Connector and electronic device

Abstract

A connector 10 according to the present disclosure comprises: an insulator 20 that has an insertion section 23 into which a connection object 70 is inserted; a plurality of contacts 30; and a locking member 60. The locking member 60 has an elastically deformable retaining section 61 that extends along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70, a support-receiving section 63 that neighbors the retaining section 61 in a different direction from the insertion / removal direction, an elastically deformable first linking section 62 that is located further to the insertion side, toward which the connection object 70 is inserted, than the retaining section 61 and the support-receiving section 63, and links the retaining section 61 and the support-receiving section 63, a locking section 64 that is in the retaining section 61, said locking section 64 engaging with a locking-receiving section 77 of the connection object 70 during an inserted condition in which the connection object 70 has been inserted into the insertion section 23, and an attachment section 68 that is in the support-receiving section 63, said attachment section 68 being attached to the insulator 20 or a circuit board CB.

Description

Connectors and electronic devices CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-066423, filed on April 13, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector and an electronic device.

[0003] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there are known techniques relating to connectors used in communication devices and the like, which are connected to connection targets including flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs).

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which the rear end of the upper arm of a locking member is pushed up away from the rear end of the lower arm, causing the front end of the lower arm to approach the front end of the upper arm, and the locking protrusion is displaced within the connection object receiving portion toward the upper plate-like portion, locking the position of the connection end of the connection object. Such a connector can effectively prevent the mated flat or sheet-like connection object from coming loose.

[0005] Patent No. 6342300

[0006] A connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector into which a connection object can be inserted and removed, comprising: an insulator having an insertion portion into which the connection object is inserted, a plurality of contacts attached to the insulator, and a locking member attached to the insulator. The locking member has an elastically deformable holding portion extending in a direction in which the connection object is inserted and removed, a supported portion adjacent to the holding portion in a direction different from the insertion and removal direction, an elastically deformable first connecting portion located on an insertion side in which the connection object is inserted relative to the holding portion and the supported portion and connecting the holding portion and the supported portion, a locking portion on the holding portion that engages with the locked portion of the connection object in an inserted state in which the connection object is inserted into the insertion portion, and an attaching portion on the supported portion that is attached to the insulator or a circuit board.

[0007] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the connector described above.

[0008] 1 is an external perspective view showing a connector and a connection object according to one embodiment in an uninserted state, as seen from above. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the connector and the connection object of FIG. 1 as seen from below. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the locking member alone, as seen from above. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the area V enclosed by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a first external perspective view showing the connector and the connection object according to one embodiment in an inserted state, as seen from above. FIG. 6 is a third external perspective view showing the connector and the connection object according to one embodiment in an inserted state, as seen from above. FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the area IX enclosed by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X arrow line in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XI-XI arrow line in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XII-XII arrow line in FIG. 9, with the connection object hidden. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12 when the actuator is in a half-open position. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12 when the actuator is in an open position. 12, 13, and 14 are cross-sectional views showing connection objects and corresponding to Fig. 12; Fig. 14, and 14 are cross-sectional views showing connection objects and corresponding to Fig. 13; Fig. 14, and 14 are cross-sectional views showing connection objects and corresponding to Fig. 14;

[0009] In recent years, with the miniaturization of communication devices and the like, there has been a demand for smaller and thinner connectors that connect to connected objects. However, when trying to achieve a smaller connector area, there has been a problem in that it is difficult to design a structure that locks the connector to the connected object.

[0010] For example, in the case of the locking member of the connector described in Patent Document 1, when the dimension in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object becomes smaller, it becomes difficult to maintain the spring of the locking member long. This causes problems such as the locking member becoming less elastically deformable and becoming more likely to undergo plastic deformation. This reduces the reliability of the connector as a product.

[0011] According to the connector and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, reliability can be maintained even when miniaturized.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings. In some drawings, a circuit board CB, which will be described later, is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0013] The configuration of a connector 10 and a connection object 70 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector 10 and a connection object 70 according to an embodiment in an uninserted state, as viewed from above. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a bottom view of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 of Fig. 1.

[0015] 1 and 2 , the connector 10 includes an insulator 20, contacts 30 including a first contact 30 a and a second contact 30 b, a metal fitting 40, an actuator 50, and a locking member 60. The first contact 30 a, the second contact 30 b, the metal fitting 40, the actuator 50, and the locking member 60 are attached to the insulator 20.

[0016] In this specification, the "non-inserted state" includes, for example, a state in which the connection object 70 is not inserted into the connector 10 and the first contacts 30a and second contacts 30b of the connector 10 are not elastically deformed. The "inserted state" includes, for example, a state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the connector 10 and the first contacts 30a and second contacts 30b are in contact with the connection object 70 and elastically deformed.

[0017] In this specification, the "closed position" includes, for example, the position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is closed relative to the insulator 20. When the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are in an inserted state and the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the connector 10 holds the connection object 70. The "open position" includes, for example, the position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is tilted open at a predetermined angle relative to the insulator 20. When the actuator 50 is in the open position, the connection object 70 inserted in the connector 10 can be removed from the connector 10. The "half-open position" includes the position of the actuator 50 when it is between the closed position and the open position. The actuator 50 can rotate relative to the insulator 20 between the closed position and the open position, passing through the half-open position.

[0018] In this specification, the "closed state" includes, for example, the state of the connector 10 when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. The "half-open state" includes, for example, the state of the connector 10 when the actuator 50 is in the half-open position. The "open state" includes, for example, the state of the connector 10 when the actuator 50 is in the open position.

[0019] As used below, the "insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70" refers to the front-to-rear direction, for example. The "insertion direction of the connection object 70" refers to the rear direction, for example. The "removal direction of the connection object 70" refers to the front direction, for example. The "arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30" refers to the left-to-right direction, for example. The "direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70 and the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30" refers to the up-down direction, for example. The "removal side" refers to the front side, for example. The "insertion side" refers to the rear side, for example. The "insertion opening 23a side" refers to the front side, for example. The "open position side" refers to the upper side, for example. The "closed position side" refers to the lower side, for example. The "side of the circuit board CB" refers to the lower side, for example. The "side opposite to the circuit board CB" refers to the upper side, for example.

[0020] 1 , a connector 10 according to one embodiment is mounted on a circuit board CB. The circuit board CB may be a rigid board or any other type of circuit board. The connector 10 electrically connects a connection object 70 inserted into the connector 10 to the circuit board CB via first contacts 30 a and second contacts 30 b. The connector 10 is capable of inserting and removing the connection object 70, and is connected to the connection object 70 in the inserted state.

[0021] In the following description, the connection object 70 is assumed to be inserted into the connector 10 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB on which the connector 10 is mounted. As an example, the connection object 70 is inserted into the connector 10 along the front-to-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection object 70 may be inserted into the connector 10 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board CB on which the connector 10 is mounted. The connection object 70 may also be inserted into the connector 10 along the up-down direction.

[0022] The connection object 70 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). However, the connection object 70 is not limited to this, and may be any cable as long as it is electrically connected to the circuit board CB via the connector 10. For example, the connection object 70 may be a flexible flat cable (FFC). The connection object 70 is not limited to the above-mentioned cable, and may include any object. For example, the connection object 70 may include a rigid board or any other circuit board.

