Connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly that can maintain a fitting state stably, even with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A first connector has a first contact part arranged on a side surface of a holding protrusion, a second contact part arranged on a side surface of the holding protrusion at the opposite side of the side surface on which the first contact part is arranged to be positioned closer to a root part of the holding protrusion than the first contact part, and a third contact part arranged on a first exposed surface to be positioned away, in the opposite direction of the second contact part, from the side surface of the holding protrusion on which the first contact part is arranged. When a second connector is fitted to the first connector, at least a portion of the holding protrusion is stored in a protrusion storage part of the second connector; the first contact part and the second contact part respectively contact an internal surface of the protrusion storage part; and the third contact part contacts a second exposed surface of the second connector, so that a state of the second connector fitting to the first connector can be maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector assembly, and particularly to a connector assembly for attaching and electrically connecting modules of a wearable device to clothing.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, so-called smart clothing that can acquire biometric information of a user such as heart rate and body temperature just by wearing it has attracted attention. This smart clothing includes electrodes arranged at measurement locations, and by electrically connecting a wearable device as a measuring device to the electrodes, it becomes possible to transmit biometric information to the wearable device. The connection between the electrode and the wearable device can be made, for example, by using a connector connected to a conductor drawn from the electrode.

[0003] As this type of connector, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector as shown in FIG. 74. The connector includes a clothing-side connector portion 1 attached to clothing and a module-side connector portion 2 that fits into the clothing-side connector portion 1. The clothing-side connector portion 1 has a concave module-side connector housing portion 3 and a plurality of clothing-side contacts 4 arranged in the module-side connector housing portion 3, and the plurality of clothing-side contacts 4 are connected to the conductive portions of a conductive sheet 5 arranged on the clothing. On the other hand, the module-side connector portion 2 has a plurality of module-side contacts 6 arranged corresponding to the plurality of clothing-side contacts 4.

[0004] By housing the module-side connector portion 2 in the module-side connector housing portion 3 of the clothing-side connector portion 1, the module-side connector portion 2 is fitted to the clothing-side connector portion 1, and the plurality of module-side contacts 6 are connected to the plurality of clothing-side contacts 4. Furthermore, by fitting the convex locking portion 7 formed in the module-side connector housing portion 3 of the garment-side connector portion 1 into the concave locking portion 8 formed on the module-side connector portion 2, the mating state of the garment-side connector portion 1 and the module-side connector portion 2 can be locked. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-87515 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in order to prevent the module-side connector portion 2 from coming out of the module-side connector housing portion 3 of the garment-side connector portion 1, it is necessary to form a locking portion 7 on the garment-side connector portion 1 and a locked portion 8 on the module-side connector portion 2 in order to maintain the mated state of the garment-side connector portion 1 and the module-side connector portion 2, which results in a problem in that the connector configuration becomes complex.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the problems of the conventional methods, and aims to provide a connector assembly that has a simple structure yet can stably maintain a mated state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The connector assembly according to this invention is A connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector are mated together along the mating direction, and the second contact of the second connector is electrically connected to the first contact of the first connector, The first connector has a first exposed surface facing the second connector and a retaining projection that protrudes from the first exposed surface toward the second connector in the mating direction. The second connector has a second exposed surface facing the first connector, and a concave projection accommodating portion formed on the second exposed surface, which accommodates at least a portion of the retaining projection. The first connector has a first contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection, a second contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection opposite to the side where the first contact portion is located and closer to the base of the retaining projection than the first contact portion, and a third contact portion located on the first exposed surface and at a position away from the side of the retaining projection where the first contact portion is located in the opposite direction from the second contact portion. When the first connector and the second connector are mated together, at least a portion of the retaining projection is housed in the projection housing, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each contact the inner surface of the projection housing, and the third contact portion contacts the second exposed surface, thereby maintaining the mated state of the first connector and the second connector.

[0009] The first connector has a first insulator that holds the first contact, The second connector has a second insulator that holds the second contact, At least a portion of the first exposed surface is formed by the first insulator. At least a portion of the second exposed surface is formed by the second insulator. The retaining projection is formed by the first contact, The projection housing portion can be configured to be formed by a second contact.

[0010] In the first and third embodiments, a protrusion formed on the first insulator forms a third contact portion, and a second contact can form a second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts. In this case, the first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the first insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. The second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by a second insulator and arranged along the direction of arrangement. Multiple first contacts form multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions. Multiple third contact points may be formed by multiple protrusions.

[0011] In a second embodiment, the first connector has an auxiliary contact held by a first insulator, the auxiliary contact can form a third contact portion, and the second contact can form a second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts. In this case, the first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of auxiliary contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. The second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by a second insulator and arranged along the direction of arrangement. Multiple first contacts form multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions. Multiple auxiliary contacts may form multiple third contact points.

[0012] In a fourth embodiment, the first contact can form a third contact portion, and the second contact can form a second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts. In this case, the first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by a first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction. The second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by a second insulator and arranged along the direction of arrangement. Multiple first contacts may form multiple first contact portions, multiple second contact portions, and multiple third contact portions.

[0013] In a fifth embodiment, the first connector has a third contact held in the first insulator, The second connector has a fourth contact held by the second insulator. When the second connector is fitted to the first connector, the fourth contact can be configured to be electrically connected to the third contact.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, further, a third contact portion can be formed by the first contact and the third contact, respectively, and a second exposed surface of a portion where the third contact portion contacts can be formed by the second contact and the fourth contact, respectively. In this case, the first connector has a pair of first contacts each held by the first insulator and spaced apart from each other in an array direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and a plurality of third contacts each held by the first insulator and arrayed in the array direction between the pair of first contacts. The second connector has a pair of second contacts each held by the second insulator and spaced apart from each other in the array direction, and a plurality of fourth contacts each held by the second insulator and arrayed in the array direction between the pair of second contacts. A pair of first contacts form a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. A plurality of third contact portions may be formed by the pair of first contacts and the plurality of third contacts.

[0015] In a sixth aspect, a third contact portion can be formed by the third contact, and a second exposed surface of a portion where the third contact portion contacts can be formed by the fourth contact. In this case, the first connector has a pair of first contacts each held by the first insulator and spaced apart from each other in an array direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and a plurality of third contacts each held by the first insulator and arrayed in the array direction between the pair of first contacts. The second connector has a pair of second contacts each held by the second insulator and spaced apart from each other in the array direction, and a plurality of fourth contacts each held by the second insulator and arrayed in the array direction between the pair of second contacts. A pair of first contacts form a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions, A plurality of third contacts may form a plurality of third contact portions.

[0016] In a seventh aspect, the first connector has a first insulator that holds the first contact, The second connector has a second insulator that holds the second contact, At least a part of the first exposed surface is formed by the first insulator, At least a part of the second exposed surface is formed by the second insulator, The holding projection is formed by the first insulator, The projection receiving portion can be configured to be formed by the second insulator.

[0017] In this case, the first connector has a pair of holding projections that are respectively formed by the first insulator and are spaced apart from each other in an arrangement direction orthogonal to the fitting direction, and a plurality of first contacts that are respectively held by the first insulator and are arranged in the arrangement direction between the pair of holding projections, The second connector has a pair of projection receiving portions that are respectively formed by the second insulator and are spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction, and a plurality of second contacts that are respectively held by the second insulator and are arranged in the arrangement direction between the pair of projection receiving portions, A pair of holding projections form a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions, A plurality of first contacts may form a plurality of third contact portions.

[0018] Note that it is preferable that the holding projection has a hook portion that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction and has a first contact portion disposed at the tip, and the projection receiving portion has a receiving portion that receives the hook portion. In this case, the ratio LZ / LX of the distance LZ between the first and second contact parts in the fitting direction to the distance LX between the first and third contact parts in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction is preferably less than or equal to the inclination S of the normal to the tangent plane formed by the contacting hook and receiving parts when the hook is received by the receiving part, with respect to the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0019] A garment-side connector that attaches to clothing can be used as the first connector, and a module-side connector that is detachably mated to the garment-side connector can be used as the second connector. In this case, the first contact can be electrically connected to a circuit board. The circuit board can be configured to extend parallel to the first exposed surface or along the mating direction. The first contact can also be electrically connected to a cable. Alternatively, a garment-side connector that attaches to the garment can be used as the second connector, and a module-side connector that is detachably mated to the garment-side connector can be used as the first connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to this invention, the first connector has a retaining projection that protrudes from a first exposed surface in the mating direction, and the second connector has a concave projection housing portion. The first connector has a first contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection, a second contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection opposite to the side where the first contact portion is located and closer to the base of the retaining projection than the first contact portion, and a third contact portion located on the first exposed surface and at a distance from the side of the retaining projection where the first contact portion is located in the opposite direction from the second contact portion. When the second connector is mated to the first connector, at least a part of the retaining projection is housed in the projection housing portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each contact the inner surface of the projection housing portion, and the third contact portion contacts the second exposed surface, thereby maintaining the mated state of the first and second connectors. Thus, despite its simple structure, it is possible to stably maintain the mated state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 1 before mating. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the bottom insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the circuit board used in the first connector in Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the top insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the top insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the second insulator used in the second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the second contact used in the second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing the second connector in Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 1 in a mated state. [Figure 13] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 1 in a mated state. [Figure 14] This is a magnified view of the main part of Figure 13. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 2 before mating. [Figure 16] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 17]This is a perspective view showing the circuit board used in the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the auxiliary contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view showing the top insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 20] This is a cross-sectional view showing the top insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector in Embodiment 2. [Figure 22] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 2 in a mated state. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 3 before mating. [Figure 24] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 25] This is a perspective view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 26] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view showing the circuit board used in the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 29] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector in Embodiment 3. [Figure 30] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 3 in a mated state. [Figure 31] This is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 3 in a mated state. [Figure 32] This is a perspective view showing the first connector in a modified example of Embodiment 3. [Figure 33] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in a modified example of Embodiment 3. [Figure 34] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector in a modified example of Embodiment 3. [Figure 35] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 4 before mating. [Figure 36] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 37] This is a perspective view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 38] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 39] This is a perspective view showing the circuit board used in the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 40] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 41] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector in Embodiment 4. [Figure 42] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 4 in a mated state. [Figure 43] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 4 in a mated state. [Figure 44] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 5 before mating. [Figure 45] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 5. [Figure 46] This is a perspective view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 5. [Figure 47] This is a perspective view showing the third contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 5. [Figure 48] This is a perspective view showing the second insulator used in the second connector in Embodiment 5. [Figure 49] This is a perspective view showing the fourth contact used in the second connector in Embodiment 5. [Figure 50]This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 5 in a mated state. [Figure 51] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 5 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the first and second contacts. [Figure 52] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 5 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the third and fourth contacts. [Figure 53] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 6 before mating. [Figure 54] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 55] This is a perspective view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 56] This is a perspective view showing the circuit board used in the first connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 57] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 58] This is a perspective view showing the second insulator used in the second connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 59] This is a perspective view showing the second contact used in the second connector in Embodiment 6. [Figure 60] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 6 in a mated state. [Figure 61] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 6 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the first and second contacts. [Figure 62] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 6 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the third and fourth contacts. [Figure 63] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 7 before mating. [Figure 64] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 65]This is a perspective view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 66] This is a cross-sectional view showing the first insulator used in the first connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 67] This is a perspective view showing the first contact used in the first connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 68] This is a perspective view showing the second insulator used in the second connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 69] This is a cross-sectional view showing the second insulator used in the second connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 70] This is a perspective view showing the second contact used in the second connector in Embodiment 7. [Figure 71] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 7 in a mated state. [Figure 72] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 7 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the retaining projection and projection housing portion. [Figure 73] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of Embodiment 7 in a mated state, cut by a cut surface passing through the first and second contacts. [Figure 74] This is a perspective view showing a conventional connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment 1 before mating. The connector assembly consists of a first connector 11 and a second connector 21 that are mated to each other. For example, the first connector 11 is used as a garment-side connector attached to clothing, and the second connector 21 is used as a module-side connector that is mated to the first connector 11.

