Spacer, electronic device, and method of manufacturing the spacer

Abstract

To provide a conductive spacer that can be insert-molded.SOLUTION: A spacer includes a conductive member formed in a cylindrical shape and provided with a collar portion protruding in the axial direction at a part of the end portion in the axial direction, and a snap-fit member that includes a plurality of extension portions in which a main body portion is provided inside the conductive member in the radial direction, and that extends in the axial direction at the end portion in the axial direction, and radially outwardly protruding claws provided at the respective end portions of the extension portions. Further, in an axial view in which the conductive member and the snap-fit member are viewed in the axial direction, the claw and the a projecting portion are provided so as not to overlap each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spacer, an electronic device, and a method for manufacturing a spacer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, spacers have been proposed that provide a space between a board of an audio device or the like and a card of a chassis or the like, and allow electricity to flow between the board and the chassis (for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, an electrically conductive card spacer that provides a gap between cards and allows electricity to flow between the cards includes a spacer having non-conductive snap fixing parts at both ends, a conductive and elastic connecting plate attached to the spacer, and a toothed edge provided on the part of the connecting plate that abuts between the cards due to the elasticity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-275284 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the spacer and the connection plate are manufactured separately and then assembled, there is a problem that the cost tends to increase. On the other hand, when manufacturing by insert molding, there is a problem that an undercut shape is included if the metal part is made to protrude from the surrounding parts to ensure conductivity.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present technology is to provide a spacer that has electrical conductivity and can be insert molded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The spacer according to the present technology includes a conductive member formed in a cylindrical shape and having a collar portion protruding in the axial direction provided at a part of an axial end portion, and a snap-fit ​​member having a main body portion provided radially inside the conductive member, a plurality of extension portions extending in the axial direction at the axial end portion, and claw portions provided at each end of the extension portions and protruding radially outward. In addition, the claw portions and the protrusion portions are arranged so as not to overlap with each other when the conductive member and the snap-fit ​​member are viewed in the axial direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spacer that is conductive and can be insert molded. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a spacer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a spacer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a method for manufacturing a spacer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an electronic device including a spacer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a spacer. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a spacer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2. The outer shape of the spacer 1 is cylindrical, and as shown in FIG. 1, for convenience, the axial direction of the spacer 1 is described as the up-down direction. The spacer 1 includes a snap-fit ​​member 2 that fits into a through-hole of a predetermined size, and a conductive member 3 that is conductive. The spacer 1 can be used, for example, to connect a plurality of electronic circuit boards at a distance from each other. The spacer 1 may also be used to connect a housing and an electronic circuit board at a distance from each other.

[0011] The snap-fit ​​member 2 is a columnar member made of an existing resin that can be injection molded. The snap-fit ​​member 2 includes a cylindrical main body 21, extensions 22 extending along the axial direction from both axial ends of the main body 21, and claws 23 protruding radially outward from the ends of the extensions 22.

[0012] The main body 21 is located radially inside the cylindrical conductive member 3. Two extensions 22 are provided in the upper and lower directions of the main body 21. The two extensions 22 provided at one end in the axial direction are spaced apart from each other, and the opposing surfaces 221 are formed approximately parallel. The outer peripheral surfaces 222 of the two extensions 22 facing in opposite directions are formed on extensions of the side peripheral surfaces of the main body 21, and are provided with a draft. The extensions 22 are elastic. The cross-sectional area of ​​the claws 23, perpendicular to the axial direction, increases from the axial end toward the main body 21.

[0013] When such a claw portion 23 is fitted into a through hole (not shown) having an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the main body portion 21, when the claw portion 23 is inserted into the through hole from the axial tip, the outer peripheral surface of the claw portion 23 abuts against the edge of the through hole, the extension portion 22 deforms, the gap between the two claw portions 23 becomes smaller, and the claw portion 23 passes through the through hole, allowing the claw portion 23 to be fitted into the through hole.

[0014] The conductive member 3 is a cylindrical member made of a conductive metal or the like. The conductive member 3 includes a tubular portion 31 and collar portions 32 extending axially from both axial ends of the tubular portion 31. Two collar portions 32 are provided in the upper and lower directions. Each of the collar portions 32 is arc-shaped in a plan view (in other words, an axial view of the spacer 1 in the axial direction). The two collar portions 32 are provided on opposite sides of the circumference of the tubular portion 31, which is circular in a plan view.

[0015] When the spacer 1 is in use, the collar portion 32 abuts against a land (not shown) provided on the circuit board, and the conductive member 3 is electrically connected to the circuit.

