connector

Abstract

To prevent the impedance of a portion of a terminal near a partition wall from decreasing excessively in a connector whose housing has a partition wall.SOLUTION: Housings 10, 20 of a connector 100 have a partition wall 21 located between adjacent terminals 30. The partition wall 21 has one opposing surface 24a1 and the other opposing surface 24a1. Further, the partition wall 21 has a gap 25 formed between the one facing surface 24a1 and the other facing surface 24a1 and located between the adjacent terminals 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] The connector of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of terminals and a housing. Each of the plurality of terminals has a contact portion that contacts an object to be connected. The housing has a partition wall disposed between adjacent contact portions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the connector as described above, the partition wall is formed of a dielectric that is the material of the housing. Therefore, the impedance of the contact portion disposed near the partition wall may be excessively reduced.

[0005] The problem to be solved by this disclosure is to suppress the excessive reduction of the impedance of the portion of the terminal close to the partition wall in a connector in which the housing has a partition wall.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A connector according to a first aspect is a connector including a plurality of terminals and a housing, wherein the housing has a partition wall located between adjacent ones of the terminals, and the partition wall has one opposing surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, another opposing surface facing the other of the adjacent terminals, and a gap portion formed between the one opposing surface and the another opposing surface.

[0007] In this embodiment, the connector comprises a plurality of terminals and a housing.

[0008] The housing has a partition wall located between adjacent terminals. The partition wall has one opposing surface and another opposing surface. The one opposing surface is the surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, and the other opposing surface is the surface facing the other of the adjacent terminals.

[0009] Furthermore, the partition wall has a gap formed between one opposing surface and the other opposing surface. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which such a gap is not formed, the impedance of the terminal near the portion corresponding to the gap increases. As a result, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the terminal impedance.

[0010] In the embodiments described later, an example will be given where "multiple terminals" refers to all the terminals provided by the connector. However, the "multiple terminals" in this embodiment are not limited to this. The "multiple terminals" in this embodiment may refer to two or three terminals from among the many terminals provided by the connector. In other words, the connector in this embodiment may also have terminals other than the "multiple terminals" in this embodiment. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, an example will be explained in which the "multiple terminals" have the same structure as each other. However, the "multiple terminals" in this embodiment are not limited to this. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, an example will be described in which the void is open in a direction perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. However, the void in this embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, it may not be open in any direction. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, an example will be described in which the "housing" comprises a fixed housing and a movable housing. However, the "housing" in this embodiment is not limited to this and may consist only of a fixed housing. In other words, the connector does not have to be a so-called floating connector. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, an example in which air is placed in the void will be explained. However, the void in this embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, a member with a lower dielectric constant than the housing may be placed there. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, an example is given in which the air gap is located between adjacent terminals (an example in which the air gap is located between adjacent terminals), but this embodiment is not limited to this. This is because even in embodiments in which the air gap is not located between adjacent terminals (including embodiments in which adjacent terminals have different shapes), the air gap still has the effect of adjusting the impedance.

[0011] The connector according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, has a terminal having a restricted portion, the one opposing surface having a one-restricting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, the other opposing surface having a other-restricting surface that restricts the other of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the one, and the restricted portion is a contact portion that contacts the object to be connected.

[0012] In this embodiment, the terminal has a restricted portion. One opposing surface has a restricting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, and the other opposing surface has a restricting surface that restricts the other of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the first. Therefore, the positioning of a part of the terminal (the restricted portion) away from its predetermined position is suppressed. The term "restricted portion" simply refers to the part whose movement in the aforementioned direction is restricted by one or the other restricting surface of the partition wall.

[0013] Furthermore, the restricted portion is the contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be connected. Therefore, the contact point is prevented from being positioned in a location that is misaligned from its predetermined position.

[0014] In the embodiments described later, an example is given in which the gap is located between adjacent restricted portions (contact portions), but this embodiment is not limited to this. However, since the restricted portions are located near the partition wall, the impedance tends to drop excessively. Therefore, it is preferable that the gap be located between adjacent restricted portions (contact portions). Furthermore, while the embodiments described later will describe an example in which the terminal has multiple restricted portions (first contact portion and second contact portion), this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0015] The connector according to the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, has a contact portion comprising a first contact portion and a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion, and the gap portion is located between adjacent first contact portions and between adjacent second contact portions.

[0016] In this embodiment, the contact portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion. Here, the void is located between adjacent first contact points and between adjacent second contact points. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first and second contact portions from being positioned at locations deviated from their predetermined positions, and to prevent the impedance of the first and second contact portions from dropping excessively.

[0017] In the connector according to the fourth embodiment, in the third embodiment, the portion of the gap located between adjacent first contact portions and the portion located between adjacent second contact portions are connected in the connection direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, the portion of the void located between adjacent first contact portions and the portion located between adjacent second contact portions are connected in the direction of connection. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the portion of the void located between adjacent first contact portions and the portion located between adjacent second contact portions are not connected, the void can be easily formed.

