Structure

Abstract

A structure that suppresses the occurrence of abnormal electrical connections is provided. [Solution] The image sensor (10) as a structure includes a flexible circuit board (60) and a connector (52) electrically connected to the flexible circuit board (60). The flexible circuit board (60) has a substrate (61), conductive terminals (62a) formed on the surface of the substrate (61), and an insulating layer (63) that is electrically insulating and is formed to cover the terminals (62a) from the opposite side of the terminals (62a) sandwiched between the substrate (61). The connector (52) has a housing (53) that is electrically insulating and has a contact surface (53b) formed to be in close contact with the insulating layer (63), and connecting protrusions (54a) that are electrically conductive and correspond individually to the terminals (62a), protruding from the contact surface (53b) of the housing (53), breaking through the insulating layer (63) and coming into contact with the corresponding terminals (62a), thereby electrically connecting the connector (52) and the flexible circuit board (60).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to structures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for electrically connecting a flexible circuit board to a component to be connected, such as a connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-93132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that conductive foreign matter may get into gaps or the like formed in the connection between the flexible circuit board and the component to be connected, causing electrical conduction between unintended terminals, resulting in a so-called short circuit. Examples of conductive foreign matter include pieces of screws used to fasten components, and pieces of plating that have peeled off from screws or other components.

[0005] One of the purposes of the disclosure of this specification is to provide a structure that suppresses the occurrence of an abnormal electrical connection state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment disclosed herein is a structure including a flexible circuit board (60, 260) and a connection target component (52) electrically connected to the flexible circuit board, Flexible circuit boards are a flexible, band-shaped substrate portion (61); a conductive terminal (62a) formed on the surface of the substrate; an insulating layer (63, 263) having electrical insulation properties and formed so as to cover the terminals from the opposite side of the terminals sandwiched between the substrate portion and the insulating layer (63, 263); The parts to be connected are: a housing portion (53) having an electrically insulating contact surface (53b) formed to be in close contact with an insulating layer; and connecting projections (54a) that are formed to be conductive so as to individually correspond to the terminals, protrude from the contact surface side of the housing, and break through the insulating layer to come into contact with the corresponding terminals, thereby electrically connecting the component to be connected to the flexible circuit board.

[0007] According to this aspect, the flexible circuit board has an insulating layer, allowing the housing of the component to be connected to be in close contact with the flexible circuit board via the contact surface, even in the area facing the terminal portion. This can prevent conductive foreign matter from entering between the flexible circuit board and the housing, causing electrical conduction between unintended terminals. On the other hand, the presence of the insulating layer requires some ingenuity to ensure proper electrical connection. Therefore, in this aspect, the connection protrusions provided on the component to be connected protrude from the contact surface, break through the insulating layer, and contact the corresponding terminals. This prevents the intrusion of conductive foreign matter while easily achieving proper electrical connection. Therefore, a structure can be provided that prevents the occurrence of abnormal electrical connections.

[0008] Note that the symbols in parentheses included in the claims etc. are intended to exemplify the correspondence with the parts of the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the technical scope. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an image sensor is mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connector and a flexible circuit board in an image sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the flexible circuit board is assembled to the connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the flexible circuit board has been assembled to the connector. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between a connection protrusion, a terminal, and a pressing portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the flexible circuit board has been assembled to the connector. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of connection protrusions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that corresponding components in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a portion of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of another embodiment previously described may be applied to the remaining portion of the configuration. Furthermore, in addition to the combinations of configurations explicitly stated in the description of each embodiment, configurations of several embodiments may be partially combined together even if not explicitly stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0011] (First embodiment) The structure according to the first embodiment is an image sensor 10. The image sensor 10 is mounted on a vehicle and captures images of the external environment of the vehicle. The images captured by the image sensor 10 are used to recognize dynamic and static objects in the external environment, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, and road signs.

[0012] If the vehicle is configured to be autonomous, the video is used for autonomous driving applications, i.e., the vehicle is planned based on the recognized objects and its movement is controlled based on this plan.

[0013] If the vehicle is configured to assist the driver in manual driving, the video is used for a driving assistance application. The driving assistance application may be a road sign assist that displays recognized road signs on an in-vehicle display device. The driving assistance application may also be an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that prevents a collision with an object due to a driver's manual driving error or the like.

