Connectors, plug connectors, receptacle connectors, connector assemblies, and methods for manufacturing connectors

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector, plug connector, receptacle connector, connector assembly, and a method for manufacturing a connector that can suppress the occurrence of short circuits between terminals. [Solution] Each of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206 includes mounting portions 205A and 206A that are mounted on the first circuit board when the receptacle connector 200 is mounted on the first circuit board, and the second receptacle terminal 206 includes a non-mounting portion 206I that is not mounted on the first circuit board when the receptacle connector 200 is mounted on the first circuit board, and the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206 extend from the receptacle holding portion 204 toward the outside of the receptacle connector 200, and an insulating member 208 is interposed between the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, a plug connector, a receptacle connector, a connector assembly, and a method for manufacturing a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various connectors mounted on a circuit board have been proposed. For example, the connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a first terminal and a second terminal arranged side by side in the width direction of the connector. The first terminal and the second terminal include a mounting portion to be mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board, and the second terminal includes a non-mounting portion that is not mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, since the tip of the non-mounting portion of the second terminal is exposed without being covered by an insulating member, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring between the first terminal and the second terminal. In particular, in recent years, the demand for miniaturization of connectors has become more stringent, and the distance between terminals tends to be shortened. Therefore, there has been a problem that a short circuit between the first terminal and the second terminal is likely to occur.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector, a plug connector, a receptacle connector, a connector assembly, and a method for manufacturing a connector that can suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A connector that solves the above problems is a connector mounted on a circuit board, comprising a plurality of terminals and a retaining member having a retaining portion for holding the plurality of terminals, wherein the plurality of terminals include first terminals and second terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the connector, each of the first terminals and second terminals includes a mounting portion that is mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board, and the second terminal includes a non-mounting portion that is not mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board, the mounting portion of adjacent first terminals and the non-mounting portion of adjacent second terminals extend outward from the retaining portion of the connector, and an insulating member is interposed between the mounting portion of the first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a connector that solves the above problems is a method for manufacturing a connector to be mounted on a circuit board, comprising: a first step of holding a plurality of terminals, including first terminals and second terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the connector, in a holding portion of a holding member; and a second step of interposing an insulating member between a mounting portion at the first terminal where the connector is mounted on the circuit board and mounted on the circuit board, and a non-mounting portion at the second terminal adjacent to the first terminal where the connector is mounted on the circuit board but not mounted on the circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of short circuits between terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a receptacle connector and a plug connector. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a receptacle connector and a plug connector. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 6]It is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 9] It is a plan view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a sectional view taken along the line B - B of FIG. 9. [Figure 12] It is an exploded perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 16] It is a plan view of a plug connector. [Figure 17] It is a sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] It is a sectional view taken along the line B - B of FIG. 16. [Figure 19] It is a side view of a receptacle connector and a plug connector. [Figure 20] It is a sectional view taken along the line A - A of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a sectional view taken along the line B - B of FIG. 19. [Figure 22] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a receptacle connector. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a receptacle connector. [Figure 24] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a receptacle connector. [Figure 25] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a receptacle connector. [Figure 26] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a receptacle connector. [Figure 27] It is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of a plug connector. [Figure 28]This diagram shows the manufacturing process of plug connectors. [Figure 29] This diagram shows the manufacturing process of plug connectors. [Figure 30] This diagram shows the manufacturing process of plug connectors. [Figure 31] This diagram shows the manufacturing process of plug connectors. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the connector assembly will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of understanding the description below, the width direction of the connector assembly will be referred to as the X direction, the depth direction as the Y direction, and the height direction as the Z direction.

[0011] The connector assembly of this embodiment consists of a receptacle connector 200, which is an example of a connector mounted on a first circuit board, and a plug connector 100, which is an example of a mating connector mounted on a second circuit board and mated to the receptacle connector. The connector assembly can be used as an internal component in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, digital cameras, and laptop computers. For example, the connector assembly has a dimension in the Z-axis direction, which is the height direction, of 1 mm or less (approximately 0.5 mm in one example), and the dimensions in the X-axis and Y-axis directions depend on the number of terminals described later, but are configured to be 5 mm or less (approximately 4 mm in one example).

