Connector assembly

Abstract

Techniques are provided for improving the mechanical strength of a connector assembly. A connector assembly according to the present patent comprises: a plug connector comprising a plurality of plug contacts, a plug housing holding the plurality of plug contacts, and a plug hold-down member mounted on an outer side of the plurality of plug contacts in the plug housing; and a receptacle connector including a plurality of receptacle contacts and a receptacle housing holding the plurality of receptacle contacts. 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.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As this application Fig.10 As shown, patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-185541) discloses a plug pressing member 960 of a plug connector in a connector assembly. The plug pressing member 960 includes a top 961, side portions 962 and 963, an end portion 964, and carrier cutting planes 965 and 966. The carrier cutting planes 965 and 966 are located outside the plug connector in the top 961 (in the positive direction of the y-axis in this example). In other words, the carrier cutting planes 965 and 966 are located outside the plug housing in the pitch direction in the plug pressing member 960 (in the positive direction of the y-axis in this example).

[0003] An example of a method for manufacturing the plug pressing member 960 is described below. A plate member made of metal is punched to form a punched body. The punched body is then bent to form a Fig.11 A plug compression member 900 is shown with a carrier. Fig.11 is a three-dimensional diagram of a plug compression member with a carrier. Fig.11 As shown, the plug pressing member 900 with a carrier includes a carrier 910 and a plurality of plug pressing members 960. In this embodiment, the plurality of plug pressing members 960 are three plug pressing members 960. In the plug pressing member 900 with a carrier, each plug pressing member 960 is mechanically connected to the carrier 910 through cutting portions 968 and 969. Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, each plug pressing member 960 is a plate-like body connected together by a top 961, side portions 962 and 963, and an end portion 964, and the end surface of the plate-like body is a stamping surface. Finally, the cutting portions 968 and 969 are cut to separate the plurality of plug pressing members 960 from the carrier 910. Each separated plug pressing member 960 has a Fig.10 The carrier cutting planes 965 and 966 are shown. The carrier cutting planes 965 and 966 are formed by cutting the cutting portions 968 and 969. Summary of the invention

[0004] In the connector assembly, the plug pressing member 960 is mounted on the plug housing of the plug connector. In addition, the carrier cutting planes 965 and 966 are located on the outside of the plug housing in the plug pressing member 960 along the pitch direction. The shape of the plug pressing member 960 is limited by the carrier cutting planes 965 and 966. Therefore, the plug pressing member 960 cannot cover a portion of the plug housing of the plug connector disposed near the carrier cutting planes 965 and 966. Therefore, in this type of connector assembly, the shape of the plug pressing member still has room for improvement in terms of the mechanical strength of the connector assembly.

[0005] One object of this patent is to provide a technique for improving the mechanical strength of a connector assembly.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided, the connector assembly comprising: a plug connector, comprising a plurality of plug contacts, a plug housing for holding the plurality of plug contacts, and a plug pressing member, the plug pressing member being installed on the outer sides of the plurality of plug contacts in the plug housing; and a socket connector, comprising a plurality of socket contacts, and a socket housing for holding the plurality of socket contacts, wherein by engaging the plug connector and the socket connector with each other in an engaging direction, each of the plug contacts forms an electrical contact with each of the socket contacts; the plurality of plug contacts Arranged along the spacing direction; the plug housing includes two side walls extending parallel to the spacing direction, and an end wall connecting the ends of the two side walls; the end wall includes an outer peripheral surface adjacent to the outside of the plug housing, an opposite surface opposite to the socket housing when the plug connector and the socket connector are engaged with each other, and a corner at the intersection between the outer peripheral surface and the opposite surface; the plug pressing piece includes a corner stretching portion and a carrier cutting plane; the carrier cutting plane is formed on a side of the plug pressing piece facing the plurality of plug contacts; and the corner stretching portion covers the corner.

[0007] According to this patent, the mechanical strength of the connector assembly is improved.

[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this patent will be more fully understood through the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are only for illustrative purposes and therefore should not be considered as limiting this patent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrically disconnected receptacle connector and a plug connector;

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the socket connector;

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector;

[0012] Figure 4 is a stereogram of a plug compression member;

[0013] Figure 5 is a plan view of the plug pressing member;

[0014] Figure 6 is a side view of the plug pressing member;

[0015] Figure 7 is a front view of the plug pressing member;

[0016] Figure 8 is from Figure 3 A stereoscopic view of the plug pressing member viewed from the opposite side;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a plug compression member having a carrier;

[0018] Fig.10 Patent document 1 shows Figure 6 A view of E; and

[0019] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a plug compression element with a carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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, the x-axis direction is the width direction, the y-axis direction is the pitch direction, the z-axis direction is the mating direction of the socket connector 100 and the plug connector 200 described later, and the xy plane is a horizontal plane, and these definitions are common in the drawings.

