Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector having a structure which makes it possible to improve assemblability and handleability. Provided is a connector 10 for electrically connecting, to a printed wiring board 20, a flat-shaped electronic component 30 which is inserted along the depth direction D1, said connector 10 comprising a pushing member 150. The pushing member 150 has a plurality of pushing pieces 153. The plurality of pushing pieces 153: extend along the depth direction D1; are arranged in the width direction D2; push, with portions thereof which are located near tip ends thereof, a lock member 120 toward a plurality of contact pins 131; and are connected to and integrated with each other at portions thereof which are located near base ends thereof.

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flip-lock type connector.

[0002] Flip-lock type connectors are exemplified as connectors for connecting electronic components such as flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs) to a circuit board. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a flip-lock type connector.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-155243

[0004] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of pressing pieces for pressing the lock cover. However, because these pressing pieces are independent of each other, there is room for improvement in terms of ease of assembly and handling.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector having a structure that can improve assembly and handling properties.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the connector of the present disclosure employs the following measures. A connector according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a connector for electrically connecting a flat electronic component inserted along a depth direction to a board, the connector comprising: a plurality of contact pins, a connector main body, a locking member, and a pressing member, wherein, when a direction orthogonal to the depth direction is defined as a width direction and a direction orthogonal to the depth direction and the width direction is defined as a height direction, the plurality of contact pins are components that come into contact with the electronic component, each extending along the depth direction and aligned in the width direction, the connector main body houses the plurality of contact pins aligned in the width direction, the locking member is supported by the connector main body and sandwiches the electronic component between itself and the plurality of contact pins in the height direction, the pressing member has a plurality of pressing pieces that extend along the depth direction and are aligned in the width direction, each pressing piece presses the locking member against the plurality of contact pins at a portion near a tip thereof, and is connected to and integrated with each other at a portion near a base end thereof.

[0007] According to the connector of this aspect, the multiple pressing pieces extend in the depth direction, are aligned in the width direction, and press the locking member toward the contact pins near their respective tips. The multiple pressing pieces are connected to each other near their respective base ends, making it possible to handle the multiple pressing pieces as a single pressing member. This improves assembly and handling compared to when multiple pressing pieces are handled individually. Furthermore, it also reduces costs compared to when multiple independent pressing pieces are provided.

[0008] In the connector according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the pressing member is made of metal, and the multiple pressing pieces are arranged outside the pin arrangement area, which is the area between the first contact pin and the second contact pin located at both ends of the width direction among the multiple contact pins.

[0009] In the connector of this aspect, the pressing member is made of metal, and the pressing piece is located outside the pin arrangement area, which is the area between the first and second contact pins located at both ends in the width direction of the multiple contact pins. Therefore, the metal pressing piece is not located at least between adjacent contact pins in the width direction, and electrical coupling between the contact pins and, ultimately, between the channels via the pressing piece can be suppressed, thereby suppressing crosstalk between the channels.

[0010] A connector according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the second aspect, wherein the pressing member has at least one rear fixing portion, and the at least one rear fixing portion is fixed to the substrate and is positioned outside the pin arrangement area.

[0011] In the connector of this aspect, the pressing member has at least one rear fixing portion, and the at least one rear fixing portion is fixed to the board and disposed outside the pin arrangement area, so that no metallic rear fixing portion is disposed between adjacent contact pins at least in the width direction, and electrical coupling between the contact pins and, in turn, between the channels via the rear fixing portion can be suppressed, thereby suppressing crosstalk between the channels.

[0012] A connector according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a connector according to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of contact pins have mounting portions mounted on the substrate, and at least one rear fixing portion is arranged to the side of the mounting portion of the first contact pin and / or to the side of the mounting portion of the second contact pin.

[0013] In the connector according to this aspect, the contact pins have mounting portions that are mounted on the circuit board, and at least one rear fixing portion is disposed to the side of the mounting portion of the first contact pin and / or the side of the mounting portion of the second contact pin, so that electrical coupling between the contact pins and, in turn, between the channels via the rear fixing portion of the metal pressing component can be suppressed, thereby suppressing crosstalk between the channels.

[0014] In the connector according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the third or fourth aspect, the pressing member has a connection plate, which is arranged at the rear of the connector body, and to which the portions near the base ends of each of the multiple pressing pieces are connected, and at least one rear fixing portion is connected.

[0015] According to the connector of this aspect, the pressing member has a connecting plate, which is arranged at the rear of the connector body, and to which the portions near the base ends of each of the multiple pressing pieces are connected, and to which at least one rear fixing part is connected, so that the multiple pressing pieces and the at least one rear fixing part can be handled as a single unit.

[0016] A connector according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any of the first to fifth aspects, a connector in which the pressing member has a connection plate and a plurality of intermediate portions, the connection plate is arranged at the rear of the connector body, and is a plate-like portion whose thickness direction is the depth direction and which extends in the height direction and the width direction, the plurality of intermediate portions having a first intermediate portion and a second intermediate portion, the first intermediate portion being a plate-like portion extending from an upper edge of the connection plate toward the front of the connector body, and the second intermediate portion being a plate-like portion extending downward from at least one edge of the first intermediate portion in the width direction, and the pressing piece is connected to a portion near the base end, and the pressing piece connected to the second intermediate portion is a plate-like member whose thickness direction is the width direction and which extends in the depth direction and the height direction.