[0016] 1, 3, and 4, the axial end of the collar portion 32 of the conductive member 3 protrudes outward in the axial direction more than the axial end of the main body portion 21 of the snap-fit ​​member 2. In this way, even if resin burrs or fragments are generated due to molding defects, the resin burrs or fragments are prevented from being caught between the collar portion 32 and the electronic circuit board, and the collar portion 32 can be reliably brought into contact with the land on the circuit board to ensure electrical continuity. In other words, the occurrence of electrical continuity defects between the conductive member 3 and the land on the circuit board can be suppressed.

[0017] 2, the claw portion 23 of the snap-fit ​​member 2 and the collar portion 32 of the conductive member 3 are provided so as not to overlap in a plan view. That is, the claw portion 23 is located above the circumference along the cylindrical portion 31 in a plan view, and protrudes toward between the two collar portions 32 of the conductive member 3. In other words, the claw portion 23 is formed between two collar portions that are linearly connected. The claw portion 23 does not protrude above the region where the claw portion 23 is inserted (the region shown by the broken line in FIG. 2) or above the two collar portions 32. With such a shape, it can be formed by injection molding as described later.

[0018] <Manufacturing method> 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a manufacturing method of a spacer. FIG. 5(A) shows a state after a step of inserting the conductive member 3 into the cavity in advance and a step of closing the mold 5. The mold 5 includes a first mold 51, a second mold 52, and a third mold 53. The first mold 51 defines a space between two extension portions 22 (first extension portion, second extension portion) extending in the axial direction of the conductive member 3. That is, the mold 51 defines the two extension portions 22. The second mold 52 and the third mold 53 each define, between themselves and the mold 51, spaces (space 521, space 531) for forming two extension portions 22 (first extension portion, second extension portion) and spaces (space 522, space 532) for forming claw portions (first claw portion, second claw portion) that protrude radially outward from the conductive member 3 at each end of the extension portion 22.

[0019] In addition, in the process shown in FIG. 5(B), a predetermined resin is injection molded into a space defined by the conductive member 3, the first mold 51, the second mold 52, and the third mold 53 to form the snap-fit ​​member 2.

[0020] 5(C), the mold 5 is opened. At this time, the first mold 51 is moved in the direction in which the extension portion 22 extends, the second mold 52 is moved in the direction in which the first claw portion 231 protrudes, and the third mold 53 is moved in the direction in which the second claw portion 232 protrudes.

[0021] In this embodiment, the space 522 for forming the first claw portion 231 and the space 532 for forming the second claw portion 232 are arranged so as not to overlap with the collar portion 32 in a plan view, so that the mold 5 can be removed without interfering with the molded body after injection molding. Also, according to the manufacturing method shown in Fig. 5, the main body portion 21 of the snap-fit ​​member 2 can be made to have a shape that is more recessed in the axial direction than the collar portion 32 of the conductive member 3, so that even if burrs or chips of resin are generated due to defective molding, the collar portion 32 can be brought into contact with the land on the circuit board.

[0022] <Electronic equipment> 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an example of an electronic device including a spacer. The electronic device 10 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), but is not limited thereto. The spacer 1 is used to connect the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 while separating them in a substantially parallel manner. That is, the claw portion 23 of the snap-fit ​​member 2 fits into the through holes of the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42. At this time, the land (not shown) formed around the through hole and the collar portion 32 of the conductive member 3 of the spacer 1 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. In addition, the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 are connected to signal lines by a BtoB (Board to Board) connector 6 (6A, 6B) and are connected to a frame ground (chassis ground) by the spacer 1. For example, the first circuit board 41 may be a sub-board and the second circuit board 42 may be a main board. When the number of components to be mounted increases but the storage space is only available in the thickness direction of the housing, it is effective to connect the sub-board via the spacer 1.

[0023] Furthermore, electronic device 10 holds first circuit board 41 and second circuit board 42 between upper housing 7 and lower housing 8. Lower housing 8 has a columnar portion 81 (also called "first support portion") made of, for example, the same material as the housings, and holds second circuit board 42 via columnar portion 81. Columnar portion 81 is provided on an extension of spacer 1 in the axial direction. Columnar portion 81 and lower housing 8 are also conductive and connected to the ground pattern of second circuit board 42. 2 and is connected to the ground pattern of the first circuit board 41 via the spacer 1. The columnar portion 81 has a recess 811 (also referred to as a "first recess") at the center of a cross section perpendicular to the protruding direction, and the claw portion 23 of the spacer 1 is housed in the recess 811. The columnar portion 81 may be formed integrally with the lower housing 8 by, for example, adhesion or welding.

