Board connectors and board-to-board connectors

Abstract

To appropriately adjust the impedance of a terminal and to improve the reliability.SOLUTION: A board connector including a housing and a signal terminal 61 attached to the housing, and the housing includes a first space, and a second space located in the opposite direction of fitting from the first space, and one side surface of the signal terminal 61 is exposed to the outside of the substrate connector through the first space and the second space, the housing further includes a third space, the third space is located on the other side surface of the signal terminal 61, and the signal terminal 61 is engaged with the third space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to board connectors and board-to-board connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, board-to-board connectors have been used to electrically connect a pair of circuit boards. However, in recent years, as the speed of electrical signals transmitted between circuit boards has increased, there has been a demand for board-to-board connectors to match the impedance of the transmission lines of the electrical signals. Therefore, it has been proposed to match the impedance by partially curving the terminals, which are the transmission lines of the electrical signals, and partially changing the pitch of the terminals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 18 is a partial plan view showing a pitch changing portion of a terminal in a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, 861 denotes terminals of a connector (not shown), which are arranged side by side in the width direction of the connector and, for convenience of explanation, are given the reference numerals 861a, 861b,..., 861h from left to right in the figure. Each terminal 861 includes a contact portion 865 that comes into contact with a terminal of a mating connector (not shown), a support portion 862 that is supported by the housing of the connector (not shown), and a tail portion 863 that is soldered to a pad on a board (not shown).

[0005] Furthermore, adjacent terminals 861c and 861d, which are designated by the symbol S, function as signal terminals; for example, when transmitting differential signals, one signal is positive and the other signal is negative. Furthermore, terminals 861b and 861e, which are designated by the symbol G, function as ground terminals. Note that although the symbols S and G are omitted in the figure, it is assumed here that terminals 861a, 861f, and 861g function as signal terminals, and terminal 861h functions as a ground terminal.

[0006] Terminal 861 includes a pitch conversion portion 864. In pitch conversion portion 864, terminals 861a, 861c, 861d, 861f, and 861g, which function as signal terminals, are bent obliquely in the pitch direction of terminal 861 (the horizontal direction in the figure). As a result, in contact portion 865, the pitch between adjacent signal terminals, i.e., the distance between terminals 861c and 861d and the distance between terminals 861f and 861g, is widened, while the pitch between adjacent signal terminals and ground terminals, i.e., the distance between terminals 861a and 861b, the distance between terminals 861b and 861c, the distance between terminals 861d and 861e, the distance between terminals 861e and 861f, and the distance between terminals 861g and 861h, is narrowed. This allows the impedance of terminal 861 to be adjusted and matched. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-149770 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the conventional connector, the impedance is adjusted by bending the terminals 861 in the pitch direction, which reduces the mechanical properties and manufacturability of the terminals 861, and ultimately reduces the mechanical properties and manufacturability of the connector. Furthermore, in recent years, connectors have become smaller in size in line with the miniaturization of electronic components and electronic devices, so the dimensions and pitch of each part of the terminals 861 have had to become extremely fine, and under these circumstances, it is difficult to bend the terminals 861 in the pitch direction.

[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a highly reliable board connector and board-to-board connector that can solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and can appropriately adjust the impedance of the terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To this end, the board connector includes a housing and a signal terminal attached to the housing, the housing including a first space portion and a second space portion located in the opposite mating direction from the first space portion, one side of the signal terminal is exposed to the outside of the board connector through the first space portion and the second space portion, the housing further includes a third space portion, the third space portion is located on the other side of the signal terminal, and the signal terminal is engaged in the third space portion. When the board connector is mated with the mating connector, at least a portion of the housing near the mating end enters the cavity of the mating connector, and at least a portion of the first space is covered by the mating connector. do.

[0011] In another board connector, the dimension of the first space in the mating direction is larger than that of the second space.

[0013] In yet another board connector, the housing further includes a recess in which at least a portion of the mating connector is accommodated, the recess having an open mating end, a long wall portion defining at least a portion of the side of the recess, and a bottom plate closing the anti-mating end of the recess, and the second space portion is formed in the long wall portion, overlapping with the bottom plate in the mating direction.

[0014] In still another board connector, the second space and the third space are formed adjacent to each other in the fitting direction.

[0015] In still another board connector, the widthwise dimensions of the first space portion and the second space portion are smaller than the widthwise dimension of the signal terminals.

[0016] In still another board connector, the portion of the signal terminal that corresponds to the first space portion in the mating direction can function as a contact area with the mating signal terminal of the mating connector.

[0017] In yet another board connector, the signal terminals are multiple and form at least two parallel rows, and the first space portion, second space portion, and third space portion located on the sides of the signal terminals in each row are formed symmetrically so as to face each other.

[0018] In yet another board connector, the side surfaces of the signal terminals exposed to the outside of the board connector through the first space and the second space can be gold plated.

[0019] A board-to-board connector includes the board connector of the present disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the board connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, the board connector can appropriately adjust the impedance of the terminals, and can be made smaller, has a simple structure, has a small number of parts, is easy to manufacture, reduces costs, and has improved reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first connector and a second connector are mated in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the first connector and the second connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and (b) is a view showing only the first connector in (a). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing a first connector in the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a first exploded perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing the first connector in the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a second exploded perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are third and fourth perspective views showing the first connector of the present embodiment, where (a) is the third perspective view and (b) is the fourth perspective view. [Figure 9] 2 is a first partial cross-sectional perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a second partial cross-sectional perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a third partial cross-sectional perspective view of the first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 3 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal of the first connector in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are first perspective views showing an arrangement of signal terminals of a first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is the first perspective view and (b) is an enlarged view of part B in (a). [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are second perspective views showing the arrangement of signal terminals of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is the second perspective view and (b) is an enlarged view of part C in (a). [Figure 15] 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of first signal terminals of a first connector according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second connector in the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a partial plan view showing a pitch changing portion of a terminal in a conventional connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector of this embodiment are mated, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the first connector and the second connector of this embodiment are mated, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector of this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a first perspective view showing the first connector of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a first exploded perspective view of the first connector of this embodiment, FIG. 6 is a second perspective view showing the first connector of this embodiment, FIG. 7 is a second exploded perspective view of the first connector of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a third and fourth perspective view showing the first connector of this embodiment. 4 oblique view, Figure 9 is a first partial cross-sectional oblique view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 10 is a second partial cross-sectional oblique view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 11 is a third partial cross-sectional oblique view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the signal terminals of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 13 is a first oblique view showing the arrangement of the signal terminals of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 14 is a second oblique view showing the arrangement of the signal terminals of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the first signal terminals of the first connector in this embodiment.

[0024] In Figure 3, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 2, and (b) is a view showing only the first connector in (a); in Figure 8, (a) is a third oblique view and (b) is a fourth oblique view; in Figure 13, (a) is a first oblique view and (b) is an enlarged view of part B in (a); and in Figure 14, (a) is a second oblique view and (b) is an enlarged view of part C in (a).

