Connector, mating connector and connection device

Abstract

The present application relates to a connector including a housing having a bottom and a terminal including an internal terminal. The bottom has a protrusion and two bases. The protrusion protrudes from the bases in an up-down direction (Z direction). Each of the bases has at least one predetermined portion. The predetermined portion includes two through holes and a separation portion. Each of the through holes passes through the base in the up-down direction. The separation portion separates the two through holes from each other in a pitch direction (Y direction) and is connected to the protrusion in a lateral direction (X direction). Each of the internal terminals has a solderable portion. The solderable portions are partially located in the through holes, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector comprising a plurality of terminals arranged in a short distance. Background Technology

[0002] For example, this type of connector is disclosed in JP2016-152083A (Patent Document 1), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Reference Figure 16 Patent Document 1 discloses a connector 90 configured to be mounted on a board 98. The connector 90 includes a resin-molded housing 91, a plurality of first contacts (external terminals) 94, and a plurality of second contacts (internal terminals) 96. The external terminals 94 and internal terminals 96 are arranged at a short distance. Each of the internal terminals 96 has a solderable portion 97. The housing 91 has a bottom with a plurality of openings (through holes) 92 corresponding to the solderable portions 97. The solderable portions 97 are partially located within the through holes 92. This arrangement allows for visual inspection to confirm that the solderable portions 97 are correctly soldered to the board 98.

[0004] The bottom of the housing 91 has a plurality of separation portions 93. Each of the separation portions 93 is located between two through holes 92 that are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction. Although the housing 91 has through holes 93, this structure prevents a reduction in the strength of the housing 91.

[0005] When the number of internal terminals 96 is increased while keeping the size of the housing 91 constant, the distance between adjacent through holes, or the distance between two through holes 94 adjacent to each other along the pitch direction, decreases. In other words, when the housing 91 is molded from resin using a metal mold having two parts configured to form adjacent through holes, and a gap corresponding to the separation portion 93 and located between the two parts of the metal mold is formed, this gap inevitably has a small size. Therefore, almost no resin is poured into the gap, making it possible that the separation portion 93 is not sufficiently formed. As can be seen from the above description, the connector of Patent Document 1 is not necessarily suitable for arranging a large number of terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a new connector having a structure suitable for arranging a large number of terminals, and a mating connector that can mate with the new connector.

[0007] One aspect of the invention provides a connector comprising a housing and a plurality of terminals. The housing has two sidewalls, two edge walls, and a bottom. Each of the sidewalls extends along a pitch direction. The sidewalls are separated from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. The edge walls are located at opposite ends of the housing along the pitch direction. The bottom joins the sidewalls together. The bottom has a protrusion and two bases corresponding to the sidewalls respectively. The bases are located on opposite sides of the protrusion in a transverse direction. The protrusion projects from the base in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the pitch and transverse directions and is connected to at least one of the edge walls along the pitch direction. Each of the bases has at least one predetermined portion. Each of the predetermined portions includes two through holes and a separation portion. Each of the through holes extends through the base in a vertical direction. Each of the separation portions separates the two through holes from each other along the pitch direction and is connected to the protrusion and a corresponding sidewall in a transverse direction. The terminals are divided into two terminal rows corresponding to the sidewalls respectively. Each of the terminal rows includes at least two internal terminals. Each of the internal terminals has a retaining portion and a solderable portion. The holding portion of each internal terminal is held by a corresponding sidewall. The solderable portions of the internal terminals are partially located in the through-holes.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a connector protrudes vertically from a base having a through-hole and a separation portion, and connects to at least one of the edge walls, i.e., a predetermined edge wall. The protrusion and separation portion arranged as described above can be formed by resin molding using a metal mold having a first groove corresponding to the protrusion and a second groove corresponding to the separation portion. When molding the housing, resin is poured from a gate located near the predetermined edge wall into the first groove, which has a relatively large cross-section, and resin can be poured downwards from the first groove into the second groove. According to this molding method, the separation portion can be reliably formed even if the pitch direction dimension of the second groove is small.

[0009] As can be clearly seen from the above description, the present invention can provide a new connector with a structure suitable for arranging a large number of terminals. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a mating connector with a structure corresponding to the structure of this new connector, or a mating connector that can mate with this new connector.

