JP7634634B2 - Connector with additional member - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector, and in particular to a connector equipped with a locking mechanism for maintaining a mated state with a mating connector.

Patent Publication No. 6530015 discloses examples of connectors equipped with the above-mentioned locking mechanism, in particular a plug connector and a receptacle connector. These plug connectors and receptacle connectors are of the so-called board-to-board type, which can be fitted together while fixed to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

The receptacle connector 1 disclosed in the above patent publication has a housing 10 having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a number of receptacle signal terminals 20 and receptacle reinforcing metal fittings 30 that are arranged and held in the housing 10 by integral molding in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

The receptacle reinforcing metal fittings 30 are provided on the housing 10 at both outer positions relative to the arrangement range of the receptacle signal terminals 20 in the connector length direction, and can function not only to reinforce the housing 10, but also as locking metal fittings and even as power terminals.

The receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is also made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and when viewed from above, has a portion provided at the position of the protruding wall 12 of the housing that rises upward from the bottom wall 11 in the connector width direction and extends in the connector length direction, a portion provided at the position of each of the side walls 14 as a pair of outer walls that rise from the edges of the bottom wall 11 facing each other in the connector width direction and extend in the connector length direction, a portion provided at the position of the end walls 15 as a pair of outer walls that connect the ends of the pair of side walls 14 and extend in the connector width direction, and a portion provided at the position of the receiving portion 16 for receiving the fitting portion of the plug connector 2 that opens upward between the protruding wall 12 and the rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 13 that rises from the bottom wall 11 and surrounds the protruding wall 12.

The portion of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 that is provided at the position of the side wall 14 includes a locking plate portion 41 that extends downward along the inner surface of the side wall 14, and the locking plate portion 41 is held by the side wall 14 with the plate surface located on the receiving portion 16 side exposed from the inner surface of the side wall 14, and a rectangular locking recess 41A is formed in the exposed plate surface.

On the other hand, the plug connector 2 has a housing 50 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a number of plug signal terminals 60 and plug reinforcing metal fittings 70 that are arranged and held in the housing 50 by integral molding in the longitudinal direction of the housing 50.

The plug connector has a frame-shaped mating portion that fits into the receiving portion 16 of the receptacle connector, and the connectors are mated and connected by fitting the mating portion into the receiving portion 16.

The plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 corresponds to the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 and not only functions to reinforce the housing 50, but also has a locking function to lock with the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, and can also function as a power terminal that contacts the power contact arm 44 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 for electrical conduction. The plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 is provided on each end side of the housing 10 in the connector length direction, corresponding to the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1.

The plug reinforcing metal fitting 70, like the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and includes an outer plate portion 71 that extends along the outer surface of the side wall 54 of the housing 50. The outer plate portion 71 has a plate surface exposed from the outer surface of the side wall 54, and the exposed plate surface has a stepped locked step portion 71A formed by sinking the upper portion of the plate surface and extending in the width direction of the outer plate portion 71 (the connector length direction). The locked step portion 71A is designed to lock with the lock recess 41A of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 when mated with the receptacle connector 1.

Patent No. 6530015

The locking mechanism in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided only in a predetermined range relatively close to the center along the connector length direction on the plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 of the plug connector and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector, more specifically, only within the range of the protruding wall of the housing in the connector length direction, and no locking mechanism is provided on the end side in the connector length direction or in the connector width direction.

To maintain the mated state of the plug connector and receptacle connector, it is important to strengthen the locking force near each end in the connector's length direction, where force is most likely to act when releasing the mating. However, the connector in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the locked step 71A and the locking recess 41A engage only in a specified range relatively close to the center along the connector's length direction. Therefore, it is desirable to strengthen the locking force near each end in the connector's length direction.

The present invention was made to solve the problems in the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a connector equipped with a locking mechanism that can strengthen the locking force near each end in the connector's length direction.

A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connector including a housing, and terminals and additional members held by the housing, wherein the housing includes a mating protrusion protruding toward the mating side with the mating connector, and a pair of first side wall portions extending in a first direction and a pair of second side wall portions extending in a second direction, which protrude toward the mating side with the mating connector and circumferentially surround the outer wall of the mating protrusion, and a receiving portion that receives at least a part of the mating connector is formed between the outer wall of the mating protrusion and the inner walls of the pair of first side wall portions and the pair of second side wall portions; The additional member on one end side includes a first locking portion held by the first side wall portion and a pair of second locking portions held by each of the pair of second side wall portions, the first locking portion constitutes at least a part of the inner wall of the first side wall portion forming the receiving portion, the second locking portion constitutes at least a part of the inner wall of the pair of second side wall portions forming the receiving portion, and at least a part of the second locking portion that constitutes at least a part of the inner wall of the second side wall portion is provided at a position closer to the one end side than the fitting protrusion in the second direction.

The present invention provides a connector equipped with a locking mechanism that can strengthen the locking force near each end of the connector in the longitudinal direction.

1 is a perspective view of a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the plug side. 2 is a diagram showing only a plug attachment member and a receptacle attachment member included in the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in FIG. 1 , respectively. 1 is a side view of a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plug terminal and the receptacle terminal taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply terminal and a portion where the power supply terminal makes contact, taken along the cutting line BB shown in FIG. 3. 1 is a perspective view of a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the receptacle side. 7 is a diagram showing only a plug attachment member and a receptacle attachment member included in the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in FIG. 6, respectively. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the receptacle connector. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector taken along the cut line CC shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the plug connector. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 10 . 13 is a view showing the plug addition member and the receptacle addition member in a fitted state as viewed from the power terminal side. FIG. 13 is a top view of the plug addition member and the receptacle addition member when fitted together, as viewed from the plug side. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the plug addition member and the receptacle addition member taken along the cutting line E-E shown in FIG. 13. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the plug addition member and the receptacle addition member taken along the cutting line FF shown in FIG. 13. 13 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector having a receptacle addition member according to a modified example, together with pads provided on a substrate. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector having a receptacle addition member according to a modified example, together with pads provided on a substrate. FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the recess addition member and the pad shown in FIG. 16 . FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the recess addition member and the pad shown in FIG. 17.

The following describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In all figures for describing the embodiments, the same members are generally given the same reference numerals, and the repeated description is omitted. In addition, the configuration and shape of the plug connector or receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention are in a point-symmetric relationship with respect to the center axis in the mating direction (Z-axis direction), so that the same reference numerals are basically omitted for parts, members, parts, etc. that are point-symmetric with respect to the parts, members, parts, etc. that are given reference numerals. However, as will be clear from the following description, this configuration is not limited to the point-symmetric shapes exemplified in the embodiments, and can also be asymmetric. Furthermore, although each embodiment is described independently, it is not excluded that the components of each embodiment can be combined to form a plug connector or a receptacle connector. In addition, a configuration consisting of a plug connector and a receptacle connector is also called a connector device.

