JPH0896902A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a connector with a small occupation area. CONSTITUTION: Three connectors 12-14 which protrude in the three directions perpendicularly crossing each other are formed in a base bottom 11. The insertion/pulling-out direction of the connector 12 is vertical to a board. The connectors 13, 14 are arranged in the horizontal direction in the board. An electronic component 2 can be mounted on the lower part of the connectors 13, 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector mounted on a substrate, and more particularly to a connector fixed only at a mounting portion to the substrate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Referring to FIG. 7, conventionally, when a plurality of connectors 91 to 93 are mounted on a board, these connectors are mounted in alignment. Connectors 91-9
3 is supported only by the base portion with the substrate 1, and is not supported by a housing or the like. In such a mounting structure, the connector occupies a wide area of length L1 × width L2 on the substrate. If the mounting area on the board is occupied by the connector, the number of mountable electronic components will decrease. This is an obstacle to high-density mounting.

In order to reduce the area occupied by the connector,
A plurality of connectors may be vertically stacked. An example of a technique for stacking multiple connectors is shown in Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b). This technique is a technique for exposing a plurality of connectors on the side surface of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the connector 90 has two connectors 94 and 95.
The connectors 94 and 95 are vertically stacked. The stacked connectors 94 and 95 are exposed from the side surface of the housing. A pin 99 for making an electrical connection with the connectors 94 and 95 projects from the base portion 97. Pin 99
Are soldered to a substrate (not shown).

External connectors are inserted into and removed from the connectors 94 and 95 in the Y direction in the figure. Of these, the connector 95
At the time of insertion and extraction with respect to
Works. This is because the height L ′ of the mounting position of the connector 95 is high and it is largely separated from the base 97. When a rotational force is applied to the base portion 97, the base portion of the pin 99 is damaged. Therefore, in this connector 95, the pin 99
The device is designed so that there will be no obstacles.

First, the connectors 94 and 95 are provided with screw holes 96. A male screw is screwed into the screw hole 96. As a result, the connectors 94 and 95 are fixed to the side surface of the housing. By fixing the connectors 94 and 95 to the housing, the rotational force applied to the base 97 is reduced.

Second, the width L of the base portion 97 is wide. This increases the stability of the base 97.

Thirdly, a fitting member 98 is provided on the base portion 97. By fitting the fitting material 98 to the board,
The base 97 can be firmly fixed to the substrate.

[0009]

When the connector as shown in FIG. 8 is diverted to a connector which is fixed only at the base of the board, there are the following problems.

In the case of a connector which is fixed only at the connecting portion with the board, the connector cannot be fixed to the housing. Therefore, the base portion 97 has to be wider.
At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the fitting material 98. The strong fitting material 98 is large. Therefore, when the fitting material 98 is strengthened, the base portion 97 becomes wider. Base 9
As the width of the base 7 becomes wider, the area occupied by the base portion 97 on the substrate increases. Eventually, the area occupied by the connector cannot be reduced.

In view of the above problems, a first object of the present invention is to provide a connector which occupies a small area.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which a large force is not applied to the connecting portion with the board when the external connector is inserted or removed.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of connecting external connectors from multiple directions.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which parts can be mounted on the lower part of the connector.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a connector which does not damage the components mounted on the lower part of the connector.

[0016]

The above-mentioned first to fourth objects are to attach a plurality of connectors to one base and to arrange each connector so that the insertion / removal direction of the upper connector is perpendicular to the board. It is achieved by More specifically, the other connector extends from the base in a direction parallel to the board. When the base is attached to the substrate, a space is formed between the lower portion of the extended connector and the substrate. Parts can be mounted in this space. In addition, the external connector can be inserted from multiple directions by appropriately determining the insertion / removal direction of each connector.

When the attachment strength between the base and the substrate is insufficient, the pin rows protruding from the base are parallel to each other.

Further, in order to reduce the occupation area of the base portion, the arrangement of the pins on the base portion is made different from the arrangement of the contacts of the connector. Such disparity is achieved by arranging the contacts of the connector in a straight line and staggering the pins at the base. Further, the arrangement of the pins on the base portion may be a grid pattern.

The above-mentioned fifth object is achieved by attaching a support to the lower portion of the connector extending from the base. When the base is attached to the substrate, the support is interposed between the extended connector and the substrate to secure the distance between the connector and the substrate.