[0023] The first connector 11 has a first insulator 12 made of an insulating material and a plurality of first contacts 13 arranged along a predetermined direction and held by the first insulator 12. The first insulator 12 is attached to a tab sheet 14. The second connector 21 has a second insulator 22 made of an insulating material and a plurality of second contacts 23 that are arranged along a predetermined direction and held by the second insulator 22, similar to the plurality of first contacts 13 of the first connector 11. Multiple first contacts 13 and multiple second contacts 23 are arranged parallel to each other and with the same arrangement pitch.

[0024] For convenience, the predetermined direction in which the multiple first contacts 13 and multiple second contacts 23 are arranged will be called the Y direction, the direction from the first connector 11 toward the second connector 21 will be called the +Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y and Z directions will be called the X direction. The Z direction is the mating direction in which the second connector 21 is mated toward the first connector 11.

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 11. The first connector 11 has a bottom insulator 15 and a top insulator 16, and these bottom insulator 15 and top insulator 16 constitute the first insulator 12. Multiple first contacts 13 are arranged on the +Z side of the bottom insulator 15, and a circuit board 17 is arranged on the +Z side of the multiple first contacts 13. Furthermore, a tab sheet 14 is arranged on the +Z side of the circuit board 17, and a top insulator 16 is arranged on the +Z side of the tab sheet 14. The tab sheet 14 is made of the fabric of a garment to which the first connector 11 is attached as a garment-side connector, and has a rectangular opening 14A.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the bottom insulator 15 has a flat plate portion 15A extending along the XY plane, and a plurality of convex contact support portions 15B arranged in the Y direction are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 15A facing the +Z direction. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 15C are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 15A facing the +Z direction and on the -X direction side of the plurality of contact support portions 15B, and a plurality of contact insertion portions 15D are formed by the gaps between adjacent protrusions 15C.

[0027] Multiple contact insertion portions 15D are arranged in the same Y-direction position as multiple contact support portions 15B, and these multiple contact support portions 15B and multiple contact insertion portions 15D correspond to multiple first contacts 13. Furthermore, a tab sheet support portion 15E is formed at the +X end of the flat plate portion 15A, extending in the Y direction and rising in the +Z direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the first contact 13 is made of a bent, strip-shaped plate member formed from a conductive material such as metal, and has a retaining projection 13A that is bent into a U shape and extends in the Z direction. The retaining projection 13A has a side surface 13B facing the -X direction and a side surface 13C facing the +X direction, and a hook portion 13D is formed at the +Z end of side surface 13B, projecting in an angle or mountain shape and facing the -X and -Z directions. On the other hand, on side surface 13C, a projection 13E is formed that projects in the +X direction, located on the -Z side of the hook portion 13D and closer to the base of the retaining projection 13A. Furthermore, a bent portion 13F protruding in the -Z direction is formed at the -Z end of the side surface 13B, a cantilevered beam portion 13G extends from the bent portion 13F toward the -X direction, and a curved portion 13H is formed at the -X end of the cantilevered beam portion 13G so as to be convex toward the +Z direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the circuit board 17 is made of, for example, a so-called flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and on the back surface of the circuit board 17 facing the -Z direction, a plurality of connection portions 17A are exposed, arranged in the Y direction at the +X direction end of the circuit board 17. The plurality of connection portions 17A correspond to a plurality of first contacts 13.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the top insulator 16 has a flat plate portion 16A extending along the XY plane, and a plurality of protrusions 16B are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 16A facing the +Z direction, arranged in the Y direction and each protruding toward the +Z direction. Between adjacent protrusions 16B, a plurality of through holes 16C are formed that penetrate the flat plate portion 16A in the Z direction, as shown in Figure 7. In addition, a plurality of convex portions 16D are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 16A facing the +Z direction and on the -X direction side of the plurality of protrusions 16B, arranged in the Y direction and protruding toward the +Z direction. The multiple protrusions 16D are positioned at the same Y-direction positions as the multiple through holes 16C, and these multiple through holes 16C and multiple protrusions 16D correspond to the multiple first contacts 13.

[0031] When assembling the first connector 11, as shown in Figure 8, the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 is inserted from the -Z direction into the corresponding through hole 16C of the top insulator 16 inside the opening 14A of the tab sheet 14, and the tab sheet 14 and circuit board 17 are sandwiched between the flat plate portion 15A of the bottom insulator 15 and the flat plate portion 16A of the top insulator 16 such that the corresponding connecting portion 17A of the circuit board 17 is positioned on the +Z direction side of the curved portion 13H of the first contact 13. In this state, the bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 16 are fixed to each other.

[0032] The bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 16 may be fixed to each other by bonding them to the tab sheet 14 and the circuit board 17, respectively, or they may be fixed to each other by methods such as passing a boss formed on one of the bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 16 through a through hole formed on the other and thermally deforming the tip of the boss.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, the first contact 13 is held by the bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 16 with the bent portion 13F positioned on the contact support portion 15B of the bottom insulator 15, the -X end of the cantilevered portion 13G inserted into the contact insertion portion 15D of the bottom insulator 15, and the curved portion 13H in contact with the connection portion 17A of the circuit board 17. Although the first contact 13 does not have a fixing portion that is fixed to the bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 16, a part of the first contact 13 can be fixed to either the bottom insulator 15 or the top insulator 16.

[0034] In the first connector 11 with this configuration, the surface of the flat plate portion 16A of the top insulator 16 facing the +Z direction forms a first exposed surface S1 facing the second connector 21, and the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 protrudes from the first exposed surface S1 in the +Z direction. Furthermore, the hook portion 13D of the first contact 13 sets a first contact portion P1 facing the -X and -Z directions, the protrusion 13E of the first contact 13 sets a second contact portion P2 facing the +X direction and located on the -Z side of the first contact portion P1, and the convex portion 16D of the top insulator 16 sets a third contact portion P3 which is located on the first exposed surface S1 at a position further away from the first contact portion P1 in the -X direction and facing the +Z direction. The first contact portion P1, the second contact portion P2, and the third contact portion P3 contact the second connector 21, thereby holding the second connector 21 relative to the first connector 11.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the second insulator 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a plurality of concave contact housing portions 22A arranged in the Y direction and extending in the X and Z directions, respectively. Partition plates 22B extending along the XZ plane are formed between adjacent contact housing portions 22A. Each partition plate 22B has a U-shaped notch 22C that is open in the -Z direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 10, the second contact 23 is made of a bent, strip-shaped plate member formed of a conductive material such as metal, and has a U-shaped portion 23A that is curved in a U shape and opens toward the -Z direction. The U-shaped portion 23A has a first extension portion 23B that extends along the YZ plane on the -X direction side, and a second extension portion 23C that extends along the YZ plane on the +X direction side, and a concave projection receiving portion 23D for accommodating the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 is formed inside the U-shaped portion 23A. In addition, a receiving portion 23E consisting of a recess for receiving the hooking portion 13D of the first contact 13 is formed on the surface of the first extension portion 23B on the +X direction side facing the projection receiving portion 23D.

