Electrical connector, electrical connector pair, and method for producing electrical connector

Abstract

A plug connector (1A) is equipped with a plurality of conductive plug terminals (10), an insulating plug housing (11), and mating-maintaining parts (12) which are disposed at the periphery of the plug housing (11) when viewed in a mating direction of the connector and which maintain mating between the connector and a receptacle connector. The mating-maintaining parts (12) each include: a fixing part (13) fixed to the plug housing (11); and an elastic arm part (14) which is an elastically deformable cantilever that has a fixed end (14d) connected to the fixing part (13) at a first position (P1), which is located in the connector crosswise direction when viewed from a terminal-holding region (11a), and that extends from the fixed end (14d) to a third position (P3) along the connector longitudinal direction through a second position (P2), which corresponds to an end of the terminal-holding region (11a). A locking part (14b) for locking to the receptacle connector is formed in the third position (P3) in each elastic arm part (14).

Description

Electrical connector, electrical connector pair, and method of manufacturing electrical connector

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, an electrical connector pair, and a method for manufacturing an electrical connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector equipped with a locking mechanism (mating maintaining portion) that maintains the mating with a mating connector. This locking mechanism includes a support portion, a flat portion that can be deformed using the support portion as a fulcrum, and a protrusion that engages with a locked portion of the mating connector when the flat portion is deformed.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-181824

[0004] In the electrical connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, when mating with a mating connector, the distance between the support portion and the protrusion in the mating retention portion is short, so when the flat portion is displaced, stress is concentrated on the support portion, which may not be able to withstand the stress and may undergo plastic deformation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an electrical connector, an electrical connector pair, and a method for manufacturing an electrical connector that can achieve high durability in the mating maintenance portion that maintains the mating with the mating connector.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connector according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of conductive terminals arranged in a direction perpendicular to a connector mating direction that indicates the direction in which the electrical connector is mated with a mating connector; an insulating housing in which a terminal holding area is formed to hold the terminals; and a mating maintenance portion that is provided around the housing as viewed in the connector mating direction and that maintains the mated state with the mating connector, the mating maintenance portion comprising: a fixing portion fixed to the housing; and an elastic arm portion that has a fixed end connected to the fixing portion at least one of a first position located in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction and the arrangement direction of the terminals as viewed from the terminal holding area, and a second position corresponding to a protrusion area connected to an end of the terminal holding area, the elastic arm portion being an elastically deformable cantilever beam that extends from the fixed end along the arrangement direction beyond the protrusion area to a third position, and a locking portion is formed on the elastic arm portion at the third position to lock onto the mating connector.

[0007] The fixing portion may include a restricting portion that restricts movement of the locking portion in the connector fitting direction.

[0008] The elastic arm portion may be configured as a plate-like member disposed so that the thickness direction of the plate is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction.

[0009] The connector may further include a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the housing, and the mating retaining portion may be integrated with the shell.

[0010] The connector may further include a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the housing, and the mating retaining portion may be separate from the shell.

[0011] The elastic arm portion may be provided with a release piece that, when pressed from the outside, moves the locking portion in a direction to release the lock with the mating connector.

[0012] The locking portion may be provided with a slope that is oblique to the connector mating direction and abuts against the mating connector when mated, and that displaces the locking portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction due to a force applied from the mating connector.

[0013] The locking portion may be formed by bending a part of the elastic arm portion into a convex shape.

[0014] An electrical connector pair according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the electrical connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a mating connector that mates with the electrical connector and has a locked portion that locks the locking portion.

[0015] The mating connector may comprise a conductive mating terminal that contacts the terminal, a conductive mating shell that surrounds at least a portion of the mating terminal, and a mating housing that holds the mating terminal and the mating shell, and the engaging portion may be provided on the mating shell.

[0016] The locked portion may be an edge of a through hole provided in the mating shell.

[0017] The mating shell may be provided with an inclined surface that is oblique to the connector fitting direction, abuts against the locking portion when fitting, and displaces the locking portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction.

[0018] The mating shell may be formed of a seamless plate-like member.

[0019] The mating housing may include a mating terminal holding area that extends in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction and holds the mating terminal, and press-fit areas connected to both ends of the mating terminal holding area, the mating shell may include an inner wall portion that forms a space into which the press-fit area is pressed, and the mating shell may be held in the mating housing with the press-fit area pressed into the space formed by the inner wall portion.

[0020] A method for manufacturing an electrical connector according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: a housing structure forming step of integrally forming conductive terminals, an insulating housing that holds the terminals, and a mating retention portion that is provided around the housing and has a cantilever-shaped elastic arm portion that is elastically deformable; and a shell press-fitting step of press-fitting a conductive shell that surrounds at least a portion of the housing into the housing while elastically deforming the elastic arm portion.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve high durability for the mating maintaining portion that maintains the mated state with the mating connector.

[0022] 1. A perspective view showing the appearance of a plug connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1. A perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1, seen from the opposite side. 2. An exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the plug connector of FIG. 1. 3. A plan view showing the appearance of the plug connector of FIG. 1. 4. A perspective view showing the structure of a portion of a mating retention portion. 5. A perspective view showing a side of the plug connector. 6. A perspective view showing the appearance of a receptacle connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 7. An exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the receptacle connector of FIG. 8. 9. A perspective view showing a side view of the plug connector just before mating of the plug connector and the receptacle connector. 10. A perspective view showing a side view of the plug connector after mating of the plug connector and the receptacle connector. 11. A cross-sectional view showing the movement of the plug connector and the receptacle connector when mating. 12. A cross-sectional view showing the state after mating of the plug connector and the receptacle connector. 13. A perspective view showing the appearance of a plug connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 14. A perspective view showing a portion of the appearance of the plug connector and the receptacle connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 15. A cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the plug connector and the receptacle connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 16. A plan view showing the appearance of the plug connector of FIG. 13. 17. An exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the receptacle connector of FIG. 13. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is a first exploded view of the plug connector of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a second exploded view of the plug connector of Fig. 16. Fig. 20 is a top view of a mating maintaining portion. Fig. 21 is a first perspective view showing the removal operation of the plug connector and the receptacle connector. Fig. 22 is a second perspective view showing the removal operation of the plug connector and the receptacle connector.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the description will be made in accordance with a three-axis Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z shown in the drawings as appropriate.

[0024] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a plug connector 1A will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, a receptacle connector 2 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8, and an electrical connector pair 50 will be described with reference to Figures 9A, 9B, and 10. In this embodiment, the plug connector 1A corresponds to the electrical connector, and the receptacle connector 2 corresponds to the mating connector.

[0025] In the following description, the direction in which the relative displacement between the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 changes when they are mated or unmated will be referred to as the "connector mating direction." In each drawing, the connector mating direction is shown as the Z-axis direction. The plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are rectangular, flat connectors whose thickness direction is the connector mating direction and whose longitudinal direction is the X-axis direction. For this reason, in the following description, the X-axis direction will be referred to as the "connector longitudinal direction" and the Y-axis direction will be referred to as the "connector short-side direction." In this embodiment, the connector short-side direction corresponds to the orthogonal direction that is perpendicular to the connector mating direction and the connector long-side direction.

[0026] [Plug Connector] As shown in Figure 1, the plug connector 1A is mounted on the mounting surface 3a of the substrate 3. The substrate 3 is a printed wiring board or a flexible printed circuit board. The normal direction of the substrate 3 is the Z-axis direction, which coincides with the connector fitting direction. The plug connector 1A electrically connects the substrate 3 and the receptacle connector 2 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug connector 1A includes a plurality of plug terminals 10, a plug housing 11, and a mating retaining portion 12.

[0028] 2, the multiple plug terminals 10 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the connector, which is a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the connector corresponds to the arrangement direction of the plug terminals 10. Each plug terminal 10 is a member that is conductive and elastic.

