Electrical connector assembly, first connector, second connector, module, and module assembly

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector assembly, a first connector, a second connector, a module, and a module assembly that enables easy replacement of an electrical connector assembly.SOLUTION: First connectors 2, 4 provided on an electrical connector mounting body 1 are capable of being fitted and connected to mating second connectors 203, 205 provided on the mating electrical connector mounting body 101, and second connectors 3, 5 are capable of being fitted and connected to mating first connectors 202, 204 provided on another mating electrical connector mounting body 201, and the first connectors 2, 4 do not have portions that abut against the mating second connectors 203, 205 from the front and rear, and the second connectors 3, 5 do not have portions that abut against the mating first connectors 202, 204 from the front and rear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plurality of connectable electrical connector mounting bodies, a first connector and a second connector provided on the electrical connector mounting body, a module having an electrical connector mounting body, and a module assembly in which a plurality of modules are connected together. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a module assembly in which multiple modules (connector assemblies) arranged on a single rail are connected. All modules have the same configuration and are attached to the rail from above. In Patent Document 1, adjacent modules are attached in sequence, so that multiple modules are connected in the longitudinal direction of the rail.

[0003] In each module, a circuit board is accommodated in a housing, and a plurality of terminals including signal terminals and power terminals are mounted on the circuit board in an arrayed state. The signal terminals and power terminals have male contacts (blade contacts) at one end in the above-mentioned coupling direction, and female contacts (spring arms) at the other end. The male contacts are in the form of a single plate whose thickness direction is the terminal arrangement direction, and the female contacts are in the form of a pair of plate-like arms that can be elastically deformed in the terminal arrangement direction. Of both side surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the coupling direction) of the housing, the male contacts protrude from the side surface on the same side as the male contacts (here, for convenience of explanation, referred to as the "male side surface") (see FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1), and the female contacts are accommodated in a groove extending in the vertical direction from the side surface on the same side as the female contacts (here, for convenience of explanation, referred to as the "female side surface") (see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1).

[0004] When a module is attached to the rail adjacent to a module already attached to the rail, the male contacts of one module enter between the pair of arms of the female contacts of the other module and are clamped between the pair of arms, resulting in a connection between the terminals and coupling of the modules. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1173902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Patent Document 1, on the female side surface of the housing, a groove that accommodates the female contact portion of the power terminal is covered by a plate-shaped cover portion at a vertically intermediate position (see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1). The female contact portion of the power terminal is accommodated in the groove portion at a position directly below this cover portion. Therefore, when a plurality of modules are connected, in any two adjacent modules, the cover portion of one module is present above the male contact portion of the other module that is connected to the female contact portion of the other module. Therefore, if three or more modules are connected, even if an attempt is made to remove only one module in the middle position, i.e., a module other than the modules at both ends (herein referred to as a "middle module" for convenience of explanation), upward, the male contact portion of the power terminal of the middle module interferes with the cover portion of the adjacent module from below, and therefore the middle module cannot be removed.

[0007] Therefore, if it becomes necessary to replace only one intermediate module, it is necessary to once remove all modules located on the male contact side of the intermediate module before removing the intermediate module. Furthermore, after replacing the intermediate module, it is necessary to reconnect all modules on the male contact side. Thus, in Patent Document 1, the replacement work of the intermediate module is very complicated, and there is a problem that the work efficiency is significantly reduced.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide an electrical connector assembly, a first connector, a second connector, a module, and a module assembly that allow the replacement of the electrical connector assembly to be easily performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The electrical connector mounting assembly according to the present invention comprises a circuit board and a pair of electrical connectors mounted on a mounting surface of the circuit board, and is capable of being connected in a plurality of positions in a predetermined direction as a connection direction.

[0010] In such an electrical connector mounting body, in the present invention, the electrical connector mounting body is capable of being mated and connected to each of the adjacent mating electrical connector mounting bodies on both sides in the mating direction, with the mating direction being a direction facing forward in a front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and the electrical connectors constituting the electrical connector pair have a plurality of terminals arranged with the terminal arrangement direction being a direction perpendicular to both the front-to-rear direction and the mating direction, and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, and the electrical connector pair has, as the electrical connectors, a first connector that is mounted on one side of the circuit board in the mating direction and a second connector that is mounted on the other side of the circuit board in the mating direction, and the first connector is capable of being mated and connected to a mating second connector provided on a mating electrical connector mounting body, and the second connector is capable of being mated and connected to a mating first connector provided on another mating electrical connector mounting body, and the first connector does not have a portion that abuts against the mating second connector from the front and rear, and the second connector does not have a portion that abuts against the mating first connector from the front and rear.

[0011] In the electrical connector mounting body according to the present invention, the first connector does not have a portion that abuts against the mating second connector from the front and rear, and the second connector does not have a portion that abuts against the mating first connector from the front and rear. Therefore, when three or more electrical connector mounting bodies are connected and it becomes necessary to replace only the electrical connector mounting body located at the middle position in the connecting direction, the first connector and the second connector of the electrical connector mounting body can be easily removed without interfering with the mating second connector and the mating first connector of the mating electrical connector mounting bodies on both sides of the electrical connector mounting body. After that, a new electrical connector mounting body can be inserted between the mating electrical connector mounting bodies without interfering with the mating second connector and the mating first connector of the mating electrical connector mounting bodies on both sides. Therefore, when replacing the electrical connector mounting body located at the middle position, there is no need to attach or detach other electrical connector mounting bodies, so that the replacement work of the electrical connector mounting body is simplified and the work efficiency is improved.

[0012] (2) In the invention of (1), the first connector has a first terminal as the terminal and a first housing as the housing that holds the first terminal, the second connector has a second terminal as the terminal and a second housing as the housing that holds the second terminal, the first housing has a first locking portion capable of engaging with the mating second housing of the mating second connector in the connecting direction, and the second housing may have a second locking portion capable of engaging with the mating first housing of the mating first connector in the connecting direction.

[0013] In the invention of (2), the first housing can be locked to the mating second housing by the first locking portion in the connecting direction, and the second housing can be locked to the mating first housing by the second locking portion in the connecting direction. Therefore, when the electrical connector assembly is connected to the mating electrical connector assembly on both sides in the connecting direction, the position of the electrical connector assembly relative to each mating electrical connector assembly in the connecting direction is kept within a predetermined allowable range. As a result, a stable electrical contact state between the electrical connector assembly and each mating electrical connector assembly can be well ensured.

[0014] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the first connector has a first terminal as the terminal and a first housing as the housing that holds the first terminal, the second connector has a second terminal as the terminal and a second housing as the housing that holds the second terminal, the first housing has a first abutment portion that can abut against the mating second housing in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second housing may have a second abutment portion that can abut against the mating first housing in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0015] In the invention of (3), the first housing can be abutted against the mating second housing in the terminal arrangement direction by the first abutment portion, and the second housing can be abutted against the mating first housing in the terminal arrangement direction by the second abutment portion. Therefore, when the electrical connector assembly is connected to the mating electrical connector assembly on both sides in the connection direction, the position of the electrical connector assembly relative to each mating electrical connector assembly in the terminal arrangement direction is kept within a predetermined allowable range. As a result, a stable electrical contact state between the electrical connector assembly and each mating electrical connector assembly can be well ensured.

[0016] (4) In any of the inventions (1) to (3), the electrical connector pairs may be of multiple types, and in at least one specific electrical connector pair, the terminals may be formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and may have a contact portion for contacting a mating terminal provided on a mating electrical connector assembly, and the contact portion may be capable of contacting the mating terminal using a plate surface that intersects the connection direction as a contact surface.

[0017] In the invention of (4), the contact surface of the terminal is a plate surface that intersects with the connecting direction, so the dimension of the contact portion in the connecting direction can be reduced while ensuring a sufficiently large area of ​​the contact surface. Therefore, the depth of the recess in the housing for accommodating the contact portion, i.e., the dimension in the connecting direction, can be reduced, so that the housing can be formed in a simple shape and sufficient strength of the housing can be ensured.

[0018] (5) In the invention of (4), the multiple terminals provided on one of the specific electrical connectors of the pair of electrical connectors include a power terminal and a signal terminal, the power terminal has a power contact portion as the contact portion capable of contacting the mating terminal corresponding to the power terminal, the signal terminal has a signal contact portion as the contact portion capable of contacting the mating terminal corresponding to the signal terminal, and the power contact portion is formed extending in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end located forward of the signal contact portion and its rear end located rearward of the signal contact portion.

[0019] Depending on the specifications of the electrical connectors, contact between the power terminals may be required before contact between the signal terminals during the mating operation of the electrical connectors. In the invention of (5), in the terminal of the one electrical connector, the front end of the power contact portion extending in the front-rear direction is located forward of the signal contact portion, and the rear end is located rearward of the signal contact portion. Therefore, in the case where the contact portions of the multiple mating terminals provided in the mating electrical connector are formed at the same position in the front-rear direction, the power contact portions will come into contact with each other before the signal contact portions come into contact with each other during the mating operation of the electrical connectors. In this way, the invention of (5) can satisfactorily meet the requirements of the above specifications.

[0020] (6) In the invention of (4) or (5), the contact portion of at least one of the terminals of the electrical connectors provided in the specific electrical connector pair is formed extending in the front-to-rear direction at a position toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the terminal, the terminal has a free end portion extending continuous with the rear end of the contact portion to the free end on the one end side, and the connecting portion of the free end portion with the rear end of the contact portion may be bent with a component directed toward the opposite side to the contact surface in the connecting direction.

[0021] In this way, in the invention of (6), the free end of the terminal is bent with a component in the direction opposite to the contact surface at the connecting portion with the rear end of the contact portion in the connecting direction. Therefore, when the mating electrical connector is mated from the free end side of the one electrical connector, the mating terminal of the mating electrical connector reliably contacts the contact portion during the mating operation without interfering with the free end. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a portion of the terminal from being damaged by buckling due to the mating terminal interfering with the free end of the terminal after the mating operation begins.

[0022] (7) In any of the inventions (1) to (6), the electrical connector pair may be of multiple types, and the housing of one electrical connector in at least one specific electrical connector pair has a fixed housing and a movable housing, and terminals are provided spanning the fixed housing and the movable housing, the fixed housing is fixed to the circuit board via the terminals, and the terminals have an elastic portion that is elastically deformable between a fixed side held portion held by the fixed housing and a movable side held portion held by the movable housing, and the movable housing may be movable relative to the fixed housing due to the elastic deformation of the elastic portion.

[0023] In this way, in the invention of (7), the one electrical connector is configured as a so-called floating connector in which the movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing. Therefore, even if the relative position of at least one electrical connector of the electrical connector pair and the mating electrical connector of the mating electrical connector mounting body corresponding to the electrical connector is deviated from the correct position, the movable housing moves (floats) in a direction that absorbs the deviation, so that the terminals of all the electrical connectors can be reliably brought into contact with the terminals of the mating electrical connector.

[0024] (8) In the invention of (7), the fixed housing may have a fixed-side restricting portion that can be engaged with the movable housing in the coupling direction. By providing the fixed restricting portion on the fixed housing in this manner, the movement of the movable housing in the coupling direction is restricted and kept within a predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the elastic portion of the terminal from being excessively deformed due to the movable housing moving excessively in the coupling direction.

