Connector device

Abstract

To provide a connector device that can increase resistance to externally applied forces. [Solution] The present invention includes a cable connector 200 and a board connector 300 configured to be mated with each other. The cable connector 200 has a housing 201, a mounting portion 202 provided on the housing 201 to which a cable S is attached, and a protrusion 205 provided on the housing 201 that protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the direction in which the cable S is attached to the mounting portion 202 is considered the first direction. The board connector 300 has a housing 301, an engaging portion 306 provided on the housing 301 to which the protrusion 205 engages in the first direction, and a reinforcing bracket 304 provided on the housing 301. The reinforcing bracket 304 has a first portion 304A that is mounted on a circuit board A, and the first portion 304A includes a portion that overlaps with the protrusion 205 in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a connector device for electrically connecting a cable and a circuit board has been widely known. For example, in the connector device described in Patent Document 1, a cable support portion is reinforced by a metal inner shell member. As a result, while reducing the height of the cable connector device, it is possible to support a plurality of cables by the cable support portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional connector device, there is a risk that the connector device may be damaged due to an external force such as when the cable is pulled.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector device capable of enhancing resistance to an external force.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A connector device that solves the above problem includes a first connector and a second connector configured to be mated with each other, the first connector having a first housing, a mounting portion provided on the first housing to which a cable is attached, and a protrusion provided on the first housing that protrudes in a second direction intersecting the first direction when the direction in which the cable is attached to the mounting portion is the first direction, the second connector having a second housing, an engaging portion provided on the second housing to which the protrusion engages in the first direction, and a reinforcing fitting provided on the second housing, the reinforcing fitting having a mounting portion that is mounted on a circuit board, the mounting portion including a portion that overlaps with the protrusion in the second direction.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the first connector and the second connector are mated together, and the cable is pulled from the mounting portion of the first connector, stress is applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engaging portion of the second connector in the direction of cable mounting. In this case, the mounting portion of the second connector receives the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector at a location where the protrusion and the reinforcing fitting overlap in a direction intersecting the cable mounting direction. This increases the resistance of the connector device to external forces.

[0008] (2) In the connector device described in (1) above, it is preferable that the second housing has a buffer portion interposed between the engaging portion and the reinforcing fitting.

[0009] With the above configuration, the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engagement portion of the second connector is buffered by the buffer portion of the second housing. This further enhances the resistance of the connector device to external forces.

[0010] (3) In the connector device described in (2) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing bracket and the second housing are constructed by insert molding.

[0011] With the above configuration, the reinforcing bracket and the second housing are in close contact without any gaps, so that the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engagement portion of the second connector is suitably buffered by the buffer portion of the second housing. This further enhances the resistance of the connector device to external forces.

[0012] (4) In the connector device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing fitting includes a portion that is bent or curved in a convex shape in the direction of engagement of the protrusion with respect to the engaging portion.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the reinforcing bracket against stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engagement portion of the second connector is increased. This further enhances the resistance of the connector device to externally applied forces.

[0014] (5) In the connector device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing fitting includes a portion that overlaps with the engaging portion in the first direction.

[0015] With the above configuration, the stress applied from the protrusion of the first connector to the engagement portion of the second connector is absorbed by the reinforcing bracket. This further enhances the resistance of the connector device to external forces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, resistance to externally applied forces can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a cable connector. [Figure 3] This is a side view of a cable connector. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a circuit board connector. [Figure 5]It is a perspective view of a board connector. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of a board connector. [Figure 7] It is a sectional view taken along the arrow VII-VII line in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view taken along the arrow VIII-VIII line in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] It is a sectional view taken along the arrow IX-IX line in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of a connector device. [Figure 11] It is a sectional view taken along the arrow XI-XI line in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the fitting process of the connector device from the state shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a sectional view taken along the arrow XIII-XIII line in FIG. 10. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the fitting process of the connector device from the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the connector device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the connector device will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, for the convenience of understanding the description in the specification, the depth direction of the connector device will be described as the X-axis direction, the width direction of the connector device will be described as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the connector device will be described as the Z-axis direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 100 of the present embodiment is composed of a cable connector 200 as an example of a first connector and a board connector 300 as an example of a second connector configured to be fitted with the cable connector 200.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cable connector 200 includes a housing 201 as an example of a first housing that is a hollow, substantially rectangular box shape that extends long in the X-axis direction, a mounting portion 202 provided on the longitudinal end face of the housing 201, and a terminal 203 housed in the mounting portion 202 to which one end of the cable S is electrically connected. The mounting portions 202 are provided in parallel in one direction corresponding to the number of cables S connected to the cable connector 200, and are configured so that the cables S can be attached in the X-axis direction. In the example shown in the figures, the cable connector 200 is shown as one to which two cables S are attached, but it may also be one to which one or three or more cables S are attached.

