Connector components

Abstract

The present invention provides a miniaturized connector assembly with an interlocking locking mechanism. The connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector that can be interlocked from the rear relative to the first connector. The first connector includes a first contactor and a first shell that holds the first contactor. The first contactor includes a first stop portion having a first stop surface facing forward. The second connector includes a second contactor and a second shell that holds the second contactor. The second shell includes a second stop portion having a second stop surface facing rearward. At least one of the first stop portion and the second stop portion is supported by an elastically deformable support portion and can be displaced in the up and down directions. In the interlocking state, the first stop surface is located behind the second stop surface and opposite to the second stop surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly with a mating locking mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a connector assembly having a fitting lock mechanism.

[0003] like Fig.17 As shown, the connector assembly 90 described in Patent Document 1 has a male connector 92 and a female connector 94 that fit together along the front-to-back direction. The male connector 92 has a male terminal 920 and a male housing 922 that holds the male terminal 920. On the upper surface of the male housing 922, a locking protrusion 924 that protrudes upward in the up-down direction orthogonal to the front-to-back direction is provided. On the other hand, the female connector 94 has a female terminal 940 and a female housing 942 that holds the female terminal 940. A locking arm 944 is provided on the female housing 942.

[0004] like Fig.17 As shown in the figure, when the male connector 92 and the female connector 94 are engaged with each other, the male housing 922 partially accommodates the female housing 942. At this time, the locking portion of the locking arm 944 is located in front of the locking protrusion 924 in the front-to-back direction, and prevents the female connector 94 from moving backward relative to the male connector 92. In other words, the locking arm 944 and the locking protrusion 924 function as an engagement locking mechanism. In this way, the engagement state of the male connector 92 and the female connector 94 can be maintained.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-52971 Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0009] The connector assembly 90 described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the male connector 92 partially accommodates the female connector 94, and the locking arm 944 provided on the female connector 94 is partially located above the locking protrusion 924 formed on the upper surface of the male connector 92. In other words, the connector assembly 90 is configured so that the male housing 922 and the female housing 942 maintain the mating state. Therefore, in the connector assembly 90, there is a problem that the size thereof is large at least in the vertical direction.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly having a fitting lock mechanism and being miniaturized.

[0011] Technical means to solve problems

[0012] The present invention provides a connector assembly as a first connector assembly, which includes: a first connector; and a second connector that can be engaged from the rear in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the first connector, wherein:

[0013] The first connector has at least one first contactor and a first housing formed by an insulator.

[0014] The first contactor has a first contact portion, a first held portion held by the first housing, and a first locking portion.

[0015] The first stop portion has a first stop surface facing forward in the front-rear direction.

[0016] The second connector has at least one second contactor and a second housing formed by an insulator.

[0017] The second contactor has a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion when the first connector and the second connector are in a mating state, and a second held portion held by the second housing.

[0018] The second housing has a second locking portion.

[0019] The second stopper has a second stopper surface facing rearward in the front-rear direction.

[0020] At least one of the first contactor and the second housing has an elastically deformable support portion.

[0021] At least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is supported by the support portion and is displaceable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction by elastic deformation of the support portion.

[0022] In the fitted state, the first stop surface is located behind the second stop surface in the front-rear direction and is opposite to the second stop surface.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention provides a connector assembly as a second connector assembly, wherein in the first connector assembly, the second housing has the support portion.

[0024] In addition, the connector component provided as the third connector component of the present invention, in the second connector component,

[0025] The second stopper is located at the front end of the support portion.

[0026] The front end of the second shell constitutes an abutment portion.

[0027] The front end of the second stopper portion is a structure that also functions as a part of the abutment portion.

[0028] The first housing has an abutment portion.

[0029] The first locking portion is located between the first contact portion and the first held portion in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The first stop surface is spaced apart from the abutted portion in the front-rear direction and faces the abutted portion when the first connector and the second connector are not engaged.

[0031] In the fitted state, the second locking portion is located between the abutted portion and the first locking surface.

