Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To facilitate manufacture, to reduce size and height, and to improve reliability.SOLUTION: A connector comprising a housing, and a plurality of terminals and a reinforcing metal fitting attached to the housing, wherein the housing includes a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls connected to respective ends of the side walls, the side walls support the terminals, and the reinforcing metal fitting is connected to the end walls, the terminal includes a board connecting portion extending in a width direction of the connector, a second contact portion having one end connected to the board connecting portion, and a first contact portion connected to the other end of the second contact portion, the side wall includes a bottom plate portion and a protruding wall protruding from the bottom plate portion in the fitting direction, and the first contact surface of the first contact portion is exposed to one side surface and the other side surface of the protruding wall at positions corresponding to the one side surface and the other side surface of the protruding wall, the second contact surface of the second contact portion is exposed on the one side surface and the other side surface of the convex wall at a position offset inward in the width direction of the convex wall from the one side surface and the other side surface of the convex wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, connectors such as board-to-board connectors have been used to electrically connect a pair of parallel circuit boards. Such connectors are attached to the opposing surfaces of the pair of circuit boards, and are fitted together to provide electrical continuity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, reference numeral 811 denotes a connector housing to be mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and has a pair of elongated protrusions 812 extending in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminals 861 are attached to the protrusions 812, arranged in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Each terminal 861 includes a board connection portion 862 to be connected to the circuit board, and a contact portion 863 to come into contact with a mating terminal of a mating connector (not shown).

[0005] When the connector is mated with a mating connector, the protrusions 812 are inserted into a pair of recesses formed in the mating housing of the mating connector, so that the contact portions 863 of the terminals 861 come into contact with the mating terminals mounted side by side in the recesses, thereby establishing electrical continuity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-126789 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the conventional connector, the terminals 861 are formed to be integrated with the housing 811, and therefore, when the connector is made smaller, the interval between the protrusions 812 becomes narrower and the pitch between the terminals 861 becomes smaller, making manufacturing difficult. Typically, the terminals 861 are integrated with the pair of protrusions 812 of the housing 811 by a molding method known as overmolding or insert molding, and therefore, when the interval between the protrusions 812 becomes narrower and the pitch between the terminals 861 becomes narrower, it becomes difficult to accurately arrange a large number of terminals 861 in positions corresponding to the pair of protrusions 812 in the mold for molding the housing 811.

[0008] Furthermore, when the connector is made low-profile, it becomes impossible to ensure a sufficient distance between the board connection portion 862 and the contact portion 863 of each terminal 861, which may result in poor connection due to solder wicking.

[0009] The object of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a connector and connector assembly that are easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and thinner, and are highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To this end, the connector comprises a housing, a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, and reinforcing metal fittings, wherein the housing includes a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls connected to each end of the side walls, the side walls support the terminals, the reinforcing metal fittings are connected to the end walls, the terminals include a board connection portion extending in the width direction of the connector, a second contact portion having one end connected to the board connection portion, and a first contact portion connected to the other end of the second contact portion, the side walls include a bottom plate portion and a convex wall protruding from the bottom plate portion in the mating direction, a first contact surface of the first contact portion is exposed to one side and the other side of the convex wall at a position corresponding to the one side and the other side of the convex wall, and a second contact surface of the second contact portion is exposed to one side and the other side of the convex wall at a position offset inward in the width direction of the convex wall from the one side and the other side of the convex wall.

[0011] In other connectors, the bottom plate portion further includes a flange, and a portion of the surface of the second contact portion side end of the board connection portion is covered by the flange, and the end of the board connection portion opposite the second contact portion is exposed outside the flange when viewed from the mating direction.

[0012] In yet another connector, one end of the second contact portion is connected to the first contact portion via a connecting portion, and the other end of the second contact portion is embedded in the bottom plate portion.

[0013] In yet another connector, the free end of the first contact portion is embedded in the bottom plate portion, and the end face of the free end is at least partially exposed when viewed from the underside of the bottom plate portion.

[0014] In yet another connector, a terminal supported on one side wall and a terminal supported on the other side wall at a position opposite the terminal in the width direction of the connector have the same posture when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the connector.

[0015] In yet another connector, the board connection portion of the terminal supported on one side wall and extending toward the other side wall, and the board connection portion of the terminal supported on the other side wall and extending toward the one side wall, are arranged in a staggered pattern, offset by half a pitch from each other.

[0016] The connector assembly includes the connector of the present disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present disclosure, the connector can narrow the pitch of the terminals in the terminal row, narrow the spacing between the terminal rows, prevent solder bridges from occurring, is easy to manufacture, can be made smaller even when multi-pole, and has improved reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of metal members of the first connector in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are three-view diagrams of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first connector according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are perspective views including a cross section of the first connector in the present embodiment, where FIG. 4A is a perspective view including a cross section along the AA arrow in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view including a cross section along the BB arrow in FIG. 4A. [Figure 7] 2 is a first perspective view of a pair of left and right half portions of the first connector in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a perspective view of the left half of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is an exploded view of the left half of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are second and third perspective views of a pair of left and right half body portions of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a second perspective view and (a) is a third perspective view. [Figure 11] 10 is a perspective view showing a first step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a perspective view showing a second step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a plan view showing a second step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a top view showing a step of joining the left and right half portions of the first connector in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15]1A and 1B are two-view diagrams showing a first step of manufacturing a first protruding end portion of a first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are two-view diagrams showing a second step of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] 1A to 1C are three-view diagrams of the second connector of the present embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 19] 1 is a perspective view seen from the first connector side, showing a state immediately before the first connector and the second connector are mated in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] 1 is a perspective view seen from the first connector side, showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] 1A and 1B are three-view diagrams showing the first connector and the second connector mated in this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD arrow in (a). [Figure 22] 21(a) is a perspective view including a cross section of the first connector and the second connector in the present embodiment when mated, and FIG. 21(b) is a perspective view including a cross section of the DD arrow in FIG. 21(a). [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 is an oblique view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 3 is an oblique view showing the arrangement of metal members of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 4 is a three-sided view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 6 is an oblique view including a cross-section of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 7 is a first oblique view of a pair of left and right half-body portions of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 8 is a perspective view of the left half-body portion of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 9 is an exploded view of the left half-body portion of the first connector in this embodiment, and Figure 10 are second and third oblique views of the pair of left and right half-body portions of the first connector in this embodiment. In Figure 4, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view; in Figure 5, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4(a) and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 4(a); in Figure 6, (a) is a perspective view including a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4(a) and (b) is a perspective view including a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 4(a); and in Figure 10, (a) is a second perspective view and (a) is a third perspective view.

[0021] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a first connector, which is one of a pair of board-to-board connectors in this embodiment. The first connector 1 is a surface-mount connector mounted on the surface of a first substrate, which is a substrate (not shown) serving as a mounting member, and is mated with a second connector 101, which is a mating connector (described below). The second connector 101 is the other of the pair of board-to-board connectors, and is a surface-mount connector mounted on the surface of a second substrate, which is a substrate (not shown) serving as a mounting member. The first connector 1 and the second connector 101 constitute a connector pair or a connector assembly.

