Electrical connector for circuit board and electrical connector assembly

Abstract

Provided is an electrical connector for a circuit board capable of maintaining a stable connection state with a counterpart connector, and an electrical connector assembly. A plug housing of a plug-type connector (1) has a fixed housing (30) fixed to a circuit board via plug terminals (10, 20), and a movable housing (40) relatively movable with respect to the fixed housing (30), the plug terminals (10, 20) being disposed between the fixed housing (30) and the movable housing (40) and allowing the relative movement of the movable housing (40) by elastic displacement of the plug terminals (10, 20), the movable housing (40) having a guide and locking bar portion (43) and a guide and locking groove portion (45), the guide and locking bar portion (43) and the guide and locking groove portion (45) guiding a socket-type connector (202) in a direction of plugging of the connectors to each other during connector fitting connection and locking the socket-type connector (202) in a direction of connection of the connectors to each other in a connected state of the connectors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that is mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board and allows an external device to connect from above in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. The connector has contacts that connect to the connection terminals of the external device. Each contact has: a contact portion located at the upper end that contacts the connection terminal; a connection portion located at the lower end that connects to the circuit board; and an elastic portion located in the middle portion that is approximately S-shaped and can elastically displace in the vertical direction. The contact contacts the connection terminal through its contact portion as the elastic portion in the vertical direction compresses.

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-117686 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The connector in Patent Document 1 does not have a locking part for locking onto an external device in the vertical direction. Therefore, when an unexpected external force is applied while the connector is connected to an external device, the contact part may separate from the connection terminal, making it difficult to maintain the connection. Furthermore, even if a locking part for locking onto an external device in the vertical direction is provided in the connector, the connection operation may be hindered due to interference between the locking part and the external device during the connection process.

[0005] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly capable of maintaining a stable connection with the other connector.

[0006] (1) The electrical connector for the circuit board of the present invention is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0007] Based on the above-mentioned electrical connector for circuit boards, the invention of (1) is characterized in that the electrical connector for circuit boards is connected to the other connector in a pluggable manner with a direction parallel to the mounting surface as the plugging direction, and is connected to the other connector with a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface as the connection direction, and has: a plurality of terminals arranged in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to both the plugging direction and the connection direction; and a housing that holds a terminal array formed by the plurality of terminals, the housing having a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals and a movable housing that can move relative to the fixed housing, the terminals being mounted on the fixed housing and the movable housing, and the movable housing being allowed to move relative to the terminals by elastic displacement, the movable housing having a guide locking part that guides the other connector in the plugging direction during the connector plugging connection process, and locks the other connector in the connection direction in the connector plugging connection state.

[0008] In the invention described in (1) above, the electrical connector for the circuit board is engaged with the other connector in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board. Furthermore, the housing of the electrical connector for the circuit board is provided with a guide locking portion, which guides the other connector in the engagement direction during the engagement process and locks it to the other connector in the connection direction when the connectors are engaged. Thus, by locking the other connector with the guide locking portion, the locking state between the connectors is well maintained. As a result, a stable connection state between the electrical connector for the circuit board and the other connector can be well maintained. Moreover, since the engagement direction of the connectors is perpendicular to the connection direction, i.e., the locking direction (locking direction), the engagement connection operation of the connectors is not hindered by the guide locking portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the guide locking part is provided in the movable housing and can move relative to the fixed housing. Therefore, even if the relative position of the connectors deviates from the normal position in a direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board, the displacement of the movable housing can absorb the positional deviation of the connectors during the connector mating connection process and in the connector mating connection state.

[0010] (2) Based on the invention of (1), the terminal may also have: a connecting portion disposed on one end side and connected to the circuit board; a contact portion disposed on the other end side and in contact with the other connector; a fixed-side held portion held by the fixed housing; a movable-side held portion held by the movable housing; and an elastic portion disposed between the fixed-side held portion and the movable-side held portion and capable of elastic displacement, the fixed-side held portion extending along the connection direction and pressed into and held in the fixed housing in the connection direction, and the movable-side held portion extending along the insertion / removal direction and pressed into and held in the movable housing in the insertion / removal direction.

[0011] (3) Based on the invention of (1) or (2), the terminal rows may be provided in multiple ways, and in the multiple terminal rows, at least a portion of the terminals are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction. By arranging the terminals in this way, it is possible to increase the number of terminals while minimizing the enlargement of the circuit board electrical connector in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0012] (4) Based on the invention of (1) or (2), the terminal columns may be provided in multiple ways, and in the multiple terminal columns, at least a portion of the terminals are arranged at different positions relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0013] When a circuit board electrical connector has multiple terminal rows, a corresponding number of terminal rows of opposite terminals (hereinafter referred to as "opposite terminal rows") are also provided in the opposite connector. In the invention described above (4), the insertion and removal directions of the connectors are perpendicular to both the terminal arrangement direction and the connection direction. Therefore, when the terminals in the multiple terminal rows and the opposite terminals in the multiple opposite terminal rows are arranged in the same position in the terminal arrangement direction, during the mating connection operation of the connectors, there will be a state in which a terminal of one terminal row contacts two opposite terminals in a manner that spans the opposite terminals of two opposite terminal rows, and a state in which an opposite terminal of one opposite terminal row contacts two terminals in a manner that spans the terminals of two terminal rows.

[0014] Generally, the power supply is usually disconnected when the connectors are mated together, so short circuits are not likely to occur even in the aforementioned contact state. However, in the invention described in (4) above, if at least a portion of the terminals in the plurality of terminal rows and at least a portion of the counterpart terminals in the plurality of counterpart terminal rows are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction, even if the power supply is mistakenly turned on during the mating connection process, the aforementioned contact state will not occur, and therefore, short circuits can be avoided more reliably.

[0015] (5) Based on the invention of (4), it is also possible that, in a plurality of said terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are configured such that the contact portions overlap with each other in the insertion and removal direction. By configuring the contact portions in this way, each contact portion can be formed to be larger in the insertion and removal direction, and therefore, the contact portion can make more reliable contact with the other terminal.

[0016] (6) Based on the invention of (4) or (5), it is also possible that, among the plurality of terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are power terminals. Compared with signal terminals, the current flowing through power terminals is larger, and therefore, the electronic device is more susceptible to damage due to short circuits. In the invention of (6) above, by arranging the power terminals of the plurality of terminal rows at different positions relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction, short circuits between the power terminals can be effectively avoided, thereby effectively preventing potential damage in the electronic device.

[0017] (7) Based on any of the inventions in (4) to (6), it is also possible that, in the plurality of said terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are configured such that the elastic portions overlap each other in the insertion and removal direction. By configuring the elastic portions in this way, it is possible to increase the length of each elastic portion, thereby ensuring a larger so-called spring length, and thus increasing the displacement of the movable housing, i.e., increasing the floating amount.

[0018] (8) The electrical connector assembly of the present invention is characterized in that it has: an electrical connector for circuit boards of any one of the inventions (1) to (7); and a counterpart connector that is fitted and connected to the electrical connector for circuit boards.

[0019] In this invention, a circuit board electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly are provided that can maintain a stable connection with the other connector. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows the state before a connector mount is installed, and (B) shows the state after all connector mounts are installed.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a side view of the electronic device from the rear.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the connector mounting body unit. (A) shows the state viewed from one mounting surface side, and (B) shows the state viewed from the other mounting surface side.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a 3D diagram of a plug-type connector.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the individual components that make up the plug connector.

[0025] Figure 6 (A) is a three-dimensional view of the plug signal terminal unit. Figure 6 (B) is a three-dimensional view of the plug power terminal unit.

[0026] Figure 7 (A) is a top view of a portion of the plug connector viewed along the connection direction. Figure 7 (B) is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a plug connector on a plane perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction.

[0027] Figure 8 (A) is Figure 7 Sectional view of (A) VIIIA-VIIIA, Figure 8 (B) is Figure 7 Sectional view of (A) VIIIB-VIIIB.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a 3D diagram of a socket-type connector.

[0029] Figure 10 It is a perspective view showing the individual components that make up the socket connector.

[0030] Figure 11 (A) is a perspective view of a socket-type signal terminal unit. Figure 11 (B) is a three-dimensional view of a socket-type power terminal unit.

[0031] Figure 12 (A) is a plan view of a portion of the socket connector viewed along the connection direction. Figure 12 (B) is a side view of a portion of the socket connector viewed along the connection direction.

[0032] Figure 13 (A) is Figure 12 Sectional view of (A) XIIIA-XIIIA, Figure 13 (B) is Figure 13 A magnified view of (A).

[0033] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 (A) XIV-XIV sectional view.

