JP7553641B2 - Component of imaging device and connection structure between movable connector and external connection case - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device in which an imaging connector is connected to an external connection terminal of an external connection case.

As an imaging device, for example, an in-vehicle camera as shown in Patent Document 1 is known. In this conventional technology, multiple straight pin-shaped connector terminals (11b) are provided to penetrate the bulkhead (rear wall B) of the external connection case (rear case 9). One end of the connector terminal is inserted so as to be conductively connected to a board-side connector mounted on a board having an imaging element (3a), and the other end is inserted so as to be conductively connected to a harness connector (mating connector 100) at the terminal of a harness (connection object) that outputs a signal from the imaging element (3a) to an external device.

JP 2007-001334 A, Figs. 1 and 2 JP 2017-220431 A, FIG. 1, FIG. 14

The pursuit of miniaturization of automotive electrical equipment is underway, and similar efforts are being made to miniaturize on-board cameras and harnesses. However, the more the harness and the harness connector are miniaturized, the more the pitch of the connector terminals (11b) connected to the harness connector must be narrowed. However, if this is done, the pitch of the connector terminals (11b) at one end will no longer match the pitch of the connection chambers of the board-side connector, and the terminals will hit the housing of the board-side connector and will not be able to be inserted into the connection chambers.

One solution to this problem is to miniaturize the board-side connector to match the spacing of the connector terminals (11b) on one end. However, when the board-side connector is a movable connector (see Patent Document 2 for an example), there is a reason why it cannot be miniaturized while maintaining its dimensions. That is, the movable connector includes a fixed housing mounted on the board, a movable housing that can be displaced in three dimensions, the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction, relative to the fixed housing, and a terminal having a movable spring, for example, in an inverted U-shape, that supports the movable housing in a displaceable manner. The advantage of the movable connector is that when mated with the connection object, the movable housing is displaced by the movable spring, which can absorb the positional deviation of the connection object being inserted, and the vibration and shock that occur when the electrical equipment is used can be absorbed by the displacement of the movable spring. If a board-side connector configured as such a movable connector is made smaller to accommodate the narrower pitch of the connector terminals (11b), the spacing between adjacent connection chambers will become narrower, and the cone-shaped guide surface for guiding the connector terminals (11b) inserted into each connection chamber will also become less expansive in the X-Y direction, reducing the amount of guiding of the connector terminals (11b) using the guide surface. As a result, the length that allows for the misalignment of the connector terminal's insertion position relative to the insertion axis of the connection chamber will become shorter.

In particular, in the case of a movable connector, the amount of induction by the guiding surface is the amount of displacement of the movable spring in the X and Y directions. Therefore, if the movable connector is made smaller, the function of the movable spring to displace in the X and Y directions cannot be fully utilized, and the limit to the amount of displacement of the movable spring that can be absorbed to absorb the accumulated positional deviation caused by the assembly of electrical equipment is also limited.

The present invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned conventional technology. The purpose is to provide an imaging device that can increase the tolerance for misalignment of the insertion position of the external connection terminal relative to the connector of the imaging system, while miniaturizing the external connection terminal and the external connection case that holds it in accordance with the miniaturization of external devices.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention is configured to have the following features.

The present invention relates to an imaging device including an imaging system connector having a connector terminal for transmitting an output signal generated by an imaging system and a connector housing for holding the connector terminal, an external connection terminal for electrically connecting with the connector terminal to transmit the output signal to an external device, and an external connection case for holding the external connection terminal, the external connection case having a guide protrusion protruding along a side surface of the connector housing, the connector housing having a connection chamber into which the external connection terminal is inserted for electrically connecting with the connector terminal, and a fitting guide surface on the outer edge of a top surface portion facing the external connection case, which guides the guide protrusion from the top surface portion to the side surface of the connector housing when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, and positions the external connection terminal, which is positioned away from the insertion opening of the connection chamber, in the insertion opening of the connection chamber.

According to the present invention, the external connection case has a guide protrusion that protrudes along the side of the connector housing. On the other hand, the connector housing has a fitting guide surface on the outer edge of the top surface portion facing the external connection case, which guides the guide protrusion from the top surface portion to the side of the connector housing when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber of the connector housing. Therefore, when the external connection case is fitted and connected to the imaging system housing to which the imaging system connector is attached, the external connection terminal that is positioned away from the insertion port of the connection chamber can be positioned at the insertion port of the connection chamber. Therefore, even if the external connection terminal is significantly misaligned in the cross direction relative to the insertion direction when the external connection case is fitted and connected to the imaging system housing, the positional misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminal and the connector terminal can be electrically connected at the correct position. In other words, even if the imaging device is miniaturized and, for example, the range of the insertion port is formed smaller, the allowable misalignment amount (induction amount) in the cross direction of the external connection terminal that is electrically connected to the connector terminal can be sufficiently secured.

In the present invention, in the insertion direction in which the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, the distance between the guide protrusion and the mating guide surface can be configured to be smaller than the distance between the external connection terminal and the top surface before mating.

According to the present invention, the imaging device is configured such that, before the external connection case is fitted and connected to the imaging system housing, the distance in the insertion direction between the guide protrusion and the fitting guide surface is smaller than the distance between the external connection terminal and the top surface. Therefore, when the external connection case is fitted and connected to the imaging system housing, the guide protrusion can be brought into contact with the fitting guide surface before the external connection terminal comes into contact with the top surface. This makes it possible to more reliably correct any misalignment in the intersecting direction between the external connection terminal and the connection chamber, and to electrically connect the external connection terminal and the connector terminal at the correct position. At that time, the guide protrusion comes into contact with the fitting guide surface, so that the external connection terminal is inserted toward the connection chamber without hitting the top surface of the connector housing, and therefore it is possible to prevent the external connection terminal and the connector housing from coming into strong contact and being damaged.

The present invention may also be configured so that the guide protrusion is positioned further in the insertion direction than the external connection terminal.

