Connectors and connector assemblies including the same

Abstract

Connectors and connector assemblies including the same are disclosed. [Solution] In a connector and connector assembly including the connector according to one aspect of the present invention, the internal solder wicking prevention portion of the connector can be accommodated in the displacement space of the mating connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector that can be mounted on a substrate and a connector assembly including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a connector assembly can be installed in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a computer, a tablet computer, etc. to electrically connect various components installed in the electronic device to each other.

[0003] On the other hand, a connector assembly for a substrate is used to connect a PCB (printed circuit board) or an electronic component in which a conducting wire is patterned. In particular, a B2B (board to board) connector assembly includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector, and each of the plug connector and the receptacle connector is connected to a different module substrate.

[0004] And such a plug connector and a receptacle connector may be named a first connector and a second connector, and by coupling the plug connector and the receptacle connector, signal transmission through different substrates may be possible.

[0005] On the other hand, the plug connector includes a plurality of plug contacts spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the receptacle connector includes receptacle contacts spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction so as to correspond to the plug contacts.

[0006] Then, the plug connector and the receptacle connector are coupled together, and the plug contact and the receptacle contact make contact with each other, forming a connection between the module boards equipped with the B2B connector.

[0007] Meanwhile, module boards are increasingly being made smaller. Consequently, the plug connectors and receptacle connectors that make up B2B connector assemblies also need to be made smaller (lower profile) while still being able to accommodate multiple contacts.

[0008] However, increasing the number of contacts inevitably increases the length of the plug connector and receptacle connector. If they become excessively long, problems such as poor injection molding and cold soldering due to warping of the connector product can occur, leading to flatness issues. Therefore, expanding the number of contacts for different connector sizes comes with many constraints. Furthermore, increasing the length of the plug connector and receptacle connector inevitably creates problems with miniaturization.

[0009] Consequently, B2B connector assemblies sometimes use two pairs of plug connectors and receptacle connectors instead of one. However, when using two or more pairs, the man-hours required for fastening them to the circuit board inevitably more than double.

[0010] On the other hand, in order to miniaturize the B2B connector assembly, the length in the longitudinal direction (first direction of the X axis), the width in the short direction (second direction of the Y axis), and the thickness in the height direction (third direction of the Z axis) of the plug connector and receptacle connector must be reduced as much as possible.

[0011] However, as the length in the first direction and the width in the second direction of the connector decrease, the spacing between contacts inevitably decreases as well. Consequently, the difficulty of soldering the contacts to connect them to the module board increases, and there is a risk that the soldered parts of each contact may come into contact with each other, causing electrical interference.

[0012] Furthermore, reducing the thickness (height) in the third direction can lead to warping of the connector product and solder wicking, a phenomenon where soldered solder spreads upwards, causing defects. In short, miniaturizing the size of a connector comes with many constraints.

[0013] Therefore, there is a real need for connectors and connector assemblies that can be miniaturized while also improving ease of manufacturing and contact reliability. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Published Patent Gazette No. 10-2019-0027133 (Published March 14, 2019) [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems, and its objective is to provide a connector and a connector assembly including the same that can be miniaturized through structural changes to the connector while improving ease of manufacture and contact reliability.

[0016] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector assembly including the same, which can maintain contact reliability between contacts in an ultra-narrow pitch structure.

[0017] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector assembly including the same that can maintain the thickness (height) of the insulator in important parts while achieving miniaturization, thereby maintaining solder wicking prevention and contact fixation.

[0018] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector assembly including the same that can achieve miniaturization by minimizing the increase in product size while including a hold-down mechanism for strength reinforcement.

[0019] The problems that the present invention addresses are not limited to those mentioned above, and any other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary person skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first connector 100 is provided.

[0021] The first connector 100 can be coupled with the second connector 200 to form a connector assembly 1.

[0022] The first connector 100 may include a first connector insulator 110 comprising a flat bottom portion 111, a pair of retaining walls 114, 115 projecting from the bottom portion 111 and extending side by side along a first direction, and an island portion 112 projecting from the bottom portion 111 and extending side by side between the pair of retaining walls 114, 115; a plurality of first contacts 120, at least partially exposed to the outside and spaced apart from each of the retaining walls 114, 115 along a first direction; and a plurality of second contacts 130, at least partially exposed to the outside and spaced alternately apart from the first contacts 120 on each of the retaining walls 114, 115.

[0023] In this case, the first contact 120 may be a bar-shaped component with a length in a second direction, bent to surround and support the retaining walls 114 and 115, and may include an inner mounting portion 123 that is bent along the bottom portion 111 toward the island portion 112, with its inner side in the second direction forming an inner molding space S / I at the top, and is exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 111 while being mounted on the substrate.

[0024] In this case, the first connector insulator 110 may include an inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 formed in the inner molding space S / I such that it has a step height t1 that protrudes from the upper surface of the bottom portion 111 in the third direction.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a second connector 200 may be provided.

[0026] The second connector 200 can be coupled with the first connector 100 to form a connector assembly 1.

[0027] The second connector 200 includes a second connector insulator 210 including a flat bottom portion 211, a pair of outer holding walls 214 and 215 protruding from the bottom portion 211 and extending side by side along a first direction, and a pair of inner holding walls 212a and 212b protruding from the bottom portion 111 and extending side by side between the pair of holding walls 214 and 215 to form an island accommodation space 203; a plurality of first contacts 220 at least a part of which is exposed to the outside and are spaced apart from each other along the first direction on each of the outer holding walls 214 and 215 and the inner holding walls 212a and 212b; and a plurality of second contacts 230 at least a part of which is exposed to the outside and are arranged to be alternately spaced from the first contacts 220 on each of the outer holding walls 214 and 215 and the inner holding walls 212a and 212b.

[0028] At this time, the first contact 220 is bar-shaped and bent with a length in a second direction, and is supported surrounding the outer holding walls 214 and 215, the bottom portion 211, and the inner holding walls 212a and 212b, and is bent in the direction of the island accommodation space 203 while forming an inner mounting portion 223 that is exposed to the bottom surface of the bottom portion 211 and mounted on a substrate while forming an inner molding space S / I in the second direction surrounding the inner holding walls 212a and 212b at the upper part.

[0029] At this time, the second connector insulator 210 can include an inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 formed to have a step height t1' protruding from the upper surface in a third direction of the bottom portion 211 in the inner molding space S / I.

[0030] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 can be coupled to provide a connector assembly 1 having a length in the first direction, a width in the second direction, and a thickness (height) in the third direction.

[0031] In this case, the first connector 100 may include a first connector insulator 110 having a pair of retaining walls 114, 115 that protrude from the bottom 111 of a flat plate having length and height, and an island portion 112 that has length and height between the retaining walls 114, 115 and protrudes from the bottom 1112, forming a first coupling space 101 and a second coupling space 102 between the island portion 112 and the retaining walls 114, 115 in which the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b of the second connector 200 are accommodated; and a first contact 120 and a second contact 130 that are bar-shaped having length in a second direction and are arranged on each of the retaining walls 114, 115 so as to be alternately spaced apart from each other along the first direction.

[0032] In this case, the second connector 200 may include a pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215 projecting from the bottom 211 of a flat plate with length and height, and a pair of inner retaining walls 212a, 212b projecting from between the outer retaining walls 214, 215 with length and height, forming an island portion receiving space 203 in which the island portion 112 of the first connector 100 is accommodated, and a second connector insulator 210 forming a first receiving space 201 and a second receiving space 202 between the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b and the outer retaining walls 214, 215 in which the retaining walls 114, 115 of the first connector 100 are accommodated; and a second contact 220 and a second contact 230 which are bar-shaped with length in a second direction and are arranged on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b respectively so as to be alternately spaced apart from each other along the first direction.

[0033] At this time, the first connector insulator 110 can form an inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 that protrudes from the top of the first contact 120, which is positioned on the first coupling space 101 and the second coupling space 102 side, having a step height t1 with respect to the bottom portion 111.

[0034] At this time, the second connector insulator 210 can form a groove or hole-shaped displacement space S1' so that the second contact 230, which is positioned on the inner retaining wall 212a, 212b side, can be elastically deformed.

[0035] At this time, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 of the first connector 100 can be accommodated in the displacement space S1' of the second connector 200. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] With the above configuration, the connector and connector assembly including the same according to the present invention can realize mounting positions in a zigzag pattern by having first contacts and second contacts having different shapes arranged alternately along the length in the first direction of the connector. Consequently, the spacing between contacts can be minimized (ultra-narrow pitch), which has the effect of reducing the overall length of the connector in the longitudinal direction (first direction of the X axis) and enabling miniaturization.

[0037] Furthermore, the connector and connector assembly including the same according to the present invention have the effect of enabling miniaturization because the width of the connector in the short direction (second direction of the Y axis) can be reduced by arranging the displacement space of the first connector in a zigzag pattern along the first direction.

[0038] Furthermore, since the elastic contact portion has a structure that undergoes elastic deformation within the displacement space, it prevents bending or displacement due to external forces during the coupling process between the first and second connectors, thereby inducing a more stable coupling.

[0039] Furthermore, when the first connector and the second connector are joined, the inner solder wicking prevention portion of the first connector is accommodated in the displacement space of the second connector by a step height t1, and the inner solder wicking prevention portion of the second connector is accommodated in the displacement space of the first connector by a step height t1'. This arrangement reduces the height (thickness) in the third direction, enabling thinner plates and resulting in a smaller overall product size.

[0040] Furthermore, the internal solder wicking prevention parts, which have an uneven surface and are provided in multiple units, are housed in multiple displacement spaces of the mating connector so that the teeth of the gear mesh with them. This makes it easy to maintain contact alignment by preventing flow in the pitch direction when an external force is generated, and thus has the effect of preventing contact displacement or contact detachment even when an external force is generated.

[0041] Furthermore, because the connector hold-down structure protects both sides of the insulator while also protecting the ends of the island section, it has the effect of enhancing physical stability and contact safety while maintaining strong rigidity against external forces.

[0042] Furthermore, since the island end protection portion of the connector hold-down can be positioned biased to one side in the second direction relative to a virtual central island in the longitudinal direction while protecting the island end, the length of the connector in the first direction can be further reduced, and the mating connector to be connected can also be reduced to a corresponding size, thus achieving miniaturization by further reducing the length of the overall connector assembly in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction, first direction of the X axis).

