CN102906945A - Electrical Connector Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrical connector assembly (1), wherein the height in the intermeshing direction thereof can be made lower, and the insertion/pull-off durability thereof is high. The electrical connector assembly (1) is comprised of a pair of connectors (10, 40) that intermesh with each other. One of the connecters (10) is provided with first contacts (30). The first contacts (30) extend from anchored sections (31), and are provided with locking arms (34) for locking the other of the connecters (40) when the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other. The locking arms (34) bend in a direction (Y-y direction) intersecting approximately at right angles with the direction (Z-z direction) in which the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other. The direction (X-x direction) in which the locking arms (34) extend from anchored sections (31) intersects approximately at right angles with the direction (Z-z direction) in which the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other.

Description

Electrical Connector Assembly

technical field

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for connecting circuit boards to each other or connecting circuit boards to electric wires, and is composed of a pair of connectors fitted into each other.

Background technique

Conventionally, for example, in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, an electrical connector assembly composed of a pair of connectors fitted to each other has been used to connect circuit boards to each other or to connect circuit boards to electric wires. An electrical connector assembly of a conventional example is shown in FIG. 9 (refer to Patent Document 1).

The electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9 connects circuit boards (not shown in the figure) to each other, and is composed of a plug connector 110 and a receptacle connector 120 mated with each other.

The plug connector 110 includes an insulating first housing 111 and a plurality of pairs of metal first contacts 112 attached to the first housing 111 . Each first contact 112 includes a fixing portion 113 fixed to the first housing 111 , a contact arm 114 extending from the fixing portion 113 , and a substrate connection portion 116 extending from the fixing portion 113 . The contact arm 114 extends upward from the fixing portion 113 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 9 ), is folded back and bends downward (direction of arrow a in FIG. 9 ), and has a locking protrusion 115 at its tip. The substrate connecting portion 116 is soldered to one circuit substrate (not shown in the figure).

On the other hand, the receptacle connector 120 includes an insulating second housing 121 that accommodates the plug connector 110 , and a plurality of pairs of metal second contacts 122 attached to the second housing 121 . Each second contact 122 includes a fixing portion 123 fixed to the second housing 121 , a contact portion 124 extending from the fixing portion 123 , and a board connection portion 126 extending from the fixing portion 123 . The contact portion 124 is configured to extend substantially linearly downward from the fixing portion 123 (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 9 ), and to be in contact with the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 114 . At the tip of the contact portion 124, a locking protrusion 125 is provided. When the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 are mated, the locking protrusion 125 and the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 112 elastically engage with each other to prevent the connectors 110 and 120 from being separated. The substrate connection portion 126 is soldered to the other circuit substrate (not shown).

According to the electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9 , through the engagement of the first contact 112 of the plug connector 110 and the second contact 122 of the receptacle connector 120 , the mating of the two connectors 110 and 120 can be locked. .

In addition, as an electrical connector unit that connects circuit boards, for example, an electrical connector unit shown in FIG. 10 is known (see Patent Document 2).

The electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10 is composed of a first connector 210 and a second connector 220 that are fitted into each other.

The first connector 210 includes an insulating first housing 211 and a plurality of pairs of metal first contacts 212 attached to the first housing 211 . Each first contact 212 includes a base portion 213 and a fixing portion 214 extending upward from the base portion 213 (arrow B direction in FIG. 10 ) and fixed to the first housing 211 . In addition, the first contact 212 includes a contact arm 215 extending inwardly from the base 213 and upward (direction of arrow B in FIG. 10 ), and a substrate connection portion 218 extending outwardly from the base 213 . Furthermore, the first contact piece 212 includes a locking piece 216 extending upward from the fixing portion 214 (direction of arrow B in FIG. 10 ), and a locking protrusion 217 is provided at the tip of the locking piece 216 . The substrate connecting portion 218 is soldered to one circuit substrate (not shown in the figure).

