Connector, mating connector, and connector assembly

Abstract

To provide: a novel connector having a structure suitable for a multicore design; and a mating connector which can be fitted to the novel connector.SOLUTION: A connector 12 comprises: a housing 20 having a bottom part 25; and a plurality of terminals 30 each including an inner terminal 31. The bottom part 25 has a protruding part 28 and two base parts 26. The protruding part 28 protrudes from the base parts 26 in a vertical direction (Z-direction). Each of the base parts 26 has at least one predetermined part 27. The predetermined part 27 includes two passage holes 272 and one spacing part 274. The passage holes 272 penetrate the base parts 26 in the vertical direction. The spacing part 274 spaces the two passage holes 272 away from each other in a pitch direction (Y-direction) and is connected to the protruding part 28 in a width direction (X-direction). The inner terminal 31 has a soldered part 34. The soldered part 34 is partially located inside each of the passage holes 272.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having a plurality of terminals arranged at a narrow pitch. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector of this type.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 16, the connector 90 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a connector to be mounted on a substrate 98. The connector 90 includes a housing 91 molded from resin, a number of first contacts (outer terminals) 94, and a number of second contacts (inner terminals) 96. The outer terminals 94 and the inner terminals 96 are arranged at a narrow pitch. Each of the inner terminals 96 has a soldering portion 97. A plurality of openings (passing holes) 92 corresponding to the soldering portions 97 are formed in the bottom of the housing 91. The soldering portions 97 are partially located inside the passing holes 92, which makes it possible to visually check whether the soldering portions 97 are properly soldered to the substrate 98.

[0004] The bottom of the housing 91 has a plurality of partitions 93. Each partition 93 is located between two adjacent through holes 92 in the pitch direction, thereby preventing a decrease in the strength of the housing 91 due to the formation of the through holes 93. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-152083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] If an attempt is made to increase the number of inner terminals 96 while maintaining the size of the housing 91, the distance between two adjacent through holes 94 (adjacent through holes) in the pitch direction becomes shorter. In other words, when molding the housing 91, the gap between the parts of the mold for forming the adjacent through holes (the parts corresponding to the partitions 93) becomes smaller. As a result, it becomes difficult to inject resin into the gaps, and there is a risk that the partitions 93 will not be formed sufficiently. As can be understood from the above explanation, the connector of Patent Document 1 is not necessarily suitable for increasing the number of cores in a connector.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new connector having a structure suitable for multi-core connections, and a mating connector that can be mated with this new connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a first connector, A connector comprising a housing and a plurality of terminals, The housing has two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom; Each of the side walls extends along a pitch direction, The side wall portions are spaced apart from each other in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction, The end wall portions are located at both ends of the housing in the pitch direction, the bottom portion connects the sidewall portions to each other; the bottom portion has a protrusion and two base portions corresponding to the side wall portions, the base portions are located on both sides of the protrusion in the width direction, the protrusion protrudes from the base in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction, and is connected to at least one of the end wall portions in the pitch direction; Each of the bases has at least one predetermined portion; the predetermined portion includes two passage holes and one partition, each of the through holes penetrates the base in the up-down direction; the partition separates the two passage holes from each other in the pitch direction and is connected to the corresponding side wall portion and the corresponding protrusion in the width direction, The terminals are divided into two terminal rows corresponding to the side wall portions, Each of the terminal rows includes at least two inner terminals, Each of the inner terminals has a held portion and a soldering portion, the held portion of the inner terminal is held by the corresponding side wall portion, The soldering portions of the inner terminals are partially located inside the through holes. Provide a connector.

[0009] The present invention provides a first connector as a second connector, The protrusion is connected to the two end wall portions in the pitch direction. Provide a connector.

[0010] The present invention provides a third connector, which is the first connector, Each of the terminal rows includes at least one outer terminal; The outer terminal has a held portion and a soldering portion, the held portion of the outer terminal is held by the corresponding side wall portion, the soldering portion of the outer terminal is located outside the corresponding side wall portion in the width direction, The inner terminals and the outer terminals of each of the terminal rows are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. Provide a connector.

