connector

Abstract

To provide a connector whose contact reliability between a terminal and a mating terminal is ensured if a mating connector rattles against the connector in the width direction when the connector and the mating connector are engaged with each other.SOLUTION: A connector 100 comprises a housing 200, a plurality of terminals 400, a plurality of coupling parts 700. The terminals 400 constitute two terminal arrays. The terminals 400 in one of the two terminal arrays correspond to the terminals 400 in another one of the two terminal arrays. Each of the terminals 400 has a press-fitted part 420, a support part 430, a contact 440, and a coupled part 450. The coupled part 450 extends from the contact 440. Each of the coupling parts 700 is made of an insulator. Each of the coupling parts 700 couples the coupled part 450 of the terminal 400 in one of the terminal arrays to the coupled part 450 of the corresponding terminal 400 in the other one of the terminal arrays in a direction perpendicular to a pitch direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector having terminals that form two terminal rows. [Background technology]

[0002] Referring to FIG. 35, Patent Document 1 discloses an assembly 990 including this type of connector 900 and a mating connector 950. The connector 900 is matable with the mating connector 950 having mating terminals 952 in the Z direction. The connector 900 includes a housing 910 and a plurality of terminals 920. The housing 910 has two side wall portions 912 and a connecting portion (not shown). The connecting portion connects the two side wall portions 912 to each other so as to maintain a constant distance between the two side wall portions 912 in the X direction (width direction). The terminals 920 form two terminal rows 930. The two terminal rows 930 are respectively held by the two side wall portions 912. In each of the two terminal rows 930, the terminals 920 are aligned in the Y direction (pitch direction). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-134913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the mated state between the connector 900 and the mating connector 950, for example, if the mating connector 950 is shifted to one side in the width direction relative to the connector 900, the corresponding mating terminals 952 are pressed against the terminals 920 in the terminal row 930 on the one side. However, in this case, the terminals 920 in the terminal row 930 on the other side in the width direction may move away from the corresponding mating terminals 952, and contact between the terminals 920 in the terminal row 930 on the other side and the corresponding mating terminals 952 may not be maintained. In other words, if the mating connector 950 rattles in the width direction relative to the connector 900 in the mated state, the terminals 920 on the one side and the terminals 920 on the other side may move away from the mating terminals 952. 952 As a result, connector 900 of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when mating connector 950 rattles in the width direction relative to connector 900 in the mated state, contact reliability between terminal 920 and mating terminal 952 is lacking.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that ensures contact reliability between a terminal and a mating terminal when the mating connector rattles in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a first connector, A connector comprising a housing, a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of connecting portions, The housing has two sidewalls and a coupling portion, the connecting portion connects the two side wall portions to each other so as to maintain a constant distance between the two side wall portions in the width direction, The terminals are arranged in two terminal rows, the two terminal rows are held by the two side wall portions, respectively; In each of the two terminal rows, the terminals are arranged in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction, the terminals in one of the two terminal rows correspond to the terminals in the other of the two terminal rows, Each of the terminals has a press-fit portion, a support portion, a contact point, and a connected portion, the press-fitted portion is press-fitted into the side wall portion, the support portion extends from the press-fit portion, the contact is supported by the support, the contact points of the terminals in the one terminal row face the contact points of the corresponding terminals in the other terminal row in the width direction, the coupled portion extends from the contact point, Each of the connecting portions is made of an insulator, Each of the connecting portions connects the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. Provide a connector.

[0007] The present invention also provides a first connector as the second connector, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched between the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the up-down direction, the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. Provide a connector.

[0008] The present invention also provides a third connector, which is the first connector, the connected portion has an upper surface and a lower surface in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction, Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the upper surface of the connected portion of the terminal of the one terminal row to the upper surface of the connected portion of the corresponding terminal of the other terminal row, or connects, in the width direction, the lower surface of the connected portion of the terminal of the one terminal row to the lower surface of the connected portion of the corresponding terminal of the other terminal row. Provide a connector.

[0009] The present invention also provides a fourth connector, which is the first connector, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched in the width direction between the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. Provide a connector.

[0010] The present invention also provides a fifth connector, which is the fourth connector, The coupled portion has a vertical portion, the vertical portion extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched in the width direction between the vertical portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the vertical portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the vertical portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the vertical portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. Provide a connector.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention provides a sixth connector, which is any one of the first to fifth connectors, In each of the terminals, the size of the support portion in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of the connected portion in the pitch direction. Provide a connector.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a seventh connector, which is any one of the connectors up to the sixth connector, Each of the side walls has a receiving portion; The receiving portion partially receives the supporting portion when the supporting portion is elastically deformed. Provide a connector.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention provides an eighth connector, which is the sixth or seventh connector, Each of the terminals has a uniform thickness, the support portion has a narrow portion that is relatively small in the pitch direction and two wide portions that are relatively large in the pitch direction, perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction In the vertical direction, the narrow portion is closer to the contact point than either of the wide portions. Provide a connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The connector of the present invention is configured as follows: the connector includes a plurality of terminals and a plurality of connecting portions made of an insulator. ;The terminals constitute two terminal rows; one terminal of each of the two terminal rows corresponds to a terminal of the other of the two terminal rows; each terminal has a connectable portion; and each connecting portion connects the connectable portion of one terminal of each of the two terminal rows to the connectable portion of the corresponding terminal of the other of the two terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in the connector of the present invention, the connectable portion of one terminal of each of the two terminal rows is connected to the connectable portion of the corresponding terminal of the other of the two terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction by a connecting portion made of an insulator. As a result, in the connector of the present invention, when the mating connector is mated with the connector, if the mating connector shifts to one side in the width direction relative to the connector, the corresponding mating terminal is pressed against the terminal of the terminal row on the one side, and the terminal of the terminal row on the other side in the width direction is pulled to the one side, thereby maintaining contact between the terminal of the terminal row on the other side and the corresponding mating terminal. That is, in the connector of the present invention, contact reliability between the terminals and the mating terminals is ensured even when the mating connector rattles in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are fitted together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 2 along line AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the assembly of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line BB. [Figure 6] 2 is a top perspective view showing a connector included in the assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 6. [Figure 9]9 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 8 taken along line CC. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 6. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 10 taken along line DD. [Figure 12] 7 is a perspective view showing a contact structure included in the connector of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view showing the contact structure of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the contact structure of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a top view of the contact structure of FIG. 12. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the contact structure of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the contact structure of FIG. 12. [Figure 18] 7 is a perspective view showing a contact structure included in a first modified example of the connector of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a front view showing the contact structure of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a rear view of the contact structure of FIG. 18. [Figure 21] FIG. 19 is a top view of the contact structure of FIG. 18. [Figure 22] FIG. 19 is a side view of the contact structure of FIG. 18. [Figure 23] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the contact structure of FIG. 18. [Figure 24] 7 is a perspective view showing a contact structure included in a second modified example of the connector of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a top view of the contact structure of FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 25 is a side view of the contact structure of FIG. 24. [Figure 27] FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the contact structure of FIG. 24. [Figure 28] 7 is a perspective view showing a contact structure included in a third modified example of the connector of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a top view of the contact structure of FIG. 28. [Figure 30] FIG. 29 is a side view of the contact structure of FIG. 28. [Figure 31] FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the contact structure of FIG. 28. [Figure 32] 2 is a perspective view showing a mating connector included in the assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 32. [Figure 34] 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of FIG. 33 taken along line EE. [Figure 35] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of Patent Document 1. In the figure, the connector and the mating connector are in a mated state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5, the assembly 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a connector 100 and a mating connector 800.

