Connector assembly

Abstract

To make it easy to manufacture, miniaturize and reduce the profile, and increase reliability. [Solution] A connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector, wherein the mating connector includes a mating housing and a plurality of mating terminals attached to the mating housing, the connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, the housing includes inwardly recessed recesses formed between adjacent terminals, and the distance between adjacent terminals is smaller than the width dimension of the mating terminals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to electrically connect a pair of parallel circuit boards, a connector assembly such as a board-to-board connector has been used. In such a connector assembly, connectors attached to each of the mutually facing surfaces of a pair of circuit boards are configured to fit together and conduct electricity with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector assembly, (a) is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector, and (b) is a perspective view showing a plug connector.

[0004] In the figure, 811 is a housing of a receptacle connector mounted on one circuit board not shown, and has a pair of elongated concave grooves 812 extending in the longitudinal direction. Also, a middle island 813 is formed between the left and right concave grooves 812. And in each concave groove 812, a plurality of receptacle terminals 861 are mounted side by side in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Each receptacle terminal 861 includes a board connection portion 862 connected to the circuit board and a contact portion 863 that contacts a plug terminal 961 of the plug connector.

[0005] Also, 911 is a housing of a plug connector mounted on the other circuit board not shown, and has a pair of elongated convex portions 912 extending in the longitudinal direction. Also, a concave groove 913 is formed between the left and right convex portions 912. And in each convex portion 912, a plurality of plug terminals 961 are mounted side by side in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Each plug terminal 961 includes a board connection portion 962 connected to the circuit board and a contact portion 963 that contacts a receptacle terminal 861 of the receptacle connector.

[0006] When the receptacle connector and the plug connector are mated, each of the protrusions 912 of the housing 911 of the plug connector is inserted into the corresponding grooves 812 of the housing 811 of the receptacle connector. On the other hand, the island 813 formed between the left and right grooves 812 of the housing 811 of the receptacle connector is inserted into the groove 913 formed between the left and right protrusions 912 of the housing 911 of the plug connector. This positions the receptacle connector and the plug connector, stabilizing the relative position and orientation of the mated receptacle connector and plug connector. As a result, the contact state between the contact portion 863 of the corresponding receptacle terminal 861 and the contact portion 963 of the plug terminal 961 is stabilized, and the electrical conductivity between the corresponding receptacle terminal 861 and the plug terminal 961 is stabilized. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-170726 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the conventional connector assemblies described above cannot adequately accommodate the miniaturization and reduction in height of components in recent electronic devices.

[0009] In recent years, electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, music players, game consoles, and navigation devices have required smaller and lower profile enclosures and consequently smaller and lower profile components, which in turn has led to a demand for further miniaturization and lower profile connector assemblies.

[0010] However, with the conventional connector assemblies, if the width is narrowed or the height is reduced further for miniaturization and lower profile, stability during mating cannot be maintained. If excessive force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the plug connector and / or receptacle connector, the plug terminal 961 may fall between adjacent receptacle terminals 861 in the longitudinal direction, interrupting the electrical connection between the receptacle terminal 861 and the plug terminal 961, potentially reducing the reliability of the connection.

[0011] The objective here is to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and provide a connector assembly that is easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized and low-profile, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To that end, the connector assembly comprises a connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector, wherein the mating connector includes a mating housing and a plurality of mating terminals attached to the mating housing, the connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, the housing includes inwardly recessed recesses formed between adjacent terminals, and the distance between adjacent terminals is smaller than the width dimension of the mating terminals.

[0013] In other connector assemblies, the mating terminal further includes an elastically deformable contact portion, the width of which is greater than the distance between adjacent terminals facing the contact portion.

[0014] Furthermore, in other connector assemblies, the recess is further formed on its bottom surface by the housing and on both sides by the sides of the adjacent terminals.

[0015] Furthermore, in other connector assemblies, the mating connector is a receptacle connector, and the mating terminal includes a substantially U-shaped contact portion on one side that is elastically deformable in the width direction of the mating connector, and a substrate connection portion on the other side, and the connector is a plug connector, and the terminal includes a contact portion fixed to the housing and is insertable between the substantially U-shaped contact portions of the mating terminal.

[0016] Furthermore, in other connector assemblies, the mating terminal further includes a second contact portion on the substrate connection side of the substantially U-shaped contact portion, and the width dimension of the second contact portion is greater than the distance between adjacent terminals.

[0017] Furthermore, in other connector assemblies, the multiple mating terminals and multiple terminals are arranged so that the board connection portions are in four rows and in a staggered pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to this disclosure, the connector assembly is easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized and reduced in height, and has improved reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector assembly in the first embodiment, as seen from the first connector side. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view from the mating surface side and (b) is a view from the mounting surface side. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the metal member and insulating member of the first connector in the first embodiment separated. [Figure 5] A quadrature view of the first connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a bottom view. [Figure 6]Perspective views of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view seen from the mating surface side and (b) is a view seen from the mounting surface side. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Four-sided views of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a bottom view. [Figure 9] First three-sided view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are mated, where (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A arrow in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B arrow in (a). [Figure 10] Second three-sided view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are mated, where (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a perspective view of the second connector including the cross-sectional view taken along the C-C arrow in (a), and (c) is a perspective view of the first connector including the cross-sectional view taken along the C-C arrow in (a). [Figure 11] First cross-sectional view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are mated, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the second connector, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the first connector. [Figure 12] Second cross-sectional view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are mated, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the E-E arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the second connector, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the E-E arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the first connector. [Figure 13] Longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are mated, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the F-F arrow in FIG. 10(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the F-F arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the second connector, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the F-F arrow in FIG. 10(a) of the first connector. [Figure 14]This is a two-view drawing showing the state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated in the first embodiment, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the GG arrow in (a). [Figure 15] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment when they are mated together, and is an enlarged view of section H in Figure 14(b). [Figure 16] This is a two-view drawing showing the case where the relative positions of the first connector and the second connector in the mated state in the first embodiment are misaligned, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the JJ arrow in (a). [Figure 17] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the case where the relative positions of the first connector and the second connector in the mated state in the first embodiment are misaligned, and is an enlarged view of section K in Figure 16(b). [Figure 18] This is a two-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the reference example, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in (a). [Figure 19] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the reference example when they are mated together, and is an enlarged view of section M in Figure 18(b). [Figure 20] This is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the relative positions of the mated first and second connectors in the reference example are misaligned, and it corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in Figure 18(a). [Figure 21] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the case where the relative positions of the mated first and second connectors are misaligned in the reference example, and is an enlarged view of section N in Figure 20. [Figure 22] A first three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a cross-sectional view in (a) along the PP arrow, and (c) is a cross-sectional view in (a) along the QQ arrow. [Figure 23]A second three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a plan view seen from the first connector side, (b) is a perspective view of the second connector including the cross section in the direction of the RR arrow in (a), and (c) is a perspective view of the first connector including the cross section in the direction of the RR arrow in (a). [Figure 24] A first cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the first connector and the second connector in a mated state, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along the SS arrow in Figure 23(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along the SS arrow in Figure 23(a). [Figure 25] A second cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the first connector and the second connector in a mated state, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along the TT arrow in Figure 23(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along the TT arrow in Figure 23(a). [Figure 26] This is a perspective view of the first connector in the third embodiment. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view of the second connector in the third embodiment. [Figure 28] This is a two-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the third embodiment, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the UU arrow in (a). [Figure 29] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated in the third embodiment, and is an enlarged view of section V in Figure 28(b). [Figure 30] This is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the relative positions of the first connector and the second connector in the mated state in the third embodiment are misaligned, and it corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along the UU arrow in Figure 28(a). [Figure 31] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the third embodiment in which the relative positions of the mated first connector and the second connector are misaligned, and is an enlarged view of section W in Figure 30. [Figure 32] This is a perspective view showing a conventional connector assembly, where (a) is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector and (b) is a perspective view showing a plug connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector assembly in the first embodiment, viewed from the first connector side; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment showing the metal member and insulating member separated; and Figure 5 is a four-view drawing of the first connector in the first embodiment. In Figure 2, (a) is a view from the mating surface side, and (b) is a view from the mounting surface side. In Figure 5, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a bottom view.

