Connector unit and connector board

Abstract

To provide a connector unit and connector board that can be easily replaced. [Solution] A connector unit comprising a connector substrate 10 having connector terminals 11 and anti-loosening screws 12, and a main substrate 20 having a connecting portion 21 that electrically connects to the connector terminals 11 and a screw portion 22 that engages with the anti-loosening screws 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a replaceable connector unit and a connector substrate.

Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of information processing technology, there is a technology for connecting multiple devices to perform data communication and the like. The connection of devices can be performed by wired or wireless means. Today, wireless connection has become widespread from the perspective of convenience, but from the perspective of communication stability, the demand for wired connection is still strong.

[0003] In recent years, a technology for connecting a device to a terminal of a connector embedded in a wall surface of a building and connecting it to other devices in the building is also known, and a technology for further improving convenience has been developed. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6830395 (Patent Document 1) discloses a configuration that can support both vertical and horizontal installation directions of a relay connector attached to a wall surface or the like, and the installation direction can be changed even after installation.

[0004] By the way, generally, connector terminals are mounted and fixed to a substrate by soldering or the like. However, connector terminals are frequently attached and detached. When inserting and removing a cable into and from a connector terminal, if an excessive force is applied to the connector portion, physical damage to the connector terminal portion or physical damage to the caulked portion of the connector shell may occur. Therefore, when used for a long time, the connector may be damaged and a contact failure may occur. In such a case, in order to replace the connector embedded in the wall surface, the substrate must be taken out from the wall and the substrate must be replaced, which places a heavy burden on the operator.

[0005] Therefore, a structure that can facilitate the replacement work has been demanded.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a connector unit and a connector substrate that can be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, according to the present invention, A connector unit, A first substrate having connector terminals and fixing means, A second substrate having a connecting means for electrically connecting to the connector terminal and a mating means for mating with the fixing means. A connector unit is provided, which includes the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a connector unit and a connector board that can be easily replaced can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the connector unit of this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the configuration of the substrate in this embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the configuration of the connector substrate in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described later. In the figures referenced below, the same reference numerals will be used for common elements, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the connector unit 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1(a), the connector unit 1 of this embodiment consists of a housing 2, a front panel 3, a cover 4, and connector terminals 11. The connector unit 1 of this embodiment can be fixed to, for example, a building wall using holes provided in the front panel 3.

[0012] The connector unit 1, installed on the wall, is connected to equipment within the building, for example, via a cable. Therefore, by connecting some equipment to the connector terminal 11 of the connector unit 1, it can be connected to equipment within the building via the connector unit 1, enabling data transmission and reception, power exchange, and other functions between multiple devices.

[0013] In the embodiments described below, the connector unit 1 is exemplified as using an HDMI® connector as the connector terminal 11, but the embodiments are not particularly limited. Therefore, the connector terminal 11 in this embodiment can be any type of connector, and in addition to the HDMI® connector, it may be a DisplayPort® connector, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) connector, a D-sub connector, a USB® (Universal Serial Bus) (including all USB standard connectors such as Type-C® and Thunderbolt®) connector, a BNC connector, an RCA connector, a Phone connector, an XLR connector, a TOSLINK® connector, an RJ-45 connector, a Euroblock connector, etc.

[0014] The housing 2 of the connector unit 1 in this embodiment can be, for example, box-shaped, and various circuit boards with electrical functions can be mounted inside. The front side of the housing 2 is open, and a front panel 3 is attached thereto. By attaching the front panel 3 to the housing 2, the internal circuit boards can be covered, preventing unintended electrical short circuits.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1(a), the cover 4 is screwed to the front panel 3, making it easy to attach and detach. In this embodiment, when the cover 4 is removed, the connector board 10 on which the connector terminals 11 are mounted is exposed, as shown in Figure 1(b). The front panel 3 is provided with an opening corresponding to the size of the connector board 10, allowing the connector board 10 to be replaced through the opening. By attaching the cover 4 to the front panel 3, the aesthetic design of the connector unit 1 can be improved, and its appearance can be harmonized with the design of the wall.