[0032] In addition, the connector component provided as the fourth connector component of the present invention, in the second or third connector component,

[0033] The second contactor is a component connected to the front end of the cable.

[0034] The second housing includes a blocking portion having a blocking surface.

[0035] The second contactor has a blocked portion.

[0036] The blocking surface is located behind the blocked portion to prevent the second contactor from moving backward relative to the second housing.

[0037] The catch portion is provided at a position different from that of the support portion in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0038] In addition, the connector component provided as the fifth connector component of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fourth connector components,

[0039] The second housing has a receiving portion for receiving the first contact portion in the engaged state.

[0040] The second contact portion is located in the receiving portion.

[0041] In addition, the connector component provided as the sixth connector component of the present invention, in the fifth connector component,

[0042] The second stopper protrudes into the receiving portion.

[0043] In the above-mentioned fitting state, the above-mentioned first locking portion is located in the above-mentioned receiving portion.

[0044] In addition, the connector component provided as the seventh connector component of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth connector component,

[0045] The second housing has a peripheral wall portion.

[0046] The support portion and the peripheral wall portion surround the housing portion.

[0047] In addition, the connector component provided as the eighth connector component of the present invention is, in any one of the fifth to seventh connector components,

[0048] The second housing has an induction portion and a guide portion.

[0049] The guiding portion intersects with the front-rear direction.

[0050] The guide portion is located behind the guide portion and extends along the front-rear direction.

[0051] The induction portion and the guide portion are structures for guiding the first contact portion to be accommodated in the accommodation portion.

[0052] The guide portion has a pair of guide side surfaces which are spaced apart from each other and face each other.

[0053] In a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, a dimension between the guide side surfaces is smaller than a dimension of the second locking portion.

[0054] Effects of the Invention

[0055] In the connector assembly of the present invention, when the first connector and the second connector are engaged with each other, the first stop surface of the first stop portion provided on the first contactor is located behind the second stop surface of the second stop portion provided on the second housing in the front-to-back direction and is opposite to the first stop surface. Thus, the first stop portion and the second stop portion function as an engagement locking mechanism to prevent the second connector from moving backward relative to the first connector. Because the first stop portion is provided on the first contactor, the connector assembly can be miniaturized at least in the up-down direction compared to the case where the first stop portion is provided on the first housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The first connector and the second connector are not engaged with each other. The second connector is connected to the front end of the cable.

[0057] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 Another perspective view of the connector assembly.

[0058] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 1 Side view of the connector assembly.

[0059] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 3 AA line cross-sectional view of the connector assembly.

[0060] Figure 5 Yes means Figure 1 A plan view of a connector assembly of the present invention. The first connector and the second connector are engaged with each other.

[0061] Figure 6 Yes means Figure 5 BB line cross-sectional view of the connector assembly.

[0062] Figure 7 Yes means Figure 5 Side view of the connector assembly.

[0063] Figure 8 Yes means Figure 7 CC line cross-sectional view of the connector assembly.

[0064] Fig. 9 Yes means Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a second connector included in a connector assembly.

[0065] Fig.10 Yes means Fig. 9 Another exploded perspective view of the second connector.

[0066] Fig.11 Yes means Fig. 9 A side view of the second connector.

[0067] Fig.12 Yes means Fig.11 DD line cross-sectional view of the second connector.

[0068] Fig.13 Yes means Fig.11 Front view of the second connector.

[0069] Fig.14 Yes means Fig.13 EE line cross-sectional view of the second connector.

[0070] Fig.15 Yes means Fig.14 The second contactor is held by the second housing.

[0071] Fig.16 Yes means Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a modified example of a connector assembly.

