Manufacturing method of connector having plurality of contact rows, and connector

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for a connector in which a pitch between contacts in a column direction can be narrowed, the size of each connector can be easily reduced, and resources can be effectively utilized.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a connector includes: a step of forming a strip-shaped member supported by a carrier; a step of bending an intermediate part provided between a first coupling part connected to a carrier and a second coupling part located on a side opposite to the carrier with respect to the first coupling part into a shape of a first contact and a portion of a strip-shaped member located on a side opposite to the intermediate part with respect to the second coupling part into a shape of a second contact; a step of holding at least a part of the strip-shaped member by a housing; and a step of cutting the first connecting part connecting the carrier and the intermediate part bent into the shape of the first contact, and removing the part of the second connecting part connecting the intermediate part bent into the shape of the first contact and a part bent into the shape of the second contact by cutting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a connector having a plurality of contact rows, and to the connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a method for manufacturing a connector having the above structure. The technology of Patent Document 1 involves manufacturing a connector having multiple contact rows, in which all contacts in two adjacent contact rows are connected to a single carrier by arranging the contacts in one of the adjacent contact rows in a position other than where they completely overlap with the contacts in the other contact row in a direction perpendicular to the row direction. In other words, the contacts in one of the adjacent contact rows and the contacts in the other contact row are connected to respective connecting portions that are adjacently provided in positions that do not overlap with each other in the row direction. This configuration allows the contacts in the two adjacent contact rows to be press-fitted into a connector housing while still connected to a single carrier, and then cut from the carrier at the same time using a carrier cutting jig, which has the advantage of simplifying the manufacturing process compared to conventional connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-44080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the connector configuration of Patent Document 1 requires as many connecting parts as there are contacts in the contact row, and these many connecting parts must be densely packed on one carrier, particularly in the row direction, making it difficult to narrow the pitch between contacts in the row direction and to miniaturize the connector. Furthermore, since many of the connecting parts are ultimately discarded after being cut off from the carrier, an increase in the number of connecting parts increases the amount of waste, and there is a need to make more efficient use of resources.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a connector that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to provide a method for manufacturing a connector that makes it easy to narrow the pitch between contacts in the row direction and miniaturize the connector, and that allows for effective use of resources, as well as a connector that narrows the pitch between contacts in the row direction and miniaturizes the connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a connector, the method comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts held in the housing; the plurality of contacts configuring a plurality of contact rows each extending linearly along a first direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the plurality of contact rows including at least a first contact row and a second contact row arranged adjacent to one another in the second direction; and at least a portion of the plurality of first contacts configuring the first contact row and each extending along the second direction being arranged in a position completely overlapping in the second direction with at least a portion of the plurality of second contacts configuring the second contact row and each extending along the second direction. a step of punching a metal plate to form a plurality of strip-shaped members supported by a carrier; a step of bending, in each of the strip-shaped members, an intermediate portion provided between a first connecting portion connected to the carrier and a second connecting portion located on the opposite side of the carrier with respect to the first connecting portion in the second direction into the shape of the first contact, and a part of the strip-shaped member located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion with respect to the second connecting portion in the second direction into the shape of the second contact; holding at least a portion of each of the strips by the housing; The method for manufacturing a connector is characterized by including the steps of cutting the first connecting portion that connects the carrier and the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact, and cutting and removing a portion of the second connecting portion that connects the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact and the portion bent into the shape of the second contact.

