Connector and connector pair

Abstract

To prevent disengagement of a housing and a metal fitting, surely prevent deformation or damage of the housing and the metal fitting, surely fix the metal fitting to the housing, make height reduction and downsizing possible, simplify a configuration, reduce the number of components, achieve robustness, facilitate manufacturing, reduce cost and improve reliability.SOLUTION: A metal fitting includes a main body part fixed to a housing, a first L-shaped part which is at least partially exposed outside of the housing in the vicinity of an opening of a storage recess, and a second L-shaped part which is exposed within the opening frontage of the storage recess. The first L-shaped part and the second L-shaped part include faces which are opposed to each other via a wall of the housing, and the main body part has a tabular shape. An edge in the main body part on the side of the second L-shaped part includes a projection which is engaged with the housing, and an edge in the main body part on the side of the first L-shaped part includes a guide portion which is capable of being in contact with the housing in a slidable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors and connector pairs. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors called wire-to-board connectors have been used to connect electric wires such as cables to boards such as printed circuit boards. In such connectors, one connector is mounted on the board and mates with the other connector connected to the end of the cable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 33 is an exploded view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, the connector has a housing 811, a plurality of contact pins 861, and a pair of reinforcing metal fittings 851. The housing 811 is a component mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and is formed with an elongated mating recess 813 for mating with a mating connector (not shown). A plurality of grooves 814 are formed in a bottom wall 812 of the housing 811, and a contact pin 861 is arranged in each groove 814.

[0005] The contact pin 861 is a rod-shaped conductive metal member extending in the up-down direction, and has a lead portion 862 extending in the front-rear direction formed at its lower end. When the lead portion 862 is received in each groove portion 814, the contact pin 861 penetrates an attachment hole (not shown) formed in the bottom wall portion 812 and protrudes into the fitting recess 813. In addition, a support piece 865 protruding upward from the lead portion 862 is inserted into and held in a recess (not shown) formed in the bottom wall portion 812.

[0006] Furthermore, at the end of the lead portion 862, a top soldering surface 863 and a side soldering surface 864 are formed, which are exposed on the outer surface of the housing 811. The top soldering surface 863 is the portion soldered to a soldering pad on the surface of the board when the connector is a straight type, i.e., when the bottom wall portion 812 of the housing 811 faces the surface of a board (not shown) and the mating recess 813 opens in a direction perpendicular to the board surface. The side soldering surface 864 is the portion soldered to a soldering pad on the surface of the board when the connector is a right-angle type, i.e., when the bottom wall portion 812 of the housing 811 is perpendicular to the surface of the board (not shown) and the mating recess 813 opens in a direction parallel to the board surface.

[0007] Engagement holes 815 are formed in the side walls on both sides of the housing 811, and reinforcing metal fittings 851 are inserted into and held in the engagement holes 815. The reinforcing metal fittings 851 are plate-shaped metal members and include an upper edge portion 852 and a lower edge portion 853. The front end of the upper edge portion 852 is exposed at the front surface of the housing 811, and is the portion that will be soldered to a soldering pad on the surface of a circuit board if the connector is a right-angle type. The lower end of the lower edge portion 853 is exposed at the lower surface of the bottom wall portion 812 of the housing 811, and is the portion that will be soldered to a soldering pad on the surface of a circuit board if the connector is a straight-angle type.

[0008] When the connector is mated with a mating connector (not shown), at least a portion of the mating connector is inserted into the mating recess 813. As a result, the contact pins 861 come into contact with the respective mating terminals of the mating connector, establishing electrical continuity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-268905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in the conventional connector, the reinforcing metal fitting 851 is simply a flat plate-like member that is simply inserted into and held in the engaging hole 815 of the housing 811, and therefore, when a strong external force is applied, the housing 811 or the reinforcing metal fitting 851 may deform, or the reinforcing metal fitting 851 may become detached from the housing 811. For example, if the mating connector is an electric wire connector connected to the tip of an electric wire and a worker or the like grasps the electric wire and applies excessive force, gouging the mating connector, the housing 811 or the reinforcing metal fitting 851 of the connector may become deformed or damaged, or the reinforcing metal fitting 851 may become detached from the housing 811, or even the contact pin 861 may become deformed or damaged.

[0011] One way to prevent this from happening is to thicken housing 811 to make it less likely to deform, or to thicken and enlarge reinforcing metal fitting 851 to make it less likely to deform. However, in recent years, connectors have become smaller in size in line with the miniaturization of electronic components and devices, and each part of housing 811 and reinforcing metal fitting 851 has had to become extremely fine, making it extremely difficult to prevent deformation of each part of housing 811 and reinforcing metal fitting 851 that occurs when a strong external force is applied, or to prevent disengagement between housing 811 and reinforcing metal fitting 851.

[0012] The object of this invention is to provide a connector and connector pair that solves the problems of the conventional connectors, and by optimizing the shape and structure of the housing and metal fittings, prevents disengagement between the housing and metal fittings even when the housing and metal fittings are made smaller, reliably prevents deformation or damage to the housing and metal fittings, enables the metal fittings to be securely fixed to the housing, enables reduction in height and size, has a simple configuration, has a small number of parts, is robust, easy to manufacture, low cost, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To this end, the connector comprises a housing including an accommodating recess for accommodating a mating connector, terminals attached to the housing, and metal fittings attached to the housing for fixing the housing to a board, wherein the metal fittings include a main body portion fixed to the housing, a first L-shaped portion at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing near the opening width of the accommodating recess, and a second L-shaped portion exposed within the opening width of the accommodating recess, the first L-shaped portion and the second L-shaped portion having surfaces facing each other via the wall of the housing, the main body portion being flat, the edge portion of the main body portion on the side of the second L-shaped portion including a convex portion that engages with the housing, and the edge portion of the main body portion on the side of the first L-shaped portion including a guide portion that can slide against the housing.

[0014] In another connector, the main body portion further includes a first edge portion that is visible from a through hole in the bottom of the accommodating recess.

[0015] In yet another connector, the first edge further protrudes from the bottom.

[0016] In yet another connector, the housing further has a slit on the first L-shaped portion side of the metal fitting at the opening width, and the arm portion connecting the first L-shaped portion to the main body portion is located within the slit.

