Electrical Connectors

Abstract

To provide a technology that meets the demands of lightness, thinness, shortness, and miniaturization of an electronic device, suppresses the resistance of a conductive terminal to a low level, and copes with an increase in a current flowing through the conductive terminal.SOLUTION: An electric connector such as a plug connector 100 includes an insulating housing 110, and conductive terminals 120 and 130 fixed to the housing 110, and the terminals 120 and 130 include mounting portions 121, 131, and 132 connected to a substrate 500, and contact portions 122 and 133 protruding from the mounting portions 121, 131, and 132 in the mating direction (Z1 direction), and the plate thickness (t1) of the contact portions 122 and 133 is thicker than the plate thickness (t2) of the mounting portions 121, 131, and 132 in the directions (Z1Z2 directions) orthogonal to the substrate 500.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector that is mounted on a board. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, board-to-board electrical connectors have been used as connectors for connecting the surfaces of boards. A board-to-board electrical connector is a pair of a plug connector and a receptacle connector, and is electrically connected when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector and their conductive terminals (contacts) come into contact with each other. Examples of technologies related to such board-to-board electrical connectors include the technology described in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2017-16897). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-16897 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the demand for lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller electronic devices such as smartphones, mobile phones and personal digital assistants, the components used in these devices are becoming smaller and thinner. However, as these electronic devices become more sophisticated, the current used by these electronic devices also tends to increase. In addition, these electronic devices generally use rechargeable batteries as their power source, but there is also a demand for short-time charging, and large currents may flow through small electrical connectors.

[0005] The present invention has been completed to solve the problems described above, and its purpose is to provide a technology for electrical connectors that satisfies the demand for lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller electronic devices, while keeping the resistance of the conductive terminals low and accommodating an increase in the current flowing through the conductive terminals.

[0006] The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A brief summary of a representative embodiment of the present invention will be given below. That is, an electrical connector according to a representative embodiment comprises an insulating housing and a conductive terminal fixed to the housing, the terminal including a mounting portion connected to a board and a contact portion protruding from the mounting portion in the mating direction, and the thickness of the contact portion is thicker than the thickness of the mounting portion in a direction perpendicular to the board. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The effects obtained by the representative embodiments disclosed in the present application can be briefly described as follows. (1) Since the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion is large, it is possible to reduce the conductor resistance of the terminal, thereby enabling a larger current to flow through the terminal. (2) The strength of the connector is improved by increasing the metal volume of the terminals. (3) Since the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion is thinner than the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion, the connector can be made low-profile. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of only a terminal, excluding a housing portion, in an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first terminal in an electrical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 5 in the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second terminal in the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 7 in the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 2A to 2C are perspective views illustrating a manufacturing process for the terminal of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (receptacle connector) according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of only the terminals, excluding the housing portion, in an electrical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a terminal in an electrical connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 21 is a side view illustrating the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 20 in the electrical connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a terminal excluding a housing portion in an electrical connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a terminal in an electrical connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same members are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be omitted.

[0011] In the following embodiments, when necessary for convenience, the description will be divided into multiple sections or embodiments, but unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is a partial or complete modification, detail, supplementary explanation, etc. of the other. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when the number of elements, etc. (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is mentioned, it is not limited to that specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number, unless otherwise specified or clearly limited in principle to a specific number.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only the terminals of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 excluding the housing portion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first terminal. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second terminal. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 7.

[0013] First, the configuration of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. The electrical connector according to the first embodiment is a plug connector 100 mounted on a board 500 such as a printed circuit board, and includes an insulating housing 110, four conductive first terminals 120 (a to d) and two conductive second terminals 130 (a to b) fixed to the housing 110. The four terminals 120 (a to d) each have the same shape. The two terminals 130 (a to b) each have the same shape. The second terminals 130 (a to b) are disposed at both ends of the first terminals 120 (a to d) in the longitudinal direction (X1-X2 direction). In the present embodiment, an example in which there are four first terminals 120 and two second terminals 130 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the numbers of the first terminals 120 and second terminals 130 may be any number. Furthermore, the first terminal 120 and the second terminal 130 are primarily used as signal terminals or power terminals, but are not limited to this and may be used for other purposes such as reinforcing brackets, frames, shields, etc.

[0014] To the board 500, for example, a rechargeable battery of a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or the like, and its control circuit are connected. The housing 110 is formed of insulating resin or the like. The terminals 120 and 130 are formed of conductive metal such as a copper alloy. The plug connector 100 is formed, for example, by a method such as integral molding or insert molding in which the terminals 120, 130 are placed in a mold and resin is injected to form the housing 110.

