Electrical connector

Abstract

To provide an electric connector in which connection timing of a part of contacts can be shifted, kinds of components can be reduced, kinds of dies for forming the contacts can be reduced, and increase in size of the electric connector is suppressed.SOLUTION: The electrical connector 1 includes a housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12. The contacts 12 are formed in the same shape, inserted into the housing 11 along the insertion-direction X1, and held in the housing 11 side by side in the width-direction X2. The contact 12 has a body part 17 held by the housing 11, and a connection part 18 projecting from the body part 17 and connected to the mating contact 103. The connecting portion 18 includes a pair of contact-portion side walls that face each other at a width-direction X2 portion of the connecting portion 18 and form a penetrating space at a height-direction X3 portion of the connecting portion 18. As illustrated in FIG. 18b. The center positions of the body portion 17 and the connecting portion 18 in the height direction X3 are shifted in the height direction X3, and some of the contacts 12a are held by the housing 11 in a posture opposite to that of the other contacts 12b in the height direction X3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector that includes a housing and a plurality of contacts that are inserted into and held in the housing, and that is to be connected to a mating connector. [Background technology]

[0002] An electrical connector that includes a housing and a plurality of contacts inserted and held in the housing and that is connected to a mating connector is known, for example, from the one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a header 10 as such an electrical connector. The header 10 includes a housing 10A and a plurality of contacts 11, 12 held in the housing 10A, and is connected to a socket 20 that is a mating connector.

[0003] A header 10, which is an electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, includes, as a plurality of contacts, two types of contacts 11 and 12 with different shapes. The length dimensions of post portions 11A and 12A, which are contact points, are different between contact 11 and contact 12, and the length of post portion 11A of contact 11 is set shorter than the length of post portion 12A of contact 12. Furthermore, contacts 11 and 12 are also formed to have different height dimensions, and the height dimension of contact 11 is set shorter than the height dimension of contact 12.

[0004] When a header 10, which is an electrical connector of Patent Document 1, is connected to a mating connector, a socket 20, post portions 11A of contacts 11 and post portions 12A of contacts 12 come into contact with contacts 21 of the socket 20, electrically connecting the contacts 11, 12 of the header 10 to the contacts 12 of the socket 20. In the header 10, the length of post portion 11A of contact 11 is set shorter than the length of post portion 12A of contact 12. Therefore, when the header 10 and the socket 20 are connected, a time lag can be generated between the contacts 11 and 12 of the header 10 and the contacts 21 of the socket 20. That is, when the header 10 is connected to the socket 20, the timing at which the multiple contacts 11, 12 of the header 10 connect to the contacts 20 of the socket 20 can be staggered. Therefore, for example, some of the contacts 12 of the multiple contacts 11, 12 of the header 10 can be used as grounding contacts, staggering the connection timing and improving safety during connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-298159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes two types of contacts with different shapes and lengths, etc., as the plurality of contacts. This allows for staggered connection timing of some of the plurality of contacts when connecting the electrical connector to a mating connector. However, the electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires two types of contacts with different shapes and lengths, etc., which increases the number of different parts. Furthermore, the electrical connector of Patent Document 1 requires two types of contacts with different shapes, which increases the number of different dies required to form the contacts when stamping the contact material from a metal plate using a die during contact manufacturing. Furthermore, the electrical connector of Patent Document 1 requires a housing to hold two types of contacts with different lengths, etc., which increases the size of the housing and therefore the size of the electrical connector.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector that can shift the connection timing of some of a plurality of contacts, thereby reducing the number of types of parts and molds required to form the contacts, and also suppressing increases in dimensions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention relates to an electrical connector that includes a housing and a plurality of contacts that are inserted into and held in the housing, and that is to be connected to a mating connector. In one aspect of the electrical connector of the present invention, the multiple contacts are formed in the same shape, are inserted into the housing in a predetermined insertion direction relative to the housing, and are held in the housing in a state where they are lined up in the width direction of the housing, and each of the multiple contacts has a body portion that is inserted into and held in the housing, and a connection portion that protrudes from the body portion in the insertion direction and comes into contact with and is electrically connected to a mating contact in the mating connector, and the connection portion has a pair of contact portions that face each other in the width direction so as to form a space that penetrates the housing in a height direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, and each of the multiple contacts is positioned so that the center position of the body portion in the height direction and the center position of the connection portion in the height direction are offset in the height direction, and some of the multiple contacts are inserted into and held in the housing in an orientation opposite to that of other contacts in the height direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, the multiple contacts held in the housing are formed with the same shape. Furthermore, for each of the multiple contacts, the height-wise center of the body portion inserted and held in the housing and the height-wise center of the connection portion protruding from the body portion along the insertion direction to connect to the mating contact are offset in the vertical direction. Some of the multiple contacts are held in the housing in an orientation opposite to that of the other contacts in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a pair of contact portions at the connection portion of the contacts form a space that penetrates the housing in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector, the contacts of the electrical connector and the mating contacts of the mating connector are mated and connected in the vertical direction, which allows a difference in the time at which some of the multiple contacts in the electrical connector connect to the mating contact. That is, when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector, a difference in the time at which some of the multiple contacts connect to the mating contact can be generated between some and the other contacts. Therefore, for example, it is possible to use some of the multiple contacts in the electrical connector as ground contacts and the remaining contacts as signal contacts, and to stagger the timing of connection between some contacts and the other contacts to improve safety during connection. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the multiple contacts have the same shape, so the electrical connector does not need to be provided with multiple types of contacts with different shapes, thereby reducing the number of types of parts. Furthermore, since the multiple contacts have the same shape, only one type of mold is required to form the contacts, thereby reducing the number of molds required for forming the contacts. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the multiple contacts held in the housing have the same shape, so there is no need to hold multiple types of contacts with different length or height dimensions in the housing, thereby preventing an increase in the size of the housing and therefore preventing an increase in the size of the electrical connector.

[0010] Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can shift the connection timing of some of the multiple contacts, thereby reducing the number of types of parts and the number of types of molds required to form the contacts, and also preventing the dimensions from increasing.

[0011] (2) The dimension of the connection portion in the height direction may be set smaller than the dimension of the body portion in the height direction, and the connection portion may be positioned inward in the height direction relative to the body portion.

[0012] With this configuration, the height dimension of the connection portion is smaller than the height dimension of the body portion, and the connection portion is positioned inward in the height direction relative to the body portion. Therefore, when inserting and retaining the contacts in the housing, the insertion positions of the contacts in the housing can be determined solely by the insertion position of the body portion relative to the housing. As a result, when inserting and retaining some of the multiple contacts in the housing with other contacts facing in opposite directions in the height direction, the contacts can be inserted and retained in the housing by easily positioning them solely by the position of the body portion.

[0013] (3) The connection portion may have a pair of leaf spring portions each extending cantilevered from the body portion along the insertion direction, and each of the pair of leaf spring portions may be provided with a pair of the contact portions.

[0014] With this configuration, a pair of contact portions can be provided on a pair of leaf spring portions extending cantilevered from the body portion. This allows for a connection portion that has a pair of contact portions facing each other in the width direction to form a space penetrating in the height direction, and that protrudes from the body portion in the insertion direction. Furthermore, because the pair of contact portions are provided on the pair of leaf spring portions, it is easy to ensure the contact pressure when the pair of contact portions make contact with the mating contacts.

