Electrical connector and electrical connector set including same

Abstract

An electric connector according to the present invention comprises an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a holding member. The holding member holds the internal terminal and the external terminal. The external terminal includes: a frame part that surrounds at least a portion of the internal terminal; a plate-like contact part; and a support part that cantilevers the contact part with respect to the frame part. The contact part includes a base part connected to the support part and a terminal part connected to the base part. The base part includes a locking part. The locking part has a shape extending partially in the width direction of the base part. The terminal part has a distal edge located on the opposite side to the support part. The contact part includes: a base part having the locking part; and a distal end part having a distal edge located on the side facing the holding member. The distal end part has a notch part formed by cutting from the distal edge toward the locking part.

Description

Electrical connector and electrical connector set including said electrical connector

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector and an electrical connector set including the electrical connector.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a retaining member that holds the internal terminal and the external terminal, the external terminal having a locking portion with a locking function and a contact portion having a terminal edge on the side facing the retaining member.

[0003] International Publication No. 2019 / 021611

[0004] In the external terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, the contact portion extends toward the retaining member, and the terminal edge of the contact portion extends linearly along the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector. For example, when a convex locking portion is formed on the contact portion by half-punching, a bulging deformation portion is formed around the locking portion, which may cause the linear terminal edge to deform into a shape that bulges toward the retaining member. In particular, the closer the locking portion is formed to the terminal edge, the greater the bulging amount of the deformation portion. The bulging deformation portion at the terminal edge of the contact portion makes the terminal edge of the contact portion more likely to interfere with the retaining member, which poses a problem of preventing the electrical connector from being made low-profile.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector and an electrical connector set including the electrical connector that prevent the terminal edges of the contact portions from interfering with the retaining member.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a retaining member, wherein the retaining member retains the internal terminal and the external terminal, the external terminal having a frame portion surrounding at least a portion of the internal terminal, a plate-shaped contact portion, and a support portion supporting the contact portion in a cantilever manner relative to the frame portion, the contact portion having a base portion connected to the support portion and an end portion connected to the base, the base portion having a locking portion, the locking portion having a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base, the end portion having an end edge located on the opposite side of the support portion, and the end portion having a notch formed by cutting out from the end edge toward the locking portion.

[0007] According to this invention, the deformed portion that bulges out due to the processing of the locking portion is contained within the cutout portion, thereby preventing the terminal edge of the contact portion from interfering with the retaining member, and making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector set according to an embodiment in an unmated state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a female electrical connector constituting the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an external terminal in the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the external terminal shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a locked state of the external terminal and a contact state of the shield terminal in an electrical connector set in a mated state. FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 1. FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 2. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 3. FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 4. FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 5. FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of an external terminal according to Modification 6.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrical connector 10 according to the present invention and an electrical connector set 1 including the electrical connector 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, each figure shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. In this specification, the length, width, and height directions of the electrical connector 10 are defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively.

[0010] [Electrical Connector Set] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector set 1 according to an embodiment in an unmated state.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the electrical connector set 1 includes a female electrical connector 10 and a mating electrical connector, i.e., a male electrical connector 20, which is insertably and removably mated with the female electrical connector 10 in the height direction (Z-axis direction). The electrical connector set 1 is configured so that the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated with each other by moving the male electrical connector 20 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) toward the female electrical connector 10 while the male electrical connector 20 is facing the female electrical connector 10. Note that in this disclosure, the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are configured so that the overall size of the male electrical connector 20 is smaller than the overall size of the female electrical connector 10, and the male electrical connector 20 is accommodated and fitted within the female electrical connector 10.

[0012] [Male Electrical Connector] As shown in FIG. 1 , the male electrical connector 20, which is the mating electrical connector, has a mating holding member 21, a mating internal terminal 22, a mating internal terminal 23, and a mating external terminal 26.

[0013] The mating holding member 21 is made of an electrically insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The mating holding member 21 has four mating internal terminal mounting portions and one mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion. The mating internal terminal mounting portions and the mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion are formed to protrude from the rectangular base material in a plan view, and each has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The mating internal terminal mounting portions are spaced apart so as to be located at each corner of the base material. The mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion has a long side extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the male electrical connector 20 and a short side extending in the length direction (X-axis direction). The mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion is located in the center of the base material so as to be spaced apart from the mating internal terminal mounting portions located at each corner of the base material. The mating internal terminal mounting portion has a mating internal terminal holding portion for holding the mating internal terminals 22.