[0043] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention as described in the detailed description or claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a drawing showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 3] This is a drawing showing a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 4] This is a drawing showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector constituting a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention are separated. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view showing a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7(a)] This is a drawing showing a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 7(b)] This is a magnified view of the "A" portion of the first connector in Figure 7(a). [Figure 8] This is a drawing showing a view of a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention from below. [Figure 9] This drawing shows a first contact applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This drawing shows a second contact applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This drawing shows a first connector hold-down applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This drawing shows a first connector hold-down applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This drawing shows a first connector hold-down applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This drawing shows a first connector hold-down applied to a first connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 7(a) is a diagram showing a cross-section of the first connector in direction II. [Figure 16] Figure 7(a) is a diagram showing a cross-section in the II-II direction at the first connector. [Figure 17] Figure 7(a) is a diagram showing a cross-section of the first connector in the III-III direction. [Figure 18(a)] This is a magnified view of section "B" in the first connector shown in Figure 17. [Figure 18(b)] This is a perspective view showing a magnified view of section "B" in the first connector in Figure 17. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view showing a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is an exploded perspective view showing a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21(a)] This is a drawing showing a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Figure 21(b)] This is a magnified view of the "C" portion of the second connector in Figure 21(a). [Figure 22] This is a drawing showing a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 23] This drawing shows a first contact applied to a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] This drawing shows a second contact applied to a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] This drawing shows a second connector hold-down mechanism applied to a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] This drawing shows a second connector hold-down mechanism applied to a second connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] Figure 21(a) is a diagram showing a cross-section in the IV-IV direction at the second connector. [Figure 28] Figure 21(a) is a diagram showing a cross-section in the VV direction at the second connector. [Figure 29] This diagram shows a perspective view of section "C" after a cross-section has been formed in the VI-VI direction at the second connector in Figure 21(a). [Figure 30] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the connector assembly in the VII-VII direction. [Figure 31] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the connector assembly in the VIII-VIII direction. [Figure 32(a)] This is a magnified view of section "D" in the connector assembly shown in Figure 31. [Figure 32(b)] This is a magnified view of section "E" in the connector assembly shown in Figure 31. [Figure 33] This diagram shows a close-up of the "F" section after forming a cross-section in the IX-IX direction of the connector assembly shown in Figure 1. [Figure 34] This is a schematic drawing illustrating a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the internal solder wicking prevention portions formed on the first connector and the second connector are housed in the displacement space of the mating connector, thereby preventing detachment when an external force is applied. [Figure 35] This is a drawing showing a state in which a first connector, which constitutes a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, is mounted on a first connector substrate pattern. [Figure 36] This is a drawing showing a state in which a second connector constituting a connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a second connector substrate pattern. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them.

[0046] In the description of this invention, when a component is described as being "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below" another component, unless there are special circumstances, this includes not only being positioned "in front of," "behind," "above," or "below" another component in direct contact with it, but also cases where other components are positioned in between. Furthermore, when a component is described as being "connected" to another component, unless there are special circumstances, this includes not only being directly connected to each other, but also cases where they are indirectly connected to each other.

[0047] The terms "X-axis," "Y-axis," and "Z-axis" used in this explanation can be understood by referring to the coordinate system illustrated in the diagram. In this explanation, the X-axis direction is referred to as the first direction, the Y-axis direction as the second direction, and the Z-axis direction as the third direction. However, this is merely an example from a relative perspective, and the first to third directions and the coordinate axes (X, Y, Z axes) are introduced only to explain the relative positions between the constituent elements, and do not limit the absolute position of each element.

[0048] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, the first connector and the second connector are merely names used to refer to the connector assembly from a relative perspective for the sake of explanation, and are not limited to absolute names. Of course, they may be referred to in opposite ways.

[0049] In describing the present invention, specific explanations of related known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention.

[0050] A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention and a connector assembly including the same will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0051] -Connector Assembly- First, referring to Figures 1 to 36, a connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be a B2B connector that is physically coupled to each other and electrically connects two different substrates.

[0052] In other words, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first connector 100 as a plug connector and a second connector 200 as a receptacle connector that are physically fastened together, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

[0053] The connector assembly 1 is formed by connecting the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, and can have a length in the first direction (L1, Figure 2), a width in the second direction (L2, Figure 2), and a thickness (height) in the third direction (H, Figure 1).

[0054] In such a case, the first connector 100 can be mounted on one module board (not shown) via the first connector PCB pattern (300, Figure 35), and the second connector 200 can be mounted on another module board (not shown) via the second connector PCB pattern (400, Figure 36).

[0055] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other to form the connector assembly 1, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 provided on the first connector 100 are connected to the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 provided on the second connector 200 by making contact with them. Consequently, the module board on which the first connector 100 is mounted and the module board on which the second connector 200 is mounted can be electrically connected to each other.

[0056] Furthermore, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 may include first connector holddowns (140; 140a, 140b) and second connector holddowns (240; 240a, 240b), respectively, to reinforce strength and enable high current transmission.

[0057] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other, the first connector hold-down 140 and the second connector hold-down 240 are made of metal and can prevent damage due to physical contact between them, thereby reinforcing the strength of the connectors 100 and 200. Furthermore, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other to form the connector assembly 1, they may also be used as power supply terminals (high-current terminals).

[0058] On the other hand, the first connector hold-down (140; 140a, 140b, Figure 5) of the first connector 100 is shaped to surround the hold-down retaining walls (113, Figure 6) on both sides in the first direction, while simultaneously surrounding the island ends 112a on both sides of the island portion 112. It is mounted on the first connector hold-down pattern 330 of the first connector PCB pattern (300, Figure 35) and fixed to the substrate, and can be used as a reinforcing force and power supply terminal (high current terminal).

[0059] Furthermore, the second connector holddown (240; 240a, 240b, Figure 19) of the second connector 200 surrounds the holddown retaining walls (213, Figure 20) on both sides in the first direction, while simultaneously surrounding the connecting wall (212c, Figure 20) that connects the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, and is shaped to have a housing groove U to accommodate the aforementioned first connector holddown 140. It is mounted on the second connector holddown pattern 430 of the second connector PCB pattern (400, Figure 36) and fixed to the substrate, and can be used as a reinforcing force and power terminal (high current terminal).

[0060] Of course, the first connector hold-down 140 and the second connector hold-down 240 can be used as general signal transmission terminals as needed.

[0061] On the other hand, the connectors 100, 200 and the connector assembly 1 including them according to one embodiment of the present invention are configured to be miniaturized (low profile) while having strong coupling force and preventing detachment from each other, so as to facilitate installation in the limited space of highly integrated electronic devices.

[0062] For this purpose, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 of the first connector 100 are bent into a bar shape with a length in the second direction and are arranged along the length of the first connector 100 in the first direction, but are arranged to be alternately spaced apart from each other.

[0063] Accordingly, the first connector 100 is soldered with an ultra-narrow pitch structure that minimizes the spacing between contacts 120 and 130. The first contact PCB pattern (310, Figure 35) and the second contact PCB pattern (320, Figure 35) of the first connector have a spacing between them to prevent interference, thus reducing the risk of short circuits and soldering defects.

[0064] Furthermore, the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 of the second connector 200 are bent bar-shaped with a length in the second direction and are arranged along the length of the second connector 200 in the first direction, but are arranged to be alternately spaced apart from each other.

[0065] Accordingly, the second connector 200 is soldered with an ultra-narrow pitch structure that minimizes the spacing between contacts 220 and 230. The first contact PCB pattern (410, Figure 36) and the second contact PCB pattern (420, Figure 36) of the second connector have a spacing between them to prevent interference, thus reducing the risk of short circuits and soldering defects.

[0066] As mentioned above, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 have first contacts 120, 220 and second contacts 130, 230 arranged alternately with alternating spacing between them, which minimizes the spacing between contacts (ultra-narrow pitch). This can potentially reduce the overall length of the connectors 100 and 200 in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction, first direction of the X-axis), making them smaller.

[0067] Furthermore, as will be described in more detail later, the second contacts 130 and 230 of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 may include elastic contact portions 135 and 235 to enhance contact and coupling force. The first connector 100 and the second connector 200 may also include displacement spaces S1 and S1' in the island portion 112 and the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b, respectively, so that the elastic contact portions 135 and 235 can undergo stable elastic deformation due to external forces when coupled.

[0068] At this time, the displacement space S1 of the first connector 100 is located on a different line from adjacent displacement spaces S1 in the second direction, as multiple first contacts 120 and second contacts 130 are arranged alternately with each other, and is arranged in a zigzag pattern in the first direction (see Figures 7a and 7b).

[0069] Consequently, the width of the first connector 100 in the short direction (width direction, second direction of the Y-axis) can be further reduced, which may enable miniaturization.

[0070] Furthermore, the second connector 200, which is connected to the first connector 100, can be made smaller by reducing its width in the second direction while maintaining the same size as the first connector 100.

[0071] On the other hand, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 constituting the connector assembly 1 can have their height (thickness) in the third direction reduced, thereby enabling thinner plates and miniaturization of the entire product.

[0072] At this time, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the contacts 120, 130, 220, and 230 that transmit electrical signals and power through mutual contact may have limited size and contact area, and it may be difficult to reduce the height (thickness) in the third direction.

[0073] Accordingly, the thickness of the bottom 111 of the first connector insulator 110 and the bottom 211 of the second connector insulator 210 can be minimized.

[0074] However, if the thickness (height) of the bottom 111 of the first connector 100 and the bottom 211 of the second connector 200 is unconditionally reduced to make them thinner, the thickness of the bottoms 111 and 211 may become excessively thin, which could cause the connectors to warp. This could weaken the contact fixing force and cause unstable contact, as well as potentially leading to breakage or other damage to the connectors during connection.

[0075] Furthermore, when the first contacts 120, 220 and the second contacts 130, 230 are mounted on their respective substrates, a certain thickness of solder wicking must be formed on top of the contact mounting portions 123, 137, 223, 237 to prevent solder wicking, which is a phenomenon where soldered solder travels up and causes defects. Also, when the first contacts 120, 220 and the second contacts 130, 230 are joined, a certain thickness must be ensured to protect the mounting portions 123, 137, 223, 237 in order to prevent them from coming loose from their aligned positions when external forces are generated due to collision, that is, to prevent detachment. In other words, the thickness of the insulator in the important parts for fixing and mounting the connectors 100, 200 to the substrate must be maintained to a certain extent.

[0076] Accordingly, the first connector 100 constituting the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can form an inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 having a step height t1 with respect to the bottom portion 111 while minimizing the thickness of the bottom portion 111 (see Figure 18(b)), and the second connector can form an inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 having a step height t1' with respect to the bottom portion 211 while minimizing the thickness of the bottom portion 211 (see Figure 29).