[0015] The housing 110 is composed of a bottom wall 111 forming the bottom surface of the mating recess 101 of the connector, side walls 112 standing up from the bottom wall 111 so as to fill the spaces between the terminals, and a terminal fixing portion 113 formed so as to cover parts of the terminals 120, 130. The terminal fixing portion 113 is formed by filling parts of the housing into recesses 123, 134 between mounting portions 121, 131, 132 and contact portions 122, 133 of the terminals 120, 130.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, each of the first terminals 120 has a mounting portion 121 connected to a board 500 such as a printed circuit board, and a contact portion 122 extending from the mounting portion 121 in a fitting direction (Z1 direction). The mounting portions 121 of the terminals 120 are arranged at positions facing each other in the Y1Y2 direction. In addition, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion 122 in a direction parallel to the board 500 (Y1Y2 direction) is thicker than the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion 121 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion is more than twice the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion. In addition, the inside of the contact portion 122 (the lower part (Z2 direction) of the fitting surface 126) is filled with a conductive metal. The fitting surface 126 at the tip (Z1 direction) of the contact portion 122 is rounded.

[0017] Also, a part of the surface of the mounting portion 121 of the first terminal 120 on the mating side (Z1 direction) is covered by a part of the housing 110 (terminal fixing portion 113). Also, the terminal 120 has a recess 123 between the mounting portion 121 and the contact portion 122, and a part of the housing 110 is filled in the recess 123. This fixes the terminal to the housing and prevents the terminal from coming off the housing. Also, two opposing side surfaces 124, 125 of the contact portion 122 in the longitudinal direction (X1X2 direction) are in close contact with a part of the housing 110 (side wall 112).

[0018] The first terminals 120 are disposed at positions facing each other in the width direction (Y1Y2 direction) of the connector, and the mounting portions 121 extend outward in the width direction (Y1Y2 direction) from below the bottom wall 111, with the plate thickness direction (Z1Z2 direction) intersecting the surface (XY plane) of the printed circuit board 500. When mounted, the mounting portions 121 are each soldered to an individual circuit pattern on the printed circuit board.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the second terminal 130 has two mounting parts 131, 132 connected to a board 500 such as a printed circuit board, and a contact part 133 extending from the mounting parts 131, 132 in the fitting direction (Z1 direction). The contact part 133 extends in a direction parallel to the board 500 (XY plane), and the mounting part 131 and the mounting part 132 are electrically connected. The mounting part 131 and the mounting part 132 of the second terminal 130 are disposed at positions facing each other in the Y1Y2 direction. In addition, the terminal 130 has a plate thickness t1 of the contact part 133 in a direction parallel to the board 500 (Y1Y2 direction) that is thicker than the plate thickness t2 of the mounting parts 131, 132 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the plate thickness t1 of the contact part is more than twice the plate thickness t2 of the mounting part. The fitting surface 137 at the tip (Z1 direction) of the contact portion 133 is rounded. The inside of the lower part (Z2 direction) of the fitting surface 137 is filled with metal.

[0020] Also, a part of the surface of the mounting parts 131, 132 of the second terminal 130 on the mating side (Z1 direction) is covered by a part of the housing 110 (terminal fixing part 113). Also, the terminal 130 has a recess 134 between the mounting parts 131, 132 and the contact part 133, and a part of the housing 110 is filled in the recess 134. This fixes the terminal to the housing and prevents the terminal from coming off the housing. Also, two side surfaces 135, 136 in the same direction in the longitudinal direction (X1X2 direction) of the contact part 133 are in close contact with a part (side wall 112) of the housing 110. The two terminals 130 are arranged on both sides of the terminal 120 and have a U-shape when viewed from the mating direction (Z1 direction). In this embodiment, the terminal 130 has two mounting parts, but is not limited to this, and the number of mounting parts provided in one terminal may be one or three or more.

[0021] The mounting portions 131, 132 are spaced apart in the width direction (Y1Y2 direction) of the connector, extend outward in the width direction (Y1Y2 direction) from below the bottom wall 111, and have a board thickness direction (Z1Z2 direction) that intersects with the surface (XY plane) of the printed circuit board 500. When mounted, the mounting portions 131, 132 are each soldered to an individual circuit pattern on the printed circuit board.