[0015] (4) The housing may be provided with a plurality of insertion holes into which a plurality of the contacts are respectively inserted, the body portion having a pair of wall portions opposing each other in the width direction and a connecting portion connecting the pair of wall portions, and the contacts may be configured to be inserted into the insertion holes with the pair of wall portions in sliding contact with the inner walls on both sides of the insertion holes in the width direction.

[0016] With this configuration, the body of the contact is inserted into the insertion hole of the housing with the pair of walls of the body in sliding contact with both widthwise inner walls of the insertion hole of the housing, which makes it easy to position and insert the contact into the insertion hole of the housing, and furthermore, the contact can be stably held in the insertion hole of the housing.

[0017] (5) Some of the contacts may be held in the housing at positions shifted in the insertion direction relative to other contacts of the contacts.

[0018] With this configuration, some of the contacts and the other contacts are inserted into and held in the housing in opposite positions in the height direction and are held in the housing at offset positions in the insertion direction. Therefore, when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector, even when the contacts of the electrical connector and the mating contacts of the mating connector are mated and connected not only in the height direction but also in the insertion direction, a difference can be created in the time at which some of the contacts and the other contacts connect to the mating contacts. In other words, even when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector along the insertion direction, a difference can be created in the time at which some of the contacts and the other contacts connect to the mating contacts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, an electrical connector can be provided that can shift the connection timing of some of the multiple contacts, thereby reducing the number of types of parts and the number of types of molds required to form the contacts, and also preventing the dimensions from increasing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electrical connector is connected to a mating connector. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a plan view showing a state in which an electrical connector connected to a substrate is connected to a mating connector connected to another substrate. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an electrical connector, in which FIG. 6A is a plan view and FIG. 6B is a bottom view. [Figure 7] 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams showing an electrical connector, in which FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a rear view, and FIG. 7C is a side view. [Figure 8] 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views showing contacts of an electrical connector, and FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views seen from different directions. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the contacts, in which FIG. 9A is a plan view, FIG. 9B is a front view, FIG. 9C is a side view, FIG. 9D is a rear view, and FIG. 9E is a bottom view. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the central positions of the body portion and the connecting portion of the contact, in which FIG. 10A is a rear view of the contact and FIG. 10B is a side view of the contact. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are side views showing an electrical connector connected to a substrate and a mating connector connected to another substrate, where FIG. 11A shows the state before the electrical connector and mating connector are connected, and FIG. 11B shows the state after the electrical connector and mating connector are connected. [Figure 12] 12(A) and 12(B) are perspective views for explaining a state in which contacts of an electrical connector and mating contacts of a mating connector are connected. [Figure 13] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the electrical connector and the mating connector are connected. FIG. [Figure 14] These are cross-sectional views showing the state when connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector has begun, with Figure 14(A) being a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow AA in Figure 13, and Figure 14(B) being a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow BB in Figure 13. [Figure 15] These are cross-sectional views showing the state in which an electrical connector and a mating connector are in the middle of being connected, with Figure 15(A) being a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow AA in Figure 13, and Figure 15(B) being a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow BB in Figure 13. [Figure 16] These are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector is completed, where Figure 16(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 13, and Figure 16(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 13. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector according to a first modified example. [Figure 18] 18A and 18B are diagrams showing an electrical connector of a first modified example, in which FIG. 18A is a plan view and FIG. 18B is a bottom view. [Figure 19] 19A, 19B, and 19C are diagrams showing an electrical connector of a first modified example, in which FIG. 19A is a front view, FIG. 19B is a rear view, and FIG. 19C is a side view. [Figure 20] 20(A) and 20(B) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which connection between the electrical connector of the first modified example and the mating connector has begun. [Figure 21] 21(A) and 21(B) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the electrical connector of the first modified example and the mating connector are in the middle of being connected. [Figure 22] 22(A) and 22(B) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the electrical connector of the first modified example and the mating connector have been connected. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector according to a second modified example. [Figure 24] 24(A) is a perspective view showing an electrical connector of a second modified example, in which FIG. 24(A) shows the electrical connector with contacts inserted into the housing, FIG. 24(B) shows the electrical connector with the lead portions of the contacts inserted into the housing bent, and FIG. 24(C) shows the electrical connector connected to a board. [Figure 25] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector according to a third modified example. [Figure 26] 26(A) and 26(B) are perspective views showing a state in which contacts in the electrical connector of the third modified example are connected to electric wires. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector according to a third modified example, illustrating the electrical connector in a state in which contacts connected to electric wires are inserted into and held in the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention can be broadly applied to electrical connectors that include a housing and a plurality of contacts inserted and held in the housing, and that are connected to a mating connector.

[0022] [Schematic configuration of electrical connector and mating connector] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, together with a mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector 1 connected to the mating connector 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the electrical connector 1 connected to a substrate 101 connected to a mating connector 100 connected to another substrate 102. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector 1. Note that in FIG. 3, only portions of the substrate 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected and the substrate 102 to which the mating connector 100 is connected are shown cut away.

[0023] 1 to 4, an electrical connector 1 is connected to a substrate 101 and mounted on the substrate 101. A mating connector 1 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected is connected to a substrate 102 different from the substrate 101 and mounted on the substrate 102. While connected to the substrate 101, the electrical connector 1 is connected to a mating connector 100 connected to the substrate 102. When the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the substrates 101 and 102 are electrically connected.

[0024] The electrical connector 1 includes a housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12 inserted into and held in the housing 11, and is configured as an electrical connector to be connected to a mating connector 100.

[0025] The housing 11 is made of an insulating resin material and is formed into a shape having a basic rectangular parallelepiped outline. The housing 11 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 15 into which the plurality of contacts 12 are respectively inserted. The plurality of contacts 12 are inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 15 and held in the housing 11.

[0026] Each of the plurality of contacts 12 is formed from a conductive metal material. All of the plurality of contacts 12 are formed to have the same shape. Each of the plurality of contacts 12 is inserted into an insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 and held by the housing 11. When the electrical connector 1 is connected to a mating connector 100, each of the plurality of contacts 12 held in the housing 11 is connected to a mating contact 103 in the mating connector 100.

[0027] 5 is an exploded perspective view of the mating connector 100. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected includes a plurality of mating contacts 103, a mating housing 104 that holds the plurality of mating contacts 103, and a reinforcing tab 105 that serves as a metal member for fixing the mating connector 100 to the board 102.

[0028] Each of the plurality of mating contacts 103 is formed of a conductive metal material. All of the plurality of mating contacts 103 are formed to have the same shape. Each of the plurality of mating contacts 103 is inserted into and held in a mating housing 104. Each mating contact 103 has a main body 103a, a mating contact portion 103b, and a mating lead portion 103c. The main body 103a is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape and is provided as a portion held in the mating housing 104. The mating contact portion 103b is provided as a portion that comes into contact with and is electrically connected to the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1. The mating contact portion 103b is formed as a plate-like extending portion that protrudes in a cantilevered manner from the main body 103a. The mating lead portion 103c is provided as a portion that is connected to the surface of the board 102 by soldering and is electrically connected to the board 102. The mating lead portion 103c is provided as a portion extending in a cantilevered manner from the main body portion 103a, and is provided so as to protrude from the side of the main body portion 103a opposite to the side from which the mating contact portion 103b protrudes. The mating lead portion 103c is provided in a plate shape that bends and extends multiple times, and is configured so that the tip portion of the extending plate shape is soldered to the surface of the substrate 102.