[0019] In the fifth embodiment, the connector is configured such that, in any of the second to fourth embodiments, each of the plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, and the partition wall is interposed between adjacent elastic support portions.

[0020] In this aspect, each of the plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports a contact portion. Here, the partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions. Therefore, in a portion where the partition wall is interposed between adjacent elastic support portions, it is possible to prevent the adjacent elastic support portions from being short-circuited by plating sludge.

[0021] In the embodiments (other than the first modification example) described later, an example in which the partition wall is configured to be interposed between the entire adjacent elastic support portions will be described, but the partition wall of this aspect is not limited to this. For example, as in the first modification example, the partition wall of this aspect may be configured to be interposed between a part of adjacent elastic support portions.

[0022] The connector according to the sixth aspect is, in the fifth aspect, the partition wall is a surface facing one side of the adjacent elastic support portions, and is formed at a position farther from the one elastic support portion than the one limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, and a surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portions, and is formed at a position farther from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, and has either one or both of them.

[0023] In this aspect, the partition wall has either one or both of the one separation surface and the other separation surface. The one separation surface is a surface facing one side of the adjacent elastic support portions, and is a surface formed at a position farther from the one elastic support portion than the one limiting surface in the adjacent direction (the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent). The other separation surface is a surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portions, and is a surface formed at a position farther from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the adjacent direction. Therefore, compared with an aspect in which the partition wall does not have either the one separation surface or the other separation surface, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of the elastic support portion.

[0024] In the seventh embodiment, the connector, in the sixth embodiment, has a front-side separating surface formed at a position offset from the position of the one-side separating surface or the other-side separating surface of the partition wall in the opposite direction to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected.

[0025] In this embodiment, one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall has a front separating surface. The front separating surface is a surface formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface in the direction opposite to the contact direction (the direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected) (hereinafter referred to as the "anti-contact direction"). Therefore, when a portion of the elastic support is positioned at a location offset from the contact portion in the opposite direction, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support.

[0026] In the eighth embodiment, the connector, in the sixth or seventh embodiment, has a first rearward separating surface formed at a position shifted from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface toward the rearward side in the connection direction of the object to be connected.

[0027] In this embodiment, one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall has a first rear separating surface. The first rear separating surface is a surface formed at a position shifted to the rear in the connection direction of the objects to be connected, from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface. Therefore, when a portion of the elastic support is positioned in a location shifted to the back in the connection direction from the contact point, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support.

[0028] In the ninth embodiment, the connector, in any of the sixth to eighth embodiments, has a second rear-side separating surface formed at a position offset from the position of the one-side separating surface or the other-side separating surface of the partition wall, in the direction opposite to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, and towards the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected.

[0029] In this embodiment, one separation surface or the other separation surface has a second rear separation surface. The second rear separation surface is a surface formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface in the anti-contact direction and towards the rear in the connection direction. Therefore, when a portion of the elastic support is positioned in a location offset from the contact portion in the opposite direction of contact and towards the back in the connection direction, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support.

[0030] A connector according to the tenth embodiment, in the first embodiment, the restricted portion is a contact portion that contacts an object to be connected, the contact portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion, each of the plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, the partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions, the partition wall has a surface facing one side of the adjacent elastic support portions and a one-separating surface formed at a position where the adjacent elastic support portions are further away from the one elastic support portion than the one restricting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, and a surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portions and where the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent The partition wall has either or both of the following: a separating surface formed at a position further away from the other elastic support portion than the other restricting surface, wherein the separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall has: a front separating surface formed at a position shifted from the position of the one restricting surface or the other restricting surface in the opposite direction to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected; a first rear separating surface formed at a position shifted from the position of the one restricting surface or the other restricting surface towards the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected; and a second rear separating surface formed at a position shifted from the position of the one restricting surface or the other restricting surface in the opposite direction to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, and towards the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the terminal has a contact portion and an elastic support portion, and the contact portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion, it is possible to prevent adjacent elastic support portions from short-circuiting due to plating residue, and to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of the elastic support portion.

[0032] In the connector according to the tenth embodiment, in the first embodiment, the terminal has a first contact and a second contact, the first contact has a first contact portion and a first elastic support portion that elastically supports the first contact portion, and the second contact has a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion and a second elastic support portion that elastically supports the second contact portion.

[0033] In this embodiment, the terminal has a first contact and a second contact. The first contact has a first contact portion and a first elastic support portion that elastically supports the first contact portion. The second contact has a second contact portion located further back in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion, and a second elastic support portion that elastically supports the second contact portion. Therefore, connection reliability can be improved. Furthermore, when a terminal has a first contact and a second contact, the impedance of the first and second contacts tends to drop excessively. In this embodiment, however, by providing a gap, it is possible to suppress the excessive drop in the impedance of the first and second contacts.

