Connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly that causes no variations in behavior of a connector terminal when fitting a connector and a mating connector.SOLUTION: A connector assembly 600 includes a connector 100 mounted on an object 700 and a mating connector 500. The connector 100 includes a housing 200 and a terminal 300. The terminal 300 includes a fixed portion 310, a held portion 320, a connection portion 330, a support portion 340, and a contact 360. The connection portion 330 has a receiving portion 332. The support portion 340 extends from the held portion 320 and is elastically deformable. The support portion 340 has an abutment portion 342. The abutment portion 342 is positioned above the receiving portion 323 in a vertical direction. In a fitted state in which the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted together, the abutment portion 342 is in contact with the receiving portion 332. The contact 360 comes into contact with a mating terminal 530 in the fitted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly including a connector mounted on an object and a mating connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly 900 of this type. As shown in FIG. 33, the connector assembly 900 includes a connector 910 and a mating connector 950. The mating connector 950 can be fitted from the +Z side to the connector 910 located on the -Z side. The mating connector 950 includes a mating housing 952 and mating terminals 954. The mating housing 952 holds the mating terminals 954. As shown in FIG. 34, the connector 910 includes a housing 920 and terminals 930. The housing 920 holds the terminals 930. As shown in FIG. 35, the terminals 930 have a fixed portion 932, a held portion 934, a support portion 936, and a contact point 938. The fixed portion 932 is fixed to an object (not shown). The held portion 934 is held by the housing 920. The support portion 936 extends from the held portion 934 and is elastically deformable. The contact point 938 is supported by the support portion 936. The contact point 938 contacts the mating terminals 954 in a mated state where the connector 910 and the mating connector 950 are mated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector 910 of the connector assembly 900 of Patent Document 1, since the -Z side of the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 is not covered by the housing 920, when the connector 910 is mounted on an object, the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 and the object face each other in the Z direction. In the connector assembly 900 of Patent Document 1, due to manufacturing variations in the housing 920 and assembly variations in the connector 910, the distance between the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 and the object varies when the connector 910 is mounted on the object. As a result, when the connector 910 mounted on the object is mated with the mating connector 950, the presence or absence of contact of the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 with the object varies for each connector 910. Also, even in the connector 910 in which the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 contacts the object when the connector 910 mounted on the object is mated with the mating connector 950, the timing of contact of the support portion 936 of the terminal 930 with the object varies individually. That is, the behavior of the terminal 930 when the connector 910 mounted on the object is mated with the mating connector 950 varies for each connector 910.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly in which the behavior of the terminals of a connector does not vary when the connector is mated with a mating connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides, as a first connector assembly, a connector assembly including a connector mounted on an object and a mating connector, wherein the mating connector is vertically downwardly positionable relative to the connector and is vertically upwardly engageable with the connector, the mating connector includes a mating housing and mating terminals, the mating housing holds the mating terminals, the connector includes a housing and terminals, the housing holds the terminals, The terminal has a fixed portion, a held portion, a connecting portion, a supporting portion, and a contact point. The fixed portion is fixed to the object. The held portion is held by the housing. The connecting portion connects the fixed portion and the held portion to each other. The connecting portion has a receiving portion. The supporting portion extends from the held portion and is elastically deformable. The supporting portion has a contact portion. The contact portion is located above the receiving portion in the vertical direction. In a fitted state where the connector and the mating connector are fitted, the contact portion contacts the receiving portion. The contact point is supported by the supporting portion. The contact point contacts the mating terminal in the fitted state. A connector assembly is provided.

[0007] The present invention provides, as a second connector assembly, a first connector assembly, In a non-fitted state of the connector and the mating connector, the contact point is movable in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The contact portion is located between the held portion and the fixed portion in the first horizontal direction. A connector assembly is provided.

[0008] The present invention provides, as a third connector assembly, a first or second connector assembly, When the connector is viewed from below in the vertical direction, the connecting portion is visible. A connector assembly is provided.

[0009] The present invention provides, as a fourth connector assembly, any one of the first to third connector assemblies, The contact point faces in a first direction, which is a direction away from the held portion in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The terminal further has an overhanging portion. The overhanging portion is formed on the support portion. In a state where the connector and the mating connector are not mated, the overhanging portion protrudes or bulges toward the first direction side. A connector assembly is provided.

[0010] The present invention is a fifth connector assembly, which is a fourth connector assembly, The terminal further has a terminal guide portion. The terminal guide portion is located above the contact point in the vertical direction, extends in a second direction, which is the reverse direction of the first direction in the first horizontal direction, and upward in the vertical direction. When the mating connector and the connector are in the process of being mated and the mating terminal moves on the terminal guide portion while pressing down the terminal as a whole and the contact portion starts to be pressed against the receiving portion, the position where the mating terminal and the terminal guide portion come into contact is defined as a specific contact position. At the specific contact position, the force received by the terminal guide portion from the mating terminal, which is perpendicular to the contact surface between the mating terminal and the terminal guide portion, is defined as a vertical force. At the specific contact position, the force received by the terminal guide portion due to the friction between the mating terminal and the terminal guide portion when the mating terminal moves on the terminal guide portion is defined as a frictional force. Taking the point where the extension line of the resultant force of the vertical force and the frictional force intersects the connecting portion as a reference point, The contact portion is located on the first direction side of the reference point in the first horizontal direction. A connector assembly is provided.

