Connector connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure of a connector to a circuit board in which electrical connection is less likely to be lost.SOLUTION: In a connection structure 1 of a connector 3 connected to a connection portion of a circuit board 2 supported by a holder 10, the connecting portion and the connector are connected in a detachable manner, and the holder includes a circuit board restricting portion 15 that engages with the circuit board electrically connected to the connector and restricts the movement of the circuit board in the direction of separation from the connector, and a connector restricting portion 17 that engages with the connector electrically connected to the circuit board and restricts the movement of the connector in the direction of separating from the circuit board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for connecting a connector to a circuit board. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors for printed circuit boards that allow easy detection of poor contact connections are known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The connector includes a housing and multiple contacts. The housing has an opening into which the printed circuit board is inserted. The opening is provided with multiple grooves aligned in the horizontal direction, and the contacts are housed in each groove. When the printed circuit board is inserted into the opening, the contacts each come into contact with a circuit pattern provided on the printed circuit board.

[0003] The housing further has a window extending from the top surface thereof into the opening, through which the inserted printed circuit board can be visually inspected. By visually inspecting the inserted printed circuit board through the window, an operator can check whether the end face or edge of the printed circuit board is inserted up to the predetermined fitting position of the contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-307831 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the circuit board (printed board) is not locked to the housing, so there is a risk that the circuit board will become detached from the housing and electrical connection will be lost.

[0006] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure for connecting a connector to a circuit board in which electrical connection is unlikely to be lost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a connection structure (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 600, 700) for a connector (3) that connects to a connection portion of a circuit board (2) supported by a holder (10, 202, 601, 701), wherein the connection portion and the connector are coupled in a removable manner, and the holder is provided with a circuit board regulating portion (15) that engages with the circuit board electrically connected to the connector and regulates movement of the circuit board in a direction away from the connector, and a connector regulating portion (17, 203, 602, 702G) that engages with the connector electrically connected to the circuit board and regulates movement of the connector in a direction away from the circuit board.

[0008] According to this aspect, the circuit board restricting portion restricts movement of the circuit board in a direction to separate from the connector, and the connector restricting portion restricts movement of the connector in a direction to separate from the circuit board, making it difficult for the circuit board and the connector to separate and difficult for electrical connection to be lost.

[0009] In the above aspect, the connector is provided with a flange portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector, the holder is provided with a support surface for supporting the circuit board, and the connector restricting portion includes a protrusion (17, 203) protruding from the support surface on the distal side of the flange portion relative to the circuit board, and when the connector moves in a direction separating from the circuit board, the protrusion abuts against the flange portion to restrict movement of the connector.

[0010] According to this aspect, the flange and the protruding piece restrict movement of the connector in a direction in which the connector separates from the circuit board, making it difficult for the circuit board and the connector to separate, and therefore difficult for electrical connection to be lost.

[0011] In the above aspect, the flange portion may have a pressing surface (54) facing distally in the connection direction.

[0012] According to this aspect, the worker can apply a load to bring the connector closer to the circuit board by pressing the pressing surface, thereby electrically connecting the circuit board and the connector.

[0013] In the above aspect, the protruding piece may be provided with a slope (107) that slopes toward the circuit board as it approaches the support surface.

[0014] According to this aspect, when the worker moves the flange along the inclined surface when bringing the circuit board closer to the support surface to hold the circuit board on the support surface, the flange is guided by the inclined surface and moves toward the circuit board, so that the connector moves closer to the circuit board, thereby making it possible to more reliably electrically connect the circuit board and the connector.

[0015] In the above aspect, a surface of the flange portion facing the circuit board may be parallel to an end face of the circuit board facing the connection portion.

[0016] According to this aspect, the worker can understand the connection state between the circuit board and the connector from the distance between the surface of the flange portion facing the circuit board and the end face of the circuit board facing the connection portion.

[0017] In the above aspect, when the distance between the circuit board and the connector in the insertion direction is greater than a predetermined threshold, the flange and the protruding piece may cooperate to prohibit the holder from supporting the circuit board.

[0018] According to this aspect, when the circuit board is supported by the holder, the movement distance of the connector in the direction of separation from the circuit board can be kept below a threshold value. By appropriately setting the threshold value, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection between the connector and the circuit board from being lost and the connector and the circuit board from being physically separated from each other.

[0019] In the above aspect, the connector may have at least one terminal member (23, 303, 403) that can be electrically connected by contacting a terminal (8) of the circuit board, and when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, all of the terminal members of the connector connect to the corresponding terminals of the circuit board.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the circuit board from being supported by the holder in a state in which the electrical connection between the connector and the circuit board has been lost.

[0021] In the above aspect, the connector has at least one terminal member (23, 303, 403) that can be electrically connected by contacting a terminal (8) of the circuit board, the terminal member having a plurality of contacts that contact the terminal of the circuit board, and when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, at least one of the plurality of contacts included in each of the terminal members contacts a corresponding terminal of the circuit board.

[0022] According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent the circuit board from being supported by the holder in a state in which the electrical connection between the connector and the circuit board has been lost.

[0023] In the above aspect, the connector has at least one terminal member (23, 303, 403) that can be electrically connected by contacting a terminal (8) of the circuit board, the terminal member having a plurality of contacts that contact the terminal of the circuit board, and when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, all of the contacts of the terminal member contact the corresponding terminal of the circuit board.

[0024] According to this aspect, when the circuit board is supported by the holder, all of the contacts are in contact with the terminals of the circuit board, so that the electrical connection between the connector and the circuit board is less likely to be lost.

[0025] In the above aspect, the connection portion may include a conductive pattern extending in the connection direction on the surface of the circuit board.

[0026] According to this aspect, the distance range over which the connector is electrically connected to the circuit board is long in the connection direction, making it easier to obtain electrical connection of the connector. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a structure for connecting a connector to a circuit board in which electrical connection is unlikely to be lost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection state of a connector, a circuit board, and a holder according to a first embodiment of the connector connection structure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a circuit board and a connector according to a connector connection structure of a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the connector connection structure; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector and a circuit board are connected in a connector connection structure according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] (A) Front view of the circuit board not fully inserted into the connector, and (B) Top view of the circuit board fully inserted into the connector. [Figure 6] Top views showing the relative positions of the circuit board terminals and contacts when the connector is (A) in the fully inserted position, (B) moved rearward from the fully inserted position by the full contact threshold, and (C) moved rearward from the fully inserted position by the effective mating length. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are side cross-sectional views of a connector structure according to a first embodiment, in which the connector is not in an allowable position when a circuit board is inserted into a holder; [Figure 8] 1A is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a connector, a circuit board, and a holder in a connector connection structure according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a protruding piece of the holder as viewed from behind; [Figure 9]11A and 11B are explanatory views showing a state before the circuit board is accommodated in the holder, a state when the circuit board is lowered to guide the connector along a slope, a state when the guiding is completed, and a state when the circuit board is fixed in the holder in the connector connection structure according to the second embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector and the circuit board are connected and the circuit board is held by the holder in the connector connection structure according to the third embodiment; [Figure 11] 13A is a perspective view of a connector and a circuit board in a connector connection structure according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the connector; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a top view showing a state in which the connector and the circuit board are connected and the circuit board is held by a holder in the connector connection structure according to the fourth embodiment; [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of a connector and a circuit board according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the connector; [Figure 14] 1A is a top view of a first modified example of a connector connection structure, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a top view of a second modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a third modified example of a connector connection structure; FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a fourth modified example of a connector connection structure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, one embodiment of a connector connection structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] (First embodiment) The connector connection structure according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, connection structure 1) is a structure for connecting a circuit board 2 and a connector 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 are connected by inserting an end of the circuit board 2 into the connector 3.