[0017] 5, mating connector 800 of the present embodiment can be mated with connector 100 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. Here, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 32, a mating connector 800 of this embodiment includes a mating housing 810 and a plurality of mating terminals 850.

[0019] 32, mating housing 810 of the present embodiment is made of an insulating material. Mating housing 810 extends in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the pitch direction is the Y direction.

[0020] 32 and 33, the mating terminals 850 of this embodiment constitute two mating terminal rows 840. The two mating terminal rows 840 are aligned 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. The width direction also corresponds to the front-rear direction. Here, the front is the +X direction and the rear is the −X direction. The two mating terminal rows 840 are held in a mating housing 810. In each of the two mating terminal rows 840, the mating terminals 850 are aligned in the pitch direction. One mating terminal 850 of the two mating terminal rows 840 corresponds to the other mating terminal 850 of the two mating terminal rows 840. In the pitch direction, the mating terminals 850 of one mating terminal row 840 are located at the same position as the corresponding mating terminals 850 of the other mating terminal row 840.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 34 , each of the mating terminals 850 has a mating contact portion 852. The mating contact portion 852 is exposed from the mating housing 810. The mating contact portion 852 faces outward in the width direction. The mating contact portion 852 is a plane perpendicular to the width direction. The mating contact portions 852 of the mating terminals 850 in the front mating terminal row 840 face forward in the front-to-rear direction. The mating contact portions 852 of the mating terminals 850 in the rear mating terminal row 840 face backward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] 11, connector 100 of this embodiment is mounted on a substrate (not shown). Connector 100 includes housing 200, a plurality of terminals 400, 500, and a plurality of connecting portions 700.

[0023] 8, the housing 200 of this embodiment has two side walls 210, 211, two coupling portions 230, and a mating connector receiving portion 240. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of coupling portions 230 may be one. In other words, it is sufficient for the housing 200 to have two side walls 210, 211 and the coupling portion 230.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 8, each of the side walls 210, 211 in this embodiment extends in the pitch direction. The side walls 210, 211 define both ends of the housing 200 in the width direction. The two side walls 210, 211 are aligned in the width direction, i.e., the front-rear direction. The side wall 210 is located in front of the side wall 211 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 8, the side wall portion 210 has a plurality of receiving portions 212 and a plurality of press-fit portions 214 .

[0026] 6 and 11, each of the receiving portions 212 in this embodiment communicates with the outside of the housing 200 in the width direction. The receiving portions 212 correspond to the press-fit portions 214, respectively. The receiving portions 212 are located above the corresponding press-fit portions 214 in the up-down direction. The receiving portions 212 open forward in the front-rear direction.

[0027] 8 and 11, each of the press-fitting portions 214 in this embodiment is a groove that penetrates the side wall portion 210 in the up-down direction.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the side wall portion 211 has a plurality of receiving portions 213 and a plurality of press-fitting portions 215.

[0029] 11, each of the receiving portions 213 in this embodiment communicates with the outside of the housing 200 in the width direction. The receiving portions 213 correspond to the press-fit portions 215, respectively. The receiving portions 213 are located above the corresponding press-fit portions 215 in the up-down direction. The receiving portions 213 open rearward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] 8 and 11, each of the press-fitting portions 215 in this embodiment is a groove that penetrates the side wall portion 211 in the up-down direction.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 8, each of the coupling portions 230 in this embodiment extends in the width direction. The coupling portions 230 define both ends of the housing 200 in the pitch direction. The two coupling portions 230 are aligned in the pitch direction. The coupling portions 230 are located at both ends of the side wall portion 210 in the pitch direction. The coupling portions 230 are located at both ends of the side wall portion 211 in the pitch direction. Each of the coupling portions 230 couples the two side wall portions 210, 211 to each other. More specifically, each of the coupling portions 230 couples the two side wall portions 210, 211 to each other so as to maintain a constant distance between the two side wall portions 210, 211 in the width direction.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 11, the mating connector receiving portion 240 of this embodiment opens upward in the up-down direction. The mating connector receiving portion 240 is located between the side wall portions 210, 211 in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 8, the mating connector receiving portion 240 is located between the two coupling portions 230 in the pitch direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the mating connector receiving portion 240 receives a portion of the mating connector 800 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, the terminals 400 and 500 of this embodiment form two terminal rows 300 and 310. The two terminal rows 300 and 310 are aligned in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. In each of the two terminal rows 300 and 310, the terminals 400 and 500 are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction. The two terminal rows 300 and 310 are held by two side wall portions 210 and 211, respectively. One terminal 400 of each of the two terminal rows 300 and 310 corresponds to one terminal 500 of each of the two terminal rows 300 and 310. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 15, a terminal 400 in one terminal row 300 and a corresponding terminal 500 in the remaining terminal row 310 form a terminal pair 350. In the pitch direction, the terminals 400 in one terminal row 300 are located at the same positions as the corresponding terminals 500 in the other terminal row 310. That is, in each terminal pair 350, the two terminals 400, 500 are located at the same positions as each other in the pitch direction. Referring to Fig. 5, the terminals 400, 500 are each connected to a mating terminal 850 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 8, the terminals 400 form the terminal row 300. The terminals 400 are arranged in a line in the pitch direction. The terminals 400 are held by the side wall portion 210. The terminals 400 correspond to the terminals 500, respectively. The terminals 400 correspond to the receiving portion 212 and the press-fit portion 214, respectively.

[0035] 16, each of the terminals 400 is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each of the terminals 400 has a uniform plate thickness. Each of the terminals 400 has a fixed portion 410, a press-fit portion 420, a support portion 430, a contact point 440, and a connected portion 450.