[0017] In yet another connector, the edge of the main body on the side facing the mating connector has a metal fracture surface on the first L-shaped portion side, and the fracture surface is formed on the arm portion.

[0018] In yet another connector, the metal fittings are attached to each side of the housing, one on each side, and the housing has a convex locking member that engages with the mating connector, the locking member being located between the second L-shaped portions of the metal fittings on both sides.

[0019] A connector pair includes a connector of the present disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, even if the housing and metal fittings are made smaller, disengagement between the housing and metal fittings can be prevented, deformation or damage to the housing and metal fittings can be reliably prevented, the metal fittings can be reliably fixed to the housing, the height can be reduced and the size can be reduced, the configuration is simple, the number of parts is small, it is robust, it is easy to manufacture, costs can be reduced, and reliability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a first perspective view showing a state before the connector and the mating connector according to the first embodiment are fitted together; [Figure 2] 4 is a second perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the first embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a third perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the first embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a fourth perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the first embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are first and second perspective views showing a state after the connector and the mating connector according to the first embodiment have been fitted together, where (a) is the first perspective view and (b) is the second perspective view. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are third and fourth perspective views showing a state after the connector and the mating connector in the first embodiment have been fitted together, where (a) is the third perspective view and (b) is the fourth perspective view. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are first and second perspective views showing a state in which a connector according to a first embodiment is mounted on the surface of a substrate as a right-angle type connector, where (a) is the first perspective view and (b) is the second perspective view. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a first exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a second exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a third exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a fourth exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are fifth and sixth exploded perspective views of the connector according to the first embodiment, where (a) is the fifth exploded perspective view and (b) is the sixth exploded perspective view. [Figure 13] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the process of attaching a metal fitting to a connector according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 5A shows the state before the metal fitting is attached, and FIG. 5B shows the state after the metal fitting is attached. [Figure 14] 2A and 2B are three-view diagrams of a connector according to a first embodiment, in which (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a), and (c) is a perspective view including a cross-section taken along the line AA in (a). [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are first and second exploded perspective views of a mating connector according to a first embodiment, where (a) is a first perspective view and (b) is a second perspective view. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are third and fourth exploded perspective views of the mating connector according to the first embodiment, where (a) is the third perspective view and (b) is the fourth perspective view. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are three-view diagrams showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in (a), and (c) is a perspective view including a cross-section taken along the line BB in (a). [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a state in which a connector according to a second embodiment is mounted on the surface of a substrate as a straight type connector, where (a) is a first perspective view and (b) is a second perspective view. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a first perspective view showing a state before a connector and a mating connector according to a third embodiment are fitted together. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a second perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the third embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 21]FIG. 11 is a third perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the third embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a fourth perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the third embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are first and second perspective views showing a state after mating of a connector and a mating connector according to a third embodiment, where (a) is the first perspective view and (b) is the second perspective view. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are third and fourth perspective views showing a state after the connector and the mating connector according to the third embodiment have been fitted together, where (a) is the third perspective view and (b) is the fourth perspective view. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are two-sided views showing a state after the connector and the mating connector according to the third embodiment have been fitted together, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in (a). [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view showing a state before a connector and a mating connector according to a fourth embodiment are fitted together. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a second perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the fourth embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a third perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the fourth embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a fourth perspective view showing the connector and the mating connector according to the fourth embodiment in a state before they are fitted together. [Figure 30] 10A and 10B are first and second perspective views showing a state after mating of a connector and a mating connector according to a fourth embodiment, where (a) is the first perspective view and (b) is the second perspective view. [Figure 31] 10A and 10B are third and fourth perspective views showing a state after mating of a connector and a mating connector according to a fourth embodiment, where (a) is the third perspective view and (b) is the fourth perspective view. [Figure 32] 10A and 10B are two-sided views showing a state after the connector and the mating connector according to the fourth embodiment have been fitted together, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in (a). [Figure 33] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a conventional connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing a state before mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing a state before mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a third perspective view showing a state before mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a fourth perspective view showing a state before mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 5 are first and second perspective views showing a state after mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 6 are third and fourth perspective views showing a state after mating of a connector and a mating connector in the first embodiment, 7 are first and second oblique views showing the connector in the first embodiment mounted on the surface of a board as a right-angle type connector, FIG. 8 is a first exploded oblique view of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a second exploded oblique view of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 10 is a third exploded oblique view of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 11 is a fourth exploded oblique view of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 12 is fifth and sixth exploded oblique views of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining the process of attaching metal fittings to the connector in the first embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a three-view diagram of the connector in the first embodiment. In Figure 5, (a) is the first oblique view and (b) is the second oblique view, in Figure 6, (a) is the third oblique view and (b) is the fourth oblique view, in Figure 7, (a) is the first oblique view and (b) is the second oblique view, in Figure 12, (a) is the fifth exploded oblique view and (b) is the sixth exploded oblique view, in Figure 13, (a) is a view showing the state before the metal fittings are attached and (b) is a view showing the state after the metal fittings are attached, and in Figure 14, (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a), and (c) is an oblique view including a cross-section taken along the line AA in (a).

[0024] In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a connector according to this embodiment, which is a board connector serving as one of a pair of wire-to-board connectors. Connector 10 is a surface-mount plug connector mounted on a surface 91a of a board 91 serving as a mounting member, and is mated with a mating connector 101, which is a receptacle connector. Note that mating connector 101 is the other of the pair of wire-to-board connectors, and is a connector connected to the end of a cable having a plurality of wires 191.

[0025] 7, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, the accommodating recess 13, into which the mating protrusion 114 of the mating housing 111 of the mating connector 101 is received and fitted, is mounted on the surface of the board 91 with its opening facing parallel to the surface of the board 91. However, the connector 10 is not limited to the right-angle type, and may be a so-called straight type connector in which the accommodating recess 13 is mounted on the surface 91a of the board 91 with its opening facing upward (positive direction of the Z axis), or may be a connector in which the accommodating recess 13 opens facing in an oblique direction intersecting the surface 91a of the board 91, or may be a connector in which the accommodating recess 13 opens in any direction. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the case where the connector 10 is a so-called right-angle type connector will be described.

