Electrical connectors for circuit boards

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector for circuit board capable of satisfactorily avoiding damages of a housing in fitting connectors together.SOLUTION: First guide parts 75, 76 and second guide parts 78, 79 extend above a first terminal arrangement part 72 and a second terminal arrangement part 73. The first terminal arrangement part 72 and the second terminal arrangement part 73 have later guide parts 72D, 73D inclined to be able to guide a movable housing 170 of a mating connector 2 to a normal engagement position at a top edge part. The first guide parts 75, 76 and the second guide parts 78, 79 have earlier guide parts 75A, 76A, 78A, 79A inclined to be able to guide the movable housing 170 of the mating connector 2 to a normal engagement position at a top edge part. The earlier guide parts 75A, 76A, 78A, 79A are located above the later guide parts 72D, 73D, and have dimensions larger than those of the later guide parts 72D, 73D in an inclination direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board that is disposed on a mounting surface of the circuit board, and a mating connector is fitted and connected in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface as a connector connection direction.

Background Art

[0002] As such an electrical connector for a circuit board, a so-called hermaphrodite connector in which a mating connector having the same shape as the electrical connector for the circuit board is fitted and connected from above is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (see, for example, FIGS. 22 to 24 of Patent Document 1). The connector of Patent Document 1 has a plurality of terminals arranged in a state of extending in the vertical direction and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, and a mating connector having the same shape as the connector is fitted and connected from above. The housing has a square tubular fitting portion, and protrusions and holes for guiding provided at the ends of the fitting portion.

[0003] The fitting portion has two side walls extending in the longitudinal direction and two end walls extending in the short direction when viewed from above, and a plurality of terminals are accommodated in a space surrounded by these side walls and end walls. At the upper part of the side wall, a recessed portion (hereinafter referred to as "first recessed portion") recessed from the outer surface is formed in a half portion (hereinafter referred to as "first half portion") on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a recessed portion (hereinafter referred to as "second recessed portion") recessed from the inner surface is formed in a half portion (referred to as "second half portion") on the other end side in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the connectors are fitted, the first half portion of the connector enters the second recessed portion of the mating connector from below, and the first recessed portion of the connector receives the second half portion of the mating connector from above.

[0004] The outer surface of the end wall is provided with protrusions (pins) and holes (bores) for guiding the connectors together. Specifically, one end in the longitudinal direction is provided with a pin-shaped protrusion that extends vertically and tapers to a point, and the other end in the longitudinal direction is formed with a hole that extends vertically. When the connectors are mated, the protrusion of the connector enters from below, guided by the hole in the mating connector, and the protrusion of the mating connector enters from above, guided by the hole in the connector.

[0005] Furthermore, the upper end surface of the connector housing (the lower end surface in the case of the mating connector), excluding the aforementioned protrusion, is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, in the connector mated state, the upper end surface of the connector and the lower end surface of the mating connector make contact without any gaps in the vertical direction (see, for example, Figure 24 in Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,635,278 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In Patent Document 1, connectors are guided to their proper mating positions by projections entering and guiding them into holes. However, if, for example, the outer diameter of the projection is smaller than the standard dimension due to manufacturing errors, or if the inner diameter of the hole is larger than the standard dimension, the mating parts may be guided to a position deviated from the proper mating position. In Patent Document 1, as previously described, the end face of the housing is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction, so if the mating parts are guided to a position deviated from the proper mating position, the end faces of the mating parts will come into contact with each other. At this time, the end faces of the mating parts come into strong contact under the mating force, which may damage the side walls and end walls of the mating parts. In particular, the side walls extend long in the longitudinal direction and are thin due to the recessed portion, making them prone to bending and damage.

[0008] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector for a circuit board that can effectively avoid damage to the housing when the connectors are mated together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The electrical connector for a circuit board according to the present invention is an electrical connector that is arranged on the mounting surface of a circuit board and has a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface as the connector connection direction, wherein a mating connector having the same shape as the electrical connector is mated and connected from above, and has a plurality of terminals arranged with a terminal arrangement direction parallel to the mounting surface, a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals, and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing, wherein the terminals are provided spanning between the fixed housing and the movable housing.

[0010] In the present invention, the movable housing has a first terminal arrangement portion and a second terminal arrangement portion arranged side by side in a terminal arrangement range, and a first guide portion and a second guide portion provided outside the terminal arrangement range, the first terminal arrangement portion extends upward and in the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminals are arranged on the outer surface extending in the terminal arrangement direction, the second terminal arrangement portion extends upward and in the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminals are arranged on the inner surfaces of two opposing wall portions that face each other in the connector width direction, and the first terminal arrangement portion of the mating connector can be received between the two opposing wall portions, the first guide portion extends above the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion at one end of the movable housing in the terminal arrangement direction, and the second guide portion is at the end The movable housing extends above the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion at the other end of the movable housing in the sub-arrangement direction, and is capable of at least partially surrounding the first guide portion of the mating connector when viewed in the vertical direction. At least one of the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion has a late guide portion at its upper end that is inclined to guide the movable housing of the mating connector to the correct mating position. At least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion has an initial guide portion at its upper end that is inclined to guide the movable housing of the mating connector to the correct mating position. The initial guide portion is located above the late guide portion and is larger in the inclination direction than the late guide portion.

[0011] In this invention, during the process of mating connectors together, first, the first guide portion of one connector enters the second guide portion of the mating connector from below, and the second guide portion of the other connector receives the first guide portion of the mating connector from above. At this time, the first guide portion is guided into the second guide portion by an initial guide portion formed on at least one of the first and second guide portions. Since this initial guide portion is formed to be larger in the inclined direction than the later guide portion, a rough guidance is provided by this initial guide portion prior to the mating of the first and second terminal arrangement portions. Therefore, the first and second terminal arrangement portions are already in a position close to the correct mating position when mating between them begins.

[0012] Then, the first terminal placement portion of the connector enters from below between the pair of opposing walls of the second terminal placement portion of the mating connector, and the pair of opposing walls of the second terminal placement portion of the connector receive the first terminal placement portion of the mating connector from above. At this time, the first terminal placement portion is guided between the opposing walls by the late guide portion formed on at least one of the opposing walls of the first terminal placement portion and the second terminal placement portion. As described above, at the time this guidance begins, the first terminal placement portion and the second terminal placement portion are in a position close to the correct mating position, so the first terminal placement portion and the second terminal placement portion are brought to the correct mating position without difficulty. In the present invention, a late guide portion is provided on at least one of the first terminal placement portion and the second terminal placement portion, and when they come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, guidance is provided by this late guide portion, so damage to the first terminal placement portion and the second terminal placement portion can be effectively avoided.

[0013] Furthermore, in this invention, when the connectors are first mated, the first guide portion and the second guide portion come into contact with a relatively strong mating force at the beginning of the mating operation. However, these first and second guide portions are formed to be thick enough in at least one direction, in the terminal arrangement direction and the connector width direction, to form an initial guide portion. Therefore, even when they come into contact with the mating force mentioned above, they have sufficient strength to withstand it, and the first and second guide portions are less likely to be damaged. In addition, the contact between the first and second guide portions reduces the subsequent mating force. Consequently, even if the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion come into contact during mating, the first and second terminal arrangement portions are less likely to be damaged.

[0014] (2) In the invention of (1), the movable housing has a support wall portion that is outside the first terminal arrangement portion in the connector width direction and extends in the terminal arrangement direction along the first terminal arrangement portion, and the support wall portion may face the outer surface of the opposing wall portion of the mating connector when the connector is mated, and be able to support the opposing wall portion from the outside in the connector width direction.

[0015] In the connector mated state, the terminals positioned on the inner surface of the opposing wall portion of the second terminal arrangement portion receive an external force directed outward in the connector width direction from the mating terminal (the mating terminal) due to contact with the mating terminal with contact pressure. Consequently, the opposing wall portion also receives an external force directed outward in the connector width direction via the terminal. By providing the support wall portion, the opposing wall portion is supported from the outside in the connector width direction by the support wall portion, and the support force can counteract the above external force. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall portion directed outward in the connector width direction can be restricted, and damage to the opposing wall portion can be prevented.