[0022] The first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are preferably used to electrically connect a first board and a second board as substrates, but can also be used to electrically connect other members. The first board and the second board are, for example, printed circuit boards used in electronic devices, flexible flat cables (FFC), flexible circuit boards (FPC), etc., but may be any type of board.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are not absolute but relative, and are appropriate when each part of the first connector 1 and the second 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.

[0024] The first connector 1 has dimensions of, for example, a length (dimension in the X-axis direction) of approximately 6.0 mm, a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of approximately 2.0 mm, and a height (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of approximately 0.5 mm, but these dimensions can be changed as appropriate.

[0025] The first connector 1 is configured by joining a pair of left and right half portions, i.e., left half portion 10A and right half portion 10B, using a reinforcing metal fitting, i.e., a first reinforcing metal fitting 51 as a nail, and a first protruding end portion 16 as a covering portion integrally molded by a molding method called overmolding, outsert molding, or insert molding (hereinafter referred to as "insert molding"). Note that the left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B are identical members arranged facing each other, and therefore will be described collectively as half portion 10 when described collectively. The left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B each have a substantially gate-shaped shape in a plan view (shape projected onto the XY plane), and the space between the joined left half portion 10A and right half portion 10B forms an elongated recessed groove portion 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The recessed groove portion 13 is a through hole that is open on the upper and lower surfaces of the first connector 1 .

[0026] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the first connector 1 is described as having a pair of half portions 10, i.e., two half portions arranged in parallel, but it may also be having three or more half portions 10 arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the half portions 10 do not necessarily have to have a generally gate-like shape, and may have any shape as long as both longitudinal ends can be joined by the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 and the first protruding end portion 16.

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment, the groove 13 is described as being a single through hole, but it may also be a bottomed one having a bottom plate. The bottom plate may also have a plurality of through holes, in which case it is desirable that the through holes be such that at least the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 located in the groove 13 can be visually confirmed. This makes it easy to check from the outside the appearance and the state of connection between the tail portion 62 and the board by soldering or the like.

[0028] The first connector 1 includes a first housing 11 integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and configured to have a generally gate-shaped configuration in a plan view. The first housing 11 has a pair of side walls 18 extending in its longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), each side wall 18 being parallel to each other, and both ends of each side wall 18 being connected by a pair of first protruding ends 16. The pair of first protruding ends 16 are sometimes referred to as a pair of end walls of the first connector 1. Each side wall 18 includes a thin, strip-shaped bottom plate portion 17 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first housing 11 and a first protrusion portion 12 serving as a convex wall that is a thin, protruding portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and formed integrally on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 17. That is, the side wall 18 includes the bottom plate portion 17 and the first protrusion portion 12 serving as a convex wall that protrudes from the bottom plate portion 17 in the mating direction (positive Z-axis direction). The pair of first protrusions 12 face each other and are parallel to each other, and the pair of first protruding ends 16 also face each other and are parallel to each other.

[0029] The first protrusion 12 is a member whose cross section is shaped like an upside-down U, and is located on the upper side (the Z-axis positive direction side). The first protrusion 12 has a fitting surface 12a that is an upper surface facing upward, an outer surface 12b that is one side surface connected to the left and right sides of the fitting surface 12a, and an inner surface 12c that is the other side surface. The outer surface 12b faces outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and the inner surface 12c faces the recessed groove portion 13 on the inner side in the width direction of the first housing 11. The outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c are a pair of flat surfaces that are parallel to each other and face each other, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11.

[0030] Each first protrusion 12 is provided with a first terminal 61 as a terminal. The first terminals 61 are arranged at a predetermined pitch, with multiple terminals. The first terminals 61 are formed integrally with a conductive metal plate by punching, bending, or other processes. The first housing 11 is molded integrally with the first terminals 61 by insert molding. That is, the first housing 11 is formed by filling an insulating material into a cavity of a mold in which the first terminals 61 have been set beforehand. Therefore, the first terminals 61 are not separated from the first housing 11, and the portion of the first housing 11 where the first terminals 61 are attached does not have the shape shown in Figures 2, 9, etc., separated from the first terminals 61. However, please note that the illustrations of Figures 2, 9, etc. are provided solely for convenience of explanation. Similarly, the first reinforcing bracket 51 is not located at a distance from the first protruding end 16, and the location at the first protruding end 16 where the first reinforcing bracket 51 is attached is not located at a distance from the first reinforcing bracket 51 in the shape shown in Figure 2, etc. However, please note that the drawings in Figure 2, etc. are made solely for the convenience of explanation.

[0031] In this embodiment, there are a plurality of first terminals 61, which are attached to and supported by the first protrusion 12 of the side wall 18, forming a plurality of terminal rows 60 that are rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. In the first housing 11, the plurality of side walls 18 are connected to the first protruding end portion 16 and integrally linked, so it can be said that the plurality of terminal rows 60 are also held by the first protrusion 12 of the first housing 11 and integrally linked.

[0032] The first terminals 61 include first terminals 61A that are first type terminals and first terminals 61B that are second type terminals. In each terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are arranged alternately. In one terminal row 60 and an adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A are arranged side by side and the first terminals 61B are arranged side by side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10. In the example shown in the figure, nine first terminals 61A and nine first terminals 61B are arranged at a predetermined pitch (e.g., approximately 0.15 to 0.18 mm) in each terminal row 60, but the number and pitch of the first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 can be changed as appropriate.

[0033] The first protrusion 12 has an inter-terminal wall 12d that is interposed between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, i.e., between adjacent first terminals 61A and 61B. The inter-terminal wall 12d is a portion that maintains insulation between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60.

[0034] The bottom plate portion 17 includes a lower plate portion 17a located on the lower side and serving as a plate-like flange that protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the outer side surface 12b and inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the inner side surface 12c, and a plate-like upper plate portion 17b located on the lower plate portion 17a and with both ends in the width direction of the first housing 11 positioned approximately flush with the outer side surface 12b and the inner side surface 12c. The lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 is the mounting surface of the first housing 11 that faces the surface of the first board.

[0035] The first terminal 61 is a member formed integrally by punching, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal plate. The first terminals 61A and 61B are substantially identical, but are arranged so that they face left and right opposite each other when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The first terminal 61 supported on one side wall 18 and the first terminal 61 supported on the other side wall 18 at a position opposite the first terminal 61 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 have the same posture when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1.

[0036] Each first terminal 61 includes an inner pillar portion 63 as a second contact portion extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 62 as a board connection portion that protrudes from the lower end of the inner pillar portion 63 outward in the width direction of the first protrusion 12, an outer pillar portion 65 as a first contact portion that extends in the vertical direction opposite the inner pillar portion 63, and a curved connecting portion 64 that connects the upper end of the outer pillar portion 65 to the upper end of the inner pillar portion 63. In other words, one end of the inner pillar portion 63 is connected to the outer pillar portion 65 via the connecting portion 64, and the other end of the inner pillar portion 63 is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17.