[0034] In the embodiments described later, an example is given in which the gap is located between adjacent first contacts and between adjacent second contacts, but this embodiment is not limited to this. This embodiment includes cases in which the gap is not located between adjacent first and second contacts, but is located between adjacent first contacts and between adjacent second contacts. Furthermore, this embodiment includes cases in which the gap is not located between adjacent first and second contacts. This is because even if the gap is not located in such a position, the gap has the effect of adjusting the impedance of the first and second contacts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the connector. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the connector. [Figure 3] This is a disassembled perspective view of the connector. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the front and rear pair of terminals. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fixed housing. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the movable housing. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a magnified view of the area near the void. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the first modified example. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a second modified example. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a third modified example. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the fourth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Hereinafter, connector 100, which is an embodiment of the connector of this disclosure, will be described.

[0037] In each diagram, arrow X is sometimes referred to as the front-to-back direction of the connector, arrow Y as the width direction of the connector, and arrow Z as the up-and-down direction of the connector.

[0038] (Connector 100) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 100 comprises housings 10 and 20 and a plurality of terminals 30. The housings 10 and 20 comprise a fixed housing 10 and a movable housing 20.

[0039] The fixed housing 10 is a housing that is fixed to the circuit board B1, which is the object to which the connector 100 is attached. The fixed housing 10 is fixed to the circuit board B1 via a plurality of terminals 30.

[0040] The movable housing 20 is a housing that is movably mounted relative to the fixed housing 10. The movable housing 20 is supported in a floating state by a plurality of terminals 30.

[0041] The fixed housing 10 and the movable housing 20 are formed from an insulator such as synthetic resin.

[0042] Terminal 30 connects the circuit board B1 to the mating terminal (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown). Terminal 30 is made by punching and bending a conductive plate material. Each of the multiple terminals 30 has the same shape as the others.

[0043] The multiple terminals 30 consist of multiple terminals 30 on the front side (four in the figure) and multiple terminals 30 on the rear side (four in the figure). The front terminals 30 and the rear terminals 30 form a pair of terminals 30 (see Figure 4), and it can also be understood that this pair of terminals 30 is arranged with the Y direction as the arrangement direction. The pair of terminals 30 are positioned facing each other so that the direction of their contact portions (the direction in which the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 are located relative to the connection portion 31 when viewed from the Z direction) faces inward in the X direction.

[0044] Next, we will explain terminal 30 in detail.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the terminal 30 has a connecting portion 31, a fixed-side retained portion 32, an intermediate portion 33, a movable-side retained portion 34, and a tip portion 35 in this order.

[0046] The connection part 31 is the part that is connected to the substrate B1, which is the object to be mounted. The connecting portion 31 extends outward in the X direction, which is along the surface of the substrate B1, from the fixed-side retained portion 32. The connecting portion 31 is soldered to the surface of the substrate B1.

[0047] The fixed-side retained portion 32 is the part that is held by the fixed housing 10. The fixed-side retained portion 32 is held in the fixed housing 10 by being press-fitted into the fixed housing 10 with the +Z direction as the press-fitting direction. The fixed-side retained portion 32 has its plate width direction oriented in the Y direction, which is the terminal arrangement direction, and extends in the +Z direction (hereinafter, the plate width direction of the fixed-side retained portion 32 may be referred to as the "first plate width direction"). The fixed-side retained portion 32 has press-fitting projections 32a. The press-fitting projections 32a are formed on both sides of the fixed-side retained portion 32 in the plate width direction.

[0048] The intermediate portion 33 is a portion that connects the fixed-side held portion 32 and the movable-side held portion 34, and is formed to be deformable so that the movable-side held portion 34 can be displaced relative to the fixed-side held portion 32. The intermediate section 33 has a first connecting section 33a, a plate thickness direction changing section 33b, and a second connecting section 33c in this order.

[0049] The first connecting portion 33a connects the fixed-side held portion 32 and the plate thickness direction conversion portion 33b. The first connecting portion 33a extends from the fixed-side held portion 32 to the first plate surface portion 33b1 of the plate thickness direction conversion portion 33b, in a direction parallel to the ZX plane (a plane perpendicular to the first plate width direction) in the plate thickness direction.

[0050] The first connecting portion 33a has a first curved portion 33a1. The first curved portion 33a1 connects the fixed-side holding portion 32 and the first plate surface portion 33b1 of the plate thickness direction conversion portion 33b. The first curved portion 33a1 is a portion bent in the plate thickness direction and converts the Z-direction component of the extension direction of the terminal 30 from positive to negative.

[0051] The plate thickness direction conversion unit 33b converts the plate thickness direction of the terminal 30 from the ZX plane direction to the Y direction (a direction perpendicular to the ZX plane). The plate thickness direction conversion section 33b includes a conversion curved section 33b2, a first plate surface section 33b1, and a second plate surface section 33b3.

[0052] The conversion curved section 33b2 is a portion bent in the thickness direction of the plate and connects the first plate surface section 33b1 and the second plate surface section 33b3.

