Connector

Abstract

A connector (10) is provided with: a terminal fitting (50) having a counterpart-side connection part (51); and a housing (70) for holding the terminal fitting (50) in a state in which the counterpart-side connection part (51) projects forward. An insertion hole (77) for inserting the terminal fitting (50) from the rear is formed in the housing (70) so as to penetrate in a front-rear direction. The insertion hole (77) has a first insertion part (84) and a second insertion part (85) positioned behind the first insertion part (84). The terminal fitting (50) has a locking part (52) that is locked to left and right side surfaces (81) of the first insertion part (84). The lateral width dimension of the second insertion part (85) is larger than that of the first insertion part (84), and the lateral width dimension of the locking part (52) is larger than that of the second insertion part (85).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] The connector described in Patent Document 1 is a shielded connector that includes an inner conductor terminal, a dielectric that houses the inner conductor terminal, and an outer conductor terminal that houses the dielectric. The dielectric has a mounting hole that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction. The inner conductor terminal is inserted into the mounting hole of the dielectric from the rear. The inner conductor terminal has multiple protrusions that protrude on both sides. Each protrusion is engaged with the left and right side surfaces of the mounting hole, thereby attaching the inner conductor terminal to the dielectric in a non-disconnected state. Other prior art documents include Patent Documents 2 to 4.

[0003] JP 2020-13748 A JP 2006-19228 A JP 2009-117064 A JP 2018-125225 A

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, the accuracy of the mounting position (mounting posture) of the inner conductor terminal relative to the dielectric is determined when the inner conductor terminal is inserted into the mounting hole to the correct depth, which requires the work of aligning the tip position of the inner conductor terminal with the opening of the mounting hole before inserting the inner conductor terminal into the mounting hole.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector that can improve the positional accuracy of terminal fittings relative to a housing.

