connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can improve the positional accuracy of terminals relative to a circuit board. [Solution] The connector 10 comprises a housing 30 having a plurality of terminals 20, a main body 31 that holds the plurality of terminals 20, and insulating walls 32 positioned between the plurality of terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31, and is fixed to a circuit board 40 having a through hole 41 into which the insulating walls 32 are inserted. The insulating wall 32 has an insulating elastic piece 32a that is elastic and presses into the inner surface of the through hole 41 to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board 40.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, as a connector fixed to a circuit board, there is one including a plurality of terminals and an insulating housing that holds the plurality of terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This housing has a main body portion that holds a plurality of terminals and an insulating wall that is disposed between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion and is inserted into a through hole of the circuit board. In such a connector, the creeping distance and the space distance between the plurality of terminals can be ensured to be long by the insulating wall. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-50745 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in the connector as described above, the positional accuracy of the terminals with respect to the circuit board was low. For example, even in a configuration in which a plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion penetrate through terminal holes provided in the circuit board, a slight gap is required between the terminal holes and the terminals, and between the through holes and the insulating wall. Therefore, the connector may rattle with respect to the circuit board. Thus, there was a problem that the positional accuracy of the terminals with respect to the circuit board was lowered. This can cause defects when soldering the terminals protruding from the terminal holes to the circuit board, for example.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of improving the positional accuracy of terminals with respect to a circuit board. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] The connector of this disclosure comprises a plurality of terminals and a housing having a main body that holds the plurality of terminals and an insulating wall positioned between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body, and is fixed to a circuit board having a through hole into which the insulating wall is inserted, wherein the insulating wall has an insulating elastic piece that is elastic and presses into the inner surface of the through hole to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The connector disclosed herein can improve the positional accuracy of the terminals relative to the circuit board. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing the connector and circuit board assembled in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment before the connector and circuit board are assembled. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of a connector in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment before the connector and circuit board are assembled. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connector and a circuit board assembled in one embodiment. [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] A connector comprising a housing having a plurality of terminals, a main body that holds the plurality of terminals, and insulating walls positioned between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body, and fixed to a circuit board having a through hole into which the insulating wall is inserted, wherein the insulating wall has an insulating elastic piece that is elastic and presses into the inner surface of the through hole to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board.

[0010] According to this configuration, the insulating wall has an insulating elastic piece that has elasticity and presses against the inner surface of the through-hole in the circuit board to suppress rattle relative to the circuit board, thus suppressing rattle of the connector relative to the circuit board. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the terminal relative to the circuit board is improved. In addition, because the insulating elastic piece presses against the inner surface of the through-hole due to its own elasticity, less debris is generated compared to, for example, a case where the insulating wall has a simple rib that presses against the inner surface of the through-hole. That is, for example, in a configuration where the insulating wall has a rib that presses against the inner surface of the through-hole, debris is easily generated when the insulating wall including the rib is pressed into the through-hole as the rib slides and wears down. In contrast, since the insulating elastic piece presses against the inner surface of the through-hole due to its own elasticity, it is less likely to wear down, and therefore less likely to generate debris. It should be noted that debris can cause defects, for example, when soldering on a circuit board, but this can be suppressed.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the insulating elastic piece may have claws that prevent the insulating elastic piece from coming out of the through hole when it is inserted into the through hole. According to this configuration, the insulating elastic piece has claws that prevent it from coming out of the through-hole when it is inserted into the through-hole, so that it is possible to prevent the insulating elastic piece from coming out of the through-hole simply by inserting the insulating elastic piece into the through-hole.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the insulating elastic piece may be provided in a pair on one insulating wall such that it presses into contact with each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole.

[0013] According to the same configuration, since a pair of insulating elastic pieces are provided on one insulating wall so as to be in pressing contact with each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole, it is possible to suppress rattling of the insulating wall against the circuit board by one insulating wall without relying on other configurations.

