connector

Abstract

The present application provides a connector capable of improving the reinforcing strength without impairing miniaturization. A reinforcing member (14) has a first member (15) including a first reinforcing portion extending in a U shape along an end portion of a housing (12) when viewed from a fitting direction, and a connecting portion connected to the first reinforcing portion and electrically connected to an opposite-side reinforcing member of an opposite-side connector when the opposite-side connector is fitted, and a second member (16) formed as a different member from the first member and including a second reinforcing portion extending in a U shape along the first reinforcing portion when viewed from the fitting direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector with a reinforcing member mounted on the housing. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, a connector with a reinforcing member mounted on the housing holding the contacts was known. The reinforcing member, for example, was made of a metal material and strengthened the connector when mated with the other connector.

[0003] For example, in patent document 1, such as Figure 18 As shown, a connector is disclosed in which a plurality of contacts 2 are held in an arranged manner on a housing 1 made of resin material. Reinforcing members 3 made of metal material are respectively mounted on both sides of the housing 1 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 2.

[0004] The housing 1 has a pair of opposing wall portions 1A, a central protrusion 1B disposed between the pair of wall portions 1A, a connecting portion 1C connecting the ends of the pair of wall portions 1A, and a bottom 1D. A contact 2 is disposed between each wall portion 1A and the central protrusion 1B. Around the central protrusion 1B, a recessed receiving portion 1E for accommodating a counterpart connector (not shown) is formed by the pair of wall portions 1A, the connecting portion 1C, and the bottom 1D.

[0005] A bent portion 3A is formed at the end of each reinforcing member 3. The reinforcing member 3 is installed on the housing 1 by pressing the bent portion 3A into the groove 1F formed in the connecting portion 1C of the housing 1.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-93292

[0009] Although the connector is strengthened by such a reinforcing member 3, it is effective to increase the thickness of the reinforcing member 3 in order to further improve the reinforcing strength of the connector.

[0010] However, if the thickness of the reinforcing member 3 is increased, problems such as the following arise: the bending radius of the metal plate, which is the forming material of the reinforcing member 3, becomes larger when bent, and the connector becomes larger.

[0011] Especially in small connectors, space saving becomes important, and miniaturization is often sacrificed in order to increase strength. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention was made to solve such existing problems, and its purpose is to provide a connector that can improve reinforcement strength without compromising miniaturization.

[0013] The connector of the present invention engages with the counterpart connector along the mating direction, and the connector comprises:

[0014] The shell extends along a predetermined direction intersecting the mating direction;

[0015] Multiple contacts, held in the housing and arranged in a specified direction; and

[0016] A reinforcing member, held at the end of the shell in a specified direction, and made of metallic material.

[0017] The reinforcing components have:

[0018] The first component includes: a first reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape along an end of the housing when viewed from the mating direction; and a connecting portion connected to the first reinforcing portion and electrically connected to the mating reinforcing member of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector; and

[0019] The second component is formed as a part different from the first component, and includes a second reinforcing portion that extends in a U-shape along the first reinforcing portion when viewed from the fitting direction.

[0020] Preferably, the first reinforcing part and the second reinforcing part are respectively formed of a strip metal plate, the strip metal plate having a thickness direction intersecting the mating direction and a width direction along the mating direction.

[0021] The second component includes a cover having a cross-sectional shape that is connected to one end of the second reinforcement in the fitting direction and is bent in such a way as to cover one end of the first reinforcement in the fitting direction.

[0022] More preferably, the first member includes a first mounting portion formed at the other end of the first reinforcing portion along the fitting direction, and the second member includes a second mounting portion formed at the other end of the second reinforcing portion along the fitting direction.

[0023] Preferably, the connecting portion is arranged in a manner that places it alongside multiple contacts along a predetermined direction.

[0024] Furthermore, preferably, the first member includes a pair of connecting portions respectively connected to the two ends of the first reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting portion has a pair of spring contacts that clamp the connecting portion of the opposite-side reinforcing member from both sides when it is engaged with the opposite-side connector.

[0026] Preferably, the housing has a pair of reinforcing members at both ends, which are respectively held in a predetermined direction.

[0027] In addition, it can be configured such that multiple contacts are arranged in two rows along a specified direction.