[0007] According to this embodiment of the connector manufacturing method, the first contact and the second contact are positioned so that they completely overlap in the second direction, and therefore both can be formed from a single strip-shaped member, making it easy to narrow the pitch between the contacts in the second direction and to miniaturize the connector.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a connector according to one aspect of the present invention is a connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts held in the housing, wherein the plurality of contacts form a plurality of contact rows each extending linearly along a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of contact rows include at least a first contact row and a second contact row arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction; at least some of the first contacts constituting the first contact row, each extending along the second direction, are arranged at positions that completely overlap with at least some of the second contacts constituting the second contact row, each extending along the second direction; The connector is characterized by a first cut surface formed on the first contact along a direction intersecting a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and a second cut surface formed on the second contact along a direction intersecting the plane, which are positioned between the first contact row and the second contact row in the second direction. This connector can be manufactured using the above-described connector manufacturing method, and allows for a narrower pitch between contacts in the second direction, thereby miniaturizing the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a connector that makes it easy to narrow the pitch between contacts in the row direction and miniaturize the connector, and that allows for effective use of resources, as well as a connector that makes it easy to narrow the pitch between contacts in the row direction and miniaturize the connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a plug connector according to the present embodiment together with a receptacle connector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the plug connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 5. [Figure 7]7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector taken along line BB in FIGS. 5 and 6, seen from the bottom side, illustrating the state before the contacts are fixed to the housing. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector taken along line BB in FIGS. 5 and 6, seen from the bottom side, showing the state after the contacts have been fixed to the housing. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a plug connector, and is a perspective view of a contact assembly as seen from above. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the contact assembly of FIG. 9 from below. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a contact set included in a contact collection. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view showing the contact set of FIG. 11 at a different angle. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a plug connector, and is a perspective view of the contact assembly after molding, as seen from above. [Figure 14] 14 is a perspective view of the contact assembly of FIG. 13 from below. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a plug connector, and is a perspective view of the contact assembly after the cutting step, as viewed from above. [Figure 16] 16 is a perspective view of the contact assembly of FIG. 15 from below. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the final shape of the contact. [Figure 18] 18 is a perspective view of the contact of FIG. 17 shown at a different angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the materials, shapes, relative positions of components, etc. described in the following embodiments are arbitrary unless they are essential to the present invention, and can be changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described below.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the plug connector according to this embodiment together with a receptacle connector, and Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 5 form a pair to form a connector assembly 100, which can be detachably mated in a direction "Z" (third direction) that intersects with an "XY" plane formed by a longitudinal direction "X" (first direction) and a width direction "Y" (second direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "X," for example, in a direction perpendicular to the "XY" plane. Figs. 1 and 2 show the state before they are mated.

[0013] The plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 each have a roughly rectangular, flat plate shape in the "XY" plane, and are symmetrical in the X and Y directions. Hereinafter, where it is convenient to distinguish between them, the same reference numerals will be used to designate corresponding components located on one side and the other side, particularly in the Y direction, and the reference numerals for the components located on one side will be marked with the letter "A" and the reference numerals for the components located on the other side will be marked with the letter "B" to distinguish between them.

[0014] The plug connector 1 has a housing 10 made of insulating resin, and a plurality of contacts 20, 30 held in the housing 10 by insert molding. The contacts 20 and 30 have different shapes, and the contact 20 is positioned further outward from the housing 10 in the Y direction than the contact 30; for example, the contact 20A is positioned further in the Y1 direction than the contact 30A, and the contact 20B is positioned further in the Y2 direction than the contact 30B. The contacts 20, 30 are both formed from metal plates and are therefore conductive.

[0015] Each of the contacts 20A, 30A, 30B, and 20B forms a protrusion that protrudes in the Z2 direction together with a portion of the housing 10. In the Y direction, the contacts 20A and 30A form a mating recess 13A recessed in the Z1 direction between them, and similarly, the contacts 30B and 20B form a mating recess 13B recessed in the same direction between them, and the contacts 30A and 30B form a central mating recess 14 recessed in the same direction between them. Portions (205a, 305a, etc.) of the contacts 20A, 30A, 30B, and 20B are exposed in the mating recesses 13A and 13B and the central mating recess 14, respectively.

[0016] The receptacle connector 5 has a housing 50 made of insulating resin, and a plurality of contacts 60, 70 held by press-fitting into the housing 50. The contacts 60 and 70 have the same size and shape, and the contacts 60A and 70A, and the contacts 60B and 70B, are arranged abutting each other in the Y direction. The contacts 60 and 70 are both made of metal plate and are therefore conductive.

[0017] Parts (601, 602, 701, 702, etc.) of contacts 60A, 70A, 60B, 70B each form a recess 52 recessed in the Z2 direction together with a part of housing 50. In addition, in the Y direction, contacts 60A and 70A also utilize a part (57, etc.) of housing 50 in the portion sandwiched between them to form mating protrusion 59A that protrudes in the Z1 direction, and similarly, contacts 70B and 60B also utilize a part (57, etc.) of housing 50 in the portion sandwiched between them to form mating protrusion 59B that protrudes in the same direction, and further, contacts 70A and 70B also utilize a part (56, etc.) of the housing in the portion sandwiched between them to form central mating protrusion 54 that protrudes in the same direction. These mating protrusions 59A, 59B and central mating protrusion 54 each form an island shape in the "XY" plane, and further, a rectangular frame-shaped groove 502 is formed between the island-shaped portion formed by them and a peripheral wall 501 of the receptacle connector 5. A portion (607, 707, etc.) of contacts 60A, 70A, 70B, 60B is provided in an exposed state on each of these mating protrusions 59A, 59B and central mating protrusion 54.

