Connectors and connector sets

Abstract

To facilitate development of variation options.SOLUTION: A board connector 12 comprises a plurality of terminal units 20, 22 comprising: an inner terminal 26; an outer terminal 28 covering the inner terminal 26; and a terminal unit-side dielectric 40 which is provided between the inner terminal 26 and the outer terminal 28 so as to support the inner terminal 26. The plurality of terminal units 20, 22 are aligned in one direction in such a manner that adjacent ones are in contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector set. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a shielded connector that includes an inner conductor terminal, an outer conductor terminal that covers the outer periphery of the inner conductor terminal, a dielectric provided between the inner conductor terminal and the outer conductor terminal, and a connector housing that accommodates the outer conductor terminal. This shielded connector is designed to be connected to a mating connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-42988 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The number of inner conductor terminals and outer conductor terminals constituting a connector is determined according to the configuration of the mating connector, which means that it is necessary to expand the variety of connectors to which the mating connector is connected in accordance with the variety of mating connectors.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector set that can be easily developed into variations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the first embodiment is a connector having a plurality of terminal units each having an inner terminal, an outer terminal covering the inner terminal, and a terminal unit side dielectric provided between the inner terminal and the outer terminal and supporting the inner terminal, and the plurality of adjacent terminal units are arranged in a single direction with each other in contact with each other.

[0007] The connector of the first aspect includes a plurality of terminal units each having an inner terminal, an outer terminal, and a terminal unit-side dielectric. The plurality of terminal units are arranged in one direction with adjacent terminal units in contact with each other. In this manner, by appropriately setting the number of the plurality of terminal units, it is possible to easily develop a variety of connectors.

[0008] The second aspect of the connector is the connector of the first aspect, wherein the terminal units are provided with an engaging portion and an engaged portion, and the engaging portion of one terminal unit engages with the engaged portion of another terminal unit adjacent to the one terminal unit, thereby limiting the relative displacement of the one terminal unit with respect to the other terminal unit.

[0009] In the connector of the second aspect, the mating portion of one terminal unit is mated with the mated portion of another terminal unit adjacent to the one terminal unit. This limits the relative displacement of the one terminal unit with respect to the other terminal units. As a result, when arranging multiple terminal units in one direction, it is easy to position the one terminal unit with respect to the other terminal units.

[0010] The third aspect of the connector is the second aspect of the connector, wherein the inner terminal has a connecting portion that is connected to the inner conductor portion, and the direction in which the mating portion and the mated portion are mated is a direction that intersects the connection direction between the connecting portion and the inner conductor portion.

[0011] In the connector of the third aspect, the direction in which the mating portion and the mated portion are mated intersects with the direction in which the connecting portion and the inner conductor are connected, thereby preventing the mating portion of one terminal unit from coming off the mated portion of another terminal unit when connecting the connecting portion and the inner conductor.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the connector is a connector of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the outer terminal includes a first terminal forming plate formed of a metal plate and a second terminal forming plate formed of a metal plate, and the first terminal forming plate and the second terminal forming plate form a terminal side covering portion that covers the inner terminal.

[0013] In the connector of the fourth aspect, the outer terminal having the terminal-side covering portion can be formed inexpensively by using the first terminal-forming plate and the second terminal-forming plate.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the connector is the fourth aspect of the connector, wherein the terminal unit has a plurality of the inner terminals, and the outer terminal is configured to include a single first terminal forming plate and a plurality of the second terminal forming plates, and a plurality of the terminal side covering portions that cover each of the plurality of inner terminals are formed between the single first terminal forming plate and the plurality of second terminal forming plates.

[0015] In the connector of the fifth aspect, a plurality of terminal-side covering portions can be formed along a single first terminal-forming plate.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the connector is the connector of the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the first terminal-forming plate has a first main plate portion, and the second terminal-forming plate has a second main plate portion arranged at a distance from the first main plate portion, and the first terminal-forming plate has a first side plate portion extending from the first main plate portion toward the second main plate portion, and the second terminal-forming plate has a second side plate portion extending from the second main plate portion toward the first main plate portion, The terminal side covering portion is formed by the first main plate portion, the second main plate portion, and at least one of the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion.

[0017] In the connector of the sixth aspect, the terminal covering portion is formed by the first main plate portion, the second main plate portion, and at least one of the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion. With this configuration, it is possible to easily form the terminal covering portion corresponding to, for example, a bent or curved inner terminal.

[0018] The connector of the seventh aspect is a connector of any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a terminal unit housing in which a plurality of the terminal units are supported, and the terminal unit housing is provided with a separation restriction portion that restricts separation of the plurality of the terminal units.

[0019] In the connector of the seventh aspect, the terminal unit housing has a separation restricting portion, which makes it possible to restrict separation of the plurality of terminal units.

[0020] The connector of an eighth aspect is the connector of the seventh aspect, further comprising a connecting member that inseparably connects the plurality of terminal units, and the connecting member is engaged with the terminal unit housing.

