Connector assemblies and structures

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly comprising a connector including two or more sub-connectors held so as to be capable of floating, where the sub-connectors can be attached to a housing without mistaking their attachment positions.SOLUTION: A connector assembly 12 comprises a first connector 20 and a second connector 70 that can be fitted to each other. The first connector 20 comprises two or more sub-connectors 30 and a housing 40. The sub-connectors 30 are connected to two or more branching tips 84 of one FPC board 80, respectively. The housing 40 holds the respective sub-connectors 30 so as to be capable of floating. The second connector 70 includes two or more fitting parts 74 that correspond to the sub-connectors 30, respectively. The respective sub-connectors 30 can be fitted to the corresponding fitting parts 74.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly including a first connector and a second connector that can be fitted to each other.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses this type of connector assembly.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 29, the connector assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first connector 90 and a mating connector (second connector: not shown) that can be fitted to each other along the illustrated fitting direction. The second connector is provided inside a case 98. The first connector 90 includes three connectors (sub-connectors) 92 and an outer housing (housing) 94. Two electric wires 96 are attached to each of the sub-connectors 92. Each of the sub-connectors 92 is held by the housing 94 and is relatively movable with respect to the housing 94 in an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the fitting direction. That is, each of the sub-connectors 92 is held by the housing 94 so as to be floating in the orthogonal plane. Three mounting holes 99 corresponding to the sub-connectors 92 are formed in the case 98.

[0004] When the first connector 90 is fitted to the second connector, each of the sub-connectors 92 passes through the corresponding mounting hole 99 and is fitted to the second connector. At this time, each of the sub-connectors 92 can move inside the corresponding mounting hole 99 in the orthogonal plane. According to Patent Document 1, since the first connector 90 has a floating structure that allows movement of the sub-connectors 92, the three sub-connectors 92 can be collectively fitted to the second connector while adjusting the displacement of the sub-connectors 92 with respect to the mounting holes 99 caused by manufacturing tolerances.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] According to conventional connector assemblies such as those in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of incorrectly attaching the sub-connector to the housing.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector assembly comprising a connector including two or more subconnectors that are held in a floating manner, wherein the subconnectors can be attached to the housing without being misplaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a first connector assembly, A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be mated to each other along the front-to-back direction, The aforementioned first connector comprises two or more subconnectors and a housing. The aforementioned subconnectors are connected to two or more branched ends on a single FPC (flexible printed circuit) board. The housing holds each of the subconnectors in a floating manner. The second connector has two or more mating portions corresponding to each of the subconnectors, Each of the aforementioned subconnectors is capable of being fitted into the corresponding mating portion. We provide connector assemblies.

[0009] The present invention provides a second connector assembly, which is a first connector assembly, The aforementioned first connector is equipped with a retainer, The retainer is fixed to the housing, The housing has two or more housing sections, each corresponding to one of the subconnectors. Each of the aforementioned storage compartments opens to the rear of the housing, Each of the aforementioned subconnectors is partially and floatingly housed inside the corresponding housing, The retainer covers the subconnector from the rear. The first connector has two or more slots formed in the housing portion, each corresponding to a slot. Each of the aforementioned slots is located between the housing and the retainer in the front-rear direction. Each of the aforementioned slots is in communication with the corresponding storage section. The leading edges of the FPC substrate are connected to the subconnectors by passing through the respective slots. We provide connector assemblies.

[0010] The present invention provides a third connector assembly, which is a second connector assembly, The housing portion is provided with a restricting portion, The regulating section extends inside the housing section, The aforementioned subconnector has a restricted portion, One of the regulating portion and the regulated portion is elastically deformable, When the subconnector is housed in the housing, the restricting portion and the restricted portion face each other in the front-rear direction, preventing the subconnector from coming out of the housing. We provide connector assemblies.

[0011] The present invention provides a second connector assembly as a fourth connector assembly, The aforementioned subconnector has three rear defining sections, The retainer has three rear opposing portions, One of the rear defining portion and the rear facing portion is a abutting portion protruding in the front-rear direction, and the other of the rear defining portion and the rear facing portion is a plane facing the abutting portion. The sub-connector is movable rearward to a rear limit position. The rear limit position is a position where the rear defining portion abuts against the rear facing portion respectively. Provide a connector assembly.

[0012] The present invention is a first connector assembly as a fifth connector assembly, The sub-connector has three front defining portions. The housing has three front facing portions. One of the front defining portion and the front facing portion is a abutting portion protruding in the front-rear direction, and the other of the front defining portion and the front facing portion is a plane facing the abutting portion. The sub-connector is movable forward to a front limit position. The front limit position is a position where the front defining portion abuts against the front facing portion respectively. Provide a connector assembly.

[0013] The present invention is a first connector assembly as a sixth connector assembly, The size of the fitting portion of the second connector in the left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is Anteroposterior direction And larger than the size in the up-down direction orthogonal to both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The fitting portion is provided with a tapered surface, two side ribs, and two upper and lower ribs. The side ribs and the upper and lower ribs are located in front of the tapered surface. The side ribs are respectively located on the opposite sides of the fitting portion in the left-right direction, protrude inward in the left-right direction, and extend along the front-rear direction. The upper and lower ribs are respectively located on the opposite side of the fitting portion in the vertical direction, protrude inward in the vertical direction, and extend along the front-rear direction. When the sub-connector is fitted into the fitting portion, the tapered surface guides the sub-connector into the fitting portion. When the sub-connector is fitted into the fitting portion, the side ribs define the movable range of the sub-connector in the left-right direction, and the upper and lower ribs define the movable range of the sub-connector in the vertical direction. Provide a connector assembly.

[0014] The present invention is a seventh connector assembly, which is a sixth connector assembly, The two upper and lower ribs are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The tapered surface has a size of at least 1 / 5 of the predetermined distance in each of the left-right direction and the vertical direction. Provide a connector assembly.

[0015] The present invention is an eighth connector assembly, which is a first connector assembly, The sub-connectors have the same structure as each other. Provide a connector assembly.

[0016] The present invention is a ninth connector assembly, which is an eighth connector assembly, The sub-connector has an upper key and a lower key. The upper key and the lower key The aforementioned direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction Are in different positions from each other in the left-right direction. The housing has a front surface, an upper accommodating portion, and a lower accommodating portion. The front surface is located at the front end of the housing. The upper accommodating portion is open on the front surface and allows the upper key to pass through when the sub-connector is accommodated in the accommodating portion. The lower allowance portion is open on the front surface and allows the lower key to pass through when the subconnector is housed in the housing portion. When the subconnector is housed in the housing, one of the upper key and the lower key is located only in front of the front surface of the housing, and the other of the upper key and the lower key is movable inside the upper or lower allowance. We provide connector assemblies.

[0017] The present invention provides a 9th connector assembly as the 10th connector assembly, The second connector has an upper groove corresponding to the upper key and a lower groove corresponding to the lower key. The upper and lower grooves are located at different positions in the left-right direction. When the subconnector is fitted into the mating portion of the second connector, the upper key is received in the upper groove, and the lower key is received in the lower groove. We provide connector assemblies.

