Circuit board connection structure

Abstract

This invention provides a connecting structure that allows multiple circuit boards to be linked together while suppressing an increase in the number of components. [Solution] Any two adjacent circuit boards have mounting surfaces on opposite sides, a plug connector 1 is mounted on the mounting surface of one circuit board, and a socket connector 202 is mounted on the mounting surface of the other circuit board, so that the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 are mated together, the movable housing 40 of the socket connector 1 has a guide locking strip 43 and a guide locking groove 45, and the socket housing 280 of the socket connector 202 has a guide locking groove 285 and a guide locking strip 283, the guide locking strip 43 and the guide locking groove 45 and the guide locking groove 285 and the guide locking strip 283 guide each other in the insertion / removal direction during the connector mating connection process and lock each other in the connection direction when the connector is mated together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for connecting a plurality of circuit boards on which electronic components are mounted.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for connecting a plurality of circuit boards provided with male connectors in one housing. An opening for receiving a circuit board is formed on one side portion of the housing, and one main board is arranged on the other side portion located on the opposite side of the opening. Each circuit board is inserted from the opening toward the main board in a posture perpendicular to the main board with the direction parallel to the board surface of the circuit board as the insertion direction. The male connector of the circuit board is fitted and connected to the female connector provided on the main board in the insertion direction. As a result, a plurality of circuit boards are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the board surface and are indirectly connected via the main board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a plurality of circuit boards are connected via a main board. Further, the same number of female connectors for connecting to the male connectors of each circuit board as the number of male connectors are mounted on the main board. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a main board and a large number of female connectors are required, and there is room for improvement in terms of suppressing the number of components.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure capable of connecting a plurality of circuit boards while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The circuit board connecting structure according to the present invention connects a plurality of circuit boards on which connectors are mounted.

[0007] In the circuit board connection structure described in (1), the plurality of circuit boards are arranged such that the board surfaces of the circuit boards are perpendicular to the connection direction of the circuit boards, and any circuit board is electrically connected to an adjacent circuit board with one direction parallel to the board surface as the insertion / removal direction, the connector has a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals in an arrangement, any two adjacent circuit boards have mounting surfaces on board surfaces facing each other, a first connector is mounted on the mounting surface of one circuit board and a second connector is mounted on the mounting surface of the other circuit board, and the first connector and the second connector are mated together, the housing of the first connector has a first guide locking portion, the housing of the second connector has a second guide locking portion, the first guide locking portion and the second guide locking portion guide each other in the insertion / removal direction during the connector mating connection process and lock each other in the connection direction when the connector is mated together.

[0008] In the invention described in (1) above, connectors provided on opposing mounting surfaces of any two adjacent circuit boards, namely the first connector and the second connector, are mated and connected in an insertion / removal direction parallel to the circuit boards. Thus, in the invention described in (1) above, the circuit boards are connected to each other via connectors provided on their respective mounting surfaces. Therefore, a main board for connecting multiple circuit boards and connectors mounted on the main board are not required, as in the conventional method, thus suppressing an increase in the number of components. Furthermore, in the invention described in (1) above, the first connector and the second connector are guided by the first guide locking part and the second guide locking part in the insertion / removal direction during the connector mating connection process, allowing the connectors to be smoothly mated and connected. In addition, the first connector and the second connector lock into each other in the connection direction when the connectors are mated and connected, thus maintaining a stable connector mating connection state.

[0009] (2) In the invention of (1), one of the first guide locking portion and the second guide locking portion may have a groove portion that extends in the insertion and removal direction, and the other may have a groove portion that extends in the insertion and removal direction and receives and guides the groove portion.

[0010] (3) The circuit board connecting structure according to the present invention, which is different from the invention described in (1) above, connects a plurality of circuit boards on which connectors are mounted.

[0011] In the circuit board connection structure described in (3), the plurality of circuit boards are arranged such that the board surfaces of the circuit boards are perpendicular to the connection direction of the circuit boards, and any circuit board is electrically connected to an adjacent circuit board with one direction parallel to the board surface as the insertion / removal direction, the connector has a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals in an arrangement, any two adjacent circuit boards have mounting surfaces on board surfaces facing each other, a first connector is mounted on the mounting surface of one circuit board and a second connector is mounted on the mounting surface of the other circuit board, the first connector and the second connector are mated together, and the housing of at least one of the first connector and the second connector is displaceable in a direction parallel to the board surface of the circuit board.

[0012] In the invention of (3) above, connectors provided on opposing mounting surfaces of any two adjacent circuit boards, namely the first connector and the second connector, are mated and connected in an insertion / removal direction parallel to the circuit boards. In this way, in the invention of (3) above, the circuit boards are connected to each other via connectors provided on their respective mounting surfaces. Therefore, a main board for connecting multiple circuit boards and connectors mounted on the main board are not required as in the conventional method, and the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the invention of (3) above, even if the relative positions of the first connector and the second connector are shifted from their normal positions in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction, the displacement between the connectors can be absorbed during the connector mating process and in the connector mated state by the displacement of the housing of at least one of the first and second connectors.

[0013] (4) In the invention of (3) above, at least one of the first connector and the second connector has a housing which is fixed to the circuit board via the terminals and a movable housing which is movable relative to the fixed housing, and the terminals are provided which span between the fixed housing and the movable housing, and the relative movement of the movable housing is permitted by the elastic displacement of the terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention provides a connecting structure that can connect multiple circuit boards while suppressing an increase in the number of components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the state immediately before attaching one connector mount and (B) shows the state after all connector mounts have been attached. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the electronic device, seen from the rear. [Figure 3]Perspective view of the connector implementation unit alone, where (A) shows the state seen from one mounting surface side and (B) shows the state seen from the other mounting surface side. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the plug connector. [Figure 5] Perspective view showing each member constituting the plug connector separated. [Figure 6] (A) is a perspective view of the plug signal terminal alone, and (B) is a perspective view of the plug power terminal alone. [Figure 7] (A) is a plan view of a part of the plug connector seen in the connecting direction, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of a part of the plug connector on a plane perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction. [Figure 8] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIIIA-VIIIA line in Fig. 7(A), and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIIIB-VIIIB line in Fig. 7(A). [Figure 9] Perspective view of the socket connector. [Figure 10] Perspective view showing each member constituting the socket connector separated. [Figure 11] (A) is a perspective view of the socket signal terminal alone, and (B) is a perspective view of the socket power terminal alone. [Figure 12] (A) is a plan view of a part of the socket connector seen in the connecting direction, and (B) is a side view of a part of the socket connector seen in the connecting direction. [Figure 13] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIIIA-XIIIA line in Fig. 12(A), and (B) is a partially enlarged view of (A). [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV line in Fig. 12(A). [Figure 15] Perspective view of the connector assembly composed of the plug connector and the socket connector, where (A) shows the state before fitting connection and (B) shows the fitting connection state. [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view of the connector assembly on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the cross-section at the position of the signal terminal. [Figure 17]This is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly from a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the cross-section at the power terminal location. [Figure 18] This is a side view of a connector assembly in a mated state, viewed in the insertion / removal direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0017] Figures 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views of an electronic device in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(A) shows the state immediately before attaching one connector mount, and Figure 1(B) shows the state after all connector mounts have been attached. Figure 2 is a side view of the electronic device viewed from the rear. The electronic device E of this embodiment has a housing C with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a plurality of (five in this embodiment) connector mounts I to V connected within the housing C with the X-axis direction as the connecting direction. The electronic device E is used, for example, in a control system installed in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

[0018] In this embodiment, connector mounting units IV, II, I, III, and V are arranged and connected in order from the X1 side. As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), connector mounting units I to V are attached to the housing C so as to be insertable and removable in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, connector mounting units I to V are inserted forward (Y1 direction) to attach to the housing C and pulled out backward (Y2 direction) to remove from the housing C.

[0019] Rails C1 to C5 are formed in the housing C at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. Rails C1 to C5 are formed as grooves that extend in the front-rear direction and are recessed from the upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing C at positions corresponding to each of the connector mounting units I to V. When mounting and removing the connector mounting units I to V from the housing C, the upper and lower ends of the circuit boards P1 to P5 (described later) are guided in the front-rear direction by rails C1 to C5. In addition, the movement of the upper and lower ends of the circuit boards P1 to P5 in the connection direction (X-axis direction) is restricted by the inner surface of the grooves of rails C1 to C5, thereby positioning the connector mounting units I to V in the connection direction. Furthermore, the front ends of rails C1 to C5 are closed, and the connector mounting units I to V mounted on the housing C are positioned in the front-rear direction by the circuit boards P1 to P5 contacting the front end surface of rails C1 to C5 from behind.