[0029] The mating housing 104 is composed of two members, a first housing portion 104a and a second housing portion 104b, both of which are made of an insulating resin material. The mating housing 104 is formed by assembling the first housing portion 104a to the second housing portion 104b. The first housing portion 104a has a plurality of through holes 106, and each mating contact 103 is inserted into each through hole 106 and held in the first housing portion 104a. Each mating contact 103 is inserted into the through hole 106 with its plate-shaped mating contact portion 103b protruding from the through hole 106 and exposed to the outside. The mating contact 103 is inserted into the through hole 106 with its main body portion 103b fitted in the through hole 106 and held in the first housing portion 104a. The first housing part 104a, into which the plurality of mating contacts 103 are inserted and held, is assembled and attached to the second housing part 104b. The second housing part 104b has a plurality of openings 107. The mating lead portions 103c of each contact 103 are disposed in each of the plurality of openings 107. When the first housing part 104a is assembled to the second housing part 104b, the first housing part 104a is attached to the second housing part 104b with the mating lead portions 103c disposed in the openings 107. The first housing part 104a, which holds the plurality of contacts 103, is assembled to the second housing part 104b, thereby forming the mating housing 104, which holds the plurality of contacts 103.

[0030] A reinforcing tab 105 is attached to a housing 104 that holds a plurality of contacts 103. The housing 104, which holds a plurality of contacts 103 and has the reinforcing tab 105 attached, is installed on a substrate 102. When the housing 104 is installed on the substrate 102, the mating lead portions 103c of the contacts 103 are soldered to the substrate 102 to connect them to the substrate 102, and the reinforcing tab 105 is also soldered to the substrate 102 to fix them to the substrate 102. In this manner, the mating connector 1 is connected to the substrate 102. The mating connector 100 connected to the substrate 102 is connected to the electrical connector 1 that is connected to the substrate 101.

[0031] [Electrical Connector Details] The configuration of the electrical connector 1 will be described in more detail below. In the following description, the insertion direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 are defined as shown by double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figures 1 to 4 and the drawings described below. The insertion direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to a predetermined direction in which each of the multiple contacts 12 is inserted into the housing 11. The insertion direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the insertion direction X1 in the housing 11 and as the insertion direction X1 in the contacts 12. The width direction X2 is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction X1 and is configured as the direction in which the multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 are aligned in a row in the housing 11. The width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the width direction X2 in the housing 11 and as the width direction X2 in the contacts 12. The height direction X3 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the insertion direction X1 and the width direction X2. The height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 is also defined as the height direction X3 of the housing 11 and as the height direction X3 of the contacts 12.

[0032] <Housing> FIG. 6 shows the electrical connector 1, with FIG. 6(A) being a plan view and FIG. 6(B) being a bottom view. FIG. 7 shows the electrical connector 1, with FIG. 7(A) being a front view, FIG. 7(B) being a rear view, and FIG. 7(C) being a side view. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, and 7, the housing 11 is formed of a resin material and is provided as a structural member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured to insert a plurality of contacts 12 and hold the inserted plurality of contacts 12. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the largest dimension in the width direction X2 and a dimension in the height direction X3 that is smaller than the dimension in the insertion direction X1.

[0033] The housing 11 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 15 into which the plurality of contacts 12 are respectively inserted. The plurality of insertion holes 15 are arranged side by side in the width direction X2 in the housing 11. Each of the plurality of insertion holes 15 is provided so as to penetrate the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. Each insertion hole 15 has a rectangular cross section and is formed so as to penetrate the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. All of the plurality of insertion holes 15 are formed to have the same shape.

[0034] 6 and 7, the housing 11 is provided with a plurality of slit grooves 16 on one side in the height direction X3. The slit grooves 16 communicate with the interior of the housing 11 and open toward the outside of the housing 11. In this embodiment, the plurality of slit grooves 16 are provided on the bottom side of the housing 11 in the height direction X3. The plurality of slit grooves 16 are arranged side by side in the width direction X2. The plurality of slit grooves 16 are provided at positions in the height direction X3 corresponding to the plurality of insertion holes 15, and each slit groove 16 communicates with each insertion hole 15. Each of the plurality of slit grooves 16 extends in the insertion direction X1 like a wide slit and opens toward one side in the height direction X3. Therefore, each insertion hole 15 is open to the outside in the height direction X3 through the corresponding slit groove 16. Each slit groove 16 opens to one end in the insertion direction X1 and communicates with the opening at one end of each insertion hole 15 in the insertion direction X1.

[0035] Each contact 12 inserted and held in each insertion hole 15 is provided so that a pair of contact portions 18b, described later, of each contact 12 faces the outside of the housing 11 through each slit groove 16. When the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, it is connected to the mating connector 100 on one side of the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. When the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 of the mating connector 100 is inserted into the housing 11 from the slit groove 16 along the height direction X3. The mating contact portion 103b inserted into the housing 11 from the slit groove 16 along the height direction X3 comes into contact with the pair of contact portions 18b of the contact 12. This electrically connects each contact 12 to its corresponding mating contact 103.

[0036] <Contact> 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views showing the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1, with FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) being perspective views viewed from different directions. FIG. 9 shows the contacts 12, with FIG. 9(A) being a plan view, FIG. 9(B) being a front view, FIG. 9(C) being a side view, FIG. 9(D) being a rear view, and FIG. 9(E) being a bottom view. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 9, the plurality of contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 and, when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, are mated with and electrically connected to the mating contacts 103. The plurality of contacts 12 are inserted into the housing 11 along a predetermined insertion direction X1 and are held in the housing 11 while aligned in the width direction X2 of the housing 11. Each contact 12 is inserted into each insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 along the insertion direction X1 and held in the housing 11.

[0037] The plurality of contacts 12 are all formed by stamping and bending a metal plate, and are formed into the same shape. That is, the plurality of contacts 12 are all formed into the same shape. Each of the plurality of contacts 12 has a body portion 17, a connecting portion 18, and a lead portion 19. The body portion 17, the connecting portion 18, and the lead portion 19 are provided integrally.

[0038] 1, 2, 4, and 7 to 9, body portion 17 is provided as a portion that is inserted into insertion hole 15 of housing 11 and is held by housing 11 within insertion hole 15. Body portion 17 is provided in the shape of a frame formed by bending a plate-like portion with a substantially rectangular outer shape twice at substantially right angles, and has a pair of wall portions 17a and a connecting portion 17b.

[0039] The pair of walls 17a of the body 17 are disposed opposite each other in the width direction X2, and each of the pair of walls 17a is formed as a rectangular plate-like portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction X2. Therefore, the pair of walls 17a are formed opposite each other in the width direction X2 and extending parallel to each other. The connecting portion 17b is formed as a plate-like portion integrally connecting the pair of walls 17a. The connecting portion 17b is formed as a rectangular plate-like portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the height direction X3. One end of the connecting portion 17b in the width direction X2 is integrally connected to one end of one of the pair of walls 17a in the height direction X3. The other end of the connecting portion 17b in the width direction X2 is integrally connected to one end of the other of the pair of walls 17a in the height direction X3.

[0040] When the contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11, the contacts 12 are inserted into the insertion holes 15 with the pair of wall portions 17a of the body portion 17 in sliding contact with the inner walls of the insertion holes 15 on both sides in the width direction X2. That is, when the contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the insertion holes 15, one wall portion 17a of the pair of wall portions 17a is in sliding contact with one of the inner walls of the insertion holes 15 on both sides in the width direction X2, and the other wall portion 17a of the pair of wall portions 17a is in sliding contact with the other of the inner walls of the insertion holes 15 on both sides in the width direction X2. A small, protruding press-fit claw 17c is provided on an end of each wall portion 17a in the height direction X3 opposite to the end connected to the connecting portion 17b. Therefore, when the body portion 17 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 , the body portion 17 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 15 .

