Connector

Abstract

In the present invention, substrate connectors (71) are inserted into connection holes (91) of a substrate (90) that is disposed in a disposition space (42) behind a rear surface of a housing (20). When a direction aligned with a plate surface direction of the substrate (90) and approaching / separating from the rear surface of the housing (20) is the Y direction and a direction aligned with the plate surface direction of the substrate (90) and orthogonal to the Y direction is the X direction, the housing (20) integrally comprises, at locations facing the disposition space (42) and for positioning the substrate before the substrate connectors (71) are inserted into the connection holes (91) of the substrate (90), the following: a Y-direction positioning section (48) that positions the substrate (90) in the Y direction with respect to the housing (20); and an X-direction positioning section (34) that positions the substrate (90) in the X direction with respect to the housing (20).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals each having a leg portion and a housing in which the terminals are attached. The leg portion of each terminal is pulled rearward from the rear wall of the housing and inserted into a connection hole of a substrate (circuit board) disposed behind the housing for connection. An aligning plate having a plurality of restriction holes is attached to the housing. The leg portion of each terminal is inserted into each restriction hole of the aligning plate. Connectors that are attached to a substrate are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4.

[0003] JP 2019-96453 A JP 11-185897 A JP 2015-79714 A JP 2022-160753 A

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, the aligning plate aligns the legs of each terminal, but does not guide the legs to a position where they can be inserted into the connection holes on the board. As a result, there is a concern that the tips of the legs may come into contact with the surface of the board, hindering the assembly work. In addition, since the aligning plate is separate from the housing, there is a concern that the number of parts will increase.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that allows terminals to be inserted into connection holes of a board from appropriate positions without increasing the number of parts.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal having a board connection portion and a housing to which the terminal is attached, wherein the board connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a board arranged in an arrangement space behind the rear surface of the housing, and when the direction along the plate surface direction of the board and approaching and moving away from the rear surface of the housing is defined as the Y direction, and the direction along the plate surface direction of the board and perpendicular to the Y direction is defined as the X direction, the housing is a connector that integrally has, at a position facing the arrangement space, a Y direction positioning portion that positions the board relative to the housing in the Y direction before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board, and an X direction positioning portion that positions the board relative to the housing in the X direction.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a connector is provided that allows terminals to be inserted into connection holes in a board from appropriate positions without increasing the number of parts.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a connector arranged on a circuit board in the first embodiment, as viewed from below. FIG. 2 is a rear view of one widthwise side of the connector in the first embodiment, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a front end portion of the circuit board in the first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of multiple types of terminals in the first embodiment, as viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a housing in the first embodiment, as viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged side view of a state in which, during the process of assembling the circuit board into the housing, the pressed portion of the circuit board comes into contact with the inclined surface of the pressing portion of the Y-direction pressing portion, the protruding portion elastically deforms, and the Y-direction edge of the circuit board is pressed against the Y-direction reference portion in the process of assembling the circuit board into the housing in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged side view of a state in which, after assembling the circuit board into the housing in the first embodiment, the protruding portion has elastically returned to its original position. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged bottom view of a state in which, during the process of assembling the circuit board into the housing in the first embodiment, the X-direction positioning portion is being fitted into the recess of the circuit board in the process of assembling the circuit board into the housing in the first embodiment, as viewed from below. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged bottom view of the first embodiment, showing the state in which the X-direction positioning portion is fitted into the recess of the substrate after the substrate is assembled into the housing.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. A connector of the present disclosure includes: (1) a terminal having a board connection portion, and a housing to which the terminal is attached, wherein the board connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a board arranged in an arrangement space behind a rear surface of the housing, and when a direction along the board surface direction of the board and approaching and moving away from the rear surface of the housing is defined as a Y direction, and a direction along the board surface direction and perpendicular to the Y direction is defined as an X direction, the housing integrally includes, at a position facing the arrangement space, a Y-direction positioning portion that positions the board with respect to the housing in the Y direction before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board, and an X-direction positioning portion that positions the board with respect to the housing in the X direction.

