Connectors and Electronic Devices

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of maintaining reliability even though its height is lowered.SOLUTION: A connector 10 according to the present disclosure, comprises: an insulator 20 having an insertion part 23 into which a connection object 70 is inserted; and an actuator 50 that can be rotated to the insulator 20. The actuator 50 includes: a pair of attachment parts 53b that is formed each of both end parts of a longitudinal direction of the connector 10 in the actuator 50, and can attach the actuator 50 to the insulator 20; an operation part 55 that is formed between the pair of attachment parts 53b in a first outer surface 51a of the actuator 50; and an engaged part that is formed between the pair of attachment parts 53b in a first outer surface 51a in the actuator 50 and a second outer surface 51b positioned on an opposite side. The insulator 20 includes an engagement part that is engaged with the engaged part from an open position side, when at least the actuator 50 is positioned at the open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, connection objects including flexible flat cables (FFCs) and flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and connectors connected to such connection objects have been used in electronic devices and in-vehicle components.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cable connector that can effectively prevent the connection object from being accidentally pulled out of the insulator even when a locking member for maintaining the connection state of the connection object is rotated in the locking direction with a small biasing force. This cable connector can achieve the locked state by the locking member simply by inserting the connection object, providing excellent operability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6282565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, with the miniaturization of electronic devices and in-vehicle parts, a connector to be connected to a connection object is also required to be low-profile. For example, in order to reduce the profile of a cable connector as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of an actuator as a locking member constituting a part of the connector. When the actuator is thinned, the actuator is easily deflected in the opening direction by the actuator operation part when the actuator is opened from the closed position to the open position to release the locked state with respect to the connection object. This tends to cause problems such as a decrease in the rotation stability of the actuator, damage to the actuator, and detachment of the actuator from the connector. Therefore, the reliability of the connector is reduced. Patent Document 1 did not take such problems into sufficient consideration.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and electronic device that can maintain reliability even when made low-profile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A connector into which a connection object can be inserted and removed, an insulator having an insertion portion into which the connection object is inserted; an actuator rotatable relative to the insulator between a closed position when the actuator is closed relative to the insulator and an open position when the actuator is opened relative to the insulator; Equipped with The actuator comprises: a pair of mounting portions formed at both ends of the actuator in a longitudinal direction of the connector, the mounting portions enabling the actuator to be mounted on the insulator; an operating portion formed between the pair of mounting portions on a first outer surface of the actuator facing a direction in which the connection object is inserted into or removed from the connector, the operating portion receiving an operation to open the actuator from the closed position to the open position; an engaged portion formed between the pair of mounting portions on a second outer surface of the actuator that is located on the opposite side to the first outer surface; having The insulator has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion from the open position side at least when the actuator is in the open position.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Equipped with the above connector. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the connector and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, reliability can be maintained even when the height is reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector and a connection object according to an embodiment in an uninserted state as viewed from above; [Diagram 2] 2 is an external perspective view showing the connector and a connection object in FIG. 1 as viewed from below. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector and a connection object according to an embodiment in an inserted and closed state as viewed from above; [Diagram 5] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector and a connection object according to an embodiment in an inserted and open state as viewed from above; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a top view of the insulator alone shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 4 is a bottom perspective view of the appearance of the actuator alone shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. 5. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XIII-XIII in FIG. 5. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XV-XV in FIG. 4. [Figure 16] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XVI-XVI in FIG. 5. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XVII-XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XIX-XIX in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, back, left, right, and up and down are based on the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings. In some drawings, a circuit board CB, which will be described later, is omitted for the purpose of simplifying the illustration.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector 10 and a connection object 70 according to one embodiment in a non-inserted state as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 of FIG. 1 as viewed from below. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment in an inserted state and a closed state as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment in an inserted state and an open state as viewed from above. The configuration of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0013] 3, the connector 10 includes an insulator 20, a first contact 30, a second contact 40a, a metal fitting 40b, an actuator 50, and a pressing member 60. The first contact 30, the second contact 40a, the metal fitting 40b, the actuator 50, and the pressing member 60 are attached to the insulator 20. In the closed position, the actuator 50 is supported from below by the insulator 20 with the tip portion of the pressing member 60 positioned directly above the actuator 50.

[0014] In this specification, the "non-inserted state" includes, for example, a state in which the connection object 70 is not inserted into the connector 10 and the first contacts 30 of the connector 10 are not elastically deformed. The "half-inserted state" includes, for example, a state in which the connection object 70 is in the middle of being inserted into the connector 10 and only a removal portion 36 (described later) of the first contact 30 is in contact with the connection object 70 and the first contact 30 is elastically deformed. The "inserted state" includes, for example, a state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the connector 10 and only a contact portion 35 (described later) of the first contact 30 is in contact with the connection object 70 and the first contact 30 is elastically deformed.

[0015] In this specification, the "closed position" includes, for example, a position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is closed relative to the insulator 20. When the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are in an inserted state and the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the connector 10 holds the connection object 70. The "open position" includes, for example, a position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is open and inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the insulator 20. The actuator 50 is rotatable relative to the insulator 20 between the closed position and the open position, for example.

[0016] As used herein, a "closed state" includes, for example, the state of connector 10 when actuator 50 is in a closed position. An "open state" includes, for example, the state of connector 10 when actuator 50 is in an open position.

[0017] The "insertion / removal direction" used below means, for example, the front-rear direction. The "insertion direction" means, for example, the rear direction. The "direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes" means, for example, the upward direction. The "opposite direction to the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes" means, for example, the downward direction. The "direction perpendicular to the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes and the insertion direction" means, for example, the left-right direction. In the connector 10 according to one embodiment, the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes and the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction correspond to the plate thickness direction of the first contact 30. The "longitudinal direction of the connector 10" means, for example, the left-right direction. The "direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 and the insertion / removal direction" means, for example, the up-down direction. The "removal side" means, for example, the front side. The "insertion side" means, for example, the rear side. The "insertion opening 23a side" means, for example, the front side. The "open position side" means, for example, the upper side. The "closed position side" means, for example, the lower side.

[0018] A connector 10 according to one embodiment is mounted on a circuit board CB. The circuit board CB may be a rigid board or any other circuit board. The connector 10 electrically connects a connection object 70 inserted into the connector 10 to the circuit board CB via the first contacts 30 and the second contacts 40a. The connector 10 is capable of inserting and removing the connection object 70, and is connected to the connection object 70 in the inserted state.

[0019] In the following description, the connection object 70 is described as being inserted into the connector 10 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB on which the connector 10 is mounted. That is, the connection object 70 is inserted into the connector 10 along the front-rear direction, as an example. Without being limited thereto, the connection object 70 may be inserted into the connector 10 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board CB on which the connector 10 is mounted. That is, the connection object 70 may be inserted into the connector 10 along the up-down direction.

[0020] The connection object 70 is, for example, a flexible flat cable (FFC). However, without being limited thereto, the connection object 70 may be any cable as long as it is electrically connected to the circuit board CB via the connector 10. For example, the connection object 70 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The connection object 70 is not limited to the above-mentioned cable, and may include any object. For example, the connection object 70 may include a rigid board or any other circuit board.

[0021] 1 and 2, the connection object 70 has a tip portion 71 that is located on the insertion side of the connection object 70 and is accommodated in the connector 10 in an inserted state. The connection object 70 has a tip surface 72 that constitutes the end face of the insertion side of the connection object 70 at the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has a plurality of signal wires 73 that extend linearly along the insertion / removal direction relative to the connector 10 and extend to the tip surface 72. The connection object 70 has an exterior 74 that covers the signal wires 73 on the removal side of the connection object 70. The signal wires 73 are covered by the exterior 74 on the removal side of the connection object 70, while being exposed downward at the tip portion 71.

