connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can effectively prevent water droplets from entering the housing. [Solution] The connector 10 comprises a female terminal fitting 19, a female housing 11 having a cavity 11A that accommodates at least a portion of the female terminal fitting 19, and a canopy portion 14 that covers the rear end of the cavity 11A. The canopy portion 14 extends rearward from the rear end of the cavity 11A, and the upper surface of the canopy portion 14 slopes downward toward the rear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a housing containing terminals is arranged on the surface of a substrate, and a connection portion formed on the substrate surface and a substrate connection portion of the terminals are connected by solder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the device of Patent Document 1, the substrate connection portion and the rear end portion of the housing from which the substrate connection portion is drawn out are exposed. For example, when this connector is arranged in a place where condensation may occur, it is difficult to prevent water droplets generated by condensation on the outer surface of the housing from entering the housing along the rear end surface of the housing.

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector capable of satisfactorily preventing water droplets from entering the housing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector of this disclosure includes a terminal fitting, a housing in which a cavity for accommodating at least a part of the terminal fitting is formed, a shielding portion covering the rear end portion of the cavity, and The canopy portion extends backward from the rear end of the cavity, and the upper surface of the canopy portion slopes downward backward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure makes it possible to provide a connector that can effectively prevent water droplets from entering the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the female housing from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the female housing from the rear. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the eaves and cover section from the rear. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the eaves and cover from the front. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing only the eaves portion, with the covering portion omitted. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the connector of Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The connector disclosed herein is (1) Terminal fittings and A housing having a cavity formed to accommodate at least a portion of the terminal fittings, A canopy portion covering the rear end of the cavity, Equipped with, The canopy portion extends backward from the rear end of the cavity, and the upper surface of the canopy portion slopes downward backward.

[0010] According to the configuration of (1) above, when water droplets formed by condensation on the upper surface of the housing flow onto the eaves portion, due to the upper surface of the eaves portion being inclined downward backward, they can flow in a direction away from the cavity backward. That is, according to this configuration, a configuration for preventing water droplets from entering the cavity by the eaves portion becomes possible.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, It is preferable that the housing is provided with a second eaves portion that is integrally formed with the housing, protrudes backward from the rear end portion of the housing, and covers the front end portion of the eaves portion from above.

[0012] According to the configuration of (2) above, when water droplets adhere to the upper surface of the housing and flow onto the eaves portion along the upper surface of the second eaves portion, the position where the water droplets flow down is on the upper surface of the eaves portion that is inclined downward backward, and is a position behind the front end portion. Therefore, the water droplets can be moved away from the cavity backward, and it can be made difficult for them to enter the cavity.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, It is preferable that a vertical wall portion protruding upward is provided at the front end portion of the eaves portion.

[0014] According to the configuration of (3) above, the vertical wall portion can prevent water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the eaves portion from flowing toward the cavity side.

[0015] (4) In the connector described in (3) above, It is preferable that the rear end of the second eaves portion is located behind the vertical wall portion.

[0016] According to the configuration of (4) above, the vertical wall portion can surely prevent water droplets flowing down from the upper surface of the second eaves portion to the upper surface of the eaves portion from flowing toward the cavity side.

[0017] (5) In the connector described in any one of (1) to (4) above, The housing includes a covering portion which is integrally provided with the aforementioned awning portion, covers the awning portion from above, and covers the rear end of the housing from above, The upper surface of the housing is provided with an upwardly protruding locking projection. The cover portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the locking projection, It is preferable that the portion where the locking portion and the locking projection engage is in an exposed state.

[0018] According to the configuration of (5) above, the cover allows the locking part and locking projection to be positioned above the housing, and furthermore, since the locking part between the locking part and the locking projection is exposed when locked, when an operator attaches the cover while looking down at the housing from above, it is easy for the operator to see whether or not the locking part and locking projection are locked.

[0019] (6) In any of the connectors described in (1) to (5) above, The housing is attached to a flexible circuit board, Preferably, the portion of the flexible substrate behind the overhang portion extends in a downward and backward inclined direction.

[0020] According to the configuration described in (6) above, water droplets adhering to the eaves flow down the eaves and, once they reach a portion of the flexible substrate behind the eaves, flow backward away from the housing. This prevents water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the eaves or the upper surface of the second eaves from entering the cavity from the rear end surface of the housing.

