Electric connector for circuit substrate

Abstract

The invention provides an electric connector for a circuit board, which can avoid the large size of the connector and ensure the large floating amount of a movable housing. The first intermediate portion of the first terminal (40) has: a first fixed side plate portion (44) located on the fixed housing (20) side; a first movable side plate portion located on the movable housing side and held by the movable housing; and an elastically displaceable first elastic portion (46) connecting the first fixed side plate portion (44) and the first movable side plate portion. The second intermediate portion of the second terminal (50) has: a second fixed side plate portion (54) located on the fixed housing (20) side; a second movable side plate portion located on the movable housing side and held by the movable housing; and a second elastic part (56) which connects the second fixed side plate part (54) and the second movable side plate part and is elastically displaceable, the second fixed side plate part (54) is held by the fixed housing (20), and the first fixed side plate part (44) is not held by the fixed housing (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board, which is disposed on the mounting surface of a circuit board and is fitted and connected to an object connector. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a socket connector disposed on the mounting surface of a circuit board and used for mating connection with a plug connector, which is a target connector. In this socket connector, a first socket terminal and a second socket terminal are provided between a fixed housing and a movable housing. The movable housing can move relative to the fixed housing by the elastic displacement of the first socket terminal and the second socket terminal.

[0003] The first socket terminal and the second socket terminal are respectively formed into shapes by bending the metal plate component along the thickness direction, and are configured to overlap each other in the thickness direction. Specifically, the first socket terminal is configured to overlap the second socket terminal from above. The first socket terminal has: a first fixed side mounting portion, pressed and held in a fixed housing; a first movable side mounting portion, pressed and held in a movable housing; a foot portion, extending downward from the first fixed side mounting portion and capable of connecting to a circuit board; a first terminal portion, extending upward from the first movable side mounting portion and capable of contacting a plug connector; and a first elastic portion capable of elastic displacement, connecting the first fixed side mounting portion and the first movable side mounting portion.

[0004] The first fixed-side mounting portion and the first movable-side mounting portion are formed as a plate extending throughout the entire area of ​​the first socket terminal in the terminal width direction. The foot portion, the first terminal portion, and the first elastic portion are formed as thin strips extending along the length direction of the first socket terminal, and multiple of them are arranged in the terminal width direction.

[0005] Furthermore, the second socket terminal has a shape almost identical to the first socket terminal, and includes a second fixed-side mounting portion, a second movable-side mounting portion, a foot, a second terminal portion, and a second elastic portion. The second terminal portion is positioned offset from the first terminal portion in the terminal width direction. Therefore, when the first socket terminal and the second socket terminal overlap, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are alternately arranged in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0006] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192347. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrical connector for circuit boards that can avoid the large size of connectors and ensure a large floating range of movable housing.

[0008] (1) The electrical connector for circuit boards involved in the present invention is an electrical connector for circuit boards disposed on the mounting surface of a circuit board and for mating and connecting with an object connector, having: a plurality of terminals formed into a shape by bending a metal plate component along the thickness direction and disposed in a position where the thickness surface is perpendicular to the mounting surface; and a housing holding the plurality of terminals, the housing having: a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals; and a movable housing capable of moving relative to the fixed housing.

[0009] The electrical connector for the circuit board is characterized in that the plurality of terminals have: a first terminal; and a second terminal, configured to overlap with the first terminal in the thickness direction of the board. The first terminal has: a first connecting portion formed on one end side and capable of connecting to the circuit portion of the circuit board; a first arm portion formed on the other end side and capable of contacting the target connector; and a first intermediate portion located between the first connecting portion and the first arm portion. The first intermediate portion has: a first fixed side plate portion located on the fixed housing side; a first movable side plate portion located on the movable housing side and held in the movable housing; and a first elastic portion capable of elastic displacement, connecting the first fixed side plate portion and the first movable side plate portion. The second terminal has: a second connecting portion formed on one end side and capable of connecting to the circuit portion of the circuit board; a second arm portion formed on the other end side and capable of contacting the target connector; and a second intermediate portion located between the second connecting portion and the second arm portion and extending along the first intermediate portion. The second intermediate portion has: a second fixed side plate portion located on the fixed housing side; a second movable side plate portion located on the movable housing side and held in the movable housing; and a second elastic portion capable of elastic displacement, connecting the second fixed side plate portion and the second movable side plate portion. One of the first fixed side plate portion and the second fixed side plate portion is held in the fixed housing, and the other is not held in the fixed housing.

[0010] In this electrical connector for a circuit board, one of the first fixed side plate portion of the first terminal and the second fixed side plate portion of the second terminal is held in a fixed housing, while the other is not held in the fixed housing. Assuming the first fixed side plate portion is not held in the fixed housing, in the first terminal, the first fixed side plate portion and the first elastic portion can be used together as a portion capable of elastic displacement. Therefore, compared to the case where the first fixed side plate portion is held in the fixed housing, the length of the portion capable of elastic displacement in the first terminal, i.e., the so-called spring length, can be increased. In this case, since it is not necessary to increase the overall length of the first terminal, the enlargement of the first terminal and thus the connector can be avoided.

[0011] On the other hand, assuming the second fixed side plate is not held in the fixed housing, the second fixed side plate and the second elastic part can be used together as a part capable of elastic displacement in the second terminal. Therefore, compared with the case where the second fixed side plate is held in the fixed housing, the spring length in the second terminal can be increased. In this case, since it is not necessary to increase the overall length of the second terminal, the enlargement of the second terminal and thus the connector can be avoided.

[0012] By lengthening the spring length in either the first or second terminal without enlarging the connector, a large amount of floating of the movable housing can be ensured.

[0013] (2) Based on the invention of (1), at least one of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion may have a plurality of strip portions arranged in a terminal width direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction. By having such a structure, the elastic portion (first elastic portion or second elastic portion) provided with a plurality of strip portions can be elastically displaced by the strip portions with smaller terminal widths, thus making elastic displacement easier compared to the case where the plurality of strip portions are not provided. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a larger amount of movement, i.e., a larger amount of floating, of the movable housing.

[0014] (3) Based on the invention of (1) or (2), the first terminal and the second terminal may be pressed into and held in the housing from the mounting surface side in the connector height direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the first elastic portion is located on the opposite side of the mounting surface relative to the second elastic portion in the connector height direction, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have plate surfaces extending along the mounting surface of the circuit board and are adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction, the first connecting portion has an abutting piece extending toward the second connecting portion in the terminal width direction, the abutting piece is located on the opposite side of the mounting surface relative to the second connecting portion in the connector height direction and can abut against the second connecting portion from the opposite side.

[0015] In this structure, the first elastic portion of the first terminal is located on the opposite side of the mounting surface relative to the second elastic portion in the connector height direction. Therefore, when assembling the connector, to avoid interference with the second terminal when mounting the terminal to the housing, the first terminal is pressed into and mounted to the housing before the second terminal, and then the second terminal is pressed into and mounted to the housing. By providing an abutment portion on the first connecting portion of the first terminal that is first mounted to the housing, the abutment portion abuts against the second connecting portion when the second terminal is subsequently mounted to the housing, thereby enabling the first or second connecting portion to be positioned in the connector height direction.