[0023] 1 and 2 , the connection object 70 has a tip portion 71 that is located on the insertion side of the connection object 70 and is received in the connector 10 in an inserted state. The connection object 70 has a tip surface 72 that forms the end face of the insertion side of the connection object 70 at the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has a plurality of signal lines 73 that extend linearly in the insertion / removal direction relative to the connector 10 and extend to the tip portion 71. The signal lines 73 include first signal lines 73a and second signal lines 73b that are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. The first signal line 73a extends to the tip surface 72 at the tip portion 71. The second signal line 73b does not extend to the tip surface 72 at the tip portion 71, but is discontinued at the center of the tip portion 71 in the front-rear direction.

[0024] The connection object 70 has ground portions 74 formed at the left and right ends of the tip portion 71 so as to sandwich the signal line 73 from both left and right sides. The connection object 70 has an exterior 75 that covers the signal line 73 and the ground portion 74 on the removal side of the connection object 70. The signal line 73 and the ground portion 74 are covered by the exterior 75 on the removal side of the connection object 70, but are exposed upward at the tip portion 71.

[0025] The connection object 70 has holding portions 76 formed on both the left and right sides of the insertion side of the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has locked portions 77 adjacent to the holding portions 76 on the removal side and formed by cutting out both the left and right edges of the tip portion 71. The connection object 70 has guide portions 78 formed in an R-shape at the corners of the holding portions 76 on the insertion side.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 of FIG.

[0027] 3 , the connector 10 is assembled, for example, by the following method: The first contact 30a is press-fitted into the insulator 20 from the rear of the insulator 20; The second contact 30b is press-fitted into the insulator 20 from the front of the insulator 20; The metal fitting 40 is press-fitted into the insulator 20 from above the insulator 20; The actuator 50 is placed in the closed position relative to the insulator 20 from the rear, and is supported from below by the first contact 30a press-fitted into the insulator 20. In this way, the actuator 50 is attached to the insertion side of the insulator 20. With the actuator 50 attached to the insulator 20, the locking member 60 is attached to the insulator 20 from above the insulator 20.

[0028] The configuration of the insulator 20 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0029] The insulator 20 is a left-right symmetrical box-shaped component injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. However, the insulator 20 may be formed asymmetrically. The insulator 20 has four outer walls in the top, bottom, left, and right directions, and an outer peripheral wall 21 that is formed in a concave shape as a whole when viewed from above. The outer peripheral wall 21 has a top wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, and a pair of side walls 21c. The pair of side walls 21c protrude toward the insertion side beyond the top wall 21a and the bottom wall 21b. The insulator 20 has a rear wall 22 that vertically connects the top wall 21a and the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 at their rear ends.

[0030] The insulator 20 has an insertion portion 23 surrounded by a ceiling wall 21a, a bottom wall 21b, a pair of side walls 21c, and a rear wall 22. The insulator 20 has an insertion opening 23a for the insertion portion 23 formed as an opening at its front end. The insulator 20 has a first inclined surface 23b at the front end of the side wall 21c, which slopes inward in the left-right direction as it moves from the outside to the inside in the front-to-back direction and is continuous with the insertion portion 23. The insulator 20 has a second inclined surface 23c formed at the front end of the insertion portion 23, which slopes inward in the up-down direction as it moves from the outside to the inside in the front-to-back direction. The insertion portion 23 has an inner surface 23d that serves as a reference for positioning a tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction when inserted, as shown in FIG. 12 (described later), for example.

[0031] The insulator 20 has a first contact mounting groove 24 that penetrates the rear wall 22 and extends into the insertion portion 23. The insulator 20 has a second contact mounting groove 25 that extends over the entire front-to-rear direction in the top wall 21 a and the bottom wall 21 b. The second contact mounting groove 25 is recessed into the top wall 21 a on the inner side in the up-down direction. The second contact mounting groove 25 is recessed into the bottom wall 21 b on the inner side in the up-down direction.

[0032] The multiple first contact mounting grooves 24 are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other. The multiple second contact mounting grooves 25 are arranged in the left-right direction at a predetermined interval from each other. The left-right interval between adjacent pairs of second contact mounting grooves 25 is approximately the same as the left-right interval between adjacent pairs of first contact mounting grooves 24. The first contact mounting grooves 24 and the second contact mounting grooves 25 are arranged alternately along the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30.

[0033] The insulator 20 has a metal fitting mounting groove 26 recessed in the front half of the side wall 21 c. The metal fitting mounting groove 26 has a wall portion 26 a that extends from the side wall 21 c to the top wall 21 a at a corner located on the front side of the insulator 20. The insulator 20 has a mounting groove 27 recessed from the rear half of the side wall 21 c to a position in the top wall 21 a adjacent to the metal fitting mounting groove 26. The insulator 20 has a restriction surface 28 formed by the rear surface of the rear wall 22.

[0034] The configuration of the first contact 30a will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0035] The first contact 30a is formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, into the shape shown in FIG. 3 . The first contact 30a is formed, for example, by a punching process alone. The processing method for the first contact 30a is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The surface of the first contact 30a is plated with a nickel base and then coated with a gold or tin surface plating. The multiple first contacts 30a are aligned with the multiple first contact mounting grooves 24, respectively, and are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from each other.

[0036] The first contact 30a has a locking portion 31a extending in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The first contact 30a has a mounting portion 32a formed at the rear end of the locking portion 31a. The first contact 30a has a connecting portion 33a extending upward from the center of the locking portion 31a. The first contact 30a has a resilient contact piece 34a connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 33a. The resilient contact piece 34a extends in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70 and is resiliently deformable in the up-down direction.

[0037] The configuration of the second contact 30b will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0038] The second contacts 30b are formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, into the shape shown in FIG. 3 . The second contacts 30b are formed, for example, by a punching process alone. The processing method for the second contacts 30b is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a process of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The surfaces of the second contacts 30b are plated with a nickel base and then coated with a gold or tin surface plating. The multiple second contacts 30b are aligned with the multiple second contact mounting grooves 25, respectively, and are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from each other.

[0039] The second contact 30b has a locking portion 31b extending in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The second contact 30b has a mounting portion 32b formed at the front end of the locking portion 31b. The second contact 30b has a resilient contact piece 33b extending upward from the rear end of the locking portion 31b and bending in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The resilient contact piece 33b extends in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70 and is resiliently deformable in the up-and-down direction.

[0040] The configuration of the metal fitting 40 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0041] The metal fitting 40 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Figure 3. The metal fitting 40 is formed, for example, by punching the plate and then bending it in the thickness direction. The method for processing the metal fitting 40 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. A pair of metal fittings 40 is disposed on both the left and right ends of the connector 10.

[0042] The metal fitting 40 has a base 41. The base 41 is formed as a rectangle extending in the front-to-rear and up-and-down directions. The metal fitting 40 has a mounting portion 42 that forms the lower end of the base 41. The mounting portion 42 is formed over the entire base 41 in the front-to-back direction. The metal fitting 40 has a ceiling portion 43 that extends from the front end of the base 41 while bending inward in the left-to-right direction.

