Connector and connector device

Abstract

To prevent an elastic member of a lock mechanism from buckling when the lock mechanism is unlocked by using a lock release jig.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises a housing 101, a plurality of terminals 105, and two additional members 110. The additional members 110 include two lock mechanisms 120 located to face each other in a second direction. The lock mechanisms 120 each include a spring part 121, an extension part 122, a lock part 123, and an operation part 124. The operation part 124 can move between a non-release position and a release position outside the connector 100 relative to the non-release position in the second direction located when receiving a pressing operation toward the outside of the connector 100 in the second direction. When the operation part 124 moves from the non-release position to the release position, the lock part 123 moving in conjunction with the operation part 124 moves with a movement amount in the second direction larger than the operation part 124.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device including a connector and an unlocking tool that can be used with the connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known connectors that allow a mating connector to be mated or removed by moving the mating connector along a third direction (e.g., up-down direction) that is perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction (e.g., left-right direction) and a second direction (e.g., front-rear direction) that are perpendicular to each other. Some of these connectors are equipped with a locking mechanism that maintains the mating state with the mating connector.

[0003] For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a lock mechanism shown in FIG. 28. That is, in the connector (100) disclosed in Patent Document 1, two additional members (400) of the connector (100) are provided with a total of four restriction mechanisms (500), two of which are provided on each of the two additional members (400). Each of the four restriction mechanisms (500) is a U-shaped plate-like spring member, and a protrusion (511) is formed as a locking portion on the base side of the elastically deformable spring member, and an operation portion (550) is formed on the tip side of the spring member. When an operator inserts a release tool (not shown) and performs an operation of pressing the pressed portion (552) provided on the operation portion (550) outward on both sides, the protrusion (511) formed on the base side of the spring can be moved. That is, the protrusion (511) engages with the mating connector to maintain the mated state of the connectors, and the protrusion (511) separates from the mating connector to release the mated state of the connectors. In addition, the symbols used in the explanations of the prior art documents are placed in parentheses to distinguish them from the embodiments of the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-181824 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the structure of the spring member of the connector disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, it is necessary to ensure a large displacement of the operating part (550) located at the tip side of the spring member relative to the displacement of the protrusion (511) serving as a locking part located at the base side of the elastically deformed spring member. Therefore, in order to ensure the displacement of the protrusion (511) that is responsible for maintaining and releasing the mated state of the connectors, it was necessary to increase the dimension (protrusion amount) of the operating part (550) protruding in the displacement direction in the space into which the tool is inserted. Therefore, particularly when the release tool is inserted from above the connector (100), there is a risk that the release tool will come into contact with a part of the operating part (550) that protrudes greatly into the above space when releasing the locking mechanism, and the release tool will be mistakenly pushed downward, causing the spring member to buckle.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector that can set the amount of displacement of the operating part small while ensuring a sufficient amount of displacement of the locking part, which is responsible for maintaining and releasing the mated state of the connectors, and therefore can set the amount of protrusion of the operating part in the space into which the release tool is inserted small, thereby preventing the release tool from accidentally pressing it down and causing the plate-shaped spring member (elastic member) to buckle, and a connector device that includes this connector and an unlocking tool that can be used with it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A connector according to the present invention is a connector in which a mating connector is mated or removed by moving the mating connector along a third direction that is perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction and a second direction that are perpendicular to each other, the connector comprises a housing, a plurality of terminals, and two additional members, the plurality of terminals are held by the housing and arranged in a direction along the first direction, the two additional members are held by the housing and are located at both ends of the housing in the first direction, each of the two additional members comprises two locking mechanisms that are located to face each other in the second direction, each of the two locking mechanisms comprises a spring portion, an extension portion, a locking portion, and an operating portion, the spring portion is a plate-like elastic member that is U-shaped and closed on the outside of the connector in the first direction and open on the inside when viewed in the third direction, an outer end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction is formed as a fixed end, and the connector in the second direction of the U-shape is a U-shaped member that is fixed to the housing. the inner end of the connector is formed as a free end, and the extension portion is formed to be continuous with an inner end of the connector in the second direction formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion and to extend in the first direction, thereby enabling displacement in the second direction by the elastic force of the spring portion; the locking portion is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion and has a locking surface facing one of the third directions; the operation portion is located between the spring portion and the locking portion in the first direction of the extension portion and is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion; and the operation portion can move between a non-release position and a release position on the outer side of the connector than the non-release position in the second direction, which is located when the operation portion is subjected to a pressing operation toward the outer side of the connector in the second direction; and when the operation portion moves from the non-release position to the release position, the locking portion, which moves in conjunction with the operation portion, moves by a larger amount of movement in the second direction than the operation portion.