[0072] Fig.17 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0073] Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 10 Connector assembly

[0075] 20 First Connector

[0076] 22 First contactor

[0077] 220 First connection part

[0078] 222 first held portion

[0079] 224 Wide Width

[0080] 226 First contact

[0081] 228 concavity

[0082] 229 front edge

[0083] 230 First stopper

[0084] 232 First stop surface

[0085] 24 Additional contactor

[0086] 26 First Shell

[0087] 262 Abutment

[0088] 30 Second connector

[0089] 32 Second contactor

[0090] 320 Second connection part

[0091] 322 First barrel

[0092] 324 Second tube section

[0093] 330 Second held portion

[0094] 332 front

[0095] 334 Rear

[0096] 340 Second contact part

[0097] 342 blocked portion (hooked portion, fixed portion)

[0098] 36 Second Shell

[0099] 360 Bottom plate (peripheral wall)

[0100] 362 side plate (peripheral wall)

[0101] 364 Middle plate part (peripheral wall part)

[0102] 366 Upper plate part (peripheral wall part)

[0103] 370 catch part (hook part, fixing part)

[0104] 372 blocking surface (hook surface, fixing surface)

[0105] 380 Second stopper

[0106] 382 Second stop surface

[0107] 384, 384A Supporting part

[0108] 386 Containment Division

[0109] 388 Induction Department

[0110] 390 Guide

[0111] 392 Guide side

[0112] 396 Contact Department

[0113] 50 Cable DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , a connector assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 20 and a second connector 30. In this embodiment, the first connector 20 is a device-mounted connector mounted on an electronic device (not shown). In addition, the second connector 30 is connected to the front end of the cable 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first connector 20 can be configured to be connected to various cables. In addition, the second connector 30 can be configured to be mounted on an electronic device or a circuit substrate.

[0115] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 It is understood that the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 can be mated with each other along the front-to-back direction. More specifically, the second connector 30 can be mated from the rear relative to the first connector 20. In this embodiment, the front-to-back direction is the X direction. The -X direction is the front, and the +X direction is the rear.

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown, the first connector 20 has at least one first contactor 22, a plurality of additional contactors 24, and a first housing 26. In the present embodiment, the number of the first contactors 22 is two. In addition, the number of the additional contactors 24 is four. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first connector 20 may be one or more than three. In addition, the number of the additional contactors 24 is not particularly limited and may be absent.

[0117] like Figure 4 As shown, the first contactor 22 and the additional contactor 24 are held by the first housing 26. In the present embodiment, the first contactor 22 and the additional contactor 24 are respectively made of metal. In more detail, the first contactor 22 and the additional contactor 24 are respectively formed by punching a metal plate. In addition, the first housing 26 is made of an insulator, for example, an insulating resin. In the present embodiment, the first connector 20 is insert-molded together with the first contactor 22 and the additional contactor 24. In addition, the additional contactor 24 has no direct relationship with the present invention, and therefore the description thereof is omitted below.

[0118] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the first contactors 22 are plate-shaped and extend in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The shape of the first contactors 22 is not particularly limited, and at least part of the first contactors 22 may be cylindrical or cylindrical.

[0119] like Figure 6 As shown, each of the first contactors 22 has a first connection portion 220, a first held portion 222, a wide portion 224, and a first contact portion 226. In this embodiment, the first connection portion 220, the first held portion 222, the wide portion 224, and the first contact portion 226 are arranged in this order in the front-rear direction.

[0120] like Figure 6 As shown, the first connection portion 220 of the first contact 22 has a substantially square shape when viewed in a lateral direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the lateral direction is the Y direction.

[0121] like Figure 6 As shown, the first held portion 222 of the first contactor 22 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction and extends rearward from the first connection portion 220. In the up-down direction that is orthogonal to both the front-to-back direction and the lateral direction, the size of the first held portion 222 is smaller than the size of the first connection portion 220. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z direction. The +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward.

[0122] like Figure 6 As shown, the wide portion 224 of the first contactor 22 extends rearward from the first held portion 222. The wide portion 224 is larger in the vertical direction than the first held portion 222. The rear portion of the wide portion 224 is tapered so that its size decreases in the vertical direction as it goes rearward.

[0123] like Figure 6As shown, the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22 extends rearward from the wide portion 224. The first contact portion 226 is smaller in the vertical direction than the wide portion 224. The rear portion of the first contact portion 226 is tapered so that its size decreases in the vertical direction as it goes rearward.

