connector

Abstract

In a connector in which a restraining space forming portion having a pair of side walls and a top wall is formed in a fixed housing, damage to the restraining space forming portion is suppressed. [Solution] The connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2 and a movable housing 3. The movable housing 3 has a protruding portion 36 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing 2 has a restraint space forming portion 2C that forms a restraint space 6 in which the protruding portion 36 is restrained. The restraint space forming portion 2C has a pair of side walls 2A1 and a top wall 2C2. The restraint space forming portion 2C has a reinforcing wall 2C3 located on the side of the protruding direction relative to the protruding portion 36, and the reinforcing wall 2C3 connects the pair of side walls 2A1.

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a fixed housing attached to a substrate and a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing. The movable housing is configured such that an object to be connected can be fitted therein.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to transmit a large number of signals, there may be a case where a plurality of such connectors are prepared and arranged in proximity on a substrate.

[0005] A first object of the present disclosure is to suppress a deviation in the relative position between a terminal (first terminal) held by a first movable housing and a terminal (second terminal) held by a second movable housing when the first movable housing and the second movable housing are provided. A second object of the present disclosure is to suppress breakage of a restraint space forming portion in a connector in which a restraint space forming portion having a pair of side walls and a top wall is formed in a fixed housing. A third object of the present disclosure is to miniaturize a connector including a first movable housing and a second movable housing in the arrangement direction (the direction in which the first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] ≪First Aspect≫ The connector according to the 1-1 embodiment comprises a fixed housing whose position relative to the object to be attached is fixed; a first movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a first fitting portion that can be fitted with a first object to be connected; a second movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a second fitting portion that can be fitted with a second object to be connected; a first fixed-side retained portion held by the fixed housing; a first movable-side retained portion held by the first movable housing; and a portion located between the first fixed-side retained portion and the first movable-side retained portion. A connector comprising: a first terminal having a first intermediate portion; a second fixed-side retained portion held by the fixed housing; a second movable-side retained portion held by the second movable housing; and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed-side retained portion and the second movable-side retained portion, wherein the fixed housing has a first terminal retaining portion for holding the first fixed-side retained portion of the first terminal and a second terminal retaining portion for holding the second fixed-side retained portion of the second terminal, and of the fixed housing, at least the first terminal retaining portion and the second terminal retaining portion are integrally molded from resin.

[0007] In the above embodiment, the connector comprises a fixed housing whose position relative to the object to be attached (e.g., a circuit board), a first movable housing which is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a first mating portion which can be mated with a first object to be connected, and a second movable housing which is movable relative to the fixed housing and has a second mating portion which can be mated with a second object to be connected. The connector also includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal has a first fixed-side retained portion held by a fixed housing, a first movable-side retained portion held by a first movable housing, and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed-side retained portion and the first movable-side retained portion. The second terminal has a second fixed-side retained portion held by a fixed housing, a second movable-side retained portion held by a second movable housing, and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed-side retained portion and the second movable-side retained portion. The fixed housing includes a first terminal holding portion that holds the first fixed-side retained portion of the first terminal, and a second terminal holding portion that holds the second fixed-side retained portion of the second terminal.

[0008] Here, if the part of the fixed housing that holds the first terminal (first terminal holding part) and the part of the fixed housing that holds the second terminal (second terminal holding part) are separate, the relative position of the first fixed side holding part of the first terminal and the second fixed side holding part of the second terminal may shift from a predetermined position. In contrast, in the above embodiment, the portion of the fixed housing that holds the first terminal (first terminal holding portion) and the portion of the fixed housing that holds the second terminal (second terminal holding portion) are integrally molded from resin, so that the relative position of the first fixed side holding portion of the first terminal and the second fixed side holding portion of the second terminal does not shift from a predetermined position.

[0009] In the first and second embodiments of the connector, the fixed housing has an intermediate portion connecting the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion, and a gate mark is formed in the intermediate portion.

[0010] In the above embodiment, a gate mark (a mark formed at a position corresponding to the gate through which molten resin flows into the molding die) is formed in the intermediate portion connecting the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion. Therefore, when molding the fixed housing, molten resin can be introduced from the portion located between the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion. As a result, the molten resin can flow efficiently within the molding die, preventing a decrease in the strength of the fixed housing or distortion of its shape. Furthermore, it is preferable that the intermediate portion of the fixed housing does not have a press-fit section into which a fixing bracket is press-fitted, from the viewpoint of ensuring smooth flow of molten resin from the intermediate portion.

[0011] In the first to third embodiments, the connector, in the first to third embodiments, has a fixed housing that penetrates the fixed housing vertically and houses the first movable housing and the second movable housing, and an intermediate connecting portion that divides the housing space into a first housing space that houses the first movable housing and a second housing space that houses the second movable housing.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the fixed housing has a housing space that penetrates the fixed housing vertically and accommodates the first movable housing and the second movable housing. The housing space is divided by an intermediate connecting portion of the fixed housing into a first housing space that accommodates the first movable housing and a second housing space that accommodates the second movable housing. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shrinkage of the resin constituting the fixed housing during the molding of the fixed housing, and the deformation of the fixed housing caused by this shrinkage.

[0013] In the first to fourth embodiments of the connector, in the first to third embodiments, the intermediate connecting portion restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing by contacting the first movable housing, and also restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by contacting the second movable housing.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and also restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing by contacting the second movable housing. Therefore, the intermediate connecting section can be made to function effectively.

[0015] The connector according to the 1st to 5th embodiment, in any of the 1st to 1st to 4th embodiments, has a fixed housing having a first upper limiting portion and a second upper limiting portion, a first movable housing having a first upper contact portion that abuts against the first upper limiting portion and restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing, a second movable housing having a second upper contact portion that abuts against the second upper limiting portion and restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing, the first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction, and both the first upper contact portion and the second upper contact portion protrude in the arrangement direction.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the upward movement of the first movable housing is restricted when the first upper contact portion of the first movable housing contacts the first upper limiting portion of the fixed housing, and the upward movement of the second movable housing is restricted when the second upper contact portion of the second movable housing contacts the second upper limiting portion of the fixed housing. Here, the first upper contact portion and the second upper contact portion protrude in the alignment direction, which is the direction in which the first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged. Therefore, the connector can be made smaller in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, which is one of the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0017] The connector according to the 1st to 6th embodiment, in any of the 1st to 1st to 5th embodiments, has a fixed housing having a housing space that penetrates the fixed housing vertically and accommodates the first movable housing and the second movable housing, and an intermediate connecting portion that divides the housing space into a first housing space in which the first movable housing is accommodated and a second housing space in which the second movable housing is accommodated, the fixed housing having a first upper limiting portion and a second upper limiting portion, the first movable housing having a first upper contact portion that abuts against the first upper limiting portion to restrict the upward movement of the first movable housing, the second movable housing having a second upper contact portion that abuts against the second upper limiting portion to restrict the upward movement of the second movable housing, the first movable housing and the second movable housing being arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction, the first upper contact portion and the second upper contact portion both protruding in the arrangement direction, and the intermediate connecting portion functioning as both the first upper limiting portion and the second upper limiting portion.