[0037] The widthwise outer surface of the first protrusion 12 of the inner pole portion 63 is a second contact surface 63a that functions as a contact surface that comes into contact with a second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 (described later), and the widthwise outer surface of the first protrusion 12 of the outer pole portion 65 is a first contact surface 65a that functions as a contact surface that comes into contact with a second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 (described later). The free end, i.e., the lower end, of the outer pole portion 65 is formed with an anchor portion 65b having an anchor shape that is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17 of the side wall 18 and does not come off. Furthermore, an upper end protrusion 64a that protrudes outward in the widthwise direction of the first protrusion 12 is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the inner pole portion 63 and the connecting portion 64. Furthermore, the end surface 62a at the tip of the tail portion 62 is a cut surface that occurs when the tail portion 62 is separated from a connecting arm 68a of a terminal carrier 68 (described later). Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is adjacent to the end surface 62a and is a connection surface that is connected to a conductive trace of the first substrate and is connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by soldering, etc. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line.

[0038] Each first terminal 61 is a member formed by bending a thin metal strip extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), but it is desirable that the dimension in the width direction (X-axis direction) is not uniform. Specifically, it is desirable that the tail portion 62 and the outer post portion 65 be formed to be wide (e.g., approximately 0.1 mm), and the inner post portion 63 and the connecting portion 64 be formed to be narrow (e.g., approximately 0.075 mm). As a result, the dimension in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the first contact surface 65a of the outer post portion 65 and the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is larger than the second contact surface 63a of the inner post portion 63 and the upper surface of the connecting portion 64. It is also desirable that the adjacent portion 62c of the tail portion 62 adjacent to the inner post portion 63 be formed to be narrow, similar to the inner post portion 63.

[0039] As described above, in each terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are arranged alternately, and between one terminal row 60 and the adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A are arranged side by side and the first terminals 61B are arranged side by side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the first terminal 61 located at the front end (end in the positive X-axis direction) of the lower terminal row 60 is first terminal 61B, and is oriented so that its tail portion 62 protrudes inward in the width direction of the first connector 10, while the first terminal 61 located second from the front end is first terminal 61A, and is oriented so that its tail portion 62 protrudes outward in the width direction of the first connector 10. In this way, the first terminals 61 are attached to the first protrusion 12 in an alternating arrangement facing in opposite directions, so that the pitch of the tail portions 62 protruding from each side of the first protrusion 12 is twice the pitch of the first terminals 61. Furthermore, the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported on one side wall 18 and extending toward the other side wall 18 and the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported on the other side wall 18 and extending toward the one side wall 18 are arranged in a staggered pattern with a half pitch offset from each other. This facilitates connection work to connection pads on the first board by soldering or the like.

[0040] When the first terminals 61 are integrated with the first housing 11, the upper surfaces of the connecting portions 64 are located at approximately the same position as the fitting surfaces 12a, which are the upper surfaces of the first protrusions 12. That is, the upper surfaces of the connecting portions 64 of the first terminals 61 are approximately flush with the fitting surfaces 12a of the first protrusions 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the first contact surface 65a of the outer post portion 65 of the first terminal 61 is substantially flush with the outer side surface 12b and inner side surface 12c of the first protrusion portion 12 of the side wall 18. That is, on both sides of the first protrusion portion 12, the first contact surface 65a of each first terminal 61 is located corresponding to the outer side surface 12b and inner side surface 12c in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10. On the other hand, the second contact surface 63a of the inner post portion 63 of the first terminal 61 is located more inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12 than the outer side surface 12b and inner side surface 12c of the first protrusion 12. That is, on both sides of the first protrusion 12, the second contact surface 63a of each first terminal 61 is shifted and offset so as to be recessed more inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12 than the first contact surface 65a in the first protrusion 12 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10.

[0042] In this way, in each terminal row 60, the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a, which are contact surfaces between adjacent first terminals 61, are shifted and offset in the width direction of the first protrusion 12.

[0043] In each terminal row 60, an inter-terminal wall 12d exists between the inner pillar portions 63, outer pillar portions 65, and connecting portions 64 of adjacent first terminals 61, and the inter-terminal wall 12d is integrated with the inner pillar portions 63, outer pillar portions 65, and connecting portions 64. This ensures that insulation between adjacent first terminals 61 is maintained, and the first terminals 61 are firmly held by the first protrusions 12 of the side walls 18.

[0044] As described above, the tail portion 62 and the outer pillar portion 65 are formed to be wide, and the inner pillar portion 63 and the connecting portion 64 are formed to be narrow. In addition, the adjacent portion 62c of the tail portion 62 adjacent to the inner pillar portion 63 is also formed to be narrow, similar to the inner pillar portion 63.

[0045] As a result, on the fitting surface 12a, which is the upper surface of the first protrusion 12, it is possible to maintain a wide gap between adjacent coupling portions 64 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12, thereby reliably maintaining insulation between adjacent coupling portions 64. Furthermore, because the gap between adjacent coupling portions 64 is wide, the insulating material that constitutes the first housing 11 is reliably filled between adjacent coupling portions 64 when it is filled by insert molding.

[0046] Furthermore, the second contact surfaces 63a of the inner pillar portions 63 are located adjacent to the first contact surfaces 65a of each outer pillar portion 65 on the outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c, which are the left and right side surfaces of the first protrusion 12. That is, on the outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c, the wide first contact surfaces 65a and the narrow second contact surfaces 63a are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12. This makes it possible to maintain a wide gap between the adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a in the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 12 on both the left and right side surfaces of the first protrusion 12, thereby reliably maintaining insulation between the adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a. Furthermore, since the gap between the adjacent first contact surface 65a and second contact surface 63a is wide, when the insulating material that constitutes the first housing 11 is filled by insert molding, it is also reliably filled between the adjacent first contact surface 65a and second contact surface 63a.

[0047] Furthermore, as described above, the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a are shifted and offset in the width direction of the first protrusion 12, so the distance between adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a corresponds to the distance of a vector obtained by combining a vector representing the distance in the X-axis direction and a vector representing the distance in the Y-axis direction, and is therefore wider than the distance in the X-axis direction. This more reliably maintains insulation between the adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a, and more reliably fills the gap between the adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a with insulating material.

[0048] In addition, with respect to the width direction of the first protrusion 12, the second contact surface 63a is shifted and offset so as to be recessed more inward in the width direction of the first protrusion 12 than the first contact surface 65a, so that, as can be seen when viewed from the fitting direction (Z-axis direction) of the first connector 1, adjacent portions 62c adjacent to the inner post portion 63 in the tail portion 62 are located on both sides of the anchor portion 65b which is the lower end of the outer post portion 65. That is, near the lower ends of the outer side surface 12b and the inner side surface 12c, the wide anchor portions 65b and the narrow adjacent portions 62c are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 12. This allows a wide gap to be maintained between adjacent anchor portions 65b and adjacent portions 62c in the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 12 near the lower ends of both the left and right sides of the first protrusion 12, ensuring insulation between adjacent anchor portions 65b and adjacent portions 62c and ensuring that insulating material is filled between adjacent anchor portions 65b and adjacent portions 62c.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is located at approximately the same position as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, i.e., is approximately flush with the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17. The lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is exposed from the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17. On the other hand, the end surface of the free end of the outer column portion 65, i.e., the lower surface 65c of the anchor portion 65b, is located at a higher position (positive direction of the Z axis) than the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, as shown in FIG. 5, but at least a portion of it is exposed when viewed from the mounting surface (lower surface 17c) side.

