Patent Description:
<CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>) discloses one example of a lid member such as a cap and a connector device including the lid member and a connector. The cap is detachably attached to a fitting portion of the connector configured to receive a partner connector. Moreover, the cap further includes a tubular insertion portion to be inserted into the fitting portion, a lid portion molded integrally with the insertion portion, and a reinforcing portion reducing deformation of the insertion portion.

With the cap, entrance of, e.g., liquid and dust into the connector during the process of mounting the connector device or during transportation of a printed circuit board on which the connector device is mounted can be prevented. In addition, the lid portion of the cap allows a suction pad of a mounter to suck the connector (the connector device) and arrange the connector at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board.

For holding such a cap on the connector, a groove is formed in a length direction along an insertion direction at an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the cap. Such a groove receives a tip end portion of a lock spring piece provided on a side surface of a shell of the connector. Utilizing biasing force of the lock spring piece received in the groove, the cap is held on the connector.

<CIT> discloses an electrical connector including an insulating body having a base portion, which includes a mating chamber enclosed by a top plate, a bottom plate and two side plates. The mating chamber allows a insertion portion of a mating connector to insert backward therein. A shielding shell has a top wall and two side walls. A mating port is enclosed by the top wall and front ends of the two side walls and located in front of the projection, and is larger than the mating chamber. Each side wall is respectively and correspondingly provided with a fitting portion to fit with the projection.

<CIT> teaches an electrical connector including a body having a front opening and holding, in it, terminals capable of fitting with counterpart terminals. A pair of locking arms each capable of flexing inwardly are held on the outer periphery of the body. Each locking arm has a concave-convex engagement structure engaged with an edge of a mounting hole formed in a panel when the connector is inserted into the mounting hole.

<CIT> discloses a cap including an insertion portion that has a hollow cylindrical shape and is inserted in a shell body of a shell of a receptacle connector. A cover portion is continuous with the insertion portion and covers an opening of the shell body. Ribs are formed inside the insertion portion, for suppressing deformation of the insertion portion.

In the configuration of Patent Literature <NUM>, the cap is held on the connector by means of engagement between the groove of the cap and the lock spring piece of the shell. However, in this method, holding force is not sufficient in some cases. For example, in a soldering process by a reflow, the cap remains attached to the shell upon use. For this reason, there is a risk that the cap is dropped due to deformation caused by heating in such a reflow process.

Moreover, for obtaining the holding force of the cap for the connector in the configuration of Patent Literature <NUM>, a rib crossing a space inside the cap is provided at a position corresponding to the groove of the cap. Moreover, the rib is configured to receive stress of the lock spring piece. As a result, such a structure is complicated.

The present invention is intended to provide a connector device using a lid member having a simple structure and reliably held on a connector and the lid member.

In order to achieve the object described above, a connector device according to the invention is provided in claim <NUM>.

According to the connector device of this aspect, the connector device using the lid member having the simple structure and reliably held on the connector and the lid member are provided.

In the connector device of the above-described aspect, the dent portion preferably has an edge formed by the inner wall of the shell contacting the protruding portion when the protruding portion is fitted in the dent portion.

Moreover, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, two edges are, in a direction along the fitting direction, preferably formed corresponding to the protruding portion fitted in the dent portion.

Further, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, at least a portion of the protruding portion, which contacts the two edges, positioned between the two edges has a symmetrical shape in the direction along the fitting direction α1.

In addition, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, the dent portion may be a through-hole penetrating the shell. The through-hole described herein may be formed in such a manner that the shell in a plate shape is punched out from an inner wall side.

Moreover, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, at least a pair of elastic pieces may be provided. The pair of elastic pieces as described herein may be arranged at opposing positions on the inner wall in an in-plane direction perpendicular to the fitting direction α1.

Further, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, the inner wall may have a substantially rectangular shape in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

In addition, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, the lid member preferably has a bisymmetrical shape.

Further, in the connector device of the above-described aspect, a principal surface of the closing portion may be flat.

The present invention is intended to provide the connector device using the lid member having the simple structure and reliably held on the connector and the lid member.