[0016] Specifically, when the first fixed side plate of the first terminal is not held in the fixed housing, and the second terminal is mounted in the housing, and the second fixed side plate is held in the fixed housing, the second connecting part abuts against and supports the abutting piece from the mounting surface side in the connector height direction, thereby the first connecting part is well positioned in the connector height direction.

[0017] On the other hand, when the first fixed side plate of the first terminal is held in the fixed housing, when the second terminal is installed in the housing, the abutment piece abuts against and supports the second connecting portion from the opposite side of the mounting surface in the connector height direction, thereby limiting excessive movement of the second connecting portion toward the opposite side. Therefore, the second connecting portion is well positioned in the connector height direction.

[0018] The present invention provides an electrical connector for circuit boards that can avoid the large size of connectors and ensure a large floating range of movable housing. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the electrical connector and the target connector together in the embodiment, illustrating the state in which the electrical connector and the target connector are about to be fitted and connected.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view showing the individual components of the electrical connector separately.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of an electrical connector, omitting a portion of the fixed housing and the movable housing.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector with a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the cross-section at the location of the terminals.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector, with the plane perpendicular to the connector's width direction. Figure 5 (A) shows a cross-section at the location of the first fixed side plate portion of the first terminal. Figure 5 (B) shows a cross-section at the location of the second fixed side plate portion of the second terminal.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector, with the plane perpendicular to the connector mating direction. Figure 6 (A) shows a cross-section at the location of the movable side plate and the fixed side plate of the terminal. Figure 6 (B) magnified to show Figure 6 Part of (A).

[0025] Figure 7This is a three-dimensional view of the first terminal unit, in which, Figure 7 (A) shows the state as observed from one end of the connector in the width direction. Figure 7 (B) shows the state as observed from the other end of the connector in the width direction.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional view of the second terminal unit, in which, Figure 8 (A) shows the state as observed from one end of the connector in the width direction. Figure 8 (B) shows the state as observed from the other end of the connector in the width direction.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a 3D view of the terminals, in which, Figure 9 (A) shows the state as observed from one end of the connector in the width direction. Figure 9 (B) shows the state as observed from the other end of the connector in the width direction.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a side view of the terminals facing each other along the width direction of the connector.

[0029] Figure 11 (A) is the front view of the terminal. Figure 11 (B) is the rear view of the terminal. Figure 11 (C) is a top view of the terminal.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector and its counterpart, with the plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the section at the location of the terminals.

[0031] Figure 13 (A) is a perspective view of the first terminal unit of the modified example. Figure 13 (B) is a three-dimensional view of the second terminal unit of the modified example.

[0032] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector, specifically a face perpendicular to the connector width direction, in a modified example. Figure 14 (A) shows a cross-section at the location of the first fixed side plate portion of the first terminal. Figure 14 (B) shows a cross-section at the location of the second fixed side plate portion of the second terminal.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0034] 1…connector; 2…object connector; 10…housing; 20, 120…fixed housing; 30…movable housing; 40, 140…first terminal; 41B…first connecting part; 41C, 141C…abutment piece; 42…first arm; 42A, 142A…first extension; 42B…first contact; 43…first intermediate part; 44, 144…first fixed side plate; 45…first movable side plate; 4 6, 146… First elastic part; 46B, 146B… Strip part; 50, 150… Second terminal; 51B, 151B… Second connecting part; 52… Second arm part; 52A, 152A… Second extension part; 52B… Second contact part; 53… Second intermediate part; 54, 154… Second fixed side plate part; 55… Second movable side plate part; 56, 156… Second elastic part; 56B, 156B… Strip part. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] In this embodiment, an electrical connector assembly is constituted by an electrical connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") and a mating connector 2 that is connected to the connector 1. Connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are electrical connectors for circuit boards mounted on different circuit boards (not shown). In this embodiment, connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are used for the transmission of power signals.

[0037] Connector 1 is disposed on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) having a mounting surface perpendicular to the connector's height direction, i.e., the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Connector 2 is disposed on the mounting surface of another circuit board (not shown) having a mounting surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. The two connectors 1 and 2 are engaged and connected with the vertical direction as the connector engagement direction, with the mounting surfaces of the circuit boards and the other circuit board facing each other vertically. Specifically, as... Figure 1 As indicated by the middle arrow, the object connector 2 is mated and connected to the connector 1 from above. That is, in the connector 1, the upper side (Z1 side) is the mating side with the object connector 2. In addition, in the object connector 2, the lower side (Z2 side) is the mating side with the connector 1 (object mating side).

[0038] The connector 1 has: a housing 10 extending in a length direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (Y-axis direction); a plurality of metal plate terminals 40, 50 arranged and held in the housing 10 in the length direction as the terminal arrangement direction; and two fixing metal members 60 held in the housing 10.

[0039] Furthermore, terminals 40 and 50 are both power terminals used for transmitting power signals, and have first terminals 40 and second terminals 50 with different shapes. For ease of explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50, they will be collectively referred to as "terminals 40 and 50". Figures 2-4 As shown, terminals 40 and 50 are arranged in a right-angled position relative to the mounting surface of the circuit board (not shown), with one first terminal 40 and one second terminal 50 overlapping each other in the thickness direction to form a pair (hereinafter referred to as a "terminal pair"). The terminal pair forms two opposing terminal rows in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and two pairs arranged in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). That is, connector 1 has four terminal pairs.

[0040] The housing 10 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin and includes: a fixed housing 20, which is mounted on the circuit board via terminals 40 and 50; and a movable housing 30, which forms a separate component from the fixed housing 20 and is capable of moving relative to the fixed housing 20. The terminals 40 and 50 are mounted on the fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30, and the movable housing 30 is allowed to move (float) relative to the fixed housing 20 by means of the elastic displacement of the terminals 40 and 50.

[0041] The fixed housing 20 has a generally cuboid shape extending along the length direction of the terminal arrangement, and has a square frame-shaped peripheral wall with an internal space 24 extending vertically. Figures 1-3 As shown, the peripheral wall of the fixed housing 20 has: two fixed-side sidewalls 21 extending along the terminal arrangement direction; and two fixed-side endwalls 22 extending along the connector width direction and connecting the ends of the fixed-side sidewalls 21 to each other. Furthermore, the upper ends of the two fixed-side sidewalls 21 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 23 extending along the connector width direction at the central position in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, when the fixed housing 20 is viewed from above, the internal space 24 is divided into two by the connecting portion 23.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fixed-side sidewall 21 has: an intermediate wall 21A extending throughout the terminal arrangement range; and limiting portions 21E located on both outer sides of the intermediate wall 21A. Two fixed-side recesses 21B are formed in the intermediate wall 21A in the terminal arrangement direction. Figure 4 As shown, the fixed-side recess 21B is recessed from the inner surface (the surface perpendicular to the width direction of the connector) and extends in the vertical direction, accommodating a portion of the first terminal 40 (a portion of the first elastic portion 46 and the first fixed-side plate portion 44, described later) and a portion of the second terminal 50 (a portion of the second elastic portion 56 and the second fixed-side plate portion 54, described later). The upper part of the fixed-side recess 21B penetrates through the intermediate wall 21A, and the lower end is open.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in (A) and (B), in the fixed-side recess 21B, a first fixed-side groove 21C and a second fixed-side groove 21D, forming a portion of the fixed-side recess 21B, are formed on both sides in the terminal arrangement direction. The first fixed-side groove 21C receives a portion of the first terminal 40 (edge ​​44A described later). The second fixed-side groove 21D is formed in the connector width direction at a position further inward than the first fixed-side groove 21C, and receives a portion of the second terminal 50 (second fixed-side retaining portion 54A described later). Furthermore, in Figure 5 In (B), the following is omitted. Figure 5 The illustration of the first terminal 40 shown in (A).

