Board connector and board unit

Abstract

To provide a board connector and a board unit capable of ensuring a proper assembled state.SOLUTION: A board unit 1 includes: a board 10 having a plurality of boss holes 10d; and a board connector 20 mounted on the board 10. The board connector 20 includes: a terminal 21 having a mounting end part 21c connected to the board 10; and a housing 22 that holds the terminal 21 in a state where the mounting end part 21c is exposed on a board facing surface 22F. The housing 22 has a plurality of bosses 22g arranged around an exposed region A2 of the mounting end part 21c on the board facing surface 22F and formed to protrude from the mounting end part 21c exposed on the board facing surface 22F. A plurality of bosses 22g include bosses whose outer diameters are different from each other, and can relatively position the substrate 10 and the housing 22 by being inserted into boss holes 10d provided in the substrate 10 with inner diameters corresponding to the respective outer diameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a board connector and a board unit. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a surface-mount connector that includes a connector housing that is attached to the surface of a board and a terminal member that extends through the connector housing. The terminal member has a contact portion that contacts a mating connector terminal and a lead portion that is connected to the contact portion and protrudes from the end face of the housing, and whose tip is joined to the board via a conductive metal. The lead portion is supported by the connector housing by passing through a fusion portion filled with a fusion material that has a lower melting point than the constituent material of the connector housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-129894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional board connectors, for example, there is a demand for a configuration that protects the joint end of the terminal with the board before assembly to the board, while also allowing for proper assembly when actually assembling to the board.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a board connector and a board unit that can ensure a proper assembly state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the board connector of the present invention comprises a terminal having a mounting end connected to a board, and a housing that holds the terminal with the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, the housing having a plurality of bosses arranged around the exposed area of ​​the mounting end on the board-facing surface and formed to protrude from the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, the plurality of bosses including those having different outer diameters, and each of the bosses being inserted into a boss hole provided on the board with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter, thereby enabling the board and the housing to be positioned relative to each other.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the board unit of the present invention comprises a board having a plurality of boss holes and a board connector mounted on the board, the board connector comprising a terminal having a mounting end connected to the board and a housing that holds the terminal with the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, the housing having a plurality of bosses arranged around the exposed area of ​​the mounting end on the board-facing surface and formed to protrude from the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, the plurality of boss holes including those with different inner diameters and the plurality of bosses including those with different outer diameters, and the board and the housing can be positioned relative to each other by being inserted into the boss holes provided on the board with the inner diameter corresponding to each of the outer diameters. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The board connector and board unit according to the present invention have the advantage of being able to ensure a proper assembly state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a board unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a terminal provided in a board connector of the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic partial perspective view showing the general configuration of a tray that accommodates the board connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating an example of a state in which the board connector according to the embodiment is accommodated in a tray. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an example of a state in which the board connector according to the embodiment is accommodated in a tray. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a combination pattern of boss outer diameters and boss hole inner diameters in a board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a combination pattern of boss outer diameters and boss hole inner diameters in a board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a combination pattern of boss outer diameters and boss hole inner diameters in a board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which bosses are inserted into boss holes in the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which bosses are inserted into boss holes in the board unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an example of the operation of the board unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] A board unit 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is applied to, for example, electronic equipment mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The board unit 1 includes a board 10 and a board connector 20. The board connector 20 is a board-mounted connector mounted on the board 10. The board connector 20 of this embodiment has a plurality of bosses 22g added to a board-facing surface 22F of the housing 22 that faces the board 10, thereby realizing a configuration that protects the mounting end 21c of the terminal 21 before assembly to the board 10 and enables proper assembly when actually assembled to the board 10. Each component of the board unit 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the respective figures.

[0012] In the following description, the three intersecting directions are referred to as the "first direction X," the "second direction Y," and the "third direction Z" for convenience. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are typically perpendicular to each other. The first direction X typically corresponds to the long side direction of the housing 22, the width direction of the frontage of the housing 22, the arrangement direction of the multiple terminals 21, etc. The second direction Y typically corresponds to the short side direction of the housing 22, the depth direction of the frontage of the housing 22, etc. The third direction Z typically corresponds to the thickness direction of the board 10, the opposing direction between the board 10 and the board connector 20, the extension direction of the terminals 21, the press-fit direction of the pegs 23 into the press-fit fixing portions 22b of the board connector 20, the protruding direction of the bosses 22g, etc. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description represent the directions when the respective parts are assembled together.

[0013] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the substrate 10 has a mounting surface 10a, and constitutes an electronic circuit board on which various electronic components including a board connector 20 are mounted. As an example, the substrate 10 is constituted by a flexible printed circuit (FPC), which is a flexible, plate-like, planar circuit body. In this case, the substrate 10 is constituted by laminating, for example, a flexible base film, a conductor layer (printed circuit body), a reinforcing protective film, etc., and the conductor layer constitutes circuit patterns corresponding to various functions.

[0014] Here, the substrate 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction aligned with the third direction Z, and at least one of its main surfaces constitutes the mounting surface 10a. The mounting surface 10a is the surface of the substrate 10 on which various electronic components including the board connector 20 are mounted, and extends along the first direction X and the second direction Y. The substrate 10 has the board connector 20 mounted on the mounting surface 10a together with various electronic components (not shown), and these constitute an electronic circuit electrically connected by a circuit pattern (conductor layer).

