Relay electrical connector, electrical connector assembly, and electrical connector assembly with circuit substrate

Abstract

The present invention provides a relay electrical connector, an electrical connector assembly, and an electrical connector assembly with a circuit board, which can effectively prevent the relay electrical connector from accidentally falling off from a target connection body. The relay electrical connector (1) connects a first target connection body (2) and a second target connection body from different sides so as to connect the two target connection bodies to each other. The relay electrical connector (1) includes terminals that can contact the first target connection body (2) and the second target connection body, respectively, and a housing that directly or indirectly holds the terminals. The relay electrical connector (1) includes a locking member (100) supported by the housing of the relay electrical connector (1). The locking member (100) has a locking member (151) that can be locked in a removal direction relative to a locked portion (151) provided on the first target connection body (2) when the relay electrical connector (1) and the first target connection body (2) are connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay electrical connector for connecting two object connection bodies to relay the two object connection bodies to each other, an electrical connector assembly having the relay electrical connector and an object connection body, and an electrical connector with a circuit substrate for mounting the object connection body of the electrical connector assembly on a circuit substrate. Background Art

[0002] For example, the above-mentioned relay electric connector, electric connector assembly, and electric connector assembly with circuit substrate are disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, a first object connector (object connector 3) mounted on a circuit substrate and a second object connector (object connector 2) mounted on another circuit substrate are mated and connected with the above-mentioned relay electric connector from opposite sides in the vertical direction. Specifically, as a connector mating operation, first, the relay electric connector is mated and connected from above with respect to the first object connector mounted on the circuit substrate, and then, the second object connector mounted on the other circuit substrate is mated and connected with respect to the relay electric connector.

[0003] The relay electrical connector is formed by connecting a plurality of connection units arranged in a direction parallel to the circuit substrate with a connection member made of a metal plate. In addition, each connection unit is formed by holding a sheet for contacting the first and second mating connectors by two housing halves (lower housing half 80 and upper housing half 90) divided in the upper and lower directions.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a protruding stopper is formed on the inner wall surface of the lower portion of the lower housing half body made of an electrically insulating material (in Patent Document 1, Figure 5 (A) Figure 6 In (A) to (C) of FIG. 1 , there are no reference numerals but the figures are shown), when the relay electrical connector is mated and connected with the first object connector, the locking portion of the relay electrical connector is locked relative to the locking portion (not shown) provided on the housing made of an electrically insulating material of the first object connector, thereby preventing the connectors from accidentally falling off from each other.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-102229

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the connector mating direction is the up-down direction, but in reality, depending on the conditions of the connector mating connection operation, the mating direction is not necessarily the up-down direction, and there may be a case where the mating connection operation is performed with the connector tilted relative to the up-down direction. For example, when the relay electric connector is mated with the first counterpart connector mounted on the circuit substrate in Patent Document 1 and then the second counterpart connector mounted on another circuit substrate is mated with the relay electric connector, if the up-down direction is used as the mating direction as in Patent Document 1, the mating portion between the relay electric connector and the other counterpart connector is hidden in the other circuit substrate and is difficult to visually observe.

[0007] In order to facilitate visual observation of the above-mentioned mating part, for example, it is conceivable that the operator holds the above-mentioned circuit substrate with one hand and the above-mentioned other circuit substrate with the other hand, and performs the mating operation while making the two connectors tilted relative to the vertical direction. In this case, the two connectors are prevented from falling off by the locking portion of the relay electrical connector and the locked portion of the first mating connector.

[0008] However, since both the above-mentioned locking portion, which is a part of the lower housing half of the relay electrical connector, and the above-mentioned locked portion, which is a part of the housing of the first counterpart connector, are formed of an electrically insulating material and are shaped so as not to hinder the insertion and removal of the connectors, it is not necessarily easy to ensure a sufficiently large locking force between the above-mentioned locking portion and the above-mentioned locked portion. Therefore, for example, in the case where the relay electrical connector has a large vertical dimension and the relay electrical connector itself is heavy, the relay electrical connector may also fall off from the first counterpart connector due to its own weight when it is in a tilted position relative to the vertical direction. Summary of the invention

[0009] In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a relay electric connector, an electric connector assembly, and an electric connector assembly with a circuit board, which can satisfactorily prevent the relay electric connector and a mating connection body from being accidentally detached.

[0010] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by the following relay electric connector according to the first invention, the electric connector assembly according to the second invention, and the electric connector assembly with a circuit board according to the third invention.

[0011] <First Invention>

[0012] The relay electrical connector involved in the first invention is a relay electrical connector that connects a first object connection body and a second object connection body from different sides in a pluggable manner to relay the two object connection bodies to each other. The above-mentioned relay electrical connector comprises: a terminal that can contact the above-mentioned first object connection body and the above-mentioned second object connection body respectively; and a shell that directly or indirectly holds the above-mentioned terminal.

[0013] Based on the above-mentioned relay electrical connector, in the present invention, it is characterized in that it has a locking piece supported by the above-mentioned shell of the above-mentioned relay electrical connector, and the above-mentioned locking piece has a locking portion, and the above-mentioned locking portion can be locked in the removal direction relative to the locked portion provided on the first object connection body when the above-mentioned relay electrical connector is in a connected state with the above-mentioned first object connection body.

[0014] In the present invention, a locking member is provided in the relay electrical connector, and in the connection state between the relay electrical connector and the first object connection body, the locking portion of the locking member can be locked relative to the locked portion provided in the first object connection body in the removal direction. In the present invention, the locking portion is formed as a part of the locking member as a metal component, so compared with the case where the locking portion is formed in a housing made of an electrically insulating material as in the past, the strength of the locking portion itself becomes higher, thereby ensuring sufficient locking force between the locking portion and the locked portion, in other words, ensuring locking strength. Therefore, even if the relay electrical connector and the first object connection body are connected to each other and become inclined relative to the up-down direction, the relay electrical connector and the first object connection body are difficult to fall off.