[0008] That is, in the connector according to the present invention, the operating part is formed on the base side of the U-shaped plate-like elastic member, and the locking part is formed on the tip side of the plate-like elastic member, so that when the operating part moves from the non-released position to the released position, the locking part, which moves in conjunction with the operating part, can move by a larger amount than the operating part. In other words, the amount of movement of the operating part can be made smaller than that of the locking part. Therefore, the amount of movement of the operating part required to ensure the amount of displacement of the locking part can be made smaller, and the amount of protrusion related to the movement direction of the operating part in the state waiting for the insertion of the unlocking tool can be made smaller, so that it is possible to prevent the plate-like elastic member from being irregularly deformed by accidentally pushing down the protruding part with the unlocking tool, and as a result, the elastic member from being buckled. In addition, since the amount of movement of the operating part required for unlocking is smaller than in the past, the operability of unlocking by inserting the unlocking tool is improved compared to the past. Furthermore, since the amount of hooking of the locking part can be set to be large, there is also an effect of realizing a locking mechanism with higher strength more reliably.

[0009] In the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a top plate and a bending portion, the top plate being formed in a position that at least partially covers the spring portion and the extension portion when viewed along one of the third directions and has an extension parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and the bending portion can be formed as a curved bending shape that connects the outer end of the connector in the second direction of the U-shape constituting the spring portion to the top plate.

[0010] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a hold-down that is continuous with an end formed on the inside of the connector in the first direction of the top plate and extends from the end toward one of the directions in the third direction, and a soldering portion is provided on an end of the hold-down opposite to the side that connects to the end, so that when the connector is placed on a substrate arranged on the side toward one of the directions in the third direction, the soldering portion can be soldered to the substrate.

[0011] Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a regulating portion, which is fixed to the top plate and has a regulating surface facing one side of the third direction, and a regulated surface facing the other side of the third direction is formed on the extension portion, and when the operating portion is in the non-release position, the regulating surface faces the regulated surface in the third direction, and the regulated surface abuts against the regulating surface in the third direction, thereby regulating movement of the locking portion in the other side of the third direction.

[0012] Furthermore, in the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the locking portion and the regulated surface at least partially overlap each other in positions in the first direction on the extension portion.

[0013] A connector device according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned connector and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector has at least two abutted surfaces on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutted surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other direction of the third directions, and the positions of the abutted surfaces in the third direction being different from each other, and the unlocking tool has two pressing legs that can be moved toward the connector along one of the third directions to be inserted into a gap between the two locking mechanisms that are provided on each of the two additional members and are positioned to face each other in the second direction. each of the pressing legs is provided with two pressing operation surfaces that are positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms and that can move each of the two operation parts provided by the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by its insertion, and each of the pressing legs can further be provided with at least two abutment surfaces that are planes that are perpendicular to the third direction, face one of the directions, and have mutually different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms and abut against the at least two abutted surfaces by its insertion.

[0014] Furthermore, a connector device according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned connector and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector includes at least two abutted surfaces on the housing or the top plate on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutted surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other direction of the third directions and positioned differently in the third direction, and the unlocking tool includes two pressing legs that can be moved toward the connector along one of the third directions to be inserted into a gap between the two locking mechanisms that are provided on each of the two additional members and are positioned to face each other in the second direction. each of the pressing legs is provided with two pressing operation surfaces that are positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms and that can move each of the two operation parts provided by the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by its insertion, and each of the pressing legs can further be provided with at least two abutment surfaces that are planes that are perpendicular to the third direction, face one of the directions, and have mutually different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms and abut against the at least two abutted surfaces by its insertion.

