connector

Abstract

To provide a connector attached to a wall member without shake, capable of surely maintaining a stable attachment state, capable of achieving a small size, having a simple structure and less components, easily manufactured, low in cost and high in reliability.SOLUTION: A connector includes a housing, a plurality of elastic members combined with the housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing. The housing can be inserted into an opening formed in a wall member; each elastic member includes a fitting exposure surface exposed to the fitting surface of the housing and a side wall exposure surface exposed to the side wall surface of the housing, and is constituted so as to form at least one symmetrical pair to be positioned on both left and right sides in the width direction of the housing; and the side wall exposure surface includes a rib extending in a fitting direction and capable of contacting the inner surface of the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in various electric and electronic devices, connectors that penetrate openings in cases such as casings or housings have been used to electrically connect the inside and outside of the cases. Such connectors are attached to the cases by elastically deformable members such as retainers to prevent them from coming off the cases (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional connector that passes through an opening in a housing.

[0004] In the figure, reference numeral 810 denotes a receptacle connector as a connector, to which a shield cover 871 is attached. Furthermore, a gasket 831 is fitted into the front surface of receptacle connector 810. Thereafter, receptacle connector 810 is inserted into an opening 892 formed in a wall surface 891 of a housing from the rear side of said wall surface 891, and further, a retainer clip 872 is inserted into opening 892 from the front side of said wall surface 891. Then, a plug connector as a mating connector (not shown) is inserted into retainer clip 872 and mated with receptacle connector 810. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-063971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the conventional connector, the dimensional accuracy of opening 892 formed in wall surface 891 of the housing is relatively low (the dimensional tolerance is relatively large), so a gap occurs between the inner surface of opening 892 and the outer surface of the connector, making it impossible to stably attach the connector to wall surface 891, and causing rattle in the connector. Furthermore, when rattle occurs, the outer surface of the connector may be scraped off by the edge of opening 892 in wall surface 891.

[0007] The object of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and provide a connector that can be attached to a wall member without rattle, can reliably maintain a stable attachment state, can be made compact, has a simple structure, has a small number of parts, is easy to manufacture, is low cost, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To this end, the connector comprises a housing, a plurality of elastic members that are combined with the housing, and a plurality of terminals that are attached to the housing, the housing being insertable into an opening formed in a wall member, the elastic members each including a mating exposed surface that is exposed on the mating surface of the housing and a sidewall exposed surface that is exposed on the sidewall surface of the housing, and are configured to form at least one symmetrical pair that are located on both the left and right sides of the width of the housing, and the sidewall exposed surface includes a rib that extends in the mating direction and is capable of abutting against the inner surface of the opening.

[0009] In another connector, the side wall surfaces of the housing further include a first side wall surface, a second side wall surface, a third side wall surface, and a fourth side wall surface, the elastic member located on one side of the housing in the left-right direction in the width direction includes a first side wall exposed surface, a second side wall exposed surface, and a third side wall exposed surface that are exposed to the first side wall surface, the second side wall exposed surface, and the third side wall exposed surface each include the rib, and the elastic member located on the other side of the housing in the left-right direction in the width direction includes a first side wall exposed surface, a second side wall exposed surface, and a fourth side wall exposed surface that are exposed to the first side wall surface, the second side wall exposed surface, and the fourth side wall exposed surface each include the rib.

[0010] In yet another connector, the number of the ribs is at least six, and each of the ribs includes a corner portion whose tip protrudes outward beyond the side wall surface of the housing.

[0011] In yet another connector, the elastic member is further configured to connect two of the pairs.

[0012] In still another connector, the housing further includes a locking portion located toward the center in the width direction, and each of the elastic members is combined with the housing on the outer side of the locking portion in the width direction of the housing.

[0013] In yet another connector, the locking portion further includes a locking member and a protrusion engageable with the wall member.

[0014] In still another connector, the mating surfaces are located on both sides of the housing in the mating direction.

[0015] In still another connector, the housing further includes a contoured protrusion formed along the contours of the mating exposed surface and the side wall exposed surface of the elastic member.

[0016] In still another connector, the housing further includes a locking portion that can be locked with a mating connector that can be mated with the connector.

[0017] Still other connectors include relay connectors that mate with a pair of mating connectors to connect the pair of mating connectors to each other, or board connectors that are mounted on a board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, the connector can be attached to the wall member without rattle, and a stable attachment state can be reliably maintained. The connector can also be made smaller. Furthermore, the structure is simple, the number of parts is small, manufacturing is easy, costs can be reduced, and reliability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a first perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 2] 10 is a second perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to the connector attached to the wall member in the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector and first and second mating connectors in the first embodiment are fitted together. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and front. [Figure 6] 1 is a front perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below and rearward; [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are two-sided views of a connector according to a first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Figure 12] 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and rearward; [Figure 13] 3 is a perspective view of one elastomer in the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and in front. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one elastomer in the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below and behind. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are side views of a terminal according to a first embodiment, in which (a) is a side view of a preferred example, and (b) is a side view of a modified example. [Figure 16] 12A and 12B are cross-sectional side views of the connector according to the first embodiment, where FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 11, and FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to the connector of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a first perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted into the connector attached to the wall member in the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector and first and second mating connectors according to the second embodiment are fitted together. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and on the front side. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are perspective views of a connector according to a second embodiment, viewed from diagonally below the front, in which FIG. 10A shows a state in which a lower cover member is attached, and FIG. 10B shows a state in which the lower cover member is removed. [Figure 24] 10 is a perspective view of a lower cover member of a connector according to a second embodiment, viewed obliquely from below and front. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 22. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and behind. [Figure 27] 10A and 10B are perspective views of a connector according to a second embodiment, viewed from diagonally below and behind, in which FIG. 10A shows a state in which a lower cover member is attached, and FIG. 10B shows a state in which the lower cover member is removed. [Figure 28] 10 is a perspective view of a lower cover member of a connector according to a second embodiment, viewed obliquely from below and rear. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 26. [Figure 30] 10A and 10B are two-sided views of a connector according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in (a). [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and rearward; [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the right side of the housing according to the second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from above and front. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the left side of the housing according to the second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from above and front. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the left side of the housing in the second embodiment, as viewed from diagonally below and behind. [Figure 35] 10 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the right side of the housing according to the second embodiment, viewed obliquely from below and behind. FIG. [Figure 36]10A and 10B are side views of a terminal according to a second embodiment, where FIG. 10A is a side view of a preferred example, and FIG. [Figure 37] 31A and 31B are cross-sectional side views of a connector according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. 30, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. [Figure 38] 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional connector that passes through an opening in a housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 is a first oblique view showing the state in which first and second mating connectors are mated to a connector attached to a wall member in the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a second oblique view showing the state in which the first and second mating connectors are mated to a connector attached to a wall member in the first embodiment, Figure 3 is a side view showing the state in which the first and second mating connectors are mated to a connector attached to a wall member in the first embodiment, and Figure 4 is an oblique view showing the state before the connector in the first embodiment and the first and second mating connectors are mated.