[0037] The second contact 23 has a bottom portion 23F extending in the -X direction from the -Z end of the first extension portion 23B. A stepped portion 23G is formed on the bottom portion 23F that slopes downward in the -Z direction, and a rising portion 23H is formed that rises in the +Z direction from the -X end of the stepped portion 23G. Furthermore, the second contact 23 has a rising portion 23J that bends in the +X direction from the -Z end of the second extension portion 23C and rises in the +Z direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 11, the second contact 23 is housed in the contact housing portion 22A of the second insulator 22 from the +Z direction. The second contact 23 is held in the second insulator 22 by the risers 23H and 23J of the second contact 23 being pressed against the inner surfaces of the -X and +X ends of the contact housing portion 22A. A through-hole 22D is formed in the contact housing portion 22A of the second insulator 22, and when the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23 is inserted into the through-hole 22D, the back surface of the stepped portion 23G facing the -Z direction becomes substantially flush with the bottom surface of the second insulator 22 on the -Z direction side, forming a second exposed surface S2 facing the -Z direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the Y direction, the projection housing portion 23D formed on the inside of the U-shaped portion 23A of the second contact 23 is positioned to overlap with the notch 22C formed in the partition plate 22B of the second insulator 22.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the second connector 21 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 11. By moving the second connector 21 in the -Z direction, the second connector 21 is mated to the first connector 11, as shown in Figure 12.

[0040] At this time, as shown in Figure 13, the portion of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 of the first connector 11 that is on the +Z side is inserted into the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 from the -Z direction, the hook portion 13D of the retaining projection 13A is received by the receiving portion 23E of the second contact 23, and the protruding portion 13E of the retaining projection 13A is in contact with the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 on the +X side. Furthermore, the protrusion 16D formed on the first exposed surface S1 of the top insulator 16 of the first connector 11 comes into contact with the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23 which forms the second exposed surface S2 of the second connector 21.

[0041] As a result, the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portion P1 set on the hook portion 13D of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 of the first connector 11, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portion P2 set on the protruding portion 13E of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 of the first connector 11, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portion P3 set on the convex portion 16D of the top insulator 16 of the first connector 11.

[0042] The inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 receives forces F1 and F2 from the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the first contact 13 to the second contact 23. Furthermore, when the curved portion 13H of the first contact 13 contacts the connection portion 17A of the circuit board 17, the first contact 13 is electrically connected to the connection portion 17A of the circuit board 17. Therefore, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 are mated, the second contact 23 is electrically connected to the connection portion 17A of the circuit board 17 via the first contact 13.

[0043] Here, neglecting the frictional force between the first contact 13 and the second contact 23 and the gravitational force acting on the second connector 21, the three forces F1, F2, and F3 are in equilibrium. If we denote the component of force F1 in the X direction as F1X and the component of force F1 in the Z direction as F1Z, F2 = F1X ... (1) F3=F1Z ···(2) The following relationship holds. Note that F1, F2, F3, F1X, and F1Z are all expressed as absolute values.

[0044] Furthermore, from the balance of moments around the first contact point P1, if we let LX be the distance in the X direction between the first contact point P1 and the third contact point P3, and LZ be the distance in the Z direction between the first contact point P1 and the second contact point P2, (F2 × LZ) = (F3 × LX) ... (3) The following relationship holds true.

[0045] From the above equations (1), (2), and (3), (F3 / F2)=(F1Z / F1X)=(LZ / LX) ···(4) This is the result.

[0046] As shown in Figure 14, when the hook portion 13D of the first contact 13 is received by the receiving portion 23E of the second contact 23, let T be the tangent plane formed by the contacting hook portion 13D and the receiving portion 23E, and let N be the normal perpendicular to the tangent plane T. If we ignore the frictional force acting between the first contact 13 and the second contact 23, a force F1 along the normal N acts on the first contact portion P1 set on the hook portion 13D from the receiving portion 23E of the second contact 23.

[0047] In other words, the ratio of the component force F1Z in the Z direction to the component force F1X in the X direction of force F1 (F1Z / F1X) is equal to the slope S of the normal vector N. In this way, the forces F1, F2, and F3 acting on the second contact 23 are in equilibrium, and the moments are also in equilibrium, so the second contact 23 is supported at three points by the first contact portion P1, the second contact portion P2, and the third contact portion P3.

[0048] As a result, the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portion P1 of the multiple first contacts 13 of the first connector 11, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portion P2, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portion P3 of the multiple protrusions 16D of the top insulator 16. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, F2, and F3 balances out, and the moments balance out, so that the second connector 21 is stably supported by the first connector 11, and the mating state of the second connector 21 with respect to the first connector 11 is maintained.

[0049] Here, we assume that a first connector identical to the first connector 11 is used, except that, for example, the protrusion 16D on the first exposed surface S1 of the top insulator 16 is formed at a position shifted to the -X direction side compared to the first connector 11.

[0050] As the position of the protrusion 16D shifts toward the -X direction, the distance LX in the X direction between the first contact part P1 and the third contact part P3 increases. To balance the moment around the first contact part P1, the force F3 acting from the third contact part P3 toward the second connector 21 in the +Z direction decreases based on equation (3) above, and consequently, the component force F1Z of force F1 in the Z direction also decreases. On the other hand, the component force F1X of force F1 in the X direction is equal to force F2 and does not change, so the ratio (F1Z / F1X) tends to become smaller than the slope S of the normal N.

[0051] However, if friction is ignored, a force F1 along the normal N acts from the first contact point P1 as a normal force from the tangent plane T, and a force in the -Z direction, corresponding to the reduction of the Z-direction component F1Z of force F1, acts from the first contact point P1 to the second connector 21. As a result, the second connector 21 is prevented from coming out of the first connector in the +Z direction.

[0052] Next, we consider using a first connector that is identical to the first connector 11, except that, for example, the protrusion 16D on the first exposed surface S1 of the top insulator 16 is formed at a position shifted to the +X direction compared to the first connector 11.

[0053] As the position of the protrusion 16D shifts toward the +X direction, the distance LX in the X direction between the first contact part P1 and the third contact part P3 becomes shorter. To balance the moment around the first contact part P1, the force F3 acting from the third contact part P3 toward the second connector 21 in the +Z direction increases, based on equation (3) above. Consequently, the component force F1Z of force F1 in the Z direction also increases. On the other hand, the component force F1X of force F1 in the X direction is equal to force F2 and does not change, so the ratio (F1Z / F1X) tends to become greater than the slope S of the normal N.

[0054] However, if friction is ignored, a force F1 along the normal N acts from the first contact point P1 as a normal force from the tangent plane T, and a force in the +Z direction, corresponding to the increase in the component F1Z of force F1 in the Z direction, acts from the first contact point P1 to the second connector 21. As a result, the second connector 21 becomes more likely to come loose from the first connector in the +Z direction.

[0055] In other words, in order to stably support the second connector 21 at three points on the first connector 11, it is desirable that the ratio LZ / LX of the distance LZ in the Z direction between the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 to the distance LX in the X direction between the first contact portion P1 and the third contact portion P3 is less than or equal to the inclination S in the X direction of the normal N perpendicular to the tangent plane T formed by the mutually contacting hook portion 13D and receiving portion 23E when the hook portion 13D of the retaining projection 13A is received by the receiving portion 23E of the second contact 23.

[0056] Furthermore, even if a non-negligible frictional force acts between the first contact 13 and the second contact 23, the second connector 21 can be stably supported by the first connector 11 by making the ratio LZ / LX less than or equal to the slope S of the normal N. Furthermore, even when gravity acting on the second connector 21 is taken into consideration, the forces F1, F2, and F3 acting on the multiple second contacts 23 of the second connector 21 are balanced by gravity acting on the second connector 21, and the moments are also balanced, so that the second connector 21 is stably supported by the first connector 11, and the mating state of the second connector 21 with respect to the first connector 11 is maintained.

[0057] Thus, according to the connector assembly of Embodiment 1, the mating state of the first connector 11 and the second connector 21 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without the need for a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 can be connected to the connection portion 17A of the circuit board 17.

[0058] Embodiment 2 Figure 15 shows the connector assembly according to Embodiment 2 before mating. This connector assembly uses the first connector 11A instead of the first connector 11 in the connector assembly of Embodiment 1, and the second connector 21 used in Embodiment 1 is mated to the first connector 11A.

[0059] As shown in Figure 16, the first connector 11A has a bottom insulator 15 and a top insulator 18. Multiple first contacts 13 are arranged on the +Z side of the bottom insulator 15, and a circuit board 19 is arranged on the +Z side of the multiple first contacts 13. Furthermore, multiple auxiliary contacts 20 are arranged on the +Z side of the circuit board 19, a tab sheet 14 is arranged on the +Z side of the multiple auxiliary contacts 20, and the top insulator 18 is arranged on the +Z side of the tab sheet 14. The multiple auxiliary contacts 20 correspond to the multiple first contacts 13. The first contact 13, tab sheet 14, and bottom insulator 15 are the same as those used in Embodiment 1 and shown in Figures 4, 2, and 3, respectively.

[0060] As shown in Figure 17, the circuit board 19 is made of, for example, a so-called flexible printed circuit board (FPC), and on the surface of the circuit board 19 facing the +Z direction, a plurality of connection portions 19A are exposed, which are arranged in the Y direction at the +X direction end of the circuit board 19. The plurality of connection portions 19A correspond to a plurality of first contacts 13.

[0061] As shown in Figure 18, the auxiliary contact 20 consists of a bent, strip-shaped plate member made of a conductive material such as metal, and has a base portion 20A extending along the XY plane and a curved portion 20B connected to the -X end of the base portion 20A and curved so as to be convex toward the +Z direction.

[0062] As shown in Figure 19, the top insulator 18 has a flat plate portion 18A extending along the XY plane, and a plurality of protrusions 18B are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 18A facing the +Z direction, arranged in the Y direction and each protruding toward the +Z direction. Between adjacent protrusions 18B, a plurality of through holes 18C are formed that penetrate the flat plate portion 18A in the Z direction, as shown in Figure 20. In addition, a plurality of through holes 18D are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 18A facing the +Z direction and on the -X direction side of the plurality of protrusions 18B, arranged in the Y direction and penetrating the flat plate portion 18A in the Z direction. The multiple through holes 18D are positioned at the same Y-direction positions as the multiple through holes 18C, and these multiple through holes 18C and multiple through holes 18D correspond to the multiple first contacts 13.