[0025] In the figures, reference numeral 10 denotes a connector according to this embodiment, a first connector serving as one of the board-to-board connectors 1. The first connector 10 is a plug connector serving as a board connector mounted on the surface of a first board (not shown), which is a mounting member, and is mated with a second connector 101 serving as a mating connector. In the example shown in the figures, the first connector 10 is a so-called right-angle type, and when mated with the second connector 101, the direction of relative movement with respect to the second connector 101 is parallel to the surface of the first board. Therefore, the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 is perpendicular to the mounting surface 11b. Note that the first connector 10 does not necessarily have to be a right-angle type, and may be a so-called straight type in which, when mated with the second connector 101, the direction of relative movement with respect to the second connector 101 is perpendicular to the surface of the first board and the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11 is parallel to the mounting surface 11b. However, for convenience of explanation, a case of a right-angle type will be described here.

[0026] On the other hand, the second connector 101 is the other side of the board-to-board connector 1 and is a receptacle connector as a board connector mounted on the surface of a second board (not shown) which is a mounting member. The second connector 101 is a so-called floating type connector and includes a second fixed housing 111 as a fixed housing fixedly attached to the surface of the second board, and a second movable housing 131 as a movable housing movable relative to the second fixed housing 111. Furthermore, the second connector 101 is a so-called straight type, and a mating surface 111a of the second fixed housing 111 is parallel to a mounting surface 111b.

[0027] 3(a), each of the mating signal terminals 161, which are signal terminals among the mating terminals provided in the second connector 101, is a thin, elastic rod-like member formed integrally by punching, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal plate, and has a fixed-side held portion 162 held by the second fixed housing 111, a tail portion 163 as a board connection portion connected to the end of the fixed-side held portion 162 on the mounting surface 111b side, a movable-side held portion 166 held by the second movable housing 131, and a contact portion 165 connected to the end of the movable-side held portion 166 on the mating surface 111a side. The contact portion 165 is formed with a contact protrusion 165a that bulges outward in the width direction of the second movable housing 131. In addition, each of the mating signal terminals 161 has a bending portion 164 that connects the fixed side held portion 162 and the movable side held portion 166 and is bent in a serpentine manner, and the bending portion 164 functions as an elastic deformation portion, thereby absorbing the displacement of the second movable housing 131 relative to the second fixed housing 111.

[0028] Furthermore, the power terminal among the mating terminals provided in the second connector 101, i.e., mating power terminal 151, which is a power terminal, also has an elastic deformation portion, which absorbs displacement of the second movable housing 131 relative to the second fixed housing 111. In the example shown in the figure, the mating power terminal 151 includes a first mating power terminal 151A and a second mating power terminal 151B, but when describing the first mating power terminal 151A and the second mating power terminal 151B collectively, they will be described as mating power terminal 151.

[0029] It should be noted that the first connector 10 is not a so-called floating type connector, but only has a first housing 11 as a fixed housing that is fixedly attached to the surface of the first substrate, and does not have a movable housing that can be moved.

[0030] Furthermore, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 of the connector pair in this embodiment are preferably used to electrically connect a first substrate and a second substrate as substrates, but can also be used to electrically connect other members. The first substrate and the second substrate are, for example, printed circuit boards, flexible flat cables (FFC), flexible circuit boards (FPC), etc. used in electronic devices, but may be any type of substrate.

[0031] In this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 10 and second connector 101 of the connector pair are relative rather than absolute, and are appropriate when each part of the first connector 10 and second connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but if the position changes, they should be interpreted differently in accordance with the change in position.

[0032] The first connector 10 is configured to be symmetrical when viewed from the width direction (Y-axis direction), and also to be symmetrical when viewed from the direction in which it moves relative to the second connector 101 when mated with the second connector 101, i.e., the mating direction (Z-axis direction). The first housing 11 of the first connector 10 is a member integrally formed from an insulator (dielectric) such as synthetic resin. A cover 41 is attached to the end of the first connector 10 opposite the mating direction (the end in the positive Z-axis direction). The cover 41 is also a member integrally formed from an insulator such as synthetic resin. Note that the cover 41 is not necessarily a necessary member and can be omitted, particularly when the first connector 10 is a straight type. However, the first connector 10 will be described herein as including the cover 41.

[0033] The first housing 11 has a main body 31 and side portions 12 connected to both ends of the main body 31 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and extending in the opposite mating direction (Z-axis positive direction). A surface of the side portions 12 on one widthwise side (Y-axis negative direction side) of the first connector 10 functions as a mounting surface 11b facing the surface of the first board.

[0034] The main body 31 is a generally rectangular cylindrical member having a pair of parallel long wall portions 31a extending in the longitudinal direction, a pair of parallel short wall portions 31b extending in the width direction, and a mating cavity 33 that is a rectangular prism-shaped hollow with four sides defined by the long wall portions 31a and the short wall portions 31b and an open mating end (Z-axis negative end) that accommodates a part of the second connector 101. A generally rectangular truncated pyramid-shaped protruding end 31g is formed at each mating end of the short wall portions 31b. The mating end (Z-axis positive end) of the mating cavity 33 is closed by a bottom plate 35.

[0035] Furthermore, on the opposite side of the bottom plate 35, i.e., the side opposite to the mating direction, there is formed an opposite cavity 34, which is a rectangular column-shaped cavity with an open end opposite to the mating direction. In the example shown in the figure, there is one mating cavity 33, while there are multiple opposite cavities 34. Each opposite cavity 34 is defined on all four sides by a partition wall 34a separating it from the adjacent opposite cavity 34 and by a thick portion 31a1 of the long wall portion 31a. This prevents distortion and deformation that may occur during the manufacturing process or use of the main body 31. It also ensures the strength of the main body 31 and enables miniaturization. The thick portion 31a1 is a portion of the long wall portion 31a closer to the mating direction than the bottom plate 35. The thick portion 31a1 is a portion of the long wall portion 31a that is thicker on the inner surface of the long wall portion 31a, i.e., the inner surface of the main body 31 in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and is formed thicker so that it is positioned closer to the center of the main body 31 in the width direction.

[0036] Furthermore, on the side opposite to the mating direction of the main body 31, a board connection space 13 is formed, which is a space defined on three sides by the pair of side portions 12 and the anti-mating side surface 31c of the main body 31. The board connection space 13 accommodates the board connection portions of the terminals of the first connector 10 and the cover 41.

[0037] Each side portion 12 has a metal fitting holding recess 12d formed therein, and a housing fixing metal fitting 71 is accommodated and held within the metal fitting holding recess 12d. The housing fixing metal fitting 71 is an elastic member integrally formed by punching or other processing on a metal plate. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, it includes a held portion 72 and a pointed end 73 connected to the lower end of the held portion 72 as a board connection portion. The held portion 72 has a first holding protrusion 72a and a second holding protrusion 72b that fit into the inner surface of the metal fitting holding recess 12d. The pointed end 73 protrudes from the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11 and is inserted into a holding hole formed in a first board (not shown). Preferably, the pointed end 73 is firmly connected to the first board by soldering or other connecting means. The housing fixing metal fitting 71 can be omitted if unnecessary. In addition, the first housing 11 may have a boss (positioning protrusion) or a positioning hole protruding from the first housing 11 in order to position the first connector 10 on a housing, chassis, fixing plate, etc. to which the first connector 10 is attached.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 12 , each of the signal terminals 61 included in the first connector 10 is a thin, elastic rod-like member integrally formed by punching, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal plate, and includes a retained portion 62, a tail portion 63 serving as a board connection portion, a connecting portion 64, and a contact portion 65. In the example shown in the figure, the signal terminal 61 includes a first signal terminal 61A and a second signal terminal 61B. The first signal terminal 61A is disposed such that its retained portion 62 and contact portion 65 are located farther from the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11 than the retained portion 62 and contact portion 65 of the second signal terminal 61B. When describing the first signal terminal 61A and the second signal terminal 61B collectively, they will be described as the signal terminal 61.

