Connector, connector pair, and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To make it possible to narrow a pitch between terminals in each terminal row and narrow the spacing between terminal rows, prevent solder bridging, facilitate manufacture, allow size reduction even with multiple poles, and increase reliability.SOLUTION: A connector comprises: a connector main body; and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector main body. The terminals form a terminal row extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector. One terminal of a pair of adjacent terminals has an end surface facing outward in the width direction of the connector, and a lower surface that is adjacent to the end surface and to be soldered to a board. The other terminal of the pair of adjacent terminals has an end surface facing outward in the width direction of the connector, the end surface being positioned higher than the lower surface of the one terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector, a connector pair, and a method for manufacturing the same.

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 configured to fit together and conduct electricity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, 801 is a first connector as a connector mounted on the surface of a first circuit board not shown, and 901 is a second connector as a connector mounted on the surface of a second circuit board not shown. The first connector 801 and the second connector 901 are moved in a direction relatively approaching from a posture facing each other as shown in the figure and fit together.

[0005] The second connector 901 has a second housing 911 and a plurality of second terminals 961 attached to the second housing 911 and arranged in two rows on the left and right. The second terminals 961 in the right row and the second terminals 961 in the left row have the same shape and face each other. And the board connection portion 962 of each second terminal 961 is configured to project outward in the width direction of the second housing 911.

[0006] On the other hand, the first connector 801 has a first housing 811 and a first terminal row 860A and a second terminal row 860B arranged along the two long sides of the first housing 811. In both the first terminal row 860A and the second terminal row 860B, type a first terminal 861a and type b first terminal 861b are arranged alternately. In the width direction, type a first terminal 861a and type b first terminal 861b are arranged side by side.

[0007] The board connection portion 862a of the first terminal 861a of type a is configured to protrude outward in the width direction of the first housing 811. On the other hand, the board connection portion 862b of the first terminal 861b of type b protrudes inward in the width direction of the first housing 811, and its length is set to be shorter than that of the board connection portion 862a of the first terminal 861a of type a. The board connection portion 862b of the first terminal 861b of type b is exposed to a window 813 formed in the width direction inner portion of the first housing 811 and mounted on the surface of the second circuit board.

[0008] Thus, in the first connector 801, which is smaller than the second connector 901, the first terminals of type a 861a and type b 861b are arranged alternately. As a result, the arrangement of the board connection parts 862a and 862b in the longitudinal direction is staggered, and the spacing between them is widened, so that solder bridges do not occur, soldering work becomes easier, and good electrical characteristics can be ensured. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-152083 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] However, in the conventional connector described above, the first terminal 861a of type a and the first terminal 861b of type b are formed to be integrated with the first housing 811. Therefore, when the connector is made smaller, the distance between the first terminal row 860A and the second terminal row 860B becomes narrower, and the pitch of the first terminal 861a of type a and the first terminal 861b of type b in the first terminal row 860A and the second terminal row 860B becomes narrower, making manufacturing difficult.

[0011] Typically, in connectors, terminals are integrated with the housing protrusions by a molding method called overmolding or insert molding. As a result, the spacing between the protrusions on which each terminal row is formed becomes narrower, and the pitch of the terminals in each terminal row becomes narrower. This makes it difficult to accurately arrange a large number of terminals in positions corresponding to a pair of protrusions within the molding die for the housing.

[0012] The objective here is to solve the aforementioned conventional problems and provide a connector, connector pair, and a method for manufacturing the same that can narrow the pitch of terminals in a terminal row, reduce the spacing between terminal rows, prevent solder bridging, are easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized even with multiple poles, and are highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To that end, the connector comprises a connector body and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, wherein the plurality of terminals form a terminal row extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and one of a pair of adjacent terminals has an end face facing outward in the width direction of the connector and a lower surface adjacent to the end face that is soldered to the substrate, and the other of a pair of adjacent terminals has an end face facing outward in the width direction of the connector that is located higher than the lower surface of the one terminal. The terminal has a substrate connection portion, and there are multiple terminal rows. Of the end faces of the substrate connection portion, the end faces facing adjacent terminal rows are plated, while the end faces not facing adjacent terminal rows are not plated. .

[0015] Furthermore, in other connectors, the terminals are integrated with and held within the connector body, and multiple terminal rows are integrally connected.

[0016] In still other connectors, further, the positions of the outer surfaces of adjacent terminals in the terminal row are shifted from each other in the width direction of the connector.

[0017] In still other connectors, further, the terminals have two contact surfaces, and the positions of the two contact surfaces of adjacent terminals in the terminal row are shifted from each other in the width direction of the connector.

[0018] In still other connectors, further, the terminals have a board connection portion, and among the two contact surfaces, the width dimension of the contact surface on the proximal side of the board connection portion is larger than that of the contact surface on the distal side of the board connection portion.