[0014] The mating internal terminals 22 have a shape that allows them to be connected to the internal terminals 12 of the female electrical connector 10, which will be described later. The mating internal terminals 22 come into contact with the corresponding internal terminals 12 to form an electrical connection.

[0015] The mating internal terminal 22 transmits high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals and is formed, for example, by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the mating internal terminal 22. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the mating internal terminal 22 may be gold-plated, for example. The mating internal terminal 22 has a mating internal mounting portion for mounting on a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The mating internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0016] The mating internal terminal mounting portion has a mating internal terminal holding portion for holding the mating internal terminal 23. The mating internal terminal 23 has a shape that allows it to be connected to another internal terminal 13 in the female electrical connector 10, which will be described later. The mating internal terminal 23 comes into contact with the corresponding other internal terminal 13 to form an electrical connection.

[0017] The mating internal terminal 23 transmits, for example, a low-frequency signal or a digital signal having a frequency lower than that of a millimeter-wave signal, and is formed, for example, by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the mating internal terminal 23. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the mating internal terminal 23 may be gold-plated, for example. The mating internal terminal 23 has a mating internal mounting portion for mounting on a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The mating internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0018] The mating external terminals 26 are attached to and supported by the mating internal terminal attachment portion and the other internal terminal attachment portion of the mating holding member 21. The mating external terminals 26 have mating outer portions 26b for mounting on ground electrodes of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in Figure 2, the mating outer portions 26b have mating external mounting portions 26a on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0019] The mating external terminal 26 is made of a thin metal plate and, when connected to ground potential, shields against external electromagnetic waves and unwanted radiation from the mating internal terminal 22, thereby forming an electromagnetic wave-shielding space surrounded by the mating external terminal 26. In other words, the mating external terminal 26 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the mating internal terminal 22. The mating external terminal 26 can be made of, for example, phosphor bronze, which is a conductive and elastically deformable material. The mating external terminal 26 is formed, for example, by bending. The mating external terminal 26 has, for example, a contacted portion 29a (shown in FIG. 6 ) on its outer surface corresponding to the mating internal terminal mounting portion. The contacted portion 29a has a concave-shaped locked portion 29b (shown in FIG. 6 ). The mating external terminal 26 also has, for example, another contacted portion on its outer surface corresponding to another mating internal terminal mounting portion. The other contacted portion has another concave-shaped locked portion.

[0020] [Female Electrical Connector] The configuration of the female electrical connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the female electrical connector 10 constituting the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the external terminal 16 in the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the external terminal 16 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the female electrical connector 10 has a holding member 11 , an internal terminal 12 , another internal terminal 13 , a shielding member 15 , and an external terminal 16 .

[0022] The holding member 11 is made of an electrically insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The holding member 11 has a rectangular shape extending in the length direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the female electrical connector 10. The holding member 11 has, for example, a base material, four recessed internal terminal mounting portions, and one other recessed internal terminal mounting portion.

[0023] The internal terminal mounting portion and the additional internal terminal mounting portion are formed on a base material that is rectangular in plan view, and each has a rectangular shape in plan view. Each of the internal terminal mounting portions is spaced apart so as to be located at each corner of the base material. The additional internal terminal mounting portion extends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the female electrical connector 10. The additional internal terminal mounting portion is located in the center of the base material so as to be spaced apart from each of the internal terminal mounting portions located at each corner of the base material.

[0024] Each of the internal terminal mounting portions is formed with one internal terminal holding portion 11c for holding the internal terminal 12. The internal terminal 12 has a shape that allows it to be connected to a mating internal terminal 22 of the male electrical connector 20.

[0025] The female electrical connector 10 has, as internal terminals 12, for example, a pair of internal terminals, one of which is located on the upper side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 2 and the other of which is located opposite the first internal terminal (for example, the lower side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 2). The female electrical connector 10 has the first and second internal terminals of the pair on the left and right sides in the length direction (X-axis direction) in FIG. 2, for example. Each of these internal terminals 12 is disposed, for example, at each corner of the female electrical connector 10.