Hereinafter, a connector device using a lid member and the lid member according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. For the sake of convenience in description, only the preferred embodiment will be described. Note that such an embodiment is not intended to limit the present invention, needless to say.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating one use form of a connector device <NUM> according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this use form, the connector device <NUM> is soldered to a substrate <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of one example of an electric connector <NUM> which can be used for the connector device <NUM>. The connector device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is equivalent to the electric connector <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the electric connector <NUM> being attached to a lid member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Note that the electric connector is described as an example in the present embodiment. Note that the present invention can be also applied to a connector other than the electric connector.

A partner connector (not shown) can be fitted to the electric connector <NUM> along a fitting direction "α1. " Moreover, both connectors are separated from each other along a release direction "α2" so that the connectors can be released from each other. The lid member <NUM> can be also attached to the electric connector <NUM> along the fitting direction "α1" in a similar manner. Moreover, the lid member <NUM> can be separated and detached from the electric connector <NUM> along the release direction "α2. " As clearly seen, the lid member <NUM> can be attached to or detached from the electric connector <NUM> by directly utilizing the structure of fitting to the partner connector.

The lid member <NUM> is attached so that entrance of, e.g., liquid or dust into the electric connector <NUM> during the process of mounting the connector device <NUM> or during transportation of a printed circuit board on which the connector device <NUM> is mounted can be prevented. Further, the lid member <NUM> is attached so that a suction pad of a mounter can suck a top surface 84a of a closing portion <NUM> of the lid member. Thus, the connector device <NUM> housed in a housing member such as an emboss tape (not shown) can be, for example, arranged at a predetermined position on the printed circuit board. The top surface 84a of the closing portion <NUM> is utilized as a suction surface, and therefore, is preferably flat such that, e.g., the mounter easily sucks the top surface 84a.

Hereinafter, a direction "α" along the fitting direction "α1" and the release direction "α2" with respect to the partner connector will be referred to as an "upper-lower direction" for the sake of convenience. Moreover, a direction "β," which is perpendicular to the upper-lower direction, along a longitudinal direction of a metal shell <NUM> will be referred to as a "right-left direction. " Specifically, the side of fitting to and release from the partner connector will be referred to as an "upper" side with reference to the electric connector <NUM>. Note that in the present specification, these terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are merely used for the sake of convenience in distinguishing directions. For example, the "upper" and the like do not have special meanings. For this reason, the direction along the "α" direction may be, for example, referred to as the "right-left direction" (the same applies below).

It may only be required that the lid member <NUM> is attached to or detached from the electric connector <NUM> by means of the structure of fitting to the partner connector. A basic structure of the electric connector <NUM> is the same as that of a general electric connector. One example of the electric connector <NUM> described in the present specification includes a resin housing <NUM>, multiple terminals <NUM> attached to the housing <NUM>, and the metal shell <NUM>. The direction of attaching the lid member <NUM> to the electric connector <NUM> or detaching the lid member <NUM> from the electric connector <NUM> is the same as the "α" direction along the fitting direction "α1" and the release direction "α2. " Moreover, the direction of attachment/detachment of the lid member <NUM> and the "α" direction are both perpendicular to the substrate <NUM>. The direction of attachment/detachment of the lid member <NUM> is set to such a direction, and therefore, the electric connector <NUM> to which the lid member <NUM> is attached, i.e., the connector device <NUM>, can be moved to a desired position on the substrate <NUM> by means of the mounter.

The housing <NUM> includes a flat substantially-rectangular-parallelepiped base <NUM> and a thin plate-shaped body <NUM> standing to extend upward of the base <NUM>, i.e., extend to the side of fitting to the partner connector. Components of the electric connector <NUM> including the housing <NUM> have approximately bisymmetrical shapes, except for the plate-shaped body <NUM>. The plate-shaped body <NUM> has a point symmetrical shape as viewed in plane. Note that as in other portions, the plate-shaped body <NUM> may have a bisymmetrical shape.

