Connector assembly

Abstract

Techniques for reducing the size of a connector assembly are provided. The connector assembly comprises a plug connector and a socket connector, the plug connector comprises a plurality of plug contacts and a plug shell, and the socket connector comprises a plurality of socket contacts, a socket shell and a socket pressing piece. And the socket pressing piece is mounted on the outer side of the plurality of socket contacts in the socket shell. Each of the plug contacts is in electrical contact with each of the socket contacts by fitting the plug connector and the socket connector to each other in a fitting direction. The socket pressing piece comprises an arm part which covers a part of the island part; and the arm part comprises an imprint part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent relates to a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-185541) discloses a socket metal fitting of a socket connector in a connector assembly. As an example of such a socket metal fitting, Fig. 9 Socket clamp 930 is shown.

[0003] The socket pressing member 930 covers the end wall 915 and the island 912 of the socket connector. The socket pressing member 930 includes an arm 931, a bottom 933 and an end 934. The socket pressing member 930 is a plate-like body made of metal material with a curved shape. The arm 931, the bottom 933 and the end 934 are connected together in sequence.

[0004] The arm portion 931 covers a portion of the island portion 912 of the socket connector. The arm portion 931 includes a protrusion 931A and an arc portion 931B. The direction in which the socket connector and the plug connector are mated with each other in the connector assembly is called the mating direction (in this example, the z-axis direction). The protrusion 931A protrudes along the side wall 912A of the island portion 912 in the mating direction. The arc portion 931B hangs from the protrusion 931A in the mating direction. The bottom portion 933 covers the bottom portion 915A of the end wall 915. The end portion 934 covers the end portion 915B of the end wall 915. Summary of the invention

[0005] There is a need to reduce the size of such a connector assembly. The socket pressing member affects the size of the connector assembly. In such a connector assembly, the shape of the socket pressing member is studied from the perspective of miniaturization of the connector assembly.

[0006] The purpose of this patent is to provide a technology for reducing the size of a connector assembly.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present patent, a connector assembly is provided, comprising: a plug connector, comprising a plurality of plug contacts and a plug housing for holding the plurality of plug contacts; and a socket connector, comprising a plurality of socket contacts, a socket housing for holding the plurality of socket contacts, and a socket pressing member, wherein the socket pressing member is installed on the outer sides of the plurality of socket contacts in the socket housing, wherein by making the plug connector and the socket connector engage with each other in an engagement direction, each of the plug contacts forms an electrical contact with each of the socket contacts, the plurality of socket contacts are arranged along a pitch direction, the socket housing comprises two side walls extending parallel to the pitch direction, an end wall connecting the ends of the two side walls, and an island portion surrounded by the two side walls and the end wall, the socket pressing member comprises an arm portion covering a portion of the island portion; and the arm portion comprises a stamping portion.

[0008] According to this patent, it will be possible to reduce the size of the connector assembly.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this patent will be more fully understood through the following detailed description and drawings, which are only for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as limiting this patent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrically disconnected receptacle connector and a plug connector;

[0011] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the socket connector;

[0012] Figure 3 is a plan view near an end portion of the socket connector;

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the IV-IV line in FIG.

[0014] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector;

[0015] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the socket connector (first variant);

[0016] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the socket connector (second variant);

[0017] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector (third variant); and

[0018] Fig. 91 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a socket metal fitting of Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The following description and drawings are appropriately shortened and simplified for clarity.

[0020] It should be noted that Figure 1 The right-hand xyz coordinate system in the figures and other drawings is shown for the purpose of explaining the positional relationship of the components and should not be interpreted as limiting the position of the socket connector 100, the plug connector 200, etc. in actual use. Generally, as described below, the x-axis direction is the width direction, the y-axis direction is the pitch direction, the z-axis direction is the mating direction in which the socket connector 100 and the plug connector 200 are mated with each other, and the xy plane is a horizontal plane, and these definitions are common in the drawings.

