connector

Abstract

A connector in which terminals are less likely to be misaligned and less likely to cause installation failure is provided. A housing (20) has a wall portion (25) having a thickness in a first direction and a holding hole (28) inside the wall portion in the first direction. An inner surface of the holding hole has a pair of second inner surfaces (32) and a pair of third inner surfaces (31). A terminal part (80) has a held portion (85) disposed inside the holding hole. The held portion has a pair of second outer surfaces (89), a pair of third outer surfaces (88), and a pair of locking portions (87) protruding from each of the third outer surfaces. Each of the locking portions of the held portion is locked to each of the third inner surfaces of the holding hole. Each of the second outer surfaces of the held portion is disposed so as to approach or contact each of the second inner surfaces of the holding hole in a third direction. A second direction interval between each of the second inner surfaces of the holding hole is set to be equal to or greater than a second direction dimension between each of the second outer surfaces of the held portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector comprising terminal parts and a housing. The housing has a terminal holding portion for holding the terminal parts. The terminal parts are quadrilateral in cross-section and have a lower surface portion, an upper surface portion, and a pair of side surfaces. The terminal holding portion has a bottom wall, a top wall, and a pair of side walls. Each side wall interferes with each side surface portion. The bottom wall has a lower interference portion that interferes with a portion of the lower surface portion. The top wall has an upper interference portion that interferes with a portion of the upper surface portion.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-40257 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] When the terminal component is pressed into the terminal holder, in addition to interference between each side surface and each side wall, a portion of the lower surface interferes with the bottom wall, and a portion of the upper surface interferes with the top wall. Thus, there are multiple points of interference between the terminal component and the terminal holder. When the terminal component is pressed by the terminal holder in the left-right and up-down directions, the terminal component is prone to misalignment relative to the terminal holder due to pressing deviations, raising concerns about inconsistent holding position. If the holding position of the terminal component relative to the terminal holder is inconsistent, reduced coplanarity may lead to poor installation.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector whose terminals are not easily misaligned and do not easily cause installation problems.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The connector of the present invention comprises a housing and terminal parts. The housing has: a wall portion having a thickness in a first direction; and a retaining hole extending inside the wall portion along the first direction. The inner surface of the retaining hole has: a pair of second inner surfaces opposing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a pair of third inner surfaces opposing each other in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions. The terminal parts have a substrate connecting portion connected to a circuit board outside the housing and a retaining portion disposed inside the retaining hole. The retaining portion has a direction facing the second direction. The retaining portion has a pair of second outer surfaces, a pair of third outer surfaces facing the third direction, and a pair of locking portions protruding outward from the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction. The pair of locking portions of the retaining portion are locked onto the pair of third inner surfaces of the retaining hole. The pair of second outer surfaces of the retaining portion are arranged to contact or approach the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole along the third direction. The second-direction spacing between the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole is set to be greater than or equal to the second-direction dimension between the pair of second outer surfaces of the retaining portion.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, a connector is provided that is not prone to terminal misalignment and is less likely to cause installation problems. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector in Embodiment 1 as seen from the front.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the terminal components in the connector of Embodiment 1 as viewed from the rear.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the connector according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an enlarged perspective view of the retaining hole and its surrounding portion provided in the wall of the housing in the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an enlarged rear view of a portion of the wall of the housing and the lead-out portion of the terminal parts in the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 6 It is the connector in embodiment 1 Figure 5 A sectional view along line AA.

[0019] Figure 7 It is the connector in embodiment 1 Figure 5 BB line section view.

[0020] Figure 8 This is equivalent to other methods in the connector of embodiment 1. Figure 7 The image. Detailed Implementation

[0021] (Description of embodiments of the present invention)

[0022] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0023] (1) The connector of the present invention comprises a housing and terminal parts, the housing having: a wall having a thickness in a first direction; and a retaining hole extending inside the wall along the first direction, the inner surface of the retaining hole having: a pair of second inner surfaces facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a pair of third inner surfaces facing each other in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions, the terminal parts having a substrate connecting portion connected to a circuit board outside the housing and a retaining portion disposed inside the retaining hole, the retaining portion having a diameter facing the second direction. The retaining portion has a pair of second outer surfaces facing the third direction, a pair of third outer surfaces facing the third direction, and a pair of locking portions protruding outward from the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction. The pair of locking portions of the retaining portion are locked onto the pair of third inner surfaces of the retaining hole. The pair of second outer surfaces of the retaining portion are arranged to contact or approach the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole along the third direction. The second direction spacing between the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole is set to be greater than or equal to the second direction dimension between the pair of second outer surfaces of the retaining portion.