[0041] 4 and 6 to 9, connecting portion 18 is provided to protrude from body portion 17 in insertion direction X1, and is provided as a portion that comes into contact with mating contacts 103 and is electrically connected to mating contacts 103 when electrical connector 1 is connected to mating connector 100. Connecting portion 18 is configured to have a pair of leaf spring portions 18a and a pair of contact portions 18b provided on the tip sides of the pair of leaf spring portions 18a.

[0042] The pair of leaf spring portions 18a are provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1. Each leaf spring portion 18a is formed in the shape of an elongated plate extending in the insertion direction X1, and is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from each of the wall portions 17a of the body portion 17. In other words, each of the pair of leaf spring portions 18a is provided so as to protrude and extend in a cantilevered manner from each of the pair of wall portions 17a of the body portion 17. Therefore, the pair of leaf spring portions 18a are arranged side by side in the width direction X2, and a space that penetrates the pair of leaf spring portions 18a in the height direction X3 is formed between the pair of leaf spring portions 18a.

[0043] The pair of contact portions 18b-18b are provided as portions that come into contact with and are electrically connected to the mating contact portion 103a of the mating contact 103 when the connecting portion 18 of the contact 12 is electrically connected to the mating contact 103. Each of the pair of contact portions 18b-18b is provided on each of the pair of leaf spring portions 18a-18a. That is, each contact portion 18b is provided on each leaf spring portion 18a. Each contact portion 18b is provided on the tip end of each leaf spring portion 18a that extends in a cantilevered manner from each wall portion 17a of the body portion 17.

[0044] When the contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 and held in the housing 11, the pair of contact portions 18b are arranged to face the outside of the housing 11 through the slit groove 16 of the housing 11. In other words, when the contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 and held in the housing 11, the pair of contact portions 18b are arranged at positions that face the outside of the housing 11 through the slit groove 16 in the height direction X3.

[0045] Furthermore, a pair of contact portions 18b provided on a pair of leaf spring portions 18a protruding from the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction X2 to form a space penetrating the housing 11 in the height direction X3, which is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction X1 and the width direction X2. That is, the pair of contact portions 18b face each other in the width direction X2, and one contact portion 18b and the other contact portion 18b are spaced apart in the width direction X2. A space extending between the pair of contact portions 18b and the other contact portion 18b in the height direction X3 is formed between the one contact portion 18b and the other contact portion 18b. When the contact 12 is held in the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11, the space extending between the pair of contact portions 18b and the other contact portion 18b in the height direction X3 communicates with the slit groove 16 of the housing 11. Therefore, a space is formed that passes through the slit groove 16 between the pair of contact portions 18b in the height direction X3. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 of the mating connector 100 passes through the slit groove 16 and is inserted into the space between the pair of contact portions 18b. When the mating contact portion 103b is inserted into the space between the pair of contact portions 18b, the mating contact portion 103b is fitted into the pair of contact portions 18b, and the mating contact portion 103b comes into contact with and is electrically connected to the pair of contact portions 18b. In other words, the contact 12 and the mating contact 103 are fitted with each other at the pair of contact portions 18b and the mating contact portion 103b, and are electrically connected.

[0046] In each of the pair of contact portions 18b, the inner surfaces of the pair of contact portions 18b facing each other in the width direction X2 are curved in an arc shape. In addition, the end portions of each of the pair of contact portions 18b in the height direction X3 are formed in an R-shape, which is an arc shape. This configuration facilitates mating between the pair of contact portions 18b of the contact 12 and the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103.

[0047] 1 to 4, 6, 8, and 9, the lead portion 19 of the contact 12 is connected to the board 101 by soldering and is provided as a portion electrically connected to the board 101. The board 101 is provided with a through-hole into which the lead portion 19 is inserted, and the lead portion 19 is connected to the board 101 by soldering while inserted into the through-hole. The lead portion 19 is provided as a long, thin plate-like portion that extends cantilevered from the connecting portion 17b of the body portion 17. The lead portion 19 is provided to extend from the body portion 17 along the insertion direction X1, and is provided to protrude from the side of the body portion 17 opposite to the side from which the connecting portion 18 protrudes.

[0048] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the central positions of the body portion 17 and the connecting portion 18 of the contact 12, where FIG. 10A is a rear view of the contact 12 and FIG. 10B is a side view of the contact 12. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the central position C1 of the body portion 17 in the height direction X3 is indicated by a dashed-dotted line C1, and the central position C2 of the connecting portion 18 in the height direction X3 is indicated by a dashed-dotted line C2. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the multiple contacts 12 is provided such that the central position C1 of the body portion 17 in the height direction X3 and the central position C2 of the connecting portion 18 in the height direction X3 are offset in the height direction X3. In other words, the central position C2 of the connecting portion 18 in the height direction X3 is positioned offset to one side in the height direction X3 with respect to the central position C1 of the connecting portion 18 in the height direction X3. In this embodiment, the central position C2 of the connection portion 18 in the height direction X3 is positioned at a position biased toward the connecting portion 17b, which is one side in the height direction X3, relative to the central position C1 of the connection portion 18 in the height direction X3.

[0049] 10(A) and 10(B), the dimension H1 of the body portion 17 in the height direction X3 is indicated by a double-headed arrow H1, and the dimension H2 of the connection portion 18 in the height direction X3 is indicated by a double-headed arrow H2. In each contact 12, the dimension H2 of the connection portion 18 in the height direction X3 is set smaller than the dimension H1 of the body portion 17 in the height direction X3. The connection portion 18 is disposed inward in the height direction X3 with respect to the body portion 17.

[0050] 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, in the electrical connector 1, some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are used as contacts 12 for different purposes. Here, the other contacts 12b are the remaining contacts 12 excluding some of the contacts 12a. Some of the contacts 12a of the plurality of contacts 12 are used, for example, as ground contacts 12, and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are used, for example, as signal contacts 12. Alternatively, some of the contacts 12a may be used as ground contacts 12 or contacts 12 for the negative electrode of a power supply, and other contacts 12b may be used as signal contacts 12 or contacts 12 for the positive electrode of a power supply. Note that this embodiment illustrates an example in which two of the contacts 12a are used as ground contacts 12 or contacts 12 for the negative electrode of a power supply, and six of the other contacts 12b are used as signal contacts 12 or contacts 12 for the positive electrode of a power supply. The plurality of contacts 12 are all formed in the same shape, and some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b are formed in the same shape.

[0051] Some of the contacts 12a, of which two are provided in this embodiment, are inserted and held in two of the insertion holes 15 on one side in the width direction X2 of the multiple insertion holes 15 of the housing 11. The other six contacts 12b, of which six are provided in this embodiment, are inserted and held in six of the insertion holes 15 on the other side in the width direction X2 of the multiple insertion holes 15 of the housing 11. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, in the electrical connector 1, some of the contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are inserted and held in the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 with their connecting portions 18 facing inversely to the other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 in the height direction X3. Some of the contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are inserted and held in the insertion holes 15 with their connecting portions 18 biased toward the slit groove 16, which is one side of the housing 11 in the height direction X3. Another contact 12b of the multiple contacts 12 is inserted into and held in the insertion hole 15 with the connecting portion 18 biased toward the other side in the height direction X3 of the housing 11. That is, the other contact 12b is inserted into and held in the insertion hole 15 with the connecting portion 18 biased toward the side opposite to the slit groove 16 in the height direction X3 of the housing 11.