[0020] The connector assembly I comprises a circuit board P1 whose board surface is positioned perpendicular to the connection direction (X-axis direction), and a plug connector 1 as a first connector and a socket connector 2 as a second connector, which are mounted on the front end side (Y1 side) of the circuit board P1. The circuit board P1 has mounting surfaces on both board surfaces, namely the board surface on the X1 side and the board surface on the X2 side. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(A) and (B), the plug connector 1 is an electrical connector for the circuit board mounted on the front end side of the mounting surface on the X1 side, and the socket connector 2 is an electrical connector for the circuit board mounted on the front end side of the mounting surface on the X2 side.

[0021] Connector assembly II and III have the exact same configuration as connector assembly I. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, connector assembly II has a circuit board P2, a plug connector 201 as the first connector, and a socket connector 202 as the second connector. Connector assembly III has a circuit board P3, a plug connector 301 as the first connector, and a socket connector 302 as the second connector.

[0022] Connector mounts IV and V differ in configuration from connector mounts I to III in that the connector is mounted on only one side of the circuit board. Specifically, connector mount IV has a circuit board P4 and a socket connector 402 as the second connector. Due to the position of connector mount IV being closest to X1, the circuit board P4 has a mounting surface only on the X2 side, and the socket connector 402 is positioned on this mounting surface. Similarly, connector mount V has a circuit board P5 and a plug connector 501 as the first connector. Due to the position of connector mount V being closest to X2, the circuit board P5 has a mounting surface only on the X1 side, and the plug connector 501 is positioned on this mounting surface.

[0023] Of the connector mounting units I to V, any two adjacent connector mounting units are mated and connected with the connectors positioned on their opposing mounting surfaces in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). For example, in connector mounting unit I, plug connector 1 is mated and connected to socket connector 202 of connector mounting unit II, and socket connector 2 is mated and connected to plug connector 301 of connector mounting unit III. In this case, socket connector 202 is the mating connector for plug connector 1, and plug connector 1 is the mating connector for socket connector 202. Also, plug connector 301 is the mating connector for socket connector 2, and socket connector 2 is the mating connector for plug connector 301. In this way, the connectors are mated and connected with the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surfaces of the circuit boards P1 to P5 as the insertion and removal direction, thereby connecting the multiple circuit boards P1 to P5 with the X-axis direction as the connection direction.

[0024] The configurations of plug connector 1 and socket connector 2 are described below. The configurations of plug connectors 201, 301, and 501 are the same as those of plug connector 1, so their description is omitted. Similarly, the configurations of socket connectors 202, 302, and 402 are the same as those of socket connector 2, so their description is omitted.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the plug connector 1 has a plurality of plug terminals 10, 20, a plug housing that holds the plurality of plug terminals 10, 20, and a plug fixing bracket 50 held in the plug housing. The plurality of plug terminals 10, 20 have a plurality of plug signal terminals 10 and a plurality of plug power terminals 20. The plug housing has a fixed housing 30 that is fixed to the circuit board P1 via the plurality of plug terminals 10, 20, and a movable housing 40 that is movable relative to the fixed housing 30.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the multiple plug terminals 10 and 20 are arranged with the terminal arrangement direction being the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). The plug terminals 10 and 20 are made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction, and are positioned so that the thickness surface is perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, and are provided spanning between the fixed housing 30 and the movable housing 40.

[0027] The plug terminals 10 and 20 are formed to form two terminal rows, specifically a rear terminal row and a front terminal row. Here, the "front terminal row" is formed by the plug terminals 10 and 20 attached to the movable housing 40 from the rear (Y2 side). The "rear terminal row" is formed by the plug terminals 10 and 20 attached to the movable housing 40 from the front (Y1 side).

[0028] The plug signal terminals 10 of the two terminal rows are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction and in a symmetrical orientation in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 5 (see also Figures 7(A) and 8(A)). By arranging the plug signal terminals 10 in this way to form two terminal rows, it is possible to increase the number of plug signal terminals 10 while minimizing the increase in size of the plug connector 1 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the plug power terminals 20 are arranged in pairs on each side of the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10 in the terminal arrangement direction, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Here, on each side, the plug power terminals 20 that are attached to the movable housing 40 from the rear are included in the rear terminal row, and the plug power terminals 20 that are attached to the movable housing 40 from the front are included in the front terminal row. Furthermore, on each side, the two plug power terminals 20 are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction, but in a symmetrical orientation in the front-to-back direction.

[0030] Figure 6(A) is a perspective view of the plug signal terminal 10 alone. Figure 6(A) shows the plug signal terminal 10 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row. Here, the configuration of the plug signal terminal 10 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row will be explained based on Figure 6(A). The plug signal terminal 10 in the front (Y1 side) terminal row has the same shape as the plug signal terminal 10 shown in Figure 6(A), so its explanation will be omitted.

[0031] The plug signal terminal 10 includes a signal connection portion 11 provided at one end and connected to the circuit board P1, a signal contact arm portion 12 provided at the other end and in contact with the socket connector 202 which is the mating connector, a fixed-side held portion 13 held by the fixed housing 30, a movable-side held portion 14 held by the movable housing 40, and an elastic portion 15 provided between the fixed-side held portion 13 and the movable-side held portion 14 that is elastically displaceable.

[0032] The signal connection portion 11 extends backward (in the Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board P1. The fixed-side retained portion 13 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection portion 11 and extends in the X1 direction (upwards in Figure 6(A)) in the connection direction. The fixed-side retained portion 13 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 13A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0033] The elastic part 15 connects the ends of the fixed-side held part 13 and the movable-side held part 14, and is elastically displaceable in the connection direction (X-axis direction), the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The elastic part 15 has a bent arm portion 15A that extends from the fixed-side held part 13 in a roughly horizontal U-shape, and a transition portion 15B that extends from the bent arm portion 15A toward the X1 direction.

[0034] The bent arm portion 15A extends from the X1-side end of the fixed-side holding portion 13, bending in the order of forward (Y1 direction), X1 direction, and backward (Y2 direction), forming a roughly transverse U-shape that opens towards the rear. The transition portion 15B is bent at the end of the bent arm portion 15A and extends in the X1 direction, and is connected to the movable-side holding portion 14. The elastic portion 15 has a slit 15C at its central position in the terminal width direction that extends along the longitudinal direction of the elastic portion 15. Therefore, the elastic portion 15 can be elastically displaced by the thin strips formed on both sides of the slit 15C, and as a result, it is easier to secure a large amount of elastic displacement, and consequently a large amount of floating of the movable housing 40.

[0035] The movable side retained portion 14 is bent at the X1 side end of the transition portion 15B and extends forward (towards the Y1 side). The movable side retained portion 14 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 14A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z axis direction). The signal contact arm portion 12 has an upright portion 12A that is bent at the front end of the movable side retained portion 14 and extends toward the X1 side in the connection direction, and a crank portion 12B that extends forward in a crank shape from the X1 side end of the upright portion 12A.

[0036] In the crank portion 12B, the portion extending straight forward from the X1-side end of the upright portion 12A forms a signal contact portion 12B-1 that can contact the socket connector 202 on the X1-side plate surface. Specifically, the signal contact portion 12B-1 has a contact surface on the X1-side plate surface, and with the connection direction (X-axis direction) as the contact direction, it is possible to contact the socket signal terminal 260 provided on the socket connector 202 with this contact surface (see Figure 16).

[0037] Furthermore, in the crank portion 12B, the portion located forward of the signal contact portion 12B-1 and on the Z2 side in the connection direction, extending in the front-rear direction, forms a supported portion 12B-2 supported by the movable housing 40. Thus, the supported portion 12B-2 formed on the free end side of the signal contact arm portion 12 is located on the X2 side of the signal contact portion 12B-1. Therefore, when inserting or removing the connector, the signal contact arm portion 12 is less likely to interfere with the mating terminal, i.e., the free end of the socket signal terminal 260 provided on the socket connector 202, and thus unintentional deformation of the signal contact arm portion 12 due to buckling or the like can be effectively suppressed.

