Connector, connector unit, and method for manufacturing connector

Abstract

To provide a waterproof connector which can prevent ingress of water into a connection part of each terminal connected to a substrate, and to provide a connector unit and a manufacturing method of the connector.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes: multiple rod-like terminals 10 electrically connected to a land 76 formed on a substrate 3; and a housing 30 which houses the terminals 10. In the connector 1, a lower surface 52 of the housing 30 has an annular packing attachment part 54 where an annular waterproof packing 2 is arranged and attached firmly. A connection part 12 connected to the land 76 of each terminal 10 is exposed on the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 and at the inner side relative to the packing attachment part 54, and both end parts 15, 17 of the terminal 10 are located within the housing 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, a connector unit, and a method for manufacturing a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, imaging devices such as cameras are often used with an external electronic viewfinder (EVF), a flash, or other electronically controlled accessories attached. For this reason, some imaging devices are equipped with an accessory shoe having a connector structure with a terminal (connector terminal) having multiple metal contacts that enables electrical communication between the imaging device and the electronically controlled accessory. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an accessory shoe (called a "shoe seat" in Patent Document 1) having a connector structure that is connected to an electronically controlled accessory that is detachable from a camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-076629 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Imaging devices such as cameras are sometimes used outdoors, and therefore require waterproofing to prevent water from entering the device. In particular, an accessory shoe with a connector structure to which an external electronic control accessory is attached may have the risk of water entering the device if water enters through the terminal, so it is necessary to prevent water from entering through the terminal. However, the accessory shoe disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a connection portion of the terminal that is connected to the circuit board on the imaging device side exposed to the outside, and it is difficult to say that sufficient waterproofing is ensured.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a waterproof connector, connector unit, and method for manufacturing a connector that can prevent water from entering the connection portion of a terminal that is connected to a board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the connector according to the present invention comprises a plurality of rod-shaped terminals electrically connected to lands formed on a substrate, and a housing in which the terminals are accommodated. The lower surface of the housing has an annular packing contact portion where an annular waterproof packing is closely attached, and a connection portion of the terminals connected to the lands is disposed on the lower surface of the housing. In a state where it is flush with The terminal is exposed on the inside of the packing contact portion, and both ends of the terminal are located inside the housing.

[0007] According to this embodiment, since the connection portion of the terminal is exposed inside the annular packing contact portion, when the annular waterproof packing is disposed in the packing contact portion, the connection portion of the terminal is surrounded by the waterproof packing, thereby preventing water from entering the connection portion and ensuring the waterproofness of the connection portion. In addition, since both ends of the terminal are located inside the housing, it is possible to prevent water from entering the ends of the terminal.

[0008] In another embodiment of the connector of the present invention, the terminal is bent upwardly from the underside toward the interior of the housing on both sides of the connection portion in the extension direction, and the ends on both sides are positioned higher than the underside.

[0009] In this embodiment, the terminals are bent upward from the underside toward the inside of the housing on both sides of the connection portion in the extension direction, and both ends are positioned higher than the underside, thereby minimizing exposed areas and more reliably preventing water from entering the connection portion.

[0010] In another embodiment of the connector according to the present invention, the lower surface has a recess, and the connection portion is housed in the recess.

[0011] In this embodiment, the underside has a recess and the connection portion is housed in the recess, so that even if water penetrates into the interior through the gasket contact portion, the water is less likely to reach the connection portion, thereby more reliably ensuring the waterproofing of the connection portion.

[0012] In another embodiment of the connector of the present invention, the gasket contact portion has an inclined surface, a portion of the inclined surface is adjacent to a side surface of the recess, the angle between the portion of the inclined surface and the side surface is acute, and the boundary portion between the portion of the inclined surface and the side surface is pointed.

[0013] In this embodiment, the angle between a portion of the inclined surface and the side of the recess is an acute angle, and the boundary portion between the portion of the inclined surface and the side of the recess is pointed. Therefore, when the waterproof gasket is placed in close contact with the gasket contact portion, the pressure acting on the waterproof gasket at the boundary portion increases, and the boundary portion bites into the waterproof gasket, making it possible to more reliably prevent water from entering the connection portion.

[0014] One embodiment of the connector unit of the present invention comprises a connector as described above, a waterproof gasket arranged to be in close contact with the gasket contact portion of the housing, a substrate arranged inside the waterproof gasket and abutting the underside of the housing, the substrate having the land electrically connected to the connection portion of the terminal, a holder arranged on the side of the housing opposite the side on which the waterproof gasket is arranged, and a housing in which the waterproof gasket, the substrate, the connector, and the holder are mounted in this order.