[0052] [Connection between electrical connector and mating connector] Next, a connection operation between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 will be described. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the electrical connector 1 connected to the substrate 101 and the mating connector 100 connected to another substrate 102, with FIG. 11(A) showing the state before the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, and FIG. 11(B) showing the state after the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 11, the electrical connector 1, while connected to the substrate 101, is connected to the mating connector 100 connected to another substrate 102. The electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 100 by inserting and soldering the lead portions 19 of the multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 into the substrate 101. In this embodiment, the lead portions 19 protrude from the housing 11 along the insertion direction X1 and are inserted perpendicular to the substrate 101. Therefore, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 101 in an orientation in which the insertion direction X1 extends perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 101. That is, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the board 101 in a position that stands upright vertically. The mating connector 100 is connected to the board 102 by soldering the mating lead portions 103c of the contacts 103 to the surface of the board 102. The mating connector 100 is then connected to the board 102 in a position that follows the surface of the board 102.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 11(A), when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled so as to be displaced relative to each other along the height direction X3. At this time, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled and connected in the height direction X3 such that the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 protruding from the mating housing 104 in the mating connector 100 are inserted into the slit grooves 16 in the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. By assembling the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 in the height direction X3, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected as shown in FIG. 11(B). When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 of the mating connector 100 inserted into the slit grooves 16 in the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1 come into contact with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1. As a result, the contact 12 and the mating contact 103 are electrically connected.

[0054] 12(A) and 12(B) are perspective views illustrating a state in which the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1 are connected to the mating contacts 103 of the mating connector 100. Note that FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B) are perspective views illustrating states in which the orientations of the contacts 12 in the height direction X3 are reversed, with FIG. 12(A) showing a state in which some of the contacts 12a are connected to the mating contacts 103, and FIG. 12(B) showing a state in which other contacts 12b are connected to the mating contacts 103. Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 11, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the mating connector 100 is operated so as to be displaced relative to the electrical connector 1 in the height direction X3, and the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are inserted into the slit grooves 16 of the housing 11. Fig. 12(A) shows a state before the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 inserted into the slit groove 16 is connected to the connecting portion 18 of one of the contacts 12a. Also, Fig. 12(B) shows a state before the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 inserted into the slit groove 16 is connected to the connecting portion 18 of the other contact 12b.

[0055] When the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 is inserted into the slit groove 16 of the housing 11, the mating contact portion 103b is further displaced relative to the connecting portion 18 of the contact 12 in the height direction X3, and fits between and engages with the pair of contact portions 18b of the connecting portion 18. In other words, the mating contact portion 103b fits into the pair of contact portions 18b in the height direction X3, and the mating contact 103 and the contact 12 are fitted and connected in the height direction X3. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the multiple contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1 and the multiple mating contacts 103 of the mating connector 100 are fitted together and electrically connected.

[0056] Here, the timing at which some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are connected to the mating contacts 103 when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected will be described. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 in a connected state. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the state at which connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 has begun, with FIG. 14(A) being a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow AA in FIG. 13, and FIG. 14(B) being a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow BB in FIG. 13. Note that in FIGS. 13 and 14, and FIGS. 15 and 16 described below, the board 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected and the board 102 to which the mating connector 100 is connected are not shown.

[0057] 14, when connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are inserted into the slit grooves 16 of the housing 11 along the height direction X3. Some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 are held in the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 in opposite orientations in the height direction X3, and as shown in Fig. 14(A), the connection portions 18 of some of the contacts 12a are positioned so as to be biased toward the slit grooves 16 in the height direction X3. And as shown in Fig. 14(B), the connection portions 18 of the other contacts 12b are positioned so as to be biased away from the slit grooves 16 in the height direction X3. 14(A), when the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 start to be inserted into the slit grooves 16 of the housing 11 in the height direction X3, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 come into contact with and begin to mate with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the connecting portions 18 of some of the contacts 12a. The contact between the pair of contact portions 18b-18b and the mating contact portion 103b electrically connects some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103. 14(B), when the mating contact portion 103b begins to be inserted into the slit groove 16, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 is not in contact with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the connecting portion 18 of the other contact 12a, and the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the other contact 12b and the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 are spaced apart in the height direction X3. Therefore, the other contact 12b is not connected to the mating contact 103. In this way, when the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 begins, some contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are connected to the mating contact 103, but other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 are not connected to the mating contact 103.

[0058] 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views showing a state in the middle of connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100, with Fig. 15A being a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow AA in Fig. 13 and Fig. 15B being a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the position of the arrow BB in Fig. 13. Referring to Fig. 15, when the mating connector 100 is further connected to the electrical connector 1 from the state shown in Fig. 14, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 pass through the slit grooves 16 of the housing 11 and are further inserted into the insertion holes 15 in the height direction X3. When the mating contact portions 103b are further inserted into the insertion holes 15, as shown in Fig. 15A, the pair of contact portions 18b of some of the contacts 12a and the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are mated, and the connected state between some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103 is maintained. 15(B), when the mating contact portion 103b is further inserted into the insertion hole 15, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 comes into contact with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the other contact 12b, and they begin to mate. The contact between the pair of contact portions 18b-18b and the mating contact portion 103b electrically connects the other contact 12b to the mating contact 103. As described above, when the connecting operation between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is further performed from the state shown in FIG. 14, in which some contacts 12a are connected to the mating contacts 103 and other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103, the state transitions to the state shown in FIG. 15, in which the other contacts 12b are also connected to the mating contacts 103.

[0059] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is complete, with Figure 16(A) being a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 13 and Figure 16(B) being a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 13. When the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is complete, as shown in Figure 16(A), pairs of contact portions 18b-18b of some of the contacts 12a are mated with mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103, maintaining the connection between some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103. Then, as shown in Figure 16(B), pairs of contact portions 18b-18b of other contacts 12b are mated with mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103, maintaining the connection between the other contacts 12b and the mating contacts 103.

[0060] When connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, first, some of the contacts 12a are connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103, as shown in Fig. 14. That is, when connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, some of the contacts 12a are first connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103. Then, when the connection operation between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is further performed, some of the contacts 12a remain connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are also connected to the mating contacts 103, as shown in Fig. 15. This allows for a difference in the time at which some of the contacts 12a and the other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1 connect to the mating contacts 103. As a result, when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the timing of connection of some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 to the mating contacts 103 can be shifted.