[0124] according to Figure 4 and Figure 6 It is understood that the first held portion 222 is held by the first housing 26. In the present embodiment, not only the first held portion 222, but also the first connecting portion 220 and the wide portion 224 are partially held by the first housing 26. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first housing 26 only needs to hold the first held portion 222 at least partially.

[0125] like Figure 6 As shown, a recessed portion 228 that is recessed upward is formed in the central portion of the wide portion 224 in the front-to-back direction. Due to the presence of the recessed portion 228, a portion of the wide portion 224 forms a first stopper 230 that protrudes downward in the up-down direction. In other words, the first contactor 22 has a first stopper 230 that protrudes downward. In this embodiment, the first stopper 230 is located between the first contact portion 226 and the first held portion 222 in the front-to-back direction. The first stopper 230 has a first stopper surface 232 that faces forward in the front-to-back direction.

[0126] Reference Figures 9 to 11 The second connector 30 includes at least one second contactor 32 and a second housing 36. In the present embodiment, the number of the second contactors 32 is two. The number of the second contactors 32 corresponds to the number of the first contactors 22 of the first connector 20. The second contactors 32 are each made of metal. More specifically, the second contactors 32 are each formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The second housing 36 is formed of an insulator, such as an insulating resin. The second housing 36 holds the second contactor 32.

[0127] like Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the second contactor 32 has a second connecting portion 320, a second held portion 330 and a pair of second contact portions 340. The second connecting portion 320 has a first tube portion 322 and a second tube portion 324, and is connected to the cable 50. The second held portion 330 is located in front of the second connecting portion 320, and has a front portion 332 and a rear portion 334.

[0128] according to Fig. 9 and Fig.10It can be understood that the rear portion 334 of the second held portion 330 is formed in a quadrangular tube shape and extends in the front-to-back direction. A blocked portion (fixed portion) 342 is provided on the upper surface of the rear portion 334. The front portion 332 of the second held portion 330 extends forward from the rear portion 334. The front portion 332 is open upward, forward, and laterally.

[0129] like Fig.12 As shown, the second contact portions 340 extend laterally inward and obliquely forward from the rear portion 334 of the second held portion 330. The second contact portions 340 each have a contact point. The contact points are opposite to each other in the lateral direction. Figure 8 As shown, the second contact portion 340 contacts the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22 when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are engaged with each other. More specifically, the contact point of the second contact portion 340 contacts the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22.

[0130] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the second housing 36 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is open to the front and rear. In more detail, the second housing 36 has a bottom plate portion 360, a pair of side plates 362, a middle plate portion 364, and an upper plate portion 366. In addition, the second housing 36 has a pair of stopper portions (hooking portions, fixing portions) 370 at its upper portion. Moreover, the second housing 36 has a pair of second stopper portions 380 and supporting portions 384 corresponding thereto, respectively, at its lower portion.

[0131] according to Fig. 9 and Fig.14 It is understood that the blocking portion 370 is a lance locking portion. In more detail, the blocking portion 370 is formed in a cantilever shape and extends obliquely downward to the front. The blocking portion 370 can be elastically deformed. In addition, the blocking portion 370 has a blocking surface 372 that faces obliquely upward to the front. The blocking surface 372 can be displaced at least in the up and down direction due to the elastic deformation of the blocking portion 370. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The blocking portion 370 can also be formed as a simple recess or protrusion.

[0132] according to Fig.10 and Fig.14It is understood that the support portions 384 are respectively formed in a cantilever shape and extend forward. The support portions 384 support the corresponding second stop portions 380. The second stop portion 380 is located at the front end of the support portion 384. The second stop portion 380 has a second stop surface 382 facing rearward in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the second stop surface 382 is formed as an inclined surface extending obliquely upward from the support portion 384 to the rear. The second stop surface 382 can be a single plane or a curved surface. In addition, the second stop surface 382 can be a continuous plurality of planes or curved surfaces, or a combination of planes and curved surfaces. The second stop surface 382 is formed on the first connector 20 (refer to Figure 6 ) is in the mating state with the second connector 30, and the first stop surface 232 (refer to Figure 6 ) are in contact at an acute angle. Thus, when the second connector 30 is pulled backward relative to the first connector 20, the second connector 30 is not easily detached from the first connector 20. The support portion 384 is elastically deformable. The second stopper 380 is displaceable at least in the up-down direction due to the elastic deformation of the support portion 384.