[0011] The present invention provides a fourth connector, which is the first connector, The through holes of one of the base portions and the through holes of the other of the base portions are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. Provide a connector.

[0012] The present invention provides a fifth connector, which is any one of the first to fourth connectors, The connector has a receiving portion, The receiving portion is a space surrounded by the side wall portion, the end wall portion, and the bottom portion. Provide a connector.

[0013] The present invention provides a connector that can be mated with a fifth connector as a first mating connector, The mating connector includes a mating housing and a metal mating guide, The mating housing has an island-shaped portion, the island-shaped portion is received in the receiving portion of the connector when the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, The island-shaped portion has a groove portion and two protruding wall portions, The protruding wall portions are located on both sides of the groove portion in the width direction, the groove receives the protrusion of the connector in the mated state; The fitting guide has a main portion and two protective portions, the main portion covers an end of the island-shaped portion in the pitch direction, The protective portion extends from the main portion and covers and protects the ends of the projecting wall portion in the pitch direction. Provide a mating connector.

[0014] The present invention provides a first connector assembly including a fifth connector and a first mating connector. A connector assembly is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The protrusions of the connector of the present invention protrude in the vertical direction from a base having a passage hole and a partition, and are connected to at least one of the end wall portions (a predetermined end wall portion). The protrusions and partitions arranged in this manner can be molded from resin using a mold in which a first groove corresponding to the protrusions and a second groove corresponding to the partitions are formed. Specifically, when molding the housing, resin can be poured into the first groove, which has a relatively large cross section, from a gate near the predetermined end wall portion, and then flowed from the first groove into the second groove below. This molding method allows the partitions to be reliably formed even if the size of the second groove in the pitch direction is small.

[0016] That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new connector having a structure suitable for multi-core connections, and also to provide a mating connector having a structure corresponding to the structure of this new connector, i.e., a mating connector that can be mated with this new connector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the connector and the mating connector are separated from each other; [Figure 2] 2 is another perspective view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a plan view showing the connector of the connector assembly of FIG. 1. A part of the connector (the part surrounded by the dashed line) is drawn on an enlarged scale. The outline of the board on which the connector is mounted is partially drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view showing the housing of the connector of FIG. 3, with a part of the housing (the part surrounded by the dashed line) drawn on an enlarged scale. [Figure 7]7 is a plan view showing the housing of Fig. 6. A part of the housing (the part surrounded by the dashed line) is drawn in an enlarged manner. In the enlarged view, the position of the gate when molding the housing is drawn with a dashed line. [Figure 8] 2 is a plan view showing a mating connector of the connector assembly of FIG. 1. The outline of a mating board on which the mating connector is mounted is partially drawn by a dashed line. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of FIG. 8 taken along line IX-IX. [Figure 10] 9 is a perspective view showing a mating housing of the mating connector of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] 9 is a perspective view showing a mating hold-down of the mating connector of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a side view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 1. In the connector assembly, the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. The outlines of the board and the mating board are partially drawn with dashed lines. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 12 taken along line XIII-XIII. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 12 taken along line XIV-XIV. [Figure 15] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 12 taken along line XV-XV. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the connector of Patent Document 1 together with a substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 12, a connector assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 12, which is a plug, and a mating connector 16, which is a receptacle. The connector 12 is a so-called on-board connector mounted on a substrate 82. The mating connector 16 is an on-board connector mounted on a mating substrate 84. The connector 12 can be mated with the mating connector 16 in the up-down direction. When the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are mated with each other, the substrate 82 and the mating substrate 84 are electrically connected to each other. The up-down direction in this embodiment is the Z direction. In this embodiment, the upside is the +Z direction, and the downside is the -Z direction.