[0021] [Example]

[0022] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 5 To describe the embodiments of this patent.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector assembly 300 includes a socket connector 100 and a plug connector 200 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated socket connector 100 is arranged with the receiving space 116 facing upward (in the positive direction of the z-axis in this example). Figure 1 The plug connector 200 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged in such a manner that the receiving space 246 faces downward (in the negative direction of the z-axis in this example). Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the plug connector is shown. Figure 5 The plug connector 200 is shown arranged with the receiving space 246 facing upward, which is consistent with Figure 1 The plug connector 200 shown is different.

[0024] The socket connector 100 includes a plurality of socket contacts 120 , a socket housing 110 and a socket pressing member 130 .

[0025] The socket housing 110 holds a plurality of socket contacts 120. The socket pressing member 130 is installed on the outer sides of the plurality of socket contacts 120 in the socket housing 110.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the plug connector 200 includes a plurality of plug contacts 250, a plug housing 240, and a plug pressing member 260. The plug housing 240 holds the plurality of plug contacts 250.

[0027] The socket connector 100 and the plug connector 200 according to the present embodiment can be mounted on different circuit boards. The socket connector 100 and the plug connector 200 can be used as surface mounting devices, and they can be mounted on printed circuit boards, for example, respectively, by welding. The socket connector 100 and the plug connector 200 can be used as connectors for circuit boards. The plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100 are engaged with each other in the engagement direction (in this example, the z-axis direction), so that each plug contact 250 is in electrical contact with each socket contact 120. Thereby, different circuit boards are electrically connected.

[0028] The detailed structure of the connector assembly 300 is described below.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, for example, the socket housing 110 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the socket housing 110 is formed using an electrical insulating material. The electrical insulating material is, for example, a resin material. Figure 2 As shown, the socket housing 110 includes a bottom 111 , an island 112 , two side walls 114 and an end wall 115 .

[0030] The bottom 111 is preferably a plate-like portion extending in the pitch direction (in the y-axis direction in this example). The island 112 protrudes upward from the bottom 111 (in the positive direction of the z-axis in this example) and extends in the pitch direction (in the y-axis direction in this example). Two side walls 114 protrude upward from the bottom 111 and extend in the pitch direction. The two side walls 114 are arranged parallel to each other, and the island 112 is arranged between the two side walls 114. The end wall 115 connects the ends of the two side walls 114. The end wall 115 and the island 112 are preferably separated from each other. The socket housing 110 may have two end walls 115. The two end walls 115 respectively connect the ends of two different side walls 114. The two side walls 114 and the two end walls 115 preferably surround the island 112. The receiving space 116 is formed between the two side walls 114, the two end walls 115 and the island 112. The receiving space 116 is a frame-shaped body surrounding the island 112. For example, when the plug connector 200 and the receptacle connector 100 are mated with each other, the receiving space 116 has a size large enough to accommodate a portion of the plug connector 200 , such as the side wall 244 and the end wall 245 .

[0031] The end wall 115 includes a bottom 115A, an end 115B, and side portions 115C and 115D. The bottom 115A is a plate-shaped portion extending from the bottom 111 in the pitch direction. The side portions 115C and 115D protrude upward from the bottom 111 and extend in the pitch direction. The side portions 115C and 115D are arranged to be parallel to each other and face each other. The end 115B connects the end of the side portion 115C and the end of the side portion 115D.

[0032] The plurality of socket contacts 120 are arranged in a pitch direction (in this example, in the y-axis direction) of the socket housing 110 . The pitch direction is the same as the long side direction of the socket housing 110 . Figure 2 The plurality of socket contacts 120 shown in the figure are arranged in two rows along the pitch direction. The side wall 114 preferably has a plurality of contact holding grooves 117. Each socket contact 120 can be arranged at each contact holding groove 117 so that the socket housing 110 holds a plurality of socket contacts 120. The contact holding grooves 117 are preferably spaced equidistantly in the pitch direction. The two side walls 114 preferably have a plurality of contact holding grooves 117 respectively. Each socket contact 120 is preferably axially symmetrical with a line extending in the long side direction of the island 112 as a center line. Each contact holding groove 117 preferably extends continuously from the side surface of the island 112 and the top surface of the bottom 111 to the inner surface of the side wall 114. The inner surface of the side wall 114 faces the side surface of the island 112.