[0036] 16, the fixed portion 410 of this embodiment defines the outer end of the terminal 400 in the width direction. In other words, the fixed portion 410 defines the front end of the terminal 400 in the front-rear direction. The fixed portion 410 defines the bottom end of the terminal 400 in the up-down direction. The fixed portion 410 is fixed to a pad (not shown) of the board when the connector 100 is mounted on the board.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 16, the press-fitted portion 420 of the present embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the inner end in the width direction of the fixed portion 410. That is, the press-fitted portion 420 extends upward in the up-down direction from the rear end in the front-rear direction of the fixed portion 410. As shown in Fig. 11, the press-fitted portion 420 is press-fitted into the side wall portion 210. More specifically, the press-fitted portion 420 of the terminal 400 is press-fitted into the corresponding press-fit portion 214 of the side wall portion 210.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 16 , the support portion 430 in this embodiment extends from the press-fitted portion 420. More specifically, the support portion 430 extends upward from the upper end of the press-fitted portion 420, then bends to extend inward in the width direction, and then bends again to extend downward. That is, the support portion 430 extends upward from the upper end of the press-fitted portion 420, then bends to extend rearward in the front-to-rear direction, and then bends again to extend downward. The support portion 430 is elastically deformable. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 11 , the receiving portion 212 partially receives the support portion 430 when the support portion 430 elastically deforms. That is, each receiving portion 212 partially receives the support portion 430 of the corresponding terminal 400 when the support portion 430 of the corresponding terminal 400 elastically deforms. In the width direction, the support portion 430 of the terminal 400 is located between the corresponding receiving portion 212 and the contact 440. The support portion 430 of the terminal 400 is located inside the corresponding receiving portion 212 in the width direction. In other words, the support portion 430 of the terminal 400 is located behind the corresponding receiving portion 212 in the front-rear direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 13, the support portion 430 has a narrow portion 432 that is relatively small in the pitch direction and two wide portions 434 that are relatively large in the pitch direction.

[0040] 13, the narrow portion 432 of this embodiment is located between the two wide portions 434 in the vertical direction. The size of the narrow portion 432 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of the wide portion 434 in the pitch direction. As shown in FIG. 16, the narrow portion 432 is closer to the contact point 440 than either of the wide portions 434 in the vertical direction.

[0041] 13, in this embodiment, one of the wide portions 434 is connected to the press-fit portion 420. That is, the lower end of the one wide portion 434 is connected to the upper end of the press-fit portion 420. The one wide portion 434 connects the narrow portion 432 and the press-fit portion 420. The remaining one of the wide portions 434 is connected to the narrow portion 432. That is, the lower end of the remaining one wide portion 434 is connected to the upper end of the narrow portion 432. The size of the wide portion 434 in the pitch direction is larger than the size of the narrow portion 432 in the pitch direction. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the wide portions 434 is farther from the contact point 440 than the narrow portion 432 in the up-down direction.

[0042] 5, the contacts 440 of this embodiment come into contact with the mating contact portions 852 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated. As shown in FIG. 16, the contacts 440 are supported by the support portions 430. That is, the contacts 440 are elastically supported by the support portions 430. As described above, the support portions 430 are elastically deformable, so the contacts 440 are movable in the width direction. The contacts 440 face inward in the width direction. Specifically, the contacts 440 face rearward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 16 , the connectable portion 450 in this embodiment extends from the contact 440. The connectable portion 450 extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact 440, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. That is, the connectable portion 450 extends downward and forward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact 440, then bends and extends rearward in the front-to-rear direction. The connectable portion 450 defines the inner end of the terminal 400 in the width direction. Specifically, the connectable portion 450 defines the rear end of the terminal 400 in the front-to-rear direction. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15 , in each terminal 400, the size SS in the pitch direction of the support portion 430 is smaller than the size CS in the pitch direction of the connectable portion 450. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the connector 100 is viewed from above, a portion of the connectable portion 450 is visible.

[0044] 16, the coupled portion 450 has an upper surface 451 and a lower surface 452 in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. The coupled portion 450 also has an end surface 456 in the width direction.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 16, upper surface 451 of the present embodiment faces upward in the vertical direction. Upper surface 451 is a plane that intersects with the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 8, when connector 100 is viewed from above, upper surface 451 is visible.

[0046] 16, the lower surface 452 of this embodiment faces downward in the vertical direction. The lower surface 452 is a surface that intersects with the vertical direction.

[0047] As shown in Figure 16, the end face 456 of this embodiment faces inward in the width direction. That is, the end face 456 faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction. The end face 456 is a surface that intersects with the width direction. The end face 456 defines the inner end of the terminal 400 in the width direction. That is, the end face 456 defines the rear end of the terminal 400 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0048] 8, the terminals 500 form a terminal row 310. The terminals 500 are arranged in a line in the pitch direction. The terminals 500 are held by the side wall portion 211. The terminals 500 correspond to the receiving portions 213 and the press-fitting portions 215, respectively.

[0049] 16, each of the terminals 500 is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each of the terminals 500 has a uniform plate thickness. The terminals 500 have a different shape from the terminals 400. Each of the terminals 500 has a fixed portion 510, a press-fit portion 520, a support portion 530, a contact point 540, and a connected portion 550.

[0050] 16, the fixed portion 510 of this embodiment defines the outer end of the terminal 500 in the width direction. In other words, the fixed portion 510 defines the rear end of the terminal 500 in the front-to-rear direction. The fixed portion 510 defines the lower end of the terminal 500 in the up-down direction. The fixed portion 510 is fixed to a pad (not shown) of the board when the connector 100 is mounted on the board.

[0051] 16, the press-fitted portion 520 of the present embodiment extends upward in the up-down direction from the inner end in the width direction of the fixed portion 510. That is, the press-fitted portion 520 extends upward in the up-down direction from the front end in the front-rear direction of the fixed portion 510. As shown in FIG. 11, the press-fitted portion 520 is press-fitted into the side wall portion 211. More specifically, the press-fitted portion 520 of the terminal 500 is press-fitted into the corresponding press-fit portion 215 of the side wall portion 211.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 16 , the support portion 530 of this embodiment extends from the press-fitted portion 520. More specifically, the support portion 530 extends upward from the upper end of the press-fitted portion 520, then bends to extend inward in the width direction, and then bends again to extend downward. That is, the support portion 530 extends upward from the upper end of the press-fitted portion 520, then bends to extend forward in the front-to-rear direction, and then bends again to extend downward. The support portion 530 is elastically deformable. As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 11 , the receiving portion 213 partially receives the support portion 530 when the support portion 530 elastically deforms. That is, each receiving portion 213 partially receives the support portion 530 of the corresponding terminal 500 when the support portion 530 of the corresponding terminal 500 elastically deforms. In the width direction, the support portion 530 of the terminal 500 is located between the corresponding receiving portion 213 and the contact 540. The support portions 530 of the terminals 500 are located inside the corresponding receiving portions 213 in the width direction. That is, the support portions 530 of the terminals 500 are located in front of the corresponding receiving portions 213 in the front-rear direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 14, the support portion 530 has a narrow portion 532 that is relatively small in the pitch direction and two wide portions 534 that are relatively large in the pitch direction.

