Electric connector

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric connector, aiming at each part of a metal piece which is integrally formed with a shell and is kept, the manufacturing cost can be inhibited through local plating processing which corresponds to the purpose of the metal piece and is based on weighting of plating thickness. The electric connector is provided with a shell and a metal piece held in the shell, the metal piece is a reinforcing metal piece or a shielding metal piece, and the electric connector is provided with a mounting part, a clamping part and a clamping part, a first wall portion provided so as to protrude in a first direction orthogonal to the mounting surface; and a second wall portion forming an exposed surface not in contact with the housing, the mounting surface of the mounting portion and the exposed surface of the second wall portion being plated after insert molding, and a first thickness of a plated portion plated on the mounting surface being greater than a second thickness of a plated portion plated on the exposed surface of the second wall portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an electric connector, in particular to an electric connector installed relative to an object to be electrically connected such as a circuit substrate or a cable. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an electrical connector mounted on an object to be electrically connected, such as a circuit board or a cable, there is known an electrical connector manufactured in the following manner, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, wherein a plurality of terminal portions integrally provided with a bracket are integrally formed with respect to a housing and thereby retained by the housing, and the terminal portions retained in the housing are cut off relative to the bracket after being plated.

[0003] In the conventional electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, the exposed surface of the terminal that is not in contact with the housing is plated, so that the electrical contact characteristics and solder adhesion characteristics are improved. On the other hand, since the contact surface of the terminal that is in contact with the housing is not plated, the possibility of solder or its flux penetrating into the gap between the contact surface of the housing and the terminal is reduced.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4287450 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-59884)

[0005] Here, in the above-mentioned conventional electrical connector, there is a problem that after the metal parts (terminals, reinforcing metal parts, etc.) are integrally molded with the housing and held by the housing, if the entire metal parts are plated, the manufacturing cost of the plating process etc. increases.

[0006] In particular, when expensive plating with relatively high conductivity or expensive plating with relatively high solder wettability is used as the plating used for the plating process, for each plated portion to be plated in the metal parts retained in the shell, how to weight the size of the thickness (plating thickness) according to the importance of the required conductivity, solder wettability, etc. and perform local plating to suppress manufacturing costs has become a required issue in recent years. Utility Model Content

[0007] Therefore, the utility model is completed in order to solve the above-mentioned prior art problems or the issues required in recent years, and its purpose is to provide an electrical connector as follows, that is, for each part of the metal parts that are integrally formed with the shell and retained, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed by performing local plating processing based on the weighting of the plating thickness corresponding to its use.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the utility model is an electrical connector as follows, that is, the electrical connector is installed relative to the object to be electrically connected, and is characterized in that the above-mentioned electrical connector comprises: a shell, the shell has longitudinal, lateral and height directions respectively orthogonal to each other; and a metal part, the metal part is held in the shell, the above-mentioned metal part is integrally formed with the above-mentioned shell by insert molding, is composed of a conductive thin plate-shaped base material held by the above-mentioned shell, and its surface is partially plated after the above-mentioned insert molding. The above-mentioned metal part is a reinforcing metal part or a shielding metal part, and the above-mentioned metal part has: a mounting portion, the mounting portion includes a mounting portion mounted on the above-mentioned object A mounting surface; a first wall portion, which is arranged to protrude in a first direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned mounting surface; and a second wall portion, which is arranged at a distal end portion of the first wall portion relative to the above-mentioned mounting portion in the above-mentioned first direction, and is separated from the above-mentioned mounting surface in the above-mentioned first direction to form an exposed surface that is non-contact with the above-mentioned shell, the above-mentioned mounting surface of the above-mentioned mounting portion and the above-mentioned exposed surface of the above-mentioned second wall portion are respectively plated after the above-mentioned insert molding, and the first thickness of the plated portion plated on the above-mentioned mounting surface is greater than the second thickness of the plated portion plated on the above-mentioned exposed surface of the above-mentioned second wall portion.

[0009] According to the electric connector of the present invention, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed by performing local plating processing based on weighting of plating thickness according to the use of each portion of the metal member that is integrally molded and held with the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention in a non-mated state.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a side view of an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention in a non-mated state.

[0012] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a metal component single body of each of a receptacle connector and a plug connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5A This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a part of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the counterpart connector side (plug connector side).

[0015] Figure 5BThis is a partially enlarged perspective view of a part of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0016] Fig. 6A This is a partial perspective view of a part of a plug connector of an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the counterpart connector side (receptacle connector side).

[0017] Figure 6B This is a partial perspective view of a part of a plug connector of an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0018] Fig. 7A This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a terminal portion of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a mating connector side (plug connector side).

[0019] Figure 7B This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a terminal portion of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0020] Figure 7C This is a partially enlarged side view of a terminal portion of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the longitudinal direction (long side direction) of the receptacle connector.

[0021] Fig. 8A This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a terminal portion of a plug connector of an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a mating connector side (receptacle connector side).

[0022] Figure 8B This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a terminal portion of a plug connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0023] Figure 8C This is a partially enlarged side view of a terminal portion of a plug connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the longitudinal direction (long side direction) of the plug connector.

[0024] Fig.9A This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a reinforcing metal member portion of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the counterpart connector side (plug connector side).

[0025] Fig. 9B This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a reinforcing metal member portion of a receptacle connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0026] Fig. 10A This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a reinforcing metal member portion of a plug connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the counterpart connector side (receptacle connector side).

