Connectors and Assemblies

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of reducing a distance between adjacent terminals, in a pitch direction.SOLUTION: First terminals 210 and second terminals 230 are arranged alternately in a pitch direction. Each first terminal 210 has a first mounting part 211, and each second terminal 230 has a second mounting part 243. Supporting parts 219 and 239 of the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 230 are at least partially elastically deformable, extending from first contact parts 215 and 235 to support second contact parts 217 and 237, respectively. The second contact parts 217 and 237 of the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 230 are opposed to the first contact parts 215 and 235 in a width direction, and are movable in the width direction by using elastic deformation of the supporting parts 219 and 239. In each second terminal 230, an extension part 241 extends from the second contact part 237, and the second mounting part 243 is formed on a part of the extension part 241. The second mounting part 243 is located so as to be separated from the first mounting part 211 in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and an assembly, and more particularly to a connector including first terminals and second terminals arranged alternately in the pitch direction, and an assembly including the connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a plurality of terminals arranged in a pitch direction, and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

[0003] 41, a connector 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals 92 and a housing 94 that holds the terminals. The plurality of terminals 92 are held in the housing 94 so as to form two terminal rows. In each of the terminal rows, the terminals 92 are aligned in a pitch direction (X direction). The two terminal rows are also aligned in a horizontal direction (Y direction) that is perpendicular to the pitch direction.

[0004] 42, each of the terminals 92 of the connector 90 includes a mounting portion 921, a held portion 923, a support portion 925, a first contact portion 927, and a second contact portion 929. The mounting portion 921 is fixed to a board (not shown) when the connector 90 is mounted on the board. The held portion 923 is held by the housing 94. The support portion 925 extends from the first contact portion 927 and supports the second contact portion 929.

[0005] 41, in each terminal row, the terminals 92 face in the same direction. Specifically, in each terminal row, the terminals 92 are arranged so that their mounting portions 921 face outward in the width direction (Y direction). Furthermore, when viewed along the pitch direction (X direction), the terminals 92 in each terminal row overlap each other.

[0006] As can be seen from Figure 41, the mating connector 100 includes mating terminals 110 corresponding to the terminals 92 of the connector 90, and a mating housing 120 that holds them. The multiple mating terminals 110 are held in the mating housing 120 to form two mating terminal rows. In each mating terminal row, the mating terminals 110 are aligned in the pitch direction. The two mating terminal rows are also aligned in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the pitch direction.

[0007] 41 , each of the mating terminals 110 includes a mating mounting portion 111, a mating held portion 113, and a U-shaped portion 115. When the mating connector 100 is mounted on a mating board (not shown), the mating mounting portion 111 is fixed to the mating board. The mating held portion 113 is held by the mating housing 120. When the connector 90 and the mating connector 100 are mated, the U-shaped portion 115 enters between the first contact portion 927 and the second contact portion 929 of the terminal 92 and is electrically connected to the first contact portion 927 and the second contact portion 929.

[0008] 41, in each mating terminal row, the mating terminals 110 are arranged so that the mating mounting portions 111 face outward in the width direction. In other words, when viewed along the pitch direction, the mating terminals 110 in each mating terminal row overlap each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-46670 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In the connector 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the minimum distance between two adjacent terminals 92 in the pitch direction depends on the arrangement of pads provided on the board so as to correspond to the mounting portions 921 of the terminals 92. A space is provided between adjacent pads in the pitch direction to prevent electrical conduction between the pads. Therefore, the connector 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it is difficult to reduce the distance between adjacent terminals 92 in the pitch direction.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can reduce the distance between adjacent terminals in the pitch direction, and to provide an assembly that includes such a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention provides a first connector comprising a plurality of terminals and a housing for holding the terminals, the terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal; The first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, the first terminal has a first mounting portion, a held portion, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a support portion; the second terminal has a held portion, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, a support portion, an extension portion, and a second mounting portion; In the first terminal, the held portion is located between the first mounting portion and the first contact portion, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the held portion is held by the housing, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the support portion is at least partially elastically deformable, extends from the first contact portion, and supports the second contact portion; In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the second contact portion faces the first contact portion in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and is movable in the width direction by utilizing elastic deformation of the support portion, In the second terminal, the extension portion extends from the second contact portion, and the second mounting portion is formed on a part of the extension portion, The second mounting portion is located apart from the first mounting portion in the width direction. Provide a connector.

[0013] The present invention also provides a first connector as the second connector, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the first contact portion is located between the held portion and the second contact portion in the width direction. Provide a connector.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention provides a third connector, which is the first or second connector, the second terminal further has an additional held portion, the additional held portion is held by the housing, The extension portion extends from the second contact portion to the additional held portion. Provide a connector.

