Floating connector

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique by which it is possible to increase a movement amount of a mobile housing. This floating connector comprises: a fixed housing; a mobile housing provided movably with respect to the fixed housing; a terminal bridged between the fixed housing and the mobile housing; and a stopper part provided separately from the terminal. A second end part of the terminal is held so as to be movable relative to the mobile housing along a fitting direction. The stopper part inhibits the withdrawal of the mobile housing from the fixed housing in the fitting direction.

Description

Floating Connector

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a fixed housing fixed to a circuit board, a movable housing arranged to be movable relative to the fixed housing and into which a connection object is inserted and removed, a plurality of signal terminals arranged between the fixed housing and the movable housing in a terminal arrangement direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction of the connection object, and a power terminal arranged between the fixed housing and the movable housing. In this connector, each terminal is held in the fixed housing and the movable housing by claws provided on both ends that bite into the fixed housing and the movable housing, respectively. Therefore, in this connector, the fixed housing and the movable housing are positioned in the insertion and removal direction and the terminal arrangement direction via the terminals.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-101726

[0004] In the connector described in Patent Document 1, the terminals have elastic portions for allowing movement of the movable housing. However, because the elastic portions are provided between the claw portions at both ends of the terminals, the amount of deformation is limited, and therefore the amount of movement of the movable housing is also limited.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can increase the amount of movement of the movable housing.

[0006] The floating connector of the present disclosure is a floating connector into which a mating connector is mated, and comprises a fixed housing, a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing along a movement direction intersecting the mating direction of the mating connector, a terminal bridged between the fixed housing and the movable housing, and a removal prevention portion provided separately from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion connecting the first end and the second end, the second end being held movable relative to the movable housing along the mating direction, and when the movable housing moves in the movement direction, the second end can follow the movable housing while the portion closer to the second end than the first end elastically deforms, and the removal prevention portion prevents the movable housing from coming loose from the fixed housing in the mating direction.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the amount of movement of the movable housing can be increased.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a floating connector according to a first embodiment and a connector device including the same. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded front view showing the connector device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the floating connector shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the floating connector shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a terminal according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a floating connector according to a modified example. Fig. 9 is a side view showing the floating connector shown in Fig. 8.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The floating connector of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A floating connector into which a mating connector is mated, comprising: a fixed housing; a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing along a movement direction intersecting the mating direction of the mating connector; a terminal bridged between the fixed housing and the movable housing; and a retaining portion provided separately from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion connecting the first end and the second end, the second end being held movable relative to the movable housing along the mating direction, and when the movable housing moves in the movement direction, the second end can follow the movable housing while the portion closer to the second end than the first end elastically deforms, and the retaining portion prevents the movable housing from coming loose from the fixed housing in the mating direction.

[0012] In the floating connector of (1), the second end is held movably relative to the movable housing in the mating direction, so that the elastic deformation of the terminal to follow the movable housing also allows the second end to move relative to the movable housing in the mating direction. This allows for a larger deformation amount of the connecting portion, thereby allowing for a larger movement amount of the movable housing. In addition, the retaining portion provided separately from the terminal prevents the movable housing from coming off the fixed housing in the mating direction.

[0013] (2) In the floating connector of (1), the retaining portion may include a held portion held by the fixed housing, an arm portion extending from the held portion toward the movable housing, and a hook portion provided at the tip of the arm portion and hooking onto the movable housing along the mating direction. By hooking the hook portion onto the movable housing, it is possible to easily prevent the movable housing from coming off the fixed housing in the mating direction. Furthermore, when hooking the hook portion onto the movable housing, the arm portion can be deformed to perform the hooking.

[0014] (3) In the floating connector of (2), the fixed housing may have a peripheral wall surrounding one end of the movable housing along the mating direction, the other end of the movable housing along the mating direction protrudes outside the peripheral wall, the retained portion is retained on the outer surface of the peripheral wall, the arm portion extends toward the other end of the movable housing, and the movable housing may include a locking protrusion provided on the other end that is hooked onto the hook portion. This allows the movable housing to be prevented from coming out from a position that avoids the inside of the peripheral wall, and the locking portion is less likely to affect movement of the movable housing along the movement direction.

[0015] (4) In the floating connector of (3), the arm portion may have a pair of arm pieces spaced apart in a direction intersecting the mating direction, the hook portion may connect the tips of the pair of arm pieces, the hook portion and the pair of arm pieces may surround the locking protrusion on three sides, a pair of side surfaces of the locking protrusion facing the pair of arm pieces may be inclined with respect to the mating direction, and the distance between the pair of side surfaces may be narrowed toward the side surfaces of the locking protrusion facing the hook portion. This may increase the strength of the locking protrusion while allowing movement of the movable housing.

[0016] (5) In the floating connector of (3) or (4), the movable housing may include a protective protrusion that is provided separately from the locking protrusion, the hook portion, and the arm portion and protects the hook portion and the arm portion. This allows the protective protrusion to prevent peripheral members from contacting the hook portion or the arm portion. Therefore, deformation of the hook portion or the arm portion due to contact with the peripheral members can be prevented. Furthermore, the protective protrusion prevents peripheral members from interfering with the hook portion or the arm portion during transportation, which would cause the hook portion to lose its engagement with the locking protrusion.

[0017] (6) In the floating connector of any one of (1) to (5), a fixing device for fixing the fixed housing to the board may be provided, and the retaining portion may be provided integrally with the fixing device. This reduces the number of parts compared to when the retaining portion is provided separately from the fixing device or the housing as a dedicated retaining member.

[0018] (7) In the floating connector of any one of (1) to (6), the retaining portion may be spaced apart from the movable housing along the movement direction, thereby preventing the retaining portion from interfering with the movement of the movable housing.

[0019] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the floating connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] A floating connector 10 according to embodiment 1 will now be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the floating connector 10 according to embodiment 1 and a connector device 100 including the same. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector device 100. Fig. 3 is an exploded front view showing the connector device 100. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the floating connector 10. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the floating connector 10. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a terminal 40. In each figure, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown.