[0011] The present invention is a sixth connector assembly, which is any one of the connector assemblies from the first to the fifth. In the un-fitted state of the connector and the mating connector, there is a gap between the abutting portion and the receiving portion, and the gap is smaller than the plate thickness of the object. A connector assembly is provided.

[0012] The present invention is, as a seventh connector assembly, any one of the connector assemblies from the first to the sixth, wherein the abutting portion is closer to the contact point than the held portion in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. A connector assembly is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] In the connector assembly of the present invention, the terminal of the connector has a connecting portion having a receiving portion and a supporting portion having an abutting portion. In the fitted state where the connector and the mating connector are fitted, the abutting portion is in contact with the receiving portion. Thereby, in the connector assembly of the present invention, the behavior of the terminal of the connector does not vary when the connector and the mating connector are fitted. Further, since it has such an advantage, the present invention is also applicable to a connector assembly provided with a so-called drop-in type connector.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the connector assembly 600 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 100 mounted on an object 700 and a mating connector 500. The object 700 in the present embodiment is a substrate. The connector 100 and the object 700 constitute an electronic device 800.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, the mating connector 500 of the present embodiment can be fitted from above to the connector 100 positioned downward in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Here, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. The mating connector 500 includes a mating housing 520 and a plurality of mating terminals 530. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the mating terminals 530 may be one.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, the mating housing 520 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The mating housing 520 holds the mating terminals 530. The mating housing 520 has a housing portion 522.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing portion 522 of the present embodiment is a recess recessed upward in the vertical direction.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, the mating terminals 530 of the present embodiment are made of metal. As shown in FIG. 1, the mating terminals 530 are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the first horizontal direction is the X direction. Also, the first horizontal direction is the front-rear direction. Here, the front is the +X direction, and the rear is the -X direction. The mating terminals 530 in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the second horizontal direction is the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 4, a part of each of the mating terminals 530 is exposed in the housing portion 522.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 12, the connector 100 of the present embodiment includes a housing 200 and a plurality of terminals 300. Note that the number of the terminals 300 may be one.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 14, the housing 200 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The housing 200 holds the terminals 300. As understood from FIGS. 4 and 11, when the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 500, a part of the housing 200 is received in the receiving portion 522 of the mating connector 500. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the housing 200 has a plurality of terminal receiving portions 210 and a plurality of connection guide surfaces 220. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the connection guide surfaces 220 may be two.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the terminal receiving portions 210 of the present embodiment opens downward in the vertical direction. The terminal receiving portion 210 opens outward in the first horizontal direction. That is, the terminal receiving portion 210 has an opening 212 located at the outer end in the first horizontal direction. Each of the terminal receiving portions 210 has a holding portion 214. That is, the housing 200 has a plurality of holding portions 214.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the holding portion 214 of the present embodiment is a groove located on both sides of the terminal receiving portion 210 in the second horizontal direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 12, each of the connection guide surfaces 220 of the present embodiment extends in a plane defined by the vertical direction and the second horizontal direction. Each of the connection guide surfaces 220 is orthogonal to the first horizontal direction. The connection guide surfaces 220 are located on both sides of the opening 212 in the second horizontal direction.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 15, each of the terminals 300 of the present embodiment is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 300 is held by the housing 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminals 300 are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. The terminals 300 in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 17, each of the terminals 300 of the present embodiment has a fixed portion 310, a held portion 320, a connecting portion 330, a supporting portion 340, and a contact point 360.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 17, the fixed portion 310 of the present embodiment extends outward in the first horizontal direction from the outer end of the connecting portion 330 in the first horizontal direction. The fixed portion 310 defines the lower end of the terminal 300 in the vertical direction. The fixed portion 310 defines the outer end of the terminal 300 in the first horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the fixed portion 310 is fixed to the object 700.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 17, the held portion 320 of the present embodiment defines the inner end of the terminal 300 in the first horizontal direction. The held portion 320 extends upward in the vertical direction from the connecting portion 330. As shown in FIG. 4, the held portion 320 is held by the housing 200. Specifically, the held portion 320 is held by the holding portion 214. The held portion 320 is press-fitted into the holding portion 214.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the connecting portion 330 of the present embodiment extends in the first direction in the first horizontal direction from the held portion 320. The connecting portion 330 extends in the second direction in the first horizontal direction from the fixed portion 310. In the present embodiment, the first direction is the direction away from the held portion 320, and the second direction is the direction approaching the held portion 320. That is, the first direction is outward in the first horizontal direction, and the second direction is inward in the first horizontal direction. Specifically, in the terminals 300 in the front row, the first direction is forward, and the second direction is backward. Also, in the terminals 300 in the rear row, the first direction is backward, and the second direction is forward. The connecting portion 330 connects the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320 to each other. The connecting portion 330 has a receiving portion 332.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 17, the receiving portion 332 of the present embodiment is located near the end on the first direction side of the connecting portion 330. The receiving portion 332 is a surface facing upward in the vertical direction.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 200 does not have a bottom surface located directly below the connecting portion 330. That is, when the connector 100 is viewed from below in the vertical direction, the connecting portion 330 is visible. Thereby, the connector 100 of the present embodiment is made lower-profile compared to the case where the housing 200 has a bottom surface located directly below the connecting portion 330.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 17, the support portion 340 of the present embodiment extends from the held portion 320. The support portion 340 is elastically deformable. The support portion 340 has a first portion 341 and a second portion 343.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 17, the first portion 341 of the present embodiment defines the upper end of the support portion 340 in the vertical direction. The first portion 341 extends from the held portion 320 in a first direction, then bends and extends downward, and further bends and extends in the first direction and downward. The first portion 341 moves away from the connecting portion 330 as it approaches the held portion 320. The first portion 341 has a contact portion 342. That is, the support portion 340 has the contact portion 342.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 17, the contact portion 342 of the present embodiment is located at the end of the first portion 341 on the first-direction side. The contact portion 342 is located between the held portion 320 and the fixed portion 310 in the first horizontal direction. The contact portion 342 is closer to the contact point 360 than the held portion 320 in the first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The contact portion 342 is located above the receiving portion 332 in the vertical direction. The contact portion 342 protrudes most downward in the vertical direction among the support portions 340. As described above, since the support portion 340 is elastically deformable, the contact portion 342 is movable downward in the vertical direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, the abutting portion 342 is located on the first azimuth side of the connection guide surface 220 in the first horizontal direction. The abutting portion 342 is not in contact with the receiving portion 332 in the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500. That is, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, there is a gap GP between the abutting portion 342 and the receiving portion 332. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 14, the gap GP is smaller than the plate thickness of the object 700.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 11, in the fitted state where the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted together, the abutting portion 342 is in contact with the receiving portion 332. As described above, the receiving portion 332 is provided in the connecting portion 330 that connects the fixed portion 310 fixed to the object 700 and the held portion 320 held by the housing 200. Thereby, the relative position of the receiving portion 332 in the terminal 300 is less likely to shift. Therefore, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted together, the abutting portion 342 can surely contact the receiving portion 332.