[0024] According to the structure described in (1) above, the interference point between the holding portion and the wall portion can be limited to the location where each locking portion is locked onto the third outer surface, and the second outer surface of each holding portion will not be strongly pressed by the second inner surface of each holding hole. Specifically, the direction in which the wall portion presses against the holding portion can be limited to a third direction, so the holding position of the holding portion held on the wall portion is less likely to deviate. As a result, positional changes of the substrate connection portion can also be suppressed, and coplanarity can be improved.

[0025] (2) In the connector described in (1) above, it is preferred that the pair of locking portions of the retained portion have a thickness in the second direction and lock onto the pair of third inner surfaces over the entire thickness.

[0026] According to the structure described in (2) above, since the pressing direction from the wall to the retained part is limited to the third direction, and the interference point where each locking part is locked onto each third inner surface is maximized in the second direction, the holding force of the retained part relative to the wall can be ensured without obstruction.

[0027] (3) In the connector described in (1) or (2) above, it is preferable that the distance between the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole in the second direction is greater than the size of the second direction between the pair of second outer surfaces of the retained portion.

[0028] Based on the structure described in (3) above, it is easy to avoid the held part being pressed in the second direction by the wall part, so the holding position of the held part on the wall part is less likely to deviate.

[0029] (Details of embodiments of the present invention)

[0030] Specific examples of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims, as shown in the claims.

[0031] (Implementation Method 1)

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector 10 of Embodiment 1 includes a housing 20 and terminal parts 80. The housing 20 is fitted with a counterpart housing (not shown). The terminal parts 80 are mounted on the housing 20 and are external to the circuit board 100 (see reference 100). Figure 3 (Connection). It should be noted that in the following description, the front-to-back direction may sometimes be referred to as the first direction, the up-and-down direction as the second direction, and the left-and-right direction as the third direction. Front is the front in the first direction, which in the case of Embodiment 1 corresponds to the direction in which the terminal part 80 is mounted on the housing 20. Right is the front in the third direction, which corresponds to the right direction viewed from the rear. Top is the front in the second direction, which in the case of Embodiment 1 corresponds to the direction in which the terminal part 80 is mounted on the circuit board 100 (including some tilt). Figure 1 In the attached figures, the reference numerals X, Y, and Z represent front (front in the first direction), right (front in the third direction), and top (front in the second direction). These directions are for convenience and may not be consistent with the directions of the connector 10 when mounted on a vehicle (not shown).

[0033] (Terminal component 80)

[0034] Terminal component 80 is made of conductive metal and is in the form of a tab or pin. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the terminal component 80 has a mating connection portion 81 extending in the front-rear direction, an intermediate extension portion 82 extending downward from the rear end of the mating connection portion 81, and a substrate connection portion 83 extending rearward from the lower end of the intermediate extension portion 82.

[0035] The connecting portion 81 is larger in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, and the plate surface is positioned facing up-down. The connecting portion 81 has an extension 84 that has the same width in the front-back direction except for the top end and extends continuously in the front-back direction.

[0036] Additionally, the connecting portion 81 has a retaining portion 85 located near its rear end, and the retaining portion 85 is disposed inside the retaining hole 28 of the housing 20 (described later). The retaining portion 85 has a central portion 86 located at the midpoint between the front and rear ends of the extension 84 and a plurality of locking portions 87 protruding outwards to the left and right from the central portion 86. The central portion 86 is formed into a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction. The outer surface of the central portion 86 consists of a pair of left and right third outer surfaces 88 (refer to...) facing the left-right direction (third direction). Figure 6 ) and a pair of second outer surfaces 89 facing up and down (second direction) (refer to Figure 7 It is composed of ). Each second outer surface 89 is arranged along the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Each third outer surface 88 is arranged along the front-back direction and the up-down direction. The left-right dimension of each second outer surface 89 is larger than the up-down dimension of each third outer surface 88.