[0016] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the terminal is capable of contacting the terminal of the mating connector in the portion located in the lower part of the opposing wall, and the lower part of the opposing wall has a greater wall thickness than the upper part, and the terminal may be supported from the outside in the connector width direction. By increasing the wall thickness of the lower part of the opposing wall in this way, sufficient strength can be secured in the lower part to withstand external forces received from the mating terminal, that is, external forces directed outward in the connector width direction. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall can be restricted and damage to the opposing wall can be prevented.

[0017] (4) In the invention of (1) or (2), the terminal is capable of contacting the terminal of the mating connector in the portion located in the upper part of the opposing wall, and the upper part of the opposing wall has a groove formed therein that allows elastic deformation of the terminal in the connector width direction, and the wall thickness dimension at the position corresponding to the groove may increase as it goes downward. By forming the upper part of the opposing wall in this way, the wall thickness dimension at the position corresponding to the groove increases as it goes downward, it is possible to allow large bending deformation of the terminal in the upper part of the groove, while ensuring great strength in the portion of the opposing wall corresponding to the lower part of the groove. Therefore, even if the terminal bends excessively and comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the groove, sufficient strength can be ensured in the opposing wall to withstand the external force received from the terminal. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall can be restricted and damage to the opposing wall can be prevented. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention provides an electrical connector for circuit boards that can effectively avoid damage to the housing when the connectors are mated together. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector for a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a mating connector, showing the state before mating connection from an oblique angle above. [Figure 2]It is a perspective view of the electrical connector for a circuit board and the mating connector in FIG. 1, showing the state before mating connection as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 3] It is a view showing the state before mating connection of the electrical connector for a circuit board and the mating connector in FIG. 1, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a plan view. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the electrical connector for a circuit board and the mating connector in FIG. 1, showing the state after mating connection as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the electrical connector for a circuit board in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along VIA-VIA in FIG. 4, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along VIB-VIB in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the terminals alone, where (A) shows the first signal terminal, (B) shows the second signal terminal, (C) shows the first power terminal, and (D) shows the second power terminal. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the cover member alone, where (A) is a perspective view shown in the posture attached to the electrical connector for a circuit board, and (B) is a perspective view shown in the posture obtained by inverting the posture of (A) upside down. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view taken along IX-IX in FIG. 3(B). [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view taken along X-X in FIG. 3(B). [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the mating operation of the electrical connector for a circuit board and the mating connector shown in FIG. 9 has progressed, where (A) shows the state during mating and (B) shows the state after mating connection. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the mating operation of the electrical connector for a circuit board and the mating connector shown in FIG. 10 has progressed, where (A) shows the state during mating and (B) shows the state after mating connection.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figures 1 to 3 show the state before mating connection between an electrical connector 1 for a circuit board (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electrical connector 2 for a circuit board (hereinafter referred to as "mating connector 2") as a mating connector (mating connection body). Figure 1 is a perspective view seen from diagonally above, Figure 2 is a perspective view seen from diagonally below, Figure 3(A) is a side view, and Figure 3(B) is a plan view. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing connector 1 and mating connector 2 after mating connection, seen from diagonally above. Figure 5 is a plan view of connector 1 in Figure 1.

[0022] Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are cross-sectional views of connector 1 and mating connector 2 shown in Figure 4, taken perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, Figure 6(A) is a VIA-VIA cross-sectional view of Figure 4, showing a cross-section at the position of the first signal terminal 10 (described later) in the terminal arrangement direction, and Figure 6(B) is a VIB-VIB cross-sectional view of Figure 4, showing a cross-section at the position of the second signal terminal 20 (described later) in the terminal arrangement direction. In Figures 1, 4, 5, and 6(A) and 6(B), connector 1 is shown mounted on the mounting surface of circuit board P1. In Figure 2, mating connector 2 is shown mounted on the mounting surface of another circuit board P2.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1, 4, 5, and 6(A) and (B), connector 1 is an electrical connector for a circuit board that is mounted on the mounting surface of circuit board P1. Mating connector 2 is an electrical connector for a circuit board that is mounted on the mounting surface of another circuit board P2. Connector 1 and mating connector 2 are mated together in an orientation where the mounting surfaces of circuit boards P1 and P2 are parallel, with the connection direction being perpendicular to the mounting surfaces (up and down direction, Z-axis direction), thereby forming an electrical connector assembly. In this embodiment, mating connector 2 is mated to connector 1 from above.

[0024] Connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are identical in shape, so-called hermaphroditic connectors. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the mating connector 2 is mated to connector 1 from above in a position that is inverted vertically and rotated 180° around the axis passing through the center of connector 1 when viewed vertically. For the mating connector 2, the parts corresponding to the parts of connector 1 described below are denoted by adding "100" to the reference numerals in connector 1, and the description is omitted. In this embodiment, the connector located on circuit board P1 is referred to as "connector 1," and the connector located on circuit board P2 is referred to as "mating connector 2." However, from the perspective of the connector located on circuit board P2, the connector located on circuit board P1 is the mating connector.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the connector 1 includes a plurality of signal terminals 10, 20 and power terminals 30, 40 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminals 10, 20, 30, 40" unless otherwise specified) arranged in one direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board P1, a housing 50 that holds the plurality of terminals 10, 20, 30, 40, fixing brackets 80 that are held at both ends of the housing 50 in the terminal arrangement direction, and a cover member 90 that is attached to the housing 50 from below.

[0026] The housing 50 is made of resin (for example, resin) and has a fixed housing 60 fixed to the circuit board P1 via terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40, and a movable housing 70 that is movable relative to the fixed housing 60. The terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40 are provided spanning between the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70. The connector 1 is a so-called floating connector in which the movement of the movable housing 70 relative to the fixed housing 60 is permitted by the elastic deformation of the terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40. In this embodiment, the movable housing 70 is movable in three directions: the connector width direction (X-axis direction), the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0027] The signal terminals 10 and 20 consist of a first signal terminal 10 and a second signal terminal 20, each with a different shape. The power terminals 30 and 40 consist of a first power terminal 30 and a second power terminal 40, each with a different shape. As shown in Figure 1, the first signal terminals 10 are arranged in two rows in the intermediate region of the housing 50 in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), shifted towards the Y2 side. As shown in Figure 1, the second signal terminals 20 are arranged in two rows in the intermediate region of the housing 50 in the terminal arrangement direction, shifted towards the Y1 side. The two rows of signal terminals 10 and 20 face each other in a symmetrical orientation in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) (see also Figures 6(A) and (B)).

[0028] The first power terminals 30 are provided in pairs at the Y1 end of the housing 50 in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). The second power terminals 40 are provided in pairs at the Y2 end of the housing 50 in the terminal arrangement direction. The pair of first power terminals 30 and the pair of second power terminals 40 are arranged so that each power terminal 30, 40 in each pair faces each other in a symmetrical orientation in the connector width direction (X-axis direction).

[0029] Figures 7(A) to (D) are perspective views showing each terminal 10, 20, 30, and 40 individually, with (A) showing the first signal terminal 10, (B) showing the second signal terminal 20, (C) showing the first power supply terminal 30, and (D) showing the second power supply terminal 40. As shown in Figures 7(A) to (D), terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40 are formed by bending a metal strip in the thickness direction and have fixed-side retained portions 11, 21, 31, and 41 held by the fixed housing 60, movable-side retained portions 12, 22, 32, and 42 held by the movable housing 70, elastic portions 13, 23, 33, and 43 located between the fixed-side retained portions 11, 21, 31, and 41 and the movable-side retained portions 12, 22, 32, and 42 that are elastically deformable, connecting portions 14, 24, 34, and 44 extending from the fixed-side retained portions 11, 21, 31, and 41 and that can be soldered to the circuit board P1, and contact arms 15, 25, 35, and 45 extending from the movable-side retained portions 12, 22, 32, and 42 and that can contact the mating connector 2. In other words, terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40 are configured such that connecting parts 14, 24, 34, and 44 and contact arm parts 15, 25, 35, and 45 are connected at an intermediate part, and this intermediate part has fixed-side holding parts 11, 21, 31, and 41, movable-side holding parts 12, 22, 32, and 42, and elastic parts 13, 23, 33, and 43.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(A) to (D), the upper ends of the fixed-side held parts 11, 21, 31, 41 and the elastic parts 13, 23, 33, 43 are connected via bent parts 16, 26, 36, 46; the lower ends of the fixed-side held parts 11, 21, 31, 41 and the connecting parts 14, 24, 34, 44 are connected via bent parts 17, 27, 37, 47; and the lower ends of the movable-side held parts 12, 22, 32, 42 and the elastic parts 13, 23, 33, 43 are connected via bent parts 18, 28, 38, 48.