[0026] The internal terminal 12 transmits high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the internal terminal 12. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the internal terminal 12 may be gold-plated, for example. The internal terminal 12 has an internal mounting portion for mounting to a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the female electrical connector 10. Millimeter waves have wavelengths in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm and frequencies in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The internal terminal 12 is a connection terminal for transmitting millimeter-wave signals in the range of 40 GHz to 100 GHz, for example.

[0027] The other internal terminal mounting portion is formed with two other internal terminal holding portions 11f for holding the other internal terminals 13. The other internal terminals 13 have a shape that allows them to be connected to the mating other internal terminals 23 of the male electrical connector 20. The other internal terminals 13 come into contact with the corresponding mating other internal terminals 23 to form an electrical connection.

[0028] The other internal terminal 13 transmits, for example, a low-frequency signal or a digital signal having a frequency lower than that of a millimeter-wave signal, and is formed, for example, by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the other internal terminal 13. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the other internal terminal 13 may be gold-plated, for example. The other internal terminal 13 has a separate internal mounting portion for mounting to a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The separate internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the female electrical connector 10.

[0029] The shield member 15 is attached to and held on the back surface of the holding member 11. The shield member 15 is formed, for example, by bending a conductive metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the shield member 15. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The shield member 15 has a plurality of shield terminals 15c. The plurality of shield terminals 15c extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the shield member 15 and are elastically supported by the shield member 15. The surface of the shield terminal 15c may be gold-plated, for example. The shield terminal 15c has a shield mounting portion 15p (shown in FIG. 7) for mounting on a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown).

[0030] The shield terminals 15c are connected to the ground potential via the shield mounting portions 15p disposed near the shield terminals 15c. Therefore, each shield terminal 15c is connected to the ground potential via a short path. This allows the ground potential of the shield terminals 15c to be lowered, improving the shielding ability of the shield terminals 15c against the internal terminals 12 that transmit high-frequency signals.

[0031] The external terminals 16 have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and are attached to and supported by the holding member 11 so as to cover the surface of the holding member 11. The external terminals 16 have outer portions 16b for mounting on ground electrodes of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3, the outer portions 16b have external mounting portions 16a on the rear surface side of the holding member 11.

[0032] The external terminal 16 is made of a thin metal plate and is connected to a ground potential to shield electromagnetic waves from the outside and unwanted radiation from the internal terminal 12, thereby making the space surrounded by the external terminal 16 an electromagnetic wave-shielding space. In other words, the external terminal 16 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the internal terminal 12. The external terminal 16 can be made of, for example, phosphor bronze, which is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The external terminal 16 can be formed, for example, by bending.

[0033] The external terminal 16 has, for example, four frame portions 16d and one other frame portion 16i. The frame portion 16d has a rectangular shape and surrounds at least a portion of the internal terminal 12. The frame portions 16d are arranged spaced apart so as to be located at each corner of the external terminal 16. The other frame portion 16i has a rectangular shape and surrounds the other internal terminal 13. The other frame portion 16i is arranged in the center of the external terminal 16 so as to be spaced apart from the frame portions 16d arranged at each corner of the external terminal 16.

[0034] When viewed from the height direction (Z-axis direction), the frame portion 16d has a rectangular frame shape that is closed continuously in a ring shape so as to surround the internal terminal 12. That is, the rectangular frame portion 16d extends in both the length direction (X-axis direction) and the width direction (Y-axis direction). This makes it possible to shield unwanted radiation of high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals.

[0035] The frame portion 16d has a guide portion 17, an opening 16e, an outer portion 16b, and a contact portion 19a.

[0036] Guide portion 17 has a shape that curves diagonally downward from the outside to the inside, and is used as a guide to accurately guide the mating internal terminal mounting portion into opening 16e when male electrical connector 20 is inserted into female electrical connector 10 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0037] The opening 16e is an opening formed inside the guide portion 17, has a rectangular shape when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and corresponds to a mating internal terminal mounting portion.

[0038] The contact portion 19a is provided inside the frame portion 16d. For example, the contact portion 19a is provided on the side where the outer portion 16b is provided, in other words, at a position where the robustness of the frame portion 16d can be ensured.

[0039] The contact portion 19a extends between two slits 19m, 19m formed in the guide portion 17 and has a plate shape extending obliquely downward in the approximate height direction (Z-axis direction) from the outer surface 16c. The contact portion 19a is cantilevered relative to the support portion 16n of the frame portion 16d. This allows the contact portion 19a to be elastically displaced, for example, in the length direction (X-axis direction).