[0010] According to the configuration (1) above, before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the connection hole of the board, the board is positioned in the Y direction relative to the housing by the Y-direction positioning portion and in the X direction by the X-direction positioning portion. In other words, before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the connection hole of the board, it is positioned in the Y direction and the X direction relative to the board. Therefore, the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board from the appropriate position without coming into contact with the board surface. Furthermore, because the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion are formed integrally with the housing, no member separate from the housing is required for positioning the board, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0011] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferable that the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion are arranged apart from each other at positions facing the arrangement space.

[0012] According to the above configuration (2), the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion can be formed independently of each other, and the degree of freedom in the shape of each of the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion can be increased.

[0013] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the Y-direction positioning portion has a Y-direction reference portion and a Y-direction pressing portion that are respectively arranged on opposite sides in the Y direction, the Y-direction reference portion is fixedly arranged at a position facing the arrangement space, and the Y-direction pressing portion has a protrusion that is arranged to protrude elastically and deformably at a position facing the arrangement space, and a pressing portion that is located at the tip side of the protrusion and is able to press a part of the board that is arranged between the Y-direction reference portion and the Y-direction reference portion against the Y-direction reference portion before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board.

[0014] According to the configuration (3) above, before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the board, the board comes into contact with the pressing portion of the Y-direction pressing portion, and with the protrusion elastically deformed, a part of the board is sandwiched between the pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion, thereby positioning the part of the board relative to the terminal in the Y direction and realizing a state in which the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the connection hole of the board from an appropriate position.

[0015] (4) In the connector described in (3) above, the pressing portion may have an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference portion as it approaches the base end side of the protruding portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration (4), before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the board, a part of the board moves along the inclined surface and automatically reaches a position where it can be pressed against the Y-direction reference portion.

[0017] (5) In the connector described in (3) or (4) above, it is preferable that the Y-direction pressing portion is arranged at both ends of the arrangement space in the X-direction, and the Y-direction reference portion is arranged on the rear side of the housing.

[0018] According to the configuration (5) above, before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the board, a part of the board is pressed in a balanced manner against the Y-direction reference portion by the Y-direction pressing portions located at both ends in the X direction. Furthermore, since the Y-direction reference portion, which can be simpler in shape than the Y-direction pressing portions, is located on the rear surface of the housing, the structure on the rear surface of the housing does not become particularly complicated.

[0019] (6) In the connector described in (5) above, a plurality of cutouts are formed on the rear side of the housing, partitions are formed between the plurality of cutouts, and the Y-direction reference portion is preferably formed continuously with the partitions.

[0020] According to the above configuration (6), the Y-direction reference portion can also function to reinforce the partition walls formed between the respective cutout portions of the housing.

[0021] (7) In the connector described in any one of (3) to (6) above, the X-direction positioning portion is fitted into a recess formed on the Y-direction edge of the board, and preferably has an X-direction reference portion that contacts along one side edge of one side edge and the other side edge of the recess that face each other in the X direction, a facing portion that faces the other side edge of the recess, and an X-direction pressing portion that protrudes from the facing portion and contacts the other side edge of the recess.

[0022] According to the configuration (7) above, before the board connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the board, the X-direction positioning portion is fitted into the recess, and the X-direction pressing portion comes into contact with the other side edge of the recess, so that the X-direction reference portion comes into contact along one side edge of the recess, thereby realizing a state in which the X-direction positioning portion is positioned in the X direction relative to the board.