[0022] In the figures, reference numeral 10 denotes a connector according to this embodiment, which is attached to a wall member 91. The wall member 91 is, for example, the outer wall of a case such as a casing or housing for various electrical or electronic devices, but it may be any type of wall- or plate-shaped member and may be used for any purpose. An insertion opening 92, which is an opening penetrating the wall member 91, is formed in the wall member 91, and the connector 10 is attached to the wall member 91 in a state where it is inserted into the insertion opening 92, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for convenience of illustration, the wall member 91 is not shown except for the area surrounding the insertion opening 92.

[0023] Furthermore, the connector 10 may be of any type and may be used for any purpose, for example, it may be a board connector mounted on a board such as a circuit board, or a cable connector connected to the tip of a flexible flat cable or ribbon cable, but here it will be described as a relay connector that connects mating connectors 101 mated to both mating ends, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. Note that a first mating connector 101A is mated with the first mating end of the connector 10, i.e., the mating end at the front (positive direction of the X-axis), and a second mating connector 101B is mated with the second mating end of the connector 10, i.e., the mating end at the rear (negative direction of the X-axis).

[0024] In this embodiment, the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B are FPC connectors to which the FPC 191 is attached, and are used as so-called jackets for electrically connecting the FPC 191, which is a flexible circuit board, to the connector 10. When describing the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B collectively, they will be described as the mating connector 101. In this embodiment, the FPC 191 refers not only to a flexible circuit board but also to a flat flexible board or a flat flexible cable, including a flexible flat cable called an FFC, and may be any type of flat flexible board or flat flexible cable.

[0025] In this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the connector 10, the mating connector 101, the FPC 191, etc. are not absolute but relative, and are appropriate when each part of the connector 10, the mating connector 101, the FPC 191, etc. is in the position shown in the figure, but if the position changes, they should be interpreted differently in accordance with the change in position.

[0026] The connector 10 has a housing 11 as a connector body integrally formed from an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin containing approximately 15% glass fiber, and a plurality of conductive terminals 61, which will be described later, mounted within the housing 11.

[0027] As shown in the figure, the housing 11 has an elongated outer shape extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction). It has a generally rectangular upper surface 11a in a plan view (viewed from the Z-axis direction), a lower surface 11b opposite the upper surface 11a, right and left side surfaces 11s1 and 11s2 connecting the widthwise ends of the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b and intersecting substantially perpendicularly with the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b, and a front surface 11f and a rear surface 11r intersecting perpendicularly with the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, and the right and left side surfaces 11s1 and 11s2 at their front and rear ends. When describing the right and left side surfaces 11s1 and 11s2 collectively, they are referred to as side surfaces 11s. The front surface 11f and the rear surface 11r face the mating connector 101 that mates with the connector 10 and are also referred to as mating surfaces. Furthermore, the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, the right side surface 11s1 and the left side surface 11s2 are surfaces that constitute the side walls of the housing 11, and are also referred to as the first side wall surface, the second side wall surface, the third side wall surface and the fourth side wall surface, respectively, and are also collectively referred to as the side wall surfaces.

[0028] The connection portion between the top surface 11a and the side surface 11s and the connection portion between the bottom surface 11b and the side surface 11s are curved like a sector curve with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees when viewed from the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction). When the connector 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 92, an unavoidable gap due to dimensional tolerances exists between the top surface 11a, the bottom surface 11b, and / or the side surface 11s as the outer surface of the housing 11 and the inner surface of the insertion opening 92.

[0029] The housing 11 is also formed with a front insertion recess 13f opening on the front surface 11f and a rear insertion recess 13r opening on the rear surface 11r. The first mating connector 101A is inserted from the front into the front insertion recess 13f, and the second mating connector 101B is inserted from the rear into the rear insertion recess 13r. When the front insertion recess 13f and the rear insertion recess 13r are described collectively, they will be referred to as the insertion recess 13. The insertion recess 13 is divided into left and right halves by a fitting post 12c located approximately in the center of the width direction (Y-axis direction). A front locked portion 21f is formed approximately in the center of the width direction on the front surface 11f to be engaged with and locked by the mating locking member 121 of the first mating connector 101A, and a rear locked portion 21r is formed approximately in the center of the width direction on the rear surface 11r to be engaged with and locked by the mating locking member 121 of the second mating connector 101B. That is, the housing 11 includes a front locked portion 21f and a rear locked portion 21r as locking portions for locking with the mating connector 101.

[0030] Furthermore, the housing 11 includes, at a position near the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction), a locking member 23 and a protrusion 24 that can engage with the wall member 91 and form a locking section that is locked to the wall member 91. Specifically, the locking member 23 is formed on the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b, and protrusions 24 that protrude upward and downward are formed at the rear ends of the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b. Also, a lower recess 11e that is recessed upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) is formed on the lower surface 11b. The front end of the lower recess 11e is open, but its rear end is defined by the protrusion 24 that protrudes downward, and the lower recess 11e is divided into left and right halves by the locking member 23 that is located approximately in the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the lower surface 11b.