[0018] When the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are mated, the rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 101 of the plug connector 1 fits into the groove 502 of the receptacle connector 5. At this time, the four convex portions formed by the contacts 20A, 30A, 30B, 20B, etc. of the plug connector 1 fit into the four concave portions 52 formed by the contacts 60A, 70A, 60B, 70B, etc. of the receptacle connector 5. Furthermore, the mating convex portions 59A, 59B and the central mating convex portion 54 of the receptacle connector 5 fit into the mating concave portions 13A, 13B and the central mating concave portion 14 of the plug connector 1, respectively. As a result, the exposed portions (contact portions) 205a, 305a, etc. of the contacts 20A, 30A, 30B, 20B of the plug connector 1, which are provided in the mating recesses 13A, 13B and the central mating recess 14, respectively, come into contact with the exposed portions (contact points) 607, 707, etc. of the contacts 60A, 70A, 70B, 60B of the receptacle connector 5, which are provided in the mating protrusions 59A, 59B and the central mating protrusion 54, respectively, and the contacts 20, 30 of the plug connector 1 and the contacts 60, 70 of the receptacle connector 5 are electrically connected.

[0019] The plug connector 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4 in addition to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the plug connector 1, and Figure 4 shows a bottom view thereof. The contacts 20A, 30A, 30B, and 20B each extend linearly along the X direction and form multiple contact rows (here, four contact rows 2A, 3A, 3B, and 2B) that are equally spaced apart in the Y direction. Among these contact rows, adjacent contact row 2A and contact row 3A form one pair, and adjacent contact row 2B and contact row 3B form another pair. The contacts 20A constituting one pair of contact row 2A and the contacts 30A constituting the same pair of contact row 3A extend along the Y direction and are positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction. Similarly, the contacts 20B constituting the other pair of contact row 2B and the contacts 30B constituting the same pair of contact row 3B are positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction. Furthermore, the pair of contacts 20A, 30A and the pair of contacts 20B, 30B are also positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction.

[0020] The contact 20 has a contact portion 205a positioned between contact row 2 and contact row 3 and extending along the Z direction. The contact portion 205a forms part of the mating recess 13 and can come into contact with a corresponding portion (607) of the receptacle connector 5 when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are mated. The contact 20 further has a mounting portion 203 extending outward from the housing 10 at one end in the Y direction, and a third mounting portion (204, 92a) extending inward from the housing 10 at the other end. The third mounting portion consists of two portions: a first mounting portion 204 and a second mounting portion 92a. The second mounting portion 92a forms the end portion on the other end side of the contact 20 and is formed narrower in the X direction than the first mounting portion 204 and the other portions of the contact 20. Between the contact portion 205a and the mounting portion 203, there are provided, in this order, a top portion 205c that is approximately flat in the Y direction, an upright portion 205b that extends along the Z direction, and a bent portion 205d that is bent slightly inward toward the inside of the housing 10. Meanwhile, between the contact portion 205a and the first mounting portion 204, there is provided a step portion 205e that is bent slightly outward toward the inside of the housing 10. The gap formed between the mounting portion 203 and the first mounting portion 204 of the first mounting portion is filled with the resin of the housing 10, and the bent portion 205d is filled with the peripheral wall 501 of the housing 10, but the other portions are exposed to the outside.

[0021] The mounting portion 203 has a cut surface (third cut surface) 207 formed along, for example, the Z direction. The second mounting portion 92a also has a cut surface (first cut surface) 201 formed along, for example, the Z direction. These cut surfaces 207 and 201 are usually cut at the same angle with respect to the "XY" plane. To enable cutting of the cut surface 201, the housing 10 is provided with a through hole 11 penetrating along the Z direction.