[0133] like Fig.14 As shown, in this embodiment, the blocking portion 370 is located behind the support portion 384 in the front-to-back direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The blocking portion 370 may also be located at a position at least partially overlapping with the support portion 384 in the front-to-back direction. By configuring in this way, the size of the second connector 30 can be reduced in the front-to-back direction.

[0134] according to Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.14 It is understood that in this embodiment, the blocking portion 370 is arranged on the upper plate portion 366, and the supporting portion 384 is arranged on the bottom plate portion 360. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The blocking portion 370 can also be arranged on the bottom plate portion 360, and the supporting portion 384 can also be arranged on the upper plate portion 366. Alternatively, the blocking portion 370 and the supporting portion 384 can also be arranged on the side plate portion 362 respectively. In either case, the blocking portion 370 and the supporting portion 384 are arranged at different positions from each other in a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. This is to take into account both the miniaturization of the second housing 36 and the assurance of strength.

[0135] like Fig.12 and Fig.14 As shown, the second housing 36 has a pair of receiving portions 386. The receiving portions 386 correspond to the second contactors 32, respectively. In addition, the receiving portions 386 receive at least the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22 when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are engaged with each other. The bottom plate portion 360, the side plate portion 362, the middle plate portion 364 and the upper plate portion 366 of the second housing 36 constitute a peripheral wall portion surrounding the receiving portion 386. Fig.13It is understood that the peripheral wall portion and the support portion 384 surround the receiving portion 386 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Figure 6 and Figure 8 It is understood that the receiving portions 386 respectively receive the corresponding second contacts 32. In the present embodiment, the second locking portions 380 protrude into the corresponding receiving portions 386.

[0136] like Figure 12 to Figure 14 As shown, the second housing 36 also has an induction portion 388 and a guide portion 390 corresponding to the receiving portion 386, respectively. The induction portion 388 is composed of three planes provided on the upper plate portion 366, the side plate portion 362 and the middle plate portion 364. These planes intersect with the front-to-back direction. This is to make it easier to insert the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22 into the receiving portion 386. The guide portion 390 is located behind the induction portion 388 and extends rearward along the front-to-back direction. In the front-to-back direction, it is better that the size of the guide portion 390 is larger. This is to suppress the tilt of the first contact portion 226 inserted into the receiving portion 386.

[0137] like Fig.12 As shown, the guide portion 390 has a pair of guide side surfaces 392 that are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. In the lateral direction, the dimension between the guide side surfaces 392 is greater than that between the first contact portion 226 (see Figure 4 ) is slightly larger. This is to allow the first contact portion 226 to be inserted. In addition, in the lateral direction, the dimension between the guide side surfaces 392 is smaller than the dimension of the second stopper 380 and the support portion 384. This is because in order to ensure the strength of the support portion 384 and the second stopper 380, their dimensions are increased in the lateral direction.

[0138] according to Fig.14 and Fig.15 It is understood that the second contactor 32 is inserted into the receiving portion 386 of the second housing 36 from the rear. At this time, the blocked portion 342 causes the blocking portion 370 to elastically deform and move forward of the blocking portion 370. When the blocked portion 342 moves forward of the blocking portion 370, the blocking surface 372 is located behind the blocked portion 342 due to the restoring force of the blocking portion 370. The blocking surface 372 located behind the blocked portion 342 prevents the second contactor 32 from relatively moving backward relative to the second housing 36.