[0015] It can also be configured as follows: based on the first invention, the locking member has a plate-like portion extending in the insertion and extraction direction relative to the first object connection body, the locking portion is formed as a cantilever beam-shaped elastically displaceable locking piece that is formed by cutting and raising a part of the plate-like portion and extending in the extraction direction relative to the first object connection body, and the locking piece can be locked with the locked portion of the first object connection body. By forming the locking portion as a locking piece, the locking portion and the locked portion can be locked more reliably.

[0016] It can also be configured as follows: based on the first invention, the housing has a locking portion, and the locking portion can be locked relative to the locked portion provided on the first object connection body in the removal direction when the relay electrical connector is connected to the first object connection body. In this way, the locking portion is provided on the housing, and it can be locked with the first object connection body not only by the locking portion but also by the locking portion, thereby more reliably preventing the relay electrical connector from accidentally falling off from the first object connection body.

[0017] It can also be configured as follows: based on the first invention, the housing has two housing halves divided in the connection direction with the first object connection body, the locking member extends along the connection direction in a range spanning the two housing halves and is supported by the two housing halves, and the two housing halves can move relative to each other within a prescribed range along a direction perpendicular to the connection direction. By forming such a structure, the locking member allows the relative movement of the two housing halves in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction, so even if the relative positions of the first object connection body and the second object connection body deviate in the same direction, the two connection bodies can be connected via the relay electrical connector by relatively moving the two housing halves by the amount of the deviation.

[0018] It can also be constructed as follows: on the basis of the first invention, the above-mentioned relay electrical connector has a plurality of connection units having the above-mentioned terminals and the above-mentioned shell, and the above-mentioned plurality of connection units are arranged in an arrangement direction relative to a direction that is at right angles to the connection direction of the above-mentioned first connecting body, and the above-mentioned locking member extends over the arrangement range of the above-mentioned plurality of connection units in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and connects the plurality of connection units together.

[0019] <Second invention>

[0020] An electric connector assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising the relay electric connector according to the first aspect of the present invention and the first mating connection body.

[0021] It can also be constructed as follows: on the basis of the second invention, the above-mentioned first object connecting body is an object connector that is matingly connected to the above-mentioned relay electrical connector, and has a locking piece, and the above-mentioned locking piece is formed with a locking portion that can be locked with the above-mentioned locking portion of the relay electrical connector when connected to the above-mentioned relay electrical connector.

[0022] By forming such a structure, the locked portion is formed as a part of the locked member which is a metal component, thereby increasing the strength of the locked portion itself. Therefore, when the relay electrical connector and the mating connector are connected, the locking portion of the locking member of the relay electrical connector and the locked portion of the mating connector can be locked, thereby increasing the locking force and locking strength of the locking portion and the locked portion.

[0023] <Third invention>

[0024] The third invention is characterized by comprising the electric connector assembly according to the second invention and a circuit board, wherein the first counterpart connection body of the electric connector assembly is a circuit board electric connector mounted on the circuit board and capable of being mated and connected with the relay electric connector.

[0025] In the present invention, as described above, the locking portion of the relay electrical connector is formed as a part of the locking member which is a metal member, so the strength of the locking portion itself becomes high, thereby ensuring a sufficient locking force between the locking portion and the locked portion of the counterpart connection body, in other words, ensuring the locking strength. As a result, even if the relay electrical connector and the counterpart connection body are connected to each other and are tilted relative to the vertical direction, both are prevented from falling off. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a relay electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention and two mating connectors connected thereto from above and below, and shows a state before being fitted and connected.

[0027] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 A perspective view showing the components of the relay electrical connector in a separated state.

[0028] Figure 3 (A) is represented by monomer Figure 1 A perspective view of a sheet of a relay electrical connector, Figure 3 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the sheet of (A).

[0029] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a relay connection unit and two object connection units connected thereto from above and below, Figure 4 (A) indicates the state before the mating connection. Figure 4 (B) shows a state where the first mating connector and the relay electrical connector are mated and connected.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the connected parts as a single body. Figure 5 (A) is the main view, Figure 5 (B) is a side view.

[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view showing an enlarged locking portion of a locking portion of a relay electrical connector and a locked portion of a first mating connector, Figure 6 (A) indicates the normal connector mating state. Figure 6 (B) shows the state where the relay electrical connector is lifted upward.

[0032] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an action of releasing a locked state of a locking portion of a relay electrical connector and a locked portion of a first mating connector, Figure 7 (A) indicates the state before the lock is released. Figure 7 (B) shows the state after the lock is released.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1…relay connector; 2…first object connector (first object connection body); 3…second object connector (second object connection body); 10…relay connection unit; 30…terminal; 70…housing; 80…lower housing half body; 81A…locking portion; 90…upper housing half body; 100…connecting member (locking piece); 104A…locking portion; 123A…locked portion; 150…connecting member (locked member); 151…locked portion; P1, P2…circuit substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a relay electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention and two counterpart connectors connected thereto from above and below, showing a state before being mated and connected. Figure 2 In a separated state Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of the components of the relay electrical connector. The relay electrical connector 1 involved in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "relay connector 1") takes the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) as the connector connection direction, connects the first object connector 2 as the first object connection body from the bottom (Z2 side), and connects the second object connector 3 as the second object connection body from the top (Z1 side), thereby relay-connecting the two object connectors to each other. The first object connector 2 and the second object connector 3 (for the sake of convenience, referred to as "object connectors 2, 3" as needed) form the same shape as each other. The first object connectors 2 and 3 are connected to different circuit substrates P1 and P2 (refer to Figure 4 An electrical connector for a circuit board connected to (A) and (B)).