[0034] Figure 15This is a three-dimensional view of a connector assembly consisting of a plug connector and a socket connector. (A) represents the state before mating connection, and (B) represents the mating connection state.

[0035] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the cross-section at the location of the signal terminals.

[0036] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing a section at the location of the power terminals.

[0037] Figure 18 This is a side view of the connector assembly in a mating connection state, viewed along the insertion / removal direction. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 (A) and (B) are perspective views of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (A) shows the state before a connector mount is installed. Figure 1 (B) shows the state after all connector mounts have been installed. Figure 2 This is a side view of the electronic device from the rear. The electronic device E of this embodiment includes a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing C and multiple (five in this embodiment) connector mounting bodies I to V connected within the housing C in the X-axis direction. The electronic device E is used, for example, in a control system provided in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.

[0040] In this embodiment, connector mount IV, connector mount II, connector mount I, connector mount III, and connector mount V are sequentially configured and connected from the X1 side. Figure 1 As shown in (A) and (B), the connector mounting bodies I to V are installed in the housing C in a pluggable manner with the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) as the insertion and removal direction. Specifically, the connector mounting bodies I to V are inserted into the housing C in the forward direction (Y1 direction) and pulled out from the housing C in the rear direction (Y2 direction).

[0041] On the housing C, guide rails C1 to C5 are formed at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. Guide rails C1 to C5 are formed as grooves at positions corresponding to connector mounts I to V, respectively. These grooves are recessed from the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing C and extend in the front-rear direction. When connector mounts I to V are installed on and removed from the housing C, the upper and lower ends of the circuit boards P1 to P5 (described later) are guided by guide rails C1 to C5 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the movement of the upper and lower ends of the circuit boards P1 to P5 in the connection direction (X-axis direction) is restricted by the inner surfaces of the grooves in guide rails C1 to C5, thereby positioning connector mounts I to V in the connection direction. Additionally, the front ends of guide rails C1 to C5 are closed, and the circuit boards P1 to P5 abut against the front end faces of guide rails C1 to C5 from the rear, positioning connector mounts I to V mounted on the housing C in the front-rear direction.

[0042] The connector mounting body I includes: a circuit board P1, whose surface is configured to be perpendicular to the connection direction (X-axis direction); and a plug-type connector 1 serving as a first connector and a socket-type connector 2 serving as a second connector, mounted on the front end side (Y1 side) of the circuit board P1. The circuit board P1 has mounting surfaces on both its X1 side and X2 side surfaces. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), plug connector 1 is an electrical connector for a circuit board mounted on the front end of the mounting surface on the X1 side, and socket connector 2 is an electrical connector for a circuit board mounted on the front end of the mounting surface on the X2 side.

[0043] Connector mounts II and III have the exact same structure as connector mount I. Specifically, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, connector mounting body II has a circuit board P2, a plug connector 201 as a first connector, and a receptacle connector 202 as a second connector. Connector mounting body III has a circuit board P3, a plug connector 301 as a first connector, and a receptacle connector 302 as a second connector.

[0044] Connector mounts IV and V differ from connector mounts I to III in that they mount connectors on only one side of the circuit board. Specifically, connector mount IV includes a circuit board P4 and a receptacle connector 402 as a second connector. Because connector mount IV is located on the X1 side, the circuit board P4 has a mounting surface only on the X2 side, where the receptacle connector 402 is mounted. Furthermore, connector mount V includes a circuit board P5 and a plug connector 501 as a first connector. Because connector mount V is located on the X2 side, the circuit board P5 has a mounting surface only on the X1 side, where the plug connector 501 is mounted.

[0045] In any two adjacent connector mounts I to V, the connectors disposed on their opposing mounting surfaces are mated together in a front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). For example, in connector mount I, plug connector 1 is mated with socket connector 202 of connector mount II, and socket connector 2 is mated with plug connector 301 of connector mount III. In this case, socket connector 202 is the counterpart to plug connector 1, and plug connector 1 is the counterpart to socket connector 202. Furthermore, plug connector 301 is the counterpart to socket connector 2, and socket connector 2 is the counterpart to plug connector 301. Thus, the connectors are mated together in a front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surfaces of circuit boards P1 to P5, thereby connecting multiple circuit boards P1 to P5 in the X-axis direction.

[0046] The structures of plug connector 1 and socket connector 2 will be described below. The structures of plug connectors 201, 301, and 501 are identical to those of plug connector 1, therefore, descriptions are omitted. Similarly, the structures of socket connectors 202, 302, and 402 are identical to those of socket connector 2, therefore, descriptions are omitted.

[0047] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the plug connector 1 has a plurality of plug terminals 10, 20, a plug housing for holding the plurality of plug terminals 10, 20, and a plug retaining metal member 50 held in the plug housing. The plurality of plug terminals 10, 20 include a plurality of plug signal terminals 10 and a plurality of plug power terminals 20. The plug housing includes a fixed housing 30 fixed to the circuit board P1 via the plurality of plug terminals 10, 20 and a movable housing 40 movable relative to the fixed housing 30.

[0048] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, multiple plug terminals 10 and 20 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) (Z-axis direction). The plug terminals 10 and 20 are made by bending a metal strip along the thickness direction, and are arranged with the thickness surface of the strip perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, and are mounted on the fixed housing 30 and the movable housing 40.

[0049] The plug terminals 10 and 20 are configured to form two terminal rows, specifically, a rear terminal row and a front terminal row. Here, the "front terminal row" is formed by the plug terminals 10 and 20 mounted to the movable housing 40 from the rear (Y2 side). The "rear terminal row" is formed by the plug terminals 10 and 20 mounted to the movable housing 40 from the front (Y1 side).

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the plug signal terminals 10 of the two terminal rows are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction, and are arranged in a symmetrical posture in the front-to-back direction (see also...). Figure 7 (A) Figure 8 (A)). By arranging the plug signal terminals 10 in such a way as to form two terminal rows, it is possible to increase the number of plug signal terminals 10 while minimizing the enlargement of the plug connector 1 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0051] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, two plug power terminals 20 are respectively arranged on each side of the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10 in the terminal arrangement direction. Here, on each side, the plug power terminal 20 mounted from the rear towards the movable housing 40 is included in the rear terminal row, and the plug power terminal 20 mounted from the front towards the movable housing 40 is included in the front terminal row. Furthermore, on each side, the two plug power terminals 20 are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction and are arranged in a symmetrical posture in the front-rear direction.

[0052] Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view of the plug signal terminal 10 unit. Figure 6 (A) shows the plug signal terminals 10 of the terminal block on the rear (Y2 side). Here, based on Figure 6 (A) describes the structure of the plug signal terminal 10 of the terminal row on the rear (Y2 side). The shape of the plug signal terminal 10 of the terminal row on the front (Y1 side) is itself similar to... Figure 6 The plug signal terminal 10 shown in (A) is the same, therefore, the description is omitted.

[0053] The plug signal terminal 10 has: a signal connection portion 11 connected to a circuit board P1 provided at one end; a signal contact arm portion 12 provided at the other end and in contact with a socket-type connector 202 that serves as a counterpart connector; a fixed-side holding portion 13 held by a fixed housing 30; a movable-side holding portion 14 held by a movable housing 40; and an elastic portion 15 provided between the fixed-side holding portion 13 and the movable-side holding portion 14 and capable of elastic displacement.

[0054] The signal connection portion 11 extends rearward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. The fixing-side retaining portion 13 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection portion 11 and extends towards the X1 side in the connection direction ( Figure 6 (A) extends above. The retaining part 13 on both sides of the edge of the fixed side has a plurality of press-in protrusions 13A in the terminal width direction, that is, in the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0055] The elastic portion 15 connects the ends of the fixed-side retained portion 13 and the movable-side retained portion 14 to each other, and is capable of elastic displacement in the connection direction (X-axis direction), the front-back direction (Y-axis direction), and the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The elastic portion 15 has a bent arm portion 15A that bends and extends from the fixed-side retained portion 13 in a generally transverse U-shape, and a transition portion 15B that extends from the bent arm portion 15A in the X1 direction.

[0056] The curved arm portion 15A bends and extends sequentially forward (Y1 direction), X1 direction, and rearward (Y2 direction) from the end of the fixed-side retaining portion 13 on the X1 side, forming a generally transverse U-shape with a rearward opening. The transition portion 15B bends at the end of the curved arm portion 15A and extends in the X1 direction, connecting with the movable-side retaining portion 14. The elastic portion 15 has a slit 15C extending along the length direction of the elastic portion 15 at the center position in the terminal width direction. Therefore, the elastic portion 15 can elastically displace through the thin strips formed on both sides of the slit 15C, resulting in a large elastic displacement amount that is easily ensured, and thus a large floating amount of the movable housing 40 is easily ensured.

