Electrical Connectors for Circuit Boards

Abstract

To provide an electric connector for a circuit board that can satisfactorily prevent the generation of resonance in a terminal.SOLUTION: A terminal 10 has a stationary-side part to be held 11 that is held by a stationary housing 30, a movable-side part to be held 12 that is located inside the stationary-side part to be held 11 in a width direction of a connector and held by a movable housing 40, and an intermediate part 13 that is located between the stationary-side part to be held 11 and the movable-side part to be held 12 and elastically deformable. The intermediate part 13 has one or more elastic parts 13A-13D having shapes bent in a height direction of the connector. The stationary housing 30 has a side wall 31 that is located with a range overlapping, in the height direction of the connector, the specific elastic part 13C of the intermediate part 13 at an outside position in the width direction of the connector. When the specific elastic part 13C is elastically deformed outward in the width direction of the connector by a predetermined amount of deformation, the elastic part can be in contact with the side wall 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board that is disposed on a circuit board. [Background technology]

[0002] As an electrical connector for a circuit board of this type, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called floating connector which has a plurality of terminals, a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals, and a movable housing which is movable relative to the fixed housing, with the terminals spanning the fixed housing and the movable housing.

[0003] In the floating connector of Patent Document 1, the terminals are formed by punching a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction, and have a support portion held by the fixed housing at one end, a base portion held by the movable housing at the other end, and an elastic portion (movable portion) located between the support portion and the base and capable of elastic deformation. The elastic portion has a generally inverted U-shape overall (see Figures 5 and 11 of Patent Document 1, etc.), and two legs of the elastic portion are displaced by expanding and contracting in the connector width direction (the left and right direction in Figures 5 and 11 of Patent Document 1), thereby elastically deforming in the connector width direction (see Figure 11 of Patent Document 1).

[0004] The fixed housing has a side wall (longitudinal side wall) that extends upright in the vertical direction and is located outside the elastic portion in the connector width direction. A gap is formed between the side wall and the elastic portion in the connector width direction, and this gap allows elastic deformation of the elastic portion toward the outside in the connector width direction, thereby realizing floating in the connector width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5568677 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Floating connectors are generally used in environments where severe vibrations occur (such as in vehicles), and the effects of vibration are suppressed by the elastic deformation of the terminals. However, when the frequency of vibrations generated in vehicles approaches the natural frequency of the terminals, resonance occurs in the terminals, resulting in rapid, large, and repeated deformation of the elastic part. If this rapid and large deformation exceeds the deformation limit of the elastic part, in other words, the maximum elastic deformation amount, damage due to plastic deformation of the elastic part is likely to occur.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for a circuit board that can effectively suppress the occurrence of resonance in the terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electrical connector for a circuit board according to the present invention is arranged on a circuit board and comprises a plurality of terminals, a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals, and a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing, with the terminals spanning the fixed housing and the movable housing.

[0009] In such an electrical connector for a circuit board, the present invention is characterized in that the terminal has a fixed side held portion that is held by the fixed housing, a movable side held portion that is located inward in the connector width direction from the fixed side held portion and is held by the movable housing, and an intermediate portion that is located between the fixed side held portion and the movable side held portion and is elastically deformable, the intermediate portion having at least one elastic portion that is bent in the connector height direction, and the specific elastic portion is capable of abutting against the housing when elastically deformed by a predetermined amount.

[0010] When the frequency of vibrations occurring in the connector's operating environment approaches the terminal's natural frequency, the amount of deformation of the terminal's intermediate portion increases. In this invention, when a specific elastic portion formed in the terminal's intermediate portion elastically deforms by a predetermined amount, it abuts against the housing, restricting further deformation of the specific elastic portion. When the specific elastic portion abuts against the housing, only a portion of the terminal's intermediate portion, not the entire portion, is elastically deformable. Therefore, when the specific elastic portion abuts against the housing, the spring length of the intermediate portion is shorter than when the specific elastic portion is not abutting against the housing, resulting in a higher natural frequency of the terminal. In other words, when the specific elastic portion abuts against the housing, the difference between the frequency of vibrations occurring in the connector's operating environment and the terminal's natural frequency increases, making resonance less likely than before the abutment. Therefore, excessive deformation of the intermediate portion is prevented, suppressing damage to the terminal due to plastic deformation, etc.

[0011] In the present invention, the fixed housing has a side wall located at an outer position in the connector width direction relative to a specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion, with an overlapping range in the connector height direction, and the specific elastic portion may be capable of abutting the side wall when it elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction by a predetermined deformation amount.

[0012] When the specific elastic portion is capable of contacting the side wall, the specific elastic portion formed in the middle portion of the terminal contacts the side wall of the fixed housing when it elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction by a predetermined amount, thereby restricting further outward deformation of the specific elastic portion. When the specific elastic portion contacts the side wall, only the portion of the middle portion of the terminal located inward in the connector width direction from the contact position is elastically deformable, not the entire middle portion. Therefore, when the specific elastic portion contacts the side wall, the spring length of the middle portion is shorter than when it is not contacting the side wall, which increases the natural frequency of the terminal and makes it easier to suppress resonance. As a result, the terminal is less susceptible to damage.

[0013] In the present invention, the intermediate portion has a plurality of the elastic portions, and in addition to the specific elastic portion, the multiple elastic portions may also have a movable-side elastic portion that is an elastic portion located between the specific elastic portion and the movable-side held portion. When this movable-side elastic portion is provided, when the intermediate portion elastically deforms and the specific elastic portion abuts against the side wall, the movable-side elastic portion is included in a portion inward in the connector width direction from the abutment position. Therefore, even if the spring length of the intermediate portion becomes shorter due to the abutment of the specific elastic portion against the side wall compared to before the abutment, a sufficient amount of floating can be ensured because the movable-side elastic portion is elastically deformable.

[0014] In the present invention, the fixed housing has a top wall located in a region that overlaps with the specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion in the connector width direction at a position away from the circuit board in the connector height direction, and the specific elastic portion may be capable of abutting against the top wall when elastically deformed by a predetermined amount toward the side away from the circuit board in the connector height direction.