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, the contact portion 19a has a locking portion 19b, a base portion 19n connected to the support portion 16n, and a terminal portion 19p connected to the base portion 19n. The base portion 19n of the contact portion 19a is connected to the frame portion 16d via the support portion 16n. The terminal portion 19p has a terminal edge 19t located on the opposite side of the support portion 16n. The terminal edge 19t is a movable end. This allows the contact portion 19a to be elastically displaceable.

[0041] The base 19n of the contact portion 19a has a locking portion 19b. The locking portion 19b is formed on the inner surface of the base 19n. The locking portion 19b has a convex shape that protrudes inward. The locking portion 19b has a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base 19n. A recess 19e is formed on the surface opposite the locking portion 19b. The locking portion 19b is formed, for example, by half-punching (also called doweling or half-blanking). This makes it easy to form the locking portion 19b.

[0042] The terminal end 19p of the contact portion 19a has a notch 19r and an extending portion 19q. The notch 19r is formed by cutting from the terminal edge 19t toward the locking portion 19b of the base portion 19n. The extending portion 19q is the portion that extends toward the holding member 11 and is the remainder of the notch 19r. The boundary between the extending portion 19q of the terminal end 19p and the notch 19r is defined by a notch edge 19s. The notch 19r is formed, for example, by stamping.

[0043] The notch 19r is, for example, trapezoidal, having a short side located on the side of the locking portion 19b and a long side located on the side of the terminal edge 19t. The width of the locking portion is configured to be smaller than the width of the short side of the notch 19r. This allows the deformed portion of the locking portion 19b, which is bulged by the half-punch process, to fit inside the notch 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the holding member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to have a low profile.

[0044] Because the contact portion 19a functions as a leaf spring with the support portion 16n as a fulcrum, the elastic force increases the further away from the support portion 16n. That is, the elastic force is greater at the distal end portion 19p, which is located farther from the support portion 16n, than at the base portion 19n, which is located closer to the support portion 16n. This elastic force is used as the biasing force for the locking portion 19b. Therefore, it is preferable that the height dimension of the notch portion 19r is smaller than the height dimension of the locking portion 19b. As a result, by positioning the locking portion 19b near the distal edge 19t, a greater biasing force is applied to the locking portion 19b, resulting in more secure locking.

[0045] However, the closer the locking portion 19b is formed to the terminal edge 19t, the greater the amount of expansion of the deformed portion due to the half punching process. If the amount of expansion of the deformed portion at the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a is large, the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a is likely to interfere with the retaining member 11, which can hinder the electrical connector 10 from being made low-profile.

[0046] 5, in order to increase the biasing force of the locking portion 19b, the locking portion 19b is positioned so as to contact the notch edge 19s of the notch 19r. As a result, even if the deformed portion of the locking portion 19b bulges due to half-punching, the deformed portion fits inside the notch 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the retaining member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to have a low profile. Therefore, the electrical connector 10 can achieve more reliable locking and a low profile.

[0047] 6, when the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated, the convex locking portion 19b on the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16 is locked with the concave locked portion 29b on the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26. This ensures secure locking without affecting the internal terminal 12 or the shield terminal 15c.

[0048] When viewed from the height direction (Z-axis direction), the frame portion 16i has a rectangular shape that is closed continuously in a ring shape so as to surround at least a portion of the internal terminal 13. The frame portion 16i has an opening 16f, an outer portion 16b, and a contact portion 19c.

[0049] Although the contact portion 19c is disposed in a different location than the contact portion 19a, it has substantially the same structure and function. That is, the contact portion 19c extends between two slits 19m, 19m formed in the frame portion 16i and has a plate shape extending diagonally downward from the outer surface 16c in the approximate height direction (Z-axis direction). The contact portion 19c is cantilevered relative to the support portion 16n of the frame portion 16i. This allows the contact portion 19c to be elastically displaced in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0050] An inwardly protruding locking portion 19d is formed on the inner surface of the contact portion 19c. When the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated, the convex locking portion 19d of the external terminal 16 locks with a concave locking portion (not shown) provided on the contacted portion 29c of the mating external terminal 26. This ensures secure locking without affecting the internal terminal 12 or the shield terminal 15c.