[0015] The present invention also provides a fourth connector, which is the third connector, The extension portion has a size smaller than the support portion in the pitch direction, The thickness of the extension portion is thinner than the thickness of the support portion. Provide a connector.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides a fifth connector, which is any one of the first to fourth connectors, In a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, the positions of the held portion, the first contact portion, the support portion, and the second contact portion of the first terminal are the same as the positions of the held portion, the first contact portion, the support portion, and the second contact portion of the second terminal, respectively. Provide a connector.

[0017] The present invention also provides a sixth connector, which is the fifth connector, When viewed along the pitch direction, the first terminal and the second terminal have the same shape. Provide a connector.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention provides a seventh connector, which is any one of the first to sixth connectors, the connector is adapted to mate with a mating connector having a mating locking portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction, The first contact portion of the first terminal and the first contact portion of the second terminal function as a locking portion that locks the mating state together with the mating locking portion when the connector and the mating connector are mated. Provide a connector.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention provides an eighth connector, which is any one of the first to seventh connectors, two terminal rows arranged in the width direction; In each of the terminal rows, the first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, The arrangement of the first terminals and the second terminals on one side of the terminal row and the arrangement of the first terminals and the second terminals on the other side of the terminal row are rotationally symmetrical. Provide a connector.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention provides a ninth connector, which is any one of the first to eighth connectors, The housing is provided with a confirmation window that allows visual confirmation from above of the fixation of the second mounting portion to the board when the connector is mounted on the board. Provide a connector.

[0021] The present invention also provides a first assembly comprising any one of the first to ninth connectors and a mating connector that can be mated therewith, the mating connector includes a plurality of mating terminals and a mating housing that holds the mating terminals; the mating terminals include a mating first terminal corresponding to the first terminal and a mating second terminal corresponding to the second terminal, the mating first terminals and the mating second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, the mating first terminal has a mating first mounting portion, a mating first contact portion, and a mating second contact portion, In the mating first terminal, the mating first contact portion is located between the mating first mounting portion and the mating second contact portion, the mating second terminal has a mating first contact portion, a mating second contact portion, and a mating second mounting portion, In the mating second terminal, the mating second contact portion is located between the mating first contact portion and the mating second mounting portion, the mating first contact portion and the mating second contact portion of each of the mating first terminals come into contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first terminal, respectively, when the connector and the mating connector are mated; the mating first contact portion and the mating second contact portion of each of the mating second terminals come into contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the second terminal, respectively, when the connector and the mating connector are mated; The first mating mounting portion and the second mating mounting portion are spaced apart in the width direction. An assembly is provided.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention provides a second assembly, which is a first assembly, The mating housing is provided with mating confirmation windows corresponding to the mating second mounting portions. An assembly is provided.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention provides a third assembly, which is the first or second assembly, In each of the mating first terminal and the mating second terminal, the mating first contact portion is Connector lock and functions as a mating locking portion that locks the mating state. An assembly is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In the connector of the present invention, the first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. The first terminals have a first mounting portion, and the second terminals have a second mounting portion. The second mounting portion is located apart from the first mounting portion in the width direction. When the connector is mounted on a board, the first terminals are fixed to the board using the first mounting portion, and the second terminals are fixed to the board using the second mounting portion. This configuration can alleviate constraints imposed by the board on which the connector is mounted, and can reduce the distance between two adjacent terminals in the pitch direction.