[0015] The substrate 10 of this embodiment has conductive pads 10b, fixing pads 10c, and boss holes 10d for positioning, and these conductive pads 10b, fixing pads 10c, and boss holes 10d are formed on the mounting surface 10a.

[0016] The conductive pads 10b are portions to which the terminals 21 of the board connector 20 are electrically connected. The conductive pads 10b are conductor portions formed and exposed on the surface of the mounting surface 10a. The conductive pads 10b are electrically connected to the circuit pattern, and constitute an electronic circuit when the terminals 21 are electrically connected to the conductive pads 10b. For example, paste solder (cream solder) or the like is applied to the surface of the conductive pads 10b, and the terminals 21 are soldered via the paste solder or the like.

[0017] The conductive pads 10b are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals along the first direction X and the second direction Y. Here, each conductive pad 10b is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a short side in the first direction X and a long side in the second direction Y. The conductive pads 10b are arranged in two rows along the second direction Y, and a larger number of conductive pads 10b are arranged along the first direction X. Here, the plurality of conductive pads 10b are arranged side by side as described above in a pad arrangement area A1 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) on the mounting surface 10a. This pad arrangement area A1 is an area on the mounting surface 10a where the conductive pads 10b are provided, and here it is a substantially rectangular area with a long side in the first direction X and a short side in the second direction Y.

[0018] The fixing pad 10c is a portion to which the peg 23 of the board connector 20 is fixed. The fixing pad 10c is a conductive portion formed and exposed on the surface of the mounting surface 10a. The fixing pad 10c functions solely as a portion for fixing the peg 23, and is not electrically connected to the circuit pattern and does not constitute an electronic circuit. Similar to the conductive pad 10b, the fixing pad 10c has a surface coated with, for example, paste solder (cream solder) or the like, and the peg 23 is soldered via the paste solder or the like.

[0019] The fixing pads 10c are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and are provided in pairs with a gap in between along the first direction X. The pair of fixing pads 10c are positioned opposite each other with a gap in between in the first direction X. Here, each fixing pad 10c is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with its short side extending in the first direction X and its long side extending in the second direction Y. The fixing pads 10c are arranged in pairs on both sides of the pad arrangement area A1 in which the conductive pads 10b are arranged, sandwiching the pad arrangement area A1 in the first direction X.

[0020] The boss hole 10d is a positioning hole for relatively positioning the board 10 and the housing 22 of the board connector 20. The boss hole 10d is formed by penetrating the board 10 along the third direction Z. A plurality of boss holes 10d are formed on the mounting surface 10a of the board 10. By inserting the boss 22g of the board connector 20 along the third direction Z into the boss hole 10d, it is possible to relatively position the board 10 and the housing 22 in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Here, the boss hole 10d is formed as a substantially cylindrical hole whose central axis is along the third direction Z.

[0021] In this embodiment, a plurality of boss holes 10d are arranged on the mounting surface 10a around the pad arrangement area A1 in which the conductive pads 10b are provided. More specifically, a plurality of boss holes 10d are arranged at positions surrounding the pad arrangement area A1 when viewed along the third direction Z (see also FIG. 9, etc., described later). One boss hole 10d is provided at each of the four outer corners of the pad arrangement area A1, which is a substantially rectangular area, and each boss hole 10d is located opposite or adjacent to one of the corners of the pad arrangement area A1. As a result, the boss holes 10d are provided in four locations surrounding the pad arrangement area A1.

[0022] More specifically, the substrate 10 of this embodiment has a total of four boss holes 10d: a first boss hole 10dA, a second boss hole 10dB, a third boss hole 10dC, and a fourth boss hole 10dD. These four boss holes 10dA, 10dB, 10dC, and 10dD are provided at four locations surrounding the pad arrangement area A1, as described above. The boss holes 10dA and 10dB are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the second direction Y. The boss holes 10dA and 10dC are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the first direction X. The boss holes 10dB and 10dD are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the first direction X. The boss holes 10dC and 10dD are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the second direction Y. Boss holes 10dA, 10dB, 10dC, and 10dD are each located outside the four corners of pad arrangement area A1, facing or adjacent to one of the corners of pad arrangement area A1. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between boss holes 10dA, 10dB, 10dC, and 10dD, they may be simply referred to as "boss holes 10d."

[0023] The plurality of boss holes 10d in this embodiment include those with different inner diameters R1 (see FIG. 2) (see also FIG. 9, etc., described later), thereby forming a structure to prevent incorrect assembly of the board 10 and the board connector 20. The variations in the inner diameter R1 of the boss holes 10d will be described in detail later.

[0024] 1 and 2, the board connector 20 is mounted on the mounting surface 10a of the board 10, and constitutes a connection mechanism that electrically connects the board 10 and the mating connector C by fitting the connector with a mating connector C provided on the terminal of a wiring material or various devices. The board connector 20 includes a plurality of terminals 21, a housing 22, and pegs (fixing metal fittings) 23.