[0039] 12, where a plurality of first signal terminals 61A and a plurality of second signal terminals 61B are arranged side by side in the width direction of the first connector 10 at a pitch of, for example, about 0.5 mm so as to form a single row. Note that the number of first signal terminals 61A and second signal terminals 61B and the pitch value can be set appropriately, but in this description, it is assumed that the number of first signal terminals 61A and the number of second signal terminals 61B are equal, the pitch of the first signal terminals 61A and the pitch of the second signal terminals 61B are equal, and the contact portion 65 of each first signal terminal 61A and the contact portion 65 of each second signal terminal 61B are arranged to overlap when viewed from the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10.

[0040] The signal terminal 61 is used to transmit signals. However, in recent years, various signals have become faster, and it is expected that the signal terminal 61 will be used to transmit high-frequency signals, for example, of about 5 to 40 GHz. When transmitting such high-frequency signals, impedance matching may be required. Therefore, in this embodiment, the impedance of the signal terminal 61 is adjustable.

[0041] In the signal terminal 61, the held portion 62 is a portion extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) and has a plurality of locking protrusions 62a formed on its surface. The locking protrusions 62a bite into the first housing 11, thereby locking and holding the held portion 62 to the first housing 11. A pressing protrusion 62b is formed on the surface of the held portion 62 facing the center of the width of the first connector 10. The contact portion 65 is a thick plate-like or rectangular portion that extends linearly from the tip of the held portion 62, i.e., the mating direction end (Z-axis negative end), toward the mating direction (Z-axis negative direction), and its surface comes into contact with the contact protrusion 165a of the contact portion 165 of the mating signal terminal 161. Furthermore, tail portion 63 is a thick plate-like or rectangular timber-like portion that extends linearly from the lower end of coupling portion 64, i.e., one widthwise end (the end in the negative Y-axis direction) of first connector 10, in the direction opposite to the mating direction (the positive Z-axis direction), and is connected and fixed by means of soldering or the like to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate (not shown). The connection pad is typically connected to a conductive trace for transmitting a signal on the first substrate.

[0042] The plurality of signal terminals 61, i.e., the first signal terminals 61A and the second signal terminals 61B, are arranged to form at least two parallel rows, excluding the connecting portion 64. The connecting portion 64 is referred to as a first connecting portion 64A for the first signal terminals 61A and as a second connecting portion 64B for the second signal terminals 61B.

[0043] The first connecting portion 64A includes an inclined portion 64A1 extending linearly and inclined obliquely with respect to the mating direction (Z-axis direction), a lower connecting portion 64A4 extending linearly in the width direction of the first connector 10 from the lower end of the inclined portion 64A1, i.e., from one widthwise end (Y-axis negative end) of the first connector 10, and bending at its lower end to connect to the tail portion 63, and an upper connecting portion 64A3 bending from the upper end of the inclined portion 64A1, i.e., from the other widthwise end (Y-axis positive end) of the first connector 10, to connect to the rear end of the held portion 62, i.e., the end opposite to the mating direction (Z-axis positive end). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the first signal terminal 61A is generally crank-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, but the upper corner of the crank is shaped as if it were short-circuited by the inclined portion 64A1. The inclined portion 64A1 is formed with a wide portion 64A2 that is larger in the width direction (Y-axis direction) than the other portions of the first connecting portion 64A. By making the size of the wide portion 64A2 adjustable, the impedance of the first signal terminal 61A can be adjusted. The width direction dimension of the other portions of the first connecting portion 64A is the same as that of the tail portion 63, but is smaller than that of the contact portion 65 and the held portion 62. When viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10, the first signal terminal 61A extends linearly in the mating direction from the tip of the contact portion 65, i.e., the mating direction end (Z-axis negative end) to the rear end of the tail portion 63 (Z-axis positive end), as shown in FIG.

[0044] 3(b), second signal terminal 61B is generally crank-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of first connector 10, with the corners of the crank not being shortened. Second connecting portion 64B extends in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction and includes an inclined portion 64B1 inclined with respect to the width direction of first connector 10, a lower connecting portion 64B4 bending from the lower end of inclined portion 64B1, i.e., one widthwise end (Y-axis negative end) of first connector 10, to connect to tail portion 63, and an upper connecting portion 64B3 bending from the upper end of inclined portion 64B1, i.e., the other widthwise end (Y-axis positive end) of first connector 10, to connect to the rear end of held portion 62, i.e., the end opposite to mating (Z-axis positive end). The second connecting portion 64B has a constant overall width dimension, which is the same as that of the tail portion 63, but is smaller than the contact portion 65 and the held portion 62. When viewed from the mating direction (Z-axis direction), the inclined portion 64B1 is inclined so that its lower end is offset by half the pitch from its upper end toward one longitudinal end of the first connector 10 (the end in the negative X-axis direction).

[0045] Therefore, the tail portion 63 of the second signal terminal 61B is biased by half the pitch toward one longitudinal end (the end in the negative X-axis direction) of the first connector 10 relative to the corresponding tail portion 63 of the first signal terminal 61A. Therefore, when viewed in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10, the contact portions 65 of the first signal terminal 61A and the second signal terminal 61B overlap each other, but the tail portions 63 are arranged in a staggered manner with a deviation of half the pitch in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. As a result, on the surface of the first board, the connection pad to which the tail portion 63 of the first signal terminal 61A is connected and the connection pad to which the tail portion 63 of the second signal terminal 61B is connected are arranged in a staggered manner with a deviation of half the pitch from each other in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. Therefore, even if the pitch is small, connection work such as soldering of the tail portions 63 is facilitated, and wiring of conductive traces connected to the connection pads is also facilitated.

[0046] Each of the signal terminals 61 is attached to the first housing 11 by inserting the contact portion 65 and the held portion 62 into a signal terminal accommodating recess 31e formed to open onto the anti-mating side surface 31c of the main body 31 of the first housing 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the openings of the signal terminal accommodating recesses 31e are arranged side by side to form a single row in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10 in the thick portion 31a1 of the long wall portion 31a at one widthwise end side (Y-axis negative end side) of the first connector 10 and in the thick portion 31a1 of the long wall portion 31a at the other widthwise end side (Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10. First, the contact portion 65 and the retained portion 62 of the second signal terminal 61B are inserted into the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e that opens downward, i.e., at one widthwise end side (Y-axis negative end side) of the first connector 10, and the second signal terminal 61B is attached to the first housing 11. Then, the contact portion 65 and the retained portion 62 of the first signal terminal 61A are inserted into the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e that opens upward, i.e., at the other widthwise end side (Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10, and the first signal terminal 61A is attached to the first housing 11.

