Slot-in connector

Abstract

This provides a slot-in connector that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the connector while the adapter remains attached to the connection point. [Solution] A slot-in connector including a connector unit and an adapter, wherein the connector unit includes a connector, an illuminating member, a light guide member, a substrate, a case, and a cable. The connector is mounted on the substrate and includes an insertion hole opening in a first direction. The substrate includes a light source. The illuminating member illuminates the area around the insertion hole. The case includes a main body and a first latch. The main body includes an internal space and a first opening that exposes the illuminating member to the outside of the case. The first latch includes a first protrusion. One end of the cable is electrically connected to the substrate and the other end is led out to the outside of the case. The adapter includes a housing space, a second opening that exposes the illuminating member to the outside of the adapter, a first notch opening in a second direction, and a first engaging portion that engages with the first protrusion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a slot-in connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cable repeater with a fixture for connecting internal devices and external devices of an apparatus. The cable repeater of Patent Document 1 includes an extension cable for connecting internal devices and external devices of the apparatus, and a fixing substrate for attaching the connector at the tip of the extension cable to the extension destination.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for attaching and detaching the connector at the tip of the extension cable to / from the fixing substrate, and it is unclear whether the entire fixing substrate needs to be replaced when replacing the extension cable. Also, when attaching the extension cable to the fixing substrate or in the attached state, there is a risk that the attachment part between the connector and the fixing substrate will be damaged when the cable is pulled in the horizontal direction or the like. Further, when the extension destination is indoors or the like where lighting is insufficient, it is difficult to confirm the position of the extension destination connector.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to provide a slot-in connector in which the connector at the tip of the extension cable can be easily attached and detached while the attachment adapter (replacement of the fixing substrate) for the extension destination is attached to the connection destination, and the position of the connector can be easily confirmed even when the lighting at the extension destination is insufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [1] The slot-in connector according to the present disclosure is a slot-in connector including a connector unit and an adapter. The connector unit includes a connector, an illuminating member, a light guide member, a substrate, a case, and a cable. The connector is mounted on the substrate and includes an insertion hole that opens in a first direction into which at least a mating connector of the connector is at least partially inserted. The first direction is the insertion / removal direction for connecting and removing the connector and the mating connector. The substrate includes a light source. The illuminating member illuminates the area around the insertion hole with light incident on by a light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light source. The case includes a main body and a first latch. The main body includes an internal space that at least partially houses the connector, the illuminating member, the light guide member, the substrate, and the cable, and a first opening that at least partially exposes the illuminating member to the outside of the case. The first latch is provided on one side of the main body in a second direction and elastically displaces to the other side in the second direction, and the first latch includes a first protrusion that projects to one side in the second direction. The second direction is approximately perpendicular to the first direction. The cable has one end electrically connected to the circuit board and the other end leading out of the case. The adapter includes a housing space that at least partially houses the connector unit, a second opening that at least partially exposes the illuminating member to the outside of the adapter, a first notch that opens in the second direction and at least partially exposes the first latch portion to the outside of the adapter, and a first engaging portion that engages with a first protrusion on one side of the first notch in the first direction.

[0007] [2] The adapter may also include a second notch that is positioned opposite the first notch in the second direction and opens in the second direction.

[0008] [3] The case may also include a second latch portion provided on the other side of the main body in the second direction and elastically displaced to one side in the second direction, and positioned opposite to the first latch portion, the second latch portion including a second convex portion projecting to the other side in the second direction, the second notch portion exposing at least partially the second latch portion to the outside of the adapter, and the adapter may include a second engaging portion on one side of the second notch portion in the first direction that engages with the second convex portion.

[0009] [4] Alternatively, the third direction may be set to be approximately perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the length of the portion housed in the storage space of the main body in the first direction may be set to be longer than the length in the second direction and the length in the third direction.

[0010] [5] The illuminating member may also have an illuminating base, the illuminating base including an illuminating through-hole that penetrates in a first direction and fits around the insertion hole of the connector, and an illuminating surface positioned around the insertion hole on one side in the first direction, and the second opening may be configured to expose the illuminating surface on one side in the first direction.

[0011] [6] The illuminating member also includes a flange portion on the other side of the illuminating member in the first direction, and movement toward one side in the first direction is restricted by the light guide member, and movement toward the other side in the first direction is restricted by the substrate; the light guide member includes a light guide through-hole that penetrates in the first direction and fits onto the illuminating member, and movement toward one side in the first direction is restricted by the case, and movement toward the other side in the first direction is restricted by the flange portion; the main body includes a restricting wall erected on the internal space side of at least one of the surfaces in a second direction or a third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions that partitions the internal space, the substrate is restricted from moving toward one side in the first direction by the illuminating member, and the connector may be restricted from moving toward the other side in the first direction by the restricting wall.

[0012] [7] The light guide member is positioned close to the light source and includes an incident section into which light emitted from the light source is incident, the incident section is positioned so as to at least partially overlap with the light source in a view perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate, and the case includes a shielding wall erected on the side of the first direction that partitions the internal space toward the internal space, the shielding wall may be configured to be positioned between the light source and the incident section and the light illuminating member in a view perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] With the feature configuration shown in [1], it is possible to easily attach and detach the connector at the end of the extension cable while the adapter for mounting to the extension destination (replacement of the fixing board) is attached to the connection destination. In addition, the position of the connector is easy to see even if the lighting at the extension destination is insufficient.