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the plug connector 100 includes a plug housing 101 that is rectangular in shape with the Z-axis direction as the thickness direction. The plug housing 101 is an example of a retaining member and is made of a resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and a rectangular annular plug projection 102 protrudes from its lower surface in the Z-axis direction. A plug retaining portion 104 for holding a plurality of plug terminals 103 is provided along the entire area of ​​each side of the plug projection 102 that extends in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The plurality of plug terminals 103 are made of a conductive material such as a copper alloy and include first plug terminals 105 and second plug terminals 106 that are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The first plug terminals 105 and the second plug terminals 106 have a roughly inverted U-shaped fitting projection 107 that protrudes in the Z-axis direction. An insulating member 108 made of a resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is provided along the entire area of ​​each side of the plug housing 101. The insulating member 108 is interposed between the tip surface 105a of the first plug terminal 105 and the tip surface 206a of the second plug terminal 106 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104 (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) by exposing the tip surface 105a of the first plug terminal 105 (see Figure 5, etc.) and covering the tip surface 106a of the second plug terminal 106 (see Figure 5, etc.).

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the receptacle connector 200 includes a receptacle housing 201 that is rectangular in shape with the Z-axis direction as the thickness direction. The receptacle housing 201 is composed of a first receptacle housing unit 201A and a second receptacle housing unit 201B. The first receptacle housing unit 201A is made of a resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and a rectangular annular receptacle projection 202 protrudes from its upper surface in the Z-axis direction. The second receptacle housing unit 201B is provided at the center of each side of the receptacle projection 202 that extends in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The second receptacle housing unit 201B has a receptacle holding portion 204 that holds a plurality of receptacle terminals 203. The multiple receptacle terminals 203 are made of a conductive material such as a copper alloy and include first receptacle terminals 205 and second receptacle terminals 206 that are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The first receptacle terminals 205 and the second receptacle terminals 206 have a substantially U-shaped fitting recess 207 that opens in the Z-axis direction. An insulating member 208 made of a resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is provided on the outer edge of the second receptacle housing unit 201B. The insulating member 208 is interposed between the tip surface 205a of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the tip surface 206a of the second receptacle terminal 206 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204 (in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction), by exposing the tip surface 205a of the first receptacle terminal 205 and covering the tip surface 206a of the second receptacle terminal 206.

[0014] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mating recesses 207 of each of the multiple receptacle terminals 203 in the receptacle connector 200 and the mating protrusions 107 of each of the multiple plug terminals 103 in the plug connector 100 are mated with each other in the Z-axis direction. By bringing each of the receptacle terminals 203 of the receptacle connector 200 and each of the plug terminals 103 of the plug connector 100 into contact with each other, the plug connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 are electrically connected.

[0015] As shown in Figure 5, the receptacle housing 201 of the receptacle connector 200 is constructed by insert molding a first receptacle housing unit 201A into a second receptacle housing unit 201B. The front wall portion of the first receptacle housing unit 201A functions as an insulating member 208 made of a resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The insulating member 208 has a rectangular shape when viewed from a side view from a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204 (in the X-axis or Y-axis direction), and a plurality of first receptacle recesses 211 are formed on its lower surface at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. Each of the plurality of first receptacle recesses 211 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of first receptacle terminals 205 in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204.

[0016] The receptacle holding portion 204 of the second receptacle housing unit 201B holds a plurality of first receptacle terminals 205 and a plurality of second receptacle terminals 206. The front wall portion 215 of the receptacle holding portion 204 in the second receptacle housing unit 201B has a plurality of first receptacle penetration portions 216 that penetrate the front wall portion 215 in the thickness direction. Each of the plurality of first receptacle penetration portions 216 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of second receptacle terminals 206 in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. On the lower surface of the front wall portion 215 of the receptacle holding portion 204 in the second receptacle housing unit 201B, a plurality of second receptacle recesses 217 are formed at intervals between the receptacle holding portions 204. Each of the multiple second receptacle recesses 217 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the multiple first receptacle terminals 205 in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. When the front wall portion 215 of the second receptacle housing unit 201B is covered by the insulating member 208 of the first receptacle housing unit 201A, the multiple second receptacle recesses 217 in the second receptacle housing unit 201B and the multiple first receptacle recesses 211 in the insulating member 208 constitute a multiple third receptacle recess 219 (see Figure 8, etc.) that is elongated in the shape of a groove extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204 (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction).