[0015] When the specific elastic portion is capable of contacting the top wall in this manner, when the specific elastic portion elastically deforms by a predetermined amount in the connector height direction toward the side away from the circuit board, it contacts the top wall of the fixed housing, restricting further deformation of the specific elastic portion in the direction away from the circuit board. When the specific elastic portion is in contact with the top wall, only the portion of the middle portion of the terminal located inward in the connector width direction from the contact position is elastically deformable, not the entire middle portion. Therefore, when the specific elastic portion is in contact with the top wall, the spring length of the middle portion is shorter than when not in contact, which increases the natural frequency of the terminal and makes it easier to suppress resonance. As a result, the terminal is less susceptible to damage.

[0016] In the present invention, the movable housing is positioned at an inner position in the connector width direction relative to a specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion, with an overlapping range in the connector height direction, and the specific elastic portion may be capable of abutting against the movable housing when it elastically deforms by a predetermined amount in the connector width direction.

[0017] When the mating connector is misaligned in the connector width direction from its correct position immediately before mating, the movable housing of the connector moves (floats) in the direction of the misalignment. If the specific elastic portion is capable of contacting the movable housing as described above, the specific elastic portion will contact the movable housing when it elastically deforms by a predetermined amount during floating. When the specific elastic portion is in contact with the movable housing, only the portion of the intermediate portion of the terminal positioned outward in the connector width direction from the contact position is elastically deformable, not the entire intermediate portion. Therefore, when the specific elastic portion is in contact with the movable housing, the spring length of the intermediate portion is shorter than when the specific elastic portion is not in contact with the movable housing. This increases the natural frequency of the terminal, making it easier to suppress resonance. As a result, the terminal is less susceptible to damage.

[0018] In the present invention, the intermediate portion has a plurality of the elastic portions, and in addition to the specific elastic portion, the multiple elastic portions may also have a fixed-side elastic portion that is an elastic portion located between the specific elastic portion and the fixed-side held portion. When this fixed-side elastic portion is provided, when the intermediate portion elastically deforms and the specific elastic portion abuts against the movable housing, the fixed-side elastic portion is included in a portion outward in the connector width direction from the abutment position. Therefore, even if the spring length of the intermediate portion is shortened by the abutment of the specific elastic portion against the movable housing, a sufficient amount of floating can be ensured because the fixed-side elastic portion is elastically deformable.

[0019] In the present invention, the terminal may further have an arm portion located between the intermediate portion and the fixed-side held portion, the arm portion extending along the connector width direction and continuing to the intermediate portion, and being elastically deformable in the connector height direction. By providing the terminal with an arm portion elastically deformable in the connector height direction in this manner, the floating function in the connector height direction can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The present invention can provide an electrical connector for a circuit board that can effectively suppress the occurrence of resonance in the terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector and a plug connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before mating and connection. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle connector and the plug connector of FIG. 1, showing the state before mating and connection. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of a receptacle terminal of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle connector and the plug connector of FIG. 1, illustrating the mated connection state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector and plug connector of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing a state in which floating occurs in the connector width direction due to vibrations during use of the connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector and plug connector of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing a state in which floating occurs in the connector height direction due to vibrations during use of the connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle connector and plug connector of FIG. 1, showing a state in which floating occurs in the connector width direction when the mating connection of the connectors is completed. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a receptacle connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 8 and the plug connector mated thereto, taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing a state in which the connector is floating in the width direction due to vibration during use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector 1 and a plug connector 2 according to this embodiment, showing the state before mating and connection. The receptacle connector 1 is an electrical connector for a circuit board that is mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). The plug connector 2, which serves as a mating connector for the receptacle connector 1, is an electrical connector for a circuit board that is mounted on the mounting surface of another circuit board (not shown). The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated and connected in a connector height direction (the up-down direction indicated as the Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the mounting surfaces, with the mounting surfaces of the circuit boards parallel to each other, to form an electrical connector assembly. In this embodiment, the plug connector 2 is mated and connected to the receptacle connector 1 from above.

[0024] The receptacle connector 1 has a plurality of receptacle terminals 10 made of a metal plate arranged in one direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as the terminal arrangement direction, a receptacle housing 20 made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., resin) that holds the plurality of receptacle terminals 10, and metal receptacle fixing brackets 50 held at both ends of the receptacle housing 20 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 before mating, taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, at the position of the receptacle terminal 10. The receptacle terminals 10 are arranged in two rows. The two rows of receptacle terminals 10 face each other symmetrically in the connector width direction (X-axis direction), which is perpendicular to both the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the receptacle housing 20 has a fixed housing 30 fixed to a circuit board (not shown) via the receptacle terminals 10, and a movable housing 40 movable relative to the fixed housing 30. The receptacle terminals 10 are provided so as to bridge between the fixed housing 30 and the movable housing 40.

[0026] 3 is a perspective view showing two receptacle terminals 10 facing each other in the connector width direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, receptacle terminal 10 is a female terminal made by punching a metal plate member in the thickness direction while maintaining its flat surface. Receptacle terminal 10 has fixed-side held portion 11 held by fixed housing 30, movable-side held portion 12 held by movable housing 40, elastically deformable intermediate portion 13 located between fixed-side held portion 11 and movable-side held portion 12, elastically deformable lateral arm portion 14 (arm portion) located between fixed-side held portion 11 and intermediate portion 13, connection portion 15 extending from fixed-side held portion 11 and solder-connected to the circuit board, and outer contact arm portion 16 and inner contact arm portion 17 extending from movable-side held portion 12 and contacting plug connector 2.

[0027] Prior to further explanation of the receptacle terminal 10, the configurations of the fixed housing 30 and the movable housing 40 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the fixed housing 30 has a pair of side walls 31 extending in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and a pair of end walls 32 extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 31, with the pair of side walls 31 and the pair of end walls 32 forming a peripheral wall. The space surrounded by the peripheral wall and penetrating in the vertical direction forms a central space 33 that accommodates a portion of the movable housing 40 from below (see also Figure 2).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, side wall 31 has side wall central portion 31A, located in the central region in the terminal arrangement direction, protruding upward beyond side wall end portions 31B located at both end regions, and side wall central portion 31A holds and arranges receptacle terminals 10. As shown in Fig. 2, side wall central portion 31A is provided over an area that overlaps entirely with middle portions 13 of receptacle terminals 10 in the vertical direction. A lower portion of side wall central portion 31A forms terminal holding portion 31A-1 for holding receptacle terminals 10. Specifically, terminal holding hole 31A-1A extending in the vertical direction is formed through terminal holding portion 31A-1, and terminal holding hole 31A-1A holds held arm portions 11B (described below) of receptacle terminals 10 that are press-fitted from below.

