walls 27. The Y-direction reference portion 29 constitutes a Y-direction positioning portion 48 together with a Y-direction abutting portion 43 described later.

[0037] The Y-direction reference portion 29 has a rib shape that extends in the vertical direction along the partition wall 27, and extends over the entire height of both the partition wall 27 and the extension wall 28. The rear surface of the Y-direction reference portion 29 is a vertical surface that stands upright in the vertical direction. As will be described later, in the process of assembling the substrate 90 to the housing 20, before the edge 93 of the substrate end portion 87 comes into contact with the housing 20 and the substrate connection portions 71 of the respective terminals 70 are inserted into the respective connection holes 91 of the substrate 90, the relative position between the housing 20 and the substrate 90 can be positioned in the Y direction (front-rear direction).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 20 has a protruding wall portion 31 that protrudes rearward from the central portion in the width direction on the rear surface of the rear wall 21. The terminal lead-out portions 25 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the rear surface of the rear wall 21 with the protruding wall portion 31 interposed therebetween.

[0039] The housing 20 has a fixing portion 32 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the tip side (rear end side) of the protruding wall portion 31. A deflection allowance space 33 that allows elastic deformation of the fixing portion 32 is formed at the left and right central portions of the fixing portion 32. The fixing portion 32 is inserted into the fixing hole 94 of the substrate 90 while elastically deforming. After the elastic recovery of the fixing portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protruding portion on the radially outer side at the tip side of the fixing portion 32 is locked to the back surface side of the substrate 90, and the housing 20 is held by the substrate 90.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 20 has an X-direction positioning portion 34 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base end side (front end side) of the protruding wall portion 31. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the X-direction positioning portion 34 has a rectangular outer shape (outer peripheral shape cut in a direction orthogonal to the protruding direction) and can be fitted with the recess 95 of the substrate 90. By fitting the X-direction positioning portion 34 into the recess 95 in a positioned state, the relative position between the housing 20 and the substrate 90 can be positioned in the X direction (left and right direction). The X-direction positioning portion 34 has a square tube shape and is hollow inside. The X-direction positioning portion 34 is arranged in front of the fixing portion 32 and opposed to the fixing portion 32. The front end of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is connected to the extending wall 28. The lower end of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is arranged at the same height position as the lower end of the extending wall 28.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the X-direction positioning portion 34 has an X-direction reference portion 35 and a facing portion 36 that face opposite sides in the X direction (left-right direction). The X-direction reference portion 35 and the facing portion 36 are vertical planes along the vertical direction and are arranged parallel to each other along the front-rear direction. When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the concave portion 95, the X-direction reference portion 35 comes into contact with one side edge portion 96 of the concave portion 95 along the front-rear direction, and the facing portion 36 is arranged to face the other side edge portion 97 of the concave portion 95.

[0042] A plurality of X-direction pressing portions 37 are formed on the facing portion 36 of the X-direction positioning portion 34. Each X-direction pressing portion 37 has a rib shape extending in the vertical direction and is arranged at a plurality of positions (two positions in the case of the first embodiment) spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the facing portion 36. Each X-direction pressing portion 37 has a curved cross-sectional shape (the cross-sectional shape cut in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction).

[0043] When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the concave portion 95, each X-direction pressing portion 37 is pressed against the other side edge portion 97 of the concave portion 95. The X-direction reference portion 35 has its contact state with the one side edge portion 96 of the concave portion 95 firmly maintained by the pressing of each X-direction pressing portion 37 against the other side edge portion 97. As a result, displacement of the X-direction positioning portion 34 with respect to the substrate 90 is restricted. Note that, among the facing portion 36 of the X-direction positioning portion 34, the portion excluding the X-direction pressing portion 37 faces the other side edge portion 97 of the concave portion 95 in parallel with a gap therebetween.

[0044] The rear surface of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is a vertical plane along the vertical direction, is arranged along the left-right direction, and is connected at a right angle to the rear ends of each of the X-direction reference portion 35 and the facing portion 36. When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the concave portion 95, the rear surface of the X-direction positioning portion 34 faces the inner edge portion 98 of the concave portion 95.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 20 has a cover wall 38 that protrudes rearward from the upper end and both left and right ends on the rear surface of the rear wall 21. The cover wall 38 is arranged to cover the board connection portions 71 of the respective terminals 70 drawn out from the terminal lead-out portion 25 of the housing 20 from above and from both left and right sides. The board connection portions 71 of the respective terminals 70 are prevented from interfering with external foreign matter by the cover wall 38.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower ends on both the left and right sides of the cover wall 38 are expansion portions 39 having portions that protrude rearward with respect to the portions other than this lower end portion. Side walls 41 protrude and are formed at both left and right ends on the lower surface of each expansion portion 39. Each side wall 41 has a plate shape with the plate surface facing in the left-right direction and is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction. The front ends of the respective side walls 41 are connected to both left and right ends of the extension wall 28. A placement space 42 is formed between the extension wall 28 and the respective side walls 41 behind the rear surface of the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the front end portion of the board 90 is arranged in the placement space 42 when the board 90 is properly assembled to the housing 20.

