Electrical connector

Abstract

Provided is an electrical connector capable of reducing the size of the connector in the thickness direction of the mating connector, thereby achieving miniaturization in this direction. The terminal (20) has a first arm portion (30) and a second arm portion (40). The first arm portion (30) has a first base portion (32A), a first abutting arm portion (31), and a first mounting portion. The first abutting arm portion (31) has a first abutting portion (31B-1) capable of abutting against the mating connector (C). The second arm portion (40) has a second base portion (42A) and a second abutting arm portion (41). The second abutting arm portion is located at a position separated from the first abutting arm portion (31) in the thickness direction of the mating connector (C) and is opposite to the first abutting arm portion (31). The second abutting arm portion (41) has a second abutting portion (41A) capable of abutting against the mating connector (C). The first base portion (32A) and the second base portion (42A) are held in the housing (10) in a state of being overlapped with each other in the thickness direction and in surface contact. The first abutting portion (31B-1) and the second abutting portion (41A) sandwich the mating connector (C), and at least the first abutting portion (31B-1) is electrically connected to the mating connector (C).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector that is mounted on a circuit board and connected to a mating connector body. Background Art

[0002] As such an electrical connector, for example, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The connector of Patent Document 1 includes: a plurality of connector terminals made of a metal plate member extending in an arm shape (in the example shown in Patent Document 1, there are two types, a first connector terminal and a second connector terminal); and a pressing plate made of a metal plate member that clamps a flat conductor as a mating connector body together with the connector terminals. The connector terminals are arranged in parallel with the mounting surface of the circuit board. The pressing plate is formed as a member different from the connector terminals, and is provided at an upper position separated from the connector terminals in the vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, over the entire area of the arrangement range of the connector terminals. The connector terminals are supported by a housing at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the terminal to form a double-supported beam shape, and the pressing plate is supported by the housing at one end in this direction to form a cantilever beam shape.

[0003] Thus, in Patent Document 1, by pressing the flat conductor located above the connector terminals from above with the pressing plate, the flat conductor is clamped by the connector terminals and the pressing plate, and the contact pressure between the connector terminals and the flat conductor is ensured.

[0004] The pressing plate in Patent Document 1 is formed as a pressing terminal, and while clamping the flat conductor with the above-mentioned connector terminals and the pressing terminal to ensure the contact pressure, the connector terminals and the pressing terminal are respectively electrically connected to the flat conductor on both sides of the flat conductor.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-234998 Summary of the Invention

[0008] In the connector of Patent Document 1, the connector terminals and the pressing plate that clamp the flat conductor are held by the housing at positions separated in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the flat conductor), and thus, the connector is enlarged by an amount corresponding to the separated amount in this direction.

[0009] Assume that even if the pressing plate in Patent Document 1 is formed as a pressing terminal, the technical problem of the enlargement of the connector still remains.

[0010] In view of the above, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that can suppress the size of the connector in the thickness direction of the mating connector and achieve miniaturization in this direction.

[0011] The electrical connector of the present invention is an electrical connector that is mounted on a circuit board and for connection with a mating connector, and includes: terminals having a shape bent in the thickness direction of a metal plate member; and a housing that holds the terminals.

[0012] In such an electrical connector, in the present invention, it is characterized in that the terminals have a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending in the front-rear direction. The first arm portion has: a first base portion formed on a part of the first arm portion in the front-rear direction; a first abutting arm portion located rearward of the first base portion and extending in the front-rear direction; and a first mounting portion extending from the first base portion and welded to the circuit board. The first abutting arm portion has a first abutting portion capable of abutting against the mating connector. The second arm portion has: a second base portion formed on a part of the second arm portion in the front-rear direction; and a second abutting arm portion located rearward of the second base portion and located at a position separated from the first abutting arm portion in the thickness direction of the mating connector and opposite to the first abutting arm portion. The second abutting arm portion has a second abutting portion capable of abutting against the mating connector. The first base portion and the second base portion are held by the housing in a state of being overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the mating connector and in surface contact. The first abutting portion and the second abutting portion clamp the mating connector, whereby at least the first abutting portion is electrically connected to the mating connector.

[0013] According to the present invention having such a structure, the first base portion of the first arm portion of the terminal and the second base portion of the second arm portion are held by the housing in a state of being overlapped in the thickness direction of the mating connector. Therefore, compared with the case where the first base portion and the second base portion are separated, the size of the connector in the thickness direction can be suppressed.

[0014] In the present invention, it may also be that the second abutting arm portion can be elastically displaced in the thickness direction of the mating connector, and the second base portion is supported by the housing through a surface opposite to the surface in surface contact with the first base portion.

[0015] Thus, since the surface on the opposite side of the second base portion is supported by the housing, when the mating connector enters between the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion and causes the second abutting portion to elastically displace in the thickness direction, it is possible to counteract the force acting on the plate surface of the second base portion in the direction of elastic displacement, i.e., the force in the direction separating the second base portion from the first base portion, thereby preventing the first base portion and the second base portion from separating. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably ensure a sufficiently large contact pressure for clamping the mating connector by the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion against the mating connector.

[0016] In the present invention, it may also be that the second arm portion has a connecting portion that bends in the thickness direction of the mating connector at the rear end of the second base portion and is connected to the front end of the second abutting arm portion, and the front surface of the connecting portion is supported by the housing.

[0017] Thus, since the front surface of the connecting portion is supported by the housing, when the mating connector enters between the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion and causes the second abutting arm portion to elastically displace in the thickness direction, it is possible to counteract the force acting on the connecting portion having a forward component, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the first base portion and the second base portion from separating. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably ensure a sufficiently large contact pressure for clamping the mating connector by the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion against the mating connector.

[0018] In the present invention, it may also be that the terminal is held in the housing by insert molding. Thus, since the terminal is held in the housing by insert molding, the first base portion and the second base portion of the terminal can be held more firmly, and therefore, the contact pressure between the terminal and the mating connector can be more reliably ensured.

[0019] In the present invention, it may also be that the portion extending from the first base portion of the first arm portion to the rear end of the first arm portion and the portion extending from the second base portion of the second arm portion to the rear end of the second arm portion are in the same position in the connector width direction so as to have the same terminal width. In this way, a plurality of terminals can be closely arranged in the connector width direction, and as a result, miniaturization of the connector in the connector width direction is achieved.

[0020] In the present invention, it may also be that the first arm portion and the second arm portion are formed as different members. Suppose that in the case of forming the first arm portion and the second arm portion by one member, bending processing needs to be performed to fold back a part of the metal plate member. In contrast, in the case of making the first arm portion and the second arm portion different members, bending processing for folding back the metal plate member is not required. Therefore, the manufacture of the terminal becomes easy, and the material yield rate is also improved.

[0021] In the present invention, it is also possible that the second arm portion has a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion extends from the second base portion and is welded and mounted on the circuit board, and the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are located adjacent to each other in the connector width direction.

[0022] Thus, not only is the first mounting portion provided on the first arm portion, but also the second mounting portion is provided on the second arm portion. As a result, the terminal is welded and mounted on the circuit board through both the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and the mounting reliability can be improved.

[0023] In the present invention, it is also possible that the first mounting portion is located within the range of the first base portion in the connector width direction, and the second mounting portion is located within the range of the second base portion in the connector width direction. By positioning the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion in this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the terminal in the terminal width direction, that is, in the connector width direction.

[0024] In the present invention, it is also possible that the terminal is a power terminal.

[0025] According to the present invention, a first arm portion and a second arm portion are provided on a terminal made of a metal plate member. The first contact portion of the first arm portion and the second contact portion of the second arm portion clamp the other connecting body in the plate thickness direction, and the first base portion of the first arm portion and the second base portion of the second arm portion are held by the housing in a state of being in surface contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the size of the connector in the thickness direction of the other connecting body and achieve miniaturization in this direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view showing a flat conductor electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a flat conductor, Figure 1 where (A) shows a state before the flat conductor is inserted, Figure 1 and (B) shows a state after the flat conductor is inserted.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. is Figure 1 a perspective view showing the flat conductor electrical connector according to FIG. with the movable member in the open position, Figure 2 where (A) shows a state as viewed from the rear side, Figure 2 and (B) shows a state as viewed from the front side.