[0014] [4] In any one of the above [1] to [3], the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion may be penetrated through terminal holes provided in the circuit board. According to the same configuration, since the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body portion are penetrated through terminal holes provided in the circuit board, the positional accuracy of the terminals with respect to the terminal holes can be increased. Therefore, for example, defects during soldering of the terminals protruding from the terminal holes can be reduced.

[0015] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], three or more of the plurality of terminals are held side by side in the main body portion, and all the insulating walls disposed between adjacent terminals may have the insulating elastic pieces.

[0016] According to the same configuration, since three or more of the plurality of terminals are held side by side in the main body portion and all the insulating walls disposed between adjacent terminals have insulating elastic pieces, rattling of the circuit board can be suppressed at all locations between adjacent terminals.

[0017] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing.

[0018] "Orthogonal" in this specification includes not only the case of strict orthogonality but also the case of substantially orthogonal within the range where the effects of this embodiment are exhibited. As used in the description of this specification, the term "cylindrical" includes not only those in which the peripheral wall is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but also those in which a plurality of components are combined to form a cylindrical shape, and those having a notch or the like in a part in the circumferential direction such as a C shape. The outer peripheral shape of the "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a polygon having sharp or rounded corners. The "cylindrical" is a shape having a through-hole in a plan view, and includes those in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are the same shape, and those in which the outer peripheral shape and the inner peripheral shape of the through-hole are different shapes. The "cylindrical" includes those having a predetermined length extending along the axial direction in which the central axis passing through the center of the through-hole extends, and the magnitude of the length is not limited.

[0019] As used in this specification, the term "opposite" means that surfaces or members are in a position facing each other, and includes not only the case where they are completely in a facing position, but also the case where they are partially in a facing position.

[0020] Terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. used in this specification are merely used to distinguish objects, and do not rank the objects. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] (Configuration of Connector 10) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector 10 includes a plurality of terminals 20 and a housing 30. The connector 10 is fixed to the circuit board 40. Note that the circuit board 40 in each figure schematically shows a part which is a portion where the connector 10 is fixed on the circuit board 40. Also, in each figure, a first axis X, a second axis Y orthogonal to the first axis X, and a third axis Z orthogonal to the first axis X and the second axis Y are shown. Also, in the figure, a first direction X1 which is one direction along the first axis X and a first opposite direction X2 which is the opposite direction of the first direction X1 are shown. Also, in the figure, an upward direction Z1 which is one direction along the third axis Z and a downward direction Z2 which is the opposite direction of the upward direction Z1 are shown.

[0022] (Configuration of circuit board 40) As shown in Figure 2, the circuit board 40 has, for example, a conductive pattern (not shown) on its surface, and has through holes 41 and terminal holes 42 that penetrate along the third axis Z. Multiple through holes 41 and terminal holes 42 are provided along the first axis X.

[0023] More specifically, this embodiment has eight terminal holes 42. Four of the eight terminal holes 42 are provided at equal intervals on the first direction X1 side of the circuit board 40, and the remaining four terminal holes 42 are provided at equal intervals on the first opposite direction X2 side of the circuit board 40. In addition, this embodiment has ten through holes 41. Five of the ten through holes 41 are provided at equal intervals on the first direction X1 side of the circuit board 40, and one terminal hole 42 is positioned between adjacent through holes 41. The remaining five through holes 41 are provided at equal intervals on the first opposite direction X2 side of the circuit board 40, and one terminal hole 42 is positioned between adjacent through holes 41.

[0024] The through-hole 41 is an elongated hole, and when viewed along the third axis Z, its length along the second axis Y is longer than its length along the first axis X. The terminal hole 42 is a perfectly circular hole when viewed along the third axis Z. The terminal hole 42 is provided between adjacent through-holes 41 and is positioned at an intermediate location along the second axis Y within the through-hole 41.