[0017] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, each of the multiple third receptacle recesses 219 extends linearly outward from the receptacle connector 200 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204 (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction), passes linearly through the insulating member 208 outward from the receptacle connector 200, and opens to the outer surface of the receptacle connector 200 covered by the insulating member 208. Each of the multiple third receptacle recesses 219 is provided at a position corresponding to the first receptacle terminal 205 in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. A second receptacle penetration portion 218 (see Figure 10, etc.) that penetrates the second receptacle housing unit 201B in the Z-axis direction is connected to the bottom surface of each of the multiple third receptacle recesses 219. The portion of the first receptacle terminal 205 that is located at the tip of the portion held by the receptacle holding portion 204 is inserted through the second receptacle through portion 218 in the Z-axis direction, routed to the lower surface of the receptacle housing 201 of the receptacle connector 200, and housed in the third receptacle recess 219. The portion of the first receptacle terminal 205 housed in the third receptacle recess 219 is flush with the lower surface of the first receptacle housing unit 201A and functions as a mounting portion 205A on which the first circuit board is mounted when the first circuit board is mounted on the lower surface of the first receptacle housing unit 201A, as will be described later. The tip of the first receptacle terminal 205 protrudes from the insulating member 208 toward the outside of the receptacle connector 200 in a direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The portion of the second receptacle terminal 206 that is located on the tip side of the portion held by the receptacle holding portion 204 is inserted into each of the multiple third receptacle through portions 220 that penetrate the second receptacle housing unit 201B in the Z-axis direction. The tip surface 206a of the portion of the second receptacle terminal 206 that is located outside the receptacle connector 200 beyond the portion held by the receptacle holding portion 204 is covered with an insulating member 208.

[0018] The lower surface of the first receptacle housing unit 201A is provided with a plurality of elongated groove-shaped fourth receptacle recesses 221 that extend in one direction. Each of the plurality of fourth receptacle recesses 221 is located at a position corresponding to the second receptacle terminal 206 in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. A third receptacle penetration portion 220 is connected to the bottom surface of each of the plurality of fourth receptacle recesses 221. Each of the plurality of fourth receptacle recesses 221 extends linearly from the portion where the third receptacle penetration portion 220 is formed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204 (in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction). The portion of the second receptacle terminal 206 that is on the tip side of the portion held by the receptacle holding portion 204 is inserted in the Z-axis direction through the third receptacle through portion 220 and routed to the lower surface of the receptacle housing 201 of the receptacle connector 200 and housed in the fourth receptacle recess 221. The portion of the second receptacle terminal 206 housed in the fourth receptacle recess 221 is flush with the lower surface of the receptacle housing 201 and functions as a mounting portion 206A on which the first circuit board is mounted when the first circuit board is mounted on the lower surface of the receptacle housing 201, as will be described later.

[0019] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first receptacle terminal 205 has a mounting portion 205A, a first leg portion 205B, a first top portion 205C, a second leg portion 205D, a bottom portion 205E, a third leg portion 205F, a second top portion 205G, and a fourth leg portion 205H. The mounting portion 205A is exposed from the receptacle housing 201 through a third receptacle recess 219 formed on the lower surface of the receptacle housing 201 and is configured to be mountable on the first circuit board by soldering. The first leg portion 205B is connected to the mounting portion 205A and extends from the mounting portion 205A in the Z-axis direction. The first apex 205C is connected to the first leg 205B and extends inward from the first leg 205B along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The second leg 205D is connected to the first apex 205C and extends inward from the first apex 205C along the Z-axis. The bottom 205E is connected to the second leg 205D and extends inward from the second leg 205D along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The third leg 205F is connected to the bottom 205E and extends inward from the bottom 205E along the Z-axis. The second apex portion 205G is connected to the third leg portion 205F and extends inward from the third leg portion 205F along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The fourth leg portion 205H is connected to the second apex portion 205G and extends in the Z-axis direction from the second apex portion 205G. The second leg portion 205D, the bottom portion 205E, and the third leg portion 205F constitute a roughly U-shaped fitting recess 207 that opens in the Z-axis direction.