[0025] The terminals 21 are metal terminal fittings that electrically connect the substrate 10 and the mating connector C. Each terminal 21 is formed in a generally rod-like shape extending along the third direction Z, with one end connected to the conductive pad 10b on the mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10 and the other end connected to a mating terminal (not shown) provided on the mating connector C. A plurality of terminals 21 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X and the second direction Y and held in the housing 22. Here, like the conductive pads 10b, the terminals 21 are arranged in two rows along the second direction Y, and a larger number of terminals 21 are arranged along the first direction X.

[0026] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal 21 has a connection portion 21a, a press-fit portion 21b, and a mounting end portion 21c, which are integrally formed from a conductive metal material. The terminal 21 is arranged in the third direction Z from one side to the other in the order of the connection portion 21a, the press-fit portion 21b, and the mounting end portion 21c, and these are interconnected. The connection portion 21a, the press-fit portion 21b, and the mounting end portion 21c are integrally formed as a whole from a conductive metal material, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The terminal 21 is formed, for example, by pressing and bending a single sheet of metal that has been punched into shapes corresponding to the connection portion 21a, the press-fit portion 21b, the mounting end portion 21c, and other portions, so that each portion is integrally formed three-dimensionally.

[0027] The connection portion 21a is a portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal provided in the mating connector C. Here, as an example, the connection portion 21a is formed in a female box portion shape, and is electrically connected to a mating terminal that is formed in a male tab portion shape.

[0028] The press-fit portion 21b is a portion that is press-fitted into the housing 22 when the terminal 21 is held in the housing 22. The press-fit portion 21b is formed with various concave and convex shapes. The press-fit portion 21b is held in the housing 22 by being press-fitted into the housing 22 along the third direction Z.

[0029] The mounting end 21c is a portion that is electrically connected to the conductive pad 10b on the mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. The mounting end 21c is formed as a bent end that is bent along the second direction Y, so that the terminal 21 has a generally L-shaped rod shape as a whole. The mounting end 21c extends generally parallel to the mounting surface 10a along the second direction Y. The mounting end 21c is mounted on the mounting surface 10a by being soldered and joined to the conductive pad 10b, for example, via solder paste or the like. As a result, the mounting end 21c of the terminal 21 is electrically connected to the circuit pattern of the substrate 10 via the conductive pad 10b.

[0030] The terminal 21 has various irregular and bent shapes in addition to the connecting portion 21a, the press-fit portion 21b, the mounting end portion 21c, and the like.

[0031] The housing 22 is a resin member that holds the terminals 21 and into which the mating connector C is mated. The housing 22 holds a plurality of the terminals 21 arranged at intervals along the first direction X and the second direction Y. Here, as described above, the housing 22 holds the plurality of terminals 21 arranged in two rows along the second direction Y and an even larger number arranged along the first direction X.

[0032] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the housing 22 has a main body portion 22a and a press-fit fixing portion 22b, and the main body portion 22a and the press-fit fixing portion 22b are integrally formed from an insulating resin material.

[0033] The main body portion 22a is a portion that holds the multiple terminals 21 in the above-described arrangement. The main body portion 22a is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with its long sides in the first direction X and its short sides in the second direction Y. The main body portion 22a has multiple cavities 22c formed therein for holding the terminals 21. The cavities 22c are formed to penetrate the main body portion 22a along the third direction Z, and accommodate and hold the terminals 21 therein along the third direction Z. The cavities 22c are arranged in two rows along the second direction Y in accordance with the arrangement of the terminals 21 described above, and a larger number of the cavities 22c are arranged along the first direction X. The main body portion 22a holds the terminals 21 in a positional relationship such that the terminals 21 in each row are arranged back-to-back in the second direction Y, and the mounting ends 21c of the terminals 21c face opposite each other. Furthermore, a mating connector C can be fitted to the end of the main body 22a on the opposite side from the board-facing surface 22F in the third direction Z. The main body 22a also has a locking portion 22d formed on its outer wall surface for locking the mating connector C fitted to the main body 22a.

[0034] The press-fit fixing portion 22b is a portion into which the peg 23 is press-fitted and which is fixed (mounted) to the mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10 by the peg 23. The press-fit fixing portions 22b are arranged in pairs on both sides of the main body portion 22a in the first direction X, with the main body portion 22a sandwiched therebetween. The pair of press-fit fixing portions 22b is provided on both side surfaces of the main body portion 22a in the first direction X, at the end of the main body portion 22a on the substrate-facing surface 22F side. The press-fit fixing portion 22b is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with its short sides in the first direction X and its long sides in the second direction Y, and is formed to protrude from the main body portion 22a to both sides in the second direction Y and toward the substrate 10 in the third direction Z. The press-fit fixing portion 22b has press-fit hole portions 22e formed therein into which the peg 23 is press-fitted and into which the peg 23 is held. The press-fit hole 22e is formed to penetrate the press-fit fixing portion 22b along the third direction Z, and the peg 23 is press-fitted into the press-fit hole 22e along the third direction Z to hold the peg 23. Note that the press-fit hole 22e is also open in the first direction X.