[0025] Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, the positional relationship between the retained portion, the first contact, and the second contact is the same for adjacent terminals in the pitch direction, so the insertion force required when mating with the mating connector is smaller than when the positional relationship is reversed. Therefore, when increasing the number of terminals in the connector, the restriction imposed by the insertion force is alleviated. Furthermore, wear on the terminals can be suppressed, resulting in high connection reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is a plan view showing a device having the connector of FIG. 1. The connector is mounted on a substrate. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the device of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 8 taken along the line AA. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the device of FIG. 8 along the line BB. [Figure 11] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a substrate included in the device of FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 2 is a perspective view showing one of the first terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a perspective view showing one of the second terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a front view showing a terminal row included in the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 15] 2 is a top perspective view showing a mating connector that can be mated with the connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the mating connector of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing the mating connector of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 16 is an exploded top perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. [Figure 20] 16 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 21] 16 is a bottom view of a mating device having the mating connector of FIG. 15. The mating connector is mounted on a mating board. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a side view showing the counterpart device of FIG. 21. [Figure 23]23 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating device of FIG. 22 taken along the line CC. [Figure 24] 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating device of FIG. 22 taken along the line DD. [Figure 25] 22 is a bottom perspective view showing a counterpart board included in the counterpart device of FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 26] 16 is a perspective view showing one of the mating first terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the mating connector of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 27] 16 is a perspective view showing one of the mating second terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the mating connector of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 28] 16 is a front view showing a mating terminal row included in the mating connector of FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 29] 16 is a perspective view of an assembly including the connector of Figure 1 and the mating connector of Figure 15, the connector and the mating connector being in a mated state. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 29. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 30 taken along line EE. [Figure 32] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 30 taken along line FF. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 33. [Figure 35] 34 is a perspective view showing one of the first terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the connector of FIG. 33. FIG. [Figure 36] 34 is a perspective view showing one of the second terminals in one of the terminal rows included in the connector of FIG. 33. FIG. [Figure 37] 34 is a plan view of a device having the connector of FIG. 33. The connector is mounted on a substrate. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a side view of the device of FIG. 37. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 38 taken along line GG. [Figure 40] 39 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 38 taken along line HH. [Figure 41] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector and a mating connector described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 42] 42 is a perspective view showing one of the terminals included in the connector of FIG. 41. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] (First embodiment) 1 to 4, a connector 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of terminals 20 and a housing 30 that holds the terminals 20. In this embodiment, each of the terminals 20 is made of a metal plate, and the housing 30 is made of an insulating resin.

[0028] As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the terminals 20 are arranged in two rows. In other words, the connector 10 has two terminal rows 200, 202, and each of the terminal rows 200, 202 has a plurality of terminals 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may have only one terminal row. When there is only one terminal row, the shape of the housing that holds the terminals 20 also differs from that of the housing 30.

[0029] 3 and 4, in each of the terminal rows 200 and 202, the terminals 20 are aligned in a pitch direction. In this embodiment, the pitch direction is the X direction. Furthermore, the terminal rows 200 and 202 are aligned in a width direction that is perpendicular to the pitch direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the Y direction.

[0030] As can be seen from Figures 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the terminal 20 is press-fitted into the housing 30 and held therein. Specifically, the terminal 20 is press-fitted into the housing 30 from below. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The terminal 20 may be held in the housing 30 by insert molding. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z direction. The +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward.

[0031] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the connector 10 is mounted on a substrate 80 during use and constitutes at least a part of a device. As shown in Figure 11, a plurality of pads 801 are formed on the substrate 80. The pads 801 correspond one-to-one to the terminals 20. The pads 801 corresponding to each of the terminal rows 200, 202 are arranged in a staggered pattern. The arrangement of the pads 801 corresponding to one of the terminal rows 200, 202 and the arrangement of the pads 801 corresponding to the other of the terminal rows 200, 202 are rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the substrate 80 and passes through the center of the area in which the pads 801 are formed.

[0032] 5 and 7, the housing 30 has a rectangular shape that is long in the pitch direction when viewed in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction. The housing 30 also has a frame-like outer wall portion 32, an island-shaped portion 34 surrounded by the outer wall portion 32, and a bottom portion 36 connecting the outer wall portion 32 and the island-shaped portion 34.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the island-shaped portion 34 of the housing 30 is provided with a plurality of confirmation windows 341. In this embodiment, the confirmation windows 341 are arranged in a staggered pattern. Each confirmation window 341 opens upward. Each confirmation window 341 corresponds to a second mounting portion 243 (see Figures 9 and 10), which will be described later. Because the confirmation windows 341 are individually independent, a decrease in the strength of the housing 30 is prevented. Each confirmation window 341 makes it possible to visually confirm from above whether the corresponding second mounting portion 243 is fixed to the board 80 when the connector 10 is mounted on the board 80.

[0034] As can be seen from FIGS. 8 to 10 , the terminal 20 includes a first terminal 210 and a second terminal 230. In this embodiment, one of two widthwise adjacent terminals 20 is the first terminal 210, and the other is the second terminal 230. If the two widthwise adjacent terminals 20 are both second terminals 230, their second mounting portions 243 may interfere with each other. In this embodiment, the widthwise adjacent terminals 20 are the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 230, and therefore such interference can be prevented.

[0035] 5 and 6, the first terminals 210 and the second terminals 230 are arranged alternately in the pitch direction in each of the terminal rows 200, 202. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the first terminals 210 and the second terminals 230 in one of the terminal rows 200, 202 and the arrangement of the first terminals 210 and the second terminals 230 in the other of the terminal rows 200, 202 are rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis that passes through the middle between the terminal rows 200 and 202 along the vertical direction.

