Connector pair and first connector

Abstract

A first terminal 20 of a first connector 11 has a movable part 24, 25 which is movable with respect to a first attachment target 91. A first contact part 25 is formed in the movable part 24, 25. A first housing part 30, 40 of the first connector 11 has a first fitting housing 40 that holds the movable part 24, 25 of the first terminal 20. The first fitting housing 40 is movable with respect to the first attachment target 91. A second housing part 60 of a second connector 12 has a second fitting housing 60 that holds a second terminal 50. In a connected state, a first support part 41 of the first fitting housing 40 and a second support part 61 of the second fitting housing 60 contact each other such that the second fitting housing 60 is supported by the first fitting housing 40.

Description

Connector pair and first connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector pair and a first connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector pair that is composed of a movable connector and a mating connector.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-099361

[0004] The connector pair disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be understood as follows. That is, the connector pair is composed of a first connector (connector) attached to a first attachment object (substrate) and a second connector (mating connector) attached to a second attachment object (another substrate). The first connector includes a plurality of first terminals having first contact portions and a first housing portion (fixed housing and movable housing) that holds the plurality of first terminals. The second connector includes a plurality of second terminals having second contact portions that contact the first contact portions and a second housing portion that holds the plurality of second terminals. The first terminals include a movable portion (fixed piece portion, elastic piece portion, and contact portion) that is movable relative to the first attachment object (substrate) and has the first contact portion formed thereon. The first housing portion is a first mating housing (movable housing) that holds the movable portion of the first terminal, and includes the first mating housing that is movable relative to the first attachment object. The second housing portion includes a second mating housing (housing) that holds the second terminals.

[0005] However, when such a connector pair is used in a vibration environment, the first and second mating housings may undergo relative displacement (including relative rotation), which may result in contact sliding between the first contact portion formed on the movable portion held by the first mating housing and the second contact portion of the second terminal held by the second mating housing.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector pair and a first connector that can suppress contact sliding.

[0007] A connector pair according to a first aspect is a connector pair for electrically connecting a first attachment object and a second attachment object, the connector pair comprising a first connector attached to the first attachment object and a second connector attached to the second attachment object, the first connector comprising at least one first terminal having a first contact portion and a first housing portion that holds the at least one first terminal, the second connector comprising at least one second terminal having a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion and a second housing portion that holds the at least one second terminal, the first terminal comprising a movable portion that is movable relative to the first attachment object and on which the first contact portion is formed, the first housing portion being a first mating housing that holds the movable portion of the first terminal, the first mating housing comprising the first mating housing that is movable relative to the first attachment object, the second housing portion comprising a second mating housing that holds the second terminal, and in a connected state, the second mating housing is supported by the first mating housing by the first support portion of the first mating housing and the second support portion of the second mating housing coming into contact with each other.

[0008] In this aspect, the connector pair includes a first connector attached to a first attachment object and a second connector attached to a second attachment object. The first connector includes at least one first terminal having a first contact portion and a first housing portion holding the at least one first terminal. The second connector includes at least one second terminal having a second contact portion that contacts the first contact portion and a second housing portion holding the at least one second terminal.

[0009] In this aspect, the first terminal has a movable portion that is movable relative to the first attachment object. A first contact portion is formed on the movable portion. The first housing portion has a first mating housing that holds the movable portion of the first terminal. The first mating housing is movable relative to the first attachment object. The second housing portion has a second mating housing that holds the second terminal.

[0010] However, when such a connector pair is used in a vibration environment, the first mating housing and the second mating housing may undergo relative displacement (including relative rotation). As a result, contact sliding may occur at the contact point between the first contact portion formed on the movable portion held by the first mating housing and the second contact portion of the second terminal held by the second mating housing. Therefore, in this aspect, in the connected state, the first support portion of the first mating housing and the second support portion of the second mating housing come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second mating housing by the first mating housing. This suppresses relative displacement between the first mating housing and the second mating housing, and as a result, suppresses contact sliding.

[0011] In the embodiment described below, in the connected state, the sum of the holding force in the connection direction between the first contact portion of at least one first terminal and the second contact portion of at least one second terminal and the support force in the connection direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is greater than the moving force required for the moving portion to move in the connection direction (the force required to deform the middle elastic portion). (Therefore, the middle elastic portion can elastically deform before the first contact portion and the second contact portion are misaligned in the connection direction, thereby suppressing contact sliding between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.) However, this aspect is not necessarily limited to this.