According to the present invention, the guide protrusion is located in the insertion direction relative to the external connection terminal. Therefore, even if no design or processing is performed to raise the portion of the top surface of the connector housing where the guide protrusion comes into contact, when the external connection case is mated with the imaging system housing, the guide protrusion can come into contact with the mating guide surface before the external connection terminal comes into contact with the top surface. In this way, since the positional relationship between the external connection terminal and the guide protrusion in the insertion direction is simply configured, the top surface of the connector housing can be made to have a simple shape, for example, a flat surface. And, since the external connection terminal is inserted toward the connection chamber without coming into contact with the top surface of the connector housing, it is possible to prevent the external connection terminal and the connector housing from coming into strong contact and becoming damaged.

The guide protrusion may have a tapered inclined portion toward the tip, and may be configured so that the mating guide surface comes into contact with the inclined portion when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber.

According to the present invention, the guide protrusion has an inclined portion, and the mating guide surface is configured to come into contact with the inclined portion. Therefore, when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber of the connector housing, the guide protrusion can be smoothly guided from the top surface to the side surface of the connector housing.

The connector housing may have a guide inclined surface at the insertion port that is inclined from the top surface of the connector housing extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and guides the insertion of the external connection terminal into the connection chamber, and the mating guide surface may be configured to position the external connection terminal at least on the guide inclined surface when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber.

According to the present invention, the connector housing has a guide inclined surface at the insertion port, and when the external connection case is mated and connected to the housing of the imaging system, the mating guide surface is configured to position the external connection terminal on the guide inclined surface that guides the insertion into the connection chamber. Therefore, when the external connection case is mated and connected to the housing of the imaging system, the external connection terminal can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber.

The external connection terminal includes a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal arranged along the intersecting direction, the connection chamber includes a first connection chamber and a second connection chamber arranged along the intersecting direction, the guide inclined surface includes a first guide inclined surface at the insertion opening of the first connection chamber and a second guide inclined surface at the insertion opening of the second connection chamber, the external connection case has a pair of guide protrusions positioned in the intersecting direction on either side of the external connection terminal, and the connector housing has a pair of guide protrusions positioned in the intersecting direction on either side of the connection chamber. The external connection terminal may be configured to have a pair of mating guide surfaces positioned in the intersecting direction, and when the first external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the first guide inclined surface in the intersecting direction, one of the pair of guide protrusions contacts one of the pair of mating guide surfaces, and when the second external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the second guide inclined surface, the other of the pair of guide protrusions contacts the other of the pair of mating guide surfaces, thereby positioning the external connection terminal on the guide inclined surface.

According to the present invention, even if the first external connection terminal is significantly misaligned in the cross direction beyond the guiding inclined surface relative to the first connection chamber when the external connection case is fitted and connected to the housing of the imaging system, the misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminal and the connector terminal can be electrically connected at the correct position. Similarly, even if the second external connection terminal is significantly misaligned in the cross direction on the opposite side beyond the guiding inclined surface relative to the second connection chamber, the misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminal and the connector terminal can be fitted and connected at the correct position. In other words, even if the imaging device is made smaller and, for example, the distance between the first connection chamber and the second connection chamber is formed narrower, the allowable misalignment amount (induction amount) in the cross direction of the external connection terminal that is electrically connected to the connector terminal can be sufficiently secured.

The connector terminal has a leg portion that connects to the board, and the mating guide surface is formed to protrude outward in the intersecting direction beyond the leg portion, and can also be configured to have a recess that is cut out toward the inside in the intersecting direction corresponding to the leg portion.

According to the present invention, even if the mating guide surface is formed over a larger range in the cross direction, the mating guide surface has a recess that allows the legs of the connector terminal to be viewed in the insertion direction, so the state of connection of the legs to the board can be confirmed visually or by image inspection. Therefore, the reliability of the imaging device can be improved while ensuring a sufficient amount of misalignment (amount of induction) in the cross direction of the external connection terminal that is conductively connected to the connector terminal.

The imaging system connector may have a fixed housing separate from the connector housing, the connector housing is arranged to be movable relative to the fixed housing, and the connector terminal may be configured to have an elastic deformation portion that supports the connector housing to be movable relative to the fixed housing.

According to the present invention, the imaging system connector is configured so that the connector housing is movable relative to the fixed housing, and therefore the imaging system connector can absorb any misalignment that occurs when an external connection terminal is inserted by moving itself. Furthermore, because the imaging system connector has a floating structure, it can absorb some of the vibrations and shocks from the outside to prevent disconnection and damage, and can also prevent stress concentration on the mounting portion and conductive connection portion of the connector terminal.

According to the present invention, the connector housing can also be configured to have a protective portion that extends from the mating guide surface in the insertion direction so as to cover the elastic deformation portion.

According to the present invention, the protective part is formed to cover the elastically deformable part, so that it is possible to prevent the elastically deformable part from being damaged due to unintentional contact with the worker's fingers or external parts, etc.

The imaging device of the present invention can miniaturize the external device to be connected to the external connection terminal, while reliably connecting the external connection terminal to the connector terminal by utilizing the alignment structure formed by the guide protrusions of the external connection case and the mating guide surface of the connector housing. Furthermore, the imaging device of the present invention can absorb deviations in the insertion position of the external connection terminal even if the amount of insertion of the connector housing cannot be sufficiently ensured, thereby enabling the connector housing to be miniaturized.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view including the front, right side, and bottom of an external connection case according to an embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an external perspective view including a front, right side, and plan view of an imaging system connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the imaging system connector in FIG. 3 . 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the camera module of FIG. 2 at the initial stage of fitting; 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the camera module in FIG. 2 during fitting; 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which fitting has progressed further from FIG. 6, illustrating the operation of the camera module in FIG. 2; 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing the fitted and connected state of the camera module in FIG. 2;

One embodiment of the "imaging device" according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the "imaging device" of the present invention is applied to a camera module 1 is shown. However, the "imaging device" of the present invention is not limited to this.

The terms "first" and "second" used in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between different components of the invention, and are not used to indicate a particular order or superiority. Furthermore, for convenience, this specification and claims will refer to the width direction (left-right direction) of the imaging system connector 30 provided in the camera module 1 as the X direction, the depth direction (front-back direction) as the Y direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) as the Z direction, as shown in each figure. However, these directions do not limit the mounting method or usage method of the camera module 1.

