Connector and assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of reducing a size in a width direction.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises: an insulator 200; and a plurality of contacts 500. The insulator 200 includes a separation part 300. In the separation part 300, a plurality of housing grooves 330 are formed. Each housing groove 330 is separated into two groups. One group of the housing grooves 330 is deviated from the other group of the housing grooves 330 in a pitch direction. Each of the housing grooves 330 contains an acceptance part 332. In a width direction, the acceptance part 332 is extended so as to be over a center of the separation part 300. Each contact 500 corresponds to each of the housing grooves 330. The acceptance part 332 of the housing grooves 330 can partially accept a tip end part 530 of the corresponding contact 500 at a time of fitting with a connector 100 and a mating side connector 700.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and assembly having at least two rows of contacts and a divider. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses this type of connector 900. As shown in Fig. 34, the connector 900 of Patent Document 1 has a first housing 910, a fixed housing 920, and a plurality of first contacts (contacts) 930. The first housing 910 has a separation wall (partition portion) 912. The contacts 930 form two contact rows. The partition portion 912 is located between the two contact rows in the Y direction (width direction). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7109303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for connectors such as the connector 900 of Patent Document 1 to be reduced in size in the width direction.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a connector whose width can be reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a first connector, A connector that can be mated with a mating connector having mating contacts along a mating direction, The connector includes an insulator and a plurality of contacts. The insulator holds the contact, The insulator has a partition portion, A plurality of receiving grooves are formed in the partition portion, The receiving grooves are divided into two groups, The receiving grooves of each of the groups are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the receiving groove of one of the groups is located on one of both surfaces of the partition portion in a width direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the pitch direction, the receiving groove of the remaining one of the groups is located on the remaining one of the two surfaces of the partition portion, the receiving groove of one of the groups is offset from the receiving groove of the remaining one of the groups in the pitch direction; Each of the receiving grooves has a receiving portion, In the width direction, the receiving portion extends across a center of the partition portion, The contacts correspond to the receiving grooves, Each of the contacts is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove, The contacts are arranged in two contact rows, Each of the contacts has a contact portion and a tip portion, the contact portion comes into contact with the mating contact when the connector and the mating connector are mated, The receiving portion of each of the receiving grooves is capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion of the corresponding contact during the mating process. Provide a connector.

[0007] The present invention also provides a second connector, the first connector comprising: In each of the contacts, the tip portion is thinner than the contact portion, The receiving portion has a narrow portion, The narrow portion of each of the receiving portions of the receiving grooves is narrower than the contact portion of the corresponding contact, In the pitch direction, a range occupied by each of the receiving grooves of one of the groups overlaps with a range occupied by any of the receiving grooves of the remaining one of the groups. Provide a connector.

[0008] The present invention also provides a third connector, which is the first connector, Each of the contacts further includes a guide portion, The guide portion connects the contact portion and the tip portion to each other, The guide portion intersects with the fitting direction. Provide a connector.

[0009] The present invention also provides a fourth connector, which is the first connector, Each of the contacts further includes a support portion, The support portion elastically supports the contact portion, Each of the receiving grooves further includes an additional receiving portion, The additional receiving portion partially receives the support portion during the fitting. Provide a connector.

[0010] The present invention also provides a fifth connector, which is the fourth connector, The receiving portion has a first surface facing the fitting direction, The additional receiving portion has a second surface facing the mating direction, The angle that the first surface forms with the fitting direction is larger than the angle that the second surface forms with the fitting direction. Provide a connector.