[0037] Also, as described above, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, there is a gap GP smaller than the plate thickness of the object 700 between the abutting portion 342 and the receiving portion 332. Thereby, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted together, the abutting portion 342 quickly contacts the receiving portion 332 and the downward movement of the contact point 360 is prevented. That is, in the connector assembly 600 of the present embodiment, since the moving distance of the contact point 360 in the vertical direction when the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted together is small, an effective contact length can be ensured to be long. Also, thereby, the size of the connector 100 in the vertical direction required to ensure a desired effective contact length can be suppressed, and the connector assembly 600 can be made low-profile.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 17, the second part 343 of the present embodiment extends upward in the vertical direction from the first part 341. Specifically, the second part 343 bends from the first part 341 and extends upward and in the second direction, and then bends and extends upward and in the first direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 17, the contact point 360 of the present embodiment is located at the upper end of the second part 343. The contact point 360 is supported by the support part 340. Referring to FIG. 4, in the non-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, the contact point 360 is movable in the first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The contact point 360 faces the first direction, which is the direction away from the held part 320, in the first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the direction in which the contact point 360 should be displaced from the initial state is the second direction, which is the reverse direction of the first direction. In the non-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, the contact point 360 is located on the first direction side of the connection guide surface 220. As shown in FIG. 11, the contact point 360 contacts the mating terminal 530 in the fitted state where the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are fitted.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 17, the fixed part 310, the held part 320, and the contact point 360 are located on a straight line parallel to the first horizontal direction. That is, the fixed part 310, the held part 320, and the contact point 360 are located at the same position in the second horizontal direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal 300 further has an overhanging part 350.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 17, the overhanging part 350 of the present embodiment is formed on the support part 340. More specifically, the overhanging part 350 is formed on the second part 343. The overhanging part 350 is on the first direction side of the contact point 360 in the first horizontal direction. The abutting part 342 is located on the second direction side of the overhanging part 350 in the first horizontal direction. The receiving part 332 is located on the second direction side of the overhanging part 350 in the first horizontal direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, the protruding portion 350 bulges toward the first direction side. In the un-fitted state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500, the protruding portion 350 is located on the first direction side with respect to the connection guide surface 220.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal 300 further has a terminal guide portion 370.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal guide portion 370 of the present embodiment is located above the contact point 360 in the vertical direction. The terminal guide portion 370 extends so as to face the second direction, which is the reverse direction of the first direction, in the first horizontal direction and upward in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the two connection guide surfaces 220 are respectively located on both sides of the terminal guide portion 370 in the second horizontal direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal guide portion 370 has a curved surface 372.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 17, the curved surface 372 of the present embodiment has an R shape that bulges upward and toward the first direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the curved surface 372 is located at the same position as the connection guide surface 220 in the first horizontal direction.

[0047] When the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are mated, the force applied to the terminal 300 and the moment generated in the terminal 300 will be described in detail below.

[0048] First, the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4. From this state, when the mating connector 500 is moved so that the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 approach each other in the vertical direction, the mating terminal 530 comes into contact with the terminal guide portion 370 of the terminal 300, and the mating of the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 is started.