[0019] In a connector pair, it has the connector of the present disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, the connector can narrow the pitch of the terminals in the terminal row and narrow the interval between the terminal rows, without generating solder bridges, is easy to manufacture, can be miniaturized even when multi-polarized, and has improved reliability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the first connector in the present embodiment. <---- [Figure 2] It is an exploded view of the first connector in the present embodiment. [[ID=---- [Figure 3] It is a three-view drawing of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a bottom view. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the first connector in the present embodiment, where (a) is an overall view and (b) is an enlarged view of part B in (a). [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of the main part of the first connector in the present embodiment, which is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It should be noted that in the original text, there seems to be an incorrect tag "<---- [Figure 2] " which might be a formatting error. I have translated it as it is while keeping the incorrect tag intact as per the instruction. Also, the tag "<----<000008" in the " [Figure 3] " translation seems to be an incomplete or incorrect tag in the original, but again, I've translated it as presented.It is a perspective view showing the first step of manufacturing the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the first carrier to which the first terminals in this embodiment are connected. (a) is a view showing the carrier to which the first terminals corresponding to one terminal row are connected, and (b) is a view showing the carrier to which the first terminals corresponding to the other terminal row are connected. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the second carrier to which the first terminals in this embodiment are connected. (a) is a view showing the carrier to which the first terminals corresponding to one terminal row are connected, and (b) is a view showing the carrier to which the first terminals corresponding to the other terminal row are connected. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing the second step of manufacturing the first connector in this embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the second connector in this embodiment. [Figure 11] It is an exploded view of the second connector in this embodiment. [Figure 12] It is the first two - dimensional view of the second connector in this embodiment. (a) is a top view, and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 13] It is the second two - dimensional view of the second connector in this embodiment. (a) is a side view, and (b) is a front view. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view seen from the first connector side showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment are fitted. [Figure 15] It is a plan view seen from the first connector side showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment are fitted. [Figure 16] It is a cross - sectional view showing the state where the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment are fitted. (a) is a cross - sectional view taken along the L - L arrow in FIG. 15, and (b) is a cross - sectional view taken along the M - M arrow in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] It is a cross - sectional view showing a conventional connector.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] 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, Figure 3 is a three-view drawing of the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 4 is a side view of the first connector in this embodiment, and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the main part of the first connector in this embodiment, specifically an enlarged view of part A in Figure 1. In Figure 3, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a bottom view. In Figure 4, (a) is an overall view, and (b) is an enlarged view of part B in (a).

[0025] In the figure, 10 is a first connector, which is one of a pair of board-to-board connectors that are connectors in this embodiment. The first connector 10 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 a second connector 101, which will be described later as a 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.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first connector 10 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.

[0027] 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 10 and the second connector 101 are relative, not absolute. They are appropriate when each part of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but should be modified and interpreted accordingly if the position changes.

[0028] The first connector 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 flattened, roughly U-shaped form in plan view. The first housing 11 has a pair of protrusions 12 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, and a pair of first protruding ends 16 that connect and join the longitudinal ends of the protrusions 12, respectively. The pair of protrusions 12 face each other and are parallel to each other, and function as terminal holding parts that hold the first terminal 61. The pair of first protruding ends 16 also face each other and are parallel to each other. The longitudinal ends of each protrusion 12 are connected to the first protruding ends 16 via extension ends 14 that extend in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10. Furthermore, the space defined by the pair of protrusions 12, the pair of first protruding ends 16, and each extension end 14 forms an elongated groove 13 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. This groove 13 is a through-hole that is open on the upper and lower surfaces of the first connector 10.

[0029] In this embodiment, the groove 13 is described as a single through-hole, but it may also be a bottomed groove with a base plate. The base plate may also have multiple through-holes, in which case it is desirable that the through-holes allow at least the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 located in the groove 13 to be visible. This makes it easy to check the connection state and appearance between the tail portion 62 and the substrate by soldering or the like from the outside.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the first connector 10 is described as having a pair of protrusions 12, that is, two protrusions arranged in parallel, but it may also have three or more protrusions 12 arranged in parallel. Also, the first housing 11 does not necessarily have to have a roughly U-shaped form; it may have any shape as long as both ends in the longitudinal direction can be connected by the first protruding ends 16.

[0031] The first housing 11 is integrally molded with the first terminal 61 as a terminal and the first reinforcing fitting 51 as a reinforcing fitting by a molding method called overmolding, outsert molding, or insert molding (hereinafter referred to as "insert molding"). That is, the first housing 11 is molded by filling an insulating material into the cavity of a mold in which the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 have been pre-set. Therefore, the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 do not exist separately from the first housing 11, and the locations on the first housing 11 where the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing fitting 51 are attached do not exist in the shape shown in Figure 2, separated from the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcing fitting 51. It should be noted that the drawing in Figure 2 is made solely for explanatory purposes.

[0032] In this embodiment, there are multiple first terminals 61, which are attached to the protrusions 12 and form multiple terminal rows 60 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. In the first housing 11, the multiple protrusions 12 are connected to the first protruding end 16 and are integrally connected, so it can be said that the multiple terminal rows 60 are also held by the protrusions 12 of the first housing 11 and are integrally connected.