[0014] 1, the image sensor 10 is configured to be mounted inside the front windshield WS of the vehicle in a position that does not obstruct the driver's field of view. In the following, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions are used in the description based on the vehicle on a horizontal plane on which the image sensor 10 is mounted.

[0015] 2 and 3 , the image sensor 10 includes a case 20, a lens module 30, a camera board 40, a control board 50, and a flexible circuit board 60. The case 20 is formed into a hollow box shape by combining a lower case 21 and an upper case 22 to accommodate the lens module 30, the camera board 40, the control board 50, and the flexible circuit board 60. The lower case 21 and the upper case 22 are made of, for example, metal, synthetic resin, or the like. The lower case 21 is formed to fit the shape of the control board 50 so as to cover the control board 50 from below. The lower case 21 may also be referred to as a cover, and the upper case 22 may simply be referred to as a case.

[0016] The upper case 22 is assembled to the lower case 21, for example, by fastening with screws. The upper case 22 is formed to cover the lens module 30, the camera board 40, and the control board 50 from above. The upper case 22 also has an opening 22a for exposing the lens barrel of the lens module 30 to the outside of the case unit 20. By exposing the lens barrel to the outside of the case unit 20 in an orientation facing the front of the vehicle, the image sensor 10 can capture images of the environment in front of the vehicle.

[0017] The camera board 40 is disposed behind the opening 22a and is formed into a hard, flat plate shape using, for example, synthetic resin. The camera board 40 is fixedly held in the upper case 22 in an upright position, approximately perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens module 30. The lens module 30 is assembled to the camera board 40, and a light receiving element such as a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor that converts light imaged by the lens module 30 into an electrical signal is also mounted on the camera board 40. In addition, a connector is mounted on the camera board 40 for outputting an electrical signal from the light receiving element to the outside of the camera board 40. A flexible circuit board 60 is electrically connected to this connector, allowing the camera board 40 to transmit an electrical signal to the control board 50.

[0018] The control board 50 is disposed below the lens module 30 and is formed, for example, from a synthetic resin in the shape of a hard flat plate that is larger than the camera board 40. The control board 50 is fixedly held in the upper case 22 in a position extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the camera board. Various electronic components 51, including a wiring pattern, one or more processors, and one or more memories, are mounted on the mounting surface of the control board 50.

[0019] In addition, a connector 52 is mounted on the control board 50 for electrically connecting the flexible circuit board 60. In this way, the processor on the control board 50 acquires and processes the electrical signals transmitted from the camera board 40, and generates video data that can be recognized as an image.

[0020] The flexible circuit board 60 is a flexible, band-shaped circuit board, and may also be called a flexible cable. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flexible circuit board 60 has a substrate 61, a wiring pattern 62, and an insulating layer 63. The flexible circuit board 60 may be, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), and is formed by printing the conductive wiring pattern 62 on the substrate 61.

[0021] The substrate 61 is a base material for ensuring the physical strength of the flexible circuit board 60. The substrate 61 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyimide, and is formed into a film shape having a substantially uniform thickness throughout to provide flexibility, and is in the shape of a strip.

[0022] The wiring pattern 62 is formed on at least one surface of the substrate 61 using a metal such as copper. In this embodiment, the wiring pattern 62 is formed on one surface of the substrate 61. The wiring pattern 62 can be formed by, for example, photolithography. The wiring pattern 62 has a plurality of terminals 62a at the tip of the flexible circuit board 60 that is connected to the connector 52 of the control board 50.

[0023] The insulating layer 63 is formed as an electrically insulating film, for example, from a synthetic resin. The insulating layer 63 covers the wiring pattern 62 of the substrate 61, thereby protecting the wiring pattern 62. Here, the insulating layer 63 entirely covers the multiple terminals 62a formed at the tip of the flexible circuit board 60. Furthermore, the insulating layer 63 is preferably formed over the entire surface of the flexible circuit board 60 that comes into contact with the contact surface 53b (described in detail later) of the connector 52. The insulating layer 63 is typically formed by extending a protective film formed to protect the surface of the circuit portion of the flexible circuit board 60, such as a coverlay or solder resist, so as to expose the terminals 62a and also cover the terminals 62a. The insulating layer 63 is formed from a material that is more elastic than the terminals 62a and the housing 53.

