Connector and connector device

Abstract

This connector 100 includes a housing 101, a plurality of terminals 105, and two additional members 110. The additional members 110 include two lock mechanisms 120 positioned so as to face each other in a second direction. The lock mechanisms 120 include a spring part 121, an extension part 122, a lock part 123, and an operation part 124. The operation part 124 can move between a non-release position and a release position further outside the connector 100 than the non-release position in the second direction positioned when receiving a pressing operation toward the outside of the connector 100 in the second direction. When the operation part 124 moves from the non-release position to the release position, the lock part 123 moving in conjunction with the operation part 124 moves with a movement amount in a second direction larger than the operation part 124. Thus, when the lock mechanism is unlocked using a lock release jig, an elastic member of the lock mechanism can be prevented from buckling.

Description

Connector and connector device

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device including a connector and an unlocking tool that can be used with the connector.

[0002] Conventionally, connectors have been known in which a mating connector can be mated or unmated by moving the mating connector along a third direction (e.g., up-down) perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction (e.g., left-right direction) and a second direction (e.g., front-rear direction), which are perpendicular to each other. Some of these connectors are equipped with a locking mechanism that maintains the mated state with the mating connector.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a connector equipped with a locking mechanism as shown in FIG. 28. Specifically, the connector (100) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes two additional members (400) on each side of the connector (100), for a total of four restriction mechanisms (500). Each of the four restriction mechanisms (500) is a U-shaped plate-like spring member. A protrusion (511) serving as a locking portion is formed on the base end of the elastically deformable spring member, and an operating portion (550) is formed on the tip end of the spring member. An operator inserts a release tool (not shown) and presses the pressure-receiving portions (552) of the operating portion (550) outward on both sides, thereby moving the protrusion (511) formed on the base end of the spring. In other words, the mated state of the connectors is maintained by the protrusion (511) engaging with the mating connector, and the mated state of the connectors is released by the protrusion (511) moving away from the mating connector. The symbols used in the explanations of the prior art documents are placed in parentheses to distinguish them from the embodiments of the present invention.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-181824

[0005] However, in the structure of the spring member provided in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to ensure a large displacement of the operating portion (550) located at the tip side of the spring member relative to the displacement of the protrusion (511) serving as a locking portion located at the base side of the elastically deformable spring member. Therefore, in order to ensure the displacement of the protrusion (511) that maintains and releases the mated state of the connectors, it is necessary to increase the dimension (protrusion amount) of the operating portion (550) in the direction of displacement in the space into which the jig is inserted. Therefore, particularly when the release jig is inserted from above the connector (100), there is a risk that the release jig will hit the portion of the operating portion (550) that protrudes significantly into the space when releasing the locking mechanism, and accidentally push it downward, causing the spring member to buckle.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a connector that can set the amount of displacement of the operating part small while ensuring a sufficient amount of displacement of the locking part, which is responsible for maintaining and releasing the mated state of the connectors, and therefore can set the amount of protrusion of the operating part in the space where the release tool is inserted small, thereby preventing the release tool from accidentally pressing it down and buckling the plate-shaped spring member (elastic member), and a connector device that includes this connector and an unlocking tool that can be used with it.

[0007] A connector according to the present invention is a connector in which a mating connector is mated or unmated by moving the mating connector along a third direction that is perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction and a second direction that are perpendicular to each other, the connector comprising: a housing, a plurality of terminals, and two additional members; the plurality of terminals are held by the housing and are arranged in a direction along the first direction; the two additional members are held by the housing and are located at both ends of the housing in the first direction; each of the two additional members comprises two locking mechanisms that are located so as to face each other in the second direction; each of the two locking mechanisms comprises a spring portion, an extension portion, a locking portion, and an operating portion; the spring portion is a plate-like elastic member that is U-shaped when viewed in the third direction, closed on the outside of the connector in the first direction and open on the inside; an outer end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction is formed as a fixed end; the inner end of the connector is formed as a free end, the extension portion is continuous with the inner end of the connector in the second direction, which is formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion, and is formed to extend in the first direction, thereby allowing displacement in the second direction by the elastic force of the spring portion, the locking portion is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion, and has a locking surface facing one of the third directions, the operating portion is located between the spring portion and the locking portion of the extension portion in the first direction, and is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion, and the operating portion can move between a non-release position and a release position that is located outside the connector than the non-release position in the second direction when it is pressed toward the outside of the connector in the second direction, and when the operating portion moves from the non-release position to the release position, the locking portion, which moves in conjunction with the operating portion, moves a greater amount of movement in the second direction than the operating portion.