[0016] Furthermore, an EMC gasket (not shown) may be provided near the connector terminals 11 on the back of the cover 4. This will shield electromagnetic waves near the opening of the cover 4 and improve the stability of the electrical operation of the connector terminals 11.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the circuit board housed in the housing 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the circuit board in this embodiment.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, this embodiment includes a connector board 10 and a main board 20. Figure 2(a) shows the configuration before the connector board 10 is attached to the main board 20, and Figure 2(b) shows the configuration after the connector board 10 and the main board 20 are attached.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2(a), the main board 20 is composed of a connection part 21, a screw part 22, a guide pin 23, and board components 24. The main board 20 can be a printed circuit board having wiring on which various components can be mounted and which components can be electrically connected.

[0020] The connecting part 21 is a component for electrically connecting to the connector terminals 11 of the connector substrate 10 and constitutes the connecting means in this embodiment. The connecting part 21 is connected to various substrate components 24 via the wiring of the main body substrate 20. The connecting part 21 of this embodiment can be fitted with a board-to-board connector 11a on the back surface of the connector substrate 10, thereby constituting an electrical connection between the connector substrate 10 and the main body substrate 20.

[0021] The screw part 22 is a component for fastening a screw (a drop-preventing screw 12 described later) provided on the connector substrate 10 and constitutes the fitting means in this embodiment. By fitting the screw of the connector substrate 10 into the screw part 22, the connector substrate 10 and the main body substrate 20 can be fixed.

[0022] The guide pin 23 is a component for inserting into a guide hole 13 provided on the connector substrate 10. By inserting the guide pin 23 in accordance with the guide hole 13 of the connector substrate 10, the connector substrate 10 can be arranged at an appropriate position on the main body substrate 20, making it easier to perform the replacement work of the connector substrate 10. The number of guide pins 23 can be any number.

[0023] The connecting part 21, the screw part 22, and the guide pin 23 of the main body substrate 20 are provided at positions corresponding to the board-to-board connector 11a, the drop-preventing screw 12, and the guide hole 13 of the connector substrate 10, respectively. Therefore, as shown by the arrow indicated by the broken line in Fig. 2(a), by inserting the guide pin 23 of the main body substrate 20 into the guide hole 13 of the connector substrate 10, the connecting part 21 and the board-to-board connector 11a can be fitted, and the screw part 22 and the drop-preventing screw 12 can be fitted.

[0024] The substrate component 24 is a component having various electrical or electronic functions such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and ICs. The substrate component 24 is used, for example, to operate the connector terminals 11.

[0025] As shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 2(a), the connector board 10 is attached to and fixed to the main board 20, thereby forming an integrated board unit as shown in Figure 2(b). The board unit shown in Figure 2 is housed in the housing 2 and secured as appropriate by screws or other means.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the connector board 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the connector board 10 in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3(a) shows a perspective view of the connector board 10 of this embodiment, Figure 3(b) shows a front view of the connector board 10 of this embodiment, Figure 3(c) shows a side view of the connector board 10 of this embodiment, and Figure 3(d) shows a rear view of the connector board 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the connector board 10 of this embodiment is composed of connector terminals 11, anti-detachment screws 12, and guide holes 13.

[0028] The connector terminal 11 is a terminal for connecting any connector, and can be connected to, for example, HDMI® connectors, DisplayPort® connectors, DVI connectors, D-sub connectors, USB® connectors, BNC connectors, RCA connectors, Phone connectors, XLR connectors, TOSLINK® connectors, RJ-45 connectors, Euroblock connectors, etc. The connector terminal 11 of this embodiment can connect to devices such as personal computers, smartphones, tablets, and displays via various connectors and cables, and can perform data communication, etc. The connector terminal 11 is mounted on the surface of the connector board 10, and a board-to-board connector 11a for connecting to the connection part 21 of the main board 20 is provided on the back surface of the connector board 10.