[0022] The connection object 70 has holding portions 75 formed on both the left and right sides of the insertion side of the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has locked portions 76 adjacent to the holding portion 75 on the removal side and formed by cutting out both the left and right edges of the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has guide portions 77 formed in an R-shape at the corners of the insertion side of the holding portion 75.

[0023] 3, the connector 10 is assembled, for example, by the following method. That is, the first contact 30 is press-fitted into the insulator 20 from the rear of the insulator 20. The second contact 40a and the metal fitting 40b are press-fitted into the insulator 20 from the front of the insulator 20. The actuator 50 is placed in the closed position from above the insulator 20, and with the actuator 50 supported by the insulator 20 from below, the pressing member 60 is press-fitted into the insulator 20 from the rear of the insulator 20. At this time, the tip portion of the pressing member 60 is positioned directly above the actuator 50 supported by the insulator 20.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a top view of the insulator 20 alone shown in Fig. 3. The configuration of the insulator 20 will be mainly described with reference to Figs.

[0025] The insulator 20 is a symmetrical box-shaped member that is injection molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The insulator 20 is not limited to this, and may be formed asymmetrically. The insulator 20 has four outer walls in the top, bottom, left, and right directions, and has an outer peripheral wall 21 that is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole. The outer peripheral wall 21 has a ceiling wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, and a pair of side walls 21c. The insulator 20 has a rear wall 22 that forms the rear of the insulator 20.

[0026] The insulator 20 has an insertion portion 23 surrounded by a ceiling wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, a pair of side walls 21c, and a rear wall 22. The insulator 20 has an insertion opening 23a for the insertion portion 23 formed as an opening at a front end. The insulator 20 has a first inclined surface 23b that is inclined inward in the left-right direction from the outside to the inside in the front-rear direction at the front end of the side wall 21c and is continuous with the insertion portion 23. The insulator 20 has a second inclined surface 23c that is formed at the front end of the insertion portion 23 and inclined inward in the up-down direction from the outside to the inside in the front-rear direction. The insertion portion 23 has an inner surface 23d that serves as a reference for positioning a tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction in an inserted state, as shown in FIG. 17 described later, for example.

[0027] The insulator 20 has a first contact mounting groove 24 that penetrates the rear wall 22 and extends over the entire front-to-rear direction on the inside in the up-down direction of the bottom wall 21b. The insulator 20 has a second contact mounting groove 25 that extends over the entire front-to-rear direction on the top wall 21a and the bottom wall 21b. The second contact mounting groove 25 is recessed into the inside in the up-down direction of the top wall 21a. The second contact mounting groove 25 is recessed into the inside in the up-down direction of the bottom wall 21b.

[0028] The multiple first contact mounting grooves 24 are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other. The multiple second contact mounting grooves 25 are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other. The left-right distance between a pair of adjacent second contact mounting grooves 25 is larger than the left-right distance between a pair of adjacent first contact mounting grooves 24. The second contact mounting groove 25 is sandwiched on both sides in the left-right direction by the pair of first contact mounting grooves 24.

[0029] The insulator 20 has a metal fitting mounting groove 26 recessed inwardly at the front lower end of the side wall 21c. The insulator 20 has a mounting portion 27 recessed over the entire top wall 21a and over part of the side wall 21c. The insulator 20 is located within the mounting portion 27 and has a plurality of recesses 27a recessed downwardly in the outer surface of the top wall 21a.

[0030] The insulator 20 has a restricting surface 27b that slopes obliquely upward from the front to the rear on the front surface of the rear wall 22 adjacent to the mounting portion 27. The restricting surface 27b is formed on the rear wall 22 so as to rise obliquely upward continuously from the outer surface of the ceiling wall 21a. The insulator 20 has a hole 27c that penetrates in the front-rear direction from the front surface of the rear wall 22 adjacent to the mounting portion 27 to the rear surface of the rear wall 22. The hole 27c is formed symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the rear wall 22, with three holes in between, sandwiching the center in the left-right direction. The hole 27c corresponds to an "engagement portion" described in the claims.

[0031] The insulator 20 has a mounting groove 28 recessed into the inside of the side wall 21c in the left-right direction. The insulator 20 has a through hole 28a that passes through in the up-down direction from the front of the mounting groove 28 to the inside of the insertion portion 23. The insulator 20 has a receiving portion 29 recessed into the center of the side wall 21c in the left-right direction. The insulator 20 has a recess 29a at the lower end of the receiving portion 29 that is recessed so as to cut out the outermost portion of the side wall 21c in the left-right direction from the inside to the outside.

[0032] The first contact 30 is formed by stamping a thin plate of spring-elastic copper alloy or Corson copper alloy containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper into the shape shown in FIG. 3. The first contact 30 is formed, for example, only by a punching process. The processing method of the first contact 30 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The surface of the first contact 30 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a base with nickel plating. The first contacts 30 are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other.

[0033] The first contact 30 has a locking portion 31 formed to be wide in the up-down and front-rear directions. The first contact 30 has an extending portion 31a extending linearly forward from the upper end of the front side of the locking portion 31. The first contact 30 has a mounting portion 32 extending in an L-shape rearward from the lower end of the locking portion 31. The first contact 30 has an elastically deformable elastic portion 33 extending forward from the lower end of the front side of the locking portion 31. The elastic portion 33 extends linearly obliquely upward from the lower end of the front side of the locking portion 31 toward the front insertion port 23a. The elastic portion 33 is elastically deformable along the up-down direction.

[0034] The first contact 30 has a contact piece 34 connected to the elastic portion 33. The contact piece 34 extends from the front end of the elastic portion 33 toward the insertion opening 23a of the insertion portion 23 while bending at an obtuse angle. The contact piece 34 has a contact portion 35 that protrudes upward in a mountain shape on the elastic portion 33 side, and a removal portion 36 that is located closer to the insertion opening 23a of the insertion portion 23 than the contact portion 35. The removal portion 36 protrudes upward in a mountain shape at the front end of the contact piece 34. The contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. The contact piece 34 extends from the elastic portion 33 toward the insertion opening 23a while bending in a direction opposite to the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes in the contact piece 34. The contact piece 34 may be formed to be elastically deformable like the elastic portion 33.

[0035] 17 to 19, the contact portion 35 has a first inclined surface 35a that slopes obliquely upward toward the rear on the front side, a vertex 35b that is continuous with the first inclined surface 35a and has an R-shape, and a second inclined surface 35c that slopes obliquely downward from the vertex 35b toward the rear. The removal portion 36 has a first inclined surface 36a that slopes obliquely upward toward the rear on the front side, a vertex 36b that is continuous with the first inclined surface 36a and has an R-shape, and a second inclined surface 36c that slopes obliquely downward from the vertex 36b toward the rear.

[0036] The second contact 40a is formed by forming a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 3 using a progressive die (stamping). The second contact 40a is formed, for example, only by a punching process. The processing method of the second contact 40a is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The multiple second contacts 40a are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other.

[0037] The second contact 40a has a mounting portion 41a that constitutes the lower end of the second contact 40a. The second contact 40a has a base portion 42a that extends rearward from the mounting portion 41a in a J-shape. The second contact 40a has a locking portion 43a that is formed wide at the rear end of the base portion 42a. The second contact 40a has a contact piece 44a that extends linearly forward from the front upper end of the locking portion 43a. The tip of the base portion 42a, i.e., the tip of the contact piece 44a, is formed to protrude downward in a mountain shape.

[0038] The metal fitting 40b is formed by forming a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 3 using a progressive die (stamping). The metal fitting 40b is formed, for example, only by a punching process. The processing method of the metal fitting 40b is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. A pair of metal fittings 40b are disposed on both the left and right ends of the connector 10, respectively.

