Connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector assembly, which can prevent the socket terminal from being inserted in a wrong posture and can also mitigate the deterioration of conductivity. The terminal holding hole (61) of the socket base (60) has a guiding groove (61a) for allowing two guiding protrusions (52f) of the socket terminal (51) to be embedded therein and slide in the front-rear direction. Each plug terminal (11) has a base portion (12) and a contact portion (13) extending from the base portion (12). The thickness (T1) of the contact portion (13) of the plug terminal (11) in the left-right direction is smaller than the thickness (T2) of the base portion (12) of the plug terminal (11) in the left-right direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with the application date of September 26, 2019, application number 2019109187020, and invention title "Connector Assembly". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector assembly. Background Art

[0003] As exemplified in Patent Document 1 below, in the past, two connectors were used to connect multiple conductive cables to a circuit board. One of the connectors has terminals respectively provided at the ends of multiple conductive cables side by side in the left - right direction (this connector is called a "socket connector" and these terminals are called "socket terminals"). Each socket terminal has a pair of contact portions formed in a leaf - spring shape and facing each other. The other connector includes a plurality of terminals soldered to the circuit board (this connector is called a "plug connector" and such terminals are called "plug terminals"). The plug terminals are inserted between the pair of contact portions of the socket terminals.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012 - 129082 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The socket terminals are inserted into through - holes (terminal holding holes) formed in the socket connector base for holding the terminals. When manufacturing the socket connector, there is a situation where an operator inserts the socket terminals into the terminal holding holes of the base in a state where the socket terminals are upside - down and in a wrong posture. If the posture of the socket terminals is wrong, there may be a problem that the socket terminals do not reach the appropriate positions in the terminal holding holes. Therefore, the socket connector preferably has a structure to prevent such insertion in a wrong posture.

[0007] On the other hand, the terminals are preferably thick to ensure conductivity through the terminals. However, depending on the structure for preventing the socket terminals from being inserted in a wrong posture, the plug terminals need to be thin, which results in deteriorated conductivity. This is not preferable especially for high - current connectors.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that can prevent the socket terminals from being inserted in a wrong posture and can also reduce the deterioration of conductivity.

[0009] Solutions to the Problems

[0010] The present invention provides a connector assembly, which includes: a socket connector having a plurality of socket terminals arranged side by side in a first direction and a socket base, the socket base having a plurality of terminal holding holes for holding the plurality of socket terminals; and a plug connector having a plurality of plug terminals arranged side by side in the first direction and a plug base, the plug base having a plurality of terminal holding holes for holding the plurality of plug terminals, the plug connector being capable of engaging with the socket connector in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Each of the plurality of socket terminals has a guided convex portion protruding in the first direction. Each of the plurality of terminal holding holes of the socket base has a guide groove on its inner surface, the guide groove being for the guided convex portion to be embedded therein and allowing the guided convex portion to slide in the second direction. Each of the plurality of plug terminals has a base portion and a contact portion, the contact portion extending from the base portion, the contact portion being for being embedded in the socket connector and contacting the socket terminal. The thickness of the contact portion in the first direction is less than the thickness of the base portion in the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to an example provided by the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly.

[0013] Figure 3 is a top view of the connector assembly.

[0014] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line IV–IV of the connector assembly.

[0015] Figure 5A is a view showing a cross-section of the socket terminal and the socket base.

[0016] Figure 5B is a view showing a cross-section of the socket terminal and the socket base.

[0017] Figure 5C is a view showing a cross-section of the socket terminal and the socket base.

[0018] Figure 6A is along Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line VI–VI of the connector assembly.

[0019] Figure 6B is showing Figure 6A a view of the positional relationship between the socket terminal and the plug terminal shown.

[0020] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the socket terminal.

[0021] Figure 7B It is a perspective view of a socket terminal.

[0022] Figure 8A It is a perspective view of a plug terminal.

[0023] Figure 8B It is a perspective view of a plug terminal.

