Substrate connector

Abstract

The present invention prevents the displacement of a terminal fitting relative to a housing.　A substrate connector (A) includes: a housing (10) having a terminal housing chamber (13); and a first terminal fitting (30). The first terminal fitting (30) has a terminal body (31) that is housed in the terminal housing chamber (13), and a first substrate connection part (37) that extends rearward from the terminal body (31) and is positioned outside the housing (10). The terminal body (31) has: a press-fitting protrusion (36) for pressing an inner wall part of the terminal housing chamber (13); and an elastically deformable elastic contact piece (35). The housing (10) has a rear wall part (21) positioned so as to face a rear end part of the terminal body (31) from the rear. The rear wall part (21) is provided with an insertion groove (23) through which the first substrate connection part (37) is inserted.

Description

PCB Connectors

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a board connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector having a housing and multiple plug terminals, which is mounted on a circuit board. The housing has multiple spaces defined by walls. The plug terminals are single components having a main body accommodated in the spaces, legs extending from the main body, and mounting pieces connected to the legs and mounted on a cable. A press-fit protrusion is formed on the main body. The plug terminals are attached to the housing by inserting the main body into the spaces. The main body inserted into the spaces is prevented from coming out by the press-fit protrusion biting into the inner walls of the spaces.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-192612

[0004] A plug terminal is a component formed by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape. A contact piece is formed on the main body portion, which elastically contacts the mating terminal. To reduce frictional resistance during the connection process between the contact piece and the mating terminal, it is preferable to reduce the thickness of the metal plate. However, when the metal plate is thin, the rigidity of the press-fit protrusion decreases, which can cause the main body portion, which is press-fitted into the space, to easily come out.

[0005] The board connector of the present disclosure was developed based on the above circumstances, and aims to prevent relative displacement of the terminal fittings with respect to the housing.

[0006] The board connector of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a terminal accommodating chamber, and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate, wherein the terminal fitting has a terminal main body portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber, and a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal main body portion and positioned outside the housing, the terminal main body portion having a press-fit protrusion that presses against the inner wall portion of the terminal accommodating chamber, and an elastically deformable elastic contact piece, the housing having a rear wall portion positioned so as to face the rear end portion of the terminal main body portion from behind, and an insertion space for inserting the board connection portion is formed in the rear wall portion.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from being displaced relative to the housing.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board connector according to a first embodiment, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state before a retainer is attached to a housing main body, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first terminal fitting, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second terminal fitting, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a board connector according to a second embodiment, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view of the board connector. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings have been attached to the housing main body during the assembling process of the board connector, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a state in which the retainer has been attached from the state shown in FIG. 10 during the assembling process of the board connector, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the retainer, viewed from an upper rear diagonal. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the retainer as viewed from the diagonally upper front. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the first terminal fittings as viewed from the diagonally upper rear. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the second terminal fittings as viewed from the diagonally upper rear. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the board connector of Example 3 as viewed from the diagonally upper front. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the board connector as viewed from the diagonally upper rear. Fig. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the board connector. Fig. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first terminal fittings and the second terminal fittings have been attached to the housing main body during the assembly process of the board connector. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the housing main body as viewed from the diagonally upper front. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the front member as viewed from the diagonally upper front. Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the front member as viewed from the diagonally upper rear.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments, provided no contradictions exist, is also included in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. The board connector of the present disclosure includes: (1) a housing having a terminal accommodating chamber and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate, the terminal fitting having a terminal body portion accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber and a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal body portion and disposed outside the housing, the terminal body portion having a press-fit protrusion that presses against an inner wall portion of the terminal accommodating chamber and an elastically deformable resilient contact piece, the housing having a rear wall portion positioned rearwardly opposite the rear end portion of the terminal body portion, and an insertion space formed in the rear wall portion through which the board connection portion is inserted. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the terminal body portion abuts against the rear wall portion, thereby preventing rearward relative displacement of the terminal fitting with respect to the housing.

[0010] (2) It is preferable that the terminal body has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, and the rear wall portion faces three of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body from which the board connection portion does not extend. With this configuration, when the terminal body is pressed against the rear wall portion, stress is distributed to the three plate portions, thereby preventing deformation of the terminal body.

[0011] (3) In (1) or (2), the housing is preferably configured by assembling a housing main body, in which the terminal accommodating chamber is integrally formed and the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open as an insertion opening for the terminal body, and a retainer, which is a separate part from the housing main body and has the rear wall portion integrally formed therewith. With this configuration, the terminal body can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber from the rear of the housing main body, thereby preventing interference between the board connecting portion and the housing main body when assembling the terminal fitting.

[0012] (4) In (3), it is preferable that the housing main body is formed with a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber during the process of assembling the retainer, and the insertion space has a slit shape that is parallel to the assembling direction of the retainer. With this configuration, the retainer can be assembled to the housing main body without interfering with the board connecting portion.

[0013] (5) In (4), it is preferable that the housing main body has a plurality of the terminal accommodating chambers formed therein so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal body into the terminal accommodating chamber, and that the pair of guide portions are disposed at both ends of the housing main body in the width direction. With this configuration, the retainer can be held in a stable assembled state relative to the housing main body.

[0014] (6) In (5), it is preferable that the housing main body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of guide portions are formed on the pair of protective walls. With this configuration, the shape of the housing main body can be simplified compared to when the guide portions are formed in positions separate from the protective walls.

[0015] (7) In (3), it is preferable that the housing main body has a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the terminal body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber during the process of assembling the retainer, and that the plurality of board connecting portions are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion spaces. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber from the insertion space.

[0016] (8) In (7), it is preferable that the housing main body has a plurality of the terminal accommodating chambers arranged in a width direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the terminal main body into the terminal accommodating chamber, and the retainer has at least three lock arms formed at intervals in the width direction to lock onto the housing main body and hold the retainer in an assembled state. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the retainer from being curved.

[0017] (9) In (8), it is preferable that the housing main body has a pair of protective walls arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of locking arms are engaged with the pair of protective walls. With this configuration, the posture of the retainer can be stabilized compared to a configuration in which the locking arms are engaged only at positions closer to the center than the pair of protective walls.