[0043] The configuration of the actuator 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0044] The actuator 50 is a symmetrical plate-like member extending in the left-right direction as shown in Fig. 3, which is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. However, the actuator 50 is not limited to this, and may be formed asymmetrically. The actuator 50 has a base 51 extending in the left-right direction like a plate. The actuator 50 has a regulated surface 52 that forms the front surface of the base 51. The regulated surface 52 is an inclined surface that slopes obliquely upward from the front to the rear when the actuator 50 is in the closed position.

[0045] The actuator 50 has a cam portion 53 located at the front end in a cutout portion formed by cutting out the regulated surface 52 along the front-rear direction. The multiple cam portions 53 are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from one another. The actuator 50 has a pair of pressing portions 54 that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the left-right side surfaces of the actuator 50 and are formed in positions that sandwich the multiple cam portions 53 from both left and right sides.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 12 , which will be described later, the pressing portion 54 has a first surface 54a that is horizontal when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. The pressing portion 54 has a second surface 54b that is connected to the first surface 54a and configured as a curved surface facing forward. The pressing portion 54 has a third surface 54c that is connected to the second surface 54b and configured as the bottom surface of the pressing portion 54. The pressing portion 54 has a fourth surface 54d that is connected to the third surface 54c and extends obliquely upward toward the rear. The pressing portion 54 has a fifth surface 54e that is connected to the first surface 54a and extends obliquely downward toward the rear. The pressing portion 54 has an R-surface 54f that connects the fourth surface 54d and the fifth surface 54e. The pressing portion 54 has a fourth surface 54d, a rounded surface 54f, and a contact pressure portion 54g formed in a rounded shape at the rear portion including the fifth surface 54e.

[0047] 3, the actuator 50 has an operating portion 55 formed at the rear of the base 51. When the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the upper surface of the operating portion 55 is horizontal, while the lower surface of the operating portion 55 is inclined obliquely upward from the front to the rear, thereby tapering toward the rear.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the locking member 60 alone as seen from above in Fig. 3. The configuration of the locking member 60 will be mainly described with reference to Figs.

[0049] The locking member 60 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Figure 4. The locking member 60 is formed into an overall J-shape by, for example, punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The method of processing the locking member 60 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. A pair of locking members 60 is disposed on both the left and right ends of the connector 10.

[0050] The locking member 60 has an elastically deformable holding portion 61 extending along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The locking member 60 has an elastically deformable first linking portion 62 extending from the holding portion 61 in a direction different from the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The entire first linking portion 62 extends along the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30. The first linking portion 62 is bent in a U-shape. The first linking portion 62 extends outward in the left-right direction relative to the holding portion 61 while being bent 180 degrees from the rear end of the holding portion 61. The locking member 60 has a first supported portion 63 extending from the first linking portion 62. The first supported portion 63 extends along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The first supported portion 63 is adjacent to the holding portion 61 in a direction different from the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70, for example, in the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30.

[0051] The holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 are connected by a first connecting portion 62 that is bent into a U-shape, and are formed so as to be parallel to each other along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The first connecting portion 62 is located on the insertion side, where the connection object 70 is inserted, relative to the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63, and connects the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63.

[0052] The locking member 60 has a locking portion 64 formed at the front end of the holding portion 61. The locking portion 64 has a contact surface 64a that forms its front surface and is formed as a curved surface. The locking portion 64 has a restriction surface 64b that extends upward as a flat surface from the lower end of the contact surface 64a.

[0053] The locking member 60 has a second supported portion 65 that protrudes downward from the center of the holding portion 61. The locking member 60 has a second connecting portion 66 formed at the rear end of the holding portion 61. The second connecting portion 66 extends toward the circuit board CB in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70 and the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30. The second connecting portion 66 is bent in a U-shape. The second connecting portion 66 connects a portion of the holding portion 61 that is located forward of the second connecting portion 66 to the first connecting portion 62. The locking member 60 has a pressed portion 67 formed on the holding portion 61 between the second supported portion 65 and the second connecting portion 66.

[0054] The locking member 60 has an attachment portion 68 formed on the first supported portion 63. The attachment portion 68 is bifurcated. The attachment portion 68 is formed at the same position as the pressed portion 67 in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70. The pressed portion 67 and the attachment portion 68 are formed at the same front-to-rear positions.

[0055] The thickness direction of the locking member 60 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30 in the holding portion 61. The thickness direction of the locking member 60 is the same as the left-right direction in the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63. The rolled surface of the metal plate that is the base material of the locking member 60 in the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 is a flat surface that extends in the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30 and the up-down direction. In the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63, the locking member 60 is flat along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70.

[0056] The surface of the locking member 60 is plated, and the plating of the attachment portion 68 has higher wettability than the portions of the locking member 60 other than the attachment portion 68. In this specification, "wettability" refers to the ease with which solder adheres to a metal surface when soldering components. The plating of the attachment portion 68 includes, for example, gold plating. The plating of the portions other than the attachment portion 68 includes, for example, nickel plating. This allows the connector 10 to reduce the rise of solder from the attachment portion 68 to the first coupling portion 62, improving product reliability.

[0057] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the area V enclosed by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1 . FIG. 6 is a first external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment in an inserted state, as viewed from above. In FIG. 6, the actuator 50 of the connector 10 is in a closed position. FIG. 7 is a second external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment in an inserted state, as viewed from above. In FIG. 7, the actuator 50 of the connector 10 is in a half-open position. FIG. 8 is a third external perspective view showing the connector 10 and the connection object 70 according to one embodiment in an inserted state, as viewed from above. In FIG. 8, the actuator 50 of the connector 10 is in an open position. FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of the area IX enclosed by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 6 . FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X arrow in FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XI-XI arrow in FIG. 9 .

[0058] 5 and 9 , the metal fitting 40 is attached to the front half of the side wall 21c by engaging the ceiling portion 43 with the metal fitting mounting groove 26 of the insulator 20. At this time, the ceiling portion 43 faces from above while contacting or being close to the upper surface of the wall portion 26a of the metal fitting mounting groove 26. The ceiling portion 43 is positioned higher than the wall portion 26a of the metal fitting mounting groove 26. The wall portion 26a is interposed between the ceiling portion 43 of the metal fitting 40 and the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20, separating the ceiling portion 43 from the insertion portion 23. The insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20, the wall portion 26a, and the ceiling portion 43 of the metal fitting 40 are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside in the vertical direction of the insertion portion 23.

[0059] The metal fittings 40 are arranged outward of the outermost first contacts 30a in the arrangement direction of the contacts 30. The positions of the first contact mounting grooves 24 in which the outermost first contacts 30a are mounted and the positions of the metal fitting mounting grooves 26 in which the metal fittings 40 are mounted are misaligned in the left-right direction on the insulator 20.

[0060] The wall portion 26a of the insulator 20 has a first surface S1 formed to overlap the first contact attachment groove 24 located outermost in the left-right direction. The wall portion 26a has a second surface S2 formed outward in the left-right direction from the first surface S1 and located one step lower than the first surface S1. The second surface S2 is located lower than the first surface S1 relative to the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 face inward, i.e., downward, of the insertion portion 23. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 constitute part of the inner surface of the insertion portion 23.