[0024] Here, the connector 52 and its connection with the flexible circuit board 60 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the state at the time of manufacture before the flexible circuit board 60 is assembled to the connector 52, in which the connector 52 is not connected to the flexible circuit board 60. Figure 5 shows the state when the connector 52 is mounted in a vehicle after the flexible circuit board 60 is assembled to the connector 52, in which the connector 52 is connected to the flexible circuit board 60. In the following description, the insertion direction in which the flexible circuit board 60 is inserted into the connector 52 is referred to as a first direction D1. A direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and along the mounting surface of the control board 50 is referred to as a second direction D2. A direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the control board 50 is referred to as a third direction D3.

[0025] The connector 52 includes a housing 53, a plurality of connecting protrusion units 54, a clamp member 55, and a locking member 56. The housing 53 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating synthetic resin and is formed in a box shape having an opening 53f that is open in the first direction D1. The housing 53 integrally includes a bottom 53a, a rear wall 53c, and a side wall 53e.

[0026] The bottom 53a extends in a flat plate shape along the mounting surface of the control board 50. The bottom surface of the bottom 53a is fixedly held relative to the control board 50. The bottom 53a is a surface facing the opposite side of the control board 50 across the bottom 53a, and has a planar contact surface 53b to which the flexible circuit board 60 comes into close contact in a connected state, thereby enabling the flexible circuit board 60 to be positioned in the first direction D1.

[0027] The rear wall portion 53c is formed as a flat wall that protrudes in the second direction D2 from an end portion of the bottom portion 53a in the first direction D1 that is opposite the open portion 53f. The rear wall portion 53c has a planar abutment surface 53d that is configured so that the end portion of the flexible circuit board 60 can abut against the rear wall portion 53c to position the flexible circuit board 60 in the first direction D1.

[0028] The side wall portions 53e are formed as a pair of flat wall shapes protruding in the second direction D2 from both end portions of the bottom portion 53a in the second direction D2. The pair of side wall portions 53e are formed to be spaced apart from each other in accordance with the width of the flexible circuit board 60, thereby enabling the flexible circuit board 60 to be positioned in the second direction D2. The pair of side wall portions 53e also have support portions that rotatably support the clamp member 55.

[0029] Each connection protrusion unit 54 is composed of one or more conductive connection protrusions 54a made of a metal such as copper. The number of connection protrusions 54a included in each connection unit may be the same or different. For example, in this embodiment, all connection protrusion units 54 have three connection protrusions 54a.

[0030] The connection protrusions 54a belonging to a common connection protrusion unit 54 are electrically connected to a common wiring pattern on the control board 50. On the other hand, the connection protrusions 54a belonging to different connection protrusion units 54 are electrically connected to different wiring patterns on the control board 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the multiple connection protrusion units 54 are aligned along the second direction D2. The connection protrusions 54a belonging to the common connection protrusion unit 54 are aligned along the first direction D1.

[0031] Each of the connection protrusion units 54 corresponds one-to-one to one of the terminals 62a of the flexible circuit board 60. As shown in Fig. 6, when the flexible circuit board 60 is mounted on a vehicle, the extension direction of each terminal 62a is aligned with the first direction D1, which is the arrangement direction of the multiple connection protrusions 54a belonging to the same connection protrusion unit 54. As a result, each connection protrusion 54a belonging to a common connection protrusion unit 54 is individually associated with that connection protrusion unit 54, i.e., is arranged to face the terminal 62a commonly associated with each connection protrusion 54a, in the third direction D3.

[0032] Each connection protrusion 54a is formed to protrude in the third direction D3 from the contact surface 53b of the bottom portion 53a toward the clamp member 55. As a result, in the state shown in FIG. 5, each connection protrusion 54a breaks through the insulating layer 63 and contacts the corresponding terminal 62a. As shown in FIG. 4, before the flexible circuit board 60 is assembled to the connector 52, the insulating layer 63 entirely covers the terminal 62a, so that the terminal 62a is not exposed at all. However, during assembly of the flexible circuit board 60, the connection protrusion 54a abuts against the insulating layer 63 in the third direction D3, breaking and penetrating the insulating layer 63. As a result, each connection protrusion 54a comes into contact with the corresponding terminal 62a, electrically connecting the connector 52 and the flexible circuit board 60.