[0018] The present invention provides a first structure, A structure comprising a connector assembly as described in any of the first to tenth paragraphs, and an FPC substrate having two or more branched tip portions, The sub-connectors are each connected to the tip portion. Provides a structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The first connector of the present invention is a connector comprising two or more subconnectors that are held in a floating manner. The subconnectors of the present invention are each connected to two or more branched ends on a single FPC substrate. With this structure, when attaching the subconnectors connected to the FPC substrate to the housing, the order of the subconnectors is already determined. Therefore, when attaching the subconnectors to the housing, there is no risk of attaching them to the wrong location. In other words, the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a connector including two or more subconnectors that are held in a floating manner, in which the subconnectors can be attached to the housing without making a mistake in their attachment location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a structure consisting of a connector assembly and an FPC substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first connector and the second connector of the connector assembly are separated from each other. The first connector is attached to the tip of the FPC substrate. [Figure 2] This is another perspective view showing the structure of Figure 1. The first connector and the second connector are in a mated state, with the two connectors engaged with each other. [Figure 3] This is another perspective view showing the structure in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a top view showing the second connector of the connector assembly in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a rear view showing the second connector in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a rear view showing a magnified portion of the second connector in Figure 5 (the area enclosed by the dashed line A). The outline of the subconnector in the mated state is drawn with a dashed line. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector along line VII-VII. A portion of the second connector (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown in enlargement. [Figure 8]Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector along line VIII-VIII. The hidden upper and lower grooves of the second connector, and a portion of the contour of the subconnector in the mated state are shown with dashed lines. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the first connector of the connector assembly. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing one of the subconnectors of the first connector. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a rear view showing the subconnector. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a front view showing the subconnector. [Figure 13] Figure 10 is a side view showing the subconnector. The position of the plane including the rear standard is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 14] Figure 9 is a rear view showing the housing of the first connector. A portion of the housing (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown in enlargement. In the enlarged view, the outline of the subconnector housed in the housing is shown with a dashed line. [Figure 15] This is a front view of the housing shown in Figure 14. A portion of the housing (the area enclosed by the dashed line) is shown in a magnified view. [Figure 16] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the housing along the line XVI-XVI. The position of the plane including the front opposing portion is indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 17] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing one of the retainers of the first connector. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is a front view showing the retainer. [Figure 19] This is a rear view showing the intermediate structure consisting of the housing and subconnector shown in Figure 9. [Figure 20] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the intermediate structure along the line XX-XX. [Figure 21] This is a front view showing the first connector of the connector assembly in Figure 1. [Figure 22]Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector along line XXII-XXII. The contour of the hidden receiving portion of the housing and a portion of the hidden front surface of the retainer are shown with dashed lines. [Figure 23] This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified portion of the first connector in Figure 22 (the area enclosed by the dashed line B). [Figure 24] This is a cross-sectional view showing a magnified portion of the first connector in Figure 22 (the area enclosed by the dashed line C). [Figure 25] This is a side view showing the first connector in Figure 21. The hidden outline of the upper key of the subconnector is drawn with a dashed line. [Figure 26] Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the first connector. [Figure 27] This is another front view showing the first connector in Figure 21. The first connector is connected to the FPC board. [Figure 28] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector along the line XXVIII-XXVIII. [Figure 29] This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly described in Patent Document 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector assembly 12 and an FPC (flexible printed circuit) board 80. The connector assembly 12 comprises a first connector 20 and a second connector 70. The first connector 20 and the second connector 70 are matable with each other along the mating direction. The mating direction in this embodiment is the front-rear direction and the X direction. In this embodiment, "front" is the +X direction and "rear" is the -X direction. That is, the connector assembly 12 of this embodiment comprises a first connector 20 and a second connector 70 that are matable with each other along the front-rear direction. In the following description, terms such as the front-rear direction do not indicate an absolute direction or position with respect to the ground, but merely a relative direction or position in the drawings.

[0022] The structure 10 according to this embodiment is used by being incorporated inside an automobile (not shown). Specifically, the first connector 20 is fixed to a first device (not shown) incorporated inside the automobile and connected to a flexible FPC substrate 80. The second connector 70 is fixed to a second device (not shown) incorporated inside the automobile. The first connector 20 and the second connector 70 are mated together by a robot (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to various structures 10.

[0023] In the mated state (Figure 2), where the first connector 20 and the second connector 70 are mated together, the first device (not shown) to which the first connector 20 is fixed and the second device (not shown) to which the second connector 70 is fixed are electrically connected to each other via the FPC substrate 80 and the connector assembly 12. On the other hand, in the separated state (Figure 1), where the first connector 20 and the second connector 70 are separated from each other, the first device and the second device are not electrically connected to each other.

[0024] The FPC substrate 80 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0025] The FPC substrate 80 has a single base portion 82 and two or more tip portions 84. The illustrated base portion 82 extends along the vertical direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the Z direction. In this embodiment, "upward" is the +Z direction, and downward The direction is -Z. Each of the tip portions 84 is connected to the upper end of the base portion 82. The tip portions 84 are arranged in the left-right direction, which is perpendicular to both the front-back and up-down directions. In this embodiment, the left-right direction is the Y direction. In this embodiment, "left" is the +Y direction and "right" is the -Y direction.

[0026] A gap 86 is formed between two adjacent tip portions 84 in the left-right direction. That is, two adjacent tip portions 84 in the left-right direction are separated from each other by the gap 86. Each tip portion 84 extends upward from the upper end of the base portion 82. The FPC substrate 80 of this embodiment has two or more tip portions 84 branching from the base portion 82 as described above. The number of tip portions 84 in this embodiment is four. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of tip portions 84 may be two or three, or it may be five or more.

[0027] The FPC substrate 80 has a large number of conductive wires (not shown) formed on it. For example, there are 80 conductive wires. Each conductive wire extends along the surface of the base portion 82 and then along the surface of one of the tip portions 84. Each of the tip portions 84 in this embodiment has a large number of conductive wires formed on it. The tip portions 84 in this embodiment have the same structure as each other. The arrangement of conductive wires in the four tip portions 84 is the same as each other.

[0028] The first connector 20 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0029] Referring to Figure 9, the first connector 20 of this embodiment comprises two or more subconnectors 30, a housing 40 made of an insulator, two or more retainers 50 made of an insulator, and a number of first terminals 60 made of a conductor. For example, the number of first terminals 60 is 80. Each of the first terminals 60 is held by one of the subconnectors 30. Each of the subconnectors 30 holds two or more first terminals 60. The first connector 20 of this embodiment comprises the above-described components. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, retainers 50 may be provided as needed. On the other hand, the first connector 20 may further comprise other components in addition to the above-described components.

[0030] Referring to Figure 1, the subconnectors 30 are each connected to the leading edge 84 of the FPC substrate 80 and are partially housed inside the housing 40. Retainers 50 are provided corresponding to each subconnector 30. Each retainer 50 maintains the corresponding subconnector 30 inside the housing 40. In this embodiment, the number of subconnectors 30 and retainers 50 is 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of subconnectors 30 may be 2 or 3, or 5 or more. Also, one retainer 50 may be provided for 2 or more subconnectors 30. That is, the number of retainers 50 may be 1 or more.

[0031] Referring to Figure 9, the subconnectors 30 in this embodiment have the same structure. In addition, the arrangement of the first terminals 60 in the four subconnectors 30 is the same. That is, all subconnectors 30 are identical parts, which reduces the manufacturing cost of the subconnectors 30. Referring to Figures 27 and 28, the subconnectors 30 are connected to two or more branched tip portions 84 on a single FPC substrate 80. According to this embodiment, subconnectors 30 with the same structure are connected to tip portions 84 with the same structure. Therefore, according to this embodiment, each subconnector 30 may be connected to any tip portion 84. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the subconnectors 30 may have different structures.

[0032] The following describes one of the subconnectors 30 of this embodiment. The following description is applicable to each of the subconnectors 30.

[0033] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the sub-connector 30 of this embodiment has a main part 31, an upper protruding plate 32, a lower protruding plate 33, two upper keys 37, two lower keys 38, two rear protruding parts 39, and two metal fixing members 392. The main part 31, the upper protruding plate 32, the lower protruding plate 33, the upper keys 37, the lower keys 38, and the rear protruding parts 39 are integrally molded from resin. The fixing members 392 are press-fitted into the rear protruding parts 39, respectively. The fixing members 392 fix the sub-connector 30 to the tip portion 84 (see Figure 3) of the FPC substrate 80 (see Figure 3) when the first connector 20 is in use.

