Printed substrate holding device

A printed substrate holding device includes: a base member including a recess portion including: a bottom portion; and a side wall portion provided in the bottom portion; and a printed substrate held in the recess portion and having a rigidity, wherein the side wall portion includes a holding portion holding a first surface of the printed substrate, the bottom portion includes a supporting portion supporting a second surface of the printed substrate, the printed substrate slides on the bottom portion and is inserted between the supporting portion and the holding portion, and is held in the recess portion, and the printed substrate is held in the recess portion while being bent.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present invention relates to printed substrate holding devices.

(ii) Related Art

There is known a device for holding a printed substrate. Such a device includes, for example, a base member supporting the printed substrate, and a pawl portion provided in the base member and provided for holding the printed substrate in the base member. Such a pawl portion is elastically deformable. When the printed substrate is assembled to the base member, an operator pushes the printed substrate toward the base member. Therefore, an edge of the printed substrate abuts with the pawl portion to elastically deform the pawl portion allowing the printed substrate to be assembled to the base member. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107286 discloses a device relevant to such a device.

In order to reduce the thickness of such a device, it is conceivable that the length of the pawl portion is reduced. However, in a case where the pawl portion is short, the pawl portion is greatly bent, when abutting with the printed substrate and being elastically deformed. Therefore, the pawl portion might be broken beyond the elastic limit. Thus, there is a limit in reducing the thickness of such a device.

SUMMARY

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a printed substrate holding device in which thickness can be reduced.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printed substrate holding device including: a base member including a recess portion including: a bottom portion; and a side wall portion provided in the bottom portion; and a printed substrate held in the recess portion and having a rigidity, wherein the side wall portion includes a holding portion holding a first surface of the printed substrate, the bottom portion includes a supporting portion supporting a second surface of the printed substrate, and the printed substrate slides on the bottom portion and is inserted between the supporting portion and the holding portion, and is held in the recess portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a printed substrate holding device1. The printed substrate holding device1includes base members10and70. The base members10and70are an example of a base member. The base member10is an example of a first base member. The base member70is an example of a second base member. The base members10and70are made of synthetic resin. The base members10and70are respectively formed with engaging portions19and engaging pawls79. The base members10and70are assembled to each other by respectively engaging the engaging portions19with the engaging pawls79.

The base member10is provided with a recess portion R1for holding a printed substrate90. The recess portion R1occupies substantially half of the whole base member10. The base member70is provided with: a housing portion R2for housing an actuator (not illustrated) which is electrically connected with the printed substrate90; and a housing portion R3for housing gears G1and G2to which the drive force is transmitted from the actuator. Additionally, the base member10also is provided with a housing portion, not illustrated, which houses the actuator and which has a recess shape. The base members10and70house the actuator in cooperation with each other. The base member70is formed with a shaft hole75through which an output shaft connected to any one of the gears G1and G2penetrates. The base member70is provided with pins76for positioning the base member10with respect to the base member70.

The printed substrate90has a rigidity. Plural patterns P are formed on the printed substrate90. The printed substrate90has a substantially rectangular shape. The printed substrate90includes: a first surface91on which the patterns P are formed; a second surface92corresponding to a back surface of the first surface91; edges93and94at the short sides; and edges95and96at the long sides. For example, wires are connected to the patterns P by soldering.

The recess portion R1holds the printed substrate90. The recess portion R1includes a bottom portion20, side wall portions30and40, and a stepped portion50. The side wall portions30and40face each other. The stepped portion50extends perpendicular to the side wall portions30and40. The height of the stepped portion50is lower than each of those of the side wall portions30and40. The bottom portion20includes an escaping portion21, a guiding portion22, supporting portions23and24, and a wiring supporting portion26.

The supporting portions23and24abut with and support the second surface92of the printed substrate90. The escaping portion21is formed at the height lower than each of those of the supporting portions23and24. The supporting portion23supports the second surface92at the edge95side of the printed substrate90. The supporting portion24supports the second surface92at the edge96side of the printed substrate90. The escaping portion21is located between the supporting portions23and24. The guiding portion22is provided between the escaping portion21and the supporting portion23. The guiding portion22slants with respect to the escaping portion21and the supporting portion23. The wiring supporting portion26is formed at the height higher than each of those of the supporting portions23and24. The wiring supporting portion26is formed with a cutout portion27.

The side wall portion30is formed with a holding portion31, an abutting portion33, and a slit37. Like the side wall portion30, the side wall portion40also is formed with a holding portion41, an abutting portion43, and a slit47. The holding portion31has a semicircular column shape. The slit37extends toward the escaping portion21of the bottom portion20. The side wall portions30and40face the edges93and94of the printed substrate90held in the recess portion R1, respectively.

The stepped portion50is located at the front side of the recess portion R1. The stepped portion50faces the edge95of the printed substrate90held in the recess portion R1. The stepped portion50is formed with an abutting portion55. The abutting portion55has a semicircular column shape.