[0021] In the present disclosure, a connector device 100 includes a floating connector 10 and a mating connector 90 that mates with the floating connector 10. As shown in Figure 3 and other figures, in this embodiment, the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are described as board connectors that are electrically connected to boards B1 and B2, respectively. When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are mated, the terminals 40 of the floating connector 10 and the terminals 95 of the mating connector 90 are electrically connected. This electrically connects the boards B1 and B2 to which the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are connected. The floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 may be connectors other than board connectors.

[0022] The floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are mated by moving toward each other in a mating direction. In this embodiment, the mating direction is a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the boards B1 and B2, and is shown as the Z direction in each figure. The X and Y directions in each figure are directions perpendicular to the mating direction and are directions along the main surfaces of the boards B1 and B2. Hereinafter, the X direction may be referred to as the front-to-back direction, the Y direction as the left-to-right direction, and the Z direction as the up-to-down direction. Note that the mating direction of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 may be a direction other than the Z direction.

[0023] The floating connector 10 includes a fixed housing 20, a movable housing 30, a plurality of terminals 40, and a fixture 60. The fixed housing 20 is fixed to a board B1 via the fixture 60. The movable housing 30 is provided so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing 20. The plurality of terminals 40 are bridged between the fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30.

[0024] The fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30 are positioned in a movement direction perpendicular to the Z direction via the terminals 40. The portion of the terminals 40 held by the movable housing 30 is deformable in the movement direction relative to the portion held by the fixed housing 20, so that the movable housing 30 can move in the movement direction relative to the fixed housing 20.

[0025] In this embodiment, a plurality of terminals 40 are arranged in the X and Y directions. For example, the number of parallel terminals 40 in the X direction is 10 or more (here, 40), and the number of parallel terminals 40 in the Y direction is 2. A pair of adjacent terminals 40 in the X direction are oriented in the same direction. A pair of adjacent terminals 40 in the Y direction are oriented in opposite directions. However, the number of parallel terminals 40 in the X direction and the number of parallel terminals 40 in the Y direction are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. As in the example embodiment, it is preferable that the number of parallel terminals 40 in the X direction be greater than the number of parallel terminals 40 in the Y direction.

[0026] The terminal 40 includes a first end 42 held by the fixed housing 20 and a second end 48 held by the movable housing 30. In this embodiment, the terminal 40 is deformable so that the second end 48 moves in any direction within the XY plane relative to the first end 42. This allows the movable housing 30 to move in the X direction, the Y direction, and a direction intersecting the X and Y directions within the XY plane. Therefore, the moving direction of the movable housing 30 is any direction within the XY plane.

[0027] In the present disclosure, the movable housing 30 and the terminals 40 are capable of relative movement in the Z direction. Positioning of the movable housing 30 in the Z direction cannot be achieved, or is insufficient, using only the terminals 40. To assist in positioning the movable housing 30 in the Z direction, the floating connector 10 of the present disclosure includes a retaining portion 61 provided separately from the terminals 40. The retaining portion 61 prevents the movable housing 30 from slipping out of the fixed housing 20 to one side in the Z direction (here, the upper side). In this embodiment, the retaining portion 61 is provided integrally with the fixing device 60. Each part of the floating connector 10 will be described in detail below.

[0028] The fixed housing 20 is molded using an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The fixed housing 20 includes a pair of wall portions 21X extending along the X direction and a pair of wall portions 21Y extending along the Y direction. The pair of wall portions 21X and the pair of wall portions 21Y are connected to form the peripheral wall 21. The peripheral wall 21 is open at its top and closed at its bottom. The fixed housing 20 includes a bottom block portion 22 that closes the lower opening of the peripheral wall 21. The bottom block portion 22 has multiple through holes. Therefore, the fixed housing 20 is cylindrically shaped, with the peripheral wall 21 open at its top and multiple through holes in its lower portion, each smaller than the upper opening. The lower portion of the movable housing 30 is positioned above the bottom block portion 22 in the internal space of the peripheral wall 21. The upper portion of the movable housing 30 protrudes upward from the upper opening of the fixed housing 20. In the X and Y directions, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 and the outer surface of the movable housing 30 face each other with a gap therebetween. This gap is, for example, the same as the amount of movement of the movable housing 30 in the X and Y directions.

[0029] The fixed housing 20 includes a terminal holding portion 23 and a fixture holding portion 29. Here, the terminal holding portion 23 is provided on the bottom block portion 22, and the fixture holding portion 29 is provided on the outer surface of the wall portion 21Y.

[0030] The terminal holding portion 23 is a portion that holds the first end 42 of the terminal 40. The terminal holding portion 23 is a portion of the bottom block portion 22 that is located in the middle in the X direction and has holding holes 23H formed therein as through holes. Two holding holes 23H are provided in the Y direction. Each of the two holding holes 23H has a plurality of first hole portions and one second hole portion. In each holding hole 23H, the plurality of first hole portions are aligned in the X direction. A plurality of terminals 40 aligned in the X direction are individually passed through the plurality of first hole portions. A second hole portion is located below the plurality of first hole portions. The plurality of first hole portions and the one second hole portion are continuous along the Z direction. A plurality of terminals 40 aligned in the X direction are collectively passed through the one second hole portion.

[0031] Here, the portion of the bottom block portion 22 located further outward in the X direction than the terminal holding portion 23 serves as a housing support portion that supports the lower end of the movable housing 30. The housing support portion is surrounded by the ends of the pair of wall portions 21X along the X direction and the wall portion 21Y.

[0032] The fixture holding portion 29 is a portion that holds the fixture 60. The fixture holding portion 29 is formed in the shape of a slot into which the fixture 60 can be inserted from above.

[0033] The movable housing 30 is molded using an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The movable housing 30 is formed in a block shape that is longer in the X direction than in the Y direction. The movable housing 30 includes a terminal holding portion 31, a locking protrusion 35, and a protective protrusion 36.

