Connector, board with connector, and connector unit

Abstract

A connector (10) comprises: a plurality of terminal fittings (20); and a terminal holding part (31) that holds the plurality of terminal fittings (20). The terminal holding part (31) has a facing surface (33) and a fitting surface (34). The facing surface (33) faces a plate surface of a substrate (11) with an interval therebetween. The fitting surface (34) is a surface on the opposite side to the facing surface (33). The terminal fittings (20) each have a substrate-side connection part (21) and a counterpart-side connection part (22). The substrate-side connection part (21) extends so as to penetrate the substrate (11) and is disposed inside a through-hole (13) formed in the substrate (11). The counterpart-side connection part (22) extends so as to penetrate the terminal holding part (31) and is disposed so as to protrude from the fitting surface (34). At least one terminal fitting (20) has, between the substrate-side connection part (21) and the counterpart-side connection part (22), an extension part (23) that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the substrate-side connection part (21) and the extension direction of the counterpart-side connection part 22.

Description

Connector, connector-equipped board, and connector unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector, a connector-equipped board, and a connector unit.

[0002] Conventionally, connectors mounted on circuit boards have been known. The connectors include a plurality of terminal fittings. Each terminal fitting has a board-side connection portion that is connected to the circuit board and a mating connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating connector. For example, in the connector described in Patent Document 1 below, the mating connector is mated with the board from a direction perpendicular to the board surface.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-98666

[0004] As described above, the terminal fittings of a connector that is mated with a mating connector from a direction perpendicular to the board surface have mating connection portions and board-side connection portions that extend in a straight line. Since the arrangement of the mating connection portions must be aligned with the arrangement of the through holes on the board, it is difficult to adjust them to match the arrangement of the mating terminal fittings.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector, a board with a connector, and a connector unit in which the arrangement of the mating connection portions can be easily adjusted to match the arrangement of the mating terminal fittings in a connector in which the mating connector is mated from a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the board.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of terminal fittings and a terminal holding portion that holds the plurality of terminal fittings, the terminal holding portion having an opposing surface and a mating surface, the opposing surface facing the plate surface of the board with a gap therebetween, the mating surface being the surface opposite the opposing surface, the terminal fittings having a board-side connection portion and a mating connection portion, the board-side connection portion extending through the board and being arranged inside a through-hole formed in the board, the mating connection portion extending through the terminal holding portion and being arranged protruding from the mating surface, and at least one of the plurality of terminal fittings has an extension portion between the board-side connection portion and the mating connection portion that extends in a direction that intersects the extension direction of the board-side connection portion and the extension direction of the mating connection portion.

[0007] The connector-equipped board of the present disclosure includes the connector and a board on which the connector is mounted, and is housed in a case.

[0008] The connector unit of the present disclosure is a connector unit comprising, when the connector is a first connector, the first connector and a second connector separate from the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second terminal fittings and a second terminal holding portion that holds the plurality of second terminal fittings, the second terminal holding portion having a second mating surface arranged facing in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the board, the second terminal fittings having a second board-side connecting portion and a second mating connecting portion, the second board-side connecting portion extending to penetrate the board and being arranged inside a through hole formed in the board, the second mating connecting portion extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second board-side connecting portion and being arranged protruding from the second mating surface, and the arrangement of the mating connecting portions on the mating surface of the first connector is the same as the arrangement of the second mating connecting portions on the second mating surface.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector, a board with a connector, and a connector unit in which the arrangement of the mating connection parts can be easily adjusted to match the arrangement of the mating terminal fittings, in a connector in which the mating connector is mated from a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the board.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector-equipped board according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector-equipped board and a case. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connector-equipped board housed in a case. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector-equipped board housed in a case. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a first connector, taken in a different direction from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view showing an arrangement of mating connection portions. FIG. 7 is a view showing an arrangement of board-side connection portions. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a second connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connector-equipped board according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector-equipped board and a case. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connector-equipped board housed in a case. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector-equipped board housed in a case. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector, taken in a different direction from FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a view showing an arrangement of mating connection portions. FIG. 15 is a view showing an arrangement of board-side connection portions. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a first connector according to a third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a first connector according to another embodiment.