[0039] The metal fitting 40b has a mounting portion 41b that constitutes the lower end of the metal fitting 40b. The metal fitting 40b has a base portion 42b that is formed continuous with the mounting portion 41b and is formed wide in the up-down and front-rear directions so as to constitute the front half of the metal fitting 40b. The metal fitting 40b has a locking portion 43b that extends linearly rearward from the center of the base portion 42b in the up-down direction.

[0040] Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective external view of the actuator 50 alone shown in Fig. 3. The configuration of the actuator 50 will be mainly described with reference to Figs.

[0041] The actuator 50 is a plate-like member extending in the left-right direction and symmetrical as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, which is injection molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The actuator 50 is not limited to this, and may be formed asymmetrically. The actuator 50 has a base 51 extending in a plate shape in the left-right direction. The actuator 50 has a first outer surface 51a constituting the front surface of the base 51, and a second outer surface 51b constituting the rear surface of the base 51. The first outer surface 51a and the second outer surface 51b face in the direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted into and removed from the connector 10.

[0042] The actuator 50 has a pair of locking portions 52 that protrude downward from both the left and right sides of the front end of the base portion 51. The locking portions 52 have an inclined surface 52a that slopes diagonally downward toward the rear at the lower front portion. The actuator 50 has a recess 53a that is formed by cutting out the base portion 51 directly above the locking portions 52. The actuator 50 has an attachment portion 53b that is above the locking portions 52 and below the recess 53a and extends in the front-rear direction. The attachment portions 53b are formed at both ends of the actuator 50 in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10.

[0043] The actuator 50 has a shaft portion 54 formed on both left and right ends of the base portion 51. The actuator 50 has a circular protrusion 54a that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the outer surface in the left-right direction at the bottom of the shaft portion 54. The actuator 50 has an operating portion 55 that protrudes forward from the center of the front end of the base portion 51. The operating portion 55 is formed between the pair of mounting portions 53b on the first outer surface 51a. The actuator 50 has a plurality of protrusions 56 that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the base portion 51.

[0044] The actuator 50 has a protrusion 57 formed between a pair of mounting parts 53b on a second outer surface 51b located on the opposite side to the first outer surface 51a. The protrusion 57 corresponds to the "engaged part" described in the claims. The protrusions 57 are symmetrically provided on both the left and right sides of the center part in the left-right direction of the second outer surface 51b, with three protrusions each. The protrusions 57 are formed at positions corresponding to both ends of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction of the operating part 55. More specifically, the positions in the left-right direction of the pair of protrusions 57 located on both the left and right sides of the center part in the left-right direction of the second outer surface 51b are approximately the same as the positions in the left-right direction of both ends of the operating part 55. The actuator 50 has an inclined surface 57a in the protrusion 57 that is inclined continuously from the second outer surface 51b. The inclined surface 57a included in the protrusion 57 as the engaged part corresponds to the upper outer surface of the protrusion 57.

[0045] The pressing member 60 is formed by forming a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 3 using a progressive die (stamping). The pressing member 60 is formed into an L-shape as a whole by, for example, punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method of the pressing member 60 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. A pair of pressing members 60 are arranged on the left and right ends of the connector 10, respectively.

[0046] The pressing member 60 has a locking portion 61 formed at the rear with a large width in the left-right direction. The pressing member 60 has a mounting portion 62 that bends and extends downward in a J-shape from the rear end of the locking portion 61. The pressing member 60 has a contact portion 63 that extends linearly from the front end of the locking portion 61 along the front-rear direction.

[0047] In the connector 10, the first contact 30 is attached to the insulator 20. For example, the first contact 30 is attached to the rear wall 22 by engaging the locking portion 31 with the first contact mounting groove 24 of the insulator 20. Similarly, the second contact 40a is attached to the insulator 20 by engaging the locking portion 43a with the second contact mounting groove 25 of the insulator 20. The metal fitting 40b is attached to the insulator 20 by engaging the locking portion 43b with the metal fitting mounting groove 26 of the insulator 20. The pressing member 60 is attached to the insulator 20 by engaging the locking portion 61 with the mounting groove 28 of the insulator 20.

[0048] In the connector 10, the actuator 50 is disposed on the mounting portion 27 of the insulator 20. In the closed position, the actuator 50 is supported from below by the insulator 20. For example, the shaft portion 54 of the actuator 50 is received in the receiving portion 29 of the insulator 20 and contacts the bottom surface of the receiving portion 29. At this time, the protrusion 54a protruding from the shaft portion 54 of the actuator 50 engages with the recessed portion 29a of the receiving portion 29 of the insulator 20. When the actuator 50 tries to move upward, the protrusion 54a gets caught on the upper surface of the recessed portion 29a, and the actuator 50 is prevented from coming off the insulator 20. For example, the protrusion 56 of the actuator 50 fits into the recessed portion 27a of the insulator 20 and contacts the bottom surface of the recessed portion 27a.

[0049] 8, the lower surfaces of the mounting portions 53b of the actuator 50 face the bottom surface of the mounting groove 28 located at the rear of the through hole 28a, which is the center of the mounting groove 28 of the insulator 20 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] More specifically, the mounting portion 53b receives a biasing force from the open position side by the pressing member 60, enabling the actuator 50 to be mounted to the insulator 20. In the connector 10, the actuator 50 is pressed from above by the pressing member 60 attached to the insulator 20, and is supported from below by the insulator 20. For example, the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 is located within the recess 53a of the actuator 50, and contacts the bottom surface of the recess 53a, for example the upper surface of the mounting portion 53b, from above.

[0051] 1 and the like, the connector 10 is mounted on a circuit formation surface formed on the upper surface of a circuit board CB disposed substantially parallel to the insertion / removal direction. More specifically, the mounting portion 32 of the first contact 30 is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 41a of the second contact 40a is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 41b of the metal fitting 40b is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 62 of the pressing member 60 is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB.

[0052] By heating and melting each solder paste in a reflow furnace or the like, the mounting portion 32, the mounting portion 41a, the mounting portion 41b, and the mounting portion 62 are soldered to the above-mentioned patterns. As a result, the mounting of the connector 10 on the circuit board CB is completed. Electronic components other than the connector 10, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, or a memory, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB.

[0053] The function of the connector 10 according to one embodiment will be mainly described below with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 19. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in Fig. 5. Figs. 8 to 10 show cross sections of the configuration related to the locking portion 52 and the pressing member 60 of the actuator 50.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the locking portion 61 of the pressing member 60 is attached to the insulator 20 by being locked in the mounting groove 28 of the insulator 20. When the actuator 50 is in the closed position in a non-inserted state, the lower surface of the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 contacts the bottom wall of the recess 53a of the actuator 50, i.e., the upper surface of the mounting portion 53b, from the open position side. At this time, the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 is not elastically deformed or is slightly elastically deformed. A portion of the mounting portion 53b of the actuator 50 located behind the locking portion 52 faces the upper surface of the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20. The locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 protrudes into the inside of the insertion portion 23 from the through hole 28a of the insulator 20.

[0055] When the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23 of the connector 10, for example, the tip of the connection object 70 enters the insertion portion 23 along the first inclined surface 23b and the second inclined surface 23c of the insulator 20. At this time, even if the insertion position of the connection object 70 is slightly misaligned in the left-right direction with respect to the insertion portion 23, the guiding portion 77 of the connection object 70 slides on the first inclined surface 23b of the insulator 20, and the connection object 70 is guided into the inside of the insertion portion 23. Similarly, even if the insertion position of the connection object 70 is slightly misaligned in the up-down direction with respect to the insertion portion 23, the tip of the connection object 70 slides on the second inclined surface 23c of the insulator 20, and the connection object 70 is guided into the inside of the insertion portion 23.