[0051] 7 to 12, the other contact portion 19c has a base portion 19n, an end portion 19p, and an other locking portion 19d. Similar to the base portion 19n of the contact portion 19a, the base portion 19n of the other contact portion 19c is connected to the other frame portion 16i via the support portion 16n. The end portion 19p of the other contact portion 19c has a terminal edge 19t located on the opposite side of the support portion 16n. The terminal edge 19t is a movable end. This allows the other contact portion 19c to be elastically displaceable.

[0052] The base 19n of the other contact portion 19c has another locking portion 19d. The other locking portion 19d is formed on the inner surface of the base 19n. The other locking portion 19d has a convex shape that protrudes inward. The other locking portion 19d has a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base 19n. A recess 19e is formed on the surface opposite the other locking portion 19d. The other locking portion 19d is formed, for example, by half-punching (also called doweling or half-blanking). This makes it easy to form the other locking portion 19d.

[0053] The terminal end 19p of the other contact portion 19c has a notch 19r. The notch 19r is formed by cutting from the terminal edge 19t toward the other locking portion 19d of the base portion 19n. The boundary between the extension portion 19q of the terminal end 19p and the notch 19r is defined by a notch edge 19s. The notch 19r is formed by, for example, a stamping process.

[0054] [Mated State of Electrical Connector Set] The locked state of the external terminals 16 and the contact state of the shield terminals 15c in the electrical connector set 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates the locked state of the external terminals 16 and the contact state of the shield terminals 15c in the electrical connector set 1 in the mated state.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6 , the contact portion 19 a of the external terminal 16 extends obliquely downward toward the inside relative to the outer surface 16 c. The outer portion 16 b and the outer surface 16 c are held and supported by the holding member 11 shown in FIG. 2 . The contact portion 19 a is cantilevered relative to the support portion 16 n of the frame portion 16 d via a slit 19 m formed in the guide portion 17. This allows the contact portion 19 a to be elastically displaced, for example, in the length direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, a locking portion 19 b is provided on the inner surface of the contact portion 19 a, and the locking portion 19 b has, for example, a convex shape that protrudes inward.

[0056] With the male electrical connector 20 facing the female electrical connector 10, the male electrical connector 20 is pushed in the height direction (Z-axis direction), for example, downward in Figure 1, towards the female electrical connector 10. This forms the electrical connector set 1 in which the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated with each other.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the outer surface of the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26 is provided with a concave, locked portion 29b. In the mated electrical connector set 1, the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16 contacts the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26, and the locking portion 19b locks with the locked portion 29b. As a result, the external terminal 16 and the mating external terminal 26 are electrically connected and locked. At the same time, the shield terminal 15c of the shield member 15 contacts the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26. As a result, the shield terminal 15c and the mating external terminal 26 are electrically connected.

[0058] [Modifications of Contact Portions of External Terminals] Modifications of the locking portions 19b (19d) and the notches 19r of the contact portions 19a (19c) of the external terminals 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] Although the internal terminal 12 and the other internal terminal 13 transmit different types and frequencies of signals, they have substantially the same structure and function and can therefore be collectively referred to as the internal terminal 12 (13). Furthermore, the frame portion 16d and the other frame portion 16i are disposed in different locations but have substantially the same structure and function and can therefore be collectively referred to as the frame portion 16d (16i). Furthermore, the contact portion 19a and the other contact portion 19c are disposed in different locations but have substantially the same structure and function and can therefore be collectively referred to as the contact portion 19a (19c). Furthermore, the locking portion 19b and the other locking portion 19d are disposed in different locations but have substantially the same structure and function and can therefore be collectively referred to as the locking portion 19b (19d). Therefore, in the following description of the modified examples, the contact portion will be referred to as the contact portion 19a (19c) and the locking portion will be referred to as the locking portion 19b (19d).

[0060] 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact portion 19a (19c) of the external terminal 16 according to Modification 1. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 7 has a base portion 19 and an end portion 19p. The base portion has one locking portion 19b (19d). The end portion 19p has one notch portion 19r and two extending portions 19q in the width direction.