[0018] (10) In (1) or (2), it is preferable that the housing is configured by assembling a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber and the rear wall portion are integrally formed and the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber is open as an insertion opening for the terminal body, and a front member that is a separate part from the housing main body and faces the front end of the terminal body from the front. According to this configuration, since the rear wall portion is integrally formed with the housing main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal body from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber rearward even if the terminal fitting is strongly pressed from the front.

[0019] (11) In (10), it is preferable that the front member has a front wall portion facing the front end portion of the terminal body portion from the front, a pair of side wall portions extending rearward from both widthwise ends of the front wall portion, and a pair of bottom wall portions connected to the front wall portion and the pair of side wall portions, and the front member is engaged with the housing main body at the pair of side wall portions and the pair of bottom wall portions. With this configuration, both widthwise ends of the front member are less likely to deform because the front wall portion, side wall portion, and bottom wall portion are connected. Therefore, the front member can be securely attached to the housing main body.

[0020] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] [Example 1] A board connector A according to Example 1 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In Example 1, the front-to-back direction is defined as the F direction in Figures 1 to 6. The up-down direction is defined as the H direction in Figures 1 to 6. The left-to-right direction is defined as the R direction in Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 6. The left-to-right direction and the width direction are used interchangeably.

[0021] The board connector A of the first embodiment is a connector to be mounted on an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 50, which is a type of circuit board. The area of ​​the FPC 50 where the board connector A is mounted is strengthened by a reinforcing plate 52 to suppress bending deformation. In the first embodiment, the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 is arranged horizontally facing upward.

[0022] The board connector A is constructed by assembling a housing 10, a plurality of first terminal fittings 30, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 42. The housing 10 is constructed by assembling a housing body 11 made of synthetic resin and a retainer 20 which is a separate component from the housing body 11. The housing body 11 is a single component having a terminal accommodating portion 12 and a pair of protective wall portions 17. The housing body 11 is configured to be fixed to a mounting surface 51 of a circuit board via pegs 49.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 13 are formed within the terminal accommodating portion 12. Each terminal accommodating chamber 13 is a narrow space extending in the front-rear direction, and is divided into two sections, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 when cut perpendicular to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 26 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 is formed in the front wall portion 14 of the terminal accommodating portion 12. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 26 from the front of the housing 10. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 26 at the front surface of the front wall portion 14 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 13.

[0024] The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 opens as an insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The opening shape of the insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12 is rectangular. The opening area of ​​the insertion opening 15 on the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chamber 13. Specifically, the width dimension of the insertion opening 15 is the same as the width dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, but the height dimension of the insertion opening 15 is larger than the height dimension of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. In a rear view of the housing main body 11 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion opening 15 extends downward beyond the lower edge of the terminal accommodating chamber 13. The lower end of the insertion opening 15 functions as a relief portion 16 that is stepped downward relative to the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13.

[0025] The pair of protective wall portions 17 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The pair of protective wall portions 17 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with their wall thicknesses facing the left-right direction. Guide holes 18L, 18R are formed at the front ends of both the left and right protective wall portions 17, penetrating the protective wall portions 17 in the left-right direction. The guide holes 18L, 18R are elongated openings in the vertical direction. The front surfaces of the guide holes 18L, 18R are flush with and continuous with the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. The left guide hole 18L has a pair of upper and lower retaining portions 19 formed therein.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 , the retainer 20 is a single, plate-shaped component. The retainer 20 is attached to the rear end of the housing body 11 with its thickness oriented in the front-to-rear direction. A locking projection 22 projecting upward and downward is formed on the right edge of the retainer 20. The retainer 20 is formed with an insertion groove 23 penetrating the retainer 20 in the front-to-rear direction. The insertion groove 23 opens at the left edge of the retainer 20 and forms a slit-like shape extending in a straight line to the right of the retainer 20. A pair of upper and lower locking arms 24 are formed at the left end of the retainer 20. The locking arms 24 extend cantilevered to the left. An upward locking projection 25 is formed at the left end of the upper locking arm 24, and a downward locking projection 25 is formed at the left end of the lower locking arm 24. The portions of the retainer 20 above the insertion groove 23 and below the insertion groove 23 function as a rear wall portion 21 of the housing 10 .

[0027] The first terminal fitting 30 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a piece of metal plate material that has been punched into a predetermined shape. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first terminal fitting 30 is a female terminal having a terminal body 31 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction and a first board connecting portion 37 that extends rearward from the rear end of the terminal body 31.

[0028] The terminal body 31 has an overall rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 31 has a lower plate 32, a pair of left and right side plate portions 33, and an upper plate portion 34. The lower plate portion 32 is a thin section that extends in the front-to-rear direction with its thickness oriented in the up-down direction. The pair of left and right side plate portions 33 extend upward from both left and right edges of the lower plate portion 32. The upper plate portion 34 extends parallel to the lower plate portion 32 from the upper edge of the right side plate portion 33.

[0029] A resilient contact piece 35 is provided inside the terminal body 31. The resilient contact piece 35 resiliently contacts the tab of a mating terminal inserted into the terminal body 31 from the front of the first terminal fitting 30. A press-fit protrusion 36 is formed on the upper plate 34. The press-fit protrusion 36 is a portion formed by hammering a portion of the upper plate 34 upward. The press-fit protrusion 36 is located at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate 34 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The first board connection portion 37 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 32. The first board connection portion 37 has a first step portion 38 extending downward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 32, a first extending portion 39 extending rearward from the lower end of the first step portion 38, a first leg portion 40 extending downward from the rear end of the first extending portion 39, and a first mounting portion 41 extending rearward from the lower end of the first leg portion 40. The rear surface of the first step portion 38 is located at the same position in the front-to-rear direction as the rear end surface of the upper plate portion 34 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 33. The first mounting portion 41 is configured to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0031] Similar to the first terminal fitting 30, the second terminal fitting 42 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a single piece of metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. As shown in Fig. 6, the second terminal fitting 42 has a terminal body 31 having the same configuration as the terminal body 31 of the first terminal fitting 30, and a second board connecting portion 43.

