Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of suppressing a contact failure due to heat.SOLUTION: In a receptacle connector 1, a pair of elastic beam part 11b each comprises: a first arm part 41 that is extended in a direction along a main surface so as to be opposite to an outer peripheral side surface of a side wall part 10b from one end as a connection end; and a second arm part 42 which is extended in a U-character shape while holding the side wall part 10b from the one end connected to the other end of the first arm part 41, and provided with a contact part 42a coming ingo elastic contact with a plug connector at a part along an inter peripheral side surface of the side wall part 10b. The pair of elastic beam parts 11b are arranged while holding the plug connector with the contact parts 42a of each of them. When holding the plug connector, both the arm parts 41 of the pair of elastic beam parts 11b are deformed in a direction separated from each other, and a tip end of the second arm part 42 come into contact with a receptacle housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a first connector and a second connector that fit together to connect circuit boards. A first reinforcing metal fitting attached to the first connector has an elastic contact arm. When the first reinforcing metal fitting is fitted to the second connector, the contact arm is displaced and elastically contacts a side cover of the second reinforcing metal fitting in the second connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-64766 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the first connector disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the lower end portion located close to the contact arm portion is connected to the board, so that the stress generated in the first reinforcing metal fitting due to the displacement of the contact arm portion is concentrated in the displaceable portion, i.e., the side wall outer cover portion and the side wall upper cover portion that connect the contact arm portion and the lower end portion. In this state, if the first reinforcing metal fitting is exposed to a high-temperature environment (e.g., 125°C) for a long period of time (e.g., 1000 hours), the heat causes rapid stress relaxation in the side wall outer cover portion and the side wall upper cover portion. As the stress relaxation progresses, the contact pressure of the contact arm portion to the side cover portion decreases, and the contact between the first reinforcing metal fitting and the second reinforcing metal fitting is no longer maintained, which may cause poor contact between the two fittings. In particular, when the first reinforcing metal fitting and the second reinforcing metal fitting are used as power terminals, the current flows for a long period of time compared to signal terminals, so that heat generation is likely to cause poor conduction between the two fittings.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a connector that can suppress the occurrence of poor contact due to heat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention comprises: A connector that is mounted on a main surface of a substrate and can be mated with a mating connector with a mating direction being a normal direction to the main surface, A housing having insulating properties; a fixing metal for fixing the housing to the substrate; The housing includes: A bottom surface portion disposed opposite the main surface; a side wall portion provided upright on at least a part of an outer periphery of the bottom surface portion as viewed from the fitting direction, The fixed metal is A main body portion fixed to the side wall portion; a pair of elastic beam portions that are cantilevered elastic plate-like members extending from a connection end connected to the main body portion and that are bent and extend along the side wall portion so as to face the side wall portion; The pair of elastic beam portions are a first arm portion extending from the one end that is the connection end in a direction along the main surface while facing an outer peripheral side surface of the side wall portion; a second arm portion extending in a U-shape from one end connected to the other end of the first arm portion so as to sandwich the side wall portion, and having a contact portion provided along an inner peripheral side surface of the side wall portion, the second arm portion being in elastic contact with the mating connector; The pair of elastic beam portions are arranged so as to sandwich the mating connector with their respective contact portions, and when the mating connector is sandwiched, the first arms of the pair of elastic beam portions are displaced in directions away from each other, and the tips of the second arms abut against the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the occurrence of poor contact due to heat can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector pair according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1A is an exploded perspective view of an end portion of a receptacle connector, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an end portion of a receptacle connector. [Figure 4] 4A is a top view of the end portion of the receptacle connector when the elastic beam portion is not elastically deformed, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] 1A is a top view of an end portion of a receptacle connector in a state in which an elastic beam portion is elastically deformed, and FIG. [Figure 6] 1A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a receptacle housing, and FIG. 1B is a view showing a state in which a receptacle fixing metal is fixed to the receptacle housing of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a connector pair. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a first modified example of a receptacle fixing metal. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a second modified example of the receptacle fixing metal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] [Connector pair] As shown in Fig. 1, a connector pair 100 according to this embodiment includes a receptacle connector 1 and a plug connector 2. The receptacle connector 1 is mounted on a main surface 3a of a first substrate 3, and the plug connector 2 is mounted on a main surface 4a of a second substrate 4. In Fig. 1, the second substrate 4 is illustrated as being transparent so that the plug connector 2 can be seen. The main surface 4a of the second substrate 4 faces the -Z direction, and the plug connector 2 is mounted on the main surface 4a facing the -Z direction.

