Terminals, wire connectors, and wire-to-board connectors

Abstract

The present invention provides a terminal that can reliably prevent the terminal from being pulled out and the terminal and the housing from being damaged, and can reliably fix the terminal to the housing, and can achieve low height and miniaturization, simple structure, small number of parts, simple manufacturing, low cost, and high reliability. The terminal of the present invention is connected to the end of the electric wire, and has a main body connected to the core wire of the electric wire and a contact portion with a "コ"-shaped cross section connected to the front end of the main body and in contact with the mating side terminal. The contact portion includes: an upper plate portion connected to the main body portion; a lower plate portion parallel to the upper plate portion; a side plate portion connecting the end edges of either the left or right side of the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion; a front end engaging recess defined on three sides by the upper plate portion, the lower plate portion, and the side plate portion; an inclined protrusion extending obliquely downward from the rear end of the lower plate portion; and a middle plate portion extending between the inclined protrusion and the upper plate portion and along the width direction of the contact portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal, an electric wire connector and a wire-to-board connector. Background Art

[0002] In the past, in order to connect wires such as cables to substrates such as printed circuit boards, wire-to-board connectors were used (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such wire-to-board connectors mate a wire connector connected to the end of the wire with a substrate connector mounted on the surface of the substrate.

[0003] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a conventional electric wire connector and a board connector are fitted together.

[0004] Figure 13 In FIG. 8 , reference numeral 801 denotes a wire connector, which is mated with a substrate connector 901 mounted on the surface of a substrate (not shown).

[0005] The wire connector 801 includes a wire housing 811 and a plurality of wire terminals 861 mounted on the wire housing 811 .

[0006] The wire housing 811 includes a main body 812, a mating protrusion 814 projecting from the main body 812 in the mating direction (rightward in the figure), and a plurality of terminal insertion holes 813. The terminal insertion holes 813 are cavities formed within the main body 812 and the mating protrusion 814 and extending in the mating direction. Each wire terminal 861 is inserted into and accommodated within each terminal insertion hole 813. Furthermore, a plurality of lances 815 are formed on the lower surface of the wire housing 811. These lances 815 engage the wire terminals 861 housed within the terminal insertion holes 813 and prevent them from falling out.

[0007] The wire terminals 861 are made of metal plates that are connected to the front ends of the corresponding wires 891. A substantially box-shaped contact portion 864 is formed on the front end side in the mating direction. The contact portion 864 includes an upper surface portion 864a located on the upper side and a lower surface portion 864b located on the lower side. An engaging piece 869 is formed at the rear end of the lower surface portion 864b to engage with the front end of the lance 815.

[0008] On the other hand, the board connector 901 includes a board housing 911 and a plurality of board terminals 961 mounted on the board housing 911 .

[0009] Furthermore, the substrate housing 911 includes an insertion space 913 opened at the mating surface (left side in the figure). The insertion space 913 is a cavity extending along the mating direction, and a plurality of substrate terminals 961 are mounted therein.

[0010] Each substrate terminal 961 is formed by punching a metal plate and includes a tail portion 962, a support portion 963, and a contact arm portion 964. The lower end of the tail portion 962 is connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the substrate (not shown) by welding. Furthermore, the support portion 963 is fixed to the substrate housing 911 and extends along the lower surface of the insertion space 913. Furthermore, the contact arm portion 964 is a member extending near the upper surface of the insertion space 913 and capable of elastic displacement in the vertical direction.

[0011] As shown in the figure, when the wire connector 801 is mated with the substrate connector 901, the portion near the front end of the mating protrusion 814 of the wire housing 811 is inserted into the insertion space 913 of the substrate housing 911 and locked by a locking mechanism (not shown). This reliably maintains the mating state of the wire connector 801 and substrate connector 901. Furthermore, the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861 enters between the support portion 963 and the contact arm portion 964 of the corresponding substrate terminal 961. The upper surface 864a and lower surface 864b of the contact portion 864 contact the contact arm portion 964 and support portion 963, creating electrical conduction. Thus, the wire 891 is connected to the substrate on which the substrate connector 901 is mounted. Furthermore, because the engaging piece 869 of the wire terminal 861 engages with the front end of the lance 815, even if a pulling force is applied to the wire 891, the wire terminal 861 is reliably prevented from being pulled out of the terminal insertion hole 813 of the wire housing 811.

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-185875

[0013] However, in the conventional wire-to-board connector, if the wire 891 is strongly pulled while the wire connector 801 is mated with the board connector 901, the large force acting on the lance 815 may cause the lance 815 to deform, loosening the engagement between the tip of the lance and the engaging piece 869 of the wire terminal 861, and possibly causing the tip of the lance 815 to enter the space between the upper surface portion 864a and the lower surface portion 864b of the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861. Furthermore, if the wire 891 is strongly pulled while the tip of the lance 815 enters the space within the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861, the lance 815 may be damaged, the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861 may be damaged, or the lance 815 may be directly engaged with the wire terminal 861 while the tip of the lance 815 enters the space within the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861.

[0014] To prevent this, it may be considered to enlarge the lance 815 to prevent deformation, or to enlarge the engaging piece 869 of the wire terminal 861 to prevent disengagement from the front end of the lance 815, or to increase the thickness of the contact portion 864 of the wire terminal 861 to prevent breakage. However, in recent years, with the miniaturization of electronic components and electronic equipment, the wire connector 801 has also been gradually miniaturized. Therefore, each part of the lance 815 and the wire terminal 861 must be extremely fine, making it extremely difficult to prevent deformation of the lance 815 and the wire terminal 861 and the disengagement of the lance 815 and the wire terminal 861 when the wire 891 is strongly stretched. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a terminal, a wire connector and a wire-to-board connector, which solves the problems of the previous wire-to-board connector and appropriately sets the shape and structure of the terminal and the shell. Therefore, even if the terminal and the shell are miniaturized, the engagement of the lance of the terminal and the shell can be prevented from being released, and the terminal can be reliably prevented from being pulled out and the terminal and the shell from being damaged. The terminal can also be reliably fixed to the shell and low height and miniaturization can be achieved. In addition, the structure is simple, the number of parts is small, the manufacturing is simple, the cost is low, and the reliability is high.

