Connectors and connector sets

Abstract

To facilitate development of variation options.SOLUTION: A board connector 12 comprises a plurality of terminal units 20, 22 comprising: an inner terminal 26; an outer terminal 28 covering the inner terminal 26; and a terminal unit-side dielectric 40 which is provided between the inner terminal 26 and the outer terminal 28 so as to support the inner terminal 26. The plurality of terminal units 20, 22 are aligned in one direction in such a manner that adjacent ones are in contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector set. [[Background Art]]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a shielded connector including: an inner conductor terminal; an outer conductor terminal covering an outer periphery of the inner conductor terminal; a dielectric provided between the inner conductor terminal and the outer conductor terminal; and a connector housing that accommodates the outer conductor terminal. A mating connector on the counterpart side is configured to be connected to this shielded connector. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-42988 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] Incidentally, the number of inner conductor terminals and outer conductor terminals that constitute a connector is set according to the configuration of the mating connector on the counterpart side. That is, it is necessary to develop variations of the connector to which the counterpart mating connector is connected in accordance with variations of the counterpart mating connector.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector set that can facilitate variation development. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] The connector according to a first aspect is a connector including a plurality of terminal units each having an inner terminal, an outer terminal covering the inner terminal, and a terminal-unit-side dielectric that is provided between the inner terminal and the outer terminal and supports the inner terminal, wherein the plurality of adjacent terminal units are arranged side by side in one direction in a state of being in contact with each other.

[0007] The connector of the first embodiment comprises a plurality of terminal units, each having an inner terminal, an outer terminal, and a terminal unit-side dielectric. The plurality of terminal units are arranged in a line in one direction, with adjacent units touching each other. In this configuration, variations of the connector can be easily developed by appropriately setting the number of terminal units.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the connector, the terminal unit is provided with a mating portion and a mated portion, and the mating portion of one terminal unit is mated with the mated portion of another terminal unit adjacent to the one terminal unit, thereby limiting the relative displacement of one terminal unit with respect to other terminal units.

[0009] In the connector of the second embodiment, the mating portion of one terminal unit is mated with the mating portion of another terminal unit adjacent to that terminal unit. This limits the relative displacement of one terminal unit with respect to other terminal units. As a result, when arranging multiple terminal units in one direction, it is possible to easily position one terminal unit relative to other terminal units.

[0010] A connector in a third embodiment is a connector in a second embodiment in which the inner terminal has a connecting portion that is connected to an inner conductor portion, and the direction in which the mating portion and the mated portion are fitted is The direction is intersecting with the connection direction between the connection portion and the inner conductor portion.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the connector, the direction in which the mating portion and the mated portion are mated intersects with the direction in which the connecting portion and the inner conductor portion are connected. This prevents the mating portion of one terminal unit from coming loose from the mated portion of another terminal unit when connecting the connecting portion and the inner conductor portion.

[0012] The connector of the fourth embodiment is a connector of any one embodiment of the first to third embodiments, wherein the outer terminal is composed of a first terminal forming plate made of a metal plate and a second terminal forming plate made of a metal plate, and the first terminal forming plate and the second terminal forming plate form a terminal-side covering portion that covers the inner terminal.

[0013] In the connector of the fourth embodiment, an outer terminal having a terminal-side covering portion can be formed inexpensively using a first terminal forming plate and a second terminal forming plate.

[0014] The connector of the fifth embodiment is the connector of the fourth embodiment, wherein the terminal unit has a plurality of inner terminals, and the outer terminal is composed of a single first terminal forming plate and a plurality of second terminal forming plates, and a plurality of terminal-side covering portions are formed between the single first terminal forming plate and the plurality of second terminal forming plates, each covering the plurality of inner terminals.

[0015] In the connector of the fifth embodiment, multiple terminal-side covering portions can be formed along a single first terminal forming plate.

[0016] The connector of the sixth embodiment is a connector of the fourth or fifth embodiment, wherein the first terminal forming plate has a first main plate portion, the second terminal forming plate has a second main plate portion spaced apart from the first main plate portion, the first terminal forming plate has a first side plate portion extending from the first main plate portion toward the second main plate portion, and the second terminal forming plate has a second side plate portion extending from the second main plate portion toward the first main plate portion. The terminal-side covering portion is formed by the first main plate portion, the second main plate portion, and at least one of the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion.

[0017] In the connector of the sixth embodiment, the terminal-side covering portion is formed by a first main plate portion, a second main plate portion, and at least one of a first side plate portion and a second side plate portion. In this configuration, for example, a terminal-side covering portion corresponding to an inner terminal with a bent or curved shape can be easily formed.

[0018] The connector of the seventh embodiment further comprises a terminal unit housing that supports a plurality of terminal units, in addition to the connector of any one embodiment of the first to sixth embodiments, the terminal unit housing being provided with a separation restricting portion that restricts the separation of the plurality of terminal units.