[0037] Each locking portion 87 is continuous with the same thickness (vertical thickness) as the extension portion 84, and multiple portions are arranged in the front-to-back direction. Each locking portion 87 is protruding in plan view and is formed with a constant thickness in the protruding direction. The root of each locking portion 87 is connected to the third outer surface 88 of the intermediate portion 86 over its entire thickness in the vertical direction. Each locking portion 87 is pressed in such a way that it engages with the third inner surface 31 of the retaining hole 28 of the housing 20 (described later) over its entire height.

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the connecting portion 81 has a pair of left and right stop portions 91 located rearward of the held portion 85, opposite to the opposing surface 35 of the housing 20 (described later). Each stop portion 91 is a rectangular plate-shaped plate that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction, protruding outward from the middle portion (rearward of the middle portion 86) of the extension 84 in the front-rear direction. Each stop portion 91 is continuous with the same thickness as the extension 84. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the substrate connection portion 83 is disposed along the surface of the circuit board 100 (the upper surface facing forward in the second direction).

[0039] (Shell 20)

[0040] like Figure 1As shown, the housing 20 has a cover portion 21. The cover portion 21 is cylindrical and open at the front. The cover portion 21 has a top 22, a bottom 23, a pair of side portions 24, and a wall portion 25. The top 22 and the bottom 23 are opposite each other in the vertical direction. The bottom 23 is located below the top 22 and is placed on the surface of the circuit board 100. The two side portions 24 are opposite each other in the horizontal direction. The horizontal dimension of each of the top 22 and the bottom 23 is larger than the vertical dimension of each of the two side portions 24. The wall portion 25 is disposed at the rear end of the housing 20. The wall portion 25 is connected to the rear ends of the top 22, the bottom 23, and the two side portions 24. The thickness direction of the wall portion 25 is the front-to-back direction. The front and rear surfaces of the wall portion 25 are both disposed along the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0041] A locking part 26 is provided protruding into the interior of the cover 21 at the middle portion in the left-right direction of the top 22. The locking part 26 locks the opposing housing (not shown) in place, keeping the two housings in a fitted state. A pair of fixing parts 30 are mounted on the outer surface in the left-right direction of the two side portions 24. Each fixing part 30 is soldered to the surface of the circuit board 100. The housing 20 is fixed to the circuit board 100 via each fixing part 30.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the upper end of the wall portion 25 has a protruding wall 27. The protruding wall 27 protrudes rearward from the lower part of the wall portion 25. A plurality of retaining holes 28 extending in the front-rear direction are provided in the lower part of the wall portion 25. Each retaining hole 28 is arranged in the wall portion 25 in the left-right direction. It should be noted that, regarding the peripheral structure of the retaining holes 28, the arrangement of pairs of retaining holes 28 is referred to as a "pair". Between the pairs of retaining holes 28 in the left-right direction, the wall portion 25 has a plurality of vertical walls 29 extending downward from the protruding wall 27.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, each retaining hole 28 has a rectangular opening shape (cross-sectional shape) that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The cross-sectional shape of each retaining hole 28 is constant in the front-back direction. The inner surface of each retaining hole 28 is formed by a pair of third inner surfaces 31 facing each other in the left-right direction (third direction) and a pair of second inner surfaces 32 facing each other in the up-down direction (second direction). Each second inner surface 32 is arranged along the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Each third inner surface 31 is arranged along the front-back direction and the up-down direction. The left-right dimension of each second inner surface 32 is larger than the up-down dimension of each third inner surface 31. Each second inner surface 32 and each third inner surface 31 are orthogonal to each other at the four corners of the retaining hole 28.