[0050] The lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17, which protrudes outward in the width direction of the first protrusion 12, covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61. Specifically, the lower plate portion 17a covers a portion of the surface of the side end of the inner pillar portion 63 of the tail portion 62, preferably the entire surface of the adjacent portion 62c. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower plate portion 17a covers at least the midpoint of the range from the point adjacent to the inner pillar portion 63 to the end surface 62a of the tail portion 62 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12. Furthermore, the anchor portion 65b, which is located on the opposite side of the tail portion 62 in the width direction of the first protrusion 12, is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17. This allows the first terminal 61, including the tail portion 62 and the anchor portion 65b, to be more firmly held by the first protrusion 12 of the side wall 18. The end of the tail portion 62 opposite to the inner pillar portion 63 is exposed to the outside of the lower plate portion 17a when viewed from the fitting direction (Z-axis direction).

[0051] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the tail portion 62 is wide, and therefore the connection strength of the tail portion 62, whose underside 62b is connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by a connecting agent such as solder, is high, and the first terminal 61 including the tail portion 62 is firmly connected to the first substrate.

[0052] On the underside 62b of the tail portion 62, a connecting agent such as solder is applied to a portion that protrudes outward from the bottom plate portion 17, but the distance from this portion to the second contact surfaces 63a exposed on both the left and right side surfaces of the first protrusion 12 is long in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12, so that the connecting agent such as solder does not adhere to the second contact surfaces 63a due to so-called solder wicking. Furthermore, the insulating material that constitutes the first housing 11 exists between this portion and the second contact surface 63a, so that the connecting agent such as solder is more reliably prevented from adhering to the second contact surfaces 63a. Furthermore, the distance from the above-mentioned portion to the first contact surface 65a adjacent to the second contact surface 63a is long in the width direction, longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and vertical direction of the first protrusion 12, and since there is an insulating material that constitutes the first housing 11, connecting material such as solder will not adhere to the first contact surface 65a due to solder wicking.

[0053] In this embodiment, the surface of the first terminal 61 is plated with a highly conductive metal such as gold, nickel, or palladium, or a metal commonly used in connectors, in order to reduce electrical resistance. However, the end surface 62a of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61, which is the cut surface created when the first terminal 61 is separated from the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68, is not plated.

[0054] The first protruding end 16 is a part that functions as an insertion convex portion that is inserted into the mating recess 122 of the second protruding end 121 described below that is provided on the second connector 101 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, and the first reinforcing bracket 51 is integrally attached.

[0055] An extended end portion 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is integrally connected to each longitudinal end of the first protrusion 12 of the side wall 18 of each half body 10, and an embedded portion 15 extending further in the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 12 is integrally connected to each extended end portion 14. The extended end portions 14 extend obliquely inward, and the embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position offset inward at the tip of the extended end portion 14, and is located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. That is, the extended end portion 14 of the left half body 10A extends obliquely to the right (negative direction of the Y axis), and the embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position offset to the right at the tip of the extended end portion 14. Further, extension end portion 14 of right half body portion 10B extends obliquely to the left (positive direction of the Y-axis), and embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position offset to the left at the tip of extension end portion 14.

[0056] At least a portion of the extended end portions 14 and the entire embedded portion 15 of the left and right half portions 10 are covered by a first protruding end portion 16 formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Specifically, the embedded portions 15 of the left and right half portions 10 are brought close to each other and then insert-molded while covered with a first reinforcing metal fitting 51, thereby forming the first protruding end portion 16, in which the extended end portions 14, embedded portions 15, and first reinforcing metal fitting 51 of the left and right half portions 10 are integrated, thereby joining the side walls 18 of the left and right half portions 10. The first protruding end portion 16 does not necessarily need to cover the entire embedded portion 15; it is sufficient to cover the embedded portion 15 to an extent sufficient to join the left and right half portions 10. However, it is desirable to cover the entire embedded portion 15 to maximize the joining strength. It should be noted that the first protruding end 16 is a component formed to be integrated with other components by insert molding, and does not exist independently and spaced apart from other components, but for convenience of explanation, it is depicted in Figure 2 as if it exists independently.

[0057] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the extension end portion 14 has an upper surface 14a located on the upper side, outer and inner surfaces 14b and 14c connected to both the left and right sides of the upper surface 14a, and a lower surface 14d located on the lower side. The lower surface 14d is located above the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, and at least a portion of it is covered by the first protruding end portion 16. The upper surface 14a is substantially flush with the fitting surface 12a of the first protrusion 12. The inner surface 14c is inclined obliquely inward relative to the inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12. The outer surface 14b includes an inclined outer surface 14b1 inclined obliquely inward relative to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, and a parallel outer surface 14b2 that is substantially parallel to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. The parallel outer surface 14 b 2 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the first protruding end portion 16 and forms a part of the outer surface of the first protruding end portion 16 .

[0058] The embedded portion 15 is a member having a generally rectangular parallelepiped overall shape and includes an upper surface 15a located on the upper side, outer and inner surfaces 15b and 15c on both left and right sides, a lower surface 15d located on the lower side, and end surfaces 15e at both longitudinal ends of the first connector 1. The upper surface 15a and the lower surface 15d are parallel to each other, and the distance between the upper surface 15a and the lower surface 15d, i.e., the thickness of the embedded portion 15, is thinner than the thickness of the extension end 14 and the first protrusion 12. The upper surface 15a is located below the mating surface 12a, and the lower surface 15d is located above the lower surface 17c (mounting surface) of the bottom plate portion 17. The outer surface 15b is a plane substantially parallel to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, but is located inside the outer surface 12b, i.e., toward the center of the width of the first housing 11. The inner surface 15c includes a parallel inner surface 15c1 that is a plane substantially parallel to the inner surface 12c of the first convex portion 12, and an inclined inner surface 15c2 that is substantially parallel to the inner surface 14c of the extension end portion 14. Furthermore, the end surface 15e is a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. The embedded portion 15 is entirely covered by the first protruding end portion 16, i.e., is embedded within the first protruding end portion 16.

[0059] In this way, the extension end 14 extends at an inward angle, and the embedded portion 15 is located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. This allows the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding end 16 to be smaller than the width of the first connector 1 (the distance between the outer surfaces 12b of the left and right first protrusions 12). If the width of the first protruding end 16 does not need to be smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the extension end 14 does not necessarily need to be inclined obliquely toward the inside, and can extend straight. Alternatively, the extension end 14 can be omitted by extending the embedded portion 15 directly from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12. In this case, the longitudinal dimension of the first connector 1 can be shortened. Furthermore, when three or more half portions 10 are arranged in parallel, the extension end 14 can also extend in a Y-shape from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12.