[0026] The substrate 91 may be, for example, a printed circuit board used in electronic devices, but may also be a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible circuit board (FPC), a silicon substrate with electronic elements directly disposed on its surface, a silicon carbide substrate, or any other type of substrate. The electronic device may be, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a digital television, a vehicle navigation device, a game console, or any other type of electronic device.

[0027] The wire-to-board connector, which is a connector pair in this embodiment, electrically connects the board 91 and the electric wire 191. In this embodiment, the electric wire 191 is a signal line, and the end of the electric wire 191 opposite to the mating connector 101 is connected to an electronic device or the like (not shown), and the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are described as connectors for connecting the signal line of the board 91, but the electric wire 191 may include a power line or a ground line, and the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 can also be used as connectors for connecting a power line or a ground line.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear, length, width, etc. used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 of the connector pair are relative rather than absolute, and are appropriate when each part of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but if the position changes, they should be interpreted differently in accordance with the change in position.

[0029] The connector 10 includes a housing 11 integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and having a generally flat overall shape, terminals 61 made of conductive metal attached to the housing 11, and metal housing mounting auxiliary fittings 51 attached to the housing 11 for fixing the housing 11 to a board 91. The number and arrangement of the terminals 61 correspond to the number of electric wires 191 connected to the mating connector 101 and the number and arrangement of mating terminals 161 connected to the ends of the electric wires 191. Note that while the illustrated example has six terminals 61, the number of terminals 61 can be changed as desired, for example, to five or less or to seven or more. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the multiple terminals 61 are arranged in a row in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector 10, but this is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the terminals 61 may be arranged in a staggered pattern or in two or more rows.

[0030] 8 to 12, terminal 61 in this embodiment is a member integrally formed by stamping a metal plate and has a generally T-shaped side surface as a whole. Terminal 61 includes a main body 65 and a contact portion 63 extending in the mating direction (X-axis direction), i.e., the direction in which connector 10 mates with mating connector 101. Specifically, contact portion 63 extends forward (X-axis positive direction) from the front end of main body 65. Terminal 61 also includes tail portion 62 as a board connecting portion having a generally L-shaped side surface and connected to the underside of the rear end (X-axis negative end) of main body 65. When connector 10 is a right-angle type connector and terminal 61 is attached to housing 11, a lower surface 62a of tail portion 62 functions as a board connecting surface that is connected to connection pad 92 formed on surface 91a of board 91. Meanwhile, when connector 10 is a straight-type connector and terminal 61 is attached to housing 11, rear side surface 62b of tail portion 62 functions as a board connecting surface that connects with connection pads 92 formed on surface 91a of board 91. An engaging protrusion 65a that engages with housing 11 is formed on the upper edge of main body portion 65, and an upward protrusion 65b that extends upward is formed on the rear end of main body portion 65. Furthermore, an engaging recess 64 is formed between the lower edge of main body portion 65 and the forward-extending lower part of tail portion 62, into which rear edge portion 14d of bottom wall portion 14, which is one of the walls of housing 11, enters and engages.

[0031] 8 to 12, the metal fitting 51 is a member integrally formed by bending and punching a metal plate, and includes a flat main body 55, a first L-shaped portion 56A connected to the lower end of the main body 55 near a front edge 55c of the main body 55 and bent at approximately 90 degrees, and a second L-shaped portion 56B connected to the upper end of the main body 55 and bent at approximately 90 degrees. Therefore, when viewed from the fitting direction (X-axis direction), the metal fitting 51 has a roughly U-shape, with both ends of the main body 55 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) protruding laterally. When describing the first L-shaped portion 56A and the second L-shaped portion 56B collectively, they will be referred to as the L-shaped portion 56. When the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11, the first L-shaped portion 56A is a portion that is at least partially exposed to the outside of the housing 11 near the opening width 13f of the accommodating recess 13 of the housing 11, and the second L-shaped portion 56B is a portion that is exposed within the opening width 13f of the accommodating recess 13 of the housing 11.

[0032] Each L-shaped portion 56 includes an arm portion 56a that is flush with the main body portion 55 and extends vertically (in the Z-axis direction) from the main body portion 55, and a tip portion 56b that is connected to the tip of the arm portion 56a via a curved portion that is bent at approximately 90 degrees and extends inward in the width direction (in the Y-axis direction) of the connector 10. The inner surface of the tip portion 56b of the first L-shaped portion 56A and the inner surface of the tip portion 56b of the second L-shaped portion 56B form opposing surfaces 56b1 that face each other. When the connector 10 is a right-angle type connector and the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11, the tip portion 56b of the first L-shaped portion 56A functions as a board connecting portion that connects to a connection pad 92 formed on a surface 91a of the board 91.

[0033] Furthermore, a second edge 55b, which is the edge of the main body 55 on the second L-shaped portion 56B side, has an engaging protrusion 55b1 that engages with the housing 11, and a first edge 55a, which is the edge of the main body 55 on the first L-shaped portion 56A side, has a guide portion 55a1 that can slide against the housing 11. When the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11, the first edge 55a is visible from outside the housing 11 through a bottom-wall opening 14a, which is a slit that penetrates the bottom wall 14 of the housing 11 in the plate thickness direction and is formed in the opening width 13f. Note that the first edge 55a can also be made to protrude downward from the bottom wall 14 through the bottom-wall opening 14a to function as a board connecting portion that connects to a connection pad 92 formed on a surface 91a of a board 91. When the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11, it is desirable that at least a portion of the arm 56a of the first L-shaped portion 56A be located within the bottom-wall opening 14a.

[0034] Furthermore, the main body 55 includes a rear end 52 extending toward the rear of the connector 10 (the negative direction of the X-axis). The rear end 52 is exposed to the rear of the housing 11 when the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11. A rear edge 52a, which is the first edge of the main body 55 and the edge of the rear end 52, functions as a board connection portion that connects to connection pads 92 formed on a surface 91a of a board 91 when the metal fitting 51 is attached to the housing 11 when the connector 10 is a straight-type connector, as described below. Furthermore, a front edge 55c, which is the edge of the main body 55 facing the mating connector 101, includes a metal fracture surface 55c1 at a location corresponding to the arm 56a of the first L-shaped portion 56A. As shown in FIG. 13 , the fracture surface 55c1 is a cut surface that occurs when the metal fitting 51 is separated from the connection arm 57a of the metal fitting carrier 57. The metal fittings 51 are members made of metal plate bent in the thickness direction, and are manufactured by subjecting the metal plate to processes such as punching and bending, and are supplied in a state in which a plurality of them are connected to a flat metal fitting carrier 57 as a carrier, as shown in Figure 13(a). Each of the metal fittings 51 has its front edge 55c connected to the flat metal fitting carrier 57 via an elongated connecting arm 57a, and when the front edge 55c is cut off from the connecting arm 57a at a cutting section, it becomes a member as shown in Figures 8 to 12.

