JP2016018663A - Electronic component - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a connector be less likely to be removed if the connector is not desired to be removed intentionally, and to enable the connector to be easily removed when the connector is desired to be removed intentionally.SOLUTION: In a case, a substantially-bottomed cylindrical first connector component into which a second connector component is inserted from an opening opposed to a bottom face is provided so as to expose the opening. In addition, the case is provided with one plate-like elastic member whose front end can be elastically deformed in a direction substantially in parallel to the bottom face. An engagement claw part provided on the elastic member is engaged with a first surface that is an end surface exposed from the first connector component, of the second connector component when the second connector component is engaged with the first connector component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic component.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a receptacle housing in which a pair of elastic elastic claws for holding another connector in a connector insertion hole is formed in a connector insertion portion.

JP 2014-95834 A

  In the receptacle housing of the invention described in Patent Document 1, since there is a pair of elastic claws for locking, there is a problem that the connector cannot be easily removed when it is desired to remove the connector for apparatus maintenance or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic component that is difficult to remove when the connector is not intentionally removed, and can be easily removed when the connector is intentionally removed. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic component according to the present invention is, for example, a first connector component having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and a second connector component is inserted through an opening facing the bottom surface. And a case in which the first connector part is provided so that the opening is exposed, and the case has a plate shape whose tip is elastically deformable in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface. One elastic member is provided, and the elastic member is provided with an engaging claw portion. When the second connector part is engaged with the first connector part, the engaging claw part is provided with the first engaging part. The second connector component is engaged with a first surface which is an end surface exposed from the first connector component.

  According to the electronic component of the present invention, the first connector component having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape into which the second connector component is inserted from the opening facing the bottom surface is exposed in the case so that the opening is exposed. Provided. The case is provided with one plate-like elastic member whose tip can be elastically deformed in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface. The engaging claw portion provided at the tip of the elastic member is a first end surface that is exposed from the first connector part of the second connector part when the second connector part engages with the first connector part. Engage with the surface. As described above, since the engaging claws are engaged with the first surface, it is possible to make it difficult to disengage the connectors when the connectors are not intentionally removed. Moreover, since there is one elastic member, when it is desired to intentionally remove the connectors, the connectors can be easily disengaged.

  Here, the first surface is substantially rectangular, an end portion of the electric wire is inserted into the first surface, and the engaging claw portion is divided by the electric wire on the first surface 4. It may engage the widest region of the two regions. Thereby, the coupling force between the engaging claw portion and the first surface can be increased, and the second connector part can be made difficult to come off from the first connector part.

  Here, the case is provided with a substrate on which the first connector component is provided, and a force in a direction from the bottom surface of the first connector component toward the opening is applied to the case. A protrusion that contacts the substrate may be formed. This prevents the substrate from moving in the direction from the bottom surface toward the opening. As a result, by pulling the second connector part in the direction from the bottom surface toward the opening, the second connector part can be detached from the first connector part without destroying the first connector part or the like. it can.

  Here, the case may include a covering portion that covers at least one surface of the first connector component, and the elastic member may be integrally formed with the covering portion. Thereby, an elastic member can be integrally formed with a case. Moreover, a case can be made into a simple shape.

  According to the present invention, when the connector is not intentionally removed, the connector is difficult to be removed, and when the connector is intentionally removed, it can be easily removed.

It is the perspective view which shows an example of the optical sensor 1, (A) is the figure seen from front diagonally upper right direction, (B) is the figure seen from front diagonally lower left direction. (A) is a figure which shows the state before inserting a connector in the connector provided in the optical sensor 1, (B) is a figure which shows the state which inserted the connector in the connector provided in the optical sensor 1. FIG. 6C is a view showing the back surface 30 b of the connector 30. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2 (B). It is a perspective view which shows an example of the optical sensor 2, (A) is the figure seen from the front diagonal right upper direction, (B) is the figure seen from the front diagonal left lower direction. (A) is a figure which shows the state before inserting connector 30A in connector 20A provided in optical sensor 2, (B) is the state which inserted connector 30A in connector 20A provided in optical sensor 2. (C) is a figure which shows the back surface 30b of connector 30A. It is the perspective view which shows an example of the optical sensor 3, (A) is the figure seen from front diagonally upper right direction, (B) is the figure seen from front diagonally lower left direction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an optical sensor 1 which is an example of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a diagram seen from the front diagonal right upper direction, and FIG. 1B is a diagram seen from the front diagonal lower left direction.

  The optical sensor 1 mainly includes an upper case 10, a lower case 11, and a connector 20.

  The upper case 10 is formed of a light shielding resin, for example, polycarbonate (PC), polyacetal (POM) or the like.

  The upper case 10 has a hollow, substantially rectangular shape, and has convex portions 10a and 10b into which light emitting elements (not shown) or light receiving elements (not shown) are respectively inserted.

