JP2001257019A - Board connector and fitting detection structure for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to check a state of fitting of connectors in an ideal structure. SOLUTION: By fitting a first connector C1 mounted on a printed circuit board P with a second connector C2 holding FFC10, the FFC10 is connected with a circuit on the board. On the first connector C1 are provided a pair of footboards 32, which are extended to make a contact point 33 each. Then, a pattern is formed on the circuit board P to detect the conducting state of the both footboards 32, which are welded on a land of this pattern, and thus, the first connector C1 is fixed on the circuit board P. To the second connector C2, is provided a fitting lock piece 44, a tip part 44b of which presses the contact point 33 to contact with each other when the both connectors C1, C2 are in complete fitting condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a board connector used for connecting an electric wire to a circuit on a board, and a fitting detection structure of the connector using the board connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector for a board is mounted on a circuit board, and a mating connector holding a flat cable (electric wire) is fitted to the connector for the board, whereby the flat cable is connected to a circuit on the board. Connecting is commonly done.

For example, a connector for a board has an elongated housing 52 as shown in FIG. A large number of terminal storage chambers 54 are arranged in the housing 52, and terminals 56 are stored in each terminal storage chamber 54. Further, a pair of fixing leg portions 58 is provided on both left and right end portions of the housing 52.
The legs 58 are soldered to fixing lands on the circuit board P, so that the board connector 50 is fixed to the circuit board P, and each terminal 56 is fixed to the circuit board P. It is connected to a circuit (pattern) on the board by being soldered to the land for use.
Although not shown, the mating connector holding the flat cable is fitted to the connector 50 for the board, so that the flat cable is connected to the circuit on the board by both connectors.

[0004] In such a connection structure, if the connectors are in an incompletely fitted state, there is a possibility that conduction is not ensured. Therefore, for example, a dedicated terminal 56 for fitting detection is provided on the connector 50 for the board, and this terminal 56 is mounted on a dedicated pattern for fitting detection formed on the circuit board P, while the mating connector is mounted on the mating connector. An electric wire for mating detection is provided (that is, one conductor of the flat wiring material is a dedicated conductor for mating detection), and after mating both connectors, the conduction state between the electric wire and the pattern is examined. That is being done.

[0005] In addition, even if the connection state is initially complete, the connection state may be cut off due to an incomplete connection state during use. Therefore, a mechanism for locking the connection state to the housings of both connectors. Is also provided to prevent both connectors from being incompletely fitted in a late state.

[0006]

However, in the conventional fitting detection structure as described above, dedicated connectors and wires for fitting detection are required in addition to the terminals for circuit connection in both connectors. For example, there is a problem that the number of electric wires and terminals unrelated to circuit connection increases when viewed as a whole of an electric unit and the like.

Therefore, it is desired to be able to check the fitted state of both connectors with a more rational structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a board connector used for connecting an electric wire to a circuit on a board in a fitting state of the connectors. And a second object is to provide a connector fitting detection structure using the board connector.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a first connector mounted on a circuit board and a second connector holding an electric wire. A connector for connecting the electric wire to the circuit on the board by coupling, a pair of legs made of a metal conductor for fixing the connector on the circuit board are provided on both left and right sides of the first connector. While the elastically displaceable contact portions are extended from the leg portions to positions close to each other, the contact portions are pressed onto the second connector only when the connector is completely fitted into the first connector, and the two contact portions are pressed. Are provided with a pressing portion for bringing the contact portions into contact with each other (claim 1).

According to this structure, the first connector is fixed on the circuit base via each leg. Each contact portion of the first connector is in a non-contact state until both connectors are completely engaged, and when both connectors are completely engaged,
The second connector is pressed by the pressing portion to be in a contact state. Therefore, if the conduction state of each leg is checked after the mating of both connectors, the mating state of both connectors can be detected.

In this board connector, each leg is extended from the left and right sides of the first connector to the upper portion of the connector, so that a contact portion supported in a cantilever state is formed on the upper portion of the first connector. When each contact part is close to the top and bottom, and both connectors are in a completely mated state,
The contact portion is configured to be pressed up and down by the pressing portion so as to contact each other (claim 2).

According to this structure, when the connector is completely fitted, the contact portions are pressed by the pressing portion and both contact portions are bent up and down, and as a result, both contact portions come into contact with each other.

In the case of a connector for connecting a flat wiring material to a circuit board as an electric wire (claim 3), a long span up to the tip of the contact portion can be ensured.
Both contact portions can be brought into contact with a low pressing force.

Further, in the board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first connector is provided with a fitting lock piece, and the second connector is provided with a portion to be locked to the fitting lock piece. When both connectors are configured such that the mating lock piece engages with the locked portion and restrains both connectors irremovably when the mating lock is completely fitted, the mating lock piece serves as a pressing portion. It is also preferable that the two contact portions are pressed by the fitting lock piece and come into contact with each other only when the fitting lock piece is engaged with the locked portion (claim 4).