[0008] That is, in the connector of the present invention, the operating portion is formed at the base end of a U-shaped plate-like elastic member, and the locking portion is formed at the tip end of the plate-like elastic member. Therefore, when the operating portion moves from the non-release position to the release position, the locking portion, which moves in conjunction with the operating portion, can move a greater distance than the operating portion. In other words, the operating portion can be moved a smaller distance than the locking portion. This reduces the amount of movement of the operating portion required to ensure the locking portion's displacement, and reduces the amount of protrusion in the direction of movement of the operating portion when waiting for insertion of the unlocking tool. This prevents the protruding portion from being accidentally depressed with the unlocking tool, causing irregular deformation of the plate-like elastic member and resulting buckling of the elastic member. Furthermore, since the configuration of the present invention reduces the amount of movement of the operating portion required for unlocking compared to conventional connectors, the operability of unlocking by inserting the unlocking tool is improved compared to conventional connectors. Furthermore, the amount of engagement of the locking portion can be set to be larger, which has the effect of realizing a more reliable and stronger locking mechanism.

[0009] In the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a top plate and a bending portion, and the top plate is formed in a position that at least partially covers the spring portion and the extension portion when viewed along one of the directions of the third direction, and has an extension parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and the bending portion can be formed as a curved bending shape that connects the outer end of the connector in the second direction of the U-shape that constitutes the spring portion to the top plate.

[0010] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a hold-down that is continuous with an end formed on the inside of the connector in the first direction of the top plate and extends from the end toward one of the third directions, and further includes a soldering portion at the end opposite to the side that connects to the end of the hold-down, so that when the connector is placed on a board arranged on the side facing one of the third directions, the soldering portion can be soldered to the board.

[0011] Furthermore, in the connector of the present invention, each of the two additional members further includes a regulating portion, which is fixed to the top plate and has a regulating surface facing one side of the third direction, and the extension portion is formed with a regulated surface facing the other side of the third direction, and when the operating portion is in the non-release position, the regulating surface faces the regulated surface in the third direction, and the regulated surface abuts against the regulating surface in the third direction, thereby regulating movement of the locking portion in the other side of the third direction.

[0012] Furthermore, in the connector according to the present invention, it is preferable that the locking portion and the regulated surface at least partially overlap each other in positions in the first direction on the extension portion.

[0013] A connector device according to the present invention comprises the above-described connector and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector has at least two abutment surfaces on the housing or the additional member on each side in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other of the third directions, the planes being positioned differently in the third direction, and the unlocking tool has two pressing legs that can be inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms of the two additional members that are positioned to face each other in the second direction by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions. Each of the pressing legs is positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and has two pressing operation surfaces that can move the two operation parts of the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by the insertion thereof, and each of the pressing legs can further have at least two abutment surfaces that are planes that are perpendicular to the third direction, face one of the directions, and are located at different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and abut against the at least two abutted surfaces by the insertion thereof.

[0014] Furthermore, a connector device according to the present invention includes the above-described connector and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector includes at least two abutment surfaces on the housing or the top plate on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other of the third directions, the planes being positioned differently in the third direction, and the unlocking tool includes two pressing legs that can be inserted into a gap between the two locking mechanisms that are positioned to face each other in the second direction and that are provided on each of the two additional members by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions. Each of the pressing legs is positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and has two pressing operation surfaces that can move the two operation parts of the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by inserting the pressing legs into the gap between the two locking mechanisms. Each of the pressing legs can further have at least two abutment surfaces that are planes that are perpendicular to the third direction, face one of the directions, and are located at different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and that abut against the at least two abutted surfaces by inserting the pressing legs into the gap.

[0015] Furthermore, in the connector device of the present invention, each of the two additional members of the connector has a connector-side sliding surface that is a plane that is perpendicular to the first direction and faces the outside of the connector in the first direction, and is elastically displaceable in the first direction, and a connector-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the connector-side sliding surface, and each of the pressing legs of the unlocking jig has a jig-side sliding surface that is a plane that is perpendicular to the first direction and faces the inside of the connector in the first direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the jig-side sliding surface, and when the at least two abutted surfaces and the at least two abutting surfaces abut against each other by inserting the pressing leg into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion and the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion to the operator operating the unlocking jig.

[0016] According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to set the displacement amount of the operating unit large to ensure the displacement amount of the locking unit, the protrusion amount of the operating unit in the space into which the unlocking tool is inserted to unlock the connector's locking mechanism, specifically the space defined by the gap between two opposing locking mechanisms in the second direction, can be set small. Therefore, a connector can be provided that prevents the protruding portion from being accidentally pressed down with the unlocking tool, causing irregular deformation of the plate-shaped elastic member and resulting buckling of the elastic member. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a connector can be provided with improved unlocking operability compared to conventional connectors, since the movement amount of the operating unit required for unlocking is small. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the engagement amount of the locking unit can be set large, thereby providing a connector with a more reliable and strong locking mechanism. Furthermore, according to the connector device of the present invention, the orientation of the unlocking tool in contact with the connector can be easily stabilized, effectively preventing problems such as prying of the unlocking tool. Furthermore, a clicking sensation can be imparted to the unlocking operation using the unlocking tool.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view showing the connector and mating connector of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a right side view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 2 along line 6-6. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and mating connector of FIG. 4 along line 7-7. FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view showing the connector of this embodiment with the mating connector removed. FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view showing the mating connector of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a lower perspective view showing the mating connector of this embodiment in an exploded state. FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view showing the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view showing the connector of this embodiment in an exploded state. FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a lower perspective view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a top view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 17 is a front view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the additional member of FIG. 17 along line 18-18. FIG. 19 is a right side view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 20 is a left side view showing an additional member constituting the connector of this embodiment. FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view showing an unlocking jig of this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a front view for explaining how to use the unlocking jig of this embodiment, showing the state before the mated connector and the mating connector are unlocked. In the figure, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are indicated by dashed lines. FIG. 23 is a front view for explaining how to use the unlocking jig of this embodiment, showing the state when the mated connector and the mating connector are unlocked. In the figure, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are indicated by dashed lines. FIG. 24 is a right side view for explaining how to use the unlocking jig of this embodiment, showing the state when the mated connector and the mating connector are unlocked.Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector, mating connector, and unlocking jig of Fig. 24 taken along line 25-25. Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector, mating connector, and unlocking jig of Fig. 24 taken along line 26-26. Fig. 27 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the unlocking jig, connector, and mating connector of this embodiment, showing a perspective view of the connector and mating connector as viewed from above. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the connector of Patent Document 1.