[0077] Furthermore, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the internal solder wicking prevention portion 117 of the first connector 100 may be arranged such that the step height t1 is accommodated in the displacement space S1' of the second connector 200, and the internal solder wicking prevention portion 217 of the second connector 200 may be arranged such that the step height t1' is accommodated in the displacement space S1 of the first connector 100 (see Figures 32a and 32b).

[0078] Accordingly, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 constituting the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be made thinner by reducing the height (thickness) in the third direction while maintaining the thickness of the insulator in the important parts, and it may be possible to miniaturize the entire product.

[0079] On the other hand, in a connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inner solder wicking prevention portions 117, 217 formed on the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 so as to protrude in a third direction may have a continuous uneven surface that has a directionality in the first direction together with the upper surfaces of the bottom portions 111, 211.

[0080] Since multiple internal solder wicking prevention parts 117, 217 having such an uneven surface are housed in multiple displacement spaces S1', S1 of the mating connector so that the teeth of the gears mesh with each other, when external forces are generated, flow in the pitch direction is prevented and contact alignment is easily maintained, and of course, contact displacement and contact detachment can be prevented even when external forces are generated (see Figure 34).

[0081] Specifically, the first connector 100 constituting the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may broadly include a first connector insulator 110 and first contacts 120 and second contacts 130 for electrical signal transmission.

[0082] In this case, the first connector insulator 110 may include a pair of retaining walls 114 and 115 that protrude from the bottom 111 of the flat plate having length and height, and an island portion 112 that protrudes from the bottom 1112 between the retaining walls 114 and 115 having length and height.

[0083] At this time, a first coupling space 101 and a second coupling space 102 can be formed between the island portion 112 and the retaining walls 114 and 115, in which the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b of the second connector 200 are accommodated.

[0084] The retaining walls 114 and 115 can be divided into a first retaining wall 114 and a second retaining wall 115 with respect to a virtual center line C in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100.

[0085] Furthermore, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 may have a bar-like structure with length in the second direction, and be arranged alternately apart from each other along the first direction on the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115, respectively. The first contact 120 and the second contact 130 may be arranged facing each other on a line in the second direction. In other words, the first contact 120 located on the first retaining wall 114 is positioned opposite the second contact 130 located on the second retaining wall 115 (see Figure 7b).

[0086] In the longitudinal direction, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are arranged alternately, intersecting each other, but in the short direction (width direction), the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are positioned opposite each other.

[0087] On the other hand, the second connector 200 may broadly include a second connector insulator 210 and first contacts 220 and second contacts 230 for electrical signal transmission.

[0088] At this time, the second connector insulator 210 includes a pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215 that protrude from the bottom 211 of the flat plate with length and height, and a pair of inner retaining walls 212a, 212b that protrude between the outer retaining walls 214, 215 with length and height, forming an island portion housing space 203 in which the island portion 112 of the first connector 100 is housed. Between the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b and the outer retaining walls 214, 215, a first housing space 201 and a second housing space 202 can be formed in which the retaining walls 114, 115 of the first connector 100 are housed.

[0089] Although not shown in the figures, if we use a virtual longitudinal center line C as a reference, as in the first connector, the outer retaining walls 214 and 215 can be divided into a first outer retaining wall 214 and a second outer retaining wall 215, and the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b can be divided into a first inner retaining wall 212a and a second inner retaining wall 212b.

[0090] Furthermore, the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 may have a bar-like structure with length in the second direction, and be arranged alternately apart from each other along the first direction on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, respectively.

[0091] In other words, due to their morphological characteristics, the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 can be arranged alternately apart along the first direction on the first outer retaining wall 214 and the first inner retaining wall 212a, which are located in the same second direction with respect to a virtual center line C in the longitudinal direction, and on the second outer retaining wall 215 and the second inner retaining wall 212b, which are also arranged alternately apart along the first direction. Furthermore, the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 can be arranged facing each other on a line in the second direction. In other words, the first contact 220, located on the first outer retaining wall 214 and the first inner retaining wall 212a, is positioned opposite the second contact 230, located on the second outer retaining wall 215 and the second inner retaining wall 212b (see Figures 20 and 21b).

[0092] In the longitudinal direction, the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 are arranged to intersect alternately, but in the short direction (width direction), the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 are arranged opposite each other.

[0093] On the other hand, the first connector insulator 110 of the first connector 100 forms an inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 that protrudes from the top of the first contact 120, which is located on the first coupling space 101 and the second coupling space 102 side, having a bottom portion 111 and a step height t1 (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0094] Then, the second connector insulator 210 of the second connector 200 forms a groove or hole-shaped displacement space S1' so that the second contact 230, which is positioned on the inner retaining wall 212a, 212b side, can be elastically deformed (see Figures 27 and 28).

[0095] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are joined together to form the connector assembly 1, the inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 of the first connector 100 is housed in the displacement space S1' of the second connector 200, minimizing the height (thickness) in the third direction (see Figures 30 to 32b).

[0096] On the other hand, the first connector insulator 110 of the first connector 100 forms a groove or hole-shaped displacement space S1 so that the second contact 130 located on the island portion 112 side can be elastically deformed (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0097] Then, the second connector insulator 210 of the second connector 200 forms an inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 that protrudes from the top of the first contact 220, which is located on the island portion housing space 203 side, having a step height t1' with the bottom portion 211 (see Figures 27 and 28).

[0098] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are joined together to form the connector assembly 1, the inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 of the second connector 200 is housed in the displacement space S1 of the first connector 100, thereby minimizing the height (thickness) in the third direction (see Figures 30 to 32b).

[0099] On the other hand, the first connector 100 constituting the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is made smaller by further reducing the length in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction, first direction of the X axis).

[0100] Specifically, the first connector 100 may include a pair of first connector holddowns (140; 140a, 140b).

[0101] At this time, the pair of first connector holddowns (140; 140a, 140b) surround the pair of holddown retaining walls 113 that connect the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115 on both sides in the first direction, and have a structure that surrounds the island end 112a of the island portion 112.

[0102] At this time, the first connector hold-down 140 has a structure in which the end of the island end protection portion 146 surrounding the island end 112a is positioned biased to one side in the second direction, with intervals d1, d2, and d3 separated from the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 with respect to the virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100 (see Figure 7b).

[0103] As described above, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are arranged alternately along the first direction. At this time, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are arranged facing each other on a line in the second direction. At this time, the first contact 120 has the form of a fixed terminal in which the inner mounting portion 123 is located on one side of the bottom portion 111. The second contact 130 has the form of a movable terminal equipped with an elastic contact portion 135, and the elastic contact portion 135 is elastically deformed in the displacement space S1 formed in the island portion 112.

[0104] Accordingly, the island portion 112 can have a structure in which portions with and without displacement spaces S1 are alternately arranged along the first direction.

[0105] Since the first contact 120, which is in the form of a fixed terminal, and the second contact 130, which is in the form of a movable terminal, are arranged in a cross pattern with alternating separations from each other, it is easy to ensure the strength of the first connector insulator 110.

[0106] If only movable terminals are arranged, groove or hole-like displacement spaces S1 can only be formed adjacently and continuously, and the formation of such continuous displacement spaces S1 inevitably leads to a weakening of the connector insulator.

[0107] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the first connector hold-down 140 has a structure in which the end of the island end protection portion 146 is not positioned along the virtual centerline C1 in the longitudinal direction, but is biased to one side in the second direction. In other words, the island end protection portion 146 can be biased to a portion of the island portion 112 where the displacement space S1 is not formed, while maintaining a distance that can prevent interference and short circuits with the first contact 120 and the second contact 130, in order to ensure stable positioning (see Figure 7b).

[0108] Furthermore, the first connector hold-down 140 can be divided into a first hold-down 140a located on one side in the first direction, and a second hold-down 140b located on the other side at a position opposite to the first hold-down 140a in the first direction.

[0109] At this time, the island end protection portion 146 of the first hold-down 140a and the island end protection portion 146 of the second hold-down 140b have a structure in which they are offset from each other in two different directions with respect to a virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100 (see Figure 7a).

[0110] In other words, the island end protection section 146 of the first hold-down 140a and the island end protection section 146 of the second hold-down 140b are positioned to protect the island end at their respective locations, while being biased towards the portion of the island 112 where the displacement space S1 is not formed.

[0111] Accordingly, the island end protection portion 146, which constitutes the first connector hold-down 140 and is made of metal, has spacings d1, d2, and d3 that separate it from the first contact 120 and the second contact 130, and can be positioned further inward in the longitudinal direction of the island portion 112 in the first direction (see Figure 7a).

[0112] Consequently, the length of the first connector 100 in the first direction can be further reduced, and the second connector 200 connected to the first connector 100 can also be reduced to a size corresponding to the first connector 100. As a result, the overall length of the connector assembly 1 in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction, first direction of the X-axis) can be further reduced, thereby achieving miniaturization.

[0113] -First connector 100- The first connector 100, which constitutes a connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 18(b) and Figure 35.

[0114] As described above, the first connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured to improve contact reliability while enabling miniaturization through structural modifications of the first connector 100. Furthermore, it can be configured to achieve miniaturization by minimizing the increase in product size while including a hold-down 140 for strength reinforcement.

[0115] For this purpose, a first connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first connector insulator 110 for mounting and coupling to a substrate, a plurality of first contacts 120 and second contacts 130 for coupling to the first connector insulator 110 and mounting to a substrate, and a first connector hold-down 140 for improving reinforcing force.

[0116] The first connector insulator 110 is made of a non-conductive material and can be manufactured by insert molding, including the first contact 120 and the second contact 230. Of course, in some examples, the first connector insulator 110 can be manufactured first by injection molding or other means, and then the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 can be assembled onto the first connector insulator 110. However, in this invention, as one embodiment, unless otherwise specified, it will be assumed that the connector was manufactured by insert molding.

[0117] Such a first connector insulator 110 may include a bottom portion 111, an island portion 112, a pair of hold-down retaining walls 113, and a pair of retaining walls 114, 115.

[0118] First, the bottom portion 111 can have a flat plate shape having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction.

[0119] Furthermore, the pair of retaining walls 114 and 115 may have a shape that protrudes from the bottom 111 in a third direction with height and extends parallel to each other along the first direction with length.

[0120] Furthermore, the island portion 112 may have a shape that protrudes from the bottom portion 111 in a third direction with height and extends between the pair of retaining walls 114 and 115, having a length parallel to the retaining walls 114 and 115.