[0060] The first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is a member formed integrally by subjecting a metal plate to processes such as punching and bending, and includes a first main body portion 52 as an elongated, strip-shaped main body extending in the width direction of the first housing 11, a pair of left and right side portions 53 connected to the first main body portion 52 via curved connection portions 52b formed on both left and right ends of the first main body portion 52, an upper plate portion 54 connected to the upper edge of the first main body portion 52 and curved at approximately 90 degrees to extend inward in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and an end wall inner surface covering portion 55 connected to the front edge of the upper plate portion 54 and curved at approximately 90 degrees to extend downward. Note that a tail portion 52a serving as a board connection portion extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 is connected to the lower edge of the first main body portion 52 and curved at approximately 90 degrees.

[0061] Moreover, side portion 53 is a member shaped roughly like the number 9 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of first housing 11. Each side portion 53 extends from the tip of curved connecting portion 52b toward the inside of first housing 11 in the longitudinal direction and includes: a flat main body portion 53a extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 53b as a board connecting portion that is curved approximately 90 degrees and connected to the lower edge of main body portion 53a and extends toward the outside of first housing 11 in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and a contact portion 53c that is curved approximately 180 degrees and connected to the upper edge of main body portion 53a and extends downward (Z-axis negative direction). The contact portion 53c includes a flat contact side plate 53c2 that functions as a contact plate that contacts the contact arm portion 154 of the second connector 101 described later, and a curved plate portion 53c1 that is curved approximately 180 degrees and connects the upper edge of the main body portion 53a to the upper edge of the contact side plate 53c2.

[0062] The contact side plate 53c2 is spaced apart from the tail portion 53b, and a gap 53e is formed between the lower edge of the contact side plate 53c2 and the upper surface of the tail portion 53b. The contact side plate 53c2 is also spaced apart from the main body portion 53a, and a space 53d is formed between the inner surface of the contact side plate 53c2 in the width direction of the first housing 11 and the outer surface of the main body portion 53a in the width direction of the first housing 11.

[0063] As described above, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is integrated with the first protruding end portion 16. The upper plate portion 54 is embedded in the upper surface of the first protruding end portion 16, and the upper surface of the upper plate portion 54 is flush with the upper surface of the first protruding end portion 16, constituting most of the upper surface of the first protruding end portion 16. The first main body portion 52 and the end wall inner surface covering portion 55 are embedded in the outer and inner surfaces of the end wall of the first protruding end portion 16, and the outer surfaces of the first main body portion 52 and the end wall inner surface covering portion 55 are flush with the outer and inner surfaces of the end wall of the first protruding end portion 16, constituting most of the outer and inner surfaces of the end wall of the first protruding end portion 16. The side portion 53 is embedded in the first protruding end portion 16 and is not exposed, except for the outer surface of the contact portion 53c, the entire lower surface of the tail portion 53b, and a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 53b.

[0064] The tail portion 52a of the first main body portion 52 and the tail portion 53b of the side portion 53 are connected, by soldering or the like, to connection pads whose undersides are connected to conductive traces on the first board. The conductive traces are typically power lines. In this way, in each first reinforcing bracket 51, the tail portion 52a of the first main body portion 52 and the tail portion 53b of the side portion 53 are connected to connection pads on the first board by soldering or the like at three locations, thereby improving the connection strength of the first reinforcing bracket 51 to the first board.

[0065] Although a connecting agent such as solder is applied to the underside of the tail portion 53b of the side portion 53, the distance from the underside to the outer surface of the contact side plate 53c2 is long due to the presence of the main body portion 53a and the curved plate portion 53c1. This prevents the connecting agent from adhering to the outer surface of the contact side plate 53c2 due to solder wicking. Furthermore, a gap 53e is provided between the upper surface of the tail portion 53b and the lower edge of the contact side plate 53c2, which more reliably prevents the connecting agent such as solder applied to the underside of the tail portion 53b from adhering to the outer surface of the contact side plate 53c2. Furthermore, a space 53d is formed between the upper surface of the tail portion 53b, the outer surface of the main body portion 53a, and the inner surface of the contact side plate 53c2. The insulating material constituting the first housing 11 is present in this space 53d. This prevents the connecting agent from adhering to the outer surface of the contact side plate 53c2 due to solder wicking.

[0066] Next, a method for manufacturing the first connector 10 having the above-described structure will be described.

[0067] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a first step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector in this embodiment, Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a second step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector in this embodiment, Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the second step of manufacturing the left half body of the first connector in this embodiment, Fig. 14 is a top view showing the step of joining the left half body and right half body of the first connector in this embodiment, Fig. 15 is a two-sided view showing the first step of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment, and Fig. 16 is a two-sided view showing the second step of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment. In Figs. 15 and 16, (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view.

[0068] The first terminals 61 are members made of a 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 terminal carrier 68 as a carrier, as shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, the tip of the tail portion 62 of each first terminal 61 is connected to a flat carrier body 68b of the terminal carrier 68 via an elongated connecting arm 68a, and the tail portion 62 is cut off from the connecting arm 68a at a cutting portion 68c, thereby becoming a member as shown in Fig. 2 etc.

[0069] Fig. 11 shows a terminal carrier 68 and a first terminal 61 corresponding to the terminal row 60 of the left half body portion 10A in Fig. 1. The terminal carrier 68 on the lower right side (positive Y-axis direction) in Fig. 11 shows a terminal carrier 68 and a first terminal 61 corresponding to the first terminal 61A of the terminal row 60 on the lower right side (positive Y-axis direction) in Fig. 3. The terminal carrier 68 on the upper left side (negative Y-axis direction) in Fig. 11 shows a terminal carrier 68 and a first terminal 61 corresponding to the first terminal 61B of the terminal row 60 on the lower right side (positive Y-axis direction) in Fig. 3.

[0070] It should be noted that the side wall 18 in FIG. 11 is integrally molded with the first terminal 61 by insert molding, and is not spaced apart from the first terminal 61; like the first housing 11 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 9, it is merely provided for the convenience of explanation.

[0071] In the step of molding the first terminals 61 integrally with the first housing 11 by primary insert molding, the first terminals 61 are first supplied with a plurality of first terminals 61 corresponding to first terminal 61A connected to one terminal carrier 68 and a plurality of first terminals 61 corresponding to first terminal 61B connected to the other terminal carrier 68, as shown in FIG. 11 , and then set in a molding die (not shown). As a result, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are positioned and set in the molding die in an alternating arrangement to form the terminal row 60 of the left half body 10A in FIG. 1. In this way, by holding and manipulating the terminal carrier 68 to which the plurality of first terminals 61 are connected, the plurality of first terminals 61 can be simultaneously positioned and set in the molding die.

[0072] Next, the cavity of the molding die is filled with a molten insulating material such as synthetic resin. That is, the first insert molding is performed. The insulating material may be any type of material, but in this example, it is LCP (liquid crystal polymer). In the first insert molding, it is desirable to select the material with emphasis on its fluidity. Then, after the filled insulating material cools and solidifies to form the side wall 18 of the first housing 11, the molding die is opened, and the left half body 10A is removed, with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The right half body 10B is also produced in the same manner, with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61.

