Connectors and connector assemblies

Abstract

The terminal includes: a main body portion, which is held by the connector body; and a contact portion, which is connected to the end of the main body portion and whose free end can be connected to the mating terminal of the mating connector. The contact portion includes: a connection base portion, which is connected to the upper end of the main body portion; a spring arm portion, which is connected to the end of the connection base portion and is bent in a generally S-shape; and a contact bend portion, which is formed near the free end of the spring arm portion. The connector body includes: a pair of side walls, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector body and hold the main body portion. The connection base includes: an outward bulge portion, which bulges out from the upper end of the main body portion toward the outside of the connector body and straddles the side walls but does not contact the side walls.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority from Japanese application No. JP2019-187288, filed on October 11, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to connectors and connector assemblies. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, for a board connector mounted on a board, a technology using a terminal having a configuration capable of absorbing misalignment by elastic deformation has been proposed for absorbing misalignment with a mating connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a terminal of a conventional connector.

[0006] In the figure, reference numeral 851 denotes a terminal of a substrate connector (not shown) mounted on the surface of a circuit substrate 901. Terminal 851 is made by stamping and bending a metal plate and includes: a flat body portion 852 extending vertically relative to the surface of the circuit substrate 901; a pair of left and right leg portions 853 connected to the lower end of body portion 852; contact arms 854 connected to the upper end of body portion 852; and a tail portion 856 connected and fixed to a connection pad 902 formed on the surface of the circuit substrate 901 using solder 903. Note that leg portion 853 is a component used to maintain the freestanding state of terminal 851 when tail portion 856 is connected and fixed to connection pad 902 using solder 903, and is formed on the same plane as tail portion 856; however, leg portion 853 is not fixed to the surface of the circuit substrate 901.

[0007] Contact arm portion 854 is a member that is curved in a generally U-shape when viewed from the side and is elastically deformable. Furthermore, base portion 854b is connected to the upper end of body portion 852, while curved contact portion 854a is formed near the distal end to bulge forward. Because the entire contact arm portion 854 functions as a spring, contact portion 854a is pressed against the mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown) by elastic force, maintaining a good contact state.

[0008] Furthermore, the tail portion 856 is connected to the main body portion 852 via a bent piece 855 that is curved in a generally U-shape when viewed from the rear. The bent piece 855 is received within a notch 852a formed in the main body portion 852. One end of the bent piece 855 is connected to the tail portion 856, while the other end is connected to the main body portion 852 within the notch 852a. Retained portions 852b are formed on the left and right sides of the main body portion 852. The retained portions 852b are received and retained in retaining grooves of a base (not shown) of the on-board connector.

[0009] After the terminal 851 is mounted on the surface of the circuit substrate 901, when the base is fixed to the surface of the circuit substrate 901, the base is fixed to the surface of the circuit substrate 901 by screw elements, etc. (not shown), and is received and held in the holding groove of the base by the holding portion 852b. In this case, misalignment between the position where the tail 856 of the terminal 851 is fixed to the surface of the circuit substrate 901 and the position of the holding groove of the base may occur, which may cause misalignment of the contact portion 854a. However, the bent piece 855 between the tail 856 and the body portion 852 can be elastically deformed to absorb the misalignment.

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. JP2013-025975 Summary of the Invention

[0011] However, conventional connectors are not suitable for the miniaturization of components and the multipolarization of signals in electronic devices in recent years. The miniaturization and low height of the housing and the accompanying components are required in various electronic devices, and the adoption of multipolarization is also required to cope with the increase in the amount of communication data and the high speed of communication speed and data processing speed. However, the terminals 851 used for conventional connectors as described above are large and cannot meet the requirements of making the connector miniaturized and low-height. In order to increase the speed of various signals, a large number of terminals 851 (multipolarization) can also be required. However, because the terminals 851 are large in conventional connectors, for example, if a large number of terminals 851 are combined (multipolarization), it is easy to imagine that the conventional connector will be very large. In addition, although the conventional connector is designed to absorb the misalignment of the contact portion 854a by only one bent piece 855, it is difficult to properly absorb the misalignment in the multipolar direction.