[0033] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 includes a first type terminal, the first terminal 61A, and a second type terminal, the first terminal 61B. In each terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are arranged alternately. In addition, in one terminal row 60 and another adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminals 61A and the first terminals 61B are arranged side by side with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10. In the example shown in the figure, in each terminal row 60, eight first terminals 61A and eight first terminals 61B are arranged at a predetermined pitch (for example, about 0.18 [mm]), but the number and pitch of the first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60 can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] The protrusion 12 has a fitting surface 12a which is an upper surface facing upward (positive Z-axis direction), and outer surfaces 12b and inner surfaces 12c connected to the left and right sides of the fitting surface 12a. The outer surface 12b faces the outside in the width direction of the first housing 11, and the inner surface 12c faces the groove 13 on the inside in the width direction of the first housing 11. The protrusion 12 also has an interterminal wall 12d interposed between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, that is, between adjacent first terminals 61A and first terminal 61B. The interterminal wall 12d is the part that maintains insulation between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60.

[0035] Furthermore, a bottom plate portion 17 is formed at the lower end of the protrusion 12. The bottom plate portion 17 includes a plate-shaped lower plate portion 17a located on the lower side, which protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the outer surface 12b and inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the inner surface 12c, and a plate-shaped upper plate portion 17b located above the lower plate portion 17a, with both ends of the first housing 11 in the width direction being approximately at the same position as the outer surface 12b and the inner surface 12c. The lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17 is the mounting surface of the first housing 11 facing the surface of the first substrate.

[0036] The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processing on a conductive metal plate. The first terminal 61A, which is the first type of terminal, includes an outer column portion 63 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 62 as a substrate connection portion that protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the lower end of the outer column portion 63, an inner column portion 65 extending in the vertical direction opposite to the outer column portion 63, and a curved connecting portion 64 that connects the upper end of the inner column portion 65 to the upper end of the outer column portion 63. The outer surface of the outer column portion 63 on the width direction of the first housing 11 is an outer surface 63a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, and the inner surface of the inner column portion 65 on the width direction of the first housing 11 is an inner surface 65a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later. Furthermore, an anchor portion 65b is formed at the lower end of the inner column portion 65, having an anchor shape that is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17 of the first housing 11 and prevents it from coming loose. In addition, an upper end projection 64a is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the inner column portion 65 and the connecting portion 64, projecting inward in the width direction of the first housing 11. Furthermore, the end face 62a at the tip of the tail portion 62 is a cut surface resulting from being separated from the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68, which will be described later. Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is adjacent to the end face 62a and is a connection surface that is connected to the conductive trace of the first substrate and connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line.

[0037] Furthermore, the first terminal 61B, which is a second type of terminal, includes an outer column portion 63 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a horizontal portion 66 that slightly protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the lower end of the outer column portion 63, an inner column portion 65 that extends in the vertical direction opposite to the outer column portion 63, and a curved connecting portion 64 that connects the upper end of the inner column portion 65 to the upper end of the outer column portion 63. In addition, a tail portion 62, which serves as a substrate connection portion, is connected to the lower end of the inner column portion 65 and protrudes inward in the width direction of the first housing 11.

[0038] The horizontal portion 66 has a shape similar to the tail portion 62, but it is shorter than the tail portion 62 and does not function as a substrate connection portion. In other words, the horizontal portion 66 can be said to be a non-tail portion that does not connect to a substrate. Furthermore, the horizontal portion 66 is embedded in the bottom plate portion 17 of the first housing 11 and functions to some extent as an anchor that prevents it from coming loose.

[0039] Furthermore, the outer surface of the first housing 11 in the width direction of the outer column portion 63 is an outer surface 63a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, and the inner surface of the first housing 11 in the width direction of the inner column portion 65 is an inner surface 65a that functions as a contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later.

[0040] Furthermore, an upper end projection 64a is formed at the boundary between the upper end of the outer column portion 63 and the connecting portion 64, projecting outward in the width direction of the first housing 11. Furthermore, the end face 66a at the tip of the horizontal portion 66 is a cut surface resulting from being separated from the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68, which will be described later. Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 is a connection surface that is connected to the conductive trace of the first substrate and connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line.

[0041] Furthermore, in the first terminal 61A, the width dimension (dimension in the X-axis direction) of the outer surface 63a is larger than that of the inner surface 65a, and in the first terminal 61B, the width dimension of the inner surface 65a is larger than that of the outer surface 63a. In other words, in the first terminal 61, the width dimension of the contact surface on the proximal side of the tail portion 62 is larger than that of the contact surface on the distal side of the tail portion 62.

[0042] As described above, in each terminal row 60, the first terminal 61A and the first terminal 61B are arranged alternately, and in one terminal row 60 and the other adjacent terminal row 60, the first terminal 61A and the first terminal 61B are arranged side by side with respect to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 3(a), the orientation of the first terminal 61A, which is the first terminal 61 located at the front end (positive X-axis end) of the lower terminal row 60, is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes outward (positive Y-axis side), while the orientation of the first terminal 61B, which is the second first terminal 61 from the front end, is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes inward (negative Y-axis side). As described above, the first terminals 61 are attached to the protrusions 12 in an alternating, opposite orientation. Therefore, the pitch of the tail portions 62 protruding from each side of the protrusions 12 is twice the pitch of the first terminals 61. Consequently, connection work such as soldering to the connection pads of the first substrate can be easily performed.