[0014] With the feature configuration shown in [2], the connector unit can be removed from the adapter by pinching the first latch portion of the case and the opposite side of the first latch portion with one hand without pulling the cable.

[0015] With the characteristic configuration shown in [3], even if the engagement between the first latch or the second latch and the adapter is released due to vibration or shock, the connector unit will not detach from the adapter.

[0016] With the characteristic configuration shown in [4], it is possible to reduce the area of ​​the connector unit in the first viewing direction.

[0017] With the characteristic configuration shown in [5], the illuminated surface will not be recessed too much into the housing space, preventing insufficient illumination. In addition, since the illuminated member is fitted onto the connector, the connector can be protected from damage caused by twisting of the mating connector.

[0018] With the characteristic configuration shown in [6], it is possible to fix the light illuminating member, the light guiding member, and the substrate in the internal space, and even if the mating connector is inserted into the connector and pushed in with excessive force, the movement of the connector is prevented by the restricting wall, thus preventing the connector from being pushed in and damaged.

[0019] With the characteristic configuration shown in [7], the light emitted from the light source unit directly enters the illuminating member, making it possible to prevent uneven illumination around the connector insertion hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Perspective view 1 shows an example of a connector unit U and adapter A according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view 2 showing an example of the connector unit U and the adapter A according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view 3 showing an example of the connector unit U and the adapter A according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Perspective view 4 showing an example of the connector unit U and the adapter A according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view 1 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view 2 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view 3 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view 4 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Exploded perspective view 5 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view 6 showing an example of the connector unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view 1 showing an example of the connector unit U according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view 2 showing an example of the connector unit U according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view 3 showing an example of the connector unit U according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] Perspective view 1 showing an example of the connector unit and the adapter according to Modification 1. [Figure 15] Perspective view 2 showing an example of the connector unit and the adapter according to Modification 1. [Figure 16] Perspective view 3 showing an example of the connector unit and the adapter according to Modification 1. [Figure 17] Perspective view 4 showing an example of the connector unit and the adapter according to Modification 1. [Figure 18] Exploded perspective view 1 showing an example of the connector unit according to Modification 1. <000​ [Figure 20] Perspective view 1 shows an example of a connector unit and adapter according to modified example 2. [Figure 21] Perspective view 2 shows an example of a connector unit and adapter according to modified example 2. [Figure 22] Perspective view 3 shows an example of a connector unit and adapter according to modified example 2. [Figure 23] Perspective view 4 shows an example of a connector unit and adapter according to modified example 2. [Figure 24] Exploded perspective view 1 shows an example of a connector unit relating to modified example 2. [Figure 25] An exploded perspective view 2 shows an example of a connector unit according to modified example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below. Components having the same function will be numbered the same, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Embodiment] The following describes embodiments of the slot-in connector of this disclosure. Note that the components of the slot-in connector of this embodiment can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, number, and arrangement of the components of the slot-in connector in this embodiment and its modifications are merely examples, and can be arbitrarily modified as long as similar functions can be achieved.

[0022] The slot-in connector according to this embodiment includes a connector unit U and an adapter A. Figures 1-4 are perspective views showing an example of the connector unit U and adapter A according to this embodiment. Figures 5-10 are exploded perspective views showing an example of the connector unit U according to this embodiment. Figures 11-13 are cross-sectional views showing an example of the connector unit U according to this embodiment.

[0023] Each figure shows coordinate axes indicating the first, second, and third directions. The first direction is the Y direction, the second direction is the Z direction, and the third direction is the X direction. The second direction (Z direction) is approximately perpendicular to the first direction (Y direction), and the third direction (X direction) is approximately perpendicular to both the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (Z direction).

[0024] In the following explanation, we will refer to one side of the first direction as the Y1 side, the other side of the first direction as the Y2 side, one side of the second direction as the Z1 side, the other side of the second direction as the Z2 side, one side of the third direction as the X1 side, and the other side of the third direction as the X2 side.

[0025] The first direction (Y direction) corresponds to the insertion and removal direction for connecting and disconnecting the connector and the mating connector, as described later, and the Y1 side is the side into which the mating connector of the connector unit is inserted.

[0026] [Connector unit U and adapter A] As shown in Figures 5-10, the connector unit U comprises a connector 1, a light illuminating member 2, a light guide member 3, a substrate 4, a case 5, and a cable 6.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, the connector 1 is mounted on the substrate 4 and has an insertion hole 11 that opens to the Y1 side. The mating connector (not shown) of the connector 1 is inserted at least partially into the insertion hole 11.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, the substrate 4 has a light source unit 41. The illuminating member 2 illuminates the area around the insertion hole 11 with light incident on by a light guide member 3 that guides the light emitted from the light source unit 41.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, case 5 is composed of at least two members. For example, case 5 may be formed by combining two parts, a first case 5a and a second case 5b, or it may be composed of three or more members.