[0012] In the embodiment described below, the first attachment object and the second attachment object are fixed by a spacer or the like so that the relative positions of the first attachment object and the second attachment object do not change. However, this aspect is not limited to this.

[0013] In the embodiment described below, the first attachment object and the second attachment object are both substrates and are arranged parallel to each other. However, this aspect is not limited to this. The substrate as the first attachment object and the substrate as the second attachment object may be arranged perpendicular to each other. The second attachment object may also be a cable. In other words, the second connector may be, for example, a connector that constitutes part of a wire harness.

[0014] In the embodiment described below, the second connector is not a floating connector, and the second mating housing is fixed to the second attachment object. However, this aspect is not limited to this. The second connector may be a floating connector. In other words, the second mating housing may be movable relative to the second attachment object.

[0015] The connector pair according to the second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, in which, in the connected state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion sandwiches the other.

[0016] In this aspect, in the connected state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion sandwiches the other, which effectively suppresses relative displacement between the first fitting housing and the second fitting housing.

[0017] In the embodiment described below, the direction in which one connector sandwiches the other is the short-side direction of the connector pair. The short-side direction of the connector pair refers to the direction in which the dimension of the connector pair is smaller of the two directions perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector pair. However, in this embodiment, the direction in which one connector sandwiches the other may also be the long-side direction of the connector pair.

[0018] In the embodiment described below, the "one" is the first support portion and the "other" is the second support portion. However, this aspect is not limited to this, and the "one" may be the second support portion and the "other" may be the first support portion.

[0019] A connector pair according to a third aspect is the connector pair of the first or second aspect, wherein the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector pair.

[0020] In this aspect, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector pair, thereby suppressing relative displacement between the first mating housing and the second mating housing regardless of the connection depth of the connector pair.

[0021] In the connector pair of the fourth aspect, in any of the first to third aspects, the first support portion is formed from the same material as the portion of the first mating housing that holds the movable portion of the first terminal, and the second support portion is formed from the same material as the portion of the second mating housing that holds the second terminal.

[0022] In this aspect, the first support portion is formed of the same material as a portion of the first fitting housing that holds the movable portion of the first terminal, and the second support portion is formed of the same material as a portion of the second fitting housing that holds the second terminal, which reduces the number of parts compared to when the first support portion and the second support portion are formed of different materials.

[0023] A connector pair according to a fifth aspect is the connector pair of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first support portion and the second support portion contact each other in a planar contact region.

[0024] In this aspect, the first support portion and the second support portion contact each other over a planar contact region, which effectively suppresses rotation around the axis along the surface (relative rotation between the first fitting housing and the second fitting housing).

[0025] In the embodiment described below, the planar contact area is a flat contact area, but the "planar" in this embodiment is not limited to this and may be a curved surface.

[0026] In the embodiment described below, the normal direction of the planar contact area is perpendicular to the connection direction, but this aspect is not limited to this. The normal direction of the planar contact area may be inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the connection direction.

[0027] A connector pair according to a sixth aspect is one in which, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the connector pair is capable of realizing a predetermined connection state, and in the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area between the first support portion and the second support portion in the connection direction of the connector pair is located closer to one end of the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end of the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

[0028] In this aspect, the connector pair can achieve a predetermined connection state. In the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to one end of the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end of the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. This effectively suppresses rotation around an axis perpendicular to both the connection direction and the contact direction (relative rotation between the first mating housing and the second mating housing).

[0029] In the embodiment described below, in a predetermined connection state, one end of the contact region in the connection direction is located closer to one end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact region in the connection direction is located closer to the other end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. However, this aspect is not limited to this.

[0030] In the embodiment described below, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in contact with each other at two different positions in the connection direction, but this aspect is not limited to this.

[0031] A connector pair according to a seventh aspect is capable of realizing a predetermined connection state in any of the first to sixth aspects, and in the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area between the first support portion and the second support portion in the connection direction of the connector pair is located closer to one end of the connection direction than either contact position between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end of the connection direction than either contact position between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

[0032] In this aspect, the connector pair can achieve a predetermined connection state. In the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to one end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions of the first contact portion and the second contact portion. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress rotation around an axis perpendicular to both the connection direction and the contact direction (relative rotation between the first mating housing and the second mating housing).