[0021] In the connector of the eighth aspect, the connection of the terminal units can be easily maintained by including a connecting member, and the connection member is engaged with the terminal unit housing, thereby firmly integrating the terminal units with the terminal unit housing.

[0022] A connector set of a ninth aspect comprises: a first connector which is a connector of any one of the first to eighth aspects; and a second connector having a plurality of conductor units arranged side by side in the one direction, each conductor unit having an inner conductor portion, an outer conductor portion covering the inner conductor portion, and a conductor unit side dielectric provided between the inner conductor portion and the outer conductor portion and supporting the inner conductor portion, wherein when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the inner conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units, and the outer terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the outer conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units.

[0023] In the connector set of the ninth aspect, when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of the plurality of terminal units are connected to the inner conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units, respectively. Also, the outer terminals of the plurality of terminal units are connected to the outer conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units, respectively. Here, in the configuration of the first connector, by appropriately setting the number of the plurality of terminal units, it is possible to easily develop variations of the first connector corresponding to variations of the second connector.

[0024] The connector set of a tenth aspect is the connector set of the ninth aspect, further comprising a conductor unit housing having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions in which the plurality of conductor units are respectively accommodated.

[0025] The connector set of the tenth aspect includes a conductor unit housing having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions, whereby the plurality of conductor units are accommodated in the plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions, respectively, and thereby the plurality of conductor units can be easily supported at predetermined positions in the conductor unit housing.

[0026] The connector set of an eleventh aspect is the connector set of the tenth aspect, wherein the terminal unit housing and the conductor unit housing are provided with connection holding portions that hold the first connector and the second connector in a connected state.

[0027] In the connector set of the eleventh aspect, the connection holding portion is provided, so that the connected state between the first connector and the second connector can be easily maintained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] The connector and connector set according to the present invention have the excellent effect of facilitating development of variations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connector set. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a board connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the board connector as seen from the opposite side to that of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the terminal unit housing as seen from the opposite side to that of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal unit; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit as seen from the opposite side to that of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit in which the terminal body and the support member are not shown. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit in which the terminal body is not shown. [Figure 12]10 is a perspective view showing a plurality of terminal units and a connecting member arranged in a terminal unit housing. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electric wire connector and a connection holding member. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a conductor unit housing; [Figure 15] 15 is an exploded perspective view of the conductor unit housing as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conductor unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the conductor unit. [Figure 18] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conductor unit and a terminal unit in a state before they are connected to each other. [Figure 19] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the conductor unit and the terminal unit before they are connected, seen from the opposite side to FIG. 19. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the conductor unit and the terminal unit in a state before they are connected. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the conductor unit and the terminal unit when the connection is complete. [Figure 22] 22 is a perspective view of the conductor unit and the terminal unit when the connection is complete, viewed from the opposite side to FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the conductor unit and the terminal unit when the connection is complete. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A connector set 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector set 10 includes a board connector 12, which is a connector fixed to a circuit board (not shown) and serves as a first connector, and a wire connector 16, which is a connector fixed to an end of an electric wire 14 and serves as a second connector. The direction in which the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected is referred to as the connection axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the connection axis direction and in which multiple terminal units 20, 22 (described later) are arranged is referred to as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to the connection axis direction and the width direction is referred to as the up-down direction. One side in the connection axis direction is indicated by arrow Z, one side in the width direction is indicated by arrow W, and the upper side in the up-down direction is indicated by arrow U.

[0032] (Configuration of board connector 12) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the board connector 12 is composed of a terminal unit housing 18, a plurality of terminal units 20, 22 accommodated in the terminal unit housing 18, and a connecting member 24 engaged with the terminal unit housing 18.

[0033] 4 and 5, the terminal unit housing 18 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The terminal unit housing 18 includes a pair of side walls 18A spaced apart in the width direction, an upper wall 18B connecting the upper ends of the pair of side walls 18A in the width direction, and a lower wall 18C connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls 18A in the width direction.

[0034] The portions of the pair of side wall portions 18A on one side in the connection axial direction form a separation restricting portion 18D that extends toward one side in the connection axial direction relative to the upper wall portion 18B and the lower wall portion 18C. A locking groove 18E that is open on the upper side is formed in each of the separation restricting portions 18D of the pair of side wall portions 18A.

[0035] A first retaining portion 18F serving as a connection retaining portion is formed in the center of the upper wall portion 18B in the width direction. One end of the upper wall portion 18B in the connection axis direction is an upper locking portion 18G that locks upper portions of multiple terminal units 20, 22 (described later). This upper locking portion 18G includes an upper substrate portion 18H that extends in the width direction with the vertical direction as the thickness direction, and an upper flange portion 18J that bends and extends upward from the end of the upper substrate portion 18H on one side in the connection axis direction. The upper locking portion 18G also has multiple upper locking grooves 18K that are spaced apart in the width direction and are formed along the connection axis direction. The number of these upper locking grooves 18K corresponds to the number of terminal units 20, 22 (described later). That is, in this embodiment, the upper locking portion 18G has 14 upper locking grooves 18K. The upper locking groove 18K is formed so as to penetrate the upper base plate portion 18H and is formed so as to be open downward at the lower portion of the upper flange portion 18J.

