connector

Abstract

With the first movable housing and the second movable housing provided, deviation of the relative positions of the first terminal and the second terminal from a predetermined position is prevented. The connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2, a first movable housing 31, a second movable housing 32, a first terminal 41, and a second terminal 42. The fixed housing 2 has a first terminal holding portion 21A that holds a first fixed side holding portion 4B of the first terminal 41, and a second terminal holding portion 22A that holds a second fixed side holding portion 4B of the second terminal 42. The first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A in the fixed housing 2 are integrally molded from resin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector comprising a fixed housing mounted on a substrate and a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing. The movable housing is configured to allow for fitting of the connected object.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-067723 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to transmit more signals, there are cases where multiple connectors as described above are prepared and arranged adjacent to each other on the substrate.

[0007] The first objective of this disclosure is to suppress the relative position of a terminal (first terminal) held in the first movable housing and a terminal (second terminal) held in the second movable housing from deviating from a predetermined position when the first movable housing and the second movable housing are provided.

[0008] A second objective of this disclosure is to suppress breakage of the constraint space forming portion in a connector having a pair of sidewalls and a top wall formed in a fixed housing.

[0009] A third objective of this disclosure is to miniaturize the connector in the arrangement direction (the direction in which the first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged) in a connector having a first movable housing and a second movable housing.

[0010] The First Way

[0011] The connector according to the first-1 method comprises: a fixed housing fixed in position relative to a mounting object; a first movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a first fitting portion capable of engaging with a first connecting object; a second movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a second fitting portion capable of engaging with a second connecting object; a first terminal having a first fixed-side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable-side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed-side holding portion and the first movable-side holding portion; and a second terminal having a second fixed-side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable-side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed-side holding portion and the second movable-side holding portion, wherein the fixed housing comprises: a first terminal holding portion holding the first fixed-side holding portion of the first terminal; and a second terminal holding portion holding the second fixed-side holding portion of the second terminal, wherein at least the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion in the fixed housing are integrally molded from resin.

[0012] In the above manner, the connector includes: a fixed housing, which is fixed in position relative to a mounting object (e.g., a substrate); a first movable housing, which is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a first fitting portion capable of engaging with a first connecting object; and a second movable housing, which is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a second fitting portion capable of engaging with a second connecting object.

[0013] Furthermore, the connector includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal has a first fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed side holding portion and the first movable side holding portion. The second terminal has a second fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed side holding portion and the second movable side holding portion.

[0014] The fixed housing has a first terminal holding portion that holds a first fixed side holding portion of a first terminal and a second terminal holding portion that holds a second fixed side holding portion of a second terminal.

[0015] Here, assuming that the portion holding the first terminal (first terminal holding portion) and the portion holding the second terminal (second terminal holding portion) in the fixed housing are separate, there is a possibility that the relative positions of the first fixed side holding portion of the first terminal and the second fixed side holding portion of the second terminal may deviate from the predetermined positions.

[0016] In contrast, in the above-described manner, since the portion holding the first terminal (first terminal holding portion) and the portion holding the second terminal (second terminal holding portion) in the fixed housing are integrally molded from resin, the relative positions of the first fixed side holding portion of the first terminal and the second fixed side holding portion of the second terminal are prevented from deviating from the predetermined positions.

[0017] The connector involved in the first-2 method is the same as that in the first-1 method, where the fixed housing has an intermediate portion connecting the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion, and a gate mark is formed in the intermediate portion.

[0018] In the above method, a gate mark (referred to as a mark formed at the position corresponding to the gate into which molten resin flows in the molding die) is formed in the middle part connecting the first terminal holding part and the second terminal holding part.

[0019] Therefore, during the molding of the fixed housing, molten resin can flow in from the portion located between the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion. This allows the molten resin to flow efficiently within the molding die, preventing a decrease in the strength of the fixed housing or distortion of its shape.

[0020] Furthermore, no press-in portion for pressing in the metal parts for fixing is formed in the middle part of the fixed housing, but this is preferable from the viewpoint of smoothly allowing the molten resin to flow from the middle part.

[0021] The connector involved in the first-third method is in the first-first or first-second method, wherein the fixed housing has: a storage space that runs through the fixed housing in the vertical direction and stores the first movable housing and the second movable housing; and an intermediate connecting part that divides the storage space into a first storage space for storing the first movable housing and a second storage space for storing the second movable housing.

[0022] In the above configuration, the fixed housing has a storage space that extends vertically through the fixed housing and houses both the first movable housing and the second movable housing. The storage space is divided into a first storage space for housing the first movable housing and a second storage space for housing the second movable housing via a central connecting portion of the fixed housing.

[0023] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shrinkage of the resin constituting the fixed shell during the molding of the fixed shell, which in turn causes the fixed shell to deform.

[0024] The connector involved in the first-4 methods is the same as that in the first-3 methods, where the intermediate connecting part restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first movable housing and restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second movable housing.

[0025] In the above manner, the intermediate connecting portion restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second movable housing.

[0026] Therefore, the intermediate connecting parts can function effectively.

[0027] The connector involved in the first-5 methods is in any of the methods from the first-1 to the first-4. The fixed housing has a first upper limiting part and a second upper limiting part. The first movable housing has a first upper abutting part. The first upper abutting part restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first upper limiting part. The second movable housing has a second upper abutting part. The second upper abutting part restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second upper limiting part. The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction. Both the first upper abutting part and the second upper abutting part protrude in the arrangement direction.

[0028] In the above method, the upward movement of the first movable housing is restricted by the first upper abutting part of the first movable housing abutting with the first upper limiting part of the fixed housing, and the upward movement of the second movable housing is restricted by the second upper abutting part of the second movable housing abutting with the second upper limiting part of the fixed housing.

[0029] Here, the first upper abutting portion and the second upper abutting portion protrude in the arrangement direction that is the direction in which the first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged.

[0030] Therefore, it makes it easy to miniaturize the connector in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, which is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0031] The connector involved in embodiments 1-6 is any one of embodiments 1-1 to 1-5. The fixed housing has: a storage space that extends through the fixed housing in the vertical direction and stores the first movable housing and the second movable housing; and an intermediate connecting portion that divides the storage space into a first storage space for storing the first movable housing and a second storage space for storing the second movable housing. The fixed housing has a first upper limiting portion and a second upper limiting portion. The first movable housing has a first upper abutting portion that restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first upper limiting portion. The second movable housing has a second upper abutting portion that restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second upper limiting portion. The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction. Both the first upper abutting portion and the second upper abutting portion protrude in the arrangement direction. The intermediate connecting portion functions as both the first upper limiting portion and the second upper limiting portion.

[0032] The Second Way

[0033] The connector according to the second-1 embodiment includes a fixed housing that is fixed in position relative to the object to be installed and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing. The movable housing has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing has a constraint space forming portion that forms a constraint space that constrains the protrusion. The constraint space forming portion has a pair of sidewalls located laterally to the protrusion and a top wall located above the protrusion. The top wall restricts the upward movement of the movable housing by abutting against the protrusion. The constraint space forming portion has a reinforcing wall located on the protrusion side relative to the protrusion and connecting the pair of sidewalls.

[0034] In the above-described manner, the connector comprises a fixed housing that is fixed in position relative to the object to be mounted, and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing. The movable housing has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing has a constraint space forming portion that forms a constraint space that constrains the protrusion. The constraint space forming portion has a pair of sidewalls located laterally to the protrusion and a top wall located above the protrusion. The top wall restricts the upward movement of the movable housing by abutting against the protrusion.

[0035] Here, the constrained space forming part has a reinforcing wall located on the protruding side relative to the protrusion and connected to a pair of sidewalls.