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the problems of conventional connectors, to arrange terminals with high space efficiency, and to provide a highly reliable connector and connector assembly that can suitably absorb misalignment of contact portions while being compact and low-profile.

[0013] Therefore, the connector includes a connector body and a terminal attached to the connector body, and the connector is mounted on a substrate and engaged with a mating connector. The terminal includes: a body portion, which is retained by the connector body; and a contact portion, which is connected to the upper end of the body portion and can be connected to the mating terminal of the mating connector near its free end. The contact portion includes: a connection base, which is connected to the upper end of the body portion; a spring arm portion, which is bent in a generally S-shape and connected to the end of the connection base portion; and a contact bend portion, which is formed near the free end of the spring arm portion. The connector body extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body and includes a pair of side wall portions that hold the body portion. The connection base includes: an outward bulging portion, which bulges from the upper end of the body portion to the outside of the connector body and straddles the side wall portion but does not contact the side wall portion.

[0014] With respect to another connector, the connection base further includes an upper portion extending from an upper end of the outer bulging portion toward an inner side of the connector body.

[0015] With still another connector, when the contact bent portion contacts the mating terminal and contact pressure is applied, the contact portion rotates with the outward bulging portion as a fulcrum.

[0016] In still another connector, the outward bulging portion can absorb vertical vibrations by elastic deformation.

[0017] In still another connector, the spring arm portion includes a plate material narrower than the connection base portion, and is capable of absorbing vibration in the width direction of the terminal by elastically deforming in the width direction of the terminal.

[0018] According to yet another connector, the spring arm portion includes two flexible and deformable bent portions.

[0019] The connector assembly includes: the connector according to the present disclosure; and a mating connector provided with a mating terminal capable of contacting a contact portion of the terminal.

[0020] The present disclosure can arrange terminals with high space efficiency, reduce size and height, appropriately absorb misalignment of contact portions, and improve reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector before fitting according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the second connector side, wherein: Figure 1A It is a view from the front. Figure 1B This is a view from the rear.

[0022] Figure 2is a perspective view of the first connector according to this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the first connector according to this embodiment.

[0024] Figures 4A-4C 3 is a three-sided view of the first connector according to this embodiment, wherein: Figure 4A It's a floor plan. Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A The sectional view made by line AA, and Figure 4C It is along Figure 4A A cross-sectional view made along line BB.

[0025] Figures 5A-5C 3 are three-sided views of the first base according to this embodiment, wherein: Figure 5A It's a floor plan. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view along line CC, and Figure 5C It is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of a main part of the first connector according to the present embodiment, which is cut away.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the mating surface side.

[0028] Figure 8 1 is a perspective view showing that the relay connector according to the present embodiment is removed from the second connector fitted with the first connector.

[0029] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a contact state between the first terminal and the second power terminal according to the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a contact state of the first terminal and the second signal terminal according to the present embodiment.

[0031] Figures 11A-11C 1 is a three-sided view showing a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted together according to the present embodiment, wherein: Figure 11A It's a floor plan. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of 11A, and Figure 11C It is along Figure 11A A cross-sectional view made along line FF.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a terminal of a conventional connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1A and Figure 1B 1 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the first connector and the second connector before fitting according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the second connector side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first connector according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the first connector according to this embodiment. Figures 4A-4C 3 are three-side views of the first connector according to this embodiment. Figures 5A-5C 3 are three-side views of the first base according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main part of the first connector according to this embodiment. Figure 1A and Figure 1B middle, Figure 1A It is a view from the front. Figure 1B This is a view from the rear. Figures 4A-4C middle, Figure 4A It's a floor plan. Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A The sectional view made by line AA, and Figure 4C It is along Figure 4A The cross-sectional view is made along the BB line. Figures 5A-5C middle, Figure 5A It's a floor plan. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view along line CC, and Figure 5C It is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD.

[0035] In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a connector according to the present embodiment and is a first connector as one side of a connector assembly. The first connector 1 is a surface-mounted substrate connector mounted on the surface of a substrate (not shown) as a mounting element, and is engaged with a second connector 101 as a mating connector. For example, the substrate may be various types of substrates such as a printed circuit substrate, a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), etc. used in electronic devices, etc. The second connector 101 is the other side of the connector assembly and is a connector attached to an attachment element such as a mounting element (not shown) by a fixing element such as a bolt or a rivet.