[0010] By studying the following description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings, one can understand the purpose of the invention and its structure more fully. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connection device is in a separated state where the connector and its mating connector are separated from each other.

[0012] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Another perspective view of the connecting device.

[0013] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A plan view of the connector of the connecting device, wherein the portion of the connector surrounded by dotted lines is enlarged and shown, and the outline of the plate on which the connector is mounted is shown by dashed lines.

[0014] Figure 4 It is taken along line IV-IV. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the connector.

[0015] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 3 A bottom view of the connector.

[0016] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 3 A perspective view of the connector housing, in which the portion of the housing surrounded by dotted lines is enlarged and shown.

[0017] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 A plan view of the shell, in which the portion of the shell enlarged and shown by the dotted line, and in the enlarged view, the location of the gate for molding the shell is shown by the dashed line.

[0018] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1 A plan view of the mating connector of the connection device, wherein the outline of the mating plate on which the mating connector is mounted is shown in dashed lines.

[0019] Figure 9 It is a segment taken along line IX-IX. Figure 8 Cross-sectional view of the mating connector.

[0020] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the mating housing of the connector.

[0021] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 8 A three-dimensional view of the holding down component of the mating connector.

[0022] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 1 A side view of the connecting device, wherein the connecting device is in a mating state where the connector and the mating connector are mating with each other, and the outline of the plate and the outline of the mating plate are shown in dashed lines.

[0023] Figure 13 It is a section taken along line XIII-XIII. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the connecting device.

[0024] Figure 14 It is a section taken along line XIV-XIV. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the connecting device.

[0025] Figure 15 It is a section taken along line XV-XV. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the connecting device.

[0026] Figure 16 This is a plan view showing the connector and board of Patent Document 1.

[0027] While the invention is readily subject to various modifications and substitutions, specific embodiments thereof are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and their detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but rather are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 12 As shown, the connection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 12 and a mating connector 16, wherein the connector 12 is a plug and the mating connector 16 is a socket. The connector 12 is a so-called on-board connector configured to be mounted on a plate 82. The mating connector 16 is another on-board connector configured to be mounted on a mating plate 84. The connector 12 can mate with the mating connector 16 in the vertical direction. In the mating state where the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are mated, the plate 82 and the mating plate 84 are electrically connected to each other. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z-direction. In this embodiment, "upward" represents the positive Z-direction, and "downward" represents the negative Z-direction.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connector 12 of this embodiment includes a housing 20 made of an insulator, a plurality of terminals 3 made of a conductor, and two clamping members 40 made of a conductor. The connector 12 of this embodiment only includes the above-described components. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the above-described components, the connector 12 may further include another component. Conversely, the clamping members 40 may not be provided.

[0030] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the housing 20 is a single component molded from resin. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 20 may be formed from a resin-molded main component and additional components connected to the main component.

[0031] The housing 20 of this embodiment has a peripheral wall 21 and a bottom 25. The peripheral wall 21 has two side walls 22 and two edge walls 23. Therefore, the housing 20 has two side walls 22 and two edge walls 23.

[0032] The sidewalls 22 extend parallel to each other. Each of the sidewalls 22 extends along a pitch direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the pitch direction is the Y direction. The sidewalls 22 are separated from each other along a transverse direction perpendicular to both the vertical and pitch directions. In this embodiment, the transverse direction is the X direction.

[0033] The edge walls 23 are located at opposite ends of the housing 20 along the pitch direction. In this embodiment, each of the edge walls 23 extends laterally and connects two side walls 22 together in the lateral direction. The resulting outer wall 21 has a rectangular shape without gaps in a horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the edge walls 23 may be separate from the side walls 22 in the lateral direction.

[0034] The bottom 25 connects the two sidewalls 22 together in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the bottom 25 connects the two edge walls 23 together in the pitch direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the bottom 25 may be separate from one of the two edge walls 23 in the pitch direction.

[0035] The bottom 25 has a protrusion 28 and two bases 26 corresponding to the sidewalls 22. The bases 26 are located on opposite sides of the protrusion 28 in the lateral direction. In other words, each of the bases 26 is located in the lateral direction between the protrusion 28 and the corresponding sidewall 22. The protrusion 28 protrudes from the base 26 in the vertical direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, the protrusion 28 protrudes downward from the base 26. Each of the bases 26 and the protrusion 28 in this embodiment extends through the entire bottom 25 in the pitch direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the bases 26 may only be located in the middle of the bottom 25 in the pitch direction.