[0024] Figure 8C It is Figure 6B an enlarged view within the range of VIIIc in

[0025] Among them, the reference numerals are explained as follows:

[0026] 1 Connector assembly

[0027] 10 Plug connector

[0028] 11 Plug terminal

[0029] 11n Step

[0030] 12 Base

[0031] 12a Attached part

[0032] 12b Claw part

[0033] 13 Contact part

[0034] 13a End

[0035] 20 Plug base

[0036] 21 Terminal holding hole

[0037] 22 Holding hole

[0038] 30 Reinforcement fitting

[0039] 30a Attached part

[0040] 50 Socket connector

[0041] 51 Socket terminal

[0042] 52 Body part

[0043] 52A Base

[0044] 52B Elastic contact part

[0045] 52C Extension part

[0046] 52D Joint part

[0047] 52a Upper plate part

[0048] 52b Side plate part

[0049] 52c contact point

[0050] 52d guide part

[0051] 52e inclined surface

[0052] 52f guided convex part

[0053] 52g front end

[0054] 52h rear end

[0055] 52i inclined part (frontmost part)

[0056] 55 cable holding part

[0057] 56 cable connection part

[0058] 60 socket base

[0059] 60a front surface

[0060] 61 terminal holding hole

[0061] 61a guide groove

[0062] 61b upper surface

[0063] 61c lower surface

[0064] 61d holding hole entrance

[0065] 61f stop surface

[0066] 62 stop part

[0067] 63 wall part

[0068] 91 conductive cable

[0069] R1 front side area

[0070] R2 middle area

[0071] R3 rear side area Detailed implementation mode

[0072] The connector assembly provided in the present invention will be described below. In this specification, the connector assembly shown as an example of the connector assembly, such as Figure 1 etc. In the following description, Figure 1 the directions indicated by X1 and X2 of Figure 1 are respectively referred to as right and left, and the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 are respectively referred to as front and rear. In addition, the directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 are respectively referred to as up and down. These directions are used to describe the relative positional relationships of the components, members, and parts constituting the connector assembly, and do not limit the direction of use of the connector assembly 1.

[0073] Overall configuration

[0074] As Figure 2 shown, the connector assembly 1 has a plug connector 10 and a socket connector 50. In the description of this specification, the two connectors 10 and 50 can be mated in the front - rear direction. The connector assembly 1 is a connector assembly for electrically connecting a circuit board and a wire harness (a plurality of conductive cables 91). The plug connector 10 can be mounted on the circuit board, and the socket connector 50 can be attached to the end of the plurality of conductive cables 91. It should be noted that: the structure provided by the present invention can be applied to other types of connector assemblies, for example, a connector assembly for connecting two wire harnesses or a connector assembly for connecting two circuit boards.

[0075] Overview of the plug connector

[0076] As Figure 2 shown, the plug connector 10 has a plurality of plug terminals 11 arranged side - by - side in the left - right direction and a plug base 20 for holding the plurality of plug terminals 11. The plug base 20 is formed of an insulating material (such as resin). The plug base 20 can form a plurality of terminal holding holes 21 arranged side - by - side in the left - right direction. The plurality of plug terminals 11 are respectively inserted and held in the terminal holding holes 21. For example, the plug terminals 11 are inserted into the terminal holding holes 21 from the front side to the rear side of the plug connector 10. The plug terminal 11 may be provided with an attached portion 12a at the front end of the base 12 (refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8B ), and the attached portion 12a is used to attach to a conductive pad on the circuit board on which the plug connector 10 is mounted. The plug terminal 11 is formed of a metal plate, for example. In other words, the plug terminal 11 can be formed by performing a stamping process on a metal plate. The plug terminal 11 will be described below.

[0077] As Figure 2 shown, the plug connector 10 may have a reinforcing fitting 30. The reinforcing fitting 30 can be mounted on the right or left part of the plug base 20. The reinforcing fitting 30 has an attached portion 30a for welding to the circuit board. Thus, when the reinforcing fitting 30 is mounted on the circuit board, the fixing strength of the plug connector 10 on the circuit board can be increased. For example, the reinforcing fitting 30 is inserted into a holding hole 22 formed in the plug base 20 from the front side of the plug base 20.