[0022] In the figure, 1 is a connector in this embodiment, and is a first connector as one of a pair of board-to-board connectors. The first connector 1 is a surface-mount type plug connector mounted on the surface of a first board, which is a board not shown as a mounting member, and has a roughly rectangular planar shape, and is mated with the second connector 101 as a mating connector. The second connector 101 is the other connector in the pair of board-to-board connectors, and is a surface-mount type receptacle connector mounted on the surface of a second board, which is a board not shown as a mounting member. The first connector 1 and the second connector 101 can be said to be the mating connectors in a pair of board-to-board connectors. The first connector 1 and the second connector 101 constitute a connector pair or a connector assembly.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are preferably used to electrically connect the first and second substrates, but they can also be used to electrically connect other components. The first and second substrates are, for example, printed circuit boards used in electronic devices, flexible flat cables (FFCs), flexible printed circuits (FPCs), etc., but any type of substrate may be used.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are relative, not absolute. They are appropriate when each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but should be modified and interpreted accordingly if the position changes.

[0025] The first connector 1 has dimensions such as a length (dimension in the X-axis direction) of approximately 6.0 mm, a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of approximately 2.0 mm, and a height (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of approximately 0.5 mm, but these dimensions can be changed as appropriate.

[0026] Furthermore, the first connector 1 is constructed by joining a pair of left and right halves, namely the left half 10A and the right half 10B, with a reinforcing fitting, namely a first reinforcing fitting 51 as a nail, and a first protruding end 16 as a covering portion which is integrally molded by a molding method called overmolding, outsert molding, or insert molding (hereinafter referred to as "insert molding"). Since the left half 10A and the right half 10B are the same member arranged to face each other, they will be described as half 10 when described as a whole. The left half 10A and the right half 10B each have a roughly gate-like shape in plan view (shape projected onto the XY plane), and the space between the joined left half 10A and right half 10B is an elongated groove 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The groove portion 13 is a through-hole that is open on the upper and lower surfaces of the first connector 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the first connector 1 is described as having a pair of halves 10, that is, two halves arranged in parallel, but it may also have three or more halves 10 arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the halves 10 do not necessarily have to have a roughly gate-like shape; they may have any shape as long as both ends in the longitudinal direction can be connected by the first reinforcing fitting 51 and the first protruding end 16.

[0028] Furthermore, although the groove portion 13 is described as a single through-hole in this embodiment, it may also be a bottomed connector with a base plate. Even if it is a bottomed connector like conventional connectors, it is easy to imagine that the reliability of mating and connection will decrease due to the narrowing of the width and lowering of the height. The base plate may also have multiple through-holes, in which case it is desirable that the through-holes allow at least the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 located in the groove portion 13 to be visible. This makes it easy to check the connection state and appearance between the tail portion 62 and the substrate by soldering or the like from the outside.

[0029] The first connector 1 has a first housing 11 as a plug housing, which is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and configured to have a roughly gate-like shape in plan view. The first housing 11 has a pair of side wall portions 18 extending in its longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and each side wall portion 18 is parallel to the other, and both ends of each side wall portion 18 are connected by a pair of first protruding ends 16. The pair of first protruding ends 16 are sometimes referred to as a pair of end walls of the first connector 1. Each side wall portion 18 includes an elongated strip-shaped bottom plate portion 17 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and a first protrusion portion 12 as a convex wall, which is an elongated protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and integrally formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 17. In other words, the side wall portion 18 includes a bottom plate portion 17 and a first protrusion portion 12 as a convex wall projecting from the bottom plate portion 17 in the fitting direction (positive Z-axis direction). The pair of first protrusion portions 12 face each other and are parallel to each other, and the pair of first protruding ends 16 also face each other and are parallel to each other.

[0030] The first protrusion 12 is a member with a roughly arched cross-section, located on the upper side (positive Z-axis direction side), and has a fitting surface 12a which is an upward-facing upper surface, and outer surfaces 12b and inner surfaces 12c connected to the left and right sides of the fitting surface 12a. The outer surface 12b faces outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and the inner surface 12c faces the groove 13 on the inside in the width direction of the first housing 11. The outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c are a pair of planes that are parallel to each other and face each other, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11.

[0031] Each first protrusion 12 is provided with a first terminal 61. Since the first terminal 61 is a terminal of the first connector 1, which is a plug connector, it is sometimes referred to as a plug terminal. Multiple first terminals 61 are provided at a predetermined pitch. The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processes on a conductive metal plate. The first housing 11 is integrally molded with the first terminals 61 by insert molding. That is, the first housing 11 is formed by filling an insulating material into the cavity of a mold in which the first terminals 61 have been pre-set. Therefore, the first terminals 61 do not exist separately from the first housing 11, and the location on the first housing 11 where the first terminals 61 are attached does not exist in a shape separated from the first terminals 61 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, etc. Please note that the drawings in Figures 3 and 4, etc. are made solely for explanatory purposes. Similarly, the first reinforcing bracket 51 is not located at a distance from the first protruding end 16, and the location on the first protruding end 16 where the first reinforcing bracket 51 is attached is not in the shape shown in Figures 3 and 4, etc., separated from the first reinforcing bracket 51. Please note that the drawings in Figures 3 and 4, etc., are made solely for explanatory purposes.

[0032] In this embodiment, there are multiple first terminals 61, which are attached to and supported by the first protrusions 12 of the side wall portion 18, forming multiple (two in the example shown) terminal rows 60 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. In the first housing 11, multiple (two in the example shown) side wall portions 18 are connected to the first protruding end portion 16 and are integrally connected, so it can be said that the multiple terminal rows 60 are also held by the first protrusions 12 of the first housing 11 and are integrally connected.

[0033] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 includes a first type terminal, the first terminal 61A, and a second type terminal, the first terminal 61B. In each terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are arranged alternately. In addition, in one terminal row 60 and another adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A are arranged side by side and the first terminals 61B are arranged side by side with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. In the example shown in the figure, in each terminal row 60, eight first terminals 61A and eight first terminals 61B are arranged at a predetermined pitch (for example, about 0.15 to 0.18 [mm]), but the number and pitch of the first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] Furthermore, the first protrusion 12 has a recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, that is, between adjacent first terminals 61A and first terminal 61B, which is recessed inward, that is, recessed toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12. The recess 12d is formed on both the outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c, which are the wall surfaces of the first protrusion 12, in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61A and first terminal 61B. Because the recess 12d is formed, the outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c of the interterminal wall 12e, which are the parts that maintain insulation between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, become curved surfaces, and the distance between first terminals 61 along the wall surface, that is, the creepage distance, becomes longer compared to the case of a flat surface, thus improving the insulation between adjacent first terminals 61.

[0035] Furthermore, the bottom plate portion 17 is located on the lower side and protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the outer surface 12b and inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the inner surface 12c. In addition, a flange 17a is formed on the outer surface 12b side of the bottom plate portion 17, which is a flat plate-shaped flange portion that protrudes significantly outward in the width direction of the first housing 11. In other words, a flange 17a is formed on at least one outer edge of the first housing 11 in the side wall portion 18, which is the area where the first terminal 61, which is a plug terminal, is mounted in the first connector 1 (in the example shown in the figure, the outer edge on the outer surface 12b side of the bottom plate portion 17). If necessary, a flange 17a can also be formed on the outer edge on the inner surface 12c side of the bottom plate portion 17. Furthermore, the lower surface 17a2 (the mounting surface side) of the flange 17a may be the same plane as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, and whether or not it is the same plane as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 can be selected as appropriate.

[0036] Furthermore, it is desirable that the flange 17a includes an anchor cover portion 17e as an inner column lower cover portion formed on its upper surface 17a1 (the surface on the fitting surface side). The anchor cover portion 17e is formed to cover at least a portion of the widthwise outer surface of the first protrusion 12 in the lower end of the inner column portion 65 of the first terminal 61 and / or the anchor portion 65b formed at the lower end. By forming the anchor cover portion 17e, the strength of the flange 17a is improved, and the lower end of the inner column portion 65 and / or the anchor portion 65b are reliably held and protected by the first housing 11.