[0061] The locking portion 19b (19d) and the cutout portion 19r are rectangular, and the width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is smaller than the width of the cutout portion 19r. The terminal edge 19t of the locking portion 19b (19d) bulges out beyond the notch edge 19s of the cutout portion 19r and overlaps the cutout portion 19r. This allows the deformed portion of the locking portion 19b, which bulges out due to the half-punching process, to fit inside the cutout portion 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the retaining member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to have a low profile.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact portion 19a (19c) of the external terminal 16 according to Modification 2. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 8 has a rectangular locking portion 19b (19d) and a semicircular or semielliptical cutout portion 19r. The width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is smaller than the width (diameter or oval) of the cutout portion 19r. The terminal end 19p also has two extending portions 19q in the width direction. The locking portion 19b (19d) is spaced apart from the notch edge 19s of the cutout portion 19r. This minimizes the impact of the half-punch process used to form the locking portion 19b (19d) on the cutout portion 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the retaining member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to have a low profile.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a contact portion 19a (19c) of an external terminal 16 according to Modification 3. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 9 has a rectangular locking portion 19b (19d) and a trapezoidal cutout portion 19r. The width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is smaller than the width of the cutout portion 19r (the upper base dimension of the trapezoid). The terminal portion 19p has two extending portions 19q in the width direction. The terminal edge 19t is inclined away from the locking portion 19b (19d). The locking portion 19b (19d) is spaced apart from the cutout edge 19s of the cutout portion 19r. This makes it less likely that the half punch processing for forming the locking portion 19b (19d) will affect the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the retaining member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to be made low-profile.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact portion 19a (19c) of the external terminal 16 according to Modification 4. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 10 has two rectangular locking portions 19b (19d) and two rectangular cutout portions 19r. The width of the locking portions 19b (19d) is approximately the same as the width (diameter or oval dimension) of the cutout portions 19r. This enlarges the locking portions 19b (19d) involved in the locking, thereby achieving more reliable locking. The end portion 19p also has three extending portions 19q in the width direction. The locking portions 19b (19d) are spaced apart from the cutout edges 19s of the cutout portions 19r. This makes it less likely that the half-punch process for forming the locking portion 19b (19d) will affect the notch portion 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the holding member 11 and enabling a low profile for the electrical connector 10. Furthermore, since the contact portion 19a (19c) has two locking portions 19b (19d), a more reliable locking can be achieved.

[0065] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact portion 19a (19c) of the external terminal 16 according to Variation 5. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 11 has two rectangular locking portions 19b (19d) and two rectangular cutout portions 19r. The width of the locking portions 19b (19d) is approximately the same as the width (diameter or oval dimension) of the cutout portions 19r. This enlarges the locking portions 19b (19d) involved in the locking, thereby achieving more reliable locking. Furthermore, the end portion 19p has one extending portion 19q sandwiched between the two cutout portions 19r in the width direction. Furthermore, the locking portion 19b (19d) contacts the side end of the contact portion 19a (19c). The locking portion 19b (19d) is spaced apart from the cutout edge 19s of the cutout portion 19r. This makes it less likely that the half-punch process for forming the locking portion 19b (19d) will affect the notch portion 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the holding member 11 and enabling a low profile for the electrical connector 10. Furthermore, because the two locking portions 19b (19d) are positioned so as to abut the side edges of the contact portion 19a (19c), more reliable locking can be achieved while maintaining a compact size in the width direction.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact portion 19a (19c) of the external terminal 16 according to Modification 6. The contact portion 19a (19c) shown in FIG. 12 has a rectangular locking portion 19b (19d) and a rectangular cutout portion 19r. The width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is slightly larger than the width of the cutout portion 19r (the upper base dimension of the trapezoid). This enlarges the locking portion 19b (19d) involved in the locking, thereby achieving more reliable locking. Furthermore, the end portion 19p has two extending portions 19q in the width direction. The locking portion 19b (19d) is spaced apart from the cutout edge 19s of the cutout portion 19r. This makes it less likely that the half punch processing for forming the locking portion 19b (19d) will affect the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a from interfering with the retaining member 11 and enabling the electrical connector 10 to be made low-profile.

[0067] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0068] The locking structure of the electrical connector set 1 can be configured such that the locking portion 19b and the other locking portion 19d have a concave shape and the locked portion 29b and the other locked portion have a convex shape. Therefore, by having the locking portion 19b and the other locking portion 19d have a convex or concave shape and the locked portion 29b and the other locked portion have a concave or convex shape, the fixation and connection stability of the electrical connectors 10, 20 are improved and reliable locking is possible.