[0027] Fig. 10B This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a reinforcing metal member portion of a plug connector of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side of a mounted portion thereof.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1…an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 2…an object to be mounted; 2A…a first mounted portion; 2B…a second mounted portion; 4…a socket connector; 6…a plug connector; 8…a first housing; 10…a second housing; 12…a first metal member; 14…a second metal member; 16…a first terminal (terminal); 18…a second terminal (terminal); 20…a first reinforcing metal member (reinforcing metal member); 20a…a metal member portion on the mounting side; 20b…a metal member portion on the exposed side; 22…a second reinforcing metal member (reinforcing metal member); 22a…a metal member portion on the mounting side; 22b…a metal member portion on the exposed side; 24…a bottom wall of the first housing; 26…a protruding wall of the first housing; 28…a peripheral wall of the first housing; 30…a length of the peripheral wall of the first housing Side wall; 32…short side wall of the peripheral wall of the first shell; 34…bottom wall of the second shell; 36…peripheral wall of the second shell; 38…long side wall of the peripheral wall of the second shell; 40…short side wall of the peripheral wall of the second shell; 42…first fitting recess of the first shell; 44…second fitting recess of the second shell; 46…first mounting portion, mounting wall portion (mounting portion of metal component) of the first terminal; 48…first surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (first surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 50…second surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (second surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 52…third surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (third surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 54…fourth surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (fourth surface of the mounting portion of the metal component) ); 56…the second mounting portion and mounting wall portion of the second terminal (the mounting portion of the metal component); 58…the first surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the first surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 60…the second surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the second surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 62…the third surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the third surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 64…the fourth surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the fourth surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 66…the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the mounting portion of the metal component); 68…the first surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the first surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 70…the second surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the second surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); 7 2…the third surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal member (the third surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 74…the fourth surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal member (the fourth surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 76…the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal member (the mounting portion of the metal member); 78…the first surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal member (the first surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 80…the second surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal member (the second surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 82…the third surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal member (the third surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 84…the fourth surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal member (the fourth surface of the mounting portion of the metal member); 86…the first wall portion of the first terminal; 86a…the connecting portion;88…the second wall portion of the first terminal (the third wall portion of the terminal); 88a…the connecting portion; 90…the third wall portion of the first terminal (the second wall portion of the terminal); 90a…the connecting portion; 92…the fourth wall portion of the first terminal; 92a…the connecting portion; 94…the fifth wall portion of the first terminal (the first wall portion of the terminal); 94a…the connecting portion; 96…the first wall portion of the second terminal (the first wall portion of the terminal); 96a…the connecting portion; 98…the second wall portion of the second terminal (the third wall portion of the terminal); 98a…the connecting portion; 100…the third wall portion of the second terminal (the second wall portion of the terminal); 100a…the connecting portion; 102…the mating protrusion of the second terminal; 104…the first wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member; 106…the second wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member 108…the third wall of the first reinforcing metal member; 110…the fourth wall of the first reinforcing metal member; 112…the first wall of the second reinforcing metal member; 112a…the connecting portion; 114…the second wall of the second reinforcing metal member; 114a…the connecting portion; 116…the third wall of the second reinforcing metal member; 116a…the connecting portion; 118…the connecting wall of the second terminal and the second reinforcing metal member; A1…the inner area surrounded by the first wall, the second wall and the third wall of the first terminal of the socket connector; A2…the inner area surrounded by the third wall, the fourth wall and the fifth wall of the first terminal of the socket connector, and the concave first mating area; A3…the inner area surrounded by the first wall, the second wall and the fifth wall of the second terminal of the plug connector and the inner area surrounded by the third wall portion; A4…a convex second mating area formed by the first wall portion, the second wall portion and the third wall portion of the second terminal of the plug connector; C1…a central axis extending along the Z direction in the socket connector; C2…a central axis extending along the Z direction in the plug connector; P1…a first contact point and a main contact point on the wall surface of the fifth wall portion of the first terminal; P2…a second contact point and a sub-contact point on the wall surface of the third wall portion of the first terminal; P3…a first contact point and a main contact point on the wall surface of the first wall portion of the second terminal; P4…a second contact point and a sub-contact point on the wall surface of the third wall portion of the second terminal; S1…a first mounted surface; S2…a second mounted surface; S3…a first mounting surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal ( S4…the fracture surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (the fracture surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S5…the second mounting surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the fracture surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S6…the fracture surface of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the fracture surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S7…the first mounting surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the mounting surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S8…the fracture surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the fracture surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S9…the second mounting surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal component (the mounting surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); S10…the fracture surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal component (the fracture surface of the mounting portion of the metal component);S11…the wall surface of the 5th wall portion of the 1st terminal (the 1st wall surface of the 1st wall portion of the terminal); S12…the wall surface of the 3rd wall portion of the 1st terminal (the 2nd wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the terminal); S13…the exposed surface of the 2nd wall portion of the 1st terminal (the exposed surface of the 3rd wall portion of the terminal); S13'…the wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the 1st terminal; S14…the wall surface of the 3rd wall portion of the 1st terminal including the contact surface with the 1st housing (the 3rd wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the terminal); S15…the wall surface of the 1st wall portion of the 1st terminal opposite to the 3rd wall portion; S16…the wall surface of the 1st wall portion of the 2nd terminal (the 1st wall surface of the 1st wall portion of the terminal); S17…the wall surface of the 3rd wall portion of the 2nd terminal (the 2nd wall portion of the terminal wall surface); S18…exposed surface of the second wall portion of the second terminal (exposed surface of the third wall portion of the terminal); S18'…the wall surface of the second wall portion of the second terminal; S19…the wall surface of the third wall portion of the second terminal including the contact surface with the second shell (the third wall surface of the second wall portion of the terminal); S20…the wall surface of the first wall portion of the second terminal opposite to the third wall portion; S21…exposed surface of the second wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member; S22…the opposite wall surface of the first wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member (the wall surface of the first wall portion of the metal member); S23…the opposite wall surface of the third wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member; S24…the contact surface of the second wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member; S25…the exposed surface of the second wall portion of the second reinforcing metal member outward surface; S26…the opposite wall surface of the first wall portion of the second reinforcing metal part (the wall surface of the first wall portion of the metal part); S27…the opposite wall surface of the third wall portion of the second reinforcing metal part; S28…the contact surface of the second wall portion of the first reinforcing metal part; T1…the first thickness of the plated portion in the first surface (mounting surface) of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (the first thickness of the plated portion on the first surface of the mounting portion of the metal part, the third thickness of the plated portion plated on the mounting surface); T2…the second thickness of the plated portion in the second surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal (the second thickness of the plated portion on the second surface of the mounting portion of the metal part); T3…the third thickness of the plated portion in the third surface of the first mounting portion of the first terminal ( T4…the 4th thickness of the plated portion in the 4th surface (fracture surface) of the 1st mounting portion of the 1st terminal (the 4th thickness of the plated portion on the 4th surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T5…the 1st thickness of the plated portion in the 1st surface (mounting surface) of the 2nd mounting portion of the 2nd terminal (the 1st thickness of the plated portion on the 1st surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T6…the 2nd thickness of the plated portion in the 2nd surface of the 2nd mounting portion of the 2nd terminal (the 2nd thickness of the plated portion on the 2nd surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T7…the 3rd thickness of the plated portion in the 3rd surface of the 2nd mounting portion of the 2nd terminal (the 3rd thickness of the plated portion on the 3rd surface of the mounting portion of the metal component);T8…the fourth thickness of the plated portion in the fourth surface (fracture surface) of the second mounting portion of the second terminal (the fourth thickness of the plated portion on the fourth surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T9…the first thickness of the plated portion in the first surface (mounting surface) of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the first thickness of the plated portion on the first surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T10…the second thickness of the plated portion in the second surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the second thickness of the plated portion on the second surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T11…the third thickness of the plated portion in the third surface of the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component (the third thickness of the plated portion on the third surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T12…the first mounting portion of the first reinforcing metal component ... the 4th thickness of the plated portion in the 4th surface (fracture surface) of the second reinforcing metal part (the 4th thickness of the plated portion on the 4th surface of the mounting portion of the metal part); T13 ... the 1st thickness of the plated portion in the 1st surface (mounting surface) of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal part (the 1st thickness of the plated portion on the 1st surface of the mounting portion of the metal part); T14 ... the 2nd thickness of the plated portion in the 2nd surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal part (the 2nd thickness of the plated portion on the 2nd surface of the mounting portion of the metal part); T15 ... the 3rd thickness of the plated portion in the 3rd surface of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal part (the 3rd thickness of the plated portion on the 3rd surface of the mounting portion of the metal part); T16 ... the 4th surface (fracture surface) of the second mounting portion of the second reinforcing metal part 4th thickness of the plated portion of the first terminal (4th thickness of the plated portion of the 4th surface of the mounting portion of the metal component); T17…thickness of the plated portion in the wall surface of the 5th wall portion of the first terminal (1st thickness and 3rd thickness of the plated portion in the 1st wall surface of the 1st wall portion of the terminal); T18…thickness of the plated portion in the wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the first terminal (2nd thickness of the plated portion in the exposed surface of the 3rd wall portion of the terminal); T19…thickness of the plated portion in the wall surface of the 3rd wall portion of the first terminal (4th thickness of the plated portion in the 2nd wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the terminal); T20…thickness of the plated portions in the wall surface of the 1st wall portion, the wall surface of the 3rd wall portion, and the wall surface of the 2nd wall portion of the first terminal that are opposite to each other; T21… The thickness of the plated portion on the wall surface of the first wall portion of the second terminal (the first thickness and the third thickness of the plated portion in the first wall surface of the first wall portion of the terminal); T22…the thickness of the plated portion on the exposed surface of the second wall portion of the second terminal (the second thickness of the plated portion in the exposed surface of the third wall portion of the terminal); T23…the thickness of the plated portion on the wall surface of the third wall portion of the second terminal (the fourth thickness of the plated portion in the second wall surface of the second wall portion of the terminal); T24…the thickness of the plated portions on the wall surfaces of the first wall portion and the third wall portion of the second terminal that are opposite to each other; T25…the thickness of the plated portion on the exposed surface of the second wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member;T26…Thickness of the plated portion of each opposing wall surface of the first wall portion and the third wall portion of the first reinforcing metal member, and the wall surface of the second wall portion (the contact surface with the first housing); T27…Thickness of the plated portion of the exposed surface of the second wall portion of the second reinforcing metal member; T28…Thickness of the plated portion of each opposing wall surface of the first wall portion and the third wall portion of the second reinforcing metal member, and the wall surface of the second wall portion (the contact surface with the second housing); Z1…Mating direction (the first direction orthogonal to the mounting surface); Z2…Mating release direction (the first direction orthogonal to the mounting surface). ; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, electrical connectors according to several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] First, based on Figure 1 to Figure 10B An electric connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view and a side view respectively show an electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention in a non-mated state.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an electric connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a so-called electrically connected mounting object 2 such as a circuit board of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a digital camera, or a notebook computer, or an electrical connection portion of a flexible flat cable.

[0034] The electric connector 1 includes a pair of a receptacle connector 4 and a plug connector 6 which are provided so as to be engageable with or disengageable from each other.