[0031] Prior to further description of terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40, the configurations of the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figure 1, the fixed housing 60 has a pair of side wall portions 61 extending in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) and a pair of end wall portions 62 extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and connecting the ends of the pair of side wall portions 61, forming a circumferential wall. The space enclosed by this circumferential wall and penetrating in the vertical direction forms a central space 63 that accommodates a part of the movable housing 70. The central space 63 also has an end receiving portion 63A on the Y1 side in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) that receives the second outer guide portion 178 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, from above.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the side wall portion 61 press-fits and holds the fixed-side retained portion 11 of the first signal terminal 10 in the intermediate region in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) that is closer to the Y2 side (see Figure 6(A)), and press-fits and holds the fixed-side retained portion 21 of the second signal terminal 20 in the region that is closer to the Y1 side (see Figure 6(B)). Specifically, in the region of the side wall portion 61 that is closer to the Y2 side, as shown in Figure 6(A), a groove-shaped fixed-side retaining portion 61A for accommodating a part of the elastic portion 13 and the fixed-side retained portion 11 of the first signal terminal 10 is formed at the lower part of the side wall portion 61, retracting from the inner surface of the side wall portion 61 (the surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) and opening downwards. Furthermore, in the area of ​​the side wall portion 61 closer to the Y1 side, as shown in Figure 6(B), a groove-shaped fixed-side retaining portion 61B is formed at the lower part of the side wall portion 61, which accommodates a part of the elastic portion 23 of the second signal terminal 20 and the fixed-side retained portion 21. This groove is recessed from the inner surface of the side wall portion 61 (the surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) and opens downward. The fixed-side retaining portions 61A and 61B press-fit and hold the fixed-side retained portions 11 and 21, respectively.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the side wall portion 61 press-fits and holds the fixed-side retained portion 31 (see Figure 7(C)) of the first power terminal 30 at the Y1 end in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and holds the fixed-side retained portion 41 (see Figure 7(D)) of the second power terminal 40 at the Y2 end. Specifically, a fixed-side terminal groove portion (not shown) for accommodating a part of the elastic portion 33 and the fixed-side retained portion 31 of the first power terminal 30 is formed at the Y1 end of the side wall portion 61, and a fixed-side terminal groove portion (not shown) for accommodating a part of the elastic portion 43 and the fixed-side retained portion 41 of the second power terminal 40 is formed at the Y2 end. These fixed-side retaining portions press-fit and hold the fixed-side retained portions 31 and 41, respectively. These fixed-side terminal groove portions have a groove shape similar to the fixed-side retaining portions 61A and 61B, but differ from the fixed-side retaining portions 61A and 61B in that they are formed slightly wider.

[0034] The end wall portion 62 has a groove-shaped fitting holding portion 62A for press-fitting and holding the fixing fitting 80, which is recessed into the end wall portion 62 from the outer end surface and penetrates the end wall portion 62 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The movable housing 70 has a base portion 71 that forms its lower part and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the direction of terminal arrangement as its longitudinal direction, which is housed within the central space 63 of the fixed housing 60. As shown in Figure 5, the base portion 71 is positioned within the central space 63 with a gap between it and the inner surfaces of the fixed housing 60 (the inner surfaces of the side walls 61 and the end walls 62). Within the range of this gap, the movable housing 70 is movable in both the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 5, on the Y1 side in the terminal arrangement direction, the gap between the base portion 71 and the end wall portion 62 of the fixed housing 60 is larger than the gap at other positions, and this gap forms the end receiving portion 63A. Furthermore, the base portion 71 is formed with approximately the same vertical dimensions as the fixed housing 60, and the upper surface of the base portion 71 is at the same height as the upper surface of the fixed housing 60 in the vertical direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the base portion 71 has two first intermediate holes 71A formed in the intermediate region in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), closer to the Y2 side, and one second intermediate hole 71B formed in the region closer to the Y1 side. The first intermediate holes 71A are formed one on each side of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72, which will be described later, in the connector width direction, and extend across the arrangement range of the first signal terminals 10 and penetrate the base portion 71 in the vertical direction. A late guide portion 71A-1 is formed on the upper edge of the first intermediate hole portion 71A to guide the opposing wall portion 173E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 71A-1 has an inclined surface as if the upper edge of the first intermediate hole portion 71A had been chamfered.

[0037] In the base portion 71, a support wall portion 71F is formed on the outside of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 and the first intermediate hole portion 71A in the connector width direction. The support wall portion 71F extends over the range of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 in the terminal arrangement direction and forms part of the wall portion that forms the first intermediate hole portion 71A. When the connector is mated, the support wall portion 71F contacts the outer surface of the opposing wall portion 173E of the mating connector 2, and is able to support the opposing wall portion 173E from the outside in the connector width direction (see Figure 12(B)).

[0038] The second intermediate hole 71B is formed in the connector width direction between the two opposing wall portions 73E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73, which will be described later, and extends over the arrangement range of the second signal terminals 20, and penetrates the base portion 71 in the vertical direction. A late guide portion 71B-1 is formed on the upper edge of the second intermediate hole 71B to guide the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 71B-1 has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the second intermediate hole 71B has been chamfered.

[0039] Furthermore, the base portion 71 has two first end holes 71C and one inner end hole 71D formed at the Y1 side end in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and one second end hole 71E formed at the Y2 side end in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). The first end holes 71C are formed one on each side of the first power terminal arrangement portion 74, which will be described later, in the connector width direction, and penetrate the base portion 71 vertically in the range including the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0040] A late guide portion 71C-1 is formed on the upper edge of the first end hole portion 71C to guide the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 of the mating connector 2, described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 71C-1 has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the first end hole portion 71C has been chamfered.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the inner end hole 71D is located in the central area in the connector width direction and between the second intermediate hole 71B and the first inner guide portion 76 (described later) in the terminal arrangement direction. The inner end hole 71D communicates with the second intermediate hole 71B and penetrates the base portion 71 in the vertical direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the second end hole 71E is partially surrounded by the second power terminal arrangement portion 77, the second outer guide portion 78, and the second inner guide portion 79, which will be described later, when viewed in the vertical direction, and penetrates the base portion 71 in the vertical direction within the range including the second power terminal arrangement portion 77 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0043] At the lower part of the base 71, in the intermediate region in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), a housing groove 71G is formed in the area closer to the Y2 side, as shown in Figure 6(A), for housing a portion of the elastic portion 13 of the first signal terminal 10, and in the area closer to the Y1 side, a housing groove 71H is formed, as shown in Figure 6(B), for housing a portion of the elastic portion 23 of the second signal terminal 20. The housing grooves 71G and 71H are formed by retracting from the outer surface of the base 71 (the surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) and opening downwards.

[0044] Furthermore, at the lower part of the base portion 71, a accommodating groove (not shown) is formed at the Y1 end in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) for accommodating a portion of the elastic portion 33 of the first power terminal 30, and a accommodating groove (not shown) is formed at the Y2 end for accommodating a portion of the elastic portion 43 of the second power terminal 40. These accommodating grooves have the same shape as the accommodating grooves 71G and 71H.

[0045] The movable housing 70 has a first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 in the intermediate area in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) that is closer to the Y2 side, and a second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 in the area that is closer to the Y1 side. As shown in Figure 5, the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 is located in the central area in the connector width direction, in other words, between the two first intermediate holes 71A, and its upper part forms a protruding wall portion 72A extending upward from the upper surface of the base portion 71, while its lower part forms part of the base portion 71. On both outer surfaces of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 in the connector width direction, movable side terminal groove portions 72B for arranging the first signal terminals 10 are formed in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6(A), the movable terminal groove 72B is recessed from the outer surface and has a groove shape that extends vertically from the upper end of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 to a position slightly below the upper surface of the base portion 71. As shown in Figure 6(A), the movable terminal groove 72B is recessed from the outer surface and has a groove shape that extends vertically to the portion corresponding to the contact arm portion 15 of the first signal terminal 10, and to the upper part of the protruding wall portion 72A and the base portion 71. As shown in Figure 6(A), the upper part of the movable terminal groove 72B is formed as a groove that is deeper than the lower part, and this deep groove allows for elastic deformation of the contact arm portion 15 of the first signal terminal 10 (see Figures 12(A) and (B)). The first signal terminal arrangement section 72 has a wall thickness dimension at the position corresponding to the lower part of the movable terminal groove section 72B that is greater than the wall thickness dimension at the position corresponding to the upper part of the movable terminal groove section 72B. Furthermore, at the position corresponding to the upper part of the movable terminal groove section 72B, the wall thickness dimension (dimension in the connector width direction) of the first signal terminal arrangement section 72 gradually increases as it moves downwards.