[0028] Figure 3 FIG. is Figure 1 a perspective view showing the respective members of the flat conductor electrical connector according to FIG. in a separated state.

[0029] Figure 4(A) is a perspective view of the terminal in a state where the first arm member and the second arm member overlap. Figure 4 (B) is a perspective view showing the separation of the first arm member and the second arm member. Figure 4 (C) is a perspective view showing the metal fitting.

[0030] Figure 5 (A) is a longitudinal sectional view of the flat conductor electrical connector at the position of the slit of the first arm member in the terminal arrangement direction. Figure 5 (B) is Figure 5 a partial enlarged view of (A). Figure 5 (C) shows Figure 5 a top view of the mounting portion of the terminal of the flat conductor electrical connector of (A).

[0031] Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flat conductor electrical connector after the flat conductor is inserted. Figure 6 (A) shows a cross section at the position of the locking portion of the movable member in the terminal arrangement direction. Figure 6 (B) shows a cross section at the position of the first abutting arm portion of the first arm member in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0032] Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting process of the movable member when manufacturing the flat conductor electrical connector. Figure 7 (A) shows the state just before mounting. Figure 7 (B) shows the state during mounting. Figure 7 (C) shows the state after mounting is completed.

[0033] Figure 8 (A) is a perspective view of the terminal in a modified example. Figure 8 (B) is a perspective view of the terminal in another modified example. Figure 8 (C) is Figure 8 a side view of the terminal of (B).

[0034] Figure 9 (A) is a perspective view showing the terminal in yet another modified example together with the housing and the metal fitting. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9 a perspective view showing the separation of the first arm member and the second arm member of the terminal of (A).

[0035] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the connector in yet another modified example with the movable member omitted.

[0036] Reference Signs

[0037] 1 Connector

[0038] 10, 310, 410 Housing

[0039] 20, 120, 220, 420 Terminals

[0040] 30, 130, 330, 430 First Arm Member (First Arm Portion)

[0041] 31, 131, 231, 331 First Contact Arm Portion

[0042] 32, 132, 232, 332 First Front Held Portion

[0043] 32A, 132A, 232A, 332A First Front Horizontal Portion (First Base)

[0044] 33, 133, 233, 333 First Front Extension Portion

[0045] 33A, 133A, 233A, 333A First Front Mounting Portion

[0046] 33A - 1 First Narrow Portion

[0047] 33A - 2 First Concave Portion

[0048] 40, 140, 340, 440 Second Arm Member (Second Arm Portion)

[0049] 41, 141, 241, 341 Second Contact Arm Portion

[0050] 42, 142, 342 Second Held Portion

[0051] 42A, 142A, 242A, 342A Second Horizontal Portion (Second Base)

[0052] 43, 143, 243, 343 Connection Portion

[0053] 44, 144, 333 Second Extension Portion

[0054] 44A, 144A, 344A Second Mounting Portion

[0055] 44A - 1 Second Narrow Portion

[0056] 44A - 2 Second Concave Portion Detailed Embodiment

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 (A) and (B) of are perspective views showing the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") together with the flat conductor C as the mating connector body. Figure 1(A) shows the state before the insertion of the flat conductor C. Figure 1 (B) shows the state after the insertion of the flat conductor C.

[0059] The connector 1 is a flat conductor electrical connector that is disposed on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) and connects the flat conductor C to electrically conduct the circuit board and the flat conductor C. The flat conductor C is in the form of Figure 1 a strip extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) as shown in (A) and (B) of the figure, and the front-end side portion is connected to the connector 1. In the present embodiment, the X1 direction is the front, and the X2 direction is the rear. In the flat conductor C, a plurality of circuit portions (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction are arranged in the strip width direction (Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C, and the circuit portions reach the front-end (head-end) position of the flat conductor C. The front-end side portion of the circuit portion is exposed on the lower surface, which is one surface of the flat conductor C, and can contact the terminal 20 of the connector 1 described later. Notch portions C1 are formed on both side edges of the front-end side portion, and the rear edge of the ear portion C2 located in front of the notch portion C1 functions as a portion to be engaged C2A engaged with an engaging portion 54 of a movable member 50 of the connector 1 described later (see Figure 6 (A) of the figure). In addition, a reinforcing plate C3 is attached to the upper surface of the other surface of the front-end side portion of the flat conductor C.

[0060] The connector 1 includes: a housing 10 made of an electrical insulating material, the housing 10 being formed parallel to the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) and extending with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the front-rear direction as the long side direction; a plurality of terminals 20 made of metal, the plurality of terminals 20 being held in the housing 10 with the connector width direction as the terminal arrangement direction; a movable member 50 made of an electrical insulating material, the movable member 50 being supported by the housing 10 so as to be movable (rotatable) between an open position and a closed position described later; and a metal fitting 60, the metal fitting 60 being held at both end portions of the housing 10 in the terminal arrangement direction. The front-end side portion of the flat conductor C is inserted and connected to the connector 1 from the rear side (X2 side) (see the arrow in Figure 1 the figure). In addition, in the present embodiment, the terminal 20 is used as a power supply terminal and, as described later, has a first arm member 30 as a first arm portion and a second arm member 40 as a second arm portion, which are formed as independent metal plate members.

[0061] As Figures 1 to 3As shown, the housing 10 has side walls 11, a front wall 12, and a rear wall 13. The side walls 11 are located at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The front wall 12 extends in the terminal arrangement direction and connects the front end portions of the two side walls 11 to each other (see Figure 3 ). The rear wall 13 extends in the terminal arrangement direction and connects the rear end portions of the two side walls 11 to each other. A receiving portion 14 is formed in a space surrounded by the two side walls 11 and the front wall 12 and open to the rear, and is capable of receiving the front end side portion of the flat conductor C from the rear.

[0062] The side wall 11 has a guiding portion 11A at a position near its rear end. The guiding portion 11A extends inward from the upper portion of the side wall 11 in the terminal arrangement direction. The guiding portion 11A is provided at a position having a gap with the rear wall 13 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The up-down dimension of this gap is slightly larger than the thickness dimension (up-down dimension) of the flat conductor C. Through the above gap, the side edge portions (both end portions in the Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C are allowed to enter the receiving portion 14 from the rear. An upper guiding surface 11A-1 is formed on the lower surface of the rear end portion of the guiding portion 11A. The upper guiding surface 11A-1 slopes downward as it faces forward. Through the upper guiding surface 11A-1, the side edge portions of the flat conductor C are guided to the receiving portion 14.

[0063] In addition, a side guiding surface 11B is formed at the rear end portion of the side wall 11. The side guiding surface 11B is configured as an inclined surface that slopes inward in the connector width direction as it faces forward, and guides the side edge portions of the flat conductor C to the receiving portion 14.

[0064] Furthermore, a side groove portion 11C is formed in the rear half portion of the side wall 11. The side groove portion 11C penetrates in the up-down direction at an intermediate position in the terminal arrangement direction and is open to the rear. The side groove portion 11C is located below a later-described cross arm portion 63B of a later-described restricting arm portion 63 of the metal fitting 60 in the terminal arrangement direction (see Figure 2 (B)). In addition, rear protruding portions 11D protruding upward are formed at both sides of the side groove portion 11C at the rear end portion of the side wall 11. The front surface of each rear protruding portion 11D is a curved surface recessed in an arc shape, and this curved surface is formed as a supporting surface 11D-1 that rotatably supports a later-described rotation shaft portion 53 of the movable member 50 (see Figure 7 (A) to Figure 7 (C)).