[0022] Furthermore, each of terminals 130 has a contact portion with a terminal of a receptacle connector that is long in the longitudinal direction (X1-X2 directions) so as to allow a large current to flow, ensuring a sufficient contact area between the terminals.

[0023] In this embodiment, terminals 120a and 120b are disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (X1-X2 direction) and are disposed between terminals 130a and 130b. Similarly, terminals 120c and 120d are disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (X1-X2 direction) and are disposed between terminals 130a and 130b. For example, terminal 120 is used as a signal terminal, and terminal 130 is used as a power terminal.

[0024] A manufacturing method of the electrical connector (plug connector) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14. Figures 9 to 14 are perspective views showing the manufacturing process of the terminals 120, 130 of the plug connector 100.

[0025] 9, thick portion 141 is formed by forging metal plate 140. The thickness of thick portion 141 corresponds to plate thickness t1 of contact portions 122 and 133. The thickness of metal plate 140 corresponds to plate thickness t2 of mounting portions 121, 131, and 132.

[0026] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the parts 142 which will become terminals and the leads 143 are punched out.

[0027] 11, the tip portion 144 of the terminal is crushed and rounded (to form an R). The tip portion 144 becomes the mating surfaces 126, 137.

[0028] 12, thick portion 145 is bent approximately 90 degrees to form contact portions 122, 133. At this time, since there is a step between thick portion 145 and the surface of lead 143, recesses 123, 134 are formed inside the bent portions.

[0029] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a part of the lead 143 is punched out, and the mounting portion 132 is separated from the lead 143.

[0030] 14, thick portion 145 is bent into a U-shape to form contact portion 133 of terminal 130. At this time, two first terminals 120 and one second terminal 130 are formed.

[0031] Next, the two first terminals 120 and one second terminal 130 shown in Fig. 14 are rotated 180 degrees and arranged side by side, fitted into a metal mold or the like, and resin is injected to perform integral molding. Finally, the lead 143 is cut off to complete the connector.

[0032] (Embodiment 2) 15 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a front view, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[0033] In comparison with the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the present invention has no recess between the contact portions of the terminals 220, 230 and the mounting portion, into which a part of the housing 210 is filled. Instead, to prevent the terminals from coming off, a part of the housing (terminal fixing portion 213) tightly covers the surface of the mounting portion in the fitting direction (Z1 direction). The configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0034] The electrical connector of the second embodiment is a plug connector 200 mounted on a board 500 such as a printed circuit board, and includes an insulating housing 210, four conductive first terminals 220 and two conductive second terminals 230 fixed to the housing 210. The terminal 220 has a thickness t1 of a contact portion 222 in a direction parallel to the board 500 (Y1Y2 direction) that is thicker than a thickness t2 of a mounting portion 221 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the thickness t1 of the contact portion is twice or more the thickness t2 of the mounting portion. The terminal 230 has a thickness t1 of a contact portion 233 in a direction parallel to the board 500 (Y1Y2 direction) that is thicker than a thickness t2 of mounting portions 231, 232 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the thickness t1 of the contact portion is at least twice the thickness t2 of the mounting portion. A lock portion 223 is provided at the tip of the contact portion 222 to prevent the mating with the mating connector from coming loose.

[0035] The housing 210 is composed of a bottom wall 211 that forms the bottom surface of the mating recess 201 of the connector, side walls 212 that stand up from the bottom wall 211 so as to fill the spaces between the terminals, and a terminal fixing portion 213 that is formed to tightly cover portions of the terminals 220, 230.

[0036] To manufacture plug connector 200, thick portion 141 is formed on the back side of metal plate 140 in the forging process of Fig. 9 described in embodiment 1. The subsequent processes are the same as those in embodiment 1. In the bending process of Fig. 12, thick portion 141 is present on the back side, i.e., outside the bent portion, and therefore the inside of the bent portion is flat, so no recess is formed.

[0037] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical connector (receptacle connector) according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of only the terminals excluding the housing portion. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the terminals, and Fig. 21 is a side view. The terminals in Figs. 20 and 21 are also used as reinforcing metal fittings. This third embodiment is an application of the present invention to a receptacle connector. Portions other than terminal 330 (reinforcing metal fitting) are the same as those of a normal receptacle connector.