[0078] Overview of the socket connector

[0079] As Figure 2 shown, the socket connector 50 has a plurality of socket terminals 51 arranged side - by - side in the left - right direction and a socket base 60 for holding the plurality of socket terminals 51. The socket base 60 is formed of an insulating material (such as resin). The socket base 60 can form a plurality of terminal holding holes 61 arranged side - by - side in the left - right direction. The plurality of socket terminals 51 are respectively inserted and held in the terminal holding holes 61 (refer to Figure 4)。For example, the socket terminal 51 can be inserted into the terminal holding hole 61 from the rear side to the front side of the socket base 60. A plurality of socket terminals 51 are respectively fixed to the ends of a plurality of conductive cables 91. The socket terminal 51 is formed of a metal plate, for example. In other words, the socket terminal 51 can be formed by performing a stamping process and a bending process on a metal plate.

[0080] Socket terminal

[0081] As Figure 7A and Figure 7B shown, the socket terminal 51 can be provided with a cable holding portion 55 for holding the outer side (outer skin) of the conductive cable 91 at its rearmost part. For example, a plate-like portion is rolled into a ring to form the cable holding portion 55 for holding the outer side of the conductive cable 91. In addition, the socket terminal 51 can have a cable connection portion 56 in front of the cable holding portion 55 for holding the conductor of the conductive cable 91 and establishing an electrical connection with the conductor. For example, a plate-like portion can be rolled into a ring to form the cable connection portion 56 for holding the conductor. The socket terminal 51 can have a body portion 52 in front of the cable connection portion 56.

[0082] As Figure 7A and Figure 7B shown, the body portion 52 can have a base portion 52A, a pair of elastic contact portions 52B extending forward from the base portion 52A, and an extension portion 52C located on the upper side of the pair of elastic contact portions 52B and extending along the pair of elastic contact portions 52B.

[0083] In this example of the socket terminal 51, the base portion 52A has an upper plate portion 52a and left and right side plate portions 52b. The left and right side plate portions 52b are connected to the left and right edges of the upper plate portion 52a and extend in the vertical direction. The two elastic contact portions 52B respectively extend from the left and right side plate portions 52b and face each other in the left-right direction. The two elastic contact portions 52B have a shape of elastic pieces that can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction and can move closer to and away from each other. The extension portion 52C extends forward from the upper plate portion 52a of the base portion 52A along the left and right elastic contact portions 52B. This structure of the socket terminal 51 is only an example described herein. For example, the extension portion 52C can be located on the lower side of the elastic contact portion 52B.

[0084] Each elastic contact portion 52B extends obliquely from the base portion 52A toward the center of the socket terminal 51. As Figure 6B shown, the elastic contact portion 52B can have a contact point 52c that is closest to the center and contacts the side surface of the plug terminal 11. In addition, each elastic contact portion 52B can have a guiding portion 52d that extends obliquely forward from the contact point 52c and away from the center of the socket terminal 51. When the two connectors 10, 50 are engaged, the end portion (rear end) of the plug terminal 11 contacts the two guiding portions 52d and is guided into the socket terminal 51.

[0085] As shown Figure 7A in FIG. 2, the main body portion 52 may have an engaging portion 52D that is caught by the terminal holding hole 61 of the socket base 60. The engaging portion 52D restricts the socket terminal 51 from being pulled out of the terminal holding hole 61. In this example of the socket connector 50, the engaging portion 52D projects upward from the upper plate portion 52a of the base portion 52A. The engaging portion 52D has an inclined surface 52e that extends upward and rearward from the connecting portion of the upper plate portion 52a. The socket base 60 has a stopper portion 62 above the terminal holding hole 61 that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction.