[0037] In this embodiment, the counterpart connectors 2 and 3 have two counterpart connection units 110 arranged in one direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface of the corresponding circuit substrate. In this way, the number of the counterpart connection units 110 of the first counterpart connector 2 is equal to the number of the counterpart connection units 110 of the second counterpart connector 3. The two counterpart connection units 110 of the first counterpart connector 2 are mounted on one circuit substrate P1 (refer to Figure 4 (A), (B)), the two counterpart connection units 110 of the second counterpart connector 3 are mounted on one circuit substrate P2 (refer to Figure 4 (A), (B)).

[0038] The relay connector 1 has two relay connection units 10 , which is the same number as the counterpart connection units 110 , and the counterpart connection unit 110 of the first counterpart connector 2 and the connection unit 110 of the second counterpart connector 3 are connected via the relay connection units 10 .

[0039] Figure 1 The relay connector 1 shown in the figure has two relay connection units 10 and two connecting members 100 made of metal plates for connecting the two relay connection units 10 arranged in the Y-axis direction together (see Figure 2 ).

[0040] Each relay connection unit 10 is formed by accommodating and holding two sheets 20 in a housing 70 described later. The two sheets 20 have the same shape and are arranged in pairs symmetrically in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the relay connection units 10 (see Figure 4 (A), (B)). Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), the space opened downward between the sheets 20 at the lower part of the relay connection unit 10 is formed as a lower receiving portion 11 for receiving the connection unit 110 of the first object connector 2 from below. On the other hand, the space opened upward between the sheets 20 at the upper part of the relay connection unit 10 functions as an upper receiving portion 12 for receiving the object connection unit 110 of the second object connector 3 from above.

[0041] Figure 3 (A) is represented by monomer Figure 1 A perspective view of the sheet 20 of the relay connector 1, Figure 3 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the sheet 20 on a plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the connector, and shows a cross section at the position of the terminal in the width direction of the connector. Figure 3 As shown in (A), the sheet 20 has: a plurality of terminals 30 arranged at equal intervals in the width direction of the connector; a substrate 40 made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., resin) that holds the plurality of terminals 30 by integral molding; an inner ground plate 50 that is mounted on one side of the substrate 40 (i.e., a side surface of the substrate 40); Figure 3 The Y2 side in (A) and (B) corresponds to the "inner side" described later); and the outer ground plate 60 is mounted on the other side of the plate (is Figure 3 The Y1 side in (A) and (B) corresponds to the "outside" described later) (see also Figure 3 (B)). Hereinafter, regarding the sheet 20, the surfaces facing each other in the pair of two sheets 20 are referred to as "inner sides", and the opposite surfaces are referred to as "outer sides".

[0042] like Figure 3As shown in (A) and (B) of the drawings, the terminal 30 is formed by partially bending a sheet-shaped metal part extending in the connector mating direction, that is, in the vertical direction. The terminal 30 comprises: a lower elastic arm portion 31 extending downward from the lower end of the base material 40; an upper elastic arm portion 32 extending upward from the upper end of the base material 40; and a connecting portion 33 extending in the vertical direction and connecting the lower elastic arm portion 31 and the upper elastic arm portion 32 (see Figure 3 (B)).

[0043] In this embodiment, the plurality of terminals 30 held in one sheet 20 include terminals 30 of three shapes. Figure 3 In (B), the first and second shapes of the terminals 30 are shown. The first and second shapes of the terminals 30 are adjacent to each other, and the middle parts of the connecting parts 33 extend obliquely in a manner that crosses each other when viewed in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the sheet 20. Figure 3 The terminal 30 of the lower elastic arm portion 31 shown on the lower side of (B) and the terminal 30 of the upper elastic arm portion 32 shown on the upper side of the same figure are separate terminals adjacent to each other (refer to Figure 4 The sheet 20 located on the right side (Y1 side) of the two sheets 20 (A) and (B). In addition, the terminal 30 of the third shape extends in the vertical direction without crossing other terminals 30 (refer to Figure 4 Of the two sheets 20 (A) and (B), the sheet 20 located on the left side (Y2 side).

[0044] The lower elastic arm portion 31 and the upper elastic arm portion 32 are respectively capable of elastic displacement in the plate thickness direction. Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), at the lower end side of the lower elastic arm portion 31 and the upper end side of the upper elastic arm portion 32, a lower contact portion 31A and an upper contact portion 32A are formed which are bent in a manner protruding toward the inner side (Y2 side) in the above-mentioned plate thickness direction (Y-axis direction), and the lower contact portion 31A and the upper contact portion 32A are elastically in contact with the terminals 130 (hereinafter referred to as "target terminals 130") of the target connectors 2 and 3, respectively.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the substrate 40 is formed into a square plate shape extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) within the range including the terminal arrangement range and extending throughout the range of the connecting portion 33 in the up and down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0046] The inner ground plate 50 is made of a metal plate and is provided on the inner side surface ( Figure 3The outer ground plate 60 is made of a metal plate and is disposed on the outer side surface of the substrate 40 ( Figure 3 The plate surface on the Y1 side in (A) and (B). Figure 3 As shown in (B), the outer ground plate 60 is larger in the vertical direction than the inner ground plate 50. The inner ground plate 50 and the outer ground plate 60 are held on the base material 40 by ultrasonic welding in a state of being in contact with the corresponding plate surfaces of the base material 40.

[0047] The housing 70 is made of an electrically insulating material (such as resin). Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 70 has a lower housing half body 80 and an upper housing half body 90 divided in the vertical direction. When the inner sides of the two sheets 20 are facing each other, the housing 70 receives and holds the lower halves of the two sheets 20 by the lower housing half body 80, and receives and holds the upper halves of the two sheets 20 by the upper housing half body 90 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 (A), (B)).

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower housing half 80 has two long walls 81 extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction), two short walls 82 extending in the arrangement direction of the relay connection units 10 (Y-axis direction) and connecting the ends of the long walls 81 to each other, and a limiting portion 83 connected to the short walls 82, and forms a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B), a partition wall 84 is formed at the central position in the arrangement direction of the lower housing half 80, extending between the two long walls 81 along the connector width direction and connecting the inner wall surfaces of the two short walls 82. The two spaces surrounded by the long wall 81, the short wall 82 and the partition wall 84 and penetrating in the vertical direction respectively form sheet storage holes 85 for storing the sheet 20.