[0011] The present invention also provides a first assembly, An assembly comprising any one of the first to fifth connectors and the mating connector, The mating connector includes a mating insulator and a plurality of the mating contacts, the mating insulator holds the mating contact, The mating insulator has two outer walls, Each of the outer walls extends in the pitch direction, Each of the outer walls is formed with a plurality of mating receiving portions, Each of the mating receiving portions penetrates the outer wall in the width direction, The mating contacts are arranged in a plurality of mating contact rows, Each of the mating contacts has a mating tip portion, The mating receiving portion is capable of receiving the mating tip portions of the mating contacts in the outermost row in the width direction of the plurality of rows during the mating process. An assembly is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The connector of the present invention is configured as follows: a plurality of accommodating grooves are formed in the partition; the accommodating grooves are divided into two groups; one of the accommodating grooves of the group is offset from the other of the accommodating grooves of the group in the pitch direction; each of the accommodating grooves has a receiving portion; the receiving portion extends across the center of the partition in the width direction. This makes the partition of the connector of the present invention thinner in the width direction. That is, the connector of the present invention has a smaller size in the width direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a connector and a mating connector are not yet mated with each other. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 1 along line AA. [Diagram 3]Fig. 2 is another front view showing the assembly of Fig. 1. In the figure, the connector and the mating connector are in the middle of mating. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line BB. [Diagram 5] Fig. 2 is another front view showing the assembly of Fig. 1, in which the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 5 along line CC. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 5 along line DD. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing a connector included in the assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 10 taken along line EE. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 10 taken along line FF. [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the connector of FIG. 8. [Figure 14] FIG. 9 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 8. [Figure 15] 9 is a perspective view showing contacts in a first contact row included in the connector of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the contact of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 10 is a top view showing a movable housing included in the connector of FIG. 9. [Figure 18] 18 is a front view showing the movable housing of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the movable housing of FIG. 18 taken along line GG. [Figure 20] 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the movable housing of FIG. 18 taken along line HH. [Figure 21] 2 is a bottom perspective view showing a mating connector included in the assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 22]22 is a bottom view showing the mating connector of FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 22 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 21. [Figure 24] 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of FIG. 23 taken along line II. [Diagram 25] FIG. 22 is a top view showing the mating connector of FIG. 21. [Figure 26] 22 is a perspective view showing a mating contact of a first mating contact row included in the mating connector of FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connector included in an assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 27. [Figure 29] FIG. 28 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 27. [Diagram 30] 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 29 taken along line JJ. [Diagram 31] FIG. 28 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 27. [Diagram 32] 28 is a perspective view showing a first contact in a first contact row included in the connector of FIG. 27. FIG. [Diagram 33] 28 is a perspective view showing a second contact in a second row included in the connector of FIG. 27. FIG. [Diagram 34] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector of Patent Document 1. In the figure, a part of the connector is shown in an enlarged manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, an assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 100 and a mating connector 700.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 6, the mating connector 700 of this embodiment can be mated with the connector 100 along the mating direction. With reference to Fig. 21, the mating connector 700 of this embodiment is a plug connector. In this embodiment, the mating direction is the Z direction. The mating direction is also the up-down direction. Here, the up is the +Z direction and the down is the -Z direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 24, a mating connector 700 of the present embodiment includes a mating insulator 710 and a plurality of mating contacts 750. The mating connector 700 includes a mating insulator 710 and a plurality of mating contacts 750.

[0017] 24, the mating insulator 710 of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. The mating insulator 710 holds a mating contact 750. The mating insulator 710 has two outer walls 720.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 22, each of the outer walls 720 in this embodiment extends in the pitch direction. Each of the outer walls 720 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the width direction. The two outer walls 720 define both ends of the mating insulator 710 in the width direction. Each of the outer walls 720 has a plurality of mating receiving portions 722 formed therein. In this embodiment, the pitch direction is the X direction. Also, in this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction. The width direction is also the front-rear direction. Here, the front is the +Y direction, and the rear is the -Y direction.

[0019] 24, each of the mating receiving portions 722 of the present embodiment penetrates the outer wall 720 in the width direction. Each of the mating receiving portions 722 is located at the lower end of the mating insulator 710 in the up-down direction.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 24, the mating insulator 710 has a partition receiving portion 712 .

[0021] 24, the partition accommodating portion 712 of the present embodiment is a space that extends in the fitting direction, that is, in the vertical direction. The partition accommodating portion 712 opens downward in the vertical direction.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 26, each of the mating contacts 750 in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the mating contacts 750 is a spring contact. As shown in FIG. 22, the mating contacts 750 form a mating contact row 770 of a plurality of rows. Specifically, the mating contacts 750 form two mating contact rows 770. Hereinafter, the row located on the front side of the mating contact row 770 is referred to as a first mating contact row 771, and the row located on the rear side is referred to as a second mating contact row 772. The mating contacts 750 of the first mating contact row 771 and the mating contacts 750 of the second mating contact row 772 have the same shape. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the mating contacts 750 may form three or more mating contact rows 770. The mating contacts 750 correspond to the mating receiving portions 722, respectively.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 26, each of the mating contacts 750 has a mating tip portion 752. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, each of the mating receiving portions 722 is capable of receiving the mating tip portion 752 of the corresponding mating contact 750 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated. Note that the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the mating receiving portion 722 is capable of receiving the mating tip portion 752 of the mating contact 750 in the outermost row in the width direction of the multiple rows when mated.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 26, each of the mating contacts 750 has a mating contact portion 754 , a mating support portion 756 , a mating held portion 757 , and a mating fixed portion 758 .

[0025] 24, the mating contact portion 754 of the present embodiment faces inward in the width direction. The mating contact portion 754 is located above the mating tip portion 752 in the up-down direction.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 24, the mating support portion 756 in this embodiment is located above the mating contact portion 754 in the up-down direction. The mating support portion 756 extends downward in the up-down direction from the mating held portion 757. The mating support portion 756 is elastically deformable. The mating contact portion 754 is supported by the mating support portion 756. In other words, the mating support portion 756 elastically supports the mating contact portion 754. This allows the mating contact portion 754 to move in the width direction.

[0027] 24, the mating fixed portion 758 in this embodiment is fixed to a board (not shown) by soldering or the like when the mating connector 700 is mounted on the board. The mating fixed portion 758 extends outward in the width direction from the mating held portion 757. The mating fixed portion 758 defines the upper end of the mating contact 750 in the up-down direction. The mating fixed portion 758 defines the outer end of the mating contact 750 in the width direction.

[0028] 6, connector 100 of the present embodiment can be mated with mating connector 700 having mating contacts 750 along the mating direction. Connector 100 of the present embodiment is a receptacle connector having a floating structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and connector 100 may be a normal receptacle connector not having a floating structure, or may be a plug connector.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 8, the connector 100 includes an insulator 200 and a plurality of contacts 500 .