[0038] The plug signal terminal 10 is attached by press-fitting the fixed-side retained portion 13 into the fixed housing 30 in the connection direction (X-axis direction), and by press-fitting the movable-side retained portion 14 into the movable housing 40 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 8(A), the plug signal terminals 10 of the front (Y1 side) terminal row and the plug signal terminals 10 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row are arranged without overlapping areas in the front-rear direction when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0039] Figure 6(B) is a perspective view of the plug power terminal 20 alone. Figure 6(B) shows the plug power terminal 20 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row. Here, the configuration of the plug power terminal 20 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row will be described based on Figure 6(B). The plug power terminal 20 in the front (Y1 side) terminal row has the same shape as the plug power terminal 20 shown in Figure 6(B), so its description will be omitted.

[0040] The plug power terminal 20 has a wider terminal width than the plug signal terminal 10, meaning it is made by bending a wide metal strip in the thickness direction. The plug power terminal 20 has a power connection portion 21 provided at one end and connected to the circuit board P1, a power contact arm portion 22 provided at the other end and in contact with the socket connector 202 which is the mating connector, a fixed-side held portion 23 held by the fixed housing 30, a movable-side held portion 24 held by the movable housing 40, and an elastic portion 25 provided between the fixed-side held portion 23 and the movable-side held portion 24 that is elastically displaceable.

[0041] The power connection section 21 extends backward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit section of the circuit board P1. The fixed-side retained section 23 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection section 11 and extends toward the X1 side (upwards in Figure 6(B)) in the connection direction. The fixed-side retained section 13 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 23A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction).

[0042] The elastic portion 25 connects the ends of the fixed-side held portion 23 and the movable-side held portion 24, and is elastically displaceable in the connection direction (X-axis direction), the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), and the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction). The elastic portion 25 has a transition portion 25D extending in the X1 direction from the X1-side end of the fixed-side held portion 23, a bent arm portion 25A extending from the transition portion 25D in a roughly horizontal U-shape, and a transition portion 25B extending from the bent arm portion 25A in the X1 direction.

[0043] The bent arm portion 25A extends from the X1-side end of the transition portion 25D, bending in the order of forward (Y1 direction), X1 direction, and backward (Y2 direction), forming a roughly transverse U-shape that opens towards the rear. The transition portion 25B extends in the X1 direction, bent at the end of the bent arm portion 25A, and is connected to the movable side holding portion 24. The elastic portion 25 has slits 25C extending along the longitudinal direction of the elastic portion 25 at multiple intermediate positions in the terminal width direction. Therefore, the elastic portion 25 can be elastically displaced by the thin strips formed on both sides of each slit 25C, and as a result, it is easier to secure a large amount of elastic displacement, and consequently a large amount of floating of the movable housing 40.

[0044] The movable side retained portion 24 is bent at the X1 side end of the transition portion 25B and extends forward (towards Y1). The movable side retained portion 24 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 24A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z axis direction). The power supply contact arm portion 22 has an upright portion 22A that extends from the front end of the movable side retained portion 24 toward the X1 side in the connection direction, a power supply contact portion 22B that extends forward from the end of the upright portion 22A, and an inclined portion 22C that extends forward while inclined from the end of the power supply contact portion 22B.

[0045] The power supply contact portion 22B extends in a straight line and can contact the socket connector 202 with its plate surface on the X1 side. Specifically, the power supply contact portion 22B has a contact surface on the plate surface on the X1 side, and can contact the socket power terminal 270 provided on the socket connector 202 with the contact surface in the connection direction (X-axis direction) (see Figure 17). The inclined portion 22C extends so as to be inclined toward the X2 side as it moves forward. Because the inclined portion 22C formed on the free end side of the power supply contact arm portion 22 is inclined toward the X2 side, the power supply contact arm portion 22 is less likely to interfere with the mating terminal, i.e., the free end of the socket power terminal 270 provided on the socket connector 202, when inserting or removing the connector, thus effectively suppressing unintended deformation of the power supply contact arm portion 22 due to buckling, etc.

[0046] The plug power terminal 20 is attached by press-fitting the fixed-side retained portion 23 into the fixed housing 30 in the connection direction (X-axis direction), and by press-fitting the movable-side retained portion 24 into the movable housing 40 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figures 4 and 7(A), the two plug power terminals 20 provided at each end of the plug connector 1 are arranged so that they overlap with each other in the front-rear direction when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, the plug power terminals 20 of these two terminal rows are arranged so that the power contact portions 22B of the power contact arms 22 overlap with each other in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figures 4 and 7(A). By arranging the power contact arms 22 in this way, it is possible to make each power contact arm 22 longer and secure a large so-called spring length while avoiding an increase in the size of the plug connector 1 in the insertion / removal direction. Also, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), the bending arms 25A of the elastic portion 25 are arranged so that they overlap with each other in the front-rear direction. By arranging the elastic parts 25 in this manner, it is possible to increase the size of the plug connector 1 in the insertion / removal direction while making each elastic part 25 longer, thereby securing a larger spring length. Consequently, the amount of displacement of the movable housing 40, i.e., the amount of floating, can be increased.

[0047] The fixed housing 30 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin and has a rectangular frame shape with the terminal arrangement direction as its longitudinal direction when viewed in the connection direction (X1 direction). As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fixed housing 30 has two side walls 31 extending in the terminal arrangement direction and two end walls 32 extending in the front-rear direction and connecting the ends of the side walls 31. The fixed housing 30 houses a part of the movable housing 40 in an internal space 33 (see Figure 5) surrounded by the two side walls 31 and the two end walls 32.

[0048] The side wall 31 has an intermediate wall 31A located in an intermediate range including the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, and connecting walls 31B located on both sides of the intermediate wall 31A and connecting the intermediate wall 31A and the end wall 32. As shown in Figure 5, the intermediate wall 31A has multiple fixed-side narrow grooves 31C formed at equal intervals within the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10 for holding the plug signal terminals 10. The intermediate wall 31A also has one fixed-side wide groove 31D formed on each side of the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10 for holding the plug power terminals 20. The fixed-side narrow grooves 31C and fixed-side wide grooves 31D are recessed from the inner surface of the intermediate wall 31A and extend in the connecting direction (X-axis direction), with the end on the X2 side being open. The fixed-side narrow grooves 31C receive the fixed-side retained portion 13 of the plug signal terminal 10 from the X2 side and press-fit and hold it. The wide fixed groove 31D has a wider groove width (width in the terminal arrangement direction) than the narrow fixed groove 31C, and receives the fixed-side retained portion 23 of the plug power terminal 20 from the X2 side and press-fits and holds it in place.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end wall 32 has a restricting portion 32A that protrudes from the inner surface of the X1-side end of the end wall 32 at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the restricting portion 32A is located on the X1 side relative to the restricted portion 44B provided on the movable housing 40, and by engaging with the restricted portion 44B from the X1 side, it is possible to restrict the movement of the movable housing 40 in the X1 direction beyond a predetermined amount. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end wall 32 has a fitting holding groove portion 32B for holding the plug fixing fitting 50 at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction. The fitting holding groove portion 32B is recessed from the outer surface of the end wall 32 and is T-shaped when viewed in the connection direction, penetrating the end wall 32 in the connection direction. The fitting holding groove portion 32B receives the plug fixing fitting 50 from the X1 side and press-fits and holds it.

