Connectors and Electronic Devices

JP7631243B2Active Publication Date: 2025-02-18KYOCERA CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022005976
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-01-18
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Estimated Expiration
2042-01-18

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0010】 本開示の一実施形態に係るコネクタ及び電子機器によれば、小型低背化された状態であっても接続対象物との接触信頼性及び作業性を両立することができる。

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Abstract

To provide a connector capable of combining work efficiency with reliability of contact with a connection targe even in a state in which the connector is downsized and low-profiled.SOLUTION: A connector 10 according to the present disclosure comprises an insulator 20 having an external wall 23 forming an outer perimeter, and a first metal fitting 40b attached to the external wall 23, the first metal fitting 40b includes a base portion 42b arranged along the external wall 23, a first extending portion 49b1 extending from the base portion 42b to the inside of the external wall 23, and a pair of second extending portions 49b2 extending inside the external wall 23 from positions different from the first extending portions 49b1 and facing each other. The first extending portion 49b1 contacts a second metal fitting 80 of a connection target 50 in the fitted state and elastically deforms toward the external wall 23, and the second extending portion 49b2 includes an engaging portion 49b3 that engages with the second metal fitting 80 in a fitted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been widely known technology relating to a connector module that includes a connector and a connection object mounted on different circuit boards for electrically connecting these circuit boards. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board. This type of receptacle connector can be smoothly attached to and detached from a mating connector, and is provided with tab terminals that are less likely to deteriorate even when repeatedly attached and detached, and provide stable contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6884164 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for electronic devices, such as mobile devices including smartphones, to be lighter, thinner, shorter, and smaller. Accordingly, there has been a demand for connectors mounted inside such electronic devices to be smaller and lower in height. For example, when a receptacle connector such as that described in Patent Document 1 is made lower in height, the length of the elastic contact piece that extends from the metal fitting attached to the outer peripheral wall of the housing to the inside of the outer peripheral wall becomes shorter. When the elastic contact piece becomes shorter and smaller, the spring elasticity of the elastic contact piece decreases. In other words, the elastic contact piece becomes less susceptible to elastic deformation.

[0005] On the other hand, a protrusion may be formed on the surface of such a resilient contact piece, for example, to provide a clicking sensation during the mating operation or to make point contact with the metal fitting of the mating connector. When such a protrusion is formed on the resilient contact piece, the amount of elastic deformation during mating increases by the amount of the protrusion. In this state, if the connector is repeatedly mated and removed from the connection object, the resilient contact piece becomes shorter and has reduced spring elasticity, and is easily deteriorated.

[0006] When the elastic contact pieces deteriorate, the contact pressure applied from the elastic contact pieces to the connection objects decreases, and the contact reliability between the metal fittings and the connection objects decreases. This reduces the electrical conductivity between the connector and the connection objects in the mated state, and the holding force of the connector for the connection objects. Other problems include a weaker clicking sensation when the connector and the connection objects are mated with each other, and a weaker removal force when removing the connection objects from the connector in the mated state. In other words, the ease of operation from mating to removal is reduced.

[0007] In consideration of these problems, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and electronic device that can achieve both contact reliability with the object to be connected and workability even when made small and low-profile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A connector that fits with a connection object, an insulator having an outer periphery wall that forms an outer periphery of the connector; A first fitting attached to the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The first fitting is A base portion disposed along the outer peripheral wall; A first extension portion extending from the base portion toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall; A pair of second extending portions extending inward from the outer peripheral wall from positions different from the first extending portions in the base portion and facing each other; having the first extension portion comes into contact with a second fitting of the connection object and elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall in a fitted state in which the connection object and the connector are fitted together, The second extension portion has an engagement portion that engages with the second fitting in the fitted state.

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Equipped with the above connector. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the connector and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even in a small and low-profile state, it is possible to achieve both contact reliability with an object to be connected and workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector module in a state in which a connector and a connection object according to an embodiment are connected to each other, as viewed from above; [Diagram 2] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector module according to an embodiment in a state in which a connector and a connection object are separated from each other, as seen from above; [Diagram 3] 2 is an external perspective view showing the connector alone in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. [Figure 4] 4 is an external perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 3 in an exploded top view. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged view of a portion V surrounded by a dashed dotted line in FIG. 3, showing only the first insulator. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged view showing a part V enclosed by a dashed dotted line in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the connector of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 2 is an external perspective view showing a single object to be connected in FIG. 1 as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, back, left, right, and up and down are based on the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings in Figures 1 to 7 and 9 to 11. In some drawings, circuit boards CB1 and CB2, which will be described later, are omitted for the purpose of simplifying the illustration.

[0013] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, a connector module 1 in a state in which a connector 10 according to one embodiment and a connection object 50 are connected to each other. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, the connector module 1 in a state in which the connector 10 according to one embodiment and a connection object 50 are separated from each other.

[0014] 2, the connector module 1 has a connector 10 and a connection object 50 that are connectable to each other. The connector 10 has a first insulator 20 and a first contact 30 attached to the first insulator 20. The connector 10 has a first metal fitting 40b and a second metal fitting 40a attached to the first insulator 20.

[0015] The connection object 50 is connectable to the connector 10. The connection object 50 has a second insulator 60 that fits with the first insulator 20 in a connected state in which the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are connected. The connection object 50 has a second contact 70 attached to the second insulator 60. The second contact 70 comes into contact with the first contact 30 in a fitted state in which the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are fitted together. The connection object 50 has a second metal fitting 80 attached to the second insulator 60. The second metal fitting 80 comes into contact with the first metal fitting 40b in the fitted state. At this time, the first metal fitting 40b elastically deforms.

[0016] In the following, for example, the connector 10 according to one embodiment will be described as a receptacle connector, and the connection object 50 will be described as a plug connector. That is, in a mated state in which the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated with each other, the connector 10 in which the first contacts 30 elastically deform will be described as a receptacle connector, and the connection object 50 in which the second contacts 70 do not elastically deform will be described as a plug connector. The types of the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are not limited to these. For example, the connector 10 may play the role of a plug connector, and the connection object 50 may play the role of a receptacle connector.

[0017] The connection object 50 is not limited to the above and may be any object other than a plug connector and a receptacle connector. For example, the connection object 50 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), a flexible flat cable, a rigid board, or a card edge of any circuit board.

[0018] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are described as being mounted on circuit boards CB1 and CB2, respectively. In a connected state in which the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are connected to each other, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 electrically connect the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be rigid boards or any other circuit boards. For example, at least one of the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be an FPC.

[0019] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are connected to each other in a direction perpendicular to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. That is, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are connected to each other along the up-down direction, as an example. The connection method is not limited to this. The connector 10 and the connection object 50 may be connected to each other in a direction parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2, or may be connected to each other such that one is perpendicular to the circuit board on which they are mounted and the other is parallel to the circuit board on which they are mounted.

[0020] In this specification, the "longitudinal direction" corresponds to the left-right direction, for example. The "short direction" corresponds to the front-rear direction, for example. The "protruding direction" corresponds to the front-rear direction, for example. The "mating direction" corresponds to the up-down direction, for example. The "mating side" corresponds to the upper side, for example. The "side opposite to the mating side" corresponds to the lower side, for example. The "circuit board CB1 side" corresponds to the lower side, for example.

[0021] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 alone from above in Fig. 1. The connector 10 is obtained, for example, by press-fitting the first contact 30 and the first metal fitting 40b into the first insulator 20, and integrally molding the second metal fitting 40a and the first insulator 20 by insert molding.

[0022] Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing an exploded top view of the connector 10 shown in Fig. 3. In reality, the second metal fitting 40a and the first insulator 20 are integrally molded by insert molding, but in Fig. 4, the first insulator 20 and the second metal fitting 40a are virtually separated and shown as separate units to facilitate understanding.

[0023] The first insulator 20 constituting the connector 10 is formed of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 20 extends in a plate shape in the left-right direction. The first insulator 20 has a bottom plate portion 21 constituting a lower portion. The first insulator 20 has a fitting protrusion 22 protruding upward from the center of the bottom plate portion 21 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The first insulator 20 has an outer peripheral wall 23 surrounding the fitting protrusion 22. The outer peripheral wall 23 forms the outer periphery of the connector 10. The outer peripheral wall 23 surrounds the fitting protrusion 22 from four directions, namely, the front-rear and left-right directions. The outer peripheral wall 23 has a short wall 23a and a long wall 23b. The short wall 23a extends in the front-rear direction. The long wall 23b extends in the left-right direction.

[0024] The first insulator 20 has a first contact mounting groove 24 formed across the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the longitudinal wall 23b, the bottom plate portion 21, and the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the fitting protrusion 22. The first contacts 30 are mounted in the first contact mounting groove 24. A plurality of first contact mounting grooves 24 are formed corresponding to the number of first contacts 30. The plurality of first contact mounting grooves 24 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the first contacts 30.