In this specification and claims, to distinguish between the two connectors, they are called a plug connector and a receptacle connector, and the respective members or parts are called a plug housing and a receptacle housing, a plug terminal and a receptacle terminal, a first plug locking portion and a first receptacle locking portion, a second plug locking portion and a second receptacle locking portion, a plug flat portion and a receptacle flat portion, etc. However, when referring to them without distinguishing them based on the connector shape, the expressions plug and receptacle (receptacle) are omitted and they are simply called a connector, a housing, a terminal, a first locking portion, a second locking portion, a flat portion, etc.

In addition, when the connectors are not differentiated based on their shape, the connector that mates with one connector will be called the mating connector, and the first and second locking portions of the mating connector will be called the first mating locking portion and the second mating locking portion.

Figures 1 to 7 show a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the appearance of the plug connector and the receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the plug side (Z2 side). Figure 2 shows only the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member included in the plug connector and the receptacle shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view (Y1 side) of the plug connector and the receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 shows a cross section of the plug terminal and the receptacle terminal cut at the cut point A-A shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 shows a cross section of the power terminal and the part where the power terminal contacts cut at the cut point B-B shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 shows the appearance of each connector when viewed from the receptacle connector side (Z1 side) upside down from Figure 1. Figure 7 shows only the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member included in the plug connector and the receptacle shown in Figure 6.

The plug connector and receptacle of the present invention can be used as internal components in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, digital cameras, and notebook computers. The mating direction of the connector is the Z1-Z2 direction (Z-axis direction) in the figure. The plug connector 200 mates with the receptacle connector 100, which is the mating connector on the Z1 side in the Z-axis direction, and the receptacle connector 100 mates with the plug connector 200, which is the mating connector on the Z2 side in the Z-axis direction, and they are electrically connected to each other. In the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the rectangular connector is the X1-X2 direction (X-axis direction), and the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is the Y1-Y2 direction (Y-axis direction).

In addition, regarding the top and bottom of the receptacle connector 100 and the receptacle terminal 120, the board side (the side attached to the board) is referred to as the "bottom" or "back" and the side that receives the plug connector 200 and the plug terminal 220 is referred to as the "top" or "front". Similarly, regarding the top and bottom of the plug connector 200 and the plug terminal 220, the board side (the side attached to the board) is referred to as the "bottom" or "back" and the side that receives the receptacle connector 100 and the receptacle terminal 120 is referred to as the "top" or "front".

The receptacle connector 100 and plug connector 200 are mounted by soldering to a printed wiring board or a flexible flat cable. Here, the printed wiring board, flexible flat cable, or other device on which the connectors are mounted is simply referred to as the "board." As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle connector 100 is mounted on the board (only pads 300 on the board are shown), and as shown in FIG. 6, the plug connector 200 is mounted on the board (only pads 400 on the board are shown).

First, the configuration of the receptacle connector 100 will be described with reference mainly to Figures 1 and 2. The receptacle connector 100 includes a receptacle housing 110, a receptacle terminal 120, and a receptacle attachment member 150 for maintaining a mated state with a plug connector 200, which is a mating connector. The receptacle terminal 120 is made of a metal such as phosphor bronze and is embedded in a second side wall portion 114 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 110, and is held in the receptacle housing 110 with the surface that contacts the plug terminal 220, which is the mating terminal, exposed from the second side wall portion 114. The receptacle terminal 120 has a mounting portion 121 at its end for mounting to a board (300) by soldering or the like. The receptacle attachment member 150 is made of a metal such as phosphor bronze, like the receptacle terminal 120.

The receptacle housing 110 is made of an insulating resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and has a pair of first side wall portions 112 each extending in the short direction (Y axis direction) at each end side (α1, α2) in the longitudinal direction (X axis direction), and a pair of second side wall portions 114 extending in the longitudinal direction (X axis direction) at each end side (β1, β2) in the short direction (Y axis direction), and further has a mating protrusion portion 116 extending in the longitudinal direction (X axis direction) in a central portion circumferentially surrounded by the first side wall portion 112 and the second side wall portion 114. The first side wall 112, the second side wall 114, and the mating protrusion 116 are all provided in a state where they protrude toward the mating side with the plug connector 200 (the Z2 side in the Z-axis direction), and the receptacle housing 110 includes the mating protrusion 116 on the movable part 127 side of the receptacle terminal 120 and the second side wall 114 on the fixed part 125 side of the receptacle terminal 120. With the above configuration, the receptacle housing 110 includes a receiving portion 118 as a space capable of receiving at least a part of the plug connector 200 between the outer wall 116a of the mating protrusion 116 and the inner walls 112b, 114b of the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114, respectively, and a predetermined part of the plug connector 200 received in the receiving portion 118 can be brought into contact with the receptacle terminal 120.

When the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are connected, the mating protrusion 116 is accommodated in the mating recess 216 (see FIG. 6) of the plug connector 200, and the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 214 (see FIG. 6) of the mating recess 216 are accommodated in the receiving portion 118 of the receptacle connector 100.

Now, referring to FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the receptacle terminal 120 has a leg 122 at a portion bent upward (toward the Z2 side in the Z-axis direction) from the mounting portion 121. The leg 122 faces the fixed contact 124 and the fixed portion 125 across the second side wall portion 114 of the receptacle housing 110, and the leg 122 is connected to the fixed contact 124 and the fixed portion 125 via a top portion 123 located at the upper end of the second side wall portion 114.

The periphery of the leg 122 is entirely covered with the resin of the receptacle housing 110 (the resin of the peripheral wall 113 and the second side wall 114) except for the portion adjacent to the top 123. That is, the leg 122 is embedded in the second side wall 114 by the peripheral wall 113 that surrounds the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114, except for the portion adjacent to the top 123, and is held in the receptacle housing 110. The back surfaces (the surfaces opposite to the surfaces that contact the mating terminal) of the leg 122, the top 123, the fixed contact 124, and the fixed portion 125 are supported by the second side wall 114. That is, the leg 122 and the fixed portion 125 of the receptacle terminal 120 are supported by the second side wall 114 on their opposing surfaces.

The fixed contact 124 of the receptacle terminal 120 protrudes toward the mating protrusion 116 side beyond the surface of the second side wall portion 114, and the contact side surface 129 of the fixed contact 124 is exposed from the second side wall portion 114. When mated with the mating terminal, the plug terminal 220, the fixed contact 124 abuts against and is electrically connected to the outer leg portion 225 (see FIG. 4). The fixed contact 124 and the fixed portion 125 are supported and fixed by the first side wall portion 112 on the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the mating terminal so that they do not move when mated with the mating terminal.