[0053] The first plate surface portion 33b1 is formed on the fixed-side held portion 32 side relative to the conversion curve portion 33b2. The first plate surface portion 33b1 is flat and its thickness direction is oriented in the ZX plane direction. The first plate surface portion 33b1 can also be understood as the portion that extends from the first connecting portion 33a toward the other end of the terminal 30 (towards the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2). When understood in this way, the first plate surface portion 33b1 is the portion whose extension direction is linear. The extension direction of the first plate surface portion 33b1 is diagonal inward in the -Z direction and the X direction. The plate width direction of the first plate surface portion 33b1 is oriented toward the Y direction, which is the first plate width direction.

[0054] The second plate surface portion 33b3 is formed on the movable side of the held portion 34 relative to the conversion curve portion 33b2. The second plate surface portion 33b3 is flat and its thickness direction is oriented in the Y direction (direction perpendicular to the ZX plane). The second plate surface portion 33b3 can also be considered as a portion that extends in parallel with the first plate surface portion 33b1 toward the other end of the terminal 30 (towards the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2). When considered in this way, the second plate surface portion 33b3 is a portion whose extension direction is linear. The extension direction of the second plate surface portion 33b3 is an oblique direction inward in the -Z direction and the X direction.

[0055] The second connecting portion 33c is the part that connects the plate thickness direction changing portion 33b and the movable side holding portion 34. The second connecting portion 33c has an extension portion 33c1 in the X direction and an extension portion 33c2 in the Z direction.

[0056] The X-direction extension portion 33c1 extends inward in the X direction from the other end of the second plate surface portion 33b3 of the plate thickness direction conversion portion 33b.

[0057] A displacement portion 36 is formed in the X-direction extension portion 33c1. The displacement section 36 is composed of two curved sections bent in opposite directions by the same angle (preferably less than 90 degrees, as shown in the figure). These two curved sections are bent in the thickness direction so as to change the thickness direction of the second connecting section 33c in the XY plane. As a result, the thickness direction of the portion of the second connecting section 33c on the other end (movable side held portion 34 side) of the displacement section 36 faces the Y direction, and the Y-direction position of the portion of the second connecting section 33c on the other end of the displacement section 36 coincides with the Y-direction position of the fixed side held portion 32. In other words, the Y-direction position of the terminal 30 that has shifted in the thickness direction conversion section 33b is corrected by the displacement section 36.

[0058] The Z-direction extension portion 33c2 extends in the +Z direction from the X-direction extension portion 33c1. The width dimension (X-direction dimension) of the Z-direction extension portion 33c2 is smaller than that of the movable side retained portion 34. The Z-direction extension portion 33c2 is connected to the center of the movable side retained portion 34 in the width direction. The portion of the X-direction extension portion 33c1 that extends from the Z-direction extension portion 33c2 functions as the part that is pressed by a jig when the movable side retained portion 34 is pressed into the movable housing 20.

[0059] The intermediate section 33 can be divided into a portion enclosed by the housings 10 and 20 and a portion not enclosed by the housings 10 and 20 (exposed portion). Specifically, the intermediate section 33 has, in this order, a portion enclosed by the fixed housing 10, a portion not enclosed by the housings 10 and 20, and a portion enclosed by the movable housing 20. The portion enclosed by the fixed housing 10 is part of the first curved portion 33a1 of the first connecting section 33a. The portion enclosed by the movable housing 20 is part of the X-direction extension portion 33c1 and the Z-direction extension portion 33c2 of the second connecting section 33c. The plate thickness direction conversion section 33b is formed in the portion not enclosed by the housings 10 and 20.

[0060] The movable side retained portion 34 is the part that is held by the movable housing 20. The movable side retained portion 34 is held in the movable housing 20 by being press-fitted into the movable housing 20 with the +Z direction as the press-fitting direction. The movable side retained portion 34 has its plate thickness direction oriented in the Y direction and its plate width direction oriented in the X direction, and extends in the +Z direction. The movable side retained portion 34 has press-fitting protrusions 34a. The press-fitting protrusions 34a are formed only on the inside in the X direction of the plate width direction of the movable side retained portion 34. The press-fitting protrusions 34a are formed at multiple different locations (two locations in the figure) along the extension direction of the movable side retained portion 34. All of the press-fitting protrusions 34a formed at multiple locations bite into the movable housing 20.

[0061] The tip portion 35 is the part on the other end side of the movable side holding portion 34. The tip portion 35 has contact portions 35b1, 35b2 and elastic support portions 35a1, 35a2.

[0062] The contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 are the parts that contact the mating terminals (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown). The mating connector is connected with the -Z direction as the connection direction and is positioned inward in the X direction relative to the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2. In other words, the direction in which the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 contact the mating connector is inward in the X direction.

