Electrical connector set

Abstract

An electrical connector set comprising a first electrical connector having a first internal terminal, a first external terminal, and a first holding body, and a second electrical connector having a second internal terminal, a second external terminal, and a second holding body, wherein the first external terminal has a first external frame part to which a first positioning part and a first fitting part are provided, the second external terminal has a second external frame part to which a second positioning part and a second fitting part are provided, and after the first fitting part and the second fitting part have been fitted, the electrical connector set adopts a separated state in which the first positioning part is separated from the second positioning part.

Description

Electrical Connector Set

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector set including a first connector having a first external grounding member and a first insulating member, and a second connector having a second external grounding member and a second insulating member.

[0003] In the electrical connector set of Patent Document 1, the first connector and the second connector are integrally joined by fitting a convex contact portion provided on the inner periphery of the first external grounding member into a connection recess provided on the outer periphery of the second external grounding member.

[0004] International Publication No. 2020 / 039666

[0005] Typically, the external grounding member is made of a hard material such as metal, and the electrical insulating member is made of a soft material such as resin. If the first and second connectors are joined together while not in the correct mounting position, the hard external grounding member may cause mechanical damage such as wear and deformation to the soft electrical insulating member.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector set that prevents electrical insulating members made of soft materials from being mechanically damaged by mating.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical connector set comprising: a first electrical connector having first internal terminals and first external terminals that are conductive, and a first retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the first internal terminals and the first external terminals; and a second electrical connector having second internal terminals and second external terminals that are conductive, and a second retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the second internal terminals and the second external terminals, wherein the first external terminals have a first external frame portion in which a first positioning portion and a first mating portion are arranged, and the second external terminals have a second external frame portion in which a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion and a second mating portion corresponding to the first mating portion are arranged, and the electrical connector set is in a separated state in which the first positioning portion is separated from the second positioning portion after forming an engagement between the first mating portion and the second mating portion.

[0008] According to this invention, it is possible to prevent the first and second holding bodies, which are made of a soft material and have electrical insulation properties, from being mechanically damaged by the fitting.

[0009] 1. A plan view showing the electrical connector set according to the first embodiment in a coupled state. 2. A perspective view of the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 3. A perspective view showing the electrical connector set according to the first embodiment in an uncoupled state. 4. A top view of a first electrical connector constituting the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 5. An exploded perspective view of the first electrical connector shown in FIG. 6. 6. A top view of a second electrical connector constituting the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 7. An exploded perspective view of the second electrical connector shown in FIG. 8. 9. A plan view explaining the relationship between first external terminals and second external terminals in the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 10. A plan view showing the electrical connector set according to the second embodiment in a coupled state. 11. An oblique view of the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 11. 12. A plan view explaining the relationship between first external terminals and second external terminals in the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 11.

[0010] An embodiment of the electrical connector set 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, each figure shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, which are orthogonal to each other. In this specification, the length, width, and height directions of the first electrical connector 10 are defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively. In this invention, the electrical connector set 1 being integrally coupled means that the first mating portion 17h of the first electrical connector 10 and the second mating portion 27a of the second electrical connector 20 are in a mated state.

[0011] [Electrical Connector Set] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an electrical connector set 1 according to a first embodiment in a coupled state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connector set 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector set 1 according to the first embodiment in an uncoupled state.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electrical connector set 1 includes, for example, a male first electrical connector 10 and a female second electrical connector 20 to which the male first electrical connector 10 is attached so that it can be inserted and removed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0013] In the electrical connector set 1, the first male electrical connector 10 is positioned opposite the second female electrical connector 20, and the first male electrical connector 10 is then moved in the height direction (Z-axis direction) toward the second female electrical connector 20, thereby integrally coupling the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20. In this disclosure, the overall size of the first male electrical connector 10 is smaller than the overall size of the second female electrical connector 20, and the first male electrical connector 10 is configured to be accommodated within the second female electrical connector 20.

[0014] [First Electrical Connector] The configuration of the first electrical connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a top view of the first electrical connector 10 constituting the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 5.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first electrical connector 10 has a first holding body 11 , first internal terminals 12 , and first external terminals 16 .