[0035] When the housing 22 is mounted on the mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10, the housing 22 has a board-facing surface 22F that faces the mounting surface 10a of the substrate 10. Ends of the terminals 21 and ends of the pegs 23 are exposed from the main body 22a and the press-fit fixing portion 22b. Here, the board-facing surface 22F is formed by the surface of the main body 22a on one side in the third direction Z (the side on which the substrate 10 is located) and the surface of the press-fit fixing portion 22b on one side in the third direction Z (the side on which the substrate 10 is located). The board-facing surface 22F has a step portion 22f formed at the boundary between the surface formed by the main body 22a and the surface formed by the press-fit fixing portion 22b (see particularly FIG. 5 and also FIG. 7 described below).

[0036] Each terminal 21 is held in the cavity 22c by inserting the connection portion 21a from the board-facing surface 22F side into the cavity 22c along the third direction Z, and then the press-fit portion 21b is press-fitted. The main body 22a of this embodiment holds the multiple terminals 21 in the board-facing surface 22F with the mounting end portions 21c exposed from the cavity 22c. In this case, the main body 22a exposes the mounting end portions 21c in the space formed by the stepped portion 22f, and this space sandwiched between the pair of press-fit fixing portions 22b defines an exposed region A2 (shown by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the mounting end portions 21c. The exposed region A2 is a region on the board-facing surface 22F where the mounting end portions 21c of the multiple terminals 21 are exposed, and here, it is a substantially rectangular region with its longer sides extending in the first direction X and its shorter sides extending in the second direction Y. This exposed area A2 is an area facing the pad arrangement area A1 in the third direction Z when the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10.

[0037] Meanwhile, the peg 23 is held in the press-fit hole 22e by being press-fitted into the press-fit hole 22e of the press-fit fixing portion 22b from the side opposite to the board-facing surface 22F along the third direction Z. The press-fit fixing portion 22b of this embodiment holds the peg 23 with the mounting end 23a of the peg 23 exposed from the press-fit hole 22e on the board-facing surface 22F. In this case, the pair of press-fit fixing portions 22b are in a state in which the mounting end 23a of the peg 23 is exposed on both sides of the exposed region A2 of the mounting end 21c of the terminal 21 in the first direction X.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the peg 23 is a metal fixing fixture for fixing the housing 22 of the board connector 20 to the mounting surface 10a of the board 10. The peg 23 is formed into a substantially T-shape when viewed along the first direction X by pressing and bending a single piece of sheet metal. The peg 23 has various shapes so that it can be press-fitted into and held in the press-fit hole 22e of the press-fit fixing portion 22b. The peg 23 has a mounting end 23a formed by folding back an end on one side in the third direction Z (the side where the board 10 is located). The mounting end 23a is a portion that is soldered and fixed to the fixing pad 10c on the mounting surface 10a. As described above, the pegs 23 are press-fitted one by one into the press-fit holes 22e of the pair of press-fit fixing portions 22b, and are held in the press-fit holes 22e with the mounting ends 23a exposed on the board-facing surface 22F. With the pegs 23 press-fitted and held in the press-fit holes 22e of the press-fit fixing portions 22b, the mounting ends 23a are soldered and joined to the fixing pads 10c, for example, via solder paste, to be fixed on the mounting surface 10a. In this way, the housing 22 of the board connector 20 is fixed to the fixing pads 10c on the mounting surface 10a of the board 10 via the pegs 23.

[0039] 2, 4, and 5, the board connector 20 of this embodiment has a plurality of bosses 22g at predetermined positions on the board-facing surface 22F of the housing 22. With this configuration, the board connector 20 achieves a mounting end deformation prevention structure that protects the mounting end 21c exposed in the exposed area A2 before being assembled to the board 10, and also achieves a structure that prevents incorrect assembly of the board 10 and the board connector 20.

[0040] Specifically, the boss 22g is a positioning protrusion for relatively positioning the board 10 and the housing 22 of the board connector 20. The boss 22g is formed to protrude from the board-facing surface 22F of the housing 22 toward one side in the third direction Z (the side on which the board 10 is located). A plurality of bosses 22g are formed on the board-facing surface 22F of the housing 22. The bosses 22g are inserted into the boss holes 10d of the board 10 along the third direction Z, thereby enabling the board 10 and the housing 22 to be relatively positioned in the first direction X and the second direction Y. Here, the boss 22g is formed as a substantially cylindrical protrusion whose central axis is along the third direction Z.

[0041] In this embodiment, multiple bosses 22g are arranged on the board-facing surface 22F around the exposed area A2, where the mounting ends 21c of the multiple terminals 21 are exposed. More specifically, multiple bosses 22g are arranged at positions surrounding the exposed area A2 when viewed along the third direction Z (see also FIG. 9, etc., described later). One boss 22g is provided on each of the four outer corners of the exposed area A2, which is a substantially rectangular area, and each boss 22g is located opposite or adjacent to one of the corners of the exposed area A2. As a result, the bosses 22g are provided in four locations surrounding the exposed area A2.