[0011] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A connector of the present disclosure includes a plurality of terminal fittings and a terminal holding portion that holds the plurality of terminal fittings, the terminal holding portion having an opposing surface and a mating surface, the opposing surface facing a plate surface of a board with a gap therebetween, the mating surface being the surface opposite the opposing surface, the terminal fittings having a board-side connecting portion and a mating connecting portion, the board-side connecting portion extending through the board and being disposed inside a through-hole formed in the board, the mating connecting portion extending through the terminal holding portion and being disposed protruding from the mating surface, and at least one of the plurality of terminal fittings has an extension portion between the board-side connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, the extension portion extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the board-side connecting portion and the extending direction of the mating connecting portion. With this configuration, the arrangement of the mating connection portions and the board-side connection portions can be made different by the extension portions, making it easier to adjust the arrangement of the mating connection portions to match the arrangement of the mating terminal fittings when the mating connector is mated from a direction perpendicular to the board surface. [2] In the connector described in [1] above, if the terminal fittings having the extension portions among the multiple terminal fittings are called extension terminal fittings and the terminal fittings adjacent to the extension terminal fittings are called adjacent terminal fittings, the distance between the board-side connection portion of the extension terminal fitting and the board-side connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting may be larger than the distance between the mating connection portion of the extension terminal fitting and the mating connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting. With this configuration, the spacing between the board-side connection portions can be increased without increasing the size of the mating connector. [3] In the connector described in [1] above, when a terminal fitting having the extension portion among the plurality of terminal fittings is defined as an extended terminal fitting, and a terminal fitting adjacent to the extended terminal fitting is defined as an adjacent terminal fitting, the distance between the mating connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the mating connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting may be larger than the distance between the board-side connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the board-side connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting.This configuration allows the spacing between the mating connection portions to be increased, enabling mating with a larger mating connector, without increasing the connector's footprint on the board. [4] In the connector described in any of [1] to [3] above, the terminal fittings arranged in one direction may include terminal fittings that do not have the extension portion. This configuration reduces costs compared to forming extension portions on all of the terminal fittings arranged in a row. [5] In the connector described in any of [1] to [4] above, the board-side connection portion of the terminal fitting located at the end of the multiple terminal fittings arranged in one direction in the one direction may be located inward in the one direction relative to the outer surface of the terminal holding portion. This configuration reduces the connector's footprint on the board. The terminal holding portion can protect the board-side connection portion. [6] In the connector described in any of [1] to [5] above, a first bent portion may be formed between the extension portion and the board-side connection portion, and a second bent portion may be formed between the extension portion and the mating connection portion. This configuration makes it easier to adjust the position of the board-side connection portion compared to when only one bent portion is formed on the terminal fitting and an extension portion is provided. [7] The connector described in any of [1] to [6] above may include a housing having the terminal holding portion and a cylindrical hood portion protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the mating surface. This configuration allows the mating connection portion to be accurately aligned within the hood portion even with small terminal fittings. [8] The connector-equipped board of the present disclosure includes the connector described in any of [1] to [7] above and a board on which the connector is mounted, and is housed in a case. [9] The connector-equipped board of the present disclosure includes the connector described in any of [1] to [6] above and a board on which the connector is mounted, and is housed in a case, wherein the terminal holding portion is a seat that fits into a hood portion formed on the case. This configuration eliminates the need for a hood portion on the connector-equipped board, thereby reducing the amount of resin used and reducing costs.

[10] In the connector-equipped board described in [8] or [9] above, the board may be provided with a connector portion separate from the connector, and the connector portion may have terminal fittings separate from the terminal fittings electrically connected to the board, the separate terminal fittings being held in a terminal holding portion separate from the housing. With this configuration, when small and large terminal fittings are included, for example, the large terminal fittings may be held in a terminal holding portion separate from the housing, and the small terminal fittings may be held in the housing, thereby enabling the mating connection portions to be precisely aligned within the hood portion. This allows for a reduction in the amount of resin used compared to when all terminal fittings, including the large terminal fittings, are held in the housing, thereby reducing costs.

[11] The connector unit of the present disclosure is a connector unit comprising, when the first connector is a connector described in any of [1] to [7] above, the first connector, and a second connector different from the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second terminal fittings and a second terminal holding portion that holds the plurality of second terminal fittings, the second terminal holding portion has a second mating surface that is arranged facing a direction intersecting the plate surface of the board, the second terminal fittings have a second board-side connecting portion and a second mating connecting portion, the second board-side connecting portion extends to penetrate the board and is arranged inside a through-hole formed in the board, the second mating connecting portion extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second board-side connecting portion and is arranged to protrude from the second mating surface, and the arrangement of the mating connecting portions on the mating surface of the first connector is the same as the arrangement of the second mating connecting portions on the second mating surface. With this configuration, the first connector and the second connector can share the same mating connector, thereby reducing costs compared to when a mating connector that mates with the first connector and a mating connector that mates with the second connector are provided as dedicated parts.

[0012] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the connector and connector-equipped board of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0013] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figure 1, a first connector 10 in this embodiment is mounted on a board 11 to form a connector-equipped board 15. The first connector 10 includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 20 and a first housing 30 that holds the plurality of first terminal fittings 20. The plurality of first terminal fittings 20 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0014] The X-axis and Y-axis shown in each figure indicate the arrangement direction of the first terminal fittings 20. The Z-axis indicates the direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the substrate 11. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the upper side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the upside. In the following description, "perpendicular" includes not only a strictly perpendicular state but also a roughly perpendicular state, and "parallel" includes not only a strictly parallel state but also a roughly parallel state.