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a terminal fitting having a mating connection portion, and a housing that holds the terminal fitting with the mating connection portion protruding forward, wherein the housing has an insertion hole formed therethrough in the front-to-rear direction, into which the terminal fitting is inserted from the rear, the insertion hole having a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion located rearward of the first insertion portion, the terminal fitting having locking portions that are locked to the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion rearward of the mating connection portion, and the width dimension in the left-to-right direction of the second insertion portion is larger than that of the first insertion portion, and the locking portion is larger than that of the second insertion portion.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that can improve the positional accuracy of terminal fittings relative to a housing.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, showing the connector connected to a circuit board. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the connector connected to the circuit board. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal assembly and a connector housing. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector connected to a circuit board, corresponding to the cross-section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector, corresponding to the cross-section taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which an outer conductor terminal, a dielectric, and an inner conductor terminal are arranged side by side during assembly of the terminal assembly. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the inner conductor terminal. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the dielectric holding the inner conductor terminal. FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the dielectric holding the inner conductor terminal. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the dielectric showing an insertion hole, corresponding to the cross-section taken along line C-C in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the connector showing the state in which the inner conductor terminal is inserted into the insertion hole of the dielectric, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 5.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. [1] A connector of the present disclosure includes a terminal fitting having a mating connection portion and a housing that holds the terminal fitting with the mating connection portion protruding forward, the housing having an insertion hole formed therethrough in the front-to-rear direction for inserting the terminal fitting from the rear, the insertion hole having a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion located rearward of the first insertion portion, the terminal fitting having locking portions that are located rearward of the mating connection portion and that engage with left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion, the second insertion portion having a larger width in the left-to-right direction than the first insertion portion, and the locking portions are also larger than the second insertion portion. During insertion of the terminal fitting into the insertion hole, the locking portions are shallowly engaged with the left and right side surfaces of the second insertion portion, thereby aligning and positioning the terminal fitting in the left-to-right direction with respect to the housing. When the terminal fitting is inserted to the correct depth into the insertion hole, the locking portion deeply engages with the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion, thereby positioning the terminal fitting relative to the housing. In particular, the configuration of [1] above allows the terminal fitting to self-align and be positioned inside the housing before the locking portion engages with the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the terminal fitting relative to the housing. [2] In the connector described in [1] above, it is preferable that the maximum width dimension of the mating connection portion in the left and right direction is equal to or less than the minimum width dimension of the first insertion portion in the left and right direction. The mating connection portion can easily pass through the first insertion portion during insertion of the terminal fitting into the insertion hole. Furthermore, for example, when the width dimension of the mating connection portion is the same as or similar to the width dimension of the first insertion portion, the locking portion engages with the left and right side surfaces of the second insertion portion, and the mating connection portion is positioned relative to the first insertion portion in the left and right direction, making it difficult for the terminal fitting to tilt forward and backward during insertion into the insertion hole.[3] In the connector described in [1] or [2] above, the terminal fittings preferably have a board-side connecting portion located at an end opposite the mating connecting portion, and an intermediate portion located in the second insertion portion between the board-side connecting portion and the locking portion, and the maximum width dimension of the intermediate portion in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the minimum width dimension of the second insertion portion. When the terminal fittings are inserted to the correct depth into the insertion holes, the locking portions are locked onto the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion, and the intermediate portion is positioned in the left-right direction in the second insertion portion, so that the terminal fittings can be fixed in a state where tilting relative to the housing is suppressed. [4] In the connector described in any of [1] to [3] above, the connector may include inner conductor terminals, outer conductor terminals, and a dielectric located between the inner conductor terminals and the outer conductor terminals, wherein the terminal fittings constitute the inner conductor terminals and the housing constitutes the dielectric. Since the inner conductor terminal can be self-aligned and positioned inside the dielectric before the locking portion is locked onto the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion, the positional accuracy of the inner conductor terminal relative to the dielectric can be improved. [5] In the connector described in [4] above, the dielectric may include a dielectric body portion and a cover portion, the insertion hole may be formed in the dielectric body portion, and the cover portion may cover the portion of the inner conductor terminal that is pulled out rearward from the insertion hole. With this configuration, the area covered by the dielectric can be increased, thereby stabilizing communication performance, for example.

[0010] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 10 is a shielded connector for a circuit board that is connected to a circuit board 11. A plurality of through holes 12 are formed in the circuit board 11. Hereinafter, in each component, the positive X-axis side in each figure will be referred to as the front side, the negative X-axis side as the rear side, the positive Y-axis side as the left side, the negative Y-axis side as the right side, the positive Z-axis side as the upper side, and the negative Z-axis side as the lower side. The X-axis is parallel to the mating direction with a mating connector (not shown). The Z-axis is perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board 11. "Parallel" includes both strictly parallel and generally parallel states. "Vertical" includes both strictly perpendicular and generally perpendicular states. The directions do not indicate the positional relationship or direction in actual use.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 10 includes a connector housing 20 and four terminal assemblies 13. Fixing members 21 are attached to both the left and right sides of the connector housing 20. The protruding pins 22 of the fixing members 21 are inserted into the through holes 12 of the circuit board 11 and soldered thereto. The connector housing 20 is fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board 11 by the fixing members 21.

[0013] The connector housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and has a hood portion 23 and four terminal accommodating portions 24. The hood portion 23 is open to the front. A mating connector is fitted inside the hood portion 23. The hood portion 23 collectively surrounds the front ends of the four terminal assemblies 13.

[0014] 4 and 5, each terminal accommodating portion 24 is open on both the front and rear sides. The terminal assembly 13 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 24 from the rear.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal assembly 13 includes an outer conductor terminal 30, two inner conductor terminals 50, and a dielectric 70.

[0016] The outer conductor terminal 30 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate material, etc. The outer conductor terminal 30 has an outer conductor main body 31, an outer conductor lid 32, and six ground connection portions 33.