[0036] Therefore, by reinforcing the wall, the area near the top wall in the constrained space forming part is strengthened, thus suppressing the damage of the constrained space forming part.

[0037] Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the lower surface of the reinforcing wall and the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls are coplanar, but the reinforcing wall in the above manner is not limited to this. From a strength point of view, it is preferable that the lower surface of the reinforcing wall and the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls are coplanar, but the lower surface of the reinforcing wall may also be formed on the upper side compared to the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the upper end of the reinforcing wall is connected to the top wall, but the above method is not limited to this. For example, the reinforcing wall and the top wall may not be connected, and an opening may be formed between them.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the reinforcing wall is made of resin and integrally formed with a pair of sidewalls and a top wall, but the above method is not limited to this. For example, the reinforcing wall may also be made of metal. By positioning the metal reinforcing wall relative to the protrusion on one side in the protruding direction, the area near the top wall in the constrained space forming part can be strengthened without increasing the vertical dimensions of the constrained space forming part.

[0040] Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the protrusion of the movable housing can abut against a pair of sidewalls of the constrained space forming portion, but the above method is not limited to this.

[0041] The connector involved in the 2-2 method is the same as that in the 2-1 method, where even if the movable housing moves to its limit in the parallel direction of the protrusion, the protrusion does not abut against the reinforcing wall.

[0042] In the above method, even when the movable shell moves to its limit in the protruding direction, the protrusion does not come into contact with the reinforcing wall. Therefore, the required strength of the reinforcing wall itself is low. As a result, the reinforcing wall can be made thinner, and the fixed shell can be miniaturized.

[0043] The connector involved in the second-third method is the same as that in the second-first or second-second method, wherein the protrusion has a protruding end face facing the protruding direction, and a gate mark is formed on the protruding end face.

[0044] In the above method, a gate mark is formed on the protruding end face of the protrusion. In such a movable housing, if the size of the gate used for injecting molten resin is to be ensured, there is a limit to the miniaturization of the protrusion. As a result, the constraint space constraining the protrusion also needs to be of a certain size. To accommodate the protrusion, which has a limit to miniaturization, and to reduce the height of the constraint space forming part of the fixed housing, it is considered to thin the top wall. However, when the top wall is thinned, there is a concern that the constraint space forming part near the thinned top wall might break if the movable housing strongly abuts against the fixed housing. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing wall, breakage of the constraint space forming part is suppressed.

[0045] Therefore, the above method is effective in connectors where gate marks are formed on the protruding end face of the protrusion, when the constraint space is formed at a lower level.

[0046] The Third Way

[0047] The connector according to the 3-1 method comprises: a fixed housing fixed in position relative to a mounting object; a first movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a first fitting portion capable of engaging with a first connecting object; a second movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a second fitting portion capable of engaging with a second connecting object; a first terminal having a first fixed-side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable-side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed-side holding portion and the first movable-side holding portion; and a second terminal having a second fixed-side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable-side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed-side holding portion and the second movable-side holding portion, wherein the first movable housing and the second movable housing are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing is arranged in a predetermined direction (e.g., front-to-back direction). The first movable housing has a first side protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward one side of the second movable housing (e.g., rearward direction). The second movable housing has a second side protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward one side of the first movable housing (e.g., forward direction). The fixed housing has a constraint space forming part that forms a constraint space that constrains both the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion. The constraint space forming part has a top wall located above the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion. The top wall restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and the second movable housing by abutting against the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion. The constraint space has a shared constraint space in which both the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion can be located.

[0048] In the above-described manner, the connector includes a fixed housing, a first movable housing having a first fitting portion capable of fitting with a first connecting object, a second movable housing having a second fitting portion capable of fitting with a second connecting object, a first terminal, and a second terminal.

[0049] The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first movable housing has a first side protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the side of the second movable housing (e.g., the rearward direction), and the second movable housing has a second side protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the side of the first movable housing (e.g., the forward direction).

[0050] Furthermore, the fixed housing has a constraint space forming portion that forms a constraint space that constrains both the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion. The constraint space forming portion has a top wall located above the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion, and the top wall restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and the second movable housing by abutting against the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion.

[0051] Here, the constraint space has a shared constraint space in which both the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion can be located.

[0052] Therefore, for example, when the first movable housing moves in a direction away from the second movable housing, the second protrusion of the second movable housing can move to the space where the first side protrusion was located before the movement. Furthermore, for example, when the second movable housing moves in a direction away from the second movable housing, the first side protrusion of the first movable housing can move to the space where the second side protrusion was located before the movement. That is, at least a portion of the constraint space is shared by the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion.

[0053] Therefore, it makes it easy to miniaturize the connector in the alignment direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the first and second connecting objects can also be configured so that they do not shift relative to each other. For example, the mating-side connector, which is a connecting object of the connector described above, is configured to include the first and second connecting objects, and the mating-side connector can be configured such that the first and second connecting objects do not shift relative to each other. In this case, when the mating-side connector moves relative to the connector, the first and second movable housings move integrally.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the entire fixing housing is integrally molded from resin. As a result, the portion of the fixing housing that holds the first terminal (first terminal holding portion) and the portion of the fixing housing that holds the second terminal (second terminal holding portion) are integrally molded from resin, but the above method is not limited to this. For example, the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion may be molded separately, and the middle portion of the fixing housing in the embodiments described later may be constructed from a metal component. In this case, a portion of this metal component functions as a top wall.

[0056] The connector involved in the 3-2 method is in the 3-1 method, where the spacing between the arrangement direction (e.g., front-back direction) of the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion in the standard state is less than 1 / 5 of the distance that the first movable housing can move from the standard state toward the direction closer to the second movable housing (e.g., rearward direction), and less than 1 / 5 of the distance that the second movable housing can move from the standard state toward the direction closer to the first movable housing (e.g., forward direction).

[0057] In the above configuration, in the standard state, the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion are adjacent in the arrangement direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction). Specifically, the spacing between the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion in the standard state in the arrangement direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction) is less than 1 / 5 of the distance that the first movable housing can move from the standard state toward the direction closer to the second movable housing (e.g., the rearward direction), and less than 1 / 5 of the distance that the second movable housing can move from the standard state toward the direction closer to the first movable housing (e.g., the forward direction).

[0058] Therefore, connector 1 is easier to miniaturize in the arrangement direction. Attached Figure Description

[0059] Figure 1 This is a 3D view of the connector.

[0060] Figure 2 This is an exploded 3D view of the connector.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a top view of the connector.

[0062] Figure 4 This is the front view of the connector.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a side view of the connector.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the connector.

[0065] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector.

[0066] Figure 8 This is a magnified 3D view of the terminal.

[0067] Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional view of the fixed shell.

[0068] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional view taken from below the fixed shell.

[0069] Figure 11 This is a top view of the fixed housing.

[0070] Figure 12 This is a bottom view of the fixed housing.

[0071] Figure 13 It is a three-dimensional view of the movable shell.

[0072] Figure 14 This is the front view of the movable housing.

[0073] Figure 15 This is a side view of the movable housing.

[0074] Figure 16 This is a top view of the movable shell.

[0075] Figure 17 This is a bottom view of the movable shell.

[0076] Figure 18 This is a magnified 3D view of the connector from below.

[0077] Figure 19 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector with the movable housing in its standard position.

[0078] Figure 20 This is a perspective view showing the state during the connector manufacturing process. Furthermore, this view shows the sequence of holding multiple terminals in the movable housing followed by holding multiple terminals in the fixed housing; alternatively, multiple terminals can be held simultaneously in both the fixed and movable housings after the movable housing has been positioned appropriately relative to the fixed housing.

