Connectors

Abstract

A connector, the housing of the connector having end faces at both ends in the pitch direction thereof. The end faces respectively correspond to the protrusions of the mating connector. Two guide members are different and separated from each other. Each guide member has a side portion and two support portions. The guide members respectively correspond to the end faces. Therefore, the side portion and the support portion correspond to one of the end faces. The side portion is located at a position separated from the end face corresponding to it in the pitch direction. The side portion, the support portion and the end face corresponding to the side portion form a receiving portion. When the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, the receiving portion guides and receives the protrusions corresponding to the end face forming the receiving portion. The present invention is a structure having suitable component versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector mounted on a substrate, and more particularly to a connector provided with a guide member for guiding a mating connector. Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 10601181 (Patent Document 1) discloses an example of a connector mounted on a substrate, wherein the connector has a guide member. Fig.17 As can be seen, the connector 90 of Patent Document 1 is mounted on the upper surface of a substrate (not shown) in the up-down direction and can be mated with and detached from a mating connector 95 .

[0003] like Fig.17 As shown, the mating connector 95 has a terminal plate 951 and an adjacent wall 953. Each of the terminal plate 951 and the adjacent wall 953 protrudes downward in the up-down direction. The terminal plate 951 is provided with a plurality of mating contacts (not shown). The adjacent wall 953 is located near the terminal plate 951 to be separated from it in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0004] like Fig.17 As shown, the connector 90 has an insulator (shell) 92 and a metal shell (guide member) 94. The insulator 92 defines a housing space 921 that houses a terminal board 951 of a mating connector, and the housing space 921 is open upward. The insulator 92 holds a plurality of contacts 923. Each contact 923 is partially exposed in the housing space 921. The metal shell 94 surrounds the insulator 92 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The metal shell 94 is provided with adjacent grooves 941, which together with the side surface of the insulator 92 house adjacent walls 953 of the mating connector 95. The metal shell 94 has a plurality of legs 943 fixed to a substrate. When the connector 90 is mounted on a substrate (not shown), the legs are fixed to the substrate.

[0005] In the connector 90 of Patent Document 1, the metal housing 94 is designed specifically for the insulator (housing) 92 having a specific shape and a specific size. Therefore, the metal housing 94 cannot be combined with a housing having a shape or size different from that of the insulator 92. For example, the metal housing 94 cannot be combined with a housing provided with a number of contacts different from the number of contacts 923 of the insulator 92. In other words, the structure of the connector 90 of Patent Document 1 does not have the commonality of parts for realizing multiple types of connectors. Summary of the invention

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector having a structure suitable for versatility of components.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a connector that can be matched with a mating connector in an up-down direction. The connector is mounted on a substrate in an up-down direction. The mating connector includes a plurality of mating contact portions and two protrusions. The protrusions protrude in the up-down direction. The protrusions are separated from each other in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. Each protrusion is provided with a mating locking portion. The connector includes a plurality of terminals, a housing, two guide members, and two locking portions. The terminals correspond to the mating contact portions, respectively. Each terminal has a contact portion that contacts the mating contact portion corresponding to it in a mating state in which the connector and the mating connector mate with each other. The housing holds the terminals. The terminals are arranged in a pitch direction. The housing has end faces at both ends of the pitch direction. The end faces correspond to the protrusions, respectively. The locking portion locks the mating state together with the mating locking portion. The guide members are different and separated from each other. Each guide member has a side portion and two supporting portions that support the side portion. The guide members correspond to the end faces, respectively, so that the side portion and the supporting portion correspond to one of the end faces. The side portion is away from the end face corresponding to it in a vertical direction. The side portion, the supporting portion, and the end face corresponding to the side portion form a receiving portion. When the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, the receiving portion guides and receives the projection corresponding to the end surface forming the receiving portion.