[0015] According to this embodiment, since the annular waterproof packing is disposed in the annular packing contact portion, the connection portion of the terminal is surrounded by the annular waterproof packing, so that the intrusion of water into the connection portion is prevented and the waterproofness of the connection portion can be ensured. In addition, since both ends of the terminal are located inside the housing, the intrusion of water from the ends of the terminal can be prevented.

[0016] In another embodiment of the connector unit according to the present invention, the housing and the holder are fastened together to bring the waterproof packing into close contact with the housing and the connector.

[0017] In this embodiment, the annular waterproof gasket and connector are sandwiched between the housing and the holder, and the housing and the holder are fastened to bring the waterproof gasket into close contact with the housing and the connector. This makes it possible to simply prevent water from entering the connection and ensure the waterproofness of the connection.

[0018] In another embodiment of the connector unit according to the present invention, a through hole is formed in the housing on the inside of the waterproof gasket, and the lead-out portion of the board is led out from the through hole to the outside of the housing.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the through holes of the board and the housing are positioned inside the annular waterproof gasket, so that electrical communication is possible between the connector unit and the outside by pulling the lead-out portion of the board out from the through hole of the housing to the outside of the housing.

[0020] One embodiment of a method for manufacturing a connector according to the present invention includes the steps of: A method for manufacturing the connector according to any one of the above, comprising the steps of: The process includes a terminal placing process in which a plurality of rod-shaped terminals, one end of which is connected to a carrier, is placed in a mold; a housing forming process in which resin is poured into the mold to form a housing in which the plurality of terminals are accommodated; a carrier separation process in which the carrier is cut to separate it from the plurality of terminals; and a terminal sealing process in which molten resin formed by melting a portion of the housing is used to cover the ends of one side of the plurality of terminals and harden the molten resin.

[0021] According to this embodiment, by including a terminal sealing process in which molten resin is used to melt a portion of the housing and cover one end of the multiple terminals and harden the molten resin, it is possible to cover one end of the multiple terminals without using a separate member and prevent water from entering through the end of the terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a connector unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5a] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of a connector. [Figure 5b] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of a connector. [Figure 5c] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of a connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of a connector, a connector unit, and a method for manufacturing a connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0024] [Configuration of connector unit] 1 to 4, the connector unit A includes a connector 1, a waterproof packing (hereinafter simply referred to as "packing") 2, a flexible printed circuit board (an example of a board; hereinafter simply referred to as "board") 3, a housing 4, and a holder 5. The connector unit A is used, for example, as an accessory shoe when an electronic viewfinder (EVF), a strobe, or other electronically controlled accessories (not shown) are externally attached to an imaging device such as a camera.

[0025] In the connector unit A and its components, the arrangement direction of the multiple (21 in this embodiment) terminals 10 of the connector 1 is defined as the Y direction, the stacking direction (height direction) of the housing 4, packing 2, board 3, connector 1, and holder 5 perpendicular to the Y direction is defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction is defined as the X direction. Furthermore, within the X direction, the direction in which the side wall 88 extends from the rear wall 87 of the side part 4B in the housing 4 of the connector unit A is defined as the X1 direction (or forward), and the opposite is defined as the X2 direction (or backward), and the direction from the housing 4 toward the holder 5 in the connector unit A is defined as the Z1 direction (or upward), and the opposite is defined as the Z2 direction (or downward) (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The connector 1 is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped terminals 10 and a housing 30. The plurality of terminals 10 are accommodated in the housing 30 by forming the housing 30 by insert molding. A manufacturing method of the connector 1 will be described later.