[0032] The second board connection portion 43 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 32. The second board connection portion 43 has a second step portion 44 extending downward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 32, a second extending portion 45 extending rearward from the lower end of the second step portion 44, a second leg portion 46 extending downward from the rear end of the second extending portion 45, and a second mounting portion 47 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg portion 46. The rear surface of the second step portion 44 is located at the same position in the front-to-rear direction as the rear end surface of the upper plate portion 34 and the rear end surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 33. The second mounting portion 47 is configured to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0033] Next, the assembly process of the board connector A of this embodiment 1 will be described. First, the terminal body 31 of the first terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 13 from the rear of the housing body 11. During the insertion process, the press-fit projection 36 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 31 abuts against the front wall 14 and the first step 38 is accommodated in the relief portion 16, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 30 is complete.

[0034] Next, the terminal body 31 of the second terminal fitting 42 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 13 from the rear of the housing body 11. During the insertion process, the press-fit projection 36 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 31 abuts against the front wall 14 and the second step 44 is accommodated in the relief portion 16, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 42 is complete.

[0035] When the terminal body 31 of the first terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 13, the press-fit projections 36 press against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 13, thereby holding the terminal body 31 in a retained state within the terminal accommodating chamber 13. Because the first terminal fitting 30 is a member having an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 35, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 30 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-fit projections 36 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 42.

[0036] Next, the retainer 20 is assembled to the housing body 11. During assembly, the left end of the retainer 20 is inserted into the right guide hole 18R from the right side of the housing body 11. During the assembly process, the retainer 20 is guided by the right guide hole 18R, which stabilizes the insertion posture of the retainer 20 and stabilizes the insertion path of the retainer 20 in the up-down and front-to-back directions. During the assembly process, the retainer 20 is maintained in sliding contact with the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12 or in a state facing and closely adjacent to the rear surface 12R of the terminal accommodating portion 12. When the left end of the retainer 20 enters the left guide hole 18L toward the end of the assembly process, the upper and lower locking arms 24 temporarily elastically deform in directions approaching each other.

[0037] When the retainer 20 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking projection 22 abuts against the outer surface of the right protective wall portion 17, thereby restricting the retainer 20 from moving leftward from the correct assembly position. Also, when the retainer 20 reaches the correct assembly position, the locking arm 24 elastically returns, and the locking projection 25 locks with the anti-detachment portion 19 from the left side. This locking holds the retainer 20 in a prevented state in which relative displacement to the right with respect to the housing main body 11 is restricted. In this way, the retainer 20 is assembled to the housing main body 11, and assembly of the housing 10 is completed.

[0038] The first extending portion 39 of the first terminal fitting 30 and the second extending portion 45 of the second terminal fitting 42 are present along the assembly path of the retainer 20. However, since a slit-shaped insertion groove 23 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the retainer 20 at the same height as the first extending portion 39, the first board connecting portion 37 is accommodated in the insertion groove 23 during the assembly process of the retainer 20. Therefore, the retainer 20 does not interfere with the first extending portion 39. Furthermore, since the lower edge of the retainer 20 is located higher than the second extending portion 45, the retainer 20 does not interfere with the second extending portion 45 either.

[0039] When the first terminal fittings 30, second terminal fittings 42, and retainer 20 are assembled to the housing main body 11, the rear wall portion 21 of the retainer 20 covers the entire terminal body portions 31 of the first terminal fittings 30 and the entire terminal body portions 31 of the second terminal fittings 42 from the rear in a rear view. After the retainer 20 is assembled, the first board connecting portion 37 and the second board connecting portion 43 are moved rearward to abut the rear end surfaces of the terminal body portions 31 against the front surface of the rear wall portion 21. This abutment restricts the first terminal fittings 30 and the second terminal fittings 42 from moving rearward relative to the housing 10. This completes the assembly of the board connector A.

[0040] Furthermore, in the process of inserting the first terminal fittings 30 and the second terminal fittings 42, if the position of the rear end face of the terminal main body portion 31 can be set flush with the rear face of the housing main body 11, there is no need for the process of moving the first terminal fittings 30 and the second terminal fittings 42 rearward to abut against the rear wall portion 21 after assembling the retainer 20.

[0041] The board connector A of the first embodiment includes a housing 10 having a terminal accommodating chamber 13, and first and second terminal fittings 30 and 42 made of a metal plate. The first terminal fitting 30 has a terminal body 31 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and a first board connecting portion 37 extending rearward from the terminal body 31 and disposed outside the housing 10. The second terminal fitting 42 has a terminal body 31 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and a second board connecting portion 43 extending rearward from the terminal body 31 and disposed outside the housing 10. The terminal body 31 is a female portion having a press-fit protrusion 36 that presses against the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 13 and an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 35. The housing 10 has a rear wall 21 positioned rearwardly facing the rear end of the terminal body 31. The rear wall 21 is formed with an insertion groove 23 through which the first board connecting portion 37 is inserted. According to the circuit board connector A of this embodiment 1, the terminal main body portion 31 abuts against the rear wall portion 21, thereby preventing relative rearward displacement of the first terminal fitting 30 and the second terminal fitting 42 with respect to the housing 10.

[0042] The terminal body 31 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The first board connection portion 37 and the second board connection portion 43 extend rearward from only one of the four plates (the lower plate 32, the left and right side plates 33, and the upper plate 34) that make up the terminal body 31. The rear wall 21 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 32, the left and right side plates 33, and the upper plate 34) that do not have the first board connection portion 37 extending therefrom (the left and right side plates 33 and the upper plate 34). With this configuration, when the terminal body 31 is pressed against the rear wall 21, stress is distributed among the three plates (the left and right side plates 33 and the upper plate 34), preventing deformation of the terminal body 31.

[0043] The housing 10 is formed by assembling a housing main body 11 and a retainer 20. The housing main body 11 is a member in which the terminal accommodating chambers 13 are integrally formed. The rear ends of the terminal accommodating chambers 13 open on the rear surface of the housing main body 11 as insertion openings 15 for the terminal main bodies 31. The retainer 20 is a separate component from the housing main body 11. The retainer 20 is integrally formed with a rear wall 21. With this configuration, the terminal main bodies 31 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 13 from the rear of the housing main body 11, preventing the first board connecting portions 37 and the second board connecting portions 43 from interfering with the housing main body 11 when assembling the first terminal fittings 30 and the second terminal fittings 42.