As is clear from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4, the receptacle terminal 120 is insert-molded (integrally molded) with the receptacle housing 110, so that the receptacle terminal 120 is in close contact with the receptacle housing 110, except for the portion on the movable portion 127 side. In addition, the space surrounded by the leg portion 122, the top portion 123, the fixed contact 124, and the fixed portion 125 of the receptacle terminal 120 is filled with resin (housing).

The receptacle terminal 120 includes a bottom 126 between the fixed portion 125 and the movable portion 127 and connected thereto. The bottom 126 extends in the short direction (Y-axis direction) of the receptacle connector 100 and is connected to the fixed portion 125 and the movable portion 127 via a portion bent at a right angle. The thickness direction of the bottom 126 is along the mating direction (Z-axis direction), and the surface of the bottom 126 on the receiving portion 118 side (Z2-side surface) is exposed from the bottom wall 119 of the receptacle housing 110. A portion of the surface (i.e., the back surface) on the board side (the opposite side (Z1 side) from the surface (Z2-side surface) that receives the mating terminal) of the bottom 126 is exposed from the back surface of the bottom wall 119 of the receptacle housing 110, and the portion other than the exposed portion is supported by the resin near the second side wall portion 114 and the mating protrusion portion 116 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the movable part 127 cannot be seen from the back side of the bottom wall.

The movable portion 127 is a free end that does not touch the side wall of the mating protrusion 116, and includes a movable contact 128 formed by protruding the periphery of the end toward the fixed contact 124. When the movable portion 127 receives and mated with the mating terminal, the plug terminal 220, it is elastically pressed toward the mating protrusion 116 and deformed, and in the mated state, the movable contact 128 abuts against the inner leg 222 of the plug terminal 220 and is electrically connected.

The receptacle attachment members 150 are arranged on both sides of the receptacle connector 100, sandwiching the central portion of the second side wall portion 114 in which the receptacle terminal 120 is held. In other words, the receptacle attachment members 150 are provided on each end side (α1, α2) on both sides of the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle connector 100. By providing them on both sides in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the locking force in the connector length direction can be strengthened at both end sides in the longitudinal direction. However, it is not necessary to provide them on both sides, and if they are provided only on one end side, the locking force can be strengthened at that one end side. The receptacle attachment member 150 includes one first receptacle locking portion 154 and a pair of second receptacle locking portions 155. The receptacle housing 110 holds the first receptacle locking portion 154 on the first side wall portion 112, and holds the second receptacle locking portion 155 on the second side wall portion 114. The receptacle addition member 150 includes second receptacle locking portions 155 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first receptacle locking portion 154 (X-axis direction) on both sides (Y1 and Y2 sides) of the first receptacle locking portion 154 held on the first side wall portion 112. That is, the first receptacle locking portion 154 is located between the pair of second receptacle locking portions 155 in the short direction (Y-axis direction). The portion including the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the portion including the second receptacle locking portion 155 are connected via a receptacle connecting portion 165. The receptacle connection part 165 is embedded in the receptacle housing 110, positioned on the opposite side (Z1) from the side (Z2) where the plug connector 200 is mated in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) from the position where the first locking part 154 and the second locking part 155 are provided. By positioning the receptacle connection part 165 as described above, the first locking part 154 and the second locking part 155 can be connected without interfering with their locking functions.

Here, the configuration of a receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 in addition to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 8 is a top view of a receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector cut at cut point C-C shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 can also be considered to show the outermost surface of the receptacle connector on the side that mates with the plug connector 200, among the orthogonal planes perpendicular to an axis (Z axis) extending along the mating direction (Z axis direction). As a result, in the receptacle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle addition member 150A provided at one end side (α1) in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and the receptacle addition member 150B provided at the other end side (α2) opposite the one end side (α1) are arranged in point symmetry on the outermost surface (orthogonal plane) with respect to the central axis, which is one of the axes (Z-axis) extending along the mating direction (Z-axis direction). It can also be said that the receptacle addition member 150A provided at one end side (α1) and the receptacle addition member 150B provided at the other end side (α2) each include a first locking portion 154 and a pair of second locking portions 155 on the orthogonal plane.

The receptacle attachment member 150 includes a first mounting portion 151A and a second mounting portion 151B for mounting to the substrate (300) by soldering or the like, and further includes receptacle legs 152A, 152B via portions bent upward (toward the Z2 side in the Z-axis direction) from each of the first mounting portion 151A and the second mounting portion 151B. Here, the first mounting portion 151A is provided on the outer wall 112a side of the first side wall portion 112, facing the inner wall 112b of the first side wall portion 112 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) across the first side wall portion 112, while the second mounting portion 151B is provided on the outer wall 114a side of the second side wall portion 114, facing the inner wall 114b of the second side wall portion 114 in the lateral direction (Y-axis direction) across the second side wall portion 114. The first receptacle locking portion 154 and the receptacle leg 152A face each other across the first sidewall 112, and the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the receptacle leg 152A are connected to each other through the end of the first sidewall 112, i.e., the first apex 153A located on the outermost surface of the receptacle connector 100 on the side mated with the plug connector 200, of the orthogonal plane perpendicular to the axis (Z-axis) extending along the mating direction (Z-axis direction). Similarly, the second receptacle locking portion 155 and the receptacle leg 152B face each other across the second sidewall 114, and the second receptacle locking portion 155 and the receptacle leg 152B are connected to each other through the second apex 153B located on the outermost surface.

The first receptacle locking portion 154 is connected to the mounting portion 151A via the receptacle leg portion 152A, and by attaching the mounting portion 151A to the substrate (300) by soldering or the like, the receptacle locking portion 154 can withstand the force applied to the receptacle addition member 150 when the connectors are connected to each other. Similarly, the second receptacle locking portion 155 is connected to the mounting portion 151B via the receptacle leg portion 152B, and by attaching the mounting portion 151B to the substrate (300) by soldering or the like, the receptacle locking portion 155 can withstand the force applied to the receptacle addition member 150 when the connectors are connected to each other.