[0017] The outer conductor main body 31 has a rectangular cylindrical shape and is open at the front as shown in Figures 4 and 5. An outer conductor terminal of a mating connector (not shown) enters the inside of the outer conductor main body 31 and is electrically connected to the outer conductor terminal 30.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer conductor main body 31 has a top plate 34, left and right side plate portions 35, a bottom plate portion 36, and a front plate portion 37. The top plate portion 34 and the bottom plate portion 36 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The left and right side plate portions 35 extend downward from both left and right end edges of the top plate portion 34. The left and right side plate portions 35 are provided with terminal locking portions 38 that lock onto the connector housing 20. The terminal assembly 13 is prevented from coming off rearward from the terminal accommodating portion 24 by the locking of the terminal locking portions 38 with the inner surface of the terminal accommodating portion 24. The front plate portion 37 extends downward from the rear end of the bottom plate portion 36.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 6 , the outer conductor lid 32 has a rear plate 39 and left and right outer plate portions 41. The rear plate 39 extends downward from the rear end 34R of the top plate 34. The lower part of the rear plate 39 faces the front plate 37 in the front-rear direction (see Fig. 4 ). During the assembly of the connector 10, the outer conductor lid 32 is formed so that the opening on the rear surface of the outer conductor main body 31 is closed by bending the rear end 34R of the top plate 34 at a right angle from the state shown in Fig. 6 in which the opening on the rear surface of the outer conductor main body 31 is open.

[0020] The left and right outer plate portions 41 extend forward from both left and right edges of the lower portion of the rear plate portion 39. The left and right outer plate portions 41 overlap the left and right outer sides of the left and right side plate portions 35. The left and right outer plate portions 41 and the left and right side plate portions 35 are held together by side locking portions 42 so that they do not separate.

[0021] 4 and 6, the ground connection portions 33 extend downward from the lower end of the front plate portion 37, the lower end of the rear plate portion 39, and the lower end of the outer plate portion 41. Each ground connection portion 33 is inserted into a through-hole 12 in the circuit board 11 and soldered to a conductive portion for grounding.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 6, the inner conductor terminal 50 has an elongated L-shape. The inner conductor terminal 50 has a mating connection portion 51, a locking portion 52, an intermediate portion 53, a wide portion 54, a terminal bend portion 55, and a board-side connection portion 56. The mating connection portion 51, the locking portion 52, the intermediate portion 53, and the wide portion 54 are linearly connected in the front-to-rear direction. The intermediate portion 53 is located in the middle portion of the inner conductor terminal 50 excluding both ends (the mating connection portion 51 and the board-side connection portion 56) in the longitudinal direction, specifically between the locking portion 52 and the wide portion 54.

[0023] The board-side connection portion 56 extends downward from the terminal bent portion 55. The board-side connection portion 56 has an upper portion 57 and a lower portion 58. The width dimension in the left-right direction of the upper portion 57 is greater than the width dimension in the left-right direction of the lower portion 58. The lower portion 58 of the board-side connection portion 56 is inserted into the through-hole 12 of the circuit board 11 and soldered to the conductive portion for signals.

[0024] 4 and 5, the mating connection portion 51 protrudes forward from a front surface 71F of the dielectric 70. The mating connection portion 51 can be connected to a mating terminal fitting (not shown).

[0025] 7, the mating connection part 51 has a constant width (maximum width W1) in the left-right direction except for a tapered guide portion at the tip. Here, the maximum width W1 of the mating connection part 51 is equal to or smaller than the minimum width W4 of a first insertion part 84 of an insertion hole 77 (described later) (see FIG. 11).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7 , the locking portion 52 has locking protrusions 59 on both the left and right sides. Each locking protrusion 59 protrudes outward in the left-right direction on both the left and right sides of the locking portion 52. Two locking protrusions 59 are provided on each of the left and right sides of the locking portion 52, one at the front and one at the rear. The tip of the rear locking protrusion 59 is located outward in the left-right direction from the tip of the front locking protrusion 59. Each locking protrusion 59 is engaged by biting into a side surface 81 of a first insertion portion 84 of an insertion hole 77, which will be described later. The maximum width W2 of the locking portion 52 in the left-right direction is larger than the maximum width W1 of the mating connection portion 51. The maximum width W2 of the locking portion 52 is the linear distance in the left-right direction between the left and right tips of the rear locking protrusions 59.