[0019] In the connector of the seventh embodiment, the separation of multiple terminal units can be restricted by having a separation restricting portion in the terminal unit housing.

[0020] The connector of the eighth embodiment further comprises a connecting member that irremoves a plurality of the terminal units, the connector of the seventh embodiment, wherein the connecting member is locked to the terminal unit housing.

[0021] In the connector of the eighth embodiment, a connecting member is provided to connect multiple terminal units. The condition can be easily maintained. In addition, by locking the connecting member to the terminal unit housing, multiple terminal units and the terminal unit housing can be firmly integrated.

[0022] The connector set according to the ninth aspect includes: a first connector that is the connector according to any one of the first to eighth aspects; and a second connector comprising a plurality of conductor units arranged in the one direction, each of the plurality of conductor units having an inner conductor portion, an outer conductor portion covering the inner conductor portion, and a conductor unit-side dielectric provided between the inner conductor portion and the outer conductor portion and supporting the inner conductor portion, wherein in a state where the first connector is connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the inner conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units, and the outer terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the outer conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units.

[0023] In the connector set according to the ninth aspect, when the first connector is connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the inner conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units. Further, the outer terminals of the plurality of terminal units are respectively connected to the outer conductor portions of the plurality of conductor units. Here, in the configuration of the first connector, by appropriately setting the number of the plurality of terminal units, it is possible to easily develop variations of the first connector corresponding to variations of the second connector.

[0024] The connector set according to the tenth aspect is the connector set according to the ninth aspect, further comprising a conductor unit housing having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions that respectively accommodate the plurality of conductor units.

[0025] The connector set according to the tenth aspect includes a conductor unit housing having a plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions. Accordingly, by accommodating the plurality of conductor units in the plurality of conductor unit accommodating portions respectively, the plurality of conductor units can be easily supported at predetermined positions of the conductor unit housing.

[0026] A connector set according to an 11th aspect is the connector set according to a 10th aspect, wherein the terminal unit housing and the conductor unit housing are provided with a connection holding portion that holds the connected state of the first connector and the second connector.

[0027] In the connector set according to the 11th aspect, the provision of the connection holding portion makes it possible to easily hold the connected state of the first connector and the second connector. Effects of the Invention

[0028] The connector and the connector set according to the present invention have an excellent effect that variation development can be facilitated. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector set. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a board connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the board connector as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the terminal unit housing as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the terminal unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal unit in an exploded state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the terminal unit with illustration of the terminal body and the support member omitted. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the terminal unit with illustration of the terminal body omitted. [Figure 12]This is a perspective view showing multiple terminal units and connecting members arranged within a terminal unit housing. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view showing a wire connector and a connection retaining member. [Figure 14] This is an exploded perspective view showing the conductor unit housing after disassembly. [Figure 15] This is an exploded perspective view of the conductor unit housing, seen from the opposite side of Figure 14. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing a conductor unit. [Figure 17] This is an exploded perspective view showing the conductor unit disassembled. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the conductor unit and terminal unit before connection. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of the conductor unit and terminal unit before connection, seen from the opposite side of Figure 19. [Figure 20] This is a side view showing the conductor unit and terminal unit in their state before connection. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view showing the conductor unit and terminal unit after the connection is complete. [Figure 22] This is a perspective view of the conductor unit and terminal unit after connection is complete, seen from the opposite side to Figure 21. [Figure 23] This is a side view showing the conductor unit and terminal unit after the connection is complete. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] A connector set 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 to 23.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the connector set 10 includes a board connector 12, which is fixed to a circuit board (not shown) and serves as the first connector, and a wire connector 16, which is fixed to the end of a wire 14 and serves as the second connector. The direction in which the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected is called the connection axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the connection axis direction and in which the multiple terminal units 20 and 22, which will be described later, are arranged is called the width direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the connection axis direction and the width direction is called the up and down direction. The side in the connection axis direction is indicated by arrow Z, the side in the width direction is indicated by arrow W, and the upper side in the up and down direction is indicated by arrow U.

[0032] (Configuration of board connector 12) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the board connector 12 is composed of a terminal unit housing 18, a plurality of terminal units 20 and 22 housed in the terminal unit housing 18, and a connecting member 24 locked to the terminal unit housing 18.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the terminal unit housing 18 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame. This terminal unit housing 18 comprises a pair of side wall portions 18A arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction, an upper wall portion 18B connecting the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 18A in the width direction, and a lower wall portion 18C connecting the lower ends of the pair of side wall portions 18A in the width direction.

[0034] The portion of each of the pair of side wall portions 18A on one side in the connection axis direction is a separation restricting portion 18D that extends toward the upper wall portion 18B and the lower wall portion 18C toward the one side in the connection axis direction. A locking groove 18E is formed in each of the separation restricting portions 18D of the pair of side wall portions 18A, with the upper side open.