[0056] When the connection object 70 moves further toward the inside of the insertion portion 23 to realize the half-inserted state, the holding portion 75 of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the lock portion 52 of the actuator 50. At this time, a reaction force toward the open position of the actuator 50 is generated by the contact between the lock portion 52 and the connection object 70 via the inclined surface 52a on the removal side of the lock portion 52. Therefore, a force moment toward the open position is generated on the actuator 50.

[0057] When the connection object 70 moves further inward of the insertion section 23 with the locking section 52 and the holding section 75 in contact with each other, the actuator 50 rotates toward the open position due to the force moment toward the open position. When the actuator 50 rotates toward the open position, the elastic deformation amount of the contact section 63 of the pressing member 60 becomes larger. Therefore, the biasing force of the contact section 63 of the pressing member 60 toward the closed position side of the actuator 50 becomes larger. At this time, the locking section 52 of the actuator 50 rides up once on the upper surface of the holding section 75 of the connection object 70. As the connection object 70 moves toward the rear side, the holding section 75 slides against the tip portion of the locking section 52. At this time, the locking section 52 presses the connection object 70 toward the first contact 30 in a half-inserted state. The locking section 52 is located closer to the removal section 36 than the contact section 35 of the first contact 30.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 9, in the inserted state, the holding portion 75 of the connection object 70 passes the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 and is accommodated inside the insertion portion 23. For example, the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 abuts against the inner surface 23d of the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20. At this time, the locking portion 52 and the holding portion 75 are not in contact with each other in the vertical direction, and the actuator 50 is automatically rotated to the closed position by the biasing force from the pressing member 60. In such a closed position of the actuator 50, the locking portion 52 engages with the locked portion 76 of the connection object 70. As a result, the actuator 50 holds the connection object 70 inserted into the insertion portion 23 in a manner that prevents it from coming off. In this state, even if an attempt is made to forcibly remove the connection object 70, the holding portion 75 of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the locking portion 52. Therefore, the connection object 70 is more effectively held in a manner that prevents it from coming off.

[0059] In this way, the connector 10 holds the connection object 70 in an inserted state by simply inserting the connection object 70, without requiring any operation of the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 by a worker or assembly device, etc.

[0060] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 10, when removing the connection target 70 from the connector 10, an operator or an assembly device operates the operation portion 55 of the actuator 50 to maintain the actuator 50 in the open position. That is, the operation portion 55 is operated to open the actuator 50 from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 is largely elastically deformed upward. When the actuator 50 is in the open position, the pressing member 60 biases the actuator 50 toward the closed position. The biasing force of the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 toward the actuator 50 toward the closed position becomes even greater.

[0061] The actuator 50 maintains the open position by balancing this biasing force with the force acting on the operating portion 55 tending to move the actuator 50 toward the open position and the resistive force acting on the actuator 50 from the insulator 20.

[0062] When the connector 10 is in the open state, the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 and the locked portion 76 of the connection object 70 are no longer engaged with each other. That is, the lock between the locking portion 52 and the locked portion 76 is released. As a result, the connection object 70 can be removed from the connector 10.

[0063] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in Fig. 4. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 5. Figs. 11 to 13 show cross sections of configurations relating to the shaft portion 54 of the actuator 50 and the receiving portion 29 of the insulator 20.

[0064] 11 to 13, when transitioning from the non-inserted state to the inserted state via the half-inserted state, the actuator 50 moves from the closed position to a position between the closed position and the open position and then returns to the closed position. In addition, when removing the connection target 70 from the connector 10 in the inserted state, the actuator 50 moves to the open position by receiving an operation for opening the actuator 50 from the closed position to the open position at the operating portion 55.

[0065] During this time, the shaft 54 ​​of the actuator 50 is housed in the receiving portion 29 of the insulator 20 and is constantly in contact with the bottom surface of the receiving portion 29. This contact between the shaft 54 ​​and the bottom surface of the receiving portion 29 allows the actuator 50 to rotate relative to the insulator 20. In addition, the actuator 50 is restricted from moving upward during rotation by the biasing force toward the closed position received from the pressing member 60 and the engagement structure formed by the protrusion 54a and the recess 29a, thereby preventing the actuator 50 from coming off the insulator 20.

[0066] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in Fig. 4. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in Fig. 5. Figs. 14 to 16 show cross sections of a configuration related to the second contact 40a.

[0067] 14, when the locking portion 43a of the second contact 40a is attached to the second contact mounting groove 25 of the insulator 20, a part of the contact piece 44a is exposed inside the insertion portion 23. For example, in the non-inserted state, the mountain-shaped tip portion of the contact piece 44a is exposed inside the insertion portion 23. The second contact 40a is allowed to elastically deform upward within the second contact mounting groove 25 by the contact piece 44a.

[0068] 14 to 16, when the non-inserted state transitions to the inserted state and the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 abuts against the inner surface 23d of the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20, the second contact 40a receives the tip portion 71 of the connection object 70 within the J-shaped base portion 42a. That is, the second contact 40a receives the connection object 70 such that the tip portion 71 is positioned between a portion extending in the front-rear direction at the bottom of the base portion 42a and the contact piece 44a located at the top of the base portion 42a.

[0069] 15 and 16, in the inserted state, the tip of the contact piece 44a of the second contact 40a comes into contact with the exterior 74 of the connection object 70. At this time, the contact piece 44a elastically deforms upward and applies a downward biasing force to the connection object 70. The second contact 40a presses the connection object 70 downward based on the contact between the contact piece 44a and the exterior 74.

[0070] 14 and 15, when the connector 10 is in a closed state, the lower surface of the base 51 of the actuator 50 faces the bottom surface of the mounting portion 27 of the insulator 20, i.e., the upper surface of the ceiling wall 21a, with a small gap formed therebetween.

[0071] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in Fig. 1. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 4. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIX-XIX in Fig. 5. Figs. 17 to 19 show cross sections of a configuration related to the first contact 30.

[0072] 17, when the first contact 30 is attached to the first contact mounting groove 24, a part of the contact piece 34 is exposed inside the insertion portion 23. For example, in the non-inserted state, the contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36 of the contact piece 34 are exposed inside the insertion portion 23. At this time, the contact piece 34 is maintained in a state of extending substantially horizontally from the elastic portion 33. That is, the straight line connecting the apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35 and the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 is substantially horizontal. The first contact 30 is allowed to elastically deform downward within the first contact mounting groove 24 by the elastic portion 33.

[0073] The removal portion 36 comes into contact with the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 in a half-inserted state where the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23. For example, the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 comes into contact with the signal line 73. At this time, the contact portion 35 is not in contact with the connection object 70. In the half-inserted state, the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 that comes into contact with the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35 are exposed inside the insertion portion 23.

[0074] More specifically, when the connection object 70 moves from the non-inserted state toward the inside of the insertion portion 23, the tip of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 36a of the removal portion 36. At this time, a resistance force is generated that causes the elastic portion 33 of the first contact 30 to elastically deform downward due to the contact between the first contact 30 and the connection object 70 via the first inclined surface 36a. Therefore, as the connection object 70 moves toward the inside of the insertion portion 23, that is, as the connection object 70 moves in the insertion direction in which it is inserted, the elastic portion 33 of the first contact 30 elastically deforms downward, and the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 comes into contact with the signal line 73.

[0075] When the connection object 70 moves further inward in the insertion portion 23, the signal line 73 slides against the apex 36b of the removal portion 36. The contact piece 34 is maintained in a state inclined obliquely downward at the first angle θ1 from the elastic portion 33 toward the insertion opening 23a during the period from when the apex 36b of the removal portion 36 comes into contact with the signal line 73 until the tip of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 35a of the contact portion 35. That is, the straight line connecting the apex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the apex 36b of the removal portion 36 is inclined obliquely downward at the first angle θ1 from the horizontal direction from the rear to the front.