[0027] The intermediate portion 53 is provided behind the locking portion 52. The maximum width W3 of the intermediate portion 53 in the left-right direction is substantially constant in the front-rear direction. The maximum width W3 of the intermediate portion 53 is equal to the maximum width W2 at the tip of the locking protrusion 59 on the rear side of the locking portion 52.

[0028] The wide portion 54 is provided behind the intermediate portion 53. The wide portion 54 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the wide portion 54 is a stopper portion 61 that abuts against a step portion 88 of the insertion hole 77, which will be described later. The rear end of the wide portion 54 is a pressing portion 62 that is pressed by a jig (not shown). The stopper portion 61 and the pressing portion 62 extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] The dielectric 70 is made of synthetic resin and holds two inner conductor terminals 50 as shown in Fig. 5. The dielectric 70 is disposed between the inner conductor terminal 50 and the outer conductor terminal 30.

[0030] 8 and 9, the dielectric 70 has a dielectric body 71 that extends in the front-rear direction and covers the middle portion 53, etc., and a cover portion 72 that extends in the up-down direction and covers the upper portion 57, etc. The coverage area of ​​the dielectric 70 over the inner conductor terminals 50 is made larger than in the past by providing the cover portion 72. This results in more stable communication performance than in the past.

[0031] 4 and 5, the dielectric body 71 is housed inside the outer conductor body 31. A front protrusion 89 that protrudes forward by one step is provided on the front surface 71F of the dielectric body 71.

[0032] The dielectric body 71 has an insertion hole 77 formed therein, into which the inner conductor terminal 50 is inserted. The insertion hole 77 penetrates the dielectric body 71 in the front-rear direction. The insertion hole 77 penetrates the front protrusion 89 and opens forward. The insertion hole 77 will be described in detail later.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6, 8 and 9, the cover portion 72 is provided behind the dielectric body portion 71. The cover portion 72 has a top surface portion 73, left and right side surface portions 74, a front surface portion 75 and a partition wall 76. The rear end of the cover portion 72 is located behind the board-side connection portion 56 of the inner conductor terminal 50. The cover portion 72 covers the terminal bend portion 55 of the inner conductor terminal 50 and the upper portion 57 of the board-side connection portion 56.

[0034] The top surface portion 73 extends rearward along the top surface of the dielectric main body portion 71. The left and right side surface portions 74 extend downward from both left and right ends of the top surface portion 73. The front surface portion 75 extends downward from a position slightly below the insertion hole 77. The partition wall 76 is provided at the center in the left-right direction of the front surface portion 75. The partition wall 76 protrudes rearward from the front surface portion 75. The partition wall 76 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the front surface portion 75. The partition wall 76 is arranged between the board-side connection portions 56 of the left and right inner conductor terminals 50.

[0035] 9, a first space S1 and a second space S2 are formed inside the cover portion 72. The first space S1 is formed above the second space S2. The first space S1 and the second space S2 are connected to each other and open to the rear.

[0036] The first space S1 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the rear. The first space S1 has two insertion holes 77 that open rearward. The terminal bent portions 55 of the inner conductor terminals 50 are disposed in the first space S1.

[0037] The second spaces S2 are formed on both the left and right sides of the partition wall 76. When viewed from the rear, each second space S2 has a vertically elongated shape. The second spaces S2 are open downward. The upper portions 57 of the board-side connection portions 56 of the inner conductor terminals 50 are disposed in the second spaces S2, except for the lower end side.