[0028] The effects of the invention:

[0029] According to the present invention, the reinforcing member held at the end of the housing has: a first member including: a first reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape along the end of the housing when viewed from the mating direction; and a connecting portion connected to the first reinforcing portion and electrically connected to the mating reinforcing member of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector; and a second member formed as a component different from the first member and including a second reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape along the first reinforcing portion when viewed from the mating direction, thereby improving the reinforcing strength without compromising miniaturization. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the embodiment, viewed from an oblique top.

[0032] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the embodiment, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the contacts used in the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first component used in the implementation method, viewed from an oblique angle.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first component used in the implementation method, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second component used in the implementation method, viewed from an oblique angle.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the second component used in the implementation method, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0038] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing member of the connector according to the implementation method.

[0039] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the connector on the other side.

[0040] Figure 11 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector on the other side.

[0041] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the counterpart contact for the counterpart connector.

[0042] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing the opposite-side reinforcing member used in the opposite-side connector.

[0043] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of a connector in an embodiment where it is engaged with the connector on the other side.

[0044] Figure 15 This is a top view of a connector in an embodiment where it is engaged with the connector on the other side.

[0045] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 A sectional view along line AA.

[0046] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 BB line section view.

[0047] Figure 18 This is a partial perspective view showing an existing connector.

[0048] Figure Labels

[0049] 1. Housing, 1A. Wall, 1B. Central protrusion, 1C. Connecting part, 1D. Bottom, 1E. Receiving part, 1F. Groove, 2. Contact, 3. Reinforcing member, 3A. Bending part, 11. Connector, 12, 22. Housing, 12A, 22A. Outer wall, 12B. Fitting part, 12C, 12D, 22B. Contact receiving groove, 13, 23. Contact, 13A, 15F. Arm, 13B, 13C, 15G, 15H. Spring contact, 13D. Mounting part, 14, 24. Reinforcing member, 15. First member. 15A First reinforcing part, 15B, 24B connecting parts, 15C First side part, 15D First abutting part, 15E, 16G, 23C mounting parts, 16 Second component, 16A Second reinforcing part, 16C Second side part, 16D Second abutting part, 16E, 16F Cover part, 16H Recess, 16J Bottom, 16K Rib, 21 Counter-side connector, 23A Bending part, 23B, 24C Contact point, 24A Reinforcing part, C1, C2 Central shaft, R Counter-side connector receiving part. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 A perspective view of the connector 11 according to an embodiment is shown. The connector 11 is a socket connector that uses a plug connector (described later) as the counterpart connector, and has a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending along the central axis C1. The connector 11 includes: a housing 12 extending along the central axis C1; a plurality of contacts 13 held in the housing 12; and a pair of reinforcing members 14 mounted at both ends of the housing 12 in the direction along the central axis C1.

[0052] For convenience, the direction in which the central axis C1 extends is called the Y direction, the surface of the flat connector 11 is called the XY surface, and the direction orthogonal to the XY surface is called the Z direction.

[0053] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of connector 11 is shown.

[0054] The housing 12 is formed of an insulating resin material and has a rectangular frame-shaped outer wall portion 12A formed to surround the connector 11, and a generally cuboid-shaped fitting portion 12B extending along the Y direction inside the outer wall portion 12A. The outer wall portion 12A and the fitting portion 12B protrude toward the +Z direction.

[0055] A plurality of contact receiving grooves 12C are arranged in the outer wall portion 12A. Similarly, a plurality of contact receiving grooves 12D corresponding to the plurality of contact receiving grooves 12C in the outer wall portion 12A are also arranged in the fitting portion 12B. The contact receiving grooves 12C of the outer wall portion 12A and the contact receiving grooves 12D of the fitting portion 12B that correspond to each other are arranged at the same position in the Y direction.

[0056] Multiple contacts 13 are arranged in two rows along the Y direction, each formed of a conductive metal material, and are housed in multiple contact receiving grooves 12C and multiple contact receiving grooves 12D of the housing 12. Each contact 13 is arranged in the X direction from the outer wall portion 12A of the housing 12 to the fitting portion 12B.

[0057] Furthermore, the pair of reinforcing members 14 are each composed of a first member 15 and a second member 16 formed as a component different from the first member 15. The first member 15 and the second member 16 are each formed of a conductive metallic material and are held by a housing 12 made of resin material.

[0058] Figure 4 The diagram shows a contact 13 arranged in two rows along the Y direction, positioned on the -X direction side. The contact 13 is constructed from a bent metal plate and has a U-shaped arm 13A bent towards the +Z direction. A pair of spring contacts 13B and 13C, facing each other in the X direction, are formed on the U-shaped bent portion of the arm 13A. Furthermore, a mounting portion 13D facing the -Z direction is formed at the -X direction end of the arm 13A.