[0031] 1, the following description will be given assuming that the direction in which the circuit board 2 is inserted into the connector 3, i.e., the direction in which the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 are connected, is the forward direction. However, this definition of the direction is for the sake of convenience and is not limited to this.

[0032] The circuit board 2 is a plate-like board, and is a so-called PCB (printed circuit board). The circuit board 2 is in the shape of a rectangular plate having sides extending forward and backward and left and right. Metal wiring (not shown) is provided on the surface of the circuit board 2. As shown in FIG. 2, two slits 5 extending forward are provided at the rear of the circuit board 2. In this embodiment, the widths of the slits 5 in the left and right directions are set to be different from each other, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0033] 2, a terminal 8 is provided on the surface of a portion (hereinafter, connection portion 6) between both slits 5 of circuit board 2, to connect to wiring provided on circuit board 2. Terminal 8 is configured with a conductive pattern extending forward and backward. Connector 3 is a so-called card edge connector in which connection portion 6 is coupled so as to be insertable and removable from the rear.

[0034] 1, the connection structure 1 includes a circuit board 2, a connector 3, and a holder 10 for supporting the circuit board 2. The holder 10 has a horizontal surface (hereinafter, the support surface 12) on its upper surface. The support surface 12 is provided with a circuit board restricting portion 15 for restricting the forward movement of the circuit board 2.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 14 is further provided at an appropriate position of the circuit board 2, and the circuit board restricting portion 15 is configured as a convex portion that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the support surface 12 and enters the through hole 14. The circuit board 2 is supported by the support surface 12 of the holder 10 with the circuit board restricting portion 15 inserted into the through hole 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the tip of the circuit board restricting portion 15 is preferably tapered. This allows the worker to easily insert the circuit board restricting portion 15 into the through hole 14. The circuit board restricting portion 15 may be provided with a rib 15A on its outer circumferential surface for holding the circuit board 2 at a position away from the support surface 12. The rib 15A forms a protrusion that extends from the lower end (base end) of the circuit board restricting portion 15 to a predetermined height.

[0036] The circuit board restricting portion 15 restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 in the front-rear and left-right directions relative to the holder 10, and the circuit board 2 is only movable upward relative to the support surface 12. However, the configuration of the circuit board restricting portion 15 is not limited to this. For example, the circuit board restricting portion 15 may be in any form as long as it restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 forward and allows it to move upward relative to the support surface 12.

[0037] A protruding wall 17 (protruding piece) is erected on the support surface 12. The protruding wall 17 forms a wall surrounding the circuit board 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the support surface 12 is rectangular in size to match the circuit board 2, and the protruding wall 17 extends along the edge of the support surface 12. The protruding wall 17 forms a square tube surrounding the circuit board 2. This gives the holder 10 a square box shape, and an accommodation space 18 for accommodating the circuit board 2 is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the protruding wall 17 and the support surface 12.

[0038] An opening 19 is provided in the protruding wall 17, behind the connection portion 6, which connects the inside and outside of the protruding wall 17. The upper edge of the opening 19 is open. When the connector 3 is connected to the circuit board 2 and the circuit board 2 is supported by the holder 10, the connector 3 is disposed so as to pass through the opening 19.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 3 includes a housing 21 and a plurality of terminal members 23.

[0040] The housing 21 is an insulating resin member. The housing 21 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of terminal holes 25 are provided on the rear surface of the housing 21. Each of the terminal holes 25 opens on the rear surface of the housing 21 and is recessed toward the front. The terminal holes 25 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, each of the terminal holes 25 extends from the upper half of the rear surface of the housing 21 to the upper half of the front surface of the housing 21 and opens in the upper half of the front surface.

[0041] The housing 21 is provided with a circuit board insertion hole 27. The circuit board insertion hole 27 is provided in the lower half of the front surface of the housing 21 and is recessed toward the rear. The circuit board insertion hole 27 has an opening extending in the left-right direction in the lower half of the front surface of the housing 21. The opening has a generally rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction in a front view. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 are connected by inserting the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the front ends of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 21 are provided with extensions 29 that extend outward to the left and right. As shown in Fig. 5(A) and (B), the extension amounts of the extensions 29 are different on the left and right sides and are set according to the width of the slit 5 in the left and right direction. Therefore, the worker cannot insert the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27 in an upside-down state. This makes it possible to prevent the worker from erroneously inserting the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27 in an upside-down state. In addition, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the worker can visually check the insertion state of the connector 3 of the circuit board 2 based on the area or presence or absence of a portion S surrounded by the front end of the extensions 29 and the front part of the slit 7.

[0043] 3, each of the terminal holes 25 is provided with a communication hole 31 that communicates with the circuit board insertion hole 27. The communication hole 31 is preferably provided in the front portion of the terminal hole 25.

[0044] A lance piece 33 for engaging the terminal member 23 is provided on the upper wall that defines the upper edge of the terminal hole 25. The lance piece 33 is in the form of a cantilever that extends forward from the lower rear edge of the housing 21. A locking projection (not shown) that projects downward is provided on the free end of the lance piece 33.

[0045] The terminal member 23 is a sheet metal member formed by bending a pressed metal plate. The terminal member 23 includes a cable connection portion 35, a housing 37 provided in front of the cable connection portion 35, and a spring piece 39 supported by the housing 37.

[0046] The cable connection portion 35 includes a barrel-shaped crimping portion 41. The crimping portion 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. A conductor 45, which is a core wire of a cable 43, is inserted into an inner hole of the crimping portion 41 and is crimped to the crimping portion 41. In this way, the terminal member 23 is electrically connected to the conductor 45 of the cable 43.

[0047] The housing 37 has a groove-shaped cross-sectional portion 47 at its front portion that opens downward and has a groove-shaped cross section. As shown in Fig. 2, the groove-shaped cross-sectional portion 47 has a bottom wall 47A extending in the connection direction, and a left wall 47B and a right wall extending along the left and right side edges of the bottom wall 47A.