[0023] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0024] First Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector 10 of the first embodiment is a board connector that is attached to a board 90 and includes a housing 20 and a plurality of terminals 70 attached to the housing 20. The terminals 70 have board connection portions 71 that are inserted into connection holes 91 in the board 90 for connection. The housing 20 is matable with a mating connector (not shown). In the following description, the front-to-rear direction is defined as the right side of FIG. 1 , which is the direction in which the housing 20 is mated with the mating connector. The up-to-down direction is defined as the up-to-down direction in FIGS. 2 , 4 , and 5 . As will be described later, the up-to-down direction in FIGS. 6 and 7 is opposite to the up-to-down direction in FIGS. 2 , 4 , and 5 . The up-to-down direction may also be referred to as the height direction. The left-to-right direction, which is perpendicular to the up-to-down direction and the front-to-rear direction, may also be referred to as the width direction. In the first embodiment, the width direction (left-to-right direction) corresponds to the X direction, which will be described later, and the front-to-rear direction corresponds to the Y direction, which will be described later. These directional references are merely for convenience and do not necessarily coincide with the directional references when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0025] (Substrate 90) An example of the substrate 90 is a rigid printed circuit board. As shown in FIG. 3 , the substrate 90 has an edge 93 at its front end that extends generally in the left-right direction, and left and right side edges 92 at both ends in the width direction that extend generally in the front-rear direction. A plurality of connection holes 91 are formed at the front end of the substrate 90, penetrating the substrate in the thickness direction (up-down direction). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 , a substrate connection portion 71 (described later) of each terminal 70 is inserted into each connection hole 91 and soldered to a conductive portion 86 of the substrate 90 for electrical connection. The connection holes 91 are arranged in a row in the front-rear and left-right directions to correspond to the arrangement of the terminals 70.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, a fixing hole 94 is formed in the center of the front end of the board 90 in the left-right direction, penetrating the board in the thickness direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the fixing portion 32 of the housing 20 is inserted into the fixing hole 94 in a positioned state. As shown in Fig. 3, the connection holes 91 are symmetrically arranged on both left and right sides of the fixing hole 94 at the front end of the board 90.

[0027] A recess 95 is formed in the left-right center of an edge 93 of the substrate 90. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the recess 95 has a rectangular opening shape and has one side edge 96 and another side edge 97 that face each other in the width direction (X direction). The one side edge 96 and the other side edge 97 extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged parallel to each other. The recess 95 has a rear edge 98 that extends in the width direction and connects the rear ends of the one side edge 96 and the other side edge 97. The one side edge 96, the other side edge 97, and the rear edge 98 face each other and are capable of contacting the outer edge portions (such as the X-direction reference portion 35) of the X-direction positioning portion 34, which will be described later.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , notches 99 are formed in left and right side edges 92 at the front end of the substrate 90. Each notch 99 has a rectangular recessed shape and front and rear edges that face each other in the Y direction, which is the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , a pressed portion 89 that is pressed by a pressing portion 45 (described later) is formed at the front edge of the front and rear edges of the notch 99, at a corner of the lower end that is perpendicular to the back surface of the substrate 90. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the substrate 90 has curved corners 88 between each side edge 92 and an end edge 93. As shown in FIG. 6 , the substrate 90 has a substrate end 87 as part of the substrate 90, between the pressed portion 89 and the corner 88, which is sandwiched in the Y direction between the pressing portion 45 (described later) and a Y-direction reference portion 29 during the process of assembling the substrate 90 into the housing 20.

[0029] (Terminal 70) The terminal 70 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 70 is tab-shaped or pin-shaped and has an elongated shape overall. The terminal 70 is bent midway along its length and has a mating connection portion 72 extending in the front-rear direction and a board connection portion 71 extending in the up-down direction, with the bent portion as the boundary. The mating connection portion 72 is connected to a mating terminal (not shown). The board connection portion 71 is connected by soldering to a connection hole 91 of the board 90. In the first embodiment, the terminal 70 includes multiple types of terminals 70 with different lengths. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 70 also includes multiple types of terminals 70 with different thicknesses.

[0030] (Housing 20) The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, has a rear wall 21 that is thick in the front-to-rear direction, and a cylindrical hood portion 22 that protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the front surface of the rear wall 21. The rear wall 21 has a shape that extends elongatedly in the left-to-right direction (X direction). As shown in Figure 1, the hood portions 22 are arranged in pairs on both the left and right sides of the front surface of the rear wall 21.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of terminal mounting holes 23 are formed penetrating the rear wall 21 at positions corresponding to the hood portions 22. The terminal mounting holes 23 are arranged in multiple rows in the vertical direction and multiple columns in the horizontal direction on the rear wall 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the mating connection portions 72 of the terminals 70 are fitted through each terminal mounting hole 23. The mating connection portions 72 of the long terminals 70 are fitted into the terminal mounting holes 23 on the upper row, and the mating connection portions 72 of the short terminals 70 are fitted into the terminal mounting holes 23 on the lower row.