[0015] The connector-equipped board 15 includes a first connector 10, a connector portion 40, and a board 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector-equipped board 15 is housed in a case 51 to form an electrical junction box 50. The electrical junction box 50 is mounted on a vehicle.

[0016] The electrical junction box 50 includes a connector-equipped board 15 and a case 51 that houses the connector-equipped board 15. The case 51 has a housing 52 and a lid 53. The housing 52 is open at the top. The lid 53 closes the opening of the housing 52. The lid 53 is fixed to the housing 52 by fastening members 54.

[0017] The cover 53 has an opening 55. The opening 55 is rectangular and opens both upward and downward. The opening 55 is formed at the position of the first connector 10. The first hood portion 32 of the first connector 10 fits into the opening 55.

[0018] The lid 53 has a lid hood portion 56. The lid hood portion 56 is formed at a position of the connector portion 40 away from the opening 55. The lid hood portion 56 is formed on the lid 53 itself using the same material as the lid 53. As shown in FIG. 4, the lid hood portion 56 is cylindrical and protrudes from the lid 53 on both the top and bottom sides. Another mating connector 110 can be fitted into the lid hood portion 56 from above.

[0019] The cover hood portion 56 has a rear wall portion 57. A plurality of through holes 58 are formed in the rear wall portion 57. Each of the through holes 58 passes through the rear wall portion 57 in the up-down direction. The protrusions 47 of the base 42 fit into the through holes 58.

[0020] Various electronic components 12 are mounted on the substrate 11. The substrate 11 has a plurality of through holes 13 formed therein.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, the connector portion 40 includes a plurality of terminal fittings 41 and a base 42 that holds the plurality of terminal fittings 41. Each terminal fitting 41 has a board-side connection portion 43 and a mating connection portion 44. The board-side connection portion 43 and the mating connection portion 44 extend in the same straight line along the Z axis. The board-side connection portion 43 may have a press-fit portion and be inserted into the through-hole 13 in an elastically deformed state, or may not have a press-fit portion and may be soldered to the through-hole 13. The terminal fittings 41 are press-fit into the base 42 and are held in a state where they penetrate the base 42 in the Z axis direction.

[0022] The base 42 is made of synthetic resin. The base 42 is fixed to the substrate 11. The base 42 has a base facing surface 45 and a base fitting surface 46. The base facing surface 45 faces the plate surface of the substrate 11 with a gap between them. The base fitting surface 46 is the surface opposite the facing surface. The base fitting surface 46 has a plurality of protrusions 47. The mating connection portions 44 protrude upward from the protrusions 47. Each protrusion 47 fits into a through hole 58 in the lid hood portion 56. The mating connection portions 44 are arranged inside the lid hood portion 56.

[0023] The first connector 10 is a male connector. The first connector 10 can be mated with a mating connector 100. The mating connector 100 is a female connector connected to an end portion of an electric wire. The mating connector 100 is mated from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board 11.

[0024] The first housing 30 has a first terminal holding portion 31, a first hood portion 32, and a protruding portion 35. The first terminal holding portion 31 holds all of the first terminal fittings 20. The first terminal holding portion 31 has a first opposing surface 33 and a first mating surface 34. The first opposing surface 33 faces the plate surface of the substrate 11 with a gap therebetween. The first mating surface 34 is the surface opposite the first opposing surface 33. The first opposing surface 33 and the first mating surface 34 are arranged parallel to the plate surface of the substrate 11.

[0025] The first hood portion 32 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the first mating surface 34. The first hood portion 32 has a rectangular cylindrical shape (see FIG. 6). The mating connector 100 fits inside the first hood portion 32. The first hood portion 32 fits into an opening 55 of the lid 53 and protrudes upward from the lid 53.

[0026] The protruding portion 35 is provided on the outer surface of the first hood portion 32. The protruding portion 35 engages with the peripheral edge of the opening 55 from the inside of the lid body 53.

[0027] The first terminal fitting 20 has a first board-side connecting portion 21 as a board-side connecting portion and a first mating connecting portion 22 as a mating connecting portion. The first board-side connecting portion 21 and the first mating connecting portion 22 extend in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the board 11, in other words, in a direction parallel to the Z-axis. The first mating connecting portion 22 extends so as to penetrate the first terminal holding portion 31. The first mating connecting portion 22 is disposed so as to protrude upward from the first fitting surface 34. The first board-side connecting portion 21 extends so as to penetrate the board 11. The first board-side connecting portion 21 is disposed inside a through-hole 13 formed in the board 11 and is soldered, for example, by a reflow method.