[0037] Since the flange 17a is formed to be located above (in the positive Z-axis direction) the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, the lower surface 17a2 of the flange 17a is located above (in the positive Z-axis direction) the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, which is the bottom surface of the first housing 11. Furthermore, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a is formed to be a flat surface. The lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 is the mounting surface of the first housing 11 that faces the surface of the first substrate.

[0038] The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processing on a conductive metal plate. The first terminal 61A and the first terminal 61B are substantially the same, but are arranged so that they face opposite directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1.

[0039] Each first terminal 61 includes an outer column portion 63 as a second contact portion extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 62 as a substrate connection portion projecting outward in the width direction of the first protrusion 12 from the lower end of the outer column portion 63, an inner column portion 65 as a first contact portion extending in the vertical direction opposite to the outer column portion 63, and a curved connecting portion 64 connecting the upper end of the inner column portion 65 to the upper end of the outer column portion 63.

[0040] The outer surface of the first protrusion 12 in the width direction on the outer column portion 63 is a second contact surface 63a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, and the outer surface of the first protrusion 12 in the width direction on the inner column portion 65 is a first contact surface 65a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101. Furthermore, an anchor portion 65b having an anchor shape that is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17 of the side wall portion 18 and prevents it from coming out is formed at the lower end of the inner column portion 65. In addition, an upper end protrusion 64a that protrudes outward in the width direction on the first protrusion 12 is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the inner column portion 65 and the connecting portion 64.

[0041] Furthermore, the end face 62a at the tip of the tail portion 62 is a cut surface resulting from separation from the connecting arm of a terminal carrier (not shown). Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is adjacent to the end face 62a and is a connection surface that is connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate and connected to a connecting pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line.

[0042] Each first terminal 61 is a member formed by bending a long, narrow metal strip extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and it is desirable that its dimension in the width direction (X-axis direction) be approximately constant (for example, about 0.12 [mm]).

[0043] Furthermore, in the case of a first terminal 61 in which the tail portion 62 extends inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1, that is, in the case of a first terminal 61 that extends within the groove portion 13, it is desirable that the length of the tail portion 62 be shorter than that of a first terminal 61 that extends outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(b), the length of the tail portion 62 protruding from the inner surface 12c side of the bottom plate portion 17 where the flange 17a is not formed is approximately equal to the length of the tail portion 62 protruding from the flange 17a on the outer surface 12b side of the bottom plate portion 17, making it easier to connect the tail portion 62 to the connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by soldering, etc. Furthermore, the possibility of the tail portion 62 extending from the left half portion 10A into the groove portion 13 and the tail portion 62 extending from the right half portion 10B into the groove portion 13 coming into contact is eliminated, and the connection work of soldering the tail portion 62 to the numerous connection pads formed on the narrow surface area of ​​the first substrate corresponding to the narrow space of the groove portion 13 becomes easier.

[0044] As described above, in each terminal row 60, first terminals 61A and first terminals 61B are arranged alternately, and in one terminal row 60 and another adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A are arranged side by side and the first terminals 61B are arranged side by side with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 5(b), the first terminal 61 located at the front end (positive X-axis end) of the upper terminal row 60 is the first terminal 61B, and its orientation is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes inward in the width direction of the first connector 1, while the second first terminal 61 from the front end is the first terminal 61A, and its orientation is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes outward in the width direction of the first connector 1. As described above, the first terminals 61 are attached to the first protrusion 12 in an alternating, opposite orientation. Therefore, the pitch of the tail portions 62 protruding from each side of the first protrusion 12 is twice the pitch of the first terminals 61. Furthermore, the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported by one side wall 18 that extend toward the other side wall 18 and the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 supported by the other side wall 18 that extend toward the one side wall 18 are arranged in a staggered pattern with a half-pitch offset from each other. In other words, the multiple tail portions 62 in the first connector 1 form four rows in total and are arranged in a staggered pattern. Therefore, connection work such as soldering to the connection pads of the first substrate can be easily performed.

[0045] When the first terminal 61 is integrated with the first housing 11, the upper surface of the connecting portion 64 is in approximately the same position as the mating surface 12a, which is the upper surface of the first protrusion 12. In other words, the upper surface of the connecting portion 64 of each first terminal 61 is approximately flush with the mating surface 12a of the first protrusion 12.

[0046] Furthermore, the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65 of the first terminal 61 are substantially flush with the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12 of the side wall portion 18, and the first contact surface 65a is substantially flush with the second contact surface 63a. In other words, on both sides of the first protrusion 12, with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1, the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a of each first terminal 61 are in positions corresponding to the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c, and the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a are in positions corresponding to each other. To put it another way, the contact surfaces of the first terminals 61 of each terminal row 60 are in line on both sides of the first protrusion 12, or multiple first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 are in line.

[0047] On the other hand, in the terminal row 60, a recess 12d is formed between the contact surfaces of adjacent first terminals 61, that is, between adjacent first contact surfaces 65a and second contact surfaces 63a, which is recessed toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12. However, the dimension of the recess 12d in the width direction (X-axis direction) is narrower than the width of the contact surface of the first terminal 61, preferably narrower than the width dimension of the second terminal 161, more preferably narrower than the width dimension of the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161 (described later), and even more preferably narrower than the proximal contact protrusion 166a and distal contact protrusion 165a of the contact portion 167 (described later) (for example, about 0.065 [mm]). As a result, even if the relative position of the first connector 1 or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) shifts for some reason when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161 will not become stuck in the recess 12d.

[0048] In each terminal row 60, there is a terminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61, with the outer column portion 63, inner column portion 65, and connecting portion 64 being integrated with the outer column portion 63, inner column portion 65, and connecting portion 64. This ensures reliable insulation between adjacent first terminals 61, and the first terminals 61 are firmly held by the first protrusion 12 of the side wall portion 18.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of each first terminal 61 is in approximately the same position as the lower surface 17c of the base plate portion 17, that is, it is approximately flush with the lower surface 17c of the base plate portion 17. The lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is exposed from the lower surface 17c of the base plate portion 17. On the other hand, the base plate portion 17 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61. Furthermore, at least a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 62 that protrudes toward the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12 is also covered by the flange 17a. Preferably, with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12, at least the midpoint of the range from the point adjacent to the outer column portion 63 to the end surface 62a of the tail portion 62 is covered by the base plate portion 17 and the flange 17a. Also, with respect to the width direction of the first protrusion 12, the anchor portion 65b located on the opposite side of the tail portion 62 is embedded in the base plate portion 17. As a result, the first terminal 61, including the tail portion 62 and the anchor portion 65b, is more firmly held to the first protrusion 12 of the side wall portion 18.

[0050] Furthermore, slit-shaped grooves 17b extending in the width direction of the first protrusion 12 can be formed in the bottom plate portion 17 and flange 17a at locations corresponding to each tail portion 62.

[0051] On the other hand, the end face of the free end of the inner column portion 65, that is, the lower surface of the anchor portion 65b, is at a higher position (in the positive Z-axis direction) than the lower surface 17c of the base plate portion 17, but at least a portion of it is exposed when viewed from the mounting surface (lower surface 17c) side.

[0052] Furthermore, on the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62, the connecting agent such as solder is applied to the portion that protrudes outward from the bottom plate portion 17. However, the distance from this portion to the second contact surfaces 63a exposed on both the left and right sides of the first protrusion 12 is long in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12. Therefore, the connecting agent such as solder does not adhere to the second contact surfaces 63a due to so-called solder rise. In addition, the distance from the aforementioned portion to the first contact surface 65a adjacent to the second contact surface 63a is also long in the width direction, longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and vertical direction of the first protrusion 12, and there is insulating material constituting the first housing 11, so the connecting agent such as solder does not adhere to the first contact surface 65a due to solder rise.

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

[0054] The first protruding end 16 functions as an insertion projection that is inserted into the fitting recess 122 of the second protruding end 121 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrally attached to it.