[0034] The terminal holding portion 31 is a portion that holds the second ends 48 of the terminals 40. The terminal holding portion 31 includes a first block portion 32 and a second block portion 33. A plurality of holding holes 32H are formed in the first block portion 32. The second block portion 33 protrudes upward from the upper portion of the first block portion 32. The second block portion 33 is positioned between a pair of terminals 40 aligned in the Y direction. A plurality of holding grooves 33G are formed in the outer surface of the second block portion 33 facing outward in the Y direction. The number of the plurality of holding holes 32H and the plurality of holding grooves 33G are the same and correspond one-to-one. Each holding hole 32H and each holding groove 33G are continuous in the Z direction. The lower portions of the second ends 48 of the plurality of terminals 40 are individually passed through the plurality of holding holes 32H. The upper portions of the second ends 48 of the plurality of terminals 40 are individually received in the plurality of holding grooves 33G.

[0035] Here, the terminal holding portion 31 includes a third block portion 34. The third block portion 34 protrudes downward from the lower portion of the first block portion 32. The third block portion 34 is located between a pair of terminals 40 aligned in the Y direction. Here, no groove such as the holding groove 33G is formed in the third block portion 34. The outer surface of the third block portion 34 facing outward in the Y direction covers a plurality of terminals 40 collectively.

[0036] Here, the movable housing 30 includes a peripheral wall 37. The peripheral wall 37 surrounds the periphery of the second block portion 33 of the terminal holding portion 31. The peripheral wall 37 has a pair of wall portions 37X extending in the X direction and a pair of wall portions 37Y extending in the Y direction. The pair of wall portions 37X and the pair of wall portions 37Y are connected to each other. In the connector device 100, the tip of the mating connector 90 fits inside the peripheral wall 37. Both end portions of the peripheral wall 37 along the X direction are guide receiving portions 38 that receive guide portions 94 of the mating connector 90.

[0037] A fitting recess into which the guide portion 94 fits is provided below the guide receiving portion 38. The fitting recess is a portion surrounded by the ends of the pair of wall portions 37X in the X direction, one wall portion 37Y, and the second block portion 33. In addition, a protrusion 39 supported by the housing support portion is provided below the lower surface of the bottom of the fitting recess in the movable housing 30.

[0038] A locking protrusion 35 and a protective protrusion 36 are provided on the outer surface of the wall portion 37Y. The locking protrusion 35 and the protective protrusion 36 are provided on a portion of the wall portion 37Y that is located above the peripheral wall 21. The locking protrusion 35 is a portion on which the retaining portion 61 is hooked. The protective protrusion 36 is provided at a distance from the locking protrusion 35. The protective protrusion 36 prevents peripheral components from interfering with the locking protrusion 35 or the retaining portion 61.

[0039] Terminal 40 is formed into a predetermined shape by pressing (punching and bending) a flat plate made of a conductive material such as metal. This flat plate extends generally in the Z direction while bending in the YZ plane so that its length is in the Z direction. The cross section of this flat plate is, for example, rectangular. The shorter side of the rectangular cross section is the plate thickness direction, and the longer side is the plate width direction. Terminal 40 is arranged in a position where the plate width direction is along the X direction. Furthermore, the thickness of the flat plate in the Y direction at the portion where the flat plate extends parallel to the Z direction is the plate thickness.

[0040] The terminal 40 includes a first end 42 held by the fixed housing 20, a second end 48 held by the movable housing 30, and a connecting portion 54 connecting the first end 42 and the second end 48. The first end 42 and the second end 48 are spaced apart from each other along the Z direction. The connecting portion 54 extends along the Z direction. When the movable housing 30 moves along the X direction or the Y direction, the connecting portion 54 elastically deforms, allowing the second end 48 to follow the movable housing 30.

[0041] The first end 42 has a board connecting portion 43 connected to the board B1 and a first held portion 44 held by the fixed housing 20. The board connecting portion 43 is exposed below the fixed housing 20. The board connecting portion 43 is formed in a shape extending along the main surface of the board B1 so as to be surface mountable to the board B1. The board connecting portion 43 may be formed in a pin shape or the like so as to be connectable to the board B1 via a through-hole. The first held portion 44 is press-fitted and held in the holding hole 23H of the fixed housing 20. The first held portion 44 has press-fit protrusions 45 at two locations along the longitudinal direction of the flat plate. Each press-fit protrusion 45 protrudes outward from both outer edges along the plate width direction (X direction). One of the two press-fit protrusions 45 is provided in a portion that fits within the first hole portion of the holding hole 23H, and the other is provided in a portion that fits within the second hole portion of the holding hole 23H.

[0042] The second end 48 has a terminal portion 49 that connects with a mating terminal 95 of the mating connector 90, and a second held portion 51 that is held by the movable housing 30. The terminal portion 49 has a spring-shaped portion 50 that is a leaf spring that is bent in the plate thickness direction. The main portion of the second held portion 51 is lower than the spring-shaped portion 50, and in this case includes the portion that is inserted into the holding hole 32H.

[0043] Here, the second end 48 is held to the movable housing 30 with a holding force weaker than that of the first end 42. Here, the first end 42 is provided with a press-fit protrusion 45 that is press-fitted into the fixed housing 20. The second end 48 is not provided with a press-fit protrusion that protrudes in the plate width direction and is press-fitted into the movable housing 30, like the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42. As a result, the second end 48 is held to the movable housing 30 with a holding force weaker than that of the first end 42.

[0044] For example, the first end 42 may be held to be more difficult to move in the Z direction than the second end 48. For example, the first end 42 may be held by the fixed housing 20 so as not to be movable in the Z direction even by a force generated when the movable housing 30 moves. In contrast, the second end 48 may be held by the movable housing 30 so as to be movable in the Z direction by a force generated when the movable housing 30 moves.

[0045] From one end of the terminal 40 to the other, the board connecting portion 43, the first held portion 44, the connecting portion 54, the second held portion 51, and the terminal portion 49 are connected in this order. When assembling the floating connector 10, the terminal 40 is passed through the holding holes 23H and 32H in this order, starting from the terminal portion 49. Because the terminal portion 49 is provided with the spring-shaped portion 50, the dimension of the terminal portion 49 in the Y direction is greater than the plate thickness. To allow the terminal portion 49 to pass through, the dimension of each holding hole 23H and 32H in the Y direction is greater than the plate thickness.