[0042] More specifically, the housing 22 of this embodiment has a total of four bosses 22g: a first boss 22gA, a second boss 22gB, a third boss 22gC, and a fourth boss 22gD. These four bosses 22gA, 22gB, 22gC, and 22gD are provided at four locations surrounding the exposed area A2, as described above. The bosses 22gA and 22gB are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the second direction Y. The bosses 22gA and 22gC are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the first direction X. The bosses 22gB and 22gD are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the first direction X. The bosses 22gC and 22gD are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the second direction Y. The bosses 22gA, 22gB, 22gC, and 22gD are each located outside the four corners of the exposed area A2, facing or adjacent to one of the corners of the exposed area A2. In this embodiment, the bosses 22gA, 22gB, 22gC, and 22gD are all formed on the surface of a pair of press-fitted fixing portions 22b that constitutes the substrate-facing surface 22F. Here, the bosses 22gA and 22gB are both formed on the surface of one of the press-fitted fixing portions 22b that constitutes the substrate-facing surface 22F, with the boss 22gA located at one end in the second direction Y and the boss 22gB located at the other end in the second direction Y. Similarly, boss 22gC and boss 22gD are both formed on the surface that constitutes the substrate-facing surface 22F in the other press-fit fixing portion 22b, with boss 22gC located at the end on one side in the second direction Y and boss 22gD located at the end on the other side in the second direction Y. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between boss 22gA, boss 22gB, boss 22gC, and boss 22gD, they may be simply referred to as "boss 22g."

[0043] The multiple bosses 22g in this embodiment are formed to protrude further toward the side where the board 10 is located than the mounting end 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F. In other words, the multiple bosses 22g are formed to protrude so that the position of the protruding tip in the third direction Z is located closer to the board 10 than the mounting end 21c. As a result, the multiple bosses 22g constitute a mounting end deformation prevention structure that protects the mounting end 21c before the board connector 20 is assembled to the board 10.

[0044] That is, the plurality of bosses 22g of this embodiment are arranged at a plurality of locations (four locations in this example) around the exposed region A2 so as to surround the exposed region A2, and are formed to protrude beyond the mounting end portion 21c. With this configuration, when the board connector 20 is placed on a predetermined mounting surface (for example, the bottom surface 101a of the accommodation chamber 101 in the tray 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, which will be described later), the plurality of bosses 22g can function as legs to stand on the mounting surface with a gap between the mounting end portion 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F and the mounting surface. In other words, the plurality of bosses 22g of this embodiment are positioned (formed at) and protruded at such a distance that the board connector 20 can stand on its own with a gap formed between the mounting surface and the mounting end portion 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F when the board connector 20 is placed on the mounting surface. This makes it possible for the board connector 20 to prevent the mounting end 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F from coming into contact with the placement surface.

[0045] For example, before being assembled to the board 10, the board connector 20 may be transported housed in a housing chamber 101 of a transport tray 100 as shown in Fig. 6. In such a case, while housed in the housing chamber 101, the board connector 20 can stand on its own with a plurality of bosses 22g interposed between the bottom surface 101a of the housing chamber 101 and the bottom surface 101a as a mounting surface, as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the tray 100 is schematically illustrated by a two-dot chain line.

[0046] In this state, the multiple bosses 22g function as legs that stand on the bottom surface 101a, which is the mounting surface, thereby allowing the entire housing 22 to stand on the bottom surface 101a with a gap G between the mounting end 21c and the bottom surface 101a. As a result, the multiple bosses 22g allow the board connector 20 to stand on its own without the mounting end 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F coming into contact with the bottom surface 101a, which is the mounting surface. This makes it possible to protect, for example, the mounting end 21c of the terminal 21 from deformation. Similarly, in this case, the multiple bosses 22g allow the board connector 20 to stand on its own without the mounting end 23a of the peg 23 coming into contact with the bottom surface 101a, which is the mounting surface. This makes it possible to protect, for example, the mounting end 23a of the peg 23 from deformation.

[0047] In addition, when the board connector 20 of this embodiment is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 101 of the transport tray 100, as shown in Fig. 8, the press-fit fixing portion 22b can prevent the mounting end portion 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F from contacting the side wall surface 101b of the accommodation chamber 101. In Fig. 8, the tray 100 is also schematically illustrated by a two-dot chain line, as in Fig. 7.

[0048] In this case, the press-fit fixing portions 22b of the board connector 20, which are formed to protrude in the first direction X and the second direction Y relative to the main body 22a, also function as protective walls for protecting the mounting ends 21c. That is, each of the pair of press-fit fixing portions 22b is interposed between the mounting ends 21c held by the main body 22a and exposed on the board-facing surface 22F and the side wall surfaces 101b of the accommodating chamber 101 in the first direction X. Furthermore, each press-fit fixing portion 22b is formed to protrude outward beyond the tip of the mounting end 21c in the second direction Y. As a result, the press-fit fixing portions 22b of the board connector 20 can protect the mounting ends 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F from contacting the side wall surfaces 101b of the accommodating chamber 101, thereby protecting, for example, the mounting ends 21c of the terminals 21 from deformation.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, the multiple bosses 22g in this embodiment include some with different outer diameters R2, which, in cooperation with the multiple boss holes 10d described above, form a structure to prevent incorrect assembly of the board 10 and the board connector 20.