[0021] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be included in the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 of the connector of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 comprises a flexible substrate 13, a female housing 11 which is a housing, a female terminal fitting 19 which is a terminal fitting, a visor portion 14, and a cover portion 15.

[0023] In this embodiment 1, the front, rear, top, bottom, right, and left sides are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L" in the figure. In the following description, the direction in which the female housing 11 and the mating housing (not shown) fit together is defined as the fitting direction (front-to-back direction). In this embodiment 1, the left-to-right direction corresponds to the width direction and is the direction that intersects the fitting direction.

[0024] [Flexible circuit board configuration] The flexible circuit board 13 is made of what is known as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The flexible circuit board 13 has flexibility (deformability) that allows it to be easily deformed when subjected to external forces. Multiple wiring patterns (not shown) are provided on one surface of the flexible circuit board 13. As shown in Figure 1, the ends of each wiring pattern are exposed and formed as multiple soldering surfaces 13A. These soldering surfaces 13A are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction). The connection portion 19E of the female terminal fitting 19, which will be described later, is connected to these soldering surfaces 13A by solder. In the left and right regions of the soldering surfaces 13A on the flexible circuit board 13, there is one fixing surface 13B to which the fixing fitting 16, which will be described later, is soldered and fixed. A reinforcing plate 13C is attached to the other surface of the flexible circuit board 13. The reinforcing plate 13C is thicker than the flexible circuit board 13 and does not easily deform when subjected to external forces. In other words, the reinforcing plate 13C has the function of preventing the flexible substrate 13 from being unintentionally deformed.

[0025] [Female housing configuration] The female housing 11 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the female housing 11 is a horizontally elongated block shape, with its left-right dimension being larger than its up-down dimension. Inside the female housing 11, multiple cavities 11A extending in the front-to-back direction are formed in the width direction (left-to-right direction). A female terminal fitting 19, which will be described later, is inserted and attached to each cavity 11A from the rear (see Figure 8).

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the female housing 11 is provided with a terminal housing portion 11B that is wide in the left-right direction and protrudes forward in a block shape. A cavity 11A is formed in the terminal housing portion 11B. A pair of locking claws 11C are provided at the front end of the upper surface of the terminal housing portion 11B, protruding upward and arranged in the left-right direction.

[0027] The female housing 11 is provided with a covering wall portion 11D that surrounds the lower surface and both left and right sides of the terminal housing portion 11B. An insertion groove 11E that is open to the front is formed between the inner surface of the covering wall portion 11D and the outer surface (lower surface and both left and right sides) of the terminal housing portion 11B. The hood portion of the mating housing (not shown) is inserted into the insertion groove 11E.

[0028] On the left and right outer sides of the covering wall portion 11D, recesses 11F are formed that are recessed inward in the left and right direction. One fixing bracket 16 is attached to each recess 11F (see Figure 7).

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, a pair of projections 11G are provided at both the left and right ends of the rear end of the female housing 11, projecting backward. A groove 11H is formed on the left and right inner surface of each projection 11G, recessed outward in the left and right direction and extending in the front and rear direction. The rear end of the groove 11H is open to the rear. A housing-side visor 11J, a second visor formed to connect the pair of projections 11G, is provided at the upper end edge of the rear end of the terminal housing 11B, projecting backward. The housing-side visor 11J is located above the upper end of the cavity 11A and is integrally formed with the female housing 11, projecting backward from the rear end of the terminal housing 11B of the female housing 11 (see Figure 8). A receiving portion 11K is formed to connect the pair of projections 11G, extending in the left and right direction, and projecting backward from the lower end edge of the rear end of the terminal housing 11B. The receiving portion 11K is located below the lower end of the cavity 11A.

[0030] On the upper surface of the housing side visor portion 11J, one downward-facing first recess 11L is formed at both the left and right ends. On the upper surface of the housing side visor portion 11J, one downward-facing second recess 11M is formed at the center in the left and right direction. Each first recess 11L is provided with one upward-facing lock projection 11N. The rear side of the lock projection 11N is inclined so that its height decreases towards the rear.

[0031] [Configuration of female terminal fittings] The female terminal fitting 19 is formed by punching and bending a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape. As shown in Figure 1, the female terminal fitting 19 has a rectangular tubular box portion 19A extending in the front-rear direction, a lead 19B, a bent portion 19D, and a connecting portion 19E.