[0047] Furthermore, below the movable terminal groove 72B, a movable holding portion 72C is formed to accommodate and hold the movable holding portion 12 of the first signal terminal 10. The movable holding portion 72C is recessed from the outer surface of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 and has a groove shape that extends vertically from the lower end of the movable terminal groove 72B to the lower end of the base portion 71. The movable holding portion 72C is a groove of the same depth as the lower part of the movable terminal groove 72B.

[0048] A late guide portion 72D is formed on the upper edge of the protruding wall portion 72A to guide the opposing wall portion 173E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2 (described later) to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 72D has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the protruding wall portion 72A has been chamfered.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5 and 6(B), the second signal terminal arrangement section 73 is located on both sides of the second intermediate hole 71B in the connector width direction. Its upper part forms a protruding wall 73A extending upward from the upper surface of the base 71, and its lower part forms a part of the base 71. The portion of the second signal terminal arrangement section 73 corresponding to the contact arm portion 25 of the second signal terminal 20 in the vertical direction, i.e., the portion extending to the protruding wall 73A and the upper part of the base 71, is formed as an opposing wall portion 73E facing each other in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 6(B), movable terminal groove portions 73B for arranging the second signal terminal 20 are formed on the inner surface of the opposing wall portion 73E, arranged in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6(B), the movable terminal groove 73B is recessed from the inner surface and extends vertically across the entire range of the opposing wall 73E, i.e., the range corresponding to the contact arm 25. As shown in Figure 6(B), the movable terminal groove 72B is formed with a deeper groove at its upper part than at its lower part, and this deeper groove allows for elastic deformation of the contact arm 25 of the second signal terminal 20 (see Figures 12(A) and (B)). The lower part of the opposing wall 73E has a greater wall thickness than the upper part. Furthermore, at the position corresponding to the upper part of the movable terminal groove 73B, the wall thickness (dimension in the connector width direction) of the opposing wall 73E gradually increases as it moves downward.

[0051] Furthermore, below the movable terminal groove 73B, a movable holding portion 73C is formed to accommodate and hold the movable holding portion 22 of the second signal terminal 20. The movable holding portion 73C is recessed from the inner surface of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 and has a groove shape that extends vertically from the lower end of the movable terminal groove 73B to the lower end of the base portion 71. The movable holding portion 73C is a groove of the same depth as the lower part of the movable terminal groove 73B.

[0052] A late guide portion 73D is formed on the upper edge of the opposing wall portion 73E to guide the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 73D has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the opposing wall portion 73E has been chamfered.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the movable housing 70 has a first power terminal arrangement section 74, a first outer guide section 75, and a first inner guide section 76 at the Y1 end in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction), and a second power terminal arrangement section 77, a second outer guide section 78, and a second inner guide section 79 at the Y2 end. Hereinafter, the first outer guide section 75 and the first inner guide section 76 will be collectively referred to as "first guide section 75, 76" unless it is necessary to distinguish between them. Similarly, the second outer guide section 78 and the second inner guide section 79 will be collectively referred to as "second guide section 78, 79" unless it is necessary to distinguish between them.

[0054] The first power terminal arrangement section 74 is located in the central area in the connector width direction, in other words, between the two first end holes 71C. Its upper part extends upward from the upper surface of the base 71, and its lower part forms part of the base 71. As shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end surface of the first power terminal arrangement section 74 is at the same height as the first signal terminal arrangement section 72 and the second signal terminal arrangement section 73 in the vertical direction. Movable terminal grooves 74B for arranging the contact arms 35 of the first power terminal 30 are formed on both outer surfaces of the first power terminal arrangement section 74 in the connector width direction. The movable terminal grooves 74B have a shape similar to a wider version of the movable terminal grooves 72B of the first signal terminal arrangement section 72 described above.

[0055] Furthermore, below the movable terminal groove 74B, a movable holding portion (not shown) is formed to house and hold the movable holding portion 32 of the first power terminal 30. This movable holding portion has a shape similar to a wider version of the movable holding portion 72C of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 described above.

[0056] A late guide portion 74D is formed on the upper edge of the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 to guide the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 74D has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 has been chamfered.

[0057] The first outer guide portion 75 is located outside the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 in the terminal arrangement direction and is connected to the first power terminal arrangement portion 74. As shown in Figure 5, when viewed from above, the first outer guide portion 75 protrudes from the Y1 side end face of the movable housing 70 in the terminal arrangement direction and is located at the end receiving portion 63A. The upper part of the first outer guide portion 75 extends upward from the upper surface of the base portion 71, and the lower part forms part of the base portion 71. Also, as shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end of the first outer guide portion 75 protrudes above the first power terminal arrangement portion 74. An initial guide portion 75A is formed on the edge of the upper end of the first outer guide portion 75 to guide the second outer guide portion 178 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The initial guide portion 75A has an inclined surface as if the edge of the upper end of the first outer guide portion 75 had been chamfered. The inclined surface of the initial guide section 75A has a larger dimension in the inclination direction than the later guide sections 71A-1, 71B-1, 71C-1, 72D, and 73D.

[0058] The first internal guide portion 76 is located inside the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 in the terminal arrangement direction and is connected to the first power terminal arrangement portion 74. The upper part of the first internal guide portion 76 extends upward from the upper surface of the base portion 71, and the lower part forms part of the base portion 71. Also, as shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end of the first internal guide portion 76 protrudes upward from the first power terminal arrangement portion 74. An initial guide portion 76A is formed on the edge of the upper end of the first internal guide portion 76 to guide the second internal guide portion 179 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The initial guide portion 76A has an inclined surface as if the edge of the upper end of the first internal guide portion 76 had been chamfered. The inclined surface of the initial guide portion 76A has a larger dimension in the inclination direction than the later guide portions 71A-1, 71B-1, 71C-1, 72D, and 73D.

[0059] The second power terminal arrangement section 77 is provided on both sides of the second end hole 71E in the connector width direction, with its upper part extending upward from the upper surface of the base 71 and its lower part forming part of the base 71. As shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end surface of the second power terminal arrangement section 77 is at the same height as the first signal terminal arrangement section 72 and the second signal terminal arrangement section 73 in the vertical direction. On the inner surface of the second power terminal arrangement section 77 in the connector width direction, in other words, on the inner surface of two opposing second power terminal arrangement sections 77 in the connector width direction, a movable terminal groove section 77B is formed for arranging the contact arm 45 of the second power terminal 40. The movable terminal groove section 77B has a shape similar to a wider version of the movable terminal groove section 73B of the second signal terminal arrangement section 73 described above.

[0060] Furthermore, below the movable terminal groove 77B, a movable holding portion (not shown) is formed to house and hold the movable holding portion 42 of the second power terminal 40. This movable holding portion has a shape similar to a wider version of the movable holding portion 73C of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 described above.

[0061] A late guide portion 77D is formed on the upper edge of the second power terminal arrangement portion 77 to guide the first power terminal arrangement portion 174 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The late guide portion 77D has an inclined surface that is as if the upper edge of the second power terminal arrangement portion 77 has been chamfered.

[0062] The second outer guide portion 78 is located outside (towards Y2) of the second power terminal arrangement portion 77 in the terminal arrangement direction. As shown in Figure 5, the second outer guide portion 78 has a U-shape when viewed from above, opening inward (towards Y1) in the terminal arrangement direction, and has a portion extending in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) and portions extending inward in the terminal arrangement direction from both ends in the connector width direction. The upper part of the second outer guide portion 78 extends upward from the upper surface of the base portion 71, and the lower part forms part of the base portion 71. Also, as shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end of the second outer guide portion 78 protrudes above the second power terminal arrangement portion 77. An initial guide portion 78A is formed on the edge of the upper end of this second outer guide portion 78 to guide the first outer guide portion 175 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The initial guide section 78A has an inclined surface that is like the edge of the upper end of the second outer guide section 78 has been chamfered. The inclined surface of the initial guide section 78A is larger in the direction of inclination than that of the later guide sections 71A-1, 71B-1, 71C-1, 72D, and 73D.