[0019] 1 and 2, the connector 12 of this embodiment includes a housing 20 made of an insulator, a plurality of terminals 30 made of a conductor, and two hold-downs 40 made of a conductor. The connector 12 of this embodiment includes only the components described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connector 12 may include other components in addition to the components described above. Meanwhile, the hold-downs 40 may be provided as needed.

[0020] 6 and 7, the housing 20 of this embodiment is a single member molded from resin. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the housing 20 may be formed by joining additional members to a main member molded from resin.

[0021] The housing 20 of this embodiment has a peripheral wall portion 21 and a bottom portion 25. The peripheral wall portion 21 has two side wall portions 22 and two end wall portions 23. That is, the housing 20 has two side wall portions 22 and two end wall portions 23.

[0022] The side walls 22 extend parallel to each other along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the pitch direction is the Y direction. The side walls 22 are spaced apart from each other in a width direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction. In this embodiment, the width direction is the X direction.

[0023] The end wall portions 23 are located at both ends of the housing 20 in the pitch direction. Each of the end wall portions 23 in this embodiment extends along the width direction and connects the two side wall portions 22 to each other in the width direction. That is, the peripheral wall portion 21 has a continuous rectangular shape in a horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the end wall portions 23 may be separated from the side wall portions 22 in the width direction.

[0024] The bottom portion 25 connects the two side wall portions 22 to each other in the width direction. In this embodiment, the bottom portion 25 connects the two end wall portions 23 to each other in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom portion 25 may be spaced apart from one of the two end wall portions 23 in the pitch direction.

[0025] The bottom portion 25 has a protrusion 28 and two base portions 26 corresponding to the side wall portions 22, respectively. The base portions 26 are located on both sides of the protrusion 28 in the width direction. In other words, each of the base portions 26 is located between the protrusion 28 and the corresponding side wall portion 22 in the width direction. The protrusions 28 protrude from the base portion 26 in the up-down direction. More specifically, the protrusion 28 in this embodiment protrudes downward from the base portion 26. Each of the base portion 26 and the protrusions 28 in this embodiment extends across the entire bottom portion 25 along the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the base portions 26 may be located only in the middle portion of the bottom portion 25 in the pitch direction.

[0026] The protrusion 28 in this embodiment extends seamlessly along the pitch direction and is connected to the two end wall portions 23 in the pitch direction. With this structure, when molding the housing 20 from resin, the entire protrusion 28 can be formed by injecting resin through a single gate 80 (injection port) provided on the bottom side (+Z side) of the housing 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion 28 may include two portions spaced apart from each other in the pitch direction. These two portions may be connected to the two end wall portions 23, respectively. Alternatively, the protrusion 28 may be a single portion connected to only one of the end wall portions 23 in the pitch direction. That is, it is sufficient for the protrusion 28 to be connected to at least one of the end wall portions 23 in the pitch direction.

[0027] Each base 26 of this embodiment is provided with a large number of through holes 272 and a large number of partitions 274. Each of the through holes 272 penetrates the base 26 in the up-down direction and has a rectangular shape in the XY plane. The through holes 272 of the base 26 are aligned at equal intervals along the pitch direction. Each of the partitions 274 is located between two adjacent through holes 272 in the pitch direction. That is, the partitions 274 of the base 26 are aligned at equal intervals along the pitch direction. Each of the partitions 274 extends seamlessly along the width direction from the protrusion 28 to the corresponding side wall 22.

[0028] The passage holes 272 and the partitions 274 of this embodiment have the above-described structure and are arranged as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement of the passage holes 272 is not limited to being equally spaced.

[0029] 3 to 5, each of the hold-downs 40 in this embodiment is formed by bending a single metal plate. In other words, each of the hold-downs 40 is a single bent metal plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the hold-downs 40 may be formed by joining multiple members together.

[0030] The hold-downs 40 of this embodiment have the same shape. Each hold-down 40 has a fixed portion 42. The hold-downs 40 of this embodiment are insert-molded into the end wall portions 23 of the housing 20, reinforcing the end wall portions 23. When the connector 12 is mounted on the board 82, the fixed portions 42 are soldered to the board 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hold-downs 40 may be attached to the end wall portions 23 after the housing 20 is molded.