[0035] Furthermore, a long and narrow recess 55d that opens at the front edge 55c and extends rearward is formed in the main body 55. The recess 55d is a portion into which a side surface protrusion 114d provided on a side surface of the mating protrusion 114 of the mating connector 101 enters and engages when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated.

[0036] The housing 11 is a hollow, box-like member having a generally flat overall shape, including a flat bottom wall portion 14 extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector 10, an upper wall portion 15 generally parallel to the bottom wall portion 14, and a pair of side wall portions 16 extending in the vertical direction and connecting the bottom wall portion 14 and the upper wall portion 15. The housing 11 has an accommodating recess 13 defined by the bottom wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 15, and the side wall portions 16. The accommodating recess 13 is open on its front side (the X-axis positive direction side), but its rear side (the X-axis negative direction side) is generally closed by a rear wall portion 17 of the housing 11, which serves as the bottom of the accommodating recess 13. The housing 11 can be divided into a generally rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 11a extending in the width direction of the connector 10, and side portions 11b connected to both widthwise sides of the main body portion 11a and protruding upward.

[0037] While the lower wall portion 14 is a single flat plate extending across the entire housing 11, the upper wall portion 15 is divided into a main body upper wall portion 15a corresponding to the main body portion 11a and a side upper wall portion 15b corresponding to the side portion 11b. The side upper wall portion 15b is located higher (in the positive direction of the Z axis) than the main body upper wall portion 15a, and an upper recess 15c is formed above the main body upper wall portion 15a. A convex locking member 21 that engages with a mating locking member 121 of the mating connector 101 is formed on the outer side of the main body upper wall portion 15a, i.e., on the upper surface of the housing 11. The upper recess 15c is a recess that receives the mating locking member 121 when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated.

[0038] The accommodating recess 13 is divided into a main recess 13a corresponding to the main body portion 11a and a side recess 13b corresponding to the side portion 11b. The side recess 13b is a vertically elongated space that protrudes upward beyond the main recess 13a. Therefore, the accommodating recess 13 has a generally U-shape when viewed from the mating direction (X-axis direction), with both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) protruding upward. Therefore, the mating protrusion 114 of the mating connector 101 accommodated and mated in the accommodating recess 13 also has a mating main body 114a that extends elongatedly in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and mating side portions 114b formed at both ends in the width direction of the mating main body 114a and protruding upward, and has a generally U-shape when viewed from the mating direction. The portion of the accommodating recess 13 on the front surface 11f side of the housing 11 is referred to as an opening 13f.

[0039] Furthermore, a bottom wall opening 14a, which is a slit penetrating the bottom wall 14 in the thickness direction, is formed in a portion of the bottom wall 14 corresponding to the lateral recess 13b and adjacent to the side wall 16. As shown in FIG. 9 , the bottom wall opening 14a begins at an edge of the bottom wall 14 on the front surface 11f side of the housing 11 and extends to approximately the middle of the bottom wall 14 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, upwardly protruding ridges 14b are formed in portions of the bottom wall 14 corresponding to the contact portions 63 of the terminals 61 in the main body recess 13a. Furthermore, downwardly protruding protrusions 14c are formed in multiple locations on the outer surface of the bottom wall 14, i.e., the lower surface of the housing 11. When the connector 10 is a right-angle type connector, the protrusions 14c are capable of abutting against the surface 91a of the board 91 when the connector 10 is mounted on the board 91.

[0040] Furthermore, terminal accommodating holes 12a, into which the terminals 61 are inserted and accommodated, are opened at locations on the rear surface 11r of the housing 11 corresponding to the main body portion 11a. Each terminal accommodating hole 12a is formed as a through-hole penetrating the rear wall portion 17 in the thickness direction and accommodates and holds the main body portion 65 of each terminal 61. In the example shown in the figures, six terminal accommodating holes 12a are arranged in a row in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector 10. Furthermore, a location on the rear end of the bottom wall portion 14 corresponding to the lower end of the terminal accommodating hole 12a is a rear edge portion 14d that enters and engages with the engagement recess 64 of the terminal 61. Furthermore, metal fitting accommodating holes 12b, into which the metal fittings 51 are inserted and accommodated, are opened at locations on the rear surface 11r corresponding to the side portions 11b. Each metal fitting accommodating hole 12b is formed as a through-hole penetrating the rear wall portion 17 in the thickness direction and accommodates and holds the main body portion 55 of each metal fitting 51. With the main body 55 housed in the metal fitting receiving hole 12b, it is desirable that at least a portion of the rear end 52, including the rear edge 52a, protrude rearward from the rear wall 17 (rear surface 11r), as shown in the figure. The rear edge 52a of the rear end 52 is visible from the metal fitting receiving hole 12b. Furthermore, the outer surface of the rear wall 17, i.e., the rear surface 11r of the housing 11, is formed with protrusions 12c protruding rearward at multiple locations. As will be described later, when the connector 10 is a straight-type connector, the protrusions 12c are capable of abutting against a surface 91a of a board 91 when the connector 10 is mounted on the board 91.

[0041] Each terminal 61 is attached by being inserted into the corresponding terminal accommodating hole 12a from the rear surface 11r side of the housing 11. As shown in Figures 7, 14, etc., when the attachment of the terminal 61 is complete, each contact portion 63 is positioned directly above each ridge portion 14b in the accommodating recess 13. Furthermore, the engaging protrusion 65a bites into and locks into the upper surface of the terminal accommodating hole 12a, and the rear edge portion 14d enters and engages with the engaging recess 64, so that the terminal 61 is fixed to the housing 11.