[0029] The plug terminals 10 are formed by punching a metal plate into a rectangular shape and then bending it. Specifically, the plug terminals 10 are formed by bending a rectangular metal plate into an L-shape, with one end of the L-shape folded back toward the other end. The plug terminals 10 are arranged in two rows, and the plug terminals 10 in one row and the plug terminals 10 in the other row are both L-shaped when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and are facing back to back along the lateral direction of the connector.

[0030] The plug terminals 10 may be arranged in one row or in three or more rows. The plug terminals 10 are arranged so that the portions facing the mounting surface 3 a of the substrate 3 are aligned on the same plane, and these portions are connected to electrode patterns (not shown) formed on the substrate 3.

[0031] The plug connector 1A includes plug terminals 10, which are a plurality of signal terminals 10a and a pair of power terminals 10b. In each row of the plug terminals 10, the signal terminals 10a are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the connector. A pair of power terminals 10b are arranged on either side of the array of signal terminals 10a in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The signal terminals 10a are terminals for transmitting signals. The power terminals 10b are terminals for supplying power. Since the power terminals 10b supply power, their width in the longitudinal direction of the connector is larger than that of the signal terminals 10a.

[0032] 3, the plug housing 11 is an insulating member molded from, for example, resin and extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The plug housing 11 forms the base of the plug connector 1A. The other members of the plug connector 1A are held in the plug housing 11.

[0033] The plug housing 11 is formed with a terminal holding area 11a and a pair of protruding areas 11b connected to the ends of the terminal holding area 11a. The terminal holding area 11a extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector and holds the plug terminals 10. The pair of protruding areas 11b protrude from the terminal holding area 11a in the longitudinal direction of the connector. One of the protruding areas 11b is connected to the +X end of the terminal holding area 11a, and the other protruding area 11b is connected to the -X end of the terminal holding area 11a.

[0034] The terminal holding area 11a is a rectangular portion with its long side extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector when viewed in the connector fitting direction. The plug housing 11 is molded with the plug terminals 10 inserted in the portions corresponding to the terminal holding area 11a. Alternatively, the terminal holding area 11a may be provided with through holes arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and the plug terminals 10 may be press-fitted into the through holes.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the terminal holding area 11a has two rows of protrusions 11c that protrude in the -Z direction and extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Plug terminals 10 are held in each row of protrusions 11c by press-fitting or insert molding. The plug terminals 10 come into contact with receptacle terminals 20 of the receptacle connector 2, described below, at the portions exposed on the outer surfaces of the protrusions 11c.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, three positions are defined around the terminal holding area 11a as viewed in the connector fitting direction. The first of the three positions is a first position P1 located in the connector short direction as viewed from the terminal holding area 11a. The second is a second position P2 corresponding to the protruding areas 11b connected to both ends of the terminal holding area 11a in the connector long direction. The third is a third position P3 located in the connector long direction as viewed from the terminal holding area 11a.

[0037] The protruding region 11b is a rectangular portion with its short side extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector when viewed in the connector fitting direction. The width of the protruding region 11b in the lateral direction of the connector is larger than the width of the terminal holding region 11a in the lateral direction of the connector. As shown in Figure 4, the plug housing 11 is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line CL1 of the plug connector 1A along the longitudinal direction of the connector and is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line CL2 of the plug connector 1A along the lateral direction of the connector when viewed in the connector fitting direction.

[0038] Each of the protruding regions 11b is provided with two through holes 11d that penetrate in the connector fitting direction. The through holes 11d are holes for holding the fitting maintaining portion 12, as will be described later.

[0039] 4, the mating retention portion 12 is provided around the periphery of the plug housing 11 when viewed in the connector mating direction. The mating retention portion 12 is provided to maintain the mated state with the receptacle connector 2. The mating retention portion 12 is a conductive and elastic member formed, for example, by bending a metal plate that has been punched into a frame shape.

[0040] In practice, the mating retention portion 12 is composed of a pair of members. As shown in Fig. 4, the pair of members are arranged symmetrically about the center line CL1 of the plug connector 1A along the longitudinal direction of the connector, sandwiching the plug housing 11 in the short direction of the connector. However, the mating retention portion 12 may be composed of a single member that surrounds the periphery of the plug housing 11 when viewed in the connector mating direction.

[0041] 2, the mating retention portion 12 includes a fixed portion 13 and an elastic arm portion 14. The fixed portion 13 is fixed to the plug housing 11. The elastic arm portion 14 is a cantilever-shaped member having a portion fixed to the fixed portion 13 as a fixed end 14d.

[0042] 3 and 4, the fixing portion 13 includes a main body 13a, an inner wall 13b, and an insertion piece 13c. The main body 13a is provided at each of the four corners of the rectangular plug housing 11 when viewed in the connector fitting direction, and extends in the XY plane.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner wall portions 13b are located in the connector short-side direction as viewed from the terminal holding area 11a, and a pair of inner wall portions 13b are formed to sandwich the terminal holding area 11a. The two main body portions 13a aligned in the connector longitudinal direction are connected to both ends of the inner wall portion 13b in the connector longitudinal direction. The inner wall portion 13b is bent relative to the main body portion 13a and positioned to face the terminal holding area 11a. The inner wall portion 13b covers the terminal holding area 11a in the connector longitudinal direction. The inner wall portion 13b is grounded and functions as an electromagnetic shield for the plug connector 1A, i.e., a plug shell.

[0044] 3 and 4, the main body 13a is connected to an insertion piece 13c. The insertion piece 13c is bent relative to the main body 13a. The insertion piece 13c is press-fitted into the through-hole 11d of the plug housing 11. This fixes the mating retention portion 12 to the plug housing 11. The mating retention portion 12 may also be fixed to the plug housing 11 by insert molding.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing portion 13 includes an outer wall portion 13d. The outer wall portion 13d extends from the outer edge of the main body portion 13a and is bent to form the outer wall of the plug connector 1A. When viewed in the connector fitting direction, the outer wall portion 13d corresponds to the four corners of the plug housing 11 and is formed at a position closer to the outer periphery of the plug housing 11 than the inner wall portion 13b. When viewed in the connector fitting direction, the outer wall portion 13d, together with the inner wall portion 13b, surrounds the plug housing 11. The thickness direction of the outer wall portion 13d is perpendicular to the connector fitting direction. The outer wall portion 13d extends from the main body portion 13a to a first position P1.

[0046] 3 and 4, the fixing portion 13 includes a support portion 13e. The support portion 13e is provided at a first position P1 as viewed from the terminal holding area 11a in the connector short direction. The support portion 13e is connected to the outer edge portion on the +Z side of the outer wall portion 13d at the first position P1, is bent toward the inner periphery of the plug connector 1A as viewed in the connector fitting direction, and forms a U-shape together with the outer wall portion 13d as viewed in the connector long direction. The support portion 13e is provided to support the elastic arm portion 14.

[0047] The main body 13a, the inner wall 13b, the insertion piece 13c, the outer wall 13d, and the support 13e are members whose positions do not change with respect to the plug housing 11. Therefore, these components correspond to the fixing portion 13 that is fixed to the plug housing 11.

[0048] 3 and 4, the elastic arm 14 is connected to the fixed portion 13 at a first position P1 located in the short direction of the connector when viewed from the terminal holding area 11a. The elastic arm 14 extends along the longitudinal direction of the connector beyond a second position P2 corresponding to the protruding area 11b connected to the end of the terminal holding area 11a to a third position P3.

[0049] The elastic arm 14 includes a beam 14a, a locking portion 14b, and a release piece 14c. As shown in Fig. 5, the beam 14a is an elastically deformable cantilever that extends from the support portion 13e located at a first position P1 along the longitudinal direction of the connector beyond a second position P2. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the beam 14a bends inward beyond the outer wall 13d near the end of the plug connector 1A in the longitudinal direction of the connector to reach a third position P3.