[0038] As shown in Figure 9, when viewed from the rear, each insertion hole 77 has a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. Each insertion hole 77 is surrounded by an upper surface 78, a lower surface 79, and left and right side surfaces 81. The upper surface 78 and the lower surface 79 face each other in the up-down direction. The left and right side surfaces 81 face each other in the left-right direction. Recesses 82 are formed in the upper surface 78 and the lower surface 79. The recesses 82 are formed in the left-right centers of the upper surface 78 and the lower surface 79.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 10 , the insertion hole 77 has a first insertion portion 84, a second insertion portion 85, and a hole rear end portion 86. The front end of the first insertion portion 84 is formed into a front protrusion 89. The minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 in the left-right direction (the distance between the left and right side surfaces 81) is substantially constant in the front-to-rear direction. The minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 is smaller than the maximum width W2 of the locking portion 52 of the inner conductor terminal 50. The minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 is set so that the tip of the locking protrusion 59 can be inserted into the left and right side surfaces 81. The minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 is equal to or larger than the maximum width W1 of the mating connection portion 51. In other words, the minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 is equal to or larger than the maximum width W1 of the mating connection portion 51. The dimension of the first insertion portion 84 in the front-rear direction is greater than the minimum width dimension W4 of the first insertion portion 84.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 10 , the second insertion portion 85 is located rearward of the first insertion portion 84. A tapered portion 87 is provided between the rear end of the first insertion portion 84 and the front end of the second insertion portion 85. The minimum width dimension W5 in the left-right direction of the second insertion portion 85 (the distance between the left and right side surfaces 81) is substantially constant in the front-rear direction. The minimum width dimension W5 in the left-right direction of the second insertion portion 85 is larger than the minimum width dimension W4 of the first insertion portion 84. The front-rear direction dimension of the second insertion portion 85 is larger than the minimum width dimension W5 of the second insertion portion 85. The front-rear direction dimension of the second insertion portion 85 is larger than the front-rear direction dimension of the first insertion portion 84. The minimum width dimension W5 of the second insertion portion 85 is equal to or smaller than the maximum width dimension W3 of the intermediate portion 53 of the inner conductor terminal 50 (see FIG. 11 ).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 10 , the hole rear end 86 is located rearward of the second insertion portion 85. The hole rear end 86 has a constant width (minimum width W6) in the left-right direction, except for the tapered guide portion at the rear end. The minimum width W6 of the hole rear end 86 in the left-right direction is greater than the minimum width W5 of the second insertion portion 85. The hole rear end 86 has a step 88 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear dimension of the hole rear end 86 is smaller than the minimum width W6 of the hole rear end 86.

[0042] Next, an example of the assembly process of the connector 10 will be described. First, the dielectric 70 is accommodated in the outer conductor terminal 30. The dielectric 70 is inserted (press-fit) horizontally into the outer conductor main body 31 through the opening on the rear surface of the outer conductor main body 31. The dielectric 70 is held inside the outer conductor main body 31.

[0043] Next, the inner conductor terminal 50 is inserted into the dielectric 70. The inner conductor terminal 50 is bent in advance at the terminal bend portion 55. As shown in FIG. 11 , the inner conductor terminal 50 is held by a jig (not shown) and inserted horizontally into each insertion hole 77 of the dielectric 70. In the first embodiment, the inner conductor terminal 50 is temporarily held in a temporary locking position relative to the dielectric 70. FIG. 11 shows a state in which one inner conductor terminal 50 is placed in the temporary locking position. In the temporary locking position, the mating connection portion 51 is positioned so that it can be positioned in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion portion 84. Both left and right surfaces of the mating connection portion 51 and the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84 are in contact with or close to each other. In the temporary locking position, the locking portion 52 is placed in the second insertion portion 85 and positioned in the left-right direction. The tips of the locking projections 59 contact or are slightly press-fitted into the left and right side surfaces 81 of the second insertion portion 85, and are shallowly locked compared to the locking with the first insertion portion 84 in the main locking position described below. The mating connection portion 51 and the locking portion 52 of the inner conductor terminal 50 are positioned in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion portion 84 and the second insertion portion 85 of the insertion hole 77, so that the axis of the inner conductor terminal 50 is positioned and aligned in the center of the insertion hole 77.

