connector

Abstract

To narrow the intervals between protrusions to which a plurality of terminals are attached, to facilitate manufacturing, enable miniaturization, and increase reliability. [Solution] The left connector body is a member integrated with a plurality of first terminals by insert molding, and the right connector body is a member integrated with a plurality of second terminals by insert molding, the left connector body including a protrusion extending in its longitudinal direction and holding a plurality of first terminals, and the right connector body including a protrusion extending in its longitudinal direction and holding a plurality of second terminals, the plurality of first terminals being attached to the left connector body so as to face alternately in opposite directions, and the plurality of second terminals being attached to the right connector body so as to face alternately in opposite directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to electrically connect a pair of parallel circuit boards, a connector such as a board-to-board connector has been used. Such a connector is attached to each of the mutually facing surfaces of a pair of circuit boards and is adapted to fit together and conduct electricity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, 811 is a housing of a connector mounted on a circuit board not shown, and has a pair of elongated convex portions 812 extending in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminals 861 are attached side by side in the longitudinal direction of the connector to the convex portions 812.

[0005] When the connector is fitted with a mating connector not shown, the convex portions 812 are inserted into each of a pair of concave grooves formed in the mating housing of the mating connector. As a result, the terminals 861 come into contact with and conduct electricity with each of the mating terminals not shown attached side by side in the concave grooves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the conventional connector described above, the terminals 861 are formed to be integrated with the housing 811. Therefore, when miniaturized, the spacing between the protrusions 812 becomes narrower, and the pitch of the terminals 861 becomes narrower, making manufacturing difficult. Typically, the terminals 861 are integrated with a pair of protrusions 812 of the housing 811 by a molding method called overmolding or insert molding. Therefore, when the spacing between the protrusions 812 becomes narrower and the pitch of the terminals 861 becomes narrower, it becomes difficult to accurately arrange a large number of terminals 861 in positions corresponding to the pair of protrusions 812 within the molding die for the housing 811.

[0008] The objective here is to solve the problems of the conventional connectors described above, to provide a connector that can narrow the spacing between the protrusions on which multiple terminals are attached, is easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To that end, the connector comprises a left connector body, a right connector body, a first body end connecting the first end of the left connector body and the first end of the right connector body, a second body end connecting the second end of the left connector body and the second end of the right connector body, a plurality of first terminals attached to the left connector body, a plurality of second terminals attached to the right connector body, a first reinforcing fitting attached to the first body end, and a second reinforcing fitting attached to the second body end, wherein the left connector body is a member integrated with the plurality of first terminals by insert molding, the right connector body is a member integrated with the plurality of second terminals by insert molding, the left connector body includes a projection extending in its longitudinal direction that holds the plurality of first terminals, and the right connector body includes a projection extending in its longitudinal direction that holds the plurality of second terminals. Each of the first terminals includes a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion extending in the width direction of the left connector body at the lower end of the first terminal and protruding outwards to one side in the width direction of the left connector body; each of the second terminals includes a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion extending in the width direction of the right connector body at the lower end of the second terminal and protruding outwards to one side in the width direction of the right connector body; The multiple first terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the left connector body are adjacent to each other. The orientation of the left connector body as viewed from the longitudinal direction. alternating left and rightMultiple second terminals, which are attached to the left connector body in the opposite direction and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the right connector body, are adjacent to each other. The orientation of the right connector body as viewed from the longitudinal direction. alternating left and right It is attached to the right connector body so as to be facing the opposite direction, and each of the first terminals The tail portion of the left connector body protrudes outward in the width direction and is connected to the circuit board, and the tail portions of each of the second terminals protrude outward in the width direction and are connected to the circuit board. The space between the left connector body and the right connector body is a through hole opening to the upper and lower surfaces of the connector, and within the through hole Multiple tail portions protruding from the left connector body toward the right connector body and protruding from the right connector body toward the left connector body Multiple tail sections are located.

[0010] A connector pair comprises the connector of this disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

[0011] In other connectors, a left connector body, a right connector body, a first body end connecting the first end of the left connector body and the first end of the right connector body, a second body end connecting the second end of the left connector body and the second end of the right connector body, and a plurality of first terminals attached to the left connector body, each of which A contact portion extending in the vertical direction, and at the lower end of the first terminal, extending in the width direction of the left connector body and protruding outward on one side in the width direction of the left connector body. Tail section connected to the circuit board and A plurality of first terminals having and a plurality of second terminals attached to the right connector body, each of which A contact portion extending in the vertical direction, and at the lower end of the second terminal, extending in the width direction of the right connector body and protruding outward on one side in the width direction of the right connector body. Tail section connected to the circuit board andA connector comprising a plurality of second terminals having a first reinforcing fitting attached to the end of the first body, and a second reinforcing fitting attached to the end of the second body, wherein the left connector body is a member integrated with the plurality of first terminals by insert molding, and the right connector body is a member integrated with the plurality of second terminals by insert molding, the left connector body includes a bottom plate portion extending in its longitudinal direction, and the right connector body includes a bottom plate portion extending in its longitudinal direction The left connector body includes a plate portion, extending in its longitudinal direction and integrally formed on the bottom plate portion, and includes a protrusion narrower than the bottom plate portion that holds a plurality of first terminals; the right connector body extends in its longitudinal direction and integrally formed on the bottom plate portion, and includes a protrusion narrower than the bottom plate portion that holds a plurality of second terminals; the tail portions of the plurality of first terminals are exposed on the mounting surface of the bottom plate portion of the left connector body, and the tail portions of the plurality of second terminals are exposed on the mounting surface of the bottom plate portion of the right connector body. The plurality of first terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the left connector body are attached to the left connector body such that adjacent terminals alternately face opposite directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the left connector body, and the plurality of second terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the right connector body are attached to the right connector body such that adjacent terminals alternately face opposite directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the right connector body. The tail portion of the first terminal extends from the bottom plate portion in the width direction of the left connector body. one of the left or right Outward protrusion and connected to the circuit board The tail portion of the second terminal extends in the width direction of the right connector body from the bottom plate portion. one of the left or right Outward protrusion and connected to the circuit board The space between the left connector body and the right connector body is a through hole opening to the upper and lower surfaces of the connector, and within the through hole Multiple tail portions protruding from the left connector body toward the right connector body and protruding from the right connector body toward the left connector body Multiple tail sections are located.