[0055] In each half-body portion 10, longitudinal extension ends 14 are integrally connected to both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12 of the side wall portion 18, and embedded portions 15 that further extend longitudinally from the first protrusion 12 are integrally connected to each extension end 14. The extension ends 14 extend at an inward angle, and the embedded portions 15 extend longitudinally from an inwardly eccentric position at the tip of the extension end 14 and are located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. In other words, in the left half-body portion 10A, the extension end 14 extends at an angle to the right (negative Y-axis direction), and the embedded portion 15 extends longitudinally from an inwardly eccentric position at the tip of the extension end 14. Furthermore, the extended end 14 of the right half portion 10B extends diagonally to the left (positive Y-axis direction), and the buried portion 15 extends longitudinally from a position eccentric to the left at the tip of the extended end 14.

[0056] Furthermore, at least a portion of the extended end portion 14 and the entirety of the buried portion 15 in the left and right halves 10 are covered by a first protruding end portion 16 formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. In other words, at least a portion of the extended end portion 14 and the entirety of the buried portion 15 are embedded within the first protruding end portion 16.

[0057] Specifically, the first protruding end 16 is formed by bringing the embedded portions 15 of the left and right halves 10 close together and performing insert molding while covered by the first reinforcing fitting 51. This forms the first protruding end 16, which integrates the extended ends 14 of the left and right halves 10, the embedded portions 15, and the first reinforcing fitting 51, and joins the side wall portions 18 of the left and right halves 10. Incidentally, the first protruding end 16 does not necessarily need to cover the entire embedded portion 15; it is sufficient to cover the embedded portion 15 to the extent that it is necessary to join the left and right halves 10. However, to achieve the strongest possible joining force, it is desirable to cover the entire embedded portion 15. Note that the first protruding end 16 is a member formed to be integrated with other members by insert molding and does not exist independently separated from other members. However, for the sake of explanation, it is depicted as existing independently in Figure 3.

[0058] In this way, the extension end 14 extends inward at an angle, and the embedded portion 15 is located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, so the width of the first protruding end 16 (dimension in the Y-axis direction) can be made smaller than the width of the first connector 1 (distance between the outer surfaces 12b of the left and right first protrusions 12). If it is not necessary to make the width of the first protruding end 16 smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the extension end 14 does not necessarily need to be inward at an angle, and can be extended straight. Furthermore, the extension end 14 can be omitted by extending the embedded portion 15 directly from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12. In that case, the longitudinal dimension of the first connector 1 can be shortened. Moreover, when three or more half-body portions 10 are arranged in parallel, the extension end 14 can be extended in a Y-shape from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12.

[0059] The first reinforcing bracket 51 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate such as punching and bending, and includes an upper plate 54 extending in the width direction of the first housing 11, substantially rectangular leg portions 55 connected to the left and right side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward, and an outer end wall covering portion 52 and an inner end wall covering portion 53 connected to the front and rear side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward. A tail portion 52a, which serves as a substrate connection portion, is connected to the lower end of the outer end wall covering portion 52. The width of the outer end wall covering portion 52 is greater than the width of the inner end wall covering portion 53.

[0060] As described above, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the first protruding end 16. The upper plate 54 is embedded in the upper surface of the first protruding end 16, and the upper surface of the upper plate 54 is flush with the upper surface of the first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the upper surface of the first protruding end 16. The left and right legs 55 are embedded in the left and right outer surfaces of the first protruding end 16, and the outer surfaces of the legs 55 are flush with the outer surface of the first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the outer surface of the first protruding end 16. Furthermore, the outer end wall covering portion 52 and the inner end wall covering portion 53 are embedded in the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end 16, and the outer surfaces of the outer end wall covering portion 52 and the inner end wall covering portion 53 are flush with the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end 16.

[0061] The tail portion 52a is bent at approximately 90 degrees and connected to the lower end of the outer surface covering portion 52 of the end wall, extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11, and connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a power line, but may also be a signal line. If necessary, the lower end portion 55a of the leg portion 55 can be made to approach or abut against the surface of the first substrate. In this case, by connecting the lower end portion 55a to the connection pad of the first substrate as a substrate connection portion by soldering or the like, the connection strength of the first reinforcing bracket 51 to the first substrate is improved, and it can also be connected to a power line or a signal line, similar to the tail portion 52a.

[0062] Furthermore, even if the groove 13 is a single through-hole or has a bottom plate, the pair of half-parts 10 as the first housing 11 and the pair of first protruding ends 16 as the pair of end walls may be integrally molded with the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 by a single insert molding process. In addition, the first reinforcing fitting 51 may not be integrally molded but may be press-fitted into the first housing 11 or the first protruding end 16 and held in place.

[0063] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101, which together with the first connector 1 constitutes the connector assembly, will be described.

[0064] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and Figure 8 is a four-view drawing of the second connector in the first embodiment. In Figure 6, (a) is a view from the mating surface side, and (b) is a view from the mounting surface side. In Figure 8, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a bottom view.

[0065] In this embodiment, the second connector 101, which is a mating connector and is a receptacle connector, has a second housing 111, which is a mating housing and is a receptacle housing integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The upper wall surface 111a, which is the upper surface of the wall portion of the second housing 111, is the surface in the second housing 111 into which the first connector 1 is fitted, i.e., the mating surface. As shown in the figure, the second housing 111 has a roughly rectangular, plate-like shape that is roughly a rectangular parallelepiped. On the upper wall surface 111a side (negative Z-axis side), there is a roughly rectangular recess 112 surrounded by a perimeter, which is a recess 112 that mates with the first housing 11. Furthermore, a second protrusion 113, which serves as an island portion that fits with the groove portion 13, is integrally formed with the second housing 111 within the recess 112, and side wall portions 114 extending parallel to the second protrusion 113 are integrally formed with the second housing 111 on both sides of the second protrusion 113. Here, the upper surface of the second protrusion 113 is also in the same plane as the upper wall surface 111a, and is therefore referred to as the upper wall surface 111a.

[0066] The second protrusion 113 and the side wall portion 114 protrude upward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the bottom surface of the recess 112 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. As a result, on both sides of the second protrusion 113, elongated recesses called groove portions 112a are formed as part of the recess 112, extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101.

[0067] A groove-shaped second terminal housing cavity 115a is formed on both sides of the second protrusion 113 and on the inner side of the side wall portion 114. A hole-shaped second terminal housing cavity 115b is formed in the second protrusion 113 and the side wall portion 114. The second terminal housing cavity 115a and the second terminal housing cavity 115b are connected and integrated at the bottom surface of the groove portion 112a, so when describing the second terminal housing cavity 115a and the second terminal housing cavity 115b together, they will be described as the second terminal housing cavity 115. The second terminal housing cavity 115 is arranged at a pitch corresponding to the first terminal 61 and in a corresponding number. Then, each of the second terminal housing cavities 115 houses a second terminal 161 as a mating terminal, and as a result, multiple second terminals 161 are arranged in each groove 112a at a pitch corresponding to the first terminal 61 and in a corresponding number (16 in the example shown in the figure).

[0068] The second terminal 161 is a component integrally formed by processing a conductive metal plate, such as by punching, and comprises a main body portion 163 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 162 as a substrate connection portion formed and connected to the lower end (positive Z-axis end) of the main body portion 163, a proximal connection portion 163b as a second connecting portion extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101 from near the lower end of the main body portion 163, a proximal contact portion 166 as a second arm portion extending in the vertical direction with its lower end near the tip of the proximal connection portion 163b connected, a distal connection portion 164 extending in the width direction of the second connector 101 from the lower end of the proximal contact portion 166, and a distal contact portion 165 as a first arm portion extending upward (negative Z-axis direction) from the tip of the distal connection portion 164.

[0069] When describing the proximal contact portion 166 as the second arm or second contact portion, the distal contact portion 165 as the first arm or first contact portion, and the distal connecting portion 164 as a connecting portion between them, they will be described as a contact portion 167. The contact portion 167 is an elastically deformable portion that contacts the first terminal 61 and has a substantially U-shaped form overall.