[0079] Figure 21 Is with Figure 20 The corresponding cross-sectional view.

[0080] Figure 22 It is a cross-sectional view of the movable shell moving forward to its limit.

[0081] Figure 23 Is with Figure 22 The corresponding top view.

[0082] Figure 24It is a cross-sectional view of the movable shell in the front-back direction and the upward direction in the width direction, when it has moved to its limit. Detailed Implementation

[0083] In the following description, the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in the accompanying figures are directional concepts with the connector and its constituent components as a reference. The +X direction is referred to as the connector forward direction, the +Y direction as the connector width direction, and the +Z direction as the connector upward direction. When referred to only as the front-back direction, width direction, and up-down direction, it means the connector front-back direction, the connector width direction, and the connector up-down direction, respectively.

[0084] <Overview>

[0085] Connector 1 is configured to connect to the mating connector via the vertical direction. A connector pair is formed by connector 1 and the mating connector (not shown). Connector 1 is mounted on a substrate (not shown), and the mating connector is mounted on the mating substrate (not shown). When connector 1 and the mating connector are connected, the substrate and the mating substrate sandwich the connector pair and are arranged parallel to each other.

[0086] Figure 1 This is a 3D view of connector 1. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of connector 1.

[0087] The connector 1 has a fixed housing 2, two movable housings 3, multiple terminals 4, and multiple (four in this embodiment) fixing metal parts 5.

[0088] The fixed housing 2 and the movable housing 3 are formed of an insulator such as synthetic resin. The fixed housing 2 holds a portion of the terminal 4 (fixed side held portion 4B, see reference). Figure 8 The fixed housing 2 is fixed to the substrate via the terminal 4 and cannot move relative to the substrate. The movable housing 3 holds another portion of the terminal 4 (the movable side held portion 4D). The movable housing 3 can move relative to both the substrate and the fixed housing 2. Each of the multiple terminals 4 has an intermediate elastic portion 4C between the fixed side held portion 4B and the movable side held portion 4D. Elastic deformation occurs through the intermediate elastic portion 4C, allowing the movable housing 3 to move relative to the fixed housing 2.

[0089] Each of the multiple fixing metal parts 5 has a pressing part 5A that is pressed into the fixing housing 2 and a substrate fixing part 5B that is fixed to the substrate. The fixing metal parts 5 are pressed into the fixing housing 2 from above. The fixing metal parts 5 strengthen the fixation of the fixing housing 2 to the substrate.

[0090] <Detailed Construction of Connector 1>

[0091] The detailed construction of connector 1 is described below.

[0092] "Terminal 4"

[0093] use Figure 8 Regarding terminal 4, please provide an explanation.

[0094] Terminal 4 is manufactured by punching and bending processes relative to the plate material.

[0095] The plurality of terminals 4 are composed of a plurality of terminals 4 arranged in the front-to-back direction (spacing direction) on one side of the width direction (inter-row direction) and a plurality of terminals 4 arranged in the front-to-back direction (spacing direction) on the other side of the width direction (inter-row direction). The terminals 4 on one side of the width direction and the terminals 4 on the other side of the width direction are configured such that their contact portions 4F are opposite to each other.

[0096] like Figure 2 As shown, the plurality of terminals 4 are composed of a plurality of first terminals 41 held in the first movable housing 31 and a plurality of second terminals 42 held in the second movable housing 32. The first terminals 41 and the second terminals 42 have the same shape.

[0097] (Structure of each terminal)

[0098] like Figure 8 As shown, terminal 4 has an integral substrate fixing part 4A, a fixed side holding part 4B, an intermediate elastic part 4C, a movable side holding part 4D, a front end elastic part 4E and a contact part 4F, which are arranged from one end to the other.

[0099] The substrate fixing part 4A is fixed relative to the substrate. The substrate fixing part 4A extends inward in the width direction from one end to the other end.

[0100] The fixed-side retaining part 4B is held in place by the fixed housing 2. The fixed-side retaining part 4B extends upward and has press-in protrusions on both sides in the front-rear direction in the width direction of the plate. The fixed-side retaining part 4B is pressed in from below relative to the fixed housing 2.

[0101] The intermediate elastic portion 4C is configured to elastically deform, allowing the movable-side held portion 4D to shift relative to the fixed-side held portion 4B. The intermediate elastic portion 4C has a first curved portion 4C1, a straight portion 4C2, and a second curved portion 4C3.

[0102] The first curved portion 4C1 is formed by bending the portion on the other end of the fixed-side retaining portion 4B in the plate thickness direction. The straight portion 4C2 extends linearly downward in a direction inclined inward in the width direction. The second curved portion 4C3 is formed by bending the portion on the other end of the straight portion 4C2 in the plate thickness direction. The second curved portion 4C3 is connected to the straight portion 4C2 and the movable-side retaining portion 4D.

[0103] The movable side is held in place by the retaining part 4D within the movable housing 3. The retaining part 4D extends upward and has pressing protrusions on both sides in the front-rear direction, which is the width direction of the plate. The retaining part 4D is pressed in from below relative to the movable housing 3.

[0104] The front elastic portion 4E provides elastic support to the contact portion 4F, allowing the contact portion 4F to shift relative to the movable housing 3. The front elastic portion 4E has a first elongated portion 4E1 on one end and a second elongated portion 4E2 on the other end. Both the first elongated portion 4E1 and the second elongated portion 4E2 extend upward in a direction inclined inward with respect to the width direction, but the first elongated portion 4E1 has a larger angle of inclination relative to the upward direction compared to the second elongated portion 4E2.

[0105] The contact portion 4F contacts the mating side terminal of the mating side connector, which is the "connection object". The contact portion 4F is bent in a way that it protrudes inward in the width direction. Between the contact portion 4F and the front end elastic portion 4E, a curved portion 4F1 is formed in such a way that the contact portion 4F protrudes inward in the width direction.

[0106] Fixed Shell 2

[0107] use Figures 9-12 The following section explains the fixed housing 2.

[0108] (Terminal holding part 2A)

[0109] The fixed housing 2 has a terminal holding part 2A.

[0110] Terminal holding part 2A holds a portion of terminal 4 (fixed side held part 4B).

[0111] The terminal retaining part 2A has a side wall 2A1. A plurality of press-in grooves extending in the vertical direction are formed on the inner side surface of the side wall 2A1 in the width direction. In these plurality of press-in grooves, the fixing sides of a plurality of terminals 4 are pressed in from the bottom by the retaining part 4B.

[0112] Multiple terminal holding parts 2A are formed on the fixed housing 2.

[0113] The multiple terminal holding section 2A is composed of a pair of first terminal holding sections 21A and a pair of second terminal holding sections 22A. The first terminal holding section 21A holds a plurality of first terminals 41, and the second terminal holding section 22A holds a plurality of second terminals 42.

[0114] A first configuration space 21S is formed between a pair of first terminal holding portions 21A, in which a first movable housing 31 is disposed, and a second configuration space 22S is formed between a pair of second terminal holding portions 22A, in which a second movable housing 32 is disposed.

[0115] The terminal holding part 2A has an upper wall 2A2 that extends from the upper end of the side wall 2A1 inward in the width direction.

[0116] like Figure 7 As shown, the side wall 2A1 protects the middle elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4 from the outside in the width direction, and the upper wall 2A2 protects the middle elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4 from the top. The side wall 2A1 and the upper wall 2A2 function as "protective walls" for protecting the middle elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4.

[0117] The terminal holding part 2A has a reinforcing part 2A3 that reinforces the upper wall 2A2. Figure 10 ).

[0118] The reinforcing part 2A3 connects the upper wall 2A2 and the side wall 2A1 at both ends in the extending direction of the terminal holding part 2A. The reinforcing part 2A3 is formed inside the width direction of the upper end of the side wall 2A1 and below the upper wall 2A2.