[0044] Hereinafter, without needing to distinguish between the first fixed-side groove 21C and the second fixed-side groove 21D, for ease of explanation, both will be collectively referred to as "fixed-side grooves 21C and 21D". The fixed-side grooves 21C and 21D are grooves that are recessed from the inner surface (the surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction) of the lower part of the fixed-side recess 21B and extend in the vertical direction. Figure 5 As shown in (A) and (B), the upper ends of the fixed side grooves 21C and 21D are closed, while the lower ends are open. In addition, the second fixed side groove 21D is formed to be longer than the first fixed side groove 21C in the vertical direction, and its upper end is located above the upper end of the first fixed side groove 21C.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown in (A), the first fixed-side groove 21C, with a gap formed between itself and the edge 44A of the first terminal 40, receives the edge 44A without retaining it. On the other hand, as Figure 5 As shown in (B), the second fixed-side groove 21D accommodates the second fixed-side held portion 54A of the second terminal 50 in a pressed-in state. That is, the second fixed-side groove 21D functions as a fixed-side held portion that holds the second fixed-side held portion 54A.

[0046] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown in (A), in the second fixed side groove 21D, the inner surface of the outer corner in the connector width direction is formed such that it moves inward (in the connector width direction (X-axis direction)). Figure 6(A) is the X1 direction) and the inclined surface 21D−1 is inclined outward in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, the force of the component towards the inside in the connector width direction acts on the corner of the second fixing side holding part 54A that abuts against the inclined surface 21D−1. As a result, the second fixing side holding part 54A is pressed against the inner surface of the second fixing side groove 21D in the connector width direction (in Figure 6 (A) is the surface on the X1 side). Therefore, the second fixed side holding part 54A is supported by this inner surface, thus stabilizing the posture of the second fixed side plate part 54.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, for the limiting portion 21E, the upper portion 21E-1 is located more inward than the lower portion 21E-2 in the connector width direction, and the boundary between the upper portion 21E-1 and the lower portion 21E-2 forms a step. The limiting portion 21E has a limiting recess 21F recessed from its inner surface, through which a portion of the movable housing 30 (the limited portion 37 described later) is accommodated. The limiting recess 21F is formed in the vertical direction from the middle position of the upper portion 21E-1 to the lower end of the lower portion 21E-2. Furthermore, the limiting recess 21F is formed in the connector width direction spanning both the upper portion 21E-1 and the lower portion 21E-2, penetrating the limiting portion 21E at the aforementioned boundary. The inner surface of the limiting recess 21F restricts movement of the movable housing 30 by a predetermined amount.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the fixed side end wall 22 has a metal part retaining portion 22A at its lower part, which is used to retain the fixed metal part 60. The metal part retaining portion 22A is formed as a groove extending vertically at the central position in the width direction of the connector, and presses the fixed metal part 60 in place.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the movable housing 30 has: two fitting portions 31 for fitting with the object connector 2; a central wall 35 located between the two fitting portions 31; and a guide portion 36 and a restrained portion 37 connected to the ends of the fitting portions 31. The movable housing 30 is housed within the internal space 24 of the fixed housing 20.

[0050] Two mating portions 31 are arranged in the terminal arrangement direction. The mating portion 31 is formed into a square tube shape extending in the vertical direction, and has: two movable side walls 32 extending in the terminal arrangement direction; and two movable side end walls 33 extending in the connector width direction and connecting the ends of the movable side walls 32 to each other. The internal space of the mating portion 31, that is, the space enclosed by the movable side walls 32 and the movable side end walls 33 and extending through in the vertical direction, is formed into a receiving portion 34 for receiving a part of the target connector 2.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, a movable side recess 32A is formed on the movable side wall 32. This movable side recess 32A is recessed from the inner surface (the surface perpendicular to the width direction of the connector) and extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the movable side recess 32A is closed, and the lower end is open. The movable side recess 32A accommodates a portion of the first terminal 40 (the first arm portion 42 and the first movable side plate portion 45 described later) and a portion of the second terminal 50 (the second arm portion 52 and the second movable side plate portion 55 described later). Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), in the movable side recess 32A, a first movable side groove 32B and a second movable side groove 32C are formed on both sides in the terminal arrangement direction, forming a portion of the movable side recess 32A. The first movable side groove 32B receives a portion of the first terminal 40 (the first movable side retaining portion 45A described later). The second movable side groove 32C is formed in the connector width direction at a position closer to the first movable side groove 32B, and receives a portion of the second terminal 50 (the second movable side retaining portion 55A described later).

[0052] Hereinafter, without needing to distinguish between the first movable side groove 32B and the second movable side groove 32C, for ease of explanation, both will be collectively referred to as "fixed side grooves 32B and 32C". The fixed side grooves 32B and 32C are grooves that are recessed from the inner surface (the surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction) of the lower part of the movable side recess 32A and extend in the vertical direction. The upper end of the fixed side grooves 32B and 32C is closed, and the lower end is open.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), the first movable side groove 32B accommodates the first movable side holding part 45A of the first terminal 40 in a pressed-in state. That is, the first movable side groove 32B functions as a first movable side holding part that holds the first movable side holding part 45A. Furthermore, as... Figure 6As shown in (A) and (B), the second movable side groove 32C accommodates the second movable side retaining part 55A of the second terminal 50 in a pressed-in state. That is, the second movable side groove 32C functions as a second movable side retaining part that retains the second movable side retaining part 55A.

[0054] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown in (B), in the first movable side groove 32B, the inner side of the connector in the width direction (in) Figure 6 The inner surface of the corner of (B) on the X1 side is formed as a slope 32B−1 that slopes inward in the terminal arrangement direction as it slopes inward in the connector width direction. Therefore, in the connector width direction, it slopes outward (in the terminal arrangement direction). Figure 6 The force of the component (X2 side) in (B) acts on the corner of the first movable side retaining portion 45A that abuts against the inclined surface 32B−1. As a result, the first movable side plate portion 45 is pressed against the outer side of the movable side recess 32A and the first movable side groove portion 32B in the connector width direction (in Figure 6 The inner surface of (B) is the X2 side. Therefore, the first movable side plate portion 45 is supported by this inner surface, thus stabilizing the posture of the first movable side plate portion 45. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), the wall portion located on the outer side of the first movable side plate portion 45 in the connector width direction is thicker than the wall portion located on the inner side. In this way, the first movable side plate portion 45 is pressed against the thicker wall portion, thereby reducing the burden on the movable housing 30.