[0046] The inner surfaces of the retaining hole 32H that face opposite to each other along the thickness direction (here, the Y direction) of the terminal 40 are referred to as the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B. Here, the surface that connects to the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G is referred to as the first inner surface 32A. The distance between the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B is greater than the thickness of the terminal 40. The distance between the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B is greater than the dimension of the spring-shaped portion 50 along the Y direction. This prevents the terminal 49 having the spring-shaped portion 50 from contacting both the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B when passing through the retaining hole 32H. The second retained portion 51 bends in the thickness direction and contacts both the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B. Therefore, the dimension of the second retained portion 51 along the Y direction is greater than the dimension of the spring-shaped portion 50 along the Y direction. The second held portion 51 is in slidable contact with both the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B, for example.

[0047] The second retained portion 51 has two bent portions 52. The two bent portions 52 are bent so that the opposing main surfaces face inward. The two bent portions 52 allow the second retained portion 51 to contact both the first inner surface 32A and the second inner surface 32B of the retaining hole 32H, which are opposed to each other and are larger than the plate thickness. The portion of the second retained portion 51 above the two bent portions 52 extends upward while contacting the first inner surface 32A or the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G connected thereto. The portion of the second end 48 extending from the second retained portion 51 to the spring-shaped portion 50 extends straight upward from the upper end of the second retained portion 51 along the retaining groove 33G. Both sides of this portion in the X direction are separated from the adjacent terminal 40 by both side surfaces of the retaining groove 33G. The second held portion 51 extends downward below the lower bent portion 52 while contacting the second inner surface 32B.

[0048] Note that, because the first inner surface 32A and the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G are continuous, the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G can also be considered an extension of the first inner surface 32A. Therefore, the second retained portion 51 is considered to be in contact with the first inner surface 32A not only when it is in contact with the first inner surface 32A inside the retaining hole 32H, but also when it is in contact with the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G outside the retaining hole 32H. Also, both of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51 may be inside the retaining hole 32H. Both of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51 may be located above and outside the retaining hole 32H. Of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51, the lower bent portion 52 may be located inside the retaining hole 32H, and the upper bent portion 52 may be located above and outside the retaining hole 32H. The two bent portions 52 and the portion extending diagonally in the Z direction between the two bent portions 52 can also be considered as an offset portion that offsets the position along the Y direction of the terminal 40 that extends straight in the Z direction.

[0049] The connecting portion 54 connects the upper end of the first held portion 44 and the lower end of the second held portion 51. The upper end of the first held portion 44 and the lower end of the second held portion 51 are located at the same position along the Y direction. The lower portion of the connecting portion 54 extends straight upward from the upper end of the first held portion 44. The upper portion of the connecting portion 54 extends straight downward from the lower end of the second held portion 51. An elastic portion 55 is provided in the middle portion of the connecting portion 54 along the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The elastic portion 55 extends in a trapezoidal wave shape from the first end 42 to the second end 48. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the trapezoid is an isosceles trapezoid. The trapezoid may have a shape other than an isosceles trapezoid. The elastic portion 55 may have a shape other than a trapezoidal wave shape, such as a stepped shape.

[0051] The elastic portion 55 can also be considered to have two offset portions 55A and 55B. The offset portions 55A and 55B offset the position of the terminal 40, which extends straight in the Z direction, along the Y direction. Of the two offset portions 55A and 55B, the one located closer to the first end 42 is referred to as the first offset portion 55A, and the one located closer to the second end 48 is referred to as the second offset portion 55B. The position of the connecting portion 54 extending in the Z direction from the first end 42 to the second end 48 is shifted from the outside to the inside in the Y direction by the first offset portion 55A, and from the inside to the outside in the Y direction by the second offset portion 55B. The offset amount of the first offset portion 55A and the offset amount of the second offset portion 55B along the Y direction are the same. Furthermore, the first offset portion 55A and the second offset portion 55B are provided to have slopes of the same angle.

[0052] The first offset portion 55A is provided in the same direction as the offset portion of the second held portion 51. The offset amount of the first offset portion 55A and the offset amount of the offset portion of the second held portion 51 are the same along the Y direction. Here, the slope of the first offset portion 55A is provided to be steeper than the slope of the offset portion of the second held portion 51. The offset portions of the first offset portion 55A and the second held portion 51 may be provided to have slopes of the same angle.

[0053] The fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30 each have a retaining hole 23H, 32H through which the terminal 40 passes. The retaining hole 32H of the movable housing 30 is located on an extension of the first hole portion of the retaining hole 23H of the fixed housing 20. The first hole portion of the fixed housing 20 and the retaining hole 32H of the movable housing 30 have the same shape and size in the XY plane, excluding the guide surface. The first hole portion and the retaining hole 32H are located at the same position in the XY plane and overlap when viewed from the Z direction. For example, the size of the first hole portion and the retaining hole 32H in the X direction is approximately the same as (e.g., the same as or slightly smaller than) the width of the portion of the flat plate without the press-fit protrusion 45. The size of the first hole portion and the retaining hole 32H in the Y direction is the same as the offset amount of the second retained portion 51 and the elastic portion 55 in the Y direction.

[0054] The fixing device 60 is formed into a predetermined shape by pressing (punching and bending) a flat plate made of metal or the like. The fixing device 60 includes a retaining portion 61 and a board fixing portion 68. The retaining portion 61 is a portion that prevents the movable housing 30 from coming off, and the board fixing portion 68 is a portion that is fixed to the board B1. The manner in which the board fixing portion 68 and the board B1 are fixed is not particularly limited, and they may be fixed by solder, for example. The retaining portion 61 includes a held portion 62, an arm portion 64, and a hook portion 67.

[0055] The held portion 62 is a portion that is held by the fixed housing 20. The held portion 62 is held by the fixture holding portion 29. As shown in FIG. 6 , the held portion 62 here includes a flat main plate portion 63A, a bent plate portion 63B that curves and extends from the main plate portion 63A, and a press-fit protrusion 63C. A board fixing portion 68 protrudes downward from the lower portion of the main plate portion 63A. The bent plate portion 63B and the press-fit protrusion 63C are provided on both sides of the main plate portion 63A. The bent plate portion 63B curves in the thickness direction of the main plate portion 63A. The press-fit protrusion 63C protrudes laterally from the main plate portion 63A. Here, the press-fit protrusions 63C are provided on both sides of the bent plate portion 63B in the Z direction. Therefore, here, one fixture 60 is provided with a pair of bent plate portions 63B and two pairs of press-fit protrusions 63C.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6 , the fastener holder 29 has a groove 29A into which the main plate 63A is inserted and a protrusion 29B that abuts against the bent plate 63B. Two pairs of grooves 29A are provided to correspond to the two pairs of press-fit projections 63C. When the main plate 63A is inserted into the groove 29A of the fastener holder 29, the fastener 60 is positioned in the X and Y directions relative to the fixed housing 20. When the lower surface of the bent plate 63B abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 29B of the fastener holder 29, the fastener 60 is prevented from slipping downward in the Z direction from the fastener holder 29. When the press-fit projection 63C is engaged with the inner surface of the groove 29A of the fastener holder 29, the fastener 60 is prevented from slipping upward in the Z direction from the fastener holder 29.