[0017] According to the connector of this aspect, the pressing member has a connection plate and multiple intermediate portions, and the connection plate is disposed at the rear of the connector body and is a plate-like portion whose depth direction is the plate thickness direction and which extends in the height and width directions, so that the space behind the connector body occupied by the pressing member can be reduced, thereby realizing a compact connector. The plurality of intermediate portions include a first intermediate portion and a second intermediate portion, the first intermediate portion being a plate-like portion extending from an upper edge of the connection plate toward the front of the connector body, and the second intermediate portion being a plate-like portion extending downward from at least one edge of the first intermediate portion in the width direction, to which a portion of the pressing piece near its base end is connected. The pressing piece connected to the second intermediate portion is a plate-like member whose thickness direction is the width direction and which extends in the depth and height directions. Therefore, by connecting the pressing piece to a connection plate whose thickness direction coincides with the depth direction via the intermediate portion, the thickness direction of the pressing piece can be made to coincide with the width direction (i.e., the cross-sectional shape of the pressing piece in a plane perpendicular to the depth direction can be made longer in the height direction). This increases the section modulus with respect to a force acting in the height direction, making the pressing piece less likely to deform even when subjected to a reaction force from the locking member.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a connector according to the sixth aspect, wherein the pressing pieces are connected to both ends in the width direction of the first intermediate portion via the second intermediate portion.

[0019] According to the connector of this aspect, the pressing pieces are connected to both ends of the first intermediate portion in the width direction via the second intermediate portion, so that two pressing pieces can be connected to one intermediate portion.

[0020] The connector according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any of the second to fifth aspects, provided with at least one fixing member, wherein the at least one fixing member is made of metal, is arranged on the side of the first contact pin and / or the side of the second contact pin, has an engagement portion and a lateral fixing portion, the engagement portion engages with the connector body, and the lateral fixing portion is fixed to the board.

[0021] According to the connector of this aspect, at least one fixing member has an engaging portion and a lateral fixing portion, and the engaging portion engages with the connector body and the lateral fixing portion is fixed to the board, thereby fixing the connector body to the board. Furthermore, the fixing member having the engaging portion and the lateral fixing portion is made of metal and is arranged to the side of the first contact pin and / or the second contact pin, so that electrical coupling between the contact pins and, ultimately, between the channels via the metal fixing member can be suppressed. Therefore, crosstalk between the channels can be suppressed.

[0022] The connector according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the eighth aspect, and is provided with a retaining member, which holds a plurality of the contact pins arranged in the width direction and is attached to the rear of the connector body, and at least one of the fixing members has a regulating portion, which regulates movement of the retaining member attached to the connector body.

[0023] According to the connector of this aspect, at least one fixing member has a restricting portion that restricts movement of the holding member attached to the connector body, thereby fixing the holding member to the connector body. Furthermore, since the lateral fixing portion of the at least one fixing member is fixed to the base end, as a result, the holding member can be fixed to the board in addition to the connector body.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a connector according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the connector body is in contact with upper edges of the plurality of pressing pieces.

[0025] According to the connector of this aspect, the connector body is in contact with the upper edges of the plurality of pressing pieces, so that the pressing pieces are less likely to deform even when they receive a reaction force from the locking member.

[0026] The connector according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is, in any of the first to tenth aspects, a connector in which the multiple contact pins have a mounting portion mounted on the board, an inclined portion that is gently connected to the mounting portion and extends forward and diagonally upward from the mounting portion, and a displacement portion that is gently connected to the inclined portion, extends forward from the inclined portion, and moves in the height direction upon contact with the electronic component, and is provided with a holding member that is made of resin and holds the inclined portions of the contact pins.

[0027] According to this aspect of the connector, the multiple contact pins have a mounting portion mounted on the board, a sloping portion gently connected to the mounting portion and extending diagonally upward from the mounting portion, and a displacement portion gently connected to the sloping portion, extending forward from the sloping portion, and moving vertically upon contact with the electronic component. This allows the transmission path to bend more gently than, for example, when the portion corresponding to the sloping portion extends straight upward. This reduces impedance fluctuations in the transmission path. Furthermore, by making the portion held by the resin holding member the sloping portion adjacent to the mounting portion, the distance from the mounting portion (surrounding the dielectric is air) to the sloping portion (surrounding the dielectric is resin) can be shortened. This reduces impedance fluctuations in the transmission path.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve ease of assembly and handling.

[0029] 4 is a front perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (locking member: closed state). FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (locking member: open state). FIG. 6 is a plan view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (locking member: closed state). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to section line C-C shown in FIG. 3 (locking member: closed state, electrical component: removed). FIG. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a connector main body. FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a connector main body with a locking member attached. FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a locking member. FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an assembly comprising a contact pin group and a holding member. FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an assembly comprising a contact pin group and a holding member. FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a pin arrangement area (only first and second contact pins are shown). FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a pressing member and a fixing member. FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of a pressing member and a fixing member. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to section line A-A shown in FIG. 3 (locking member: open state, electrical component: inserted). 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3 (locking member: open state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 3 (locking member: open state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 3 (locking member: open state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3 (locking member: closed state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3 (locking member: closed state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 3 (locking member: closed state, electrical component: inserted); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 3 (locking member: closed state, electrical component: inserted).