[0021] On the housing 201, a slit-shaped terminal insertion portion 204 is provided on the surface facing the board connector 300 in the Z-axis direction. The terminal insertion portions 204 are provided in pairs, spaced apart in the Y-axis direction from the X-axis end of the housing 201. The pair of terminal insertion portions 204 are positioned symmetrically in the Y-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis central position of the housing 201. The terminal insertion portions 204 penetrate the lower wall of the housing 201 in the Z-axis direction and communicate with the mounting portion 202 through a space extending in the X-axis direction inside the housing 201. During the process of mating the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300, the terminal 302 of the board connector 300, described later, is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 204 of the housing 201 of the cable connector 200 and electrically connected to the terminal 203 of the cable connector 200.

[0022] On both sides 201a of the housing 201 in the Y-axis direction, there are protrusions 205 that project outward in the Y-axis direction. These pair of protrusions 205 have a first portion 205A that is rectangular in side view and extends linearly in the Z-axis direction, and a second portion 205B that is trapezoidal in side view and extends gradually from the Z-axis end of the first portion 205A in the X-axis direction, tapering in the Z-axis direction. The side surface of the first portion 205A and the tip surface of the second portion 205B are flush, and the amount of protrusion in the Y-axis direction of the first portion 205A and the second portion 205B from the side surface 201a of the housing 201 is equal to that of the other. The second portion 205B of the protrusion 205 engages with the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300, which will be described later, in the X-axis direction.

[0023] A locking claw 206 is provided on the side 201a located in the center in the X-axis direction of the housing 201, projecting outward in the Y-axis direction. When the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together, the tips of these locking claws 206 engage with a part of the board connector 300, thereby locking the mated state of the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300.

[0024] An operating section 207 is provided at the X-axis end of the housing 201. When the user lifts the operating section 207 upward and tilts the cable connector 200 in the X-axis direction, the locking claw 206 on the board connector 300 is released, and the mating lock between the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 is released.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the board connector 300 is a connector mounted on a circuit board A and has a housing 301 as an example of a second housing that is substantially U-shaped in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. The housing 301 includes a first side wall portion 301A, a second side wall portion 301B, and a third side wall portion 301C. The first side wall portion 301A is located in the center of the housing 301 in the Y-axis direction. The second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C are located on both sides of the housing 301 in the Y-axis direction. A terminal 302 is provided on the first side wall portion 301A. An insertion portion 303 is provided on each of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C into which the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is inserted. When the portion of the second side wall 301B and the third side wall 301C connected to the first side wall 301A is considered the base end, reinforcing fittings 304 are provided at the respective ends of the second side wall 301B and the third side wall 301C. On the surface of the housing 301 facing the cable connector 200 in the Z-axis direction, a recess 305 is provided in which the housing 201 of the cable connector 200 is accommodated.

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, the insertion portion 303 is provided in a position corresponding to the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the X-axis direction. The insertion portion 303 is configured to allow the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 to be inserted when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together. The insertion portion 303 is configured to penetrate the housing 301 in the Z-axis direction. The insertion portion 303 has a stepped shape and includes a first portion 303A, a second portion 303B, and a third portion 303C. The first portion 303A extends linearly in the Z-axis direction from the upper surfaces of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, respectively. The second portion 303B extends linearly at an angle to the Z-axis direction from the lower end of the first portion 303A toward the tips of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, respectively. The third portion 303C extends linearly in the Z-axis direction from the lower end of the second portion 303 and opens to the lower surfaces of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, respectively. The end faces on the tip side of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C in the second portion 301B are inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the respective tips of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C. These inclined surfaces function as engaging portions 306 into which the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 engages in the X-axis direction. The end faces on the base side of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C in the second portion 301B are inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the respective tips of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C. This inclined surface functions as a guide surface 307 that, when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together, causes the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 to slide toward the respective ends of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C, thereby positioning the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 while moving them relative to each other in the X-axis direction.