[0032] A mating housing of a mating connector (not shown) is fitted into each hood portion 22. The front end side of the mating connection portion 72 of each terminal 70 is arranged to protrude into the hood portion 22 and is electrically connected to the mating terminal when mated with the mating connector.

[0033] 1 and 5, a mounting groove 24 is recessed in the outer surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. The mounting groove 24 is formed continuously from the top surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20 to the left and right side surfaces. The rim of a case (not shown) is fitted into the mounting groove 24 to mount the connector 10 to the case. The board 90 is placed inside the case.

[0034] A terminal lead-out portion 25 is formed on the rear surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20, where the rear ends of the terminal mounting holes 23 open. As shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of lightening holes 26 are formed below the terminal lead-out portion 25 on the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. The lightening holes 26 are aligned in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0035] 5, the rear wall 21 of the housing 20 is formed with a plurality of partition walls 27 that separate adjacent cutouts 26 in the left-right direction. Each partition wall 27 is plate-shaped with its plate surface facing left-right, and its front end is connected to the front surface of the rear wall 21. In addition, an extending wall 28 that continues in the left-right direction below each cutout 26 and each partition wall 27 is formed at the lower end of the rear wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0036] 5, the housing 20 has Y-direction reference portions 29 formed continuously rearward from four of the partition walls 27 located at the left and right ends and the center of the housing 20. The Y-direction reference portions 29 constitute a Y-direction positioning portion 48 together with a Y-direction pressing portion 43, which will be described later.

[0037] The Y-direction reference portion 29 is rib-shaped and extends in the vertical direction along the partition wall 27, and extends over the entire height of both the partition wall 27 and the extension wall 28. The rear surface of the Y-direction reference portion 29 is a vertical surface that rises steeply in the vertical direction, and as will be described later, comes into contact with an edge 93 of the board end portion 87 during the process of assembling the board 90 to the housing 20, and can determine the relative positions of the housing 20 and the board 90 in the Y direction (front-rear direction) before the board connection portions 71 of each terminal 70 are inserted into the connection holes 91 of the board 90.

[0038] 5, the housing 20 has a protruding wall portion 31 that protrudes rearward from the widthwise center of the rear surface of the rear wall 21. The terminal lead-out portions 25 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the protruding wall portion 31 on the rear surface of the rear wall 21.

[0039] The housing 20 has a fixing portion 32 that protrudes downward from the underside of the tip end (rear end) of the protruding wall portion 31. A deflection allowance space 33 that allows elastic deformation of the fixing portion 32 is formed in the left-right center of the fixing portion 32. The fixing portion 32 is inserted into the fixing hole 94 of the circuit board 90 while elastically deforming. After the fixing portion 32 elastically returns to its original state, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the radially outward protruding portion on the tip end side of the fixing portion 32 engages with the rear surface of the circuit board 90, and the housing 20 is held on the circuit board 90.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5 , the housing 20 has an X-direction positioning portion 34 that protrudes downward from the underside of the base end (front end) of the protruding wall portion 31. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the X-direction positioning portion 34 has a rectangular outer shape (an outer peripheral shape cut in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction) and is engageable with a recess 95 in the circuit board 90. By engaging the X-direction positioning portion 34 in the recess 95 in a positioned state, the relative positions of the housing 20 and the circuit board 90 can be determined in the X direction (left-right direction). The X-direction positioning portion 34 has a rectangular cylindrical shape and is hollow inside. The X-direction positioning portion 34 is positioned forward of the fixed portion 32 and faces the fixed portion 32. The front end of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is connected to the extension wall 28. The lower end of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is positioned at the same height as the lower end of the extension wall 28.

[0041] 8 and 9 , the X-direction positioning portion 34 has an X-direction reference portion 35 and a facing portion 36 that face opposite each other in the X direction (left-right direction). The X-direction reference portion 35 and the facing portion 36 are vertical surfaces that extend along the up-down direction and are arranged parallel to each other in the front-to-rear direction. When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess 95, the X-direction reference portion 35 comes into contact with one side edge 96 of the recess 95 in the front-to-rear direction, and the facing portion 36 is arranged to face the other side edge 97 of the recess 95.