[0063] The second internal guide section 79 is located inside (towards Y1) the second power terminal arrangement section 77 and is connected to the first signal terminal arrangement section 72. The upper part of the second internal guide section 79 extends upward from the upper surface of the base section 71, and the lower part forms part of the base section 71. Also, as shown in Figure 3(A), the upper end of the second internal guide section 79 protrudes upward from the second power terminal arrangement section 77. An initial guide section 79A is formed on the edge of the upper end of this second internal guide section 79 to guide the first internal guide section 176 of the mating connector 2, which will be described later, to the correct mating position. The inclined surface of the initial guide section 79A has a larger dimension in the inclination direction than the later guide sections 71A-1, 71B-1, 71C-1, 72D, and 73D.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, when viewed from above, the second power terminal arrangement portion 77, the second outer guide portion 78, and the second inner guide portion 79 are located on the periphery of the second end hole portion 71E, partially surrounding the second end hole portion 71E. When the connector is mated, the second power terminal arrangement portion 77, the second outer guide portion 78, and the second inner guide portion 79 can partially surround the first power terminal arrangement portion 174, the first outer guide portion 175, and the first inner guide portion 176 of the mating connector 2 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2, the lower surface of the base 71 of the movable housing 70 is provided with a plurality of mounting protrusions 70A for attaching the cover member 90. The mounting protrusions 70A are formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward at multiple positions on the lower surface of the base 71.

[0066] Returning to the description of terminals 10, 20, 30, and 40, the first signal terminal 10, as shown in Figure 6(A), has a fixed-side retained portion 11 that extends vertically. Most of it, except for the lower end, is housed within the fixed-side retained portion 61A of the fixed housing 60, with the lower end extending outside the fixed-side retained portion 61A. As shown in Figure 7(A), the fixed-side retained portion 11 has a plurality of press-fitting protrusions 11A on both side edges that protrude outward in the terminal width direction, and is press-fitted and held within the fixed-side retained portion 61A by the press-fitting protrusions 11A.

[0067] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 7(A), the elastic portion 13 extends in a crank shape from the upper end of the fixed-side retained portion 11. Specifically, the elastic portion 13 extends inward in the connector width direction from the upper end of the fixed-side retained portion 11, extends from the fixed-side retained portion 61A, then extends downward within the housing groove portion 71G, and extends inward in the connector width direction along the lower surface of the base portion 71.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6(A), the connecting portion 14 extends outward in the connector width direction from the lower end of the fixed-side retained portion 11 along the lower surface of the fixed housing 60. The connecting portion 14 is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion P1A of the circuit board at its lower surface.

[0069] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 7(A), the movable side retained portion 12 extends upward from the inner end of the elastic portion 13 in the connector width direction and is housed in the lower part of the movable side retained portion 72C, as shown in Figure 7(A). In other words, the movable side retained portion 12 is located inside the fixed side retained portion 11 in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 7(A), the movable side retained portion 12 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions 12A on both side edges that project outward in the terminal width direction, and is press-fitted and held within the movable side retained portion 72C by the press-fit protrusions 12A.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 7(A), the contact arm 15 extends upward from the upper end of the movable side holding portion 12, and its upper end is provided with a contact portion 15A that is bent to protrude outward in the connector width direction. The upper part of the contact arm 15 extends along the movable side terminal groove portion 72B. The contact arm 15 is capable of elastic deformation in its thickness direction, i.e., in the connector width direction. The contact arm 15 can make contact with the contact arm 115 of the first signal terminal 110 of the mating connector 2 with contact pressure at the contact portion 15A (see Figure 12(B)).

[0071] The first signal terminal 10 is held by the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70 by the fixed side retained portion 11 being press-fitted from below into the fixed side retained portion 61A of the fixed housing 60, and the movable side retained portion 12 being press-fitted from below into the movable side retained portion 72C of the movable housing 70.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first signal terminal 10 has a U-shaped portion formed by a part of the elastic portion 13 and the fixed-side retained portion 11. As shown in Figures 6(A) and 7, this U-shaped portion opens downwards and is an inverted U-shape. As shown in Figure 7, the fixed-side retained portion 11 is wider than the bent portion 16, which is a connecting portion connected to the upper end of the fixed-side retained portion 11, and the bent portion 17, which is a connecting portion connected to the lower end of the fixed-side retained portion 11, in the terminal width direction. The movable-side retained portion 12 is wider than the bent portion 18, which is a connecting portion connected to the lower end of the movable-side retained portion 12. The elastic portion 13 is wider than the bent portion 16, which is a connecting portion connected to the outer end in the connector width direction, and the bent portion 18, which is a connecting portion connected to the inner end in the connector width direction.

[0073] As shown in Figures 6(B) and 7(B), the second signal terminal 20 has a shape in which the contact portion 15A of the first signal terminal 10 is projected to the opposite side in the connector width direction. In other words, the second signal terminal 20 has the same shape as the first signal terminal 10, except for the contact portion 25A. Here, for the second signal terminal 20, the parts corresponding to each part of the first signal terminal 10 are denoted by adding "10" to the reference numerals used for the first signal terminal 10, and the explanation is omitted. The second signal terminal 20 is also attached to the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70 by press-fitting from below in the same manner as the first signal terminal 10.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7(C), the first power terminal 30 has a shape similar to a wider version of the first signal terminal 10. In Figure 7(C), the parts of the first power terminal 30 that correspond to each part of the first signal terminal 10 are indicated by the same reference numeral as the first signal terminal 10 plus "20". In the first power terminal 30, the elastic part 33 has a slit 33A formed at the center in the terminal width direction, extending over almost the entire length of the elastic part 33, and consists of two thin strips positioned on either side of the slit 33A. By providing the elastic part 33 as two thin strips in this way, the terminal width dimension of each thin strip is reduced, making the elastic part 33 more susceptible to elastic displacement.

[0075] The contact arm portion 35 has a slit 35B formed at the center in the terminal width direction, extending over almost its entire length, and consists of two thin strips positioned on either side of the slit 35B. By providing the contact arm portion 35 as two thin strips in this way, the terminal width dimension of each thin strip is reduced, making the contact arm portion 35 more susceptible to elastic displacement. The fixed-side retained portion 31 has press-fit projections 31A on both side edges that protrude outward in the terminal width direction. The movable-side retained portion 32 has press-fit projections 32A on both side edges that protrude outward in the terminal width direction. The first power terminal 30 is attached to the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70 by press-fitting from below in the same manner as the first signal terminal 10.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7(D), the second power terminal 40 has a shape in which the contact portion 35A of the first power terminal 30 is projected to the opposite side in the connector width direction. In other words, the second power terminal 40 has the same shape as the first power terminal 30, except for the contact portion 45A. Here, for the second power terminal 40, the parts corresponding to each part of the first power terminal 30 are denoted by adding "10" to the reference numerals used for the first power terminal 30, and the explanation is omitted. The second power terminal 40 is also attached to the fixed housing 60 and the movable housing 70 by press-fitting from below in the same manner as the first signal terminal 10.

[0077] As shown in Figure 1, the fixing bracket 80 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction and has an L-shape when viewed in the connector width direction. The fixing bracket 80 has a retained portion 81 that extends in the vertical direction and a fixing portion 82 that extends outward in the terminal arrangement direction from the lower end of the retained portion 81. The fixing bracket 80 is held in the fixing housing 60 by the retained portion 81 being press-fitted from below into the bracket retaining portion 62A of the fixing housing 60. The fixing portion 82 is fixed by soldering its lower surface to the corresponding portion of the circuit board.

[0078] Figures 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views showing the cover member 90 alone. Figure 8(A) is a perspective view showing the cover member 90 in the position where it is attached to the connector 1, and Figure 8(B) is a perspective view showing the cover member 90 in the position inverted vertically. The cover member 90 is made of resin and has a plate-shaped main body portion 91 with a plate surface that extends perpendicular to the vertical direction, a projection portion 92 that protrudes in a cross shape from the upper surface of the main body portion 91, and an upright portion 93 that rises upward from both side edges of the main body portion 91 in the connector width direction and extends in the terminal arrangement direction. In this embodiment, the cover member 90 is made of resin, but the material of the cover member 90 is not limited to this and may be made of an electrical insulating material, such as rubber.