[0029] 2, fixed-side accommodating section 31A-2 for accommodating a portion of intermediate section 13 of receptacle terminal 10 is recessed from the inner surface of side-wall central section 31A (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) and is formed across the entire side-wall central section 31A in the terminal arrangement direction. Fixed-side accommodating section 31A-2 extends vertically from a position near the upper end of side wall 31 to the lower end. A top wall 31A-3 is formed at the top of side-wall central section 31A, protruding inward in the connector width direction beyond the inner wall surface of side-wall central section 31A and closing the upper end of fixed-side accommodating section 31A-2. That is, the inner surface of the side wall central portion 31A (the surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) forms the side inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, and the lower surface of the top wall 31A-3 (the surface perpendicular to the up-down direction) forms the upper inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2. The lower end of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2 is open.

[0030] 2, top wall 31A-3 is provided with a range that overlaps with part of middle portion 13 of receptacle terminal 10 in the connector width direction. Specifically, top wall 31A-3 has a range that overlaps with the entire first elastic portion 13A, part of second elastic portion 13B (outer portion in the connector width direction), part of third elastic portion 13C (outer portion in the connector width direction), and the entire fixed-side inclined portion 13E, which will be described later.

[0031] 1, a restricting recess 31B-1 that restricts upward movement of the movable housing 40 is formed in the side wall end 31B so as to recess from the lower surface of the side wall end 31B and penetrate in the connector width direction (wall thickness direction of the side wall end 31B). As shown in FIG. 1, the restricting recess 31B-1 accommodates a restricted portion 44 (described below) of the movable housing 40 from below. The restricting recess 31B-1 restricts upward movement of the restricted portion 44 by being positioned so that its upper inner wall surface can abut against the upper surface of the restricted portion 44.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, end wall 32 has end groove 32A formed therein, which receives and press-fits a portion of receptacle fixing metal fitting 50 and holds it therein. End groove 32A has a slit shape that extends perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

[0033] The movable housing 40 is inserted into the central space 33 of the fixed housing 30 from below, and as shown in Fig. 1, most of the movable housing 40 is accommodated within the central space 33, except for the upper half of the movable housing 40 and a regulated portion 44 (described later) (see also Fig. 2). The movable housing 40 has a pair of long walls 41 extending in the terminal arrangement direction, a pair of short walls 42 extending in the connector width direction and connecting the ends of the pair of long walls 41, a bottom wall 43 (see Fig. 2) closing from below the space surrounded by peripheral walls made up of the pair of long walls 41 and the pair of short walls 42, and a regulated portion 44 extending outward in the connector width direction from the lower part of the short walls 42. The space surrounded by the peripheral walls and opening upward forms a receiving portion 45 for receiving a part of the plug connector 2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the portion of the movable housing 40 accommodated within the central space 33 has a range that overlaps in the vertical direction with part of the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10, specifically, the entire third elastic portion 13C described below.

[0035] 2, movable-side accommodating sections 41A are formed in an array extending vertically from the inner wall surface of long wall 41. Movable-side accommodating sections 41A accommodate outer contact arm 16 and inner contact arm 17 of receptacle terminal 10.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, bottom wall 43 is located in the upper half of central space 33 of fixed housing 30. Bottom grooves 43A that receive and press-fit movable-side retained portions 12 of receptacle terminals 10 from below are formed in bottom wall 43 and are arranged in the terminal arrangement direction. As shown in Fig. 2, bottom grooves 43A are slit-shaped and extend perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, penetrate bottom wall 43 in the vertical direction, and communicate with movable-side retaining portions 41A.

[0037] The regulated portion 44 extends outward in the connector width direction from the outer surface (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the lower part of the short wall 42. The tip of the regulated portion 44 is housed in the regulating recess 31B-1 of the fixed housing 30, and is positioned with a gap in the up-down direction and the terminal arrangement direction between it and the inner wall surface of the regulating recess 31B-1. Therefore, the regulated portion 44, and therefore the movable housing 40, can move in the up-down direction and the terminal arrangement direction within the range of the gap, and further movement is restricted by the regulated portion 44 abutting against the inner wall surface of the regulating recess 31B-1.

[0038] Returning to the description of the receptacle terminal 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fixed-side held portion 11 of the receptacle terminal 10 has a base 11A located at the bottom of the fixed housing 30, a held arm 11B extending upward from the base 11A, and an extending portion 11C extending inward in the connector width direction from the base 11A. The held arm 11B extends linearly within the terminal holding hole 31A-1A of the fixed housing 30 from a position closer to the outside of the base 11A in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 3, the held arm 11B has multiple press-fit protrusions 11B-1 on its inner edge (edge ​​extending in the vertical direction) in the connector width direction, and is press-fitted and held in the terminal holding hole 31A-1A by these press-fit protrusions 11B-1. The extending portion 11C extends in a straight line from the base portion 11A inward in the connector width direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the extending portion 11C is positioned with a gap between it and the mounting surface (upper surface) of the circuit board (not shown) in the vertical direction.

[0039] 2 and 3, horizontal arm portion 14 extends linearly from the tip end (the inner end in the connector width direction) of extension portion 11C outward in the connector width direction along the upper edge of fixed-side held portion 11, and is located directly below intermediate portion 13. Horizontal arm portion 14 is located with a gap between it and fixed-side held portion 11 in the vertical direction, and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction within the range of this gap, with its base end portion, i.e., the portion connected to the tip end of extension portion 11C, serving as a fulcrum.