[0050] The locking portion 14b is formed by bending a portion of the elastic arm portion 14 into a convex shape at the third position P3, which is the tip of the beam portion 14a. When no external force is applied, the locking portion 14b has a portion that extends outward in the connector longitudinal direction of the main body portion 13a (the -X direction in FIG. 5). This extending portion of the locking portion 14b locks the receptacle connector 2, as described below.

[0051] The elastic arm 14 includes a release piece 14c following the beam 14a and the locking portion 14b. When the release piece 14c receives a force from the outside of the plug connector 1A toward the inside thereof using a predetermined tool, it moves together with the locking portion 14b in a direction to release the engagement with the receptacle connector 2, i.e., toward the protruding region 11b. The release piece 14c is wider in the connector mating direction than the beam 14a and the locking portion 14b to accommodate pressure from the outside. When the locking portion 14b or the release piece 14c is pressed in the above-described direction, stress is generated throughout the elastic arm 14. Because the elastic arm 14 extends from the first position P1 through the second position P2 to the third position P3, the relatively long beam 14a elastically deforms and bends toward the inner wall 13b, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, thereby dispersing stress. This prevents stress from concentrating on the support portion 13e and prevents plastic deformation of the support portion 13e. When the force applied to the locking portion 14b or the release piece 14c is removed, the elastic deformation of the beam portion 14a is released, and the locking portion 14b and the release piece 14c return to the positions shown by the solid lines in Figure 5.

[0052] 4, 5, and 6, the fixing portion 13 includes restricting portions 13f and 13g. The restricting portion 13f extends from one end of the outer wall portion 13d, which corresponds to the longitudinal end of the plug connector 1A, along the outer edge of the main body portion 13a to a position facing the locking portion 14b. The restricting portion 13g protrudes from the main body portion 13a to a position facing the locking portion 14b. The restricting portions 13f and 13g are disposed to sandwich the locking portion 14b in the connector mating direction, and restrict movement of the locking portion 14b in the connector mating direction.

[0053] 4, 5, and 6, the fixing part 13 includes a cover part 13h. The cover part 13h is formed to overlap a part of the release piece 14c when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The cover part 13h prevents the release piece 14c from being accidentally pushed from the outside and releasing the lock of the locking part 14b.

[0054] The mating retention portion 12 is fixed to the board 3 by soldering and is grounded. When viewed in the connector mating direction, the inner wall portion 13b, outer wall portion 13d, restricting portion 13f, locking portion 14b, release piece 14c, etc. function as an electromagnetic shield surrounding the plug terminal 10. The mating retention portion 12 functions as an electromagnetic shield for the plug connector 1A. In other words, the mating retention portion 12 forms an electromagnetic shield, i.e., an integrated plug shell. Furthermore, because the restricting portion 13f and cover portion 13h of the mating retention portion 12 are fixed to the board 3, the restricting portion 13f and cover portion 13h are less likely to deform even when the locking portion 14b abuts against the restricting portion 13f or the release piece 14c abuts against the main body portion 13a and receives force.

[0055] [Receptacle Connector] Next, the receptacle connector 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the receptacle connector 2 is mounted on the mounting surface 4a of the board 4. The normal direction of the board 4 coincides with the connector mating direction. The receptacle connector 2 electrically connects the board 4 and the plug connector 1A (see Figures 1 to 6).

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the receptacle connector 2 includes a plurality of conductive receptacle terminals 20, an insulating receptacle housing 21, and a conductive receptacle shell 22.

[0057] 7 and 8, the receptacle terminals 20 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The receptacle connector 2 has signal terminals 20a for signal transmission and power terminals 20b for power supply as the receptacle terminals 20. When the receptacle connector 2 is mated with the plug connector 1A, the signal terminals 20a come into contact with the signal terminals 10a of the plug connector 1A, and the power terminals 20b come into contact with the power terminals 10b of the plug connector 1A.

[0058] 7 and 8, the receptacle housing 21 holds the receptacle terminals 20 and is a rectangular member when viewed in the connector mating direction. The receptacle housing 21 has a recess 21a that mates with the protrusion 11c of the plug housing 11. A land 21b surrounded by the recess 21a is provided in the center of the receptacle housing 21. The receptacle terminals 20 are disposed between the recess 21a and the land 21b and are held in the receptacle housing 21 by press-fitting or insert molding. The plug terminals 10 and the receptacle terminals 20 come into contact with each other when the protrusion 11c is mated with the recess 21a.

[0059] 7 and 8, the receptacle shell 22 is a conductive member that is fixed to and held by the receptacle housing 21. The receptacle shell 22 is made of a seamless plate-like member formed by drawing, is grounded to the board 4, and functions as an electromagnetic shield for the receptacle connector 2. The receptacle shell 22 has an inner wall portion 22a, a receiving portion 22b, an outer wall portion 22c, a through hole 22d, and a locked portion 22e.

[0060] When viewed in the connector mating direction, the inner wall portion 22a is formed at the center of the receptacle shell 22 so as to surround the receptacle housing 21. The inner wall portion 22a is formed by drawing a flat metal plate. This makes the inner wall portion 22a a seamless plate-like member. Four protruding pieces 22f are formed on the inner edge of the inner wall portion 22a, and the receptacle shell 22 is fixed to the receptacle housing 21 by press-fitting the protruding pieces 22f into the receptacle housing 21.

[0061] Receiving portion 22b is continuous with both ends of inner wall portion 22a in the connector longitudinal direction and is located at both ends of receptacle housing 21 in the connector longitudinal direction. Receiving portion 22b extends from the -Z end of inner wall portion 22a in a plane parallel to the XY plane. When viewed in the connector fitting direction, receiving portion 22b is formed in a U-shape so as to surround the end of receptacle housing 21 in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0062] The outer wall portions 22c are formed on both ends of the receptacle shell 22 in the connector longitudinal direction. The outer wall portions 22c rise from the outer edge of the U-shaped receiving portion 22b in the +Z direction and are formed by drawing along the end of the inner wall portion 22a in the connector longitudinal direction. The inner wall portions 22a, the receiving portion 22b, and the outer wall portions 22c form a space that receives the mating retaining portion 12 of the plug connector 1A.

[0063] The through hole 22d is formed on a surface of the outer wall portion 22c facing the longitudinal direction of the connector. The locking portion 14b of the plug connector 1A fits into the through hole 22d. The locking portion 14b locks onto the edge portion between the through hole 22d and the outer wall portion 22c. This edge portion between the through hole 22d and the outer wall portion 22c serves as the locked portion 22e.

[0064] [Mating Operation] Next, a description will be given of the mating operation between the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2. As shown in Fig. 9A , the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are mated with each other by aligning the outer edge of the mating retaining portion 12 of the plug connector 1A so that it fits into the space surrounded by the inner wall portion 22a, the receiving portion 22b, and the outer wall portion 22c of the receptacle connector 2.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 6, in the plug connector 1A, a slope 13i obliquely intersecting the connector mating direction is formed between the main body 13a and the outer wall 13d. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the entire outer edge of the outer wall 22c of the receptacle connector 2 on the +Z side is provided with a slope 22g obliquely intersecting the connector mating direction and abutting against the slope 13i and the locking portion 14b during mating. When the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are mated, the slope 22g and the slope 13i slide against each other while abutting against each other, acting as guides that guide each other. This allows the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 to be aligned.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6 , the outer edge of the locking portion 14b near the −Z direction is provided with a slope 15 that is oblique to the connector mating direction and abuts against the receptacle connector 2 during mating. As shown in FIG. 10A , when the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are mated, the slope 15 abuts against the slope 22g. As a result, the locking portion 14b receives a force to the left (−X direction) on the paper and a force to the upward (+Z direction) on the paper. At this time, the restricting portion 13f restricts movement in the upward (+Z direction) direction on the paper. Therefore, the force applied to the slope 15 by the receptacle connector 2 displaces the locking portion 14b to the left on the paper and slides on the surface of the locked portion 22e. In this way, the upward displacement of the locking portion 14b is restricted by the inclined surface 15, the restricting portion 13f, and the inclined surface 22g. In addition, the force applied to the locking portion 14b elastically deforms the beam portion 14a of the elastic arm portion 14, so the beam portion 14a does not displace upward in the plane of the paper and does not undergo plastic deformation. As the mating operation progresses, the locking portion 14b fits into the through hole 22d and engages with the locked portion 22e. This allows the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 to mate with each other. Note that the inclined surfaces 13i, 15, and 22g include curved R-surfaces.