[0048] The bottom wall 47A has a surface facing the vertical direction and forms a wall extending in the front-rear direction. A locking hole 47D is provided in the bottom wall 47A so as to penetrate in the vertical direction, and the locking protrusion of the lance piece 33 is inserted into the locking hole 47D, so that the terminal member 23 is locked to the housing 21 as shown in FIG.

[0049] The left wall 47B and the right wall each have a surface facing the left and right sides and form a wall extending in the front-rear direction. The left wall 47B and the right wall each have a through hole 47E penetrating in the left-right direction at approximately the center in the front-rear direction.

[0050] The spring piece 39 is accommodated in the grooved cross-sectional portion 47. The spring piece 39 is supported by the housing 37 by being connected at its base end to any one of the left wall 47B, the right wall, and the bottom wall 47A. The spring piece 39 extends rearward from its base end, is folded back toward the opening side of the grooved cross-sectional portion 47, and then extends forward. The lower surface of the spring piece 39 is provided with a pressing portion 39A and a contact portion 39B that protrude downward. The pressing portion 39A and the contact portion 39B are formed by embossed portions that protrude downward from the spring piece 39. The pressing portion 39A is located behind the contact portion 39B. The spring piece 39 is provided with a protruding portion 39C that protrudes outward to the left and right between the pressing portion 39A and the contact portion 39B. The protruding portion 39C protrudes into the through hole 47E of the left wall 47B and the through hole 47E of the right wall, respectively. As a result, the spring piece 39 forms a lever at its lower part with the overhanging portion 39C as a fulcrum, the pressing portion 39A as a force point, and the contact portion 39B as a point of action.

[0051] The terminal members 23 are inserted into the terminal holes 25. The lower surfaces of the spring pieces 39 protrude into the circuit board insertion holes 27 through the communication holes 31. When the circuit board 2 is not inserted into the circuit board insertion holes 27, the pressing portions 39A are positioned inside the circuit board insertion holes 27.

[0052] When the circuit board 2 is inserted into the circuit board insertion hole 27 and the circuit board 2 comes into contact with the pressing portion 39A, the pressing portion 39A moves toward the bottom wall 47A of the groove-shaped cross-sectional portion 47. As a result, the contact portion 39B moves toward the circuit board insertion hole 27, and the contact portion 39B is pushed out toward the circuit board 2. When the circuit board 2 is completely inserted into the circuit board insertion hole 27, FIG. 6(A) shows the positions of the contact portion 39B and the pressing portion 39A when the circuit board 2 is completely inserted, and the relationship with the terminals 8 of the circuit board 2. As shown in FIG. 6(A), all the terminal members 23 of the connector 3 come into contact with the corresponding terminals 8 of the circuit board 2 at the contact portions 39B and the pressing portions 39A. As a result, the wiring of the circuit board 2 and the cables 43 connected to the terminal members 23 are electrically connected to each other. In other words, the contact portion 39B and the pressing portion 39A constitute the contacts of the terminal members 23.

[0053] As can be understood by referring to Figs. 6(B) and (C), even if the circuit board 2 is not completely inserted into the circuit board insertion hole 27, the terminal member 23 is electrically connected to the circuit board 2 as long as the insufficient amount of the insertion depth is within a predetermined allowable range. The insufficient amount of the insertion depth corresponds to the moving distance of the connector 3 in the direction in which the circuit board 2 is separated from the circuit board 2 from the position where the circuit board 2 is completely inserted (or the moving distance of the connector 3 in the insertion direction required until the circuit board 2 is completely inserted). This allowable range generally corresponds to the range in which contact between all the terminal members 23 and the corresponding terminals 8 of the circuit board 2 is not lost (in the case where the terminal members 23 include multiple contacts, at least one of the multiple contacts included in each of the terminal members 23 contacts the corresponding terminal 8), and depends on the size, position, shape, etc. of the contacts of the terminal members 23 and the terminals 8 of the circuit board 2. Here, the upper limit of the allowable range is called the effective engagement length (see x in Fig. 6(C)).

[0054] However, depending on the usage environment, even if the shortfall in the insertion depth is equal to or less than the effective mating length, the contact state between the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 may deteriorate due to shock, vibration, rattling, etc. applied to the circuit board 2. Therefore, in order to ensure the reliability and certainty of the electrical connection, it is preferable that the shortfall in the insertion depth is limited to or less than a threshold value (hereinafter, the allowable threshold value) that is determined taking into consideration the usage environment, processing tolerances, etc. The allowable threshold value may be set to any value greater than 0 and equal to or less than the effective mating length. It is preferable that the allowable threshold value is set to a predetermined value equal to or less than the upper limit of the shortfall in the insertion depth at which all contacts of the terminal member 23 come into contact with the corresponding terminal 8 (see y in FIG. 6(C)).

[0055] Hereinafter, the state in which the circuit board 2 is completely inserted into the circuit board insertion hole 27 will be referred to as a fully inserted state, and the position of the connector 3 at this time will be referred to as a fully inserted position. Also, the position of the connector 3 when the shortfall in the insertion depth of the circuit board 2 is equal to or less than the effective fitting length, at least one contact of the terminal member 23 and a corresponding terminal 8 of the circuit board 2 are in contact, and the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 are electrically connected will be referred to as a contact position. Furthermore, the state in which the shortfall in the insertion depth is greater than the effective fitting length, and the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 are not electrically connected will be referred to as a non-contact state, and the position of the connector 3 at this time will be referred to as a non-contact position. When the circuit board 2 is in the fully inserted state, it is in a contact state, and when the connector 3 is in the fully inserted position, it is in the contact position.

[0056] Furthermore, when the insufficient amount of the insertion depth of the circuit board 2 is equal to or less than the tolerance threshold, it is called an allowable state, and the position of the connector 3 at that time is called an allowable position. When the insufficient amount of the insertion depth of the circuit board 2 is greater than the tolerance threshold, it is called a non-allowable state, and the position of the connector 3 at that time is called a non-allowable position.

[0057] 4, the terminal holes 25 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the insertion depth of the terminal members 23 is configured to change alternately along the left-right direction.

[0058] The housing 21 has flanges 50 extending outwardly to the left and right at the approximate center in the front-rear direction on the left and right side surfaces. The flanges 50 include a left flange 50A provided on the left side surface of the housing 21 and a right flange 50B provided on the right side surface of the housing 21. Each flange 50 is plate-shaped with a surface facing the front-rear direction. The front surfaces of the left flange 50A and the right flange 50B are located on the same plane. In this embodiment, the housing 21 has flange reinforcing pieces 52 connecting the front surfaces of the left and right flanges 50 to the corresponding left and right side surfaces of the housing 21.