[0063] The contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 have a first contact portion 35b1 (first contact portion) and a second contact portion 35b2 (second contact portion). The first contact portion 35b1 is a contact portion located on the front side in the -Z direction, which is the connection direction of the object to be connected, and the second contact portion 35b2 is a contact portion located on the back side in the -Z direction, which is the connection direction of the object to be connected. The first contact portion 35b1 has the function of wiping the portion of the object to be connected that will come into contact with the second contact portion 35b2. A recess 35b3 is formed on the outer side of the first contact portion 35b1 in the X direction, indented inward in the X direction. This prevents the cross-sectional area (area of ​​the cross-section perpendicular to the Z direction) of the first contact portion 35b1 from becoming excessively large, and adjusts the impedance.

[0064] The elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 are parts that elastically support the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2. The elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 each consist of a first elastic support portion 35a1 and a second elastic support portion 35a2. The first elastic support portion 35a1 supports the first contact portion 35b1, and the second elastic support portion 35a2 supports the second contact portion 35b2. When a mating connector (not shown) is connected to the connector 100, the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 elastically deform so that the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 are displaced outward in the X direction.

[0065] The first elastic support portion 35a1 extends substantially parallel to the +Z direction from its base end and connects to the first contact portion 35b1. The second elastic support portion 35a2 extends diagonally outward in the +Z direction and X direction from its base end, and then extends diagonally inward in the +Z direction and X direction to connect to the second contact portion 35b2. The second elastic support portion 35a2 and the second contact portion 35b2 are positioned inward in the X direction relative to the first elastic support portion 35a1.

[0066] (Fixed housing 10) Next, we will describe the fixed housing 10 in detail.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, the fixed housing 10 includes a front terminal holding portion 11 and a rear terminal holding portion 11. The front terminal holding portion 11 and the rear terminal holding portion 11 have the same structure. Hereafter, when they are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the terminal holding portion 11.

[0068] The terminal holding portion 11 has a plurality of alignment direction walls 12. The alignment direction walls 12 are located on both sides of the fixed-side retained portion 32 of the terminal 30, in the alignment direction and the Y direction, which is the plate width direction. The fixed-side retained portion 32 is press-fitted into the space between adjacent alignment direction walls 12. This space is open to the inside in the X direction. As a result, when the fixed-side retained portion 32 is press-fitted, the intermediate portion 33 of the terminal 30 (specifically the first curved portion 33a1) can pass through this open portion.

[0069] The terminal holding portion 11 has an outer wall 13. The outer wall 13 is located outward in the X direction relative to the fixed-side holding portion 32. The outer wall 13 connects to the X-side ends of the multiple array direction walls 12.

[0070] The terminal holding portion 11 has a top wall 14. The top wall 14 is positioned in the +Z direction relative to the fixed-side holding portion 32 and a portion of the intermediate portion 33. The top wall 14 connects to the +Z direction side of the multiple array direction walls 12. The top wall 14 extends inward in the X direction from the +Z direction end of the outer wall 13.

[0071] (Movable housing 20) Next, we will describe the movable housing 20 in detail.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, the movable housing 20 has a plurality of directional walls 21. The array direction walls 21 are located on both sides of a portion of the terminals 30 in the Y direction, which is the direction of their arrangement. Among the multiple array direction walls 21, the array direction wall 21 located between adjacent terminals 30 is sometimes called a partition wall 21. The array direction wall 21 has a guide surface 21b2 that guides the mating connector (not shown) to an appropriate position in the X direction.

[0073] The alignment direction wall 21 has a lower alignment direction wall 21a and an upper alignment direction wall 21b. The lower alignment direction wall 21a corresponds to a portion of the movable side holding portion 34 and the intermediate portion 33. The upper alignment wall 21b corresponds to the tip portion 35. The upper directional wall 21b is separated into a front portion and a rear portion. A space is formed between the front upper directional wall 21b and the rear upper directional wall 21b into which a part of the mating connector (not shown) is inserted. The lower alignment wall 21a is formed integrally with its front and rear portions.

[0074] The movable housing 20 has a pair of front and rear outer walls 22. The outer wall 22 is located outward in the X direction relative to a portion of the terminal 30. The outer wall 22 connects a plurality of array direction walls 21 at its outward portion in the X direction. The outer wall 22 has a guide surface 22b1 that guides the mating connector (not shown) to the appropriate position in the X direction.

[0075] The outer wall 22 has a lower outer wall 22a and an upper outer wall 22b. The lower outer wall 22a corresponds to the movable side holding portion 34. The upper outer wall 22b corresponds to the tip portion 35. The upper outer wall 22b is formed further outward in the X direction than the lower outer wall 22a, and the space within the movable housing 20 is expanded at the top.