[0033] The connector pair of the eighth aspect is any of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first support portion has a plurality of first abutment portions that abut against the second support portion, and the plurality of first abutment portions include a one-end first abutment portion located at one end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion, and an other-end first abutment portion located at the other end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction and the contact direction.

[0034] In this aspect, the first support portion has a plurality of first abutment portions that abut against the second support portion. The plurality of first abutment portions include a one-end first abutment portion located at one end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion, and an other-end first abutment portion located at the other end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction and the contact direction. This effectively suppresses rotation around an axis along the connection direction.

[0035] A connector pair according to a ninth aspect is any of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the first terminal has an intermediate elastic portion that allows movement of the movable portion relative to the first attachment object, and the intermediate elastic portion has a bent shape in which the plate thickness direction changes within a plane perpendicular to a first specific direction, or a cut-out shape in which the plate thickness direction faces a second specific direction, and when the intermediate elastic portion has the bent shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the first specific direction, and when the intermediate elastic portion has the cut-out shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is a direction parallel to the second specific direction.

[0036] In this aspect, the first terminal has an intermediate elastic portion that allows movement of the movable portion relative to the first attachment object, and the intermediate elastic portion has a bent shape whose thickness direction changes within a plane perpendicular to the first specific direction, or a punched shape whose thickness direction faces the second specific direction.

[0037] When the intermediate elastic portion has the bent shape, the movable portion is more likely to displace in a direction perpendicular to the first specific direction. When the intermediate elastic portion has the cutout shape, the movable portion is more likely to displace in the second specific direction. As a result, the natural frequency in the direction in which the movable portion is more likely to displace tends to be relatively low. Therefore, in this aspect, when the intermediate elastic portion has the bent shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the first specific direction. Furthermore, when the intermediate elastic portion has the cutout shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is parallel to the second specific direction. This effectively increases the natural frequency in the direction in which the movable portion is more likely to displace, thereby suppressing resonance.

[0038] In the embodiment described later, the intermediate elastic portion has a bent shape whose thickness direction changes within a plane perpendicular to the first specific direction. However, as described above, the intermediate elastic portion of this aspect may have a punched shape whose thickness direction faces the second specific direction.

[0039] A connector pair according to a tenth aspect is any of the first to ninth aspects, in which one of the first support portion and the second support portion is a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other of the first support portion and the second support portion is an insertion portion that is inserted into the cylindrical portion, and in a connected state, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second mating housing by the first mating housing.

[0040] In this aspect, one of the first support portion and the second support portion is a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other of the first support portion and the second support portion is an insertion portion that is inserted into the cylindrical portion. In the connected state, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second fitting housing by the first fitting housing. In other words, no spring structure such as an elastic piece is required to achieve contact between the first support portion and the second support portion. This eliminates the need for space for a spring structure such as an elastic piece to displace, contributing to miniaturization. Furthermore, the elimination of the need for a spring structure also reduces the difficulty of manufacturing.

[0041] The connector pair of the eleventh aspect is the same as that of the tenth aspect, wherein the tubular portion has a pair of short walls and a pair of long walls, and the inner surfaces at both ends of each of the pair of long walls abut against the outer surface of the insertion portion.

[0042] In this aspect, the tubular portion includes a pair of short walls and a pair of long walls. The inner surfaces of both ends of the pair of long walls abut the outer surface of the insertion portion. This effectively suppresses rotation around the axis along the connection direction.

[0043] The connector pair of the 12th aspect is the same as the connector pair of the 10th or 11th aspect, wherein the inner surface of the tubular portion comprises a general inner surface and a convex portion that protrudes from the general inner surface and contacts the outer surface of the insertion portion, and the general inner surface is located forward of the convex portion in the connection direction of the connector pair.

[0044] In this embodiment, the inner surface of the tubular portion includes a general inner surface and a protrusion that protrudes from the general inner surface and contacts the outer surface of the insertion portion. The general inner surface is located forward of the protrusion in the connection direction of the connector pair. Therefore, the insertion force (the force required for insertion) of the insertion portion into the tubular portion can be small until the insertion portion reaches the protrusion. As a result, the difficulty of connection can be reduced.