[0061] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, the multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 are formed to have the same shape. Furthermore, in each of the multiple contacts 12, a center position C1 in the height direction X3 of a body portion 17 inserted into and held in the housing 11 and a center position C2 in the height direction X3 of a connecting portion 18 protruding from the body portion 17 along the insertion direction X1 and connecting to a mating contact 103 are offset in the height direction X3. Furthermore, some contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 in an orientation opposite to that of other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 in the height direction X3. Furthermore, a pair of contact portions 18b of the connecting portion 18 of the contact 12 form a space penetrating in the height direction X3. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating contacts 103 of the mating connector 100 are fitted and connected in the height direction X3, thereby causing a difference in the time at which some of the contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1 connect to the mating contacts 103. In other words, when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100, the timing at which some of the contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 connect to the mating contacts 103 can be shifted. Therefore, for example, it is possible to use some of the contacts 12a of the plurality of contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1 as ground contacts 12 and use the remaining other contacts 12b as signal contacts 12, and to shift the timing at which some of the contacts 12a and other contacts 12b connect to the mating contacts 103, thereby improving safety during connection. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the multiple contacts 12 have the same shape, so multiple types of contacts with different shapes are not provided in the electrical connector 1, thereby reducing the number of types of parts. Furthermore, because the multiple contacts 12 have the same shape, only one type of mold is required to form the contacts 12, so the number of types of molds required to form the contacts 12 can be reduced.Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 have the same shape, there is no need to hold multiple types of contacts with different length or height dimensions in the housing 11, which prevents the dimensions of the housing 11 from increasing and also prevents the dimensions of the electrical connector 1 from increasing.

[0062] Therefore, according to this embodiment, an electrical connector 1 can be provided in which the connection timing of some of the contacts 12a among the multiple contacts 12 can be shifted, thereby reducing the number of types of parts and the number of types of molds required to form the contacts 12, and further preventing the dimensions from increasing.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the height dimension X3 of the connecting portion 18 is smaller than the height dimension X3 of the body portion 17, and the connecting portion 18 is disposed inward in the height direction X3 with respect to the body portion 17. Therefore, when the contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the housing 11, the insertion positions of the contacts 12 relative to the housing 11 can be determined solely by the insertion position of the body portion 17 relative to the housing 11. As a result, when some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the housing 11 in opposite orientations in the height direction X3, the contacts 12 can be inserted into and held in the housing 11 after being easily positioned solely by the position of the body portion 17.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pair of contact portions 18b can be provided on the pair of leaf spring portions 18a extending in a cantilevered manner from the body portion 17. This makes it easy to form the connecting portion 18, which has the pair of contact portions 18b opposing each other in the width direction X2 to form a space penetrating in the height direction X3, and which protrudes from the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1. Furthermore, because the pair of contact portions 18b are provided on the pair of leaf spring portions 18a, it is easy to ensure the contact pressure when the pair of contact portions 18b come into contact with the mating contact 103.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the body portion 17 of the contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 with the pair of wall portions 17a, 17a of the body portion 17 of the contact 12 in sliding contact with both inner walls of the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11 in the width direction X2. This makes it possible to easily position and insert the contact 12 into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11, and furthermore, to stably hold the contact 12 in the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11.

[0066] [Variations] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0067] (1) Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector 2 according to a first modified example. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the electrical connector 2 of the first modified example, with Fig. 18(A) being a plan view and Fig. 18(B) being a bottom view. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the electrical connector 2 of the first modified example, with Fig. 19(A) being a front view, Fig. 19(B) being a rear view, and Fig. 19(C) being a side view.

[0068] The electrical connector 2 according to the first modification has the same structure as the electrical connector 1 according to the above embodiment. However, it differs from the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment in that some contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 at positions offset in the insertion direction X1 relative to other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the electrical connector 2 according to the first modified example that differs from the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment will be described. Elements configured similarly to or corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by citing the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0069] 17 to 19, the electrical connector 2 includes a housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12, similar to the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment. The housing 11 is configured similarly to the housing 11 of the previously described embodiment. However, the housing 11 of the electrical connector 2 has a stepped recess 20a on one end face 20 in the insertion direction X1. The stepped recess 20a on the end face 20 of the housing 11 is provided on one side in the width direction X2. Insertion holes 15, into which the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted and held, open from the end face 20 of the housing 11 at the portion where the step 20a is provided. Furthermore, insertion holes 15, into which some contacts 12a of the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted and held, open from the portion of the end face 20 of the housing 11 where the step 20a is provided. On the other hand, an insertion hole 15 is opened from the portion of the end face 20 of the housing 11 that is not recessed in a stepped shape, i.e., the portion of the end face 20 of the housing 11 other than the portion where the step portion 20a is provided, into which another contact 12b of the multiple contacts 12 is inserted and held.

[0070] The contacts 12 of the electrical connector 2 are configured similarly to the contacts 12 of the above-described embodiment. That is, in the electrical connector 2, all of the plurality of contacts 12 are formed in the same shape, and each of the plurality of contacts 12 has a body portion 17, a connecting portion 18, and a lead portion 19. In the electrical connector 2, similar to the electrical connector 1, some of the plurality of contacts 12, contacts 12a, are inserted into and held in the housing 11 in an orientation opposite to that of other contacts 12b in the height direction X3. However, in the electrical connector 2, some of the plurality of contacts 12, contacts 12a, are further held in the housing 11 at positions offset in the insertion direction X1 from the other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12.

[0071] When the multiple contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the multiple insertion holes 15 of the housing 11, each contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 until the position of one end of the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1 approximately coincides with the position of one end face 20 of the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. That is, each contact 12 is inserted into and held in the insertion hole 15 with the position of one end of the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1 approximately aligned with the position of one end face 20 of the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. Some contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the insertion hole 15 with the position of one end of the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1 approximately coinciding with the position of a stepped recess 20a on the end face 20 of the housing 11. Meanwhile, the other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the insertion hole 15 with the position of one end of the body portion 17 in the insertion direction X1 substantially coinciding with the position of the portion of the end face 20 of the housing 11 other than the step portion 20a. Therefore, in the electrical connector 2, some of the contacts 12a are held in the housing 11 at a position offset in the insertion direction X1 with respect to the other contacts 12b. Also, in the electrical connector 2, some of the contacts 12a are held in the housing 11 at a position offset toward the opposite side of the end face 20 in the insertion direction X1 with respect to the other contacts 12b. The electrical connector 2 is connected to the mating connector 2 at an end opposite the end face 20 in the insertion direction X1. Therefore, in the electrical connector 2, some of the contacts 12a are held in the housing 11 at a position offset toward the end that will be connected to the mating connector 100 in the insertion direction X1 with respect to the other contacts 12b.

[0072] Next, the connection operation between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 will be described. The electrical connector 2 can be connected to the mating connector 100 in a manner similar to the manner in which the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment is connected to the mating connector 100. That is, the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 can be connected by combining them so that they are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X3. In this case, the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are combined and connected in the height direction X3 such that the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 protruding from the mating housing 104 in the mating connector 100 are inserted into the slit grooves 16 in the housing 11 of the electrical connector 2. When the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are connected in this manner, as in the above-described embodiment, some of the contacts 12a are first connected to the mating contacts 103, and then the other contacts 12b are also connected to the mating contacts 103. In this way, even when the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are combined and connected so as to be displaced relative to each other along the height direction X3, as in the above-described embodiment, when the electrical connector 2 connects to the mating connector 100, the timing of connection to the mating contact 103 can be shifted between some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12.

[0073] Furthermore, the electrical connector 2 can be connected to the mating connector 100 not only in a configuration in which the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are combined so as to be displaced relative to each other along the height direction X3, but also in a configuration in which the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are combined so as to be displaced relative to each other along the insertion direction X1. Here, with reference to Figures 20 to 22, a configuration in which the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are combined and connected along the insertion direction X1 will be described.

[0074] 20(A) and 20(B) are cross-sectional views showing the state in which connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 has begun, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the width direction X2. Also, FIG. 20(A) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to some of the contacts 12a, and FIG. 20(B) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to other contacts 12b. Note that in FIG. 20 and the later-described FIGS. 21 and 22, the board 101 to which the electrical connector 2 is connected and the board 102 to which the mating connector 100 is connected are not shown.