[0035] The connectors 4 and 6 are mounted on the mounted surfaces S1 and S2 (first mounted surface S1 and second mounted surface S2) of different mounted portions 2A and 2B (first mounted portion 2A and second mounted portion 2B) of the corresponding mounted object 2.

[0036] Here, in this specification and the drawings, in the electrical connector 1, Figure 1 The X-axis direction (hereinafter referred to as "X direction") in the right-handed XYZ coordinate axis composed of three mutually orthogonal axes, namely, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis (the same applies to other figures) is defined as the lateral direction or the short-side direction of each connector 4, 6. The X direction corresponds to the normal direction of the YZ plane orthogonal to the XY plane as each mounting surface S1, S2.

[0037] The Y-axis direction (hereinafter referred to as "Y-direction") in the XYZ coordinate axis is defined as the longitudinal direction or long side direction of each connector 4, 6. This Y-direction also corresponds to the normal direction of the XZ plane orthogonal to the XY plane as each mounting surface S1, S2.

[0038] The Z-axis direction (hereinafter referred to as "Z-direction") in the XYZ coordinate axis is defined as the height direction or the mating direction or the mating release direction of each connector 4, 6 relative to each mounting surface S1, S2. The Z-direction is also equivalent to the normal direction orthogonal to the XY plane as each mounting surface S1, S2.

[0039] In particular, the direction in which the connectors 4 and 6 approach each other in the Z direction (the direction of movement toward the proximal side) and the direction in which they are mated (mating direction) are referred to as the “Z1 direction”. On the other hand, the direction in which the connectors 4 and 6 move away from each other in the Z direction (the direction of movement toward the distal side) and the direction in which the mating is released (mating release direction) are referred to as the “Z2 direction”.

[0040] then, Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0041] like Figure 1 to Figure 3 As shown, the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 each include a substantially flat rectangular resin housing 8 , 10 (first housing 8 , second housing 10 ) and metal fittings 12 , 14 (first metal fitting 12 , second metal fitting 14 ) held by the housings 8 , 10 .

[0042] in addition, Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the metal fittings 12 and 14 of the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 of the electric connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] like Figure 1 to Figure 4 As shown, the metal parts 12, 14 of each connector 4, 6 are integrally formed with the shells 8, 10 by insert molding, and are composed of a conductive thin plate-like base material held by the shells 8, 10, and respectively have terminals 16, 18 (first terminal 16 (socket terminal 16), second terminal 18 (plug terminal 18)) and reinforcing metal parts 20, 22 (first reinforcing metal part 20, second reinforcing metal part 22).

[0044] In addition, after the metal parts 12 and 14 are integrally molded with the housing 8 by insert molding, the surfaces of the terminals 16 and 18 are partially plated.

[0045] Furthermore, the reinforcing metal members 20 , 22 are integrally connected to a portion of the housings 8 , 10 , thereby reinforcing at least the strength of the housings 8 , 10 .

[0046] In addition, the portions of the terminals 16 and 18 that are partially plated in the metal fittings 12 and 14 of the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 and the reinforcing metal fittings 20 and 22 will be described in detail later.

[0047] Next, based on Figure 1 to Figure 6B The housings 8 and 10 of the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 will be described in detail.

[0048] Figure 5A and Figure 5B These are partial enlarged stereoscopic views of a portion of the receptacle connector 4 of the electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the counterpart connector side (plug connector 6 side) and the first mounted portion 2A side of the mounted object 2. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B These are partially enlarged perspective views of a portion of a plug connector 6 of an electric connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the counterpart connector side (receptacle connector 4 side) and the second mounted portion 2B side of the mounted object 2 .

[0049] like Figure 1 to Figure 6B As shown, each housing 8 , 10 has a longitudinal direction (Y direction, long side direction), a lateral direction (X direction, short side direction), and a height direction (Z direction) that are orthogonal to each other.

[0050] In addition, if Figure 1 to Figure 5B As shown, the first shell 8 of the socket connector 4 has a bottom wall 24 arranged on the first mounted surface S1 of the first mounted portion 2A of the mounted object 2 to be electrically connected, such as a circuit substrate of an electronic device, an electrical connecting portion of a flexible flat cable, and the like, and a protruding wall 26 protruding from the center portion in the X direction of the bottom wall 24 toward the Z direction (mating direction Z1).

[0051] Furthermore, the first housing 8 includes a peripheral wall 28 provided in an outer frame shape over the entire circumference of the first housing 8 at intervals to the outside in the X direction and the Y direction relative to the outer circumference of the protruding wall 26. The peripheral wall 28 includes a long side wall 30 extending in the Y direction (long side direction) of the first housing 8, and a short side wall 32 extending in the X direction (short side direction) of the first housing 8.

[0052] Each of the long side wall 30 and the short side wall 32 of the peripheral wall 28 described above is also formed so as to protrude from the bottom wall 24 in the Z direction (fitting direction Z1 ).

[0053] Furthermore, the terminals 16 and the reinforcing metal members 20 of the first metal member 12 are integrally formed with the walls 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 of the first housing 8 by insert molding, and are thereby integrally assembled with the first housing 8 .

[0054] Similarly, if Figure 1 to Figure 4 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the second housing 10 of the plug connector 6 includes a bottom wall 34 arranged on a second mounted surface S2 of a second mounted portion 2B of an object 2 to be electrically connected, such as a circuit board of an electronic device or an electrical connection portion of a flexible flat cable.

[0055] In addition, the second housing 10 includes a peripheral wall 36 that is provided in an outer frame shape over the entire circumference and protrudes from the bottom wall 34 toward the Z direction (fitting direction Z1). The peripheral wall 36 includes a long side wall 38 extending along the Y direction (long side direction) of the second housing 10, and a short side wall 40 extending along the X direction (short side direction) of the second housing 10.

[0056] Furthermore, the terminals 18 of the second metal member 14 and the reinforcing metal members 22 are integrally formed with the walls 34 , 36 , 38 , and 40 of the second housing 10 by insert molding, and are thereby integrally assembled with the second housing 10 .

[0057] Then, if Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, a first fitting recess 42 capable of receiving the peripheral wall 36 of the second housing 10 of the plug connector 6 when the plug connector 6 is fitted into the receptacle connector 4 is provided between the protruding wall 26 and the peripheral wall 28 of the first housing 8 of the receptacle connector 4 .

[0058] In addition, if Figure 3 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, on the inner peripheral sides of the long side walls 38 and the short side walls 40 of the peripheral wall 36 in the second shell 10 of the plug connector 6, there are provided second mating recesses 44 that can accommodate the protruding wall 26 of the first shell 8 of the socket connector 4 when the plug connector 6 is mated with the socket connector 4.

[0059] In addition, the form in which the length of each long side wall 30, 38 of each peripheral wall 28, 36 of each shell 8, 10 in the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment is longer in the Y direction (long side direction) than the length of each short side wall 32, 40 in the X direction (short side direction) is described, but it is not limited to this form, and the length of each long side wall 30, 38 in the Y direction (long side direction) and the length of each short side wall 32, 40 in the X direction (short side direction) may also be the same.

[0060] Next, based on Figure 1 to Figure 10B The portions of the terminals 16 and 18 that are partially plated or the reinforcing metal members 20 and 22 of the metal members 12 and 14 of the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0061] Figure 7A to Figure 7C They are respectively a partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the first terminal 16 portion of the socket connector 4 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from its counterpart connector side (plug connector 6 side), a partially enlarged stereoscopic view as viewed from the first mounted portion 2A side of its mounted object 2, and a partially enlarged side view as viewed from the Y direction (longitudinal direction, long side direction) of the socket connector 4.

[0062] First, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the first terminal 16 of the socket connector 4 includes a first mounting portion 46 mounted on the first mounting portion 2A of the mounted object 2. The first mounting portion 46 includes a first mounting portion 46 provided on one side (Z direction) of the thickness direction (Z direction) of the thin plate-shaped base material thereof. Figure 3 and Figure 7C The first surface 48 is formed on the lower side of the first mounting portion 46 (the first mounted portion 2A side) to form a first mounting surface S3 that faces the first mounted surface S1 of the first mounted portion 2A.

[0063] In addition, the first mounting portion 46 includes a first mounting portion 46 provided on the other side ( Figure 3 and Figure 7C The second surface 50 is located on the upper side of the first mounting portion 46 shown in the figure and is located on the opposite side of the first mounting surface S3 in the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0064] Furthermore, the first surface 48 and the second surface 50 of the first mounting portion 46 are plated after the first metal member 12 is insert-molded with respect to the first housing 8 and is held by the first housing 8 .