[0036] Note that in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front and rear used to describe the actions and configurations of the various parts of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are not absolute but relative, and these expressions are appropriate when the various parts of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in the postures shown in the figures, that is, when their postures change, these directions should be interpreted differently according to the changes in the postures.

[0037] Furthermore, the first connector 1 includes a first base 11, serving as the first connector body, integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, the first base 11 has a generally rectangular, thick plate-like shape, and is surrounded by a recess 21 formed on the mating side (i.e., the mating surface 11a side (Z-axis positive direction)) of the second connector 101. The first contact portion 54 of the first terminal 51 is received within the recess 21, while the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161 (described later as the mating terminal of the second connector 101) is received within the recess 21.

[0038] The second connector 101 has a second base 111 as a second connector body integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the second base 111 includes: a power terminal mounting portion 113 for mounting the second power terminal 151; a signal terminal mounting portion 112 for mounting the second signal terminal 161; a flat flange portion 114; and a fitting portion 115, which protrudes from the flange portion 114 toward the side that fits with the first connector 1 (i.e., the fitting surface 111a side (Z-axis negative direction)). When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, the first base 11 enters from the fitting surface 111a of the second base 111 and is accommodated in a fitting recess 115a, which will be described later, formed on the fitting portion 115. Note that the flange portion 114 is formed with a through hole 114a, and a fixing element such as a bolt, rivet, etc. (not shown) is inserted into the through hole 114a to mount the second connector 101 to the mounting element.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the first housing 11 includes a pair of side walls 12 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and a pair of end walls 13 extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 12. An outer wall 14 is formed on the outside of each side wall 12 (outside the width direction of the first housing 11), and a terminal retaining portion 15 is formed between the outer wall 14 and the side wall 12 to provide an open space for retaining the first terminal 51. Within each terminal retaining portion 15, the longitudinal ends of the first housing 11 are defined by an outer wall connecting portion 14a extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to connect the outer wall 14 and the side wall 12. Note that the mounting surface 11b (lower surface) of the first housing 11 is closed by a bottom wall 17. Furthermore, each end wall 13 is formed with a metal fitting retaining portion 13b for retaining the auxiliary fitting 81. The auxiliary fitting 81 is a member having a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side, and includes a substrate fixing portion 81 a for fixing to the surface of the substrate and a held portion 81 b received in the metal fitting holding portion 13 b.

[0040] Note that the outer wall portion 14 does not necessarily need to be formed continuously along the length of the first base 11, but can be discrete and formed only at locations corresponding to the mounting positions of the first terminals 51. In the example shown in the figure, three groups of first terminals 51 are relatively closely mounted together near the front end (positive end in the X-axis direction) of the first base 11, while two groups of first terminals 51 are relatively discretely mounted near the rear end (negative end in the X-axis direction) of the first base 11; therefore, the outer wall portion 14 is formed continuously for the front half of the base 11 and discretely for the rear half of the first base 11. In addition, at the discrete locations of the outer wall portion 14, the side wall outer recess 12c is formed between adjacent outer wall portions 14.

[0041] In addition, a vertically extending notch 14c is formed in the outer wall portion 14 in a portion corresponding to the mounting position of the first terminal 51. The outer side of each terminal retaining portion 15 is partially covered by a flange portion 14b extending from the outer wall connecting portion 14a at both ends. The flange portion 14b is a flat plate-shaped member extending vertically and parallel to the side wall portion 12. A retaining arm receiving portion 15a is formed between the flange portion 14b and the terminal retaining wall 16 of the side wall portion 12 of each terminal retaining portion 15. The retaining arm receiving portion 15a is an open space that accommodates at least a portion of each retained piece 55 of the first terminal 51. It is a narrow gap extending vertically and defined on three sides by the outer wall connecting portion 14a, the flange portion 14b, and the terminal retaining wall 16.