[0076] At this time, vertex 35b of contact portion 35 is located closer to connection object 70 than vertex 36b of removal portion 36 in the direction in which contact portion 35 protrudes from contact piece 34. For example, vertex 35b of contact portion 35 is located higher than vertex 36b of removal portion 36. In other words, vertex 35b of contact portion 35 is located higher than vertex 36b of removal portion 36.

[0077] 18 , in an inserted state where the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the contact portion 35 comes into contact with the signal line 73 of the connection object 70. For example, the apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35 comes into contact with the signal line 73. In the inserted state, the removal portion 36 is separated from the connection object 70 by the elastic portion 33 being elastically deformed downward to a greater extent than in the half-inserted state. In other words, the removal portion 36 is not in contact with the connection object 70. In the inserted state, only the apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35 that comes into contact with the signal line 73 is exposed inside the insertion portion 23.

[0078] More specifically, when the connection object 70 moves further inward from the half-inserted state into the insertion portion 23, the tip of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 35a of the contact portion 35. At this time, a resistance force that causes the elastic portion 33 of the first contact 30 to further elastically deform downward is generated due to the contact between the first contact 30 and the connection object 70 via the first inclined surface 35a. Therefore, as the connection object 70 moves inward in the insertion portion 23, the elastic portion 33 of the first contact 30 further elastically deforms downward, and the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 moves away from the signal line 73. Meanwhile, the apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35 comes into contact with the signal line 73.

[0079] In the insertion portion 23, the connection object 70 moves further inward until the tip surface 72 abuts against the inner surface 23d of the insertion portion 23, and the signal line 73 slides against the apex 35b of the contact portion 35. After the apex 35b of the contact portion 35 comes into contact with the signal line 73, the contact piece 34 is maintained in a state inclined obliquely downward at the second angle θ2 from the elastic portion 33 toward the insertion opening 23a. That is, the straight line connecting the apex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the apex 36b of the removal portion 36 is inclined obliquely downward at the second angle θ2 from the horizontal direction from the rear to the front. The contact piece 34 maintains the second angle θ2 even after the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 abuts against the inner surface 23d and the state is completely shifted to the inserted state. The second angle θ2 in the inserted state is greater than the first angle θ1 in the half-inserted state.

[0080] A distance d1 along the insertion direction between a first contact between the removal portion 36 and the signal line 73 in the semi-inserted state and a second contact between the contact portion 35 and the signal line 73 in the inserted state is larger than a distance d2 along the insertion direction between the second contact and the inner surface 23d.

[0081] A ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20 is formed between the actuator 50 and the contact portion 35 and removal portion 36 of the first contact 30. In a half-inserted state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the removal portion 36 and the ceiling wall 21a sandwich the connection object 70 along the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34. In an inserted state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the contact portion 35 and the ceiling wall 21a sandwich the connection object 70 along the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34.

[0082] 17 to 19, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted is uniform along the front-rear direction. That is, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 on the removed portion 36 side and the width of the contact portion 35 side are the same. For example, these widths may be slightly larger than the plate thickness of the first contact 30.

[0083] The width of the removed portion 36 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34 and in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted is larger than or approximately the same as the width of the contact portion 35 in the same direction.

[0084] When the first contact 30 is viewed from above, the removal portion 36 overlaps at least a part of the contact portion 35 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34 and the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted. For example, the contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36 overlap on the same straight line such that the straight line connecting them is approximately parallel to the insertion direction. In other words, the contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36 are located on the same straight line that is approximately parallel to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted.

[0085] 18 and 19, the engaging portion of the insulator 20 engages with the engaged portion of the actuator 50 from the open position side of the actuator 50. Here, the engaged portion of the actuator 50 includes a protrusion 57 protruding from the second outer surface 51b toward the engaging portion of the insulator 20. The protrusion 57 protrudes from the second outer surface 51b in the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted. The engaging portion of the insulator 20 includes a hole 27c that receives the protrusion 57.

[0086] As an example, when the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the engaged portion of the actuator 50 is separated from the engaging portion of the insulator 20 and does not engage with the engaging portion. That is, the convex portion 57 of the actuator 50 is exposed to the outside of the hole 27c of the insulator 20 when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. When the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the engaged portion of the actuator 50 does not face the inner surface S of the engaging portion of the insulator 20 on the open position side in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction.

[0087] On the other hand, the engaged portion of the actuator 50 engages with the engaging portion of the insulator 20 when the actuator 50 is in the open position. That is, the convex portion 57 of the actuator 50 is received in the hole portion 27c of the insulator 20 when the actuator 50 is in the open position. When the actuator 50 is in the open position, the engaged portion of the actuator 50 faces the inner surface S on the open position side of the engaging portion of the insulator 20 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the insertion / removal direction of the connector 10.

[0088] In this way, when actuator 50 moves from the closed position to the open position in response to an operation to open actuator 50 at operating portion 55, actuator 50 moves slightly backward in parallel. As a result, protrusion 57 exposed from hole 27c when connector 10 is in the closed state is received in hole 27c when connector 10 is in the open state.

[0089] When protrusion 57 is received in hole 27c in the open state of connector 10, inclined surface 57a formed on protrusion 57 faces inner surface S of hole 27c on the open position side. In the open state of connector 10, inclined surface 57a is disposed so as to be inclined obliquely downward from the front to the rear with respect to inner surface S of hole 27c on the open position side. In other words, in the open state of connector 10, inclined surface 57a is disposed so that the vertical distance between inclined surface 57a and inner surface S of hole 27c on the open position side becomes larger the further from the front to the rear.

[0090] An adjacent portion R of the protrusion 57 on the open position side with the second outer surface 51b faces a corner C of the insulator 20 formed on the open position side by the hole 27c of the insulator 20. When the connector 10 is in the open state, the adjacent portion R is in proximity to or in contact with the corner C from the closed position side of the actuator 50.

[0091] The actuator 50 tries to bend upward in the up-down direction between the pair of mounting portions 53b, centered on the operating portion 55, due to a force acting on the operating portion 55 to move the actuator 50 to the open position. In such a case, the engaging portion of the insulator 20 engages with the engaged portion of the actuator 50 to apply a resistance force from the open position side to the closed position side to the actuator 50. For example, the hole 27c of the insulator 20 receives the protrusion 57 of the actuator 50 and the corner C comes into contact with the adjacent portion R of the actuator 50, thereby applying a resistance force from the open position side to the closed position side to the actuator 50.

[0092] As a result, the engaging portion of the insulator 20 applies a force to the engaged portion of the actuator 50 that restricts the upward bending of the actuator 50 between the pair of mounting portions 53b. In other words, the engaging portion of the insulator 20 suppresses the upward bending of the actuator 50 that may occur between the pair of mounting portions 53b around the operating portion 55.

[0093] 3 and 7, the pairs of the engaged portion of the actuator 50 and the engaging portion of the insulator 20 are formed at positions corresponding to both ends of the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 in the operating portion 55. More specifically, the positions in the lateral direction of the two pairs of engaged portions and engaging portions located on both the left and right sides of the central portion in the lateral direction of the actuator 50 and the insulator 20 are approximately the same as the positions in the lateral direction of both ends of the operating portion 55. In addition, a plurality of pairs of the engaged portion of the actuator 50 and the engaging portion of the insulator 20 are further formed between the operating portion 55 and the mounting portion 53b. This makes it possible to more significantly exert the effect of suppressing the deflection of the actuator 50 described above.