[0011] The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 can be fitted to each other when they are arranged so that the main surface 3a of the first board 3 and the main surface 4a of the second board 4 face each other. The receptacle connector 1 can be fitted to the plug connector 2 with the normal direction of the main surface 3a being the fitting direction.

[0012] In this embodiment, the description will be based on the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As shown in FIG. 1, the main surface 3a of the first substrate 3 is parallel to the XY plane. The receptacle connector 1 is mounted on the main surface 3a so that its longitudinal direction is along the X-axis direction. Among the directions perpendicular to the X-axis direction, the direction along the main surface 3a is the Y-axis direction, and the normal direction of the main surface 3a, i.e., the mating direction, is the Z-axis direction. In the description of the receptacle connector 1, the +Z direction is appropriately referred to as the "up" direction and the -Z direction is appropriately referred to as the "down" direction.

[0013] [Receptacle connector] First, a description will be given of the configuration of the receptacle connector 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the receptacle connector 1 includes an insulating receptacle housing 10, a pair of conductive receptacle fixing metals 11 that fix the receptacle housing 10 to the first board 3, and a plurality of conductive receptacle terminals 12 that transmit electrical signals, etc.

[0014] [Receptacle housing] The receptacle housing 10 is a member molded from an insulating material. The insulating material is, for example, but not limited to, resin. The receptacle housing 10 forms the base of the receptacle connector 1. The receptacle housing 10 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed in the mating direction, with the X-axis direction being the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The receptacle housing 10 includes a bottom portion 10a that forms the bottom surface of the receptacle housing 10, and a side wall portion 10b that forms the side wall of the receptacle housing 10. The bottom portion 10a is disposed to face the main surface 3a, i.e., to oppose the main surface 3a. The side wall portion 10b is provided upright along the outer periphery of the bottom portion 10a when viewed from the fitting direction. In this embodiment, the bottom portion 10a is rectangular when viewed from the fitting direction, and therefore the shape of the side wall portion 10b when viewed from the fitting direction is a rectangular ring shape.

[0016] The bottom surface portion 10a and the side wall portion 10b form a recess 10c in the receptacle housing 10 that opens in the opposite direction to the main surface 3a in the mating direction. In this embodiment, a land portion 10d is provided in the center of the recess 10c of the receptacle housing 10, which also protrudes in the opposite direction to the main surface 3a in the mating direction. When viewed from the mating direction, the shape of the land portion 10d is rectangular. Due to the land portion 10d, the shape of the recess 10c when viewed from the mating direction is rectangular and annular.

[0017] In addition, a pair of portions of the side wall portion 10b extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10 are also referred to as long wall portions 15. The upper surface portions (top portions) of the long wall portions 15 extend in the X-axis direction, and the pair of long wall portions 15 face each other in the lateral direction (Y-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10. In addition, a pair of portions of the side wall portion 10b connecting one ends of the pair of long wall portions 15 and the other ends of the pair of long wall portions 15 are also referred to as end wall portions 14. The upper surface portions (top portions) of the end wall portions 14 extend in the Y-axis direction, and the pair of end wall portions 14 face each other in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10.

[0018] The side wall portion 10b is formed by the pair of end wall portions 14 and a pair of long wall portions 15. When viewed from the fitting direction, a pair of insertion holes 16 that open upward are provided on the upper surface (top) of the end wall portion 14 at positions near the center of the receptacle housing 10, as shown in FIG.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3(A), a groove 10e is recessed at the end of the long wall 15 of the receptacle housing 10. The groove 10e extends in a strip shape from the top of the long wall 15 downward from the inner peripheral side surface. As shown in FIG. 3(B), a part of the receptacle fixing metal 11 (the second arm 42) is inserted into the groove 10e. As shown in FIG. 4(A), FIG. 4(B), FIG. 5(A), FIG. 5(B), FIG. 6(A) and FIG. 6(B), a through hole 10f continuous with the groove 10e is provided in the bottom surface 10a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the groove 10e has a wide portion 10e1 in which the width in the X-axis direction gradually increases toward the through hole 10f, in a position near the through hole 10f. A part of the edge forming the wide portion 10e1 is a pair of steps 10g facing the through hole 10f. The pair of steps 10g are inclined surfaces spaced apart from each other toward the through hole 10f. The groove 10e, the through hole 10f, and the steps 10g will be described in detail later.

[0020] [Receptacle fixing metal] 2, a pair of receptacle fixing metals 11 are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10. The receptacle fixing metals 11 are conductive, and are formed by bending a metal piece cut out from a flat metal plate.