[0059] The contacts 13 arranged in two columns are configured symmetrically with respect to the YZ plane, with the contacts 13 on the +X direction side and the contacts 13 on the -X direction side having the same structure as the contacts 13 on the -X direction side.

[0060] Figure 5 and Figure 6The first member 15 of a pair of reinforcing members 14 is shown, which is disposed at the -Y direction end of the housing 12. The first member 15 is made of a bent metal plate and has a first reinforcing portion 15A extending in a U-shape along the -Y direction end of the housing 12 and a pair of connecting portions 15B respectively connected to the two ends of the U-shaped first reinforcing portion 15A.

[0061] The first reinforcing part 15A is formed by bending a strip of metal plate with a width direction along the Z direction into a U-shape in the XY plane. It has: a pair of first side parts 15C, which extend along the YZ plane with their thickness directions facing the X direction and spaced apart from each other in the X direction; and a first abutting part 15D, which extends along the XZ plane with its thickness direction facing the Y direction and connecting the -Y direction ends of the pair of first side parts 15C.

[0062] Furthermore, mounting portions 15E are formed at the -Z direction ends of a pair of first side portions 15C and first abutment portions 15D, respectively.

[0063] One of the pair of connecting portions 15B, the connecting portion 15B disposed on the +X direction side, has an arm portion 15F, which extends from the +Y direction end of the corresponding first side portion 15C toward the -X direction and is bent into a U-shape opening toward the +Z direction. A pair of spring contacts 15G and 15H opposite to each other in the X direction are formed on the bent portion of the U-shape of the arm portion 15F.

[0064] The connecting portion 15B on the -X direction side and the connecting portion 15B on the +X direction side of the pair of connecting portions 15B are symmetrically arranged with respect to the YZ plane, but have the same structure as the connecting portion 15B on the +X direction side.

[0065] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A second member 16 of a pair of reinforcing members 14 is shown, which is disposed at the -Y direction end of the housing 12. The second member 16 is made of a bent metal sheet and has a second reinforcing portion 16A extending in a U-shape along the -Y direction end of the housing 12.

[0066] The second reinforcing portion 16A includes: a pair of second side portions 16C, each extending along the YZ plane with its thickness direction facing the X direction and spaced apart from each other in the X direction; and a second abutting portion 16D, extending along the XZ plane with its thickness direction facing the Y direction and between the -Y direction ends of the pair of second side portions 16C. The pair of second side portions 16C and the second abutting portion 16D are each formed of a strip-shaped metal plate having a width direction along the Z direction, and are separate from each other.

[0067] A pair of cover portions 16E are connected to the +Z direction ends of a pair of second side portions 16C. These cover portions 16E extend in the X direction in a manner close to each other and have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape that is bent open towards the -Z direction. A cover portion 16F is connected to the +Z direction end of the second abutment portion 16D. This cover portion 16F extends towards the +Y direction and has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape that is bent open towards the -Z direction. The +X direction ends and -X direction ends of the cover portion 16F are connected to the -Y direction ends of the pair of cover portions 16E.

[0068] Furthermore, mounting portions 16G are formed at the -Z direction ends of a pair of second side portions 16C and abutment portions 16D, respectively.

[0069] Furthermore, a bottom portion 16J is connected to the +Y direction end of the cover portion 16F. The bottom portion 16J extends in the +Y direction and forms a recess 16H that opens in the +Z direction. In addition, a rib 16K is connected to the +Y direction end of the bottom portion 16J, which extends in the thickness direction toward the X direction and in the +Y direction. The rib 16K is embedded in the fitting portion 12B of the shell 12 made of resin material.

[0070] The first member 15 and the second member 16 of the pair of reinforcing members 14, located at the +Y direction end of the housing 12, are... Figures 5-8 The first member 15 and the second member 16 of the reinforcing member 14 at the -Y direction end side of the housing 12 shown are symmetrically arranged with respect to the XZ plane, but have the same structure as the first member 15 and the second member 16 of the reinforcing member 14 at the -Y direction end side of the housing 12.