[0057] The movable side retaining portion 14 bends at the X1 side end of the transition portion 15B and extends forward (Y1 side). The movable side retaining portion 14 has multiple press-in protrusions 14A on both sides of its edge in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The signal contact arm portion 12 has: an upright portion 12A, which bends at the front end of the movable side retaining portion 14 and extends towards the X1 side in the connection direction; and a crank portion 12B, which extends forward in a crank shape from the X1 side end of the upright portion 12A.

[0058] In the crank section 12B, a portion extending linearly forward from the end of the upright section 12A on the X1 side constitutes a signal contact section 12B-1, which can contact the socket connector 202 on the plate surface on the X1 side. Specifically, the signal contact section 12B-1 has a contact surface on the plate surface on the X1 side, and can contact the socket signal terminal 260 provided on the socket connector 202 through the contact surface in the connection direction (X-axis direction) (see reference). Figure 16 ).

[0059] Furthermore, in the crank portion 12B, the portion located further forward than the signal contact portion 12B-1, on the Z2 side in the connection direction, and extending in the front-rear direction constitutes a supported portion 12B-2 supported by the movable housing 40. Thus, the supported portion 12B-2 formed on the free end side of the signal contact arm portion 12 is located further X2 than the signal contact portion 12B-1. Therefore, during connector insertion and removal, the signal contact arm portion 12 is less likely to interfere with the free end of the counterpart terminal, i.e., the socket signal terminal 260 provided in the socket-type connector 202, thereby effectively suppressing accidental deformation of the signal contact arm portion 12 due to bending or other reasons.

[0060] In the plug signal terminal 10, the fixed side is pressed into and mounted to the fixed housing 30 in the connection direction (X-axis direction) by the retaining part 13, and the movable side is pressed into and mounted to the movable housing 40 in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) by the retaining part 14. Figure 8 As shown in (A), the plug signal terminals 10 of the front (Y1 side) terminal row and the plug signal terminals 10 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row are configured such that they do not overlap in the front-to-back direction when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction.

[0061] Figure 6 (B) is a perspective view of the plug power terminal 20 unit. Figure 6 (B) shows the plug power terminals 20 of the terminal block on the rear (Y2 side). Here, based on Figure 6 (B) The structure of the plug power terminal 20 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row will be described. The shape of the plug power terminal 20 of the front (Y1 side) terminal row is itself similar to... Figure 6 The plug power terminal 20 shown in (B) is the same, therefore, the description is omitted.

[0062] The plug power terminal 20 is made by bending a wide metal strip, which is wider than the plug signal terminal 10, along the thickness direction of the plate. The plug power terminal 20 has: a power connection portion 21 provided on one end and connected to the circuit board P1; a power contact arm portion 22 provided on the other end and in contact with the socket connector 202, which is the counterpart connector; a fixed side holding portion 23 held by the fixed housing 30; a movable side holding portion 24 held by the movable housing 40; and an elastic portion 25 provided between the fixed side holding portion 23 and the movable side holding portion 24 and capable of elastic displacement.

[0063] The power connection portion 21 extends rearward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. The fixing-side retaining portion 23 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection portion 11 and extends towards the X1 side in the connection direction. Figure 6 (B) extends above. The retaining part 13 on the fixed side has a plurality of press-in protrusions 23A on both sides of the edge in the terminal width direction, that is, in the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0064] The elastic portion 25 connects the ends of the fixed-side retained portion 23 and the movable-side retained portion 24 to each other, and is capable of elastic displacement in the connection direction (X-axis direction), the front-back direction (Y-axis direction), and the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The elastic portion 25 has: a transition portion 25D that extends from the end of the fixed-side retained portion 23 on the X1 side along the X1 direction; a bending arm portion 25A that bends and extends from the transition portion 25D in a generally transverse U-shape; and a transition portion 25B that extends from the bending arm portion 25A in the X1 direction.

[0065] The curved arm portion 25A bends and extends sequentially forward (Y1 direction), in the X1 direction, and backward (Y2 direction) from the end of the transition portion 25D on the X1 side, forming a generally transverse U-shape with a rearward opening. The transition portion 25B bends at the end of the curved arm portion 25A and extends in the X1 direction, connecting to the movable side retaining portion 24. The elastic portion 25 has slits 25C extending along the length direction of the elastic portion 25 at multiple intermediate positions in the terminal width direction. Therefore, the elastic portion 25 can elastically displace through the thin strips formed on both sides of each slit 25C, resulting in a large elastic displacement amount that is easily ensured, and thus a large floating amount of the movable housing 40 is easily ensured.

[0066] The movable side retaining portion 24 bends at the X1 side end of the transition portion 25B and extends forward (Y1 side). The movable side retaining portion 24 has multiple press-in protrusions 24A on both sides of its edge in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The power contact arm portion 22 has: an upright portion 22A that extends from the front end of the movable side retaining portion 24 toward the X1 side in the connection direction; a power contact portion 22B that extends forward from the end of the upright portion 22A; and an inclined portion 22C that extends obliquely forward from the end of the power contact portion 22B.

[0067] The power contact portion 22B extends in a straight line and can contact the socket connector 202 via the plate surface on the X1 side. Specifically, the power contact portion 22B has a contact surface on the plate surface on the X1 side, and can contact the socket power terminal 270 provided on the socket connector 202 via the contact surface in the connection direction (X-axis direction) (see reference). Figure 17 The inclined portion 22C extends in a manner that tilts towards the X2 side as it faces forward. In this way, by tilting the inclined portion 22C formed on the free end side of the power contact arm 22 towards the X2 side, the power contact arm 22 is less likely to interfere with the free end of the other terminal, i.e., the socket power terminal 270 provided in the socket connector 202, when the connector is plugged in or removed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress accidental deformation of the power contact arm 22 due to bending or other reasons.

[0068] In the plug power terminal 20, the fixed side is pressed into and mounted to the fixed housing 30 by the retaining part 23 in the connection direction (X-axis direction), and the movable side is pressed into and mounted to the movable housing 40 by the retaining part 24 in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction). Figure 4 as well as Figure 7 As shown in (A), the two plug power terminals 20 located at each end of the plug connector 1 are configured to overlap each other in the front-to-back direction when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, as Figure 4 as well as Figure 7 As shown in (A), the plug power terminals 20 of these two terminal rows are configured such that the power contact portions 22B of the power contact arms 22 overlap each other in the front-to-back direction. Thus, by configuring the power contact arms 22, the size of the plug connector 1 in the insertion / removal direction can be avoided, and by increasing the length of each power contact arm 22, the so-called spring length is ensured to be larger. Furthermore, as... Figure 8 As shown in (A) and (B), the bending arm portions 25A of the elastic portion 25 are configured to overlap each other in the front-rear direction. In this way, by configuring the elastic portions 25, it is possible to avoid the large size of the plug connector 1 in the insertion / removal direction, and by increasing the length of each elastic portion 25, the so-called spring length is ensured to be larger. Therefore, the displacement amount, i.e., the floating amount, of the movable housing 40 can be increased.

[0069] The fixed housing 30 is made of electrically insulating materials such as resin, and when viewed along the connection direction (X1 direction), it appears as a rectangular frame with the terminal arrangement direction as its length. For example... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the mounting housing 30 has two sidewalls 31 extending in the terminal arrangement direction and two endwalls 32 extending in the front-rear direction and connecting the ends of the sidewalls 31 to each other. The mounting housing 30 has an internal space 33 (see reference 1) enclosed by the two sidewalls 31 and the two endwalls 32. Figure 5 It houses a portion of the movable outer shell 40.

[0070] The sidewall 31 has: an intermediate wall 31A located in the middle of the terminal arrangement direction, encompassing the terminal arrangement range; and a connecting wall 31B located on both outer sides of the intermediate wall 31 and connecting the intermediate wall 31A to the end wall 32. Figure 5 As shown, in the intermediate wall 31, multiple narrow grooves 31C for holding the plug signal terminals 10 are formed at equal intervals within the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10. Furthermore, in the intermediate wall 31, one wide groove 31D for holding the plug power terminals 20 is formed on each side of the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10. The narrow grooves 31C and wide grooves 31D are recessed from the inner surface of the intermediate wall 31 and extend in the connection direction (X-axis direction), with their X2-side ends open. The narrow grooves 31C receive the fixed-side held portion 13 of the plug signal terminals 10 from the X2 side and press it in to hold them. The width of the wide groove 31D (width in the terminal arrangement direction) is greater than the width of the narrow groove 31C, and it receives the fixed-side held portion 23 of the plug power terminals 20 from the X2 side and presses it in to hold them.