[0045] The first connector of the thirteenth aspect is a first connector in a connector pair for electrically connecting a first attachment object and a second attachment object, the connector pair comprising a first connector attached to the first attachment object and a second connector attached to the second attachment object, the first connector comprising at least one first terminal having a first contact portion and a first housing portion holding the at least one first terminal, the second connector comprising at least one second terminal having a second contact portion contacting the first contact portion and a second housing portion holding the at least one second terminal, the first terminal comprising a movable portion movable relative to the first attachment object and having the first contact portion formed thereon, the first housing portion being a first mating housing holding the movable portion of the first terminal, the first mating housing comprising the first mating housing movable relative to the first attachment object, the second housing portion comprising a second mating housing holding the second terminal, and in a connected state, the second mating housing is supported by the first mating housing by the first support portion of the first mating housing and the second support portion of the second mating housing contacting each other.

[0046] According to this aspect, a first connector capable of suppressing contact sliding can be realized.

[0047] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector pair; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector pair; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair in a connected state; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair in a pre-connected state (cross-sectional view at a longitudinal end of the connector pair); Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair in a connected state (cross-sectional view at a longitudinal end of the connector pair); Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair in a connected state (cross-sectional view perpendicular to the connection direction).

[0048] A preferred embodiment of a connector pair according to the present disclosure will now be described.

[0049] In each figure, the arrow X direction indicates one longitudinal side of the connector pair, the arrow Y direction indicates one lateral side of the connector pair, and the arrow Z direction indicates one connecting side of the connector pair.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1 , a connector pair 10 of this embodiment is composed of a first connector 11 and a second connector 12 .

[0051] 3 , the first connector 11 is attached to a first attachment object 91 (first substrate), and the second connector 12 is attached to a second attachment object 92 (second substrate). When the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the first attachment object 91 and the second attachment object 92 are electrically connected.

[0052] The first connector 11 is a floating connector and includes at least one first terminal 20 and first housing portions 30, 40 that hold the at least one first terminal 20. The first housing portions 30, 40 include a fixed housing 30 that is fixed to a first attachment object 91 and a movable housing 40 that is displaceable relative to the first attachment object 91.

[0053] The movable housing 40 is mated with a second mating housing 60 of the second connector 12. Hereinafter, the movable housing 40 will be referred to as a first mating housing 40.

[0054] The first fitting housing 40 can be displaced in any of the X, Y, and Z directions and directions oblique to these directions relative to the first attachment object 91. The first fitting housing 40 can also be displaced so as to rotate slightly around an axis along the X, Y, or Z direction.

[0055] 2, the first terminal 20 has a connection portion 21 connected to the first attachment object 91 and a first contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the second terminal 50 of the second connector 12. The first terminal 20 also has a fixed-side held portion 22 held by the fixed housing 30, a movable-side held portion 24 held by the first fitting housing 40, and an intermediate elastic portion 23 that connects the two.

[0056] The movable held portion 24 and the first contact portion 25 of the first terminal 20 are displaceable relative to the first attachment object 91. The movable held portion 24 and the first contact portion 25 may be referred to as the movable portions 24, 25 of the first terminal 20.

[0057] The second connector 12 is not a floating connector. The second connector 12 includes at least one second terminal 50 and a second housing portion 60 that holds the at least one second terminal 50. The second housing portion 60 includes a fixed housing 60 that is fixed to a second attachment object 92, and does not include a movable housing that is displaceable relative to the second attachment object 92.

[0058] The fixed housing 60 is fitted to the first fitting housing 40 of the first connector 11. Hereinafter, the fixed housing 60 will be referred to as the second fitting housing 60.

[0059] The second terminal 50 has a connecting portion 51 connected to the second attachment object 92 and a second contact portion 53 that comes into contact with the first terminal 20 of the first connector 11. The second terminal 50 also has a held portion 52 that is held by the second fitting housing 60.

[0060] The first contact portion 25 of the first terminal 20 is configured to be immovable relative to the first fitting housing 40. On the other hand, the second contact portion 53 of the second terminal 50 is configured to be movable relative to the second fitting housing 60.

[0061] The second contact portion 53 of the second terminal 50 is configured to come into contact with the first terminal 20 at two contact points aligned in the connection direction (Z direction). Specifically, the second contact portion 53 of the second terminal 50 includes an elastically deformable first contact piece 53a and an elastically deformable second contact piece 53b.

[0062] The first connector 11 includes a plurality of first terminals 20. The plurality of first terminals 20 are configured by arranging a large number of pairs of first terminals 20 facing each other in the Y direction (inter-column direction) in the X direction (arrangement direction). The second connector 12 includes a plurality of second terminals 50. The plurality of second terminals 50 are configured by arranging a large number of pairs of second terminals 50 facing each other in the Y direction (inter-column direction) in the X direction (arrangement direction).