[0016] The first holding body 11 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The first holding body 11 is softer than the first external terminals 16. The first holding body 11 has two first holding portions 11a, 11a. The first holding portion 11a has a rectangular shape in a top view. The first terminal holding portion 11b is formed to protrude slightly upward relative to the first holding portion 11a. The two first holding portions 11a, 11a are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) via a first holding bridge portion 11g. In other words, the two first holding portions 11a, 11a spaced apart in the longitudinal direction are connected by the first holding bridge portion 11g. The two first holding portions 11a, 11a are configured, for example, to be point-symmetric. The first holding bridge portion 11g is located on the underside of the first holding body 11. The first holding portion 11a is provided with a first recess 11c.

[0017] The first retaining body 11 is, for example, a molded body made of a resin material, and the underside of the first retaining bridge portion 11g has a gate mark formed after injection molding of the resin material. This allows the two first retaining portions 11a, 11a, which are positioned symmetrically across the first retaining bridge portion 11g, to be molded with low injection pressure, thereby suppressing the occurrence of burrs due to injection molding.

[0018] The first holding portion 11a has a first terminal holding portion 11b. The first terminal holding portion 11b has, for example, two first holding recesses 11d, 11d. The first holding recess 11d holds the first internal terminal 12. The first internal terminal 12 has a shape that allows it to be connected to a second internal terminal 22 of the second electrical connector 20, which will be described later. The first internal terminal 12 comes into contact with the corresponding second internal terminal 22 to form an electrical connection.

[0019] The first 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 first internal terminal 12. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the first internal terminal 12 may be gold-plated, for example. The first internal terminal 12 has a first internal mounting portion for mounting on a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The first internal mounting portion is formed on the underside of the first electrical connector 10.

[0020] The first external terminals 16 are attached to and supported by the first holding body 11. The first external terminals 16 have two first external frame portions 16a, 16a spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). The two first external frame portions 16a, 16a correspond to the two first holding portions 11a, 11a. The first external frame portion 16a has a rectangular shape defined by three first positioning surfaces 16e and one first mating surface 16g in top view. A first positioning portion 17e, described below, is disposed on the first positioning surface 16e, and a first mating portion 17h, described below, is disposed on the first mating surface 16g. This allows for both accurate positioning and reliable mating.

[0021] The first positioning surface 16e, which is made up of three connected first positioning surfaces 16e, has a U-shape in top view, and has a first external mounting portion on its lower surface for mounting to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The first external frame portion 16a has a first external upper surface 16c on its upper surface.

[0022] The first external terminal 16 further includes two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c connecting the two first external frame portions 16a, 16a. The two first mating surfaces 16g, 16g are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and arranged facing each other via the two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c. In other words, the two spaced apart and facing first mating surfaces 16g, 16g are connected by the two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c. The first retention bridge portion 11g is exposed and arranged in the gap between the two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c. This allows the first electrical connector 10 to have a low profile.

[0023] The first external terminal 16 is made of a thin metal plate and is connected to a ground electrode (i.e., ground potential) of a circuit board (not shown) to shield electromagnetic waves from the outside and unwanted radiation from the first internal terminal 12, thereby making the space surrounded by the first external terminal 16 an electromagnetic wave-shielding space. In other words, the first external terminal 16 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the first internal terminal 12. The first external terminal 16 can be made of, for example, phosphor bronze. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The first external terminal 16 can be formed, for example, by bending.

[0024] The two opposing first mating surfaces 16g, 16g each have a recessed first mating portion 17h that is configured to engage with a mating protrusion 27h of a second mating portion 27a of the second electrical connector 20, which will be described later.

[0025] The U-shaped first positioning surface 16e has, for example, three first positioning portions 17e, 17e, 17e spaced apart from one another. Each first positioning portion 17e has a concave shape defined by a first concave surface 17g. The first positioning portion 17e is configured to correspond to a convex second positioning portion 27e of the second electrical connector 20, which will be described later.