[0121] Furthermore, the pair of hold-down retaining walls 113 may have a shape that protrudes from the bottom 111 with height in a third direction so as to connect the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115 on both sides in the first direction.

[0122] On the other hand, referring to Figure 7(a), with respect to the virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100, the pair of retaining walls 114 and 115 can be divided in the second direction into the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115, and the island portion 112 has height in the third direction and length in the first direction, and although it has the shape of a protruding single block, for the sake of explanation it can be divided in the second direction into the left island portion 112-1 and the right island portion 112-2.

[0123] On the other hand, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the island portion 112 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the island portion accommodation space 203 formed between the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b of the second connector 200, the first retaining wall 114 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the second accommodation space 202 formed between the second inner retaining wall 212b and the second outer retaining wall 215 of the second connector 200, and the second retaining wall 115 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the first accommodation space 201 formed between the first inner retaining wall 212a and the first outer retaining wall 214 of the second connector 200 (see Figure 30).

[0124] The bottom portion 111, the pair of retaining walls 114, 115, and the island portion 112 maintain the shape of the first connector 100 and play a role in supporting the contacts 120, 130 so that they can be stably positioned and contact between the contacts can be maintained when coupled with the mating connector, the second connector 200, and may be formed to have a set thickness, height, and width.

[0125] On the other hand, the first contact 120 is a bar-shaped object that has a length in the second direction and is bent, with at least a portion of it exposed to the outside, and may consist of a plurality of contacts arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction on each of the retaining walls 114 and 115.

[0126] At this time, the first contact 120 is supported by surrounding the retaining walls 114 and 115, and can have a structure that includes an inner mounting portion 123 which is bent along the bottom portion 111 toward the island portion 112 while the inner side in the second direction forms an inner molding space S / I at the top, and is exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 111 and mounted on the substrate (see Figures 6 and 9).

[0127] Preferably, the first connector insulator 110 can have an inspection window S2 formed through it so that the inner mounting portion 123 of the first contact 120 can be seen from the outside. In this case, of course, the inspection window S2 can consist of multiple windows depending on the number of first contacts 120 (see Figures 7b and 8).

[0128] Then, the first connector insulator 110 forms an inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 in the inner molding space S / I formed by the arrangement of the first contact 120, such that it has a step height t1 (Figure 18b) that protrudes from the upper surface in the third direction of the bottom portion 111.

[0129] At this time, the inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 is formed in multiple units corresponding to multiple first contacts 120, and can form irregularities with a directionality toward the bottom portion 111 and the first direction.

[0130] On the other hand, the second contact 130 is a bar-shaped object that has a length in the second direction and is bent, with at least a portion of it exposed to the outside, and is composed of multiple contacts arranged alternately at intervals from the first contact 120 on each of the retaining walls 114 and 115.

[0131] In this case, the second contact 130 is arranged alternately with the first contact 120 in the first direction, but it may be arranged to face the first contact 120 in the second direction.

[0132] Subsequently, the first connector insulator 110 may further include a first connector hold-down 140 that is mounted on the substrate, surrounding a pair of hold-down retaining walls 113 that connect the first direction side ends of a pair of retaining walls 114, 115 for strength reinforcement, thereby fixing the first connector insulator 110 to the substrate.

[0133] In this case, the first connector hold-down 140 may include a bottom protection portion 145 that surrounds the bottom portion 111 and extends in the direction of the island ends 112a on both sides in the first direction of the island portion 112, and an island end protection portion 146 that extends upward in the third direction from the bottom protection portion 145 and surrounds the island ends 112a.

[0134] Preferably, the island end protection portion 146 has a structure in which it is positioned biased to one side in the second direction, with a distance from the first contact 120 and the second contact 130, relative to a virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100.

[0135] By positioning the island end protection portion 146 biased to one side in the second direction, the first connector 100 can be made smaller by further reducing its length in the longitudinal direction.

[0136] On the other hand, referring to Figures 5 to 8 and Figure 9, the first contact 120 provided on the first connector 100 can be examined in more detail as follows.

[0137] As mentioned above, the first contacts 120 can be arranged alternately with the second contacts 130 in a single row on the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115, respectively, with an ultra-narrow pitch. In other words, the first contacts 120 can be divided into a single row of first contact lines 120a arranged on the first retaining wall 114 and two rows of first contact lines 120b arranged on the second retaining wall 115.

[0138] The first contact 120 has a bar-like shape that is bent and has length in the second direction.

[0139] The first contact 120 may be positioned such that its inner mounting portion 123 is located inside the first connector insulator 110.

[0140] Specifically, referring to Figure 9, the first contact 120 of the first connector 100 can broadly include a connecting portion 121, an inner contact portion 122, an inner mounting portion 123, an outer contact portion 124, and a carrier connecting portion 125.

[0141] First, the connecting portion 121 is bar-shaped and supports the upper parts of the retaining walls 114 and 115, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0142] The inner contact portion 122 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the inner end of the connecting portion 121 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the inner surfaces of the retaining walls 114 and 115, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0143] The inner mounting portion 123 is a bar-shaped structure formed by bending the end of the inner contact portion 122 while forming the aforementioned inner molding space S / I, and its end can be located on one side of the bottom portion 111. At this time, the end of the inner mounting portion 123 has a structure that is exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 111, and an inspection window S2 can be formed in the bottom portion 111 so that such an inner mounting portion 123 can be seen with the naked eye from the outside. The inner mounting portion 123 can be seen with the naked eye from the outside through the aforementioned inspection window S2 (Figure 8).

[0144] The outer contact portion 124 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the outer end of the connecting portion 121 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the outer surfaces of the retaining walls 114 and 115, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0145] At this time, the outer contact portion 124 includes an upper step 124a and a lower step 124b that protrude outward. Through these, when the mating connector, the second connector 200, is connected, the contacts of the mating connector make contact, generating a "click" sound, which makes the connection process easier, prevents detachment, and increases the connection strength.

[0146] Furthermore, the carrier connecting portion 125 has a length a1 set to be bar-shaped, with the end of the outer contact portion 124 forming an outer molding space S / O at its upper part, extending in the opposite direction to the inner mounting portion 123, and its end can be exposed to the outside of the first connector insulator 110.

[0147] Such a carrier connecting portion 125 is a part that connects the first contact 120 to a carrier (not shown) used to fix the position of the contacts during the connector manufacturing process, and has a structure in which the end face 125a is exposed in close proximity to the first connector insulator 110 by cutting during the process. Such a carrier connecting portion 125 has a length (a1, Figure 9) shorter than the length (a2, Figure 10) of the outer mounting portion 137 of the adjacent second contact 130, thereby preventing interference and short circuits with the second contact 130.

[0148] On the other hand, the outer molding space S / O formed by the carrier connection portion 125 is continuously filled with the aforementioned outer molding space S / O by an outer solder wicking prevention portion 116 in a bar shape, which is provided to prevent solder soldered on the outer mounting portion 137 constituting the adjacent second contact 130 from spreading up and causing defects (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0149] On the other hand, referring to Figures 5 to 8 and Figure 10, the second contact 130 provided on the first connector 100 can be examined in more detail as follows.

[0150] As shown in the diagram, the second contact 130 has a bar-like shape that is bent and has a length in the second direction. Such second contacts 130 are arranged alternately with the first contacts 120 to form a structure that surrounds the retaining walls 114, 115 and the bottom 111. In other words, the second contact 130 can be divided into one row of second contact lines 130a arranged on the first retaining wall 114 and two rows of first contact lines 130b arranged on the second retaining wall 115.

[0151] On the other hand, the second contact 130 is a movable terminal and may have a structure that includes an elastic arm portion 134, which extends along the bottom portion 111 toward the island portion 112 and is then bent upward again in the third direction; an elastic contact portion 135, which is formed by the end of the elastic arm portion 134 extending and acting as a free end that is elastically actuated by an external force; and an outer mounting portion 137, which extends in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion 135, with the outer portion in the second direction surrounding the retaining walls 114 and 115 protruding to the outside of the first connector insulator 110.

[0152] More specifically, referring to Figure 10, the second contact 130 can broadly include a connecting portion 131, an inner holding portion 132, a bottom holding portion 133, an elastic arm portion 134, an elastic contact portion 135, an outer contact portion 136, and an outer mounting portion 137.

[0153] First, the connecting portion 131 is bar-shaped and supports the upper part of the retaining walls 114 and 115 together with the connecting portion 121 of the first contact 120, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0154] The inner holding portion 132 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the inner end of the connecting portion 131 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the inner surfaces of the holding walls 114 and 115, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0155] The bottom retaining portion 133 is a bar-shaped structure formed by bending the end of the inner retaining portion 132 and extending toward the island portion 112, surrounding and supporting the bottom portion 111 of the first connector insulator 110, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0156] Subsequently, the elastic arm portion 134 may be positioned such that the end of the bottom holding portion 133 is again bent upward in the third direction and extends in a bar shape, exposing it to the displacement space S1 formed in the island portion 112 (see Figure 8).

[0157] The elastic contact portion 135 is a free end formed by extending the end of the elastic arm portion 134 and bending it into a rounded shape, which acts elastically in response to external forces. At this time, the elastic contact portion 135 is also positioned so as to be exposed to the displacement space S1, and the end of the elastic contact portion 135 can be made into contact with the contact of the mating connector at the rounded portion facing the island side.

[0158] The elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 134 and the elastic contact portion 135 ensures reliable contact between the contacts when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, thereby increasing the coupling force.

[0159] On the other hand, the island portion 112 of the first connector insulator 110 can be divided into a left island portion 112-1 to the left in the second direction and a right island portion 112-2 to the right in the second direction, with reference to a virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100. In this case, the aforementioned displacement space S1 can be formed in a zigzag pattern between the left island portion 112-1 and the right island portion 112-2 by the arrangement of the first contact 120. Accordingly, the width of the first connector 100 can be further reduced (see Figures 7a and 7b).

[0160] The outer contact portion 136 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the outer end of the connecting portion 131 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the outer surfaces of the retaining walls 114 and 115, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0161] At this time, the outer contact portion 136 includes an upper step 136a and a lower step 136b that protrude outward. Through these, when the mating connector, the second connector 200, is connected, the contacts of the mating connector make contact, generating a "click" sound, which makes the connection process easier, prevents detachment, and increases the connection strength.

[0162] Furthermore, the outer mounting portion 137 is bar-shaped, with the end of the outer contact portion 136 bent in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion 135, and has sufficient length (a2, Figures 10 and 5) so that its end can be exposed to the outside of the first connector insulator 110.