[0073] 12 and 13, from the left half body 10A with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61, the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68 (the left terminal carrier 68 in FIG. 13) connected to the tail portion 62 protruding in a direction corresponding to the inside of the first housing 11 (the negative direction of the Y axis) is cut at the cutting portion 68c, and the terminal carrier 68 is removed, while the terminal carrier 68 (the right terminal carrier 68 in FIG. 13) connected to the tail portion 62 protruding in a direction corresponding to the outside of the first housing 11 (the positive direction of the Y axis) is left as it is. Similarly, from the right half body 10B with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61, the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding in a direction corresponding to the inside of the first housing 11 is cut, and the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding in a direction corresponding to the outside of the first housing 11 is left as it is.

[0074] 14, the left half 10A and the right half 10B, each having a terminal carrier 68 connected only to the tail portion 62 protruding in a direction corresponding to the outside of the first housing 11, are set in a second molding die (not shown) in a facing state. Specifically, the insides of the left and right half 10 face each other, the side walls 18 of the left and right half 10 are parallel to each other, the lower surfaces 17c of the bottom plate portions 17 of the side walls 18 of the left and right half 10 are flush with each other and the end surfaces 15e of both longitudinal ends are flush with each other, and the embedded portions 15 of the left and right half 10 are close to each other but do not touch each other. The left and right half 10 facing each other are positioned so that the distance between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the facing embedded portions 15 is a predetermined distance, and then set in the second molding die.

[0075] Furthermore, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is set in the secondary molding die so as to cover at least a portion of the extended end portions 14 of the side walls 18 of the left and right half-body portions 10 and the entire embedded portion 15. In this case, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is set with the tip of its tail portion 52a connected to a metal fitting carrier 58 serving as a carrier. When the tail portion 52a is cut off from the metal fitting carrier 58 at the cutting portion 58b, the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 becomes a member as shown in FIG. Specifically, the first reinforcing bracket 51 is set so that a gap is created between its upper plate portion 54 and the upper surface 15a of the embedded portion 15, the main body portion 53a of its side portion 53 is in contact with or close to the outer surface 15b of the embedded portion 15, a gap is created between its first main body portion 52 and the end surface 15e of the embedded portion 15, a gap is created between its end wall inner surface covering portion 55 and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15, and the lower surfaces of its tail portions 52a and 53b are below the lower surface 15d of the embedded portion 15 and are at approximately the same height as the lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17.

[0076] Next, the cavity of the molding die is filled with a molten insulating material, such as synthetic resin. This is the second insert molding process. The insulating material can be any type of material; however, in this case, LCP is used, as in the first insert molding process, emphasizing fluidity. In the second insert molding process, the insulating material can also be selected based on its strength and its ability to melt and bond with the insulating material used in the first insert molding process. Once the filled insulating material cools and solidifies, forming the first protruding end portion 16, the molding die is opened, and the left and right half portions 10 are removed, with the longitudinal ends of the side walls 18 joined by the first protruding end portion 16, as shown in FIG. 16 .

[0077] Finally, the remaining terminal carriers 68 and metal fitting carriers 58 are cut away from the left and right half-body portions 10 in which both longitudinal ends of the side walls 18 are joined by the first protruding ends 16 as shown in Fig. 16. This allows the first connector 1 as shown in Fig. 1 to be obtained.

[0078] Next, the configuration of second connector 101, which constitutes a connector assembly together with first connector 1, will be described.

[0079] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the second connector in this embodiment, and Fig. 18 is a three-view diagram of the second connector in this embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view.

[0080] In this embodiment, second connector 101, which serves as a mating connector, has second housing 111, which serves as a mating housing and is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, second housing 111 has a substantially rectangular, thick plate-like shape that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. A substantially rectangular recess 112, which is surrounded by a periphery and fits with first housing 11, is formed on the side of second housing 111 where first connector 1 is fitted, i.e., on the mating surface 111a side (the Z-axis negative direction side). A second protrusion 113, which serves as an island portion that fits with groove 13, is formed integrally with second housing 111 within recess 112. Sidewalls 114, which extend parallel to second protrusion 113, are formed integrally with second housing 111 on both sides of second protrusion 113.

[0081] The second protrusion 113 and the side wall 114 protrude upward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the bottom surface of the recess 112 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. As a result, on both sides of the second protrusion 113, recessed groove portions 112a, which are elongated recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 (in the X-axis direction), are formed as part of the recess 112.

[0082] Groove-shaped second terminal accommodating groove cavities 115a are formed on both side surfaces of second protrusion 113 and on the inner side surface of sidewall 114. Hole-shaped second terminal accommodating hole cavities 115b are formed in second protrusion 113 and sidewall 114. Second terminal accommodating groove cavities 115a and second terminal accommodating hole cavities 115b are connected to and integrated with each other at the bottom surface of groove 112a, so when describing second terminal accommodating groove cavities 115a and second terminal accommodating hole cavities 115b collectively, they will be described as second terminal accommodating cavities 115. The second terminal accommodating cavities 115 are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the first terminals 61, and the number of second terminal accommodating cavities 115 corresponds to the number of first terminals 61. Each of the second terminal accommodating cavities 115 accommodates a second terminal 161 as a mating terminal, whereby multiple second terminals 161 are arranged in each groove portion 112a at a pitch corresponding to the first terminals 61 and in a corresponding number (18 in the example shown in the figure).

[0083] The second terminal 161 is a member formed as a single unit by processing a conductive metal plate such as by punching, and as clearly shown in Figure 21 described later, comprises a main body portion 163 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 162 connected to the lower end (positive Z-axis end) of the main body portion 163, a proximal connection portion 163b extending from near the lower end of the main body portion 163 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, a proximal contact portion 166 as a first contact portion extending in the vertical direction and connected near its lower end to the tip of the proximal connection portion 163b, a distal connection portion 164 extending from the lower end of the proximal contact portion 166 in the width direction of the second connector 101, and a distal contact portion 165 extending upward (negative Z-axis direction) from the tip of the distal connection portion 164.

[0084] Preferably, proximal contact protrusions 166a and distal contact protrusions 165a that protrude toward each other are formed near the tips of proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165. Furthermore, main body portion 163 is a portion that is press-fitted into and held in second terminal accommodating hole cavity 115b, and preferably has an engaging protrusion 163a formed near its tip that bites into the side surface of second terminal accommodating hole cavity 115b.

[0085] Furthermore, the tail portion 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the main body portion 163, extends in the width direction of the second housing 111, and is connected by soldering to connection pads coupled to conductive traces on the second board. The conductive traces are typically signal lines but may also be power lines. Furthermore, the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 are portions that come into contact with the first terminal 61 of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, and the proximal contact protrusion 166a and the distal contact protrusion 165a come into contact with the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a, which are contact surfaces of the first terminal 61, and preferably engage with the upper end protrusion 64a.

[0086] The second terminal 161 is inserted into the second terminal accommodating cavity 115 from below the second housing 111 and attached to the second housing 111. As a result, the main body 163 of the second terminal 161 is press-fitted into the second terminal accommodating cavity 115b and held therein, the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 are exposed to the recessed groove portion 112a, and the lower surface of the tail portion 162 is exposed to the mounting surface 111b, which serves as the lower surface of the second housing 111.