[0036] One end of the lower wall portion 18C in the connection axis direction serves as a lower locking portion 18L that locks the lower portions of a plurality of terminal units 20, 22 (described later). This lower locking portion 18L includes a lower flange portion 18M that bends and extends upward from the end of the lower wall portion 18C in the connection axis direction. Furthermore, a plurality of lower locking grooves 18N are formed in the lower flange portion 18M along the connection axis direction and spaced apart in the width direction. The number of these lower locking grooves 18N matches the number of terminal units 20, 22 (described later). That is, in this embodiment, 14 lower locking grooves 18N are formed in the lower flange portion 18M. Furthermore, the lower locking grooves 18N are formed in the upper portion of the lower flange portion 18M so that their upper sides are open.

[0037] 3, 6, and 7, the board connector 12 of this embodiment is configured to include eight terminal units 20 and six terminal units 22. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal units 20 and 22 are configured similarly except for the number of inner terminals 26. Therefore, the following description will focus on the configuration of the terminal unit 20, and will omit a description of the configuration of the terminal unit 22. Note that the same reference numerals will be used to designate the components and parts of the terminal unit 22 that correspond to those of the terminal unit 20.

[0038] 6, 8, and 9, the terminal unit 20 includes two inner terminals 26 and an outer terminal 28 that covers the two inner terminals 26. The terminal unit 20 also includes a terminal body 30 and two support members 32.

[0039] One of the inner terminals 26 is formed by bending a rod-shaped member made of a conductive metal material into a predetermined shape. The inner terminal 26 includes a mating-side extension 26A constituting one end of the inner terminal 26, a board-side extension 26B constituting the other end of the inner terminal 26, and an intermediate extension 26C connecting the mating-side extension 26A and the board-side extension 26B. The mating-side extension 26A extends in the connection axis direction, and its end serves as a connection portion 26D to which an inner conductor portion 52 of a conductor unit 44 (described later) is connected. The board-side extension 26B extends in the vertical direction, and its end serves as a portion connected to a circuit board (not shown). The intermediate extension 26C extends in a downward inclined manner toward one side of the connection axis direction.

[0040] The other inner terminal 26 is formed similarly to the first inner terminal 26, for example, by bending a rod-shaped member that is shorter than the first inner terminal 26 into a predetermined shape. The same reference numerals are used to designate portions of the other inner terminal 26 that correspond to the first inner terminal 26. The mating-side extension portion 26A of the other inner terminal 26 extends parallel to the mating-side extension portion 26A of the first inner terminal 26, but below the mating-side extension portion 26A of the first inner terminal 26. The board-side extension portion 26B of the other inner terminal 26 extends parallel to the board-side extension portion 26B of the first inner terminal 26, but on the other side of the board-side extension portion 26B of the first inner terminal 26 in the connection axis direction. The intermediate extension portion 26C of the other inner terminal 26 extends parallel to the intermediate extension portion 26C of the one inner terminal 26 below and on the other side in the connection axis direction relative to the intermediate extension portion 26C of the one inner terminal 26.

[0041] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the outer terminal 28 is composed of a single first terminal forming plate 34 formed from a metal plate, and two second terminal forming plates 36 also formed from a metal plate and arranged on the other widthwise side of the first terminal forming plate 34.

[0042] The first terminal-forming plate 34 is formed by bending a metal plate cut to a predetermined shape. The first terminal-forming plate 34 includes a rectangular first main plate portion 34A extending vertically and in the connection axis direction, with the width direction being the thickness direction, and a rectangular terminal-side extension portion 34B extending from the end of the first main plate portion 34A on the other side of the connection axis direction toward the other side of the connection axis direction. A step portion 34C having a height difference in the width direction is formed at the boundary between the first main plate portion 34A and the terminal-side extension portion 34B. This offsets the terminal-side extension portion 34B to one side in the width direction relative to the first main plate portion 34A. The terminal-side extension portion 34B includes a flat base portion 34D and multiple contact portions 34E cut and raised toward the other side in the width direction relative to the base portion 34D. In this embodiment, four contact portions 34E are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. 8, the first terminal-forming plate 34 has three first side plate portions 34F formed by cutting and raising portions thereof, and these three first side plate portions 34F are formed in tongue shapes extending from the first main plate portion 34A toward the second main plate portion 36A of the second terminal-forming plate 36, which will be described later. The first terminal-forming plate 34 also has connecting piece portions 34G that protrude from the first main plate portion 34A and are connected to a circuit board (not shown).