[0163] Furthermore, the outer mounting portion 137 forms an outer molding space S / O at its upper part, and an outer solder wicking prevention portion 116 is formed in the outer molding space S / O (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0164] On the other hand, referring to Figures 5 to 8 and Figures 11 to 14, the first connector hold-down 140 provided on the first connector 100 can be examined in more detail as follows.

[0165] As described above, the first connector hold-down 140 can be divided into a first hold-down 140a and a second hold-down 140b, and can be mounted on a substrate surrounding a pair of hold-down retaining walls 113 that connect the two ends of the pair of retaining walls 114 and 115 on the first direction side.

[0166] In this case, the first connector hold-down 140 may include a bottom protection portion 145 that surrounds the bottom portion 111 and extends in the direction of the island ends 112a on both sides in the first direction of the island portion 112, and an island end protection portion 146 that extends upward in the third direction of the bottom protection portion 145 and surrounds the island ends 112a.

[0167] More specifically, referring to Figures 11-14, the first connector hold-down 140 can broadly include an upper protective section 141, a second-direction protective section 142, a second-direction mounting section 143, an inner protective section 144, a bottom protective section 145, an island end protective section 146, a first-direction protective section 147, a molding section 148, and a first-direction mounting section 149.

[0168] First, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the upper protective section 141 is plate-shaped, surrounding and protecting the upper part of the hold-down retaining wall 113, and has a set width and depth, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0169] The second direction protection portion 142 is a plate-like shape formed by bending and extending both ends of the upper protection portion 141 on the second direction side, surrounding the outer surface of the hold-down retaining wall 113 in the second direction, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0170] The second directional mounting portion 143 is the portion where both ends of the second directional protection portion 142 are bent and extended, and has a length (b1, Figure 11) that is exposed to the outside of the first connector insulator 110, and an outer molding space S / O can be formed at the top. A solder wicking prevention portion can be formed in the outer molding space S / O.

[0171] On the other hand, the inner protective portion 144 is a plate-like shape formed by bending the upper protective portion 141 inward in the first direction, surrounding the inner surface of the hold-down retaining wall 113 in the first direction, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0172] The bottom protection portion 145 is plate-shaped, extending in the direction of the island ends 112a on both sides of the first direction of the island portion 112, such that the inner protection portion 144 surrounds the bottom portion 111, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0173] On the other hand, the island end protection section 146 is the portion where the bottom protection section 145 extends upward in the third direction and surrounds the island end 112a, and can have a width b21 that corresponds to the width of the island end 112a.

[0174] On the other hand, more specifically, referring to Figure 11, the island end protection section 146 may include a side protection plate 146a that has a set first width b21 and extends upward to surround the outside of the island end 112a, and an upper protection plate 146b that has a second width b22 that is narrower than the first width b21 at the upper side end of the side protection plate 146a in a third direction and extends to surround the upper part of the island end 112a.

[0175] In this case, the upper protective plate 146b may be positioned biased to one side in the second direction, with a distance from the first contact 120 and the second contact 130, relative to the virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100.

[0176] In other words, the upper protective plate 146b may be positioned biased toward the first contact 120 located on the first retaining wall 114 with respect to the virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100 (see Figure 7b).

[0177] On the other hand, referring again to Figure 11, the island end protection section 146 may further include an extension plate 146c which is an extension of the upper protection plate 146b and bent downwards.

[0178] At this time, a retraction groove 112a-1 is further formed at the island end 112a of the first connector insulator 110, which accommodates the aforementioned extension plate 146c.

[0179] Consequently, the end portion 146c-1 of the extension plate 146c is housed in the retraction groove 112a-1, and the island end protection portion 146 of the first connector hold-down 140 maintains a stable distance from the first contact 120 and the second contact 130, preventing interference and short circuits between them (see Figure 7b).

[0180] On the other hand, the upper protective plate 146b of the first hold-down 140a and the upper protective plate 146b of the second hold-down can be positioned offset from each other in two different directions with respect to a virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 100 (see Figure 7a).

[0181] On the other hand, the first direction protection portion 147 is a plate-like shape formed by bending and extending the first direction side end of the upper protection portion 141, surrounding the first direction outer surface of the hold-down retaining wall 113, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0182] The molding portion 148 is a plate-like shape formed by bending and extending the end of the first direction protection portion 147, and is the part that is molded integrally with the first connector insulator 110 during insert molding. At this time, the molding portion 148 includes through holes T / H so as to pass through, and the first connector hold-down 140 can be strongly bonded to the first connector insulator 110 while being molded integrally with it by the resin layer that passes through the through holes T / H during insert molding.

[0183] The first directional mounting portion 149 is the portion where both ends of the molding portion 148 are bent and extended, and can be exposed to the outside of the first connector insulator 110.

[0184] The first connector hold-down 140 has a second directional mounting portion 143 and a first directional mounting portion 149 that are mounted on the first connector hold-down pattern 330 of the first connector PCB pattern (300, Figure 35) and fixed to the board, and can be used as a reinforcing force and power supply terminal (high current terminal).

[0185] Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 35, the first connector 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are arranged to alternately separate along the first retaining wall 114 and the second retaining wall 115.

[0186] Furthermore, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 are arranged to face each other on a line in the second direction.

[0187] In this case, the inner mounting portion 123 of the first contact 120 may be arranged to be exposed at the bottom 111 between the retaining walls 114, 115 and the island portion 112 so as to be visible through the inspection window S2.

[0188] Furthermore, the outer mounting portion 137 of the second contact 130 has a length and is exposed from the first contact insulator 110, and can be arranged to be exposed on both sides in the second direction.

[0189] Accordingly, referring to Figure 35, the first connector PCB pattern 300 may have the first connector first contact PCB pattern 310 connected to the inner mounting portion 123 of the first contact 120 and the first connector second contact PCB pattern 320 connected to the outer mounting portion 137 of the second contact 130 arranged in a zigzag pattern with spacing between them. This prevents mutual interference and reduces the risk of short circuits and soldering defects.

[0190] -Second connector 200- The second connector 200, which constitutes the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 19 to 29 and Figure 36.

[0191] As described above, the second connector 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to improve contact reliability while enabling miniaturization through structural modifications of the second connector 200. Furthermore, it can be configured to prevent damage due to external forces through strength reinforcement.

[0192] For this purpose, a second connector 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a second connector insulator 210 for mounting and coupling to a substrate, a plurality of first contacts 220 and second contacts 230 for coupling to the second connector insulator 210 and mounting to a substrate, and a second connector hold-down 240 for improving reinforcing force.

[0193] The second connector insulator 210 is made of a non-conductive material and can be manufactured by insert molding, including the first contacts 220 and 230. Of course, in some examples, the second connector insulator 210 can be manufactured first by injection molding or other means, and then the first contacts 220 and 230 can be assembled onto the second connector insulator 210. However, in this invention, as one embodiment, unless otherwise specified, it will be assumed that the insulator is manufactured by insert molding.

[0194] Such a second connector insulator 210 may include a bottom 211, a pair of inner retaining walls (212; 212a, 212b), a pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215, and a pair of hold-down retaining walls 213.

[0195] First, the bottom portion 211 can have a flat plate shape having a length in the first direction and a width in the second direction.

[0196] Furthermore, the pair of outer retaining walls 214 and 215 protrude from the bottom 211 in a third direction with height and have a shape that extends parallel to each other along the first direction with length.

[0197] Furthermore, the pair of inner retaining walls (212; 212a, 212b) protrude from the bottom 211 in a third direction with height and have a shape that extends between the pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215 and parallel to the outer retaining walls 214, 215.

[0198] At this time, the pair of inner retaining walls (212; 212a, 212b) form an island accommodation space 203 between them, which is of a size and shape capable of accommodating the island portion 112 of the first connector 100. The island accommodation space 203 may be in the shape of a hole or a groove.

[0199] Furthermore, the pair of hold-down retaining walls (213, Figure 20) have a shape that protrudes from the bottom 211 in a third direction with height so as to connect the ends on both sides of the first direction side of the first outer retaining wall 214 and the second outer retaining wall 215.

[0200] On the other hand, referring to Figure 21(a), with respect to a virtual longitudinal center line of the second connector 200, the pair of outer retaining walls 214 and 215 can be divided in a second direction into a first outer retaining wall 214 and a second outer retaining wall 215. The inner retaining wall 212 can then be divided in a second direction into a first inner retaining wall 212a and a second inner retaining wall 212b, so as to form an island accommodation space 203 between them.

[0201] On the other hand, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the island portion 112 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the island portion accommodation space 203 formed between the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b of the second connector 200, the first retaining wall 114 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the second accommodation space 202 formed between the second inner retaining wall 212b and the second outer retaining wall 215 of the second connector 200, and the second retaining wall 115 of the first connector 100 is connected so as to be accommodated in the first accommodation space 201 formed between the first inner retaining wall 212a and the first outer retaining wall 214 of the second connector 200 (see Figure 30).

[0202] The bottom portion 211, the pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215, and the pair of inner retaining walls 212 maintain the shape of the second connector 200 and play a role in supporting the contacts 220, 230 so that they can be stably positioned and maintain contact between the contacts when coupled with the mating connector, the first connector 100, and are formed to have a set thickness, height, and width.

[0203] On the other hand, the first contact 220 is a bar-shaped object that has a length in the second direction and is bent, and consists of a plurality of contacts that are spaced apart from each other along the first direction, with at least a portion of each being exposed to the outside, on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, respectively.

[0204] At this time, the first contact 220 is supported while being partially exposed to the outside, surrounding the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the bottom 211 and inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, and has a structure including an inner mounting portion 223 which is mounted on the substrate while being bent in the direction of the island portion housing space 203, with the inner side in the second direction surrounding the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b forming an inner molding space S / I (Figure 23) at the top, and exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom 211 (see Figures 21a and 21b).

[0205] Preferably, the island housing space 203 may have a hole-like structure that penetrates the bottom 211 so that the inner mounting portion 223 of the first contact 220 can be seen from the outside (see Figures 21a, 21b, and 22).

[0206] Consequently, the inner mounting portion 223 of the first contact 220 is exposed to the island housing space 203 and can be seen with the naked eye from the outside, allowing for stable confirmation of the soldering and execution of the soldering process.

[0207] Then, the first connector insulator 210 forms an inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 in the inner molding space S / I (Figure 23) formed by the placement of the first contact 220, such that it has a step height t1' (Figure 32b) that protrudes from the upper surface in the third direction of the bottom portion 211 (see Figures 27 and 28).