[0119] (Middle section 2B)

[0120] The fixed housing 2 has an intermediate portion 2B formed between the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A.

[0121] The intermediate portion 2B has a side wall 2B1 formed between a first terminal holding portion 21A on one side and a second terminal holding portion 22A on one side, a side wall 2B1 formed between a first terminal holding portion 21A on the other side and a second terminal holding portion 22A on the other side, and a top wall 2B2 (“intermediate connecting portion”) connecting the side walls 2B1 on one side and the other side.

[0122] (Front end 21C)

[0123] The fixed housing 2 has a front end portion 21C.

[0124] The front end portion 21C is formed on the front side compared to a pair of first terminal holding portions 21A, connecting the front end of one first terminal holding portion 21A and the front end of the other first terminal holding portion 21A.

[0125] (Rear end 22C)

[0126] The fixed housing 2 has a rear end 22C.

[0127] The rear end portion 22C is formed on the rear side compared to a pair of second terminal holding portions 22A, connecting the rear end of one side of the second terminal holding portion 22A and the rear end of the other side of the second terminal holding portion 22A.

[0128] The front end portion 21C and the rear end portion 22C are designed to have substantially the same structure. Hereinafter, without making a special distinction between the front end portion 21C and the rear end portion 22C, they will be referred to as the front and rear ends 2C.

[0129] like Figure 10 As shown, a constraint space 6 is formed on the fixed housing 2, which constrains a portion (protrusion 36) of the movable housing 3.

[0130] Multiple constraint spaces 6 are formed on the fixed shell 2. The multiple constraint spaces 6 are composed of a front constraint space 6A1, a middle constraint space 6B and a rear constraint space 6A2.

[0131] like Figure 6 As shown, the protrusion 36 on the front side of the first movable housing 31 is constrained in the front constraint space 6A1.

[0132] The rear protrusion 36 of the second movable housing 32 is constrained in the rear constraint space 6A2.

[0133] The protrusion 36 on the rear side of the first movable housing 31 and the protrusion 36 on the front side of the second movable housing 32 are constrained in the intermediate constraint space 6B.

[0134] A front constraint space 6A1 is formed at the front end 21C of the fixed housing 2. A rear constraint space 6A2 is formed at the rear end 22C of the fixed housing 2. A middle constraint space 6B is formed at the middle part 2B of the fixed housing 2. The front end 21C, the rear end 22C, and the middle part 2B function as "constraint space forming parts" for forming the constraint spaces 6.

[0135] The front and rear ends 2C have a pair of sidewalls 2C1 formed on both sides in the width direction and a top wall 2C2 connecting the pair of sidewalls 2C1. A constraint space 6 is formed between the pair of sidewalls 2C1 and below the top wall 2C2.

[0136] The front and rear ends 2C have reinforcing walls 2C3.

[0137] Reinforcing wall 2C3 forms the outer wall in the front-rear direction of constrained space 6. The lower surface of reinforcing wall 2C3 is coplanar with the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls 2C1. Figure 10 ).

[0138] (2D press-in part for fixing metal part 5)

[0139] A press-in portion 2D is formed on a pair of sidewalls 2C1 at the front and rear ends 2C for pressing in a metal part 5 for fixing. However, no press-in portion 2D is formed on the middle part 2B.

[0140] In the pressing section 2D, the fixing metal part 5 is pressed in from the top. With the fixing metal part 5 pressed in the pressing section 2D, the substrate fixing portion 5B of the fixing metal part 5 does not protrude outward in the width direction compared to the outer side of the front and rear end portions 2C. Figure 3).

[0141] (Drum section 2F)

[0142] A bulge 2F is formed at the front and rear ends 2C. Figure 9 ).

[0143] A bulge 2F is formed at the center of the front and rear end portions 2C in the width direction. At the location where the bulge 2F is formed, the height of the upper surface of the front and rear end portions 2C is slightly higher than that of other locations.

[0144] (End protection unit)

[0145] The front and rear ends 2C also function as end protection portions of the substrate fixing portion 4A (end portion) that protects multiple terminals 4. The front and rear ends 2C protrude outward in the width direction relative to the outer side of the terminal holding portion 2A. The outer side of the front end 21C and the outer side of the rear end 22C are formed on the same plane, and the substrate fixing portion 4A (end portion) that houses multiple terminals 4 is located inside this virtual plane in the width direction. Figure 3 ).

[0146] The front and rear ends 2C have protrusions 2G that are inserted into holes formed in the substrate.

[0147] (Middle section)

[0148] The middle portion 2B has a pair of sidewalls 2B1 formed on both sides in the width direction and a top wall 2B2 connecting the pair of sidewalls 2B1. An intermediate constraint space 6B is formed between the pair of sidewalls 2B1 and below the top wall 2B2. The intermediate constraint space 6B is a space that is open in the downward direction and on both sides in the front-back direction.

[0149] like Figure 9 As shown, the upper surfaces of the pair of sidewalls 2B1 of the middle portion 2B and the upper surface of the top wall 2B2 of the middle portion 2B form the same plane. The height of the upper surface of the middle portion 2B is the same as the height of the bulges 2F at the front and rear ends 2C. Figure 5 ).

[0150] (Restricted surface)

[0151] The fixed housing 2 has the function of restricting the movable area of ​​the movable housing 3 by abutting against it.

[0152] That is, the fixed housing 2 is configured to abut against the movable housing 3, and has limiting surfaces 7 and 8 that restrict the movement of the movable housing 3 within a predetermined movable area. Figure 11 , Figure 12 ).

[0153] The limiting surface 7 formed at the front and rear ends 2C and the limiting surface 7 formed in the middle part 2B are limiting surfaces with approximately the same structure.

[0154] However, a forward-facing limiting surface 7 and a rearward-facing limiting surface 7 are formed on the middle portion 2B. The forward-facing limiting surface 7 can abut against the first movable housing 31, and the rearward-facing limiting surface 7 can abut against the second movable housing 32.

[0155] The following is a description of the specific structure of the limiting surface 7.

[0156] The limiting surface 7 can be abutted by the lower part 3C (including the protrusion 36) of the movable housing 3.

[0157] like Figure 12 As shown, the limiting surface 7 has an upper limiting surface 71 that abuts against the protrusion 36 of the movable housing 3, a pair of width-direction limiting surfaces 72 that abut against the protrusion 36 of the movable housing 3, and a front and rear limiting surface 73 that abuts against the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3.

[0158] The upper limiting surface 71 is the lower surface of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2. The width-direction limiting surface 72 is the side surface of the pair of side walls 2B1 and 2C1. The front and rear limiting surfaces 73 are the end faces of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2.

[0159] (Front and rear restriction surfaces 73)

[0160] like Figure 12 As shown, the front and rear limiting surfaces 73 have a central surface 73A, a pair of outer surface surfaces 73B, and a pair of concave surfaces 73C.

[0161] A central surface 73A is formed at the center of the width direction of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2. The central surface 73A is a plane with the normal direction pointing towards the front-rear direction. When the movable housing 3 moves parallel to the front-rear direction from its standard position, the recessed part of the movable housing 3 abuts against the surface 39A (see reference). Figure 24 It abuts against the central surface 73A.

[0162] A pair of outer side surfaces 73B are formed at the outer ends of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2 in the width direction. The pair of outer side surfaces 73B are planes with their normal direction pointing inwards in the front-rear direction. The front-rear position of the outer side surfaces 73B coincides with the central surface 73A. When the movable housing 3 moves parallel to the central surface 73A after moving parallel to the central surface 73A from its standard position in either direction of width, the recessed abutment surface 39A of the movable housing 3 and either of the pair of outer side surfaces 73B abut against the central surface 73A. Figure 24 ).