[0086] As shown Figure 5B in FIG. 3, during the process of inserting the socket terminal 51 into the terminal holding hole 61, the stopper portion 62 is pushed by the inclined surface 52e of the engaging portion 52D and elastically deformed upward. As shown Figure 5C in FIG. 4, when the socket terminal 51 is completely assembled in the terminal holding hole 61 of the socket base 60, the engaging portion 52D reaches in front of the stopper portion 62. Therefore, the backward movement of the socket terminal 51 is restricted. In other words, the pulling out of the socket terminal 51 is restricted.

[0087] This configuration for restricting the pulling out of the socket terminal 51 is just one example described in this specification. For example, the engaging portion 52D may be formed on an extension portion 52C where the upper plate portion 52a extends, rather than on the upper plate portion 52a of the base portion 52A. In another example, the engaging portion 52D may be a hole. In this case, the stopper portion 62 of the socket base 60 may be a convex portion that fits into the hole serving as the engaging portion 52D.

[0088] As shown Figure 7A in FIG. 5, the foremost portion 52i of the extension portion 52C may be inclined toward the two elastic contact portions 52B (this inclined foremost portion 52i is hereinafter referred to as the inclined portion). Due to the presence of this inclined portion 52i, the distance between the elastic contact portion 52B and the extension portion 52C is reduced, preventing foreign matter from getting stuck between the extension portion 52C and the elastic contact portion 52B.

[0089] The guiding convex portion and the guiding groove

[0090] As shown Figure 7A in FIG. 6, the socket terminal 51 may have a guiding convex portion 52f that projects in the left - right direction from the socket terminal 51. For this example of the socket connector 50, the guiding convex portions 52f are formed on the left and right edges of the extension portion 52C. In other words, the socket terminal 51 has a guiding convex portion 52f that projects leftward from the left edge of the extension portion 52C and a guiding convex portion 52f that projects rightward from the right edge of the extension portion 52C.

[0091] As shown Figure 4 and Figure 5AAs shown, a guiding groove 61a extending in the front-rear direction can be formed on the inner surface of the terminal holding hole 61. For this example of the socket connector 50, the guiding grooves 61a are formed on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the terminal holding hole 61. The socket base 60 has a partition wall portion 63 that separates two adjacent terminal holding holes 61 on the left and right, and the guiding grooves 61a are formed on the right and left surfaces of the partition wall portion 63.

[0092] As Figure 4 shown, when the socket terminal 51 is held by the terminal holding hole 61, the guided convex portion 52f is inserted into the guiding groove 61a. The guiding groove 61a is formed in the front-rear direction, allowing the guided convex portion 52f to slide in the front-rear direction. As Figures 5A to 5C shown, during the process of inserting the socket terminal 51 into the terminal holding hole 61, the guided convex portion 52f slides along the guiding groove 61a, so that the position and posture of the socket terminal 51 are appropriate and correct.

[0093] As Figure 4 shown, the guiding groove 61a has an upper surface 61b and a lower surface 61c. The guided convex portion 52f is located between these two surfaces 61b and 61c. As Figure 5A shown, the guiding groove 61a can have three regions. In other words, the guiding groove 61a can have an intermediate region R2, a front side region R1 defined in front of the intermediate region R2, and a rear side region R3 defined behind the intermediate region R2. For the intermediate region R2, the lower surface 61c of the guiding groove 61a is formed to slope forward and upward, so that the distance W2 between the upper surface 61b and the lower surface 61c gradually decreases forward. For the front side region R1, the distance W2 between the upper surface 61b and the lower surface 61c is slightly larger than the thickness of the guided convex portion 52f. In addition, for the front side region R1, the distance W2 is set such that in addition to determining the vertical position of the guided convex portion 52f, the guided convex portion 52f can be inserted between the upper surface 61b and the lower surface 61c. For the rear side region R3, the distance W2 between the upper surface 61b and the lower surface 61c is slightly larger than the guided convex portion 52f. When the socket terminal 51 is vertically offset relative to the terminal holding hole 61 during the process of assembling the socket terminal 51 into the terminal holding hole 61, the socket terminal 51 is guided to the correct position by the lower surface 61c of the guiding groove 61a.