[0035] In the center of the upper wall portion 18B in the width direction, a first retaining portion 18F is formed as a connecting and retaining portion. This is achieved. Furthermore, one end of the upper wall portion 18B on the connection axis side is an upper locking portion 18G into which the upper parts of the multiple terminal units 20 and 22, which will be described later, are locked. This upper locking portion 18G is composed of an upper substrate portion 18H that extends in the width direction with the vertical direction as the thickness direction, and an upper flange portion 18J that bends upward from one end of the upper substrate portion 18H on the connection axis side. In addition, multiple upper locking grooves 18K are formed in the upper locking portion 18G along the connection axis direction, spaced apart in the width direction. The number of these upper locking grooves 18K corresponds to the number of terminal units 20 and 22, which will be described later. That is, in this embodiment, 14 upper locking grooves 18K are formed in the upper locking portion 18G. Furthermore, the upper locking grooves 18K are formed to penetrate the upper substrate portion 18H and are formed so that the lower side is open in the lower part of the upper flange portion 18J.

[0036] The lower wall portion 18C has one end on the connection axis side which is a lower locking portion 18L into which the lower parts of the multiple terminal units 20 and 22, which will be described later, are locked. This lower locking portion 18L has a lower flange portion 18M that bends upward from the end on the connection axis side of the lower wall portion 18C. The lower flange portion 18M also has multiple lower locking grooves 18N formed along the connection axis direction, spaced apart in the width direction. The number of these lower locking grooves 18N corresponds to the number of terminal units 20 and 22, which will be described later. In other words, in this embodiment, the lower flange portion 18M has 14 lower locking grooves 18N formed therein. Furthermore, the lower locking grooves 18N are formed so that the upper side is open in the upper part of the lower flange portion 18M.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the board connector 12 of this embodiment is composed of eight terminal units 20 and six terminal units 22. Here, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the configurations of terminal units 20 and terminal units 22 are similar except for the number of inner terminals 26. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of terminal unit 20 will be described, and the description of the configuration of terminal unit 22 will be omitted. In addition, in terminal unit 22, the members and parts corresponding to terminal unit 20 will be denoted by the same reference numerals as the members and parts corresponding to terminal unit 20.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6, 8, and 9, the terminal unit 20 comprises two inner terminals 26 and an outer terminal 28 that covers the two inner terminals 26. The terminal unit 20 also comprises a terminal body 30 and two support members 32.

[0039] One of the inner terminals 26 is formed by bending a rod-shaped member made of a conductive metal material into a predetermined shape. This inner terminal 26 includes a mating-side extension 26A that constitutes one end of the inner terminal 26, a substrate-side extension 26B that constitutes the other end of the inner terminal 26, and an intermediate extension 26C that connects the mating-side extension 26A and the substrate-side extension 26B. The mating-side extension 26A extends in the direction of the connection axis, and its end is a connection portion 26D to which the inner conductor portion 52 of the conductor unit 44, which will be described later, is connected. The substrate-side extension 26B extends in the vertical direction, and its end is a portion that is connected to a circuit board (not shown). The intermediate extension 26C extends so as to one side in the direction of the connection axis, it inclins downward.

[0040] The other inner terminal 26 is formed in the same way as the first inner terminal 26 by bending a shorter rod-shaped member into a predetermined shape. The portion of the other inner terminal 26 corresponding to the first inner terminal 26 is given the same reference numeral as the portion corresponding to the first inner terminal 26. Furthermore, the mating-side extension portion 26A of the other inner terminal 26 extends parallel to the mating-side extension portion 26A of the first inner terminal 26, on a downward side. Additionally, the substrate-side extension portion 2 of the other inner terminal 26... 6B extends parallel to the substrate-side extension 26B of one inner terminal 26 on the other side in the connection axis direction relative to the substrate-side extension 26B of one inner terminal 26. Furthermore, the intermediate extension 26C of the other inner terminal 26 extends parallel to the intermediate extension 26C of one inner terminal 26 on the downward side and on the other side in the connection axis direction relative to the intermediate extension 26C of one inner terminal 26.

[0041] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the outer terminal 28 is composed of a single first terminal forming plate 34 made of a metal plate and two second terminal forming plates 36 made of a metal plate and positioned on the other side in the width direction relative to the first terminal forming plate 34.

[0042] The first terminal forming plate 34 is formed by bending a metal plate that has been cut into a predetermined shape. The first terminal forming plate 34 comprises a rectangular first main plate portion 34A that extends vertically and in the connection axis direction with the width direction as the thickness direction, and a rectangular terminal side extension portion 34B that extends from the other end of the first main plate portion 34A toward the other side in the connection axis direction. A stepped portion 34C having a difference in height in the width direction is formed at the boundary between the first main plate portion 34A and the terminal side extension portion 34B. As a result, the terminal side extension portion 34B is offset to one side in the width direction relative to the first main plate portion 34A. Here, the terminal side extension portion 34B is composed of a flat base portion 34D and a plurality of contact portions 34E that are cut and raised toward the other side in the width direction relative to the base portion 34D. In this embodiment, four contact portions 34E are arranged with spacing in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the first terminal forming plate 34 has three first side plate portions 34F formed by cutting and bending a portion of it. These three first side plate portions 34F are formed in a tongue shape that extends from the first main plate portion 34A toward the second main plate portion 36A of the second terminal forming plate 36, which will be described later. The first terminal forming plate 34 also has a connecting piece portion 34G that protrudes from the first main plate portion 34A and is connected to a circuit board (not shown).