[0034] The subconnector 30 of this embodiment has the members and parts described above. However, the structure of the subconnector 30 in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the rear projection 39 and the fixing member 392 may be provided as needed. Furthermore, the structure of each part of the subconnector 30 described below can be modified as needed.

[0035] Referring to Figure 9, the main part 31 has a rectangular plate shape parallel to the horizontal plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper projection plate 32 has a rectangular plate shape parallel to the vertical plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The upper projection plate 32 is located at the rear end of the main part 31. The upper projection plate 32 protrudes upward from the main part 31 and extends along the left-right direction. Referring to Figures 9, 12, and 13, each of the upper keys 37 has a rectangular bar shape extending along the front-rear direction. The upper keys 37 are provided on the upper surface of the main part 31. The upper keys 37 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other from the upper projection plate 32 to the vicinity of the front end of the main part 31.

[0036] Referring to Figure 10, the lower protruding plate 33 has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the YZ plane. The lower protruding plate 33 is located at the rear end of the main part 31. The lower protruding plate 33 protrudes downward from the main part 31 and extends along the left-right direction. Referring to Figures 10, 12, and 13, each of the lower keys 38 has a rectangular bar shape extending along the front-rear direction. The lower keys 38 are provided near the front end of the lower surface of the main part 31. The lower keys 38 are separated from each other in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other near the front end of the lower surface of the main part 31.

[0037] Referring to Figure 9, the subconnector 30 is inserted into the housing 40 from the rear. Referring to Figure 12 in conjunction with Figure 9, the two upper keys 37 are located between the two lower keys 38 in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the upper keys 37 and lower keys 38 positioned in this manner prevent the subconnector 30 from being inserted into the housing 40 upside down.

[0038] Referring to Figure 12, the subconnector 30 of this embodiment has three front-facing defining portions 35 and two restricted portions 34. The front-facing defining portions 35 are portions that restrict the forward movement of the subconnector 30 inside the housing 40 (see Figure 9), as will be described later. In this embodiment, the front-facing defining portion 35 consists of one front-facing defining portion 352 and two front-facing defining portions 354. The restricted portions 34 are portions that temporarily hold the subconnector 30 inside the housing 40, as will be described later.

[0039] In this embodiment, the lower protruding plate 33 has a flat front surface, and the middle portion of this front surface in the left-right direction functions as the front defining portion 352. In this embodiment, the upper protruding plate 32 has a flat front surface, and the portions on both sides of this front surface in the left-right direction each function as the front defining portion 354. Each of the front defining portions 35 in this embodiment is a plane parallel to the YZ plane. There is no visible boundary provided for each of the front defining portions 35. The three front defining portions 35 are each located at the vertices of a downward-pointing virtual isosceles triangle. The three front defining portions 35 are in the same position relative to each other in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the front defining portions 35 may be a portion that protrudes forward from the upper protruding plate 32 or the lower protruding plate 33. Also, the front defining portions 35 may be provided as needed.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the portions on both sides of the flat front surface of the upper protruding plate 32 in the left-right direction function as restricted portions 34. The two restricted portions 34 are located between the two front defined portions 354 in the left-right direction. Each of the restricted portions 34 in this embodiment is a plane parallel to the YZ plane. No visible boundary is provided for each of the restricted portions 34; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the restricted portions 34 may be provided as needed.

[0041] Referring to Figure 11, the subconnector 30 of this embodiment has three rear-side defining portions 36. As will be described later, the rear-side defining portions 36 are portions that restrict the rearward movement of the subconnector 30 inside the housing 40. In this embodiment, the rear-side defining portion 36 consists of one rear-side defining portion 362 and two rear-side defining portions 364.

[0042] The rear section 362 is located in the middle of the flat rear surface of the upper protruding plate 32 in the left-right direction. The rear section 362 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the upper protruding plate 32. The rear section 364 is located on both sides of the flat rear surface of the lower protruding plate 33 in the left-right direction. Each of the rear section 364 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the lower protruding plate 33. The three rear section 36 are located at the vertices of an upward-pointing hypothetical isosceles triangle. The rear end faces of the three rear section 36 are in the same position relative to each other in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the rear section 36 may be a part of the flat rear surface of the upper protruding plate 32 or the flat rear surface of the lower protruding plate 33. Also, the rear section 36 may be provided as needed.

[0043] Referring to Figure 13, each of the first terminals 60 is press-fitted into the main part 31 from the rear. Referring to Figures 12 and 13, each of the first terminals 60 has a surface mount portion 62 and a first connection portion 64. Each of the first connection portions 64 is held by the main part 31 and extends along the front-rear direction inside the main part 31. Each of the surface mount portions 62 is located behind the main part 31. Each of the surface mount portions 62 is a plane parallel to the XY plane. All of the surface mount portions 62 are located on the same plane parallel to the XY plane. The first terminals 60 of this embodiment have the above-described structure and are arranged as described above. 。 However, the structure and arrangement of the first terminal 60 are not particularly limited, as long as all surface mount parts 62 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0044] Referring to Figure 9, the housing 40 of this embodiment is molded from resin and extends along the YZ plane as a whole. In particular, the housing 40 extends long in the left-right direction. The housing 40 has two or more housing sections 41, each corresponding to a subconnector 30. Each housing section 41 is a space enclosed by a housing wall 412 in the YZ plane. The housing sections 41 are arranged in the left-right direction. The housing 40 also has a front surface 45. The front surface 45 is located at the front end of the housing 40 and extends in the left-right direction across all the housing sections 41. That is, the front surface 45 is located at the front end of each of the housing walls 412.

[0045] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, each of the housing sections 41 penetrates the housing 40 in the front-to-back direction. In other words, each of the housing sections 41 opens to the rear of the housing 40 and also opens to the front of the housing 40. In this embodiment, the housing 40 has four housing sections 41 formed therein. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of housing sections 41 may be two or three, or it may be five or more.

[0046] Referring to Figure 20 in conjunction with Figure 9, when assembling the first connector 20, each of the subconnectors 30 is first inserted from the rear into the corresponding housing section 41 and housed in the corresponding housing section 41. When the four subconnectors 30 are housed in the four housing sections 41, the intermediate structure 18 shown in Figures 19 and 20 is formed.

[0047] Referring to Figure 14, when each subconnector 30 is housed in the housing 41, each main portion 31 is separated from the inner wall surface of the housing 41 in the YZ plane. Each main portion 31 is movable a predetermined distance in the vertical and horizontal directions until it abuts against the inner wall surface of the housing 41. In other words, the housing 40 holds each subconnector 30 in a floating manner.

[0048] In this embodiment, the housing 40 has upper fixing holes 48 and lower fixing holes 49 in addition to the housing portion 41. Specifically, each housing portion 41 has two upper fixing holes 48 and two lower fixing holes 49. Two lower fixing holes 49 that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction are in communication with each other in the left-right direction.

[0049] The housing sections 41 in this embodiment, including the parts provided on each housing section 41, basically have the same structure. For example, the upper fixing holes 48 have the same structure. Also, the lower fixing holes 49 have the same structure, although two adjacent lower fixing holes 49 in the left-right direction communicate with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the subconnectors 30 have different structures, the housing sections 41 may have different structures corresponding to each subconnector 30. Below, one of the housing sections 41 in this embodiment will be described, along with the parts provided on this housing section 41. The following description is applicable to each of the housing sections 41.