[0050] The movable housing 40 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin, and a portion of it (the lower part in Figure 4) is housed within the internal space 33 (see Figure 5) of the fixed housing 30. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the movable housing 40 has a base wall 41 extending in the terminal arrangement direction, end walls 42 extending in the X2 direction in the connection direction from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction, guide locking strips 43 as first guide locking parts protruding outward in the terminal arrangement direction from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction, and protruding parts 44 extending outward in the terminal arrangement direction from the end walls 42.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the base wall 41 has multiple narrow retaining grooves 41A for holding the movable retained portion 14 of the plug signal terminal 10 and multiple narrow housing grooves 41B for accommodating the crank portion 12B of the plug signal terminal 10, within the arrangement range of the plug signal terminal 10. As shown in Figure 8(A), the narrow retaining grooves 41A and narrow housing grooves 41B are recessed from the X1 side surface of the base wall 41 and extend in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), forming two rows and arranged at equal intervals in the terminal arrangement direction. The narrow retaining grooves 41A are formed at the front end (Y1 side end) and rear end (Y2 side end) of the base wall 41, as shown in Figure 8(A). The narrow housing grooves 41B are formed closer to the Z1 side than the narrow retaining grooves 41A in the connection direction, and further inward than the narrow retaining grooves 41A in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The narrow retaining groove 41A receives and press-fits the movable retained portion 14 of the plug signal terminal 10 from the outside in the front-rear direction. At this time, as shown in Figure 8(A), the movable retained portion 14 is supported from the X2 side at the bottom of the groove of the narrow retaining groove 41A. The narrow housing groove 41B also receives and houses the crank portion 12B of the plug signal terminal 10 from the outside in the front-rear direction. At this time, as shown in Figure 8(A), in the crank portion 12B, the signal contact portion 12B-1 is positioned with a gap in the connection direction (X-axis direction) between it and the bottom of the groove of the narrow housing groove 41B, and the supported portion 12B-2 is supported from the X2 side at the bottom of the groove of the narrow housing groove 41B.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the base wall 41 has multiple wide accommodating grooves 41C within the arrangement range of the plug power terminals 20 to accommodate the movable side holding portion 24 and the power contact arm portion 22 of the plug power terminals 20. Two wide accommodating grooves 41C are formed on each side of the arrangement range of the plug signal terminals 10, on the Z1 side and on the Z2 side. The wide accommodating grooves 41C are recessed from the X1 side surface of the base wall 41 and extend in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction), penetrating the base wall 41.

[0054] The wide receiving groove 41C has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 on one end side in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) for holding the movable retained portion 24. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7(A), at the Z1 end of the base wall 41, of the two wide receiving grooves 41C, the wide receiving groove 41C located on the outside (Z1 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side), and the wide receiving groove 41C located on the inside (Z2 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side). Furthermore, at the Z2-side end of the base wall 41, of the two wide receiving grooves 41C, the wide receiving groove 41C located on the outside (Z2 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side), and the wide receiving groove 41C located on the inside (Z1 side) in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 41C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side). As shown in Figure 8(B), the wide retaining groove 41C-1 extends in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) along the groove bottom surface of the wide receiving groove 41C, and receives and press-fits the movable retained portion 24 of the plug power terminal 20 from the outside in the front-rear direction.

[0055] The wide receiving groove 41C receives the movable side retained portion 24 and the power contact arm portion 22 of the plug power terminal 20 from one side in the front-rear direction, specifically from the side where the wide receiving groove 41C-1 is located. At this time, as shown in Figure 8(B), the movable side retained portion 24 is supported by the bottom of the groove of the wide receiving groove 41C-1 from the X2 side. The wide receiving groove 41C also accommodates the power contact arm portion 22. At this time, as shown in Figure 8(B), the power contact arm portion 22 is positioned with a gap in the connection direction (X-axis direction) between it and the bottom of the groove of the wide receiving groove 41C.

[0056] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the guide locking strips 43 protrude outward from both ends of the base wall 41 in the terminal arrangement direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The guide locking strips 43 guide each other with the socket connector 202 in the front-rear direction and lock each other with the socket connector 202 in the connection direction. Specifically, during the connector mating connection process, the guide locking strips 43 enter the guide locking groove 285, which serves as the second guide locking part of the socket connector 202, and guide each other with the inner surface of the groove 285 in the front-rear direction. In addition, when the connector is mated, the guide locking strips 43 lock with the inner surface of the groove 285 in the connection direction (see Figure 18).

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the protruding portion 44 extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction from the X2-side end of the end wall 42 and also extends in the front-rear direction. In the connection direction, the protruding portion 44 is located on the X2 side of the guide locking strip portion 43 and has a gap between it and the guide locking strip portion 43, and in the terminal arrangement direction, it protrudes outward from the guide locking strip portion 43. At the outer end of the protruding portion 44 in the terminal arrangement direction, at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction, there is an end recess 44A that is recessed from the X1-side surface of the protruding portion 44, and a restricted portion 44B located on the X2 side of the end recess 44A. As shown in Figure 7(B), the end recess 44A accommodates a part of the restricted portion 32A of the fixed housing 30. The restricted portion 44B is located on the X2 side (directly below in Figure 7(B)) relative to the restricted portion 32A and faces the restricted portion 32A from the X2 side.

[0058] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7(B), a guide locking groove 45 is formed between the guide locking strip 43 and the protruding portion 44 in the connection direction, serving as a first guide locking portion that is open outward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking groove 45 guides the socket connector 202 in the front-rear direction and locks with the socket connector 202 in the connection direction. Specifically, during the connector mating connection process, the guide locking groove 45 receives the guide locking strip 284 of the socket connector 202, which serves as a second guide locking portion, and guides the guide locking strip 284 with the guide locking strip 284 in the front-rear direction on the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 45. Furthermore, in the connector mating connection state, the guide locking groove 45 locks with the guide locking strip 284 in the connection direction on the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 45 (see Figure 18).

[0059] The guide locking groove 45 extends across the entire range of the movable housing 40 in the front-rear direction, with its front and rear ends open. Therefore, the guide locking groove 45 can receive the guide locking strip 284 of the socket connector 202 from either the front or the rear side.

[0060] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the plug fixing bracket 50 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction and has a retained plate portion 51 with a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and a fixing portion 52 that is bent at the X2 side end of the retained plate portion 51 and extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction. The retained plate portion 51 is press-fitted into the bracket retaining groove portion 32B of the fixing housing 30 from the X1 side and both side edges (edges extending in the connection direction) are held by the bracket retaining groove portion 32B. The fixing portion 52 is fixed to the corresponding part of the circuit board P1 by solder connection.

[0061] The plug connector 1 is assembled in the following manner. First, the plug signal terminal 10 is attached to the movable housing 40 by press-fitting the movable side retained portion 14 of the plug signal terminal 10 into the narrow retaining groove portion 41A of the movable housing 40 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the plug signal terminal 10 of the terminal row on the front (Y1 side) is attached from the front, and the plug signal terminal 10 of the terminal row on the rear (Y2 side) is attached from the rear. At this time, the crank portion 12B of the signal contact arm portion 12 of the plug signal terminal 10 is housed in the narrow housing groove portion 41B, and the supported portion 12B-2 is supported at the bottom of the groove of the narrow housing groove portion 41B.

[0062] Furthermore, the plug power terminal 20 is attached to the movable housing 40 by press-fitting the movable side retaining portion 24 of the plug power terminal 20 into the wide housing groove portion 41C of the movable housing 40 in the front-rear direction. At this time, the plug power terminal 20 located on the outer side of the Z1 end and the inner side of the Z2 end of the base wall 41 is attached from the front, and the plug power terminal 20 located on the inner side of the Z1 end and the outer side of the Z2 end of the base wall 41 is attached from the rear. By attaching the plug power terminal 20 in this way, the power contact arm portion 22 is also housed in the wide housing groove portion 41C together with the movable side retaining portion 24. The process of attaching the plug signal terminal 10 and the process of attaching the plug power terminal 20 may be performed in either order, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0063] Next, the fixed housing 30 is brought from the X1 side toward the movable housing 40 and the plug terminals 10 and 20, thereby attaching the plug terminals 10 and 20 to the fixed housing 30. Specifically, the fixed side retaining portion 13 of the plug signal terminal 10 is press-fitted into the fixed side narrow groove portion 31C of the fixed housing 30 from the X2 side in the connecting direction. Also, the fixed side retaining portion 23 of the plug power terminal 20 is press-fitted into the fixed side wide groove portion 31D of the fixed housing 30 from the X2 side in the connecting direction. As the plug terminals 10 and 20 are attached to the fixed housing 30, the movable housing 40 enters the internal space 33 of the fixed housing 30 from the X2 side, and a portion of it is housed in the internal space 33.

[0064] Next, the plug fixing bracket 50 is attached to the fixing housing 30 by press-fitting the retained plate portion 51 of the plug fixing bracket 50 into the bracket retaining groove portion 32B of the fixing housing 30 from the X1 side. Note that the installation of the plug fixing bracket 50 may be performed before or simultaneously with the installation of the plug terminals 10 and 20 to the fixing housing 30. By attaching the plug terminals 10 and 20 and the plug fixing bracket 50 to the plug housing in this manner, the assembly of the plug connector 1 is completed.