[0025] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the area V enclosed by the dashed dotted line in Fig. 3, showing only the first insulator 20. The configurations of the second fitting holding portion 25 and the first fitting mounting portion 26 of the first insulator 20 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5.

[0026] The first insulator 20 has a second metal fitting holding portion 25 that extends from the left-right end of the fitting protrusion 22 through the bottom plate portion 21 to the short wall 23a. The second metal fitting holding portion 25 has a first portion 251 recessed at the left-right end of the fitting protrusion 22. The second metal fitting holding portion 25 has a second portion 252 formed to penetrate the bottom plate portion 21. The second metal fitting holding portion 25 has a third portion 253 recessed in the lower surface of the short wall 23a. The second metal fitting 40a is attached to the second metal fitting holding portion 25. The second metal fitting holding portion 25 extends in the left-right direction to connect the fitting protrusion 22 and the short wall 23a.

[0027] The first insulator 20 has a first metal fitting attachment portion 26 formed across the left and right ends of the long side walls 23b and the short side walls 23a. A first metal fitting 40b is attached to the first metal fitting attachment portion 26.

[0028] The first metal fitting mounting portion 26 has a first wall portion 261 formed in the center of the short wall 23a in the front-rear direction and protruding outward in the left-right direction. A third portion 253 of the second metal fitting holding portion 25 is recessed in the lower surface of the first wall portion 261. The first metal fitting mounting portion 26 has a second wall portion 262 formed from the short wall 23a to the long wall 23b at a corner of the first insulator 20. The first metal fitting mounting portion 26 has a third wall portion 263 formed on the long wall 23b and spaced apart from the second wall portion 262 in the left-right direction. The first wall portion 261, the second wall portion 262, and the third wall portion 263 form the outermost rectangular shape of the first insulator 20 in the front-rear, left-right directions.

[0029] The first fitting mounting portion 26 has a first mounting groove 264 formed between the first wall portion 261 and the second wall portion 262. The first fitting mounting portion 26 has a second mounting groove 265 formed between the second wall portion 262 and the third wall portion 263.

[0030] The first metal fitting mounting portion 26 has a fourth wall portion 266 that extends linearly in the left-right direction between the third wall portion 263 and the short wall 23a and has a vertical height that is one step lower than other parts of the long wall 23b. The first metal fitting mounting portion 26 has a contacted portion 267 that is formed continuously from the fourth wall portion 266 to the inside of the outer circumferential wall 23.

[0031] The contacted portion 267 is formed on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 on the side opposite to the mating side of the connection object 50 and the connector 10. For example, the contacted portion 267 has an inclined surface 267a that inclines inwardly of the outer peripheral wall 23 toward the side opposite to the mating side of the connection object 50 and the connector 10 on the fourth wall portion 266, i.e., the long wall 23b. The contacted portion 267 including the inclined surface 267a extends in the left-right direction along the fourth wall portion 266 from the short wall 23a to a position between the short wall 23a and the third wall portion 263. The first metal fitting attachment portion 26 has a recess 268 formed between the contacted portion 267 and the third wall portion 263.

[0032] The first contact 30 is formed, for example, by stamping a thin plate of spring-elastic copper alloy or Corson copper alloy containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The surface of the first contact 30 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a base with nickel plating.

[0033] The first contact 30 has a mounting portion 31 that extends outward in an L-shape in the front-rear direction. The first contact 30 has a locking portion 32 that continues upward from the upper end of the mounting portion 31. The locking portion 32 is formed to be wider in the left-right direction than the mounting portion 31. The first contact 30 has a curved portion 33 that protrudes upward from the locking portion 32 in a U-shape.

[0034] The first contact 30 has a resilient contact piece 34 formed in an S-shape and continuing from the curved portion 33. The first contact 30 has a resilient contact portion 35 formed facing outward in the front-rear direction at the bent portion of the tip of the resilient contact piece 34. The first contact 30 has a contact portion 36 protruding from the curved portion 33 at a position opposing the resilient contact portion 35 in the front-rear direction.

[0035] The second metal fitting 40a is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The processing method of the second metal fitting 40a includes processes based on punching and bending in the plate thickness direction. However, the processing method is not limited to this, and the second metal fitting 40a may be processed by a process including drawing so that the surfaces of the first base portion 41a described later in the front-rear, left-right and upper directions are continuous without gaps.

[0036] The second metal fitting 40a is formed so that its overall shape is crank-shaped. More specifically, a claw portion 42a, a first base portion 41a, and a second base portion 43a, which will be described later, are integrally formed so as to be crank-shaped as a whole. Similarly, the first base portion 41a and the second base portion 43a are integrally formed so as to be crank-shaped as a whole.

[0037] The second metal fitting 40a has a first base portion 41a. The first base portion 41a extends linearly from the bottom to the top, and is bent at its upper end toward one side in the left-right direction. The first base portion 41a is formed in an L-shape. The first base portion 41a connects a second base portion 43a (described later) and a claw portion 42a.

[0038] The second metal fitting 40a has a claw portion 42a extending further to one side in the left-right direction from a portion extending to one side in the left-right direction in the first base portion 41a. The claw portion 42a is formed in an L-shape. For example, a tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a is bent downward at an end portion on one side of the claw portion 42a. In the front-rear direction, the claw portion 42a is narrower than other portions of the second metal fitting 40a. For example, the front-rear width of the claw portion 42a is narrower than the front-rear width of the first base portion 41a that is continuous with the claw portion 42a. For example, the front-rear width of the claw portion 42a is narrower than the front-rear width of each of the second base portion 43a and the mounting portion 44a described later.

[0039] The second metal fitting 40a has a second base portion 43a extending linearly from the lower end of the first base portion 41a to the other side in the left-right direction. The width of the second base portion 43a in the front-rear direction is the same as the width of the first base portion 41a connected to the second base portion 43a in the front-rear direction.

[0040] The second metal fitting 40a has a mounting portion 44a that extends linearly from the second base portion 43a to the other side in the left-right direction so as to narrow in the front-rear direction. The mounting portion 44a bends obliquely downward from the second base portion 43a and then extends linearly to the other side in the left-right direction. The mounting portion 44a is located one step lower than the second base portion 43a.

[0041] The first metal fitting 40b is formed by using a progressive die (stamping) to form a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The method of processing the first metal fitting 40b includes a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. However, the method is not limited to this, and the first metal fitting 40b may be processed by a process including drawing.

[0042] The first metal fitting 40b has a first base portion 41b extending in the front-rear direction. The first metal fitting 40b has a second base portion 42b extending from each of both ends of the first base portion 41b in the front-rear direction to one side in the left-right direction. The first metal fitting 40b has protruding pieces 43b extending linearly downward at the front and rear parts of the first base portion 41b. A recess is formed by the opposing edges of a pair of protruding pieces 43b spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and the lower edge of the first base portion 41b. The first metal fitting 40b has a first mounting portion 44b located at the lower end of the protruding pieces 43b. The first metal fitting 40b has a first locking portion 45b formed in the protruding pieces 43b in the front-rear direction wider than other parts.

[0043] The first metal fitting 40b has a bent portion 46b that bends inwardly from substantially the entire portion located between the pair of second base portions 42b on one edge portion in the left-right direction of the first base portion 41b.

[0044] The first metal fitting 40b has a second locking portion 47b that extends downward from an outer edge in the front-rear direction of the second base portion 42b over substantially the entire left-right direction. The second locking portion 47b is formed to be wider in the left-right direction than the second base portion 42b. The first metal fitting 40b has a second mounting portion 48b that extends over substantially the entire left-right direction at the lower end of the second locking portion 47b.

[0045] The first metal fitting 40b has a first extension portion 49b1 that extends from the edge of the second base portion 42b opposite to the second locking portion 47b toward the inside of the first metal fitting 40b. The first extension portion 49b1 extends while bending obliquely downward from the center in the left-right direction at the edge of the inner side in the front-rear direction of the second base portion 42b. The first extension portion 49b1 extends to a position corresponding to the center in the up-down direction of the second locking portion 47b. The first extension portion 49b1 inclines inward in the front-rear direction from the top to the bottom. The first extension portion 49b1 can be elastically deformed toward the second locking portion 47b side along the front-rear direction when contact pressure is applied from a free state in which no contact pressure is applied due to contact with the connection object 50. That is, the first extension portion 49b1 has spring elasticity.