[0065] The front wall 12 functions as a front holding portion, and the front holding portion holds a first front held portion 32 of a first arm member 30 of a terminal 20 and a second held portion 42 of a second arm member 40 by insert molding (integral molding). On the front wall 12, at a position corresponding to the terminal 20 in the terminal arrangement direction, a support protrusion 12A protruding rearward from the rear surface of the upper portion of the front wall 12 is formed. As will be described later, the support protrusion 12A abuts against and supports the front surface of a connecting portion 43 of the second arm member 40 (see Figure 5 (A) of Figure 6 and

[0066] In addition, as shown in Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5 (C) of

[0067] On the front wall 12, at a position corresponding to a position between a first front extension 33 and a second extension 44 of each terminal 20 described later, a lower protrusion 12B protruding downward from the lower surface of the front end portion of the front wall 12 and extending forward is formed. The lower protrusion 12B is formed in the vertical direction with the same size as the first front extension 33 and the second extension 44. The lower surface of the lower protrusion 12B is located at the same height as the lower surfaces of the first front extension 33 and the second extension 44, and can be in surface contact with the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). The lower protrusion 12B has a front end protrusion 12B-1 that protrudes more forward than the front surface of the front wall 12. Figure 5 (A) to Figure 5 (C) of

[0068] The rear wall 13 functions as a rear holding portion, and the rear holding portion holds a first rear held portion 34 of a first arm member 30 described later by insert molding. As shown in Figure 5 (A) of

[0069] The terminal 20 has a first arm member 30 as a first arm portion and a second arm member 40 as a second arm portion, which are formed as different members from each other. Thus, by forming the terminal into two members, it is not necessary to perform bending processing for folding back a metal plate member during the manufacture of the terminal. Therefore, the manufacture of the terminal becomes easy, and the material yield rate also improves. Figure 4 (A) of FIG. shows a perspective view of the terminal 20 in a state where the first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40 overlap each other. Figure 4 (B) of FIG. shows a perspective view with the first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40 separated. The first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40 are formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate member extending in the front-rear direction in the plate thickness direction.

[0070] The first arm member 30 has: a first abutting arm portion 31 that linearly extends within a range between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 13 in the front-rear direction; a first front held portion 32 that extends substantially in an L-shape horizontally from the front end of the first abutting arm portion 31 and is held by the front wall 12; a first front extending portion 33 that extends forward from the lower end of the first front held portion 32; a first rear held portion 34 that extends substantially in an L-shape horizontally from the rear end of the first abutting arm portion 31 and is held by the rear wall 13; and a first rear extending portion 35 that extends rearward from the rear end of the first rear held portion 34. As Figure 4 shown in (A) and (B) of FIG., a first front vertical portion 32B (to be described later) of the first front held portion 32 of the first arm member 30 and the first front extending portion 33 are formed on the Y2 side of the first arm member 30 so as to have approximately half of the terminal width (dimension in the terminal arrangement direction) of the other portions of the first arm member 30.

[0071] As Figure 3 shown, the first abutting arm portion 31 extends within a range between the rear end face of the front wall 12 and the front end face of the rear wall 13 in the front-rear direction with the up-down direction as the plate thickness direction and is exposed from the housing 10. A window-shaped slit 31A that penetrates in the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear direction is formed in the first abutting arm portion 31, and abutting strip portions 31B that extend in the front-rear direction and can be elastically displaced in the up-down direction are respectively formed at both positions of the slit 31A in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0072] In the present embodiment, as Figure 4As shown in (B), the slit 31A is formed into a substantially rhombus shape with the front-to-back direction as the long-side direction. Therefore, the terminal width of each abutting strip 31B located on both sides of the slit 31A is the smallest at the middle position in the front-to-back direction (the position where the width dimension of the slit 31A in the terminal arrangement direction is the largest), and the terminal width is the largest at the front end position and the rear end position. The portion of the abutting strip 31B where the terminal width is the smallest is formed as a first abutting portion 31B-1, and the first abutting portion 31B-1 can abut against the lower surface of the front end side portion of the flat conductor C in a manner having a contact pressure. In the present embodiment, a circuit portion is exposed on the lower surface of the front end portion of the flat conductor C, and the first abutting portion 31B-1 functions as a contact portion that abuts and contacts the above-mentioned circuit portion.

[0073] In the present embodiment, by forming the slit 31A in the first contact arm 31 and providing two first contact portions 31B-1 in one first contact arm 31, the reliability of contact with the flat conductor C can be improved. In addition, since each contact strip portion 31B is thinner than the entire first contact arm 31 and is easily elastically deformed, it is easy to insert the flat conductor C between the first contact portion 31B-1 and the second contact portion 41A described later. In addition, as described above, since the terminal width of the contact strip portion 31B is the smallest at the position of the first contact portion 31B-1, when contacting the above-mentioned circuit portion, it is easy to elastically deform in the up-down direction at the position of the first contact portion 31B-1, and since the terminal width is the largest at the front end position and the rear end position, the strength of the contact strip portion 31B can be ensured at the above-mentioned positions.

[0074] The first front held portion 32 is formed by bending in the plate thickness direction in a manner that is substantially horizontally L-shaped when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction, and is held by insert molding on the front wall 12. The first front held portion 32 includes: a first front transverse portion 32A as a first base extending forward from the front end of the first abutting arm portion 31; and a first front longitudinal portion 32B that is bent at the front end of the Y2 side portion of the first front transverse portion 32A and extends downward.

[0075] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown in (B), the first front transverse portion 32A is formed with the same terminal width as the first abutting arm portion 31, but the first front longitudinal portion 32B is formed at a position on the Y2 side in the terminal arrangement direction so as to have approximately half the terminal width of the first abutting arm portion 31. The first front transverse portion 32A and the first front longitudinal portion 32B are buried inside the front wall 12.

[0076] The first front extension portion 33 bends at the lower end of the first front longitudinal portion 32B at a position below the lower surface of the front wall 12 (excluding the lower protrusion 12B) and extends forward. The first front extension portion 33 is located within the range of the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction and extends along the lower surface of the front wall 12, and further extends to a position in front of the front surface of the front wall 12. The first front extension portion 33 is located within the range of the first front transverse portion 32A serving as the first base portion in the terminal arrangement direction. The portion of the first front extension portion 33 that is located in front of the front wall 12 is formed as a first front mounting portion 33A for soldering and mounting on the mounting surface of the circuit board. When the connector 1 is disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board, the first front mounting portion 33A can be in surface contact with the corresponding circuit portion (not shown) of the circuit board at the lower surface of the first front mounting portion 33A and is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion.

[0077] As Figure 5 shown in (C) of, a first narrow portion 33A-1 is formed at the rear end portion of the first front mounting portion 33A, that is, the end portion on the side of the front wall 12. The side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the Y1 side of the first narrow portion 33A-1 is located at a position recessed more toward the Y2 side than the side edge on the Y1 side of the other portions of the first front extension portion 33. Thus, the terminal width is smaller than that of the other portions of the first front extension portion 33. In the first front mounting portion 33A, a first concave portion 33A-2 serving as an opening portion is formed on the Y1 side of the rear end portion through the first narrow portion 33A-1. That is, the first concave portion 33A-2 has a shape in which the side edge on the Y1 side of the rear end portion of the first front mounting portion 33A is cut into a corner shape and opens toward the Y1 side. As Figure 5 shown in (C) of, the rear end of the first narrow and wide portion 33A-1, in other words, the rear end of the first concave portion 33A-2 is in the same position as the front surface of the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction.

[0078] As Figure 4 shown in (A) and (B) of, the first rear holding portion 34 extends from the rear end of the first abutting arm portion 31 in such a manner as to have the same terminal width as the first abutting arm portion 31. As Figure 5 shown in (A) of, the first rear holding portion 34 is bent in the plate thickness direction in a substantially horizontal L shape as viewed in the terminal arrangement direction and is held in the rear wall 13 by insert molding. The first rear holding portion 34 has: a first rear transverse portion 34A extending rearward from the rear end of the first abutting arm portion 31; and a first rear longitudinal portion 34B that bends at the rear end of the first rear transverse portion 34A and extends downward. In the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown in (A) of, the first rear transverse portion 34A and the first rear longitudinal portion 34B are located inside the rear wall 13 and are embedded in the rear wall 13.