[0033] Here, the connecting protrusions 54a may be formed in a needle shape, a cone shape, a triangular pyramid shape, a square pyramid shape, a hemisphere shape, a truncated cone shape, a truncated triangular pyramid shape, a square pyramid shape, a cylindrical shape, a triangular prism shape, a square prism shape, or the like. The connecting protrusions 54a may have a shape that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the center of the protrusion, or may have a shape that is line-symmetric with respect to a line of symmetry along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. On the other hand, the connecting protrusions 54a may be formed in an asymmetric shape that does not have such symmetry.

[0034] Furthermore, the connecting projections 54a must have a shape that allows them to penetrate the insulating layer 63, but it is preferable that they maintain their shape without damaging the terminals 62a. For this reason, even if the connecting projections 54a are formed in a conical, triangular pyramidal, or quadrangular pyramidal shape, it is preferable that the tip of the projection is rounded rather than pointed.

[0035] The clamp member 55 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and integrally includes a plate-shaped portion 55a, a rotation shaft 55b, and a pressing portion 55c. The clamp member 55 is supported by a pair of side wall portions 53e and is formed to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 55b.

[0036] The plate-shaped portion 55a is a main portion of the clamp member 55 formed in a flat plate shape. A rotation shaft 55b is provided at an end of the plate-shaped portion 55a so as to penetrate along the second direction D2. The rotation shaft 55b may be formed as a protrusion that fits into a recess or hole formed as a support portion in each side wall portion 53e. By rotating around the rotation shaft 55b, the plate-shaped portion 55a can be switched between an open position (see FIG. 4) and a locked position (see FIG. 5). In the open position, the plate-shaped portion 55a faces the first direction D1, opening the connector 52. In the locked position, the plate-shaped portion 55a faces the contact surface 53b (with the flexible circuit board 60 sandwiched between them) and securely holds (locks) the flexible circuit board 60.

[0037] The pressing portion 55c is disposed on a surface of the plate-shaped portion 55a that faces the flexible circuit board 60 and the bottom portion 53a in the locked position, at a position facing the connection protrusion unit 54 and the flexible circuit board 60. The pressing portion 55c is formed in a cam shape that protrudes from the plate-shaped portion 55a. The pressing portion 55c is formed, for example, in a partial cylindrical shape with the second direction D2 as its generatrix direction. The height that the pressing portion 55c protrudes from the plate-shaped portion 55a may be approximately equal to the thickness of the insulating layer 63.

[0038] In the locked position, the pressing portion 55c presses the flexible circuit board 60 toward the connection protrusion unit 54. This pressing promotes penetration of the insulating layer 63 by the connection protrusions 54a. It also improves the adhesion between the contact surface 53b of the bottom portion 53a and the flexible circuit board 60.

[0039] The locking member 56 is a member for maintaining the clamp member 55 in the locked position. As an example, the locking member 56 is an elastic member (e.g., a leaf spring) made of metal. One end of the locking member 56 is connected to one of the inner wall portion 53c and the side wall portion 53e, and the other end is connected to the clamp member 55. When the clamp member 55 is rotated to a position where it is in the locked position, the locking member 56 exerts an elastic force in a direction that presses the plate-shaped portion 55a and the pressing portion 55c toward the flexible circuit board 60. This elastic force improves the adhesion between the contact surface 53b of the bottom portion 53a and the flexible circuit board 60, making it difficult for conductive foreign matter to enter between the bottom portion 53a and the flexible circuit board 60.