[0042] Each metal fitting 51 is inserted into the corresponding metal fitting accommodating hole 12b from the front surface 11f of the housing 11 and attached. At this time, the guide portion 55a1 of the first edge portion 55a of the main body portion 55 slides along the lower surface of the metal fitting accommodating hole 12b. Then, as shown in Figures 7, 13(b), 14, etc., once the attachment of the metal fitting 51 is complete, the engaging protrusion 55b1 of the second edge portion 55b of the main body portion 55 bites into and engages with the upper surface of the metal fitting accommodating hole 12b, thereby fixing the metal fitting 51 to the housing 11.

[0043] When the metal fitting 51 is fixed to the housing 11, the rear end 52 is exposed to the rear of the housing 11. The second L-shaped portion 56B is entirely housed within the lateral recess 13b, the arm 56a is close to or abuts against the inner surface of the side wall 16, and the tip 56b is close to or abuts against the inner surface of the lateral upper wall 15b. On the other hand, at least a portion of the first L-shaped portion 56A is exposed to the outside of the housing 11. Specifically, the arm 56a passes through the bottom wall opening 14a in the vertical direction while being close to or abutting against the inner surface of the side wall 16, the tip 56b is located below the bottom wall 14, and the opposing surface 56b1 is close to or abuts against the outer surface of the bottom wall 14, i.e., the bottom surface of the housing 11. Therefore, the opposing surface 56b1 of the first L-shaped portion 56A and the opposing surface 56b1 of the second L-shaped portion 56B face each other with the lower wall portion 14, which is one of the walls of the housing 11, interposed therebetween.

[0044] As described above, in connector 10, accommodating recess 13 of housing 11 has a generally U-shaped configuration with both ends protruding upward when viewed from the mating direction, providing so-called polarity. Connector 10 can be mated only when mating protrusion 114 of mating connector 101 is properly positioned relative to connector 10, and mating is not possible when mating protrusion 114 of mating connector 101 is not properly positioned. Therefore, mis-mating is reliably prevented. Furthermore, to provide polarity, accommodating recess 13 has lateral recess 13b as a vertically elongated space that protrudes upward beyond main recess 13a. While this tends to result in insufficient strength of lateral recess 13b, in this embodiment, metal fitting 51 is accommodated within lateral recess 13b, thereby maintaining a sufficiently high strength of lateral recess 13b, making connector 10 robust as a whole. Furthermore, although a bottom wall opening 14a is formed in the bottom wall 14 of the side recess 13b, the arm 56a of the first L-shaped portion 56A passes through the bottom wall opening 14a in the vertical direction while being close to or in contact with the inner surface of the side wall 16, and the opposing surface 56b1 of the tip 56b is close to or in contact with the outer surface of the bottom wall 14, so that the strength of the bottom wall 14 of the side recess 13b can be maintained sufficiently high. Furthermore, since the fitting side portions 114b formed on both widthwise end portions of the fitting main body 114a of the fitting convex portion 114 of the mating connector 101 accommodated in the accommodating recess 13 are covered by both metal fittings 51, deformation or damage of the connector 10 is reliably prevented even when a strong external force that gouges the mating connector 101 is applied, for example.

[0045] In this embodiment, the connector 10, in which the terminals 61 and the metal fittings 51 are attached to the housing 11, is mounted on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 as a right-angle type connector, as shown in FIG. 7 . Specifically, the lower surface 62a of the tail portion 62 of each terminal 61 is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the connection pads 92 formed on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 by connection means such as soldering. Each of the connection pads 92 is connected to a conductive trace (not shown) provided on the substrate 91 that functions as a signal line, a power line, or a ground line. Also, the lower surface (the surface opposite the opposing surface 56b1) of the tip portion 56b of each first L-shaped portion 56A of each metal fitting 51 is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the connection pads 92 formed on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 by connection means such as soldering. Each of the connection pads 92 is not connected to a conductive trace (not shown) provided on the substrate 91.

[0046] Next, the configuration of the mating connector 101 will be described.

[0047] Fig. 15 is a first and second exploded perspective view of the mating connector in the first embodiment, Fig. 16 is a third and fourth exploded perspective view of the mating connector in the first embodiment, and Fig. 17 is a three-view diagram showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the first embodiment. In Fig. 15, (a) is a first perspective view, (b) is a second perspective view, in Fig. 16, (a) is a third perspective view, (b) is a fourth perspective view, and in Fig. 17, (a) is a top view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in (a), and (c) is a perspective view including the cross-section taken along the line BB in (a).

[0048] The mating connector 101 in this embodiment includes a mating housing 111 that is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and has an overall shape resembling a generally flat rectangular parallelepiped, and metal mating terminals 161 attached to the mating housing 111. The number and arrangement of the mating terminals 161 can be set arbitrarily, but for convenience of explanation, it is assumed here that the number and arrangement are the same as those of the terminals 61 of the connector 10. That is, there are six mating terminals 161 and six electric wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161, and the mating terminals 161 are arranged in a row in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the mating connector 101.

[0049] The mating housing 111 includes a housing main body 112 having a generally rectangular box shape and extending in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction with the connector 10 and in the arrangement direction of the electric wires 191, i.e., in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the mating connector 101, a mating protrusion 114 protruding forward (in the negative X-axis direction) from a front surface 112f of the housing main body 112, and a mating locking member 121 connected to an upper surface 112a of the housing main body 112. The mating protrusion 114 includes a mating main body 114a extending elongatedly in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and mating side portions 114b formed at both ends of the mating main body 114a in the width direction and protruding upward, and has a generally U-shaped shape when viewed from the mating direction. Side protrusions 114d are provided on the outer surfaces of the mating side portions 114b.

[0050] The mating housing 111 also includes a plurality of terminal accommodating recesses 113, one end of which opens at the rear surface 112r of the housing main body 112 and which penetrate the interior of the mating connector 101 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Each terminal accommodating recess 113 accommodates and holds a mating terminal 161 connected to and fixed at the front end of each electric wire 191. The other end of each terminal accommodating recess 113 opens at the front surface 114f of the mating convex portion 114. Furthermore, slit-shaped openings 114c extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the underside of the mating convex portion 114 at locations corresponding to each terminal accommodating recess 113. Therefore, each terminal accommodating recess 113 is in communication with the lower outside of the mating convex portion 114 through the openings 114c.