[0070] Furthermore, it is desirable that proximal contact protrusions 166a and distal contact protrusions 165a are formed near the tips of the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165, respectively, so as to face each other. In addition, the main body portion 163 functions as a press-fit portion that is press-fitted into and held in the second terminal housing cavity 115b, and it is desirable that an engaging protrusion 163a is formed near its tip so as to bite into the side surface of the second terminal housing cavity 115b.

[0071] Furthermore, the tail portion 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the main body portion 163, extends in the width direction of the second housing 111, and its lower surface 162b is connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line. In addition, the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 are portions that come into contact with the first terminal 61 of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and the proximal contact projection 166a and the distal contact projection 165a come into contact with the first contact surface 65a and the second contact surface 63a, which are the contact surfaces of the first terminal 61, and preferably engage with the upper end projection 64a.

[0072] The second terminal 161 is inserted into the second terminal housing cavity 115 from below the second housing 111 and attached to the second housing 111. As a result, the main body portion 163 of the second terminal 161 is press-fitted into the second terminal housing cavity 115b and held in place, the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 are exposed to the groove portion 112a, and the lower surface 162b of the tail portion 162 is exposed to the mounting surface 111b, which is the lower surface of the second housing 111. The side edge of the upper wall surface 111a on the groove portion 112a side is a canopy portion 111d that protrudes toward the widthwise center of the groove portion 112a so as to cover at least a portion above the second terminal housing groove cavity 115a. Furthermore, the visor portion 111d is configured to cover at least a portion of the upper surfaces of the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 of the second terminal 161, which are housed in the second terminal housing groove cavity 115a.

[0073] Furthermore, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove 112a form multiple (two in the example shown in the figure) terminal rows 160 that extend along the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 along each groove 112a. The second terminals 161 include a second terminal 161A, which is a first type of terminal, and a second terminal 161B, which is a second type of terminal. In each terminal row 160, the second terminals 161A and 161B are arranged alternately. In addition, one terminal row 160 and another adjacent terminal row 160 are arranged such that, with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, the second terminals 161A are aligned with each other and the second terminals 161B are aligned with each other.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 7, the orientation of the second terminal 161 located at the front end (positive X-axis end) of each groove 112a is such that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the negative Y-axis, while the orientation of the second second terminal 161 located second from the front end is such that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the positive Y-axis. In this way, the second terminals 161 are mounted in the groove 112a in alternating opposite directions, so the pitch of the tail portions 162 exposed on the mounting surface 111b on both sides of the groove 112a is twice the pitch of the second terminals 161. Furthermore, the tail portions 162 of the second terminal 161 attached to each groove portion 112a that extend toward the other groove portion 112a, and the tail portions 162 of the second terminal 161 attached to the other groove portion 112a that extend toward the one groove portion 112a, are arranged in a staggered pattern with a half-pitch offset from each other. In other words, the multiple tail portions 162 in the second connector 101 are arranged in four rows as a whole, and in a staggered pattern. Therefore, connection work such as soldering to the connection pads of the second substrate can be easily performed. In addition, the pitch of the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 exposed in the groove portion 112a is twice the pitch of the second terminal 161.

[0075] Each second terminal 161 is preferably formed such that the widthwise dimension (X-axis direction) of its contact portion 167 is approximately constant, and is larger than the widthwise dimension (X-axis direction) between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, i.e., the widthwise dimension of the interterminal wall 12e, and is at least larger than the widthwise dimension (for example, about 0.08 [mm]) of the recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e. More preferably, each second terminal 161 is formed such that the widthwise dimensions of at least the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact protrusion 165a of the distal contact portion 165 in the contact portion 167 are larger than the widthwise dimension of the recess 12d. As a result, even if the relative position of the first connector 1 or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) shifts for some reason when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161 will not become stuck in the recess 12d.

[0076] Furthermore, in the case of a second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, it is desirable that the protrusion length of the tail portion 162 from the lower end of the main body portion 163 is shorter than that of a second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, and that the lower surface 162b of the tail portion 162 is formed to be closer to the proximal contact portion 166. As a result, the lower surface 162b of the tail portion 162 located below the second protrusion 113 is spaced apart from the width direction center of the second connector 101, eliminating the possibility of the tail portions 162 extending inward in the width direction of the second connector 101 from the terminal rows 160 on both the left and right sides coming into contact with each other, and also facilitating connection work such as soldering the lower surface 162b of the tail portion 162 to the numerous connection pads formed on the surface of the second substrate in a narrow area corresponding to below the second protrusion 113.

[0077] Second protruding ends 121, which serve as fitting guides, are provided at both longitudinal ends of the second housing 111. A fitting recess 122 is formed in each second protruding end 121 as part of the recess 112. The fitting recess 122 is a recess with a substantially rectangular planar shape and is connected to both longitudinal ends of each groove 112a. When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 1 is inserted into the fitting recess 122.

[0078] Furthermore, a second reinforcing bracket 151 is attached to the second protruding end 121 as a mating reinforcing bracket. Note that the second reinforcing bracket 151 is a component that is integrated with the second housing 111 by insert molding, and therefore does not exist independently separated from the second housing 111. However, for the sake of explanation, it is depicted as existing independently in Figure 7. Also, the location on the second housing 111 where the second reinforcing bracket 151 is attached does not exist separately from the second reinforcing bracket 151.

[0079] The second reinforcing bracket 151 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate by punching, bending, etc., and comprises a second main body portion 152 extending in the width direction of the second housing 111, side covering portions 153 connected to both the left and right ends of the second main body portion 152, a tail portion 156 connected to the lower end of the second main body portion 152, an end wall cover portion 157 connected to the upper end of the second main body portion 152, a recessed cover portion 155 connected to the end wall cover portion 157, and a pair of left and right contact arm portions 154 as elastic members connected to both left and right side edges of the recessed cover portion 155. The tail portion 156 extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 and is connected by soldering or the like to a connecting pad (not shown) connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate. The conductive trace is typically a power line, but may also be a signal line. In addition, if necessary, the lower end 153c of the side covering portion 153 can be made to approach or abut against the surface of the second substrate. In this case, by connecting the lower end 153c of the lateral cover portion 153 to the connection pad of the second substrate by soldering or the like, the connection strength of the second reinforcing bracket 151 to the second substrate is improved.

[0080] A side wall upper cover portion 153b is connected to the upper end of each side cover portion 153. The side wall upper cover portion 153b is curved at an angle of 90 degrees or more, and its tip extends diagonally downward toward the fitting recess 122. In addition, a contact projection 154a is formed near the upper end of the contact arm portion 154, i.e., the tip, as a contact portion, which is formed in a shape that bulges toward the widthwise center of the second housing 111. Furthermore, an island end cover portion 155a is connected to the widthwise center of the second connector 101 at the tip of the recess cover portion 155.

[0081] The recess cover portion 155 is housed within a bottom plate opening 128b formed to penetrate the bottom plate 122b of the fitting recess 122 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The contact arm portion 154 is housed within the bottom plate opening 128b and within a side wall recess 128a formed on the inner surface of the fitting recess 122, continuous with the bottom plate opening 128b. The contact arm portion 154 is not integrated with the second housing 111 and is housed within the bottom plate opening 128b and the side wall recess 128a in an elastically deformable state. Therefore, the contact arm portion 154, which functions as an elastic member, has a long spring length and can exert a spring force that can apply contact pressure to the contact protrusion 154a to ensure that the contact protrusion 154a reliably maintains contact with the first reinforcing fitting 51.

[0082] Furthermore, the island end cover portion 155a is designed to cover both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113, i.e., the island end, with at least its tip embedded. As a result, both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113 will not be damaged even if they come into contact with a part of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together.

[0083] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 of the above configuration will be described.