[0025] (9) In the invention of (7) or (8), the movable housing may have a movable-side regulating part that protrudes toward the mounting surface of the circuit board and is capable of abutting against the mounting surface. By providing the movable-side regulating part on the movable housing in this manner, the movable-side regulating part abuts against the mounting surface of the circuit board and is regulated in position in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, so that the position of the movable housing and, ultimately, the terminals can be stabilized.

[0026] (10) In any of the inventions (7) to (9), the terminals may include a power terminal and a signal terminal, the power terminal being larger than the signal terminal in the terminal arrangement direction, and the elastic portion of the power terminal being longer than the elastic portion of the signal terminal. Generally, the power terminal is often larger in the terminal arrangement direction, i.e., the terminal width, than the signal terminal in order to increase the cross-sectional area in order to pass a large current. In the case where both the power terminal and the signal terminal have elastic portions, if the lengths of the elastic portions of both terminals are equal, the elastic portion of the power terminal having the larger terminal width is less likely to elastically deform than the elastic portion of the signal terminal. In the invention of (10), the elastic portion of the power terminal is longer than the elastic portion of the signal terminal, so that it is more likely to elastically deform even if the terminal width is larger. As a result, the elastic portion of the power terminal and the elastic portion of the signal terminal can be elastically deformed with the same degree of springiness, and the movable housing can be smoothly floated.

[0027] (11) A first connector according to the present invention is characterized in that it is provided in the electrical connector mounting body according to any one of (1) to (10) of the present invention.

[0028] (12) A second connector according to the present invention is characterized in that it is provided in the electrical connector mounting body according to any one of (1) to (10) of the present invention.

[0029] (13) A module according to the present invention comprises an electrical connector assembly according to any one of (1) to (10) above, and a case for accommodating the electrical connector assembly.

[0030] (14) A module connection body according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of modules according to the invention (13) are connected together. Effect of the Invention

[0031] The present invention can provide an electrical connector mounting assembly, a first connector, a second connector, a module, and a module assembly that allows the electrical connector mounting assembly to be easily replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A shows a state immediately before one module is mated and connected, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which all modules are connected. [Diagram 2] 10(A) and 10(B) are perspective views of a single module, and 10(C) is a view of the connection between two adjacent modules as viewed in the front-to-rear direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an oblique view showing only the electrical connector mounting body provided in the module assembly, where (A) shows the state immediately before one electrical connector mounting body is inserted and connected, and (B) shows the state after all electrical connector mounting bodies are connected. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a control female connector mounted on a circuit board, in which (A) shows the state as seen from the other end side of the circuit board, and (B) shows the state as seen from one end side of the circuit board. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing the components that make up the control female connector separated from each other; FIG. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of a signal female terminal of a control female connector, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a power supply female terminal of the control female connector, and FIG. 1C is a front view of the control female connector. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the control female connector, where FIG. 1A shows a cross-section at the position of the fixed-side regulating part, and FIG. 1B shows a cross-section at the position of the movable-side regulating part. [Figure 8]1A and 1B are perspective views of a control male connector mounted on a circuit board, in which (A) shows the state as seen from one end side of the circuit board, and (B) shows the state as seen from the other end side of the circuit board. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view showing the components that make up the control male connector separated from each other; FIG. [Figure 10] 1A is a perspective view of a signal male terminal of a control male connector, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a power supply male terminal of the control male connector, and FIG. 1C is a front view of the control male connector. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of a control male connector, where (A) shows a cross-section at the position of a signal male terminal, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of a power male terminal. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a male power connector mounted on a circuit board, and 1C is a perspective view of a male power terminal of the male power connector. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a female power connector mounted on a circuit board, and 1C is a perspective view of a female power terminal of the female power connector. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the electrical connector assembly just before the start of the mating connection operation, in which (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the signal terminal of the control connector pair, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the power terminal of the control connector pair. [Figure 15] These are cross-sectional views taken on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the electrical connector assembly during the mating connection operation, where (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the signal terminal of the control connector pair, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the power terminal of the control connector pair. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the electrical connector mounting body in the mated connection state, where (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the signal terminal of the control connector pair, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the power terminal of the control connector pair. [Figure 17] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the mated connection state of the control male connector and the control female connector, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is an enlarged view of the locking portion. [Figure 18] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the mated connection state of a male power connector and a female power connector, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is an enlarged view of the locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] 1(A) and (B) are perspective views of a module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows a state immediately before one module is mated and connected, and (B) shows a state in which all modules are connected. The module assembly of this embodiment is configured by connecting a plurality of modules with one predetermined direction (the X-axis direction in Figs. 1(A) and (B)) as the connection direction. The module assembly of this embodiment is used in a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling a servo motor provided in a robot or the like via a servo amplifier.

[0035] The module assembly of this embodiment has three modules of the same configuration, specifically, module I, module II, and module III. In this embodiment, module II is disposed on the X1 side and module III is disposed on the X2 side of module I in the connection direction (X-axis direction). In other words, module II, module I, and module III are disposed in this order from the X1 side in the connection direction.

[0036] The modules I to III are detachably attached to a rail (not shown) extending in the connecting direction in a front-rear direction (Y-axis direction in Figs. 1(A) and (B)) perpendicular to the connecting direction. Specifically, the modules I to III are fitted to the rail from the rear side (Y2 side) at mounting parts (not shown) provided on the front parts (Y1 side parts) of the modules I to III. Moreover, each of the modules I to III is adapted to be fitted and connected to an adjacent module at the same time as being attached to the rail.

[0037] Fig. 1(A) shows a state immediately before module I is inserted between module II and module III that are already attached to a rail (not shown), in other words, a state immediately before module I is mated and connected to modules II and III. Fig. 1(B) shows a state in which module I is attached to a rail together with modules II and III, in other words, a state in which module I is mated and connected to modules II and III, linking modules I to III.

[0038] Next, the configuration of each of the modules I to III will be described. Figs. 2(A) and (B) are perspective views of the module I, and Fig. 2(C) is a view of the connection portion of two adjacent modules I and II viewed in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figs. 2(A) and (B), the module I has an electric connector mounting body 1 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)) and a case 6 that houses the electric connector mounting body 1. The module II has an electric connector mounting body 101 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)) as a mating electric connector mounting body and a case 106 (see Figs. 1(A) and (B)) that houses the electric connector mounting body 1. The module III has an electric connector mounting body 201 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)) as a mating electric connector mounting body and a case 206 (see Figs. 1(A) and (B)) that houses the electric connector mounting body 201.

[0039] Hereinafter, the electrical connector mounting body 1, the electrical connector mounting body 101, and the electrical connector mounting body 201 will be simply referred to as the "connector mounting body 1," the "connector mounting body 101," and the "connector mounting body 201," respectively. In this embodiment, all of the modules I to III have the same configuration, so the configuration of module I will be described and descriptions of the configurations of modules II and III will be omitted. Here, for module II, the parts corresponding to module I will be assigned a reference number obtained by adding "100" to the reference number of module I, and for module III, the parts corresponding to module I will be assigned a reference number obtained by adding "200" to the reference number of module I.

[0040] Figures 3(A) and (B) are perspective views showing modules I, II, and III with cases 6, 106, and 206 omitted. That is, Figure 3(A) is a perspective view showing only the connector mounting bodies 1, 101, and 201, Figure 3(A) shows the state immediately before the connector mounting body 1 is connected to the connector mounting bodies 101 and 201, and Figure 3(B) shows the state in which all of the connector mounting bodies 1, 101, and 201 are connected. In Figures 3(A) and (B), circuit boards provided in the connector mounting bodies 1, 101, and 201 are shown as P1, P2, and P3, respectively.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3(A) and (B), the connector mounting body 1 has a circuit board P1 arranged so that the board surface is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), a control connector pair as an electric connector pair mounted on the Z2 side portion (lower portion in Fig. 3(A) and (B)) of the mounting surface (Y2 side board surface) of the circuit board P1, and a power connector pair as an electric connector pair mounted on the Z1 side portion (upper portion in Fig. 3(A) and (B)) of the mounting surface of the circuit board P1. The control connector pair mainly supplies control signals to servo amplifiers and the like, and the power connector pair mainly supplies power to servo motors and the like. The control connector pair has a control female connector 2 as a first connector and a control male connector 3 as a second connector. The power connector pair has a power male connector 4 as a first connector and a power female connector 5 as a second connector.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the control female connector 2 is provided on the X1 side (one side) of the circuit board P1 in the coupling direction, and the control male connector 3 is provided on the X2 side (the other side) of the circuit board P1 in the coupling direction. The control female connector 2 and the control male connector 3 are electrically connected by a circuit section (not shown) formed on the circuit board P1. The power male connector 4 is provided on the X1 side (one side) of the circuit board P1 in the coupling direction, and the power female connector 5 is provided on the X2 side (the other side) of the circuit board P1 in the coupling direction. The power male connector 4 and the power female connector 5 are electrically connected by a circuit section (not shown) formed on the circuit board P1.

[0043] 4(A) and (B) are perspective views of the control female connector 2 mounted on the circuit board P1, where FIG. 4(A) shows the state seen from the X1 side, and FIG. 4(B) shows the state seen from the X2 side. In FIG. 4(A) and (B), only a part of the circuit board P1 is shown, specifically, only the part around the control female connector 2. The control female connector 2 has a plurality of female terminals 21, 22 as first terminals, housings 23, 24 as first housings that hold the plurality of female terminals 21, 22, and metal fittings 25 held at both ends of the fixed housing 23. The female terminals 21, 22 have a plurality of signal female terminals 21 as first terminals for signals, and a plurality of power supply female terminals 22 as first terminals for power supply. The housings 23, 24 have a fixed housing 23 fixed to the circuit board P1 via the female terminals 21, 22, and a movable housing 24 that is movable relative to the fixed housing 23.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing each member that constitutes the control female connector 2 in a separated state. Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view of the signal female terminal 21, Fig. 6(B) is a perspective view of the power female terminal 22, and Fig. 6(C) is a front view of the control female connector 2. Figs. 7(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the control female connector 2, with Fig. 7(A) showing the cross section at the position of the signal female terminal 21 and Fig. 7(B) showing the cross section at the position of the power female terminal 22.

[0045] 4(A), (B), 5 and 6(C), the signal female terminals 21 and the power female terminals 22 are arranged in a direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, ten signal female terminals 21 are provided in the Z2-side half of the control female connector 2, and two power female terminals 22 are provided in the Z1-side half.

[0046] The signal female terminal 21 is made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction, and as shown in Fig. 4(A), a part of it is accommodated and held in the accommodating portions 23A-1, 24B (fixed-side accommodating portion 23A-1 and movable-side accommodating portion 24B) formed in the housings 23, 24. The signal female terminal 21 is attached by being press-fitted into the accommodating portions 23A-1, 24B from the front (the lower side in Figs. 4 to 7). As shown in Figure 6 (A), the signal female terminal 21 has a signal connecting portion 21A provided on one end side of the signal female terminal 21, a fixed side held portion 21B extending continuously from the signal connecting portion 21A, two signal contact arms 21C provided on the other end side of the signal female terminal 21, a movable side held portion 21D extending continuously from the signal contact arms 21C, and an elastically deformable elastic portion 21E provided between the fixed side held portion 21B and the movable side held portion 21D.