[0050] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the housing portion 41 of this embodiment has an upper allowance portion 46 and two lower allowance portions 47. That is, the housing 40 of this embodiment has an upper allowance portion 46 and two lower allowance portions 47. The upper allowance portion 46 is a space located at the upper end of the housing portion 41 and is a portion of the housing portion 41 that protrudes upward. The upper allowance portion 46 is located in the middle of the housing portion 41 in the left-right direction. Each of the lower allowance portions 47 is a space located at the lower end of the housing portion 41. Each of the lower allowance portions 47 is a recess that is indented downward. The two lower allowance portions 47 are located on both sides of the housing portion 41 in the left-right direction. The upper allowance portion 46 is located between the two lower allowance portions 47 in the left-right direction.

[0051] Referring to Figure 15 in conjunction with Figure 14, the upper allowance portion 46 and the lower allowance portion 47 each penetrate the housing 40 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the upper allowance portion 46 and the lower allowance portion 47 each open to the rear of the housing 40 and also open to the front of the housing 40. Referring to Figure 15 in conjunction with Figure 16, the upper allowance portion 46 opens at the front surface 45. Similarly, each of the lower allowance portions 47 opens at the front surface 45.

[0052] Referring to Figure 14, the upper allowance portion 46 extends long in the left-right direction, including positions corresponding to the two upper keys 37 of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane. The upper allowance portion 46 formed in this way allows the upper keys 37 to pass through when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing portion 41. The two lower allowance portions 47 are formed at positions corresponding to the two lower keys 38 of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane. The lower allowance portions 47 formed in this way allow the lower keys 38 to pass through when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing portion 41.

[0053] Referring to Figure 14 in conjunction with Figure 20, according to this embodiment, when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing 41, the lower key 38 is located only in front of the front surface 45 of the housing 40. The lower key 38, positioned in this manner, does not obstruct the movement of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane. Furthermore, when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing 41, the upper key 37 is partially located inside the upper allowance 46 and can move within the upper allowance 46 in the YZ plane.

[0054] Referring to Figure 14, the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 are in different positions in the left-right direction. If the subconnector 30 is to be housed upside down in the housing 41, at least one of the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 will abut against the front inner wall surface of the housing 41. As a result, upside-down housing (reverse housing) of the subconnector 30 inside the housing 41 is prevented.

[0055] Referring to Figure 14 in conjunction with Figure 20, the upper key 37 and lower key 38 in this embodiment are arranged and function as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the upper key 37 may be provided near the front end of the main part 31, and the lower key 38 may be provided so as to extend along the front-rear direction across the entire main part 31. That is, when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing 41, one of the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 may be located only in front of the front surface 45 of the housing 40, and the other of the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 may be movable inside the upper allowance 46 or the lower allowance 47. Furthermore, the upper allowance 46 and the lower allowance 47 may be provided as needed. If the upper allowance 46 and the lower allowance 47 are not provided, there is no need to provide the upper key 37 and the lower key 38.

[0056] Referring to Figures 14 to 16, the housing portion 41 of the housing 40 in this embodiment is provided with two restricting portions 43. The restricting portions 43 are located on both sides in the left-right direction of the upper allowable portion 46. Each of the restricting portions 43 extends along the front-rear direction inside the housing portion 41 and is elastically deformable. Referring to Figure 20, when the subconnector 30 is inserted into the housing portion 41, the upper protruding plate 32 of the subconnector 30 moves forward while moving each of the restricting portions 43 upward. When the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing portion 41, the restricted portion 34 of the upper protruding plate 32 is located in front of the restricting portions 43. That is, when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing portion 41, the restricting portions 43 and the restricted portion 34 face each other in the front-rear direction, preventing the subconnector 30 from coming out of the housing portion 41.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the subconnector 30 can be temporarily held inside the housing 40 before the retainer 50 (see Figure 9) is attached. This allows the first connector 20 (see Figure 9) to be easily assembled. According to this embodiment, each of the restricting parts 43 is elastically deformable, and each of the restricted parts 34 does not move relative to the subconnector 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the restricting parts 43 may be provided so as not to move relative to the housing 40, and each of the restricted parts 34 may be elastically deformable. That is, one of the restricting parts 43 and the restricted parts 34 may be elastically deformable. Also, the restricting parts 43 and the restricted parts 34 may be provided as needed.

[0058] Referring to Figures 14 and 16, the housing 41 of this embodiment is provided with three front opposing portions 44. That is, the housing 40 of this embodiment has three front opposing portions 44. The front opposing portion 44 of this embodiment consists of one front opposing portion 442 and two front opposing portions 444.

[0059] The front opposing portions 442 and 444 are provided on the front inner wall surface of the housing portion 41. The front opposing portion 442 is in the same position as the lower allowance portion 47 of the housing portion 41 in the vertical direction, and is located in the middle of the housing portion 41 in the left-right direction. The front opposing portion 442 protrudes rearward from the front inner wall surface of the housing portion 41. The front opposing portion 444 is in the same position as the upper allowance portion 46 of the housing portion 41 in the vertical direction, and is located on both sides of the upper allowance portion 46 in the left-right direction. The two restricting portions 43 are located between the two front opposing portions 444 in the left-right direction. Each of the front opposing portions 444 protrudes rearward from the front inner wall surface of the housing portion 41. The three front opposing portions 44 are located at the vertices of a downward-pointing hypothetical isosceles triangle. The rear end surfaces of the three front opposing portions 44 are in the same position as each other in the front-rear direction.

[0060] Referring to Figures 23 and 24 in conjunction with Figure 22, when the subconnector 30 is housed in the housing 41, the front opposing portion 442 faces the front defining portion 352 of the subconnector 30 in the front-rear direction, and the front opposing portion 444 faces the front defining portion 354 of the subconnector 30 in the front-rear direction. As can be understood from this arrangement, the subconnector 30 is movable forward to the front limit position. On the other hand, the subconnector 30 cannot move forward beyond the front limit position. This front limit position is the position where the front defining portion 35 abuts against the front opposing portion 44. That is, the front limit position is the position when the front end of the subconnector 30 protrudes the most from the housing 40.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the three front-facing portions 35 abut against the three front-facing portions 44 in a single plane parallel to the YZ plane. Furthermore, by having small protrusions function as the front-facing portions 44, the abutment area between the front-facing portions 35 and the front-facing portions 44 can be reduced. If two planes abut, the abutment area tends to be large. The larger the abutment area, the more difficult it becomes to form the front-facing portions 35 in the correct position due to problems such as distortion during molding. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, when molding the housing 40, it is easier to form the front-facing portions 44, which are small protrusions, in the correct position. Even if the part including the front-facing portions 35 is distorted when molding the main portion 31 of the sub-connector 30, the three front-facing portions 35 can still abut against the three front-facing portions 44.

[0062] According to this embodiment, each of the front opposing portions 44 is abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and each of the front defining portions 35 is a plane facing the abutment portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the front defining portions 35 may be abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and each of the front opposing portions 44 may be a plane facing the abutment portion. That is, one of the front defining portions 35 and the front opposing portions 44 may be abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and the other of the front defining portions 35 and the front opposing portions 44 may be a plane facing the abutment portion. Furthermore, the front defining portions 35 and the front opposing portions 44 may be provided as needed.

[0063] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the two upper fixing holes 48 in this embodiment are located above the housing 41 and are located on both sides of the housing 41 in the left-right direction. The lower fixing holes 49 in this embodiment are located below the housing 41 and are located on both sides of the housing 41 in the left-right direction. The upper fixing holes 48 and the lower fixing holes 49 each penetrate the housing 40 in the front-rear direction. Inside each of the upper fixing holes 48, an upper engaging projection 482 is provided. Each of the upper engaging projections 482 protrudes upward. Inside each of the lower fixing holes 49, a lower engaging projection 492 is provided. Each of the lower engaging projections 492 protrudes downward.