[0050] Specifically, the multiple bosses 22g in this embodiment include those with different outer diameters R2, and are inserted into boss holes 10d provided in the substrate 10 at inner diameters R1 corresponding to the respective outer diameters R2, thereby enabling the substrate 10 and the housing 22 to be positioned relative to each other. When the corresponding relationships between the multiple bosses 22g and the multiple boss holes 10d are predetermined regular, all of the bosses 22g can be inserted into the corresponding boss holes 10d. On the other hand, when the corresponding relationships between the multiple bosses 22g and the multiple boss holes 10d are different from the predetermined regular, at least one boss 22g cannot be inserted into the boss hole 10d.

[0051] In this embodiment, the multiple bosses 22g and the multiple boss holes 10d have a regular correspondence relationship, with the first boss hole 10dA corresponding to the first boss 22gA, the second boss hole 10dB corresponding to the second boss 22gB, the third boss hole 10dC corresponding to the third boss 22gC, and the fourth boss hole 10dD corresponding to the fourth boss 22gD. The positions of the multiple bosses 22g and the multiple boss holes 10d, the inner diameter R1 of each boss hole 10d, and the outer diameter R2 of each boss 22g are set so that when the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10 in the pre-designed normal posture and positional relationship, the boss 22gA is inserted into the boss hole 10dA, the boss 22gB is inserted into the boss hole 10dB, the boss 22gC is inserted into the boss hole 10dC, and the boss 22gC is inserted into the boss hole 10dC.

[0052] 9, among the plurality of boss holes 10d, the first boss hole 10dA, the second boss hole 10gB, and the third boss hole 10dC have the same inner diameter R1a, and the fourth boss hole 10gD has an inner diameter R1b that is larger than the inner diameter R1a. Among the plurality of bosses 22g, the first boss 22gA, the second boss 22gB, and the third boss 22gC have the same outer diameter R2a corresponding to the inner diameter R1a, and the fourth boss 22gD has an outer diameter R2b that is larger than the outer diameter R2a corresponding to the inner diameter R1b.

[0053] When the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10 in the correct positional relationship, the corresponding relationships between the bosses 22g and the boss holes 10d become correct, with the boss 22gA being inserted into the boss hole 10dA, the boss 22gB being inserted into the boss hole 10dB, the boss 22gC being inserted into the boss hole 10dC, and the boss 22gC being inserted into the boss hole 10dC. As a result, the board connector 20 is assembled to the board 10 in the correct positional relationship.

[0054] On the other hand, if the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10 in a positional relationship that differs from the normal positional relationship, the corresponding relationship between each boss 22g and each boss hole 10d will differ from the normal corresponding relationship, and the relatively large-diameter boss 22gD will abut against the edge of any of the boss holes 10dA, 10dB, or 10dC, restricting insertion. As a result, the board connector 20 can be prevented from being assembled on the board 10 in an incorrect positional relationship that differs from the normal positional relationship.

[0055] It should be noted that there may be multiple variations in the combination of the board 10 and the board connector 20, for example, depending on minor differences in specifications, etc. In this case, by providing variations in the combination patterns of the inner diameters R1 of the multiple boss holes 10d and the outer diameters R2 of the multiple bosses 22g for the board 10 and the board connector 20 according to the variations in the combination, it is possible not only to prevent the board 10 and the board connector 20 from being assembled in an incorrect positional relationship, but also to prevent the board 10 and the board connector 20 from being assembled in an incorrect combination.

[0056] Figures 10 and 11 show variations of combinations different from the board 10 and board connector 20 illustrated in Figure 9. Figure 10 illustrates a regular combination of board 10A and board connector 20A, and Figure 11 illustrates a regular combination of board 10B and board connector 20B. The boards 10A, 10B and board connectors 20A, 20B have substantially the same configuration as the board 10 and board connector 20 illustrated in Figure 9, except for the different combination patterns of the inner diameters R1 of the multiple boss holes 10d and the outer diameters R2 of the multiple bosses 22g, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0057] 10, the boss holes 10d are such that the first boss hole 10dA, the third boss hole 10dC, and the fourth boss hole 10dD have the same inner diameter R1a, and the second boss hole 10dB has a larger inner diameter R1b than the inner diameter R1a. The bosses 22g are such that the first boss 22gA, the third boss 22gC, and the fourth boss 22gD have the same outer diameter R2a corresponding to the inner diameter R1a, and the second boss 22gB has a larger outer diameter R2b corresponding to the inner diameter R1b than the outer diameter R2a.

[0058] 11, the inner diameters R1a of the second boss hole 10dB and the fourth boss hole 10dD of the multiple boss holes 10d are set equal to each other, and the inner diameters R1b of the first boss hole 10dA and the third boss hole 10dC are both set larger than the inner diameter R1a. The outer diameters R2a of the second boss 22gB and the fourth boss 22gD of the multiple bosses 22g are set equal to each other in correspondence with the inner diameters R1a, and the outer diameters R2b of the first boss 22gA and the third boss 22gC are both set larger than the outer diameter R2a in correspondence with the inner diameters R1b.