[0047] 3 and 9-11, the first signal terminals 61A and the second signal terminals 61B are attached to the first housing 11. Contact portion accommodating grooves 31f extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) are formed on the surface of each long wall portion 31a facing the mating cavity 33 at positions corresponding to the signal terminal accommodating recesses 31e, and are arranged side by side to form a row in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10. The corresponding signal terminal accommodating recesses 31e and contact portion accommodating grooves 31f communicate with each other by penetrating the bottom plate 35, which is a partition wall between the opposite cavity 34 and the mating cavity 33.

[0048] The long wall portions 31a on both sides of the mating cavity 33 are provided with first and second spaces 31d1 and 31d2, which are elongated slit-like spaces that penetrate the long wall portions 31a in the thickness direction at positions corresponding to the contact portion accommodating grooves 31f and extend in the mating direction (Z-axis direction). The first and second spaces 31d1 and 31d2 are spaced apart from each other in the mating direction. One side of the signal terminal 61, the side facing the long wall portion 31a, is exposed to the outside of the first connector 10 through the first and second spaces 31d1 and 31d2. The side of the signal terminal 61 that is exposed to the outside of the first connector 10 through the first and second spaces 31d1 and 31d2 may be gold-plated, if necessary, to improve corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the portion of the signal terminal 61 that corresponds to the first space portion 31d1 in the fitting direction is a portion that can function as a contact area with the mating signal terminal 161.

[0049] Preferably, the dimension of the first space 31d1 in the mating direction is set larger than that of the second space 31d2. Furthermore, with respect to the mating direction, the range of the second space 31d2 overlaps with the range of the bottom plate 35, and the mating direction end (Z-axis negative end) of the second space 31d2 is located closer to the mating direction than that of the bottom plate 35, and the counter-mating direction end (Z-axis positive end) of the second space 31d2 is located closer to the counter-mating direction than that of the bottom plate 35. Furthermore, the dimensions of the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) are preferably set smaller than those of the held portion 62 and the contact portion 65 of the signal terminal 61. The first space portion 31d1 and the second space portion 31d2 are cutouts formed in the first housing 11, which is a dielectric, and their size can be set appropriately, thereby making it possible to adjust the dielectric constant of the dielectric surrounding the signal terminal 61 and therefore the impedance of the signal terminal 61.

[0050] Furthermore, the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e is a location where the held portion 62 of the signal terminal 61 is locked and held, but its cross-sectional area is larger than that of the held portion 62 of the signal terminal 61, and a third space 31d3 is formed in the portion of the held portion 62 on the opposite side of the cavity 34. In other words, the third space 31d3 is formed on the other side surface (the side surface opposite to the long wall portion 31a) of the signal terminal 61. Furthermore, since the third space 31d3 is formed integrally with the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e, it can also be said that the held portion 62 of the signal terminal 61 is locked and held in the third space 31d3.

[0051] The third space 31d3, like the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2, is a lightening hole formed in the first housing 11, which is a dielectric, and its size can be set appropriately, thereby making it possible to adjust the dielectric constant of the dielectric surrounding the signal terminal 61 and adjust the impedance of the signal terminal 61. Preferably, with respect to the mating direction, the range of the third space 31d3 overlaps with the range of the second space 31d2, and the mating direction end (Z-axis negative direction end) of the third space 31d3 is located closer to the mating direction than the counter-mating direction end (Z-axis positive direction end) of the second space 31d2.

[0052] The retained portion 62 of the second signal terminal 61B inserted into the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e at the lower side, i.e., the one widthwise end side (the Y-axis negative end side) of the first connector 10, is securely retained in the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e by the engagement of the locking protrusion 62a with the wall surface of the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e. The contact portion 65 is accommodated in the contact portion accommodating groove 31f, and its upper side, i.e., the surface at the other widthwise end side (the Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10, is exposed to the mating cavity 33. Note that the pressing protrusion 62b of the retained portion 62 presses the bottom plate 35, and the contact portion 65 is pressed against the bottom surface of the contact portion accommodating groove 31f by the reaction, preventing it from jumping out of the contact portion accommodating groove 31f into the mating cavity 33. A portion of the lower surface of the contact portion 65 faces the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2. The upper surface of the held portion 62 faces the third space 31d3. The tail portion 63 of the second signal terminal 61B is located below the lower long wall portion 31a (in the negative Y-axis direction) and at approximately the same position as the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11.

[0053] The retained portion 62 of the first signal terminal 61A inserted into the upper signal terminal accommodating recess 31e, i.e., the other widthwise end (positive end in the Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10, is securely retained in the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e by the engagement of the locking projection 62a with the wall of the signal terminal accommodating recess 31e. The contact portion 65 is accommodated in the contact portion accommodating groove 31f, and its lower side, i.e., the surface on the one widthwise end side (negative end in the Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10, is exposed to the mating cavity 33. The pressing projection 62b of the retained portion 62 presses the bottom plate 35, and the reaction force presses the contact portion 65 against the bottom surface of the contact portion accommodating groove 31f, preventing it from jumping out of the contact portion accommodating groove 31f into the mating cavity 33. A portion of the upper surface of the contact portion 65 faces the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2. The lower surface of the held portion 62 faces the third space 31d3. Furthermore, the tail portion 63 of the first signal terminal 61A is located further in the counter-fitting direction (positive direction of the Z axis) than the tail portion 63 of the second signal terminal 61B, and is located lower (negative direction of the Y axis) than the lower long wall portion 31a, and is in approximately the same position as the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11.

[0054] Each of the power terminals 51, which are power terminals among the mating terminals provided in the first connector 10, is an elastic, elongated, strip-like member integrally formed by punching, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal plate. In the example shown in the figures, the power terminals 51 include a first power terminal 51A and a second power terminal 51B. The first power terminal 51A includes an eleventh power terminal 51A1 and a twelfth power terminal 51A2, and the second power terminal 51B includes a twenty-first power terminal 51B1 and a twenty-second power terminal 51B2. The second power terminal 51B is disposed further outward in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the main body 31 of the first housing 11 than the first power terminal 51A.

[0055] Thus, in the example shown in the figures, the power terminals 51 of the first connector 10 are four pairs of terminals that pass positive and negative power currents, each of which contacts and conducts with the corresponding mating power terminals 151 of the second connector 101. However, the number is not necessarily limited to four pairs, and may be three pairs or less, or four pairs or more. Note that when the eleventh power terminal 51A1 and the twelfth power terminal 51A2 are described collectively, they are referred to as the first power terminal 51A; when the twenty-first power terminal 51B1 and the twenty-second power terminal 51B2 are described collectively, they are referred to as the second power terminal 51B; and when the first power terminal 51A and the second power terminal 51B are described collectively, they are referred to as the power terminal 51.

[0056] 5 and 7, the eleventh power supply terminal 51A1 and the twelfth power supply terminal 51A2 each include a held portion 52A, a tail portion 53A as a board connection portion, a linking portion 54A, and a contact portion 55A. The eleventh power supply terminal 51A1 and the twelfth power supply terminal 51A2 have a constant widthwise dimension (X-axis direction) over their entire lengths, and are identical to each other.