[0064] The housing 40 of this embodiment has the structure described above. However, the structure of the housing 40 in the present invention is not particularly limited and can be modified as needed.

[0065] Referring to Figure 22 in conjunction with Figure 20, the first connector 20 of this embodiment can be formed by attaching a retainer 50 to the intermediate structure 18. According to this embodiment, each retainer 50 is attached to the housing 40 from the rear and covers the corresponding sub-connector 30 from the rear. The retainer 50 is fixed to the housing 40, thereby reliably preventing the sub-connector 30 from coming out of the housing 41. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. 、 The retainer 50 may be provided as needed. For example, only a portion of all of the subconnectors 30 may be covered with the retainer 50.

[0066] Referring to Figure 9, the retainers 50 in this embodiment have the same structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the retainers 50 may have different structures. One of the retainers 50 in this embodiment will be described below. The following description is applicable to each of the retainers 50.

[0067] As shown in Figure 17, the retainer 50 of this embodiment has a cover 51, two upper fixed portions 52, two lower fixed portions 53, an upper projection 54, and two lower projections 56. The cover 51, the upper fixed portions 52, the lower fixed portions 53, the upper projections 54, and the lower projections 56 are integrally molded from resin. The cover 51 as a whole has a rectangular flat plate shape parallel to the YZ plane. The upper fixed portions 52, the lower fixed portions 53, the upper projections 54, and the lower projections 56 extend forward from the cover 51.

[0068] The retainer 50 of this embodiment has the parts described above. However, the structure of the retainer 50 in the present invention is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the structure of each part of the retainer 50 described below can be modified as needed.

[0069] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the upper fixed portion 52 and the lower fixed portion 53 are located at the four corners of the cover 51 (i.e., the four corners of the retainer 50) in the YZ plane, respectively. More specifically, the upper fixed portion 52 is located at the upper end of the cover 51 and is located on both sides of the cover 51 in the left-right direction. The lower fixed portion 53 is located at the lower end of the cover 51 and is located on both sides of the cover 51 in the left-right direction. The upper protrusion 54 and the lower protrusion 56 are located between the upper fixed portion 52 and the lower fixed portion 53 in the up-down direction. in between The lower protrusions 56 are located below the upper protrusions 54 and are positioned on both sides of the cover 51 in the left-right direction. The upper protrusions 54 extend in the left-right direction so as to cover the two lower protrusions 56 from above.

[0070] Each of the upper fixed portion 52 consists of an upper receiving portion 522 and an upper engaging plate 524. Each of the upper engaging plates 524 has a flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane and extends along the front-rear direction. Each of the upper engaging plates 524 is elastically deformable. Each of the upper receiving portions 522 extends along the front-rear direction so as to cover the upper engaging plate 524 from above.

[0071] Each of the lower fixed portions 53 consists of a lower receiving portion 532 and a lower engaging plate 534. Each of the lower engaging plates 534 has a flat plate shape parallel to the XY plane and extends along the front-rear direction. Each of the lower engaging plates 534 is elastically deformable. Each of the lower receiving portions 532 extends along the front-rear direction so as to cover the lower engaging plate 534 from below.

[0072] Referring to Figure 26 in conjunction with Figure 14, when the retainer 50 is attached to the housing 40, the upper fixed portion 52 is inserted into the upper fixing hole 48 of the housing 40, and the lower fixed portion 53 is inserted into the lower fixing hole 49 of the housing 40. The inserted upper engaging plate 524 engages with the upper engaging projection 482 of the housing 40, and the inserted lower engaging plate 534 engages with the lower engaging projection 492 of the housing 40. As a result, the retainer 50 attached to the housing 40 is fixed to the housing 40 at its four corners. However, the method of fixing the retainer 50 to the housing 40 in the present invention is not particularly limited.

[0073] Referring to Figure 14 in conjunction with Figures 16 and 20, three receiving portions 42 are provided around the housing portion 41 of the housing 40. The three receiving portions 42 are each located at the vertices of an upward-facing, hypothetical isosceles triangle. Each of the receiving portions 42 is a small protrusion that extends backward. Referring to Figure 22 in conjunction with Figure 20, when the retainer 50 fixed to the housing 40 is moved further forward, the receiving portions 42 abut against the front surface of the retainer 50, ending the forward movement of the retainer 50. This structure creates a gap (slot 22) between the housing 40 and the retainer 50.

[0074] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the retainer 50 of this embodiment has three rear opposing portions 58. The rear opposing portion 58 of this embodiment consists of one rear opposing portion 582 and two rear opposing portions 584.

[0075] In this embodiment, the upper projection 54 has a flat front surface, and the middle portion of this front surface in the left-right direction functions as the rear opposing portion 582. The two lower projections 56 each have a flat front surface, and parts of these front surfaces each function as the rear opposing portions 584. Each of the rear opposing portions 58 in this embodiment is a plane parallel to the YZ plane. There is no visible boundary between each of the rear opposing portions 58. The three rear opposing portions 58 are each located at the vertices of an upward-pointing virtual isosceles triangle. The three rear opposing portions 58 are in the same position relative to each other in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the rear opposing portions 58 may be a portion that protrudes forward from the upper projection 54 or the lower projection 56. Also, the rear opposing portions 58 may be provided as needed.

[0076] Referring to Figures 23 and 24 in conjunction with Figure 22, when the retainer 50 is fixed to the housing 40, the rear opposing portion 582 faces the rear defining portion 362 of the subconnector 30 in the front-rear direction, and the rear opposing portion 584 faces the rear defining portion 364 of the subconnector 30 in the front-rear direction. As can be understood from this arrangement, the subconnector 30 is movable rearward to the rear limit position. On the other hand, the subconnector 30 cannot move rearward beyond the rear limit position. This rear limit position is the position where the rear defining portion 36 abuts against the rear opposing portion 58. That is, the rear limit position is the position when the front end of the subconnector 30 is closest to the housing 40.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the three rear defining portions 36 abut against the three rear opposing portions 58 in a single plane parallel to the YZ plane. Furthermore, by having small protrusions function as the rear defining portions 36, the abutment area between the rear defining portions 36 and the rear opposing portions 58 can be reduced. If two planes abut, the abutment area tends to be large. The larger the abutment area, the more difficult it becomes to form the rear opposing portions 58 in the correct position due to problems such as distortion during molding. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, when molding the main portion 31 of the subconnector 30, it is easier to form the rear defining portions 36, which are small protrusions, in the correct position. Even if the part including the rear opposing portions 58 is distorted when molding the retainer 50, the three rear defining portions 36 can still abut against the three rear opposing portions 58.

[0078] According to this embodiment, each of the rear defining portions 36 is abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and each of the rear opposing portions 58 is a plane facing the abutment portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the rear opposing portions 58 may be abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and each of the rear defining portions 36 may be a plane facing the abutment portion. That is, one of the rear defining portions 36 and the rear opposing portions 58 may be abutment portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and the other of the rear defining portions 36 and the rear opposing portions 58 may be a plane facing the abutment portion. Furthermore, the rear defining portions 36 and the rear opposing portions 58 may be provided as needed.

[0079] Referring to Figure 22, the subconnector 30 of this embodiment is movable in the front-rear direction within the housing 41. In addition, as mentioned above, the subconnector 30 is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions within the housing 41. That is, the subconnector 30 of this embodiment is three-dimensionally floating within the housing 41. Referring to Figure 25, even when the subconnector 30 is floating, regardless of the position and orientation of the subconnector 30, the upper key 37 of the subconnector 30 extends forward beyond the front surface 45 of the housing 40, and the lower key 38 of the subconnector 30 is located only in front of the front surface 45.