  The convex portion 10a and the convex portion 10b are provided so as to protrude in a direction (+ z direction) from the bottom surface of the upper case 10 toward the upper surface. The convex portion 10a and the convex portion 10b are provided apart from each other in the y direction by a predetermined interval. Therefore, the upper case 10, that is, the optical sensor 1 has a substantially U shape (substantially U shape) when viewed from the front (the diagonally upper left direction in FIG. 1A). However, the position and shape of the convex part 10a and the convex part 10b are not limited to this.

  The protrusions 10a and 10b are provided with slits 10c and 10d, respectively. The slit 10c and the slit 10d are provided to face each other. The light emitting part of the light emitting element is provided toward the slit 10c, and the light receiving part of the light receiving element is provided toward the slit 10d. The slits 10c and 10d are provided to increase the accuracy of object position detection. The slits 10c and 10d may be hollow, or may be filled with a light transmissive resin such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic (PMMA).

  Light from the light emitting element provided in the convex portion 10a passes through the slit 10c, the space between the convex portion 10a and the convex portion 10b (detection groove), and the slit 10d, and is received by the light receiving element. This light path is the optical path of the optical sensor 1.

  When the object passes through the detection groove, the optical sensor 1 detects that the object has moved through the detection groove.

  The upper case 10 is provided with a connector 20. The connector 20 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and each surface has a substantially rectangular shape. The opening of the connector 20 faces the bottom surface 20a. The connector 20 is provided such that the opening is exposed from the upper case 10.

  The connector 30 is inserted from the opening of the connector 20. When the connector 30 inserted from the opening of the connector 20 is engaged with the connector 20, the connector 20 and the connector 30 are electrically and physically connected. In the present embodiment, when the connectors 20 and 30 are engaged, the pins provided in the connector 20 are inserted into the hollow pins provided in the connector 30 so that the connector 20 and the connector 30 are electrically connected. Use a crimp connector to be connected.

  The connector 20 is physically and electrically connected to the substrate 40. For example, the pins 20 that protrude from the bottom surface 20a of the connector 20 are inserted and fixed in holes formed in the substrate 40, whereby the connector 20 and the substrate 40 are physically and electrically connected.

  Covering portions 10 e and 10 f are formed on the upper case 10 so as to cover the side surfaces of the connector 20. The connector 20 is provided in the space formed by the covering portions 10e and 10f. An elastic member 10g is formed at the tip of the covering portion 10f. Thereby, the elastic member 10g is integrally formed with the upper case 10, and the shape of the upper case 10 is simplified. The elastic member 10g is a member for fixing the connector 30 inserted into the connector 20 by so-called snap fit using elastic deformation.

  The elastic member 10g is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above (+ z direction). The elastic member 10g can be elastically deformed in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the connector 20, that is, in the ± z direction. A substantially trapezoidal engaging claw 10h is formed at the tip of the elastic member 10g when viewed from the side surface (x direction). The engaging claw portion 10h is formed so as to protrude downward (−z direction).

  In order to increase the snap-fit coupling force between the elastic member 10g and the connector 30 (detailed later), the width of the elastic member 10g and the width of the covering portion 10f in the state viewed from above (+ z direction) are set. It is desirable that they be substantially the same. In the present embodiment, the width of the elastic member 10g is slightly smaller than the width of the covering portion 10f, but the width of the elastic member 10g and the width of the covering portion 10f are substantially the same.

  A notch 10m is formed between the covering portion 10e and the covering portion 10f of the upper case 10. As a result, the elastic member 10g is easily elastically deformed in the ± z directions. However, the notch 10m is not essential.

  Inside the upper case 10, a claw 10 i (see FIG. 2) that locks the substrate 40 (see FIG. 3) is formed in the vicinity of the opening surface (here, the bottom surface) of the upper case 10. Further, a rib 10j and a pin 10k (see FIG. 3) for stopping the movement of the substrate 40 are formed inside the upper case 10. The rib 10j and the pin 10k will be described in detail later.

  The lower case 11 is a plate-like member that covers the opening surface of the upper case 10. In the present embodiment, the lower case 11 is made of resin. Further, although the lower case 11 is inserted into the upper case 10, the lower case 11 may have a box shape having an opening, and the upper case 10 may be inserted from the opening of the lower case 11.

  2A is a diagram illustrating a state before the connector 30 is inserted into the connector 20 provided in the optical sensor 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the connector 30 provided in the optical sensor 1. It is a figure which shows the state which engaged.

  When the connector 30 is inserted from the opening of the connector 20, the elastic member 10 g has the tip of the engaging claw portion 10 h abutting on the upper surface 30 a of the connector 30, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Elastically deforms so that the tip moves upward (+ z direction) (see arrow in FIG. 2A).