[0028] 5, the first terminal fitting 20 includes an extension terminal fitting 20A and a standard terminal fitting 20B. The extension terminal fitting 20A has an extension portion 23. The standard terminal fitting 20B does not have an extension portion 23. In the standard terminal fitting 20B, the first mating connection portion 22 and the first board-side connection portion 21 extend continuously in a straight line.

[0029] Each extension terminal fitting 20A has a first bent portion 24, a second bent portion 25, and an extension portion 23. The extension portion 23 is formed between the first mating connection portion 22 and the first board-side connection portion 21. The first bent portion 24, the second bent portion 25, and the extension portion 23 are located between the first opposing surface 33 and the plate surface of the board 11. The extension portion 23 extends in a direction intersecting the Z-axis. The first bent portion 24 is formed between the extension portion 23 and the first board-side connection portion 21. The second bent portion 25 is formed between the extension portion 23 and the first mating connection portion 22. The positions of the first bent portion 24 and the second bent portion 25 are offset in the X-axis direction. The extension portion 23 extends obliquely upward from the first bent portion 24 toward the second bent portion 25.

[0030] 5, the extension terminal fittings 20A are arranged at both ends of the first terminal fittings 20 lined up in the X-axis direction. The standard terminal fittings 20B are arranged in the middle of the first terminal fittings 20 lined up in the X-axis direction, excluding both ends. The extension portions 23 extend from the top to the bottom in a direction away from the adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B.

[0031] The interval between adjacent first mating connection portions 22 in the X-axis direction is referred to as the mating-side X-axis distance P1. The interval between adjacent first board-side connection portions 21 in the X-axis direction is referred to as the board-side X-axis distance P3. In the case of the first embodiment, the board-side X-axis distance P3 between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is larger than the mating-side X-axis distance P1.

[0032] The first board-side connecting portion 21 of the extension terminal fitting 20A is located inside in the X-axis direction from the outer surface 36 of the first terminal holding portion 31. The outer surface 36 of the first terminal holding portion 31 is flush with the outer surface of the first hood portion 32. In Figure 7, the outer surface 36 of the first terminal holding portion 31 is shown by an imaginary line.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first mating connection portions 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on the first fitting surface 34 (the same applies to the first opposing surface 33). The interval between adjacent first mating connection portions 22 in the Y-axis direction is referred to as the mating Y-axis direction interval P2. In the case of the first embodiment, the mating X-axis direction interval P1 between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is equal to the mating X-axis direction interval P1 between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B. The mating Y-axis direction interval P2 between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is equal to the mating Y-axis direction interval P2 between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 7, the first board-side connection portions 21 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The distance between adjacent first board-side connection portions 21 in the Y-axis direction is referred to as the board-side Y-axis distance P4. In the case of the first embodiment, the board-side X-axis distance P3 between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is larger than the board-side X-axis distance P3 between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B. The board-side Y-axis distance P4 between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and the board-side Y-axis distance P4 between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B are equal.

[0035] The solder paste used to solder the first board-side connection portion 21 to the board 11 is applied to application areas R surrounded by imaginary lines in Fig. 7 using a metal mask (not shown). The solder paste application areas R are set for each through-hole 13. In plan view, the solder paste application areas R are formed in rectangular shapes that are long in the X-axis direction. The solder paste application areas R are formed so that they are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

[0036] The first connector 10 and the second connector 60 form a connector unit. As shown in Figure 8, the second connector 60, like the first connector 10, is mounted on the board 11 to form a connector-equipped board 15. The second connector 60 includes a plurality of second terminal fittings 61 and a second housing 62. The second housing 62 holds the plurality of second terminal fittings 61.

[0037] It should be noted that the "connector unit" is not limited to a unit including both the first connector and the second connector. For example, the first connector 10 and the second connector 60 may be mounted on separate boards 11 to form separate connector-equipped boards 15. The connector-equipped board 15 including the first connector 10 and the connector-equipped board 15 including the second connector 60 may be housed in separate cases 51 to form separate electrical junction boxes 50. The first connector 10 and the second connector 60 may be mounted in different units of the same vehicle.

[0038] The second housing 62 includes a second terminal holding portion 65 and a second hood portion 66. The second terminal holding portion 65 has a second mating surface 67. The second mating surface 67 is disposed in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the board 11. The second hood portion 66 protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the second mating surface 67 in a direction parallel to the plate surface of the board 11. The second hood portion 66 has the same cylindrical shape as the first hood portion 32. The shape of the inner surface of the second hood portion 66 is the same as the shape of the inner surface of the first hood portion 32.