[0027] The reinforcing bracket 304 is formed by bending a metal plate and has a predetermined width dimension in the Y-axis direction. In a side view from the Y-axis direction, the reinforcing bracket 304 is crank-shaped and includes a first portion 304A extending linearly in the X-axis direction, a second portion 304B extending linearly from the first portion 304A in the Z-axis direction, and a third portion 304C extending linearly from the second portion 304B in the X-axis direction. The first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 is exposed from the housing 301, and its lower surface is flush with the lower surface of the housing 301. Therefore, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 functions as a mounting part that is mounted on the circuit board A when the board connector 300 is mounted on the circuit board A. The reinforcing bracket 304 includes a portion 304S at the boundary between the second portion 304B and the third portion 304C, which is bent convexly in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 with respect to the engaging portion 306 (a direction perpendicular to the engaging portion 306 and toward the reinforcing bracket 304 from the engaging portion 306). The reinforcing bracket 304 may also include a portion at the boundary between the second portion 304B and the third portion 304C, which is curved convexly in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 with respect to the engaging portion 306. As a result, the rigidity of the reinforcing bracket 304 against stress acting in the engagement direction of the protrusion 205 with respect to the engaging portion 306 is increased when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engaging portion 306 of the circuit board connector 300. The reinforcing bracket 304 is insert-molded into the housing 301 together with the terminal 302 and is tightly fitted to the housing 301 without any gaps. Therefore, the housing 301 has a buffer portion 308 interposed between the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300 and the third portion 304C of the reinforcing bracket 304. The buffer portion 308 plays a role in buffering the transmission of stress from the protrusion 205 acting on the engaging portion 306 to the reinforcing bracket 304 when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300. The third portion 304C of the reinforcing bracket 304 includes a portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300 in the X-axis direction. At least a part of the portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300 in the X-axis direction overlaps with the engaging portion 306 in the direction in which the protrusion 205 engages with the engaging portion 306.As a result, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing fitting 304 is more likely to be located on the stress propagation path from the protrusion 205 to the engaging portion 306, thereby effectively buffering the transmission of such stress to the reinforcing fitting 304. In this embodiment, the buffer portion 308 was described as being configured as part of the housing 301, but instead of this, or in addition to this, the buffer portion 308 may be made of a separate material from the housing 301, such as an elastic material.

[0028] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first side wall portion 301A of the housing 301 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. The upper surface of the first side wall portion 301A abuts against the housing 201 of the cable connector 200 when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, positioning the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 in the Y-axis direction. The terminal 302 is held in the first side wall portion 301A and protrudes in the Z-axis direction from two positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The terminal 302 is integrally molded with the housing 301 together with the reinforcing bracket 304 by insert molding. Two recesses 310 are provided on the upper surfaces of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C of the housing 301. An opening is formed on the inner side of each of the two recesses 310, and the reinforcing bracket 304 is exposed to the outside of the housing 301 through this opening. Each recess 310 is a location where a rod-shaped jig (not shown) was inserted to support the reinforcing bracket 304 and position it relative to the housing 301 during insert molding of the reinforcing bracket 304 and the housing 301. Each recess 310 is formed as a space after the jig has been removed from the housing 301 following insert molding.

[0029] Next, the operation of the connector device 100 in this embodiment will be described, with particular attention paid to the operation when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together.

[0030] As shown in Figure 10, in the state after the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is inserted into the insertion portion 303 of the board connector 300 and engages with the engagement portion 306, and the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are positioned in the X-axis direction. The first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 includes a portion S2 that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 may overlap with the entire protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. Alternatively, it may partially overlap with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 only needs to include a portion that overlaps with the engagement portion 306 of the board connector 300 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 does not necessarily have to have a constant dimension in the Y-axis direction, and may include both a wide portion and a narrow portion in the Y-axis direction. In this case, at least the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 that is mounted on the circuit board A must overlap with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. Also, if a part of the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 is mounted on the circuit board A, at least the portion of the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 that is mounted on the circuit board A must overlap with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 may extend in a direction that intersects the Y-axis direction at an angle. In this case as well, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 of the board connector 300 only needs to include a portion that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction.