[0015] Furthermore, in the connector device of the present invention, each of the two additional members of the connector has a connector-side sliding surface which is a plane perpendicular to the first direction and facing the outside of the connector in the first direction, and is elastically displaceable in the first direction, and a connector-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the connector-side sliding surface, and each of the pressing legs of the unlocking jig has a jig-side sliding surface which is a plane perpendicular to the first direction and facing the inside of the connector in the first direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of the other of a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the jig-side sliding surface, and when the at least two abutted surfaces and the at least two abutting surfaces abut against each other by inserting the pressing leg into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion and the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion fit into each other, thereby imparting an operation feeling to the operator operating the unlocking jig. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to set the displacement amount of the operation part large in order to ensure the displacement amount of the lock part, the protrusion amount of the operation part in the space into which the unlocking tool is inserted to unlock the locking mechanism of the connector, specifically, in the space formed by the interval between two locking mechanisms facing each other in the second direction, can be set small, and therefore, it is possible to provide a connector that prevents the protruding part from being pushed down by the unlocking tool in error, causing irregular deformation of the plate-shaped elastic member, and resulting in buckling of the elastic member. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the movement amount of the operation part required for unlocking is small, it is possible to provide a connector in which the operability of unlocking is improved compared to the conventional connector. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the hook amount of the lock part can be set large, it is possible to provide a connector that realizes a locking mechanism with higher strength more reliably. Furthermore, according to the connector device of the present invention, the posture of the unlocking tool that contacts the connector can be easily stabilized, and defects such as prying of the unlocking tool can be preferably prevented. In addition, it is possible to provide a clicking feeling to the unlocking operation by the unlocking tool. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the connector of the embodiment and a mating connector. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 1 and a mating connector. [Diagram 3] 2 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 1 and a mating connector. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 1 and a mating connector. [Diagram 5] 2 is a right side view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. 2 taken along line 6-6. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the mating connector of FIG. 4 taken along line 7-7. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a state in which the mating connector has been removed from the connector of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the mating connector of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the mating connector of the embodiment in an exploded state. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view showing the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view showing the connector of the present embodiment in an exploded state. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing an additional member that constitutes the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view showing an additional member that constitutes the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a top view showing an additional member constituting the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is a bottom view showing an additional member constituting the connector of the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a front view showing an additional member that constitutes the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the additional member of FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a right side view showing an additional member that constitutes the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing an additional member that constitutes the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the unlocking tool of the present embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a front view for explaining a method of using the unlocking tool of the present embodiment, showing a state before the mated connector and the mating connector are unlocked. In the figure, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are indicated by dashed lines. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a front view for explaining a method of using the unlocking tool of the present embodiment, showing a state in which a mated connector and a mating connector are unlocked. In the figure, a first circuit board and a second circuit board are indicated by dashed lines. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a right side view for explaining a method of using the unlocking tool of this embodiment, showing the state when the mated connector and the mating connector are unlocked. [Diagram 25] 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector, the mating connector, and the unlocking jig of FIG. 24 taken along line 25-25. [Figure 26] 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector, the mating connector, and the unlocking jig of FIG. 24 taken along line 26-26. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the unlocking tool, the connector, and the mating connector of the present embodiment, showing a perspective view of the connector and the mating connector as viewed from above. [Figure 28] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are defined, and in the drawings, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction are defined for convenience of explanation. In this specification, the first direction is the left-right direction. In the drawings, the left-right direction is indicated as the X direction. In particular, the right side is the +X direction, and the left side is the -X direction. In addition, in this specification, the second direction is the front-rear direction. In the drawings, the front-rear direction is indicated as the Y direction. In particular, the front is the +Y direction, and the rear is the -Y direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the third direction is the up-down direction. In the drawings, the up-down direction is indicated as the Z direction. In particular, the upper side is the +Z direction, and the lower side is the -Z direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the following embodiments do not limit the inventions related to each claim, and not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0020] 1 to 7, a connector 100 of the present embodiment constitutes a connector assembly 10 together with a mating connector 500. In the present embodiment, the mating connector 500 is configured as a plug connector, and the connector 100 is configured as a receptacle connector.

[0021] 1 and 8, in the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment, the mating connector 500 is engaged with or disengaged from the connector 100 by moving the mating connector 500 along a third direction (Z: up-down direction) perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction (X: left-right direction) and a second direction (Y: front-back direction) which are perpendicular to each other.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a mating connector 500 of this embodiment includes a mating housing 501, a plurality of mating terminals 505, and two mating additional members 510. The mating connector 500 includes a mating housing 501, a plurality of mating terminals 505, and two mating additional members 510.

[0023] The mating housing 501 is a member that functions as an insulator, and is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0024] The multiple mating terminals 505 are made of a conductive metal material and are formed, for example, by punching a metal plate and performing press processing or the like. The multiple mating terminals 505 of this embodiment are held by the mating housing 501 and are arranged in a direction along the left-right direction, which is the first direction. The mating housing 501 and the multiple mating terminals 505 can be integrally formed, for example, by injection molding or the like.

[0025] The two mating additional members 510 are members that are held by the mating housing 501 and are located at both ends of the mating housing 501 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction. The two additional members 510 of this embodiment are attached to the housing 501 by fitting them from below upward (in the +Z direction) into both ends of the housing 501 that has a plurality of terminals 505 integrally formed by injection molding or the like. The mating additional member 510 is formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the two mating additional members 510 of this embodiment has a lock hole 511 on the front and rear surfaces. That is, the mating connector 500 of this embodiment has a total of four lock hole portions 511, one on the front and rear surfaces of each of the left and right ends. A locking state is realized by engagement of a lock portion 123 of a locking mechanism 120 of the connector 100 described later, and the mating state of the mating connector 500 with the connector 100 can be maintained.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a connector 100 of this embodiment includes a housing 101, a plurality of terminals 105, and two additional members 110. As shown in FIG.

[0028] The housing 101 is a member that functions as an insulator, and is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0029] The multiple terminals 105 are made of a conductive metal material and are formed, for example, by punching a metal plate and performing press processing or the like. The multiple terminals 105 in this embodiment are held by the housing 101 and arranged in a direction along the left-right direction, which is the first direction. The housing 101 and the multiple terminals 105 can be integrally formed, for example, by injection molding or the like.

[0030] The two additional members 110 are members that are held by the housing 101 and are located at both ends of the housing 101 in the left-right direction, which is a first direction. In this embodiment, the two additional members 110 are attached to the housing 101 by fitting them from above downward (in the -Z direction) into both ends of the housing 101 that includes a plurality of terminals 105 that are integrally formed by injection molding or the like. The additional members 110 are formed of, for example, a metal material.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the two additional members 110 of this embodiment includes a locking mechanism 120 that realizes a locked state by engaging with four locking hole portions 511 of the mating connector 500. Two locking mechanisms 120 are provided for each of the two additional members 110. In other words, the connector 100 includes a total of four locking mechanisms 120, two on each of the left and right ends.