[0049] In this state, when the mating connector 500 is further moved so that the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 approach each other further in the vertical direction, the mating terminal 530 moves on the terminal guide portion 370 while pushing down the terminal 300 as a whole, and the contact portion 342 starts to be pressed against the receiving portion 332, resulting in the specific contact state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0050] In this specific contact state, the position where the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370 contact is defined as the specific contact position SP. At this time, the curved surface 372 of the terminal guide portion 370 of the terminal 300 is located at the specific contact position SP.

[0051] That is, during the fitting of the mating connector 500 and the connector 100, when the mating terminal 530 moves on the terminal guide portion 370 while pushing down the terminal 300 as a whole and the contact portion 342 starts to be pressed against the receiving portion 332, the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370 are in contact at the specific contact position SP.

[0052] In this specific contact state, the terminal guide portion 370 receives a force perpendicular to the contact surface between the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370 from the mating terminal 530. This perpendicular force is defined as the vertical force VF. That is, at the specific contact position SP, the terminal guide portion 370 receives the vertical force VF, which is a force perpendicular to the contact surface between the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370, from the mating terminal 530.

[0053] Also, in the specific contact state, the terminal guide portion 370 receives a force due to the friction between the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370. This force due to friction is defined as the frictional force FF. That is, at the specific contact position SP, the terminal guide portion 370 receives the frictional force FF, which is a force due to the friction between the mating terminal 530 and the terminal guide portion 370 when the mating terminal 530 moves on the terminal guide portion 370.

[0054] To summarize the above, in the specific contact state, the terminal guide portion 370 is receiving the resultant force JF of the vertical force VF and the frictional force FF. Here, let the reference point RP be the point where the extension line EL of the resultant force JF intersects the connecting portion 330.

[0055] In the specific contact state, the contact portion 342 is located on the first azimuth side of the reference point RP in the first horizontal direction.

[0056] As described above, in the specific contact state, the terminal guide portion 370 is receiving the resultant force JF, and the contact portion 342 is located on the first azimuth side of the reference point RP in the first horizontal direction. Thereby, referring to FIG. 8, a moment M for moving the terminal guide portion 370 in the second azimuth around the contact portion 342 is generated at the specific contact position SP. That is, in the connector 100 of the present embodiment, the moment M at the specific contact position SP with respect to the contact portion 342 is configured to be directed in the second azimuth.

[0057] As described above, the direction in which the contact point 360 should be displaced from the initial state is the second azimuth, and a moment M for moving the terminal guide portion 370 in the second azimuth around the contact portion 342 is generated at the specific contact position SP. From these facts, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the contact point 360 should be displaced from the initial state and the direction of the moment M at the specific contact position SP with respect to the contact portion 342 are the same. Therefore, in the connector 100 of the present embodiment, when mating with the mating connector 500, the contact pressure between the mating terminal 530 and the terminal 300 does not increase, and buckling of the terminal 300 is avoided.

[0058] (Second Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 18, a connector assembly (not shown) according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the connector assembly 600 (see FIG. 1) according to the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, among the components shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the components having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment. Also, the azimuth and direction in the present embodiment will use the same expressions as those in the first embodiment hereinafter.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 18, the connector assembly of the present embodiment includes a connector 100A mounted on an object 700A having an opening 710 and a mating connector (not shown). The object 700A in the present embodiment is a substrate. The connector 100A and the object 700A constitute an electronic device 800A. Here, the mating connector of the present embodiment is the same as the mating connector 500 of the above-described first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 18, the connector 100A of the present embodiment includes a housing 200 and a plurality of terminals 300A. Note that the number of terminals 300A may be one. Here, since the housing 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 20, each of the terminals 300A of the present embodiment is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 19, the terminal 300A is held by the housing 200. The terminals 300A are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. The terminals 300A in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 20, the terminal 300A of the present embodiment has a fixed portion 310, a held portion 320, a connecting portion 330A, a support portion 340, and a contact 360. Here, since the configurations other than the connecting portion 330A are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 20, the connecting portion 330A of the present embodiment extends from the held portion 320 in the first direction in the first horizontal direction. More specifically, after extending from the held portion 320 in the first direction, the connecting portion 330A bends and extends upward, and further bends and extends in the first direction. The connecting portion 330A extends from the fixed portion 310 in the second direction in the first horizontal direction. More specifically, after extending from the fixed portion 310 in the second direction, the connecting portion 330A bends and extends downward, and further bends and extends in the second direction. The connecting portion 330A connects the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320 to each other. The connecting portion 330A has a receiving portion 332.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 20, when the connector 100A of the present embodiment is mounted on the object 700A, a part of the connector 100A will be located within the opening 710 of the object 700A. That is, the connector 100A of the present embodiment is a so-called drop-in type connector. In the connector 100A of the present embodiment, the fixed portion 310 is located above both the receiving portion 332 and the abutting portion 342 in the vertical direction.

[0065] When the connector 100A and the mating connector are mated, the force applied to the terminal 300A and the moment generated in the terminal 300A are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0066] In the connector assembly of the present embodiment, the same effects as those in the above-described first embodiment can also be enjoyed.