[0030] Case 5 has a main body portion 51 and a first latch portion 52 on the Z1 side surface of the main body portion 51 that elastically displaces toward the Z2 side.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the main body 51 has an internal space 511 that at least partially houses the connector 1, the illuminating member 2, the light guide member 3, the substrate 4, and the cable 6, and a first opening 5121 that at least partially exposes the illuminating member 2 to the outside of the case 5.

[0032] The first latch portion 52 is provided on the Z1 side surface of the main body portion 51 and is elastically displaced toward the Z2 side. The first latch portion 52 also has a first protrusion 521 that projects toward the Z1 side.

[0033] Case 5 may also have a second latch portion provided on the Z2-side surface of the main body portion 51, which is elastically displaced toward the Z1 side and positioned opposite the first latch portion 52. In this case, the second latch portion shall have a second protrusion that projects toward the Z2 side (both the second latch portion and the second protrusion are not shown, but can have the same shape as the first latch portion 52 and the first protrusion 521).

[0034] Furthermore, the first latch portion 52 and the second latch portion may be in the shape of a leaf spring extending toward the Y2 side, and may be formed in either the first case 5a or the second case 5b, or may be a separate component from case 5.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7, one end of the cable 6 is electrically connected to the circuit board 4, and the other end is led out to the outside of the case 5.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adapter A has a first wall A1 on the Y1 side, a pair of second walls A2 positioned opposite each other on the Z1 and Z2 sides, a pair of third walls A3 positioned opposite each other on the X1 and X2 sides, and a housing space A4 partitioned by the first wall A1, the second wall A2, and the third wall A3, with an opening on the Y2 side, which at least partially accommodates the connector unit U.

[0037] The first wall A1 has a second opening A11 that penetrates in the Y direction and exposes at least partially the illuminating member 2 to the outside of the adapter A. The number of second openings A11 may be the same as the number of connectors 1, or there may be more than the number of connectors 1.

[0038] Of the pair of second walls A2, the second wall A2 on the Z1 side opens toward the Z1 side and includes a first notch A21 that exposes at least partially the first latch portion 52 to the outside of the adapter A, and a first engaging portion A22 that engages with the first protrusion 521 on the Y1 side of the first notch A21.

[0039] The engagement between the first protrusion 521 and the first engaging portion A22 restricts the movement of the connector unit U toward the Z2 side relative to the adapter A. Furthermore, by releasing the engagement between the first protrusion 521 and the first engaging portion A22, the connector unit U can be removed from the adapter A.

[0040] Of the pair of second walls A2, the second wall A2 on the Z2 side may include a second notch A25 that opens towards the Z2 side.

[0041] Adapter A may be made of an insulating material, a conductive material, or an insulating material with a metal-plated surface.

[0042] If the main body portion 51 has a second latch portion on the Z2 side, the second notch portion A25 will expose at least a portion of the second latch portion to the outside of the adapter A. The adapter A will also have a second engaging portion that engages with the second protrusion on the Y1 side of the second notch portion A25 (the second engaging portion is not shown, but can have the same shape as the first engaging portion A22).

[0043] The first engaging portion A22 (second engaging portion) may be a recessed shape that is recessed outward from the surface of the second wall A2 on the side of the housing space A4, or it may be a hole that penetrates the second wall A2 in the second direction (Z direction).

[0044] Furthermore, the number of first engaging portions A22 (second engaging portions) may be the same as the number of first protrusions 521 (second protrusions), and there may be one or more.

[0045] If multiple first engaging portions A22 (second engaging portions) and first protrusions 521 (second protrusions) are provided, they may be formed spaced apart in the third direction (X direction).

[0046] Furthermore, the adapter A may have at least one mounting portion A23 on the second wall A2 or the third wall A3. The mounting portion A23 may be structured to fix the adapter A to the installation location by elastically displacing when the adapter A is assembled to the installation location, allowing the adapter A to move to a predetermined position at the installation location, and returning from elastic displacement when the adapter A has moved to the predetermined position.

[0047] Because adapter A has a built-in part A23, adapter A can be fixed to the installation location, so even if the mating connector is pulled in the Y1 direction, adapter A will not be pulled off the installation location by the mating connector.

[0048] [Connector 1] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connector 1 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 4. The method for mounting the connector 1 to the circuit board 4 can be a known method, such as soldering, or other methods. Furthermore, the connector 1 may be a USB (Universal Serial Bus) compliant connector, and can be a USB Type-C connector, but it may also be a HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) compliant connector or other connectors.

[0049] [Illumination component 2] The light-illuminating member 2 may be made of a transparent or translucent insulating material, and the light incident from the light-guiding member 3 may be diffused by processing its surface or by foreign matter mixed in.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the illuminating member 2 may have an illuminating base 21. The illuminating base 21 may have an illuminating through-hole 211 that penetrates in a first direction (Y direction) and fits around the insertion hole 11 of the connector 1. The illuminating base 21 may also have an illuminating surface 212 on its Y1 side that is positioned around the insertion hole 11.

[0051] In this case, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the second opening A11 of the first wall A1 of adapter A is configured to expose the illuminated surface 212 to the Y1 side. At this time, the illuminated surface 212 may be positioned flush with the first wall A1, or it may be slightly recessed (about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm) towards the Y2 side.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the illuminating member 2 may have a flange portion 22 extending in the direction opposite to the illuminating through hole 211 on the Y2 side of the illuminating base portion 21.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the flange portion 22 may have a substrate support portion 221 that is erected from the Y2 side surface and contacts the front and back surfaces of the substrate 4, respectively, to support the substrate 4. The Y2 side surface of the flange portion 22 may be in contact with or close to the Y1 side end of the substrate 4.