On the other hand, the second connector 220 includes an insulating second housing 221 fitted to the first connector 210 and a plurality of pairs of metal second contacts 222 attached to the second housing 221 . Each second contact 222 includes a fixing portion 223 fixed to the second housing 221 , a contact portion 224 extending from the fixing portion 223 , and a substrate connection portion 225 extending outward from the fixing portion 223 . The contact portion 224 is configured to extend substantially linearly from the fixed portion 223 downward (direction of arrow b in FIG. 10 ) and to be in contact with the contact arm 215 of the first contact 212 . In addition, a locking groove 226 is provided on the side wall of the second housing 221 . When the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 are mated, the locking protrusion 217 of the locking piece 216 of the first contact 212 enters the locking groove 226 to prevent the two connectors 210 and 220 from coming off. The substrate connection portion 225 is soldered to the other circuit substrate (not shown).

According to the electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10 , the locking piece 216 mechanically locked to the locking groove 226 is provided on the first contact 212 . Therefore, the fitting holding force of the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 on the mating side can be stably maintained.

patent documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 4-43579;

Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3040314.

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

However, the conventional electrical connector assemblies 100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 have the following problems.

That is, in the case of the electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9, when the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 are mated, the locking protrusion 115 and the locking protrusion 125 are elastically engaged with each other to prevent the two connectors from being locked. 110, 120 breakaway. Here, since the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 112 having a locking function is elastically engaged with the locking protrusion 125 of the second contact 122, the insertion/extraction durability of the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 can be improved. sex.

However, the direction in which the contact arm 114 of the first contact piece 112 with a locking function extends is the up-down direction from the fixed portion 113 (arrow Aa direction in FIG. 9 ), and the direction in which the contact portion 124 of the second contact piece 122 extends is from The downward direction from the fixing part 123 (direction of arrow a in FIG. 9 ). These directions substantially coincide with the fitting direction of the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 (direction of arrow Aa in FIG. 9 ). Therefore, the height in the fitting direction (arrow Aa direction) of the electrical connector assembly 100 cannot be reduced.

In addition, in the case of the electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10, when the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 are mated, the locking protrusion 217 enters the locking groove 226 to prevent the two connectors 210, 220 from of detachment. Here, since the locking piece 216 of the first contact 212 having a locking function is elastically displaced, the insertion/extraction durability of the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 can be improved.

However, even in this electrical connector assembly 200 , the locking piece 216 of the first contact 212 having a locking function extends upward from the fixing portion 214 (arrow B direction in FIG. 10 ). This direction substantially coincides with the fitting direction (arrow Bb direction in FIG. 10 ) of the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 . Therefore, even in the case of the electrical connector assembly 200, the height in the fitting direction (arrow Bb direction) of the electrical connector assembly 200 cannot be reduced.

In recent years, in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, it is desired to reduce the height in the mating direction of a pair of connectors even in electrical connector assemblies that connect circuit boards to each other or circuit boards to electric wires.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly capable of reducing the fitting direction of the electrical connector assembly and having high insertion/extraction durability.

solutions to problems

In order to achieve the above objects, an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrical connector assembly composed of a pair of connectors that are mated with each other, and one of the pair of connectors has insulating properties. a first housing and a first contact mounted on the first housing, the first contact includes a fixing portion, a contact portion, a substrate connecting portion, and a locking arm, the fixing portion is fixed to the first housing, the The contact portion extends from the fixed portion, the substrate connection portion extends from the fixed portion, and the locking arm extends from the fixed portion to lock the other connector of the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are mated. For locking, the lock arm is bent in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors, and the direction in which the lock arm extends from the fixing portion is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors.

In addition, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the fixing portion includes a horizontal portion, a base portion, and a side plate portion, the horizontal portion extends in the horizontal direction, the base portion descends from a substantially central portion of the horizontal portion, and the horizontal portion The side plate portion is lowered from the end portion of the horizontal portion and fixed to the first housing, the contact portion extends from the side edge of the base portion in an inner direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors, and the substrate The connecting portion extends from the lower end of the base portion in an outward direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors, and the locking arm extends from the side plate portion substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors. extending inward.