[0036] In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 extends without gaps along the pitch direction and connects to both edge walls 23 along the pitch direction. According to this structure, when the housing 20 is molded with resin, the entire protrusion 28 can be formed by a molding method in which resin is poured in from a gate 80 (inlet) located on a side corresponding to the bottom surface of the housing 20 or from the Z-side of the housing 20. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion 28 may comprise two portions separated from each other along the pitch direction. These two portions may each be connected to one of the two edge walls 23. Conversely, the protrusion 28 may be a single portion connected only to one of the edge walls 23 along the pitch direction. Therefore, the protrusion 28 may be connected to at least one of the edge walls 23 along the pitch direction.

[0037] Each of the bases 26 in this embodiment is provided with a plurality of through holes 272 and a plurality of separation portions 274. Each of the through holes 272 has a rectangular shape in the XY plane and passes through the base 26 in the vertical direction. The through holes 272 of each of the bases 26 are arranged at regular intervals along the pitch direction. Each of the separation portions 274 is located between two adjacent through holes 272 along the pitch direction. The separation portions 274 of each of the bases 26 thus formed are arranged at regular intervals along the pitch direction. Each of the separation portions 274 extends seamlessly from the protrusion 28 in the transverse direction to the corresponding sidewall 22.

[0038] The through-hole 272 and the separation portion 274 in this embodiment have the above-described structure and are arranged as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the arrangement of the through-hole 272 is not limited to a regular interval arrangement.

[0039] Reference Figures 3 to 5 In this embodiment, each clamping member 40 is formed by bending a single metal plate. In other words, each of the clamping members 40 is a single metal plate with a bend. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the clamping members 40 may be formed from a plurality of components connected together.

[0040] The clamping members 40 in this embodiment have the same shape as each other. Each of the clamping members 40 has a retainable portion 42. The clamping members 40 in this embodiment are respectively inserted into the edge wall 23 molded in the housing 20, and the edge wall 23 is reinforced. When the connector 12 is mounted on the plate 82, the retainable portion 42 is welded to the plate 82. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, after the housing 20 is molded, the clamping members 40 can be respectively attached to the edge wall 23.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 The terminal 30 is divided into two terminal blocks 30R, which correspond to the sidewalls 22 respectively. Each of the terminal blocks 30R is arranged in the corresponding sidewall 22. Each of the terminal blocks 30R in this embodiment includes a large number of internal terminals 31 and a large number of external terminals 35. The internal terminals 31 and external terminals 35 of each of the terminal blocks 30R are arranged alternately at regular intervals along the pitch direction.

[0042] The terminals 30 in this embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the terminal blocks 30R may include only two internal terminals 31 and only one external terminal 35. Therefore, each of the terminal blocks 30R may include at least two internal terminals 31 and at least one external terminal 35. Each of the terminal blocks 30R may include only two internal terminals 31.

[0043] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 In this embodiment, the internal terminals 31 have the same shape as each other. Each of the internal terminals 31 is a single metal plate with a bend. Each of the internal terminals 31 has a holding portion 32 and a solderable portion 34.

[0044] The held portion 32 of the internal terminal 31 is held by a corresponding sidewall 22. In this embodiment, each of the held portions 32 is molded into the corresponding sidewall 22. Each of the held portions 32 is exposed from the lower surface of the corresponding sidewall 22 and from the opposite surface of the corresponding sidewall 22 in the lateral direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the held portions 32 can be press-fitted into the corresponding sidewall 22.

[0045] In this embodiment, each of the internal terminals 31 in the held portion 32 is provided with two contact points 33. The contact points 33 of each of the internal terminals 31 are respectively located on opposite surfaces of the held portion 32 in the lateral direction, and are electrically connected to the mating connector 16 in the mating state.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 The through-holes 272 are formed to correspond to the internal terminals 31. More specifically, the solderable portions 34 of the internal terminals 31 are partially located in the through-holes 272. When the connector 12 is mounted on the board 82, each of the solderable portions 34 is soldered to and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) on the board 82. Each of the solderable portions 34 is separated from the inner wall surface 273 of the through-hole 272 in the XY plane and is securely fixed to the board 82 in the XY plane by solder covering the sides of the solderable portion 34. This arrangement allows for visual inspection through the through-holes 272 to ensure that the solderable portions 34 are correctly soldered to the board 82.