[0044] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the inner conductor terminal 50 is pushed from the provisionally locked position to the fully locked position. The pressing portion 62 of the inner conductor terminal 50 is pressed forward by a press-fitting jig (not shown). The press-fitting jig is thin enough to enter the first space S1. The inner conductor terminal 50 pressed by the jig advances along the insertion hole 77.

[0045] The intermediate portion 53 enters the second insertion portion 85 and is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the second insertion portion 85. The axis of the inner conductor terminal 50 is prevented from shifting from the center of the insertion hole 77 when it advances from the temporary locking position to the full locking position.

[0046] The mating connecting portion 51 moves forward from the first insertion portion 84 and protrudes forward from the front surface 71F of the dielectric body 71. The locking portion 52 moves forward from the second insertion portion 85 and is press-fitted into the first insertion portion 84. The locking protrusions 59 bite into the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84 with a larger press-fitting margin than they do into the left and right side surfaces 81 of the second insertion portion 85. In other words, the locking protrusions 59 are more deeply locked into the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84 than they are into the second insertion portion 85 in the provisionally locked position. This prevents the inner conductor terminal 50 from slipping out of the insertion hole 77.

[0047] Next, the outer conductor terminal 30 is bent. The outer conductor cover 32 is rotated from the open state to the closed state around the rear end 34R of the top plate 34. The left and right outer plate portions 41 overlap the outsides of the left and right side plate portions 35, and the side locking portions 42 lock. In this manner, the terminal assembly 13 shown in FIG. 3 is assembled.

[0048] The connector housing 20 is installed horizontally with the side connected to the circuit board 11 facing upward. In this state, the terminal assembly 13 is accommodated in the connector housing 20. The outer conductor terminals 30 of the terminal assembly 13 are inserted horizontally into the terminal accommodating portions 24, and the terminal locking portions 38 are locked to the inner surfaces of the terminal accommodating portions 24. This prevents the outer conductor terminals 30 from coming outward from the connector housing 20, and the terminal assembly 13 is held in the terminal accommodating portions 24. This completes the assembly process of the connector 10.

[0049] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment 1, when the inner conductor terminal 50 is in a provisionally locked position relative to the dielectric 70, the locking portion 52 is automatically positioned at the second insertion portion 85 inside the dielectric 70, so that the position of the inner conductor terminal 50 relative to the dielectric 70 can be set more easily than by adjusting the positioning outside the dielectric 70.

[0050] Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The connector 10 includes an inner conductor terminal 50 and a dielectric 70. The inner conductor terminal 50 has a mating connection portion 51. The dielectric 70 holds the inner conductor terminal 50 with the mating connection portion 51 protruding forward. An insertion hole 77 is formed in the dielectric 70 in the front-to-rear direction, through which the inner conductor terminal 50 is inserted from the rear. The insertion hole 77 has a first insertion portion 84 and a second insertion portion 85 located rearward of the first insertion portion 84. The minimum width W5 of the second insertion portion 85 in the left-to-right direction is larger than the minimum width W4 of the first insertion portion 84 in the left-to-right direction. The inner conductor terminal 50 has a locking portion 52. The locking portion 52 is press-fit into the first insertion portion 84 with a press-fitting margin sufficient to prevent the inner conductor terminal 50 from slipping out. The locking portion 52 has a maximum width W2 that contacts the second insertion portion 85 and is positioned in the left-right direction before reaching the first insertion portion 84. In other words, the left-right width of the second insertion portion 85 is larger than that of the first insertion portion 84 (W4<W5), and the locking portion 52 is larger than that of the second insertion portion 85 (W5<W2).