[0042] A plurality of X-direction pressing portions 37 are formed on the facing portion 36 of the X-direction positioning portion 34. Each X-direction pressing portion 37 has a rib shape extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged at a plurality of locations (two locations in the first embodiment) spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the facing portion 36. Each X-direction pressing portion 37 has a curved cross-sectional shape (a cross-sectional shape cut in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction).

[0043] When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess 95, each X-direction pressing portion 37 is pressed against the other side edge 97 of the recess 95. The X-direction reference portion 35 is firmly maintained in contact with one side edge 96 of the recess 95 by the X-direction pressing portions 37 pressing against the other side edge 97. As a result, misalignment of the X-direction positioning portion 34 with respect to the board 90 is restricted. Note that the portion of the facing portion 36 of the X-direction positioning portion 34 excluding the X-direction pressing portions 37 faces the other side edge 97 of the recess 95 in parallel with a gap therebetween.

[0044] The rear surface of the X-direction positioning portion 34 is a vertical surface extending in the up-down direction, is disposed in the left-right direction, and is continuous at right angles with the rear ends of the X-direction reference portion 35 and the facing portion 36. When the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess 95, the rear surface of the X-direction positioning portion 34 faces the inner edge portion 98 of the recess 95.

[0045] 5, the housing 20 has cover walls 38 that protrude rearward from the upper end and both left and right ends of the rear surface of the rear wall 21. The cover walls 38 are arranged to cover from above and both left and right sides the board connection portions 71 of each terminal 70 that are pulled out from the terminal pull-out portions 25 of the housing 20. The cover walls 38 prevent the board connection portions 71 of each terminal 70 from interfering with external foreign objects.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5 , the lower ends of both the left and right sides of the cover wall 38 form extensions 39 that protrude rearward relative to the remaining portions. Side walls 41 are formed protruding from the left and right ends of the underside of each extension 39. Each side wall 41 is plate-shaped with its surface facing left and right and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The front ends of each side wall 41 are connected to the left and right ends of the extension wall 28. Behind the rear surface of the housing 20, an arrangement space 42 is formed between the extension wall 28 and each side wall 41. As shown in FIG. 7 , the front end of the circuit board 90 is located in the arrangement space 42 when the circuit board 90 is properly assembled to the housing 20.

[0047] A Y-direction pressing portion 43 is formed to protrude from the underside of each extension portion 39. As shown in FIG. 1 , each Y-direction pressing portion 43 forms a pair at both left and right ends of the housing 20 and is disposed away from the Y-direction reference portion 29 on a side (rear side) opposite the side (front side) on which the Y-direction reference portion 29 is located in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). In the case of the first embodiment, the Y-direction reference portion 29 is disposed closer to the center of the housing 20 in the left-to-right direction than the Y-direction pressing portion 43. Each Y-direction pressing portion 43 is disposed alongside each side wall 41 and is laterally covered by each side wall 41.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5 , the Y-direction pressing portion 43 has a protruding portion 44 protruding from the underside of the extension portion 39 and a pressing portion 45 protruding forward from the lower end of the protruding portion 44. The protruding portion 44 is plate-shaped and extends vertically, with its plate surface facing the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , the protruding portion 44 is elastically deformable in the front-to-rear direction, with the connection portion with the extension portion 39 serving as a fulcrum. The pressing portion 45 has a claw-like inclined surface 46 that gradually slopes forward (toward the Y-direction reference portion 29) from the tip end (lower end) of the protruding portion 44 to the base end (upper end, root end) thereof. As shown in FIG. 6 , the inclined surface 46 contacts the pressed portion 89 of the notch 99 during the process of assembling the substrate 90 into the housing 20, displacing the substrate end 87 forward (toward the Y-direction reference portion 29).

[0049] 5, a stopper 47 is formed on the underside of the extension 39, protruding from the rear of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 and toward the center of the housing 20. The stopper 47 has a flattened rectangular column shape and a flat bottom surface along the front-rear and left-right directions. When the front end of the substrate 90 hits the bottom surface of the stopper 47, the assembly of the substrate 90 to the housing 20 is stopped (see FIG. 7).