[0076] The movable housing 20 has a connecting wall 23 in the direction of arrangement. The array-direction connecting wall 23 connects multiple lower array-direction walls 21a in the array direction. The space between the alignment direction connecting wall 23 and the lower outer wall 22a is the space through which the tip 35 of the terminal 30 passes when the terminal 30 is assembled to the movable housing 20, and is also the space in which the movable side retained portion 34 is positioned. The movable side retained portion 34 is press-fitted between the alignment direction connecting wall 23 and the lower outer wall 22a.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7, a widened portion 24 is formed in the alignment direction wall 21. The widened portion 24 is the part of the array-direction wall 21 in which the wall thickness has been increased. The widened portion 24 is formed at a position corresponding to the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 of the terminal 30 when connected to the mating connector (see Figure 1, which shows the terminal 30 when connected to the mating connector). The wall surface 24a1 of the widened portion 24 is positioned closer to the terminal 30 than the wall surface 21b1 of the other part (general portion) of the array-direction wall 21. As a result, the Y-direction dimension of the space in which the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 are located is reduced, and large displacement of the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 from their predetermined positions in the Y-direction is suppressed. Hereinafter, the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 may be referred to as the restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2. Also, the wall surface 24a1 of the widened portion 24 may be referred to as the restricting surface 24a1, and the wall surface 21b1 of the general portion may be referred to as the separating surface 21b1. Both the restricting surface 24a1 and the separating surface 21b1 are planes whose normal direction is oriented in the Y direction. The restricting surface 24a1 is formed in the region of the wall surface of the upper alignment direction wall 21b that is in the +Z direction and inward in the X direction. Therefore, the separating surface 21b1 is formed at a position shifted outward in the X direction from the position of the restricting surface 24a1, a position shifted in the -Z direction from the position of the restricting surface 24a1, and a position shifted outward in the X direction and in the -Z direction from the position of the restricting surface 24a1.

[0078] A gap 25 is formed in the partition wall 21. The void portion 25 is a void formed in the middle part of the wall thickness direction of the partition wall 21, and is a groove that is open inward in the +Z and X directions. The void portion 25 is formed in the alignment direction wall 21 at a position corresponding to the widening portion 24. Therefore, the widening portion 24 consists of a pair of separating walls 24a and the void portion 25 between them. Thus, the void portion 25 is formed between a pair of restricting surfaces 24a1 of the alignment direction wall 21 and is located between adjacent contact portions 35b1 and 35b2.

[0079] <Effects and Effects> Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0080] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 100 comprises a plurality of terminals 30 and housings 10 and 20.

[0081] As shown in Figure 7, the housings 10 and 20 have a partition wall 21 located between adjacent terminals 30. The partition wall 21 has one opposing surface 21b1, 24a1 and the other opposing surface 21b1, 24a1. The one opposing surface 21b1, 24a1 is the surface facing one of the adjacent terminals 30, and the other opposing surface 21b1, 24a1 is the surface facing the other of the adjacent terminals 30.

[0082] Furthermore, the partition wall 21 is formed between one opposing surface 21b1, 24a1 and the other opposing surface 21b1, 24a1, and has a gap 25 located between adjacent terminals 30. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which such a gap 25 is not formed, the impedance of the terminal 30 near the portion corresponding to the gap 25 increases. As a result, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of the terminal 30.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal 30 has restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2. One opposing surface 21b1 and 24a1 has a one-restricting surface 24a1 that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2 from moving toward the other, and the other opposing surface 21b1 and 24a1 has a other-restricting surface 24a1 that restricts the other of the adjacent restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2 from moving toward the one. Therefore, it is suppressed that a part of the terminal 30 (restricted portion 35b1, 35b2) is positioned at a location shifted from its predetermined position.