[0059] 4, each of the flanges 50 has a pressing surface 54 on its rear surface, the pressing surface 54 facing the distal side in the connection direction (i.e., the rear side). The pressing surface 54 is set to a size that allows it to be pressed by an operator.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5B, when the connector 3 is in the fully inserted position, the front surface of the flange 50 (the surface on the circuit board 2 side) is parallel to the rear end surface of the circuit board 2 other than the connection portion 6. The term "parallel" as used here includes cases where the front surface of the flange 50 and the rear end surface of the circuit board 2 other than the connection portion 6 are parallel straight lines as viewed from above, as well as cases where the front surface of the flange 50 and the rear end surface of the circuit board 2 other than the connection portion 6 are parallel curves as viewed from above (for example, each is semicircular) (more specifically, cases where one curve is spaced a certain distance from the other curve in the normal direction). In addition, any form may be used in which the front part of the flange 50 is the rear part of the circuit board 2 other than the connection portion 6, has a shape corresponding to the portion near the connection portion 6, and the worker can understand the proximity of the two based on their positions.

[0061] When the connector 3 is not in the fully inserted position, the distance d between the front surface of the flange 50 and the rear edge of the circuit board 2 is larger than when the connector 3 is in the fully inserted position (FIG. 5(B)). Therefore, the worker can easily understand the insertion state of the circuit board 2 based on the distance d between the front surface of the flange 50 and the rear edge of the circuit board 2.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the protruding wall 17 faces the housing 21 of the connector 3 from behind, near both left and right edges of the opening 19. Therefore, when the connector 3 moves backward, it collides with the protruding wall 17, and its movement is restricted. Specifically, the rearward movement distance of the connector 3 is restricted to less than the distance (hereinafter, set distance) in the front-to-rear direction (insertion direction) between the flange portion 50 and the portion of the protruding wall 17 near both left and right edges of the opening 19 when the circuit board 2 is fully inserted. In other words, since the movement distance of the connector 3 in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2 from the fully inserted position can be restricted to less than the set distance, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 from being lost, and the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 from being physically separated, by setting this set distance to an appropriate value.

[0063] Specifically, when the set distance is set as the effective mating length, the rearward movement of the connector 3 from the fully inserted position is suppressed to less than the effective mating length. This prevents the connector 3 from moving to a non-contact position, and therefore prevents the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 from being lost.

[0064] When the set distance is set as the allowable threshold, the amount of rearward movement of the connector 3 from the fully inserted position is kept below the allowable threshold. This makes it possible to prevent the connector 3 from moving to an unallowable position. This makes it possible to prevent the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 from being lost, and further makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the connection between the circuit board 2 and the connector 3.

[0065] In the case where the terminal member 23 has a plurality of contacts, the set distance may be set to be the rearward movement distance of the connector 3 from the fully inserted position just before contact between one contact and the terminal 8 of the circuit board 2 is lost (hereinafter, the full contact contact threshold; see y in FIG. 6(B)). The full contact contact threshold corresponds to the upper limit of the shortage of the insertion depth at which all the contacts of the terminal member 23 come into contact with the corresponding terminal 8. As a result, all the contacts of the terminal member 23 come into contact with the terminal 8 of the circuit board 2, so that the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 is unlikely to be lost. Hereinafter, the position of the connector 3 at which all the contacts of the terminal member 23 connect to the corresponding terminal 8 of the circuit board 2 will be referred to as the full contact contact position.

[0066] In this embodiment, the protruding walls 17 face the flange 50 near both left and right edges of the opening 19, and the movement of the connector 3 is restricted by the protruding walls 17 colliding with the flange 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the movement of the connector 3 may be restricted by the protruding walls 17 abutting against a portion of the connector 3 other than the flange 50.

[0067] Next, the assembly of the connector 3, the circuit board 2, and the holder 10 thus configured, and the effect of the connection structure 1 will be described.

[0068] After the worker inserts the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27 of the connector 3 to electrically connect the two, the worker inserts the circuit board regulating portion 15 into the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2 to support the circuit board 2 on the support surface 12, whereby the circuit board 2 is assembled to the holder 10.

[0069] When a worker inserts the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27 of the connector 3 to electrically connect the two, and then inserts the circuit board restricting portion 15 into the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2 and supports the circuit board 2 on the support surface 12, the circuit board 2 is assembled to the holder 10. At this time, because the circuit board restricting portion 15 is inserted into the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2, the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction of separation from the connector 3 (forward movement) is restricted by the circuit board restricting portion 15.

[0070] At this time, the protruding wall 17 faces the flange portion 50 from behind, restricting the rearward movement of the connector 3 relative to the circuit board 2 and the holder 10. The protruding wall 17 engages with the connector 3 electrically connected to the circuit board 2, and restricts the movement of the connector 3 in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2, functioning as a connector restricting portion, so to speak.

[0071] Since the circuit board restricting portion 15 restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction to separate from the connector 3, and the protruding wall 17 restricts the movement of the connector 3 in the direction to separate from the circuit board 2, the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 are difficult to separate. Therefore, separation of the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 can be prevented without providing the connector 3 with claws or the like that engage with the notches or through holes of the circuit board 2.

[0072] As shown by the arrow in FIG. 7(A), when the movement distance of the connector 3 from the fully inserted position in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2 is equal to or less than the set distance, the protruding wall 17 does not collide with the flange portion 50 when the circuit board 2 is moved downward toward the support surface 12, and the circuit board 2 can be assembled to the holder 10. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when the movement distance of the connector 3 from the fully inserted position in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2 becomes greater than the set distance, the protruding wall 17 collide with the flange portion 50. This inhibits the movement of the circuit board 2 toward the support surface 12 (i.e., downward movement), and the holder 10 is prohibited from supporting the circuit board 2 on the support surface 12. In other words, when the insufficient amount of insertion of the connector 3 is greater than the set distance, it is possible to prohibit the holder 10 from supporting the circuit board 2.

[0073] For example, when the set distance is the effective mating length, when the shortage of the insertion amount of the connector 3 is greater than the effective mating length, i.e., when the connector 3 is in a non-contact state, the circuit board 2 can be prevented from being supported on the support surface 12 of the holder 10. This makes it possible to prevent the circuit board 2 from being assembled to the holder 10 and used even when the connector 3 is not electrically connected to the circuit board 2.

[0074] When the set distance is the permissible threshold, when the insufficient amount of insertion of the connector 3 is greater than the permissible threshold, i.e., when the connector 3 is in an unpermissible state, the circuit board 2 can be prohibited from being supported on the support surface 12 of the holder 10. This makes it possible to prevent the circuit board 2 from being assembled to the holder 10 and used, even though the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 may be lost during use.

[0075] In the case where the set distance is the full-contact threshold, the circuit board 2 can be prohibited from being supported on the support surface 12 of the holder 10 when the connector 3 is not in the full-contact position. This makes it possible to prevent the circuit board 2 from being assembled to the holder 10 and used even when all the contacts are not in contact with the corresponding terminals 8 of the circuit board 2.