[0016] To this end, a terminal integrally formed from a conductive metal plate and connected to the end of an electrical wire comprises: a main body connected to the core wire of the wire; a contact portion connected to the front end of the main body and in contact with the mating terminal, with a U-shaped cross-section. The contact portion comprises: an upper plate connected to the main body; a lower plate parallel to the upper plate; side plates connecting the left and right side edges of the upper and lower plates; a front end engaging recess defined by the upper, lower, and side plates; an inclined protrusion extending obliquely downward from the rear end of the lower plate; and a middle plate extending along the width of the contact portion between the inclined protrusion and the upper plate.

[0017] In the terminal according to another embodiment, the upper surface of the upper plate portion and the lower surface of the lower plate portion are in contact with the mating-side contact portion of the mating-side terminal.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the terminal, the width of the inclined protrusion is the same as the width of the lower plate portion.

[0019] In another embodiment of the terminal, the upper plate portion is connected to the main body portion via a base portion with a "U"-shaped cross-section connected to the front end of the main body portion, and the middle plate portion extends from the lower end of one of the left and right side walls of the base portion toward the side plate portion, and the lower surface of the middle plate portion abuts or is close to the upper surface of the rear end of the lower plate portion.

[0020] In an electric wire connector, it includes the terminal and a shell made of an insulating material on which the terminal is mounted, the shell having: a shell body; an engaging protrusion extending from the shell body; a terminal receiving hole extending through the shell body and the engaging protrusion and into which the terminal is inserted; and a shell lance extending from the shell body. The engaging protrusion includes: a recess entry portion received in a front engaging recess of a contact portion of the terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole. The shell lance includes: a base end connected to the shell body; an inclined arm extending obliquely upward from the base end; and an abutment portion, i.e., a front end of the inclined arm capable of abutting against a rear end of an inclined protrusion of the terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole.

[0021] In another embodiment of the electric wire connector, the width of the contact portion of the housing lance is substantially the same as the width of the inclined protrusion of the terminal.

[0022] In a wire-to-board connector, it is composed of a wire connector and a substrate connector that mates with the wire connector. The substrate connector is mounted on the surface of a substrate and comprises: a mating-side housing made of an insulating material; a mating-side terminal integrally formed of a conductive metal plate, in contact with the terminal of the wire connector, and mounted on the mating-side housing. The mating-side housing has: a mating recess into which the mating protrusion of the housing of the wire connector is inserted. The mating-side terminal has: a fixing portion fixed to the mating-side housing; a mating-side contact portion extending from the fixing portion and in contact with the contact portion of the terminal of the wire connector. The mating-side contact portion includes an upper contact arm portion in contact with the upper surface of the upper plate portion of the contact portion and a lower contact arm portion in contact with the lower surface of the lower plate portion of the contact portion, and clamps the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion.

[0023] According to the present invention, even if the terminal and the shell are miniaturized, the engagement of the lance portion of the terminal and the shell can be prevented from being released, the terminal can be reliably prevented from being pulled out and the terminal and the shell can be damaged, the terminal can be reliably fixed on the shell, and low height and miniaturization can be achieved, a simple structure, a small number of parts, easy manufacturing, low cost, and improved reliability can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a state before the first connector and the second connector are fitted together in this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the first connector and the second connector as viewed from the first connector side of this embodiment. Figure 2 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 2 (b) is a view viewed from obliquely below.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the first connector and the second connector as viewed from the second connector side of this embodiment. Figure 3 (a) is a view from above. Figure 3 (b) is a view viewed from obliquely below.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the first connector of this embodiment as seen from obliquely below. Figure 4 (a) is a view from the rear. Figure 4 (b) is a view viewed from the front obliquely.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first housing of this embodiment as seen from the oblique rear. Figure 5 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 5 (b) is a view viewed from obliquely below.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first housing of this embodiment as seen from obliquely below. Figure 6 (a) is a view from the rear. Figure 6 (b) is a view viewed from the front obliquely.

[0030] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a first terminal of this embodiment, Figure 7 (a) is a stereoscopic view observed from the rear. Figure 7 (b) is a stereoscopic view observed from the front obliquely. Figure 7 (c) is a side view.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the second connector of this embodiment as seen from the oblique front. Figure 8 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 8 (b) is a view viewed from obliquely below.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing a state where the first connector and the second connector according to the present embodiment are fitted together.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a side sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state of this embodiment, also along Figure 9 Sectional view from the AA direction.

[0034] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing a side cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the fitted state of this embodiment, and also shows the side cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector along the Figure 9 The stereogram of the sectional view in the AA direction, Figure 11 (a) and Figure 11 The observation angles of (b) are different.

[0035] Figure 12 is a side sectional view of a first connector of a comparative example.

[0036] Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a conventional electric wire connector and a board connector are fitted together.