[0008] The connector of the present invention is provided with a shell and two guide members. The guide members are separated from each other and correspond to the end faces at both ends of the shell. Each guide member has a side portion and two supporting portions. The side portion and the two supporting portions together with the end faces corresponding thereto form a receiving portion. The receiving portion guides and receives the protrusion of the docking connector. Since the guide members are arranged to correspond to the end faces at both ends of the shell, the guide members can be attached to the shell without being restricted by the shape of the shell and the size of the shell. In other words, the guide members can be attached to any shell having various shapes and sizes. Therefore, the present invention is able to provide a connector having a structure suitable for component versatility.

[0009] A more complete understanding of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be obtained by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly including a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The connector and the mating connector are separated from each other.

[0011] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Another perspective view of a connector assembly of FIG. The connector and the mating connector mate with each other.

[0012] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 Front view of the connector assembly.

[0013] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 Front view of the connector assembly.

[0014] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of the mating connector in the connector assembly.

[0015] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 Bottom view of the mating connector.

[0016] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of the connector in the connector assembly.

[0017] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 Side view of the connector.

[0018] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 Exploded perspective view of the connector.

[0019] Fig.10 It is shown Fig. 9 A front view of one of the guide members in the connector.

[0020] Fig.11 It is shown Fig.10 A top view of the guide member.

[0021] Fig.12 It is shown Fig.10 A side view of a guide member.

[0022] Fig.13 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.14 It is shown Fig.13 Front view of the connector.

[0024] Fig.15 It is shown Fig.13 Side view of the connector.

[0025] Fig.16 It is shown Fig.13 Exploded perspective view of the connector.

[0026] Fig.17 This is a perspective view of a connector assembly described in Patent Document 1.

[0027] Although the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, their purpose is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] [First embodiment]

[0029] from Figures 1 to 4 It can be understood that the connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a connector that can be matched with the mating connector 50 along the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the connector 10 is a socket connector, and the mating connector 50 is a plug connector. The connector 10 is mounted on one surface of the substrate 80 along the up-down direction when in use. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z direction. The positive Z direction points upward, and the negative Z direction points downward.

[0030] like Figure 1 , 5 As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the mating connector 50 is an angle connector connected to one end of the flexible flat cable 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The mating connector 50 can be a straight connector. In addition, the mating connector 50 can be connected to a multi-core cable or can be installed on a mating substrate.

[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the docking connector 50 has a housing 52 , a tongue 54 , two projections 56 , and two locking springs 58 .

[0032] As from Figure 1 , 3 As understood in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the housing 52 is made of insulating resin and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the pitch direction. The housing 52 has lock spring retaining portions 521 at both ends in the pitch direction thereof. In the present embodiment, the pitch direction is the X direction.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the tongue portion 54 extends in the pitch direction and protrudes downward from the lower surface 523 of the housing 52. Figure 6As shown, each of the front surface 541 of the tongue-shaped portion 54 and the back surface 543 of the tongue-shaped portion 54 is formed with a plurality of mating contact portions 545 arranged in the pitch direction. In detail, the mating contact portion 545 is a conductor pad formed on the insulating substrate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The mating connector 50 may be provided with a plurality of metal terminals instead of the tongue-shaped portion 54. In any case, the mating connector 50 is provided with a plurality of mating contact portions 545.

[0034] like Figure 3 , 5 6, the projections 56 are separated from each other in the pitch direction. The projections 56 correspond to the locking spring retaining portions 521 of the housing 52, respectively. Each projection 56 protrudes from the locking spring retaining portion 521 corresponding thereto in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the projection 56 protrudes downward from the locking spring retaining portion 521 corresponding thereto. Each projection 56 and the locking spring retaining portion 521 corresponding thereto define a locking spring accommodating portion 561 that is open outward and upward in the pitch direction.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the locking springs 58 are respectively partially accommodated in the locking spring accommodating portion 561. In the present embodiment, each locking spring 58 is made of sheet metal and has a pair of stoppers 581, a support portion 583 and an operating portion 585. The support portion 583 supports the stopper 581 and is at least partially elastically deformable. Each stopper 581 protrudes outward in the pitch direction. The operating portion 585 is arranged at the end of the support portion 583. By operating the operating portion 585, the support portion 583 can be elastically deformed. The elastic deformation of the support portion 583 allows the stopper 581 to move at least in the pitch direction. In the initial state, the end of the stopper 581 is located outside the locking spring accommodating portion 561. The stopper 581 of each locking spring 58 serves as a mating locking portion 60. Therefore, each projection 56 is provided with a mating locking portion 60.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , 7 8 , the connector 10 is provided with a plurality of terminals 12 , two guide members 16 , and two locking portions 18 .