[0012] Other connector pairs include the connector of this disclosure and a mating connector that mates with it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this disclosure, the connector can have a narrower spacing between the protrusions on which multiple terminals are attached, making it easier to manufacture, allowing for miniaturization, and improving reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 2] Exploded view of the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the left half part of the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing one step of manufacturing the left half part of the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 5] Two - dimensional view showing the first step of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 6] Two - dimensional view showing the second step of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 7] Enlarged view showing the main parts of the first and second steps of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment, where (a) is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 5 and (b) is an enlarged view of part F in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] Cross - sectional view of the first and second steps of manufacturing the first protruding end portion of the first connector in this embodiment, where (a) is a cross - sectional view taken along the A - A arrow in FIG. 5, (b) is a cross - sectional view taken along the B - B arrow in FIG. 5, (c) is a cross - sectional view taken along the C - C arrow in FIG. 6, and (d) is a cross - sectional view taken along the D - D arrow in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] Perspective view seen from the first connector side showing the state just before fitting of the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment. [Figure 10] Exploded view of the left half part of a modified example of the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 11] Perspective view showing a conventional connector.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first connector in this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the left half of the first connector in this embodiment.

[0017] In the figure, 1 is a first connector, which is one of a pair of board-to-board connectors that are connectors in this embodiment. The first connector 1 is a surface-mount type connector mounted on the surface of a first board, which is a board not shown as a mounting member, and is mated with the second connector 101, which will be described later as the mating connector. The second connector 101 is the other of the pair of board-to-board connectors, and is a surface-mount type connector mounted on the surface of a second board, which is a board not shown as a mounting member.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are preferably used to electrically connect the first and second substrates, but they can also be used to electrically connect other components. The first and second substrates are, for example, printed circuit boards used in electronic devices, flexible flat cables (FFCs), flexible printed circuits (FPCs), etc., but any type of substrate may be used.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are relative, not absolute. They are appropriate when each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but should be modified and interpreted accordingly if the position changes.

[0020] The first connector 1 is constructed by joining a pair of left and right halves, namely the left half 10A and the right half 10B, with a first reinforcing fitting 51 as a reinforcing fitting and a covering portion 16 integrally molded by a molding method called overmolding, outsert molding, or insert molding (hereinafter referred to as "insert molding"). Since the left half 10A and the right half 10B are the same member arranged to face each other, they will be described as a half 10 when described as a whole. The left half 10A and the right half 10B each have a roughly gate-like shape in plan view (shape projected onto the XY plane), and the space between the joined left half 10A and right half 10B is an elongated groove 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The groove 13 is a through hole open on the upper and lower surfaces of the first connector 1.

[0021] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the first connector 1 is described as having a pair of halves 10, that is, two halves arranged in parallel, but it may also have three or more halves 10 arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the halves 10 do not necessarily have to have a roughly gate-like shape; they may have any shape as long as both ends in the longitudinal direction can be connected by the first reinforcing fitting 51 and the covering portion 16.

[0022] The aforementioned half-body portion 10 has a first housing 11 as a connector body, which is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and has a shape that is substantially gate-shaped in plan view. Each first housing 11 includes an elongated strip-shaped bottom plate portion 17 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and a first protrusion portion 12 integrally formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 17 as an elongated protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11. The first protrusion portion 12 is a member with a cross-sectional shape resembling an inverted U, and has a curved mating surface 12a located on the upper side (positive Z-axis direction side), and outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c connected to the left and right sides of the mating surface 12a. The outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c are a pair of planes that are parallel to each other and face each other, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11. Furthermore, since the width dimension (Y-axis direction) of the first protrusion 12 is shorter than the width dimension of the base plate portion 17, the base plate portion 17 protrudes outward in the width direction from the outer surface 12b and inner surface 12c at the lower end (Z-axis negative direction side end) of the first protrusion 12. Also, the lower surface of the base plate portion 17 is the mounting surface 17a of the first housing 11 that faces the surface of the first substrate.

[0023] Each first protrusion 12 is provided with a first terminal 61. These first terminals 61 are arranged at a predetermined pitch and in multiples (32 in the example shown in the figure). The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processes on a conductive metal plate, and has a main body portion 63 extending in the width direction of the first protrusion 12, a tail portion 62 connected to one end of the main body portion 63, a contact portion 65 extending in the vertical direction and connected to the other end of the main body portion 63 at approximately 90 degrees, and an upper end portion 64 connected to the upper end of the contact portion 65 at approximately 90 degrees.

[0024] The main body portion 63 is a part that is embedded in and held by the bottom plate portion 17. The tail portion 62 extends outward in the width direction from the bottom plate portion 17 and is connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line. Furthermore, the contact portion 65 is a part that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and preferably includes a contact recess 65a that is recessed from the surface.