[0031] The number and locations of the locking members 23 can be changed as needed. In the example shown in the figure, two locking members, a first locking member 23A and a second locking member 23B, are installed on the upper surface 11a, and only a third locking member 23C is installed on the lower surface 11b. In the example shown in the figure, the locking members 23 are formed so that their front ends protrude forward beyond the front ends of the upper surface 11a and the lower surface 11b. Each locking member 23 includes a slender locking arm 23b extending in the front-rear direction and a locking protrusion 23a protruding outward (upward or downward) from the middle of the locking arm 23b. The locking arm 23b is a doubly supported, beam-shaped, elastically deformable member whose front and rear ends are fixed to the housing 11, allowing the locking arm 23b to be elastically displaced in the vertical direction. When viewed from the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the locking protrusion 23a has an inclined surface on the front side that is inclined relative to the front-rear direction, and a vertical surface on the rear side that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0032] Therefore, when connector 10 is inserted into insertion opening 92 of wall member 91 from its front surface 11f, as connector 10 moves forward relative to wall member 91, the edge of insertion opening 92 moves relatively rearward along the outer surface of locking arm 23b and slides along the inclined surface of locking protrusion 23a, thereby smoothly displacing locking protrusion 23a. Then, when insertion opening 92 reaches a position relatively rearward of locking protrusion 23a, locking protrusion 23a elastically restores its original shape, and the vertical surface of locking protrusion 23a faces the outer edge of insertion opening 92 on the front surface of wall member 91, preventing connector 10 from moving backward relative to wall member 91.

[0033] Furthermore, the protrusion 24 includes a lock facing portion 24a at its front end, and the front surface of the lock facing portion 24a is a vertical surface perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. As described above, when the insertion opening 92 reaches a position relatively rearward of the lock protrusion 23a, the vertical surface of the lock facing portion 24a faces the outer edge of the insertion opening 92 in the rear surface of the wall member 91, preventing the connector 10 from advancing forward relative to the wall member 91.

[0034] In other words, when connector 10 is inserted into insertion opening 92 of wall member 91 from its front surface 11f and insertion opening 92 reaches a position relatively rearward of lock protrusion 23a, the vertical surface of lock protrusion 23a faces the outer edge of insertion opening 92 on the front surface of wall member 91, and the vertical surface of lock opposing portion 24a faces the outer edge of insertion opening 92 on the rear surface of wall member 91. As a result, wall member 91 is sandwiched from the front and rear by the vertical surfaces of lock protrusion 23a and lock opposing portion 24a, and connector 10 is securely attached to wall member 91.

[0035] The connector 10 also includes an elastomer 31 as an elastic member integrally formed from an insulating material having elasticity, such as a thermosetting elastomer. The thermosetting elastomer may be, for example, a polyester-based elastomer or an olefin-based elastomer, but is not limited thereto and may be any type of elastomer, such as a urethane-based elastomer or a styrene-based elastomer. Although the elastomer 31 is combined with the housing 11, it is not intimately integrated with the housing 11 but is separate from the housing 11 and is a separate component from the housing 11. For example, after the constituent material of the housing 11 is formed into a predetermined shape by injection molding and solidifies, the constituent material of the elastomer 31 can be injected into an elastomer receiving space 16 (described below) formed within the housing 11 to obtain the elastomer 31 in a state combined with the housing 11 while still being separated from the housing 11.

[0036] In the example shown in the figure, the housing 11 is a single unit, i.e., one piece, while the elastomers 31 are two, i.e., a pair. Each elastomer 31 is combined with the housing 11 at both the left and right ends of the housing 11, and is exposed on the upper surface 11a, lower surface 11b, side surface 11s, front surface 11f, and rear surface 11r of the housing 11. Furthermore, elongated ribs 33 extending in the mating direction with the mating connector 101, i.e., in the front-to-rear direction, are formed on the portions of the elastomer 31 exposed on the upper surface 11a, lower surface 11b, and side surface 11s, and at least a portion of the rib 33 is capable of abutting against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92. Specifically, a protrusion 33a is formed on at least a portion of each rib 33 as a corner portion that protrudes outward, and at least the tip of the protrusion 33a protrudes outward (upward, downward, left or right) beyond the upper surface 11a, lower surface 11b and side surface 11s of the housing 11, so that when the connector 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 92, it abuts against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92 and elastically deforms.

[0037] The elastomers 31 need only be positioned on both the left and right sides of the width of the housing 11, forming a symmetrical pair, and do not necessarily have to be a pair; two or more pairs are also acceptable, but in this embodiment, the case of a pair will be described.

[0038] The mating connector 101 has a mating housing 111 as the mating connector body, which is integrally formed from an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin containing approximately 15% glass fiber.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the mating housing 111 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape that is elongated in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The mating housing 111 has a main body portion 111a located on the side where the FPC 191 is inserted, and a mating portion 111b that is connected to the front surface of the main body portion 111a (the surface facing the connector 10) and mated with the connector 10. A flat flange portion 111c extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) is formed between the main body portion 111a and the mating portion 111b.

[0040] The mating portion 111b includes mating side portions 112b, which are located at both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and have a rectangular column-like shape and extend from the flange portion 111c toward the connector 10, and a mating main portion 112a whose left and right ends are defined by the mating side portions 112b. A mating recess 112c is formed in the center of the mating main portion 112a in the width direction (Y-axis direction) as a recess where the mating portion 111b is missing. When viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), the mating recess 112c is a roughly rectangular space recessed from the front end face of the mating main portion 112a to reach the flange portion 111c, and the mating main portion 112a is divided into left and right halves by the mating recess 112c.

[0041] When the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, each of the two mating main parts 112a is inserted into and accommodated in each of the two insertion recesses 13 of the housing 11, and the mating pillar part 12c of the housing 11 enters and is accommodated in the mating recess 112c, with the flange part 111c coming close to or abutting the front surface 11f and rear surface 11r of the housing 11.