[0071] By insert molding, a so-called integral molding process, in which the first member 15 and the second member 16 of a pair of reinforcing members 14 are held in a mold (not shown), a housing 12 in which the first member 15 and the second member 16 of the pair of reinforcing members 14 are integrally molded into resin, can be manufactured. Subsequently, a plurality of contacts 13 are pressed into a plurality of contact receiving grooves 12C formed in the outer wall portion 12A of the housing 12 to manufacture... Figure 1 The connector 11 is shown. Alternatively, multiple contacts 13 can be integrally held in the housing 12 together with the first member 15 and the second member 16 of a pair of reinforcing members 14 by insert molding.

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown, a concave opposite-side connector receiving portion R that opens in the +Z direction is formed around the fitting portion 12B of the housing 12 in such a way as to surround the fitting portion 12B.

[0073] Figure 9A cross-sectional view is shown of the reinforcing member 14, which is integrally formed with the housing 12, cut across the XZ plane. The first side portion 15C of the first member 15 is arranged to overlap the inner side of the second side portion 16C of the second member 16, and a cover portion 16E connected to the +Z direction end of the second side portion 16C of the second member 16 covers the +Z direction end of the first side portion 15C. Although not shown, the first abutting portion 15D of the first member 15 and the second abutting portion 16D of the second member 16 are also arranged to overlap each other, and a cover portion 16F connected to the +Z direction end of the second abutting portion 16D covers the +Z direction end of the first abutting portion 15D.

[0074] Thus, the U-shaped first reinforcing portion 15A of the first member 15 having a pair of first side portions 15C and a first abutting portion 15D, and the U-shaped second reinforcing portion 16A of the second member 16 having a pair of second side portions 16C and a second abutting portion 16D, are held in the housing 12, thereby reinforcing the connector 11.

[0075] The reinforcing strength of the connector 11 based on the reinforcing member 14 varies depending on the thickness of the metal plate forming the reinforcing member 14. However, the reinforcing member 14 is composed of two parts: a first member 15 and a second member 16. The U-shaped first reinforcing portion 15A of the first member 15 and the U-shaped second reinforcing portion 16A of the second member 16 overlap each other, thus having a reinforcing strength corresponding to the sum of the thickness of the metal plate forming the first member 15 and the thickness of the metal plate forming the second member 16.

[0076] Assuming that instead of the reinforcing member 14, which consists of the first member 15 and the second member 16, the reinforcing member is formed from a single metal sheet with a thickness equivalent to the sum of the thicknesses of the metal sheet forming the first member 15 and the metal sheet forming the second member 16, the same reinforcing strength as the reinforcing member 14 can be obtained. However, due to the increased sheet thickness, when bending the metal sheet using processes such as deep drawing or stamping, the following problems arise: the bending radius becomes larger, resulting in a larger reinforcing member and a larger connector with the reinforcing member.

[0077] In the connector 11 of the embodiment, the reinforcing member 14 is formed by the first member 15 and the second member 16, so the bending radius is not increased while the reinforcing strength is ensured.

[0078] Alternatively, the connector 11 may be disposed on a first substrate (not shown), and the mounting portions 13D of a plurality of contacts 13 may be soldered to a plurality of connection pads on the first substrate. The mounting portions 15E of the first member 15 and the mounting portions 16G of the second member 16 of a pair of reinforcing members 14 may be soldered to the power pads on the first substrate, thereby enabling it to be mounted on the first substrate.

[0079] At this time, by mounting multiple mounting portions 15E of the first component 15 and multiple mounting portions 16G of the second component 16 of each reinforcing member 14 onto a common power pad of the first substrate, the first component 15 and the second component 16 constituting the reinforcing member 14 are electrically connected to each other via the common power pad of the first substrate.

[0080] Here, Figure 10 The mating connector 21, which engages with connector 11, is shown. The mating connector 21 is a plug connector having a generally rectangular flat plate shape extending along a central axis C2. The mating connector 21 includes: a housing 22 extending along the central axis C2; a plurality of contacts 23 held in the housing 22; and a pair of reinforcing members (matting connector reinforcing members) 24 mounted at both ends of the housing 22 along the central axis C2.

[0081] Figure 11 An exploded perspective view of the opposite-side connector 21 is shown.

[0082] The housing 22 is formed of an insulating resin material and has a rectangular frame-shaped outer wall portion 22A that is formed to surround the periphery of the opposite connector 21 and protrudes in the -Z direction. A plurality of contact receiving grooves 22B are arranged in the outer wall portion 22A.

[0083] Multiple contacts 23 are arranged in two rows along the Y direction, each formed of a conductive metal material, and are housed in multiple contact receiving grooves 22B of the housing 22.