[0042] Near the upper end of the terminal retaining wall 16 is a thin-walled portion 16b that is small in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first base 11. In addition, on the inner side of the terminal retaining wall 16 (inside the width direction of the first base 11), an inclined portion 16c is formed on the lower side of the thin-walled portion 16b. The inclined portion 16c is a portion that is inclined to move downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) toward the center of the width direction of the first base 11, so that the terminal retaining wall 16 has a Figure 5C The generally triangular cross-sectional shape shown increases its strength.

[0043] The recess 21 that houses the first contact portion 54 of the first terminal 51 is a concave space defined on three sides by the bottom wall 17 and the left and right terminal retaining walls 16, and open on the mating surface 11a (upper surface). The recesses 21 are discretely formed along the length of the first housing 11, specifically, only in the portion corresponding to the mounting position of the first terminal 51. A thick-walled bottom portion 18 is formed between adjacent recesses 21, having a larger dimension in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) than the bottom wall 17. The lower surface of the thick-walled bottom portion 18 is flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall 17 and serves as the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11. The upper surface of the thick-walled bottom portion 18 is located above the upper surface of the bottom wall 17 and close to the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11. Therefore, depending on the shape and orientation of the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161 that enters the recess 21, interference with the mating terminal may occur. Here, to avoid interference with the mating terminal, the interference avoidance recess 18a is preferably formed on the upper surface of the thick-walled bottom 18. In the example shown in the figure, the intermediate end wall 13a is formed at a location at the boundary between the recess 21 and the thick-walled bottom 18. The intermediate end wall 13a extends parallel to the end wall portion 13, connects the pair of side wall portions 12, and has its upper surface flush with the fitting surface 11a. However, the intermediate end wall 13a can be omitted as appropriate.

[0044] In the example shown in the figure, the terminal retaining portions 15 are formed at five locations on each side of the first base 11, totaling ten, and thus a total of ten first terminals 51 are attached to the first base 11. However, the number of terminal retaining portions 15 and first terminals 51 is not limited to this and can be varied as appropriate. Note that the second connector 101 includes second power terminals 151, which serve as mating terminals for connecting to the power line, and second signal terminals 161, which serve as signal terminals for connecting to the signal line. However, the first terminals 51 of the first connector 1 are not classified as power terminals and signal terminals. Therefore, the first terminals 51 that contact the second power terminals 151 function as power terminals for connecting to the power line, while the first terminals 51 that contact the second signal terminals 161 function as signal terminals for connecting to the signal line. The front end of the first base 11 is shown in the example shown in the figure, and the pair of first terminals 51 located third and fourth from this end function as signal terminals, while the pair of first terminals 51 located second and fifth from the front end function as power terminals. Furthermore, each of the second power terminals 151 and each of the second signal terminals 161 are in contact with a pair of left and right first terminals 51 .

[0045] In addition, the first terminal 51 is an integrally formed element by stamping, bending, and other processing of a conductive metal plate, and includes: a main body portion 53; a tail portion 52 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 53; a first contact portion 54, which serves as a contact portion and is connected to the upper end of the central portion of the main body portion 53; and a pair of retained plates 55, which are connected to the upper ends of the left and right sides of the main body portion 53.

[0046] The main body 53 is a flat plate-like component having a generally rectangular shape and is housed and held within the terminal holding portion 15 of the first housing 11. Furthermore, the tail portion 52 is bent and connected to the main body 53, extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) (outward in the width direction of the first housing 11). The tail portion 52 is connected and fixed to the connection pads by soldering or the like, and the connection pads are connected to the conductive traces on the substrate.

[0047] The retained piece 55 extends from the upper end of the main body 53 outward in the width direction of the main body 53 and includes an engaging protrusion 55a that projects outward from the outer edge of the main body 53 in the width direction of the main body 53. The retained piece 55 is press-fitted and received within the retaining arm receiving portion 15a of the terminal retaining portion 15. The engaging protrusion 55d [Translation note: should be 55a] engages the side surface of the outer wall connecting portion 14a that defines the retaining arm receiving portion 15a in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, securing the retained piece 55 to the outer wall connecting portion 14a. Thus, the left and right retained pieces 55 are fixedly held by the terminal retaining portion 15, and the main body 53 is thus immovably retained within the terminal retaining portion 15.

