connector

Abstract

To enable repeated insertion and removal, simplify the construction, low cost, and high reliability while small low height and even if the application of strong pull-out force can prevent the terminal from tipping, the disclosure provides a connector having a base composed of an insulating material and a terminal composed of a conductive material and integrated with the base, wherein the base includes a protrusion extending in the length direction of the connector; the terminal includes: a plate portion extending in the up-down direction, the surface of which is exposed to one side of the protrusion; a facing plate portion extending in the up-down direction, the surface of which is exposed to the other side of the protrusion; a connecting portion connecting the upper end of the plate portion and the upper end of the facing plate portion; and a fixing portion connected to the lower end of the plate portion; and a step portion is formed at the intersection of the surface of the plate portion and the surface of the connecting portion, and the surface of the fixing portion is covered by the insulating material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, substrate-to-substrate connectors have been used to electrically connect a pair of parallel circuit boards to each other. Such connectors are attached to the respective opposing surfaces of the pair of circuit boards and interlock to achieve conductivity. Furthermore, the irregularities formed on the contacts of the terminals allow the operator to perceive a click sound upon completion of the interlocking operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional terminal. Note that in the figure, (a) and (b) are views taken from different angles.

[0004] In the figure, for example, 961 is a terminal attached by pressing into the base of a plug connector, which is mounted on the surface of a circuit board (not shown), and is used as a signal terminal for connecting signal lines. Terminal 961 is a metal part attached across the sidewall formed on the base and has a generally scoop-like side shape. The portion corresponding to the handle of the scoop is a substrate connection portion 962 soldered to the surface of the circuit board. In addition, the portion corresponding to the body of the scoop includes a first contact portion 965 and a second contact portion 966 extending in the vertical direction and a connection portion 964 extending in the width direction and having a U-shaped side shape.

[0005] The first contact portion 965 serves as a contact point for a mating terminal (not shown), and the end portion 967 has engagement claws 967a protruding from both sides. The second contact portion 966 is a portion that detects a clicking sound, and a protrusion 966b is formed on the surface of the second contact portion 966 that engages with a protrusion (not shown) of the mating terminal. Furthermore, the second contact portion 966 has engagement claws 966a protruding from both sides.

[0006] Furthermore, terminal 961 is pressed into the base from above, so that the portion corresponding to the body of the scoop straddles the side wall, and the first contact portion 965 and the second contact portion 966 are inserted into terminal holding grooves formed on both sides of the side wall. At this time, the engaging claw 966a of the second contact portion 966 bites into and engages the side of the terminal holding groove formed on the outer side of the side wall. In addition, the end portion 967 is pressed into the lower end of the terminal holding groove formed on the inner side of the side wall, and the engaging claw 967a bites into and engages the side of the lower end of the terminal holding groove. Thus, terminal 961 is reliably mounted on the base.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP2008-300193 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem solved by this invention

[0011] However, with this conventional connector, when an operator applies a strong pull-out force to disengage it from the mating connector, a strong force is applied from the mating terminal to terminal 961 in the disengagement direction. This causes the first contact portion 965 to lift and the end portion 967 to tilt, which may result in breakage or deformation. If terminal 961 is deformed or broken in this manner, the connector and the mating connector cannot be mated together again. That is, the connector can no longer be used.

[0012] In particular, in recent years, connectors have progressed towards miniaturization and lower height, and the terminals 961 have also become smaller. Therefore, it has become significantly more difficult to increase the strength of the terminals 961 to prevent tipping, deformation, and breakage.

[0013] The purpose of this paper is to provide a small, low-profile connector that solves the problems in the conventional design, wherein the terminals do not tip over even when subjected to strong pull-out forces, can be repeatedly engaged and disengaged, has a simple construction, is low in cost, and has high reliability.

[0014] Problem-solving methods

[0015] Therefore, a connector has a base made of insulating material and terminals made of conductive material and integrally formed with the base, wherein the base includes a protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector; the terminals include: a plate portion extending in the vertical direction with its surface exposed on one side of the protrusion; a pair of opposing plate portions extending in the vertical direction with their surfaces exposed on the other side of the protrusion; a connecting portion connecting the upper ends of the plate portions and the upper ends of the opposing plate portions; a fixing portion connected to the lower end of the plate portions; and a stepped portion formed at the junction of the surface of the plate portions and the surface of the connecting portion, wherein the surface of the fixing portion is covered by the insulating material.

[0016] In another connector, the fixing part is thinner than the plate part.

[0017] In another connector, another stepped portion is formed at the junction between the surface of the plate portion and the surface of the fixing portion, and the back side of the plate portion and the back side of the fixing portion are formed on the same plane.

[0018] In another connector, the fixing portion includes a widened portion that is wider than the width of the plate portion.

[0019] In yet another connector, at least a portion of the widened portion gradually increases in width as it moves downwards.

[0020] In another connector, the terminal includes: a substrate connection portion extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion outward in the width direction of the connector, wherein the surface of the opposing plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing outward in the width direction of the connector, and the surface of the plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing inward in the width direction of the connector.

[0021] In another connector, the terminal includes: a substrate connection portion extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion outward in the width direction of the connector, wherein the surface of the opposing plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing the inside of the connector in the width direction, and the surface of the plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing the outside of the connector in the width direction.

[0022] A connector pair includes the aforementioned connector and a mating connector that can be fitted with the connector.

[0023] The effects of the invention

[0024] According to this disclosure, although the connector is small and low-profile, the terminals will not tip over even with strong pull-out force, and the connector can be repeatedly engaged and disengaged. Furthermore, the construction is simplified, costs are reduced, and reliability is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the first connector and the second connector in a mating state according to the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 is a four-view view of the first connector according to the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA of (a), (c) is a side view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view along line BB of (a).