[0046] The first metal fitting 40b has a second extension portion 49b2 that extends from the edge of the second base portion 42b on the opposite side to the second locking portion 47b toward the inside of the first metal fitting 40b. The second extension portion 49b2 extends while bending downward from one end in the left-right direction at the edge of the inner side in the front-rear direction of the second base portion 42b. The second extension portion 49b2 is adjacent to the first extension portion 49b1 on one side in the left-right direction. The second extension portion 49b2 extends to a position corresponding to the center of the second locking portion 47b in the up-down direction. The second extension portion 49b2 extends linearly from above to below. The second extension portion 49b2 can be slightly elastically deformed toward the second locking portion 47b side along the front-rear direction when contact pressure is applied from a free state in which no contact pressure is applied due to contact with the connection object 50. That is, the second extension portion 49b2 has spring elasticity. However, the second extending portion 49b2 is less susceptible to elastic deformation than the first extending portion 49b1.

[0047] The first metal fitting 40b has an engagement portion 49b3 formed on a front-rear surface of the second extending portion 49b2 facing the opposite side to the second locking portion 47b. The engagement portion 49b3 has a protrusion that protrudes on the surface of the second extending portion 49b2 opposite to the second locking portion 47b.

[0048] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion V enclosed by a dashed dotted line in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the connector 10 in Fig. 6 as viewed from below.

[0049] The first contact 30 is press-fitted from below the first insulator 20. At this time, the locking portions 32 are locked to the inner wall surfaces in the left-right direction of the first contact mounting groove 24. As a result, the first contact 30 is held in the first contact mounting groove 24.

[0050] When the first contact 30 is held in the first contact mounting groove 24 of the first insulator 20, the elastic contact portion 35 and the contact portion 36 are exposed from the first contact mounting groove 24 between the fitting protrusion 22 and the longitudinal wall 23b. At this time, the elastic contact piece 34 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction within the first contact mounting groove 24. The front-rear tip of the mounting portion 31 is at approximately the same front-rear position as the longitudinal wall 23b.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are different members. That is, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are separated from each other. The first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a face each other in the left-right direction while separated from each other. The strengths of the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are different from each other. That is, the strength of one of the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a is higher than the strength of the other. For example, the strength of the second metal fitting 40a may be higher than the strength of the first metal fitting 40b. For example, the strength of the material of the second metal fitting 40a may be higher than the strength of the material of the first metal fitting 40b. In this specification, "strength" includes, for example, tensile strength.

[0052] The material of the second metal fitting 40a may be different from the material of the first metal fitting 40b. For example, the material of the second metal fitting 40a may be stainless steel, and the material of the first metal fitting 40b may be phosphor bronze. Without being limited thereto, the material of the first metal fitting 40b and the material of the second metal fitting 40a may be selected from a group of candidate materials in any combination such that the strength of the second metal fitting 40a is higher than the strength of the first metal fitting 40b. In this specification, the "group of candidate materials" includes, for example, stainless steel, phosphor bronze, iron, Corson copper, titanium copper, beryllium copper, and aluminum.

[0053] The material of the second fitting 40a may be the same as the material of the first fitting 40b, so long as the strength of the second fitting 40a is higher than that of the first fitting 40b. For example, the strength of the second fitting 40a may be higher than that of the first fitting 40b even if they are made of the same material, such as phosphor bronze, by having a different alloy number, type symbol, and quality. For example, the strength of the second fitting 40a may be higher than that of the first fitting 40b even if they are made of the same material, such as phosphor bronze, by having the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a be greater than that of the first fitting 40b, as described below.

[0054] For example, the strength of the first contact 30 may be substantially the same as the strength of the first metal fitting 40b. The strength of the second metal fitting 40a may be higher than the strength of the first contact 30 in addition to the strength of the first metal fitting 40b. The material of the first metal fitting 40b, the material of the second metal fitting 40a, and the material of the first contact 30 may be selected from a group of candidate materials in any combination that satisfies the above-described strength relationship between the first metal fitting 40b, the second metal fitting 40a, and the first contact 30.

[0055] The pair of second metal fittings 40a are attached to both ends of the fitting protrusion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The second metal fittings 40a extend along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 from the fitting protrusion 22 to the short wall 23a to which the first metal fitting 40b is attached.

[0056] For example, the second metal fitting 40a is molded integrally with the second metal fitting holding portion 25 of the first insulator 20 by insert molding. At this time, the first base portion 41a is molded integrally with the fitting protrusion 22 from the top surface to the side surface at the left and right ends of the fitting protrusion 22. For example, the first base portion 41a is molded integrally with the first portion 251 of the second metal fitting holding portion 25. The first base portion 41a covers the entire left and right ends of the fitting protrusion 22 from the outside.

[0057] The claw portion 42a is integrally formed with the fitting protrusion 22 on the upper surface side of the fitting protrusion 22 such that a tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a is embedded inside the fitting protrusion 22. The upper surface of the claw portion 42a is exposed from the first insulator 20. For example, the upper surface of the claw portion 42a is flush with the upper surface of the fitting protrusion 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper surface of the claw portion 42a may be located lower than the upper surface of the fitting protrusion 22.

[0058] The second metal fitting 40a overlaps along the arrangement direction with one of the first contacts 30 located at an end in the arrangement direction among the multiple first contacts 30 arranged along the arrangement direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the claw portion 42a of the second metal fitting 40a overlaps along the arrangement direction with one of the first contacts 30 located at the end in the arrangement direction. For example, the left-right position of a part of the portion of the claw portion 42a extending in the left-right direction becomes the same as the left-right position of one of the first contacts 30.

[0059] The tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a of the second metal fitting 40a is located in the arrangement direction between one first contact 30 and another first contact 30 adjacent to the one first contact 30. For example, a part of the portion extending in the left-right direction of the claw portion 42a is also located between the one first contact 30 and the other first contact 30 in the arrangement direction, together with the tip 42a1 that is bent and extends in the up-down direction.

[0060] The second base portion 43a is molded integrally with the bottom plate portion 21 and the short wall 23a. The second base portion 43a is molded integrally with the second portion 252 of the second metal fitting holding portion 25. The mounting portion 44a is molded integrally with the third portion 253 of the second metal fitting holding portion 25. In this state, the left-right tip of the mounting portion 44a is exposed to the outside in the left-right direction from the first wall portion 261 of the short wall 23a.

[0061] When the second metal fitting 40a and the first insulator 20 are integrally molded by insert molding, the second base portion 43a extends along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The second base portion 43a extends from the fitting protrusion 22 to the short wall 23a to which the first metal fitting 40b is attached. The lower surface of the mounting portion 44a is located one step lower than the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The mounting portion 44a is located directly below the short wall 23a in the left-right direction.

[0062] For example, the first metal fitting 40b is press-fitted from above the first insulator 20. The first metal fitting 40b is attached to the outer peripheral wall 23 such that a recess formed by opposing edges of a pair of protruding pieces 43b spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and a lower edge of the first base portion 41b sandwiches the first wall portion 261.

[0063] At this time, the first locking portion 45b locks with the first wall portion 261 of the first fitting mounting portion 26 on the outer side of the short wall 23a in the left-right direction. The pair of protruding pieces 43b spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction are attached to the first mounting groove 264. Similarly, the second locking portion 47b locks with the second wall portion 262 and the third wall portion 263 of the first fitting mounting portion 26 on the outer side of the long wall 23b in the front-to-rear direction. The second locking portion 47b is attached to the second mounting groove 265. In this manner, the first fitting 40b is held relative to the first fitting mounting portion 26.

[0064] The first base portion 41b and the second base portion 42b of the first fitting 40b are disposed along the outer peripheral wall 23. More specifically, the first base portion 41b is disposed along the short wall 23a. The second base portion 42b is disposed along the long wall 23b. The first extending portion 49b1 extends from the second base portion 42b toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall 23. The second extending portion 49b2 extends toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall 23 from a position on the second base portion 42b different from the first extending portion 49b1.

[0065] The first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are located on the long wall 23b. The first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction along the long wall 23b. The first extending portion 49b1 is located on the long wall 23b closer to the short wall 23a than the second extending portion 49b2. In other words, the first extending portion 49b1 is located on the long wall 23b outside the second extending portion 49b2 in the left-right direction.

[0066] The second extending portion 49b2 faces the fitting protrusion 22 of the first insulator 20 in the front-rear direction. That is, at least a part of the second extending portion 49b2 overlaps with the left-right ends of the fitting protrusion 22 when viewed from the front-rear direction. In FIG. 6, as an example, the entire second extending portion 49b2 overlaps with the left-right ends of the fitting protrusion 22 when viewed from the front-rear direction. The pair of second extending portions 49b2 located on the pair of longitudinal walls 23b spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the front-rear direction face each other in the front-rear direction via the left-right ends of the fitting protrusion 22. The pair of second extending portions 49b2 are formed at the same left-right and up-down positions on the first fitting 40b.