[0048] The first contact portion 54 includes: a connecting base 54a, the base end of which is connected to the main body portion 53; a first connecting arm portion 54b, which is connected to the end of the connecting base 54a and extends obliquely downward; a lower bent portion 54c, which is connected to the end (lower end) of the first connecting arm portion 54b and bends obliquely upward by approximately 180 degrees; a second connecting arm 54d, which is connected to the end (upper end) of the lower bent portion 54c and extends obliquely upward; an upper bent portion 54e, which is connected to the end (upper end) of the second connecting arm 54d and bends obliquely downward by approximately 180 degrees; a contact arm portion 54f, which is connected to the end (lower end) of the upper bent portion 54e and extends obliquely downward; and a contact bent portion 54g, which is formed near the free end (lower end) of the contact arm portion 54f. Furthermore, the connecting base 54a includes an outwardly bulging portion 54a1 that bulges outward from the upper end of the main body 53 in the width direction of the first base 11; a horizontal upper surface portion 54a2, as an upper portion, extending inward from the upper end of the outwardly bulging portion 54a1 in the width direction of the first base 11 and parallel (horizontal) to the fitting surface 11a; and an inwardly vertical portion 54a3 that curves relative to the inward end of the horizontal upper surface portion 54a2 in the width direction of the first base 11 and extends downwardly connected to the inward end of the horizontal upper surface portion 54a2 in the width direction of the first base 11. Note that the horizontal upper surface portion 54a2 does not necessarily have to be flat, but may have a curved shape that extends upward.

[0049] With this configuration, when the first terminal 51 is mounted on the first base 11, Figure 4C and Figure 6 The illustrated first contact portion 54 extends inwardly of the side wall 12, straddling the terminal retaining wall 16 without contacting the side wall 12 of the terminal retaining portion 15. Specifically, because the outer bulge 54a1 bulges outwardly in the widthwise direction of the first base 11, the inner vertical portion 54a3 is located closer to the inside of the first base 11 relative to the inner side surface of the thin-walled portion 16b in the widthwise direction of the first base 11. Furthermore, the horizontal upper portion 54a2 connecting the outer bulge 54a1 and the inner vertical portion 54a3 is not located above the upper end of the thin-walled portion 16b, thereby preventing the connecting base 54a from contacting the thin-walled portion 16b. The first connecting arm 54b is located obliquely above the inclined portion 16c and therefore does not contact the inclined portion 16c. Therefore, the first contact portion 54 can deform or displace freely without interfering with the terminal retaining wall 16.

[0050] For example, even if contact with the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161 causes the contact curved portion 54g to displace downward, and contact pressure is applied to the contact curved portion 54g, the outwardly bulging portion 54a1 bulges outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 relative to the outer surface of the thin-walled portion 16b and is significantly separated from the outer surface of the thin-walled portion 16b. This allows the entire connecting base 54a to be displaced so that the entire connecting base 54a faces downwardly and obliquely inwardly in the width direction of the first housing 11, forming an arched shape without interfering with the terminal retaining wall 16. Here, the entire first contact portion 54 functions as if the outwardly bulging portion 54a1 serves as a fulcrum and the contact curved portion 54g serves as a point of action. Furthermore, because the fulcrum and the point of action are displaced in the vertical direction, the entire first contact portion 54 acts as if pivoting about the outwardly bulging portion 54a1 serving as the fulcrum.

[0051] The outward bulging portion 54 a 1 is curved to bulge outward in the width direction of the first base 11 so as to function like a spring and absorb vibration in the vertical (Z-axis) direction.

[0052] In addition, the portion from the first connecting arm portion 54b to the free end of the contact arm portion 54f is a spring arm portion, which is a plate having a width narrower than the main body portion 53 and the connecting base 54a connected to the main body portion 53, and can thus be elastically deformed in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first terminal 51 and can absorb vibrations in the width direction.

[0053] Note that because not only the outward bulge 54a1 but also the horizontal upper surface 54a2 and the inward vertical portion 54a3 function as springs, the area from the base end of the connection base 54a connected to the main body 53 to the free end of the contact arm 54f functions as a spring for the first terminal 51, and the path (spring length) of this portion functioning as a spring is long. Therefore, even if the contact curved portion 54g is subjected to external force due to contact with the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161, the external force is not easily transmitted to the main body 53.