[0065] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the socket connector 2 has a plurality of socket terminals 60, 70, a socket housing 80 that holds the plurality of socket terminals 60, 70, and a socket fixing bracket 90 that is held in the socket housing 80. The plurality of socket terminals 60, 70 have a plurality of socket signal terminals 60 and a plurality of socket power terminals 70.

[0066] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the multiple socket terminals 60 and 70 are arranged with the terminal arrangement direction being the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to both the connection direction (X-axis direction) and the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). The socket terminals 60 and 70 are made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction, and are arranged in a position such that the thickness surface is perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

[0067] The socket terminals 60 and 70 are formed to form two terminal rows (mutual terminal rows), specifically a rear terminal row and a front terminal row. Here, the "front terminal row" is formed by the socket terminals 60 and 70 that are attached to the socket housing 80 from the rear (Y2 side). The "rear terminal row" is formed by the socket terminals 60 and 70 that are attached to the socket housing 80 from the front (Y1 side).

[0068] The socket signal terminals 60 of the two terminal rows (the other terminal row) are arranged in the same position in the terminal arrangement direction and symmetrically in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 10 (see also Figures 12(A) and 13(A)). By arranging the socket signal terminals 60 to form two terminal rows in this way, the number of socket signal terminals 60 can be increased while minimizing the increase in size of the socket connector 2 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0069] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the socket power terminals 70 are arranged in pairs on each side of the array range of the socket signal terminals 60 in the terminal array direction. Here, on each side, the socket power terminals 70 that are attached to the socket housing 80 from the rear are included in the rear terminal row, and the socket power terminals 70 that are attached to the socket housing 80 from the front are included in the front terminal row. Furthermore, on each side, the two socket power terminals 70 are arranged at different positions in the terminal array direction, but in a symmetrical orientation in the front-to-back direction.

[0070] Figure 11(A) is a perspective view of the socket signal terminal 60 alone. Figure 11(A) shows the socket signal terminal 60 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row. Here, the configuration of the socket signal terminal 60 of the rear (Y2 side) terminal row will be explained based on Figure 11(A). The socket signal terminal 60 of the front (Y1 side) terminal row has the same shape as the plug signal terminal 10 shown in Figure 11(A), so its explanation will be omitted.

[0071] The socket signal terminal 60 has a signal connection portion 61 provided at one end and connected to the circuit board P1, a signal contact arm portion 62 provided at the other end as a contact portion that contacts the plug connector 301 which is the mating connector, a held portion 63 held by the socket housing 80, a leg portion 64 provided between the signal connection portion 61 and the held portion 63, a transition portion 65 connecting the signal connection portion 61 and the leg portion 64, and a transition portion 66 connecting the held portion 63 and the leg portion 64.

[0072] The signal connection section 61 extends backward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit section of the circuit board P1. The transition section 65, leg section 64, and transition section 66 are provided in this order continuously from the X1 side to the X2 side and extend in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the transition section 65 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the signal connection section 61 and extends in the X2 direction in the connection direction. The leg section 64 extends straight in the X2 direction from the X2 side end of the transition section 65. The leg section 64 is larger in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), i.e., wider, than the transition section 65, which is continuous with the X1 side end, and the transition section 66, which is continuous with the X2 side end. The transition section 66 is bent at the X2 side end of the leg section 64 and extends forward (Y1 direction) and is connected to the held section 63.

[0073] The retained portion 63 extends forward from the front end (Y1 side end) of the transition portion 66. The retained portion 63 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 63A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z axis direction).

[0074] The signal contact arm 62 has a base arm 62A extending forward from the front end of the held portion 63, and a folded arm 62B that is folded back at the front end of the base arm 62A and extends backward. Both the base arm 62A and the folded arm 62B are elastically displaceable in the connection direction (X-axis direction).

[0075] As shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), the base arm portion 62A extends inclined toward the X2 side as it moves forward. The folded-back arm portion 62B is the portion for contact with the plug connector 301, and is located closer to the X2 side than the base arm portion 62A, extending inclined toward the X2 side as it moves backward. The folded-back arm portion 62B has a signal contact portion 62C that is bent toward the X2 side at its rear end, and the signal contact portion 62C is designed to contact the plug signal terminal provided on the plug connector 301. Here, the signal contact portion 62C has a contact surface on the X2 side, and is capable of contacting the plug signal terminal with the connection direction (X-axis direction) as the contact direction.

[0076] The socket signal terminal 60 is mounted by press-fitting the retained portion 63 into the socket housing 80 in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 13(A), the socket signal terminals 60 of the front terminal row and the socket signal terminals 60 of the rear terminal row are arranged without overlapping in the front-to-back direction when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. In this embodiment, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the signal contact portion 62C of the front terminal row and the signal contact portion 62C of the rear terminal row is set to be greater than the length (dimension in the front-to-back direction) of the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10.

[0077] Figure 11(B) is a perspective view of the socket power terminal 70 alone. Figure 11(B) shows the socket power terminal 70 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row. Here, the configuration of the socket power terminal 70 in the rear (Y2 side) terminal row will be explained based on Figure 11(B). The socket power terminal 70 in the front (Y1 side) terminal row has the same shape as the socket power terminal 70 shown in Figure 11(B), so its explanation will be omitted.

[0078] The socket power terminal 70 has a wider terminal width than the socket signal terminal 60, meaning it is made by bending a wide metal strip in the thickness direction. The socket power terminal 70 has a power connection portion 71 provided at one end and connected to the circuit board P1, two power contact arms 72 provided at the other end and in contact with the plug connector 301 which is the mating connector, a held portion 73 held by the socket housing 80, a leg portion 74 provided between the power connection portion 71 and the held portion 73, a transition portion 75 connecting the power connection portion 71 and the leg portion 74, and a transition portion 76 connecting the held portion 73 and the leg portion 74.

[0079] The power connection section 71 extends backward (Y2 direction) in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit section of the circuit board P1. The transition section 75, leg section 74, and transition section 76 are provided in this order continuously from the X1 side to the X2 side and extend in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the transition section 75 is bent at the front end (Y1 side end) of the power connection section 71 and extends in the X2 direction. The leg section 74 extends straight in the X2 direction from the X2 side end of the transition section 75. The leg section 74 is larger in the terminal arrangement direction (Z-axis direction), i.e., wider, than the transition section 75, which is continuous with the X1 side end, and the transition section 76, which is continuous with the X2 side end. The transition section 76 is bent at the X2 side end of the leg section 74 and extends forward (Y1 direction) and is connected to the held section 73.

[0080] The retained portion 73 extends forward from the front end (Y1 side end) of the transition portion 76. The retained portion 73 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 73A on both edges in the terminal width direction, i.e., the same direction as the terminal arrangement direction (Z axis direction).

[0081] The two power contact arms 72 are positioned adjacent to each other in the terminal width direction and extend forward from the front end of the held portion 63. The power contact arms 72 extend inclined toward the X2 side as they move forward and have a power contact portion 72A on the front end for contact with the plug connector 301. The power contact portion 72A has a power contact portion 72B that is bent to protrude toward the X2 side and contacts the plug power terminal provided on the plug connector 301 with this power contact portion 72B. Here, the power contact portion 72B has a contact surface on the X2 side and is capable of contacting the plug power terminal with the connection direction (X-axis direction) as the contact direction.

[0082] The socket power terminal 70 is attached by press-fitting the retained portion 73 into the socket housing 80 in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figures 9 and 12(A), the two socket power terminals 70 provided at each end of the socket connector 2 are arranged so that they overlap with each other in the front-to-back direction when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, the socket power terminals 70 of these two terminal rows are arranged so that the power contact portions 72A of the power contact arms 72 overlap with each other in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figures 9 and 12(A). By arranging the power contact arms 72 in this way, it is possible to increase the size of the socket connector 2 in the insertion / removal direction while making each power contact arm 72 longer, thereby securing a larger so-called spring length.

[0083] The socket housing 80 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with the terminal arrangement direction as its longitudinal direction. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the socket housing 80 has a base wall 81 extending in the terminal arrangement direction, two side walls 82 extending in the X1 direction from the side edge (edge ​​extending in the terminal arrangement direction) of the base wall 81, two end walls 83 extending in the X1 and X2 directions from the end edge (edge ​​extending in the front-rear direction) of the base wall 81, and a guide locking strip 84 as a second guide locking part that protrudes inward in the terminal arrangement direction from the X2 side end of the end wall 83.

