Terminal fitting and connector

Abstract

Provided are a terminal fitting and a connector through which a greater electric current can be passed while achieving a floating structure.　A terminal fitting (11) comprises: a terminal connection part (11A) that is connected to a counterpart terminal (T); a substrate connection part (11E) that is connected to a circuit substrate (S); and a displacement allowance part (11D) that is provided between the terminal connection part (11A) and the substrate connection part (11E) and that allows relative displacement between the substrate connection part (11E) and the terminal connection part (11A). The displacement allowance part (11D) has a first sheet section (11K) and a second sheet section (11L) that form a band shape and extend in the front-back direction. The back end of the first sheet section (11K) is continuous toward the terminal connection part (11A), and the back end of the second sheet section (11L) is continuous toward the substrate connection part (11E). The front ends of the first sheet section (11K) and the second sheet section (11L) are connected to each other. The sheet thickness direction of the first sheet section (11K) is a direction intersecting the sheet thickness direction of the second sheet section (11L).

Description

Terminal fittings and connectors

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal fitting and a connector.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a plurality of terminals are elastically deformed to displace the inner housing in the front-rear and left-right directions (i.e., floating).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-195567

[0004] The terminal of Patent Document 1 has an elastic portion that elastically deforms. The elastic portion has a substantially square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which allows the inner housing to smoothly displace in the front-rear and left-right directions. However, if a larger current is to be passed through the terminal, it becomes necessary to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic portion perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, if this cross-sectional area is increased, the elastic portion becomes less elastically deformable, which may hinder the inner housing from displacing in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to provide a terminal fitting and connector that can carry a larger current while achieving a floating structure.

[0006] The terminal fitting of the first disclosure has: a terminal connection portion that connects to a mating terminal; a board connection portion that connects to a circuit board; and a displacement allowing portion that is provided between the terminal connection portion and the board connection portion and allows relative displacement between the board connection portion and the terminal connection portion, wherein the displacement allowing portion has a first plate portion and a second plate portion that form a strip and extend in the front-to-rear direction, the rear end of the first plate portion is continuous with the terminal connection portion side, the rear end of the second plate portion is continuous with the board connection portion side, the front ends of the first plate portion and the second plate portion are connected to each other, and the plate thickness direction of the first plate portion is a direction that intersects the plate thickness direction of the second plate portion.

[0007] The connector of the second disclosure comprises the terminal fitting of the first disclosure, an inner housing having a plurality of cavities for accommodating the terminal connection portions, and an outer housing to which the board connection portion is connected.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal fitting and a connector that can carry a larger current while realizing a floating structure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 4 is a front view of a terminal connection portion of a terminal fitting as viewed from the front. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting connected to a carrier and unfolded, and a perspective view of a terminal fitting connected to a carrier after bending. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner housing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an outer housing. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector cut along the left-right and front-rear directions. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector cut along the up-down and front-rear directions. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inner housing is displaced in the left-right direction relative to the outer housing. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inner housing is displaced in the up-down direction relative to the outer housing. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outer housing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A terminal fitting comprising: a terminal connection portion for connecting with a mating terminal; a board connection portion for connecting with a circuit board; and a displacement allowing portion provided between the terminal connection portion and the board connection portion and allowing relative displacement between the board connection portion and the terminal connection portion, wherein the displacement allowing portion includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion extending in a strip-like shape in the front-to-rear direction, a rear end of the first plate portion is continuous with the terminal connection portion, a rear end of the second plate portion is continuous with the board connection portion, front ends of the first plate portion and the second plate portion are connected to each other, and a plate thickness direction of the first plate portion is a direction intersecting a plate thickness direction of the second plate portion.

[0011] In the terminal fitting (1), the thickness direction of the first plate portion intersects with the thickness direction of the second plate portion, so the displacement-permitting portion allows for freedom of relative displacement between the board connection portion and the terminal connection portion. Furthermore, because the first and second plate portions are strip-shaped, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction while preventing an increase in thickness in the bending direction, thereby enabling a larger current to flow. Here, strip-shaped refers to a state in which the first plate portion is in the shape of a long, thin, flat plate.

[0012] (2) The terminal fitting described in (1), wherein the terminal connection portion has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction, and includes a rigid portion extending rearward in an L-shape that is connected to adjacent first and second wall portions among the wall portions that form the terminal connection portion, and in a front view from the front, the rigid portion and the first plate portion are positioned within the outline of the outer shape of the terminal connection portion.