[0043] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, one of the second terminal-forming plates 36 is formed by bending a metal plate cut to a predetermined shape. This second terminal-forming plate 36 has a second main plate portion 36A that extends vertically and in the connection axis direction, with the width direction being the thickness direction. The shape of the second main plate portion 36A corresponds to that of one of the inner terminals 26 when viewed in the width direction. The second terminal-forming plate 36 also has a plurality of second side plate portions 36B that extend from the end of the second main plate portion 36A toward the first main plate portion 34A of the first terminal-forming plate 34. The second terminal-forming plate 36 also has a connection piece portion 36C that protrudes from the second main plate portion 36A and is connected to a circuit board (not shown).

[0044] The other second terminal-forming plate 36 is formed by, for example, bending a metal plate cut into a predetermined shape smaller than the one second terminal-forming plate 36. This second terminal-forming plate 36 has a second main plate portion 36A and a plurality of second side plate portions 36B that respectively correspond to the second main plate portion 36A and the plurality of second side plate portions 36B of the one second terminal-forming plate 36. The shape of the second main plate portion 36A of the other second terminal-forming plate 36 corresponds to the shape of the other inner terminal 26 when viewed in the width direction.

[0045] 6, 10, and 11, the first terminal-forming plate 34 and one of the second terminal-forming plates 36 form a terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers most of one of the inner terminals 26. The first terminal-forming plate 34 and the other second terminal-forming plate 36 form a terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers most of the other inner terminal 26. Here, the one terminal-side covering portion 38 and the other terminal-side covering portion 38 are formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and at least one of the first side plate portion 34F and the second side plate portion 36B.

[0046] More specifically, the portion of one terminal side covering portion 38 covering the mating-side extending portion 26A and the board-side extending portion 26B of one inner terminal 26 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and the second side plate portion 36B. Furthermore, the central portion of the portion of one terminal side covering portion 38 covering the intermediate extending portion 26C of one inner terminal 26 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and the second side plate portion 36B. Furthermore, both side portions of the portion of one terminal side covering portion 38 covering the intermediate extending portion 26C of one inner terminal 26 are formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, the first side plate portion 34F, and the second side plate portion 36B.

[0047] Additionally, the portion of the other terminal side covering portion 38 covering the mating-side extending portion 26A and the board-side extending portion 26B of one inner terminal 26 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and the second side plate portion 36B. Additionally, the portion of the other terminal side covering portion 38 covering the intermediate extending portion 26C of the other inner terminal 26 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, the first side plate portion 34F, and the second side plate portion 36B.

[0048] The connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 protrudes from one terminal-side covering portion 38 toward the other side in the connection direction, and an end portion of the board-side extending portion 26B of one inner terminal 26 protrudes downward from one terminal-side covering portion 38. The connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26 protrudes from the other terminal-side covering portion 38 toward the other side in the connection direction, and an end portion of the board-side extending portion 26B of the other inner terminal 26 protrudes downward from the other terminal-side covering portion 38. Furthermore, the connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 and the connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26 extend along and parallel to the board portion 34D of the terminal-side extending portion 34B of the first terminal-forming plate 34. In other words, the base portion 34D of the terminal-side extending portion 34B of the first terminal forming plate 34 extends along the connecting portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 and the connecting portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the terminal body 30 is formed in a rectangular box shape using a resin material. The terminal body 30 has an inner terminal arrangement recess 30A that is open on the other widthwise side and in which two inner terminals 26 and two support members 32 are respectively arranged. The bottom of the inner terminal arrangement recess 30A serves as a support wall 30B that supports the inner terminals 26. The support wall 30B also has a support groove 30C into which the inner terminals 26 fit. The support wall 30B of the terminal body 30 also has openings through which the first side plate 34F of the first terminal-forming plate 34 and the second side plate 36B of the second terminal-forming plate 36 are inserted. The first side plate 34F of the first terminal-forming plate 34 and the second main plate 36A and second side plate 36B of the second terminal-forming plate 36 are arranged to be positioned within the inner terminal arrangement recess 30A.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal body 30 has three fitted portions 30D, which are boss portions with holes formed therein that are open on the other widthwise side. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, the terminal body 30 has three fitting portions 30E, which are protrusions that protrude toward one widthwise side. The fitting portions 30E of the terminal body 30 of one widthwise adjacent terminal unit 20 and the fitted portions 30D of the terminal body 30 of the other widthwise adjacent terminal unit 20 are fitted together, thereby restricting the relative displacement of one terminal unit 20 relative to the other terminal unit 20 in the connection axis direction and the up-down direction. The first main plate portion 34A of the first terminal forming plate 34 has openings through which the three fitting portions 30E are inserted.

[0051] 6 and 8, an upper locking projection 30F that projects upward is formed along the connection axis direction at the center of the width direction at the upper part of the terminal body 30. Furthermore, a lower locking projection 30G that projects downward is formed along the connection axis direction at the center of the width direction at the lower part of the terminal body 30. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, a connecting member locking portion 30H that locks a connecting member 24 (described later) is formed along the vertical direction at the center of the width direction at the end of the terminal body 30 on the connection axis direction side.

[0052] 8 and 9, the two support members 32 are each formed into a block shape using a resin material. The two support members 32 are each arranged in a space surrounded by the second main plate portion 36A and the second side plate portion 36B of the two second terminal-forming plates 36. A support groove 32A into which the inner terminal 26 fits is formed on one widthwise side of each of the two support members 32.