[0020] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the second receptacle terminal 206 has a mounting portion 206A, a first leg portion 206B, a first top portion 206C, a second leg portion 206D, a bottom portion 206E, a third leg portion 206F, a second top portion 206G, a fourth leg portion 206H, and a non-mounting portion 206I. The mounting portion 206A is exposed from the first receptacle housing unit 201A through a fourth receptacle recess 221 formed on the lower surface of the first receptacle housing unit 201A and is mounted on the first circuit board by soldering. The first leg portion 206B is connected to the mounting portion 206A and extends from the mounting portion 206A in the Z-axis direction. The first apex 206C is connected to the first leg 206B and extends outward from the first leg 206B along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The second leg 206D is connected to the first apex 206C and extends outward from the first apex 206C along the Z-axis. The bottom 206E is connected to the second leg 206D and extends outward from the second leg 206D along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The third leg 206F is connected to the bottom 206E and extends outward from the bottom 206E along the Z-axis. The second apex portion 206G is connected to the third leg portion 206F and extends outward from the receptacle connector 200 along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The fourth leg portion 206H is connected to the second apex portion 206G and extends outward from the second apex portion 206G along the Z-axis. The non-mounted portion 206I is connected to the fourth leg portion 206H and extends outward from the receptacle connector 200 along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the receptacle holding portion 204. The non-mounted portion 206I is positioned further away from the first circuit board than the mounted portion 206A in the Z-axis direction. Although it is exposed from the receptacle housing 201 through the fifth receptacle recess 224 formed in the receptacle housing 201, it is not mounted on the first circuit board because a gap exists between it and the first circuit board in the Z-axis direction.The second leg portion 213D, the bottom portion 213E, and the third leg portion 213F form a roughly U-shaped fitting recess 207 that opens in the Z-axis direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 12, the lower surface of the plug housing 101 of the plug connector 100 is provided with a plug holding portion 104 that holds a plurality of first plug terminals 105 and a plurality of second plug terminals 106. On the upper surface of the plug housing 101, a plurality of first plug recesses 109 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. Each of the plurality of first plug recesses 109 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of first plug terminals 105 in the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. On the upper surface of the plug housing 101, a plurality of second plug recesses 110 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. Each of the plurality of second plug recesses 110 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of second plug terminals 106 in the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104.

[0022] The insulating member 108 is a rectangular columnar shape that extends long in the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104, and a plurality of third plug recesses 112 are formed on its lower surface at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. Each of the plurality of third plug recesses 112 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of first plug terminals 105 in the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. When the front surface of the plug housing 101 is covered with the insulating member 108, the plurality of first plug recesses 109 in the plug housing 101 and the plurality of third plug recesses 112 in the insulating member 108 constitute a plurality of fourth plug recesses 113 that are elongated grooves extending long in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104 (in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction).

[0023] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, a first plug penetration portion 114 (see Figure 17, etc.) that penetrates the plug housing 101 in the Z-axis direction is connected to the bottom surface of each of the multiple fourth plug recesses 113. Each of the multiple fourth plug recesses 113 is provided at a position corresponding to the first plug terminal 105 in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. Each of the multiple fourth plug recesses 113 extends linearly from the portion where the first plug penetration portion 114 is formed toward the outside of the plug connector 100 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104 (in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction), penetrates the insulating member 108 linearly, and opens to the outer surface of the plug connector 100 covered by the insulating member 108. The portion of the first plug terminal 105 that is on the tip side of the portion held by the plug holding portion 104 is inserted through the first plug penetration portion 114 in the Z-axis direction, routed to the upper surface of the plug housing 101, and housed in the fourth plug recess 113. The portion of the first plug terminal 105 that is housed in the fourth plug recess 113 is flush with the upper surface of the plug housing 101 and functions as a mounting portion 105A on which the second circuit board is mounted when the second circuit board is mounted on the upper surface of the plug housing 101, as will be described later. The tip of the portion of the first plug terminal 105 that is outside the plug connector 100 beyond the portion held by the plug holding portion 104 protrudes from the insulating member 108 toward the outside of the plug connector 100 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104 (in the X-axis or Y-axis direction). The tip surface 106a of the portion of the second plug terminal 106 that is outside the plug connector 100 beyond the portion held by the plug holding portion 104 is covered by the insulating member 108.

[0024] A second plug penetration portion 115, which penetrates the plug housing 101 in the Z-axis direction, is connected to the bottom surface of each of the multiple third plug recesses 112. Each of the multiple third plug recesses 112 is located at a position corresponding to the second plug terminal 106 in a plan view from the Z-axis direction. Each of the multiple second plug recesses 110 extends linearly from the portion where the second plug penetration portion 115 is formed toward the inside of the plug connector 100 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104 (in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction). The portion of the second plug terminal 106 that is on the tip side of the portion held by the plug holding portion 104 is inserted through the second plug penetration portion 115 in the Z-axis direction, routed to the upper surface of the plug housing 101, and housed in the third plug recess 112. The portion of the second plug terminal 106 that is housed in the third plug recess 112 is flush with the upper surface of the plug housing 101, and as will be described later, functions as a mounting section 106A on which the second circuit board is mounted when the second circuit board is mounted on the upper surface of the plug housing 101.