[0084] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the base wall 81 has multiple narrow housing grooves 81A within the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60 for accommodating the held portion 63 and the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminals 60. As shown in Figure 13(A), the narrow housing grooves 81A are recessed from the X2 side surface of the base wall 81 and extend in the front-rear direction, and are arranged in two rows at equal intervals in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0085] When the retained portion 63 and the signal contact arm portion 62 are housed in the narrow housing groove portion 81A, the signal contact arm portion 62 is positioned with a gap between it and the bottom of the groove portion 81A, and is in a state where it can be elastically displaced in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Also, when the signal contact arm portion 62 is in a free state, the signal contact portion 62C is positioned protruding from the narrow housing groove portion 81A.

[0086] As shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), the narrow housing groove 81A has a narrow retaining groove 81A-1 on its outer end side in the front-rear direction (the end side closer to the side wall 82 in the front-rear direction) for holding the retained portion 63. The narrow retaining groove 81A-1 extends in the front-rear direction along the groove bottom surface of the narrow housing groove 81A, and receives and press-fits the retained portion 63 of the socket signal terminal 60 from the outside in the front-rear direction. At this time, as shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), the retained portion 63 is supported from the X1 side by the groove bottom of the narrow retaining groove 81A-1.

[0087] As shown in Figure 13(B), a stopper portion 81B is formed within the narrow housing groove 81A, protruding from the bottom surface of the groove, on the inner end side in the front-rear direction, that is, the end side closer to the center of the base wall 81 in the front-rear direction. The stopper portion 81B contacts the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 in the connection direction (X-axis direction), thereby restricting excessive elastic displacement of the signal contact arm portion 62 that exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0088] By providing the stopper portion 81B within the narrow housing groove portion 81A in this manner, even if the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 is subjected to an unintended external force and attempts to displace excessively toward the back of the narrow housing groove portion 81A, the signal contact arm portion 62 will come into contact with the stopper portion 81B, thereby restricting further displacement of the signal contact arm portion 62. This effectively prevents the signal contact arm portion 62 from being excessively displaced and damaged.

[0089] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the base wall 81 has multiple wide accommodating grooves 81C within the arrangement range of the socket power terminals 70 to accommodate the held portion 73 and the power contact arm portion 72 of the socket power terminals 70. Two wide accommodating grooves 81C are formed on each side of the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60, on the Z1 side and on the Z2 side. The wide accommodating grooves 81C are recessed from the X2 side surface of the base wall 81 and extend in the front-rear direction, penetrating the base wall 81.

[0090] As shown in Figures 10 and 14, the wide receiving groove 81C has a wide retaining groove 81C-1 for holding the retained portion 73 on one end side in the front-rear direction. Specifically, at the Z1 end of the base wall 81, the wide receiving groove 81C located outward in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 81C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side), and the wide receiving groove 81C located inward in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 81C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side). Furthermore, at the Z2 end of the base wall 81, the wide receiving groove 81C located outward in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 81C-1 formed on the rear side (Y2 side), and the wide receiving groove 81C located inward in the terminal arrangement direction has a wide retaining groove 81C-1 formed on the front side (Y1 side). The wide retaining groove 81C-1 extends in the front-rear direction along the bottom surface of the wide housing groove 81C, and receives and press-fits the retained portion 73 of the plug power terminal 20 from the outside in the front-rear direction.

[0091] The wide receiving groove 81C receives the retained portion 73 and the power contact arm portion 72 of the socket power terminal 70 from one side in the front-rear direction, specifically from the side where the wide receiving groove 81C-1 is located. At this time, as shown in Figure 14, the retained portion 73 is supported from the X1 side by the bottom of the groove of the wide receiving groove 81C-1. The wide receiving groove 81C also accommodates the power contact arm portion 72. At this time, as shown in Figure 14, the power contact arm portion 72 is positioned with a gap between it and the bottom of the groove of the wide receiving groove 81C, and is in a state where it can be elastically displaced in the connection direction (X-axis direction) within the range of this gap. When the power contact arm portion 72 is in a free state, the power contact portion 72B is positioned protruding from the wide receiving groove 81C.

[0092] As shown in Figure 10, the outer surface of the side wall 82 is recessed inward in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) compared to the outer surface of the end wall 83 for most of the area except for the end on the X1 side (the lower end in Figure 10). Furthermore, in the side wall 82, the outer surface within the arrangement range of the socket power terminals 70 is recessed inward in the front-to-back direction compared to the outer surface within the arrangement range of the socket signal terminals 60.

[0093] At the X1-side end of the side wall 82, multiple narrow restricting grooves 82A are formed in the terminal arrangement direction, within the range of the socket signal terminals 60. The narrow restricting grooves 82A accommodate the transition portion 65 of the socket signal terminals 60, and the inner surface of the grooves restricts the displacement of the transition portion 65 in the terminal arrangement direction. In addition, at the X1-side end of the side wall 82, wider restricting grooves 82B are formed, within the range of the socket power terminals 70, and wider than the narrow restricting grooves 82A. The wide restricting grooves 82B accommodate the transition portion 75 of the socket power terminals 70, and the inner surface of the grooves restricts the displacement of the transition portion 75 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0094] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the outer surface of the end wall 83 in the front-rear direction is recessed in the middle section compared to the outer surface of other sections, and a fitting retaining groove 83A for holding the socket fixing fitting 90 is formed at the X1 side end of the end wall 83 (the lower end in Figures 9 and 10). The fitting retaining groove 83A is recessed from the outer surface of the end wall 32 and is T-shaped when viewed in the connection direction, penetrating the X1 side end of the end wall 83 in the connection direction (X-axis direction). The fitting retaining groove 83A receives the socket fixing fitting 90 from the X2 side and press-fits and holds it in place.

[0095] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the end wall 83 extends towards X2 (upward in Figures 9 and 10) than the base wall 81 and the side wall 82. The guide locking strip 84 protrudes inward in the terminal arrangement direction from the X2 end of the end wall 83 (upper end in Figures 9 and 10) and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking strip 84 is positioned at a distance from the end wall 83 in the connection direction. The guide locking strip 84 guides the plug connector 301 in the front-rear direction and locks with the plug connector 301 in the connection direction. Specifically, during the connector mating connection process, the guide locking strip 84 enters the guide locking groove of the plug connector 301, which serves as the first guide locking part, and guides the inner surface of the guide locking groove in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, when the connector is mated and connected, the guide locking strip 84 locks into the inner surface of the guide locking groove of the plug connector 301 in the connection direction.

[0096] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 12(B), a guide locking groove 85 is formed between the guide locking strip 84 and the end wall 83 in the connection direction, serving as a second guide locking portion that is open inward in the terminal arrangement direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The guide locking groove 85 guides the plug connector 301 in the front-rear direction and locks with the plug connector 301 in the connection direction. Specifically, during the connector mating connection process, the guide locking groove 85 receives the guide locking strip, which serves as the first guide locking portion of the plug connector 301, and guides the guide locking strip in the front-rear direction on the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 85. Furthermore, in the connector mating connection state, the guide locking groove 85 locks with the guide locking strip of the plug connector 301 in the connection direction on the inner surface of the groove of the guide locking groove 85.

[0097] The guide locking groove 85 extends across the entire length of the socket housing 80 in the front-rear direction, with its front and rear ends open. Therefore, the guide locking groove 85 can receive the guide locking strip of the plug connector 301 from either the front or the rear side.

[0098] The socket fixing bracket 90 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction and has a retained plate portion 91 having a plate surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, and a fixing portion 92 that is bent at the X1 side end of the retained plate portion 91 and extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction. The retained plate portion 91 is press-fitted into the bracket retaining groove portion 83A from the X2 side and both side edges (edges extending in the connection direction) are held by the bracket retaining groove portion 83A. The fixing portion 92 is fixed to the corresponding part of the circuit board P1 by soldering.

[0099] The socket connector 2 is assembled in the following manner. First, the socket signal terminal 60 is attached to the socket housing 80 by press-fitting the retained portion 63 of the socket signal terminal 60 into the narrow retaining groove portion 81A-1 of the socket housing 80 in the front-rear direction. At this time, the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 is housed in the narrow housing groove portion 81A, and the retained portion 63 is supported at the bottom of the groove portion 81A. Simultaneously, the transition portion 65 of the socket signal terminal 60 is housed in the narrow regulating groove portion 82A.