[0030] 11, the insulator 200 of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. The insulator 200 holds the contact 500. The insulator 200 has a movable housing 210, a fixed housing 250, and a receiving portion 202.

[0031] 11, the movable housing 210 of the present embodiment has a partition portion 300. That is, the insulator 200 has the partition portion 300.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 17, the partition 300 of this embodiment has both sides 310 in the width direction. Both sides 310 include a front side 312 and a rear side 314. The front side 312 is located in front of the rear side 314 in the front-to-rear direction. The front side 312 faces forward in the front-to-rear direction. The rear side 314 faces backward in the front-to-rear direction. A plurality of storage grooves 330 are formed in the partition 300.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 11, the storage groove 330 in this embodiment is recessed inward in the width direction. The storage groove 330 opens upward in the up-down direction. The storage groove 330 opens outward in the width direction. The storage groove 330 communicates with the storage portion 202 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 17, the storage grooves 330 are arranged in a staggered manner. The storage grooves 330 are divided into two groups G1 and G2. In this embodiment, the number of storage grooves 330 in the group G1 is the same as the number of storage grooves 330 in the group G2. The storage grooves 330 in each of the groups G1 and G2 are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 17, one of the storage grooves 330 of the groups G1 and G2 corresponds to the remaining storage groove 330 of the groups G1 and G2. One of the storage grooves 330 of the groups G1 and G2 is located on one of the two surfaces 310 of the partition part 300 in the width direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the pitch direction. The remaining storage groove 330 of the groups G1 and G2 is located on the remaining one of the two surfaces 310 of the partition part 300. One of the storage grooves 330 of the groups G1 and G2 is shifted from the remaining storage groove 330 of the groups G1 and G2 in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the storage grooves 330 of one of the groups G1 and G2 overlaps with the range occupied by one of the storage grooves 330 of the remaining group G1 and G2. More specifically, in the pitch direction, the area occupied by each of the receiving grooves 330 of one of the groups G1, G2 overlaps with the area occupied by the corresponding receiving groove 330 of the other one of the groups G1, G2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 17, the storage grooves 330 of the group G1 correspond to the storage grooves 330 of the group G2, respectively. The storage grooves 330 of the group G1 are located on the front surface 312 of the partition 300. The storage grooves 330 of the group G2 are located on the rear surface 314 of the partition 300. The storage grooves 330 of the group G1 are offset from the storage grooves 330 of the group G2 in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the storage grooves 330 of the group G1 overlaps with the range occupied by any of the storage grooves 330 of the group G2. More specifically, in the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the storage grooves 330 of the group G1 overlaps with the range occupied by the corresponding storage groove 330 of the group G2.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 17, each of the receiving grooves 330 has a receiving portion 332 .

[0037] 19 and 20 , the receiving portion 332 of the present embodiment defines the upper end of the accommodating groove 330 in the up-down direction. The receiving portion 332 opens upward in the up-down direction. The receiving portion 332 is recessed inward in the width direction. The receiving portion 332 opens outward in the width direction.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the receiving portion 332 extends across the center 320 of the partition portion 300 in the width direction.

[0039] As described above, one of the accommodating grooves 330 of the groups G1, G2 is offset from the other of the accommodating grooves 330 of the groups G1, G2 in the pitch direction, and the receiving portion 332 extends across the center 320 of the partition portion 300 in the width direction. As a result, the partition portion 300 of the connector 100 of this embodiment is thin in the width direction. That is, the connector 100 of this embodiment is small in size in the width direction.

[0040] 17 and 19, the receiving portions 332 of the storage grooves 330 of the group G1 on the front surface 312 of the partition 300 extend across the center 320 of the partition 300 toward the rear surface 314. Note that the receiving portions 332 of the storage grooves 330 of the group G1 do not reach the rear surface 314 of the partition 300.

[0041] 17 and 20, the receiving portions 332 of the storage grooves 330 of the group G2 on the rear surface 314 of the partition 300 extend toward the front surface 312 across the center 320 of the partition 300. Note that the receiving portions 332 of the storage grooves 330 of the group G2 do not reach the front surface 312 of the partition 300.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 17, the receiving portion 332 has a narrow portion 3322 and a wide portion 3326 .

[0043] 17, the narrow width portion 3322 in this embodiment is located inside the wide width portion 3326 in the width direction. The narrow width portion 3322 defines the inner end of the receiving portion 332 in the width direction. The narrow width portion 3322 communicates with the wide width portion 3326 in the width direction. The narrow width portion 3322 has an inner surface 3323. In other words, each of the receiving portions 332 does not penetrate the partition portion 300 in the width direction.

[0044] As described above, in the insulator 200 of this embodiment, each of the receiving portions 332 does not penetrate the partition portion 300 in the width direction. This makes it possible to ensure the fluidity of the resin when molding the insulator 200 of this embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving portions 332 may penetrate the partition portion 300 in the width direction.