[0043] When the first terminal 61 is integrated with the first housing 11, the upper surface of the connecting portion 64 is in approximately the same position as the mating surface 12a, which is the upper surface of the protrusion 12. That is, the upper surface of the connecting portion 64 of each first terminal 61 is approximately flush with the mating surface 12a of the protrusion 12. Also, the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61A is in approximately the same position as the outer surface 12b of the protrusion 12. That is, the outer surface 63a of each first terminal 61A is approximately flush with the outer surface 12b of the protrusion 12. In contrast, the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61B is located further inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 than the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61A and the outer surface 12b of the protrusion 12. That is, the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61B is shifted so as to be recessed further inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 than the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61A and the outer surface 12b of the protrusion 12. Furthermore, the end face 66a at the tip of the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B is located in approximately the same position as the outer surface 63a of the first terminal 61A and the outer surface 12b of the protrusion 12.

[0044] Furthermore, the inner surface 65a of the first terminal 61B is in approximately the same position as the inner surface 12c of the protrusion 12. That is, the inner surface 65a of each first terminal 61B is almost flush with the inner surface 12c of the protrusion 12. In contrast, the inner surface 65a of the first terminal 61A is located further outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 than the inner surface 65a of the first terminal 61B and the inner surface 12c of the protrusion 12. That is, the inner surface 65a of the first terminal 61A is shifted so as to be recessed further outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 than the inner surface 65a of the first terminal 61B and the inner surface 12c of the protrusion 12.

[0045] Thus, in each terminal row 60, the outer surface 63a and inner surface 65a, which serve as contact surfaces between adjacent first terminals 61, are shifted relative to each other in the width direction of the first housing 11.

[0046] In each terminal row 60, there is an interterminal wall 12d between adjacent first terminals 61, with the outer column portion 63, inner column portion 65, and connecting portion 64 being integrated with the outer column portion 63, inner column portion 65, and connecting portion 64. This ensures reliable insulation between adjacent first terminals 61, and the first terminals 61 are firmly held by the protrusions 12 of the first housing 11.

[0047] Furthermore, the tail portion 62 extending from the lower end of the outer column portion 63 of each first terminal 61A protrudes outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 from the side surface of the lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17 at the lower end of the convex portion 12. In contrast, the horizontal portion 66 extending from the lower end of the outer column portion 63 of the first terminal 61B does not protrude from the side surface of the upper plate portion 17b of the bottom plate portion 17 at the lower end of the convex portion 12. That is, the end face 62a of the tip of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A is located outside the width direction of the first housing 11 compared to the side surface of the bottom plate portion 17, while the end face 66a of the tip of the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B is located inside the width direction of the first housing 11 compared to the side surface of the bottom plate portion 17.

[0048] Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A is at approximately the same position as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17, that is, it is almost flush with the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate portion 17. In contrast, the lower surface 66b of the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B is at a higher position than the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A. In other words, in the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B, the end face 66a facing outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 is at a higher position than the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A. Thus, the end face 66a of the first terminal 61B is located further inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 than the side surface of the bottom plate portion 17, and is also higher than the lower surface 62b of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A. Therefore, when connecting the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A to the connection pad of the first board, solder will not adhere to the first terminal 61B and cause a solder bridge.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17 on the widthwise outer side of the first housing 11 includes a tail cover portion 17a1 that covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A. As a result, the first terminal 61A, including the tail portion 62, is more firmly held to the protrusion 12 of the first housing 11. Similarly, the lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17 on the widthwise inner side of the first housing 11 also includes a tail cover portion 17a1 that covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61B. As a result, the first terminal 61B, including the tail portion 62, is more firmly held to the protrusion 12 of the first housing 11.

[0050] Furthermore, on the lower plate portion 17a of the bottom plate portion 17 on the widthwise outer side of the first housing 11, a corresponding recess 17a2 is formed between adjacent tail covers 17a1 at a position corresponding to the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B. This corresponding recess 17a2 is a recess that accommodates the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68 connected to the horizontal portion 66. In addition, the upper plate portion 17b of the bottom plate portion 17 on the widthwise outer side of the first housing 11 includes a horizontal cover portion 17b1 that covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B. As a result, the first terminal 61B, including the horizontal portion 66, is more firmly held by the protrusion 12 of the first housing 11.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first terminal 61 is plated on its surface with a highly conductive metal such as gold, nickel, or palladium, or a metal commonly used in connectors, in order to reduce electrical resistance. However, the end face 62a of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A, which is a cut surface resulting from being separated from the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68, and the end face 66a at the tip of the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B are not plated. In contrast, the end face 62a of the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61B is plated because it is not a cut surface resulting from being separated from the connecting arm 68a of the terminal carrier 68. That is, the end face 62a of the tail portion 62 located on the side facing other adjacent terminal rows 60 is plated, while the end face 62a of the tail portion 62 located on the side not facing other terminal rows 60 is not plated.

[0052] The first protruding end 16 functions as an insertion projection that is 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 10 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrally attached to it. As described above, since both longitudinal ends of each projection 12 are connected to the first protruding end 16 via extension ends 14 that extend in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, the width of the first protruding end 16 (dimension in the Y-axis direction) can be made smaller than the width of the first connector 10 (distance between the outer surfaces 12b of the left and right projections 12). Note that the extension ends 14 do not necessarily need to be inclined inward, but can also extend straight.