[0139] like Figure 4 and Fig.15 As shown, when the second contactor 32 is inserted into the receiving portion 386 of the second housing 36 , the second held portion 330 contacts the inner surface of the receiving portion 386 of the second housing 36 and is held by the second housing 36 . Also, the second contact portion 340 is located in the receiving portion 386 .

[0140] according to Figure 6 and Figure 8 It is understood that when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are mated with each other, the first contact portion 226 of the first contactor 22 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 386. At this time, the induction portion 388 and the guide portion 390 of the second housing 36 guide the first contact portion 226 to be accommodated in the accommodation portion 386. The first contact portion 226 accommodated in the accommodation portion 386 contacts and is electrically connected with the second contact portion 340 located in the accommodation portion 386. In this way, in the mating state where the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are mated with each other, the first contact portion 226 and the second contact portion 340 are located in the accommodation portion 386 and are protected by the second housing 36 from external influences.

[0141] according to Figure 6 It can be understood that when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are interlocked, the wide portion 224 (the first stop portion 230) is also accommodated in the accommodating portion 386. When the first stop portion 230 enters the accommodating portion 386, it abuts against the second stop portion 380 and presses the second stop portion 380 downward. Due to the elastic deformation of the support portion 384, the second stop portion 380 moves downward. When the first stop surface 232 moves further rearward than the second stop surface 382, ​​due to the restoring force of the support portion 384, the first stop surface 232 is located behind the second stop surface 382. In addition, the first stop portion 230 is located in the accommodating portion 386, and the first stop surface 232 is opposite to the second stop surface 382. When the second connector 30 is to move rearward relative to the first connector 20, the first stop surface 232 abuts against the second stop surface 382, ​​thereby preventing the second connector 30 from being disengaged. Thus, the fitting state of the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 can be maintained.

[0142] according to Figure 6 and Figure 8 It can be understood that the front end of the second shell 36 constitutes an abutting portion 396 that abuts against the first shell 26. The front end of the second stopper 380 functions as a part of the abutting portion 396. The first shell 26 has an abutted portion 262 that is opposite to the abutting portion 396 of the second shell 36. In the present embodiment, the abutted portion 262 is the rear surface of the first shell 26.

[0143] according to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6It can be understood that the first stopper surface 232 is separated from the abutted portion 262 in the front-to-back direction and is opposite to the front edge 229 of the recess 228 in the unengaged state. In this embodiment, the front edge 229 of the recess 228 of the first contactor 22 is formed in the same plane as the abutted portion 262 of the first housing 26. Therefore, the front edge 229 of the recess 228 of the first contactor 22 can be regarded as a part of the abutted portion 262. Therefore, the first stopper surface 232 can be opposite to the abutted portion 262. In addition, the front edge 229 of the recess 228 is embedded in the first housing 26 and can be located at a position forward of the rear surface of the first housing 26 in the front-to-back direction. In this case, the first stopper surface 232 is opposite to the rear surface of the first housing 26. Therefore, in this case, it can be said that the first stopper surface 232 is opposite to the abutted portion 262. Like this, the first stopper surface 232 is opposite to the abutted portion 262. Furthermore, when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are not mated, there is nothing between the first locking portion 230 and the abutted portion 262 .

[0144] according to Figure 6 It can be understood that in the interlocking state where the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are interlocked with each other, the second stop portion 380 is located between the abutted portion 262 and the first stop surface 232. In addition, the second stop portion 380 protrudes into the accommodating portion 386 and engages with the first stop portion 230 of the first contactor 22. In this way, the first stop portion 230 of the first contactor 22 and the second stop portion 380 of the second housing 36 function as an interlocking locking mechanism. The interlocking locking mechanism is not a structure for locking the housings to each other. Therefore, according to this structure, the size of the connector assembly 10 in the up-down direction can be made smaller than that of the connector assembly of patent document 1. Moreover, the second stop portion 380 is not located further forward than the abutting portion 396 in the front-to-back direction. According to this structure, the size of the connector assembly 10 can be reduced in the front-to-back direction.