[0018] ≪Second aspect≫ A connector according to the second embodiment comprises a fixed housing whose position is fixed relative to an object to be attached, and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing, wherein the movable housing has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the fixed housing has a restraint space forming portion that forms a restraint space in which the protruding portion is restrained, the restraint space forming portion has a pair of side walls located to the side of the protruding portion and a top wall located above the protruding portion, the top wall restricts the upward movement of the movable housing by the protruding portion coming into contact with it, and the restraint space forming portion has a reinforcing wall located on the side of the protruding direction relative to the protruding portion that connects the pair of side walls.

[0019] In the above aspect, the connector includes a fixed housing whose position with respect to the object to be attached is fixed, and a movable housing that is movable with respect to the fixed housing. The movable housing has a protruding portion that protrudes in a protruding direction which is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing has a constraint space forming portion that forms a constraint space which is a space where the protruding portion is constrained. The constraint space forming portion has a pair of side walls located on the side of the protruding portion and a top wall located above the protruding portion. The top wall restricts the upward movement of the movable housing when the protruding portion abuts against it.

[0020] Here, the constraint space forming portion is a reinforcing wall located on the protruding direction side with respect to the protruding portion, and has a reinforcing wall that connects the pair of side walls. Therefore, the reinforcing wall reinforces the vicinity of the top wall in the constraint space forming portion, and suppresses damage to the constraint space forming portion.

[0021] In the embodiment to be described later, the lower surface of the reinforcing wall is flush with the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls, but the reinforcing wall in the above aspect is not limited to this. From the viewpoint of strength, it is preferable that the lower surface of the reinforcing wall is flush with the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls, but the lower surface of the reinforcing wall may be formed above the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls. Also, in the embodiment to be described later, the upper end of the reinforcing wall is connected to the top wall, but the above aspect is not limited to this. For example, the reinforcing wall and the top wall may not be connected, and an opening may be formed between them. Also, in the embodiment to be described later, the reinforcing wall is made of resin and is integrally molded with the pair of side walls and the top wall, but the above aspect is not limited to this. For example, the reinforcing wall may be formed of metal. By arranging a metal reinforcing wall on the protruding direction side with respect to the protruding portion, it is possible to reinforce the vicinity of the top wall in the constraint space forming portion without expanding the vertical dimension of the constraint space forming portion. Also, in the embodiment to be described later, the protruding portion of the movable housing can abut against the pair of side walls of the constraint space forming portion, but the above aspect is not limited to this.

[0022] In the connector according to the 2-2 embodiment, even when the movable housing is moved parallel to its limit in the protruding direction, the protruding portion does not come into contact with the reinforcing wall.

[0023] In the above embodiment, even when the movable housing is moved parallel to its limit in the protruding direction, the protruding portion does not come into contact with the reinforcing wall. Therefore, the required strength of the reinforcing wall itself is reduced. Consequently, the reinforcing wall can be made thinner, and the fixed housing can be made smaller.

[0024] In the connector according to the second-third embodiment, in the second-first or second-second embodiment, the protruding portion has a protruding end face facing the direction of protrusion, and a gate mark is formed on the protruding end face.

[0025] In the above embodiment, a gate mark is formed on the protruding end face of the protruding portion. In such a movable housing, there is a limit to how small the protruding portion can be made if one tries to secure the size of the gate for injecting molten resin. As a result, the constraining space in which the protruding portion is restrained also needs to be of a certain size. In order to reduce the height of the constraining space forming portion of the fixed housing while accommodating the protruding portion which has a limit to its miniaturization, one can consider thinning the top wall. However, if the top wall is thinned, there is a risk that the constraining space forming portion may be damaged near the thinned top wall if the movable housing comes into strong contact with the fixed housing. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing wall, damage to the constraining space forming portion can be suppressed. Therefore, the above embodiment is effective when forming a low restraint space forming portion in a connector in which a gate mark is formed on the protruding end face of a protruding portion.

[0026] ≪Third aspect≫ A connector according to the third embodiment is a connector comprising: a fixed housing whose position with respect to an object to be attached is fixed; a first movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a first mating portion that can be mated with a first object to be connected; a second movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing and having a second mating portion that can be mated with a second object to be connected; a first terminal having a first fixed-side retained portion held by the fixed housing, a first movable-side retained portion held by the first movable housing and a first intermediate portion located between the first fixed-side retained portion and the first movable-side retained portion; a second terminal having a second fixed-side retained portion held by the fixed housing, a second movable-side retained portion held by the second movable housing and a second intermediate portion located between the second fixed-side retained portion and the second movable-side retained portion, wherein the first movable housing and The second movable housing is arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (for example, the front-to-back direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction, the first movable housing has a first side projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the second movable housing (for example, the rear direction), the second movable housing has a second side projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the first movable housing (for example, the front direction), the fixed housing has a restraint space forming part that forms a restraint space in which both the first side projection and the second side projection are restrained, the restraint space forming part has a top wall located above the first side projection and the second side projection, the top wall restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and the second movable housing by the first side projection and the second side projection coming into contact with it, and the restraint space has a shared restraint space in which both the first side projection and the second side projection can be located.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the connector comprises a fixed housing, a first movable housing having a first mating portion that can be mated with a first object to be connected, a second movable housing having a second mating portion that can be mated with a second object to be connected, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The first movable housing and the second movable housing are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (for example, the front-to-back direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first movable housing has a first side projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the second movable housing (for example, the rear direction), and the second movable housing has a second side projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the first movable housing (for example, the front direction). Furthermore, the fixed housing has a restraint space forming section that forms a restraint space in which both the first side projection and the second side projection are restrained. The restraint space forming section has a top wall located above the first side projection and the second side projection, and the top wall restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing and the second movable housing by the first side projection and the second side projection coming into contact with it.

[0028] Here, the constraint space has a common constraint space in which both the first side projection and the second side projection can be positioned. Therefore, for example, if the first movable housing moves away from the second movable housing, the second protrusion of the second movable housing can move into the space where the first side protrusion was located before the movement. Also, for example, if the second movable housing moves away from the second movable housing, the first side protrusion of the first movable housing can move into the space where the second side protrusion was located before the movement. In other words, at least a portion of the constrained space is shared by the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion. Therefore, it is easier to miniaturize the connector in the direction of its arrangement.

[0029] Furthermore, the first and second objects to be connected may be configured so that they do not displace relative to each other. For example, the mating connector, which is the object to be connected to the connector according to the above embodiment, may be configured to include the first and second objects to be connected, and the mating connector may be configured so that the first and second objects to be connected do not displace relative to each other. In this case, when the mating connector moves relative to the connector, the first movable housing and the second movable housing will move together as a single unit.

[0030] In the embodiments described later, the entire fixed housing is integrally molded from resin, and as a result, the portion of the fixed housing that holds the first terminal (first terminal holding portion) and the portion of the fixed housing that holds the second terminal (second terminal holding portion) are integrally molded from resin. However, the above embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion may be molded as separate parts, and the intermediate portion of the fixed housing in the embodiments described later may be made of a metal member. In this case, a part of the metal member functions as the top wall.

[0031] In the connector according to the third-second embodiment, in the third-first embodiment, the distance between the first side projection and the second side projection in the alignment direction (e.g., front-to-back direction) in the normal state is 1 / 5 or less of the distance the first movable housing can move from the normal state toward the second movable housing (e.g., rearward direction), and 1 / 5 or less of the distance the second movable housing can move from the normal state toward the first movable housing (e.g., forward direction).