[0057] In the eleventh power terminal 51A1 and the twelfth power terminal 51A2, the held portion 52A is a portion extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) and has multiple locking protrusions 52Aa formed on its surface. The locking protrusions 52Aa bite into the first housing 11, thereby locking and holding the held portion 52A to the first housing 11. The contact portion 55A is a flat portion extending linearly from the tip of the held portion 52A, i.e., the mating direction end (Z-axis negative end), in the mating direction (Z-axis negative direction), and its surface comes into contact with the mating power terminal 151. The tail portion 53A is a portion extending linearly from the lower end of the connecting portion 54A, i.e., one widthwise end (Y-axis negative end) of the first connector 10, in the counter-mating direction (Z-axis positive direction), and is connected and fixed by means such as soldering to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first board (not shown). The connection pads are typically connected to conductive traces on the first substrate for transferring power.

[0058] Furthermore, the connecting portion 54A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 is set to be longer than the connecting portion 54A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2, so that the held portion 52A and contact portion 55A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 are positioned farther from the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11 than the held portion 52A and contact portion 55A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2.

[0059] Furthermore, the retained portion 52A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 is set to be longer than the retained portion 52A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2, so that the connecting portion 54A and tail portion 53A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 are positioned farther from the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11 than the connecting portion 54A and tail portion 53A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2.

[0060] 5 and 7, the 21st power supply terminal 51B1 and the 22nd power supply terminal 51B2 each include a held portion 52B, a tail portion 53B serving as a board connection portion, a connecting portion 54B, and a contact portion 55B. The 21st power supply terminal 51B1 and the 22nd power supply terminal 51B2 have constant and identical widthwise (X-axis) dimensions over their entire lengths. In the example shown in the figures, the 21st power supply terminal 51B1 and the 22nd power supply terminal 51B2 have smaller widthwise (X-axis) dimensions than the 11th power supply terminal 51A1 and the 12th power supply terminal 51A2.

[0061] In the twenty-first power terminal 51B1 and the twenty-second power terminal 51B2, the held portion 52B is a portion extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) and has a plurality of locking protrusions 52Ba formed on its surface. The locking protrusions 52Ba bite into the first housing 11, thereby locking and holding the held portion 52B to the first housing 11. The contact portion 55B is a flat portion extending linearly from the tip of the held portion 52B, i.e., the mating direction end (Z-axis negative end), in the mating direction (Z-axis negative direction), and its surface comes into contact with the mating power terminal 151. The tail portion 53B is a portion extending linearly from the lower end of the connecting portion 54B, i.e., one widthwise end (Y-axis negative end) of the first connector 10, in the counter-mating direction (Z-axis positive direction), and is connected and fixed by means such as soldering to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first board (not shown). The connection pads are typically connected to conductive traces on the first substrate for transferring power.

[0062] Furthermore, the connecting portion 54B of the 21st power terminal 51B1 is set to be longer than the connecting portion 54B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2, so that the 21st power terminal 51B1 is arranged so that its held portion 52B and contact portion 55B are located farther from the mounting surface 11b of the first housing 11 than the held portion 52B and contact portion 55B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2.

[0063] Furthermore, the retained portion 52B of the 21st power terminal 51B1 is set to be longer than the retained portion 52B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2, so that the connecting portion 54B and tail portion 53B of the 21st power terminal 51B1 are positioned farther from the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11 than the connecting portion 54B and tail portion 53B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2.

[0064] Each of the first power supply terminals 51A is attached to the first housing 11 by inserting the contact portion 55A and the held portion 52A into a first power supply terminal accommodating recess 31g1 formed to open onto the anti-mating side surface 31c of the main body 31 of the first housing 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the openings of the first power supply terminal accommodating recesses 31g1 are arranged on the outer sides of both ends of the row of openings of the signal terminal accommodating recesses 31e, one at each of one widthwise end side (Y-axis negative end side) and the other widthwise end side (Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10. First, the contact portion 55A and the retained portion 52A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2 are inserted downward, i.e., into the first power terminal accommodating recess 31g1 that opens toward one widthwise end side (the Y-axis negative end side) of the first connector 10, and the twelfth power terminal 51A2 is attached to the first housing 11. Then, the contact portion 55A and the retained portion 52A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 are inserted upward, i.e., into the first power terminal accommodating recess 31g1 that opens toward the other widthwise end side (the Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10, and the eleventh power terminal 51A1 is attached to the first housing 11.

[0065] 4, 6, and 8, the first power terminal 51A is attached to the first housing 11. On the surface of each long wall 31a facing the fitting cavity 33, contact portion accommodating grooves 31h1 are formed at positions corresponding to the first power terminal accommodating recesses 31g1 on the outer sides of both ends of the row of contact portion accommodating grooves 31f, extending in the fitting direction (Z-axis direction). The corresponding first power terminal accommodating recesses 31g1 and contact portion accommodating grooves 31h1 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the contact portion 55A of the eleventh power terminal 51A1 attached to the first housing 11 is exposed on the upper side, i.e., on the surface of the long wall portion 31a on the mating cavity 33 side at the other widthwise end side (positive end side of the Y axis) of the first connector 10, and the contact portion 55A of the twelfth power terminal 51A2 attached to the first housing 11 is exposed on the lower side, i.e., on the surface of the long wall portion 31a on the mating cavity 33 side at the one widthwise end side (negative end side of the Y axis) of the first connector 10.

[0066] Each of the second power terminals 51B is attached to the first housing 11 by inserting the contact portion 55B and the held portion 52B into a second power terminal accommodating recess 31g2 formed to open onto the anti-mating side surface 31c of the main body 31 of the first housing 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the openings of the second power terminal accommodating recesses 31g2 are located outside the openings of the first power terminal accommodating recesses 31g1 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, one at each of one widthwise end side (Y-axis negative end side) and the other widthwise end side (Y-axis positive end side). First, the contact portion 55B and the retained portion 52B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2 are inserted downward, i.e., into the second power terminal accommodating recess 31g2 that opens toward one widthwise end side (the Y-axis negative end side) of the first connector 10, and the 22nd power terminal 51B2 is attached to the first housing 11. Then, the contact portion 55B and the retained portion 52B of the 21st power terminal 51B1 are inserted upward, i.e., into the second power terminal accommodating recess 31g2 that opens toward the other widthwise end side (the Y-axis positive end side) of the first connector 10, and the 21st power terminal 51B1 is attached to the first housing 11.

[0067] 4, 6, and 8, the second power terminals 51B are attached to the first housing 11. Contact portion accommodating grooves 31h2 extending in the mating direction (Z-axis direction) are formed on the outer surface of each short wall portion 31b at both ends in the width direction of the first connector 10 (ends in the positive and negative directions of the Y axis) at positions corresponding to the second power terminal accommodating recesses 31g2. The corresponding second power terminal accommodating recesses 31g2 and contact portion accommodating grooves 31h2 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the contact portion 55B of the 21st power terminal 51B1 attached to the first housing 11 is exposed on the upper side of the short wall portion 31b, i.e., on the outer surface of the other widthwise end side (positive end side of the Y-axis) of the first connector 10, and the contact portion 55B of the 22nd power terminal 51B2 attached to the first housing 11 is exposed on the lower side of the short wall portion 31b, i.e., on the outer surface of one widthwise end side (negative end side of the Y-axis) of the first connector 10.