[0032] A tab of a male terminal fitting (not shown) is inserted into the box portion 19A from the front. An elastic contact piece (not shown) is arranged inside the box portion 19A. When the tab is inserted into the box portion 19A from the front, the elastic contact piece elastically contacts the tab, and the male terminal fitting and the female terminal fitting 19 are electrically connected. The box portion 19A is provided with retaining protrusions 19C that project outward in the left and right directions.

[0033] The female terminal fitting 19 is inserted into the cavity 11A from the rear. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the front end of the box portion 19A is inserted into the rear end of the cavity 11A. At this time, the box portion 19A is inserted into the cavity 11A while the retaining projection 19C bites into the inner surfaces on both the left and right sides of the cavity 11A. The insertion operation of the female terminal fitting 19 into the cavity 11A is stopped when the front end of the box portion 19A comes into contact with the inner surface of the front end of the cavity 11A and is stopped at the front. The retaining projection 19C biting into the inner surface of the cavity 11A prevents the female terminal fitting 19 from coming out of the cavity 11A. The cavity 11A houses the box portion 19A, which is at least a part of the female terminal fitting 19.

[0034] The lead 19B extends in a strip-like shape backward from the rear end of the lower wall portion of the box portion 19A. The thickness direction of the lead 19B is oriented in the vertical direction. When the female terminal fitting 19 is inserted into the cavity 11A, the lead 19B protrudes to the rear of the cavity 11A.

[0035] The bent portion 19D is connected to the rear end of the lead 19B and extends downward in a strip shape. The thickness direction of the bent portion 19D is oriented in the front-to-back direction. The connecting portion 19E is connected to the tip (lower end) of the bent portion 19D and extends backward in a strip shape. The thickness direction of the connecting portion 19E is oriented in the up-and-down direction.

[0036] A female housing 11, with one female terminal fitting 19 inserted into each cavity 11A and a pair of fixing fittings 16 attached, is mounted on the flexible circuit board 13. Specifically, the connection portion 19E of each lead 19B is soldered in contact with the soldering surface 13A. At the same time, the lower end surfaces of the pair of fixing fittings 16 are soldered in contact with the respective fixing surfaces 13B. In this way, the female housing 11 is mounted on the flexible circuit board 13.

[0037] [Structure of the canopy] The canopy portion 14 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the canopy portion 14 is integrally formed with the cover portion 15, which will be described later. The canopy portion 14 is attached to the rear end of the female housing 11 (see Figures 7 and 8). The canopy portion 14 is a flat plate with its thickness direction oriented vertically and extends horizontally (see Figure 6). Vertical wall portions 14A are continuously provided projecting upward from the front end and both left and right ends of the canopy portion 14. A hanging wall portion 14B extends downward from the left end to the right end of the rear edge of the canopy portion 14. The upper surface of the canopy portion 14 slopes downward toward the rear (see Figure 8).

[0038] [Construction of the cover] The covering portion 15 is a flat plate with its thickness oriented vertically and extends horizontally. The covering portion 15 is positioned to cover the eaves portion 14 from above, with a gap between them (see Figure 8). Connecting wall portions 15A are provided at both left and right ends of the covering portion 15, extending downward in a series and with their thickness oriented horizontally. The rear end edge of each connecting wall portion 15A is connected to the left and right end edges of the hanging wall portion 14B.

[0039] Each connecting wall portion 15A is provided with a rib 15B that protrudes outward in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction. At both left and right ends of the front edge of the cover portion 15, there is a rectangular lock portion 15C that extends forward. At the left-right center of the front edge of the cover portion 15, there is an extension portion 15D that extends forward and is rectangular in shape. The plate thickness dimension (vertical dimension) of the lock portion 15C is formed to be thinner than the plate thickness dimension of the cover portion 15 (see Figure 5). The upper surface of the lock portion 15C is flush with the upper surface of the cover portion 15. Each lock portion 15C has one through hole 15E that penetrates through in the vertical direction.

[0040] [Regarding the attachment of the canopy and cover to the female housing] When attaching the integrally formed canopy portion 14 and cover portion 15 to the female housing 11, the canopy portion 14 and cover portion 15 are positioned so that the locking portion 15C and the extension portion 15D protrude forward, and are brought into contact with the female housing 11 from the rear. At this time, each rib 15B is inserted into each groove portion 11H from the rear (see Figure 7). Then, as the canopy portion 14 and cover portion 15 are moved forward in parallel while aligning each rib 15B along each groove portion 11H, each locking portion 15C enters each first recess portion 11L from the rear, and the extension portion 15D enters the second recess portion 11M from the rear (see Figure 7).

