Connector device and plug connector

Abstract

A connector device (C1) comprises a plug connector (1) and a receptacle connector (2). An upper surface (10a) of a plug housing (10) of the plug connector (1) has flat surface (16) formed therein. A code protrusion (17) that protrudes upward is formed in the flat surface (16). When the length (L1) of a first interval (D1) is greater than the length (L2) of a second interval (D2), a flat attachment region is formed on the flat surface (16) between a front end surface (171) of the code protrusion (17) and a front end (161) of the flat surface (16), and between an inner end (163) and an outer end (164). When the length (L2) of the second interval (D2) is greater than the length (L1) of the first interval (D1), a flat attachment region is formed on the flat surface (16) between a rear end surface (172) of the code protrusion (17) and a rear end (162) of the flat surface (16), and between the inner end (163) and the outer end (164).

Description

Connector device and plug connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector device and a plug connector.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a known connector device includes a plug connector having a plug housing and a receptacle connector having a receptacle housing into which the plug housing can be fitted.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a guide recess is provided on the top wall of the plug housing, and a guide protrusion is provided on the inside of the top wall of the receptacle housing. The plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector by inserting and mating the plug housing into the receptacle housing while guiding the guide protrusion into the guide recess.

[0004] The guide protrusions and guide recesses also function as a key code structure that allows corresponding plug connectors and receptacle connectors to be mated together, but prevents incompatible plug connectors from being mated with the receptacle connector. Thus, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector device with a key code structure.

[0005] WO 16 / 088308

[0006] In Patent Document 1, plug terminals are held in a plug housing, and the plug connector is mounted on the connected member by electrically connecting the plug terminals held in the plug housing to the conductors of the connected member, such as a cable.

[0007] When mounting the plug connector on the member to be connected in this manner, the plug connector may be attracted to the member to be connected by a mounting device such as a robot arm and moved onto the member to be connected.

[0008] Even in the case of a plug connector having a key code structure, it is preferable to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing.

[0009] A connector device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector that can be mated with the plug connector by moving the plug connector relative to the plug connector along a front-to-rear axis, the plug connector including a plug housing having an upper surface and a lower surface located above and below the vertical axis, plug terminals housed in an internal space of the plug housing with a portion of the plug terminal exposed from behind the front-to-rear axis, and a receptacle connector with which the plug connector can be mated when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated. the receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing having a mating internal space capable of accommodating the plug housing, receptacle terminals capable of electrically connecting with the plug terminals, and a locked portion that engages with the locking portion, the plug housing includes a flat surface formed on the top surface, a cord protrusion that protrudes upward from the flat surface, and a locking region that is adjacent to the flat surface along the left-right axis and in which the locking portion is formed, includes a cord recess formed on an upper inner surface of the mating internal space and capable of accommodating the cord protrusion, the flat surface having a front end located at the frontmost end, a rear end located rearward of the front end, an inner end adjacent to the locking area side on the left-right axis, and an outer end opposing the inner end on the left-right axis and farther from the locking area than the inner end, the cord protrusion having a front end surface located at the front and a rear end surface located rearward, The length of a second interval between the rear end surface and the rear end of the flat surface is different, and (1) when the length of the first interval is longer than the length of the first interval, a flat suction region is formed between the front end surface of the cord projection on the flat surface and the front end of the flat surface, and between the inner end and the outer end, or (2) when the length of the second interval is longer than the length of the first interval and the length of the second interval, a flat suction region is formed between the rear end surface of the cord projection on the flat surface and the rear end of the flat surface, andA flat suction area is formed between the inner end and the outer end.

[0010] A plug connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is used in the above connector device.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a connector device and a plug connector that can ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing even when configured with a key code structure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of a connector device, and is an exploded perspective view showing a plug connector mounted on a cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first example of a connector device, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board are mated. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a plug terminal and a receptacle terminal of the connector device, and is a perspective view showing a state before the lower plug terminal and the lower receptacle terminal come into contact. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plug terminal and a receptacle terminal of the connector device, and is a plan view showing a contact state between the lower plug terminal and the lower receptacle terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a plug terminal and a receptacle terminal of the connector device, and is a perspective view showing a state before the upper plug terminal and the upper receptacle terminal come into contact. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a plug terminal and a receptacle terminal of the connector device, and is a plan view showing a contact state between the upper plug terminal and the upper receptacle terminal. 1 is a diagram illustrating how a plug connector provided in a connector device is mounted on a cable, and is a perspective view from the back of the state before mounting. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how a plug connector provided in a connector device is mounted on a cable, and is a perspective view from the back of the state after mounting. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the plug connector provided in the connector device mounted on a cable. FIG. 4 is a back view showing the plug connector provided in the connector device mounted on a cable. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector provided in the connector device. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 7 is a back view showing the plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the plug housing provided in the plug connector. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 14 is a side view showing the lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 15 is a back view showing the lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector.FIG. 1 is a front view showing a lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a lower plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 5 is a side view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 6 is a rear view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 7 is a front view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 8 is a rear view showing an upper plug terminal provided in the plug connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state before a receptacle connector provided in the connector device is mounted on a circuit board. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a receptacle connector provided in the connector device. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 12 is a rear view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 14 is a rear view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 15 is a side view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a receptacle housing provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a lower receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 11 is a rear view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG. 12 is a front view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. 10 is a rear view showing an upper receptacle terminal provided in the receptacle connector. FIG.1 is an exploded view of a connector device shown as a first example, showing a perspective view of a plug connector mounted on a cable and a receptacle connector in a state before being mounted on a circuit board, as viewed from the side where they are mated with each other. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a plug connector included in the connector device shown as the first example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of a cord protrusion of the plug connector included in the connector device shown as the first example. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second example of a connector device, showing the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board, exploded. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second example of a connector device, showing the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board in a mated state. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a connector device shown as a second example, showing a perspective view of a plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector in a state before being mounted on a circuit board, as viewed from the side where they are mated with each other. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a plug connector included in the connector device shown as the second example. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of a cord protrusion of the plug connector included in the connector device shown as the second example. 1 is a diagram showing a third example of a connector device, the diagram being an exploded perspective view showing a plug connector mounted on a cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a third example of a connector device, the diagram being an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board are mated. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector device shown as the third example, the diagram being an exploded perspective view showing the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector in a state prior to being mounted on the circuit board, as viewed from the mating side. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a plug connector included in the connector device shown as the third example. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the periphery of a cord protrusion of the plug connector included in the connector device shown as the third example. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting structure of the connector device on a board. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a situation when an incompatible plug connector is mated with a receptacle connector. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first example of a connector device, the diagram being an exploded perspective view showing a plug connector mounted on a cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board.FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first example of the connector device, and is a perspective view showing a state in which a plug connector mounted on a cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board are mated. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector device shown as a modified example of the first example, and is a perspective view of the plug connector mounted on a cable and the receptacle connector in a state before being mounted on a circuit board, as seen from the side where they are mated. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a plug connector included in the connector device shown as a modified example of the first example. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the periphery of a cord protrusion of the plug connector included in the connector device shown as a modified example of the first example. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the plug connector included in the connector device shown as the first example has a CPA function. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a slide member included in the connector device with a CPA function, as seen from one side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slide member included in the connector device with a CPA function, as seen from the other side. FIG. 8 is a side view of a slide member included in the connector device with a CPA function. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a slide member included in the connector device with a CPA function. FIG. 10 is a back view of a slide member included in the connector device with a CPA function. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slide member provided in a connector device having a CPA function. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a slide member provided in a connector device having a CPA function. FIG. 3 is a view explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device having a CPA function are locked by the slide member, and is a perspective view showing a state before the plug connector, with the slide member temporarily held, is mated with the receptacle connector. FIG. 4 is a view explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device having a CPA function are locked by the slide member, and is a perspective view showing a state where the plug connector, with the slide member temporarily held, has been mated with the receptacle connector. FIG. 5 is a view explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device having a CPA function are locked by the slide member, and is a perspective view showing a state where the plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector and locked by the slide member. FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state where the slide member is temporarily held in the plug connector provided in a connector device having a CPA function.

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device with a CPA function are locked with a slide member, the diagram being a side cross-sectional view showing a state before the plug connector with the slide member temporarily held is mated with the receptacle connector. Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device with a CPA function are locked with a slide member, the diagram being a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug connector with the slide member temporarily held is mated with the receptacle connector. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining how a plug connector and a receptacle connector provided in a connector device with a CPA function are locked with a slide member, the diagram being a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector and locked with the slide member.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0014] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0015] The following describes an example of a plug connector 1 mounted on a flexible sheet-like cable (connected member) 1A as a connector, and a receptacle connector 2 mounted on a rigid sheet-like circuit board (connected member) 2A as a mating connector with which the plug connector 1 mates.

[0016] The vertical axis, front-rear axis, and left-right axis (width axis) of the plug connector 1 are defined when the plug housing 10 is positioned above the sheet-like cable (connected member) 1A. The vertical axis, front-rear axis, and left-right axis are defined merely for the sake of convenience in describing each configuration and do not define the actual arrangement of the plug connector 1. In this embodiment, the insertion direction of the terminals into the housing of each connector coincides with the front-rear axis, and the direction perpendicular to the plane including the mounting surface (the normal direction to the plane including the mounting surface) when mounted on the connected member coincides with the vertical axis of the connector. In this case, the direction in which the terminals housed in the housing of each connector are arranged side by side is the left-right axis.

[0017] In this embodiment, the axis extending along the Z axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is the up-down axis, the axis extending along the X axis is the front-rear axis, and the axis extending along the Y axis is the left-right axis. That is, the axis perpendicular to the up-down axis (direction extending along the Z axis) is the front-rear axis (direction extending along the X axis), and the axis perpendicular to the up-down axis (direction extending along the Z axis) and the front-rear axis (direction extending along the X axis) is the left-right axis (direction extending along the Y axis).

[0018] Furthermore, the side of one connector that faces the other connector when they are mated together is defined as the front on the front-rear axis.

[0019] The multiple types of connector devices described below include similar components, and therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0020] [Configuration Example of Connector Device] A plug connector (connector) 1 according to this embodiment is used in a connector device (connector set) C1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for example.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector device C1 includes the plug connector 1 described above and a receptacle connector 2 into which the plug connector 1 is mated.

[0022] In this embodiment, the plug connector 1 is formed so as to be mountable to a cable (connected member) 1A such as an FPC or an FFC. Specifically, the plug connector 1 is mounted to the cable 1A by electrically connecting (mounting) first and second mounting pieces (mounting portions: connection portions) 132, 142 of plug terminals (terminals) 13, 14 provided in the plug connector 1 to the exposed conductor portion 151bA of the cable 1A.

[0023] Meanwhile, the receptacle connector 2 is formed so as to be mountable on a circuit board (mating connected member) 2A. Specifically, the receptacle connector 2 is mounted on the circuit board 2A by electrically connecting (mounting) first and second mounting pieces (mating mounting portions: mating connection portions) 232, 242 of receptacle terminals (mating terminals) 23, 24 provided on the receptacle connector 2 to conductor portions 2bA of the circuit board 2A.

[0024] The plug connector 1, in which the plug terminals 13, 14 are held in the plug housing 10 and the first and second mounting pieces 132, 142 are mounted on the cable 1A, is fitted into the receptacle connector (mating connector) 2. In this manner, the plug terminals 13, 14 are electrically connected to the receptacle terminals (mating terminals) 23, 24 of the receptacle connector 2.

[0025] In this way, the connector device C1 electrically connects the cable 1A to the circuit board 2A by mating the plug connector 1 with the receptacle connector 2 and electrically connecting the plug terminals 13, 14 to the receptacle terminals 23, 24 (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0026] [Configuration Example of Cable 1A] Next, an example of the configuration of the cable 1A on which the plug connector 1 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG.

[0027] The cable 1A is in the form of a sheet (flat plate) having a surface (front surface: one side) 1aA and a back surface (rear surface: other side) 1bA, and the surface 1aA is the mounting surface on which the plug connector 1 is mounted. Furthermore, the cable 1A is flexible, so that the cable 1A can be bent (curved) in the direction of its thickness.

[0028] The cable 1A includes a connection region 11A used for connection to the plug connector 1, and an extension region 12A to which the conductor portion 15bA extends for wiring to other circuits.

[0029] In this embodiment, the cable 1A is formed so that the connecting region 11A is located on one end side of the extension region 12A. When the plug connector 1, to which the connecting region 11A is connected, is mated with the receptacle connector 2, the extension region 12A is located on the opposite side of the receptacle connector 2.

[0030] The cable 1A has a multilayer structure and includes a substrate 15aA, a conductor 15bA laminated on the substrate 15aA, and a coating 15cA laminated on the substrate 15aA so as to cover the conductor 15bA. The substrate 15aA and the coating 15cA are made of insulating films that cover the conductor 15bA. The conductor 15bA is a conductive film printed on the insulating film that constitutes the coating 15cA, and has multiple wiring patterns that respectively correspond to multiple plug terminals (lower plug terminal 13 and upper plug terminal 14) described below.

[0031] Furthermore, a plurality of conductor exposed portions 151bA, which are conductor portions 15bA exposed from the covering portion 15cA, are formed on the upper surface of the connecting region 11A. The plurality of conductor exposed portions 151bA are formed in two rows along the front-rear axis, and the conductor exposed portions 151bA in each row are arranged at a predetermined pitch along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of conductor exposed portions 151bA are formed in a staggered pattern in a plan view (viewed along the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA).