[0079] The main body 91 has its terminal arrangement direction in the longitudinal direction and extends over the arrangement range of the first signal terminal 10 and the second signal terminal 20 in the terminal arrangement direction (see Figure 2), and extends over the range of the fixed side holding portions 61A and 61B of the two side wall portions 61 of the fixed housing 60 in the connector width direction (see Figures 6(A) and (B)).

[0080] The protruding portion 92 has a long protruding portion 92A that extends over the entire area of ​​the main body portion 91 in the terminal arrangement direction, in the central area in the connector width direction, and a short protruding portion 92B that extends outward in the connector width direction from the side edge of the long protruding portion 92A in the terminal arrangement direction and is connected to the upright portion 93. Inner partition walls 92C are formed on both side edges of the long protruding portion 92A, protruding outward and upward in the connector width direction at positions between adjacent first signal terminals 10 and between adjacent second signal terminals 20, respectively.

[0081] Furthermore, the main body portion 91 has circular mounting holes 92D formed through the main body portion 91, at positions on both ends of the long protrusions 92A in the terminal arrangement direction and at positions on both ends of the short protrusions 92B in the connector width direction, when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0082] As shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the upright portion 93 has outer partition walls 93A that protrude outward in the connector width direction and extend vertically at the respective positions of the first signal terminal 10 and the second signal terminal 20 in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0083] The cover member 90 is attached to the lower surface of the movable housing 70 with the mounting direction facing upward. In other words, in this embodiment, the upper side is the front in the mounting direction, and the lower side is the rear in the mounting direction. When attaching the cover member 90, the mounting projection 70A protruding from the lower surface of the movable housing 70 is inserted through the mounting hole 92D of the cover member 90, and the tip of the mounting projection 70A is deformed by heat crimping. As a result, the tip of the mounting projection 70A engages with the periphery of the mounting hole 92D, thereby fixing the cover member 90 to the lower surface of the movable housing 70. Therefore, the main body 91 of the cover member 90 is provided on the lower end side of the connector 1, that is, the rear end in the mounting direction (the front end in the mounting direction). Therefore, when attaching the cover member 90 to the movable housing 70, it is not necessary to perform the work of attaching the cover member 90 on the front side (rear side) in the mounting direction, so the cover member 90 can be attached easily.

[0084] With the cover member 90 attached to the lower surface of the movable housing 70, the bent portions 18 and 28 of the signal terminals 10 and 20 are housed between adjacent inner partition walls 92C, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B). The upright portion 93 enters the inverted U-shaped portions of the signal terminals 10 and 20 from below. Furthermore, the cover member 90 does not contact the signal terminals 10 and 20 when the elastic portions 13 and 23 of the signal terminals 10 and 20 are at least in a free state.

[0085] When the cover member 90 is attached to the movable housing 70 in this manner, a portion of the exposed parts of the signal terminals 10 and 20 from the housing 50, specifically the area including the elastic parts 13 and 23, is covered when viewed from below. In other words, a resin layer is formed that covers the area including the elastic parts 13 and 23 from below. Therefore, the increase in characteristic impedance in the elastic parts 13 and 23 is suppressed, making it less likely for characteristic impedance mismatch to occur, and as a result, a deterioration in the signal transmission characteristics at the terminals can be effectively avoided.

[0086] In signal terminals 10 and 20, the terminal width changes abruptly at the connection points between the fixed-side retained portions 11 and 21 and the bent portions 16 and 26, and between the bent portions 16 and 26 and the elastic portions 13 and 23. This makes it easy for characteristic impedance mismatch to occur at these connection points. In this embodiment, the upright portion 93 enters the inverted U-shaped portion of the signal terminals 10 and 20 and is provided along the aforementioned connection points. Therefore, it becomes easier to avoid the occurrence of characteristic impedance mismatch at the aforementioned connection points.

[0087] Furthermore, since the cover member 90 does not contact the elastic parts 13 and 23 of the signal terminals 10 and 20 when they are at least in a free state, the cover member 90 is less likely to hinder the elastic deformation of the elastic parts 13 and 23. Therefore, the elastic parts 13 and 23 can smoothly undergo elastic deformation with a large amount of deformation, and as a result, a sufficiently large amount of floating can be secured in the movable housing 70.

[0088] In this embodiment, the cover member 90 is attached to the movable housing 70, but instead, the cover member may be attached to a fixed housing or to a terminal. In any case, it is preferable that the cover member is attached so as not to come into contact with the elastic portion of the terminal when the elastic portion is at least in a free state.

[0089] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the circuit board P1 has a ground layer P1B that extends along its mounting surface. The ground layer P1B is formed to extend over a range that includes most of the connector 1 when viewed in the vertical direction, but an absent region P1C is formed in the range corresponding to the connection portions 14 and 24 of the signal terminals 10 and 20. Specifically, the absent region P1C of the ground layer P1B is formed as a hole that includes the connection portions 14 and 24 when viewed in the vertical direction, at the positions corresponding to each of the connection portions 14 and 24. In other words, each connection portion 14 and 24 is surrounded by the periphery of the hole in the ground layer P1B. The circuit board P2 on which the mating connector 2 is mounted has the same configuration as the circuit board P1.

[0090] Thus, by forming a region P1C where the ground layer P1B is absent in the circuit board P1 in the area corresponding to the connection points 14 and 24 of the signal terminals 10 and 20, the metal layer is absent at the location where the connection points 14 and 24 are connected, and only the resin layer of the circuit board P1 is present. Therefore, the characteristic impedance at the connection points 14 and 24 of the signal terminals 10 and 20 can be brought closer to the characteristic impedance at the other parts, and as a result, it becomes easier to avoid the occurrence of characteristic impedance mismatch.

[0091] Connector 1, having this configuration, and a mating connector 2, having the same shape, are mated together in the following manner. Here, the mating operation between connector 1 and mating connector 2 will be explained based on Figures 1 to 4 and Figures 9 to 12.

[0092] First, connector 1 is mounted to the mounting surface of circuit board P1 by soldering, and the mating connector 2 is mounted to the mounting surface of circuit board P2 by soldering. Next, as can be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10, the mating connector 2 is positioned above connector 1 in an inverted position relative to connector 1. Then, the mating connector 2 is lowered in the same position, and the first signal terminal arrangement section 172, the second signal terminal arrangement section 173, the first power terminal arrangement section 174, and the second power terminal arrangement section 177 are fitted from above into the second signal terminal arrangement section 73, the first signal terminal arrangement section 72, the second power terminal arrangement section 77, and the first power terminal arrangement section 74 of the movable housing 70 of connector 1, respectively.

[0093] If, just before connector mating (referred to here as "initial mating") begins, the position of the mating connector 2 relative to connector 1 is shifted towards Y1 in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) compared to the normal position, then as the mating connector 2 descends, the initial guide portion 176A of the first internal guide portion 176 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 79A of the second internal guide portion 79 of connector 1, and the initial guide portion 179A of the second internal guide portion 179 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 76A of the first internal guide portion 76 of connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first internal guide portion 176 and the second internal guide portion 179 are guided by the initial guide portions 79A and 76A toward the normal mating position, that is, toward the Y2 side. At this time, the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172, the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173, the first power terminal arrangement portion 174, and the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 also move toward the Y2 side.

[0094] If, just before the initial mating begins, the position of the mating connector 2 relative to connector 1 is shifted towards Y2 in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) compared to the normal position, then as the mating connector 2 descends, the initial guide portion 175A of the first outer guide portion 175 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 78A of the second outer guide portion 78 of connector 1, and the initial guide portion 178A of the second outer guide portion 178 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 75A of the first outer guide portion 75 of connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first outer guide portion 175 and the second outer guide portion 178 are guided by the initial guide portions 78A and 75A toward the normal mating position, that is, toward the Y1 side. At this time, the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172, the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173, the first power terminal arrangement portion 174, and the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 also move toward the Y1 side.