Furthermore, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the other connector of the pair of connectors includes an insulating second housing and a second contact, and the second housing is in the One end has a wire outlet through which wires are led out, and the second contact is mounted on the second housing, connected to the wire and in contact with the contact portion of the first contact, and connected to the wire outlet of the second housing. Nearby, there is a locking part that is locked to the above-mentioned locking arm.

In addition, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the locking portion is reinforced by a locking reinforcing portion provided on the second contact.

Invention effect

According to the electrical connector assembly of the present invention, since the lock arm is bent in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors, the insertion/extraction durability of the pair of connectors can be improved. In addition, the direction in which the lock arm extends from the fixing portion is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction of the pair of connectors, thereby reducing the height of the mating direction of the pair of connectors, that is, the mating direction of the electrical connector assembly.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly involved in the present invention. However, wires are commonly shown.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electrical connector assembly along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector of the electrical connector assembly shown in Fig. 1 viewed from the front side.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle connector shown in FIG. 4 in a state where one receptacle connector is detached and disassembled.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the plug connector of the electrical connector assembly shown in Fig. 1 viewed from the rear side. However, wires are commonly shown.

7 is a perspective view of a state in which the plug connector shown in FIG. 6 is insert-molded before electric wires are connected.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of plug contacts of the plug connector shown in Fig. 6 .

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional example electrical connector assembly.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional electrical connector assembly.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 .

The electrical connector assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 is used for electrically connecting a circuit board (not shown) of a small electronic device such as a mobile phone and an electric wire W. As shown in FIG.

Here, the electrical connector assembly 1 is composed of a receptacle connector (one connector) 10 and a plug connector (the other connector) 40 that are fitted to each other. The electric wire W is connected to the plug connector 40 . On the other hand, the receptacle connector 10 is mounted on a circuit board. By fitting the plug connector 40 into the receptacle connector 10, the electric wire and the circuit board are electrically connected.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 , the mating direction of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 40 is indicated by the arrow Zz direction, and the directions perpendicular to the mating direction are indicated by the arrow Xx direction and the arrow Yy direction. Among the directions perpendicular to the fitting direction, the arrow Xx direction is the same as the width direction of the receptacle connector 10 , and the arrow Yy direction is the same as the direction perpendicular to the receptacle connector 10 width direction. Hereinafter, description will be made on the premise of the arrows Xx direction, Yy direction, and Zz direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the receptacle connector 10 includes a receptacle housing (first housing) 20 and a pair of receptacle contacts (first contacts) 30 attached to the receptacle housing 20 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 4 , the socket housing 20 is formed by molding insulating resin into a substantially rectangular shape. In the receptacle housing 20 , a connector accommodating recess 21 is formed opening on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20 . The connector accommodating concave portion 21 accommodates a wall portion 52 , a raised portion 53 , and a contact portion 63 of the plug contact 60 , which will be described later, of the plug connector 40 . In addition, on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20, a recessed portion 22 for accommodating the flat portion 51 of the plug connector 40 is formed. Furthermore, a pair of socket contact attachment parts 26 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the socket housing 20 (both ends in the arrow Xx direction). A pair of press-fit grooves 24 for press-fitting and fixing a side plate portion 31c of each receptacle contact 30 described later is provided on both sides of each receptacle contact mounting portion 26 in the arrow Yy direction. Further, a locking arm insertion groove 25 is formed toward the inner side of the socket housing 20 in the arrow Xx direction from each of the press-fitting grooves 24 . In addition, a protrusion 23 protruding outward in the arrow Xx direction from the socket contact mounting portion 26 is provided on the lower portion of each socket contact mounting portion 26 . In addition, a pair of through-holes 27 is formed in the bottom wall 21 a of the connector housing recess 21 of the receptacle housing 20 at a portion where the pair of protrusions 53 of the plug connector 40 to be fitted are located. These through holes 27 are formed in order to lower the electrical connector assembly 1 in the fitting direction while ensuring a sufficient fitting length of the plug contact 60 and the receptacle contact 30 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , a pair of socket contacts 30 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the socket housing 20 , that is, at both ends in the arrow Xx direction. The socket contacts 30 provided at one end in the width direction of the socket housing 20 and the socket contacts 30 provided at the other end in the width direction are symmetrical and have the same shape. Therefore, regarding the shape of the receptacle contact 30 , only the shape and structure of the receptacle contact 30 provided at one end (the right end in FIG. 5 ) in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the socket contact 30 includes a fixing portion 31 , a pair of contact portions 32 , a board connection portion 33 and a pair of locking arms 34 , and is formed by punching and bending a metal plate.