[0036] 12, each of the first terminals 210 has a first mounting portion 211, a held portion 213, a first contact portion 215, a second contact portion 217, and a support portion 219. In the first terminal 210, the held portion 213 is located between the first mounting portion 211 and the first contact portion 215. The held portion 213 is held by the housing 30. The first contact portion 215 is located between the held portion 213 and the second contact portion 217 in the width direction. The first contact portion 215 has a protrusion 221 that protrudes in the width direction. The protrusion 221 extends in the pitch direction. The support portion 219 is at least partially elastically deformable and extends from the first contact portion 215 to support the second contact portion 217. The second contact portion 217 faces the first contact portion 215 and is spaced apart from it in the width direction. Second contact portion 217 is movable at least in the width direction by utilizing elastic deformation of support portion 219. In this embodiment, each of terminals 20 is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate.

[0037] 13 , the second terminal 230 has an end portion 231, a held portion 233, a first contact portion 235, a second contact portion 237, a support portion 239, an extension portion 241, and a second mounting portion 243. The end portion 231 of the second terminal 230 is not necessarily required. However, it can be used as a stopper when the second terminal 230 is press-fitted into the housing 30. The held portion 233, the first contact portion 235, the second contact portion 237, and the support portion 239 share functions with the held portion 213, the first contact portion 215, the second contact portion 217, and the support portion 219 of the first terminal 210, respectively. More specifically, in the second terminal 230, the held portion 233 is held by the housing 30. The first contact portion 235 is located between the held portion 233 and the second contact portion 237 in the width direction. The first contact portion 235 has a protrusion 245 that protrudes in the width direction. The protrusion 245 extends in the pitch direction. The support portion 239 is at least partially elastically deformable, and extends from the first contact portion 235 to support the second contact portion 237. The second contact portion 237 faces the first contact portion 235 and is spaced apart from it in the width direction. The second contact portion 237 is movable at least in the width direction by utilizing the elastic deformation of the support portion 239. The extension portion 241 extends from the second contact portion 237, and the second mounting portion 243 is formed in a part of the extension portion 241. In this embodiment, each of the terminals 20 is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 13 , in this embodiment, the second terminal 230 further includes an additional held portion 247. In other words, in this embodiment, the extension portion 241 further extends from the second contact portion 237 to the additional held portion 247. As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 10 , the additional held portion 247 is held by the housing 30. By holding the additional held portion 247 by the housing 30, movement of the second mounting portion 243 relative to the housing 30 can be prevented or suppressed. More specifically, the second mounting portion 243 is located relatively far from the held portion 233. In addition, an elastically deformable support portion 239 is present between the held portion 233 and the second mounting portion 243. Therefore, if the second mounting portion 243 receives an external force before being fixed to the substrate 80, it may move relative to the housing 30. The additional held portion 247 prevents this movement.

[0039] As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 4, and 13, the extension 241 of the second terminal 230 has a smaller size in the pitch direction than the support portion 239. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 14, the plate thickness of the extension 241 of the second terminal 230 is thinner than the plate thickness of the support portion 239. In the second terminal 230, when the second mounting portion 243 is fixed to the substrate 80, the elastic deformation of the support portion 239 is limited. To facilitate the elastic deformation of the support portion 239, the size and plate thickness of the extension 241 in the pitch direction are reduced. As a method for reducing the plate thickness of the extension 241, a coining process can be used.

[0040] 14 , when viewed along the pitch direction, in each of terminal rows 200, 202, the portion from held portion 213 to second contact portion 217 of first terminal 210 overlaps with the portion from held portion 233 to second contact portion 237 of second terminal 230. In other words, in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, the positions of held portion 213, first contact portion 215, support portion 219, and second contact portion 217 of first terminal 210 are the same as the positions of held portion 233, first contact portion 235, support portion 239, and second contact portion 237 of second terminal 230, respectively.

[0041] 5 in addition to Fig. 14, when viewed along the pitch direction, the protrusions 221 and 245 overlap in each of the terminal rows 200 and 202. Also, as shown in Fig. 14, in each of the terminal rows 200 and 202, the second mounting portion 243 is positioned away from the first mounting portion 211 in the width direction.

[0042] 3, 4, 12, and 13, in this embodiment, the portion of first terminal 210 from held portion 213 to second contact portion 217 and the portion of second terminal 230 from held portion 233 to second contact portion 237 do not have the same shape. More specifically, the portion of first terminal 210 from held portion 213 to second contact portion 217 and the portion of second terminal 230 from held portion 233 to second contact portion 237 have different sizes in the pitch direction. This is to match the elasticity of first terminal 210 and the elasticity of second terminal 230. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the difference in elasticity between the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 230 is within an acceptable range, the portion of the first terminal 210 from the held portion 213 to the second contact portion 217 and the portion of the second terminal 230 from the held portion 233 to the second contact portion 237 may have the same shape.