[0054] [Light guide member 3] The light guide member 3 may be made of a transparent insulating material and may have a light guide base 31 as shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the light guide base 31 may have a light guide through-hole 311 that penetrates in the first direction (Y direction) and fits onto the illumination base 21.

[0055] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the light guide member 3 may have an incident portion 32 into which light emitted from the light source 41 is incident. The incident portion 32 may be shaped to protrude toward Y2 from the Y2 side surface of the light guide base 31, or it may be formed as a shape recessed toward Y1 from the light guide base 31.

[0056] The incident portion 32 may be positioned in close proximity to the light source portion 41 mounted on the substrate 4, and may have an incident surface 321 facing the light source portion 41. The incident surface 321 may at least partially overlap the light source portion 41 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate 4.

[0057] The incident portion 32 may be capable of receiving light emitted from a light source 41 mounted on the substrate 1 and directing the light into the illumination base portion 21 of the illumination member 2, which is fitted from the inner surface of the light guide through hole 311 of the light guide base portion 31.

[0058] [Circuit board 4] The substrate 4 may be arranged so that its stacking direction is the same as the second direction (Z direction), or it may be arranged so that its stacking direction is the same as the third direction (X direction). As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the light source unit 41 may be mounted on the substrate 4, and the cable 6 may be electrically connected to it. The method of electrically connecting the cable 6 to the substrate 4 can be a known method, for example, soldering, using a connecting member, or by other methods.

[0059] Furthermore, the substrate 4 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, a double-sided substrate (two-layer substrate) consisting of two layers, a first surface and a second surface, or a multilayer substrate with three or more layers having an inner layer.

[0060] The connector 1 and the light source unit 41 may be mounted on the same surface or on different surfaces. The cable 6 may be electrically connected to the surface on which the connector 1 is mounted or on a different surface.

[0061] [Case 5] In Case 5, each component may be formed from an insulating material, from a conductive material, or from an insulating material with a metal-plated surface.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, the case 5 may also have a gripping portion 54 on the Z2 side of the main body portion 51. The gripping portion 54 may be at least partially exposed on the Z2 side of the second notch portion A25, or it may be a rib-shaped structure that protrudes on the Z2 side and extends in the third direction to stand upright, or it may be a shape that is recessed on the Z1 side, as long as the fingers that grip the first latch portion 52 and the fingers that grip the gripping portion 54 do not slip when the main body portion 51 is grasped with the fingers.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the main body 51 may be configured such that the length L1 in the first direction (Y direction) of the portion housed in the storage space A4 is longer than the length L2 in the second direction (Z direction) and the length L3 in the third direction (X direction), and the entire or almost the entire portion may be housed in the storage space A4.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the main body 51 may have a case first wall 512 that closes the Y1 side of the internal space 511, or, as shown in Figure 11, it may have a restricting wall 513 that is erected on the side of the internal space 511 from at least one of the Z1 side, Z2 side, X1 side, or X2 side that partitions the internal space 511.

[0065] The restrictive wall 513 may have a surface that is close to or in contact with the Y2 side of the connector 1, or it may have a surface that is close to or in contact with at least one surface on the Z1 side, Z2 side, X1 side, or X2 side of the connector 1.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the first wall 512 of the case may have a first opening 5121 that penetrates in a first direction (Y direction).

[0067] The first openings 5121 may be the same number as the connectors 1, or there may be more openings than the connectors 1, and at least partially the connectors 1 and the illuminating members 2 may be arranged there, and they may be formed spanning the first case 5a and the second case 5b.

[0068] As shown in Figures 5 and 13, a shielding wall 5122 may be provided that stands on the Y2 side of the first wall 512 of the case toward the internal space 511. The shielding wall 5122 may be configured to be positioned between the light source unit 41 and the incident unit 32 and the illuminating member 2 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate 4, or it may be formed by extending the end of the first opening 5121 toward the Y2 side.

[0069] Furthermore, the main body 51 may have vertical rib portions 514 that protrude from the side opposite to the internal space 511 and extend in the first direction (Y direction) on at least one surface on the Z1 side, Z2 side, X1 side, or X2 side. The vertical rib portions 514 may be one or more, and by changing their position and number, they may be used to prevent incorrect insertion of the connector unit U into the adapter A.

[0070] Furthermore, when case 5 is composed of multiple members, known methods can be used to assemble the members of each case 5 as a single unit. For example, they may be assembled in a so-called fixed state using a snap-fit ​​method, or the first case 5a and the second case 5b may be combined and fixed with screw members, or they may be assembled as a single unit by other methods. The direction in which the first case 5a and the second case 5b are combined may be the second direction (Z direction), or the third direction (X direction), or they may be combined in the second direction (Z direction) or the third direction (X direction) and then slid in the first direction (Y direction) to be placed in the combined position.