[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the present invention, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are defined, and in the drawings, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are defined for the convenience of explanation. In this specification, the first direction is the left-right direction. In the drawings, the left-right direction is indicated as the X direction. In particular, the right is defined as the +X direction, and the left is defined as the -X direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the second direction is the front-back direction. In the drawings, the front-back direction is indicated as the Y direction. In particular, the front is defined as the +Y direction, and the rear is defined as the -Y direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the third direction is the up-down direction. In the drawings, the up-down direction is indicated as the Z direction. In particular, the up is defined as the +Z direction, and the down is defined as the -Z direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0020] 1 to 7, the connector 100 of this embodiment constitutes a connector assembly 10 together with a mating connector 500. In this embodiment, the mating connector 500 is configured as a plug connector, and the connector 100 is configured as a receptacle connector.

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 and 8, in the connector assembly 10 of this embodiment, the mating connector 500 is mated with or removed from the connector 100 by moving the mating connector 500 along a third direction (Z: up-down direction) that is perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction (X: left-right direction) and a second direction (Y: front-back direction) that are perpendicular to each other.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the mating connector 500 of this embodiment includes a mating housing 501 , a plurality of mating terminals 505 , and two mating additional members 510 .

[0023] The mating housing 501 is a member that functions as an insulator, and is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0024] The plurality of mating terminals 505 are made of a conductive metal material and are formed, for example, by punching a metal plate and then performing press processing or the like. The plurality of mating terminals 505 in this embodiment are held by the mating housing 501 and are arranged in a direction along the left-right direction, which is the first direction. The mating housing 501 and the plurality of mating terminals 505 can be integrally formed, for example, by injection molding or the like.

[0025] The two mating additional members 510 are members that are held by the mating housing 501 and are located at both ends of the mating housing 501 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction. In this embodiment, the two additional members 510 are attached to the housing 501 by fitting them from below upward (in the +Z direction) into both ends of the housing 501, which includes a plurality of terminals 505 that are integrally formed by injection molding or the like. The mating additional members 510 are formed, for example, from a metal material.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the two mating additional members 510 of this embodiment has a locking hole 511 on its front and rear surfaces. That is, the mating connector 500 of this embodiment has one locking hole 511 on each of the front and rear surfaces of the left and right ends, for a total of four locking holes 511. These four locking holes 511 are locked by engagement with locking portions 123 of a locking mechanism 120 of the connector 100, which will be described later, so that the mating state of the mating connector 500 relative to the connector 100 can be maintained.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a connector 100 of this embodiment includes a housing 101, a plurality of terminals 105, and two additional members 110.

[0028] The housing 101 is a member that functions as an insulator, and is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0029] The plurality of terminals 105 are made of a conductive metal material and are formed, for example, by punching a metal plate and then performing press processing or the like. In this embodiment, the plurality of terminals 105 are held by the housing 101 and are arranged in a direction along the left-right direction, which is the first direction. The housing 101 and the plurality of terminals 105 can be integrally formed, for example, by injection molding or the like.

[0030] The two additional members 110 are members that are held by the housing 101 and are located at both ends of the housing 101 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction. In this embodiment, the two additional members 110 are attached to the housing 101 by fitting them from above downward (in the −Z direction) into both ends of the housing 101, which includes a plurality of terminals 105 that are integrally formed by injection molding or the like. The additional members 110 are formed, for example, from a metal material.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the two additional members 110 of this embodiment is equipped with a locking mechanism 120 that realizes a locked state by engaging with four locking hole portions 511 of the mating connector 500. Two locking mechanisms 120 are provided for each of the two additional members 110. In other words, the connector 100 is equipped with a total of four locking mechanisms 120, two on each of the left and right ends.

[0032] Next, a detailed configuration of the additional member 110 of the connector 100 equipped with the locking mechanism 120 will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 20. Note that Figures 13 to 20 show the additional member 110 installed on the right side of the connector 100.

[0033] 16, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes two locking mechanisms 120 positioned to face each other in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. Each of the two locking mechanisms 120 includes a spring portion 121, an extension portion 122, a locking portion 123, and an operating portion 124.