[0054] 14, narrow portion 532 in this embodiment is located between two wide portions 534 in the vertical direction. The size of narrow portion 532 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of wide portion 534 in the pitch direction. As shown in FIG. 16, narrow portion 532 is closer to contact point 540 than either of wide portions 534 in the vertical direction.

[0055] 14, in this embodiment, one of the wide portions 534 is connected to the press-fit portion 520. That is, the lower end of the one wide portion 534 is connected to the upper end of the press-fit portion 520. The one wide portion 534 connects the narrow portion 532 and the press-fit portion 520. The remaining one of the wide portions 534 is connected to the narrow portion 532. That is, the lower end of the remaining one wide portion 534 is connected to the upper end of the narrow portion 532. The size of the wide portion 534 in the pitch direction is larger than the size of the narrow portion 532 in the pitch direction. As shown in FIG. 16, each of the wide portions 534 is farther from the contact point 540 in the up-down direction than the narrow portion 532.

[0056] 5, the contacts 540 of this embodiment come into contact with the mating contact portions 852 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated. As shown in FIG. 16, the contacts 540 are supported by the support portions 530. That is, the contacts 540 are elastically supported by the support portions 530. As described above, the support portions 530 are elastically deformable, so the contacts 540 are movable in the width direction. The contacts 540 face inward in the width direction. Specifically, the contacts 540 face forward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0057] 8 and 15, each contact 440 of a terminal 400 in one terminal row 300 faces a contact 540 of a corresponding terminal 500 in the other terminal row 310 in the width direction. That is, in each terminal pair 350, the contacts 440, 540 of the two terminals 400, 500 face each other in the width direction. In each terminal pair 350, the contacts 440, 540 of the two terminals 400, 500 are located at the same position as each other in the pitch direction. That is, each contact 440 of a terminal 400 in one terminal row 300 is located at the same position as the contact 540 of the corresponding terminal 500 in the other terminal row 310 in the pitch direction. As a result, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated and the terminals 400, 500 are connected to the mating terminal 850, the contact force of the contact 440 of the terminal 400 in the terminal row 300 and the contact force of the contact 540 of the corresponding terminal 500 in the terminal row 310 are configured so as not to become an even force.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 16, the coupled portion 550 in this embodiment extends from the contact point 540. Specifically, the coupled portion 550 extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. In other words, the coupled portion 550 extends downward and rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends forward in the front-to-rear direction. The coupled portion 550 defines the inner end of the terminal 500 in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 550 is Front and rear 14 and 17, in each of terminals 500, size SS in the pitch direction of supporting portion 530 is smaller than size CS in the pitch direction of coupled portion 550. As shown in FIG. 7, when connector 100 is viewed from below, part of coupled portion 550 is visible.

[0059] 8 and 16, the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one terminal row 300 are located at different positions in the vertical direction from the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the other terminal row 310. Specifically, the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in the terminal row 300 are located above the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the terminal row 310 in the vertical direction. The connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one terminal row 300 and the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the other terminal row 310 partially overlap in the width direction. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 17, the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one terminal row 300 are located at the same positions in the pitch direction as the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the other terminal row 310.

[0060] 16, the coupled portion 550 has an upper surface 551 and a lower surface 552 in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. The coupled portion 550 also has an end surface 556 in the width direction.

[0061] 16, upper surface 551 of this embodiment faces upward in the vertical direction. Upper surface 551 is a surface that intersects with the vertical direction.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 16, lower surface 552 in this embodiment faces downward in the vertical direction. Lower surface 552 is a plane that intersects with the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 7, when connector 100 is viewed from below, lower surface 552 is visible.

[0063] 16, the end face 556 of this embodiment faces inward in the width direction. That is, the end face 556 faces forward in the front-to-rear direction. The end face 556 is a surface that intersects with the width direction. The end face 556 defines the inner end of the terminal 500 in the width direction. That is, the end face 556 defines the front end of the terminal 500 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 9, each of the connecting portions 700 of this embodiment is made of an insulator. Specifically, the connecting portion 700 is formed by applying adhesive to both the upper and lower surfaces of a sheet-like insulating base material. Referring to FIG. 16, the connecting portions 700 correspond to the terminal pairs 350, respectively. The terminal pairs 350 and the corresponding connecting portions 700 constitute a contact structure 360. In the contact structure 360, the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 are located at different positions in the vertical direction. The contact structure 360 ​​has an asymmetric shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the width direction and passing through the center of the contact structure 360 ​​in the width direction. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 17, in the contact structure 360, the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 are located at the same position in the pitch direction.

[0065] As described above, connector 100 of this embodiment is configured so that when connector 100 and mating connector 800 are mated and terminals 400, 500 are connected to mating terminals 850, the contact force of contacts 440 of terminals 400 in terminal row 300 and the contact force of contacts 540 of corresponding terminals 500 in terminal row 310 do not become a couple of forces. As a result, when connector 100 and mating connector 800 are mated and terminals 400, 500 are connected to mating terminals 850, no moment is generated in contact structure 360 ​​around the vertical axis of rotation.

[0066] 8 and 11, each of the connecting portions 700 connects the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one of the terminal rows 300 to the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the remaining terminal row 310 in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in the terminal row 300 and the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the terminal row 310 are connected in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction by the connecting portions 700 made of an insulator. As a result, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, if the mating connector 800 shifts to one side in the width direction relative to the connector 100 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated, the corresponding mating terminals 850 are pressed against the terminals 400, 500 of the terminal rows 300, 310 on one side, and the terminals 400, 500 of the terminal rows 300, 310 on the other side in the width direction are pulled to the one side, so that contact is maintained between the terminals 400, 500 of the terminal rows 300, 310 on the other side and the corresponding mating terminals 850. That is, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, contact reliability between the terminals 400, 500 and the mating terminals 850 is ensured even when the mating connector 800 rattles in the width direction relative to the connector 100 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated.

[0067] As described above, in each of the terminals 400, the size SS in the pitch direction of the support portion 430 is smaller than the size CS in the pitch direction of the connected portion 450, and in each of the terminals 500, the size SS in the pitch direction of the support portion 530 is smaller than the size CS in the pitch direction of the connected portion 550The size CS in the pitch direction is smaller than the size CS of the mating connector 800. As a result, if the mating connector 800 rattles in the width direction relative to the connector 100 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated, the support portions 430, 530 are more likely to bend, making it easier for the contacts 440, 540 to follow the movement of the mating connector 800 in the width direction. Furthermore, with regard to the contact force of the terminals 400, 500 against the mating terminal 850 when the mating connector 800 rattles in the width direction relative to the connector 100 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated, the spring forces of the coupled portions 450, 550 and the connecting portion 700 press the terminals 400, 500 against the mating contact portion 852 from the outside in the width direction. In other words, in the connector 100 of this embodiment, even if the mating connector 800 rattles in the width direction relative to the connector 100 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated, there is no difference in the contact force between the terminals 400 and 500 and the mating terminal 850.