[0013] (2) When viewed from the front or rear, the terminal fitting can be arranged so that the rigid portion and the first plate portion do not protrude from the terminal connection portion, making it easy to reduce the external dimensions of the terminal fitting.

[0014] (3) The terminal fitting according to (2), in which, in the unfolded state, the rigid portion, the first plate portion, and the second plate portion are connected to each other so as to be folded back in the front-rear direction.

[0015] The terminal fitting (3) allows the rigid portion, the first plate portion, and the second plate portion to be arranged in a small space in the deployed state, making it easy to reduce the area of ​​the base material such as the hoop material.

[0016] (4) The terminal fitting according to (2) or (3), wherein a grippable grip portion is provided in a continuous manner at the rear end of the rigid portion.

[0017] The terminal fitting (4) has a gripping portion, which allows the terminal fitting to be handled without touching the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

[0018] (5) A connector comprising: a terminal fitting according to any one of (1) to (4); an inner housing having a plurality of cavities for accommodating the terminal connection portion; and an outer housing to which the board connection portion is connected.

[0019] The connector (5) allows a larger current to flow while allowing the inner housing to float.

[0020] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] <Embodiment 1> A connector 100 according to embodiment 1 is attached to one mounting surface of a circuit board S and mates with a mating connector P attached to the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) provided separately from the circuit board S. As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 100 includes a plurality of terminal fittings 11, an inner housing 91, an outer housing 92, and a pair of pegs 93. The terminal fittings 11 and the pegs 93 are formed by pressing a conductive metal plate. The inner housing 91 and the outer housing 92 are made of synthetic resin. In the drawings, in embodiment 1, the "front side," "rear side," "upper side," "lower side," "right side," and "left side" are represented by "F," "B," "U," "D," "R," and "L," respectively. The front-to-rear direction is the direction in which the connector 100 mates with the mating connector P.

[0021] [Configuration of Terminal Fittings] The multiple terminal fittings 11 have the same shape. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each terminal fitting 11 includes a terminal connection portion 11A, a rigid portion 11B extending rearward in an L-shape from the rear end of the terminal connection portion 11A, a grip portion 11C connected to the rear end of the rigid portion 11B, a displacement-permitting portion 11D, and a board connection portion 11E. The terminal connection portion 11A has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction and open on both sides in the front-rear direction. The rectangular cylindrical shape of the terminal connection portion 11A is formed by a first wall portion 11F, a second wall portion 11G, a third wall portion 11H, and a fourth wall portion 11J. The first wall portion 11F is located on the lower side. The second wall portion 11G is located on the left side, and its lower edge is connected to the first wall portion 11F (see Figure 3). The third wall 11H is located on the upper side, and its left edge is connected to the second wall 11G. The fourth wall 11J is located on the right side, and its upper edge is connected to the third wall 11H and its lower edge is connected to the first wall 11F (see FIG. 2). The third wall 11H is provided with a locking portion 11S that protrudes upward.

[0022] A resilient contact piece 11T is provided inside the terminal connection portion 11A (see FIG. 4). The resilient contact piece 11T is connected to a mating terminal T (tab) (see FIG. 8). The tab is inserted into the terminal connection portion 11A from the front, comes into contact with the resilient contact piece 11T, and is connected to the terminal connection portion 11A.

[0023] The rigid portion 11B is formed in an L-shape, extending rearward and flush with the first wall portion 11F and the second wall portion 11G of the wall portions that form the terminal connection portion 11A (see FIG. 3). Specifically, the rigid portion 11B has a first rigid portion 11U that is flush with the first wall portion 11F in the vertical direction of the plate thickness, and a second rigid portion 11V that is flush with the second wall portion 11G in the horizontal direction of the plate thickness. The first rigid portion 11U and the second rigid portion 11V have their long sides joined together to form an L-shape. This allows the rigid portion 11B to maintain its shape without being easily deformed.