[0027] The terminal 10 is formed into a rod-like bent shape by punching and bending a metal strip such as copper or a copper alloy with a press (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "pressing") (see FIG. 2). The terminal 10 has a connection part 12 parallel to the X direction, which is electrically connected to the land 76 (see also FIG. 2) of the substrate 3, in the middle of the extension direction of the rod shape, as shown in FIG. 4. The terminal 10 is also bent in the Z1 direction (upward toward the inside of the housing 30) on both sides of the connection part 12 in the extension direction, and is further bent so as to open outward and be parallel to the X direction.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, of the two parts of the terminal 10 that open outward and are parallel to the X direction, the part that extends in the X2 direction is called the first part 14, and the part that extends in the X1 direction is called the second part 16. The end of the first part 14 is called the end 15 on one side (hereinafter simply referred to as the "end 15"), and the end of the second part 16 is called the end 17 on the other side (hereinafter simply referred to as the "end 17"). The end 15 and the end 17 are collectively called the "ends on both sides". The first part 14 is parallel to the X direction, and the end 15 is located inside the housing 30 and cannot be seen directly. The end 17 of the second part 16 is bent in the Z2 direction at the end of the X1 direction. Therefore, the end 17 is located inside the housing 30 and cannot be seen directly. The part of the second part 16 that is parallel to the X direction becomes the contact surface 18 that contacts and is electrically connected to a terminal of an electronic control accessory.

[0029] The end 15 and the end 17 being "located inside the housing 30" includes both the meanings of a state in which the end 15 and the end 17 are entirely covered and buried in the resin of the housing 30 and cannot be seen from any direction in the connector 1 alone, and a state in which the end 15 and the end 17 are not entirely buried and can be seen directly from any direction in the connector 1 alone, but cannot be seen directly from any direction in the connector unit A state. The end 15 is located inside the housing 30 because it is entirely covered and buried in the resin of the housing 30 and cannot be seen from any direction in the connector 1 alone. The end 17 is exposed from the inner wall of the third terminal support hole 57 formed on the lower surface 52 side in the connector 1 alone, so it can be seen directly, but it cannot be seen directly from any direction in the connector unit A state, so it is located inside the housing 30. The third terminal support hole 57 will be described later.

[0030] 2 and 3, the housing 30 has a rectangular bottom surface 52 when viewed in the Z direction, and on the side opposite the bottom surface 52, a holder fixing surface 32 for fixing the holder 5 and a connector accommodating portion 42 for accommodating a plurality of terminals 10 by insert molding are provided. In the housing 30, the holder fixing surface 32 is positioned in the X1 direction relative to the connector accommodating portion 42. The housing 30 is made of a heat-resistant resin material such as PPS (Poly Phenylene Sulfide) or LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer).

[0031] The holder fixing surface 32 is rectangular when viewed in the Z direction, and has a flat portion 33 on which the holder 5 is placed, and a rectangular prism-shaped protrusion 34 located toward the X1 direction and protruding in the Z1 direction. The height (thickness) of the protrusion 34 from the flat portion 33 is the same as the plate thickness of a lower plate portion 93 of the holder 5 described later (see Figs. 1 and 4). A counterbore is formed from the upper surface of the protrusion 34 toward the Z2 direction, and a contact insertion hole 36 is formed from the bottom surface of the counterbore through the housing 30. A shaft portion 39B of a rivet contact 39 having a head contact 39A and a shaft portion 39B is inserted into the contact insertion hole 36. The rivet contact 39 is made of a metal material such as a copper alloy. The head contact 39A of the rivet contact 39 is in contact with a terminal of the electronic control accessory and electrically connected. The shaft portion 39B is soldered to a land (not shown) of a hole 77B formed in the board 3 described later and electrically connected. That is, a terminal of the electronically controlled accessory and a wiring pattern (not shown) of the board 3 are electrically connected via the rivet contact 39.

[0032] The holder fixing surface 32 has first engagement holes 38 formed therein, which penetrate the housing 30 in the Z2 direction from the flat portion 33. The four first engagement holes 38 have the same inner diameter and are larger than the inner diameter of the contact insertion holes 36.

[0033] The connector accommodating portion 42 is located adjacent to the holder fixing surface 32 in the X2 direction, and is formed to protrude in the Z2 direction relative to the flat portion 33. The connector accommodating portion 42 is rectangular when viewed in the Z direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, in the connector accommodating portion 42, the multiple terminals 10 are accommodated in multiple terminal accommodating grooves 43 separated by insulating walls. At this time, the contact surface 18 of the second portion 16 of each of the multiple terminals 10 is exposed, but the end portion 17 is located inside the housing 30 and cannot be directly seen.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector accommodating portion 42 has a first terminal support hole 45 formed adjacent to the contact surface 18 in the X2 direction, and a second terminal support hole 46 formed on the first terminal support hole 45 with a wall in the X2 direction. A holder support wall 47 having an abutment surface 47C is formed standing in the Z1 direction on the periphery of the connector accommodating portion 42 as viewed in the Z direction, except for the side adjacent to the holder fixing surface 32. The holder support wall 47 has a U-shape as viewed in the Z direction, which is composed of a rear wall portion 47A adjacent to the second terminal support hole 46 in the X2 direction and formed along the Y direction, and a pair of side wall portions 47B extending in the X1 direction from both ends of the rear wall portion 47A, and the abutment surface 47C is flush from the rear wall portion 47A to the side wall portion 47B (see also FIG. 2). An inner surface 92A of the upper plate portion 92 of the holder 5 abuts against the abutment surface 47C. Further, a holder support portion 48 against which a side surface 94A of a side plate portion 94 of the holder 5 abuts is formed on the outer side in the Y direction of each of the pair of side wall portions 47B. The flat portion 33, the holder support portion 48, and the abutment surface 47C of the holder support wall 47 are parallel to one another, and are positioned in the Z1 direction in the following order: flat portion 33, holder support portion 48, and abutment surface 47C.