[0039] The second terminal fitting 61 has a second board-side connecting portion 63, a second mating-side connecting portion 64, and a bent portion 68. The second board-side connecting portion 63 extends to penetrate the board 11. Like the first board-side connecting portion 21, the second board-side connecting portion 63 is disposed inside the through-hole 13 formed in the board 11 and soldered thereto. The arrangement of the second board-side connecting portions 63 is the same as the arrangement of the first board-side connecting portions 21 of the first connector 10.

[0040] One bent portion 68 is provided between the second mating connection portion 64 and the second board-side connection portion 63. The second terminal fitting 61 is bent at a right angle at the bent portion 68. The second mating connection portion 64 extends in a direction parallel to the plate surface of the board 11. The second mating connection portion 64 is disposed so as to protrude from the second mating surface 67. The arrangement of the second mating connection portions 64 on the second mating surface 67 is the same as the arrangement of the first mating connection portions 22 on the first mating surface 34. In other words, the arrangement of the second mating connection portions 64 when viewed in a direction parallel to the plate surface of the board 11 is the same as the arrangement of the first mating connection portions 22 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the board 11. The mating connector 100 that mates with the first connector 10 can also be mated with the second connector 60.

[0041] Next, the operation and effect of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The first connector 10 includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 20 and a first terminal holder 31 that holds the plurality of first terminal fittings 20. The first terminal holder 31 has a first opposing surface 33 and a first mating surface 34. The first opposing surface 33 faces the plate surface of the board 11 with a gap therebetween. The first mating surface 34 is the surface opposite the first opposing surface 33. The first terminal fittings 20 include a first board-side connecting portion 21 and a first mating connecting portion 22. The first board-side connecting portion 21 extends through the board 11. The first board-side connecting portion 21 is disposed inside a through-hole 13 formed in the board 11. The first mating connecting portion 22 extends through the first terminal holder 31. The first mating connecting portion 22 is disposed so as to protrude from the first mating surface 34. At least one of the plurality of first terminal fittings 20 has an extension 23 between the first board-side connection portion 21 and the first mating connection portion 22. The extension 23 extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first board-side connection portion 21 and the extension direction of the first mating connection portion 22.

[0042] According to this configuration, the extension portion 23 allows the arrangement of the first mating connection portion 22 and the arrangement of the first board-side connection portion 21 to be different, so that when the mating connector 100 is mated from a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the board 11, the arrangement of the first mating connection portion 22 can be easily adjusted to match the arrangement of the mating terminal fittings.

[0043] The distance between the first board-side connecting portion 21 of the extension terminal fitting 20A and the first board-side connecting portion 21 of the adjacent first terminal fitting 20 is larger than the distance between the first mating connecting portion 22 of the extension terminal fitting 20A and the first mating connecting portion 22 of the adjacent first terminal fitting 20. With this configuration, the distance between the first board-side connecting portions 21 can be increased to connect to the board 11 without increasing the size of the mating connector 100.

[0044] The plurality of first terminal fittings 20 arranged in a row in the X-axis direction include standard terminal fittings 20B that do not have extension portions 23. This configuration reduces costs compared to when the extension portions 23 are formed on all of the first terminal fittings 20 arranged in a row in the X-axis direction.

[0045] Of the multiple first terminal fittings 20 lined up in a row in the X-axis direction, the first board-side connecting portion 21 of the first terminal fitting 20 located at the end furthest in the X-axis direction is located more inward in the X-axis direction than the outer surface 36 of the first terminal holding portion 31. With this configuration, the area occupied by the first connector 10 on the board 11 can be reduced. The first terminal holding portion 31 can protect the first board-side connecting portion 21.

[0046] A first bent portion 24 is formed between the extension portion 23 and the first board-side connection portion 21. A second bent portion 25 is formed between the extension portion 23 and the first mating connection portion 22. With this configuration, it is easier to adjust the position of the first board-side connection portion 21 compared to when only one bent portion is formed in the first terminal fitting to provide an extension portion.

[0047] The first connector 10 includes a first housing 30 having a first terminal holding portion 31 and a cylindrical first hood portion 32 that protrudes from the outer peripheral edge of the first mating surface 34. With this configuration, even if the first terminal fittings 20 are small, the first mating connecting portions 22 can be arranged within the first hood portion 32 with high precision.

[0048] The connector-equipped board 15 includes a first connector 10 and a board 11 on which the first connector 10 is mounted, and is housed in a case 51. The board 11 is provided with a connector portion 40 separate from the first connector 10. The connector portion 40 has terminal fittings 41 separate from the first terminal fittings 20. The separate terminal fittings 41 are electrically connected to the board 11. The separate terminal fittings 41 are held by a base 42 separate from the first housing 30.

[0049] According to this configuration, when there are small first terminal fittings 20 and large terminal fittings 41, the large terminal fittings 41 are held by the base 42 and the small first terminal fittings 20 are held by the first housing 30, thereby enabling the first mating connection portions 22 to be precisely arranged within the first hood portion 32. This allows for a reduction in the amount of resin used compared to when all terminal fittings 20, 41, including the large terminal fitting 41, are held in a housing with a hood portion, thereby reducing costs.