[0026] [Second Electrical Connector] The configuration of the second electrical connector 20 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a top view of the second electrical connector 20 constituting the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second electrical connector 20 shown in Figure 7. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second electrical connector 20 shown in Figure 8.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5 , the second electrical connector 20 has a second holding body 21 , second internal terminals 22 , and second external terminals 26 .

[0028] The second holding body 21 is made of an electrically insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The second holding body 21 is softer than the second external terminals 26. The second holding body 21 has a rectangular second holding portion 21a that extends in the length direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second electrical connector 20. The second holding portion 21a has two second recesses 21c, 21c that are rectangular in top view. The second recess 21c and the first holding portion 11a are complementary to each other.

[0029] The second terminal holding portion 21b has, for example, two second holding recesses 21d, 21d. The second holding recesses 21d hold the second internal terminals 22. The second internal terminals 22 have a shape that allows them to be connected to the first internal terminals 12 of the first electrical connector 10. The second internal terminals 22 come into contact with the first internal terminals 12 to form an electrical connection.

[0030] The second internal terminal 22 transmits high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. For example, phosphor bronze can be used as the second internal terminal 22. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the second internal terminal 22 may be gold-plated, for example. The second internal terminal 22 has a second internal mounting portion for mounting to a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The second internal mounting portion is formed on the underside of the second electrical connector 20. Note that 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 first internal terminal 12 and the second internal terminal 22 are connection terminals for transmitting millimeter-wave signals with frequencies of, for example, 40 GHz to 100 GHz.

[0031] The second external terminal 26 is made of a thin metal plate and is connected to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown). This shields the space surrounded by the second external terminal 26 from external electromagnetic waves and unwanted radiation from the second internal terminal 22, thereby forming an electromagnetic wave-shielding space. In other words, the second external terminal 26 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the second internal terminal 22. The second external terminal 26 can be made of, for example, phosphor bronze. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both electrically conductive and elastically deformable. The second external terminal 26 can be formed, for example, by bending.

[0032] The second external terminal 26 has a rectangular shape in top view, and is attached to and supported by the second holding body 21 so as to cover the surface of the second holding body 21. The second external terminal 26 has a second outer peripheral portion 26e that is rectangular in top view. The second outer peripheral portion 26e has a second external mounting portion on its underside for mounting to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown).

[0033] The second outer peripheral portion 26e of the second external terminal 26 has a rectangular shape defined by a pair of second long sides 28a, 28a extending in the length direction (X-axis direction) and facing each other, and a pair of second short sides 28b, 28b extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and facing each other, in a top view. The second external terminal 26 has a second external bridge portion 27c connecting the pair of second long sides 28a, 28a at the center of the pair of second long sides 28a, 28a. This improves the rigidity of the second external terminal 26.

[0034] The second external terminal 26 has a second central outer peripheral portion 26f at the center in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). The second central outer peripheral portion 26f functions as a second outer peripheral portion 26e having a second external mounting portion. The second central outer peripheral portion 26f has a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the distance between the two second mating portions 27a arranged back-to-back in the second external bridge portion 27c. This prevents the second external mounting portion from peeling off even when the second mating portions 27a, which have a large mating force, are uncoupled against the large mating force.

[0035] The second external bridge portion 27c is configured to be located at a position lower than the second upper surface 26c of the second external terminal 26. In other words, a step is formed between the second external bridge portion 27c and the second upper surface 26c of the second external terminal 26. This allows the first holding bridge portion 11g and the two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c of the first electrical connector 10 to be disposed at the step portion of the second external terminal 26, thereby enabling the electrical connector set 1 to be low-profile.

[0036] The inner periphery of the second external terminal 26 is divided into two second external frame portions 26a, 26a by a second external bridge portion 27c. The second external frame portion 26a has a closed rectangular shape in top view. The two second external frame portions 26a, 26a are configured to correspond to the two first external frame portions 16a, 16a.

[0037] The second outer frame portion 26a has a second guide portion 26d, a second opening 26h, a second positioning portion 27e, and a second fitting portion 27a.

[0038] The second guide portion 26d has a sloped surface that curves diagonally downward from the outside to the inside and is used as a guide to accurately guide the first outer frame portion 16a into the second opening 26h when the first electrical connector 10 is attached to the second electrical connector 20 in the height direction (Z-axis direction).