[0071] [Cable 6] The cable 6 may have at least one wire and a jacket made of insulating material. The at least one wire may have a conductor made of conductive material and a sheath covering the conductor, and may have multiple wires capable of performing communication and power transmission in accordance with the USB standard, and may have at least one wire capable of supplying power to the light source unit 41 of the substrate 4, separate from the multiple wires capable of performing communication and power transmission in accordance with the USB standard.

[0072] Furthermore, the cable 6 only needs to have connector 1 connected to the other connector, enabling communication with external devices (not shown, e.g., mobile terminals), power transmission, and power supply to the light source unit 41. The specifications and configuration of at least one wire are not limited. For example, it may be a coaxial cable.

[0073] Furthermore, the cable 6 may be electrically connected to the connector 1 via the circuit board 4. The method of electrically connecting the cable 6 to the circuit board 4 may be by exposing the conductor of the wire at one end of the cable 6 and soldering or welding it to a surface electrode or through-hole electrode formed on the circuit board 4, or by using connecting components such as terminals, or by other methods.

[0074] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cable 6 may have a clamping member 7 attached near the end that is electrically connected to the circuit board 4, and may be supported by the case 5 by the clamping member 7.

[0075] [Assembly method for connector unit U] The assembly method of the connector unit U according to this embodiment will now be described. First, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connector 1 and the light source unit 41 are mounted on the circuit board 4 by soldering or the like.

[0076] The conductors at the ends of the multiple wires of the cable 6 are exposed and connected to the electrodes formed on the circuit board 4 by soldering. A fastening member 7 is crimped and attached to a predetermined location on the circuit board side of the cable 6. The fastening member 7 may be attached before the soldering connection to the circuit board 4.

[0077] Next, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the illuminating member 2 is moved from the Y1 side to the Y2 side so that the illuminating through-hole 211 is fitted around the insertion hole 11 of the connector 1.

[0078] At this time, as shown in Figure 10, the surface of the illumination base 21 on the Y2 side, between the substrate support portion 221, is moved until it contacts the Y1 side end of the substrate 4. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, the light guide member 3 is moved from the Y1 side to the Y2 side so that the light guide through hole 311 is fitted onto the illumination base 21.

[0079] At this time, the light guide base 31 is moved until the Y2 side surface of the light illuminating member 2 comes into contact with the Y1 side surface of the flange portion 22.

[0080] Next, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, with the illuminating member 2 and the light guide member 3 still supported on the substrate 4, the substrate 4 is assembled into the first case 5a, and then the second case 5b is combined with the first case 5a. As a result, the movement of the illuminating member 2 toward Y1 is restricted by the light guide member 3, and the movement of the light guide member 3 toward Y2 is restricted by the substrate 4. The movement of the light guide member 3 toward Y1 is restricted by the case 5, and the movement of the light guide member 3 toward Y2 is restricted by the flange portion 22. The movement of the substrate 4 toward Y1 is restricted by the illuminating member 2, and the movement of the connector 1 toward Y2 is restricted by the restricting wall 513. Thus, the movement toward Y2 is restricted, and the connector 1, the illuminating member 2, the light guide member 3, and the substrate 4 are fixed in the internal space 511.

[0081] Furthermore, since the internal space 511 of case 5 is inhabited by wall structures other than the restricting wall 513 that supports the circuit board 4 and the fastening member 7, the circuit board 4 is fixed within the internal space 511 in the first direction (Y direction), the second direction (Z direction), and the third direction (X direction). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the assembly of the connector unit U is completed when case 5b is fixed to case 5a with screw members. Alternatively, the circuit board 4 may be assembled in the order of assembling the circuit board 4 into the second case 5b, and then combining the first case 5a with the second case 5b.

[0082] [Connection structure and insertion / removal method between connector unit U and adapter A] The connection structure between the connector unit U and the adapter A according to this embodiment, and the method for inserting and removing the connector unit U and the adapter A will be described. First, as shown in Figure 3, when the adapter A is attached to the installation location, the connector unit U is moved from the Y2 side to the Y1 side and the main body 51 is inserted into the housing space A4, the first latch portion 52 is elastically displaced toward the Z2 side, and the first protrusion 521 is housed in the housing space A4.

[0083] Furthermore, when the connector unit U is moved to the Y1 side and the Y1-side end of the connector unit U abuts against the A4-side surface of the first wall A1, the first protrusion 521 engages with the first engagement portion A22, the first latch portion 52 returns to the Z1 side, the connector unit U can no longer be moved to the Y2 side, and the connection structure between the connector unit U and the adapter A is completed.

[0084] At this time, the first protrusion 521 is exposed on the Z1 side of the first engaging portion A22 which penetrates the second wall A2 in the second direction (Z direction), the Y2 side of the first latch portion 52 is exposed at least partially on the Z1 side of the first notch portion A21, and as shown in Figure 4, the grip portion 54 is exposed at least partially on the Z2 side of the second notch portion A25.

[0085] If the knob portion 54 is replaced by a second latch portion, the second latch portion elastically displaces toward Z1 and returns to Z2 in symmetrical manner to the first latch portion 52. At the same time that the first protrusion 521 of the first latch portion 52 engages with the first engaging portion A22, the second protrusion of the second latch portion also engages with the second engaging portion on the Z2 side.