[0022] The contact 30 has a contact portion 305a positioned between contact row 2 and contact row 3 and extending along the Z direction. This contact portion 305a forms part of the mating recess 13 and can come into contact with a corresponding portion (707) of the receptacle connector 5 when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are mated. The contact 30 further has a straight portion 305b extending along the Z direction at one end in the Y direction, and a second mounting portion (303, 92b) extending toward the outside of the housing 10 at the other end. The second mounting portion consists of two portions: a first mounting portion 303 and a third mounting portion 92b. The third mounting portion 92b forms the end portion on the other end side of the contact 30 and is formed narrower in the X direction than the first mounting portion 303 and the other portions of the contact 30. Between the contact portion 305a and the straight portion 305b, there is provided a top portion 305c that is approximately flat in the Y direction. Meanwhile, between the contact portion 305a and the first mounting portion 303, there is provided a step portion 305d that is bent slightly outward toward the outside of the housing 10. Although not clearly shown in the drawings, the surface of the step portion 305d is covered with a thin resin. This is to prevent the solder from reaching the contact portion 305a via the step portion 305d when solder is applied to the second mounting portion (303, 92b) adjacent to the step portion 305d, thereby affecting the contact between the contact portion 305a and the corresponding portion (707) of the receptacle connector 5. The gap formed between the first mounting portion 303 and the straight portion 305b is filled with the resin of the housing 10. Furthermore, the tip of the straight portion 305b is also embedded in the housing 10, but the remaining portion is exposed to the outside.

[0023] The third mounting portion 92b has a cut surface (second cut surface) 301 formed along, for example, the Z direction. The cut surface 301, together with the cut surface 201, is formed by utilizing the through-hole 11 of the housing 10. Therefore, the cut surface 301 has the same angle with respect to the "XY" plane as the cut surface 201.

[0024] Next, the receptacle connector 5 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 to 8 in addition to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 is a plan view of the receptacle connector 5, and Figure 6 is a bottom view thereof. Figures 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional perspective views taken along line B-B in Figures 5 and 6, as viewed from the bottom, with Figure 7 showing the state before the contacts 70 are fixed to the housing 50, and Figure 8 showing the state after they have been fixed.

[0025] Like the contacts 20 and 30 of the plug connector 1, the contacts 60A, 70A, 70B, and 60B each extend linearly along the X direction and form multiple contact rows—here, four contact rows 6A, 7A, 7B, and 6B—that are equally spaced apart in the Y direction. Among these contact rows, adjacent contact row 6A and contact row 7A form one pair, and similarly, adjacent contact row 7B and contact row 6A form another pair. The contacts 60A constituting one pair of contact row 6A and the contacts 70A constituting the same pair of contact row 7A are arranged in positions that completely overlap in the Y direction. Similarly, the contacts 60B constituting the other pair of contact row 6B and the contacts 70B constituting the same other pair of contact row 7B extend along the Y direction and are arranged in positions that completely overlap in the Y direction. Furthermore, the pair of contacts 20A, 30A and the pair of contacts 20B, 30B are also positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction.

[0026] The contact 60 has a base 600 and a press-fit portion 605 extending from the base 600 in the Z direction. The press-fit portion 605 is press-fitted into a press-fit hole 55 through an accommodating groove 51 provided in the bottom of the housing 50a, and this press-fitting secures the contact 60 to the housing 50. To strengthen the securement, the press-fit portion 605 is provided with a press-fit protrusion 605a. The contact 60 further has, at one end in the Y direction, a mounting portion 603 extending from the base 600 toward the outside of the housing 10, and at the other end, a resilient arm 602 connected to the base 600 via a horizontal bottom 601. The resilient arm 602 forms part of a mating protrusion 59 together with a partition wall 57 of the housing 50 and is provided in a resiliently deformable state in a recess 53 provided in the partition wall 57. The elastic arm 602 cooperates with the horizontal bottom 601 and the peripheral wall 501 of the housing 50, particularly with its inner wall 501a, to form the recess 52. A contact 607 provided at the tip of the elastic arm 602 can come into contact with a corresponding portion (contact portion 205a) of the plug connector 1 when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are mated.