[0033] The socket clamp 130 is installed on the outside of the plurality of socket contacts 120 in the socket housing 110. Specifically, the socket clamp 130 is installed to the two side walls 114, the end wall 115 and a part of the island 112 by means of compression fitting. The socket clamp 130 reinforces the socket housing 110. The socket clamp 130 can be used as a terminal to be electrically connected to a power supply of a circuit board not shown in the figure, etc. If the socket clamp 130 and the plug clamp 260 can fit with each other, the plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100 can fit smoothly. In other words, the socket clamp 130 can be used for electrical connection or fitting between the plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100.

[0034] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the socket pressing member 130 covers the end wall 115 and a portion of the island 112. The socket pressing member 130 includes an arm portion 131, a bottom portion 133, an end portion 134, and side portions 135 and 136.

[0035] The arm portion 131 is a plate-like body in a curved shape made of a metal material. The end portion 134, the bottom portion 133, and the arm portion 131 are connected together in the pitch direction (in the y-axis direction in this example). The side portion 136, the bottom portion 133, and the side portion 135 are connected together in the width direction (in the x-axis direction in this example). The bottom portion 133 covers the bottom 115A of the end wall 115, and the end portion 134 covers the end 115B of the end wall 115. The side portion 135 covers the side portion 115C of the end wall 115, and the side portion 136 covers the side portion 115D of the end wall 115.

[0036] The arm portion 131 covers a portion of the island portion 112 of the receptacle connector 100. The arm portion 131 includes a protruding portion 131A, an arc portion 131B, and a distal end portion 131D. The protruding portion 131A protrudes toward the plug connector 200 (in the positive direction of the z-axis in this example) in the mating direction (in the z-axis direction in this example) along the end portion 112A of the island portion 112. Figure 4 An example of the protrusion 131A shown is the wall surface 112B along the end 112A. The arcuate portion 131B depends from the protrusion 131A toward the plug connector 200 in the mating direction. The arcuate portion 131B is curved with a radius of curvature Rb. The distal end portion 131D extends from the arcuate portion 131B toward the receptacle connector 100 in the mating direction (in the negative direction of the z-axis in this example). Figure 4 One example of distal end portion 131D is shown inserted into aperture 112C of end portion 112A.

[0037] The arm portion 131 includes a stamped portion 132A. The stamped portion 132A is formed on the arc portion 131B. Specifically, the stamped portion 132A is formed on the inner surface of the arc portion 131B, that is, the surface facing the socket connector 100 in the mating direction. The stamped portion 132A is formed by coining. The thickness of the stamped portion 132A is smaller than the thickness of other parts of the socket clamp 130. It is preferred that other parts of the socket clamp 130, such as the protrusion 131A and the end 134, are not coined.

[0038] An example of a method for manufacturing the socket clamp 130 is described below. First, a plate member made of metal is stamped to form a stamping body. Next, stamping is performed on the portion of the stamping body corresponding to the arm 131 to form a portion corresponding to the stamping portion 132A. Finally, the stamping body is bent by press working to form the arm 131, the bottom 133, the end 134, and the side portions 135 and 136. As described above, the thickness of the stamping portion 132A is smaller than the thickness of the other portions of the socket clamp 130, so the curvature radius Rb of the arc portion 131B of the arm 131 formed in this way is smaller. The socket clamp 130 is manufactured in this way.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, for example, the plug housing 240 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the plug housing 240 is formed using an electrically insulating material. For example, the electrically insulating material is a resin material, etc. Figure 5 As shown, the plug housing 240 includes a bottom 241 , two side walls 244 and an end wall 245 .

[0040] The bottom 241 is preferably a plate-like portion extending in the pitch direction (in the y-axis direction in this example). Two side walls 244 protrude upward from the bottom 241 and extend in the pitch direction. The two side walls 244 are arranged parallel to each other. An end wall 245 connects the ends of the two side walls 244.

[0041] The plug housing 240 may have two end walls 245. The two end walls 245 connect the ends of two different side walls 244, respectively. The two side walls 244 and the two end walls 245 are preferably frame-shaped. The receiving space 246 is formed between the two side walls 244 and the two end walls 245. The receiving space 246 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, when the plug connector 200 is connected to the socket connector 100 (see Figure 1 ) are engaged with each other, the receiving space 246 has a size large enough to accommodate a portion of the socket connector 100, such as Figure 1 The island portion 112 is shown.