According to this configuration, both connectors are fitted together,
Only when the engagement lock is achieved, the two contact portions come into contact with each other for the first time. Therefore, it is possible to detect the fitted state of both connectors including the fitted locked state.

On the other hand, a connector fitting detecting structure according to the present invention is a connector fitting detecting structure using the board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first connector fitting detecting structure is provided on a circuit board. A pattern capable of detecting the conduction state of each leg of the connector is formed, and the first connector is fixed on the circuit board by fixing each leg to a fixing land provided at a specific portion of the pattern. (Claim 5).

According to this structure, after the two connectors are fitted together, if the conduction state of the two legs is checked by applying a voltage to the pattern on the circuit board or the like, the fitted state of the two connectors is determined. Just look it up easily.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show a board connector according to the present invention. As shown in these figures,
The board connector includes a first connector C1 mounted on the circuit board P and a second connector C2 holding the flat wiring member 10. The flat connector is formed by fitting both connectors C1 and C2 together. Each of the conductors 11 and the circuit board P are connected. In this embodiment, the flat wiring member 10 is a flexible FFC (Flexible FPC).
Therefore, in the following description, the flat wiring member is referred to as FFC10. In addition,
As the flat wiring material 10, besides the FFC, a flat cable, a ribbon electric wire, and an FPC (Flexible Printed Cable)
Etc. can also be applied.

The first connector C1 has an elongated housing 20 corresponding to the FFC 10, in which a large number of terminal storage chambers 22 are arranged in the longitudinal direction thereof. The terminal 24 is housed.
At the tip of each terminal 24, a connection bending piece 24a that can be bent and displaced up and down is formed.
10 is inserted, each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 is connected to the terminal 2
4 so as to be in contact with the connecting flexure piece 24a.

A lock portion 28 is provided on the upper surface of the housing of the first connector C1 at a central portion in the longitudinal direction. A locking protrusion 30 (locked portion) is formed on the lock portion 28, and when both connectors C1 and C2 are fitted, the later-described fitting lock piece 44 of the second connector C2 is engaged with the locking protrusion. 30. As shown in the figure, the locking projection 30 is formed so as to rise toward the rear side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the housing, and is fitted with the two connectors C1 and C2. The tip 44b of the piece 44 is configured to be guided while being lifted.

Further, the first connector C1 is provided at both ends (left and right ends) of the housing 20 in the longitudinal direction.
On the circuit board. These legs 32 are made of a metal conductor and are exposed on the bottom surface of the housing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the space 2 extends to the center portion through the inside of the housing, and each end is formed at the rear side of the locking projection 30.
9 is exposed. The contact portion 33 is formed by these ends by being cantilevered in the space 29 so as to be vertically deformable and deformable. As shown in the figure, the contact portions 33 are arranged so as to overlap each other up and down, and when an external force acts from above, the upper contact portions 33 bend and the two contact portions 33 come into contact with each other. It is configured.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Are soldered to the lands L1 and L2 provided on the circuit board P, so that the first connector C1 is fixed on the circuit board P, and the legs 24b of the terminals 24 housed in the housing 20 are connected to the circuit. It is soldered to a land (not shown) on the substrate P.

Although not shown, the circuit board P
A pattern for detecting the fitted state of the two connectors C1 and C2 (referred to as a fitting detection pattern), specifically, a pattern for examining the conduction state of the two legs 32 of the first connector C1 is formed. Lands L1, L
2 is provided as a part of this pattern.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the second connector C2 has an elongated housing 40 which can be fitted to the housing 20 of the first connector C1, and this housing 40
FC10 is held.

As shown in FIG. 2, the FFC 10 has its terminals processed to expose the terminals of each conductor 11, and
A reinforcing plate 12 for restricting the bending of the end of the FFC is laminated and fixed to the back surface of the end. Then, the FFC 1 is passed through the inside of the housing 40 from below, and is bent substantially horizontally on the tongue piece 42 provided on the housing 40.
0 is fixed.

A fitting lock piece 44 corresponding to the lock portion 28 of the first connector C1 is provided in the upper portion of the housing of the second connector C2 and at the center in the longitudinal direction. The fitting lock piece 44 has a locking hole 44a formed at a tip portion (near the right end in the figure). When the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted, the locking hole 28a is formed in the locking hole 44a. The fitting lock piece 44 is locked to the locking protrusion 30 by fitting the locking protrusion 30 of
Both connectors C1 and C2 are locked so as to be inseparable.

As a specific structure of the second connector C2, in the present embodiment, the housing 40 of the second connector C2 is, as shown in FIG. , A lower part 40b having the tongue piece 42, and both these parts 40a,
The housing 4 is connected to the housing 4
0 is configured.