[0067] When the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are mated, they reach the state shown in FIG. 10B . In this state, the locking portion 14b fits into the through-hole 22d and locks the locked portion 22e. This maintains the mated state between the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2. Furthermore, when the plug connector 1A receives a force in the direction of removal from the receptacle connector 2 (the +Z direction), the locking portion 14b abuts against the edge of the through-hole 22d near the locked portion 22e. In this case, the locking portion 14b abuts against the restricting portion 13g, restricting displacement in the -Z direction. This prevents plastic deformation of the beam portion 14a of the elastic arm portion 14. The upper edge of the locking portion 14b and the edge of the through-hole 22d do not have a slope, making their engagement difficult to release.

[0068] In this state, the plug terminal 10 of the plug connector 1A comes into contact with the receptacle terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 2, the elastic arm portion 14 comes into contact with the receptacle shell 22, and an electrical connection is established between the board 3 and the board 4, enabling signal transmission and power supply.

[0069] [Removal Operation] Next, the operation of removing the plug connector 1A from the receptacle connector 2 will be described. When the release piece 14c is pushed from the outside to the inside of the plug connector 1A by a jig from the state shown in Figure 9B, the beam portion 14a of the elastic arm portion 14 is elastically deformed. This causes the locking portion 14b to move in the direction of releasing the lock with the receptacle connector 2, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 5. In this state, when the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2 are pulled apart in the connector fitting direction, the plug connector 1A can be removed from the receptacle connector 2.

[0070] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, an electrical connector pair 51 including a plug connector 1B and a receptacle connector 2 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 .

[0071] 11 , the plug connector 1B is the same as the plug connector 1A according to the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of plug terminals 10 and a plug housing 11. The plug connector 1B differs from the plug connector 1A in that it includes a mating retention portion 32 instead of the mating retention portion 12.

[0072] The mating retention portion 32 includes a fixed portion 33 and a resilient arm portion 34. The fixed portion 33 is fixed to the plug housing 11. The resilient arm portion 34 is a cantilever-shaped member that is connected to the fixed portion 33 at a first position P1 and extends beyond a second position P2 that corresponds to the protruding region 11b connected to the end of the terminal holding region 11a in the longitudinal direction of the connector.

[0073] The fixing portion 33 includes an inner wall portion 33a and a support portion 33b. The inner wall portion 33a surrounds the periphery of the plug housing 11 when viewed in the connector fitting direction. The inner wall portion 33a is formed by drawing and has a seamless shape. The support portions 33b are connected to the inner wall portion 33a at the first position P1.

[0074] [Elastic Arm Portion] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the elastic arm portion 34 includes a beam portion 34a, a locking portion 34b, and a release piece 34c.

[0075] The beam portion 34a is a cantilever that extends from the support portion 33b along the connector longitudinal direction beyond the second position P2. The beam portion 34a bends at an end of the plug connector 1B in the connector longitudinal direction and reaches the third position P3.

[0076] The locking portion 34b is formed at the third position P3. The locking portion 34b is formed by bending a portion of the elastic arm portion 34 into a convex shape. The locking portion 34b has a portion that extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the connector from the main body portion 13a when no external force is applied. This extending portion of the locking portion 34b locks the receptacle connector 2, similar to the plug connector 1A according to the above embodiment.

[0077] The release piece 34c is connected to the locking portion 34b. When the release piece 34c is pressed from the outside, it moves the locking portion 34b in a direction that releases the lock with the receptacle connector 2. When the release piece 34c is pressed from the outside, the beam portion 34a elastically deforms, but because the beam portion 34a is long, it is possible to disperse stress generated in the support portion 33b and the beam portion 34a and prevent plastic deformation of the support portion 33b and the beam portion 34a.

[0078] The fixing portion 33 includes a restricting portion 33c. The restricting portion 33c protrudes from one end of the inner wall portion 33a in the longitudinal direction of the connector. The restricting portion 33c is sandwiched between the release piece 34c and the locking portion 34b in the connector mating direction. The restricting portion 33c restricts the locking portion 34b from displacing in the connector mating direction. As shown in FIG. 12 , the edges of the locking portion 34b and the release piece 34c in the −Z direction are provided with a slope 35, and the receptacle connector 2 is provided with a slope 22g, so that the locking portion 34b can be moved toward the back of the plug connector 1B, allowing the plug connector 1B and the receptacle connector 2 to be smoothly mated.

[0079] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. An electrical connector pair 52 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13, 14, and 15. As shown in Figure 13, the electrical connector pair 52 includes a plug connector 1C and a receptacle connector 2A. Note that descriptions of components common to the electrical connector pair 51 of the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate.

[0080] 13 and 14, the plug connector 1C includes a plug housing 41 and a pair of mating retainers 42. The plug housing 41 includes a terminal holding area 41a and a pair of protruding areas 41b. The terminal holding area 41a holds the plug terminals 10, similar to the terminal holding area 11a. The protruding areas 41b are provided at both ends of the terminal holding area 41a in the longitudinal direction of the connector, similar to the protruding areas 11b being provided at both ends of the terminal holding area 11a in the longitudinal direction of the connector (see FIG. 2). Each protruding area 41b is provided with an insertion portion 41d into which an insertion piece 43c (described later) is inserted.

[0081] The pair of mating retention portions 42 are arranged symmetrically about a center line CL2 (see FIG. 14 ) of the plug connector 1C along the short side of the connector, sandwiching the plug housing 41 in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Each mating retention portion 42 includes a fixing portion 43 and an elastic arm portion 44.

[0082] The fixing portion 43 includes a main body 43a, an inner wall 43b, and an insertion piece 43c. As shown in FIG. 14 , the main body 43a is continuous without any seams or gaps across the entire width of the plug connector 1C in the connector's short direction. This allows the plug connector 1C to have a smaller width in the connector's short direction than that of the plug connector 1A. The inner wall 43b is disposed so that its plate thickness surfaces face each other across the center line CL2. One insertion piece 43c is disposed at each end of the connector in the longitudinal direction. The insertion piece 43c is inserted into the insertion portion 41d of the plug housing 41, thereby fixing the mating retaining portion 42 to the plug housing 41.

[0083] The elastic arm portion 44 has the same configuration as the elastic arm portion 14, and includes beam portions 44a similar to the beam portions 14a included in the elastic arm portion 14. The protruding region 41b of the plug housing 41 includes a pair of inclined walls 41b1 that are inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the connector so as to gradually narrow toward the longitudinal end of the connector as viewed in the connector mating direction. The inclined walls 41b1 prevent the deformed beam portions 44a from coming into contact with the protruding region 41b when the plug connector 1C and the receptacle connector 2A are mated, allowing the beam portions 44a to be smoothly elastically deformed.

[0084] 13 and 15, the receptacle connector 2A includes receptacle terminals 60, a receptacle housing 61, and a conductive receptacle shell 62. Similar to the receptacle terminals 20, the receptacle terminals 60 include an array of signal terminals 60a and power terminals 60b.