[0075] 20, when the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are operated so as to be displaced relative to each other in the insertion direction X1 and connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are inserted into the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1. Some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are held in the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 at positions offset from each other in the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 20(A), the connection portions 18 of some of the contacts 12a are positioned offset from the connection portions 18 of the other contacts 12b toward the end of the housing 11 to which the mating connector 100 is connected in the insertion direction X1. 20(A), when the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 start to be inserted into the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 in the insertion direction X1, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 come into contact with and begin to mate with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the connecting portions 18 of some of the contacts 12a. The contact between the pair of contact portions 18b-18b and the mating contact portion 103b electrically connects some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103. 20(B), when the mating contact portion 103b begins to be inserted into the insertion hole 15, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 is not in contact with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the connecting portion 18 of the other contact 12a, and the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the other contact 12b and the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 are spaced apart in the insertion direction X1. Therefore, the other contact 12b is not connected to the mating contact 103. In this way, when the connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 begins, some contacts 12a of the multiple contacts 12 are connected to the mating contact 103, but the other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 are not connected to the mating contact 103.

[0076] 21(A) and 21(B) are cross-sectional views showing a state in the middle of connecting the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the width direction X2. Also, FIG. 21(A) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to some of the contacts 12a, and FIG. 21(B) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to other contacts 12b. Referring to FIG. 21, when the mating connector 100 is further connected to the electrical connector 2 from the state shown in FIG. 20, the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are further inserted into the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 along the insertion direction X1. With the mating contact portions 103b further inserted into the insertion holes 15, as shown in FIG. 21(A), the pair of contact portions 18b of some of the contacts 12a and the mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 are mated in the insertion direction X1, and the connected state between some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103 is maintained. 21(B), when the mating contact portion 103b is further inserted into the insertion hole 15, the mating contact portion 103b of the mating contact 103 comes into contact with the pair of contact portions 18b-18b of the other contact 12b, and they begin to mate. The contact between the pair of contact portions 18b-18b and the mating contact portion 103b electrically connects the other contact 12b to the mating contact 103. As described above, when the connecting operation between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 is further performed from the state shown in FIG. 20, in which some contacts 12a are connected to the mating contacts 103 and other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103, the state transitions to the state shown in FIG. 21, in which the other contacts 12b are also connected to the mating contacts 103.

[0077] 22(A) and 22(B) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 have been connected. FIG. 22(A) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to some of the contacts 12a, and FIG. 22(B) is a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to other contacts 12b. Referring to FIG. 22, when the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 have been connected, as shown in FIG. 22(A), a pair of contact portions 18b of some of the contacts 12a mate with mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103, maintaining the connection between some of the contacts 12a and the mating contacts 103. As shown in FIG. 16(B), a pair of contact portions 18b of other contacts 12b mate with mating contact portions 103b of the mating contacts 103 in the insertion direction X1, maintaining the connection between other contacts 12b and the mating contacts 103.

[0078] When the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 are operated so as to be displaced relative to each other in the insertion direction X1 and connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, as shown in FIG. 20 , some of the contacts 12a are first connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103. That is, when connection between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 is initiated, some of the contacts 12a are first connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are not connected to the mating contacts 103. Then, as the connection operation between the electrical connector 2 and the mating connector 100 is further performed, some of the contacts 12a remain connected to the mating contacts 103, while the other contacts 12b are also connected to the mating contacts 103, as shown in FIG. 21 . This allows a difference to occur in the time at which some of the contacts 12a and the other contacts 12b of the multiple contacts 12 in the electrical connector 2 connect to the mating contacts 103. As a result, when the electrical connector 2 is connected to the mating connector 100, the timing of connection of some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 to the mating contacts 103 can be shifted.

[0079] According to this modification, some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted into and held in the housing 11 in opposite orientations in the height direction X3, and are also held in the housing 11 at offset positions in the insertion direction X1. Therefore, when the electrical connector 2 is connected to the mating connector 100, even when the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 2 and the mating contacts 103 of the mating connector 100 are mated and connected not only in the height direction X3 but also in the insertion direction X1, a difference can be generated in the time at which some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 of the electrical connector 2 connect to the mating contacts 103. In other words, even when the electrical connector 2 is connected to the mating connector 100 along the insertion direction X1, a difference can be generated in the time at which some contacts 12a and other contacts 12b of the plurality of contacts 12 connect to the mating contacts 103.

[0080] (2) Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector 3 according to a second modified example. Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector 3 of the second modified example, in which Fig. 24(A) shows the electrical connector 3 in a state where the contacts 12 are inserted into the housing 11, Fig. 24(B) shows the electrical connector 3 in a state where the lead portions 22 of the contacts 12 inserted into the housing 11 have been bent, and Fig. 24(C) shows the electrical connector 3 in a state where it is connected to the board 110.

[0081] The electrical connector 3 according to the second modification has the same structure as the electrical connector 1 according to the above embodiment. However, the electrical connector 3 differs from the electrical connector 1 of the aforementioned embodiment in that it is configured as an electrical connector to be mounted on the surface of the substrate 110 and is electrically connected to the substrate 110 by being connected to the surface of the substrate 110 by soldering. More specifically, the electrical connector 3 differs from the electrical connector 1 of the aforementioned embodiment in the configuration of the lead portions 22 of the contacts 12 and in that it is further provided with a reinforcing tab 21. Hereinafter, the electrical connector 3 of the second modification will be described only in terms of the configuration that differs from the electrical connector 1 of the aforementioned embodiment. Elements configured similarly to or corresponding to the aforementioned embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by quoting the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0082] 23 and 24, the electrical connector 3 includes a housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12, similar to the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, but also includes a reinforcing tab 21. The reinforcing tab 21 is provided as a plate-shaped metal member for fixing the electrical connector 3 to the board 110. A pair of reinforcing tabs 21 is provided, and each is attached to the housing 11 on both sides in the width direction X2. The reinforcing tab 21 is formed by punching a metal plate and bending it at a substantially right angle, and has one piece 21a and another piece 21b that are integrally provided in a bent state at a right angle. The one piece 21a is press-fitted into the housing 11, thereby attaching the reinforcing tab 21 to the housing 11. When the electrical connector 3 is installed on the board 110, the other piece 21b of the reinforcing tab 21 is soldered to the board 110. The reinforcing tab 21 is configured such that one piece 21a is press-fitted and fixed into the housing 11, and the other piece 21b is connected to the board 110 by soldering, thereby fixing the electrical connector 3 to the board 110.

[0083] The contacts 12 of the electrical connector 3 are configured in the same manner as the contacts 12 of the previously described embodiment. That is, in the electrical connector 3, all of the contacts 12 are formed in the same shape, and each of the contacts 12 has a body portion 17, a connecting portion 18, and a lead portion 22. However, in the electrical connector 3, the shape of the lead portion 22 is different from that of the lead portion 19 of the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment.