[0038] The electrical connector of the third embodiment is a receptacle connector 300 mounted on a substrate 500 such as a printed circuit board, and includes an insulating housing 310, four conductive first terminals 320, four conductive second terminals 330, and two metallic third terminals 340 fixed to the housing 310. For example, the first terminals 320 are used as signal terminals, the second terminals 330 are used as power terminals, and the third terminals 340 are used as ground (GND) terminals, power terminals, or reinforcing metal fittings. The housing 310 has a side wall 311 surrounding the first terminals 320, the second terminals 330, and the third terminals 340. The third terminals 340, the interior of which is filled with metal, increase the strength of the connector.

[0039] 20 and 21, the third terminal 340 has mounting portions 331, 332, and 333 connected to a substrate 500 such as a printed circuit board, and a contact portion 334 extending from the mounting portions 331, 332, and 333 in the fitting direction (Z1 direction). In the terminal 340, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion 334 in a direction parallel to the substrate 500 (Y1Y2 direction) is thicker than the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portions 331, 332, and 333 in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion is more than twice the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion.

[0040] (Embodiment 4) Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electrical connector (plug connector) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a terminal excluding a housing portion, and Fig. 24 is a side view showing the configuration of the terminal. In this fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to a plug connector that fits in a direction parallel to a board. The fitting direction in this fourth embodiment is not the Z1 direction as in the first to third embodiments, but a direction parallel to the board 500 (X2 direction).

[0041] The electrical connector of the fourth embodiment is a plug connector 400 mounted on a board 500 such as a printed circuit board, and includes an insulating housing 410 and three conductive terminals 420 fixed to the housing 410. As shown in Fig. 24, the terminal 420 has a plate thickness t1 of a contact portion 422 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction) that is thicker than a plate thickness t2 of a mounting portion 221 in a direction perpendicular to the board 500 (Z1Z2 direction). For example, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion is twice or more the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion. For example, the terminal 420 is used as a signal terminal or a power terminal.

[0042] As described above, the terminals of the first to fourth embodiments are not formed by bending a metal plate as in the conventional terminals, but have a contact portion filled with metal.

[0043] Therefore, according to the electrical connectors of the first to fourth embodiments, the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion is large, so that the conductor resistance of the terminal can be reduced, and this allows a larger current to flow through the terminal.

[0044] Furthermore, the strength of the connector is improved by increasing the metal volume of the terminals.

[0045] In addition, since the plate thickness t2 of the mounting portion is thinner than the plate thickness t1 of the contact portion, the connector can be made low-profile.

[0046] Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments thereof, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Moreover, the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4 may be appropriately combined with each other.

[0047] In the first to fourth embodiments, the connector is mounted on a board, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other connectors. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The electrical connector according to this embodiment can be widely used for industrial, commercial, and home purposes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 100: Plug connector 101: Fitting recess 110: Housing 111: Bottom wall 112: Side wall 113:Terminal fixing part 120: First terminal 121: Mounting section 122: Contact part 123: Recess 124: Side 125: Side 126: Mating surface 130: Second terminal 131: Mounting section 132: Mounting section 133: Contact part 134: Recess 135: Side 136: Side 137: Mating surface 140: Metal plate 141:Thick part 142 :part 143: Lead 144:Tip part 145: Thick part 200: Plug connector 201: Fitting recess 210: Housing 211: Bottom wall 212: Side wall 213: Terminal fixing part 220: First terminal 221: Mounting section 222: Contact part 223: Rock Club 230: Second terminal 231: Mounting section 232: Mounting section 233: Contact part 300: Receptacle connector 310: Housing 311: Side wall 320: First terminal 330: Second terminal 331: Mounting section 332: Mounting section 333: Mounting section 334: Contact part 340: Third terminal 400: Plug connector 410: Housing 420: Terminal 421: Mounting section 422: Contact part 500: Substrate

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising an insulating housing and a conductive terminal fixed to the housing, The terminal includes a mounting portion connected to a board and a contact portion protruding from the mounting portion in a fitting direction, The thickness of the contact portion is greater than the thickness of the mounting portion in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, The contact portion has a U-shape when viewed from the fitting direction, The terminal has a plurality of mounting portions.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of a mating surface of the mounting portion is covered by a portion of the housing.

3. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has a recess between the mounting portion and the contact portion, and a part of the housing is filled in the recess.

4. 4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein two side surfaces of the contact portion are in intimate contact with a part of the housing.

5. 5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the mating surface at the tip of said contact portion is filled with a metal that forms said terminal.

6. 6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the mating direction is a direction perpendicular to the board, and the thickness of the contact portion is a thickness in a direction parallel to the board.

7. 7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is formed by forging.

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