[0065] At this time, a first thickness T1 of a plated portion on the first surface 48 of the first mounting portion 46 is set to be larger than a second thickness T2 of a plated portion on the second surface 50 (T1>T2).

[0066] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first thickness T1 be set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.08 [μm], and it is preferable that the second thickness T2 be set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0067] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7CAs shown, the first mounting portion 46 of the first terminal 16 of the receptacle connector 4 further includes a third surface 52 provided on both sides of the first surface 48 and the second surface 50 in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0068] The third surface 52 has a third thickness T3 of a plated portion that is plated after insert molding.

[0069] In addition, the third thickness T3 is set to be smaller than the first thickness T1 and is set to be larger than the second thickness T2 (T1>T3>T2).

[0070] Furthermore, the third thickness T3 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.06 [μm].

[0071] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the first mounting portion 46 of the first terminal 16 of the receptacle connector 4 further includes a fourth surface 54 that is orthogonal to the first surface 48 , the second surface 50 , and the third surface 52 .

[0072] The fourth surface 54 is formed with a fracture surface S4 by fracture of the first mounting portion 46 after insert molding and plating.

[0073] In addition, the fourth thickness T4 of the plated portion on the fracture surface S4 is set to be smaller than the second thickness T2 and to be 0 (T2>T4=0).

[0074] then, Figure 8A to Figure 8C They are respectively a partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the second terminal 18 portion of the plug connector 6 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from its counterpart connector side (socket connector 4 side), a partially enlarged stereoscopic view as viewed from the second mounted portion 2B side of its mounted object 2, and a partially enlarged side view as viewed from the Y direction (longitudinal direction, long side direction) of the plug connector 6.

[0075] like Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 includes a second mounting portion 56 mounted on the second mounting portion 2B of the mounted object 2. The second mounting portion 56 includes a side (Z direction) provided in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the thin plate-shaped base material thereof. Figure 3 and Figure 8C The upper side of the mounting portion 56 shown in the figure (the second mounted portion 2B side) forms a first surface 58 of the second mounting surface S5 that faces the second mounted surface S2 of the second mounted portion 2B.

[0076] In addition, the second mounting portion 56 includes a second mounting portion 56 provided on the other side ( Figure 3and Figure 8C The second surface 60 is located on the opposite side of the second mounting surface S5 in the thickness direction (Z direction) (on the upper side of the second mounting portion 56 shown in FIG. 1 ).

[0077] Furthermore, the first surface 58 and the second surface 60 of the second mounting portion 56 are plated after the second metal member 14 is insert-molded with respect to the second housing 10 and is held by the second housing 10 .

[0078] At this time, a first thickness T5 of a plated portion on the first surface 58 of the second mounting portion 56 is set to be larger than a second thickness T6 of a plated portion on the second surface 60 (T5>T6).

[0079] Furthermore, the first thickness T5 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.08 [μm], and the second thickness T6 is preferably set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0080] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the second mounting portion 56 of the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 further includes a third surface 62, which is provided on both sides of the first surface 58 and the second surface 60 in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0081] The third surface 62 has a third thickness T7 of a plated portion that is plated after insert molding.

[0082] In addition, the third thickness T7 is set to be smaller than the first thickness T5 and is set to be larger than the second thickness T6 (T5>T7>T6).

[0083] Furthermore, the third thickness T7 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.06 [μm].

[0084] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the second mounting portion 56 of the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 further includes a fourth surface 64 that is orthogonal to the first surface 58 , the second surface 60 , and the third surface 62 .

[0085] The fourth surface 64 is formed with a fracture surface S6 by fracture of the second mounting portion 56 after insert molding and plating.

[0086] In addition, the fourth thickness T8 of the plated portion on the fracture surface S6 is set to be smaller than the second thickness T6 and to be 0 (T6>T8=0).

[0087] then, Fig.9A and Fig. 9BThey are respectively a partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the socket connector 4 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from its counterpart connector side (plug connector 6 side), and a partially enlarged stereoscopic view as viewed from the first mounted portion 2A side of its mounted object 2.

[0088] like Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the socket connector 4 includes a first mounting portion 66 mounted on the first mounting portion 2A of the mounted object 2. The first mounting portion 66 includes a first side ( Fig.9A and Fig. 9B The first surface 68 is formed on the lower side of the first mounting portion 66 (the first mounted portion 2A side) to form a first mounting surface S7 that faces the first mounted surface S1 of the first mounted portion 2A.

[0089] In addition, the first mounting portion 66 includes a first mounting portion 66 provided on the other side ( Fig.9A and Fig. 9B The second surface 70 is located on the opposite side of the thickness direction (Z direction) with respect to the first mounting surface S7 (on the upper side of the first mounting portion 66 shown in the figure).

[0090] Furthermore, the first surface 68 and the second surface 70 of the first mounting portion 66 are plated after the first metal member 12 is insert-molded with respect to the first housing 8 and is held by the first housing 8 .

[0091] At this time, a first thickness T9 of a plated portion on the first surface 68 of the first mounting portion 66 is set to be larger than a second thickness T10 of a plated portion on the second surface 70 (T9>T10).

[0092] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first thickness T9 be set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.08 [μm], and it is preferable that the second thickness T10 be set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0093] Then, if Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the first mounting portion 66 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the socket connector 4 also has a third surface 72, which is arranged on both sides of the first surface 68 and the second surface 70 in a direction (X direction or Y direction) orthogonal to the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0094] The third surface 72 has a third thickness T11 of a plated portion that is plated after insert molding.

[0095] In addition, the third thickness T11 is set to be smaller than the first thickness T9 and is set to be larger than the second thickness T10 (T9>T11>T10).

[0096] Furthermore, the third thickness T11 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.06 [μm].

[0097] Then, if Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the first mounting portion 66 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the receptacle connector 4 further includes a fourth surface 74 that is orthogonal to each of the first surface 68 , the second surface 70 , and the third surface 72 thereof.

[0098] The fourth surface 74 is formed with a fracture surface S8 by fracture of the first mounting portion 66 after insert molding and plating.

[0099] Furthermore, the fourth thickness T12 of the plated portion on the fracture surface S8 is set to be smaller than the second thickness T10 and to be 0 (T10>T12=0).

[0100] then, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B They are respectively a partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the plug connector 6 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment as viewed from its counterpart connector side (receptacle connector 4 side), and a partially enlarged stereoscopic view as viewed from the second mounted portion 2B side of the mounted object 2.

[0101] like Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the plug connector 6 includes a second mounting portion 76 mounted on the second mounting portion 2B of the mounted object 2. The second mounting portion 76 includes a second mounting portion 76 disposed on one side (Z direction) of the thin plate-shaped base material thereof in the thickness direction (Z direction). Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The first surface 78 is formed as a second mounting surface S9 facing the second mounted surface S2 of the second mounted portion 2B (on the upper side of the second mounting portion 76 shown in the figure, on the second mounted portion 2B side).

[0102] In addition, the second mounting portion 76 includes a second mounting portion 76 provided on the other side (in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the thin plate-shaped base material. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The second surface 80 is located on the opposite side of the second mounting surface S9 in the thickness direction (Z direction) (ie, the lower side of the second mounting portion 76 shown in the figure).

[0103] Furthermore, the first surface 78 and the second surface 80 of the second mounting portion 76 are plated after the second metal member 14 is insert-molded with respect to the second housing 10 and is held by the second housing 10 .

[0104] At this time, a first thickness T13 of a plated portion on the first surface 78 of the second mounting portion 76 is set to be larger than a second thickness T14 of a plated portion on the second surface 80 (T13>T14).

[0105] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first thickness T13 is set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.08 [μm], and it is preferable that the second thickness T14 is set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0106] Then, if Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the second mounting portion 76 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the plug connector 6 also has a third surface 82, which is arranged on both sides of the direction (X direction or Y direction) orthogonal to the thickness direction (Z direction) relative to each of the first surface 78 and the second surface 80.

[0107] The third surface 82 has a third thickness T15 of a plated portion that is plated after insert molding.

[0108] In addition, the third thickness T15 is set to be smaller than the first thickness T13 and is set to be larger than the second thickness T14 (T13>T15>T14).

[0109] Furthermore, the third thickness T15 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] to 0.06 [μm].

[0110] Then, if Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the second mounting portion 76 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the plug connector 6 further includes a fourth surface 84 that is orthogonal to each of the first surface 78 , the second surface 80 , and the third surface 82 thereof.