[0057] The fastener holding portion 29 is provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21 (here, wall portion 21Y). The lower end of the movable housing 30 fits inside the peripheral wall 21. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 moves toward and away from the outer surface of the movable housing 30 when the movable housing 30 moves. When the movable housing 30 moves by a maximum amount, the outer surface of the movable housing 30 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 may come into contact. Because the fastener holding portion 29 is provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 21, interference between the fastener holding portion 29 and the movable housing 30 is unlikely when the movable housing 30 moves.

[0058] The arm portion 64 is a portion that extends from the held portion 62 toward the movable housing 30. The arm portion 64 extends toward the upper end of the movable housing 30. The arm portion 64 is elastically deformable. The arm portion 64 has a pair of arm pieces 65 that are spaced apart in a direction intersecting the Z direction (here, the Y direction). The arm pieces 65 are elastically deformable. The arm pieces 65 protrude upward from the upper edge of the main body plate portion 63A. The arm pieces 65 are located centrally between the locking protrusion 35 and the protective protrusion 36 in the Y direction. The arm piece 65 has straight portions 65A and 65B and a bent portion 65C. The straight portion 65A is located at the bottom of the arm piece 65. The straight portion 65B is located at the top of the arm piece 65. The bent portion 65C is located between the straight portions 65A and 65B. The straight portion 65A is longer than the straight portion 65B. In the Z direction, the upper end of the straight portion 65A extends to the position of the locking protrusion 35. As shown in Fig. 3, a bent portion 65C is provided at the position of the locking protrusion 35 in the Z direction. Note that in Fig. 3, the protective protrusion 36 is omitted to the left of the line L1. The bent portion 65C may be located below the locking protrusion 35.

[0059] The hook portion 67 is a portion that hooks onto the movable housing 30 in the Z direction. The hook portion 67 is provided at the tip of the arm portion 64. The hook portion 67 connects the tips of the pair of arm pieces 65. The hook portion 67 and the pair of arm pieces 65 surround the locking protrusion 35 on three sides. In this case, these three sides are the top, one side in the Y direction, and the other side in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , the locking protrusion 35 has an upper surface 35A that faces the hook portion 67 and a pair of side surfaces 35B that face the pair of arm pieces 65. The hook portion 67 hooks onto the upper surface 35A.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6 , the locking protrusion 35 moves from above the hook portion 67 toward below, and as it passes over the hook portion 67, the hook portion 67 catches on the locking protrusion 35. The arm portion 64 of the retaining portion 61 deforms outward in the X direction when it catches on the locking protrusion 35. A guide surface 35C is provided between a pair of side surfaces 35B of the locking protrusion 35. The guide surface 35C extends from the inside to the outside in the X direction as it moves from the bottom to the top. When the hook portion 67 comes into contact with the guide surface 35C, the arm portion 64 elastically deforms so as to move outward in the X direction along the guide surface 35C. Then, when the hook portion 67 passes over the locking protrusion 35, the arm portion 64 returns to its original deformation until the hook portion 67 faces the upper surface 35A. 3 shows a state in which the deformed hook portion 67 has returned to its initial position and the straight portion 65A extends straight in the Z direction. The hook portion 67 may not return to its initial position and may be positioned further outward in the X direction than the state shown in FIG. 3 as long as it is in a position where it can be hooked onto the locking protrusion 35. In this case, the straight portion 65A extends at a slight incline with respect to the Z direction.

[0061] When providing a structure in which the arm portion 64 elastically deforms to engage with the movable housing 30, the material of the fixing device 60 may be more suitable than the material of the housings 20, 30. Between the arm portion 64 formed from the material of the fixing device 60 and the arm portion 64 formed from the material of the housings 20, 30, the arm portion 64 formed from the material of the fixing device 60 is more likely to deform so that the engaging protrusion 35 passes over the hook portion 67. For example, if the housings 20, 30 are made of LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) and the fixing device 60 is made of metal, the material of the fixing device 60 is more suitable for providing an elastic piece than the material of the housings 20, 30.

[0062] 4 shows a state in which the movable housing 30 is in its initial position relative to the fixed housing 20 (a state in which there is no positional displacement). As shown by solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the movable housing 30 is in its initial position, the retaining portion 61 is spaced apart from the movable housing 30 in the X and Y directions. That is, there are gaps in the X and Y directions between the retaining portion 61 and the movable housing 30. The retaining portion 61 is spaced apart from the movable housing 30 in the movement direction of the movable housing 30 (any direction on the XY plane). That is, there is a gap in the movement direction of the movable housing 30 between the retaining portion 61 and the movable housing 30.

[0063] Specifically, a fixing device 60 is provided on each side of the fixed housing 20 in the X direction. The peripheral wall 37 of the movable housing 30 is located between the hook portions 67 of the pair of fixing devices 60. The wall portion 37Y faces the arm portion 64 and the hook portion 67 in the X direction. Of the retaining portions 61, the hook portion 67 is closest to the wall portion 37Y in the X direction. The wall portion 37Y and the hook portion 67 are spaced apart in the X direction. In other words, there is a gap in the X direction between the wall portion 37Y and the hook portion 67. The distance between the wall portion 37Y and the hook portion 67 may be equal to or greater than the maximum amount of movement of the movable housing 30 on one side in the X direction.