[0079] The first rear extension portion 35 bends at the lower end of the first rear longitudinal portion 34B and extends rearward. The first rear extension portion 35 is within the range of the rear wall 13 in the front-rear direction and extends along the lower surface of the rear wall 13, and then extends to a position further rearward than the rear surface of the rear wall 13. The portion of the first rear extension portion 35 that is further rearward than the rear wall 13 is formed as a first rear mounting portion 35A that is welded to the mounting surface of the circuit board. When the connector 1 is disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board, the first rear mounting portion 35A can be in surface contact with the corresponding circuit portion (not shown) of the circuit board at the lower surface of the first rear mounting portion 35A and is welded to the corresponding circuit portion.

[0080] The second arm member 40 has: a second abutting arm portion 41 that extends in the front-rear direction; a second held portion 42 that is located further forward than the second abutting arm portion 41 and is held by the front wall 12; a connecting portion 43 that extends in the up-down direction and connects the front end of the second abutting arm portion 41 and the rear end of the second held portion 42; and a second extension portion 44 that extends forward from the lower end of the second held portion 42. As Figure 4 shown in (A) and (B) of

[0081] the second abutting arm portion 41 extends rearward from the rear end position of the front wall 12 at a position above and separated from the first abutting arm portion 31 of the first arm member 30. The second abutting arm portion 41 has the same terminal width as the first abutting arm portion 31 and is in the same position as the first abutting arm portion 31 in the terminal arrangement direction. As Figure 5 shown in (A) of Figure 6 and (B) of

[0082] shown inFigure 4 As shown in FIG. (B), the second held portion 42 is formed by bending in the plate thickness direction so as to be substantially L-shaped in a horizontal direction when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction, and is held on the front wall 12 by insert molding. The second held portion 42 has: a second horizontal portion 42A as a second base portion extending forward from the lower end of the connecting portion 43; and a second vertical portion 42B that bends at the front end of the Y1-side portion of the second horizontal portion 42A and extends downward.

[0083] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 FIG. (B), the second horizontal portion 42A is formed with the same terminal width as the second abutting arm portion 41, but the second horizontal portion 42A is formed so as to have approximately half of the terminal width of the second abutting arm portion 41 at a position closer to the Y1 side in the terminal arrangement direction. The second horizontal portion 42A and the second vertical portion 42B are buried inside the rear wall 13.

[0084] The second horizontal portion 42A has the same terminal width as the first front horizontal portion 32A of the first arm member 30 and is in the same position as the first front horizontal portion 32A in the terminal arrangement direction. In addition, the portion extending from the second horizontal portion 42A to the rear end of the second abutting arm portion 41 and the portion extending from the first front horizontal portion 32A to the rear end of the first abutting arm portion 31 are in the same position in the terminal arrangement direction so as to have the same terminal width. In this way, a plurality of terminals 20 can be closely arranged, and as a result, miniaturization of the connector 1 in the terminal arrangement direction is achieved. Here, "closely arranged" means that the portions of the first front extension portion 33 and the second extension portion 44 that are located behind the front surface of the front wall 12 of the housing 10 ( Figure 5 the dotted line portions in FIG. (C)) are arranged close to each other so that the interval ( Figure 5 indicated as "P2" in FIG. (C)) is made as small as possible.

[0085] The second vertical portion 42B has the same terminal width as the first front vertical portion 32B of the first arm member 30, is in the same position as the first front vertical portion 32B in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is in a different position from the first front vertical portion 32B in the terminal arrangement direction and adjacent to the first front vertical portion 32B.

[0086] As shown in Figure 5As shown in (A) of [Figure 0], the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 42A is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first front horizontal portion 32A of the first arm member 30 and can be electrically connected to the first front horizontal portion 32A. Thus, in the present embodiment, the first front horizontal portion 32A and the second horizontal portion 42A are held on the front wall 12 in a state of being in surface contact with each other and overlapping in the vertical direction. Therefore, the size of the connector 1 in the vertical direction can be suppressed, and miniaturization in the vertical direction, that is, low height, can be achieved.

[0087] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown in (A) of [Figure 0], the second horizontal portion 42A is supported by the front wall 12 at its upper surface. Therefore, when the flat conductor C enters between the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A and causes the second abutting arm portion 41 to elastically displace upward, it is possible to counteract the force acting on the second horizontal portion 42A in the direction of elastic displacement, that is, the upward force that separates the second horizontal portion 42A from the first front horizontal portion 32A, thereby preventing the separation of the first front horizontal portion 32A and the second horizontal portion 42A. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably ensure a sufficient contact pressure for the flat conductor C that is large enough to clamp the flat conductor C by the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A.

[0088] As Figure 5 shown in (A) of [Figure 0] and Figure 6 shown in (B) of [Figure 0], the connecting portion 43 has the same terminal width as the second abutting arm portion 41 and the second horizontal portion 42A, and is bent upward at the rear end of the second horizontal portion 42A and connected to the front end of the second abutting arm portion 41. The connecting portion 43 extends along the rear surface of the support protrusion 12A of the front wall 12, that is, the protruding top surface of the support protrusion 12A, at a position further rearward than the front wall 12. The front surface of the connecting portion 43 is supported by the rear surface of the support protrusion 12A.

[0089] Thus, since the front surface of the connecting portion 43 is supported by the rear surface of the support protrusion 12A, when the flat conductor C enters between the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A and causes the second abutting arm portion 41 to elastically displace upward, it is possible to counteract the force having a forward component acting on the connecting portion 43. As a result, it is possible to prevent the separation of the first front horizontal portion 32A and the second horizontal portion 42A. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably ensure a sufficient contact pressure for the flat conductor C that is large enough to clamp the flat conductor C by the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A.

[0090] The second extension portion 44 is bent at the lower end of the second longitudinal portion 42B at a position lower than the lower surface of the front wall 12 (excluding the lower protrusion 12B) and extends forward. The second extension portion 44 is located within the range of the front wall 12 in the front-rear direction, extends along the lower surface of the front wall 12, and further extends to a position forward of the front surface of the front wall 12. The second extension portion 44 is located within the range of the second transverse portion 42A that is the second base portion in the terminal arrangement direction. In addition, the second extension portion 44 has the same terminal width as the first front extension portion 33 of the first arm member 30, is in the same position as the first front extension portion 33 in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is in a different position from the first front extension portion 33 and adjacent to the first front extension portion 33 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0091] The portion of the second extension portion 44 that is located forward of the front wall 12 is formed as a second mounting portion 44A for welding and mounting on the mounting surface of the circuit board. When the connector 1 is disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board, the second mounting portion 44A can be in surface contact with a corresponding circuit portion (not shown) that is the same as the corresponding circuit portion of the first front mounting portion 33A to which the first arm member 30 is mounted at the lower surface of the second mounting portion 44A, and is welded to the corresponding circuit portion. In addition, it is not necessary to provide the second longitudinal portion 42B and the second extension portion 44 on the second arm member 40.

[0092] As Figure 5 As shown in (C) of, a second narrow portion 44A-1 is formed at the rear end portion of the second mounting portion 44A, that is, the end portion on the side of the front wall 12. The side edge extending in the front-rear direction on the Y2 side of the second narrow portion 44A-1 is located at a position more recessed toward the Y1 side than the side edge on the Y2 side of the other portions of the second extension portion 44, whereby the terminal width is smaller than that of the other portions of the second extension portion 44. In the second mounting portion 44A, a second concave portion 44A-2 serving as an opening portion is formed on the Y2 side of the rear end portion through the second narrow portion 44A-1. That is, the second concave portion 44A-2 has a shape in which the side edge on the Y2 side of the rear end portion of the second mounting portion 44A is cut into an angular shape and opens toward the Y2 side.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the space between the first narrow portion 33A-1 and the second narrow portion 44A-1 in the terminal arrangement direction, in other words, the space formed between the first concave portion 33A-2 and the second concave portion 44A-2 is formed as an insertion allowable space 20A. When the terminal 20 is held in the housing 10 by insert molding, the insertion allowable space 20A allows the insertion of a mold pin (not shown) provided in the molding die in the up-down direction.