[0032] In the above embodiment, in the normal state, the first side projection and the second side projection are close together in the alignment direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction). Specifically, the distance between the first side projection and the second side projection in the alignment direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction) in the normal state is 1 / 5 or less of the distance the first movable housing can move from the normal state toward the second movable housing (e.g., the rear direction), and 1 / 5 or less of the distance the second movable housing can move from the normal state toward the first movable housing (e.g., the front direction). Therefore, it becomes even easier to miniaturize connector 1 in the arrangement direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the connector. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the connector. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the connector. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the connector. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the connector. [Figure 6] This is a bottom view of the connector. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector. [Figure 8] This is a magnified perspective view of the terminals. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the fixed housing. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the fixed housing from below. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of the fixed housing. [Figure 12] This is a bottom view of the fixed housing. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the movable housing. [Figure 14] This is a front view of the movable housing. [Figure 15] This is a side view of the movable housing. [Figure 16] This is a plan view of the movable housing. [Figure 17] This is a bottom view of the movable housing. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged perspective view of the connector from below. [Figure 19] This is a magnified cross-sectional view of the connector with the movable housing in its normal position. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view showing the connector in the manufacturing process. While this diagram shows the procedure of holding multiple terminals in the movable housing first, and then holding multiple terminals in the fixed housing, the movable housing may be positioned appropriately relative to the fixed housing, and then the multiple terminals may be held simultaneously in both the fixed and movable housings. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 20. [Figure 22] This is a cross-sectional view of the movable housing in its maximum forward position. [Figure 23] This is a plan view corresponding to Figure 22. [Figure 24]This is a cross-sectional view of the movable housing in its maximum movement in both the front-to-back and width directions. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] In the following explanation, the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each figure represent directions relative to the connector and its components. The +X direction is the front direction of the connector, the +Y direction is one side of the connector's width direction, and the +Z direction is the upward direction of the connector. When simply referring to the front-to-back direction, width direction, and up-and-down direction, they mean the front-to-back direction of the connector, the width direction of the connector, and the up-and-down direction of the connector, respectively.

[0035] <Overview> Connector 1 is configured to be connectable to a mating connector with the vertical direction as the connection direction. Connector 1 and a mating connector (not shown) constitute a connector pair. Connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and the mating connector is mounted on a mating circuit board (not shown). When connector 1 and the mating connector are connected, the circuit board and the mating circuit board are arranged parallel to each other with the connector pair in between.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of connector 1, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of connector 1.

[0037] The connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2, two movable housings 3, multiple terminals 4, and multiple (four in this embodiment) fixing brackets 5.

[0038] The fixed housing 2 and the movable housing 3 are formed of an insulator such as synthetic resin. The fixed housing 2 holds a portion of the terminal 4 (fixed-side retained portion 4B, see Figure 8). The fixed housing 2 is fixed to the substrate via the terminal 4 and is immovable relative to the substrate. The movable housing 3 holds the other portion of the terminal 4 (movable-side retained portion 4D). The movable housing 3 is movable relative to the substrate and the fixed housing 2. Each of the multiple terminals 4 has an intermediate elastic portion 4C between the fixed-side retained portion 4B and the movable-side retained portion 4D. The elastic deformation of the intermediate elastic portion 4C allows the movable housing 3 to move relative to the fixed housing 2.

[0039] Each of the multiple fixing brackets 5 has a press-fit portion 5A that is press-fitted into the fixing housing 2 and a substrate fixing portion 5B that is fixed to the substrate. The fixing brackets 5 are press-fitted into the fixing housing 2 from above. The fixing brackets 5 reinforce the fixing of the fixing housing 2 to the substrate.

[0040] <Detailed structure of connector 1> The detailed structure of connector 1 will be described below.

[0041] Terminal 4 Terminal 4 will be explained using Figure 8, etc.

[0042] Terminal 4 is manufactured by punching and bending a sheet material.

[0043] The multiple terminals 4 consist of multiple terminals 4 arranged in the front-to-back direction (pitch direction) on one side in the width direction (inter-row direction), and multiple terminals 4 arranged in the front-to-back direction (pitch direction) on the other side in the width direction (inter-row direction). The terminals 4 on one side in the width direction and the terminals 4 on the other side in the width direction are arranged so that their contact portions 4F face each other.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple terminals 4 consist of multiple first terminals 41 held in the first movable housing 31 and multiple second terminals 42 held in the second movable housing 32. The first terminals 41 and the second terminals 42 have the same shape.

[0045] (Configuration of each terminal) As shown in Figure 8, the terminal 4 integrally includes a substrate fixing portion 4A, a fixed-side holding portion 4B, an intermediate elastic portion 4C, a movable-side holding portion 4D, a tip elastic portion 4E, and a contact portion 4F, extending from one end to the other.

[0046] The substrate fixing portion 4A is fixed to the substrate. The substrate fixing portion 4A extends inward in the width direction from one end to the other end.

[0047] The fixed-side retained portion 4B is held by the fixed housing 2. The fixed-side retained portion 4B extends upward and has press-fitting protrusions on both sides in the front-rear direction, which is the width direction of the plate. The fixed-side retained portion 4B is press-fitted into the fixed housing 2 from below.

[0048] The intermediate elastic section 4C is configured to be elastically deformable so that the movable retained section 4D can be displaced relative to the fixed retained section 4B. The intermediate elastic section 4C has a first curved section 4C1, a straight section 4C2, and a second curved section 4C3. The first curved section 4C1 is formed by bending the portion on the other end of the fixed-side held portion 4B in the thickness direction. The straight section 4C2 extends linearly downwards in a direction inclined inward in the width direction. The second curved section 4C3 is formed by bending the portion on the other end of the straight section 4C2 in the thickness direction. The second curved section 4C3 connects the straight section 4C2 and the movable-side held portion 4D.

[0049] The movable retained portion 4D is held by the movable housing 3. The movable retained portion 4D extends upward and has press-fitted protrusions on both sides in the front-to-back direction, which is the width direction of the plate. The movable retained portion 4D is press-fitted into the movable housing 3 from below.

[0050] The tip elastic portion 4E elastically supports the contact portion 4F so that the contact portion 4F can be displaced relative to the movable housing 3. The tip elastic portion 4E has a first extension portion 4E1 at one end and a second extension portion 4E2 at the other end. Both the first extension portion 4E1 and the second extension portion 4E2 extend upward in a direction inclined inward in the width direction, but the first extension portion 4E1 has a larger angle of inclination upward than the second extension portion 4E2.

[0051] The contact portion 4F makes contact with the mating terminal of the mating connector, which is the "object to be connected". The contact portion 4F is curved so as to be convex inward in the width direction. Between the contact portion 4F and the tip elastic portion 4E, a curved portion 4F1 is formed so as to cause the contact portion 4F to protrude inward in the width direction.

[0052] ≪Fixed Housing 2≫ The fixed housing 2 will be explained using Figures 9 to 12, etc.