[0044] The housing body 11 is formed with guide holes 18L, 18R that guide the retainer 20 in a left-right direction that intersects with the insertion direction (front-rear direction) of the terminal main body 31 into the terminal accommodating chamber 13 during the process of assembling the retainer 20. The insertion groove 23 has a slit shape that is parallel to the assembling direction of the retainer 20 into the housing body 11. With this configuration, the retainer 20 can be assembled to the housing body 11 without interfering with the first board connecting portion 37.

[0045] The housing body 11 is formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 13 aligned in a width direction (left-right direction) that intersects with the insertion direction of the terminal body portion 31 into the terminal accommodating chamber 13. The pair of guide holes 18L, 18R are disposed at both ends in the width direction of the housing body 11. This configuration allows the retainer 20 to be held in a stable assembled state relative to the housing body 11.

[0046] The housing main body 11 has a pair of protective walls 17 arranged to sandwich the first board connection portion 37 and the second board connection portion 43 from both sides in the width direction. The pair of guide holes 18L, 18R are formed in the pair of protective walls 17. With this configuration, the shape of the housing main body 11 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the guide holes 18L, 18R are formed in a location separate from the protective walls 17.

[0047] [Example 2] A board connector B according to Example 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 15. In Example 2, with regard to the front-to-rear direction, the F direction in Figures 7 to 15 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figures 7, 8, and 10 to 15 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-to-right direction, the R direction in Figures 7, 9 to 15 is defined as the right. The left-to-right direction and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0048] Like the board connector A of the first embodiment, the board connector B of the second embodiment is a connector that is mounted on the horizontally upward mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50. The board connector B is configured by assembling a housing 60, a plurality of first terminal fittings 90, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 102. The housing 60 is configured by assembling a housing main body 61 made of synthetic resin and a retainer 75 that is a separate component from the housing main body 61. The housing main body 61 is a single component that has a terminal accommodating portion 62 and a pair of protective wall portions 70. The housing main body 61 is configured to be fixed to the mounting surface 51 of the circuit board via pegs 107.

[0049] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63 are formed within the terminal accommodating portion 62. The terminal accommodating chambers 63 are elongated in the front-rear direction and are divided into two sections, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 63 when cut perpendicular to the front-rear direction is rectangular. A connection hole 65 communicating with the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 is formed in the front wall portion 64 of the terminal accommodating portion 62. A tab of a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection hole 65 from the front of the housing 60. The opening area of ​​the connection hole 65 on the front surface of the front wall portion 64 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 63. The rear ends of the terminal accommodating chambers 63 open into the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 as insertion openings 66. The opening shape of the insertion opening 66 on the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 is rectangular.

[0050] A pair of left and right guide holes 67 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 62. The pair of guide holes 67 are located between the upper terminal accommodating chamber 63 and the lower terminal accommodating chamber 63. The guide hole 67 is an elongated space that opens in the left-right direction on the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 and extends forward from the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. A lock hole 68 is formed in the terminal accommodating portion 62. The lock hole 68 is located between the pair of guide holes 67. A pair of left and right protruding first retaining portions 69 are formed inside the lock hole 68.

[0051] The pair of protective walls 70 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. The pair of protective walls 70 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction with their wall thicknesses facing the left-right direction. A guide groove 71 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the inner surface of each protective wall 70. A recessed second retaining portion 72 is formed in each guide groove 71.

[0052] The retainer 75 is a single component having a rear wall 76, a pair of left and right guided portions 78, a pair of left and right first lock arms 79, and a pair of left and right second lock arms 81. The rear wall 76 is a rectangular portion with its wall thickness oriented in the front-to-rear direction. The rear wall 76 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 77 that penetrate the rear wall 76 in the front-to-rear direction. In a rear view of the retainer 75 seen from the rear, the opening area of ​​the insertion holes 77 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 63 on the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62. The upper edge of the insertion holes 77 is lower than the upper surface of the upper-level terminal accommodating chambers 63. The lower edge of the insertion holes 77 is lower than the lower surface of the upper-level terminal accommodating chambers 63.

[0053] The pair of guided portions 78 are plate-shaped portions whose thickness direction is oriented in the up-down direction and which extend forward in a cantilevered manner from both left and right ends of the front surface of the rear wall portion 76. The pair of first lock arms 79 are disposed between the pair of guided portions 78 and extend forward in a cantilevered manner from the front surface of the rear wall portion 76. A first lock protrusion 80 is formed at the front end of the first lock arm 79. The first lock arm 79 is capable of elastic deformation in the left-right direction. The second lock arm 81 is a portion which extends rearward in a cantilevered manner from both left and right edges of the rear wall portion 76. A second lock protrusion 82 is formed at the rear end of the second lock arm 81. The second lock arm 81 is capable of elastic deformation in the left-right direction.

[0054] The first terminal fitting 90 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, etc., a piece of metal plate material that has been punched into a predetermined shape. The first terminal fitting 90 is a female terminal having a terminal body 91 that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction and a first board connecting portion 97 that extends rearward from the rear end of the terminal body 91.

[0055] The terminal body 91 has an overall rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The terminal body 91 includes a lower plate 92, a pair of left and right side plate portions 93, and an upper plate portion 94. The lower plate portion 92 is elongated in the front-to-rear direction, with its thickness oriented vertically. The pair of left and right side plate portions 93 extend upward from both left and right edges of the lower plate portion 92. The upper plate portion 94 extends parallel to the lower plate portion 92 from the upper edge of the right side plate portion 93. A resilient contact piece 95 is provided inside the terminal body 91. The resilient contact piece 95 resiliently contacts the tab of a mating terminal (not shown) inserted into the terminal body 91 from the front of the first terminal fitting 90. The upper plate portion 94 is formed with a press-fit protrusion 96. The press-fit protrusion 96 is formed by hammering a portion of the upper plate portion 94 upward. The press-fit protrusion 96 is disposed at a position rearward of the center of the upper plate portion 94 in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The first board connection portion 97 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 92. The first board connection portion 97 has a first extending portion 98 that extends flush with the rear end of the lower plate portion 92, a first leg portion 99 that extends downward from the rear end of the first extending portion 98, and a first mounting portion 100 that extends rearward from the lower end of the first leg portion 99. The first mounting portion 100 is configured to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0057] Like the first terminal fitting 90, the second terminal fitting 102 is a single component formed by bending, hammering, and the like from a single sheet of metal material punched into a predetermined shape. The second terminal fitting 102 has a terminal body 91 having the same configuration as the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90, and a second board connection portion 103. The second board connection portion 103 extends rearward from the rear end of the lower plate portion 92. The second board connection portion 103 has a second extension portion 104 extending flush with the rear end of the lower plate portion 92, a second leg portion 105 extending downward from the rear end of the second extension portion 104, and a second mounting portion 106 extending rearward from the lower end of the second leg portion 105. The second mounting portion 106 is adapted to be welded to a land on the mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50 by reflow soldering.