[0047] Y-direction pressing portions 43 protrude and are formed on the lower surface of each expansion portion 39. As shown in FIG. 1, the respective Y-direction pressing portions 43 are paired at both left and right ends of the housing 20 and are arranged apart from the side (front side) where the Y-direction reference portion 29 is located in the front-rear direction (Y direction) with respect to the Y-direction reference portion 29. In the case of the first embodiment, the Y-direction reference portion 29 is arranged closer to the center of the housing 20 than the Y-direction pressing portions 43 in the left-right direction. And the respective Y-direction pressing portions 43 are arranged side by side with the respective side walls 41 and are covered from the side by the respective side walls 41.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 5, the Y-direction pressing portion 43 has a protruding portion 44 protruding from the lower surface of the extension portion 39 and a pressing portion 45 protruding forward from the lower end portion of the protruding portion 44. The protruding portion 44 has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and the plate surface is arranged with the front-rear direction facing. As shown in Fig. 6, the protruding portion 44 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction with the connecting portion with the extension portion 39 as a fulcrum. The pressing portion 45 has a claw shape and has an inclined surface 46 that inclines gradually toward the front side (the side where the Y-direction reference portion 29 is located) as it goes from the tip side (lower end side) to the base end side (upper end side, attachment root side) of the protruding portion 44. As shown in Fig. 6, the inclined surface 46 contacts the pressed portion 89 of the notch 99 during the process of assembling the substrate 90 to the housing 20, and functions to displace the substrate end 87 to the front side (Y-direction reference portion 29 side).

[0049] Also, as shown in Fig. 5, a contact portion 47 is formed to protrude at a position on the lower surface of the extension portion 39 that is rearward of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 and closer to the center of the housing 20. The contact portion 47 has a flat rectangular prism shape and has a flat lower end surface along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. When the front end portion of the substrate 90 abuts against the lower end surface of the contact portion 47, the assembly of the substrate 90 to the housing 20 is stopped (see Fig. 7).

[0050] (Operation of the connector 10) The mating connection portions 72 of the respective terminals 70 are press-fitted and mounted in the respective terminal mounting holes 23 of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. Next, the housing 20 with the respective terminals 70 mounted is turned upside down. In this state, the operation of assembling the substrate 90 to the housing 20 is performed. When explaining the following procedure of the substrate 90 assembling operation, the vertical direction is based on the vertical direction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 showing the same procedure, and is opposite to the vertical direction shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 when explaining the above-described structure of the connector 10.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, with the housing 20 turned upside down, each board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 stands upright in the arrangement space 42. In this state, the board 90 is lowered from the upper rear diagonally with respect to the housing 20 toward the arrangement space 42.

[0052] Before each board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into each connection hole 91 of the board 90, the upper end side of the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 enters into the notch portion 99 of the board 90, and the inclined surface 46 of the pressing portion 45 contacts the pressed portion 89 of the notch portion 99. As a result, the protruding portion 44 is elastically deformed rearward. The board 90 including the board end portion 87 descends while being displaced forward (refer to the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6) where the Y-direction reference portion 29 is located, by obtaining the elastic force of the protruding portion 44.

[0053] Thereafter, the edge 93 of the board 90 abuts against the Y-direction reference portion 29, and the board end portion 87 is sandwiched in a positioned state in the Y direction (front-rear direction) between the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 and the Y-direction reference portion 29. At this time, the elastically deformed state of the protruding portion 44 is maintained.

[0054] Also, in the process of the board 90 descending, as shown in FIG. 8, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is inserted into the recess 95 of the board 90 from the front. The X-direction pressing portion 37 contacts the other edge portion 97 of the recess 95, and the X-direction reference portion 35 contacts the one edge portion 96 of the recess 95 in a pressing state, whereby displacement of the board 90 in the X direction with respect to the housing 20 is restricted.

[0055] In the state where the board 90 is positioned in the X direction and the Y direction by the X-direction positioning portion 34 and the Y-direction positioning portion 48 as described above, each board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is arranged so as to be insertable into each connection hole 91 of the board 90 from below. Further, as the edge 93 of the board 90 is displaced along the Y-direction reference portion 29, the board 90 descends vertically with respect to the housing 20, and each board connection portion 71 is inserted into each connection hole 91 from an appropriate position (refer to FIGS. 7 and 9). Therefore, it is possible to avoid interference between each board connection portion 71 and the board 90.