[0068] As described above, in the contact structure 360 ​​of this embodiment, the terminals 400, 500 each have a uniform plate thickness, and the support portions 430, 530 have narrow portions 432, 532 that are relatively small in the pitch direction and two wide portions 434, 534 that are relatively large in the pitch direction, and in the up-down direction, the narrow portions 432, 532 are closer to the contacts 440, 540 than either of the wide portions 434, 534. That is, with reference to Figures 5 and 11, the narrow portions 432, 532 that are relatively small in the pitch direction are located in locations that are close to the contacts 440, 540 and therefore have a small bending moment when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated, and the wide portions 434, 534 that are relatively large in the pitch direction are located in locations that are far from the contacts 440, 540 and therefore have a large bending moment when the connector 100 and the mating connector 800 are mated. This makes it possible to equalize the bending stress that occurs at each location of the support portions 430, 530 when the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 800. Therefore, in the contact structure 360 ​​of this embodiment, stress is not concentrated on one part of the support portions 430, 530, causing plastic deformation, when the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 800. The arrangement and size in the pitch direction of the narrow portions 432, 532 and the wide portions 434, 534 can be appropriately set in consideration of the shape of the contact structure 360.

[0069] 8 and 16 , each of the connecting portions 700 is sandwiched between the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one of the terminal rows 300 and the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the other of the terminal rows 310 in the up-down direction, which is perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. Each of the connecting portions 700 connects the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in one of the terminal rows 300 to the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the other of the terminal rows 310 in the up-down direction. Specifically, each of the connecting portions 700 connects the lower surfaces 452 of the connectable portions 450 of the terminals 400 in the terminal row 300 to the upper surfaces 551 of the connectable portions 550 of the corresponding terminals 500 in the terminal row 310 in the up-down direction. Note that the connecting portion 700 is not connected to the end surfaces 456 of the terminals 400. Furthermore, the connecting portion 700 is not connected to the end surface 556 of the terminal 500 .

[0070] 9 and 16, in each contact structure 360, the corresponding connecting portion 700 is sandwiched between the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 in the vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. In each contact structure 360, the connecting portion 700 connects the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 in the direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in each contact structure 360, the connecting portion 700 connects the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. More specifically, in each contact structure 360, the connecting portion 700 connects the lower surface 452 of the connectable portion 450 of the terminal 400 to the upper surface 551 of the connectable portion 550 of the terminal 500 in the vertical direction.

[0071] 16, the connection between the connecting portion 700 and the connectable portions 450, 550 of the terminals 400, 500 is performed, for example, as follows: Each connecting portion 700 is sandwiched between the connectable portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 550, and in this state, heat and pressure are applied to the connectable portions 450, 550 to connect the connecting portion 700 and the connectable portions 450, 550.

[0072] Up to this point, the embodiment of the present invention has been described, but this embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0073] (First Modification) 6 and 18, a connector (not shown) of the first modified example includes a housing (not shown), a plurality of terminals 400A, 500A, and a plurality of connecting portions 700A. The housing of this modified example is similar to housing 200 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 22, the terminals 400A and 500A of this modified example form two terminal rows (not shown). The two terminal rows are aligned in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. The two terminal rows are respectively held by two side walls (not shown) of the housing. In each of the two terminal rows, the terminals 400A and 500A are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction. One terminal 400A of the two terminal rows corresponds to one terminal 500A of the other terminal row. The terminal 400A of one terminal row and the corresponding terminal 500A of the other terminal row form a terminal pair 350A. Referring to FIG. 21, the terminal 400A of one terminal row is located at the same position as the corresponding terminal 500A of the other terminal row in the pitch direction. That is, in each terminal pair 350A, the two terminals 400A and 500A are located at the same position as each other in the pitch direction. The terminals 400A and 500A are connected to mating terminals (not shown) of the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector (not shown) are mated.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 22, each of the terminals 400A is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each of the terminals 400A has a uniform plate thickness. Each of the terminals 400A has a fixed portion 410, a press-fit portion 420, a support portion 430, a contact point 440, and a connected portion 450A. The fixed portion 410, press-fit portion 420, support portion 430, and contact point 440 of this modified example are similar to the fixed portion 410, press-fit portion 420, support portion 430, and contact point 440 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] As shown in Figure 22, Variations The coupled portion 450A extends from the contact point 440. The coupled portion 450A extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. That is, the coupled portion 450A extends downward and forward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends backward in the front-to-rear direction. The coupled portion 450A defines the inner end of the terminal 400A in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 450A defines the inner end of the terminal 400A. Front and rear 19 and 21, in each of terminals 400A, the size of supporting portion 430 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 450A in the pitch direction.

[0077] 22, coupled portion 450A has upper surface 451A and lower surface 452A in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. Coupled portion 450A also has end surface 456A in the width direction. Upper surface 451A, lower surface 452A, and end surface 456A of this modified example are similar to upper surface 451, lower surface 452, and end surface 456 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 22 , terminal 500A has the same shape as terminal 400A. Each terminal 500A is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each terminal 500A has a uniform plate thickness. Each terminal 500A has a fixed portion 510, a press-fitted portion 520, a support portion 530, a contact point 540, and a connected portion 550A. Fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of this modified example are similar to fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] As shown in Figure 22, VariationsThe coupled portion 550A extends from the contact point 540. The coupled portion 550A extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. That is, the coupled portion 550A extends downward and rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends forward in the front-to-rear direction. The coupled portion 550A defines the inner end of the terminal 500A in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 550A defines the inner end of the terminal 500A. Front and rear 20 and 21, in each of terminals 500A, the size of supporting portion 530 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 550A in the pitch direction.

[0080] 22, each of the connectable portions 450A of the terminals 400A in one terminal row is spaced apart in the width direction from the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other terminal row. Each of the connectable portions 450A of the terminals 400A in one terminal row is located at the same position in the vertical direction as the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other terminal row. Referring to FIG. 21, each of the connectable portions 450A of the terminals 400A in one terminal row is located at the same position in the pitch direction as the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other terminal row.