[0025] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the first plug terminal 105 has a mounting portion 105A, a first leg portion 105B, a top portion 105C, a second leg portion 105D, and a non-mounting portion 105E. The mounting portion 105A is exposed from the plug housing 101 through a fourth plug recess 113 formed on the lower surface of the plug housing 101 and is configured to be mountable on the first circuit board by soldering. The first leg portion 105B is connected to the mounting portion 105A and extends from the mounting portion 105A in the Z-axis direction. The top portion 105C is connected to the first leg portion 105B and extends from the first leg portion 105B toward the inside of the plug connector 100 along a direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. The second leg portion 105D is connected to the top portion 105C and extends from the top portion 105C in the Z-axis direction. The non-mounted portion 105E is connected to the second leg portion 105D and extends inward from the second leg portion 105D along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) intersecting the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. The non-mounted portion 105E is positioned further away from the first circuit board than the mounted portion 105A in the Z-axis direction. The non-mounted portion 105F is exposed from the plug housing 101 through the third plug through portion 116 formed in the plug housing 101, but is not mounted on the first circuit board because there is a gap between it and the first circuit board in the Z-axis direction. The first leg portion 105B, the top portion 105C, and the second leg portion 105D constitute a fitting projection 107 that is roughly U-shaped and protrudes in the Z-axis direction.

[0026] As shown in Figures 16 and 18, the second plug terminal 106 has a mounting portion 106A, a first leg portion 106B, a top portion 106C, a second leg portion 106D, and a non-mounting portion 106E. The mounting portion 106A is exposed from the plug housing 101 through a third plug recess 112 formed on the lower surface of the plug housing 101 and is mounted on the first circuit board by soldering. The first leg portion 106B is connected to the mounting portion 106A and extends from the mounting portion 106A in the Z-axis direction. The top portion 106C is connected to the first leg portion 106B and extends from the first leg portion 106B toward the outside of the plug connector 100 along a direction (X-axis direction or Y-axis direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. The second leg portion 106D is connected to the top portion 106C and extends from the top portion 106C in the Z-axis direction. The non-mounted portion 106E is connected to the second leg portion 106D and extends outward from the second leg portion 106D along a direction (X-axis or Y-axis) that intersects the longitudinal direction of the plug holding portion 104. The non-mounted portion 106E is positioned further away from the first circuit board than the mounted portion 106A in the Z-axis direction. Although the non-mounted portion 106E is exposed from the plug housing 101 through the fourth plug through portion 117 formed in the plug housing 101, it is not mounted on the first circuit board because there is a gap between it and the first circuit board in the Z-axis direction. The first leg portion 106B, the top portion 106C, and the second leg portion 106D constitute a fitting projection 107 that is roughly inverted U-shaped and protrudes in the Z-axis direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, when the receptacle connector 200 and the plug connector 100 are mated, the first receptacle terminal 205 of the receptacle connector 200 and the first plug terminal 105 of the plug connector 100 face each other in the Z-axis direction, and the second receptacle terminal 206 of the receptacle connector 200 and the second plug terminal 106 of the plug connector 100 face each other in the Z-axis direction. Then, the first receptacle terminal 205 of the receptacle connector 200 undergoes elastic deformation, and the mating projection 107 of the first plug terminal 105 of the plug connector 100 is accommodated in the mating recess 207 of the first receptacle terminal 205 of the receptacle connector 200. Furthermore, as the second receptacle terminal 206 of the receptacle connector 200 undergoes elastic deformation, the mating projection 107 of the second plug terminal 106 of the plug connector 100 is accommodated in the mating recess 207 of the second receptacle terminal 206 of the receptacle connector 200.

[0028] Next, the manufacturing method of the receptacle connector 200 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] As shown in Figure 22, when the receptacle connector 200 is manufactured, the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206 are first arranged alternately. In this case, the tips of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206 are arranged to extend parallel to each other in one direction.

[0030] Next, as shown in Figure 23, the second receptacle housing unit 201B is insert-molded as the first insert molding, and the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206 are held by the second receptacle housing unit 201B. In this case, the tip of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the tip of the second receptacle terminal 206 protrude from the front surface of the front wall portion 215 of the second receptacle housing unit 201B.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figure 24, the tip of the second receptacle terminal 206 is cut so that it is almost parallel to the front surface of the front wall portion 215 of the second receptacle housing unit 201B.