[0044] The spacing (vertical separation distance, opening height) between the second inner surfaces 32 of the retaining holes 28 is set to be greater than or equal to the dimension (thickness) between the second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85. Figure 7In the case shown, the spacing between the second inner surfaces 32 of the retaining holes 28 is set to be the same as the size between the second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85. In contrast, as... Figure 8 As shown, the spacing between the second inner surfaces 32 of the retaining holes 28 can also be set to be larger than the spacing between the second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85. Figure 8 In this case, the second inner surface 32 of the retaining hole 28 is separated from the second outer surface 89 of the retained portion 85, and can be configured to not contact the second outer surface 89. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the spacing (separation distance in the left-right direction, opening width) between the third inner surfaces 31 of the retaining hole 28 is greater than the size between the third outer surfaces 88 of the retained portion 85, and smaller than the distance between the apexes in the left-right direction of the paired locking portions 87. Therefore, the retained portion 85 of the terminal part 80 is pressed into the retaining hole 28 and locked to the wall portion 25 by each locking portion 87.

[0045] An expanding surface 33, which expands from the front end of each retaining hole 28, is provided near the front end of the wall portion 25. The surface from the expanding surface 33 to the front surface of the wall portion 25 becomes a straight surface 34 that extends relatively shortly in the front-rear direction. The straight surface 34 is configured to be separate from the extension portion 84.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the wall portion 25 has an opposing surface 35, an insertion surface 36, and an inner side surface 37 between the rear end of the retaining hole 28 and the rear surface of the wall portion 25. The opposing surface 35 and the inner side surface 37 are arranged in pairs in the left-right direction. The insertion surface 36 is arranged in pairs in the up-down direction. The portion of the terminal part 80 corresponding to each stop portion 91 is surrounded by the opposing surface 35, the insertion surface 36, and the inner side surface 37 on its outer periphery.

[0047] Each opposing surface 35 is open at the rear. Each opposing surface 35 has: an opposing inclined surface 38, extending obliquely from the rear end of the left and right inner surfaces of the retaining hole 28 toward the rear in a manner that expands outward to the left and right; and a stepped surface 39, extending outward to the left and right in the left and right direction from the rear end (outer end in the left and right direction) of each opposing inclined surface 38. Figure 4 As shown, each of the opposing inclined surfaces 38 and the stepped surface 39 is formed at a constant height in the left-right direction (the dimension in the up-down direction).

[0048] like Figure 7 As shown, each guide surface 36 extends obliquely in a tapered manner from the rear surface of the wall portion 25 toward the front, approaching each other in the vertical direction. The front end of each guide surface 36 intersects at an obtuse angle with the rear end of each second inner surface 32 of the retaining hole 28 and the rear end of each opposing surface 35. Figure 4As shown, the lateral dimension of the guide surface 36 is equal to the sum of the spacing between the third inner surfaces 31 of the retaining hole 28 and the lateral dimensions of the opposing surfaces 35. The guide surface 36 is continuous at the same height in the lateral direction.

[0049] Each inner surface 37 intersects with the two ends of each guide surface 36 and each opposing surface 35 in the left-right direction. The inner surfaces 37 are opposite each other in the left-right direction and are arranged perpendicularly in the up-down and front-back directions. The spacing between the inner surfaces 37 is equal to the left-right dimension of the guide surface 36. The rear ends of each inner surface 37 and each guide surface 36 define an insertion port 41 on the rear surface of the wall portion 25, into which the opposing connection portion 81 of the terminal part 80 can be inserted. The insertion port 41 on the rear surface of the wall portion 25 has a quadrilateral shape, more specifically a square shape.

[0050] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the housing 20 has a pair of protective walls 42 protruding rearward from the left and right ends of the wall portion 25. Each protective wall 42 is arranged to cover the middle extension 82 of each terminal part 80 and the substrate connection portion 83 from the left and right outer sides. Figure 1 As shown, the two side portions 24 have a pair of mounting wall portions 43 that extend continuously forward from the two protective walls 42. Figure 1 (Only one is shown in the figure). The rear ends of each fixing part 30 are held in place by the two mounting walls 43.