[0067] (Third Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 21, a connector assembly (not shown) according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the connector assembly 600 (see FIG. 1) according to the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, among the components shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the components having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment. Also, the orientation and direction in the present embodiment will use the same expressions as those in the first embodiment hereinafter.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 21, the connector assembly of the present embodiment includes a connector 100B mounted on an object 700B having a plurality of through holes 720, and a mating connector (not shown). The object 700B in the present embodiment is a substrate. The through holes 720 penetrate the object 700B in the vertical direction. The connector 100B and the object 700B constitute an electronic device 800B. Here, the mating connector of the present embodiment is the same as the mating connector 500 of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 23, the connector 100B of the present embodiment includes a housing 200 and a plurality of terminals 300B. Note that the number of terminals 300B may be one. Here, since the housing 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 23, each of the terminals 300B of the present embodiment is made of metal. The terminals 300B are held by the housing 200. The terminals 300B are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. The terminals 300B in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 23, the terminal 300B of the present embodiment has a fixed portion 310B, a held portion 320, a connecting portion 330, a support portion 340, and a contact 360. Here, since the configurations other than the fixed portion 310B are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 23, the fixed portion 310B of the present embodiment extends downward in the vertical direction from the outer end in the first horizontal direction of the connecting portion 330. The fixed portion 310B defines the lower end of the terminal 300B in the vertical direction. The fixed portion 310B defines the outer end of the terminal 300B in the first horizontal direction. The fixed portion 310B is inserted into and fixed to the through hole 720 of the object 700B to and fixed.

[0073] When the connector 100B is mated with the mating connector, the force applied to the terminal 300B and the moment generated in the terminal 300B are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] Also in the connector assembly of the present embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment described above can be enjoyed.