The periphery of the receptacle legs 152A, 152B is entirely covered with the resin of the receptacle housing 110, except for the first top 153A, the second top 153B, and the parts adjacent thereto. In other words, the receptacle legs 152A, 152B are embedded in the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114 by the peripheral wall 113 that surrounds the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 114, except for the first top 153A, the second top 153B, and the parts adjacent thereto, and are held in the receptacle housing 110. In other words, first top 153A and second top 153B, as well as the portions adjacent thereto, are exposed from receptacle connector 110, and when receptacle connector 100 and plug connector 200 are mated and connected, these strong portions made of metal can collide with plug connector 200, effectively preventing damage to receptacle connector 100. Also, as described above, first top 153A and second top 153B are both positioned on the outermost surface, and therefore, when receptacle connector 100 and plug connector 200 are mated and connected, it is possible to effectively prevent plug connector 200 from colliding with only one of the tops, causing excessive load to be applied. The backsides of the receptacle legs 152A, the first top 153A, and the first receptacle locking portion 154 are supported by the first side wall 112, and the backsides of the receptacle legs 152B, the second top 153B, and the second receptacle locking portion 155 are supported by the second side wall 114.

The first receptacle locking portion 154, more specifically, at least a portion of the first receptacle locking portion 154 constituting at least a portion of the inner wall 112b of the first sidewall portion 112, is configured to have a curved surface that protrudes in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) toward the receiving portion 118 side from the surface of the inner wall 112b of the first sidewall portion 112, and extends in the lateral direction (Y-axis direction) as a curved surface having the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the lateral direction (Y-axis direction). The protruding curved surface structure allows the first receptacle locking portion 154 to more reliably engage with the mating locking portion (234) when the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated and connected. In addition, the portion of the first receptacle locking portion 154 formed as a curved surface can face the outer wall 116a of the mating protrusion 116 that constitutes at least a part of the receiving portion 118 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), in particular the surface 161a formed by a part (161) of the metal receptacle attachment member 150. Therefore, the space of the receiving portion 118 sandwiched between the portion of the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the part (161) of the receptacle attachment member 150 has the opposing side formed by a metal member, which improves the strength when the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated and connected.

Similarly, the second receptacle locking portion 155, more specifically, at least a portion of the second locking portion 155 constituting at least a portion of the inner wall 114b of the second sidewall portion 114, is configured to have a curved surface that protrudes toward the receiving portion 118 in the short direction (Y-axis direction) beyond the surface of the inner wall 114b of the second sidewall portion 114, and extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) as the same curved surface in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). By using a protruding curved surface structure, the second receptacle locking portion 155 can be more reliably engaged with the mating locking portion (235) when the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated and connected. In addition, the portion of the second receptacle locking portion 155 formed as a curved surface can face the outer wall 116a of the mating protrusion 116 constituting at least a part of the receiving portion 118 in the short direction (Y-axis direction), in particular the surface 161b formed by a part (161) of the metal receptacle attachment member 150. Therefore, the space of the receiving portion 118 sandwiched between the portion of the second receptacle locking portion 156 and the part (161) of the receptacle attachment member 150 has the opposing side formed of a metal member, which improves the strength when the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated and connected.

As described above, the second receptacle locking portion 155 is held by the second side wall portion 114, but even in this case, at least a part of the second receptacle locking portion 155 (the range indicated by "m" and "n" in FIG. 1) is exposed on the inner wall 114b of the second side wall portion 114 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and constitutes at least a part of the inner wall 114b. Here, at least a part "m" of the part of the second receptacle locking portion 155 included in the range indicated by "m" and "n" is provided in a position closer to one end side (α1) than the mating protrusion 116 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). With this configuration, the locking function can be made effective even at a position closer to one end side (α1) than the mating protrusion 116, and the locking force near the end in the connector length direction can be strengthened. Here, it is preferable that at least the portion "m" extends beyond the mating protrusion 116 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) toward the other end side (α2) opposite the one end side (α1), as indicated by "n". This increases the lockable range and increases the possibility of further strengthening the locking mechanism. Similarly, it is preferable that the range indicated by "n" extends to the contact 164 of the movable part 163 of the power terminal 160 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Even with this configuration, when the second receptacle locking part 155 is used as a power terminal, the function of the connector is not affected.

The same configuration as above can be adopted for the first receptacle locking portion 154. The first receptacle locking portion 154 is held by the first side wall portion 112, but even in this case, at least a part of the first receptacle locking portion 154 (the range indicated by "s" and "t" in FIG. 8) is exposed on the inner wall 112b of the first side wall portion 112 along the short side direction (Y axis direction) and constitutes at least a part of the inner wall 112b. Here, at least a part "t" of the part of the first receptacle locking portion 154 included in the range indicated by "s" and "t" extends from the central region 116a of the mating protrusion 116 beyond the mating protrusion 116 in the short side direction (Y axis direction) to, for example, each side (β1, β2) of the pair of second side wall portions 114. With this configuration, the locking function can be effective even at positions closer to each side (β1, β2) of the second side wall 114 than the mating protrusion 116, and the locking force near the end in the connector length direction can be strengthened.

The first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155 expose receptacle locking side surfaces 159A, 159B from the first side wall portion 112 and the second side wall portion 114, respectively. The receptacle addition member 150 has receptacle flat portions 156A, 156B located on the first side wall portion 112 and the second side wall portion 114 side of the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155, on the bottom side (Z1 side) of the receptacle housing 110 from the position where the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155 are provided, in other words, on the side (Z1 side) opposite to the side (Z2 side) that mates with the plug connector 200, which is the mating connector.

The receptacle attachment member 150 includes a T-shaped portion 158 facing the first receptacle locking portion 154, and the T-shaped portion 158 is connected to the first receptacle locking portion 154 via the bottom portion 157 and the receptacle flat portion 156A. The T-shaped portion 158 is held by the receptacle fixing portion 161 extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) so as to cover the side wall of the end portion of the mating protrusion 116 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the receptacle attachment member 150 can be fixed to the receptacle housing 110.

The T-shaped portion 158 is provided with a third apex 153C having the same function and configuration as the first apex 153A and the second apex 153B. The third apex 153C is exposed from the mating protrusion 116 like the first apex 153A and the second apex 153B, and is provided on the outermost surface of the receptacle connector 100 on the side mated with the plug connector 200 in the same plane as the first apex 153A and the second apex 153B, that is, in the orthogonal plane perpendicular to the axis (Z axis) extending along the mating direction (Z axis direction). As a result, when the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated and connected, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the plug connector 200 collides only with any one of the apexes of the first apex 153A, the second apex 153B, and the third apex 153C positioned on the outermost surface, causing an excessive load to be applied to one place. However, even if such an excessive load is applied, these tops 153A to 153C are all made of metal, so damage to the receptacle connector 100 can be effectively prevented.

The third apex 153C is preferably connected to the first locking portion 154 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) via the bottom 157 and the receptacle fixing portion 161 (161a), and is preferably positioned on one end side (α1 side or α2 side) of the mating protrusion 116 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, it is preferably provided over the entire mating protrusion 116 in the lateral direction (Y-axis direction). With this configuration, the end side of the mating protrusion 116, which is at high risk of breakage, can be effectively protected by strong metal.