[0076] Furthermore, when an operator pulls the circuit board 2 upward from the holder 10 and out of the circuit board insertion hole 27, the electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 is released, and the connector 3 and the circuit board 2 are separated. When an operator inserts the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2 into the circuit board insertion hole 27, the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 are electrically connected. In this manner, the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 are removable and can be connected to and separated from each other.

[0077] 4, the flange portion 50 has a pressing surface 54 facing the distal side in the connection direction, i.e., the rear side. When the circuit board 2 is not fully inserted into the connector 3, the worker can apply a load to bring the connector 3 closer to the circuit board 2 by pressing the pressing surface 54. This pushes the connector 3 toward the circuit board 2, and the circuit board 2 can be inserted into the connector 3.

[0078] 5(A) and (B), the front surface of the flange portion 50 is parallel to the rear edge (i.e., the edge on the side of the connection portion 6) of the circuit board 2. Therefore, the worker can visually confirm the insufficient amount of insertion of the circuit board 2 into the connector 3 from the distance d between the front surface of the flange portion 50 and the rear edge of the circuit board 2, and can easily understand the connection state of the circuit board 2 and the connector 3.

[0079] The terminals 8 of the circuit board 2 are provided to extend in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the positional range in which the connector 3 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 2 extends in the connection direction, making it easier to obtain an electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2. In this embodiment, the terminal member 23 and the terminals 8 of the circuit board 2 are electrically connected by either the pressing portion 39A or the contact portion 39B coming into contact with the terminals 8 of the circuit board 2, making it easier to obtain an electrical connection between the connector 3 and the circuit board 2.

[0080] Second embodiment The connecting structure 101 according to the second embodiment is different from the connecting structure 1 according to the first embodiment in the structure of the holder 102, but the other structures are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other structures will be omitted, and the structure of the holder 102 will be described below.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the holder 102 has a horizontal support surface 12 on the upper surface, similar to the first embodiment. The support surface 12 has a circuit board restricting portion 15, similar to the first embodiment. The circuit board restricting portion 15 restricts the forward movement (including the rearward and left-right directions in this embodiment) of the circuit board 2 supported on the support surface 12. In this embodiment, the circuit board restricting portion 15 has a cylindrical shape protruding from the support surface 12. The circuit board restricting portion 15 enters the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2 and restricts the horizontal movement of the circuit board 2, including the forward movement.

[0082] A protruding wall 17 is provided on the support surface 12. The protruding wall 17 is a wall body that protrudes from the support surface 12 and extends so as to surround the circuit board 2. The protruding wall 17 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 103 that surrounds the circuit board 2, and an extension wall 105 connected to the upper end of the peripheral wall 103. The peripheral wall 103 and the extension wall 105 are each provided with an opening 19 at a position corresponding to the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2.

[0083] The connector 3 connected to the circuit board 2 is passed through the opening 19. At this time, the flange 50 is the peripheral wall 103, and is located forward of the portions that define the left and right edges of the opening 19 (hereinafter, opening edge portions 103A). When the connector 3 moves rearward, the flange 50 abuts against the opening edge portion 103A of the peripheral wall 103, and the rearward movement of the connector 3 is restricted.

[0084] The extension wall 105 has a slope 107 on its front surface that slopes obliquely upward toward the rear. In other words, the protruding wall 17 is provided with a slope 107 that slopes toward the circuit board 2 as it approaches the support surface 12. The front surface of the extension wall 105, a portion located on the left side of the opening 19 and a portion located on the right side of the opening 19 are located on the same plane. The extension wall 105 forms a wall that extends obliquely upward toward the rear.

[0085] 8(B), the protruding wall 17 may be provided with reinforcing walls 17A extending rearward from both right and left edges of the opening 19. At least a portion of the reinforcing wall 17A is connected at its front end to the extension wall 105. In this embodiment, the reinforcing wall 17A is connected at its front end to the portion from the upper end to the lower end of the extension wall 105 and to the portion from the upper end to approximately the center of the peripheral wall 103.

[0086] In this embodiment, a vertical wall 109 is provided at the upper end of each extension wall 105. The vertical wall 109 extends upward from the upper end of the extension wall 105. The front surface of the vertical wall 109 extends in the vertical direction and faces rearward. The lower end of the front surface of the vertical wall 109 is connected to the upper end of the front surface of the extension wall 105.

[0087] Next, the effect of the connection structure 101 configured in this manner will be described. As shown in Fig. 8(A) and Fig. 9(D), when the circuit board 2 is attached to the holder 102, the circuit board restricting portion 15 restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction in which it separates from the connector 3 (forward), and the protruding wall 17 restricts the movement of the connector 3 in the direction in which it separates from the circuit board 2 (rearward). This makes it difficult for the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 to separate, and makes it difficult for the electrical connection between the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 to be lost.

[0088] When assembling the circuit board 2 to the holder 102, the worker first inserts the circuit board 2 into the circuit board 2 insertion hole of the connector 3. Thereafter, in order to hold the circuit board 2 on the support surface 12, the worker brings the circuit board 2 close to the support surface 12 and inserts the circuit board restricting portion 15 into the through hole 14, so that the circuit board 2 is supported on the support surface 12.

[0089] There are cases where the circuit board 2 is not fully inserted into the circuit board insertion hole 27, and the shortfall in the amount of insertion is greater than the set distance. In this case, when the worker holds the circuit board 2 and moves it downward toward the support surface 12 (FIG. 9(A)), the flange 50 comes into contact with the slope 107 (FIG. 9(B)), and the slope 107 pushes the flange 50 closer to the circuit board 2. As a result, the connector 3 is pushed forward and is guided to move closer to the circuit board 2. As a result, the shortfall in the amount of insertion becomes equal to or less than the set distance (FIG. 9(C)).

[0090] As a result, when the set distance is the effective mating length, if the insufficient amount of insertion is greater than the effective mating length, the connector 3 is pushed forward to make the insufficient amount of insertion the effective mating length, thereby making the connector 3 into the contact position.

[0091] Similarly, if the set distance is the tolerance threshold, the connector 3 can be in the tolerance position, and if the set distance is the full contact threshold, the connector 3 can be in the full contact position.

[0092] Furthermore, when the flange portion 50 abuts against the inclined surface 107, the reinforcing wall 17A resists the load from above. This ensures that the projecting wall 17 has sufficient rigidity to guide the connector 3.

[0093] In addition, a vertical wall 109 is provided at the upper end of the extension wall 105. Therefore, when an operator holds the circuit board 2 and moves it downward, the vertical wall 109 prevents the flange portion 50 from moving backward, and guides the flange portion 50 to move toward the extension wall 105 more effectively.