[0053] (Terminal holding part 2A) The fixed housing 2 has a terminal holding portion 2A. The terminal holding portion 2A holds a part of the terminal 4 (the fixed-side held portion 4B). The terminal holding portion 2A has a side wall 2A1. Multiple press-fit grooves extending in the vertical direction are formed on the inner surface of the side wall 2A1 in the width direction. Multiple fixed-side holding portions 4B of terminals 4 are press-fitted into these press-fit grooves from below.

[0054] Multiple terminal holding portions 2A are formed on the fixed housing 2. The multiple terminal holding sections 2A consist of a pair of first terminal holding sections 21A and a pair of second terminal holding sections 22A. The first terminal holding sections 21A hold a plurality of first terminals 41, and the second terminal holding sections 22A hold a plurality of second terminals 42. A first arrangement space 21S is formed between a pair of first terminal holding portions 21A, in which the first movable housing 31 is positioned, and a second arrangement space 22S is formed between a pair of second terminal holding portions 22A, in which the second movable housing 32 is positioned.

[0055] The terminal holding portion 2A has an upper wall 2A2 that extends inward in the width direction from the upper end of the side wall 2A1. As shown in Figure 7, the side wall 2A1 protects the intermediate elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4 from the outside in the width direction, and the top wall 2A2 protects the intermediate elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4 from above. The side wall 2A1 and the top wall 2A2 function as "protective walls" that protect the intermediate elastic portion 4C of the terminal 4.

[0056] The terminal holding portion 2A has a reinforcing portion 2A3 that reinforces the upper wall 2A2 (Figure 10). The reinforcing portion 2A3 connects the upper wall 2A2 and the side wall 2A1 at both ends in the extending direction of the terminal holding portion 2A. The reinforcing portion 2A3 is formed on the inside in the width direction of the upper end of the side wall 2A1 and on the underside of the upper wall 2A2.

[0057] (middle part 2B) The fixed housing 2 has an intermediate portion 2B formed between the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A. The intermediate section 2B includes one side wall 2B1 formed between one first terminal holding section 21A and one second terminal holding section 22A, the other side wall 2B1 formed between the other first terminal holding section 21A and the other second terminal holding section 22A, and a top wall 2B2 ("intermediate connecting section") that connects the one and the other side walls 2B1.

[0058] (front end 21C) The fixed housing 2 has a front end portion 21C. The front end portion 21C is formed in front of the pair of first terminal holding portions 21A and connects the front end of one first terminal holding portion 21A to the front end of the other first terminal holding portion 21A.

[0059] (Rear end 22C) The fixed housing 2 has a rear end portion 22C. The rear end portion 22C is formed behind the pair of second terminal holding portions 22A and connects the rear end of one second terminal holding portion 22A to the rear end of the other second terminal holding portion 22A.

[0060] The front end 21C and the rear end 22C have almost identical configurations. Hereafter, when the front end 21C and the rear end 22C are not specifically distinguished, they will be referred to as the front and rear ends 2C.

[0061] As shown in Figure 10, a restraining space 6 is formed in the fixed housing 2, in which a part of the movable housing 3 (the protruding portion 36) is restrained. Multiple restraining spaces 6 are formed in the fixed housing 2. The multiple restraining spaces 6 consist of a front restraining space 6A1, an intermediate restraining space 6B, and a rear restraining space 6A2. As shown in Figure 6, the front projection 36 of the first movable housing 31 is constrained in the front constrainment space 6A1. The rear projection 36 of the second movable housing 32 is constrained in the rear constrainment space 6A2. The rear projection 36 of the first movable housing 31 and the front projection 36 of the second movable housing 32 are constrained in the intermediate constrainment space 6B.

[0062] The front restraint space 6A1 is formed at the front end 21C of the fixed housing 2. The rear restraint space 6A2 is formed at the rear end 22C of the fixed housing 2. The intermediate restraint space 6B is formed at the intermediate part 2B of the fixed housing 2. The front end 21C, the rear end 22C, and the intermediate part 2B function as "restraint space forming parts" that form the restraint space 6.

[0063] The front and rear ends 2C have a pair of side walls 2C1 formed on both sides in the width direction, and a top wall 2C2 connecting the pair of side walls 2C1. A restraining space 6 is formed between the pair of side walls 2C1 and below the top wall 2C2.

[0064] The front and rear ends 2C have reinforcing walls 2C3. The reinforcing wall 2C3 constitutes the outer wall in the front-rear direction of the constrained space 6. The lower surface of the reinforcing wall 2C3 is in the same plane as the lower surfaces of the pair of side walls 2C1 (Figure 10).

[0065] (Press-fit portion 2D for fixing bracket 5) A pair of side walls 2C1 at the front and rear ends 2C each have press-fit portions 2D into which fixing brackets 5 are pressed. However, no press-fit portions 2D are formed in the intermediate portion 2B. The fixing bracket 5 is press-fitted into the press-fit portion 2D from above. When the fixing bracket 5 is press-fitted into the press-fit portion 2D, the substrate fixing portion 5B of the fixing bracket 5 does not protrude outward in the width direction beyond the width direction outer surface of the front and rear ends 2C (Figure 3).

[0066] (bulging part 2F) A bulge 2F is formed at the front and rear ends 2C (Figure 9). The bulge 2F is formed in the center of the width direction of the front and rear end portions 2C. At the location where the bulge 2F is formed, the height of the upper surface of the front and rear end portions 2C is slightly higher than at other locations.

[0067] (Tail protection section) The front and rear ends 2C also function as tail protection parts that protect the substrate fixing parts 4A (tail parts) of the multiple terminals 4. The front and rear ends 2C protrude outward in the width direction relative to the outer surface in the width direction of the terminal holding part 2A. The outer surface in the width direction of the front end 21C and the outer surface in the width direction of the rear end 22C are formed on the same plane, and the substrate fixing parts 4A of the multiple terminals 4 are located inside this virtual plane in the width direction (Figure 3).

[0068] Bosses 2G are formed at the front and rear ends 2C, which are inserted into holes formed in the substrate.

[0069] (Middle section) The intermediate section 2B has a pair of side walls 2B1 formed on both sides in the width direction, and a top wall 2B2 connecting the pair of side walls 2B1. An intermediate restraint space 6B is formed between the pair of side walls 2B1 and below the top wall 2B2. The intermediate restraint space 6B is an open space on both the downward and front-rear directions.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, the upper surfaces of the pair of side walls 2B1 of the intermediate section 2B and the upper surface of the top wall 2B2 of the intermediate section 2B are on the same plane. The height of the upper surface of the intermediate section 2B is the same as the height of the bulging sections 2F of the front and rear ends 2C (Figure 5).

[0071] (Restrictions) The fixed housing 2 has the function of limiting the range of motion of the movable housing 3 by contacting it. In other words, the fixed housing 2 is configured to be able to come into contact with the movable housing 3 and has limiting surfaces 7 and 8 that restrict the movement of the movable housing 3 to a predetermined range of motion (Figures 11 and 12).

[0072] The restricting surfaces 7 formed at the front and rear ends 2C and the restricting surfaces 7 formed at the intermediate portion 2B are substantially identical in configuration. However, the intermediate section 2B has a restricting surface 7 facing forward and a restricting surface 7 facing backward. The first movable housing 31 can contact the restricting surface 7 facing forward, and the second movable housing 32 can contact the restricting surface 7 facing backward.

[0073] The specific configuration of restriction surface 7 will be described below.