[0084] In addition, a pair of reinforcing members 24 are each formed of a conductive metal material and are held by a housing 22 made of resin material.

[0085] Figure 12 The diagram shows a contact 23 arranged in two rows along the Y direction, positioned on the -X direction side. The contact 23 is constructed from a bent metal plate, having a U-shaped bend 23A that opens towards the +Z direction. A contact point 23B is formed on the outer surface of the bend 23A. Furthermore, the +Z direction end of the bend 23A is bent and extends towards the -X direction, where a mounting portion 23C facing the +Z direction is formed.

[0086] The contacts 23 arranged in two columns are configured symmetrically with respect to the YZ plane, with the contacts 23 on the +X direction side and the contacts 23 on the -X direction side having the same structure as the contacts 23 on the -X direction side.

[0087] Figure 13The diagram shows one of a pair of reinforcing members 24 disposed at the -Y direction end of the housing 22. The reinforcing member 24 is constructed from a bent metal sheet and has a reinforcing portion 24A extending in a U-shape along the -Y direction end of the housing 22, and a pair of connecting portions 24B connected to the reinforcing portion 24A and disposed adjacent to the +Y direction side of the reinforcing member 24. The pair of connecting portions 24B are located at the same Y direction position and each has a bent portion that is bent into a U-shape opening towards the +Z direction, with a contact point 24C formed on the outer surface of the bent portion. Furthermore, a mounting portion 24D is formed at the +Z direction end of the reinforcing portion 24A.

[0088] Similar to connector 11, after integrally forming a pair of reinforcing members 24 and housing 22, a plurality of contacts 23 are pressed into a plurality of contact receiving grooves 22B formed in the outer wall portion 22A of housing 22 to manufacture... Figure 10 The opposite-side connector 21 is shown. Alternatively, multiple contacts 23 can be integrally held together with a pair of reinforcing members 24 in the housing 22 by insert molding.

[0089] Alternatively, the opposite connector 21 may be disposed on a second substrate (not shown), and the mounting portions 23C of a plurality of contacts 23 may be soldered to a plurality of connection pads on the second substrate, and the mounting portions 24D of a pair of reinforcing members 24 may be soldered to the power pads on the second substrate, thereby enabling it to be mounted on the second substrate.

[0090] By moving the opposite connector 21, located on the +Z direction side of connector 11, towards the -Z direction, it is pressed against connector 11, such as... Figure 14 As shown, the counterpart connector 21 is engaged with the connector 11. In addition, the counterpart connector 21 is engaged with the connector 11 in a posture in which the outer wall portion 22A of the housing 22 protrudes toward the connector 11.

[0091] If the counterpart connector 21 is engaged with the connector 11, a pair of reinforcing members 24 of the counterpart connector 21 are respectively embedded inside a pair of reinforcing members 14 of the connector 11. The presence of these reinforcing members 14 and 24 strengthens both ends of the connector 11 and the counterpart connector 21 in the Y direction, which is the long side direction. Therefore, for example, even if external forces are generated at both ends of the connector 11 and the counterpart connector 21 in the Y direction due to the counterpart connector 21 engaging with the connector 11 in a direction inclined relative to the Z direction, the engagement of the connector 11 and the counterpart connector 21 can be performed without damage.

[0092] Furthermore, when the connector 21 on the other side is engaged with the connector 11, Figure 2 The generally cuboid-shaped mating portion 12B of the housing 12 of the connector 11 shown is inserted into Figure 11The inner side of the frame-shaped outer wall portion 22A of the housing 22 of the opposite-side connector 21 is shown, but due to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The rib 16K of the second member 16 of the connector 11 shown is embedded in the mating portion 12B of the housing 12 to strengthen the mating portion 12B. Therefore, even if the opposite connector 21 is excessively pressed toward the connector 11, it can prevent damage to the multiple contacts 13 of the connector 11 and the multiple contacts 23 of the opposite connector 21.

[0093] like Figure 15 As shown, connector 11 and the other side connector 21 are fitted together in such a way that their central axes C1 and C2 overlap when viewed from the Z direction.

[0094] At this time, Figure 1 The concave mating portion 12B of the housing 12 of the connector 11 shown is accommodated by the concave mating portion R of the opposite connector receiving portion. Figure 11 The frame-shaped outer wall portion 22A of the housing 22 of the opposite-side connector 21 is shown.