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, in the connected state, the first contact portions 25 of the pair of first terminals 20 are sandwiched between the second contact portions 53 of the pair of second terminals 50 from the outer side in the inter-column direction (outer side in the Y direction).

[0064] The intermediate elastic portion 23 of the first terminal 20 has a bent shape in which the thickness direction thereof changes within a plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the X direction (first specific direction).

[0065] 1, the fixed housing 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. The lower part of the first fitting housing 40 is housed inside the fixed housing 30. As a result, the fixed housing 30 functions to restrict the movement range of the first fitting housing 40 in the X and Y directions.

[0066] The fixed housing 30 also functions to restrict movement of the first fitting housing 40 in the +Z direction. Specifically, the fixed housing 30 has restraining recesses 38 that restrain the protrusions 44 of the first fitting housing 40. The restraining recesses 38 are provided at both longitudinal end portions of the fixed housing 30.

[0067] The fixed housing 30 is fixed to the first attachment object 91 not only by the plurality of first terminals 20 but also by the plurality of reinforcing metal fittings 81 .

[0068] (First Fitting Housing 40) The first fitting housing 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0069] The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 41 is substantially rectangular. That is, the cylindrical portion 41 includes a pair of short walls 41b extending in the short-side direction (Y direction) and a pair of long walls 41a extending in the long-side direction (X direction).

[0070] The first fitting housing 40 has a mounting wall 42 on which the first contact portion 25 of the first terminal 20 is disposed. The mounting wall 42 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 41. The first contact portion 25 of the first terminal 20 is disposed on one side and the other side of the mounting wall 42 in the Y direction.

[0071] The longitudinal wall 41a has a pair of wall end portions 41a1 that constitute both longitudinal end portions of the longitudinal wall 41a, and a wall central portion 41a2 that constitutes the longitudinal central portion of the longitudinal wall 41a.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 2 , the inner surface 45 at the wall end 41a1 of the longitudinal wall 41a has a general inner surface 45a and protruding portions 45b and 45c protruding from the general inner surface 45a. The general inner surface 45a constitutes the upper portion of the inner surface 45 at the wall end 41a1 of the longitudinal wall 41a. The protruding portions 45b and 45c constitute the lower portion of the inner surface 45 at the wall end 41a1 of the longitudinal wall 41a. In other words, the general inner surface 45a is located on the near side in the connection direction (Z direction) relative to the protruding portions 45b and 45c. The general inner surface 45a is a flat surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction (Z direction) (inward in the Y direction).

[0073] The protrusions 45b, 45c each have a protrusion top surface 45c and an inclined surface 45b connecting the protrusion top surface 45c and the general inner surface 45a.

[0074] The protrusion top surface 45c is a flat surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction (Z direction) (inward in the Y direction). The protrusion top surface 45c has a rectangular shape with the connection direction (Z direction) as its longitudinal direction.

[0075] An inner surface 45d in the wall center portion 41a2 of the longitudinal wall 41a is positioned outside (outside in the Y direction) the general inner surface 45a.

[0076] A wall center portion 41a2 of the longitudinal wall 41a is formed lower than a wall end portion 41a1 of the longitudinal wall 41a.

[0077] The wall end portions 41a1 of the long wall 41a and the short wall 41b are formed with guide inclined surfaces 41k for guiding the second connector 12. On the other hand, the wall center portion 41a2 of the long wall 41a is not formed with a guide inclined surface.

[0078] The upper end of the wall center portion 41a2 of the long wall 41a is located higher than the upper end of the convex portion top surface 45c. Specifically, the upper end of the wall center portion 41a2 of the long wall 41a is located higher than the upper end of the inclined surface 45b of the convex portions 45b, 45c.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4 , the convex portions 45b, 45c on one side in the short-side direction face the convex portions 45b, 45c on the other side in the inter-row direction in the inter-row direction. The inter-row distance D1 between the convex portions 45b, 45c on one side in the inter-row direction and the convex portions 45b, 45c on the other side in the inter-row direction is slightly smaller than the inter-row dimension D2 of the insertion portion 61 of the second fitting housing 60. Note that the distance D1 is the distance between the convex portion top surfaces 45c. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , in the connected state, the insertion portion 61 of the second fitting housing 60 is sandwiched in the inter-row direction by the pair of convex portions 45b, 45c of the tubular portion 41 of the first fitting housing 40. This allows the second fitting housing to be supported by the first fitting housing 40.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion portion 61 of the second fitting housing 60 is held in the short direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 61 .