[0068] After the signal terminals 61 and the power terminals 51 are attached to the first housing 11 in this manner, the cover 41 is attached to the first housing 11. The cover 41 is an elongated box-shaped member including a rectangular, flat top wall 41a extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the main body 31, a pair of side wall portions 41b extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the main body 31 and connected to both ends of the top wall 41a, and a rear wall portion 41c extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the main body 31 and perpendicular to the top wall 41a and the side wall portions 41b. Inside the box-shaped cover 41, a terminal accommodating space 43 is formed whose periphery is defined by the top wall portion 41a, the side wall portions 41b, and the rear wall portion 41c. The terminal accommodating space 43 is open on the mating direction side (Z-axis positive side) and on the mounting surface 11b side of the first housing 11 (Y-axis negative side). The terminal accommodating space 43 has an elongated signal terminal corresponding portion 43a extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the main body portion 31, and power terminal corresponding portions 43b located at both ends of the signal terminal corresponding portion 43a in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 31.

[0069] Furthermore, an engaging protrusion 41b1 is formed on the outer surface of the side wall portion 41b. The engaging protrusion 41b1 is engageable with an engaging recess 12b formed on a surface of the side portion 12 of the first housing 11 facing inward in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the main body portion 31. The cover 41 is attached in a form that is accommodated in the board connection space 13 of the main body portion 31 by moving the cover 41 relative to the first housing 11, to which the signal terminals 61 and the power terminals 51 are attached, from the anti-mating side surface 31c side of the main body portion 31 toward the mating surface 11a side, and by inserting and engaging each engaging protrusion 41b1 into the corresponding engaging recess 12b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, most of the connecting portion 64 and tail portion 63 of the signal terminal 61 are accommodated within the signal terminal corresponding portion 43a and covered by the cover 41, and most of the connecting portion 54A and tail portion 53A of the first power terminal 51A and the connecting portion 54B and tail portion 53B of the second power terminal 51B are accommodated within the power terminal corresponding portion 43b and covered by the cover 41, thereby preventing the adhesion of foreign matter such as dust.

[0070] A plurality of upper ribs 41e1 protruding downward, i.e., toward the mounting surface 11b, are formed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion 41a within the signal terminal corresponding portion 43a and are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 31. The space between adjacent upper ribs 41e1 functions as an upper coupling portion accommodating groove 41f1 that accommodates the upper coupling portion 64A3 of the first signal terminal 61A.

[0071] Furthermore, on the inner surface of the rear wall portion 41c within the signal terminal corresponding portion 43a, a plurality of lower ribs 41e2 protruding forward, i.e., toward the fitting surface 11a, are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 31. The space between adjacent lower ribs 41e2 functions as a lower connecting portion accommodating groove 41f2 that accommodates the lower connecting portion 64A4 of the first signal terminal 61A.

[0072] Furthermore, an inclined plane 41g is formed between the inner surface of the upper wall portion 41a and the inner surface of the rear wall portion 41c within the signal terminal corresponding portion 43a. The inclined plane 41g is set to be parallel to the inclined portion 64A1 of the first signal terminal 61A when the cover 41 is attached to the first housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3(b), an inclined space portion 41g1 is formed between the inclined plane 41g and the inclined portion 64A1. The size of the inclined space portion 41g1 can be set appropriately, thereby adjusting the dielectric constant of the dielectric surrounding the first signal terminal 61A and adjusting the impedance of the first signal terminal 61A.

[0073] Note that no ribs such as the upper rib 41e1 or the lower rib 41e2 are formed on the inclined flat surface 41g. That is, no rib is formed between the upper rib 41e1 and the lower rib 41e2. In addition, in the first signal terminal 61A, the upper connecting portion 64A3 is accommodated and held in the upper connecting portion accommodating groove 41f1 between the upper ribs 41e1, and the lower connecting portion 64A4 is accommodated and held in the lower connecting portion accommodating groove 41f2 between the lower ribs 41e2. Therefore, the inclined portion 64A1 is positioned in the width direction, and contact between adjacent wide portions 64A2 is reliably prevented.

[0074] Next, the configuration of second connector 101 will be described.

[0075] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the second connector in this embodiment, and FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in this embodiment.

[0076] In this embodiment, the second connector 101 is configured to be symmetrical when viewed from the width direction (Y-axis direction) and also when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). The second fixed housing 111 and the second movable housing 131 of the second connector 101 are each integrally formed from an insulator (dielectric) such as synthetic resin.

[0077] The second fixed housing 111 is a roughly rectangular cylindrical member having a pair of parallel rectangular flat long wall portions 112a extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101, a pair of parallel rectangular thick plate-like short wall portions 112b extending in the width direction of the second connector 101, the short wall portions 112b being shorter than the long wall portions 112a and connected to the longitudinal ends of the long wall portions 112a, and a movable housing accommodating cavity 115 which is a rectangular pillar-shaped cavity whose four sides are defined by the long wall portions 112a and short wall portions 112b and whose upper and lower ends (both ends in the Z-axis direction) are open. The lower surface of the second fixed housing 111 is a mounting surface 111b which faces the surface of the second board. Furthermore, on the surface of the movable housing accommodating cavity 115 at the lower end (negative end of the Z axis) of each long wall portion 112a, i.e., the inner surface, a signal terminal mounting portion and a first power terminal mounting portion (not shown) are formed, and on the inner surface at the lower end of each short wall portion 112b, a second power terminal mounting portion (not shown) is formed.

[0078] The signal terminal mounting portion holds the fixed-side held portion 162 of the mating signal terminal 161. Furthermore, the first power terminal mounting portion holds the fixed-side held portion 152A of the first mating power terminal 151A, and the second power terminal mounting portion holds the fixed-side held portion 152B of the second mating power terminal 151B.

[0079] Each of the first mating power terminals 151A is a resilient member integrally formed by punching, bending, or other processes on a conductive metal plate, and includes a fixed-side held portion 152A, a tail portion 153A serving as a board connection portion connected to the lower end of the fixed-side held portion 152A, a bent portion 154A connected to the upper end of the fixed-side held portion 152A, a movable-side held portion 156A connected to the upper end of the bent portion 154A, and a contact portion 155A connected to the movable-side held portion 156A. The contact portion 155A is formed with a contact protrusion 155Aa that bulges outward in the width direction of the second movable housing 131. The bent portion 154A bends in a serpentine manner and functions as an elastic deformation portion, thereby absorbing displacement of the second movable housing 131 relative to the second fixed housing 111.