[0054] Since these spring arms are bent generally in an S-shape and have a long spring length when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, these spring arms are therefore very flexible and can be flexibly deformed at two bends (particularly at the lower bend 54c and the upper bend 54e).

[0055] like Figure 4C and Figure 6As shown, when the left and right pairs of first terminals 51 are mounted on the first base 11, the left and right contact arms 54f extend obliquely downward relative to each other, and the distance between the two contact arms narrows as they extend downward, reaching their minimum distance at the contact bend 54g. This allows the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161, serving as the mating terminal, to be smoothly inserted between the left and right contact arms 54f. Furthermore, because the spring length from the first connecting arm 54b to the contact bend 54g is long and flexible, the left and right contact bends 54g can reliably maintain contact with the second power terminal 151 or the second signal terminal 161.

[0056] In this manner, because the first contact portion 54 can be freely deformed or displaced without interfering with the terminal retaining wall 16, even if the first terminal 51 is displaced relative to the first base 11, the misalignment of the first contact portion 54 can be effectively absorbed, and the first contact portion 54 can reliably maintain contact with the mating terminal. Therefore, the provision of an element for absorbing misalignment, such as the bent piece 855 of the terminal 851 of the conventional connector described in the background technology section, is no longer necessary for the main body 53 or other parts of the first terminal 51, which makes the first terminal 51 more compact and low-profile as a whole.

[0057] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 will be described.

[0058] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second connector according to the present embodiment as viewed from the mating surface side. Figure 8 1 is a perspective view showing that the relay connector according to the present embodiment is removed from the second connector fitted with the first connector. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a contact state between the first terminal and the second power terminal according to the present embodiment. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a contact state of the first terminal and the second signal terminal according to the present embodiment. Figures 11A-11C 1 is a three-sided view showing the state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted together according to this embodiment. Figures 11A-11C middle, Figure 11A It's a floor plan. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of 11A, and Figure 11C It is along Figure 11A A cross-sectional view made along line FF.

[0059] For this embodiment, the second connector 101 is provided with a second power terminal 151 as a mating terminal. The second power terminal 151 is an element formed integrally by stamping, bending, or other processing of a conductive metal plate, and includes: a main body 153; a flat connecting portion 152 bent and connected to the upper end of the main body 153; a bent rod-shaped contact arm portion 155 connected to the end near the lower end of the main body 153; and a flat contact portion 154 connected to the lower end of the contact arm portion 155. A through hole 152a is formed in the center of the connecting portion 152, and a conductive connecting element such as a bolt for connecting a conductive wire, a conductive terminal, etc. is inserted into the through hole 152a. A female thread should be formed on the inner surface of the through hole 152a. The second terminal 151 and the second base 111 are integrated by insert molding (overmolding). Therefore, the second power terminal 151 is embedded in the second base 111 except for the connection portion 152 exposed on the upper surface of the power terminal mounting portion 113 and the contact portion 154 protruding downward from the terminal support portion 116 formed on the top surface of the fitting recess 115 a of the fitting portion 115 .

[0060] Note that, although there are two second power terminals 151 in the example shown in the figure, this can be changed as needed. In the example shown in the figure, the conductive wire, conductive terminal, etc. of the positive power line is connected to the connection portion 152 of one second power terminal 151, while the conductive wire, conductive terminal, etc. of the negative power line is connected to the connection portion 152 of the other second power terminal 151.

[0061] When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the contact portions 154 of the second power terminals 151 are inserted between the contact arms 54f of the corresponding pair of first terminals 51 and are held by the left and right contact bends 54g. This allows each second power terminal 151 to contact and conduct electricity with the corresponding pair of first terminals 51.

[0062] A relay connector 160, including second signal terminals 161 serving as mating terminals, is attached to the second connector 101. The relay connector 160 comprises a relay base 141 integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and second signal terminals 161 integrally formed from a conductive metal plate by stamping, bending, or other processing. The second signal terminals 161 are integrated with the relay base 141 through insert molding (overmolding). A connecting portion 162 formed at one end and a contact portion 164 formed at the other end of the second signal terminal 161 protrude from the upper and lower ends of the relay base 141, while the remaining portions are embedded within the relay base 141. Note that while the illustrated example shows three relay connectors 160, this can be modified as needed.