[0045] 19 and 20, the inner surface 3323 defines the inner end of the narrow portion 3322 in the width direction. The inner surface 3323 faces outward in the width direction. The inner surface 3323 is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 19, the inner surface 3323 of each receiving portion 332 of the storage groove 330 of the group G1 is located rearward of the center 320 of the partition unit 300 in the front-rear direction. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 20, the inner surface 3323 of each receiving portion 332 of the storage groove 330 of the group G2 is located forward of the center 320 of the partition unit 300 in the front-rear direction.

[0046] 17, the wide portion 3326 of this embodiment is located outside the narrow portion 3322 in the width direction. The wide portion 3326 defines the outer end of the receiving portion 332 in the width direction. The size of the wide portion 3326 in the pitch direction decreases toward the narrow portion 3322. As shown in FIG. 19, the wide portion 3326 connects the narrow portion 3322 and the additional receiving portion 334 to each other.

[0047] 19, the receiving portion 332 has a first surface 3324 facing the fitting direction. The first surface 3324 is oblique to both the fitting direction and the width direction. The first surface 3324 faces upward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction. The first surface 3324 extends upward in the vertical direction and inward in the width direction.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 19, each of the receiving grooves 330 further includes an additional receiving portion 334 .

[0049] As shown in FIG. 19, the additional receiving portion 334 of this embodiment is located below the receiving portion 332 in the vertical direction. With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the additional receiving portion 334 partially receives the support portion 540 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated. As shown in FIG. 19, the additional receiving portion 334 has a second surface 3342 facing the mating direction. The second surface 3342 is obliquely intersecting both the mating direction and the width direction. The second surface 3342 faces upward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction. The second surface 3342 extends upward in the vertical direction and inward in the width direction. The angle that the first surface 3324 makes with the mating direction is larger than the angle that the second surface 3342 makes with the mating direction. The angle that the first surface 3324 makes with the width direction is smaller than the angle that the second surface 3342 makes with the width direction.

[0050] 19 and 20, the movable housing 210 has a plurality of first holding portions 212. Each of the first holding portions 212 is located near the lower end in the vertical direction of the movable housing 210. Each of the first holding portions 212 is located below the partition portion 300 in the vertical direction.

[0051] 19, the movable housing 210 has a base 214. The base 214 defines the lower end in the up-down direction of the movable housing 210. The partition portion 300 extends upward from the base 214 in the up-down direction.

[0052] 9, the fixed housing 250 defines an outer end in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the insulator 200. The fixed housing 250 defines both outer ends in a width direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the insulator 200. The fixed housing 250 defines both outer ends in a pitch direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the width direction of the insulator 200. The partition portion 300 is surrounded by the fixed housing 250 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0053] 11 and 12, the fixed housing 250 has a plurality of second holding portions 252. Each of the second holding portions 252 is located near the lower end in the up-down direction of the fixed housing 250. Each of the second holding portions 252 is located near the outer end in the width direction of the fixed housing 250.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9, the accommodating portion 202 of the present embodiment opens upward in the vertical direction. The accommodating portion 202 is surrounded by the fixed housing 250 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 6, the accommodating portion 202 accommodates a part of the mating connector 700 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated with each other.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 15, each of the contacts 500 in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the contacts 500 is a spring contact. As shown in FIG. 6, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated, the contacts 500 come into two-point contact with the mating contacts 750. The mating contact portions 754 come into contact with the contacts 500 during the above-mentioned mating. As shown in FIG. 9, the contacts 500 are arranged in a staggered manner. The contacts 500 form two contact rows 600. Hereinafter, the row located on the front side of the contact row 600 is referred to as a first contact row 601, and the row located on the rear side is referred to as a second contact row 602. The contacts 500 in the first contact row 601 and the contacts 500 in the second contact row 602 have the same shape.

[0056] 9, the contacts 500 correspond to the receiving grooves 330. Each of the contacts 500 is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove 330.

[0057] 9 and 17, the contacts 500 in the first contact row 601 correspond to the accommodating grooves 330 of the group G1, respectively. The contacts 500 in the second contact row 602 correspond to the accommodating grooves 330 of the group G2, respectively. Each of the contacts 500 in the first contact row 601 is partially accommodated in the corresponding accommodating groove 330 of the group G1, respectively. Each of the contacts 500 in the second contact row 602 is partially accommodated in the corresponding accommodating groove 330 of the group G2, respectively.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 15, each of the contacts 500 has a contact portion 510 and a tip portion 530 .

[0059] As shown in Fig. 9, the contact portion 510 in this embodiment faces outward in the width direction. The contact portion 510 is located inside the accommodating portion 202. The narrow width portion 3322 of each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 is narrower than the contact portion 510 of the corresponding contact 500. That is, in the pitch direction, the size of the narrow width portion 3322 of each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 is smaller than the size of the contact portion 510 of the corresponding contact 500. As shown in Fig. 6, the contact portion 510 comes into contact with the mating contact 750 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated.

[0060] 15, the tip portion 530 in this embodiment defines a free end of the contact 500. The tip portion 530 is located at the upper end of the contact 500 in the up-down direction. In each of the contacts 500, the tip portion 530 is narrower than the contact portion 510. More specifically, in each of the contacts 500, the entire tip portion 530 is narrower than the contact portion 510. That is, the size of the tip portion 530 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of the contact portion 510.