[0040] By providing receptacle terminal 10 with horizontal arm portion 14 that is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, the floating function in the vertical direction can be improved. Because horizontal arm portion 14 extends in the connector width direction, the increase in size of receptacle terminal 10 and therefore receptacle connector 1 in the vertical direction due to the provision of horizontal arm portion 14 is kept to a minimum. Furthermore, horizontal arm portion 14 is located within the range of intermediate portion 13 in the connector width direction, thereby preventing the receptacle terminal 10 and therefore receptacle connector 1 from becoming larger in the connector width direction. Note that if a sufficiently large amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction can be ensured in intermediate portion 13, the provision of horizontal arm portion 14 is not essential.

[0041] The connecting portion 15 extends in the connector width direction, continuing from the lower portion of the base portion 11A of the fixed-side held portion 11, and as shown in Fig. 2, its tip extends outside the fixed housing 30. The lower end of the connecting portion 15 is soldered to a corresponding circuit portion on the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0042] 2, the movable-side held portion 12 is held by the bottom wall 43 of the movable housing 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the movable-side held portion 12 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 12A on the inner edge (edge ​​extending in the vertical direction) in the connector width direction, and is held by being pressed into the bottom groove portion 43A of the bottom wall 43 from below by these press-fit protrusions 12A.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer contact arm 16 extends linearly upward within the movable-side accommodating portion 41A of the movable housing 40 from a position closer to the outside of the movable-side held portion 12 in the connector width direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an upper contact portion 16A for contacting a plug terminal 60 (see FIG. 2) of the plug connector 2 is formed at the upper end of the outer contact arm 16 and protrudes inward in the connector width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner contact arm 17 is located more inward than the outer contact arm 16 in the connector width direction and extends linearly upward from the movable-side held portion 12 within the movable-side accommodating portion 41A of the movable housing 40. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner contact arm 17 is formed shorter than the outer contact arm 16, and its upper end is located directly below the upper contact portion 16A of the outer contact arm 16. At the upper end of the inner contact arm 17, a lower contact portion 17A for contacting with a plug terminal 60 of the plug connector 2 is formed so as to protrude inward in the connector width direction.

[0044] Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the outer contact arm portion 16 and the inner contact arm portion 17, they will be collectively referred to as "contact arm portions 16, 17," and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the upper contact portion 16A and the lower contact portion 17A, they will be collectively referred to as "contact portions 16A, 17A."

[0045] 2, when contact arms 16, 17 are in a free state, the protruding ends of contact portions 16A, 17A protrude from movable-side accommodating portion 41A and are located within receiving portion 45. When plug connector 2 is mated with receptacle connector 1, the protruding ends of contact portions 16A, 17A are subjected to a pressing force from plug terminal 60, causing contact arms 16, 17 to elastically deform outward in the connector width direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the intermediate portion 13 is located between the horizontal arm portion 14 and the movable-side held portion 12 and has four elastic portions whose bending direction is repeatedly reversed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), allowing elastic deformation in the connector width direction, terminal arrangement direction, and vertical direction. Specifically, the intermediate portion 13 is provided with a first elastic portion 13A, a second elastic portion 13B (fixed-side elastic portion), a third elastic portion 13C (specific elastic portion), and a fourth elastic portion 13D (movable-side elastic portion) in this order from the horizontal arm portion 14 side toward the movable-side held portion 12 side. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the third elastic portion 13C is connected to the second elastic portion 13B via the fixed-side inclined portion 13E and to the fourth elastic portion 13D via the movable-side inclined portion 13F.

[0047] 3, the first elastic portion 13A has an inverted J shape as a whole, and includes a first straight portion 13A-1 extending straight upward from the end of the horizontal arm portion 14 (the outer end in the connector width direction), and a first bent portion 13A-2 bent downward from the upper end of the first straight portion 13A-1 on the inner side in the connector width direction. The first elastic portion 13A is elastically deformable in the connector width direction with the lower end of the first straight portion 13A-1 as a fulcrum.

[0048] 2, the first elastic portion 13A is provided below the bottom surface of the bottom wall 43 of the movable housing, and is accommodated in the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2 of the fixed housing 30. The first elastic portion 13A is positioned with a gap in the connector width direction between it and a lateral inner wall surface (a wall surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, and is able to elastically deform outward in the connector width direction within the range of this gap.

[0049] 3, the second elastic portion 13B has a U-shape as a whole, and includes two second straight portions 13B-1 extending in the vertical direction and a second bent portion 13B-2 that connects the lower ends of the second straight portions 13B-1 and bends upward. The second elastic portion 13B is elastically deformable in the connector width direction while narrowing or widening the gap between the two second straight portions 13B-1.

[0050] The second elastic portion 13B is located more inward than the first elastic portion 13A in the connector width direction and is located in approximately the same range as the first elastic portion 13A in the up-down direction. Therefore, the second elastic portion 13B, together with the first elastic portion 13A, forms a horizontal S-shape. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the second straight portion 13B-1, which is located on the outer side in the connector width direction, of the two second straight portions 13B-1, and the portion of the second bent portion 13B-2, which is located on the outer side in the connector width direction, are accommodated in the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 3, the third elastic portion 13C has an inverted U-shape overall, and includes two third straight portions 13C-1 extending in the vertical direction and a third bent portion 13C-2 that connects the upper ends of the third straight portions 13C-1 and is bent downward. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the two third straight portions 13C-1 extend at a slight incline in directions that move away from each other as they extend downward. The third elastic portion 13C is elastically deformable in the connector width direction, narrowing and widening the gap between the two third straight portions 13C-1.

[0052] 2, the third elastic portion 13C is provided above the first elastic portion 13A, the second elastic portion 13B, and the fourth elastic portion 13D of the intermediate portion 13, and is positioned to have a range that overlaps with the movable-side held portion 12 in the vertical direction. By providing the third elastic portion 13C in a position that overlaps with the movable-side held portion 12 in this manner, an increase in the size of the receptacle connector 1 in the vertical direction is avoided. A portion of the third elastic portion 13C, specifically, the third straight portion 13C-1 that is located on the outer side in the connector width direction of the two third straight portions 13C-1, and the portion of the third bent portion 13C-2 that is located on the outer side in the connector width direction, are accommodated in the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, as shown in FIG.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, the third elastic portion 13C is positioned with a gap P1 in the connector width direction between it and the side inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, i.e., the inner surface of the side wall central portion 31A, and is capable of elastic deformation outward in the connector width direction within the gap P1. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the third elastic portion 13C is positioned with a gap P2 in the connector width direction between it and the outer wall surface of the movable housing 40, specifically, the side wall surface of the bottom wall 43 (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction), and is capable of elastic deformation inward in the connector width direction within the gap P2. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the third elastic portion 13C is positioned with a gap P3 in the connector width direction between it and the upper inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, i.e., the lower surface of the top wall 31A-3, and is capable of elastic deformation upward within the gap P3, i.e., in a direction away from the circuit board (not shown).