[0035] The lower surface 52 of the housing 30 is parallel to the flat surface 33 of the holder fixing surface 32, and a packing contact portion 54 is formed around the periphery of the lower surface 52. The packing contact portion 54 is a portion of the lower surface 52 where the annular packing 2 is placed in close contact, and is formed in an annular shape around the periphery of the lower surface 52. The packing contact portion 54 is formed by providing a step on the lower surface 52, and the two flat surfaces with the step are parallel to each other and connected by an annular inclined surface 55.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, a recess 56 is formed adjacent to the inclined surface 55 at the inner side of the inclined surface 55 closest to the X2 direction, recessed from the lower surface 52 in the Z1 direction, and a third terminal support hole 57 is formed adjacent to the recess 56 in the X1 direction and recessed further in the Z1 direction than the recess 56. A plurality of terminals 10 are exposed from a bottom surface 56B of the recess 56, and are housed in the recess 56 with their respective connection parts 12 protruding to be flush with the lower surface 52. That is, each connection part 12 is exposed inside the packing contact part 54. The part of the terminal 10 exposed from the bottom surface 56B of the recess 56 is bent upward (Z1 direction) toward the bottom surface 56B of the recess 56 (inside the housing 30) on both sides of the connection part 12 in the extension direction, forming a U-shape when viewed in the Y direction. As described above, the end 17 of the second part 16 of the plurality of terminals 10 is exposed from the inner wall of the third terminal support hole 57.

[0037] An angle formed between an inclined surface 55A (an example of a portion of an inclined surface) adjacent to the recess 56 of the inclined surface 55 and a side surface 56A of the recess 56 closest to the inclined surface 55A is acute, and a boundary portion 53 between the inclined surface 55A and the side surface 56A is sharp. If the boundary portion 53 is sharp, when the packing 2 described below is placed in close contact with the packing contact portion 54 of the housing 30, the pressure acting on the flat surface 72 of the packing 2 at the boundary portion 53 becomes large, and the boundary portion 53 bites into the packing 2, so that even if the recess 56 is formed adjacent to the inclined surface 55, the packing 2 exhibits a sufficient waterproof function and can prevent water from entering the connection portion 12.

[0038] 3, around the contact insertion holes 36 visible from the bottom surface 52 of the housing 30, there are formed rounded square recesses 58 recessed from the bottom surface 52 in the Z1 direction. The depth of the recesses 58 from the bottom surface 52 is shallower than the depth of the recesses 56. In addition, around the four first engagement holes 38 visible from the bottom surface 52 of the housing 30, there are formed stopper portions 59 that protrude cylindrically from the bottom surface 52 in the Z2 direction. The height of the stopper portions 59 from the bottom surface 52 is slightly higher than the thickness of the board 3, which will be described later.

[0039] A pair of cylindrical protrusions 62, 62 are formed on both sides in the Y direction of the third terminal support hole 57 on the lower surface 52. The diameter of the protrusion 62 is smaller than the diameter of the stopper portion 59, and the height of the protrusion 62 from the lower surface 52 is greater than the height of the stopper portion 59.

[0040] A rear cutout 66 is formed in the rear surface 64 of the housing 30, which is cut out from the rear surface 64 toward the X1 direction to about one-third of the distance (Z-direction height) between the lower surface 52 and the abutting surface 47C from the lower surface 52. As shown in FIG. 4, a sealing portion 67 in which the ends 15 of the multiple terminals 10 are sealed is formed in the vicinity of the boundary between the rear surface 64 and a bottom surface 68 perpendicular to the X direction among the surface exposed by the rear cutout 66. The sealing portion 67 causes the ends 15 to be covered and buried in the resin of the housing 30, and the ends 15 are located inside the housing 30. The ends 15 and 17 are located higher than the lower surface 52 (Z1 direction).