[0061] 6, each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 is capable of receiving the tip portion 530 of the corresponding contact 500 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 may be capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion 530 of the corresponding contact 500 when mated. The narrow width portion 3322 of each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 is received by a part of the tip portion 530 of the corresponding contact 500 when mated. Note that the inner surface 3323 of the narrow width portion 3322 of each receiving portion 332 of the accommodating groove 330 is not in contact with the tip portion 530 of the corresponding contact 500 when mated.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 15, each of the contacts 500 further includes a guide portion 520 .

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, the guide portion 520 of this embodiment extends upward in the vertical direction and inward in the width direction from the contact portion 510. The guide portion 520 extends downward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction from the tip portion 530. The guide portion 520 connects the contact portion 510 and the tip portion 530 to each other. The guide portion 520 intersects with the mating direction, i.e., the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 15, in each of the contacts 500, the tip portion 530 is narrower than the guide portion 520. That is, the size of the tip portion 530 is smaller than the size of the guide portion 520 in the pitch direction. The guide portion 520 has a main portion 5202 and a tapered portion 5204.

[0064] 15, the main portion 5202 of the present embodiment defines the outer end of the guide portion 520 in the width direction. The main portion 5202 connects the contact portion 510 and the tapered portion 5204 to each other. The main portion 5202 has a constant size in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the size of the main portion 5202 is larger than the size of the tip portion 530.

[0065] 15, the tapered portion 5204 of the present embodiment defines the widthwise inner end of the guide portion 520. The tapered portion 5204 is connected to the tip portion 530. The tapered portion 5204 tapers toward the tip portion 530.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 15, each of the contacts 500 further includes a support portion 540 .

[0067] 15, the support portion 540 of the present embodiment is located below the contact portion 510 in the up-down direction. The support portion 540 is elastically deformable. The contact portion 510 is supported by the support portion 540. That is, the support portion 540 elastically supports the contact portion 510. This allows the contact portion 510 to move in the width direction.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, each of the contacts 500 further includes a fixed portion 550, a first held portion 560, a connecting portion 570, and a second held portion 580.

[0069] 11, the fixed portion 550 in this embodiment is fixed to a board (not shown) by soldering or the like when the connector 100 is mounted on the board. The fixed portion 550 extends outward in the width direction. The fixed portion 550 defines the outer end of the contact 500 in the width direction. The fixed portion 550 defines the lower end of the contact 500 in the up-down direction.

[0070] 15, the first held portion 560 in this embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the connection portion 570. As shown in Fig. 11, the first held portion 560 is held by the first holding portion 212. More specifically, the first held portion 560 is press-fitted into the first holding portion 212.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 15, the connection portion 570 of the present embodiment connects the first held portion 560 and the second held portion 580 to each other. The connection portion 570 is elastically deformable. Referring to Fig. 11, the elastic deformation of the connection portion 570 allows the movable housing 210 to move relative to the fixed housing 250 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0072] 15, the second held portion 580 in this embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the fixed portion 550. The second held portion 580 extends downward in the up-down direction from the connection portion 570. As shown in Fig. 11, the second held portion 580 is held by the second holding portion 252. More specifically, the second held portion 580 is press-fitted into the second holding portion 252.

[0073] The configuration of the contact 500 is not limited to the one described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible.

[0074] 16, a contact 500A according to a modification of the present invention has a contact portion 510, a guide portion 520A, a tip portion 530A, a support portion 540, a fixed portion 550, a first held portion 560, a connection portion 570, and a second held portion 580. Here, the configuration other than guide portion 520A and tip portion 530A is the same as in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0075] 16, unlike the guide portion 520 of the contact 500 of the above embodiment, the guide portion 520A of this modification is composed only of a main portion 5202A having a constant size in the pitch direction. Also, unlike the tip portion 530 of the contact 500 of the above embodiment, the tip portion 530A of this modification is tapered from the guide portion 520A toward the free end of the contact 500A. Note that, even in the case of this modification, each receiving portion 332 of the receiving groove 330 of the partition portion 300 of the insulator 200 can at least partially receive the tip portion 530A of the corresponding contact 500A when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated.

[0076] Second Embodiment Referring to FIG. 27, a connector assembly (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 100B and a mating connector (not shown).

[0077] 27, the connector 100B of this embodiment can be mated with a mating connector having mating contacts (not shown) along a mating direction. Unlike the connector 100 and mating connector 700 of the above-described embodiment, the connector 100B of this embodiment is a plug connector, and the mating connector of this embodiment is a receptacle connector. The orientations and directions in this embodiment will be expressed in the same manner as in the first embodiment below.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 27, the connector 100B includes an insulator 200B, a plurality of first contacts (contacts) 500B, and a plurality of second contacts 502B.