[0063] When assembling the first connector 11A, as shown in Figure 21, the tab sheet 14 and circuit board 19 are sandwiched between the flat plate portion 15A of the bottom insulator 15 and the flat plate portion 18A of the top insulator 18, such that the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 is inserted into the corresponding through hole 18C of the top insulator 18 from the -Z direction inside the opening 14A of the tab sheet 14, the +X direction end of the circuit board 19 is positioned on the +Z direction side of the curved portion 13H of the first contact 13, the base portion 20A of the auxiliary contact 20 is in contact with the back surface of the flat plate portion 18A of the top insulator 18 and the curved portion 20B is inserted into the corresponding through hole 18D of the top insulator 18. In this state, the bottom insulator 15 and the top insulator 18 are fixed to each other. Furthermore, the base 20A of the auxiliary contact 20 is in contact with the corresponding connection part 19A of the circuit board 19.

[0064] In the first connector 11A with this configuration, the flat plate portion 18A of the top insulator 18, facing the +Z direction, forms a first exposed surface S1 that faces the second connector 21, and the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 protrudes from the first exposed surface S1 in the +Z direction. Furthermore, the hook portion 13D of the first contact 13 sets a first contact portion P1 facing the -X and -Z directions, the protruding portion 13E of the first contact 13 sets a second contact portion P2 facing the +X direction and located on the -Z side of the first contact portion P1, and the curved portion 20B of the auxiliary contact 20 sets a third contact portion P3 which is located on the first exposed surface S1 at a position further away from the first contact portion P1 in the -X direction and facing the +Z direction. The first contact portion P1, the second contact portion P2, and the third contact portion P3 contact the second connector 21, thereby holding the second connector 21 relative to the first connector 11A.

[0065] As shown in Figure 15, the second connector 21 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 11A. By moving the second connector 21 in the -Z direction, the second connector 21 is mated to the first connector 11A, as shown in Figure 22.

[0066] In this case, similar to Embodiment 1, the portion of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 of the first connector 11A that is on the +Z side is inserted into the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 from the -Z direction, and the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portion P1 set on the first contact 13 of the first connector 11A, and a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portion P2. Furthermore, the curved portion 20B of the auxiliary contact 20, which protrudes onto the first exposed surface S1 through the through hole 18D of the top insulator 18 of the first connector 11A, contacts the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23 that forms the second exposed surface S2 of the second connector 21. As a result, the second contact 23 receives a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portion P3 set on the curved portion 20B.

[0067] In this way, the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portion P1 of the multiple first contacts 13 of the first connector 11A, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portion P2, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portion P3 of the multiple auxiliary contacts 20. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, the resultant force of force F2, and the resultant force of force F3 are in equilibrium, and the moments are also in equilibrium, so that the second connector 21 is stably supported by the first connector 11A, and the mating state of the second connector 21 with respect to the first connector 11A is maintained.

[0068] The first contact 13 is electrically connected to the second contact 23 when the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 of the retaining projection 13A of the first contact 13 come into contact with the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23. Furthermore, the base portion 20A of the auxiliary contact 20 contacts the corresponding connection portion 19A of the circuit board 19, and the curved portion 20B also contacts the connection portion 19A of the circuit board 19, thereby electrically connecting the auxiliary contact 20 to the connection portion 19A of the circuit board 19. In the mated state of the first connector 11A and the second connector 21, the second contact 23 is electrically connected to the connection portion 19A of the circuit board 19 via the auxiliary contact 20.

[0069] Thus, in Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, the mating state of the first connector 11A and the second connector 21 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 can be connected to the connection portion 19A of the circuit board 19.

[0070] Embodiment 3 Figure 23 shows the connector assembly according to Embodiment 3 before mating. This connector assembly uses the first connector 31 instead of the first connector 11 in the connector assembly of Embodiment 1, and the second connector 21 used in Embodiment 1 is mated to the first connector 31.

[0071] As shown in Figure 24, the first connector 31 has a first insulator 32 made of an insulating material, a plurality of first contacts 33 arranged on the -Z side of the first insulator 32, and a circuit board 34 arranged on the -Z side of the plurality of first contacts 33.

[0072] As shown in Figure 25, the first insulator 32 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped insulator body 32A that extends elongated in the Y direction. The insulator body 32A has a groove 32B that extends along the entire length of the insulator body 32A and is open toward the -Z direction, and a first exposed surface S1 that extends along the XY plane and faces the +Z direction.

[0073] Multiple protrusions 32C are formed on the first exposed surface S1, arranged in the Y direction and each projecting toward the +Z direction. Between adjacent protrusions 32C, multiple through holes 32D are formed, each penetrating the first exposed surface S1 in the Z direction and communicating with a groove 32B, as shown in Figure 26. In addition, multiple convex portions 32E are formed at the -X direction end of the first exposed surface S1, arranged in the Y direction and projecting toward the +Z direction. The multiple protrusions 32E are positioned at the same Y-direction positions as the multiple through holes 32D, and these multiple through holes 32D and multiple protrusions 32E correspond to the multiple first contacts 33.

[0074] As shown in Figure 27, the first contact 33 is made of a bent, strip-shaped plate member formed from a conductive material such as metal, and has a retaining projection 33A that is bent into a U shape and extends in the Z direction. The retaining projection 33A has a side surface 33B facing the -X direction and a side surface 33C facing the +X direction, and a hook portion 33D is formed at the +Z end of side surface 33B, projecting in an angle or mountain shape and facing the -X and -Z directions. On the other hand, on side surface 33C, a projection 33E is formed that projects in the +X direction, located on the -Z side of the hook portion 33D and closer to the base of the retaining projection 33A. Furthermore, a protruding portion 33F is formed at the -Z end of the side surface 33B, projecting in the -X direction.

[0075] As shown in Figure 28, the circuit board 34 is made of a so-called flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that extends along the YZ plane, and on the surface of the circuit board 34 facing the +X direction, a plurality of connection portions 34A arranged in the Y direction at the +Z end of the circuit board 34 are exposed. The plurality of connection portions 34A correspond to a plurality of first contacts 33.

[0076] When assembling the first connector 31, as shown in Figure 29, the circuit board 34 is inserted into the groove 32B of the insulator body 32A from the -Z direction and fixed to the inner surface of the groove 32B on the -X direction side. Then, a plurality of first contacts 33 are inserted into the groove 32B of the insulator body 32A from the -Z direction, and the retaining projections 33A of the first contacts 33 are inserted into the corresponding through holes 32D of the insulator body 32A from the -Z direction. As a result, the retaining projections 33A of the first contacts 33 protrude in the +Z direction from the first exposed surface S1 of the insulator body 32A, and the protruding portion 33F that protrudes in the -X direction at the -Z end of the first contact 33 comes into contact with the connecting portion 34A exposed at the +Z end of the circuit board 34 from the -X direction.

[0077] In the first connector 31 with this configuration, a first contact portion P1 facing the -X and -Z directions is set by the hook portion 33D of the first contact 33, a second contact portion P2 facing the +X direction and located on the -Z side of the first contact portion P1 is set by the protrusion portion 33E of the first contact 33, and a third contact portion P3 facing the +Z direction is set by the convex portion 32E of the insulator body 32A, which is positioned on the first exposed surface S1 at a location further away in the -X direction than the first contact portion P1. The first contact portion P1, the second contact portion P2, and the third contact portion P3 contact the second connector 21, thereby holding the second connector 21 relative to the first connector 31.

[0078] As shown in Figure 23, by moving the second connector 21 in the -Z direction from a state where the second connector 21 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 31, the second connector 21 is mated with the first connector 31, as shown in Figure 30.

[0079] In this case, as shown in Figure 31, similar to Embodiment 1, the portion of the retaining projection 33A of the first contact 33 of the first connector 31 that is on the +Z side is inserted into the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 from the -Z direction.

[0080] As a result, the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portions P1 of the multiple first contacts 33 of the first connector 31, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portions P2 of the multiple first contacts 33, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portions P3 of the multiple protrusions 32E of the first insulator 32 of the first connector 31. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, F2, and F3 balances out, and the moments balance out, so that the second connector 21 is stably supported by the first connector 31, and the mating state of the second connector 21 with respect to the first connector 31 is maintained.

[0081] The first contact 33 is electrically connected to the second contact 23 when the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 of the retaining projection 33A of the first contact 33 come into contact with the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23. Furthermore, when the protruding portion 33F of the first contact 33 contacts the corresponding connection portion 34A of the circuit board 34, the first contact 33 is electrically connected to the connection portion 34A of the circuit board 34. Therefore, in the mated state of the first connector 31 and the second connector 21, the second contact 23 is electrically connected to the connection portion 34A of the circuit board 34 via the first contact 33.

[0082] Thus, in Embodiment 3, as in Embodiments 1 and 2, the mating state of the first connector 31 and the second connector 21 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 can be connected to the connection portion 34A of the circuit board 34.

[0083] Figure 32 shows a first connector 31A used in a modified connector assembly according to Embodiment 3. In the first connector 31 used in Embodiment 3, the first connector 31A holds multiple first contacts 35 in the first insulator 32 instead of multiple first contacts 33, and connects multiple cables 36 to the multiple first contacts 35 instead of the circuit board 34.

[0084] As shown in Figure 33, the first contact 35 is the first contact 33 used in Embodiment 3, in which a cable connection portion 35G extends in the +X direction from the -Z direction end of the side surface 33B on the -X direction side of the retaining projection 33A, and a notch 35H that is open in the +X direction is formed in the cable connection portion 35G.