[0041] In this way, the connection portions 12 of the multiple terminals 10 are exposed inside the annular packing contact portion 54, and therefore, when a packing 2, which will be described later, is placed in the packing contact portion 54, the connection portions 12 of the terminals 10 are surrounded by the packing 2, preventing water from entering the connection portions 12 and ensuring the waterproofing of the connection portions 12. In addition, both end portions (end portions 15, 17) of the terminals 10 are located inside the housing 30, and therefore, water can be prevented from entering the end portions 15, 17 of the terminals 10.

[0042] In addition, each of the multiple terminals 10 is bent upward (in the Z1 direction) from the lower surface 52 toward the inside of the housing 30 on both sides of the connection portion 12 in the extension direction, and as a result, both ends 15 and 17 are positioned higher than the lower surface 52, so that the connection portion 12 is minimally exposed, making it possible to more reliably prevent water from entering the connection portion 12.

[0043] Furthermore, since the underside 52 has a recess 56 and each connection portion 12 of the multiple terminals 10 is housed in the recess 56, even if water penetrates into the interior through the packing contact portion 54, the water is less likely to reach the connection portion 12, and the waterproofing of the connection portion 12 can be more reliably ensured.

[0044] The annular packing 2 is made of a material that is elastically deformable and waterproof, such as rubber, elastomer, or sponge, and is located between the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 of the connector 1 and the mounting surface 82 of the bottom part 4A of the case 4, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4. The packing 2 adheres to the annular packing contact part 54 of the lower surface 52 and the mounting surface 82, preventing water from entering the connection part 12 and the board 3 inside the packing 2, thereby ensuring the waterproofing of the connection part 12 and the board 3 in the connector unit A. The packing 2 has two parallel flat surfaces 71 and 72 with a step and an inclined surface 73 connecting the flat surfaces 71 and 72 so as to adhere to the packing contact part 54 of the housing 30. The flat surface 71, the inclined surface 73, and the flat surface 72 are arranged in this order from the outer edge to the inner edge of the annular packing 2. The flat surfaces 71, 72 come into close contact with the packing contact portion 54, which is two parallel stepped surfaces on the underside 52 of the housing 30, and the inclined surface 73 comes into close contact with the inclined surface 55 of the housing 30. Note that if the housing 30 and the case 4 have shapes that can ensure waterproofing of the connection portion 12 and the board 3 by precisely aligning them with each other and bringing them into close contact, etc., then it is not necessarily necessary to use the packing 2.

[0045] The thickness (height in the Z direction) of the flat surface 72 of the packing 2 is slightly thicker than the height of the stopper portion 59. The packing 2 is crushed between the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 and the mounting surface 82 of the case 4 to be in close contact with the lower surface 52 and the mounting surface 82, thereby ensuring the waterproofing of the connection portion 12 and the board 3 in the connector unit A, but is not crushed beyond the height of the stopper portion 59. That is, the stopper portion 59 functions as a stopper that prevents the packing 2 from being excessively deformed. In addition, the part of the flat surface 72 that is in close contact with the boundary portion 53 between the inclined surface 55A and the side surface 56A of the recess 56 has a small amount of protrusion from the inclined surface 73 to the inside and a small amount of overlap with the recess 56 when viewed in the Z direction. This is to ensure a space for attaching the board 3 described later inside the packing contact portion 54 of the housing 30.

[0046] The substrate 3 is disposed inside the packing contact portion 54 (packing 2) in a state of contacting the lower surface 52 of the housing 30, and includes a horizontally elongated portion 3A along the Y direction and a vertically elongated portion 3B along the X1 direction from the center of the horizontally elongated portion 3A, and has a substantially T-shape as a whole when viewed in the Z direction. The substrate 3 also has a drawn-out portion 3C extending in the horizontal direction (Y direction) from the vicinity of the tip of the vertically elongated portion 3B. The drawn-out portion 3C is folded back and extends in the Z2 direction from the vicinity of the tip of the vertically elongated portion 3B. The horizontally elongated portion 3A of the substrate 3 has a land 76 formed thereon that is electrically connected to the connection portions 12 of the multiple terminals 10 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the entire substrate 3 is a flexible printed circuit board, and a wiring pattern that is routed from the land 76 to the drawn-out portion 3C is formed on a film. However, the entire substrate 3 does not need to be a flexible printed circuit board. For example, in the substrate 3, part or all of the T-shape may be a rigid substrate, and the wiring formed in the lead-out portion 3C may be composed of an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) soldered to the rigid substrate.