[0025] The first terminal 61 is integrated with the first housing 11 by insert molding. That is, the first housing 11 is formed by filling an insulating material into the cavity of a mold in which the first terminal 61 has been pre-set. As a result, the first terminal 61 is integrally attached to the first housing 11 with the lower surfaces of the main body portion 63 and tail portion 62 exposed to the mounting surface 17a of the bottom plate portion 17, and the surfaces of the contact portion 65 and upper end portion 64 exposed to the outer surface 12b or inner surface 12c and mating surface 12a of the first protrusion portion 12.

[0026] Furthermore, the first terminals 61 attached to each first protrusion 12 are oriented such that adjacent terminals are oriented in opposite directions with respect to the width direction of the first protrusion 12. In the example shown in the figure, the orientation of the first terminal 61 located at the front end (positive X-axis end) of the first protrusion 12 of the left half portion 10A is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes outward (positive Y-axis side), while the orientation of the second first terminal 61 from the front end is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes inward (negative Y-axis side). In this way, the first terminals 61 are attached to the first protrusion 12 in an alternating, opposite orientation, so the pitch of the tail portions 62 protruding on each side of the first protrusion 12 is twice the pitch of the first terminals 61. Therefore, connection work such as soldering to the connection pads of the first substrate can be easily performed. Furthermore, the pitch of the contact portion 65 exposed on the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, and the pitch of the contact portion 65 exposed on the inner surface 12c, are also twice the pitch of the first terminal 61.

[0027] Note that the first terminal 61 is a component that is integrated with the first housing 11 by insert molding, and therefore does not exist separately from the first housing 11. However, for the sake of explanation, it is depicted in Figure 2 as if it were separated from the first housing 11.

[0028] Furthermore, first protruding ends 18, which are main body ends that function as fitting guides, are provided at both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12. The first protruding ends 18 are members connected to both longitudinal ends of each first protrusion 12 and are formed to connect the left half 10A and the right half 10B. The first protruding ends 18 function as insertion protrusions that are inserted into the fitting recess 122 of the second protruding end 121 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together.

[0029] Furthermore, the first protruding end 18 is composed of the extended ends 14 and embedded portions 15 of the left and right halves 10, as well as the covering portion 16 and the first reinforcing fitting 51.

[0030] Each half-body portion 10 has an extension end 14 that extends longitudinally at both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12, and each extension end 14 has an embedded portion 15 that further extends longitudinally from the first protrusion 12 that is integrally connected to each extension end 14. The extension end 14 extends at an inward angle, and the embedded portion 15 extends longitudinally from an inwardly eccentric position at the tip of the extension end 14 and is located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. In other words, the extension end 14 of the left half-body portion 10A extends at an angle to the right (negative Y-axis direction), and the embedded portion 15 extends longitudinally from an inwardly eccentric position at the tip of the extension end 14. Furthermore, the extended end 14 of the right half portion 10B extends diagonally to the left (positive Y-axis direction), and the buried portion 15 extends longitudinally from a position eccentric to the left at the tip of the extended end 14.

[0031] Then, at least a portion of the extension ends 14 of the left and right halves 10 and the entirety of the buried portion 15 are covered by a covering portion 16 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. Specifically, the covering portion 16 is formed by bringing the buried portions 15 of the left and right halves 10 close together and performing insert molding while they are covered by the first reinforcing fitting 51. This forms the extension ends 14 and buried portions 15 of the left and right halves 10, as well as a first protruding end 18 in which the covering portion 16 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 are integrated, and the left and right halves 10 are joined together. Incidentally, the covering portion 16 does not necessarily need to cover the entire buried portion 15; it is sufficient to cover the buried portion 15 to the extent that it is necessary to join the left and right halves 10. However, in order to achieve the strongest joining force, it is desirable to cover the entire buried portion 15. Note that the covering portion 16 is a component formed to be integrated with other components by insert molding, and does not exist independently separated from other components. However, for the sake of explanation, it is depicted as existing independently in Figure 2.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the extension end 14 has an upper surface 14a located above, outer surfaces 14b and inner surfaces 14c connected to the left and right sides of the upper surface 14a, and a lower surface 14d located below. The lower surface 14d is located above the mounting surface 17a, and at least a part of it is covered by the covering portion 16. The upper surface 14a is substantially flush with the fitting surface 12a of the first protrusion 12. The inner surface 14c is a surface that is inclined inward relative to the inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12. The outer surface 14b includes an inclined outer surface 14b1 that is inclined inward relative to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, and a parallel outer surface 14b2 that is substantially parallel to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12. The parallel outer surface 14b2 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the covering portion 16 and forms part of the outer surface of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0033] Furthermore, the embedded portion 15 is a member having an overall shape that is roughly rectangular, and has an upper surface 15a located on the upper side, outer surfaces 15b and inner surfaces 15c on both the left and right sides, a lower surface 15d located on the lower side, and end surfaces 15e at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. The upper surface 15a and the lower surface 15d are planes parallel to each other, and the distance between the upper surface 15a and the lower surface 15d, i.e., the thickness of the embedded portion 15, is thinner than the thickness of the extension end 14 and the first protrusion 12. The upper surface 15a is located below the mating surface 12a, and the lower surface 15d is located above the mounting surface 17a. The outer surface 15b is a plane that is almost parallel to the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, but is located inward from the outer surface 12b, i.e., closer to the center in the width direction of the first housing 11. Furthermore, the inner surface 15c includes a parallel inner surface 15c1 which is a plane substantially parallel to the inner surface 12c of the first protrusion 12, and an inclined inner surface 15c2 which is substantially parallel to the inner surface 14c of the extension end 14. In addition, the end surface 15e is a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. The embedded portion 15 is entirely covered by the covering portion 16, that is, it is embedded within the covering portion 16.