[0095] If, just before the initial mating begins, the position of the mating connector 2 relative to the connector 1 is shifted to either side in the connector width direction (X-axis direction) from the normal position, then as the mating connector 2 descends, the initial guide portion 175A of the first outer guide portion 175 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 78A of the second outer guide portion 78 of the connector 1, and the initial guide portion 178A of the second outer guide portion 178 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the initial guide portion 75A of the first outer guide portion 75 of the connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first outer guide portion 175 and the second outer guide portion 178 will be guided by the initial guide portions 78A and 75A toward the normal mating position, that is, toward the X2 side if it was shifted toward the X1 side, and toward the X1 side if it was shifted toward the X2 side. At this time, the first signal terminal arrangement section 172, the second signal terminal arrangement section 173, the first power terminal arrangement section 174, and the second power terminal arrangement section 177 also move to either the X2 side or the X1 side.

[0096] After the mating connector 2 is guided to the initial guide sections 75A, 76A, 78A, and 79A, the mating of the first signal terminal section 172, the second signal terminal section 173, the first power terminal section 174, and the second power terminal section 177 of connector 1 to the second signal terminal section 73, the first signal terminal section 72, the second power terminal section 77, and the first power terminal section 74, respectively (referred to here as "late mating").

[0097] If, just before the late mating begins, the position of the mating connector 2 relative to connector 1 is shifted to either side in the terminal arrangement direction (X-axis direction), then when the mating connector 2 descends, the late guide portion 172D of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 73D of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 of connector 1, and the late guide portion 173D of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 72D of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 of connector 1. Also, the late guide portion 174D of the first power terminal arrangement portion 174 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 77D of the second power terminal arrangement portion 77 of connector 1, and the late guide portion 177D of the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 74D of the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 of connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first signal terminal arrangement section 172, the second signal terminal arrangement section 173, the first power terminal arrangement section 174, and the second power terminal arrangement section 177 are guided toward the correct mating position, that is, toward the X2 side if it was shifted toward the X1 side, and toward the X1 side if it was shifted toward the X2 side.

[0098] During the late mating process, if the position of the mating connector 2 relative to connector 1 is shifted to one side in the terminal arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) from the normal position, when the mating connector 2 descends, the late guide portion 172D of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71B-1 of the second intermediate hole portion 71B of connector 1, and the late guide portion 173D of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71A-1 of the first intermediate hole portion 71A of connector 1. In addition, the late guide portion 177D of the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71C-1 of the first end hole portion 71C of connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first signal terminal arrangement section 172, the second signal terminal arrangement section 173, and the second power terminal arrangement section 177 are guided toward the correct mating position, that is, toward the Y2 side if they were shifted toward the Y1 side, and toward the Y1 side if they were shifted toward the Y2 side. Accordingly, the first power terminal arrangement section 174 also moves toward either the Y2 side or the Y1 side.

[0099] If, during the process of late mating, the position of the mating connector 2 relative to connector 1 shifts to either side in the connector width direction (X-axis direction), then when the mating connector 2 descends, the late guide portion 172D of the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71B-1 of the second intermediate hole portion 71B of connector 1, the late guide portion 173D of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71A-1 of the first intermediate hole portion 71A of connector 1, and the late guide portion 177D of the second power terminal arrangement portion 177 of the mating connector 2 will come into contact with the late guide portion 71C-1 of the first end hole portion 71C of connector 1. Therefore, as the mating connector 2 descends, the first signal terminal arrangement section 172 and the second power terminal arrangement section 177 are guided toward the correct mating position, that is, toward the X2 side if they were shifted toward the X1 side, and toward the X1 side if they were shifted toward the X2 side. Accordingly, the second signal terminal arrangement section 173 and the first power terminal arrangement section 174 also move toward the X2 side or the X1 side.

[0100] With the mating connector 2 thus brought to the correct mating position, as further mating proceeds, as shown in Figures 11(B) and 12(B), the first signal terminal arrangement portion 172 of the mating connector 2 enters the second intermediate hole portion 71B from above between the opposing wall portions 73E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 of the connector 1. At the same time, the opposing wall portion 73E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 73 of the connector 1 enters the first intermediate hole portion 171A of the mating connector 2 from below. Also, the first signal terminal arrangement portion 72 of the connector 1 enters the second intermediate hole portion 171B from below between the opposing wall portions 173E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2. At the same time, the opposing wall portion 173E of the second signal terminal arrangement portion 173 of the mating connector 2 enters the first intermediate hole portion 71A of the connector 1 from above. As a result, the first signal terminal 10 and the first signal terminal 110, and the second signal terminal 20 and the second signal terminal 120 become in contact.

[0101] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 11(B) and 12(B), the first power terminal arrangement portion 174 of the mating connector 2 enters from above between the second power terminal arrangement portions 77 of connector 1. At the same time, the first power terminal arrangement portion 74 of connector 1 enters from below between the second power terminal arrangement portions 77 of the mating connector 2. As a result, the first power terminal 30 and the first power terminal 130, and the second power terminal 40 and the second power terminal 140 come into contact.

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(B), the lower part of the first outer guide portion 175 and the lower part of the first inner guide portion 176 of the mating connector 2 enter the lower part of the second end hole portion 71E of connector 1 from above. Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 11(B), the upper part of the first outer guide portion 75 and the upper part of the first inner guide portion 76 of connector 1 enter the upper part of the second end hole portion 71E of connector 1 from below. Also, as shown in Figure 11(B), the lower part of the second outer guide portion 178 of the mating connector 2 enters the end receiving portion 63A of connector 1 from above, and the lower part of the second inner guide portion 179 of the mating connector 2 enters the inner end hole portion 71D of connector 1 from above. Simultaneously, as shown in Figure 11(B), the upper part of the second outer guide portion 78 of connector 1 enters the end receiving portion 163A of mating connector 2 from below, and the second inner guide portion 79 of connector 1 enters the inner end hole portion 171D of mating connector 2 from below.

[0103] In this way, connector 1 and the mating connector 2 are joined together, completing the connector mating connection operation.

[0104] In this embodiment, during the process of mating the connectors together, guidance is first provided by the initial guide sections 75A, 76A, 78A, and 79A, followed by guidance from the later guide sections 71A-1, 71B-1, 71C-1, 72D, 73D, 74D, and 77D. Since these initial guide sections are formed with larger dimensions in the inclined direction than the later guide sections, they provide rough guidance prior to the mating of the terminal placement sections 72, 73, 74, and 77 with the terminal placement sections 173, 172, 177, and 174. Therefore, at the time when mating between the terminal placement sections begins, they are already in a position close to the correct mating position.

[0105] In other words, at the point when guidance by the late guide section begins, the terminal placement sections 72, 73, 74, 77 and terminal placement sections 173, 172, 177, 174 are in a position close to the correct mating position, so the terminal placement sections are easily brought into the correct mating position. Thus, in this embodiment, when the movable housings 70, 170 come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, guidance is provided by these late guide sections, so damage to the terminal placement sections 72, 73, 74, 77 and terminal placement sections 173, 172, 177, 174 can be effectively avoided.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when connector 1 and mating connector 2 are first mated, the first guide portions 75, 76 and second guide portions 78, 79 and the second guide portions 178, 179 and first guide portions 175, 176 come into contact with each other with a relatively strong mating force at the beginning of the mating operation. However, since these first and second guide portions are formed thick enough in the terminal arrangement direction and the connector width direction to form an initial guide portion, they have sufficient strength to withstand the above mating force and are less likely to be damaged. Also, the contact between the first and second guide portions reduces the subsequent mating force. Therefore, even if the terminal arrangement portions 72, 73, 74, 77 and terminal arrangement portions 173, 172, 177, 174 come into contact during mating, they are less likely to be damaged.

[0107] The right half of Figure 12(B) shows the contact state between the second signal terminal 20 of connector 1 and the first signal terminal 110 of the mating connector 2 when the connectors are mated together. As shown in Figure 12(B), the contact portion 115A of the first signal terminal 110 makes contact with the lower part of the contact arm portion 25 of the second signal terminal 20 with contact pressure, and the contact portion 25A of the second signal terminal 20 makes contact with the upper part of the contact arm portion 15 of the first signal terminal 110 with contact pressure. At this time, the upper part of the second signal terminal 20 of connector 1, i.e., the part corresponding to the movable terminal groove portion 73B, elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction, and the lower part of the first signal terminal 110 of the mating connector 2, i.e., the part corresponding to the movable terminal groove portion 172B, elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction. The elastic deformation of the second signal terminal 20 is permitted by the movable terminal groove portion 73B, and the elastic deformation of the first signal terminal 110 is permitted by the movable terminal groove portion 172B.