[0061] The third surface S3 constituting the front surface of the wall portion 26a extends in the vertical direction from the first surface S1 to the second surface S2. The third surface S3 slopes inward in the front-to-rear direction of the insertion portion 23 as it extends from top to bottom. The third surface S3 is configured as an inclined surface that slopes rearward from the first surface S1 to the second surface S2. The front edge of the second surface S2 is located rearward of the front edge of the first surface S1.

[0062] The metal fittings 40 are disposed in the same position as the locking members 60 in the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30. The positions of the metal fitting mounting grooves 26 to which the metal fittings 40 are attached and the positions of the mounting grooves 27 to which the locking members 60 are attached overlap in the front-to-rear direction of the insulator 20. The metal fitting mounting grooves 26 and the mounting grooves 27 are formed in the same left-to-right positions on the insulator 20.

[0063] 3 and 6 to 8, in the connector 10, the actuator 50 is disposed behind the rear wall 22 of the insulator 20 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of side walls 21c on both the left and right sides. In the closed position, the actuator 50 is supported from below by the first contact 30a. At this time, the lower surface of the base 51 of the actuator 50 contacts the upper surface of the first contact 30a, which is located at the rear half of the locking portion 31a. The cam portion 53 of the actuator 50 is accommodated in an area sandwiched between the rear half of the locking portion 31a of the first contact 30a, the connecting portion 33a, and the rear end of the resilient contact piece 34a.

[0064] The actuator 50 is rotatable relative to the insulator 20 between a closed position when closed relative to the insulator 20 and an open position when open relative to the insulator 20. When the actuator 50 moves from the closed position past the half-open position toward the open position, it rotates from the insertion side of the connection object 70 toward the removal side.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the connector 10, the first contact 30a is attached from the rear wall 22 to the inside of the insertion portion 23 by the locking portion 31a being locked into the first contact attachment groove 24 of the insulator 20.

[0066] When the locking portion 31a of the first contact 30a is attached to the first contact attachment groove 24 of the insulator 20, a portion of the resilient contact piece 34a is positioned inside the insertion portion 23. In an inserted state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the resilient contact pieces 34a of the pair of first contacts 30a arranged at the outermost positions in the left-right direction come into contact with the ground portion 74 of the connection object 70. The resilient contact pieces 34a of the other plurality of first contacts 30a sandwiched between the pair of first contacts 30a arranged at the outermost positions in the left-right direction come into contact with the first signal line 73a of the connection object 70.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, in the connector 10, the second contact 30b is attached from the inside of the insertion portion 23 to the rear wall 22 by the locking portion 31b being locked into the second contact attachment groove 25 of the insulator 20.

[0068] When the locking portion 31b of the second contact 30b is attached to the second contact attachment groove 25 of the insulator 20, a portion of the resilient contact piece 33b is positioned inside the insertion portion 23. In an inserted state in which the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23, the resilient contact pieces 33b of the pair of second contacts 30b arranged at the outermost positions in the left-right direction come into contact with the ground portion 74 of the connection object 70. The resilient contact pieces 33b of the other plurality of second contacts 30b sandwiched between the pair of second contacts 30b arranged at the outermost positions in the left-right direction come into contact with the second signal line 73b of the connection object 70.

[0069] 9 , the locking member 60 is attached to the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20, extending from the side wall 21c to the ceiling wall 21a. The retaining portion 61 of the locking member 60 is disposed in the mounting groove 27 at a portion located on the ceiling wall 21a. The first supported portion 63 of the locking member 60 is disposed in the mounting groove 27 at a portion located on the side wall 21c. At this time, the retaining portion 61 of the locking member 60 is sandwiched between the insulator 20 in the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30. The retaining portion 61 is disposed between the ceiling wall 21a and the side wall 21c, and is disposed slightly spaced apart from the ceiling wall 21a and the side wall 21c in the left-right direction.

[0070] The connector 10 is mounted on a circuit formation surface formed on the upper surface of a circuit board CB arranged substantially parallel to the insertion / removal direction. More specifically, the mounting portion 32a of the first contact 30a is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 32b of the second contact 30b is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 42 of the metal fitting 40 is placed on solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB. The attachment portion 68 of the locking member 60 is placed on solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB.

[0071] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 32a, 32b, 42, and the attachment portion 68 are soldered to the above-mentioned patterns. As a result, the mounting of the connector 10 on the circuit board CB is completed. At this time, the attachment portion 68 of the locking member 60 is attached to the circuit board CB. In this manner, the attachment portion 68 of the locking member 60 is mounted on the circuit board CB. Electronic components other than the connector 10, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, or a memory, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB.

[0072] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XII-XII in FIG. 9, with the connection object 70 not shown. The following mainly describes the functions of the actuator 50 and the locking member 60 when the locking member 60 is attached to the circuit board CB and is attached to the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20, and the actuator 50 is in the closed position.

[0073] The pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 is housed in a space formed by the second supported portion 65, the pressed portion 67, and the front portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60. At this time, the first surface 54a of the pressing portion 54 faces, but is spaced apart from, the lower surface of the pressed portion 67 of the locking member 60. The second surface 54b of the pressing portion 54 faces, but is spaced apart from, the rear surface of the second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60. The third surface 54c of the pressing portion 54 faces, but is spaced apart from, the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. The contact pressure portion 54g, which is formed as an R-shape by the fourth surface 54d, the R-surface 54f, and the fifth surface 54e of the pressing portion 54, comes into contact with or is close to the frontmost surface of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60.

[0074] At this time, the pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 does not press the locking member 60. The holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 extends obliquely downward and forward from the front end of the second connecting portion 66 when it is not receiving pressing force from the actuator 50 and is not elastically deformed. A part of the locking portion 64 located at the front end of the holding portion 61 is located inside the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20. The contact surface 64a of the locking portion 64 is located behind the insertion opening 23a of the insulator 20. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 faces the inner surface 23d of the insulator 20 while being spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0075] The second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 comes into contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. As a result, the locking member 60 is supported from below by the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. The bent portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is located behind the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 and is exposed downward from the insulator 20 without overlapping with the insulator 20. The tip of the bent portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is located outward from the inner surface of the insertion portion 23. For example, the lower end of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is located below the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b that corresponds to the inner surface of the insertion portion 23.

[0076] The bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 is interposed between the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60 and the circuit board CB. The insulator 20 is formed below the locking portion 64.

[0077] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12 when the actuator 50 is in the half-open position.

[0078] 13 , the following mainly describes the functions of the actuator 50 and the locking member 60 when the locking member 60 is attached to the circuit board CB and is attached to the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20 and the actuator 50 is in the half-open position. The actuator 50 rotates toward the removal side when the operating part 55 is operated by, for example, an assembly device or an assembly worker to lift the operating part 55 toward the removal side.