[0047] The signal connection portion 21A extends toward the X2 side in the coupling direction and can be soldered to a corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. The fixed-side held portion 21B is bent at the end on the X1 side of the signal connection portion 21A and extends rearward (toward the Y2 side), and is press-fitted and held by the fixed-side accommodating portion 23A-1 of the fixed housing 23 at both edge portions in the terminal width direction, i.e., in the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0048] The two signal contact arms 21C extend in the front-rear direction (the up-down direction (Y-axis direction) in Figs. 4 to 7) on the X1 side and the Y2 side (rear side) of the signal connection part 21A. The signal contact arms 21C are elastically deformable in the plate thickness direction, i.e., in the connection direction (X-axis direction). The signal contact arms 21C have a signal contact part 21C-1 formed at the rear end part thereof, which is bent so as to protrude toward the X1 side, and the signal contact part 21C-1 is capable of contacting a signal male terminal 131 of the control male connector 103 (mating second connector) which is the mating connector (see Fig. 16(A)). In this embodiment, by providing a plurality of signal contact arms 21C (two in this embodiment) with a small terminal width dimension, the signal contact arms 21C are more easily elastically deformed than when one signal contact arm with a large terminal width dimension is provided.

[0049] The movable-side held portion 21D extends forward (toward the Y1 side) from the front end of the signal contact arm portion 21C, and is press-fitted and held by the movable-side accommodating portion 24B of the movable housing 24 at both edge portions in the terminal width direction. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the elastic portion 21E is generally crank-shaped when viewed in the terminal width direction, and connects the rear end of the fixed-side held portion 21B and the front end of the movable-side held portion 21D. The elastic portion 21E is elastically deformable in the connection direction (X-axis direction), the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), and the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 21E allows the movable housing 24 to move (float) relative to the fixed housing 23.

[0050] In this embodiment, the elastic portion 21E has slits 21E-1 formed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction, the slits 21E-1 penetrating the elastic portion 21E at the center position in the terminal width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the elastic portion 21E. By forming the slits 21E-1 in this manner, portions with a smaller terminal width dimension are formed on both sides of the slits 21E-1 in the terminal width direction. As a result, the elastic portion 21E is more easily elastically deformed than when no slits are provided in the elastic portion.

[0051] Like the signal female terminal 21, the power supply female terminal 22 is made by bending a metal strip in the plate thickness direction, and a part of it is accommodated and held in the accommodation section (fixed side accommodation section (not shown) and movable side accommodation section 24C) formed in the housing 23, 24. The power supply female terminal 22 is attached by being pressed into the signal female terminal accommodation section from the front (lower side in Figs. 4 to 7). The power supply female terminal 22 has a shape similar to that of the signal female terminal 21, and as shown in Fig. 6(B), it has a power supply connecting section 22A provided on one end side of the power supply female terminal 22, a fixed side held section 22B extending continuously from the power supply connecting section 22A, three power supply contact arms 22C provided on the other end side of the power supply female terminal 22, a movable side held section 22D extending continuously from the power supply contact arm 22C, and an elastically deformable elastic section 22E provided between the fixed side held section 22B and the movable side held section 22D.

[0052] Here, the power supply female terminal 22 will be described, focusing on the differences from the signal female terminal 21. The power supply female terminal 22 is formed wider than the signal female terminal 21, i.e., with a larger terminal width dimension. In addition, the fixed side held portion 22B, the movable side held portion 22D and the elastic portion 22E are wider than other portions of the power supply female terminal 22. The elastic portion 22E has slits 22E-1 formed at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction, the slits penetrating the elastic portion 22E at multiple positions in the terminal width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the elastic portion 22E.

[0053] In this embodiment, the elastic portion 22E of the power female terminal 22 is formed to be longer than the elastic portion 21E of the signal female terminal 21. Therefore, the elastic portion 22E of the power female terminal 22 is easily elastically deformed even if the terminal width dimension is large. As a result, the elastic portion 22E of the power female terminal 22 and the elastic portion 21E of the signal female terminal 21 can be elastically deformed with the same degree of springiness, and the movable housing 24 can be smoothly floated.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(C), when the female terminals 21, 22 are attached to the housings 23, 24, the signal contact portion 21C-1 and the power contact portion 22C-1 are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction).

[0055] The fixed housing 23 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and as shown in Figures 4(A), (B), and 5, has a side wall 23A extending in the terminal arrangement direction, an end wall 23B extending from both ends of the side wall 23A in the terminal arrangement direction toward the X2 side in the connecting direction, a fixed side regulating portion 23C extending from the rear end of the side wall 23A toward the X1 side, and a metal fitting holding portion 23D protruding outward in the terminal arrangement direction from the front end of the end wall 23B.

[0056] The side wall 23A is formed with a fixed-side accommodating section 23A-1 (see FIG. 7(A)) that accommodates and holds the signal female terminals 21 in approximately the half on the Z2 side in the terminal arrangement direction, and a fixed-side power supply accommodating section (not shown) that accommodates and holds the power supply female terminals 22 in approximately the half on the Z1 side in the terminal arrangement direction. The fixed-side accommodating section 23A-1 and the fixed-side power supply accommodating section are recessed from the X1 side surface of the side wall 23A and are formed as grooves with an open front end (lower end in FIG. 7(A)) (see FIG. 7(A)). The fixed-side power supply accommodating section is formed larger, i.e., wider, in the terminal arrangement direction than the fixed-side accommodating section 23A-1.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5, the fixed-side restricting portion 23C is formed over the same range as the side wall 23A in the terminal arrangement direction, and has a generally horizontal L-shaped hook shape when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. The fixed-side restricting portion 23C is a portion that protrudes forward (downward in Fig. 5) at the tip position on the X1 side, and is capable of being locked in the coupling direction with the movable-side restricted portion 24F provided on the movable housing 24, so as to restrict movement of the movable housing 24 beyond a predetermined amount. The metal fitting holding portion 23D is a groove that extends in the front-rear direction and holds the metal fitting 25 by press-fitting it.

[0058] The movable housing 24 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and has side walls 24A extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and end walls 24H located at both ends of the movable housing 24 in the terminal arrangement direction and connected by the side walls 24A. As shown in Fig. 4(A), the side walls 24A have movable-side accommodating portions 24B that accommodate and hold the signal female terminals 21 formed in approximately the half on the Z2 side in the terminal arrangement direction, and movable-side accommodating portions 24C that accommodate and hold the power female terminals 22 formed in approximately the half on the Z1 side in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7(A), the movable-side accommodating portion 24B is recessed from the X1-side side surface (left surface in Fig. 7(A)), the front end surface (lower surface in Fig. 7(A)), and the X2-side side surface (right surface in Fig. 7(A)) of the side wall 24A. The movable-side accommodating portion 24C has the same shape as the movable-side accommodating portion 24B when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction, but is larger, i.e., wider, than the movable-side accommodating portion 24B in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 4(A), side wall 24A has a step that protrudes from the X1 side surface of side wall 24A and extends in the front-rear direction at a position outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, and this step forms female side abutment portion 24D as a first abutment portion. Female side abutment portion 24D has an edge portion located on the inside in the terminal arrangement direction that extends straight over the entire range in the front-rear direction. Female side abutment portion 24D can be locked by abutting the edge portion against male side abutment portion 133E provided on control male connector 103, which is the mating connector, in the terminal arrangement direction (see Fig. 17(B)).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 24E for receiving the fixed-side regulating portion 23C is formed in the X2-side portion of the side wall 24A, recessed from the rear surface (Y2-side surface) of the side wall 24A and extending in the terminal arrangement direction. The recess 24E is shaped to fit the fixed-side regulating portion 23C of the fixed housing 23, i.e., recessed in a substantially horizontal L-shape when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. The edge of the X2-side of the side wall 24A, i.e., the portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction along the recess 24E and standing toward the rear (Y2 side), forms the movable-side regulated portion 24F. The movable-side regulated portion 24F can be locked to the fixed-side regulating portion 23C of the fixed housing 23 in the connection direction. The movable-side regulated portion 24F is locked to the fixed-side regulating portion 23C of the fixed housing 23, so that the movable housing 24 is restricted from moving more than a predetermined amount in the connection direction. As a result, the movable side regulated portion 24F is held within a predetermined range in the connecting direction, so that excessive deformation of the elastic portions 21E, 22E of the female terminals 21, 22 caused by excessive movement of the movable housing 24 in the connecting direction can be prevented.

[0062] The side wall 24A has protruding movable-side restricting portions 24G protruding forward from the front surface (Y1-side surface) of the side wall 24A, i.e., toward the mounting surface of the circuit board P1, at positions near both ends in the terminal arrangement direction. The movable-side restricting portions 24G are capable of abutting against the mounting surface. By providing the movable-side restricting portions 24G in this manner, the positions of the movable housing 24 and the female terminals 21, 22 are restricted in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), so that the positions of the movable housing 24 and the female terminals 21, 22 can be stabilized.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 4(A), the end wall 24H has a substantially half portion on the X1 side in the coupling direction that protrudes toward the X1 side from the side wall 23A and is formed as a female locking portion 24I as a first locking portion extending in the front-rear direction. The female locking portion 24I extends uniformly over the entire range in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and has a substantially L-shaped hook-like cross section taken at a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As shown in Figs. 7(A) and (B), the female locking portion 24I has a portion at the tip end on the X1 side in the coupling direction that protrudes inward in the terminal arrangement direction, which is capable of being locked in the coupling direction with the male locking portion 133D provided on the control male connector 103, which is the mating connector (see Figs. 17(A) and (B)). Also, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), a recess 24J is formed on the inside of the approximately L-shaped inner edge of the female side locking portion 24I, which is open toward the inside in the terminal arrangement direction and extends through in the vertical direction.

[0064] Metal fitting 25 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a held portion 25A having a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and extending in the front-rear direction (up-down direction in FIG. 5), and fixed portion 25B bent at the front end (lower end in FIG. 5) of held portion 25A and extending outward in the terminal arrangement direction. Hold portion 25A is press-fitted into metal fitting holding portion 23D from the rear (upper side in FIG. 5), and both side edges (edges extending in the front-rear direction) are held by metal fitting holding portion 23D. Fixed portion 25B is fixed to a corresponding portion of circuit board P1 by soldering.

[0065] Figures 8(A) and (B) are perspective views of the control male connector 3 mounted on the circuit board P1, with Figure 8(A) showing the state as seen from the X2 side and Figure 8(B) showing the state as seen from the X1 side. Figures 8(A) and (B) show only a part of the circuit board P1, specifically, only the part around the control male connector 3. As shown in Figure 8(A), a part of the end of the X2 side of the circuit board P1 protrudes to form a protrusion P1A. The protrusion P1A supports the X2 side part of the control male connector 3 from the front (Y1 side).