[0021] 3(A) and 3(B), the receptacle fixing metal 11 is formed by bending a metal plate. The receptacle fixing metal 11 includes a main body 11a that fixes the receptacle housing 10 to the first board 3, and a pair of elastic beams 11b extending from the main body 11a.

[0022] [Main body] The main body 11a is fixed to the side wall 10b. Specifically, the main body 11a is fixed to end wall portions 14 of the side wall 10b that are located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10. As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the main body 11a includes a cover portion 30 and a pair of insertion pieces 31.

[0023] The cover portion 30 extends in the Y-axis direction so as to cover the upper surface (top) of the end wall portion 14 along the upper surface. The insertion piece 31 is connected to an edge portion of the cover portion 30 extending in the Y-axis direction that is closer to the center of the receptacle housing 10 when viewed from the fitting direction. The insertion piece 31 is bent downward at a portion connected to the edge portion of the cover portion 30 and protrudes downward. The insertion pieces 31 are each inserted into the insertion holes 16 of the end wall portion 14. As a result, the main body portion 11a of the receptacle fixing metal 11 is fixed to the receptacle housing 10.

[0024] The main body 11a includes a pair of side portions 32 connected to the cover 30, and a board connection portion 33 connected to the first board 3. The pair of side portions 32 are bent downward at both ends of the cover 30 in the Y-axis direction, and extend downward along the side surface of the end wall 14 of the receptacle housing 10 in the Y-axis direction. The board connection portion 33 is continuous with the -Z direction end of the side portion 32, and is provided so as to contact the main surface 3a of the first board 3. The board connection portion 33 is soldered to an electrode 3b (see FIG. 4(B)) formed on the main surface 3a of the first board 3. The main body 11a has a shape that straddles the end wall 14 in the Y-axis direction, and is connected to the first board 3 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. In this manner, both ends of the receptacle housing 10 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) are fixed to the first board 3 by the main body 11a.

[0025] [Elastic beam] As shown in FIG. 3(A) and FIG. 3(B), the pair of elastic beams 11b are cantilever elastic plate-like members connected to the main body 11a. The pair of elastic beams 11b are connected to the edge of the side surface 32 of the main body 11a that extends downward, and is closer to the center of the receptacle housing 10, as viewed in the Y-axis direction. The part of each of the pair of elastic beams 11b that is connected to the side surface 32 is defined as a connection end E. The pair of elastic beams 11b protrude from the connection end E in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the receptacle housing 10 along the outer peripheral side surface of the long wall 15. As described later, the elastic beams 11b have a shape that is bent at multiple points. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the plate thickness direction of the elastic beams 11b is along the Y-axis direction from the connection end E as the base end to a tip end 42b described later, and faces the direction of the side wall 10b (long wall 15). That is, the pair of elastic beam portions 11b are bent and extend along the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15) so as to face the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15) in the plate thickness direction.

[0026] The elastic beam portion 11b includes a first arm portion 41 and a second arm portion 42. The first arm portion 41 protrudes from one end, which is a connection end E, so as to extend in a direction along the main surface 3a and face the outer peripheral side surface of the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15). The second arm portion 42 is connected to the other end of the first arm portion 41. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the second arm portion 42 has a long wall outer covering portion 42e connected to the other end of the first arm portion 41 and facing the outer peripheral side surface of the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15), and a long wall upper covering portion 42d continuous therewith and facing the top of the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15). The second arm 42 extends in a U-shape from a long wall covering portion 42e connected to the other end of the first arm 41 to a tip portion 42b, straddling and sandwiching the side wall 10b (long wall 15).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B), the elastic beam portion 11b is separated from the side wall portion 10b (long wall portion 15) of the receptacle housing 10 via a gap G, and is supported only by the main body portion 11a. As shown in FIG. 4(A), a gap G is provided between the outer peripheral side surface of the long wall portion 15 and the first arm portion 41 facing the outer peripheral side surface of the long wall portion 15, and as shown in FIG. 4(B), a gap G is provided between the long wall portion 15 and the second arm portion 42 facing the long wall portion 15. These gaps G allow the elastic beam portion 11b to be elastically deformed, and the second arm portion 42 to be displaced in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 4(B), the tip of the second arm portion 42, where the long wall upper covering portion 42d is extended along the groove portion 10e, is the tip portion 42b as a free end. The tip portion 42b enters the through hole 10f of the receptacle housing 10. On the other hand, when not mated with the plug connector 2, the tip portion 42b of the second arm portion 42 does not contact the inner circumferential wall of the through hole 10f.