[0037] like Figure 7 As shown, the terminals 12 are arranged in the pitch direction. In the present embodiment, the terminals 12 are arranged in two rows in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The terminals 12 correspond to the mating contact portions 545 respectively, and the arrangement of the terminals 12 depends on the arrangement of the mating contact portions 545. For example, the terminals 12 can be arranged in a single row in the pitch direction according to the arrangement of the mating contact portions 545.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 7As shown, each terminal 12 has a contact portion 121, and in the mating state where the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated with each other, the contact portion 121 is in contact with the mating contact portion 545 (see Figure 3 Or 5) contact. In the present embodiment, each terminal 12 is a spring contact made of metal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case where the mating contact portion 545 is a spring contact made of metal, the terminal 12 can be a conductor pad formed on an insulating substrate.

[0039] from Figure 7 It can be understood that the housing 14 holds the terminals 12. The housing 14 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the pitch direction, and defines an upwardly open accommodation space 141. Each terminal 12 is partially exposed in the accommodation space 141. In detail, at least the contact portion 121 is exposed in the accommodation space 141.

[0040] like Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, the housing 14 has end faces 143 at both ends of the housing 14 in the pitch direction. The end faces 143 of the housing 14 correspond to the protrusions 56 (see FIG. Figure 3 ). In the present embodiment, each end surface 143 is a surface directed outward in the pitch direction.

[0041] like Fig. 9 As shown, the housing 14 is formed with a plurality of slits 145 to be connected to the guide member 16, and is formed with a plurality of holes (not shown) adjacent to the slits 145. In the present embodiment, each slit 145 opens upward and outward in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The slits 145 may open only upward or only outward in the pitch direction according to the shape of the guide member 16.

[0042] from Fig. 9 It is understood that the two guide members 16 are separate and different from each other. In the present embodiment, the guide members 16 have shapes that are mirror images of each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the guide members 16 correspond to the bumps 56 of the mating connector 50, the guide members 16 may have the same shape or different shapes.

[0043] like Figures 9 to 12 As shown, in the present embodiment, each guide member 16 is made of a metal sheet and has a side portion 161 and two support portions 163 and 165 supporting the side portion 161. The side portion 161 is a flat plate perpendicular to the pitch direction. Each of the support portions 163 and 165 is a flat plate extending inwardly in the pitch direction from the edge of the side portion 161 in the front-to-back direction. In the present embodiment, the front-to-back direction is the Y direction. The negative Y direction points to the front, and the positive Y direction points to the rear.

[0044] like Figures 10 to 12As shown, the support portions 163 and 165 have different lengths from each other in the pitch direction. In addition, each of the support portions 163 and 165 is provided with a leg 167 extending downward. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The support portions 163 and 165 may have the same length as each other in the pitch direction. In addition, each of the support portions 163 and 165 may not be provided with a leg 167. However, at least one leg 167 may be provided for one or each of the support portions 163 and 165 to allow the guide member 16 to be directly fixed to the fixed base plate 80 using the leg 167.