[0059] When the board connectors 20, 20A, 20B are mounted on the boards 10, 10A, 10B in a normal combination and in a normal positional relationship, the corresponding relationships between the bosses 22g and the boss holes 10d become normal, with the boss 22gA being inserted into the boss hole 10dA, the boss 22gB being inserted into the boss hole 10dB, the boss 22gC being inserted into the boss hole 10dC, and the boss 22gC being inserted into the boss hole 10dC. As a result, the board connectors 20, 20A, 20B are assembled to the boards 10, 10A, 10B in a normal combination and in a normal positional relationship.

[0060] On the other hand, if board connectors 20, 20A, 20B are to be mounted on boards 10, 10A, 10B in a combination that differs from the normal combination, the corresponding relationship between each boss 22g and each boss hole 10d will differ from the normal relationship, and the relatively large-diameter boss 22g will abut against the edge of one of the boss holes 10d, restricting insertion. In other words, board connector 20 cannot be mounted on boards 10A, 10B, board connector 20A cannot be mounted on boards 10, 10B, and board connector 20B cannot be mounted on boards 10, 10A. As a result, board connectors 20, 20A, 20B can be prevented from being assembled on boards 10, 10A, 10B in an incorrect combination that differs from the normal combination.

[0061] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between board 10, board 10A, and board 10B, they may simply be referred to as "board 10." Similarly, when there is no need to distinguish between board connector 20, board connector 20A, and board connector 20B, they may simply be referred to as "board connector 20."

[0062] Here, when the multiple bosses 22g of this embodiment are inserted into the corresponding boss holes 10d, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer peripheral surfaces 22ga of at least two of the bosses 22g (in the example of FIG. 12, the first boss 22gA and the third boss 22gC) contact the inner peripheral surface 10da of the boss hole 10d. As a result, the multiple bosses 22g form a structure that suppresses stress concentration at the soldered portion between the board 10 and the board connector 20. In this case, the outer peripheral surface 22ga of the boss 22g and the inner peripheral surface 10da of the boss hole 10d are in a so-called zero-touch state or in a slight press-fit state. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer peripheral surfaces 22ga of the other bosses 22g (in the example of FIG. 13, the second boss 22gB and the fourth boss 22gD) do not contact the inner peripheral surface 10da of the boss hole 10d, but rather have a gap therebetween, due to tolerance tolerances and the like.

[0063] With this configuration, in the state in which the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10, as shown in FIG. 14 , even if an external force F acts on the board 10 in the planar direction, the outer surfaces 22ga of at least two bosses 22g are in contact with the inner surfaces 10da of the boss holes 10d, thereby preventing relative movement of the board 10 and the board connector 20 in the planar direction. With this configuration, the board unit 1 can prevent excessive stress from occurring in the soldered portions between the mounting ends 21c of the terminals 21 and the conductive pads 10b and the soldered portions between the mounting ends 23a of the pegs 23 and the fixing pads 10c. Here, in the state in which the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10, the mounting ends 21c of the multiple terminals 21 are soldered and joined to the corresponding conductive pads 10b, so that the mounting ends 21c are conductively connected to the circuit pattern of the board 10 via the conductive pads 10b. Furthermore, in the state where the board connector 20 is mounted on the board 10, the mounting end 23a of each peg 23 is soldered and joined to the corresponding fixing pad 10c, thereby fixing the housing 22 to each fixing pad 10c of the board 10 via the pegs 23. In this state, as described above, the board unit 1 is able to maintain the soldered portions in an appropriate state by suppressing excessive stress from occurring in the soldered portions between the mounting end 21c of the terminal 21 and the conductive pad 10b and the soldered portions between the mounting end 23a of the peg 23 and the fixing pad 10c.

[0064] In the board connector 20 and board unit 1 described above, a plurality of bosses 22g are arranged on the board-facing surface 22F of the housing 22 so as to surround the exposed area A2 where the mounting ends 21c of the terminals 21 are exposed, and the plurality of bosses 22g are formed to protrude beyond the mounting ends 21c. With this configuration, when the board connector 20 is placed on a mounting surface, such as the bottom surface 101a of a transportation tray 100, before being assembled to the board 10, the plurality of bosses 22g function as legs, allowing the entire housing 22 to stand on the mounting surface with a gap G between the mounting ends 21c and the mounting surface. As a result, the plurality of bosses 22g allow the board connector 20 to stand on its own without the mounting ends 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F coming into contact with the mounting surface, thereby protecting the mounting ends 21c of the terminals 21 from deformation. For example, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can properly protect the mounting end 21c by the boss 22g as described above without providing a shape to allow the boss 22g to escape or a shape to protect the mounting end 21c on the bottom surface 101a of the transport tray 100.

[0065] Furthermore, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 are configured such that the boss holes 10d include those with inner diameters R1 that are different from one another, and the bosses 22g include those with outer diameters R2 that are different from one another. With this configuration, when the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 are assembled to the board 10, the bosses 22g are inserted into the boss holes 10d provided in the board 10 with inner diameters R1 that correspond to the outer diameters R2 of the bosses 22g, thereby positioning the board 10 and the housing 22 in a proper, regular positional relationship. As a result, when the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 are assembled to the board 10, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can be assembled to the board 10 in a proper, regular positional relationship.