[0094] Furthermore, when the circuit board 2 is attached to the holder 102, the load applied from the inclined surface 107 to the flange 50 may become uneven between the left and right sides. When the circuit board 2 is attached to the holder 102, the rear part of the connector 3 is positioned between the left and right reinforcing walls 17A, and the movement direction of the connector 3 is restricted to the up and down direction. This makes it possible to prevent the connector 3 from rotating and to guide the connector 3 to move downward.

[0095] Third embodiment A connection structure 201 according to the third embodiment is different from the connection structure 1 according to the first embodiment in the structure of a holder 202, and other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted, and the structure of the holder 202 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 10, the holder 202 according to the third embodiment has a horizontal support surface 12 on the upper surface, similar to the first embodiment. A cylindrical circuit board restricting portion 15, similar to the first embodiment, is protruded from the support surface 12. The circuit board 2 is placed on the support surface 12 and supported by the holder 202 so that the circuit board restricting portion 15 is inserted into the through hole 14. By inserting the circuit board restricting portion 15 into the through hole 14, movement of the circuit board 2 in the front-rear and left-right directions, including the direction in which the circuit board 2 separates from the connector 3 (i.e., forward), is restricted. A connector 3, similar to the first embodiment, is connected to the connection portion 6 of the circuit board 2.

[0097] Two protrusions 203 are provided on the upper surface of the holder 202. The two protrusions 203 face each other on the left and right sides via the connector 3 connected to the circuit board 2. The protrusions 203 are located behind the flange 50. Each of the protrusions 203 includes a protrusion main portion 203A protruding from the support surface 12 and a plurality of protrusion reinforcement portions 203B connecting the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion main portion 203A and the support surface 12. The protrusion main portion 203A is substantially cylindrical and protruding from the support surface 12. The tip of the protrusion main portion 203A becomes thinner toward the upper side. As a result, the upper front surface of the protrusion main portion 203A is provided with a slope 107 that slopes upward and backward. The protrusion reinforcement portions 203B are provided on the rear surface, left and right outer surfaces of the protrusion main portion 203A. The protruding piece reinforcing portion 203B is shaped like a rib extending vertically and is connected to the support surface 12 at its lower end.

[0098] When the connector 3 moves rearward, the flange 50 of the connector 3 abuts against the protruding piece 203. This restricts the rearward movement of the connector 3, i.e., the movement in the direction to separate from the circuit board 2. In other words, the protruding piece 203 functions as a connector restricting portion that restricts the movement of the connector 3 in the direction to separate from the circuit board 2.

[0099] Next, the effect of the connection structure 201 configured in this manner will be described. When the circuit board 2 is attached to the holder 202, the circuit board restricting portion 15 restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction in which it separates from the connector 3 (forward), and the protruding piece 203 restricts the movement of the connector 3 in the direction in which it separates from the circuit board 2 (rearward). This makes it difficult for the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 to separate, and makes it difficult for the electrical connection to be lost.

[0100] (Fourth embodiment) A connecting structure 301 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the connecting structure 201 according to the third embodiment only in the structure of the connector 3, and other configurations are similar to those of the third embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted, and the structure of the connector 3 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0101] As in the first embodiment, the connector 3 includes a housing 21 (see FIG. 11(A)) and a plurality of terminal members 23 (see FIG. 11(B)).

[0102] As shown in Fig. 11(A), the housing 21 is L-shaped in a side view, extending downward and then extending forward. As shown in Fig. 11(B), the housing 21 is provided with a circuit board insertion hole 27 similar to that of the first embodiment, recessed from the front to the rear, and a plurality of terminal holes 302 having a different shape from that of the first embodiment. The terminal holes 302 are recesses provided in the housing 21, and each of the terminal holes 302 accommodates a terminal member 303 having a different shape from that of the first embodiment.

[0103] Each terminal hole 302 includes a terminal hole main portion 302A extending downward from the upper rear surface of the housing 21, and a terminal hole front portion 302B extending forward from the lower end of the terminal hole main portion 302A. The terminal hole front portions 302B of the terminal holes 302 are located above the circuit board insertion hole 27, and communicate with the circuit board insertion hole 27 at their lower portions, as in the first embodiment. The terminal hole main portions 302A are each divided by a partition wall 304 having a surface facing in the left-right direction. The terminal hole main portions 302A are each open toward the rear.

[0104] The terminal member 303 is L-shaped in a side view, extending downward and then extending forward. As in the first embodiment, the terminal member 303 includes a cable connection part 305, a housing 37 provided in front of the cable connection part 305 and extending forward and backward, and a spring piece 39 supported by the housing 37. The housing 37 and the spring piece 39 are similar to those in the first embodiment, but the structure of the cable connection part 305 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0105] The cable connection part 305 is connected to the rear end of the housing 37 and extends upward. A cylindrical crimping part 41 is provided at approximately the center in the up-down direction of the cable connection part 305, and the conductor 45 of the cable 43 is crimped to the crimping part 41. In this way, the terminal member 303 is electrically connected to the conductor 45 of the cable 43.

[0106] With the casing 37 and the spring piece 39 housed in the terminal hole front portion 302B of the terminal hole 302 and the cable connection portion 305 housed in the terminal hole main portion 302A, the terminal member 303 is housed and fixed in the terminal hole 302 of the housing 21. The cable 43 connected to the cable connection portion 305 extends upward from the upper rear end of the housing 21. The rear surface of the partition wall 304 is located behind the cable connection portion 305.

[0107] 12, similar to the third embodiment, the circuit board 2 is attached to the holder 10 with the circuit board restricting portion 15 inserted into the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2. Similar to the second embodiment, the holder 10 is provided with two protruding pieces 203 aligned on the left and right. Each of the protruding pieces 203 is coupled to the circuit board 2 and is located behind the flange portion 50 of the connector 3 electrically connected to the circuit board 2.

[0108] Next, the effect of the connection structure 301 configured in this manner will be described. As in the second embodiment, the circuit board restricting portion 15 enters the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2, thereby restricting the forward movement of the circuit board 2. Furthermore, the protruding piece 203 provided on the holder 10 abuts against the flange portion 50 of the connector 3, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the connector 3. As a result, the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction separating from the connector 3 and the movement of the connector 3 in the direction separating from the circuit board 2 are each restricted, thereby preventing the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 from being separated from each other.

[0109] When the circuit board 2 is not fully inserted into the connector 3, the worker can move the connector 3 to the fully inserted position by pressing the pressing surface 54 of the flange portion 50 forward, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the worker can also move the connector 3 to the fully inserted position by pressing the rear end surface of the partition wall 304 forward. In this way, the surface that is pressed to properly connect the connector 3 to the circuit board 2 is wider than in the second embodiment, improving the ease of assembling the connector 3 to the circuit board 2.