[0020]

[Operation] The connector attached to the upper part of the base,
The external connector is inserted / removed in the direction perpendicular to the board. Since the insertion / removal direction is perpendicular to the substrate, no rotational force is applied to the base. A rotational force acts on the base when inserting or removing the connector extending laterally from the base. However,
Since the distance between the connector extending in the lateral direction and the board is short, the rotational force is weak. Further, if the external connectors are simultaneously inserted into and removed from the connectors extending to the left and right, almost no rotational force will work.

Since the rotational force that works when the connector is inserted and removed is small, sufficient mounting strength can be achieved even with a small base portion. Further, it is not necessary to provide a fitting material.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the connector 10 of the present invention.
Is composed of a base portion 11 for connecting to the substrate and three connectors 12 to 14 integrally provided with the base portion.

The connector 10 is intended for power supply. Each connector has three contacts. These contacts supply power of GND, 5V and 12V, for example. The connector 10 does not have a structure for fixing to the housing or the like, but is fixed only by the base portion 11.

The connector 12 is provided above the base portion 11. The insertion / removal direction of the connector 12 is perpendicular to the substrate. On the other hand, the connectors 13 and 14 extend laterally from the base 11. The insertion and removal directions of the connectors 13 and 14 are horizontal to the board. The connectors 12 to 14 respectively project in three orthogonal directions. The insertion / removal direction of the connector 13 is opposite to that of the connector 14. The base 11 and the connectors 12 to 14 have a cross shape.

The connectors 13 and 14 are provided at a position having a height L5 from the board 1. When the base 11 is attached to the substrate 1, a space indicated by a dotted line is formed between the connectors 13 and 14 and the substrate 1. The electronic component 2 can be mounted in this space. The height L5 of the base portion 11 is adjusted according to the height of the electronic component 2. Specifically, the height L5 is adjusted so that the connectors 13 and 14 do not come into contact with the electronic component 2 and the distance between the connectors 13 and 14 and the substrate 1 is as small as possible.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the rotational force acting on the base portion 11 at the time of inserting / removing each connector is reduced. Specifically, when the external connector is inserted into or removed from the connector 12,
No rotational force acts on the base 11. This is because the insertion / removal direction of the connector 12 is perpendicular to the board. On the other hand, when the external connectors are inserted into or removed from the connectors 13 and 14, the rotational force Z acts on the base portion 11. However, the height of the base portion 11 of the connectors 13 and 14 is lower than that of the connector 12.
Therefore, the rotational force at the time of inserting / removing the connectors 13 and 14 is small. Further, if the connectors 13 and 14 are inserted and removed at the same time, the forces acting on these connectors are canceled out, and the rotational force is further reduced. After all, the rotational force Z acting on the base portion 11 is small when any of the connectors 12 to 14 is inserted and removed.

As described above, in the structure of this embodiment, the rotational force Z acting on the base 11 is small. Therefore, the base 11
Can be downsized and its configuration can be simplified. Specifically, the base 11 has the following internal structure.

Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the connector 12 has contacts 121 to 123. Similarly, the connector 13 has contacts 131 to 133, and the connector 14 has contacts 141 to 143, respectively. In this embodiment, the connectors 12-14 are male connectors. Therefore, each contact of the connectors 12 to 14 is a pin.

Referring to FIG. 2A, which is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, the contacts in each connector are aligned in a straight line. The corresponding contact of each connector is
51 to 153 are connected. For example, contact 1
21, 131 and 141 are connected at the joint 151. Similarly, contacts 122, 132 and 1
42 are connected by a connecting portion 152. Contact 12
3, 133, and 143 are connected by the coupling portion 153.

2 from each of the connecting portions 151 to 153.
Two pins are protruding. For example, the pins 161 and 171 project from the coupling portion 151. Similarly, pins 162 and 172 project from the connecting portion 152. Pins 163 and 173 project from the coupling portion 153. The diameter of the pins 161-163 and 171-173 is larger than the diameter of the contacts of the connectors 12-14.

Referring to FIG. 2C, which is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1, the pins 161-163 and the pins 171-173.
Are arranged in a row. Pin row 161 to 16
3 and the pin rows 171 to 173 are parallel to each other.

When the base 11 is attached to the substrate 1, the pins 161-163 and 171-173 are attached to the substrate 1.
Soldered to. As a result, the connector 10 is fixed to the board 1. Two parallel pin rows are connected, and since the pins forming each pin row have a large diameter, the base portion 11 is firmly fixed. No reinforcement with fitting material is required.