[0032] Such a structure can be formed, for example, by printing a plurality of conductive films on a substrate 15aA to form conductor portion 15bA, and then covering conductor portion 15bA with covering portion 15cA. In this case, if through-hole 151cA is provided in covering portion 15cA so that the tip of conductor portion 15bA is not covered, cable 1A is formed in which the tip of conductor portion 15bA is exposed on one side (above the vertical axis).

[0033] The method for forming the cable 1A is not limited to the above method, and the cable 1A can be formed by various methods.

[0034] Furthermore, a fixing portion 15dA to which a retaining metal fitting 15 (described later) of the plug connector 1 is fixed is formed on the upper surface of the connecting region 11A. In this embodiment, the pair of fixing portions 15dA is formed outward in the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) and forward in the front-rear axis (extending direction of the X axis) of the plurality of exposed conductor portions 151bA arranged in parallel along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis). The fixing portions 15dA can be formed in the same manner as the conductor portions 15bA, for example, in the printing process of the conductor portions 15bA.

[0035] In this embodiment, the connecting region 11A of the cable 1A is formed with a slit 11aA that is elongated along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) and opens forward.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cable 1A includes a reinforcing plate (connecting plate) 14A. The reinforcing plate 14A is made of glass epoxy resin, stainless steel, or the like, and is configured to sandwich the connecting region 11A of the cable 1A between the reinforcing plate 14A and the plug connector 1, thereby reinforcing the connecting region 11A of the cable 1A.

[0037] In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 14A has a shape corresponding to the shape of the connection region 11A of the cable 1A. That is, the outline shape of the reinforcing plate 14A in a plan view (viewed along the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA) is substantially the same as the outline shape of the connection region 11A. Therefore, the reinforcing plate 14A has a slit 14aA that is elongated in the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) and opens forward. The reinforcing plate 14A is attached to the back side of the connection region 11A with an adhesive or the like.

[0038] In this case, it is preferable that the entire conductor exposed portion 151bA overlaps with the reinforcing plate 14A in a plan view (viewed along the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA). In this way, the entire conductor exposed portion 151bA is supported by the reinforcing plate 14A, which prevents the conductor exposed portion 151bA from bending along the vertical axis (extending in the Z-axis direction) or the horizontal axis (extending in the Y-axis direction).

[0039] [Configuration Example of Plug Connector 1] Next, a configuration example of the plug connector 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13F.

[0040] 9 , the plug connector (connector) 1 includes a plug housing (housing) 10 and plug terminals (terminals: lower plug terminals 13 and upper plug terminals 14) held by the plug housing 10. The plug connector (connector) 1 also includes a retaining metal fitting 15 held by the plug housing 10.

[0041] The plug terminals (lower plug terminals 13 and upper plug terminals 14) held in the plug housing 10 are mounted on the conductor exposed portion 151bA of the cable 1A arranged on the outside of the plug housing 10. In this manner, the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 1A as a connected member. The plug terminals (lower plug terminals 13 and upper plug terminals 14) are mounted on the conductor exposed portion 151bA by soldering or the like. Furthermore, the retaining metal fitting 15, while held in the plug housing 10, is fixed to the fixing portion 15dA of the cable 1A by soldering or the like, thereby fixing the plug housing 10 to the cable 1A.

[0042] The plug housing 10 includes a housing body 11 having rigidity, and the plug housing 10 can be formed using, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0043] The housing body 11 is also formed with a locking portion 12 that holds the plug housing 10 and the receptacle housing 20 of the receptacle connector 2 in a mated state or releases the mated state. That is, the housing body 11 is formed with a locking portion 12 that can restrict relative movement of the plug connector 1 with respect to the receptacle connector 2 along the front-to-rear axis when the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are mated.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, the plug housing 10 includes the housing main body 11 and the locking portion 12 formed on the housing main body 11. Therefore, the plug connector 1 includes the plug housing 10 having the housing main body 11 and the locking portion 12 formed on the housing main body 11.

[0045] The housing main body 11 comprises a top wall 111, a bottom wall 112, a pair of side walls 113 connecting both ends of the left-right axis (extension direction of the Y axis) of the top wall 111 and the bottom wall 112, and a front wall 114 connected to the front ends of the top wall 111, the bottom wall 112 and the side walls 113, 113.

[0046] The housing body 11 also includes a partition wall 115 connected to the pair of side walls 113 and the front wall 114, which separates the space defined by the top wall 111, bottom wall 112, side walls 113, 113, and front wall 114 into upper and lower sections.

[0047] Furthermore, the housing main body 11 includes a plurality of upper partition walls 116 connected to the top wall 111, the partition wall 115, and the front wall 114, and the upper space separated by the partition wall 115 is divided into a plurality of spaces by the upper partition walls 116. The housing main body 11 also includes a plurality of lower partition walls 117 connected to the bottom wall 112, the partition wall 115, and the front wall 114, and the lower partition walls 117 divide the lower space separated by the partition wall 115 into a plurality of spaces.

[0048] A locking portion 12 is formed in the center of the left-right axis on the upper portion of the housing body 11 .

[0049] Specifically, a pair of inner guide protrusions 1111 extending along the front-rear axis and protruding upward are formed spaced apart along the left-right axis on the inside of the left-right axis of the top wall 111. The inner guide protrusions 1111 are inserted into inner guide grooves 211a (described later) of the receptacle housing 20.

[0050] Furthermore, a pair of outer guide protrusions 1112 extending along the front-rear axis and protruding upward are formed on both ends of the left-right axis of the top wall 111. The outer guide protrusions 1112 are inserted into outer guide grooves 211b (described later) of the receptacle housing 20.

[0051] Furthermore, the top wall 111 is formed with a rear protruding wall 1113 that extends along the left-right axis and protrudes upward, connecting the rear end of the inner guide protrusion 1111 with the rear end of the outer guide protrusion 1112. In this embodiment, a pair of rear protruding walls 1113 are formed, one of which connects the rear end of the inner guide protrusion 1111 located on one side of the left-right axis with the rear end of the outer guide protrusion 1112, and the other of which connects the rear end of the inner guide protrusion 1111 located on the other side of the left-right axis with the rear end of the outer guide protrusion 1112.

[0052] In this embodiment, the inner guide protrusion 1111, the outer guide protrusion 1112, and the rear protruding wall 1113 are formed so that the protrusion amounts are substantially the same (the height positions are substantially the same).

[0053] In this way, in this embodiment, by forming a pair of inner guide protrusions 1111, a pair of outer guide protrusions 1112, and a pair of rear protrusion walls 1113 on the top wall 111, a recess 11a defined by the pair of inner guide protrusions 1111 and the pair of rear protrusion walls 1113 is formed in the center of the left-right axis above the top wall 111.

[0054] The locking portion 12 is formed in a recess 11a formed in the center of the left-right axis of the housing main body 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the recess 11a serves as a locking region in which the locking portion 12 is formed.

[0055] The locking portion 12 includes a lever portion 121 that is connected to the front end of the top wall 111 and extends rearward. The rear side of the lever portion 121 is capable of moving along an up-down axis relative to the top wall 111 (housing main body 11). An operating portion 121a that operates the lever portion 121 is formed at the rear end of the lever portion 121, and an engaging protrusion 121b that engages with an engaging recess (engaging portion) 221a formed in the receptacle connector 2 is formed at the center of the front-to-rear axis of the lever portion 121.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the plug housing 10 and the receptacle housing 20 of the receptacle connector 2 are mated, the engaging protrusion 121b engages with the engaging recess 221a, thereby locking the housings of the connectors together (maintaining the mated state). By pressing down the operating portion 121a of the lever portion 121 and moving the lever portion 121 downward, the engaging protrusion 121b also moves downward, disengaging from the engaging recess 221a and allowing the housings of the connectors to be released from mating.

[0057] Furthermore, on both sides of the left-right axis of the lever portion 121 in the recess 11a, an insertion space S6 into which a slide member 3 (described later) is inserted is formed. Also, below the lever portion 121 in the recess 11a (between the lever portion 121 and the top wall 111), a deflection allowance space S7 is formed that allows downward deflection of the lever portion 121 (relative movement with respect to the housing main body 11).

[0058] The insertion space S6 is divided into a space into which the lower arm portion 32 of the slide member 3 is inserted and a space into which the upper arm portion 33 is inserted by a protruding wall 1111a formed on the inner guide protrusion 1111 that defines the recess 11a so as to protrude inward of the left-right axis (toward the recess 11a).

[0059] Furthermore, a step 1111b is formed in the center in the front-to-rear direction below the protruding wall 1111a of the inner guide protrusion 1111 that defines the recess 11a, and the space into which the lower arm 32 is inserted is formed so that it is wider on the front side in a plan view. A locking protrusion 32a formed at the tip (front end) of the lower arm 32 so as to protrude outward from the left-right axis is locked onto the step 1111b, thereby preventing the slide member 3 from coming off the housing main body 11.

[0060] A restricting protrusion (slide restricting portion) 1114 that is substantially L-shaped in plan view is formed on the rear portion of the top wall 111. The restricting protrusion 1114 restricts the sliding member 3 from sliding from the initial position to the complete sliding position when the mating of the plug housing 10 with the receptacle housing 20 is not complete. In this embodiment, the restricting protrusion 1114 extends upward from the inner end of each of the left and right axes of the pair of rear projecting walls 1113.

[0061] In this embodiment, the front wall 114 is formed with through-holes 114a that communicate with the multiple spaces partitioned by the partition wall 115, the upper partition wall 116, and the lower partition wall 117. Thus, in this embodiment, the housing main body 11 is formed with multiple spaces that penetrate along the front-to-rear axis. The plug terminals (lower plug terminals 13 and upper plug terminals 14) are press-fitted (inserted) into the spaces that penetrate along the front-to-rear axis.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing body 11 is configured so that a plurality of spaces arranged side by side on the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) are formed in two stages on the up-down axis (extending direction of the Z axis). When the housing body 11 is viewed from the rear of the front-rear axis, the plurality of spaces are formed in a staggered pattern. This allows the plug connector 1 to be made smaller on the left-right axis.

[0063] Specifically, a plurality of spaces defined by the bottom wall 112, the partition wall 115, and the lower bulkhead 117 are arranged side by side along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) on the lower side (mounting surface 1aA side) of the housing main body 11. The spaces formed on the lower side (mounting surface 1aA side) of the housing main body 11 form first spaces (lower spaces: internal spaces) S1 into which the lower plug terminals 13 are press-fitted (inserted).

[0064] Meanwhile, on the upper side of the housing main body 11 (at a position farther from the mounting surface 1aA than the first space S1), a plurality of spaces defined by the top wall 111, the partition wall 115, and the upper bulkhead 116 are arranged side by side along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis). The space formed on the upper side of the housing main body 11 serves as a second space (upper space: internal space) S2 into which the upper plug terminals 14 are press-fitted (inserted).

[0065] In this embodiment, 16 spaces (first spaces S1) are arranged side by side on the left-right axis on the lower side of the housing main body 11. Meanwhile, 16 spaces (second spaces S2) are also arranged side by side on the upper side of the housing main body 11.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper partition wall 116 and the lower partition wall 117 are formed at positions offset from each other along the left-right axis. That is, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are formed so as to partially overlap in a plan view. In other words, when the plug housing 10 is viewed along the normal direction (up-down axis) of the mounting surface 1aA with the plug terminals (the lower plug terminals 13 and the upper plug terminals 14) held in the plug housing 10 and mounted on the cable 1A, the first space S1 and the second space S2 overlap.

[0067] The lower plug terminals 13 are press-fitted (inserted) forward from an opening at the rear end of the first space S1, which serves as an insertion port S1a. The opening at the front end of the first space S1 is smaller than the insertion port S1a to prevent the lower plug terminals 13 from falling out. That is, the front wall 114 restricts the forward movement of the lower plug terminals 13 press-fitted (inserted) through the insertion port S1a. The opening at the front end of the first space S1 serves as an introduction port S1b through which contact portions 230a of lower receptacle terminals 23 of the receptacle connector 2 (described later) are introduced into the first space S1. The peripheral edge of the introduction port S1b is tapered to facilitate the introduction of the contact portions 230a of the lower receptacle terminals 23.

[0068] Similarly, the upper plug terminals 14 are press-fitted (inserted) forward from the opening at the rear end of the second space S2, which serves as an insertion opening S2a. The opening at the front end of the second space S2 is smaller than the insertion opening S2a to prevent the upper plug terminals 14 from falling out. That is, the front wall 114 restricts the forward movement of the upper plug terminals 14 press-fitted (inserted) through the insertion opening S2a. The opening at the front end of the second space S2 also serves as an introduction opening S2b for introducing contact portions 240a of upper receptacle terminals 24 of the receptacle connector 2 (described later) into the second space S2. The peripheral edge of the introduction opening S2b is also tapered to facilitate the introduction of the contact portions 240a of the upper receptacle terminals 24.

[0069] Additionally, a groove 1115 that opens rearward and downward is formed in the lower portion of the rear end of the top wall 111 so as to communicate with the second space S2. In this embodiment, the groove 1115 is formed on both sides of the left-right axis of the second space S2, and the upper end of a side wall 144 of the upper plug terminal 14, which will be described later, is inserted into the groove 1115. In this embodiment, the groove 1115 is formed so that the groove width (the length of the left-right axis) is slightly wider than the plate thickness of the side wall 134.