[0085] When assembling the first connector 31A, as shown in Figure 34, the first contact 35, to which the cable 36 corresponding to the cable connection portion 35G is pre-connected, is inserted into the groove portion 32B of the insulator body 32A from the -Z direction, and the retaining projection 33A of the first contact 35 is inserted into the corresponding through hole 32D of the insulator body 32A from the -Z direction. As a result, the retaining projection 33A of the first contact 35 protrudes in the +Z direction from the first exposed surface S1 of the insulator body 32A. The cable 36 has a structure in which the outer circumference of the conductor portion 36A is covered by an insulating coating portion 36B. The conductor portion 36A is press-fitted into the notch 35H of the cable connection portion 35G of the first contact 35, thereby electrically connecting the conductor portion 36A to the first contact 35.

[0086] Even when using such a first connector 31A, similar to Embodiment 3, it is possible to maintain a stable mated state with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mated state of the first connector 31A and the second connector 21, and to connect the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 to the conductor portion 36A of the cable 36.

[0087] Embodiment 4 Figure 35 shows the connector assembly according to Embodiment 4 before mating. This connector assembly uses the first connector 41 instead of the first connector 11 in the connector assembly of Embodiment 1, and the second connector 21 used in Embodiment 1 is mated to the first connector 41.

[0088] As shown in Figure 36, the first connector 41 has a first insulator 42 made of an insulating material, a plurality of first contacts 43 arranged on the -Z side of the first insulator 42, and a circuit board 44 arranged on the -Z side of the plurality of first contacts 43.

[0089] As shown in Figure 37, the first insulator 42 has a flat plate portion 42A extending along the XY plane and a first exposed surface S1 extending along the XY plane and facing the +Z direction. Multiple protrusions 42B are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 42A facing the +Z direction, arranged in the Y direction and each protruding toward the +Z direction. Between adjacent protrusions 42B, multiple through holes 42C are formed that penetrate the flat plate portion 42A in the Z direction, as shown in Figure 38.

[0090] Furthermore, multiple through holes 42D are formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 42A facing the +Z direction and on the -X direction side of the multiple protrusions 42B, arranged in the Y direction and penetrating the flat plate portion 42A in the Z direction. The multiple through holes 42D are positioned at the same Y-direction positions as the multiple through holes 42C, and these multiple through holes 42C and multiple through holes 42D correspond to the multiple first contacts 43. As shown in Figure 38, through holes 42C and 42D, which are located at the same Y-direction position relative to each other, communicate with each other in the -Z-direction portion of the flat plate portion 42A.

[0091] As shown in Figure 39, the circuit board 44 is made of a so-called flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that extends along the XY plane, and on the surface of the circuit board 44 facing the +Z direction, a plurality of connection portions 44A arranged in the Y direction at the -X direction end of the circuit board 44 are exposed. The plurality of connection portions 44A correspond to a plurality of first contacts 43.

[0092] As shown in Figure 40, the first contact 43 is made of a bent, strip-shaped plate member formed from a conductive material such as metal, and has a retaining projection 43A that is bent into a U shape and extends in the Z direction. The retaining projection 43A has a side surface 43B facing the -X direction and a side surface 43C facing the +X direction, and a hook portion 43D is formed at the +Z end of side surface 43B, projecting in an angle or mountain shape and facing the -X and -Z directions. On the other hand, on side surface 43C, a projection 43E is formed that projects in the +X direction, located on the -Z side of the hook portion 43D and closer to the base of the retaining projection 43A.

[0093] Furthermore, a cantilevered beam portion 43F extends from the -Z end of the side surface 43B toward the -X and +Z directions, and a curved portion 43G is formed at the -X end of the cantilevered beam portion 43F so as to be convex toward the +Z direction. Furthermore, a connecting portion 43H extends from the -Z end of the side surface 43C toward the +X direction.

[0094] When assembling the first connector 41, as shown in Figure 41, the retaining projection 43A of the first contact 43 is inserted into the corresponding through-hole 42C of the first insulator 42 from the -Z direction. Since the cantilever portion 43F of the first contact 43 extends from the -Z direction end of the side surface 43B toward the -X direction and the +Z direction, when the retaining projection 43A is inserted into the through-hole 42C of the first insulator 42, the curved portion 43G formed at the -X direction end of the cantilever portion 43F protrudes from the first exposed surface S1 toward the +Z direction through the through-hole 42D of the first insulator 42. In this state, for example, the connection portions 43H of the multiple first contacts 43 are connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44 by soldering.

[0095] In the first connector 41 with this configuration, a first contact portion P1 facing the -X and -Z directions is set by the hook portion 43D of the first contact 43, a second contact portion P2 facing the +X direction and located on the -Z side of the first contact portion P1 is set by the protruding portion 43E, and a third contact portion P3 facing the +Z direction is set by the curved portion 43G, which is located on the first exposed surface S1 at a position further away from the first contact portion P1 in the -X direction. The first contact portion P1, the second contact portion P2, and the third contact portion P3 contact the second connector 21, thereby holding the second connector 21 relative to the first connector 41.

[0096] As shown in Figure 35, the second connector 21 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 41. By moving the second connector 21 in the -Z direction, the second connector 21 is mated to the first connector 41, as shown in Figure 42.

[0097] At this time, as shown in Figure 43, similar to Embodiment 1, the +Z direction portion of the retaining projection 43A of the first contact 43 of the first connector 41 is inserted from the -Z direction into the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 of the second connector 21, and the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 set on the retaining projection 43A each contact the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23. Furthermore, the third contact portion P3 set on the curved portion 43G of the first contact 43 that protrudes in the +Z direction from the first exposed surface S1 through the through hole 42D of the first insulator 42 contacts the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23.

[0098] As a result, the second connector 21 receives a force F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portion P1 of the multiple first contacts 43 of the first connector 41, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portion P2, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portion P3. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, the resultant force of force F2, and the resultant force of force F3 are in equilibrium, and the moments are also in equilibrium, so that the second connector 21 is stably supported by the first connector 41 and the mated state of the second connector 21 with respect to the first connector 41 is maintained.

[0099] The first contact 43 is electrically connected to the second contact 23 when the first contact P1 and second contact P2 of the retaining projection 43A of the first contact 43 contact the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23, and the third contact P3 of the curved portion 43G of the first contact 43 contacts the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23. Furthermore, since the connection portion 43H of the first contact 43 is connected to the connection portion 44A of the circuit board 44, when the first connector 41 and the second connector 21 are mated, the second contact 23 is electrically connected to the connection portion 44A of the circuit board 44 via the first contact 43.

[0100] Thus, in Embodiment 4, as in Embodiments 1 to 3, the mating state of the first connector 41 and the second connector 21 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the second contact 23 of the second connector 21 can be connected to the connection portion 44A of the circuit board 44.

[0101] Embodiment 5 Figure 44 shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment 5 before mating. This connector assembly consists of a first connector 51 and a second connector 61 that are mated to each other. The first connector 51 has a first insulator 52 made of an insulating material, and a pair of first contacts 43 and a plurality of third contacts 53 held by the first insulator 52. The pair of first contacts 43 and the plurality of third contacts 53 are attached to a circuit board 44.

[0102] The second connector 61 has a second insulator 62 made of an insulating material, and a pair of second contacts 23 and a plurality of fourth contacts 63 held by the second insulator 62. The pair of first contacts 43 and multiple third contacts 53, and the pair of second contacts 23 and multiple fourth contacts 63 are arranged relative to each other at the same array pitch in the Y direction.

[0103] Figure 45 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 51. A pair of first contacts 43 are arranged on the -Z side of the first insulator 52, a plurality of third contacts 53 are arranged on the -Z side of the pair of first contacts 43, and a circuit board 44 is arranged on the -Z side of the plurality of third contacts 53. The first contacts 43 and the circuit board 44 are identical to those used in Embodiment 4 and shown in Figures 40 and 39, respectively. However, the first contacts 43 are located at only two locations: the +Y direction end and the -Y direction end of the first connector 51, and a plurality of third contacts 53 are arranged between these pairs of first contacts 43.

[0104] As shown in Figure 46, the first insulator 52 has a flat plate portion 52A that extends elongated along the XY plane and in the Y direction, and a first exposed surface S1 formed by the surface of the flat plate portion 52A on the +Z direction side. Multiple through holes 52B are formed on the +X direction side of the flat plate portion 52A, arranged in the Y direction and each penetrating the flat plate portion 52A in the Z direction, and multiple through holes 52C are formed on the -X direction side of the flat plate portion 52A, arranged in the Y direction and each penetrating the flat plate portion 52A in the Z direction.

[0105] As shown in Figure 47, the third contact 53 has a U-shaped portion 53A with a lower height in the Z direction instead of the retaining projection 43A extending in the Z direction, as is the case with the first contact 43 shown in Figure 40, and the rest of the contact has the same configuration as the first contact 43. Specifically, a cantilevered portion 53B extends from the -Z direction end of the U-shaped portion 53A toward the -X direction and the +Z direction, and a curved portion 53C is formed at the -X direction end of the cantilevered portion 53B so as to be convex toward the +Z direction. In addition, a connecting portion 53D extends from the -Z direction end of the U-shaped portion 53A toward the +X direction.

[0106] When assembling the first connector 51, the retaining protrusions 43A of the pair of first contacts 43 located at both ends in the Y direction are inserted from the -Z direction into the corresponding through holes 52B of the first insulator 52, that is, the through holes 52B located at both ends in the Y direction among the multiple through holes 52B. Similarly, the U-shaped portions 53A of the multiple third contacts 53 are inserted from the -Z direction into the corresponding through holes 52B of the first insulator 52, that is, the through holes 52B other than the pair of through holes 52B located at both ends in the Y direction. In this state, for example, by soldering, the connection portion 43H of the pair of first contacts 43 and the connection portion 53D of the multiple third contacts 53 are connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44.