Camera module 1

The camera module 1 is a component of an in-vehicle camera mounted on, for example, an automobile. The camera module 1 has an external connection unit 10 and an imaging unit 20. The imaging unit 20 functions as an "imaging system" that converts light (image) into an electrical signal and outputs it. The external connection unit 10 has a function of transmitting the output signal generated by the imaging unit 20 to an external device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the external connection unit 10 has, for example, an external connection case 11 as a housing, and the imaging unit 20 has, for example, an imaging component case 21 as a housing. The external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21 are configured so that one is formed like a lid with an open bottom and the other is formed like a box with an open top, and can be fitted together. The camera module 1 can be integrated by fixing the external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21 in a fitted state with various fasteners such as screws and adhesives. There may be one or more of each of the external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21, and there may be more than one.

The external connection unit 10 has a pin terminal 12 as an "external connection terminal." The pin terminal 12 is held in an external connection case 11, and has the function of transmitting an electrical signal to an external device. On the other hand, an imaging system connector 30 is attached to the imaging unit 20. The imaging system connector 30 has the function of transmitting an output signal generated by the "imaging system."

As shown in FIG. 2, before the external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21 are fitted together, the external connection case 11 is arranged above the imaging component case 21 in the Z direction. At that time, the pin terminals 12 and the imaging system connector 30 face each other, and the pin terminals 12 are arranged so as to be inserted into the imaging system connector 30 downward in the Z direction. The camera module 1 is configured so that when the external connection case 11 is fitted together with the imaging component case 21, the pin terminals 12 are electrically connected to the imaging system connector 30. As a result, the camera module 1 is configured to transmit electrical signals generated by the "imaging system" to an external device.

External connection unit 10

The external connection case 11, which is the housing of the external connection part 10, has a plurality of pin terminals 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The external connection case 11 has an outer tube 11a, an inner tube 11b, and a partition wall 11c. The inner tube 11b extends in a cylindrical shape, for example a rectangular tube shape, so as to penetrate the outer tube 11a in both the upper and lower directions in the Z direction. The inner tube 11b is configured so that a harness connector attached to a harness extending from an external device (not shown) is inserted into the inner tube 11b. The partition wall 11c is provided so as to divide the space inside the inner tube 11b into the upper and lower parts in the Z direction. The external connection case 11 is a molded body formed, for example, of a hard resin, and the plurality of pin terminals 12 are integrated in an embedded state in the partition wall 11c of the external connection case 11 by, for example, insert molding. All of the plurality of pin terminals 12 extend along the Z direction.

The multiple pin terminals 12 specifically include multiple first pin terminals 13 as "first external connection terminals" and multiple second pin terminals 14 as "second external connection terminals." The first pin terminals 13 are arranged along the X direction (width direction) that intersects with the direction in which the pin terminals 12 are inserted, and the second pin terminals 14 are similarly arranged along the X direction. The first pin terminals 13 and the second pin terminals 14 are arranged side by side in the Y direction (depth direction).

The first pin terminal 13 has a connector connection portion 13a, an external output connection portion 13b, and a bent portion 13c, and the second pin terminal 14 also has a connector connection portion 14a, an external output connection portion 14b, and a bent portion 14c similar to the first pin terminal 13. The connector connection portion 13a and the connector connection portion 14a extend from the lower surface of the partition wall 11c toward the imaging component case 21. The external output connection portion 13b and the external output connection portion 14b extend from the upper surface of the partition wall 11c to the opposite side of the connector connection portion 13a. The bent portions 13c and 14c are embedded in the partition wall 11c.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the first pin terminals 13 and the second pin terminals 14 are arranged in groups of four each along the X direction. The first pin terminals 13 are arranged such that the external output connection parts 13b, 13b adjacent to each other in the X direction all have the same separation distance. Similarly, the first pin terminals 13 are arranged such that the connector connection parts 13a, 13a adjacent to each other in the X direction all have the same separation distance. Furthermore, the bent parts 13c, 13c are each configured to be bent in the X direction such that the separation distance between the external output connection parts 13b, 13b is shorter than the separation distance between the connector connection parts 13a, 13a.

Furthermore, the bent portions 13c, 13c are each configured to bend in the Y direction so that the distance between the external output connection portions 13b, 13b is shorter than the distance between the connector connection portions 13a, 13a. The amount of bending in the Y direction is the same for all first pin terminals 13. In this way, the bent portion 13c has a twisted bent shape that bends not only in the X direction but also in the Y direction. The arrangement of the first pin terminals 13 is similar for the second pin terminals 14.

Guide protrusion 15

The external connection case 11 has a guide protrusion 15 that protrudes along a side surface 32a (described later) of the imaging system connector 30. The guide protrusion 15 is positioned in a direction that intersects with the Z direction in which the connector connection parts 13a and 14a of the pin terminals 12 extend, that is, in a direction that absorbs deviations in the insertion positions of the connector connection parts 13a and 14a. The guide protrusion 15 is configured to be able to come into contact with the side surface 32a of the imaging system connector 30 when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of guide protrusions 15, 15 extend downward in a flat plate shape along the X-Z plane from the lower end in the Z direction of the inner tube 11b on both sides of the first pin terminal 13 and the second pin terminal 14. The pair of guide protrusions 15, 15 each have inclined portions 15a, 15a whose length in the Y direction tapers toward their lower tips in the Z direction. The inclined portions 15a, 15a are each inclined on the opposing surface side, and are configured so that the distance between the inclined portions 15a, 15a increases toward the tips of the guide protrusions 15, 15.

Imaging unit 20

The imaging unit 20 includes an imaging component case 21, optical components 22, an imaging element 23, boards 24a and 24b, an internal connector 25, and an imaging system connector 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging component case 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical components 22 such as a lens unit are attached so as to cover a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction through the bottom wall located on the lower side in the Z direction of the imaging component case 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging component case 21 accommodates the imaging element 23, board 24a, internal connector 25, board 24b, and imaging system connector 30 in a stacked form in order on top of the optical components 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging element 23 is mounted on the lower surface of the board 24a in the Z direction, and has the function of converting light guided from the adjacent optical component 22 into an electrical signal and outputting it to the outside. The boards 24a and 24b have various electrical elements and circuit wiring. The internal connector 25 connects the boards 24a and 24b. And, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging system connector 30 is mounted on the upper surface of the board 24b in the Z direction. The imaging element 23, board 24a, internal connector 25, board 24b, and imaging system connector 30 can be collectively referred to as imaging components.