[0042] Furthermore, a mating locking member 121 is formed on the upper surface (the surface facing the Z axis) of the mating housing 111 at the center in the width direction (Y axis direction) as a mated state maintaining device that maintains the mated state with the connector 10. When the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 are mated, the mating locking member 121 engages with and locks the front locked portion 21f and / or the rear locked portion 21r of the housing 11, thereby locking the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 to each other. A secondary locking member 122 is attached to the rear side (the side opposite the connector 10) of the mating locking member 121 as a connector position assurance mechanism (CPA). The secondary locking member 122 functions similarly to a typical CPA, and when the mating of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 is complete, the secondary locking member 122 slides toward the connector 10 while the mating locking member 121 locks the connector 10, preventing the mating locking member 121 from moving in the mating release direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the mating housing 111 is formed with a board insertion recess 113 as an FPC insertion recess into which at least a portion of the FPC 191 near its front end is inserted. The board insertion recess 113 extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and is a recess that opens like a long, narrow slit extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) on the rear surface of the main body 111a (the surface opposite the connector 10). The board insertion recess 113 also extends in the front-rear direction within each of the main mating portions 112a divided into left and right halves in the mating portion 111b and opens on the front surface of each main mating portion 112a (the surface facing the connector 10). Furthermore, a plurality of long, narrow ribs 114 extending in the front-rear direction protrude from the upper and / or lower surfaces of the board insertion recess 113. When the FPC 191 is inserted into the board insertion recess 113, its upper and / or lower surfaces slide along the surfaces of the long, narrow ribs 114, reducing sliding resistance and allowing for smooth sliding.

[0044] Note that the FPC 191 is generally a long, strip-shaped member, but for convenience of illustration, the portion of the FPC 191 that is further away from its front end by a predetermined distance is omitted. A flat reinforcing plate 192 is attached to the back surface (the surface facing the negative Z-axis) of the main body of the FPC 191, over a predetermined length from the front end. The reinforcing plate 192 is preferably made of, for example, an insulating resin film, and is fixed to the back surface of the main body as a reinforcing member with an adhesive or the like. The predetermined length is preferably such that the rear end of the reinforcing plate 192 is visible when the FPC 191 is attached to the mating connector 101.

[0045] Also, on the front side (side in the positive Z-axis direction) of the body of the FPC 191, the insulating coating is removed over a certain range from the front end, exposing the conductive wires 193. The conductive wires 193 extend in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the FPC 191, and a plurality of conductive wires (e.g., about 12 wires) are arranged parallel to one another at a predetermined pitch (e.g., about 1 to 2 mm). The number and pitch of the conductive wires 193 are changed appropriately depending on the number and pitch of the terminals 61 of the connector 10. For convenience of illustration, only a portion of the conductive wires 193 is depicted, with the remaining portions omitted.

[0046] Furthermore, the FPC 191 has a bifurcated tip, and a separation portion (not shown) that is recessed toward the rear is formed in the center of the front end in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The separation portion is a space where the FPC 191 is missing, and is formed to correspond to the fitting recess 112c.

[0047] 1 to 3, when first mating connector 101A and second mating connector 101B, each having an FPC 191 attached thereto, are mated with connector 10, which is attached to wall member 91 while inserted into insertion opening 92, each conductive wire 193 of FPC 191 attached to first mating connector 101A becomes conductive with each conductive wire 193 of FPC 191 attached to second mating connector 101B via terminals 61 of connector 10. As a result, FPC 191 located on one side of wall member 91 and FPC 191 located on the other side of wall member 91 are connected to each other.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the connector 10 will be described in detail.

[0049] 5 is a perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally above the front, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally below the front, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the main parts in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally above the rear, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally below the rear, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main parts in FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is a two-sided view of the connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally above the rear, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one elastomer in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally above the front, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one elastomer in the first embodiment as viewed from diagonally below the rear, FIG. 15 is a side view of a terminal in the first embodiment, FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector in the first embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing the connector in the first embodiment with first and second mating connectors mated. In Figure 11, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a); in Figure 15, (a) is a side view of a preferred example, and (b) is a side view of a modified example; in Figure 16, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 11, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Figure 11.

[0050] Terminal 61 of connector 10 in this embodiment is a thin plate member extending on the XZ plane, manufactured by punching or other processing from a conductive metal plate, and as shown in Figures 15 to 17, etc., has a bilaterally symmetrical shape when viewed from the side (viewed from the Y-axis direction), and includes a substantially rectangular main body portion 63, an anchor portion 64 extending upward (in the positive direction of the Z-axis) from the upper edge of main body portion 63, and elongated first and second contact portions 65A and 65B extending forward (in the positive direction of the X-axis) and backward (in the negative direction of the X-axis), respectively, from near the upper end of the side edge of main body portion 63.

[0051] As shown in the figure, the first contact portion 65A has a longer overall length than the second contact portion 65B, and its free end is farther from the main body portion 63 than the free end of the second contact portion 65B and is positioned above the second contact portion 65B. When describing the first contact portion 65A and the second contact portion 65B collectively, they will be described as contact portion 65. Each of the contact portions 65 is a cantilever-shaped member, and a contact protrusion 65a that bulges downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) is formed at its free end. The contact protrusion 65a of the first contact portion 65A and the contact protrusion 65a of the second contact portion 65B are aligned in the front and rear directions at the front and rear of the main body portion 63.

[0052] Further, the anchor portion 64 is formed to be narrower in width (shorter in dimension in the X-axis direction) than the main body portion 63, and concavo-convex portions for biting into and fixing to the housing 11 are formed on the front and rear side edges of the anchor portion 64, functioning as the anchor 64a. For example, when only the first mating connector 101A is inserted into the connector 10 and the FPC 191 is connected to the contact portion 65 on one side (the right side in FIGS. 15 to 17), a rotational moment in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 15 to 17 occurs on the terminal 61, and the contact portion 65 on the other side (the left side in FIGS. 15 to 17) will be biased downward (in the negative Z-axis direction). In such a state, when the second mating connector 101B is inserted, there is a possibility of damaging the terminal 61. Therefore, it is desirable to stabilize the posture of the terminal 61 fixed to the housing 11 so that the contact portion 65 does not bias downward. And in order to stabilize the posture of the terminal 61 fixed to the housing 11, it is desirable that the distance between the front and rear anchors 64a is large. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the width (dimension in the X-axis direction) of the main body portion 63 is W and the distance from the front and rear anchors 64a to the front and rear side edges of the main body portion � is R, it is desirable that R < W / 4.