[0071] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the end wall 32 has a limiting portion 32A at a midpoint in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and this limiting portion 32A protrudes from the inner surface of the end of the end wall 32 on the X1 side. Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), the limiting part 32A is located on the X1 side relative to the limited part 44B provided on the movable housing 40, and is locked to the limited part 44B from the X1 side, thereby limiting the movable housing 40 from moving in the X1 direction by a predetermined amount or more. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5As shown, the end wall 32 has a metal retaining groove 32B at its midpoint in the front-rear direction for retaining the plug fixing metal part 50. The metal retaining groove 32B is recessed from the outer surface of the end wall 32, is T-shaped when viewed along the connection direction, and penetrates the end wall 32 in the connection direction. The metal retaining groove 32B receives the plug fixing metal part 50 from the X1 side and presses it in to retain it.

[0072] The movable outer shell 40 is made of electrically insulating materials such as resin, a portion of which ( Figure 4 The lower part is housed in the internal space 33 of the fixed outer casing 30 (see reference). Figure 5 (within) . For example Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the movable housing 40 has: a base wall 41 extending in the terminal arrangement direction; an end wall 42 extending in the X2 direction from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction; a guide locking strip 43 serving as a first guide locking portion protruding outward from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction; and an extension portion 44 extending outward from the end wall 42 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, the base wall 41 has multiple narrow retaining grooves 41A and narrow receiving grooves 41B within the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10. The narrow retaining grooves 41A are used to retain the movable side of the plug signal terminal 10, the retaining portion 14, and the narrow receiving grooves 41B are used to receive the crank portion 12B of the plug signal terminal 10. Figure 8 As shown in (A), the narrow retaining groove 41A and the narrow receiving groove 41B are recessed from the X1 side of the base wall 41 and extend in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction), forming two rows evenly spaced in the terminal arrangement direction. Figure 8 As shown in (A), a narrow holding groove 41A is formed at the front end (end on the Y1 side) and the rear end (end on the Y2 side) of the base wall 41. In addition, a narrow receiving groove 41B is formed in the connecting direction at a position closer to the Z1 side than the narrow holding groove 41A, and in the front-back direction at a position closer to the inside than the narrow holding groove 41A.

[0074] The narrow retaining groove 41A receives the movable side of the plug signal terminal 10 from the outside in the front-rear direction and is pressed into and held by the retaining part 14. At this time, as Figure 8 As shown in (A), the movable side is supported from the X2 side by the retaining part 14 at the bottom of the narrow retaining groove 41A. Furthermore, the narrow receiving groove 41B receives and stores the crank part 12B of the plug signal terminal 10 from the outer side in the front-rear direction. At this time, as... Figure 8As shown in (A), in the crank portion 12B, the signal contact portion 12B-1 is located at a position spaced apart from the bottom of the narrow storage groove portion 41B in the connection direction (X-axis direction), and is supported from the X2 side by the support portion 12B-2 at the bottom of the narrow storage groove portion 41B.

[0075] like Figure 5 As shown, the base wall 41 has multiple wide receiving slots 41C within the arrangement range of the plug power terminals 20. The wide receiving slots 41C are used to receive the movable side holding portion 24 and the power contact arm portion 22 of the plug power terminals 20. Two wide receiving slots 41C are formed on each of the Z1 and Z2 sides relative to the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10. The wide receiving slots 41C are recessed from the X1 side of the base wall 41 and extend through the base wall 41 in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction).

[0076] The wide storage groove 41C has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 for retaining the movable side retaining part 24 at one end in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, as Figure 7 As shown in (A), at the Z1 side end of the base wall 41, in the two wide receiving grooves 41C, the wide receiving groove 41C located on the outer side (Z1 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide holding groove 41C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side), and the wide receiving groove 41C located on the inner side (Z2 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide holding groove 41C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side). Furthermore, at the Z2 side end of the base wall 41, in the two wide receiving grooves 41C, the wide receiving groove 41C located on the outer side (Z2 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide holding groove 41C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side), and the wide receiving groove 41C-1 located on the inner side (Z1 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide holding groove 41C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side). Figure 8 As shown in (B), the wide holding groove 41C-1 extends along the bottom surface of the wide receiving groove 41C in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction), and receives the movable side of the plug power terminal 20 from the outside in the front-back direction and presses it in to hold it.

[0077] The wide-width receiving slot 41C receives the movable side of the plug power terminal 20 and the power contact arm 22 from one side, specifically from the side where the wide-width retaining slot 41C-1 is located, in the front-to-back direction. Figure 8 As shown in (B), the movable side is supported from the X2 side by the retaining part 24 at the bottom of the groove of the wide retaining groove 41C-1. Furthermore, the wide receiving groove 41C receives the power contact arm 22. At this time, as... Figure 8As shown in (B), the power contact arm 22 is located at a position that is spaced apart from the bottom of the slot of the wide storage slot 41C in the connection direction (X-axis direction).

[0078] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the guide locking strip 43 protrudes outward from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking strip 43 is configured to guide the receptacle connector 202 in the front-rear direction and to engage with the receptacle connector 202 in the connection direction. Specifically, during connector mating, the guide locking strip 43 enters the guide locking groove 285 of the receptacle connector 202, which serves as a second guide locking part, and guides the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 285 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in the connector mating state, the guide locking strip 43 engages with the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 285 in the connection direction (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the protrusion 44 extends outward from the end of the end wall 42 on the X2 side in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The protrusion 44 is located on the X2 side of the guide locking strip 43 in the connection direction and is spaced apart from the guide locking strip 43, extending outward from the guide locking strip 43 in the terminal arrangement direction. At the outer end of the protrusion 44 in the terminal arrangement direction, an end recess 44A and a restrained portion 44B are formed at a midpoint in the front-rear direction, wherein the end recess 44A is recessed from the X1 side of the protrusion 44, and the restrained portion 44B is located on the X2 side of the end recess 44. Figure 7 As shown in (B), the end recess 44A receives a portion of the limiting portion 32A of the fixed housing 30. The limited portion 44B is located on the X2 side relative to the limiting portion 32A. Figure 7 (B) directly below), and opposite the restriction part 32A from the X2 side.

[0080] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 as well as Figure 7As shown in (B), a guide locking groove 45, serving as a first guide locking part, is formed between the guide locking strip 43 and the protrusion 44 in the connection direction. This groove opens outward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking groove 45 is configured to guide the receptacle connector 202 in the front-rear direction and lock it against the receptacle connector 202 in the connection direction. Specifically, during connector mating, the guide locking groove 45 receives the guide locking strip 284, serving as a second guide locking part, from the receptacle connector 202, and guides the guide locking strip 284 in the front-rear direction via the inner surface of the groove. Furthermore, in the connector mating state, the guide locking groove 45 locks the guide locking strip 284 in the connection direction via the inner surface of the groove (see reference). Figure 18 ).

[0081] The guide locking slot 45 extends across the entire range of the movable housing 40 in the front-to-back direction, with its front and rear ends open. Therefore, the guide locking slot 45 can receive the guide locking strip 284 of the socket connector 202 from either the front or the rear.

[0082] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the plug fixing metal member 50 includes: a retaining plate portion 51, which is formed by bending a metal plate member along the thickness direction and has a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction; and a fixing portion 52, which is bent at the end of the retaining plate portion 51 on the X2 side and extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction. The retaining plate portion 51 is pressed into the metal member retaining groove portion 32B of the fixing housing 30 from the X1 side, and its two side edges (edges extending in the connection direction) are held by the metal member retaining groove portion 32B. The fixing portion 52 is configured to be fixed to the corresponding part of the circuit board P1 by welding connection.

[0083] The plug connector 1 is assembled as follows. First, the movable side of the plug signal terminal 10 is pressed into the narrow retaining groove 41A of the movable housing 40 in the front-to-back direction by the retaining part 14, thereby installing the plug signal terminal 10 onto the movable housing 40. That is, the plug signal terminals 10 of the front (Y1 side) terminal row are installed from the front, and the plug signal terminals 10 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row are installed from the rear. At this time, the crank part 12B of the signal contact arm 12 of the plug signal terminal 10 is housed in the narrow receiving groove 41B and supported by the support part 12B-2 at the bottom of the narrow receiving groove 41B.

[0084] Furthermore, the plug power terminal 20 is installed in the movable housing 40 by pressing the movable side of the retaining part 24 into the wide receiving groove 41C of the movable housing 40 in the front-to-back direction. At this time, the plug power terminal 20 located on the outer side of the Z1 side end and the inner side of the Z2 side end of the base wall 41 is installed from the front, and the plug power terminal 20 located on the inner side of the Z1 side end and the outer side of the Z2 side end of the base wall 41 is installed from the rear. By installing the plug power terminal 20 in this way, the movable side retaining part 24 and the power contact arm 22 are stored together in the wide receiving groove 41C. The installation process of the plug signal terminal 10 and the installation process of the plug power terminal 20 can be performed either one first, or they can be performed simultaneously.