[0027] As described above, the contact 70 has the same size and shape as the contact 60. Therefore, only an outline of the contact 70 will be described, focusing on the differences from the contact 60. Like the contact 60, the contact 70 has a base 700, a press-fit portion 705, a mounting portion 703, a horizontal bottom 701, and a resilient arm portion 702. The resilient arm portion 702, together with the horizontal bottom 701 and the central partition wall 56 of the housing 50, forms the recess 52. A contact 707 provided at the tip of the resilient arm portion 702 can come into contact with a corresponding portion (contact portion 305a) of the plug connector 1 when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are mated. The central partition wall 56 has a through-hole 58 at its center. This through-hole 58 can be used to check whether the mounting portion 703 of the contact 70 is securely attached to the board when the receptacle connector 5 is mounted on the board or the like.

[0028] A method for manufacturing the plug connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a thin, flat metal plate is punched to form a plurality of strip-shaped members each supported by a carrier 9A, 9B. Next, by appropriately bending each strip-shaped member, more specifically, an intermediate portion of each strip-shaped member between a first connecting portion 91 connected to the carrier 9 and a second connecting portion 92 located on the opposite side of the carrier 9 in the Y direction from the first connecting portion 91 is bent into the shape of a contact 20, and a portion of the strip-shaped member located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion in the Y direction from the second connecting portion 92 is bent by press working into the shape of a contact 30, and then plated to form contact sets 4A and 4B shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this manufacturing method, contacts 20 and 30 are positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction, and therefore both can be formed from a single strip-shaped member, which facilitates narrowing the pitch between the contacts in the Y direction and miniaturizing the connector. In other words, the "completely overlapping position" in the embodiments of the present invention means that the width in the X direction of one contact manufactured from one strip-shaped member is within the maximum width in the X direction of the other contact manufactured from the same strip-shaped member, i.e., the width of the strip-shaped member in the X direction. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of these contact sets 4A and 4B in the X direction as seen from above, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the same as seen from the bottom. These contact sets 4A and 4B each include a plurality of contacts 20 and 30 in the form of a contact set as shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the contact set from different angles.

[0029] Next, using the pilot holes 90A, 90B provided in each carrier 9A, 9B, the contact sets 4A, 4B are attached to a conveyor (not shown) and transported to a molding machine (not shown). At this time, the carrier 9A is positioned on one side (Y1) in the Y direction, and the strip-shaped member is installed so as to extend from the carrier 9A toward the other side (Y2). Meanwhile, the carrier 9B is positioned on the other side (Y2) in the Y direction, and the strip-shaped member is installed so as to extend from the carrier 9B toward the one side (Y1). In the molding machine, the strip-shaped member connected to the carrier 9A and the strip-shaped member connected to the carrier 9B are simultaneously insert-molded while being butted against each other in the Y direction and symmetrically arranged in the Y direction. Figures 13 and 14 show the molded contact sets 4A, 4B in the same manner as Figures 9 and 10. Through this molding, all of the strip-shaped members are integrally held by the housing 10.

[0030] Finally, in each strip-shaped member, the first connecting portion 91 is cut and a portion of the second connecting portion 92 is removed by cutting, completing the plug connector 1. Figures 15 and 16 show the contact set after the cutting process in the same manner as in Figures 9 and 10, and Figures 17 and 18 show the contacts 20, 30 included in the contact set that have undergone the cutting process, in other words, the final shapes of the contacts 20, 30, in the same manner as in Figures 11 and 12. In particular, when removing the portion of the second connecting portion 92 by cutting, the through hole 11 provided in the housing 10 along the Z direction can be used.