[0064] Furthermore, arm pieces 65 are located on both sides of the locking protrusion 35 in the Y direction. The arm pieces 65 and the locking protrusion 35 face each other in the Y direction. The inner side surface of the arm piece 65 in the Y direction and the side surface 35B of the locking protrusion 35 are spaced apart in the X direction. In other words, there is a gap in the Y direction between the inner side surface of the arm piece 65 in the Y direction and the side surface 35B of the locking protrusion 35. The distance between the inner side surface of the arm piece 65 in the Y direction and the side surface 35B of the locking protrusion 35 may be equal to or greater than the maximum amount of movement of the movable housing 30 on one side in the Y direction.

[0065] Furthermore, the protective protrusion 36 is provided at a distance from the locking protrusion 35, the hook portion 67, and the arm portion 64. The protective protrusion 36 is provided on both sides of the locking protrusion 35 in the Y direction. The protective protrusion 36 is provided, for example, at the same position as the locking protrusion 35 in the Z direction. The protective protrusion 36 has an opposing surface 36A that faces the locking protrusion 35 and the arm piece 65 in the Y direction. The opposing surface 36A is separated from the side surface of the arm piece 65 on the outside in the Y direction. The distance between the opposing surface 36A and the side surface of the arm piece 65 on the outside in the Y direction may be equal to or greater than the maximum amount of movement of the movable housing 30 on the other side in the Y direction.

[0066] 5, in this embodiment, the pair of side surfaces 35B are inclined with respect to the Z direction. The distance between the pair of side surfaces 35B narrows toward the surface of the locking protrusion 35 facing the hook portion 67. The side surfaces 35B extend from the lower side to the upper side in the Z direction and from the outer side to the inner side in the Y direction.

[0067] 5, the opposing surface 36A is also inclined with respect to the Z direction. The opposing surface 36A is inclined in the opposite direction to the opposing side surface 35B. The opposing surface 36A extends from the lower side to the upper side in the Z direction and from the inside to the outside in the Y direction. The distance between the opposing side surface 35B and the opposing surface 36A gradually increases from the lower side to the upper side in the Z direction.

[0068] The imaginary lines in FIG. 5 show the movable housing 30 moving from its initial position to the right side of the drawing relative to the fixed housing 20. At this time, the movable housing 30 may be slightly tilted relative to the Z direction, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG. 5 . This tilted position causes the amount of movement of the upper portion of the movable housing 30 to be greater than the amount of movement of the lower portion. Even in this case, the side surface 35B of the locking protrusion 35 and the opposing surface 36A of the protective protrusion 36 are inclined, making them less likely to interfere with the arm piece 65. The side surface 35B (the right side surface 35B in FIG. 5 ) of the pair of side surfaces 35B that is closest to the arm piece 65 is nearly parallel to the Z direction. This makes it less likely for the side surface 35B to interfere with the arm piece 65. Similarly, the opposing surface 36A of the protective protrusion 36 (the left protective protrusion 36 in FIG. 5 ) of the pair of protective protrusions 36 that is closest to the arm piece 65 is nearly parallel to the Z direction. This makes it difficult for the opposing surface 36A to interfere with the arm piece 65.

[0069] When the movable housing 30 moves from the initial position along the X direction or the Y direction, the retaining portion 61 may or may not come into contact with the movable housing 30 along the X direction or the Y direction.

[0070] Before the floating connector 10 is connected to the mating connector 90, the movable housing 30 is initially positioned relative to the fixed housing 20. Here, in the initial state, the position of the movable housing 30 in the X and Y directions is, for example, a position where the center of the movable housing 30 coincides with the center of the peripheral wall 21 of the fixed housing 20. Also, in the initial state, the position of the movable housing 30 in the Z direction is, for example, a position where the lower part of the movable housing 30 is supported by the fixed housing 20. Such positioning is performed, for example, as follows.

[0071] The movable housing 30 is positioned in the X and Y directions by fitting the terminals 40 into the retaining holes 32H and the retaining grooves 33G. The positioning of the movable housing 30 in the X and Y directions is determined mainly by the terminals 40. Furthermore, the movable housing 30 is positioned downward in the Z direction by having the lower part of the movable housing 30 supported by the fixed housing 20. Furthermore, the movable housing 30 is positioned upward in the Z direction by hooking the hook portion 67 onto the locking protrusion 35 along the Z direction.

[0072] <Regarding the Mating Connector> The mating connector 90 has a mating housing 91 and a plurality of mating terminals 95. The mating housing 91 holds the plurality of mating terminals 95 in the same arrangement as the plurality of terminals 40. The mating housing 91 has a terminal holding portion 92 that holds the mating terminals 95 and a guide portion 94 that comes into contact with the guide receiving portion 38. The terminal holding portion 31 of the movable housing 30 and the terminal holding portion 92 of the mating connector 90 are mated. Before this mating, the guide receiving portion 38 comes into contact with the guide portion 94, thereby correcting any misalignment in the X and Y directions.

[0073] The guide portions 94 are provided on both ends of the mating housing 91 in the X direction. The terminal holding portion 92 is located between the two guide portions 94. The guide portions 94 are the parts that first come into contact with the floating connector 10 when the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90, which are located apart from each other, approach each other in the Z direction. By providing the guide portions 94, any misalignment between the movable housing 30 of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X and Y directions is corrected before the terminals come into contact with each other.

[0074] Here, the mating terminal 95 also has a spring-shaped portion 96. The terminal 40 and the mating terminal 95 are connected with each other at the spring-shaped portions 50, 96. Therefore, when the terminal 40 and the mating terminal 95 are connected, two points of contact are formed. In each terminal 40, 95, the position at which the spring-shaped portion 50, 96 is connected can be changed in the Z direction. This makes it possible to absorb misalignment in the Z direction. However, when the terminal 40 and the mating terminal 95 are connected, there may be only one point of contact.

[0075] The mating connector 90 is fixed to the board B2 by a mating fixture 98. The mating fixture 98 has a held portion and a board fixing portion similar to the held portion 62 and the board fixing portion 68 of the fixture 60. The mating fixture 98 is formed in a shape similar to that of the fixture 60 without the arm portion 64 and the hook portion 67.

[0076] <Regarding fitting of floating connector and mating connector> When connecting the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90, the worker moves the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 relative to each other in the Z direction. Here, the boards B1 and B2 are moved relative to each other in the Z direction.