[0084] Figure 9 is a first three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 10 is a second three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 11 is a first cross-sectional view of the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 12 is a second cross-sectional view of the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 14 is a two-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, with an enlarged view of section H in Figure 14(b), and Figure 16 is a mated state in the first embodiment Figure 17 is a two-view drawing showing the case where the relative positions of the first and second connectors are misaligned in the mated state in the first embodiment, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section K in Figure 16(b). Figure 18 is a two-view drawing showing the state in which the first and second connectors are mated in the reference example, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section M in Figure 18(b). Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the relative positions of the first and second connectors are misaligned in the mated state in the reference example, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the section viewed by arrow LL in Figure 18(a). Figure 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the case where the relative positions of the first and second connectors are misaligned in the mated state in the reference example, and is an enlarged view of section N in Figure 20.In Figure 9, (a) is a plan view from the first connector side, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA arrow in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB arrow in (a). In Figure 10, (a) is a plan view from the first connector side, (b) is a perspective view of the second connector including the cross-section taken along the CC arrow in (a), and (c) is a perspective view of the first connector including the cross-section taken along the CC arrow in (a). In Figure 11, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along the DD arrow in Figure 10(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along the DD arrow in Figure 10(a). In Figure 12, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along the BB arrow. Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE arrow in Figure 10(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE arrow in Figure 10(a). In Figure 13, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 10(a), (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 10(a) of the second connector, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 10(a) of the first connector. In Figure 14, (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the GG arrow in (a). In Figure 16, (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the JJ arrow in (a). In Figure 18, (a) is a side view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in (a).

[0085] For the sake of explanation, this description will explain an example in which the first connector 1 is surface-mounted on the first substrate by the following means: the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate (not shown); and the tail portion 52a and the lower end portion 55a of the leg portion 55 at the lower end of the outer cover portion 52 of the end wall of the first reinforcing bracket 51 are connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate. It will be explained that the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected is a signal line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 52a and the lower end portion 55a of the first reinforcing bracket 51 are connected is a power line.

[0086] Similarly, an example will be described in which the second connector 101 is surface-mounted on the second substrate by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate (not shown) via the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161, and by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate via the tail portion 156 and the lower end 153c of the side cover portion 153 of the second reinforcing bracket 151 via soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate. It will be explained that the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected is a signal line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 156 and the lower end 153c of the second reinforcing bracket 151 are connected is a power line.

[0087] First, the operator positions the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 facing each other, with the mating surface 12a of the first protrusion 12, which serves as the mating surface of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1, facing the upper wall surface 111a of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101. When the position of the first protrusion 12 of the first connector 1 aligns with the position of the corresponding recess 112a of the second connector 101, and the position of the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 1 aligns with the position of the corresponding mating recess 122 of the second connector 101, the alignment of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0088] In this state, when the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 are moved toward the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the first protrusion 12 and the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 1 are inserted into the groove 112a and mating recess 122 of the second connector 101. As a result, the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed, as shown in Figures 1, 9, etc.

[0089] Then, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 become electrically connected. Specifically, as shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), the outer column portion 63, connecting portion 64, and inner column portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161. Then, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 come into contact with the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65, which are the contact surfaces.

[0090] Here, since the distance from the second contact surface 63a to the first contact surface 65a at each first terminal 61 is greater than the distance from the proximal contact projection 166a to the distal contact projection 165a at the corresponding second terminal 161, when the outer column portion 63, connecting portion 64, and inner column portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161, the second terminal 161 is elastically deformed, and the gap between the proximal contact projection 166a and the distal contact projection 165a is widened. Therefore, the repulsive force generated by the second terminal 161 causes the proximal contact protrusion 166a and the distal contact protrusion 165a to be pressed against the second contact surface 63a and the first contact surface 65a, thereby ensuring that contact between the proximal contact protrusion 166a and the distal contact protrusion 165a and the second contact surface 63a and the first contact surface 65a is reliably maintained, and the electrical conductivity between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 is reliably maintained.

[0091] In this embodiment, the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 includes a housing wall portion 111e located between the main body portion 163, which serves as the press-fit portion for the second terminal 161, and the contact portion 167, as shown in Figures 9(b) and (c), 11(a), and 12(a). The lower end of the housing wall portion 111e faces the proximal connection portion 163b of the second terminal 161 with a gap between them. When the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed, as shown in Figures 9(b) and (c), the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a formed on the bottom plate portion 17 of the first housing 11 can come into contact with the upper wall surface 111a, which is the upper surface of the housing wall portion 111e present on at least one side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second housing 111. Preferably, more than half (50%) of the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a is in contact with the upper wall surface 111a of at least one of the housing wall portions 111e. Furthermore, the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e extends to the overhang portion 111d, which is a region that covers a part of the area above the proximal contact portion 166.

[0092] In the examples shown in Figures 9(b) and (c), the flange 17a is formed only on the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 17 on the outer surface 12b side. However, if necessary, the flange 17a can also be formed on the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 17 on the inner surface 12c side. In this case, the range in which the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a can contact the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e, which is present in both the width direction of the second housing 111, becomes wider.

[0093] Furthermore, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a and / or the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e function as reference surfaces for mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101.

[0094] In this way, since the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a of the first housing 11 and the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e of the second housing 111 can come into contact with each other, even if an excessive load in the mating direction is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 for some reason (for example, if the electronic device on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor, or if another component collides with the electronic device, resulting in a large external force), the stability of the mating state between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is maintained. As a result, the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 will not be damaged, nor will the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 become tilted relative to each other, thus maintaining the reliability of the mating.

[0095] Furthermore, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a of the first housing 11 can abut against the overhang portion 111d on the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e, which is adjacent to the second terminal housing cavity 115b in the second housing 111 where the main body portion 163 of the second terminal 161 is press-fitted and engages. As a result, even if an excessive load is applied in the fitting direction, the load will be borne by the overhang portion 111d, which is adjacent to the second terminal housing cavity 115b, which has relatively high strength, and the stability of the fitted state will be more reliably maintained.

[0096] Furthermore, once the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is complete and the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are electrically connected, in detail, as shown in Figures 14(b) and 15, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161 come into contact with the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65, which are the contact surfaces of the corresponding first terminal 61. Note that a recess 12d is formed in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1, and is recessed toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first projection 12.

[0097] In the example shown in the figure, the recess 12d is a groove-shaped recess having a roughly U-shaped cross-sectional shape in the X-axis-Y-axis cross-section, with a curved bottom surface formed by the interterminal wall 12e of the first convex portion 12, which is part of the first housing 11, and both sides formed by the adjacent first terminals 61, specifically the outer column portion 63 and the inner column portion 65. Furthermore, the width dimension (X-axis direction) of the recess 12d is set to approximately 0.065 [mm], which is narrower than the proximal contact convex portion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact convex portion 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161. Furthermore, the width dimension (X-axis direction) of the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 is set to approximately 0.080 [mm], which is narrower than the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65 of the first terminal 61, but wider than the recess 12d.

[0098] In this way, the distance between adjacent first terminals 61 is narrower than the width of the second terminal 161, and more preferably, the widthwise dimension of the recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61 is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact protrusion 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of the second terminal 161. Therefore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, even if an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) for some reason (for example, if the electronic device on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor or if another component collides with the electronic device and a large external force is applied), the second terminal 161 will not fall into the recess 12d, and the first terminal 61 and / or the second terminal 161 will not be damaged. Furthermore, when the excessive load is released, the relative positions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and the relative positions of the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161, can return to their original states as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Therefore, the reliability of the connection can be maintained.

[0099] For example, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, if an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction, the relative positions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), as shown in Figure 16. In this case, as shown in Figure 17, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161 are relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 from the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65 of the first terminal 61, and face the recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e between the first terminals 61. However, since the widthwise dimension of the recess 12d is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 and the distal contact protrusion 165a of the distal contact portion 165, the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 and the distal contact protrusion 165a of the distal contact portion 165 do not fall into the recess 12d.

[0100] Here, for comparison, a reference example shown in Figures 18-21 will be described. The connector assembly in this reference example has substantially the same configuration as the connector assembly in this embodiment, so the reference numerals assigned to each part will be the same as those assigned to each part of the connector assembly in this embodiment, with an apostrophe added. The parts of the connector assembly in this embodiment that are assigned numerals without an apostrophe and the parts of the connector assembly in the reference example that are assigned numerals with an apostrophe will be described as substantially the same.