[0094] The restricting surface 27b of the insulator 20 comes into contact with the second outer surface 51b of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is in the open position. The restricting surface 27b prevents the actuator 50 from opening excessively relative to the insulator 20 due to a force acting on the operating portion 55 to move the actuator 50 to the open position.

[0095] In the following, the effects of the connector 10 will be mainly described, but the same explanation also applies to an electronic device having the connector 10.

[0096] According to the connector 10 according to the embodiment described above, reliability can be maintained even when the connector 10 is made low-profile. In the connector 10, the actuator 50 has an engaged portion between the pair of mounting portions 53b and the operating portion 55, and the insulator 20 has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion from the open position side of the actuator 50. As a result, even if the actuator 50 tends to bend upward between the pair of mounting portions 53b around the operating portion 55 during the opening operation due to the thinning of the actuator 50 caused by the low profile of the connector 10, the engaging portion of the insulator 20 engages with the engaged portion of the actuator 50 to apply a resistance force from the open position side to the closed position side to the actuator 50. As a result, the upward bending of the actuator 50 that may occur between the pair of mounting portions 53b around the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 is suppressed even when the connector 10 is made low-profile, and the reliability of the connector 10 is maintained. Generally, an operator who operates the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 tends to push the actuator 50 excessively during an opening operation, but even in such a case, damage to the actuator 50 is suppressed, etc. This improves the reliability of the connector 10 as a product.

[0097] Since the engaged portion includes the convex portion 57 and the engaging portion includes the hole portion 27c that receives the convex portion 57, engagement between the actuator 50 and the insulator 20 in the open position of the actuator 50 is easily achieved. The convex portion 57 as the engaged portion protrudes from the second outer surface 51b toward the engaging portion, and is therefore easily received in the hole portion 27c as the engaging portion even if the actuator 50 is tilted obliquely upward in the open position.

[0098] The inclined surface 57a included in the engaged portion faces the inner surface S of the engaging portion on the open position side of the actuator 50, thereby achieving the same effect as that described above regarding suppression of bending of the actuator 50.

[0099] Since the adjacent portion R between the second outer surface 51b and the convex portion 57 on the open position side faces the corner C of the insulator 20 formed on the open position side by the engagement portion, the same effect as that described above regarding suppression of deflection of the actuator 50 is obtained.

[0100] The insulator 20 has a restricting surface 27b that contacts the second outer surface 51b when the actuator 50 is in the open position, thereby preventing the actuator 50 from opening excessively beyond a design value for the insulator 20. Generally, an operator who operates the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 tends to push the actuator 50 excessively during the opening operation, but even in such a case, damage to the actuator 50 is prevented. This improves the reliability of the connector 10 as a product.

[0101] The engaged portion engages with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the open position, and is separated from the engaging portion and does not engage with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. This allows the actuator 50 to be disposed on the insulator 20 simply by lowering the actuator 50 from directly above to below the insulator 20 during assembly of the connector 10. In other words, the connector 10 does not require a process of lowering the actuator 50 from above to below the insulator 20 and then moving it in parallel from front to rear to engage the protrusion 57 with the hole 27c during assembly. This improves the ease of assembly of the connector 10.

[0102] By forming the pair of engaged and engaging portions at positions on the operating portion 55 corresponding to both ends of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction, an engaging relationship is reliably obtained at the position of the operating portion 55 where the upward displacement due to bending of the actuator 50 is most likely to occur between the pair of mounting portions 53b as the starting point. This makes it possible to apply a resistance force from the engaging portion of the insulator 20 to the engaged portion of the actuator 50 from the open position side to the closed position side at the position of the operating portion 55 where the upward displacement of the actuator 50 is most likely to occur. As a result, the upward bending of the actuator 50 that may occur between the pair of mounting portions 53b with the operating portion 55 as the center is more effectively suppressed.

[0103] The mounting portion 53b enables the actuator 50 to be attached to the insulator 20 by receiving a biasing force from the pressing member 60 from the open position side of the actuator 50, and therefore the actuator 50 can be stably attached to the insulator 20 by the biasing force received from the pressing member 60. The biasing force acting on the actuator 50 from the pressing member 60 gradually increases from the closed position to the open position, and therefore the actuator 50 can smoothly perform opening and closing operations relative to the insulator 20 by the spring elasticity of the pressing member 60.

[0104] The connector 10 enables improvement of reliability. For example, the connector 10 according to one embodiment enables removal of foreign matter attached to the connection object 70. For example, in a half-inserted state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the removal portion 36 comes into contact with the signal line 73 of the connection object 70, thereby enabling removal of foreign matter attached to the signal line 73 of the connection object 70. More specifically, the foreign matter adheres to the removal portion 36 of the first contact 30 in the half-inserted state, and is removed from the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 by the removal portion 36 moving away from the signal line 73 in the inserted state. In the half-inserted state, the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 slides against the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36, thereby removing the foreign matter from a predetermined region of the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 along the insertion direction.

[0105] In the half-inserted state, the apex 35b of the contact portion 35 is positioned closer to the connection object 70 than the apex 36b of the removal portion 36 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34, so that when the connection object 70 is moved further inside the insertion portion 23 to transition to the inserted state, the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 is more likely to come into contact with the apex 35b.

[0106] The removal portion 36 overlaps at least a part of the contact portion 35 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34 and in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted. This makes it possible to reliably bring the surface of the signal line 73 from which the foreign matter has been removed into contact with the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 after the foreign matter adhering to the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 has been removed by the removal portion 36.

[0107] The width of the removal portion 36 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted is larger than or approximately the same as the width of the contact portion 35 in the same direction. This makes it possible to reliably bring the surface of the signal line 73 from which the foreign matter has been removed into contact with the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 after the foreign matter adhering to the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 has been removed by the removal portion 36.

[0108] The contact piece 34 extends toward the insertion opening 23a of the insertion section 23 while bending from the elastic section 33 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the contact section 35 protrudes from the contact piece 34, so that the removal section 36 moves away from the signal line 73 in the inserted state, and contact between the contact section 35 and the signal line 73 can be made at one point. In addition, the removal section 36 of the first contact 30 moves forward from the elastic section 33 and the contact section 35 and is located at the tip on the insertion opening 23a side, so that excessive pressure from the removal section 36 to the connection object 70 in the half-inserted state is suppressed. The removal section 36 at the tip of the contact piece 34 contacts the signal line 73 of the connection object 70, so that the first contact 30 can apply the minimum pressure required to remove foreign matter attached to the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 to the connection object 70. This suppresses damage to the connection object 70 during the process of inserting the connection object 70 into the insertion section 23. By providing the removed portion 36 with the R-shaped apex portion 36b, the effect of preventing such breakage becomes more pronounced.

[0109] Conversely, by positioning the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 adjacent to the elastic portion 33, the first contact 30 can obtain the pressure necessary to press the connection object 70 from below in the inserted state. The connector 10 can hold the connection object 70 by such a pressure from below by the first contact 30, a pressure from above by the second contact 40a, and a resistance by the upper surface of the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20. As a result, even when the connector 10 is used in an environment with large vibrations such as electronic devices including industrial equipment and in-vehicle equipment, the connector 10 can obtain a sufficient holding force and stably hold the connection object 70. In addition, by having the R-shaped apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35, damage to the connection object 70 is suppressed even in the inserted state.

[0110] The insertion portion 23 has the inner surface 23d that serves as a reference for positioning the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction in the inserted state, which facilitates positioning of the connection object 70 in the front-rear direction relative to the connector 10. This improves the workability when inserting the connection object 70 into the insertion portion 23.