[0050] The connector unit includes a first connector 10 and a second connector 60 separate from the first connector 10. The second connector 60 includes a plurality of second terminal fittings 61 and a second terminal holder 65 that holds the plurality of second terminal fittings 61. The second terminal holder 65 has a second mating surface 67. The second mating surface 67 is arranged in a direction intersecting with the plate surface of the board 11. The second terminal fittings 61 have a second board-side connecting portion 63 and a second mating connecting portion 64. The second board-side connecting portion 63 extends so as to penetrate the board 11. The second board-side connecting portion 63 is arranged inside a through-hole 13 formed in the board 11. The second mating connecting portion 64 extends in a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the second board-side connecting portion 63. The second mating connecting portion 64 is arranged to protrude from the second mating surface 67. The arrangement of the first mating connection portions 22 on the first mating surface 34 of the first connector 10 is the same as the arrangement of the second mating connection portions 64 on the second mating surface 67. With this configuration, the mating connector 100 can be shared between the first connector 10 and the second connector 60, thereby reducing costs compared to when the mating connector 100 that mates with the first connector 10 and the mating connector 100 that mates with the second connector 60 are provided as dedicated parts.

[0051] 9 to 15, a first connector 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first connector 80 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the board-side spacing P3 in the X-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is smaller than the mating-side spacing P1 in the X-axis direction. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0052] Similar to the first embodiment, the first connector 80 is mounted on the substrate 11 to form a connector-equipped substrate 81. Similar to the first embodiment, the first connector 80 includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 20 and a first housing 30 that holds the plurality of first terminal fittings 20. The plurality of first terminal fittings 20 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0053] Similar to the first embodiment, the connector-equipped board 81 includes a first connector 80, a connector portion 40, and a board 11. As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the connector-equipped board 81 is housed in a case 51 to form an electrical junction box 50.

[0054] As in the first embodiment, the lid 53 has an opening 55 and a lid hood 56. As shown in Fig. 12, the lid hood 56 is cylindrical and protrudes from the lid 53 on both the top and bottom sides. The bottom end of the lid hood 56 is a lid terminal holder 82. The lid terminal holder 82 has a plurality of terminal insertion holes 83 formed therein, which penetrate in the vertical direction.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 10, the connector portion 40 has only a plurality of terminal fittings 41. The terminal fittings 41 are fixed to the board 11 in a self-standing state. As in the first embodiment, each terminal fitting 41 has a board-side connecting portion 43 and a mating connecting portion 44. The terminal fittings 41 are inserted into the terminal insertion holes 83. The terminal fittings 41 pass through the lid terminal holding portion 82 in the vertical direction. The mating connecting portion 44 is disposed inside the lid hood portion 56.

[0056] As in embodiment 1, the first housing 30 has a first terminal holding portion 31 and a first hood portion 32, and the first terminal fitting 20 has a first board side connection portion 21 and a first mating side connection portion 22.

[0057] 13, the first terminal fittings 20 include extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B. As in the first embodiment, the extension terminal fittings 20A are arranged at both ends of the first terminal fittings 20 aligned in the X-axis direction. As in the first embodiment, the standard terminal fittings 20B are arranged in the middle of the first terminal fittings 20 aligned in the X-axis direction, excluding both ends.

[0058] As in the first embodiment, the extension terminal fitting 20A has a first bent portion 24, a second bent portion 25, and an extension portion 23. The extension portion 23 extends from the top to the bottom in a direction approaching the adjacent standard terminal fitting 20B. As a result, the distance P1 between the adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B in the X-axis direction is greater than the distance P3 between the adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B in the X-axis direction on the board side.

[0059] 14, the first mating connection portions 22 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on the first fitting surface 34 (the same applies to the first opposing surface 33). In the case of the second embodiment, the mating distance P1 in the X-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is larger than the mating distance P1 in the X-axis direction between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B. The mating distance P2 in the Y-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B is equal to the mating distance P2 in the Y-axis direction.

[0060] 15 , the first board-side connection portions 21 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The first board-side connection portions 21 have press-fit portions and may be inserted into the through-holes 13 in an elastically deformed state. In the second embodiment, the board-side distance P3 in the X-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is equal to the board-side distance P3 in the X-axis direction between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B. The board-side distance P4 in the Y-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is equal to the board-side distance P4 in the Y-axis direction between adjacent standard terminal fittings 20B.

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the extension portions 23 allow the arrangement of the first mating connection portions 22 and the arrangement of the first board-side connection portions 21 to differ from each other.