[0074] The lower part 3C (including the protruding portion 36) of the movable housing 3 can come into contact with the limiting surface 7.

[0075] As shown in Figure 12, the limiting surface 7 includes an upper limiting surface 71 against which the protrusion 36 of the movable housing 3 abuts, a pair of widthwise limiting surfaces 72 against which the protrusion 36 of the movable housing 3 abuts, and front and rear limiting surfaces 73 against which the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 abuts.

[0076] The upper limiting surface 71 is the lower surface of the top walls 2B2, 2C2. The widthwise limiting surface 72 is the side surface of the pair of side walls 2B1, 2C1. The front and rear limiting surfaces 73 are the end faces of the top walls 2B2, 2C2.

[0077] (Front and rear restriction surfaces 73) As shown in Figure 12, the front and rear limiting surfaces 73 have a central surface 73A, a pair of outer surfaces 73B, and a pair of concave surfaces 73C.

[0078] The central surface 73A is formed in the center of the width direction of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2. The central surface 73A is a plane whose normal direction is oriented in the front-to-back direction. When the movable housing 3 moves parallel to the front-to-back direction from its normal position, the recessed contact surface 39A of the movable housing 3 (see Figure 24) comes into contact with the central surface 73A.

[0079] A pair of outer surfaces 73B are formed at the outer ends in the width direction of the top walls 2B2, 2C2. The pair of outer surfaces 73B are planes with their normal direction oriented inward in the front-rear direction. The front-rear position of the outer surfaces 73B coincides with the central surface 73A. When the movable housing 3 is moved parallel to either the width direction from its normal position and then parallel to the front-rear direction, the recessed contact surface 39A of the movable housing 3 comes into contact with either of the pair of outer surfaces 73B and the central surface 73A (Figure 24).

[0080] The concave surface 73C is formed between the central surface 73A and the outer surface 73B. The concave surface 73C is recessed in the front-rear direction relative to the central surface 73A (in the direction in which the first arrangement space 21S or the second arrangement space 22S expands in the front-rear direction). The concave surface 73C enlarges the space through which the mating portion 3B (upper part 3B) of the movable housing 3 passes during connector manufacturing (see Figure 20).

[0081] The formation of a pair of concave surfaces 73C creates a convex portion 2H between the pair of concave surfaces 73C that protrudes in the anti-protruding direction (the direction that approaches the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3 in the front-rear direction).

[0082] As shown in Figure 24, the concave surface 73C has a first surface 73C1 adjacent to the central surface 73A, a second surface 73C2 adjacent to the outer surface 73B, and a third surface 73C3 between the first surface 73C1 and the second surface 73C2. The first surface 73C1 faces outward in the width direction. The second surface 73C2 faces inward in the width direction and obliquely in the front-to-back direction. The third surface 73C3 faces in the front-to-back direction.

[0083] (Width-direction limiting surface 72) The width-limiting surface 72 has a pair of width-direction surfaces 72A and a pair of inclined surfaces 72B.

[0084] The pair of widthwise surfaces 72A of the widthwise restricting surface 72 are surfaces located on the widthwise outer side of the constrained space 6 and are planes whose normal direction is oriented inward in the widthwise direction.

[0085] The pair of inclined surfaces 72B of the width-limiting surface 72 are formed closer to the terminal holding portion 2A than the pair of width-direction surfaces 72A. The pair of inclined surfaces 72B diagonally connect the pair of width-direction surfaces 72A and the width-direction inner surface of the side wall 2A1 of the terminal holding portion 2A. The pair of inclined surfaces 72B are planes whose normal direction is oriented inward in the width direction and diagonally in the front-rear direction.

[0086] The inclined surface 72B of the width-limiting surface 72 lies on the same plane as the second surface 73C2 of the concave surface 73C. As shown in Figure 24, a recess is formed between the inclined surface 72B of the width-limiting surface 72 and the second surface 73C2 of the concave surface 73C, corresponding to the outer surface 73B. When the movable housing 3 moves parallel to one direction in the width direction from its normal position and then moves parallel to the front-rear direction, a part of the movable housing 3 fits into this recess.

[0087] (Restrictive surface 8 formed on terminal holding portion 2A) As shown in Figure 7, the limiting surface 8 is a limiting surface formed on the upper wall 2A2 of the terminal holding portion 2A, and the outer surface 3A2 in the width direction of the movable housing 3 can come into contact with it.

[0088] ≪Movable Housing 3≫ The movable housing 3 will be explained using Figures 13 to 17, etc.

[0089] (Main unit 3A) The movable housing 3 has a main body portion 3A. The main body 3A is roughly rectangular in shape and has a pair of front-to-rear outer surfaces 3A1 with their normal directions oriented outward in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of widthwise outer surfaces 3A2 with their normal directions oriented outward in the width direction. The main body 3A also has four connecting surfaces 3A3 that diagonally connect the front-to-rear outer surfaces 3A1 and the widthwise outer surfaces 3A2. The front-to-rear outer surfaces 3A1, the widthwise outer surfaces 3A2, and the connecting surfaces 3A3 each form a single plane over the entire vertical direction of the main body 3A. However, the front-to-rear outer surfaces 3A1 and the connecting surfaces 3A3 are formed only on the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 due to the formation of the entry recess 39.

[0090] An insertion space 3H is formed in the main body 3A into which a part (mating portion) of the mating connector, which is the object to be connected, is inserted. The insertion space 3H is open upward. With the formation of the insertion space 3H in the main body 3A, a pair of front-to-back walls 37 that face each other in the front-to-back direction on either side of the insertion space 3H, and a pair of width-to-back walls 33 that face each other in the width direction on either side of the insertion space 3H are formed in the main body 3A.

[0091] The main body 3A has a first terminal arrangement section 34 on which a part of the terminal 4 (movable side holding portion 4D, tip elastic portion 4E, and contact portion 4F) is arranged. The first terminal arrangement section 34 consists of a terminal arrangement groove 34B formed on the widthwise inner surface of the widthwise wall 33, and a terminal arrangement hole 34A formed below the terminal arrangement groove 34B that penetrates vertically. The movable side holding portion 4D of the terminal 4 is placed in the terminal arrangement hole 34A in a press-fitted and held state, and the tip elastic portion 4E and contact portion 4F of the terminal 4 are placed in the terminal arrangement groove 34B.

[0092] (Guide section 35) The movable housing 3 has a pair of front and rear guide portions 35. The guide section 35 guides the connection to the mating connector. The guide portion 35 protrudes upward. A pair of guide portions 35 are formed, one in the front and one in the back. The guide portions 35 are formed outward in the front-rear direction relative to the insertion space 3H, and are not formed in a position that overlaps with the insertion space 3H in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the guide portions 35 are formed not only in a position that overlaps with the insertion space 3H in the width direction, but also outward in the width direction relative to the insertion space 3H. The width dimension of the guide portion 35 matches the width dimension of the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3. The guide portion 35 has an upward-facing top surface 35A and an inclined surface 35B that connects to the side surfaces 3A1, 3A2, and 3A3 of the main body portion 3A of the movable housing 3.