[0025] (Configuration of multiple terminals 20) The connector 10 of this embodiment is equipped with eight terminals 20. The terminals 20 are made of metal and are formed in a rod shape. The end of each terminal 20 in the downward direction Z2 is electrically connected to a conductor pattern (not shown) on a circuit board 40, and the end in the upward direction Z1 is electrically connected to the mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown) that is connected to the connector 10.

[0026] (Housing 30 configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the housing 30 has a main body 31, an insulating wall 32, a side insulating wall 33, and an internal insulating wall 34.

[0027] (Configuration of the main body 31) The main body 31 holds a plurality of terminals 20. In this embodiment, the main body 31 has a rectangular cylindrical portion 31a that opens upward Z1 and a bottom portion 31b that closes the downward Z2 end of the cylindrical portion 31a. The main body 31 also has abutment portions 31c that protrude slightly downward Z2 from the four corners of the bottom portion 31b.

[0028] The main body portion 31 holds the intermediate portion of the terminal 20 along the third axis Z at its bottom portion 31b. The main body portion 31 may be configured to hold the terminal 20 by, for example, integrally molding the terminal 20 with the main body portion 31 as an insert, or by press-fitting the terminal 20.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the main body 31 holds the terminals 20 at positions corresponding to the terminal holes 42. That is, the main body 31 holds the terminals 20 such that eight terminals 20 are arranged along the first axis X. In this embodiment, four of the eight terminals 20 are provided at equal intervals on the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, and the remaining four terminals 20 are provided at equal intervals on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the multiple terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 pass through the terminal holes 42 provided in the circuit board 40.

[0030] (Configuration of the insulating wall 32) The insulating wall 32 is positioned between multiple terminals 20 that protrude downward Z2 from the main body 31. The insulating wall 32 is provided protruding downward Z2 from the bottom 31b. The insulating wall 32 is formed in a shape corresponding to the through hole 41 at a position corresponding to the through hole 41.

[0031] In this embodiment, four insulating walls 32 are provided at equal intervals on the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, and four more are provided at equal intervals on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31. On the first direction X1 side of the main body 31, three of the four insulating walls 32 are provided between terminals 20, and the remaining insulating wall 32 is provided on the first opposite direction X2 side of the terminal 20 in the first opposite direction X2. Similarly, on the first opposite direction X2 side of the main body 31, three of the four insulating walls 32 are provided between terminals 20, and the remaining insulating wall 32 is provided on the first direction X1 side of the terminal 20 in the first direction X1. The insulating walls 32 extend downward Z2 from the terminals 20. As shown in Figure 3, the insulating walls 32 are formed over the entire area along the second axis Y in the housing 30. The insulating wall 32 ensures a long creepage distance and clearance distance between terminals 20 that protrude downward Z2 from the bottom 31b of the main body 31.

[0032] (Configuration of the side insulating wall 33) As shown in Figure 2, the side insulating walls 33 are positioned on both sides of the eight terminals 20 that protrude from the main body 31. More specifically, one side insulating wall 33 is positioned on the first direction X1 side of the terminal 20 in the first direction X1 among the eight terminals 20, and one on the first opposite direction X2 side of the terminal 20 in the first opposite direction X2 among the eight terminals 20. The side insulating walls 33 are provided protruding downward Z2 from the bottom 31b. The side insulating walls 33 extend downward Z2 beyond the insulating wall 32.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the side insulating wall 33 is a plate-shaped wall whose length along the second axis Y is longer than its length along the first axis X. The side insulating wall 33 is formed over the entire area along the second axis Y in the housing 30.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the side insulating wall 33 has a tapered portion 33a at its tip, which is the end in the downward direction Z2. The side insulating wall 33 ensures a long creepage distance and clearance distance between the terminal 20 protruding downward Z2 from the main body 31 and, for example, an electrical component (not shown) arranged alongside the connector 10. The insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 pass through a through hole 41 provided in the circuit board 40.