[0094] In a terminal 20, the dimension of the interval between the first narrow portion 33A-1 and the second narrow portion 44A-1 in the terminal arrangement direction, in other words, the dimension of the insertion allowance space 20A ( Figure 5 which is denoted as "P1" in (C) of Figure 5 ) is larger in the terminal arrangement direction than the interval between the first front longitudinal portion 32B and the second longitudinal portion 42B, and is also larger than the interval between the first front extension portion 33 (excluding the first narrow portion 33A-1) and the second extension portion 44 (excluding the second narrow portion 44A-1). In Figure 5 , a state is shown in which the dimension P1 of the insertion allowance space 20A in the terminal arrangement direction is larger than the interval P2 between the portions of the first front extension portion 33 and the second extension portion 44 that are located at positions further to the rear than the front surface of the front wall 12 of the housing 10 (

[0095] the dashed line portions in (C) of Figure 1 ). Figure 2 A movable member 50 is disposed at a position above the housing 10 and the terminal 20, and can rotate about the axis of a rotation shaft portion 53 described later between a closed position in a posture parallel to a circuit board (not shown) as shown in (A) and (B) of

[0096] and an open position in a posture erected in the vertical direction as shown in (A) and (B) of Figure 3 . When the movable member 50 is in the closed position, the pulling out of the flat conductor C is prevented, and when the movable member 50 is in the open position, the pulling out of the flat conductor C is allowed. Figure 2 ).

[0097] The movable member 50 is located within substantially the same range of the housing 10 in the terminal arrangement direction, and in the front-rear direction, when in the closed position, it is positioned so as to cover substantially the entire area of the receiving portion 14 (refer to (A), (B) of Figure 1 and (A) of Figure 5 ), and when in the open position, it is located on the rear end side of the housing 10 (refer to (A), (B) of Figure 2 ).

[0098] As shown in Figure 2As shown in (B) thereof, on the front surface (the surface on the X1 side) of the main body portion 51 when the movable member 50 is in the open position, a groove-shaped main body groove portion 51A extending in the vertical direction is formed at a position corresponding to the terminal 20 in the terminal arrangement direction. Thus, since the main body groove portion 51A is formed in the main body portion 51, interference between the main body portion 51 and the second abutting arm portion 41 of the second arm member 40 of the terminal 20 can be avoided when the main body portion 51 is in the closed position.

[0099] As Figure 2 shown in (B) thereof, the end plate portion 52 is formed with a slit-shaped end groove portion 52A. The end groove portion 52A extends downward from the upper end position and penetrates in the front-rear direction at a position corresponding to the side groove portion 11C of the housing 10 and the later-described restricting arm portion 63 of the metal fitting 60 in the terminal arrangement direction. The end groove portion 52A is within the range of the side groove portion 11C of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction when the movable member 50 is in the closed position, and houses the bending arm portion 63B-2 (refer to Figure 7 (C)) of the later-described metal fitting 60. In addition, as Figure 2 shown in (B) of Figure 3 and Figure 1 (A), (B) of Figure 2 and (B) thereof, on the end plate portion 52, at a position corresponding to the guiding portion 11A of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction and the terminal arrangement direction, the lower end of the end plate portion 52 is more recessed than the lower end of the main body portion 51, thereby forming an end recess portion 52B. As

[0100] shown in (A), (B) of Figure 3 and (B) thereof, the end recess portion 52B houses the guiding portion 11A, thereby avoiding interference between the movable member 50 and the guiding portion 11A.

[0100] As Figure 3 shown, the rotation shaft portion 53 is connected to the lower end of the end plate portion 52 at a position more outside than the end recess portion 52B in the terminal arrangement direction and extends within the range including the end groove portion 52A. As Figure 7 shown in (A) to Figure 7 (C) thereof, the cross-sectional shape of the rotation shaft portion 53 at the surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction is substantially quadrilateral, but the surface in the range from the rear surface to the lower surface when the movable member 50 is in the closed position is a continuous convex curved surface. This convex curved surface is curved with substantially the same curvature as the supporting surface 11D-1 of the housing 10, and forms a supported surface 53A that is rotatably supported by the supporting surface 11D-1 during the rotation of the movable member 50.

[0101] As Figure 2 shown in (B) thereof, the engaging portion 54 is located above the end recess portion 52B and slightly inside in the terminal arrangement direction in a state where the end plate portion 52 is in the open position, and protrudes from the front surface (the lower surface in the closed position) of the end plate portion 52 (also refer to Figure 6(A)). The locking portion 54 is positioned on both outer sides of the arrangement range of the terminals 20 in the terminal arrangement direction, and specifically, is positioned corresponding to the side edge portion of the flat conductor C. As Figure 6 shown in (A) of, when the movable member 50 is in the closed position, the lower surface of the locking portion 54 is formed as an inclined surface 54A that slopes downward as it faces forward, and the front surface of the locking portion 54 is formed as a locking surface 54B, and the locking surface 54B is formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As Figure 6 shown in (A) of, after the flat conductor C is inserted and the movable member 50 is brought to the closed position, the locking portion 54 enters the notch portion C1 of the flat conductor C from above. As a result, the locking portion 54 is positioned at a position where it can be locked to the locked portion C2A by the locking surface 54B behind the locked portion C2A, thereby preventing the flat conductor C from being pulled out.

[0102] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown in (C) of, the metal fitting 60 is produced by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction. The two metal fittings 60 provided in the connector 1, that is, the metal fitting 60 on the Y1 side and the metal fitting 60 on the Y2 side, are in a shape that is symmetric with each other in the terminal arrangement direction. Hereinafter, the metal fitting 60 on the Y2 side will be described, and the description of the metal fitting 60 on the Y1 side will be omitted. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown in (C) of, it has: a fixing portion 61 that extends opposite to the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown); a reinforcing portion 62 that is held in the housing 10 by insert molding; and a restricting arm portion 63 that supports the rotation shaft portion 53 of the movable member 50 and restricts the upward and forward movement of the rotation shaft portion 53.

[0103] The plate surface (the surface perpendicular to the plate thickness direction) of the fixing portion 61 is formed as a flat plate shape parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (not shown), and is substantially L-shaped when viewed from above. The fixing portion 61 has: a rear fixing portion 61A that extends in the terminal arrangement direction; and a front fixing portion 61B that extends forward from the rear fixing portion 61A at an inner position in the terminal arrangement direction. As Figure 1 shown in (A) and (B) of, the rear fixing portion 61A is positioned further rearward than the side wall 11 of the housing 10. The front fixing portion 61B extends forward along the lower surface of the side wall 11 at a position further inward than the side groove portion 11C in the terminal arrangement direction. The fixing portion 61 is in surface contact with the corresponding portion of the mounting surface of the circuit board at its lower surface, and is fixedly connected to the mounting surface by welding.

[0104] The reinforcing portion 62 has a longitudinal plate portion 62A and a transverse plate portion 62B. The longitudinal plate portion 62A bends at the inner side edge in the terminal arrangement direction at the front end portion of the front fixing portion 61B and extends upward. The transverse plate portion 62B bends at the upper edge of the longitudinal plate portion 62A and extends inward in the terminal arrangement direction. The reinforcing portion 62 is located within the range of the guiding portion 11A of the side wall 11 in the front-rear direction. The longitudinal plate portion 62A is buried inside the inner portion of the side wall 11 that is more inward than the side groove portion 11C to reinforce this inner portion. The transverse plate portion 62B is buried inside the guiding portion 11A to reinforce the guiding portion 11A.