Imaging system connector 30

The imaging system connector 30 has a connector terminal 33 that transmits an output signal generated by the "imaging system" and a "connector housing" that holds the connector terminal 33. The imaging system connector 30 connects the imaging components to an external device via pin terminals 12. The imaging system connector 30 is fixedly connected to the board 24b (rigid type), and the imaging system connector 30 connected to the board 24b may be configured not to move in any of the pitch direction (X direction), inter-row direction (Y direction), and mating direction (Z direction).

On the other hand, the imaging system connector 30 connected to the substrate 24b can be configured as a movable (floating) connector that can move in at least one of the pitch direction, the row direction, and the mating direction, and absorbs the mating misalignment. That is, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the imaging system connector 30 of this embodiment includes a fixed housing 31, a movable housing 32 as a "connector housing", a plurality of connector terminals 33, and a fixing metal fitting 34. The imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the fixed housing 31 is mounted on the substrate 24b, and the movable housing 32 is supported by the connector terminals 33 so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing 31. That is, the imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the movable housing 32 can move relative to the fixed housing 31 in a three-dimensional direction that combines the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction (floating structure).

Here, there is a positional deviation (error) within the range of the assembly (mounting) tolerance between each of the components housed in the imaging component case 21. The imaging system connector 30 is mounted on top of the various components housed in the imaging component case 21 in a stacked configuration. Therefore, the imaging system connector 30 attached to the board 24b has a positional deviation that is accumulated due to stacking and is within the range of the cumulative tolerance. For example, the board 24b has a positional deviation g to the left in the Y direction shown by the solid line from the designed assembly position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figures 2 and 8.

However, since the imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the movable housing 32 is movable relative to the fixed housing 31, the imaging system connector 30 can absorb the positional deviation of the imaging system connector 30 when the pin terminal 12 is inserted by moving the imaging system connector 30 itself. As shown in FIG. 8, when the external connection case 11 is fitted to the imaging component case 21 and the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the imaging system connector 30, the connector terminal 33 deforms and the movable housing 32 is displaced relative to the fixed housing 31, absorbing the positional deviation. As a result, even though the board 24b and the imaging system connector 30 are misaligned relative to the imaging component case 21, the imaging component case 21 and the external connection case 11 are fitted together with the pin terminal 12 correctly inserted into the imaging system connector 30.

The imaging system connector 30 has a floating structure, which absorbs external vibrations and shocks to a certain extent to prevent disconnection or damage, and also prevents stress concentration on the mounting parts and conductive connection parts of the connector terminal 33.

Fixed housing 31

The fixed housing 31 is formed of a frame-shaped peripheral wall 31a (see FIG. 3), inside which an accommodation chamber 31b for the movable housing 32 is formed (see FIG. 5). A pair of side walls 31c along the X direction (longitudinal direction) of the peripheral wall 31a are formed with a plurality of terminal fixing portions 31d that extend along the Z direction (height direction) of the fixed housing 31 and are arranged in parallel along the terminal arrangement direction (X direction) (see FIG. 5-FIG. 7). One end side of the connector terminal 33 (fixed housing fixing portion 33b) is press-fitted and fixed into each terminal fixing portion 31d. A fixing bracket 34 is fixed to a pair of side walls 31e along the Y direction (short direction) of the peripheral wall 31a (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

Movable housing 32

The lower part 32b of the movable housing 32 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that follows the peripheral wall 31a of the fixed housing 31. The upper part 32c of the movable housing 32 has a hat-like shape and is formed in a T-shape when viewed from the front and side. In other words, the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 has the upper part 32c protruding in the X and Y directions more than the rectangular parallelepiped lower part 32b, and in the X-Y plane, the top surface part 32d has a larger area than the lower part 32b.

The movable housing 32 has connection chambers 35 into which the pin terminals 12 are inserted and electrically connected to the connector terminals 33. The connection chambers 35 are provided in the same number as the number of pin terminals 12 in order to electrically connect with the multiple pin terminals 12 of the external connection case 11. In this embodiment, the movable housing 32 has four connection chambers 35 (four rows) along the X direction (width direction) and two connection chambers 35 (two columns) along the Y direction (depth direction), for a total of eight connection chambers 35. In other words, the connection chambers 35 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line along the X direction (longitudinal direction) of the movable housing 32.

The connection chamber 35 into which the first pin terminal 13 is inserted corresponds to the first connection chamber 36, and the connection chamber 35 into which the second pin terminal 14 is inserted corresponds to the second connection chamber 37.

Each connection chamber 35 is formed by penetrating the movable housing 32 in the Z direction (height direction), has a rectangular cross section in the X-Y direction (horizontal direction), and has a side wall 38a along the X direction and a side wall 38b along the Y direction. A terminal fixing portion 38c is formed on the side wall 38b of each connection chamber 35 to press-fit and fix the other end side of the connector terminal 33 (movable housing fixing portion 33d).

The connection chamber 35 that passes through the movable housing 32 has an insertion opening 39 that opens in the top surface portion 32d of the movable housing 32. The movable housing 32 is configured so that the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 through this insertion opening 39.

The movable housing 32 is formed with a displacement restriction protrusion 32e that protrudes outward in the X direction (width direction) (see FIG. 3). The displacement restriction protrusion 32e contacts the fixed housing 31 downward in the Y and Z directions, and contacts the fixed metal fittings 34 upward in the Z direction, thereby restricting excessive displacement of the movable housing 32.