[0051] During the process of inserting the inner conductor terminal 50 into the insertion hole 77, the locking portions 52 are shallowly locked on the left and right side surfaces 81 of the second insertion portion 85 at a provisional locking position, thereby aligning and positioning the inner conductor terminal 50 with respect to the dielectric 70. When the inner conductor terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 77 to the normal depth (full locking position), the locking portions 52 are deeply locked on the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84, thereby fixing the inner conductor terminal 50 in a positioned state with respect to the dielectric 70. In particular, because the inner conductor terminal 50 can be self-aligned and positioned within the dielectric 70 before the locking portions 52 are locked on the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84, the positional accuracy of the inner conductor terminal 50 with respect to the dielectric 70 can be improved.

[0052] Furthermore, the maximum width dimension W1 of the mating connection portion 51 is equal to or less than the minimum width dimension W4 of the first insertion portion 84 (W1≦W4). This allows the mating connection portion 51 to easily pass through the first insertion portion 84 during the insertion of the inner conductor terminal 50 into the insertion hole 77. For example, when the maximum width dimension W1 of the mating connection portion 51 is the same as or similar to the minimum width dimension W4 of the first insertion portion 84, the locking portions 52 are locked to the left and right side surfaces 81 of the second insertion portion 85, and the mating connection portion 51 is positioned in the left-right direction relative to the first insertion portion 84, making it possible to prevent the inner conductor terminal 50 from tilting in the front-rear direction during the insertion of the inner conductor terminal 50 into the insertion hole 77.

[0053] The inner conductor terminal 50 also has a board-side connecting portion 56 located at the end opposite the mating connecting portion 51, and an intermediate portion 53 located between the board-side connecting portion 56 and the locking portion 52 and disposed in the second insertion portion 85. The maximum width dimension W3 of the intermediate portion 53 is equal to or greater than the minimum width dimension W5 of the second insertion portion 85 (W5≦W3). When the inner conductor terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 77 to the normal depth (full locking position), the locking portions 52 are locked onto the left and right side surfaces 81 of the first insertion portion 84, and the intermediate portion 53 is positioned in the second insertion portion 85 in the left-right direction, the inner conductor terminal 50 can be fixed in place with its tilt relative to the dielectric 70 suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, the dielectric 70 includes a dielectric body 71 and a cover 72. The insertion hole 77 is formed in the dielectric body 71. The cover 72 covers the portion of the inner conductor terminal 50 that extends rearward from the insertion hole 77. This configuration increases the area that the dielectric 70 covers the inner conductor terminal 50, thereby stabilizing communication performance.

[0055] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described first embodiment disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the above-described first embodiment, the connector 10 is a shielded connector. However, in other embodiments, the connector may not be a shielded connector. Specifically, the connector may have a housing with a hood portion, and the terminal fittings may be held in insertion holes formed through the rear wall of the hood portion. In the above-described first embodiment, the locking portion 52 has locking protrusions 59 on both the left and right sides. However, in other embodiments, the locking portion may not have locking protrusions on both the left and right sides. In the above-described first embodiment, the inner conductor terminal 50 (terminal fitting) is configured to stop at a provisional locking position relative to the dielectric 70 (housing) and then move to a full locking position. In contrast, in other embodiments, the inner conductor terminal 50 (terminal fitting) may be configured to move to a full locking position relative to the dielectric 70 (housing) without stopping at the provisional locking position. The connector assembly procedure is not limited to the above-described first embodiment. For example, an assembly procedure may be adopted in which a dielectric is first inserted into an outer conductor terminal, the outer conductor terminal containing the dielectric is inserted into a connector housing, the inner conductor terminal is then inserted into the dielectric, and the outer conductor terminal is then bent and closed with an outer conductor cover. In the first embodiment, the mating connection portion (excluding the tip portion) and the intermediate portion each have a constant width in the left-right direction (maximum width W1, maximum width W3). Alternatively, the mating connection portion (excluding the tip portion) and the intermediate portion may each include portions with different widths in the left-right direction. In this case, the maximum width is set at the portion with the largest width. In the first embodiment, the first insertion portion, the second insertion portion, and the rear end of the hole (excluding the rear end) each have a constant width in the left-right direction (minimum width W4, minimum width W5, and minimum width W6). Alternatively, the first insertion portion, the second insertion portion, and the rear end of the hole (excluding the rear end) may each include portions with different widths in the left-right direction. In this case, the minimum width is set at the portion with the smallest width.