[0042] The plurality of plug contacts 250 are arranged in the plug housing 240 along a pitch direction (in this example, in the y-axis direction). The pitch direction is the same as the longitudinal direction of the plug housing 240. Figure 2The plurality of plug contacts 250 shown are arranged in two rows along the pitch direction. A plate member made of metal is stamped to form a strip. In addition, for example, the strip may be bent to produce the plug contacts 250. Each plug contact 250 may be integrally formed or press-fitted between two side walls 244 so that the plug housing 240 holds the plurality of plug contacts 250. The plurality of plug contacts 250 are preferably spaced equidistantly in the plug housing 240 along the pitch direction.

[0043] The plug connector 200 preferably also includes a plug clamp 260. The plug clamp 260 is installed on the outer side of the plurality of plug contacts 250 in the plug housing 240. Specifically, the plug clamp 260 is installed in a portion of the two side walls 244 and the end wall 245 by integral molding or press-fitting. The plug clamp 260 thereby reinforces the plug housing 240. A plate-like body made of metal is stamped to form a stamped body. In addition, for example, the stamped body can be bent to form the plug clamp 260. The socket clamp 130 can be used as a terminal, which can be electrically connected to a power supply of a circuit board not shown, etc.

[0044] In the structure of the connector assembly 300 described above, the thickness of the stamped portion 132A is smaller than the thickness of other portions of the socket pressing member 130. This enables the arm portion 131 having the arc portion 131B with a small radius of curvature Rb to be formed by stamping in the example of the method for manufacturing the socket pressing member 130 described above. Since the radius of curvature Rb of the arc portion 131B is small, the length L1 of the arm portion 131 in the pitch direction, i.e., the length L1 from the protruding portion 131A to the distal end portion 131D, is shortened. Figure 3 The length LA shown in FIG.

[0045] [First Modification]

[0046] The following will refer to Figure 6 A first modification of the socket pressing member 130 will be described. Figure 6 The socket pressing member 130A shown in FIG. 1 is a first modified example of the socket pressing member 130 , and the socket pressing member 130A has the same structure as the socket pressing member 130 except for the stamped portion.

[0047] The socket pressing member 130A includes a stamped portion 132B. The stamped portion 132B is formed on the arc portion 131B. Specifically, the stamped portion 132B is formed on the inner surface of the arc portion 131B, that is, the surface facing the socket connector 100 in the mating direction. The stamped portion 132B extends from the arc portion 131B to the distal end portion 131D. Like the thickness of the stamped portion 132A, the thickness of the stamped portion 132B is smaller than the thickness of other parts of the socket pressing member 130. This makes it possible to form the arm portion 131 having the arc portion 131B curved with a small radius of curvature Rb by stamping in the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130A, as in the example of the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130 by stamping as described above. Since the radius of curvature Rb of the arc portion 131B is small, the length L2 of the arm portion 131 in the pitch direction, that is, the length L2 from the protruding portion 131A to the distal end portion 131D is shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector assembly 300.

[0048] [Second Modification]

[0049] The following will refer to Figure 7 A second modification of the socket pressing member 130 will be described. Figure 7 The socket pressing member 130B shown is a second modified example of the socket pressing member 130 . The socket pressing member 130B has the same structure as the socket pressing member 130 except for the arc-shaped portion.