[0028] 5(A) and 5(B) show the state of the receptacle connector 1 mated with the plug connector 2. Note that the plug connector 2 is omitted in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B). When the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), the second arm 42 comes into contact with the plug fixing metal 21 (described later; see FIG. 8(A)) of the plug connector 2, and the first arm 41 and the second arm 42 are displaced parallel to the Y-axis along the Y-axis direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(A), in the pair of elastic beams 11b, the first arm 41 is displaced in the Y-axis direction with the connection end E, which is one end, as a fulcrum such that the other ends are separated from each other. Due to this displacement, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the second arm 42 is displaced to be separated from each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3(A) to 5(B), in the second arm portion 42, between the long-wall covering portion 42d and the tip portion 42b, a contact portion 42a that elastically contacts with the plug fixing metal 21 of the plug connector 2 is provided. As shown in Figures 4(B) and 5(B), the contact portion 42a has a shape that is bent into a mountain shape that protrudes in a direction away from the surface of the groove portion 10e.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3(A) to Fig. 5(B), the pair of elastic beams 11b are arranged to sandwich the plug connector 2 with the contact parts 42a arranged opposite each other, as described below, and the contact parts 42a are arranged opposite each other in the Y-axis direction. When the plug connector 2 is sandwiched, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the force received from the plug connector 2 causes the tip part 42b of the second arm 42 to contact the inner peripheral side surface (surface of the groove part 10e) of the long wall part 15 of the receptacle housing 10, and this contact point becomes a fulcrum together with the connection end E, and the elastic beam part 11b is elastically deformed. This elastic deformation of the elastic beam part 11b can increase the contact pressure with the plug fixing metal 21 in the plug connector 2.

[0031] 3(A), 4(B), and 5(B), the tip 42b of the second arm 42 is a wide tip 42b whose width in the direction along the inner peripheral side surface and main surface 3a of the sidewall 10b (X-axis direction) is wider than that of the contact portion 42a. When the wide tip 42b is displaced upward, the upper surface of the wide tip 42b (the upper surface protruding from the contact portion 42a) comes into contact with a step 10g provided on the sidewall 10b (long wall 15) of the receptacle housing 10. This limits the displacement of the wide tip 42b in the direction away from the bottom surface 10a (+Z direction).

[0032] As shown in Figures 4(B), 5(B) and 6(B) and as described above, the bottom surface 10a of the receptacle housing 10 is provided with a through hole 10f into which the wide tip portion 42b fits. Since the wide tip portion 42b is surrounded by the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 10f, the displacement in the XY plane is limited. In addition, when the wide tip portion 42b is displaced downward significantly, the wide tip portion 42b abuts against the main surface 3a of the first board 3 through the through hole 10f. As a result, the wide tip portion 42b abutting against the main surface 3a supports the contact portion 42a that displaces downward accompanying the plug connector 2 when mated with the plug connector 2. As a result, since the long wall outer covering portion 42e is displaced upward while the contact portion 42a is displaced toward the bottom portion 10a, torsional deformation in which the entire second arm portion 42 is twisted so as to rotate around the X-axis (see the dotted line in Figure 4(B)) can be prevented.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 3(A) to 5(B), the second arm 42 is provided with a guide slope 42c between a long-wall covering portion 42d along the top of the side wall portion 10b and the contact portion 42a, for guiding the plug connector 2 to a mating position. In the pair of elastic beam portions 11b, the guide slopes 42c face each other so as to approach each other toward the bottom surface portion 10a. When mating the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2, the plug fixing metal 21 of the plug connector 2 is brought into contact with the pair of guide slopes 42c, thereby guiding the plug connector 2 to the center of the receptacle connector 1 in the Y-axis direction. This makes it possible to correct any misalignment between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 and align them.

[0034] [Receptacle terminal] The multiple receptacle terminals 12 are conductive and formed by bending metal pieces cut out from a flat metal plate. As shown in Fig. 2, the multiple receptacle terminals 12 are arranged in the X-axis direction, and two rows of the receptacle terminals 12 are lined up in the Y-axis direction. The receptacle terminals 12 are connected one-to-one by soldering to electrodes 3c (see Fig. 8(B)) formed on the main surface 3a of the first substrate 3.

[0035] [Plug connector] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the plug connector 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the plug connector 2 includes an insulating plug housing 20, a pair of plug fixing metals 21 that are conductive and fix the plug housing 20 to the first board 3, and a plurality of conductive plug terminals 22 that transmit electric signals and the like.

[0036] [Plug housing] The plug housing 20 is a member molded from an insulating material containing, for example, resin. The plug housing 20 forms a base of the plug connector 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the plug housing 20 has a protrusion 20a that protrudes in the mating direction. The shape of the protrusion 20a as viewed from the mating direction is a rectangular ring similar to the annular recess 10c of the receptacle connector 1, and its size is slightly smaller than that of the recess 10c. The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated with each other by fitting the protrusion 20a into the recess 10c.