[0029] Figure 5 is a three-view view of the first terminal in the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the second connector according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7 is a three-view drawing of the second connector according to the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in (a).

[0032] Figure 8 is a three-view view of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state according to the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in (a).

[0033] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state of the first embodiment, and it is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG4(a).

[0034] Figure 10 is a three-view view of the first terminal in the second embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

[0035] Figure 11 is a three-view view of the first terminal in the third embodiment, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

[0036] Figure 12 is a two-view view of the first terminal in the third embodiment, wherein (a) is a rear view and (b) is a perspective view viewed from different angles.

[0037] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional terminal, where (a) and (b) are views taken from different angles.

[0038] [List of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0039] 10 First Connector

[0040] 11 First Pyramid

[0041] 11a, 111a mating surfaces

[0042] 11b, 111b mounting surface

[0043] 12 First convex part

[0044] 12a Outer surface

[0045] 12b Inner surface

[0046] 12c Cover section

[0047] 13, 112a Groove section

[0048] 14 Side flanges

[0049] 17, 118 base plate

[0050] 22 First protruding end

[0051] 51 First reinforced metal fittings

[0052] 53 Lateral Cover

[0053] 53a Upper overlying part of the side wall

[0054] 53b, 153 Connecting arm

[0055] 53c Sidewall Outer Cover

[0056] 53d Sidewall substrate connection part

[0057] 57 End wall covering

[0058] 57a Endwall Overlap

[0059] 57b End wall inner lining

[0060] 57c End wall outer covering

[0061] 57d Endwall substrate connection portion

[0062] 61 First terminal

[0063] 62, 153c, 157c, 162, 962 Substrate Connection Section

[0064] Surfaces of 62a, 64a, 65a, 66a, and 67a

[0065] Reverse side of 62b, 65b, 66b, 67b

[0066] 64 Connecting parts

[0067] 65 Plate section

[0068] 65c, 112 concave part

[0069] 65d upper end

[0070] 66 Opposing plate section

[0071] 66c, 67c widened section

[0072] 67 Fixing part

[0073] 68a First Step

[0074] 68b Second Step

[0075] 101 Second Connector

[0076] 111 Second Base

[0077] 113 Second convex part

[0078] 114 Side wall portion

[0079] 115 Second terminal receiving cavity

[0080] 115a Second terminal accommodates inner cavity

[0081] 115b Second terminal accommodates the outer cavity

[0082] 121 Second protruding end

[0083] 121b End Wall

[0084] 121c Sidewall extension

[0085] 122 Fitting recess

[0086] 151 Second reinforced metal fittings

[0087] 153a Sidewall Overlying Part

[0088] 154 Contact Arm

[0089] 155 Island End Coverage Section

[0090] 157 End Wall Covering

[0091] 157a End Wall Covering

[0092] 158 Bottom Cover Section

[0093] 161 Second Terminal

[0094] 163. Department to be maintained

[0095] 164 Lower connecting part

[0096] 165 Inner connecting part

[0097] 165a Inner contact part

[0098] 166 Outer contact portion

[0099] 167 Upper side contact part

[0100] 167b Protrusion

[0101] 961 terminal

[0102] 964 Connecting part

[0103] 965 First Contact Section

[0104] 966 Second Contact Section

[0105] 966a and 967a engagement claws

[0106] 966b protrusion

[0107] 967 terminal part Detailed Implementation

[0108] The embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0109] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the first connector and the second connector in a mating state according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 Figure 4 is an exploded view of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a four-view view of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a three-view view of the first terminal according to the first embodiment. Note that in Figure 4, (a) is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA of (a), (c) is a side view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view along line BB of (a). In Figure 5, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

[0110] In the figure, 10 is the connector of this embodiment and is the first connector of a pair of substrate-to-substrate connectors. The first connector 10 is a surface-mount type connector mounted on the surface of a first substrate (not shown, which is a substrate serving as a mounting member) and mating with the second connector 101, which is a mating connector of the connector pair. The second connector 101 is the other of the pair of substrate-to-substrate connectors, and is also a surface-mount type connector mounted on the surface of a second substrate (not shown, which is a substrate serving as a mounting member), mating with the first connector 10, which is a mating connector of the connector pair.

[0111] Furthermore, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are preferably used to electrically connect the first substrate and the second substrate, which are two substrates, and can also be used to electrically connect other components. For example, the first substrate and the second substrate are respectively printed circuit boards, flexible flat cables (FFC), flexible circuit boards (FPC), etc. used in electronic devices, but can be any type of substrate.

[0112] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the descriptions of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back used to describe the movement and configuration of the parts of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are not absolute but relative, and these descriptions are appropriate when the parts of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are in the posture shown in the figure. That is, when their posture changes, these directions should be interpreted differently according to the change in posture.

[0113] The first connector 10 is a plug connector type and includes a first base 11, which is the connector body serving as the base and is integrally formed using an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown, the first base 11 has a generally rectangular, plate-like shape. An elongated groove 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first base 11 and a first protrusion 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, defining the outside of the groove 13 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, are integrally formed on one side of the first base 11 where the second connector 101 is inserted (i.e., the mating surface 11a side (positive Z-axis direction side)). The first protrusion 12 is formed along both sides of the groove 13 and both sides of the first base 11. For example, the first connector 10 has dimensions of approximately 5.2 mm in length, approximately 1.9 mm in width, and approximately 0.6 mm in thickness. However, these dimensions can be appropriately varied.

[0114] First terminals 61 are attached as terminals to their respective first protrusions 12. Multiple (e.g., 10) first terminals 61 are mounted at a predetermined spacing (e.g., approximately 0.35 mm). Each first terminal 61 contacts a second terminal 161 of the second connector 101. The spacing and number of the first terminals 61 can be appropriately varied. The side of the recess 13 that is mounted on the first substrate (i.e., the mounting surface 11b side (negative Z-axis direction side)) is closed by the base plate 17.