[0111] The fourth surface 84 is formed with a fracture surface S10 by fracture of the second mounting portion 76 after insert molding and plating.

[0112] Furthermore, the fourth thickness T16 of the plated portion on the fracture surface S10 is set smaller than the second thickness T14 and is set to 0 (T14>T16=0).

[0113] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the first terminal 16 of the socket connector 4 has a mounting wall portion 46 as a first mounting portion 46, and has approximately five wall portions 86, 88, 90, 92, 94 (first wall portion 86, second wall portion 88, third wall portion 90, fourth wall portion 92, fifth wall portion 94) from the mounting wall portion 46 toward the side of the center axis C1 extending along the Z direction in the socket connector 4.

[0114] That is, the first wall portion 86 is connected to the second wall portion 88 after being bent and extended a predetermined distance in the Z direction (fitting direction Z1 ) from a connecting portion 86a on the side (opposite side) facing the fracture surface S4 of the first mounting portion 46 in the X direction.

[0115] Then, the second wall portion 88 is connected to the first wall portion 86 by the connection portion 88a. Figure 7C The third wall portion 90 is bent in a U-shape when viewed from the side, makes a U-turn in the mating release direction Z2, and is connected to the third wall portion 90.

[0116] The third wall portion 90 is connected to the fourth wall portion 92 after extending in the Z direction (the mating release direction Z2 ) from the connection portion 90 a connected to the second wall portion 88 so as to face the first wall portion 86 in the X direction.

[0117] Furthermore, the fourth wall portion 92 is connected to the fifth wall portion 94 after being bent and extended by a predetermined distance in the X direction from a connection portion 92 a connected to the third wall portion 90 toward the central axis C1 side of the receptacle connector 4 .

[0118] Then, the fifth wall portion 94 is bent and extended by a predetermined distance in the first direction orthogonal to the first mounting surface S3, that is, the Z direction (mating direction Z1) from the connecting portion 94a connected to the fourth wall portion 92. The fifth wall portion 94 is formed with a wall surface S11 including a first contact point (main contact point) P1 that can autonomously and elastically contact the counterpart terminal (second terminal) 18, and also functions as an elastic contact piece.

[0119] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 of the socket connector 4 is opposite to the first wall portion 86 in the X direction, and the long side wall 30 of the peripheral wall 28 of the first shell 8 of the socket connector 4 is provided in the internal area A1 surrounded by the first wall portion 86, the second wall portion 88 and the third wall portion 90.

[0120] Furthermore, the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 of the socket connector 4 is also opposed to the fifth wall portion 94 in the X direction, and the internal area A2 surrounded by the third wall portion 90, the fourth wall portion 92 and the fifth wall portion 94 becomes a concave first mating area A2 that can accommodate the second terminal 18 of the second shell 10 of the plug connector 6 and come into contact with it when the plug connector 6 on the object side is mated with the socket connector 4, and a first mating recess 42 is formed.

[0121] That is, the third wall portion 90 is arranged to be opposite to the fifth wall portion 94 in the second direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first direction (mating direction Z1), and is formed with a wall surface S12 including a second contact point (sub-contact point) P2 that can perform non-contact or auxiliary contact according to the object terminal (second terminal 18).

[0122] In the socket connector 4 in the state of being fitted with the plug connector 6, through the above-mentioned first contact point (main contact point) P1 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P2 of the first terminal 16, the first terminal 16 and the target terminal (the second terminal 18) are in contact with each other through at least two contact points P1 and P2 (main contact point P1 and sub-contact point P2).

[0123] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the second wall portion 88 of the first terminal 16 of the socket connector 4 is arranged at the distal end portion (connecting portion 88a) in the first direction (mating direction Z1) relative to the first mounting portion 46, and is formed with an exposed surface S13 that is separated from the first mounting surface S3 in the first direction (mating direction Z1) and is non-contact with the first shell 8.

[0124] In addition, the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 and the exposed surface S13 of the second wall portion 88 are plated after insert molding. Furthermore, the thickness T17 of the plated portion on the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 is set to be greater than the thickness T18 of the plated portion on the exposed surface S13 of the second wall portion 88 (T17>T18).

[0125] Furthermore, the thickness T17 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] or more, and the thickness T18 is preferably set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0126] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the first thickness T1 of the plated portion of the first mounting portion 46 of the first terminal 16 that has been plated on the first mounting surface S3 is set to be smaller than the thickness T17 of the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 and larger than the thickness T18 of the exposed surface S13 of the second wall portion 88 (T17>T1>T18).

[0127] In addition, the wall surface S12 of the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 is plated after insert molding. T19 of the plated portion of the wall surface S12 of the third wall portion 90 is set to be less than or equal to the thickness T17 of the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 and greater than the thickness T18 of the exposed surface S13 of the second wall portion 88 (T17≧T19>T18), or is set to be greater than or equal to the thickness T17 of the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 (T19≧T17).

[0128] In addition, in the case of so-called contact based on multiple contact points (at least 2 contact points) in which at least 2 contact points P1 and P2 of the first terminal 16, including the 1st contact point (main contact point) P1 on the wall surface S11 of the 5th wall portion 94 of the first terminal 16 and the 2nd contact point (sub-contact point) P2 on the wall surface S12 of the 3rd wall portion 90, respectively make contact with the 1st contact point (main contact point) P3 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P4 of the second terminal 18 on the object side described later, the thickness T19 is preferably set to be less than 0.05 [μm].

[0129] On the other hand, in the case of so-called single contact point (1 contact point) contact in which only the first contact point (main contact point) P1 of the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 of the first terminal 16 contacts only the first contact point (main contact point) P3 of the second terminal 18 on the object side described later, the thickness T19 is preferably set to less than 0.03 [μm].

[0130] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 also has a wall surface S14 which is arranged on the opposite side of the second direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first direction (mating direction Z1) relative to its wall surface S12 and includes a contact surface that contacts a portion of the long side wall 30 of the peripheral wall 28 of the first shell 8.

[0131] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 7A to Figure 7C As shown, the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 further includes a wall surface S15 that faces the wall surface S14 of the third wall portion 90 in the X direction and includes a contact surface that contacts a portion of the long side wall 30 of the peripheral wall 28 of the first housing 8 .

[0132] In the wall surface S14 of the third wall portion 90 of the first terminal 16 and the wall surface S15 of the first wall portion 86 , the thickness T20 of the plated portion subjected to the plated process after the insert molding is set to 0 ( T20 = 0).

[0133] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 has a mounting wall portion 56 serving as a second mounting portion 56, and has approximately three wall portions 96, 98, and 100 (a first wall portion 96, a second wall portion 98, and a third wall portion 100) extending from the mounting wall portion 56 toward the side of the center axis C2 extending along the Z direction in the plug connector 6.

[0134] Here, a central axis C2 extending in the Z direction in the plug connector 6 coincides with a central axis C1 extending in the Z direction in the receptacle connector 4 .

[0135] The first wall portion 96 is connected to the second wall portion 98 after being bent and extended a predetermined distance in the Z direction (fitting direction Z1 ) from a connection portion 96a on the side (opposite side) facing the fracture surface S6 of the second mounting portion 56 in the X direction.

[0136] Then, the second wall portion 98 bends in the X direction from a connection portion 98 a connected to the first wall portion 96 to a connection portion 100 a connected to the third wall portion 100 .

[0137] Furthermore, the third wall portion 100 extends in the Z direction (the mating release direction Z2 ) from a connection portion 100 a connected to the second wall portion 98 so as to face the first wall portion 96 in the X direction.

[0138] Incidentally, the first wall portion 96 is formed with a wall surface S16 including a first contact point (main contact point) P3 that can autonomously and elastically contact the wall surface S11 of the fifth wall portion 94 of the counterpart terminal (first terminal) 16 .

[0139] Here, if Figure 3 and Figure 8C As shown, in the second terminal 18, the first wall portion 96 bent in the Z direction (mating direction Z1) from the connection portion 96a connected to the second mounting portion 56 is bent in the X direction after extending in the Z direction (mating direction Z1) to the connection portion 98a with the second wall portion 98, and then the second wall portion 98 is bent in the Z direction (mating release direction Z2) after extending in the X direction to the connection portion 100a with the third wall portion 100, and the third wall portion 100 is extended in the mating release direction Z2. The shape of the second terminal 18 composed of the wall portions 56, 96, 98, and 100 is formed in Figure 8C The roughly U-shaped or J-shaped shape that bends and makes a U-turn at each connection portion 98a, 100a in a side view becomes a shape that is wound from the inside to the outside relative to the central axis C2 of the plug connector 6 (a so-called inner winding shape).