[0053] 6, when the terminal unit 20 is assembled, most of the inner terminal 26 is disposed within the terminal-side covering portion 38 of the outer terminal 28 and is supported by the support wall portion 30B of the terminal body 30 and the support member 32. Here, the support wall portion 30B and the support member 32 of the terminal body 30 form a terminal unit-side dielectric 40 serving as a terminal-side dielectric disposed between the inner terminal 26 and the outer terminal 28.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 12 , the connecting member 24 is formed using a metal plate. The connecting member 24 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction and the up-down direction, with the connection axis direction as the thickness direction. A plurality of locking grooves 24A are formed in the lower part of the connecting member 24, into which the connecting member locking portions 30H of the terminal body 30 fit. The locking grooves 24A are spaced apart in the width direction. The number of locking grooves 24A matches the number of terminal units 20, 22. That is, in this embodiment, 14 locking grooves 24A are formed in the connecting member 24. Furthermore, both widthwise ends of the connecting member 24 form housing locking portions 24B that lock into locking grooves 18E formed in the separation restricting portion 18D of the terminal unit housing 18.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12, the board connector 12 of this embodiment is assembled in the following procedure.

[0056] First, multiple terminal units 20, 22 are lined up in the width direction with adjacent terminal units in contact with each other. At this time, the mating portion 30E of the terminal body 30 of one terminal unit 20, 22 is mated with the mated portion 30D of the terminal body 30 of the other adjacent terminal unit 20, 22. In this embodiment, a spacer 41 is provided on one side in the width direction. The mating portion 30E of the terminal body 30 of the terminal unit 20 arranged at the end on one side in the width direction is mated with this spacer 41.

[0057] Next, the multiple terminal units 20, 22 aligned in the width direction are assembled into the terminal unit housing 18. That is, the multiple terminal units 20, 22 aligned in the width direction are inserted into the terminal unit housing 18 by moving the multiple terminal units 20, 22 aligned in the width direction toward the other side in the connection direction. At this time, the upper locking projections 30F of the terminal bodies 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 are positioned in the upper locking grooves 18K formed in the terminal unit housing 18, and the lower locking projections 30G of the terminal bodies 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 are positioned in the lower locking grooves 18N formed in the terminal unit housing 18. Then, the upper locking projections 30F of the terminal bodies 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 climb over the upper locking portions 18G of the terminal unit housing 18 and are locked by the upper locking portions 18G. Furthermore, the lower locking projections 30G of the terminal bodies 30 of the terminal units 20, 22 climb over and lock onto the lower locking portions 18L of the terminal unit housing 18. This results in the terminal units 20, 22 being assembled to the terminal unit housing 18.

[0058] Next, the housing locking portion 24B of the connecting member 24 is locked into the locking groove 18E formed in the separation restricting portion 18D of the terminal unit housing 18, and the connecting member locking portion 30H of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 is locked into each locking groove 24A of the connecting member 24.

[0059] Through the above steps, the board connector 12 is assembled.

[0060] (Configuration of wire connector 16) As shown in FIG. 13, the electric wire connector 16 is configured to include a conductor unit housing 42 and two types of conductor units 44 and 46 supported by the conductor unit housing 42.

[0061] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the conductor unit housing 42 is configured to include a conductor unit housing main body 48 formed in the shape of a rectangular block, and a retaining member 50 engaged with the conductor unit housing main body 48.

[0062] The conductor unit housing main body 48 is formed with a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A that respectively accommodate a plurality of conductor units 44, 46, which will be described later. The plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A are formed so as to penetrate the conductor unit housing main body 48 in the connection axis direction. In this embodiment, the number of the plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A matches the number of the plurality of conductor units 44, 46, which will be described later. In other words, 28 conductor unit accommodating portions 48A are formed in the conductor unit housing main body 48. More specifically, 14 conductor unit accommodating portions 48A are formed in the upper part of the conductor unit housing main body 48, and 14 conductor unit accommodating portions 48A are formed in the lower part of the conductor unit housing main body 48.

[0063] Here, the shape and dimensions of the interior of each conductor unit accommodating portion 48A are such that conductor units 44, 46 (described later) can be inserted from the other side in the connection axis direction. Moreover, the shape and dimensions of the interior of each conductor unit accommodating portion 48A are set to prevent the conductor units 44, 46 inserted into the conductor unit accommodating portion 48A from slipping out from one side in the connection axis direction.

[0064] A second holding portion 48B serving as a connection holding portion is formed in the center of the upper portion of the conductor unit housing main body 48 in the width direction.