[0079] The pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 is housed in a space formed by the second supported portion 65, the pressed portion 67, and the front portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60, and is tilted obliquely at a first angle as the actuator 50 rotates. At this time, the first surface 54a of the pressing portion 54 tilts obliquely downward from rear to front and moves away from the locking member 60. The second surface 54b of the pressing portion 54 faces the rear surface of the second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 while being spaced apart. The third surface 54c of the pressing portion 54 tilts obliquely upward from front to rear and moves away from the locking member 60. The tip of the contact pressure portion 54g, which is formed as an R-shape by the fourth surface 54d, the R-surface 54f, and the fifth surface 54e of the pressing portion 54, comes into contact with the frontmost surface of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60. The portion of the pressure contact portion 54 g that is located at the connection between the fifth surface 54 e and the first surface 54 a comes into contact with the lower surface of the pressed portion 67 of the locking member 60 .

[0080] The pressed portion 67 of the locking member 60 receives a pressing force from the pressing portion 54 when the actuator 50 is in the half-open position. The holding portion 61 is slightly elastically deformed upward due to the pressing force received from the contact portion 54g when the underside of the pressed portion 67 comes into contact with the contact portion 54g. The pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 presses the holding portion 61 in the half-open position, causing it to be slightly elastically deformed upward.

[0081] The holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 extends substantially horizontally forward from the front end of the second connecting portion 66. Only the lower end of the locking portion 64 located at the front end of the holding portion 61 is located inside the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20, and the rest of the locking portion 64 moves from the insertion portion 23 into the mounting groove 27. Substantially the entire contact surface 64a of the locking portion 64 is located inside the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20. Substantially the entire restriction surface 64b of the locking portion 64 is located inside the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20. The tip of the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 protrudes slightly above the top wall 21a of the insulator 20.

[0082] The second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 is spaced apart from the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. Instead of being supported from below by the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20, the locking member 60 is supported from below by a pressing force applied from below by the operating portion 55 to the pressed portion 67 via the pressing portion 54. The bent portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is located behind the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 and is exposed downward from the insulator 20 without overlapping with the insulator 20. The lower end of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is still located below the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b.

[0083] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12 when the actuator 50 is in the open position.

[0084] 14 , the following mainly describes the functions of the actuator 50 and the locking member 60 when the locking member 60 is attached to the circuit board CB and is attached to the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20 and the actuator 50 is in the open position. The actuator 50 further rotates from the half-open position toward the removal side when the operating part 55 is operated by, for example, an assembly device or an assembly worker to further lift the operating part 55 toward the removal side. The actuator 50 is restricted from rotating further toward the removal side than the open position when the restricted surface 52 comes into contact with the restricting surface 28 located on the rear wall 22 of the insulator 20.

[0085] While housed in the space formed by the second supported portion 65, the pressed portion 67, and the front portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60, the pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 tilts obliquely at a large second angle as the actuator 50 rotates further. The second angle is even larger than the first angle in the half-open position. At this time, the first surface 54a of the pressing portion 54 tilts obliquely downward from rear to front and faces the second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 while being spaced apart. The second surface 54b of the pressing portion 54 faces the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 while being spaced apart. The third surface 54c of the pressing portion 54 tilts obliquely upward from front to rear and faces the frontmost surface of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 while being spaced apart. The tip of the contact portion 54 g of the pressing portion 54 , which is formed in a rounded shape by the fourth surface 54 d , the rounded surface 54 f , and the fifth surface 54 e , comes into contact with the lower surface of the pressed portion 67 of the locking member 60 .

[0086] The pressed portion 67 of the locking member 60 receives a pressing force from the pressing portion 54 when the actuator 50 is in the open position. The holding portion 61 is elastically deformed upward by the pressing force received from the contact portion 54g when the underside of the pressed portion 67 comes into contact with the contact portion 54g. The pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 presses the holding portion 61 in the open position, causing it to elastically deform upward by a large amount.

[0087] The holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 extends obliquely upward and forward from the front end of the second connecting portion 66. The locking portion 64 located at the front end of the holding portion 61 moves completely from the insertion portion 23 into the interior of the mounting groove 27. A portion of the locking portion 64 passes through the interior of the mounting groove 27 and moves from above the mounting groove 27 to the exterior of the insulator 20. This portion of the locking portion 64 is located above the insulator 20. The upper end of the contact surface 64a of the locking portion 64 moves upward from the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 is located inside the mounting groove 27 of the insulator 20. As described above, the tip of the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 protrudes significantly above the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20.

[0088] The second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 is spaced far away from the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20. Instead of being supported from below by the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20, the locking member 60 is supported from below by a pressing force applied from below by the operating portion 55 to the pressed portion 67 via the pressing portion 54. The bent portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is located behind the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 and is exposed downward from the insulator 20 without overlapping with the insulator 20. The lower end of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is still located below the upper surface of the bottom wall 21b.

[0089] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12, showing the connecting object 70. In FIG.

[0090] The connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20 with the actuator 50 in the closed position. When the connection object 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 23 of the connector 10, the tip portion 71 of the connection object 70 enters the insertion portion 23 along the first inclined surface 23b and the second inclined surface 23c of the insulator 20. At this time, even if the insertion position of the connection object 70 is slightly misaligned in the left-right direction with respect to the insertion portion 23, the guide portion 78 of the connection object 70 slides on the first inclined surface 23b of the insulator 20, and the connection object 70 is guided into the insertion portion 23. Similarly, even if the insertion position of the connection object 70 is slightly misaligned in the up-down direction with respect to the insertion portion 23, the tip portion 71 of the connection object 70 slides on the second inclined surface 23c of the insulator 20, and the connection object 70 is guided into the insertion portion 23.

[0091] As the connection object 70 moves further toward the inside of the insertion section 23, the holding portion 76 of the connection object 70 comes into contact with the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60. At this time, contact between the locking portion 64 and the tip end 71 of the connection object 70 via the contact surface 64a on the removal side of the locking portion 64 generates a resistance that elastically deforms the locking member 60 upward. Therefore, the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 is slightly elastically deformed upward due to this resistance.

[0092] When the connection object 70 moves further inward in the insertion section 23 with the locking section 64 and the holding section 76 in contact with each other, the restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the holding section 61 of the locking member 60 causes the locking section 64 to press the holding section 76 from above and climb onto the upper surface of the holding section 76. As the connection object 70 moves rearward, the holding section 76 slides against the lower end of the locking section 64.

[0093] 15 , in the inserted state, the holding portion 76 of the connection object 70 passes over the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60 and is housed inside the insertion portion 23. For example, the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 abuts against the inner surface 23d of the insertion portion 23 of the insulator 20. At this time, the locking portion 64 and the holding portion 76 are out of contact in the vertical direction, and the restoring force of the locking member 60 automatically returns the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 to the position it was in before the connection object 70 was inserted.

[0094] With the actuator 50 in this closed position, the locking portion 64 engages with the locked portion 77 of the connection object 70. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 faces the holding portion 76 of the connection object 70 from the front. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 is close to the front surface of the holding portion 76 and faces the front surface from the front. This allows the locking member 60 to hold the connection object 70 inserted into the insertion portion 23 in a prevented manner. In this state, even if an attempt is made to forcibly remove the connection object 70, the holding portion 76 of the connection object 70 will come into contact with the locking portion 64. Therefore, the connection object 70 is effectively held in a prevented manner.