[0075] (Fourth Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 24 and 27, a fourth embodiment of the present invention by The connector assembly 600C includes a connector 100C mounted on an object 700C and a mating connector 500C. The object 700C in the present embodiment is a substrate. The connector 100C and the object 700C constitute an electronic device 800C.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 26, the mating connector 500C of the present embodiment can be mated from above with the connector 100C located below in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Here, the upper side is the +Z direction and the lower side is the -Z direction. The mating connector 500C includes a mating housing 520C and a plurality of mating terminals 530C. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the mating terminals 530C may be one.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 26, the mating housing 520C of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The mating housing 520C holds the mating terminals 530C. The mating housing 520C has an island portion 524. The island portion 524 extends downward in the vertical direction. The island portion 524 defines the lower end of the mating housing 520C in the vertical direction.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 26, the mating terminal 530C of the present embodiment is made of metal. As shown in FIG. 24, the mating terminals 530C are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the first horizontal direction is the X direction. Also, the first horizontal direction is the front-rear direction. Here, the front is the +X direction and the rear is the -X direction. The mating terminals 530C in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the second horizontal direction is the Y direction. A part of each of the mating terminals 530C is exposed to the outside from the outer end in the first horizontal direction of the island portion 524.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 26, the connector 100C of the present embodiment includes a housing 200C and a plurality of terminals 300C. Note that the number of terminals 300C may be one.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 26, the housing 200C of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The housing 200C holds the terminals 300C. As shown in FIG. 27, the housing 200C has an enclosing portion 202 and a connector-side accommodating portion 204.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 27, the enclosing portion 202 of the present embodiment defines the outer end of the housing 200C in the first horizontal direction. The enclosing portion 202 defines the outer end of the housing 200C in the second horizontal direction. The enclosing portion 202 encloses the connector-side accommodating portion 204 in a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the enclosing portion 202 has a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 210C and a plurality of connection guide surfaces 220C. Note that the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of connection guide surfaces 220C may be two.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 26, each of the terminal accommodating portions 210C of the present embodiment opens downward in the vertical direction. The terminal accommodating portion 210C communicates with the connector-side accommodating portion 204 in the first horizontal direction. The terminal accommodating portion 210C opens inward in the first horizontal direction. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the terminal accommodating portion 210C has an opening 212C located inward in the first horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 26, each of the terminal accommodating portions 210C has a holding portion 214C. That is, the housing 200C has a plurality of holding portions 214C.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 26, the holding portion 214C of the present embodiment is a groove located on both sides of the terminal accommodating portion 210C in the second horizontal direction.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 27, each of the connection guide surfaces 220C of the present embodiment extends in a plane defined by the vertical direction and the second horizontal direction. Each of the connection guide surfaces 220C is orthogonal to the first horizontal direction. The connection guide surface 220C is located on both sides of the opening 212C in the second horizontal direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 26, the connector-side accommodating portion 204 of the present embodiment is a recess that is recessed downward in the vertical direction. When the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted together, a part of the mating connector 500C is accommodated in the connector-side accommodating portion 204 of the connector 100C. Specifically, when the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted together, the island portion 524 of the mating connector 500C is accommodated in the connector-side accommodating portion 204 of the connector 100C.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 29, each of the terminals 300C of the present embodiment is made of metal. The terminal 300C is held by the housing 200C. As shown in FIG. 25, the terminals 300C are arranged in two rows in the first horizontal direction. The terminals 300C in each row are arranged in the second horizontal direction.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal 300C of the present embodiment has a fixed portion 310, a held portion 320C, a connecting portion 330C, a support portion 340C, and a contact 360C.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 29, the fixed portion 310 of the present embodiment is fixed to the object 700C. Since the fixed portion 310 is the same as that in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 29, the held portion 320C of the present embodiment extends upward in the vertical direction from the connecting portion 330C. The held portion 320C is held by the housing 200C. Specifically, the held portion 320C is held by the holding portion 214C. The held portion 320C is press-fitted into the holding portion 214C.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 29, the connecting portion 330C of the present embodiment extends in a first direction in the first horizontal direction from the held portion 320C, and then bends and extends in a second direction in the first horizontal direction. The connecting portion 330C extends in a first direction in the first horizontal direction from the fixed portion 310, and then extends in a second direction in the first horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is a direction away from the held portion 320C, and the second direction is a direction approaching the held portion 320C. That is, the first direction is inward in the first horizontal direction, and the second direction is outward in the first horizontal direction. Specifically, in the terminals 300C in the front row, the first direction is backward, and the second direction is forward. Also, in the terminals 300C in the rear row, the first direction is forward, and the second direction is backward. The connecting portion 330C connects the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320C to each other. The connecting portion 330C has a receiving portion 332C.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 29, the receiving portion 332C of the present embodiment is located near the end portion on the first direction side of the connecting portion 330C. The receiving portion 332C is a surface facing upward in the vertical direction.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 25, the housing 200C does not have a bottom surface located directly below the connecting portion 330C. That is, when the connector 100C is viewed from below in the vertical direction, the connecting portion 330C is visible. Thus, the connector 100C of the present embodiment is made lower-profile compared to the case where the housing 200C has a bottom surface located directly below the connecting portion 330C.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 29, the support portion 340C of the present embodiment extends from the held portion 320C. The support portion 340C is elastically deformable. The support portion 340C has a first portion 341C and a second portion 343C.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 29, the first portion 341C of the present embodiment defines the upper end of the support portion 340C in the vertical direction. The first portion 341C extends from the held portion 320C in a first direction, then bends and extends downward, and further bends and extends in the first direction and downward. The first portion 341C moves away from the connecting portion 330C as it approaches the held portion 320C. The first portion 341C has a contact portion 342C. That is, the support portion 340C has the contact portion 342C.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 29, the contact portion 342C of the present embodiment is located at the end portion of the first portion 341C on the first direction side. The contact portion 342C is closer to the contact point 360C than the held portion 320C in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The contact portion 342C is located above the receiving portion 332C in the vertical direction. The contact portion 342C protrudes most downward in the vertical direction among the support portion 340C. As described above, since the support portion 340C is elastically deformable, the contact portion 342C is movable downward in the vertical direction.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 26, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, the abutting portion 342C is located on the first azimuth side of the connection guide surface 220C in the first horizontal direction. The abutting portion 342C is not in contact with the receiving portion 332C in the un-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C. That is, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, there is a gap GPC between the abutting portion 342C and the receiving portion 332C. Referring to FIGS. 26 and 29, the gap GPC is smaller than the plate thickness of the object 700C.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 26, in the fitted state where the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted, the abutting portion 342C is in contact with the receiving portion 332C. As described above, the receiving portion 332C is provided in the connecting portion 330C that connects the fixed portion 310 fixed to the object 700C and the held portion 320C held by the housing 200C. Thereby, the relative position of the receiving portion 332C in the terminal 300C is less likely to shift. Therefore, when the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted, the abutting portion 342C can surely contact the receiving portion 332C.

[0098] Also, as described above, in the un-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, there is a gap GPC smaller than the plate thickness of the object 700C between the abutting portion 342C and the receiving portion 332C. Thereby, when the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted, the abutting portion 342C quickly contacts the receiving portion 332C and the downward movement of the contact point 360C is prevented. That is, in the connector assembly 600C of the present embodiment, since the movement distance of the contact point 360C in the vertical direction when the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted is small, an effective contact length can be ensured to be long.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 26, the second part 343C of the present embodiment extends upward in the vertical direction from the first part 341C. Specifically, the second part 343C bends from the first part 341C and extends upward and in the second direction, and then bends and extends upward and in the first direction.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 26, the contact 360C of the present embodiment is located at the upper end of the second part 343C. The contact 360C is supported by the support part 340C. In the non-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, the contact 360C is movable in the first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The contact 360C faces the first direction, which is the direction away from the held part 320C, in the first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. That is, the direction in which the contact 360C should be displaced from the initial state is the second direction, which is the reverse direction of the first direction. In the non-fitted state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, the contact 360C is located on the first direction side of the connection guide surface 220C. The contact 360C contacts the mating terminal 530C in the fitted state where the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are fitted.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 29, the fixed part 310, the held part 320C, and the contact 360C are located on a straight line parallel to the first horizontal direction. That is, the fixed part 310, the held part 320C, and the contact 360C are located at the same position in the second horizontal direction.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal 300C further has an overhanging part 350C.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 29, the overhanging part 350C of the present embodiment is formed on the support part 340C. More specifically, the overhanging part 350C is formed on the second part 343C. The overhanging part 350C is on the first direction side of the contact 360C in the first horizontal direction. The abutting part 342C is located on the second direction side of the overhanging part 350C in the first horizontal direction. The receiving part 332C is located on the second direction side of the overhanging part 350C in the first horizontal direction.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 26, in the unmated state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, the protruding portion 350C bulges toward the first orientation side. In the unmated state of the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C, the protruding portion 350C is located on the first orientation side with respect to the connection guide surface 220C.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal 300C further has a terminal guide portion 370C.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal guide portion 370C of the present embodiment is located above the contact point 360C in the vertical direction. The terminal guide portion 370C extends so as to face the second orientation, which is the opposite orientation of the first orientation, in the first horizontal direction and upward in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 27, the two connection guide surfaces 220C are respectively located on both sides of the terminal guide portion 370C in the second horizontal direction that is orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal guide portion 370C has a curved surface 372C.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 29, the curved surface 372C of the present embodiment has an R shape that bulges upward and toward the first orientation. The curved surface 372C is located at the same position as the connection guide surface 220C in the first horizontal direction.