[0065] The removal prevention member 50 includes a main body plate 50A whose longitudinal direction is the width direction, a plurality of partition plates 50B that protrude from the main body plate 50A toward one side in the connection axial direction and are spaced apart in the width direction, and a pair of locking plates 50C that protrude from both widthwise ends of the main body plate 50A toward one side in the connection axial direction. As shown in Fig. 13 , the pair of locking plates 50C of the removal prevention member 50 are locked to both widthwise ends of the conductor unit housing main body 48, thereby attaching the removal prevention member 50 to the conductor unit housing main body 48. Furthermore, when the removal prevention member 50 is attached to the conductor unit housing main body 48, the conductor units 44, 46 accommodated in each conductor unit accommodating portion 48A are prevented from slipping out of the conductor unit accommodating portion 48A toward the other side in the connection axial direction.

[0066] 6, 7, and 13, the 16 conductor units 44 are connected to the eight terminal units 20 described above. Furthermore, the 12 conductor units 46 are connected to the six terminal units 22 described above. Here, the conductor units 44 and 46 have the same configuration except for the number of inner conductor portions 52. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the conductor unit 44 will be described, and a description of the configuration of the conductor unit 46 will be omitted. Note that the members and parts of the conductor unit 46 corresponding to those of the conductor unit 44 will be assigned the same reference numerals as those corresponding to those of the conductor unit 44.

[0067] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the conductor unit 44 includes an inner conductor portion 52, an outer conductor portion 54 covering the inner conductor portion 52, and a pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 that are provided between the inner conductor portion 52 and the outer conductor portion 54 and serve as conductor portion side dielectrics that support the inner conductor portion 52.

[0068] 17, the inner conductor portion 52 is formed by bending a metal plate into a cylindrical shape, etc. The other end of the inner conductor portion 52 in the connection axis direction is fixed to the core wire 14A of the electric wire 14.

[0069] The outer conductor 54 is formed by, for example, bending a metal plate cut into a predetermined shape. The outer conductor 54 includes a conductor side covering 58 and an outer conductor fixing portion 60. The outer conductor fixing portion 60 is fixed to the outer conductor 14B of the electric wire 14.

[0070] The conductor-side covering portion 58 includes a rectangular first conductor plate 58A extending in the connection axis direction and in the up-down direction with the width direction as its thickness direction. The conductor-side covering portion 58 also includes a pair of second conductor plates 58B bending and extending from the upper and lower ends of the first conductor plate 58A toward one side in the width direction. The pair of second conductor plates 58B are rectangular in shape extending in the connection axis direction and the width direction with the up-down direction as their thickness direction, and extend parallel to each other. The conductor-side covering portion 58 also includes a pair of third conductor plates 58C extending upward and downward from ends of one side in the width direction of the pair of second conductor plates 58B. The pair of third conductor plates 58C are rectangular in shape extending in the connection axis direction and in the up-down direction with the width direction as their thickness direction, and extend parallel to the first conductor plate 58A. The ends of the pair of third conductor plates 58C opposite the pair of second conductor plates 58B are in contact with or close to each other. As a result, a cylindrical space is formed between the first conductor plate 58A, the pair of second conductor plates 58B, and the pair of third conductor plates 58C, in which most of the inner conductor portion 52 and the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 are disposed. In this embodiment, the pair of third conductor plates 58C extend from a range from the center of the pair of second conductor plates 58B in the connection axis direction to the end on the other side in the connection axis direction. As a result, a notch 58D is formed on one side of the conductor side covering 58 in the connection axis direction, where a portion of the conductor side covering 58 is cut out.

[0071] The pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 are formed in a block shape. A support groove 56A into which the inner conductor portion 52 fits is formed in one of the conductor unit side dielectrics 56 on the side facing the other conductor unit side dielectric 56, and a support groove 56A into which the inner conductor portion 52 fits is formed in the other conductor unit side dielectric 56 on the side facing the one conductor unit side dielectric 56. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 fit together in the width direction, and the inner conductor portion 52 is disposed between the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56, thereby supporting the inner conductor portion 52 by the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56. The pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 are disposed within the conductor portion side covering 58 of the outer conductor portion 54. When the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 are disposed within the conductor portion side covering 58 of the outer conductor portion 54, portions 56B of the pair of conductor unit side dielectrics 56 are exposed at the cutouts 58D.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment is assembled in the following procedure.

[0073] First, the plurality of conductor units 44, 46 are inserted into the plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A of the conductor unit housing main body 48. Next, the pair of locking plates 50C of the removal prevention member 50 are locked onto both widthwise ends of the conductor unit housing main body 48, thereby attaching the removal prevention member 50 to the conductor unit housing main body 48. Through these steps, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment is assembled, in which the plurality of conductor units 44, 46 are arranged in 14 rows in the width direction and in two rows in the vertical direction.

[0074] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 13, the board connector 12 and wire connector 16 of this embodiment are connected by inserting the connection axis direction side portion of the conductor unit housing main body 48 of the wire connector 16 into the terminal unit housing 18 of the board connector 12.

[0076] Furthermore, when the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected, the first holding portion 18F of the terminal unit housing 18 and the second holding portion 48B of the conductor unit housing main body 48 are engaged with each other. This makes it possible to easily maintain the connection between the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connection holding member 62 is engaged with the second holding portion 48B. This prevents the first holding portion 18F from being disengaged from the second holding portion 48B by the connection holding member 62. The connection between the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 can be released by removing the connection holding member 62 from the second holding portion 48B and disengaging the first holding portion 18F from the second holding portion 48B.