[0086] In the completed connection structure, the second protrusion is exposed on the Z2 side of the second engaging portion that penetrates the second wall A2 in the second direction (Z direction), and the Y2 side of the second latch portion is exposed on the Z2 side of the second notch A25, at least partially.

[0087] When removing the connector unit U from the adapter A, if a gripping portion 54 is provided, the adapter A can be attached to its installation location, and the first latch portion 52 and the gripping portion 54 can be grasped with the fingers to elastically displace the first latch portion 52 toward Z2, releasing the engagement between the first protrusion 521 and the first engaging portion A22. Then, while still grasping the first latch portion 52 and the gripping portion 54 with the fingers, the connector unit U can be moved toward Y2, thereby removing the connector unit U from the adapter A.

[0088] If the connector unit U has a second latch instead of a gripping portion 54, the connector unit U can be removed from the adapter A by pinching the first latch portion 52 and the second latch portion with your fingers, elastically displacing the first latch portion 52 toward Z2 to release the engagement between the first protrusion 521 and the first engaging portion A22, and simultaneously elastically displacing the second latch portion toward Z1 to release the engagement between the second protrusion and the second engaging portion, and then moving the connector unit U toward Y2 while still pinching the first latch portion 52 and the second latch portion with your fingers.

[0089] [Technical Features and Effects] The slot-in connector configured as described above exhibits the following technical characteristics and effects.

[0090] (1) Effects of the first technical feature [1] Since the illuminating member 2 illuminates the area around the insertion hole 11 of connector 1, it is possible to easily insert the mating connector even in places with insufficient lighting. Furthermore, the connector unit U can be easily attached to and detached from adapter A while it is still installed in a location with insufficient lighting, simply by displacing the first latch portion 52 with one's fingers, without using any tools or jigs.

[0091] Furthermore, the first latch portion 52 is at least partially exposed to the outside of the adapter A from the first notch portion A21, and since it is easy to grip the connector unit U at this portion and connect or disconnect it from the adapter A, from the viewpoint of providing a place to grip the connector unit U, it is not necessary to make the Y2 side end of the case 5 protrude from the housing space A4 towards the Y2 side, and the case 5 can be made smaller and shorter in the first direction (Y direction).

[0092] (2) Effects of the second technical feature [2] Without pulling on the cable 6, the connector unit U can be removed from the adapter A by pinching the first latch portion 52 of the case 5 and the opposite side of the first latch portion 52 with one hand.

[0093] Furthermore, the first latch portion 52 is at least partially located in the first notch portion A21, and the grip portion 54 is at least partially exposed on the Z2 side of the second notch portion A25. Since these are arranged opposite each other in the second direction (Z direction), it is possible to connect the connector unit U to the adapter A or disconnect it by grasping the first latch portion 52 and the grip portion 54 with the fingers of one hand. This reduces the risk of disrupting the electrical connection of the cable 6 to the circuit board 4 when attempting to pull the cable 6 while operating the first latch portion 52 with the fingers during disconnection.

[0094] (3) Effects of the third technical feature [3] The first latch portion 52 and the second latch portion are positioned opposite each other in the second direction (Z direction), and the directions of elastic displacement for releasing engagement with the adapter A are opposite. Therefore, even if the engagement of one of the latch portions, the first latch portion 52 or the second latch portion, is released due to vibration or shock, the other latch portion remains engaged, and the other latch portion returns to the engaged state. This prevents the connector unit U from inadvertently falling off the adapter A due to vibration or shock.

[0095] Furthermore, since the first latch portion 52 and the second latch portion are arranged opposite each other in the second direction (Z direction), one-handed operation is possible.

[0096] (4) Effects of the fourth technical feature [4] The main body 51 can reduce its area in the first direction (Y direction) view if the length L1 of the portion housed in the storage space A4 in the first direction (Y direction) is longer than the length L2 in the second direction (Z direction) and the length L3 in the third direction (X direction).

[0097] Furthermore, if the main body 51 is housed entirely or almost entirely in the housing space A4, when the cable 6 is pulled in a direction inclined with respect to the first direction (Y direction), it is possible to prevent the main body 51 from being twisted against the housing space A4 and damaging the adapter A.

[0098] (5) Effects of the fifth technical feature [5] The illuminating surface 212 can be prevented from recessing too far into the housing space A4, which would result in insufficient illumination around the insertion hole 11. The illuminating member 2 is fitted onto the connector 1, the illuminating member 2 is fitted onto the light guide member 3, and furthermore, the illuminating surface 212 of the illuminating member 2 is positioned in the second opening A11, thus preventing damage caused by twisting of the mating connector. The illuminating surface 212 protrudes from the second opening A11 towards the Y1 side, preventing it from interfering with people or objects and causing injury or damage to objects.

[0099] In this case, if the illuminated surface 212 is positioned at the same location as the Y1-side end of connector 1 in the first direction (Y direction), or slightly (about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm) towards the Y1 side, the resistance to twisting of the mating connector will be further improved.

[0100] Furthermore, even if the illuminated surface 212 is positioned with minimal recess from the Y1-side surface of the first wall A1 of the adapter A, that is, if the Y1-side end of the connector 1 is positioned with minimal recess from the Y1-side surface of the first wall A1, a gap will be created between the handle portion of the mating connector and the Y1-side surface of the first wall A1 when the mating connector is connected. Therefore, when attempting to remove the mating connector, the light leaking from the gap will allow the mating connector to be easily seen.