[0100] Furthermore, the socket power terminal 70 is attached to the socket housing 80 by press-fitting the retained portion 73 of the socket power terminal 70 into the wide retaining groove portion 81C-1 of the socket housing 80 in the front-rear direction. At this time, the power contact arm portion 72 of the socket power terminal 70 is housed in the wide housing groove portion 81C, and the retained portion 73 is supported at the bottom of the groove portion 81C. Simultaneously, the transition portion 75 of the socket power terminal 70 is housed in the wide regulating groove portion 82B. The installation process of the socket signal terminal 60 and the installation process of the socket power terminal 70 may be performed in either order, or they may be performed simultaneously.

[0101] Next, the socket fixing bracket 90 is attached to the socket housing 80 by press-fitting the retained plate portion 91 of the socket fixing bracket 90 into the bracket retaining groove portion 83A of the socket housing 80 from the X2 side. Note that the process of attaching the socket fixing bracket 90 may be performed before or simultaneously with the process of attaching the socket terminals 60 and 70 to the socket housing 80. By attaching the socket terminals 60 and 70 and the socket fixing bracket 90 to the socket housing 80 in this way, the assembly of the socket connector 2 is completed.

[0102] In the socket signal terminal 60 and socket power terminal 70 of socket connector 2, the signal contact arm 62 and power contact arm 72 extend along the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction), while the leg portions 64 and 74 extend along the connection direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, when designing multiple types of socket connectors with different dimensions in the connection direction, it is only necessary to change the length of the leg portions in the connection direction, and there is no need to change the length of the contact portion. Furthermore, for the socket housing, it is sufficient to design by increasing or decreasing the portion corresponding to the leg portions in the connection direction according to the length of the leg portions. Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily design multiple types of socket connectors with different dimensions in the connection direction while keeping the basic configuration of the socket connector common. In addition, since the leg portions have a simple shape that extends along the connection direction, it is easier to design by increasing or decreasing the length in the connection direction compared to, for example, when the leg portions are bent and have a complex shape.

[0103] Furthermore, in the socket connector 2, the legs 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 and the legs 74 of the socket power terminal 70 are entirely exposed from the socket housing 80 and extend along the outer surface of the side wall 82 in the connection direction (X-axis direction). In this embodiment, the legs 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 are formed to be larger in the terminal arrangement direction than the transition portions 65 and 66 that are continuous with each end of the legs 64. In other words, the distance between adjacent legs 64 of socket signal terminals 60 is smaller than the distance between transition portions 65 and between transition portions 66. By bringing adjacent legs 64 closer together in this way, an excessive rise in impedance in the legs 64 can be effectively suppressed. Similarly, the legs 74 of the socket power terminal 70 are formed to be larger in the terminal arrangement direction than the transition portions 75 and 76 that are continuous with each end of the legs 74. Therefore, similar to the legs 64 of the socket signal terminal 60 described above, an excessive rise in impedance in the legs 74 can also be effectively suppressed.

[0104] Next, the operation of connecting connector mounting units will be described. In this embodiment, the operation of inserting and connecting connector mounting unit I between connector mounting unit II and connector mounting unit III, among the connector mounting units II to V that are already attached to the housing C of the electronic device E, will be described. Note that when the connector mounting unit connection operation is performed, the power to the electronic device E is turned off to prevent short circuits at the connector terminals.

[0105] First, as shown in Figure 1(A), position connector assembly I behind connector assembly II and III (towards Y2) so that it corresponds to the space between connector assembly II and III in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Next, move connector assembly I forward (towards Y1) and insert it between connector assembly II and III.

[0106] When insertion of the connector mounting unit I begins, the upper and lower ends of the circuit board P1 of the connector mounting unit I enter the rail C1 of the housing C from the rear and move forward guided by the inner surface of the groove of the rail C1. As a result of the connector mounting unit I being inserted forward in this way, as shown in Figure 2, the plug connector 1 located on the X1 side mounting surface of the circuit board P1 is mated and connected to the socket connector 202 of the mating connector, the connector mounting unit II, and the socket connector 2 located on the X2 side mounting surface of the circuit board P1 is mated and connected to the plug connector 301 of the mating connector, the connector mounting unit III.

[0107] As shown in Figure 15(A), the plug connector 1 is positioned behind the socket connector 202 just before the mating connection operation with the socket connector 202 begins. At this time, the guide locking strip 43 of the plug connector 1 is positioned corresponding to the guide locking groove 285 of the socket connector 202. As the insertion of the connector mounting body I progresses, the guide locking strip 43 enters the guide locking groove 285, and the plug connector 1 moves forward while being guided by the guide locking strip 43 and the inner surface of the guide locking groove 285 in the front-rear direction. At the same time, the guide locking groove 45 of the plug connector 1 receives the guide locking strip 284 of the socket connector 202 from the front, and the guide locking strip 284 and the inner surface of the guide locking groove 45 are guided by each other in the front-rear direction. In this way, the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 guide each other in the front-rear direction, allowing the connectors to be smoothly mated together.

[0108] During the mating connection process, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10, which forms the front terminal row (plug signal terminal row) of the plug connector 1, abuts from behind the signal contact portion 62C of the socket signal terminal 60, which forms the rear terminal row (socket signal terminal row) of the socket connector 2. As a result, the signal contact arm portion 62 of the socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing force from the signal contact portion 12B-1 at the signal contact portion 62C and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. The plug connector 1 then moves forward while sliding the signal contact portion 12B-1 against the signal contact portion 62C.

[0109] As the plug connector 1 moves forward, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the front plug terminal row passes the position of the signal contact portion 62C of the rear socket terminal row, and then contacts the signal contact portion 62C of the socket signal terminal 60 forming the front socket terminal row from behind. As a result, the signal contact arm portion 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing force from the front signal contact portion 12B-1 and is elastically displaced in the X1 direction by the signal contact portion 62C. At this time, the signal contact arm portion 62 is elastically displaced by an amount that does not come into contact with the stopper portion 81B.

[0110] Furthermore, almost simultaneously with the front signal contact portion 12B-1 contacting the front signal contact portion 62C, the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the plug signal terminal 10 forming the rear plug terminal row contacts the signal contact portion 62C of the socket signal terminal 60 forming the rear socket terminal row of the socket connector 2 from the rear. As a result, the signal contact arm portion 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60 receives the pressing force from the front signal contact portion 12B-1 at the signal contact portion 62C and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. At this time, the signal contact arm portion 62 elastically displaces with an amount of displacement that does not cause it to contact the stopper portion 81B.

[0111] The plug connector 1 moves forward while sliding its front signal contact portion 12B-1 against the front signal contact portion 62C and sliding its rear signal contact portion 12B-1 against the rear signal contact portion 62C.

[0112] In this embodiment, the distance in the front-to-back direction between the front signal contact portion 62C and the rear signal contact portion 62C is set to be greater than the length (dimension in the front-to-back direction) of the signal contact portion 12B-1. Therefore, during the connector mating process, the signal contact portion 12B-1 does not simultaneously contact the front signal contact portion 62C and the rear signal contact portion 62C, so even if the power to the electronic device E is accidentally turned on, a short circuit can be effectively avoided.

[0113] Furthermore, during the mating connection process, the power contact portion 22B of the plug power terminal 20 of the plug connector 1 comes into contact with the power contact portion 72B of the socket power terminal 70 from behind. As a result, the power contact arm portion 72 of the socket power terminal 70 receives the pressing force from the power contact portion 22B at the power contact portion 72B and elastically displaces in the X1 direction. Then, the plug connector 1 moves forward while sliding the power contact portion 22B against the power contact portion 72B.

[0114] In this embodiment, the plug power terminals 20 of the plug connector 1 are located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction. Similarly, the socket power terminals 270 of the socket connector 202 are located at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, no plug power terminal 20 will come into contact with a socket power terminal 270 that does not correspond to that plug power terminal 20. This ensures that even if the power to the electronic device E is accidentally turned on during the mating connection process, a short circuit can be effectively avoided.

[0115] Then, the upper and lower ends of the circuit board P1 come into contact with the front end surface that closes the front end of the rail C1 from behind, and the plug connector 1 reaches the correct mating position, completing the connector mating connection operation.