[0077] Here, when the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected, the multiple terminal units 20, 22 and the multiple conductor units 44, 46 are simultaneously connected, respectively. As a result, the configuration of this embodiment can improve workability compared to a configuration in which the multiple terminal units 20, 22 and the multiple conductor units 44, 46 are individually connected, respectively. The connection between one terminal unit 20 and a pair of conductor units 44 will be described below.

[0078] 18 to 20 show the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 in a state before connection, and Figures 21 to 23 show the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 in a state where connection is complete. As shown in these figures, when the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 of the terminal unit 20 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52 of one conductor unit 44 (see Figure 16), and the connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26 of the terminal unit 20 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52 of the other conductor unit 44 (see Figure 16).

[0079] Furthermore, when the terminal unit 20 and a pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the substrate portion 34D of the terminal side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 is positioned so as to close the cutout portion 58D of the conductor portion side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of one conductor unit 44, and is also positioned so as to close the cutout portion 58D of the conductor portion side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of the other conductor unit 44.

[0080] Furthermore, when the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the pair of contact portions 34E of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 contact the edge of the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of one conductor unit 44 (the edge of the pair of second conductor plates 58B). Furthermore, the other pair of contact portions 34E of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 contact the edge of the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of the other conductor unit 44 (the edge of the pair of second conductor plates 58B). This connects the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 and the outer conductor portions 54 of the pair of conductor units 44. Here, in this embodiment, when the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 and the outer conductor portions 54 of the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the contact portions 34E bend toward the opposite side from the edge of the notch 58D. As a result, the contact portion 34E is in contact with the edge of the cutout portion 58D while being biased toward the edge of the cutout portion 58D.

[0081] Here, the board connector 12 of this embodiment includes a plurality of terminal units 20, 22, each having an inner terminal 26, an outer terminal 28, and a terminal unit-side dielectric 40. The plurality of terminal units 20, 22 are arranged side by side in the width direction with adjacent terminal units 20, 22 in contact with each other. In this manner, the configuration of the board connector 12 of this embodiment makes it easy to develop variations of the board connector 12 corresponding to variations of the wire connector 16 by appropriately setting the number of the plurality of terminal units 20, 22.

[0082] 2, 3, 8, and 9, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the mating portion 30E of one terminal unit 20, 22 is mated with the mated portion 30D of another terminal unit 20, 22 adjacent to the one terminal unit 20, 22. This limits the relative displacement of the one terminal unit 20, 22 with respect to the other terminal units 20, 22. As a result, when arranging multiple terminal units 20, 22 in one direction, it is possible to easily position the one terminal unit 20, 22 with respect to the other terminal units 20, 22.

[0083] Furthermore, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the direction in which the mating portion 30E and the mated portion 30D are mated intersects (is perpendicular to) the connection axis direction, which makes it possible to prevent the mating portion 30E of one terminal unit 20, 22 from coming off the mated portion 30D of the other terminal unit 20, 22 when connecting the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16.

[0084] 6 to 11, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the outer terminals 28 of the terminal units 20, 22 are composed of a first terminal-forming plate 34 and a second terminal-forming plate 36. This makes it possible to inexpensively form the outer terminals 28 having the terminal-side covering portions 38. Furthermore, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, by combining a single first terminal-forming plate 34 and two second terminal-forming plates 36, it is possible to form two terminal-side covering portions 38 along the single first terminal-forming plate 34.

[0085] Furthermore, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the terminal side covering portion 38 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and at least one of the first side plate portion 34F and the second side plate portion 36B. With this configuration, it is possible to easily form the terminal side covering portion 38 corresponding to the inner terminal 26 having a bent shape as in this embodiment. Note that with this configuration, it is also possible to easily form the terminal side covering portion 38 corresponding to the inner terminal having a curved shape.

[0086] Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, multiple terminal units 20, 22 are arranged between a pair of separation restriction portions 18D of the terminal unit housing 18, so that separation of the multiple terminal units 20, 22 in the width direction can be restricted by the pair of separation restriction portions 18D.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting member locking portions 30H of the terminal bodies 30 of the terminal units 20, 22 are locked into the locking grooves 24A of the connecting member 24. This makes it possible to easily maintain the connected state of the multiple terminal units 20, 22. In addition, the housing locking portions 24B of the connecting member 24 are locked into the locking grooves 18E formed in the separation restricting portions 18D of the terminal unit housing 18. This makes it possible to firmly integrate the multiple terminal units 20, 22 and the terminal unit housing 18.

[0088] 13 to 16, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment includes a conductor unit housing 42 having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A. As a result, by accommodating the plurality of conductor units 44, 46 in the plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions 48A, respectively, the plurality of conductor units 44, 46 can be easily supported at predetermined positions in the conductor unit housing 42.