[0047] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 In this embodiment, the external terminals 35 have the same shape as each other. Each of the external terminals 35 is a single metal plate with a bend. Each of the external terminals 35 has a retaining portion 36 and a solderable portion 38.

[0048] The held portion 36 of the external terminal 35 is held by a corresponding sidewall 22. In this embodiment, each of the held portions 36 is inserted and molded into the corresponding sidewall 22. Each of the held portions 36 is exposed from the lower surface of the corresponding sidewall 22 and from the opposite surface of the corresponding sidewall 22 in the lateral direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the held portions 36 can be press-fitted into the corresponding sidewall 22.

[0049] In this embodiment, each of the external terminals 35 in the retaining portion 36 is provided with two contact points 37. The contact points 37 of each of the external terminals 35 are respectively located on opposite surfaces of the retaining portion 36 in the lateral direction, and are electrically connected to the mating connector 16 in the mating state.

[0050] Each of the external terminals 35 has a solderable portion 38 that extends laterally from the held portion 36 and is located laterally outside the corresponding sidewall 22. (See reference...) Figure 3 When connector 12 is mounted on board 82, each of the solderable portions 38 is fixed to a conductive pad (not shown) on board 82 by soldering. The solderable portions 38 arranged as described above can be visually inspected in the vertical direction to ensure they are correctly soldered to board 82.

[0051] Reference Figure 5 According to this embodiment, the internal terminals 31 and external terminals 35 of each of the terminal blocks 30R are arranged alternately along the pitch direction. In each of the terminal blocks 30R, the solderable portions 34 of two adjacent internal terminals 31 are spaced apart from each other by a distance DS along the pitch direction, and the solderable portions 38 of two adjacent external terminals 35 are spaced apart from each other by a distance DS along the pitch direction.

[0052] According to the above-described alternative arrangement, the distance between two adjacent terminals 30 can be reduced along the pitch direction while maintaining the distance DS at a sufficiently large value to prevent short circuits between the solderable portions 38. Therefore, the dimension of the connector 12 along the pitch direction can be reduced. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in each of the terminal blocks 30R, two or more internal terminals 31 can be adjacent to each other, or two or more external terminals 35 can be adjacent to each other.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 The connector 12 of this embodiment has a shape that is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical plane (YZ plane) but 2-fold symmetrical with respect to an axis extending parallel to the vertical direction. Through holes 272 in one of the bases 26 and through holes 272 in the other base 26 are arranged alternately along the pitch direction. In other words, all the through holes 272 are arranged in a "Z" shape along the pitch direction.

[0054] When the dimension of connector 12 remains constant in the lateral direction, the aforementioned "Z"-shaped arrangement increases the distance between the solderable portion 34 of the internal terminal 31 of one of the bases 26 and the solderable portion 34 of the internal terminal 31 of the other base 26. Therefore, insulation performance can be improved. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the through-hole 272 of one base 26 and the through-hole 272 of the other base 26 can be arranged side-by-side in the lateral direction.

[0055] Reference Figure 3 To explain the structure of the base 26 from another perspective, each of the base 26 in this embodiment has a plurality of predetermined portions 27. Each of the predetermined portions 27 is part of the base 26 and includes two through holes 272 and a separating portion 274. The two through holes 272 of each of the predetermined portions 27 are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction. The two predetermined portions 27 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction share a through hole 272. The separating portion 274 of each of the predetermined portions 27 separates the two through holes 272 from each other in the pitch direction and connects to the protrusion 28 and the corresponding sidewall 22 in the transverse direction.

[0056] Each of the bases 26 in this embodiment has a plurality of predetermined portions 27. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the bases 26 may have only one of the predetermined portions 27. Therefore, each of the bases 26 should have at least one predetermined portion 27.

[0057] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 of the connector 12 protrudes vertically from the base 26 having a through hole 272 and a separation portion 274, and connects to at least one of the edge walls 23, i.e., a predetermined edge wall 23. The protrusion 28 and separation portion 274 arranged as described above can be formed by resin molding using a metal mold (not shown), the metal mold having a first groove (not shown) corresponding to the protrusion 28 and a second groove (not shown) corresponding to the separation portion 274, respectively. As can be seen from the structure where the protrusion 28 extends from a portion located near the gate 80, during the molding process of the housing 20, resin is poured from the gate 80 located near the predetermined edge wall 23 into the first groove having a relatively large cross-section. The resin poured in this way can flow from the first groove into the second groove.