[0101] (6) Effects of the sixth technical feature [6] The light-illuminating member 2, the light-guiding member 3, and the substrate 4 are fixed in the internal space 511. At the same time, even if the mating connector is inserted into the connector 1 and pushed in with excessive force, the restricting wall 513 prevents the connector 1 from being pushed in and damaged, and prevents the electrical connection between the connector 1 and the substrate 4 from being obstructed. For example, it prevents solder peeling from occurring at the solder joint between the connector 1 and the substrate 4, which could result in an open connection.

[0102] Furthermore, since there is no need to fix the circuit board 4 in the internal space 511 using screws or the like, it contributes to simplifying and reducing the weight of the connector unit U.

[0103] (7) Effects of the seventh technical feature [7] The light emitted from the light source unit 41 is prevented from directly entering the illuminating member 2 without passing through the light guide member 3 due to light leakage, the distribution of light within the illuminating base 21 of the illuminating member 2 is kept uniform, and the illumination by the illuminating surface 212 around the insertion hole 11 of the connector 1 is kept uniform.

[0104] Furthermore, when using chip LEDs as the light source 41, there is no need to select a reflector type that has a light leakage prevention effect, so inexpensive chip LEDs can be used for the light source 41.

[0105] [Variation 1 (2 slots, arranged horizontally in the Z direction)] The slot-in connector of this disclosure may be configured such that two or more connectors 1 are spaced apart in a second direction (Z direction) and the longitudinal direction of the slots faces the Z direction. The structure of the slot-in connector according to Modification 1, in which two connectors 1 are spaced apart in a second direction (Z direction) and the longitudinal direction of the slots faces the Z direction, will be described below.

[0106] Figures 14-17 are perspective views showing an example of a connector unit and adapter according to Modification 1. Figures 18 and 19 are exploded perspective views showing an example of a connector unit according to Modification 1.

[0107] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the substrate 4 may have a stacking direction parallel to the third direction (X direction). The illuminating member 2 may be positioned with illuminating through-holes 211 fitted around the insertion holes 11 of each connector 1.

[0108] In this case, the illuminating members 2 may be separate units in the same number as the connectors 1, or they may be integrally formed and have the same number of illuminating through-holes 211 as the connectors, with each illuminating through-hole 211 fitted around the insertion hole 11 of each connector 1.

[0109] The light guide member 3 may be a separate unit in the same number as the connector 1, or it may be formed as a single unit and have the same number of light guide through-holes 311 as the connector 1, and be fitted onto the light illuminating member 2 which is fitted onto each connector 1. It may also have the same number of incident portions 32 as the number of light source portions 41.

[0110] The circuit board 4 may consist of the same number of separate components as the connector 1, with one connector 1 mounted on one circuit board 4, or multiple connectors 1 may be mounted on one circuit board 4.

[0111] The cables 6 may be electrically connected to each board 4 in the same number as the connectors 1, or one cable 6 may be electrically connected to one board 4, or the same number of cables 6 as the connectors 1 may be electrically connected to one board 4.

[0112] When one connector 1 is mounted on one circuit board 4 and one cable 6 is electrically connected, this can be treated as a circuit board assembly and can be used as a common circuit board assembly with common components with the connector unit U of the embodiment.

[0113] Furthermore, if one connector 1 is mounted on one circuit board 4, one cable 6 is electrically connected, one light-illuminating member 2 is fitted onto the connector 1, and one light-guiding member 3 is fitted onto the light-illuminating member 2, then the light-illuminating member 2 and the light-guiding member 3 can be treated as a circuit board assembly, and can be used as a common circuit board assembly with common parts to the connector unit U of the embodiment. If the stacking direction of substrate 4 is parallel to the third direction (X direction), the length of the connector unit can be shortened in the third direction (X direction).

[0114] In the embodiments described above, the second latch portion, second protrusion portion, and second engagement portion were not shown, but are shown in Figure 17 as the second latch portion 53, the second protrusion portion 531, and the second engagement portion A26.

[0115] [Variation 2 (2 slots, vertical arrangement in the Z direction)] The slot-in connector of this disclosure may be configured such that two or more connectors 1 are spaced apart in a second direction (Z direction) and the longitudinal direction of the slots faces the X direction. The structure of a modified example 2 of the slot-in connector, in which two connectors 1 are spaced apart in a second direction (Z direction) and the longitudinal direction of the slots faces the X direction, will be described below.

[0116] Figures 20-23 are perspective views showing an example of a connector unit and adapter according to Modification 2. Figures 24 and 25 are exploded perspective views showing an example of a connector unit according to Modification 2.

[0117] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the substrate 4 may have a stacking direction parallel to the second direction (Z direction). The illuminating member 2 may be positioned with illuminating through-holes 211 fitted around the insertion holes 11 of each connector 1.

[0118] In this case, the illuminating member 2 may be a separate unit in the same number as the connector 1, or it may be integrally formed and have the same number of illuminating through-holes 211 as the connector 1, with each illuminating through-hole 211 fitted around the insertion hole 11 of each connector 1.