[0081] 22, coupled portion 550A has upper surface 551A and lower surface 552A in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. Coupled portion 550A also has end surface 556A in the width direction. Upper surface 551A, lower surface 552A, and end surface 556A of this modified example are similar to upper surface 551, lower surface 552, and end surface 556 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 22, the connecting portion 700A of this modified example is made of an insulator. The connecting portion 700A corresponds to each terminal pair 350A. The terminal pair 350A and the corresponding connecting portion 700A constitute a contact structure 360A. In the contact structure 360A of this modified example, the connectable portions 450A and 550A of the two terminals 400A and 500A are positioned apart from each other in the width direction. In the contact structure 360A, the connectable portions 450A and 550A of the two terminals 400A and 500A are positioned at the same position in the up-down direction. The contact structure 360A has a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the width direction and passing through the center of the contact structure 360A in the width direction. Referring to FIG. 21, in the contact structure 360A, the connectable portions 450A and 550A of the two terminals 400A and 500A are positioned at the same position in the pitch direction.

[0083] 22, each of the connecting portions 700A connects the connectable portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one of the terminal rows to the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other of the terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in the connector of this modified example, the connectable portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one of the two terminal rows is connected to the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other of the two terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction by the connecting portion 700A made of an insulator. As a result, in the connector of this modification, if the mating connector shifts to one side in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated, the corresponding mating terminals are pressed against the terminals 400A, 500A in the terminal row on one side, and the terminals 400A, 500A in the terminal row on the other side in the width direction are pulled to the one side, so that contact between the terminals 400A, 500A in the terminal row on the other side and the corresponding mating terminals is also maintained. In other words, in the connector of this modification, contact reliability between the terminals 400A, 500A and the mating terminals is ensured even if the mating connector rattles in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated.

[0084] Referring to Figure 22, each connecting portion 700A connects the connected portion 450A of a terminal 400A in one terminal row to the connected portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other terminal row in the width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction.

[0085] 22 , each of the connecting portions 700A connects, in the width direction, a lower surface 452A of the connectable portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one of the terminal rows to a lower surface 552A of the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other of the terminal rows. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the connecting portions 700A may connect, in the width direction, an upper surface 451A of the connectable portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one of the terminal rows to an upper surface 551A of the connectable portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the other of the terminal rows. That is, each connecting portion 700A may connect in the width direction the upper surface 451A of the connected portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one terminal row to the upper surface 551A of the connected portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the remaining terminal row, or may connect in the width direction the lower surface 452A of the connected portion 450A of the terminal 400A in one terminal row to the lower surface 552A of the connected portion 550A of the corresponding terminal 500A in the remaining terminal row.

[0086] 22, in each contact structure 360A, the connecting portion 700A connects the connectable portions 450A, 550A of the two terminals 400A, 500A in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in each contact structure 360A, the connecting portion 700A connects the connectable portions 450A, 550A of the two terminals 400A, 500A in the width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction.

[0087] (Second Modification) 6 and 24, a connector (not shown) of the second modified example includes a housing (not shown), a plurality of terminals 400B, 500B, and a plurality of connecting portions 700B. The housing of this modified example is similar to housing 200 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 26, the terminals 400B and 500B of this modified example form two terminal rows (not shown). The two terminal rows are aligned in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. The two terminal rows are respectively held by two side walls (not shown) of the housing. In each of the two terminal rows, the terminals 400B and 500B are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction. One terminal 400B of the two terminal rows corresponds to the other terminal 500B of the two terminal rows. The terminal 400B of one terminal row and the corresponding terminal 500B of the other terminal row form a terminal pair 350B. Referring to FIG. 25, the terminal 400B of one terminal row is located at the same position as the corresponding terminal 500B of the other terminal row in the pitch direction. That is, in each terminal pair 350B, the two terminals 400B and 500B are located at the same position as each other in the pitch direction. The terminals 400B and 500B are connected to mating terminals (not shown) of the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector (not shown) are mated.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 26, each of the terminals 400B is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each of the terminals 400B has a uniform plate thickness. Each of the terminals 400B has a fixed portion 410, a press-fit portion 420, a support portion 430, a contact point 440, and a connected portion 450B. The fixed portion 410, press-fit portion 420, support portion 430, and contact point 440 of this modified example are similar to the fixed portion 410, press-fit portion 420, support portion 430, and contact point 440 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] As shown in Figure 26, Variations The coupled portion 450B extends from the contact point 440. Specifically, the coupled portion 450B extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. In other words, the coupled portion 450B extends downward and forward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends backward in the front-to-rear direction. The coupled portion 450B defines the inner end of the terminal 400B in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 450B defines the inner end of the terminal 400B in the width direction. Front and rear24 and 25, in each of terminals 400B, the size of supporting portion 430 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 450B in the pitch direction.

[0091] 26, coupled portion 450B has upper surface 451B and lower surface 452B in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. Coupled portion 450B also has end surface 456B in the width direction. Upper surface 451B, lower surface 452B, and end surface 456B of this modified example are similar to upper surface 451, lower surface 452, and end surface 456 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 26 , terminal 500B has the same shape as terminal 400B. Each terminal 500B is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each terminal 500B has a uniform plate thickness. Each terminal 500B has a fixed portion 510, a press-fitted portion 520, a support portion 530, a contact point 540, and a connected portion 550B. The fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of this modified example are similar to the fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Figure 26, Variations The coupled portion 550B extends from the contact point 540. The coupled portion 550B extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends inward in the width direction. That is, the coupled portion 550B extends downward and rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends forward in the front-to-rear direction. The coupled portion 550B defines the inner end of the terminal 500B in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 550B defines the inner end of the terminal 500B. Front and rear 24 and 25, in each of terminals 500B, the size of supporting portion 530 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 550B in the pitch direction.

[0094] 26, each of the connectable portions 450B of the terminals 400B in one terminal row is spaced apart in the width direction from the connectable portions 550B of the corresponding terminals 500B in the other terminal row. Each of the connectable portions 450B of the terminals 400B in one terminal row is located at the same position in the vertical direction as the connectable portions 550B of the corresponding terminals 500B in the other terminal row. Referring to FIG. 25, each of the connectable portions 450B of the terminals 400B in one terminal row is located at the same position in the pitch direction as the connectable portions 550B of the corresponding terminals 500B in the other terminal row.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 26, the connecting portion 700B of this modified example is made of an insulator. The connecting portion 700B corresponds to each terminal pair 350B. The terminal pair 350B and the corresponding connecting portion 700B constitute a contact structure 360B. In the contact structure 360B of this modified example, the connected portions 450B, 550B of the two terminals 400B, 500B are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. In the contact structure 360B, the connected portions 450B, 550B of the two terminals 400B, 500B are located at the same position in the up-down direction. The contact structure 360B has a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the width direction and passing through the center of the contact structure 360B in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 25, in the contact structure 360B, the connected portions 450B, 550B of the two terminals 400B, 500B are located at the same position in the pitch direction.