[0043] As can be seen from FIGS. 7 to 10, when the connector 10 is mounted on a substrate 80, the first mounting portion 211 of the first terminal 210 and the second mounting portion 243 of the second terminal 230 are fixed to corresponding pads 801 (see FIG. 11) on the substrate 80 using solder 82. In this embodiment, two terminals 20 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction are the first terminal 210 and the second terminal 230. The first mounting portion 211 of the first terminal 210 and the second mounting portion 243 of the second terminal 230 are spaced apart in the width direction. Therefore, the spacing between the pads 801 aligned in the pitch direction is wider than the spacing between the terminals 20 aligned in the pitch direction. This prevents short circuits caused by the solder 82 between the pads 801 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction.

[0044] 7 to 10, when the connector 10 is mounted on the board 80, the fixation of the first mounting portion 211 and the second mounting portion 243 to the board 80 can be seen from above in the vertical direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, each of the first mounting portions 211 is partially located outside the housing 30 in the width direction, so that the fixation of the first mounting portion 211 to the board 80 can be seen from above or diagonally above the board 80. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 30 is provided with confirmation windows 341 corresponding to each of the second mounting portions 243, so that the fixation of the corresponding second mounting portion 243 to the board 80 can be seen through each of the confirmation windows 341 while maintaining the strength of the housing 30.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the first mounting portion 211 and the second mounting portion 243 of the terminals 20 arranged in the pitch direction are spaced apart in the width direction. The pads 801 on the substrate 80 corresponding to these first mounting portions 211 and second mounting portions 243 are arranged in a staggered pattern as shown in FIG. 11 . In other words, the two pads 801 located closest to each other in the pitch direction are not located on the same straight line extending along the pitch direction. Therefore, there is no need to provide a space in the pitch direction between the two pads 801 located closest to each other in the pitch direction. In fact, it is also possible to arrange the two pads 801 located closest to each other in the pitch direction so that they partially overlap in the pitch direction. Therefore, the pitch of the pads 801 can be reduced in the pitch direction. This alleviates the restrictions imposed by the pads 801 in the connector 10, allowing the distance between two adjacent terminals 20 in the pitch direction to be reduced. This is advantageous for miniaturizing the connector 10 and increasing the number of terminals 20. Especially Contribute.

[0046] Additionally, in this embodiment, the positions of the first contact portion 215 or 235 and the second contact portion 217 or 237 of each of the terminals 20 in each of the terminal rows 200, 202 are the same as those of the other terminals 20. This makes it easy to control the insertion / removal force of the connector 10 relative to the mating connector 50. Therefore, when the number of terminals 20 of the connector 10 is increased, restrictions imposed by the insertion / removal force are alleviated. Furthermore, by minimizing the insertion / removal force, wear on the terminals 20 can be suppressed, thereby achieving high connection reliability.

[0047] 15 to 18, the mating connector 50 includes a plurality of mating terminals 60 and a mating housing 70 that holds the mating terminals 60. The mating connector 50 is configured to be able to be fitted to the connector 10 in the vertical direction, and together with the connector 10, forms an assembly (see FIG. 29). In this embodiment, each of the mating terminals 60 is made of a metal plate, and the mating housing 70 is made of an insulating resin. Also, in this embodiment, the mating terminals 60 are held in the mating housing 70 by insert molding. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The mating terminals 60 may also be held in the mating housing 70 by press-fitting.

[0048] 17 and 18, the mating housing 70 has a rectangular shape that is long in the pitch direction. The mating housing 70 also has a pair of long walls 72, a short wall 74 connecting the long walls 72, and an upper portion 76. The upper portion 76 of the mating housing 70 is provided with mating confirmation windows 761 that respectively correspond to the mating second mounting portions 639 (described below).

[0049] 18 to 20 , the mating terminals 60 are arranged in two rows corresponding to the long wall 72 to form mating terminal rows 600, 602. In each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602, the mating terminals 60 are arranged in the pitch direction. The mating terminals 60 correspond to the terminals 20 of the connector 10, respectively. When the mating connector 50 and the connector 10 are mated, the mating terminals 60 come into contact with the corresponding terminals 20.