[0070] Similarly, a groove 115a that opens rearward and downward is formed in the lower part of the rear end of the partition wall 115 so as to communicate with the first space S1. In this embodiment, the groove 115a is formed on one side of the left-right axis of the first space S1 (the right side in FIG. 11B ), and the upper end of a side wall 134 of the lower plug terminal 13, which will be described later, is inserted into the groove 115a. In this embodiment, the groove 115a is also formed so that the groove width (the length of the left-right axis) is slightly wider than the plate thickness of the side wall 134.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a groove 115b that opens rearward and upward and downward is formed at the rear end of the partition wall 115 so as to communicate with the first space S1 and the second space S2. The groove 115b is formed to face the groove 1115 along the vertical axis, and the upper part of the second leg (leg) 141 of the upper plug terminal 14 is inserted into the groove 115b. In this embodiment, the groove 115b is formed so that the groove width (length of the horizontal axis) is slightly wider than the plate thickness of the second leg (leg) 141.

[0072] In this embodiment, each of the pair of side walls 113 includes a side wall main body 1131 and an extension portion 1132 connected to the rear end of the side wall main body 1131. The bottom wall 112 includes a bottom wall main body 1121 connected to the lower ends of the pair of side wall main bodies 1131, and the bottom wall main body 1121 has a plurality of grooves 1121a extending along the front-rear axis and aligned along the left-right axis.

[0073] In this embodiment, a groove 1121c extending along the vertical axis and having an upper end opening into the first space S1 is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall body 1121. Specifically, when the plug housing 10 is viewed from the rear of the front-rear axis, the grooves 1115, 115b, and 1121c on one side (the right side in FIG. 11B ) are aligned in a straight line along the vertical axis. The groove 1121c is adapted to receive the lower portion of the second leg 141 of the upper plug terminal 14 when the press-fitting (insertion) is complete.

[0074] Furthermore, a groove 1121d extending along the vertical axis and opening into the first space S1 is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall main body 1121. Specifically, the groove 1121d is formed to face, along the vertical axis, a groove 115a formed to communicate with one of the first spaces S1.

[0075] 11B, when the plug housing 10 is viewed from the rear of the longitudinal axis, the grooves 115a and 1121d are aligned in a straight line along the vertical axis. The first leg 131 of the lower plug terminal 13 is inserted into the groove 1121d when the press-fitting (insertion) is complete.

[0076] A recess 1121b, which opens downward and rearward and extends in the longitudinal direction, is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall body 1121 so as to be continuous with the groove 1121d. The recess 1121b accommodates the first mounting piece 132 of the lower plug terminal 13 when the press-fitting (insertion) is complete.

[0077] In this embodiment, the pair of side wall bodies 1131 are each formed with an extension portion 1132 extending rearward, and the pair of extension portions 1132 are formed to face each other along the left-right axis. The area where the pair of extension portions 1132 face each other forms a recess 1133 that houses the first and second mounting pieces 132 and 142 of the plug terminals 13 and 14.

[0078] In this manner, in this embodiment, the first and second mounting pieces 132, 142 of the plug terminals 13, 14 are mounted on the exposed conductor portion 151bA of the cable 1A forward of the rear ends of the extensions 1132, 1132. At this time, the connecting region 11A of the cable 1A is sandwiched between the extensions 1132, 1132 and the reinforcing plate 14A.

[0079] This more reliably prevents the adhesion between the cable 1A and the reinforcing plate 14A from peeling off when the cable 1A is tilted and moves away from the reinforcing plate 14A. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first and second mounting pieces 132, 142 of the plug terminals 13, 14 are positioned forward of the tips (rear ends) of the extension portions 1132, 1132. This prevents the first and second leg portions 131, 141 and the first and second mounting pieces 132, 142 of the plug terminals 13, 14 from being deformed by the tilt of the cable 1A. In other words, the connection portions between the plug terminals 13, 14 and the cable 1A can be protected from the tilt of the cable 1A.

[0080] Furthermore, at the front end portions of the pair of side walls 113, 113, there are formed holder fitting attachment portions 1134, 1134 for holding the holder fitting 15, respectively.

[0081] The retaining metal fitting attachment portion 1134 includes a recess 1134a that opens outward on the up-down axis and the left-right axis, and slits 1134b, 1134b that are connected to the inside of the left-right axis of the recess 1134a and into which both ends of the front-rear axis of the main body portion 151 of the retaining metal fitting 15 are inserted. With the retaining metal fitting 15 held by the plug housing 10, the plug housing 10 is fixed to the cable 1A by fixing a fixing piece 152 connected to the lower end of the main body portion 151 to a fixing portion 15dA of the cable 1A.

[0082] Furthermore, a protrusion 1122 is formed on the lower side (rear side) of the bottom wall body 1121 so as to protrude downward. Forming this protrusion 1122 on the bottom wall body 1121 forms a recess 1123 on the lower surface of the bottom wall body 1121, so that when the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 1A, the connecting region 11A to which the reinforcing plate 14A is attached is accommodated in the recess 1123 (see FIG. 10B ). In this embodiment, the connecting region 11A to which the reinforcing plate 14A is attached serves as the connectable portion 10A that is accommodated and held in the recess 1123. The protrusion 1122 is formed on the bottom wall body 1121 so that the protrusion amount is equal to or greater than the thickness of the connectable portion 10A (the sum of the thickness of the cable 1A and the thickness of the reinforcing plate 14A).

[0083] As described above, in this embodiment, the plug housing 10 has a pair of walls (top wall 111 and bottom wall 112) facing each other in the housing thickness direction (vertical axis: direction extending along the Z axis), with a top surface 10a and a bottom surface 10b located above and below the vertical axis, respectively. The bottom wall 112, which is one of the pair of walls (top wall 111 and bottom wall 112), forms a recess 1123 for accommodating the connected portion 10A of the cable 1A (connection region 11A to which the reinforcing plate 14A is attached). That is, the plug housing 10 has a receiving portion (recess 1123) for receiving the cable (connected member: mounted member) 1A in the wall (bottom wall 112) on one side in the housing thickness direction (vertical axis). In other words, the plug housing 10 has an accommodating recess (recess 1123) in which the cable (connected member) 1A is disposed at the lower end of the plug connector 1.

[0084] With this configuration, when plug housing 10 is fitted into receptacle housing 20, the lower end of protrusion 1122 slides against the inner surface of receptacle housing 20. In other words, when plug housing 10 is fitted into receptacle housing 20, interference between coupled portion 10A of cable 1A and receptacle housing 20 can be prevented.

[0085] In this embodiment, the protrusions 1122 are formed only on the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 112 , and no protrusions 1122 are formed on the inside of the bottom wall 112 .

[0086] Specifically, the protrusion 1122 is composed of only a pair of front protrusions 11221 formed in an elongated shape along the left-right axis at the front end on both sides of the left-right axis of the bottom wall 112, and a pair of rear protrusions 11222 formed in an elongated shape along the front-to-rear axis at the rear end on both sides of the left-to-right axis of the bottom wall 112.

[0087] The front protrusion 11221 and the rear protrusion 11222 are formed at the portion of the bottom wall 112 where the side wall 113 is connected. Specifically, the front protrusion 11221 is formed in front of the retainer fitting attachment portion 1134 so as to follow the front edge of the plug housing 10, and the rear protrusion 11222 is formed outside the left-right axis of the extension portion 1132 so as to follow the outer edge of the extension portion 1132. In this way, in this embodiment, the protrusions 1122 are formed only at the four corners of the bottom wall 112.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shape of the connectable portion 10A of the cable 1A is such that part of its contour corresponds to the inner contour of the protrusion 1122. Specifically, when the connectable portion 10A of the cable 1A is accommodated in the recess 1123, the front end edges on both sides of the left-right axis where the notches 11aA and 14aA are not formed are aligned with the inner (rear) contour of the front protrusion 11221, and the rear end edges on both sides of the left-right axis are aligned with the inner contour of the rear protrusion 11222. In this manner, the front protrusion 11221 prevents the connectable portion 10A from shifting forward, and the rear protrusion 11222 prevents the connectable portion 10A from shifting to both sides of the left-right axis. Note that the connectable portion 10A may have various shapes as long as it can be accommodated in the recess 1123.

[0089] Furthermore, by forming the protrusions 1122 only at the four corners of the bottom wall 112 as in this embodiment, when the plug housing 10 is held in a state in which the plug terminals 13, 14 are arranged side by side on the left-right axis (Y-axis), the protrusions 1122 can be prevented from overlapping with the mounting pieces 132, 142 of the plug terminals 13, 14 when viewed along the front-rear axis (the direction in which the X-axis extends).

[0090] In this embodiment, the extension portion 1132 is connected to the rear end of the side wall main body 1131 so that the end face of the left-right axis is positioned further outward on the left-right axis than the end face of the left-right axis of the side wall main body 1131. Therefore, in this embodiment, the housing main body 11 (plug housing 10) is formed so that the rear is wider than the front in plan view.

[0091] The narrow portion of the housing body 11 forward of the extension portion 1132 (the portion where the side wall body 1131 is formed) serves as an insertion portion 118 that is inserted into the mating space S5 of the receptacle housing 20. The portion of the housing body 11 where the extension portion 1132 is formed (the wide portion) serves as an exposed portion 119 that is exposed from the receptacle housing 20 when the plug housing 10 is mated with the receptacle housing 20.

[0092] Furthermore, at the rear end of the extension portion 1132, a hook protrusion (hook portion) 1132a that protrudes toward the outside of the left and right axis is formed so as to extend along the up and down axis (the direction in which the Z axis extends: the thickness direction of the housing main body 11).

[0093] By providing such hooking protrusion 1132a on exposed portion 119, an operator can hook his / her finger onto hooking protrusion 1132a when gripping plug connector 1 with his / her hand. This makes it easier to pull out plug connector 1 mated with receptacle connector 2. In this embodiment, the side surface (exposed surface 119a) of extension portion 1132 is formed as a flat surface with a substantially rectangular shape.

[0094] In this embodiment, the extension 1132 has a hook projection 1132a extending outward along the left-right axis at the rear end thereof, so that the hook projection 1132a extends along the up-down axis. This improves the ability to remove the plug connector 1 from the receptacle connector 2 even in a miniaturized connector device C1.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exposed portion 119 is provided with a contact protrusion (contact portion) 1132b that can come into contact with another plug housing 10 adjacent to it on the left-right axis (Y axis) on the insertion portion 118 side (forward of the front-rear axis) relative to the hook protrusion 1132a. This improves the ability to remove the plug housing 10 from the receptacle connector 2 while preventing the plug housing 10 from changing its posture during transport by the parts feeder.

[0096] Next, the specific configuration of the plug terminal (terminal) will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 13F.

[0097] In this embodiment, the plug terminal (terminal) includes a main body portion that is inserted into a space formed in the plug housing 10, leg portions that extend from the main body portion toward the mounting surface 1aA of the cable 1A (connected member) when the plug terminal is mounted on the cable 1A, and a mounting portion (connecting portion) that is connected to the leg portions and can be mounted on the cable 1A. In other words, the plug terminal has a mounting portion that can be connected to the cable (connected member) 1A below the plug housing 10.

[0098] Specifically, the plug terminal includes a lower plug terminal 13 that is press-fitted (inserted) into a first space S1 formed on the lower side (the mounting surface 1aA side) of the housing body 11. Furthermore, the plug terminal includes an upper plug terminal 14 that is press-fitted (inserted) into a second space S2 formed on the upper side of the housing body 11 (at a position farther from the mounting surface 1aA than the first space S1).

[0099] In this embodiment, the lower plug terminals 13 are conductive and are arranged in multiple rows along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) of the plug housing 10. As shown in Figures 12A to 12F, the lower plug terminals 13 are formed by bending a single strip-shaped metal member in the thickness direction, and have a substantially U-shape when viewed along the insertion direction (front-rear axis; extending direction of the X axis) (see Figures 12E and 12F). Such lower plug terminals 13 can be formed, for example, by bending a strip-shaped metal member that has been punched into a predetermined shape.

[0100] The lower plug terminal 13 also includes a first main body portion (main body portion) 130 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S1. The lower plug terminal 13 also includes a first leg portion (leg portion) 131 that extends from the first main body portion 130 toward the mounting surface 1aA when the lower plug terminal 13 is mounted on the cable (connected member) 1A. The lower plug terminal 13 also includes a first mounting piece (connecting portion) 132 that is connected to the first leg portion 131 and can be mounted on the cable 1A. The first mounting piece (connecting portion) 132 is formed to protrude rearward from the rear end of the housing main body 11 when held in the plug housing (housing) 10.

[0101] The first main body portion 130 includes a bottom wall 133 and side walls 134 connected to both ends of the bottom wall 133 along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis).

[0102] The bottom wall 133 includes a bottom wall main body 135 connected to the lower end of the side wall 134, and a contact protection portion 136 connected to the front end of the bottom wall main body 135 and protruding forward. The contact protection portion 136 prevents the contact portion 130a of the lower plug terminal 13 from coming into contact with the housing main body 11 when the first body portion 130 is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S1.