[0039] The second fitting portion 27a is provided so as to protrude inward from the inner portion of the second external bridge portion 27c, which constitutes part of the second external frame portion 26a. The second fitting portion 27a has a plate-shaped fitting piece 27b having elasticity and a convex fitting protrusion 27h located on the fitting piece 27b. The fitting protrusion 27h is biased inward by the fitting piece 27b. After the fitting is formed, when the first positioning portion 17e is separated from the second positioning portion 27e, the fitting protrusion 27h elastically engages with the concave first fitting portion 17h. This ensures a secure fit.

[0040] The second mating portions 27a are disposed on each of the two second outer frame portions 26a, 26a. As described above, the inner periphery of the second external terminal 26 is divided into two second outer frame portions 26a, 26a by the second outer bridge portion 27c, so the second mating portions 27a are disposed back-to-back on the second outer bridge portion 27c. As a result, the first mating portion 17h and the second mating portion 27a are located in the center of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, and the first positioning portion 17e and the second positioning portion 27e are located on the periphery of the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20, preventing the connectors from shifting from the correct mounting position.

[0041] The second positioning portions 27e are provided on the inner portion of the second outer frame portion 26a so as to protrude inward. For example, three second positioning portions 27e are provided on the inner portion of the second outer frame portion 26a excluding the inner portion of the second outer bridge portion 27c. The second positioning portions 27e provided on the sides of the pair of second long sides 28a are provided so as to be positioned between the two second internal terminals 22 arranged side by side in the length direction (X-axis direction). The second positioning portion 27e provided on the side of the second short side 28b is provided so as to be aligned with the two second internal terminals 22 in the length direction (X-axis direction).

[0042] The second positioning portion 27e has a convex shape defined by the second convex surface 27g. As described above, the first positioning portion 17e has a concave shape defined by the first concave surface 17g. The first positioning portion 17e and the second positioning portion 27e are complementary to each other. This makes it easy to position the device in the correct mounting position.

[0043] When the first mating portion 17h and the second mating portion 27a are mated, the second convex surface 27g of the second positioning portion 27e is configured to contact the first concave surface 17g of the first positioning portion 17e. This guides the first electrical connector 10 and the second electrical connector 20 to the correct installation position. After the first mating portion 17h and the second mating portion 27a are mated, the second convex surface 27g of the second positioning portion 27e is configured to move away from the first concave surface 17g of the first positioning portion 17e. This prevents mechanical damage to the electrically insulating first holder 11 and second holder 21, which are made of a soft material, due to mating.

[0044] That is, the electrical connector set 1 is configured such that when the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are mated, the first positioning portion 17e is in contact with the second positioning portion 27e, and after the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are mated, the first positioning portion 17e is separated from the second positioning portion 27e, thereby preventing deviation from the correct mounting position and enabling reliable mating.

[0045] Next, an electrical connector set 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. The description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above. Figure 11 is a plan view showing the electrical connector set 1 according to the second embodiment in a coupled state. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the first external terminals 16 and the second external terminals 26 of the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 11.

[0046] 11 to 13, the first external terminals 16 of the first electrical connector 10 have first positioning portions 18e with first convex surfaces 18g, and the second external terminals 26 of the second electrical connector 20 have second positioning portions 28e with second concave surfaces 28g. That is, the first positioning portions 18e have a convex shape defined by the first convex surfaces 18g, and the second positioning portions 28e have a concave shape defined by the second concave surfaces 28g. The first positioning portions 18e and the second positioning portions 28e are complementary to each other. This facilitates positioning in the correct mounting position.

[0047] When the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted together, the second concave surface 28g of the second positioning portion 28e is configured to come into contact with the first convex surface 18g of the first positioning portion 18e. After the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted together, the second concave surface 28g of the second positioning portion 28e is configured to be separated from the first convex surface 18g of the first positioning portion 18e.