[0053] In addition, as shown in FIG. 15(a), it is desirable that a groove-shaped missing portion 64b extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is formed at the center in the front-rear direction in the anchor portion 64. That is, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the anchor portion 64 is preferably formed in a bifurcated shape. However, if necessary, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the formation of the missing portion 64b can be omitted. In the present embodiment, for the sake of explanation, only the example in which the anchor portion 64 is formed in a bifurcated shape will be described.

[0054] And as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of the terminals 61 are arranged side by side at a predetermined pitch in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 11. Since each of the terminals 61 contacts and conducts with each conductive wire 193 of the FPC 191, the number and pitch thereof are set to correspond to the number and pitch of the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191.

[0055] 11(b), 16, etc., the housing 11 includes a terminal holding portion 18 formed near the center in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the housing 11. The terminal holding portion 18 includes a center portion 18c that separates a front insertion recess 13f opening on the front surface 11f from a rear insertion recess 13r opening on the rear surface 11r, and an insertion recess intermediate plate 18a that extends forward (in the positive direction of the X-axis) and rearward (in the negative direction of the X-axis) from the center portion 18c. The insertion recess intermediate plate 18a is a plate-shaped member that extends in the front-to-rear direction and width direction of the housing 11 within the front insertion recess 13f and the rear insertion recess 13r.

[0056] The central portion 18c is provided with a plurality of slit-shaped terminal accommodating recesses 18d, into which the main body 63 of each terminal 61 is inserted, and which are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 11. The number and pitch of the terminal accommodating recesses 18d correspond to the number and pitch of the terminals 61. The lower end of each terminal accommodating recess 18d is open so that the main body 63 of the terminal 61 can be inserted from below. The upper end of each terminal accommodating recess 18d is formed continuously with a slit-shaped anchor accommodating recess 18f extending upward. The anchor portion 64 of each terminal 61 is accommodated in the anchor accommodating recess 18f, and the anchor 64a of the anchor portion 64 is fixed by being embedded into the corresponding inner surface of the anchor accommodating recess 18f.

[0057] The front (X-axis positive direction) and rear (X-axis negative direction) ends of each terminal accommodating recess 18d communicate with a contact portion accommodating groove 18b formed in the insertion recess intermediate plate 18a. The contact portion accommodating groove 18b is a slit-shaped groove that opens to the lower surface (Z-axis negative side) of each insertion recess intermediate plate 18a and extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and each accommodates a contact portion 65 of each terminal 61. This suppresses displacement of the contact portion 65 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 11, thereby preventing deformation of the contact portion 65. Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, at least the tip of the contact protrusion 65a of each contact portion 65 is configured to protrude downward (Z-axis negative direction) below the lower surface of the insertion recess intermediate plate 18a.

[0058] 17 , when the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B, each having an FPC 191 attached thereto, are mated with the connector 10, the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B come into contact with the tips of the contact protrusions 65a that protrude below the bottom surface of the insertion recess intermediate plate 18a, thereby establishing electrical continuity with the terminals 61. In this case, the tips of the two contact protrusions 65a aligned in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction) come into contact with the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191, thereby reliably maintaining electrical continuity between the conductive wires 193 and the corresponding terminals 61. As a result, the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the first mating connector 101A are electrically connected to the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the second mating connector 101B via the terminals 61 of the connector 10.

[0059] 6, 9, etc., the lower ends of multiple terminal insertion slits 18e are open on the top surface of the lower recess 11e of the housing 11. Each terminal insertion slit 18e is formed at a position corresponding to each terminal accommodating recess 18d and each contact portion accommodating groove 18b, and is set to have a length corresponding to the dimension of each terminal 61 in the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction). This allows each terminal 61 to be inserted and attached from below the housing 11 through each terminal insertion slit 18e opening on the top surface of the lower recess 11e into the corresponding terminal accommodating recess 18d, anchor accommodating groove 18f, and contact portion accommodating groove 18b. If necessary, after the terminals 61 have been attached to the housing 11, a lower cover member (not shown) can be attached to the housing 11 to cover the underside of the lower recess 11e.

[0060] In this embodiment, as described above, there are a pair of elastomers 31, i.e., two elastomers 31, specifically, a right elastomer 31A and a left elastomer 31B, as shown in Fig. 12. The right elastomer 31A and the left elastomer 31B are members that are plane-symmetric with respect to the XZ plane (vertical plane) that passes through the center of the housing 11 in the width direction, and will be described as elastomers 31 when described collectively.

[0061] The elastomer 31 has exposed surfaces exposed at various locations on the surface of the housing 11, including an upper exposed surface 32a, a lower exposed surface 32b, a right exposed surface 32s1, a left exposed surface 32s2, a front exposed surface 32f, and a rear exposed surface 32r, which are exposed on the top surface 11a, the bottom surface 11b, the right side surface 11s1, the left side surface 11s2, the front surface 11f, and the rear surface 11r, respectively. When describing the right exposed surface 32s1 and the left exposed surface 32s2 collectively, they are referred to as the side exposed surfaces 32s. Furthermore, because the front exposed surface 32f and the rear exposed surface 32r are exposed on the front surface 11f and the rear surface 11r, which are the mating surfaces of the housing 11, they are also referred to as mating exposed surfaces. Furthermore, the upper exposed surface 32a, the lower exposed surface 32b, the right side exposed surface 32s1 and the left side exposed surface 32s2 are exposed to the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, the right side surface 11s1 and the left side surface 11s2, which are the first side wall surface, the second side wall surface, the third side wall surface and the fourth side wall surface of the housing 11, respectively, and are therefore also referred to as the first side wall exposed surface, the second side wall exposed surface, the third side wall exposed surface and the fourth side wall exposed surface, or collectively referred to as the side wall exposed surface.

[0062] The exposed surface of the elastomer 31 is substantially flush with the surrounding surface of the housing 11. Furthermore, as described above, elongated ribs 33 extending in the fitting direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction, are formed on the exposed sidewall surfaces of the elastomer 31, i.e., the upper exposed surface 32a, the lower exposed surface 32b, and the side exposed surfaces 32s, and at least a portion of the ribs 33 is capable of abutting against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92. Specifically, at least a portion of each rib 33 is formed with a convex portion 33a that protrudes outward, and at least a tip of the convex portion 33a protrudes outward (upward, downward, leftward, or rightward) beyond the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, and the side surface 11s of the housing 11, and is configured to abut against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92 and elastically deform when the connector 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 92.