The plate-shaped body <NUM> may be extremely thin. The thickness of the plate-shaped body <NUM> may be, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>. On one plate surface 30A and the other plate surface 30B of the plate-shaped body <NUM> facing each other in a thickness direction "y" of the plate-shaped body <NUM>, multiple first terminals 41A and multiple second terminals 41B, i.e., five first terminals 41A and five second terminals 41B in total in this embodiment (see, e.g., <FIG> as described later), are arrayed. All of these terminals have the same shape. Note that all of these terminals do not necessarily have the same shape. Needless to say, the number of terminals is not necessarily five. Considering prevention of crosstalk, the first terminals 41A and the second terminals 41B are arrayed in a zigzag pattern on the plate-shaped body <NUM>. Each terminal <NUM> includes a contact portion <NUM> contactable with the partner connector and a mounting portion <NUM> to be soldered to a predetermined substrate portion.

The shell <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> formed in a substantially tubular shape. Directing portions 60c opening to the outside so that the partner connector can be directed into an opening 60b of the main body <NUM> are provided at an end portion of the opening 60b on the side of fitting to the partner connector. The directing portions 60c are, one by one, provided at the total of four locations at the sides of the substantially rectangular main body <NUM> as viewed in the plane. On the other hand, at an end portion of the main body <NUM> on a side opposite to the side of fitting to the partner connector, a pair of fixing pieces <NUM> extending to the side of attachment to the housing <NUM> is provided. The shell <NUM> is configured such that the end portion 61a (see <FIG> as described later) of the main body <NUM> on the side opposite to the side of fitting to the partner connector is inserted and placed into an annular recessed groove <NUM> provided at the housing <NUM>. In addition, the fixing pieces <NUM> are press-fitted in through-holes <NUM> (see <FIG> as described later) of the housing <NUM> such that the shell <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM>.

When the shell <NUM> is placed at a predetermined position on the housing <NUM>, a fitting space 60a in which part of the partner connector is fitted is formed between an inner wall 63a of the main body <NUM> and the plate-shaped body <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM> defining the fitting space 60a has a substantially rectangular shape in an in-plane direction "β-γ" perpendicular to the fitting direction "α1. " A pair of lock holes 64A, 64B is, at the main body <NUM>, provided as through-holes penetrating the main body <NUM>. Predetermined portions of the partner connector fitted in the fitting space 60a are locked at the pair of lock holes 64A, 64B. Moreover, the pair of lock holes 64A, 64B is positioned at opposing peripheral walls of the main body <NUM>, which is in the rectangular shape as viewed in plane, in the longitudinal direction "β," i.e., the opposing end portions of the main body <NUM> in the direction "β" of arraying the multiple first terminals 41A or the multiple second terminals 41B. As described later, these lock holes 64A, 64B also have an important function when the lid member <NUM> is attached to the electric connector <NUM>.

Holding pieces <NUM> are provided at an outer wall of the main body <NUM>. The holding piece <NUM> includes part of a wall surface of the shell <NUM> cut, raised, and slightly bent inward. With the holding pieces <NUM>, the partner connector fitted in the fitting space 60a can electrically contact the shell <NUM>. The partner connector can be, for example, connected to ground through such contact.

The structure and function of the lid member <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> are views of the individual lid member <NUM>. <FIG> are sectional views of the electric connector device <NUM> having the lid member <NUM> attached to the electric connector <NUM>.

More specifically, <FIG> is a perspective view of the lid member <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the lid member <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the lid member <NUM>. <FIG> is a bottom view of the lid member <NUM>. Moreover, <FIG> is a sectional view along an A-A line of <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view along a B-B line of <FIG>. <FIG> is a partially-enlarged view of <FIG>.

As illustrated in, e.g., <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> has a bisymmetrical shape. Thus, in a case where the fitting space 60a of the electric connector <NUM>, more specifically an outline defined by the inner wall 63a in the in-plane direction "β-γ" perpendicular to the fitting direction "α1," is in a bisymmetrical shape as in the lid member <NUM>, when the lid member <NUM> is attached to the fitting space 60a of the electric connector <NUM>, the directions of these components cause no problem. Thus, such a configuration can eliminate complexity in handling.