[0031] 3 and 5, the terminals 30 are divided into two terminal rows 30R, each corresponding to a side wall portion 22. Each of the terminal rows 30R is arranged on the corresponding side wall portion 22. Each of the terminal rows 30R in this embodiment includes a large number of inner terminals 31 and a large number of outer terminals 35. The inner terminals 31 and outer terminals 35 in each of the terminal rows 30R are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the pitch direction.

[0032] The terminals 30 in this embodiment are arranged as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the terminal rows 30R may include only two inner terminals 31 and only one outer terminal 35. That is, each of the terminal rows 30R may include at least two inner terminals 31 and at least one outer terminal 35. Also, each of the terminal rows 30R may include only two inner terminals 31.

[0033] 14 and 15, the inner terminals 31 of this embodiment have the same shape. Each of the inner terminals 31 is a single bent metal plate. Each of the inner terminals 31 has a held portion 32 and a soldering portion 34.

[0034] The held portions 32 of the inner terminals 31 are held by the corresponding side wall portions 22. In this embodiment, each of the held portions 32 is insert-molded into the corresponding side wall portions 22 and is exposed from the lower surface and both sides in the width direction of the corresponding side wall portions 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the held portions 32 may be press-fitted into the corresponding side wall portions 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, each of the held portions 32 of the inner terminal 31 is provided with two contacts 33. The contacts 33 of the inner terminal 31 are located on opposite faces in the width direction of the held portion 32, and are electrically connected to the mating connector 16 in the mated state.

[0036] 3, the through holes 272 are formed corresponding to the inner terminals 31, respectively. More specifically, the soldering portions 34 of the inner terminals 31 are partially located inside the through holes 272. When the connector 12 is mounted on a board 82, each of the soldering portions 34 is soldered and connected to a conductive pad (not shown) on the board 82. Each of the soldering portions 34 is spaced apart from an inner wall surface 273 of the through hole 272 in the XY plane, and is securely fixed to the board 82 by solder covering the side portions of the soldering portions 34 in the XY plane. In addition, whether the soldering portions 34 are properly soldered to the board 82 can be visually confirmed through the through holes 272.

[0037] 14 and 15, the outer terminals 35 of this embodiment have the same shape. Each of the outer terminals 35 is a single bent metal plate. Each of the outer terminals 35 has a held portion 36 and a soldering portion 38.

[0038] The held portions 36 of the outer terminals 35 are held by the corresponding side wall portions 22. In this embodiment, each of the held portions 36 is insert-molded into the corresponding side wall portions 22 and is exposed from the lower surface and both sides in the width direction of the corresponding side wall portions 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the held portions 36 may be press-fitted into the corresponding side wall portions 22.

[0039] In this embodiment, each of the held portions 36 of the outer terminals 35 is provided with two contacts 37. The contacts 37 of the outer terminals 35 are located on opposite sides of the held portions 36 in the width direction, and are electrically connected to the mating connector 16 in the mated state.

[0040] Each of the soldering portions 38 of the outer terminals 35 extends outward in the width direction from the held portion 36 and is located outward in the width direction of the corresponding side wall portion 22. Referring to Fig. 3, when the connector 12 is mounted on a board 82, each of the soldering portions 38 is fixed by soldering to a conductive pad (not shown) of the board 82. The soldering portions 38 arranged as described above can be visually checked in the vertical direction to see whether they are properly soldered to the board 82.

[0041] 5, in this embodiment, the inner terminals 31 and outer terminals 35 of each terminal row 30R are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. In each terminal row 30R, the soldering portions 34 of two adjacent inner terminals 31 are spaced apart from each other by a distance DS in the pitch direction, and the soldering portions 38 of two adjacent outer terminals 35 are spaced apart from each other by a distance DS in the pitch direction.