[0034] In this way, the extension end 14 extends inward at an angle, and the embedded portion 15 is located inside the outer surface 12b of the first protrusion 12, so the width of the first protruding end 18 (dimension in the Y-axis direction) can be made smaller than the width of the first connector 1 (distance between the outer surfaces 12b of the left and right first protrusions 12). If it is not necessary to make the width of the first protruding end 18 smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the extension end 14 does not necessarily need to be inward at an angle, and can be extended straight. Furthermore, the extension end 14 can be omitted by extending the embedded portion 15 directly from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12. In that case, the longitudinal dimension of the first connector 1 can be shortened. Moreover, when three or more half-body portions 10 are arranged in parallel, the extension end 14 can be extended in a Y-shape from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12.

[0035] The first reinforcing bracket 51 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate such as punching and bending, and includes a substantially rectangular upper plate 54 extending in the width direction of the first housing 11, substantially rectangular leg portions 55 connected to the left and right side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward, and an outer end wall covering portion 52 and an inner end wall covering portion 53 connected to the front and rear side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward. A tail portion 52a is connected to the lower end of the outer end wall covering portion 52. The width of the outer end wall covering portion 52 is greater than the width of the inner end wall covering portion 53.

[0036] As described above, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the covering portion 16 and constitutes the first protruding end portion 18. The upper plate 54 is embedded in the upper surface of the first protruding end portion 18, and the upper surface of the upper plate 54 is flush with the upper surface of the covering portion 16, and constitutes more than half of the upper surface of the first protruding end portion 18. The left and right leg portions 55 are embedded in the left and right outer surfaces of the first protruding end portion 18, and the outer surfaces of the leg portions 55 are flush with the outer surface of the covering portion 16, and constitute more than half of the outer surface of the first protruding end portion 18. Furthermore, the outer end wall covering portion 52 and the inner end wall covering portion 53 are embedded in the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end portion 18, and the outer surfaces of the outer end wall covering portion 52 and the inner end wall covering portion 53 are flush with the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the covering portion 16, and constitute more than half of the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0037] The tail portion 52a is bent at approximately 90 degrees and connected to the lower end of the outer surface covering portion 52 of the end wall, extending outward in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11, and connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate. The conductive trace is typically a power line. If necessary, the lower end of the leg portion 55 can be positioned to approach or in contact with the surface of the first substrate. In this case, connecting the lower end of the leg portion 55 to the connection pad on the first substrate by soldering or the like improves the connection strength of the first reinforcing bracket 51 to the first substrate.

[0038] Next, a method for manufacturing the first connector 1 with the above configuration will be described.

[0039] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one step in manufacturing the left half of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 5 is a two-view drawing showing the first step in manufacturing the first protruding end of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 6 is a two-view drawing showing the second step in manufacturing the first protruding end of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing the main parts of the first and second steps in manufacturing the first protruding end of the first connector in this embodiment, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second steps in manufacturing the first protruding end of the first connector in this embodiment. Note that in Figures 5 and 6, (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view; in Figure 7, (a) is an enlarged view of part E in Figure 5 and (b) is an enlarged view of part F in Figure 6; in Figure 8, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 5, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in Figure 5, (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in Figure 6 and (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in Figure 6.

[0040] The first terminal 61 is a component made of a metal plate bent in the thickness direction, manufactured by punching, bending, and other processes on the metal plate, and is supplied connected in multiples to a flat terminal carrier 68, which serves as a carrier, as shown in Figure 4. Each first terminal 61 has its tail portion 62 connected to the terminal carrier 68 via an elongated connecting arm 68a, and the tail portion 62 is cut off from the connecting arm 68a at the cut portion 68b, resulting in the component shown in Figure 2.

[0041] Then, in the process of integrating with the first housing 11 by insert molding, the first terminals 61 are supplied connected to a carrier 68 in multiple units, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of manufacturing the left half 10A. In this case, the first terminals 61 whose tail portion 62 is oriented to protrude outward (towards the positive Y-axis) are connected to the terminal carrier 68 on the right side of Figure 4, and the first terminals 61 whose tail portion 62 is oriented to protrude inward (towards the negative Y-axis) are connected to the terminal carrier 68 on the left side of Figure 4, and are set in a first molding die (not shown). By holding and operating the terminal carrier 68 to which multiple first terminals 61 are connected, multiple first terminals 61 can be simultaneously positioned and set in the molding die.

[0042] Next, an insulating material such as synthetic resin is filled into the cavity of the molding die in a molten state. That is, the first insert molding is performed. The insulating material can be any type of material, but here it is assumed to be LCP (liquid crystal polymer). In the first insert molding, it is desirable to select the material with an emphasis on fluidity. When the filled insulating material is cooled and solidified and the first housing 11 is formed, the molding die is opened and the left half portion 10A, with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61 as shown in Figure 4, is removed. In the same way, the right half portion 10B, with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61, is manufactured.

[0043] Next, from the left half 10A, which still has the terminal carrier 68 connected to the first terminal 61 as shown in Figure 4, only the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding inward (the left terminal carrier 68 in Figure 4) is removed, while the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding outward (the right terminal carrier 68 in Figure 4) is left as is. Similarly, from the right half 10B, which still has the terminal carrier 68 connected to the first terminal 61, only the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding inward is removed, while the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding outward is left as is.

[0044] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B, each connected only to the outwardly protruding tail portion 62 with a terminal carrier 68, are set in a second molding die (not shown) with the two halves facing each other. Specifically, the inner surfaces of the left and right halves 10 face each other, the first housings 11 of the left and right halves 10 are parallel to each other, the mounting surfaces 17a of the first housings 11 of the left and right halves 10 and the end faces 15e at both ends in the longitudinal direction are flush, and the embedded portions 15 of the left and right halves 10 are close to each other but not in contact. As shown in Figure 7(a), the left and right halves 10 facing each other are positioned such that the distance between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the opposing embedded portions 15 is a predetermined distance L2, and then set in the second molding die.