[0080] Each of the second counterpart power terminals 151B is an elastic member integrally formed by punching, bending, or otherwise processing a conductive metal plate, and includes a fixed-side held portion 152B, a tail portion 153B serving as a board connection portion connected to the lower end of the fixed-side held portion 152B, a bent portion 154B connected to the upper end of the fixed-side held portion 152B, a movable-side held portion 156B connected to the upper end of the bent portion 154B, and a contact portion 155B connected to the movable-side held portion 156B. The contact portion 155B is bent at a substantially right angle to the movable-side held portion 156B and connected to it. The contact portion 155B is formed with a contact protrusion 155Ba that bulges inward in the width direction of the second movable housing 131. The bent portion 154B bends in a meandering manner and functions as an elastically deforming portion, thereby absorbing the displacement of the second movable housing 131 relative to the second fixed housing 111.

[0081] The second movable housing 131 has a roughly gutter-shaped main body 132 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101, and a pair of legs 133 extending downward from the lower ends of the main body 132 at both longitudinal ends. The main body 132 has a pair of parallel rectangular thick plate-shaped long wall portions 132a extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101, a pair of parallel rectangular thick plate-shaped members extending in the width direction of the second connector 101, short wall portions 132b which are shorter than the long wall portions 132a and connected to the longitudinal ends of the long wall portions 132a, a first housing accommodating cavity 135 which is a rectangular columnar cavity whose four sides are defined by the long wall portions 132a and the short wall portions 132b and whose upper end (the end in the positive Z-axis direction) is open, and a bottom portion 132c which is connected to the lower end of the long wall portions 132a and the lower end of the short wall portions 132b and which closes the lower end (the end in the negative Z-axis direction) of the first housing accommodating cavity 135.

[0082] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, at least a portion of the main body 31 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 is accommodated within the first housing accommodating cavity 135. A thick plate-like central wall 134 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 is disposed within the first housing accommodating cavity 135. The central wall 134 is a member extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom 132c, and its outer circumferential surface is formed to be spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the long wall 132a and the short wall 132b. A plurality of signal terminal contact portion accommodating grooves 134a are formed on both side surfaces of the central wall 134. Furthermore, at locations on the bottom 132c corresponding to each signal terminal contact portion accommodating groove 134a, signal terminal movable-side retaining recesses are formed, extending in the vertical direction and penetrating the bottom 132c from the lower surface to the upper surface. Each signal terminal contact portion accommodating groove 134a extending in the vertical direction and the signal terminal movable side holding recess communicating therewith accommodate and hold the contact portion 165 and movable side held portion 166 of the mating signal terminal 161, respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, first power terminal movable-side accommodating recesses 134b are formed on both side surfaces of the central wall 134, closer to both longitudinal ends than the signal terminal contact portion accommodating grooves 134a. Furthermore, first power terminal movable-side holding recesses extending in the vertical direction and penetrating the bottom 132c from the lower surface to the upper surface are formed in locations on the bottom 132c corresponding to each first power terminal movable-side accommodating recess 134b. Each first power terminal movable-side accommodating recess 134b extending in the vertical direction and the first power terminal movable-side holding recess communicating therewith accommodate and hold the contact portion 155A and the movable-side held portion 156A of the first mating power terminal 151A, respectively.

[0084] Furthermore, a second power terminal movable side accommodating recess 132d is formed on the inner surface at both longitudinal ends of the long wall portion 132a, and the second power terminal movable side accommodating recess 132d accommodates the contact portion 155B of the second counterpart power terminal 151B.

[0085] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 10 and second connector 101 configured as described above will be described.

[0086] Here, it is assumed that the first connector 10 is surface-mounted on a first substrate (not shown) by soldering the tail portion 63 of the signal terminal 61 and the tail portions 53A and 53B of the power terminal 51 to connection pads on the surface of the first substrate. The connection pads to which the tail portion 63 of the signal terminal 61 is connected are connected to conductive traces for transmitting signals on the first substrate, and the connection pads to which the tail portions 53A and 53B of the power terminal 51 are connected are connected to conductive traces for transmitting power on the first substrate. Furthermore, it is assumed that a cover 41 is attached to the first housing 11.

[0087] Similarly, second connector 101 is surface-mounted on a second board (not shown) by connecting tail portion 163 of mating signal terminal 161 and tail portions 153A and 153B of mating power terminal 151 to connection pads on the surface of the second board by soldering. Also, the connection pad to which tail portion 163 of mating signal terminal 161 is connected is connected to a conductive trace for transmitting signals on the second board, and the connection pads to which tail portions 153A and 153B of mating power terminal 151 are connected are connected to a conductive trace for transmitting power on the second board.

[0088] First, the operator positions the mating surface 11a of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 opposite the mating surface 111a of the second fixed housing 111 of the second connector 101, and adjusts the position of the main body 31 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 to match the position of the first housing accommodating cavity 135 of the second movable housing 131 of the second connector 101. This completes the alignment of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101.

[0089] In this state, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 is moved in a direction approaching the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the main body 31 of the first housing 11 is inserted into the first housing accommodating cavity 135 of the second movable housing 131, and the central wall 134 within the first housing accommodating cavity 135 is inserted into and accommodated in the mating cavity 33 of the main body 31. Note that a protruding end 31g having an inclined surface and a generally truncated quadrangular pyramid shape is formed at the end of the short wall 31b of the main body 31 in the mating direction, so that the main body 31 is smoothly inserted into the first housing accommodating cavity 135 during mating.

[0090] As a result, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3(a), when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the first housing 11 and the second movable housing 131 are mated, and at least a portion of the first space portion 31d1 formed in the long wall portion 31a of the first housing 11 is covered by the second connector 101, and the corresponding signal terminals 61 and the mating signal terminals 161 are conductive, and the corresponding power terminals 51 and the mating power terminals 151 are conductive.

[0091] Specifically, at least a portion of the main body 31 of the first housing 11 near the mating end enters the first housing accommodating cavity 135, and at least a portion of the first space 31d1 formed in the long wall 31a of the main body 31 is covered by the long wall 132a of the second movable housing 131. Furthermore, the surface of the contact portion 65 of the signal terminal 61 accommodated in the contact portion accommodating groove 31f of the long wall 31a, facing the center in the width direction of the first connector 10, functions as a contact area and comes into contact with the contact protrusion 165a of the contact portion 165 of the mating signal terminal 161 accommodated in the signal terminal contact portion accommodating groove 134a of the central wall 134 in the first housing accommodating cavity 135. This establishes electrical continuity between the signal terminal 61 and the mating signal terminal 161. At this time, the contact portion 165 of the mating signal terminal 161 functions as a cantilever, and the contact protrusion 165a is pressed against the surface of the contact portion 65 of the signal terminal 61 by the elasticity exerted by the cantilever, so that the conductive state between the signal terminal 61 and the mating signal terminal 161 is reliably maintained.

[0092] Furthermore, the contact protrusion 155Aa of the contact portion 155A of the first mating power terminal 151A accommodated in the first power terminal movable-side accommodating recess 134b on both side surfaces of the central wall 134 comes into contact with the contact portion 55A of the first power terminal 51A exposed on the inner surface of the fitting cavity 33, and the contact protrusion 155Ba of the contact portion 155B of the second mating power terminal 151B accommodated in the second power terminal movable-side accommodating recess 132d on the inner surface of the long wall 132a comes into contact with the contact portion 55B of the second power terminal 51B exposed on the outer surface of the short wall 31b. This establishes electrical continuity between the power terminal 51 and the mating power terminal 151. At this time, the contact portion 155A of the first mating power terminal 151A functions as a cantilever, and the contact protrusion 155Aa is pressed against the contact surface of the contact portion 55A of the first power terminal 51A due to the elasticity exerted by the cantilever, and the contact portion 155B of the second mating power terminal 151B functions as a cantilever, and the contact protrusion 155Ba is pressed against the contact surface of the contact portion 55B of the second power terminal 51B due to the elasticity exerted by the cantilever, so that the conductive state between the power terminal 51 and the mating power terminal 151 is reliably maintained.