[0040] According to the first embodiment described above, the flexible circuit board 60 includes the insulating layer 63, allowing the housing 53 of the connector 52, serving as a connection target component, to be in close contact with the flexible circuit board 60 via the contact surface 53b, even in the area facing the terminals 62a. This prevents conductive foreign matter from entering between the flexible circuit board 60 and the housing 53, potentially causing electrical conduction between unintended terminals. Meanwhile, the presence of the insulating layer 63 necessitates some ingenuity to ensure proper electrical connection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connection protrusions 54a on the connector 52 protrude from the contact surface 53b, break through the insulating layer 63, and contact the corresponding terminals 62a. This prevents the intrusion of conductive foreign matter while easily achieving proper electrical connection. Therefore, a structure that prevents the occurrence of abnormal electrical connections can be provided.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the connector 52 further includes a pressing portion 55c that presses the flexible circuit board 60 from the opposite side of the flexible circuit board 60 to the connecting protrusions 54a, so as to assist the connecting protrusions 54a in penetrating the insulating layer 63. The pressing by the pressing portion 55c makes it easier to achieve proper conduction, further enhancing the effect of suppressing the occurrence of an abnormal electrical connection state.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the pressing portion 55c is formed in the shape of a cam that protrudes from the clamp member 55 for fixedly holding the flexible circuit board 60. The cam structure allows stable pressing.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the insulating layer 63 is formed by expanding the protective film that protects the surface of the flexible circuit board 60 so as to cover the terminals 62a. By expanding the protective film to form the insulating layer 63, an increase in the number of raw materials used in manufacturing the flexible circuit board 60 is suppressed, and the process of forming the insulating layer 63 can be simplified. By reducing manufacturing costs, a structure that suppresses the occurrence of abnormal electrical connections can be easily provided.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a plurality of connection protrusions 54a are provided to correspond to one terminal 62a. In this configuration, even if one connection protrusion 54a fails to break through the insulating layer 63 during assembly of the flexible circuit board 60, proper electrical continuity can be achieved if the other connection protrusions 54a succeed. In this way, providing redundancy to the connection protrusions 54a further enhances the effect of suppressing the occurrence of an abnormal electrical connection state.

[0045] (Second embodiment) As shown in Fig. 7, the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0046] In the flexible circuit board 260 of the second embodiment, the insulating layer 263 penetrated by the connection protrusions 54a is formed separately from the protective film 264 that protects the surface of the flexible circuit board 260. That is, the protective film 264 is formed of a coverlay, a solder resist, or the like, and covers the circuit area of ​​the flexible circuit board 260 excluding the area occupied by the multiple terminals 62a.

[0047] On the other hand, the insulating layer 263 covers the area of ​​the flexible circuit board 260 occupied by the multiple terminals 62a. The insulating layer 263 may or may not overlap with the protective film 264 in the third direction D3. Even if there is an overlapping portion, the portion penetrated by the connection protrusion 54a needs to be formed in such a way that the overlap with the protective film 264 is restricted.

[0048] The insulating layer 263 is formed to have a lower breaking strength than the protective film 264. Here, breaking strength is an index of the strength and durability of a material, and refers to the maximum tensile or compressive force that a material can withstand before breaking. In other words, by reducing the breaking strength of the insulating layer 263, the connecting protrusions 54a can easily break through the insulating layer 263 when assembling the flexible circuit board 260 to the connector 52. The insulating layer 263 may be formed as a relatively soft film (e.g., a film with higher elasticity than the terminals 62a and the housing 53) by applying an electrically insulating ink material to a thin synthetic resin base tape, such as that used in correction tape. The insulating layer 263 is preferably formed thinner than the protective film 264.

[0049] In this configuration in which the insulating layer 263 and the protective film 264 are formed to different thicknesses and a step is created, it is more preferable that the contact surface 53b be configured to contact only the insulating layer 263 and not the protective film 264. This is because a gap is less likely to occur between the housing part 53 and the flexible circuit board 260.

[0050] According to the second embodiment described above, the flexible circuit board 260 has a protective film 264 that protects its surface in an area away from the terminals 62a. The insulating layer 263 is formed separately from the protective film 264 so as to cover the terminals 62a and has a lower breaking strength than the protective film 264. A dedicated insulating layer 263 is provided that makes it easier for the connection protrusions 54a to break through. This makes it easier to achieve proper conduction, further enhancing the effect of suppressing the occurrence of abnormal electrical connections.

[0051] (Other embodiments) Although multiple embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to those embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0052] In another embodiment, one connection protrusion 54a may be provided for one terminal 62a, as shown in Fig. 8. In other words, one connection protrusion unit 54 may be configured to belong to only one terminal 62a.

[0053] As another embodiment related to the first embodiment, the portion of the insulating layer 63 that is penetrated by the connecting protrusion 54a may be formed thinner than the other portions.

[0054] In another embodiment, the clamp member 55 does not have to have the pressing portion 55c, and may be configured to press the flexible circuit board 60 by the plate-like portion 55a.

[0055] In another embodiment, the structure may correspond to a component that constitutes part of an image sensor.