[0032] Next, as shown in Figure 25, in the second insert molding, the receptacle housing 201 is insert-molded, and the front surface of the front wall portion 215 of the second receptacle housing unit 201B is covered with an insulating member 208. As a result, the tip surface 206a of the second receptacle terminal 206 is covered with the insulating member 208.

[0033] Next, as shown in Figure 26, the tip of the first receptacle terminal 205 protruding from the insulating member 208 is cut so as to be substantially parallel to the front surface of the insulating member 208.

[0034] Next, the manufacturing method of the plug connector 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] As shown in Figure 27, when the plug connector 100 is manufactured, the first plug terminal 105 and the second plug terminal 106 are first arranged alternately. In this case, the tips of the first plug terminal 105 and the second plug terminal 106 are arranged to extend parallel to each other in one direction.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 28, the plug housing 101 is insert-molded as the first insert molding, and the first plug terminal 105 and the second plug terminal 106 are held by the plug housing 101. In this case, the tip of the first plug terminal 105 and the tip of the second plug terminal 106 protrude from the front end surface of the plug housing 101.

[0037] Next, as shown in Figure 29, the tip of the second plug terminal 106 is cut so as to be approximately aligned with the front end surface of the plug housing 101.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 30, an insulating member 108 is inserted as a second insert molding, and the front end surface of the plug housing 101 is covered with the insulating member 108. As a result, the tip surface 106a of the second plug terminal 106 is covered with the insulating member 108. In this case, the tip portion of the first plug terminal 105 that protrudes from the front end surface of the plug housing 101 protrudes from the front end surface of the insulating member 108.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 31, the tip of the first plug terminal 105 protruding from the front end surface of the insulating member 108 is cut so as to be substantially parallel to the front end surface of the insulating member 108.

[0040] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0041] (1) In the receptacle connector 200, the insulating member 208 is interposed between the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206. Therefore, even if the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 is mounted to the first circuit board by soldering, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 213I of the second receptacle terminal 206. Furthermore, even if metal materials with a high ionization tendency are used as the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206, the insulating member 208 suppresses the occurrence of ion migration between the first receptacle terminal 205 and the second receptacle terminal 206. Therefore, the versatility of the receptacle connector 200 can be increased.

[0042] (2) In the receptacle connector 200, of the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206, the tip surface 205a of one portion that protrudes relatively less from the receptacle holding portion 204 is covered with an insulating member 208, while the tip surface 205a of the other portion that protrudes relatively more from the receptacle holding portion 204 is exposed. As a result, the insulating member 208 is interposed between the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206, which are spaced apart in the direction of protrusion from the receptacle holding portion 204, thereby more effectively suppressing short circuits between the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206.

[0043] (3) In the receptacle connector 200, the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 protrudes more from the receptacle holding portion 204 than the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206. As a result, the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205, which protrudes outward from the insulating member 208 toward the outside of the receptacle connector 200, is mounted to the first circuit board by soldering, so a short circuit between the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0044] (4) In the receptacle connector 200, the second receptacle housing unit 201B has a third receptacle recess 219 that opens on the surface facing the first circuit board when the receptacle connector 200 is mounted on the first circuit board, and the third receptacle recess 219 accommodates the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 from the surface facing the first circuit board of the receptacle connector 200 is reduced, which can contribute to miniaturization of the receptacle connector 200.

[0045] (5) In the receptacle connector 200, the third receptacle recess 219 is connected to the first receptacle through-port 216 which penetrates the second receptacle housing unit 201B in the thickness direction. As a result, the first receptacle terminal 205 held by the second receptacle housing unit 201B is routed through the first receptacle through-port 216 to the surface of the receptacle connector 200 facing the first circuit board, which can contribute to further miniaturization of the receptacle connector 200.

[0046] (6) In the receptacle connector 200, the third receptacle recess 219 is open on both the surface facing the first circuit board when the receptacle connector 200 is mounted on the first circuit board, and on the outer surface of the insulating member 208 from which the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206 protrude. As a result, the first receptacle terminal 205 is housed in the third receptacle recess 219, and the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 213I of the second receptacle terminal 206 are routed to the outer surface of the insulating member 208 from which they protrude, thereby contributing to further miniaturization of the receptacle connector 200.

[0047] (7) In the plug connector 100, the insulating member 108 is interposed between the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106. Therefore, even if the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 is mounted to the first circuit board by soldering, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106. Furthermore, even if metal materials with a high ionization tendency are used for the first plug terminal 105 and the second plug terminal 106, the insulating member 108 suppresses the occurrence of ion migration between the first plug terminal 105 and the second plug terminal 106. Therefore, the versatility of the plug connector 100 can be increased.