[0053] The first reinforcing bracket 51 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate such as punching and bending, and includes an 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, which serves as a substrate connection portion, 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.

[0054] As described above, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the first protruding end 16. The upper plate 54 is embedded in the upper surface of the first protruding end 16, and the upper surface of the upper plate 54 is flush with the upper surface of the first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the upper surface of the first protruding end 16. The left and right legs 55 are embedded in the left and right outer surfaces of the first protruding end 16, and the outer surfaces of the legs 55 are flush with the outer surface of the first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the outer surface of the first protruding end 16. 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 16, 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 first protruding end 16, forming more than half of the outer and inner end wall surfaces of the first protruding end 16.

[0055] 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, but may also be a signal line. If necessary, the lower end of the leg portion 55 can be brought close to 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.

[0056] Next, a method for manufacturing the first connector 10 having the above configuration will be described.

[0057] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the first step in manufacturing the first connector in this embodiment, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the first carrier to which the first terminal is connected in this embodiment, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the second carrier to which the first terminal is connected in this embodiment, and Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the second step in manufacturing the first connector in this embodiment. In Figures 7 and 8, (a) is a diagram showing the carrier to which the first terminal corresponding to one terminal row is connected, and (b) is a diagram showing the carrier to which the first terminal corresponding to the other terminal row is connected.

[0058] 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 Figures 6 to 8. Each of the first terminals 61A, which is the first type of terminal, has the tip of its tail portion 62 connected to the flat carrier body 68b of the first terminal carrier 68A via an elongated connecting arm 68a, as shown in Figure 7, and the tail portion 62 is cut off from the connecting arm 68a at the cut portion 68d, resulting in the component shown in Figure 2. Figure 7(a) shows the first terminal carrier 68A and first terminal 61A corresponding to the upper (negative Y-axis direction) terminal row 60 in Figure 3(a), and Figure 7(b) shows the first terminal carrier 68A and first terminal 61A corresponding to the lower (positive Y-axis direction) terminal row 60 in Figure 3(a). In the example shown in the figure, in the first terminal carrier 68A, each connecting arm 68a includes a bent portion 68c, and as a result, the tail portion 62 connected to the connecting arm 68a is offset from the carrier body 68b in the positive or negative X-axis direction and the negative Z-axis direction.

[0059] Furthermore, each of the first terminals 61B, which are the second type of terminal, has the tip of its tail portion 62 connected to the flat carrier body 68b of the second terminal carrier 68B via an elongated connecting arm 68a, as shown in Figure 8, and the horizontal portion 66 is cut off from the connecting arm 68a at the cut portion 68d, resulting in the component shown in Figure 2. Figure 8(a) shows the second terminal carrier 68B and first terminals 61B corresponding to the upper (negative Y-axis direction) terminal row 60 in Figure 3(a), and Figure 8(b) shows the second terminal carrier 68B and first terminals 61B corresponding to the lower (positive Y-axis direction) terminal row 60 in Figure 3(a). In the example shown in the figures, each connecting arm 68a of the second terminal carrier 68B does not include a bent portion 68c.

[0060] In the example shown in the figure, the first terminal carrier 68A has a bent portion 68c formed on the connecting arm 68a to offset the tail portion 62 from the carrier body 68b, while the second terminal carrier 68B does not have a bent portion 68c formed on the connecting arm 68a. However, the design is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form a bent portion 68c on the connecting arm 68a of the second terminal carrier 68B to offset the tail portion 62 from the carrier body 68b, while the first terminal carrier 68A does not have a bent portion 68c formed on the connecting arm 68a. Furthermore, if the relative positions of the connecting arm 68a of the first terminal carrier 68A and the connecting arm 68a of the second terminal carrier 68B are offset, it is also possible to not form a bent portion 68c on the connecting arm 68a of both the first terminal carrier 68A and the second terminal carrier 68B. However, if a bent portion 68c is not formed on the connecting arm 68a, it becomes difficult to maintain the alignment accuracy of the first terminal 61 as the first connector 10 is miniaturized. Therefore, it is desirable to form a bent portion 68c on the connecting arm 68a in either the first terminal carrier 68A or the second terminal carrier 68B to bias the relative position of the connecting arm 68a.

[0061] Then, in the process of integrally molding the first housing 11 by insert molding, the first terminals 61 are supplied connected to terminal carriers 68 in multiples, as shown in Figure 6, and set in a molding die (not shown). Specifically, a second terminal carrier 68B, as shown in Figure 8(a), is placed on top of a first terminal carrier 68A, as shown in Figure 7(a), and the first terminals 61A and 61B are positioned alternately to form a terminal row 60 on the negative Y-axis side, and set in the molding die. Similarly, a second terminal carrier 68B, as shown in Figure 8(b), is placed on top of a first terminal carrier 68A, as shown in Figure 7(b), and the first terminals 61A and 61B are positioned alternately to form a terminal row 60 on the positive Y-axis side, and set in the molding die.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a pair of first reinforcing brackets 51 are also supplied. Each first reinforcing bracket 51, like the first terminal 61, is made of a metal plate bent in the thickness direction, and is manufactured by punching, bending, and other processes on the metal plate and supplied connected to a carrier. However, for the sake of explanation, the carrier for the first reinforcing brackets 51 is not shown in the illustration. As a result, the pair of first reinforcing brackets 51 are positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 and set in the molding die.