The fixed portion 31 is fixed to the socket housing 20 and includes a horizontal portion 31 a extending in the horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction) as shown in FIGS. 1 , 4 and 5 . The fixed part 31 is equipped with the base part 31b which descends from the side edge of the substantially center part of the arrow Yy direction of the horizontal part 31a. Moreover, the fixed part 31 is equipped with the pair of side plate part 31c which descends from both end parts of the arrow Yy direction of the horizontal part 31a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the horizontal portion 31 a of the fixing portion 31 is placed on the upper surface of the socket contact mounting portion 26 of the socket housing 20 . Moreover, each side plate part 31c provided in the fixed part 31 enters the groove 24 for press-fit provided in the side part of the receptacle contact attachment part 26, and is press-fitted and fixed. In addition, the opening 35 is formed in the base portion 31 b so as to straddle the board connection portion 33 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the protrusion 23 of the socket housing 20 enters this opening 35 . Thereby, the socket contact 30 is supported.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , each of the pair of contact portions 32 moves from the side edge of the base portion 31 b in an inward direction (arrow x direction) approximately perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the two connectors 10 and 40 . Direction) is bent and formed in an extended manner. As shown in FIG. 5 , each contact portion 32 includes an arm portion 32 a, a support portion 32 b, and a contact point 32 c. The arm portion 31a extends in the arrow x direction from the side edge of the base portion 31b, and the support portion 32b is provided at the top end of the arm portion 32a. The contact point 32c is disposed on the top end of the support portion 63b. Here, the support portion 32b has a downward extending portion extending downward from the top end of the arm portion 32a, a bent portion bent from the lower end of the downward extending portion to the inner side (opposite contact arm side) in the arrow Yy direction, and a curved portion extending from the lower end of the downward extending portion. The rising part of the folding part rises. The pressing surface of the bent portion is supported by the bottom wall 21 a of the connector housing recess 21 of the receptacle housing 20 when the contact portion 32 is displaced downward. In addition, the contact point 32c is located at the upper end of the raised portion of the support portion 32b, and is provided at the top end portion of the contact portion 32. As shown in FIG. The contact point 32c is in contact with both side surfaces of each contact portion 63 bent in a U shape of the plug contact 60 at its sectional surface.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , the substrate connection portion 33 extends from the lower end of the base portion 31b in an outward direction (arrow X direction) substantially perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the two connectors 10 and 40 . Formed by bending. The substrate connection portion 33 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and is soldered to a circuit substrate (not shown in the figure).