[0079] 28, the insulator 200B of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. The insulator 200B defines an outer end in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 100B. The insulator 200B defines both outer ends in a width direction perpendicular to the mating direction of the connector 100B. The insulator 200B defines both outer ends in a pitch direction perpendicular to both the mating direction and the width direction of the connector 100B. The insulator 200B holds the contacts 500B.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 30, the insulator 200B has a partition portion 300B.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 30, the partition 300B of this embodiment has both sides 310B in the width direction. Both sides 310B include a front side 312B and a rear side 314B. The front side 312B is located in front of the rear side 314B in the front-rear direction. The front side 312B faces forward in the front-rear direction. The rear side 314B faces backward in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 28, the partition 300B is formed with a plurality of storage grooves 330B.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 30, the storage groove 330B of this embodiment is recessed inward in the width direction. The storage groove 330B opens upward in the up-down direction. The storage groove 330B opens outward in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 28, the storage grooves 330B are arranged in a staggered manner. The storage grooves 330B are divided into two groups G1 and G2. In this embodiment, the number of storage grooves 330B in group G1 is the same as the number of storage grooves 330B in group G2. The storage grooves 330B of each of groups G1 and G2 are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 28, one of the storage grooves 330B of the groups G1 and G2 corresponds to the remaining storage groove 330B of the groups G1 and G2. One of the storage grooves 330B of the groups G1 and G2 is located on one of the two surfaces 310B of the partition part 300B in the width direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the pitch direction. The remaining storage groove 330B of the groups G1 and G2 is located on the remaining one of the two surfaces 310B of the partition part 300B. One of the storage grooves 330B of the groups G1 and G2 is shifted from the remaining storage groove 330B of the groups G1 and G2 in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the one of the storage grooves 330B of the groups G1 and G2 overlaps with the range occupied by one of the remaining storage grooves 330B of the groups G1 and G2. More specifically, in the pitch direction, the area occupied by each of the receiving grooves 330B of one of the groups G1, G2 overlaps with the area occupied by the corresponding receiving groove 330B of the other one of the groups G1, G2.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 28, the storage grooves 330B of the group G1 correspond to the storage grooves 330B of the group G2. The storage grooves 330B of the group G1 are located on the front surface 312B of the partition 300B. The storage grooves 330B of the group G2 are located on the rear surface 314B of the partition 300B. The storage grooves 330B of the group G1 are offset from the storage grooves 330B of the group G2 in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the storage grooves 330B of the group G1 overlaps with the range occupied by any of the storage grooves 330B of the group G2. More specifically, in the pitch direction, the range occupied by each of the storage grooves 330B of the group G1 overlaps with the range occupied by the corresponding storage groove 330B of the group G2.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 30, each of the receiving grooves 330B has a receiving portion 332B.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 30, the receiving portion 332B of the present embodiment defines the upper end of the storage groove 330B in the up-down direction. The receiving portion 332B opens upward in the up-down direction. The receiving portion 332B is recessed inward in the width direction. The receiving portion 332B opens outward in the width direction. In the width direction, the receiving portion 332B extends so as to straddle the center 320B of the partition portion 300B.

[0087] As described above, one of the accommodating grooves 330B of the groups G1, G2 is offset from the other of the accommodating grooves 330B of the groups G1, G2 in the pitch direction, and the receiving portion 332B extends across the center 320B of the partition portion 300B in the width direction. As a result, the partition portion 300B of the connector 100B of this embodiment is thin in the width direction. That is, the connector 100B of this embodiment is small in size in the width direction.

[0088] 30, the receiving portion 332B has a narrow portion 3322B and a wide portion 3326B. The narrow portion 3322B and the wide portion 3326B of this embodiment are the same as the narrow portion 3322 and the wide portion 3326 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] 30, each of the receiving grooves 330B further includes an additional receiving portion 334B. The additional receiving portion 334B of this embodiment is similar to the additional receiving portion 334 of the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 30, the insulator 200B has a plurality of first holding portions 212B, two outer walls 420, and a housing portion 202B.

[0091] 30, each of the first holding portions 212B in this embodiment is located near the bottom end of the insulator 200B in the vertical direction. Each of the first holding portions 212B is located below the partition portion 300B in the vertical direction.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 28, each of the outer walls 420 of this embodiment extends in the pitch direction. Each of the outer walls 420 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the width direction. The two outer walls 420 define both ends of the insulator 200B in the width direction. The partition portion 300B is located between the two outer walls 420 in the width direction. Each of the outer walls 420 has a plurality of outer-wall-side receiving portions 422 formed therein.

[0093] 30, each of the outer-wall-side receiving portions 422 of the present embodiment penetrates in the width direction through the outer wall 420. Each of the outer-wall-side receiving portions 422 is located at the upper end of the insulator 200B in the up-down direction.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 30, each of the outer walls 420 is provided with a plurality of second holding portions 252B.

[0095] 30, each of the second holding portions 252B in this embodiment is located near the lower end in the up-down direction of the outer wall 420. Each of the second holding portions 252B is located outside the partition portion 300B in the width direction.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 30, the accommodating portion 202B of the present embodiment opens upward in the up-down direction. The accommodating groove 330B communicates with the accommodating portion 202B in the width direction. Referring to Fig. 30, the accommodating portion 202B accommodates a part of the mating connector when the connector 100B and the mating connector are mated.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 32, each of the first contacts 500B in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the first contacts 500B is a spring contact. With reference to FIG. 30, the first contacts 500B come into contact with a mating contact when the connector 100B is mated with the mating connector. As shown in FIG. 28, the first contacts 500B are arranged in a staggered manner. The first contacts 500B form two contact rows 600B. Hereinafter, the row located on the front side of the contact rows 600B will be referred to as the first contact row 601B, and the row located on the rear side will be referred to as the second contact row 602B. The first contacts 500B of the first contact row 601B and the first contacts 500B of the second contact row 602B have the same shape.