[0037] Description of Reference Numerals

[0038] 1First connector

[0039] 11 First shell

[0040] 11a, upper surface of 111a

[0041] 11b, 111b lower surface

[0042] 11r, 111r rear surface

[0043] 12, 112, 183, 812 main body

[0044] 13 terminal accommodating holes

[0045] 13a upper part

[0046] 13b lower part

[0047] 13d dummy opening

[0048] 14. 814 fitting convex part

[0049] 14a: top plate portion

[0050] 14b fitting bottom plate

[0051] 14c horizontal partition

[0052] 14d longitudinal partition

[0053] 14e contact front entry

[0054] 14s middle slit

[0055] 15 Shell Spear

[0056] 15a base end

[0057] 15b tilt arm

[0058] 15c contact portion

[0059] 15d spear slit

[0060] 16a upper slit

[0061] 16b lower slit

[0062] 61 first terminal

[0063] 62 first fixing portion

[0064] 62a Wire crimping part

[0065] 63 wire connection part

[0066] 63a core wire crimping part

[0067] 65 first contact front end

[0068] 65a upper plate part

[0069] 65b lower plate

[0070] 65c side panel

[0071] 65d front end fitting recess

[0072] 65e terminal lance

[0073] 65f middle plate part

[0074] 65g slot

[0075] 91, 891 wires

[0076] 91a insulation coating

[0077] 92-core wire

[0078] 101 Second Connector

[0079] 111 Second Shell

[0080] 111f front surface

[0081] 112d auxiliary metal fixing hole

[0082] 112f protrusion

[0083] 113 fitting recess

[0084] 114 front protrusion

[0085] 114a Shoulder

[0086] 114c outer bulge

[0087] 115a Upper terminal accommodating groove

[0088] 115b lower terminal receiving groove

[0089] 115c guide protrusion

[0090] 116 terminal insertion port

[0091] 116a Second terminal holding portion

[0092] 161 second terminal

[0093] 162, 182, 962 tail

[0094] 163 contact with lower arm

[0095] 163a lower contact protrusion

[0096] 164 contacts the upper arm

[0097] 164a upper contact protrusion

[0098] 165, 184 fixed parts

[0099] 165a engagement protrusion

[0100] 181 auxiliary metal parts

[0101] 185 Shoulder Pressure

[0102] 191 substrate

[0103] 192 connection pads

[0104] 801 wire connector

[0105] 811 wire housing

[0106] 813 terminal insertion hole

[0107] 815 Spear

[0108] 861 wire terminals

[0109] 864 Contact Department

[0110] 864a upper surface

[0111] 864b lower surface

[0112] 869 card piece

[0113] 901 substrate connector

[0114] 911 substrate housing

[0115] 913 Insert Space

[0116] 961 substrate terminal

[0117] 963 support part

[0118] 964 contact arm DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a state before the first connector and the second connector are fitted together according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the first connector and the second connector as viewed from the first connector side of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the first connector and the second connector as viewed from the second connector side of this embodiment. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the first connector of this embodiment as seen from obliquely below. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first housing of this embodiment as seen from the oblique rear. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first housing of this embodiment as seen from obliquely below. Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a first terminal of this embodiment, Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the second connector of this embodiment viewed from the oblique front. Figure 2 and Figure 3 middle, Figure 2 (a) Figure 3 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 2 (b) Figure 3 (b) is the view from the bottom. Figure 4 middle, Figure 4 (a) is a view from the rear. Figure 4 (b) is a view from the front. Figure 5 middle, Figure 5 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 5 (b) is the view from the bottom. Figure 6 middle, Figure 6 (a) is a view from the rear. Figure 6 (b) is a view from the front. Figure 7 middle, Figure 7 (a) is a stereoscopic view observed from the rear. Figure 7 (b) is a stereoscopic view observed from the front obliquely. Figure 7 (c) is a side view, Figure 8 middle, Figure 8 (a) is a view viewed from above. Figure 8 (b) is a view viewed from obliquely below.

[0121] In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a first connector, serving as a wire connector, one of the wire-to-board connectors of this embodiment. This connector connects to the end of a cable comprising a plurality of wires 91. Furthermore, first connector 1 mates with second connector 101, serving as the mating connector, the other of the wire-to-board connectors of this embodiment. Second connector 101 is a surface-mount connector mounted on the surface of a substrate 191.

[0122] The wire-to-board connector of this embodiment includes the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and electrically connects the wire 91 and the substrate 191. In addition, although this embodiment describes that the wire 91 is a signal wire, the end of the wire 91 opposite the first connector 1 is connected to an electronic device (not shown), and the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are connectors for connecting the signal wire of the substrate 191, the wire 91 may include a power line and a ground line, and the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 can also serve as connectors for connecting the power line and the ground line.

[0123] Furthermore, the substrate 191 may be, for example, a printed circuit board for electronic devices, or a silicon substrate or silicon carbide substrate with electronic components directly mounted on its surface. Furthermore, the electronic devices may be, for example, personal computers, smartphones, digital televisions, car navigation systems, game consoles, or any other type of electronic device.

[0124] In the illustrated example, the second connector 101 is a so-called right-angle substrate connector. The mating recess 113, which is inserted and engaged by the mating protrusion 14 of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, is mounted on the surface of the substrate 191 with an opening in a direction parallel to the surface of the substrate 191. The second connector 101 is not limited to a right-angle connector. It can also be a so-called straight type connector in which the mating recess 113 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 191 with an opening upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis). The mating recess 113 can also be open in a direction obliquely intersecting the surface of the substrate 191, or can be open in any direction. For ease of explanation, the second connector 101 is described herein as a so-called right-angle connector.

[0125] In addition, in this embodiment, it should be understood that the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back used to illustrate the structure and movement of the various parts of the wire-to-board connector are not absolute expressions but relative expressions, which are suitable for the situation where the various parts of the wire-to-board connector are in the posture shown in the figure, and also change with the change of posture when the posture changes.

[0126] Furthermore, the first connector 1 is formed integrally with a resin such as a synthetic resin as an insulating material, and comprises: a first shell 11 as a shell, which has an overall shape of a roughly flat rectangular parallelepiped; and first terminals 61 as metal terminals, which are mounted on the first shell 11. The number of the first terminals 61 corresponds to the number of the wires 91, and is connected to the ends of the corresponding wires 91, respectively. In addition, in the illustrated example, there are 10 wires 91, but the number of wires 91 can be changed arbitrarily, for example, it can be less than or equal to 9, or greater than or equal to 11. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the plurality of wires 91 are arranged in a row along the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, they can be arranged in a zigzag staggered shape, or in two or more rows.