[0024] The grip portion 11C is connected to the rear end of the first rigid portion 11U of the rigid portion 11B and extends rearward. In other words, the grip portion 11C is provided rearward of the terminal connection portion 11A. The grip portion 11C is arranged so as to be flush with the first rigid portion 11U of the rigid portion 11B and the first wall portion 11F of the terminal connection portion 11A (see FIG. 3). The grip portion 11C extends rearward in a cantilevered manner. In other words, there is nothing arranged behind the grip portion 11C. Therefore, the grip portion 11C is a portion that can be gripped from behind.

[0025] The displacement-permitting portion 11D includes a first plate portion 11K and a second plate portion 11L that extend in the front-rear direction and are elastically deformable. The displacement-permitting portion 11D and the grip portion 11C are separate components. The first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L are strip-shaped. The first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L overlap the rigid portion 11B in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the first plate portion 11K is arranged behind the fourth wall portion 11J and spaced apart (see FIG. 2). The thickness direction of the first plate portion 11K is oriented in the left-right direction. The second plate portion 11L is arranged behind the third wall portion 11H and spaced apart (see FIG. 2). The thickness direction of the second plate portion 11L is oriented in the up-down direction. In other words, the thickness direction of the first plate portion 11K is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second plate portion 11L. The first plate portion 11K is elastically deformable in its thickness direction (left-right direction) but not in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (up-down direction). The second plate portion 11L is elastically deformable in its thickness direction (up-down direction) but not in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (left-right direction).

[0026] The rear end of the first plate portion 11K is connected to the rear end of the rigid portion 11B, which is connected to the first wall portion 11F, at a right angle in the thickness direction. That is, the rear end of the first plate portion 11K is connected to the rigid portion 11B, which is connected to the terminal connection portion 11A (i.e., electrically on the terminal connection portion 11A side). The front ends of the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L are connected to each other at a right angle in the thickness direction. The front ends of the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L are connected to each other further forward than the rear ends of the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L. The second plate portion 11L is inclined upward (away from the rigid portion 11B) toward the rear end.

[0027] The board connection portion 11E includes a press-fit portion 11M and a connection body portion 11N. The press-fit portion 11M is strip-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction with the plate thickness oriented vertically. A plurality of press-fit blades 11P protruding in the left and right directions are provided on both left and right edges of the press-fit portion 11M. A pair of rectangular portions 11Q protruding in the left and right directions are provided on the rear end of the press-fit portion 11M. The connection body portion 11N is connected to the rear end of the board connection portion 11E and bends upward.

[0028] The front end of the press-fit portion 11M is connected to the rear end of the second plate portion 11L of the displacement-permitting portion 11D via the connecting plate portion 11R. In other words, the rear end of the second plate portion 11L is connected to the press-fit portion 11M of the board connection portion 11E via the connecting plate portion 11R. That is, the rear end of the second plate portion 11L is electrically connected to the board connection portion 11E. In other words, the displacement-permitting portion 11D is provided between the terminal connection portion 11A and the board connection portion 11E. The connecting plate portion 11R extends vertically with its plate thickness aligned in the front-to-rear direction. In a front view, the rigid portion 11B and the first plate portion 11K are positioned within the outline of the terminal connection portion 11A (see FIG. 4). In this manner, the terminal fitting 11 is formed.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, when the terminal fitting 11 is unfolded (left side in Fig. 5), the rigid portion 11B, the first plate portion 11K, and the second plate portion 11L are connected in a manner that folds back in the front-to-rear direction. After the bending process is completed (right side in Fig. 5), the terminal fitting 11 is transported with the gripping portion 11C connected to the carrier Ca. Specifically, the terminal fitting 11 is bent so that the gripping portion 11C is perpendicular to the carrier Ca, and the terminal fitting 11 is oriented so that the rigid portion 11B and the board connecting portion 11E are aligned in the direction in which the plate surface of the carrier Ca expands.

[0030] [Configuration of Inner Housing] As shown in Fig. 6, the inner housing 91 includes a block-shaped housing main body 91A, a partition wall 91B extending downward from the housing main body 91A, and a pair of extension portions 91C extending outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the partition wall 91B. A plurality of cavities 91D are formed in the housing main body 91A, penetrating the housing main body 91A in the front-rear direction. The plurality of cavities 91D are aligned in the left-right direction and are arranged in two upper and lower rows. Each cavity 91D is provided with a lance 91E (see Fig. 9).