[0103] Furthermore, restricting pieces 135a, 136a that protrude outward from both ends of the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) are formed on the bottom wall main body 135 and the contact protection portion 136. The restricting pieces 135a, 136a prevent the first main body portion 130 from being press-fitted (inserted) obliquely when the first main body portion 130 is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S1.

[0104] The side wall 134 comprises a side wall main body 137 whose lower end is connected to the bottom wall main body 135, and a contact piece 138 which is connected to the front end of the side wall main body 137 in an elastically deformable manner and which comes into contact with the contact portion of the receptacle connector.

[0105] A restricting protrusion 137a is formed on the upper end of the side wall main body 137, and the restricting protrusion 137a prevents the first main body portion 130 from floating up when the first main body portion 130 is pressed (inserted) into the first space S1.

[0106] In addition, the contact piece 138 has an inner bent piece 138a connected to the front end of the side wall main body 137 so as to bend inward about the left-right axis, and an outer bent piece 138b connected to the front end of the inner bent piece 138a so as to bend outward about the left-right axis.

[0107] In this embodiment, the contact pieces 138 are connected to the pair of side wall main bodies 137, 137, respectively, and are formed to be approximately line-symmetrical in a plan view. That is, the pair of contact pieces 138, 138 include inner bent pieces 138a, 138a that are bent in directions that approach each other as they extend forward, and outer bent pieces 138b, 138b that are bent in directions that move away from each other as they extend forward.

[0108] The pair of contact pieces 138, 138 are configured to sandwich the contact portion 230a of the receptacle connector 2 at the portion where they are closest to each other (the portion where the inner bent piece 138a and the outer bent piece 138b are connected) (see FIG. 3B). In this manner, in this embodiment, the pair of contact pieces 138, 138 function as the contact portion 130a of the lower plug terminal 13. The pair of outer bent pieces 138b function as guide portions for more smoothly introducing the contact portion 130a of the receptacle connector 2.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an extension wall 139 that protrudes rearward is connected to the rear end of one of the pair of side wall bodies 137, 137, and the first main body portion 130 has a shape in which one side protrudes rearward.

[0110] A press-fit protrusion 139a is formed on the upper end of the extension wall 139, and the first main body portion 130 is press-fit into the first space S1 by the press-fit protrusion 139a being pressed into the housing main body 11.

[0111] In this embodiment, grooves 115a are formed into which the upper ends of the side walls 134 of the lower plug terminals 13 are inserted to guide the press-fitting (insertion) of the lower plug terminals 13 into the lower space S1. Therefore, even when the lower plug terminals 13 are press-fitted (inserted) into the lower space S1 by pressing one of the side walls 134 that protrudes rearward of the main body 130, displacement of the lower plug terminals 13 is suppressed. As a result, the lower plug terminals 13 can be press-fitted (inserted) into the lower space S1 more smoothly and accurately.

[0112] The first leg 131 extends downward (toward the cable 1A: the member to be connected) from the rear end of the extension wall 139. As described above, in this embodiment, the first leg 131 extends in the housing thickness direction from the first main body 130 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S1. A first mounting piece 132 is connected to the lower end of the first leg 131. In this embodiment, the flat lower end surface of the first mounting piece 132 that extends substantially horizontally serves as a first mounting surface (mounting surface) 132a that can be mounted to the cable (member to be connected) 1A.

[0113] At this time, the first leg portion 131 and the first mounting piece 132 are formed in a thin plate shape (plate shape), and are formed so that the plate thickness direction is substantially the same as the plate thickness direction of the side wall main body 137.

[0114] Therefore, when the first body 130 is inserted into the first space S1 and the first mounting piece (connecting portion) 132 is mounted on the cable (connected member) 1A, the thickness direction of the first leg 131 becomes the left-right axis (extension direction of the Y axis). In other words, when the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 1A, the thickness direction of the first leg 131 becomes a direction that intersects the insertion direction of the first body 130 into the first space S1 and the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA.

[0115] On the other hand, the upper plug terminals 14 are also conductive and are arranged in multiple rows along the left-right axis (extension of the Y axis) of the plug housing 10. As shown in Figures 13A to 13F, these upper plug terminals 14 are formed by bending a single strip-shaped metal member in the thickness direction, and are generally U-shaped when viewed along the insertion direction (front-rear axis; extension of the X axis) (see Figures 13E and 13F). These upper plug terminals 14 can also be formed, for example, by bending a strip-shaped metal member that has been punched into a predetermined shape.

[0116] The upper plug terminal 14 also includes a second body portion (body portion) 140 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S2. Furthermore, the upper plug terminal 14 also includes a second leg portion (leg portion) 141 that extends from the second body portion 140 toward the mounting surface 1aA when the upper plug terminal 14 is mounted on the cable (connected member) 1A. The upper plug terminal 14 also includes a second mounting piece (connecting portion) 142 that is connected to the second leg portion 141 and can be mounted on the cable 1A. The second mounting piece (connecting portion) 142 is also formed to protrude rearward from the rear end of the housing main body 11 while being held in the plug housing (housing) 10. As described above, in this embodiment, the plug terminals (lower plug terminal 13, upper plug terminal 14) are housed in the internal spaces (first space S1, second space S2) of the plug housing (housing) 10 with portions protruding rearward in the longitudinal axis.

[0117] The second main body portion 140 includes a bottom wall 143 and side walls 144 that are connected to both ends of the bottom wall 143 along the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis).

[0118] The bottom wall 143 includes a bottom wall main body 145 connected to the lower end of the side wall 144, and a contact protection portion 146 connected to the front end of the bottom wall main body 145 and protruding forward. The contact protection portion 146 prevents the contact portion 140a of the upper plug terminal 14 from coming into contact with the housing main body 11 when the second body portion 140 is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S2.

[0119] Furthermore, restricting pieces 145a, 146a that protrude outward from both ends of the left-right axis (extending direction of the Y axis) are formed on the bottom wall main body 145 and the contact protection portion 146. The restricting pieces 145a, 146a prevent the second main body 140 from being press-fitted (inserted) obliquely when the second main body 140 is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S2.

[0120] The side wall 144 comprises a side wall main body 147 whose lower end is connected to the bottom wall main body 145, and a contact piece 148 which is connected to the front end of the side wall main body 147 in an elastically deformable manner and which comes into contact with the contact portion 240a of the receptacle connector 2.

[0121] A restricting protrusion 147a is formed on the upper end of the side wall main body 147, and the restricting protrusion 147a prevents the second main body portion 140 from floating up when the second main body portion 140 is pressed (inserted) into the second space S2.

[0122] In addition, the contact piece 148 has an inner bent piece 148a connected to the front end of the side wall main body 147 so as to bend inward about the left-right axis, and an outer bent piece 148b connected to the front end of the inner bent piece 148a so as to bend outward about the left-right axis.

[0123] In this embodiment, the contact pieces 148 are connected to the pair of side wall main bodies 147, 147, respectively, and are formed to be approximately line-symmetrical in a plan view. That is, the pair of contact pieces 148, 148 include inner bent pieces 148a, 148a that are bent in directions that approach each other as they extend forward, and outer bent pieces 148b, 148b that are bent in directions that move away from each other as they extend forward.

[0124] The pair of contact pieces 148, 148 are configured to sandwich the contact portion 240a of the receptacle connector 2 at the portion where they are closest to each other (the portion where the inner bent piece 148a and the outer bent piece 148b are connected) (see FIG. 4B). In this manner, in this embodiment, the pair of contact pieces 148, 148 function as the contact portion 140a of the upper plug terminal 14. The pair of outer bent pieces 148b function as guide portions for more smoothly introducing the contact portion 240a of the receptacle connector 2.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an extension wall 149 that protrudes rearward is connected to the rear end of one of the pair of side wall bodies 147, 147, and the second main body portion 140 has a shape with one side protruding rearward.

[0126] A press-fit protrusion 149a is formed on the upper end of the extension wall 149, and the second main body portion 140 is press-fit into the second space S2 by the press-fit protrusion 149a being forced into the housing main body 11.

[0127] In this embodiment, grooves 1115 are formed into which the upper ends of the side walls 144 of the upper plug terminals 14 are inserted to guide the press-fitting (insertion) of the upper plug terminals 14 into the upper space S2. Therefore, even when the upper plug terminals 14 are press-fitted (inserted) into the upper space S2 by pressing one of the side walls 144 that protrudes rearward of the main body 140, displacement of the upper plug terminals 14 is suppressed. As a result, the upper plug terminals 14 can be press-fitted (inserted) into the upper space S2 more smoothly and accurately.

[0128] The second leg 141 extends downward (toward the cable 1A: the member to be connected) from the rear end of the extension wall 149. The length of the vertical axis of the second leg 141 is longer than that of the first leg 131. As described above, in this embodiment, the second leg 141 extends in the housing thickness direction from the second main body 140 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S2. A second mounting piece 142 is connected to the lower end of the second leg 141 so as to protrude rearward. In this embodiment, the flat lower end surface of the second mounting piece 142 extending substantially horizontally serves as a second mounting surface (mounting surface) 142a that can be mounted to the cable (member to be connected) 1A.

[0129] Furthermore, the first leg 131 and the second leg 141 are arranged so that the positions of the front-rear axis are substantially the same when the first body 130 and the second body 140 are inserted into the first space S1 and the second space S2 (see FIGS. 7 and 21 ). Furthermore, the positions of the left-right axis of the first leg 131 and the second leg 141 are offset by approximately half a pitch when the first body 130 and the second body 140 are inserted into the first space S1 and the second space S2. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the multiple plug terminals 13, 14 are held in the plug housing 10, the mounting portions (connecting portions: the first mounting pieces 132 and the second mounting pieces 142) are arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0130] Furthermore, when the first main body 130 is inserted into the first space S1, the first mounting piece 132 is accommodated in a recess 1121b formed in the rear end of the bottom wall main body 1121. On the other hand, when the second main body 140 is inserted into the second space S2, the second mounting piece 142 is positioned rearward of the insertion opening S2a of the second space S2.

[0131] Therefore, in a plan view when the multiple plug terminals 13, 14 are held in the plug housing 10 and mounted on the cable 1A, the first mounting piece 132 overlaps the plug housing 10. On the other hand, in a plan view when the multiple plug terminals 13, 14 are held in the plug housing 10 and mounted on the cable 1A, the second mounting piece 142 is exposed from the plug housing 10.

[0132] In other words, when the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 1A and the plug housing 10 is viewed along the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA, one of the mounting pieces (mounting portion: connection portion) of the first mounting piece 132 and the second mounting piece 142 overlaps with the plug housing 10.

[0133] In this way, in this embodiment, with multiple plug terminals 13, 14 held in the plug housing 10, the mounting portions (connection portions: first mounting piece 132 and second mounting piece 142) are arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides of the insertion opening (rear end edge) of the space.

[0134] The second leg portion 141 and the second mounting piece 142 are also formed in a thin plate shape (plate shape), and are formed so that the plate thickness direction is substantially the same as the plate thickness direction of the side wall main body 147 .

[0135] Therefore, when the second body 140 is inserted into the second space S2 and the second mounting piece (connecting portion) 142 is mounted on the cable (connected member) 1A, the thickness direction of the second leg 141 becomes the left-right axis (extension direction of the Y axis). In other words, when the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 1A, the thickness direction of the second leg 141 becomes a direction that intersects with the insertion direction of the second body 140 into the second space S2 and the normal direction of the mounting surface 1aA.

[0136] In addition, in this embodiment, when viewed from the rear of the front-to-rear axis with the first and second body portions 130, 140 of the plug terminals 13, 14 inserted into the first and second spaces S1, S2, the insertion opening S1a is divided into two regions by the second leg portion 141. That is, when the plug housing 10 is viewed along the insertion direction of the first and second body portions 130, 140 into the first and second spaces S1, S2 with the plug connector 1 mounted on the cable 1A, the insertion opening S1a of the first space S1 is divided into two regions by the second leg portion 141.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first body portion 130 is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S1, the first leg portion 131 is inserted into the groove portion 1121d and held in a state where movement in the left-right axis (Y-axis; plate thickness direction) is restricted. That is, the groove portion 1121d formed in the bottom wall main body 1121 of the housing body 11 functions as a leg holding portion that holds the first leg portion 131. In this manner, the plug connector 1 is connected to the plug housing 10 and includes a leg holding portion that holds the first leg 131. In this embodiment, the leg holding portion is formed integrally with the plug housing 10. Note that the leg holding portion may be formed by connecting a separate member to the plug housing 10.

[0138] Furthermore, when the second body portion 140 is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S2, the second leg portion 141 is inserted into the grooves 115b and 1121c and held in a state where movement in the left-right axis (Y-axis; plate thickness direction) is restricted. That is, the grooves 115b formed in the partition wall 115 of the housing body 11 and the grooves 1121c formed in the bottom wall body 1121 function as leg holders that hold the second leg portion 141. In this manner, the plug connector 1 is connected to the plug housing 10 and includes a leg holder that holds the second leg 141. In this embodiment, the leg holder is also formed integrally with the plug housing 10, but may be formed separately.

[0139] This prevents the first and second leg portions 131, 141 from being deformed when the first and second main body portions 130, 140 of the plug terminals 13, 14 are pressed (inserted) into the first and second spaces S1, S2, or when the plug terminals 13, 14 pressed (inserted) into the first and second spaces S1, S2 are mounted on the cable 1A.

[0140] [Configuration Example of Receptacle Connector 2] Next, a configuration example of the receptacle connector 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 19F.