[0054] 3, the fourth elastic portion 13D has a U-shape as a whole, and includes two fourth straight portions 13D-1 extending in the vertical direction and a fourth bent portion 13D-2 that connects the lower ends of the fourth straight portions 13D-1 and bends upward. The fourth elastic portion 13D is elastically deformable in the connector width direction while narrowing or widening the gap between the two fourth straight portions 13D-1.

[0055] The fourth elastic portion 13D is located more inward than the first elastic portion 13A, the second elastic portion 13B, and the third elastic portion 13C in the connector width direction and is provided in approximately the same range as the first elastic portion 13A and the second elastic portion 13B in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the fourth elastic portion 13D is located directly below the bottom wall 43 of the movable housing 40 in the vertical direction and within the range of the wall thickness of the long wall 41 of the movable housing 40 in the connector width direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fourth straight portion 13D-1, which is located on the inner side in the connector width direction, of the two fourth straight portions 13D-1, and the portion of the fourth bent portion 13D-2, which is located on the inner side in the connector width direction, are located directly below the movable-side held portion 12 in the vertical direction and within the range of the movable-side held portion 12 in the connector width direction.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, by positioning fourth elastic portion 13D with a range that overlaps with movable-side held portion 12 in the connector width direction, it is possible to avoid an increase in size of receptacle connector 1 in the connector width direction while ensuring sufficient spring length of intermediate portion 13. In this embodiment, only one elastic portion, namely fourth elastic portion 13D, is provided as a movable-side elastic portion that is located more inward than third elastic portion 13C in the connector width direction and has a range that overlaps with movable-side held portion 12, but two or more movable-side elastic portions may be provided.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fixed-side inclined portion 13E and the movable-side inclined portion 13F extend linearly, inclining outward in the connector width direction as they extend upward. As described above, the third elastic portion 13C is connected to the second elastic portion 13B via the fixed-side inclined portion 13E and to the fourth elastic portion 13D via the movable-side inclined portion 13F. As a result, the third elastic portion 13C is positioned in a range that overlaps with the first elastic portion 13A and the second elastic portion 13B in the connector width direction. Specifically, the portion of the third elastic portion 13C extending from the third straight portion 13C-1 to the third bent portion 13C-2, which are located on the outer side in the connector width direction, overlaps with the portion of the first elastic portion 13A extending from the first bent portion 13A-2 to the second elastic portion 13B in the connector width direction.

[0058] In this embodiment, the third elastic portion 13C is positioned in a range that overlaps with the first elastic portion 13A and the second elastic portion 13B in the connector width direction. Therefore, even if multiple elastic portions are provided in the intermediate portion 13 to increase the spring length of the intermediate portion 13, it is easier to avoid increasing the size of the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 in the connector width direction, and ultimately the receptacle connector 1, compared to the conventional case in which all elastic portions are positioned differently without overlapping.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing the fixed-side inclined portion 13E and the movable-side inclined portion 13F, which are inclined toward the same side (outward in this embodiment) in the connector width direction between the third elastic portion 13C and the second elastic portion 13B and the fourth elastic portion 13D, the third elastic portion 13C can be positioned outward in the connector width direction without being significantly inclined. As a result, when the third elastic portion 13C elastically deforms in the connector width direction, the stress generated in the third elastic portion 13C can be dispersed well.

[0060] Receptacle fixing bracket 50 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a held plate portion (not shown) that is held by end wall 32 of fixed housing 30, and fixing portions 51 (see FIG. 1) that are bent at the lower edges of both ends of the held plate portion in the connector width direction and extend outward in the terminal arrangement direction. Receptacle fixing bracket 50 is held by having the held plate portion press-fit into end groove portions 32A of end wall 32 from below, and is fixed by having the underside of fixing portion 51 solder-connected to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0061] Next, the configuration of the plug connector 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The plug connector 2 has a plurality of metal plug terminals 60 arranged in one direction (the Y-axis direction in Figures 1 and 2) parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as the terminal arrangement direction, a plug housing 70 made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., resin) that holds the plurality of plug terminals 60, and metal plug fixing metals 80 held at both ends of the plug housing 70 in the terminal arrangement direction. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the plug terminals 60 are arranged in two rows. The plug terminals 60 in the two rows are oriented symmetrically and face each other in the connector width direction.

[0062] 1 and 2, the plug housing 70 has a pair of side walls 71 extending in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), a pair of end walls 72 extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 71, a bottom wall 73 closing the upper end of the peripheral wall formed by the pair of side walls 71 and the pair of end walls 72, and a central wall 74 rising from the bottom wall 73 within the peripheral wall. The annular space surrounded by the peripheral wall and the central wall 74 and opening downward forms a receiving portion 75 that receives the peripheral wall of the movable housing 40 of the receptacle connector 1 from below, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the end wall 72 has an end groove portion 72A formed in the shape of a slit that extends perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and that receives and press-fits a portion of the plug fastening metal fitting 80.

[0063] The plug terminal 60 is a male terminal made by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 2, it has a connecting portion 61 formed at one end, a contact arm portion 62 formed at the other end, and a retained portion 63 connecting the connecting portion 61 and the contact arm portion 62. The connecting portion 61 extends in the connector width direction along the bottom surface (top surface in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the bottom wall 73 of the plug housing 70 and is solder-connected to a corresponding circuit portion formed on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the contact arm portion 62 extends linearly in the vertical direction along the side surface of the center wall 74. The plate surface of the contact arm portion 62 is exposed at the receiving portion 75 and is capable of contacting the contact portions 16A and 17A of the receptacle terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the held portion 63 is bent into an inverted L shape, and the portion extending in the vertical direction is held by integral molding (insert molding) on ​​the bottom wall 43 of the plug housing .