[0081] The first fitting housing 40 has legs 43 that can come into contact with the first attachment object 91. A total of two pairs of legs 43 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the first fitting housing 40. The legs 43 are located below the short wall 41b of the cylindrical portion 41. The legs 43 come into contact with the first attachment object 91 when the first fitting housing 40 moves in the -Z direction.

[0082] 1, the first fitting housing 40 has protrusions 44 that are restrained by the restraining recesses 38 of the fixed housing 30. The protrusions 44 have a shape that protrudes outward in the X direction. A total of four protrusions 44 are formed. The protrusions 44 protrude from the ends of the legs 43 on the −Z direction side.

[0083] (Second Fitting Housing 60) The second fitting housing 60 includes an insertion portion 61 and a base portion 62. The insertion portion 61 is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical portion 41 of the first fitting housing 40.

[0084] The insertion portion 61 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with its longitudinal direction in the X direction. The insertion portion 61 has a contact side surface 65 facing outward in the Y direction. A portion of the contact side surface 65 is in surface contact with the protruding top surface 45 c of the first fitting housing 40.

[0085] The second fitting housing 60 has a bulging portion 63 that bulges outward in the Y direction relative to the contact side surface 65. As shown in Fig. 2, the bulging portion 63 functions as a portion that holds the press-fit protrusion 52a of the second terminal 50. The bulging portion 63 is located on the +Z direction side of the wall center portion 41a2 of the longitudinal wall 41a of the tubular portion 41 of the first fitting housing 40.

[0086] <Operation and Effect> Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

[0087] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the connector pair 10 includes a first connector 11 that is attached to a first attachment object 91 (see Fig. 3) and a second connector 12 that is attached to a second attachment object 92 (see Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 2, the first connector 11 includes at least one first terminal 20 having a first contact portion 25, and first housing portions 30, 40 that hold the at least one first terminal 20. The second connector 12 includes at least one second terminal 50 having a second contact portion 53 that contacts the first contact portion 25, and a second housing portion 60 that holds the at least one second terminal 50.

[0088] 2 , the first terminal 20 has movable portions 24, 25 that are movable relative to the first attachment object 91. A first contact portion 25 is formed on the movable portions 24, 25. The first housing portions 30, 40 have a first mating housing 40 that holds the movable portions 24, 25 of the first terminal 20. The first mating housing 40 is movable relative to the first attachment object 91. The second housing portion 60 has a second mating housing 60 that holds the second terminal 50.

[0089] However, when such a connector pair 10 is used in a vibration environment, the first mating housing 40 and the second mating housing 60 may undergo relative displacement (including relative rotation). As a result, contact sliding may occur at the contact points between the first contact portions 25 formed on the movable portions 24, 25 held by the first mating housing 40 and the second contact portions 53 of the second terminals 50 held by the second mating housing 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the connected state, the first support portion 41 of the first mating housing 40 and the second support portion 61 of the second mating housing 60 come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second mating housing 60 by the first mating housing 40. This suppresses relative displacement between the first mating housing 40 and the second mating housing 60, and as a result, suppresses contact sliding.

[0090] 4 and 5 , in the connected state, one of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 (the first support portion 41) sandwiches the other (the second support portion 61). This effectively suppresses relative displacement between the first fitting housing 40 and the second fitting housing 60.

[0091] 5 , the contact direction (Y direction, see white arrow) between the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 is perpendicular to the connection direction (Z direction) of the connector pair 10. Therefore, regardless of the connection depth of the connector pair 10, relative displacement between the first mating housing 40 and the second mating housing 60 can be suppressed.

[0092] 2, in this embodiment, the first support portion 41 is formed from the same material as a portion of the first fitting housing 40 that holds the movable portions 24, 25 of the first terminal 20, and the second support portion 61 is formed from the same material as a portion of the second fitting housing 60 that holds the second terminal 50. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 are formed from different materials.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 contact each other over a planar contact region, which effectively suppresses rotation around the axis along the surface (relative rotation between the first fitting housing 40 and the second fitting housing 60).