[0141] 14 and 15 , the receptacle connector 2 includes a receptacle housing (mating housing) 20. The receptacle connector 2 also includes receptacle terminals (mating terminals: lower receptacle terminals 23 and upper receptacle terminals 24) held in the receptacle housing 20. The receptacle connector 2 also includes a retaining metal fitting (mating retaining metal fitting) 25 held in the receptacle housing 20.

[0142] Receptacle terminals 23, 24 held in receptacle housing 20 are mounted to conductor portion 2bA of circuit board 2A located outside receptacle housing 20. This allows receptacle connector 2 to be mounted to circuit board 2A as a mating connected member. Receptacle terminals 23, 24 are also mounted to conductor portion 2bA by soldering or the like. Furthermore, retaining metal fitting 25, while held in receptacle housing 20, is fixed to fixing portion 2cA of circuit board 2A by soldering or the like, thereby fixing receptacle housing 20 to circuit board 2A.

[0143] The circuit board 2A has a generally rectangular plate shape and includes a substrate body 2aA made of a rigid, insulating resin material or the like. The conductor portion 2bA and the fixing portion 2cA are formed so as to be exposed on a surface 21aA of the substrate body 2aA. In this embodiment, the surface 21aA of the substrate body 2aA serves as the mounting surface.

[0144] The receptacle housing 20 includes a housing body 21 having rigidity, and the receptacle housing 20 can be formed using, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0145] In addition, a locking portion insertion portion (locked portion) 22 is formed on the upper part of the housing main body 21, into which the locking portion 12 is inserted to hold the plug housing 10 and the receptacle housing 20 in a mated state or to release the mated state.

[0146] As described above, in this embodiment, the receptacle housing 20 includes the housing main body 21 and the lock portion insertion portion 22 formed in the housing main body 21 .

[0147] The housing main body 21 comprises a top wall 211, a bottom wall 212, a pair of side walls 213 connecting both ends of the left-right axis (extension direction of the Y axis) of the top wall 211 and the bottom wall 212, and a rear wall 214 connected to the rear ends of the top wall 211, the bottom wall 212 and the side walls 213, 213.

[0148] A locking portion insertion portion 22 is formed in the center of the left-right axis of the top wall 211. Specifically, the locking portion insertion portion 22 is formed below the center of the left-right axis of the top wall 211, and includes a housing portion 221 that houses the lever portion 121. An engaging recess (engaging portion) 221a that engages with the engaging protrusion 121b of the locking portion 12 is formed in the center of the front-rear axis of the housing portion 221.

[0149] Furthermore, an inner guide groove 211a is formed on the inside of the left-right axis of the top wall 211, and outer guide grooves 211b are formed on both sides of the left-right axis of the top wall 211. The inner guide groove 211a is formed to correspond to the inner guide protrusion 1111, and the outer guide groove 211b is formed to correspond to the outer guide protrusion 1112. When the plug housing 10 is fitted into the receptacle housing 20, the inner guide protrusion 1111 is inserted into the inner guide groove 211a, and the outer guide protrusion 1112 is inserted into the outer guide groove 211b. This allows the left-right axis of the plug housing 10 to be positioned.

[0150] Furthermore, insertion spaces S8 into which the upper arm portion 33 of the slide member 3 is inserted are formed on both sides of the left-right axis of the accommodation portion 221. A downwardly protruding protrusion (engagement portion) 211c is formed on the top wall 211 so as to be positioned in the insertion space S8 when viewed along the insertion direction (front-rear axis; X-axis). The protrusion 211c bends the upper arm portion 33 downward and engages the engaging protrusion 33b formed at the tip of the upper arm portion 33. In this embodiment, the accommodation portion 221, the pair of insertion spaces S8, and the pair of inner guide grooves 211a are formed in a single space located at the center of the upper left-right axis of the housing main body 21.

[0151] Furthermore, a positioning protrusion 212b that protrudes upward is formed in the center of the left-right axis of the bottom wall 212. The positioning protrusion 212b is formed to correspond to the notches 11aA and 14aA. When the plug housing 10 is mated with the receptacle housing 20, the positioning protrusion 212b is inserted into the notches 11aA and 14aA, and the left-right axis of the cable 1A is positioned by the positioning protrusion 212b.

[0152] The rear wall 214 is also formed with a plurality of spaces that penetrate along the front-to-rear axis. In this embodiment, a plurality of spaces are arranged side by side along the left-to-right axis (extending in the Y-axis direction) and are formed in two stages along the up-to-down axis (extending in the Z-axis direction). Furthermore, when the housing main body 21 is viewed from behind the front-to-rear axis, the plurality of spaces are formed in a staggered pattern. This allows the receptacle connector 2 to be made smaller along the left-to-right axis.

[0153] The lower receptacle terminal 23 and the upper receptacle terminal 24 are press-fitted (inserted) into the space passing through the front-rear axis.

[0154] Specifically, a space formed on the lower side (mounting surface 21aA side) of housing body 21 serves as first space S3 into which lower receptacle terminal 23 is press-fitted (inserted).

[0155] On the other hand, a space formed on the upper side of the housing body 21 (at a position farther from the mounting surface 21aA than the first space S3) is a second space S4 into which the upper receptacle terminal 24 is press-fitted (inserted).

[0156] The lower receptacle terminal 23 is press-fitted (inserted) forward from the rear opening of the first space S3, which serves as an insertion opening S3a. Similarly, the upper receptacle terminal 24 is press-fitted (inserted) forward from the rear opening of the second space S4, which serves as an insertion opening S4a.

[0157] The housing body 21 also has a mating space S5 having an opening S5a that opens forward (toward the plug connector 1). The mating space S5 is a space into which the housing body 11 of the plug housing 10 is inserted and fitted, and is defined by a top wall 211, a bottom wall 212, a pair of side walls 213, 213, and a rear wall 214. Therefore, the first space S3 and the second space S4 are each formed to communicate with the mating space S5. In this embodiment, parts of the mating space S5 are used as the accommodating portion 221 of the locking portion insertion portion 22, the insertion space S8 into which the upper arm portion 33 of the slide member 3 is inserted, and the inner guide groove 211a into which the inner guide protrusion 1111 is inserted.

[0158] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear end of the rear wall 214 is provided with a protrusion 214a that protrudes rearward.

[0159] A recess 212a that opens downward and rearward and extends in the front-to-rear direction is formed at the rear end of the bottom wall 212. The recess 212a accommodates the second mounting piece (mating mounting portion) 242 of the upper receptacle terminal 24 when press-fitting (insertion) is complete.

[0160] Further, the pair of side walls 213, 213 are respectively formed with holder fitting attachment portions 213a, 213a for holding the holder fitting 25.

[0161] In this embodiment, retaining metal fitting attachment portion 213a includes recess 213b that opens outward on the up-down axis and the left-right axis, and slits 213c, 213c that are connected to the inside of recess 213b on the left-right axis and into which both ends of the front-rear axis of main body 251 of retaining metal fitting 25 are inserted. With retaining metal fitting 25 held in receptacle housing 20, fixing piece 252 connected to the lower end of main body 251 is fixed to fixing portion 2cA of circuit board 2A, thereby fixing receptacle housing 20 to circuit board 2A.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, the receptacle terminal includes a main body portion that is inserted into a space formed in the receptacle housing 20, a leg portion that extends from the main body portion toward the mounting surface 21aA of the circuit board (connected member) 2A when the receptacle terminal is mounted on the circuit board 2A, and a mounting portion (connection portion) that is connected to the leg portion and can be mounted on the circuit board 2A.

[0163] Specifically, the receptacle terminal includes a lower receptacle terminal 23 that is press-fitted (inserted) into a first space S3 formed on the lower side (mounting surface 21aA side) of housing body 21. Furthermore, the receptacle terminal includes an upper receptacle terminal 24 that is press-fitted (inserted) into a second space S4 formed on the upper side of housing body 21 (at a position farther from mounting surface 21aA than first space S3).

[0164] In this embodiment, the lower receptacle terminals 23 are conductive and are arranged in multiple rows along the left-right axis (extension of the Y axis) of the receptacle housing 20. As shown in Figures 18A to 18D, the lower receptacle terminals 23 are formed in a thin plate shape and are press-fitted (inserted) from the rear into the first space S3 formed in the housing main body 21 with the plate thickness direction substantially aligned with the left-right axis (extension of the Y axis). Such lower receptacle terminals 23 can be formed, for example, by stamping a thin metal plate.

[0165] Lower receptacle terminal 23 also includes a first body portion (mating body portion) 230 that is press-fitted (inserted) into first space S3. Lower receptacle terminal 23 also includes a first leg portion (mating leg portion) 231 that extends from first body portion 230 toward mounting surface 21aA when lower receptacle terminal 23 is mounted on circuit board (connected member) 2A, and a first mounting piece (mating connection portion) 232 that is connected to first leg portion 231 and can be mounted on circuit board 2A.

[0166] A substantially rod-shaped contact portion (mating contact portion) 230a is formed to protrude forward at the front end of the first main body portion 230. Press-fit protrusions 230b are formed at the upper and lower ends of the first main body portion 230, and the first main body portion 230 is press-fit into the first space S3 by being engaged with the housing main body 21. When the first main body portion 230 is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S3, the contact portion 230a is positioned within the mating space S5.

[0167] In this embodiment, the first leg 231 extends downward (toward the circuit board 2A: connected member) from the rear end of the first main body 230. Specifically, the first leg 231 has a crank-like bent shape, and its lower end is located rearward of the first main body 230. As described above, in this embodiment, the first leg 231 extends in the housing thickness direction (vertical axis) from the first main body 230 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S3. The first mounting piece 232 is connected to the lower end of the first leg 231.

[0168] Meanwhile, the upper receptacle terminals 24 are also conductive and are arranged in multiple rows along the left-right axis (extension of the Y axis) of the receptacle housing 20. As shown in Figures 19A to 19F, the upper receptacle terminals 24 are formed in a thin plate shape and are press-fitted (inserted) from the rear into the second space S4 formed in the housing main body 21 with the plate thickness direction substantially aligned with the left-right axis (extension of the Y axis). Such upper receptacle terminals 24 can also be formed, for example, by stamping a thin metal plate.

[0169] The upper receptacle terminal 24 also has a second body portion (mating body portion) 240 that is press-fit (inserted) into the second space S4. The upper receptacle terminal 24 also has a second leg portion (mating leg portion) 241 that extends from the second body portion 240 toward the mounting surface 21aA when the upper receptacle terminal 24 is mounted on the circuit board (connected member) 2A. The upper receptacle terminal 24 also has a second mounting piece (mating connection portion) 242 that is connected to the second leg portion 241 and can be mounted on the circuit board 2A.

[0170] A substantially rod-shaped contact portion (mating contact portion) 240a is formed to protrude forward at the front end of the second main body portion 240. Press-fit protrusions 240b are formed at the upper and lower ends of the second main body portion 240, and the second main body portion 240 is press-fit into the second space S4 by being engaged with the housing main body 21. When the second main body portion 240 is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S4, the contact portion 240a is positioned within the mating space S5.

[0171] In this embodiment, the second leg 241 extends in a substantially straight line downward from the rear end of the second main body 240 (toward the circuit board 2A, the connected member, and the mounted member). Thus, in this embodiment, the second leg 241 extends in the housing thickness direction (vertical axis) from the second main body 240 that is press-fitted (inserted) into the second space S4. The length of the vertical axis of the second leg 241 is longer than that of the first leg 231. The second mounting piece 242 is connected to the lower end of the second leg 241.

[0172] In this manner, in this embodiment, the second mounting piece (mounting portion) 242 is connected to the second leg portion 241 so as to protrude forward (one side) along the front-rear axis (X axis: the direction in which the main body is inserted into the space). Also, the first mounting piece 232 is connected to the first leg portion 231 so as to protrude rearward (the other side) along the front-rear axis (X axis: the direction in which the main body is inserted into the space).

[0173] With the receptacle terminals held in the receptacle housing 20, the mounting portions (connecting portions: first mounting piece 232 and second mounting piece 242) are arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0174] Furthermore, when the second main body 240 is inserted into the second space S4, the second mounting piece 242 is accommodated in a recess 212a formed in the rear end of the bottom wall 212. On the other hand, when the first main body 230 is inserted into the first space S3, the first mounting piece 232 is positioned rearward of the insertion opening S3a of the first space S3.

[0175] Therefore, in a plan view when multiple receptacle terminals 23, 24 are held in receptacle housing 20 and mounted on circuit board 2A, second mounting piece 242 overlaps receptacle housing 20. On the other hand, in a plan view when multiple receptacle terminals 23, 24 are held in receptacle housing 20 and mounted on circuit board 2A, first mounting piece 232 is exposed from receptacle housing 20.

[0176] In other words, when the receptacle connector 2 is mounted on the circuit board 2A and the receptacle housing 20 is viewed along the normal direction of the mounting surface 21aA, one of the mounting pieces (mounting portion) of the first mounting piece 232 and the second mounting piece 242 overlaps with the receptacle housing 20.

[0177] In this way, in this embodiment, with multiple receptacle terminals 23, 24 held in the receptacle housing 20, the mounting portions (connection portions: first mounting piece 232 and second mounting piece 242) are arranged in a staggered pattern on both sides of the insertion opening (rear end edge) of the space.