[0077] When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 approach each other, if there is no misalignment in the X and Y directions between the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90, the terminal holding portions 31, 92 will fit together without moving the movable housing 30. This will electrically connect the terminals 40, 95 to each other.

[0078] When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 approach each other, if there is a positional misalignment between the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X or Y direction, the guide portion 94 of the mating connector 90 comes into contact with and is guided by the guide receiving portion 38 of the floating connector 10, and the movable housing 30 moves in the direction of the positional misalignment.

[0079] As the movable housing 30 moves, the second ends 48 of the terminals 40 receive a force from the movable housing 30 at the contact surfaces with the movable housing 30. For example, when the movable housing 30 moves left from the state shown in FIG. 4 , the left-side terminal 40 receives a leftward force from the first inner surface 32A and the bottom surface of the retaining groove 33G. The right-side terminal 40 receives a leftward force from the second inner surface 32B. Furthermore, for example, when the movable housing 30 moves in the X direction, the terminals 40 receive forces from the inner surfaces of the retaining holes 32H and the retaining grooves 32G in a direction that causes the movable housing 30 to move. This causes the elastic portions 55 of the terminals 40 to elastically deform, and the second ends 48 of the terminals 40 to move with the movable housing 30. As a result, misalignment between the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X and Y directions is corrected. If the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are misaligned in both the X and Y directions, the misalignment in both the X and Y directions is corrected.

[0080] Here, a case will be considered in which the terminals 40 are subjected to a force from the movable housing 30 and are elastically deformed when the movable housing 30 moves.

[0081] Consider a hypothetical case in which the first end 42 and the second end 48 are each provided with a press-fit protrusion, thereby holding the first end 42 and the second end 48 with the same holding force. In this case, when the movable housing 30 moves relative to the fixed housing 20, the portion of the first end 42 provided with the press-fit protrusion is held in a predetermined position on the fixed housing 20, and the portion of the second end 48 provided with the press-fit protrusion is held in a predetermined position on the movable housing 30. Therefore, a relatively large tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is generated in the portion between the press-fit protrusion of the first end 42 and the press-fit protrusion of the second end 48. In particular, because the second end 48 is on the moving side, a relatively large tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is generated near the press-fit protrusion of the second end 48.

[0082] In contrast, in this embodiment, the second end 48 is not provided with a press-fit protrusion, and the second end 48 and the movable housing 30 are capable of relative movement in the Z direction. Therefore, compared to a hypothetical case in which the first end 42 and the second end 48 are each provided with a press-fit protrusion, the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is smaller on the second end 48 side than the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42.

[0083] When the second end 48 is movable in the Z direction relative to the retaining hole 32H, the second end 48 can move in the Z direction relative to the retaining hole 32H on the second end 48 side of the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42, thereby releasing the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction. This reduces the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction.

[0084] The terminal holding portions 31 and 92 are fitted together with the second end portions 48 of the terminals 40 following the movable housing 30. This electrically connects the terminals 40 and 95 to each other.

[0085] The spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating terminal 95 comes into contact between the spring-shaped portion 50 of the terminal 40 and the second held portion 51. The distance between the spring-shaped portion 50 of the terminal 40 and the second held portion 51 is longer than the length of the spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating terminal 95. If the positions of the boards B1 and B2 are misaligned in the Z direction, the position at which the spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating terminal 95 comes into contact with the terminal 40 along the Z direction will change. This also absorbs any misalignment in the Z direction.

[0086] <Effects, etc.> With the floating connector 10 configured as described above, the second end 48 is held so as to be movable relative to the movable housing 30 in the Z direction, which allows the terminals 40 to elastically deform so as to follow the movable housing 30, including elastic deformation such that the second end 48 moves in the Z direction relative to the movable housing 30. This allows for a larger amount of deformation of the connecting portion 54, thereby increasing the amount of movement of the movable housing 30. Note that deformation such that the second end 48 moves in the Z direction is, for example, a deformation such that the terminals 40 appear to extend in the Z direction.

[0087] Here, if the second end 48 is movable relative to the movable housing 30 in the Z direction, the positioning of the movable housing 30 upward in the Z direction by the terminals 40 will be impossible or insufficient. Even in this case, in the present disclosure, the removal prevention portions 61 provided separately from the terminals 40 can prevent the movable housing 30 from coming off in the Z direction relative to the fixed housing 20. Here, the positioning of the movable housing 30 upward in the Z direction is determined mainly by the removal prevention portions 61 alone.

[0088] The retaining portion 61 also includes a held portion 62 held by the fixed housing 20, an arm portion 64 extending from the held portion 62 toward the movable housing 30, and a hook portion 67 provided at the tip of the arm portion 64 and hooked onto the movable housing 30 along the Z direction. Thus, by hooking the hook portion 67 onto the movable housing 30, it is possible to easily prevent the movable housing 30 from coming off in the Z direction relative to the fixed housing 20. When hooking the hook portion 67 onto the movable housing 30, the arm portion 64 can be deformed to allow the hooking.

[0089] Furthermore, at the upper end side of the movable housing 30 that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall 21 in the Z direction, the catch portion 67 of the retaining portion 61 catches on the locking projection 35 of the movable housing 30. This makes it possible to prevent the movable housing 30 from coming out from a position that avoids the inside of the peripheral wall 21, and the retaining portion 61 is less likely to affect movement of the movable housing 30 along the movement direction.

[0090] Furthermore, a pair of side surfaces 35B of the locking protrusion 35 that face the pair of arm pieces 65 are surfaces that are inclined with respect to the Z direction, and the distance between the pair of side surfaces 35B narrows toward the surface of the locking protrusion 35 that faces the hook portion 67. This increases the strength of the locking protrusion 35 while allowing the movable housing 30 to move.

[0091] The movable housing 30 also includes a protective protrusion 36 that is provided away from the locking protrusion 35, the hook portion 67, and the arm portion 64 and protects the hook portion 67 and the arm portion 64. This makes it possible for the protective protrusion 36 to prevent peripheral members from coming into contact with the hook portion 67 or the arm portion 64. Therefore, deformation of the hook portion 67 or the arm portion 64 due to contact with the peripheral members can be suppressed. Furthermore, the protective protrusion 36 prevents peripheral members from interfering with the hook portion 67 or the arm portion 64 during transportation, etc., which would cause the hook portion 67 to become disengaged from the locking protrusion 35.