[0063] Furthermore, lock facing portions 34 that protrude upward and downward are formed on the upper exposed surface 32a and the lower exposed surface 32b at positions near the center of the width direction of the housing 11 and near the rear exposed surface 32r, and a convex portion 34a that protrudes forward is formed on the lock facing portions 34. At least the tip of the convex portion 34a protrudes outward (forward) beyond the vertical surface of the lock facing portion 24a of the housing 11, and the wall member 91 is sandwiched from the front and rear between the vertical surface of the lock protrusion 23a and the vertical surface of the lock facing portion 24a and comes into contact with the rear surface of the wall member 91, thereby elastically deforming.

[0064] The convex portions 34a of the lock facing portion 34 and the convex portions 33a of the ribs 33 on the upper exposed surface 32a are positioned outside the locking arm portions 23b of the locking member 23 in the width direction of the housing 11. The convex portions 34a of the lock facing portion 34 and the convex portions 33a of the ribs 33 on the lower exposed surface 32b are also positioned outside the locking arm portions 23b of the locking member 23 in the width direction of the housing 11.

[0065] 12, an elastomer accommodating space 16 for accommodating an elastomer 31 is formed within the housing 11. The elastomer accommodating space 16 has openings at various locations on the surface of the housing 11. For example, the top surface 11a, bottom surface 11b, side surface 11s, front surface 11f, and rear surface 11r have top surface opening 16a, bottom surface opening 16b, side surface opening 16s, front surface opening 16f, and rear surface opening 16r, respectively. A contoured protrusion 17 is formed around the periphery of each opening of the elastomer accommodating space 16 on the surface of the housing 11. That is, the contoured protrusion 17 is formed along the contour of the exposed surface of the elastomer 31. The contoured protrusions 17 are wall-like portions that protrude outward from the surface of the housing 11 by, for example, about 0.1 mm and extend continuously to surround the periphery of each opening of the elastomer containing space 16, and prevent the constituent material of the elastomer 31 filled in the elastomer containing space 16 from spilling out of the openings of the elastomer containing space 16 during the molding process of the elastomer 31. This prevents the constituent material of the elastomer 31 that spills out of the openings from remaining as burrs after solidification.

[0066] Next, the operation of mating the connector 10 having the above-described configuration with the mating connector 101 will be described.

[0067] Here, it is assumed that the attachment of the FPC 191 has been completed for each of the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B.

[0068] First, the operator attaches the connector 10 to the wall member 91. Specifically, when the connector 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 92 of the wall member 91 from its front surface 11f, as the connector 10 advances relative to the wall member 91, the edge of the insertion opening 92 moves relatively rearward along the outer surface of the locking arm 23b and slides along the inclined surface of the locking protrusion 23a, thereby smoothly displacing the locking protrusion 23a. When the insertion opening 92 reaches a position relatively rearward of the locking protrusion 23a, the locking protrusion 23a elastically restores its original shape, and the vertical surface of the locking protrusion 23a faces the outer edge of the insertion opening 92 on the front surface of the wall member 91, preventing the connector 10 from moving backward relative to the wall member 91. Furthermore, the vertical surface of the lock-facing portion 24a of the protrusion 24 of the housing 11 faces the outer edge of the insertion opening 92 on the rear surface of the wall member 91, preventing the connector 10 from advancing relative to the wall member 91. As a result, the wall member 91 is sandwiched from the front and rear by the vertical surfaces of the lock protrusions 23a and the vertical surfaces of the lock opposing portions 24a, and the connector 10 is securely attached to the wall member 91.

[0069] At this time, because at least the tip of the convex portion 34a of the lock opposing portion 34 of the elastomer 31 combined with the housing 11 protrudes outward (forward) from the vertical surface of the lock opposing portion 24a of the housing 11, the convex portion 34a abuts against the rear surface of the wall member 91 and elastically deforms. Therefore, even if gaps are generated between the front and rear surfaces of the wall member 91 and the vertical surfaces of the lock protrusion 23a and the lock opposing portion 24a due to the relatively low dimensional accuracy of the thickness of the wall member 91 (relatively large dimensional tolerance), the elastically deformed convex portion 34a is present in the gaps, so rattle does not occur.

[0070] Furthermore, at least the tip of the protrusion 33a of the rib 33 in the elastomer 31 protrudes outward (upward, downward, leftward, or rightward) beyond the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, and the side surface 11s of the housing 11, and therefore, when the connector 10 is inserted into the insertion opening 92, it abuts against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92 and elastically deforms. Therefore, even if a gap occurs between the inner surface of the insertion opening 92 and the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, or the side surface 11s of the housing 11 due to the relatively low dimensional accuracy of the insertion opening 92 (relatively large dimensional tolerance), the elastically deformed protrusion 33a is present in the gap, and therefore rattle does not occur.

[0071] Next, the operator mates the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B with the connector 10 attached to the wall member 91. Specifically, the operator inserts the mating portion 111b of the mating housing 111 of the first mating connector 101A into the front insertion recess 13f of the housing 11 of the connector 10, and inserts the mating portion 111b of the mating housing 111 of the second mating connector 101B into the rear insertion recess 13r of the housing 11 of the connector 10. Then, when the mating portions 111b of the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B move toward the back of the front insertion recess 13f and the rear insertion recess 13r, the insertion recess intermediate plates 18a in the front insertion recess 13f and the rear insertion recess 13r relatively enter the board insertion recess 113 of each mating portion 111b, and the tips of the two contact protrusions 65a of the terminal 61 protruding downward (in the negative direction of the Z axis) below the underside of the insertion recess intermediate plate 18a come into contact with each conductive wire 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B.