[0049] The long wall 81 has a protruding stopper 81A protruding from the inner wall surface of the long wall 81 near both sides in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and near the lower end in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (see Figure 4 The locking portion 81A is located outside the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction, and can be relative to the later-described locked portion 123A (see Figure 1 ) is locked in the connector removal direction (upward (Z1 direction)). In the present embodiment, the relay connector 1 and the first mating connector 2 are positioned relative to each other in the vertical direction by the locking of the locking portion 81A and the locked portion 123A.

[0050] In addition, at the lower portion of the short wall 82, a slit-shaped end receiving portion 82A is formed which is open downward near both ends in the width direction of the connector (see Figure 7 The end receiving portion 82A receives and stores an upper portion of a coupling member 150 of a first mating connector 2 described later in the connector mating state.

[0051] The limiting portion 83 extends along the outer surface of the short wall 82 and is connected to the lower portion of the short wall 82. Figure 2 As shown, the limiting portion 83 has two longitudinal portions 83A extending in the up-down direction and a transverse portion 83B extending in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and connecting the upper ends of the two longitudinal portions 83A to each other, and when viewed in the width direction of the connector, the overall shape is an inverted U. In addition, a space surrounded by the upper half of the longitudinal portion 83A and the transverse portion 83B and penetrating in the width direction of the connector is formed as a limiting recess 83C that allows the lower side limiting piece 101A of the connecting member 100 to be described later to protrude. The inner wall surface of the limiting recess 83C is formed by the opposing wall surfaces of the two longitudinal portions 83A (surfaces at right angles to the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y-axis direction)) and the lower surface of the transverse portion 83B.

[0052] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, a slit-shaped end groove 86 opening upward is formed between the upper portion of the short wall 82 in the connector width direction and the upper portion of the restricting portion 83. The end groove 86 receives the lower portion of the supported plate portion 101 of the connecting member 100 described later from above.

[0053] The upper housing half body 90 has the same structure as the lower housing half body 80 except that it does not have a portion corresponding to the locking portion 81A of the lower housing half body 80. Therefore, the upper housing half body 90 is not locked with the second counterpart connector 3 in the mating connection state with the second counterpart connector 3. For the upper housing half body 90, the reference numerals after adding "10" to the reference numerals of the parts of the lower housing half body 80 are marked (for example, the "limiting portion" of the upper housing half body 90 corresponding to the "limiting portion 83" of the lower housing half body 80 is marked with the reference numeral "93"), and the description thereof is omitted.

[0054] The connecting member 100 is manufactured by punching out the metal plate member while maintaining the flat surface of the metal plate member and partially bending the metal plate member. Figure 2 As shown, the connection member 100 is formed to extend in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the relay connection units 10. Figure 2As shown, the connecting component 100 extends over the arrangement range of the relay connection unit 10 in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and extends over the range of both the housing halves 80 and 90 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), and faces the side surfaces (surfaces at right angles to the X-axis direction) of the relay connection unit 10. In this way, the connecting component 100 obtains a good protective effect by covering the side surfaces of the relay connection unit 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, the connecting component 100 is made of a plate-like component having a plate surface at right angles to the width direction of the connector (X-axis direction), and the dimension in the width direction of the connector is almost equal to the plate thickness dimension of the connecting component 100, so that the relay connector 1 does not become larger in the width direction of the connector.

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in (A), the connecting component 100 has: a supported plate portion 101, which is supported by two housing halves 80 and 90 of the relay connection unit 10 at a position corresponding to each relay connection unit 10 in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y-axis direction); a connecting portion 102, which connects two supported plate portions 101 adjacent to each other in the above-mentioned arrangement direction; a transition portion 103, which extends downward from the connecting portion 102; and a locking leg portion 104, which extends downward from the lower end of the transition portion 103. As described later, the connecting component 100 can be locked with the locking portion 151 of the first counterpart connector 2 at the locking portion 104A formed in the locking leg portion 104 (refer to Figure 6 (A), (B)) have the function of a locking member.

[0056] The supported plate portion 101 is formed with a lower restricted piece 101A and an upper restricted piece 101B which are restricted in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and the vertical direction by the restricting portions 83, 93 of the housing half bodies 80, 90. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the two, they are collectively referred to as "restricted pieces 101A, 101B". Figure 2 As shown, the restricted pieces 101A and 101B are provided at the same position as the restriction recesses 83C and 93C of the housing halves 80 and 90 in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and are formed by cutting and raising a part of the support plate 101 toward the outside in the connector width direction. The restricted pieces 101A and 101B are formed of cantilever beam-shaped strip pieces extending in the vertical direction and capable of elastic deformation in the connector width direction, and are symmetrical to each other in vertical direction.

[0057] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower restricted piece 101A extends obliquely outward in the connector width direction as it moves upward from a position near the lower end of the connecting member 100. Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown in (A), the front end (upper end) 101A-1 of the lower restricted piece 101A is thicker than the other parts (the root side part), forming a roughly triangular shape with rounded corners that tapers upward. On the other hand, the upper restricted piece 101B extends obliquely outward in the connector width direction as it approaches the upper end of the connecting member 100 and moves downward. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in (A), the front end portion (lower end portion) 101B-1 of the upper restricted piece 101B is thicker than the other portion (root side portion) and forms a substantially triangular shape with rounded corners that tapers downward.