Connector terminal 33

The connector terminals 33 are formed by bending conductive metal pieces, and all have the same shape. Each connector terminal 33 has a leg 33a, a fixed housing fixing part 33b, an elastic deformation part 33c, a movable housing fixing part 33d, an elastic arm 33e, and a contact part 33f. The leg 33a is a part that connects to the board 24b, and is soldered to the board 24b. The fixed housing fixing part 33b is pressed into the terminal fixing part 31d of the fixed housing 31 and fixed. The elastic deformation part 33c extends in an inverted U shape. The movable housing fixing part 33d is pressed into the terminal fixing part 38c of the movable housing 32 in the X direction (board width direction) and fixed. The elastic arm 33e extends from the upper end of the movable housing fixing part 33d. The contact part 33f is formed at the tip of the elastic arm 33e and is bent into a mountain shape.

The elastic deformation portion 33c is formed as a spring that supports the movable housing 32 so that it can move relative to the fixed housing 31 in a three-dimensional direction that combines the X direction (width direction), Y direction (depth direction), and Z direction (height direction).

The elastic arm 33e and the contact portion 33f are housed in the connection chamber 35 and are configured to make a conductive connection by pressing against the pin terminal 12 inserted into the connection chamber 35. That is, the pin terminal 12 inserted into the connection chamber 35 makes a pressing contact with the contact portion 33f, and the spring force (reaction force) of the elastic arm 33e against the pressing contact causes the contact portion 33f to contact the pin terminal 12 with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby achieving a good conductive connection.

Fitting guide surface 40

The movable housing 32 has a mating guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d that faces the external connection case 11. When the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, the mating guide surface 40 guides the guide protrusion 15 from the top surface 32d to the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32, and positions the pin terminal 12, which is positioned outside the insertion port 39 of the connection chamber 35, in the insertion port 39 of the connection chamber 35.

Therefore, when the external connection case 11 is fitted to the imaging component case 21 having the imaging system connector 30, the pin terminal 12 located out of the insertion port 39 of the connection chamber 35 can be positioned in the insertion port 39 of the connection chamber 35. Therefore, even if the pin terminal 12 is significantly misaligned in a direction intersecting the direction in which it is inserted into the connection chamber 35 when the external connection case 11 is fitted to the imaging component case 21, the misalignment can be corrected. And, according to the camera module 1 of this embodiment, the pin terminal 12 and the connector terminal 33 can be electrically connected at the correct position. That is, even if the camera module 1 is miniaturized and the range of the insertion port 39 is formed smaller, for example, the misalignment tolerance (induction amount) in the intersecting direction of the pin terminal 12 electrically connected to the connector terminal 33, for example, in the Y direction as shown in FIG. 5, can be sufficiently secured.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 etc., before the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, the camera module 1 is configured such that the distance d2 between the guide protrusion 15 and the fitting guide surface 40 is smaller than the distance d1 between the pin terminal 12 and the top surface portion 32d in the Z direction, which is the insertion direction in which the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35.

Therefore, when fitting and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21, the guide protrusion 15 can come into contact with the fitting guide surface 40 before the pin terminal 12 comes into contact with the top surface 32d. Therefore, according to the camera module 1, it is possible to more reliably correct the misalignment between the pin terminal 12 and the connection chamber 35 in the direction intersecting the insertion direction, and the pin terminal 12 and the connector terminal 33 can be electrically connected at the correct position. At that time, the guide protrusion 15 comes into contact with the fitting guide surface 40, so that the pin terminal 12 is inserted toward the connection chamber 35 without hitting the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pin terminal 12 and the movable housing 32 from coming into strong contact, rubbing, or otherwise being damaged.

Here, in order to bring the guide protrusion 15 into contact with the mating guide surface 40 before the pin terminal 12 hits the top surface 32d, the top surface 32d can be configured to protrude upward in the Z direction near the end of the movable housing 32 in the intersecting direction. However, with this configuration, the imaging system connector 30 will no longer have a simple shape.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the guide protrusion 15 is located lower than the pin terminal 12 in the Z direction, which is the insertion direction. Therefore, even if the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 is not designed or processed to raise the portion where the guide protrusion 15 hits, when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, the guide protrusion 15 can be brought into contact with the fitting guide surface 40 before the pin terminal 12 hits the top surface 32d. In this way, since the positional relationship between the pin terminal 12 and the guide protrusion 15 in the insertion direction is simply configured, the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 can be made to have a simple shape, for example, a flat surface. And, since the pin terminal 12 is inserted toward the connection chamber 35 without hitting the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32, it is possible to prevent the pin terminal 12 and the movable housing 32 from being damaged due to strong contact or rubbing.

The mating guide surface 40 is formed as a slope that slopes between the top surface 32d and the side surface 32a. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the mating guide surface 40 has a flat surface extending in the X direction with the corner between the top surface 32d and the side surface 32a chamfered at 45 degrees (C chamfer). The mating guide surface 40 is configured to come into contact with the inclined portion 15a of the guide protrusion 15.

Such a camera module 1 has an engagement guide surface 40 and an inclined portion 15a, and functions to generate a component force in the Y direction when the engagement guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a come into contact with each other and move relatively in the Z direction. When the guide protrusion 15 moves relatively in the Z direction below the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30, it is positioned outside in the Y direction from the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30. Therefore, when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 of the movable housing 32, the guide protrusion 15 can be smoothly guided from the top surface 32d by the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32.

The camera module 1 may have only one of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a. Even if the camera module 1 has only one of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, a component force in the Y direction is generated when the camera module 1 hits the corner of the mating device, so the guide protrusion 15 can be smoothly deflected from the top surface 32d by the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32. However, it is preferable that the camera module 1 has both the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, and even if the pin terminal 12 is significantly misaligned in the Y direction with respect to the connection chamber 35 by the sum of the Y direction component lengths of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, the misalignment can be corrected.

The mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a only need to function to generate a component force in the Y direction when the guide protrusion 15 hits the outer edge of the top surface portion 32d.

For example, the angle of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a in a side view as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 may not be 45°. This angle is in the range of 0° to 90°. The smaller the angle (closer to horizontal), the larger the positional deviation of the pin terminal 12 in the Y direction relative to the connection chamber 35 can be absorbed, and the larger the angle (closer to vertical), the smaller the sliding resistance with which the pin terminal 12 can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber 35. The mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a may have different angles. Furthermore, the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a do not have to be flat, and may function to reduce the sliding resistance by being configured to face each other in a convex shape, for example. The start and end points of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a may be rounded and chamfered to remove the corners, so that the guide protrusion 15 and the mating guide surface 40 do not get caught.