[0069] The shapes of the locking portion 19b, the other locking portion 19d, and the cutout portion 19r are not necessarily limited to a rectangular shape when viewed in a plane, but may be, for example, a triangular shape, a polygonal shape with pentagons or more, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a shape combining a polygonal shape and a circular shape.

[0070] The present invention and its embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0071] An electrical connector 10 according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical connector 10 including internal terminals 12 (13), external terminals 16, and a retaining member 11, wherein the retaining member 11 retains the internal terminals 12 (13) and the external terminals 16, the external terminals 16 having a frame portion 16d (16i) surrounding at least a portion of the internal terminals 12 (13), a plate-shaped contact portion 19a (19c), and a support portion 16n supporting the contact portion 19a (19c) in a cantilever manner relative to the frame portion 16d (16i), the contact portion 19a (19c) having a base portion 19n connected to the support portion 16n and an end portion 19p connected to the base portion 19n, the base portion 19n having a locking portion 19b (19d), the locking portion 19b (19d) having a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base portion 19n, The terminal portion 19p has a terminal edge 19t located on the opposite side of the support portion 16n, and the terminal portion 19p is characterized by having a notch portion 19r formed by cutting out from the terminal edge 19t toward the engaging portion 19b (19d).

[0072] According to the above configuration, the deformed portion that bulges out due to the processing of the locking portion 19b (19d) fits inside the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the retaining member 11, and making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector 10.

[0073] In addition, in the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the height dimension of the notch 19r is smaller than the height dimension of the locking portion 19b (19d).

[0074] According to the above embodiment, the locking portion 19b (19d) is positioned near the terminal edge 19t, and thus a larger biasing force is applied to the locking portion 19b (19d), thereby achieving more secure locking.

[0075] In the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the end edge 19t side of the locking portion 19b (19d) bulges out so as to overlap the notch portion 19r.

[0076] According to the above embodiment, the deformed portion that bulges out due to the processing of the locking portion 19b (19d) is contained within the inside of the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the retaining member 11, and making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector 10.

[0077] In addition, in the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the locking portion 19b (19d) contacts the notch portion 19r.

[0078] According to the above embodiment, even if the deformed portion bulges due to the processing of the locking portion 19b (19d), the deformed portion fits inside the cutout portion 19r, preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the holding member 11, thereby enabling the reduction in height of the electrical connector 10. Therefore, the electrical connector 10 can achieve more reliable locking and a lower height.

[0079] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the terminal edge 19t is a movable end.

[0080] According to the above embodiment, the contact portion 19a (19c) is elastically displaceable.

[0081] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is smaller than the width of the notch portion 19r.

[0082] According to the above embodiment, the deformed portion that bulges out due to the processing of the locking portion 19b (19d) is contained within the inside of the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the retaining member 11, and making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector 10.

[0083] In the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the locking portion 19b (19d) is spaced apart from the notch portion 19r.

[0084] According to the above embodiment, the processing for forming the locking portion 19b (19d) is less likely to affect the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the retaining member 11, making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector 10.

[0085] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the width of the locking portion 19b (19d) is equal to or greater than the width of the notch portion 19r.

[0086] According to the above embodiment, the portion involved in the locking is enlarged, so that more reliable locking can be achieved.

[0087] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the locking portion 19b (19d) has a convex or concave shape.

[0088] According to the above embodiment, the fixation and connection stability of the electrical connector 10 are improved, and reliable locking is possible.

[0089] An electrical connector set 1 according to another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising the above-described electrical connector 10 and a mating electrical connector 20 that is mated with the electrical connector 10 so as to be insertable and removable in the height direction.

[0090] According to the above configuration, the deformed portion that bulges out due to the processing of the locking portion 19b (19d) fits inside the cutout portion 19r, thereby preventing the terminal edge 19t of the contact portion 19a (19c) from interfering with the retaining member 11, and making it possible to reduce the height of the electrical connector 10.

[0091] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the electrical connector 10 is female and the mating electrical connector 20 is male, the mating electrical connector 20 has a mating external terminal 26 configured to be electrically connectable to the contact portion 19a (19c), and the mating external terminal 26 has an engaged portion 29b that engages with the engaging portion 19b (19d).