[0066] The control male connector 3 has a plurality of male terminals 31, 32 as second terminals, a housing 33 as a second housing that holds the plurality of male terminals 31, 32, and metal fittings 34 held at both ends of the housing 33. The male terminals 31, 32 also have a plurality of signal male terminals 31 as second terminals for signals, and a plurality of power male terminals 32 as second terminals for power supply.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing each member that constitutes the control male connector 3 in a separated state. Fig. 10(A) is a perspective view of the signal male terminal 31, Fig. 10(B) is a perspective view of the power male terminal 32, and Fig. 10(C) is a front view of the control male connector 3. Figs. 11(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the control male connector 3, with Fig. 11(A) showing the cross-section at the position of the signal male terminal 31 and Fig. 11(B) showing the cross-section at the position of the power male terminal 32.

[0068] 8(A), (B), 9 and 10(C), the signal male terminals 31 and the power male terminals 32 are arranged in a direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8(A), ten signal male terminals 31 are provided in the Z2-side half of the control male connector 3, and two power male terminals 32 are provided in the Z1-side half.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the signal male terminal 31 is made by bending a metal strip in the plate thickness direction, and is accommodated and held by being press-fitted from the front (lower side in Figs. 8 to 11) into the accommodation portion 33B formed in the housing 33. As shown in Fig. 10(A), the signal male terminal 31 has a signal connecting portion 31A provided on one end side of the signal male terminal 31, a signal contacting portion 31B provided on the other end side of the signal male terminal 31, a held portion 31C provided between the signal connecting portion 31A and the signal contacting portion 31B in the longitudinal direction of the signal male terminal 31, a front transition portion 31D provided between the signal connecting portion 31A and the held portion 31C, a rear transition portion 31E provided between the signal contacting portion 31B and the held portion 31C, and a free end portion 31F extending from the rear end of the signal contacting portion 31B.

[0070] The signal connection portion 31A extends toward the X1 side in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) and can be soldered to a corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. The signal contact portion 31B extends in the front-rear direction (upward in FIG. 8(A)) behind the signal connection portion 31A. The signal contact portion 31B is located on the X2 side of the other portions of the signal male terminal 31 and can come into contact with a signal female terminal 221 provided on the mating connector, the control female connector 202 (mating first connector), with the plate surface on the X2 side serving as a contact surface (see FIG. 16(A)).

[0071] In this embodiment, the plate surface on the X2 side of the signal contact portion 31B, in other words, the plate surface perpendicular to the connecting direction, is used as the contact surface, so that the area of ​​the contact surface can be secured to be sufficiently large. Also, the dimension of the signal contact portion 31B in the connecting direction is the plate thickness dimension of the signal contact portion 31B, so that the dimension of the signal contact portion 31B in the connecting direction can be reduced. Therefore, the depth of the recess for accommodating the signal contact portion 31B in the housing 33, i.e., the dimension in the connecting direction, can be reduced, so that the housing 33 can be formed in a simple shape and sufficient strength of the housing 33 can be secured.

[0072] The held portion 31C is located between the signal connecting portion 31A and the signal contacting portion 31B in the connection direction, and is also located between the signal connecting portion 31A and the signal contacting portion 31B in the front-rear direction. The held portion 31C is press-fitted and held by the accommodating portion 33B of the housing 33 at both edge portions in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0073] The front transition portion 31D is bent into a substantially horizontal L-shape when viewed in the terminal width direction, and connects the front end (the lower end in FIG. 8(A)) of the held portion 31C to the X2-side end of the signal connection portion 31A. The rear transition portion 31E extends in the connecting direction (X-axis direction) and connects the front end of the signal contact portion 31B to the rear end of the held portion 31C. The free end portion 31F is a portion that continues from the rear end of the signal contact portion 31B and extends to the free end on one side of the signal male terminal 31. The connecting portion of the free end portion 31F with the rear end of the signal contact portion 31B is bent in the X1 direction, i.e., in the connecting direction, toward the opposite side to the contact surface of the signal contact portion 31B, and its overall shape is substantially L-shaped when viewed in the terminal width direction.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 11(A), the rear end (free end) of free end 31F is located within accommodation portion 33B, so that during the mating operation with control female connector 202 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)), which is the mating connector, the signal female terminal of control female connector 202 does not come into contact with (interfere with) the rear end of free end 31F. Therefore, after the start of the mating operation, it is possible to effectively prevent a part of signal male terminal 31 from buckling and being damaged due to the signal female terminal interfering with the rear end of free end 31F.

[0075] Like the signal male terminal 31, the power male terminal 32 is made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction, and as shown in Fig. 8(A), it is accommodated and held in an accommodating portion 33C formed in the housing 33. The power male terminal 32 is attached by being press-fitted into the accommodating portion 33C from the front (the lower side in Figs. 8 to 11). The power supply male terminal 32 has a shape similar to the signal male terminal 31, and as shown in Figure 10 (B), has a power supply connection portion 32A provided on one end side of the power supply male terminal 32, a power supply contact portion 32B provided on the other end side of the power supply male terminal 32, a held portion 32C provided between the power supply connection portion 32A and the power supply contact portion 32B in the longitudinal direction of the power supply male terminal 32, a forward transition portion 32D provided between the power supply connection portion 32A and the held portion 32C, a rearward transition portion 32E provided between the power supply contact portion 32B and the held portion 32C, and a free end portion 32F extending from the rear end of the power supply contact portion 32B.

[0076] Here, the power male terminal 32 will be described, focusing on the differences from the signal male terminal 31. The power male terminal 32 is formed wider, i.e. with a larger terminal width dimension, than the signal male terminal 31. Also, the power contact portion 32B, the held portion 32C and the rear transition portion 32E are wider than other portions of the power male terminal 32. The free end portion 32F is bent in the X1 direction at the connection portion with the rear end of the signal contact portion 31B, and extends so as to slope upward toward the X1 side (see also FIG. 11(B)).

[0077] As shown in Fig. 11(B), the rear end (free end) of free end 32F is located within accommodation portion 33C, so that during the mating operation with control female connector 202 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)), which is the mating connector, the power supply female terminal of control female connector 202 does not come into contact with (interfere with) the rear end of free end 32F. Therefore, after the start of the mating operation, it is possible to effectively avoid buckling and damage to a portion of power supply male terminal 32 due to the power supply female terminal interfering with the rear end of free end 32F.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 10C, the power contact portion 32B extends in the front-rear direction (the up-down direction in Fig. 10C) over a range including the signal contact portion 31B. In other words, the front end (the lower end in Fig. 10C) of the power contact portion 32B is located forward of the front end of the signal contact portion 31B, and the rear end (the upper end in Fig. 10C) is located rearward of the rear end of the signal contact portion 31B.

[0079] The housing 33 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and as shown in Figures 8(A), (B) and 9, has a side wall 33A extending in the terminal arrangement direction, an end wall 33F extending from both ends of the side wall 33A in the terminal arrangement direction toward the X1 side in the connection direction, a protruding portion 33G protruding from the outer surface of the end wall 33F in the terminal arrangement direction, and a metal fitting holding portion 33H protruding outward in the terminal arrangement direction from the outer surface of the front end portion of the end wall 23B on the X1 side of the protruding portion 33G. The side wall 33A is formed with a receiving portion 33B (see Figure 11(A)) that receives and holds the signal male terminal 31 in approximately the half on the Z2 side in the terminal arrangement direction, and a receiving portion 33C (see Figure 11(B)) that receives and holds the power male terminal 32 in approximately the half on the Z1 side in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0080] 11(A) and (B), the accommodating portion 33B and the accommodating portion 33C are recessed from the front surface (the lower surface in FIG. 11(A) and (B)) and the X2 side surface of the side wall 33A, and are formed as recesses having a substantially L-shape when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. The accommodating portion 33C is formed larger, i.e., wider, than the accommodating portion 33B in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0081] The side wall 33A has male locking portions 33D as second locking portions at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction. As shown in Figs. 8(A) and (B), the male locking portion 33D is formed as a protruding portion in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) of the side wall 33A, i.e., the portion on the X2 side in the connection direction, which protrudes outward in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) and extends in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). The male locking portion 33D extends uniformly in a straight shape over the entire range in the front-rear direction. The male locking portion 33D can be locked in the connection direction with a female locking portion provided on the control female connector 202 (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)), which is the mating connector. As shown in Figs. 8(A) and (B), a recess 33I is formed between the male locking portion 33D and the protruding portion 33G, which is open outward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends through in the up-down direction.

[0082] In addition, side wall 33A has a protruding portion that protrudes from the X2 side surface of side wall 33A and extends in the front-rear direction at a position outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, and this protruding portion forms male side abutment portion 33E as a second abutment portion. Male side abutment portion 33E has an edge portion located on the outermost side in the terminal arrangement direction that extends straight over the entire range in the front-rear direction. Male side abutment portion 33E can be locked by abutting the edge portion against a female side abutment portion provided on control female connector 202 (see Figures 3(A) and (B)), which is the mating connector, in the terminal arrangement direction. Metal fitting holding portion 33H is configured to press-fit and hold metal fitting 34 in a groove portion extending in the front-rear direction.

[0083] The metal fitting 34 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a held portion 34A having a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and extending in the front-rear direction (up-down direction in FIG. 9), and a fixed portion 34B bent at the front end (lower end in FIG. 9) of the held portion 34A and extending outward in the terminal arrangement direction. The held portion 34A is press-fitted into the metal fitting holding portion 33H from the rear (upper side in FIG. 9), and both side edges (edges extending in the front-rear direction) are held by the metal fitting holding portion 33H. The fixed portion 34B is fixed to a corresponding portion of the circuit board P1 by soldering.

[0084] Figures 12(A) and (B) are perspective views of the male power connector 4 mounted on the circuit board P1, with Figure 12(A) showing the state as seen from the X1 side and Figure 12(B) showing the state as seen from the X2 side. Figure 12(C) is a perspective view of the male power terminal 41 of the male power connector 4, showing the state as seen from the X1 side. Also, Figures 12(A) and (B) show only a portion of the circuit board P1, specifically, only the area around the male power connector 4.

[0085] 12(A) and (B), when the power male connector 4 is mounted on the circuit board P1, its end on the X1 side in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) protrudes toward the X1 side beyond the edge of the circuit board P1. The power male connector 4 has a plurality of power male terminals 41 as first terminals, a housing 42 as a first housing that holds the plurality of power male terminals 41, and metal fittings 43 held at both ends of the housing 42.

[0086] As shown in Figures 12(A) and (B), the multiple power male terminals 41 are arranged in a terminal arrangement direction that is perpendicular (Z-axis direction) to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, five power male terminals 41 are arranged at equal intervals. The power male terminals 41 are accommodated and held in power male terminal accommodating portions 42A formed in the housing 42, as shown in Figures 12(A) and (B).

[0087] As shown in Fig. 12(C), the power male terminal 41 is made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction so that it is two-ply in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), and has a base 41A, a held portion 41B, a power connection portion 41C, a power contact portion 41D, and a connecting portion 41E. The base 41A is formed as a plate-like portion perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and two base portions 41A are provided facing each other with a gap in the Z-axis direction. The held portion 41B protrudes forward from the front end (lower end in Fig. 12(C)) of the X1 side portion of each base 41A, and rearward from the rear end (upper end in Fig. 12(C)) of the same portion. The power male terminal 41 is press-fitted from the X2 side into the power male terminal accommodating portion 42A formed in the housing 42, and is held by the held portion 41B.