[0084] 23 and 24, the lead portion 22 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 3 is connected to the surface of the substrate 101 by soldering and is provided as a portion electrically connected to the substrate 101. The lead portion 22 is provided as a long, thin plate-like portion extending in a cantilevered manner from the connecting portion 17b of the body portion 17. Referring to FIG. 23, before the contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11, the lead portion 22 is provided so as to be longer and thinner in the insertion direction X1 than the lead portion 19 of the above-described embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24(A), when the contact 12 is inserted into the insertion hole 15 of the housing 11, the lead portion 22 extends toward the outside of the housing 11 along the insertion direction X1. In this state, the lead portion 22 is bent as shown in FIG. 24(B). The bent end of the lead portion 22 is configured as a portion to be soldered to the substrate 110. 24(C), when the lead portions 22 of the contacts 12 inserted and held in the housing 11 are bent, the electrical connector 3 is mounted on the surface of the board 110. When the electrical connector 3 is mounted on the board 110, the ends of the lead portions 22 of the contacts 12 are soldered to the board 110 and electrically connected to the board 110. In addition, the reinforcing tabs 21 fixed to the housing 11 are soldered and fixed to the board 110. In this way, the electrical connector 3 is mounted on the board 110 and connected to the board 110 in a position that follows the surface of the board 110. The electrical connector 3 connected to the board 110 is connected to the mating connector 100 in the same manner as the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment.

[0085] As in the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied to an electrical connector 3 mounted on the surface of a substrate 110, as in this modified example. Therefore, even in an electrical connector 3 mounted on the surface of a substrate 110, the connection timing of some of the contacts 12a among the plurality of contacts 12 can be shifted, which reduces the number of types of components and molds required to form the contacts 12, and also prevents the dimensions from increasing.

[0086] (3) Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector 4 according to a third modified example. Figs. 26(A) and 26(B) are perspective views showing a state in which the contacts 12 in the electrical connector 4 according to the third modified example are connected to an electric wire 111. Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 4 according to the third modified example, showing the electrical connector 4 in a state in which the contacts 12 connected to the electric wire 111 are inserted into and held in the housing 11. Note that Figs. 25 to 27 schematically show the portion of the electric wire 111 that is connected to the contacts 12.

[0087] The electrical connector 4 according to the third modification is configured similarly to the electrical connector 1 according to the previously described embodiment, but differs from the electrical connector 1 according to the previously described embodiment in that it is configured as an electrical connector to be connected to a plurality of electric wires 111. More specifically, the electrical connector 4 differs from the electrical connector 1 according to the previously described embodiment in that the contacts 12 are configured to be connected to the electric wires 111 rather than to the board 101. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the electrical connector 4 according to the third modification that differs from the electrical connector 1 according to the previously described embodiment will be described. Elements configured similarly to or corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by referring to the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0088] 25 to 27, the electrical connector 4, like the electrical connector 1 of the previous embodiment, includes a housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12. However, the contacts 12 of the electrical connector 4 do not include lead portions 19 connected to the board 101, but instead include electric wire connection portions 23 connected to electric wires 111.

[0089] 25 to 27, the wire connection portion 23 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 4 is configured to be connected to the wire 111 by being crimped onto the end of the wire 111. The wire connection portion 23 is provided so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the body portion 17 along the insertion direction X1, and has a core wire crimping portion 23a that is crimped to connect to the core wire at the end of the wire 111, and a coating crimping portion 23b that is crimped to the coating at the end of the wire 111. The wire 111 has a core wire made of a metal material and a coating made of an insulating material that covers the core wire. The end of the wire 111 has a portion where the coating has been removed to expose the core wire. The core wire crimping portion 23a is provided as a portion that is crimped to the exposed core wire at the end of the wire 111. The contact 12 is electrically connected to the electric wire 111 by crimping the core wire crimping portion 23a of the electric wire connection portion onto the core wire at the end of the electric wire 111. The insulation crimping portion 23b is provided as a portion that is crimped onto the insulation at the end of the electric wire 111. In other words, the insulation crimping portion 23b is configured to be crimped onto a portion of the end of the electric wire 111 where the insulation has not been removed and the core wire is not exposed.

[0090] 25 and 26, the contacts 12 are crimped and connected to the ends of the electric wires 111 before being inserted into the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11. That is, the core crimping portion 23a and the insulation crimping portion 23b of the wire connection portion 23 of the contacts 12 are crimped and crimped to the core portion and the insulation portion at the end of the electric wire 111, respectively, thereby connecting the contacts 12 to the electric wires 111 before being inserted into and held in the housing 11. Referring to FIG. 27, when the electric wires 111 are connected to the contacts 12, the contacts 12 with the electric wires 111 connected thereto are inserted into the insertion holes 15 of the housing 11 and held in the housing 11. The contacts 12, each connected to the electric wires 111, are inserted into and held in the housing 11, thereby connecting the electrical connector 4 to the plurality of electric wires 111. The electrical connector 4 with the plurality of electric wires 111 connected thereto is connected to the mating connector 100 in the same manner as the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment.

[0091] As in the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied to an electrical connector 4 to which a plurality of electric wires 111 are connected, as in this modified example. Therefore, even in an electrical connector 4 to which a plurality of electric wires 111 are connected, the connection timing of some of the contacts 12a among the plurality of contacts 12 can be shifted, which reduces the number of types of parts and the number of types of molds required to form the contacts 12, and also prevents the dimensions from increasing. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The present invention can be widely applied to electrical connectors that include a housing and a plurality of contacts that are inserted into and held in the housing, and that are to be connected to a mating connector. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1, 2, 3, 4: electrical connector, 11: housing, 12: contact, 12a: some contacts, 12b: other contacts, 15: insertion hole, 16: slit groove, 17: body portion, 17a: wall portion, 17b: connecting portion, 18: connection portion, 18a: leaf spring portion, 18b: contact portion, 19, 22: lead portion, 20: end face, 20a: step portion, 21: reinforcing tab, 23: electric wire connection portion, 23a: core wire crimping portion, 23b: insulation crimping portion, 100: mating connector, 101, 102, 110: board, 103: mating contact, 103a: main body portion, 103b: mating contact portion, 103c: mating lead portion, 104: mating housing, 111: electric wire

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts inserted and held in the housing, the electrical connector being adapted to be connected to a mating connector, The plurality of contacts are formed in the same shape, are inserted into the housing along a predetermined insertion direction relative to the housing, and are held in the housing in a state aligned in the width direction of the housing, Each of the plurality of contacts has a body portion that is inserted into and held in the housing, and a connection portion that protrudes from the body portion along the insertion direction and that comes into contact with and is electrically connected to a mating contact in the mating connector, the connection portion has a pair of contact portions opposed to each other in the width direction so as to form a space passing through the housing in a height direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, each of the plurality of contacts is provided such that a center position in the height direction of the body portion and a center position in the height direction of the connection portion are offset from each other in the height direction; An electrical connector characterized in that some of the plurality of contacts are inserted into and held in the housing in an orientation opposite to that of other of the plurality of contacts in the height direction.

2. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, a dimension of the connection portion in the height direction set to be smaller than a dimension of the body portion in the height direction, The electrical connector, wherein the connection portion is disposed inside the body portion in the height direction.

3. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, the connecting portion has a pair of leaf spring portions each extending in a cantilevered manner from the body portion along the insertion direction, An electrical connector, characterized in that a pair of said leaf spring portions are respectively provided with a pair of said contact portions.

4. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, The housing is provided with a plurality of insertion holes into which the plurality of contacts are respectively inserted, The body portion has a pair of wall portions opposed to each other in the width direction and a connecting portion connecting the pair of wall portions, An electrical connector, characterized in that the contact is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole with the pair of wall portions in sliding contact with inner walls on both sides of the insertion hole in the width direction.

5. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, An electrical connector, characterized in that some of the plurality of contacts are held in the housing at positions offset in the insertion direction relative to other of the plurality of contacts.

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