[0050] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the mating connector 50 is mounted on a mating board 85 during use, and at least partially constitutes a mating device. As shown in Figure 25, a plurality of mating pads 851 are formed on the mating board 85. The mating pads 851 correspond one-to-one to the mating terminals 60. The mating pads 851 corresponding to each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602 are arranged in a staggered pattern. The arrangement of the mating pads 851 corresponding to one of the mating terminal rows 600, 602 and the arrangement of the mating pads 851 corresponding to the other of the mating terminal rows 600, 602 are Counterpart board Orthogonal to 85 and Counterpart pad It is rotationally symmetrical about an axis passing through the center of the region where 851 is formed.

[0051] 23 and 24, the mating terminal 60 includes two types of mating terminals 610, 630 having different shapes, namely, a first mating terminal 610 (see FIG. 26) and a second mating terminal 630 (see FIG. 27). The first mating terminal 610 corresponds to the first terminal 210 of the connector 10. The second mating terminal 630 corresponds to the second terminal 230 of the connector 10.

[0052] 19 and 20, each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602 is configured by alternately arranging first mating terminals 610 and second mating terminals 630. In other words, one of two mating terminals 60 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction is the first mating terminal 610, and the other is the second mating terminal 630.

[0053] 26 , the mating first terminal 610 has a mating first mounting portion 611, a mating first contact portion 613, a connecting portion 615, and a mating second contact portion 617. The mating first contact portion 613 has a protrusion 619 that protrudes in the width direction. The protrusion 619 extends in the pitch direction. In the mating first terminal 610, the mating first contact portion 613 is located between the mating first mounting portion 611 and the mating second contact portion 617. In the mating first terminal 610, the mating first contact portion 613 and the mating second contact portion 617 come into contact with the corresponding first contact portion 215 and second contact portion 217 of the first terminal 210, respectively, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated.

[0054] 27 , the mating second terminal 630 has an end 631, a mating first contact portion 633, a connecting portion 635, a mating second contact portion 637, and a mating second mounting portion 639. The mating first contact portion 633 has a protrusion 641 that protrudes in the width direction. The protrusion 641 extends in the pitch direction. In the mating second terminal 630, the mating second contact portion 637 is located between the mating first contact portion 633 and the mating second mounting portion 639. The mating first contact portion 633, the connecting portion 635, and the mating second contact portion 637 share functions in common with the mating first contact portion 613, the connecting portion 615, and the mating second contact portion 617 of the mating first terminal 610, respectively. In the mating second terminal 630, the mating first contact portion 633 and the mating second contact portion 637 come into contact with the first contact portion 235 and the second contact portion 237, respectively, of the corresponding second terminal 230 when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated.

[0055] 28, when viewed along the pitch direction, in each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602, the portion of the mating first terminal 610 from the mating first contact portion 613 to the mating second contact portion 617 overlaps with the portion of the mating second terminal 630 from the mating first contact portion 633 to the mating second contact portion 637. In other words, in a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, the mating first terminal 610 counterpart first contact partThe positions of the mating first contact portion 613, the connecting portion 615 and the mating second contact portion 617 are the same as the positions of the mating first contact portion 633, the connecting portion 635 and the mating second contact portion 637 of the mating second terminal 630, respectively.

[0056] 28, 19, and 20, when viewed along the pitch direction, the protrusions 619 of the first mating terminals 610 and the protrusions 641 of the second mating terminals 630 overlap with each other in each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602. Also, as shown in Fig. 28, in each of the mating terminal rows 600, 602, the second mating mounting portion 639 is positioned away from the first mating mounting portion 611 in the width direction.

[0057] 23 and 24, when the mating connector 50 is mounted on the mating board 85, the first mating mounting portion 611 of the first mating terminal 610 is fixed to the corresponding mating pad 851 (see FIG. 25) of the mating board 85 using solder 87. Similarly, the second mating mounting portion 639 of the second mating terminal 630 is fixed to the corresponding mating pad 851 of the mating board 85 using solder 87.

[0058] 21 , when the mating connector 50 is mounted on the mating board 85, the fixation of the mating first mounting portion 611 and the mating second mounting portion 639 to the mating board 85 can be seen from below. More specifically, in this embodiment, the mating first mounting portion 611 is located outside the mating housing 70 in the width direction, so that the fixation of the mating first mounting portion 611 to the mating board 85 can be seen from below the mating board 85. Also, in this embodiment, the upper portion 76 of the mating housing 70 is provided with mating confirmation windows 761 corresponding to the respective mating second mounting portions 639, so that the fixation of the mating second mounting portions 639 to the mating board 85 can be seen through the mating confirmation windows 761 while maintaining the strength of the mating housing 70.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated with each other, the mating connector 50 is inserted into the receiving portion 38 of the connector 10 (see FIG. 1). Partially Be accepted.