[0058] Next, the assembly process of the board connector B of this Example 2 will be described. Before assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 has a pre-formed terminal body 91, and the first board connection portion 97 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91. Before assembly, the second terminal fitting 102 also has a pre-formed terminal body 91, and the second board connection portion 103 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91.

[0059] During assembly, the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted from the rear of the housing body 61 into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 63. During the insertion process, the press-fit protrusion 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 while being pressed against it. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 64, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 90 is complete. Next, the terminal body 91 of the second terminal fitting 102 is inserted from the rear of the housing body 61 into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 63. When the front end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front wall 64, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 102 is complete.

[0060] When the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 63, the press-fit projection 96 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 63, thereby holding the terminal body 91 in a retained state within the terminal accommodating chamber 63. Because the first terminal fitting 90 is a member having an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 95, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 90 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the bite of the press-fit projection 96 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 102.

[0061] Next, the retainer 75 is assembled to the housing main body 61. During assembly, the rear wall portion 76 is brought closer to the housing main body 61 from behind, and the first board connection portion 97 is inserted into the insertion hole 77. At this time, the second board connection portion 103 is positioned slightly below the lower end of the rear wall portion 76 and does not interfere with the retainer 75. During the process of inserting the first board connection portion 97 into the insertion hole 77, the pair of guided portions 78 are fitted into the pair of guide holes 67. The engagement between the guided portions 78 and the guide holes 67 stabilizes the insertion posture of the retainer 75 during the insertion process and stabilizes the insertion path in the vertical and horizontal directions. As the insertion progresses, the pair of first lock arms 79 are inserted into the lock holes 68, and the pair of second lock arms 81 are brought into sliding contact with the guide grooves 71 in an elastically deformed state.

[0062] Toward the end of the assembly process of the retainer 75, the first locking projection 80 interferes with the first removal prevention portion 69, causing the first locking arm 79 to elastically deform. Then, when the rear wall portion 76 comes into contact with the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62 or comes close to and faces the rear surface 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62, the first locking arm 79 elastically returns to its original position, causing the first locking projection 80 to engage with the first removal prevention portion 69, and the second locking arm 81 elastically returns to its original position, causing the second locking projection 82 to engage with the second removal prevention portion 72. The first locking arm 79 and the second locking arm 81 engage with the housing main body 61, thereby holding the retainer 75 in a removed state in which relative rearward displacement of the retainer 75 with respect to the housing main body 61 is restricted. This completes the assembly of the housing 60. After the retainer 75 is assembled to the housing main body 61, the first board connection portion 97, which is in a straight line, is bent to form the first leg portion 99 and the first mounting portion 100. The second board connection portion 103, which is in a straight line, is bent to form the second leg portion 105 and the second mounting portion 106.

[0063] When the first terminal fittings 90, second terminal fittings 102, and retainer 75 are assembled to the housing main body 61, the rear wall portion 76 of the retainer 75 covers the entire terminal body portions 91 of the first terminal fittings 90 and the entire terminal body portions 91 of the second terminal fittings 102 from the rear in a rear view. After the retainer 75 is assembled, the first board connecting portion 97 and the second board connecting portion 103 are moved rearward to bring the rear end surfaces of the terminal body portions 91 into contact with the front surface of the rear wall portion 76. This contact restricts the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 102 from moving rearward relative to the housing 60. This completes the assembly of the board connector B.

[0064] Furthermore, in the process of inserting the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102, if the position of the rear end face of the terminal main body portion 91 can be set flush with the rear face 62R of the terminal accommodating portion 62, there is no need for the process of moving the first terminal fitting 90 and the second terminal fitting 102 rearward to abut against the rear wall portion 76 after assembling the retainer 75.

[0065] The board connector B of the second embodiment includes a housing 60 having a terminal accommodating chamber 63, and first and second terminal fittings 90 and 102 made of metal plate material. The first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 63 and a first board connecting portion 97 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 60. The second terminal fitting 102 has the terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 63 and a second board connecting portion 103 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 60. The terminal body 91 has a press-fit protrusion 96 that presses against the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 and an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 95. The housing 60 has a rear wall 76 positioned rearwardly facing the rear end of the terminal body 91. The rear wall 76 is formed with an insertion hole 77 through which the first board connecting portion 97 is inserted. According to this configuration, the terminal body 91 abuts against the rear wall 76 , thereby preventing the first and second terminal fittings 90 and 90 from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 60 .

[0066] The terminal body 91 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both ends open. The first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 extend rearward from only one of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) that make up the terminal body 91. The rear wall 76 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) that do not include the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103. This configuration distributes stress among the three plates (the left and right side plates 93 and the upper plate 94) when the terminal body 91 is pressed against the rear wall 76, thereby preventing deformation of the terminal body 91.

[0067] The housing 60 is configured by assembling a housing main body 61 and a retainer 75. A terminal accommodating chamber 63 is integrally formed with the housing main body 61. The rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 63 opens on the rear surface of the housing main body 61 as an insertion opening 66 for the terminal main body portion 91. The retainer 75 is a separate component from the housing main body 61. A rear wall portion 76 is integrally formed with the retainer 75. With this configuration, the terminal main body portion 91 can be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 63 from the rear of the housing main body 61, preventing the first board connecting portion 97 and the second board connecting portion 103 from interfering with the housing main body 61 when assembling the terminal fittings.

[0068] The housing main body 61 is formed with guide holes 67 as guide portions that guide the retainer 75 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 63 during the process of assembling the retainer 75. A plurality of first board connecting portions 97 are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 77. This configuration makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the terminal accommodating chamber 63 through the insertion holes 77.