[0094] 3, in the present embodiment, in a proper connection state, one end (the end on the +Z direction side) of the contact area (see FIGS. 3 and 5) in the connection direction is located closer to one end in the connection direction (toward the +Z direction) than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion 25 and the second contact portion 53, and the other end (the end on the −Z direction side) of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end in the connection direction (toward the −Z direction) than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion 25 and the second contact portion 53. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress rotation around an axis (around the X axis) perpendicular to both the connection direction (Z direction) and the contact direction (Y direction).

[0095] 6 , the first support portion 41 has a plurality of first contact portions 45c that contact the second support portion 61. The plurality of first contact portions 45c include a one-end first contact portion 45c located at one end in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to both the connection direction (Z direction) of the connector pair 10 and the contact direction (Y direction) between the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61, and an other-end first contact portion 45c located at the other end in a direction (X direction) perpendicular to both the connection direction (Z direction) and the contact direction (Y direction). This effectively suppresses rotation around an axis along the connection direction (Z direction).

[0096] 2 , the first terminal 20 has an intermediate elastic portion 23 that allows the movable portions 24, 25 to move relative to the first attachment object 91. The intermediate elastic portion 23 has a bent shape in which the thickness direction of the intermediate elastic portion 23 changes within a plane (within the YZ plane) perpendicular to the first specific direction (the X direction).

[0097] When the intermediate elastic portion 23 has the bent shape, the movable portions 24, 25 are likely to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the first specific direction (X direction). As a result, the natural frequency in the direction in which the movable portions 24, 25 are likely to be displaced is relatively low. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the contact direction (Y direction) between the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 is perpendicular to both the connection direction (Z direction) of the connector pair 10 and the first specific direction (X direction). Therefore, the natural frequency in the direction in which the movable portions 24, 25 are likely to be displaced can be effectively increased, thereby suppressing the occurrence of resonance.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, one of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 (the first support portion 41) is a cylindrical portion 41 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other of the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61 (the second support portion 61) is an insertion portion 61 inserted into the cylindrical portion 41. In the connected state, the inner surface 45 of the cylindrical portion 41 and the outer surface 65 of the insertion portion 61 come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second fitting housing 60 by the first fitting housing 40. In other words, no spring structure such as an elastic piece is required to achieve contact between the first support portion 41 and the second support portion 61. This eliminates the need for space for a spring structure such as an elastic piece to displace, contributing to miniaturization. Furthermore, the elimination of the need for a spring structure also reduces the difficulty of manufacturing.

[0099] 6, the cylindrical portion 41 includes a pair of short walls 41b and a pair of long walls 41a. The inner surfaces 45 at both end portions 41a1 (wall end portions 41a1) of each of the pair of long walls 41a abut against the outer surface 65 of the insertion portion 61. This effectively suppresses rotation around an axis along the connection direction (Z direction).

[0100] 2, the inner surface 45 of the tubular portion 41 includes a general inner surface 45a and protruding portions 45b and 45c that protrude from the general inner surface 45a and contact the outer surface 65 of the insertion portion 61. The general inner surface 45a is located closer to the connector pair 10 in the connection direction (+Z direction) than the protruding portions 45b and 45c. Therefore, the insertion force (the force required for insertion) of the insertion portion 61 into the tubular portion 41 can be small until the insertion portion 61 reaches the protruding portions 45b and 45c. As a result, the difficulty of connection can be reduced.

[0101] [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment] Although the preferred embodiment of the connector of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The following explanation is a supplementary explanation just to be sure.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the terminals are held in the housings by press-fitting, but the terminals may also be held in the housings by insert molding.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the plurality of terminals includes a pair of terminals facing each other in the short-side direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector pair 11 First connector 12 Second connector 20 First terminal 21 Connection portion 22 Fixed-side held portion 23 Middle elastic portion 24, 25 Movable portion 24 Movable-side held portion 25 First contact portion 30, 40 First housing portion 30 Fixed housing 40 Movable housing (first mating housing) 41 Cylindrical portion (first support portion) 41a Longitudinal wall 41a1 Wall end portions (both ends) 41a2 Wall center portion 41b Shortitudinal wall 45 Inner surface 45a General inner surface 45b, 45c Convex portion 45b Inclined surface 45c Convex portion top surface (first abutment portion, one-end-side first abutment portion, other-end-side first abutment portion) 50 Second terminal 51 Connection portion 52 Helded portion 52a Press-fit protrusion 53 Second contact portion 60 Fixed housing (second fitting housing, second housing portion) 61 Insertion portion (second support portion) 65 Contact side surface (outer surface, second abutment portion) 91 First attachment object 92 Second attachment object