[0085] Next, the fixed housing 30 is brought close to the movable housing 40 and the plug terminals 10 and 20 from the X1 side, thereby installing the plug terminals 10 and 20 onto the fixed housing 30. Specifically, the fixed-side retaining portion 13 of the plug signal terminal 10 is pressed in the connection direction and installed into the fixed-side narrow groove portion 31C of the fixed housing 30. Furthermore, the fixed-side retaining portion 23 of the plug power terminal 20 is pressed in the connection direction from the X2 side and installed into the fixed-side wide groove portion 31D of the fixed housing 30. With the plug terminals 10 and 20 installed onto the fixed housing 30, the movable housing 40 enters the internal space 33 of the fixed housing 30 from the X2 side, and a portion of it is housed within the internal space 33.

[0086] Next, the retaining plate portion 51 of the plug fixing metal part 50 is pressed from the X1 side into the metal part retaining groove portion 32B of the fixing housing 30, thereby installing the plug fixing metal part 50 onto the fixing housing 30. Furthermore, the installation process of the plug fixing metal part 50 can be performed before the process of installing the plug terminals 10 and 20 onto the fixing housing 30, or it can be performed simultaneously. By installing the plug terminals 10 and 20 and the plug fixing metal part 50 onto the plug housing in this way, the assembly of the plug connector 1 is completed.

[0087] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the receptacle connector 2 includes a plurality of receptacle terminals 60, 70, a receptacle housing 80 holding the plurality of receptacle terminals 60, 70, and a receptacle fixing metal member 90 held in the receptacle housing 80. The plurality of receptacle terminals 60, 70 include a plurality of receptacle signal terminals 60 and a plurality of receptacle power terminals 70.

[0088] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10As shown, multiple socket terminals 60 and 70 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) (Z-axis direction). The socket terminals 60 and 70 are manufactured by bending a metal strip along the thickness direction of the plate, and are arranged in a position where the thickness surface of the plate is perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

[0089] The socket terminals 60 and 70 are configured to form two terminal rows (opposite terminal rows), specifically, a rear terminal row and a front terminal row. Here, the "front terminal row" is formed by the socket terminals 60 and 70 mounted from the rear (Y2 side) to the socket housing 80. The "rear terminal row" is formed by the socket terminals 60 and 70 mounted from the front (Y1 side) to the socket housing 80.

[0090] like Figure 10 As shown, the socket signal terminals 60 of the two terminal rows (opposite terminal rows) are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction, and are arranged in a symmetrical posture in the front-to-back direction (see also...). Figure 12 (A) Figure 13 (A)). By arranging the socket signal terminals 60 in such a way as to form two terminal rows, it is possible to increase the number of socket signal terminals 60 while minimizing the enlargement of the socket connector 2 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0091] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, two power supply terminals 70 are arranged on each side of the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60 in the terminal arrangement direction. Here, on each side, the power supply terminals 70 mounted from the rear to the socket housing 80 are included in the rear terminal row, and the power supply terminals 70 mounted from the front to the socket housing 80 are included in the front terminal row. Furthermore, on each side, the two power supply terminals 70 are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction and are arranged in a symmetrical posture in the front-rear direction.

[0092] Figure 11 (A) is a perspective view of the socket signal terminal 60 unit. Figure 11 (A) shows the socket signal terminals 60 of the terminal block on the rear (Y2 side). Here, based on Figure 11 (A) describes the structure of the socket signal terminal 60 of the terminal row on the rear (Y2 side). The shape of the socket signal terminal 60 of the terminal row on the front (Y1 side) is itself similar to... Figure 11 The plug signal terminal 10 shown in (A) is the same, therefore, the description is omitted.

[0093] The socket signal terminal 60 has: a signal connection portion 61 provided on one end and connected to the circuit board P1; a signal contact arm portion 62 provided on the other end and in contact with the plug-type connector 301, which is a counterpart connector; a held portion 63 held by the socket housing 80; a foot portion 64 provided between the signal connection portion 61 and the held portion 63; a transition portion 65 connecting the signal connection portion 61 and the foot portion 64; and a transition portion 66 connecting the held portion 63 and the foot portion 64.

[0094] The signal connection portion 61 extends rearward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. It is arranged continuously from the X1 side to the X2 side in the order of transition portion 65, foot 64, and transition portion 66, and extends in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the transition portion 65 bends at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection portion 61 and extends in the X2 direction in the connection direction. The foot 64 extends linearly in the X2 direction from the X2 side end of the transition portion 65. Compared to the portion continuous with the X1 side end of the foot 64, i.e., the transition portion 65, and the portion continuous with the X2 side end of the foot 64, i.e., the transition portion 66, the foot 64 is larger in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), i.e., it is wide. The transition portion 66 bends at the X2 side end of the foot 64 and extends forward (Y1 direction), connecting to the holding portion 63.

[0095] The holding portion 63 extends forward from the front end (the end on the Y1 side) of the transition portion 66. The holding portion 63 has a plurality of press-in protrusions 63A on both sides of its edge in the terminal width direction, that is, in the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0096] The signal contact arm 62 has a base arm 62A extending forward from the front end of the held part 63 and a folding arm 62B extending rearward from the front end of the base arm 62A. Both the base arm 62A and the folding arm 62B are configured to be elastically displaceable in the connection direction (X-axis direction).

[0097] like Figure 13As shown in (A) and (B), the base arm 62A extends in a manner that is inclined towards the X2 side as it faces forward. The fold-back arm 62B is the portion for contacting the plug connector 301. It is located on the X2 side closer to the base arm 62A and extends in a manner that is inclined towards the X2 side as it faces backward. The fold-back arm 62B has a signal contact portion 62C on its rear end side. The signal contact portion 62C is bent in a manner that protrudes towards the X2 side. The fold-back arm 62B contacts the plug signal terminal provided on the plug connector 301 through the signal contact portion 62C. Here, the signal contact portion 62C has a contact surface on the X2 side, which allows it to contact the plug signal terminal with the connection direction (X-axis direction) as the contact direction.

[0098] The retaining portion 63 of the socket signal terminal 60 is pressed in along the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and installed into the socket housing 80. For example... Figure 13 As shown in (A), the socket signal terminals 60 of the front terminal row and the socket signal terminals 60 of the rear terminal row are configured such that they do not overlap in the front-to-back direction when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the signal contact portion 62C in the front terminal row and the signal contact portion 62C in the rear terminal row in the front-to-back direction is set to be greater than the length (dimension in the front-to-back direction) of the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10.

[0099] Figure 11 (B) is a perspective view of the socket power terminal 70 unit. Figure 11 (B) shows the power supply terminals 70 of the socket on the rear (Y2 side) terminal block. Here, based on Figure 11 (B) The structure of the power socket 70 of the terminal row on the rear (Y2 side) will be described. The shape of the power socket 70 of the terminal row on the front (Y1 side) is itself similar to... Figure 11 The power terminal 70 of the socket shown in (B) is the same, therefore, the description is omitted.

[0100] The power supply terminal 70 of the socket is made by bending a wide metal strip, which is wider than the signal terminal 60 of the socket, along the thickness direction. The power supply terminal 70 of the socket has: a power connection portion 71 provided at one end and connected to the circuit board P1; two power contact arms 72 provided at the other end and in contact with the plug-type connector 301, which is the counterpart connector; a holding portion 73 held by the socket housing 80; a foot 74 provided between the power connection portion 71 and the holding portion 73; a transition portion 75 connecting the power connection portion 71 and the foot 74; and a transition portion 76 connecting the holding portion 73 and the foot 74.

[0101] The power connection portion 71 extends rearward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. It is arranged continuously from the X1 side to the X2 side in the order of transition portion 75, foot 74, and transition portion 76, and extends in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the transition portion 75 bends at the front end (Y1 side end) of the power connection portion 71 and extends in the X2 direction. The foot 74 extends linearly in the X2 direction from the X2 side end of the transition portion 75. Compared to the portion continuous with the X1 side end of the foot 74, i.e., the transition portion 75, and the portion continuous with the X2 side end of the foot 74, i.e., the transition portion 76, the foot 74 is larger in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), i.e., it is wide. The transition portion 76 bends at the X2 side end of the foot 74 and extends forward (Y1 direction), connecting to the holding portion 73.