[0064] Plug fixing metal fitting 80 is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a held plate portion (not shown) that is held by end wall 72 of plug housing 70, and fixing portions 81 (see FIG. 1) that are bent at the upper edges of both ends of the held plate portion in the connector width direction and extend outward in the terminal arrangement direction. As shown in FIG. 1, plug fixing metal fitting 80 is held by having the held plate portion press-fitted into end groove portion 72A of end wall 72 from above, and is fixed by having the upper surface of fixing portion 81 soldered to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0065] Next, the mating and connecting operation of receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 2 in a mated and connected state, taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, and shows the cross section at the position of receptacle terminal 10.

[0066] First, receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 2 are mounted by soldering to the mounting surfaces of the corresponding circuit boards (not shown). That is, receptacle connector 1 is mounted to the circuit board by soldering connecting portions 15 of receptacle terminals 10 and fixing portions 51 of receptacle fixing metal fittings 50 to the mounting surface, and plug connector 2 is mounted to the circuit board by soldering connecting portions 61 of plug terminals 60 and fixing portions 81 of plug fixing metal fittings 80 to the mounting surface.

[0067] Next, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plug connector 2 is positioned above the receptacle connector 1 with the receiving portion 75 (see Figure 2) facing downward. Thereafter, the plug connector 2 is lowered in this position, causing the central wall 74 to enter the receiving portion 45 of the movable housing 40 of the receptacle connector 1 from above. At the same time, the peripheral wall of the movable housing 40 enters the receiving portion 75 of the plug connector 2 from below. As a result, the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mated, as shown in Figure 4.

[0068] When the plug connector 2 is mated with the receptacle connector 1, as shown in Fig. 4, the contact arms 62 of the plug terminals 60 located on both sides of the central wall 74 of the plug connector 2 abut against the contact portions 16A, 17A of the pair of receptacle terminals 10, elastically deforming the contact arms 16, 17 so as to spread them outward in the connector width direction. As a result, the contact arms 62 of the plug terminals 60 and the contact portions 16A, 17A of the receptacle terminals 10 come into contact with each other with contact pressure, establishing electrical continuity. In this way, the mating and connection operation of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 is completed. In Figure 4, contact arms 16 and 17 of receptacle terminal 10 are shown in the same position as in Figure 2, with contact arms 16A and 17A overlapping contact arm 62, but in reality, contact arms 16 and 17 of receptacle terminal 10 are elastically deformed outward in the connector width direction by the amount of this overlap.

[0069] When the mating and connecting operation is complete and there is no deviation in the relative positions of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2, the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are in the correct position shown in Fig. 4. In this correct position, the third elastic portion 13C of the receptacle terminal 10 is positioned so as to have a gap P1 in the connector width direction between it and the side inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2 of the fixed housing 30, a gap P2 in the connector width direction between it and the outer wall surface of the movable housing 40, and a gap P3 in the up-down direction between it and the upper inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2 of the fixed housing 30.

[0070] If the relative positions of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are misaligned immediately before the connector mating begins, the receptacle terminal 10 will elastically deform in the direction of the misalignment during and after the connector mating process, causing the movable housing 40 to move relative to (float) the fixed housing 30, thereby absorbing the misalignment and enabling the mating connection (see Figure 7).

[0071] Furthermore, even if the receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 2 are in the correct position (see Figure 4) when the mating connection operation is completed, if the connectors are subsequently used in an environment where vibrations occur, for example, the floating of the movable housing 40 of the receptacle connector 1 will absorb the vibrations.

[0072] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing receptacle connector 1 together with plug connector 2, in which movable housing 40 floats in the connector width direction due to vibrations that occur during use of the connectors after mating. Fig. 5 shows a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction at the position of receptacle terminals 10. Fig. 5 also shows a state in which movable housing 40 of receptacle connector 1 floats toward the X1 side in the connector width direction (X-axis direction). When movable housing 40 floats toward the X1 side, each of elastic portions 13A-13D of two receptacle terminals 10 shown in Fig. 5, i.e., both receptacle terminals 10 located on the X1 side and X2 side, elastically deforms toward the X1 side. In other words, in the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 on the X1 side, the straight portions 13A-1 to 13D-1 deform so as to narrow the spacing between them, and in the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 on the X2 side, the straight portions 13A-1 to 13D-1 deform so as to widen the spacing between them.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 5, the third elastic portion 13C of the receptacle terminal 10 located on the X1 side elastically deforms, narrowing the gap between the two third straight portions 13C-1 and causing the entire third elastic portion 13C to collapse outward in the connector width direction. Such elastic deformation of the third elastic portion 13C is permitted within the gap P1 (see FIG. 4). When the frequency of vibrations occurring in the connector's operating environment approaches the natural frequency of the receptacle terminal 10, the amount of deformation of the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 increases. In this embodiment, when the third elastic portion 13C elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction by the amount of deformation of the gap P1, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the third straight portion 13C-1 on the outer side (X1 side) in the connector width direction abuts against the inner lateral wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, restricting further deformation of the third elastic portion 13C. Therefore, intermediate portion 13 is not deformed excessively, and damage to receptacle terminal 10 due to plastic deformation or the like is effectively suppressed.

[0074] When third elastic portion 13C abuts against the lateral inner wall surface of fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, not the entire intermediate portion 13 of receptacle terminal 10 but only the portion located inward from the abutment position in the connector width direction, i.e., the portion consisting of third bent portion 13C-2 of third elastic portion 13C, third straight portion 13C-1 on the inner side (X2 side), movable-side inclined portion 13F, and fourth elastic portion 13D, is elastically deformable. Therefore, when third elastic portion 13C abuts against the lateral inner wall surface of fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, the spring length of intermediate portion 13 is shorter than when not abutting, and as a result, the natural frequency of receptacle terminal 10 is higher. In other words, when the third elastic portion 13C abuts against the lateral inner wall surface of the fixed side accommodating portion 31A-2, the difference between the frequency of the vibration occurring in the connector's usage environment and the natural frequency of the receptacle terminal 10 becomes larger, making resonance less likely to occur than before the abutment.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intermediate portion 13 is provided with a fourth elastic portion 13D and a movable-side inclined portion 13F located between the third elastic portion 13C and the movable-side held portion 12, and the fourth elastic portion 13D and the movable-side inclined portion 13F are included in the elastically deformable portion when the intermediate portion 13 elastically deforms and the third elastic portion 13C is in contact with the side inner wall surface of the fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2. Therefore, even if the spring length of the intermediate portion 13 becomes shorter than before the contact due to the third elastic portion 13C being in contact with the side inner wall surface, a sufficient amount of floating can be ensured because the fourth elastic portion 13D and the movable-side inclined portion 13F are elastically deformable.