[0043] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, one of the second terminal forming plates 36 is formed by bending a metal plate that has been cut to a predetermined shape. This second terminal forming plate 36 has a second main plate portion 36A that extends in the vertical direction and the connection axis direction, with the width direction being the thickness direction. The shape of the second main plate portion 36A corresponds to the shape of one of the inner terminals 26 when viewed from the width direction. The second terminal forming plate 36 also has a plurality of second side plate portions 36B that extend from the end of the second main plate portion 36A toward the first main plate portion 34A side of the first terminal forming plate 34. Furthermore, the second terminal forming plate 36 has a connecting piece portion 36C that protrudes from the second main plate portion 36A and is connected to a circuit board (not shown).

[0044] The other second terminal forming plate 36 is formed by bending a metal plate that has been cut into a predetermined shape smaller than the first second terminal forming plate 36. This second terminal forming plate 36 has a second main plate portion 36A and a plurality of second side plate portions 36B that correspond to the second main plate portion 36A and a plurality of second side plate portions 36B of the first second terminal forming plate 36. The shape of the second main plate portion 36A of the other second terminal forming plate 36 corresponds to the shape of the other inner terminal 26 when viewed from the width direction.

[0045] As shown in Figures 6, 10, and 11, the first terminal forming plate 34 and one of the second terminal forming plates 36 form a terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers most of one of the inner terminals 26. The first terminal forming plate 34 and the other of the second terminal forming plates 36 form a terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers most of the other inner terminal 26. Here, one terminal-side covering portion 38 and the other terminal-side covering portion 38 are formed by a first main plate portion 34A, a second main plate portion 36A, and at least one of the first side plate portion 34F and the second side plate portion 36B.

[0046] More specifically, the portion of the terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers the mating-side extension portion 26A and the substrate-side extension portion 26B of the inner terminal 26 consists of a first main plate portion 34A and a second main plate portion 36A It is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and the second side plate portion 36B. Furthermore, the central portion of the part of the one terminal side covering portion 38 that covers the intermediate extension portion 26C of one inner terminal 26 is formed by the first main plate portion 34A, the second main plate portion 36A, and the second side plate portion 36B.

[0047] Furthermore, the portion of the other terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers the mating-side extension portion 26A and the substrate-side extension portion 26B of one inner terminal 26 is formed by a first main plate portion 34A, a second main plate portion 36A, and a second side plate portion 36B. Also, the portion of the other terminal-side covering portion 38 that covers the intermediate extension portion 26C of the other inner terminal 26 is formed by a first main plate portion 34A, a second main plate portion 36A, a first side plate portion 34F, and a second side plate portion 36B.

[0048] The connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 protrudes from the terminal-side covering portion 38 toward the other side in the connection direction, and the end of the substrate-side extension portion 26B of one inner terminal 26 protrudes downward from the terminal-side covering portion 38. Furthermore, the connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26 protrudes from the terminal-side covering portion 38 toward the other side in the connection direction, and the end of the substrate-side extension portion 26B of the other inner terminal 26 protrudes downward from the terminal-side covering portion 38. In addition, the connection portions 26D of one inner terminal 26 and the connection portions 26D of the other inner terminal 26 extend parallel to the substrate portion 34D of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the first terminal forming plate 34. In other words, the substrate portion 34D of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the first terminal forming plate 34 extends along the connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 and the connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26.