[0050] (Operation of Connector 10) The mating connection portions 72 of each terminal 70 are press-fit into the terminal mounting holes 23 in the rear wall 21 of the housing 20. Next, the housing 20 with the terminals 70 mounted therein is turned upside down. In this state, the board 90 is assembled to the housing 20. Note that the up-down direction in the following description of the steps for assembling the board 90 is based on the up-down direction in Figures 6 and 7 which show the steps, and is opposite to the up-down direction in Figures 2, 4, and 5 which describe the structure of the connector 10 described above.

[0051] 6 , with the housing 20 turned upside down, each board connection portion 71 of the terminals 70 is arranged upright in the arrangement space 42. In this state, the board 90 is lowered toward the arrangement space 42 from an obliquely upward rearward position relative to the housing 20.

[0052] Before each board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into each connection hole 91 of the board 90, the upper end side of the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 enters the notch 99 of the board 90, and the inclined surface 46 of the pressing portion 45 comes into contact with the pressed portion 89 of the notch 99. This causes the protrusion 44 to elastically deform rearward. The board 90, including the board end portion 87, receives the elastic force of the protrusion 44 and moves downward while being displaced forward (see the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6 ) toward the Y-direction reference portion 29.

[0053] Thereafter, the edge 93 of the substrate 90 abuts against the Y-direction reference portion 29, and the substrate end portion 87 is sandwiched and positioned in the Y direction (front-to-back direction) between the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43 and the Y-direction reference portion 29. At this time, the elastically deformed state of the protruding portion 44 is maintained.

[0054] 8 , as the circuit board 90 descends, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is inserted from the front into the recess 95 of the circuit board 90. The X-direction pressing portion 37 comes into contact with the other side edge 97 of the recess 95, and the X-direction reference portion 35 comes into contact and presses along one side edge 96 of the recess 95, thereby restricting misalignment of the circuit board 90 in the X direction relative to the housing 20.

[0055] With the board 90 positioned in the X and Y directions by the X-direction positioning portion 34 and the Y-direction positioning portion 48 as described above, the board connection portions 71 of the terminals 70 are arranged so that they can be inserted into the respective connection holes 91 of the board 90 from below. Furthermore, as the edge 93 of the board 90 is displaced along the Y-direction reference portion 29, the board 90 descends vertically relative to the housing 20, and the board connection portions 71 are inserted into the respective connection holes 91 from the appropriate positions (see FIGS. 7 and 9 ). This prevents the board connection portions 71 from interfering with the board 90.

[0056] When the front end of the board 90 is accommodated in the arrangement space 42, as shown in FIG. 7 , the board 90 is stopped from above by the stopper 47. The notch 99 of the board 90 is spaced from the pressing portion 45 and positioned on the base end side of the Y-direction pressing portion 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 , the recess 95 of the board 90 is positioned in the X-direction by the X-direction positioning portion 34, and the rear edge 98 of the board 90 faces the X-direction positioning portion 34 so as to be contactable from behind. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the protruding portion of the fixing portion 32 is engaged with the rear surface of the board 90. At this time, the edge 93 of the board 90 faces the Y-direction reference portion 29 so as to be contactable from behind, thereby restricting relative positional deviation between the housing 20 and the board 90. The connector 10 is then heated in a reflow furnace (not shown). The board connection portion 71 of each terminal 70 is electrically connected to the conductive portion 86 of the board 90 by reflow soldering.

[0057] As described above, the connector 10 of the first embodiment includes the terminal 70 having the board connecting portion 71, and the housing 20 to which the terminal 70 is attached. The board connecting portion 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90 located in the arrangement space 42 behind the rear surface of the housing 20. The housing 20 integrally includes, at a position facing the arrangement space 42, a Y-direction positioning portion 48 that positions the board 90 relative to the housing 20 in the Y direction (along the plate surface direction of the board 90 and in a direction approaching or moving away from the rear surface of the housing 20) before the board connecting portion 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90, and an X-direction positioning portion 34 that positions the board 90 relative to the housing 20 in the X direction (a direction along the plate surface direction of the board 90 and perpendicular to the Y direction).

[0058] According to the above configuration, the board connecting portion 71 of the terminal 70 is positioned in the Y and X directions relative to the board 90 before being inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90. Therefore, the board connecting portion 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90 from an appropriate position without coming into contact with the plate surface of the board 90. Furthermore, since the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 are formed integrally with the housing 20, no member separate from the housing 20 is required for positioning the board 90, and the number of parts can be reduced accordingly.