[0067] A protrusion included in the engaging portion 49b3 of the second extending portion 49b2 protrudes on the surface of the second extending portion 49b2 toward the opposite side to the outer circumferential wall 23. The protrusions of a pair of engaging portions 49b3 facing each other in the pair of second extending portions 49b2 face each other in the front-rear direction via the left-right ends of the fitting protruding portion 22. The pair of engaging portions 49b3 are formed at the same left-right and up-down positions on the first fitting 40b.

[0068] The first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are formed with approximately the same width along the longitudinal wall 23b. The left-right width of the first extending portion 49b1 and the left-right width of the second extending portion 49b2 are approximately the same. The plate thickness of the first extending portion 49b1 and the plate thickness of the second extending portion 49b2 are approximately the same.

[0069] When the first metal fitting 40b is held by the first metal fitting attachment portion 26 of the first insulator 20, it covers the entire short wall 23a and the left and right ends of the long wall 23b. At this time, the first metal fitting 40b surrounds the second base portion 43a of the second metal fitting 40a from both the front and rear sides and the outside in the left and right directions. More specifically, the second base portion 42b of the first metal fitting 40b is disposed on both the front and rear sides of the second base portion 43a of the second metal fitting 40a. The first base portion 41b, the protruding piece 43b, and the bent portion 46b of the first metal fitting 40b are disposed so as to overlap in the left and right direction with the outer left and right ends of the second base portion 43a of the second metal fitting 40a and the mounting portion 44a.

[0070] The first mounting portion 44b is disposed along the outer surface of the short wall 23a in the left-right direction. The first mounting portion 44b extends downward from the lower end of the short wall 23a. The first mounting portion 44b is disposed on both sides of the mounting portion 44a of the second metal fitting 40a in the short direction of the connector 10. That is, the pair of first mounting portions 44b are positioned so as to sandwich the mounting portion 44a of the second metal fitting 40a from both sides in the front-rear direction. For example, the pair of first mounting portions 44b are disposed at positions symmetrical to the mounting portion 44a of the second metal fitting 40a in the front-rear direction.

[0071] The second mounting portion 48b is disposed along the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 23b in the front-rear direction. The second mounting portion 48b extends downward from the lower end of the longitudinal wall 23b. The second mounting portion 48b is disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10. That is, the pair of second mounting portions 48b are positioned so as to sandwich the second base portion 43a of the second metal fitting 40a from both sides in the front-rear direction. For example, the pair of second mounting portions 48b are disposed at positions symmetrical in the front-rear direction with respect to the second base portion 43a.

[0072] In the connector 10 having the above structure, the mounting portion 31 of the first contact 30 is soldered to a circuit pattern formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 44a of the second metal fitting 40a and the first mounting portion 44b and the second mounting portion 48b of the first metal fitting 40b are soldered to the pattern formed on the mounting surface. By mounting each mounting portion on the circuit board CB1 in the above manner, the connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board CB1. Electronic components other than the connector 10, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, and a memory, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1.

[0073] Next, the configuration of the connection object 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0074] Fig. 8 is an external perspective view showing the top view of the connection object 50 alone of Fig. 1. The connection object 50 is obtained, for example, by integrally molding the second contact 70 and the second insulator 60 by insert molding, and by press-fitting the second metal fitting 80 into the second insulator 60 from above.

[0075] The second insulator 60 is a plate-like member extending in the left-right direction, which is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The second insulator 60 has a bottom plate portion 61 that forms the lower portion. The second insulator 60 has an annular outer peripheral wall 62 that protrudes upward along the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion 61 on the front-rear and left-right sides. The outer peripheral wall 62 has a short wall 62a and a long wall 62b. The short wall 62a extends in the front-rear direction. The long wall 62b extends in the left-right direction. The second insulator 60 has a fitting recess 63 that is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 62 from four directions, namely, the front-rear, left-right, and right-left.

[0076] The second insulator 60 has a second contact holding portion 64 formed across the long wall 62b and the bottom plate portion 61. A second contact 70 is attached to the second contact holding portion 64. The second insulator 60 has a metal fitting holding portion 65 formed from the left and right ends of the long wall 62b to the short wall 62a. A second metal fitting 80 is attached to the metal fitting holding portion 65.

[0077] The second contact 70 is formed by stamping a thin plate of a copper alloy containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson copper alloy into the shape shown in the figure. The surface of the second contact 70 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a base with nickel plating.

[0078] The second contact 70 has a mounting portion 71 that extends outward in the front-rear direction in an L-shape. The second contact 70 has a curved portion 72 that extends upward in a U-shape from the mounting portion 71. The second contact 70 has a pair of contact portions 73 that are configured to include side surfaces in the front-rear direction on both the front and rear sides of the curved portion 72.

[0079] The second contact 70 is molded integrally with the second contact holding portion 64 of the second insulator 60 by insert molding. At this time, the pair of contact portions 73 are arranged along both the front and rear sides of the longitudinal wall 62b, respectively. The mounting portion 71 extends outward in the front-rear direction through the bottom plate portion 61. The front-rear end of the mounting portion 71 is located outward in the front-rear direction from the longitudinal wall 62b.

[0080] The second metal fitting 80 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in the drawing. The method of processing the second metal fitting 80 includes a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching.

[0081] The second metal fitting 80 has a base 81 that includes an upper surface along the front-rear and left-right directions of the second metal fitting 80. The second metal fitting 80 has a first mounting portion 82 that bends and extends downward from the outer edge in the left-right direction of the portion of the base 81 that is along the front-rear direction. The second metal fitting 80 has a first locking portion 83 that bends and extends downward from the inner edge in the left-right direction of the portion of the base 81 that is along the front-rear direction.

[0082] The second fitting 80 has a second locking portion 84 that bends and extends downward from the outer edge in the front-to-rear direction of a portion of the base 81 that is aligned in the left-right direction. The second fitting 80 has a protrusion 85 that protrudes from the outer surface in the front-to-rear direction of the second locking portion 84. The second fitting 80 has a second mounting portion 86 that is located at the lower end of the second locking portion 84. The second fitting 80 is attached to the second insulator 60 by the first locking portion 83 and the second locking portion 84 engaging with the fitting holding portion 65 of the second insulator 60.

[0083] In the connection object 50 having the above-mentioned structure, the mounting portion 71 of the second contact 70 is soldered to the circuit pattern formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. The first mounting portion 82 and the second mounting portion 86 of the second metal fitting 80 are soldered to the pattern formed on the mounting surface. In this manner, the connection object 50 is mounted on the circuit board CB2. For example, an electronic component other than the connection object 50, such as a communication module, is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2.

[0084] 9 to 11, a description will be given mainly of the configuration of the connector module 1 in a fitted state in which the connector 10 and the connection target 50 are connected and the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are fitted together. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows IX-IX in Fig. 1.

[0085] For example, with the connection object 50 shown in FIG. 8 facing upside down, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction while their front-to-back and left-to-right positions are approximately aligned. Then, the connection object 50 is moved downward. As a result, the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are connected to each other, and the connection state of the connector module 1 is obtained. At this time, the mating convex portion 22 of the first insulator 20 and the mating concave portion 63 of the second insulator 60 are mated with each other. The connector 10 is mated with the connection object 50.

[0086] In the mated state, the resilient contact portion 35 of the first contact 30 and the contact portion 73 of the second contact 70 come into contact, and the resilient contact piece 34, which has spring resilience, elastically deforms inward in the front-rear direction. In the mated state, the contact portion 36 of the first contact 30 and the contact portion 73 of the second contact 70 come into contact. The first contact 30 and the second contact 70 come into contact at two points on both the front and rear sides, by the resilient contact portion 35 and the contact portion 73, and the contact portion 36 and the contact portion 73.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XX in FIG.

[0088] In the mated state, the first extension portion 49b1 of the first fitting 40b comes into contact with the second locking portion 84 of the second fitting 80. At this time, the first extension portion 49b1, which has spring elasticity, elastically deforms outward in the front-to-rear direction. That is, in the mated state in which the connection object 50 and the connector 10 are mated with each other, the first extension portion 49b1 comes into contact with the second fitting 80 and elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall 23 of the first insulator 20. The first fitting 40b and the second fitting 80 come into contact at two locations on both the front and rear sides by the first extension portion 49b1 and the second locking portion 84.

[0089] When the first extending portion 49b1 elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall 23 in the mated state, the contacted portion 267 of the first insulator 20 comes into contact with a surface of the first extending portion 49b1 facing the outer peripheral wall 23. More specifically, the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 comes into contact with a lower edge of the surface of the first extending portion 49b1 facing the outer peripheral wall 23. In this manner, the corner portion on the outer peripheral wall 23 side at the tip of the first extending portion 49b1 is separated from the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 in the non-mated state and comes into contact with the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267 in the mated state.