[0035] (Configuration of the internal insulating wall 34) As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the internal insulating wall 34 is positioned between multiple terminals 20 that protrude upward Z1 from the bottom 31b of the main body 31. The internal insulating wall 34 is provided protruding upward Z1 from the bottom 31b. The internal insulating wall 34 is provided at the same position as the insulating wall 32 along the first axis X. The internal insulating wall 34 ensures a long creepage distance and clearance distance between the terminals 20 that protrude upward Z1 from the bottom 31b of the main body 31.

[0036] (Details of the insulating wall 32) As shown in Figure 5, the insulating wall 32 has an insulating elastic piece 32a that is elastic and presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board 40. All insulating walls 32 in this embodiment have an insulating elastic piece 32a.

[0037] More specifically, a pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a are provided on one insulating wall 32 so as to press against each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole 41. The pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a are arranged side by side along the first axis X. When inserted into the through hole 41, the pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a are bent toward each other, thereby pressing against each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole 41. In this embodiment, the pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a have intermediate portions that protrude away from each other so as to press against the intermediate portion along the third axis Z on the inner surface of the through hole 41.

[0038] Furthermore, the insulating elastic piece 32a has claws 32b that prevent the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41 when it is inserted into the through hole 41. The claws 32b are provided at the tip, which is the downward Z2 end of the insulating elastic piece 32a. The pair of claws 32b on the pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a protrude away from each other, thereby engaging with the circuit board 40 to prevent the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41. In addition, the pair of claws 32b on the pair of insulating elastic pieces 32a are formed such that the amount of protrusion along the first axis X decreases as it approaches the tip in the downward Z2 direction, making insertion into the through hole 41 easy.

[0039] (Function of connector 10) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the connector 10 configured as described above is assembled onto the circuit board 40 from above Z1. At this time, the insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 are inserted into the through hole 41. The terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal hole 42.

[0040] When the abutment portion 31c abuts against the circuit board 40, and the insulating wall 32 and the side insulating wall 33 are inserted into the through hole 41, the insulating elastic piece 32a presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 due to its own elasticity. This suppresses rattling of the connector 10 relative to the through hole 41 of the circuit board 40, and consequently, rattling of the terminal 20 relative to the terminal hole 42 of the circuit board 40. In addition, the claw 32b engages with the circuit board 40, preventing the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41. In this state, the terminal 20 protruding from the terminal hole 42 is soldered to a conductor pattern on the circuit board 40 (not shown). Note that in Figure 5, the solder 50 is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0041] (Effects of this embodiment) (1) The insulating wall 32 has an insulating elastic piece 32a that has elasticity and presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board 40, thus suppressing rattling of the connector 10 relative to the circuit board 40. As a result, the positional accuracy of the terminal 20 relative to the circuit board 40 is improved. In addition, because the insulating elastic piece 32a presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 due to its own elasticity, it is less likely to generate debris compared to, for example, a case where the insulating wall 32 has a simple rib that presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41. That is, for example, in a configuration where the insulating wall 32 has a rib that presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41, debris is easily generated when the insulating wall 32 including the rib is pressed into the through hole 41 as the rib slides and wears down. In contrast, since the insulating elastic piece 32a presses against the inner surface of the through hole 41 due to its own elasticity, it is less likely to wear down, and therefore less likely to generate debris. Furthermore, while debris can cause defects during soldering on the circuit board 40, this can be suppressed.

[0042] (2) The insulating elastic piece 32a has a claw 32b that prevents the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41 when it is inserted into the through hole 41. Therefore, simply by inserting the insulating elastic piece 32a into the through hole 41, it is possible to prevent the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41. In other words, it is possible to prevent the connector 10 from falling off the circuit board 40.

[0043] (3) Since the insulating elastic pieces 32a are provided in pairs on one insulating wall 32 so as to press against each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole 41, rattling of the insulating wall 32 relative to the circuit board 40 can be suppressed by a single insulating wall 32 without relying on other configurations.