[0072] 1 to 3, when the mating of the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B with the connector 10 is completed, the flange portions 111c of the mating housings 111 of the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B come into proximity with or abut against the front surface 11f and the rear surface 11r of the housing 11. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, the tips of the two contact protrusions 65a of the terminals 61 come into contact with and are conductive with the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the first mating connector 101A and the second mating connector 101B, so that the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the first mating connector 101A are conductive with the conductive wires 193 of the FPC 191 attached to the second mating connector 101B via the terminals 61 of the connector 10.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 10 includes the housing 11, a plurality of elastomers 31 combined with the housing 11, and a plurality of terminals 61 attached to the housing 11. The housing 11 can be inserted into an insertion opening 92 formed in the wall member 91. The elastomer 31 has a front exposed surface 32f and a rear exposed surface 32r exposed on the front surface 11f and the rear surface 11r of the housing 11, and a top surface 11a, a bottom surface 11b, a right side surface 11s1, and a left side surface 11s2 of the housing 11. The housing 11 is configured to include an upper exposed surface 32a, a lower exposed surface 32b, a right-side exposed surface 32s1, and a left-side exposed surface 32s2 exposed on the surface 11s2, and to form at least one symmetrical pair (only one in the example shown in the figure) located on both the left and right sides of the width of the housing 11, and the upper exposed surface 32a, the lower exposed surface 32b, the right-side exposed surface 32s1, and the left-side exposed surface 32s2 include ribs 33 extending in the mating direction and capable of abutting against the inner surface of the insertion opening 92.

[0074] This allows connector 10 to be attached to wall member 91 without rattle, and a stable attachment state can be reliably maintained. Furthermore, connector 10 can be made smaller, has a simple structure, has a small number of parts, is easy to manufacture, is low in cost, and has improved reliability.

[0075] Furthermore, the side wall surfaces of the housing 11 include an upper surface 11a, a lower surface 11b, a right side surface 11s1, and a left side surface 11s2. The right elastomer 31A, which is the elastomer 31 located on one of the left and right sides in the width direction of the housing 11, includes an upper exposed surface 32a, a lower exposed surface 32b, and a right side exposed surface 32s1 that are exposed on the upper surface 11a, the lower surface 11b, and the right side surface 11s1 of the housing 11. The right side exposed surface 32s1 each includes a rib 33, and the left side elastomer 31B, which is the elastomer 31 located on the other side of the housing 11 in the left or right width direction, includes an upper exposed surface 32a, a lower exposed surface 32b, and a left side exposed surface 32s2 that are exposed on the upper surface 11a, lower surface 11b, and left side surface 11s2 of the housing 11, and the upper exposed surface 32a, lower exposed surface 32b, and left side exposed surface 32s2 each include a rib 33.

[0076] Furthermore, there are at least six ribs 33, and each of the ribs 33 includes a protrusion 33a whose tip protrudes outward beyond the side wall surface of the housing 11.

[0077] Furthermore, the housing 11 includes a locking member 23 and a protrusion 24 that can engage with the wall member 91 at a position toward the center of its width, and each of the pair of elastomers 31 is combined with the housing 11 at a position outside the width of the housing 11 relative to the locking member 23 and the protrusion 24.

[0078] Furthermore, the front surface 11f and the rear surface 11r are located on both sides of the housing 11 in the fitting direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the housing 11 includes a contoured protrusion 17 formed along the contours of the front exposed surface 32f and rear exposed surface 32r of the elastomer 31, as well as the upper exposed surface 32a, the lower exposed surface 32b, the right side exposed surface 32s1 and the left side exposed surface 32s2.

[0080] Furthermore, the housing 11 includes a front locked portion 21f and a rear locked portion 21r that can be locked with a mating connector 101 that can be mated with the connector 10.

[0081] Furthermore, the connector 10 is a relay connector that mates with a pair of mating connectors 101 to connect the pair of mating connectors 101 to each other, or a board connector that is mounted on a board.

[0082] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, descriptions of the same operations and effects as those in the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0083] FIG. 18 is a first perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the second embodiment, FIG. 19 is a second perspective view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the second embodiment, FIG. 20 is a side view showing a state in which first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector attached to a wall member in the second embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a side view showing a state in which the connector and the first and second mating connectors are fitted to a connector in the second embodiment. 22 is a perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and front, FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from below and front, FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the lower cover member of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from below and front, FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 22, FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and rear, and FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the connector according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from below and rear 34 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the left side of the housing in the second embodiment as viewed from the rear diagonally below; FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the elastomer located on the right side of the housing in the second embodiment as viewed from the rear diagonally below; FIG. 36 is a side view of a terminal in the second embodiment; FIG. 37 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector in the second embodiment; and FIG. 38 is a side cross-sectional view showing the connector in the second embodiment with first and second mating connectors mated.In Figure 23, (a) is a view showing the state in which the lower cover member is attached, and (b) is a view showing the state in which the lower cover member is removed; in Figure 27, (a) is a view showing the state in which the lower cover member is attached, and (b) is a view showing the state in which the lower cover member is removed; in Figure 30, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in (a); in Figure 36, (a) is a side view of a preferred example, and (b) is a side view of a modified example; in Figure 37, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in Figure 30, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in Figure 30.

[0084] In the first embodiment, the elastomer 31 is a pair of left and right elastomers, whereas in the present embodiment, the elastomer 31 is two pairs of left and right elastomers.

[0085] 31, in this embodiment, there are two pairs of elastomers 31, i.e., four elastomers 31, including a right elastomer 31A and a left elastomer 31B. The right elastomer 31A includes an upper right elastomer 31A1 and a lower right elastomer 31A2, and the left elastomer 31B includes an upper left elastomer 31B1 and a lower left elastomer 31B2. The four elastomers 31, i.e., the upper right elastomer 31A1, the lower right elastomer 31A2, the upper left elastomer 31B1, and the lower left elastomer 31B2, are individual members separate from one another.

[0086] Furthermore, the right upper elastomer 31A1 and the left upper elastomer 31B1 are plane-symmetrical members with the XZ plane (vertical plane) passing through the width center of the housing 11 as their plane of symmetry, and the right lower elastomer 31A2 and the left lower elastomer 31B2 are plane-symmetrical members with the XZ plane passing through the width center of the housing 11 as their plane of symmetry.

[0087] The other configurations of the elastomer 31 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 23, 27, 31, etc., a lower cover member 41 that covers the lower sides of each of a pair of lower recesses 11e formed on the lower surface 11b of the housing 11 is attached to the housing 11.