[0105] The restricting arm portion 63 has a longitudinal arm portion 63A and a transverse arm portion 63B. The longitudinal arm portion 63A bends at the front edge of the rear fixing portion 61A at an outer position in the terminal arrangement direction of the rear fixing portion 61A and extends upward. The transverse arm portion 63B bends at the upper edge of the longitudinal arm portion 63A and extends forward. The restricting arm portion 63 is positioned corresponding to the side groove portion 11C of the housing 10 and the rotation shaft portion 53 of the movable member 50 in the terminal arrangement direction. The longitudinal arm portion 63A is located at a position more rearward than the side groove portion 11C. The transverse arm portion 63B extends forward directly above the side groove portion 11C and, as Figure 2 shown in (A) of FIG., passes through the end groove portion 52A of the movable member 50 in the open position for positioning.

[0106] As Figure 4 and Figure 7 shown in (C) of FIG., the transverse arm portion 63B bends downward at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction, and then further bends obliquely upward and forward. As a result, a substantially rear half portion forms a linear arm portion 63B-1 that extends linearly in the front-rear direction, and a substantially front half portion forms a bent arm portion 63B-2 that is substantially V-shaped when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. As Figure 7 shown in (C) of FIG., the front end side portion of the linear arm portion 63B-1 is formed as an upper restricting portion 63B-1A. The upper restricting portion 63B-1A abuts against the rotation shaft portion 53 from above and restricts the excessive upward movement of the rotation shaft portion 53. In addition, the portion of the bent arm portion 63B-2 that extends in the up-down direction is formed as a front restricting portion 63B-2A. The front restricting portion 63B-2A is positioned so as to be able to abut against the rotation shaft portion 53 from the front and restricts the excessive forward movement of the rotation shaft portion 53. The upper restricting portion 63B-1A and the front restricting portion 63B-2A can always restrict the excessive upward and forward movements of the rotation shaft portion 53 when the movable member 50 is in any rotation position. Therefore, it is possible to well prevent the movable member 50 from accidentally falling off the housing 10.

[0107] The connector 1 of the present embodiment is manufactured by the following method. First, the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40 is disposed in a molding die (not shown) in a state of overlapping the first front horizontal portion 32A of the first arm member 30 from above, and the metal fitting 60 is also disposed in the molding die. The molding die can be divided into a plurality of parts, and in at least one of the upper die disposed from above and the lower die disposed from below, a die pin extending in the vertical direction is provided for molding the housing in a state where the first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40 are positioned. The die pin is inserted in the vertical direction into the insertion allowance space 20A formed between the first narrow portion 33A-1 and the second narrow portion 44A-1 (refer to Figure 5 's (C)). At this time, the pin is inserted in such a manner that it is located in the front half within the insertion allowance space 20A.

[0108] In the present embodiment, since the die pin of the molding die can enter the above-mentioned insertion allowance space 20A, even if the first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40 adjacent in the terminal arrangement direction are arranged with a narrowed interval, it is not necessary to make the die pin thinner, so that when the terminals 20 and the housing 10 are insert-molded, a die pin with sufficient strength can be arranged. Therefore, the terminals can be closely arranged while maintaining an accurate position without narrowing the width of the entire terminal area or increasing the arrangement pitch of the terminals.

[0109] Next, molten resin is injected into the molding die and then cured to mold the housing 10. As a result, the first arm member 30, the second arm member 40, and the metal fitting 60 are held by the housing 10 by insert molding (integral molding).

[0110] Next, the movable member 50 is mounted to the housing 10 from the front. Based on Figure 7 's (A) to Figure 7 's (C), the mounting method of the movable member 50 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 7 's (A), the movable member 50 in the closed position posture is disposed on the housing 10 at a position more forward than the metal fitting 60. Then, while maintaining the closed position posture, the movable member 50 is moved backward. At this time, the rotation shaft portion 53 abuts against the front end side portion of the bent arm portion 63B-2 of the metal fitting 60, that is, the portion inclined obliquely upward and forward from the front, thereby elastically displacing the bent arm portion 63B-2 and then the horizontal arm portion 63B upward, and as a result, allowing the movable member 50 to move further backward.

[0111] When the movable member 50 is installed, the fixing portion 61 of the metal fitting 60 is not fixed to the mounting surface of the circuit board. Therefore, the metal fitting 60 can elastically displace with the entire length of the portion along the range from the front end portion of the restricting arm portion 63 to the front end portion of the front fixing portion 61B as the arm length. That is, during the installation process of the movable member 50, as shown in (B) of Figure 7 , the horizontal arm portion 63B, the vertical arm portion 63A, and the fixing portion 61 elastically displace. In the present embodiment, in this way, the arm length can be ensured to be relatively large. Correspondingly, it is easy for the horizontal arm portion 63B to displace upward. As a result, the installation of the movable member 50 becomes easy.

[0112] When the rotation shaft portion 53 of the movable member 50 reaches a position further rearward than the bent arm portion 63B-2, the elastic displacement amount of the horizontal arm portion 63B, the vertical arm portion 63A, and the fixing portion 61 decreases. As a result, the horizontal arm portion 63B moves downward. As shown in (C) of Figure 7 , the upper restricting portion 63B-1A of the linear arm portion 63B-1 abuts against the rotation shaft portion 53 from above, and the front restricting portion 63B-2A of the bent arm portion 63B-2 is positioned so as to be able to abut against the rotation shaft portion 53 from the front. In this way, the movable member 50 is installed in the housing 10, and the connector 1 is completed.

[0113] Next, based on Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 of (A) and (B), the connection operation between the connector 1 and the flat conductor C will be described. First, the first front mounting portion 33A and the first rear mounting portion 35A of the first arm member 30 of the terminal 20, and the second mounting portion 44A of the second arm member 40 are respectively welded and connected to the corresponding circuit portions of the circuit board, and the fixing portion 61 of the metal fitting 60 is welded and connected to the corresponding portion of the circuit board and fixed.

[0114] By welding and fixing the metal fitting 60 to the circuit board, only the restricting arm portion 63 of the metal fitting 60 can elastically displace. Therefore, compared with when the movable member 50 is installed during the manufacture of the connector 1, the arm length for elastic displacement of the metal fitting 60 becomes shorter, and it is difficult for the restricting arm portion 63 to elastically displace. As a result, after the connector 1 is installed on the circuit board, it is possible to more reliably prevent the movable member 50 from falling off the housing 10.

[0115] Next, as shown in Figure 1 , in a state where the movable member 50 is brought to the closed position, the flat conductor C is positioned behind the connector 1 so as to extend in the front-rear direction along the mounting surface of the circuit board (not shown).

[0116] Next, the flat conductor C is directed forward and inserted into the receiving portion 14 of the connector 1. At this time, the flat conductor C is guided to the receiving portion 14 by the upper guide surface 11A-1, the side guide surface 11B, and the lower guide surface 13A of the housing 10. During the insertion of the connector 1, if the front end of the flat conductor C abuts against the inclined surface 54A of the engaging portion 54 of the movable member 50, a forward force (component force) and an upward force (component force) act on the inclined surface 54A. As a result, due to the upward force, the engaging portion 54, and thus the movable member 50, is lifted by an amount corresponding to the thickness dimension of the flat conductor C, thereby allowing further entry of the flat conductor C. At this time, the upper restricting portion 63B-1A of the fitting 60 receives an upward force from the rotating shaft portion 53 of the movable member 50, and the cross arm portion 63B is elastically displaced upward, thereby allowing the movable member 50 to move upward.