[0094] In addition, the structure of the guiding groove 61a is not limited to this example of the socket base 60. For example, the guiding groove 61a does not need to have a rear side region R3. In addition, the guiding groove 61a does not need to have an intermediate region R2 and a rear side region R3.

[0095] As Figure 5AAs shown, the inner surface of the terminal holding hole 61 has a stop surface 61f. If the orientation of the socket terminal 51 is reversed in the up-down direction during the insertion of the socket terminal 51 into the terminal holding hole 61, the stop surface 61f collides with the guided convex portion 52f. The inner surface of the terminal holding hole 61 may have a stop surface 61f behind the guide groove 61a. For example, the stop surface 61f is a vertically oriented surface facing rearward that is connected to the rear end of the lower surface 61c of the guide groove 61a. If the orientation of the socket terminal 51 is reversed in the up-down direction, or in other words, if the extension portion 52C of the socket terminal 51 is located below the elastic contact portion 52B, the guided convex portion 52f collides with the stop surface 61f to prevent the socket terminal 51 from being inserted into the terminal holding hole 61.

[0096] In addition, as Figure 6B shown, when viewed from the bottom view of the socket terminal 51, the two guided convex portions 52f may be located outside the elastic contact portions 52B on the left and right in the left-right direction. The two guided convex portions 52f may be located at the outermost sides of the body portion 52. In other words, the guided convex portion 52f on the right side is further to the right than the right-side elastic contact portion 52B and the right-side side plate portion 52b of the base portion 52A. The guided convex portion 52f on the left side is further to the left than the left-side elastic contact portion 52B and the left-side side plate portion 52b of the base portion 52A. Therefore, the guided convex portion 52f is inserted into the guide groove 61a. In addition, in this example of the socket terminal 51, the guided convex portion 52f is formed to be further to the rear than the inclined portion 52i of the extension portion 52C.

[0097] As Figure 6B shown, the front end 52g of the guided convex portion 52f may be oriented rearward and inclined outward in the left-right direction. By doing so, even if the position of the socket terminal 51 is offset in the left-right direction during the insertion of the socket terminal 51 into the terminal holding hole 61 of the socket base 60, the front end 52g will touch the edge of the terminal holding hole 61 and the socket terminal 51 will also be guided to the correct position.

[0098] The position of the guided convex portion 52f is not limited to this example of the socket terminal 51. For example, the guided convex portion 52f may be formed on the base portion 52A of the body portion 52 instead of being formed on the extension portion 52C. In this case, the guided convex portion 52f may be formed on the upper part of the base portion 52A or on the lower part of the base portion 52A. The position of the guide groove 61a may change according to the position of the guided convex portion 52f. In other examples, there may be a guided convex portion 52f only on one of the right side or the left side of the socket terminal 51.

[0099] Plug terminal

[0100] As Figure 8A and Figure 8BAs shown, each plug terminal 11 has a base portion 12 and a contact portion 13 extending rearward (toward the socket connector 50 side) from the base portion 12. The base portion 12 is the part held within the terminal holding hole 21. For example, a claw portion 12b that catches on the inner surface of the terminal holding hole 21 is formed on the upper surface of the base portion 12. The position of the claw portion 12b is not limited to this example of the plug terminal 11. For example, the claw portion 12b may be formed on the lower surface of the base portion 12.

[0101] As Figure 6A shown, when the connector 10 and the connector 50 are engaged, the contact portion 13 is inserted into the socket connector 50 and contacts the socket terminal 51. More specifically, the contact portion 13 is inserted inside the two elastic contact portions 52B and contacts the contact points 52c provided on the inner surfaces of the two elastic contact portions 52B. The contact portion 13 causes the two elastic contact portions 52B to open outward in the left - right direction and is inserted inside the two elastic contact portions 52B. The two elastic contact portions 52B contact the side surface of the contact portion 13 based on the elastic force. Thereby, an electrical connection is established between the plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 51.