[0042] The above-described alternating arrangement allows the distance DS between two adjacent terminals 30 in the pitch direction to be reduced while maintaining the distance DS at a value that prevents short-circuiting, particularly between the soldered portions 38. In other words, the connector 12 can be made smaller in size in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in each terminal row 30R, two or more inner terminals 31 may be adjacent to one another, and two or more outer terminals 35 may be adjacent to one another.

[0043] 3, the connector 12 of this embodiment is asymmetric with respect to the vertical plane (YZ plane) but has a shape that is rotationally symmetric by 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the up-down direction. In particular, the through holes 272 of one of the bases 26 and the through holes 272 of the other of the bases 26 are alternately arranged in the pitch direction. That is, all of the through holes 272 are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the pitch direction.

[0044] The zigzag arrangement described above increases the distance between the soldered portion 34 of one inner terminal 31 of the base 26 and the soldered portion 34 of the other inner terminal 31 of the base 26, thereby improving insulation, without increasing the width of the connector 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the through hole 272 of one of the bases 26 and the through hole 272 of the other of the bases 26 may be aligned in the width direction.

[0045] 3, the structure of the base portion 26 will be described from another perspective. Each of the base portions 26 in this embodiment has a plurality of predetermined portions 27. Each predetermined portion 27 is a part of the base portion 26 and includes two through holes 272 and one partition portion 274. The two through holes 272 in each predetermined portion 27 are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction. That is, two predetermined portions 27 adjacent to each other in the pitch direction share one through hole 272. The partition portion 274 in each predetermined portion 27 separates the two through holes 272 from each other in the pitch direction and is connected to the corresponding side wall portion 22 and protrusion 28 in the width direction.

[0046] Each of the bases 26 in this embodiment is , numerous Each base 26 has a predetermined portion 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each base 26 may have only one predetermined portion 27. That is, each base 26 only needs to have at least one predetermined portion 27.

[0047] 6 and 7, protrusion 28 of connector 12 of this embodiment protrudes in the vertical direction from base 26, which has passage hole 272 and partition 274, and is connected to at least one of end wall portions 23 (predetermined end wall portion 23). Protrusion 28 and partition 274 arranged in this manner can be molded from resin using a mold (not shown) in which a first groove (not shown) corresponding to protrusion 28 and a second groove (not shown) corresponding to partition 274 are formed. More specifically, because protrusion 28 extends from the vicinity of gate 80, when molding housing 20, resin can be poured from gate 80 near the predetermined end wall portion 23 into the first groove, which has a relatively large cross section, and then flow from the first groove into the second groove.

[0048] If protrusion 28 were not formed, the cross section of first groove (not shown) would be small. If resin were to be poured into second groove (not shown) also having a small cross section via the first groove with a small cross section, the viscosity of the resin would cause the resin to clog before moving to the inner end of the second groove. As a result, partition 274 would not be formed sufficiently, and the strength of bottom portion 25 of housing 20, in which numerous through holes 272 are formed, would be reduced.

[0049] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, more resin can be injected from gate 80 into the first groove (not shown) with a large cross section than in the case where protrusion 28 is not formed. The large amount of resin injected from gate 80 pushes the resin flowing into the second groove (not shown), causing the resin to move against viscosity and fill the entire second groove. According to the molding method of this embodiment, the first groove functions as a large flow path for the resin, and partition 274 can be reliably formed even when the size of the second groove in the pitch direction is small. In addition, the formed protrusion 28 reinforces housing 20 and makes it less likely to warp. In other words, according to this embodiment, a new connector 12 having a structure suitable for multi-core connectors can be provided.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the protrusion 28 and all of the partitions 274 can be formed using only one gate 80. This manufacturing method reduces the manufacturing cost of the connector 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two gates 80 may be used to form the protrusion 28 and all of the partitions 274. In this case, the protrusion 28 may include two portions that are separated from each other in the pitch direction and each are connected to the end wall portion 23. However, providing two or more gates 80 may cause weld lines and reduce the strength of the housing 20. Therefore, the number of gates 80 is preferably one. In this case, as in this embodiment, the protrusion 28 preferably extends seamlessly along the pitch direction from near the gate 80 to the end wall portion 23 on the opposite side in the pitch direction.