[0092] Furthermore, the retaining portion 61 is provided integrally with the fixing device 60. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts compared to when the retaining portion 61 is provided as a dedicated retaining member separately from the fixing device 60 or the housings 20, 30, etc.

[0093] Furthermore, the retaining portions 61 are spaced apart from the movable housing 30 in the movement direction, which prevents the retaining portions 61 from interfering with the movement of the movable housing 30. This makes it easier for the movable housing 30 to move in the movement direction.

[0094] [Note] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a floating connector 110 according to a modified example. Fig. 9 is a side view showing the floating connector 110 shown in Fig. 8.

[0095] In the floating connector 110, the position of the protective protrusion 136 is different from the position of the protective protrusion 36 in the floating connector 10. The protective protrusion 136 may be located near the locking protrusion 35 at a position where at least one of the arm portion 64 and the hook portion 67 is located between the protective protrusion 136 and the locking protrusion 35. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the protective protrusion 136 may be located at a different position in the Z direction from the locking protrusion 35. The protective protrusion 136 is located above the hook portion 67 in the Z direction. The protective protrusion 136 protrudes more inward in the Y direction than the protective protrusion 36. In the Y direction, the distance between the pair of protective protrusions 136 is smaller than the width of the arm portion 64. The protective protrusion 136 faces the upper surface of the hook portion 67 in the Z direction. In the Y direction, the distance between the pair of protective protrusions 136 is larger than the width of the locking protrusion 35. The protective protrusion 136 does not face the catch portion 67 in the Y direction. Therefore, the protective protrusion 136 does not have an opposing surface 36A that is an inclined surface. Alternatively, a protective protrusion having a shape similar to that of the protective protrusion 36 may be provided below the protective protrusion 35. Furthermore, the protective protrusion may be formed in a shape that combines the protective protrusion 36 and the protective protrusion 136 (an L-shape in side view), or the like.

[0096] Additionally, although the above description has been given assuming that the retaining portion 61 is provided integrally with the fixing device 60, this is not a required configuration. The retaining portion 61 may be provided as a separate member from the fixing device 60. For example, the retaining portion 61 may be provided integrally with the fixed housing 20 or the movable housing 30. Furthermore, for example, the retaining portion 61 may be provided as a separate member from the fixing device 60 and each of the housings 20 and 30.

[0097] Furthermore, although the floating connector 10 has been described above as including only signal transmission terminals 40 as terminals 40, this is not a required configuration. The floating connector may also include power terminals. In this case, it is preferable that the conductor cross-sectional area of ​​the power terminals be larger than that of the signal terminals. This allows the power terminals to handle a larger current than the signal terminals.

[0098] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0099] 10, 110 Floating connector 20 Fixed housing 21, 37 Peripheral wall 21X, 21Y, 37X, 37Y Wall portion 22 Bottom block portion 23, 31, 92 Terminal holding portion 23H, 32H Holding hole 29 Fixture holding portion 30 Movable housing 32 First block portion 32A First inner surface 32B Second inner surface 33 Second block portion 33G Holding groove 34 Third block portion 35 Locking protrusion 35A Top surface 35B Side surface 35C Guide surface 36, 136 Protective protrusion 36A Opposing surface 38 Guide receiving portion 39 Protrusion 40 Terminal 42 First end portion 43 Board connecting portion 44 First held portion 45, 63C Press-fit protrusion 48 Second end portion 49 Terminal portion 50 Spring-shaped portion 51 Second held portion 52 Bent portion 54 Connecting portion 55 Elastic portion 55A, 55B Offset portion 60 Fixing device 61 Anti-pullout portion 62 Helded portion 63A Main body plate portion 63B Bent plate portion 64 Arm portion 65 Arm piece 65A, 65B Straight portion 65C Bent portion 67 Hook portion 68 Board fixing portion 90 Mating connector 91 Mating housing 94 Guide portion 95 Mating terminal 96 Spring-shaped portion 98 Mating fixing device 100 Connector device B1, B2 Board

Claims

1. A floating connector into which a mating connector is mated, comprising: a fixed housing; a movable housing movable relative to the fixed housing along a movement direction intersecting the mating direction of the mating connector; terminals bridged between the fixed housing and the movable housing; and a retaining portion provided separately from the terminals, wherein the terminals include a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion connecting the first end and the second end, the second end being held so as to be movable relative to the movable housing along the mating direction, and when the movable housing moves in the movement direction, the second end can follow the movable housing while the portion closer to the second end than the first end elastically deforms, and the retaining portion prevents the movable housing from coming loose from the fixed housing in the mating direction.

2. A floating connector as described in claim 1, wherein the anti-detachment portion includes a held portion held by the fixed housing, an arm portion extending from the held portion toward the movable housing, and a hook portion provided at the tip of the arm portion and hooked onto the movable housing along the mating direction.

3. A floating connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixed housing has a peripheral wall surrounding one end of the movable housing along the mating direction, the other end of the movable housing along the mating direction protrudes outside the peripheral wall, the retained portion is retained on the outer surface of the peripheral wall, the arm portion extends towards the other end of the movable housing, and the movable housing includes a locking protrusion provided at the other end that catches on the catch portion.

4. A floating connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the arm portion has a pair of arm pieces spaced apart in a direction intersecting the mating direction, the hooking portion connects the tips of the pair of arm pieces, the hooking portion and the pair of arm pieces surround the locking protrusion on three sides, a pair of side surfaces of the locking protrusion that face the pair of arm pieces are surfaces that are inclined with respect to the mating direction, and the distance between the pair of side surfaces narrows towards the surface of the locking protrusion that faces the hooking portion.

5. A floating connector as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the movable housing includes a protective protrusion that is provided apart from the locking protrusion, the hook portion and the arm portion and protects the hook portion and the arm portion.

6. A floating connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a fixture for fixing the fixed housing to a substrate, and the retaining portion being integral with the fixture.

7. A floating connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion is spaced apart from the movable housing along the direction of movement.

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