[0059] Here, the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 are disposed apart from each other in positions facing the arrangement space 42. In this way, the connector 10 of the first embodiment can form the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34 independently of each other, which increases the degree of freedom in the shapes of the Y-direction positioning portion 48 and the X-direction positioning portion 34.

[0060] Furthermore, the Y-direction positioning portion 48 has a Y-direction reference portion 29 and a Y-direction pressing portion 43, which are arranged on opposite sides in the Y direction. The Y-direction reference portion 29 is fixedly provided at a position facing the arrangement space 42. The Y-direction pressing portion 43 has a protruding portion 44 that protrudes elastically and is provided at a position facing the arrangement space 42, and a pressing portion 45 that is located at the tip of the protruding portion 44 and is able to press a board end portion 87 (a part of the board 90) that is arranged between the Y-direction reference portion 29 and the Y-direction reference portion 29 against the Y-direction reference portion 29 before the board connection portion 71 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90.

[0061] According to the above configuration, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the board 90 comes into contact with the pressing portion 45 of the Y-direction pressing portion 43, and in a state in which the protruding portion 44 is elastically deformed, the board end portion 87 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 45 and the Y-direction reference portion 29. This allows the board end portion 87 to be positioned in the Y direction relative to the terminal 70, and realizes a state in which the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the connection hole 91 of the board 90 from an appropriate position.

[0062] Here, the pressing portion 45 has an inclined surface 46 that is inclined in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference portion 29 as it moves toward the base end side of the protruding portion 44. Therefore, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the board end portion 87 moves along the inclined surface 46 and can automatically reach a position where it can be pressed against the Y-direction reference portion 29.

[0063] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the Y-direction pressing portions 43 are disposed at both ends in the X direction (left-right direction) of the arrangement space 42, and the Y-direction reference portion 29 is disposed on the rear side of the housing 20. With this configuration, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the board end portion 87 is pressed in a balanced manner against the Y-direction reference portion 29 by the Y-direction pressing portions 43 disposed at both ends in the X direction. Furthermore, because the Y-direction reference portion 29, which can be simplified in shape more than the Y-direction pressing portions 43, is disposed on the rear side of the housing 20, the structure on the rear side of the housing 20 does not become particularly complicated.

[0064] In the first embodiment, a plurality of lightening holes 26 are formed on the rear surface of the housing 20. Partition walls 27 are formed between the plurality of lightening holes 26, and the Y-direction reference portions 29 are formed so as to extend in a rib-like manner continuous with the partition walls 27. Therefore, the Y-direction reference portions 29 can also function to reinforce the partition walls 27 formed between the respective lightening holes 26 of the housing 20.

[0065] Furthermore, in the case of the first embodiment, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into a recess 95 formed in the Y-direction edge 93 of the substrate 90. The X-direction positioning portion 34 has an X-direction reference portion 35 that contacts along one edge 96 of one side edge 96 and the other side edge 97 of the recess 95 that face each other in the X direction, a facing portion 36 that faces the other side edge 97 of the recess 95, and an X-direction pressing portion 37 that protrudes from the facing portion 36 and contacts the other side edge 97 of the recess 95.

[0066] According to the above configuration, before the board connection portion 71 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the board 90, the X-direction positioning portion 34 is fitted into the recess 95, and the X-direction pressing portion 37 comes into contact with the other side edge 97 of the recess 95, so that the X-direction reference portion 35 comes into contact along one side edge 96 of the recess 95, thereby realizing a state in which the X-direction positioning portion 34 is positioned in the X direction relative to the board 90.