[0088] The power supply connection portion 41C extends forward from the front end of the base portion 41A and is provided at three positions in the connection direction (X-axis direction). The connection portion between the front end of the base portion 41A and the power supply connection portion 41C is bent in a crank shape, so that two plate-shaped portions are overlapped with their faces in contact to form one power supply connection portion 41C. The power supply connection portion 41C is inserted into a hole-shaped corresponding circuit portion formed in the circuit board P1 and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion.

[0089] The power contact portion 41D extends from the base portion 41A toward the X1 side. The connecting portion between the X1 side end of the base portion 41A and the power contact portion 41D is bent in a crank shape, so that two plate-shaped portions are overlapped with each other to form a single power contact portion 41D. The outer plate surface of the power contact portion 41D forms a contact surface with a mating terminal (female power terminal 151 provided on the female power connector 105) (see FIG. 18(B)). The connecting portion 41E connects the rear ends of the two base portions 41A to each other at two positions in the connecting direction (X-axis direction).

[0090] The housing 42 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the terminal arrangement direction as the longitudinal direction, as shown in Figures 12(A) and (B). The housing 42 is formed with power male terminal accommodating sections 42A arranged in the terminal arrangement direction for accommodating and holding the power male terminals 41. The power male terminal accommodating sections 42A are holes with a generally rectangular cross section that extend in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) and penetrate the housing 42. The front wall of the housing 42 (the wall facing the circuit board P1) that forms the power male terminal accommodating sections 42A has a slit 42A-1 that extends in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) in the range on the X2 side, as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0091] As described above, the power male terminal 41 is press-fitted into the power male terminal accommodating portion 42A from the X2 side in the coupling direction and is held by the held portion 41B. When the power male terminal 41 is attached to the power male terminal accommodating portion 42A, the power contact portion 41D protrudes from the power male terminal accommodating portion 42A to the X1 side as shown in Fig. 12(A). Moreover, the power connection portion 41C enters the slit 42A-1 of the housing 42 from the X2 side and extends forward from the front surface of the housing 42 as shown in Fig. 12(B).

[0092] The X1-side end of housing 42 has male locking portions 42B as first locking portions at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction. Male locking portions 42B are provided on both outsides of the arrangement range of power supply male terminals 41, protruding to the X1 side and extending in the front-rear direction. Male locking portions 42B extend uniformly over the entire range in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and have a substantially L-shaped hook-like cross section taken at a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. At the tip of male locking portion 42B on the X1 side in the connection direction, a portion protruding inward in the terminal arrangement direction is capable of being locked in the connection direction with female locking portion 152C provided on power female connector 105, which is the mating connector (see Figures 18(A) and (B)). As shown in Figures 12(A) and (B), a recess 42D is formed on the inside of the approximately L-shaped inner edge of male side locking portion 42B, which is open toward the inside in the terminal arrangement direction and extends through in the vertical direction.

[0093] At the end of the housing 42 on the X2 side, both end faces in the terminal arrangement direction are formed with metal fitting holding portions 42C for holding the metal fittings 43. The metal fitting holding portions 42C are configured to press-fit and hold the metal fittings 43 in grooves extending in the front-rear direction.

[0094] The metal fitting 43 is made by punching a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a plate shape with a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. The metal fitting 43 has a held portion 43A and two fixing portions 43B extending forward from the front end of the held portion 43A. The held portion 43A is press-fitted from behind into the metal fitting holding portion 42C, and both side edges (edges extending in the front-rear direction) are held by the metal fitting holding portion 42C. The fixing portions 43B are inserted into corresponding hole-shaped portions formed in the circuit board P1, and are fixed to the corresponding portions by soldering.

[0095] Figures 13(A) and (B) are perspective views of the female power connector 5 mounted on the circuit board P1, with Figure 13(A) showing the state as seen from the X2 side and Figure 13(B) showing the state as seen from the X1 side. Figure 13(C) is a perspective view of the female power terminal 51 of the female power connector 5, showing the state as seen from the X2 side. Also, Figures 13(A) and (B) show only a portion of the circuit board P1, specifically, only the area around the female power connector 5.

[0096] 13(A) and (B), when the power supply female connector 5 is mounted on the circuit board P1, its end on the X2 side in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) protrudes toward the X2 side beyond the edge of the circuit board P1. The power supply female connector 5 has a plurality of power supply female terminals 51 as second terminals, a housing 52 as a second housing that holds the plurality of power supply female terminals 51, and metal fittings 53 held at both ends of the housing 52.

[0097] 13(A) and (B), the multiple power supply female terminals 51 are arranged in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) (Z-axis direction). Specifically, five power supply female terminals 51 are arranged at equal intervals. The power supply female terminals 51 are accommodated and held in an accommodating portion 52B formed in the housing 52, as shown in FIG. 13(A) and (B).

[0098] As shown in FIG. 13(C), the power supply female terminal 51 is made by bending a metal strip in the plate thickness direction so as to overlap two sheets in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), and has a base 51A, a held portion 51B, a power supply connection portion 51C, an extension portion 51D, a power supply contact arm portion 51E, and a connecting portion 51F. The base 51A is formed as a plate-like portion perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and two bases 51A are provided facing each other with a gap in the Z-axis direction. The two bases 51A are bent into a crank shape at the middle position in the connecting direction (X-axis direction), and the gap between the bases 51A in the range on the X2 side is larger than the gap between the bases 51A in the range on the X1 side. The held portion 51B protrudes forward from the front end (lower end in FIG. 13(C)) of the X2 side portion of each base 51A, and rearward from the rear end (upper end in FIG. 13(C)) of the same portion. The power supply female terminal 51 is press-fitted into an accommodating portion 52B formed in the housing 52 from the X1 side, and is held by a held portion 51B.

[0099] The power supply connection portion 51C extends forward from the front edge of the base portion 51A and is provided at three positions in the connection direction (X-axis direction). The connection portion between the front end portion of the base portion 51A and the power supply connection portion 51C is bent in a crank shape, so that two plate-like portions are overlapped with their faces in contact to form a single power supply connection portion 51C. The power supply connection portion 51C is inserted into a hole-shaped corresponding circuit portion formed in the circuit board P1 and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion.

[0100] The extension 51D extends from the base 51A toward the X2 side without being bent. The power contact arm 51E is folded back at the front end of the extension 51D and extends toward the rear, and is elastically deformable in the terminal arrangement direction. The two power contact arms 51E are located between the two extensions 51D in the terminal arrangement direction. The power contact arms 51E are formed with power contacts 51E-1 that are bent toward each other in the terminal arrangement direction and protrude at their intermediate positions in the front-rear direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 13(C)). The two power contacts 51E-1 are adapted to pinch the power contacts 241D (see FIG. 1(A)) of the power male terminals 241 provided in the power male connector 204, which is the mating connector, in the terminal arrangement direction and come into contact with the power contacts 241D. The connecting portion 51F connects the rear ends of the two bases 51A to each other at two positions in the range of the X1 side of the base 51A.

[0101] The housing 52 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the terminal arrangement direction as the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 13(A) and (B). The end of the housing 52 on the X2 side, specifically, the portion extending toward the X2 side from the edge of the circuit board P1, is slightly smaller in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) than the other portions of the housing 52. At this end, a receiving groove 52A is formed between the power supply female terminals 51 in the terminal arrangement direction to receive the power supply contact portion 241D of the power supply male terminal 241. The receiving groove 52A penetrates in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and is open to the X2 side, so that the power supply contact portion 241D can be received from either the front (Y1 side) or rear (Y2 side) direction.

[0102] The housing 52 is formed with accommodating sections 52B arranged in the terminal arrangement direction for accommodating and holding the power supply female terminals 51. The accommodating sections 52B are holes extending over almost the entire range of the housing 52 in the coupling direction (X-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 13(B), the accommodating sections 52B are open on the X1 side in the coupling direction (see FIG. 13(B)), while being closed on the X2 side (FIG. 13(A)). Also, as shown in FIG. 12(A), an opening 52B-1 is formed on both sides in the terminal arrangement direction in the X2 side portion of the accommodating section 52B, specifically, in the portion corresponding to the receiving groove section 52A power supply male terminal accommodating section in the coupling direction. In the front wall portion (wall portion facing the circuit board P1) of the housing 52 forming the accommodating section 52B, a slit 52B-2 is formed extending in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) in the range of the X1 side, as shown in FIG. 13(B).

[0103] The power supply female terminal 51 is press-fitted into the accommodation portion 52B from the X1 side in the coupling direction and is held by the held portion 51B. When the power supply female terminal 51 is attached to the accommodation portion 52B, the power supply contact arm 51E is exposed from the opening 52B-1 to the receiving groove 52A side. At this time, the power supply contact portion 51E-1 of the power supply contact arm 51E protrudes into the receiving groove 52A. The power supply connection portion 51C enters the slit 52B-2 of the housing 52 from the X1 side and extends forward from the front surface of the housing 52.

[0104] The end of the housing 52 on the X2 side has a female locking portion 52C as a second locking portion at both ends in the terminal arrangement direction. The female locking portion 52C is formed as a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) and extends in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) at the X2 side position of the end. The female locking portion 52C extends uniformly in a straight shape over the entire range in the front-rear direction. The female locking portion 52C can be locked in the connection direction with a male locking portion provided on the male power connector 204 (see Figures 3(A) and (B)), which is the mating connector. As shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), at the end, a recess 52E is formed on the X1 side of the female locking portion 52C, which is open outward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends through in the up-down direction.

[0105] At the end of the housing 52 on the X1 side, both end faces in the terminal arrangement direction are formed with metal fitting holding portions 52D for holding the metal fittings 53. The metal fitting holding portions 52D are configured to press-fit and hold the metal fittings 53 in grooves extending in the front-rear direction.

[0106] The metal fitting 53 has the same shape as the metal fitting 43 described above, and like the metal fitting 43, has a held portion 53A and two fixing portions 53B. Here, detailed description of each portion of the metal fitting 53 is omitted. The held portion 53A of the metal fitting 53 is press-fitted from behind into the metal fitting holding portion 52D, so that both side edges (edges extending in the front-rear direction) of the held portion 53A are held by the metal fitting holding portion 52D. The fixing portion 53B is inserted into a hole-shaped corresponding portion formed in the circuit board P1, and is fixed to the corresponding portion by solder connection.

[0107] Next, the configuration of case 6 will be described with reference to Figs. 2(A)-(C). In Figs. 2(A)-(C), the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) is the up-down direction. In the description of case 6, the Z1 side in the terminal arrangement direction will be referred to as the "upper side" and the Z2 side as the "lower side". Case 6 is made of synthetic resin such as resin, and as shown in Figs. 2(A) and (B), it has a roughly rectangular box shape with the terminal arrangement direction (the up-down direction in Figs. 2(A) and (B)) as the longitudinal direction.