[0030] A connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 23 . The terms “depth direction D1,” “width direction D2,” and “height direction D3” used in the following description are intended to facilitate understanding of the description and do not limit the orientation of the connector 10. The “depth direction D1” refers to both the front-to-rear direction and the rear-to-front direction. The “width direction D2” refers to both the right-to-left direction and the left-to-right direction. The “height direction D3” refers to both the top-to-bottom direction and the bottom-to-top direction. The “depth direction D1” generally corresponds to the direction in which the electronic component 30 is inserted and removed. The “width direction D2” is perpendicular to the depth direction D1 and corresponds to the direction in which the rotation axis L of the locking member 120 extends. The “height direction D3” is perpendicular to the depth direction D1 and the width direction D2. Furthermore, "width" and "width dimension" refer to the distance or dimension along the width direction D2, and "height" and "height dimension" refer to the distance or dimension along the height direction D3.

[0031] <Concerning the Structure of the Connector> First, the structure of the connector 10 will be described.

[0032] The connector 10 is a device for connecting a flat electronic component 30 to a printed wiring board (substrate) 20. The flat electronic component 30 has a cross-sectional shape that is long in a width direction D2 and thin in a height direction D3 in a plane perpendicular to a depth direction D1. Examples of the flat electronic component 30 include an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) and an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable). As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, the connector 10 is mounted on the printed wiring board 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector 10 includes a connector body 110, a locking member 120, a contact pin group 130, a holding member 140, a pressing member 150, and at least one fixing member 160.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the connector body 110 is a block-shaped component elongated in the width direction D2. The connector body 110 is molded from an insulating material (e.g., a resin material such as LCP). The connector body 110 is formed with a locking member mounting portion 111, two shaft support portions 112, multiple rear slots 113, a holding member mounting portion 114, and at least one engaged portion 116. The locking member mounting portion 111 is a recess formed in the front upper portion of the connector body 110 so as to recess downward. As shown in FIG. 9 and other figures, a locking member 120 is mounted in the locking member mounting portion 111. As shown in FIG. 8 , the shaft support portions 112 are grooves formed on both sides of the locking member mounting portion 111 along the height direction D3. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the shaft 121 (specifically, the rotating shaft portion 121a) of the locking member 120 is inserted from above into the shaft support portion 112. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 , the rear slots 113 are grooves (slots) formed along the depth direction D1 to communicate between the rear surface of the connector body 110 and the locking member installation portion 111, and are spaced apart from one another in the width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, a pressing piece 153 of a pressing member 150 is inserted into each rear slot 113. As shown in FIG. 9 , the holding member installation portion 114 is a recess formed in the rear lower portion of the connector body 110 so as to recess forward. Press-fit portions 115, which are further recessed forward, are formed at both ends of the holding member installation portion 114 in the width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, a holding member 140, which holds a contact pin group 130, is installed in the holding member installation portion 114. The engaged portion 116 is a groove formed along the depth direction D1 to communicate between the front surface and the rear surface of the connector body 110 (the holding member installation portion 114 in this embodiment), and is disposed to the side (outside) of the press-fit portion 115.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 10 , the locking member 120 is a component that is elongated in the width direction D2. The locking member 120 is molded from an insulating material (e.g., a resin material such as LCP). The locking member 120 is formed with a shaft 121 and a front slot 122. The shaft 121 is a portion that extends in the width direction D2 at the rear end of the locking member 120 and has a rotation axis L. The shaft 121 has rotation shaft portions 121a located at both ends in the width direction D2 and a cam shaft portion 121b located between the rotation shaft portions 121a. The rotation shaft portions 121a are cylindrical portions centered on the rotation axis L. By inserting the rotation shaft portions 121a into the shaft support portions 112 of the connector main body 110, the locking member 120 is rotatably supported relative to the connector main body 110 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). On the other hand, the camshaft portion 121b is a portion where the distance from the rotation axis L to the outer circumferential surface is not constant (i.e., it is not cylindrical), and is also a portion on which the pressing pieces 153 of the pressing member 150 engage, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 . As shown in FIG. 5 , the front slots 122 are grooves (slots) formed to communicate between the upper and lower surfaces of the locking member 120 in the closed state, and are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction D2. The positions of the front slots 122 in the width direction D2 correspond to the positions of the rear slots 113. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the locking member 120 is in the open state, the front slots 122 communicate between the front surface and the rear surface (back surface) of the locking member 120, and the pressing pieces 153 of the pressing member 150 (portions of the pressing pieces 153 protruding from the rear slots 113) are inserted into the front slots 122.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the contact pin group 130 includes a plurality of contact pins 131. The contact pins 131 are held by a holding member 140 while spaced apart from one another in the width direction D2. Each contact pin 131 is an elongated component extending in the depth direction D1, with one end contacting an electronic component 30 and the other end bonded to the printed wiring board 20. Each contact pin 131 is formed by plating a base material formed from a conductive material (e.g., a metal material such as phosphor bronze) (e.g., Ni plating as a base layer and Au plating as a surface layer). The contact pins 131 include a ground pin (denoted as “G”) for grounding and a signal pin (denoted as “S”) through which a signal (e.g., a high-frequency signal of 80 Hz or higher) flows. When G-S-S-G is defined as one channel C, the contact pins 131 are arranged so that multiple channels C are aligned in the width direction D2 (four channels C in the case of FIG. 11 ).