[0063] Next, an insulating material such as synthetic resin is filled into the cavity of the molding die in a molten state. In other words, insert molding is performed. The insulating material can be any type of material, but in this case, LCP (liquid crystal polymer) is preferable due to its fluidity. When the filled insulating material cools and solidifies and the first housing 11 is formed, the molding die is opened and the semi-finished product of the first connector 10 is removed with the terminal carrier 68 still connected to the first terminal 61 as shown in Figure 6.

[0064] Next, the terminal carrier 68 is removed from the semi-finished first connector 10 as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, at the cut section 68d shown in Figure 7, the connecting arm 68a of the first terminal carrier 68A is cut, separating the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61A from the connecting arm 68a. Similarly, at the cut section 68d shown in Figure 8, the connecting arm 68a of the second terminal carrier 68B is cut, separating the horizontal portion 66 of the first terminal 61B from the connecting arm 68a. In addition, carriers (not shown) are removed from each first reinforcing fitting 51. As a result, a finished first connector 10 is obtained, as shown in Figure 9, from which the terminal carrier 68 and the carriers for the first reinforcing fitting 51 (not shown) have been removed.

[0065] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101, which forms a connector pair together with the first connector 10, will be described.

[0066] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second connector in this embodiment, Figure 11 is an exploded view of the second connector in this embodiment, Figure 12 is a first two-view drawing of the second connector in this embodiment, and Figure 13 is a second two-view drawing of the second connector in this embodiment. In Figure 12, (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view, and in Figure 13, (a) is a side view and (b) is a front view.

[0067] 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 10 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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. A hole-shaped second terminal housing cavity 115b is formed in the second protrusion 113 and the side wall portion 114. The second terminal housing cavity 115a and the second terminal housing cavity 115b are connected and integrated 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. Then, each of the second terminal housing cavities 115 houses a second terminal 161 as a mating terminal, and as a result, multiple second terminals 161 are arranged in each groove 112a at a pitch corresponding to the first terminal 61 and in a corresponding number (16 in the example shown in the figure).

[0070] 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 163 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 162 connected to the lower end (positive Z-axis end) of the main body portion 163, a proximal connection portion 163b extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101 from near the lower end of the main body portion 163, a proximal contact portion 166 extending in the vertical direction as a first contact portion with its lower end near the tip of the proximal connection portion 163b connected, a distal connection portion 164 extending in the width direction of the second connector 101 from the lower end of the proximal contact portion 166, and a distal contact portion 165 extending upward (negative Z-axis direction) from the tip of the distal connection portion 164.

[0071] Furthermore, it is desirable that proximal contact protrusions 166a and distal contact protrusions 165a are formed near the tips of the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165, respectively, so as to face each other. In addition, the main body portion 163 is the part that is press-fitted into and held in the second terminal housing cavity 115b, and it is desirable that an engaging protrusion 163a is formed near its tip so as to bite into the side surface of the second terminal housing cavity 115b.

[0072] Furthermore, the tail portion 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the main body portion 163, extends in the width direction of the second housing 111, and is connected by soldering to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate. The conductive trace is typically a signal line, but may also be a power line. In addition, the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 are portions that contact the first terminal 61 of the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated together, and the proximal contact projection 166a and the distal contact projection 165a contact the inner surface 65a and outer surface 63a, which are the contact surfaces of the first terminal 61, and preferably engage with the upper end projection 64a.

[0073] 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 portion 163 of the second terminal 161 is press-fitted into the second terminal housing cavity 115b and held in place, the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 are exposed in the 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.

[0074] Furthermore, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove 112a form a terminal row that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 along each groove 112a, and in each terminal row, the orientation of adjacent second terminals 161 is oriented so that they are opposite with respect to the width direction of the groove 112a. In the example shown in Figures 10 to 13, 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 oriented so that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the Y-axis negative direction, while the orientation of the second second terminal 161 located from the front end is oriented so that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the Y-axis positive direction. As described above, the second terminals 161 are mounted in the groove 112a in an alternating, opposite orientation. Therefore, 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. Consequently, soldering to the connection pads of the second substrate can be easily performed. In addition, the pitch of the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 exposed in the groove 112a is also twice the pitch of the second terminals 161.

[0075] Furthermore, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove 112a are oriented such that adjacent terminals have opposite orientations in the width direction of the second connector 101. In the example shown in Figures 10-13, in both the positive Y-axis and negative Y-axis terminal rows, the orientation of the second terminal 161 located at the front end (positive X-axis end) is such that the tail portion 162 protrudes toward the negative Y-axis direction, and the orientation of the second second terminal 161 located second from the front end is such that the tail portion 62 protrudes toward the positive Y-axis direction.

[0076] 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 10 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 10 is inserted into the fitting recess 122.