[0047] The substrate 3 is attached to the housing 30. Specifically, a pair of holes 77A, 77A are formed at two ends of the horizontally elongated portion 3A of the substrate 3, and a hole 77B having a land is formed at one end of the vertically elongated portion 3B. The horizontally elongated portion 3A is positioned relative to the housing 30 by a pair of protrusions 62, 62 integrally formed on the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 entering the pair of holes 77A, 77A. The vertically elongated portion 3B is fixed to the housing 30 by soldering the shaft portion 39B of the rivet contact 39, which is inserted into the contact insertion hole 36 formed in the counterbore of the protrusion 34 of the housing 30 and passes through the hole 77B, to the land of the hole 77B. This also electrically connects the wiring pattern of the substrate 3 to the rivet contact 39.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 1, the housing 4 has the packing 2, the board 3, the connector 1, and the holder 5 stacked in this order in the Z1 direction. The housing 4 is made of a resin material such as PPS (Poly Phenylene Sulfide) or LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) or a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, has a rectangular bottom 4A having a mounting surface 82 on which the packing 2 is mounted in close contact, and a side portion 4B erected in the Z1 direction on three edges of the bottom 4A except for the front edge (X1 direction). The side portion 4B is made of a rear wall 87 formed on the edge of the bottom 4A in the X2 direction, and side walls 88 extending in the X1 direction from both ends of the rear wall 87. That is, the side portion 4B has a U-shape when viewed in the Z direction.

[0049] The rear surface (surface opposite to the mounting surface 82) of the bottom 4A of the housing 4 is recessed in a rectangular shape, and a rectangular extraction hole 84 (an example of a through hole) penetrating the bottom 4A, four countersunk holes near the four corners of the extraction hole 84, and second engagement holes 86 penetrating the bottom 4A from the bottom surfaces of the four countersunk holes are formed on the bottom surface 83 of the recess. The extraction hole 84 and the second engagement holes 86 are located inside the packing 2 on the mounting surface 82 side of the bottom 4A. Each of the four second engagement holes 86 is arranged so as to have the same diameter and be concentric with the first engagement hole 38. The extraction portion 3C of the substrate 3 is drawn out from the extraction hole 84.

[0050] The holder 5 guides the electronic control accessory so that a plurality of metal contacts of the electronic control accessory reliably establish electrical connection with the contact surfaces 18 of the plurality of terminals 10 of the connector 1, and also serves to hold the electronic control accessory after the connection has been established. The holder 5 is formed by processing a metal plate such as aluminum, iron, or stainless steel with a press machine or by using a metal powder injection molding method (MIM method). The holder 5 has a rectangular shape that matches the size of the connector 1 when viewed in the Z direction. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the holder 5 is formed in an annular shape when viewed in the X direction, and has an upper plate portion 92, a lower plate portion 93 parallel to the upper plate portion 92, and a pair of side plate portions 94 connected to both ends of the upper plate portion 92 and the lower plate portion 93.

[0051] The upper plate portion 92 of the holder 5 is formed with a rectangular upper plate notch 95 extending from the end in the X1 direction toward the X2 direction. The lower plate portion 93 is also formed with a rectangular lower plate notch 96 extending from the end in the X1 direction toward the X2 direction. The notch width (length in the Y direction) and notch depth (length in the X direction) of the lower plate notch 96 are both smaller than those of the upper plate notch 95. Four screw holes 98 are formed around the lower plate notch 96 of the lower plate portion 93, and are concentric with the second engagement hole 86 of the housing 4 and the first engagement hole 38 of the connector 1, and are threaded with female threads to be fastened with the bolt 6 inserted from the second engagement hole 86 side. In addition, a rear notch 97 extending from the end in the X2 direction toward the X1 direction is formed from the side plate portion 94 to the lower plate portion 93.