[0116] When the connector mating operation is complete, as shown in Figure 16, the elastic displacement state of the signal contact arm 62 of the front socket signal terminal 60 is maintained, and the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the front plug signal terminal 10 is in contact with the signal contact portion 62C of the front socket signal terminal 60 with contact pressure. Similarly, the elastic displacement state of the signal contact arm 62 of the rear socket signal terminal 60 is maintained, and the signal contact portion 12B-1 of the rear plug signal terminal 10 is in contact with the signal contact portion 62C of the rear socket signal terminal 60 with contact pressure. As a result, the plug signal terminal 10 and the socket signal terminal 60 are electrically connected in both the front and rear terminal rows.

[0117] Furthermore, once the connector mating operation is complete, as shown in Figure 17, the elastic displacement state of the power contact arm 72 of the socket power terminal 70 is maintained, and the power contact portion 22B of the plug power terminal 20 is in contact with the power contact portion 72B of the socket power terminal 70 with contact pressure. As a result, the plug power terminal 20 and the socket power terminal 70 become electrically conductive.

[0118] Furthermore, once the connector mating connection operation is complete, as shown in Figure 18, the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 are locked together with the guide locking strip 43 and the guide locking strip 284 engaging with each other in the connection direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, a stable connector mating connection state between the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 2 can be maintained well. In addition, the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction), which is the direction in which the connectors are inserted and removed from each other, is perpendicular to the connection direction (X-axis direction), i.e., the locking direction between the connectors. Therefore, the provision of guide locking strips 43 and 284 on each connector 1 and 202 does not cause any interference with the connector mating connection operation.

[0119] Furthermore, even if the relative positions of the plug connector 1 and the socket connector 202 are shifted from their normal positions in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction immediately before the start of the connector mating connection operation, the elastic parts 15 and 25 of the plug terminals 10 and 20 of the plug connector 1 are elastically displaced, causing the movable housing 40 to be displaced, thereby absorbing the misalignment between the connectors during the connector mating connection process and the connector mated state.

[0120] Furthermore, the socket connector 2 mounted on the X2 side mounting surface of circuit board P1 is mated from the rear to the plug connector 301 mounted on the X1 side mounting surface of circuit board P3 of connector mounting body III, almost simultaneously with the plug connector 1 mating to the socket connector 202. The fact that the socket connector 2 is mated to the plug connector 301 from the rear means that, relatively speaking, the plug connector 301 is mated to the socket connector 2 from the front. The procedure for mating the plug connector 301 to the socket connector 2 is almost the same as the procedure for mating the plug connector 1 to the socket connector 202 described above, except for the direction in which the plug connector 301 is mated, so the explanation is omitted.

[0121] In this embodiment, adjacent circuit boards are connected via connectors provided on their respective mounting surfaces, namely plug connectors and socket connectors. Therefore, a main board for connecting multiple circuit boards and connectors mounted on that main board are not required, as in conventional designs, thus suppressing an increase in the number of components.

[0122] In this embodiment, the plug housing of the plug connector has a fixed housing and a movable housing, and the movable housing is displaceable by the elastic displacement of the plug terminals. However, it is not essential that the plug housing has a fixed housing and a movable housing. For example, in a modified example, the plug housing may be configured as a single housing and be displaceable by the elastic displacement of the terminals. In this case, an elastically displaceable elastic part may be provided in the terminal, for example, between the connecting part connected to the circuit board and the held part held by the housing.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing is displaceable only in the plug connector among the plug connector and the socket connector, but as a modification, the housing may be displaceable in both the plug connector and the socket connector, or only in the socket connector. When the socket housing of the socket connector is displaceable, the socket housing may be configured with a fixed housing and a movable housing, as in the plug housing of the embodiment described above, and the movable housing may be displaced by the elastic displacement of the terminals. Alternatively, similar to the modification of the plug connector described above, the socket housing may be configured as a single housing, and the socket housing may be displaced by the elastic displacement of the terminals.

[0124] In this embodiment, in the plug connector and socket connector, the signal terminals of the two terminal rows are arranged at the same position relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction. However, if there is no high demand for miniaturization of the connector in the terminal arrangement direction, as a modification, at least some of the terminals of the multiple signal terminals in the two terminal rows may be arranged at different positions relative to each other in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the signal terminals in the plug connector and socket connector are arranged in two terminal rows, but the number of terminal rows is not limited to this; for example, there may be one, or there may be three or more.

[0126] In this embodiment, in the plug connector and socket connector, the power terminals are arranged at different positions in the terminal arrangement direction. However, if a configuration is adopted to prevent short circuits during the connector mating process, a modified example may be that the power terminals are arranged in multiple terminal rows, and the power terminals of these multiple terminal rows are arranged at the same position. As a configuration to prevent short circuits, for example, in a socket connector, the contact portions of power terminals of adjacent terminal rows may be spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and in a plug connector, the length of the contact portion of the power terminal in the front-to-back direction may be made smaller than the distance between the contact portions.

[0127] In this embodiment, the entire legs of the socket terminals are exposed from the socket housing in the socket connector, but alternatively, only a portion of the legs may be exposed from the socket housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1. Plug connector (first connector) 2 Socket connector (second connector) 10 Plug signal terminals 11 Signal connection section 12B-1 Signal contact part 13 Fixed side held part 14 Movable side held part 15 Elastic part 20 Plug power terminals 21 Power connection section 22B Power contact part 23 Fixed side held part 24 Movable side held part 25 Elastic part 30 Fixed Housing 40 Movable Housing 43 Guide locking section (first guide locking section) 45 Guide locking groove section (first guide locking section) 60 Socket Signal Terminals 61 Signal connection section 62 Signal contact arm (contact part) 64 Legs 70 Socket Power Terminals 71 Power connection section 72A power contact 74 Legs 80 Socket Housing 81A Narrow storage groove 81B Stopper section 81C Wide storage groove 84 Guide locking section (second guide locking section) 85 Guide locking groove (second guide locking section) 201 Plug Connector 202 Socket Connector 284 Guide locking section (second guide locking section) 285 Guide locking groove (second guide locking section) 301 Plug Connector 302 Socket Connector 402 Socket Connector 501 Plug Connector P1 Circuit Board P2 Circuit Board P3 Circuit Board P4 Circuit Board P5 Circuit Board

Claims

1. In a connecting structure that links multiple circuit boards on which connectors are mounted, The plurality of circuit boards are arranged such that the board surfaces of the circuit boards are perpendicular to the connection direction of the circuit boards, and any circuit board is electrically connected to an adjacent circuit board with one direction parallel to the board surface as the insertion / removal direction, and the connector has a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals in an arrangement, Any two adjacent circuit boards have mounting surfaces on opposite sides, with a first connector mounted on the mounting surface of one circuit board and a second connector mounted on the mounting surface of the other circuit board, and the first connector and the second connector are mated together. The housing of the first connector has a first guide locking portion, The housing of the second connector has a second guide locking portion, The connection structure for a circuit board is characterized in that the first guide locking portion and the second guide locking portion guide each other in the insertion / removal direction during the connector mating connection process, and lock each other in the connection direction when the connector is mated and connected.

2. The circuit board connecting structure according to claim 1, wherein one of the first guide locking portion and the second guide locking portion has a strip portion extending in the insertion / removal direction, and the other has a groove portion extending in the insertion / removal direction that receives and guides the strip portion.

3. In a connecting structure that links multiple circuit boards on which connectors are mounted, The multiple circuit boards are arranged such that the board surfaces of the circuit boards are perpendicular to the connection direction of the circuit boards, and any circuit board is electrically connected to an adjacent circuit board with one direction parallel to the board surface as the insertion / removal direction. The connector has a plurality of terminals and a housing that arranges and holds the plurality of terminals. Any two adjacent circuit boards have mounting surfaces on opposite sides, with a first connector mounted on the mounting surface of one circuit board and a second connector mounted on the mounting surface of the other circuit board, and the first connector and the second connector are mated together. A circuit board connecting structure characterized in that the housing of at least one of the first connector and the second connector is displaceable in a direction parallel to the board surface of the circuit board.

4. The circuit board connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector has a housing which comprises a fixed housing which is fixed to the circuit board via the terminals and a movable housing which is movable relative to the fixed housing, and the terminals are provided which span between the fixed housing and the movable housing, and the elastic displacement of the terminals allows the movable housing to move relative to the fixed housing.

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