It is also preferable that the third apex 153C is provided over the entire mating protrusion 116 in the short side direction (Y axis direction). It is also preferable that the third apex 153C has an extension extending from at least one end side (β1 or β2) in the short side direction (Y axis direction) along the mating direction (Z axis direction) toward the direction (Z1) opposite to the direction (Z2) in which the plug connector 200 is mated, and that the extension constitutes at least a portion of the surface 161b of the outer wall 116a of the mating protrusion 116. With this configuration, not only the apex side but also the outer wall 116a of the mating protrusion 116 can be protected by a strong metal.

The bottom 157, receptacle flat portion 156A, and receptacle fixing portion 161 of the receptacle attachment member 150, which are connected to the T-shaped portion 158, face the receiving portion 118 while being exposed from the receptacle housing 110. The receptacle attachment member 150 also has a power terminal 160 on the side adjacent to the receptacle terminal 120 (the X2 side of the receptacle attachment member 150 on the X1 side, and the X1 side of the receptacle attachment member 150 on the X2 side). The power terminal 160 is a terminal for supplying power of about several amperes. The power terminals 160 of the receptacle attachment member 150 are arranged at equal intervals on both sides (the X1 side and the X2 side) of the receptacle terminal 120.

Now, referring to FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the receptacle leg 152B of the receptacle addition member 150 faces the second receptacle lock portion 155 and the receptacle flat portion 156B across the second side wall portion 114 of the receptacle housing 110, and the receptacle leg 152B is connected to the second receptacle lock portion 155 and the receptacle flat portion 156B via the second top portion 153B located at the upper end of the second side wall portion 114.

The periphery of the receptacle leg 152B is entirely covered by the resin of the receptacle housing 110 (the resin of the peripheral wall portion 113 and the second side wall portion 114) except for the portion adjacent to the second top portion 153B. In other words, the receptacle leg 152B is embedded in the second side wall portion 114 by the peripheral wall portion 113 that surrounds the first side wall portion 112 and the second side wall portion 114, except for the portion adjacent to the second top portion 153B, and is held in the receptacle housing 110. The receptacle leg 152B, the second top portion 153B, the second receptacle lock portion 155, and the back surface of the receptacle flat portion 156B (the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the second plug lock portion 235) are supported by the second side wall portion 114. In other words, the receptacle leg portion 152B and the receptacle flat portion 156B on the second receptacle lock portion 155 side of the receptacle addition member 150 are supported on their opposing surfaces by the second side wall portion 114.

The power terminal 160 extends from the receptacle flat portion 156B toward the mating protrusion 116, and includes a bottom portion 162 between the receptacle flat portion 156B and the movable portion 163, which is connected to them. The bottom portion 162 extends in the short direction (Y-axis direction) of the receptacle connector 100, and is connected to the receptacle flat portion 156B and the movable portion 163 via a portion bent at a right angle. A portion of the surface (i.e., the back surface) of the bottom portion 162 on the board side (the opposite side (Z1 side) from the surface (Z2 side surface) that receives the mating terminal) is exposed from the back surface of the receptacle housing 110, and the portion other than the exposed portion is supported by the second side wall portion 114 and the resin near the mating protrusion 116 (see Figures 5 and 6).

As is clear from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5, the receptacle attachment member 150 is insert-molded (integrally molded) with the receptacle housing 110, and is in close contact with the receptacle housing 110, except for the portion of the power terminal 160 on the movable portion 163 side. In addition, the space surrounded by the receptacle leg portion 152B, the second top portion 153B, the second receptacle lock portion 155, and the receptacle flat portion 156B of the receptacle attachment member 150 is filled with resin (housing).

The movable portion 163 is a free end that does not touch the side wall of the mating protrusion 116, and includes a movable contact 164 formed by protruding the periphery of the end toward the second receptacle lock portion 155. When the movable portion 163 receives and mated with the plug addition member 230, which is the mating addition member, it is pushed toward the mating protrusion 116 by its elasticity and deformed, and in the mated state, the movable contact 164 abuts against the plug leg 232 of the plug addition member 230 and is electrically connected.

Next, the configuration of the plug connector 200 will be described with reference mainly to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The plug connector 200 includes a plug housing 210, a plug terminal 220, and a plug attachment member 230 for maintaining the mating state with the receptacle connector 100, which is the mating connector. The plug terminal 220 is made of a metal such as phosphor bronze and is embedded in the second side wall portion 214 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plug housing 210, and is held in the plug housing 210 with the surface that contacts the receptacle terminal 120 exposed from the second side wall portion 214. The plug terminal 220 has a mounting portion 221 at its end for mounting to the board (400) by soldering or the like. The plug attachment member 230 is made of a metal such as phosphor bronze, like the plug terminal 220.

The plug housing 210 is made of an insulating resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and includes a first side wall 212 that protrudes toward the mating side (Z1 side in the Z-axis direction) with the receptacle connector 100 and extends in the short direction (Y-axis direction) at each end side (α1, α2) in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and a pair of second side wall 214 that protrude toward the mating side (Z1 side in the Z-axis direction) with the receptacle connector 100 and extends in the long direction (X-axis direction) at each end side (β1, β2) in the short direction (Y-axis direction). In addition, the plug housing 210 includes a mating recess 216 in the central portion surrounded by the inner wall 212b of the first side wall 212 and the inner wall 214b of the second side wall 214 as a space for accommodating the mating protrusion 116, which is part of the receptacle connector 100.

When the plug connector 200 and the receptacle connector 100 are mated and connected, the mating recess 216 accommodates the mating protrusion 116 of the receptacle connector 100, and at the same time, the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 214 of the mating recess 216 are accommodated in the receiving portion 118 of the receptacle connector 100 with the outer walls 212a and 214a of the first side wall 212 and the second side wall 214 respectively circumferentially surrounded.

6 and 7, and referring to FIG. 4, the plug terminal 220 has a mounting portion 221 at the end on the board side (Z2 side), and an inner leg 222 through a portion bent at a right angle upward (Z1 side) from the mounting portion 221. The inner leg 222 faces the outer leg 225 across the second side wall 214 of the plug housing 210, and the inner leg 222 and the outer leg 225 are connected through the end of the second side wall 214, that is, the apex 223 located on the outermost surface of the plug connector 200 on the side mated with the receptacle connector 100, among the orthogonal planes perpendicular to the axis (Z axis) extending along the mating direction (Z axis direction). The inner leg 222, the apex 223, the protrusion 224, and the back surface of the outer leg 225 (the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the mating terminal) are supported by the second side wall 214.