[0093] (Protrusion 36) The movable housing 3 has a pair of front and rear protrusions 36. The protruding portion 36 (restrained portion) is a component for restricting the upward movement of the movable housing 3. The protruding portion 36 is formed at the lower end of the movable housing 3. The protruding portion 36 protrudes away from the main body portion 3A in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the front protruding portion 36 protrudes in the front direction, and the rear protruding portion 36 protrudes in the rear direction. The tip surface 36A of the protruding portion 36 is located further away from the main body portion 3A in the front-rear direction than the front-rear outer surface surface 3A1 of the main body portion 3A. The protruding portion 36 is positioned in the restraining space 6 of the fixed housing 2, and when the movable housing 3 moves upward, the upper surface 36B of the protruding portion 36 comes into contact with the top walls 2B2 and 2C2 of the fixed housing 2.

[0094] The tip surface 36A of the protruding portion 36 is the surface formed at the end of the protruding portion 36 on the side facing the protruding direction. A gate mark G is formed on the tip surface 36A.

[0095] The upper surface 36B of the protruding portion 36 is the surface that contacts the lower surfaces of the top walls 2B2 and 2C2 when the movable housing 3 moves parallel to the upper surface, and is a plane whose normal direction is oriented upward.

[0096] The lower surface 36C of the protruding portion 36 is the surface that contacts the substrate when the movable housing 3 moves parallel downward, and its normal direction is oriented downward.

[0097] The pair of side surfaces 36D of the protruding portion 36 are surfaces that abut against the widthwise surfaces 72A formed by the side walls 2B1 and 2C1 when the movable housing 3 moves parallel to the widthwise direction, and are planes with their normal direction oriented outward in the widthwise direction. A curved surface 36E is formed between the pair of side surfaces 36D and the tip surface 36A, smoothly connecting the two.

[0098] (Entry recess 39) The movable housing 3 has an access recess 39 that forms an access space 9 into which a part of the fixed housing 2 (top wall 2B2, 2C2) can enter. Because the recessed area 39 is formed, the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 has a smaller cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the vertical direction) than the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0099] The entry recess 39, in a plan view, forms an inward space (entry space 9) in the front-rear and width directions relative to the side surfaces of the main body 3A (front-rear outer surface 3A1, widthwise outer surface 3A2, and connecting surface 3A3) on the side of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3. The entry recess 39 is formed on both the front-rear and widthwise sides of the movable housing 3.

[0100] The recessed area 39 has a recessed contact surface 39A that contacts the front and rear ends 2C or the intermediate portion 2B (front and rear limiting surface 73) of the fixed housing 2 when the movable housing 3 moves in a vertical direction.

[0101] The recessed contact surface 39A is oriented perpendicular to the vertical direction. The recessed contact surface 39A has a first surface 39A1, a pair of second surfaces 39A2, a pair of third surfaces 39A3, and a pair of fourth surfaces 39A4. The first surface 39A1 is a plane formed in the center of the width direction of the movable housing 3 and facing outward in the front-rear direction. The pair of second surfaces 39A2 are connected to the widthwise outer surface of the first surface 39A1. The pair of second surfaces 39A2 are planes facing outward in the widthwise direction. The second surfaces 39A2 are in the same plane as the side surface 36D of the projection 36. The pair of third surfaces 39A3 are formed on the widthwise outward side of the pair of second surfaces 39A2. The pair of third surfaces 39A3 are surfaces that face outward in the widthwise direction and obliquely in the front-to-back direction. The pair of fourth faces 39A4 are connected to the widthwise outer surfaces of the pair of fourth faces 39A4. The pair of fourth faces 39A4 are faces facing in the front-to-back direction.

[0102] The front-to-back dimension L3 of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is smaller than the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. On the other hand, the width dimension of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is the same as the width dimension of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. However, near the front end and rear end of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 (the part in which the entry recess 39 is formed), the width dimension is smaller than that of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0103] Above the entry space 9, the upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is formed. The upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is a plane whose normal direction is downward. The upper surface 39B of the entry recess 39 is located below the bottom surface 3H1 of the insertion space 3H (Figure 19). The entry recess 39 is formed in a position that does not overlap with the entire vertical range of the pair of front-to-back walls 37 that face each other in the front-to-back direction, with the insertion space 3H in between. This ensures the strength of the front-to-back walls 37.

[0104] (passing groove 38) The movable housing 3 has a through groove 38 which acts as a "recess". The formation of the through groove 38 allows a portion of the fixed housing 2 (protrusion 2H) to pass through the through groove 38 of the movable housing 3 when the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is passed from bottom to top through the arrangement spaces 21S, 22S of the fixed housing 2 during the manufacturing of the connector 1 (Figures 20 and 21).

[0105] The through groove 38 is formed on the front-rear outer surface 3A1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. The through groove 38 is located in the widthwise center of the movable housing 3. The through groove 38 extends vertically, with the front-rear direction as the groove depth direction and the width direction as the groove width direction. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction of the through groove 38 is rectangular. The through groove 38 is formed on both of the pair of front-rear outer surfaces of the movable housing 3.

[0106] As shown in Figure 21, the formation of the through groove 38 makes the front-to-back dimension L2 at the position (widthwise position) where the through groove 38 is formed on the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 smaller than the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. Therefore, even though the front-to-back dimension L1 of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is larger than the front-to-back distance D between the pair of front and rear top walls 2B2, 2C2 that one movable housing 3 abuts, the upper part 3B (fitting part 3B) of the movable housing 3 can pass vertically through the space between the pair of front and rear top walls 2B2, 2C2.

[0107] <Effects and Effects> Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0108] ≪First Perspective≫ In this embodiment, the connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2, a first movable housing 31 having a first mating portion 3B that can be mated with a first object to be connected (a mating connector), and a second movable housing 32 having a second mating portion 3B that can be mated with a second object to be connected (a mating connector). The connector 1 also includes a first terminal 41 and a second terminal 42. The first terminal 41 has a first fixed-side retained portion 4B held by the fixed housing 2, a first movable-side retained portion 4D held by the first movable housing 31, and a first intermediate elastic portion 4C located between the first fixed-side retained portion 4B and the first movable-side retained portion 4D. The second terminal 42 has a second fixed-side retained portion 4B held by the fixed housing 2, a second movable-side retained portion 4D held by the second movable housing 32, and a second intermediate elastic portion 4C located between the second fixed-side retained portion 4B and the second movable-side retained portion 4D. The fixed housing 2 has a first terminal holding portion 21A that holds the first fixed-side retained portion 4B of the first terminal 41, and a second terminal holding portion 22A that holds the second fixed-side retained portion 4B of the second terminal 42.