[0108] When the connector 100C and the mating connector 500C are mated, the force applied to the terminal 300C and the moment generated in the terminal 300C are also substantially the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0109] The connector assembly 600C of the present embodiment can also enjoy the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment.

[0110] The configurations of the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, and 300C of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are not limited to those described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 30 to 32, the terminal 300D of the modified example has a fixed portion 310, a held portion 320, a connecting portion 330D, a support portion 340D, and a contact 360D. Here, the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320 of this modified example are the same as the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320 of the terminal 300 in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 32, the connecting portion 330D of this modified example extends from the fixed portion 310 toward the held portion 320. The connecting portion 330D connects the fixed portion 310 and the held portion 320 to each other. The connecting portion 330D has a receiving portion 332D.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 32, the receiving portion 332D of this modified example is a surface facing upward in the vertical direction. The receiving portion 332D is provided in the connecting portion 330D that connects the fixed portion 310 fixed to an object (not shown) and the held portion 320 held by a housing (not shown).

[0114] As shown in FIG. 32, the support portion 340D of this modified example extends from the held portion 320. The support portion 340D is elastically deformable. The support portion 340D has a contact portion 342D.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 32, the contact portion 342D of this modified example is located between the held portion 320 and the fixed portion 310 in the first horizontal direction. The contact portion 342D is located above the receiving portion 332D in the vertical direction. The contact portion 342D protrudes most downward in the vertical direction among the support portions 340D. As described above, since the support portion 340D is elastically deformable, the contact portion 342D is movable downward in the vertical direction.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 32, in the unmated state of the connector (not shown) having the terminal 300D and the mating connector (not shown), the abutting portion 342D is not in contact with the receiving portion 332D. That is, in the unmated state of the connector having the terminal 300D and the mating connector, there is a gap GPD between the abutting portion 342D and the receiving portion 332D.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 32, in the mated state where the connector having the terminal 300D and the mating connector are mated, the abutting portion 342D is in contact with the receiving portion 332D. As described above, the receiving portion 332D is provided in the connecting portion 330D that connects the fixed portion 310 fixed to the object (not shown) and the held portion 320 held by the housing (not shown). Thereby, the relative position of the receiving portion 332D in the terminal 300D is less likely to shift. Therefore, when the connector having the terminal 300D and the mating connector are mated, the abutting portion 342D can reliably contact the receiving portion 332D.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 32, the contact point 360D of this modification example is supported by the support portion 340D. In the unmated state of the connector having the terminal 300D and the mating connector, the contact point 360D is movable in the first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The contact point 360D is oriented in the second direction, which is a direction approaching the held portion 320, in the first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. That is, the direction in which the contact point 360D should be displaced from the initial state is the first direction, which is the reverse direction of the second direction. The contact point 360D contacts the mating terminal (not shown) in the mated state where the connector having the terminal 300D and the mating connector are mated.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 32, the terminal 300D further has a terminal guide portion 370D.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 32, the terminal guide portion 370D of this modification example is located above the contact point 360D in the vertical direction. The terminal guide portion 370D extends in the first horizontal direction toward the first direction and upward in the vertical direction.

[0121] As described above, the present invention has been specifically described with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible.

[0122] In the above-described embodiments, in the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the contact portions 342, 342C are located on the first azimuth side of the connection guide surfaces 220, 220C in the first horizontal direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the contact portions 342, 342C may be at the same position as the connection guide surfaces 220, 220C in the first horizontal direction. That is, in the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the contact portions 342, 342C may be at the same position as the connection guide surfaces 220, 220C or on the first azimuth side of the connection guide surfaces 220, 220C in the first horizontal direction. Thereby, the contact portions 342, 342C come into contact with the receiving portions 332, 332C at a relatively early stage during the fitting of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, and the desired moment M is generated at the specific contact positions SP of the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C, so that buckling of the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C can be reliably prevented.