[0031] The partition wall 91B is provided so as to protrude downward from the housing main body 91A with its plate thickness oriented in the vertical direction. The partition wall 91B is continuous with the lower ends of the wall portion that separates the two rows of cavities 91D arranged vertically (see FIG. 9). At both left and right ends of the partition wall 91B, left and right partition walls 91G are provided that extend downward from both left and right ends of the housing main body 91A with their plate thickness oriented in the horizontal direction.

[0032] The pair of extensions 91C extend outward in the left-right direction from the left-right partition wall 91G of the partition wall 91B. A convex portion 91F protruding in the up-down direction is provided at the left-right protruding end of each extension 91C. In this manner, the inner housing 91 is formed.

[0033] [Configuration of Outer Housing] As shown in Figure 7, the outer housing 92 has a rectangular ring shape. The outer housing 92 has a pair of upper and lower retaining walls 92A extending in the left-right direction and a pair of left and right cover portions 92B arranged on both left and right sides and connecting the pair of upper and lower retaining walls 92A. A plurality of grooves 92C are formed in the pair of upper and lower retaining walls 92A and aligned in the left-right direction. Each groove 92C is open inward in the up-down direction and rearward.

[0034] The pair of left and right cover portions 92B define an internal storage space C. The storage space C is open inward in the left-right direction and downward. An attachment recess 92D recessed inward in the left-right direction is formed at the outer left-right end of each cover portion 92B. The outer housing 92 has an opening 92E surrounded by a pair of upper and lower retaining wall portions 92A and a pair of left and right cover portions 92B. The outer housing 92 is formed in this manner.

[0035] 1, a pair of pegs 93 are arranged with their plate thicknesses facing the left-right direction. The lower end of each peg 93 is folded outward in the left-right direction. A plurality of locking projections 93A projecting in the front-rear direction are provided on the front and rear edges of the upper part of each peg 93.

[0036] [Example of Connector Assembly Method] Next, an example of a method of assembling the connector 100 will be described. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, first, the terminal fittings 11 are attached to each cavity 91D of the inner housing 91 from the rear. For example, the gripping portion 11C is gripped from the rear with a jig (not shown), and the terminal connection portion 11A is inserted into the cavity 91D from the rear. At this time, the terminal fittings 11 are aligned so that the board connection portion 11E protrudes upward in the upper cavity 91D (see Figure 9). The terminal fittings 11 are aligned so that the board connection portion 11E protrudes downward in the lower cavity 91D (see Figure 9). With the terminal fittings 11 aligned in this way, the terminal connection portions 11A are inserted into each cavity 91D. When the terminal connecting portion 11A reaches the correct position in the cavity 91D, the locking portion 11S moves forward over the lance 91E and locks onto the lance 91E (see FIG. 9 ). This prevents the terminal fitting 11 from coming out of the cavity 91D. In this way, the terminal connecting portion 11A is accommodated in the cavity 91D, and the terminal fitting 11 is attached to the inner housing 91.

[0037] Next, the press-fit portions 11M of the terminal fittings 11 are attached to the grooves 92C of the outer housing 92 from the rear. First, the housing body 91A of the inner housing 91 with the attached terminal fittings 11 is inserted from below into the opening 92E. Then, the press-fit portions 11M are press-fit into the grooves 92C from the rear (see FIG. 9). At this time, the pair of rectangular portions 11Q (see FIG. 8) of each press-fit portion 11M are pressed from the rear with a jig (not shown). In this way, the press-fit portions 11M are press-fit into the grooves 92C, thereby connecting the board connecting portion 11E to the outer housing 92. At this time, the protrusions 91F of the inner housing 91 are accommodated in the accommodation space C formed in the cover portion 92B of the outer housing 92.

[0038] Next, the pegs 93 are attached from above to the attachment recesses 92D formed in the outer housing 92 (see FIG. 8 ), completing the connector 100. In the connector 100, the inner housing 91 and the outer housing 92 are not in direct contact with each other, but are connected via the terminal fittings 11.

[0039] [Operation of Connector] The connector 100 thus formed has the connection body 11N connected by solder to the electrodes provided on one mounting surface of the circuit board S (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 8, a mating connector P is fitted into the connector 100 to connect the mating terminals T and the terminal connection portions 11A. At this time, if the mating connector P is misaligned left / right or up / down relative to the connector 100, the inner housing 91 is displaced relative to the outer housing 92 to follow the misalignment of the mating connector P.