[0041] Furthermore, when the awning portion 14 and the cover portion 15 are moved forward, each locking portion 15C is pushed up by each locking projection 11N and elastically deforms, and then elastically returns to its original position when each locking projection 11N enters each through hole 15E. In this way, the pair of locking projections 11N and the pair of locking portions 15C are locked together. This completes the attachment of the awning portion 14 and the cover portion 15 to the female housing 11. At this time, the rear end edge of the reinforcing plate 13C of the flexible substrate 13 is located in the center of the hanging wall portion 14B in the front-rear direction (see Figure 8). With the awning portion 14 and the cover portion 15 attached to the female housing 11, the area where the pair of locking projections 11N and the pair of locking portions 15C are locked together is exposed upward (see Figure 7).

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, when the canopy portion 14 and the cover portion 15 are attached to the female housing 11, the front end of the canopy portion 14 is positioned below the housing-side canopy portion 11J. In other words, the housing-side canopy portion 11J covers the front end of the canopy portion 14 from above. The canopy portion 14 also covers the rear end of the cavity 11A from behind and is positioned to extend rearward from the rear end of the cavity 11A. The rear end of the housing-side canopy portion 11J is positioned behind the vertical wall portion 14A that rises from the front edge of the canopy portion 14. The pair of locking portions 15C and extension portions 15D of the cover portion 15 cover the rear end of the female housing 11 from above (see Figure 7). In other words, the cover portion 15 covers the canopy portion 14 from above and also covers the rear end of the female housing 11 from above.

[0043] For example, the flexible substrate 13 is mounted with its surface facing vertically and the reinforcing plate 13C facing downwards relative to the mounting position inside the vehicle. When the flexible substrate 13 is mounted to the mounting position inside the vehicle, the portion of the flexible substrate 13 behind the rear edge of the reinforcing plate 13C is shaped to extend in a downward and rearward inclination. The portion of the flexible substrate 13 located behind the eaves portion 14 extends in a downward and rearward inclination.

[0044] For example, as shown in Figure 8, some of the water droplets that condense and adhere to the upper surface of the female housing 11 can flow backward through the gap with the cover portion 15 (see the thick solid arrow in Figure 8). These water droplets then flow backward along the housing-side eaves portion 11J, down behind the vertical wall portion 14A of the eaves portion 14, flow backward due to the slope of the upper surface of the eaves portion 14, and flow down along the hanging wall portion 14B to reach the flexible substrate 13. The portion of the flexible substrate 13 located behind the eaves portion 14 extends with a slope downward and backward, so the water droplets that reach the flexible substrate 13 flow backward down the flexible substrate 13. In this way, the water droplets adhering to the female housing 11 are prevented from entering the cavity 11A.

[0045] The mating housing is fitted into the terminal housing portion 11B from the front. For example, by providing a sealing member on the inner surface of the hood of the mating housing that is in close contact with the outer surface of the terminal housing portion 11B, it is possible to prevent water droplets from entering the cavity 11A from the front end of the terminal housing portion 11B.

[0046] As described above, the connector 10 comprises a female terminal fitting 19, a female housing 11 having a cavity 11A that accommodates at least a portion of the female terminal fitting 19, and a canopy portion 14 that covers the rear end of the cavity 11A. The canopy portion 14 extends rearward from the rear end of the cavity 11A, and the upper surface of the canopy portion 14 slopes downward toward the rear.

[0047] With this configuration, if water droplets formed by condensation on the upper surface of the female housing 11 flow to the eaves, the upper surface of the eaves 14 is sloped downward toward the rear, allowing the water droplets to flow away from the cavity 11A toward the rear. In other words, with this configuration, the eaves 14 can prevent water droplets from entering the cavity 11A.

[0048] The female housing 11 is provided with a housing-side visor portion 11J that is integrally formed with the female housing 11 and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the terminal housing portion 11B of the female housing 11, covering the front end of the visor portion 14 from above. With this configuration, when water droplets adhere to the upper surface of the female housing 11 and these droplets flow down the upper surface of the housing-side visor portion 11J to the visor portion 14, the position where the water droplets flow down is behind the front end of the upper surface of the visor portion 14, which slopes downward in a rearward direction. This allows the water droplets to be moved away from the cavity 11A in a rearward direction, making it difficult for them to enter the cavity 11A.