[0045] Furthermore, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is set in the second molding die so as to cover at least a portion of the extended ends 14 of the left and right halves 10 and the entirety of the embedded portion 15. In this case, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is set with the tip of its tail portion 52a connected to the fitting carrier 58, which acts as a carrier. Note that when the tail portion 52a is cut off from the fitting carrier 58 at the cutting portion 58b, the first reinforcing fitting 51 becomes the member shown in Figure 2. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a), 8(a) and (b), the first reinforcing bracket 51 is set such that a gap is created between its upper plate 54 and the upper surface 15a of the embedded portion 15, a gap is created between its leg portion 55 and the outer surface 15b of the embedded portion 15, a gap is created between its outer end wall covering portion 52 and the end face 15e of the embedded portion 15, a gap is created between its inner end wall covering portion 53 and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15, and the lower end of its leg portion 55 is below the lower surface 15d of the embedded portion 15 and at approximately the same height as the mounting surface 17a.

[0046] Next, an insulating material such as synthetic resin is filled into the cavity of the molding die in a molten state. That is, a second insert molding is performed. The insulating material can be any type of material, but here, as with the first insert molding, LCP is used with an emphasis on fluidity. In the second insert molding, the insulating material can also be selected with an emphasis on strength and fusion bonding with the insulating material used in the first insert molding. Once the filled insulating material has cooled and solidified and the covering portion 16 has been formed, the molding die is opened, and the left and right halves 10, with both longitudinal ends joined by the first protruding ends 18 as shown in Figure 6, are removed.

[0047] In this case, the left and right halves 10 are integrated with the covering portion 16, with at least a portion of the extension end 14 and the entirety of the buried portion 15 covered by the covering portion 16, and the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the covering portion 16 by covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the covering portion 16. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(b), 8(c) and (d), etc., the gap between the first reinforcing fitting 51's upper plate 54, leg portion 55, end wall outer covering portion 52 and end wall inner covering portion 53 and the upper surface 15a, outer surface 15b, end surface 15e and inclined inner surface 15c2 of the buried portion 15 is filled with the insulating material of the covering portion 16. In addition, the gap between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the opposing buried portions 15 is also filled with the insulating material of the covering portion 16. Furthermore, the area below the lower surface 15d of the buried portion 15 is also filled with the insulating material of the covering portion 16, and the lower surface of the covering portion 16 becomes almost flush with the mounting surface 17a. In addition, the parallel outer surface 14b2 of the extended end portion 14 becomes almost flush with the outer surface of the covering portion 16 and becomes part of the outer surface of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7(a), a gap exists between the inner surface covering portion 53 of the end wall of the first reinforcing fitting 51 and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15. Since the inclined inner surface 15c2 is inclined, the molten insulating material filled into the cavity of the molding die during the second insert molding process flows smoothly between the inner surface covering portion 53 and the left and right inclined inner surface 15c2, and between the parallel inner surface 15c1 of the opposing embedded portion 15, filling the cavity without any gaps. Furthermore, as the space between the inner surface covering portion 53 and the left and right inclined inner surface 15c2 increases, the amount of insulating material that can be filled increases.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), it is desirable that the width L1 of the end wall inner covering portion 53 of the first reinforcing fitting 51 facing the gap between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the embedded portion 15 be set to be larger than the distance L2, which is the distance between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1. In other words, it is desirable that L1 > L2 be set. Note that the width of the end wall outer covering portion 52 is larger than the width of the end wall inner covering portion 53. As a result, the boundary between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the embedded portion 15 formed by the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed by the second insert molding is covered by the end wall outer covering portion 52 and the end wall inner covering portion 53 when viewed from the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), making separation difficult, and thus improving the strength of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), it is desirable that the length L3 of the leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing fitting 51 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1 be set to be greater than the length L4 of the outer surface 15b of the embedded portion 15. In other words, it is desirable that L3 > L4 be set. Moreover, it is desirable that the end of the outer surface 15b closer to the longitudinal center of the first connector 1 be located closer to both ends of the first connector 1 in the longitudinal direction than the end of the leg portion 55 closer to the longitudinal center of the first connector 1. As a result, the boundary between the outer surface 15b of the embedded portion 15 formed by the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed by the second insert molding is covered by the leg portion 55 when viewed from the width direction (Y-axis direction), making it difficult to separate, and thus improving the strength of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0051] Furthermore, whether viewed from above or below, from the front or back (longitudinal direction), or from the left or right (width direction), at least a portion of the buried portion 15 overlaps with, in other words, is arranged to overlap with, any of the upper plate 54, outer end wall covering portion 52, inner end wall covering portion 53, or leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing bracket 51. Therefore, the strength of the first protruding end portion 18 is improved.

[0052] Finally, the remaining terminal carrier 68 and metal fitting carrier 58 are removed from the left and right halves 10, which are joined at both longitudinal ends by the first protruding ends 18 as shown in Figure 6. This yields the first connector 1 as shown in Figure 1.

[0053] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101, which forms a connector pair with the first connector 1, and the operation of mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 will be described.