[0069] The housing main body 61 is formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 63 are arranged side by side in a width direction (left and right direction) that intersects with the insertion direction (front and back direction) of the terminal main body portion 91 into the terminal accommodating chambers 63. The retainer 75 is formed with at least three lock arms (a pair of first lock arms 79 and a pair of second lock arms 81) spaced apart in the width direction, which engage with the housing main body 61 to hold the retainer 75 in an assembled state. This configuration prevents the retainer 75 from bending and deforming.

[0070] The housing main body 61 has a pair of protective walls 70 arranged to sandwich the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 from both sides in the width direction. The pair of second lock arms 81 are engaged with the pair of protective walls 70. This configuration makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the retainer 75 compared to a configuration in which the first lock arm 79 and the second lock arm 81 are engaged only at positions closer to the center than the pair of protective walls 70.

[0071] [Example 3] A board connector C according to Example 3 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 22. In Example 3, with regard to the front-to-rear direction, the F direction in Figures 16 to 22 is defined as the front. With regard to the up-down direction, the H direction in Figures 16 to 22 is defined as the up. With regard to the left-to-right direction, the R direction in Figures 16, 17, and 20 to 22 is defined as the right. The board connector C according to Example 3 has a housing 110 configured differently from that of Example 2.

[0072] Similar to the board connectors A and B of the first and second embodiments, the board connector C of the third embodiment is a connector that is mounted on the horizontally upward mounting surface 51 of the FPC 50. The board connector C is configured by assembling a housing 110, a plurality of first terminal fittings 90, and a plurality of second terminal fittings 102. The first terminal fittings 90 are the same components as the first terminal fittings 90 of the second embodiment, and the second terminal fittings 102 are the same components as the second terminal fittings 102 of the second embodiment.

[0073] The housing 110 is constructed by assembling a housing main body 111 made of synthetic resin and a front member 130 that is a separate component from the housing main body 111. The housing main body 111 is a single component that has a terminal accommodating portion 112 and a pair of left and right protective wall portions 121. The housing main body 111 is fixed to the mounting surface 51 of the circuit board via pegs 122. The pair of protective wall portions 121 extend rearward from both left and right edges of the rear surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112.

[0074] A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113 are formed within the terminal accommodating portion 112. The terminal accommodating chambers 113 are elongated spaces in the front-to-rear direction and are divided into two levels, upper and lower, arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction. The cross-sectional shape of the terminal accommodating chambers 113 when cut perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction is rectangular. The front ends of the terminal accommodating chambers 113 open at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112 as insertion openings 114. The opening shape of the insertion openings 114 at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112 is rectangular.

[0075] The terminal accommodating portion 112 has a rear wall portion 115 that closes the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The rear wall portion 115 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 116 that penetrate the rear wall portion 115 in the front-to-rear direction. In a rear view of the housing main body 111 seen from the rear, the plurality of insertion holes 116 are arranged to individually overlap the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113. The opening area of ​​the insertion holes 116 is smaller than the opening areas of the terminal accommodating chambers 113 and the insertion opening 114 on the front surface of the housing main body 111. The upper edge of the insertion holes 116 is lower than the upper surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The lower edge of the insertion holes 116 is at the same height as the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The lower surface of the insertion holes 116 is flush with and continuous with the lower surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113.

[0076] A pair of left and right mating recesses 117 and a pair of left and right guide ribs 118 are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The pair of mating recesses 117 are shallowly recessed portions on the outer surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The pair of guide ribs 118 are portions that extend linearly forward from the rear end edge of the mating recess 117. A first locking protrusion 119 is formed in each mating recess 117. A pair of left and right second locking protrusions 120 are formed on the underside of the terminal accommodating portion 112.

[0077] The front member 130 is a single component having a front wall 131, a pair of left and right side wall portions 133, and a pair of left and right bottom wall portions 136. The front wall 131 has a wall thickness oriented in the front-to-rear direction. The front wall 131 is formed with a plurality of connection holes 132 penetrating the front wall 131 in the front-to-rear direction. The connection holes 132 are arranged so as to individually communicate with the plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 113. In a front view of the front member 130, the minimum opening area of ​​the connection holes 132 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the terminal accommodating chambers 113 (insertion openings 114) at the front surface of the terminal accommodating portion 112. The connection holes 132 are designed to receive mating terminals (not shown) inserted into them from the front of the housing 110.

[0078] The pair of left and right side wall portions 133 are cantilevered portions extending rearward from both left and right edges of the front wall portion 131, with their wall thicknesses facing the left-right direction. The side wall portions 133 are elastically deformable so as to tilt left and right. Each side wall portion 133 is formed with a guide groove 134 penetrating the side wall portion 133 in the left-right direction. The guide groove 134 is a space that opens at the rear edge of the side wall portion 133 and extends linearly forward. A first locking portion 135 is formed at the rear end of the side wall portion 133, and is formed by recessing the inner surface of the side wall portion 133. A groove for die-cutting is formed in front of the first locking portion 135.

[0079] The pair of bottom wall portions 136 are cantilevered portions extending rearward from both left and right ends of the lower edge of the front wall portion 131, with their thicknesses facing up and down. One side edge of the bottom wall portion 136 is connected to the lower edge of the side wall portion 133 at a right angle. The bottom wall portion 136 is designed to be elastically deformable so as to tilt up and down. A second locking portion 137 is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall portion 136, with the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 136 recessed. A groove for die-cutting is formed in front of the first locking portion 135.

[0080] Next, the assembly process of the board connector C of this embodiment 3 will be described. Before assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 has a pre-formed terminal body 91, and the first board connection portion 97 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91. Before assembly, the second terminal fitting 102 also has a pre-formed terminal body 91, and the second board connection portion 103 extends linearly rearward from the terminal body 91.

[0081] During assembly, the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating chamber 113 from the front of the housing body 111, and the linearly extending first board connecting portion 97 is inserted into the insertion hole 116. During the process of inserting the terminal body 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-fit protrusion 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 while being pressed against it. When the rear end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall portion 115, the insertion of the first terminal fitting 90 is complete.