[0109] Here, if the part of the fixed housing 2 that holds the first terminal 41 (first terminal holding part 21A) and the part of the fixed housing 2 that holds the second terminal 42 (second terminal holding part 22A) are separate, then the relative position of the first fixed-side held part 4B of the first terminal 41 and the second fixed-side held part 4B of the second terminal may be shifted from a predetermined position. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A of the fixed housing 2 are integrally molded from resin, the relative position of the first fixed-side holding portion 4B of the first terminal 41 and the second fixed-side holding portion 4B of the second terminal 42 is suppressed from shifting from a predetermined position.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a gate mark G (a mark formed at a position corresponding to the gate through which molten resin flows into the molding die) is formed in the intermediate section 2B connecting the first terminal holding section 21A and the second terminal holding section 22A (Figure 11). Therefore, when molding the fixed housing 2, molten resin can be introduced from the portion located between the first terminal holding portion 21A and the second terminal holding portion 22A. As a result, the molten resin can flow efficiently within the molding die, preventing a decrease in the strength of the fixed housing 2 or distortion of its shape. In particular, in this embodiment, since no press-fit portion 2D is formed in the intermediate portion 2B of the fixed housing 2 into which the fixing bracket 5 is press-fitted, the molten resin can flow smoothly from the intermediate portion 2B. Furthermore, since the fixing bracket 5 is positioned at the four corners of the fixed housing 2, the fixing of the fixed housing 2 to the substrate (object to be attached) is sufficiently reinforced. Furthermore, it is preferable that the weld line, which is the area where molten resin flowing within the molding die collides with itself, be formed at the front and rear end portions 2C that connect the pair of terminal holding portions. This is because the front and rear end portions 2C have lower strength requirements than the terminal holding portion 2A.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed housing 2 has a housing space (first arrangement space 21S, second arrangement space 22S, Figure 11) that penetrates the fixed housing 2 in the vertical direction and accommodates the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32. The housing space (first arrangement space 21S, second arrangement space 22S) is divided by an intermediate connecting part of the fixed housing 2 (top wall 2B2 of the intermediate part 2B) into a first housing space 21S in which the first movable housing 31 is accommodated and a second housing space 22S in which the second movable housing 32 is accommodated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the shrinkage of the resin constituting the fixed housing 2 during the molding of the fixed housing 2, and the deformation of the fixed housing 2 that occurs as a result of this shrinkage.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intermediate connecting portion (the top wall 2B2 of the intermediate portion 2B) restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing 31 and also restricts the upward movement of the second movable housing 32 by contacting it. Therefore, the intermediate connecting section can be made to function effectively.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upward movement of the first movable housing 31 is restricted when the first upper contact portion (protrusion 36) of the first movable housing 31 contacts the first upper limiting portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) of the fixed housing 2, and the upward movement of the second movable housing 32 is restricted when the second upper contact portion (protrusion 36) of the second movable housing 32 contacts the second upper limiting portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) of the fixed housing 2. Here, the first upper contact portion (projection portion 36) and the second upper contact portion (projection portion 36) protrude in the arrangement direction (front-to-back direction in this embodiment), which is the direction in which the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 are arranged. Therefore, in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction among the directions orthogonal to the vertical direction (the width direction in this embodiment), the connector 1 can be made smaller.

[0114] ≪Second Perspective≫ Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained from another perspective.

[0115] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 19, the connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2 and a movable housing 3. The movable housing 3 has a projection 36 that protrudes in a projection direction which is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fixed housing 2 has a restraint space forming portion (front and rear end portions 2C) that forms a restraint space 6, which is a space in which the projection 36 is restrained. The restraint space forming portion (front and rear end portions 2C) has a pair of side walls 2C1 located to the sides of the projection 36 and a top wall 2C2 located above the projection 36. The top wall 2C2 restricts the upward movement of the movable housing 3 by the projection 36 coming into contact with it. Here, the restraint space forming portion (front and rear end portions 2C) is a reinforcing wall 2C3 located on the side of the protruding portion 36, and has a reinforcing wall 2C3 that connects a pair of side walls 2C1. Therefore, the reinforcing wall 2C3 reinforces the area near the top wall 2C2 in the restraint space forming section (front and rear end 2C), thereby suppressing damage to the restraint space forming section (front and rear end 2C).

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when the movable housing 3 is moved to its limit in the protruding direction (front-to-back direction in this embodiment), the protruding portion 36 does not come into contact with the reinforcing wall 2C3 (Figure 22). Therefore, the required strength of the reinforcing wall 2C3 itself is reduced. Consequently, the reinforcing wall 2C3 can be made thinner, and the fixed housing 2 can be made smaller.

[0117] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in a connector 1 where a gate mark G (Figure 13) is formed on the protruding end face (tip face 36A) of the protruding portion 36, it is effective when forming a restraining space forming portion (front and rear end faces 2C) at a low level. In other words, in a movable housing 3 where a gate mark G is formed on the protruding end face 36A of the protruding portion 36, there is a limit to how small the protruding portion 36 can be made if the size of the gate for injecting molten resin is to be secured. As a result, the restraining space 6 in which the protruding portion 36 is restrained also needs to be of a certain size. In order to reduce the height of the restraining space forming portion (front and rear ends 2C) of the fixed housing 2 while accommodating the protruding portion 36, which has a limit to how small it can be made, it is conceivable to thin the top wall 2C2. However, if the top wall 2C2 is thinned, there is a risk that the restraining space forming portion may be damaged near the thinned top wall 2C2 if the movable housing 3 comes into strong contact with the fixed housing 2. Therefore, by providing a reinforcing wall 2C3, damage to the restraining space forming portion can be suppressed.

[0118] ≪Third aspect≫ Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained from another perspective.

[0119] In this embodiment, the connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2, a first movable housing 31 having a first mating portion 3B that can be mated with a first object to be connected, a second movable housing 32 having a second mating portion 3B that can be mated with a second object to be connected, a first terminal 41, and a second terminal 42. The first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction (front-to-back direction) that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first movable housing 31 has a first side projection 36 (the rear projection 36 of a pair of front and rear projections 36 of the first movable housing 31) that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the second movable housing 32 (rear direction), and the second movable housing 32 has a second side projection 36 (the front projection 36 of a pair of front and rear projections 36 of the second movable housing 32) that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the first movable housing 31 (forward direction). Furthermore, the fixed housing 2 has a restraint space forming part (intermediate part 2B) that forms a restraint space (intermediate restraint space 6B) in which both the first side projection 36 and the second side projection 36 are restrained. The restraint space forming part 2B has a top wall 2B2 located above the first side projection 36 and the second side projection 36, and the top wall 2B2 restricts the upward movement of the first movable housing 31 and the second movable housing 32 by contacting the first side projection 36 and the second side projection 36.

[0120] Here, the restraint space 6B has a common restraint space in which both the first side projection 36 and the second side projection 36 can be positioned. Therefore, for example, if the first movable housing 31 moves away from the second movable housing 32 (forward), the second side protrusion 36 of the second movable housing 32 can move into the space where the first side protrusion 36 was located before the movement. Also, for example, if the second movable housing 32 moves away from the first movable housing, the first side protrusion 36 of the first movable housing 31 can move into the space where the second side protrusion 36 was located before the movement. In other words, at least a portion of the constrained space 6B is shared by the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36. Therefore, it is easier to miniaturize the connector in the direction of its arrangement.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the normal state (the state shown in Figures 5 and 6), the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 are close together in the alignment direction (front-to-back direction). Specifically, the distance between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the alignment direction (front-to-back direction) in the normal state is smaller than the distance the first movable housing 31 can move from the normal state toward the second movable housing 32 (rear direction), and also smaller than the distance the second movable housing 32 can move from the normal state toward the first movable housing 31 (forward direction). More specifically, the distance between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the alignment direction (front-to-back direction) in the normal state is 1 / 5 or less of the distance the first movable housing 31 can move from the normal state toward the second movable housing 32 (rear direction), and also 1 / 5 or less of the distance the second movable housing 32 can move from the normal state toward the first movable housing 31 (forward direction). Therefore, it becomes even easier to miniaturize connector 1 in the arrangement direction. In this embodiment, the mating connector (not shown), which is the object to be connected to connector 1, is configured to include a first mating portion (not shown) as the first object to be connected and a second mating portion (not shown) as the second object to be connected, and the mating connector is configured so that the first mating portion and the second mating portion do not displace relative to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when d is the distance between the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 in the alignment direction (front-to-back direction) in the normal state, d > 0, but d = 0 is also possible. In other words, in the normal state, the first side protrusion 36 and the second side protrusion 36 may be in contact in the alignment direction.