[0052] The lower plate portion 93 of the holder 5 is placed on the flat portion 33 with its outer surface 93A abutting against the flat portion 33 of the connector 1 and with its lower plate notch 96 fitting into the protrusion 34 of the holder fixing surface 32 (see FIG. 1). At this time, the inner surface 92A of the upper plate portion 92 abuts against the abutment surface 47C of the connector accommodating portion 42, and the side surface 94A of the side plate portion 94 abuts against the holder support portion 48.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the bolt 6 is inserted from the bottom surface 83 of the housing 4 through the second engagement hole 86 and the first engagement hole 38 of the housing 30 (connector 1) and screwed into the screw hole 98 of the holder 5, thereby integrating the housing 4, the gasket 2, the connector 1 with the board 3 attached, and the holder 5 in a stacked arrangement to form a connector unit A.

[0054] In this way, in connector unit A, by arranging packing 2 in packing contact portion 54, each connection portion 12 of a plurality of terminals 10 is surrounded by packing 2, thereby preventing water from entering connection portions 12 and ensuring waterproofing of connection portions 12. In addition, end portions 15 and 17 on both sides of terminal 10 are located inside housing 30, so that water can be prevented from entering through end portions 15 and 17 of terminal 10.

[0055] In addition, the packing 2 and the connector 1 are sandwiched between the housing 4 and the holder 5, and the housing 4 and the holder 5 are fastened by the bolts 6 to bring the packing 2 into close contact with the housing 4 and the connector 1. This makes it possible to prevent water from entering the connection portion 12 and ensure the waterproofing of the connection portion 12 in a simple manner. It is not necessary to use the bolts 6 as a method for bringing the packing 2 into close contact with the housing 4 and the connector 1. For example, any method other than the bolts, such as crimping using a metal rivet, can be used. Since the housing 30 of this embodiment has the stopper portion 59, no matter what method is used for bringing the packing 2 into close contact, excessive deformation of the packing 2 can be prevented and the waterproofing of the connector unit A can be ensured.

[0056] Furthermore, because the substrate 3 and the pull-out hole 84 of the housing 4 are disposed inside the packing 2, by pulling out the pull-out portion 3C of the substrate 3 to the outside of the housing 4 through the pull-out hole 84 of the housing 4, electrical communication can be established between the connector unit A and the outside while ensuring waterproofing. For example, when the connector unit A is used as an accessory shoe for a camera (not shown), the pull-out portion 3C is electrically connected to the substrate inside the camera through an opening provided in the exterior of the camera, thereby enabling electrical communication between the connector unit A and the camera.

[0057] [Method of manufacturing connector unit] Next, a method for manufacturing the connector unit A including a method for manufacturing the connector 1 will be described. First, a plurality of terminals 10 formed by pressing a metal strip material are placed in a molding die (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "die") for the housing 30 in a state where the terminals 10 are connected to the carrier 19 (terminal placement process). Next, the die is closed, the terminals 10 are pressed and fixed in the die, and the housing 30 is formed by filling with resin (housing formation process). As a result, the plurality of terminals 10 are accommodated in the housing 30. FIG. 5a shows a state in which the housing 30 is removed from the die after the housing formation process is completed. At this time, the points where the ends 15 of the plurality of terminals 10 are connected to the carrier 19 are located in the vicinity of the boundary between the back notch 66 and the back 64 in the Z1 direction (upward) from the lower surface 52 of the housing 30. As a result of pressing the plurality of terminals 10 in the die, the first terminal support hole 45, the second terminal support hole 46, the recess 56, the third terminal support hole 57, and the back notch 66 are formed in the housing 30 (see FIG. 4).

[0058] Next, the carrier 19 is folded and separated from the multiple terminals 10 (carrier separation process). A V-notch is formed between the end 15 and the carrier 19, so that the carrier 19 can be easily separated from the terminals 10. After the carrier 19 is separated, the end 15 of the multiple terminals 10 is located in the X1 direction further than the back surface 64 and in the vicinity of the bottom surface 68 perpendicular to the X direction of the back surface notch 66 (see FIG. 5b).

[0059] Next, a portion of the resin in the housing 30 near the ends 15 of the multiple terminals 10 is heated and melted to form molten resin 31, and the ends 15 are sealed by hardening the molten resin 31 while covered with the molten resin 31 to form a sealing portion 67 (terminal sealing step). The sealing portion 67 causes the ends 15 to be covered and buried in the resin of the housing 30 (resin formed by hardening the molten resin 31), and the ends 15 are positioned inside the housing 30. This completes the connector 1 (see FIG. 5c).