[0115] The first protruding end 22 is disposed at each end of the first base 11 along its length as a fitting guide. The first protruding end 22 is a thick component extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first base 11. The two ends of the first protruding end 22 are connected to the two ends of the first protrusion 12 along its length, and the upper surface of the first protruding end 22 has a generally rectangular shape. In the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101, the first protruding end 22 is inserted as an insertion protrusion into the fitting recess 122 of the second protruding end 121 of the second connector 101. The first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is attached to the first protruding end 22 as a reinforcing metal fitting. The first reinforcing metal fitting 51 contacts and conducts with the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 of the second connector 101.

[0116] In this embodiment, the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 will be described as integrally formed with the first base 11 through overmolding (insert molding). In other words, the first base 11 is formed by filling the cavity of a mold in which the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are pre-set using an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As a result, at least a portion of the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are embedded in the first base 11, thus integrally mounted to the first base 11. Therefore, it should be noted that although the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are not separate from the first base 11, for ease of explanation, in... Figure 3 In the diagram, the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are shown as being separated from each other.

[0117] The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by processing a conductive metal strip plate through stamping, bending, or the like, and includes: a plate portion 65, which serves as an outer contact portion and extends in the vertical direction; an opposing plate portion 66, which faces the plate portion 65, serves as an inner contact portion, and extends in the vertical direction of the first base 11; a connecting portion 64, whose two ends are bent and connected to the upper ends of the plate portion 65 and the upper ends of the opposing plate portion 66; and a substrate connecting portion 62, which extends in the width direction of the first base 11, wherein its first end is bent and connected to the lower end of the opposing plate portion 66. Additionally, a fixing portion 67 is connected to the lower end of the plate portion 65.

[0118] The fixing portion 67 is thinner than the plate portion 65. As a result, as shown in FIG5, a first step portion 68a is formed as a step portion at the junction between the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67. Note that both the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67 are flat surfaces extending in the vertical direction. In addition, the back surface 65b of the plate portion 65 and the back surface 67b of the fixing portion 67 are also flat surfaces extending in the vertical direction, and since there is no step portion between the back surface 65b of the plate portion 65 and the back surface 67b of the fixing portion 67, the back surface 65b of the plate portion 65 and the back surface 67b of the fixing portion 67 are formed in the same plane. Furthermore, a second step portion 68b is formed as a step portion at the junction between the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64. Note that the surface 66a and the back surface 66b of the opposing plate portion 66 are both flat surfaces extending in the vertical direction.

[0119] Furthermore, the plate portion 65, the opposing plate portion 66, and the connecting portion 64 are all dimensionally identical in the width direction (X-axis direction), but the substrate connecting portion 62 is formed such that its width direction dimension is mostly narrow. The fixing portion 67 includes a widening portion 67c, which has a larger width direction dimension than the plate portion 65. Preferably, the widening portion 67c is formed such that both sides protrude beyond the ends of the side plate portion 65 in the width direction, and at least a portion of the widening portion 67c gradually increases in width direction as it moves downwards.

[0120] The elongated strip constituting the first terminal 61 extends from the end of the substrate connecting portion 62 (the outer end in the width direction of the first base 11) located outside the outer side 12a (which is one side of the first protrusion 12) to the inner side 12b (in other words, to the inner side 12b facing the width direction of the first base 11), bending at approximately 90 degrees, extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion 66 to the upper end of the opposing plate portion 66, bending at approximately 90 degrees at the upper end, then the connecting portion 64 extends outward in the width direction of the first base 11, bending at approximately 90 degrees, and extends from the upper end of the plate portion 65 to the lower end of the plate portion 65. In other words, when viewed from the length direction of the first base 11, the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by entering the inner side from the outer side in the width direction of the first base 11 and then rolling upward and then rolling back.

[0121] As shown in Figure 4, when integrated with the first base 11, the first terminal 61 is almost entirely embedded in the first protrusion 12, but the surface 65a of the plate portion 65, the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64, and the surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 are exposed on the outer side 12a and inner side 12b of the first protrusion 12 and the mating surface 11a. Furthermore, although the back side 62b of the substrate connection portion 62 is exposed on the mounting surface 11b, most of the front side 62a of the substrate connection portion 62 is covered by a side flange 14 extending outward in the width direction from the lower end of the outer side side 12a of the first protrusion 12 toward the first base 11. That is, when viewed from above, the end of the substrate connection portion 62 slightly protrudes outward in the width direction from the side flange 14 toward the first base 11. Therefore, the first terminal 61 is firmly integrated with the first base 11. The back side 62b of the substrate connection portion 62 abuts against the surface of the first substrate (not shown) and is connected to the connection pad connected to the signal line by soldering or the like.

[0122] Furthermore, the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67 is recessed in the width direction of the first base 11 (or the inner side of the first protrusion 12) relative to the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 connected via the first step portion 68a, and is generally parallel to the surface 65a of the plate portion 65. Therefore, it is covered by the covering portion 12c, which has an almost uniform thickness near the lower end of the outer side surface 12a of the first protrusion 12 and adjacent to the side flange 14. Note that the outer surface of the covering portion 12c is formed to be flush with the rest of the first protrusion 12, except for the outer side surface 12a. Therefore, even when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are engaged, even if a force is applied from the second terminal 161, which contacts the first terminal 61, to lift the upward plate portion 65, there will be no tilting of the fixing portion 67 connected to the end of the plate portion 65. Furthermore, the fixing part 67 includes a widened part 67c and the widened part 67c, which is larger than the plate part 65 in the width direction, is covered by the covering part 12c; therefore, the tipping of the fixing part 67 is prevented more reliably.