[0163] A concave surface 73C is formed between the central surface 73A and the outer surface 73B. The concave surface 73C is recessed relative to the central surface 73A in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the first arrangement space 21S or the second arrangement space 22S expands in the front-rear direction). Through the concave surface 73C, the space through which the mating portion 3B (upper part 3B) of the movable housing 3 passes during connector manufacturing is enlarged (see reference). Figure 20 ).

[0164] By forming a pair of concave surfaces 73C, a convex portion 2H is formed between the pair of concave surfaces 73C, protruding in opposite directions (in the direction close to the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3 in the front-rear direction).

[0165] like Figure 24 As shown, the concave surface 73C has a first surface 73C1 adjacent to the central surface 73A, a second surface 73C2 adjacent to the outer surface 73B, and a third surface 73C3 between the first surface 73C1 and the second surface 73C2. The first surface 73C1 faces outward in the width direction. The second surface 73C2 faces inward in the width direction and is inclined in the front-back direction. The third surface 73C3 faces in the front-back direction.

[0166] (Width direction limiting surface 72)

[0167] The width-direction limiting surface 72 has a pair of width-direction surfaces 72A and a pair of inclined surfaces 72B.

[0168] The pair of width direction surfaces 72A of the width direction constraint surface 72 are surfaces located outside the width direction of the constraint space 6, and are planes whose normal direction is oriented towards the inside of the width direction.

[0169] A pair of inclined surfaces 72B of the width-direction limiting surface 72 are formed on the side closer to the terminal holding portion 2A compared to the pair of width-direction surfaces 72A. The pair of inclined surfaces 72B obliquely connect the pair of width-direction surfaces 72A and the inner side surface of the side wall 2A1 of the terminal holding portion 2A in the width direction. The pair of inclined surfaces 72B are planes with the normal direction facing inward in the width direction and in an oblique direction in the front-back direction.

[0170] The inclined surface 72B of the width-direction limiting surface 72 is located on the same plane as the second surface 73C2 of the concave surface 73C. For example... Figure 24 As shown, a recess is formed between the inclined surface 72B of the width-direction limiting surface 72 and the second surface 73C2 of the concave surface 73C, corresponding to the outer surface 73B. In this recess, when the movable housing 3 moves parallel in the front-rear direction after moving parallel in any direction in the width direction from the standard position, a portion of the movable housing 3 enters the recess.

[0171] (Formed on the limiting surface 8 of the terminal holding portion 2A)

[0172] like Figure 7 As shown, the limiting surface 8 is a limiting surface formed on the upper wall 2A2 of the terminal holding part 2A, which can be abutted by the outer side 3A2 of the movable housing 3 in the width direction.

[0173] Movable Shell 3

[0174] use Figures 13-17 The movable housing 3 will be explained in detail below.

[0175] (Main Body 3A)

[0176] The movable housing 3 has a main body 3A.

[0177] The main body 3A is generally rectangular in shape, having a pair of front-to-back outer surfaces 3A1 with their normal direction pointing outward in the front-to-back direction and a pair of width-direction outer surfaces 3A2 with their normal direction pointing outward in the width direction. Furthermore, the main body 3A has four connecting surfaces 3A3 that obliquely connect the front-to-back outer surfaces 3A1 and the width-direction outer surfaces 3A2. The front-to-back outer surfaces 3A1, the width-direction outer surfaces 3A2, and the connecting surfaces 3A3 extend across the entire vertical direction of the main body 3A, forming a single plane. However, due to the formation of the recess 39, the front-to-back outer surfaces 3A1 and the connecting surfaces 3A3 are only formed on the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0178] An insertion space 3H is formed on the main body 3A for inserting a part (fitting part) of a mating connector that serves as the object to be connected. The insertion space 3H opens upward. By forming the insertion space 3H on the main body 3A, a pair of front-rear direction walls 37 that are opposite each other in the front-rear direction and a pair of width direction walls 33 that are opposite each other in the width direction are formed on the main body 3A.

[0179] The main body 3A has a first terminal configuration section 34 for configuring a portion of the terminal 4 (movable side holding section 4D, front end elastic section 4E, contact section 4F).

[0180] The first terminal configuration section 34 comprises a terminal configuration groove 34B formed on the inner side of the width direction wall 33 and a terminal configuration hole 34A formed below the terminal configuration groove 34B and extending through in the vertical direction. In the terminal configuration hole 34A, the movable side of the terminal 4 is configured in a pressed-in and held state by the holding part 4D. In the terminal configuration groove 34B, the front end elastic part 4E and the contact part 4F of the terminal 4 are configured.

[0181] (Guidance Section 35)

[0182] The movable housing 3 has a pair of front and rear guides 35.

[0183] The guide section 35 guides the connection between the guide section and the mating connector.

[0184] The guide portion 35 protrudes upward. A pair of guide portions 35 are formed along the front and rear. The guide portions 35 are formed at a position outside the insertion space 3H in the front-rear direction, and are not formed at a position overlapping with the insertion space 3H in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the guide portions 35 are formed not only to a position overlapping with the insertion space 3H in the width direction, but also to a position outside the insertion space 3H in the width direction. The width dimension of the guide portion 35 is the same as the width dimension of the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3. The guide portion 35 has an upward-facing top surface 35A and an inclined surface 35B that connects to the side surfaces 3A1, 3A2, 3A3 of the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3.

[0185] (Prominent part 36)

[0186] The movable housing 3 has a pair of protrusions 36 at the front and rear.

[0187] The protrusion 36 (the constrained part) is a component used to restrict the upward movement of the movable housing 3.

[0188] A protrusion 36 is formed at the lower end of the movable housing 3. The protrusion 36 protrudes in the front-rear direction in a direction away from the main body 3A. Specifically, the front protrusion 36 protrudes in the front direction, and the rear protrusion 36 protrudes in the rear direction. The front end face 36A of the protrusion 36 is located away from the main body 3A in the front-rear direction compared to the outer surface 3A1 of the main body 3A.

[0189] The protrusion 36 is disposed in the constraint space 6 of the fixed housing 2. When the movable housing 3 moves in the upward direction, the upper surface 36B of the protrusion 36 abuts against the top walls 2B2 and 2C2 of the fixed housing 2.

[0190] The front end face 36A of the protrusion 36 is a face formed on one end of the protrusion 36 in the protruding direction. A gate mark G is formed on the front end face 36A.

[0191] The upper surface 36B of the protrusion 36 is the surface that abuts against the lower surfaces of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2 when the movable housing 3 moves upward in parallel. It is a plane in which the normal direction is oriented upward.

[0192] The lower surface 36C of the protrusion 36 is the surface that abuts against the substrate when the movable housing 3 moves downward in parallel, and the surface is such that the normal direction is oriented downward.

[0193] The pair of side surfaces 36D of the protrusion 36 are surfaces that abut against the width-direction surface 72A formed by the side walls 2B1 and 2C1 when the movable housing 3 moves parallel to each other in the width direction. These surfaces are planes with the normal direction pointing outward in the width direction. A curved surface 36E is formed between the pair of side surfaces 36D and the front end surface 36A, smoothly connecting the two.

[0194] (Entering the recess 39)

[0195] The movable housing 3 has an entry recess 39 that allows entry into an entry space 9 that forms part of the fixed housing 2 (top walls 2B2, 2C2).