[0058] The restricted pieces 101A and 101B respectively protrude from the inner side in the connector width direction into the corresponding restricting recesses 83C and 93C of the housing half bodies 80 and 90 and are located in the restricting recesses 83C and 93C (see Figure 1 ). The front end portion 101A-1 of the lower restricted piece 101A can abut against the opposing wall surface of the longitudinal portion 83A in the limiting recess 83C in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and can abut against the lower surface of the transverse portion 83B from below. As a result, the front end portion 101A-1 is restricted from moving more than a specified amount in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y1 direction and Y2 direction) and upward (Z1 direction). On the other hand, the front end portion 101B-1 of the upper restricted piece 101B can abut against the opposing wall surface of the longitudinal portion 93A in the limiting recess 93C in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and can abut against the upper surface of the transverse portion 93B from above. As a result, the front end portion 101B-1 is restricted from moving more than a specified amount in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y1 direction and Y2 direction) and downward (Z2 direction).

[0059] In the present embodiment, a slight gap (clearance) is formed between the front end portion 101A-1 of the lower restricted piece 101A and the inner wall surface of the restricted recess 83C (the opposing wall surface of the longitudinal portion 83A and the lower surface of the transverse portion 83B). In addition, a slight gap (clearance) is formed between the front end portion 101B-1 of the upper restricted piece 101B and the inner wall surface of the restricted recess 93C (the opposing wall surface of the longitudinal portion 93A and the upper surface of the transverse portion 93B). Therefore, the housing halves 80 and 90 can move relative to each other in the above-mentioned arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) within the range of the above-mentioned gap. As a result, even if the positions of the counterpart connectors 2 and 3 are offset from each other, the two counterpart connectors 2 and 3 can be connected to the relay connector 1 by the relative movement, that is, floating, of the housing halves 80 and 90 of the relay connector 1.

[0060] The coupling portion 102 extends in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and couples the middle portions of the supported plate portion 101 in the vertical direction. The upper half of the transition portion 103 extends straight in the vertical direction, and the lower half extends in a manner that is inclined inward in the connector width direction as it goes downward. As described later, the lower half forms a pressed portion 103A (see FIG. 1 ) that receives a pressing force for unlocking when the relay connector 1 is pulled out of the first mating connector 2. Figure 7 The pressed portion 103A is located on the inner side (in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the connector than the supported plate portion 101 and the coupling portion 102. Figure 5 (B) and Figure 7 (A) is the position on the X2 side).

[0061] The locking leg 104 extends downward from the lower edge of the pressed portion 103A of the transition portion 103. Therefore, the locking leg 104 is located at the inner side (X1 side) of the supported plate portion 101 and the coupling portion 102 in the connector width direction (see Figure 5 (B) and Figure 7 (A)). A locking portion 104A is formed at the lower end of the locking leg 104, which can be locked relative to the locked portion 151 described later of the first counterpart connector 2. The locking portion 104A is formed as a cantilever beam-shaped locking piece that is cut out of a part of the lower end and stands up and extends upward. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the locking portion 104A extends to the inner side in the connector width direction as it goes upward ( Figure 5 The locking leg 104 is tilted toward the X2 side in (B) and extends upward without tilting at the upper end, and is elastically displaceable in the connector width direction. In addition, at the lower end of the locking leg 104, the edges on both sides of the lower end (the edges extending in the vertical direction) are directed toward the outer side in the connector width direction ( Figure 5 The side piece 104B is formed by bending the X1 side in (B).

[0062] The relay connector 1 of this embodiment is manufactured according to the following points. First, the manufacturing process of the sheet material 20 is described. First, after arranging a plurality of terminals 30 arranged on a sheet material 20 in a metal mold (not shown) for molding a substrate 40, a molten electrical insulating material (such as resin) is poured into the metal mold and solidified, thereby molding the terminal array and the substrate 40 as a whole. Next, the inner side surfaces ( Figure 3 The inner side ground plate 50 is installed on the plate surface on the Y2 side in (A) and (B), and the outer side surface ( Figure 3 The outer ground plate 60 is assembled to the plate surface on the Y1 side in (A) and (B), and assembled to the base material 40 by ultrasonic welding, thereby completing the sheet 20.

[0063] Next, the assembly of the relay connector 1 is described. First, the lower halves of the sheets 20 are housed in the sheet housing holes 85 of the lower housing half 80 from above so that the inner sides of the two sheets 20 face each other. In addition, a plurality of lower housing half 80 housing the two sheets 20 are arranged in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the sheet 20.

[0064] Next, the lower portion of the supported plate portion 101 of the connecting member 100 is inserted from above into the end groove portion 86 of each lower housing half 80. At this time, the lower portion of the supported plate portion 101 is inserted until the lower restricted piece 101A abuts against the upper end portion of the restricting portion 83 of the lower housing half 80, and this state is maintained.

[0065] Next, the upper case half 90 is moved from above to the corresponding sheet 20 in a posture reversed upside down relative to the lower case half 80, and the upper half of each sheet 20 is stored from below in the sheet storage hole 95 of the upper case half 90. At the same time, the upper part of the supported plate 101 is inserted from below into the end groove 96 of each upper case half 90. At this time, the upper part of the supported plate 101 is inserted until the upper restricted piece 101B abuts against the lower end of the restricting portion 93 of the upper case half 90, and this state is maintained.

[0066] Next, the upper housing half body 90 is pressed in from above, and the lower housing half body 80 is pressed in from below, so that the upper housing half body 90 and the lower housing half body 80 are assembled to the corresponding sheets 20. The upper portion of the supported plate portion 101 is inserted into the end groove portion 96 by pressing in the upper housing half body 90 from above. During the insertion, the upper restricted piece 101B of the connecting member 100 receives a pressing force from the restricting portion 93 of the upper housing half body 90 toward the inside in the connector width direction. As a result, the upper restricted piece 101B is elastically deformed in the same direction, thereby allowing further insertion of the upper portion of the supported plate portion 101. Furthermore, when the upper restricted piece 101B passes the position of the lateral portion 93B of the restricting portion 93 and reaches the position of the restricting recess 93C, the upper restricted piece 101B is released from the pressing force from the restricting portion 93, reduces the elastic deformation amount, and returns to a free state, so that it is located in the restricting recess 93C.