As described above, in this embodiment, the structure of the base 11 is simplified. Further, the connectors 13 and 14 are extended from the base. Therefore, the area occupied by the base 11 is reduced. Specifically, when the connector having the same size is used, the vertical width is reduced to L3 as compared with the conventional technique of FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, the base portion 11
The three connectors 12 to 14 were attached to, and the insertion / removal direction of the upper connector 12 was set to be perpendicular to the substrate. With such a structure, the rotational force acting on the base portion 11 at the time of inserting / removing each connector is reduced. Since the rotational force applied is reduced, the base 11 can be made simple and small. Specifically, the width of the base portion 11 is narrowed, and a fixing member such as a fitting material is unnecessary. As the base portion 11 is downsized, the area occupied by the connector 10 is reduced. Furthermore, the connectors 13 and 1 extending laterally from the base portion 11
By providing a space between the board 4 and the substrate 1, components can be mounted in this space. Also, the connector 12 to
Since the insertion / removal direction of 14 is divided into three directions, the external connector can be inserted from a convenient direction according to the mounting form.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is characterized by the connection structure of the contacts of each connector 12 to 14 and the pin protruding from the base portion 11, and the other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3A, nine pins 211 to 213 and 221 to 2 are provided from the base portion 11 of this embodiment.
23 and 231 to 233 project. These pins are arranged in a grid of 3 rows × 2 columns. Pins 211-
213 are connected to the contacts 131 to 133, respectively. Pins 221 to 223 are contacts 121 to 12
3 are connected to each. The pins 231 to 233 are connected to the contacts 141 to 143, respectively. Therefore, each contact 121-123, 131-13
3 and 141 to 143 can be connected to another type of power source or signal.

In this embodiment, the signals connected to the connectors 12 to 14 are different. Therefore, if the external connector is connected to the wrong connector, there is a risk of malfunction.
In order to avoid such malfunction, the connectors 12 to 1
4 is provided with a polar protrusion 24.

Since the pins 211 to 213, 221-223 and 231-233 are arranged in a lattice pattern, the base 11 is firmly fixed to the substrate 1. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to join the contacts at the joining portion and project the plurality of pins therefrom. Moreover, since the number of pins is large, it is not necessary to increase the diameter of each pin.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The feature of this embodiment is that the width of the base portion 11 is made smaller than that of the first embodiment. With such a structure, the arrangement of the pins in the base portion 11 is changed to the connector 12 to
This is achieved by making the arrangement of contacts in 14 different. The structure other than the width of the base 11 and the arrangement of the pins of the base 11 is essentially the same as that of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the base 11 of the present embodiment.
Has a width L6 smaller than the width L4 of the connectors 13 and 14.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the connector 12 is provided with four contacts 311 to 314. Similarly, the connector 13 has contacts 321-
324 has contacts 331 to 334 on the connector 14.
Are provided respectively. The contacts are arranged in a straight line in the connector.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the base 11 is provided with four pins 341 to 344. These pins are staggered. As a result, the distance between the pins 341 to 344 can be secured even if the width of the base 11 is narrowed. Moreover, since the pins 341 to 344 form two rows of pins, the base 11 is firmly fixed to the substrate 1.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pin 341 is connected to the contacts 311, 321 and 331. Pin 3 to connect to each contact
41 is curved. Similarly, pin 342 is connected to contacts 312, 322 and 332, pin 343 is connected to contacts 313, 323 and 333, and pin 344 is connected to contacts 314, 324 and 334, respectively.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5D, in this modification, the pins 341 to 344 are arranged in a grid pattern of 2 rows and 2 columns. With such an arrangement, the lateral width L7 of the base portion 11 can be further reduced. Further, the base portion 11 can be firmly fixed similarly to the staggered arrangement.

The gist of this embodiment is that the arrangement of pins in the base is different from the arrangement of contacts in the connector,
The point is to arrange the pins so that the width of the base is narrow. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the arrangement of contacts in the connector and the arrangement of pins in the base. For example, the arrangement of contacts in the connector is a grid of M rows × N columns, and the arrangement of pins at the base is M ′ rows × N ′ columns (M ′ <M, N ′>
Even in the case of N), the effect of this embodiment is achieved.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present embodiment has a structure for preventing contact between the connectors 13 and 14 extending laterally from the base and the components mounted under the connectors. The feature of this embodiment is that a support is provided below the connectors 13 and 14, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the connector 1 of the present embodiment.
At 0, the supports 41 to 44 are attached to the lower portions of the connectors 13 and 14 extending laterally from the base 11. The supports 41 to 44 are rod-shaped members. Base 11
Are attached to the substrate 1, the supports 41 to 44 contact the substrate 1.