[0051] The mating terminals 161 connected to the ends of the electric wires 191 are inserted into the corresponding terminal accommodating recesses 113 from the rear surface 112r side of the housing main body 112 of the mating housing 111 and attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , when the attachment of the mating terminals 161 is completed, the entire mating terminals 161 are housed in the terminal accommodating recesses 113. Furthermore, the leading end of the mating terminals 161 reaches the vicinity of the leading end of the fitting convex portion 114, i.e., the vicinity of the front surface 114f, and the boundary between the rear end of the mating terminals 161 and the electric wires 191 is located within the terminal accommodating recesses 113.

[0052] 17, the mating locking member 121 is a swingable movable arm member that is integrally connected to the upper surface 112a of the housing main body 112 via a connecting portion 122. The connecting portion 122 is an elastically deformable member that is connected between the front and rear ends of the mating locking member 121, allowing the mating locking member 121 to swing relative to the mating housing 111 around the point where it is connected to the connecting portion 122. In addition, a locking protrusion 121a that protrudes toward the upper surface 112a of the housing main body 112 is formed at the front end (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) of the mating locking member 121, and the locking protrusion 121a engages with the convex locking member 21 of the connector 10, thereby locking the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in a mutually mated state.

[0053] The locking mechanism consisting of locking member 21 of connector 10 and counterpart locking member 121 of counterpart connector 101 is a so-called positive lock, and when locking, the operator does not need to operate either locking member 21 or counterpart locking member 121, but when unlocking, the operator must use their fingers or other means to operate counterpart locking member 121, which is a movable arm member, to displace lock protrusion 121a. Specifically, when the operator presses down on the rear end (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis) of counterpart locking member 121, counterpart locking member 121 swings and lock protrusion 121a formed on its front end rises, thereby releasing the engagement between locking member 21 and counterpart locking member 121 and releasing the lock.

[0054] Next, the operation of fitting the mating connector 101, which is an electric wire connector, into the connector 10, which is a board connector, will be described.

[0055] Here, the mating connector 101 is assumed to be connected to the end of a cable having a plurality of electric wires 191 by accommodating a mating terminal 161, the first terminal 61 of which is connected to the end of the electric wire 191, in the terminal accommodating recess 113. Also, the connector 10 is assumed to be mounted on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 as a right-angle type connector, as shown in FIG.

[0056] First, the operator positions the mating convex portion 114 of the mating connector 101 and the accommodating recess 13 of the connector 10 facing each other, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. Next, the operator moves the connector 10 and / or the mating connector 101 toward the mating side, and inserts the mating convex portion 114 of the mating connector 101 into the accommodating recess 13 of the connector 10, thereby mating the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 together, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0057] At this time, the fitting main body 114a extending elongated in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the fitting protrusion 114 enters and is housed in the main body recess 13a extending elongated in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the accommodating recess 13, and the fitting side portions 114b protruding upward at both ends in the width direction of the fitting protrusion 114 enter and are housed in the vertically elongated side recesses 13b that protrude upward beyond the main body recess 13a at both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the accommodating recess 13. Then, the fitting side portions 114b are covered by the metal fitting 51 having a generally C- or U-shape, including the first L-shaped portion 56A and the second L-shaped portion 56B, within the side recess 13b.

[0058] Furthermore, the contact portion 63 of each terminal 61 of the connector 10 enters each terminal accommodating recess 113, one end of which opens on the front surface 114f of the mating protrusion 114, and comes into contact with the mating terminal 161 in each terminal accommodating recess 113. This brings the terminal 61 and the mating terminal 161 into electrical continuity, resulting in electrical continuity between the conductive trace connected to the connection pad 92 formed on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 to which the tail portion 62 of the terminal 61 is connected, and the electric wire 191 to which the mating terminal 161 is connected.

[0059] 17, the locking projection 121a of the mating locking member 121 of the mating connector 101 engages with the convex locking member 21 of the connector 10. As a result, the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are locked in their mated state. In this case, the engagement state between the locking projection 121a and the locking member 21 is visible from the outside of the mating locking member 121, so the operator can visually confirm whether or not the locking is complete. Therefore, the operator will not mistakenly believe that the locking is complete.

[0060] Thus, in this embodiment, the connector 10 comprises a housing 11 including a accommodating recess 13 for accommodating the mating connector 101, a terminal 61 attached to the housing 11, and a metal fitting 51 attached to the housing 11 for fixing the housing 11 to the substrate 91. The metal fittings 51 include a main body portion 55 fixed to the housing 11, a first L-shaped portion 56A at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing 11 near the opening width 13f of the accommodating recess 13, and a second L-shaped portion 56B exposed within the opening width 13f of the accommodating recess 13, the first L-shaped portion 56A and the second L-shaped portion 56B including opposing surfaces 56b1 that face each other via the lower wall portion 14 of the housing 11, the main body portion 55 is flat, the second edge portion 55b which is the edge portion of the main body portion 55 on the second L-shaped portion 56B side includes an engaging protrusion 55b1 that engages with the housing 11, and the first edge portion 55a which is the edge portion of the main body portion 55 on the first L-shaped portion 56A side includes a guide portion 55a1 that can slide against the housing 11.

[0061] This prevents the housing 11 and the metal fittings 51 from disengaging even when the housing 11 and the metal fittings 51 are made smaller, and ensures that the housing 11 and the metal fittings 51 are not deformed or damaged. The metal fittings 51 can be securely fixed to the housing 11, allowing for a low profile and small size, a simple configuration, a small number of parts, robustness, ease of manufacture, reduced costs, and improved reliability.

[0062] Furthermore, main body 55 includes rear edge 52a visible from metal fitting accommodating hole 12b, which is a through-hole in rear wall 17 serving as the bottom of accommodating recess 13. Rear edge 52a protrudes from rear wall 17. Housing 11 has bottom wall opening 14a on the first L-shaped portion 56A side of metal fitting 51 at opening width 13f, and arm 56a connecting first L-shaped portion 56A to main body 55 is located within bottom wall opening 14a. Furthermore, front edge 55c of main body 55 on the side facing mating connector 101 has metal fracture surface 55c1 on the first L-shaped portion 56A side, and fracture surface 55c1 is formed on arm 56a. Furthermore, one metal fitting 51 is attached to each side of the housing 11, and the housing 11 has a convex locking member 21 that engages with the mating connector 101, and the locking member 21 is located between the second L-shaped portions 56B of the metal fittings 51 on both sides.