[0032] 13 to 20, a detailed configuration of the additional member 110 of the connector 100 having the locking mechanism 120 will be described. Note that, in Figs. 13 to 20, the additional member 110 installed on the right side of the connector 100 is shown.

[0033] 16, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes two locking mechanisms 120 positioned to face each other in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. Each of the two locking mechanisms 120 includes a spring portion 121, an extension portion 122, a locking portion 123, and an operating portion 124.

[0034] The spring portion 121 is a portion formed as a plate-like elastic member having a U-shape that is closed on the outside of the connector 100 in the left-right direction that is the first direction and open on the inside when viewed in the up-down direction that is the third direction. The spring portion 121 has an outer end portion of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction that is the second direction of the U-shape that is connected to and fixed to a portion of the additional member 110 other than the lock mechanism 120 (in this example, a bent portion 112 described later) and forms a fixed end, and an inner end portion of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction that is the second direction of the U-shape that is formed as a free end.

[0035] The extension portion 122 is a member that is continuous with an inner end portion of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion 121. The extension portion 122 is formed to extend in the left-right direction, which is the first direction, so that it can be displaced in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, by the elastic force of the spring portion 121.

[0036] The locking portion 123 is formed on the inside of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction which is the second direction of the extension portion 122. As shown in the cross-sectional shape in Fig. 7, the locking portion 123 has an inclined surface 123a formed on the upper side, and a locking surface 123b which is a flat surface facing downward which is one of the up-down directions which is the third direction. Therefore, when mating connector 500 is fitted to connector 100, as mating connector 500 is moved downward in the -Z direction relative to connector 100, the surface of mating additional member 510 of mating connector 500 slides along inclined surface 123a of locking portion 123 while pushing locking portion 123, causing extension portion 122 to be displaced outward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of connector 100, and then extension portion 122 is displaced inward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of connector 100, causing locking portion 123 to fit into locking hole portion 511 of mating additional member 510, thereby achieving a smooth engagement state by inclined surface 123a of locking portion 123. Furthermore, once the locking portion 123 is fitted into the locking hole portion 511 of the mating additional member 510, the lower locking surface 123b of the locking portion 123 faces the inner surface of the locking hole portion 155 of the mating additional member 510, and even if the mating connector 500 is moved in a direction to be removed from the connector 100 with the mating connector 500 and the connector 100 engaged with each other, the upward movement of the mating connector 500 in the vertical direction, which is the third direction, is restricted by the locking surface 123b abutting against the inner surface of the locking hole portion 511. In other words, the downward-facing locking surface 123b of the locking portion 123 restricts the movement of the mating connector 500 in the vertical direction, which is the third direction, and prevents it from being removed from the connector 100.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 16, the operation part 124 is formed between the spring part 121 and the lock part 123 in the left-right direction which is the first direction of the extension part 122, and on the inside of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction which is the second direction of the extension part 122. The operation part 124 is formed so as to be able to move between a non-release position where it is located when it is not pressed, and a release position where it is located when it is pressed toward the outside of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction which is the second direction, and is located outside the connector 100 from the non-release position in the front-rear direction which is the second direction. As for the non-release position and the release position of the operation part 124, as shown in Fig. 7, the non-release position is a state where the lock part 123 is fitted into the lock hole part 511 of the additional member 510, and the release position is a state where the lock part 123 moves from the lock hole part 511 of the additional member 510 to the left-right outside of the connector 100 and comes out of the lock hole part 511 to release the engagement state.

[0038] 13 and the like, the operation unit 124 is formed with a sliding slope 124a on the upper side. The operation unit 124 is pressed by the unlocking tool 700 described later so as to be pushed outward in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, and this pressing operation is an operation in which the pressing leg 701 of the unlocking tool 700 is pressed from an upper position in the -Z direction, which is the downward direction, against the sliding slope 124a of the operation unit 124. In this pressing operation, the pressing leg 701 applies a pressing force while sliding on the surface of the sliding slope 124a of the operation unit 124. Therefore, since the operation unit 124 has the sliding slope 124a, an operation error in which the operation unit 124 is erroneously pressed down by the pressing leg 701 is extremely unlikely to occur, and the pressing leg 701 can smoothly move the operation unit 124 from the non-released position to the released position.

[0039] In the locking mechanism 120 of this embodiment, the operating unit 124 is disposed on the side close to the U-shaped spring unit 121 of the locking mechanism 120 that functions as an elastic member, i.e., on the root side of the elastic deformation of the locking mechanism 120 where the extension unit 122 is displaced, and the locking unit 123 is disposed at the tip, so that when the operating unit 124 is pressed to move from the non-released position to the released position, the locking unit 123 that moves in conjunction with the operating unit 124 moves by a larger amount than the operating unit 124. In other words, the locking mechanism 120 of this embodiment can set the amount of displacement of the operating unit 124 smaller than that of the prior art, while ensuring the necessary amount of displacement of the locking unit 123. Therefore, when connector 100 is viewed in the third direction (up-down direction), the amount by which the non-released position of operating unit 124 protrudes toward the opposite side from the release position in terms of the direction of movement, i.e., in the example of this embodiment in FIG. 15, the dimension by which operating unit 124 protrudes inward in the second direction (front-to-back direction) from top plate 111 described below, i.e., the dimension by which operating unit 124 is exposed from top plate 111 in waiting to receive a pressing operation, can be set smaller than in the prior art.