[0056] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Connector 11...Circuit board 12...Through hole 13...Terminal assembly 20...Connector housing 21...Fixing member 22...Protruding pin 23...Hood portion 24...Terminal accommodating portion 30...Outer conductor terminal 31...Outer conductor main body portion 32...Outer conductor lid portion 33...Ground connection portion 34...Top plate portion 34R...Rear end of top plate portion 35...Side plate portion 36...Bottom plate portion 37...Front plate portion 38...Terminal locking portion 39...Rear plate portion 41...Outer plate portion 42...Side locking portion 50...Inner conductor terminal (terminal metal fitting) 51...Mating connection portion 52...Latching portion 53...Middle portion 54...Wide portion 55...Terminal bent portion 56...Board side connection portion 57...Upper portion of board side connection portion 58...Lower portion of board side connection portion 59...Latching protrusion 61...Stopper portion 62...Pressing portion 70...Dielectric (housing) 71...Dielectric main body portion 71F...Front surface of dielectric main body portion 72...Cover portion 73...Top surface portion 74...Side surface portion 75...Front surface portion 76...Partition wall 77...Insertion hole 78...Top surface of insertion hole 79...Bottom surface of insertion hole 81...Left and right side surfaces of insertion hole 82...Recessed portion 84...First insertion portion 85...Second insertion portion 86...Rear end portion of hole 87...Tapered portion 88...Step portion 89...Front protrusion S1...First space S2...Second space W1...Maximum width dimension in the left-right direction of the mating connection portion W2...Maximum width dimension in the left-right direction of the locking portion W3...Maximum width dimension in the left-right direction of the intermediate portion W4...Minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the first insertion portion W5...Minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the second insertion portion W6...Minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the rear end portion of the hole

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a terminal fitting having a mating connection portion; and a housing that holds the terminal fitting with the mating connection portion protruding forward, wherein the housing has an insertion hole formed in the front-to-rear direction for inserting the terminal fitting from the rear, the insertion hole having a first insertion portion and a second insertion portion located rearward of the first insertion portion, the terminal fitting having locking portions that are locked to the left and right side surfaces of the first insertion portion rearward of the mating connection portion, and the left-to-right width dimension of the second insertion portion is larger than that of the first insertion portion, and the locking portions are larger than that of the second insertion portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the maximum width dimension in the left-right direction of said mating connection portion is equal to or less than the minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of said first insertion portion.

3. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the terminal fitting has a board-side connection portion located at the end opposite the mating connection portion, and an intermediate portion located between the board-side connection portion and the locking portion and disposed in the second insertion portion, and the maximum width dimension in the left-right direction of the intermediate portion is equal to or greater than the minimum width dimension in the left-right direction of the second insertion portion.

4. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an inner conductor terminal, an outer conductor terminal, and a dielectric arranged between the inner conductor terminal and the outer conductor terminal, wherein the terminal fitting constitutes the inner conductor terminal, and the housing constitutes the dielectric.

5. A connector as described in claim 4, wherein the dielectric comprises a dielectric body and a cover, the insertion hole is formed in the dielectric body, and the cover covers the portion of the inner conductor terminal that is pulled out rearward from the insertion hole.

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