The protrusion 224 is formed by protruding outward a portion of the outer leg 225 adjacent to the top 223. The contact side surface 226 of the protrusion 224 is exposed from the second side wall 214. When mated with the receptacle terminal 120, which is the mating terminal, the protrusion 224 can engage with the second receptacle locking portion 155 to maintain the mated state (locked state). The inner leg 222, top 223, protrusion 224, and outer leg 225 are fixed by the second side wall 214 so as not to move when mated with the mating terminal.

As is clear from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4, the plug terminal 220 is attached to the plug housing 210 by insert molding (integral molding) with the plug housing 210. In addition, the space surrounded by the inner leg 222, the top 223, the protrusion 224, and the outer leg 225 of the plug terminal 220 is filled with resin (housing).

The plug addition members 230 are arranged on both sides of the plug connector 200, sandwiching the central portion of the second side wall portion 214 on which the plug terminal 220 is held. That is, the plug addition members 230 are provided on each end side (α1, α2) on both sides of the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plug connector 200. By providing them on both sides in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the locking force in the connector length direction can be strengthened at both end sides in the longitudinal direction. However, it is not necessarily required to provide them on both sides, and when provided only on one end side, the locking force can be strengthened at the one end side. The plug addition member 230 includes two first plug locking portions 234 and a pair of second plug locking portions 235. The plug housing 210 holds the first plug locking portion 234 with the first side wall portion 212 and holds the second plug locking portion 235 with the second side wall portion 214. The plug addition member 230 has second plug locking portions 235 extending in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the first plug locking portion 234 on both sides (Y1 and Y2 sides) of the first plug locking portion 234 held by the first side wall portion 212. That is, the two first plug locking portions 234 are located between the pair of second receptacle locking portions 155 in the short direction (Y-axis direction). The portion including the first plug locking portion 234 and the portion including the second plug locking portion 235 are connected via a plug connecting portion 238. The plug connecting portion 238 is exposed from the plug housing 210.

Referring to FIG. 5, the plug attachment member 230 has a mounting portion 231 for mounting to the substrate (400) by soldering or the like, and a plug leg portion 232 is provided via a portion bent upward (to the Z1 side in the Z-axis direction) from the mounting portion 231. The second plug lock portion 235 and the plug leg portion 232 face each other across the second side wall portion 214, and the second plug lock portion 235 and the plug leg portion 232 are connected via the end of the second side wall portion 214, i.e., the top portion 233B located on the outermost surface of the plug connector 200 on the side mated with the receptacle connector 100, among the orthogonal planes perpendicular to the axis (Z-axis) extending along the mating direction (Z-axis direction).

As is clear from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5, the plug attachment member 230 is attached to the plug housing 210 by insert molding (integral molding) with the plug housing 210. In addition, the space surrounded by the plug leg portion 232, the top portion 233B, the second plug lock portion 235, and the plug flat portion 236B of the plug attachment member 230 is filled with resin (housing).

The plug leg 232 is exposed from the second side wall 214. The portion between the plug leg 232 and the mounting portion 231 is covered with the resin of the plug housing 210 and is held in the plug housing 210. The first plug locking portion 234 and the backside of the top 233A are supported by the first side wall 212, and the second plug locking portion 235, the top 233A and the backside of the plug leg 232 are supported by the second side wall 214. The top 233A is located on the outermost surface of the plug connector 200 on the side mated with the receptacle connector 100, in a plane perpendicular to the axis (Z-axis) extending along the mating direction (Z-axis direction) like the end of the first side wall 212, i.e., the top 223B. The effect of providing the top is as described in the description of the receptacle connector.

The configuration of a plug connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11 in addition to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 10 is a top view of a plug connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector cut at cut point D-D shown in Fig. 10. The plug leg 232 of the plug additional member 230 is held by the second side wall 214 at equal intervals on both sides (X1 side and X2 side) of the plug leg 232 of the plug terminal 220.

The first plug locking portion 234 is configured to be a curved surface protruding from the surface of the first side wall portion 212, and extends in the short direction (Y-axis direction) as a curved surface with a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the short direction (Y-axis direction). The second plug locking portion 235 is configured to be a curved surface protruding from the surface of the second side wall portion 214, and extends in the long direction (X-axis direction) as a curved surface with a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the long direction (X-axis direction). The first plug locking portion 234 and the second plug locking portion 235 expose the plug lock side surface 237 from the first side wall portion 212 and the second side wall portion 214, respectively. The plug additional member 230 has plug flat portions 236A and 236B on the bottom side (Z1 side) of the plug housing 210 from the positions where the first plug locking portion 234 and the second plug locking portion 235 are provided.

The first plug locking portion 234 is divided in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the first side wall portion 212 extending in the short direction (Y-axis direction). The ends of the divided first plug locking portion 234 and plug flat portion 236A do not have mounting portions for mounting to the board (400) by soldering or the like. In other words, the ends of the divided first plug locking portion 234 and plug flat portion 236A are free ends. On the other hand, the receptacle flat portions 156A, 156B of the first receptacle locking portion 154 and second receptacle locking portion 155 of the receptacle addition member 150 are fixed to the board (300) by mounting portions 151A, 151B.

In this way, the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155 are firmly fixed to the receptacle housing 110, so that the receptacle attachment member 150 serves as a reference, and by adjusting the amount of interference with the plug attachment member 230, it is possible to fine-tune the force (herein referred to as the "locking force") applied when and during the connection between the plug connector 200 and the receptacle connector 100. In other words, by configuring the first plug locking portion 234, which is divided into two, and the plug flat portion 236A not to be fixed to the board (400), when the connectors are mated, the first side wall portion 212 that holds the first plug locking portion 234 together with the first plug locking portion 234, which is divided into two, is easily deformed, and the force applied to the first plug locking portion 234 is released, making it possible to adjust the locking force.

In addition, the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155 of the receptacle addition member 150 and the first plug locking portion 234 and the second plug locking portion 235 of the plug addition member 230 are configured to have curved surfaces that protrude from the surfaces of the first sidewall portions 112, 212 and the second sidewall portions 114, 214, respectively, thereby making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs by eliminating the process of processing metal members (the receptacle addition member 150 and the plug addition member 230) to provide convex and concave portions during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the second receptacle locking portion 155 of the receptacle addition member 150 and the first plug locking portion 234 and the second plug locking portion 235 of the plug addition member 230 are curved surfaces supported by the sidewall portions, which prevents the force applied when attaching and detaching the connector from concentrating on one point, and provides a structure that is resistant to deformation and wear.