[0049] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the terminal body 30 is formed in a rectangular box shape using a resin material. The terminal body 30 has an inner terminal arrangement recess 30A which is open on the other side in the width direction and in which two inner terminals 26 and two support members 32 are arranged. The bottom portion of this inner terminal arrangement recess 30A is a support wall portion 30B that supports the inner terminals 26. A support groove 30C into which the inner terminals 26 are fitted is formed in the support wall portion 30B of the terminal body 30. An opening is formed in the support wall portion 30B of the terminal body 30 through which the first side plate portion 34F of the first terminal forming plate 34 and the second side plate portion 36B of the second terminal forming plate 36 are inserted. The first side plate portion 34F of the first terminal forming plate 34, the second main plate portion 36A and the second side plate portion 36B of the second terminal forming plate 36 are arranged within the inner terminal arrangement recess 30A.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the terminal body 30 has three mating portions 30D, which are boss portions with holes formed on the other side in the width direction that are open. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the terminal body 30 has three mating portions 30E, which are projections that protrude toward one side in the width direction. When the mating portions 30E of the terminal body 30 of one adjacent terminal unit 20 in the width direction are fitted together with the mating portions 30D of the terminal body 30 of the other terminal unit 20, the relative displacement of one terminal unit 20 with respect to the other terminal unit 20 in the connection axis direction and in the vertical direction is restricted. The first main plate portion 34A of the first terminal forming plate 34 has openings through which the three mating portions 30E are inserted.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, an upper locking projection 30F projecting upward is formed along the connection axis direction at the center of the width direction of the upper part of the terminal body 30. In addition, a lower locking projection 30G projecting downward is formed along the connection axis direction at the center of the width direction of the lower part of the terminal body 30. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a connecting member locking portion 30H, to which a connecting member 24 (described later) is locked, is formed along the vertical direction at the center of the width direction of the end of the terminal body 30 on the connection axis direction side.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the two support members 32 are each formed in a block shape using a resin material. The two support members 32 are arranged in the space enclosed by the second main plate portion 36A and the second side plate portion 36B of the two second terminal forming plates 36. A support groove 32A into which the inner terminal 26 fits is formed on one side in the width direction of the two support members 32.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6, when the terminal unit 20 is assembled, most of the inner terminal 26 is positioned within the terminal-side covering portion 38 of the outer terminal 28 and is supported by the support wall portion 30B and support member 32 of the terminal body 30. Here, the support wall portion 30B and support member 32 of the terminal body 30 constitute the terminal unit-side dielectric 40, which is positioned between the inner terminal 26 and the outer terminal 28 as a terminal-side dielectric.

[0054] As shown in Figure 12, the connecting member 24 is formed using a metal plate. This connecting member 24 is formed in a rectangular shape with the connecting axis direction as the thickness direction and extending in the width direction and vertical direction. Multiple locking grooves 24A are formed at the lower part of the connecting member 24, into which the connecting member locking portion 30H of the terminal body 30 fits. The multiple locking grooves 24A are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The number of locking grooves 24A corresponds to the number of terminal units 20 and 22. In other words, in this embodiment, 14 locking grooves 24A are formed on the connecting member 24. In addition, both ends of the connecting member 24 in the width direction become housing locking portions 24B that are locked into locking grooves 18E formed in the separation restricting portion 18D of the terminal unit housing 18.

[0055] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12, the board connector 12 of this embodiment is assembled by the following procedure.

[0056] First, multiple terminal units 20 and 22 are arranged in the width direction with adjacent units touching each other. At this time, the mating portion 30E of the terminal body 30 of the terminal units 20 and 22 is mated with the mated portion 30D of the terminal body 30 of the adjacent terminal units 20 and 22. In this embodiment, a spacer 41 is provided on one side in the width direction. The mating portion 30E of the terminal body 30 of the terminal unit 20 located at one end in the width direction is mated with this spacer 41.

[0057] Next, the multiple terminal units 20 and 22, which are arranged in the width direction, are assembled into the terminal unit housing 18. That is, the multiple terminal units 20 and 22, which are arranged in the width direction, are inserted into the terminal unit housing 18 by moving them to the other side in the connection direction. At this time, the upper locking projection 30F of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20 and 22 is positioned in the upper locking groove 18K formed in the terminal unit housing 18, and the lower locking projection 30G of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20 and 22 is positioned in the lower locking groove 18N formed in the terminal unit housing 18. Then, the upper locking projection 30F of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20 and 22 overcomes the upper locking portion 18G of the terminal unit housing 18 and is locked into the upper locking portion 18G. Furthermore, the lower locking projection 30G of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 overcomes the lower locking portion 18L of the terminal unit housing 18 and locks into the lower locking portion 18L. As a result, the terminal units 20, 22 are assembled into the terminal unit housing 18.

[0058] Next, the housing locking portion 24B of the connecting member 24 is locked into the locking groove 18E formed in the separation restricting portion 18D of the terminal unit housing 18, and the connecting member locking portions 30H of the terminal bodies 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 are locked into each locking groove 24A of the connecting member 24.

[0059] The circuit board connector 12 is assembled through the above process.

[0060] (Configuration of wire connector 16) As shown in Figure 13, the wire connector 16 comprises a conductor unit housing 42 and two types of conductor units 44 and 46 supported by the conductor unit housing 42.

[0061] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the conductor unit housing 42 is composed of a conductor unit housing body 48 formed in the shape of a rectangular block and a retaining member 50 that is locked to the conductor unit housing body 48.

[0062] The conductor unit housing body 48 has multiple conductor unit housing sections 48A, each housing one of the multiple conductor units 44 and 46, which will be described later. The multiple conductor unit housing sections 48A are formed to penetrate the conductor unit housing body 48 in the direction of the connection axis. In this embodiment, the number of multiple conductor unit housing sections 48A is the same as the number of multiple conductor units 44 and 46, which will be described later. That is, the conductor unit housing body 48 has 28 conductor unit housing sections 48A. More specifically, 14 conductor unit housing sections 48A are formed in the upper part of the conductor unit housing body 48, and 14 conductor unit housing sections 48A are formed in the lower part of the conductor unit housing body 48.