[0077] Furthermore, a second reinforcing bracket 151 is attached to the second protruding end 121 as a mating reinforcing bracket. Note that the second reinforcing bracket 151 is a component that is integrated with the second housing 111 by insert molding, and therefore does not exist separately from the second housing 111. Also, the location on the second housing 111 where the second reinforcing bracket 151 is attached does not exist in the shape shown in Figure 11, separated from the second reinforcing bracket 151. It should be noted that the drawing in Figure 11 is made solely for explanatory purposes.

[0078] The second reinforcing bracket 151 is a member integrally formed by processing a metal plate by punching, bending, etc., and comprises a second main body portion 152 extending in the width direction of the second housing 111, side covering portions 153 connected to both the left and right ends of the second main body portion 152, a pair of left and right tail portions 156 connected to the lower end of the second main body portion 152, an end wall cover portion 157 connected to the upper end of the second main body portion 152, a recessed cover portion 155 connected to the end wall cover portion 157, and a pair of left and right contact arm portions 154 as elastic members. The tail portions 156 extend outward in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 and are connected and fixed to a connection pad (not shown) connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a power line, but may also be a signal line. In addition, if necessary, the lower end 153c of the side covering portion 153 can be made to approach or contact the surface of the second substrate. In this case, the connection strength of the second reinforcing bracket 151 to the second substrate is improved by connecting the lower end 153c of the lateral cover portion 153 to the connection pad of the second substrate by soldering or the like.

[0079] A side wall upper cover portion 153b is connected to the upper end of each side cover portion 153. The side wall upper cover portion 153b is curved at an angle of 90 degrees or more, and its tip extends diagonally downward toward the fitting recess 122. In addition, a contact projection 154a is formed near the upper end of the contact arm portion 154, i.e., the tip, as a contact portion, which is formed in a shape that bulges toward the widthwise center of the second housing 111. Furthermore, an island end cover portion 155a is connected to the widthwise center of the second connector 101 at the tip of the recess cover portion 155.

[0080] The recess cover portion 155 is housed within a bottom plate opening 128b formed to penetrate the bottom plate 122b of the fitting recess 122 in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The contact arm portion 154 is housed within the bottom plate opening 128b and within a side wall recess 128a formed on the inner surface of the fitting recess 122, continuous with the bottom plate opening 128b. The contact arm portion 154 is not integrated with the second housing 111 and is housed within the bottom plate opening 128b and the side wall recess 128a in an elastically deformable state. Therefore, the contact arm portion 154, which functions as an elastic member, has a long spring length and can exert a spring force that can apply contact pressure to the contact protrusion 154a to ensure that the contact protrusion 154a reliably maintains contact with the first reinforcing fitting 51.

[0081] Furthermore, the island end cover portion 155a is designed to cover both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113, i.e., the island end, with at least its tip embedded. As a result, both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 113 will not be damaged even if they come into contact with a part of the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated together.

[0082] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 of the above configuration will be described.

[0083] Figure 14 is a perspective view from the first connector side showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment, Figure 15 is a plan view from the first connector side showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment, and Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the mated state of the first connector and the second connector in this embodiment. In Figure 16, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in Figure 15, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the MM arrow in Figure 15.

[0084] Here, the first connector 10 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 by 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] First, the operator positions the mating surface 12a of the protrusion 12 of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 and the mating surface 111a of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 facing each other. When the position of the protrusion 12 of the first connector 10 aligns with the position of the corresponding recess 112a of the second connector 101, and the position of the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 10 aligns with the position of the corresponding mating recess 122 of the second connector 101, the alignment of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0087] In this state, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 are moved toward the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the protrusion 12 and the first protruding end 16 of the first connector 10 are inserted into the groove 112a and the mating recess 122 of the second connector 101. As a result, the mating of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed, as shown in Figures 14 to 16.

[0088] Then, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 become electrically connected. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the outer column portion 63, connecting portion 64, and inner column portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161. Then, the proximal contact projection 166a of the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact projection 165a of the distal contact portion 165 come into contact with the outer surface 63a of the outer column portion 63 and the inner surface 65a of the inner column portion 65, which are the contact surfaces.

[0089] Here, since the distance from the outer surface 63a to the inner surface 65a of each first terminal 61 is greater than the distance from the proximal contact projection 166a to the distal contact projection 165a of the corresponding second terminal 161, when the outer column portion 63, connecting portion 64, and inner column portion 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal contact portion 166 and the distal contact portion 165 of each second terminal 161, the second terminal 161 is elastically deformed, and the gap between the proximal contact projection 166a and the distal contact projection 165a is widened. Therefore, the repulsive force generated by the second terminal 161 causes the proximal contact protrusion 166a and the distal contact protrusion 165a to be pressed against the outer surface 63a and the inner surface 65a, thereby ensuring that contact between the proximal contact protrusion 166a and the distal contact protrusion 165a and the outer surface 63a and the inner surface 65a is reliably maintained, and the electrical connection between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 is reliably maintained.