[0108] Next, the configuration of the case 6 will be described with reference to Figs. 2(A), (B), and (C). The case 6 accommodates and holds the connector mounting body 1 by its front side (Y1 side). On both sides of the case 6 in the coupling direction (X-axis direction), openings are formed at positions corresponding to the connectors 2 to 4, and the fitting portions (portions that are fitted and connected to the mating connectors) of the connectors 2 to 4 are exposed and disposed from the openings. That is, the signal contact portion 21C-1, the power contact arm portion 22C, the female side abutment portion 24D, and the female side locking portion 24I of the control female connector 2 are exposed from the opening located at the lower part (Z2 side portion) of the X1 side of the case 6. The power contact portion 41D and the male side locking portion 42B of the power male connector 4 are exposed from the opening located at the upper part (Z1 side portion) of the X1 side of the case 6. Exposed from an opening located at the bottom (Z2 side portion) of the X2 side surface of case 6 are signal contact portion 31B, power contact portion 32B, male locking portion 33D, and male abutment portion 33E of control male connector 3. Exposed from an opening located at the top (Z1 side portion) of the X2 side surface of case 6 are power contact arm portion 51E and female locking portion 52C of power female connector 5.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 2(A), a lower engagement recess 61 is formed in the lower part (Z2 side part) of the X1 side surface of case 6 at a position corresponding to the control female connector 2 in the up-down direction, and an upper engagement recess 62 is formed in the upper part of the side surface, extending in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), at a position corresponding to the power male connector 4 in the up-down direction. As shown in Fig. 2(C), the lower engagement recess 61 and the upper engagement recess 62 are engageable with a lower engagement protrusion 164 and an upper engagement protrusion 165 provided on the X2 side surface of case 106 of module II (see Fig. 1(A)), and cases I and II are connected to each other by the engagement of these parts.

[0110] At both ends in the up-down direction of the lower engagement recess 61, a first lower guide portion 61A for relatively guiding the module II in the front-rear direction is formed as shown in FIG. 2(A). The first lower guide portion 61A extends uniformly over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) except for the range of the female locking portion 24I of the control female connector 2, and has a substantially L-shaped hook shape in cross section on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first lower guide portion 61A is provided at the same position as the female locking portion 24I when viewed in the front-rear direction, and therefore the first lower guide portion 61A and the female locking portion 24I together form one guide portion extending over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction. Also, the first lower guide portion 61A can be locked to the second lower guide portion 164A of the case 106 of the module II in the connecting direction as shown in FIG. 2(C).

[0111] At both ends in the up-down direction of the upper engagement recess 62, a first upper guide portion 62A for relatively guiding the module II in the front-rear direction is formed as shown in FIG. 2(A). The first upper guide portion 62A extends uniformly over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction except for the range of the male locking portion 42B of the male power connector 4, and has a substantially L-shaped hook-like cross section at a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The first upper guide portion 62A is provided at the same position as the male locking portion 42B when viewed in the front-rear direction, and therefore the first upper guide portion 62A and the male locking portion 42B together form one guide portion that extends over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction. Also, the first upper guide portion 62A can be locked to the second upper guide portion 165B of the case 106 of the module II in the connection direction as shown in FIG. 2(C).

[0112] A first end guide portion 63 for relatively guiding the module II in the front-rear direction is formed on both ends in the up-down direction of the side surface on the X1 side of the case 6. The first end guide portion 63 extends uniformly over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction, and has a substantially L-shaped hook-like cross section taken on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 2(C), the first end guide portion 63 is capable of being engaged with the second end guide portion 166 of the case 106 of the module II in the connecting direction.

[0113] 2(B), a lower engagement protrusion 64 is formed on the lower part of the X2 side surface of case 6 at a position corresponding to the control male connector 3 in the up-down direction, and an upper engagement protrusion 65 is formed on the upper part of the side surface at a position corresponding to the power supply female connector 5 in the up-down direction. The lower engagement protrusion 64 and the upper engagement protrusion 65 are engageable with a lower engagement recess 261 and an upper engagement recess 262 provided on the X1 side surface of case 206 of module III (see FIG. 1(A)), and cases I and III are connected to each other by the engagement of these parts.

[0114] At both ends in the up-down direction of the lower engagement protrusion 64, a second lower guide portion 64A for relatively guiding the module III in the front-rear direction is formed. The second lower guide portion 64A is a protruding portion that protrudes upward and downward and extends in the front-rear direction. The second lower guide portion 64A extends uniformly in a straight line over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction except for the range of the male locking portion 33D of the control male connector 3. The second lower guide portion 64A is provided at the same position as the male locking portion 33D when viewed in the front-rear direction, and therefore the second lower guide portion 64A and the male locking portion 33D together form one guide portion that extends over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction. The second lower guide portion 64A relatively guides the first lower guide portion 261A in the front-rear direction by entering in the front-rear direction into a groove portion formed in the first lower guide portion 261A (see FIG. 1(A)) of the case 206 of the module III. In addition, the second lower guide portion 64A is capable of being locked to the first lower guide portion 261A in the coupling direction.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 2(B), the upper engagement protrusion 65 has a guide groove 65A that allows the power contact portion 241D (see Fig. 1(A)) of the male power connector 204 provided on the module III to enter, at a position corresponding to the receiving groove 52A of the female power connector 5 in the up-down direction (terminal arrangement direction). The guide groove 65A extends over the entire range rearward (Y2 side) of the female power connector 5. The guide groove 65A and the receiving groove 52A together form a single guide groove.

[0116] At both ends in the up-down direction of the upper engagement protrusion 65, a second upper guide portion 65B for relatively guiding the module III in the front-rear direction is formed. The second upper guide portion 65B is a protruding portion that protrudes upward and downward and extends in the front-rear direction. The second upper guide portion 65B extends in a straight line uniformly over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction except for the range of the female locking portion 52C of the female power connector 5. The second upper guide portion 65B is provided at the same position as the female locking portion 52C when viewed in the front-rear direction, and therefore the second upper guide portion 65B and the female locking portion 52C together form one guide portion that extends over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction. The second upper guide portion 65B relatively guides the first upper guide portion 262A in the front-rear direction by entering in the front-rear direction into a groove portion formed in the first upper guide portion 262A (see FIG. 1(A)) of the case 206 of the module III. In addition, the second upper guide portion 65B is capable of being locked to the first upper guide portion 262A in the coupling direction.

[0117] At both ends in the vertical direction of the side surface on the X2 side of the case 6, a second end guide portion 66 for relatively guiding the case 206 of the module III in the front-rear direction is formed. The second end guide portion 66 extends uniformly over the entire range of the case 6 in the front-rear direction, and has a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction that is substantially L-shaped and hook-shaped. The second end guide portion 66 forms a protrusion portion that protrudes upward or downward and extends in the front-rear direction. The second end guide portion 66 enters a groove portion formed in a first end guide portion 263 (see FIG. 1(A)) of the case 206 of the module III in the front-rear direction, thereby relatively guiding the first end guide portion 263 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the second end guide portion 66 is capable of being engaged with the first end guide portion 263 in the connection direction.

[0118] Next, the operation of connecting modules will be described. In this embodiment, the operation of inserting and connecting module I between module II and module III that are already attached to rails (not shown) will be described. By inserting and connecting module I in this manner, modules I, II, and III are connected to form one connected module body. First, as shown in FIG. 1(A), module I is positioned on the rear side (Y2 side) of modules II and III so as to correspond to the space between modules II and III in the connecting direction (X-axis direction). Next, module I is moved forward (Y1 direction) and inserted between modules II and III.

[0119] When the insertion of the module I is started, on the X1 side surface of the module I, the lower engagement protrusion 164 and the upper engagement protrusion 165 (see FIG. 2(C)) of the module II enter from the front into the lower engagement recess 61 and the upper engagement recess 62 (see FIGS. 2(A) and (C)) of the module I, respectively. At this time, the first lower guide portion 61A of the lower engagement recess 61 is guided forward by the second lower guide portion 164A of the lower engagement protrusion 164, and the first upper guide portion 62A of the upper engagement recess 62 is guided forward by the second upper guide portion 165B of the upper engagement protrusion 165. In addition, the second end guide portion 166 of the module II enters from the front into the first end guide portion 63 of the module I. As a result, the first end guide portion 63 is guided forward by the second end guide portion 166.

[0120] On the X2 side surface of module I, the lower engagement protrusion 64 and upper engagement protrusion 65 (see FIG. 2(B)) of module I enter the lower engagement recess 261 and upper engagement recess 262 (see FIG. 1(A)) of module III from the rear. At this time, the second lower guide portion 64A of the lower engagement protrusion 64 is guided forward by the first lower guide portion 261A of the lower engagement recess 261, and the second upper guide portion 65B of the upper engagement protrusion 65 is guided forward by the first upper guide portion 262A of the upper engagement recess 262.

[0121] As the insertion of module I progresses, on the X1 side surface of module I, power supply contact portion 41D of male power connector 4 enters from the rear into guide groove portion 165A (see FIG. 2(C)) of upper engagement protrusion 165 of module II. Power supply contact portion 41D is guided forward by guide groove portion 165A.

[0122] As the insertion of module I progresses further, module I is attached to a rail (not shown), and at the same time, each connector on module I is mated and connected with the mating connectors on modules II and III, thereby completing the connection operation of module I. As a result, as shown in Fig. 1(B), modules I to III are connected in a row in the connection direction, and a module connection body is completed.

[0123] In the module assembly, the control female connector 2 and power male connector 4 of module I are mated and connected to the control male connector 103 and power female connector 105 (mating second connector) of module II, respectively (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)). Also, the control male connector 3 and power female connector 5 of module I are mated and connected to the control female connector 202 and power male connector 204 (mating first connector) of module III, respectively (see Figs. 3(A) and (B)).

[0124] Hereinafter, the fitting and connecting operation between the connectors performed in the process of inserting and connecting the module I described above will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 18. As described above, the control female connector 2 of the module I is fitted and connected to the control male connector 103 of the module II. Also, the control male connector 3 of the module I is fitted and connected to the control female connector 202 of the module III. Figs. 14(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the connector mounting bodies 1, 101, 201 on a plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) just before the start of the fitting and connecting operation, Fig. 14(A) shows a cross section at the position of the signal terminal of the control connector pair, and Fig. 14(B) shows a cross section at the position of the power terminal of the control connector pair. In Figs. 14(A) and (B), the illustration of the intermediate portion in the coupling direction (X-axis direction) of the circuit board P1 is omitted.

[0125] 14(A) and (B), immediately before the start of the mating and connecting operation, the connector mounting body 1 is located rearward (upper in Figs. 14(A) and (B)) of the connector mounting bodies 101, 201. Then, the connector mounting body 1 moves forward (lower in Figs. 14(A) and (B)), thereby starting the mating and connecting operation between the connectors.

[0126] 15(A) and (B) are cross-sectional views of the connector mounting body 1, 101, 201 in the middle of the fitting and connecting operation, taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, where FIG. 15(A) shows a cross-section at the position of the signal terminal of the control connector pair, and FIG. 15(B) shows a cross-section at the position of the power terminal of the control connector pair. When the connector mounting body 1 starts moving forward, first, as shown in FIG. 15(B), the power contact portion 22C-1 of the power female terminal 22 in the control female connector 2 of the connector mounting body 1 comes into contact with the rear end (upper end in FIG. 15(B)) of the power contact portion 132B of the power male terminal 132 in the control male connector 103 of the connector mounting body 101, with the power contact arm 22C in a state of elastic deformation in the X2 direction. Note that, although FIG. 15(B) shows the power contact arm 22C in a state where it is not elastically deformed, it is actually elastically deformed in the X2 direction.