[0045] As from Figures 7 to 9 As can be understood, the guide members 16 correspond to the end faces 143 of the housing 14, respectively, so that the side portions 161 of each of the guide members 16 and the support portions 163 and 165 of each of the guide members 16 correspond to both ends of the guide members 16 attached to the housing 14 in the pitch direction. In detail, the support portions 163 and 165 are partially press-fitted into the slits 145 of the housing 14, respectively. Figure 3 and Figure 8 It is understood that, at this time, the leg portion 167 provided on the support portion 163 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the housing 14 , and partially protrudes downward from the lower surface 147 of the housing 14 .

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, in a state where the guide member 16 is attached to the housing 14, the guide member 16 protrudes outward from both ends of the housing 14 in the pitch direction. In other words, the side portion 161 of each guide member 16 is located away from the end surface 143 corresponding thereto in the pitch direction. The side portion 161, the support portions 163 and 165, and the end surface 143 corresponding to the side portion 161 form a receiving portion 169. When the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated with each other, the receiving portion 169 guides and receives the projection 56 corresponding to the end surface 143 forming the receiving portion 169.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the locking portions 18 correspond to the guide members 16 respectively. In other words, the locking portions 18 are respectively provided on the guide members 16. Fig.12 As shown, each locking portion 18 is implemented as two long holes 181, which are provided in the side portion 161 of the guide member 16 corresponding thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The locking portion 18 may be implemented as one hole provided in the guide member 16. Alternatively, the locking portion 18 may be implemented as one or more holes or recesses provided to the housing 14. In addition, the locking portion 18 may be implemented as at least one protrusion or stopper, and the mating locking portion 60 may be implemented as at least one hole or recess mating with the protrusion or stopper.

[0048] As from Fig.12As understood in the above, the long hole 181 as the locking portion 18 has an upper end 183 and a lower end 185 in the up-down direction. In other words, the locking portion 18 has a predetermined range defined by the upper end 183 and the lower end 185. In this embodiment, the contact portion 121 (see Figure 1 ) is located within a predetermined range in the up-down direction. By positioning the contact portion 121 of the terminal 12 in the up-down direction within a predetermined range defined by the locking portion 18 in this way, the height of the connector 10 can be reduced. In detail, by positioning the contact portion 121 within a predetermined range by making the locking portion 18 as low as possible in the up-down direction, the height of the connector 10 can be reduced.

[0049] As from Figure 2 and Figure 4 As understood in the above, in the mating state where the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated with each other, the locking portion 18 locks the mating state together with the mating locking portion 60. In the present embodiment, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated with each other, the mating locking portion 6 is at least partially accommodated by the locking portion 18. Then, the mating locking portion 60 and the locking portion 18 are mated with each other and lock the mating state. If the operating portion 585 of the locking spring 58 is operated to elastically deform the supporting portion 583, the lock of the mating state can be released.

[0050] As from Figure 3 and Figure 4 4, when the connector 10 is mounted on the substrate 80, the side portion 161 of each guide member 16 and the support portions 163 and 165 of each guide member 16 are located away from the substrate 80. As shown in the figure, the side portion 161 and the support portions 163 and 165 are away from the substrate 80 in the up-down direction and are located above the substrate 80. Therefore, a lower space 20 is formed on the outer side of each end surface 143 of the housing 14 in the pitch direction and below the side portion 161 and the support portions 163 and 165 in the up-down direction to communicate with the accommodating portion 169 (see Figure 7 ). Here, the leg portion 167 is located inside the end surface 143 of the housing 14 in the pitch direction. Therefore, the guide member 16 is not located in the lower space 20 except for the leg portion 167. In the present embodiment, the entire leg portion 167 is located inside the end surface 143 of the housing 14 in the pitch direction. Therefore, the guide member 16 is not located in the lower space 20 at all.