[0040] The additional member 110 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 20 further includes a top plate 111 and a bent portion 112. As shown in FIG.

[0041] The top plate 111 is formed in a position that at least partially covers the spring portion 121 and the extension portion 122 when viewed along a downward direction, which is one of the three directions, namely the up-down direction, and is a member that is formed to have an extension parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction, which is the left-right direction, and the second direction, which is the front-back direction.

[0042] Bent portion 112 is a portion formed as a curved bent shape that connects top plate 111 to the outer end of connector 100 in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction of the U-shape that constitutes spring portion 121.

[0043] That is, the above-mentioned lock mechanism 120 is formed by connecting an outer end portion in the front-rear direction of the U-shaped spring portion 121 to the lower end of the bent portion 112 .

[0044] Further, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes a hold-down 113. As shown in Figs. 14, 17, 20, etc., the hold-down 113 is formed continuously with an end 111a formed on the inside of the connector 100 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction of the top plate 111, and is a portion formed by extending from the end 111a toward the downward direction (-Z direction), which is one of the up-down directions, which is the third direction. In the hold-down 113, a soldering portion 113a is provided at the end opposite to the connection portion with the end 111a, that is, at the lower end. For example, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, when the lower surface side of the connector 100 is placed on a second circuit board 151 arranged on the downward side, which is one of the up-down directions, which is the third direction of the connector 100, the soldering portion 113a can be soldered to the second circuit board 151. By soldering the soldering portion 113a of the hold-down 113 to the second circuit board 151, the attachment of the additional member 110, which is equipped with the locking mechanism 120 to which an upward external force is applied when attempting to remove the mating connector 500, to the second circuit board 151 becomes more secure.

[0045] Furthermore, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes a restricting portion 114. In this example, as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, 18, 20, etc., the restricting portion 114 is formed as a portion extending from the top plate 111 toward the vicinity of the extended portion 122, and includes a restricting surface 114a facing downward, which is one direction in the up-down direction (third direction). That is, the restricting surface 114a is fixed to the top plate 111 and faces downward. On the other hand, with respect to the extended portion 122, a surface of a portion of the extended portion 122 facing the restricting surface 114a is formed as a regulated surface 122a facing upward, which is the other direction of the up-down direction, which is the third direction. When the operating portion 124 is in the non-release position and no upward external force is applied to the locking mechanism 120 including the extension portion 122, the restricting surface 114a and the restricted surface 122a face each other with a gap therebetween, and when an upward external force is applied to the extension portion 122 on which the locking portion 123 is formed, for example, by forcibly removing the mating connector 500 while the locking portion 123 is still fitted into the locking hole portion 511 of the mating connector 500, the restricted surface 122a abuts against the restricting surface 114a. When the restricted surface 122a abuts against the restricting surface 114a in this way, the irregular upward movement of the extension portion 122 is strongly restricted by the restricting portion 114. That is, the restricting portion 114 is formed so that the locking mechanism 120 acts more reliably. By providing the restricting portion 114 to the additional member 110 of this embodiment, damage due to an unreasonable operation of the locking mechanism 120 can be suitably prevented.

[0046] Note that the locking portion 123 and the regulated surface 122a formed in the extension portion 122 are preferably arranged so that their positions in the X direction (left-right direction) in the extension portion 122, i.e., the first direction, at least partially overlap (see FIG. 13, etc.). The locking portion 123 to which an upward force is applied and the regulated surface 122a to which a downward force is applied by hitting the regulating surface 114a are arranged at overlapping positions in the extension direction of the extension portion 122, i.e., the X direction (first direction), thereby preventing the generation of torque or bending stress in the extension portion 122, making the action of the regulating portion 114 effective, and suitably preventing the occurrence of defects such as breakage of the locking mechanism 120.

[0047] The above describes the detailed configuration of the four lock mechanisms 120 provided in total, two for each of the two additional members 110 provided in the connector 100. Next, the operation when the mating connector 500 is mated with or removed from the connector 100 will be described.

[0048] When mating the mating connector 500 with the connector 100, as shown in Fig. 8, the mating connector 500 is moved downward in the -Z direction to fit the mating connector 500 into the connector 100. At this time, the surface of the mating additional member 510 of the mating connector 500 slides along the inclined surface 123a of the locking portion 123 while being pushed into the connector 100, so that the extension portion 122 is once displaced toward the outside in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100, and then the extension portion 122 is displaced so as to return toward the inside in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100, so that the locking portion 123 fits into the locking hole portion 511 of the additional member 510. By this operation, the engagement between the locking hole portion 511 and the locking portion 123 shown in Fig. 7 is realized, and a locked state in which the engagement between the mating connector 500 and the connector 100 is maintained is achieved.

[0049] An unlocking tool 700 is used to release the locked state between the mating connector 500 and the connector 100. The unlocking tool 700 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 21. That is, the two additional members 110 provided in the connector 100 each have two locking mechanisms 120, for a total of four locking mechanisms 120, and the total of four operating parts 124 can be simultaneously operated by this unlocking tool 700.