[0102] The thickness of the plug terminal

[0103] When the guided convex portion 52f is formed on the socket terminal 51, the distance W3 between the guided convex portions 52f of adjacent socket terminals 51 becomes smaller (refer to Figure 4 ). As a result, the width of the partition wall portion 63 of the socket base 60 becomes smaller in the guide groove 61a portion, and it may be difficult to form the molded socket base 60. However, if the distance W3 between the guided convex portions 52f of adjacent socket terminals 51 is maintained and the guided convex portion 52f is formed on the socket terminal 51, the interval (pitch) between the socket terminals 51 increases.

[0104] Therefore, in this example of the connector assembly 1, as Figure 6B and Figure 8C shown, the thickness T1 (refer to Figure 6B ) of the contact portion 13 of the plug terminal 11 in the left - right direction is smaller than the thickness T2 (see Figure 6B ) of the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11. Therefore, the interval between the left - right elastic contact portions 52B can be reduced. As a result, the guided convex portion 52f can be formed on the socket terminal 51 without increasing the width of the body portion 52 of the socket terminal 51 in the left - right direction (in other words, without reducing the distance W3 between the guided convex portions 52f of adjacent socket terminals 51). In addition, in the conventional structure, if it is necessary to sufficiently ensure that the lower surface 61c has enough width in the left - right direction so that the guided convex portion 52f is sufficiently supported by the lower surface 61c of the guide groove 61a, it is necessary to reduce the width W5 of the terminal holding hole 61 in the left - right direction (see Figure 6A)。In this case, when the plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 51 are engaged, the open ends 52j of the two elastic contact portions 52B (refer to Figure 6A ) will contact the inner side surface 61g of the terminal holding hole 61 (refer to Figure 6A ), or it is difficult to sufficiently ensure the elastic displacement amount of the elastic contact portion 52B required for the pressure to contact the plug terminal 11 (in other words, to tilt the elastic contact portion 52B). On the other hand, the structure in which the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 of the connector assembly 1 in the left-right direction is smaller than the thickness T2 will ensure that the lower surface 61c has a sufficient width in the left-right direction and will ensure the elastic displacement amount required for the pressure of the elastic contact portion 52B to contact the plug terminal 11, thereby preventing the collision between the end 52j and the side surface 61g.

[0105] In addition, without reducing the overall thickness of the plug terminal 11 and making the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 greater than the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13, this reduces the deterioration of conductivity. Such a plug terminal 11 can be formed, for example, by stamping or pressing a metal plate.

[0106] As Figure 8B and Figure 8C shown, steps 11n extending in the up-down direction can be formed on the left side surface and the right side surface of the plug terminal 11. In this example of the plug connector 10, the steps 11n extend from the upper surface to the lower surface of the plug terminal 11. The entire portion (contact portion 13) behind the steps 11n is thinner than the thickness T2 of the base portion 12. The thickness of the contact portion 13 from the steps 11n to the end 13a (the rear end of the plug terminal 11) is uniform.

[0107] As described above, the base portion 12 has an attached portion 12a for mounting on the circuit board (refer to Figure 8A ), and the attached portion 12a is exposed in the terminal holding hole 21 of the plug base 20. The thickness of the attached portion 12a is greater than the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13. Therefore, the conductivity of the contact portion between the circuit board and the plug terminal 11 can be ensured.

[0108] In this example of the plug 10, the entire portion (base portion 12) in front of the steps 11n is thicker than the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13. Therefore, compared with the structure in which only the thickness of the attached portion 12a is greater than the thickness of the contact portion 13, the deterioration of conductivity can be reduced.

[0109] In addition, the structure of the plug terminal 11 is not limited to this example of the plug connector 10. For example, the contact portion 13 may have a thickness T1 smaller than the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 only at a part thereof. For example, during and after the insertion of the socket terminal 51, only the portion of the plug terminal 11 that contacts the contact point 52c (the central portion in the vertical direction) needs to have a thickness T1 smaller than the thickness of the base portion 12, and the other portions of the contact portion 13 may have the same thickness T2 as the base portion 12.