[0117] In addition, immediately after the front end of the flat conductor C starts to lift the engaging portion 54, the front end of the flat conductor C abuts against the plate surface (inclined surface) of the rear end inclined portion 41B of the second abutting arm portion 41 of the second arm member 40, and causes the second abutting arm portion 41 to be elastically displaced upward and enter between the second abutting portion 41A and the first abutting portion 31B-1 of the first arm member 30 (see Figure 6 (B) of

[0118] When the front end of the flat conductor C abuts against the rear surface of the front wall 12, the ear portion C2 of the flat conductor passes through the position of the engaging portion 54 of the movable member 50, and the notch portion C1 reaches the position of the engaging portion 54. As a result, as shown in Figure 6 (A) of

[0119] the movable member 50 returns to the closed position, the engaging portion 54 enters the notch portion C1 from above, and the engaging surface 54B of the engaging portion 54 is positioned so as to be able to be engaged with the engaged portion C2A of the flat conductor C from the rear. In this way, the engaging portion 54 can be engaged with the engaged portion C2A, thereby preventing accidental detachment of the flat conductor C backward.

[0119] In addition, when the front end of the flat conductor C abuts against the rear surface of the front wall 12 and the insertion of the flat conductor C is completed, as shown in Figure 6 (B) of Figure 6As shown in (B), the first abutting portion 31B-1 receives a force from above the circuit portion, and the abutting strip portion 31B is elastically displaced slightly downward.

[0120] In the present embodiment, since the flat conductor C enters between the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A, the second abutting arm portion 41 is elastically displaced upward, and a force in the direction of elastic displacement, that is, an upward force that separates the second horizontal portion 42A from the first front horizontal portion 32A, acts on the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40. However, as Figure 6 shown in (B), since the upper surface of the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40 is supported by the front wall 12, it is possible to resist the upward force acting on the second horizontal portion 42A, and thus it is possible to prevent the first front horizontal portion 32A from separating from the second horizontal portion 42A.

[0121] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the second abutting arm portion 41 of the second arm member 40 is elastically displaced upward, a force having a component toward the front acts on the connecting portion 43. As Figure 6 shown in (B), since the front surface of the connecting portion 43 of the second arm member 40 is supported by the rear surface of the supporting protrusion 12A of the front wall 12, it is possible to resist the above-described force acting on the connecting portion 43, and thus it is also possible to prevent the first front horizontal portion 32A from separating from the second horizontal portion 42A.

[0122] In this way, in the present embodiment, since the separation between the first front horizontal portion 32A and the second horizontal portion 42A is well prevented, it is possible to more reliably ensure a sufficiently large contact pressure for the flat conductor C that is clamped by the first abutting portion 31B-1 and the second abutting portion 41A against the flat conductor C.

[0123] When the flat conductor C is pulled out from the connector 1, the movable member 50 is rotated and brought to the open position. As a result, the engaging portion 54 of the movable member 50 is brought outside the notch portion C1 of the flat conductor C, and the engaged state between the engaging portion 54 and the engaged portion C2A of the flat conductor C is released. Therefore, the flat conductor C can be pulled backward and easily pulled out from the connector 1.

[0124] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the foregoing embodiments and can be variously modified. In the foregoing embodiments, it is assumed that the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first front horizontal portion 32A of the first arm member 30 in a manner that enables electrical conduction, but electrical conduction is not necessarily required. For example, as a modified example, it may be that by performing an insulation treatment on at least one of the upper surface of the first front horizontal portion 32A and the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 42A, even if the upper surface of the first front horizontal portion 32A and the lower surface of the second horizontal portion 42A are in a surface contact state, electrical conduction will not occur. At this time, as the insulation treatment, for example, insulation coating or attaching an insulating sheet can be cited.

[0125] In the foregoing embodiments, the second arm member 40 and the first arm member 30 are arranged in such a manner that the second horizontal portion 42A simply contacts the first front horizontal portion 32A from above. However, as a modified example, a locking piece located below the first front horizontal portion may be further provided on the second arm member. Figure 8 (A) of is a perspective view of the terminal 120 in this modified example. In Figure 8 (A), for the parts corresponding to the respective parts in the foregoing embodiments, reference numerals obtained by adding "100" to the reference numerals in the foregoing embodiments are used for marking. For the parts having the same shape as those in the foregoing embodiments, the description is omitted.

[0126] The terminal 120 has a first arm member 130 and a second arm member 140. The first arm member 130 is formed in the same shape as the first arm member 30 in the foregoing embodiments. The locking piece 145, which will be described later, of the second arm member 140 is configured to extend from one side edge ( Figure 8 the side edge on the Y1 side in (A) of ) of the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40 in the foregoing embodiments. Specifically, the locking piece 145 turns back at the above-mentioned one side edge of the second horizontal portion 42A and extends toward the other side edge ( Figure 8 the side edge on the Y2 side in (A) of ), and its front end (free end) is within the range of the first front horizontal portion 132A in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0127] The upper surface of the locking piece 145 is in surface contact with the lower surface of the first front horizontal portion 132A of the first arm member 130. That is, the second arm member 140 clamps the first front horizontal portion 132A through the second horizontal portion 142A and the locking piece 145. In Figure 8In the modification example (A), even when an upward external force acts on the second horizontal portion 142A of the second arm member 140 in a state where the flat conductor is inserted into the connector, since the locking piece 145 abuts against and locks the first front horizontal portion 132A from below, the external force can be resisted by this locking force, and thus the separation between the second horizontal portion 142A and the first front horizontal portion 132A can be more reliably prevented.

[0128] In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the terminal 20 is composed of two members, namely, the first arm member 30 and the second arm member 40. However, as a modification example, as Figure 8 shown in (B) and (C) below, the terminal may also be composed of one member. Figure 8 (B) below is a perspective view of the terminal 220 in this modification example, Figure 8 (C) below is Figure 8 a side view of the terminal 220 shown in (B) below. In Figure 8 (B) and (C) below, for the parts corresponding to the respective parts in the foregoing embodiment, reference numerals obtained by adding "200" to the reference numerals in the drawings of the foregoing embodiment are used for marking. For the parts having the same shape as those in the foregoing embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0129] In Figure 8 the modification examples shown in (B) and (C) below, the terminal 220 is produced by punching a metal plate member and bending it in the plate thickness direction, and has a shape in which the front end of the first front horizontal portion 32A of the first arm member 30 and the front end portion of the second horizontal portion 42A of the second arm member 40 in the foregoing embodiment are connected to each other. Specifically, the terminal 220 has the following shape: the first front horizontal portion 232A as the first base portion and the second horizontal portion 242A as the second base portion, which are connected to each other at the front ends of the later-described folding portions 221, overlap in the vertical direction and are in surface contact. In addition, the terminal 220 has a first front held portion 232 and a first front extension portion 233 on the front end side of the first abutting arm portion 231, and a first rear held portion 234 and a first rear extension portion 235 on the rear end side of the first abutting arm portion 231.

[0130] The first front held portion 232 and the first front extension portion 233 are formed by cutting the front side in the terminal arrangement direction and bending it in the plate thickness direction at the central region of a part (folding part) of the connecting part between the front end portion of the first abutting arm portion 231 and the front end portion of the second abutting arm portion 241. As Figure 8As shown in (C), the first front held portion 232 and the first front extension portion 233 extend in a bent shape that is the same as the first front held portion 32 and the first front extension portion 33 of the terminal 20 in the aforementioned embodiment when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. The folding-back portion 221 is formed by folding back the front end of the first front horizontal portion 232A to the rear at both sides of the first front held portion 232 and the first front extension portion 233 in the terminal arrangement direction. The second horizontal portion 242A connected to the front end of the first front horizontal portion 232A through the folding-back portion 221 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the first front horizontal portion 232A at its lower surface.

[0131] In addition, as Figure 8 shown in (B) and (C), the first abutting arm portion 231, the first rear held portion 234, the first rear extension portion 235, and the second abutting arm portion 241 are respectively in the same shapes as the first abutting arm portion 31, the first rear held portion 34, the first rear extension portion 35, and the second abutting arm portion 41 in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0132] In Figure 8 the modification examples shown in (B) and (C), the terminal 220 is formed as one member. Therefore, the number of members constituting the terminal 220 can be kept to a minimum, and as a result, the manufacture of the connector becomes simple.