[0123] The first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is a component integrally formed by processing a metal sheet by stamping, bending, etc., and includes: an end wall cover 57, which serves as the body part and covers the outer surface of the first protruding end 22; and a side cover 53, which is connected to the left and right ends of the end wall cover 57.

[0124] The end wall covering 57 includes: an upper end wall covering 57a, which extends entirely in the width direction of the first base 11 and covers at least the central portion of the upper surface of the first protruding end 22; an inner end wall covering 57b, which extends downward from the inner end edge of the first base 11 in the length direction of the upper end wall covering 57a; an outer end wall covering 57c, which extends downward from the outer end edge of the first base 11 in the length direction of the upper end wall covering 57a; and an end wall substrate connecting portion 57d, which is connected to the lower end of the outer end wall covering 57c, bends from the lower end of the outer end wall covering 57c, and extends outward in the length direction of the first base 11.

[0125] Additionally, the side cover 53 includes: a connecting arm 53b, which is connected to both ends of the end wall outer cover 57c in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and bent to extend inward toward the length direction of the first base 11; a side wall upper cover 53a, which is connected to the upper end of the connecting arm 53b; a side wall outer cover 53c, which extends downward from the outer edge of the first base 11 in the width direction of the side wall upper cover 53a; and a side wall substrate connecting portion 53d, which is bent and connected to the lower end of the connecting arm 53b and extends outward toward the width direction of the first base 11.

[0126] When integrated with the first base 11, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is almost entirely embedded in the first protruding end 22, with only the surfaces of the end wall cover 57 and the side cover 53 exposed. Furthermore, the back surfaces of the end wall substrate connector 57d and the side wall substrate connector 53d are exposed on the mounting surface 11b. When viewed from above, the ends of the end wall substrate connector 57d and the side wall substrate connector 53d protrude slightly from the first protruding end 22 outwards along the length and width of the first base 11. Additionally, preferably, the back surfaces of the end wall substrate connector 57d and the side wall substrate connector 53d abut against the surface of the first substrate and are preferably connected to a connecting pad connected to a power line or ground line by welding or the like.

[0127] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 will be described.

[0128] Figure 6 Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second connector according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a three-view view of the second connector according to the first embodiment. In Figure 7, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in (a).

[0129] In this embodiment, the second connector 101 is a so-called socket connector type and includes a second base 111, which serves as a base and as a mating connector body, and is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown, the second base 111 has a generally rectangular, plate-like shape and a generally rectangular recess 112 for engaging with the first base 11 of the first connector 10, and is formed around the first connector 10 on the side where it is engaged (i.e., the mating surface 111a side (negative Z-axis direction side)). For example, the second connector 101 has a length (dimension in the X-axis direction) of approximately 6.0 mm, a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of approximately 2.0 mm, and a thickness (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of approximately 0.6 mm. However, these dimensions can be appropriately varied.

[0130] Furthermore, a second protrusion 113, serving as the central island, for engaging with the recess 13 of the first connector 10, is integrally formed within the recess 112 along with the second base 111. Additionally, side wall portions 114 extending parallel to the second protrusion 113 are integrally formed on both sides of the second protrusion 113 (positive and negative Y-axis sides) along with the second base 111. The second protrusion 113 and the side wall portions 114 protrude upwards (negative Z-axis direction) from the base plate 118 defining the bottom surface of the recess 112 and extend along the length direction (X-axis direction) of the second base 111. As a result, a recess 112a, an elongated recess extending along the length direction of the second base 111, is formed as part of the recess 112 on both sides of the second protrusion 113.

[0131] A second terminal receiving inner cavity 115a with a groove-like shape is formed on both sides of the second protrusion 113. A second terminal receiving outer cavity 115b with a groove-like shape is formed on the inner side of the sidewall portion 114. The second terminal receiving inner cavity 115a and the second terminal receiving outer cavity 115b are connected to each other and are integral with each other on the bottom surface of the groove portion 112a, so that the second terminal receiving inner cavity 115a and the second terminal receiving outer cavity 115b are referred to as the second terminal receiving cavity 115 when described uniformly. The second terminal receiving cavity 115 is formed to penetrate the bottom plate 118 in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction).

[0132] In this embodiment, second terminal receiving cavities 115 are formed on both sides of the second base 111 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and arranged in the length direction of the second base 111. Specifically, a plurality of (e.g., 10) second terminal receiving cavities 115 are formed on both sides of the second protrusion 113 at a predetermined interval (e.g., about 0.35 mm). The interval and number of the second terminal receiving cavities 115 can be appropriately varied. A plurality of second terminals 161, each receiving a mating terminal mounted in the second base 111 and housed in a second terminal receiving cavity 115, are also arranged on both sides of the second protrusion 113 at the same interval.

[0133] The second terminal 161 is a component integrally formed by processing a conductive metal plate by stamping, bending, etc., and includes: a holding portion 163; a substrate connecting portion 162 connected to the lower end of the holding portion 163; an upper connecting portion 167 connected to the upper end of the holding portion 163; an outer contact portion 166 connected to the lower end of the upper connecting portion 167 and facing the holding portion 163; a lower connecting portion 164 connected to the lower end of the outer contact portion 166; and an inner connecting portion 165 connected to the end of the lower connecting portion 164 opposite to the outer contact portion 166.

[0134] The holding portion 163 is a portion that is embedded and held in the outer cavity 115b of the second terminal receiving unit, and extends in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) (i.e., the thickness direction of the second base 111). Additionally, the substrate connecting portion 162 is bent relative to the holding portion 163 and connected to it, extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) (i.e., the width direction of the second base 111). The back surface of the substrate connecting portion 162 abuts against the surface of the second substrate (not shown) and is connected to a connecting pad for connection with a signal line via soldering or the like. The upper connecting portion 167 is a portion that is bent to protrude upwards (in the negative Z-axis direction).