  When the connector 30 engages with the connector 20, the elastic member 10g that has been elastically deformed returns to its original shape. As a result, the engaging claw portion 10h engages with the back surface 30b of the connector 30 (so-called snap-fit connection).

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating the back surface 30 b of the connector 30. The back surface 30 b is an end surface exposed from the connector 20 when the connector 30 is engaged with the connector 20. The back surface 30b is substantially rectangular. Moreover, the edge part of the electric wire 31 is inserted in the back surface 30b.

  The back surface 30b is divided into four regions vertically and horizontally by the electric wires 31. The engaging claw portion 10h of the elastic member 10g contacts the widest region (here, the upper (+ z) side region) of the four regions divided vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the engaging claws 10 h can be firmly engaged with the back surface 30 b of the connector 30.

  In a state in which the connector 30 and the elastic member 10g are snap-fit coupled, the movement of the connector 30 from the connector 20 in the pulling direction (+ y direction) is restricted. Thereby, even if the electric wire 31 etc. are pulled, it can prevent that the connector 20 and the connector 30 remove | deviate easily.

  When the connector 30 is removed from the connector 20, the elastic member 10g is elastically deformed so that the tip moves upward (+ z direction) (see the arrow in FIG. 2B). Since the elastic member 10g is one, the operator pulls the connector 30 in the + y direction with the other hand while elastically deforming the elastic member 10g with one hand, without destroying the connector 20, the board 40, etc. The connector 30 can be easily detached from the connector 20.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. Inside the upper case 10, there are mainly provided a substrate 40, a light emitting element (not shown) and a light receiving element (not shown) attached to the substrate 40 in a standing state.

  A rib 10 j is formed inside the upper case 10. A pin 10k is formed inside the upper case 10. The pin 10k is inserted into a hole 40a formed in the substrate 40.

  When the connector 30 is removed from the connector 20, the operator pulls the connector 30 in the + y direction (the direction from the bottom surface of the connector 20 toward the opening), so that a force in the + y direction is also applied to the substrate 40. Try to move in the direction. At this time, the end surface of the substrate 40 contacts the rib 10j, and the pin 10k contacts the end surface of the hole 40a, thereby preventing the substrate 40 from moving in the + y direction. As a result, the connector 30 can be detached from the connector 20 by pulling the connector 30 in the + y direction.

  In the present embodiment, the rib 10j and the pin 10k are used as protrusions that come into contact with the substrate 40 when the substrate 40 moves in the + y direction. However, only one of the rib 10j and the pin 10k may be used.

  According to the present embodiment, since the engaging claws are snap-fit coupled to the back surface of the connector, it is possible to make it difficult to disengage the connectors when the connectors are not intentionally removed. Moreover, in this Embodiment, since there is one elastic member, when it is desired to remove a connector intentionally, engagement of connectors can be easily removed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic member 10g has a width that is substantially the same as the width of the covering portion 10f, and the engagement claw portion of the elastic member 10g has four back and left sides 30b of the connector 30 divided vertically and horizontally by the electric wires 31. Since it contacts the widest region of the regions, the snap-fit coupling force between the elastic member 10g and the connector 30 can be increased. Therefore, the engagement between the connectors can be made more difficult to disengage.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 10g is formed on the upper case 10, but the member on which the elastic member 10g is formed may be a lower case.

  The optical sensor 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, about the part same as the optical sensor 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, members that are included in the optical sensor 2 and that have the same functions and the like as the members included in the optical sensor 1 and that are different in only part of the configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals with “A” added to the end. A detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the optical sensor 2 which is an example of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a diagram seen from the front diagonal right upper direction, and FIG. 4B is a diagram seen from the front diagonal left lower direction.

  The optical sensor 2 mainly includes an upper case 10A formed of a light shielding resin, a lower case 11A, and a connector 20A attached to the upper case 10.

  The upper case 10A mainly includes projecting portions 10a and 10b, slits 10c and 10d formed in the projecting portions 10a and 10b, tabs 10i, ribs 10j, and pins 10k, respectively. Inside the upper case 10A, a substrate 40, a light receiving element, a light emitting element and the like (not shown) are provided. The connector 20A is physically and electrically connected to the board 40 provided in the upper case 10A.

  The upper case 10A is provided with a lower case 11A formed of a resin or the like so as to cover the opening surface (here, the bottom surface). The lower case 11A is provided on the upper case 10A so as to cover the side surface 20b of the connector 20A.

  An elastic member 11a is formed at the tip of the lower case 11A. An engaging claw portion 11b is formed at the tip of the elastic member 11a in the same manner as the elastic member 10g. The engaging claw portion 11b is formed so as to protrude upward (+ z direction). A cutout 11c is formed at the base of the elastic member 11a so that the elastic member 11a is easily elastically deformed.