[0034] The spring portion 121 is a portion formed as a plate-like elastic member having a U-shape that is closed on the outside of the connector 100 in the left-right direction (first direction) and open on the inside when viewed in the up-down direction (third direction). The spring portion 121 has an outer end portion of the U-shape of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction (second direction) that is connected to and fixed to a portion of the additional member 110 other than the locking mechanism 120 (in this example, a bent portion 112 described later) and forms a fixed end, and an inner end portion of the U-shape of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction (second direction) is formed as a free end.

[0035] The extension portion 122 is a member formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion 121 and continuing to the inner end of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. The extension portion 122 is formed to extend in the left-right direction, which is the first direction, so that it can be displaced in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, by the elastic force of the spring portion 121.

[0036] The locking portion 123 is formed on the inside of the connector 100 in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of the extension portion 122. As shown in the cross-sectional shape of Fig. 7, the locking portion 123 has an inclined surface 123a formed on the upper side, and a locking surface 123b, which is a flat surface facing downward, which is one of the up-and-down directions, which is the third direction. Therefore, when mating the mating connector 500 with the connector 100, when the mating connector 500 is moved downward in the -Z direction relative to the connector 100, the surface of the mating additional member 510 of the mating connector 500 slides along the slope 123a of the locking portion 123, pushing the locking portion 123, causing the extension portion 122 to be displaced outward in the front-to-back direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100, and then the extension portion 122 is displaced inward in the front-to-back direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100, causing the locking portion 123 to fit into the locking hole portion 511 of the mating additional member 510, thereby achieving a smooth engagement state with the slope 123a of the locking portion 123. Furthermore, once the locking portion 123 is fitted into the locking hole portion 511 of the mating additional member 510, the lower locking surface 123b of the locking portion 123 faces the inner surface of the locking hole portion 155 of the mating additional member 510, and even if the mating connector 500 is moved in a direction to be removed from the connector 100 while the mating connector 500 and the connector 100 are engaged, the upward movement of the mating connector 500 in the vertical direction, which is the third direction, is restricted by the locking surface 123b abutting against the inner surface of the locking hole portion 511. In other words, the downward-facing locking surface 123b of the locking portion 123 restricts the movement of the mating connector 500 in the vertical direction, which is the third direction, and prevents it from being removed from the connector 100.

[0037] 16 , the operating portion 124 is located between the spring portion 121 and the locking portion 123 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction of the extension portion 122, and is formed on the inside of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction of the extension portion 122. The operating portion 124 is also formed to be movable between a non-release position, which is located when no pressing operation is received, and a release position, which is located when a pressing operation is received toward the outside of the connector 100 in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, and is located further outward of the connector 100 than the non-release position in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. As for the non-release position and release position of the operating portion 124, as shown in FIG. 7 , the non-release position is a state in which the locking portion 123 is fitted into the locking hole 511 of the additional member 510, and the release position is a state in which the locking portion 123 moves from the locking hole 511 of the additional member 510 to the left-right outside of the connector 100 and comes out of the locking hole 511 to release the engagement.

[0038] 13 and other drawings, the operation unit 124 is formed with a sliding slope 124a on its upper side. The operation unit 124 is pressed by an unlocking jig 700 (described later) so as to spread outward in the second direction, i.e., the front-to-rear direction. This pressing operation is performed by pressing the pressing legs 701 of the unlocking jig 700 from an upper position downward in the −Z direction, i.e., against the sliding slope 124a of the operation unit 124. In this pressing operation, the pressing legs 701 apply a pressing force while sliding on the surface of the sliding slope 124a of the operation unit 124. Therefore, since the operation unit 124 has the sliding slope 124a, an operational error in which the pressing legs 701 accidentally press down on the operation unit 124 is extremely unlikely to occur, and the pressing legs 701 can smoothly move the operation unit 124 from the non-released position to the released position.

[0039] In the locking mechanism 120 of this embodiment, the operating unit 124 is located on the side closer to the U-shaped spring 121 of the locking mechanism 120 that functions as an elastic member, i.e., on the base side of the elastic deformation of the locking mechanism 120 where the extension 122 is displaced, and the locking unit 123 is located at the tip, so that when the operating unit 124 is pressed to move from the non-released position to the released position, the locking unit 123, which moves in conjunction with the operating unit 124, moves a larger amount of movement than the operating unit 124. In other words, the locking mechanism 120 of this embodiment can set the amount of displacement of the operating unit 124 smaller than in the prior art while ensuring the necessary amount of displacement of the locking unit 123. Therefore, when the connector 100 is viewed in the third direction (up and down), the amount by which the non-release position of the operating unit 124 protrudes in the opposite direction to the release position in terms of the direction of movement, i.e., in the example of this embodiment shown in Figure 15, the amount by which the operating unit 124 protrudes inward in the second direction (front and back direction) from the top plate 111 described below, i.e., the amount by which the operating unit 124 is exposed from the top plate 111 in preparation for receiving a pressing operation, can be set smaller than in the prior art.

[0040] The additional member 110 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 20 further includes a top plate 111 and a bent portion 112 .