[0127] The first terminal 61 of this embodiment is a member formed integrally by bending and punching a conductive metal plate. Figure 7 As shown, the first terminal 61 includes a wire connection portion 63 as a main body; a first fixing portion 62 as a wire connection portion connected to the rear end of the wire connection portion 63; and a first contact tip 65 as a contact portion connected to the front end of the wire connection portion 63. The wire connection portion 63 is the portion that electrically connects to the core wire 92 of the wire 91 and includes a core crimping portion 63a that crimps and secures the core wire 92. Furthermore, the core wire 92 and the core crimping portion 63a can be more securely connected by applying solder, as needed. Furthermore, the first fixing portion 62 includes a wire crimping portion 62a that crimps and secures the wire 91 around the insulating coating 91a covering the core wire 92. By crimping the wire 91 with the wire crimping portion 62a, the first terminal 61 is securely connected to the end of the wire 91.

[0128] Furthermore, the first contact tip portion 65 is a portion that contacts a second terminal 161 that is a mating-side terminal included in the second connector 101 . In addition, the first contact front end portion 65 is an elongated square cylindrical portion with a "U"-shaped cross-section extending roughly from the front end (the positive end in the X-axis direction) of the wire connecting portion 63 to the front (positive direction of the X-axis). The first contact front end portion 65 includes: a flat upper plate portion 65a, which is connected to the front end (positive end in the X-axis direction) of the wire connecting portion 63 and extends in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction); a flat lower plate portion 65b, which extends in the front-to-back direction parallel to the upper plate portion 65a; a flat side plate portion 65c, which connects the side edge of either side of the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b (in the illustrated example, the negative side in the Y-axis direction) and extends in the front-to-back direction like the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b; and a front end fitting recess 65d, which is formed by the upper plate portion 65a, the lower plate portion 65b and the side plate portion 65c defining three sides.

[0129] More specifically, the first contact tip portion 65 includes a U-shaped groove portion 65g, which serves as a base portion connected to the front end of the wire connecting portion 63. The upper plate portion 65a is connected to the front end of the bottom wall of the groove portion 65g, thereby being connected to the wire connecting portion 63 via the groove portion 65g.

[0130] The first contact tip portion 65 further includes a terminal lance 65e, which is an inclined protrusion extending obliquely downward from the rear end (the negative end in the X-axis direction) of the lower plate portion 65b; and a middle plate portion 65f, which extends between the terminal lance 65e and the upper plate portion 65a in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first contact tip portion 65. The middle plate portion 65f is bent approximately 90 degrees and connected to the lower end of one of the left and right side walls of the groove portion 65g (the side wall opposite the side plate portion 65c). The middle plate portion 65f extends toward the side plate portion 65c in a manner generally parallel to the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b. Furthermore, the range from the front end of the first contact front end portion 65 to the middle plate portion 65f in the cavity defined on three sides by the upper plate portion 65a, the lower plate portion 65b and the side plate portion 65c constitutes a front end fitting recess 65d, and the front end fitting recess 65d is for the contact front end entry portion 14e of the first shell 11 serving as the recess entry portion to enter and fit relatively from the front.

[0131] Furthermore, because the rear end of the side plate portion 65c is connected to the other of the left and right side walls of the groove portion 65g, and the front end engaging recess 65d has a U-shaped cross-section, the first contact front end portion 65 has a large moment of inertia (square coefficient of area), high rigidity, and is less susceptible to deformation. Furthermore, because the lower surface of the middle plate portion 65f abuts or comes into proximity with the upper surface near the rear end of the lower plate portion 65b, supporting the lower plate portion 65b from above, the lower plate portion 65b is reinforced, making it less susceptible to upward deformation.

[0132] The first housing 11 includes a main body 12 extending along the width of the first connector 1 and a mating protrusion 14 extending forward from the main body 12. Furthermore, a plurality of terminal-accommodating holes 13 are formed in the first housing 11. These holes are formed on the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11 and extend in the front-to-back direction, passing through the main body 12 and the mating protrusion 14 from the rear surface 11r to the front end of the mating protrusion 14. These terminal-accommodating holes 13 accommodate the first terminal 61 connected to the end of a single wire 91 and the adjacent portion of the first terminal 61 of the wire 91. The number of terminal-accommodating holes 13 is the same as the number of wires 91, arranged in the same manner as the wires 91. Thus, in the illustrated example, ten terminal-accommodating holes 13 are arranged in a row along the width of the first connector 1. Furthermore, dummy openings 13d are formed outside the row of terminal-accommodating holes 13 on the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11.

[0133] The mating protrusion 14 comprises a flat, horizontal partition 14c extending along the width of the first connector 1; and multiple pairs of vertical partitions 14d extending upward and downward from multiple locations on the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal partition 14c. The horizontal partition 14c divides the mating protrusion 14 near the front end of each terminal-receiving hole 13 into an upper portion 13a and a lower portion 13b. Furthermore, the vertical partitions 14d define the left and right sides of each terminal-receiving hole 13.

[0134] Furthermore, the top plate portion 14a, serving as the mating top plate, is connected to the upper end of the upwardly extending longitudinal partition 14d. This mating top plate portion 14a extends forward from the main body 12 on the upper surface 11a side of the first housing 11, spanning substantially the entire length of the mating protrusion 14 in the front-to-back direction. It serves to define the upper surface of the upper portion 13a of the terminal-receiving hole 13. Upper slits 16a extending in the front-to-back direction are formed at positions corresponding to each upper portion 13a. These upper slits 16a divide the mating top plate portion 14a into multiple sections across the width of the first connector 1. Each of the divided mating top plates 14a is strip-shaped, extending from near the base end of the mating protrusion 14 to the front end. Furthermore, when the first connector 1 is mated with the second connector 101, the contact upper arm portion 164 of the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 passes through the upper slits 16a and enters the upper portion 13a of the terminal-receiving hole 13.