[0135] The outer contact portion 166 is connected to the lower end of the upper connecting portion 167 on the side opposite to the held portion 163 and extends downward (in the positive Z-axis direction). The upper connecting portion 167 includes a protrusion 167b that protrudes inward in the width direction of the second base 111 from its lower end. The lower connecting portion 164 is a portion having a generally U-shaped side profile that is connected to the lower end of the outer contact portion 166. Furthermore, the inner contact portion 165a is bent at approximately 180 degrees, connected to the upper end of the inner connecting portion 165, and protrudes upward toward the outer contact portion 166.

[0136] The second terminal 161 is inserted into the second terminal receiving cavity 115 from the mounting surface 111b side (which is the lower side of the second base 111 (positive Z-axis direction surface)) and is held by the retaining part 163 from both sides by the sidewall of the second terminal receiving outer cavity 115b formed on the inner side of the sidewall part 114, thereby fixing the second terminal 161 to the second base 111. In other words, with the second terminal 161 installed on the second base 111, the inner contact part 165a and the outer contact part 166 are located on the left and right sides of the groove part 112a and face each other. The second terminal 161 is a component integrally formed by processing a metal plate, and thus has a certain degree of elasticity. As can be clearly seen from the shape, the gap between the opposing inner contact part 165a and the outer contact part 166 can elastically change. In other words, when the first terminal 61 of the first connector 10 is inserted between the inner contact portion 165a and the outer contact portion 166, the gap between the inner contact portion 165a and the outer contact portion 166 elastically elongates.

[0137] The second terminal 161 can be integrated with the second base 111 through overmolding (insert molding).

[0138] Furthermore, the second protruding ends 121 are disposed at both ends of the second base 111 in the longitudinal direction as fitting guides. Fitting recesses 122 are formed as part of the recesses 112 at each of the second protruding ends 121. The fitting recesses 122 are generally rectangular recesses and are connected to each end of the recessed portion 112a in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are engaged, the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 122.

[0139] The second protruding end 121 includes: a sidewall extension 121c, which serves as a sidewall portion of the second protruding end 121 and extends from both ends of the sidewall portion 114 in the length direction of the second base 111; and an end wall portion 121b, which extends in the width direction of the second base 111, with both ends of the end wall portion 121b connected to the sidewall extension 121c. In each of the second protruding ends 121, the end wall portion 121b and the sidewall extension 121c connected to both ends of the end wall portion 121b form a continuous generally U-shaped sidewall and define three sides of a generally rectangular fitting recess 122.

[0140] The second reinforcing metal fitting 151, which is attached to the second base 111 as a reinforcing metal fitting, is attached to the second protruding end 121. The second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is a component integrally formed by processing a metal plate by stamping, bending, etc., and includes: an end wall covering portion 157 covering at least a portion of the end wall portion 121b of the second protruding end 121; connecting arm portions 153 connecting to the left and right ends of the end wall covering portion 157; a bottom surface covering portion 158 connecting to the end wall covering portion 157 and covering the bottom surface of the fitting recess 122; an island end covering portion 155 connecting to the bottom surface covering portion 158; and a pair of left and right contact arms 154.

[0141] The second reinforcing metal fitting 151 can be pressed into and held by the second base 111. However, it will be described here that the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 and the second base 111 are integrally formed by overmolding (insert molding).

[0142] The end wall covering portion 157 includes: an end wall upper covering portion 157a, which extends entirely in the width direction of the second base 111 and covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the end wall portion 121b; and a substrate connecting portion 157c, which is bent and connected to the lower end of the portion extending downward from the outer edge of the end wall upper covering portion 157a and extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) (i.e., extends outward toward the length direction of the second base 111).

[0143] The end-wall covering portion 157a is an inclined portion that extends downwards from the upper end of the end-wall portion 121b toward the fitting recess 122, and is housed in the portion near the upper end of the fitting recess 122. Thus, the area near the upper end of the inner surface of the second base 111 in the longitudinal direction of the fitting recess 122 is an inclined surface covered by the end-wall covering portion 157a. Furthermore, the back surface of the substrate connecting portion 157c preferably abuts against the surface of the second substrate and is connected to a connecting pad that is connected to a power line or ground line via soldering or the like.

[0144] The connecting arm 153 is a component that is bent and connected to each of the two ends of the end wall cover 157 in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and the component extends toward the center of the second base 111 in the length direction. The side wall cover 153a is connected to the upper end of each connecting arm 153, while the substrate connecting portion 153c, which extends outward in the width direction of the second base 111, is connected to the lower end of each connecting arm 153.

[0145] The sidewall covering portion 153a is configured to cover the vicinity of the upper end of the sidewall extension portion 121c. In addition, the back side of the substrate connecting portion 153c preferably abuts against the surface of the second substrate and is connected to a connecting pad that is connected to a power line or ground line by means of soldering or the like.

[0146] When the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is integral with the second base 111, the island end cover 155 covers at least a portion of the end of the second protrusion 113. Therefore, the end of the second protrusion 113 is covered by the integral island end cover 155 and is thus reliably protected. The end wall cover 157 is integral with the end wall portion 121b, and the island end cover 155 and the second protrusion 113 are integral at both ends along the length of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151, thereby increasing the strength of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151.

[0147] Each of the pair of left and right contact arms 154 is an elongated plate member, the base end of which is connected to the side end of the bottom surface of the bottom cover 158, and is a flexible sheet bent into a generally S-shaped form when viewed from the front and rear directions. The contact arm 154 is bent to protrude outward in the width direction of the second base 111, and the vicinity of the end of the contact arm 154 serves as a spring capable of elastic displacement in the width direction of the second base 111. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are engaged and the first protruding end 22 is inserted into the engagement recess 122, the portion of the contact arm 154 bent near the end to protrude toward the center in the width direction of the second base 111 elastically contacts the first connector 10 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51.