[0031] Here, as shown in Figure 11, when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 faces the inner surface of the insertion portion 303 of the board connector 300 in the Z-axis direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 12, when the cable connector 200 approaches the board connector 300 in the Z-axis direction, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 contacts the guide surface 307 of the insertion portion 303 of the board connector 300. As the cable connector 200 approaches the board connector 300 further in the Z-axis direction, the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 slides toward the tips of the second side wall portion 301B and the third side wall portion 301C of the board connector 300 relative to the guide surface 307 of the board connector 300. In this case, the cable connector 200 is positioned in the Y-axis direction while moving relative to the board connector 300 in the Y-axis direction, and the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together. Note that when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together, there is a gap between the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 and the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, when the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, the upper surface of the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 faces the guide portion 208 of the cable connector 200 in the Z-axis direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 14, when the cable connector 200 approaches the board connector 300 in the Z-axis direction, the upper surface of the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 slides toward the X-axis end of the cable connector 200 relative to the guide surface 208 of the cable connector 200. In the state after the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, the upper surface of the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 and the guide portion 208 of the board connector 300 are in close contact without any gaps. That is, in the state after the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated, the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 positions the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 in the Y-axis direction.

[0035] Next, the operation of the connector device 100 of this embodiment will be explained, with particular attention to its operation when the cable S is pulled while the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together.

[0036] As shown in Figure 15, when the cable S is pulled in the Z-axis direction from a state in which the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 are mated together, the gap between the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 and the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300 functions as a margin space that allows relative movement between the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300, and the cable connector 200 tilts in the X-axis direction with the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 as the pivot point. The protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 then engages with the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300 in the circumferential direction around the Y-axis with the first side wall portion 301A of the board connector 300 as the pivot point, and is positioned in the Z-axis direction relative to the engaging portion 306 of the board connector 300.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first portion 304A of the reinforcing bracket 304 includes a portion S2 that overlaps with the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the portion S2 of the reinforcing bracket 304, which is mounted on the circuit board A, is positioned to overlap with the protrusion 205 in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the cable S, thereby suitably receiving the stress applied from the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200. As a result, when the cable S is pulled, the posture of the cable connector 200 is prevented from tilting more than a predetermined angle with respect to the direction in which the cable S is pulled, and a stable mating state between the cable connector 200 and the board connector 300 is maintained. Therefore, the resistance of the connector device 100 to external forces is increased.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a buffer portion 308 is interposed between the third portion 304C of the reinforcing bracket 304 and the engaging portion 306 of the circuit board connector 308. The buffer portion 308 buffers the transmission of stress acting from the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 to the engaging portion 306 of the circuit board connector 300 when the protrusion 205 of the cable connector 200 is engaged with the engaging portion 306 of the circuit board connector 300 to the reinforcing bracket 304. Therefore, the resistance of the connector device 100 to externally applied forces is further enhanced. In particular, in this embodiment, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing bracket 304 includes a portion S1 that overlaps with the engaging portion 306 of the circuit board connector 300 in the X-axis direction. As a result, the third portion 304C of the reinforcing bracket 304 is more likely to be located on the stress transmission path from the protrusion 205 to the engaging portion 306 as described above, and the transmission of such stress to the reinforcing bracket 304 is suitably buffered.

[0039] It should be noted that the individual embodiments of the present invention are not independent but can be combined and implemented as appropriate. For example, in this embodiment, the reinforcing bracket 304 was described as being insert-molded into the housing 301, but instead, it may be fixed to the housing 301 by press-fitting. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are illustrative examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100... Connector device, 200... Cable connector as an example of a first connector, 202... Mounting part, 205... Protrusion, 300... Board connector as an example of a second connector, 304... Reinforcement fitting, 304A... First part as an example of a mounting part, 306... Engaging part, 308... Buffer part, S... Cable.

Claims

1. Includes a first connector and a second connector configured to be matable with respect to each other, The first connector is, The first enclosure and The first housing is provided with a mounting portion to which a cable is attached, A protrusion is provided on the first housing, and when the direction in which the cable is attached to the mounting portion is the first direction, the protrusion is located in a second direction that intersects the first direction, It has, The second connector is, The second cabinet and An engaging portion provided on the second housing, in which the protrusion engages in the first direction, Reinforcement fittings provided on the second housing, It has, The reinforcing bracket has a mounting portion that is mounted on the circuit board, The mounting portion includes a portion that overlaps with the protrusion in the second direction, Connector device.

2. The second housing has a buffer portion interposed between the engaging portion and the reinforcing fitting, The connector device according to claim 1.

3. The reinforcing bracket and the second housing are constructed by insert molding. The connector device according to claim 2.

4. The reinforcing fitting includes a portion that is bent or curved in a convex shape in the direction of engagement of the protrusion with the engaging portion. The connector device according to claim 1.

5. The reinforcing fitting includes a portion that overlaps with the engaging portion in the first direction, The connector device according to claim 1.

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