[0135] Furthermore, a mating bottom plate portion 14b, serving as a bottom plate, is connected to the lower end of the downwardly extending longitudinal partition 14d. This mating bottom plate portion 14b extends rearward from the front end of the mating protrusion 14 by a predetermined length and serves to define the lower surface of the lower portion 13b of the terminal-receiving hole 13. Lower slits 16b extending in the front-to-back direction are formed on this mating bottom plate portion 14b at positions corresponding to each lower portion 13b. This lower slit 16b divides the mating bottom plate portion 14b into a plurality of sections across the width of the first connector 1. Furthermore, when the first connector 1 is mated with the second connector 101, the contact lower arms 163 of the second terminals 161 of the second connector 101 pass through these lower slits 16b and enter the lower portion 13b of the terminal-receiving hole 13.

[0136] Furthermore, a contact tip entry portion 14e, formed by forming a thick wall, extends in the front-to-back direction within a predetermined length from the front end to the rear of the transverse partition 14c. Furthermore, a middle slit 14s extending in the front-to-back direction is formed along the longitudinal partition 14d at either side of the transverse partition 14c (in the illustrated example, the negative Y-axis side). This middle slit 14s extends from the base end of the transverse partition 14c to near the front end, allowing the side plate portion 65c of the first contact tip portion 65 of the first terminal 61 to enter.

[0137] The first housing 11 further includes a housing lance 15 as a protruding piece extending forward from the main body 12 on the lower surface 11b side. The housing lances 15 are arranged in a row across the width of the first connector 1 and are located below the terminal receiving holes 13 in the mating protrusions 14. Each housing lance 15 is in the form of a strip extending from the main body 12 and is separated from one another by a lance slit 15d extending in the front-to-back direction formed between adjacent housing lances 15. Each housing lance 15 is a cantilever beam-shaped member comprising a base end 15a connected to the main body 12, an inclined arm 15b extending diagonally upward from the base end 15a, and an abutment portion 15c serving as the free end (front end) of the inclined arm 15b, which is adapted to abut the rear end of the terminal lance 65e. The width of the abutment portion 15c is approximately the same as the width of the terminal lance 65e.

[0138] The first terminals 61 connected to the ends of the respective electric wires 91 are inserted into and mounted in the corresponding terminal receiving holes 13 from the rear surface 11r side of the first housing 11. Figure 4 As shown, when the first terminal 61 is installed, the following state is achieved: the front end of the first contact tip 65 reaches the vicinity of the front end of the mating protrusion 14, the side plate portion 65c of the first contact tip 65 enters the middle slit 14s formed in the transverse partition 14c, the upper plate portion 65a of the first contact tip 65 is positioned below the mating top plate portion 14a in the upper portion 13a of the terminal accommodating hole 13, the lower plate portion 65b of the first contact tip 65 is positioned above the mating bottom plate portion 14b in the lower portion 13b of the terminal accommodating hole 13, and the contact tip entry portion 14e enters the front end mating recess 65d of the first contact tip 65. This strengthens the first contact tip 65, and in particular, prevents deformation that would reduce the gap between the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b even when subjected to forces from the upper and lower directions. Furthermore, the terminal lance 65e of the first contact tip portion 65 is formed such that its width is the same as that of the lower plate portion 65b, and it is positioned forward of the abutment portion 15c of the housing lance 15. The rear end of the terminal lance 65e faces the abutment portion 15c of the housing lance 15, and is close to or abuts against the abutment portion 15c. Therefore, once the first terminal 61 is installed, the terminal lance 65e is engaged with the housing lance 15. Therefore, even if a pulling force is applied to the electric wire 91, the first terminal 61 cannot move rearward, thereby reliably preventing it from being pulled rearward from the terminal accommodating cavity 13.

[0139] The second connector 101 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and comprises a second housing 111, which serves as a mating-side housing and has an overall shape of a generally flat rectangular parallelepiped; second terminals 161, which serve as metal mating-side terminals and are mounted on the second housing 111; and auxiliary metal fittings 181, which serve as auxiliary metal fittings for mounting the female housing of the metal substrate and are mounted on the second housing 111. The number and arrangement of the second terminals 161 can be arbitrarily set; for ease of description, they are assumed to be the same as the number and arrangement of the first terminals 61.

[0140] The second terminal 161 of this embodiment is an integrally formed member formed by punching a metal plate, and has a U-shaped or "U"-shaped profile. Furthermore, the second terminal 161 comprises a fixed portion 165 as a main body; a tail portion 162, which serves as a substrate connection portion and extends downward from the lower end of the fixed portion 165; and an upper contact arm portion 164 and a lower contact arm portion 163, which serve as mating contact portions and extend forward from the fixed portion 165. In addition, a locking protrusion 165a is formed on the fixing portion 165, which bites into and engages with the second terminal retaining portion 116a of the second shell 111, an upper side contact protrusion 164a is formed near the free end (front end) of the contact upper arm portion 164, which contacts the upper plate portion 65a of the first contact front end portion 65 in the first terminal 61, and a lower side contact protrusion 163a is formed near the free end (front end) of the contact lower arm portion 163, which contacts the lower plate portion 65b in the first contact front end portion 65 of the first terminal 61.

[0141] The auxiliary metal fitting 181 is an integrally formed member formed by bending and punching a metal plate. It comprises: a flat main body 183; a tail portion 182, which serves as a substrate connection portion and is bent approximately 90 degrees to connect to the lower end of the main body 183 and extends outward in the width direction of the second connector 101; a fixing portion 184 extending rearward (in the positive X-axis direction) from the rear end of the main body 183; and a shoulder pressure portion 185, which is bent approximately 90 degrees to connect to the upper end of the main body 183 and extends inward in the width direction of the second connector 101. The auxiliary metal fitting 181 is an auxiliary member for stably fixing the second connector 101 to the substrate 191. It is fixed to the second housing 111, and the tail portion 182 is connected to the surface of a connection pad 192 formed on the surface of the substrate 191 by welding or other means.