[0041] The top plate 111 is formed in a position that at least partially covers the spring portion 121 and the extension portion 122 when viewed along the downward direction, which is one of the third directions, i.e., the up-down direction, and is a member that is formed with an extension parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction, i.e., the left-right direction, and the second direction, i.e., the front-to-back direction.

[0042] The bent portion 112 is a curved bent portion that connects the outer end of the connector 100 in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of the U-shape that constitutes the spring portion 121, to the top plate 111.

[0043] That is, the locking mechanism 120 is formed by connecting the outer end of the U-shaped spring portion 121 in the front-rear direction to the lower end of the bent portion 112 .

[0044] Furthermore, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes a hold-down 113. As shown in FIGS. 14 , 17 , 20 , etc., the hold-down 113 is formed contiguous with an end 111a formed on the inside of the connector 100 in the left-right direction, which is the first direction, of the top plate 111, and is a portion formed to extend from the end 111a toward a downward direction (−Z direction), which is one of the up-down directions, which is the third direction. The hold-down 113 is provided with a soldering portion 113a at the end opposite the connection portion with the end 111a, i.e., at the lower end. For example, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 , when the underside of the connector 100 is placed on a second circuit board 151 arranged on the downward side, which is one of the up-down directions, which is the third direction, of the connector 100, the soldering portion 113a can be soldered to the second circuit board 151. By soldering the soldering portion 113a of the hold-down 113 to the second circuit board 151, the attachment of the additional member 110, which is equipped with a locking mechanism 120 to which an upward external force is applied when attempting to remove the mating connector 500, to the second circuit board 151 becomes more secure.

[0045] Furthermore, the additional member 110 of this embodiment includes a restricting portion 114. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, 18, 20, etc., the restricting portion 114 is formed as a portion extending from the top plate 111 toward the vicinity of the extension portion 122, and includes a restricting surface 114a facing downward, which is one direction in the up-down direction (third direction). In other words, the restricting surface 114a is fixed to the top plate 111 and faces downward. On the other hand, with respect to the extension portion 122, the surface of the portion of the extension portion 122 that faces the restricting surface 114a is formed as a regulated surface 122a that faces upward, which is the other direction in the up-down direction, which is the third direction. When the operating portion 124 is in the non-release position and no upward external force is applied to the locking mechanism 120 including the extension portion 122, the restricting surface 114a and the regulated surface 122a face each other with a gap therebetween. When an upward external force is applied to the extension portion 122 on which the locking portion 123 is formed, such as by forcibly removing the mating connector 500 while the locking portion 123 remains engaged in the locking hole 511 of the mating connector 500, the regulated surface 122a abuts against the restricting surface 114a. When the regulated surface 122a abuts against the restricting surface 114a in this manner, irregular upward movement of the extension portion 122 is strongly restricted by the restricting portion 114. In other words, the restricting portion 114 is configured to more reliably actuate the locking mechanism 120. By including the restricting portion 114 in the additional member 110 of this embodiment, damage to the locking mechanism 120 due to excessive operation can be effectively prevented.

[0046] Note that the locking portion 123 and the regulated surface 122a formed on the extension portion 122 are preferably arranged so that their positions in the X direction (left-right direction) of the extension portion 122, i.e., the first direction, at least partially overlap (see FIG. 13, etc.). The locking portion 123, to which an upward force is applied, and the regulated surface 122a, to which a downward force is applied as it hits the regulating surface 114a, are arranged in overlapping positions in the extension direction of the extension portion 122, i.e., the X direction (first direction), thereby preventing torque and bending stress from occurring in the extension portion 122, making the action of the regulating portion 114 effective, and preferably preventing malfunctions such as breakage of the locking mechanism 120.

[0047] The above has described the detailed configuration of the four locking mechanisms 120 provided in the connector 100, two for each of the two additional members 110. Next, the operation when the mating connector 500 is mated with or removed from the connector 100 will be described.

[0048] When mating the mating connector 500 with the connector 100, as shown in FIG. 8 , the mating connector 500 is moved downward in the −Z direction to fit the mating connector 500 into the connector 100. At this time, the surface of the mating additional member 510 of the mating connector 500 slides along the slope 123a of the locking portion 123 as it is pushed into the connector 100, causing the extension portion 122 to temporarily displace outward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100. Thereafter, the extension portion 122 displaces back inward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction of the connector 100, causing the locking portion 123 to fit into the locking hole portion 511 of the additional member 510. This action realizes the engagement between the locking hole portion 511 and the locking portion 123 shown in FIG. 7 , achieving a locked state that maintains the engagement between the mating connector 500 and the connector 100.

[0049] An unlocking tool 700 is used to release the locked state between the mating connector 500 and the connector 100. The unlocking tool 700 of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 21. That is, the two additional members 110 provided in the connector 100 each have two locking mechanisms 120, for a total of four locking mechanisms 120, and the four operating parts 124 of these operating parts 124 can be simultaneously operated by this unlocking tool 700.