[0044] (4) Since the multiple terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 pass through terminal holes 42 provided in the circuit board 40, the positional accuracy of the terminals 20 relative to the terminal holes 42 can be increased. Therefore, for example, defects when soldering the terminals 20 protruding from the terminal holes 42 can be reduced. Specifically, for example, the gap between the terminal 20 and the inner surface of the terminal hole 42 can be made nearly uniform around the terminal 20, enabling good soldering.

[0045] (5) Multiple terminals 20 are held in a row of three or more on the main body 31, and all insulating walls 32 positioned between adjacent terminals 20 have insulating elastic pieces 32a. Therefore, rattling relative to the circuit board 40 can be suppressed at all points between adjacent terminals 20.

[0046] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the insulating elastic piece 32a has a claw 32b that prevents the insulating elastic piece 32a from coming out of the through hole 41 when it is inserted into the through hole 41, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and a configuration without the claw 32b is also possible.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the insulating elastic pieces 32a are provided in pairs on one insulating wall 32 so as to press against each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole 41. However, the invention is not limited to this, and rattle may be suppressed in cooperation with other configurations. For example, one insulating elastic piece may be provided on each of adjacent insulating walls 32, and rattle may be suppressed by having these two insulating elastic pieces press against the inner surface of the through hole 41 in opposite directions.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the multiple terminals 20 protruding from the main body 31 are shown to pass through terminal holes 42 provided in the circuit board 40, but the invention is not limited to this, and the terminals may be arranged on the circuit board 40 without passing through it.

[0050] In the above embodiment, it was assumed that three or more terminals 20 are held in a row on the main body 31, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the main body 31 may hold only two terminals. In other words, the connector 10 may be configured to have only two terminals 20.

[0051] In the above embodiment, all insulating walls 32 located between adjacent terminals 20 have insulating elastic pieces 32a, but the invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which only some of the insulating walls 32 have insulating elastic pieces 32a is also possible.

[0052] The number of terminals 20 in the connector 10 of the above embodiment may be changed to another number. Also, the number of insulating walls 32 in the connector 10 may be changed to another number depending on the number of terminals 20, etc.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the terminal 20 is assumed to be formed in a rod shape, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the terminal 20 may be changed to a bent shape, a flat plate shape, or other shapes.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the housing 30 is shown to have a side insulating wall 33, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration without a side insulating wall 33 is also possible. Alternatively, the side insulating wall 33 may be formed in the same shape as the insulating wall 32 which has an insulating elastic piece 32a.

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10 connectors 20 terminals 30 Housing 31 Main body 31a Cylinder part 31b bottom 31c Dead end 32 Insulating wall 32a Insulating elastic piece 32b Nail 33 Side insulating wall 33a Tapered section 34 Internal Insulation Wall 40 Circuit boards 41 Through hole 42 Terminal hole 50 solder X 1st axis X1 1st direction X2 First opposite direction Y 2nd axis Z 3rd axis Z1 upward direction Z2 Downward

Claims

1. Multiple terminals, The housing comprises a main body that holds the plurality of terminals and insulating walls that are positioned between the plurality of terminals protruding from the main body, A connector that is fixed to a circuit board having a through hole into which the insulating wall is inserted, The insulating wall has an elastic insulating piece that is elastic and presses against the inner surface of the through hole to suppress rattling relative to the circuit board. connector.

2. The insulating elastic piece has a claw that prevents the insulating elastic piece from coming out of the through hole when it is inserted into the through hole. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The insulating elastic pieces are provided in pairs on one of the insulating walls so as to press against and contact each of the opposing surfaces on the inner surface of the through hole. The connector according to claim 1.

4. The multiple terminals protruding from the main body are passed through terminal holes provided in the circuit board. The connector according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned multiple terminals are held in the main body in a row of three or more. All of the insulating walls positioned between adjacent terminals have the insulating elastic piece. The connector according to claim 1.

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