[0056] In other embodiments, the structure may be applied to devices other than image sensors. For example, the structure may be applied to a flexible circuit board and connector that connects a display panel and a control board in a liquid crystal display, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or the like that is mounted on a vehicle. Furthermore, for example, the structure may be applied to consumer, commercial, overtime, or medical equipment other than vehicles.

[0057] (Disclosure of technical ideas) This specification discloses multiple technical ideas described in the following multiple clauses. Some clauses may be written in a multiple dependent form, where the subsequent clause alternatively refers to the preceding clause. These multiple dependent clauses define multiple technical ideas.

[0058] <Technical philosophy 1> A structure including a flexible circuit board (60, 260) and a connection target component (52) electrically connected to the flexible circuit board, The flexible circuit board is a flexible, band-shaped substrate portion (61); a conductive terminal (62a) formed on the surface of the base material; an insulating layer (63, 263) having electrical insulation properties and formed so as to cover the terminals from the opposite side of the terminals sandwiched between the base material and the insulating layer (63, 263); The connection target component is a housing portion (53) having electrical insulation properties and having a contact surface (53b) formed to be in close contact with the insulating layer; and connection protrusions (54a) that are formed to be conductive so as to individually correspond to the terminals, protrude from the contact surface side of the housing part, and break through the insulating layer to come into contact with the corresponding terminals, thereby electrically connecting the connection target component and the flexible circuit board.

[0059] <Technical philosophy 2> The structure according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the component to be connected further has a pressing portion (55c) that presses the flexible circuit board from the opposite side of the flexible circuit board from the connecting protrusion so as to assist the connecting protrusion in penetrating the insulating layer.

[0060] <Technical philosophy 3> The structure according to Technical Idea 2, wherein the pressing portion is formed in a cam shape that protrudes from a clamp member (55) for fixedly holding the flexible circuit board.

[0061] <Technical philosophy 4> The structure described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, wherein the insulating layer (63) is formed by extending a protective film that protects the surface of the flexible circuit board so as to cover the terminals.

[0062] <Technical philosophy 5> The flexible circuit board (260) has a protective film (264) for protecting its surface in an area away from the terminals, The structure described in any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, wherein the insulating layer (263) is formed separately from the protective film to cover the terminal and has a lower breaking strength than the protective film.

[0063] <Technical philosophy 6> The structure according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the connection protrusions are provided to correspond to one of the terminals.

[0064] <Technical philosophy 7> A structure according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 6, which is applied to an image sensor mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10: Image sensor (structure), 52: Connector (connection target component), 53: Housing portion, 53b: Contact surface, 54a: Connection protrusion, 60, 260: Flexible circuit board, 61: Base material portion, 62a: Terminal, 63, 263: Insulation layer

Claims

1. A structure including a flexible circuit board (60, 260) and a connection target component (52) electrically connected to the flexible circuit board, The flexible circuit board is a flexible, band-shaped substrate portion (61); a conductive terminal (62a) formed on the surface of the base material; an insulating layer (63, 263) having electrical insulation properties and formed so as to cover the terminals from the opposite side of the terminals with respect to the base material portion; The connection target component is a housing portion (53) having electrical insulation properties and having a contact surface (53b) formed so as to be in close contact with the insulating layer; and connection protrusions (54a) formed to be conductive so as to individually correspond to the terminals, protruding from the contact surface side of the housing portion, and breaking through the insulating layer to come into contact with the corresponding terminals, thereby electrically connecting the connection target component and the flexible circuit board.

2. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the component to be connected further has a pressing portion (55c) that presses the flexible circuit board from the opposite side of the flexible circuit board from the connecting protrusion so as to assist the connecting protrusion in penetrating the insulating layer.

3. 3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion is formed in the shape of a protruding cam on a clamp member (55) for fixedly holding the flexible circuit board.

4. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer (63) is formed by extending a protective film that protects the surface of the flexible circuit board so as to cover the terminals.

5. The flexible circuit board (260) has a protective film (264) for protecting its surface in an area away from the terminals, 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer (263) is formed separately from the protective film so as to cover the terminals, and is formed so as to have a lower breaking strength than the protective film.

6. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the connection projections are provided for each of the terminals.

7. The structure of claim 1 applied to an image sensor mounted on a vehicle.

Images