[0090] The second fitting 80 of the connection object 50 receives a biasing force from the first extending portion 49b1 that has elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 in the direction opposite to the outer peripheral wall 23. The first extending portion 49b1 that has elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and come into contact with the contacted portion 267 receives a resistance force from the inclined surface 267a of the contacted portion 267. Such a biasing force and a resistance force provide a contact pressure of the first fitting 40b against the second fitting 80.

[0091] 10, a portion P of the first extending portion 49b1 which is in the same position as the tip of the protruding direction of the convex portion of the second extending portion 49b2 in the fitting direction between the connection object 50 and the connector 10 is located on the opposite side to the outer circumferential wall 23 than the tip of the protruding direction of the convex portion in a non-fitted state in which the connection object 50 and the connector 10 are not fitted together. In other words, the first extending portion 49b1 is located at the innermost position in the front-rear direction among the components of the first fitting 40b along the left-right direction in the non-fitted state.

[0092] On the other hand, portion P of the first extending portion 49b1 is located closer to the outer peripheral wall 23 than the tip of the protruding portion of the second extending portion 49b2 in the protruding direction when the connection object 50 and the connector 10 are in a fitted state. The tip of the protruding portion included in the engaging portion 49b3 is located closer to the second metal fitting 80 than portion P of the first extending portion 49b1 at the corresponding vertical position.

[0093] The upper surface of the second base portion 43a of the second fitting 40a is flush with the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 21. The upper surface of the second base portion 43a is exposed upward from the second portion 252 of the bottom plate portion 21. The upper surface of the second base portion 43a faces the base portion 81 of the second fitting 80 while being slightly spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0094] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.

[0095] The engaging portion 49b3 of the second extending portion 49b2 engages with the convex portion 85 of the second metal fitting 80 in the mated state. More specifically, when the connection object 50 moves downward relative to the connector 10 from the non-mated state, the convex portion 85 of the connection object 50 comes into contact with the convex portion of the engaging portion 49b3 from the mated side. When the connection object 50 moves further downward relative to the connector 10, the convex portion 85 moves downward while contacting the convex portion of the engaging portion 49b3. At this time, the second extending portion 49b2 is slightly elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 by the overlap width in the front-rear direction between the convex portion of the engaging portion 49b3 and the convex portion 85. The free end of the second extending portion 49b2 is slightly displaced toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and is received in the recess 268 of the first insulator 20.

[0096] When the connection object 50 moves further downward relative to the connector 10, the protrusion 85 passes over the protrusion of the engagement portion 49b3, and they are no longer in contact with each other. At this time, the second extension portion 49b2 returns to a free state in which it is not elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23. The free end of the second extension portion 49b2 returns to the same position as in the non-engaged state.

[0097] As described above, the engagement between the engaging portion 49b3 and the protrusion 85 means a state in which they come into contact with each other during fitting and then one overcomes the other to engage with the other. In the engaged state of the engaging portion 49b3 and the protrusion 85, the second extending portion 49b2 and the second fitting 80 may or may not be in contact with each other. In FIG. 11, as an example, the second fitting 80 including the second locking portion 84 and the protrusion 85 and the second extending portion 49b2 including the engaging portion 49b3 are slightly spaced from each other in the fitted state and do not contact each other.

[0098] 10 and 11, the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a is substantially the same as or smaller than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b. Without being limited thereto, the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a may be larger than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b so that the strength of the second fitting 40a is greater than the strength of the first fitting 40b even in cases where the second fitting 40a and the first fitting 40b are made of the same material, for example.

[0099] According to the connector 10 according to the embodiment described above, even in a small and low-profile state, it is possible to achieve both contact reliability and workability with the connection object 50. For example, even in a small and low-profile state, the workability from fitting the connector 10 to the connection object 50 to removing them is improved.

[0100] In the connector 10, the elastically deforming first extension portion 49b1 and the second extension portion 49b2 having the engagement portion 49b3 are formed at different positions on the base of the first metal fitting 40b. This reduces the amount of elastic deformation of the first extension portion 49b1 during mating, compared to a conventional connector in which a protrusion is integrally formed on the elastic contact piece. Therefore, even if the first extension portion 49b1 is shortened and its spring elasticity is reduced as the connector 10 is made smaller and thinner, deterioration of the first extension portion 49b1 caused by repeated mating and removal between the connector 10 and the connection object 50 is suppressed.

[0101] By suppressing the deterioration of the first extending portion 49b1, the contact pressure applied from the first extending portion 49b1 to the connection object 50 is maintained for a longer period. As a result, the electrical conduction performance between the connector 10 and the connection object 50 in the mated state and the holding force of the connection object 50 by the connector 10 are maintained for a longer period. In addition, the engagement portion 49b3 of the second extending portion 49b2 formed at a position different from the first extending portion 49b1 also maintains the clicking sensation when the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are mated with each other and the removal force when the connection object 50 is removed from the connector 10 in the mated state for a longer period. That is, even in a small and low-profile state, the connector 10 makes it possible to maintain both the holding force by the first extending portion 49b1 and the clicking sensation and removal force by the engagement portion 49b3 of the second extending portion 49b2 for a longer period.

[0102] In the connector 10, the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are formed as separate bodies in the first fitting 40b, which facilitates adjustment of the second extending portion 49b2 and the engaging portion 49b3 to improve the above-mentioned clicking sensation and removal force. In other words, it is possible to adjust the second extending portion 49b2 and the engaging portion 49b3 while mainly considering only the clicking sensation and removal force, without depending heavily on the contact pressure applied from the first fitting 40b to the connection object 50.

[0103] In the connector 10, the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are formed as separate bodies in the first fitting 40b, which makes it easy to adjust the first extending portion 49b1 to improve the contact pressure. In other words, it is possible to adjust the first extending portion 49b1 while mainly considering only the contact pressure applied from the first fitting 40b to the connection object 50, without relying heavily on the clicking sensation and the removal force.

[0104] Even if the second extending portion 49b2 having the engaging portion 49b3 deteriorates, the second extending portion 49b2 may or may not be in contact with the second metal fitting 80 of the connection object 50, and therefore does not significantly affect the contact pressure applied from the first metal fitting 40b to the connection object 50. Regardless of the state of the second extending portion 49b2, the contact reliability between the connector 10 and the connection object 50 is maintained by the contact of the first extending portion 49b1 with the second metal fitting 80 of the connection object 50. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both such contact reliability and operability based on the clicking feeling and removal force.

[0105] The first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are positioned on the longitudinal wall 23b, so that the first fitting 40b can hold the connection object 50 in the short-side direction. Therefore, the first fitting 40b can support or hold the connection object 50 more stably than when holding the connection object 50 in the long-side direction. For example, the connector 10 can stably support the connection object 50 by the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 of the first fitting 40b contacting the connection object 50 while holding the connection object 50 in the short-side direction during engagement. For example, the connector 10 can stably hold the connection object 50 by the first extending portion 49b1 of the first fitting 40b contacting the connection object 50 while holding the connection object 50 in the short-side direction in the engaged state.

[0106] Since the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are adjacent to each other, the first extending portion 49b1 can support the connection object 50 next to the engaging portion 49b3 of the second extending portion 49b2, which provides a clicking sensation during the course of fitting. During the course of fitting, the connector 10 can stably provide a clicking sensation by the second extending portion 49b2 while the first extending portion 49b1 supports the connection object 50 next to the second extending portion 49b2.

[0107] The first extending portion 49b1 is located on the long wall 23b closer to the short wall 23a than the second extending portion 49b2. This allows the first extending portion 49b1 to come into contact with the connection object 50 first, for example, even if the connection object 50 is slightly inclined in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction relative to the connector 10 when the connection object 50 is fitted to the connector 10. Therefore, the first extending portion 49b1 functions like a guide to guide the connection object 50 to a correct position inside the outer peripheral wall 23. That is, the accuracy and workability of fitting the connection object 50 to the connector 10 are improved.

[0108] In addition, when the connection object 50 is fitted into the connector 10, the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3 formed on the second extending portion 49b2 does not first come into contact with the connection object 50, thereby suppressing damage to the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3. That is, the first extending portion 49b1 also has a protective effect against the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3.

[0109] The second extending portion 49b2 faces the fitting protrusion 22, so that the length in the left-right direction of the longitudinal wall 23b on which the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are arranged can be shortened. In the case where two extending portions including the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are arranged on the longitudinal wall 23b as in the connector 10, the longitudinal wall 23b tends to be long along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. Even in such a case, in the connector 10, the longitudinal length can be shortened by overlapping at least one of the two extending portions with the fitting protrusion 22 in the longitudinal direction.

[0110] Since the first insulator 20 has the contacted portion 267, the first extending portion 49b1 elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 in the fitted state comes into contact with the contacted portion 267. This increases the contact pressure of the first metal fitting 40b against the second metal fitting 80 due to a biasing force toward the opposite side to the outer peripheral wall 23 generated from the first extending portion 49b1 elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and a resistance force received by the first extending portion 49b1 elastically deformed toward the outer peripheral wall 23 and coming into contact with the contacted portion 267. In other words, the connector 10 can hold the connection object 50 more firmly.