[0148] Next, the operation of engaging the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 having the above configuration will be described.

[0149] Figure 8 is a three-view view of the first connector and the second connector in the mating state according to the first embodiment. Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the first and second connectors in the mating state according to the first embodiment, and it corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG4(a). In FIG8, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in (a).

[0150] Here, the substrate connection portion 62 of the first terminal 61 of the first connector 10 is connected to a connecting pad that is connected to a conductive trace of the first substrate (not shown). The sidewall substrate connection portion 53d and the endwall substrate connection portion 57d of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are surface-mounted to the first substrate by soldering through the connecting pads connected to the conductive traces of the first substrate. The conductive traces connected to the connecting pads connected to the substrate connection portion 62 of the first terminal 61 are assumed to be signal lines. The conductive traces connected to the connecting pads connected to the sidewall substrate connection portion 53d and the endwall substrate connection portion 57d of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 are assumed to be power lines or ground lines.

[0151] Similarly, the substrate connection portion 162 of the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 is connected to a connecting pad that is connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate (not shown). The substrate connection portion 153c of the connecting arm portion 153 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 and the substrate connection portion 157c of the end wall cover portion 157 are connected to the connecting pads on the second substrate and are thus mounted on the second substrate. Note that the conductive traces connected to the connecting pads connected to the substrate connection portion 162 of the second terminal 161 are assumed to be signal lines. And the conductive traces connected to the connecting pads connected to the substrate connection portion 153c of the connecting arm portion 153 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 and the substrate connection portion 157c of the end wall cover portion 157 are assumed to be power lines or ground lines.

[0152] First, the operator positions the mating surfaces 11a of the first base 11 of the first connector 10 and the second base 111 of the second connector 101 so that they face each other. Then, the position of the first protrusion 12 of the first connector 10 is aligned with the position of the corresponding recess 112a of the second connector 101, and the position of the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 is aligned with the position of the corresponding mating recess 122 of the second connector 101, thus completing the alignment of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101.

[0153] In this state, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 move in the direction of approaching the opposing connectors (i.e., in the mating direction (Z-axis direction), the first protrusion 12 and the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 are inserted into the groove 112a and the mating recess 122 of the second connector 101. Thus, as... Figure 1 Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are in a conductive state when the engagement between the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0154] Specifically, the first terminal 61 of the first connector 10 is inserted between the inner contact portion 165a and the outer contact portion 166 of the respective second terminal 161. The surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 of the first terminal 61 contacts the inner contact portion 165a of the second terminal 161. The surface 65a of the plate portion 65 of the first terminal 61 contacts the outer contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161. As a result, each second terminal 161 and its corresponding first terminal 61 are electrically connected. More specifically, the surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 of the first terminal 61 is always in contact with the inner contact portion 165a of the second terminal 161, but the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 of the first terminal 61 does not necessarily have to always contact the outer contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 and may not function as a contact point. In other words, the protrusion 167b of the second terminal 161 is sufficient to engage and contact the second stepped portion 68b of the first terminal 61. The plate portion 65 of the first terminal 61 and the outer contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 do not necessarily function as contact points.

[0155] As a result, the conductive traces on the first substrate connected to the substrate connection portion 62 of the first terminal 61 and the conductive traces on the second substrate connected to the substrate connection portion 162 of the second terminal 161 are connected. Because the protrusion 167b of the second terminal 161 engages with the second stepped portion 68b of the first terminal 61, the connection between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 is ensured, and the mating state of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is reliably maintained.

[0156] Furthermore, the first protruding end 22 is inserted into the fitting recess 122, and the contact arm 154 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 contacts the side wall outer cover 53c of the side cover 53 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 attached to the first protruding end 22. As a result, the conductive traces connected to the connecting pads on the first substrate connected to the side wall substrate connecting portion 53d and the end wall substrate connecting portion 57d of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 and the conductive traces connected to the connecting pads on the second substrate connected to the substrate connecting portion 153c of the connecting arm 153 and the substrate connecting portion 157c of the end wall cover 157 of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 are connected.

[0157] Incidentally, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are respectively mounted on a first substrate and a second substrate having large areas. Therefore, the operator cannot visually see the mating surfaces of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 and must perform the mating action by hand. As a result, the positions of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 may be misaligned because accurate alignment cannot be performed by feel. For example, the second connector 101 may be displaced relative to the first connector 10 in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, and the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 may be misaligned with the mating recess 122 of the second connector 101.

[0158] In this state, when the operator moves the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 in the mating direction, for example, the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 abuts against the end wall portion 121b or side wall extension portion 121c of the second protruding end 121 of the second connector 101. Therefore, the first protruding end 22 and / or the second protruding end 121 are subjected to a strong force. However, as described above, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is integrally mounted on the first protruding end 22 of the first connector 10 and the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is integrally mounted on the second protruding end 121 of the second connector 101. Therefore, the first protruding end 22 and / or the second protruding end 121 have high strength and will not be damaged or broken.

[0159] Secondly, when the engaged first connector 10 and second connector 101 are disengaged, the operator applies a force in the disengagement direction (which is the direction (Z-axis direction) from which the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 are separated from each other). In other words, a pull-out force is applied. In this case, the second connector 101 is lifted relative to the first connector 10 for removal, thereby the second step portion 68b applies a strong upward force (Z-axis direction) to the first terminal 61, particularly the plate portion 65, which engages with the protrusion 167b of the second terminal 161.