[0208] At this time, the internal solder wicking prevention portion 217 is formed in multiple units corresponding to multiple first contacts 220, and can form irregularities with directionality toward the bottom portion 211 and the first direction (see Figure 29).

[0209] On the other hand, the second contact 230 is a bar-shaped object that has a length in the second direction and is bent, with at least a portion of it exposed to the outside, and is composed of multiple contacts that are alternately arranged on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b so as to alternately move away from the first contact 220 in the first direction.

[0210] The second connector insulator 210 may further include a second connector hold-down 240 that is mounted on the substrate, surrounding a pair of hold-down retaining walls 213 that connect the first-direction side ends of a pair of outer retaining walls 214, 215, thereby fixing the second connector insulator 210 to the substrate.

[0211] At this time, the second connector hold-down 240 may include a bottom protection portion 244 that surrounds the bottom portion 211 and extends in the direction of the two side connecting walls 212c that connect the first inner retaining wall 212a and the second inner retaining wall 212b, and a connecting wall protection portion 245 that extends upward in the third direction from the bottom protection portion 244 and surrounds the connecting wall 212c (see Figures 25 and 26).

[0212] Furthermore, the second connector hold-down 240 can utilize the upper surface of the bottom protection portion 244 to form a first hold-down housing groove U in which the first connector hold-down 140 is housed when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected.

[0213] On the other hand, referring to Figures 19 to 22 and 23, the first contact 220 provided on the second connector 200 can be examined in more detail as follows.

[0214] As mentioned above, the first contacts 220 can be arranged alternately with the second contacts 230 in a single row on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, with an ultra-narrow pitch. In other words, the first contacts 220 can be divided into a single row of first contact lines 220a arranged on the first outer retaining wall 214 and the first inner retaining wall 212a, and two rows of first contact lines 220b arranged on the second outer retaining wall 215 and the second inner retaining wall 212b.

[0215] The first contact 220 may have a bar shape that is bent and has length in the second direction.

[0216] The first contact 220 may be positioned such that its inner mounting portion 223 is located in the island-type housing space 203, which is inside the first connector insulator 210 (see Figure 21b).

[0217] Specifically, referring to Figure 23, the first contact 220 of the second connector 200 can broadly include an inner connecting portion 221, an inner contact portion 222, an inner mounting portion 223, an inner retaining portion 224, a bottom retaining portion 225, an outer contact portion 226, an outer connecting portion 227, an outer retaining portion 228, and a carrier connecting portion 229.

[0218] First, the inner connecting portion 221 is bar-shaped, extending and supporting the upper parts of the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0219] The inner contact portion 222 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the inner end of the inner connecting portion 221 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the inner surfaces of the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside. In this case, the inner contact portion 222 may have a wider width w1 than other parts to facilitate contact with the contacts of the mating connector.

[0220] Furthermore, the inner mounting portion 223 is a bar-shaped structure in which the end of the inner contact portion 222 is bent and extended while forming the aforementioned inner molding space S / I, and its end can be located on one side of the bottom portion 211. At this time, the end of the inner mounting portion 223 has a structure that exposes it to the bottom surface of the bottom portion 211 and can be seen with the naked eye through the island portion housing space 203.

[0221] The inner holding portion 224 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the outer end of the inner connecting portion 221 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the outer surfaces of the inner holding walls 212a and 212b, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0222] On the other hand, the bottom retaining portion 225 is bar-shaped with the inner retaining portion 224 extending in the direction of the outer retaining walls 214 and 215 so as to surround the bottom portion 211, and a part of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0223] Furthermore, the outer contact portion 226 is bar-shaped with the end of the bottom retaining portion 225 extending upward, and can surround the inside of the outer retaining walls 214 and 215 in the second direction and be exposed to the outside. In this case, the outer contact portion 226 can include a protruding upper step 226a and a lower step 226b, and through such an upper step 226a and lower step 226b, a "click" sound can be generated when connecting with the mating connector, making the connection process easier while preventing detachment and increasing the connection force.

[0224] Furthermore, the outer connecting portion 227 is bar-shaped, with the upper end of the outer contact portion 226 extending around the upper part of the outer retaining walls 214 and 215, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0225] Furthermore, the outer holding portion 228 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the end of the outer connecting portion 227, and surrounds the outer side of the outer holding walls 214 and 215 in the second direction, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0226] Subsequently, the carrier connecting portion 229 is a bar-shaped structure in which the end of the outer holding portion 228 is bent to form an outer molding space S / O and extends in the direction opposite to the inner mounting portion 223, with its end exposed to the outside of the first connector insulator 210 (see Figure 19).

[0227] Such a carrier connecting portion 229 is a part that connects the first contact 220 to a carrier (not shown) used to fix the position of the contacts during the connector manufacturing process. During the process, the end face (229a, Figure 23) is cut and exposed so that it is positioned close to the second connector insulator 210. Such a carrier connecting portion 229 is positioned with a gap between it and the outer mounting portion 237 of the adjacent second contact 230 to prevent interference and short circuits with the second contact 130.

[0228] On the other hand, the outer molding space S / O formed by the carrier connection portion 229 is continuously filled with the aforementioned outer molding space S / O by an outer solder wicking prevention portion 216 in a bar shape, which is provided to prevent solder soldered on the outer mounting portion 237 constituting the adjacent second contact 230 from spreading up and causing defects (see Figures 27 and 28).

[0229] On the other hand, referring to Figures 19 to 22 and Figure 24, the second contact 230 provided on the second connector 200 can be examined in more detail as follows.

[0230] As mentioned above, the second contacts 230 can be arranged alternately with the first contacts 220 in a single row on the outer retaining walls 214, 215 and the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, respectively, with an extremely narrow pitch. In other words, the second contacts 230 can be divided into a single row of second contact lines 230a arranged on the first outer retaining wall 214 and the first inner retaining wall 212a, and two rows of second contact lines 230b arranged on the second outer retaining wall 215 and the second inner retaining wall 212b.

[0231] On the other hand, the second contact 230 is a movable terminal like the second contact 130 of the first connector, and has a structure that includes an elastic arm portion 234 which extends along the bottom portion 211 in the direction toward the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b and is then bent upward in the third direction again, an elastic contact portion 235 which is composed of a free end that extends from the end of the elastic arm portion 234 and acts elastically in response to external force, and an outer mounting portion 237 which extends in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion 235 so that the outer portion in the second direction surrounding the outer retaining walls 214 and 215 protrudes outside the second connector insulator 110.

[0232] More specifically, referring to Figure 24, the second contact 230 can broadly include a connecting portion 231, an outer contact portion 232, a bottom holding portion 233, an elastic arm portion 234, an elastic contact portion 235, an outer holding portion 236, and an outer mounting portion 137.

[0233] First, the connecting portion 231 is bar-shaped, similar to the outer connecting portion 227 of the first contact 220, and is supported by surrounding the upper part of the outer retaining walls 214 and 215, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0234] The outer contact portion 232 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the outer end of the connecting portion 231 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the inner surfaces of the outer retaining walls 214 and 215, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside. In this case, the outer contact portion 232 may include a protruding upper step 232a and a lower step 232b, and such an upper step 232a and lower step 232b can generate a "click" sound when connecting with the mating connector, making the connection process easier while preventing detachment and increasing the connection force.

[0235] The bottom retaining portion 233 is a bar-shaped bar formed by bending the end of the outer contact portion 232 and extending toward the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b, surrounding and supporting the bottom portion 211 of the second connector insulator 210, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0236] Subsequently, the elastic arm portion 234 is bar-shaped, with the end of the bottom holding portion 233 again bent upward in the third direction and extended, and is positioned to be exposed to the displacement space S1' formed in the inner holding walls 212a and 212b (see Figures 21b, 27, and 28).

[0237] The elastic contact portion 235 is a free end formed by extending the end of the elastic arm portion 234 and bending it into a rounded shape, which acts elastically in response to external forces. At this time, the elastic contact portion 235 is also positioned so as to be exposed to the displacement space S1', and the end of the elastic contact portion 235 is rounded toward the inner retaining walls 212a and 212b, and the contacts of the mating connector make contact with this portion.

[0238] The elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion 234 and the elastic contact portion 235 ensures reliable contact between the contacts when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, thereby increasing the coupling force.

[0239] The outer holding portion 236 is a bar-shaped extension formed by bending the outer end of the connecting portion 231 in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the outer surfaces of the outer holding walls 214 and 215, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0240] Furthermore, the outer mounting portion 237 is bar-shaped, with the end of the outer holding portion 236 bent in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion 235, and its end can be exposed to the outside of the second connector insulator 210 for mounting.

[0241] Furthermore, the outer mounting portion 237 forms an outer molding space S / O (Figure 24) at its top, and an outer solder wicking prevention portion 216 is formed in the outer molding space S / O (see Figures 27 and 28).

[0242] On the other hand, referring to Figures 19 to 22 and Figures 25 and 26, a more detailed examination of the second connector hold-down 240 provided on the second connector 200 is as follows.

[0243] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other, the first connector hold-down 140 and the second connector hold-down 240 are made of metal and can prevent damage due to physical contact between them, thereby reinforcing the strength of the connectors 100 and 200. Furthermore, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other to form the connector assembly 1, they may also be used as power supply terminals (high-current terminals).

[0244] As described above, the second connector holddown 240 can be divided into a first holddown 240a and a second holddown 240b, and can be mounted on a substrate surrounding a pair of holddown retaining walls 113 that connect the two ends on the first direction side of the pair of retaining walls 114 and 115 (see Figures 19 and 20).

[0245] Furthermore, the second connector holddown (240; 240a, 240b, Figure 19) of the second connector 200 surrounds the holddown retaining walls (213, Figure 20) on both sides in the first direction, while simultaneously surrounding the connecting wall (212c, Figure 20) that connects the inner retaining walls 212a, 212b, and is shaped to have a housing groove U to accommodate the aforementioned first connector holddown 140. It is mounted on the second connector holddown pattern 430 of the second connector PCB pattern (400, Figure 36) and fixed to the substrate, and can be used as a reinforcing force and power terminal (high current terminal).

[0246] As described above, the second connector hold-down 240 may include a bottom protection portion 244 that extends in the direction of the connecting wall 212c and surrounds the bottom portion 211, and a connecting wall protection portion 245 that extends upward in the third direction from the bottom protection portion 244 and surrounds the connecting wall 212c.