[0142] The second housing 111 includes a main body 112 extending along the width of the second connector 101 and a front protrusion 114 extending forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) from the main body 112. Furthermore, a hole is formed in the front surface 111f of the second housing 111, forming a mating recess 113 extending in the front-to-back direction through the front protrusion 114 and the main body 112 and reaching the rear surface 111r of the second housing 111. The mating protrusion 14 of the first housing 11 is inserted into and engages with the mating recess 113 when the first connector 1 is mated with the second connector 101. Furthermore, a plurality of terminal insertion openings 116 are formed on the rear surface 111r of the second housing 111, communicating with the mating recess 113. Each of these terminal insertion openings 116 is inserted into one of the second terminals 161, and the number of terminal insertion openings 116 is the same as the number of second terminals 161, arranged in the same manner as the second terminals 161. Therefore, in the illustrated example, ten terminal insertion openings 116 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the second connector 101. In addition, each terminal insertion opening 116 is provided with a second terminal holding portion 116a.

[0143] Furthermore, a plurality of upper terminal-accommodating grooves 115a extending in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) are formed on the top surface of the mating recess 113, i.e., on the inner surface on the side of the upper surface 111a of the second housing 111. A plurality of lower terminal-accommodating grooves 115b extending in the front-to-back direction are formed on the bottom surface of the mating recess 113, i.e., on the inner surface on the side of the lower surface 111b of the second housing 111. Furthermore, guide protrusions 115c projecting downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) are formed on the top surface of the mating recess 113, near the front surface 111f of the second housing 111, at positions corresponding to the respective upper terminal-accommodating grooves 115a.

[0144] Furthermore, the main body 112 protrudes further outward in the width direction of the second connector 101 than the front protruding portion 114, and an auxiliary metal fitting fixing hole 112d extending in the front-to-back direction is formed in the protruding portion 112f. Furthermore, an outer protruding portion 114c is formed at the outer end of the front protruding portion 114 in the width direction of the second connector 101, and the upper end of the outer protruding portion 114c forms a shoulder 114a.

[0145] Each second terminal 161 is inserted into and installed in the corresponding terminal insertion port 116 from the rear surface 111r side of the second housing 111. Figure 8As shown, once the second terminal 161 is installed, the lower contact arm portion 163 is accommodated in the corresponding lower terminal receiving groove 115b, but the upper contact arm portion 164 is not located in the corresponding upper terminal receiving groove 115a, but is located slightly below the upper terminal receiving groove 115a. In addition, the engaging protrusion 165a of the fixing portion 165 bites into and engages with the second terminal retaining portion 116a in the terminal insertion port 116, so that the second terminal 161 is fixed to the second housing 111.

[0146] In addition, the shoulder pressing portion 185 engages with the shoulder 114a of the outer bulge 114c of the second shell 111, and the fixing portion 184 is inserted into and fixed to the auxiliary metal member fixing hole 112d of the second shell 111, thereby installing each auxiliary metal member 181 on the second shell 111.

[0147] In this way, the second connector 101 with the second terminals 161 and the auxiliary metal member 181 mounted on the second housing 111 is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the auxiliary metal member 181 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 191. Specifically, the tail portion 162 of each second terminal 161 is electrically and mechanically connected to a connector electrode (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate 191 via welding or other connection methods. Furthermore, each of these connector electrodes is connected to a conductive trace (not shown) provided on the substrate 191, which functions as a signal line. Furthermore, the tail portion 182 of the auxiliary metal member 181 is mechanically connected to the surface of a connection pad 192 formed on the surface of the substrate 191 via welding or other connection methods.

[0148] Next, the mating operation of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 having the above-described structure will be described.

[0149] Figure 9 1 is a perspective view showing a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted together according to the present embodiment. Figure 10 This is a side sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state of this embodiment, also along Figure 9 Sectional view in the AA direction, Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing a side cross-section of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state of this embodiment, and also shows Figure 9 The stereogram of the sectional view in the AA direction, Figure 12 is a side sectional view of the first connector of the comparative example. Figure 11 middle, Figure 11 (a) and Figure 11 The observation angles of (b) are different.

[0150] By connecting the first terminal 61 to the end of the electric wire 91, the first connector 1 is connected to the end of the cable having the electric wire 91. Furthermore, the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected to the connector electrode formed on the surface of the substrate 191 by welding or the like, and the tail portion 182 of the auxiliary metal member 181 is connected to the connection pad 192 formed on the surface of the substrate 191 by welding or the like, thereby mounting the second connector 101 on the surface of the substrate 191.

[0151] First, if Figure 1 As shown, the operator makes the mating protrusion 14 of the first connector 1 and the mating recess 113 of the second connector 101 face each other. Then, the operator moves the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 closer to the mating side and inserts the mating protrusion 14 of the first connector 1 into the mating recess 113 of the second connector 101. Figure 9 As shown, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated.

[0152] At this time, the contact upper arm portion 164 of the corresponding second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 enters the upper slits 16a formed on the mating top plate portion 14a of the mating protrusion 14, and the contact lower arm portion 163 of the corresponding second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 enters the lower slits 16b formed on the mating bottom plate portion 14b of the mating protrusion 14.

[0153] And, as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the upper contact protrusion 164a of the upper contact arm 164 of the second terminal 161 contacts and electrically connects to the upper surface of the upper plate portion 65a of the first contact tip 65 of the first terminal 61, located below the upper slit 16a. The lower contact protrusion 163a of the lower contact arm 163 of the second terminal 161 contacts and electrically connects to the lower surface of the lower plate portion 65b of the first contact tip 65 of the first terminal 61, located above the lower slit 16b. Thus, the first contact tip 65 of the first terminal 61 is inserted between the upper contact protrusion 164a of the upper contact arm 164 and the lower contact protrusion 163a of the lower contact arm 163 of the second terminal 161. Therefore, primarily, the cantilevered upper contact arm 164 elastically displaces upward, elastically widening the gap between the upper contact protrusion 164a and the lower contact protrusion 163a. Furthermore, the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b of the first contact front end portion 65 are clamped from above and below by the upper contact protrusion 164a and the lower contact protrusion 163a. Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the front end of the fitting protrusion 14 inserted into the fitting recess 113 abuts against the second terminal holding portion 116a, thereby preventing the fitting protrusion 14 from further moving to the inner side (X-axis positive direction side) in the fitting recess 113.