[0022] [Example]

[0023] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 9 To describe the embodiments of this patent.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector assembly 300 includes a socket connector 100 and a plug connector 200 . Figure 1 and Figure 2The socket connector 100 is shown arranged in a manner that the receiving space 116 faces 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 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the plug connector is shown. Figure 3 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.

[0025] The socket connector 100 includes a plurality of socket contacts 120 and a socket housing 110 .

[0026] The socket housing 110 holds a plurality of socket contacts 120 .

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As 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. The plug pressing member 260 is installed outside the plurality of plug contacts 250 in the plug housing 240.

[0028] 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 the z-axis direction in this example), so that each plug contact 250 is in electrical contact with each socket contact 120. Thereby, different circuit boards are electrically connected.

[0029] The detailed structure of the connector assembly 300 is described below.

[0030] 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 2As shown, the socket housing 110 includes a bottom 111, an island 112, two side walls 114 and an end wall 115. The bottom 111 is preferably a plate-shaped 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). The 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 walls 244 and the end walls 245.

[0031] 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 arranged in an equidistant manner 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 is preferably continuously extended 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.

[0032] The socket connector 100 preferably further includes a socket pressing member 130. The socket pressing member 130 is installed on the outer side of the plurality of socket contacts 120 in the socket housing 110. Specifically, the socket pressing member 130 is installed in a part of the two side walls 114 and the end wall 115 by integral molding or press fitting. The socket pressing member 130 reinforces the socket housing 110. A plate member made of metal is stamped to form a stamping body. In addition, for example, the stamping body can be bent to form the socket pressing member 130. The socket pressing member 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 pressing member 130 and the plug pressing member 260 can be fitted with each other, the plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100 can be smoothly fitted. In other words, the socket pressing member 130 can be used for electrical connection or fitting between the plug connector 200 and the socket connector 100.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, for example, the plug housing 240 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the socket housing 110 is formed using an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material is, for example, a resin material. Figure 3 As shown, the plug housing 240 includes a bottom 241 , two side walls 244 and an end wall 245 .

[0034] 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.

[0035] The end wall 245 includes an outer peripheral surface 245A, an opposing surface 245B, and a corner portion 245C. The outer peripheral surface 245A is adjacent to the outside of the plug housing 240. The opposing surface 245B is opposed to the receptacle housing 110 when the plug connector 200 and the receptacle connector 100 are mated with each other. Figure 3 The opposite surface 245B is shown facing upward (in the positive direction of the z-axis in this example). The corner 245C is located at the intersection between the peripheral surface 245A and the opposite surface 245B. The peripheral surface 245A has a peripheral side surface 245D and a peripheral end surface 245E. The peripheral side surface 245D is continuous with the plane of the side wall 244. The peripheral end surface 245E intersects with the peripheral side surface 245D. The peripheral side surface 245D faces the width direction (in the x-axis direction in this example), and the peripheral end surface 245E faces the pitch direction (in the y-axis direction in this example).

[0036] 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.

[0037] The plurality of plug contacts 250 are arranged in a pitch direction (in this example, in the y-axis direction) of the plug housing 240 . The pitch direction is the same as the longitudinal direction of the plug housing 240 . Figure 2 The 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.

[0038] The plug connector 200 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 part of the two side walls 244 and the end wall 245 by press-fitting. The plug clamp 260 thus 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 plug clamp 260 can be used as a terminal to be electrically connected to a power supply of a circuit board not shown in the figure, etc.

[0039] like Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the plug pressing member 260 includes a top 261, a side 262, an end 264, a first connecting portion 264A, a second connecting portion 264B and an angle stretching portion 267. The top 261, the side 262, the end 264, the first connecting portion 264A, the second connecting portion 264B and the angle stretching portion 267 are preferably made of a single plate. The plug pressing member 260 may include two side portions 262.

[0040] The top 261 covers the opposite surface 245B of the end wall 245. The corner stretching portion 267 is formed at the outer edge of the top 261 and covers the corner 245C. The side portion 262 extends from one end of the top 261 in the width direction and covers the peripheral side surface 245D. The end portion 264 extends from one end of the top 261 in the pitch direction and covers the peripheral end surface 245E.

[0041] The end portion 264 preferably further includes a first connection portion 264A and a second connection portion 264B. The first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B can be electrically connected to the terminals of the board on which the plug connector 200 is mounted. Figure 4 As shown, the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B branch from the corner extension portion 267 in the width direction (in the x-axis direction in this example) and extend to the side of the plate (in the negative direction of the z-axis in this example). When viewed from the outside of the plug housing 240 (in the y-axis direction in this example), the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B have a tapered shape that gradually narrows relative to the mating direction (in the z-axis direction in this example).