[0101] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, once the mating of the first connector 1' and the second connector 101' is complete and the first terminal 61' and the second terminal 161' are electrically connected, the proximal contact projection 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' and the distal contact projection 165a' of the distal contact portion 165' of each second terminal 161' come into contact with the second contact surface 63a' of the outer column portion 63' and the first contact surface 65a' of the inner column portion 65' of the corresponding first terminal 61'. In addition, recesses 12d' are formed in the interterminal walls 12e' between adjacent first terminals 61' in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1'.

[0102] Furthermore, the width dimension (X-axis direction) of the recess 12d' is set to approximately 0.068 [mm]. Also, the width dimension (X-axis direction) of the proximal contact protrusion 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' and the distal contact protrusion 165a' of the distal contact portion 165' of the second terminal 161' is set to approximately 0.060 [mm]. In other words, in this example, the width of the recess 12d' formed between adjacent first terminals 61' is wider than the width of the proximal contact protrusion 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' and the distal contact protrusion 165a' of the distal contact portion 165' of the second terminal 161'.

[0103] Therefore, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, when an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1' and / or the second connector 101' in the longitudinal direction, the relative positions of the first connector 1' and the second connector 101' become shifted in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the proximal contact protrusion 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' and the distal contact protrusion 165a' of the distal contact portion 165' of the second terminal 161' are relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1' and the second connector 101' from the second contact surface 63a' of the outer column portion 63' and the first contact surface 65a' of the inner column portion 65' of the first terminal 61', so that they face the recess 12d' formed in the interterminal wall 12e' between the first terminals 61'. In the example, the widthwise dimension of the recess 12d' is larger than the widthwise dimension of the proximal contact protrusion 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' of the second terminal 161' and the distal contact protrusion 165a' of the distal contact portion 165', so the proximal contact protrusion 166a' of the proximal contact portion 166' of the second terminal 161' and the distal contact protrusion 165a' of the distal contact portion 165' fall into the recess 12d'.

[0104] Thus, in this embodiment, the connector assembly comprises a first connector 1 and a second connector 101 that mates with the first connector 1. The second connector 101 includes a second housing 111 and a second terminal 161 attached to the second housing 111, and the first connector 1 includes a first housing 11 and a first terminal 61 attached to the first housing 11, and the first housing 11 includes an inwardly recessed recess 12d formed between adjacent first terminals 61, the distance between adjacent first terminals 61 being smaller than the width dimension of the second terminal 161.

[0105] As a result, even if an excessive longitudinal load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 for any reason while the second connector 101 and the first connector 1 are mated, the second terminal 161 will not fall into the recess 12d, and the first terminal 61 and / or the second terminal 161 will not be damaged. Furthermore, when the excessive load is released, the relative positional relationship between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and the relative positional relationship between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 can return to their original state, thus maintaining the reliability of the connection. Therefore, it is possible to provide a connector assembly that is easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized and low-profile, and is highly reliable.

[0106] Furthermore, the second terminal 161 includes an elastically deformable contact portion 167, the width dimension of which is greater than the distance between adjacent first terminals 61 facing the contact portion 167. In addition, the recess 12d has its bottom surface formed by the first housing 11, and both sides of it are formed by the sides of adjacent first terminals 61. Furthermore, the second connector 101 is a receptacle connector, and the second terminal 161 includes a substantially U-shaped contact portion 167 on one side that is elastically deformable in the width direction of the second connector 101, and a tail portion 162 on the other side. The first connector 1 is a plug connector, and the first terminal 61 includes an inner column portion 65 and an outer column portion 63 fixed to the first housing 11, and is insertable between the substantially U-shaped contact portions 167 of the second terminal 161. Furthermore, the second terminal 161 includes a proximal contact portion 166 on the tail portion 162 side of the substantially U-shaped contact portion 167, and the width dimension of the proximal contact portion 166 is greater than the distance between adjacent first terminals 61. In addition, the multiple second terminals 161 and multiple first terminals 61 are arranged such that the tail portions 162 and tail portions 62 are in four rows and in a staggered pattern.

[0107] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. Similarly, the same operation and effects as those in the first embodiment will also be omitted from the description.

[0108] Figure 22 is a first three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 23 is a second three-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 24 is a first cross-sectional view showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, and Figure 25 is a second cross-sectional view showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment. In Figure 22, (a) is a plan view from the first connector side, (b) is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the PP arrow in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the QQ arrow in (a). In Figure 23, (a) is a plan view from the first connector side, (b) is a perspective view of the second connector including the cross-section in the direction of the RR arrow in (a), and (c) is a perspective view of the first connector including the cross-section in the direction of the RR arrow in (a). In Figure 24, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the direction of the SS arrow in Figure 23(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector in the direction of the SS arrow in Figure 23(a). In Figure 25, (a) is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the direction of the TT arrow in Figure 23(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second connector in the direction of the TT arrow in Figure 23(a).

[0109] In the first embodiment described above, in the case where the tail portion 62 extends inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1, that is, in the case where the first terminal 61 extends into the groove portion 13, the length of the tail portion 62 and its lower surface 62b is shorter than that of the first terminal 61 where the tail portion 62 extends outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. However, in this embodiment, the tail portion 62 and its lower surface 62b are formed to be equal in length between the first terminal 61 where the tail portion 62 extends inward in the width direction of the first connector 1 and the first terminal 61 where the tail portion 62 extends outward in the width direction of the first connector 1.

[0110] In other words, in this embodiment, all first terminals 61 have the same shape and dimensions.

[0111] Therefore, in this embodiment, the manufacturing of the first terminal 61 becomes easier, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the configuration of the first connector 1 equipped with the first terminal 61 is simplified, the manufacturing of the first connector 1 becomes easier, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0112] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, in the case of a second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, the protruding length of the tail portion 162 from the lower end of the main body portion 163 is shorter than that of a second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, and the lower surface 162b of the tail portion 162 is formed to be closer to the proximal contact portion 166. However, in this embodiment, the second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends inward in the width direction of the second connector 101 and the second terminal 161 in which the tail portion 162 extends outward in the width direction of the second connector 101 are formed such that the protruding length of the tail portion 162 from the lower end of the main body portion 163 is equal, and the distance of its lower surface 162b from the proximal contact portion 166 is also equal. Furthermore, with respect to portions other than the tail portion 162, in both the first embodiment and this embodiment, the second terminal 161 extending inward in the width direction of the second connector 101 and the second terminal 161 extending outward in the width direction of the second connector 101 have the same shape and dimensions.

[0113] In other words, in this embodiment, all second terminals 161 have the same shape and dimensions.

[0114] Therefore, in this embodiment, the manufacturing of the second terminal 161 becomes easier, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the configuration of the second connector 101 equipped with the second terminal 161 is simplified, the manufacturing of the second connector 101 becomes easier, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0115] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the flange 17a of the first housing 11 is formed only on the outer surface 12b side of the bottom plate portion 17 and not on the inner surface 12c side of the bottom plate portion 17, and moreover, the flange 17a is formed to be located above the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 (positive Z-axis direction), and the lower surface 17a2 (mounting surface side) of the flange 17a is located above the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 (positive Z-axis direction). However, in this embodiment, the flange 17a is formed on both the outer surface 12b side and the inner surface 12c side of the bottom plate portion 17, and moreover, the lower surface 17a2 of the flange 17a is formed to be on the same plane as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17.

[0116] As a result, when the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed, the upper wall surface 111a of the second protrusion 113 and the upper wall surface 111a of the side wall portion 114 of the second housing 111, that is, the upper wall surfaces 111a of the housing wall portions 111e on both sides in the width direction of the second housing 111, can come into contact with the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a of the first housing 11.

[0117] Therefore, in this embodiment, the range in which the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a and the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall portion 111e can contact each other becomes extremely wide. As a result, even when an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the mating direction, the stability of the mated state between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is more reliably maintained, preventing damage to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101, and preventing relative tilting between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, thereby maintaining higher mating reliability.

[0118] Note that the other configurations of the first connector 1 in this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so their description is omitted. Similarly, the configuration of the second connector 101 in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so its description is omitted. Furthermore, the other basic configurations and effects of the state in which the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated are the same as those of the first embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0119] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first and second embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. Similarly, the same operations and effects as those in the first and second embodiments will also be omitted from the description.