[0095] In this way, the connector 10 holds the connection object 70 in an inserted state without requiring any operation of the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 by the assembly device or the assembly worker, by simply inserting the connection object 70. Only the locking member 60 is elastically deformed during the insertion of the connection object 70 into the connector 10. The actuator 50 is always in the closed position and does not rotate toward the removal side.

[0096] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 13, showing the connection object 70. In FIG.

[0097] When removing the connection object 70 from the connector 10, the assembly device or the assembly worker operates the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 to rotate the actuator 50 toward the removal side. The operating portion 55 receives an operation to open the actuator 50 from the closed position toward the removal side. When the actuator 50 rotates to the half-open position, the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 elastically deforms slightly upward. At this time, the locking portion 64 moves to directly above the locked portion 77 of the connection object 70. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 is positioned above the front surface of the holding portion 76 and no longer faces the front surface.

[0098] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 14, showing the connection object 70. In FIG.

[0099] When the actuator 50 rotates to the open position in response to an operation of the operating portion 55 to open the actuator 50 from the closed position to the open position, the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 undergoes large elastic deformation upward. At this time, the locking portion 64 moves significantly upward away from the locked portion 77 of the connection target 70. The restricting surface 64b of the locking portion 64 also moves significantly upward away from the front surface of the holding portion 76 and no longer completely faces the front surface.

[0100] As a result, the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60 and the locked portion 77 of the connection object 70 are no longer engaged with each other. The lock between the locking portion 64 and the locked portion 77 is released. As a result, the connection object 70 can be removed from the connector 10.

[0101] The following description will focus mainly on the connector 10 and explain its effects, but the same explanation also applies to electronic devices that have the connector 10.

[0102] The connector 10 according to the embodiment described above can maintain reliability even when miniaturized. In the connector 10, the holding portion 61 having the locking portion 64 and the first supported portion 63 having the mounting portion 68 are configured as different extensions, and the first supported portion 63 is not arranged on the same straight line as the holding portion 61. This allows the connector 10 to be configured so that the distance from the locking portion 64 to the mounting portion 68 is longer than in conventional connectors in which the locking portion and the mounting portion are formed on a single extension. In the connector 10, the distance between the locking portion 64 and the mounting portion 68 can be increased without increasing the dimension of the connection target 70 in the insertion / removal direction.

[0103] As a result, even if the connector 10 is miniaturized, the range of motion within which the locking member 60 elastically deforms can be maintained long. This makes it easier for the locking member 60 to elastically deform. Therefore, even if the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 is operated to elastically deform the locking member 60, the load applied to the range of motion is reduced. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the locking member 60 is reduced.

[0104] In addition, the distance between the mounting portion 68 mounted on the circuit board CB and the locking portion 64 is increased, reducing the stress applied to the mounting portion 68 due to the elastic deformation within the range of motion. This reduces the likelihood of problems such as peeling of the solder at the mounting portion 68.

[0105] This maintains the reliability of the connector 10 as a product. The connector 10 can be made both compact and reliable.

[0106] Since the first supported portion 63 extends along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70, the first connecting portion 62 connecting the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 to each other extends from the holding portion 61 and bends 180 degrees. This makes it possible to further increase the distance between the locking portion 64 and the mounting portion 68. Therefore, the connector 10 exhibits the above-mentioned effect of achieving both miniaturization and reliability more significantly.

[0107] Because the first connecting portion 62 is bent in a U-shape, the connector 10 can be configured so that the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 are more smoothly connected to each other. This makes it easier to disperse stress applied to the first connecting portion 62 when the locking member 60 is elastically deformed, compared to when the first connecting portion 62 is formed in a shape that is bent twice at right angles, for example. As a result, the connector 10 reduces breakage of the locking member 60 at the first connecting portion 62, and exhibits a more significant effect on reliability.

[0108] Since the thickness direction of the locking member 60 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30 in the retaining portion 61, it is possible to reduce the dimension of the connector 10 in the arrangement direction. In addition, the strength of the first connecting portion 62 that connects the retaining portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 to each other is improved, reducing the risk of damage to the locking member 60 when the locking member 60 elastically deforms. As a result, the connector 10 achieves a more significant effect in achieving both miniaturization and reliability.

[0109] The locking member 60 has a second connecting portion 66 formed on the holding portion 61, which extends toward the circuit board CB in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30. This makes it possible to further increase the distance between the locking portion 64 and the mounting portion 68 in the connector 10 without increasing the dimension of the connection object 70 in the insertion / removal direction. Therefore, the connector 10 achieves a more pronounced effect of achieving both miniaturization and reliability.

[0110] Because the second connecting portion 66 is bent in a U-shape, the connector 10 can be configured so that the portion of the holding portion 61 located forward of the second connecting portion 66 and the first connecting portion 62 are more smoothly connected to each other. This makes it easier to disperse stress applied to the second connecting portion 66 when the locking member 60 is elastically deformed than, for example, when the second connecting portion 66 is formed in a shape bent twice at right angles. As a result, the connector 10 reduces breakage of the locking member 60 at the second connecting portion 66, and exhibits a more significant effect on reliability.

[0111] By positioning the tip of the bent portion of the second connecting portion 66 outside the inner surface of the insertion portion 23, the second connecting portion 66 can be lengthened without increasing the dimensions of the connector 10 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70 and the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30. This makes it possible for the connector 10 to achieve a more pronounced effect of achieving both miniaturization and reliability.

[0112] The connector 10 is able to reduce the rocking of the locking portion 64 located at the tip of the holding portion 61 along the arrangement direction of the contacts 30 by sandwiching the holding portion 61 between the insulators 20 in the arrangement direction of the contacts 30. Therefore, the connector 10 is able to improve the reliability of the locking of the connection object 70 by the locking portion 64.

[0113] Connector 10 has pressing portion 54 that presses and elastically deforms holding portion 61 when actuator 50 is in the open position, and thus locking portion 64 of locking member 60 can be moved by pressing portion 54. Therefore, connector 10 firmly locks connection object 70 with locking portion 64, while also making it easy to remove connection object 70 by operating operating portion 55 of actuator 50.

[0114] Connector 10 is able to more accurately move upward locking portion 64 located at the tip of holding portion 61 by forming attachment portion 68 at the same position as pressed portion 67 in the insertion / removal direction of connection object 70. In such connector 10, upward movement of locking portion 64 can be more accurately achieved in accordance with the pressing force applied to pressed portion 67, with attachment portion 68 serving as a fulcrum.

[0115] In the connector 10, by mounting the mounting portion 68 on the circuit board CB, the locking member 60 can be more firmly mounted to the circuit board CB. This allows the connector 10 to more accurately move the locking portion 64 upward in accordance with the pressing force applied to the pressed portion 67, with the mounting portion 68 serving as a fulcrum. Additionally, in the connector 10, damage to the mounting portion 68 as a mounting portion can be reduced. This maintains the reliability of the connector 10 as a product.