[0087] 17 and 18, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove 112a form a terminal row extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 along each groove 112a, and the orientation of adjacent second terminals 161 in each terminal row is oriented so that they face opposite directions with respect to the width direction of the groove 112a. In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, the second terminal 161 attached to each groove 112a and located at the front end (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis) is oriented so that its tail portion 162 protrudes in the negative direction of the Y-axis, while the second terminal 161 located second from the front end is oriented so that its tail portion 162 protrudes in the positive direction of the Y-axis. In this way, the second terminals 161 are attached to the groove 112a in an alternating arrangement facing in opposite directions, so that the pitch of the tail portions 162 exposed on the mounting surface 111b on both sides of the groove 112a is twice the pitch of the second terminals 161. This facilitates connection by soldering to the connection pads of the second board. In addition, the pitch of the proximal contact portions 166 and distal contact portions 165 exposed in the groove 112a is also twice the pitch of the second terminals 161.

[0088] Further, the second terminals 161 attached to each recessed groove portion 112a are oriented so that adjacent terminals face the same direction in the width direction of the second connector 101. In the example shown in Figures 17 and 18, in both the terminal rows on the Y-axis positive side and the Y-axis negative side, the second terminal 161 located at the front end (end in the X-axis positive direction) is oriented so that the tail portion 162 protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction, and the second terminal 161 located second from the front end is oriented so that the tail portion 162 protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction.

[0089] Further, second protruding ends 121 serving as mating guides are disposed on both longitudinal ends of the second housing 111. Each second protruding end 121 has a mating recess 122 formed as part of the recess 112. The mating recess 122 is a substantially rectangular recess, and is connected to both longitudinal ends of each recessed groove 112a. Then, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 1 is inserted into the mating recess 122.

[0090] Additionally, a second reinforcing metal fitting 151 serving as a mating reinforcing metal fitting is attached to the second protruding end portion 121. Note that the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is a member that is integrated with the second housing 111 by insert molding, and therefore does not exist apart from the second housing 111, and the location on the second housing 111 where the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 is attached is not separate from the second reinforcing metal fitting 151.

[0091] The second reinforcing bracket 151 is a member integrally formed by stamping, bending, or other processes on a metal plate. It includes a second main body portion 152 extending in the width direction of the second housing 111, side cover portions 153 connected to both left and right ends of the second main body portion 152, a pair of left and right tail portions 156 connected to the lower end of the second main body portion 152, an end wall cover portion 157 connected to the upper end of the second main body portion 152, a recess cover portion 155 connected to the end wall cover portion 157, and a pair of left and right contact arm portions 154 serving as elastic members. The tail portions 156 extend outward in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 and are connected and fixed by soldering or the like to connection pads (not shown) connected to conductive traces on the second board. The conductive traces are typically power lines but may also be signal lines. If necessary, the lower ends 153c of the side cover portions 153 may be arranged to approach or abut the surface of the second board. In this case, by connecting the lower end 153c of the side covering portion 153 to a connection pad on the second board by soldering or the like, the connection strength of the second reinforcing metal fitting 151 to the second board is improved.

[0092] A side wall upper cover portion 153b is connected to the upper end of each side covering portion 153. The side wall upper cover portion 153b is curved by 90 degrees or more, and its tip extends so as to face diagonally downward toward the fitting recess 122. Furthermore, a contact protrusion 154a serving as a contact portion is formed near the upper end, i.e., the tip, of the contact arm portion 154, and is shaped to bulge toward the center of the width of the second housing 111. Furthermore, an island end cover portion 155a is connected to the center of the width of the second connector 101 at the tip of the recess cover portion 155.

[0093] The recess cover portion 155 is accommodated in a bottom plate opening 128b formed to penetrate the bottom plate 122b of the fitting recess 122 in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The contact arm portion 154 is accommodated in the bottom plate opening 128b and a side wall recess 128a formed on the inner surface of the fitting recess 122 to be continuous with the bottom plate opening 128b. The contact arm portion 154 is not integrated with the second housing 111, but is accommodated in the bottom plate opening 128b and the side wall recess 128a in an elastically deformable state. Therefore, the contact arm portion 154 functioning as an elastic member has a long spring length, and can therefore exert a spring force that can apply a contact pressure to the contact protrusion 154a to reliably maintain contact between the contact protrusion 154a and the first reinforcing metal fitting 51.

[0094] Furthermore, with at least the tip end of the island end cover portion 155a buried, it covers both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113, i.e., the island end. This prevents the both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113 from being damaged even if they come into contact with a part of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated.

[0095] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 configured as described above will be described.

[0096] Fig. 19 is a perspective view seen from the first connector side showing a state immediately before mating of the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment, Fig. 20 is a perspective view seen from the first connector side showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment have been mated, Fig. 21 is a three-view drawing showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment have been mated, and Fig. 22 is a perspective view including a cross section of the state in which the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment have been mated. In Fig. 21, (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a cross section taken along the CC arrow in (a), and (c) is a cross section taken along the DD arrow in (a). In Fig. 22, (a) is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the CC arrow in Fig. 21(a), and (b) is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the DD arrow in Fig. 21(a).

[0097] Here, the first connector 1 is assumed to be surface-mounted on the first board by connecting the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 by soldering or the like to a connection pad coupled to a conductive trace on the first board (not shown), and by connecting the tail portion 52a of the first main body portion 52 and the tail portion 53b of the side portion 53 of the first reinforcing bracket 51 by soldering or the like to a connection pad coupled to the conductive trace on the first board. Note that the conductive trace coupled to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected is assumed to be a signal line, and the conductive trace coupled to the connection pad to which the tail portions 52a and 53b of the first reinforcing bracket 51 are connected is assumed to be a power line.

[0098] Similarly, the second connector 101 is surface-mounted on the second board by connecting the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 by soldering or the like to connection pads connected to conductive traces on the second board, and by connecting the tail portions 156 of the second reinforcing brackets 151 by soldering or the like to connection pads connected to conductive traces on the second board. Note that the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 are connected are signal lines, and the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 156 of the second reinforcing brackets 151 are connected are power lines.

[0099] First, the operator positions the mating surface 12a of the first convex portion 12, which serves as the mating surface of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1, opposite the mating surface 111a of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101, and when the position of the first convex portion 12 of the first connector 1 matches the position of the corresponding groove portion 112a of the second connector 101 and the position of the first protruding end portion 16 of the first connector 1 matches the position of the corresponding mating recess 122 of the second connector 101, the alignment of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0100] In this state, when the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 is moved in a direction approaching the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the first convex portion 12 and the first protruding end portion 16 of the first connector 1 are inserted into the recessed groove portion 112a and the mating recess 122 of the second connector 101. This completes the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, as shown in Figures 20 to 22.

[0101] 21 and 22, the inner pole portion 63, the connecting portion 64, and the outer pole portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161. Then, the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact protrusion 165a of the distal contact portion 165 come into contact with the second contact surface 63a of the inner pole portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the outer pole portion 65, which are contact surfaces.