[0102] The holding portion 73 extends forward from the front end (the end on the Y1 side) of the transition portion 76. The holding portion 73 has multiple press-in protrusions 73A on both sides of its edge in the terminal width direction, that is, in the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0103] Two power contact arms 72 are arranged adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction and extend forward from the front end of the retaining portion 63. The power contact arms 72 extend in an X2-direction inclined manner as they move forward, and have a power contact portion 72A at their front end for contacting the plug connector 301. The power contact portion 72A has a power contact portion 72B, which is bent in an X2-direction protruding, through which the power contact portion 72A contacts the plug power terminal provided on the plug connector 301. Here, the power contact portion 72B has a contact surface on the X2-direction side, allowing it to contact the plug power terminal in the connection direction (X-axis direction).

[0104] The retaining portion 73 of the socket power terminal 70 is pressed into and installed into the socket housing 80 in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). For example... Figure 9 as well as Figure 12 As shown in (A), the two socket power terminals 70 located at each end of the socket connector 2 are configured to overlap each other in the front-to-back direction when viewed along the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, as Figure 9 as well as Figure 12 As shown in (A), the power terminals 70 of the two terminal rows are configured such that the power contact portions 72A of the power contact arms 72 overlap with each other in the front-to-back direction. In this way, by configuring the power contact arms 72, it is possible to avoid the large size of the socket connector 2 in the insertion and removal direction, and by increasing the length of each power contact arm 72, the so-called spring length is ensured to be larger.

[0105] The socket housing 80 is made of electrically insulating materials such as resin, and has a roughly rectangular shape with the terminal arrangement direction as its length. For example... Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the socket housing 80 has: a base wall 81 extending in the terminal arrangement direction; two side walls 82 extending in the X1 direction from the side edge portion (edge ​​portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction) of the base wall 81; two end walls 83 extending in the X1 direction and the X2 direction from the end edge portion (edge ​​portion extending in the front-rear direction) of the base wall 81; and a guide locking strip portion 84 protruding inward in the terminal arrangement direction from the end of the end wall 83 on the X2 side, serving as a second guide locking portion.

[0106] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the base wall 81 has multiple narrow receiving slots 81A within the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60. These narrow receiving slots 81A are used to receive the holding portion 63 and the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminals 60. Figure 13 As shown in (A), the narrow receiving groove 81A is recessed from the X2 side of the base wall 81 and extends in the front-back direction, forming two rows that are evenly spaced in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0107] With the holding part 63 and the signal contact arm part 62 housed in the narrow storage groove part 81A, the signal contact arm part 62 is positioned with a gap between itself and the bottom of the groove of the narrow storage groove part 81A, thus becoming capable of elastic displacement in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, when the signal contact arm part 62 is in a free state, the signal contact part 62C is positioned protruding from the narrow storage groove part 81A.

[0108] like Figure 13 As shown in (A) and (B), the narrow-width receiving slot 81A has a narrow-width retaining slot 81A-1 for retaining the retained portion 63 on its outer end side (the end side near the side wall 82 in the front-rear direction) in the front-rear direction. The narrow-width retaining slot 81A-1 extends along the bottom surface of the narrow-width receiving slot 81A in the front-rear direction and receives the retained portion 63 of the socket signal terminal 60 from the outside in the front-rear direction and presses it in to retain it. At this time, as Figure 13 As shown in (A) and (B), the holding part 63 is supported from the X1 side on the bottom of the groove of the narrow holding groove part 81A-1.

[0109] like Figure 13As shown in (B), within the narrow storage groove 81A, a limiting portion 81B is formed on the inner end side in the front-rear direction, that is, on the end side near the center position of the base wall 81 in the front-rear direction, protruding from the bottom surface of the groove of the narrow storage groove 81A. The limiting portion 81B abuts against the signal contact arm 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 in the connection direction (X-axis direction), thereby limiting excessive elastic displacement of the signal contact arm 62 beyond a predetermined amount.

[0110] By providing a limiting part 81B in the narrow storage groove 81A, even if the signal contact arm 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 is subjected to an unexpected external force and is about to be displaced too far into the narrow storage groove 81A, the signal contact arm 62 will abut against the limiting part 81B, thereby limiting further displacement of the signal contact arm 62. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the signal contact arm 62 due to excessive displacement.

[0111] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the base wall 81 has multiple wide receiving slots 81C within the arrangement range of the socket power terminals 70. These wide receiving slots 81C are used to receive the holding portion 73 and the power contact arm portion 72 of the socket power terminals 70. Two wide receiving slots 81C are formed on each of the Z1 and Z2 sides, relative to the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60. The wide receiving slots 81C are recessed from the X2 side of the base wall 81 and extend through the base wall 81 in the front-rear direction.

[0112] like Figure 10 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the wide storage groove 81C has a wide holding groove 81C-1 for holding the held part 73 at one end side in the front-rear direction. Specifically, at the end of the base wall 81 on the Z1 side, in the wide storage groove 81C located on the outer side in the terminal arrangement direction, a wide holding groove 81C-1 is formed on the front side (Y1 side), and in the wide storage groove 81C located on the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction, a wide holding groove 81C-1 is formed on the rear side (Y2 side). Furthermore, at the end of the base wall 81 on the Z2 side, in the wide storage groove 81C located on the outer side in the terminal arrangement direction, a wide holding groove 81C-1 is formed on the rear side (Y2 side), and in the wide storage groove 81C located on the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction, a wide holding groove 81C-1 is formed on the front side (Y1 side). The wide retaining groove 81C-1 extends along the bottom surface of the wide receiving groove 81C in the front-back direction, and receives the retained part 73 of the plug power terminal 20 from the outside in the front-back direction and presses it in to retain it.

[0113] The wide receiving slot 81C receives the held portion 73 of the plug power terminal 70 and the power contact arm 72 from one side, specifically from the side where the wide holding slot 81C-1 is located, in the front-to-back direction. At this time, as... Figure 14 As shown, the held portion 73 is supported from the X1 side on the bottom of the wide holding groove portion 81C-1. Furthermore, the wide receiving groove portion 81C receives the power contact arm portion 72. At this time, as... Figure 14 As shown, the power contact arm 72 is positioned with a gap between it and the bottom of the wide storage slot 81C, and is in a state where it can elastically displace along the connection direction (X-axis direction) within the range of this gap. Furthermore, when the power contact arm 72 is in a free state, the power contact portion 72B is positioned protruding from the wide storage slot 81C.

[0114] like Figure 10 As shown, in sidewall 82, except for the end on side X1 ( Figure 10 Most of the outer surface of the end wall 83, excluding the lower end, is recessed from the outer surface of the end wall 83 in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction) and located inside. Furthermore, on the side wall 82, the outer surface within the arrangement range of the socket power terminals 70 is recessed from the outer surface within the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60 in the front-back direction and located inside.

[0115] At the X1-side end of the sidewall 82, a plurality of narrow limiting slots 82A arranged in the terminal arrangement direction are formed within the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60. The narrow limiting slots 82A accommodate the transition portions 65 of the socket signal terminals 60 and limit the displacement of the transition portions 65 in the terminal arrangement direction by their inner surface. Furthermore, at the X1-side end of the sidewall 82, a wide limiting slot 82B, wider than the narrow limiting slots 82A, is formed within the arrangement range of the socket power terminals 70. The wide limiting slot 82B accommodates the transition portions 75 of the socket power terminals 70 and limits the displacement of the transition portions 75 in the terminal arrangement direction by its inner surface.

[0116] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the outer surface of the middle portion of the end wall 83 in the front-rear direction is recessed from the outer surface of other portions, at the end of the end wall 83 on the X1 side ( Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 The lower end of the end wall 32 has a metal retaining groove 83A for retaining the socket fixing metal part 90. The metal retaining groove 83A is recessed from the outer surface of the end wall 32 and is T-shaped when viewed along the connection direction, penetrating the end of the end wall 83 on the X1 side in the connection direction (X-axis direction). The metal retaining groove 83A receives the socket fixing metal part 90 from the X2 side and presses it in to retain it.

[0117] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, end wall 83 extends to the X2 side, which is closer to base wall 81 and side wall 82. Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 The guide locking strip 84 extends from the end of the end wall 83 on the X2 side (above). Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 The upper end of the connector protrudes inward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking strip 84 is located at a position spaced apart from the end wall 83 in the connection direction. The guide locking strip 84 is configured to guide each other with the plug connector 301 in the front-rear direction and to lock with each other with the plug connector 301 in the connection direction. Specifically, during the connector mating connection process, the guide locking strip 84 enters the guide locking groove of the plug connector 301, which serves as the first guide locking part, and guides each other with the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in the connector mating connection state, the guide locking strip 84 locks with the inner surface of the groove of the aforementioned guide locking groove of the plug connector 301 in the connection direction.