[0051] 2 together with FIG. 3, connector 12 of this embodiment has a receiving portion 14. Receiving portion 14 is a space surrounded by side wall portions 22, end wall portions 23, and a bottom portion 25. Receiving portion 14 partially receives mating connector 16 in a mated state. As will be described below, mating connector 16 has a structure corresponding to the structure of connector 12. Below, the mating connector 16 of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] 1 and 2, the mating connector 16 of this embodiment includes a mating housing 50 made of an insulator, a plurality of mating terminals 60 made of a conductor, and two mating hold-downs 70 made of a conductor. The mating connector 16 of this embodiment includes only the above-described components. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating connector 16 may include other components in addition to the above-described components.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the mating housing 50 of this embodiment is a single member molded from resin. The mating housing 50 has two mating side walls 52, an island-shaped portion 56, four connecting portions 55, and a number of partition portions 54. The mating side walls 52 extend parallel to each other in the pitch direction. The island-shaped portion 56 is located between the two mating side walls 52 in the width direction and extends in the pitch direction. The island-shaped portion 56 is connected to the mating side walls 52 by the connecting portions 55 and the partition portions 54.

[0054] 10 , the island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment extends in the pitch direction beyond both ends of the mating sidewall portion 52 in the pitch direction. The mating housing 50 of this embodiment does not have walls or other portions located on both sides of the island-shaped portion 56 in the pitch direction. This structure allows the island-shaped portion 56 and the mating sidewall portion 52 to be reliably formed from a relatively small amount of resin when molding the mating housing 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating housing 50 may have two walls located on both sides in the pitch direction.

[0055] The island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment has a groove portion 57 and two protruding wall portions 58. The groove portion 57 is open on both sides in the pitch direction. Both ends of the groove portion 57 in the pitch direction are grooves with bottoms that are concave downward. On the other hand, the middle portion of the groove portion 57 in the pitch direction is a hole that penetrates the mating housing 50 in the up-down direction. The protruding wall portions 58 are located on both sides of the groove portion 57 in the width direction and extend along the groove portion 57 on both sides in the width direction of the groove portion 57. In other words, each of the protruding wall portions 58 is located between the groove portion 57 and one of the mating side walls 52 in the width direction.

[0056] The island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the groove portion 57 may be a groove with a bottom over the entire length in the pitch direction. That is, the hole in the groove portion 57 may be formed as needed. Each of the protruding wall portions 58 may include two portions spaced apart from each other in the pitch direction.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 8, the mating terminals 60 are divided into two mating terminal rows 60R corresponding to the mating side wall portions 52, respectively. The mating terminals 60 in each mating terminal row 60R are arranged at equal intervals in the pitch direction. Each mating terminal row 60R in this embodiment includes a number of inner mating terminals 61 and a number of outer mating terminals 62. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, Counterpart terminal row 60R Each of the terminals 61 may include only one or more inner mating terminals 61, or may include only one or more outer mating terminals 62.

[0058] 14 and 15, the inner mating terminals 61 of this embodiment have the same shape. The outer mating terminals 62 of this embodiment have the same shape. The inner mating terminals 61 and the outer mating terminals 62 have similar structures. Specifically, the inner mating terminal 61 and the outer mating terminal 62 are each a single bent metal plate. The inner mating terminal 61 and the outer mating terminal 62 each have a held portion 63, a soldering portion 64, and a spring portion 66.

[0059] The retained portions 63 of the inner mating terminals 61 are press-fitted and held in the protruding wall portions 58 of the island-shaped portion 56. The retained portions 63 of the outer mating terminals 62 are press-fitted and held in the corresponding mating side walls 52. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the retained portions 63 may be insert-molded into the mating housing 50.