[0089] 24, 28, 31, etc., each of the lower cover members 41 is a roughly square dish-shaped member and has a roughly rectangular, flat bottom plate 42, four side walls 43 rising from the four sides of the bottom plate 42, recessed portions 44 formed in the side walls 43 located in the front (positive direction of the X-axis) and rear (negative direction of the X-axis) of the lower cover member 41, and engaging pieces 45 disposed in the recessed portions 44. The engaging pieces 45 are plate-shaped elastic members whose base ends are parallel to the bottom plate 42 and whose free ends are curved so as to face upward (positive direction of the Z-axis), and an engaging protrusion 45a is formed near the free end as an engaging portion that protrudes outward.

[0090] Further, on the inner walls located in front (positive direction of the X-axis) and rear (negative direction of the X-axis) of each lower recess 11e, engaging recesses 11g are formed as engaging portions that can be engaged with the engaging protrusions 45a.

[0091] Then, by inserting each terminal 61 from below the housing 11 through each terminal insertion slit 18e opening in the top surface of the lower recess 11e into the corresponding terminal accommodating recess 18d, anchor accommodating portion 18f, and contact portion accommodating groove 18b, after the attachment of the terminals 61 to the housing 11 is completed, the lower cover member 41 can be attached to the housing 11 to cover the underside of the lower recess 11e. In this case, each engaging protrusion 45a of the lower cover member 41 engages with the corresponding engaging recess 11g, so that the lower cover member 41 is securely attached to the housing 11 and will not fall off.

[0092] In this way, the underside of the lower recess 11e of the housing 11 is covered by the lower cover member 41, so that when mating the connector 10 with the mating connector 101, the operator's fingers, tools, and other parts are prevented from entering the lower recess 11e and damaging the terminals 61, etc., and foreign matter such as dust present in the surrounding environment is prevented from entering the lower recess 11e and adhering to the terminals 61, etc.

[0093] Other configurations of the connector 10 and the mating connector 101 in this embodiment, as well as other operations for mating the connector 10 and the mating connector 101, are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0094] Furthermore, the disclosure herein sets forth features of preferred and exemplary embodiments, and various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure herein. [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] The present disclosure can be applied to connectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Connectors 11. Housing 11a Top side 11b Bottom side 11e Lower recess 11f front 11g Engagement recess 11r rear 11s1 Right side 11s2 left side 12c Fitting column part 13f Front insertion recess 13r Rear insertion recess 16 Elastomer storage space 16a Top opening 16b Bottom opening 16f front opening 16r rear opening 16s side opening 17 Contour convex part 18 Terminal holding part 18a Insertion recess intermediate plate 18b Contact portion accommodation groove 18c central part 18d Terminal receiving recess 18e Terminal insertion slit 18f Anchor storage section 21f Front locked part 21r Rear locked part 23 Locking member 23a Lock protrusion 23A First locking member 23b Locking arm 23B second locking member 23C Third locking member 24 Protrusion 24a, 34 Lock facing part 31 Elastomer 31A Right side elastomer 31A1 Right upper elastomer 31A2 Right Lower Elastomer 31B Left side elastomer 31B1 Left upper elastomer 31B2 Left Lower Elastomer 32a Upper exposed surface 32b Lower exposed surface 32f front exposed surface 32r rear exposed surface 32s side exposed surface 32s1 Right side exposed surface 32s2 Left side exposed surface 33, 114 Ribs 33a, 34a convex part 41 Lower cover member 42 Bottom plate 43 Side wall 44 Otoribe 45 Engagement piece 45a Engagement protrusion 61 terminals 63, 111a Main body 64 Anchor part 64a Anchor 64b Missing part 65 Contact area 65a Contact protrusion 65A 1st contact part 65B 2nd contact part 91 Wall components 92 Insertion opening 101 Mating Connector 101A 1st Mating Connector 101B Second Mating Connector 111 Counterparty Housing 111b Mating part 111c flange 112a Main fitting part 112b Mating side 112c Fitting recess 113 Circuit board insertion recess 121 Counterpart locking member 122 Secondary locking member 191 FPC 192 Reinforcement plate 193 Conductive Wire 810 Receptacle Connector 831 Gasket 871 Shield Cover 872 Retainer Clip 891 Wall 892 Aperture

Claims

1. (a) a housing, a plurality of elastic members combined with the housing, and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing; (b) the housing is insertable into an opening formed in a wall member; (c) the elastic members each include a mating exposed surface exposed on the mating surface of the housing and a sidewall exposed surface exposed on the sidewall surface of the housing, and are configured to form at least one symmetrical pair of mating exposed surfaces located on both the left and right sides of the housing in the width direction, (d) A connector characterized in that the side wall exposed surface includes a rib extending in the mating direction and capable of abutting against the inner surface of the opening.

2. the side wall surfaces of the housing include a first side wall surface, a second side wall surface, a third side wall surface, and a fourth side wall surface; the elastic member located on one of the left and right sides in the width direction of the housing includes a first sidewall exposed surface, a second sidewall exposed surface, and a third sidewall exposed surface that are exposed to a first sidewall surface, a second sidewall exposed surface, and a third sidewall exposed surface of the housing, each including the rib; The connector of claim 1, wherein the elastic member located on the other side of the housing in the left or right width direction includes a first sidewall exposed surface, a second sidewall exposed surface, and a fourth sidewall exposed surface that are exposed to the first sidewall surface, the second sidewall exposed surface, and the fourth sidewall exposed surface each include the rib.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein there are at least six of said ribs, and each of said ribs includes at least a corner whose tip projects outward beyond the side wall surface of said housing.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is configured to connect two of the pairs.

5. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a locking portion located toward the center in the width direction of the housing, and each of the elastic members is combined with the housing on the outer side of the locking portion in the width direction of the housing.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the locking portion includes a locking member and a protrusion engageable with the wall member.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the mating surfaces are located on both sides of the housing in the mating direction.

8. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a contoured protrusion formed along the contours of the mating exposed surface and the side wall exposed surface of the elastic member.

9. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a locking portion that can be locked with a mating connector that can be mated with the connector.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is a relay connector for mating with a pair of mating connectors to connect the pair of mating connectors to each other, or a board connector to be mounted on a board.

Images