[0196] By forming the recess 39, the cross-sectional shape (the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the vertical direction) of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 becomes smaller compared to the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0197] When viewed from above, the recess 39 creates a space (entry space 9) on the side of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3, which is inward in both the front-rear and width directions compared to the sides of the main body 3A (outer side 3A1 in the front-rear direction, outer side 3A2 in the width direction, and connecting surface 3A3). The entry recess 39 is formed on both sides of the movable housing 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0198] The recess 39 has a recess abutment surface 39A that abuts against the front and rear ends 2C or the middle part 2B (front and rear limiting surface 73) of the fixed housing 2 when the movable housing 3 moves in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0199] The recessed contact surface 39A faces a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0200] The recessed contact surface 39A has a first surface 39A1, a pair of second surfaces 39A2, a pair of third surfaces 39A3 and a pair of fourth surfaces 39A4.

[0201] The first surface 39A1 is a plane formed in the center of the movable shell 3 in the width direction and facing outward in the front-rear direction.

[0202] A pair of second surfaces 39A2 are connected to the outer side of the first surface 39A1 in the width direction. The pair of second surfaces 39A2 are planes facing outward in the width direction. The second surfaces 39A2 are coplanar with the side surface 36D of the protrusion 36.

[0203] A pair of third surfaces 39A3 are formed outside the width direction of a pair of second surfaces 39A2. The pair of third surfaces 39A3 are surfaces facing outward in the width direction and inclined in the front-back direction.

[0204] A pair of fourth faces 39A4 are connected to each other on the outer side in the width direction. The pair of fourth faces 39A4 are faces facing the front-back direction.

[0205] The front-to-back dimension L3 of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is smaller than the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. On the other hand, the width dimension of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is the same as the width dimension of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. However, near the front end and near the rear end of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 (where the recess 39 is formed), the width dimension is smaller compared to the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0206] An upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is formed above the entry space 9. The upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is a plane with the downward direction as its normal. The upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is located below the bottom surface 3H1 of the insertion space 3H. Figure 19 ).

[0207] The recess 39 is formed in the vertical direction at a position that does not overlap with the entire vertical range of a pair of front-rear direction walls 37 that are opposite each other in the front-rear direction across the insertion space 3H. Therefore, the strength of the front-rear direction walls 37 is ensured.

[0208] (via slot 38)

[0209] The movable housing 3 has a passage groove 38 that serves as a "recess".

[0210] By forming the through groove 38, during the manufacturing of connector 1, when the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 passes from bottom to top through the arrangement space 21S, 22S of the fixed housing 2, a portion (protrusion 2H) of the fixed housing 2 can pass through the through groove 38 of the movable housing 3. Figure 20 , Figure 21 ).

[0211] A through groove 38 is formed on the outer surface 3A1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 in the front-rear direction. It is located at the center of the movable housing 3 in the width direction of the through groove 38. The through groove 38 extends vertically, with the front-rear direction as the groove depth direction and the width direction as the groove width direction. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the extension direction of the through groove 38 is rectangular. The through groove 38 is formed on both of the two outer surfaces in the front-rear direction of the movable housing 3.

[0212] like Figure 21 As shown, by forming the through groove 38, the front-to-back dimension L2 of the position (position in the width direction) where the through groove 38 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is formed is smaller than the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. Therefore, although the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is larger than the front-to-back distance D between the front and back pairs of top walls 2B2, 2C2 that abut against one of the movable housing 3, the upper part 3B (fitting part 3B) of the movable housing 3 can pass through the space between the front and back pairs of top walls 2B2, 2C2 in the vertical direction.

[0213] <Effects>

[0214] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.

[0215] First Viewpoint

[0216] In this embodiment, the connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2, a first movable housing 31 having a first fitting portion 3B capable of fitting with a first connecting object (a mating-side connector), and a second movable housing 32 having a second fitting portion 3B capable of fitting with a second connecting object (a mating-side connector).

[0217] Furthermore, connector 1 includes a first terminal 41 and a second terminal 42. The first terminal 41 has a first fixed side holding portion 4B held in the fixed housing 2, a first movable side holding portion 4D held in the first movable housing 31, and a first intermediate elastic portion 4C located between the first fixed side holding portion 4B and the first movable side holding portion 4D. The second terminal 42 has a second fixed side holding portion 4B held in the fixed housing 2, a second movable side holding portion 4D held in the second movable housing 32, and a second intermediate elastic portion 4C located between the second fixed side holding portion 4B and the second movable side holding portion 4D.

[0218] The fixed housing 2 has a first terminal holding part 21A that holds the first fixed side holding part 4B of the first terminal 41 and a second terminal holding part 22A that holds the second fixed side holding part 4B of the second terminal 42.

[0219] Here, assuming that the portion holding the first terminal 41 (first terminal holding portion 21A) in the fixed housing 2 and the portion holding the second terminal 42 (second terminal holding portion 22A) in the fixed housing 2 are separate, there is a possibility that the relative positions of the first fixed side holding portion 4B of the first terminal 41 and the second fixed side holding portion 4B of the second terminal deviate from the predetermined positions.

[0220] In contrast, in this embodiment, since the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A in the fixed housing 2 are integrally molded from resin, the relative positions of the first fixed side held portion 4B of the first terminal 41 and the second fixed side held portion 4B of the second terminal 42 are prevented from deviating from the predetermined positions.

[0221] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a gate mark G (referred to as a mark formed at the position corresponding to the gate into which molten resin flows into the molding die) is formed in the middle portion 2B connecting the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A. Figure 11 ).

[0222] Therefore, when molding the fixed housing 2, molten resin can flow in from the portion located between the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A. This allows the molten resin to flow effectively within the molding die, preventing a decrease in the strength of the fixed housing 2 or distortion of its shape.

[0223] In particular, in this embodiment, since no pressing portion 2D for pressing in the fixing metal part 5 is formed in the middle portion 2B of the fixing housing 2, the molten resin flows smoothly from the middle portion 2B. Furthermore, since the fixing metal part 5 is arranged at the four corners of the fixing housing 2, the fixing of the fixing housing 2 relative to the substrate (the object to be mounted) is sufficiently strengthened.

[0224] Furthermore, it is preferable that the weld seam, which is the part where the molten resin flowing in the molding die collides with each other, is formed at the front and rear ends 2C connecting the pair of terminal retainers. This is because the front and rear ends 2C have lower strength requirements compared to the terminal retainer 2A.

[0225] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed housing 2 has a storage space (first configuration space 21S, second configuration space 22S) that allows the fixed housing 2 to pass through in the vertical direction and to accommodate the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32. Figure 11 The storage space (first configuration space 21S, second configuration space 22S) is divided into a first storage space 21S for storing the first movable housing 31 and a second storage space 22S for storing the second movable housing 32 by the middle connecting part (top wall 2B2 of the middle part 2B) of the fixed housing 2.

[0226] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shrinkage of the resin constituting the fixed shell 2 during the molding of the fixed shell 2, and the deformation of the fixed shell 2 accompanied by the shrinkage.

[0227] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion (the top wall 2B2 of the intermediate portion 2B) restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing 31, and restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing 32 by abutting against the second movable housing 32.

[0228] This allows the intermediate connecting parts to function effectively.

[0229] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first upper abutment portion (protrusion 36) of the first movable housing 31 abuts against the first upper limiting portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) of the fixed housing 2, thereby restricting the upward movement of the first movable housing 31. Similarly, the second upper abutment portion (protrusion 36) of the second movable housing 32 abuts against the second upper limiting portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) of the fixed housing 2, thereby restricting the upward movement of the second movable housing 32.

[0230] Here, the first upper abutment portion (protrusion 36) and the second upper abutment portion (protrusion 36) protrude in the arrangement direction (in this embodiment, the front-back direction) that is the direction in which the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 are arranged.

[0231] Therefore, the connector 1 can be miniaturized in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (in this embodiment, the width direction) among the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0232] Second Viewpoint

[0233] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained from other perspectives.