[0040] 10 , when the mating connector P is displaced in the left-right direction, the inner housing 91 is displaced in the left-right direction relative to the outer housing 92. At this time, the first plate portion 11K of the terminal fitting 11 is elastically deformed, causing the inner housing 91 to be displaced in the left-right direction relative to the outer housing 92.

[0041] For example, if the mating connector P is displaced vertically, as shown in FIG. 11 , the inner housing 91 is displaced vertically relative to the outer housing 92. At this time, the second plate portion 11L of the terminal fitting 11 elastically deforms, causing the inner housing 91 to be displaced vertically relative to the outer housing 92. Thus, the displacement-permitting portion 11D permits relative displacement between the board connection portion 11E and the terminal connection portion 11A. The outer shape of the terminal connection portion 11A is slightly smaller than the inner shape of the cavity 91D. Therefore, when the inner housing 91 is displaced horizontally or vertically relative to the outer housing 92, the terminal connection portion 11A can tilt slightly relative to the cavity 91D. This facilitates flexible connection of the mating connector P with the mating terminal T.

[0042] Next, the effects of this configuration will be illustrated. The terminal fitting 11 includes a terminal connection portion 11A for connecting to a mating terminal T, a board connection portion 11E for connecting to a circuit board S, and a displacement-permitting portion 11D provided between the terminal connection portion 11A and the board connection portion 11E to permit relative displacement between the board connection portion 11E and the terminal connection portion 11A. The displacement-permitting portion 11D includes a first plate portion 11K and a second plate portion 11L that are strip-shaped and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end of the first plate portion 11K is electrically connected to the terminal connection portion 11A, and the rear end of the second plate portion 11L is electrically connected to the board connection portion 11E. The front ends of the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L are connected to each other. The thickness direction of the first plate portion 11K is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second plate portion 11L.

[0043] With this configuration, the thickness direction of the first plate portion 11K is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second plate portion 11L, and thus the displacement-permitting portion 11D allows freedom of relative displacement between the board connection portion 11E and the terminal connection portion 11A. Furthermore, because the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L are strip-shaped, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction while preventing the thickness in the bending direction from becoming too large, and a larger current can be passed through them.

[0044] The terminal connection portion 11A has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. The terminal fitting 11 has a rigid portion 11B that extends rearward in an L-shape and connects to the first wall portion 11F and the second wall portion 11G, which are adjacent to each other among the walls that form the terminal connection portion 11A. In a front view, the rigid portion 11B and the first plate portion 11K are disposed within the outline of the external shape of the terminal connection portion 11A. With this configuration, the rigid portion 11B and the first plate portion 11K can be disposed so as not to protrude from the terminal connection portion 11A when viewed from the front or rear, making it easy to reduce the external shape of the terminal fitting 11.

[0045] In the unfolded state, the rigid portion 11B, the first plate portion 11K, and the second plate portion 11L are connected so as to fold back in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the arrangement positions of the rigid portion 11B, the first plate portion 11K, and the second plate portion 11L in the unfolded state can be made small and it is easy to reduce the area of ​​the base material such as the hoop material.

[0046] A grippable grip portion 11C is provided adjacent to the rear end of the rigid portion 11B. With this configuration, the provision of the grip portion 11C makes it possible to handle the terminal fitting 11 without touching the first plate portion 11K and the second plate portion 11L.

[0047] The connector 100 includes an inner housing 91 having a plurality of cavities 91D for accommodating terminal fittings 11 and terminal connection portions 11A, and an outer housing 92 to which a board connection portion 11E is connected. This configuration allows a larger current to flow while allowing the inner housing 91 to float.

[0048] Second Embodiment A connector 200 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the board connecting portions 111E of the terminal fittings 111 are inserted into through holes H formed in the circuit board S, and that the cavities 191D formed in the inner housing 191 are arranged in three rows, one above the other. Structures similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 12 , the connector 200 includes a plurality of terminal fittings 111 , an inner housing 191 , an outer housing 192 , and a pair of pegs 193 .