[0031] As is apparent, in this manufacturing method, because both the contacts 20 and 30 are formed from a single strip-shaped member, the amount of waste from the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion 92 resulting from the cutting and removal operations is significantly less than in the conventional configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which contacts constituting one contact row and contacts constituting the other contact row are provided in adjacent connecting portions in positions that do not overlap in the row direction. This contributes to efficient use of resources. Furthermore, because a portion of the cut first connecting portion 91 ultimately forms the mounting portion 203 of the contact 20, and similarly, a portion of the second connecting portion 92 ultimately forms the second mounting portion 92a of the contact 20 and the third mounting portion 92b of the contact 30, this also contributes to efficient use of resources. Furthermore, because the second mounting portion 92a and the third mounting portion 92b are very close to each other in the Y direction, only a small amount of material is removed from the second connecting portion 92, thereby reducing waste. Here, the second mounting portion 92a and the third mounting portion 92b were originally intended to connect the portion bent into the shape of contact 20 and the portion bent into the shape of contact 30. Therefore, the cut surface 201 formed in the second mounting portion 92a and the cut surface 301 formed in the third mounting portion 92b are positioned opposite each other in the Y direction. Furthermore, if these cut surfaces 301, 201 are formed by cutting along a direction perpendicular to the "XY" plane, they will face each other in the Y direction. Naturally, no plating is present on these cut surfaces, i.e., the cut surfaces 201, 301, and the cut surface 207 formed in the mounting portion 203.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied by making appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, all of the contacts 20 constituting contact row 2 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with all of the contacts 30 constituting contact row 3 and are positioned so as to completely overlap in the Y direction, but only some of the multiple contacts 20 and some of the multiple contacts 30, in other words, at least some of the contacts 20 and at least some of the contacts 30, may be arranged so as to completely overlap in the Y direction. In this case, the manufacturing method described in this embodiment is applied only to the contacts that are arranged so as to completely overlap in the Y direction. Furthermore, the plug connector 1 does not necessarily have to have a symmetrical shape. Furthermore, a third contact row may be added in addition to the contact rows 2 and 3. However, like the contact rows 2 and 3, the third contact row also extends linearly along the X direction and is equally spaced apart from the contact row 2 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the multiple third contacts constituting the third contact row each extend along the Y direction and are arranged in positions that completely overlap both the contacts 20 constituting the contact row 2 and the contacts 30 constituting the contact row 3 in the Y direction. Furthermore, when manufacturing the plug connector according to this modified embodiment, in each of the strip-shaped members, an intermediate portion between a first connecting portion 91 connected to the carrier 9 and a second connecting portion 92 located on the opposite side of the carrier 9 from the first connecting portion 91 in the Y direction is bent into the shape of a contact 20, another intermediate portion between the second connecting portion 92 and a third connecting portion (not shown) located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion from the second connecting portion 92 in the Y direction is bent into the shape of a contact 20, and a part of the strip-shaped member located on the opposite side of the other intermediate portion from the third connecting portion in the Y direction is bent into the shape of a third contact, and then the first connecting portion 91 is cut, a part of the second connecting portion 92 is cut and removed, and similarly, a part of the third connecting portion is cut and removed. In this case, a cut surface 301 formed on the third mounting portion 92b and a cut surface formed on the third contact are positioned between the contact row 2 and the third contact row in the Y direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 2 contact row (first contact row) 3 Contact Row (Second Contact Row) 9. Career 10. Housing 11 Through holes 20 Contact (First Contact) 30 Contact (Second Contact) 91 First Connection 92 Second Connection 92a Second mounting part (third mounting part) 92b Third mounting part (second mounting part) 201 First Cutting Surface 203 First Mounting Section 204 First mounting part (third mounting part) 205a First contact part 207 Third Cutting Plane 301 Second Cutting Surface 303 First mounting part (second mounting part) 305a Second contact part

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a connector comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts held in the housing, the plurality of contacts configuring a plurality of contact rows each extending linearly along a first direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of contact rows including at least a first contact row and a second contact row arranged adjacent to one another in the second direction, and at least a portion of the plurality of first contacts configuring the first contact row and each extending along the second direction being arranged in a position completely overlapping with at least a portion of the plurality of second contacts configuring the second contact row and each extending along the second direction, stamping a metal sheet to form a plurality of strips supported by a carrier; bending an intermediate portion of each of the strip-shaped members, the intermediate portion being between a first connecting portion connected to the carrier and a second connecting portion located on the opposite side of the carrier with respect to the first connecting portion in the second direction, into the shape of the first contact, and bending a portion of the strip-shaped member located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion with respect to the second connecting portion in the second direction, into the shape of the second contact; holding at least a portion of each of the strips by the housing; A method for manufacturing a connector, comprising the steps of cutting the first connecting portion that connects the carrier and the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact, and cutting and removing a portion of the second connecting portion that connects the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact and the portion bent into the shape of the second contact.