[0154] In this way, the upper contact protrusion 164a of the contact upper arm portion 164 of the second terminal 161 and the lower contact protrusion 163a of the contact lower arm portion 163 contact and conduct with the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b of the first contact front end portion 65 of the first terminal 61, so that the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 form a conductive state. As a result, the electric wire 91 connected to the first terminal 61 is conductively connected to the conductive trace, and the conductive trace is connected to the connector electrode of the substrate 191 to which the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected.

[0155] In addition, if Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the contact front entry portion 14e is accommodated within the front engagement recess 65d of the first contact front end portion 65 of the first terminal 61. Thus, although the front engagement recess 65d is not a closed space with a "R"-shaped cross section defined on four sides, but rather a U-shaped space with three sides and one side open, defined by the upper plate 65a, lower plate 65b, and side plate 65c, it does not deform even when subjected to external forces because it accommodates a portion of the engagement protrusion 14 of the first housing 11, namely, the contact front entry portion 14e. Consequently, even when the upper plate 65a and lower plate 65b are clamped from above and below by the upper contact protrusion 164a and lower contact protrusion 163a of the second terminal 161, the first contact front end portion 65, including the front engagement recess 65d, does not deform.

[0156] Furthermore, near the rear end within the front end engaging recess 65d, there is a middle plate portion 65f extending almost parallel to the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b. The lower surface of the middle plate portion 65f abuts or is close to the upper surface near the rear end of the lower plate portion 65b, thereby supporting the lower plate portion 65b from above. Therefore, the lower plate portion 65b is more difficult to deform upward.

[0157] Furthermore, the terminal lance 65e of the first contact tip 65 is positioned forward of the abutment portion 15c of the housing lance 15, and the rear end of the terminal lance 65e faces the abutment portion 15c of the housing lance 15 and abuts and engages with the abutment portion 15c. Thus, even if the electric wire 91 is stretched or shaken, thereby exerting a backward pulling force (in the negative X-axis direction) on the first terminal 61, the first terminal 61 attached to the first housing 11 will not fall off backward.

[0158] Furthermore, because the abutment portion 15c abuts against the rear end of the terminal lance 65e, the inclined arm portion 15b of the housing lance 15 abuts and engages with the terminal lance 65e in a nearly straight line. Moreover, because the width of the abutment portion 15c is substantially the same as the width of the terminal lance 65e, the engagement between the housing lance 15 and the terminal lance 65e is not easily released. The abutment portion 15c is the front end of the inclined arm portion 15b of the housing lance 15 extending obliquely upward and forward from the main body 12 of the first housing 11. The terminal lance 65e is formed by cutting and raising the rear end portion of the lower plate portion 65b and extending obliquely downward and rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 65b.

[0159] Furthermore, the terminal lance 65e is formed by cutting up the rear end of the lower plate 65b. Its width is the same as that of the lower plate 65b and it is integrally formed with the lower plate 65b, thereby increasing its strength. Furthermore, because the rear end of the lower plate 65b is supported from above by the middle plate 65f, the terminal lance 65e is less likely to deform upward, similar to the rear end of the lower plate 65b. Consequently, the contact portion 15c of the housing lance 15 does not relatively move downward as the terminal lance 65e moves upward, thereby preventing it from moving relative to the front end of the first contact tip 65 along the lower surface of the terminal lance 65e.

[0160] Furthermore, since the middle plate portion 65f is above the terminal lance portion 65e, the contact portion 15c of the housing lance portion 15 does not relatively move upward and enter the front end fitting recess 65d along the upper surface of the terminal lance portion 65e. Figure 12 In the case of omitting the middle plate portion 65f as in the comparative example shown, if a force pulling the electric wire 91 obliquely downward and rearward is applied, the first contact tip portion 65 tilts relative to the first housing 11, causing the contact portion 15c of the housing lance 15 to move upward relative to the first housing 11, potentially leading to the contact portion 15c of the housing lance 15 entering the front end fitting recess 65d along the upper surface of the terminal lance 65e. However, in this embodiment, the middle plate portion 65f above the terminal lance 65e reliably prevents the contact portion 15c of the housing lance 15 from entering the front end fitting recess 65d.

[0161] Thus, since the engagement between the housing lance 15 and the mating terminal lance 65e can be reliably maintained, even if a rearward pulling force is applied to the first terminal 61, the first terminal 61 can be reliably prevented from being pulled rearward from the terminal accommodating hole 13. In addition, since the abutting portion 15c of the housing lance 15 does not move along the upper or lower surface of the terminal lance 65e relative to the front end of the first contact tip 65, the housing lance 15 is not subjected to a load, and the housing lance 15 is not damaged or broken.

[0162] Thus, in this embodiment, the first terminal 61 is integrally formed from a conductive metal plate and is connected to the end of the electric wire 91. Furthermore, the first terminal 61 includes a wire connecting portion 63 that is connected to the core wire 92 of the electric wire 91, and a first contact tip portion 65 that is connected to the tip of the wire connecting portion 63 and contacts the second terminal 161, and has a U-shaped cross-section. The first contact front end portion 65 includes: an upper plate portion 65a, which is connected to the wire connecting portion 63; a lower plate portion 65b, which is parallel to the upper plate portion 65a; a side plate portion 65c, which connects the side edge of either side of the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b; a front end fitting recess 65d, which is formed by the upper plate portion 65a, the lower plate portion 65b and the side plate portion 65c on three sides; a terminal lance portion 65e, which extends obliquely downward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 65b; and a middle plate portion 65f, which extends between the terminal lance portion 65e and the upper plate portion 65a along the width direction of the first contact front end portion 65.