The lid member <NUM> can be formed from a non-conductive member such as resin. A preferred resin material can be relatively softly deformed upon contact with the shell <NUM>, but have hardness to such an extent that the resin material cannot be easily shaved off by the shell <NUM>.

The lid member <NUM> includes an insertion portion <NUM> and the closing portion <NUM>. The insertion portion <NUM> and the closing portion <NUM> may be manufactured by integral molding. When the lid member <NUM> is attached to the electric connector <NUM>, the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a along the direction "α1" of fitting the partner connector in the fitting space 60a. Moreover, when the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a, the closing portion <NUM> closes the opening 60b of the fitting space 60a. Further, a bottom surface 84b of the closing portion <NUM> contacts top portions of the directing portions 60c.

The closing portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member having an area slightly larger than that of the opening 60b of the fitting space 60a. The lid member <NUM> has a substantially rectangular shape in the in-plane direction "β-γ" perpendicular to the fitting direction "α1," the substantially rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM> which defines at least part of the fitting space 60a. Note that it may only be required that the closing portion <NUM> has such size and shape that the closing portion <NUM> can close the opening 60a of the fitting space 60a. The closing portion <NUM> does not necessarily have the area larger than the opening 60b. Moreover, the shape of the closing portion <NUM> is not specifically limited. For facilitating detachment of the lid <NUM> from the electric connector <NUM>, operation protruding portions 84c expanding outward are provided at four corners of the closing portion <NUM>.

The insertion portion <NUM> includes at least a pair of elastic pieces 82A, 82B extending from the bottom surface 84b of the closing portion <NUM>. The pair of elastic pieces 82A, 82B is arranged at positions facing each other along the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM>. For example, the pair of elastic pieces 82A, 82B is, in the in-plane direction "β-γ" perpendicular to the fitting direction "α1," arranged at opposing positions in a longitudinal direction of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape formed by the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM> defining the fitting space 60a. Protruding portions 82aA, 82aB are provided at tip ends of the elastic pieces 82A, 82B, i.e., at end portions farther from the lid portion <NUM>. When the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a, the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB are biased toward the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM>. The protruding portions 82aA, 82aB protrude in such a biasing direction.

The insertion portion <NUM> further includes a guide portion <NUM> extending from the closing portion <NUM>. The guide portion <NUM> is formed in a substantially annular shape in the in-plane direction "β-γ" perpendicular to the fitting direction "α1. " That is, the guide portion <NUM> is along the outline formed by the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM> defining the fitting space 60a, and corresponds to a wall surface of the plate-shaped body <NUM>. For forming the substantially-closed outline of the guide portion <NUM> in the in-plane direction "β-γ," part of such a closed outline is complemented by the pair of elastic pieces 82A, 82B. When the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a, the guide portion <NUM> contacts, at a peripheral surface thereof, the inner wall 63a to guide the insertion portion <NUM> into the fitting space 60a. At part of an outer surface of the guide portion <NUM>, recessed portions 85a dented to a fitting space 60a side are formed. When the guide portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a, the holding pieces <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided on the wall surface of the shell <NUM> engage with the recessed portions 85a. This can more effectively prevent detachment of a lid portion <NUM> from the fitting space 60a.

As illustrated in, e.g., <FIG>, dent portions such as the lock holes 64A, 64B are, at the inner wall 63a forming the fitting space 60a, formed corresponding to the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB provided at the tip ends of the elastic pieces 82A, 82B. When the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a, the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB each provided at the pair of elastic pieces 82A, 82B are fitted in these dent portions. With this configuration, the lid member <NUM> can be reliably held on the electric connector <NUM>.

At these dent portions such as the lock holes 64A, 64B, edges 64a, 64b contacting the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB when these protruding portions 82aA, 82aB are fitted in the dent portions are preferably formed. The edges 64a, 64b are formed so that the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB can be reliably engaged with the dent portions. Thus, the lid member <NUM> can be more reliably held on the electric connector <NUM>. For much more reliably holding the lid member <NUM>, two edges 64a, 64b are, in the direction "α" along the fitting direction "α1," preferably formed corresponding to the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB fitted in the dent portions.