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , each of the pair of locking arms 34 extends from each of the pair of side plate portions 31c in an inward direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of the two connectors 10 and 40 . (arrow x direction) extend. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , when these lock arms 34 are inserted into the lock arm insertion grooves 25 extending from both press-fit grooves 24 and the side plate portions 31c are press-fitted and fixed, the top ends protrude from the first housing 20. status. The lock arm 34 is configured to bend in a direction (arrow Yy direction) substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both connectors 10 and 40 . Among these 1 pair of locking arms 34, the locking arm 24 on the front side (the front side of the arrow Yy direction perpendicular to the width direction of the receptacle connector 10 (FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. The function of locking the plug connector 40 in due time. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the locking arm 34 of the socket contact 30 disposed at the other end in the width direction of the socket housing is shown), the locking on the front side in the arrow Yy direction is The arm 24 is locked by a concave locking portion 54 provided on the plug connector 40 to lock the plug connector 40 when both the connectors 10 and 40 are mated. On the other hand, the lock arm 24 on the opposite side in the direction of the arrow Yy does not have the function of locking the plug connector 40 . From the standpoint of strength, the holding force of the lock arm 24 on one side in the arrow Yy direction is sufficient. On the other hand, the lock arms 24 are provided on both sides in the direction of the arrow Yy, so that the socket contacts 30 provided at one end in the width direction of the socket housing 20 and the socket contacts 30 provided at the other end in the width direction have symmetrical shapes and For the same shape, commonality of parts is sought.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the plug connector 40 includes a plug housing (second housing) 50 and a pair of plug contacts (second contacts) 60 attached to the plug housing 50 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the plug housing 50 includes a substantially rectangular flat-shaped portion 51 extending in a thin horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction). The plug housing 50 is formed by molding insulating resin. As shown in FIG. 1 , the flat portion 51 of the plug housing 50 is accommodated in a recess 22 , which will be described later, formed on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20 when the plug connector 40 is fitted into the receptacle connector 10 . On the back side of the flat plate portion 51 (the back side faces upward in FIG. 6 ), a rectangular wall portion 52 having a welding opening 52e stands in the center. The wall portion 52 includes a front wall 52a extending in the width direction (arrow Xx direction) of the flat portion 51, a rear wall 52b extending parallel to the front wall 52a, and a direction perpendicular to the front wall 52a and the rear wall 52b ( Arrow Yy direction) extending left wall 52c and right wall 52d. In addition, on the rear surface of the flat portion 51, a pair of raised portions 53 protruding outward from the left wall 52c and the right wall 52d are provided approximately in the middle of the flat portion 51 in the arrow Yy direction. Each raised portion 53 rises from the rear surface of the flat portion 51 to a position slightly higher than the left wall 52c and the right wall 52d. A pair of protruding portions 53 linearly extend in the direction of arrow Xx from the same position in the arrow Yy direction, and function as beams with respect to the flat portion 51 to enhance the mechanical strength of the flat portion 51 . The wall portion 52 and the pair of protruding portions 53 are accommodated in the connector accommodating recessed portion 21 formed in the receptacle housing 20 when the plug connector 40 is fitted into the receptacle connector 10 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 , 6 and 7 , a pair of wire outlets 55 are formed on the rear wall 52 b of the plug housing 50 so as to penetrate in the arrow Yy direction. One pair of electric wire outlets 55 are notched so as to communicate with each other.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 , 6 and 7 , a pair of concave locking portions 54 are formed near the pair of wire outlets 55 on the rear wall 52 b of the plug housing 50 . Each locking portion 54 is provided on the outer side in the arrow Xx direction with respect to the electric wire outlet 55 . 1 to 3 , each locking portion 54 locks the lock arm 24 on the front side in the arrow Yy direction of the pair of lock arms 34 when the plug connector 40 is fitted into the receptacle connector 10 .