[0036] FIG. 13 shows only two contact pins 131 (hereinafter referred to as the "first contact pin 131X" and the "second contact pin 131Y") located at both ends in the width direction D2 in FIG. 11 , and omits the holding member 140 and the contact pins 131 other than the first contact pin 131X and the second contact pin 131Y. Here, the pin arrangement region R is defined. The pin arrangement region R refers to the three-dimensional region from the first contact pin 131X to the second contact pin 131Y, the three-dimensional region between the first contact pin 131X and the second contact pin 131Y, or the three-dimensional region sandwiched between the first contact pin 131X and the second contact pin 131Y. Therefore, all the contact pins 131 are arranged in the pin arrangement region R. The width dimension of the pin arrangement region R is the same as the distance from the side surface of the first contact pin 131X to the side surface of the second contact pin 131Y. Furthermore, the projection of the pin arrangement region R onto a plane perpendicular to the width direction D2 coincides with the projection of the first contact pin 131X or the projection of the second contact pin 131Y onto the same plane. Therefore, the volume of the pin arrangement region R is approximately equal to the product of the area of ​​the projection and the width dimension. If a certain point exists in the pin arrangement region R, that certain point will overlap with one of the contact pins 131 or will exist between adjacent contact pins 131.

[0037] 11 and 12, the contact pin group 130 is held by a holding member 140. The assembly consisting of the contact pin group 130 and the holding member 140 is integrally produced by, for example, insert molding.

[0038] The holding member 140 is a component that is elongated in the width direction D2. The holding member 140 is molded from an insulating material (e.g., a resin material such as LCP). The holding member 140 is formed with at least one press-fit portion 141 and at least one receiving portion 142. The press-fit portion 141 is a rectangular column-shaped portion that protrudes forward from the front surface of the holding member 140 and is located at the end (both ends in the case of FIG. 11 ) of the holding member 140 in the width direction D2. These press-fit portions 141 are press-fitted into press-fitted portions 115 (see FIG. 9 ) formed in the holding member installation portion 114 when the holding member 140 is installed in the holding member installation portion 114 of the connector main body 110 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ). This positions and fixes the holding member 140 to the connector main body 110 (holding member installation portion 114). The receiving portion 142 is a recess formed in a corner at the rear upper portion of the holding member 140. These receiving portions 142 come into contact with restricting portions 163 of a fixing member 160, which will be described later.

[0039] 14 and 15 , the pressing member 150 is a component having a connection plate 151, a plurality of intermediate portions 152, a plurality of pressing pieces 153, and at least one rear fixing portion 154. The connection plate 151 is a plate-like portion that extends in the width direction D2 and the height direction D3, is elongated in the width direction D2, and has a thickness direction in the depth direction D1.

[0040] A plurality of intermediate portions 152 are connected to the upper edge of the connecting plate 151 at intervals in the width direction D2. The intermediate portions 152 include a first intermediate portion 152a and a second intermediate portion 152b. The first intermediate portion 152a is connected to the upper edge of the connecting plate 151 and is a plate-like portion that extends in a gently curved manner forward from the upper edge of the connecting plate 151. In the case of FIGS. 14 and 15 , three first intermediate portions 152a are connected to the connecting plate 151. The second intermediate portion 152b is connected to at least one side edge (edge ​​in the width direction D2) of the first intermediate portion 152a and is a plate-like portion that extends in a gently curved manner downward from the side edge of the first intermediate portion 152a. 14 and 15 , two second intermediate portions 152b are connected to the first intermediate portions 152a at both ends in the width direction D2, and one second intermediate portion 152b is connected to the first intermediate portion 152a in the center. A pressing piece 153 is connected to the lower edge of each second intermediate portion 152b. The pressing piece 153 is a plate-like portion that extends in the depth direction D1 and height direction D3, is elongated in the depth direction D1, and has a thickness in the width direction D2. Hereinafter, the end of the pressing piece 153 connected to the intermediate portion 152 (the rear end) will be referred to as the "base end," and the end opposite the base end (the front end) will be referred to as the "tip end." A pressing edge 153a is formed on the lower edge of the pressing piece 153 near the tip. The pressing edge 153a is a partially recessed portion of the lower edge of the pressing piece 153, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , it is also the portion that engages with the shaft 121 (more specifically, the cam shaft portion 121b) of the locking member 120. The multiple pressing pieces 153 are connected to each other and integrated in a portion near the base end. Specifically, the multiple pressing pieces 153 are connected to each other and integrated via the intermediate portion 152 and the connecting plate 151. This allows the multiple pressing pieces 153 to be handled as a single unit. The shapes of the intermediate portion 152 and the connecting plate 151 may be changed as appropriate, as long as the multiple pressing pieces 153 are connected to each other and integrated in a portion near the base end.

[0041] At least one rear fixing portion 154 is connected to the lower edge of the connection plate 151. The rear fixing portion 154 is a plate-shaped portion connected to the lower edge of the connection plate 151, extending downward from the lower edge of the connection plate 151, and then extending in a gently curved manner toward the rear. The rear fixing portion 154 is disposed on at least one of the ends of the connection plate 151 in the width direction D2. In the case of FIGS. 14 and 15 , there are two rear fixing portions 154, and each rear fixing portion 154 is connected to both ends of the connection plate 151. As shown in FIG. 3 , the rear fixing portion 154 is placed on a fixing pad 22 provided on the printed wiring board 20. The rear fixing portion 154 is then bonded to the fixing pad 22. This bonding is performed, for example, by reflow soldering. As a result, the pressing member 150 is fixed to the printed wiring board 20. The pressing member 150 is formed using a metal material and is subjected to a surface treatment suitable for soldering.