[0085] The receptacle housing 61 includes a terminal holding region 61a that holds the receptacle terminals 60 and a press-fit region 61b connected to both ends of the terminal holding region 61a in the connector longitudinal direction. The press-fit region 61b includes multiple protrusions 61b1. The multiple protrusions 61b1 are aligned in the connector longitudinal direction, with gaps S between them, on the outer peripheral surface of the press-fit region 61b in the connector short direction. In the example shown in FIG. 15 , three protrusions 61b1 are aligned along the connector longitudinal direction on the +Y side surface and the −Y side surface of the press-fit region 61b. However, the number of protrusions 61b1 is not limited to this. The protrusions 61b1 are wedge-shaped, pointed in the +Y and −Y directions, respectively, when viewed in the connector mating direction, and have inclined surfaces that gradually narrow in width toward the +Z direction when viewed in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0086] The receptacle shell 62 has a seamless shape, formed by bending a single metal plate using a drawing process. The receptacle shell 62 includes a pair of inner wall portions 62a, a receiving portion 62b, and an outer wall portion 62c. The outer wall portion 62c has a side wall portion 62c1 that extends along the connector longitudinal direction in the terminal holding area 61a and faces the terminal holding area 61a, and an end wall portion 62c2 that connects the ends of the side wall portions 62c1 in the connector longitudinal direction. A through hole 62d, into which the locking portion 44b of the elastic arm portion 44 fits, is opened in the end wall portion 62c2. The pair of inner wall portions 62a protrude in the +Z direction from the edge of the receiving portion 62b so as to surround the space into which the press-fit area 61b is press-fit. The pair of inner wall portions 62a are disposed opposite the press-fit region 61b of the receptacle housing 61, but are not disposed opposite the terminal holding region 61a. The receiving portion 62b connects the pair of inner wall portions 62a to the outer wall portion 62c so that the pair of inner wall portions 62a are surrounded by the outer wall portion 62c. The outer wall portion 62c is disposed opposite the receptacle housing 61 over the entire area of ​​the receptacle housing 61 in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0087] In the receptacle connector 2A, the receptacle shell 62 is held in the receptacle housing 61 while the protrusion 61b1 of the press-fit region 61b is press-fitted into the inner wall 62a while undergoing plastic deformation. As the protrusion 61b1 is press-fitted into the inner wall 62a, it slides along the inner surface 62a1 of the inner wall 62a. This causes a portion of the protrusion 61b1 to collapse and deform so as to expand into the adjacent gap S. Because the receptacle shell 62 is held in the receptacle housing 61 by the combination of the protrusion 61b1 and the inner wall 62a, the receptacle connector 2A does not require the protruding piece 22f that protrudes in the short-side direction of the connector and is provided in the receptacle connector 2 according to the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 8 ). Therefore, the width of the receptacle connector 2A in the short-side direction of the connector can be made smaller than that of the receptacle connector 2. Furthermore, the combination of the protrusion 61b1 and the inner wall 62a can lower the resonance point that occurs during transmission of high-frequency signals, further improving the signal transmission characteristics of the electrical connector pair 52.

[0088] As described above, in the electrical connector pair 52 of the third embodiment, the receptacle housing 61 includes a terminal holding region 61a extending along the X-axis direction and holding the receptacle terminals 60, and press-fit regions 61b connected to both ends of the terminal holding region 61a. The receptacle shell 62 includes an inner wall portion 62a surrounding a space into which the press-fit region 61b is press-fitted. The receptacle shell 62 is held in the receptacle housing 61 with the press-fit region 61b press-fitted into the space formed by the inner wall portion 62a. This reduces the width of the plug connector 1C and the receptacle connector 2A in the connector short-side direction, thereby miniaturizing their external dimensions. As a result, the electrical connector pair 52 can be arranged in a limited space on the boards 3 and 4.

[0089] Embodiment 4 A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 16 to 21. An electrical connector pair 53 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 16. The electrical connector pair 53 includes a plug connector 1D and a receptacle connector 2B. Note that the description of components common to the electrical connector pair 50 of the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate.

[0090] 16, 17, and 18, the plug connector 1D includes a plug housing 71, a pair of mating retention portions 72, and an inner wall portion 73b. In the plug connector 1D, the inner wall portion 73b is also referred to as a shell 73b. The mating retention portions 72 and the shell 73b are separate bodies.

[0091] [Plug Housing] As shown in Figures 16, 17, and 18, the plug housing 71 includes a terminal holding area 71a and a pair of protruding areas 71b. The terminal holding area 71a, like the terminal holding area 11a, holds the plug terminals 10 (signal terminals 10a and power terminals 10b). The protruding areas 71b are provided at both ends of the terminal holding area 71a in the longitudinal direction of the connector, similar to the protruding areas 11b being provided at both ends of the terminal holding area 11a in the longitudinal direction of the connector (see Figure 2). As shown in Figures 17 and 18, each protruding area 71b includes a through hole 71d and a holding portion 71e. A press-fit piece 73b4 (described below) of the shell 73b is inserted into the through hole 71d. The holding portion 71e holds a held portion 73c (described below) of the fixing portion 73 of the mating retention portion 72.

[0092] 17 and 18, the fitting maintaining portion 72 is disposed at a position corresponding to the protruding region 71b. Each fitting maintaining portion 72 includes a fixing portion 73 and an elastic arm portion 74. The fixing portion 73 and the elastic arm portion 74 are integrally formed.

[0093] 17 and 18, the fixing portion 73 includes a flat portion 73a, a held portion 73c, and a support portion 73e. The flat portion 73a is a plate-shaped member and has a jig insertion hole 73a1 formed therein. The held portion 73c protrudes in the -Z direction from the edge of the flat portion 73a facing inward of the plug connector 1D in the connector longitudinal direction. The support portion 73e supports the elastic arm portion 74.

[0094] 17 and 18 , the flat portion 73a has a rectangular outer shape. The edge of the flat portion 73a facing outward in the longitudinal direction of the plug connector 1D is referred to as edge 73a2. A jig insertion hole 73a1 is formed in the flat surface of the flat portion 73a near edge 73a2, and a fitting hole 73a3 is formed in a position facing the protruding region 71b.

[0095] 17 and 18, the held portion 73c protrudes in the −Z direction from the edge of the flat portion 73a opposite the edge 73a2 in the longitudinal direction of the connector as described above. The held portion 73c is held by the holding portion 71e of the plug housing 71 by, for example, insert molding or press-fitting.

[0096] [Supporting portion] The supporting portion 73e protrudes in the −Z direction from the edge of the flat portion 73a in the short direction of the connector near the edge opposite to the edge 73a2. The supporting portion 73e forms an L-shape together with the flat portion 73a when viewed in the long direction of the connector, and is located at a second position P2 that can be seen in the short direction of the connector from the protruding region 71b.

[0097] 18 and 19 , the elastic arm 74 has a first elastic arm 74A and a second elastic arm 74B which have different outer shapes. The first elastic arm 74A and the second elastic arm 74B each have a beam 74a, a locking portion 74b, a release piece 74c, a fixed end 74d, and a connecting portion 74e. With respect to the width of the first elastic arm 74A and the second elastic arm 74B along the Z-axis direction, the release piece 74c and the connecting portion 74e may be wider than the beam 74a and the locking portion 74b.

[0098] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the beam 74a is an elastically deformable cantilever beam connected to the fixed portion 73 and to which a locking portion 74b, a release piece 74c, and a connecting portion 74e are connected. The fixed end 74d connects to the support portion 73e of the fixed portion 73 at a second position P2 to fix the beam 74a. The beam 74a extends from the fixed end 74d beyond the second position P2 (see Figure 16: a position corresponding to the protruding region 71b) to a third position P3 (see Figure 16). The locking portion 74b is bent convexly from the beam 74a so as to protrude outward through a projection hole H (described below) in the shell 73b along the Y-axis direction. The connecting portion 74e is continuous with the locking portion 74b and extends substantially in the Y-axis direction toward the jig insertion hole 73a1. The release piece 74c is continuous with the connecting portion 74e, bent in the X-axis direction, and extends in the X-axis direction. The fixed end 74d may be connected to the fixed portion 73 at the first position P1 (see FIG. 16).

[0099] 16, 17, and 19, the locking portion 74b is located at the second position P2 (see FIG. 16). As shown in FIG. 19, the release piece 74c is exposed and visible from the jig insertion hole 73a1 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The locking portion 74b may have a slope similar to the slope 15 of the plug connector 1A. As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, the release piece 74c faces the jig insertion hole 73a1 on the +Z side and includes a guide surface 74c1 that is inclined toward the edge of the jig insertion hole 73a1.