[0037] [Plug fixing metal] 7, a pair of plug fixing metals 21 are disposed at both ends in the X-axis direction of the plug connector 2. The plug fixing metals 21 are conductive and are formed by bending a metal piece cut out from a flat metal plate.

[0038] The plug fixing metal 21 extends in the Y-axis direction so as to cover the top of the protrusion 20a of the plug housing 20, and is fixed to the plug housing 20 at this portion. The plug fixing metal 21 also bends and extends from both ends in the Y-axis direction toward the first substrate 3, and is connected by soldering to the electrodes 4b (see FIG. 8(A)) on the main surface 4a of the second substrate 4. In this way, the plug fixing metal 21 fixes the plug housing 20 to the second substrate 4 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0039] When the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 1 are mated, the plug fixing metal 21 comes into contact with the receptacle fixing metal 11. Specifically, when the plug connector 2 and the receptacle connector 1 are mated, the side surfaces of the plug fixing metal 21 facing the +Y direction and the -Y direction come into contact with the contact portions 42a of the pair of elastic beam portions 11b of the receptacle fixing metal 11. As a result, the plug fixing metal 21 is sandwiched between the pair of elastic beam portions 11b.

[0040] [Plug terminal] The multiple plug terminals 22 are conductive and are formed, for example, by bending a metal piece cut out from a flat metal plate. The multiple plug terminals 22 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plug housing 20, and two rows of the plug terminals 22 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. Each of the plug terminals 22 is connected by soldering to an electrode 4c (see FIG. 8(B)) formed on the main surface 4a of the second substrate 4. When the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated, the receptacle terminals 12 and the plug terminals 22 come into contact with each other in a one-to-one relationship.

[0041] [Mating Operation] Next, the operation of the connector pair 100 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the mating operation of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 will be described. In this mating operation, as shown in FIG. 1, the main surface 3a of the first substrate 3 and the main surface 4a of the second substrate 4 are opposed to each other. The second substrate 4 is moved toward the first substrate 3 along the Z-axis direction to bring the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 closer to each other, and then the two are brought into contact with each other. Next, the second substrate 4 is moved arbitrarily on the XY plane.

[0042] At this time, the plug fixing metal 21 comes into contact with the pair of guide inclined surfaces 42c of the second arm portion 42 of the receptacle fixing metal 11 and slides on the inclined surfaces, so that the guide inclined surfaces 42c guide the plug connector 2 to the mating position in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the recess 10c and the protrusion 20a are aligned to a position where they are mated with each other. Thereafter, the second board 4 is pressed downward (in the -Z direction) so that the protrusion 20a enters the recess 10c. When the protrusion 20a enters the recess 10c and the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated, the plug fixing metal 21 comes into contact with the pair of contact portions 42a as shown in FIG. 8(A), and the receptacle fixing metal 11 holds the plug fixing metal 21 by the elastic force of the pair of elastic beam portions 11b. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5(A) and Fig. 5(B), in the pair of elastic beams 11b, the first arms 41 and the second arms 42 are displaced in the direction away from each other in the Y-axis direction with the connection end E as a fulcrum. Also, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the wide tip 42b of the second arm 42 contacts the inner peripheral side surface (surface of the groove 10e) of the long wall portion 15 in the receptacle housing 10 and the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 10f. Since the contact point and the connection end E serve as fulcrums, the stress caused by the elastic deformation of the elastic beams 11b is not concentrated at one point, but is dispersed to two points, the abutting point and the connection end E. As a result, even if the connector pair 100 is exposed to a high-temperature environment for a long time, the receptacle fixing metal 11 does not undergo stress relaxation. Therefore, the contact pressure of the elastic beams 11b against the plug fixing metal 21 does not decrease, and the contact between the receptacle fixing metal 11 and the plug fixing metal 21 can be maintained. This prevents poor contact between the two fixed metals, and even when the two fixed metals are used as power terminals, which are electrically conductive for longer periods of time than signal terminals, poor conductivity due to a decrease in contact pressure is less likely to occur.

[0043] 8(A) and 8(B) show the mated state of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2. As described above, the stress caused by the elastic deformation of the elastic beam portion 11b is dispersed to at least two places, so that even if the connector pair 100 is used in a vibrating environment, the stress is not relaxed, and the vibration is absorbed by the elastic beam portion 11b, so that the contact pressure between the receptacle fixing metal 11 and the plug fixing metal 21 can be kept constant.