[0140] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the first wall portion 96 and the third wall portion 100 of the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 are opposite to each other in the X direction, and the long side wall 38 of the peripheral wall 36 of the second shell 10 of the plug connector 6 is provided in the internal area A3 surrounded by the first wall portion 96, the second wall portion 98 and the third wall portion 100.

[0141] Furthermore, the first wall portion 96, the second wall portion 98 and the third wall portion 100 of the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 form a mating area A4 of a mating protrusion 102 that can be mated in the first mating recess 42 of the object side connector 4 (socket connector 4) when the socket connector 4 on the object side is mated with the plug connector 6.

[0142] That is, the third wall portion 100 is arranged to be opposite to the first wall portion 96 in a second direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first direction (mating direction Z1), and is formed with a wall surface S17 including a second contact point (sub-contact point) P4 that can perform non-contact or auxiliary contact with the target terminal (first terminal 16).

[0143] Thus, when the receptacle connector 4 and the plug connector 6 are mated with each other in the mating direction Z1, the mating protrusion 102 of the second terminal 18 is mated in the first mating recess 42 of the receptacle connector 4, and the wall portion 94 of the first terminal 16 is mated in the second mating recess 44 of the second housing 10 of the plug connector 6. Furthermore, the first contact point (main contact point) P1 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P2 of the first terminal 16 are in contact with each of the first contact point (main contact point) P3 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P4 of the second terminal 18, respectively, and the first terminal 16 and the second terminal 18 are in contact with each other through at least two contact points.

[0144] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the second wall portion 98 of the second terminal 18 of the plug connector 6 is arranged at the distal end portion (connecting portion 98a) in the first direction (mating direction Z1) relative to the second mounting portion 56, and is formed with an exposed surface S18 that is separated from the second mounting surface S5 in the first direction (mating direction Z1) and is non-contact with the second shell 10.

[0145] In addition, the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 and the exposed surface S18 of the second wall portion 98 are plated after insert molding. Furthermore, the thickness T21 of the plated portion on the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 is set to be greater than the thickness T22 of the plated portion on the exposed surface S18 of the second wall portion 98 (T21>T22).

[0146] Furthermore, the thickness T21 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] or more, and the thickness T22 is preferably set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0147] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8CAs shown, the first thickness T5 of the plated portion of the second mounting portion 56 of the second terminal 18 that has been plated on the second mounting surface S5 is set to be smaller than the thickness T21 of the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 and larger than the thickness T22 of the exposed surface S18 of the second wall portion 98 (T21>T5>T22).

[0148] In addition, the wall surface S17 of the third wall portion 100 of the second terminal 18 is plated after insert molding. T23 of the plated portion of the wall surface S17 of the third wall portion 100 is set to be less than or equal to the thickness T21 of the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 and greater than the thickness T22 of the exposed surface S18 of the second wall portion 98 (T21≧T23>T22), or is set to be greater than or equal to the thickness T21 of the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 (T23≧T21).

[0149] In addition, in the case of so-called contact based on multiple contact points (at least 2 contact points) in which at least 2 contact points P3 and P4 of the second terminal 18, including the first contact point (main contact point) P3 of the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 of the second terminal 18 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P4 of the wall surface S17 of the third wall portion 100, respectively make contact with the first contact point (main contact point) P1 and the second contact point (sub-contact point) P2 of the first terminal 16 on the object side, the thickness T23 is preferably set to be less than 0.05 [μm].

[0150] On the other hand, in the case of so-called single contact point (1 contact point) contact in which only the first contact point (main contact point) P3 of the wall surface S16 of the first wall portion 96 of the second terminal 18 contacts only the first contact point (main contact point) P1 of the first terminal 16 on the object side, the thickness T23 is preferably set to less than 0.03 [μm].

[0151] Then, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the third wall portion 100 of the second terminal 18 also has a wall surface S19 which is arranged on the opposite side of the second direction (X direction) orthogonal to the first direction (mating direction Z1) relative to its wall surface S17 and includes a contact surface that contacts a portion of the long side wall 38 of the peripheral wall 36 of the second shell 10.

[0152] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 8A to Figure 8C As shown, the first wall portion 96 of the second terminal 18 further includes a wall surface S20 that faces the wall surface S19 of the third wall portion 90 in the X direction and includes a contact surface that contacts a portion of the long side wall 38 of the peripheral wall 36 of the second housing 10 .

[0153] In the wall surface S19 of the third wall portion 100 of the second terminal 18 and the wall surface S20 of the first wall portion 96 , the thickness T24 of the plated portion subjected to the plated process after the insert molding is set to 0 ( T24 = 0).

[0154] Then, if Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the first metal member 12 of the receptacle connector 4 includes a mounting wall portion 66 as a first mounting portion 66 .

[0155] In addition, the first reinforcing metal member 20 further includes a portion of the long side wall 30 of the first housing 8 that contacts and forms a connection with the mounting wall portion 66 on the Z1 direction side. Figure 7A to Figure 7C The first terminal 16 shown has approximately five wall portions 86 , 88 , 90 , 92 , and 94 (the first wall portion 86 , the second wall portion 88 , the third wall portion 90 , the fourth wall portion 92 , and the fifth wall portion 94 ) of the same terminal.

[0156] Furthermore, the first reinforcing metal member 20 includes approximately four wall portions 104 , 106 , 108 , and 110 (the first wall portion 104 , the second wall portion 106 , the third wall portion 108 , and the fourth wall portion 110 ) that are in contact with a portion of the short-side wall 32 of the first housing 8 .

[0157] First, the first wall portions 86 and 104 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 are respectively provided with the first mounting portion 66 on the Z2 direction side thereof and are bent in the first direction (Z1 direction) orthogonal to the first mounting surface S7 of the first mounting portion 66 to protrude by a predetermined distance.

[0158] Furthermore, the first wall portions 86 and 104 are formed to bend in the X direction and the Y direction at the positions of the connection portions 88 a and 106 a connected to the second wall portions 88 and 106 separated from the first mounting portion 66 in the Z1 direction.

[0159] Next, the second wall portion 106 is formed so as to be provided over a predetermined length in the X direction at the center portion in the X direction of the first wall portion 104, and to protrude in a convex curved shape in the Z1 direction and in the Y2 direction from a connecting portion 106a at one end in the Z1 direction of the first wall portion 104. Thus, the second wall portion 106 is provided at the distal end portion of the first wall portion 104 in the first direction (Z1 direction) relative to the first mounting portion 66.

[0160] Furthermore, the wall surfaces S13 and S21 of the second wall portions 88 and 106 on the Z1 direction side are separated from the first mounting surface S7 in the first direction (Z1 direction) to form exposed surfaces S13 and S21 that are not in contact with the first housing 8 .

[0161] Furthermore, the first mounting surface S7 of the first mounting portion 66 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 and the exposed surfaces S13 and S21 of the second wall portions 88 and 106 are plated after insert molding.

[0162] Moreover, the first thickness T9 of the plated portion on the first mounting surface S7 of the first mounting portion 66 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 is set to be larger than the second thickness T18, T25 of the plated portion on the exposed surfaces S13, S21 of the second wall portions 88, 106 (T9>T18, T25).

[0163] Here, the first thickness T9 is preferably set to 0.05 [μm] or more and less than 0.08 [μm], and the second thicknesses T18 and T25 are preferably set to 0.03 [μm] or less.

[0164] Then, if Figure 7C , Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the third wall portions 90, 108 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 are respectively formed as connecting portions 90a, 108a extending a predetermined distance in the Z2 direction from respective ends of the second wall portions 88, 106 in the X direction and the Y direction, and are arranged to be opposite to the first wall portions 86, 104 in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively.

[0165] In addition, the fourth wall portion 110 of the first reinforcing metal member 20 includes: a wall portion 110a, which extends a predetermined distance in the Y1 direction from one end in the Z2 direction of the central portion in the X direction of the first wall portion 104; a wall portion 110b, which is bent in the Z1 direction from one end in the Y1 direction of the wall portion 110a and extends a predetermined distance; and a wall portion 110c, which is formed to protrude in the Z1 direction and the Y1 direction from one end in the Z1 direction of the wall portion 110b in a convex curved shape, and then extends in the Z2 direction by bending back.