[0100] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the connecting portion 74e of the first elastic arm 74A extends from the locking portion 74b toward the edge 73a2. The release piece 74c of the first elastic arm 74A extends from the connecting portion 74e toward the held portion 73c. ​​Meanwhile, the connecting portion 74e of the second elastic arm 74B extends from the locking portion 74b toward the held portion 73c. ​​The release piece 74c of the second elastic arm 74B extends from the connecting portion 74e toward the edge 73a2. The release piece 74c of the first elastic arm 74A and the release piece 74c of the second elastic arm 74B face each other across a gap in the Y-axis direction. The connecting portions 74e and locking portions 74b of the first elastic arm 74A and the second elastic arm 74B are both generally hook-shaped overall and are arranged so as to alternate when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

[0101] [Shell] As shown in Figures 16, 17, and 18, the shell 73b surrounds at least a portion of the plug housing 71. In this embodiment, the shell 73b surrounds the plug housing 71 and the pair of mating retainers 72. The shell 73b includes a pair of side walls 73b1, a pair of end walls 73b2, a cover portion 73b3, a pair of press-fit pieces 73b4, and a mounting portion 73b5. In the shell 73b, the side walls 73b1, the end walls 73b2, the cover portion 73b3, and the press-fit pieces 73b4 are each integrally formed. The shell 73b is formed seamlessly by drawing so that the side walls 73b1, the end walls 73b2, the cover portion 73b3, the press-fit pieces 73b4, and the mounting portion 73b5 are integrally connected.

[0102] The pair of side walls 73b1 are arranged parallel to the terminal holding region 71a, sandwiching the terminal holding region 71a therebetween. The pair of end walls 73b2 connect both ends of the side wall 73b1 and face the protruding region 71b in the X-axis direction. The cover portion 73b3 connects the side wall 73b1 and the end wall 73b2 and covers most of the elastic arm portion 74. The pair of press-fit pieces 73b4 each protrude in the +Z direction, continuing from the terminal holding region 71a side of the cover portion 73b3. The mounting portion 73b5 connects to the +Z-direction ends of the side wall 73b1 and the end wall 73b2 via curved surfaces, respectively, and extends outward beyond the outer surfaces of the side wall 73b1 and the end wall 73b2. The curved surfaces may be inclined. The mounting portion 75b5 is electrically connected to a circuit on the mounting surface 3a of the substrate 3 (see FIG. 1) via solder.

[0103] 18, a projection hole H is formed through the side wall portion 73b1 and the cover portion 73b3 in a region spanning these portions. Two sides of the edge of the projection hole H that face each other along the Z axis are restriction portions 73b6 and 73b7. The projection hole H may be formed only in the side wall portion 73b1.

[0104] [Manufacturing Method of Plug Connector] The plug connector 1D is manufactured through, for example, a housing structure forming step, a positioning step, and a shell mounting step.

[0105] Housing structure forming process: The plug terminals 10 and the mating retention portion 72, which is formed integrally by stamping and bending a single metal plate and includes a fixed portion 73 and an elastic arm portion 74, are held in a cavity of a press-fit mold. Next, molten resin for forming the plug housing 71 is poured into the cavity and solidified. At this time, the retained portion 73c of the fixed portion 73 is held by the retaining portion 71e of the plug housing 71 by insert molding. This forms a semi-finished plug connector 1D, in which the plug housing 71, the plug terminals 10, and the mating retention portion 72 are integrated. That is, in the housing structure forming process, the plug terminals 10, the insulating plug housing 71 that holds the plug terminals 10, and the mating retention portion 72, which is provided around the plug housing 71 and has elastically deformable cantilever-shaped elastic arms, are integrally formed.

[0106] Alignment process: The shell 73b formed by drawing a single metal plate is fixed to a jig (not shown), and the shell 73b and the semi-finished plug connector 1D are aligned so that the through-hole 71d of the plug housing 71 in the semi-finished plug connector 1D corresponds to the press-fit piece 73b4 of the shell 73b. Note that instead of or in addition to fixing the shell 73b to the jig, the semi-finished plug connector 1D may also be fixed to the jig. Furthermore, both or either of the shell 73b and the semi-finished plug connector 1D may be held by an assembly robot arm (not shown).

[0107] Shell press-fitting process: The semi-finished plug connector 1D and / or the shell 73b are moved toward each other. As a result, the press-fit pieces 73b4 are inserted into the through-holes 71d, and the locking portions 74b contact the curved surfaces between the sidewalls 73b1 and the mounting portions 73b5. Midway through this movement, the curved surfaces press the locking portions 74b toward the center line CL1 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the beams 74a are elastically deformed and the locking portions 74b are displaced toward the center line CL1. Because the connecting portions 74e and the locking portions 74b of the first elastic arm 74A and the second elastic arm 74B are alternately arranged, the gap between the opposing locking portions 74b is wider than before the locking portions 74b were pressed. At the end of the movement, the beam portion 74a of the elastic arm portion 74 is elastically deformed while the press-fit piece 73b4 is press-fitted into the through hole 71d, thereby attaching the shell 73b to the plug housing 71. That is, in the shell press-fitting step, the conductive shell 73b surrounding at least a portion of the plug housing 71 is press-fitted into the plug housing 71 while the first elastic arm portion 74A and the second elastic arm portion 74B are elastically deformed. In this state, the locking portion 74b abuts against the inner surface of the side wall portion 73b1, then passes over the restricting portion 73b6 and reaches the protrusion hole H, protruding therefrom. In this manner, the plug connector 1D is completed.

[0108] In the housing structure forming step, a press-fit method may be used instead of insert molding to manufacture the housing structure. In the case of press-fitting, the plug housing 71 is first formed by injection molding. Next, the plug terminals 10 and the mating retaining portions 72 are attached to the plug housing 71 by, for example, press-fitting. In this manner, a semi-finished plug connector 1D in which the plug terminals 10 and the mating retaining portions 72 are integrated may be formed.

[0109] Alternatively, in the shell attachment process, the locking portion 74b may be displaced toward the center line CL1 in advance. Specifically, the tip of a rod-shaped jig (not shown) is inserted through the jig insertion hole 73a1 into the gap between the pair of release pieces 74c to separate the pair of release pieces 74c. At this time, the tip of the jig abuts against and slides along the guide surfaces 74c1 of the release pieces 74c, allowing it to be smoothly inserted into the gap between the pair of release pieces 74c. This causes the beam portion 74a to elastically deform toward the center line CL1, and the locking portion 74b to displace toward the center line CL1. While maintaining this state, the press-fit piece 73b4 is press-fit into the through-hole 71d.

[0110] [Receptacle Connector] The receptacle connector 2B shown in Figure 16 has a receptacle shell 82 with an outer wall portion 82c. The outer wall portion 82c has a pair of side wall portions 82c1 extending along the connector longitudinal direction and an end wall portion 82c2 connecting the ends of the side wall portions 82c1. A through hole 82d opens in the side wall portion 82c1. The receptacle connector 2B has a configuration similar to that of the receptacle connector 2A, except that the through hole 82d opens in the side wall portion 82c1.

[0111] [Mating and Unmating Operations] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the plug connector 1D is mounted on the mounting surface 3a of the substrate 3. A through hole 3b is formed in the substrate 3 at a position corresponding to the jig insertion hole 73a1 of the plug connector 1D. The outer dimensions of the through hole 3b are preferably slightly larger than those of the jig insertion hole 73a1. The release piece 74c is visibly exposed through the through hole 3b and the jig insertion hole 73a1 in the substrate 3. The receptacle connector 2B is mounted on the mounting surface 4a of the substrate 4. The plug connector 1D and the receptacle connector 2B are mated by engaging the locking portion 74b into the through hole 82d through an operation similar to the mating operation between the plug connector 1A and the receptacle connector 2B. When the plug connector 1D and the receptacle connector 2B are mated, the locking portion 74b is locked to the locked portion 82e located on the +Z side edge of the through hole 82d. This prevents the plug connector 1D and the receptacle connector 2B from being accidentally disconnected from each other.