In assembling the second connector C2 (holding the FFC 10), first, the terminal of the FFC 10 is processed to
Is fixed, the reinforcing plate 12 is attached on the tongue piece 42 of the lower part 40b as shown in FIG. Then, the FFC 10 is bent downward at the rear end (the left end in the figure) of the lower part 40b, and in this state, the lower part 40b is assembled to the upper part 40a from below. At this time, although not shown, a hook formed on the lower part 40b is locked to the upper part 40a to fix the two parts 40a, 40b together.

In the above configuration, in order to connect the FFC 10 on the circuit board P, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both connectors C1 and C2 face each other, and the second connector C2
The two connectors C1 and C2 are brought close to each other while making the fitting lock piece 44 of FIG. Then, the housings 20, 40 of both connectors C1, C2 are fitted while pushing the tongue piece 42 of the second connector C2 from the insertion opening 26 into the housing of the first connector C1.

In this manner, first, as shown in FIG. 5A, the distal end 44b of the fitting lock piece 44 is
It is guided above each contact portion 33 while being lifted along zero. When the two connectors C1 and C2 are completely fitted, the fitting lock piece 44 as shown in FIG.
The locking projections 30b are fitted into the locking holes 44a, thereby the fitting lock pieces 44 are locked by the locking projections 30, and both connectors C1 and C2 are locked in an inseparable state. Become.

Then, as described above, both connectors C1, C2
Is in a fitted state, the tongue piece 42 presses each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 through the reinforcing plate 12 against the connecting flexure piece 24a of each terminal 24, whereby the FFC 10 is connected to the circuit board side through each terminal 24. The state is connected to the circuit.

When the fitting lock piece 44 is locked by the locking projection 30 as described above, that is, when the two connectors C1, C
2 is completely engaged, the contact portion 33 is pressed from above by the distal end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44, as shown in the figure, and as a result, as shown in FIG.
3 is bent and the two contact portions 33 come into contact with each other.

Therefore, after the two connectors C1 and C2 are fitted,
By applying a voltage to the fitting detection pattern formed on the circuit board P and checking the conduction state of the two legs 32,
The fitting state of both connectors C1 and C2 can be detected. That is, when both connectors C1 and C2 are completely fitted, both contact portions 33 come into contact as described above, and both leg portions 3
When the two connectors C1 and C2 are in an incompletely fitted state, on the other hand, the two contact portions 33 are held with the distal end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44 raised as shown in FIG. The two legs 32 are brought out of contact with each other without contact. Therefore, by applying a voltage to the fitting detection pattern and checking the conduction state of both legs 32, the fitting state of both connectors C1 and C2 can be detected.

As described above, the contact portion 33 is pressed from above by the distal end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44, and as a result, the contact portion 33 is bent and the contact portions 33 come into contact with each other. In the embodiment, as described above, the housing 40 is formed in an elongated shape corresponding to the FFC 10, and the span to the tip of the contact portion is long. Therefore, the contact portion 33 is easily bent with a small pressing force, and as a result, both contact portions 3
The contact of No. 3 is performed favorably.

According to the board connector as described above, while the fitting state of the two connectors C1 and C2 can be electrically checked as described above, the board connector is connected to the second connector C2 holding the FFC 10. Does not require the provision of a dedicated wire for detecting engagement. Further, on the side of the first connector C1 fixed to the circuit board P, a contact portion 33 for fitting detection is provided. This is for fixing (soldering) the first connector C1 to the circuit board P. Connect the leg 32 to the first connector C
It is formed by extending to the upper part of one housing. That is, the leg for fixing the connector on the circuit board, which is usually provided in this type of connector, is also used as the contact portion.

Therefore, according to the fitting detection structure as described above, there is no need for a dedicated wire or terminal as in the conventional fitting detection structure of this type, and even when an electric unit or the like is formed, it is not necessary for circuit connection. Without adding wires and terminals without wires (that is, wires and terminals for fitting detection), both connectors C1,
The fitting state of C2 can be checked. Therefore, there is an effect that the fitting state of both connectors C1 and C2 can be detected with a reasonable structure.

Moreover, according to this configuration, only the voltage is applied to the mating detection pattern formed on the circuit board P, that is, both the connectors C1 and C2 are applied only on the circuit board P side.
Can be checked, so that the connected state of both connectors C1 and C2 can be easily checked as compared with the conventional structure for checking the continuity between the electric wire connected to the connector and the pattern on the circuit board. There is also an effect.