[0111] The contacted portion 267 has the inclined surface 267a, and thus can come into contact with the first extending portion 49b1, which elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall 23, at an earlier stage during the fitting process, compared to when the contacted portion 267 is formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 21. This allows the connector 10 to more significantly achieve the above-mentioned effect of holding the connection object 50.

[0112] Since the engaging portion 49b3 of the connector 10 has a convex portion, when the connector 10 is fitted with the connection object 50, the convex portion of the engaging portion 49b3 engages with the convex portion 85 of the second fitting 80 of the connection object 50, thereby improving the clicking sensation. In addition, the connector 10 can also improve the removal force when the connection object 50 is removed from the connector 10 in the fitted state.

[0113] In the connector 10, a portion P of the first extension portion 49b1, which is at the same position as the tip of the protruding direction of the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3 in the mating direction, is located on the opposite side of the outer peripheral wall 23 from the tip in the non-mated state, and is located on the outer peripheral wall 23 side from the tip in the mated state. This allows the first extension portion 49b1 to come into contact with the connection object 50 first, for example, even if the connection object 50 is slightly inclined in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the up-down direction relative to the connector 10 when the connection object 50 is mated with the connector 10. Therefore, the first extension portion 49b1 functions like a guide and can guide the connection object 50 to a correct position inside the outer peripheral wall 23. That is, the accuracy and workability of mating the connection object 50 with the connector 10 are improved.

[0114] In addition, when the connection object 50 is fitted into the connector 10, the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3 formed on the second extending portion 49b2 does not first come into contact with the connection object 50, thereby suppressing damage to the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3. That is, the first extending portion 49b1 also has a protective effect against the convex portion of the engagement portion 49b3.

[0115] In the connector 10, the second metal fitting 40a attached to the mating protrusion 22 and the first metal fitting 40b attached to the outer peripheral wall 23 are different members. This reduces the influence of contact between the metal fitting and the connection object 50 during mating, compared to the conventional technology in which the metal fittings are integrally formed. For example, even if the metal fitting and the connection object 50 come into contact with each other on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, the influence of the contact on the other side is suppressed. This suppresses damage to the metal fittings, including the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a. By suppressing damage to the metal fittings, damage to the first insulator 20 to which the metal fittings are attached is also suppressed. As a result, the reliability of the connector 10 as a product is improved.

[0116] Even if the connection object 50 is engaged with the connector 10 in a misaligned position, and the connection object 50 comes into contact with the first metal fitting 40b on the outer peripheral wall 23 side during the engagement, causing the first metal fitting 40b and the outer peripheral wall 23 to deform so as to fall outward in the left-right direction, the effect on the fitting protrusion 22 side is suppressed. That is, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are made of different materials, so that the deformation of the second metal fitting 40a is suppressed. Even if the connection object 50 comes into contact with the second metal fitting 40a on the fitting protrusion 22 side during the engagement, causing the second metal fitting 40a and the fitting protrusion 22 to deform so as to be recessed inward in the left-right direction, the effect on the outer peripheral wall 23 side is suppressed. That is, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are made of different materials, so that the deformation of the first metal fitting 40b is suppressed. In this way, the metal fittings on one side of the fitting protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23 behave independently and separately. Therefore, the transmission of the behavior to the other side is suppressed. As a result, the entire metal fitting can stably perform the desired function, reducing the risk of breakage.

[0117] As described above, damage to the metal fittings and the first insulator 20 is suppressed, and thus misalignment in the contact arrangement direction, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10, between the connector 10 and the connection object 50 during and after mating is suppressed. This allows electrical continuity between the first contacts 30 and the second contacts 70 to be accurately achieved according to the original design. In addition, rattling of the connector module 1 after mating is suppressed. That is, the function of regulating the position of one of the connector 10 and the connection object 50 relative to the other is maintained. As a result, one is less likely to come off the other, improving the reliability of the connector module 1 as a product.

[0118] In the connector 10, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are made of different materials, so that it is possible to make the strength of one of the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a even higher than the strength of the other. In the connector 10, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a are attached for different purposes in different locations, such as the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, and it is possible to form each metal fitting with an appropriate strength suited to the location and purpose. For example, if the metal fittings are integrally formed as in the conventional technology, when the strength of the metal fittings must be reduced on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the outer peripheral wall 23, the strength of the metal fittings will inevitably be reduced on the other side as well.

[0119] For example, the main purpose of the second metal fitting 40a attached to the fitting protrusion 22 is to improve the robustness of the fitting protrusion 22. On the other hand, the main purpose of the first metal fitting 40b attached to the outer peripheral wall 23 is to contact the second metal fitting 80 in the fitted state to obtain electrical continuity. For this purpose, the first metal fitting 40b is formed with an elastically deformable first extending portion 49b1.

[0120] Therefore, it is preferable that the first metal fitting 40b is made of a material strong enough to provide springiness, while the second metal fitting 40a is made of a material with even higher strength. In the connector 10, the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a can be formed with appropriate strength suited to their respective purposes. For example, if the metal fittings are integrally formed as in the prior art, the strength of the entire metal fitting is inevitably reduced by forming elastically deformable contact pieces on the outer peripheral wall side, and the robustness of the mating protrusions is also reduced.

[0121] By making the material of the second fitting 40a different from the material of the first fitting 40b, it is possible to easily form each fitting so that one of the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a has a higher strength than the other. For example, it is possible to appropriately select the material of each fitting according to the above-mentioned purpose of the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a.

[0122] The strength of the material of the second metal fitting 40a is greater than the strength of the material of the first metal fitting 40b, which improves the robustness of the fitting protrusion 22 to which the second metal fitting 40a is attached. This reduces damage to the fitting protrusion 22 of the first insulator 20 to which the second metal fitting 40a is attached. As a result, the reliability of the connector 10 as a product is improved.

[0123] Since the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a is greater than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b, even if the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a are made of the same material, the strength of the second fitting 40a is greater than the strength of the first fitting 40b. This improves the robustness of the fitting protrusion 22 to which the second fitting 40a is attached in the same manner as described above.

[0124] By attaching the pair of second metal fittings 40a to both ends of the fitting protrusion 22 in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10, the robustness of the fitting protrusion 22 is improved at both ends of the fitting protrusion 22. Therefore, damage to the fitting protrusion 22 of the first insulator 20 to which the pair of second metal fittings 40a are attached is further suppressed. As a result, the reliability of the connector 10 as a product is further improved.

[0125] In the connector 10, the second metal fitting 40a has a mounting portion 44a that is mounted on the circuit board CB1, and this improves the robustness of the second metal fitting 40a. That is, even if a load is applied to the second metal fitting 40a, its deformation is suppressed, and the shape and dimensional accuracy of the connector 10 are maintained even during mating. For example, the robustness of the mating protrusion 22 to which the second metal fitting 40a is attached is improved. Therefore, damage such as deformation of the mating protrusion 22 is suppressed, and the above-mentioned effect regarding longitudinal positional deviation and rattling of the connector 10 is obtained.

[0126] Since the mounting portion 44a includes a bottom surface on the circuit board CB1 side, external force acting on the second metal fitting 40a can be received by the mounting portion 44a. In other words, by mounting the mounting portion 44a on the circuit board CB1, the second metal fitting 40a is fixed to the circuit board CB1, and even if an external force acts on the second metal fitting 40a, the impact is absorbed by the mounting portion 44a. This improves the robustness of the second metal fitting 40a along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. This also improves the robustness of the mating protrusion 22 along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10.

[0127] The second metal fitting 40a overlaps, along the arrangement direction, one of the first contacts 30 that is located at the end in the arrangement direction, thereby shortening the longitudinal width of the connector 10. This shortens the longitudinal width of the connector module 1, thereby making the connector module 1 more compact. In addition, the connector module 1 is more resistant to external forces.

[0128] The tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a of the second metal fitting 40a is located between one first contact 30 and another first contact 30 in the arrangement direction. As a result, any tip structure of the claw portion 42a is arranged in a part of the first insulator 20 where the first contact mounting groove 24 is not formed and the thickness is large. Therefore, the holding strength of the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a to the first insulator 20 is improved. As a result, the holding strength of the second metal fitting 40a to the first insulator 20 is improved. On the other hand, by arranging any tip structure of the claw portion 42a in a part of the first insulator 20 where the thickness is large, a decrease in the rigidity of the fitting protrusion 22 of the first insulator 20 is suppressed compared to a case where the tip structure of the claw portion 42a is arranged so as to overlap the part where the first contact mounting groove 24 is formed.