[0123] In the above-described embodiments, in the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the protruding portions 350, 350C bulged toward the first azimuth side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the protruding portions 350, 350C may protrude toward the first azimuth side. That is, in the un-fitted state of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C and the mating connector 500, 500C, the protruding portions 350, 350C may protrude or bulge toward the first azimuth side. Thereby, when the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C are mated with the mating connector 500, 500C, the second portions 343, 343C of the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C pushed down by the mating terminals 530, 530C can easily fall toward the second azimuth side, so that the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C can be made more difficult to buckle.

[0124] The connecting portions 330, 330A, 330C of the terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C in the above-described embodiments did not have a portion press-fitted into the housings 200, 200C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The terminals 300, 300A, 300B, 300C may be modified such that the fixed portions 310, 310B are located further outward in the first horizontal direction and the connecting portions 330, 330A, 330C have a press-fitting portion press-fitted into the housings 200, 200C. In this case, the receiving portions 332, 332C will be located between the press-fitting portion and the held portions 320, 320C in the first horizontal direction.

[0125] The connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C of the connector assemblies 600, 600C in the above-described embodiments were mounted on a substrate as the objects 700, 700A, 700B, 700C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, by using the housings 200, 200C of the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C as floating housings and mounting the connectors 100, 100A, 100B, 100C on a fixed housing as the objects 700, 700A, 700B, 700C, a floating connector may be configured as a whole. That is, the present invention is also applicable to a floating connector.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0126] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Connectors 200, 200C Housings 202 Enclosing Portion 204 Connector-Side Accommodating Portion 210, 210C Terminal Accommodating Portions 212, 212C Openings 214, 214C Holding Portions 220, 220C Connection Guide Surfaces 300, 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D Terminals 310, 310B Fixed Portions 320, 320C Held Portions 330, 330A, 330C, 330D Connecting Portions 332, 332C, 332D Receiving Portions 340, 340C, 340D Supporting Portions 341, 341C First Portions 342, 342C, 342D Contacting Portions 343, 343C Second Portions 350, 350C Projecting Portions 360, 360C, 360D Contacts 370, 370C, 370D Terminal Guide Portions 372, 372C Curved Surfaces 500, 500C Mate Connectors 520, 520C Mate Housings 522 Accommodation section 524 Island section 530, 530C Opposite-side terminal 600, 600C Connector assembly 700, 700A, 700B, 700C Object 710 Opening 720 Through hole 800, 800A, 800B, 800C Electronic device EL Extension cord FF Frictional force GP Gap GPC Gap GPD Gap JF Resultant force RP Reference point SP Specific contact position VF Vertical force

Claims

1. A connector assembly including a connector mounted on an object and a mating connector, wherein the mating connector is vertically upwardly engageable with the connector positioned below; the mating connector includes a mating housing and mating terminals; the mating housing holds the mating terminals; the connector includes a housing and terminals; the housing holds the terminals; each terminal has a fixed portion fixed to the object, a held portion held by the housing, a connecting portion connecting the fixed portion and the held portion, a supporting portion extending from the held portion and being elastically deformable, and only one contact point; the fixed portion is fixed to the object; the held portion is held by the housing; the connecting portion connects the fixed portion and the held portion to each other; the connecting portion has a receiving portion; the supporting portion extends from the held portion and is elastically deformable; the supporting portion has a contact portion; the contact portion is vertically above the receiving portion; in a mated state where the connector and the mating connector are mated, the contact portion contacts the receiving portion; the contact point is supported by the supporting portion; the contact point contacts the mating terminal in the mated state; Connector assembly.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein in a non-mated state between the connector and the mating connector, the contact point is movable in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction; the contact portion is positioned between the held portion and the fixed portion in the first horizontal direction. Connector assembly.

3. The connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the connector is viewed from below in the vertical direction, the connecting portion is visible. Connector assembly.

4. The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact point faces a first direction which is a direction away from the held portion in a first horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction; each terminal further has a protruding portion; the protruding portion is formed on the supporting portion; in a non-mated state between the connector and the mating connector, the protruding portion protrudes or bulges toward the first direction side. Connector assembly.

5. The connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein The terminal further has a terminal guide portion. The terminal guide portion is located above the contact point in the vertical direction, extends in a second direction which is the reverse direction of the first direction in the first horizontal direction, and extends upward in the vertical direction. During the fitting process between the mating connector and the connector, when the mating terminal moves on the terminal guide portion while pressing down the terminal as a whole and the contact portion starts to be pressed against the receiving portion, the position where the mating terminal contacts the terminal guide portion is defined as the specific contact position. At the specific contact position, the force received by the terminal guide portion from the mating terminal and perpendicular to the contact surface between the mating terminal and the terminal guide portion is defined as the vertical force. At the specific contact position, the force received by the terminal guide portion due to the friction between the mating terminal and the terminal guide portion when the mating terminal moves on the terminal guide portion is defined as the frictional force. Taking the point where the extension line of the resultant force of the vertical force and the frictional force intersects the connecting portion as the reference point. The contact portion is located on the first direction side of the reference point in the first horizontal direction. Connector assembly.

6. A connector assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, In a non-fitted state between the connector and the mating connector, there is a gap between the contact portion and the receiving portion. The gap is smaller than the plate thickness of the object. Connector assembly.

7. A connector assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, The contact portion is closer to the contact point than the held portion in the first horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Connector assembly.

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