[0111] Since the interval d1 in the insertion direction is larger than the interval d2, the surface of the signal line 73 of the connection object 70 from which foreign matter has been removed by the remover 36 can be reliably brought into contact with the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30. This suppresses corrosion based on a difference in ionization tendency that occurs when the contact portion 35 comes into contact with the signal line 73 with foreign matter still adhering thereto. More specifically, the foreign matter adheres to the remover 36 and is separated from the signal line 73 of the connection object 70, thereby suppressing the presence of the foreign matter between the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35. This suppresses the above-mentioned corrosion.

[0112] The locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 presses the connection object 70 toward the first contact 30 in the half-inserted state, so that even if the contact pressure exerted by the first contact 30 on the connection object 70 from the downward pressure alone is weak, the connection object 70 is stably held by applying pressure from above by the actuator 50. This further improves the effect of foreign object removal by the removal portion 36 of the first contact 30.

[0113] The locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 is located closer to the removal portion 36 than the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30, thereby suppressing an increase in the insertion force of the connection object 70 into the connector 10. This improves the ease of insertion of the connection object 70 into the connector 10.

[0114] In the half-inserted state, the removal portion 36 of the first contact 30 and the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20 sandwich the connection object 70, so that the effect of removing foreign matter by the removal portion 36 is stably exhibited. For example, if a connection object is sandwiched between a pair of contacts, there is a risk that the spring forces will differ due to individual differences between the contacts, and that the foreign matter removal performance will differ. Similarly, in the inserted state, the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 and the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20 sandwich the connection object 70, so that the contact between the contact portion 35 and the signal line 73 is stably maintained.

[0115] Since the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20 is formed between the contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36 of the first contact 30 and the actuator 50, even in the half-inserted state and the open state, the insulator 20 and the first contact 30 overlap in the vertical direction, suppressing exposure of the first contact 30. This makes it possible to easily suppress foreign matter from the outside of the connector 10 from entering the inside of the connector 10, particularly the insertion portion 23 and the first contact mounting groove 24 in which the first contact 30 is arranged. Therefore, the reliability of the connector 10 as a product is improved. By combining with the configuration of the removal portion 36 that removes foreign matter attached to the signal line 73 of the connection target 70, the intrusion of foreign matter into the inside of the connector 10 is sufficiently suppressed.

[0116] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be realized in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by the above description. Any modifications within the scope of the equivalents of all modifications are intended to be included therein.

[0117] For example, the shape, arrangement, orientation, number, etc. of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the above description and the contents illustrated in the drawings. The shape, arrangement, orientation, number, etc. of each of the components may be arbitrarily configured as long as the function can be realized.

[0118] The method of assembling the connector 10 described above is not limited to the above description. The method of assembling the connector 10 may be any method as long as the connector 10 can be assembled in such a way that each function can be exerted. For example, at least one of the first contact 30, the second contact 40a, the metal fitting 40b, and the pressing member 60 may be molded integrally with the insulator 20 by insert molding instead of press-fitting.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the engaged portion includes the convex portion 57, and the engaging portion includes the hole portion 27c, but this is not limiting. The engaged portion and the engaging portion may include any engaging structure that suppresses deflection of the actuator 50. For example, the engaged portion may include a convex portion 57 that protrudes from the second outer surface 51b toward the engaging portion, and the engaging portion may include a recess that receives the convex portion 57. For example, the engaging portion may include a convex portion that protrudes from the regulating surface 27b of the insulator 20 toward the engaged portion, and the engaged portion may include a recess or a hole that receives the convex portion.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the engaged portion includes the inclined surface 57a that is inclined continuously from the second outer surface 51b of the protrusion 57, but is not limited thereto. Instead of the inclined surface 57a, the engaged portion may include a flat surface that extends perpendicularly from the second outer surface 51b of the protrusion 57. In this case, such a flat surface may face the inner surface S of the engaging portion on the open position side.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the adjacent portion R of the protrusion 57 on the open position side with the second outer surface 51b is described as facing the corner C of the insulator 20 formed on the open position side by the engagement portion, but this is not limited thereto. The adjacent portion R does not have to face the corner C of the insulator 20. The insulator 20 does not have to have the corner C.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the insulator 20 has been described as having the restricting surface 27b that comes into contact with the second outer surface 51b when the actuator 50 is in the open position, but is not limited thereto. Instead of the restricting surface 27b, the insulator 20 may have any structure that suppresses excessive opening of the actuator 50. For example, the insulator 20 may have a protrusion that comes into contact with the second outer surface 51b when the actuator 50 is in the open position.

[0123] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the open position, and is separated from the engaging portion and does not engage with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the closed position, but this is not limited to the above. The engaged portion may also engage with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. It is sufficient that the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion at least when the actuator 50 is in the open position, and it may or may not engage with the engaging portion when the actuator 50 is in the closed position.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the pair of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is formed at a position corresponding to both ends of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction in the operating portion 55, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The pair of the engaged portion and the engaging portion may be formed at a position corresponding to either one of the ends of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction in the operating portion 55. The pair of the engaged portion and the engaging portion may be formed between both ends of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction in the operating portion 55. That is, it is sufficient that at least one pair of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is formed at any position between the pair of mounting portions 53b. For example, only one engaged portion may be formed so as to extend long in the center in the left-right direction on the second outer surface 51b of the base 51.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 53b is described as receiving a biasing force from the open position side by the pressing member 60 to enable mounting of the actuator 50 to the insulator 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the actuator 50 is indirectly mounted to the insulator 20 via the pressing member 60, the actuator 50 may be directly mounted to the insulator 20. For example, the mounting portion 53b of the actuator 50 may be configured to be elastically deformable in the left-right direction, and may be mounted to the insulator 20 by being engaged while elastically deforming in a groove in the insulator 20 that is slightly narrower than the left-right width of the mounting portion 53b.

[0126] The connector 10 may have any structure that allows the actuator 50 to be directly attached to the insulator 20, without including the pressing member 60. For example, the connector 10 may not have the pressing member 60, and the actuator 50 may be attached to the insulator 20 only by engagement between the protrusion 54a of the actuator 50 and the recess 29a of the insulator 20.

[0127] In the above embodiment, it has been described that an insertion force against the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 is required when inserting the connection object 70 into the insertion portion 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may have a so-called ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) structure in which the connection object 70 does not come into contact with the actuator 50 when inserting the connection object 70 into the insertion portion 23 and the connection object 70 can be inserted with an insertion force close to zero.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the apex portion 35b of the contact portion 35 has been described as having an R shape, but is not limited thereto. The apex portion 35b may be formed in any shape. For example, the apex portion 35b may be formed in an edge shape. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the apex portion 36b of the removal portion 36 has been described as having an R shape, but is not limited thereto. The apex portion 36b may be formed in any shape. For example, the apex portion 36b may be formed in an edge shape.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the elastic portion 33 and the contact piece 34 of the first contact 30 are disposed below the insertion portion 23 and the connection object 70, and the contact piece 34 is inclined downward as the elastic portion 33 elastically deforms downward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the elastic portion 33 and the contact piece 34 of the first contact 30 may be disposed above the insertion portion 23 and the connection object 70. In this case, the contact piece 34 may be inclined upward as the elastic portion 33 elastically deforms upward.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the contact piece 34 is described as extending from the elastic portion 33 toward the insertion opening 23a of the insertion portion 23 while bending, but is not limited thereto. The contact piece 34 may be connected to the elastic portion 33 in any structure that can realize contact between the signal line 73 and the removal portion 36 in a half-inserted state, separation between the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35 in an inserted state, and contact between the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35 in an inserted state. For example, the angle at which the contact piece 34 bends from the front end portion of the elastic portion 33 does not have to be an obtuse angle, and the contact piece 34 does not have to be bent from the elastic portion 33. For example, the contact piece 34 may be formed as a part of the elastic portion 33.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the width of the removed portion 36 is described as being larger than or approximately the same as the width of the contact portion 35, but is not limited thereto. The width of the removed portion 36 may be smaller than the width of the contact portion 35.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the straight line connecting the vertex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the vertex 36b of the removal portion 36 is substantially horizontal in the non-inserted state, but this is not limited to the above. The straight line connecting the vertex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the vertex 36b of the removal portion 36 does not have to be substantially horizontal.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the straight line connecting the vertex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the vertex 36b of the removal portion 36 is inclined obliquely downward in the half-inserted state, but this is not limited to the above. The straight line connecting the vertex 35b of the contact portion 35 and the vertex 36b of the removal portion 36 does not have to be inclined.