[0178] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first main body portion 230 is press-fitted (inserted) into the first space S3, the first leg 231 is held between the ridges 214a in a state where movement in the left-right axis (Y-axis; plate thickness direction) is restricted. That is, the ridges 214a formed on the rear wall 214 of the housing main body 21 function as a leg holder that holds the first leg 231. In this manner, the receptacle connector 2 is connected to the receptacle housing 20 and includes a leg holder that holds the first leg 231. In this embodiment, the leg holder is formed integrally with the receptacle housing 20. Note that the leg holder may be formed by connecting a separate member to the receptacle housing 20.

[0179] Furthermore, when the second main body portion 240 is in the press-fit (inserted) position into the second space S4, the second leg portion 241 is held between the ridges 214a in a state where movement in the left-right axis (Y-axis; plate thickness direction) is restricted. That is, the ridges 214a formed on the rear wall 214 of the housing main body 21 also function as a leg holder that holds the second leg portion 241. In this manner, the receptacle connector 2 is connected to the receptacle housing 20 and includes a leg holder that holds the second leg 241. In this embodiment, the leg holder is also formed integrally with the receptacle housing 20, but may be formed separately.

[0180] This prevents the first and second leg portions 231, 241 from being deformed when the first and second main body portions 230, 240 of the receptacle terminals 23, 24 are pressed (inserted) into the first and second spaces S3, S4.

[0181] As described above, in this embodiment, the receptacle connector 2 comprises a receptacle housing 20 having a mating internal space (mating space S5) capable of accommodating the plug housing 10, receptacle terminals (lower receptacle terminals 23, upper receptacle terminals 24) capable of electrically connecting to the plug terminals (lower plug terminals 13, upper plug terminals 14), and a locking portion insertion portion (locked portion) 22 that engages with the locking portion 12.

[0182] When the above-mentioned plug connector 1 is mated with the receptacle connector 2 configured in this manner by moving it relative to the receptacle connector 2 along the front-to-rear axis, the locking portion 12 of the plug housing 10 is inserted into the locking portion insertion portion 22 of the receptacle housing 20, and the housing main body 11 is inserted into the mating space S5.

[0183] At this time, engaging protrusion 121b of lever portion 121 is pressed downward by top wall 211 of receptacle housing 20. When engaging protrusion 121b is pressed downward by top wall 211 in this manner, the rear end portion (operating portion 121a) of lever portion 121 is elastically deformed so as to move downward, and engaging protrusion 121b can move to the back side of lock portion insertion portion 22.

[0184] When engaging protrusion 121b is moved to the rear of locking portion insertion portion 22, the downward pressure on engaging protrusion 121b by top wall 211 is released, and engaging protrusion 121b moves upward due to the elastic restoring force of lever portion 121. As engaging protrusion 121b moves upward, it engages with engaging recess 221a formed in receptacle connector 2, and plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 2 are locked in a mated state.

[0185] Furthermore, during the mating of the plug connector 1 with the receptacle connector 2, the tip of the contact portion 230a of the lower receptacle terminal 23 is introduced from the introduction port S1b into the first space S1 formed in the plug housing 10 and comes into contact with the contact portion 130a of the lower plug terminal 13. In this embodiment, the substantially rod-shaped contact portion 230a is inserted between the pair of contact pieces 138, 138 and is clamped by the pair of contact pieces 138, 138, thereby electrically connecting the lower plug terminal 13 and the lower receptacle terminal 23.

[0186] Similarly, the tip of contact portion 240a of upper receptacle terminal 24 is introduced from introduction port S2b into second space S2 formed in plug housing 10 and comes into contact with contact portion 140a of upper plug terminal 14. In this embodiment, the generally rod-shaped contact portion 240a is inserted between the pair of contact pieces 148, 148 and is clamped by the pair of contact pieces 148, 148, thereby electrically connecting upper plug terminal 14 and upper receptacle terminal 24.

[0187] In this way, by mating the plug connector 1 with the receptacle connector 2 and electrically connecting the plug terminals 13, 14 to the receptacle terminals 23, 24, respectively, a connector device C1 is formed that electrically connects the cable 1A to the circuit board 2A.

[0188] On the other hand, when removing the plug connector 1 from the receptacle connector 2, first, the operating portion 121a of the lever portion 121 is pressed down to move the lever portion 121 downward. This also moves the engaging protrusion 121b downward, disengaging the engaging protrusion 121b from the engaging recess 221a. Then, with the engaging protrusion 121b and the engaging recess 221a disengaged, pulling the plug connector 1 in the removal direction relative to the receptacle connector 2 causes the plug connector 1 to move relative to the receptacle connector 2 in the removal direction. When the plug connector 1 is moved relative to the receptacle connector 2 in this removal direction, first, the conductive connection between the terminals is released, and then the mating of the housings is released. In this way, the plug connector 1 is removed from the receptacle connector 2.

[0189] Here, in this embodiment, the connector device C1 has a key code structure that allows corresponding plug connectors and receptacle connectors to be mated together, but prevents incompatible plug connectors from being mated with receptacle connectors.

[0190] 20, the plug housing 10 of the plug connector 1 is provided with a cord projection 17, and the receptacle housing 20 of the receptacle connector 2 is provided with a cord recess S9 capable of accommodating the cord projection 17. The cord recess S9 capable of accommodating the cord projection 17 is formed in a position corresponding to the cord projection 17 on the upper inner surface S5b of the mating space (mating internal space) S5.

[0191] Even in the case of a configuration having such a key code structure, it is possible to ensure a suction area on the plug housing 10 that is sufficient for suction by mounting equipment such as a robot arm.

[0192] Specifically, a flat surface 16 extending in a substantially horizontal direction is formed on the upper surface 10a of the plug housing 10. A cord projection 17 is formed on the flat surface 16 so as to protrude upward.

[0193] In this embodiment, the flat surface 16 is defined on the inside of the left-right axis by the inner guide protrusion 1111, and on the outside of the left-right axis by the outer guide protrusion 1112. Furthermore, the flat surface 16 is defined on the rear of the front-rear axis by the rear protrusion wall 1113. Note that in this embodiment, the flat surface 16 is formed so as to be open to the front of the front-rear axis. In other words, the flat surface 16 is defined on three sides by the inner guide protrusion 1111, the outer guide protrusion 1112, and the rear protrusion wall 1113, and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view (see FIGS. 21 and 22 ).

[0194] The inner guide protrusion 1111, the outer guide protrusion 1112, and the rear protruding wall 1113 are formed one on each side of the left-right axis, sandwiching a locking region (recess 11 a) in which the locking portion 12 is formed. Therefore, in this embodiment, a pair of flat surfaces 16 are formed on each side of the left-right axis, sandwiching the locking region (recess 11 a).

[0195] As described above, in this embodiment, a pair of flat surfaces 16 adjacent to the locking area (recess 11a) along the left-right axis are formed on the top surface 10a of the plug housing 10. Each flat surface 16 has a front end 161 located at the extreme front end, a rear end 162 located rearward of the front end 161 and defined by the rear projecting wall 1113, an inner end 163 located closer to the locking area along the left-right axis and defined by the inner guide protrusion 1111, and an outer end 164 located outward of the inner end 163 along the left-right axis and defined by the outer guide protrusion 1112.

[0196] One cord projection 17 is formed on each flat surface 16. In this embodiment, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cord projection 17 is formed on each flat surface 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, each cord projection 17 has a front end face 171 located in the front, a rear end face 172 located in the rear, an inner end face 173 located on the inside of the left-right axis, and an outer end face 174 located on the outside of the left-right axis.

[0197] In this embodiment, the cord protrusion 17 is formed in such a state that an area to be picked up by mounting equipment such as a robot arm is formed on the flat surface 16. Specifically, the flat surface 16 is provided at least either before or after the cord protrusion 17.

[0198] In this embodiment, the cord projection 17 is formed so that flat surfaces 16 are present on both the front and rear sides. That is, the length L1 of the first distance D1 between the front end surface 171 of the cord projection 17 and the front end 161 of the flat surface 16 is greater than zero, and the length L2 of the second distance D2 between the rear end surface 172 of the cord projection 17 and the rear end 162 of the flat surface 16 is also greater than zero.

[0199] In this embodiment, the cord projection 17 is formed at the center of the left-right axis of the flat surface 16, and flat surfaces 16 are also present on both sides of the left-right axis of the cord projection 17.

[0200] Furthermore, the length L1 of the first distance D1 between the front end face 171 of the cord projection 17 and the front end 161 of the flat surface 16 is different from the length L2 of the second distance D2 between the rear end face 172 of the cord projection 17 and the rear end 162 of the flat surface 16. Specifically, the length L1 of the first distance D1 between the front end face 171 of the cord projection 17 and the front end 161 of the flat surface 16 is shorter than the length L2 of the second distance D2 between the rear end face 172 of the cord projection 17 and the rear end 162 of the flat surface 16.

[0201] Thus, in this embodiment, the connector device C1 has a key code structure that allows corresponding plug connectors 1 and receptacle connectors 2 to be mated, but prevents an incompatible plug connector 1 from being mated with a receptacle connector 2.

[0202] A flat surface 16 is provided on the upper surface 10a of the plug housing 10, and a cord projection 17 is provided on the flat surface 16 at a position offset to one side of the front-rear axis.

[0203] This allows a flat suction region R1 to be formed on the flat surface 16 at the second distance D2 (rear of the cord projection 17) which is the longer of the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 , the length L2 of the second distance D2 is longer than the length L1 of the first distance D1. Therefore, a flat suction region is formed on the flat surface 16 between the rear end surface 172 of the cord projection 17 and the rear end 162 of the flat surface 16, and between the inner end 163 and the outer end 164. This allows a relatively large suction region R1 to be provided around the cord projection 17, ensuring the suction region R1 on the plug housing 10 even in a configuration having a key code structure.

[0204] In particular, when an attempt is made to miniaturize the connector device C1, it becomes difficult to secure an adsorption area on the plug housing 10. However, with the connector device C1 shown in this embodiment, even if the connector device C1 is miniaturized and configured to have a key code structure, it becomes possible to secure an adsorption area R1 on the plug housing 10.

[0205] Furthermore, by making the length L1 of the first distance D1 shorter than the length L2 of the second distance D2, it becomes possible to determine whether the corresponding plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 2 are mated at the initial stage of insertion of the plug housing 1 into the receptacle housing 2. As a result, the mating operation of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 can be performed more smoothly, thereby further improving the mating workability of the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2. Furthermore, by making it possible to determine whether the corresponding plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 are mated at the initial stage of insertion of the plug housing 1 into the receptacle housing 2, it becomes easier to design the connector device C1 so that the plug terminals and the receptacle terminals are not electrically connected (contacted) when it is determined that an incompatible plug connector 1 has been inserted into the receptacle connector 2. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress wear between the plug terminals and the receptacle terminals, thereby more reliably improving the connection reliability of the terminals.

[0206] Furthermore, if the length L1 of the first distance D1 is set to be greater than zero, it becomes possible to determine whether the corresponding plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 2 are mated with each other while the tip of the plug housing 10 is inserted into the receptacle housing 20. This eliminates the need to simultaneously determine whether the plug housing 10 can be inserted into the receptacle housing 20 and whether the corresponding plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 2 are mated with each other.

[0207] For example, if the length L1 of the first distance D1 is set to zero, it is possible to simultaneously determine whether the plug housing 10 can be inserted into the receptacle housing 20 and whether the corresponding plug connector 1 and receptacle connector 2 are mated.

[0208] In this case, it is difficult to determine whether the correct plug connector 1 has been selected but is unable to be mated with the receptacle connector 2 due to misalignment or the like, or whether the wrong plug connector 1 has been selected and is therefore unable to be mated with the receptacle connector 2. Therefore, there is a risk that the operator may mistakenly believe that the correct plug connector 1 has been selected but has not been inserted properly, even though the wrong plug connector 1 has been selected. If such a mistake is made, there is a risk that the plug housing 10 or the receptacle housing 20 may be damaged if the operator tries to forcefully insert the plug housing 10 into the receptacle housing 20.

[0209] In contrast, if, as in the present embodiment, it is determined whether the correct plug connector 1 has been selected while the plug housing 10 is inserted into the receptacle housing 20, it will be possible to avoid erroneously determining that the correct plug connector 1 has been selected but is unable to be mated with the receptacle connector 2 due to misalignment or the like. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent damage to the plug housing 10 or the receptacle housing 20 caused by an attempt to forcefully push the plug housing 10 into the receptacle housing 20. This makes it possible to make the mating operation between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 smoother, further improving the ease of mating the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2.

[0210] Furthermore, this technique (making the length L1 of the first distance D1 greater than zero) is particularly effective when miniaturization of the connector device C1 makes it difficult to insert the plug housing 10 into the receptacle housing 20.

[0211] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, a pair of flat surfaces 16 are formed on both sides of the left-right axis with the locking region (recess 11a) sandwiched therebetween, and one cord protrusion 17 is formed on each flat surface 16. Then, a suction region R1 that is flat across the entire area between the inner end 163 and the outer end 164 is formed behind each cord protrusion 17. Therefore, in this embodiment, the suction region R1 has a first suction region R11 formed on one side of the locking region (recess 11a) on the left-right axis, and a second suction region R12 formed on the other side of the locking region (recess 11a) on the left-right axis.

[0212] In this embodiment, the center of gravity G of the plug connector 1 is positioned between the first suction region R11 and the second suction region R12 in a plan view.