[0050] [Configuration of Terminal Fitting] As shown in Figure 13, the terminal fitting 111 includes a terminal connection portion 11A, a third plate portion 111B, a displacement-permitting portion 111D, and a board connection portion 111E. The third plate portion 111B is connected to the first wall portion 11F of the terminal connection portion 11A and extends rearward in a band-like shape. The displacement-permitting portion 111D includes a first plate portion 111K and a second plate portion 111L that extend in the front-rear direction and are elastically deformable. The first plate portion 111K and the second plate portion 111L are band-shaped. The thickness direction of the first plate portion 111K is oriented in the left-right direction. The thickness direction of the second plate portion 111L is oriented in the up-down direction. The first plate portion 111K and the second plate portion 111L are elastically deformable in their respective thickness directions.

[0051] The rear end of the first plate portion 111K is connected to the rear end of the third plate portion 111B so that the thickness direction thereof is perpendicular to the rear end of the third plate portion 111B. The front ends of the first plate portion 111K and the second plate portion 111L are connected to each other so that the thickness direction thereof is perpendicular to the rear end of the third plate portion 111B. The second plate portion 111L extends further rearward than the rear ends of the first plate portion 111K and the third plate portion 111B.

[0052] The board connection portion 111E has a press-fit portion 111M and a connection main body portion 111N. The press-fit portion 111M and the connection main body portion 111N are strip-shaped and extend continuously in the front-to-rear direction with the plate thickness direction facing up and down. The press-fit portion 111M is provided with a pair of rectangular portions 111Q that protrude in the left-to-right direction. The front end of the press-fit portion 111M is connected to the rear end of the second plate portion 111L of the displacement-allowing portion 111D via a connecting plate portion 111R. The connecting plate portion 111R extends up and down with the plate thickness direction facing up and down.

[0053] [Configuration of Inner Housing] As shown in Figure 12, the inner housing 191 has a block-shaped housing main body 191A and a pair of elastic walls 191B extending downward from the housing main body 191A. A plurality of cavities 191D are formed in the housing main body 191A, penetrating the housing main body 191A in the front-rear direction. The multiple cavities 191D are aligned in the left-right direction and are formed in three upper and lower rows. Each cavity 191D is provided with a lance (not shown).

[0054] The pair of elastic walls 191B are provided so as to extend downward, with their thickness direction oriented in the vertical direction, and are connected to the upper and lower walls of the housing main body 191A. Each elastic wall 191B has two locking holes 191H formed therethrough in the thickness direction.

[0055] [Configuration of Outer Housing] As shown in FIG. 14 , the outer housing 192 is block-shaped. The outer housing 192 has a plurality of communication holes 192F penetrating it in the front-rear direction. The communication holes 192F are aligned in the left-right direction and are arranged in three vertical rows. These communication holes 192F correspond to the cavities 191D of the inner housing 191. A groove 192C is formed at the rear end of each communication hole 192F. The grooves 192C of the communication holes 192F in the top row and the vertically central row are open downward and rearward. The grooves 192C of the communication holes 192F in the bottom row are open upward and rearward. The outer housing 192 has a plurality of locking claws 192G, a flange 192H, and a pair of fixing portions 192J. A plurality of locking claws 192G are provided to protrude from the upper and lower surfaces of the front portion of the outer housing 192. The locking claws 192G provided on the lower surface of the outer housing 192 are not shown in FIG.

[0056] The flange 192H is formed to protrude in the vertical and horizontal directions from the rear of the outer housing 192. A pair of fixing portions 192J is provided on both left and right sides of the flange 192H, protruding outward in the horizontal direction. Each fixing portion 192J has an insertion hole 192K formed therethrough in the vertical direction.

[0057] 12, a pair of pegs 193 are arranged with their thicknesses facing the left-right direction. Each peg 193 has a plurality of downwardly extending protrusions 193B aligned in the up-down direction.

[0058] [Example of Connector Assembly Method] Next, an example of a method for assembling the connector 200 will be described with reference to Figure 15, etc. First, the press-fit portions 111M of the terminal fittings 111 are attached to the grooves 192C of the outer housing 192 from the rear. At this time, the terminal connection portions 11A of the terminal fittings 111 are first inserted into the communication holes 192F from below. Then, the press-fit portions 111M are press-fitted into the grooves 192C from the rear. After the press-fit portions 111M are press-fitted into the grooves 192C, the terminal connection portions 11A protrude forward from the outer housing 192. Furthermore, the connection main body 111N protrudes rearward from the outer housing 192.