[0134] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the removal portion 36, the contact portion 35, and the elastic portion 33 are located in this order from the insertion opening 23a side, but this is not limited to the above. The first contact 30 may have any structure that can realize contact between the signal line 73 and the removal portion 36 in a half-inserted state, separation between the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35 in an inserted state, and contact between the signal line 73 and the contact portion 35 in an inserted state. For example, the elastic portion 33, the removal portion 36, and the contact portion 35 may be located in this order from the insertion opening 23a side. For example, the removal portion 36, the elastic portion 33, and the contact portion 35 may be located in this order from the insertion opening 23a side.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the insertion portion 23 has been described as having the inner surface 23d that serves as a reference for positioning the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction in the inserted state, but is not limited to this. The insertion portion 23 does not have to have such an inner surface 23d. In this case, for example, any structure for positioning both left and right ends of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction may be formed on the insulator 20 side.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the interval d1 along the insertion direction is greater than the interval d2, but this is not limiting, and the interval d1 along the insertion direction may be smaller than the interval d2.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 has been described as being capable of operating the actuator 50 by only one action of inserting the connection object 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may require any direct operation of the actuator 50 by a worker, an assembly device, or the like.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 on the removal portion 36 side and the width of the contact portion 35 side are the same, but this is not limiting. The width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 protrudes in the contact piece 34 and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted may be larger on the removal portion 36 side and smaller on the contact portion 35 side. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter adhering to the connection object 70 on the removal portion 36 side, while preventing foreign matter adhering to the connection object 70 from entering the contact portion 35 side of the first contact 30.

[0139] At this time, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted may change in a stepped manner between the removed portion 36 and the contact portion 35. In this way, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted changes suddenly between the removed portion 36 and the contact portion 35, so that the above-mentioned effect of suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter into the contact portion 35 side of the first contact 30 becomes more remarkable.

[0140] The width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted is not limited to being stepped, and may change in any manner between the removed portion 36 and the contact portion 35. For example, the width of the first contact mounting groove 24 in the direction in which the contact portion 35 of the contact piece 34 protrudes and in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction in which the connection object 70 is inserted may change in a tapered manner between the removed portion 36 and the contact portion 35.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the contact piece 34 has been described as having protrusions formed only on the contact portion 35 and the removal portion 36, but this is not limited thereto. The contact piece 34 may further have a protrusion between the removal portion 36 and the contact portion 35 that protrudes in the same direction as the removal portion 36 and the contact portion 35. Even in such a case, in the inserted state, only the contact portion 35 contacts the signal line 73 of the connection object 70. As described above, it is possible to prevent foreign matter adhering to the connection object 70 from entering the contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 while enabling the removal portion 36 to remove foreign matter adhering to the connection object 70.

[0142] The connector 10 as described above is mounted on an electronic device. The electronic device includes any in-vehicle device such as a camera, a radar, a drive recorder, and an engine control unit. The electronic device includes any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system such as a car navigation system, an advanced driving assistance system, and a security system. In addition, the electronic device includes any industrial device. Without being limited thereto, the electronic device may include any information device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction device. The electronic device may include any audiovisual device such as a liquid crystal television, a recorder, a camera, and a headphone.

[0143] In such electronic devices, the above-mentioned effect of connector 10 that reliability can be maintained even when the height is reduced improves the reliability of the electronic device as a product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 10 Connectors 20 Insulator 21 Outer wall 21a Ceiling wall 21b Bottom wall 21c side wall 22 Back wall 23 Insertion section 23a Insertion port 23b 1st slope 23c 2nd slope 23d Inside 24 First contact mounting groove 25 Second contact mounting groove 26 Bracket mounting groove 27 Mounting part 27a Recess 27b Regulatory aspects 27c Hole (engaging part) 28 Mounting groove 28a through hole 29 Reception Department 29a Recess 30 First Contact 31 Locking part 31a Extension 32 Mounting section 33 Elastic part 34 Contact piece 35 Contact part 35a 1st slope 35b Apex 35c 2nd slope 36 Removal part 36a 1st slope 36b Apex 36c 2nd slope 40a 2nd Contact 40b metal fittings 41a Mounting section 41b Mounting section 42a base 42b base 43a Locking part 43b Locking part 44a Contact piece 50 Actuator 51 Base 51a 1st outer surface 51b 2nd outer surface 52 Rock Club 52a Slope 53a Recess 53b Mounting part 54 Shaft 54a protrusion 55 Operation section 56 Protrusion 57 Convex portion (engaged portion) 57a Slope 60 Pressing member 61 Locking part 62 Mounting section 63 Contact part 70 Connected Objects 71 Tip 72 Tip surface 73 Signal Line 74 Exterior 75 Holding part 76 Locked part 77 Recruitment Department CB Circuit Board C Corner R adjacent part S Inner surface d1 interval d2 interval θ1 First angle θ2 Second angle

Claims

1. A connector into which a connection object can be inserted and removed, an insulator having an insertion portion into which the connection object is inserted; an actuator rotatable relative to the insulator between a closed position when the actuator is closed relative to the insulator and an open position when the actuator is opened relative to the insulator; Equipped with The actuator comprises: a pair of mounting portions formed at both ends of the actuator in a longitudinal direction of the connector, the mounting portions enabling the actuator to be mounted on the insulator; an operating portion formed between the pair of mounting portions on a first outer surface of the actuator facing a direction in which the connection object is inserted into or removed from the connector, the operating portion receiving an operation to open the actuator from the closed position to the open position; an engaged portion formed between the pair of mounting portions on a second outer surface of the actuator that is located opposite to the first outer surface; having the insulator has an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion from the open position side at least when the actuator is in the open position; connector.

2. the engaged portion includes a protrusion protruding from the second outer surface toward the engaging portion, The engagement portion includes a recess or a hole that receives the protrusion. The connector of claim 1 .

3. the engaged portion includes an inclined surface that is inclined continuously from the second outer surface at the protrusion, The inclined surface faces an inner surface of the engagement portion on the open position side. The connector according to claim 2.

4. a portion of the protrusion adjacent to the second outer surface on the open position side faces a corner of the insulator formed on the open position side by the engagement portion; 4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the insulator has a restriction surface that contacts the second outer surface when the actuator is in the open position. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the engaged portion engages with the engaging portion when the actuator is in the open position, and is separated from the engaging portion and does not engage with the engaging portion when the actuator is in the closed position; 6. A connector according to claim 1.

7. the engaged portion faces an inner surface of the engaging portion on the open position side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the insertion / removal direction when the actuator is in the open position, and does not face the inner surface in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the insertion / removal direction when the actuator is in the closed position. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The pair of the engaged portion and the engaging portion is formed at a position corresponding to at least one of both ends of the operation portion in the longitudinal direction. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a pressing member that urges the actuator toward the closed position when the actuator is in the open position, the mounting portion receives a biasing force from the open position side by the pressing member to enable mounting of the actuator to the insulator. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images