[0107] As shown in Figure 48, the second insulator 62 has a structure in which a rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 62A extending elongated in the Y direction is connected to both ends in the Y direction, with a pair of arm-shaped portions 62B extending in the +X direction. Each of the pair of arm-shaped portions 62B has a concave contact housing portion 62C for accommodating the second contact 23 shown in Figure 10. The main body 62A has a plurality of concave contact housing portions 62D arranged in the Y direction, each for accommodating a fourth contact 63. The contact housing portions 62D are formed from through holes that penetrate the main body 62A in the Z direction. In addition, partition plates 62E extending along the XZ plane are formed between adjacent contact housing portions 62D.

[0108] As shown in Figure 49, the fourth contact 63 consists of a strip-shaped plate member made of a conductive material such as metal, and is bent into a U-shape that opens toward the +Z direction. At the -Z end of the fourth contact 63, a flat plate portion 63A is formed that extends along the XY plane and forms the bottom of the U-shape.

[0109] The second connector 61 is assembled by inserting the second contacts 23 from the +Z direction into the contact housing portions 62C of the pair of arm-shaped portions 62B of the second insulator 62, and inserting the fourth contacts 63 from the +Z direction into the multiple contact housing portions 62D of the main body portion 62A.

[0110] As shown in Figure 44, by moving the second connector 61 in the -Z direction from a state where the second connector 61 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 51, the second connector 61 is mated with the first connector 51, as shown in Figure 50.

[0111] At this time, as shown in Figure 51, similar to Embodiment 1, the portion of the retaining projection 43A of the first contact 43 of the first connector 51 on the +Z direction is inserted into the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23 of the second connector 61 from the -Z direction, and the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 set on the retaining projection 43A each contact the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23. Furthermore, the curved portion 43G formed at the tip of the cantilevered portion 43F of the first contact 43 protrudes in the +Z direction from the first exposed surface S1 through the corresponding through hole 52C of the first insulator 52, and the third contact portion P3 set on the curved portion 43G contacts the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 52, the U-shaped portion 53A of the third contact 53 of the first connector 51 is inserted into the corresponding through hole 52B of the second connector 61 from the -Z direction, and the curved portion 53C formed at the tip of the cantilevered portion 53B of the third contact 53 protrudes from the first exposed surface S1 in the +Z direction through the corresponding through hole 52C of the first insulator 52. The surface of this curved portion 53C facing the +Z direction also forms a third contact portion P3, and the third contact portion P3 of the curved portion 53C contacts the back surface of the flat portion 63A of the corresponding fourth contact 63.

[0113] As a result, the second connector 61 receives forces F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portions P1 of the pair of first contacts 43 of the first connector 51, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portions P2 of the pair of first contacts 43 of the first connector 51, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portions P3 of the pair of first contacts 43 and the third contact portions P3 of the multiple third contacts 53 of the first connector 51. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, F2, and F3 balance each other out, and the moments balance out, so that the second connector 61 is stably supported by the first connector 51 and the mated state of the second connector 61 with respect to the first connector 51 is maintained.

[0114] The first contacts 43 are electrically connected to their respective second contacts 23 by the first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 of the retaining projection 43A of the first contact 43 contacting the inner surface of the projection housing portion 23D of the second contact 23, and the third contact portion P3 of the curved portion 43G of the first contact 43 contacting the back surface of the stepped portion 23G of the second contact 23. Furthermore, when the third contact portion P3 of the third contact 53 contacts the back surface of the flat portion 63A of the fourth contact 63, multiple third contacts 53 are electrically connected to their respective fourth contacts 63.

[0115] Since the connection portions 43H of the pair of first contacts 43 and the connection portions 53D of the multiple third contacts 53 of the first connector 51 are connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44, when the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 are mated, the pair of second contacts 23 and the multiple fourth contacts 63 of the second connector 61 are electrically connected to the corresponding connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44 via the pair of first contacts 43 and the multiple third contacts 53.

[0116] Thus, in Embodiment 5, as in Embodiments 1 to 4, the mating state of the first connector 51 and the second connector 61 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the pair of second contacts 23 and the plurality of fourth contacts 63 of the second connector 61 can be connected to the corresponding connection part 44A of the circuit board 44.

[0117] Embodiment 6 Figure 53 shows a connector assembly according to Embodiment 6 before mating. This connector assembly consists of a first connector 71 and a second connector 81 that are mated to each other. The first connector 71 has a first insulator 72 made of an insulating material, and a pair of first contacts 73 and a plurality of third contacts 53 held by the first insulator 72. The pair of first contacts 73 and the plurality of third contacts 53 are attached to a circuit board 74.

[0118] The second connector 81 has a second insulator 82 made of an insulating material, and a pair of second contacts 83 and a plurality of fourth contacts 63 held by the second insulator 82. The pair of first contacts 73 and multiple third contacts 53, and the pair of second contacts 83 and multiple fourth contacts 63 are arranged relative to each other at the same array pitch in the Y direction.

[0119] Figure 54 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 71. A pair of first contacts 73 are arranged on the -Z side of the first insulator 72, a plurality of third contacts 53 are arranged on the -Z side of the pair of first contacts 73, and a circuit board 74 is arranged on the -Z side of the plurality of third contacts 53. The third contact 53 is the same as that used in Embodiment 5 and shown in Figure 47. Multiple third contacts 53 are arranged between a pair of first contacts 73.

[0120] As shown in Figure 55, the first insulator 72 has a flat plate portion 72A that extends elongated along the XY plane and in the Y direction, and a first exposed surface S1 formed by the surface of the flat plate portion 72A on the +Z direction side. On the +X direction side of the flat plate portion 72A, a pair of through holes 72B are formed, which are located at both ends in the Y direction and each penetrates the flat plate portion 72A in the Z direction. In addition, a plurality of through holes 72C are formed between the pair of through holes 72B, which are arranged in the Y direction and each penetrates the flat plate portion 72A in the Z direction. Furthermore, on the -X direction side of the flat plate portion 72A, a plurality of through holes 72D are formed, which are arranged in the Y direction and each penetrates the flat plate portion 72A in the Z direction.

[0121] The pair of through holes 72B and the multiple through holes 72C are positioned at the same X-direction, while the multiple through holes 72C and the multiple through holes 72D are positioned at the same Y-direction. Furthermore, the pair of through holes 72B, the multiple through holes 72C, and the multiple through holes 72D are arranged at the same array pitch in the Y-direction. The pair of through holes 72B correspond to the pair of first contacts 73, and the multiple through holes 72C and multiple through holes 72D correspond to the multiple third contacts 53.

[0122] As shown in Figure 56, the circuit board 74 is made of a so-called flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that extends along the XY plane. On the surface of the circuit board 74 facing the +Z direction, a pair of connection portions 74A are exposed at both ends in the Y direction, and a plurality of connection portions 74B are exposed arranged in the Y direction between the pair of connection portions 74A. The pair of connection portions 74A and the plurality of connection portions 74B are arranged in the Y direction with the same arrangement pitch as the pair of through holes 72B, the plurality of through holes 72C and the plurality of through holes 72D of the first insulator 72. The pair of connectors 74A correspond to the pair of first contacts 73, and the multiple connectors 74B correspond to the multiple third contacts 53.

[0123] As shown in Figure 57, the first contact 73 is made of a bent, strip-shaped plate member formed from a conductive material such as metal, and has a retaining projection 73A that is bent into a U shape and extends in the Z direction. The retaining projection 73A has a side surface 73B facing the -X direction and a side surface 73C facing the +X direction, and a hook portion 73D is formed at the +Z end of side surface 73B, projecting in an angle or mountain shape and facing the -X and -Z directions. On the other hand, on side surface 73C, a projection portion 73E is formed that projects in the +X direction, located on the -Z side of the hook portion 73D and closer to the base of the retaining projection 73A. Furthermore, connecting portions 73F extend from the -Z-direction ends of side 73B and side 73C toward the -X-direction and +X-direction, respectively.

[0124] When assembling the first connector 71, the retaining protrusions 73A of the pair of first contacts 73 located at both ends in the Y direction are inserted into the corresponding through holes 72B of the first insulator 72 from the -Z direction. Similarly, the U-shaped portions 53A of the multiple third contacts 53 are inserted into the corresponding through holes 72C of the first insulator 72 from the -Z direction. In this state, for example, the connection portions 73F of the pair of first contacts 73 are connected to the pair of connection portions 74A of the circuit board 74 by soldering, and the connection portions 53D of the multiple third contacts 53 are connected to the multiple connection portions 74B of the circuit board 74.

[0125] As shown in Figure 58, the second insulator 82 has a structure in which a rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 82A extending elongated in the Y direction is connected to both ends in the Y direction, with a pair of arm-shaped portions 82B extending in the +X direction. Each of the pair of arm-shaped portions 82B has a pair of recessed contact housing portions 82C for accommodating the second contact 83. The main body 82A has a plurality of concave contact housing portions 82D arranged in the Y direction and each used in Embodiment 5 and shown in Figure 49 for housing the fourth contact 63. The contact housing portions 82D are formed from through holes that penetrate the main body 82A in the Z direction. In addition, partition plates 82E extending along the XZ plane are formed between adjacent contact housing portions 82D.

[0126] As shown in Figure 59, the second contact 83 is made of a strip-shaped plate member formed of a conductive material such as metal, and has a U-shaped portion 83A that is curved in a U shape and opens toward the -Z direction. The U-shaped portion 83A has a first extension portion 83B that extends along the YZ plane on the -X direction side, and a second extension portion 83C that extends along the YZ plane on the +X direction side, and a concave projection receiving portion 83D is formed inside the U-shaped portion 83A for accommodating the retaining projection 73A of the first contact 73. In addition, a receiving portion 83E, which is a recess for receiving the hook portion 73D of the first contact 73, is formed on the surface of the first extension portion 83B on the +X direction side facing the projection receiving portion 83D. The second contact 83 has a rising portion 83F that bends in the -X direction from the -Z end of the first extension portion 83B and rises in the +Z direction, and a rising portion 83G that bends in the +X direction from the -Z end of the second extension portion 83C and rises in the +Z direction.