[0055] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown in (B), in the second movable side groove 32C, the outer side of the connector in the width direction (in) Figure 6 The inner surface of the corner of (B) on the X2 side is formed as a slope 32C−1 that slopes inward in the terminal arrangement direction as it faces outward in the connector width direction. Therefore, inward in the connector width direction (in Figure 6 The force of the component (X1 side) in (B) acts on the corner of the second movable side retaining part 55A that abuts against the inclined surface 32C−1. As a result, the second movable side retaining part 55A is pressed against the inner side of the second movable side groove 32C in the connector width direction (in Figure 6 The inner surface of (B) is the X1 side. Therefore, the second movable side retaining portion 55A is supported by this inner surface, thus stabilizing the posture of the second movable side plate portion 55. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 6As shown in (A) and (B), the wall portion located inside the second movable side retaining portion 55A in the connector width direction is thicker than the wall portion located outside. In this way, the second movable side retaining portion 55A is pressed against the thicker wall portion, thereby reducing the burden on the movable housing 30.

[0056] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the central wall 35 is located between the two mating portions 31, and connects the inner movable side end walls 33 to each other in the terminal arrangement direction. Figures 1-3 As shown, the guide portion 36 is formed in a generally quadrangular prism shape, connecting to the outer surface of the movable side end wall 33 located on the outer side in the terminal arrangement direction and extending in the vertical direction. The upper end of the guide portion 36 is tapered at the front end and is located above the mating portion 31. The guide portion 36 guides the target connector 2 to the correct mating position during connector mating.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, the restricted portion 37 is located on both sides of the guide portion 36 in the connector width direction and is connected to the corner of the mating portion 31. The restricted portion 37 is formed into a generally quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction, with a portion located at a position offset downward relative to the mating portion 31. Figure 1 As shown, the restricted portion 37 is housed in the restricted recess 21F, and the inner surface of the restricted recess 21F restricts movement of more than a predetermined amount toward the upper side, the outer side in the terminal arrangement direction, and the outer side in the connector width direction.

[0058] The first terminal 40 is manufactured by bending a metal plate component along the thickness direction and is configured in a posture in which the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) is the terminal width direction (a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction). Figure 7 (A) and (B) are perspective views of the first terminal 40 unit of the terminal row located on the X2 side. Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the first terminal 40 has: a first foot 41 formed on one end side; two first arms 42 formed on the other end side; and a first intermediate portion 43 located between the first foot 41 and the first arms 42. The first intermediate portion 43 has: a first fixed side plate portion 44 housed in the fixed housing 20; a first movable side plate portion 45 housed and held in the movable housing 30; and a first elastic portion 46 capable of elastic displacement, connecting the first fixed side plate portion 44 and the first movable side plate portion 45.

[0059] like Figure 7As shown in (A), the first foot portion 41 extends from the lower end of the Y2 side portion of the first fixed side plate portion 44. The first foot portion 41 has: a first extending protrusion 41A that extends downward from the lower end of the first fixed side plate portion 44; a first connecting portion 41B that bends at the lower end of the first extending protrusion 41A and extends outward in the connector width direction; and an abutment piece 41C that extends from the first connecting portion 41B along the terminal width direction. The first connecting portion 41B is disposed on the circuit portion of the mounting surface of the circuit board and is soldered to the circuit portion.

[0060] The abutting portion 41C extends from the side edge on the Y1 side of the first connecting portion 41B. For example... Figure 5 As shown in (A), the abutment portion 41C bends in a crank shape from the side edge of the first connecting portion 41B and extends toward the Y1 side, positioned above the first connecting portion 41B by an amount corresponding to the plate thickness of terminals 40 and 50. When the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 are arranged to overlap each other, as shown in (A), Figure 5 As shown in (A), the lower surface of the contact plate 41C abuts against the upper surface of the second connection portion 51B of the second terminal 50, which will be described later, from above (on the side opposite to the mounting surface of the circuit board in the vertical direction).

[0061] The two first arms 42 are arranged adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction. For example... Figure 7 As shown in (B), the first arm portion 42 has: a first extension portion 42A extending upward from the upper end of the first movable side plate portion 45, i.e., the other end of the first terminal 40; and a first contact portion 42B located above the first extension portion 42A. Figure 4 As shown, the first extension 42A extends inwardly at an angle in the connector width direction. As a result, the first contact portion 42B protrudes from the movable side recess 32A and is located within the receiving portion 34. The first arm portion 42 is capable of elastic displacement in the plate thickness direction (X-axis direction) and contacts the object terminal 80 (described later) provided on the object connector 2 via the first contact portion 42B (see reference). Figure 12 ).

[0062] The first extension 42A extends in a manner in which the terminal width dimension (width dimension in the Y-axis direction) continuously decreases as it moves upward. Furthermore, the side edges of the first extension 42A extend obliquely towards the Y1 side in the terminal width direction as it moves upward. Specifically, as... Figure 11As shown in (B), in the first extension 42A on the Y1 side, the side edge 42A-2 on the Y2 side is inclined at a larger angle than the side edge 42A-1 on the Y1 side. Furthermore, in the first extension 42A on the Y2 side, the side edge 42A-3 on the Y1 side is inclined at the same angle as the side edge 42A-2, and the side edge 42A-4 on the Y2 side is inclined at a larger angle than the side edge 42A-3 on the Y1 side. Therefore, the two first contact portions 42B are arranged adjacent to each other on the Y1 side in the terminal width direction.

[0063] Thus, the first extension 42A extends upward while decreasing in terminal width. In other words, the lower end portion (root side portion) of the first extension 42A is formed to be larger than the upper end portion in the terminal width direction, i.e., wider. By forming the lower end portion of the first extension 42A to be wider, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower end portion can be increased, thus allowing a larger current to flow through the first terminal 40 than before.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the first fixed side plate portion 44 is formed into a plate extending in the length direction of the terminal width direction, and is arranged in a position where the plate surface is perpendicular to the width direction of the connector. The terminal width dimension of the first fixed side plate portion 44 is larger than that of the first elastic portion 46, and the edges 44A on both sides in the terminal width direction are located on the outer side of the first elastic portion 46. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in (A), the first fixed side plate portion 44 is received in the fixed side recess 21B of the fixed housing 20. In addition, the edge portion 44A is received in the first fixed side groove portion 21C. At this time, the edge portion 44A is configured to form a gap with the inner surface of the first fixed side groove portion 21C, and can be displaced within the range of the gap.