[0213] This allows the plug connector 1 to be moved more stably using mounting equipment such as a robot arm, thereby further improving the ease of mounting the plug connector 1 onto the cable (connected member) 1A.

[0214] A connector device having such a key code structure can be formed in a variety of types by, for example, modifying the shape of the cord projection 17 or changing the position of the cord projection 17.

[0215] For example, by changing the position of the cord projection 17, it is possible to obtain a connector device C2 shown in FIGS. 23 to 27 in addition to the connector device C1.

[0216] The connector device C2 also has a plug connector 1 and a receptacle connector 2, and is configured similarly to the connector device C1 except for the positions of the cord projection 17 and the cord recess S9.

[0217] 23 to 27, the cord projection 17 is formed at a position offset inward along the left-right axis. Specifically, the cord projection 17 is formed so as to connect to the inner end 163 of the flat surface 16. This forms a lateral region R2 on the flat surface 16 that is connected to the suction region R1 and is flat across the entire area between the cord projection 17 and the outer end 164.

[0218] This makes it possible to ensure a larger suction area (suction area R1 and lateral area R2) on the plug housing 10, thereby improving the ease of mounting the plug connector 1 onto the cable (connected member) 1A. In addition, it also makes it easy to visually check whether the correct plug connector 1 has been selected, which more reliably prevents the wrong plug connector 1 from being selected.

[0219] Moreover, by changing the position of the cord projection 17, it is possible to obtain a connector device C3 shown in FIGS. 28 to 32, in addition to the connector device C1 and the connector device C2.

[0220] The connector device C3 also has a plug connector 1 and a receptacle connector 2, and is configured similarly to the connector device C1 except for the positions of the cord projection 17 and the cord recess S9.

[0221] 28 to 32, the cord projection 17 is formed at a position offset outward from the left-right axis. Specifically, the cord projection 17 is formed to connect to the outer end 164 of the flat surface 16. This forms a lateral region R2 on the flat surface 16 that is connected to the suction region R1 and is flat across the entire area between the cord projection 17 and the inner end 163.

[0222] This also makes it possible to secure a larger suction area (suction area R1 and lateral area R2) on the plug housing 10, thereby further improving the ease of mounting the plug connector 1 onto the cable (connected member) 1A. In addition, it also makes it easy to visually check whether the correct plug connector 1 has been selected, which more reliably prevents the wrong plug connector 1 from being selected.

[0223] Furthermore, by preparing multiple types of connector devices each having the same shaped code projections 17 formed in different positions, it becomes possible to prevent a different type of plug connector 1 (an incompatible plug connector 1) from mating with a certain type of receptacle connector 2. In other words, it becomes possible for each connector device to have a different key code structure.

[0224] Therefore, for example, when using two or more concentric connector devices on one board 2A, it is preferable to mount connector devices having different key code structures on one board 2A to prevent incorrect mating.

[0225] For example, as shown in Figure 33, when the mounting structure K1 for the connector device on the board is a structure in which two connector devices are mounted on one board 2A, one connector device can be connector device C1 and the other connector device can be connector device C2. Note that the two connector devices mounted on one board 2A may be connector device C1 and connector device C3, or connector device C2 and connector device C3.

[0226] In this way, if the two connector devices mounted on one board 2A are connector devices (connector device C1 and connector device C2) with different key code structures, when the plug connector 1 of connector device C1 is mated with the receptacle connector 2 of connector device C2, as shown in Figure 34, the code protrusion 17 interferes with the receptacle housing 20, making it impossible to move the plug connector 1 further toward the back.

[0227] Therefore, it becomes easier to determine if the wrong plug connector 1 has been selected.

[0228] The length L1 of the first interval D1 and the length L2 of the second interval D2 formed on the flat surface 16 when the cord projections 17 are formed can be set as appropriate.

[0229] For example, as shown in FIGS. 35 to 39, it is possible to form a connector device C4 in which the cord projection 17 is formed so that the length L1 of the first interval D1 is zero.

[0230] The connector device C4 also includes a plug connector 1 and a receptacle connector 2, and the only difference is the position of the front-rear axis of the cord projection 17, but the other configuration is the same as that of the connector device C1.

[0231] Although Figures 35 to 39 show an example in which the cord protrusion 17 formed on the plug connector 1 used in the connector device C1 is moved in parallel along the front-to-back axis to the front end, it is also possible to configure the cord protrusion 17 formed on the plug connector 1 used in the connector devices C2 and C3 to be moved in parallel along the front-to-back axis to the front end.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the locking areas (recesses 11a) formed in the connector devices C1 to C4 have insertion spaces S6 into which the slide member 3 is inserted. The slide member 3 is held in the plug connector 1 so as to be slidable along the front-to-rear axis, and can confirm the completion of mating between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2. In other words, the plug connector 1 is configured so that the slide member 3 is slidably held.

[0233] The slide member 3 is slidably attached to the plug connector 1 so that sliding movement from an initial position as a first position to a complete sliding position as a second position is restricted when the plug connector 1 is not completely mated with the receptacle connector 2. The first position and the second position can be set as appropriate.

[0234] When the mating of the plug connector 1 with the receptacle connector 2 is complete, the sliding movement from the initial position to the sliding completion position is permitted. With this configuration, the sliding member 3 slides from the initial position to the sliding completion position, allowing the completion of mating between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 2 to be confirmed.

[0235] Therefore, it is also possible to have a connector device C5 in which the mounting structure K1 of the connector device on the substrate has a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) function and the slide member 3 functions as a CPA member.

[0236] Note that Figures 40 to 49 show an example of a plug connector 1 used in connector device C1 in which a slide member 3 is slidably held, but it is also possible to slidably hold the slide member 3 in the plug connectors 1 used in connector devices C2 to C4 in a similar manner.

[0237] [Configuration Example of Slide Member 3] Next, an example of the configuration of the slide member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 41A to 42E.

[0238] The slide member 3 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped main body 31, and a handle 31a is formed on the top of the main body 31.

[0239] A pair of lower arms 32 are connected to both sides of the left-right axis at the bottom of the main body 31 so as to extend forward of the front-rear axis. The pair of lower arms 32 are connected to the main body 31 in a cantilevered state and are formed so as to be elastically deformable about the left-right axis. A locking protrusion (retaining portion) 32a is formed at the tip (front end) of the lower arm 32 so as to protrude outward from the left-right axis.

[0240] Meanwhile, a pair of upper arms 33 are connected to both sides of the left-right axis at the top of the main body 31 so as to extend forward along the front-rear axis. The pair of upper arms 33 are connected to the main body 31 in a cantilevered state and are formed to be elastically deformable along the up-down axis (a direction intersecting the terminal insertion direction). In this embodiment, the pair of upper arms 33 are formed so that their base sides (sides connected to the main body 31) are wider. An engaging protrusion (engaging portion) 33b is formed at the tip (front end) of each upper arm 33 so as to protrude upward.

[0241] Furthermore, a protrusion 33a that protrudes upward is formed at approximately the center of the front-rear axis of the upper arm portion 33.

[0242] A restricting protrusion (restricting portion) 31b is formed at the center of the left-right axis at the bottom of the main body portion 31, extending forward and upward.

[0243] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a protrusion 32b that protrudes upward is formed at the tip (front end) of the lower arm portion 32, so that the thickness of the vertical axis at the tip of the lower arm portion 32 is greater than the gap between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 (the maximum distance along the vertical axis). That is, in the slide member 3 of this embodiment, the protrusion 32b is formed at the tip of the lower arm portion 32. The thickness of the lower arm portion 32 at the location where the protrusion 32b is formed is greater than the gap between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 (the maximum distance along the vertical axis). Furthermore, a protrusion 33c that protrudes downward is formed at the tip (front end) of the upper arm portion 33, so that the thickness of the vertical axis at the tip of the upper arm portion 33 is greater than the gap between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 (the maximum distance along the vertical axis). That is, in the slide member 3 of this embodiment, the protrusion 33c is formed at the tip of the upper arm portion 33. The thickness of the upper arm portion 33 at the location where the protrusion 33c is formed is made larger than the gap (maximum distance along the vertical axis) between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33. In this case, the lower arm portion 32 is formed so that its tip protrudes further forward than the tip of the upper arm portion 33, so that the protrusion 33c and the protrusion 32b do not interfere with each other when the upper arm portion 33 is elastically deformed along the vertical axis.

[0244] Furthermore, the width of the tip end of the lower arm portion 32 protruding forward is also made larger than the gap between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 (the maximum distance between the vertical axes).

[0245] This prevents the lower arm portion 32 or the upper arm portion 33 of another slide member 3 from being inserted into the gap between the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 of one slide member 3, thereby preventing the arms from becoming entangled. In this way, the slide member 3 according to this embodiment is configured to prevent the arms from becoming entangled without interfering with the elastic deformation of the upper arm portion 33 about the vertical axis.

[0246] Next, an example of the operation of the slide member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0247] As described above, in this embodiment, the slide member 3 functions as a CPA member. That is, the slide member 3 is slidably attached to the plug housing 10 so that sliding movement from the initial position (first position) to the sliding completion position (first position) is restricted when the mating of the plug housing 10 with the receptacle housing 20 is not complete. Then, when the mating of the plug housing 10 with the receptacle housing 20 is complete, sliding movement from the initial position to the sliding completion position is permitted.

[0248] Specifically, the slide member 3 is inserted into the insertion space S6 with the tip of the lower arm portion 32 bent inwardly about the left-right axis. At this time, the tip of the upper arm portion 33 is also inserted into the insertion space S6.

[0249] When the slide member 3 is moved forward (inserted) a predetermined amount with the tips of the lower arm portion 32 and the upper arm portion 33 inserted into the insertion space S6, the tip of the lower arm portion 32 moves forward beyond the step 1111b formed on the inner guide protrusion 1111 that defines the recess 11a. When the tip of the lower arm portion 32 moves forward beyond the step 1111b in this manner, the lower arm portions 32 move in directions that open apart (outward of the left-right axis) due to their elastic restoring force, and the locking protrusions 32a of the lower arm portions 32 lock onto the step 1111b. Thus, the slide member 3 is slidably held (temporarily held) in the plug housing 10 while being prevented from coming off the housing main body 11 (see FIG. 46 ).

[0250] Furthermore, when the locking protrusion 32a of the lower arm portion 32 is locked with the step portion 1111b, the upper arm portion 33 is positioned so that the protrusion 33a is behind the regulating protrusion (slide regulating portion) 1114 and faces the regulating protrusion (slide regulating portion) 1114 (see Figure 47).

[0251] Therefore, when the slide member 3 is temporarily held in the plug housing 10 that is not engaged with the receptacle housing 20 and an attempt is made to slide the slide member 3 forward, the protrusion 33a of the upper arm portion 33 abuts against the restricting protrusion 1114, thereby restricting further forward movement of the slide member 3.

[0252] In this embodiment, this configuration prevents the slide member 3 from sliding from the initial position to the complete sliding position when the plug housing 10 has not been completely mated with the receptacle housing 20. In this embodiment, the initial position of the slide member 3 is the state in which the locking protrusion 32a of the lower arm 32 is locked with the step portion 1111b.

[0253] When the plug housing 10 with the slide member 3 temporarily held therein is mated with the receptacle housing 20, the engaging protrusion 33b of the upper arm portion 33 abuts against the protrusion 211c of the top wall 211 and is pushed downward between the start and completion of mating. When the mating between the plug housing 10 and the receptacle housing 20 is complete, the tip of the engaging protrusion 33b abuts against the underside of the protrusion 211c, causing the upper arm portion 33 to bend downward. At this time, the protrusion 33a of the upper arm portion 33 also moves downward and is positioned below the restricting protrusion (slide restricting portion) 1114 (see FIG. 48 ).

[0254] Therefore, when the plug housing 10 is mated with the receptacle housing 20, the restriction on the forward movement of the protrusion 33a by the restricting protrusion 1114 is released, allowing the slide member 3 to slide forward. In this manner, in this embodiment, the upper arm 33, which is elastically deformable up and down, and the protrusion 33a, which is formed on the upper arm 33 so as to be able to abut against the restricting protrusion 1114, function as a slide lock mechanism.

[0255] Then, by sliding the slide member 3 forward and locking the engaging protrusion 33b of the upper arm portion 33 with the front end of the protrusion 211c of the top wall 211, the plug housing 10 and the receptacle housing 20 are locked in the mated state by the slide member 3 as well (see FIG. 49 ). In this embodiment, the state in which the engaging protrusion 33b of the upper arm portion 33 is locked with the front end of the protrusion 211c of the top wall 211 is defined as the sliding completion position of the slide member 3 (completion position: second position).

[0256] In this way, the connector device C5 is doubly locked by the lever portion 121 and the slide member 3.

[0257] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the slide member 3 is slid to the slide completion position (completion position), the restricting protrusion (restricting portion) 31b is inserted into the deflection allowance space S7. The restricting protrusion 31b inserted into the deflection allowance space S7 restricts the downward movement of the lever portion 121. It is preferable to set the amount of upward protrusion of the restricting protrusion 31b so that the engaging protrusion 121b and the engaging recess 221a are engaged even when the lever portion 121 abuts against the restricting protrusion 31b. This prevents the lever portion 121 from being released unless the slide member 3 is released, thereby more reliably maintaining the locked state.