[0127] The second connector 81 is assembled by inserting the second contacts 83 from the +Z direction into the contact housing portions 82C of the pair of arm-shaped portions 82B of the second insulator 82, and inserting the fourth contacts 63 from the +Z direction into the multiple contact housing portions 82D of the main body portion 82A.

[0128] As shown in Figure 53, by moving the second connector 81 in the -Z direction from a state where the second connector 81 is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 71, the second connector 81 is mated with the first connector 71, as shown in Figure 60.

[0129] In this case, as shown in Figure 61, similar to Embodiment 1, the portion of the retaining projection 73A of the first contact 73 of the first connector 71 that is on the +Z side is inserted into the projection housing portion 83D of the second contact 83 of the second connector 81 from the -Z direction, and the first contact portion P1 set by the hook portion 73D of the retaining projection 73A and the second contact portion P2 set by the protruding portion 73E each contact the inner surface of the projection housing portion 83D of the second contact 83. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 62, the third contact portion P3, which is set by the curved portion 53C formed at the tip of the cantilevered portion 53B of the multiple third contacts 53, contacts the back surface of the flat portion 63A of the corresponding fourth contact 63.

[0130] As a result, the second connector 81 receives forces F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portions P1 of the pair of first contacts 73 of the first connector 71, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portions P2 of the pair of first contacts 73 of the first connector 71, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portions P3 of the multiple third contacts 53 of the first connector 71. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, the resultant force of force F2, and the resultant force of force F3 are in equilibrium, and the moments are also in equilibrium, so that the second connector 81 is stably supported by the first connector 71 and the mated state of the second connector 81 with respect to the first connector 71 is maintained.

[0131] The first contact portion P1 and the second contact portion P2 of the retaining projection 73A of the first contact 73 come into contact with the inner surface of the projection housing portion 83D of the second contact 83, thereby electrically connecting the pair of first contacts 73 to their respective second contacts 83. Furthermore, when the third contact portion P3 of the third contact 53 contacts the back surface of the flat portion 63A of the fourth contact 63, multiple third contacts 53 are electrically connected to their respective fourth contacts 63.

[0132] Since the connection portions 73F of the pair of first contacts 73 of the first connector 71 are connected to the pair of connection portions 74A of the circuit board 74, and the connection portions 53D of the multiple third contacts 53 are connected to the multiple connection portions 74B of the circuit board 74, when the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 are mated, the pair of second contacts 83 and the multiple fourth contacts 63 of the second connector 81 are electrically connected to the pair of connection portions 74A and the multiple connection portions 74B of the circuit board 74 via the pair of first contacts 73 and the multiple third contacts 53.

[0133] Thus, in Embodiment 6, as in Embodiments 1 to 5, the mating state of the first connector 71 and the second connector 81 can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the pair of second contacts 83 and the multiple fourth contacts 63 of the second connector 81 can be connected to the pair of connection parts 74A and the multiple connection parts 74B of the circuit board 74.

[0134] Embodiment 7 Figure 63 shows the connector assembly according to Embodiment 7 before mating. This connector assembly consists of a first connector 91 and a second connector 81A that are mated to each other. The first connector 91 has a first insulator 92 made of an insulating material and a plurality of first contacts 93 held by the first insulator 92. The plurality of first contacts 93 are attached to a circuit board 44.

[0135] The second connector 81A has a second insulator 84 made of an insulating material and a plurality of second contacts 85 held by the second insulator 84. Multiple first contacts 93 and multiple second contacts 85 are arranged relative to each other at the same arrangement pitch in the Y direction.

[0136] Figure 64 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 91. Multiple first contacts 93 are arranged on the -Z side of the first insulator 92, and a circuit board 44 is arranged on the -Z side of the multiple first contacts 93. The first contact 93 has the same configuration as the third contact 53 used in Embodiment 5 and shown in Figure 47, and the circuit board 44 is the same as the one used in Embodiment 4 and shown in Figure 39.

[0137] As shown in Figure 65, the first insulator 92 has a flat plate portion 92A that extends elongated along the XY plane and in the Y direction, and a first exposed surface S1 formed by the surface of the flat plate portion 92A on the +Z direction side. On the +X direction side of the flat plate portion 92A, a pair of retaining protrusions 92B are formed, which are located at both ends in the Y direction and each protrudes from the first exposed surface S1 toward the +Z direction. In addition, a plurality of through holes 92C are formed between the pair of retaining protrusions 92B, which are arranged in the Y direction and each penetrates the flat plate portion 92A in the Z direction. Furthermore, on the -X direction side of the flat plate portion 92A, a plurality of through holes 92D are formed, which are arranged in the Y direction and each penetrates the flat plate portion 92A in the Z direction.

[0138] Multiple through holes 92C and multiple through holes 92D are positioned at the same Y-direction position relative to each other and are arranged at the same array pitch relative to each other in the Y-direction. Multiple through holes 92C and multiple through holes 92D correspond to multiple first contacts 93.

[0139] As shown in Figure 66, the retaining projection 92B of the first insulator 92 has a side surface 92E facing the -X direction and a side surface 92F facing the +X direction. A hook portion 92G is formed at the +Z end of the side surface 92E, projecting in an angle or mountain shape and facing the -X and -Z directions. On the other hand, a projection portion 92H is formed on the side surface 92F, projecting in the +X direction, at a position closer to the base of the retaining projection 92B and on the -Z side than the hook portion 92G.

[0140] As shown in Figure 67, the first contact 93 has the same configuration as the third contact 53 in Embodiment 5 shown in Figure 47. That is, the first contact 93 consists of a strip-shaped plate member made of a conductive material such as metal, and has a U-shaped portion 93A, with a cantilevered portion 93B extending from the -Z end of the U-shaped portion 93A toward the -X and +Z directions, and a curved portion 93C formed at the -X end of the cantilevered portion 93B so as to be convex toward the +Z direction. In addition, a connecting portion 93D extends from the -Z end of the U-shaped portion 93A toward the +X direction.

[0141] When assembling the first connector 91, the U-shaped portions 93A of the multiple first contacts 93 are inserted into the corresponding through holes 92C of the first insulator 92 from the -Z direction. In this state, the connection portions 93D of the multiple first contacts 93 are connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44, for example, by soldering.

[0142] In the first connector 11 with this configuration, a first contact portion P1 facing the -X and -Z directions is set by the hook portion 92G of the retaining projection 92B of the first insulator 92, and a second contact portion P2 facing the +X direction and located on the -Z side of the first contact portion P1 is set by the protrusion 92H of the retaining projection 92B. Furthermore, as the U-shaped portion 93A of the first contact 93 is inserted into the through-hole 92C of the first insulator 92, the curved portion 93C formed at the tip of the cantilevered portion 93B of the first contact 93 protrudes in the +Z direction from the first exposed surface S1 through the corresponding through-hole 92D of the first insulator 92, and this curved portion 93C sets up a third contact portion P3 facing in the +Z direction.

[0143] As shown in Figure 68, the second insulator 84 has a structure in which a rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 84A extending elongated in the Y direction is connected to both ends in the Y direction, with a pair of arm-shaped portions 84B extending in the +X direction. Each of the pair of arm-shaped portions 84B has a pair of concave projection receiving portions 84C for accommodating the retaining projections 92B of the first insulator 92. The main body 84A has a plurality of concave contact housing portions 84D arranged in the Y direction, each for accommodating a second contact 85. The contact housing portions 84D are formed from through holes that penetrate the main body 84A in the Z direction. In addition, partition plates 84E extending along the XZ plane are formed between adjacent contact housing portions 84D.

[0144] As shown in Figure 69, the projection housing portion 84C of the arm-shaped portion 84B consists of a recess that is open in the -Z direction, and a receiving portion 84F, which is a recess for receiving the hook portion 92G of the retaining projection 92B, is formed on the inner surface of the projection housing portion 84C on the -X direction side. The second connector 81A is assembled by inserting the second contacts 85 from the +Z direction into each of the multiple contact housings 84D of the main body 84A of the second insulator 84.

[0145] As shown in Figure 70, the second contact 85 has the same configuration as the fourth contact 63 in Embodiment 5 shown in Figure 49. That is, the second contact 85 is made of a strip-shaped plate member made of a conductive material such as metal, and is bent into a U shape that opens toward the +Z direction. A flat plate portion 85A is formed at the -Z end of the second contact 85, extending along the XY plane and forming the bottom of the U shape.

[0146] As shown in Figure 63, by moving the second connector 81A in the -Z direction from a state where the second connector 81A is positioned on the +Z side of the first connector 91, the second connector 81A is mated to the first connector 91, as shown in Figure 71.

[0147] At this time, as shown in Figure 72, the portion of the retaining projection 92B of the first connector 91 on the +Z side is inserted from the -Z direction into the projection housing portion 84C of the arm-shaped portion 84B of the second connector 81A, the first contact portion P1 set by the hook portion 92G of the retaining projection 92B contacts the receiving portion 84F of the projection housing portion 84C, and the second contact portion P2 set by the protruding portion 92H of the retaining projection 92B contacts the inner surface of the projection housing portion 84C. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 73, a third contact portion P3, formed by a curved portion 93C at the tip of the cantilevered portion 93B of the multiple first contacts 93, contacts the back surface of the flat portion 85A of the corresponding second contact 85.

[0148] As a result, the second connector 81A receives forces F1 in the -X and -Z directions from the first contact portions P1 of the pair of retaining protrusions 92B of the first connector 91, a force F2 in the +X direction from the second contact portions P2 of the pair of retaining protrusions 92B of the first connector 91, and a force F3 in the +Z direction from the third contact portions P3 of the multiple first contacts 93 of the first connector 91. Then, the resultant force of these forces F1, the resultant force of force F2, and the resultant force of force F3 are in equilibrium, and the moments are also in equilibrium, so that the second connector 81A is stably supported by the first connector 91, and the mating state of the second connector 81A with respect to the first connector 91 is maintained.