  The width of the elastic member 11a is substantially the same as the width of the lower case 11A. In order to increase the snap fit coupling force between the elastic member 11a and the connector 30, it is desirable that the width of the elastic member 11a and the width of the covering portion 10f be substantially the same.

  5A is a diagram illustrating a state before the connector 30A is inserted into the connector 20A provided in the optical sensor 2, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the connector 30A connected to the connector 20A provided in the optical sensor 2. It is a figure which shows the state which inserted.

  When the connector 30A is inserted into the connector 20A, the tip of the engaging claw portion 11b abuts on the lower surface 30c of the connector 30A, so that the tip of the elastic member 11a is downward as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Elastically deforms so as to move in the (−z direction) (see arrow in FIG. 5A).

  When the connector 30A is inserted into the connector 20A (the connectors 20A and 30A engage), the elastic member 11a that has been elastically deformed returns to its original shape. As a result, the elastic member 11a engages with the back surface 30b of the connector 30A (so-called snap-fit coupling).

  FIG. 5C is a diagram showing the back surface 30b of the connector 30A. The engaging claw portion 11b of the elastic member 11a abuts on the widest region (here, the region on the lower (−z) side) of the four regions divided vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the engaging claws 11b of the elastic member 11a can be firmly engaged with the back surface 30b of the connector 30A.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the engaging claws are snap-fit coupled to the connectors, it is difficult to disengage the connectors when the connectors are not intentionally removed. Can do. Further, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since there is one elastic member, the connectors can be easily disengaged when it is desired to remove the connectors intentionally.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case of the optical sensor is composed of two parts, the upper case and the lower case. However, the case of the optical sensor is composed of only one part. Alternatively, it may be composed of three or more parts. Moreover, the elastic member should just be formed in either of the components which comprise the case of an optical sensor.

  In the first and second embodiments, the engaging claw portion (engaging claw portion 10h or engaging claw portion 11b) is formed at the tip of the elastic member (elastic member 10g or elastic member 11a). However, the position where the engaging claws are formed is not limited to the tip of the elastic member. For example, the engaging claws may be formed near the center of the elastic member, or may be formed near the root of the elastic member. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the optical sensor 3. FIG. 6A is a diagram seen from the front diagonal right upper direction, and FIG. 6B is a diagram seen from the front diagonal lower left direction.

  It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above the elastic member 10o (+ z direction). The elastic member 10o can be elastically deformed in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the connector 20, that is, in the ± z direction. That is, the elastic member 10o is longer in the y direction than the elastic member 10g, but has the same function as the elastic member 10g. In the vicinity of the base of the elastic member 10o, a substantially trapezoidal engaging claw portion 10h is formed when viewed from the side surface (x direction). The engaging claw portion 10h is formed so as to protrude downward (−z direction). By providing the engaging claw portion 10h in a portion other than the tip of the elastic member 10o in this manner, when the connector 30 is removed from the connector 20, the operator's finger can be easily applied to the elastic member 10o, whereby the operator is elastic. The member 10o can be easily elastically deformed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are included. . Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the optical sensor but also to various electronic components having a board provided with a connector. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an indicator lamp in which a light emitting unit such as a connector or LED is provided on a substrate.

  Further, in the present invention, “substantially” and “neighborhood” are not only a case where they are exactly the same, but also a concept including errors and deformations that do not lose the identity.

1, 2, 3: Optical sensor 10, 10A: Upper case, 10a, 10b: Convex part, 10c, 10d: Slit, 10e, 10f: Cover part, 10g, 10o: Elastic member, 10h: Engaging part, 10i : Claw, 10j: rib, 10k: pin, 10m: notch, 11, 11A: lower case, 11a: elastic member, 11b: engagement claw, 11c: notch, 20, 20A: connector, 30, 30A: connector 30a: upper surface, 30b: rear surface, 30c: lower surface, 31: electric wire, 40: substrate, 40a: hole

Claims (4)

A first connector component having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, wherein the second connector component is inserted from an opening facing the bottom surface;
A case in which the first connector part is provided so that the opening is exposed;
With
The case is provided with one plate-like elastic member whose tip is elastically deformable in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface,
The elastic member is provided with an engaging claw portion,
The engaging claw portion is formed on a first surface that is an end surface exposed from the first connector part of the second connector part when the second connector part is engaged with the first connector part. An electronic component characterized by engaging. The electronic component according to claim 1,
The first surface is substantially rectangular;
In the first surface, an end portion of the electric wire is inserted,
The engaging part engages with the widest region among the four regions divided by the electric wire on the first surface. The electronic component according to claim 1,
The case is provided with a substrate on which the first connector component is provided,
The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is formed on the case when a force in a direction from the bottom surface of the first connector component toward the opening is applied to the substrate. The electronic component according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The case has a covering portion that covers at least one surface of the first connector component,
The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is integrally formed with the covering portion.

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