[0050] The unlocking jig 700 is a vertically elongated cubic member having two pressing legs 701 protruding downward from the lower left and right ends in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the member when it is in an orientation intended for use with the connector assembly 10 in which the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are mated with each other, as shown in FIG. 21 . Each of the pressing legs 701 has a total of two pressing operation surfaces 701a facing outward in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). In other words, the unlocking jig 700 has a total of four pressing operation surfaces 701a. The unlocking jig 700 is used by moving it downward in the −Z direction from an upper position of the connector assembly 10 in which the mating connector 500 is mated with the connector 100, to change from the state shown in FIG. 22 to the state shown in FIG. 23 . 1 and 2 , when the connector 100 and the mating connector 500 are mated, the gap between the two locking mechanisms 120 provided on each additional member 110 so as to face each other in the front-to-rear direction defines an upwardly open space. Two pressing legs 701 of the unlocking jig 700 are simultaneously inserted from above into each of the two upwardly open spaces, one on each side of the mated connector assembly 10 in the left-to-right direction. At this time, the amount of protrusion of the operating portion 124 into each of the spaces, specifically, the dimension of the operating portion 124 exposed inward in the Y direction (front-to-rear direction) from the top plate 111 when viewed from above along the Z direction, is significantly smaller than in the prior art (see FIG. 15 ). When the unlocking tool 700 is pressed downward in the -Z direction against such a connector assembly 10 as shown in Figure 23, the two pressing legs 701 of the unlocking tool 700 each have two pressing operation surfaces 701a, a total of four of which are provided, which press the four operation parts 124, one of which is provided on each of the locking mechanisms 120 of the connector 100, outward in the second direction, that is, the front-to-rear direction, thereby moving each of them from the non-released position to the released position.As a result, extension portion 122 moves outward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the second direction, so as to open with U-shaped spring portion 121 as a fulcrum, and lock portion 123, which is located farther from the fulcrum along extension portion 122 than operation portion 124, moves in conjunction with it in the same direction as operation portion 124 and by an amount greater than the amount of movement of operation portion 124 from the non-release position to the release position. In the start state of this operation, i.e., the state in which connector assembly 10 is waiting for insertion of unlocking tool 700, the amount of operation portion 124 exposed from top plate 111 is small as described above, so that an operational error in accidentally pressing down operation portion 124 or extension portion 122 with pressing leg portion 701 is extremely unlikely to occur. 13 and 15, the exposed portion of operation unit 124 that is exposed from top plate 111 in a small dimension forms sliding slope 124a, so that when pressing legs 701 of unlocking jig 700 are pressed against sliding slope 124a from an upper position downward in the −Z direction, pressing legs 701 slide along the surface of sliding slope 124a, thereby pressing operation so as to spread operation unit 124 outward in the second direction, the front-to-rear direction, and thus pressing legs 701 can smoothly move operation unit 124 from the non-release position to the release position. Furthermore, with the configuration of this embodiment, the amount of operation (movement amount) required to move operation unit 124 to the non-release position is small, so that the operability of unlocking is improved and lighter than with conventional technology. The movement of locking portion 123 described above releases the engagement of locking portion 123 that was fitted into locking hole 511 of mating additional member 510, i.e., locking surface 123b no longer contacts or faces the inner surface of locking hole 511 in the vertical direction, and the upper part of locking portion 123 is released, allowing it to move upward. When the engagement between locking hole 511 and locking portion 123 is released, that is, from the state shown in FIG. 23 , the operator can lift mating connector 500 upward in the +Z direction, thereby removing mating connector 500 from connector 100.

[0051] As shown in Figures 24 to 27, connector 100 of this embodiment includes three abutment surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ, which are three planes with different heights in the Z direction (vertical direction), i.e., three planes that are perpendicular to the Z direction and face upward, but whose positions in the third direction are different from one another. Specifically, abutment surfaces 100α and 100β are formed at different vertical heights in a portion of housing 101 located below the upwardly open space between two locking mechanisms 120 facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, so that abutment surface 100α is positioned relatively higher and abutment surface 100β is positioned relatively lower. Abutment surface 100γ is configured as the upper surface of top plate 111 of locking mechanism 120 and is positioned at the highest vertical position of the three abutment surfaces. On the other hand, the pressing leg portion 701 of the unlocking tool 700 of this embodiment has contact surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ, which are three flat surfaces that are all perpendicular to the Z direction and face downward, and have different heights in the Z direction (up and down direction) when in the attitude in which they are to be used with the connector assembly 10, i.e., different positions in the third direction.