[0110] Fifth embodiment A connecting structure 401 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the connecting structure 301 according to the fourth embodiment only in the structure of the connector 3, and other configurations are similar to those of the third embodiment. Therefore, a description of the other configurations will be omitted, and the structure of the connector 3 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 13(A), the housing 21 is L-shaped in a side view, extending upward and then forward. As shown in Fig. 13(B), the housing 21 is provided with a circuit board insertion hole 27 similar to that of the first embodiment, recessed from the front to the rear, and a plurality of terminal holes 402 having a different shape from that of the first embodiment. The terminal holes 402 are recesses provided in the housing 21, and each of the terminal holes 402 accommodates a terminal member 403 having a different shape from that of the first embodiment.

[0112] Each terminal hole 402 includes a terminal hole main portion 402A extending upward from the rear lower surface of the housing 21, and a terminal hole front portion 402B extending forward from the upper end of the terminal hole main portion 402A. The terminal hole front portion 402B is located above the circuit board insertion hole 27, and its lower portion communicates with the circuit board insertion hole 27, similar to the first embodiment. The terminal hole main portions 402A are separated by partition walls 404 having surfaces facing in the left and right directions. Each terminal hole main portion 402A opens toward the rear.

[0113] The terminal member 403 is L-shaped in side view, extending upward and then extending forward. As in the first and third embodiments, the terminal member 403 includes a cable connection part 405, a housing 37 provided in front of the cable connection part 405 and extending forward and backward, and a spring piece 39 supported by the housing 37. The housing 37 and the spring piece 39 are similar to those in the first embodiment, and the structure of the cable connection part 405 differs from the other embodiments.

[0114] The cable connection part 405 is connected to the rear end of the housing 37 and extends downward. A cylindrical crimping part 41 is provided at approximately the center in the up-down direction of the cable connection part 405, and the conductor 45 of the cable 43 is crimped to the crimping part 41. In this way, the terminal member 403 is electrically connected to the conductor 45 of the cable 43.

[0115] With the casing 37 and the spring piece 39 housed in the terminal hole front portion 402B of the terminal hole 402 and the cable connection portion 405 housed in the terminal hole main portion 402A, the terminal member 403 is housed and fixed in the terminal hole 402 of the housing 21. The cable 43 connected to the cable connection portion 405 extends downward from the rear lower end of the housing 21. The rear surface of the partition wall 404 is located behind the cable connection portion 405.

[0116] Next, the effect of the connection structure 401 configured in this manner will be described. As in the second embodiment, the circuit board restricting portion 15 enters the through hole 14 of the circuit board 2, thereby restricting the forward movement of the circuit board 2. Furthermore, the protruding piece 203 provided on the holder 10 abuts against the flange portion 50 of the connector 3, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the connector 3. As a result, the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction separating from the connector 3 and the movement of the connector 3 in the direction separating from the circuit board 2 are each restricted, thereby preventing the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 from being separated from each other.

[0117] When the circuit board 2 is not fully inserted into the connector 3, the worker can move the connector 3 to the fully inserted position by pressing the pressing surface 54 of the flange portion 50 forward, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the worker can also move the connector 3 to the fully inserted position by pressing the rear end surface of the partition wall 404 forward. In this way, the surface that is pressed to properly connect the connector 3 to the circuit board 2 is wider than in the second embodiment, improving the ease of assembling the connector 3 to the circuit board 2.

[0118] Although the specific embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and its modified examples, and can be modified in a wide range of ways.

[0119] In the above embodiment, each of the terminal members 23 has two contacts, but this is not limited to the embodiment. The terminal members 23 may have any embodiment as long as each of the terminal members 23 has one or more contacts.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the circuit board restricting portion 15 has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the circuit board restricting portion 15 may have a rectangular column shape. In addition, the circuit board restricting portion 15 can have a wide variety of shapes, such as a concave shape that matches the shapes of the connector 3 and the circuit board 2.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the circuit board restricting portion 15 is inserted into the through hole 14 provided in the circuit board 2 to restrict the forward movement of the circuit board 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The circuit board restricting portion 15 may be in any form as long as it restricts the movement of the circuit board 2 in the direction of separation from the connector 3. For example, as shown in Figs. 14(A) and (B), the circuit board restricting portion 15 may be a wall body 501 that protrudes from the support surface 12 and abuts against the front end surface of the circuit board 2 from the front to restrict the forward movement of the circuit board 2. Alternatively, the circuit board restricting portion 15 may be in any form that fixes the circuit board 2 to the holder 10, 202, and may be fixed by, for example, screws, rivets, clamping with other members, ultrasonic welding, welding, adhesives, etc.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the movement of the connector 3 in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2 (rearward movement) is restricted by the flange 50 of the connector 3 abutting against the protruding wall 17 and the protruding piece 203 provided on the holder 10, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As long as the protruding wall 17 and the protruding piece 203 restrict the movement of the connector 3 in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2, the present invention is not limited to the location where the protruding wall 17 and the protruding piece 203 abut against the connector 3.

[0123] 14(A) and (B), the protruding wall 17 may be a wall 502 that protrudes from the support surface 12 and abuts against the rear end surface of the connector 3 to restrict movement of the connector 3 in the direction (rearward) of separation from the circuit board 2. As shown in FIG. 14(C), the flange portion 50 is not essential, and any mode may be used as long as movement of the connector 3 in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2 is restricted.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the holder 10 is configured by an integrated member, but is not limited to this. The holder 10 may be configured by a plurality of members. Specifically, the holder 10 may be configured by combining a member (first member) having the support surface 12 and the circuit board restricting portion 15 with a member (second member) having a connector restricting portion including at least one of the protruding wall 17, the protruding piece 203, and the wall body 502. After the circuit board 2 is assembled to the support surface 12 of the first member, the second member may be assembled to the first member.

[0125] FIG. 15(A) shows a connection structure 600 according to a modified example. The holder 10 constituting the connection structure 600 may be composed of a flat first member 601 and a second member 602 coupled to the support surface 12 of the first member 601. FIG. 15(A) shows an example in which the second member 602 is fastened to the support surface 12 and abuts against the flange portion 50 of the connector 3 to restrict the rearward movement, but this is merely an example and is not limited to this embodiment. The second member 602 may be in any embodiment as long as it engages with the connector 3 and restricts the movement in the direction of separation from the circuit board 2.

[0126] The holder 10 may be composed of a first member 701 forming a box body and a second member 702 forming a lid body of the first member 701. In the example of FIG. 15(B), the first member 701 has a bottom wall 701A, a front wall 701B, a left wall 701C, a right wall 701D, and both rear wall edges 701E. The support surface 12 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 701A. The second member 702 has an upper wall 702F and a rear wall central portion 702G. The rear wall central portion 702G is provided with an opening 19 for inserting the connector 3. When the first member 701 and the second member 702 are combined, the circuit board 2 is accommodated and sealed inside. At this time, the rear wall central portion 702G is located behind the connector 3 and restricts the connector 3 from moving backward. That is, the rear wall central portion 702G functions as a connector restricting portion. 15(B) is merely an example, and the second member 702 may include a left wall and a right wall that engage with the flange portion 50 to restrict rearward movement of the connector 3. In other words, the second member 702 may be configured such that, when combined with the first member 701, the second member 702 engages with the connector 3 to restrict movement in a direction to separate from the circuit board 2.