[0067] If the upper restricted piece 101B is located in the restricted recess 93C, it is in contact with the inner wall surface of the restricted recess 93C in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and the up-down direction as described above, thereby restricting the upper restricted piece 101B from moving more than a predetermined amount in the same direction. At this time, since the upper restricted piece 101B can be locked with the upper surface of the horizontal portion 93B, the upper housing half 90 is prevented from accidentally falling.

[0068] The lower restricted piece 101A is also moved into the restricted recess 83C of the lower shell half 80 by pressing the lower shell half 80 from below, similar to the situation described above for the upper restricted piece 101B. As a result, the lower restricted piece 101A is locked relative to the inner wall surface of the restricted recess 83C in the above-mentioned arrangement direction and the up-down direction, thereby limiting the movement of the lower restricted piece 101A in the same direction by more than a specified amount. At this time, since the lower restricted piece 101A can be locked with the lower surface of the horizontal portion 83B, the lower shell half 80 is prevented from accidentally falling. As a result of assembling the shell half 80 and 90 in this way, the assembly of the relay connector 1 is completed.

[0069] Next, the structures of the object connectors 2 and 3 are described. The object connectors 2 and 3 have exactly the same structure, so the following description focuses on the structure of the first object connector 2, and the description of the second object connector 3 is omitted by marking the same reference numerals as the first object connector 2. In the present embodiment, the first object connector 2 is configured by connecting the object connection units 110 having the same number as the relay connection units 10 at equal intervals in the same direction (Y-axis direction) as the arrangement direction of the relay connection units 10 by a connection member 150 described later.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, the object connection unit 110 includes: a housing 120 made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., resin), extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) as the long side direction; a plurality of terminals 130 (hereinafter referred to as "object terminals 130"), which are arranged and held in the connector width direction by the housing 120; and an object grounding plate 140 (refer to Figure 4 (A), (B)) are retained by the shell 120.

[0071] like Figure 1As shown, the housing 120 extends along the connector width direction (X-axis direction) as the long side direction, and is formed with almost the same size as the relay connection unit 10 of the relay connector 1 in the same direction. The housing 120 has a plurality of terminal receiving portions 122 arranged at equal intervals in the connector width direction on two wall surfaces 121 (surfaces at right angles to the Y-axis direction) extending along the connector width direction. The terminal receiving portions 122 are formed in a groove shape that is immersed in the above-mentioned wall surfaces and extends in the up-down direction, and receive and hold the target terminal 130.

[0072] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, at the positions near both ends of the housing 120 in the connector width direction, in other words, at both outer sides of the terminal arrangement range, there are formed a latched groove 123 that is sunken from the wall surface 121 and extends in the vertical direction. The latched groove 123 extends from the position near the upper end of the wall surface 121 to the lower end and opens downward. The upper edge of the latched groove 123 forms a latched portion 123A that can be latched with the latching portion 81A of the relay connector 1.

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, the object terminal 130 is made by punching a metal plate part in the direction of the plate thickness, and the overall shape is a strip extending in the up-down direction. It is pressed into and held in the terminal receiving portion 122 of the housing 120 from the bottom, and arranged in the width direction of the connector. The object terminal 130 has a contact portion formed on the upper end side for contacting the lower contact portion 31A of the terminal 30 of the relay connector 1, and a connection portion formed on the lower end side for welding connection with the corresponding circuit portion (not shown) of the circuit substrate. The connection portion protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 120, and is Figure 1 FIG. 4 shows a state where a solder ball B is mounted on the connection portion (see also FIG. 4 ). Figure 6 (A), (B)).

[0074] The counterpart ground plate 140 is made of a metal plate, has a plate surface that is perpendicular to the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 120, and extends over almost the entire area of ​​the second counterpart connector 3. Figure 4 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , two counterpart ground plates 140 are provided at intermediate positions in the thickness direction of the housing 120 in a state facing each other, and are embedded and retained in the housing 120 by integral molding.

[0075] The coupling member 150 has a plate surface at right angles to the connector width direction (X-axis direction), and extends over the entire area of ​​the arrangement range of the first counterpart connector 2 in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the first counterpart connector 2. The coupling member 150 is positioned so that its plate surface is close to and faces the surfaces on both sides of the second counterpart connector 3 in the connector width direction (surfaces at right angles to the X-axis direction), and is connected to the counterpart ground plate 140 at its upper edge.

[0076] The coupling member 150 has a circular hole-shaped locked portion 151 that penetrates the coupling member 150 in the plate thickness direction at a position between the target connection units 110 that are adjacent to each other along the above-mentioned arrangement direction, in other words, at a position that corresponds to the locking portion 104A of the connecting member 100 of the relay connector 1 along the above-mentioned arrangement direction. As described later, the locked portion 151 receives the locking portion 104A of the relay connector 1 in the mating connection state with the relay connector 1, and can be locked from above with respect to the locking portion 104A. That is, the coupling member 150 having the locked portion 151 has a function as a locked member.

[0077] The second counterpart connector 3 has the same structure as the first counterpart connector 2 as described above. However, since the engaging portion 81A and the locking portion 104A are not provided on the upper side of the relay connector 1, that is, on the side corresponding to the second counterpart connector 3, the portion corresponding to the engaged portion 123A and the portion corresponding to the locked portion 151 of the first counterpart connector 2 in the second counterpart connector 3 do not particularly function.

[0078] Next, the connector mating operation of the relay connector 1 and the target connectors 2 and 3 is described. First, the plurality of target connectors 2 and 3 are soldered and connected and mounted on the corresponding circuit boards P1 and P2. Next, the first target connector 2 is positioned so that the contact part of the target terminal 130 is located on the upper side ( Figure 1 and Figure 4 (A)), and with the lower receiving portion 11 of each relay connection unit 10 of the relay connector 1 (refer to Figure 4 The relay connector 1 is located above the first counterpart connector 2 in such a manner that the relay connector 1 corresponds to the respective corresponding counterpart connection units 110 .