[0052] The three contact surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ correspond to the three contacted surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ in terms of their positions on the XY plane and their positions (heights) in the Z direction. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 24 to 27, when the unlocking jig 700 is pressed against the connector assembly 10 to perform an unlocking operation, the three contact surfaces 700α, 700β, and 700γ come into surface contact with the three contacted surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ, respectively, to form three contact surfaces that are different in height in the up-down direction. In this way, by providing multiple contact surfaces between the connector 100, which receives a downward pressing force from the unlocking jig 700 in the −Z direction, and the unlocking jig 700, the posture of the unlocking jig 700 in contact with the connector 100 can be stabilized, thereby preferably preventing problems such as prying of the unlocking jig 700. Note that in this embodiment, three abutment surfaces 100α, 100β, and 100γ are provided on the housing 101 of the connector 100, two on the housing 101 and one on the top plate 111, forming three contact surfaces. However, in the present invention, it is sufficient that at least two contact surfaces are provided between the connector and the unlocking jig. When two contact surfaces are provided, for example, on the connector 100 side, two abutment surfaces of different heights may be provided on the housing 101, or one abutment surface may be provided on the housing 101 and the other on the top plate 111.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and elsewhere, the additional member 110 of the connector 100 is provided with a sliding portion 116 that connects to the top plate 111 and extends downward (in the -Z direction). The sliding portion 116 is formed with a connector-side sliding surface 116a, which is a flat surface parallel to the vertical direction (Z direction) that slides against the unlocking jig 700 when the unlocking jig 700 is inserted. The connector-side sliding surface 116a is perpendicular to the X direction and faces outward in the X direction, i.e., the left-right direction of the connector 100. The sliding portion 116 is fixed to the top plate 111 and has elasticity that allows it to deform in the direction perpendicular to the connector-side sliding surface 116a, i.e., the X direction. The connector-side sliding surface 116a is formed with a connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115, which in this embodiment is a convex portion that protrudes from the connector-side sliding surface 116a. 21 and 25, the pressing leg 701 of the unlocking jig 700 is provided with a jig-side sliding surface 701b that is perpendicular to the X direction and faces inward in the X direction, i.e., the left-right direction of the connector 100, when the pressing leg 701 is inserted from above into the gap between two locking mechanisms 120 facing each other in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Figures 21, 24, and 25, the jig-side sliding surface 701b has a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 formed as a recess formed in the jig-side sliding surface 701b in this embodiment, or more specifically, as a through-hole that penetrates the pressing leg 701 perpendicularly from the jig-side sliding surface 701b in this example.

[0054] When the unlocking jig 700 is moved downward (in the −Z direction) relative to the connector assembly 10 to perform the unlocking operation, as can be seen in FIG. 25 , the jig-side sliding surface 701b and the connector-side sliding surface 116a come into surface contact with each other and slide while the unlocking jig 700 moves downward (in the −Z direction). As a result of this sliding, the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115, which is a convex portion, enters the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705, which is a concave portion, as shown in FIG. 25 . At this time, the elasticity of the sliding portion 116 generates a click sensation as a slight impact. That is, the operator operating the unlocking jig 700 can receive a click sensation indicating that the unlocking jig 700 is sufficiently pressed against the connector assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 25 , and the operation portion 124 has moved, achieving unlocking. The convex portion of the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion 115 and the concave portion of the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 are preferably formed so that there is an appropriate amount of play in the Z direction when the convex portion enters the concave portion. In this example, the recess of the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion 705 is formed as a through hole, but the recess may also be formed as a recessed hole in the jig-side sliding surface 701 b. Furthermore, the protrusions and recesses may be interchanged, and the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion may be formed as a recess, and the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion may be formed as a protrusion.

[0055] 23, when used with the connector assembly 10, the unlocking jig 700 of this embodiment preferably has an outer shape that does not extend beyond the outer shape of the connector assembly 10 when viewed in the third direction, i.e., the up-down direction. By making the outer shape of the unlocking jig 700 such that it does not extend beyond the outer shape of the connector assembly 10, it is possible to avoid interference with other components installed on the board, for example, and this contributes to improved operability.

[0056] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0057] For example, the connector assembly 10 consisting of the mating connector 500 and connector 100 of the above-described embodiment is particularly useful when used as a board-to-board connector that electrically connects a first circuit board 551 on which the mating connector 500 is mounted and a second circuit board 151 on which the connector 100 is mounted, as shown in Figures 22 and 23.

[0058] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mating connector 500 is configured as a plug connector, the connector 100 is configured as a receptacle connector, and the locking mechanism 120 is installed on the connector 100. However, the connector may be either a plug connector or a receptacle connector as long as the locking mechanism according to the present invention exhibits the same effects as in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, in the present invention, the mating connector and the connector include all types of connectors.

[0059] It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0060] 10 Connector assembly 100 Connector 101 Housing 105 Multiple terminals 110 Additional member 111 Top plate 111a End 112 Bent portion 113 Hold-down 113a Soldered portion 114 Restricting portion 114a Restricting surface 115 Connector side operation feeling imparting portion (convex portion) 116 Sliding portion 116a Connector side sliding surface 120 Locking mechanism 121 Spring portion 122 Extension portion 122a Restricted surface 123 Locking portion 123a Inclined surface 123b Locking surface 124 Operation portion 124a Sliding inclined surface 151 Second circuit board (board) 100α Contacted surface 100β Contacted surface 100γ Contacted surface 500 Mating connector 501 Counterpart housing 505: Multiple counterpart terminals 510: Counterpart additional member 511: Lock hole portion 551: First circuit board (board) 700: Unlock jig 701: Pressing leg portion 701a: Pressing operation surface 701b: Jig side sliding surface 705: Jig side operation feeling imparting portion (recess) 700α: Contact surface 700β: Contact surface 700γ: Contact surface