[0102] Here, since the distance from the second contact surface 63a to the first contact surface 65a in each first terminal 61 is greater than the distance from the proximal contact convex portion 166a to the distal contact convex portion 165a in the corresponding second terminal 161, when the inner post portion 63, connecting portion 64 and outer post portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161, the second terminal 161 is elastically deformed and the gap between the proximal contact convex portion 166a and the distal contact convex portion 165a is pushed wide. Therefore, the repulsive force generated by the second terminal 161 presses the proximal contact convex portion 166a and the distal contact convex portion 165a against the second contact surface 63a and the first contact surface 65a, thereby reliably maintaining contact between the proximal contact convex portion 166a and the distal contact convex portion 165a and the second contact surface 63a and the first contact surface 65a, and reliably maintaining a conductive state between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161.

[0103] As described above, in this embodiment, the first connector 1 comprises a first housing 11, and a plurality of first terminals 61 and first reinforcing metal fittings 51 attached to the first housing 11. The first housing 11 includes a pair of side walls 18 and a pair of first protruding end portions 16 connected to each end of the side walls 18, the side walls 18 support the first terminals 61, the first reinforcing metal fittings 51 are connected to the first protruding end portions 16, the first terminals 61 include a tail portion 62 extending in the width direction of the first connector 1, an inner pillar portion 63 one end of which is connected to the tail portion 62, and an outer pillar portion 65 connected to the other end of the inner pillar portion 63, and the side walls 18 extend from the bottom plate portion 17 in the mating direction. The outer column portion 65 includes a first protrusion 12 protruding in the width direction, and a first contact surface 65a of the outer column portion 65 is exposed to the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12 at a position corresponding to the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12, and a second contact surface 63a of the inner column portion 63 is exposed to the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12 at a position offset more inward in the width direction of the first protrusion 12 than the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12.

[0104] This allows the pitch of the first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 to be narrowed, the spacing between the terminal rows 60 to be narrowed, solder wicking does not occur, manufacturing is easy, and miniaturization and low profile are possible, improving the reliability of the first connector 10.

[0105] The bottom plate 17 includes a lower plate 17a, and part of the surface of the end of the tail portion 62 on the side of the inner post 63 is covered by the lower plate 17a, while the end of the tail portion 62 opposite the inner post 63 is exposed outside the lower plate 17a when viewed from the mating direction. This improves the connection stability of the first connector 10 to the first board.

[0106] Furthermore, one end of the inner pillar 63 is connected to the outer pillar 65 via a connecting portion 64, and the other end of the inner pillar 63 is embedded in the bottom plate 17. This ensures a sufficient amount of insulating material and a flow path during insert molding, improving the manufacturing stability of the first connector 10.

[0107] Furthermore, the anchor portions 65b of the outer pillar portions 65 are embedded in the bottom plate portion 17, and the lower surfaces 65c of the anchor portions 65b are at least partially exposed when viewed from the lower surface 17c side of the bottom plate portion 17. This improves the positional accuracy of the first terminals 61 and improves the manufacturing stability of the first connector 10.

[0108] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 supported by one side wall 18 and the first terminal 61 supported by the other side wall 18 at a position facing the first terminal 61 in the width direction of the first connector 1 are in the same position when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. This increases the distance between the soldered points, improving the connection stability of the first connector 1 to the first board.

[0109] Furthermore, the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported on one side wall 18 and extending toward the other side wall 18 and the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported on the other side wall 18 and extending toward the one side wall 18 are arranged in a staggered pattern with a half pitch offset from each other. Furthermore, the connector assembly has a first connector 1 and a second connector 101 that mates with the first connector 1.

[0110] 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]

[0111] The present disclosure is applicable to connectors and connector assemblies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 First Connector 10A Left half body 10B Right half of body 11 First Housing 12 First convex part 12a, 111a mating surface 12b, 14b, 15b outer surface 12c, 14c, 15c inner surface 12d Terminal wall 13, 112a Concave groove part 14 Extension end 14a, 15a top surface 14b1 Slanted outer surface 14b2 Parallel outer surface 14d, 15d, 17c, 62b, 65c bottom side 15 Buried section 15c1 Parallel inner surface 15c2 Slanted inner surface 15e, 62a end face 16 First protruding end 17 Bottom plate part 17a Lower plate part 17b, 54 upper plate 18 Side wall 51 First reinforcing bracket 52 First main body part 52a, 53b, 62, 156, 162 Tail section 52b Curved connection 53 Side 53a, 163 Main body 53c, 863 contact part 53c1 Curved plate section 53c2 Contact side plate 53d space 53e void 55 End wall inner surface covering 58 Metal fittings carrier 58b, 68c cutting section 60 terminal rows 61, 61A, 61B 1st terminal 62c adjacent area 63 Inner pillar 63a 2nd contact surface 64 Connecting part 64a Upper convex part 65 External pillar part 65a 1st contact surface 65b Anchor part 68 Terminal Carrier 68a Connecting arm 68b Carrier body 101 Second Connector 111 Second Housing 111b Mounting surface 112 recess 113 Second convex part 114 Side wall 115a Second terminal receiving groove cavity 115b Second terminal receiving hole cavity 121 Second protruding end 122 fitting recess 122b Bottom plate 128a Side wall recess 128b Bottom plate opening 151 Second reinforcing bracket 152 Second main body 153 Lateral cover 153b Side wall upper cover 153c bottom end 154 Contact arm 154a Contact protrusion 155 Recessed portion cover 155a Island end cover 157 End wall cover 161 2nd terminal 163a Engagement protrusion 163b Proximal connection 164 Distal Connection 165 Distal Contact 165a Distal contact convexity 166 Proximal Contact 166a Proximal contact convexity 811 Housing 812 convex part 861 terminal 862 PCB connection part

Claims

1. (a) A connector comprising a housing, and a plurality of terminals and reinforcing metal fittings attached to the housing, (b) the housing includes a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls connected to respective ends of the side walls, the side walls supporting the terminals, and the reinforcing metal fittings connected to the end walls; (c) the terminal includes a board connection portion extending in a width direction of the connector, a second contact portion having one end connected to the board connection portion, and a first contact portion having the other end connected to the second contact portion; (d) the side wall includes a bottom plate portion and a protruding wall protruding from the bottom plate portion in the fitting direction, (e) A connector characterized in that the first contact surface of the first contact portion is exposed to one side and the other side of the convex wall at positions corresponding to the one side and the other side of the convex wall, and the second contact surface of the second contact portion is exposed to the one side and the other side of the convex wall at positions offset inward in the width direction of the convex wall from the one side and the other side of the convex wall.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the bottom plate portion includes a flange, a portion of the surface of the second contact portion side end of the board connection portion is covered by the flange, and the end of the board connection portion opposite the second contact portion is exposed outside the flange when viewed from the mating direction.

3. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein one end of the second contact portion is connected to the first contact portion via a connecting portion, and the other end of the second contact portion is embedded in the bottom plate portion.

4. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the free end of the first contact portion is embedded in the bottom plate portion, and the end face of the free end is at least partially exposed when viewed from the underside of the bottom plate portion.

5. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein a terminal supported on one side wall and a terminal supported on the other side wall at a position opposite to the terminal in the width direction of the connector have the same posture when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the connector.

6. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the board connection portion of the terminal supported on one side wall and extending toward the other side wall and the board connection portion of the terminal supported on the other side wall and extending toward the one side wall are arranged in a staggered pattern with a half pitch offset from each other.

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

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