[0089] 18 to 23, in this embodiment, when the board connector 12 is connected to the wire connector 16, the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52, and the outer terminal 28 is connected to the outer conductor portion 54 with the terminal-side extension 34B positioned to close the notch 58D. The connection portion between the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 and the inner conductor portion 52 is covered by the outer conductor portion 54 and the terminal-side extension 34B. This configuration eliminates the need to overlap the outer conductor portion 54 and the outer terminal 28 in a direction intersecting the connection axis direction (the connection axis intersecting direction) to cover the connection portion between the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 and the inner conductor portion 52. This allows the connector set 10 to be reduced in size in the connection axis intersecting direction.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the contact portion 34E of the terminal-side extension 34B of the outer terminal 28 is biased toward the edge of the notch 58D of the outer conductor 54 (the conductor-side covering portion 58) and is in contact with the edge of the notch 58D. This ensures stable electrical continuity between the outer terminal 28 and the outer conductor 54.

[0091] In this embodiment, the inner terminal 26 is covered by the terminal-side covering 38 of the outer terminal 28, and the inner conductor 52 is covered by the conductor-side covering 58 of the outer conductor 54. This ensures electromagnetic noise resistance. In this embodiment, the terminal unit-side dielectric 40 that supports the inner terminal 26 is provided inside the terminal-side covering 38 of the outer terminal 28, and the conductor unit-side dielectric 56 that supports the inner conductor 52 is provided inside the conductor-side covering 58 of the outer conductor 54. In this configuration, impedance matching can be easily achieved by adjusting the volumes of the terminal unit-side dielectric 40 and the conductor unit-side dielectric 56.

[0092] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10 Connector Set 12 Board connector (connector, first connector) 16 Wire connector (second connector) 18 Terminal unit housing 18D Separation Control Section 18F First retaining part (connection retaining part) 20 Terminal Unit 22 Terminal unit 24 Connecting member 26 Inner terminal 28 Outer terminal 30D Mated part 30E mating part 34 1st terminal forming plate 34A 1st main plate section 34F 1st side plate section 36 2nd terminal forming plate 36A 2nd main plate section 36B 2nd side plate part 40 Terminal unit side dielectric 44 Conductor unit 46 Conductor unit 48 Conductor unit housing 48A Conductor unit housing 48B Second retaining part (connection retaining part) 52 Inner conductor 54 outer conductor 56 Conductor unit side dielectric

Claims

1. A connector including a plurality of terminal units, each of which has an inner terminal, an outer terminal covering the inner terminal, and a terminal unit side dielectric provided between the inner terminal and the outer terminal and supporting the inner terminal, The plurality of adjacent terminal units are arranged in one direction in a state where they are in contact with each other, the outer terminal includes a first terminal-forming plate formed of a metal plate and a second terminal-forming plate formed of a metal plate, In each of the terminal units, the first terminal forming plate and the second terminal forming plate form a terminal side covering portion that covers the inner terminal, and the inner terminal is disposed between the first terminal forming plate and the second terminal forming plate. connector.

2. The terminal unit is provided with a fitting portion and a fitted portion, 2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the mating portion of one of the terminal units is mated with the mating portion of another of the terminal units adjacent to the one of the terminal units, thereby limiting the relative displacement of the one of the terminal units with respect to the other of the terminal units.

3. the inner terminal includes a connection portion connected to the inner conductor portion, 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the mating portion and the mated portion are mated with each other is a direction that intersects with the direction in which the connecting portion and the inner conductor portion are connected.

4. The terminal unit has a plurality of the inner terminals, the outer terminal includes a single first terminal-forming plate and a plurality of second terminal-forming plates, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of terminal side covering portions that cover a plurality of the inner terminals are formed between a single first terminal forming plate and a plurality of second terminal forming plates.

5. the first terminal-forming plate has a first main plate portion, and the second terminal-forming plate has a second main plate portion disposed at an interval from the first main plate portion, the first terminal forming plate has a first side plate portion extending from the first main plate portion toward the second main plate portion, and the second terminal forming plate has a second side plate portion extending from the second main plate portion toward the first main plate portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the terminal side covering portion is formed by the first main plate portion, the second main plate portion, and at least one of the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion.

6. a terminal unit housing for supporting the plurality of terminal units; 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal unit housing is provided with a separation restriction portion that restricts separation of the plurality of terminal units.

7. a connecting member for connecting the plurality of terminal units inseparably, 7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the connecting member is engaged with the terminal unit housing.

8. A first connector which is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a second connector having a plurality of conductor units each having an inner conductor portion, an outer conductor portion covering the inner conductor portion, and a conductor unit side dielectric provided between the inner conductor portion and the outer conductor portion and supporting the inner conductor portion, the second connector having a plurality of the conductor units arranged side by side in the one direction; Equipped with a connector set in which, when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the inner conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units, and the outer terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the outer conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units.

9. The connector set according to claim 8, further comprising a conductor unit housing having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions in which the plurality of conductor units are respectively accommodated.

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