[0166] Furthermore, the first wall portions 86 and 104 and the third wall portions 90 and 108 further include opposing wall surfaces S14 and S15 and opposing wall surfaces S22 and S23 provided to oppose each other in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively.

[0167] In addition, the opposing wall surfaces S14, S15, S22, S23 of the first wall portions 86, 104 and the third wall portions 90, 108, and the wall surfaces S13', S24 on the Z2 direction side of the second wall portions 88, 106 respectively include contact surfaces that contact a portion of the long side wall 30 and the short side wall 32 of the peripheral wall 28 of the first shell 8.

[0168] Here, in each of the opposing wall surfaces S14, S15 and opposing wall surfaces S22, S23 of the first wall portions 86, 104 and the third wall portions 90, 108, and the wall surfaces S13', S24 on the Z2 direction side in the second wall portions 88, 106, the thickness T20, T26 of the plated portions that are plated after insert molding is set to 0 (T20, T26=0).

[0169] In addition, if Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the first reinforcing metal fitting 20 of the first metal fitting 12 includes a mounting side metal fitting portion 20 a including the first mounting portion 66 and an exposed side metal fitting portion 20 b including the second wall portions 88 and 106 .

[0170] In the first reinforcing metal member 20 of the first metal member 12 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing metal member portions 20a and 20b are integrally formed from a common base material, but may be separately formed as separate bodies.

[0171] Then, if Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the second metal member 14 of the plug connector 6 includes a mounting wall portion 76 as a second mounting portion 76 .

[0172] In addition, the second reinforcing metal member 22 further includes a portion of the long side wall 38 of the second housing 10 that contacts and forms a connection with the mounting wall portion 76 on the Z1 direction side. Figure 8A to Figure 8C The second terminal 18 shown has substantially three wall portions 96 , 98 , and 100 (a first wall portion 96 , a second wall portion 98 , and a third wall portion 100 ) of the same terminal.

[0173] Furthermore, the second reinforcing metal member 22 includes approximately four wall portions 112 , 114 , 116 , and 118 (a first wall portion 112 , a second wall portion 114 , a third wall portion 116 , and a connecting wall portion 118 ) that are in contact with a portion of the short side wall 40 of the second housing 10 .

[0174] First, the first wall portions 96, 112 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 are respectively configured to bend and extend a specified distance in the first direction (Z1 direction) orthogonal to the second mounting surface S9 of the second mounting portion 76 from the connecting portions 96a, 112a on the Z2 direction side thereof connected to the second mounting portion 76.

[0175] Furthermore, the first wall portion 112 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 and the first wall portion 96 of the adjacent second terminal 18 are connected via a connecting wall portion 118 .

[0176] Next, the second wall portions 98 and 114 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 are formed so as to be protruded in the Z1 direction and the Y2 direction in a convex curved shape after bending in the X direction and the Y direction from the connecting portions 98a and 114a at the respective ends in the Z1 direction of the first wall portions 96 and 112. Thus, the second wall portions 98 and 114 are provided at the distal end portions in the first direction (Z1 direction) relative to the second mounting portion 76 of the first wall portions 96 and 112.

[0177] Furthermore, the wall surfaces S18 and S25 on the Z1 direction side of the second wall portions 98 and 114 are separated in the first direction (Z1 direction) from the second mounting surface S9 to form exposed surfaces S18 and S25 that are not in contact with the second housing 10 .

[0178] Here, the second mounting surface S9 of the second mounting portion 76 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 and the exposed surfaces S18 and S25 of the second wall portions 98 and 114 are plated after insert molding.

[0179] Moreover, the first thickness T13 of the plated portion on the second mounting surface S9 of the second mounting portion 76 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 is set to be larger than the second thickness T22, T27 of the plated portion on the exposed surfaces S18, S25 of the second wall portions 98, 114 (T13>T22, T27).

[0180] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first thickness T13 is set to be not less than 0.05 [μm] and less than 0.08 [μm], and it is preferable that the second thicknesses T22 and T27 are set to be not more than 0.03 [μm].

[0181] Then, if Figure 8C , Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the third wall portions 100, 116 of the second reinforcing metal member 22 are respectively formed as connecting portions 100a, 116a extending a predetermined distance in the Z2 direction from respective ends of the second wall portions 98, 114 in the X direction and the Y2 direction, and are arranged to be opposite to the first wall portions 96, 112 in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively.

[0182] Furthermore, the first wall portions 96 and 112 and the third wall portions 100 and 116 further include opposing wall surfaces S19 , S20 , S26 , and S27 respectively provided to oppose each other in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0183] In addition, the opposing wall surfaces S19, S20 and S26, S27 of the first wall portions 96, 112 and the third wall portions 100, 116, and the wall surfaces S18', S28 on the Z2 direction side of the second wall portions 98, 114 respectively include contact surfaces that contact a portion of the long side wall 38 and the short side wall 40 of the peripheral wall 36 of the second shell 10.

[0184] Here, in each of the opposing wall surfaces S19, S20 and S26, S27 of the first wall portions 96, 112 and the third wall portions 100, 116, and the wall surfaces S18', S28 on the Z2 direction side of the second wall portions 98, 114, the thickness T24, T28 of the plated portions that are plated after insert molding are set to 0 (T24, T28=0).

[0185] In addition, if Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the second reinforcing metal fitting 22 of the second metal fitting 14 includes a mounting side metal fitting portion 22 a including the second mounting portion 76 and an exposed side metal fitting portion 22 b including the second wall portions 98 and 114 .

[0186] In the second reinforcing metal member 22 of the second metal member 14 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing metal member portions 22a and 22b are integrally provided from a common base material, but may be separately provided so as to be separate bodies from each other.

[0187] Here, the reinforcing metal parts 20, 22 of the metal parts 12, 14 in the connectors 4, 6 of the electrical connector 1 of the above-mentioned present embodiment are not limited to having the function of reinforcing the corresponding shells 8, 10 respectively, but can also be shielding metal parts for shielding a part of the connectors 4, 6.

[0188] Alternatively, each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 of each metal part 12, 14 may be a component having the function of locking (engaging) the reinforcing metal parts 20, 22 to each other when each connector 4, 6 is mated with the connector 4, 6 on the object side, or a component having the function of serving as a power terminal by being in contact with the reinforcing metal parts 20, 22 on the object side and being electrically conductive.

[0189] In addition, as a plating material that can be used for the local plating process of each mounting portion 46, 56, 66, 76 of each metal member 12, 14 of the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment described above, it is particularly preferable to use a material with relatively high conductivity and solder wettability. Specifically, it is preferable to use a noble metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pd), and it is preferable to perform a local plating process based on so-called "gold plating" using gold (Au) as a minimum.

[0190] In addition, gold used as the material for the plating is not limited to pure gold (100% Au), and may be a material having Au as a main component and containing other metals to some extent.

[0191] In addition, the first thickness T1, T5, T9, T13, the second thickness T2, T6, T10, T14, the third thickness T3, T7, T11, T15 and the fourth thickness T4, T8, T12, T16 of the plated portions of the first surface 48, 58, 68, 78, the second surface 50, 60, 70, 80, the third surface 52, 62, 72, 82 and the fourth surface 54, 64, 74, 84 of each mounting portion 46, 56, 66, 76 of each metal part 12, 14 can be measured by using fluorescent X-ray analysis (XRF) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which are well-known technologies.

[0192] In addition, the portions of the metal parts 12 and 14 that are in close contact with the resin of the housings 8 and 10 are made of base metal (copper alloy), but nickel (Ni) may be applied as a base plating layer.

[0193] A method of partially plating the metal fittings 12 and 14 held by the housings 8 and 10 after being integrally formed with the housings 8 and 10 by insert molding is known, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-213248.

[0194] In simple terms, the thin plate-shaped base materials of the metal parts 12 and 14 integrally formed with the housings 8 and 10 by insert molding are wound around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical support drum that contains a plating solution. Then, when the support drum rotates, the thin plate-shaped base materials of the metal parts 12 and 14 are conveyed, and the plating solution is sprayed from the plating holes on the outer peripheral surface of the support drum toward the predetermined plating areas of the metal parts 12 and 14 facing the support drum, thereby performing plating processing on the predetermined plating areas of the metal parts 12 and 14.

[0195] Next, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 10B The operation and effects of the electric connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0196] First, according to the electric connector 1 of the present embodiment, after the metal members 12 and 14 are integrally molded with the housings 8 and 10 by insert molding and held integrally by the housings 8 and 10 , the surfaces of the metal members 12 and 14 are partially plated.