[0133] In the aforementioned embodiment, the terminal 20 is held in the housing 10 by insert molding. However, as a modification example, as Figure 9 shown in (A) and (B), the terminal can also be held in the housing by press-fitting. Figure 9 Figure (A) shows a perspective view of the terminal 320, the housing 310, and the metal fitting 360 in this modification example. Figure 9 Figure (B) is a perspective view showing the separation of the first arm member 330 and the second arm member 340 of the terminal 320 in Figure 9 (A). In Figure 9 (A) and (B), for the parts corresponding to the respective parts in the aforementioned embodiment, reference numerals obtained by adding "300" to the reference numerals in the aforementioned embodiment are used for marking. For the parts having the same shape as those in the aforementioned embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0134] In Figure 9In the modification examples shown in (A) and (B), the first front horizontal portion 332A, which is the first base portion of the first arm member 330, has first press-in protrusions 332A-1 protruding from both side edges (side edges extending in the front-rear direction), and the second horizontal portion 342A, which is the second base portion of the second arm member 340, has second press-in protrusions 342A-1 protruding from both side edges. In addition, the terminal 320 of this modification example has the same shape as the terminal 20 of the aforementioned embodiment, except for having the first press-in protrusions 332A-1 and the second press-in protrusions 342A-1.

[0135] A front housing recess 312C is formed in the front wall 312 of the housing 310. The front housing recess 312C is for housing the first front held portion 332 (the first front horizontal portion 332A and the first front vertical portion 332B) of the first arm member 330 and the second held portion 342 (the second horizontal portion 342A and the second vertical portion 342B) of the second arm member 340. In addition, a rear housing recess 313B is formed in the rear wall 313 of the housing 310. The rear housing recess 313B is for housing the first rear held portion 334 (the first rear horizontal portion 334A and the first rear vertical portion 334B) of the first arm member 330. In addition, other portions of the housing 310 (portions other than the front housing recess 312C and the rear housing recess 313B) and the metal fitting 360 have the same shape as the housing 10 and the metal fitting 60 of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0136] For the first arm member 330 and the second arm member 340, the first front held portion 332 and the second held portion 342 are press-fitted into the front housing recess 312C from above and housed, and are held by biting the first press-in protrusions 332A-1 and the second press-in protrusions 342A-1 into the inner wall surface of the front housing recess 312C. At this time, the first rear held portion 334 is housed in the rear housing recess 313B from above, and both side edges of the first rear held portion 334 are held by the inner wall surface of the rear housing recess 313B. In addition, it is not necessary to hold the first rear held portion 334, and it may also be housed in the rear housing recess 313B without contacting the inner wall of the rear housing recess 313B.

[0137] In the aforementioned embodiment, only one type of terminal, that is, the terminal 20 as a power supply terminal, is provided in the connector. However, as a modification example, other types of terminals having a different shape from this terminal may also be provided in the connector together with this terminal. At this time, as Figure 10 shown, other types of terminals, such as signal terminals, may also be provided. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the connector in such a modification example with the movable member omitted. In Figure 10In the illustrated modification, in the connector 1 of the foregoing embodiment, a plurality of signal terminals are provided on both outer sides of the arrangement range of the terminals 20. In Figure 10 For the parts corresponding to the respective parts in the foregoing embodiment, reference numerals obtained by adding "400" to the reference numerals in the drawings of the foregoing embodiment are used for designation. For the parts having the same shape as those in the foregoing embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0138] The signal terminal 470 in this modification is produced by punching a flat metal plate member in the plate thickness direction. The signal terminal 470 is held in the front wall 412 of the housing 410 by insert molding in a posture where its plate thickness direction is aligned with the terminal arrangement direction. The signal terminal 470 sandwiches a flat conductor by two elastically displaceable abutting arm portions 471 extending rearward from the front wall 412 and is electrically connected to the flat conductor. Here, the holding method of the signal terminal 470 is not limited to the holding by insert molding. For example, it may also be press-fitting holding. In the case of press-fitting holding, the signal terminal 470 is press-fitted into a terminal holding groove formed in the front wall 412 of the housing 410, for example.

[0139] In the foregoing embodiment, all of the terminals 20 are used as power supply terminals. However, as an alternative, in the case where a plurality of terminals of the same shape are provided, the usage purposes of a part of the terminals and the other part of the terminals may be different. For example, a part of the plurality of terminals may be used as power supply terminals, and the other terminals may be used as signal terminals.

[0140] Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the circuit portion of the flat conductor is exposed at the lower surface of the front end side portion of the flat conductor and contacts the first abutting portion of the first arm member. However, as an alternative, the circuit portion may be exposed at the upper surface of the front end side portion of the flat conductor, and the circuit portion may abut and contact the second abutting portion of the second arm member. Further, a circuit portion formed in two layers in the vertical direction may be formed on the flat conductor, and the circuit portion may be exposed at both the upper surface and the lower surface of the front end side portion of the flat conductor, and the first abutting portion of the first arm member may contact the circuit portion on the lower surface, and the second abutting portion of the second arm member may contact the circuit portion on the upper surface.

Claims

1. An electrical connector is mounted on a circuit board and is for connection with a mating connector. The electrical connector includes: terminals having a shape bent in the thickness direction of a metal plate member; and a housing holding the terminals. It is characterized in that the terminals have a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending in the front-rear direction, the first arm portion and the second arm portion are formed as different members, the first arm portion has: a first base portion formed on a part of the first arm portion in the front-rear direction; a first abutting arm portion located rearward of the first base portion and extending in the front-rear direction; and a first extension portion located forward of the first base portion, the first abutting arm portion has a first abutting portion capable of abutting against the mating connector, the first extension portion has a first mounting portion for soldering and mounting on the circuit board, the second arm portion has: a second base portion formed on a part of the second arm portion in the front-rear direction; a second abutting arm portion located rearward of the second base portion and located at a position separated from the first abutting arm portion in the thickness direction of the mating connector and opposite to the first abutting arm portion; and a second extension portion located forward of the second base portion, the second abutting arm portion has a second abutting portion capable of abutting against the mating connector, the second extension portion has a second mounting portion for soldering and mounting on the circuit board, the first base portion and the second base portion are held by the housing in a state of being overlapped with each other in the thickness direction of the mating connector and in surface contact, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion clamp the mating connector, whereby at least the first abutting portion is electrically connected to the mating connector, the first extension portion is formed to have a terminal width smaller than that of the first base portion in the connector width direction which is perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the thickness direction of the mating connector, the second extension portion is formed to have a terminal width smaller than that of the second base portion at a position different from that of the first extension portion in the connector width direction, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are located at the same position in the thickness direction of the mating connector.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the second abutting arm portion is capable of elastically displacing in the thickness direction of the mating connector, the second base portion is supported by the housing through a surface opposite to the surface in surface contact with the first base portion.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the second arm portion has a connecting portion that is bent in the thickness direction of the mating connector at the rear end of the second base portion and connected to the front end of the second abutting arm portion, the front surface of the connecting portion is supported by the housing.

4. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminals are held by the housing through insert molding.

5. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the portion extending from the first base portion of the first arm portion to the rear end of the first arm portion and the portion extending from the second base portion of the second arm portion to the rear end of the second arm portion are in the same position in the connector width direction in such a manner as to have the same terminal width.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the portion extending from the first base portion of the first arm portion to the rear end of the first arm portion and the portion extending from the second base portion of the second arm portion to the rear end of the second arm portion are in the same position in the connector width direction in such a manner as to have the same terminal width.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are located adjacent to each other in the connector width direction.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the first mounting portion is located within the range of the first base portion in the connector width direction, and the second mounting portion is located within the range of the second base portion in the connector width direction.

9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the terminal is a power terminal.

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