[0112] When the plug connector 1D is removed from the receptacle connector 2B, a tweezers-shaped removal jig 9 is used, as shown in Figure 20. The removal jig 9 has a pair of arms 91, a connecting portion 92 connecting the base ends of the arms 91, and claws 93a protruding in opposing directions at the tip ends 93 of the arms 91. The arms 91 gradually taper toward the tip ends 93. The outer dimensions of the tip ends 93, including the claws 93a, are smaller than the through hole 3b and the jig insertion hole 73a1. When the outer surfaces of the arms 91 are pressed with, for example, a finger, the pair of claws 93a are displaced toward each other, with the connecting portion 92 as a fulcrum.

[0113] The tip 93 of the removal jig 9 is inserted through the through-hole 3b and the jig insertion hole 73a1 into the gap between the pair of release pieces 74c. As a result, the release pieces 74c of the first elastic arm 74A and the second elastic arm 74B are pressed apart by the tip 93, elastically deforming the pair of beams 74a toward each other and displacing the pair of locking pieces 74b toward each other. Because the elastic arm 74 extends from the second position P2 to the third position P3, the relatively long beams 74a disperse stress generated by elastic deformation. This prevents stress from concentrating on the support portion 73e and effectively prevents plastic deformation of the support portion 73e. The locking portions 74b, displaced by the elastic deformation of the beams 74a, retract from the through-hole 82d. This releases the locking portions 74b from the locked portion 82e.

[0114] When the outer surface of the arm 91 is pressed, the tip 93 abuts against the edge of the jig insertion hole 73a1 on the protruding region 11b side, and the plug connector 1D and the board 3 on which it is mounted are gripped by the removal jig 9. While maintaining this state, the removal jig 9 moves in a direction away from the board 4 (+Z direction). At this time, the claw 93a catches on the edge of the jig insertion hole 73a1. As shown in FIG. 20 , the plug connector 1D and the board 3 are pulled away from the receptacle connector 2B and the board 4 in conjunction with the movement of the removal jig 9. As a result, the plug connector 1D is removed from the receptacle connector 2B. The removal operation of the electrical connector pair 53 can be completed simply by performing the simple operation of inserting the removal jig 9 into the through hole 3b and the jig insertion hole 72a1 and then moving the removal jig 9. In addition, the removal jig 9 has a simple structure due to its tweezers shape, and therefore can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0115] In this way, the release piece 74c is positioned so that it can be operated through the through hole 3b of the circuit board 3. This eliminates the need to insert a tool to operate the release piece 74c from the connector longitudinal direction of the electrical connector pair 53. As a result, components can be placed on the circuit boards 3, 4 close to the connector longitudinal end faces of the electrical connector pair 53. Furthermore, because the release piece 74c is exposed through the through hole 3b opened in the circuit board 3, the operator can immediately recognize that the use of the removal tool 9 is required to disengage the electrical connector pair 53. As a result, the operation to disengage the electrical connector pair 53 is not performed while the locking portion 74b remains fitted in the through hole 82d, preventing damage to the electrical connector pair 53.

[0116] [Summary] As described above in detail, in the plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the present embodiment, the elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74 are formed to extend along the periphery of the plug housing 11, 41, and the fixed ends 14d of the elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74 are positioned at a first position P1 located in the short direction of the connector as viewed from the terminal holding areas 11a, 41a, and 71a, or at a second position P2 corresponding to the protruding areas 11b, 41b, and 71b, thereby making it possible to lengthen the lengths of the elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74. Therefore, when the locking portions 14b and 34b are operated and displaced, the elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74 are elastically deformed, and stress can be distributed throughout the elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74. This avoids stress concentration on the support portions 13e, 33b, 73e and prevents plastic deformation of the support portions 13e, 33b, 73e, thereby achieving high durability for the mating maintenance portions 12, 32, 72 that maintain mating with the receptacle connectors 2, 2A, 2B.

[0117] According to the plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D of this embodiment, the elastic arm portions 14, 34, 44, and 74 are formed to extend along the periphery of the plug housing 11, so that even if the elastic arm portions 14, 34, 44, and 74 are lengthened, the plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D can be prevented from becoming larger and can maintain a low profile.

[0118] In plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment, even though locking portions 14b and 34b are formed on cantilevered elastic arm portions 14, 34, and 44, movement of locking portions 14b and 34b in the connector mating direction is restricted by restricting portions 13f, 13g, and 33c. This allows locking portions 14b and 34b to move only in the locking and unlocking directions, enabling accurate locking and unlocking operations.

[0119] In plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the present embodiment, elastic arm portions 14, 34, 44, and 74 are formed of plate-like members arranged so that their thickness direction is perpendicular to the connector fitting direction, thereby suppressing deformation of elastic arm portions 14, 34, 44, and 74 in the connector fitting direction. This allows locking portions 14b, 34b, 44b, and 74b to move only in the locking and unlocking directions, allowing for accurate locking and unlocking operations.

[0120] In the plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment, a portion of the mating retention portion 12, 32, and 42 serves as an electromagnetic shield for the plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C, and the mating retention portion 12, 32, and 42 are integrated with the electromagnetic shield, i.e., the shell. This allows the number of parts for the plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C to be reduced, making them easier to manufacture and reducing manufacturing time and costs.

[0121] In plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the present embodiment, the distal ends of elastic arms 14, 34, 44, and 74 are provided with release pieces 14c, 34c, and 74c that, when pressed from the outside, move locking portions 14b, 34b, and 74b in the direction of releasing the engagement with receptacle connector 2, 2A. This allows the mating of both connectors to be maintained by the mating maintaining portions 12, 32, and 42, while the mating can be released with a simple operation.

[0122] In plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the present embodiment, locking portions 14b, 34b are provided with inclined surfaces 15, 35 that are oblique to the connector mating direction and come into contact with the receptacle connector 2 during mating. These inclined surfaces 15, 35 allow locking portions 14b, 34b to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction by the force applied from the receptacle connector 2. This allows locking portions 14b, 34b to be easily deformed when mating plug connectors 1A, 1B, and 1C with receptacle connectors 2, 2A.

[0123] In plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D according to the present embodiment, locking portions 14b, 34b, and 74b are formed as convex portions by bending portions of elastic arm portions 14, 44, and 74, respectively, and these convex portions lock the receptacle connectors 2, 2A, and 2B. By adjusting the length of the bent portions, the protruding length of locking portions 14b, 34b, and 74b can be set to an appropriate length in terms of engagement force and ease of locking or unlocking.

[0124] In the receptacle connectors 2, 2A according to this embodiment, the receptacle shell 22 is provided with inclined surfaces 22g that are oblique to the connector mating direction and come into contact with the locking portions 14b, 34b during mating. When the plug connectors 1A, 1B and the receptacle connector 2 are mated, when the inclined surfaces 22g come into contact with the locking portions 14b, 34b, the locking portions 14b, 34b are displaced inward of the plug connectors 1A, 1B. This makes it easier for the locking portions 14b, 34b to lock with the locked portions 22e.

[0125] In the receptacle connectors 2, 2A according to the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 22a of the receptacle shell 22 is made of a seamless plate-like member, thereby enhancing the electromagnetic shielding effect of the inner wall portion 22a of the receptacle shell 22. The same applies to the inner wall portion 33a of the plug connector 1B.

[0126] In this embodiment, the mating retention portions 12, 32 can be considered to be integrated with the plug shell. However, this is not limited to this. The mating retention portions 12, 32 do not have to be integrated with the plug shell, like the mating retention portion 42. In other words, the mating retention portions 12, 32 and the plug shell that functions as an electromagnetic shield may be separate members.