[0096] 26, each of the connecting portions 700B connects the connectable portion 450B of the terminal 400B in one of the terminal rows to the connectable portion 550B of the corresponding terminal 500B in the other of the terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in the connector of this modified example, the connectable portion 450B of the terminal 400B in one of the two terminal rows is connected to the connectable portion 550B of the corresponding terminal 500B in the other of the two terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction by the connecting portion 700B made of an insulator. As a result, in the connector of this modification, if the mating connector shifts to one side in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated, the corresponding mating terminals are pressed against the terminals 400B, 500B in the terminal row on one side, and the terminals 400B, 500B in the terminal row on the other side in the width direction are pulled to the one side, so that contact between the terminals 400B, 500B in the terminal row on the other side and the corresponding mating terminals is also maintained. In other words, in the connector of this modification, contact reliability between the terminals 400B, 500B and the mating terminals is ensured even if the mating connector rattles in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated.

[0097] 26, each of the connecting portions 700B connects in the width direction the connected portion 450B of the terminal 400B in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion 550B of the corresponding terminal 500B in the other of the terminal rows. Each of the connecting portions 700B is sandwiched in the width direction between the connected portion 450B of the terminal 400B in one of the terminal rows and the connected portion 550B of the corresponding terminal 500B in the other of the terminal rows.

[0098] Referring to Figure 26, the connecting portion 700B is connected to the end face 456B of the connected portion 450B of the terminal 400B in one of the terminal rows, and is also connected to the end face 556B of the connected portion 550B of the corresponding terminal 500B in the remaining terminal row.

[0099] 26, in each contact structure 360B, the connecting portion 700B connects the connectable portions 450B, 550B of the two terminals 400B, 500B in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in each contact structure 360B, the connecting portion 700B connects the connectable portions 450B, 550B of the two terminals 400B, 500B in the width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction.

[0100] (Third Modification) 6 and 28, a connector (not shown) of the third modified example includes a housing (not shown), a plurality of terminals 400C, 500C, and a plurality of connecting portions 700C. The housing of this modified example is similar to housing 200 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 30, the terminals 400C and 500C of this modified example form two terminal rows (not shown). The two terminal rows are aligned in the width direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. The two terminal rows are respectively held by two side walls (not shown) of the housing. In each of the two terminal rows, the terminals 400C and 500C are aligned in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction. Each terminal 400C in one of the two terminal rows corresponds to a terminal 500C in the other of the two terminal rows. The terminal 400C in one terminal row and the corresponding terminal 500C in the other terminal row form a terminal pair 350C. As shown in FIG. 29, the terminal 400C in one terminal row is located at the same position in the pitch direction as the corresponding terminal 500C in the other terminal row. That is, in each terminal pair 350C, the two terminals 400C, 500C are located at the same position in the pitch direction. When the connector and the mating connector (not shown) are mated, the terminals 400C, 500C are each connected to a mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 30, each of the terminals 400C is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each of the terminals 400C has a uniform plate thickness. Each of the terminals 400C has a fixed portion 410, a press-fit portion 420, a support portion 430, a contact point 440, and a connected portion 450C. Fixed part 410, The press-fitted portion 420, the support portion 430 and the contact point 440 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. Fixed part 410, The press-fitted portion 420, the support portion 430 and the contact point 440 are similar, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 30, the coupled portion 450C of this modified example extends from the contact point 440. Specifically, the coupled portion 450C extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends inward in the width direction, and then bends and extends upward again. In other words, the coupled portion 450C extends downward and forward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 440, then bends and extends backward in the front-to-rear direction, and then bends and extends upward again. The coupled portion 450C defines the inner end of the terminal 400C in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 450C defines the inner end of the terminal 400C. Front and rear 28 and 29, in each of terminals 400C, the size of supporting portion 430 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 450C in the pitch direction.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 30, a coupled portion 450C of this modified example has a vertical portion 454.

[0105] 30, the vertical portion 454 of this modification extends in the up-down direction, which is perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. The vertical portion 454 defines the inner end of the terminal 400C in the width direction. In other words, the vertical portion 454 defines the rear end of the terminal 400C in the front-rear direction.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 30 , terminal 500C has the same shape as terminal 400C. Each terminal 500C is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal plate. That is, each terminal 500C has a uniform plate thickness. Each terminal 500C has a fixed portion 510, a press-fitted portion 520, a support portion 530, a contact point 540, and a connected portion 550C. The fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of this modified example are similar to the fixed portion 510, press-fitted portion 520, support portion 530, and contact point 540 of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] As shown in Figure 30, Variations The coupled portion 550C extends from the contact point 540. The coupled portion 550C extends downward and outward in the width direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends inward in the width direction, and then bends and extends upward again. In other words, the coupled portion 550C extends downward and rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the contact point 540, then bends and extends forward in the front-to-rear direction, and then bends and extends upward again. The coupled portion 550C defines the inner end of the terminal 500C in the width direction. Specifically, the coupled portion 550C defines the inner end of the terminal 500C. Front and rear 28 and 29, in each of terminals 500C, the size of supporting portion 530 in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of connected portion 550C in the pitch direction.

[0108] Referring to Fig. 30, the coupled portions 450C of the terminals 400C in one terminal row are located at the same position in the vertical direction as the coupled portions 550C of the corresponding terminals 500C in the other terminal row. Referring to Fig. 29, the coupled portions 450C of the terminals 400C in one terminal row are located at the same position in the pitch direction as the coupled portions 550C of the corresponding terminals 500C in the other terminal row.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 30, a coupled portion 550C of this modified example has a vertical portion 554.

[0110] 30, the vertical portion 554 of this modification extends in the up-down direction, which is perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction. The vertical portion 554 defines the inner end of the terminal 500C in the width direction. In other words, the vertical portion 554 defines the front end of the terminal 500C in the front-rear direction.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 30 , the coupling portions 700C of this modified example are made of an insulator. The coupling portions 700C correspond to the terminal pairs 350C, respectively. The terminal pairs 350C and the corresponding coupling portions 700C constitute a contact structure 360C. In the contact structure 360C of this modified example, the coupled portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C are positioned apart from each other in the width direction. That is, in the contact structure 360C, the vertical portions 454, 554 of the two terminals 400C, 500C are positioned apart from each other in the width direction. In the contact structure 360C, the coupled portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C are positioned at the same position in the up-down direction. That is, in the contact structure 360C, the vertical portions 454, 554 of the two terminals 400C, 500C are positioned at the same position in the up-down direction. The contact structure 360C has a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the width direction and passing through the center of the width direction of the contact structure 360C. As shown in Fig. 29, in the contact structure 360C, the coupled portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C are located at the same position in the pitch direction. That is, in the contact structure 360C, the vertical portions 454, 554 of the two terminals 400C, 500C are located at the same position in the pitch direction.