[0149] The third contact portion P3 of the first contact 93 contacts the back surface of the flat plate portion 85A of the second contact 85, thereby electrically connecting each of the multiple first contacts 93 to the corresponding second contact 85. Since the connection portions 93D of the multiple first contacts 93 of the first connector 91 are connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44, when the first connector 91 and the second connector 81A are mated, the multiple second contacts 85 of the second connector 81A are electrically connected to the multiple connection portions 44A of the circuit board 44 via the multiple first contacts 93.

[0150] Thus, in Embodiment 7, as in Embodiments 1 to 6, the mating state of the first connector 91 and the second connector 81A can be stably maintained with a simple structure without using a dedicated mechanism to lock the mating state, and the multiple second contacts 85 of the second connector 81A can be connected to the pair of connection parts 44A of the circuit board 44.

[0151] In embodiments 3 to 7, the tab sheet 14 is not used. However, similar to embodiments 1 and 2, by attaching the first connectors 31, 31A, 41, 51, 71, and 91 to a tab sheet 14 made of, for example, clothing fabric, the first connectors 31, 31A, 41, 51, 71, and 91 can be used as clothing-side connectors, and the second connectors 21, 61, 81, and 81A can be used as module-side connectors.

[0152] Conversely, the second connectors 21, 61, 81, and 81A in embodiments 1 to 7 can be used as clothing-side connectors that are attached to clothing, and the first connectors 11, 11A, 31, 31A, 41, 51, 71, and 91 can be used as module-side connectors that are mated to the clothing-side connectors.

[0153] Furthermore, in embodiments 1, 2, 4-7, the circuit boards 17, 19, 44, and 74 extend along the XY plane parallel to the first exposed surface S1 of the first connectors 11, 11A, 41, 51, 71, and 91. However, the invention is not limited to this, and circuit boards extending along the YZ plane in the mating direction, such as the circuit board 34 in embodiment 3, can also be used. Moreover, as in the modified example of embodiment 3, the first contacts 13, 43, 73, and 93 in embodiments 1, 2, 4-7 may be connected to a cable instead of a circuit board. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0154] 1. Garment-side connector part, 2. Module-side connector section, 3. Module-side connector housing section, 4. Clothing side contact, 5. Conductive sheet, 6. Module-side contacts, 7. Locking mechanism, 8. Locked part, 11, 11A, 31, 31A, 41, 51, 71, 91 First connector, 12,32,42,52,72,92 First insulator, 13, 33, 35, 43, 73, 93 First contact, 13A, 33A, 43A, 73A, 92B holding protrusion, 13B,13C,33B,33C,43B,43C,73B,73C,92E,92F side, 13D, 33D, 43D, 73D, 92G hook part, 13E,33E,33F,43E,73E,92H Protrusion 13F bent part, 13G, 43F, 53B, 93B Cantilever beam section, 13H,43G,53C curved part, 14 tab sheets, 14A opening, 15 bottom insulators, 15A,16A,18A,42A,52A,63A,72A,92A,85A flat plate part, 15B Contact support part, 15C,16B,18B,32C,42B protrusion, 15D Contact insertion section, 15E Tab sheet support section, 16,18 Top insulators, 16C,18C,18D,32D,42C,42D,52B,52C,72B,72C,72D,92C,92D through hole, 16D, 32E convex part, 17, 19, 34, 44, 74 circuit boards, 17A, 19A, 34A, 43H, 44A, 53D, 74A, 74B, 73F, 93D connection points, 20 auxiliary contact lenses, 20A base, 20B curved section, 21,61,81,81A Second connector, 22,62,82,84 Second insulator, 22A Contact housing section, 22B Partition plate, 22C notch, 23,83,85 Second contact, 23A, 83A U-shaped part, 23B,83B 1st extension part, 23C,83C 2nd extension part, 23D, 83D, 84C projection housing section, 23E, 83E receiving section, 23F bottom, 23G Step section, 23H, 23J, 83F, 83G rising section, 32A Insulator body, 32B Groove, 35G cable connection port, 35H notch, 36 cables, 36A Conductor section, 36B Insulating coating portion, 53 Third Contact, 53A, 93A U-shaped part 62A, 82A, 84A body part, 62B, 82B, 84B Arm-like portion, 62C, 62D, 82C, 82D, 84D コンタククト containment unit, 62E, 82E, 84E cutter board, 63 No. 4コンタクト、 S1 First appearance S2 second appearance, P1 First contact part P2 Second contact part P3 Third contact part F1, F2, F3 force F1X, F1Z component forces LX, LZ distance, T-junction plane, N normal, S Qingき.

Claims

1. A connector assembly in which a first connector and a second connector are mated together along the mating direction, and the second contact of the second connector is electrically connected to the first contact of the first connector, The first connector has a first exposed surface facing the second connector and a retaining projection that protrudes from the first exposed surface toward the second connector in the mating direction. The second connector has a second exposed surface facing the first connector and a concave projection housing portion formed on the second exposed surface, which accommodates at least a portion of the retaining projection. The first connector has a first contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection, a second contact portion located on the side of the retaining projection opposite to the side on which the first contact portion is located, and closer to the base of the retaining projection than the first contact portion, and a third contact portion located on the first exposed surface and at a position away from the side of the retaining projection on which the first contact portion is located, in the opposite direction from the second contact portion. A connector assembly in which, when the first connector and the second connector are mated together, at least a portion of the retaining projection is housed in the projection housing, the first contact portion and the second contact portion each contact the inner surface of the projection housing, and the third contact portion contacts the second exposed surface, thereby maintaining the mated state of the first connector and the second connector.

2. The first connector has a first insulator that holds the first contact, The second connector has a second insulator that holds the second contact, At least a portion of the first exposed surface is formed by the first insulator, At least a portion of the second exposed surface is formed by the second insulator, The retaining projection is formed by the first contact, The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projection housing portion is formed by the second contact.

3. The third contact portion is formed by the protrusions formed on the first insulator. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second contact forms the second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts.

4. The first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the first insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction, Each second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. Multiple first contacts form multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the protrusions form a plurality of the third contact portions.

5. The first connector has an auxiliary contact held by the first insulator, The auxiliary contact forms the third contact portion. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second contact forms the second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts.

6. The first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of auxiliary contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. Each second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. Multiple first contacts form multiple first contact portions and multiple second contact portions. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of third contact portions are formed by the plurality of auxiliary contacts.

7. The third contact portion is formed by the first contact. The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second contact forms the second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts.

8. The first connector has a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the mating direction, Each second connector has a plurality of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged along the arrangement direction. The connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of first contacts form a plurality of first contact portions, a plurality of second contact portions, and a plurality of third contact portions.

9. The first connector has a third contact held by the first insulator, The second connector has a fourth contact held by the second insulator, The connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein when the second connector is mated to the first connector, the fourth contact is electrically connected to the third contact.

10. The first contact and the third contact each form the third contact portion. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second exposed surface of the portion that the third contact portion contacts is formed by the second contact and the fourth contact, respectively.

11. The first connector has a pair of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and spaced apart from each other in an array direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of third contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged in the array direction between the pair of first contacts. The second connector has a pair of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrangement, and a plurality of fourth contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged in the direction of arrangement between the pair of second contacts. The pair of first contacts forms a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. The connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of third contact portions are formed by the pair of first contacts and the plurality of third contacts.

12. The third contact forms the third contact portion. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second exposed surface of the portion that each of the third contact portions contacts is formed by the fourth contact.

13. The first connector has a pair of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and spaced apart from each other in an array direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of third contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged in the array direction between the pair of first contacts. The second connector has a pair of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrangement, and a plurality of fourth contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged in the direction of arrangement between the pair of second contacts. The pair of first contacts forms a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of third contacts are formed by the plurality of third contacts.

14. The first connector has a first insulator that holds the first contact, The second connector has a second insulator that holds the second contact, At least a portion of the first exposed surface is formed by the first insulator, At least a portion of the second exposed surface is formed by the second insulator, The retaining projection is formed by the first insulator, The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projection housing portion is formed by the second insulator.

15. The first connector has a pair of retaining protrusions, each formed by the first insulator and spaced apart from each other in an array direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a plurality of first contacts, each held by the first insulator and arranged in the array direction between the pair of retaining protrusions. The second connector has a pair of projection housings, each formed by the second insulator and spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrangement, and a plurality of second contacts, each held by the second insulator and arranged in the direction of arrangement between the pair of projection housings. The pair of holding protrusions form a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of third contact portions are formed by the plurality of first contacts.

16. The retaining projection has a hook portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and has the first contact portion positioned at its tip. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the projection housing portion has a receiving portion that receives the hooking portion.

17. The connector assembly according to claim 16, wherein the ratio LZ / LX of the distance LZ between the first contact portion and the second contact portion in the fitting direction to the distance LX between the first contact portion and the third contact portion in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction is less than or equal to the inclination S of the normal perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction of the tangent plane formed by the contacting hook portion and the receiving portion when the hook portion is received by the receiving portion.

18. The first connector is a garment-side connector that is attached to clothing, The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second connector is a module-side connector that is detachably fitted to the garment-side connector.

19. The connector assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first contact is electrically connected to a circuit board.

20. The connector assembly according to claim 19, wherein the circuit board extends parallel to the first exposed surface.

21. The connector assembly according to claim 19, wherein the circuit board extends along the mating direction.

22. The connector assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first contact is electrically connected to a cable.

23. The aforementioned second connector is a garment-side connector that is attached to the garment, The connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the first connector is a module-side connector that is detachably fitted to the garment-side connector.

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