Further, the distal end portion 44b of the fitting lock piece 44
Since the contact portions 33 are configured to be brought into contact by pressing down the contact portions 33, there is also an effect that it is possible to detect that the engagement lock is reliably achieved. That is, for example, it is possible to provide a member that presses the contact portion 33 separately from the fitting lock piece 44. In this case, even if both contact portions 33 are in contact with each other, if the contact portions 33 are in contact If the lock piece 44 is in a raised state, it is impossible to detect such an incomplete lock state. On the other hand, according to the configuration in which the contact portion 33 is pressed by the fitting lock piece 44 as described above, only when the connectors C1 and C2 are fitted and the fitting lock is achieved, the two contact portions 33 are pressed. Therefore, there is an effect that the fitting state of the two connectors C1 and C2 can be detected including the fitting lock, that is, whether or not the fitting lock is reliably achieved.

In the board connector described above,
The contact portions 33 are vertically overlapped, and the contact portions 33 are brought into contact by pressing the contact portions 33 from above with the fitting lock pieces 44. For example, both contact portions 33 are connected to the connectors C1 and C1. The two contact portions 33 are brought into contact with each other by overlapping the contact portions 33 in the fitting direction of C2 (the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 2) and pressing the contact portions 33 in the same direction with the tip portions 44b of the fitting lock pieces 44. Is also good. In short, the contact portions 33 and the pressing portions for these may be provided so that the contact portions 33 can come into contact only when the connectors C1 and C2 are completely fitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the case where the FFC 10 is connected to the circuit board P. However, the electric wire is not limited to the FFC, and the above-described flat cable, ribbon electric wire, FPC ( Flexible Pri
Other flat wiring materials such as nted cable) may be used, and electric wires other than the flat wiring material may be used.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first connector is fixed on the circuit board via the pair of legs provided on the first connector, and the legs are formed on the circuit board. When the second connector holding the electric wires is connected to the first connector, the pair of contact portions connected to the legs are pressed by the pressing portions of the second connector. Therefore, the mating state of both connectors can be detected by checking the conduction state of both legs by applying a voltage to the pattern or the like.

According to such a mating detection structure, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated electric wire for mating detection in the second connector, and in the first connector, there is provided a conventional connector fixing wire. The fitting state of both connectors can be detected by utilizing the leg portions of. Therefore, even when an electric unit or the like is configured, it is possible to detect the fitting state of the two connectors with a reasonable structure without increasing the number of wires and terminals unrelated to circuit connection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a board connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a board connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 showing a configuration of a first connector.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing a specific configuration of the second connector.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a fitted state of the first and second connectors ((a) shows an incompletely fitted state, and (b) shows a completely fitted state).

FIG. 6 is a view showing a fitted state of the first and second connectors;
It is a BB sectional view of (b).

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a conventional board connector.

[Description of Signs] C1 first connector C2 second connector P circuit board 10 FFC (electric wire) 20, 40 housing 30 locking projection 32 leg 33 contact section 44 fitting lock piece 44a locking hole (locked part) 44b Tip

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Noriichi Okamura 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Hirai 1 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 7-7-10 Harness Research Institute, Ltd. F-term (reference) 5E021 FA05 FA11 FA14 FA16 FB02 FB08 FC36 FC38 HC09 KA09 MA20 5E023 AA04 AA16 AA18 BB06 BB08 BB09 BB22 BB23 CC23 CC26 EE12 GG02 GG18 H30

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connector for connecting a wire to a circuit on a board, comprising a first connector mounted on a circuit board and a second connector for holding the wire, wherein the two connectors are connected to each other to connect the wire to a circuit on the board. A pair of legs made of a metal conductor for fixing the connector on the circuit board is provided on both the left and right sides of the first connector, and the elastically displaceable contact portions from each leg are brought close to each other. On the other hand, the second connector is provided with a pressing portion which presses the contact portion only when the connector is completely fitted to the first connector to bring both contact portions into contact with each other. A board connector characterized by the following: 2. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the legs extends from both left and right sides of the first connector to an upper portion of the connector, and is supported in a cantilever manner on the upper portion of the first connector. When the contact portions are formed and the respective contact portions are vertically close to each other, and the two connectors are completely fitted, the contact portions are pressed in the vertical direction by the pressing portion and come into contact with each other. Board connector. 3. The board connector according to claim 2, wherein the two connectors are connectors for connecting a flat wiring material as the electric wire to a circuit board. 4. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is provided with a fitting lock piece, and the second connector is provided with a locked portion for the fitting lock piece. When the two connectors are completely engaged, the two connectors are configured such that the fitting lock pieces engage with the locked portions to restrain the connectors so that they cannot be disengaged. The board connector is characterized in that the two contact portions are pressed by the fitting lock piece and come into contact with each other only when the fitting lock piece engages with the locked portion. 5. A connector fitting detection structure using the board connector according to claim 1, wherein a conduction state of each leg of the first connector can be detected on a circuit board. The first connector is fixed on a circuit board by fixing each leg to a fixing land provided at a specific portion of the pattern. Joint detection structure.