[0051] (Function of connector 10)

[0052] When the terminal part 80 is assembled into the housing 20, the retaining part 85 of the opposite connecting part 81 is guided into the insertion port 41 by each guiding surface 36 and each opposing inclined surface 38, and then inserted (pressed in) into the retaining hole 28. Figure 6 As shown, when the terminal component 80 is properly assembled into the housing 20, it is held in place on the wall portion 25 by the retaining portion 85 through the locking action of each locking portion 87 to prevent it from falling off. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the intermediate extension 82 and the substrate connecting portion 83 are arranged to protrude rearward from the housing 20. Each stop portion 91 is arranged facing each opposing surface 35 from the rear on the left and right inner sides of the inner surface 37 of each side. By the stop portion 91 abutting against the stepped surface 39 of each opposing surface 35, excessive pressing of the opposing connecting portion 81 relative to the wall portion 25 can be prevented. In addition, fixing parts 30 are installed on the two side portions 24 of the cover portion 21 at appropriate times.

[0053] When using connector 10, housing 20 is placed on the surface of circuit board 100. Each fixing part 30 is placed on the mounting portion (solder paste) on the surface of circuit board 100. Similarly, the substrate connection portion 83 of each terminal part 80 is also placed on the mounting portion on the surface of circuit board 100. Then, a reflow soldering process is performed, and each fixing part 30 is soldered to circuit board 100, and the substrate connection portion 83 of each terminal part 80 is soldered to circuit board 100 and electrically connected to a conductive portion (not shown) of circuit board 100.

[0054] Before reflow soldering, in order to improve substrate mounting, the substrate connection portion 83 of each terminal component 80 must be properly positioned on the mounting portion of the circuit board 100 surface. In the case of this embodiment 1, each second outer surface 89 of the held portion 85 is positioned in a manner that makes light contact or proximity to each second inner surface 32 of the holding hole 28 along the front-back direction. Therefore, a large pressing force from the wall portion 25 upward and downward does not act on the held portion 85. On the other hand, due to the locking action of each locking portion 87, a relatively large pressing force to the left and right inward acts on each third outer surface 88 of the held portion 85. Specifically, in the case of this embodiment 1, the interference point L between the held portion 85 and the wall portion 25 (refer to...) Figure 4 The retaining part 85 is defined by a portion from the left and right directions (the retaining portion 87). Furthermore, during the insertion of the retaining part 85 into the retaining hole 28, each second outer surface 89 of the retaining part 85 can move in the front-back direction along each second inner surface 32 of the retaining hole 28. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the retaining part 85 from tilting vertically or rotating about the axis of the opposite connecting part 81 within the retaining hole 28.

[0055] The interference point L between the held portion 85 and the wall portion 25 is defined by a portion from the left and right direction, thereby suppressing any deviation in the holding position of the held portion 85 relative to the wall portion 25 when the held portion 85 is inserted into the holding hole 28. As a result, the opposing connection portions 81 of each terminal component 80 are properly assembled to the wall portion 25. Therefore, before reflow soldering, the substrate connection portions 83 of each terminal component 80 are also positioned at an appropriate height in the vertical direction. Furthermore, even after reflow soldering, any deviation in the holding position of the held portion 85 relative to the wall portion 25 can be suppressed, maintaining the state where the substrate connection portions 83 of each terminal component 80 are properly soldered to the circuit board 100.

[0056] As described above, the connector 10 of this embodiment 1 includes a housing 20 and a terminal part 80. The housing 20 has a wall portion 25 having a thickness in a first direction (front-rear direction); and a retaining hole 28 extending in the first direction inside the wall portion 25. The inner surface of the retaining hole 28 has a pair of second inner surfaces 32 facing each other in a second direction (vertical direction) intersecting the first direction; and a pair of third inner surfaces 31 facing each other in a third direction (left-right direction) intersecting both the first and second directions. The terminal part 80 has a substrate connecting portion 83 connected to the circuit board 100 outside the housing 20; and a retaining portion 85 disposed inside the retaining hole 28. The retaining portion 85 has a pair of second outer surfaces 89 facing the second direction, a pair of third outer surfaces 88 facing the third direction, and a pair of locking portions 87 protruding outward from the pair of third outer surfaces 88 in the third direction. A pair of locking portions 87 of the retained portion 85 are engaged with a pair of third inner surfaces 31 of the retaining hole 28. A pair of second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85 are arranged to approach or contact a pair of second inner surfaces 32 of the retaining hole 28 along a third direction. The second-direction spacing between the pair of second inner surfaces 32 of the retaining hole 28 is set to be greater than or equal to the second-direction dimension between the pair of second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85.