[0063] Here, the shape and dimensions of each conductor unit housing section 48A are such that the conductor units 44 and 46, which will be described later, can be inserted from the other side in the connection axis direction. Furthermore, the shape and dimensions of each conductor unit housing section 48A are set such that the conductor units 44 and 46 inserted into the conductor unit housing section 48A cannot be pulled out from one side in the connection axis direction.

[0064] A second retaining portion 48B, which serves as a connection retaining portion, is formed in the center of the width direction at the top of the conductor unit housing body 48.

[0065] The retaining member 50 comprises a main plate 50A with its width direction as its longitudinal direction, a plurality of partition plates 50B that protrude from the main plate 50A toward one side in the connection axis direction and are spaced apart in the width direction, and a pair of locking plates 50C that protrude from both ends of the main plate 50A in the width direction toward one side in the connection axis direction. As shown in Figure 13, the retaining member 50 is attached to the conductor unit housing body 48 by locking the pair of locking plates 50C of the retaining member 50 to both ends of the conductor unit housing body 48 in the width direction. Furthermore, when the retaining member 50 is attached to the conductor unit housing body 48, each conductor unit 44, 46 housed in each conductor unit housing section 48A is prevented from coming out of each conductor unit housing section 48A toward the other side in the connection axis direction.

[0066] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 13, the 16 conductor units 44 are connected to the aforementioned 8 terminal units 20. The 12 conductor units 46 are connected to the aforementioned 6 terminal units 22. Here, the configurations of the conductor units 44 and 46 are similar, except for the difference in the number of inner conductor portions 52. Therefore, the configuration of the conductor unit 44 will be described below, and the description of the configuration of the conductor unit 46 will be omitted. Note that in the conductor unit 46, the components and parts corresponding to those of the conductor unit 44 will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those corresponding to the conductor unit 44.

[0067] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the conductor unit 44 comprises an inner conductor portion 52, an outer conductor portion 54 covering the inner conductor portion 52, and a pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics provided between the inner conductor portion 52 and the outer conductor portion 54 and supporting the inner conductor portion 52. It is equipped with a body 56.

[0068] As shown in Figure 17, the inner conductor portion 52 is formed by bending a metal plate into a cylindrical shape, etc. The other end of this inner conductor portion 52 in the connection axis direction is fixed to the core wire 14A of the electric wire 14.

[0069] The outer conductor portion 54 is formed by bending a metal plate that has been cut to a predetermined shape. This outer conductor portion 54 comprises a conductor portion side covering portion 58 and an outer conductor fixing portion 60. The outer conductor fixing portion 60 is fixed to the outer conductor 14B of the electric wire 14.

[0070] The conductor-side covering portion 58 includes a rectangular first conductor plate 58A that extends in the connection axis direction and vertically, with the width direction being the thickness direction. The conductor-side covering portion 58 also includes a pair of second conductor plates 58B that bend and extend from the upper and lower ends of the first conductor plate 58A toward one side in the width direction. The pair of second conductor plates 58B are formed in a rectangular shape that extends in the connection axis direction and horizontally, with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, and extend parallel to each other. Furthermore, the conductor-side covering portion 58 includes a pair of third conductor plates 58C that extend upward and downward, respectively, from one end of the pair of second conductor plates 58B in the width direction. The pair of third conductor plates 58C are formed in a rectangular shape that extends in the connection axis direction and vertically, with the width direction being the thickness direction, and extend parallel to the first conductor plate 58A. The ends of the pair of third conductor plates 58C opposite to the pair of second conductor plates 58B are in contact with or close to each other. As a result, a cylindrical space is formed between the first conductor plate 58A, the pair of second conductor plates 58B, and the pair of third conductor plates 58C, in which the inner conductor portion 52 and the majority of the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 are arranged. In this embodiment, the pair of third conductor plates 58C extend from the central portion in the connection axis direction of the pair of second conductor plates 58B to the other end in the connection axis direction. As a result, a notch 58D is formed on one side of the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 in the connection axis direction, where a part of the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 is cut out.

[0071] The pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 are formed in a block shape. A support groove 56A is formed on the side of one conductor unit-side dielectric 56 that faces the other conductor unit-side dielectric 56, into which the inner conductor portion 52 fits. Similarly, a support groove 56A is formed on the side of the other conductor unit-side dielectric 56 that faces the one conductor unit-side dielectric 56. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 are fitted together in the width direction, and the inner conductor portion 52 is positioned between the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56, so that the inner conductor portion 52 is supported by the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56. The pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 are also positioned within the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54. When the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 are positioned within the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54, a portion 56B of the pair of conductor unit-side dielectrics 56 is exposed at the notch 58D.

[0072] As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment is assembled by the following procedure.