[0042] 14 and 15 , the fixing member 160 is a component having an engaging portion 161, a lateral fixing portion 162, and a restricting portion 163. The engaging portion 161 is a plate-like portion that extends in the depth direction D1 and the height direction D3, is elongated in the depth direction D1, and has a thickness direction in the width direction D2. A claw 161a that protrudes upward is formed at the front portion of the upper edge of the engaging portion 161. When the engaging portion 161 is inserted into the engaged portion 116 (see FIG. 9 ) formed on the connector main body 110, the claw 161a bites into the connector main body 110, thereby engaging and fixing the engaging portion 161 to the connector main body 110.

[0043] A restricting portion 163 is connected to the rear portion of the upper edge of the engaging portion 161. The restricting portion 163 is a plate-like portion that is connected to the upper edge of the engaging portion 161 and extends inward from the upper edge of the engaging portion 161 in a gently curved manner. When the holding member 140 is installed in the holding member installation portion 114 of the connector main body 110 (see FIG. 4 ), the engaging portion 161 engages with the connector main body 110, and the restricting portion 163 abuts against a receiving portion 142 formed on the holding member 140. This restricts movement of the holding member 140. Specifically, the restricting portion 163 abuts against the bottom surface of the receiving portion 142 from above, thereby restricting movement of the holding member 140 along the height direction D3. Furthermore, the restricting portion 163 abuts against the back surface of the receiving portion 142 from behind, thereby restricting movement of the holding member 140 along the depth direction D1.

[0044] A side fixing portion 162 is connected to the center of the lower edge of the engaging portion 161. The side fixing portion 162 is connected to the lower edge of the engaging portion 161 and is a plate-like portion that extends in a gently curved manner outward from the lower edge of the engaging portion 161. As shown in FIG. 1 , the side fixing portion 162 is placed on a fixing pad 23 provided on the printed wiring board 20. The side fixing portion 162 is then joined to the fixing pad 23. This joining is performed by, for example, reflow soldering. As a result, the side fixing portion 162, and therefore the connector body 110, is fixed to the printed wiring board 20. The fixing member 160 is formed using a metal material and is subjected to a surface treatment suitable for soldering.

[0045] The components configured as described above are assembled to form the connector 10. Specifically, the components are assembled as follows.

[0046] 1, 2, and 4, the locking member 120 is housed in the locking member installation portion 111 of the connector main body 110. At this time, the rotation shaft portion 121a of the locking member 120 is inserted into the shaft support portion 112 of the connector main body 110. As a result, the locking member 120 is installed in the locking member installation portion 111 in a state where it can rotate about the rotation axis L relative to the connector main body 110.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the holding member 140 holding the contact pin group 130 is housed in the holding member installation portion 114 of the connector body 110.

[0048] When the holding member 140 is accommodated in the holding member installation portion 114, the press-fit portion 141 is press-fitted into the press-fitted portion 115 of the connector body 110. As a result, the holding member 140, and in turn the assembly consisting of the contact pin group 130 and the holding member 140, is positioned and fixed to the connector body 110.

[0049] When the assembly is positioned and fixed to the connector main body 110, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the portion of each contact pin 131 protruding from the front surface of the holding member 140 (hereinafter also referred to as the “displacement portion 131c”) is inserted into a space within the connector main body 110 and below the locking member 120. As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, a plurality of partition walls 117 are provided in the space extending in the height direction D3 to appropriately separate the contact pins 131. Similarly, when the assembly is positioned and fixed to the connector main body 110, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the mounting portion 131a of each contact pin 131 protruding from the lower surface of the holding member installation portion 114 is placed on the electrode pad 21 provided on the printed wiring board 20. The mounting portion 131a of the contact pin 131 is then bonded to the electrode pad 21. This bonding is performed, for example, by reflow soldering. As a result, the contact pin 131 is electrically connected to the printed wiring board 20.

[0050] After the holding member 140 is positioned and fixed to the connector body 110, the pressing member 150 is attached to the connector body 110 from the back surface of the holding member 140, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each pressing piece 153 is inserted into each rear slot 113 formed in the connector body 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper edge of the pressing piece 153 inserted into the rear slot 113 contacts the upper surface of the rear slot 113. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the tip of the pressing piece 153 inserted into the rear slot 113 (at least the portion including the pressing edge 153a) protrudes forward beyond the rear slot 113, and the pressing edge 153a engages from above with the cam shaft portion 121b of the locking member 120. This presses the shaft 121 toward the contact pin 131 below.

[0051] All of the portions 151, 152, 153, and 154 constituting the pressing member 150 are disposed outside the pin arrangement region R. In other words, none of the portions 151, 152, 153, and 154 constituting the pressing member 150 are disposed in the pin arrangement region R. Therefore, none of the portions 151, 152, 153, and 154 constituting the pressing member 150 are present between adjacent contact pins 131. In the present embodiment, the connection plate 151, the intermediate portion 152, and the pressing piece 153 are disposed above the pin arrangement region R, and the rear fixing portion 154 is disposed to the side of the pin arrangement region R (specifically, to the side of the mounting portion 131 a of the first contact pin 131X and / or to the side of the mounting portion 131 a of the second contact pin 131Y). As a result, even if the pressing member 150 is made of metal, it is possible to suppress electrical coupling between the contact pins 131 via the pressing member 150, and ultimately between the channels C. As a result, it is possible to suppress crosstalk between the channels C.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4 , the fixing member 160 is disposed to the side of the holding member 140. That is, the fixing member 160 is disposed outward in the width direction D2 from at least the first contact pin 131X and / or the second contact pin 131Y. In other words, the fixing member 160 is disposed outside the pin arrangement region R. In the fixing member 160 disposed outside the pin arrangement region R, the engaging portion 161 is inserted into the engaged portion 116 of the connector main body 110 along the depth direction D1 and engaged with and fixed to the connector main body 110. At this time, the restricting portion 163 connected to the engaging portion 161 abuts against the receiving portion 142 of the holding member 140 positioned and fixed to the connector main body 110, thereby restricting movement of the holding member 140. Specifically, the restricting portion 163 abuts against the bottom surface of the receiving portion 142 from above, thereby restricting movement of the holding member 140 along the height direction D3. Furthermore, the restricting portion 163 abuts against the rear surface of the receiving portion 142 from behind, thereby restricting the movement of the holding member 140 in the depth direction D1.