[0044] The electrode 3b, the receptacle fixing metal 11, the plug fixing metal 21, and the electrode 4b are electrically connected to one another and can therefore be used as a power supply line or a ground line between the first board 3 and the second board 4.

[0045] During mating, the downward pressing force applied to the second board 4 causes the guide slope 42c, contact portion 42a, and tip portion 42b (wide tip portion 42b) of the second arm portion 42 to be displaced downward along with the movement of the plug fixing metal 21. At this time, the tip portion 42b abuts against the second board 4 through the through hole 10f to support the second arm portion 42, so that the second arm portion 42 is not displaced beyond the range in which it can be elastically displaced in the mating direction. As a result, the second arm portion 42 does not undergo plastic deformation. Furthermore, since the elastic beam portions 11b of the receptacle fixing metal 11 are elastically deformable in directions away from each other along the Y-axis direction, the second arm portion 42 does not undergo the aforementioned torsional deformation even if the guide slope 42c, contact portion 42a, and tip portion 42b are displaced downward during mating, despite the fact that the lower end of the long-wall outer covering portion 42e of the second arm portion 42 is not connected or fixed to the main surface 3a.

[0046] [Transmission operation] Next, the transmission operation in the connector pair 100 will be described. When the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the receptacle fixing metal 11 and the plug fixing metal 21 come into contact with each other, and the electrode 3b of the first board 3 and the electrode 4b of the second board 4 are electrically connected. This enables the transmission of power between the first board 3 and the second board 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the receptacle terminal 12 and the plug terminal 22 come into contact with each other, and the electrode 3c of the first board 3 and the electrode 4c of the second board 4 are electrically connected. This enables the transmission of signals between the first board 3 and the second board 4. Note that at least a portion of the receptacle terminal 12 and the plug terminal 22 may transmit power.

[0047] [Removal operation] Next, the operation of releasing the mating between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2, that is, when removing them, will be described. The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 can be removed from each other along the mating direction (+Z direction). When removing the plug connector 2 from the receptacle connector 1, the contact portion 42a of the second arm portion 42 is pulled by the upward movement of the plug fixing metal 21 and displaced upward. At this time, if the tip (tip portion 42b) of the second arm portion 42 is the wide tip portion 42b, the wide tip portion 42b displaces upward in association with the contact portion 42a displaced upward and abuts against the step 10g, so that the second arm portion 42 is restricted from being displaced excessively upward. As a result, the second arm portion 42 is not displaced beyond the range in which it can be elastically displaced in the mating direction, and plastic deformation of the second arm portion 42 during removal is prevented.

[0048] The shape of the pair of elastic beams 11b is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3(A). For example, the shape of the pair of elastic beams 11b may be the shape shown in FIG. 9. In the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 9, the shape of the second arm 42 is different from that of the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 3(A). In the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 3(A), the width of the first arm 41 in the Z-axis direction gradually narrows from the connection end E toward the second arm 42. In contrast, the width of the first arm 41 in the Z-axis direction of the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 9 is constant from the connection end E toward the second arm 42, and is wider than the width of the first arm 41 in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 3(A). As a result, the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 9 can make the first arm 41 less likely to be displaced compared to the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 3(A), and therefore the contact pressure between the contact portion 42a and the plug fixing metal 21 can be increased.

[0049] The shape of the pair of elastic beams 11b may be the shape shown in FIG. 10. In the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 10, the shape of the second arm 42 is different from that of the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 3(A). The width of the first arm 41 of the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 10 in the Z-axis direction gradually narrows from the connection end E toward the second arm 42, similar to the first arm 41 shown in FIG. 3(A). In the first arm 41 shown in FIG. 3(A), the lower edge is parallel to the main surface 3a from the connection end E toward the second arm 42, while the upper edge approaches the main surface 3a. In contrast, in the first arm 41 of the elastic beam 11b shown in FIG. 10, the upper edge is parallel to the main surface 3a, while the lower edge gradually moves away from the main surface 3a from the connection end E toward the second arm 42. Due to the difference in the shape of the first arm 41, the length in the Z-axis direction of the long-wall covering portion 42e of the second arm 42 shown in Fig. 10 is shorter than the length shown in Fig. 3(A). As a result, the contact pressure between the contact portion 42a of the elastic beam 11b shown in Fig. 10 and the plug fixing metal 21 can be made smaller than that of the elastic beam 11b shown in Fig. 3(A).

[0050] In this way, the shape of the pair of elastic beams 11b can be appropriately changed according to the desired elastic force to be applied to the pair of elastic beams 11b. By changing the shape of the pair of elastic beams 11b, it is possible to adjust the contact pressure between the pair of elastic beams 11b and the plug fixing metal 21 to an appropriate value.