[0122] <Other forms> Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained from another perspective.

[0123] In this embodiment, the connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 2 and a movable housing 3. The movable housing 3 has an upper part 3B and a lower part 3C (Figures 14 and 15). The fixed housing 2 has a portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2 as an entry part) located to the side of the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3.

[0124] Here, the lower part 3C of the movable housing 3 is configured such that an entry space 9, located below the upper part 3B, is formed to the side of the lower part 3C. Then, as the movable housing 3 moves in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction), the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) can enter the entry space 9 (Figure 22). Therefore, unlike connectors in which a space located below the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3, into which a part of the fixed housing 2 can enter as the movable housing 3 moves vertically, is not formed on the side of the lower part 3C, the horizontal (vertical in the vertical direction) range of motion of the movable housing 3 can be increased while maintaining the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. In this embodiment, the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 is the fitting portion 3B, but it goes without saying that the above effects are not limited to the case where the upper part 3B is the fitting portion 3B.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movable housing 3 has a protruding portion 36 that protrudes in the protruding direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) is an "upper limiting portion" that restricts the upward movement of the movable housing 3 by the protruding portion 36 coming into contact with the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2). Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a connector 1 in which the fixed housing 2 has an "upper limiting portion" for restricting the upward movement of the movable housing 3, the amount of horizontal displacement of the movable housing 3 can be increased while maintaining the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed housing 2 has an entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) and an opposing portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) that faces it in the protruding direction. A passage space (arrangement space 21S, 22S) is formed between the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) and the opposing portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2), and the passage space (arrangement space 21S, 22S) is configured so that the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 can pass through it in the vertical direction. Therefore, in a connector 1 where the passage space (arrangement space 21S, 22S) formed by the fixed housing 2 needs to pass through the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3, the amount of horizontal displacement of the movable housing 3 can be increased while maintaining the size of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) has a protrusion 2H that projects inward in the first direction (a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and approaching the center of the movable housing 3). The upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 has a recess (through groove 38) that is recessed inward in the first direction. The recess (through groove 38) is configured so that the protrusion 2H can pass through in the vertical direction. The protrusions 2H of the entry section (top wall 2B2, 2C2) function as "upper limiting sections," thereby more reliably restricting the upward movement of the movable housing 3. Furthermore, during connector assembly, the protrusions 2H pass through the recesses (through grooves 38) of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3, and after assembly, they can enter the entry space 9 (Figures 20 and 21). In addition, although the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3 has recesses (through grooves 38), a portion where recesses (through grooves 38) are not formed remains, thus ensuring the size (first-direction dimension) of the upper part 3B of the movable housing 3. In particular, in this embodiment, the thickness of the peripheral wall (especially the front-rear wall 37) can be increased while maintaining the size of the insertion space 3H formed in the upper part 3B (fitting portion 3B) of the movable housing 3, thereby improving the strength of the peripheral wall.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the movable housing 3 moves to its limit in the anti-protruding direction, the protruding portion 36 faces only the convex portion 2H of the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) in the vertical direction (Figure 23). Therefore, the range of motion of the movable housing 3 in the anti-protruding direction can be increased. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of increasing the range of motion of the movable housing 3 in the anti-protruding direction, it is not necessarily required that the protruding portion 36 face only the convex portion 2H of the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) in the vertical direction when the movable housing 3 moves to its limit in the anti-protruding direction. For example, if the protruding portion 36 and the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, more than 80% of the overlapping portion of the two means that the protruding portion 36 and the convex portion 2H overlap when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. However, it is more preferable that 100% of the overlapping portion when the protruding portion 36 and the entry portion (top wall 2B2, 2C2) are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is the same as the overlapping portion when the protruding portion 36 and the convex portion 2H are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0129] 〔supplementary explanation〕 In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the substrate and the mating substrate are arranged parallel to each other with the connector pair in between (a so-called parallel connection) when the connector 1 and the mating connector are connected. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, vertical or horizontal connections may also be used.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the housing is held to the terminals by press-fitting, but it may also be held by insert molding.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the intermediate portion of the terminal is the intermediate elastic portion, but the intermediate portion of this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the terminal may be composed of a first portion having a fixed-side retained portion and a second portion having a movable-side retained portion, and the portion in contact between the first portion and the second portion may be the "intermediate portion".

[0132] Furthermore, while the above embodiment includes two movable housings for the connector, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of movable housings included in the connector may be one, three or more.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the housings 2 and 3 are integrally molded from resin, but the housings of this disclosure are not limited to this. For example, the housing may be constructed by combining resin and metal. Specifically, the upper limit portion of the fixed housing may be made of a metal member.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the through groove 38 as a recess is formed on both of the pair of front-rear outer surfaces of the movable housing 3, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the recess may be formed only on one of the front-rear outer surfaces 3A1 of the movable housing 3.

[0135] Furthermore, while multiple terminals are held in one movable housing in the above embodiment, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Only one terminal may be held in one movable housing.

[0136] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the intermediate section 2B has an intermediate connecting section (the top wall 2B2 of the intermediate section 2B), but it does not have to have an intermediate connecting section. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0137] 1 Connector 2 Fixed Housing 2A terminal holding part 2B Middle part (restricted space forming part) 2B1 Side wall 2B2 Ceiling wall 2C Front and rear ends (restricted space forming part) 2C1 side wall 2C2 Ceiling wall 2C3 Reinforced wall 2H protrusion 21A First terminal holding part 21C Front end 21S First Deployment Space (First Containment Space) 22A Second terminal holding part 22C Rear end 22S Second Deployment Space (Second Containment Space) 3. Movable housing 31 First movable housing 32 The second movable robot 3B Upper part (fitting part) 3C lower part 36. Protrusion 36A Tip face (protruding tip face) 38. Through the groove (recess) 39 Entering the recess 4 terminals 41 First terminal 42 Second terminal 4B Fixed side retaining part 4C Intermediate elastic part (intermediate part) 4D movable side retaining part 6. Restrained Space 6A1 Anterior restraint space 6A2 Rear Restraint Space 6B Intermediate Restraint Space 7 restricted areas 8 restricted areas 9. Enter the space

Claims

[Claim 1] A fixed housing whose position relative to the object to be mounted is fixed, A movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing, A connector equipped with, The aforementioned movable housing is A protruding part that protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. It has, The aforementioned fixed housing is A restraint space forming part that forms a restraint space in which the protruding portion is restrained. It has, The restraint space forming portion is, A pair of side walls located to the side of the protruding portion, The top wall located above the aforementioned protruding portion, It has, The top wall, by contacting the protruding portion, restricts the upward movement of the movable housing. The restraint space forming portion is, A reinforcing wall located on the side of the protruding portion relative to the protruding portion, the reinforcing wall connecting the pair of side walls Having, connector.

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