[0048] (8) In the plug connector 100, of the mounted portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the unmounted portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106, the tip surface 106a of one portion that protrudes relatively less from the plug holding portion 104 is covered with an insulating member 108, while the tip surface 106a of the other portion that protrudes relatively more from the plug holding portion 104 is exposed. As a result, the insulating member 108 is interposed between the mounted portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the unmounted portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106, which are spaced apart in the direction of protrusion from the plug holding portion 104, thereby more effectively suppressing short circuits between the mounted portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the unmounted portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106.

[0049] (9) In the plug connector 100, the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 protrudes more from the plug holding portion 104 than the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106. As a result, the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105, which protrudes outward from the insulating member 108 toward the outside of the plug connector 100, is soldered to the second circuit board, thereby more effectively suppressing the occurrence of a short circuit between the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106.

[0050] (10) In the plug connector 100, the plug housing 101 has a fourth plug recess 113 that opens on the surface facing the second circuit board when the plug connector 100 is mounted on the first circuit board, and the fourth plug recess 113 accommodates the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105. As a result, the amount of protrusion of the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 from the surface of the plug connector 100 facing the second circuit board is reduced, which can contribute to miniaturization of the plug connector 100.

[0051] (11) In the plug connector 100, the fourth plug recess 113 is connected to the first plug through portion 114 which penetrates the plug housing 101 in the thickness direction. The first plug terminal 105 held by the plug holding portion 104 is routed through the first plug through portion 114 to the surface of the plug connector 100 facing the second circuit board, which can contribute to further miniaturization of the plug connector 100.

[0052] (12) In the plug connector 100, the fourth plug recess 113 is open on both the surface facing the second circuit board when the plug connector 100 is mounted on the second circuit board, and on the outer surface of the insulating member 108 from which the mounted portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the unmounted portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106 protrude. As a result, the first plug terminal 105 is housed in the fourth plug recess 113, and the mounted portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the unmounted portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106 are routed to the outer surface of the insulating member 108 from which they protrude, thereby contributing to further miniaturization of the plug connector 100.

[0053] The above embodiment can also be implemented in the following form.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the fourth plug recess 113 in the plug connector 100 does not need to open on both the outer surface of the insulating member 108 from which the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106 protrude.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the plug connector 100 may route the first plug terminal 105, held by the plug holding portion 104, through the side of the plug housing 101 to the surface of the plug connector 100 facing the second circuit board.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the plug housing 101 of the plug connector 100 does not need to have a fourth plug recess 113 that accommodates the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the amount of protrusion from the plug holding portion 104 of the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 may be smaller than that of the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106 in the plug connector 100.

[0058] In the above embodiment, in the plug connector 100, the amount of protrusion from the plug holding portion 104 of the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 may be approximately the same as that of the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the plug connector 100 is configured to interpose an insulating member 108 between the mounting portion 105A of the first plug terminal 105 and the non-mounting portion 106E of the second plug terminal 106. The method is not limited to the example described above, but for example, the tip of the second plug terminal 106 exposed from the plug housing 101 may be locally covered with an insulating member.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the third receptacle recess 219 in the receptacle connector 200 does not need to open on both the outer surface of the first receptacle housing unit 201A from which the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206 protrude.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the receptacle connector 200 may route the first receptacle terminal 205, held by the receptacle holding portion 204, through the side of the first receptacle housing unit 201A to the surface of the receptacle connector 200 facing the first circuit board.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the receptacle housing 201 of the receptacle connector 200 does not need to have a third receptacle recess 219 that accommodates the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 of the receptacle connector 200 may have a smaller protrusion from the receptacle holding portion 204 compared to the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206.

[0064] In the above embodiment, in the receptacle connector 200, the amount of protrusion from the receptacle holding portion 204 of the mounting portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 may be approximately the same as that of the non-mounting portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the receptacle connector 200 is configured not only to interpose an insulating member 208 between the mounted portion 205A of the first receptacle terminal 205 and the unmounted portion 206I of the second receptacle terminal 206, but also, for example, to locally cover the tip of the second receptacle terminal 206 exposed from the second receptacle housing unit 201B.