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a pair of plug contacts 60 are attached to the plug housing 50 in parallel along the width direction (arrow Xx direction) of the flat portion 21 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the plug contact 60 mounted on one side in the width direction (upper side in FIG. 7 ) of the flat plate portion 51 and the plug contact 60 mounted on the other side in the width direction (lower side in FIG. 7 ) are Symmetrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 8 , each plug contact 60 includes a reinforcement portion 61 , a wire connection portion 62 , a contact portion 63 , and a lock reinforcement portion 65 . Each header contact 60 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The reinforcing part 61 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction), but is divided front and rear by a contact part 63 provided at a substantially central part in the front and rear direction (arrow Yy direction). The reinforcement portion 61 a on the rear side extends from the base of the contact portion 63 to the rear side, and its rear end is inserted into the flat plate portion 51 of the plug housing 50 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . Thereby, the thin-walled flat portion 51 is reinforced. In addition, the reinforcing portion 61b on the front side extends from the base of the contact portion 63 to the front side, and its side portion (in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction, the right side portion, and the plug contact on the other side in the width direction) In the case of a piece, the left side part) is inserted into the flat plate part 51 formed in the plug housing 50 . Thereby, the thin-walled flat portion 51 is reinforced.

In addition, the wire connection portion 62 of each plug contact 60 passes through the side portion (the left side portion in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction) of the reinforcing portion 61b on the front side, and the plug contact on the other side in the width direction. In the case of a piece, it extends for the connecting portion 64 extending on the right side). The wire connection portion 62 is formed in a flat plate shape, and extends rearward (arrow y direction) in parallel with the reinforcement portion 61 from the connection portion 64 along the surface of the flat plate portion 51 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , part of the connection portion 64 and the wire connection portion 62 are inserted into the flat plate portion 51 of the plug housing 50 . Thereby, the thin-walled flat portion 51 is reinforced. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 , the remaining portion of the wire connection portion 62 is arranged at the position of the welding opening 52 e of the plug housing 50 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the core wire W1 of the electric wire W is welded to the electric wire connection portion 52 .

In addition, as described above, the contact portion 63 of each plug contact 60 is provided at approximately the center portion in the front-rear direction of the reinforcement portion 61, the root portion on the front side is connected to the reinforcement portion 61b on the front side, and the root portion on the rear side is connected to the reinforcement portion 61b on the rear side. part 61a. The contact portion 63 is bent in a U shape between the front reinforcing portion 61b and the rear reinforcing portion 61a. The contact portion 63 bends from the front reinforcing portion 61b to rise at the front root, bends and descends at the U-shaped top surface, and bends at the rear root to reach the rear reinforcing portion 61a. The contact portion 63 of each plug contact 60 is arranged to cover each raised portion 53 . However, the outermost corner of each contact portion 63 (in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction, the rightmost side, in the case of the plug contact on the other side in the width direction, the leftmost corner) Covered by the insulating material of the raised portion 53 . Furthermore, the pair of contact portions 32 of the receptacle contact 30 are in contact with both side surfaces (front and rear surfaces) of each contact portion 63 bent in a U shape.

Furthermore, the lock reinforcing portion 65 of each plug contact 60 extends from the rear end of the reinforcing portion 61 a on the rear side. As shown in FIG. 3 , the locking reinforcing portion 65 is inserted into the vicinity of the locking portion 54 of the rear wall 52 b of the plug housing 50 and functions to reinforce the locking portion 54 . As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 , the locking reinforcing portion 65 has a rear end side edge (in the case of a plug contact on one side in the width direction, the left edge) of the rear reinforcing portion 61 a, and the other side edge in the width direction. In the case of a plug contact on one side, it is the raised portion 65a where the right edge) rises. In addition, the locking reinforcing portion 65 includes a first reinforcing portion 65b extending forward (direction of arrow Y) from approximately the central portion of the vertical direction (direction of arrow Zz) of the rising portion 65a, and a first reinforcing portion 65b extending from the upper end of the rising portion 65a to the rear ( Arrow y direction) the second reinforcing part 65c. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reinforcing portion 65b reinforces the bottom side (right side in FIG. In Figure 3, is the lower side) enhancement.

Next, a method of assembling the electrical connector assembly 1 and a method of fitting the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 will be described.