The configuration in which the first plug locking portion 234 of the plug attachment member 230 is divided into two can also be applied to the first receptacle locking portion 154 of the receptacle attachment member 150, and the first receptacle locking portion 154 of the receptacle attachment member 150 can be divided into two, and the end of the receptacle leg portion 152A connected to the first receptacle locking portion 154 via the first top portion 153A can be configured not to be fixed to the substrate (300).

Figure 12 is a view from the power terminal side of the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member in a fitted state. The power terminal 160 has a movable part 163 which is a part bent upward (Z2 side) from a bottom part 162 extending in the short direction (Y axis direction) from the receptacle flat part 156B which extends vertically below (Z1 side) the second receptacle lock part 155. The movable part 163 is a free end which is not fixed by the resin of the receptacle housing 110, and includes a movable contact 164 at the end of the movable part 163. When the inner leg part 222 of the plug attachment member 230 is received between the second receptacle lock part 155, the movable part 163 is elastically pressed toward the mating protrusion part 116 side and deformed, and in the received state, the movable contact 164 abuts against the surface of the inner leg part 222 of the plug attachment member 230 and is electrically connected.

Figure 13 is a top view of the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member when fitted together, as seen from the plug side, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member cut at the cut point E-E shown in Figure 13. Also, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the plug attachment member and the receptacle attachment member cut at the cut point F-F shown in Figure 13.

14 shows the engagement between the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the first plug locking portion 234. When the receptacle connector 100 is connected to the plug connector 200, which is the mating connector, the first receptacle locking portion 154 engages with the first plug locking portion 234, which is the first mating locking portion, and the receptacle flat portion 156A of the first receptacle locking portion 154 is configured to receive the first plug locking portion 234. Similarly, when the plug connector 200 is connected to the receptacle connector 100, which is the mating connector, the first plug locking portion 234 engages with the first receptacle locking portion 154, which is the first mating locking portion, and the plug flat portion 236A of the first plug locking portion 234 is configured to receive the first receptacle locking portion 154. In this way, the receptacle flat surface 156A and the curved surface of the first plug locking portion 234 face each other in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the plug flat surface 236A and the curved surface of the first receptacle locking portion 154 face each other in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

With this configuration, the first receptacle locking portion 154 and the first plug locking portion 234 engage with each other, and the mated state between the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 can be maintained. As described above, since the first plug locking portion 234 and the plug flat portion 236A are not fixed to the substrate (300), when the connectors are mated, the first side wall portion 212 that holds the first plug locking portion 234 together with the first plug locking portion 234 is easily deformed, and the force applied to the first plug locking portion 234 is released, making it possible to adjust the locking force.

Figure 15 shows the engagement between the second receptacle locking portion 155 and the second plug locking portion 235. When the receptacle connector 100 is connected to the mating connector, the plug connector 200, the second receptacle locking portion 155 engages with the second plug locking portion 235, which is the second mating locking portion, and the receptacle flat portion 156B of the second receptacle locking portion 155 is configured to receive the second plug locking portion 235. Similarly, when the plug connector 200 is connected to the mating connector, the receptacle connector 100, the second plug locking portion 235 engages with the second receptacle locking portion 155, which is the second mating locking portion, and the plug flat portion 236B of the second plug locking portion 235 is configured to receive the second receptacle locking portion 155. In this way, the receptacle flat surface 156B and the curved surface of the second plug locking portion 235 face each other in the short side direction (Y-axis direction), and the plug flat surface 236B and the curved surface of the second receptacle locking portion 155 face each other in the short side direction (Y-axis direction).

With this configuration, the second receptacle locking portion 155 and the second plug locking portion 235 engage with each other, and the mated state of the receptacle connector 100 and the plug connector 200 can be maintained. In addition, the receptacle fixing portion 161 extending downward in the mating direction (to the Z1 side in the Z-axis direction) from the T-shaped portion 158 of the receptacle attachment member 150 faces the plug leg portion 232 of the plug attachment member 230 when the connectors are mated.

As described above, the first plug locking portion 234 is held by the first side wall portion 212, but even in this case, at least a portion of the first plug locking portion 234 is exposed on the outer wall 212a of the first side wall portion 212 along the short side direction (Y-axis direction) and constitutes at least a portion of the outer wall 212a of the first side wall portion 212 that is received in the receiving portion 118 of the receptacle connector 200 when a portion of the receptacle connector 200 is engaged with the engagement recess 216.

In addition, the second plug locking portion 235 is held by the first side wall portion 212, but even in this case, at least a portion of the second plug locking portion 235 (the range indicated by "v" and "w" in FIG. 10) is exposed at the outer wall 212a of the first side wall portion 212 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and constitutes at least a portion of the outer wall 214a of the second side wall portion 214 that is received in the receiving portion 118 of the receptacle connector 200 when a portion of the receptacle connector 200 is engaged with the engaging recess 216. Here, at least a portion "w" of the portion of the second plug locking portion 235 included in the range indicated by "v" and "w" is provided at a position closer to one end side (α1) than the engaging recess 216 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). With this configuration, the locking function can be effective even at a position closer to one end (α1) than the mating recess 216, and the locking force near the end in the connector's length direction can be strengthened.

A modified example of the receptacle addition member 150 will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 19. Figs. 16 and 17 are perspective views of a receptacle connector 100-1 having a modified receptacle addition member 150-1, along with pads 300B-1 and 300B-2 provided on a board. Fig. 16 is a perspective view from the mating side with the plug connector, and Fig. 17 is a perspective view from the opposite side to the mating side with the plug connector. Figs. 18 and 19 are perspective views of the receptacle addition member 150-1 and pad 400 shown in Figs. 16 and 17, respectively, shown in the same manner as Figs. 16 and 17. In these figures, the same components as those in Fig. 1 and the like are given the same reference numbers as those in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and the like.

The second mounting part of the receptacle addition member 150-1 according to the modified example is different from that of the receptacle addition member 150 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and includes a plurality of parts along the longitudinal direction, here the second mounting parts 151B-1 and 151B-2, which are divided by cutting out a part in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the connector. Correspondingly, the pads of the board also include a plurality of parts along the longitudinal direction, that is, the pad parts 300B-1 and 300B-2, which are divided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The second mounting parts 151B-1 and 151B-2 can be soldered to the pad parts 300B-1 and 300B-2, respectively. In this way, by dividing the second mounting part, and correspondingly by dividing the pads of the board, the amount of solder required to solder the second mounting part to the pads can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. In addition, such a divided configuration also has the effect of preventing the second mounting part from warping. Furthermore, for example, if too much solder is applied to the second mounting portion, some of the solder may be pushed out to the inside of the second mounting portion, and as a result, it may travel along the bottom 126 of the power terminal 160 to the movable portion 127, adversely affecting the electrical connection at the movable contact 128. However, with this configuration, the excess solder enters the gap 151B-3 between the second mounting portion 151B-1 and the second mounting portion 151B-2, which is formed by the division, and some of the solder can escape, reducing the possibility of such a problem occurring.