[0127] 15(A), signal contact portion 21C-1 of signal female terminal 21 in control female connector 2 of connector mounting body 1 is not in contact with the rear end portion of signal contact portion 131B of signal male terminal 131 in control male connector 103 of connector mounting body 101. This is because, in control female connector 2, signal contact portion 21C-1 and power contact portion 22C-1 are provided at the same position in the front-to-rear direction (up-down direction in FIGS. 15(A) and (B)), while in control male connector 103, the rear end portion of power contact portion 132B is located rearward of signal contact portion 131B (upward in FIGS. 15(A) and (B)).

[0128] 15(B), the front end (the lower end in FIG. 15(B)) of the power contact portion 32B of the power male terminal 32 in the controlling male connector 3 of the connector mounting body 1 contacts the power contact portion 222C-1 while elastically deforming the power contact arm portion 22C of the power female terminal 222 in the controlling female connector 202 of the connector mounting body 201 in the X2 direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15(A), the front end portion of the signal contact portion 31B of the signal male terminal 31 in the controlling male connector 3 of the connector mounting body 1 does not contact the power contact portion 22C-1 of the signal female terminal 221 in the controlling female connector 202 of the connector mounting body 201. This is because, in the control female connector 202, the signal contact portion 221C-1 and the power contact portion 222C-1 are provided at the same position in the front-to-rear direction (the up-down direction in Figs. 15(A) and (B)), while in the control male connector 3, the front end portion of the power contact portion 32B is located forward of the signal contact portion 31B (lower in Figs. 15(A) and (B)). Note that, although Fig. 15(B) shows the power contact arm portion 222C in a state where it is not elastically deformed, in reality it is elastically deformed in the X2 direction.

[0129] Depending on the specifications of an electrical connector provided with both signal terminals and power terminals, contact between the power terminals may be required before contact between the signal terminals during the mating operation of the electrical connectors. In this embodiment, in the male terminals 31, 131 of the control male connectors 3, 103, the front ends of the power contact parts 32B, 132B extending in the front-rear direction are located forward of the signal contact parts 31B, 131B, and the rear ends are located rearward of the signal contact parts 31B, 131B. In addition, in the multiple female terminals 221, 222, 21, 22 provided in the control female connectors 202, 2, which are the mating connectors of the control male connectors 3, 103, their contact parts 221C-1, 222C-1, 21C-1, 22C-1 are formed at the same position in the front-rear direction. Therefore, during the mating operation of the connectors, the power contact portions 32B, 132B come into contact with the power contact portions 222C-1, 22C-1 before the signal contact portions 31B, 131B come into contact with the signal contact portions 221C-1, 21C-1. In this manner, the present embodiment can satisfactorily meet the requirements of the above specifications.

[0130] 15(A) and 15(B), power male terminal 41 of power male connector 4 of connector mounting body 1 is not yet in contact with power female terminal 151 of power female connector 105 of connector mounting body 101. Also, power female terminal 51 of power female connector 5 of connector mounting body 1 is not yet in contact with power male terminal 241 of power male connector 204 of connector mounting body 201.

[0131] 15(A) and (B) is moved further forward to the position shown in Figures 16(A) and (B), i.e., the connector mounting body 1 is positioned at the same depth in the front-rear direction as the connector mounting bodies 101, 201, thereby completing the mating and connection operation between the connectors. When the mating and connection is completed, as shown in Figure 16(B), the power contact arm 22C of the power female terminal 22 in the control female connector 2 of the connector mounting body 1 elastically deforms in the X2 direction, which is the coupling direction, and the power contact portion 22C-1 is in contact with the power contact portion 132B of the power male terminal 132 in the control male connector 103 of the connector mounting body 101. At this time, as shown in Fig. 16(A), signal contact arm 21C of signal female terminal 21 in control female connector 2 of connector mounting body 1 also elastically deforms in the X2 direction in the connecting direction, and signal contact portion 21C-1 comes into contact with signal contact portion 131B of signal male terminal 131 in control male connector 103 of connector mounting body 101. Note that, although signal contact arm 21C and power contact arm 22C are shown in a state where they are not elastically deformed in Fig. 16(A) and (B), they are actually elastically deformed in the X2 direction.

[0132] 16(B), the power contact portion 32B of the power male terminal 32 in the control male connector 3 of the connector mounting body 1 elastically deforms the power contact arm portion 222C of the power female terminal 222 in the control female connector 202 of the connector mounting body 201 in the X2 direction in the coupling direction, and comes into contact with the power contact portion 222C-1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16(A), the signal contact portion 31B of the signal male terminal 31 in the control male connector 3 of the connector mounting body 1 elastically deforms the signal contact arm portion 221C of the signal female terminal 221 in the control female connector 202 of the connector mounting body 201 in the X2 direction in the coupling direction, and comes into contact with the signal contact portion 221C-1. Note that, although the signal contact arm portion 221C and the power contact arm portion 222C are shown in a state where they are not elastically deformed in FIG. 16(A) and (B), they are actually elastically deformed in the X2 direction.

[0133] In this way, the signal contact 21C-1 and the signal contact 131B, the power contact 22C-1 and the power contact 132B, the signal contact 31B and the signal contact 221C-1, and the power contact 32B and the power contact 222C-1 are in contact with each other with the connection direction (X-axis direction) as the contact direction (direction in which contact pressure is generated). As a result, the control female connector 2 and the control male connector 103 are electrically connected, and the control male connector 3 and the control female connector 202 are electrically connected. Therefore, all the control connectors 2, 3, 103, 202 are electrically conductive.

[0134] Also, the power contact portion 41D of the power male terminal 41 in the power male connector 4 of the connector mounting body 1 enters between the two power contact portions 151E-1 of the power female terminal 151 in the power female connector 105 of the connector mounting body 101 from the rear and comes into contact with the power contact portion 151E-1. At this time, the two power contact portions 151E-1 press the power contact portion 41D while elastically deforming so as to move away from each other in the terminal arrangement direction. Also, the power contact portion 51E-1 of the power female terminal 51 in the power female connector 5 of the connector mounting body 1 receives the power contact portion 241D of the power male terminal 241 in the power male connector 204 of the connector mounting body 201 from the front between the two power contact portions 51E-1 and comes into contact with the power contact portion 241D. At this time, the two power contact portions 51E-1 press the power contact portion 241D while elastically deforming so as to move away from each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0135] In this way, power contact 41D and power contact 151E-1, and power contact 51E-1 and power contact 241D come into contact with each other with the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) as the contact direction (direction in which contact pressure occurs). As a result, power male connector 4 and power female connector 105 are electrically connected, and power female connector 5 and power male connector 204 are electrically connected. Therefore, all of the power connectors 4, 5, 105, and 204 can be electrically connected.

[0136] In the connector mating connection state, the female locking portion 24I of the movable housing 24 of the control female connector 2 locks with the male locking portion 133D of the housing 133 (mating second housing) of the control male connector 103 in the coupling direction. Specifically, as shown in Figures 17(A) and (B), the tip of the female locking portion 24I is located in the recess 133I (see Figure 17(B)) of the housing 133, and the male locking portion 133D is located in the recess 24J (see Figure 17(B)) of the movable housing 24. At this time, as shown in Figure 17(B), a slight gap (backlash) is formed in the coupling direction between the tip of the female locking portion 24I and the inner wall surface of the recess 133I, and between the male locking portion 133D and the inner wall surface of the recess 24J. Therefore, the movable housing 24 and the housing 133 are restricted from moving relative to each other within the range of the gap in the connecting direction.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 17(B), the female abutment portion 24D of the movable housing 24 of the control female connector 2 is engaged with the male abutment portion 133E of the housing 133 of the control male connector 103 in the terminal arrangement direction. A slight gap (backlash) is formed between the female abutment portion 24D and the male abutment portion 133E in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, the movable housing 24 and the housing 133 restrict each other's movement within the range of the above gap in the terminal arrangement direction. Note that, as shown in FIG. 17(B), the above gap is smaller than the gap formed between the tip of the female locking portion 24I and the inner wall surface of the recess 133I in the terminal arrangement direction and the gap formed between the male locking portion 133D and the inner wall surface of the recess 24J in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, in the terminal arrangement direction, the tip of female locking portion 24I does not come into contact with the inner wall surface of recess 133I, and male locking portion 133D does not come into contact with the inner wall surface of recess 24J.

[0138] In addition, similarly to the above-described case for the control female connector 2 and the control male connector 103, the housing 33 of the control male connector 3 and the movable housing 224 (mating first housing) of the control female connector 202 are engaged with each other in the connection direction by the male side locking portion 33D and the female side locking portion of the control female connector 202 locking with each other, and the male side abutment portion 33E and the female side abutment portion 224D abutting each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0139] In the connector mating connection state, the male locking portion 42B of the housing 42 of the power male connector 4 locks with the female locking portion 152C of the housing 152 (mating second housing) of the power female connector 105 in the coupling direction. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 18(A) and (B), the male locking portion 42B is located in the recess 152E (see Fig. 18(B)) of the housing 152, and the tip of the female locking portion 152C is located in the recess 42D (see Fig. 18(B)) of the housing 42. At this time, as shown in Fig. 18(B), a slight gap (backlash) is formed in the coupling direction between the male locking portion 42B and the inner wall surface of the recess 152E, and between the tip of the female locking portion 152C and the inner wall surface of the recess 42D. Therefore, the housings 42 and 152 restrict each other's movement within the range of the above-mentioned gap in the coupling direction.

[0140] In addition, male locking portion 42B and the inner wall surface of recess 152E, and the tip of female locking portion 152C and the inner wall surface of recess 42D can be abutted and locked in the terminal arrangement direction. That is, male locking portion 42B also serves as a first abutment, and female locking portion 152C also serves as a second abutment. As shown in FIG. 18(B), there is a slight gap (backlash) between male locking portion 42B and the inner wall surface of recess 152E, and between the tip of female locking portion 152C and the inner wall surface of recess 42D in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, housing 42 and housing 152 are restricted from moving relative to each other within the range of the gap in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0141] In addition, in the same manner as described above for power male connector 4 and power female connector 105, housing 52 of power female connector 5 and housing 242 (mating first housing) of power male connector 204 engage with each other in the connection direction and the terminal arrangement direction, with female side locking portion 52C and male side locking portion of power male connector 204.

[0142] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the housings of the connectors connected to each other are restricted from moving relative to each other in the connection direction and the terminal arrangement direction, so that the positional relationship between the connectors is kept within a predetermined tolerance range, thereby ensuring a stable and good electrical contact state between the connectors.

[0143] In this embodiment, the control female connector 2 is configured as a so-called floating connector in which the movable housing 24 is movable relative to the fixed housing 23. Therefore, even if the relative position between the connector provided in the connector mounting body 1 and the mating connector of the connector mounting body corresponding to the connector is deviated from the normal position, the movable housing 24 moves (floats) in a direction that absorbs the deviation, so that the terminals of all the connectors can be reliably contacted with the terminals of the mating connector. Also, even if the relative positions between the control connector pair and the power connector pair in the connector mounting body 1 or the mating connector mounting body are deviated from the normal position, the movable housing 24 moves (floats) in a direction that absorbs the deviation, so that the terminals of all the connectors can be reliably contacted with the terminals of the mating connector.