[0056] When the front end portion of the substrate 90 is accommodated in the placement space 42, as shown in FIG. 7, the substrate 90 is abutted against the abutting portion 47 from above. The notch 99 of the substrate 90 is spaced apart from the pressing portion 45 and is disposed on the proximal end side of the Y-direction pressing portion 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the concave portion 95 of the substrate 90 is positioned in the X direction by the X-direction positioning portion 34, and the rear edge portion 98 of the substrate 90 faces the X-direction positioning portion 34 so as to be contactable from the rear. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the overhanging portion of the fixing portion 32 is locked to the back surface side of the substrate 90. At this time, the edge 93 of the substrate 90 faces the Y-direction reference portion 29 so as to be contactable from the rear, and the relative displacement between the housing 20 and the substrate 90 is restricted. Thereafter, the connector 10 is heated in a reflow furnace (not shown). The board connection portion 71 of each terminal 70 is electrically connected to the conductive portion 86 of the board 90 by reflow soldering.

[0057] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes a terminal 70 having a board connection portion 71 and a housing 20 to which the terminal 70 is attached. The board connection portion 71 is inserted into a connection hole 91 of a board 90 disposed in a placement space 42 behind the rear surface of the housing 20. The housing 20 has, at a position facing the placement space 42, a Y-direction positioning portion 48 that positions the board 90 in the Y direction (a direction along the plane direction of the board 90 and approaching and separating from the rear surface of the housing 20) with respect to the housing 20 before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90, and an X-direction positioning portion 34 that positions the board 90 in the X direction (a direction orthogonal to the Y direction along the plane direction of the board 90) with respect to the housing 20, integrally.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is positioned in the Y direction and the X direction with respect to the board 90 before being inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90. Therefore, the board connection portion 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90 from an appropriate position without contacting the plane of the board 90. Further, since the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 are integrally formed on the housing 20 and no member for positioning the board 90 separately from the housing 20 is required, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly.

[0059] Here, the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 are arranged separately from each other at positions facing the arrangement space 42. Thus, in the connector 10 of the first embodiment, since the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 can be formed independently of each other, the degree of freedom in the shape of each of the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 can be increased.

[0060] Further, the Y-direction positioning portion 48 has a Y-direction reference portion 29 and a Y-direction pressing portion 43 that are respectively arranged on opposite sides in the Y direction. The Y-direction reference portion 29 is fixedly provided at a position facing the arrangement space 42. The Y-direction pressing portion 43 has a protruding portion 44 that protrudes elastically deformably at a position facing the arrangement space 42, and a pressing portion 45 that is located on the tip side of the protruding portion 44 and can press a substrate end portion 87 (a part of the substrate 90) disposed between the Y-direction reference portion 29 before the substrate connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the substrate 90 against the Y-direction reference portion 29.

[0061] According to the above configuration, before the substrate connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the substrate 90, the substrate 90 contacts the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43, and in a state where the protruding portion 44 is elastically deformed, the substrate end portion 87 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 45 and the Y-direction reference portion 29. Thereby, the substrate end portion 87 is positioned in the Y direction with respect to the terminal 70, and a state where the substrate connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the substrate 90 from an appropriate position can be realized.

[0062] Here, the pressing portion 45 has an inclined surface 46 that inclines in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference portion 29 as it goes toward the base end side of the protruding portion 44. Therefore, before the substrate connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the substrate 90, the substrate end portion 87 can automatically move along the inclined surface 46 and reach a position where it can be pressed against the Y-direction reference portion 29.

[0063] Also, in the case of the first embodiment, the Y-direction pressing portion 43 is disposed at both ends in the X direction (left-right direction) of the arrangement space 42, and the Y-direction reference portion 29 is disposed on the rear surface side of the housing 20. According to this configuration, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the board end portion 87 is evenly pressed against the Y-direction reference portion 29 by the Y-direction pressing portions 43 disposed at both ends in the X direction. Also, since the Y-direction reference portion 29, which can have a simpler shape than the Y-direction pressing portion 43, is disposed on the rear surface side of the housing 20, the structure on the rear surface side of the housing 20 does not become particularly complicated.

[0064] Also, in the case of the first embodiment, a plurality of cutout portions 26 are formed by opening on the rear surface side of the housing 20. A partition wall 27 is formed between the plurality of cutout portions 26, and the Y-direction reference portion 29 is formed so as to continuously extend in a rib shape along the partition wall 27. Therefore, the Y-direction reference portion 29 can also function to reinforce the partition wall 27 formed between the respective cutout portions 26 of the housing 20.

[0065] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into a recess 95 formed in the Y-direction edge 93 of the board 90. The X-direction positioning portion 34 has an X-direction reference portion 35 that contacts along one side edge portion 96, an opposing surface portion 36 that opposes the other side edge portion 97 of the recess 95, and an X-direction pressing portion 37 that protrudes from the opposing surface portion 36 and contacts the other side edge portion 97 of the recess 95, among the one side edge portion 96 and the other side edge portion 97 that face each other in the X direction in the recess 95.