[0116] In the connector 10, the mounting portion 68 is formed in a bifurcated shape, so that it is possible to form an insulator 20 in the space located between the two forks of the mounting portion 68, for example, and to engage the mounting portion 68 with the formed portion of the insulator 20.

[0117] The connector 10 is able to restrict the movement of the locking member 60 in the front-to-rear direction by having the pressing portion 54 of the actuator 50 housed in the space formed by the second supported portion 65, the pressed portion 67, and the front portion of the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60. Therefore, the connector 10 can reduce unintended deformation that accompanies the movement of the locking member 60 in the front-to-rear direction, which is different from the elastic deformation of the locking member 60 at the holding portion 61.

[0118] The connector 10, with its ceiling portion 43 of the metal fitting 40 facing the upper surface of the wall portion 26a of the metal fitting mounting groove 26 from above while being in contact with or close to the upper surface, can reduce damage to the insulator 20 due to upward forces acting on the connection object 70, even when the connector 10 is low-profile. More specifically, the connector 10 can reduce damage to the ceiling wall 21a of the insulator 20 due to such forces, even when the connector 10 is low-profile. Therefore, the robustness of the connector 10 is improved compared to when the connector 10 does not have the metal fitting 40.

[0119] Connector 10 can reduce contact between connection object 70 inserted into insertion portion 23 and metal fitting 40 by having wall portion 26a interposed between ceiling portion 43 and insertion portion 23. Therefore, connector 10 can reduce problems such as scraping of connection object 70 due to contact with metal fitting 40.

[0120] By arranging the metal fittings 40 outside the outermost first contacts 30a in the arrangement direction of the contacts 30, the positions of the first contact mounting grooves 24 and the metal fitting mounting grooves 26 are misaligned in the left-right direction on the insulator 20. This reduces the thinning of the insulator 20 at the portion where the first contacts 30a are mounted. As a result, the connector 10 can reduce a decrease in the strength of the insulator 20.

[0121] By mounting the mounting portion 42 of the metal fitting 40 on the circuit board CB, the metal fitting 40 is more firmly attached to the circuit board CB. Therefore, the connector 10 can reduce damage to the insulator 20 and the metal fitting 40 due to an upward force acting on the connection object 70.

[0122] Because the second surface S2 of the wall portion 26a is located lower than the first surface S1, the thickness of the wall portion 26a in the vertical direction at the second surface S2 is increased. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the strength of the end portion of the insulator 20 in the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30. Therefore, the connector 10 can reduce damage to the insulator 20 and the metal fitting 40 due to an upward force acting on the connection object 70.

[0123] In the connector 10, the third surface S3 of the wall portion 26a is configured as an inclined surface that slopes rearward from the first surface S1 to the second surface S2, so that even if the connector 10 is made low-profile, it is possible to improve the workability in inserting the connection object 70. This makes it easy to insert the connection object 70 into the connector 10 even if the connector 10 is made low-profile.

[0124] The connector 10 can be made smaller in size along the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30 because the metal fitting 40 is disposed in the same position as the locking member 60 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30. Therefore, the connector 10 can effectively utilize space on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB.

[0125] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0126] For example, the shape, arrangement, orientation, number, etc. of each of the above-described components are not limited to the above description and the illustrations in the drawings, and may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized.

[0127] The assembly method of the connector 10 described above is not limited to the above description. Any method may be used to assemble the connector 10 as long as it allows the connector 10 to perform its respective functions. For example, at least one of the first contact 30 a, the second contact 30 b, the metal fitting 40, and the locking member 60 may be molded integrally with the insulator 20 by insert molding.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the first supported portion 63 is described as extending along the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70, but this is not limited to this. The first supported portion 63 may extend in any direction as long as it is not arranged on the same straight line as the holding portion 61. For example, the first connecting portion 62 may have a configuration in which it is folded back only 90 degrees rather than a configuration in which it is folded back 180 degrees, and the first supported portion 63 connected to the first connecting portion 62 may extend along the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 62 is described as being bent in a U-shape, but this is not limiting. The first connecting portion 62 may have any shape that connects the holding portion 61 and the first supported portion 63 to each other. For example, the first connecting portion 62 may be bent twice at right angles to form a 180° bend overall, or may be bent in a V-shape.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the thickness direction of the locking member 60 is the same as the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30 in the holding portion 61, but this is not limited to this. The thickness direction of the locking member 60 may be different from the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 30 in the holding portion 61. For example, the thickness direction of the locking member 60 may be the same as the up-down direction overall.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the locking member 60 has been described as having the second connecting portion 66, but this is not limiting. In the locking member 60, the holding portion 61 may extend linearly without having the second connecting portion 66.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the second connecting portion 66 of the locking member 60 is described as extending toward the circuit board CB in the vertical direction, but is not limited to this. For example, the second connecting portion 66 may extend upward from the holding portion 61 located closer to the circuit board CB in the mounting groove 27.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the second connecting portion 66 is described as being bent in a U-shape, but this is not limited thereto. The second connecting portion 66 may connect the portion of the holding portion 61 located forward of the second connecting portion 66 and the first connecting portion 62 in any shape. For example, the second connecting portion 66 may be bent twice at right angles to form a 180° bend overall, or may be bent in a V-shape.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the holding portion 61 is sandwiched between the insulators 20 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30, but this is not limiting. The holding portion 61 does not have to be sandwiched between the insulators 20 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 30.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 has been described as having the actuator 50, but this is not limiting. The connector 10 does not necessarily have to have the actuator 50.

[0136] In the above embodiment, it has been described that an insertion force against the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60 is required when inserting the connection object 70 into the insertion portion 23, but this is not limiting. The connector 10 may have a so-called ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) structure, which allows the connection object 70 to be inserted into the insertion portion 23 with nearly zero insertion force without contacting the connection object 70 with the locking member 60.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 68 is described as being formed at the same position as the pressed portion 67 in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object 70, but this is not limiting. The mounting portion 68 may be formed at any position on the locking member 60 that allows the above-described operation of the locking portion 64 to be realized.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 68 is described as being mounted on the circuit board CB, but this is not limiting. The mounting portion 68 may be attached to the insulator 20. For example, the mounting portion 68 may be attached to the insulator 20 by press-fitting or insert molding.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the first supported portion 63 of the locking member 60 is located further outward in the left-right direction than the holding portion 61, but this is not limiting. The holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 may also be located further outward in the left-right direction than the first supported portion 63.

[0140] In the above embodiment, only the holding portion 61 of the locking member 60 is elastically deformable, but this is not limiting. In addition to the holding portion 61, the first connecting portion 62 may also be elastically deformable.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the insulator 20 is not formed immediately before the second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60, but this is not limited to this. The second supported portion 65 of the locking member 60 may, for example, face a protruding wall protruding upward from the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 from the rear so as to contact or be close to the protruding wall. This allows the connector 10 to further restrict movement of the locking member 60 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the connector 10 can further reduce unintended deformation associated with movement of the locking member 60 in the front-rear direction, which is different from elastic deformation of the locking member 60 at the holding portion 61.