[0063] Each relay connector 160 is inserted from above into a respective relay terminal receiving hole 112a formed in the signal terminal mounting portion 112 of the second base 111. As a result, the contact portion 164 of the second signal terminal 161 protrudes downward from the terminal support portion 116 formed on the top surface of the mating recess 115a of the mating portion 115. Furthermore, the connecting portion 162 of the second signal terminal 161 is positioned within the relay terminal receiving hole 112a. Furthermore, the end of a signal conductive wire (not shown), such as a coaxial cable, is inserted into the relay terminal receiving hole 112a and connected to the connecting portion 162. When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the contact portion 164 of each second signal terminal 161 is inserted between the contact arm portions 54f of the corresponding pair of first terminals 51 and is held between the left and right contact bends 54g. This allows each second signal terminal 161 to contact and conduct electricity with the corresponding pair of first terminals 51.

[0064] Note that, as shown in the example, the relay connector 160 may also include a second ground terminal 171 as a mating terminal. Like the second signal terminal 161, the second ground terminal 171 is integrally formed by stamping, bending, or other processing of a conductive metal plate and is integrated with the relay base 141 through insert molding (overmolding). A connecting portion 172 formed at one end of the second ground terminal 171 has a generally cylindrical shape and is exposed on the surface of the generally cylindrical portion near the upper end of the relay base 141. A contact portion 174 formed at the other end of the second ground terminal 171 protrudes from the lower end of the relay base 141 and is parallel to the contact portion 164 of the second signal terminal 161. Furthermore, an intervening portion 144 protruding from the lower end of the relay base 141 is interposed between the contact portion 164 of the second signal terminal 161 and the contact portion 174 of the second ground terminal 171.

[0065] Furthermore, a shielding member, such as a signal conductive wire of a coaxial cable, inserted into relay terminal accommodating hole 112a is connected to connecting portion 172 of second ground terminal 171. When first connector 1 and second connector 101 are mated, one of the contact curved portions 54g of the corresponding pair of first terminals 51 contacts contact portion 164 of second signal terminal 161, while the other contact curved portion 54g contacts contact portion 174 of second ground terminal 171. That is, in the example shown in the figure, of the paired first terminals 51 located at the front end of first housing 11 and the third and fourth terminals from the front end, one serves as a signal terminal, while the other serves as a ground terminal.

[0066] Furthermore, vertically extending protrusions 115b are formed at multiple locations on the inner wall of the mating recess 115a of the mating portion 115 of the second base 111. Each protrusion 115b corresponds to a sidewall outer recess 12c formed between the outer wall portions 14 of the first base 11. When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the protruding grooves are received and engaged within the sidewall outer recesses 12c. This provides relative positioning for the mating first and second bases 111.

[0067] After the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are engaged, the second base 111 is attached to the mounting element (not shown) by inserting a fixing element such as a bolt, a rivet, etc. into the through hole 114a of the flange portion 114. During this installation operation, the second base 111 may change in posture or position due to external force, and the first base 11 engaged with the second base 111 may also change in posture or misalignment. This causes misalignment between the first base 11 and the first terminal 51, and the tail 52 of the first terminal 51 is fixed to the connection pad by welding, etc., and the connection pad is connected to the conductive trace of the substrate. Even in this case, because the main body 53 is held by the terminal retaining portion 15 in a state where it can be freely displaced left, right, up and down, the misalignment between the first terminal 51 and the first base 11 is effectively absorbed.