[0118] like Figure 9 , Figure 10 as well as Figure 12 As shown in (B), a guide locking groove 85, serving as a second guide locking portion, is formed between the guide locking strip 84 and the end wall 83 in the connection direction. This groove opens inward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking groove 85 is configured to guide the plug connector 301 in the front-rear direction and lock it in the connection direction. Specifically, during connector mating, the guide locking groove 85 receives the guide locking strip of the plug connector 301, which serves as the first guide locking portion, and guides it in the front-rear direction via the inner surface of the groove. Furthermore, in the connector mating state, the guide locking strip 85 locks itself in the connection direction via the inner surface of the groove of the groove.

[0119] The guide slot 85 extends across the entire range of the socket housing 80 in the front-to-back direction, with its front and rear ends open. Therefore, the guide slot 85 can receive the aforementioned guide strip of the plug connector 301 from either the front or the rear.

[0120] The socket fixing metal member 90 is manufactured by bending a metal plate member along its thickness direction and includes: a retaining plate portion 91 having a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction; and a fixing portion 92, which is bent at the end of the retaining plate portion 91 on the X1 side and extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction. The retaining plate portion 91 is pressed into the metal member retaining groove portion 83A from the X2 side, and its two side edges (edges extending along the connection direction) are held by the metal member retaining groove portion 83A. The fixing portion 92 is configured to be fixed to the corresponding part of the circuit board P1 by welding connection.

[0121] The receptacle connector 2 is assembled as follows. First, the retaining portion 63 of the receptacle signal terminal 60 is pressed into the narrow retaining groove 81A-1 of the receptacle housing 80 in the front-to-back direction, thereby installing the receptacle signal terminal 60 onto the receptacle housing 80. At this time, the signal contact arm 62 of the receptacle signal terminal 60 is housed in the narrow receiving groove 81A, and the retaining portion 63 is supported at the bottom of the narrow receiving groove 81A. Simultaneously, the transition portion 65 of the receptacle signal terminal 60 is housed within the narrow limiting groove 82A.

[0122] Furthermore, the retaining portion 73 of the socket power terminal 70 is pressed into the wide retaining groove 81C-1 of the socket housing 80 in the front-to-back direction, thereby installing the socket power terminal 70 onto the socket housing 80. At this time, the power contact arm 72 of the socket power terminal 70 is housed in the wide receiving groove 81C, and the retaining portion 73 is supported at the bottom of the groove in the wide receiving groove 81C. Simultaneously, the transition portion 75 of the socket power terminal 70 is housed within the wide limiting groove 82B. The installation process of the socket signal terminal 60 and the installation process of the socket power terminal 70 can be performed either one first, or they can be performed simultaneously.

[0123] Next, the retaining plate portion 91 of the socket fixing metal part 90 is pressed from the X2 side into the metal part retaining groove portion 83A of the socket housing 80, thereby installing the socket fixing metal part 90 onto the socket housing 80. Furthermore, the installation process of the socket fixing metal part 90 can be performed before the process of installing the socket terminals 60 and 70 onto the socket housing 80, or it can be performed simultaneously. By installing the socket terminals 60 and 70 and the socket fixing metal part 90 onto the socket housing 80 in this way, the assembly of the socket connector 2 is completed.

[0124] In the socket signal terminal 60 and socket power terminal 70 of the socket connector 2, the signal contact arm 62 and power contact arm 72 extend in the front-back direction (Y-axis direction), while the feet 64 and 74 extend in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, when designing various socket connectors with different dimensions in the connection direction, only the length of the feet in the connection direction needs to be changed, without changing the length of the contact portion. Furthermore, for the socket housing, it is only necessary to design by adding or subtracting the portion corresponding to the feet in the connection direction according to the length of the feet. Therefore, in this embodiment, while maintaining the common basic structure of the socket connector, it is easy to design various socket connectors with different dimensions in the connection direction. In addition, since the feet are simple shapes extending in the connection direction, it is easier to design by adding or subtracting the length in the connection direction compared to, for example, cases where the feet are bent into complex shapes.

[0125] Furthermore, in the socket connector 2, the feet 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 and the feet 74 of the socket power terminal 70 are entirely exposed from the socket housing 80 and extend along the outer surface of the sidewall 82 in the connection direction (X-axis direction). In this embodiment, the feet 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 are formed to be larger in the terminal arrangement direction than the transition portions 65 and 66 that are continuous with each end of the feet 64. That is, the spacing between adjacent feet 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 is smaller than the spacing between transition portions 65 and 66. By bringing adjacent feet 64 closer together in this way, excessive impedance rise in the feet 64 can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the feet 74 of the socket power terminal 70 are formed to be larger in the terminal arrangement direction than the transition portions 75 and 76 that are continuous with each end of the feet 74. Therefore, similarly to the feet 64 of the socket signal terminal 60, excessive impedance rise can also be effectively suppressed in the feet 74.

[0126] Next, the connection operation between the connector mounts will be described. In this embodiment, the operation of inserting and connecting connector mount I between connector mount II and connector mount III, which are already mounted on the housing C of the electronic device E, will be described. Furthermore, during the connection operation of the connector mounts, the power supply to the electronic device E is disconnected to prevent short circuits at the connector terminals.

[0127] First, such as Figure 1 As shown in (A), connector mount I is positioned relative to connector mounts II and III in the connection direction (X-axis direction) at a position further back (Y2 side) than connector mounts II and III. Then, connector mount I is moved forward (Y1 direction) and inserted between connector mounts II and III.

[0128] When insertion of connector mount I begins, the upper and lower ends of the circuit board P1 of connector mount I enter the guide rail C1 of housing C from the rear, advancing while guided by the inner surface of the groove of guide rail C1. The result of inserting connector mount I forward in this manner is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the plug-type connector 1 disposed on the mounting surface of the X1 side of the circuit board P1 is engaged with the socket-type connector 202 of the connector mounting body II, which serves as the counterpart connector, and the socket-type connector 2 disposed on the mounting surface of the X2 side of the circuit board P1 is engaged with the plug-type connector 301 of the connector mounting body III, which serves as the counterpart connector.

[0129] like Figure 15 As shown in (A), the plug connector 1 is positioned rearward of the socket connector 202 just before the engagement with the receptacle connector 202 begins. At this time, the guide locking strip 43 of the plug connector 1 is positioned corresponding to the guide locking groove 285 of the receptacle connector 202. As the connector mounting body I is inserted, the guide locking strip 43 enters the guide locking groove 285, and the plug connector 1 advances while being guided by the guide locking strip 43 and the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 285 in the front-rear direction. Simultaneously, the guide locking groove 45 of the plug connector 1 receives the guide locking strip 284 of the receptacle connector 202 from the front, and is guided by the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 45 and the guide locking strip 284 in the front-rear direction. By guiding the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 202 in the front-rear direction in this way, the connectors smoothly engage and connect.

[0130] During the mating connection process, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10 forming the front terminal row (plug signal terminal row) of the plug connector 1 abuts against the signal contact portion 62C of the socket signal terminal 60 forming the rear terminal row (socket signal terminal row) of the socket connector 2 from the rear. As a result, the signal contact arm 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing force from the signal contact portion 12B-1 through the signal contact portion 62C and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. Then, the plug connector 1 advances further while the signal contact portion 12B-1 slides into contact with the signal contact portion 62C.

[0131] As the plug connector 1 moves forward, after the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the front plug terminal row passes the position of the signal contact portion 62C of the rear socket terminal row, it abuts against the signal contact portion 62C of the socket signal terminal 60 forming the front socket terminal row from the rear. As a result, the signal contact arm 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing pressure from the front signal contact portion 12B-1 through the signal contact portion 62C and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. At this time, the signal contact arm 62 elastically displaces by a displacement amount that does not abut against the limiting portion 81B.

[0132] Furthermore, when the front signal contact 12B-1 abuts against the front signal contact 62C, the signal contact 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10 forming the rear plug terminal row abuts against the signal contact 62C of the socket signal terminal 60 forming the rear socket terminal row of the socket connector 2 from the rear at approximately the same time. As a result, the signal contact arm 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing pressure from the front signal contact 12B-1 through the signal contact 62C and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. At this time, the signal contact arm 62 elastically displaces by a displacement amount that does not abut against the limiting part 81B.

[0133] The plug connector 1 moves forward further while simultaneously making the front signal contact portion 12B-1 slide into contact with the front signal contact portion 62C and making the rear signal contact portion 12B-1 slide into contact with the rear signal contact portion 62C.

[0134] In this embodiment, the distance between the front signal contact portion 62C and the rear signal contact portion 62C in the front-to-back direction is set to be greater than the length (dimension in the front-to-back direction) of the signal contact portion 12B-1. Therefore, during the connector mating connection process, the signal contact portion 12B-1 will not simultaneously contact both the front and rear signal contact portions 62C. Thus, even if the power supply to the electronic device E is mistakenly turned on, short circuits can be effectively avoided.