[0054] Figure 9 is a perspective view from the first connector side, showing the state of the first connector and the second connector just before mating in this embodiment.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second connector 101, which serves as the mating connector, has a second housing 111, which serves as the mating connector body, integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, the second housing 111 has a roughly rectangular, plate-like shape that is roughly a rectangular parallelepiped. On the side of the second housing 111 into which the first connector 1 is fitted, that is, the mating surface 111a side (negative Z-axis direction side), there is a roughly rectangular recess 112 surrounded by a perimeter, which is formed to fit with the first housing 11. Within the recess 112, a second protrusion 113 is integrally formed with the second housing 111 as an island that fits with a groove 13, and on both sides of the second protrusion 113, side wall portions 114 extending parallel to the second protrusion 113 are integrally formed with the second housing 111.

[0056] The second protrusion 113 and the side wall portion 114 protrude upward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from the bottom surface of the recess 112 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. As a result, on both sides of the second protrusion 113, elongated recesses called groove portions 112a are formed as part of the recess 112, extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101.

[0057] A groove-shaped second terminal housing cavity 115a is formed on both sides of the second protrusion 113 and on the inner side of the side wall portion 114 to accommodate the second terminal 161. In addition, a hole-shaped second terminal housing cavity 115b is formed in the second protrusion 113 and the side wall portion 114 to accommodate the second terminal 161. The second terminal housing cavity 115a and the second terminal housing cavity 115b are connected and integrated with each other at the bottom surface of the groove portion 112a, so when describing the second terminal housing cavity 115a and the second terminal housing cavity 115b together, they will be described as the second terminal housing cavity 115. The second terminal housing cavity 115 is arranged at a pitch corresponding to the first terminal 61 and in a corresponding number.

[0058] The second terminal 161 is a component integrally formed by processing a conductive metal plate, such as by punching, and comprises a main body portion (not shown), a tail portion 162 connected to the lower end of the main body portion, a connecting portion (not shown) extending from near the lower end of the main body portion in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, and a contact portion 165 extending upward (negative Z-axis direction) from the connecting portion. It is desirable that a contact projection 165a protruding toward the main body portion is formed near the tip of the contact portion 165.

[0059] The main body portion is the part that is press-fitted into and held in the second terminal housing cavity 115b. The tail portion 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the main body portion, extends in the width direction of the second housing 111, and is connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate. The conductive trace is typically a signal line. Furthermore, the contact portion 165 is the part that contacts the first terminal 61 of the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and preferably the contact projection 165a engages with the contact recess 65a formed in the contact portion 65 of the first terminal 61.

[0060] The second terminal 161 is inserted into the second terminal housing cavity 115 from below the second housing 111 and attached to the second housing 111. As a result, the main body of the second terminal 161 is press-fitted into and held in the second terminal housing hole cavity 115b, the contact portion 165 is housed in the second terminal housing groove cavity 115a and exposed to the recessed groove portion 112a, and the lower surface of the tail portion 162 is exposed to the mounting surface 111b, which is the lower surface of the second housing 111.

[0061] Furthermore, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove 112a are oriented in the same way as the first terminals 61, such that adjacent terminals are oriented in opposite directions with respect to the width of the groove 112a. In the example shown in Figure 9, the orientation of the second terminal 161 located at the front end (X-axis positive end) of the second terminal 161 attached to the groove 112a on the Y-axis positive side is such that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the Y-axis negative direction, while the orientation of the second second terminal 161 located second from the front end is such that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the Y-axis positive direction. In this way, the second terminals 161 are attached to the groove 112a in an alternating, opposite orientation, so the pitch of the tail portions 162 exposed on the mounting surface 111b on both sides of the groove 112a is twice the pitch of the second terminals 161. Therefore, connection work such as soldering to the connection pads of the second substrate can be easily performed. Furthermore, the pitch of the contact portion 165 exposed in the groove portion 112a is twice the pitch of the second terminal 161.

[0062] Furthermore, second protruding ends 121, which serve as fitting guides, are provided at both longitudinal ends of the second housing 111. A fitting recess 122 is formed in each second protruding end 121 as part of the recess 112. The fitting recess 122 is a substantially rectangular recess and is connected to both longitudinal ends of each groove 112a. When the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, the first protruding end 18 of the first connector 1 is inserted into the fitting recess 122. A second reinforcing fitting 151, which serves as a mating reinforcing fitting, is attached to the second protruding end 121. The second reinforcing fitting 151 is integrated with the second housing 111 by insert molding.

[0063] The second reinforcing bracket 151 is a component integrally formed by processing a metal plate, such as punching and bending, and comprises a second main body portion 152 extending in the width direction of the second housing 111, lateral covering portions 153 connected to both the left and right ends of the second main body portion 152, contact side portions 154 disposed on the left and right inner walls of the fitting recess 122, and a tail portion 156 connected to the lower end of the second main body portion 152. The tail portion 156 extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 and is connected and fixed to a connection pad (not shown) exposed on the surface of the second substrate by soldering or the like. Preferably, the connection pad is connected to a conductive trace, which is a power line.

[0064] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 of the above configuration will be described.

[0065] Here, the first connector 1 is surface-mounted on the first substrate by the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 being connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate (not shown), and the tail portion 52a of the first reinforcing bracket 51 being connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate. The conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected is a signal line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 52a of the first reinforcing bracket 51 is connected is a power line.

[0066] Similarly, the second connector 101 is surface-mounted on the second substrate by the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 being connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate (not shown), and by the tail portion 156 of the second reinforcing bracket 151 being connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate. The conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected is a signal line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 156 of the second reinforcing bracket 151 is connected is a power line.