[0048] That is, the electrical connector set 1 is configured such that when the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted together, the first positioning portion 18e is in contact with the second positioning portion 28e, and after the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted together, the first positioning portion 18e is spaced apart from the second positioning portion 28e, thereby preventing deviation from the correct mounting position and enabling reliable fitting.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The second fitting portion 27a may have a recess, and the first fitting portion 17h may have a resilient fitting piece and a fitting protrusion located on the fitting piece, so that in the separated state, the fitting protrusion of the first fitting portion 17h resiliently engages with the recess of the second fitting portion 27a, thereby achieving a secure fit.

[0051] In the first external frame portion 16a and the second external frame portion 26a, the annular surrounding shape is not necessarily limited to a rectangular annular shape when viewed from above, but may be, for example, a triangular shape, a polygonal shape with pentagons or more, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a shape that combines a polygonal and a circular shape.

[0052] The present invention and its embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0053] An electrical connector set 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a first electrical connector 10 having first internal terminals 12 and first external terminals 16 that are conductive, and a first holder 11 that is electrically insulating and holds the first internal terminals 12 and the first external terminals 16; and a second electrical connector 20 having second internal terminals 22 and second external terminals 26 that are conductive, and a second holder 21 that is electrically insulating and holds the second internal terminals 22 and the second external terminals 26, wherein the first external terminals 16 have a first external frame portion 16a in which first positioning portions 17e and first fitting portions 17h are arranged, and the second external terminals 26 have a second external frame portion 26a in which second positioning portions 27e corresponding to the first positioning portions 17e and second fitting portions 27a corresponding to the first fitting portions 17h are arranged, and the electrical connector set 1 comprises: After the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted to each other, the first positioning portion 17e is placed in a spaced state away from the second positioning portion 27e.

[0054] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the first holding body 11 and the second holding body 21, which are made of a soft material and have electrical insulation properties, from being mechanically damaged by the fitting.

[0055] In addition, in the electrical connector set 1 of one embodiment, when the first fitting portion 17h and the second fitting portion 27a are fitted together, the first positioning portion 17e comes into contact with the second positioning portion 27e.

[0056] According to the above configuration, when the fitting is formed, the first positioning portion 17 e is in contact with the second positioning portion 27 e, thereby realizing accurate positioning by the first positioning portion 17 e and the second positioning portion 27 e, and thus preventing deviation from the correct mounting position. Then, after the fitting is formed, the first positioning portion 17 e is separated from the second positioning portion 27 e, thereby realizing a reliable fitting by the first fitting portion 17 h and the second fitting portion 27 a.

[0057] In the electrical connector set 1 of one embodiment, the first positioning portion 17e and the second positioning portion 27e are in a complementary relationship.

[0058] According to the above configuration, it is easy to position the device in the correct mounting position.

[0059] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the first mating portion 17h has a concave shape and the second mating portion 27a has an elastic mating piece 27b and a mating protrusion 27h located on the mating piece 27b, or the second mating portion 27a has a concave shape and the first mating portion 17h has an elastic mating piece and a mating protrusion located on the mating piece, and in the separated state, the mating protrusion elastically engages with the concave shape.

[0060] According to the above configuration, a reliable fit can be achieved.

[0061] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the first outer frame portion 16a has a rectangular shape defined by three first positioning surfaces 16e, 16e, 16e and one first mating surface 16g, and the first positioning portion 17e is arranged on the first positioning surface 16e, and the first mating portion 17h is arranged on the first mating surface 16g.

[0062] According to the above embodiment, accurate positioning and reliable fitting can both be achieved.

[0063] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the second external terminal 26 has a rectangular shape in top view defined by a pair of second long sides 28a, 28a extending in the lengthwise direction and facing each other, and a pair of second short sides 28b, 28b extending in the widthwise direction and facing each other, and the second external terminal 26 has a second external bridge portion 27c connecting the pair of second long sides 28a, 28a at the center of the pair of second long sides 28a, 28a.

[0064] According to the above embodiment, the rigidity of the second external terminal 26 is improved.

[0065] In the electrical connector set 1 of one embodiment, the second external bridge portion 27 c is located at a position lower than the second upper surface 26 c of the second external terminal 26 .