[0082] Next, the second terminal fitting 102 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating chamber 113 from the front of the housing body 111, and the linearly extending second board connecting portion 103 is inserted into the insertion hole 116. During the process of inserting the terminal body 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-fit protrusion 96 slides against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 while being pressed against it. When the rear end of the terminal body 91 abuts against the front surface of the rear wall portion 115, the insertion of the second terminal fitting 102 is complete.

[0083] When the terminal body 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 113, the press-fit projection 96 presses against the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 113, thereby holding the terminal body 91 in a retained state within the terminal accommodating chamber 113. Because the first terminal fitting 90 is a member having an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 95, the metal plate material used for the first terminal fitting 90 is relatively thin. Therefore, the retaining force provided by the engagement of the press-fit projection 96 is not strong. The same is true for the second terminal fitting 102.

[0084] When the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 102 are assembled to the housing body 111, the rear wall portion 115 of the terminal accommodating portion 112 covers the entire terminal body portion 91 of the first terminal fitting 90 and the entire terminal body portion 91 of the second terminal fitting 102 in rear view. Therefore, even if a pressing force acts on the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 102 from the front, the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 102 will not be displaced rearward relative to the housing body 111.

[0085] Next, the front member 130 is assembled to the housing main body 111. During assembly, the front member 130 is brought close to the front of the housing main body 111, and the left and right side wall portions 133 are fitted into the fitting recesses 117, and the guide grooves 134 are fitted into the guide ribs 118. By fitting the side wall portions 133 into the fitting recesses 117, the front member 130 is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the housing main body 111, and the posture of the front member 130 in the left-right direction is stabilized. By fitting the guide grooves 134 into the guide ribs 118, the front member 130 is positioned in the up-down direction relative to the housing main body 111, and the posture of the front member 130 in the up-down direction is stabilized.

[0086] As the front member 130 is assembled in this state, the left and right bottom wall portions 136 come into sliding contact with the underside of the housing main body 111. Toward the end of the assembly process, the first locking portions 135 of the side wall portions 133 interfere with the first locking projections 119, causing the left and right side wall portions 133 to temporarily elastically deform and spread apart, and the second locking portions 137 of the bottom wall portion 136 interfere with the second locking projections 120, causing the bottom wall portion 136 to temporarily elastically deform downward.

[0087] When the front member 130 reaches the correct assembly position, the front wall 131 abuts against the front surface of the housing main body 111, closing the insertion opening 114. The left and right side wall portions 133 elastically return to their original positions, causing the first locking portions 135 to engage with the first locking projections 119, and the left and right bottom wall portions 136 elastically return to their original positions, causing the second locking portions 137 to engage with the second locking projections 120. These engagements hold the front member 130 in a prevented state in which it is prevented from coming off forward from the housing main body 111.

[0088] After the front member 130 is assembled to the housing main body 111, the first leg 99 and the first mounting portion 100 are formed by bending the straight first board connection portion 97. The second leg 105 and the second mounting portion 106 are formed by bending the straight second board connection portion 103. The bending of the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 may be performed before the front member 130 is assembled to the housing main body 111. This completes the assembly of the board connector C.

[0089] The board connector C of the third embodiment includes a housing 110 having a terminal accommodating chamber 113, and first and second terminal fittings 90 and 102 made of a metal plate. The first terminal fitting 90 has a terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 113 and a first board connecting portion 97 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 110. The second terminal fitting 102 has the terminal body 91 accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 113 and a second board connecting portion 103 extending rearward from the terminal body 91 and disposed outside the housing 110. The terminal body 91 has a press-fit protrusion 96 that presses against the inner wall of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 and an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 95. The housing 110 has a rear wall 115 positioned rearwardly facing the rear end of the terminal body 91. The rear wall 115 has an insertion hole 116 formed therein through which the first board connecting portion 97 is inserted. According to this configuration, the terminal body 91 abuts against the rear wall 115 , thereby preventing the first terminal fittings 90 and the second terminal fittings 102 from being displaced rearward relative to the housing 110 .

[0090] The terminal body 91 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with both front and rear ends open. The first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 extend rearward from only one of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) that make up the terminal body 91. The rear wall 115 faces three of the four plates (the lower plate 92, the left and right side plates 93, and the upper plate 94) that do not have the first board connection portion 97 and the second board connection portion 103 extending from them (the left and right side plates and the upper plate 94). With this configuration, when the terminal body 91 is pressed against the rear wall 115, stress is distributed among the three plates (the left and right side plates 93 and the upper plate 94), preventing deformation of the terminal body 91.

[0091] The housing 110 is configured by assembling a housing main body 111, in which a terminal accommodating chamber 113 and a rear wall portion 115 are integrally formed, and a front member 130. The front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 opens on the front surface of the housing main body 111 as an insertion opening 114 for inserting the terminal main body 91 into the terminal accommodating chamber 113. The front member 130 is a component separate from the housing main body 111 and faces the front end of the terminal main body 91 from the front. With this configuration, because the rear wall portion 115 is integrally formed with the housing main body 111, it is possible to reliably prevent the terminal main body 91 from coming out of the terminal accommodating chamber 113 rearward even if the first terminal fitting 90 or the second terminal fitting 102 is strongly pressed from the front.

[0092] The front member 130 has a front wall 131, a pair of left and right side wall portions 133, and a pair of left and right bottom wall portions 136. The front wall 131 faces the front end of the terminal main body 91 from the front. The pair of side wall portions 133 extend rearward from both widthwise edges of the front wall 131. The pair of bottom wall portions 136 are connected to the front wall 131 and the pair of side wall portions 133. The front member 130 is locked to the housing main body 111 by first locking portions 135 of the pair of side wall portions 133 and second locking portions 137 of the pair of bottom wall portions 136. With this configuration, both widthwise ends of the front member 130 are less likely to deform because the front wall portions 131, the side wall portions 133, and the bottom wall portions 136 are connected. This allows the front member 130 to be securely attached to the housing main body 111.