As shown in Figs. 3-5, etc., a guide inclined surface 41 that guides the insertion of the pin terminal 12 is formed at the insertion port 39 of the movable housing 32, which is at the upper end of the connection chamber 35. The guide inclined surface 41 is inclined from the top surface 32d (horizontal direction) of the movable housing 32, which extends in the X and Y directions that intersect with the Z direction, which is the insertion direction of the pin terminal 12. The guide inclined surface 41 has a pair of long-side guide inclined surfaces 41a along the X direction (longitudinal direction) of the imaging system connector 30, and a pair of short-side guide inclined surfaces 41b along the Y direction (short-side direction) of the imaging system connector 30, and is formed as a quadrangular pyramid-shaped tapered surface (concave surface).

When the camera module 1 has such a guide inclined surface 41, it is sufficient that the mating guide surface 40 is configured to deflect the guide protrusion 15 and position the pin terminal 12 at least on the guide inclined surface 41 when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35. In other words, by positioning the pin terminal 12 on the guide inclined surface 41, it is possible to slide the pin terminal 12 along the guide inclined surface 41 and drop it into the connection chamber 35. Therefore, when the external connection case 11 is mated and connected to the imaging component case 21, the pin terminal 12 can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber 35. At that time, since the camera module 1 has the guide protrusion 15 and the mating guide surface 40, even if the range of the guide inclined surface 41 is formed smaller, the misalignment tolerance (induction amount) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 mated and connected to the imaging system connector 30 is sufficiently secured.

As shown in FIG. 5 etc., the guiding inclined surface 41 is formed as a flat surface. However, the guiding inclined surface 41 may be formed as a curved surface. For example, if the guiding inclined surface 41 is a curved surface that is convex upward (in the Z direction), the reaction force that the pin terminal 12 receives becomes lighter as the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, and therefore the pin terminal 12 can be inserted smoothly into the connection chamber 35.

Here, we will explain the configuration in which two pin terminals 12, two connection chambers 35, two guide protrusions 15, and two mating guide surfaces 40 are arranged along the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pin terminal 12 includes a first pin terminal 13 and a second pin terminal 14, which are arranged along the Y direction, which is a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the pin terminal 12. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection chamber 35 includes a first connection chamber 36 and a second connection chamber 37, which are arranged along the Y direction. The guide inclined surface 41 includes a pair of first guide inclined surfaces 42 at the insertion port 39 of the first connection chamber 36 and a pair of second guide inclined surfaces 43 at the insertion port 39 of the second connection chamber 37. As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of first guide inclined surfaces 42 and the pair of second guide inclined surfaces 43 each extend downward in the Z direction with an inclination angle of 45° in a side view from the boundary between the top surface portion 32d and the insertion port 39 as the starting point. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, etc., a pair of mating guide surfaces 40, 40 are located on both outer sides in the Y direction between the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37.

The camera module 1 is configured such that, when the first pin terminal 13 is located outside the range of the first guide inclined surface 42 in the Y direction, for example, to the right in FIG. 5, one of the pair of guide protrusions 15 (left in FIG. 5) comes into contact with one of the pair of mating guide surfaces 40 (left in FIG. 5). When the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, when one of the guide protrusions 15 comes into contact with one of the mating guide surfaces 40, the mating guide surface 40 receives a component force in the Y direction from the guide protrusion 15, and the "connector housing" (here, the imaging system connector 30. In FIGS. 5 to 7, the movable housing 32 is not displaced relative to the fixed housing 31.) is displaced relatively to the right in the Y direction with respect to the external connection case 11. As a result, when the pin terminal 12 is initially inserted into the connection chamber 35, the first guide inclined surface 42 comes to be located under the first pin terminal 13 (see FIG. 5), which was shifted to the right of the insertion opening 39 (see FIG. 6). In this way, the camera module 1 is configured so that when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, the pin terminal 12 is positioned at the insertion opening 39, at least at the guide inclined surface 41.

The camera module 1 is configured such that when the second pin terminal 14 is outside the range of the second guide inclined surface 43, for example, to the left in FIG. 5, the other side of the guide protrusion 15 (to the right in FIG. 5) comes into contact with the other side of the mating guide surface 40 (to the right in FIG. 5). Therefore, the only difference is that the displacement direction of the movable housing 32 is to the left, and the rest is the same as described above.

In this way, according to the camera module 1, even if the first pin terminal 13 is significantly misaligned in the Y direction beyond the guiding inclined surface 41 relative to the first connection chamber 36 when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, the misalignment can be corrected, and the first pin terminal 13 and the imaging system connector 30 can be fitted and connected at the correct position. Similarly, even if the second pin terminal 14 is significantly misaligned in the Y direction on the opposite side beyond the guiding inclined surface 41 relative to the second connection chamber 37, the misalignment can be corrected, and the second pin terminal 14 and the imaging system connector 30 can be fitted and connected at the correct position. In other words, even if the camera module 1 is made smaller and, for example, the distance between the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37 is formed narrower, the misalignment tolerance (induction amount) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 that is conductively connected to the imaging system connector 30 can be sufficiently secured.

When the external connection case 11 is mated with the imaging component case 21, the relative position of the external connection case 11 shifts in the Y direction, thereby enabling the effects of the camera module 1 to be exerted. However, the effects of the camera module 1 are more pronounced when the imaging system connector 30 on the imaging component case 21 side is a movable connector. Compared to the state before the external connection case 11 is mated with the imaging component case 21 shown in Figure 2, Figure 8 shows a state in which the movable housing 32 is displaced with respect to the fixed housing 31.