[0160] As clearly shown in Figure 4(d), the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by entering from the outside of the first base 11 in the width direction, then rolling upward and back. The plate portion 65 is located near the end of the wound shape, thereby applying a strong pull-out force in the upward direction to cause overturning.

[0161] Note that even if the second step portion 68b is not present, an upward pulling force will still be applied to the plate portion 65 of the first terminal 61 because of the resistance to the sliding of the second terminal 161; thus, this force acts to cause overturning.

[0162] However, in this embodiment, the fixing part 67 is connected to the end (lower end) of the plate part 65, and the surface of the fixing part 67 is covered by the covering part 12c of the first base 11. Therefore, the plate part 65 is reliably held by the first base 11 and will not tip over.

[0163] Furthermore, the surface 67a of the fixing part 67 is connected to the surface 65a of the plate part 65 via a first stepped portion 68a that connects to the surface 65a of the plate part 65 and is recessed into the interior of the first protrusion 12, so that the fixing part 67 is embedded in the first protrusion 12 and is firmly held by the first protrusion 12. Therefore, tipping of the plate part 65 is reliably prevented.

[0164] Furthermore, the fixing part 67 includes a widened part 67c that is larger in the width direction than the plate part 65, and the widened part 67c is embedded in the first protrusion 12. In this way, because the fixing part 67 is more firmly held by the first protrusion 12, the plate part 65 is more reliably prevented from tipping over.

[0165] In this embodiment, the first connector 10 includes: a first base 11 made of insulating material; and a first terminal 61 made of conductive material, integral with the first base 11. Furthermore, the first base 11 includes a first protrusion 12 extending along the length of the first connector 10. The first terminal 61 includes: a plate portion 65 extending in the vertical direction, with its surface 65a exposed on the outer surface 12a, which is one side of the first protrusion 12; an opposing plate portion 66 extending in the vertical direction, with its surface 66a exposed on the inner surface 12b, which is the other side of the first protrusion 12; a connecting portion 64 connecting the upper end of the plate portion 65 and the upper end of the opposing plate portion 66; and a fixing portion 67 connected to the lower end of the plate portion 65. A second step portion 68b is formed as a step at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64, and the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67 is covered by the insulating material of the first base 11.

[0166] Therefore, although the first connector 10 is small and low-profile, even with a strong pull-out force, the first terminal 61 will not tip over, and the second connector 101 can be repeatedly engaged and disengaged. In addition, the construction of the first connector 10 can be simplified, the cost can be reduced, and the reliability can be improved.

[0167] Furthermore, the fixing part 67 is thinner than the plate part 65. Therefore, even if the surface of the covering part 12c of the fixing part 67 of the first base 11 is formed to be on the same plane as other parts of the outer side surface 12a, the surface 67a of the fixing part 67 will be covered by a sufficient amount of insulating material and can reliably prevent the plate part 65 from tipping over.

[0168] Furthermore, a first step portion 68a is formed as a step portion at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67, and the back surface 65b of the plate portion 65 and the back surface 67b of the fixing portion 67 are formed on the same plane. Therefore, the covering portion 12c of the first base 11 that covers the surface 67a of the fixing portion 67 can be thickened, which increases the strength of the covering portion 12c.

[0169] Furthermore, the fixing part 67 includes a widened part 67c that is wider than the plate part 65. Thus, the widened part 67c is covered by and engaged with the insulating material of the first base 11, which provides an anchoring effect.

[0170] Furthermore, at least a portion of the widened portion 67c gradually increases in width as it moves downwards. Therefore, the shape of the insulating material covering the first base 11 of the widened portion 67c changes gradually, preventing stress concentration and thus preventing damage to the insulating material.

[0171] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 includes a substrate connection portion 62 extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion 66 outward in the width direction of the first connector 10. The surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 is exposed on the inner surface 12b of the first protrusion 12 facing the inner side of the first connector 10 in the width direction, while the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 is exposed on the outer surface 12a of the first protrusion 12 facing the outer side of the first connector 10 in the width direction. In this manner, when viewed from the length direction of the first base 11, the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by entering the inner side from the outer side of the first base 11 in the width direction, then rolling upward and then rolling back.

[0172] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Note that parts having the same structure as the first embodiment are omitted from description by giving them the same reference numerals. Furthermore, descriptions of the same actions and effects as the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0173] Figure 10 is a three-view view of the first terminal in the second embodiment. Note that in this figure, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view.

[0174] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first terminal 61 is an integrally formed component by processing such as stamping and bending of a conductive metal strip. When viewed from the length direction of the first base 11, the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by entering the inner side from the outer side of the width direction of the first base 11, then rolling upward and then rolling back.

[0175] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 includes: a plate portion 65 serving as an outer contact portion and extending in the vertical direction; an opposing plate portion 66 facing the plate portion 65, serving as an inner contact portion, and extending in the vertical direction of the first base 11; a connecting portion 64, both ends of which are bent and connected to the upper end of the plate portion 65 and the upper end of the opposing plate portion 66; and a substrate connecting portion 62 extending in the width direction of the first base 11, with its first end bent and connected to the lower end of the opposing plate portion 66. Additionally, a fixing portion 67 is connected to the lower end of the plate portion 65.

[0176] However, for the first terminal 61 in this embodiment, the fixing part 67 is formed to have the same thickness as the plate part 65, and as a result, there is no first step part 68a between the fixing part 67 and the plate part 65 (in other words, at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate part 65 and the surface 67a of the fixing part 67).

[0177] Note that the configuration of the other points of the first terminal 61 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, their description is omitted.

[0178] Furthermore, the other basic configurations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

[0179] Furthermore, the engagement and disengagement actions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, as well as the configuration and effects of other points of the engagement state of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment, are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

[0180] Next, the third embodiment will be described. Note that parts having the same structure as the first and second embodiments are omitted from description by giving them the same reference numerals. Furthermore, descriptions of the same operations and effects as the first and second embodiments will also be omitted.