[0065] like Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the first movable side plate portion 45 is formed into a plate shape extending along the length direction of the terminal width, and is arranged in a position where the plate surface is perpendicular to the width direction of the connector. The terminal width dimension of the first movable side plate portion 45 is larger than that of the first elastic portion 46, and the first movable side retaining portion 45A formed on both sides of the edge in the terminal width direction is located on the outer side of the first elastic portion 46. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown in (A) and (B), the first movable side being held by the retaining portion 45A is received in the movable side recess 32A of the movable housing 30. Additionally, the first movable side being held by the retaining portion 45A is received in the first movable side groove 32B. At this time, the first movable side being held by the retaining portion 45A causes a plurality of press-in protrusions 45A-1 (refer to...) to protrude outward in the terminal width direction. Figure 7(A) and (B) are bit into the inner surface of the first movable side groove 32B and pressed into and held in the first movable side groove 32B.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the first elastic portion 46 bends along the thickness direction at multiple locations along the length direction of the first terminal 40, connecting the upper end of the first fixed side plate portion 44 and the lower end of the first movable side plate portion 45. Multiple slit portions 46A extending along the aforementioned length direction and penetrating in the thickness direction are formed at multiple locations along the terminal width direction of the first elastic portion 46. Furthermore, multiple strip portions 46B extending along the slit portions 46A are formed in the first elastic portion 46. The first elastic portion 46 can be elastically displaced in the connector width direction, the terminal arrangement direction, and the vertical direction via the strip portions 46B. In this embodiment, the first elastic portion 46 is elastically displaced via the strip portions 46B with small terminal width dimensions, thus making elastic displacement easier compared to the case where no strip portions are provided. Therefore, a larger amount of movement, i.e., a larger amount of floating, can be ensured for the movable housing 30.

[0067] like Figure 10 As shown, the first elastic portion 46 includes: an outer sheet portion 46B-1 extending upward from the upper end of the first fixed side plate portion 44; an upper sheet portion 46B-2 bent at the upper end of the outer sheet portion 46B-1 and extending inward in the connector width direction; an inner sheet portion 46B-3 bent at the inner end (the inner end in the connector width direction) of the upper sheet portion 46B-2 and extending downward; and a lower sheet portion 46B-4 bent at the lower end of the inner sheet portion 46B-3 and extending inward in the connector width direction to connect with the lower end of the first movable side plate portion 45. Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the middle portion of the inner sheet portion 46B-3 in the vertical direction is formed with a terminal width dimension smaller than that of other portions, i.e., a narrow width. In this way, by forming the middle portion of the inner sheet portion 46B-3 into a narrow width, the inner sheet portion 46B-3 can be more easily elastically displaced.

[0068] The second terminal 50 is manufactured by bending a metal plate component with the same plate thickness and the same terminal width as the first terminal 40 along the plate thickness direction, and is configured in a posture in which the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) is the terminal width direction (a direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction). Figure 8 (A) and (B) are perspective views of the second terminal 50 unit located on the X2 side of the terminal row. Figure 8As shown in (A) and (B), the second terminal 50 has: a second foot 51 formed on one end side; two second arms 52 formed on the other end side; and a second intermediate portion 53 located between the second foot 51 and the second arms 52. The second intermediate portion 53 has: a second fixed side plate portion 54, which is received and held in the fixed housing 20; a second movable side plate portion 55, which is received and held in the movable housing 30; and a second elastic portion 56 capable of elastic displacement, which connects the second fixed side plate portion 54 and the second movable side plate portion 55.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown in (A), the second foot 51 extends from the lower end of the Y1 side portion of the second fixed side plate portion 54. The second foot 51 has: a second extending protrusion 51A that extends downward from the lower end of the second fixed side plate portion 54; and a second connecting portion 51B that bends at the lower end of the second extending protrusion 51A and extends outward in the connector width direction. The second connecting portion 51B is disposed on the circuit portion of the mounting surface of the circuit board and is soldered to the circuit portion.

[0070] The two second arms 52 are arranged adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction. For example... Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the second arm portion 52 has: a second extension portion 52A extending upward from the upper end of the second movable side plate portion 55, i.e., the other end of the second terminal 50; and a second contact portion 52B located above the second extension portion 52A. Figure 4 As shown, the second extension 52A extends inwardly at an angle in the width direction of the connector. Figure 4 As shown, the tilt angle of the second extension 52A is smaller than that of the first extension 42A. The second contact portion 52B protrudes from the movable side recess 32A and is located within the receiving portion 34. The second arm portion 52 is capable of elastic displacement in the plate thickness direction (X-axis direction) and contacts the object terminal 80 (described later) provided in the object connector 2 via the second contact portion 52B (see reference). Figure 12 ).

[0071] The second extension 52A extends in a manner in which the terminal width continuously decreases as it moves upward. Furthermore, the side edges of the second extension 52A extend obliquely towards the Y2 side in the terminal width direction as it moves upward. Specifically, as... Figure 11As shown in (B), in the second extension 52A located on the Y2 side, the side edge 52A-2 on the Y1 side is inclined at a larger angle than the side edge 52A-1 on the Y2 side. Furthermore, in the second extension 52A located on the Y1 side, the side edge 52A-3 on the Y2 side is inclined at the same angle as side edge 52A-2, and the side edge 52A-4 on the Y1 side is inclined at a larger angle than the side edge 52A-3 on the Y2 side. Therefore, the two second contact portions 52B are arranged adjacent to each other on the Y2 side in the terminal width direction.

[0072] Thus, the second extension 52A extends upward while decreasing in terminal width. In other words, the lower end portion (root side portion) of the second extension 52A is larger than the upper end portion in the terminal width direction, i.e., it is formed to be wider. By forming the lower end portion of the second extension 52A to be wider in this way, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower end portion can be increased, and therefore a larger current can flow through the second terminal 50 than before.

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the second fixed side plate portion 54 is formed into a plate shape extending in the length direction of the terminal width direction, and is arranged in a position where the plate surface is perpendicular to the width direction of the connector. Figure 4 As shown, the second fixing side plate portion 54 is larger than the first fixing side plate portion 44 in the vertical direction and is located inside the first fixing side plate portion 44 in the connector width direction. The second fixing side plate portion 54 is larger than the first fixing side plate portion 44 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the terminal width dimension of the second fixing side plate portion 54 is larger than the second elastic portion 56, and the second fixing side retaining portions 54A formed on both sides of the terminal width direction are located outside the second elastic portion 56.

[0074] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 (B) and Figure 6 As shown in (A), the second fixing side plate portion 54 is received in the fixing side recess 21B of the fixing housing 20. Additionally, the second fixing side retaining portion 54A is received in the second fixing side groove 21D. At this time, the second fixing side retaining portion 54A provides a plurality of press-in protrusions 54A-1 (refer to) that protrude outwards in the terminal width direction. Figure 8 (A) and (B) are bit into the inner surface of the second fixed side groove 21D and pressed into and held in the second fixed side groove 21D.

[0075] like Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the second movable side plate portion 55 is formed into a plate shape extending in the length direction of the terminal width direction, and is arranged in a position where the plate surface is perpendicular to the width direction of the connector. Figure 4As shown, the second movable side plate portion 55 is formed in the vertical direction to be approximately the same size as the first movable side plate portion 45, and is located on the inner side of the first movable side plate portion 45 in the connector width direction.