First, the substrate connection portion 33 of the socket contact 30 constituting the socket connector 10 is soldered to a circuit substrate (not shown). Thus, the receptacle connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of the two electric wires W is placed on the electric wire connecting portion 62 from the electric wire outlet 55 of the plug connector 40, and the core wires W1 of these electric wires W are soldered to the electric wire connection through the opening 52e for welding. Section 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 , the wall portion 52 , the raised portion 53 of the plug connector 40 and the contact portion 63 of the plug contact 60 are inserted into the connector accommodating recess 21 of the receptacle connector 10 . Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the locking arm 34 of the receptacle connector 10 is locked by the locking portion 54 of the plug connector 40 , and the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 are fitted.

When the two connectors 10 and 40 are mated, the lock arm 34 of the receptacle connector 10 is temporarily bent backward by the rear wall 52b of the plug connector 40 (arrow y direction). Then, when the locking portion 54 of the plug connector 40 reaches the lock arm 34 after further fitting, the lock arm 34 bends forward (arrow Y direction) to return to its original state, and is locked by the locking portion 54 . Thus, the plug connector 40 is locked by the receptacle connector 10 .

Thus, in the case of the electrical connector assembly 1 of this embodiment, the lock arm 34 is configured to bend in a direction (arrow Yy direction) substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both connectors 10 and 40 . Therefore, even if the number of plugging and unplugging of the plug connector 40 into the receptacle connector 10 increases, the function of the lock arm 34 is not hindered, and the plugging and unplugging durability of both connectors 10 and 40 can be improved.

In addition, the direction in which the lock arm 34 extends from the fixing portion 31 (side plate portion 31 c ) is substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both connectors 10 and 40 . That is, each lock arm 34 extends from each of the pair of side plate portions 31c in an inward direction (arrow x direction) substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both connectors 10 and 40 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height in the fitting direction of both connectors 10 and 40 , that is, the fitting direction of the electrical connector assembly 1 .

Then, when plug connector 40 and receptacle connector 10 are fitted, the U-shaped side surfaces of each contact portion 63 of plug contact 60 come into contact with contact point 32c of a pair of contact portions 32 of receptacle contact 30 . Thus, the wire W is electrically connected to the circuit board.

In addition, after the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 are fitted, the electric wire W may be pulled by a worker, and the fitting of both the connectors 40 and 10 may be released. Here, when the electric wire W is pulled, if the distance from the portion where the electric wire W is pulled to the portion where the two connectors 40, 10 are locked is short, the bending moment applied to the portion where the two connectors 40, 10 are locked becomes smaller. Small. Therefore, in this case, it is difficult to release the fitting of both connectors 10 and 40 . In the electrical connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the locking portion 54 locked to the lock arm 34 is provided near the wire outlet 55 provided on the plug housing 50 . Therefore, the portion where the two connectors 40 and 10 are locked is close to the portion where the electric wire W is led out, and the distance from the portion where the electric wire W is pulled to the portion where the two connectors 40 and 10 are locked can be shortened as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the bending moment applied to the portion locking both connectors 40 and 10 when the electric wire W is pulled, and even if the electric wire W is pulled, it is possible to prevent inadvertent mating release.

In addition, in the electrical connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the locking portion 54 is reinforced by the locking reinforcing portion 65 provided on the plug contact 60 . Therefore, even if both connectors 10 and 40 are repeatedly inserted and extracted, the locking portion 54 is less likely to be damaged, and the durability of insertion and extraction can be further improved.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, Various changes and improvements are possible.

For example, the locking arm 34 is provided on the receptacle contact 30 on the side of the receptacle connector 10, and the locking portion 54 is provided on the plug housing 50 on the side of the plug connector 40 on the mating side. The locking portion is provided on the receptacle housing 20 on the side of the receptacle connector 10 , and the lock arm is provided on the plug contact 60 on the side of the plug connector 10 .