[0197] This can improve manufacturing efficiency compared to a case where the metal members 12 and 14 are plated in advance and then the plated metal members 12 and 14 are press-fitted into the housings 8 and 10 during manufacture of the electric connector 1 .

[0198] Furthermore, since only a portion of the surface of each metal member 12 , 14 that requires plating is locally plated, it is not necessary to plate the entire surface of each metal member 12 , 14 , and thus the manufacturing cost associated with plating and the like can be reduced.

[0199] In particular, when expensive plating with relatively high conductivity or expensive plating with relatively high solder wettability is used as the plating used for the plating process, the manufacturing cost can be effectively suppressed because the portion to be plated is limited to a portion of the surface of each metal member 12, 14.

[0200] Furthermore, when the surface of each metal part 12, 14 is partially plated, at least the mounting surfaces S7, S9 of the mounting portions 66, 76 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 are plated, and the exposed surfaces S13, S18, S21, S25 of the wall portions 88, 98, 106, 114 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 that are not in contact with each shell 8, 10 are plated.

[0201] At this time, the thickness T9, T13 of the plated parts on the mounting surfaces S7, S9 of the mounting parts 66, 76 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 is set to be larger than the thickness T18, T22, T25, T27 of the plated parts on the exposed surfaces S13, S18, S21, S25 of the wall parts 88, 98, 106, 114 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 (T9>T18, T25, T13>T22, T27).

[0202] Thus, the resistance of the mounting surfaces S7 and S9 of the mounting parts 66 and 76 of each reinforcing metal member 20 and 22 can be suppressed, the conductivity can be improved, and the solder wettability of the plated parts of thickness T9 and T13 in the mounting surfaces S7 and S9 of the mounting parts 66 and 76 of each reinforcing metal member 20 and 22 can be improved.

[0203] On the other hand, since the plating thickness (thickness T18, T22, T25, T27) of the exposed surfaces S13, S18, S21, S25 of the wall portions 88, 98, 106, 114 which are non-contact with the shells 8, 10 and are plated more than the mounting surfaces S7, S9 of the mounting portions 66, 76 of the reinforcing metal parts 20, 22 can be suppressed, the manufacturing costs associated with plating processing, etc. can be suppressed.

[0204] As a result, the electrical characteristics of the electric connector can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed by performing local plating processing based on the weighting of the plating thickness according to the use of the respective parts of the metal parts 12 and 14 that are integrally formed and held with the respective housings 8 and 10.

[0205] Next, according to the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment, for each of the opposing wall surfaces S14, S15, S19, S20, S22, S23, S26, S27 of the first wall portions 86, 96, 104, 112 and the third wall portions 90, 100, 108, 116 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22 which functions only as a contact surface with a portion of the shell 8, 10, and each of the wall surfaces S24, S28 on the Z2 direction side of the second wall portions 88, 98, 106, 114, it is also possible to ignore their conductivity and solder wettability.

[0206] Therefore, by setting the thicknesses T20, T24, T26, and T28 of the plated portions to be processed to zero, the plating process can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0207] In addition, according to the electrical connector 1 of the present embodiment, the mounting side metal parts 20a, 22a including the mounting surfaces S7, S9 of the mounting parts 66, 67 of each reinforcing metal part 20, 22, and the exposed side metal parts 20b, 22b including the exposed surfaces S13, S18, S21, S25 of the second wall parts 88, 98, 106, 114 are arranged as one body or separately.

[0208] This can improve the manufacturing efficiency of the electric connector 1 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0209] Next, according to the electric connector 1 of the present embodiment, each of the metal members 12 and 14 is subjected to a partial plating process by so-called “gold plating” using gold (Au) as a minimum.

[0210] By such gold plating, the conductivity and durability of each of the metal parts 12 and 14 can be ensured.

[0211] In addition, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed by limiting the plating process using relatively expensive gold plating to local parts.

[0212] Furthermore, according to the electric connector 1 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing metal member 20 of the metal member 12 of the receptacle connector 4 is partially plated.

[0213] Thus, in the receptacle connector 4 , the electrical conductivity and durability of the reinforcing metal member 20 of the metal member 12 can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0214] Furthermore, according to the electric connector 1 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing metal member 22 of the metal member 14 of the plug connector 6 is partially plated.

[0215] Thus, in the plug connector 6 , the electrical conductivity and durability of the reinforcing metal member 22 of the metal member 14 can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

[0216] Furthermore, according to the electric connector 1 of the present embodiment, the metal members 12 and 14 are constituted by the terminals 16 and 18 and the reinforcing metal members 20 and 22 , and these are partially plated.

[0217] Thus, the electrical conductivity and durability of the terminals 16 and 18 of the metal members 12 and 14 and the reinforcing metal members 20 and 22 can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Claims

1. An electrical connector installed relative to an object to be electrically connected, It is characterized in that have: A housing having longitudinal, lateral and height directions that are orthogonal to each other; and a metal part, the metal part being held in the housing, The metal part is a reinforcing metal part or a shielding metal part which is integrally formed with the housing by insert molding, is composed of a conductive thin plate-shaped base material held by the housing, and has a surface that is partially plated after the insert molding. The metal part has: A mounting portion, the mounting portion comprising a mounting surface, the mounting surface being mounted on a mounting surface of the mounted portion of the mounted object; a first wall portion, the first wall portion being arranged to protrude in a first direction orthogonal to the mounting surface; as well as a second wall portion, the second wall portion being provided at a distal end portion of the first wall portion relative to the mounting portion in the first direction, and being separated from the mounting surface in the first direction to form an exposed surface that is non-contact with the housing, The mounting surface of the mounting portion and the exposed surface of the second wall portion are plated after the insert molding. A first thickness of a plated portion on the mounting surface is greater than a second thickness of a plated portion on the exposed surface of the second wall portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first wall portion further includes a wall surface provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and including a contact surface contacting a portion of the housing, and a plated portion of the wall surface subjected to plated processing after the insert molding has a thickness of zero.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal fitting includes a mounting side metal fitting portion including the mounting portion and an exposure side metal fitting portion including the second wall portion. The mounting side metal fitting part and the exposed side metal fitting part are provided as one body or as separate bodies.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plating process is a plating process based on gold plating.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector is composed of a socket connector, The socket connector comprises the housing and the metal member held in the housing. The housing comprises: a bottom wall, the bottom wall being arranged on the mounted surface of the mounted portion; a protruding wall, the protruding wall protruding from the bottom wall toward the height direction of the shell; a peripheral wall including a long side wall and a short side wall spaced apart from the outer periphery of the protruding wall; and a fitting recess provided between the protruding wall and the peripheral wall, The metal part has a socket terminal, The socket terminal has: the mounting portion; The first wall portion is bent and extended from the mounting portion toward a first height direction of the housing; the second wall portion, the second wall portion being bent from a connection portion connected to the first wall portion toward a second height direction on the opposite side to the first height direction; a third wall portion extending from a connection portion connected to the second wall portion in the second height direction and facing the first wall portion; a fourth wall portion, the fourth wall portion being bent and extending from a connection portion connected to the third wall portion toward a center side of the socket connector; as well as a fifth wall portion, the fifth wall portion being bent and extending from a connection portion connected to the fourth wall portion in the first height direction and being capable of elastically contacting a counterpart terminal, The long side walls of the peripheral wall of the housing are provided in an internal region surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the third wall portion, so that the metal member is held by the housing.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector is composed of a plug connector, The plug connector includes the housing and the metal member held in the housing. The housing comprises: a bottom wall, the bottom wall being arranged on the mounted surface of the mounted portion; a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a long side wall and a short side wall protruding from the bottom wall toward the height direction of the housing; and a fitting recess, the fitting recess being arranged on the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall, The metal part has a plug terminal, The plug terminal has: the mounting portion; The first wall portion is bent and extended from the mounting portion toward a first height direction of the housing; The second wall portion is extended from a connection portion connected to the first wall portion and is bent along the lateral direction of the housing; as well as a third wall portion extending from a connection portion connected to the second wall portion in a second height direction opposite to the first height direction and facing the first wall portion, The long side walls of the peripheral wall of the housing are provided in an internal region surrounded by the first wall portion, the second wall portion, and the third wall portion, so that the metal member is held by the housing.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal member includes the reinforcing metal member and a terminal.

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