[0066] As described above, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can protect the mounting end 21c exposed in the exposed area A2 before being assembled to the board 10, while achieving proper assembly when actually assembled to the board 10, thereby ensuring a proper assembly state.

[0067] More specifically, when the board connector 20 and board unit 1 described above are assembled, for example, by assembling the board 10 and board connector 20 in a regular combination and in a regular positional relationship, the corresponding relationships between the bosses 22g and the boss holes 10d are regular, and all the bosses 22g are inserted into the corresponding boss holes 10d. As a result, the board connector 20 and board unit 1 can be assembled by assembling the board 10 and board connector 20 in a regular combination and in a regular positional relationship.

[0068] On the other hand, if the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 are assembled in an incorrect combination or in an incorrect positional relationship, one of the bosses 22g, which has a relatively large diameter, will come into contact with the edge of one of the boss holes 10d, restricting insertion. As a result, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can prevent the board 10 and the board connector 20 from being assembled in an incorrect combination or in an incorrect positional relationship.

[0069] As a result, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can be ensured to be properly assembled as described above.

[0070] Furthermore, in the board connector 20 and board unit 1 described above, when the plurality of bosses 22g are inserted into the corresponding boss holes 10d, the outer peripheral surfaces 22ga of at least two of the bosses 22g contact the inner peripheral surface 10da of the boss holes 10d. With this configuration, even if an external force F acts on the board 10 in the planar direction after the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 are mounted on the board 10, the outer peripheral surfaces 22ga of at least two of the bosses 22g contact the inner peripheral surface 10da of the boss holes 10d, thereby preventing relative movement between the board 10 and the board connector 20 in the planar direction. As a result, the board connector 20 and the board unit 1 can prevent excessive stress from occurring at the soldered portions between the board 10 and the board connector 20, maintaining the soldered portions in a proper state, thereby ensuring a proper assembly state.

[0071] The board connector and board unit according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0072] In the above description, the substrate 10 has been described as being configured by a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), but this is not limiting. The substrate 10 may also be configured by, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). In this case, the substrate 10 is configured by printing a pattern (printed pattern) using a conductive material such as copper on a hard insulating layer made of an insulating material such as epoxy resin, glass epoxy resin, paper epoxy resin, or ceramic, thereby configuring a circuit pattern that electrically connects various electronic components including the board connector 20.

[0073] In the above description, the terminal 21 has been described as having the connecting portion 21a formed in a female box shape and electrically connected to a mating terminal formed in a male tab shape, but this is not limited to this; the reverse may also be true. That is, the terminal 21 may have the connecting portion 21a formed in a male tab shape and electrically connected to a mating terminal formed in a female box shape. In this case, the housing 22 would be configured to expose the connecting portion 21a formed in a tab shape and include a hood portion or the like into which the mating connector C can be fitted.

[0074] In the above description, the number of bosses 22g is four, but the number is not limited to four. The number of bosses 22g is not limited to four as long as they are provided around the exposed area A2 and are formed with a position (position) and protrusion amount that allows the board connector 20 to stand on its own, forming a gap G between the mounting end 21c exposed on the board-facing surface 22F and the mounting surface when the board connector 20 is placed on the mounting surface.

[0075] The board connector and board unit according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments and modified examples described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 PCB unit 10, 10A, 10B board 10d, 10dA, 10dB, 10dC, 10dD boss hole 10da inner surface 20, 20A, 20B PCB Connectors 21 terminals 21c Mounting end 22 Housing 22F Substrate facing surface 22g, 22gA, 22gB, 22gC, 22gD Boss 22ga outer surface 23 Peg 23a Mounting end A2 exposed area R1, R1a, R1b inner diameter R2, R2a, R2b outer diameter

Claims

1. a terminal having a mounting end connected to a substrate; a housing that holds the terminals with the mounting ends exposed on a surface facing the board, the housing has a plurality of bosses arranged around an exposed region of the mounting end on the board-facing surface and formed to protrude from the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, The plurality of bosses include those having different outer diameters, and are inserted into boss holes provided in the substrate with inner diameters corresponding to the respective outer diameters, thereby enabling relative positioning of the substrate and the housing. PCB connector.

2. When the corresponding relationship between the plurality of bosses and the plurality of boss holes differs from a predetermined regular corresponding relationship, at least one of the bosses cannot be inserted into the boss hole. The board connector according to claim 1 .

3. When the plurality of bosses are inserted into the corresponding boss holes, outer peripheral surfaces of at least two of the bosses contact with inner peripheral surfaces of the corresponding boss holes.

3. The board connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a substrate having a plurality of boss holes; a board connector mounted on the board, The board connector includes: a terminal having a mounting end connected to the substrate; a housing that holds the terminals with the mounting ends exposed on a surface facing the board, the housing has a plurality of bosses arranged around an exposed region of the mounting end on the board-facing surface and formed to protrude from the mounting end exposed on the board-facing surface, The plurality of boss holes include those having different inner diameters, The plurality of bosses include those having different outer diameters, and the bosses are inserted into the boss holes provided in the substrate with the inner diameters corresponding to the respective outer diameters, thereby enabling relative positioning of the substrate and the housing. Board unit.

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