[0135] Furthermore, during the mating connection process, the power contact portion 22B of the plug power terminal 20 of the plug connector 1 abuts against the power contact portion 72B of the socket power terminal 70 from the rear. As a result, the power contact arm 72 of the socket power terminal 70 receives the pressing force from the power contact portion 22B through the power contact portion 72B and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. Then, the plug connector 1 advances further while the power contact portion 22B slides into contact with the power contact portion 72B.

[0136] In this embodiment, in the plug connector 1, the plug power terminals 20 are positioned differently from each other in the terminal arrangement direction. Similarly, in the receptacle connector 202, the receptacle power terminals 270 are positioned differently from each other in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, no plug power terminal 20 will contact a receptacle power terminal 270 that does not correspond to that plug power terminal 20. Thus, during the mating connection process, even if the power to the electronic device E is mistakenly turned on, short circuits can be effectively avoided.

[0137] Then, the upper and lower ends of the circuit board P1 abut against the front end face of the guide rail C1 from the rear, which closes the front end, and the plug connector 1 reaches the proper mating position, thus completing the connector mating connection action.

[0138] When the connector mating and connection action is completed, such as Figure 16 As shown, while maintaining the elastic displacement state of the signal contact arm 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the front plug signal terminal 10 contacts the signal contact portion 62C of the front socket signal terminal 60 with contact pressure. Furthermore, while maintaining the elastic displacement state of the signal contact arm 62 of the rear socket signal terminal 60, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the rear plug signal terminal 10 contacts the signal contact portion 62C of the rear socket signal terminal 60 with contact pressure. As a result, in both the front and rear terminal rows, the plug signal terminal 10 and the socket signal terminal 60 are electrically connected.

[0139] Furthermore, in the state where the connector mating connection is completed, such as Figure 17 As shown, while maintaining the elastic displacement state of the power contact arm 72 of the socket power terminal 70, the power contact portion 22B of the plug power terminal 20 contacts the power contact portion 72B of the socket power terminal 70 with contact pressure. As a result, the plug power terminal 20 and the socket power terminal 70 are electrically connected.

[0140] Furthermore, in the state where the connector mating connection is completed, such as Figure 18As shown, the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 are locked together in the connection direction (X-axis direction) by the guide locking strip 43 and the guide locking strip 284. Therefore, a stable connector mating connection between the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 2 can be maintained reliably. Furthermore, since the insertion and removal direction of the connectors, i.e., the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction), is perpendicular to the connection direction (X-axis direction), i.e., the locking direction (locking direction) of the connectors, the guide locking strips 43 and 284 provided on each connector 1 and 202 will not obstruct the mating connection operation of the connectors.

[0141] Furthermore, even if the relative positions of the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 deviate from their normal positions in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction before the connector mating connection operation is about to begin, the movable housing 40 can be displaced by the elastic displacement of the elastic parts 15 and 25 of the plug terminals 10 and 20 of the plug connector 1 during the connector mating connection process and in the connector mating state, thereby absorbing the offset between the connectors.

[0142] Furthermore, approximately simultaneously with the mating connection of plug connector 1 and socket connector 202, socket connector 2, mounted on the mounting surface on the X2 side of circuit board P1, mats with plug connector 301 mounted on the mounting surface on the X1 side of circuit board P3 of connector mount body III from the rear. The mating connection of socket connector 2 from the rear to plug connector 301 is equivalent to the mating connection of plug connector 301 from the front to socket connector 2. The method for mating connection of plug connector 301 to socket connector 2 is largely the same as the method for mating connection of plug connector 1 to socket connector 202 described above, except for the mating direction of plug connector 301; therefore, further explanation is omitted.

[0143] In this embodiment, adjacent circuit boards are connected to each other via connectors, namely plug-type connectors and socket-type connectors, provided on their respective mounting surfaces. Therefore, a main board for connecting multiple circuit boards and connectors mounted on the main board are not required as in the past, thus suppressing the increase in the number of components.

[0144] Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the housing of the plug connector can be displaced in both the plug connector and the receptacle connector. However, as a variation, both the housings of the plug connector and the receptacle connector can be displaced, or only the housing of the receptacle connector can be displaced. When the receptacle housing of the receptacle connector can be displaced, it can be constructed as a fixed housing and a movable housing, similar to the plug housing in the described embodiment, with the movable housing displaced by the elastic displacement of the terminals.

[0145] In this embodiment, in the plug connector and the socket connector, the signal terminals of the two terminal rows are arranged at the same position in the terminal arrangement direction. However, when the miniaturization requirement of the connector in the terminal arrangement direction is not high, as a variation, at least some of the terminals of the plurality of signal terminals in the two terminal rows may be arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in both plug-type and socket-type connectors, the signal terminals are arranged to form two terminal rows, but the number of terminal rows is not limited to this; for example, it can be one, or it can be three or more.

[0147] In this embodiment, in both plug-type and receptacle-type connectors, the power terminals are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction. However, when a configuration is adopted to prevent short circuits during connector mating, as a variation, the power terminals may be arranged in multiple terminal rows, with the power terminals of these multiple terminal rows arranged at the same position. As a configuration to prevent short circuits, for example, in a receptacle-type connector, the contact portions of the power terminals in adjacent terminal rows may be positioned separately in the front-to-back direction; in a plug-type connector, the length of the contact portion of the power terminal in the front-to-back direction may be set to be less than the distance between the contact portions.

[0148] In this embodiment, in the socket connector, the entire foot of the socket terminal is exposed from the socket housing, but alternatively, only a portion of the foot may be exposed from the socket housing.

[0149] Symbol Explanation 1. Plug-type connector; 2. Socket-type connector; 10. Plug signal terminals; 11. Signal connection section; 12B-1 Signal Contact; 13. Fixed side retaining part; 14. Movable side retaining part; 15. Elastic part; 20. Plug power terminals; 21. Power connection part; 22B Power contact; 23. Fixed side retaining part; 24. Movable side retaining part; 25. Elastic part; 30. Fixed outer casing; 40. Movable outer shell; 43. Guide card fixing strip; 45. Guide card fixing slot; 60 socket signal terminal; 61. Signal connection part; 62 Signal contact arm (contact part); 64. Feet; 70. Socket power terminals; 71 Power connection part; 72A power contact; 74. Feet; 80. Socket housing; 81A Narrow storage compartment; 81B Limiting part; 81C Wide storage compartment; 84. Guide card fixing strip; 85. Guide card fixing slot; 201 Plug-type connector; 202 Socket connector; 284 Guide card fixing strip; 285 Guide card fixing slot; 301 plug connector; 302 socket connector; 402 socket connector; 501 Plug Connector; P1 Circuit board; P2 circuit board; P3 circuit board; P4 circuit board; P5 circuit board.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a circuit board, mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board, characterized in that, The electrical connector for the circuit board is configured to engage and connect with a peer connector in a pluggable manner in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, and to connect with the peer connector in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. It also includes: a plurality of terminals arranged in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to both the pluggable and connection directions; and a housing that holds the terminal array formed by the plurality of terminals. The housing has a fixed housing that is fixed to the circuit board via the terminals and a movable housing that can move relative to the fixed housing. The terminal is mounted between the fixed housing and the movable housing, and the relative movement of the movable housing is allowed by the elastic displacement of the terminal. The movable outer shell has a guide locking part. The guide locking part guides the other connector in the insertion / removal direction during the connector mating connection process, and locks itself in the other connector in the connection direction when the connector is mated.

2. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal includes: a connecting portion disposed at one end and connected to the circuit board; a contact portion disposed at the other end and in contact with the counterpart connector; a fixed-side held portion held by the fixed housing; a movable-side held portion held by the movable housing; and an elastic portion disposed between the fixed-side held portion and the movable-side held portion, and capable of elastic displacement. The retaining portion extends along the connection direction and is pressed into and held in the retaining housing in the connection direction. The movable side is held in place along the insertion / removal direction and is pressed into and held in the movable housing in the insertion / removal direction.

3. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal columns are provided in multiple ways, and in the multiple terminal columns, at least a portion of the terminals are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

4. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal columns are provided in multiple ways, and in the multiple terminal columns, at least a portion of the terminals are arranged at different positions relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

5. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the plurality of terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are configured such that the contacts overlap with each other in the insertion / removal direction.

6. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 4, characterized in that, Among the plurality of terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are power supply terminals.

7. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the plurality of terminal rows, the terminals located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction are configured such that the elastic portions overlap each other in the insertion / removal direction.

8. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that, The electrical connector assembly includes: an electrical connector for a circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a counterpart connector that is fitted and connected to the electrical connector for the circuit board.

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