[0142] In the above embodiment, only the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 is formed below the locking portion 64 of the locking member 60, but this is not limited to this. A protrusion that protrudes upward from the bottom wall 21b of the insulator 20 may be formed below the locking portion 64. This improves the holding force of the connector 10 on the connection object 70.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the contact portion 54g of the pressing portion 54 is described as being rounded, but is not limited thereto. The contact portion 54g may be formed in any shape. For example, the contact portion 54g may not have the rounded surface 54f, and the fourth surface 54d and the fifth surface 54e may be directly connected to each other to form an acute angle.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the insertion portion 23 has been described as having the inner surface 23d that serves as a reference for positioning the tip surface 72 of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction in the inserted state, but is not limited to this. The insertion portion 23 does not have to have such an inner surface 23d. In this case, for example, any structure for positioning both left and right ends of the connection object 70 in the insertion direction may be formed on the insulator 20 side.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 has been described as being capable of locking the connection object 70 by a single action of inserting the connection object 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10 may require any direct operation of the actuator 50 by an assembly device or an assembly worker.

[0146] The connector 10 described above is mounted on an electronic device. Examples of the electronic device include communication devices such as smartphones. Without being limited thereto, the electronic device may include any information device such as a personal computer, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral. The electronic device may include any in-vehicle device such as a camera, a radar, a drive recorder, or an engine control unit. The electronic device may include any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, or a security system. Additionally, the electronic device may include any industrial device. The electronic device may include any audiovisual device such as an LCD television, a recorder, a camera, or headphones.

[0147] In such electronic devices, the reliability of the electronic device as a product is improved due to the above-mentioned effect of the connector 10 that reliability can be maintained even when the electronic device is miniaturized. In addition, miniaturization of the electronic device becomes easier.

[0148] The following concepts can be extracted from the present disclosure. (1) A connector into which a connection object can be inserted and removed, comprising: an insulator having an insertion portion into which the connection object is inserted, a plurality of contacts attached to the insulator, and a locking member attached to the insulator, wherein the locking member has: an elastically deformable holding portion extending in the insertion / removal direction of the connection object, a supported portion adjacent to the holding portion in a direction different from the insertion / removal direction, an elastically deformable first connecting portion located on the insertion side of the connection object relative to the holding portion and the supported portion and connecting the holding portion and the supported portion, a locking portion on the holding portion that engages with the locked portion of the connection object in an inserted state where the connection object is inserted in the insertion portion, and an attaching portion on the supported portion that is attached to the insulator or a circuit board. (2) The connector according to (1) above, wherein the supported portion extends in the insertion / removal direction. (3) The connector according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the plate thickness direction of the locking member is the same as the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts in the retaining portion. (4) The connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the locking member has a second coupling portion in the retaining portion, the second coupling portion extending toward the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts. (5) The connector according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the insulator is interposed between the locking portion and the circuit board. (6) The connector according to (4) above, wherein a tip of a bent portion of the second coupling portion is positioned outside the inner surface of the insertion portion. (7) The connector according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the retaining portion is sandwiched between the insulator in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts.(8) The connector according to any one of (1) to (7) above, comprising an actuator rotatable relative to the insulator between a closed position when closed relative to the insulator and an open position when opened relative to the insulator, the actuator having a pressing portion that presses the holding portion to elastically deform it at the open position, and the locking member having a pressed portion in the holding portion that receives a pressing force from the pressing portion at the open position. (9) The connector according to (8) above, wherein the mounting portion is in the same position as the pressed portion in the insertion / removal direction. (10) The connector according to any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the mounting portion is mounted on the circuit board. (11) The connector according to any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the locking member has plating on a surface layer, and the plating of the mounting portion has higher wettability than a portion of the locking member other than the mounting portion. (12) An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of (1) to (11) above.

[0149] 10 Connector 20 Insulator 21 Outer peripheral wall 21a Ceiling wall 21b Bottom wall 21c Side wall 22 Rear wall 23 Insertion portion 23a Insertion opening 23b First inclined surface 23c Second inclined surface 23d Inner surface 24 First contact mounting groove 25 Second contact mounting groove 26 Metal fitting mounting groove 26a Wall portion 27 Mounting groove 28 Restricting surface 30 Contact 30a First contact 31a Locking portion 32a Mounting portion 33a Connection portion 34a Elastic contact piece 30b Second contact 31b Locking portion 32b Mounting portion 33b Elastic contact piece 40 Metal fitting 41 Base portion 42 Mounting portion 43 Ceiling portion 50 Actuator 51 Base portion 52 Restricted surface 53 Cam portion 54 Pressing portion 54a First surface 54b Second surface 54c Third surface 54d Fourth surface 54e Fifth surface 54f R-surface 54g Contact pressure portion 55 Operation portion 60 Locking member 61 Holding portion 62 First connecting portion 63 First supported portion (supported portion) 64 Locking portion 64a Contact surface 64b Restricting surface 65 Second supported portion 66 Second connecting portion 67 Pressed portion 68 Mounting portion 70 Connection object 71 Tip portion 72 Tip surface 73 Signal line 73a First signal line 73b Second signal line 74 Ground portion 75 Exterior 76 Holding portion 77 Locked portion 78 Guide portion CB Circuit board S1 First surface S2 Second surface S3 Third surface

Claims

1. A connector into which a connection object can be inserted and removed, an insulator having an insertion portion into which the connection object is inserted; a plurality of contacts attached to the insulator; a locking member attached to the insulator; Equipped with The locking member is a holding portion that is elastically deformable and extends along a direction in which the connection object is inserted and removed; a supported portion adjacent to the holding portion in a direction different from the insertion / removal direction; a first connecting portion that is located on an insertion side where the connection object is inserted relative to the holding portion and the supported portion and that is elastically deformable and connects the holding portion and the supported portion; a locking portion in the holding portion, the locking portion engaging with a locked portion of the connection object in an inserted state in which the connection object is inserted into the insertion portion; a mounting portion on the supported portion, the mounting portion being attached to the insulator or a circuit board; a second connecting portion in the holding portion, the second connecting portion extending toward the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction and the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts; having connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The supported portion extends along the insertion / removal direction. connector.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The thickness direction of the locking member is the same as the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts in the holding portion. connector.

4. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the insulator is interposed between the lock portion and the circuit board; connector.

5. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A tip of the bent portion of the second connecting portion is located outside the inner surface of the insertion portion. connector.

6. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The holding portion is sandwiched between the insulators in the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts. connector.

7. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, an actuator that is rotatable relative to the insulator between a closed position when closed relative to the insulator and an open position when opened relative to the insulator; the actuator has a pressing portion that presses the holding portion to elastically deform the holding portion in the open position, The locking member has a pressed portion in the holding portion, the pressed portion receiving a pressing force from the pressing portion in the open position. connector.

8. 8. The connector of claim 7, The mounting portion is located at the same position as the pressed portion in the insertion / removal direction. connector.

9. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The mounting portion is mounted on the circuit board. connector.

10. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the locking member has a surface layer plated, and the plating of the mounting portion has a higher wettability than a portion of the locking member other than the mounting portion; connector.

11. 3. An electronic device comprising the connector according to claim 1 or 2.