[0129] The claw portion 42a is formed in an L-shape and the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a is embedded inside the fitting protrusion 22, thereby preventing the claw portion 42a from curling up. This improves the holding strength of the claw portion 42a to the first insulator 20. This improves the holding strength of the second metal fitting 40a to the first insulator 20.

[0130] The first base portion 41a and the second base portion 43a are integrally formed to have a crank shape as a whole, so that the entire second metal fitting 40a is integrated with the first insulator 20 along the shape of the end portion of the fitting protrusion 22 and the bottom plate portion 21. This improves the holding strength of the second metal fitting 40a to the first insulator 20.

[0131] In the short direction of the connector 10, the claw portion 42a is narrower than other portions of the second metal fitting 40a, so that the thickness of the first insulator 20 is increased at the portion integrated with the claw portion 42a. For example, even if the claw portion 42a overlaps with one of the first contacts 30 located at the end in the arrangement direction along the arrangement direction and the first contact mounting groove 24 is formed in a corresponding portion, the strength of the first insulator 20 is maintained because the claw portion 42a is formed narrow. As a result, the robustness of the connector 10 is improved.

[0132] The second base 43a of the second metal fitting 40a extends along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 from the mating protrusion 22 to the short wall 23a to which the first metal fitting 40b is attached, thereby improving the robustness of the second metal fitting 40a along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. This also improves the robustness of the mating protrusion 22 along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. In addition, the same effect as above can be obtained between the short wall 23a and the mating protrusion 22, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. In other words, even if the metal fitting and the connection object 50 come into contact with each other on one side of the mating protrusion 22 and the short wall 23a, the effect of the contact on the other side is suppressed.

[0133] The first mounting portions 44b of the first metal fitting 40b are disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10. The second mounting portions 48b of the first metal fitting 40b are disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10. As a result, the mounting strength of the first metal fitting 40b to the circuit board CB1 is improved. This improves the robustness of the first metal fitting 40b and the short-side wall 23a in the left-right direction.

[0134] The pair of first mounting parts 44b are disposed at substantially the same left-right positions as the mounting parts 44a, so that the three mounting parts are positioned on a straight line along the front-rear direction. This improves the mounting strength of the connector 10 to the circuit board CB1. For example, even if the connection object 50 is mated with the connector 10 in a state where it is shifted at a predetermined angle with respect to the connector 10 about an axis in the up-down direction, the mounting of the connector 10 to the circuit board CB1 is maintained. Similarly, even if the circuit board CB1 on which the connector 10 is mounted rotates after mating, the mounting of the connector 10 to the circuit board CB1 is maintained. Therefore, the robustness of the connector 10 mounted on the circuit board CB1 is improved.

[0135] By arranging parts of the first metal fitting 40b on both sides of the second base portion 43a of the second metal fitting 40a in the short direction of the connector 10, the attachment area of ​​the first metal fitting 40b to the first insulator 20 is increased. Therefore, the attachment strength of the first metal fitting 40b to the first insulator 20 is improved.

[0136] By attaching the pair of first metal fittings 40b to the pair of short walls 23a, respectively, the robustness of the short walls 23a is improved at both left and right ends of the outer peripheral wall 23. Therefore, damage to the short walls 23a of the first insulator 20 to which the pair of first metal fittings 40b are attached is further suppressed. As a result, the reliability of the connector 10 as a product is further improved.

[0137] The first fitting 40b has an elastically deformable first extending portion 49b1 that contacts the second fitting 80 in the fitted state, and therefore the elastic force of the first extending portion 49b1 makes it possible to stably maintain the connected state with the second fitting 80. Therefore, electrical continuity between the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 80 is stably maintained in the fitted state.

[0138] By the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a facing each other in the left-right direction while separated from each other, in the mated state in which the connector 10 and the connection object 50 are mated with each other, the second metal fitting 80 of the connection object 50 can be positioned between the first metal fitting 40b and the second metal fitting 40a. In this way, by the first metal fitting 40b being positioned so as to sandwich the second metal fitting 80 together with the second metal fitting 40a in the mated state, rattling of the connector module 1 after mating is suppressed. That is, the shape and dimensional accuracy of the connector 10 are maintained during mating, and the function of regulating the position of one of the connector 10 and the connection object 50 relative to the other is maintained even after mating. As a result, one is less likely to come off from the other, improving the reliability of the connector module 1 as a product.

[0139] The second fitting 40a and the first insulator 20 are integrally molded by insert molding, which further improves the robustness of the second fitting 40a and the fitting protrusion 22. The second base portion 43a of the second fitting 40a is integrally molded with the first insulator 20 at the bottom plate portion 21 in the second portion 252 of the second fitting holding portion 25, which increases the contact area between the second fitting 40a and the first insulator 20. This improves the holding strength of the second fitting 40a against the first insulator 20 by insert molding. Therefore, the robustness of the second fitting 40a and the fitting protrusion 22 is further improved.

[0140] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be realized in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by the above description. Any modifications within the scope of the equivalents of all modifications are intended to be included therein.

[0141] For example, the shape, arrangement, orientation, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the above description and the contents illustrated in the drawings. The shape, arrangement, orientation, and number of each of the components may be arbitrarily configured as long as the function can be realized.

[0142] For example, in the connector 10, at least one of the first metal fitting 40b and the first contact 30 may be integrally molded with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than press-fitting. For example, in the connector 10, the second metal fitting 40a may be attached to the first insulator 20 by press-fitting rather than insert molding.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the first extending portion 49b1 is described as being formed in a pair on the first fitting 40b, but is not limited thereto. The first extending portion 49b1 may be formed in two or more pairs at any position on the first fitting 40b, or may be formed in any number of positions, one or more, without being formed in a pair. The second extending portion 49b2 is described as being formed in a pair on the first fitting 40b, but is not limited thereto. The second extending portion 49b2 may be formed in two or more pairs at any position on the first fitting 40b.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are described as being located on the long wall 23b, but this is not limited thereto. At least one of the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 may be located on the short wall 23a instead of or in addition to the long wall 23b.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 are adjacent to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first extending portion 49b1 and the second extending portion 49b2 do not have to be adjacent to each other.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the first extending portion 49b1 is located closer to the short wall 23a than the second extending portion 49b2 on the long wall 23b, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first extending portion 49b1 may be located on the opposite side of the long wall 23b to the short wall 23a than the second extending portion 49b2.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the second extending portion 49b2 is described as facing the fitting protrusion 22, but this is not limited thereto. The second extending portion 49b2 does not have to face the fitting protrusion 22. For example, instead of the second extending portion 49b2, the first extending portion 49b1 may face the fitting protrusion 22. For example, in addition to the second extending portion 49b2, the first extending portion 49b1 may not face the fitting protrusion 22 either.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the first extension portion 49b1 and the second extension portion 49b2 are described as being formed with approximately the same width along the longitudinal wall 23b, but are not limited thereto. The first extension portion 49b1 may be wider than the second extension portion 49b2 along the longitudinal wall 23b. This increases the contact pressure applied from the first extension portion 49b1 to the second fitting 80 of the connection object 50.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 20 has been described as having the contacted portion 267, but this is not limited thereto. The first insulator 20 does not have to have a configuration like the contacted portion 267. In other words, the first extending portion 49b1 of the first metal fitting 40b does not have to contact the first insulator 20 in the fitted state.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the contacted portion 267 has been described as having the inclined surface 267a that inclines inwardly of the longitudinal wall 23b toward the side opposite to the mating side between the connection object 50 and the connector 10, but is not limited thereto. The contacted portion 267 may have any other configuration that is formed on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 on the side opposite to the mating side between the connection object 50 and the connector 10. For example, instead of the configuration that continuously inclines inwardly of the outer peripheral wall 23 like the inclined surface 267a, the contacted portion 267 may have a configuration that changes in a step-like manner toward the side opposite to the mating side between the connection object 50 and the connector 10.