[0145] The above disclosure and specific description of the embodiments of the present invention are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications and changes can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the first stopper 230 is formed by forming the recess 228 in the wide portion 224, and a protrusion protruding downward in the vertical direction can also be provided at the connecting portion (equivalent to the wide portion 224) connecting the first connecting portion 220 and the first contact portion 226 to serve as the first stopper 230.

[0146] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first contactor 22 is plate-shaped, but it may be cylindrical or cylindrical. In this case, the first contactor 22 may be formed as a structure in which a plurality of cylinders or cylinders having different diameters are continuous. In this case, the first stopper 230 may be provided by forming a recess or a hole (equivalent to the recess 228), or by forming a protrusion.

[0147] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the first stopper 230 cannot be displaced in the vertical direction. Fig.16 As shown, the first stopper 230 supported by the cantilever support 384A can also be provided so that the first stopper 230 can be displaced at least in the up-down direction. In this case, the second stopper 380 can be displaced or cannot be displaced in the up-down direction. In the present invention, at least one of the first stopper 230 and the second stopper 380 is supported by the support 384 and / or 384A, and can be displaced in the up-down direction by utilizing the elastic deformation of the support 384 and / or 384A. In addition, when both the first stopper 230 and the second stopper 380 can be moved in the up-down direction, the deformation of the support 384 and 384A when the first connector 20 and the second connector 30 are engaged can be reduced. On the other hand, when only one of the first stopper 230 and the second stopper 380 can be moved in the up-down direction, the structure is simple, and the relative position accuracy of the first stopper 230 and the second stopper 380 can be improved.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, include: A first connector; and a second connector that can be engaged from behind with respect to the first connector in the front-to-rear direction, wherein the connector assembly is characterized in that: The first connector has at least one first contactor and a first housing formed of an insulator. The first contactor has a first contact portion, a first held portion held by the first housing, and a first locking portion. The first stop portion has a first stop surface facing forward in the front-to-back direction. The second connector has at least one second contactor and a second housing formed of an insulator, The second contactor has a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion when the first connector and the second connector are in a mating state, and a second held portion held by the second housing. The second housing has a second locking portion, The second stop portion has a second stop surface facing rearward in the front-to-rear direction. At least one of the first contactor and the second housing has an elastically deformable support portion. At least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is supported by the support portion and is displaceable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction by elastic deformation of the support portion. In the fitted state, the first stop surface is located behind the second stop surface in the front-rear direction and is opposite to the second stop surface.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, Features: The second housing has the support portion.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 2, Features: The second stopper is located at the front end of the support portion. The front end of the second shell forms an abutment portion. The front end of the second stopper portion is a structure that also functions as a part of the abutment portion. The first housing has an abutted portion. The first locking portion is located between the first contact portion and the first held portion in the front-rear direction. The first stop surface is spaced apart from the abutted portion in the front-rear direction and faces the abutted portion when the first connector and the second connector are not engaged. In the fitted state, the second locking portion is located between the abutted portion and the first locking surface.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 2, Features: The second contactor is a component connected to the front end of the cable. The second housing includes a blocking portion having a blocking surface, The second contactor has a blocked portion, The blocking surface is located behind the blocked portion to prevent the second contactor from moving backward relative to the second housing. The catch portion is provided at a position different from that of the support portion in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 1, Features: The second housing has a receiving portion for receiving the first contact portion in the engaged state. The second contact portion is located in the receiving portion.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, Features: The second locking portion protrudes into the receiving portion, In the engaged state, the first locking portion is located in the receiving portion.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 5, Features: The second housing has a peripheral wall portion, The support portion and the peripheral wall portion surround the housing portion.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 5, Features: The second housing has an induction portion and a guide portion, The guiding portion intersects the front-rear direction, The guide portion is located behind the guiding portion and extends along the front-rear direction. The inducing portion and the guiding portion are structures for guiding the first contact portion to be accommodated in the accommodation portion. The guide portion has a pair of guide side surfaces which are spaced apart from each other and are opposite to each other. In a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, a dimension between the guide side surfaces is smaller than a dimension of the second locking portion.

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