[0062] The distance between the first mating connection portion 22 of the extension terminal fitting 20A and the first mating connection portion 22 of the adjacent first terminal fitting 20 is larger than the distance between the first board-side connection portion 21 of the extension terminal fitting 20A and the first board-side connection portion 21 of the adjacent first terminal fitting 20. With this configuration, the distance between the first mating connection portions 22 can be increased without increasing the area occupied by the connector on the board 11, making it possible to mate with a large mating connector 100.

[0063] As in the first embodiment, the board 11 is provided with a connector portion 40 separate from the first connector 80, and the connector portion 40 has terminal fittings 41 separate from the first terminal fittings 20. The separate terminal fittings 41 are fixed to the board 11 in a self-supporting state. The separate terminal fittings 41 are held by a cover terminal holding portion 82 separate from the first housing 30.

[0064] According to this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, when there are small first terminal fittings 20 and large terminal fittings 41, the large terminal fittings 41 are held by the cover terminal holding portion 82 and the small first terminal fittings 20 are held by the first housing 30, thereby enabling the first mating connection portions 22 to be precisely arranged within the first hood portion 32. This allows for a reduction in the amount of resin used compared to when all terminal fittings 20, 41, including the large terminal fitting 41, are held in a housing with a hood portion, thereby reducing costs.

[0065] Third Embodiment Next, a first connector 90 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The first connector 90 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first terminal holder 91 is a seat that fits into the lid hood portion 56 formed on the case 51. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0066] As in the first embodiment, the first connector 90 is mounted on the substrate 11 to form the connector-equipped substrate 15. As in the first embodiment, the connector-equipped substrate 15 is housed in a case 51 to form the electrical junction box 50. As in the first embodiment, the case 51 has a housing 52 (see FIG. 2 , not shown in FIG. 16 ) and a lid 53, and the lid 53 is provided with a lid hood portion 56. The lid hood portion 56 is cylindrical and protrudes from the lid 53 on both the top and bottom sides. A fitting hole 92 is formed in the lower end of the lid hood portion 56. The fitting hole 92 is open in the vertical direction.

[0067] The first connector 90 includes a plurality of first terminal fittings 20 and a first terminal holding portion 91 that holds the plurality of first terminal fittings 20. As in the first embodiment, the first terminal fittings 20 include extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B. The first terminal fittings 20 are press-fit into the first terminal holding portion 91 and are held in a state in which they penetrate the first terminal holding portion 91 in the Z-axis direction. A board-side distance P3 in the X-axis direction between adjacent extension terminal fittings 20A and standard terminal fittings 20B is greater than a mating-side distance P1 in the X-axis direction.

[0068] Similar to the first embodiment, the first terminal holding portion 91 has a first opposing surface 33 and a first mating surface 34. The first terminal holding portion 91 is fitted into a mating hole 92 in the lid hood portion 56. The first mating connection portion 22 protrudes upward from the first mating surface 34. The first mating surface 34 forms the rear surface of the lid hood portion 56. The first terminal fitting 20 is disposed inside the lid hood portion 56.

[0069] As described above, in this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the extension portions 23 allow the arrangement of the first mating connection portions 22 and the arrangement of the first board-side connection portions 21 to differ from each other.

[0070] The first terminal holding portion 91 is a seat that fits into the lid hood portion 56 formed on the case 51. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a hood portion on the connector-equipped board 15, so the amount of resin used can be reduced, resulting in cost savings.

[0071] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above-described first embodiment, the extension portion 23 extends diagonally upward from the first bent portion 24 toward the second bent portion 25. However, in other embodiments, the extension portion 23 may extend parallel to the substrate 11 from the first bent portion 24 toward the second bent portion 25, as shown in FIG. 17 . In this case, the first bent portion 24 and the second bent portion 25 are bent at a right angle. By having the extension portion 23 extend parallel to the substrate 11, the height of the first substrate-side connection portion 21 and its position in the plate surface direction of the substrate 11 can be easily adjusted. In the above-described embodiment, the extension terminal fittings 20A are arranged at both ends of the first terminal fittings 20 arranged in a row in the X-axis direction, and the standard terminal fittings 20B are arranged in the middle of the first terminal fittings 20 arranged in a row in the X-axis direction. However, in other examples, all of the first terminal fittings arranged in a row may be extension terminal fittings. In the above embodiment, the number and arrangement of the first terminal fittings 20 may be changed as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the extension terminal fitting 20A has two bent portions 68, but in other embodiments, the extension terminal fitting may have only one bent portion, or three or more bent portions. In the above embodiment, the first bent portion 24 and the second bent portion 25 are formed at an obtuse angle or a right angle, but in other embodiments, at least one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion may be formed in a curved shape.