[0095] Therefore, as Figure 16 As shown, the bent portion 23A of the contact 23 of the counterpart connector 21 is inserted into the arm 13A while elastically deforming the U-shaped arm 13A of the corresponding contact 13 of the connector 11. As a result, the contact point 23B of the contact 23 is sandwiched between and contacts the pair of spring contacts 13B and 13C of the contact 13. Thus, the plurality of contacts 13 of the connector 11 are electrically connected to the plurality of contacts 23 of the counterpart connector 21.

[0096] In addition, such as Figure 17 As shown, the connecting portion 24B of the reinforcing member 24 of the opposite connector 21 is inserted into the arm 15F of the first member 15 included in the reinforcing member 14 of the connector 11 while elastically deforming the U-shaped arm 15F of the connecting portion 15B. As a result, the contact 24C of the connecting portion 24B of the opposite connector 21 is sandwiched between and contacts a pair of spring contacts 15G and 15H of the connecting portion 15B of the connector 11. Thus, the first member 15 of the connector 11 is electrically connected to the reinforcing member 24 of the opposite connector 21.

[0097] At this time, the multiple contacts formed by the spring contacts 15G and 15H of the connecting portion 15B of the first component 15 of the connector 11 respectively contact the contact 24C of the other side connector 21. Therefore, the electrical connection between the first component 15 of the connector 11 and the reinforcing member 24 of the other side connector 21 has excellent reliability.

[0098] The reinforcing member 14 of the connector 11 is formed by the first member 15 and the second member 16. Therefore, a pair of spring contacts 15G and 15H can be formed at the connection portion 15B of the first member 15 with a small bending radius. The connection portion 15B with multiple contact structures can be realized without increasing the size of the reinforcing member 14.

[0099] As described above, a plurality of mounting portions 15E of the first component 15 and a plurality of mounting portions 16G of the second component 16 of the reinforcing member 14 of the connector 11 are mounted on a common power pad on the first substrate, thereby the first component 15 and the second component 16 constituting the reinforcing member 14 are electrically connected to each other via the common power pad on the first substrate, and thus the reinforcing member 24 of the opposite connector 21 is electrically connected to the reinforcing member 14 of the connector 11.

[0100] In addition, by mounting connector 11 on the first substrate and mounting the opposite-side connector 21 on the second substrate, connector 11 and opposite-side connector 21 can be used as a so-called substrate-to-substrate connector.

[0101] Furthermore, similar to the reinforcing member 14 of connector 11, if the reinforcing member 24 of the opposite side connector 21 is formed by the first member and the second member, the bending radius of the reinforcing member 24 of the opposite side connector 21 will not increase, thus ensuring the reinforcing strength.

Claims

1. A connector that engages with a counterpart connector along a mating direction, characterized in that, This connector has the following features: The housing extends along a predetermined direction intersecting the fitting direction; Multiple contacts, held in the housing and arranged along the predetermined direction; and A reinforcing member, held at the end of the housing in the specified direction, and made of metallic material. The reinforcing member has: A first component includes: a first reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape along the end of the housing when viewed from the mating direction; and a connecting portion connected to the first reinforcing portion and electrically connected to the mating reinforcing member of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector; and The second component is formed as a part different from the first component, and includes a second reinforcing portion that extends in a U-shape along the first reinforcing portion when viewed from the fitting direction; The first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the mating direction, and the first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion each have a mounting portion for mounting on a common power pad of a substrate on which the connector is mounted.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first reinforcing part and the second reinforcing part are respectively formed of strip metal plates, the strip metal plates having a thickness direction intersecting the fitting direction and a width direction along the fitting direction.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second member includes a cover portion connected to one end of the second reinforcement portion along the fitting direction, and has a cross-sectional shape that is curved to cover one end of the first reinforcement portion along the fitting direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first component includes a first mounting portion formed at the other end of the first reinforcing portion along the fitting direction. The second component includes a second mounting portion formed at the other end of the second reinforcement portion along the fitting direction.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The connecting portion is arranged side by side with the plurality of contacts along the specified direction.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first component includes a pair of connecting portions respectively connected to both ends of the first reinforcing portion extending in a U-shape.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The connecting portion has a pair of spring contacts that clamp the connecting portion of the opposite-side reinforcing member from both sides when it is engaged with the opposite-side connector.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The housing has a pair of reinforcing members at both ends, which are respectively held in the specified direction.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The plurality of contacts are arranged in two columns along the specified direction.

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