[0112] 30, each of the connecting portions 700C is sandwiched in the width direction between the connected portion 450C of the terminal 400C in one terminal row and the connected portion 550C of the corresponding terminal 500C in the other terminal row. More specifically, each of the connecting portions 700C is sandwiched in the width direction between the vertical portion 454 of the terminal 400C in one terminal row and the vertical portion 554 of the corresponding terminal 500C in the other terminal row.

[0113] 30 , each of the connecting portions 700C connects the connectable portion 450C of the terminal 400C in one of the terminal rows to the connectable portion 550C of the corresponding terminal 500C in the other of the terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in the connector of this modified example, the connectable portion 450C of the terminal 400C in one of the two terminal rows is connected to the connectable portion 550C of the corresponding terminal 500C in the other of the two terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction by the connecting portion 700C made of an insulator. As a result, in the connector of this modification, if the mating connector shifts to one side in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated, the corresponding mating terminals are pressed against the terminals 400C, 500C of the terminal row on one side, and the terminals 400C, 500C of the terminal row on the other side in the width direction are pulled to the one side, so that contact between the terminals 400C, 500C of the terminal row on the other side and the corresponding mating terminals is also maintained. In other words, in the connector of this modification, contact reliability between the terminals 400C, 500C and the mating terminals is ensured even if the mating connector rattles in the width direction relative to the connector when the connector and the mating connector are mated.

[0114] 30, each of the connecting portions 700C connects in the width direction a connected portion 450C of a terminal 400C in one of the terminal rows to a connected portion 550C of a corresponding terminal 500C in the other of the terminal rows. More specifically, each of the connecting portions 700C connects in the width direction a vertical portion 454 of a terminal 400C in one of the terminal rows to a vertical portion 554 of a corresponding terminal 500C in the other of the terminal rows.

[0115] 30 , in each of the contact structures 360C, the corresponding connecting portion 700C is sandwiched in the width direction between the connectable portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C. More specifically, in each of the contact structures 360C, the corresponding connecting portion 700C is sandwiched in the width direction between the vertical portions 454, 554 of the connectable portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C. In each of the contact structures 360C, the connecting portion 700C connects the connectable portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. That is, in each of the contact structures 360C, the connecting portion 700C connects the connectable portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C in the width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. More specifically, in each of the contact structures 360C, the connecting portion 700C connects the vertical portions 454, 554 of the connectable portions 450C, 550C of the two terminals 400C, 500C in the width direction.

[0116] Although the present invention has been specifically described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, a plurality of the above embodiments and modifications may be combined.

[0117] In the connector 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the coupled portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 are coupled by the sheet-like coupling portion 700. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the coupled portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 may be molded to connect the coupled portions 450, 550 together while insulating them from each other. In this case, the molded product serves as the coupling portion 700. Alternatively, the coupled portions 450, 550 of the two terminals 400, 500 may be press-fitted into an insulating resin block to couple the coupled portions 450, 550 to each other. In this case, the insulating resin block serves as the coupling portion 700. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10 sets of 3D 100 コネクタ 200 ハウジング 210 Side wall portion 211 Side wall portion 212 Acceptance Department 213 Acceptance Department 214 pressure entry part 215 pressure entry part 230 Joint 240 Hand side コネクタ reception department 300 terminal blocks 310 terminal block 350,350A,350B,350C terminals 360, 360A, 360B, 360C Contact Structures 400,400A,400B,400C terminal 410 Fixed part 420 Pressured into the Department 430 Support Department 432 narrow sections 434 pieces of Hirobu 440 contacts 450, 450A, 450B, 450C Connected Parts Above 451, 451A, 451B Below 452, 452A, 452B 454 Vertical section 456, 456A, 456B end faces 500,500A,500B,500C terminal 510 Fixed part 520 Pressure into the Department 530 Support Department 532 narrow sections 534 pieces of Hirobu 540 contacts 550, 550A, 550B, 550C Connected Parts Above 551, 551A, 551B Below 552, 552A, 552B 554 Vertical section 556, 556A, 556B end faces 700, 700A, 700B, 700C Connecting Parts 800 Xiangshou side コネクタ 810 Mating housing 840 Mating terminal row 850 Mating terminal 852 Counterpart contact part CS size SS size

Claims

1. A connector comprising a housing, a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of connecting portions, The housing has two sidewalls and a coupling portion, the connecting portion connects the two side wall portions to each other so as to maintain a constant distance between the two side wall portions in the width direction, The terminals are arranged in two terminal rows, the two terminal rows are held by the two side wall portions, respectively; In each of the two terminal rows, the terminals are arranged in a pitch direction perpendicular to the width direction, the terminals in one of the two terminal rows correspond to the terminals in the other of the two terminal rows, Each of the terminals has a press-fit portion, a support portion, a contact point, and a connected portion, the press-fitted portion is press-fitted into the side wall portion, the support portion extends from the press-fit portion, the contact is supported by the support, the contact points of the terminals in the one terminal row face the contact points of the corresponding terminals in the other terminal row in the width direction, the coupled portion extends from the contact point, Each of the connecting portions is made of an insulator, Each of the connecting portions connects the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows in a direction perpendicular to the pitch direction. connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched between the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the up-down direction, the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, the connected portion has an upper surface and a lower surface in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction, Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the upper surface of the connected portion of the terminal of the one terminal row to the upper surface of the connected portion of the corresponding terminal of the other terminal row, or connects, in the width direction, the lower surface of the connected portion of the terminal of the one terminal row to the lower surface of the connected portion of the corresponding terminal of the other terminal row. connector.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched in the width direction between the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the connected portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the connected portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. connector.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, The coupled portion has a vertical portion, the vertical portion extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction, each of the connecting portions is sandwiched in the width direction between the vertical portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows and the vertical portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows; Each of the connecting portions connects, in the width direction, the vertical portion of the terminal in one of the terminal rows to the vertical portion of the corresponding terminal in the remaining one of the terminal rows. connector.

6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, In each of the terminals, the size of the support portion in the pitch direction is smaller than the size of the connected portion in the pitch direction. connector.

7. 7. The connector of claim 6, Each of the side walls has a receiving portion; The receiving portion partially receives the supporting portion when the supporting portion is elastically deformed. connector.

8. 7. The connector of claim 6, Each of the terminals has a uniform thickness, the support portion has a narrow portion that is relatively small in the pitch direction and two wide portions that are relatively large in the pitch direction, In a vertical direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the pitch direction, the narrow portion is closer to the contact point than either of the wide portions. connector.

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