[0127] Furthermore, as in the above embodiment, the circuit board 2 may be supported by the holder 10 and temporarily fixed, and then at least one of the circuit board 2 and the connector 3 may be connected to the holder 10 by screwing, repedging, fitting with other parts, ultrasonic welding, welding, adhesives, etc.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the flange portion 50 is configured to have a flat plate shape, but is not limited to this. The flange portion 50 may have any shape or structure as long as it engages with the connector restricting portion such as the protruding wall 17 or the protruding piece 203 and has a function of preventing the connector 3 from being separated from the circuit board 2. For example, if the connector restricting portion is cylindrical and protrudes from the support surface 12, the flange portion 50 may have a corresponding shape. For example, the flange portion 50 may be cylindrical and may have a semicircular rear surface. The flange portion 50 may be connected to the connector restricting portion by an elastic member (e.g., rubber, etc.), a string, a chain, a screw, etc., or may be fused, welded, or bonded to the connector restricting portion to cooperate with the connector restricting portion to restrict the rearward movement of the connector 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1: Connection structure according to the first embodiment 2: Circuit board 3: Connector 5: Slit 6: Connection part 8: Terminal 10: Holder 12: Support surface 14:Through hole 15: Circuit board control part 17: Projecting wall (projecting piece, connector restricting part) 17A: Reinforced wall 19:Aperture 21: Housing 23: Terminal material 25:Terminal hole 27: Circuit board insertion hole 29: Extension part 31:Communication hole 33: Lance piece 35: Cable connection part 37: Housing 39: Spring piece 39A: Pressing part 39B: Contact part 39C: Overhang 41: Crimping section 43: Cable 45: Conductor 47:Groove cross-sectional shape part 47A:Bottom wall 47B:Left wall 47C: Right wall 47D: Locking hole 47E:Through hole 50: flange 50A:Left flange 50B: Right brim 52: Flange reinforcement piece 54: Pressing surface 101: Connection structure according to the second embodiment 103: Peripheral wall 103A: Opening edge part 105: Extension wall 107: Slope 109: Vertical wall 201: Connection structure according to the third embodiment 202: Holder 203: Protrusion (connector restriction part) 203A: Main part of the protruding piece 203B: Projection reinforcement part 301: Connection structure according to the fourth embodiment 302:Terminal hole 302A: Terminal hole main part 302B: Front of terminal hole 303: Terminal parts 304: Partition wall 305: Cable connection part 401: Connection structure according to the fifth embodiment 402:Terminal hole 402A: Terminal hole main part 402B: Front of terminal hole 403: Terminal parts 404: Partition wall 405: Cable connection part 501: Wall 502: Wall 600: Connection structure 601: First member 602: Second member 701: First member 701A:Bottom wall 701B: Front wall 701C: Left wall 701D: Right wall 701E: Both edges of rear wall 702: Second member 702F: Upper wall 702G: Center of rear wall

Claims

1. A connection structure of a connector that is connected to a connection portion of a circuit board supported by a holder, The connection portion and the connector are coupled to each other in a removable manner, The holder includes: a circuit board restricting portion that engages with the circuit board electrically connected to the connector and restricts the movement of the circuit board in a direction in which the circuit board is separated from the connector; a connector restricting portion that engages with the connector electrically connected to the circuit board and restricts movement of the connector in a direction in which the connector is separated from the circuit board, The connector has a housing and at least one terminal member that can be electrically connected by contacting a terminal of the circuit board, The housing is provided with a flange portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a connecting direction of the connector, the holder is provided with a support surface for supporting the circuit board; the connector restriction portion includes a protruding piece protruding from the support surface on a distal side of the flange portion relative to the circuit board, When the connector moves in a direction to separate from the circuit board, the protruding piece abuts against the flange portion to restrict the movement of the connector, A connector connection structure, wherein the flange portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector, midway between the front end and the rear end of the housing in the connection direction.

2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the flange portion has a pressing surface facing a distal side in the connection direction.

3. 2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a surface of said flange portion facing said circuit board is parallel to an end face of said circuit board facing said connection portion.

4. A connection structure of a connector as described in claim 1, wherein the connector is provided with a flange reinforcing piece connecting the distal surface of the flange facing the circuit board and the surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the housing.

5. A connection structure of a connector as described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a cylindrical protrusion main portion protruding from the support surface.

6. A connection structure of a connector as described in Claim 5, wherein the protrusion has a rib-shaped protrusion reinforcement portion extending along the protruding direction of the protrusion main portion on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion main portion.

7. The protruding piece has a protruding wall surrounding the circuit board, 6. The connector connection structure according to claim 5, wherein the projecting wall is provided with an opening for receiving the housing and restricting movement of the flange portion.

8. The circuit board is provided with a through hole, 2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board restricting portion protrudes from the support surface and is inserted into the through hole.

9. 2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the flange and the protruding piece cooperate to prohibit the holder from supporting the circuit board when a distance between the circuit board and the connector in the insertion direction is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

10. A connection structure of a connector as described in Claim 9, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, all of the terminal members of the connector connect to the corresponding terminals of the circuit board.

11. The terminal member has a plurality of contacts that contact the terminals of the circuit board, 10. The connector connection structure according to claim 9, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, at least one of the plurality of contacts included in each of the terminal members contacts the corresponding terminal of the circuit board.

12. The terminal member has a plurality of contacts that contact the terminals of the circuit board, 10. The connector connection structure according to claim 9, wherein when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, all of the contacts of the terminal members contact the corresponding terminals of the circuit board.

13. The connector connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the connection portion includes a conductive pattern extending in the connection direction on a surface of the circuit board.

14. A connection structure for a connector to be connected to a connection portion of a circuit board supported by a holder, comprising: The connection portion and the connector are coupled to each other in a removable manner, The holder includes: a circuit board restricting portion that engages with the circuit board electrically connected to the connector and restricts the movement of the circuit board in a direction in which the circuit board is separated from the connector; a connector restricting portion that engages with the connector electrically connected to the circuit board and restricts movement of the connector in a direction in which the connector is separated from the circuit board, The connector is provided with a flange portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a connecting direction of the connector, the holder is provided with a support surface for supporting the circuit board; the connector restriction portion includes a protruding piece protruding from the support surface on a distal side of the flange portion relative to the circuit board, When the connector moves in a direction to separate from the circuit board, the protruding piece abuts against the flange portion to restrict the movement of the connector, A connector connection structure, wherein the protruding piece is provided with a slope that slopes toward the circuit board as it approaches the support surface.

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