[0053] 1 and 3, the connector 10 assembled as described above is placed on the printed wiring board 20. At this time, the mounting portions 131a of the contact pins 131 are positioned on the electrode pads 21, the rear fixing portions 154 of the pressing members 150 are positioned on the fixing pads 22, and the side fixing portions 162 of the fixing members 160 are positioned on the fixing pads 23. Solder paste is printed on each pad, and after the solder paste is melted by reflow, the molten solder paste solidifies by cooling, thereby fixing and mounting the connector 10 to the printed wiring board 20.

[0054] <Securing Electronic Components> Next, a process for securing the flat electronic components 30 to the connector 10 mounted on the printed wiring board 20 will be described.

[0055] 2 and 16 to 19, before the electronic component 30 is fixed, the locking member 120 is placed in an open state. The open state means that the front end of the locking member 120 faces upward. Note that the pressing piece 153 of the pressing member 150 is inserted into the front slot 122 of the locking member 120 in the open state, so the pressing piece 153 does not interfere with the locking member 120.

[0056] 16 to 19, the electronic component 30 is inserted along the depth direction D1 into the gap between the locking member 120 in the open state and the contact pin group 130. Note that "along the depth direction D1" here does not mean only strictly parallel to the depth direction D1, but also means moving at least from the front to the back.

[0057] 20 to 23, the locking member 120 is closed with the electronic component 30 interposed in the gap between the locking member 120 and the contact pin group 130. This fixes the electronic component 30 to the connector 10. The closed state is a state in which the front end of the locking member 120 faces forward.

[0058] When the locking member 120 is in the closed state, the lower surface of the locking member 120, particularly the lower part of the cam shaft portion 121b and its vicinity, presses the electronic component 30 downward. The pressed-down electronic component 30 presses the displacement portions 131c of the multiple contact pins 131 downward. At this time, the displacement portions 131c of the contact pins 131 elastically deform. Therefore, an upward force caused by the elastic deformation of each contact pin 131 acts on the electronic component 30 as a reaction force. In addition, an upward force caused by the elastic deformation of the contact pins 131 also acts on the lower part of the cam shaft portion 121b and its vicinity via the electronic component 30. This upward force acting on the lower part of the cam shaft portion 121b and its vicinity may press up the shaft 121, causing the shaft 121 to bend and become convex upward. Therefore, the pressing edges 153a of the multiple pressing pieces 153 of the pressing member 150 press the cam shaft portion 121b toward the contact pins 131 and the electronic component 30, thereby suppressing the above-mentioned deformation of the shaft 121. In other words, the pressing pieces 153 are parts that resist / oppose the upward force transmitted to the shaft 121 via the electronic component 30.

[0059] At this time, an upward force due to the elastic deformation of each contact pin 131 also acts on each pressing piece 153. Therefore, each pressing piece 153 is designed to be able to resist the upward force and to be resistant to deformation even when an upward force acts on it. For example, the pressing member 150 (pressing piece 153) is made of metal to increase rigidity. Furthermore, the thickness direction of the pressing piece 153 is aligned with the width direction D2, i.e., the cross-sectional shape of the pressing piece 153 in a plane perpendicular to the depth direction D1 is elongated in the height direction D3, thereby increasing the section modulus against the upward force. Furthermore, the upper edge of the pressing piece 153 is in contact with the upper surface of the rear slot 113 formed in the connector body 110, thereby making the pressing piece 153 resistant to deformation.

[0060] Note that the pressing member 150 may be formed of a material other than metal as long as the pressing member 150 is not fixed to the printed wiring board 20 by soldering and strength can be ensured. Also, the pressing member 150 and at least one fixing member 160 may be integrated.

[0061] This connector 10 provides the following advantages. The multiple pressing pieces 153 each extend along the depth direction D1, are aligned in the width direction D2, and press the shaft 121 of the locking member 120 toward the multiple contact pins 131 (contact pin group 130) at portions near their respective tips. The multiple pressing pieces 153 are connected to each other near their respective base ends, forming an integrated unit. This allows the multiple pressing pieces 153 to be handled as a single unit as the pressing member 150. This improves assembly and handling compared to handling the multiple pressing pieces 153 individually. Furthermore, costs can be reduced compared to preparing multiple independent pressing pieces 153.

[0062] Furthermore, the pressing member 150 is made of metal, and the pressing piece 153 is arranged outside the pin arrangement region R, which is the region between the first contact pin 131X and the second contact pin 131Y that are located at both ends in the width direction D2 among the multiple contact pins 131. Therefore, the metal pressing piece 153 is not arranged at least between the contact pins 131 that are adjacent in the width direction D2, and it is possible to suppress electrical coupling between the contact pins 131, and ultimately between the channels C, via the pressing piece 153. Therefore, crosstalk between the channels C can be suppressed.