[0066] It should be noted that the individual embodiments of the present invention are not independent but can be combined and implemented as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are illustrative examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 100...Plug connector, 103...Plug terminal (terminal), 104...Plug retaining part (retaining part), 105...First plug terminal (first terminal), 105A...Mounting part, 106...Second plug terminal (second terminal), 106A...Mounting part, 106E...Non-mounting part, 108...Insulating material, 113...(First recess), 114...First plug through part (through part), 200...Receptacle connector T, 203...Receptacle terminal (terminal), 204...Receptacle holding part (holding part), 205...First receptacle terminal (first terminal), 205A...Mounting part, 206...Second receptacle terminal (second terminal), 206A...Mounting part, 206I...Non-mounting part, 208...Insulating member, 216...First receptacle through part (through part), 219...Third receptacle recess (first recess).

Claims

1. A connector mounted on a circuit board, Multiple terminals, A retaining member having a retaining portion for holding the plurality of terminals Equipped with, The plurality of terminals include first terminals and second terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the connector, Each of the first terminal and the second terminal includes a mounting portion which is mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board. The second terminal includes a non-mounted portion that is not mounted on the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board. The mounting portion of the first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal extend from the holding portion toward the outside of the connector. An insulating member is interposed between the mounting portion of the adjacent first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal. connector.

2. The mounting portion of the first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal are configured such that the amount of protrusion from the holding portion is different from that of the other. Of the mounting portion of the first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal, the tip surface of the portion that protrudes relatively less from the holding portion is covered with the insulating member, while the tip surface of the other portion that protrudes relatively more from the holding portion is exposed. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The mounting portion of the first terminal has a larger protrusion from the holding portion compared to the non-mounted portion of the second terminal. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The retaining member has a recess that opens on the surface facing the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board, The recess accommodates the mounting portion of the first terminal. The connector according to claim 1.

5. The recess is connected to a through portion that penetrates the retaining member in the thickness direction. The connector according to claim 4.

6. The recess is open on both the surface facing the circuit board when the connector is mounted on the circuit board, and on the outer surface of the retaining member from which the mounted portion of the first terminal and the unmounted portion of the second terminal protrude. The connector according to claim 4.

7. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The mating connector that is mated with the aforementioned connector including, Connector assembly.

8. A method for manufacturing a connector mounted on a circuit board, A first step is to hold a plurality of terminals, including first and second terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the connector, in the holding portion of the holding member. A second step involves interposing an insulating member between a mounting portion of the first terminal, where the connector is mounted on the circuit board, and a non-mounted portion of the second terminal adjacent to the first terminal, where the connector is mounted on the circuit board but not mounted on the circuit board. including, A method for manufacturing connectors.

9. The second step is, A step of cutting one of the mounting portion of the first terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second terminal, which protrudes relatively less from the holding portion, so as to be along the outer surface of the holding member, A step of covering the outer surface of the retaining member with the insulating member, A step of cutting the other portion of the first terminal's mounting portion and the second terminal's non-mounting portion that protrudes relatively more from the holding portion, so as to follow the outer surface of the covered insulating member, including, A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 8.

10. A plug connector mounted on a circuit board, Multiple plug terminals, A plug housing having a plug holding portion that holds the plurality of plug terminals Equipped with, The plurality of plug terminals include first plug terminals and second plug terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the plug connector, Each of the first plug terminal and the second plug terminal includes a mounting portion that is mounted on the circuit board with the plug connector mounted on the circuit board, and a non-mounting portion that is not mounted on the circuit board. The mounting portion of the first plug terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second plug terminal extend from the plug holding portion toward the outside of the plug connector. The tip surface of the second plug terminal is covered with an insulating material, and the insulating material is interposed between the mounting portion of the adjacent first plug terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second plug terminal. Plug connector.

11. A receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board, Multiple receptacle terminals, A receptacle housing having a receptacle holding portion that holds the plurality of receptacle terminals Equipped with, The plurality of receptacle terminals include first receptacle terminals and second receptacle terminals arranged alternately in a direction intersecting the height direction of the receptacle connector, The first receptacle terminal includes a mounting portion that is mounted on the circuit board with the receptacle connector mounted on the circuit board, The second receptacle terminal includes a mounting portion which is mounted on the circuit board while the receptacle connector is mounted on the circuit board, and a non-mounting portion which is not mounted on the circuit board while the receptacle connector is mounted on the circuit board. The mounting portion of the first receptacle terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second receptacle terminal extend from the receptacle holding portion toward the outside of the receptacle connector. The tip surface of the second receptacle terminal is covered with an insulating material, and the insulating material is interposed between the mounting portion of the adjacent first receptacle terminal and the non-mounting portion of the second receptacle terminal. Receptacle connector.

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