[0084] Furthermore, the restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2 are contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 that come into contact with the object to be connected (the mating connector). Therefore, the positioning of the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 in a position shifted from their predetermined position is suppressed. Furthermore, since the restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2 are located near the partition wall 21, the impedance tends to drop excessively. Therefore, it is preferable that the gap portion 25 be located between adjacent restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2 (contact portions 35b1 and 35b2), as in this embodiment.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 include a first contact portion 35b1 and a second contact portion 35b2 located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected (the mating connector) than the first contact portion 35b1. Here, the gap 25 is located between adjacent first contact portions 35b1 and between adjacent second contact portions 35b2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the first contact portion 35b1 and the second contact portion 35b2 from being positioned at locations deviated from their predetermined positions, and to suppress the impedance of the first contact portion 35b1 and the second contact portion 35b2 from dropping excessively.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the portion of the gap 25 located between adjacent first contact portions 35b1 and the portion located between adjacent second contact portions 35b2 are connected in the connection direction (Z direction). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the portion of the gap 25 located between adjacent first contact portions 35b1 and the portion located between adjacent second contact portions 35b2 are not connected, the gap 25 can be formed more easily.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the multiple terminals 30 has elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 that elastically support the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2. Here, the partition wall 21 is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2. Therefore, in the portion where the partition wall 21 is interposed between adjacent elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2, it is prevented that the adjacent elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2 will short-circuit due to plating residue.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the partition wall 21 has either one or both (both in this embodiment) of the one separating surface 21b1 and the other separating surface 21b1. One separation surface 21b1 is a surface facing one side of the adjacent elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2, and is formed at a position further away from one of the elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2 than one of the restricting surfaces 24a1 in the adjacent direction (the direction in which the adjacent elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2 are adjacent, the Y direction). The other separation surface 21b1 is a surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2, and is formed at a position further away from the other elastic support part 35a1 and 35a2 than the other restricting surface 24a1 in the adjacent direction (Y direction). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the partition wall 21 does not have either one separation surface 21b1 or the other separation surface 21b1 (the second modified example described later), it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of the elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the one separating surface 21b1 or the other separating surface 21b1 of the partition wall 21 has a front separating surface 21b1. The front separating surface 21b1 is a surface formed at a position offset from the position of the one restricting surface 24a1 or the other restricting surface 24a1 in the opposite direction to the contact direction (the direction in which the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 contact the object to be connected (the mating connector)) (hereinafter referred to as the "anti-contact direction"; outward in the X direction). Therefore, when a part of the elastic support portion 35a1, 35a2 (the upper part of the first elastic support portion 35a1 in this embodiment) is positioned at a location offset from the contact portion 35b1, 35b2 in the anti-contact direction, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that part of the elastic support portion 35a1, 35a2.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the one separating surface 21b1 or the other separating surface 21b1 of the partition wall 21 has a first rear separating surface 21b1. The first rear separating surface 21b1 is a surface formed at a position shifted to the rear side in the connection direction of the object to be connected (the mating connector) from the position of the one restricting surface 24a1 or the other restricting surface 24a1. Therefore, when a part of the elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2 (the second elastic support part 35a2 in this embodiment) is positioned at a location shifted to the back in the connection direction from the position of the contact parts 35b1 and 35b2, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that part of the elastic support parts 35a1 and 35a2.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one separation surface 21b1 or the other separation surface 21b1 has a second rear separation surface 21b1. The second rear separation surface 21b1 is a surface formed at a position shifted from the position of one limiting surface 24a1 or the other limiting surface 24a1 to the rear side in the anti-contact direction and connection direction. Therefore, when a portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 (the lower part of the first elastic support portion 35a1 in this embodiment) is positioned in a location that is offset from the position of the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 in the opposite direction of contact and towards the back in the connection direction, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2.

[0092] (modified version) Figures 8 to 11 show the connectors of the first to fourth modified examples. The only difference between the above embodiment and each modified example is the structure of the movable housing.

[0093] Figure 8 shows the first modified example. In the first modified example of the movable housing 20A, the upper alignment direction wall 21b is not connected to the upper outer wall 22b. Therefore, there is a space between the upper alignment direction wall 21b and the upper outer wall 22b, and this space extends in the Y direction. In other words, the portion of the upper alignment direction wall 21b corresponding to the front separation surface 21b1 and the second rear separation surface 21b1 of the above embodiment does not exist. However, the portion corresponding to the first rear separation surface 21b1 does exist. Therefore, when a portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 is positioned offset from the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 in the anti-contact direction (outward in the X direction), it is possible to further suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2. Furthermore, when a portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2 is positioned offset from the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2 in the anti-contact direction (outward in the X direction) and towards the back in the connection direction (-Z direction), it is possible to further suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of that portion of the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2. Note that these effects are achieved even if no gap portion 25 is formed in the partition wall 21.

[0094] Figure 9 shows a second modified example. In the second modified example, the movable housing 20B, no widened portion (see widened portion 24 in Figure 7) is formed on the array direction wall 21. However, since the wall surface 21b1 of the array direction wall 21 is close to the terminal 30, it can also be understood that the entire array direction wall 21 is a widened portion. In this modified example, the wall surface 21b1 of the alignment direction wall 21 corresponds to the "restricting surface" and the "opposing surface".

[0095] Figure 10 shows a third modified example. In the third modified example, the movable housing 20C, multiple (two) voids 25 are formed in the partition wall 21. Even when multiple voids 25 are formed in this way, it is possible to suppress an excessive decrease in the impedance of the restricted portions 35b1 and 35b2.

[0096] Figure 11 shows the fourth modified example. In the fourth modified example, the movable housing 20D, the depth of the gap 25 (depth outward in the X direction) is greater than that of the above embodiment. Specifically, the depth of the gap 25 is the same as the depth of the space in which the terminals 30 are located, which are formed between adjacent partition walls 21. In this modified example, the gap 25 prevents an excessive decrease in the impedance of not only the contact portions 35b1 and 35b2, but also the elastic support portions 35a1 and 35a2.