[0063] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, descriptions of the same operations and effects as those in the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0064] 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector according to the second embodiment is mounted on the surface of a substrate as a straight type connector, where (a) is a first perspective view and (b) is a second perspective view.

[0065] In this embodiment, the connector 10, in which the terminals 61 and the metal fittings 51 are attached to the housing 11, is mounted as a straight-type connector on the surface 91a of a substrate 91, as shown in Fig. 18. Specifically, the rear side surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of each terminal 61 is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the connection pads 92 formed on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 by connection means such as soldering. Each of the connection pads 92 is connected to a conductive trace (not shown) provided on the substrate 91 and functions as a signal line, a power line, or a ground line.

[0066] Furthermore, the rear edge 52a of the rear end portion 52 of each metal fitting 51 is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the connection pads 92 formed on the surface 91a of the substrate 91 by connection means such as soldering. Note that each of the connection pads 92 is not connected to a conductive trace (not shown) provided on the substrate 91.

[0067] The other configurations of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] Furthermore, the operation of mating the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment, as well as other configurations and effects when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0069] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Components having the same structures as those in the first and second embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, descriptions of the same operations and effects as those in the first and second embodiments will also be omitted.

[0070] Figure 19 is a first oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, Figure 20 is a second oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, Figure 21 is a third oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, Figure 22 is a fourth oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, Figure 23 are first and second oblique views showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, Figure 24 are third and fourth oblique views showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment, and Figure 25 is a two-sided view showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the third embodiment. In Figure 23, (a) is a first oblique view and (b) is a second oblique view, in Figure 24, (a) is a third oblique view and (b) is a fourth oblique view, and in Figure 25, (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in (a).

[0071] In this embodiment, connector 10, which is a plug connector, is a board connector that is one of a pair of wire-to-board connectors, similar to the first embodiment, and is a connector that includes a plurality of terminals 61. However, while in connector 10 of the first embodiment, the plurality of terminals 61 are arranged in a single row in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of connector 10, in this embodiment, the plurality of terminals 61 are arranged in a plurality of rows (two rows in the example shown in the figure) in the width direction of connector 10. The number of terminals 61 is also six in each row.

[0072] Similarly to the first embodiment, the mating connector 101, which is a receptacle connector, is also a wire connector that serves as the other of the wire-to-board connectors that are a connector pair, and is a connector that is connected to the end of a cable that has a plurality of wires 191, but whereas in the mating connector 101 of the first embodiment, the plurality of mating terminals 161 and the wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161 are arranged in a row in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the mating connector 101, in this embodiment, the plurality of mating terminals 161 and the wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161 are arranged in a plurality of rows (two rows in the example shown in the figure) in the width direction of the mating connector 101. The number of mating terminals 161 and the wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161 is also six in each row.

[0073] Furthermore, connector 10, which is a board connector, may be a so-called right-angle type connector or a straight type connector, but while in the first embodiment connector 10 was described as being a right-angle type connector, in this embodiment connector 10 will be described as being a straight type connector for the sake of convenience.

[0074] In this embodiment, housing 11 of connector 10 is a hollow, box-like member having a generally flat overall shape, including a flat bottom wall portion 14 extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of connector 10, an top wall portion 15 generally parallel to bottom wall portion 14, and a pair of side walls 16 extending in the vertical direction and connecting bottom wall portion 14 and top wall portion 15. Inside thereof is an accommodating recess 13 whose periphery is defined by bottom wall portion 14, top wall portion 15, and side wall portions 16. Accommodating recess 13 is open on its front side (X-axis positive direction side), but its rear side (X-axis negative direction side) is generally closed by a rear wall portion 17 of housing 11 which serves as the bottom of accommodating recess 13.

[0075] The lower wall portion 14 and the upper wall portion 15 are each a single flat plate that extends across the entire housing 11. A convex locking member 21 is formed on the inside of the upper wall portion 15 at the opening width 13f. Furthermore, plate-shaped partition plates 15d that protrude toward the lower wall portion 14 and extend in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) are formed on the inside of the upper wall portion 15 near both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The partition plates 15d partition the storage recess 13 into a main recess 13a and side recesses 13b.

[0076] Furthermore, terminal accommodating holes 12a into which each terminal 61 is inserted and accommodated are opened on the rear surface 11r of the housing 11. Each terminal accommodating hole 12a is formed as a through-hole that penetrates the rear wall portion 17 in the plate thickness direction, and accommodates and holds the main body portion 65 of each terminal 61. In the example shown in the drawings, a total of 12 terminal accommodating holes 12a are arranged in two rows in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connector 10.

[0077] Furthermore, a plate-shaped partition wall 18 is formed on the inner surface of the rear wall portion 17, extending toward the opening width 13f (in the positive direction of the X-axis) and in the width direction (in the Y-axis direction). The partition wall 18 divides the accommodating recess 13 into two parts in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction), with the upper and lower parts corresponding to the rows of the terminal accommodating holes 12a. The upper and lower parts of the accommodating recess 13 accommodate a row of contact portions 63 of the terminals 61. The upper and lower sides of the partition wall 18 are formed with ridges 14b that protrude upward and downward, respectively, and the contact portions 63 are located directly above and below the ridges 14b in the upper and lower parts of the accommodating recess 13.

[0078] In this embodiment, the mating housing 111 of the mating connector 101 includes a housing main body 112, a mating convex portion 114 that protrudes forward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) from a front surface 112f of the housing main body 112, and a mating locking member 121 connected to a mating main body 114a of the mating convex portion 114. The mating locking member 121 is a swingable movable arm member, and as shown in Fig. 25, is integrally connected to the upper surface of the mating convex portion 114 via a connecting portion 122. The connecting portion 122 is an elastically deformable member connected to the front end (end in the negative direction of the X-axis) of the mating locking member 121, thereby allowing the mating locking member 121 to swing relative to the mating housing 111 around the front end. Furthermore, a locking protrusion 121a that protrudes upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis) is formed near the rear end of the mating locking member 121, and this locking protrusion 121a engages with the convex locking member 21 of the connector 10, thereby locking the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in a mated state. In this embodiment, the locking member 21 protrudes toward the inside of the accommodating recess 13 of the housing 11, and when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated with each other, the mating locking member 121 is accommodated in the accommodating recess 13 together with the mating body 114a, and the locking protrusion 121a engages with the locking member 21.

