Component joining structure, IC card, and connector

• US 20100232118A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Tochi, Akihiro, Tsujimoto, Masaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,243,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/737
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0047 for reading/sensing record carriers having edge contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/504 different pieces being moulded, cemented, welded, e.g. ultrasonic, or swaged together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector

Abstract

An ultrasonic weld is provided in a cover component, is formed protruding from the cover component, and is provided so that it can join the cover component and the body component together by being fixed to the body component with ultrasonic welding. A locking mechanism is provided so that it can join the cover component and the body component together via engaging portions that engage with each other. The locking mechanism includes a first engaging portion provided in the cover component, and a second engaging portion that is provided in another component fixed to the body component, and that can engage with the first engaging portion. Thus, it is possible to decrease the number of components, and also reduce equipment costs and production control costs.

Claims

1. A component joining structure comprising a body component formed of a resin material, and a cover component that is formed of a metal material and is provided in the shape of a cover covering at least part of the body component, the body component and the cover component being joined together, the structure further comprising:

at least one ultrasonic weld that is provided in the cover component, and is formed protruding from the cover component, and that can join the cover component and the body component together by being fixed to the body component with ultrasonic welding; and

at least one locking mechanism that can join the cover component and the body component together via engaging portions that engage with each other, the locking mechanism comprising;

at least one first engaging portion provided in the cover component; and

at least one second engaging portion that is provided in the body component, or in another component fixed to the body component, and that can engage with the first engaging portion.

2. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein the first engaging portion is formed protruding from the cover component, and

the ultrasonic weld and the first engaging portion are disposed so that they are aligned in the inwardly facing direction in the cover component.

3. The component joining structure according to claim 2,

wherein the ultrasonic weld and the first engaging portion are provided bent at an edge portion of the cover component, thereby protruding from the cover component, and

one of the ultrasonic weld and the first engaging portion is formed bent on the inner side relative to the other at an edge portion of the cover component.

4. The component joining structure according to claim 2,

wherein the ultrasonic weld is disposed on the inner side of the cover component relative to the first engaging portion.

5. The component joining structure according to claim 4,

wherein the first engaging portion is provided as an annular portion protruding at an edge portion of the cover component, and the inside of the annular portion is formed as an engaging hole that engages with the second engaging portion, and

the ultrasonic weld is disposed on the inner side of the cover component relative to the engaging hole, and is disposed overlapping the engaging hole in a direction perpendicular to the first engaging portion.

6. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein a plurality of the ultrasonic welds and the first engaging portions are provided, and are alternately disposed aligned along an edge portion of the cover component.

7. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein the ultrasonic weld is provided as a pair of projections protruding parallel to each other from the cover component, and

a portion where the interval between the pair of projections in a direction perpendicular to a protruding direction of the projections is smaller is formed at tip ends of the projections in the protruding direction.

8. The component joining structure according to claim 7,

wherein a portion defined by the pair of projections and an edge portion of the cover component between the pair of projections is formed as an indentation that is indented in a curved manner.

9. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein the first engaging portion engages with the second engaging portion at the same time as the ultrasonic weld is ultrasonically welded to the body component.

10. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein the first engaging portion is formed protruding parallel to the ultrasonic weld from the cover component.

11. The component joining structure according to claim 1,

wherein the other component is provided as another cover component that is formed of a metal material and separate from the cover component, and that is fixed to the body component, and

the second engaging portion is provided in the other cover component.

12. An IC card comprising the component joining structure according to claim 1, and a substrate assembly that is held inside the component joining structure, and that comprises a substrate and a connector portion attached to the substrate,

a connector-portion-penetrating ultrasonic weld that can penetrate through the connector portion to join the cover component and the body component together being provided as the ultrasonic weld, and

a connector-portion-penetrating first engaging portion that can penetrate through the connector portion to engage with the second engaging portion being provided as the first engaging portion.

13. A connector comprising the component joining structure according to claim 1, and at least one terminal held by the body component, the connector being configured to be electrically connected to a mating connector component.