[0060] 3, the board 3 is attached to the underside 52 of the connector 1. Specifically, the shaft 39B of the rivet contact 39 is inserted through the contact insertion hole 36 of the protrusion 34 of the housing 30 and the hole 77B of the board 3, and soldered to the land of the hole 77B. At the same time, the pair of holes 77A, 77A of the board 3 are inserted into the pair of protrusions 62, 62 of the housing 30.

[0061] Next, the packing 2, the connector 1 with the board 3 attached, and the holder 5 are mounted in this order on the mounting surface 82 of the bottom 4A of the housing 4, and the bolt 6 is inserted from the bottom surface 83 of the housing 4 through the second engagement hole 86 and the first engagement hole 38 of the housing 30 (connector 1) and screwed into the screw hole 98 of the holder 5, thereby integrating the housing 4, the packing 2, the connector 1 with the board 3 attached, and the holder 5. This completes the connector unit A.

[0062] In this way, by having a terminal sealing process in which the ends 15 of the multiple terminals 10 are covered with molten resin 31 made by melting a portion of the housing 30 near the ends 15 of the multiple terminals 10 and the molten resin 31 is hardened to form a sealing portion 67, it is possible to cover the ends 15 of the multiple terminals 10 without using a separate member and prevent water from entering through the ends 15 of the terminals 10.

[0063] [Another embodiment] In the above embodiment, the terminal of the electronic control accessory and the wiring pattern of the board 3 are electrically connected via the rivet contacts 39. However, if the rivet contacts 39 are not required, there is no need to form a countersink or a contact insertion hole 36 in the protrusion 34 of the housing 30 or to form a recess 58 in the lower surface 52. In this case, there is also no need to form a hole 77B in the board 3. However, since the vertically elongated portion 3B of the board 3 cannot be kept in contact with the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 as it is, it is preferable to abut the vertically elongated portion 3B of the board 3 against the lower surface 52 of the housing 30 by means of adhesion or the like, if necessary. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The present invention can be used in a connector, a connector unit, and a method for manufacturing a connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] A Connector unit 1 Connector 2 Waterproof packing 3 Flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 3C Drawer section 4. Chassis 5 Holder 10 Terminals 12 Connection 15 End 17 End 19 Career 30 Housing 52 Bottom side 53 Boundary part 54 Packing contact area 55 Slope 55A Inclined surface (part of inclined surface) 56 Recess 56A side 56B Bottom 76 rand 84 Drawer hole (through hole)

Claims

1. A plurality of rod-shaped terminals electrically connected to lands formed on the substrate; a housing in which the terminal is accommodated; the lower surface of the housing has an annular packing contact portion to which an annular waterproof packing is closely attached, a connecting portion of the terminal that is connected to the land is flush with the lower surface of the housing and is exposed on the inside of the packing contact portion, A connector in which both ends of the terminals are located inside the housing.

2. The terminal is bent upward from the lower surface toward the inside of the housing on both sides of the connection portion in the extension direction, The connector of claim 1 , wherein both ends are positioned higher than the lower surface.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface has a recess, and the connection portion is housed in the recess.

4. A connector as described in claim 3, wherein the gasket contact portion has an inclined surface, a portion of the inclined surface is adjacent to a side surface of the recess, the angle between the portion of the inclined surface and the side surface is acute, and the boundary portion between the portion of the inclined surface and the side surface is pointed.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4; The waterproof packing is disposed so as to be in close contact with the packing contact portion of the housing; and the substrate is disposed inside the waterproof packing and in contact with the lower surface of the housing, the substrate having the land electrically connected to the connection portion of the terminal; a holder disposed on a side of the housing opposite to a side on which the waterproof packing is disposed; A connector unit comprising a housing in which the waterproof packing, the board, the connector, and the holder are mounted in this order.

6. The connector unit according to claim 5 , wherein the housing and the holder are fastened together to bring the waterproof packing into close contact with the housing and the connector.

7. 7. The connector unit according to claim 5, wherein a through hole is formed in the housing on the inner side of the waterproof packing, and the lead-out portion of the circuit board is led out from the through hole to the outside of the housing.

8. A method for manufacturing a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: a terminal placing step of placing a plurality of rod-shaped terminals, one end of which is connected to a carrier, in a die; a housing forming process of pouring a resin into the mold to form a housing in which the plurality of terminals are accommodated; a carrier separation step of cutting the carrier to separate the carrier from the plurality of terminals; a terminal sealing process for covering the ends of one side of the plurality of terminals with molten resin obtained by melting a portion of the housing and hardening the molten resin.

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