[0079] Furthermore, the rear surface 112r of the housing main body 112 is provided with terminal accommodating recesses 113 into which mating terminals 161 connected to the ends of the electric wires 191 are inserted and accommodated. Each terminal accommodating recess 113 is formed to penetrate the interior of the mating connector 101 in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction), and accommodates and holds each mating terminal 161. In the example shown in the drawings, a total of 12 terminal accommodating recesses 113 are arranged in two rows in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the mating connector 101.

[0080] Furthermore, the mating body 114a of the mating protrusion 114 has a mating recess 114e that opens to a front surface 114f. Terminal accommodating recesses 113 are accommodated in a row in the wall of the mating body 114a above the mating recess 114e and in the wall of the mating body 114a below the mating recess 114e. Furthermore, slit-shaped openings 114c extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the wall of the mating body 114a at locations corresponding to each terminal accommodating recess 113. Therefore, each terminal accommodating recess 113 is in communication with the mating recess 114e through the openings 114c. When the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated with each other, the partition wall 18 of the housing 11 is accommodated in the mating recess 114e.

[0081] The other configurations of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] In addition, the operation of mating the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment, as well as other configurations and effects when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0083] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Components having the same structures as those in the first to third embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, descriptions of the same operations and effects as those in the first to third embodiments will also be omitted.

[0084] Figure 26 is a first oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, Figure 27 is a second oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, Figure 28 is a third oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, Figure 29 is a fourth oblique view showing the state before mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, Figure 30 are first and second oblique views showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, Figure 31 are third and fourth oblique views showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment, and Figure 32 is a two-sided view showing the state after mating of the connector and the mating connector in the fourth embodiment. In Figure 30, (a) is a first oblique view and (b) is a second oblique view, in Figure 31, (a) is a third oblique view and (b) is a fourth oblique view, and in Figure 32, (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in (a).

[0085] In this embodiment, the connector 10, which is a board connector, may be a so-called right-angle type connector or a straight type connector, but while in the third embodiment the connector 10 was described as being a straight type connector, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the connector 10 is assumed to be a right-angle type connector.

[0086] As in the third embodiment, the connector 10, which is a plug connector, has a plurality of terminals 61 arranged in multiple rows (two rows in the example shown in the figure) in the width direction of the connector 10. The number of terminals 61 is also six in each row.

[0087] Furthermore, in the mating connector 101, which is a receptacle connector, similarly to the third embodiment, a plurality of mating terminals 161 and electric wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161 are arranged in a plurality of rows (two rows in the example shown in the figure) in the width direction of the connector 101. The number of mating terminals 161 and electric wires 191 connected to the mating terminals 161 is also six in each row.

[0088] The other configurations of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first to third embodiments, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] Furthermore, the operation of mating the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment, as well as other configurations and effects when the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, are the same as those of the first to third embodiments, and therefore will not be described again.

[0090] It should be noted that the disclosure herein describes features of preferred and exemplary embodiments, and that various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure herein. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present disclosure is applicable to connectors and connector pairs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 Connectors 11, 811 Housing 11a, 55, 65 Main body 11b Lateral part 11f, 112f, 114f front 11r, 112r rear 12a Terminal receiving hole 12b Metal fittings receiving hole 12c, 14c convex part 13 Receiving recess 13a Main body recess 13b Lateral recess 13th floor opening width 14 Lower wall part 14a Lower wall opening 14b Ridge 14d Trailing edge 15 Upper wall 15a Upper wall of main body 15b Upper side wall 15c Upper recess 15d Partition board 16 Side wall 17 Rear wall 18 Partition Wall 21 Locking member 51 Metal fittings 52 Rear end 52a Trailing edge 55a First edge 55a1 Guide part 55b Second edge 55b1, 65a Engagement protrusion 55c leading edge 55c1 Fracture surface 55d recess 56 L-shaped part 56a Arm 56A 1st L section 56b Tip 56b1 Opposite side 56B 2nd L section 57 Metal fittings carrier 57a Connecting arm 61 terminals 62 Tail section 62a Bottom side 62b Posterior side 63 Contact area 64 Engagement recess 65b Upper protrusion 91 Circuit Board 91a surface 92 connection pads 101 Mating Connector 111 Counterparty Housing 112 Housing body 112a Top side 113 Terminal receiving recess 114 mating protrusion 114a Fitting body 114b Mating side part 114c aperture 114d Side convex part 114e, 813 mating recess 121 Counterpart locking member 121a Locking protrusion 122 Connection section 161 Counterpart terminal 191 Electric wire 812 Bottom wall 814 Groove 815 Engagement hole 851 Reinforcement metal fittings 852 Upper edge 853 Bottom 861 Contact pin 862 Lead 863 Top soldering surface 864 Side soldering surface 865 Support piece

Claims

1. (a) A connector comprising a housing including an accommodating recess for accommodating a mating connector, terminals attached to the housing, and metal fittings attached to the housing for fixing the housing to a board, (b) the metal fitting includes a main body portion fixed to the housing, a first L-shaped portion at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the housing near the opening width of the accommodating recess, and a second L-shaped portion exposed within the opening width of the accommodating recess, (c) the first L-shaped portion and the second L-shaped portion include surfaces that face each other across the wall of the housing; (d) A connector characterized in that the main body portion is flat, the edge portion of the main body portion on the second L-shaped portion side includes a convex portion that engages with the housing, and the edge portion of the main body portion on the first L-shaped portion side includes a guide portion that can slide against the housing.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion includes a first edge portion visible through a through hole in the bottom of the accommodating recess.

3. The connector of claim 2 , wherein the first edge protrudes from the bottom.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a slit on the first L-shaped portion side of the metal fitting at the opening width, and an arm portion connecting the first L-shaped portion to the main body portion is located within the slit.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein an edge of the main body on the side facing the mating connector has a metal fracture surface on the first L-shaped portion side, the fracture surface being formed on the arm portion.

6. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the metal fittings are attached to each side of the housing, one on each side, the housing having a convex locking member that engages with the mating connector, the locking member being located between the second L-shaped portions of the metal fittings on both sides.

7. A connector pair comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

Images