[0049] The front end of the canopy portion 14 is provided with an upwardly projecting vertical wall portion 14A. With this configuration, the vertical wall portion 14A prevents water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the canopy portion 14 from flowing towards the cavity 11A.

[0050] The rear end of the housing-side eaves portion 11J is located behind the vertical wall portion 14A. With this configuration, the vertical wall portion 14A reliably prevents water droplets that have flowed from the upper surface of the housing-side eaves portion 11J to the upper surface of the eaves portion 14 from flowing towards the cavity 11A.

[0051] The connector 10 is integrally provided with the visor portion 14 and includes a cover portion 15 that covers the visor portion 14 from above and the rear end of the female housing 11 from above. The upper surface of the female housing 11 is provided with an upwardly projecting locking projection 11N. The cover portion 15 is provided with a locking portion 15C that engages with the locking projection 11N. The portion where the locking portion 15C and the locking projection 11N engage is exposed when engaged. With this configuration, the cover portion 15 allows the locking portion 15C and the locking projection 11N to be positioned above the female housing 11, and furthermore, since the engagement portion between the locking portion 15C and the locking projection 11N is exposed when engaged, when an operator attaches the cover portion 15 while looking down at the female housing 11 from above, it is easy for the operator to visually confirm whether the locking portion 15C and the locking projection 11N are engaged or not.

[0052] The connector 10 includes a flexible substrate 13 to which the female housing 11 is attached. The portion of the flexible substrate 13 behind the visor portion 14 is inclined downward and backward. With this configuration, water droplets adhering to the visor portion 14 flow down the visor portion 14 and, once they fall onto the portion of the flexible substrate 13 behind the visor portion 14, flow backward away from the female housing 11. This prevents water droplets adhering to the upper surface of the visor portion 14 or the upper surface of the housing-side visor portion 11J from entering the cavity 11A from the rear end surface of the female housing 11.

[0053] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0054] Unlike Embodiment 1, the terminal fitting may be a male terminal fitting, and the female housing may be replaced with a male housing.

[0055] Unlike Embodiment 1, the cover portion may be omitted, the lock portion may be provided on the left-right outer side of each connecting wall portion, and the lock projection may be provided on the left-right inner side of the pair of protruding portions.

[0056] Unlike Embodiment 1, the configuration may be one in which a vertical wall is not provided in the eaves section.

[0057] Unlike Embodiment 1, the flexible substrate does not need to be tilted backward and downward; it may be in a form that extends backward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: Connector 11: Female housing (housing) 11A: Cavity 11B: Terminal housing section 11C: Locking claw 11D: Covering wall section 11E: Insertion groove 11F: Recess 11G:Protrusion 11H:Groove 11J: Housing side canopy section (second canopy section) 11K: Receiving part 11L: First recess 11M: Second depression 11N: Locking protrusion 13: Flexible circuit board 13A: Soldering surface 13B:Fixed surface 13C: Reinforcement plate 14: Eaves 14A: Vertical wall section 14B: Hanging wall part 15: Covering part 15A: Connecting wall part 15B: Rib 15C: Lock part 15D: Extension part 15E: Through hole 16: Fixing hardware 19: Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 19A: Hakobe 19B: Lead 19C: Retaining projection 19D: Bent part 19E: Connection part

Claims

1. Terminal fittings and A housing having a cavity formed to accommodate at least a portion of the terminal fittings, A canopy portion covering the rear end of the cavity, Equipped with, The connector wherein the awning extends backward from the rear end of the cavity, and the upper surface of the awning slopes downward backward.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a second visor portion that is integrally formed with the housing and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the housing, covering the front end of the visor portion from above.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the front end of the canopy portion is provided with a vertical wall portion that protrudes upward.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the rear end of the second canopy portion is located behind the vertical wall portion.

5. The housing includes a covering portion which is integrally provided with the aforementioned awning portion, covers the awning portion from above, and covers the rear end of the housing from above, The upper surface of the housing is provided with an upwardly protruding locking projection. The cover portion is provided with a locking portion that engages with the locking projection, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the portion where the locking portion and the locking projection engage is engaged in an exposed state.

6. The housing is attached to a flexible circuit board, The connector according to claim 2, wherein the portion of the flexible substrate behind the overhang extends in a downward and backward inclined direction.

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