[0076] The terminal width of the second movable side plate portion 55 is larger than that of the second elastic portion 56, and the second movable side holding portion 55A formed on both sides of the edge portion in the terminal width direction is located outside the second elastic portion 56. The second movable side holding portion 55A is received in the movable side recess 32A of the movable housing 30. In addition, the second movable side holding portion 55A is received in the second movable side groove 32C. At this time, the second movable side holding portion 55A causes a plurality of press-in protrusions 55A-1 (refer to) that protrude outward in the terminal width direction. Figure 8 (A) and (B) are bit into the inner surface of the second movable side groove 32C and pressed into and held in the second movable side groove 32C.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the second elastic portion 56 bends along the thickness direction at multiple positions along the length direction of the second terminal 50, connecting the upper end of the second fixed side plate portion 54 and the lower end of the second movable side plate portion 55. In the second elastic portion 56, multiple slit portions 56A of the same shape as the slit portion 46A of the first terminal 40 are formed at multiple positions along the terminal width direction. These multiple slit portions 56A extend along the aforementioned length direction and penetrate in the thickness direction. Furthermore, in the second elastic portion 56, multiple strip portions 56B of the same shape as the strip portion 46B of the first terminal 40 are formed at multiple positions along the terminal width direction. These multiple strip portions 56B extend along the slit portions 56A. The second elastic portion 56 can be elastically displaced in the connector width direction, terminal arrangement direction, and vertical direction via the strip portions 56B. In this embodiment, the second elastic portion 56 is elastically displaced via a strip portion 56B with a small terminal width, making elastic displacement easier compared to the case where no strip portion is provided. Therefore, a larger amount of movement, i.e., a larger amount of floating, can be ensured for the movable housing 30.

[0078] like Figure 10 As shown, the second elastic portion 56 includes: an outer sheet portion 56B-1 extending upward from the upper end of the second fixed side plate portion 54; an upper sheet portion 56B-2 bent at the upper end of the outer sheet portion 56B-1 and extending inward in the connector width direction; an inner sheet portion 56B-3 bent at the inner end (the inner end in the connector width direction) of the upper sheet portion 56B-2 and extending downward; and a lower sheet portion 56B-4 bent at the lower end of the inner sheet portion 56B-3 and extending inward in the connector width direction to connect with the lower end of the second movable side plate portion 55. Figure 10As shown, the outer sheet portion 56B-1 is formed to be shorter than the outer sheet portion 46B-1, the upper sheet portion 56B-2 is formed to be shorter than the upper sheet portion 46B-2, the inner sheet portion 56B-3 is formed to be approximately the same length as the inner sheet portion 46B-3, and the lower sheet portion 56B-4 is formed to be longer than the lower sheet portion 56B-4. For example... Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the middle portion of the inner sheet portion 56B-3 in the vertical direction is formed with a terminal width dimension smaller than that of other portions, i.e., a narrow width. In this way, by forming the middle portion of the inner sheet portion 56B-3 into a narrow width, the inner sheet portion 56B-3 can more easily undergo elastic displacement.

[0079] The first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 constituting the terminal pair are arranged overlapping each other in the plate thickness direction. Specifically, the first terminal 40 is arranged to overlap the second terminal 50 from above. At this time, as... Figure 9 (A), (B) and Figure 11 As shown in (A), (B), and (C), the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 are located in the same range in the terminal width direction.

[0080] In the terminal pair, such as Figure 9 (A) and Figure 11 As shown in (A) and (C), the second connecting portion 51B is adjacent to the first connecting portion 41B at a position Y1 closer than the first connecting portion 41B, and abuts against the abutting piece portion 41C from below. Additionally, as... Figure 10 As shown, the second extended protrusion 51A is located in front of the first extended protrusion 41A.

[0081] like Figure 10 As shown, the second fixed side plate portion 54 is located in front of the first fixed side plate portion 44 with a gap between it and the first fixed side plate portion 44. Similarly, the second movable side plate portion 55 is located in front of the first movable side plate portion 45 with a gap between it and the first movable side plate portion 45.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first extension 42A extends obliquely towards the Y1 side in the terminal width direction (Y-axis direction), and the second extension 52A extends obliquely towards the Y2 side. Therefore, in the terminal pair, as... Figure 9 (A), (B) and Figure 11 As shown in (B) and (C), the first contact portion 42B is located on the Y1 side, and the second contact portion 52B is located on the Y2 side. As a result, the two first contact portions 42B and the two second contact portions 52B are arranged at equal intervals in the connector width direction. Furthermore, in the connector width direction (X-axis direction), the first extension portion 42A is inclined at a larger angle than the second extension portion 52A. Therefore, in the terminal pair, as... Figure 10As shown, the first contact portion 42B and the second contact portion 52B are positioned at the same location in both the width and vertical directions of the connector.

[0083] Additionally, in the terminal pair, such as Figure 9 (B) and Figure 11 As shown in (B), the first extension 42A and the second extension 52A are positioned to partially overlap when viewed in the thickness direction, i.e., the connector width direction. That is, in the first extension 42A, a lower end portion can be formed with a terminal width dimension that extends throughout the area covered by the second extension 52A in the terminal width direction. Similarly, in the second extension 52A, a lower end portion can be formed with a terminal width dimension that extends throughout the area covered by the first extension 42A in the terminal width direction. Therefore, the root portions of the first extension 42A and the second extension 52A can be formed to the maximum width without increasing the size of the terminals 40 and 50 in the terminal width direction. As a result, a maximum cross-sectional area can be ensured in each root portion, thus allowing a larger current to flow.

[0084] In this embodiment, the slit portion 46A and strip portion 46B of the first elastic portion 46, and the slit portion 56A and strip portion 56B of the second elastic portion 56, are disposed at the same position in the width direction of the connector with the same shape. Therefore, as Figure 11 As shown in (A) and (C), when viewed in the vertical direction and the connector width direction, the slit portion 46A and the slit portion 56A are arranged to overlap, and the strip portion 46B and the strip portion 56B are arranged to overlap.

[0085] In addition, such as Figure 10 As shown, in the second elastic portion 56, the outer piece 56B-1 is located further inward than the outer piece 46B-1 in the connector width direction. The upper piece 56B-2 is located lower than the upper piece 46B-2. The inner piece 56B-3 is located further outward than the inner piece 46B-3 in the connector width direction. The lower piece 56B-4 is located lower than the lower piece 46B-4. That is, the second elastic portion 56 is arranged with a gap between it and the first elastic portion 46 along its entire length. Therefore, when the first elastic portion 46 and the second elastic portion 56 are elastically displaced, they will not come into contact with each other.

[0086] The terminal pairs of the terminal row on the X1 side and the terminal pairs of the terminal row on the X2 side are arranged in a posture rotated 180 degrees about an axis extending in the vertical direction. In other words, they are arranged in a posture that is point-symmetrical to each other when viewed in the vertical direction, and are opposite each other in the connector width direction (X-axis direction). At this time, the first contact portion 42B of the first terminal 40 on the X1 side is opposite to the second contact portion 52B of the second terminal 50 on the X2 side, and the second contact portion 52B of the second terminal 50 on the X1 side is opposite to the first contact portion 42B of the first terminal 40 on the X2 side (see reference). Figure 10 Therefore, in the connector mating connection state, such as Figure 12 As shown, the object-side contact portion 83 of the object terminal 80, described later, is clamped by the first contact portion 42B and the second contact portion 52B that are opposite to each other.