[0098] 30, the first contacts 500B correspond to the receiving grooves 330B, respectively. Each of the first contacts 500B is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove 330B.

[0099] 28, the first contacts 500B of the first contact row 601B correspond to the receiving grooves 330B of the group G1, respectively. The first contacts 500B of the second contact row 602B correspond to the receiving grooves 330B of the group G2, respectively. Each of the first contacts 500B of the first contact row 601B is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove 330B of the group G1, respectively. Each of the first contacts 500B of the second contact row 602B is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove 330B of the group G2, respectively.

[0100] 32, each of the first contacts 500B has a contact portion 510B and a tip portion 530B. The contact portion 510B and the tip portion 530B of the present embodiment are similar to the contact portion 510 and the tip portion 530 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0101] 32, each of the first contacts 500B further includes a guide portion 520B. The guide portion 520B includes a main portion 5202B and a tapered portion 5204B. The main portion 5202B and the tapered portion 5204B of the present embodiment are similar to the main portion 5202 and the tapered portion 5204 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] 32, each of the first contacts 500B further includes a support portion 540B. The support portion 540B of the present embodiment is similar to the support portion 540 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 32, each of the first contacts 500B further includes a fixed portion 550B and a held portion 560B.

[0104] 30, fixed portion 550B in the present embodiment is fixed to a board (not shown) by soldering or the like when connector 100B is mounted on the board. Fixed portion 550B extends outward in the width direction.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 32, the held portion 560B in this embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the fixed portion 550B. The held portion 560B extends downward in the up-down direction from the support portion 540B. The held portion 560B connects the fixed portion 550B and the support portion 540B to each other. As shown in Fig. 30, the held portion 560B is held by the first holding portion 212B. More specifically, the held portion 560B is press-fitted into the first holding portion 212B.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 33, each of the second contacts 502B in this embodiment is made of metal. Each of the second contacts 502B is a spring contact. Referring to FIG. 30, the second contacts 502B come into contact with the mating contacts when the connector 100B is mated with the mating connector. As shown in FIG. 28, the second contacts 502B form two contact rows 604B. Hereinafter, the row located on the front side of the contact rows 604B will be referred to as the first row, and the row located on the rear side will be referred to as the second row. The second contacts 502B in the first row and the second contacts 502B in the second row have the same shape. The second contacts 502B correspond to the outer wall side receiving portions 422, respectively.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 33, each of the second contacts 502B has a contact portion 512B and a tip portion 532B.

[0108] 30, the contact portion 510B of the present embodiment faces outward in the width direction. The contact portion 512B is located within the accommodating portion 202B. The contact portion 512B comes into contact with a mating contact when the connector 100B and the mating connector are mated.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 33, the tip portion 532B in this embodiment defines a free end of the second contact 502B. The tip portion 532B is located at the top end of the second contact 502B in the up-down direction. In each of the second contacts 502B, the tip portion 532B is thinner than the contact portion 512B. More specifically, in each of the second contacts 502B, the entire tip portion 532B is thinner than the contact portion 512B. That is, in the pitch direction, the size of the tip portion 532B is smaller than the size of the contact portion 512B. Referring to FIG. 30, the outer wall side receiving portion 422 is capable of receiving the tip portion 532B of the corresponding second contact 502B when the connector 100B is mated with the mating connector.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 33, each of the second contacts 502B further includes a guide portion 522B.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 30, the guide portion 522B of this embodiment extends upward in the vertical direction and outward in the width direction from the contact portion 512B. The guide portion 522B extends downward in the vertical direction and inward in the width direction from the tip portion 532B. The guide portion 522B connects the contact portion 512B and the tip portion 532B to each other. The guide portion 522B intersects with the fitting direction, i.e., the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 33, in each of the second contacts 502B, the tip portion 532B is thinner than the guide portion 522B. That is, the size of the tip portion 532B is smaller than the size of the guide portion 522B in the pitch direction. The guide portion 522B has a main portion 5222B and a tapered portion 5224B.

[0112] 33, the main portion 5222B of the present embodiment defines the widthwise inner end of the guide portion 522B. The main portion 5222B connects the contact portion 512B and the tapered portion 5224B to each other. The main portion 5222B has a constant size in the pitch direction. In the pitch direction, the size of the main portion 5222B is larger than the size of the tip portion 532B.

[0113] 33, the tapered portion 5224B of the present embodiment defines the outer end in the width direction of the guide portion 522B. The tapered portion 5224B is connected to the tip portion 532B. The tapered portion 5224B tapers toward the tip portion 532B.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 33, each of the second contacts 502B further includes a support portion 542B.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 33, the support portion 542B of this embodiment is located below the contact portion 512B in the up-down direction. The support portion 542B is elastically deformable. The contact portion 512B is supported by the support portion 542B. That is, the support portion 542B elastically supports the contact portion 512B. This allows the contact portion 512B to move in the width direction.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 33, each of the second contacts 502B further includes a fixed portion 552B and a held portion 562B.