That is, when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, a pressing force in the Z direction acts between the fitting guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a of the guide protrusion 15, generating a component force in the Y direction. At that time, if it is a movable connector, since the movable housing 32 can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 31, the movable housing 32 is displaced even if the external connection case 11 itself does not shift in the Y direction, and the pin terminal 12 is positioned at the insertion port 39 of the connection chamber 35. Therefore, by applying the camera module 1 to a movable connector, it is possible to semi-automatically absorb positional deviations in the Y direction between the pin terminal 12 and the connection chamber 35 without the operator being aware of moving the external connection case 11 in the Y direction relative to the imaging component case 21.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the movable housing 32 has a protective portion 44 that extends downward in the Z direction from the mating guide surface 40 so as to cover the elastic deformation portion 33c. As described above, the elastic deformation portion 33c is disposed between the frame-shaped peripheral wall 31a of the fixed housing 31 and the rectangular parallelepiped lower portion 32b of the movable housing 32. The elastic deformation portion 33c is configured to extend in an inverted U shape to ensure a spring length as a movable connector, and is therefore likely to be exposed in a portion close to the surface of the imaging system connector 30 if left as is. A protective portion 44 is provided on the outside of the peripheral wall 31a in the Y direction in correspondence with such elastic deformation portion 33c.

The protective portion 44 only needs to be formed at least further outward in the Y direction than the elastic deformation portion 33c. In this embodiment, the protective portion 44 is disposed outward in the Y direction of the peripheral wall 31a as a guide to avoid contact with the elastic deformation portion 33c when the movable housing 32 is displaced.

In this way, in the camera module 1, the protective portion 44 is formed to cover the elastic deformation portion 33c, so that it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation portion 33c from being damaged by an operator's fingers or external parts, etc., unintentionally coming into contact with the elastic deformation portion 33c.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mating guide surface 40 is formed to protrude outward in the Y direction from the leg 33a. This ensures that the pin terminal 12, which is mated to the imaging system connector 30, has a sufficient amount of misalignment tolerance (amount of induction) in the Y direction. In this way, the mating guide surface 40 is formed to have a greater length in the Y direction, and a recess 45 is formed inward in the Y direction corresponding to the leg 33a, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the mating guide surface 40 of this embodiment, the protective portion 44 is formed in connection with the mating guide surface 40, so the recess 45 is formed as a rectangular prism-shaped gap that penetrates the mating guide surface 40 and the protective portion 44.

In this embodiment, four legs 33a are arranged along the X direction. The mating guide surface 40 is formed between the two outer legs 33a, 33a in the X direction. Therefore, the recesses 45 are provided in correspondence with the two inner legs 33a, 33a in the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, the recess 45 is formed so that its length in the X direction is longer than that of the leg 33a. Therefore, the legs 33a, 33a can be seen through the recess 45 even if the viewpoint is shifted slightly diagonally in the X direction from directly above the movable housing 32 in the Z direction, or even if the movable housing 32 is shifted in the X direction.

In this way, even if the mating guide surface 40 is formed to be large or to protrude significantly outward in the Y direction, and is formed over a larger range in the Y direction, the mating guide surface 40 has a recess 45 that allows the leg 33a of the connector terminal 33 to be visible in the Z direction. Therefore, the joining state of the leg 33a to the board 24b of the camera module 1 can be confirmed by visual inspection or image inspection. Therefore, the reliability of the camera module 1 can be improved while sufficiently ensuring the misalignment tolerance (induction amount) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 that is conductively connected to the connector terminal 33.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the external connection case 11 has a guide protrusion 15 that protrudes along the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32. On the other hand, the movable housing 32 has a mating guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d that faces the external connection case 11, which guides the guide protrusion 15 from the top surface 32d to the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 of the movable housing 32.

For example, if the external connection case 11 is made smaller in size in response to the miniaturization of the harness connector, and the spacing between the first pin terminal 13 and the second pin terminal 14 becomes narrower, the spacing between the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37 also becomes narrower accordingly. Under such circumstances, it becomes difficult to sufficiently ensure the allowable amount of deviation (the amount of guidance and the amount of movement of the movable housing 32) of the insertion position of the imaging system connector 30 connected to the external connection case 11 by forming the first guiding inclined surface 42 and the second guiding inclined surface 43 large.

However, in this embodiment, the misalignment of the pin terminal 12 relative to the connection chamber 35 is absorbed not by the guide inclined surface 41 but by an alignment structure using the guide protrusion 15 of the external connection case 11 and the mating guide surface 40 of the movable housing 32. That is, even if the pin terminal 12 is outside the range of the guide inclined surface 41, the guide protrusion 15 comes into contact with the mating guide surface 40, which causes the external connection case 11 to move relative to the imaging system connector 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the spacing between the pin terminal 12 and the connection chamber 35 is narrowed, the allowable amount of misalignment of the insertion position of the imaging system connector 30 connected to the external connection case 11 (the amount of induction and the amount of movement of the movable housing 32) can be sufficiently secured.

As described above, the camera module 1 of this embodiment can miniaturize the external device connected to the pin terminal 12 while reliably connecting the pin terminal 12 to the connector terminal 33 by utilizing the alignment structure of the guide protrusion 15 of the external connection case 11 and the mating guide surface 40 of the movable housing 32. Furthermore, the camera module 1 of this embodiment can absorb the deviation in the insertion position of the pin terminal 12 even if the amount of insertion of the movable housing 32 cannot be sufficiently secured, so that the movable housing 32 and therefore the imaging system connector 30 can be miniaturized.

Modifications of the embodiment

The camera module 1 described above can be modified in many ways, so we will explain one example.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which misalignment in the Y direction was absorbed. However, misalignment of the pin terminal 12 relative to the connection chamber 35 can also be absorbed in the X direction. This can be achieved, for example, by providing an engagement guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d in the X direction and providing a guide protrusion 15 on the external connection case 11 along the side surface 32a in the X direction of the imaging system connector 30. Furthermore, the engagement guide surface 40 and the guide protrusion 15 can be provided in a circular pattern rather than being provided separately in the X direction and the Y direction.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the number of pin terminals 12 is eight. However, the number of pin terminals 12 may be any number as long as it is one or more.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the distances between adjacent connector connection portions 13a and between adjacent connector connection portions 14a were all the same length. However, these distances may be different. For example, some of the distances may be longer and some may be shorter. This allows for diversifying the configuration of the connection chamber 35 provided in the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30. Such modified examples can also be similarly applied to the external output connection portion 13b and the external output connection portion 14b, allowing for diversifying the shape of the harness connector.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the bent portions 13c and 14c of all pin terminals 12 have a twisted bent shape that bends in two directions, the X direction and the Y direction. However, the bent portions 13c and 14c may be shaped to bend only in the X direction or only in the Y direction. Furthermore, it is also possible for one of the adjacent pin terminals 12, for example the first pin terminal 13, to have a straight pin shape lacking the bent portion 13c, and for the other pin terminal 12, for example the second pin terminal 14, to have the bent portion 14c.