[0108] As described above, the contact portion 115A of the first signal terminal 110 is in contact with the lower part of the contact arm portion 25 of the second signal terminal 20, that is, the portion that extends along the inner surface of the lower part of the opposing wall portion 73E of the movable housing 70. The lower part of this contact arm portion 25 receives contact pressure from the contact portion 115A directed outward in the connector width direction, and at this time is supported from the outside in the connector width direction by the lower part of the opposing wall portion 73E.

[0109] In this embodiment, the lower wall thickness dimension (dimension in the connector width direction) of the opposing wall portion 73E is greater than the upper wall thickness dimension. Therefore, sufficient strength can be ensured at the lower part to withstand the external force received from the contact portion 115A of the first signal terminal 110, that is, the external force directed outward in the connector width direction. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall portion 73E can be restricted, and damage to the opposing wall portion 73E can be prevented.

[0110] As described above, the upper part of the contact arm 25 of the second signal terminal 20 elastically deforms outward in the connector width direction, and this elastic deformation is permitted by the movable terminal groove 73B formed on the upper part of the opposing wall 73E. In this embodiment, the upper part of the opposing wall 73E has a wall thickness that increases downwards in the range corresponding to the movable terminal groove 73B in the vertical direction. By giving the upper part of the opposing wall 73E this shape, it is possible to allow large bending deformation of the terminal at the upper part of the movable terminal groove 73B while ensuring great strength in the part of the opposing wall 73E corresponding to the lower part of the movable terminal groove 73B. Therefore, even if the contact arm 25 deforms excessively and comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the movable terminal groove 73B, the opposing wall 73E can be made strong enough to withstand the external force received from the contact arm 25. As a result, the deformation of the opposing wall 73E can be restricted, and damage to the opposing wall 73E can be prevented.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(B), in the connector mating connection state, the support wall portion 171F of the mating connector 2 is located outside the opposing wall portion 73E of the connector 1 in the connector width direction and faces the outer surface of the opposing wall portion 73E, thereby enabling the opposing wall portion 73E to be supported from the outside in the connector width direction. Therefore, the support wall portion 171F supports the opposing wall portion 73E from the outside in the connector width direction, and this support force allows the upper part of the contact arm portion 25 to resist the external force directed outward from the contact portion 115A in the connector width direction. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall portion 73E directed outward in the connector width direction can be restricted, and damage to the opposing wall portion 73E can be prevented.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only the movable terminal groove portion 73B, but also the other movable terminal groove portions in connector 1 and mating connector 2 have the same shape as the movable terminal groove portion 73B. Therefore, sufficient strength of the movable housings 70 and 170 can be ensured at the positions corresponding to these other movable terminal groove portions.

[0113] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(B), in the connector mating connection state, the support wall portion 71F of the movable housing 170 of the mating connector 2 is in close proximity to and facing the outer surface of the opposing wall portion 73E of the connector 1, and the opposing wall portion 73E can be supported from the outside in the connector width direction. Therefore, even if the contact arm portion 25 is excessively bent and deformed and comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the movable terminal groove portion 73B, the support force directed inward in the connector width direction from the support wall portion 71F can counteract the external force received from the contact arm portion 25. As a result, deformation of the opposing wall portion 73E directed outward in the connector width direction can be restricted, and damage to the opposing wall portion 73E can be prevented. Here, the effects obtained in the opposing wall portion 73E of the connector 1 have been described, but similar effects can be obtained in the opposing wall portion 173E of the mating connector 2.

[0114] In this embodiment, late guide sections are provided in both the first signal terminal arrangement section and the second signal terminal arrangement section. However, instead, the late guide section may be provided in either the first or second signal terminal arrangement section. Similarly, although late guide sections are provided in both the first and second power supply terminal arrangement sections, instead, the late guide section may be provided in either the first or second power supply terminal arrangement section.

[0115] In this embodiment, a cover member is provided for a connector whose connection direction with the mating connector is perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board. However, the connector on which the cover member is provided is not limited to this, and for example, a so-called right-angle connector whose connection direction with the mating connector is parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board may also be provided.

[0116] In this embodiment, the cover member is mounted with the mounting direction being perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board and extending upwards; however, the mounting direction of the cover member is not limited to this. For example, if the middle portion of the terminals is exposed when the connector is viewed from the side (parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board), the cover member may be mounted on the side of the connector (the surface perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board) with the mounting direction being parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0117] In this embodiment, a cover member is provided on a floating connector in which the movable housing can float due to the elastic deformation of the elastic part of the terminal. However, it is not essential that the cover member is provided on a floating connector; for example, it may be a connector in which the terminals are held by a single, non-floating housing. In this case, the cover member may be attached to the housing or to the terminals.

[0118] In this embodiment, the connector is provided with one cover member, but instead, multiple cover members may be provided. In this case, for example, the cover member in this embodiment may be configured to be divided into multiple parts in the direction of the terminal arrangement. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 1 Connector 2. The other connector 10,110 First signal terminal 20,120 Second signal terminal 60,160 Fixed Housing 70, 170 movable housing 71F,171F Support wall part 72,172 First signal terminal arrangement section (first terminal arrangement section) 72B,172B Movable side terminal groove 72D,172D Late guide section 73,173 Second signal terminal arrangement section (second terminal arrangement section) 73B Movable side terminal groove 73D,173D Late information section 73E,173E Opposing wall 74,174 First power supply terminal arrangement section (first terminal arrangement section) 74D,174D Late guide section 75,175 First external guide section (First guide section) 75A,175A Initial guide section 76,176 First Internal Guide Section (First Guide Section) 76A,176A Initial guide section 77,177 First power supply terminal arrangement section (second terminal arrangement section) 77D,177D Late guide section 78,178 Second External Guide Section (Second Guide Section) 78A,178A Initial guide section 79,179 Second Internal Guide Section (Second Guide Section) 79A,179A Initial guide section P1 Circuit Board

Claims

1. An electrical connector arranged on the mounting surface of a circuit board, wherein the connector connection direction is perpendicular to the mounting surface in the vertical direction, The aforementioned electrical connector is configured such that a mating connector of the same shape as the aforementioned electrical connector is mated and connected from above. An electrical connector for a circuit board having a plurality of terminals arranged in a direction parallel to the mounting surface with the terminal arrangement direction being the terminal arrangement direction, a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via the terminals, and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing, wherein the terminals are provided spanning between the fixed housing and the movable housing, The movable housing has a first terminal arrangement section and a second terminal arrangement section arranged side by side within the terminal arrangement range, and a first guide section and a second guide section provided outside the terminal arrangement range. The first terminal arrangement portion extends upward and in the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminals are arranged on the outer surface extending in the terminal arrangement direction. The second terminal arrangement portion extends upward and in the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminals are arranged on the inner surfaces of two opposing wall portions that face each other in the connector width direction, and the first terminal arrangement portion of the mating connector can be received between the two opposing wall portions. The first guide portion extends above the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion at one end of the movable housing in the terminal arrangement direction. The second guide portion extends above the first and second terminal arrangement portions at the other end of the movable housing in the terminal arrangement direction, and is capable of at least partially surrounding the first guide portion of the mating connector when viewed in the vertical direction. At least one of the first terminal arrangement portion and the second terminal arrangement portion has a late guide portion at its upper end that is inclined to guide the movable housing of the mating connector to the correct mating position. At least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion has an initial guide portion at its upper end that is inclined to guide the movable housing of the mating connector to the correct mating position. An electrical connector for a circuit board, characterized in that the initial guide portion is located above the later guide portion and has a larger dimension in the inclined direction than the later guide portion.

2. The movable housing has a support wall portion that extends outward from the first terminal arrangement portion in the connector width direction and along the first terminal arrangement portion in the terminal arrangement direction, The circuit board electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the support wall portion, when the connector is mated, faces the outer surface of the opposing wall portion of the mating connector and is capable of supporting the opposing wall portion from the outside in the connector width direction.

3. The aforementioned terminal is located in the lower part of the opposing wall and is capable of contacting the terminal of the mating connector. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lower part of the opposing wall portion has a greater wall thickness than the upper part, and supports the terminal from the outside in the connector width direction.

4. The terminal is located in the upper part of the opposing wall and is capable of contacting the terminal of the mating connector. The circuit board electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper part of the opposing wall portion has a groove formed therein that allows elastic deformation of the terminal in the connector width direction, and the wall thickness dimension at the position corresponding to the groove portion increases as it goes downward.

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