[0072] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...First connector (connector) 11...Substrate 12...Electronic component 13...Through hole 15...Substrate with connector 20...First terminal fitting (terminal fitting) 20A...Extension terminal fitting 20B...Standard terminal fitting 21...First substrate side connection portion (substrate side connection portion) 22...First mating connection portion (mating connection portion) 23...Extension portion 24...First bent portion 25...Second bent portion 30...First housing (housing) 31...First terminal holding portion (terminal holding portion) 32...First hood portion (hood portion) 33...First opposing surface (opposing surface) 34...First mating surface (mating surface) 35...Protruding portion 36...Outer surface 40...Connector portion 41...Terminal fitting (another terminal fitting) 42...Base (another terminal holding portion) 43...Substrate side connection portion 44...Matching connection portion 45...Base opposing surface 46...Base mating surface 47...Protrusion 50...Electrical junction box 51...Case 52...Housing 53...Lid 54...Fastening member 55...Opening 56...Lid hood portion 57...Rear wall portion 58...Through hole 60...Second connector (second connector) 61...Second terminal fitting (second terminal fitting) 62...Second housing 63...Second board side connecting portion (second board side connecting portion) 64...Second mating connection portion (second mating connection portion) 65...Second terminal holding portion (second terminal holding portion) 66...Second hood portion 67...Second mating surface (second mating surface) 68...Bent portion 80...First connector (connector) 81...Connector-equipped board 82...Lid terminal holding portion (another terminal holding portion) 83...Terminal insertion hole 90...First connector (connector) 91... First terminal holding portion (terminal holding portion) 92... Fitting hole 100... Mating connector 110... Another mating connector P1... Mating side X-axis direction spacing P2... Mating side Y-axis direction spacing P3... Substrate side X-axis direction spacing P4... Substrate side Y-axis direction spacing R... Coating area

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a plurality of terminal fittings; and a terminal holding portion for holding the plurality of terminal fittings, the terminal holding portion having an opposing surface and a mating surface, the opposing surface facing a plate surface of a board with a gap therebetween, the mating surface being the surface opposite the opposing surface, the terminal fittings having a board-side connecting portion and a mating connecting portion, the board-side connecting portion extending through the board and being disposed inside a through-hole formed in the board, the mating connecting portion extending through the terminal holding portion and being disposed protruding from the mating surface, and at least one of the plurality of terminal fittings having an extension portion between the board-side connecting portion and the mating connecting portion, the extension portion intersecting the extension direction of the board-side connecting portion and the extension direction of the mating connecting portion.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein when a terminal fitting having the extension portion among the plurality of terminal fittings is defined as an extended terminal fitting, and a terminal fitting adjacent to the extended terminal fitting is defined as an adjacent terminal fitting, the distance between the board side connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the board side connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting is larger than the distance between the mating connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the mating connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting.

3. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein when a terminal fitting having the extension portion among the plurality of terminal fittings is defined as an extended terminal fitting, and a terminal fitting adjacent to the extended terminal fitting is defined as an adjacent terminal fitting, the distance between the mating connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the mating connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting is larger than the distance between the board side connection portion of the extended terminal fitting and the board side connection portion of the adjacent terminal fitting.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminal fittings arranged in one direction include a terminal fitting that does not have the extension portion.

5. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein, among the multiple terminal fittings arranged in one direction, the board side connection portion of the terminal fitting located at the end furthest in said one direction is located more inward in said one direction than the outer surface of the terminal holding portion.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a first bent portion is formed between said extension portion and said board side connection portion, and a second bent portion is formed between said extension portion and said mating side connection portion.

7. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a housing having the terminal holding portion and a cylindrical hood portion protruding from the outer peripheral edge portion of the mating surface.

8. A connector-equipped board, comprising the connector according to claim 7 and a board on which the connector is mounted, and which is accommodated in a case.

9. A connector-attached board comprising the connector described in any one of claims 1 to 6 and a board on which the connector is mounted, the board being accommodated in a case, wherein the terminal holding portion is a seat that fits into a hood portion formed in the case.

10. A connector-equipped board as described in claim 8, wherein the board is provided with a connector portion separate from the connector, the connector portion having terminal fittings separate from the terminal fittings and electrically connected to the board, the separate terminal fittings being held by a terminal holding portion separate from the housing.

11. A connector unit comprising, when the connector according to claim 1 is a first connector, the first connector and a second connector different from the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second terminal fittings and a second terminal holding portion which holds the plurality of second terminal fittings, the second terminal holding portion has a second mating surface arranged in a direction intersecting with the plate surface of the board, the second terminal fittings have a second board-side connecting portion and a second mating connecting portion, the second board-side connecting portion extends so as to penetrate the board and is arranged inside a through-hole formed in the board, the second mating connecting portion extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second board-side connecting portion and is arranged protruding from the second mating surface, and an arrangement of the mating connecting portions on the mating surface of the first connector is the same as an arrangement of the second mating connecting portions on the second mating surface.

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