[0127] In this embodiment, the plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C are provided with the mating maintaining portions 12, 32, 42, and the receptacle connector 2 is provided with the locked portion 22e. However, this is not limited to this. The plug connectors 1A, 1B, 1C may be provided with a portion corresponding to the locked portion 22e, and the receptacle connectors 2, 2A may be provided with a portion corresponding to the mating maintaining portions 12, 42.

[0128] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

[0129] In addition, this application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-39720 filed on March 14, 2023, and the specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-39720 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0130] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D plug connector (electrical connector), 2, 2A, 2B receptacle connector (mating connector), 3, 4 substrate, 3a, 4a mounting surface, 3b through hole, 9 removal jig, 10 plug terminal (terminal), 10a signal terminal, 10b power terminal, 11 plug housing (housing), 11a terminal holding area, 11b protruding area, 11c convex portion, 11d through hole, 12 mating maintaining portion, 13 fixing portion, 13a main body portion, 13b inner wall portion (shell), 13c insertion piece, 13d outer wall portion, 13e support portion, 13f, 13g restricting portion, 13h cover portion, 13i inclined surface, 14 elastic arm portion, 14a beam portion, 14b locking portion, 14c release piece, 14d fixed end, 15 inclined surface, 20 Receptacle terminal (mating terminal), 20a signal terminal, 20b power terminal, 21 receptacle housing (mating housing), 21a recess, 21b land portion, 22 receptacle shell (mating shell), 22a inner wall portion, 22b receiving portion, 22c outer wall portion, 22d through hole, 22e engaged portion, 22f protruding piece, 22g inclined surface, 32 mating maintaining portion, 33 fixing portion, 33a inner wall portion, 33b support portion, 33c restricting portion, 34 elastic arm portion, 34a beam portion, 34b engaging portion, 34c release piece, 35 inclined surface, 41 plug housing, 41a terminal holding area, 41b protruding area, 41b1 inclined wall, 41d insertion portion, 42 mating maintaining portion, 43 fixing portion, 43a Main body portion, 43b inner wall portion, 43c insertion piece, 44 elastic arm portion, 44a beam portion, 44b locking portion, 50, 51, 52, 53 electrical connector pair, 60 receptacle terminal (mating terminal), 60a signal terminal, 60b power terminal, 61 receptacle housing (mating housing), 61a terminal holding area (mating terminal holding area), 61b press-fit area, 61b1 protrusion, 62 receptacle shell (mating shell), 62a inner wall portion, 62a1 inner surface, 62b receiving portion, 62c outer wall portion, 62c1 side wall portion, 62c2 end wall portion, 62d through hole, 71 plug housing, 71a terminal holding area, 71b protrusion area, 71d through hole, 71e holding portion, 72 mating maintaining portion, 73 fixing portion, 73a Flat surface portion, 73a1 jig insertion hole, 73a2 edge, 73a3 fitting hole, 73b inner wall portion (shell), 73b1 side wall portion, 73b2 end wall portion, 73b3 cover portion, 73b4 press-fit piece,73b5 Mounting portion, 73b6, 73b7 Restricting portion, 73c Retained portion, 73e Support portion, 74 Elastic arm portion, 74A First elastic arm portion, 74B Second elastic arm portion, 74a Beam portion, 74b Locking portion, 74c Release piece, 74c1 Guide surface, 74d Fixed end, 74e Connecting portion, 82 Receptacle shell (mating shell), 82c Outer wall portion, 82c1 Side wall portion, 82c2 End wall portion, 82d Through hole, 82e Locked portion, 91 Arm portion, 92 Connecting portion, 93 Tip portion, 93a Claw, CL1, CL2 Center line, H Projection hole, P1 First position, P2 Second position, P3 Third position, S Gap,

Claims

1. a plurality of conductive terminals arranged in a direction perpendicular to a connector mating direction that indicates a direction in which the connector is mated with a mating connector; an insulating housing having a terminal holding area for holding the terminal; a mating maintaining portion provided around the housing as viewed in the connector mating direction, the mating maintaining portion maintaining a mated state with the mating connector, The fitting maintaining portion is a fixing portion fixed to the housing; an elastic arm portion which is an elastically deformable cantilever beam having a fixed end connected to the fixed portion at least at one of a first position located in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction and the arrangement direction of the terminals as viewed from the terminal holding area and a second position corresponding to a protruding area connected to an end of the terminal holding area, and which extends from the fixed end along the arrangement direction beyond the protruding area to a third position; The elastic arm portion has a locking portion formed at the third position to lock onto the mating connector. Electrical connector.

2. The fixing portion includes a restricting portion that restricts movement of the locking portion in the connector fitting direction.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

3. The elastic arm portion is configured as a plate-like member arranged so that the plate thickness direction is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

4. a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the housing; The engagement retention portion is integral with the shell.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

5. a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the housing; The fitting maintaining portion is separate from the shell.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

6. The elastic arm portion has A release piece is provided which, when pressed from the outside, moves the locking portion in a direction to release the lock with the mating connector.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

7. The locking portion has a slope that is oblique to the connector fitting direction and abuts against the mating connector when the connectors are fitted together, and that displaces the locking portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction due to a force applied from the mating connector; 2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

8. The engaging portion is formed by bending a part of the elastic arm portion into a convex shape.

4. The electrical connector of claim 3.

9. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a mating connector that is fitted with the electrical connector and has a locked portion that is locked to the locking portion; 1. An electrical connector pair comprising:

10. The mating connector is a conductive mating terminal that contacts the terminal; a conductive mating shell surrounding at least a portion of the mating terminal; a mating housing that holds the mating terminal and the mating shell, The locked portion is provided on the mating shell.

10. The electrical connector pair of claim 9.

11. The locked portion is an edge portion of a through hole provided in the mating shell.

11. The electrical connector pair of claim 10.

12. The mating shell has: a slope that is oblique to the connector fitting direction and abuts against the locking portion when the connectors are fitted, and that displaces the locking portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction; 11. The electrical connector pair of claim 10.

13. The mating shell is composed of a seamless plate-like member.

11. The electrical connector pair of claim 10.

14. the mating housing includes a mating terminal holding region that extends in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction and holds the mating terminal, and press-fit regions that are connected to both ends of the mating terminal holding region, the mating shell has an inner wall portion surrounding a space into which the press-fit region is press-fitted, The mating shell is held in the mating housing with the press-fit region press-fitted into the space formed by the inner wall portion.

11. The electrical connector pair of claim 10.

15. A housing structure forming process that integrally forms a plurality of conductive terminals arranged in a direction perpendicular to the connector mating direction that indicates the direction in which the connector is mated with the mating connector, an insulating housing in which a terminal holding area that holds the terminals is formed, and a mating retention portion that is provided around the housing and has a cantilever-shaped elastic arm portion that can be elastically deformed; a shell press-fitting step of press-fitting a conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the housing into the housing while elastically deforming the elastic arm portion; Including, the mating retention portion has a fixed portion fixed to the housing, and a fixed end connected to the fixed portion at at least one of a first position located in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the connector mating direction and the arrangement direction of the terminals as viewed from the terminal holding area, and a second position corresponding to a protruding area connected to an end of the terminal holding area, the elastic arm portion extends from the fixed end along the arrangement direction beyond the protruding region to a third position, The elastic arm portion has a locking portion formed at the third position to lock onto the mating connector. A method for manufacturing an electrical connector.

16. The elastic arm portion comprises a first elastic arm portion and a second elastic arm portion, The first elastic arm portion and the second elastic arm portion are provided with release pieces that, when pressed from the outside, move the locking portion in a direction to release the locking with the mating connector, and the release pieces are provided opposite each other with a gap between them, In the shell press-fitting step, a jig is inserted into the gap to separate the release pieces, thereby press-fitting the shell into the housing while elastically deforming the elastic arm portions. The method for manufacturing an electrical connector according to claim 15.