1. Camera module (imaging device)
10 External connection part 11 External connection case 11a Outer cylinder 11b Inner cylinder 11c Partition wall 12 Pin terminal (external connection terminal)
13 First pin terminal (first external connection terminal)
13a Connector connection portion 13b External output connection portion 13c Bending portion 14 Second pin terminal (second external connection terminal)
14a Connector connection portion 14b External output connection portion 14c Bent portion 15 Guide protrusion 15a Inclined portion 20 Imaging portion 21 Imaging component case 22 Optical component 23 Imaging element 24a Board 24b Board 25 Internal connector 30 Imaging system connector 31 Fixed housing 31a Peripheral wall 31b Storage chamber 31c Side wall 31d Terminal fixing portion 31e Side wall 32 Movable housing (connector housing)
32a Side 32b Lower portion 32c Upper portion 32d Top surface portion 32e Displacement restriction protrusion 33 Connector terminal 33a Leg portion 33b Fixed housing fixing portion 33c Elastic deformation portion 33d Fixed housing fixing portion 33e Elastic arm 33f Contact portion 34 Fixing metal fitting 35 Connection chamber (first connection chamber, second connection chamber)
36 First connection chamber 37 Second connection chamber 38a Side wall 38b Side wall 38c Terminal fixing portion 39 Insertion opening 40 Fitting guide surface 41 Guide inclined surface 41a Long side guide inclined surface 41b Short side guide inclined surface 42 First guide inclined surface 43 Second guide inclined surface 44 Protective portion 45 Recess d1 Distance d2 Distance g Position deviation X Width direction, left-right direction Y Depth direction, front-rear direction Z Height direction, up-down direction

Claims (9)

A component of an imaging device,
The components include an external connection case and an imaging system connector,
the external connection case is connected to an imaging component case to form a housing;
the imaging system connector is disposed inside the housing ,
The imaging system connector includes:
A fixed housing;
A connector housing;
A connector terminal,
The connector terminal has an elastically deformable portion that supports the connector housing so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing,
the external connection case has an external connection terminal that is electrically connected to the connector terminal,
The external connection case includes:
a guide protrusion protruding from a wall of the case facing the imaging system connector along a side surface of the connector housing;
a connection portion that can be connected to the imaging component case,
the connector housing has a connection chamber into which the external connection terminal is inserted to establish an electrical connection with the connector terminal, and when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, the guide protrusion abuts against the outer edge of a top surface of the connector housing, thereby directing the guide protrusion from the side of the top surface facing the external connection case to the side of the connector housing, thereby positioning the external connection terminal, which is positioned away from the insertion opening of the connection chamber, in the insertion opening of the connection chamber,
A component of an imaging device, characterized in that the external connection case is configured to be integrated with the imaging components case when the connector housing is moved while being supported by the elastic deformation portion and when the connection portion is connected to the imaging components case. A component of an imaging device as described in claim 1, wherein, in an insertion direction in which the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, before engagement, the distance between the guide protrusion and the outer edge is smaller than the distance between the external connection terminal and the top surface portion. 3. The component of the image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide projection is positioned in the insertion direction relative to the external connection terminal. The guide protrusion has a tapered inclined portion toward a tip thereof,
4. The component of claim 2, wherein the outer edge is configured to come into contact with the inclined portion when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber. the connector housing has, at the insertion opening, a guide inclined surface inclined from the top surface portion of the connector housing extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, and guides the insertion of the external connection terminal into the connection chamber,
A component of an imaging device described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer edge is configured to position the external connection terminal at least on the guiding inclined surface when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber. the external connection terminals include a first external connection terminal and a second external connection terminal arranged along the intersecting direction,
The connection chamber includes a first connection chamber and a second connection chamber arranged along the intersecting direction,
the guiding inclined surface includes a first guiding inclined surface provided at the insertion port of the first connection chamber and a second guiding inclined surface provided at the insertion port of the second connection chamber,
the external connection case has a pair of guide projections positioned in the intersecting direction with the external connection terminal therebetween,
The connector housing has a pair of outer edges positioned in the intersecting direction with the connection chamber therebetween,
When the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber,
A component of an imaging device as described in claim 5, configured such that when the first external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the first guiding inclined surface, one of the pair of guide protrusions comes into contact with one of the pair of outer edges, and when the second external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the second guiding inclined surface, the other of the pair of guide protrusions comes into contact with the other of the pair of outer edges, thereby positioning the external connection terminal on the guiding inclined surface. The connector terminal has a leg portion for connection to a board,
7. A component of an imaging device as described in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outer edge is formed to protrude outward in the transverse direction beyond the leg portion, and has a recess that is cut out inward in the transverse direction corresponding to the leg portion. 8. The component of an imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the connector housing has a protective portion extending from the outer edge in the insertion direction so as to cover the elastic deformation portion. A connection structure between a movable connector and an external connection case as a housing constituting an imaging device having the movable connector inside a housing,
The movable connector includes:
A fixed housing;
A connector housing;
A connector terminal,
The connector terminal has an elastically deformable portion that supports the connector housing so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing,
The external connection case includes:
an external connection terminal that is electrically connected to the connector terminal;
a guide protrusion protruding from a wall of the housing facing the movable connector along a side surface of the connector housing;
a connection portion that can be connected to an imaging component case,
the connector housing has a connection chamber into which the external connection terminal is inserted to electrically connect with the connector terminal, and the guide protrusion is configured to be displaced in a direction intersecting a direction in which the external connection terminal is inserted by contacting an outer edge of a top surface portion facing the external connection case,
A connection structure between a movable connector and an external connection case, characterized in that the external connection case is configured to be integrated with the imaging component case when the connector housing supported by the elastic deformation portion is displaced in the intersecting direction and when the connection portion is connected to the imaging component case.

Images