[0058] If the protrusion 28 is not formed, the first groove (not shown) will have a small cross-section. When attempting to pour resin through the first groove with the small cross-section into the respective second grooves (not shown) with small cross-sections, the resin may become clogged due to its viscosity before it reaches the distal end of the second groove. Therefore, the separation portion 274 may not be sufficiently formed, thereby potentially reducing the strength of the bottom 25 of the housing 20 with its numerous through holes 272.

[0059] Conversely, according to this embodiment, a larger amount of resin than that without the protrusion 28 can be poured from the gate 80 into the first groove (not shown) having a large cross-section. The large amount of resin poured from the gate 80 pushes the resin flowing into the second groove (not shown), causing the resin to overcome its viscosity and move to fill the entire second groove. According to the molding method of this embodiment, the first groove serves as a large channel for resin flow, and even when each of the second grooves has a small dimension along the pitch direction, the separation portion 274 can be reliably formed. Furthermore, the protrusion 28 thus formed strengthens the housing 20 and makes the housing 20 inflexible. Therefore, this embodiment provides a new connector 12 with a structure suitable for arranging a large number of terminals.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the protrusion 28 and all the separation portions 274 can be formed using only one gate 80. This manufacturing method reduces the manufacturing cost of the connector 12. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion 28 and all the separation portions 274 can be formed using two gates 80. In this case, the protrusion 28 can comprise two portions that are separated from each other along the pitch direction and respectively connected to the edge wall 23. However, according to the manufacturing method of providing two or more gates 80, weld lines may be generated, and the strength of the housing 20 may be reduced. Therefore, the number of gates 80 is preferably one. According to this manufacturing method, as shown in this embodiment, the protrusion 28 preferably extends without gaps from the portion located near the gate 80 along the pitch direction to the edge wall 23 opposite to the gate 80 along the pitch direction.

[0061] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the connector 12 has a receiving portion 14. The receiving portion 14 is a space surrounded by a side wall 22, an edge wall 23, and a bottom 25. In the mating state, the receiving portion 14 partially receives the mating connector 16. The mating connector 16 has a structure corresponding to the structure of the connector 12 described below. The mating connector 16 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The mating connector 16 of this embodiment includes a mating housing 50 made of an insulator, a plurality of mating terminals 60 made of a conductor, and two mating clamping members 70 made of a conductor. The mating connector 16 of this embodiment only includes the above-described components. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the above-described components, the mating connector 16 may further include another component.

[0063] Reference Figure 8 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2In this embodiment, the mating housing 50 is a single component molded from resin. The mating housing 50 has two mating sidewalls 52, an island portion 56, four connecting portions 55, and a number of separators 54. The mating sidewalls 52 extend parallel to each other. Each of the mating sidewalls 52 extends along the pitch direction. The island portion 56 is located in the transverse direction between the two mating sidewalls 52 and extends along the pitch direction. The island portion 56 is connected to the mating sidewalls 52 via the connecting portions 55 and the separators 54.

[0064] Reference Figure 10 In this embodiment, the island-shaped portion 56 extends along the pitch direction, extending beyond the opposite end of the mating sidewall 52 in the pitch direction. The mating housing 50 of this embodiment does not have, for example, a portion of the wall located on the opposite side of the island-shaped portion 56 along the pitch direction. According to this structure, when molding the mating housing 50, the island-shaped portion 56 and the mating sidewall 52 can be reliably molded from a relatively small amount of resin. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mating housing 50 may have two walls located on opposite sides of the mating housing 50 along the pitch direction.

[0065] The island portion 56 of this embodiment has a groove 57 and two protruding walls 58. The groove 57 opens on opposite sides along the pitch direction. The groove 57 has opposite ends along the pitch direction, each of which is a recessed groove with a bottom. The middle of the groove 57 along the pitch direction is a hole that passes through the mating housing 50 in the vertical direction. The protruding walls 58 are located on opposite sides of the groove 57 in the transverse direction and extend along the groove 57 or along the opposite sides of the groove 57 in the transverse direction. In other words, each of the protruding walls 58 is located between the groove 57 and a mating sidewall 52 in the transverse direction.