The wiring supporting portion26supports the wires connected to the patterns P of the printed substrate90held in the recess portion R1. The base member10is formed at its edge with a wiring holding portion60. The wiring holding portion60holds the wires connected to the patterns P of the printed substrate90. The wiring holding portion60is formed at a position spaced from the printed substrate90held in the recess portion R1.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the printed substrate holding device1holding the printed substrate90.FIG. 3is a front view of the printed substrate holding device1holding the printed substrate90. The holding portions31and41hold the first surface91of the printed substrate90. The abutting portions33,43, and55abut with the edges93,94, and95of the printed substrate90, respectively. The second surface92of the printed substrate90is supported by the supporting portions23and24. Also, a step portion defined by the supporting portion24and the wiring supporting portion26abuts with the edge96of the printed substrate90. The height of the wiring supporting portion26is substantially the same as that of the first surface91of the printed substrate90held in the recess portion R1.

When the printed substrate90is detached from the recess portion R1, an operator picks up the printed substrate90with tweezers through the cutout portion27, and pulls out of the stepped portion50. Therefore, the printed substrate90is removed from the recess portion R1.

A simple description will be given of the assembling order of the printed substrate holding device1. Firstly, the printed substrate90is assembled to the recess portion R1at one side of the base member10. Secondly, the base member10is reversed such that the printed substrate faces the back side inFIG. 3, and the actuator and the gears G1and G2are arranged at given positions in the housing portion not illustrated. Next, the base member70is assembled to the other side of the base member10such that the engaging pawls79respectively engage with the engaging portions19. Therefore, the printed substrate holding device1is assembled.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare explanatory views of assembling the printed substrate90to the recess portion R1. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, an operator slides the printed substrate90on the bottom portion20toward the stepped portion50side, and inserts the printed substrate90between the holding portion31and the bottom portion20. When the printed substrate90is further slid from the state illustrated inFIG. 4A, a corner portion between the edge95and the second surface92of the printed substrate90slides along the guiding portion22. The guiding portion22slants and connects the escaping portion21with the supporting portion23. Therefore, the end portion of the printed substrate90is guided toward the supporting portion23.

Herein, the side wall portions30and40of the base member10are formed with slits37and47, respectively. The base member10is elastically deformable with ease such that the slits37and47are spread. Specifically, the base member10is elastically deformable with ease such that the both ends of a bottom surface portion18at the other side of the base member10bend in a direction of arrows A illustrated inFIG. 4A. The direction of the arrow A means the direction toward the base member70. In other words, the base member10is elastically deformable such that the outline of the bottom surface portion18becomes concave. The base member10is elastically deformed in such a way, whereby the printed substrate90is brought into the state of being held by the supporting portions23and24, and the holding portion31, that is, whereby the printed substrate90is brought into the state of being assembled. Thus, the base member10for itself allows the printed substrate90to be assembled thereto.

FIG. 5is a partial sectional view of the base member10to which the printed substrate90is assembled. Additionally,FIG. 5illustrates the base member10before being assembled to the base member70. The first surface91is held by the holding portion31. The escaping portion21is spaced from the second surface92. Herein, the thickness of the printed substrate90is set substantially the same as the housing space defined by the supporting portions23and24, and the holding portion31in the thickness direction of the printed substrate90. However, as depending on the variation in the dimension of the base member10or the printed substrate90, the printed substrate90is thicker or thinner than the above housing space. In a case where the printed substrate90is thicker than the above housing space, the escaping portion21is provided as illustrated inFIG. 5, whereby the printed substrate90is deformed to some extent and is held by its elastic repulsive force without rattling. In a case where the printed substrate90is thinner than the above housing space, the abutting portions33,43, and55ensure the rattling amount which does not cause the problem, and the supported state where the printed substrate90is held in the recess portion R1is maintained. This prevents the printed substrate90from being unexpectedly detached from the recess portion R1.

Also, the base member10to which the printed substrate90is assembled may be slightly bent by the elastic repulsive force of the printed substrate90, as compared with the base member10before being assembled. However, by assembling the base member70to the base member10, the bending of the base member10is corrected so as to return to the original state. This is because, by abutting the base member70with the bottom surface portion18facing the base member70, the base member10tends to return to the state before being assembled. Further, the base member10is assembled to the base member70, so the base member10tends not to bend. That is, by assembling the base member10with the base member70, the elastic deformation of the base member10is restricted. Thus, the bending of the base member10does not occur, unlike the bending occurs in assembling. Therefore, the printed substrate90is prevented from being detached from the base member10.

In such a way, the printed substrate90can be held in the recess portion R1while being bent. This is because the escaping portion21is spaced from the printed substrate90, and the space is defined, for allowing the printed substrate90to bend, between the escaping portion21and the printed substrate90. Further, this is because the escaping portion21and the holding portion31holding the first surface91of the printed substrate90overlap each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface91of the printed substrate90. In other words, this is because the supporting portions23and24, which supports the second surface92of the printed substrate90, and the holding portion31, which holds the first surface91of the printed substrate90, are formed at positions which do not overlap one another when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the first surface91of the printed substrate90.