[0080] Referring to Figure 11, the three rear limiting portions 36 that define the rear limit position form a virtual upward-pointing triangle. Referring to Figure 14, the three front opposing portions 44 that define the front limit position form a virtual downward-pointing triangle. Referring to Figures 11 and 14, the upward-pointing triangle and the downward-pointing triangle are oriented opposite to each other in the vertical direction. This arrangement makes it easier to control the change in posture associated with the three-dimensional floating of the subconnector 30, and the subconnector 30 floats stably in three dimensions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the triangle formed by the three front opposing portions 44 and the triangle formed by the three rear limiting portions 36 may be oriented in the same direction to each other in the vertical direction.

[0081] Referring to Figures 19 to 22, in the above description, the retainer 50 is attached to the intermediate structure 18 immediately after the intermediate structure 18 shown in Figures 19 and 20 is formed, thereby assembling the first connector 20 shown in Figures 21 and 22. On the other hand, referring to Figures 19, 20, 27 and 28, the actual first connector 20 is assembled as follows. First, the tip 84 of the FPC board 80 is connected to the sub-connector 30. Next, the sub-connector 30 and the housing 40 are assembled to the intermediate structure 18. Then, the retainer 50 is attached to the intermediate structure 18.

[0082] Referring to Figure 28, the FPC substrate 80 connected to the subconnector 30 and the retainer 50 fixed to the housing 40 do not substantially interfere with the three-dimensional floating of each of the subconnectors 30. That is, each of the subconnectors 30 is partially and floatingly housed within the corresponding housing 41.

[0083] The first connector 20 connected to the FPC substrate 80 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0084] Referring to Figures 3 and 22, the first connector 20 has two or more slots 22, each corresponding to a housing 41. Each of the slots 22 is a space formed between the housing 40 and the cover 51 of the retainer 50 in the front-rear direction. That is, each of the slots 22 is located between the housing 40 and the retainer 50 in the front-rear direction.

[0085] Referring to Figure 28 in conjunction with Figure 22, each of the slots 22 communicates with the corresponding housing section 41. The size of each slot 22 in the front-to-back direction is greater than the thickness of the flat FPC substrate 80. The leading edges 84 of the FPC substrate 80 pass through the slots 22 and are connected to the subconnectors 30. Specifically, the conductive wires (not shown) of the leading edges 84 are fixed and connected to the surface mount section 62 of the first terminal 60 by soldering or the like. According to this embodiment, because slots 22 are provided, the four leading edges 84 of a single FPC substrate 80 can be connected to the four subconnectors 30, respectively.

[0086] Referring to Figure 27, the above description can be summarized as follows: The first connector 20 of this embodiment is a connector comprising two or more subconnectors 30 that are held in a floating manner. The subconnectors 30 of this embodiment are each connected to two or more branched tip portions 84 of a single FPC substrate 80.

[0087] According to this embodiment, when attaching the subconnectors 30 connected to the FPC substrate 80 to the housing 40, the arrangement order of the subconnectors 30 in the left-right direction is already determined. Therefore, when attaching the subconnectors 30 to the housing 40, there is no risk of attaching them in the wrong place. Referring to Figure 1, this embodiment provides a connector assembly 12 comprising a first connector 20 including two or more floatingly held subconnectors 30, which allows the subconnectors 30 to be attached to the housing 40 without making a mistake in their attachment location. Furthermore, this embodiment reduces manufacturing costs compared to the case where the subconnectors 30 are provided with different mating keys.

[0088] Referring to Figure 28, the first connector 20 in this embodiment is a surface mount connector. Generally, with surface mount connectors, as the number of terminals increases, it becomes difficult to position the surface mount portions of the terminals on the same plane due to problems such as distortion that occurs when molding the connector. According to this embodiment, the connector is divided into four such that the number of first terminals 60 is less than or equal to a predetermined number. Subconnector 30 It has a feature. According to this structure, Subconnector 30 In each of these configurations, all surface mount portions 62 of the first terminal 60 can be arranged on the same plane parallel to the XY plane. Therefore, for example, the surface mount portions 62 can be properly soldered by reflow soldering.

[0089] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the subconnector 30 of the first connector 20 assembled as described above can be mated with the second connector 70. The second connector 70 of this embodiment will now be described.

[0090] Referring to Figure 1, the second connector 70 of this embodiment comprises a second housing 71 made of an insulator, a number of second terminals 79 made of a conductor, a locator 796 made of an insulator, and two metal fixing members 798. For example, there are 80 second terminals 79. The second terminals 79 are provided corresponding to the first terminals 60 (see Figure 9) of the first connector 20. The second terminals 79 are held in the second housing 71. The fixing members 798 are press-fitted to both sides of the second housing 71 in the left-right direction. The fixing members 798 fix the second connector 70 to a second device (not shown) when the second connector 70 is in use. The second connector 70 of this embodiment comprises the above-described components. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the locator 796 and the fixing members 798 may be provided as needed. On the other hand, the second connector 70 may further comprise other components in addition to the above-described components.

[0091] Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the second housing 71 of this embodiment extends long in the left-right direction. The second housing 71 has a partition portion 712, a connecting portion 714, and a mounting portion 716. The partition portion 712, the connecting portion 714, and the mounting portion 716 are integrally molded from resin. The partition portion 712 extends parallel to the YZ plane as a whole. The connecting portion 714 is the part that connects to the first connector 20. The connecting portion 714 protrudes rearward from the partition portion 712 and extends in the left-right direction. The mounting portion 716 is the part that is mounted on a second device (not shown). The mounting portion 716 protrudes forward from the partition portion 712 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0092] Referring to Figure 1, the second connector 70 of this embodiment has two or more mating portions 72, each corresponding to a subconnector 30. Each mating portion 72 is a space enclosed by the mating wall 722 of the second housing 71 in the YZ plane. Each mating portion 72 opens to the rear and extends in the front-rear direction to the partition portion 712 of the second housing 71. The mating portions 72 are arranged in the left-right direction. Referring to Figure 8, each subconnector 30 can be mated to the corresponding mating portion 72. Each mating portion 72 holds a second terminal 79, each corresponding to a first terminal 60 of the subconnector 30. Each second terminal 79 has a second connecting portion 792 and a fixed portion 794. The fixed portion 794 is fixed and connected to a second device (not shown).

[0093] In the mated state, the second connection portion 792 contacts the first connection portion 64 of the first terminal 60, thereby electrically connecting the second connector 70 to all of the subconnectors 30. According to this embodiment, all of the first terminals 60, which are divided into four subconnectors 30, can be connected together to all of the second terminals 79.

[0094] Referring to Figure 1, the second connector 70 of this embodiment has the structure described above. The second connector 70 of this embodiment has four mating portions 72. However, the structure of the second connector 70 is not particularly limited as long as the second connector 70 has two or more mating portions 72 corresponding to each subconnector 30. For example, the number of mating portions 72 may be two or three, or it may be five or more.

[0095] Referring to Figure 5, the mating portions 72 in this embodiment have basically the same structure, including the parts provided on each mating portion 72. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, if the subconnectors 30 have different structures, the mating portions 72 may have different structures corresponding to each subconnector 30. Below, one of the mating portions 72 in this embodiment will be described along with the parts provided on this mating portion 72. The following description is applicable to each of the mating portions 72.

[0096] Referring to Figure 6, in this embodiment, the size MW of the mating portion 72 of the second connector 70 in the left-right direction is larger than the size MH in the up-down direction. In other words, the mating portion 72 in this embodiment is wide. This structure allows the second connector 70 to be made low-profile. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the size MW may be smaller than the size MH.

[0097] The fitting portion 72 of this embodiment is provided with a tapered surface 73, two side ribs 74, and four upper and lower ribs 75. The tapered surface 73 consists of two side tapered surfaces 732 and two upper and lower tapered surfaces 734.