When the connector 10 is tilted when the connector 13 or 14 is inserted and removed, the supports 41 to 44 suppress this tilt. Therefore, the connectors 13 and 14 do not come into contact with the parts attached to the lower part thereof. Further, since the supports 41 to 44 are small, the area occupied by these supports does not matter.

This embodiment is effective when the heights of the connectors 13 and 14 are set high. Connectors 13 and 1
This is because when 4 is provided at a high position, the rotational force that acts on the base portion 11 when the connectors are inserted and removed becomes large. Even when the connection strength between the base portion 11 and the substrate 1 is insufficient, the connector 10 can be prevented from tilting.

The gist of this embodiment is that the connectors 13 and 14 are
A support is provided in the lower part of the board to keep the distance between these connectors and the board constant. Therefore, there is no limitation on the shape of the support.

As described above, the gist of the present invention is to provide a plurality of connectors at the base, make the insertion / removal direction of the uppermost connector of these connectors perpendicular to the board, and extend the other connectors from the base. This is the point where a space was secured between the installed connector and the board. The present invention can be variously modified within the scope of this gist. For example, the number of contacts of the connector and the number of pins protruding from the base are not limited. In the above-described embodiment, the number of contacts and the number of pins are relatively small because the present invention is applied to the power supply connector. However, it is also possible to apply to a connector having several tens to several hundreds of connectors and pins. Further, although the contact is a pin in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a connector having any contact.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of connectors are provided in the base portion, the insertion / removal direction of the upper connector is set to be perpendicular to the board, and the other connectors are extended from the base portion in parallel with the board. did. Therefore, the base portion can be downsized, and the occupied area on the substrate can be reduced. Components can be mounted on the lower portion of the connector extending in the lateral direction.

The width of the base portion can be further reduced by disposing the pin arrangement on the base portion different from the arrangement of the contacts of the connector.

Further, it is possible to attach a support to the connectors extending in the lateral direction to secure the distance between these connectors and the substrate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Figure 1 (b)
The side view when seeing from the C direction. (C) is BB of FIG.
Sectional view.

FIG. 3A is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
Sectional view. FIG. 2B is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention viewed from the direction C in FIG. 1. (C) is BB sectional drawing of the 2nd Example of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a side view when FIG. 4 is viewed from the D direction. FIG. 4B is a side view of FIG. 4 when viewed from the E direction.
(C) is FF sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4F-F showing a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a conventional laminated connector.
The side view of the connector of (a).

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 board 2 electronic component 3-5 external connector 10 connector 11 base part 12-14 connector 121-123, 131-133, 141-143 contact 151-153 coupling part 161-163, 171-173 pin 211-213, 221- 223, 231 to 233 pins 311 to 314, 321 to 324, 331 to 334 contacts 341 to 344 pins 41 to 44 support body 91 to 93 connector 94, 95 connector 96 screw hole 97 base portion 98 fitting material 99 pin

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A base portion provided with a pin for connecting to a substrate, a first connector provided on an upper portion of the base portion and having an external connector inserted and removed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and the base portion. A second connector extending in a direction parallel to the substrate from which the external connector is inserted / removed in a direction parallel to the substrate. 2. The base is extended from the base in a direction parallel to the board, the extending direction being opposite to the extending direction of the second connector, and the external being parallel to the board. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a third connector into which the connector is inserted and removed. 3. Corresponding contacts of the first to third connectors are connected by a coupling portion, two pins are connected to the coupling portion, and the two pins project outward from the base portion. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A plurality of pins corresponding to each of the contacts of the first to third connectors are provided, and a contact of the first to third connectors and a pin of the plurality of pins corresponding to the contacts. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pins are connected to each other, the plurality of pins project from the base portion, and the plurality of pins are arranged in a row at the projecting portion. 5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the base is narrower than the width of the second connector. 6. A plurality of pins projecting from the base portion are provided, the plurality of pins are connected to contacts of the first and second connectors, and the arrangement of the plurality of pins on the base portion is the first pin. The connector according to claim 5, which is different from the arrangement of contacts of the first and second connectors. 7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the contacts of the first and second connectors are linearly arranged, and the plurality of pins are arranged alternately. 8. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the contacts of the first and second connectors are arranged in a straight line, and the plurality of pins are arranged in a grid pattern. 9. A support provided on the second connector, the support being interposed between the second connector and the substrate when the connector is mounted on the substrate. The connector described in 1.