[0068] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connector 1 includes a first base 11 and a first terminal 51 mounted on the first base 11. The first connector 1 is mounted on a substrate and mated with the second connector 101. Furthermore, the first terminal 51 includes a body 53 held by the first base 11, and a first contact portion 54 connected to the upper end of the body 53 and capable of connecting to a mating terminal of the second connector 101 at its free end. The first contact portion 54 includes a connecting base 54a connected to the upper end of the body 53; a portion extending from a first connecting arm 54b to a contact arm 54f, which is bent in a generally S-shape and functions as a spring arm and is connected to the distal end of the connecting base 54a; and a contact bend 54g formed near the free end of the first contact portion 54. The first base 11 includes a pair of side walls 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, and a terminal retaining portion 15 formed outside the side walls 12 and retaining the body 53. The connecting base 54a includes an outwardly bulging portion 54a1 that bulges outward from the upper end of the main body 53 toward the outside of the first base 11; a horizontal upper portion 54a2 that extends from the upper end of the outwardly bulging portion 54a1 toward the inside of the first base 11; and an inwardly vertical portion 54a3 that curves and connects to the inner end of the horizontal upper portion 54a2 and extends downward. The connecting base straddles the side wall 12 but does not contact it.

[0069] This allows the first connector 1 to arrange the first terminals 51 with high space efficiency, improve reliability based on miniaturization and low height, and appropriately absorb misalignment of the first contact portions 54 .

[0070] Furthermore, when the contact bent portion 54g contacts the mating terminal and contact pressure is applied, the first contact portion 54 rotates using the outwardly bulged portion 54a1 as a fulcrum. Thus, the first contact portion 54 can be displaced obliquely downward inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 as if in an arched shape without interfering with the terminal retaining wall 16.

[0071] Furthermore, the outward bulge 54a1 can absorb vertical vibrations due to elastic deformation. Therefore, even if the contact bent portion 54g contacts the mating terminal and experiences vertical vibrations, such vibrations are not transmitted to the main body 53 and the first base 11.

[0072] Furthermore, the portion functioning as the spring arm portion from the first connecting arm portion 54b to the contact arm portion 54f includes a plate material that is narrower than the connecting base portion 54a and is capable of absorbing vibration in the width direction of the first terminal 51 by elastically deforming in the width direction of the first terminal 51. Therefore, even if the contact bent portion 54g contacts the mating terminal and is subjected to vibration in the width direction of the first terminal 51, such vibration is not transmitted to the body portion 53 and the first base 11.

[0073] In addition, the portion from the first connecting arm portion 54b to the contact arm portion 54f that acts as a spring arm portion includes two flexible, deformable bends. In this manner, because of the high flexibility of the spring arm portion, the contact bend 54g can reliably maintain contact with the mating terminal.

[0074] Note that the disclosure of this specification describes features related to suitable exemplary embodiments. A person skilled in the art will naturally be able to conceive of various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended patent claims upon review of the disclosure of this specification. The present disclosure is applicable to connectors and connector assemblies.

Claims

1. A connector comprising a connector body and terminals attached to the connector body, the connector being mounted on a substrate and mating with a mating connector; The terminal comprises: a main body portion, held on the connector body; and a contact portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, wherein the vicinity of the free end thereof is capable of contacting the mating terminal of the mating connector; The contact portion includes: a connecting base connected to the upper end of the main body; a spring arm portion bent in a substantially S-shape and connected to the end of the connecting base; and a contact bent portion formed near the free end of the spring arm portion; The connector body includes a pair of side wall portions extending in a length direction of the connector body and holding the body portion of the terminal, and the mating terminal is inserted between opposite surfaces of the contact bent portion of the contact portion of the terminal held in each of the side wall portions to contact the contact bent portion; and The spring arm portion includes two flexible and deformable bent portions, and the connecting base portion includes an outward bulging portion that bulges out from the upper end of the main body portion toward the outside of the connector body and straddles the side wall portion but does not contact the side wall portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein The connection base further includes an upper portion extending from an upper end of the outer bulging portion toward an inner side of the connector body.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein When the contact bent portion contacts the mating terminal and contact pressure is applied, the contact portion rotates with the outward bulging portion as a fulcrum.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein The outward bulging portion can absorb vertical vibrations by elastic deformation.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein The spring arm portion includes a plate material narrower than the connection base portion and is capable of absorbing vibration in the width direction of the terminal by elastically deforming in the width direction of the terminal.

6. Connector assembly, including: The connector according to claim 1; and a mating connector provided with a mating terminal capable of contacting the contact portion of the terminal.

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