[0050] The unlocking tool 700 is a member having two pressing legs 701 protruding downward from the lower left and right ends in the up-down direction (Z direction) of a vertically elongated cubic member in a posture to be used with the connector assembly 10 in a state in which the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are mated with each other, as shown in Fig. 21. Each of the pressing legs 701 has a total of two pressing operation surfaces 701a facing both outside directions in the front-rear direction (Y direction). That is, the unlocking tool 700 has a total of four pressing operation surfaces 701a. The unlocking tool 700 is used by moving it in the -Z direction, which is the downward direction, from an upper position of the connector assembly 10 in a state in which the mating connector 500 is mated with the connector 100, so as to change from the state shown in Fig. 22 to the state shown in Fig. 23. 1 and 2, in the connector assembly 10, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are mated, the gap between the two locking mechanisms 120 provided on each additional member 110 so as to face each other in the front-rear direction forms a space that is open upward. Two pressing legs 701 of the unlocking tool 700 are simultaneously inserted from above into each of the two spaces that are open upward, on both sides in the left-right direction of the connector assembly 10 in the mated state. At this time, the amount of protrusion of the operation part 124 protruding into each of the spaces, more specifically, the dimension of the operation part 124 exposed from the top plate 111 toward the inside in the Y direction (front-rear direction) when viewed from above along the Z direction, is significantly smaller than that of the prior art (see FIG. 15). When the unlocking tool 700 is pressed against such a connector assembly 10 in the downward -Z direction as shown in Figure 23, the pressing operation surfaces 701a, of which two are provided on each of the two pressing legs 701 of the unlocking tool 700 (a total of four), press the operating parts 124, of which one is provided on each of the locking mechanisms 120 of the connector 100 (a total of four), in a manner that they are pushed outward in the second direction, that is, the front-to-rear direction, thereby moving each of them from the non-released position to the released position.As a result, extension portion 122 moves outward in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, so as to open with U-shaped spring portion 121 as a fulcrum, and lock portion 123, which is located farther from the fulcrum along extension portion 122 than operation portion 124, moves in conjunction with it in the same direction as operation portion 124 and by an amount of movement greater than the amount of movement of operation portion 124 from the non-released position to the released position. In the start state of this operation, i.e., the state in which connector assembly 10 is waiting for insertion of lock release tool 700, the dimension of operation portion 124 exposed from top plate 111 is small as described above, so that an operation error in which operation portion 124 or extension portion 122 is erroneously pressed down by pressing leg portion 701 is extremely unlikely to occur. 13 and 15, the exposed portion of the operation unit 124 that is exposed from the top plate 111 in a small dimension is a sliding slope 124a, so that when the pressing legs 701 of the unlocking tool 700 are pressed against this sliding slope 124a in the -Z direction, which is the downward direction from the upper position, the pressing legs 701 slide along the surface of the sliding slope 124a and press the operation unit 124 so as to spread it outward in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, so that the pressing legs 701 can smoothly move the operation unit 124 from the non-release position to the release position. Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the amount of operation (movement amount) required to move the operation unit 124 to the non-release position is small, so that the operability of unlocking is improved and lighter than that of the conventional technology. The movement of locking portion 123 described above releases the engagement of locking portion 123 that had been fitted into locking hole portion 511 of mating additional member 510, i.e., locking surface 123b no longer contacts or faces the inner surface of locking hole portion 511 in the vertical direction, and locking portion 123 is free at the top and can move upward. When the operator lifts mating connector 500 upward in the +Z direction from this state in which the engagement between locking hole portion 511 and locking portion 123 is released, i.e., from the state shown in FIG. 23, mating connector 500 can be removed from connector 100.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 24 to 27, the connector 100 of this embodiment includes three planes with different heights in the Z direction (vertical direction), that is, three planes that are perpendicular to the Z direction and face upward and have different positions in the third direction. In detail, the contact surfaces 100α and 100β are formed at a portion located below the space opened upward between the two locking mechanisms 120 facing each other in the front-rear direction of the housing 101, with different vertical heights, so that the contact surface 100α is relatively higher and the contact surface 100β is relatively lower in this example. The contact surface 100γ is configured as the upper surface of the top plate 111 of the locking mechanism 120, and is located at the highest position in the vertical direction among the three contact surfaces. On the other hand, the pressing leg portion 701 of the unlocking tool 700 of this embodiment has abutment surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ which are three flat surfaces that are all perpendicular to the Z direction and face downward and have different heights in the Z direction (up and down direction) when in the attitude in which they are to be used with respect to the connector assembly 10, i.e., different positions in the third direction.