Claims

1. A connector pair for electrically connecting a first attachment object and a second attachment object, the connector pair comprising: a first connector attached to the first attachment object; and a second connector attached to the second attachment object; the first connector comprising: at least one first terminal having a first contact portion; and a first housing portion holding the at least one first terminal; the second connector comprising: at least one second terminal having a second contact portion contacting the first contact portion; and a second housing portion holding the at least one second terminal; the first terminal having a movable portion movable relative to the first attachment object, the movable portion having the first contact portion formed thereon; the first housing portion being a first mating housing holding the movable portion of the first terminal, the first mating housing comprising the first mating housing movable relative to the first attachment object; and the second housing portion having a second mating housing holding the second terminal; 2. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein, in a connected state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion sandwiches the other.

3. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is perpendicular to the connection direction of the connector pair.

4. A connector pair as described in claim 1, wherein the first support portion is formed from the same material as a portion of the first mating housing that holds the movable portion of the first terminal, and the second support portion is formed from the same material as a portion of the second mating housing that holds the second terminal.

5. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are in contact with each other over a planar contact area.

6. A connector pair as described in claim 1, wherein the connector pair is capable of realizing a predetermined connection state, and in the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area between the first support portion and the second support portion in the connection direction of the connector pair is located closer to one end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end in the connection direction than either of the contact positions between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

7. A connector pair as described in claim 1, wherein the connector pair is capable of realizing a predetermined connection state, and in the predetermined connection state, one end of the contact area between the first support portion and the second support portion in the connection direction of the connector pair is located closer to one end in the connection direction than either contact position between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the other end of the contact area in the connection direction is located closer to the other end in the connection direction than either contact position between the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

8. A connector pair as described in claim 1, wherein the first support portion has a plurality of first abutment portions that abut against the second support portion, and the plurality of first abutment portions comprise: a one-end first abutment portion located at one end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion; and an other-end first abutment portion located at the other end in a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction and the contact direction.

9. The connector pair described in claim 1, wherein the first terminal has an intermediate elastic portion that allows movement of the movable portion relative to the first attachment object, and the intermediate elastic portion has a bent shape in which the plate thickness direction changes within a plane perpendicular to a first specific direction, or a cut-out shape in which the plate thickness direction faces a second specific direction, and when the intermediate elastic portion has the bent shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is a direction perpendicular to both the connection direction of the connector pair and the first specific direction, and when the intermediate elastic portion has the cut-out shape, the contact direction between the first support portion and the second support portion is a direction parallel to the second specific direction.

10. A connector pair as described in claim 1, wherein one of the first support portion and the second support portion is a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape, the other of the first support portion and the second support portion is an insertion portion that is inserted into the cylindrical portion, and in a connected state, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer surface of the insertion portion come into contact with each other, thereby supporting the second mating housing by the first mating housing.

11. The connector pair according to claim 10, wherein the tubular portion comprises a pair of short walls and a pair of long walls, and the inner surfaces at both ends of each of the pair of long walls abut against the outer surface of the insertion portion.

12. A connector pair as described in claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the cylindrical portion comprises: a general inner surface; and a protrusion that protrudes from the general inner surface and contacts the outer surface of the insertion portion, and the general inner surface is located on the front side of the protrusion in the connection direction of the connector pair.

13. A first connector in a connector pair for electrically connecting a first attachment object and a second attachment object, the connector pair comprising: a first connector attached to the first attachment object; and a second connector attached to the second attachment object, the first connector comprising: at least one first terminal having a first contact portion; and a first housing portion holding the at least one first terminal, the second connector comprising: at least one second terminal having a second contact portion contacting the first contact portion; and a second housing portion holding the at least one second terminal, the first terminal comprising a movable portion movable relative to the first attachment object, the movable portion having the first contact portion formed thereon, the first housing portion being a first mating housing holding the movable portion of the first terminal, the first mating housing comprising the first mating housing movable relative to the first attachment object, the second housing portion comprising a second mating housing holding the second terminal, and in a connected state, a first support portion of the first mating housing and a second support portion of the second mating housing come into contact with each other, so that the second mating housing is supported by the first mating housing. First connector.

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