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, carrier cutting planes 265 and 266 are formed on the side of the plurality of plug contacts 250 of the plug pressing member 260. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, carrier cutting planes 265 and 266 are formed on the inner side of the plug housing 240 in the pitch direction in the top portion 261 .

[0043] An example of a method of manufacturing the plug pressing member 260 is described below.

[0044] First, a plate member made of metal is punched to form a punched body.

[0045] Next, the stamped body is bent to form a Fig. 9 A plug clamp 400 of a carrier is shown. Fig. 9 4 is a perspective view of a plug compression member with a carrier. The plug compression member 400 with a carrier includes a carrier 410 and a plurality of plug compression members 260. Although the plug compression member 400 with a carrier includes three plug compression members 260 in the present embodiment, it may include one, two, or four or more plug compression members 260. In the plug compression member 400 with a carrier, each plug compression member 260 is mechanically connected to the carrier 410 through cutting portions 268 and 269. Each plug compression member 260 is a plate-like body connected together by a top portion 261, a side portion 262, an end portion 264 and an angle stretching portion 267, and the end face of the plate-like body is a stamping surface.

[0046] Finally, the cutting portions 268 and 269 are cut to separate the plurality of plug pressing members 260 from the carrier 410. Each separated plug pressing member 260 has a Figures 3 to 8 The carrier cutting planes 265 and 266 are shown. The carrier cutting planes 265 and 266 are formed by cutting the cutting portions 268 and 269. Thus, the plug pressing member 260 is manufactured.

[0047] In the structure of the connector assembly 300 described above, the carrier cutting planes 265 and 266 are formed on the side of the plurality of plug contacts 250 of the plug pressing member 260. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the carrier cutting plane on the opposite side of the plurality of plug contacts 250 in the plug pressing member 260 (i.e., on the outer side of the plug housing 240 in the pitch direction in the plug pressing member 260). This enables the corner stretching portion 267 to be formed on the outer side of the plug connector 200 in the pitch direction in the plug pressing member 260. This also improves the stamping workability in the corner stretching portion 267. In addition, the corner stretching portion 267 is bent, which enhances the mechanical strength of the plug pressing member 260. In addition, the corner stretching portion 267 covers the corner 245C of the end wall 245, thereby reinforcing the end wall 245. This enhances the mechanical strength of the plug connector 200. The corner stretching portion 267 has a curved surface, which enhances the guiding ability of the plug connector 200. Specifically, the surface of the corner extension 267 is in the form of a rounded curve, and connects the top 261 and the end 264. This easily guides the plug connector 200 to the socket connector 100 when the socket connector 100 is mated with the plug connector 200.

[0048] In addition, the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B branch from the corner stretching portion 267 in the width direction orthogonal to the pitch direction and the fitting direction and extend to the side of the board. When viewed from the outside of the plug housing 240, the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B have a tapered shape that gradually narrows relative to the fitting direction. This allows the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B to be tightly welded to the terminals of the board not shown, respectively. This improves the mounting strength of the first connection portion 264A and the second connection portion 264B.

[0049] 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).

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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, a plug housing for holding the plurality of plug contacts, and a plug pressing member installed on the outer sides of the plurality of plug contacts in the plug housing; and A socket connector comprises a plurality of socket contacts and a socket housing for holding the plurality of socket contacts, 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 plug contacts are arranged along the pitch direction; The plug housing includes two side walls extending parallel to the spacing direction, and an end wall connecting the ends of the two side walls; The end wall includes a peripheral surface adjacent to the exterior of the plug housing, an opposing surface opposed to the receptacle housing when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other, and a corner portion at an intersection between the peripheral surface and the opposing surface; The plug pressing member includes an angle stretching portion and a carrier cutting plane; The carrier cutting plane is formed on a side of the plug pressing member facing the plurality of plug contacts; and The corner stretching portion covers the corner portion.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The peripheral surface of the end wall includes: a peripheral end surface facing the outside of the plug housing in the pitch direction; The plug pressing member further includes an end portion covering the peripheral end surface; The end portion includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are electrically connected to a terminal mounted on a board of the plug connector; In a width direction orthogonal to the pitch direction and the fitting direction, the first connection portion and the second connection portion branch from the corner stretching portion and extend to a side of the plate; and When the outer side of the plug housing is viewed from the pitch direction, the first connection portion and the second connection portion have a tapered shape that gradually narrows with respect to the fitting direction.

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