[0090] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 comprises a first housing 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11. The plurality of first terminals 61 form a terminal row 60 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. One of a pair of adjacent first terminals 61A has an end face 62a facing outward in the width direction of the first connector 10 and a lower surface 62b adjacent to the end face 62a that is soldered to the substrate. The other of a pair of adjacent first terminals 61B has an end face 66a facing outward in the width direction of the first connector 10, which is located higher than the lower surface 62b of the first terminal 61A.

[0091] This allows for a narrower pitch of the first terminal 61 in the terminal row 60, reducing the spacing between terminal rows 60, preventing solder bridging, simplifying manufacturing, enabling miniaturization even with multiple pins, and improving the reliability of the first connector 10.

[0092] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 has a tail portion 62, and there are multiple terminal rows 60. Of the end faces 62a of the tail portion 62, the end faces 62a facing adjacent terminal rows 60 are plated, while the end faces 62a not facing adjacent terminal rows 60 are not plated. In addition, the first terminal 61 is integrated and held in the first housing 11, and the multiple terminal rows 60 are integrally connected.

[0093] Furthermore, the positions of the outer surfaces 63a of adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 are shifted relative to each other with respect to the width direction of the first connector 10. In addition, each first terminal 61 has two contact surfaces, an outer surface 63a and an inner surface 65a, and the positions of the two contact surfaces of adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 are shifted relative to each other with respect to the width direction of the first connector 10. Furthermore, of the two contact surfaces, the width dimension of the contact surface on the proximal side of the tail portion 62 is larger than the contact surface on the distal side of the tail portion 62.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the method for manufacturing the first connector 10 comprises a first housing 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11, wherein the plurality of first terminals 61 form a terminal row 60 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. The process involves integrally molding adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 with the first housing 11 while connected to overlapping, different terminal carriers 68, wherein one of the adjacent first terminals 61, the first terminal 61A, has its tail portion 62 connected to the first terminal carrier 68A, which is one of the different terminal carriers 68, and the other of the adjacent first terminals 61, the first terminal 61B, has its non-tail portion, the horizontal portion 66, connected to the second terminal carrier 68B, which is the other of the different terminal carriers 68, and the first terminal carrier 68A is overlapped below the second terminal carrier 68B, and the first terminal carrier 68A is integrally molded with the first housing 11, and the first terminals 61 integrally molded with the first housing 11 are separated from the terminal carriers 68.

[0095] This makes it possible to easily manufacture the first connector 10.

[0096] 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 will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reviewing this specification. [Industrial applicability]

[0097] This disclosure can be applied to connectors, connector pairs, and methods for manufacturing the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10, 801 First connector 11, 811 First Housing 12 Convex part 12a, 111a mating surface 12b, 63a outer surface 12c, 65a inner surface 12d Inter-terminal wall 13, 112a Concave groove part 14 Extension end 16 First protruding end 17 Bottom plate part 17a Lower plate part 17a1 Tail cover 17a2 Corresponding recess 17b Upper plate section 17b1 Horizontal cover 17c, 62b, 66b bottom side 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 60 terminal rows 61, 61A, 61B First terminal 62a, 66a end face 63 External pillar part 64 Connecting part 64a Upper end protrusion 65 Inner column section 65b Anchor section 66 Horizontal section 68 Terminal Carrier 68A First terminal carrier 68a Connecting arm 68B Second terminal carrier 68b Carrier body 68c bent part 68d cutting section 101, 901 Second connector 111, 911 Second Housing 111b Implementation side 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 122b Bottom plate 128a Side wall recess 128b Bottom plate opening 152 Second Main Body 153 Lateral cover 153b Upper side wall cover 153c bottom end 154 Contact arm 154a Contact protrusion 155 Recessed cover part 155a Island end cover section 157 End wall cover section 161, 961 2nd terminal 163 Main body 163a Engagement protrusion 163b Proximal joint 164 Distal connection 165 Distal contact area 165a Distal contact protrusion 166 Proximal contact area 166a Proximal contact protrusion 813 Window 860A First terminal row 860B Second terminal row 861a type a first terminal 861b Type b first terminal 862a, 862b, 962 board connection section

Claims

1. (a) A connector comprising a connector body and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, (b) Multiple terminals form a terminal row extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector, (c) One of a pair of adjacent terminals has an end face facing outward in the width direction of the connector and a lower surface adjacent to the end face that is soldered to the substrate, (d) The other terminal of an adjacent pair of terminals has an end face that faces outward in the width direction of the connector and is located higher than the lower surface of the other terminal, (e) A connector characterized in that the terminals have a substrate connection portion, there are multiple terminal rows, and of the end faces of the substrate connection portion, the end faces facing adjacent terminal rows are plated, while the end faces not facing adjacent terminal rows are not plated.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminals are held integrally with the connector body, and the multiple terminal rows are integrally connected.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the outer surfaces of adjacent terminals in the terminal row are shifted relative to each other with respect to the width direction of the connector.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has two contact surfaces, and the positions of the two contact surfaces of adjacent terminals in the terminal row are shifted relative to each other with respect to the width direction of the connector.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the terminal has a board connection portion, and of the two contact surfaces, the width dimension of the contact surface on the proximal side of the board connection portion is greater than that of the contact surface on the distal side of the board connection portion.

6. A pair of connectors comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

Images