[0163] The first connector 1 includes a first terminal 61 and a first housing 11 made of an insulating material and having the first terminal 61 mounted thereon. The first housing 11 has a main body 12, a mating protrusion 14 extending from the main body 12, a terminal receiving hole 13 extending through the main body 12 and the mating protrusion 14 and into which the first terminal 61 is inserted, and a housing lance 15 extending from the main body 12. The mating protrusion 14 includes a contact tip entry portion 14e that is received within a front end mating recess 65d of a first contact tip portion 65 of the first terminal 61 inserted into the terminal receiving hole 13. The housing lance 15 includes a base end 15a connected to the main body 12, an inclined arm 15b extending obliquely upward from the base end 15a, and an abutment portion 15c at the front end of the inclined arm 15b that is capable of abutting against the rear end of the terminal lance 65e of the first terminal 61 inserted into the terminal receiving hole 13.

[0164] The wire-to-board connector comprises a first connector 1 and a second connector 101 that mates with the first connector 1. The second connector 101 is mounted on a surface of a substrate 191 and includes a second housing 111 formed of an insulating material and second terminals 161 mounted to the second housing 111. The second terminals 161 are integrally formed from a conductive metal plate and contact the first terminals 61 of the first connector 1. Furthermore, the second housing 111 has a mating recess 113 into which the mating protrusion 14 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1 is inserted. The second terminals 161 include a fixed portion 165 fixed to the second housing 111 and a mating contact portion extending from the fixed portion 165 and contacting the first contact tip 65 of the first terminal 61 of the first connector 1. The mating contact portion includes an upper contact arm 164 that contacts the upper surface of the upper plate 65a of the first contact tip 65, and a lower contact arm 163 that contacts the lower surface of the lower plate 65b of the first contact tip 65. The mating-side contact portion sandwiches the upper plate portion 65a and the lower plate portion 65b.

[0165] Thus, even if the first terminal 61 and the first shell 11 are miniaturized, the engagement between the terminal lance 65e of the first terminal 61 and the shell lance 15 of the first shell 11 can be prevented from being released, the first terminal 61 can be reliably prevented from being pulled out and the first terminal 61 and the first shell 11 can be reliably prevented from being damaged, the first terminal 61 can be reliably fixed to the first shell 11, and the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 can be reduced in height and miniaturized, thereby providing a first terminal 61, a first connector 1 and a wire-to-board connector with a simple structure, a small number of parts, simple manufacturing, low cost and high reliability.

[0166] In addition, the disclosure of this specification describes the features of suitable exemplary embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will naturally occur to them by reviewing the disclosure of this specification.

[0167] Industrial applicability

[0168] The present invention can be applied to terminals, electric wire connectors, and wire-to-board connectors.

Claims

1. A terminal, mounted on a housing, integrally formed of a conductive metal plate and connected to the end of an electric wire, characterized in that: It has: a main body connected to the core wire of the electric wire; The contact portion is connected to the front end of the main body and contacts the mating terminal, and has a U-shaped cross section. The contact portion includes: an upper plate portion connected to the main body portion; The lower plate part is parallel to the upper plate part; A side plate portion connecting the side end edges of the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion on either side; A front end fitting recess, defined on three sides by the upper plate portion, the lower plate portion, and the side plate portion, wherein the fitting protrusion of the housing is accommodated in the interior of the front end fitting recess; an inclined protrusion extending obliquely downward from the rear end of the lower plate portion and abutting against the abutting portion of the shell; The middle plate portion extends along the width direction of the contact portion between the inclined protrusion and the upper plate portion, and the lower surface of the middle plate portion abuts or approaches the upper surface of the rear end of the lower plate portion to support the lower plate portion from above.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein The upper surface of the upper plate portion and the lower surface of the lower plate portion are in contact with the mating-side contact portions of the mating-side terminals.

3. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The width of the inclined protrusion is the same as the width of the lower plate portion.

4. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The upper plate is connected to the main body via a base portion having a U-shaped cross section connected to the front end of the main body. The middle plate portion extends from a lower end of one of the left and right side walls of the base portion toward the side plate portion.

5. An electric wire connector comprising the terminal according to claim 1 and a housing made of an insulating material on which the terminal is mounted, wherein: The housing comprises: a housing body; a fitting protrusion extending from the housing body; a terminal receiving hole extending through the housing body and the fitting protrusion and into which the terminal is inserted; a housing lance extending from the housing body, The fitting protrusion includes a recessed portion received in a front end fitting recess of a contact portion of a terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole. The housing lance comprises: a base end portion connected to the housing body; an inclined arm portion extending obliquely upward from the base end portion; The abutment portion, which is a front end of the inclined arm portion, can abut against a rear end of the inclined protrusion of the terminal inserted into the terminal receiving hole.

6. The electric wire connector according to claim 5, characterized in that The width of the abutment portion of the housing lance is substantially the same as the width of the inclined tab of the terminal.

7. A wire-to-board connector, comprising the wire connector according to claim 5 and a substrate connector mated with the wire connector. The substrate connector is mounted on the surface of the substrate and comprises: a mating side housing made of an insulating material; a mating side terminal integrally formed of a conductive metal plate, contacting with the terminal of the wire connector and mounted on the mating side housing, The wire-to-board connector is characterized in that: The mating side housing has a fitting recess into which the fitting protrusion of the housing of the wire connector is inserted. The mating side terminal comprises: a fixing portion fixed to the mating side housing; a mating side contact portion extending from the fixing portion and contacting the contact portion of the terminal of the wire connector. The mating side contact portion includes an upper contact arm portion contacting an upper surface of an upper plate portion of the contact portion and a lower contact arm portion contacting a lower surface of a lower plate portion of the contact portion, and sandwiches the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion.

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