[0066] According to the above embodiment, the height of the electrical connector set 1 can be reduced.

[0067] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the second fitting portions 27a are disposed back-to-back on the second outer bridge portion 27c.

[0068] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the device from shifting from the correct wearing position.

[0069] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the first retaining body 11 has two first retaining portions 11a, 11a spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and a first retaining bridge portion 11g connecting the two first retaining portions 11a, 11a, the first external terminal 16 has two first external frame portions 16a, 16a corresponding to the two first retaining portions 11a, 11a and two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c connecting the two first external frame portions 16a, 16a, and the first retaining bridge portion 11g is arranged in an exposed state in the gap between the two first external bridge portions 17c, 17c.

[0070] According to the above embodiment, the first electrical connector 10 can be made low-profile.

[0071] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the first retaining body 11 is a molded body made of a resin material, and the underside of the first retaining bridge portion 11g has a gate mark 11h formed after the resin material is injection molded.

[0072] According to the above embodiment, the two first holding portions 11a, 11a positioned symmetrically across the first holding bridge portion 11g can be molded with low injection pressure, and the occurrence of burrs due to injection molding can be suppressed.

[0073] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the second external terminal 26 has a second central outer peripheral portion 26f at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the second central outer peripheral portion 26f has a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the separation distance between the second mating portions 27a arranged back-to-back in the second external bridge portion 27c.

[0074] According to the above embodiment, in the second fitting portion 27a having a large fitting force, even when the second external mounting portion is put into an uncoupled state while resisting the large fitting force, separation of the second external mounting portion can be prevented.

[0075] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The electrical connector set of the present disclosure is an electrical connector set including: a first electrical connector having first internal terminals and first external terminals that are conductive, and a first retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the first internal terminals and the first external terminals; and a second electrical connector having second internal terminals and second external terminals that are conductive, and a second retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the second internal terminals and the second external terminals, wherein the first external terminals have a first external frame portion in which a first positioning portion and a first mating portion are arranged, and the second external terminals have a second external frame portion in which a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion and a second mating portion corresponding to the first mating portion are arranged, and after the first mating portion is mated with the second mating portion, the first positioning portion is in a separated state from the second positioning portion.

[0076] (2) In the electrical connector set of (1), when the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted together, the first positioning portion comes into contact with the second positioning portion.

[0077] (3) In the electrical connector set of (1) or (2), the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are in a complementary relationship.

[0078] (4) In any one of the electrical connector sets (1) to (3), the first mating portion has a concave shape and the second mating portion has a resilient mating piece and a mating protrusion located on the mating piece, or the second mating portion has a concave shape and the first mating portion has a resilient mating piece and a mating protrusion located on the mating piece, and in the separated state, the mating protrusion elastically engages with the concave shape.

[0079] (5) In any one of the electrical connector sets (1) to (4), the first external frame portion has a rectangular shape defined by three first positioning surfaces and one first mating surface, and the first positioning portion is disposed on the first positioning surface, and the first mating portion is disposed on the first mating surface.

[0080] (6) In any one of the electrical connector sets (1) to (5), the second external terminal has a rectangular shape in top view defined by a pair of second long sides extending in the lengthwise direction and facing each other, and a pair of second short sides extending in the widthwise direction and facing each other, and the second external terminal has a second external bridge portion connecting the pair of second long sides at the center of the pair of second long sides.

[0081] (7) In the electrical connector set of (6), the second external bridge portion is located at a position lower than the second upper surface of the second external terminal.

[0082] (8) In the electrical connector set of (6) or (7), the second mating portions are disposed back-to-back on the second outer bridge portion.

[0083] (9) In any one of the electrical connector sets (1) to (8), the first retaining body has two first retaining portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and a first retaining bridge portion connecting the two first retaining portions, the first external terminal has two first external frame portions corresponding to the two first retaining portions and two first external bridge portions connecting the two first external frame portions, and the first retaining bridge portion is arranged in an exposed state in the gap between the two first external bridge portions.

[0084] (10) In the electrical connector set of (9), the first holding body is a molded body made of a resin material, and the lower surface of the first holding bridge portion has a gate mark formed after injection molding of the resin material.