[0151] The contacted portion 267 does not have to be formed on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 23 on the side opposite to the mating side of the connection object 50 and the connector 10. For example, the contacted portion 267 may have a flat surface perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 21 instead of the inclined surface 267a. The contacted portion 267 may be formed so as to rise in a mountain shape by a curved surface formed with an arbitrary curvature instead of the perpendicular flat surface and the inclined surface 267a. Moreover, the contacted portion 267 may be formed on the short wall 23a instead of or in addition to the long wall 23b.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the corner of the first extending portion 49b1 on the outer peripheral wall 23 side that contacts the contacted portion 267 is described as being formed at a right angle, but this is not limited thereto. The corner may have an R shape. This suppresses damage to the first insulator 20 that occurs when the first metal fitting 40b contacts the first insulator 20 at the contacted portion 267. Therefore, the contact pressure applied from the first extending portion 49b1 to the connection object 50 is maintained for a longer period of time. This improves the robustness of the connector 10, and improves the reliability of the connector 10 as a product.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the engaging portion 49b3 has been described as having a convex portion that protrudes on the surface of the second extending portion 49b2 toward the side opposite the outer peripheral wall 23, but is not limited thereto. The engaging portion 49b3 may have any structure that can engage with the second fitting 80 to provide a clicking sensation upon fitting. For example, the engaging portion 49b3 may have a concave portion or a through hole that engages with the convex portion 85 of the second fitting 80.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the portion P of the first extending portion 49b1 is located on the opposite side of the outer peripheral wall 23 from the tip of the protruding portion of the engaging portion 49b3 in the non-engaged state, and is located closer to the outer peripheral wall 23 than the tip in the engaged state, but is not limited thereto. For example, the portion P of the first extending portion 49b1 may be located closer to the outer peripheral wall 23 than the tip of the protruding portion of the engaging portion 49b3 in the non-engaged state.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a are described as being separate from each other, but this is not limited thereto. The first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a may be connected to each other without being separated from each other. In this case, the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a may be formed so that their respective strengths are different from each other in the entire integrated fitting. For example, the integrated fitting including the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a may be formed from a functionally graded material. More specifically, the material of the second fitting 40a may be a material different from that of the first fitting 40b so that its strength is higher than that of the material of the first fitting 40b. For example, the integrated fitting including the first fitting 40b and the second fitting 40a may be formed so that the plate thickness changes. More specifically, the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a may be larger than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the strength of the second metal fitting 40a is greater than that of the first metal fitting 40b, but this is not limiting. The strength of the first metal fitting 40b may be greater than that of the second metal fitting 40a.

[0157] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a may be greater than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b so that the strength of the second fitting 40a is greater than the strength of the first fitting 40b, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a may be smaller than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b, or the strength of the second fitting 40a may be greater than the strength of the first fitting 40b. Conversely, the plate thickness of the second fitting 40a may be greater than the plate thickness of the first fitting 40b, or the strength of the second fitting 40a may be lower than the strength of the first fitting 40b.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the second metal fitting 40a is described as overlapping one of the first contacts 30 along the arrangement direction, but is not limited to this. If it is possible to reduce the size of the connector 10 in the longitudinal direction, the second metal fitting 40a does not need to overlap one of the first contacts 30 along the arrangement direction.

[0159] In the above embodiment, the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a of the second metal fitting 40a is described as being located between one first contact 30 and another first contact 30 in the arrangement direction, but this is not limited to this. As long as the holding strength of the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a to the first insulator 20 can be maintained, the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a of the second metal fitting 40a may be located in the same left-right position as the attachment position of the first contact 30, for example.

[0160] In the above embodiment, the claw portion 42a is formed in an L-shape, and the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a is embedded inside the fitting protrusion 22, but this is not limited to the above. As long as the holding strength of the claw portion 42a with respect to the first insulator 20 can be maintained, the claw portion 42a may be formed in any shape other than the L-shape. Similarly, the tip 42a1 of the claw portion 42a does not have to be embedded inside the fitting protrusion 22.

[0161] In the above embodiment, the claw portion 42a is described as being narrower than the other portions of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10, but is not limited thereto. As long as the strength of the first insulator 20 is maintained, the claw portion 42a may have the same width as the other portions of the second metal fitting 40a.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the second base 43a is described as extending from the fitting protrusion 22 to the short wall 23a to which the first fitting 40b is attached, but this is not limited to this. As long as the robustness of the second fitting 40a along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10 is improved, the second base 43a may extend from the fitting protrusion 22 toward the short wall 23a by any length.

[0163] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 44a is described as being located directly below the short wall 23a, but this is not limited to this. The mounting portion 44a may be located adjacent to the fitting protrusion 22 so as to be close to a position on the second fitting 40a where an external force is likely to act.

[0164] In the above embodiment, the first metal fitting 40b is described as being attached to the short wall 23a, but is not limited to this. For example, the first metal fitting 40b may not be attached to the short wall 23a, and may be attached only to the long wall 23b.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the first mounting portion 44b of the first metal fitting 40b is disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10, and the second mounting portion 48b is disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10, but this is not limited to the above. One of the first mounting portion 44b and the second mounting portion 48b may be disposed on both sides of the second metal fitting 40a in the short-side direction of the connector 10. Only one first mounting portion 44b may be formed instead of two, or three or more first mounting portions 44b may be formed. Similarly, only one second mounting portion 48b may be formed instead of two, or three or more second mounting portions 48b may be formed.

[0166] The connector module 1, the connector 10, or the connection object 50 as described above is mounted on an electronic device including a circuit board CB1 and a circuit board CB2. The electronic device includes, for example, any communication terminal device such as a smartphone, and any information processing device such as a personal computer, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction device. The electronic device includes, for example, any in-vehicle device such as a camera, a radar, a drive recorder, and an engine control unit. The electronic device includes, for example, any other in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system such as a car navigation system, an advanced driving assistance system, or a security system. In addition, the electronic device includes any industrial device.

[0167] In such an electronic device, even if the connector 10 is made small and low-profile, it is possible to achieve both contact reliability with the connection object 50 and workability. Therefore, workability in the manufacturing process of the electronic device is improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 1 Connector Module 10 Connectors 20 First insulator (insulator) 21 Bottom plate part 22 Fitting protrusion 23 Outer wall 23a short wall 23b Longitudinal wall 24 First contact mounting groove 25 Second metal fitting holder 251 Part 1 252 Part 2 253 Part 3 26 First metal fitting attachment part 261 1st wall 262 2nd wall section 263 Third wall 264 First mounting groove 265 Second mounting groove 266 4th wall 267 Contacted part 267a Slope 268 Recess 30 First Contact 31 Mounting section 32 Locking part 33 Curved section 34 Elastic contact piece 35 Elastic contact part 36 Contact part 40a 2nd fitting 41a 1st base 42a Claw part 42a1 Tip 43a 2nd base 44a Mounting section 40b 1st metal fitting (1st metal fitting) 41b 1st base (base) 42b 2nd base (base) 43b Projecting piece 44b First mounting section 45b First locking portion 46b Bend part 47b Second locking part 48b Second mounting section 49b1 1st extension part 49b2 2nd extension part 49b3 Engagement part 50 Connected Objects 60 Second insulator 61 Bottom plate part 62 Outer wall 62a short wall 62b Longitudinal wall 63 Fitting recess 64 Second contact holding part 65 Metal fitting holder 70 2nd Contact 71 Mounting section 72 Curved section 73 Contact Part 80 Second metal fitting (Second metal fitting) 81 Base 82 First mounting section 83 First locking part 84 Second locking part 85 Convex 86 Second mounting section CB1 Circuit Board CB2 Circuit Board P part

Claims

1. A connector that fits with a connection object, an insulator having an outer periphery wall that forms an outer periphery of the connector; A first fitting attached to the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The first fitting is A base portion disposed along the outer peripheral wall; A first extension portion extending from the base portion toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall; A pair of second extending portions extending inwardly from the base portion from positions different from the first extending portions and facing each other toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall; having the first extension portion comes into contact with a second fitting of the connection object and elastically deforms toward the outer peripheral wall in a fitted state in which the connection object and the connector are fitted together, The second extension portion has an engagement portion that engages with the second fitting in the fitted state. connector.

2. The outer peripheral wall has a long wall and a short wall, The first extension portion and the second extension portion are located on the longitudinal wall. The connector of claim 1 .

3. The first extension portion and the second extension portion are adjacent to each other. The connector according to claim 2.

4. The first extension portion is located on the long wall closer to the short wall than the second extension portion.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the insulator has a fitting protrusion surrounded by the outer circumferential wall, The second extension portion faces the fitting protrusion. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The first extension portion is wider than the second extension portion along the longitudinal wall.

6. A connector according to claim 2.

7. the insulator has a contacted portion with which a surface of the first extension portion facing the outer circumferential wall comes into contact in the fitted state; 7. A connector according to claim 1.

8. the contacted portion is formed on the opposite side to the fitting side between the connection object and the connector and more inwardly of the outer peripheral wall, The connector according to claim 7.

9. The contacted portion has an inclined surface that is inclined inwardly of the outer peripheral wall toward the opposite side to the fitting side, The connector according to claim 8.

10. A corner portion of the first extension portion that comes into contact with the contacted portion has an R shape. A connector according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The engaging portion has a protrusion protruding on a surface of the second extending portion toward a side opposite to the outer circumferential wall. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. a portion of the first extension portion that is at the same position as a tip end of the protruding portion in a fitting direction between the connection object and the connector is located on the opposite side of the outer peripheral wall from the tip end in a non-fitted state, and is located on the outer peripheral wall side from the tip end in a fitted state. The connector of claim 11.

13. An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Citation Information

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