[0063] Furthermore, the pressing member 150 has at least one rear fixing portion 154, which is fixed to the printed wiring board 20 and disposed outside the pin arrangement region R. Therefore, the metallic rear fixing portion 154 is not disposed at least between the contact pins 131 adjacent to each other in the width direction D2, and electrical coupling between the contact pins 131 via the rear fixing portion 154, and therefore between the channels C, can be suppressed. Therefore, crosstalk between the channels C can be suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, the plurality of contact pins 131 have mounting portions 131a that are mounted on the printed wiring board 20, and at least one rear fixing portion 154 is disposed to the side of the mounting portion 131a of the first contact pin 131X and / or the side of the mounting portion 131a of the second contact pin 131Y, so that electrical coupling between the contact pins 131, and therefore between the channels C, via the rear fixing portion 154 of the metal pressing member 150 can be suppressed. Therefore, crosstalk between the channels C can be suppressed.

[0065] In addition, the pressing member 150 has a connecting plate 151, to which the portions near the base ends of each of the multiple pressing pieces 153 are connected and to which at least one rear fixing portion 154 is connected, so that the pressing pieces 153 and at least one rear fixing portion 154 can be handled as a single unit.

[0066] Furthermore, the pressing member 150 has a connection plate 151 and multiple intermediate portions 152. The connection plate 151 is disposed at the rear of the connector body 110 and is a plate-like portion whose thickness direction is the depth direction D1 and which extends in the height direction D3 and width direction D2, so that the space behind the connector body 110 occupied by the pressing member 150 can be reduced. This allows the connector 10 to be made more compact. Furthermore, the multiple intermediate portions 152 include a first intermediate portion 152 a and a second intermediate portion 152 b, and the pressing piece 153 connected to the second intermediate portion 152 b is a plate-like member whose thickness direction is the width direction D2 and which extends in the depth direction D1 and height direction D3. Therefore, by connecting the pressing piece 153 to the connecting plate 151, whose thickness direction coincides with the depth direction D1, via the intermediate portion 152, the thickness direction of the pressing piece 153 can be made to coincide with the width direction D2 (i.e., the cross-sectional shape of the pressing piece 153 in a plane perpendicular to the depth direction D1 can be elongated in the height direction D3). This increases the section modulus with respect to a force acting in the height direction D3, making the pressing piece 153 less likely to deform even when it receives a reaction force from the shaft 121 of the locking member 120.

[0067] Furthermore, since the pressing pieces 153 are connected to both ends of the first intermediate portion 152a in the width direction D2 via the second intermediate portion 152b, two pressing pieces 153 can be connected to one intermediate portion 152.

[0068] Furthermore, at least one fixing member 160 has an engaging portion 161 and a lateral fixing portion 162, and the engaging portion 161 engages with the connector body 110, and the lateral fixing portion 162 is fixed to the printed wiring board 20, so that the connector body 110 can be fixed to the printed wiring board 20. Furthermore, the fixing member 160 having the engaging portion 161 and the lateral fixing portion 162 is made of metal and is disposed to the side of the first contact pin 131X and / or the side of the second contact pin 131Y, so that electrical coupling between the contact pins 131 via the metal fixing member 160, and therefore between the channels C, can be suppressed. Therefore, crosstalk between the channels C can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, at least one fixing member 160 has a restricting portion 163 that restricts movement of the holding member 140 attached to the connector body 110, making it possible to fix the holding member 140 to the connector body 110. Furthermore, at least one fixing member 160 has a lateral fixing portion 162 fixed to the printed wiring board 20, so that as a result, the holding member 140 as well as the connector body 110 can be fixed to the printed wiring board 20.

[0070] Furthermore, since the connector body 110 is in contact with the upper edges of the plurality of pressing pieces 153 , the pressing pieces 153 are less likely to deform even if they receive a reaction force from the shaft 121 of the locking member 120 .

[0071] <Details of Contact Pin> As shown in FIG. 24, the contact pin 131 has, from the base end to the tip, a mounting portion 131a, an inclined portion 131b, and a displacement portion 131c.

[0072] The mounting portion 131a is a portion that is joined (for example, soldered) to the electrode pad 21 of the printed wiring board 20. The mounting portion 131a extends in the depth direction D1 so as to be parallel to the electrode pad 21.

[0073] The displacement portion 131c is a portion that protrudes from the front surface of the holding member 140. The displacement portion 131c is provided with a contact 131c1 that comes into contact with the electronic component 30. When the locking member 120 is closed and the electronic component 30 is pressed downward, the displacement portion 131c elastically deforms with the base of the displacement portion 131c as a fulcrum, and the displacement portion 131c moves in the height direction D3. The base of the displacement portion 131c is the portion of the displacement portion 131c that is near the boundary with the holding member 140, and is indicated by "X" in FIG. 24 .

[0074] The inclined portion 131b is a portion provided between the mounting portion 131a and the displacement portion 131c, and also extends diagonally upward and forward from the mounting portion 131a. The inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 131b is approximately 30 to 60 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, with respect to the depth direction D1. The inclined portion 131b is connected to the mounting portion 131a and the displacement portion 131c so as to be gently curved.

[0075] A large portion of the inclined portion 131b is held by the holding member 140. That is, a large portion of the inclined portion 131b is embedded in the resin holding member 140, and the dielectric surrounding the periphery is resin. On the other hand, the mounting portion 131a and a portion of the inclined portion 131b near the mounting portion 131a are not embedded in the holding member 140. That is, the dielectric surrounding the periphery is air. However, the contact pin 131 and / or the holding member 140 are designed so that the portion of the inclined portion 131b that is not embedded in the holding member 140 is as short as possible.