[0067] Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. In the above-described first embodiment, the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion are positioned offset in the X direction from positions where they face each other in the Y direction. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion may be positioned facing each other in the Y direction. In the above-described first embodiment, the Y-direction positioning portion is positioned at both left and right ends of the housing, and the X-direction positioning portion is positioned at the left and right central portion of the housing. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the Y-direction positioning portion may be positioned at the left and right central portion or at one end of the housing, and the X-direction positioning portion may be positioned at both left and right ends or at one end of the housing. In the above-described first embodiment, the Y-direction reference portion is positioned close to the rear surface of the housing, and the Y-direction pressing portion is positioned away from the rear surface of the housing. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the Y-direction reference portion may be positioned away from the rear surface of the housing, and the Y-direction pressing portion may be positioned close to the rear surface of the housing. In the first embodiment described above, the Y-direction positioning portion has a Y-direction pressing portion and a Y-direction reference portion spaced apart in the Y direction, and the end of the board is sandwiched in the Y direction between the Y-direction pressing portion and the Y-direction reference portion during assembly of the board into the housing. Also, in the first embodiment described above, the X-direction positioning portion has an X-direction pressing portion and an X-direction reference portion on opposite sides in the X direction, and the X-direction positioning portion fits into a recess in the board. In contrast, according to another embodiment, the Y-direction positioning portion may have a Y-direction pressing portion and a Y-direction reference portion on opposite sides in the Y direction and may be formed in the same manner as the X-direction positioning portion described above. Also, the X-direction positioning portion may have an X-direction pressing portion and an X-direction reference portion spaced apart in the X direction and may be formed in the same manner as the Y-direction positioning portion described above.

[0068] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Connector 20...Housing 21...Rear wall 22...Hood portion 23...Terminal mounting hole 24...Mounting groove 25...Terminal pull-out portion 26...Lightening cutout portion 27...Partition wall 28...Extending wall 29...Y-direction reference portion 31...Protruding wall portion 32...Fixing portion 33...Deflection allowance space 34...X-direction positioning portion 35...X-direction reference portion 36...Facing portion 37...X-direction pressing portion 38...Covering wall 39...Expansion portion 41...Side wall 42...Arrangement space 43...Y-direction pressing portion 44...Protruding portion 45...Pressing portion 46...Inclined surface 47...Stopping portion 48...Y-direction positioning portion 70...Terminal 71...Board connection portion 72...Mating connection portion 86...Conductive portion 87...Board end portion 88...Corner portion 89...Pressed portion 90...Board 91...Connection hole 92: Side edge 93: End edge 94: Fixing hole 95: Recess 96: One side edge 97: Other side edge 98: Back edge 99: Notch

Claims

1. A connector comprising a terminal having a board connection portion and a housing to which the terminal is attached, wherein the board connection portion is inserted into a connection hole of a board disposed in a placement space behind the rear surface of the housing, and when the direction along the board surface direction of the board and approaching and separating from the rear surface of the housing is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the Y direction along the board surface direction of the board is defined as the X direction, the housing integrally has a Y-direction positioning portion for positioning the board in the Y direction with respect to the housing and an X-direction positioning portion for positioning the board in the X direction with respect to the housing at positions facing the placement space before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the Y-direction positioning portion and the X-direction positioning portion are disposed apart from each other at positions facing the placement space.

3. The Y-direction positioning portion has a Y-direction reference portion and a Y-direction pressing portion respectively disposed on opposite sides in the Y direction. The Y-direction reference portion is fixedly provided at a position facing the placement space, and the Y-direction pressing portion has a protruding portion that protrudes elastically deformably at a position facing the placement space and a pressing portion located on the tip side of the protruding portion and capable of pressing a part of the board disposed between the Y-direction reference portion and the Y-direction reference portion against the Y-direction reference portion before the board connection portion is inserted into the connection hole of the board. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the pressing portion has an inclined surface that inclines in a direction approaching the Y-direction reference portion as it goes toward the base end side of the protruding portion.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the Y-direction pressing portion is disposed at both ends in the X direction of the placement space, and the Y-direction reference portion is disposed on the rear surface side of the housing.

6. A plurality of cutout portions are formed by opening on the rear surface side of the housing, a partition wall is formed between the plurality of cutout portions, and the Y-direction reference portion is formed continuously with the partition wall. The connector according to claim 5.

7. The X-direction positioning portion is fitted into a recess formed at an edge of the substrate in the Y direction, and among one side edge portion and the other side edge portion facing each other in the X direction in the recess, an X-direction reference portion that contacts along the one side edge portion, a facing portion that faces the other side edge portion of the recess, and an X-direction pressing portion that protrudes from the facing portion and contacts the other side edge portion of the recess. The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

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