[0181] Figure 11 is a three-view view of the first terminal in the third embodiment. Figure 12 is a two-view view of the first terminal in the third embodiment. Note that in Figure 11, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view. In Figure 12, (a) is a rear view, and (b) is a perspective view viewed from different angles.

[0182] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by stamping, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal strip, but the winding direction of the winding shape is different. Furthermore, in the aforementioned first embodiment, the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 is exposed on the outer side 12a of the first protrusion 12, while the surface 66a of the plate portion 66 is exposed on the inner side 12b of the first protrusion 12; however, in this embodiment, the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 is exposed on the inner side 12b of the first protrusion 12, while the surface 66a of the plate portion 66 is exposed on the outer side 12a of the first protrusion 12.

[0183] The elongated strip constituting the first terminal 61 of this embodiment extends from the outer end of the substrate connecting portion 62 located further outward of the outer side surface 12a of the first protrusion 12 (the outer edge of the first base 11 in the width direction) to the outer side surface 12a, bends at approximately 90 degrees, extends from the lower end to the upper end of the opposing plate portion 66, bends at approximately 90 degrees at the upper end, extends toward the inner side of the first base 11 in the width direction to serve as a connecting portion 64, bends at approximately 90 degrees, extends from the upper end to the lower end of the plate portion 65, and then bends. In other words, when viewed from the length direction of the first base 11, the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by traveling outward in the width direction of the first base 11, then rolling upward and then forward to enter the inner side.

[0184] Additionally, as in the first embodiment described above, the fixing part 67 is connected to the end (lower end) of the plate part 65. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the fixing part 67 is formed to be thinner than the plate part 65, and a first step part 68a is formed between the fixing part 67 and the plate part 65 (in other words, at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate part 65 and the surface 67a of the fixing part 67).

[0185] However, in this embodiment, the second step portion 68b is formed at the junction of the surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 and the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64, and not at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64. Additionally, the opposing plate portion 66 includes a widened portion 66c whose dimension in the width direction is larger than that of the opposing plate portion 66. Furthermore, a recessed portion 65c in the thickness direction is formed on the surface 65a of the plate portion 65. When the first connector 10 is engaged with the second connector 101, the recessed portion 65c contacts the inner contact portion 165a of the second terminal 161 and serves as a contact point. Note that the upper end 65d of the recessed portion 65c is located at the junction of the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 and the surface 64a of the connecting portion 64, serves as the second step portion, and is engaged by the inner contact portion 165a of the second terminal 161 when the engaged first connector 10 and second connector 101 are disengaged.

[0186] In this manner, for this embodiment, the first terminal 61 includes a substrate connecting portion 62 that extends outward in the width direction from the lower end of the opposing plate portion 66 towards the first connector 10. The surface 66a of the opposing plate portion 66 is exposed on the outer side 12a of the first protrusion 12 facing outward in the width direction towards the first connector 10, while the surface 65a of the plate portion 65 is exposed on the inner side 12b of the first protrusion 12 facing inward in the width direction towards the first connector 10. In other words, when viewed from the length direction of the first base 11, the first terminal 61 has a wound shape formed by traveling outward in the width direction of the first base 11, then rolling upward and then forward to enter inward.

[0187] It should be noted that the configuration of other points of the first terminal 61 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, its description is omitted.

[0188] In addition, the other basic configurations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above, and therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

[0189] Furthermore, the engagement and disengagement actions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, as well as other configurations and effects of the engagement states of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment, are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

[0190] It should be noted that the disclosure herein describes features relevant to suitable exemplary embodiments. Upon reviewing this disclosure, those skilled in the art will naturally conceive of various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector having A base made of insulating material and terminals made of conductive material and integrally formed with the base. in, The base includes a protrusion extending along the length of the connector; The terminal includes: a plate portion extending in a vertical direction, the surface of which is exposed on one side of the protrusion; a pair of opposing plate portions extending in the vertical direction, the surface of which is exposed on the other side of the protrusion; a connecting portion connecting the upper end of the plate portion and the upper end of the opposing plate portion; and a fixing portion connected to the lower end of the plate portion; and A stepped portion is formed at the interface between the surface of the plate portion and the surface of the connecting portion, and the surface of the fixing portion is covered by the insulating material. The back surface of the plate and the back surface of the fixing part are formed in the same plane.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing part is thinner than the plate part.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, Another stepped portion is formed at the junction between the surface of the plate portion and the surface of the fixing portion, and the back side of the plate portion and the back side of the fixing portion are formed on the same plane.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing part includes a widened part that is wider than the width of the plate part.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein, At least a portion of the widened portion gradually increases in width as it moves downwards.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The terminal includes: a substrate connection portion extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion outward in the width direction of the connector, wherein the surface of the opposing plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing the inside of the width direction of the connector, and the surface of the plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing the outside of the width direction of the connector.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The terminal includes: a substrate connection portion extending from the lower end of the opposing plate portion outward in the width direction of the connector, wherein the surface of the opposing plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing outward in the width direction of the connector, and the surface of the plate portion is exposed on the side of the protrusion facing inward in the width direction of the connector.

8. A connector pair comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1-6 and a mating connector capable of engaging with said connector. in, The mating connector includes a mating terminal, which is connectable to the terminal and is a component integrally formed of a conductive material. The mating terminal includes: The inner contact portion contacts the surface of the opposing plate portion of the terminal. The external contact portion contacts the surface of the plate portion of the terminal, and The protrusion is connected to one end of the outer contact portion and protrudes towards the inner contact portion. When the terminal is connected to the mating terminal, the protrusion engages with the stepped portion of the terminal.

Images