[0066] The island portion 56 in this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the groove 57 may be a groove with a bottom having a full length along the pitch direction. Therefore, a hole may not be formed in the groove 57. Each of the protruding walls 58 may include two portions that are separated from each other along the pitch direction.

[0067] Reference Figure 8 The mating terminals 60 are divided into two mating terminal rows 60R, corresponding to the mating sidewalls 52 respectively. The mating terminals 60 in each of the mating terminal rows 60R are arranged at regular intervals along the pitch direction. In this embodiment, each of the mating terminal rows 60R includes a large number of internal mating terminals 61 and a large number of external mating terminals 62. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the mating terminal rows 60R may include only one or more of the internal mating terminals 61, or only one or more of the external mating terminals 62.

[0068] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15In this embodiment, the mating internal terminals 61 have the same shape as each other. The mating external terminals 62 in this embodiment have the same shape as each other. The mating internal terminals 61 and the mating external terminals 62 have the same structure as each other. Each of the mating internal terminals 61 and the mating external terminals 62 is a single metal plate with a bend. Each of the mating internal terminals 61 and the mating external terminals 62 has a retaining portion 63, a solderable portion 64, and a spring portion 66.

[0069] Each of the retaining portions 63 of the mating internal terminal 61 is pressed into and held by the protruding wall 58 of the island portion 56. Each of the retaining portions 63 of the mating external terminal 62 is pressed into and held by the corresponding mating side wall 52. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the retaining portions 63 may be inserted into the mating housing 50.

[0070] In this embodiment, each of the solderable portions 64 of the mating internal terminal 61 is partially located in the groove 57. In this embodiment, each of the solderable portions 64 of the mating external terminal 62 extends laterally from the held portion 63 and is partially located laterally outside the corresponding mating sidewall 52. (Refer to...) Figure 8 When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating plate 84, each of the solderable portions 64 is soldered onto a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating plate 84. The solderable portions 64 arranged as described above can be visually inspected in the vertical direction to ensure they are correctly soldered onto the mating plate 84.

[0071] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 In this embodiment, each of the spring portions 66 of the mating internal terminal 61 and the mating external terminal 62 has a U-shaped shape and is elastically deformable. Each of the spring portions 66 is provided with two contact points 68. The two contact points 68 of each of the mating terminals 60 are located on opposite sides of the spring portion 66 in the lateral direction and face each other in the lateral direction. In the mating state, the contact point 68 of each of the mating internal terminals 61 contacts the contact point 33 of each of the internal terminals 31 of the connector 12, and the contact point 68 of each of the mating external terminals 62 contacts the contact point 37 of each of the external terminals 35 of the connector 12. Therefore, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are electrically connected to each other.

[0072] Reference Figure 8According to this embodiment, the mating inner terminals 61 and mating outer terminals 62 of each of the mating terminal blocks 60R are arranged alternately along the pitch direction. This arrangement reduces the distance between two mating terminals 60 adjacent to each other along the pitch direction, while maintaining a sufficiently large distance between two solderable portions 64 adjacent to each other along the pitch direction to prevent short circuits between the solderable portions 64. Therefore, the mating connector 16 can reduce its size along the pitch direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in each of the mating terminal blocks 60R, two or more of the mating inner terminals 61 may be adjacent to each other, or two or more of the mating outer terminals 62 may be adjacent to each other.

[0073] Reference Figure 11 as well as Figure 8 In this embodiment, the mating clamping member 70 is a single, curved metal plate. The mating clamping members 70 have the same shape as each other. Each of the mating clamping members 70 has a retaining portion 72 and a guide 74. Therefore, the mating connector 16 includes guides 74 made of free metal. (Refer to...) Figure 8 and Figure 9 The clamping members 70 are respectively inserted into the opposite ends of the island-shaped portion 56 along the pitch direction, and the mating housing 50 is reinforced. When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating plate 84, the fixing part 72 is welded to the mating plate 84.

[0074] Reference Figure 11 Each of the guide members 74 has a main body 76 and two protective portions 78. In each of the guide members 74, the protective portions 78 are located on opposite sides of the main body 76 in the lateral direction and extend upward and inward from the main body 76 in the pitch direction. (See reference...) Figure 9 as well as Figure 8 Each of the guide members 74 has its main body 76 covering one end of the island portion 56 along the pitch direction. Each of the guide members 74 has its protective portion 78 covering and protecting the end of the protruding wall 58 along the pitch direction.