[0073] First, multiple conductor units 44 and 46 are inserted into the multiple conductor unit housing sections 48A of the conductor unit housing body 48. Next, the retaining member 50 is attached to the conductor unit housing body 48 by locking the pair of locking plates 50C of the retaining member 50 to both ends of the conductor unit housing body 48 in the width direction. Through these steps, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment is assembled, in which multiple conductor units 44 and 46 are arranged in 14 rows in the width direction and 2 rows in the vertical direction.

[0074] (Operation and effects of this embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0075] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 13, the circuit board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 in this embodiment are connected by inserting the portion of the conductor unit housing body 48 of the wire connector 16 that is on the connection axis side into the terminal unit housing 18 of the circuit board connector 12.

[0076] Furthermore, when the circuit board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected, the first retaining portion 18F of the terminal unit housing 18 and the second retaining portion 48B of the conductor unit housing body 48 are engaged. This makes it easy to maintain the connection between the circuit board connector 12 and the wire connector 16. In addition, in this embodiment, the connection retaining member 62 is engaged with the second retaining portion 48B. This prevents the engagement between the first retaining portion 18F and the second retaining portion 48B from being released by the connection retaining member 62. The connection between the circuit board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 can be released by removing the connection retaining member 62 from the second retaining portion 48B and releasing the engagement between the first retaining portion 18F and the second retaining portion 48B.

[0077] When the circuit board connector 12 and the wire connector 16 are connected, the multiple terminal units 20 and 22 and the multiple conductor units 44 and 46 are connected simultaneously. As a result, the configuration of this embodiment can be made more efficient to work with compared to a configuration in which the multiple terminal units 20 and 22 and the multiple conductor units 44 and 46 are connected individually. The connection between one terminal unit 20 and a pair of conductor units 44 will be described below.

[0078] Figures 18 to 20 show the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 in their pre-connection state, while Figures 21 to 23 show the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 in their completed connection state. As shown in these figures, when the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the connection portion 26D of one inner terminal 26 of the terminal unit 20 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52 of one conductor unit 44 (see Figure 16), and the connection portion 26D of the other inner terminal 26 of the terminal unit 20 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52 of the other conductor unit 44 (see Figure 16).

[0079] Furthermore, when the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the substrate portion 34D of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 is positioned to close the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of one of the conductor units 44, and also to close the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of the other conductor unit 44.

[0080] Furthermore, when the terminal unit 20 and the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, a pair of contact portions 34E of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 contact the edge of the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of one of the conductor units 44 (the end of the pair of second conductor plates 58B). In addition, another pair of contact portions 34E of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 contact the edge of the notch 58D of the conductor-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54 of the other conductor unit 44 (the end of the pair of second conductor plates 58B). This connects the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 to the outer conductor portions 54 of the pair of conductor units 44. In this embodiment, when the outer terminal 28 of the terminal unit 20 and the outer conductor portions 54 of the pair of conductor units 44 are connected, the contact portions 34E bend toward the opposite side of the edge of the notch 58D. As a result, the contact portion 34E is biased toward the edge of the notch portion 58D and is in contact with the edge of the notch portion 58D.

[0081] In this embodiment, the board connector 12 has an inner terminal 26, an outer terminal 28, and a terminal unit The board connector 12 comprises a plurality of terminal units 20, 22 having a nit-side dielectric 40. The plurality of terminal units 20, 22 are arranged in a line in the width direction with adjacent units touching each other. In this way, with the configuration of the board connector 12 of this embodiment, by appropriately setting the number of plurality of terminal units 20, 22, it is possible to easily develop variations of the board connector 12 that correspond to variations of the wire connector 16.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 8, and 9, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the mating portion 30E of one terminal unit 20, 22 is mated with the mating portion 30D of another terminal unit 20, 22 adjacent to that terminal unit 20, 22. This limits the relative displacement of one terminal unit 20, 22 with respect to the other terminal units 20, 22. As a result, when arranging multiple terminal units 20, 22 in one direction, the positioning of one terminal unit 20, 22 with respect to the other terminal units 20, 22 can be easily performed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the direction in which the mating portion 30E and the mated portion 30D are mated is perpendicular to the connection axis. This prevents the mating portion 30E of one terminal unit 20, 22 from coming loose from the mated portion 30D of the other terminal unit 20, 22 when connecting the board connector 12 and the wire connector 16.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 to 11, in the PCB connector 12 of this embodiment, the outer terminals 28 of the terminal units 20 and 22 are composed of a first terminal forming plate 34 and a second terminal forming plate 36. This makes it possible to inexpensively form the outer terminals 28 having a terminal-side covering portion 38. Moreover, in the PCB connector 12 of this embodiment, by combining a single first terminal forming plate 34 and two second terminal forming plates 36, two terminal-side covering portions 38 can be formed along the single first terminal forming plate 34.