[0119] The light guide member 3 may be a separate unit in the same number as the connector 1, or it may be formed as a single unit and have the same number of light guide through-holes 311 as the connector 1, and be fitted onto the light illuminating member 2 which is fitted onto each connector 1. It may also have the same number of incident portions 32 as the number of light source portions 41.

[0120] The circuit boards 4 are separate components, with the same number of connectors 1 as there are separate boards 4, and one connector 1 is mounted on each circuit board 4. The same number of cables 6 as there are connectors 1 are electrically connected to each circuit board 4.

[0121] When one connector 1 is mounted on one circuit board 4 and one cable 6 is electrically connected, this can be treated as a circuit board assembly and can be used as a common circuit board assembly with common components with the connector unit U of the embodiment.

[0122] Furthermore, if one connector 1 is mounted on one circuit board 4, one cable 6 is electrically connected, one light-illuminating member 2 is fitted onto the connector 1, and one light-guiding member 3 is fitted onto the light-illuminating member 2, then the light-illuminating member 2 and the light-guiding member 3 can be treated as a circuit board assembly, and can be used as a common circuit board assembly with common parts to the connector unit U of the embodiment. Since the stacking direction of substrate 4 is parallel to the second direction (Z direction), the length of the connector unit in the second direction (Z direction) can be shortened.

[0123] [Variation 3 (not shown)] The adapter for the slot-in connector of this disclosure may be integrally formed with the installation location. For example, if the installation location of the adapter is inside a vehicle, the adapter may be integrally formed with the inside of the vehicle door, the instrument panel, the center console, etc. [Industrial applicability]

[0124] The slot-in connector of this disclosure can be used, for example, as an extension port to extend the I / O port of an electronic device.

Claims

1. A slot-in connector including a connector unit and an adapter, The connector unit includes a connector, an illuminating member, a light guide member, a substrate, a case, and a cable. The connector is mounted on the substrate and includes an insertion hole that opens in a first direction into which the mating connector of the connector to be connected is at least partially inserted. The first direction is the insertion / removal direction for connecting and disconnecting the connector and the mating connector. The substrate includes a light source unit, The illuminating member illuminates the area around the insertion hole with light incident on by the light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light source unit. The aforementioned case includes a main body and a first latch portion. The main body includes an internal space that at least partially houses the connector, the light-illuminating member, the light-guiding member, the substrate, and the cable, and a first opening that at least partially exposes the light-illuminating member to the outside of the case. The first latch portion is provided on one side of the main body in the second direction and is elastically displaced toward the other side in the second direction. The first latch portion includes a first protrusion that projects to one side in the second direction, The second direction is a direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction, The cable has one end electrically connected to the circuit board and the other end extended to the outside of the case. The adapter includes a housing space that at least partially accommodates the connector unit, a second opening that at least partially exposes the illuminating member to the outside of the adapter, a first notch that opens in the second direction and at least partially exposes the first latch portion to the outside of the adapter, and a first engaging portion that engages with the first protrusion on one side of the first direction of the first notch. Slot-in connector.

2. A slot-in connector according to claim 1, The adapter includes a second notch that is positioned opposite the first notch in the second direction and opens in the second direction. Slot-in connector.

3. A slot-in connector according to claim 2, The case includes a second latch portion provided on the other side of the main body in the second direction, which is elastically displaced toward one side in the second direction and is positioned opposite to the first latch portion. The second latch portion includes a second protrusion that projects to the other side in the second direction, The second notch exposes the second latch portion to the outside of the adapter, at least partially. The adapter includes a second engaging portion that engages with the second protrusion on one side of the second notch in the first direction. Slot-in connector.

4. A slot-in connector according to claim 1, The third direction is defined as a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The length of the portion of the main body housed in the housing space in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction and the length in the third direction. Slot-in connector.

5. A slot-in connector according to claim 1, The illuminating member has an illuminating base, The illumination base includes an illumination through-hole that penetrates in the first direction and fits around the insertion hole of the connector, and an illumination surface that is positioned around the insertion hole on one side in the first direction. The second opening exposes the illuminated surface to one side in the first direction. Slot-in connector.

6. A slot-in connector according to claim 1, The illuminating member includes a flange portion on the other side of the illuminating member in the first direction, movement toward one side in the first direction is restricted by the light guide member, and movement toward the other side in the first direction is restricted by the substrate. The light guide member includes a light guide through-hole that penetrates in the first direction and fits onto the light illuminating member, and movement in one direction in the first direction is restricted by the case, and movement in the other direction in the first direction is restricted by the flange portion. The main body includes a restrictive wall erected on the side of the internal space from at least one of the surfaces in the second direction or the third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions that partition the internal space, The substrate is restricted from moving to one side in the first direction by the illuminating member. The connector is restricted from moving in the first direction to the other side by the restricting wall. Slot-in connector.

7. A slot-in connector according to claim 1, The light guide member is positioned close to the light source and includes an incident portion into which light emitted from the light source is incident. The incident portion is positioned such that, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate, it at least partially overlaps with the light source portion. The case includes a shielding wall erected on the side of the first direction that partitions the internal space, on the side of the internal space. The shielding wall is positioned between the light source unit and the incident unit and the light illuminating member when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate. Slot-in connector.

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