[0110] Relative positions and thicknesses of the contact portion and the guiding projection

[0111] As Figure 6B shown, the guiding projection 52f has a front end 52g and a rear end 52h. In the state where the connector 10 and the connector 50 are engaged, the contact portion 13 is located between the guiding projections 52f on the left and right. More specifically, the end 13a of the contact portion 13 is further back than the rear end 52h of the guiding projection 52f.

[0112] The positional relationship between the guiding projection 52f and the contact portion 13 is not limited to this example of the connector assembly 1. For example, the rear end 52h of the guiding projection 52f may be located near the base portion 52A of the main body portion 52. At this time, in the state where the connector 10 and the connector 50 are engaged, the end 13a of the contact portion 13 may be further forward than the rear end 52h of the guiding projection 52f.

[0113] As Figure 6A shown, in the state where the connector 10 and the connector 50 are joined, the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11 is spaced apart from the elastic contact portion 52B from the front and is located at a position further forward than the front surface 60a of the socket base 60. The socket base 60 has a holding hole inlet 61d, and the holding hole inlet 61d is connected to the terminal holding hole 61 on the front surface 60a. The width W4 of the holding hole inlet 61d is smaller than the width W5 of the region of the main body portion 52 of the socket terminal 51 arranged in the terminal holding hole 61.

[0114] The contact portion 13 is inserted into the terminal holding hole 61 through the holding hole inlet 61d. In the state where the connector 10 and the connector 50 are engaged, the contact portion 13 is located at the position of the holding hole inlet 61d. In other words, it is not the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11 but the contact portion 13 having a small thickness T1 that is located inside the inner peripheral edge of the holding hole inlet 61d. Therefore, compared with the structure in which the base portion 12 is located inside the inner peripheral edge of the holding hole inlet 61d, the width W4 of the holding hole inlet 61d can be reduced. As a result, when the two connectors 10 and 50 are not engaged, it is possible to prevent the elastic contact portion 52B of the socket terminal 51 from being largely exposed inside the holding hole inlet 61d.

[0115] In this example of the plug connector 10, the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 is uniform from the upper surface to the lower surface of the contact portion 13. Thus, the width W4 of the holding hole entrance 61d can be reduced equally in the vertical direction.

[0116] As described above, there is a step 11n on the side of the plug terminal 11. The dimension W7 of such a step 11n in the left - right direction (refer to Figure 8C ) can be smaller than the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f in the left - right direction (refer to Figure 6B ). In other words, the difference between the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11 and the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 in the left - right direction can be smaller than the width (W6×2) of the left - and - right guiding convex portions 52f. According to this configuration, compared with the configuration in which the thickness of the contact portion 13 is reduced by the same amount as the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f, the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 increases. Therefore, the deterioration of conductivity can be alleviated.

[0117] In addition, the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the plug terminal 11 and the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f are not limited to this example of the connector assembly 1. In an example different from this example of the connector assembly 1, the dimension W7 of the step 11n in the left - right direction (refer to Figure 8C ) can be the same as the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f in the left - right direction (refer to Figure 6B ), or can also be larger than the width W6.

[0118] Furthermore, in this example of the connector assembly 1, as Figure 6B shown, the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the plug terminal 11 are greater than the thickness of the elastic contact portion 52B. In other words, the thickness of the metal plate constituting the plug terminal 11 is greater than the thickness of the metal plate constituting the socket terminal 51. In this way, both the relatively thick portion (base portion 12) and the relatively thin portion (contact portion 13) are formed on the terminal formed of a thick material (plug terminal 11) among the two terminals 11 and 51.

[0119] Moreover, as Figure 6B shown, the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f is smaller than the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11. In addition, the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f is smaller than the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 of the plug terminal 11. Compared with a configuration in which, for example, the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f is greater than the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 of the plug terminal 11, since the width W6 of the guiding convex portion 52f is relatively small in this way, it is easier to ensure the distance W3 between the guiding convex portions 52f of the adjacent socket terminals 51 (refer to Figure 4 ).