[0085] Furthermore, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the terminal-side covering portion 38 is formed by a first main plate portion 34A, a second main plate portion 36A, and at least one of the first side plate portion 34F and the second side plate portion 36B. With this configuration, the terminal-side covering portion 38 corresponding to the inner terminal 26 which has a bent shape as in this embodiment can be easily formed. In addition, with this configuration, the terminal-side covering portion 38 corresponding to the inner terminal which has a curved shape can also be easily formed.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the board connector 12 of this embodiment, the multiple terminal units 20 and 22 are arranged between a pair of separation restricting portions 18D of the terminal unit housing 18, thereby restricting the separation of the multiple terminal units 20 and 22 in the width direction by the pair of separation restricting portions 18D.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting member locking portion 30H of the terminal body 30 of each terminal unit 20, 22 is locked into each locking groove 24A of the connecting member 24. This makes it easy to maintain the connected state with multiple terminal units 20, 22. In addition, the housing locking portion 24B of the connecting member 24 is locked into the locking groove 18E formed in the separation restricting portion 18D of the terminal unit housing 18. This makes it possible to firmly integrate multiple terminal units 20, 22 with the terminal unit housing 18.

[0088] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 to 16, the wire connector 16 of this embodiment includes a conductor unit housing 42 having a plurality of conductor unit housing sections 48A. By housing the plurality of conductor units 44 and 46 in the plurality of conductor unit housing sections 48A, the plurality of conductor units 44 and 46 are positioned in predetermined locations in the conductor unit housing 42. It can be easily supported.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 18 to 23, in this embodiment, with the board connector 12 connected to the wire connector 16, the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 is connected to the inner conductor portion 52, and the outer terminal 28 is connected to the outer conductor portion 54 with the terminal-side extension portion 34B positioned to close the notch portion 58D. In addition, the connection portion between the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 and the inner conductor portion 52 is covered by the outer conductor portion 54 and the terminal-side extension portion 34B. In this configuration, it is not necessary to overlap the outer conductor portion 54 and the outer terminal 28 in a direction intersecting the connection axis (connection axis intersection direction) in order to cover the connection portion between the connection portion 26D of the inner terminal 26 and the inner conductor portion 52. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector set 10 in the direction of the connection axis intersection.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact portion 34E of the terminal-side extension portion 34B of the outer terminal 28 is biased toward the edge of the notch portion 58D of the outer conductor portion 54 (conductor portion-side covering portion 58) and is in contact with the edge of the notch portion 58D. This ensures a stable electrical connection between the outer terminal 28 and the outer conductor portion 54.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner terminal 26 is covered by the terminal-side covering portion 38 of the outer terminal 28, and the inner conductor portion 52 is covered by the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54. This ensures electromagnetic noise resistance. In addition, in this embodiment, the terminal unit-side dielectric 40 supporting the inner terminal 26 is provided inside the terminal-side covering portion 38 of the outer terminal 28, and the conductor unit-side dielectric 56 supporting the inner conductor portion 52 is provided inside the conductor portion-side covering portion 58 of the outer conductor portion 54. With this configuration, impedance matching can be easily achieved by adjusting the volume of the terminal unit-side dielectric 40 and the conductor unit-side dielectric 56.

[0092] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10 Connector Set 12. PCB connector (connector, first connector) 16. Wire connector (second connector) 18 Terminal Unit Housing 18D Separation and Regulation Department 18F First retaining part (connection retaining part) 20 Terminal Unit 22 Terminal Unit 24 Connecting member 26 Inner terminals 28 Outer terminal 30D Mated part 30E Mating section 34 1st terminal forming plate 34A 1st main plate section 34F 1st side plate section 36 2nd terminal forming plate 36A 2nd main plate section 36B 2nd side plate part 40 Dielectric on the terminal unit side 44 Conductor Units 46 Conductor Units 48 Conductor Unit Housing 48A Conductor unit housing 48B Second retaining part (connecting retaining part) 52 Inner conductor section 54 Outer conductor section 56 Conductor unit side dielectric

Claims

1. A first connector comprising a plurality of terminal units, each having an inner terminal, an outer terminal covering the inner terminal, and a terminal unit-side dielectric provided between the inner terminal and the outer terminal to support the inner terminal, The first connector is arranged in a line in one direction with multiple adjacent terminal units touching each other, A plurality of conductor units having an inner conductor portion, an outer conductor portion covering the inner conductor portion, and a conductor unit-side dielectric provided between the inner conductor portion and the outer conductor portion to support the inner conductor portion, wherein the plurality of conductor units are arranged in a line in one direction, A conductor unit housing, which houses multiple conductor units and is formed as a separate component from the dielectric material on the conductor unit side, A second connector having, Equipped with, A connector set in which, with the first connector connected to the second connector, the inner terminals of a plurality of terminal units are connected to the inner conductor portions of a plurality of conductor units, and the outer terminals of a plurality of terminal units are connected to the outer conductor portions of a plurality of conductor units.

2. The second connector is, A mechanism to prevent multiple conductor units from coming out of the conductor unit housing. Stopping member Having, The connector set according to claim 1.

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