[0117] 30, fixed portion 552B in the present embodiment is fixed to a board (not shown) by soldering or the like when connector 100B is mounted on the board. Fixed portion 552B extends inward in the width direction.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 33, the held portion 562B in this embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the fixed portion 552B. The held portion 562B extends downward in the up-down direction from the support portion 542B. The held portion 562B connects the fixed portion 552B and the support portion 542B to each other. As shown in Fig. 30, the held portion 562B is held by the second holding portion 252B. More specifically, the held portion 562B is press-fitted into the second holding portion 252B.

[0119] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to a specific shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the structural requirements described in the claims are met, the assembly 10 and the connectors 100 and 100B may have various shapes and structures.

[0120] Although the connector 100 of the first embodiment has two rows of contacts 600, it may have three or more rows of contacts 600 as long as it satisfies the structural requirements recited in the claims.

[0121] In addition, while the connector 100B of the second embodiment has four contact rows 600B, 604B, it may have five or more contact rows 600B, 604B as long as it satisfies the structural requirements described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 assembly 100,100B Connector 200,200B insulator 202,202B Storage section 210 Movable Housing 212,212B 1st holding part 214 Base 250 Fixed Housing 252,252B 2nd holding part 300,300B Partition 310,310B double-sided 312,312B Front 314,314B Rear 320,320B center 330,330B Storage groove 332,332B Receptor 3322,3322B Narrow part 3323,3323B Inside 3324,3324B 1st page 3326,3326B Wide section 334,334B Additional receptors 3342,3342B 2nd side 420 Exterior Wall 422 Outer wall receiving section 500,500A Contact 500B 1st Contact (Contact) 502B 2nd Contact 510,510B Contact part 512B Contact part 520, 520A, 520B Guide section 522B Guide part 5202, 5202A, 5202B Main section 5204, 5204B Tapered section 5222B Main section 5224B Tapered section 530,530A,530B Tip 532B Tip 540,540B Support part 542B Support part 550,550B Fixed part 552B Fixed part 560 1st held part 560B Holding part 562B Holding part 570 Connection 580 Second held part 600,600B Contact Row 601,601B 1st Contact Row 602,602B Second Contact Row 604B Contact Row 700 Mating Connector 710 Counterpart insulator 712 Partition storage section 720 Exterior wall 722 Receptor 750 Counterpart Contact 752 Opposite end 754 Counterpart contact part 756 Opposite side support part 757 Opposite held part 758 Mating fixed part 770 Contact row on the other side 771 1st mating contact row 772 2nd mating contact row G1 Group G2 Group

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated with a mating connector having mating contacts along a mating direction, The connector includes an insulator and a plurality of contacts. The insulator holds the contact, The insulator has a partition portion, A plurality of receiving grooves are formed in the partition portion, The receiving grooves are divided into two groups, The receiving grooves of each of the groups are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, the receiving groove of one of the groups is located on one of both surfaces of the partition portion in a width direction perpendicular to both the fitting direction and the pitch direction, the receiving groove of the remaining one of the groups is located on the remaining one of the two surfaces of the partition portion, the receiving groove of one of the groups is offset from the receiving groove of the remaining one of the groups in the pitch direction; Each of the receiving grooves has a receiving portion, In the width direction, the receiving portion extends across a center of the partition portion, The contacts correspond to the receiving grooves, Each of the contacts is partially received in the corresponding receiving groove, The contacts are arranged in two contact rows, Each of the contacts has a contact portion and a tip portion, the contact portion comes into contact with the mating contact when the connector and the mating connector are mated, The receiving portion of each of the receiving grooves is capable of at least partially receiving the tip portion of the corresponding contact during the mating process. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, In each of the contacts, the tip portion is thinner than the contact portion, The receiving portion has a narrow portion, The narrow portion of each of the receiving portions of the receiving grooves is narrower than the contact portion of the corresponding contact, In the pitch direction, a range occupied by each of the receiving grooves of one of the groups overlaps with a range occupied by any of the receiving grooves of the remaining one of the groups. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, Each of the contacts further includes a guide portion, The guide portion connects the contact portion and the tip portion to each other, The guide portion intersects with the fitting direction. connector.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, Each of the contacts further includes a support portion, The support portion elastically supports the contact portion, Each of the receiving grooves further includes an additional receiving portion, The additional receiving portion partially receives the support portion during the fitting. connector.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, The receiving portion has a first surface facing the fitting direction, The additional receiving portion has a second surface facing the mating direction, The angle that the first surface forms with the fitting direction is larger than the angle that the second surface forms with the fitting direction. connector.

6. An assembly comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the mating connector, The mating connector includes a mating insulator and a plurality of the mating contacts, the mating insulator holds the mating contact, The mating insulator has two outer walls, Each of the outer walls extends in the pitch direction, Each of the outer walls is formed with a plurality of mating receiving portions, Each of the mating receiving portions penetrates the outer wall in the width direction, The mating contacts are arranged in a plurality of mating contact rows, Each of the mating contacts has a mating tip portion, The mating receiving portion is capable of receiving the mating tip portions of the mating contacts in the outermost row in the width direction of the plurality of rows during the mating process. assembly.

Images