[0098] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figures 7 and 8, the tapered surface 73 is the rear end of the fitting wall 722 and surrounds the fitting portion 72 in the YZ plane. That is, the tapered surface 73 is located at the rear end of the fitting portion 72. The side tapered surfaces 732 are located on the opposite side of the fitting portion 72 in the left-right direction. Each of the side tapered surfaces 732 extends forward while inclining inward in the left-right direction. The upper and lower tapered surfaces 734 are located on the opposite side of the fitting portion 72 in the up-down direction. Each of the upper and lower tapered surfaces 734 extends forward while inclining inward in the up-down direction. In other words, the tapered surface 73 is provided so that the fitting portion 72 gradually narrows toward the front.

[0099] Referring to Figure 8 in conjunction with Figure 6, when inserting the subconnector 30 into the mating portion 72, if the position of the main portion 31 of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane is misaligned with the position of the middle portion of the mating portion 72 in the YZ plane, the front end of the main portion 31 abuts against the tapered surface 73. As a result, the subconnector 30 receives a force directed toward the middle portion of the mating portion 72 in the YZ plane and moves to the appropriate position. That is, when the subconnector 30 is mated into the mating portion 72, the tapered surface 73 guides the subconnector 30 into the interior of the mating portion 72.

[0100] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figures 7 and 8, the side ribs 74 and upper and lower ribs 75 are located in front of the tapered surface 73. The rear ends of the side ribs 74 and upper and lower ribs 75 each have inclined surfaces that slope toward the interior of the fitting portion 72. The side ribs 74 are located on opposite sides of the fitting portion 72 in the left-right direction and in the middle of the fitting portion 72 in the up-down direction. The side ribs 74 protrude inward in the left-right direction and extend along the front-rear direction. Two of the upper and lower ribs 75 are provided on the upper surface of the fitting wall 722 (upper fitting wall 722), and the other two of the upper and lower ribs 75 are provided on the lower surface of the fitting wall 722 (lower fitting wall 722). The two upper upper and lower ribs 75 are located on both sides of the upper fitting wall 722 in the left-right direction. The two lower upper and lower ribs 75 are located on either side of the lower fitting wall 722 in the left-right direction.

[0101] Referring to Figure 8 in conjunction with Figure 6, the subconnector 30 is guided into the mating portion 72 and then abuts against the inclined rear ends of the side ribs 74 and upper and lower ribs 75, thereby further adjusting the position of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane. The subconnector 30 moves forward inside the mating portion 72 while being sandwiched by the side ribs 74 in the left-right direction and by the upper and lower ribs 75 in the up-down direction. When the subconnector 30 is mated into the mating portion 72, the side ribs 74 define the range of movement of the subconnector 30 in the left-right direction, and the upper and lower ribs 75 define the range of movement of the subconnector 30 in the up-down direction.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the tapered surface 73, side ribs 74, and upper and lower ribs 75 allow the floating subconnector 30 to be precisely positioned relative to the mating portion 72. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tapered surface 73, side ribs 74, and upper and lower ribs 75 may be provided as needed.

[0103] In this embodiment, the two side ribs 74 are at the same position as each other in the vertical direction. Of the four upper and lower ribs 75 in this embodiment, the two upper ones are at the same position as the two lower ones in the left-right direction. This arrangement allows the subconnector 30 to be positioned more accurately relative to the mating portion 72. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mating portion 72 may be provided with two upper and lower ribs 75. If there are two upper and lower ribs 75, they may be located on opposite sides of the mating portion 72 in the vertical direction, protruding inward in the vertical direction, and extending along the front-rear direction. If there are three upper and lower ribs 75, the three upper and lower ribs 75 may be arranged so that they are at the vertices of a virtual triangle. Also, the side ribs 74 may be at different positions from each other in the vertical direction.

[0104] Referring to Figure 6, the two upper and lower ribs 75 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance RH in the vertical direction. The tapered surface 73 has a size TW in the left-right direction and a size TH in the vertical direction. Specifically, each of the side tapered surfaces 732 has a size TW in the left-right direction. Each of the upper and lower tapered surfaces 734 has a size TH in the vertical direction. The sizes TW and TH are each at least 1 / 5 of the predetermined distance RH. In other words, the tapered surface 73 has a size of at least 1 / 5 of the predetermined distance RH in both the left-right and vertical directions.

[0105] The sizes TW and TH of the tapered surface 73 in this embodiment are considerably larger than those of the prior art. According to this embodiment, when mating the first connector 20 with the second connector 70, even if the position of the first connector 20 in the YZ plane is relatively far from the position of the second connector 70 in the YZ plane, the position of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane can be adjusted by the tapered surface 73 by applying a small forward force to the subconnector 30. Therefore, if one of the first connector 20 and the second connector 70 is held by a robot arm (not shown) and moved relative to the other of the first connector 20 and the second connector 70, the subconnector 30 will mate with the second connector 70 with a small insertion force. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the size of the tapered surface 73 can be set as needed.

[0106] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figure 8, in this embodiment, two upper grooves 76 are formed above the fitting portion 72, and two lower grooves 77 are formed below the fitting portion 72. Each of the upper grooves 76 and lower grooves 77 extends along the front-rear direction across the entire connecting portion 714 and opens to the rear. The upper grooves 76 and lower grooves 77 are located at different positions from each other in the left-right direction.

[0107] When the subconnector 30 is inserted into the mating portion 72 in the correct orientation with the upper key 37 positioned above the lower key 38, the upper key 37 is received in the upper groove 76 and the lower key 38 is received in the lower groove 77. That is, the second connector 70 has an upper groove 76 corresponding to the upper key 37 of the subconnector 30 and a lower groove 77 corresponding to the lower key 38 of the subconnector 30. When the subconnector 30 is mated into the mating portion 72 of the second connector 70, the upper key 37 is received in the upper groove 76 and the lower key 38 is received in the lower groove 77.

[0108] Referring to Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 6, according to this embodiment, if one attempts to mat the first connector 20 with the second connector 70 upside down, the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 will abut against the tapered surface 73 of the mating portion 72, thereby preventing the first connector 20 from mating with the second connector 70. In other words, the upper key 37 and the lower key 38 not only function as keys to prevent the subconnector 30 from being reversed into the housing 40, but also as mating keys to prevent the first connector 20 from being reversed.

[0109] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first connector 20 and the second connector 70 of this embodiment are matable with each other as described above. Referring to Figure 1 in conjunction with Figures 23 and 24, when the first connector 20 is moved relative to the second connector 70, each of the subconnectors 30 receives a force directed backward from the second connector 70, moves to its rear limit position, and is mated together with the second connector 70. At this time, the rear defining portion 36 of the subconnector 30 abuts against the rear opposing portion 58 of the retainer 50 in a plane parallel to the YZ plane. As mentioned above, the abutment area between the rear defining portion 36 and the rear opposing portion 58 is small. Therefore, even if the position of the subconnector 30 in the YZ plane is misaligned, the subconnector 30 moves smoothly to the appropriate position in the YZ plane with almost no frictional force and extends straight along the front-rear direction. That is, the rear defining portion 36 and the rear opposing portion 58 stabilize the posture of the subconnector 30 when mated.

[0110] When the first connector 20, which is mated to the second connector 70, is pulled backward, each of the subconnectors 30 receives a forward force from the second connector 70, moves to its forward limit position, and is pulled out of the second connector 70 together. At this time, the front opposing portion 44 of the housing 40 abuts against the front specified portion 35 of the subconnector 30 in a plane parallel to the YZ plane. As mentioned above, the abutment area between the front opposing portion 44 and the front specified portion 35 is small. Therefore, even if the direction in which the first connector 20 is pulled is oblique to the front-rear direction, the subconnectors 30 move smoothly in the YZ plane with almost no frictional force and extend straight along the front-rear direction. In other words, the front specified portion 35 and the front opposing portion 44 stabilize the posture of the subconnector 30 when it is pulled out.