[0087] The fixed metal part 60 is manufactured by bending the metal sheet component along the thickness direction of the sheet. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the fixing metal member 60 has: a base 61 having a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and extending in the vertical direction; and a fixing portion 62, which is bent at the lower end of the base 61 and extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction. Figure 3 As shown, the base 61 is pressed into the metal retaining portion 22A held in the fixed housing 20 from below. The fixing portion 62 is disposed on the corresponding portion (not shown) of the mounting surface of the circuit board and is soldered to it, thereby fixing it to the corresponding portion.

[0088] The connector 1 is assembled by sequentially mounting the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 onto the housing 10 from below (up and down towards the mounting surface of the circuit board), and mounting the fixing metal part 60 onto the housing 10. By mounting the first terminal 40 onto the housing 10 before the second terminal 50, interference between the first terminal 40 and the second terminal 50 is avoided.

[0089] Specifically, firstly, the first movable side retaining portion 45A is pressed into the first movable side groove portion 32B from below to install the first terminal 40 into the movable housing 30. Next, the movable housing 30 is received from below into the internal space 24 of the fixed housing 20, and the edge portion 44A of the first terminal 40 is received from below into the first fixed side groove portion 21C of the fixed housing 20.

[0090] Next, the second fixed-side retaining portion 54A is pressed into the second fixed-side groove 21D from below, and the second movable-side retaining portion 55A is pressed into the second movable-side groove 32C from below to install the second terminal 50 onto the fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30. At this time, the second connecting portion 51B of the second foot 51 abuts against the abutting piece 41C of the first foot 41 from below for support, thereby ensuring that the first connecting portion 41B is well positioned in the vertical direction.

[0091] Next, the base 61 of the fixing metal part 60 is pressed into the metal part holding part 22A of the fixing housing 20 from below to install the fixing metal part 60 onto the fixing housing 20. This completes the assembly of the connector 1.

[0092] The assembly sequence of connector 1 is not limited to the sequence described above. For example, the first terminal 40 may be installed on housing 10 after the movable housing 30 is housed in the internal space 24 of the fixed housing 20, and then the second terminal 50 may be installed on housing 10. Alternatively, the installation of the fixing metal part 60 onto the fixed housing 20 may occur before or simultaneously with the installation of terminals 40 and 50.

[0093] like Figure 1 As shown, the object connector 2 has an object housing 70 and a plurality of object terminals 80 arranged and held in the object housing 70. In this embodiment, two object terminals 80 are provided. The object housing 70 has: a main body portion 71 with a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, extending in a length direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (Y-axis direction); and guided wall portions 72, extending downward from the ends of both sides of the main body portion 71 in the length direction.

[0094] like Figure 1 As shown, for the main body 71, a plurality of retaining holes 71A for retaining the object terminal 80 are arranged in the aforementioned length direction. Figure 12 As shown, the retaining hole 71A extends through the main body 71 in the vertical direction and presses into the retaining terminal 80. A guiding groove 72A is formed in the guided wall 72, which is recessed from the inner surface in the terminal arrangement direction and extends vertically. During connector engagement, the guided wall 72 receives the guide portion 36 of the connector 1 from below through the guiding groove 72A and is guided into the internal space 24 of the fixed housing 20 via the guide portion 36.

[0095] The target terminal 80 is formed by punching a metal plate component that is thicker than terminals 40 and 50, and is arranged in a position where the plate surface is perpendicular to the width direction of the connector. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 12 As shown, the object terminal 80 has: an object-side holding portion 81, which is held by a holding hole portion 71A of the object housing 70; an object-side connecting portion 82, which extends upward from the object-side holding portion 81; and an object-side contact portion 83, which extends downward from the object-side holding portion 81.

[0096] The object-side connecting portion 82 is formed with a terminal width dimension (dimension in the Y-axis direction) smaller than that of the object-side held portion 81. The upper end of the object-side connecting portion 82 extends upward beyond the object housing 70, and a circuit portion (not shown) is soldered to the circuit board at this upper end. The object-side contact portion 83 is formed with a terminal width dimension smaller than that of the object-side held portion 81 and larger than that of the object-side connecting portion 82. The object-side contact portion 83 extends downward from the object-side held portion 81 to a position approximately the same as the lower end of the guided wall portion 72. Figure 12 As shown, the object-side contact portion 83 contacts the terminals 40 and 50 with the plate surface as the contact surface. In this embodiment, the object-side contact portion 83 is formed with a width dimension that is approximately the same as that of the terminals 40 and 50, and each contact surface contacts the two first contact portions 42B and the two second contact portions 52B.

[0097] The object connector 2 is assembled by pressing the object-side retaining part 81 from above into the retaining hole 71A of the object housing 70 to install the object-side retaining part 81.

[0098] Next, the mating connection operation of connector 1 and the target connector 2 will be described. First, connector 1 is soldered to a mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) to mount connector 1, and the target connector 2 is soldered to a mounting surface of another circuit board (not shown) to mount the target connector 2. Next, as... Figure 1 and Figure 12 As shown, connector 1 is positioned with the mating portion 31 facing upwards, and the target connector 2 is positioned above connector 1 with the target-side contact portion 83 of the target terminal 80 extending downwards. Then, the mating connection operation with connector 1 is initiated by moving the target connector 2 downwards.

[0099] During connector mating, the guide portion 36 of connector 1 enters from below into the guided groove portion 72A of the target connector 2, guiding the guided wall portion 72 towards the internal space 24. Additionally, the target-side contact portion 83 of the target terminal 80 enters the receiving portion 34 of connector 1, expanding between the opposing first contact portion 42B and second contact portion 52B in the connector width direction. At this time, the first arm portion 42 and the second arm portion 52 elastically displace outwards in the connector width direction, allowing the target-side contact portion 83 to further enter.

[0100] Furthermore, as the connector mating process progresses, if connector 1 reaches the correct mating position, then as... Figure 12As shown, connector 1 and the target connector 2 are in a mating connection state, and the connector mating connection action is completed. In the connector mating connection state, the elastic displacement state of the first arm 42 and the second arm 52 is maintained, and the target side contact portion 83 is in contact with the first contact portion 42B and the second contact portion 52B with contact pressure. As a result, terminals 40 and 50 are electrically connected to the target terminal 80.

[0101] When connectors 1 and 2 are about to be engaged or in a engaged connection state, the engagement position of connector 1 and the target connector 2 is not necessarily in a normal position in the terminal arrangement direction and connector width direction; sometimes they are offset in these directions. In this embodiment, the offset between connectors 1 and 2 is absorbed by the so-called floating of the movable housing 30 in the direction of the offset due to the elastic displacement of the elastic portions 46 and 56 of terminals 40 and 50.

[0102] In this embodiment, the second fixed side plate portion 54 of the second terminal 50 is held in the fixed housing 20, but the first fixed side plate portion 44 of the first terminal 40 is not held in the fixed housing 20. Therefore, in the first terminal 40, the first fixed side plate portion 44 and the first elastic portion 46 can be used together as a portion capable of elastic displacement. Therefore, compared with the case where the first fixed side plate portion 44 is held in the fixed housing 20, the length of the portion capable of elastic displacement in the first terminal 40, i.e., the so-called spring length, can be increased, thereby ensuring a large floating amount of the movable housing 30. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the overall length of the first terminal 40, it is possible to avoid the first terminal 40 and thus the connector 1 becoming larger.