[0085] (11) In the electrical connector set of (8), the second external terminal has a second central outer peripheral portion at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the second central outer peripheral portion has a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the separation distance of the second mating portions arranged in a back-to-back position on the second external bridge portion.

[0086] 1...Electrical connector set 10...First electrical connector 11...First holding body 11a...First holding portion 11b...First terminal holding portion 11c...First recess 11d...First holding recess 11g...First holding bridge portion 11h...Gate mark 12...First internal terminal 16...First external terminal 16a...First external frame portion 16c...First external upper surface 16e...First positioning surface 16g...First fitting surface 16h...First opening 17c...First external bridge portion 17e...First positioning portion 17g...First concave surface 17h...First fitting portion 18e...First positioning portion 18g...First convex surface 20...Second electrical connector 21...Second holding body 21a...Second holding portion 21b...Second terminal holding portion 21c...Second recess 21d...Second holding recess 22...Second internal terminal 26...Second external terminal 26a...Second external frame portion 26c...Second upper surface 26d...Second guide portion 26e...Second outer peripheral portion 26f...Second central outer peripheral portion 26h...Second opening 27a...Second fitting portion 27b...Fitting piece 27c...Second external bridge portion 27e...Second positioning portion 27g...Second convex surface 27h...Fitting protrusion 28a...Second long side 28b...Second short side 28e...Second positioning portion 28g...Second concave surface

Claims

1. An electrical connector set comprising: a first electrical connector having first internal terminals and first external terminals that are conductive and a first retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the first internal terminals and the first external terminals; and a second electrical connector having second internal terminals and second external terminals that are conductive and a second retaining body that is electrically insulating and holds the second internal terminals and the second external terminals, wherein the first external terminals have a first external frame portion in which a first positioning portion and a first mating portion are arranged, and the second external terminals have a second external frame portion in which a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion and a second mating portion corresponding to the first mating portion are arranged, and the electrical connector set is in a separated state in which the first positioning portion is separated from the second positioning portion after mating is formed between the first mating portion and the second mating portion.

2. The electrical connector set according to claim 1, wherein when the first mating portion and the second mating portion are mated, the first positioning portion is in contact with the second positioning portion.

3. The electrical connector set according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are in a complementary relationship.

4. An electrical connector set according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first mating portion has a concave shape and the second mating portion has a resilient mating piece and a mating protrusion located on the mating piece, or the second mating portion has a concave shape and the first mating portion has a resilient mating piece and a mating protrusion located on the mating piece, and in the separated state, the mating protrusion elastically engages with the concave shape.

5. An electrical connector set as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first external frame portion has a rectangular shape defined by three first positioning surfaces and one first mating surface, the first positioning portions being disposed on the first positioning surfaces, and the first mating portion being disposed on the first mating surface.

6. An electrical connector set according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second external terminal has a rectangular shape in top view defined by a pair of second long sides extending in the lengthwise direction and facing each other, and a pair of second short sides extending in the widthwise direction and facing each other, and the second external terminal has a second external bridge portion connecting the pair of second long sides at the center of the pair of second long sides.

7. The electrical connector set according to claim 6, wherein the second external bridge portion is located at a position lower than the second upper surface of the second external terminal.

8. The electrical connector set according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second mating portions are disposed back-to-back on the second outer bridge portion.

9. An electrical connector set as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first retaining body has two first retaining portions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and a first retaining bridge portion connecting the two first retaining portions, the first external terminal has two first external frame portions corresponding to the two first retaining portions and two first external bridge portions connecting the two first external frame portions, and the first retaining bridge portion is arranged in an exposed state in the gap between the two first external bridge portions.

10. An electrical connector set as described in claim 9, wherein the first retaining body is a molded body made of a resin material, and the underside of the first retaining bridge portion has a gate mark formed after injection molding of the resin material.

11. The electrical connector set according to claim 8, wherein the second external terminal has a second central outer peripheral portion at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the second central outer peripheral portion has a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the distance between the second mating portions arranged back-to-back on the second external bridge portion.

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