It is thus premised that the printed substrate90is assembled to the recess portion R1even when the printed substrate90is bent. Therefore, the heights of the supporting portions23and24, the position of the holding portion31with respect to the escaping portion21, or the like may not be designed precisely. Also, even if there are variations in such positions, it matters little.

Also, as mentioned above, the distance between the escaping portion21and the holding portion31in the perpendicular direction of the escaping portion21is greater than the thickness of the printed substrate90. It is thus easy to insert the printed substrate90between the holding portion31and the escaping portion21as illustrated inFIG. 4A, thereby improving the assemblability of the printed substrate90.

Further, the front side of the printed substrate90is guided to the supporting portion23by the guiding portion22. This also improves the assemblability of the printed substrate90.

Furthermore, the side wall portions30and40are formed with the slits37and47extending toward the bottom portion20, respectively. The slits37and47reduce the rigidity of the side wall portions30and40, respectively, thereby facilitating the bending of the side wall portions30and40. The whole of the base member10tends to bend such that the widths of the slits37and47change. In such a way, the base member10is made bendable. This is because it is easy to assemble the printed substrate90to the base member10in a case where the base member10tends to bend to some extent in assembling the printed substrate90to the base member10. Also, this is because it is easy to respectively engage the engaging portions19and the engaging pawls79in a case where the base member10tends to bend to some extent in assembling the base member10to the base member70. In such a way, the slits37and47are provided in consideration of the assemblability of the printed substrate90to the base member10and the assemblability of the base member10to the base member70.

In the printed substrate holding device1according to the present embodiment, after the base member10is assembled to the base member70, the bottom surface portion18, which is the other surface side of the base member10, abuts with the base member70by engaging the engaging portions19with the engaging pawls79. This restricts the elastic deformation of the base member10occurring in assembling the printed substrate90. Thus, the printed substrate90is not detached from the base member10. In other words, in the state where the base member10is assembled to the base member70as illustrated inFIG. 2, the base member10restricts the printed substrate90from being detached.

The abutting portions33,43, and55each has a rigidity to such an extent to be slightly dented by abutting the printed substrate90therewith when the printed substrate90is held in the recess portion R1. Even if there is a variation in the size of the printed substrate90or there is a variation in the printed substrate holding device1, the printed substrate90is held in the recess portion R1without rattling.

Next, a description will be given of a printed substrate holding device1xhaving a structure different from that of the printed substrate holding device1according to the present embodiment.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare explanatory views of the printed substrate holding device1xhaving a structure different from that of the printed substrate holding device1according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6A, a base member10xis provided with two engaging pawls81xfacing each other. As for the engaging pawl81x, its length Hx is made comparatively short in consideration of a decrease in the thickness of the whole base member10x. When the printed substrate90is inserted between the engaging pawls81xin order to assemble the printed substrate90to a bottom portion20xof the base member10x, the edges93and94of the printed substrate90respectively abut with the engaging pawls81xand the engaging pawls81xare elastically deformed. When the printed substrate90is further pushed toward the base member10x, the engaging pawls81xmight be broken as illustrated inFIG. 6B. This is because the engaging pawls81xare too short and the engaging pawls81xbend beyond the elastic limit. Thus, there is a limit in reducing the thickness of such a printed substrate holding device1x.

As mentioned above, in the printed substrate holding device1according to the present embodiment, the printed substrate90slides along the bottom portion20to be held in the recess portion R1. Thus, in the printed substrate holding device1according to the present embodiment, the above mentioned problem with the printed substrate holding device1xdoes not occur.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of a printed substrate holding device1A according to a variation of the present embodiment. In the printed substrate holding device1A, a printed substrate90A is held. The printed substrate90A is formed with two through-holes H between patterns P. The through-holes H are formed in the printed substrate90A, so the rigidity of the printed substrate90A is lower than that of the printed substrate90and the printed substrate90A tends to bend. For this reason, the printed substrate90A is inserted into the base member10while the printed substrate90A is bent. After the insertion, the printed substrate90A tends to return to the original position with the elastic repulsive force, thereby preventing the printed substrate90A from being detached from the base member10.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and other embodiments, variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the actuator has been described as an example of an electric part held in the base member70. However, the electric part may be another part. For example, the electric part may be a printed substrate or an image pickup element.

Finally, several aspects of the present invention are summarized as follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printed substrate holding device including: a base member including a recess portion including: a bottom portion; and a side wall portion provided in the bottom portion; and a printed substrate held in the recess portion and having a rigidity, wherein the side wall portion includes a holding portion holding a first surface of the printed substrate, the bottom portion includes a supporting portion supporting a second surface of the printed substrate, and the printed substrate slides on the bottom portion and is inserted between the supporting portion and the holding portion, and is held in the recess portion. In such a way, the printed substrate is held in the recess portion. Thus, the printed substrate holding device can be reduced in its thickness, as compared with a case where a printed substrate is held by a pawl portion.