Claims

1. A connector in which a mating connector is mated or removed by moving the mating connector along a third direction perpendicular to an imaginary plane formed by a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other, the connector comprising a housing, a plurality of terminals, and two additional members, the plurality of terminals being held by the housing and arranged in a direction along the first direction, the two additional members being held by the housing and positioned at both ends of the housing in the first direction, each of the two additional members comprising two locking mechanisms positioned to face each other in the second direction, each of the two locking mechanisms comprising a spring portion, an extension portion, a locking portion, and an operating portion, the spring portion being a plate-like elastic member having a U-shape that is closed on the outside of the connector in the first direction and open on the inside when viewed in the third direction, the outer end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction being formed as a fixed end, and the inner end of the U-shape of the connector in the second direction being formed as a free end, the extension portion is continuous with an inner end of the connector in the second direction formed as a free end of the U-shaped spring portion and extended in the first direction, thereby allowing displacement in the second direction by the elastic force of the spring portion; the locking portion is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion and has a locking surface facing one of the third directions; the operation portion is located between the spring portion and the locking portion in the first direction of the extension portion and is formed on the inner side of the connector in the second direction of the extension portion; and the operation portion can move between a non-release position and a release position that is outside the connector further than the non-release position in the second direction and is located when a pressing operation is received toward the outside of the connector in the second direction; and the locking portion, which moves in conjunction with the operation portion when the operation portion moves from the non-release position to the release position, moves an amount of movement in the second direction that is greater than that of the operation portion.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein each of the two additional members further comprises a top plate and a bent portion, the top plate being formed in a position that at least partially covers the spring portion and the extension portion when viewed along one of the third directions, and having an extension parallel to an imaginary plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and the bent portion being formed as a curved bent shape that connects the outer end of the connector in the second direction of the U-shaped portion constituting the spring portion to the top plate.

3. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein each of the two additional members further comprises a hold-down, which is continuous with an end formed on the inside of the connector in the first direction of the top plate and extends from said end toward said one of the third directions, and further, a soldering portion is provided on an end of the hold-down opposite to the end connected to said end, and when the connector is placed on a board arranged on the side facing said one of the third directions, the soldering portion can be soldered to the board.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the two additional members further comprises a regulating portion, the regulating portion having a regulating surface fixed to the top plate and facing one side of the third direction, the extension portion being formed with a regulated surface facing the other side of the third direction, and when the operating portion is in the non-release position, the regulating surface faces the regulated surface in the third direction, and the regulated surface abuts against the regulating surface in the third direction, thereby regulating movement of the locking portion in the other side of the third direction.

5. A connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking portion and the regulated surface at least partially overlap each other in the first direction in the extension portion.

6. A connector device comprising the connector according to claim 1 and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector has at least two abutment surfaces on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other of the third directions, the positions of which differ from each other in the third direction, on the housing or the additional member; the unlocking tool has two pressing legs that can be inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms that are positioned to face each other in the second direction and that are provided on each of the two additional members by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions; each of the pressing legs has two pressing operation surfaces that are positioned facing both outside directions in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and that can move the two operation parts provided on the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by the insertion; a connector device characterized in that each of the pressing legs is a plane that is perpendicular to the third direction, faces the one direction, and has different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and further has at least two abutment surfaces that abut against the at least two abutted surfaces respectively upon insertion.

7. A connector device comprising the connector according to claim 2 and an unlocking tool, wherein the connector has at least two abutment surfaces on each of both sides in the first direction, the abutment surfaces being planes perpendicular to the third direction and facing the other of the third directions, the positions of which differ from each other in the third direction, on the housing or top plate, and the unlocking tool has two pressing legs that can be inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms positioned opposite each other in the second direction provided on each of the two additional members by moving toward the connector along one of the third directions, and each of the pressing legs has two pressing operation surfaces that are positioned facing both outer sides in the second direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and that can move the two operation parts provided on the two locking mechanisms from the non-released position to the released position by the insertion, a connector device characterized in that each of the pressing legs is a plane that is perpendicular to the third direction, faces the one direction, and has different positions in the third direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and further has at least two abutment surfaces that abut against the at least two abutted surfaces respectively upon insertion.

8. A connector device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein each of the two additional members of the connector has a connector-side sliding surface which is a flat surface perpendicular to the first direction and facing the outside of the connector in the first direction and is elastically displaceable in the first direction, and a connector-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of either a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the connector-side sliding surface, each of the pressing legs of the unlocking jig has a jig-side sliding surface which is a flat surface perpendicular to the first direction and facing the inside of the connector in the first direction when inserted into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, and a jig-side operation feeling imparting portion consisting of the other of a convex portion or a concave portion is formed on the jig-side sliding surface, and when the at least two abutted surfaces abut against the at least two abutting surfaces by inserting the pressing legs into the gap between the two locking mechanisms, the connector-side operation feeling imparting portion and the jig-side operation feeling imparting portion fit together, thereby imparting an operation feeling to the operator operating the unlocking jig.

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