[0247] More specifically, referring to Figures 25 and 26, the second connector hold-down 240 can broadly include an upper protective section 241, an outer protective section 242, an inner protective section 243, a bottom protective section 244, and a connecting wall protective section 245.

[0248] First, the upper protective portion 241 is plate-shaped and surrounds and protects the upper part of the hold-down retaining wall 213, and has a set width and width, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0249] The outer protective portion 242 is a plate-like structure formed by bending the end of the upper protective portion 241 and extending it outward, surrounding the outer surfaces of the hold-down retaining wall 213 in the first and second directions, and a portion of it may be exposed to the outside.

[0250] The inner protective portion 243 is a plate-like shape formed by bending the end of the upper protective portion 241 and extending it inward, surrounding the inner surfaces of the hold-down retaining wall 213 in the first and second directions, with a portion of it being exposed to the outside.

[0251] On the other hand, one side of the inner protective portion 243 may include an inwardly protruding locking projection 247, which can enhance contact and coupling force by pressing the first connector hold-down 140 when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are coupled, thereby enabling a stronger connection.

[0252] Furthermore, the bottom protection portion 244 may have a plate-like shape where the end of the aforementioned inner protection portion 243 extends in the direction of the connecting wall 212c and surrounds the bottom portion 211.

[0253] Furthermore, the connecting wall protection portion 245 may have a plate-like shape in which a part of the bottom protection portion 244 extends upward in the third direction and surrounds the connecting wall 212c.

[0254] On the other hand, the end of the outer protective portion 242 can extend laterally to form a second directional mounting portion 246a and a first directional mounting portion 246b.

[0255] The first directional mounting portion 246b and the second directional mounting portion 246a are mounted on the second connector hold-down pattern 430 of the second connector PCB pattern (400, Figure 36) and fixed to the substrate, thereby increasing the bonding strength.

[0256] - Connector assembly 1 in which the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are joined - As described above, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first connector 100 as a plug connector and a second connector 200 as a receptacle connector that are physically fastened together.

[0257] In this case, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be miniaturized by modifying the structure of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200, while also improving ease of manufacturing and contact reliability.

[0258] Furthermore, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention maintains the thickness (height) of the insulator in important parts while being miniaturized, thereby preventing solder wicking and maintaining contact fixation.

[0259] Furthermore, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes hold-downs 140 and 240 for strength reinforcement, while minimizing the increase in product size and thus achieving miniaturization.

[0260] For this purpose, the connector assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a first connector 100 and a second connector 200 connected together, and can have a length in the first direction (L1, Figure 2), a width in the second direction (L2, Figure 2), and a thickness (height) in the third direction (H, Figure 1).

[0261] In such a case, the first connector 100 can be mounted on one module board (not shown) via the first connector PCB pattern (300, Figure 35), and the second connector 200 can be mounted on another module board (not shown) via the second connector PCB pattern (400, Figure 36).

[0262] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically connected to each other to form the connector assembly 1, the first contact 120 and the second contact 130 provided on the first connector 100 are connected to the first contact 220 and the second contact 230 provided on the second connector 200 by making contact with them. Consequently, the module board on which the first connector 100 is mounted and the module board on which the second connector 200 is mounted can be electrically connected to each other.

[0263] Furthermore, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 may include first connector holddowns (140; 140a, 140b) and second connector holddowns (240; 240a, 240b), respectively, to reinforce strength and enable high current transmission.

[0264] When the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically coupled to each other, the first connector hold-down 140 and the second connector hold-down 240 are made of a metal material to prevent damage due to physical contact between them and reinforce the strength of the connectors 100 and 200. Also, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are physically coupled to each other to form the connector assembly 1, they may be used as power supply terminals (high-current terminals).

[0265] In the connector assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first contacts 120 and 220 and the second contacts 130 and 230 having different shapes from each other are alternately arranged in the length of the connectors 100 and 200 in the first direction, so that the mounting positions can be embodied in a zigzag manner. Accordingly, the intervals between the contacts 120, 130 and 220, 230 can be minimized (ultra-narrow pitch), so that the length of the entire connector assembly 1 in the longitudinal direction (the first direction of the X-axis) can be reduced and miniaturization may be possible.

[0266] Also, in the connector assembly 1 according to the present invention, since the displacement spaces S1 of the first connector 100 are arranged in a zigzag manner along the first direction, the width of the first connector 100 in the short direction (the second direction of the Y-axis) can be reduced, so that miniaturization may be possible. Accordingly, since the size of the second connector 200 coupled to the first connector 100 can also be reduced, miniaturization may be possible.

[0267] Also, since the elastic contact portions 135 and 235 of the contacts have a structure having elastic deformation within the displacement spaces S1 and S1', breakage and position detachment due to an external force during the coupling process of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 can be prevented, and more stable coupling can be induced.

[0268] Furthermore, when the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are connected, the inner solder wicking prevention portion 117 of the first connector 100 is accommodated in the displacement space S1' of the second connector 200 by the height t1 of the step (see Figure 32a), and the inner solder wicking prevention portion 217 of the second connector 200 is accommodated in the displacement space S1 of the first connector 100 by the height t1' of the step (see Figure 32b). This arrangement reduces the height (thickness, H, Figure 31) in the third direction, enabling thinner plates and resulting in a smaller overall product size.

[0269] Furthermore, the internal solder wicking prevention parts 117 and 217, which have an uneven surface and are provided in multiple units, are connected in such a state that the gear teeth mesh with the multiple displacement spaces S1' and S1 of the mating connector. This makes it easy to maintain contact alignment by preventing flow in the pitch direction when an external force is generated, and it is possible to prevent contact displacement or contact detachment even when an external force is generated (see Figure 34).

[0270] Furthermore, the first connector hold-down 140 and the second connector hold-down 240 are provided while protecting both sides of the insulators 110 and 210, thereby enhancing physical stability and contact safety while maintaining rigidity against external forces when the connector assembly 1 is joined.

[0271] Furthermore, the island end protection portion 146 of the first connector hold-down 140 protects the island end 112a and can be positioned biased to one side in the second direction with respect to the virtual center line C1 in the longitudinal direction, thereby further reducing the length of the first connector 100 in the first direction, and the second connector 200, which is the mating connector to be coupled, can also be reduced to a corresponding size, thereby further reducing the length of the overall connector assembly 1 in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction, first direction of the X axis) and realizing miniaturization.

[0272] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments presented herein. Those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily propose other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, all within the same spirit, and these too can be said to fall within the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0273] 1: Connector assembly 100: First connector 101: 1st connective space 102:Second combination space 110: First connector insulator 111: Bottom 112: Islands 112a: Island end 112a-1: Evacuation groove 113: Hold-down retaining wall 114: 1st retaining wall 115:Second retaining wall 116: External solder wicking prevention section 117: Inner solder wicking prevention section 120: First Contact 121, 131: Connection part 122:Inner contact part 123: Internal mounting section 124, 136: Outer contact part 124a, 136a: Upper stage 124b, 136b: Lower stage 125: Carrier connection section 125a: End surface 130: Second Contact 132:Inner holding part 133: Bottom holding part 134: Elastic arm section 135: Elastic contact area 137:Outer mounting part 140: First connector hold down 140a: First hold down 140b: Second holddown 141: Upper protection part 142: Second Direction Protection Part 143: Second Direction Mounting Part 144: Inner Protection Part 145: Bottom Protection Part 146: Island End Protection Part 146a: Side Protection Plate 146b: Top Protection Plate 146c: Extension Plate 147: First Direction Protection Part 148: Molding Part 149: First Direction Mounting Part 200: Second Connector 201: First Accommodation Space 202: Second Accommodation Space 203: Island Accommodation Space 210: Second Connector Insulator 211: Bottom 212: Inner Holding Wall 212a: First Inner Holding Wall 212b: Second Inner Holding Wall 212c: Connecting Wall 213: Hold-down Holding Wall 214: First Outer Holding Wall 215: Second Outer Holding Wall 216: Outer Solder Wick Preventing Part 217: Inner Solder Wick Preventing Part 220: First Contact 221: Inner Connecting Part 222: Inner Contact Part 223: Inner Mounting Part 224: Inner Holding Part 225, 233: Bottom Holding Part 226, 232: Outer Contact Part 226a, 232a: Upper Stage 226b,232b: Lower Stage 227: Outer Connecting Part 228, 236: Outer Holding Part 229: Carrier Connecting Part 229a: End Face 230: Second Contact 231: Connecting Part 234: Elastic Arm Part 235: Elastic contact area 237:Outer mounting section 240: Second connector hold down 241: Upper protection part 242:Outer protection part 243:Inner protection part 244: Bottom protection part 245: Connecting wall protection part 246a: First Direction Mounting Section 246b: Second Direction Mounting Section U: Storage groove t1, t1': Height difference between the inner solder wicking section and the bottom section. S / O: Exterior molding space S / I: Interior molding space S1': Displacement space C1: The virtual centerline in the longitudinal direction of the first connector. S1, S1': Displacement space S2: Inspection window

Claims

1. A first connector which is coupled with a second connector (200) to form a connector assembly (1), A first connector insulator (110) comprising a flat bottom portion (111), a pair of retaining walls (114, 115) projecting from the bottom portion (111) and extending side by side along a first direction, and an island portion (112) projecting from the bottom portion (111) and extending side by side between the pair of retaining walls (114, 115); A plurality of first contacts (120) are arranged on each of the retaining walls (114, 115) at a distance from each other along a first direction, with at least a portion of them exposed to the outside; and, A plurality of second contacts (130) are arranged on each of the retaining walls (114, 115) so as to be alternately spaced apart from the first contact (120), at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside; The first contact (120) is A bar-shaped component that has a length in a second direction and is bent to surround the retaining walls (114, 115), and includes an inner mounting portion (123) that is bent along the bottom portion (111) toward the island portion (112) while the inner side in the second direction forms an inner molding space (S / I) at the top, and is exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion (111) and mounted on the substrate. The first connector insulator (110) is A first connector, which includes an inner solder wicking prevention portion (117) formed in the inner molding space (S / I) such that it has a step height (t1) protruding from the upper surface in the third direction of the bottom portion (111).

2. The first connector insulator (110) is The first connector according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of inspection windows (S2) formed to penetrate so that the internal mounting portion (123) of the first contact (120) can be viewed from the outside.