[0051] According to the present embodiment, since the two guide members 16 according to the present embodiment are different and separated from each other, the guide members 16 can be used for housings 14 having various shapes and sizes. In other words, the guide members 16 can be used as a common component for various types of connectors.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the guide member 16 is not in the lower space 20 located below the guide member 16. Therefore, the conductor pattern can be formed on the area of ​​the mounting surface of the substrate 80 on which the connector is mounted, wherein the area faces each lower space 20. Therefore, the mounting surface of the substrate 80 can be effectively used. In particular, in the case where a plurality of connectors 10 are mounted on the substrate 80, by arranging the connectors 10 in the front-to-rear direction to arrange the lower spaces 20 in the front-to-rear direction, a continuous area can be formed on the mounting surface of the substrate 80, so that the mounting surface of the substrate 80 can be more effectively used.

[0053] [Second embodiment]

[0054] Reference Figures 13 to 16 , the connector 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention has substantially the same structure as the connector 10 according to the first embodiment. However, the size of each leg 167A of the connector 10A in the pitch direction is larger than the leg 167 of the connector 10. Accordingly, each slit 145A of the housing 14A partially opens downward in the up-down direction.

[0055] Also in the present embodiment, since the guide members 16A are different and separate from each other, the guide member 16A can be used as a common component for a plurality of types of connectors.

[0056] Furthermore, the guide member 16A is not located in the lower space 20 except for the leg 167A. Therefore, a conductor pattern can be formed on the area of ​​the mounting surface of the substrate 80 where the connector 10A is mounted, wherein the area faces each lower space 20. Therefore, in the connector 10A according to the present embodiment, the mounting surface of the substrate 80 can be effectively utilized. Furthermore, even considering the presence of the leg 167A, in the present embodiment, a portion of the leg 167A in the pitch direction is located on the inner side of the end surface 143 of the housing 14. Therefore, the connector 10A allows the mounting surface of the substrate 80 to be used in a relatively effective manner.

[0057] Although the present invention is specifically described above in conjunction with the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and alternative forms of the present invention may be performed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the housing 14 or 14A may be formed by a housing body and a metal shell or a reinforced metal portion that partially covers the outside of the housing body. In that case, the locking portion 18 may be provided to the metal shell or the reinforced metal portion. In addition, the guide member 16 may be formed to be attached to the metal shell or the reinforced metal portion.

[0058] While there has been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated with a mating connector in the up-down direction, characterized in that: The connector is mounted on the substrate in the up-down direction; The mating connector includes a plurality of mating contact portions and two protrusions; The convex block protrudes in the up-down direction; The bumps are separated from each other in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; A matching locking portion is provided on the protrusion; The connector includes a plurality of terminals, a housing, two guide members, and two locking portions; The terminals respectively correspond to the mating contact portions; Each terminal has a contact portion that contacts its corresponding mating contact portion in a mating state in which the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other; The housing accommodates the terminals; The terminals are arranged along the pitch direction; The shell has end surfaces at both ends along the pitch direction; The end faces correspond to the bumps respectively; The locking portion and the mating locking portion together lock the mating state; The guide members are distinct and separate from one another; Each guide member has a side portion and two support portions supporting the side portion; The guide members correspond to the end faces respectively, and thereby the side portion and the support portion correspond to one of the end faces; The side portion is away from the end surface corresponding thereto in the pitch direction; The side portion, the support portion, and the end surface corresponding to the side portion form a receiving portion; as well as When the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other, the receiving portion guides and receives the projection corresponding to the end surface forming the receiving portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The locking portions respectively correspond to the guide members; and Each locking portion is provided at a side portion of the guide member corresponding thereto.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: When the connector is mounted on a substrate, the side portion and the support portion are located away from the substrate.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that Each guide member also has at least one leg for fixing to the base plate; at least one leg portion extending downwardly from at least one support portion; at least one leg portion is at least partially located inside the end surface of the housing in the pitch direction; A lower space communicating with the accommodation portion is formed outside the end surface of the housing in the pitch direction and below the side portion and the support portion in the up-down direction; and The guide member is not located in the lower space except for at least one leg portion.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: Each locking portion extends within a predetermined range in the up-down direction; and The contact portion of each terminal is located within the predetermined range in the up-down direction.

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