[0075] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 8 The mating connector 16 of this embodiment has a mating receiving portion 18. The mating receiving portion 18 is a space surrounded by a mating sidewall 52 and a mating clamping member 70. The mating receiving portion 18 surrounds an island-shaped portion 56 in the XY plane. (Refer to...) Figure 13 In the mating state, the island-shaped portion 56 of the mating connector 16 is received in the receiving portion 14 of the connector 12, and the sidewall 22 of the connector 12 is received in the mating receiving portion 18 of the mating connector 16. As can be seen from this structure, during the mating process of the connector 12 and the mating connector 16, the island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment serves as a guide portion, similar to a conventional typical island-shaped portion (not shown).

[0076] Reference Figure 13 and Figure 9 In this embodiment, the island portion 56 has a downwardly recessed groove 57, which differs from a conventional typical island portion (not shown). Specifically, each of the opposite ends of the island portion 56 along the pitch direction has a U-shaped structure in a predetermined plane (XZ plane). Each of the guides 74 also has a U-shaped structure in the XZ plane. According to the above structure, in the mating state, the groove 57 of the island portion 56 receives the protrusion 28 of the connector 12. (Refer to...) Figure 12 and Figure 13 Since the protrusion 28 is accommodated in the groove 57 in the mating state, the distance between the plate 82 and the mating plate 84 can be reduced in the mating state, even though the protrusion 28 is provided on the connector 12.

[0077] As can be seen from the above description, the mating connector 16 has a structure corresponding to that of the connector 12. This embodiment provides a mating connector 16 with a structure corresponding to that of the connector 12, or provides a mating connector 16 that can mate with the connector 12.

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing and a plurality of terminals, wherein: The housing has two side walls, two edge walls, and a bottom; Each of the sidewalls extends along the pitch direction; The sidewalls are separated from each other in a transverse direction perpendicular to the pitch direction; The edge walls are located at opposite ends of the housing along the pitch direction; The bottom connects the sidewalls together; The bottom has a protrusion and two bases corresponding to the sidewalls respectively; The base portions are located on opposite sides of the protrusion along the lateral direction; The protrusion protrudes from the base in a vertical direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and the transverse direction, and is connected to at least one of the edge walls along the pitch direction; Each of the bases has at least one predetermined portion; Each of the predetermined parts includes two through holes and a separation part; Each of the through holes passes through the base in the vertical direction; Each of the separation sections separates the two through holes from each other along the pitch direction and connects to the protrusion and a corresponding sidewall along the transverse direction; The terminals are divided into two terminal blocks, each corresponding to one of the sidewalls. Each terminal block in the terminal block includes at least two internal terminals; Each of the internal terminals has a retaining portion and a solderable portion; The held portion of each of the internal terminals is held by a corresponding sidewall; and The solderable portions of the internal terminals are each partially located within the through-holes.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion is connected to the two edge walls along the pitch direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: Each terminal block in the terminal block includes at least one external terminal; Each of the external terminals has a retaining portion and a solderable portion; The held portion of each of the external terminals is held by a corresponding sidewall; The solderable portion of each of the external terminals is located outside the corresponding sidewall along the lateral direction; and The internal terminals and the external terminals of each terminal block in the terminal block are arranged alternately along the pitch direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, Through holes in one of the bases and through holes in the other base are arranged alternately along the pitch direction.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The connector has a receiving part; and The receiving part is a space surrounded by the side wall, the edge wall and the bottom.

6. A mating connector compatible with the connector according to claim 5, wherein: The mating connector includes a mating housing and a guide made of metal; The mating housing has an island-shaped portion; In the mating state where the connector and the mating connector are engaged, the island-shaped portion is received in the receiving portion of the connector; The island-shaped portion has a groove and two protruding walls; The protruding walls are located on opposite sides of the groove in the transverse direction; In the mating state, the groove receives the protrusion of the connector; The guide has a main body and two protective parts; The main body covers one end of the island-shaped portion along the lateral direction; and The protective portion extends from the main body and covers and protects the ends of the protruding walls along the pitch direction.

7. A connection device comprising the connector according to claim 5 and the mating connector according to claim 6.

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