[0079] Next, move the relay connector 1 downward (see Figure 1 and Figure 4), each relay connection unit 10 is mated with the corresponding object connection unit 110 from above. When the mating of the relay connector 1 and the second object connector 3 is completed, the lower contact portion 31A of the terminal 30 provided on the sheet 20 of the relay connection unit 10 and the contact portion of the object terminal 130 provided on the first object connector 2 are in contact with each other with contact pressure and are electrically connected.

[0080] In addition, during the mating operation of the relay connector 1 and the second counterpart connector 3, the lower surface of the inclined portion 104A-1 of the locking portion 104A of the relay connector 1 abuts against the upper end of the coupling member 150 of the first counterpart connector 2 from above. The inclined portion 104A-1 of the locking portion 104A is inclined upward as it moves toward the inside in the connector width direction, so when it abuts against the upper end of the coupling member 150, it receives a reaction force from the coupling member 150. This reaction force is generated upward (in the Z1 direction) and outward in the connector width direction (in the Z2 direction). Figure 5 The inclined portion 104A-1 receives a component force toward the outside in the connector width direction, so that the locking portion 104A elastically displaces in the same direction, thereby allowing the relay connector 1 to be lowered.

[0081] When the free end of the locking portion 104A reaches the position of the hole-shaped locked portion 151 of the connecting member 150, the locking portion 104A returns to the free state, and the free end side portion enters the locked portion 151 from the outside in the connector width direction. Figure 6 As shown in (A), the inclined portion 104A-1 of the locking portion 104A is opposed to the upper edge of the locked portion 151 from below and is located in a position where it can be locked (see also Figure 7 (A)), as described later, the relay connector 1 is prevented from accidentally falling off from the first counterpart connector 2. At this time, the inclined portion 104A-1 is positioned with a gap in the vertical direction relative to the upper edge of the locked portion 151 (refer to Figure 6 (A) and Figure 7 (A)).

[0082] In addition, in the mating connection state between the relay connector 1 and the first counterpart connector 2, the locking portion 81A of the lower housing half 80 of the relay connector 1 is locked relative to the locked portion 123A of the housing 120 of the first counterpart connector 2 in the removal direction (upward) of the relay connector 1, thereby positioning the relay connector 1 and the first counterpart connector 2 relative to each other in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 81A and the locked portion 123A are locked without a gap in the vertical direction.

[0083] Next, the second counterpart connector 3 is turned upside down relative to the first counterpart connector 2 ( Figure 1 The posture shown) is connected to the relay connector 1 from above (refer to Figure 1 The key points of the mating connection of the second counterpart connector 3 are the same as those described for the first counterpart connector 2. However, the latching portion 81A and the locking portion 104A are not provided on the upper side of the relay connector 1, so even if the relay connector 1 and the second counterpart connector 3 are mated and connected, the latching state (the latching state of the latching portion 81A and the latched portion 123A) and the locked state (the locked state of the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151) described for the relay connector 1 and the first counterpart connector 2 are not generated.

[0084] In this way, by fitting and connecting the counterpart connectors 2 and 3 to the relay connector 1 , the two counterpart connectors 2 and 3 are electrically connected via the relay connector 1 .

[0085] In the present embodiment, as described above, in the mating connection state between the relay connector 1 and the first counterpart connector 2, Figure 6 (A) and Figure 7 As shown in (A) of FIG. 1 , the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151 are positioned with a predetermined gap between them and the upper edge of the locked portion 151 in the up-down direction.

[0086] If a force (pulling force) in the pulling-out direction (upward) acts on the relay connector 1, the relay connector 1 moves in the same direction by the size of the above-mentioned interval, such as Figure 6 As shown in (B), the inclined portion 104A-1 of the locking portion 104A abuts against and is locked to the upper edge of the locked portion 151. As a result, the relay connector 1 is prevented from excessively moving and from falling off from the first mating connector 2.

[0087] As described above, after the relay connector 1 is mated and connected with the first counterpart connector 2, when the second counterpart connector 3 is mated and connected with the relay connector 1, there is a case where the mating operation is performed while the two connectors are in an inclined posture relative to the up-down direction (vertical direction). In the present embodiment, in such a mating operation, the relay connector 1 is in an inclined posture, and the pulling-out force formed by its own weight acts on the relay connector 1. As a result, the pulling-out force is resisted by the locking force of the locking portion 81A of the relay connector 1 and the locked portion 123A of the first counterpart connector 2, but when the pulling-out force is greater than the locking force, the locking portion 81A falls off the locked portion 123A. However, even in such a case, in the present embodiment, the inclined portion 104A-1 of the locking portion 104A is also locked with the locked portion 151, so that the relay connector 1 is well prevented from falling off.

[0088] In addition, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 104A is formed as a part of the connecting member 100 which is a metal member, and the locked portion 151 is formed as a part of the coupling member 150 which is a metal member. Therefore, the strength of each of the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151 is increased, thereby ensuring a sufficient locking force, in other words, a locking strength, between the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151. As a result, the effect of preventing the relay connector 1 from falling off is improved.

[0089] In the present embodiment, both the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151 are made of metal, but if sufficient locking strength can be ensured, for example, the locked portion can be formed in the housing of the first counterpart connector, and the metal locking portion of the relay connector 1 can be locked relative to the locked portion.

[0090] Next, the connector removal operation is described. First, the second counterpart connector 3 is pulled upward to be removed from the relay connector 1. Since no latching force or locking force acts between the second counterpart connector 3 and the relay connector 1, the second counterpart connector 3 can be easily removed.