[0052] The three contact surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ correspond to the three contacted surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ in terms of positions on the XY plane and positions (heights) in the Z direction. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 24 to 27, when the unlocking jig 700 is pressed against the connector assembly 10 to perform an unlocking operation, the three contact surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ come into surface contact with the three contacted surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ, respectively, to form three contact surfaces having different heights in the up-down direction. In this way, by providing a plurality of contact surfaces between the connector 100 receiving a pressing force from the unlocking tool 700 in the -Z direction, which is a downward direction, and the unlocking tool 700, the posture of the unlocking tool 700 in contact with the connector 100 can be stabilized, and problems such as prying of the unlocking tool 700 can be suitably prevented. In this embodiment, three abutted surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ are provided in total, two on the housing 101 of the connector 100 and one on the top plate 111, to form three contact surfaces, but in the present invention, at least two contact surfaces between the connector and the unlocking tool may be provided. When there are two contact surfaces, for example, on the side of the connector 100, two abutted surfaces having different heights may be provided on the housing 101, or one abutted surface may be provided on the housing 101 and the other abutted surface may be provided on the top plate 111.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and other figures, the additional member 110 of the connector 100 is provided with a sliding portion 116 that is connected to the top plate 111 and extends downward (-Z direction). The sliding portion 116 is formed with a connector-side sliding surface 116a, which is a flat surface parallel to the up-down direction (Z direction) that slides with the unlocking tool 700 when the unlocking tool 700 is inserted. The connector-side sliding surface 116a is perpendicular to the X direction and faces outward in the X direction, i.e., the left-right direction of the connector 100. The sliding portion 116 has elasticity that allows it to deform in a direction perpendicular to the connector-side sliding surface 116a, i.e., the X direction, while being fixed to the top plate 111. The connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115 is formed on the connector-side sliding surface 116a as a convex portion that protrudes from the connector-side sliding surface 116a in this embodiment. 21 and 25, pressing leg 701 of unlocking jig 700 is provided with a jig-side sliding surface 701b that is perpendicular to the X direction and faces inward in the X direction, i.e., the left-right direction of connector 100, when pressing leg 701 is inserted from above into the gap between two locking mechanisms 120 facing each other in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figures 21, 24 and 25, jig-side sliding surface 701b has a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 formed as a recess formed in jig-side sliding surface 701b in this embodiment, or more specifically, as a through-hole that penetrates pressing leg 701 perpendicularly from jig-side sliding surface 701b in this example.

[0054] When the unlocking jig 700 is moved downward (in the -Z direction) relative to the connector assembly 10 to perform the unlocking operation, as can be seen from FIG. 25, the jig-side sliding surface 701b and the connector-side sliding surface 116a are in surface contact with each other and slide while the unlocking jig 700 advances downward (in the -Z direction). As a result of this sliding, as shown in FIG. 25, the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115, which is a convex portion, enters the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705, which is a concave portion, and at this time, a clicking sensation is generated as a light impact due to the elasticity of the sliding portion 116. That is, the operator who operates the unlocking jig 700 can receive a clicking sensation as a representation that the unlocking jig 700 is sufficiently pressed against the connector assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 25, the operation portion 124 has moved, and the unlocking has been achieved. It is preferable that the convex portion of the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115 and the concave portion of the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 are formed so that there is an appropriate amount of play in the Z direction when the convex portion enters the concave portion. In this example, the recess of the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 is formed as a through hole, but the recess may be formed as a recessed hole in the jig-side sliding surface 701b. Furthermore, the protrusions and recesses may be interchanged, and the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion may be formed as a recess, and the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion may be formed as a protrusion.

[0055] 23, when used with the connector assembly 10, it is preferable that the unlocking tool 700 of this embodiment has an outer shape that does not extend beyond the outer shape of the connector assembly 10 when viewed in the third direction, that is, the up-down direction. By making the outer shape of the unlocking tool 700 have dimensions that do not extend beyond the outer shape of the connector assembly 10, it is possible to avoid interference with other components installed on the board, for example, and this can contribute to improved operability.

[0056] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0057] For example, the connector assembly 10 consisting of the mating connector 500 and connector 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment is particularly useful when used as a board-to-board connector that electrically connects a first circuit board 551 on which the mating connector 500 is mounted and a second circuit board 151 on which the connector 100 is mounted, as shown in Figures 22 and 23.

[0058] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration was adopted in which mating connector 500 was configured as a plug connector, connector 100 was configured as a receptacle connector, and locking mechanism 120 was installed on connector 100. However, the connector may be either a plug connector or a receptacle connector as long as the locking mechanism according to the present invention exerts the same effects as in the above-described embodiment. Also, in the present invention, the mating connector and the connector include all types of connectors.

[0059] It will be apparent from the description of the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Connector assembly 100 Connectors 101 Housing 105 Multiple Terminals 110 Additional parts 111 Tabletop 111a End 112 Bending part 113 Hold Down 113a Soldering section 114 Regulatory Department 114a Regulatory aspects 115 Connector side operation feeling imparting portion (convex portion) 116 Sliding part 116a Connector side sliding surface 120 Locking mechanism 121 Spring part 122 Extension 122a Regulated surface 123 Rock Club 123a Slope 123b Lock surface 124 Operation section 124a Sliding slope 151 Second circuit board (board) 100α Abutted surface 100β Abutted surface 100γ Abutted surface 500 Mating Connector 501 Mating housing 505 Multiple mating terminals 510 Additional parts on the other side 511 Lock hole 551 First circuit board (board) 700 Unlocking tool 701 Pressing leg 701a Press operation surface 701b Jig side sliding surface 705 Jig side operation feeling imparting part (concave) 700α contact surface 700β Contact surface 700γ Contact surface