[0120] In addition, in this example of the connector assembly 1, the distance W3 (see Figure 4 ) between the guiding protrusions 52f of adjacent socket terminals 51 is smaller than the thickness of the plug terminal 11 (more specifically, the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 and the thickness T1 of the contact portion 13).

[0121] Summary

[0122] As described above, for the connector assembly 1, each socket terminal 51 has a guiding protrusion 52f, and the terminal holding hole 61 of the socket base 60 has a guiding groove 61a on its inner surface. The guiding groove 61a allows the guiding protrusion 52f to be inserted and slide. Each plug terminal 11 has a base portion 12 and a contact portion 13 that contacts the socket terminal 51. The thickness T1 of the contact portion 13 of the plug terminal 11 in the left-right direction is smaller than the thickness T2 of the base portion 12 of the plug terminal 11 in the left-right direction.

[0123] The connector assembly 1 provided in the present invention is not limited to the connector assembly 1 described so far.

[0124] For example, in this example of the connector assembly 1, the socket terminal 51 has two opposing elastic contact portions 52B. However, the structure of the socket terminal 51 is not limited to this. For example, the socket terminal 51 may have only one tab-like portion. In addition, the plug terminal 11 may contact the side surface of the tab-like portion.

Claims

1. A socket connector is engaged with a plug connector having a plurality of plug terminals arranged side by side in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein: it has a plurality of socket terminals arranged side by side in the first direction and a socket base, and the socket base has a plurality of terminal holding holes for holding the plurality of socket terminals; each of the plurality of socket terminals has a body portion, the body portion has a base portion, a first elastic contact portion and a second elastic contact portion extending from the base portion in the second direction, and a guided convex portion protruding in the first direction, and the guided convex portion is formed independently of the first elastic contact portion and the second elastic contact portion; each of the plurality of terminal holding holes of the socket base has a guide groove on its inner surface, and the guide groove allows the guided convex portion to be inserted and slide in the second direction; each of the plurality of plug terminals has a base portion and a contact portion, and in the first direction, the difference between the thickness of the base portion of the plug terminal and the thickness of the contact portion is less than the width of the guided convex portion of the socket terminal.

2. The socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the socket base has a plurality of holding hole inlets, and the plurality of holding hole inlets are respectively connected to the plurality of terminal holding holes for the entry of the plug terminals of the plug connector.

3. The socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the socket terminals respectively have the guided convex portions at two edges located on opposite sides in the first direction.

4. A plug connector is engaged with the socket connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in the second direction, wherein: it has a plurality of plug terminals arranged side by side in the first direction and a plug base, the plug terminals are formed by stamping or compressing a metal plate, and the plug base has a plurality of terminal holding holes for holding the plurality of plug terminals; each of the plurality of plug terminals has a base portion and a contact portion, the contact portion extends from the base portion, the contact portion is for being inserted into the socket connector and contacting the first elastic contact portion and the second elastic contact portion of the socket terminal, and the base portion has a claw portion stuck on the inner surface of the terminal holding hole; the thickness of the contact portion in the first direction is less than the thickness of the base portion in the first direction; in the first direction, the difference between the thickness of the base portion of the plug terminal and the thickness of the contact portion is less than the width of the guided convex portion of the socket terminal.

5. The plug connector according to claim 4, wherein the base portion of each plug terminal has an attached portion exposed from the terminal holding hole of the plug base and for being mounted on a circuit board; the thickness of the attached portion in the first direction is greater than the thickness of the contact portion in the first direction.

6. The plug connector according to claim 4, wherein the base portion of each plug terminal includes a portion held in the terminal holding hole of the plug base; the thickness of the portion held in the terminal holding hole is greater than the thickness of the contact portion in the first direction.

7. The plug connector according to claim 4, wherein the side surface of each plug terminal has a step between the contact portion and the base; the thickness of each plug terminal in the first direction is uniform from the step to the end of the plug terminal.

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