[0234] In this embodiment, such as Figure 19 As shown, connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2 and a movable housing 3. The movable housing 3 has a protrusion 36 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing 2 has a constraint space forming portion (front and rear ends 2C) that forms a constraint space 6 that constrains the protrusion 36. The constraint space forming portion (front and rear ends 2C) has a pair of sidewalls 2A1 located laterally to the protrusion 36 and a top wall 2C2 located above the protrusion 36. The top wall 2B2 restricts the upward movement of the movable housing 3 by abutting against the protrusion 36.

[0235] Here, the constrained space forming part (front and rear end 2C) has a reinforcing wall 2C3 located on the protruding side relative to the protrusion 36 and connected to a pair of sidewalls 2A1.

[0236] Therefore, by reinforcing the wall 2C3, the area near the top wall 2C2 in the constrained space forming part (front and rear end parts 2C) is strengthened, thus suppressing the damage to the constrained space forming part (front and rear end parts 2C).

[0237] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the movable housing 3 moves to its limit in the protruding direction (the front-rear direction in this embodiment), the protrusion 36 does not abut against the reinforcing wall 2C3. Figure 22 Therefore, the reinforcing wall 2C3 itself requires lower strength. As a result, the reinforcing wall 2C3 can be made thinner, and the fixed shell 2 can be miniaturized.

[0238] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a gate mark G is formed on the protruding end face (front end face 36A) of the protrusion 36. Figure 13 In connector 1, it is effective when the constraint space forming part (front and rear ends 2C) is formed at a lower position.

[0239] That is, in the movable housing 3 where a gate mark G is formed on the protruding end face 36A of the protrusion 36, there is a limit to the miniaturization of the protrusion 36 when it is desirable to ensure the size of the gate for injecting molten resin. As a result, the constraint space 6 that constrains the protrusion 36 also needs to be of a certain size. In order to accommodate the protrusion 36, which has a limit to miniaturization, and to reduce the height of the constraint space forming part (front and rear ends 2C) of the fixed housing 2, it is considered to thin the top wall 2C2. However, when the top wall 2C2 is thinned, there is a concern that the constraint space forming part may break near the thinned top wall 2C2, as the movable housing 3 strongly abuts against the fixed housing 2. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing wall 2C3, the breakage of the constraint space forming part is suppressed.

[0240] The Third Way

[0241] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained from other perspectives.

[0242] In this embodiment, the connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2, a first movable housing 31 having a first fitting portion 3B capable of fitting with a first connecting object, a second movable housing 32 having a second fitting portion 3B capable of fitting with a second connecting object, a first terminal 41, and a second terminal 42.

[0243] The first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (front-back direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first movable housing 31 has a first side protrusion 36 (the rearmost protrusion 36 of the pair of front and rear protrusions 36 of the first movable housing 31) that protrudes toward the side of the second movable housing 32 (rearward direction) in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the second movable housing 32 has a second side protrusion 36 (the frontmost protrusion 36 of the pair of front and rear protrusions 36 of the second movable housing 32) that protrudes toward the side of the first movable housing 31 (forward direction) in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0244] Furthermore, the fixed housing 2 has a constraint space forming portion (intermediate portion 2B) that forms a constraint space (intermediate constraint space 6B) that constrains both the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36. The constraint space forming portion 2B has a top wall 2B2 located above the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36. The top wall 2B2 can restrict the upward movement of the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 by abutting against the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36.

[0245] Here, the constraint space 6B has a shared constraint space in which both the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 can be located.

[0246] Therefore, for example, when the first movable housing 31 moves in a direction away from the second movable housing 32 (forward direction), the second side protrusion 36 of the second movable housing 32 can move within the space where the first side protrusion 36 was located before the movement. Furthermore, for example, when the second movable housing 32 moves in a direction away from the first movable housing, the first side protrusion 36 of the first movable housing 31 can move within the space where the second side protrusion 36 was located before the movement. That is, at least a portion of the constraint space 6B is shared by the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36.

[0247] Therefore, it makes it easy to miniaturize the connector in the alignment direction.

[0248] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the standard state ( Figure 5 , Figure 6 In the state shown, the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 are adjacent in the arrangement direction (front-back direction). Specifically, the distance between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the arrangement direction (front-back direction) in the standard state is smaller than the distance the first movable housing 31 can move towards the second movable housing 32 from the standard state (rearward direction), and smaller than the distance the second movable housing 32 can move towards the first movable housing 31 from the standard state (forward direction). More specifically, the distance between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the arrangement direction (front-back direction) in the standard state is less than 1 / 5 of the distance the first movable housing 31 can move towards the second movable housing 32 from the standard state (rearward direction), and less than 1 / 5 of the distance the second movable housing 32 can move towards the first movable housing 31 from the standard state (forward direction).

[0249] Therefore, connector 1 is more easily miniaturized in the arrangement direction.

[0250] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mating-side connector (not shown) that serves as the connection object of connector 1 is composed of a first fitting portion (not shown) that serves as the first connection object and a second fitting portion (not shown) that serves as the second connection object, and the mating-side connector is configured such that the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion do not have relative displacement.

[0251] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, when the interval between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the standard state is set to d, d > 0, but it can also be d = 0. That is, in the standard state, the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 can also be in contact in the arrangement direction.

[0252] Other methods

[0253] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained from other perspectives.

[0254] In this embodiment, the connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2 and a movable housing 3. The movable housing 3 has an upper part 3B and a lower part 3C. Figure 14 , Figure 15 The fixed housing 2 has a lateral portion (the top wall 2B2, 2C2 serving as the entry portion) disposed in the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3.

[0255] Here, the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is configured such that an entry space 9 is formed on the side of the lower part 3C, located below the upper part 3B. Then, by moving the movable housing 3 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (in this embodiment, the front-back direction), the entry part (top walls 2B2, 2C2) can enter the entry space 9. Figure 22 ).

[0256] Therefore, unlike the space located below the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 and the space that can be accessed by the movable housing 3 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction to fix a part of the housing 2, the connector on the side of the lower part 3C is not formed. This ensures that the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 remains unchanged, thereby increasing the movable area of ​​the movable housing 3 in the horizontal direction (the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction).

[0257] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is a fitting part 3B, but it cannot be said that the above effect is not limited to the case where the upper part 3B is a fitting part 3B.

[0258] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movable housing 3 has a protrusion 36 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Then, the entry part (top wall 2B2, 2C2) is an "upper restriction part" that restricts the upward movement of the movable housing 3 by abutting against the entry part (top wall 2B2, 2C2) by the protrusion 36.

[0259] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in the connector 1 with an "upper limiting part" for limiting the upward movement of the movable housing 3 in the fixed housing 2, it is possible to ensure that the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 remains unchanged while increasing the horizontal displacement of the movable housing 3.

[0260] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed housing 2 has opposing portions (top walls 2B2, 2C2) that are opposite to the entry portions (top walls 2B2, 2C2) in the protruding direction. A passage space (arrangement space 21S, 22S) is formed between the entry portions (top walls 2B2, 2C2) and the opposing portions (top walls 2B2, 2C2), and the passage space (arrangement space 21S, 22S) is configured such that the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 can pass through in the vertical direction.

[0261] Therefore, in the connector 1, which requires the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 to pass through the passage space (configuration space 21S, 22S) formed by the fixed housing 2, it is possible to ensure that the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 remains unchanged while increasing the horizontal displacement of the movable housing 3.

[0262] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) has a protrusion 2H that protrudes inward in a first direction (a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and close to the center of the movable housing 3). The upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 has a recess (through groove 38) that is recessed inward in the first direction. The recess (through groove 38) is configured such that the protrusion 2H can pass through in the vertical direction.