[0059] Next, the inner housing 191 is attached to the outer housing 192. Specifically, the pair of elastic walls 191B are brought close to the outer housing 192 from the front, and the locking claws 192G are locked into the locking holes 191H. At the same time, the terminal connection portions 11A protruding forward from the outer housing 192 are inserted into the cavities 191D from the rear. When the terminal connection portions 11A reach the correct positions within the cavities 191D, lances (not shown) lock into the locking portions 11S.

[0060] Next, each peg 193 is attached from above to an insertion hole 192K (see FIG. 14) formed in each fixing portion 192J of the outer housing 192. When the attachment of each peg 193 is complete, each protrusion 193B protrudes rearward from the outer housing 192. In this manner, the connector 200 is completed.

[0061] Next, the connector 200 thus formed is attached to the circuit board S. Specifically, the connection body 111N protruding rearward from the outer housing 192 and the protrusion 193B are inserted into the through-holes H formed in the circuit board S and connected to the electrodes provided on the mounting surface of the circuit board S by soldering.

[0062] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0063] Unlike the first embodiment, the rear end of the first plate portion may be connected to the rear end of the rigid portion so that the thickness direction thereof intersects with the rear end of the rigid portion, not necessarily at a right angle. Also, the front ends of the first plate portion and the second plate portion may be connected to each other so that the thickness direction thereof intersects with the rear end of the rigid portion, not necessarily at a right angle.

[0064] Unlike the first embodiment, the rigid portion may be provided so as to be continuous with the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion, the second wall portion and the third wall portion, or the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion.

[0065] 11, 111: Terminal fitting 11A: Terminal connection portion 11B: Rigid portion 11C: Grip portion 11D, 111D: Displacement-allowing portion 11E, 111E: Board connection portion 11F: First wall portion 11G: Second wall portion 11H: Third wall portion 11J: Fourth wall portion 11K, 111K: First plate portion 11L, 111L: Second plate portion 11M, 111M: Press-fit portion 11N, 111N: Connection main body portion 11P: Press-fit blade 11Q, 111Q: Rectangular portion 11R, 111R: Connecting plate portion 11S: Locking portion 11T: Resilient contact piece 11U: First rigid portion 11V: Second rigid portion 91, 191: Inner housing 91A, 191A: Housing main body 91B: Partition wall 91C: Extension portion 91D, 191D: Cavity 91E: Lance 91F: Convex portion 91G: Left-right partition wall 92, 192: Outer housing 92A: Retaining wall portion 92B: Cover portion 92C, 192C: Groove portion 92D: Mounting recess 92E: Opening 93, 193: Peg 93A: Locking convex portion 100, 200: Connector 111B: Third plate portion 191B: Elastic wall 191H: Locking hole 192F: Communication hole 192G: Locking claw 192H: Flange portion 192J: Fixing portion 192K: Insertion hole 193B: Protrusion C : Storage space Ca : Carrier H : Through hole P : Mating connector S : Circuit board T : Mating terminal

Claims

1. A terminal fitting having: a terminal connection portion for connecting with a mating terminal; a board connection portion for connecting to a circuit board; and a displacement allowing portion provided between the terminal connection portion and the board connection portion for allowing relative displacement between the board connection portion and the terminal connection portion, wherein the displacement allowing portion comprises a first plate portion and a second plate portion extending in a strip-like shape in the front-to-rear direction, the rear end of the first plate portion continues to the terminal connection portion side, the rear end of the second plate portion continues to the board connection portion side, the front ends of the first plate portion and the second plate portion are connected to each other, and the plate thickness direction of the first plate portion is a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction of the second plate portion.

2. A terminal fitting as described in claim 1, wherein the terminal connection portion has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, and has a rigid portion extending rearward in an L-shape that is connected to adjacent first and second wall portions of the wall portions that form the terminal connection portion, and in a front view seen from the front, the rigid portion and the first plate portion are positioned within the outline of the external shape of the terminal connection portion.

3. The terminal fitting according to claim 2, wherein, in the unfolded state, the rigid portion, the first plate portion, and the second plate portion are connected so as to be folded back in the front-rear direction.

4. A terminal fitting as set forth in claim 3, wherein a grippable gripping portion is provided in series with the rear end of said rigid portion.

5. A connector comprising: a terminal fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 4; an inner housing having a plurality of cavities for accommodating the terminal connection portions; and an outer housing to which the board connection portions are connected.

Images