[0076] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing receptacle connector 1 together with plug connector 2, in which movable housing 40 floats upward due to vibrations that occur during use of the connector after mating. Figure 5 shows a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction at the position of receptacle terminal 10.

[0077] Upward elastic deformation of third elastic portion 13C of receptacle terminal 10 on both the X1 side and X2 side is permitted up to the limit of gap P3 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, when third elastic portion 13C elastically deforms upward by the amount of deformation of gap P3, third bent portion 13C-2 abuts against the upper inner wall surface of fixed-side accommodating portion 31A-2, i.e., the lower surface of top wall 31A-3, as shown in FIG. 6, and further deformation of third elastic portion 13C is restricted. Therefore, intermediate portion 13 is not excessively deformed, and damage to receptacle terminal 10 due to plastic deformation or the like is effectively suppressed.

[0078] When third elastic portion 13C abuts against top wall 31A-3, not the entire intermediate portion 13 of receptacle terminal 10 but only the portion located inward in the connector width direction from the abutment position, i.e., the portion consisting of third straight portion 13C-1, movable-side inclined portion 13F, and fourth elastic portion 13D on the inner side (X2 side) of third elastic portion 13C, is elastically deformable. Therefore, when third elastic portion 13C abuts against top wall 31A-3, the spring length of intermediate portion 13 is shorter than when not abutting, resulting in a higher natural frequency of receptacle terminal 10. In other words, when third elastic portion 13C abuts against top wall 31A-3, the difference between the frequency of vibrations occurring in the connector's operating environment and the natural frequency of receptacle terminal 10 becomes larger, making resonance less likely to occur than before the abutment.

[0079] As described above, if the relative positions of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are misaligned immediately before the connector mating begins, the misalignment is absorbed by floating the movable housing 40. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the receptacle connector 1 together with the plug connector 2, with the movable housing 40 floating in the connector width direction at the time when mating of the connector 1 is complete. Figure 7 shows a cross section taken on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction at the position of the receptacle terminals 10. Figure 7 also shows the movable housing 40 of the receptacle connector 1 floating toward the X1 side in the connector width direction (X-axis direction).

[0080] As can be seen by comparing Figure 7 with Figure 5, the form of elastic deformation of receptacle terminal 10 differs between the case where movable housing 40 floats to absorb misalignment of the relative positions of the connectors during the connector mating process (see Figure 7) and the case where movable housing 40 floats due to vibrations received while the connector is in use (see Figure 5).

[0081] 7, when floating toward the X1 side, elastic portions 13A-13D of receptacle terminal 10 located on the X1 side deform so that straight portions 13A-1-13D-1 narrow the gap between each other. As a result, third elastic portion 13C is pressed against the X1-side outer wall surface of movable housing 40 that has moved toward the X1 side, and an upper portion of third straight portion 13C-1 on the inner side (X2 side) in the connector width direction abuts against the outer wall surface of movable housing 40.

[0082] Meanwhile, in the receptacle terminal 10 located on the X2 side, the first elastic portion 13A, the second elastic portion 13B, and the third elastic portion 13C elastically deform so as to tilt inward in the connector width direction. At the same time, the straight portions 13A-1 of the first elastic portion 13A deform to narrow the gap between them, and the straight portions 13B-1 of the second elastic portion 13B and the straight portions 13C-1 of the third elastic portion 13C deform to widen the gap between them. Furthermore, the fourth elastic portion 13D deforms to narrow the gap between its straight portions 13D-1. As a result of this deformation of the elastic portions 13A-13D, the third elastic portion 13C abuts against the outer wall surface of the X2 side of the movable housing 40 at the upper portion of the third straight portion 13C-1 on the inner side (X1 side) in the connector width direction.

[0083] The mated connectors 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 7 are used with the third elastic portions 13C of the receptacle terminals 10 on both sides in the connector width direction in contact with the outer wall surfaces on both sides of the movable housing 40. When the connectors 1 and 2 are subjected to vibration during use, the receptacle terminals 10 elastically deform while maintaining the contact between the third elastic portions 13C and the movable housing 40. At this time, only the portion of the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 located outward in the connector width direction from the contact position, i.e., the portion consisting of the third bent portion 13C-2 of the third elastic portion 13C, the outer third straight portion 13C-1, the fixed-side inclined portion 13E, the second elastic portion 13B, and the first elastic portion 13A, is elastically deformable, rather than the entire intermediate portion 13. Therefore, when the third elastic portion 13C is in contact with the outer wall surface of the movable housing 40, the spring length of the intermediate portion 13 is shorter than when it is not in contact. As a result, the natural frequency of the receptacle terminal 10 is higher. In other words, when the third elastic portion 13C abuts against the movable housing 40, the difference between the frequency of the vibrations occurring in the connector's operating environment and the natural frequency of the receptacle terminal 10 becomes larger, making resonance less likely to occur than when there is no abutment.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the occurrence of terminal resonance is avoided, intermediate portions 13 of receptacle terminals 10 are less likely to vibrate and deform significantly not only in the connector width direction and vertical direction, but also in the terminal arrangement direction. As a result of suppressing excessive deformation in the terminal arrangement direction, it is possible to effectively prevent intermediate portions 13 of receptacle terminals 10 adjacent to each other in the terminal arrangement direction from accidentally coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0085] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the elastic portion in the intermediate portion 13 of the receptacle terminal 10 that can abut against the side wall 31 of the fixed housing 30 is the third elastic portion 13C, i.e., an elastic portion that is positioned differently in the vertical direction from the other elastic portions and overlaps in the connector width direction. In the second embodiment, all of the elastic portions provided in the intermediate portion are positioned at the same height in the vertical direction and are provided without overlapping in the connector width direction, and the elastic portion positioned outermost in the connector width direction can abut against the side wall of the fixed housing, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0086] The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector according to this embodiment taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, showing the cross section at the position of a receptacle terminal. As shown in FIG. 8, intermediate portion 113 of receptacle terminal 110 in this embodiment has a shape similar to that of intermediate portion 13 of receptacle terminal 10 in the first embodiment, omitting third elastic portion 13C, fixed-side inclined portion 13E, and movable-side inclined portion 13F, and thus has a shape in which three elastic portions are connected. Here, to facilitate comparison with the first embodiment, the three elastic portions provided in intermediate portion 113 are referred to as "first elastic portion 113A," "second elastic portion 113B," and "fourth elastic portion 113D," in that order from the outside in the connector width direction.