2. 2. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact rows further includes a third contact row extending linearly along the first direction and spaced apart from the second contact row in the second direction, and at least a portion of the plurality of third contacts constituting the third contact row and each extending along the second direction are positioned so as to completely overlap at least a portion of both the first contacts and the second contacts in the second direction. a step of bending, in each of the strip-shaped members, an intermediate portion provided between a first connecting portion connected to the carrier and a second connecting portion located on the opposite side of the carrier with respect to the first connecting portion in the second direction into the shape of the first contact, another intermediate portion provided between the second connecting portion and a third connecting portion located on the opposite side of the intermediate portion with respect to the second connecting portion in the second direction into the shape of the second contact, and a part of the strip-shaped member located on the opposite side of the other intermediate portion with respect to the third connecting portion in the second direction into the shape of the third contact; A method for manufacturing a connector, comprising the steps of cutting the first connecting portion connecting the carrier and the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact, cutting and removing a portion of the second connecting portion connecting the intermediate portion bent into the shape of the first contact and the other intermediate portion bent into the shape of the second contact, and cutting and removing a portion of the third connecting portion connecting the other intermediate portion bent into the shape of the second contact and the portion bent into the shape of the third contact.

3. 2. A method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1, wherein a first strip-shaped member that has been subjected to the bending process and that extends from a first carrier arranged on one side in the second direction toward the other side, and a second strip-shaped member that has been subjected to the bending process and that extends from a second carrier arranged on the other side in the second direction toward the one side, are arranged in a butted relationship with each other in the second direction, and the holding process, cutting process, and removing process are performed to manufacture a connector having at least three contact rows in the second direction.

4. 4. A method for manufacturing a connector as described in claim 3, wherein the holding, cutting, and removing steps are performed while the first strip-shaped member and the second strip-shaped member are arranged symmetrically in the second direction, thereby manufacturing a connector in which the multiple contact rows are arranged symmetrically in the second direction.

5. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first coupling portion forms a first mounting portion of the first contact.

6. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second coupling portion forms at least a portion of a third mounting portion of the first contact.

7. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the second coupling portion forms at least a portion of a second mounting portion of the second contact.

8. 2. A method for manufacturing a connector as described in claim 1, including a step of cutting and removing a portion of the second connecting portion using a through hole that penetrates the housing along a direction intersecting the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface so as to enable cutting of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface.

9. The method for manufacturing a connector according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contacts are held in the housing using insert molding.

10. A connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts held in the housing, the plurality of contacts form a plurality of contact rows each extending linearly along a first direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the plurality of contact rows include at least a first contact row and a second contact row arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction; at least some of the first contacts constituting the first contact row, each extending along the second direction, are arranged at positions that completely overlap with at least some of the second contacts constituting the second contact row, each extending along the second direction; A connector characterized in that a first cut surface formed on the first contact along a direction intersecting a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and a second cut surface formed on the second contact along a direction intersecting the plane, are positioned between the first contact row and the second contact row in the second direction.

11. the first contact has a first mounting portion extending outward from the housing in the second direction; The connector according to claim 10 , wherein the second contact has a second mounting portion extending outward from the housing in the second direction.

12. The connector according to claim 10 , wherein the first contact has a third mounting portion extending inwardly of the housing in the second direction.

13. the first contact is positioned further outward from the housing in the second direction than the second contact; The connector according to claim 11 , wherein the first mounting portion has a third cut surface formed along a direction intersecting the surface.

14. the second contact is positioned further inward of the housing in the second direction than the first contact; The connector according to claim 11 , wherein the second cutting surface is formed in the second mounting portion.

15. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the first cut surface is formed in the third mounting portion.

16. the first contact is positioned between the first contact row and the second contact row and has a first contact portion extending along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; 11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the second contacts are positioned between the first contact row and the second contact row and have second contact portions extending along the third direction.

17. 11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the housing has a through hole extending along a direction intersecting the plane at least between the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface in the second direction to enable the formation of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface.

18. in a third contact row that extends linearly along the first direction and is spaced apart from the second contact row in the second direction, at least some of the third contacts that constitute the third contact row and each extend along the second direction are arranged at positions that completely overlap at least some of the first contacts and at least some of the second contacts in the second direction; 11. The connector of claim 10, wherein a fourth cut surface formed on the third contact along a direction intersecting the second cut surface and the plane is positioned between the second contact row and the third contact row in the second direction.

19. 11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of contact rows are arranged symmetrically in the second direction.

20. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of contacts are retained in the housing by insert molding.

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