[0258] To release the connector device C5 that is doubly locked by the lever portion 121 and the slide member 3, the slide member 3 is first slid from the complete sliding position to the initial position. In this embodiment, the engagement between the engaging protrusion 33b and the protrusion 211c is released by strongly pulling the slide member 3 rearward (toward the initial position). Therefore, for example, if an operator grasps the handle 31a and strongly pulls the slide member 3 rearward, the slide member 3 will slide to the initial position.

[0259] In this way, by sliding the slide member 3 to the initial position, the restriction on the downward movement of the lever portion 121 is released, and the lock by the lever portion 121 can be released.

[0260] Then, by performing the above-described operation of removing the plug connector 1 from the receptacle connector 2, the plug connector 1 is removed from the receptacle connector 2.

[0261] By configuring the connector device C5 in this manner, it is possible to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing 10 when the connector device C5 is configured to have a key code structure.

[0262] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0263] (Technology 1) A plug connector includes a plug housing having an upper surface and a lower surface located above and below a vertical axis, plug terminals housed in an internal space of the plug housing with a portion thereof exposed from the rear of the vertical axis, and a receptacle connector with which the plug connector can be mated by moving the plug connector relative to the receptacle connector along the vertical axis. The plug connector includes a plug housing having an upper surface and a lower surface located above and below the vertical axis, plug terminals housed in an internal space of the plug housing with a portion thereof exposed from the rear of the vertical axis, and a receptacle connector with which the plug connector can be mated by moving the plug connector relative to the receptacle connector along the vertical axis. the receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing having a mating internal space capable of accommodating the plug housing, receptacle terminals capable of electrically connecting with the plug terminals, and a locked portion that engages with the locking portion, the plug housing includes a flat surface formed on the top surface, a cord protrusion that protrudes upward from the flat surface, and a locking region that is adjacent to the flat surface on the left-right axis and in which the locking portion is formed, and the receptacle housing is located on the upper side of the mating internal space. a cord recess formed on an inner surface thereof and capable of accommodating the cord projection, the flat surface having a front end located at the extreme front end, a rear end located rearward of the front end, an inner end adjacent to the locking area on the left-right axis, and an outer end opposing the inner end on the left-right axis and farther from the locking area than the inner end, the cord projection having a front end face located at the front and a rear end face located at the rear, and a length of a first distance between the front end face of the cord projection and the front end of the flat surface and a length of a second distance between the rear end face of the cord projection and the rear end of the flat surface and the length of a second interval between the first interval and the second interval is different, and (1) when the length of the first interval is longer among the lengths of the first interval and the second interval, a flat suction region is formed across the area between the front end surface of the cord projection on the flat surface and the front end of the flat surface, and between the inner end and the outer end, or (2) when the length of the second interval is longer among the lengths of the first interval and the second interval, a flat suction region is formed across the area between the rear end surface of the cord projection on the flat surface and the rear end of the flat surface, and between the inner end and the outer end,A connector device in which a suction area that is flat over the entire area is formed.

[0264] In this way, the connector device of Technology 1 is a device that has a key code structure that allows corresponding plug connectors and receptacle connectors to be mated, but prevents incompatible plug connectors from being mated with receptacle connectors.

[0265] The plug housing has a flat upper surface and the cord protrusion is located on this flat surface, offset to one side of the longitudinal axis, making it possible to provide a relatively large suction area around the cord protrusion.

[0266] Therefore, with the connector device of the first technique, it is possible to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing even when the connector device has a key code structure.

[0267] In particular, when an attempt is made to miniaturize the connector device, it becomes difficult to secure an adsorption area on the plug housing. However, with the connector device of Technology 1, it is possible to secure an adsorption area on the plug housing while miniaturizing the connector device, even if it is configured to have a key code structure.

[0268] (Technology 2) The connector device according to Technology 1, wherein the length of the first interval is shorter than the length of the second interval.

[0269] This makes it possible to determine whether the corresponding plug connector and receptacle connector are mated at the initial stage of inserting the plug housing into the receptacle housing, which results in a smoother mating operation between the plug connector and receptacle connector, further improving the efficiency of the mating operation between the plug connector and receptacle connector.

[0270] (Technology 3) A connector device described in Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the suction area has a first suction area formed on one side of the left-right axis relative to the locking area, and a second suction area formed on the other side of the left-right axis relative to the locking area, and the center of gravity of the plug connector is located between the first suction area and the second suction area in a planar view.

[0271] This allows the plug connector to be moved more stably by mounting equipment such as a robot arm, thereby further improving the workability of mounting the plug connector onto the connected member.

[0272] (Technology 4) A connector device according to any one of technologies 1 to 3, wherein the length of the first interval is greater than zero.

[0273] In this way, it is possible to determine whether the corresponding plug connector and receptacle connector are mated with each other while the tip of the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle housing, eliminating the need to simultaneously determine whether the plug housing can be inserted into the receptacle housing and whether the corresponding plug connector and receptacle connector are mated.

[0274] For example, if the length of the first interval is set to zero, it is possible to simultaneously determine whether the plug housing can be inserted into the receptacle housing and whether the corresponding plug connector and receptacle connector are mated.

[0275] In this case, it is difficult to determine whether the correct plug connector has been selected but is unable to mate with the receptacle connector due to misalignment or the wrong plug connector has been selected and is therefore unable to mate with the receptacle connector. Therefore, even if the wrong plug connector has been selected, there is a risk of mistakenly thinking that the correct plug connector has been selected but is not inserted properly. If such a mistake is made, there is a risk of damaging the plug or receptacle housing by forcibly inserting the plug housing into the receptacle housing.

[0276] In contrast, if the selection of the correct plug connector is determined while the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle housing, as in Technology 4, it is possible to prevent the incorrect determination that the correct plug connector has been selected but that it cannot be mated with the receptacle connector due to misalignment or the like. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent damage to the plug housing or receptacle housing caused by forcibly pushing the plug housing into the receptacle housing. This makes it possible to make the mating operation between the plug connector and the receptacle connector smoother, further improving the mating workability between the plug connector and the receptacle connector.

[0277] This technique (the configuration of technique 4) is particularly effective when miniaturization of the connector device makes it difficult to insert the plug housing into the receptacle housing.

[0278] (Technology 5) A connector device described in any one of technologies 1 to 4, wherein the cord protrusion is formed so as to be connected to the inner end or the outer end of the flat surface, and a lateral region is formed on the flat surface that is connected to the suction region and is flat between the cord protrusion and the outer end or between the cord protrusion and the inner end.

[0279] This allows a larger suction area to be secured on the plug housing, further improving the ease of mounting the plug connector to the connected member. It also makes it easier to visually check whether the correct plug connector has been selected, more reliably preventing the wrong plug connector from being selected.

[0280] (Technology 6) A connector device described in any one of technologies 1 to 5, wherein the plug terminal has a mounting portion below the plug housing that can be connected to a connected member, and the plug housing has a accommodating recess in which the connected member is placed at the lower end of the plug connector.

[0281] In this way, even if a so-called horizontal type plug connector has a key code structure, it is possible to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing.

[0282] (Technology 7) A connector device described in any one of technologies 1 to 6, wherein the locking area has an insertion space into which a slide member is inserted that is held in the plug connector so as to be able to slide along the front-to-rear axis and that can confirm the completion of mating between the plug connector and the receptacle connector.

[0283] In this way, even if a connector device having a Connector Position Assurance (CPA) function has a key code structure, it is possible to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing.

[0284] (Technology 8) A plug connector used in a connector device according to any one of technologies 1 to 7.

[0285] In this way, even if the plug connector has a key code structure, it is possible to ensure an adsorption area on the plug housing.

[0286] [Others] The connector device and plug connector according to the present disclosure have been described above, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they are not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0287] For example, the present disclosure can be applied to embodiments in which the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and their modifications have been changed, replaced, added, omitted, etc. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-described embodiments and their modifications to create new embodiments.

[0288] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, a connector in which multiple terminals are arranged in two rows, one above the other, is shown as an example, but it is also possible to have a connector in which multiple terminals are arranged in three or more rows.

[0289] It is also possible to provide the cord projections on the flat surface such that the length of the first interval is longer than the length of the second interval.

[0290] In addition, although the above embodiment and its modified examples illustrate an example in which two types of connector devices are mounted on a single board, it is also possible to mount three or more types of connector devices on a single board. In this case, it is preferable to prepare (design) more types of connector devices than the types that can be mounted on a single board.

[0291] Furthermore, the mounting structure of the connector device on the board may be such that a connector device with a CPA function and a connector device without a CPA function are mounted on a single board.

[0292] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, a connector device having an insertion space into which a slide member is inserted, i.e., a connector device that can be provided with a CPA function, is exemplified as being used as a connector device without a CPA function, but it is also possible to use a connector device that does not have an insertion space into which a slide member is inserted, i.e., a connector device that cannot be provided with a CPA function, as a connector device without a CPA function.

[0293] Furthermore, although the connector has been exemplified in which the terminals arranged on the same level have the same shape, it is also possible to have a connector in which multiple types of terminals are arranged on the same level.

[0294] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its variants, a so-called horizontal type receptacle connector is exemplified, but it is also possible to use a so-called vertical type receptacle connector in which the receptacle terminals are mounted on the mating board at the rear end side of the front-to-rear axis of the receptacle housing.

[0295] The present disclosure may also be applied to connectors (plug connectors and receptacle connectors) that electrically connect boards to boards or cables to boards, or to connectors (plug connectors and receptacle connectors) that electrically connect electric wires to boards.

[0296] In addition, the housing (plug housing or receptacle housing), terminals (plug terminals or receptacle terminals), and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate.

[0297] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 plug connector 10 plug housing 10a upper surface 10b lower surface 11a recess (locking area) 1123 recess (accommodating recess) 12 locking portion 13 lower plug terminal (plug terminal) 14 upper plug terminal (plug terminal) 16 flat surface 161 front end 162 rear end 163 inner end 164 outer end 17 cord protrusion 171 front end surface 172 rear end surface 1A cable (connected member) 2 receptacle connector 20 receptacle housing 22 locking portion insertion portion (locked portion) 23 lower receptacle terminal (receptacle terminal) 24 upper receptacle terminal (receptacle terminal) 3 slide member C1 connector device C2 connector device C3 connector device C4 connector device C5 connector device D1 First gap (front side) D2 Second gap (rear side) G Center of gravity of plug connector L1 Length of first gap L2 Length of second gap R1 Suction area R11 First suction area R12 Second suction area R2 Lateral area S1 First space (internal space) S2 Second space (internal space) S5 Fitting space (internal space of the mating side) S6 Insertion space S9 Cord recess

Claims

1. A plug connector and a receptacle connector capable of fitting the plug connector by relative movement along the longitudinal axis with respect to the plug connector, comprising: the plug connector includes a plug housing having an upper surface and a lower surface respectively positioned above and below the vertical axis, a plug terminal housed in the internal space of the plug housing with a part exposed from the rear of the longitudinal axis, and a lock portion capable of restricting relative movement of the plug connector along the longitudinal axis with respect to the receptacle connector in a state where the plug connector and the receptacle connector are fitted; the receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing having a mating internal space capable of housing the plug housing, a receptacle terminal capable of being electrically connected to the plug terminal, and a locked portion engaged with the lock portion; the plug housing includes a flat surface formed on the upper surface, a cord protrusion protruding upward from the flat surface, and a lock region formed adjacent to the flat surface on the left - right axis where the lock portion is formed; the receptacle housing has a cord recess formed on the upper inner surface of the mating internal space capable of housing the cord protrusion; the flat surface has a front end located at the frontmost end, a rear end located behind the front end, an inner end adjacent to the lock region on the left - right axis, and an outer end facing the inner end on the left - right axis and farther from the lock region than the inner end; the cord protrusion has a front end face located in the front and a rear end face located in the rear; the length of a first interval between the front end face of the cord protrusion and the front end of the flat surface is different from the length of a second interval between the rear end face of the cord protrusion and the rear end of the flat surface; (1) when the length of the first interval is longer than the length of the second interval among the length of the first interval and the length of the second interval, an adsorption region that is flat is formed between the front end face of the cord protrusion and the front end of the flat surface on the flat surface and extends between the inner end and the outer end, or(2) When the length of the second interval is longer than the length of the first interval, an adsorption region that is flat is formed between the rear end surface of the code protrusion on the flat surface and the rear end of the flat surface, and between the inner end and the outer end. Connector device.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first interval is shorter than the length of the second interval.

3. The adsorption region has a first adsorption region formed on one side of the left - right axis with respect to the lock region, and a second adsorption region formed on the other side of the left - right axis with respect to the lock region, and the center of gravity of the plug connector is located between the first adsorption region and the second adsorption region in a plan view. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the length of the first interval is greater than zero.

5. The cord projection is formed so as to be connected to the inner end or the outer end of the flat surface. A horizontal region that is continuous with the adsorption region and is flat is formed on the flat surface between the cord projection and the outer end or between the cord projection and the inner end. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The plug terminal has a mounting portion that can be connected to a member to be connected below the plug housing. The plug housing has a receiving recess in which the member to be connected is disposed at the lower end of the plug connector. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The lock region has an insertion space into which a slide member that is held so as to be slidable along the front - rear axis in the plug connector and can confirm the completion of the fitting between the plug connector and the receptacle connector is inserted. The connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. A plug connector used in the connector device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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