In addition, the fixing portion 31 includes a horizontal portion 31a extending in the horizontal direction, a base portion 31b descending from the substantially central portion of the horizontal portion 31a, and a base portion 31b descending from an end portion of the horizontal portion 31a and fixed to the socket housing (first housing) 20 . side plate portion 31c. However, the fixing portion 31 only needs to have a structure having a function of being fixed to the socket housing (first housing) 20 , and is not limited to the structure including the horizontal portion 31 a, the base portion 31 b, and the side plate portion 31 c.

In addition, the contact portion 32 extends from the side edge of the base portion 31b in an inner direction (arrow x direction) substantially perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the pair of connectors 10, 40, but is not limited thereto. The configuration in which the portion 31 extends is sufficient. In addition, the substrate connection portion 33 extends from the lower end of the base portion 31b in an outward direction (arrow X direction) substantially perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the pair of connectors 10, 40, but is not limited thereto, and is intended to be fixed from the bottom end of the base portion 31b. The configuration in which the portion 31 extends is sufficient.

Furthermore, the direction in which the lock arm 34 extends is an inward direction (arrow x direction) substantially perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the pair of connectors 10, 40 from the side plate portion 31c, but is not limited thereto. It may be either an inner direction (arrow x direction) or an outer direction (arrow X direction) substantially perpendicular to the mating direction (arrow Zz direction) of the pair of connectors 10 , 40 from the fixing portion 31 .

In addition, a so-called board-to-wire electrical connector assembly has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to a board-to-board electrical connector assembly.

Symbol Description

1: Electrical connector assembly

10: Outlet connector (one connector)

20: Socket housing (1st housing)

30: Socket contact (1st contact)

31: fixed part

31a: Horizontal section

31b: base

31c: side plate part

32: contact part

33: Substrate connection part

34: Locking arm

40: Plug connector (the other connector)

50: Plug housing (second housing)

54: locking part

55: Wire outlet

60: Plug contact (second contact)

65: Lock Reinforcement

Claims (4)

1. an electric coupler component is made of mutual 1 pair of chimeric connector, it is characterized in that,

The connector of a side among described 1 pair of connector has the 1st housing of insulating properties and is installed on the 1st contact of the 1st housing,

The 1st contact possesses fixed part, contact site, substrate connecting portion and lock arm, this fixed part is fixed in described the 1st housing, this contact site extends from this fixed part, this substrate connecting portion extends from described fixed part, this lock arm extends from described fixed part, and when described 1 pair of connector is chimeric with the locking of the connector of the opposing party among described 1 pair of connector

This lock arm along with the direction deflection of described 1 pair of connector chimeric direction approximate vertical each other, and, direction and described 1 pair of connector chimeric direction approximate vertical each other that described lock arm extends from described fixed part.

2. electric coupler component according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Described fixed part possesses horizontal part, base portion and side plate, and this horizontal part along continuous straight runs extends, and this base portion falls from the substantial middle subordinate of this horizontal part, and this side plate descends from the end of described horizontal part and is fixed in described the 1st housing,

Extend with the interior direction of described 1 pair of connector chimeric direction approximate vertical each other on described contact site edge from the lateral margin of described base portion,

Extend with the outer direction of described 1 pair of connector chimeric direction approximate vertical each other on described substrate connecting portion edge from the lower end of described base portion,

Extend with the interior direction of described 1 pair of connector chimeric direction approximate vertical each other on described lock arm edge from described side plate.

3. electric coupler component according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that,

The 2nd housing and the 2nd contact of the standby insulating properties of the connection device of the opposing party among described 1 pair of connector, the 2nd housing at one end has the electric wire export mouth that electric wire is exported, the 2nd contact is installed on the 2nd housing, is connected to described electric wire and contacts with the contact site of described the 1st contact

Near the described electric wire export mouth of described the 2nd housing, be provided with the fastener that is limited to described lock arm.

4. electric coupler component according to claim 3 is characterized in that,

The locking enhancing section that described fastener is located at described the 2nd contact strengthens.

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