[0111] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, as described above, the connector assembly 12 of this embodiment forms a structure 10 together with the FPC substrate 80. That is, the structure 10 of this embodiment comprises the connector assembly 12 and one FPC substrate 80 having two or more branched tip portions 84. The subconnectors 30 are each connected to the tip portions 84.

[0112] The present invention is applicable in a variety of ways beyond the embodiments and various modifications already described. For example, referring to Figures 6 and 8, two keyways 78 are formed above each of the mating portions 72 of the second connector 70 in this embodiment. In each of the mating portions 72, two upper grooves 76 are located between the two keyways 78 in the left-right direction. Each of the keyways 78 extends along the front-rear direction and opens to the rear. The arrangement of the keyways 78 in the four mating portions 72 differs from one another.

[0113] For example, instead of the first connector 20 (see Figure 1) in this embodiment, four independent connectors (not shown) attached to discrete wires may be connected to the second connector 70. In this case, each connector should be provided with a mating key corresponding to the keyway 78.

[0114] Referring to Figure 1, each retainer 50 may have a hole through which the leading edge 84 of the FPC substrate 80 can pass in the front-to-back direction. Also, if the retainer 50 is not provided on the first connector 20, the FPC substrate 80 including the leading edge 84 may extend in the front-to-back direction. However, if the retainer 50 is not provided, when the first connector 20 is mated with the second connector 70, the subconnector 30 may come out of the housing 41 (see Figure 9) due to a rearward force. Therefore, unless there is a particular reason not to, it is preferable to provide the retainer 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10 Structure 12 Connector Assembly 18 Intermediate structure 20 First connector 22 slots 30 Subconnectors 31 Main part 32 Upper protruding plate 33 Lower protruding plate 34 Regulated part 35,352,354 Front regulation section 36,362,364 Rear regulation section 37 Upper Keys 38 Lower Keys 39 Rear protrusion 392 Fixing member 40 Housing 41 Storage Unit 412 Containment Wall 42 Receiving part 43 Regulatory Department 44,442,444 Front opposing section 45 Front 46 Upper allowable portion 47 Lower allowable portion 48 Upper fixing hole 482 Upper engaging protrusion 49 Lower fixing hole 492 Lower engagement protrusion 50 retainers 51 Cover 52 Upper fixed part 522 Upper receiving part 524 Upper engaging plate 53 Lower fixed part 532 Lower receiving part 534 Lower engagement plate 54 Upper protrusion 56 Lower protrusion 58,582,584 Rear opposing section 60 1st terminal 62 Surface Mount Unit 64 First connection section 70 Second connector 71 Second Housing 712 Partition section 714 Connection part 716 Mounted part 72 Fitting part 722 Interlocking wall 73 Tapered surface 732 Side tapered surface 734 Upper and lower tapered surfaces 74 Side ribs 75 Top and bottom ribs 76 Upper drainage ditch 77 Lower drainage ditch 78 keyways 79 2nd terminal 792 Second connection section 794 Fixed part 796 Locator 798 Fixing member 80 FPC boards 82 Base 84 Tip 86 Gap

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector that can be mated to each other along the front-to-back direction, The aforementioned first connector comprises two or more subconnectors and a housing. The aforementioned subconnectors are connected to two or more branched ends on a single FPC (flexible printed circuit) board. The housing holds each of the subconnectors in a floating manner. The second connector has two or more mating portions corresponding to each of the subconnectors, Each of the aforementioned subconnectors is capable of being fitted into the corresponding mating portion. Connector assembly.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1, The first connector is equipped with a retainer, The retainer is fixed to the housing, The housing has two or more housing sections, each corresponding to one of the subconnectors. Each of the aforementioned storage compartments opens to the rear of the housing, Each of the aforementioned subconnectors is partially and floatingly housed inside the corresponding housing, The retainer covers the subconnector from the rear. The first connector has two or more slots formed in the housing portion, each corresponding to a different slot. Each of the aforementioned slots is located between the housing and the retainer in the front-rear direction. Each of the aforementioned slots is in communication with the corresponding storage section. The leading edges of the FPC substrate are connected to the subconnectors by passing through the respective slots. Connector assembly.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 2, The housing portion is provided with a restricting portion, The regulating section extends inside the housing section, The aforementioned subconnector has a restricted portion, One of the regulating portion and the regulated portion is elastically deformable, When the subconnector is housed in the housing, the restricting portion and the restricted portion face each other in the front-rear direction, preventing the subconnector from coming out of the housing. Connector assembly.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 2, The aforementioned subconnector has three rear defining portions, The retainer has three rear opposing portions, One of the rear-defined portion and the rear-facing portion is a buttock portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and the other of the rear-defined portion and the rear-facing portion is a plane facing the buttock portion. The aforementioned subconnector is movable backward to its rearmost limit position. The aforementioned rear limit position is the position where the rear defined portion abuts against the rear opposing portion. Connector assembly.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 1, The aforementioned subconnector has three front-side defining portions, The housing has three front opposing parts, One of the front-side designated portion and the front-side opposing portion is a buttock portion that protrudes in the front-rear direction, and the other of the front-side designated portion and the front-side opposing portion is a plane facing the buttock portion. The aforementioned subconnector is movable forward to its forward limit position. The aforementioned forward limit position is the position where the front defined portion abuts against the respective front opposing portion. Connector assembly.

6. A connector assembly according to claim 1, The size of the mating portion of the second connector in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is larger than the size in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The fitting portion is provided with a tapered surface, two side ribs, and two upper and lower ribs. The aforementioned side ribs and upper and lower ribs are located in front of the tapered surface. The aforementioned side ribs are located on opposite sides of the fitting portion in the left-right direction, protrude inward in the left-right direction, and extend along the front-rear direction. The upper and lower ribs are located on opposite sides of the fitting portion in the vertical direction, protrude inward in the vertical direction, and extend along the front-rear direction. When the subconnector is fitted into the mating portion, the tapered surface guides the subconnector into the interior of the mating portion. When the subconnector is fitted into the mating portion, the side ribs define the range of movement of the subconnector in the left-right direction, and the upper and lower ribs define the range of movement of the subconnector in the up-down direction. Connector assembly.

7. A connector assembly according to claim 6, The two upper and lower ribs are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The tapered surface has a size of 1 / 5 or more of the predetermined distance in both the left-right and up-down directions. Connector assembly.

8. A connector assembly according to claim 1, The aforementioned subconnectors have the same structure as each other. Connector assembly.

9. A connector assembly according to claim 8, The aforementioned subconnector has an upper key and a lower key, The upper key and the lower key are located in different positions in the left-right direction, which is perpendicular to the front-back direction. The housing has a front surface, an upper allowance, and a lower allowance. The aforementioned front surface is located at the front end of the housing, The upper allowable portion is open on the front surface and allows the upper key to pass through when the subconnector is housed in the housing portion. The lower allowance portion is open on the front surface and allows the lower key to pass through when the subconnector is housed in the housing portion. When the subconnector is housed in the housing, one of the upper key and the lower key is located only in front of the front surface of the housing, and the other of the upper key and the lower key is movable inside the upper or lower allowance. Connector assembly.

10. A connector assembly according to claim 9, The second connector has an upper groove corresponding to the upper key and a lower groove corresponding to the lower key. The upper and lower grooves are located at different positions in the left-right direction. When the subconnector is fitted into the mating portion of the second connector, the upper key is received in the upper groove, and the lower key is received in the lower groove. Connector assembly.

11. A structure comprising a connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a single FPC substrate having two or more branched tip portions, The sub-connectors are each connected to the tip portion. structure.

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