[0057] According to the above structure, the interference point L between the holding portion 85 and the wall portion 25 can be limited to the portion where each locking portion 87 is locked to each third outer surface 88, and the second outer surface 89 of the holding portion 85 will not be strongly pressed by the second inner surface 32 of the holding hole 28. Therefore, the holding position of the holding portion 85 held in the wall portion 25 is less prone to deviation, and the positional variation of the substrate connection portion 83 can be suppressed. As a result, coplanarity can be improved, and poor installation can be suppressed. In particular, since each locking portion 87 has a thickness in the second direction and is locked to each third inner surface 31 over its entire thickness, the holding force of the holding portion 85 relative to the wall portion 25 can be ensured without obstruction.

[0058] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, when the second direction spacing between the second inner surfaces 32 of each retaining hole 28 is greater than the second direction spacing between the second outer surfaces 89 of the retained portion 85, it is easier to prevent the retained portion 85 from being pressed in the second direction by the wall portion 25. Therefore, the retaining position of the retained portion 85 on the wall portion 25 is less prone to deviation. As a result, coplanarity can be further improved.

[0059] (Other embodiments of the present invention)

[0060] It should be understood that the above-described embodiment 1 disclosed herein is illustrative and not limiting in all respects.

[0061] In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the connector is a horizontal connector in which both the mating portion of the terminal parts and the substrate connection portion extend in the front-rear direction and open in the surface direction of the circuit board. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the connector may also be a vertical connector in which the mating portions of the terminal parts and the substrate connection portions extend in mutually intersecting directions and the cover portion opens in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the circuit board.

[0062] In the case of Embodiment 1 described above, the stop portion of the terminal component is configured to move rearward from the opposing surface. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the stop portion of the terminal component may also be configured to contact the opposing surface.

[0063] In Embodiment 1 described above, the substrate connection portion of the terminal component is a structure that connects along the surface of the circuit board. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the substrate connection portion of the terminal component may also be a structure that is inserted into a through hole in the circuit board.

[0064] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0065] 10: Connector; 20: Housing; 21: Cover; 22: Top; 23: Bottom; 24: Side; 25: Wall; 26: Locking part; 27: Protruding wall; 28: Retaining hole; 29: Vertical wall; 30: Fixing part; 31: Third inner surface; 32: Second inner surface; 33: Expanded diameter surface; 34: Straight surface; 35: Opposing surface; 36: Introducing surface; 37: Side inner surface; 38: Opposing inclined surface; 39: Stepped surface; 41: Insertion port; 42: Protective wall; 43: Mounting wall; 80: Terminal part; 81: Counterpart connection part; 82: Intermediate extension part; 83: Substrate connection part; 84: Extension part; 85: Retained part; 86: Intermediate part; 87: Locking part; 88: Third outer surface; 89: Second outer surface; 91: Stopping part; 100: Circuit board; L: Interference point.

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing and terminal components, The housing has: a wall having a thickness in a first direction; and a retaining hole extending along the first direction inside the wall. The inner surface of the retaining hole has: a pair of second inner surfaces facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a pair of third inner surfaces facing each other in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions. The terminal component has a substrate connection portion connected to the circuit board outside the housing and a holding portion disposed inside the holding hole. The retaining portion has a pair of second outer surfaces facing the second direction, a pair of third outer surfaces facing the third direction, and a pair of locking portions protruding outward from the pair of third outer surfaces in the third direction. The pair of locking portions of the retained portion are locked into the pair of third inner surfaces of the retaining hole. The pair of second outer surfaces of the retained portion are configured to contact or approach the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole along the third direction. The spacing in the second direction between a pair of the second inner surfaces of the retaining hole is set to be greater than or equal to the dimension in the second direction between a pair of the second outer surfaces of the retained portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of locking portions of the retained portion have a thickness in the second direction and are locked to the pair of third inner surfaces over the entire thickness.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The distance in the second direction between the pair of second inner surfaces of the retaining hole is greater than the dimension in the second direction between the pair of second outer surfaces of the retained portion.

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