[0029] The anti-loosening screw 12 is a screw component for fixing the connector board 10 and the main board 20, and constitutes the fixing means in this embodiment. The anti-loosening screw 12 in this embodiment is configured so that the screw portion does not fall off the connector board 10, making screw fastening easy. In the embodiment described, by using the anti-loosening screw 12 to fix the connector board 10 and the main board 20, the efficiency of the replacement work of the connector board 10 can be improved. Furthermore, the anti-loosening screw 12 can also be configured to include a spring, which further improves workability. In addition, by using the anti-loosening screw 12, there are advantages such as preventing loss of screws, preventing short circuits due to screws falling, and being able to use it as a handle for the connector board 10.

[0030] The guide holes 13 are used to define the position when attaching the connector board 10 to the main board 20. Specifically, the guide holes 13 are provided at positions corresponding to the guide pins 23 on the main board 20. By providing the guide holes 13 in this way, it is possible to easily replace the connector board 10.

[0031] The following describes the procedure for replacing the connector board 10 in the connector unit 1 of this embodiment. Figures 1 and 2 will be referenced as appropriate in the description of the replacement procedure.

[0032] During the process of using the connector unit 1 embedded in the wall of a building, repeated attachment and detachment of the connector to the connector terminal 11 may apply excessive force to the connector, potentially causing physical damage to the connector terminal or the crimped portion of the connector shell. In such cases, according to this embodiment, repairs can be carried out as follows.

[0033] First, remove the cover 4 from the connector unit 1 as shown in Figure 1(a). Once the cover 4 is removed, the connector board 10 will be exposed through the opening in the front panel 3, as shown in Figure 1(b).

[0034] Next, the worker loosens the retaining screw 12 on the connector board 10. This releases the connector board 10 from the main board 20, making the connector board 10 removable.

[0035] Next, the worker removes the damaged connector board 10 from the main board 20. Once the connector board 10 is removed, the main board 20 will be in the state shown in Figure 2(a).

[0036] Next, the worker attaches the new connector board 10 to the main board 20 as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 2(a). Then, the worker secures the connector board 10 to the main board 20 by tightening the anti-loosening screws 12 of the connector board 10. Once the connector board 10 and the main board 20 are secured, the main board 20 will be in the state shown in Figure 2(b).

[0037] Afterward, the worker attaches the cover 4 to the connector unit 1, completing the replacement work (see Figure 1(a)).

[0038] As described above, the connector unit 1 can be repaired by replacing the connector board 10, significantly reducing the workload for the operator. In particular, according to this embodiment, the repair can be performed by replacing only the damaged connector board 10, thus reducing the cost and burden of the work.

[0039] In the embodiments described, the connector unit 1 is shown as being mounted on a wall, but the embodiments are not particularly limited. Therefore, for example, the connector unit 1 of this embodiment may be used mounted on an EIA rack or the like, or it may be provided and used in a standalone form.

[0040] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a connector unit and a connector substrate that can be easily replaced.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It is included within the scope of the present invention as long as it achieves the effects and advantages of the present invention within the range of embodiments that a person skilled in the art could deduce. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1…Connector unit, 2... cabinet, 3…Front panel, 4…cover, 10…Connector board, 11…Connector terminals, 11a...Board-to-board connector, 12… Anti-loosening screws, 13… Guide hole, 20...Main circuit board, 21...connection part, 22...Screw part, 23... Guide pin, 24... Circuit board components [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0043] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4388081

Claims

1. A connector unit, A first substrate having connector terminals and fixing means, A second substrate having a connecting means for electrically connecting to the connector terminal and a mating means for mating with the fixing means. A connector unit including the connector unit.

2. The first substrate has one or more holes, The second substrate has pins that are inserted into the holes, The connector unit according to claim 1.

3. The second substrate includes components that electrically operate the connector terminals. The connector unit according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned connector terminal is an HDMI® terminal. The connector unit according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned fixing means is a screw to prevent it from falling out. The connector unit according to claim 1.

6. The first surface has connector terminals and fixing means, The second surface has a board-to-board connector corresponding to the connector terminals, The fixing means is configured to be able to fit with another substrate provided on the second surface side. Connector board.

Images