[0051] As described above in detail, the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration and effects.

[0052] (1) The receptacle connector 1 comprises an insulating receptacle housing 10 and a receptacle fixing metal 11 that fixes the receptacle housing 10 to the first board 3. The receptacle housing 10 comprises a bottom surface 10a disposed opposite the main surface 3a of the first board 3, and a side wall portion 10b erected on at least a part of the outer periphery of the bottom surface 10a when viewed from the fitting direction. The receptacle fixing metal 11 comprises a main body portion 11a fixed to the side wall portion 10b, and a pair of elastic beam portions 11b which are cantilevered elastic plate-like members extending from a connection end E connected to the main body portion 11a and which extend while bending along the side wall portion 10b so as to face the side wall portion 10b.

[0053] Each of the pair of elastic beam portions 11b includes a first arm portion 41 extending from one end, which is the connection end E, in a direction along the main surface 3a facing the outer peripheral side surface of the side wall portion 10b, and a second arm portion 42 extending in a U-shape from one end connected to the other end of the first arm portion 41 so as to sandwich the side wall portion 10b, and having a contact portion 42a that elastically contacts the plug connector 2 provided in a portion along the inner peripheral side surface of the side wall portion 10b.

[0054] The pair of elastic beams 11b are arranged to sandwich the plug connector 2 with their respective contact portions 42a, and when the plug connector 2 is sandwiched, the first arms 41 of the pair of elastic beams 11b are displaced in directions away from each other, and the tips of the second arms 42 come into contact with the receptacle housing 10. According to the receptacle connector 1 having such a configuration, when mating with the plug connector 2, the elastic beams 11b elastically contact the plug connector 2 with the connection end E and the tips of the second arms 42 as two fulcrums, so that the stress generated in the elastic beams 11b of the receptacle fixing metal 11 can be dispersed to at least the two fulcrums. Therefore, the stress relaxation of the receptacle fixing metal 11 does not occur, and the occurrence of poor contact due to heat between the receptacle fixing metal 11 and the plug fixing metal 21 can be suppressed.

[0055] In the receptacle connector 1 according to this embodiment, in the receptacle fixing metal 11, the elastic beam portion 11b is connected to the first board 3 via the main body portion 11a, and is not directly connected to the first board 3. The main body portion 11a is connected to the first board 3 in a direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the elastic beam portion 11b extends (X-axis direction) and the direction in which it elastically deforms (Y-axis direction). This makes it possible to reduce the effect of the portion fixed to the first board 3 on the stress generated in the elastic beam portion 11b. This makes it possible to prevent stress from concentrating on a portion of the elastic beam portion 11b.

[0056] (2) In the receptacle connector 1 according to this embodiment, the contact portion 42a of each of the pair of elastic beam portions 11b has a shape that is bent into a mountain shape that protrudes in a direction away from the inner peripheral side surface of the side wall portion 10b. This makes it possible for the contact portion 42a to easily come into contact with the plug fixing metal 21, and also makes it possible for the contact portion 42a to be easily elastically deformed, thereby making it possible to maintain the contact pressure between the contact portion 42a and the plug fixing metal 21 at a constant level or higher.

[0057] (3) In the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment, a wide tip portion 42b having a width greater than that of the contact portion 42a in a direction along the inner peripheral side surface and main surface 3a of the side wall portion 10b is provided at a portion of the second arm portion 42 further forward than the contact portion 42a, and a step 10g is provided at the side wall portion 10b to limit movement of the wide tip portion 42b in a direction away from the bottom surface portion 10a. This limits the displacement of the second arm portion 42 in a direction away from the bottom surface portion 10a when the plug connector 2 is removed, thereby preventing plastic deformation of the second arm portion 42.

[0058] (4) In the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the bottom surface portion 10a is provided with a through hole 10f into which the wide tip portion 42b fits. As a result, when mated with the plug connector 2, the wide tip portion 42b passes through the through hole 10f and comes into contact with the main surface 3a of the first board 3, and the second arm portion 42 can be prevented from being pulled by the plug connector 2 and deforming beyond the range of elastic deformation.

[0059] In addition, in the receptacle housing 10, instead of the through hole 10f, a recess that is a depression that does not penetrate the bottom surface portion 10a may be provided. This is because even in this case, the wide tip portion 42b abuts against the bottom surface of the recess, and the second arm portion 42 can be prevented from being pulled by the plug connector 2 and deforming beyond the range of elastic deformation. In other words, in the receptacle connector 1, it is sufficient that the bottom surface portion 10a is provided with at least one of a recess into which the wide tip portion 42b fits and the through hole 10f. However, the through hole 10f can reduce the height of the receptacle connector 1.