[0067] First, the operator positions the mating surface 12a of the first protrusion 12, which serves as the mating surface of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1, and the mating surface 111a of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 facing each other. When the position of the first protrusion 12 of the first connector 1 aligns with the position of the corresponding recess 112a of the second connector 101, and the position of the first protruding end 18 of the first connector 1 aligns with the position of the corresponding mating recess 122 of the second connector 101, the alignment of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0068] In this state, when the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 are moved toward the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the first protrusion 12 and the first protruding end 18 of the first connector 1 are inserted into the groove 112a and mating recess 122 of the second connector 101. This completes the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101. Then, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 become electrically connected.

[0069] Next, a modified example of the first connector 1 will be described.

[0070] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the left half of a modified example of the first connector in this embodiment.

[0071] In the modified example shown in the figure, the first terminal 61 does not have a main body portion 63, but has a contact portion 65 extending in the vertical direction, a tail portion 62 connected to the lower end of the contact portion 65 at a bend of approximately 90 degrees, and an upper end portion 64 connected to the upper end of the contact portion 65 at a bend of approximately 90 degrees. The tip of the upper end portion 64 is connected to an embedded portion 64a that extends downward at a bend of approximately 90 degrees. The embedded portion 64a is the part that is embedded in the first protrusion 12 downward from the mating surface 12a.

[0072] In the first terminal 61 shown in Figure 2, the tail portion 62 extends in the direction opposite to the direction facing the contact portion 65. However, in the modified first terminal 61 shown in Figure 10, the tail portion 62 extends in the same direction as the direction facing the contact portion 65. Therefore, it becomes easier to hold the terminal carrier 68 connected to the tip of the tail portion 62 via an elongated connecting arm 68a and set multiple first terminals 61 alternately in opposite directions into the first molding die from both the left and right sides.

[0073] Note that the configuration, operation, and effects of other parts of the modified first terminal 61 shown in Figure 10 are the same as those of the first terminal 61 shown in Figure 2, etc., so their explanation will be omitted.

[0074] Thus, in this embodiment, each first connector 1 comprises a half-body portion 10 including a first housing 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11, first protruding ends 18 formed at both ends of the first housing 11 by abutting the first housings 11 of each half-body portion 10 together, and a first reinforcing fitting 51 attached to the first protruding ends 18. Each of the first housings 11 is a member integrated with the first terminal 61 by a first insert molding, and includes a first protrusion 12 that extends in the longitudinal direction and holds the first terminal 61, extension ends 14 connected to both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12, and an embedded portion 15 extending from the extension ends 14. The first protruding end 18 includes a covering portion 16 that covers at least a part of the extension end 14 and the entire embedded portion 15 of each first housing 11, and the covering portion 16 is a member integrated with the extension end 14, the embedded portion 15 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 by a second insert molding.

[0075] This makes it possible to narrow the spacing between the first protrusions 12 of the first housing 11 to which multiple first terminals 61 are attached, thereby enabling miniaturization of the first connector 1. In addition, it simplifies the manufacturing of the first connector 1 and improves its reliability.

[0076] Furthermore, the first reinforcing fitting 51 includes an upper plate 54 extending in the width direction of the first housing 11, a pair of left and right legs 55 connected to the left and right side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward, and an outer end wall covering 52 and an inner end wall covering 53 connected to the front and rear side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward. The embedded portion 15 is arranged such that, when viewed from the top, bottom, front, rear, and left and right directions, at least a part of it overlaps with the upper plate 54, the legs 55, the outer end wall covering 52, and the inner end wall covering 53. As a result, the embedded portion 15 of the left half 10A and the embedded portion 15 of the right half 10B are firmly connected by the covering portion 16 integrated with the first reinforcing fitting 51, so that the first protruding end 18 is reliably formed, and the left half 10A and the right half 10B are reliably connected.

[0077] Furthermore, each embedded portion 15 of the first housing 11 extends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and includes parallel inner surfaces 15c1 facing the embedded portions 15 of other first housings 11. The distance L2 between the opposing parallel inner surfaces 15c1 is smaller than the width L1 of the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 of the first reinforcing fitting 51, which is positioned to face the gap between the opposing parallel inner surfaces 15c1. As a result, the boundary between the parallel inner surfaces 15c1 of the embedded portion 15 formed by the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed by the second insert molding overlaps with the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 when viewed from the front-rear direction, making separation difficult and improving the strength of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0078] Furthermore, the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 is arranged such that it faces the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15 which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11, and a gap exists between it and the inclined inner surface 15c2, which are connected to each of the parallel inner surface 15c1 that face each other.

[0079] Furthermore, the embedded portion 15 of each first housing 11 extends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and includes an outer surface 15b facing the leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing fitting 51, with the length L4 of the outer surface 15b being shorter than the length L3 of the leg portion 55. As a result, the boundary between the outer surface 15b of the embedded portion 15 formed by the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed by the second insert molding is covered by the leg portion 55 when viewed from the left and right directions, making separation difficult and improving the strength of the first protruding end portion 18.

[0080] Furthermore, the extended ends 14 of each first housing 11 are inclined inward in the width direction of the first connector 1 and extend from both longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 12, so that the width of the first protruding end 18 is smaller than the width of the first connector 1. In this way, the width of the first protruding end 18 can be made smaller than the width of the first connector 1, so that when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated together, contact sides 154 are arranged on the left and right inner walls of the mating recess 122 of the second housing 111 into which the first protruding end 18 is inserted, and the width of the mating recess 122 is substantially reduced, and this can be accommodated.