[0060] 31 and 32 , when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated, each mating terminal 60 is partially inserted between the first contact portion 215 or 235 and the second contact portion 217 or 237 of the corresponding terminal 20. The second contact portions 217 and 237 of the connector 10 are movable in the width direction due to elastic deformation of the support portions 219 or 239, allowing the corresponding mating terminal 60 to enter. As a result, each terminal 20 comes into contact with the corresponding mating terminal 60 and is electrically connected to each other. Specifically, the first contact portion 215 or 235 and the second contact portion 217 or 237 of each terminal 20 of the connector 10 come into contact with the mating first contact portion 613 or 633 and the mating second contact portion 617 or 637 of the corresponding mating terminal 60, respectively.

[0061] 31 and 32, when the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 are mated, the protrusions 221, 245 of the terminals 20 of the connector 10 are positioned above the protrusions 619 or 641 of the corresponding mating terminals 60 of the mating connector 50 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the connector 10 and the mating connector 50 from moving in directions that separate them. In this way, the first contact portions 215, 235 of the connector 10 and the mating first contact portions 613, 633 of the mating connector 50 function as a locking portion and a mating locking portion, respectively, that lock the mated state of the connector 10 and the mating connector 50.

[0062] In the mating connector 50 of this embodiment, similarly to the connector 10, the distance between two mating terminals 60 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction can be reduced.

[0063] (Second embodiment) 33 and 34, a connector 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first embodiment. Form It has the same configuration as the connector 10. More specifically, the connector 10A includes a plurality of terminals 20A and a housing 30A that holds the terminals 20A.

[0064] As can be seen from FIGS. 35 and 36 , in this embodiment, the first terminal 210A and the second terminal 230A have the same shape. This allows for a reduction in the number of types of components. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first terminal 210A and the second terminal 230A may have different shapes. For example, the first terminal 210A and the second terminal 230A may have one or more portions whose sizes in the pitch direction are different from each other. In this case, when viewed along the pitch direction, the first terminal 210A and the second terminal 230A adjacent to each other in the pitch direction may have the same shape.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 , each terminal 20A includes a first mounting portion 211A, a held portion 213A, a first contact portion 215A, a second contact portion 217A, a support portion 219A, an extension portion 241A, a second mounting portion 243A, and an additional held portion 247A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second terminal 230A may not include the first mounting portion 211A. In this case, the second terminal 230A may include an end portion similar to the end portion 231 of the second terminal 230 in the first embodiment. Such an end portion is located away from the board 80A when the connector 10A is mounted on the board 80A. The absence of the first mounting portion 211A in the second terminal 230A prevents the solder 82 from leaking from the board 80A to the first mounting portion 211A.

[0066] 33 and 34, the housing 30A is similar to the housing 30. The housing 30A is the same as the housing 30 except that the housing 30A is configured to hold the terminals 20A. In particular, the island-shaped portion 34 is provided with a plurality of confirmation windows 341. In this embodiment, the confirmation windows 341 correspond to the second mounting portions 243A of the second terminals 230A, respectively.

[0067] 37 to 40, when the connector 10A is mounted on the board 80A, the first mounting portion 211A of the first terminal 210A is fixed to a corresponding pad (see FIG. 11) on the board 80A using solder 82. Also, the second mounting portion 243A of the second terminal 230A is fixed to a corresponding pad on the board 80A using solder 82.

[0068] As can be seen from FIG. 37 , when the connector 10A is mounted on the board 80A, similarly to the connector 10 of the first embodiment, the fixation of the first mounting portion 211A of the first terminal 210A and the second mounting portion 243A of the second terminal 230A to the board 80A can be seen from above in the vertical direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, each of the first mounting portions 211A of the first terminal 210A is partially located outside the housing 30A in the width direction, so that the fixation of the first mounting portion 211A to the board 80A can be seen from above or diagonally above the board 80A. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 30A is provided with confirmation windows 341A corresponding to the second mounting portions 243A of the second terminals 230A, so that the fixation of the corresponding second mounting portions 243A to the board 80A can be seen through each of the confirmation windows 341A while maintaining the strength of the housing 30A.

[0069] In the connector 10A of this embodiment, the distance between two adjacent terminals 20A in the pitch direction can also be reduced, thereby realizing a smaller connector 10A and an increased number of terminals. Furthermore, the connector 10A of this embodiment reduces wear on the terminals 20A due to mating with the mating connector 50, thereby achieving high connection reliability.