[0060] In this embodiment, each of the soldering portions 64 of the inner mating terminals 61 is partially located inside the hole of the groove 57. In this embodiment, each of the soldering portions 64 of the outer mating terminals 62 extends widthwise outward from the held portion 63 and is partially located widthwise outward of the corresponding mating side wall portion 52. Referring to FIG. 8 , when the mating connector 16 is mounted on a mating board 84, each of the soldering portions 64 is soldered to a conductive pad (not shown) of the mating board 84. The soldering portions 64 arranged as described above can be visually checked in the vertical direction to determine whether they are properly soldered to the mating board 84.

[0061] 14 and 15 , the spring portions 66 of the inner mating terminal 61 and the outer mating terminal 62 of this embodiment are each U-shaped and elastically deformable. Each of the spring portions 66 is provided with two contacts 68. The two contacts 68 of each of the mating terminals 60 are located on opposite sides of the spring portion 66 in the width direction and face each other in the width direction. In a mated state, each contact 68 of the inner mating terminal 61 contacts a contact 33 of an inner terminal 31 of the connector 12, and each contact 68 of the outer mating terminal 62 contacts a contact 37 of an outer terminal 35 of the connector 12. As a result, the connector 12 and the mating connector 16 are electrically connected to each other.

[0062] 8, in this embodiment, the inner mating terminals 61 and the outer mating terminals 62 of each mating terminal row 60R are alternately arranged in the pitch direction. This arrangement reduces the distance between two adjacent mating terminals 60 in the pitch direction while maintaining the distance between two adjacent soldering portions 64 in the pitch direction to a value that prevents short-circuiting. In other words, the mating connector 16 can be made smaller in size in the pitch direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in each mating terminal row 60R, two or more inner mating terminals 61 may be adjacent to each other, and two or more outer mating terminals 62 may be adjacent to each other.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 11 in conjunction with FIG. 8, each of the mating hold-downs 70 in this embodiment is a single bent metal plate. The mating hold-downs 70 have the same shape. Each of the mating hold-downs 70 has a fixed portion 72 and a mating guide 74. That is, the mating connector 16 is equipped with the metal mating guide 74. Referring to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 9, the mating hold-downs 70 are insert-molded on both ends of the island-shaped portion 56 in the pitch direction, reinforcing the mating housing 50. When the mating connector 16 is mounted on the mating board 84, the fixed portion 72 is soldered to the mating board 84.

[0064] 11, each of the fitting guides 74 has a main portion 76 and two protective portions 78. In each of the fitting guides 74, the protective portions 78 are located on both sides of the main portion 76 in the width direction and extend upward and inward in the pitch direction from the main portion 76. Referring to FIG. 9 together with FIG. 8, each of the main portions 76 of the fitting guides 74 covers the ends of the island-shaped portions 56 in the pitch direction. Each of the protective portions 78 of the fitting guides 74 covers and protects the ends of the protruding wall portions 58 in the pitch direction.

[0065] 1 together with FIG. 8, the mating connector 16 of this embodiment has a mating receiving portion 18. The mating receiving portion 18 is a space surrounded by the mating side wall portion 52 and the mating hold-down 70. The mating receiving portion 18 surrounds the island-shaped portion 56 in the XY plane. Referring to FIG. 13, in the mated state, the island-shaped portion 56 of the mating connector 16 is received in the receiving portion 14 of the connector 12, and the side wall portion 22 of the connector 12 is received in the mating receiving portion 18 of the mating connector 16. As can be seen from this structure, the island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment functions as a guide portion when mating the connector 12 with the mating connector 16, similar to a conventional, general island-shaped portion (not shown).