Of each of the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB contacting these two edges 64a, 64b, a portion positioned between these two edges 64a, 64b preferably has a symmetrical shape in the direction "α" along the fitting direction "α1. " With the symmetrical shape, force on the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB is equally dispersed at each of the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB. Thus, a probability that the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB are shaved off by the edges 64a, 64b can be reduced. Further, a disadvantage that shavings interfere with electrical connection can be reduced.

It may only be required that the dent portions are dented from the inner wall 63a in the biasing direction β1 so that the protruding portions 82aA, 83aB can be fitted in the dent portions when the insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the fitting space 60a. The dent portions are not necessarily the through-holes such as the lock holes 64A, 64B. That is, the dent portions may be merely-recessed portions. However, in a case where the dent portions are formed as the through-holes such as the lock holes 64A, 64B, these through-holes can be easily provided in such a manner that the shell <NUM> is punched out. In this case, the through-holes are punched out from an inner wall 63a side of the shell <NUM>. By punching out from the inner wall 63a side, a burr surface formed due to such punching out is formed on an outer wall 63c of the shell <NUM>, whereas a shear droop surface is formed on the inner wall 63a of the shell <NUM>. Thus, the edges 64a, 64b are formed by the "shear droop surfaces. " This can reduce the probability that the protruding portions 82aA, 82aB are shaved off by the edges 64a, 64b.

Needless to say, the dent portions are not necessarily the portions at which the predetermined portions of the partner connector are locked, such as the lock holes 64A, 64B. Note that the portions provided for the purpose of locking the predetermined portions of the partner connector, such as the lock holes 64A, 64B, may be utilized as the dent portions. In other words, portions provided for a purpose other than the purpose for fitting the protruding portions 82aA, 83aB may be utilized as the dent portions. In this case, the dent portions are not necessarily provided for fitting the protruding portions 82aA, 83aB. Thus, complexity in manufacturing can be eliminated.

Claim 1:
A connector device (<NUM>) comprising:
a connector (<NUM>) including a metal shell (<NUM>) defining at least part of a fitting space (60a) configured to fit to a partner connector; and
a resin lid member (<NUM>) provided detachably from the fitting space (60a),
wherein the lid member (<NUM>) includes
an insertion portion (<NUM>) to be inserted into the fitting space (60a) along a direction of fitting between the fitting space (60a) and the partner connector, and
a closing portion (<NUM>) configured to close an opening (60b) of the fitting space (60a) when the insertion portion (<NUM>) is inserted into the fitting space (60a),
the insertion portion (<NUM>) includes a guide portion (<NUM>) extending from the closing portion (<NUM>) and an elastic piece (82A, 82B) extending from the closing portion (<NUM>),
the elastic piece (82A, 82B) includes a protruding portion (82aA, 82aB) configured to be biased to an inner wall (63a) of the shell (<NUM>) when the insertion portion (<NUM>) is inserted into the fitting space (60a) and protruding in a biasing direction,
a dent portion (64A, 64B) dented in the biasing direction is formed at the inner wall (63a),
the dent portion (64A, 64B) is configured to have the protruding portion (82aA, 82aB) fitted therein when the insertion portion (<NUM>) is inserted into the fitting space (60a), characterized in that
the shell (<NUM>) includes a main body (<NUM>) and holding pieces (<NUM>) at an outer wall of the main body (<NUM>) formed by cutting, raising, and bending inwardly part of a wall surface of the shell (<NUM>),
the guide portion (<NUM>) has, at part of an outer surface thereof, recessed portions (85a) dented toward the fitting space (60a),
the guide portion (<NUM>) is configured to contact, at a peripheral surface thereof, the inner wall (63a) to guide the insertion portion (<NUM>) into the fitting space (60a), when the insertion portion (<NUM>) is being inserted into the fitting space (60a), and
the holding pieces (<NUM>) are configured to engage with the recessed portions (85a), when the guide portion (<NUM>) is inserted in the fitting space (60a).