[0103] In the described embodiment, the first fixed side plate portion 44 of the first terminal 40 is not held in the fixed housing 20, and the second fixed side plate portion 54 of the second terminal 50 is held in the fixed housing 20. However, as a variation, the first fixed side plate portion of the first terminal may be held in the fixed housing, and the second fixed side plate portion of the second terminal may not be held in the fixed housing.

[0104] The following is based on Figure 13 and Figure 14 The above variations will be explained. Figure 13 and Figure 14 In the text, for the parts corresponding to the components in the described embodiments, the labels are based on... Figures 1-12 The reference numerals in the described embodiments are now followed by "100". Regarding this variation, the description will focus on the parts that differ from the described embodiments, while common parts will be omitted.

[0105] like Figure 13As shown in (A), the first fixed side plate portion 144 of the first terminal 140 is formed with the second fixed side plate portion 54 of the second terminal 50 in the described embodiment (see Figure 144). Figure 8 The shape is the same as that of (A) and (B). That is, for the first fixed side plate portion 144, the edges on both sides in the terminal width direction are formed as the first fixed side holding portion 144A, as shown. Figure 14 As shown in (A), the first fixed side plate portion 144 is pressed into the first fixed side groove portion 121C held in the fixed housing 120 by the press-in protrusion 144A−1. Additionally, as... Figure 14 As shown in (A), the first fixed side groove 121C has the same shape as the second fixed side groove 21D in the described embodiment.

[0106] like Figure 13 As shown in (B), the second fixed side plate portion 154 of the second terminal 150 is formed with the first fixed side plate portion 44 of the first terminal 40 in the described embodiment (see Figure 154). Figure 7 The same shape as (A) and (B). That is, as Figure 14 As shown in (B), the two edges 154A of the second fixed side plate portion 154 in the terminal width direction are received in the second fixed side groove portion 121D of the fixed housing 120. Figure 14 As shown in (B), the second fixed-side groove 121D has the same shape as the first fixed-side groove 21C in the described embodiment. The edge portion 154A is housed within the first fixed-side groove 21C with a gap formed between it and the inner surface of the first fixed-side groove 21C, and can move within the range of that gap. Furthermore, in Figure 14 In (B), the following is omitted. Figure 14 The illustration of the first terminal 140 shown in (A).

[0107] In this modified example, the second fixed side plate portion 154, which does not retain the retaining edge portion 154A, can be used together with the first elastic portion 156 as a portion capable of elastic displacement in the second terminal 150. Therefore, compared to the case where the second fixed side plate portion 154 is held in the fixed housing 20, the length of the portion capable of elastic displacement in the second terminal 150, i.e., the so-called spring length, can be increased, thereby ensuring a large floating amount of the movable housing. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the overall length of the second terminal 150, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the second terminal 150 and thus the connector.

[0108] In this modified example, when assembling the connector, the first terminal 140 and the second terminal 150 are sequentially installed onto the housing 110 from below. At this time, when installing the second terminal 150, the first fixing side plate portion 144 of the first terminal 140 is already held in the fixing housing 120, therefore... Figure 14As shown in (A), the lower surface of the abutment portion 141C of the first terminal 140 abuts against and supports the upper surface of the second connecting portion 151B of the second terminal 150 from above. Therefore, excessive upward movement of the second foot 151 is limited, and the second connecting portion 151B is well positioned in the connector height direction.

[0109] In the described embodiments and variations, the first extensions 42A, 142A of the first terminals 40, 140 and the second extensions 52A, 152A of the second terminals 50, 150 extend in a manner in which the terminal width continuously decreases as it faces upward. However, the decrease in terminal width is not necessarily continuous; the terminal width may also decrease discontinuously. In such cases, for example, the first extensions 42A, 142A and the second extensions 52A, 152A may have stepped portions on their side edges, and the terminal width decreases at the stepped portions as it faces upward.

[0110] In the described embodiments and variations, both the first terminals 40 and 140 and the second terminals 50 and 150 are power terminals. However, both terminals are not necessarily power terminals. For example, at least one of the first and second terminals can be used as a signal terminal. Here, when one of the first and second terminals is used as a signal terminal and the other as a power terminal, a contact piece is not provided on the first terminal to avoid contact between the two terminals.

[0111] In the described embodiments and variations, each of the first extension portions 42A and 142A and the second extension portions 52A and 152A is provided with two, but the number of the first extension portions and the second extension portions is not limited to this, and may be one of each, or three or more of each.

[0112] In the described embodiments and variations, slit portions 46A, 146A and strip portions 46B, 146B are formed in the first elastic portions 46, 146, and slit portions 56A, 156A and strip portions 56B, 156B are formed in the second elastic portions 56, 156. However, as long as sufficient elasticity can be ensured in the first and second elastic portions, the slit portions and strip portions are not necessary, and the first and second elastic portions can each be formed from a continuous strip portion in the terminal width direction. Alternatively, the slit portion and strip portion can be formed only in either the first or second elastic portion.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a circuit board, disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board for mating connection with an applicable connector, comprising: Multiple terminals are formed into a shape that bends the metal plate component along the thickness direction, and are arranged in a position where the thickness surface is perpendicular to the mounting surface; and The housing holds the plurality of terminals. The housing has: The housing is fixed to the circuit board via the terminals; and The movable housing is capable of moving relative to the fixed housing. The electrical connector for the circuit board is characterized in that... The plurality of terminals have: First terminal; and The second terminal is configured to overlap with the first terminal in the plate thickness direction. The first terminal has: A first connecting portion is formed on one end side and is capable of connecting to the circuit portion of the circuit board; A first arm is formed on the other end and is capable of contacting the object connector; and The first intermediate portion is located between the first connecting portion and the first arm portion. The first intermediate portion has: The first fixed side plate is located on the side of the fixed housing; The first movable side plate is located on the movable housing side and is held in the movable housing; as well as A first elastic part capable of elastic displacement connects the first fixed side plate part and the first movable side plate part. The second terminal has: A second connection portion is formed on one end side and can be connected to the circuit portion of the circuit board; The second arm is formed on the other end and is able to contact the object connector; as well as The second intermediate portion is located between the second connecting portion and the second arm portion, and extends along the first intermediate portion. The second intermediate portion has: The second fixed side plate is located on the side of the fixed housing. The second movable side plate is located on the movable housing side and is held in the movable housing; as well as A second elastic part capable of elastic displacement connects the second fixed side plate part and the second movable side plate part. One of the first fixed side plate portion and the second fixed side plate portion is held in the fixed housing, while the other is not held in the fixed housing.

2. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion has a plurality of strip portions arranged in a terminal width direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction.

3. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first terminal and the second terminal are pressed into and held in the housing from the mounting surface side in a connector height direction that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The first elastic portion is located on the opposite side of the mounting surface relative to the second elastic portion in the connector height direction. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have plate surfaces extending along the mounting surface of the circuit board and are adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction. The first connecting portion has an abutting piece extending toward the second connecting portion in the width direction of the terminal. The abutting portion is located on the opposite side of the mounting surface in the connector height direction relative to the second connecting portion, and is able to abut against the second connecting portion from that opposite side.

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