The first mounting portion of the receptacle attachment member 150-1 according to the modified example can have a divided configuration similar to that of the second mounting portion. This is also shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like. That is, the first mounting portion of the receptacle attachment member 150-1 may include multiple portions along the short side direction, i.e., first mounting portions 151A-1 and 151A-2, which are divided by cutting out a portion in a direction intersecting the short side direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector, and correspondingly, the pads of the board may also include multiple portions along the short side direction, i.e., pad portions 300A-1 and 300A-2, which are divided in a direction intersecting the short side direction. In this short side direction, the problem of solder wicking at the terminals described above does not occur, but the same effect as in the longitudinal direction, such as reducing the amount of solder, can be obtained.

As described above, the individual embodiments of the present invention are not independent, but can be appropriately combined with each other to be implemented.
In addition, this embodiment can be modified in various ways without going beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, the additional members are provided on both end sides in the longitudinal direction, but it is not necessary to provide them on both end sides, and they may be provided on either end side.

The connector of the present invention can be used for applications such as connecting boards with flat cables in electronic devices such as smartphones and mobile phones that transmit electrical signals at high speeds.

100 Receptacle connector 110 Receptacle housing 112 First side wall portion 113 Peripheral wall portion 114 Second side wall portion 116 Fitting convex portion 118 Receptacle portion 119 Bottom wall 120 Receptacle terminal 121 Mounting portion 122 Leg portion 123 Top portion 124 Fixed contact 125 Fixed portion 126 Bottom portion 127 Movable portion 128 Movable contact 129 Contact side surface 150 Receptacle addition member 151A, 151B Mounting portion 152A, 152B Receptacle leg portion 153A First top portion 153B Second top portion 153C Third top portion 154 First receptacle lock portion 155 Second receptacle lock portion 156A, 156B Receptacle flat portion 157 Bottom portion 158 T-shaped portion 159A, 159B Receptacle lock side surface 160 Power terminal 161 Receptacle fixing portion 162 Bottom portion 163 Movable portion 164 Movable contact 165 Receptacle connecting portion 200 Plug connector 210 Plug housing 212 First side wall portion 214 Second side wall portion 216 Fitting recess 220 Plug terminal 221 Mounting portion 222 Inner leg portion 223 Top portion 224 Protrusion portion 225 Outer leg portion 226 Contact side surface 230 Plug additional member 231 Mounting portion 232 Plug leg portions 233A, 233B Top portion 234 First plug lock portion 235 Second plug lock portion 236A, 236B Plug flat portion 237A, 237B Plug lock side surface 238 Plug connecting portion 300 Board 400 Board

Claims (11)

A connector including a housing, a terminal held in the housing, and an additional member held in the housing by insert molding,
The housing includes:
a mating protrusion protruding from a mating side with a mating connector;
a pair of first side wall portions extending in a first direction and a pair of second side wall portions extending in a second direction, the pair of first side wall portions protruding toward a mating side with the mating connector and circumferentially surrounding an outer wall of the mating protrusion,
a receiving portion that receives at least a part of the mating connector is formed between an outer wall of the fitting protrusion and inner walls of the pair of first side wall portions and the pair of second side wall portions,
The additional member at least on one end side in the second direction is
It has a locking mechanism,
a first inner wall portion that extends in the first direction and that constitutes at least a portion of an inner wall side of the first side wall portion;
a first outer wall portion extending in the first direction, the first outer wall portion being located distal to the fitting protrusion in the second direction relative to the first inner wall portion and constituting at least a part of an outer wall side of the first side wall portion;
a first connection portion located on a mating side with the mating connector and connecting the first inner wall portion and the first outer wall portion;
A portion constituting at least a part of the fitting protrusion;
a bottom portion that is located on the opposite side to the mating side with the mating connector and that connects at least a portion of the mating protrusion and the first inner wall portion;
an extension portion extending in the second direction and connected to both ends of the first outer wall portion in the first direction via a connecting portion;
Equipped with
The extension portion is
a second inner wall portion extending in the second direction and constituting at least a portion of an inner wall side of the second side wall portion;
a second outer wall portion extending in the second direction, the second outer wall portion being located distal to the fitting protrusion in the first direction relative to the second inner wall portion and constituting at least a portion of an outer wall side of the second side wall portion;
a second connecting portion located on the mating side with the mating connector and connecting the second inner wall portion and the second outer wall portion. A portion constituting at least a part of the fitting protrusion is
a portion located on the mating side of the mating connector and constituting an outermost surface of the mating protrusion;
a portion constituting at least a part of an outer wall of the fitting protrusion,
2. The connector as described in claim 1, wherein a portion constituting at least a portion of an outer wall of the mating convex portion includes a first surface facing the first inner wall portion in the second direction and a second surface facing the second inner wall portion in the first direction. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a portion constituting at least a part of the outer wall of the mating protrusion is connected to the bottom portion on the side opposite to the mating side with the mating connector through the length portion forming the first surface. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the first inner wall portion forms a curved surface that protrudes toward the receiving portion in the second direction beyond the surface of the inner wall of the first side wall portion, and the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface perpendicular to the first direction extends along the first direction. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein both ends of the first connection part in the first direction are bent toward the side opposite to the mating side with the mating connector to form free ends. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a portion of the second inner wall portion forms a locking portion by a curved surface that protrudes toward the receiving portion in the first direction from the surface of the inner wall of the second side wall portion, and the cross-sectional shape of the curved surface perpendicular to the second direction extends along the second direction. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein both ends of the first connection part in the first direction are bent toward the side opposite to the mating side with the mating connector to form free ends. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second connection portion forms a curved surface that protrudes toward the mating side with the mating connector. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the extension portion is provided with a power terminal. the power supply terminal is located farther from the first outer wall portion in the second direction than a portion that constitutes at least a part of the fitting protrusion,
a bottom portion connected to the second inner wall portion and located on the opposite side to the mating side with the mating connector;
a movable portion that is deformable in the first direction and is connected to the bottom portion on a proximal side of the fitting protrusion in the first direction relative to the second inner wall portion and extends toward a fitting side with the mating connector;
A movable contact provided at a free end of the movable portion;
Including,
10. A connector as described in claim 9, wherein at least the cross-sectional shapes of the movable portion and the movable contact perpendicular to the second direction are the same as the cross-sectional shapes of the corresponding portions of the signal terminals located farther from the first outer wall portion in the second direction than the power terminals. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a first locking portion held by the first side wall portion and/or a second locking portion held by the second side wall portion.

Images