[0066] According to the above configuration, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess 95, and the X-direction pressing portion 37 contacts the other side edge portion 97 of the recess 95, so that the X-direction reference portion 35 contacts along one side edge portion 96 of the recess 95, and thus a state where the X-direction positioning portion 34 is positioned in the X direction with respect to the board 90 can be realized.

[0067] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described Embodiment 1 disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion were arranged with a displacement in the X direction from the positions facing each other in the Y direction. On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion may be arranged facing each other in the Y direction. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the Y-direction positioning portions were arranged at both left and right ends of the housing, and the X-direction positioning portions were arranged at the left and right central portions of the housing. On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the Y-direction positioning portions may be arranged at the left and right central portions or one of the left and right ends of the housing, and the X-direction positioning portions may be arranged at both left and right ends or one of the left and right ends of the housing. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the Y-direction reference portion was arranged close to the rear surface side of the housing, and the Y-direction pressing portion was arranged away from the rear surface side of the housing. On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the Y-direction reference portion may be arranged away from the rear surface side of the housing, and the Y-direction pressing portion may be arranged close to the rear surface side of the housing. In the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the Y-direction positioning portion had the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion at positions separated in the Y direction, and in the process of assembling the substrate to the housing, the substrate end portion was sandwiched in the Y direction between the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion. Also, in the case of the above-described Embodiment 1, the X-direction positioning portion had the X-direction pressing portion and the X-direction reference portion on surfaces opposite to each other in the X direction, and the X-direction positioning portion was configured to fit into the concave portion of the substrate. On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the Y-direction positioning portion may have the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion on surfaces opposite to each other in the Y direction and be formed in the same manner as the above-described X-direction positioning portion. Also, the X-direction positioning portion may have the X-direction pressing portion and the X-direction reference portion at positions separated in the X direction and be formed in the same manner as the above-described Y-direction positioning portion.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10... Connector 20... Housing 21... Rear Wall 22…Hood part 23…Terminal mounting hole 24…Mounting groove 25…Terminal lead-out part 26…Relief part 27…Partition wall 28…Extended wall 29…Y-direction reference part 31…Protruding wall part 32…Fixing part 33…Flexure allowance space 34…X-direction positioning part 35…X-direction reference part 36…Opposing part 37…X-direction abutting part 38…Covering wall 39…Expansion part 41…Side wall 42…Arrangement space 43…Y-direction abutting part 44…Protruding part 45…Pressing part 46…Inclined surface 47…Stopping part 48…Y-direction positioning part 70…Terminal 71…Board connection part 72…Mate connection part 86…Conductive part 87…Board end 88…Corner part 89…Pressed part 90…Board 91…Connection hole 92…Side edge 93…End edge 94…Fixing hole 95…Recess 96…One side edge part 97…The other side edge part 98…Rear edge part 99…Notch

Claims

1. A terminal having a board connection portion, and a housing to which the terminal is attached, and the board connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a board disposed in a placement space behind the rear surface of the housing, when the direction along the board surface direction of the board and approaching and separating from the rear surface of the housing is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction along the board surface direction of the board is defined as the X direction, the housing integrally has a Y-direction positioning portion that positions the board in the Y direction with respect to the housing and an X-direction positioning portion that positions the board in the X direction with respect to the housing at positions facing the placement space before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board. A connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion are arranged apart from each other at positions facing the placement space.

3. The Y-direction positioning portion has a Y-direction reference portion and a Y-direction pressing portion respectively arranged on opposite sides in the Y direction, the Y-direction reference portion is fixedly provided at a position facing the placement space, the Y-direction pressing portion has a protruding portion that is elastically deformably protruded at a position facing the placement space, and a pressing portion that is located on the tip side of the protruding portion and can press a part of the board disposed between the Y-direction reference portion before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board against the Y-direction reference portion. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the pressing portion has an inclined surface that inclines in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference portion as it goes toward the base end side of the protruding portion.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the Y-direction pressing portion is arranged at both ends in the X direction of the placement space, and the Y-direction reference portion is arranged on the rear surface side of the housing.

6. A plurality of cutout portions are formed to open on the rear surface side of the housing, a partition wall is formed between the plurality of cutout portions, The connector according to claim 5, wherein the Y-direction reference portion is formed continuously with the partition wall.

7. The X-direction positioning portion is fitted into a recess formed at an edge of the substrate in the Y direction, and among one side edge portion and the other side edge portion facing each other in the X direction in the recess, an X-direction reference portion that contacts along the one side edge portion, a facing portion that faces the other side edge portion of the recess, and an X-direction pressing portion that protrudes from the facing portion and contacts the other side edge portion of the recess. The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

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