[0076] The contact pins 131 and the holding member 140 provide the following advantages. Each of the contact pins 131 includes a mounting portion 131a mounted on the printed wiring board 20, an inclined portion 131b gently connected to the mounting portion 131a and extending diagonally upward from the mounting portion 131a, and a displacement portion 131c gently connected to the inclined portion 131b, extending forward from the inclined portion 131b, and moving in the height direction D3 upon contact with the electronic component 30. This allows the transmission path to bend more gently than, for example, when the portion corresponding to the inclined portion 131b extends straight upward. This reduces impedance fluctuations in the transmission path. Furthermore, by using the inclined portion 131b adjacent to the mounting portion 131a as the portion held by the resin holding member 140, the distance from the mounting portion 131a (the portion covered by air) to the inclined portion 131b (the portion covered by resin) can be shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the fluctuation in impedance in the transmission path.

[0077] 10 Connector 110 Connector body 111 Locking member installation portion 112 Shaft support portion 113 Rear slot 114 Holding member installation portion 115 Press-fit portion 116 Engaged portion 117 Partition wall 120 Locking member 121 Shaft 121a Rotating shaft portion 121b Cam shaft portion 122 Front slot 130 Contact pin group 131 Contact pin 131a Mounting portion 131b Inclined portion 131c Displacement portion 131c1 Contact 131X First contact pin 131Y Second contact pin 140 Holding member 141 Press-fit portion 142 Receiving portion 150 Pressing member 151 Connection plate 152 Intermediate portion 152a First intermediate portion 152b Second intermediate portion 153 Pressing piece 153a Pressing edge 154 Rear fixing portion 160 Fixing member 161 Engagement portion 161a Claw 162 Side fixing portion 163 Restriction portion 20 Printed wiring board (substrate) 21 Electrode pad 22 Fixing pad 23 Fixing pad 30 Electronic component C Channel R Pin arrangement area L Rotation axis

Claims

1. A connector for electrically connecting a flat-shaped electronic component inserted along the depth direction to a substrate, comprising a plurality of contact pins, a connector body, a lock member, and a pressing member. When the direction orthogonal to the depth direction is defined as the width direction and the direction orthogonal to both the depth direction and the width direction is defined as the height direction, the plurality of contact pins are components that contact the electronic component, each extending along the depth direction and arranged in the width direction. The connector body houses the plurality of contact pins arranged in the width direction. The lock member is supported by the connector body and sandwiches the electronic component between itself and the plurality of contact pins in the height direction. The pressing member has a plurality of pressing pieces. The plurality of pressing pieces each extend along the depth direction and are arranged in the width direction, pressing the lock member toward the plurality of contact pins in the vicinity of the tip of each pressing piece, and being connected and integrated with each other in the vicinity of the base end of each pressing piece.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is made of metal, and the plurality of pressing pieces are arranged outside the pin arrangement region, which is the region between the first contact pin and the second contact pin located at both ends in the width direction among the plurality of contact pins.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the pressing member has at least one rear fixing portion, and at least one of the rear fixing portions is fixed to the substrate and arranged outside the pin arrangement region.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of contact pins have mounting portions to be mounted on the substrate, and at least one of the rear fixing portions is arranged laterally of the mounting portion of the first contact pin and / or laterally of the mounting portion of the second contact pin.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member has a connection plate, and the connection plate is arranged at the rear part of the connector body, the portions near the base end of each of the plurality of pressing pieces are connected thereto, and at least one of the rear fixing portions is connected thereto.

6. The pressing member has a connection plate and a plurality of intermediate portions. The connection plate is disposed at the rear portion of the connector body, and is a plate-shaped portion that has the depth direction as the plate thickness direction and extends in the height direction and the width direction. The plurality of intermediate portions include a first intermediate portion and a second intermediate portion. The first intermediate portion is a plate-shaped portion that extends from the upper edge of the connection plate toward the front portion of the connector body. The second intermediate portion is a plate-shaped portion that extends downward from at least one edge of the first intermediate portion in the width direction, and a portion near the proximal end of the pressing piece is connected thereto. The pressing piece connected to the second intermediate portion is a plate-shaped member that has the width direction as the plate thickness direction and extends in the depth direction and the height direction. The connector according to claim 1.

7. The pressing piece is connected to both ends of the first intermediate portion in the width direction via the second intermediate portion. The connector according to claim 6.

8. The connector includes at least one fixing member. At least one of the fixing members is made of metal, is disposed on the side of the first contact pin and / or on the side of the second contact pin, and has an engaging portion and a side fixing portion. The engaging portion engages with the connector body, and the side fixing portion is fixed to the substrate. The connector according to claim 2.

9. The connector includes a holding member. The holding member holds a plurality of the contact pins arranged in the width direction, is attached to the rear portion of the connector body, and at least one of the fixing members has a restricting portion. The restricting portion restricts the movement of the holding member attached to the connector body. The connector according to claim 8.

10. The connector body is in contact with the upper edges of the plurality of pressing pieces. The connector according to claim 1.

11. The plurality of contact pins each have a mounting portion mounted on the substrate, an inclined portion gently connected to the mounting portion and extending obliquely upward and forward from the mounting portion, and a displacement portion gently connected to the inclined portion and extending forward from the inclined portion, which moves in the height direction by contact with the electronic component, and includes a holding member. The holding member is made of resin and holds the inclined portion of the contact pin. The connector according to claim 1.

Images