[0087] In Figure 8, components corresponding to those in the first embodiment are designated by reference numerals that add "100" to the reference numerals in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the configuration of receptacle connector 101 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, except for intermediate portion 113 of receptacle terminal 110, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of plug connector 102 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] 8, first elastic portion 113A, second elastic portion 113B, and fourth elastic portion 113D of intermediate portion 113 of receptacle terminal 110 are positioned at the same height in the vertical direction and are positioned differently without overlapping in the connector width direction. As shown in Fig. 8, when intermediate portion 113 is in a free state without elastic deformation, a gap Q is formed in the connector width direction between first elastic portion 113A and the lateral inner wall surface of fixed-side accommodating portion 131A-2 of fixed housing 130.

[0089] 9 is a cross-sectional view of receptacle connector 101 and plug connector 102 mated thereto, taken along a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction, in a floating state, and shows the cross section at the position of receptacle terminal 110. As shown in Fig. 9, when receptacle connector 101 has floated toward the X1 side in the connector width direction, first elastic portion 113A, second elastic portion 113B, and fourth elastic portion 113D of receptacle terminal 110 each elastically deform toward the X1 side in the connector width direction. At this time, the elastic deformation of first elastic portion 113A located on the X1 side is allowed up to the limit of gap Q (see Fig. 8). Therefore, when the first elastic portion 113A elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction by the deformation amount of the gap Q, as shown in Figure 9, the upper part of the first straight portion 113A-1 on the outer side (X1 side) in the connector width direction abuts against the lateral inner wall surface of the fixed side accommodating portion 131A-2, thereby restricting further deformation of the first elastic portion 113A.

[0090] When first elastic portion 113A abuts against the side inner wall surface, only the portion of intermediate portion 113 of receptacle terminal 110 located inward in the connector width direction from the abutment position, i.e., the portion consisting of first bent portion 113A-2 of first elastic portion 113A, second elastic portion 113B, and fourth elastic portion 113D, is elastically deformable. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the spring length of intermediate portion 113 is shorter than before abutment. As a result, the natural frequency of receptacle terminal 110 increases, making it less likely for receptacle terminal 110 to resonate.

[0091] In the first and second embodiments, the intermediate portion has a plurality of elastic portions, but the number of elastic portions can be set appropriately, and may be, for example, 1. When only one elastic portion is provided in the intermediate portion, this elastic portion can abut against the housing when it is elastically deformed by a predetermined deformation amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1,101 Receptacle Connectors 10,110 Receptacle terminal 11,111 Fixed side held part 12,112 Movable side held part 13,113 Middle 13A, 113A First elastic part 13B, 113B Second elastic part 13C Third Elastic Section (Specific Elastic Section) 13D, 113D Fourth elastic part (movable side elastic part) 13E Fixed side inclined part 13F Movable side slope part 14,114 Lateral arm (arm) 30,130 Fixed housing 31,131 side wall 31A-3 Ceiling wall 40,140 Movable housing

Claims

1. An electrical connector for a circuit board, the electrical connector comprising: a fixed housing disposed on a circuit board, a plurality of terminals; a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing; and a movable housing, the terminals being bridged between the fixed housing and the movable housing. the terminal has a fixed-side held portion that is held by the fixed housing, a movable-side held portion that is located inside the fixed-side held portion in the connector width direction and is held by the movable housing, and an intermediate portion that is located between the fixed-side held portion and the movable-side held portion and is elastically deformable, the intermediate portion has at least one elastic portion bent in a height direction of the connector, the fixed housing has a side wall positioned at an outer position in the connector width direction relative to the specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion, with the side wall overlapping the specific elastic portion in the connector height direction; The electrical connector for a circuit board is characterized in that the specific elastic portion is capable of abutting against the side wall when elastically deformed by a predetermined amount outward in the connector width direction.

2. the intermediate portion has a plurality of the elastic portions, 2. An electrical connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic portions include, in addition to the specific elastic portion, a movable side elastic portion which is an elastic portion located between the specific elastic portion and the movable side held portion.

3. the fixed housing has a top wall positioned at a position away from the circuit board in the connector height direction relative to the specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion, and the top wall is positioned in an overlapping range in the connector width direction, 3. An electrical connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the specific elastic portion is capable of contacting the top wall when elastically deformed by a predetermined amount toward a side away from the circuit board in the connector height direction.

4. the movable housing is located at an inner position in the connector width direction relative to the specific elastic portion of the intermediate portion, with an overlapping range in the connector height direction, 4. An electrical connector for a circuit board as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific elastic portion is capable of abutting against the movable housing when elastically deformed by a predetermined amount in the connector width direction.

5. the intermediate portion has a plurality of the elastic portions, 5. An electrical connector for a circuit board as described in claim 4, wherein the plurality of elastic portions include, in addition to the specific elastic portion, a fixed side elastic portion which is an elastic portion located between the specific elastic portion and the fixed side retained portion.

6. the terminal further has an arm portion located between the intermediate portion and the fixed-side held portion, 6. An electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion extends along the width direction of the connector, is continuous with the intermediate portion, and is elastically deformable in the height direction of the connector.

Images