[0070] The present invention has been described above by presenting an embodiment thereof, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10,10A Connector 20,20A terminal 200,202 terminal row 210,210A 1st terminal 211,211A 1st mounting section 213,213A Holding part 215,215A 1st contact part 217,217A 2nd contact part 219,219A Support part 221,221A protrusion 230,230A 2nd terminal 231 End 233 Holding part 235 First contact part 237 Second contact part 239 Support part 241,241A Extension 243,243A Second mounting section 245 Protrusion 247,247A Additional held part 30,30A housing 32 Exterior wall 34 Island 341 Confirmation window 36 Bottom 38 Receptor 50 Mating connector 60 Mating terminal 600,602 Mating terminal row 610 Mating terminal 1 611 Counterpart first mounting part 613 Mating first contact part 615 Connection section 617 Mating second contact part 619 Protrusion 630 Mating terminal No. 2 631 End 633 Mating first contact part 635 Connecting part 637 Mating second contact part 639 Counterpart second mounting part 641 Protrusion 70 Mating housing 72 Long wall 74 Short wall 76 Upper 761 Other party confirmation window 80,80A board 801 Pad 82 Solder 85 Counterpart board 851 Mating pad 87 Solder

Claims

1. A connector comprising a plurality of terminals and a housing for holding the terminals, The terminals include a first terminal and a second terminal, The first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, the first terminal has a first mounting portion, a held portion, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a support portion; the second terminal has a held portion, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, a support portion, an extension portion, and a second mounting portion, In the first terminal, the held portion is located between the first mounting portion and the first contact portion, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the held portion is held by the housing, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the support portion is at least partially elastically deformable, extends from the first contact portion, and supports the second contact portion; In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the second contact portion faces the first contact portion in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and is movable in the width direction by utilizing elastic deformation of the support portion, In the second terminal, the extension portion extends from the second contact portion, and the second mounting portion is formed on a part of the extension portion, The second mounting portion is located apart from the first mounting portion in the width direction. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, In each of the first terminal and the second terminal, the first contact portion is located between the held portion and the second contact portion in the width direction. connector.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the second terminal further has an additional held portion, the additional held portion is held by the housing, The extension portion extends from the second contact portion to the additional held portion. connector.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, The extension portion has a size smaller than the support portion in the pitch direction, The thickness of the extension portion is thinner than the thickness of the support portion. connector.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, In a plane perpendicular to the pitch direction, the positions of the held portion, the first contact portion, the support portion, and the second contact portion of the first terminal are the same as the positions of the held portion, the first contact portion, the support portion, and the second contact portion of the second terminal, respectively. connector.

6. 6. The connector of claim 5, When viewed along the pitch direction, the first terminal and the second terminal have the same shape. connector.

7. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the connector is adapted to mate with a mating connector having a mating locking portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction, The first contact portion of the first terminal and the first contact portion of the second terminal function as a locking portion that locks the mating state together with the mating locking portion when the connector and the mating connector are mated. connector.

8. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, two terminal rows arranged in the width direction; In each of the terminal rows, the first terminals and the second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, The arrangement of the first terminals and the second terminals on one side of the terminal row and the arrangement of the first terminals and the second terminals on the other side of the terminal row are rotationally symmetrical. connector.

9. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The housing is provided with a confirmation window through which fixation of the second mounting portion to the board can be visually confirmed from above when the connector is mounted on the board. connector.

10. An assembly comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a mating connector that can be mated therewith, the mating connector includes a plurality of mating terminals and a mating housing that holds the mating terminals; the mating terminals include a mating first terminal corresponding to the first terminal and a mating second terminal corresponding to the second terminal, the mating first terminals and the mating second terminals are arranged alternately in the pitch direction, the first mating terminal has a first mating mounting portion, a first mating contact portion, and a second mating contact portion, In the mating first terminal, the mating first contact portion is located between the mating first mounting portion and the mating second contact portion, the mating second terminal has a mating first contact portion, a mating second contact portion, and a mating second mounting portion, In the mating second terminal, the mating second contact portion is located between the mating first contact portion and the mating second mounting portion, the mating first contact portion and the mating second contact portion of each of the mating first terminals come into contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first terminal, respectively, when the connector and the mating connector are mated; the mating first contact portion and the mating second contact portion of each of the mating second terminals come into contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the second terminal, respectively, when the connector and the mating connector are mated; The first mating mounting portion and the second mating mounting portion are spaced apart in the width direction. assembly.

11. 11. The assembly of claim 10, The mating housing is provided with mating confirmation windows corresponding to the mating second mounting portions. assembly.

12. 12. An assembly according to claim 10 or claim 11, In each of the first mating terminal and the second mating terminal, the first mating contact portion functions as a mating lock portion that locks the mated state together with a lock portion of the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated. assembly.

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