[0120] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the first connector in the third embodiment, and Figure 27 is a perspective view of the second connector in the third embodiment.

[0121] In the first and second embodiments described above, examples were given in which adjacent first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 of the first connector 1 are arranged so that they face opposite directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. However, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 26, all first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 are oriented in the same direction. Note that the first terminal 61 of the right terminal row 60 and the first terminal 61 of the left terminal row 60 are oriented in opposite directions. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments, the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 are arranged in four rows in a staggered pattern, whereas in this embodiment, they are arranged in two rows in a straight line.

[0122] Furthermore, while the first and second embodiments described above have shown examples where the upper end projection 64a is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the inner column portion 65 and the connecting portion 64, in this embodiment, the first terminal 61 is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the outer column portion 63 and the connecting portion 64.

[0123] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example was given in which the second terminal 161 is a member integrally formed by processing such as punching out a conductive metal plate. However, in this embodiment, the second terminal 161 is a member integrally formed by processing such as punching and bending out a conductive metal plate, and comprises a main body portion 163 as a press-fit portion, a tail portion 162 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 163, a proximal contact portion 166 connected to the upper end of the main body portion 163, a distal connection portion 164 (not shown) extending in the width direction of the second connector 101 from the lower end of the proximal contact portion 166, and a distal contact portion 165 extending upward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the tip of the distal connection portion 164. Note that the proximal connection portion 163b is omitted.

[0124] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, examples were given in which adjacent second terminals 161 in each terminal row 160 of the second connector 101 are arranged so that they face opposite directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101. However, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 27, all second terminals 161 in each terminal row 160 face the same direction. Note that the second terminal 161 of the right terminal row 160 and the second terminal 161 of the left terminal row 160 face opposite directions. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments, the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 are arranged in four rows in a staggered pattern, whereas in this embodiment, they are arranged in two rows in a straight line.

[0125] The other configurations of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are generally the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above, so their description will be omitted.

[0126] Next, we will describe the state in which the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 of the above configuration is completed.

[0127] Figure 28 is a two-view drawing showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the third embodiment, Figure 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in the third embodiment, and is an enlarged view of section V in Figure 28(b), Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the relative positions of the mated first connector and the second connector are misaligned in the third embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the section taken along the UU arrow in Figure 28(a), and Figure 31 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the case where the relative positions of the mated first connector and the second connector are misaligned in the third embodiment, and is an enlarged view of section W in Figure 30. Note that in Figure 28, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the UU arrow in (a).

[0128] The operation for mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment is the same as in the first and second embodiments described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] In this embodiment, once the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is complete and the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are electrically connected, as shown in Figures 28(b) and 29, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161 come into contact with the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65, which are the contact surfaces of the corresponding first terminal 61. With respect to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1, a recess 12d is formed in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61 on the outer surface 12b side, which is recessed toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first projection 12. In this embodiment, no recess 12d is formed in the interterminal wall 12e on the inner surface 12c side.

[0130] In the example shown in the figure, the recess 12d is a groove-shaped recess having a roughly U-shaped cross-sectional shape in the X-axis-Y-axis cross-section. Its roughly curved bottom surface is formed by the interterminal wall 12e of the first convex portion 12, which is part of the first housing 11, and both sides are formed between adjacent first terminals 61, specifically between the outer column portions 63. The width dimension (X-axis direction) of the recess 12d is set to approximately 0.14 [mm], which is narrower than the proximal contact convex portion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161. The width dimension (X-axis direction) of the proximal contact convex portion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 is set to approximately 0.16 [mm], which is narrower than the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 of the first terminal 61, but wider than the recess 12d.

[0131] Thus, the spacing between adjacent first terminals 61 is narrower than the width of the second terminal 161, and more preferably, the widthwise dimension of the recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e between adjacent first terminals 61 on the outer surface 12b is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the proximal contact protrusion 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161. Therefore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, even if an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) for some reason (for example, if the electronic device on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor, or if another component collides with the electronic device, resulting in a large external force), the second terminal 161 will not fall into the recess 12d, and the first terminal 61 and / or the second terminal 161 will not be damaged. Furthermore, when the excessive load is released, the relative positions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and the relative positions of the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161, can return to their original states as shown in Figures 28 and 29. Therefore, the reliability of the connection can be maintained.

[0132] For example, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, if an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction, the relative positions of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), as shown in Figure 30. In this case, as shown in Figure 31, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 of the contact portion 167 of the second terminal 161 are relatively misaligned in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 from the second contact surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the first contact surface 65a of the inner column portion 65 of the first terminal 61, and the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 faces the recess 12d formed in the interterminal wall 12e between the first terminals 61 on the outer surface 12b. However, since the width dimension of the recess 12d is smaller than the width dimension of the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 of the second terminal 161 does not fall into the recess 12d.

[0133] This specification describes features relating to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims attached herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reviewing this specification. [Industrial applicability]

[0134] This disclosure can be applied to connector assemblies. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0135] 1, 1' First connector 10A Left half of the body 10B Right half of body 11 Housing 1 12 First protrusion 12a Mating surface 12b External surface 12c inner surface 12d, 12d', 112 recess 12e, 12e' Interterminal wall 13, 112a Concave groove part 14 Extension end 15 Buried section 16 First protruding end 17 Bottom plate part 17a Flange 17a1 Top surface 17a2, 17c, 62b, 162b bottom side 17b Groove 17e Anchor cover 18, 114 Side wall section 51. First reinforcing bracket 52 End wall outer covering 52a, 62, 156, 162 Tail section 53 End wall inner surface covering 54 Top plate 55 Legs 55a Lower end 60, 160 terminal rows 61, 61', 61A, 61B First terminal 62a End face 63, 63' External pillar part 63a, 63a' 2nd contact surface 64 Connecting part 64a Upper end protrusion 65, 65' Inner column section 65a, 65a' 1st contact surface 65b Anchor section 101, 101' Second connector 111 Second Housing 111a Upper wall surface 111b Implementation side 111d Eaves 111e Housing wall section 113 Second protrusion 115a Second terminal housing groove cavity 115b Second terminal housing cavity 121 Second protruding end 122 Fitting recess 122b Bottom plate 128a Side wall recess 128b Bottom plate opening 151 Second reinforcing bracket 152 Second Main Body 153 Lateral cover 153b Upper side wall cover 153c bottom end 154 Contact arm 154a Contact protrusion 155 Recessed cover part 155a Island end cover section 157 End wall cover section 161, 161', 161A, 161B 2nd terminal 163 Main body 163a Engagement protrusion 163b Proximal joint 164 Distal connection 165, 165' Distal contact area 165a, 165a' distal contact protrusions 166, 166' Proximal contact area 166a, 166a' Proximal contact protrusion 167, 863, 963 Contact area 811, 911 Housing 812, 913 Recessed groove 813 Nakajima 861 Receptacle terminal 862, 962 Board connection section 912 Convex part 961 Plug terminal

Claims

1. (a) A connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector, (b) The mating connector includes a mating housing and a plurality of mating terminals attached to the mating housing, (c) A connector assembly comprising a housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, wherein the housing includes inwardly recessed recesses formed between adjacent terminals, and the distance between adjacent terminals is smaller than the width dimension of the mating terminal.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mating terminal includes an elastically deformable contact portion, and the width dimension of the contact portion is greater than the distance between adjacent terminals facing the contact portion.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the recess is formed by the housing and both sides thereof are formed by the sides of the adjacent terminals.

4. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mating connector is a receptacle connector, the mating terminal includes a substantially U-shaped contact portion on one side that is elastically deformable in the width direction of the mating connector and a substrate connection portion on the other side, the connector is a plug connector, and the terminal includes a contact portion fixed to the housing and is insertable between the substantially U-shaped contact portions of the mating terminal.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the mating terminal includes a second contact portion on the substrate connection portion side of the substantially U-shaped contact portion, and the width dimension of the second contact portion is greater than the distance between adjacent terminals.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mating terminals and the plurality of terminals are arranged in a staggered pattern with four rows of board connection portions.

Images