[0060] (5) In the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the second arm 42 is provided with a guide slope 42c between the contact portion 42a and a portion along the top of the side wall portion 10b, for guiding the plug connector 2 to a mating position. The guide slope 42c makes it possible to guide the plug connector 2 to an appropriate mating position, making it easier to align the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2.

[0061] (6) In the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment, the main body 11a includes a board connecting portion 33 that connects to the first board 3. This eliminates the need to connect the elastic beam portion 11b to the board connecting portion 33. Therefore, unlike a configuration in which the elastic beam portion 11b is fixed to the board connecting portion 33, the receptacle connector 1 can prevent stress concentration.

[0062] (7) In the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment, receptacle fixing metals 11 are disposed at two positions on the side wall portion 10b facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 10a. This makes it possible to protect both ends of the receptacle connector 1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) from external impact. Also, it is possible to make the mating state with the plug connector 2 strong at both ends of the receptacle connector 1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0063] In the above embodiment, the receptacle connector 1 is provided with the elastic beam portion 11b. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the plug connector 2 may be provided with the elastic beam portion 11b.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the side wall portion 10b is provided along the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 10a. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the side wall portion 10b may be provided on at least a part of the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 10a.

[0065] Various embodiments and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 receptacle connector (connector), 2 plug connector (mating connector), 3 first board, 3a main surface, 3b, 3c electrode, 4 second board, 4a main surface, 4b, 4c electrode, 10 receptacle housing (housing), 10a bottom surface, 10b side wall, 10c recess, 10d land, 10e groove, 10e1 wide portion, 10f through hole, 10g step, 11 receptacle fixing metal (fixing metal), 11a main body, 11b elastic beam, 12 receptacle terminal, 14 end wall, 15 long wall, 16 insertion hole, 20 plug housing, 20a protrusion, 21 plug fixing metal, 22 plug terminal, 30 cover, 31 insertion piece, 32 side, 33 board connection portion, 41 First arm portion, 42, second arm portion, 42a, contact portion, 42b, tip portion (wide tip portion), 42c, guide slope, 42d, long wall upper covering portion, 42e, long wall outer covering portion, 100, connector pair, E, connection end, G, gap

Claims

1. A connector that is mounted on a main surface of a substrate and can be mated with a mating connector with a mating direction being a normal direction to the main surface, a housing having insulating properties; a fixing metal for fixing the housing to the substrate; The housing includes: A bottom surface portion disposed opposite the main surface; a side wall portion provided upright on at least a part of an outer periphery of the bottom surface portion as viewed from the fitting direction, The fixed metal is A main body portion fixed to the side wall portion; a pair of elastic beam portions that are cantilevered elastic plate-like members extending from a connection end connected to the main body portion and that are bent and extend along the side wall portion so as to face the side wall portion; The pair of elastic beam portions are a first arm portion extending from the one end that is the connection end in a direction along the main surface while facing an outer peripheral side surface of the side wall portion; a second arm portion extending in a U-shape from one end connected to the other end of the first arm portion so as to sandwich the side wall portion, and having a contact portion provided along an inner peripheral side surface of the side wall portion, the second arm portion being in elastic contact with the mating connector; The pair of elastic beam portions are arranged to sandwich the mating connector between their respective contact portions, and when the mating connector is sandwiched between the contact portions, the first arms of the pair of elastic beam portions are displaced in directions away from each other, and the tips of the second arms come into contact with the housing. connector.

2. The contact portion has a shape bent into a mountain shape protruding in a direction away from the inner circumferential side surface of the side wall portion. The connector of claim 1 .

3. a wide tip portion having a width greater than that of the contact portion in a direction along an inner peripheral side surface and the main surface of the side wall portion is provided at a portion of the second arm portion that is closer to the tip than the contact portion; The side wall portion is provided with a step that limits movement of the wide tip portion in a direction away from the bottom surface portion. The connector of claim 1 .

4. The bottom surface portion is provided with at least one of a recess and a through hole into which the wide tip portion fits. The connector according to claim 3.

5. The second arm portion is provided with a guide slope between a portion along the top of the side wall portion and the contact portion, the guide slope guiding the mating connector to a mating position. The connector according to claim 2.

6. The main body portion includes a board connection portion for connection to the board. The connector of claim 1 .

7. The fixed metals are respectively disposed at two positions on the side wall portion that face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion. The connector of claim 1 .

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