3. The first contact (120) is A connecting portion (121) surrounds the upper part of the retaining wall (114, 115), The inner end of the connecting portion (121) in the second direction is bent and extends to form an inner contact portion (122) that surrounds the inner surface of the retaining wall (114, 115), The end of the inner contact portion (122) is bent and extended to form the inner mounting portion (123) while forming the inner molding space (S / I), The outer end of the connecting portion (121) in the second direction is bent and extends to form an outer contact portion (124) that surrounds the outer surface of the retaining wall (114, 115), The first connector according to claim 1, wherein the end of the outer contact portion (124) includes a carrier connecting portion (125) that extends in the opposite direction to the inner mounting portion (123) while forming an outer molding space (S / O) at its upper part.

4. The second contact (130) is A bar-shaped structure that is bent and has a length in the second direction, surrounding the retaining walls (114, 115) and the bottom (111), An elastic arm portion (134) is formed by extending along the bottom portion (111) in the direction toward the island portion (112) and then bending upward again in the third direction, and an elastic contact portion (135) is formed by the end of the elastic arm portion (134) extending and acting as a free end that is elastically actuated by an external force. The first connector according to claim 1, further comprising an outer mounting portion (137) extending in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion (135) such that the outer portion in the second direction surrounding the retaining walls (114, 115) protrudes to the outside of the first connector insulator (110).

5. The aforementioned island portion (112) is The first connector according to claim 4, further comprising forming a groove or hole-shaped displacement space (S1) so that the elastic contact portion (135) is elastically deformable.

6. The aforementioned island portion (112) is Using a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction as a reference, the structure is divided in the second direction into a left island section (112-1) and a right island section (112-2). The first connector according to claim 5, wherein the displacement space (S1) is formed such that the left island portion (112-1) and the right island portion (112-2) have a zigzag arrangement in the first direction.

7. The first connector insulator (110) is The present invention further includes a first connector hold-down (140) which is mounted on a substrate while surrounding a pair of hold-down retaining walls (113) that connect the two ends on the first direction side of the pair of retaining walls (114, 115), and which fixes the first connector insulator (110) to the substrate, The first connector hold-down (140) is, The first connector according to claim 1, wherein the portion surrounding the hold-down retaining wall (113) includes a bottom protection portion (145) that extends in the direction of the island ends (112a) on both sides in the first direction of the island portion (112) and surrounds the bottom portion (111), and the bottom protection portion (145) extends upward in the third direction and surrounds the island ends (112a) and includes an island end protection portion (146).

8. The aforementioned island end protection section (146) is, A side protective plate (146a) having a first width (b21) of the setting and extending upward to surround the outside of the island end (112a), The upper side end of the side protective plate (146a) in the third direction includes an upper protective plate (146b) that has a second width (b22) narrower than the first width (b21) and extends to surround the upper part of the island end (112a), The aforementioned upper protective plate (146b) is The first connector according to claim 7, wherein the first contact (120) and the second contact (130) are spaced apart from a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction and are positioned biased to one side in the second direction.

9. The retaining walls (114, 115) are divided into a first retaining wall (114) and a second retaining wall (115) with respect to a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction. The first connector according to claim 8, wherein the upper protective plate (146b) is positioned biased toward the first contact (120) located on the first retaining wall (114) with respect to a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction.

10. The island end protection portion (146) further includes an extension plate (146c) which is an extension of the upper protection plate (146b) and bent downwards. The first connector according to claim 8, wherein the island end (112a) further forms a retraction groove (112a-1) in which the extension plate (146c) is accommodated.

11. The first connector hold-down (140) is divided into a first hold-down (140a) positioned on one side in the first direction, and a second hold-down (140b) positioned on the other side at a position opposite to the first hold-down (140a) in the first direction. The first connector according to claim 8, wherein the upper protective plate (146b) of the first hold-down (140a) and the upper protective plate (146b) of the second hold-down are arranged offset from each other in a second direction with respect to a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction.

12. A second connector which is coupled with a first connector (100) to form a connector assembly (1), A second connector insulator (210) comprising a flat bottom (211), a pair of outer retaining walls (214, 215) projecting from the bottom (211) and extending side by side along a first direction, and a pair of inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) projecting from the bottom (211) and extending side by side between the pair of retaining walls (214, 215) to form an island-shaped accommodating space (203); A plurality of first contacts (220) are arranged on the outer retaining walls (214, 215) and the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) at least partially exposed to the outside and spaced apart from each other along a first direction; and, A plurality of second contacts (230) are arranged on each of the outer retaining walls (214, 215) and the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) so as to be alternately spaced apart from the first contact (220), at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside; The first contact (220) is A bar-shaped component that has a length in a second direction and is bent to surround and support the outer retaining walls (214, 215), the bottom portion (211), and the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b), with the inner portion in the second direction surrounding the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) being bent in the direction of the island portion housing space (203) while forming an inner molding space (S / I) at the top, and an inner mounting portion (223) that is exposed to the bottom surface of the bottom portion (211) and mounted on the substrate. The second connector insulator (210) is A second connector, which includes an inner solder wicking prevention portion (217) formed in the inner molding space (S / I) such that it has a step height (t1') protruding from the upper surface in the third direction of the bottom portion (211).

13. The aforementioned island accommodation space (203) is The second connector according to claim 12, wherein the bottom portion (211) is formed in the shape of a hole that penetrates so that the inner mounting portion (223) of the first contact (220) can be seen from the outside.

14. The first contact (220) is The inner connecting portion (221) surrounds the upper part of the inner retaining wall (212a, 212b), The inner connecting portion (221) has an inner contact portion (222) that extends around the inner surface of the inner retaining wall (212a, 212b) in the second direction, The inner mounting portion (223) is formed by extending the end of the inner contact portion (222), The inner connecting portion (221) extends to surround the outer surface of the inner retaining wall (212a, 212b) in the second direction, and The inner retaining portion (224) extends around the bottom portion (211) and has a bottom retaining portion (225), The bottom retaining portion (225) has an outer contact portion (226) that extends around the inner side of the outer retaining walls (214, 215) in the second direction, The outer contact portion (226) extends to an outer connecting portion (227) that surrounds the upper part of the outer retaining walls (214, 215), The outer connecting portion (227) extends to surround the outer side of the outer retaining walls (214, 215) in the second direction, and the outer retaining portion (228) The second connector according to claim 12, wherein the outer retaining portion (228) is bent at the top to form an outer molding space (S / O) and includes a carrier connecting portion (229) that extends in the opposite direction to the inner mounting portion (223).

15. The second contact (230) is A bar-shaped structure that is bent and has a length in the second direction, and is supported by surrounding the outer retaining walls (214, 215) and the bottom (211), An elastic arm portion (234) is formed by extending along the bottom portion (211) in the direction toward the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) and then bending upward again in the third direction, and an elastic contact portion (235) is formed by the end of the elastic arm portion (234) extending and acting as a free end that is elastically actuated by an external force. The second connector according to claim 12, further comprising an outer mounting portion (237) extending in the opposite direction to the elastic contact portion (235) such that the outer portion in the second direction surrounding the outer retaining walls (214, 215) is exposed on the bottom surface of the second connector insulator (210).

16. The inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) are The first connector according to claim 15, further comprising forming grooves or hole-shaped displacement spaces (S1') so that the elastic contact portion (235) is elastically deformable.

17. A connector assembly (1) is formed by connecting a first connector (100) and a second connector (200), and having a length in the first direction, a width in the second direction, and a thickness (height) in the third direction, The first connector (100) is A first connector insulator (110) comprising a pair of retaining walls (114, 115) having length and height protruding from the bottom (111) of a flat plate, and an island portion (112) having length and height protruding from the bottom (111) between the retaining walls (114, 115), forming a first coupling space (101) and a second coupling space 102 between the island portion (112) and the retaining walls (114, 115) in which the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) of the second connector (200) are housed; and, A bar-shaped structure having length in a second direction, comprising a first contact (120) and a second contact (130) arranged on each of the retaining walls (114, 115) so as to be alternately spaced apart from each other along the first direction; The second connector (200) is, A second connector insulator (210) includes a pair of outer retaining walls (214, 215) projecting with length and height from the bottom (211) of a flat plate, and a pair of inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) projecting with length and height between the outer retaining walls (214, 215) while forming an island portion receiving space (203) in which the island portion (112) of the first connector (100) is accommodated, and forming a first receiving space (201) and a second receiving space 202 between the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b) and the outer retaining walls (214, 215) in which the retaining walls (114, 115) of the first connector (100) are accommodated; and, A bar-shaped structure having length in a second direction, comprising a first contact (220) and a second contact (230) arranged alternately apart from each other along the first direction on the outer retaining walls (214, 215) and the inner retaining walls (212a, 212b); The first connector insulator (110) has an inner solder wicking prevention portion (117) that protrudes from the top of the first contact (120) which is located on the first coupling space (101) and the second coupling space (102) side, having a step height (t1) from the bottom portion (111). The second connector insulator (210) has grooves or holes in its displacement space (S1') such that the second contact (230), which is positioned on the inner retaining wall (212a, 212b) side, can be elastically deformed. When the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) are connected, A connector assembly in which the inner solder wicking prevention portion (117) of the first connector (100) is housed in the displacement space (S1') of the second connector (200).

18. The first connector insulator (110) has a groove or hole-shaped displacement space (S1) so that the second contact (130) located on the island portion (112) side can be elastically deformed. The second connector insulator (210) has an inner solder wicking prevention portion (217) that protrudes from the upper part of the first contact (220) which is located on the island portion housing space (203) side, having a step height (t1') with the bottom portion (211). When the first connector (100) and the second connector (200) are connected, The connector assembly according to claim 17, wherein the inner solder wicking prevention portion (217) of the second connector (200) is housed in the displacement space (S1) of the first connector (100).

19. The first connector (100) is The system further includes a pair of first connector holddowns (140) that surround the island end (112a) of the island portion (112), while surrounding a pair of holddown retaining walls (113) that connect the two ends on the first direction side of the retaining walls (114, 115). The first connector hold-down (140) is, The connector assembly according to claim 17, wherein the end of the island end protection portion (146) surrounding the island end (112a) is positioned biased to one side in the second direction, with a distance from the first contact (120) and the second contact (130) relative to a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction of the first connector (100).

20. The first connector hold-down (140) is divided into a first hold-down (140a) positioned on one side in the first direction, and a second hold-down (140b) positioned on the other side at a position opposite to the first hold-down (140a) in the first direction. The connector assembly according to claim 19, wherein the island end protection portion (146) of the first hold-down (140a) and the island end protection portion (146) of the second hold-down (140b) are arranged offset from each other in a second direction with respect to a virtual center line (C1) in the longitudinal direction of the first connector (100).

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