Claims

1. A connector in which a mating connector is mated or removed by moving the mating connector along a third direction perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other, The connector includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, and two additional members. The plurality of terminals are held by the housing and are arranged in a direction along the first direction, the two additional members are held by the housing and are located at both ends of the housing in the first direction, Each of the two additional members includes two locking mechanisms positioned to face each other in the second direction, Each of the two locking mechanisms includes a spring portion, an extension portion, a locking portion, and an operating portion, the spring portion is a plate-like elastic member having a U-shape that is closed on the outside of the connector in the first direction and open on the inside of the connector when viewed in the third direction, the outer end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction being formed as a fixed end, and the inner end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction being formed as a free end, the extension portion is formed so as to be continuous with an inner end portion of the connector in the second direction, the inner end portion being formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion, and to extend in the first direction, so that the extension portion is capable of being displaced in the second direction by the elastic force of the spring portion; the locking portion has a locking surface formed on an inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion and facing one of the third directions, the operating portion is formed at a position between the spring portion and the locking portion in the first direction of the extension portion and on an inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion, the operation unit is movable between a non-release position and a release position located on the outer side of the connector in the second direction relative to the non-release position when the operation unit is pressed toward the outer side of the connector in the second direction, A connector characterized in that when the operating portion moves from the non-release position to the release position, the locking portion, which moves in conjunction with the operating portion, moves with a larger amount of movement in the second direction than the operating portion.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, Each of the two additional members further includes a top plate and a folding portion, the top plate is formed at a position that at least partially covers the spring portion and the extension portion when viewed along the one of the third directions, and has an extension that is parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, A connector characterized in that the bent portion is formed as a curved bent shape that connects the outer end of the connector in the second direction of the U-shape that constitutes the spring portion and the top plate.

3. 3. The connector of claim 2, Each of the two additional members further includes a hold-down; The hold-down is continuous with an end portion of the top plate formed on an inner side of the connector in the first direction and extends from the end portion toward the one side of the third direction, and further The hold-down has a soldering portion at an end opposite to the end connected to the end of the hold-down, A connector characterized in that, when the connector is placed on a board arranged on the side facing one of the third directions, the soldering portion can be soldered to the board.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3, Each of the two additional members further includes a restricting portion, The regulating portion has a regulating surface that is fixed to the top plate and faces the one direction in the third direction, The extension portion has a regulated surface facing the other direction of the third direction, When the operation portion is in the non-release position, the regulating surface faces the regulated surface in the third direction, A connector characterized in that movement of the locking portion in the other direction in the third direction is restricted by the regulated surface abutting against the regulating surface in the third direction.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, A connector characterized in that the locking portion and the regulated surface at least partially overlap each other in the first direction of the extension portion.

6. A connector device comprising the connector according to claim 1 and an unlocking tool, the connector has at least two abutment surfaces on the housing or the additional member on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other direction of the third directions, the positions of the abutment surfaces being different from each other in the third direction, the unlocking tool includes two pressing legs that can be inserted into a gap between the two locking mechanisms that are positioned to face each other in the second direction and that are provided on each of the two additional members by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions, each of the pressing legs is positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and has two pressing operation surfaces that can move each of the two operation parts of the two locking mechanisms from the non-release position to the release position by the insertion of the pressing legs; a connector device characterized in that each of the pressing legs is a plane that is perpendicular to the third direction, faces the one direction, and has different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and further has at least two abutment surfaces that abut against the at least two abutted surfaces respectively upon insertion.

7. A connector device comprising the connector according to claim 2 and an unlocking tool, the connector has at least two abutment surfaces on the housing or the top plate on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other direction of the third directions, the positions of the abutment surfaces being different from each other in the third direction, the unlocking tool includes two pressing legs that can be inserted into a gap between the two locking mechanisms that are positioned to face each other in the second direction and that are provided on each of the two additional members by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions, each of the pressing legs is positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and has two pressing operation surfaces that can move each of the two operation parts of the two locking mechanisms from the non-release position to the release position by the insertion of the pressing legs; a connector device characterized in that each of the pressing legs is a plane that is perpendicular to the third direction, faces the one direction, and has different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and further has at least two abutment surfaces that abut against the at least two abutted surfaces respectively upon insertion.

8. 8. The connector device according to claim 6 or 7, each of the two additional members of the connector has a connector-side sliding surface that is a plane perpendicular to the first direction and facing an outside of the connector in the first direction and is elastically displaceable in the first direction, and a connector-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the connector-side sliding surface; each of the pressing legs of the unlocking jig has a jig-side sliding surface which is a plane perpendicular to the first direction and facing the inside of the connector in the first direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the jig-side sliding surface, This connector device is characterized in that when the pressing leg portion is inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms so that the at least two abutted surfaces abut against the at least two abutting surfaces, the connector side operation feeling imparting portion and the jig side operation feeling imparting portion to each other, thereby imparting an operation feeling to the operator operating the unlocking jig.

Images