[0024] The upper housing 7 and the first circuit board 41 are connected via an elastic member 9 (also called a "second support part") such as rubber. The elastic member 9 is disposed between the upper housing 7 and the first circuit board 41, on an extension of the axial direction of the spacer 1. The elastic member 9 is deformed when clamping the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42, and can hold the first circuit board 41 and the second circuit board 42 with an appropriate pressure. The elastic member 9 is also provided with a recess 91 (also called a "second recess") in the center of the cross section, and the claw part 23 of the spacer 1 is accommodated in the recess 91. The recess 91 may be a through hole.

[0025] Moreover, the circuit board 41 may be substantially rectangular, and the spacers 1 may be connected near each of the four corners (not shown). By connecting the spacers 1, which are connected to the frame ground, to the four corners of the circuit board, the stability of holding the circuit board is improved even when the electronic device 10 is subjected to vibration, and the effect of reducing noise generated in the circuit is improved.

[0026] Furthermore, by arranging the columnar portion 81 and the elastic member 9 on the extension of the axial direction of the spacer 1, sufficient strength against the compressive force generated between the upper housing 7 and the lower housing 8 can be obtained.

[0027] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. In addition, various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the number of collar parts 31 protruding in one axial direction of the conductive member 3 may be one, but by providing two or more collar parts 31 at equal intervals, the compressive force generated between the upper housing 7 and the lower housing 8 can be received without bias. In addition, the number of extension parts 22 protruding in one axial direction of the snap-fit ​​member 2 may be three or more, but two is preferable in terms of injection molding. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1: Spacer 2: Snap-fit ​​components 21: Main body 22: Stretching part 23: Claw part 3: Conductive material 31: Cylindrical section 32: Color section 41: Circuit board 42: Circuit board 5(51~53):Mold 6: BtoB connector 7: Upper case 8: Lower housing 81: Columnar part 811: Recess 9: Elastic material 91: Recess 10:Electronic equipment

Claims

1. a conductive member formed in a cylindrical shape and having a collar portion protruding in an axial direction provided at a portion of an end portion in the axial direction; a snap-fit ​​member including a body portion provided on a radially inner side of the conductive member, a plurality of extension portions extending in the axial direction at an end portion in the axial direction, and claw portions provided at each end portion of the extension portions and protruding outward in the radial direction; Equipped with The claw portion and the collar portion are provided so as not to overlap each other when the conductive member and the snap-fit ​​member are viewed in the axial direction. Spacer.

2. The collar portion of the conductive member protrudes outward in the axial direction beyond the body portion of the snap-fit ​​member. The spacer according to claim 1 .

3. the conductive member has the collar portion on both sides in the axial direction, The snap-fit ​​member has the extension portion and the claw portion on both sides in the axial direction. A spacer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a first circuit board having a substantially rectangular shape; The spacer according to claim 3 , which is connected to the first circuit board near each of four corners; a second circuit board connected to the first circuit board via the spacer; An electronic device comprising:

5. a housing that houses the first circuit board and the second circuit board; The housing includes: a first support portion having a conductive property and a first recess portion capable of accommodating the claw portion; a second support portion disposed opposite the first support portion and having a second recess formed therein capable of accommodating the claw portion; The electronic device according to claim 4 .

6. The first support portion and the second support portion are disposed on an axial extension of the spacer within the housing.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5.

7. a step of placing a conductive member in a cavity, the conductive member being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a collar portion protruding in an axial direction provided at a portion of an end portion in the axial direction; a step of disposing a first mold for forming a main body portion on the radially inner side of the conductive member and for defining a space between a first extension portion and a second extension portion formed at an end portion of the main body portion in the axial direction and extending in the axial direction, a second mold for defining a space for forming the first extension portion and a first claw portion provided at an end portion of the first extension portion and protruding radially outward, and a third mold for defining a space for forming the second extension portion and an end portion of the second extension portion and protruding radially outward; forming a snap-fit ​​member by injection molding a predetermined resin into a space defined by the conductive member, the first mold, the second mold, and the third mold, and moving the first mold in a direction in which the extension portion extends, the second mold in a direction in which the first claw portion protrudes, and the third mold in a direction in which the second claw portion protrudes. Including, When the conductive member is viewed in the axial direction, a space for forming the first claw portion and a space for forming the second claw portion do not overlap with the collar portion. A method for manufacturing a spacer.

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