[0092] According to the above embodiment, when reflow soldering is performed to mount the mating electrical connector 20 on a circuit board (not shown), thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the mating holding member 21 made of resin and the mating external terminal 26 made of metal can be alleviated.

[0093] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The electrical connector of the present disclosure is an electrical connector including an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a retaining member, the retaining member retaining the internal terminal and the external terminal, the external terminal having a frame portion surrounding at least a portion of the internal terminal, a plate-shaped contact portion, and a support portion supporting the contact portion in a cantilever manner relative to the frame portion, the contact portion having a base portion connected to the support portion and an end portion connected to the base, the base having a locking portion, the locking portion having a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base, the end portion having an end edge located opposite the support portion, and the end portion having a notch formed by cutting out from the end edge toward the locking portion.

[0094] (2) In the electrical connector of (1), the height of the notch is smaller than the height of the locking portion.

[0095] (3) In the electrical connector of (1) or (2), the end edge of the locking portion bulges out so as to overlap the notch portion.

[0096] (4) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (3), the locking portion contacts the notch portion.

[0097] (5) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (4), the terminal edge is a movable end.

[0098] (6) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (5), the width of the locking portion is smaller than the width of the notch portion.

[0099] (7) In the electrical connector of (1), the locking portion is spaced apart from the notch portion.

[0100] (8) In the electrical connector of (7), the width of the locking portion is equal to or greater than the width of the notch portion.

[0101] (9) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (8), the locking portion has a convex or concave shape.

[0102] (10) The electrical connector set of the present disclosure includes the electrical connector according to any one of (1) to (9) and a mating electrical connector that is mated with the electrical connector so as to be insertable and removable in the height direction.

[0103] (11) In the electrical connector set of (10), the electrical connector is female, the mating electrical connector is male, the mating electrical connector has a mating external terminal whose contact portion is configured to be electrically connectable, and the mating external terminal has a locking portion that is locked to the locking portion.

[0104] 1...Electrical connector set 10...Female type electrical connector (electrical connector) 11...Holding member 11c...Internal terminal holding portion 11f...Another internal terminal holding portion 12...Internal terminal 13...Another internal terminal (internal terminal) 15...Shielding member 15a...Shield frame 15c...Shield terminal 15p...Shield mounting portion 16...External terminal 16a...External mounting portion 16b...Outer portion 16c...External surface 16d...Frame portion 16e...Opening 16f...Another opening 16i...Another frame portion (frame portion) 16n...Support portion 17...Guide portion 19a...Contact portion 19b...Latching portion 19c...Another contact portion (contact portion) 19d...Another locking portion (locking portion) 19e...Recess 19m...Slit 19n...Base portion 19p...End portion 19q...Extended portion 19r...Notched portion 19s...Notched edge 19t...End edge 20...Male type electrical connector (mating electrical connector) 21...Mating holding member 22...Mating internal terminal 23...Internal terminal for the other side (mating internal terminal) 26...Mating external terminal 26a...Mating external mounting portion 26b...Mating outer portion 29a...Contacted portion 29b...Engaged portion

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising internal terminals, external terminals, and a retaining member, wherein the retaining member retains the internal terminals and the external terminals, the external terminals have a frame portion surrounding at least a portion of the internal terminals, a plate-shaped contact portion, and a support portion supporting the contact portion in a cantilevered manner relative to the frame portion, the contact portion has a base portion connected to the support portion and an end portion connected to the base, the base portion has a locking portion, the locking portion has a shape that extends partially in the width direction of the base, the end portion has a terminal edge located on the opposite side of the support portion, and the end portion has a notch formed by cutting out from the terminal edge toward the locking portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the height of said notch is smaller than the height of said locking portion.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end edge of the locking portion bulges out so as to overlap the notch portion.

4. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion contacts the notch portion.

5. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said terminal edge is a movable end.

6. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width of the locking portion is smaller than the width of the notch portion.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is spaced apart from the notch portion.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein the width of said locking portion is equal to or greater than the width of said notch portion.

9. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking portion has a convex or concave shape.

10. An electrical connector set comprising the electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a mating electrical connector that is insertable and removable in the height direction relative to the electrical connector.

11. An electrical connector set as described in claim 10, wherein the electrical connector is female and the mating electrical connector is male, the mating electrical connector has a mating external terminal configured to be electrically connectable to the contact portion, and the mating external terminal has a retained portion that is retained by the retaining portion.

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