[0093] As described above, in the present embodiment, the first connector 10 includes the first housing 11 and the signal terminal 61 attached to the first housing 11. The first housing 11 includes the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2 located in the counter-mating direction from the first space 31d1, one side of the signal terminal 61 is exposed to the outside of the first connector 10 through the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2, the first housing 11 further includes the third space 31d3 located on the other side of the signal terminal 61, and the signal terminal 61 is engaged in the third space 31d3.

[0094] This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the impedance of the signal terminal 61. Furthermore, the first connector 10 can be made smaller, and the structure can be simplified, reducing the number of parts, facilitating manufacturing, reducing costs, and improving reliability.

[0095] The dimension of the first space 31d1 in the mating direction is larger than that of the second space 31d2. Furthermore, when the first connector 10 is mated with the second connector 101, at least a portion of the first space 31d1 is covered by the second connector 101. The first housing 11 includes a mating cavity 33 that is a recess that accommodates at least a portion of the second connector 101 and has an open mating-direction end, a long wall 31a that defines at least a portion of the side surface of the mating cavity 33, and a bottom plate 35 that closes the anti-mating-direction end of the mating cavity 33. The second space 31d2 is formed in the long wall 31a and overlaps with the bottom plate 35 in the mating direction. The second space 31d2 and the third space 31d3 are formed adjacent to each other in the mating direction. Furthermore, the widthwise dimensions of the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2 are smaller than the widthwise dimension of the signal terminal 61. Furthermore, the portion of the signal terminal 61 corresponding to the first space 31d1 in the mating direction can function as a contact area with the mating signal terminal 161 of the second connector 101. Furthermore, the signal terminals 61 are arranged in at least two parallel rows, and the first space 31d1, the second space 31d2, and the third space 31d3 located on the side surfaces of the signal terminals 61 in each row are symmetrically formed so as to face each other. Furthermore, the side surfaces of the signal terminals 61 exposed to the outside of the first connector 10 through the first space 31d1 and the second space 31d2 can be gold-plated.

[0096] It should be noted that the disclosure herein describes features of preferred and exemplary embodiments, and that various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure herein. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present disclosure is applicable to board connectors and board-to-board connectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 Board-to-Board Connector 10 First Connector 11 First Housing 11a, 111a mating surface 11b, 111b mounting surface 12 Lateral part 12b Engagement recess 12d Metal fitting holding recess 13 Board connection space 31, 132 Main body 31a, 112a, 132a long wall section 31a1 Thick part 31b, 112b, 132b Short wall section 31c Non-mating side 31d1 1st space part 31d2 Second space 31d3 Third space 31e Signal terminal receiving recess 31f, 31h1, 31h2 Contact part accommodation groove 31g protruding end 31g1 First power terminal accommodating recess 31g2 Second power terminal accommodating recess 33 Mating cavity 34 Opposite Cavity 34a Partition wall 35 Bottom plate 41 Cover 41a Upper wall part 41b Side wall part 41b1 Engagement protrusion 41c Rear wall 41e1 Upper rib 41e2 Lower rib 41f1 Upper connecting part accommodation groove 41f2 Lower connecting part accommodation groove 41g inclined plane 41g1 Inclined space 43 Terminal accommodating space 43a Signal terminal corresponding part 43b Power terminal corresponding part 51 Power terminal 51A 1st power supply terminal 51A1 11th power supply terminal 51A2 12th power supply terminal 51B 2nd power supply terminal 51B1 21st power supply terminal 51B2 22nd power supply terminal 52A, 52B, 62, 72 Retained part 52Aa, 52Ba, 62a Locking protrusion 53A, 53B, 63, 153A, 153B, 163, 863 tail section 54A, 54B, 64 connection part 55A, 55B, 65, 155A, 155B, 165, 865 contact part 61 Signal terminal 61A 1st signal terminal 61B Second signal terminal 62b Pressing protrusion 64A First Connection 64A1, 64B1 Slope section 64A2 wide part 64A3, 64B3 Upper connection part 64A4, 64B4 Lower connection part 64B 2nd connection part 71 Housing fixing bracket 72a First retaining protrusion 72b Second retaining protrusion 73 Point 101 Second Connector 111 Second fixed housing 115 Movable housing cavity 131 Second movable housing 132c bottom 132d Second power terminal movable side accommodating recess 133 Legs 134 Central wall 134a Signal terminal contact portion receiving groove 134b First power terminal movable side accommodating recess 135 First Housing Receiving Cavity 151 Counterpart power terminal 151A 1st opposing power terminal 151B Second opposing power terminal 152A, 152B, 162 Fixed side held part 154A, 154B, 164 bent part 155Aa, 155Ba, 165a contact protrusion 156A, 156B, 166 Movable side held part 161 Counterpart signal terminal 861a, 861b, 861c, 861d, 861e, 861f, 861g, 861h terminals 862 Support part 864 Pitch Conversion Unit

Claims

1. (a) A board connector comprising a housing and a signal terminal attached to the housing, (b) the housing includes a first space portion and a second space portion located in a direction opposite to the first space portion, and one side surface of the signal terminal is exposed to the outside of the board connector through the first space portion and the second space portion; (c) the housing further includes a third space portion, the third space portion is located on the other side surface side of the signal terminal, and the signal terminal is engaged with the third space portion; (d) A board connector characterized in that, when the board connector is mated with a mating connector, at least a portion of the housing near the mating end enters the cavity of the mating connector, and at least a portion of the first space is covered by the mating connector.

2. The board connector according to claim 1 , wherein the dimension of the first space in the mating direction is larger than that of the second space.

3. A board connector as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing includes a recess in which at least a portion of the mating connector is accommodated, the recess having an open mating-direction end, a long wall portion defining at least a portion of the side of the recess, and a bottom plate closing the anti-mating-direction end of the recess, and the second space portion is formed in the long wall portion, overlapping with the bottom plate in the mating direction.

4. 4. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein the second space and the third space are formed adjacent to each other in the fitting direction.

5. 5. The board connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the first space and the second space is smaller than the width of the signal terminal.

6. A board connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portion of the signal terminal corresponding to the first space portion in the mating direction can function as a contact area with the mating signal terminal of the mating connector.

7. A board connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal terminals are multiple and form at least two parallel rows, and the first space portion, second space portion and third space portion located on the side of the signal terminals in each row are formed symmetrically so as to face each other.

8. 8. A board connector according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces of the signal terminals exposed to the outside of the board connector through the first space and the second space can be gold plated.

9. A board-to-board connector comprising: the board connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a mating connector that mates with the board connector.

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