[0081] This specification describes features relating to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims attached herein can be readily conceived by those skilled in the art by reviewing this specification. For example, the staggered arrangement of terminals does not have to be regular. Nor does the arrangement of terminals have to be the same in the left and right halves. Furthermore, the left and right halves do not have to be symmetrical. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] This disclosure can be applied to connectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. First connector 10A Left half of the body 10B Right half of body 11 Housing 1 12 First protrusion 12a, 111a mating surface 12b, 14b, 15b outer surface 12c, 14c, 15c inner surface 13, 112a Concave groove part 14 Extension end 14a, 15a top surface 14b1 Slanted outer surface 14b2 Parallel outer surface 14d, 15d bottom surface 15 Buried section 15c1 Parallel inner surface 15c2 Slanted inner surface 15e end face 16 Covering part 17 Bottom plate part 17a, 111b Implementation side 18 First protruding end 51. First reinforcing bracket 52 End wall outer covering 52a, 62, 156, 162 Tail section 53 End wall inner surface covering 54 Top plate 55 Legs 58 Metal Carrier 58b, 68b cutting section 61 1st terminal 63 Main body 64 Upper end 64a Recessed part 65, 165 Contact area 65a Contact recess 68 Terminal Carrier 68a Connecting arm 101 Second connector 111 Second Housing 112 recess 113 Second protrusion 114 Side wall section 115 Second terminal housing cavity 115a Second terminal housing groove cavity 115b Second terminal housing cavity 121 Second protruding end 122 Fitting recess 151 Second reinforcing bracket 152 Second Main Body 153 Lateral cover 154 Contact side 161 2nd terminal 165a Contact protrusion 811 Housing 812 Convex part 861 terminal

Claims

1. (a) Left connector body and (b) Right connector body and (c) A first body end connecting the first end of the left connector body and the first end of the right connector body, (d) A second body end connecting the second end of the left connector body and the second end of the right connector body, (e) A plurality of first terminals attached to the left connector body, (f) A plurality of second terminals attached to the right connector body, (g) A first reinforcing bracket attached to the first end of the main body, (h) A connector comprising a second reinforcing fitting attached to the second end of the main body, (i) The left connector body is a component integrated with a plurality of first terminals by insert molding, and the right connector body is a component integrated with a plurality of second terminals by insert molding, (j) The left connector body includes a projection that extends in its longitudinal direction and holds a plurality of first terminals, and the right connector body includes a projection that extends in its longitudinal direction and holds a plurality of second terminals, (k) Each of the first terminals includes a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion extending in the width direction of the left connector body at the lower end of the first terminal and protruding outwards to one side in the width direction of the left connector body, and each of the second terminals includes a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion extending in the width direction of the right connector body at the lower end of the second terminal and protruding outwards to one side in the width direction of the right connector body, (l) The plurality of first terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the left connector body are attached to the left connector body such that the orientation of adjacent terminals when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the left connector body alternates between left and right, and the plurality of second terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the right connector body are attached to the right connector body such that the orientation of adjacent terminals when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the right connector body alternates between left and right, (m) A connector characterized in that each tail portion of the first terminal protrudes outward in the width direction of the left connector body and is connected to a substrate, each tail portion of the second terminal protrudes outward in the width direction of the right connector body and is connected to a substrate, the space between the left connector body and the right connector body is a through hole opening to the upper and lower surfaces of the connector, and a plurality of tail portions protruding from the left connector body toward the right connector body and a plurality of tail portions protruding from the right connector body toward the left connector body are located within the through hole.

2. A pair of connectors comprising the connector described in claim 1 and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

3. (a) Left connector body and (b) Right connector body and (c) A first body end connecting the first end of the left connector body and the first end of the right connector body, (d) A second body end connecting the second end of the left connector body and the second end of the right connector body, (e) A plurality of first terminals attached to the left connector body, each having a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion extending in the width direction of the left connector body at the lower end of the first terminal, protruding outwards to one side in the width direction of the left connector body and connected to a substrate, (f) A plurality of second terminals attached to the right connector body, each having a contact portion extending in the vertical direction and a tail portion at the lower end of the second terminal that extends in the width direction of the right connector body and protrudes outward to one side in the width direction of the right connector body and is connected to a substrate, (g) A first reinforcing bracket attached to the first end of the main body, (h) A connector comprising a second reinforcing fitting attached to the second end of the main body, (i) The left connector body is a component integrated with a plurality of first terminals by insert molding, and the right connector body is a component integrated with a plurality of second terminals by insert molding, (j) The left connector body includes a bottom plate portion extending in its longitudinal direction, and the right connector body includes a bottom plate portion extending in its longitudinal direction. (k) The left connector body extends in its longitudinal direction and is integrally formed on the bottom plate portion, and includes a protrusion narrower than the bottom plate portion that holds a plurality of first terminals, and the right connector body extends in its longitudinal direction and is integrally formed on the bottom plate portion, and includes a protrusion narrower than the bottom plate portion that holds a plurality of second terminals, (l) The tail portions of the multiple first terminals are exposed on the mounting surface of the bottom plate of the left connector body, and the tail portions of the multiple second terminals are exposed on the mounting surface of the bottom plate of the right connector body. (m) The plurality of first terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the left connector body are attached to the left connector body such that the orientation of adjacent terminals when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the left connector body alternates between left and right, and the plurality of second terminals arranged in the longitudinal direction of the right connector body are attached to the right connector body such that the orientation of adjacent terminals when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the right connector body alternates between left and right, (n) The tail portion of the first terminal is connected to a substrate by protruding from the bottom plate portion to one side in the width direction of the left connector body, and the tail portion of the second terminal is connected to a substrate by protruding from the bottom plate portion to one side in the width direction of the right connector body, and the space between the left connector body and the right connector body is a through hole opening to the upper and lower surfaces of the connector, and a plurality of tail portions protruding from the left connector body toward the right connector body and a plurality of tail portions protruding from the right connector body toward the left connector body are located within the through hole.

4. A pair of connectors comprising the connector described in claim 3 and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

Images