[0144] In this embodiment, a guide groove 165A is formed in the upper engagement protrusion 165 of the case 106 of the module II (see FIG. 2(C)), and this guide groove 165A guides the power contact portion 41D of the power male terminal 41 of the module I. On the other hand, in the lower engagement protrusion 164 of the case 106, the surface perpendicular to the coupling direction (X-axis direction) of the lower engagement protrusion 164 is a flat surface that extends over the entire lower engagement protrusion 164, and no groove such as the guide groove 165A is formed (see FIG. 2(C)). Therefore, in the process of fitting and connecting the module I and the module II, the upper engagement protrusion 165, not the lower engagement protrusion 164, serves as the reference for positioning in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0145] In this embodiment, neither the female power connector 105 provided corresponding to the upper engaging protrusion 165 that serves as the reference for positioning, nor the male power connector 4 that is mated and connected to the female power connector 105, is configured as a floating connector. And the female control connector 2, that is, the connector that is mated and connected to the male control connector 103 that corresponds to the lower engaging protrusion 164 that does not serve as the reference for positioning, is configured as a floating connector. In this way, by not providing a floating connector in which the movable housing floats on the side that serves as the reference for positioning, good positioning of the modules and ultimately the connectors can be achieved.

[0146] In addition, if the power male connector 4, in which the power contact portion 41D is guided by the guide groove portion 165A, is configured as a floating connector, if there is an error in the relative position of the modules I and II in the terminal arrangement direction, during the process of fitting and connecting the modules I and II, the power contact portion 41D will move in the fitting direction while being pressed against the groove inner surface of the guide groove portion 165A in the terminal arrangement direction. As a result, an excessive contact force acts on the power contact portion 41D and the groove inner surface of the guide groove portion 165A, and there is a risk of damage due to the power contact portion 41D and the groove inner surface of the guide groove portion 165A sliding against each other. In this embodiment, the control female connector 2, in which the terminals are not guided by the guide groove portion, is configured as a floating connector, so that the occurrence of damage to the terminals and case as described above can be effectively prevented.

[0147] In this embodiment, the power contact portion 41D and the power female terminal 151 connected thereto are formed with a large cross-sectional area in order to pass a relatively large power current, and therefore are not easily elastically deformed. Therefore, if the power male connector 4 having the power contact portion 41D or the power female connector 105 having the power female terminal 151 were made into a floating connector, it would be difficult to ensure a sufficient amount of floating of the movable housing. In this embodiment, the control female connector 2 having the female terminals 21, 22, which have a relatively small cross-sectional area and are easily elastically deformed, is configured as a floating connector, so that a sufficiently large amount of floating can be easily ensured and errors between the connectors can be absorbed well. Note that, although the floating connector between the modules I and II has been described here, the same applies to the floating connector between the modules I and III.

[0148] In this embodiment, the female locking portion 24I of the control female connector 2 in the module I, the male locking portion 33D of the control male connector 3, the male locking portion 42B of the power male connector 4, the female locking portion 52C of the power female connector 5, the male locking portion 133D of the control male connector 103 in the module II, the female locking portion 152C of the power female connector 105, the female locking portion of the control female connector 202 in the module II, and the male locking portion of the power male connector 204 extend uniformly over the entire range in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the corresponding locking portions do not have portions that abut against each other from the front and rear. In addition, the receiving groove portion 52A of the power female connector 5 in the module I and the receiving groove portion of the power female connector 105 in the module II penetrate in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, these receiving groove portions can receive the power contact portion of the mating connector from either the front or rear direction.

[0149] In this embodiment, the first lower guide portion 61A, the first upper guide portion 62A, the first end guide portion 63, the second lower guide portion 64A, the second upper guide portion 65B, and the second end guide portion 66 in the case 6 of the module I, the second lower guide portion 164A, the second upper guide portion 165B, and the second end guide portion 166 in the case 106 of the module II, and the first lower guide portion 261A, the first upper guide portion 262A, and the first end guide portion 263 in the case 106 of the module II extend uniformly over the entire range in the front-rear direction. In other words, the corresponding guide portions do not have portions that abut against each other from the front and rear. Also, the guide groove portion 65A in the case 6 of the module I and the guide groove portion 165A in the case 106 of the module II penetrate in the front-rear direction. These guide groove portions are capable of receiving the power contact portion of the mating connector from either the front or rear direction.

[0150] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, module I can be inserted and connected between modules II and III without interfering with modules II and III, while modules II and III remain attached to the rails. Furthermore, module I thus inserted and connected can be removed from between modules II and III by pulling it backward, without interfering with modules II and III.

[0151] That is, in this embodiment, when it becomes necessary to replace only the module I located in the middle position in the connecting direction in a module connected body in which modules I, II, and III are connected, only that module I can be easily removed without interfering with modules II and III. In addition, after that, the new replaced module I can be easily inserted between modules II and III without interfering with modules II and III. Therefore, when replacing module I located in the middle position, there is no need to detach other modules II and III, so the replacement work of module I is simplified and work efficiency is improved.

[0152] In the present embodiment, an example in which three modules I, II, and III are connected to form a module assembly has been described, but the number of modules to be connected is not limited to this and may be more than one. Also, in the present embodiment, an example in which two connector pairs are provided in each module has been described, but the number of connector pairs provided is not limited to this and may be one, or three or more.

[0153] In this embodiment, the connector pair is composed of a male connector and a female connector, but it is not essential that the connector pair be composed of such male and female connectors. As a variant, the connector pair may be composed of, for example, hermaphroditic connectors of the same shape.

[0154] In this embodiment, only one of the control connector pairs is configured as a floating connector, but instead, both of the control connector pairs may be configured as floating connectors. Also, in this embodiment, a floating connector is used in only one of the two connector pairs, but as a modified example, a floating connector may be used in the other connector pair or both connector pairs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 1 Connector assembly 2 Control female connector (first connector) 3 Control male connector (second connector) 4 Power male connector (first connector) 5 Power female connector (second connector) 6 Cases 21 Signal female terminal (first terminal) 21B Fixed side held part 21D Movable side held part 21E Elastic part 22 Power female terminal (first terminal) 22B Fixed side held part 22D Movable side held part 22E Elastic part 23 Fixed housing (first housing) 23C Fixed side regulation part 24 Movable housing (first housing) 24D Female side contact part (first contact part) 24G Movable side regulation part 24I Female locking part (first locking part) 31 Signal male terminal (second terminal) 31B Signal contact part 31F Free end 32 Power male terminal (second terminal) 32B Power contact 32F free end 33 Housing (Second Housing) 33D Male locking part (second locking part) 33E Male side contact part (second contact part) 41 Power male terminal (first terminal) 42 Housing (First Housing) 42B Male side locking part (first locking part) 51 Power female terminal (second terminal) 52 Housing (Second Housing) 52C Female locking part (second locking part) 101 Connector mounting body (mating electrical connector mounting body) 103 Control male connector (mating second connector) 105 Power supply female connector (mating second connector) 133 Housing (opponent's second housing) 152 Housing (opponent's second housing) 201 Connector assembly (Mating electrical connector assembly) 202 Control female connector (mating first connector) 204 Power male connector (mating first connector) 224 Movable housing (counterpart first housing) 242 Housing (Partner's first housing) I-Module II Module III Module P1 Circuit Board

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly having a circuit board and an electrical connector pair mounted on a mounting surface of the circuit board, the electrical connector pair being connectable in a predetermined direction, The electrical connector assembly can be mated and connected to the mating electrical connector assembly adjacent to each other on both sides in a coupling direction, with a mating direction being a forward direction in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the coupling direction, The electrical connectors constituting the electrical connector pair each have a plurality of terminals arranged in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the connecting direction, and a housing for holding the plurality of terminals, The electrical connector pair includes, as the electrical connectors, a first connector that is mounted on one side of the circuit board in a coupling direction and a second connector that is mounted on the other side of the circuit board in the coupling direction, The first connector is adapted to be mated and connected to a mating second connector provided on a mating electrical connector mounting body, The second connector is capable of being fitted and connected to a mating first connector provided on another mating electrical connector mounting body, the first connector does not have a portion that abuts against the mating second connector from the front and rear, 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

2. the first connector includes a first terminal as the terminal and a first housing as the housing that holds the first terminal, the second connector includes a second terminal as the terminal, and a second housing as the housing that holds the second terminal, the first housing has a first locking portion that can be locked to a mating second housing of the mating second connector in a connection direction, 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second housing has a second locking portion that can be locked to the mating first housing of the mating first connector in a connecting direction.

3. the first connector includes a first terminal as the terminal and a first housing as the housing that holds the first terminal, the second connector includes a second terminal as the terminal, and a second housing as the housing that holds the second terminal, the first housing has a first abutment portion that is capable of abutting against the mating second housing in a terminal arrangement direction, 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second housing has a second abutment portion that is capable of abutting against the mating first housing in the terminal arrangement direction.

4. The electrical connector pair is provided in a plurality of types, In at least one specific type of electrical connector pair, the terminal has a shape formed by bending a metal plate member in a plate thickness direction, and has a contact portion for contacting a mating terminal provided on a mating electrical connector mounting body, 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is capable of coming into contact with the mating terminal using a plate surface that intersects with a connecting direction as a contact surface.

5. the plurality of terminals provided on one of the specific electrical connector pairs include power supply terminals and signal terminals; the power supply terminal has a power supply contact portion as the contact portion capable of coming into contact with the mating terminal corresponding to the power supply terminal, the signal terminal has a signal contact portion as the contact portion capable of coming into contact with the mating terminal corresponding to the signal terminal, 5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 4, wherein the power contact portion is formed extending in the front-to-rear direction, with its front end positioned forward of the signal contact portion and its rear end positioned rearward of the signal contact portion.

6. a contact portion of a terminal of at least one of the electrical connectors provided in the specific electrical connector pair is formed to extend in a front-rear direction at a position close to one end side in a longitudinal direction of the terminal, the terminal has a free end portion that is continuous with a rear end of the contact portion and extends to a free end on the one end side, 5. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the free end portion has a connecting portion with the rear end of the contact portion that is bent with a component directed toward the opposite side to the contact surface in the connecting direction.

7. The electrical connector pair is provided in a plurality of types, A housing of one electrical connector in at least one specific electrical connector pair has a fixed housing and a movable housing, and a terminal is provided to span the fixed housing and the movable housing, the fixed housing is fixed to the circuit board via the terminal, the terminal has an elastically deformable elastic portion between a fixed-side held portion held by the fixed housing and a movable-side held portion held by the movable housing, 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing by elastic deformation of the elastic portion.

8. 8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the fixed housing has a fixed side restricting portion that can be engaged with the movable housing in a connecting direction.

9. 8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the movable housing has a movable side restricting portion that protrudes toward a mounting surface of the circuit board and is capable of abutting against the mounting surface.

10. The terminals include a power terminal and a signal terminal, The power terminals are formed larger than the signal terminals in a terminal arrangement direction, 8. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the elastic portion of the power terminal is longer than the elastic portion of the signal terminal.

11. A first connector provided in the electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A second connector provided in the electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. An electrical connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a case for accommodating the electrical connector assembly.

14. A module assembly comprising a plurality of modules according to claim 13 connected together.

Images