[0093] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, but is defined by the claims. The present invention includes all modifications within the scope of the claims and equivalent meanings thereof, including the following embodiments. In Examples 1 to 3, the circuit board to which the board connection portion is connected is not limited to an FPC (flexible circuit board) but may be a non-flexible circuit board. In Examples 1 to 3, of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, only two or only one plate portion may face the rear wall portion. In Examples 1 to 3, the terminal body may have a shape other than a rectangular tube. In Examples 1 to 3, the press-fit protrusion is not limited to a shape formed by hammering out the plate portion but may be a shape formed by protruding the edge of the plate portion flush with the surface. In Example 1, the guide portion may be formed at a location other than both widthwise ends of the housing body. In Example 1, the guide portion may be formed at a location separate from the protective wall portion. In Example 2, the total number of first locking arms and second locking arms may be two, three, five, or more. In the second embodiment, the first lock arm and the second lock arm may be formed only in a portion separate from the protective wall portion.

[0094] A...Board connector B...Board connector C...Board connector 10...Housing 11...Housing body 12...Terminal accommodating portion 12R...Rear surface of terminal accommodating portion 13...Terminal accommodating chamber 14...Front wall portion 15...Insertion opening 16...Relief portion 17...Protective wall portion 18L...Guide hole (guide portion) 18R...Guide hole (guide portion) 19...Removal prevention portion 20...Retainer 21...Rear wall portion 22...Latching protrusion 23...Insertion groove (insertion space) 24...Lock arm 25...Lock protrusion 26...Connection hole 30...First terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 31...Terminal body portion (board connecting portion) 32...Lower plate portion 33...Side plate portion 34...Upper plate portion 35...Resilient contact piece 36...Press-fit protrusion 37...First board connecting portion 38...First step portion 39...First extending portion 40...First leg portion 41...First mounting portion 42...Second terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 43...Second board connecting portion (board connecting portion) 44...Second step portion 45...Second extending portion 46...Second leg portion 47...Second mounting portion 49...Peg 50...FPC 51...Mounting surface 52...Reinforcing plate 60...Housing 61...Housing body 62...Terminal accommodating portion 62R...Rear surface of terminal accommodating portion 63...Terminal accommodating chamber 64...Front wall portion 65...Connection hole 66...Insertion opening 67...Guide hole 68...Lock hole 69...First removal prevention portion 70...Protective wall portion 71...Guide groove 72...Second removal prevention portion 75...Retainer 76...Rear wall portion 77...Insertion hole (insertion space) 78...Guided portion 79...First lock arm (lock arm) 80...First lock protrusion 81...Second lock arm (lock arm) 82...Second lock protrusion 90...First terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 91...Terminal main body portion 92...Lower plate portion 93...Side plate portion 94...Upper plate portion 95...Resilient contact piece 96...Press-fit protrusion 97...First board connection portion (board connection portion) 98...First extension portion 99...First leg portion 100...First mounting portion 102...Second terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 103...Second board connection portion (board connection portion) 104...Second extension portion 105...Second leg portion 106...Second mounting portion 107...Peg 110...Housing 111...Housing main body 112...Terminal accommodating portion 113...Terminal accommodating chamber 114...Insertion opening 115...Rear wall portion 116: Insertion hole (insertion space) 117: Fitting recess 118: Guide rib 119: First locking projection 120: Second locking projection 121: Protective wall portion 122: Peg 130: Front member 131: Front wall portion 132: Connection hole 133: Side wall portion 134: Guide groove135...first locking portion 136...bottom wall portion 137...second locking portion

Claims

1. A connector for a board comprising: a housing having a terminal accommodating chamber; and a terminal fitting made of a metal plate, the terminal fitting having a terminal main body portion accommodated within the terminal accommodating chamber, and a board connection portion extending rearward from the terminal main body portion and positioned outside the housing, the terminal main body portion having a press-in protrusion that presses against an inner wall portion of the terminal accommodating chamber, and an elastic contact piece that can be elastically deformed, the housing having a rear wall portion positioned so as to face the rear end portion of the terminal main body portion from the rear, and a passage space formed in the rear wall portion through which the board connection portion can be inserted.

2. A board connector as described in claim 1, wherein the terminal body is in the shape of a rectangular tube with both front and rear ends open, the board connection portion extends rearward from only one of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body, and the rear wall portion faces three of the four plate portions constituting the terminal body from which the board connection portion does not extend.

3. A board connector as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing is constructed by assembling a housing main body into which the terminal accommodating chamber is integrally formed and whose rear end is open as an insertion port for the terminal main body, and a retainer which is a separate part from the housing main body and into which the rear wall portion is integrally formed.

4. A board connector as described in claim 3, wherein the housing main body is formed with a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber during the process of assembling the retainer, and the insertion space is shaped like a slit that is parallel to the assembly direction of the retainer.

5. A circuit board connector as described in claim 4, wherein a plurality of the terminal accommodating chambers are formed in the housing body so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber, and a pair of the guide portions are arranged at both ends of the housing body in the width direction.

6. A board connector as described in claim 5, wherein the housing body has a pair of protective wall portions arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of guide portions are formed on the pair of protective wall portions.

7. A board connector as described in claim 3, wherein the housing main body is formed with a guide portion that guides the retainer in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber during the process of assembling the retainer, and a plurality of the board connection portions are individually inserted into the plurality of insertion spaces.

8. A circuit board connector as described in claim 7, wherein the housing body has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers formed therein so as to be aligned in a width direction intersecting the insertion direction of the terminal main body portion into the terminal accommodating chamber, and the retainer has at least three lock arms formed at intervals in the width direction for holding the retainer in an assembled state by engaging with the housing body.

9. A board connector as described in claim 8, wherein the housing body has a pair of protective wall portions arranged to sandwich the board connection portion from both sides in the width direction, and the pair of lock arms are engaged with the pair of protective wall portions.

10. A connector for a circuit board as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing is constructed by assembling a housing main body in which the terminal accommodating chamber and the rear wall portion are integrally formed and the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber opens as an insertion port for the terminal main body portion, and a front member which is a separate part from the housing main body and faces the front end portion of the terminal main body portion from the front.

11. A connector for a circuit board as described in claim 10, wherein the front member has a front wall portion facing the front end portion of the terminal main body portion from the front, a pair of side wall portions extending rearward from both widthwise ends of the front wall portion, and a pair of bottom wall portions connected to the front wall portion and the pair of side wall portions, and the front member is engaged with the housing main body at the pair of side wall portions and the pair of bottom wall portions.

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