[0066] 13 together with FIG. 9, island-shaped portion 56 of this embodiment has groove portion 57 recessed downward, unlike a conventional, general island-shaped portion (not shown). In particular, the end portion of island-shaped portion 56 in the pitch direction has a bifurcated shape in a predetermined plane (XZ plane). Each of mating guides 74 also has a bifurcated shape in the XZ plane. With the above-described structure, groove portion 57 of island-shaped portion 56 receives protrusion 28 of connector 12 in the mated state. Referring to FIG. 12 together with FIG. 13, even if protrusion 28 is provided on connector 12, protrusion 28 is received in groove portion 57 in the mated state, so the distance between board 82 and mating board 84 in the mated state can be reduced.

[0067] As can be understood from the above description, the mating connector 16 has a structure corresponding to the structure of the connector 12. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a mating connector 16 having a structure corresponding to the structure of the connector 12, i.e., a mating connector 16 that can be mated with the connector 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Connector assembly 12 Connectors 14 Receptor 16 Mating connector 18 Receptor 20. Housing 21 Peripheral wall section 22 Side wall 23 End wall 25 Bottom 26 base 27 designated section 272 Passing hole 273 Inner wall surface 274 septum 28 protrusion 30 terminals 30R terminal row 31 Inner terminal 32 Holding part 33 Contacts 34 Soldering section 35 Outer terminal 36 Holding part 37 Contacts 38 Soldering section 40 Hold Down 42 Fixed part 50 Mating housing 52 Opposite side wall 54 Partition 55 Connecting part 56 Island 57 Groove 58 Projection wall 60 Mating terminal 60R mating terminal row 61 Inner mating terminal 62 Outside mating terminal 63 Holding part 64 Soldering section 66 Spring part 68 contact points 70 Opponent Hold Down 72 Fixed part 74 Mating guide 76 Main Section 78 Protection Department 80 gates 82 PCB 84 Counterpart board

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing and a plurality of terminals, The housing has two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom; Each of the side walls extends along a pitch direction, The side wall portions are spaced apart from each other in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction, The end wall portions are located at both ends of the housing in the pitch direction, the bottom portion connects the sidewall portions to each other; the bottom portion has a protrusion and two base portions corresponding to the side wall portions, the base portions are located on both sides of the protrusion in the width direction, the protrusion protrudes from the base in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the pitch direction and the width direction, and is connected to at least one of the end wall portions in the pitch direction; Each of the bases has at least one predetermined portion; the predetermined portion includes two passage holes and one partition, each of the through holes penetrates the base in the up-down direction; the partition separates the two passage holes from each other in the pitch direction and is connected to the corresponding side wall portion and the corresponding protrusion in the width direction, The terminals are divided into two terminal rows corresponding to the side wall portions, Each of the terminal rows includes at least two inner terminals, Each of the inner terminals has a held portion and a soldering portion, the held portion of the inner terminal is held by the corresponding side wall portion, The soldering portions of the inner terminals are partially located inside the through holes. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The protrusion is connected to the two end wall portions in the pitch direction. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, Each of the terminal rows includes at least one outer terminal; The outer terminal has a held portion and a soldering portion, the held portion of the outer terminal is held by the corresponding side wall portion, the soldering portion of the outer terminal is located outside the corresponding side wall portion in the width direction, The inner terminals and the outer terminals of each of the terminal rows are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. connector.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, The through holes of one of the base portions and the through holes of the other of the base portions are arranged alternately in the pitch direction. connector.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The connector has a receiving portion, The receiving portion is a space surrounded by the side wall portion, the end wall portion, and the bottom portion. connector.

6. A mating connector that can be mated with the connector according to claim 5, The mating connector includes a mating housing and a metal mating guide, The mating housing has an island-shaped portion, the island-shaped portion is received in the receiving portion of the connector when the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state, The island-shaped portion has a groove portion and two protruding wall portions, The protruding wall portions are located on both sides of the groove portion in the width direction, the groove receives the protrusion of the connector in the mated state; The fitting guide has a main portion and two protective portions, the main portion covers an end of the island-shaped portion in the pitch direction, The protective portion extends from the main portion and covers and protects the ends of the projecting wall portion in the pitch direction. Mating connector.

7. A connector according to claim 5 and a mating connector according to claim 6. Connector assembly.

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