[0050] The socket pressing member 130B includes an insertion portion 131E, an arcuate portion 131C and a distal end portion 131D. The arcuate portion 131C is curved with a radius of curvature Rc. The insertion portion 131E is inserted into the hole 112C in the end 112A of the island portion 112 and extends in the mating direction. The insertion portion 131E extends toward the plug connector 200 (in the positive direction of the z-axis in this example) in the mating direction. The arcuate portion 131C hangs from the insertion portion 131E toward the plug connector 200 in the mating direction. The arcuate portion 131C extends beyond the insertion portion 131E toward the end wall 115 (in the negative direction of the y-axis) in the spacing direction. The distal end portion 131D extends from the arcuate portion 131C toward the socket connector 100 (in the negative direction of the z-axis in this example) in the mating direction. Figure 7An example of the distal end portion 131D shown is the wall surface 112B along the end portion 112A. The thickness of the stamped portion 132A is smaller than the thickness of the other portions of the socket pressing member 130. This enables the arm portion 131 having the arc portion 131C bent with a small radius of curvature Rc to be formed by stamping in the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130B, as in the example of the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130 by stamping described above. Since the radius of curvature Rc of the arc portion 131C is small, the length L3 of the arm portion 131 in the pitch direction, that is, the length L3 from the insertion portion 131E to the distal end portion 131D is shortened. This achieves a reduction in size of the connector assembly 300, as in the case of the socket pressing member 130.

[0051] [Third Modification]

[0052] The following will refer to Figure 8 A third modification of the socket pressing member 130 will be described. Figure 8 The socket pressing member 130C shown in FIG. 1 is a third modified example of the socket pressing member 130 . Except for the stamping portion and the arc portion, the socket pressing member 130C has the same structure as the socket pressing member 130 .

[0053] The socket pressing member 130C includes a stamped portion 132B and an arcuate portion 131C. The stamped portion 132B is formed on the arcuate portion 131C. Specifically, the stamped portion 132B is formed on the inner surface of the arcuate portion 131C, that is, the surface facing the socket connector 100 in the mating direction (in the negative direction of the Z axis). The stamped portion 132B extends from the arcuate portion 131C to the distal end portion 131D. The thickness of the stamped portion 132B is less than the thickness of other portions of the socket pressing member 130, just like Figure 4 The thickness of the stamped portion 132A shown is the same. This makes it possible to form the arm portion 131 having the arc portion 131C bent with a small radius of curvature Rc by stamping in the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130C, as in the example of the method of manufacturing the socket pressing member 130 by stamping as described above. Since the radius of curvature Rc of the arc portion 131C is small, the length L4 of the arm portion 131 in the pitch direction, that is, the length L4 from the insertion portion 131E to the distal end portion 131D is shortened. Thus, the size reduction of the connector assembly 300 is achieved.

[0054] The plug connector and the socket connector according to the present invention can be applied to connectors installed on various electronic devices. For example, the plug connector and the socket connector according to the present invention can be used for connection of boards such as printed circuit boards or FPC (flexible printed circuits).

[0055] It should be noted that the present patent is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified appropriately without departing from the spirit and scope of the present patent.

[0056] The first embodiment, the second embodiment and the third embodiment may be combined according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

[0057] From the disclosure thus described, it is obvious that the embodiments of the present patent content can be changed in many ways. Such changes should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present patent, and all such modifications obvious to those skilled in the art should be included in the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, characterized in that: The connector assembly comprises: A plug connector, comprising a plurality of plug contacts and a plug housing for holding the plurality of plug contacts; and A socket connector comprises a plurality of socket contacts, a socket housing for holding the plurality of socket contacts, and a socket pressing member, wherein the socket pressing member is mounted on the outer sides of the plurality of socket contacts in the socket housing, wherein By engaging the plug connector and the socket connector with each other in an engagement direction, each of the plug contacts is brought into electrical contact with each of the socket contacts; The plurality of socket contacts are arranged along the pitch direction; The socket housing includes two side walls extending parallel to the spacing direction, an end wall connecting the ends of the two side walls, and an island portion surrounded by the two side walls and the end wall; The socket pressing member includes an arm portion covering a portion of the island portion; and The arm portion includes a stamped portion.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The stamped portion extends to a distal end of the arm portion.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The arm portion includes a protruding portion protruding in the fitting direction along the end of the island portion, and an arc-shaped portion suspended from the protruding portion in the fitting direction; as well as The arc portion is provided on a side of the island portion in the pitch direction relative to the protruding portion.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The arm portion includes an insertion portion inserted into the end portion of the island portion and extending in the fitting direction, and an arc portion suspended from the insertion portion in the fitting direction; The arc portion is provided on a side of the end wall relative to the insertion portion in the pitch direction.

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