[0091] Next, the relay connector 1 is pulled out from the first partner connector 2 in the following manner. In the present embodiment, the two connectors in the mating connection state are in the locked state formed by the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151 as described above. Therefore, even if the relay connector 1 is pulled upward with a larger pulling force than the locking force of the locking portion 81A and the locked portion 123A, the relay connector 1 will not fall off. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the relay connector 1 is pulled out by the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151. Figure 7 Use the jig J shown in (A) and (B) to remove the relay connector 1.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1 , the clamp J is made by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction, and comprises: an insertion portion J1 having a plate surface at right angles to the connector width direction and extending in the vertical direction; and an operation portion J2, which is bent at right angles at the upper end of the insertion portion J1 to extend in the connector width direction and receive a pressing operation described later. In this embodiment, the clamp J is made of metal, but the material is not limited thereto, and may be made of resin, for example.

[0093] The insertion portion J1 has a size ranging from the upper end of the housing 70 of the relay connector 1 to the transition portion 103 of the connecting member 100 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) (see Figure 7 (B)) has a dimension slightly larger than the locking portion 104A of the connecting member 100 in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the relay connection units 10.

[0094] like Figure 7 As shown in (A), when the relay connector 1 is pulled out, the insertion portion J1 of the jig J is inserted from the upper direction into the gap extending in the vertical direction between the side end surface of the sheet 20 and the inner wall surface of the housing 70 opposite to the side end surface in the connector width direction (X-axis direction). In this way, the lower end of the inserted insertion portion J1 abuts against the pressed portion 103A of the transfer portion 103 of the connecting member 100 from above.

[0095] Next, the operation of pressing the operating portion J2 of the clamp J from above is performed. As a result, the lower end of the insertion portion J1 exerts a pressing force from above on the pressed portion 103A of the transfer portion 103. In this embodiment, the pressed portion 103A is inclined inward in the connector width direction as it moves downward (see Figure 7 (A)), so after the lower end of the insertion portion J1 presses the pressed portion 103A, a force component toward the bottom and a force component toward the outside in the width direction of the connector act on the pressed portion 103A. As a result of the force component toward the outside in the width direction of the connector being applied to the pressed portion 103A, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in (B), the locking leg 104 is displaced outward in the connector width direction with the upper end position of the pressed portion 103A as a fulcrum. As a result, the locking portion 104A moves outward in the connector width direction and falls off the locked portion 151, thereby releasing the lockable state (lockable state) of the locking portion 104A and the locked portion 151. The unlocked state is maintained, and the relay connector 1 is pulled upward with a pulling force greater than the locking force of the locking portion 81A and the locked portion 123A, thereby easily pulling out the relay connector 1 from the first mating connector 2.

[0096] In this embodiment, the housing 70 holds the sheet 20 on which the terminals 30 are arranged in the relay connector 1 , and the housing 70 holds the terminals 30 indirectly. However, the holding form of the terminals 30 is not limited thereto, and the terminals may be directly held by the housing without providing a sheet.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the first and second object connection bodies are electrical connectors, but the form of the object connection bodies is not limited thereto, and for example, at least one of the first and second object connection bodies may be formed as a circuit substrate to be inserted and connected to the relay electrical connector. In addition, when the object connection body is configured as an electrical connector, the electrical connector does not necessarily have to be an electrical connector for a circuit substrate as in the present embodiment, and for example, at least one of the first and second object connection bodies may be configured as an electrical connector for a cable to be connected to the cable.

[0098] In the present embodiment, two relay connection units 10 of the relay connector 1 and two object connection units 110 of the object connectors 2 and 3 are respectively provided, but the number of various connection units is not limited thereto, and may be three or more, or may be one. When the number of various connection units is three or more, the locking leg portion of the connecting member provided in the relay connector is provided at a position between mutually adjacent relay connection units in the arrangement direction of the relay connection units (hereinafter referred to as "adjacent unit position"), but the locking leg portion does not necessarily have to be provided at all adjacent unit positions, and the locking leg portion may be provided at at least one adjacent unit position.

Claims

1. A relay electrical connector, which connects a first object connection body and a second object connection body from different sides so as to be pluggable and removable to each other to connect the two object connection bodies, characterized in that: The relay electrical connector comprises: A terminal capable of contacting the first connecting object and the second connecting object respectively; and a housing, directly or indirectly holding the terminals, In the relay electrical connector, The relay electrical connector includes a plurality of connection units including the terminals and the housing, and a locking member supported by the housing. The plurality of connection units are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the first target connection body as an arrangement direction, The locking piece has a locking portion, which can be locked in the removal direction relative to a locked portion provided on the first object connecting body when the relay electrical connector is in a connected state with the first object connecting body. The locking piece extends over the arrangement range of the multiple connection units in the arrangement direction and connects the multiple connection units together.

2. The relay electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking member has a plate-shaped portion extending along a plugging and unplugging direction relative to the first connecting object, The locking portion is formed as a cantilever beam-shaped elastically displaceable locking piece that is formed by cutting and raising a part of the plate-shaped portion and extending in a direction of removal from the first mating connection body. The locking piece can be locked with the locked portion of the first mating connection body.

3. The relay electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The housing includes a locking portion that can be locked in a removal direction relative to a locked portion provided on the first mating connection body when the relay electrical connector is in a connected state with the first mating connection body.

4. The relay electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has two housing halves divided in a connection direction with the first object connection body, The locking member extends in a range spanning the two housing halves along the connecting direction and is supported by the two housing halves. The two housing halves are relatively movable within a predetermined range along a direction at right angles to the connecting direction.

5. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that: The invention comprises the relay electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the first counterpart connection body.

6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first mating connection body is a mating connector that is matingly connected to the relay electrical connector, and includes a locked piece having a locked portion that can be locked with the locking portion of the relay electrical connector in a connected state with the relay electrical connector.

7. An electrical connector assembly with a circuit substrate, characterized in that: A method of manufacturing an electric connector assembly according to claim 5 or 6, and a circuit board, The first counterpart connection body of the electric connector assembly is a circuit board electrical connector that is mounted on the circuit board and can be matingly connected to the relay electrical connector.

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