[0263] The protrusion 2H of the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) functions as an "upper restriction portion," thus more reliably restricting the upward movement of the movable housing 3. Furthermore, during connector assembly, the protrusion 2H can enter the entry space 9 after assembly via the recess (through groove 38) in the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. Figure 20 , Figure 21 Furthermore, the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 has a recess (through groove 38), but since there is a portion that does not form a recess (through groove 38), the size (first direction dimension) of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 can be ensured.

[0264] In particular, in this embodiment, since the size of the insertion space 3H formed in the upper part 3B (fitting part 3B) of the movable housing 3 can be kept constant while increasing the thickness of the peripheral wall (especially the front-to-back wall 37), the strength of the peripheral wall can be improved.

[0265] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the movable housing 3 moves to its limit in the opposite direction of the protrusion, the protrusion 36 is only opposite to the protrusion 2H in the vertical direction of the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2). Figure 23 Therefore, it is possible to increase the movable area of ​​the movable shell in the opposite direction of the three-way protrusion.

[0266] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of increasing the movable area of ​​the movable housing 3 in the opposite direction of the protrusion, it is not necessarily required that the protrusion 36 be opposite to the convex portion 2H in the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) in the vertical direction when the movable housing 3 moves to its limit in the opposite direction of the protrusion. For example, it means that more than 80% of the overlapping portion of the protrusion 36 and the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) is the overlapping portion when the protrusion 36 and the convex portion 2H are projected onto a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0267] However, it is more preferable that when the protrusion 36 and the inlet (top wall 2B2, 2C2) are projected onto a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction, 100% of the overlapping portion is the same as when the protrusion 36 and the convex portion 2H are projected onto a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0268] [Additional Explanation]

[0269] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, an example was described in which the substrate and the mating side substrate are arranged parallel to each other across the connector pair when the connector 1 is connected to the mating side connector (so-called parallel connection), but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a vertical connection or a horizontal connection may also be used.

[0270] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the housing is held relative to the terminal by press-fitting or by insert molding.

[0271] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the middle portion of the terminal is an intermediate elastic portion, but the middle portion of this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the terminal may be composed of a first portion having a fixed-side holding portion and a second portion having a movable-side holding portion, and the portion in contact with the second portion may also be the "middle portion".

[0272] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connector has two movable housings, but this disclosure is not limited to this. The connector may have one or more movable housings.

[0273] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the housing is a single-piece molded resin housing 2 or 3, but the housing disclosed herein is not limited to this. For example, the housing may also be constructed by combining resin and metal. Specifically, the upper limiting portion that fixes the housing may also be constructed from a metal component.

[0274] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the through groove 38, which serves as a recess, is formed on both of the pair of front-rear outer surfaces of the movable housing 3, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the recess may also be formed only on one side of the front-rear outer surface 3A1 of the movable housing 3.

[0275] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, multiple terminals are held on a movable housing, but this disclosure is not limited to this. A single terminal may also be held on a movable housing.

[0276] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the middle part 2B has a middle connecting part (the top wall 2B2 of the middle part 2B), but it may also be without a middle connecting part.

[0277] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0278] 1 Connector

[0279] 2. Fixed housing

[0280] 2A Terminal Holding Section

[0281] 2B Intermediate Section (Constrained Space Formation Section)

[0282] 2B1 sidewall

[0283] 2B2 Top Wall

[0284] 2C Front and rear ends (constraint space forming part)

[0285] 2C1 sidewall

[0286] 2C2 Top Wall

[0287] 2C3 reinforced wall

[0288] 2H convex part

[0289] 21A First Terminal Holding Section

[0290] 21C Front end

[0291] 21S First Configuration Space (First Storage Space)

[0292] 22A Second Terminal Holding Section

[0293] 22C Rear End

[0294] 22S Second Configuration Space (Second Storage Space)

[0295] 3. Movable shell

[0296] 31 First movable shell

[0297] 32 Second movable housing

[0298] 3B Upper part (fitting part)

[0299] 3C lower part

[0300] 36. Protrusion

[0301] 36A Front end face (protruding end face)

[0302] 38. Through the groove (recess)

[0303] 39 Entering the recess

[0304] 4 terminals

[0305] 41 First terminal

[0306] 42 Second terminal

[0307] 4B Fixed side retaining part

[0308] 4C Intermediate Elastic Section (Intermediate Section)

[0309] 4D movable side retaining part

[0310] 6. Constraint Space

[0311] 6A1 Front Constraint Space

[0312] 6A2 Rear Constraint Space

[0313] 6B Intermediate Constraint Space

[0314] 7. Restricted Surface

[0315] 8 Restricted Surfaces

[0316] 9. Enter the space.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: The housing is fixed in position relative to the object to be installed. The first movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a first fitting portion that can fit into the first connected object; The second movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a second fitting part that can fit into the second connected object; The first terminal has a first fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed side holding portion and the first movable side holding portion; as well as The second terminal has a second fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed side holding portion and the second movable side holding portion. The fixed housing has: A first terminal holding portion, a first fixed side holding portion holding the first terminal; and The second terminal holding portion holds the second fixed side of the second terminal. At least the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion within the fixed housing are integrally molded from resin. The fixed housing has a middle portion connecting the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion. A gate mark is formed in the middle section.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The fixed housing has: The storage space extends vertically through the fixed housing and houses both the first movable housing and the second movable housing; and The intermediate connecting part divides the storage space into a first storage space for storing the first movable shell and a second storage space for storing the second movable shell.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The fixed housing has: The storage space extends vertically through the fixed housing and houses both the first movable housing and the second movable housing; and The intermediate connecting part divides the storage space into a first storage space for storing the first movable shell and a second storage space for storing the second movable shell. The fixed housing has a first upper limiting part and a second upper limiting part. The first movable housing has a first upper abutment portion, which restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first upper limiting portion. The second movable housing has a second upper abutment portion, which restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second upper limiting portion. The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined orientation. Both the first upper abutment portion and the second upper abutment portion protrude in the arrangement direction. The intermediate connecting portion functions as both the first upper limiting portion and the second upper limiting portion.

4. A connector comprising: The housing is fixed in position relative to the object to be installed. The first movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a first fitting part that can fit into the first connected object; The second movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a second fitting part that can fit into the second connected object; The first terminal has a first fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed side holding portion and the first movable side holding portion; as well as The second terminal has a second fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed side holding portion and the second movable side holding portion. The fixed housing has: A first terminal holding portion, a first fixed side holding portion holding the first terminal; and The second terminal holding portion holds the second fixed side of the second terminal. At least the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion within the fixed housing are integrally molded from resin. The fixed housing has: The storage space extends vertically through the fixed housing and houses both the first movable housing and the second movable housing; and The intermediate connecting part divides the storage space into a first storage space for storing the first movable shell and a second storage space for storing the second movable shell. The intermediate connecting portion restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first movable housing, and restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second movable housing.

5. A connector comprising: The housing is fixed in position relative to the object to be installed. The first movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a first fitting part that can fit into the first connected object; The second movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a second fitting part that can fit into the second connected object; The first terminal has a first fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a first movable side holding portion held in the first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed side holding portion and the first movable side holding portion; as well as The second terminal has a second fixed side holding portion held in the fixed housing, a second movable side holding portion held in the second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed side holding portion and the second movable side holding portion. The fixed housing has: A first terminal holding portion, a first fixed side holding portion holding the first terminal; and The second terminal holding portion holds the second fixed side of the second terminal. At least the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion within the fixed housing are integrally molded from resin. The fixed housing has a first upper limiting part and a second upper limiting part. The first movable housing has a first upper abutment portion, which restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by abutting against the first upper limiting portion. The second movable housing has a second upper abutment portion, which restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by abutting against the second upper limiting portion. The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined orientation. Both the first upper abutment portion and the second upper abutment portion protrude in the arrangement direction.

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