[0097] While embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 100 connectors 10,20 Housing 10 Fixed Housing 20 Movable Housing 20A movable housing 20B Movable Housing 20C Movable Housing 20D Movable Housing 21. Array direction wall (partition wall) 21a Lower alignment wall 21b Upper alignment wall 21b1 Separating surfaces (one separating surface, the other separating surface, the front separating surface, the first rear separating surface, the second rear separating surface) (one opposing surface, the other opposing surface) 22 Outer wall 22a Lower outer wall 22b Upper outer wall 24 Widening section 24a1 Restricting surface (one restricting surface, other restricting surface) (one opposing surface, other opposing surface) 25 Cavity 30 terminals 35a1, 35a2 Elastic support section 35a1 First elastic support section 35a2 Second elastic support section 35b1,35b2 Contact part (restricted part) 35b1 First contact part (restricted part) 35b2 Second contact part (restricted part)

Claims

1. Multiple terminals, A connector comprising a housing, The housing has a partition wall located between adjacent terminals, The aforementioned partition wall is One opposing surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, The other opposing surface of the adjacent terminals, It has a gap formed between the one opposing surface and the other opposing surface, The terminal has a restricted portion, The aforementioned one opposing surface has a one-limiting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, The other opposing surface has a other restricting surface that restricts the movement of the other of the adjacent restricted portions toward the other, The restricted portion is a contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be connected. The aforementioned contact portion is First contact area and It has a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion, The aforementioned gap is located between adjacent first contact portions and between adjacent second contact portions, connector.

2. Of the aforementioned gap, the portion located between the adjacent first contact portions and the portion located between the adjacent second contact portions are connected in the aforementioned connection direction. The connector according to claim 1.

3. Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, The partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions. The connector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned partition wall is A surface facing one of the adjacent elastic support portions, which is formed at a position where the adjacent elastic support portions are further away from the one elastic support portion than the one restricting surface in the direction of the adjacent elastic support portions, The surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portion, and having either one or both of the following: a separating surface formed at a position further away from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent; The connector according to claim 3.

5. Multiple terminals, A connector comprising a housing, The housing has a partition wall located between adjacent terminals, The aforementioned partition wall is One opposing surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, The other opposing surface of the adjacent terminals, It has a gap formed between the one opposing surface and the other opposing surface, The terminal has a restricted portion, The aforementioned one opposing surface has a one-limiting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, The other opposing surface has a other restricting surface that restricts the movement of the other of the adjacent restricted portions toward the other, The restricted portion is a contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be connected. Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, The partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions. The aforementioned partition wall is A surface facing one of the adjacent elastic support portions, which is formed at a position where the adjacent elastic support portions are further away from the one elastic support portion than the one restricting surface in the direction of the adjacent elastic support portions, The surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portion, and having either one or both of the following: a separating surface formed at a position further away from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, The one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall is The front side separation surface is formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface in the opposite direction to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, connector.

6. The one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall is Having a first rearward separating surface formed at a position shifted toward the rearward side in the connection direction of the object to be connected from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface, The connector according to claim 4 or claim 5.

7. Multiple terminals, A connector comprising a housing, The housing has a partition wall located between adjacent terminals, The aforementioned partition wall is One opposing surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, The other opposing surface of the adjacent terminals, It has a gap formed between the one opposing surface and the other opposing surface, The terminal has a restricted portion, The aforementioned one opposing surface has a one-limiting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, The other opposing surface has a other restricting surface that restricts the movement of the other of the adjacent restricted portions toward the other, The restricted portion is a contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be connected. Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, The partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions. The aforementioned partition wall is A surface facing one of the adjacent elastic support portions, which is formed at a position where the adjacent elastic support portions are further away from the one elastic support portion than the one restricting surface in the direction of the adjacent elastic support portions, The surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portion, and having either one or both of the following: a separating surface formed at a position further away from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, The one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall is A second rear separation surface is formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface, in the direction opposite to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, and towards the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected. connector.

8. Multiple terminals, A connector comprising a housing, The housing has a partition wall located between adjacent terminals, The aforementioned partition wall is One opposing surface facing one of the adjacent terminals, The other opposing surface of the adjacent terminals, It has a gap formed between the one opposing surface and the other opposing surface, in which air is placed and no other material is placed, The terminal has a restricted portion, The aforementioned one opposing surface has a one-limiting surface that restricts one of the adjacent restricted portions from moving toward the other, The other opposing surface has a other restricting surface that restricts the movement of the other of the adjacent restricted portions toward the other, The restricted portion is a contact portion that comes into contact with the object to be connected. The aforementioned contact portion is First contact area and It has a second contact portion located further in the connection direction of the object to be connected than the first contact portion, Each of the aforementioned plurality of terminals has an elastic support portion that elastically supports the contact portion, The partition wall is configured to be interposed between adjacent elastic support portions. The aforementioned partition wall is A surface facing one of the adjacent elastic support portions, which is formed at a position where the adjacent elastic support portions are further away from the one elastic support portion than the one restricting surface in the direction of the adjacent elastic support portions, The surface facing the other side of the adjacent elastic support portion, and having either one or both of the following: a separating surface formed at a position further away from the other elastic support portion than the other limiting surface in the direction in which the adjacent elastic support portions are adjacent, The one separating surface or the other separating surface of the partition wall is A front-side separating surface is formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface in the direction opposite to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, A first rear separation surface is formed at a position shifted toward the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface, A second rear separation surface is formed at a position offset from the position of the one limiting surface or the other limiting surface, in the direction opposite to the contact direction in which the contact portion contacts the object to be connected, and towards the rear in the connection direction of the object to be connected. connector.

Images