Connector and connecting structure

Abstract

A terminal portion (14) of a connector (10) comprises: a one-side pressure contact portion (32b) that comes into contact with a connection target object (80) so as to press the connection target object (80) toward one side in a width direction; and an other-side pressure contact portion (32a) that comes into contact with the connection target object (80) so as to press the connection target object (80) toward the other side in the width direction. The connector (10) comprises: a supporting portion (22a2) positioned on one side in the width direction with respect to a supported portion (81), which is a portion of the connection target object (80) that is connected to the connector (10); and a pressing portion (60) that presses the supported portion (81) of the connection target object (80) connected to the connector (10) against the supporting portion (22a2).

Description

Connector and Connection Structure

[0007]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connection structure.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that is attached to an attachment object (motherboard) and connected to a connection object (daughterboard), thereby electrically connecting the attachment object and the connection object.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-126791

[0004] The above connector includes a terminal portion (a plurality of connector contacts) that forms a conductive path between the attachment object and the connection object, and a housing portion (a casing) that holds the terminal portion. When the directions perpendicular to the connection direction of the connection object with respect to the connector and perpendicular to each other are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, the terminal portion includes a one-side pressing contact portion (one of the first contacts or the second contacts) that contacts the connection object so as to press the connection object to one side in the width direction, and the other-side pressing contact portion (the other of the first contacts or the second contacts) that contacts the connection object so as to press the connection object to the other side in the width direction.

[0005] By the way, when the above connector is used particularly in a vibration environment, contact sliding is likely to occur between the terminal portion and the connection object.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding in a connector in which the terminal portion includes a one-side pressing contact portion and an other-side pressing contact portion.

[0007] A connector according to the first embodiment is a connector that electrically connects an object to be attached and an object to be connected by being attached to the object to be attached and connected to the object to be connected, the connector comprising a terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the object to be attached and the object to be connected, and a housing portion that holds the terminal portion, wherein in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be connected is connected to the connector, and when the directions perpendicular to each other are called the width direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, the terminal portion comprises a one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and a other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, the connector comprising a support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a supported portion which is a part of the object to be connected that is connected to the connector, and a pressing portion that presses the supported portion of the object to be connected that is connected to the connector against the support portion.

[0008] In this embodiment, the connector comprises a terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the object to be attached and the object to be connected, and a housing portion that holds the terminal portion. When the directions perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be connected is connected to the connector, and the directions perpendicular to each other are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, the terminal portion comprises a one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and a other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction.

[0009] Incidentally, if, in the connected state, the object to be connected is supported only by one side pressing contact portion and the other side pressing contact portion, contact sliding is likely to occur between the terminal portion and the object to be connected. This is particularly noticeable when the connector is used in a vibrating environment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector comprises a support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to the supported portion, which is a part of the object to be connected to the connector, and a pressing portion that presses the supported portion of the object to be connected to the connector against the support portion. As a result, in the connected state, the object to be connected is pressed against the support portion by the pressing portion. Consequently, relative movement of the object to be connected with respect to the support portion is suppressed, and the occurrence of contact sliding between the terminal portion and the object to be connected is suppressed.

[0010] In the embodiments described later, the object to be attached is a circuit board. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The object to be attached may be, for example, a cable. In the embodiments described later, the object to be connected is a relay circuit board (circuit board). That is, the connector is a card edge connector. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The object to be connected may be, for example, another connector. In the embodiments described later, the terminal section is composed of multiple terminals. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The terminal section may be composed of, for example, a single terminal having a one-sided pressing contact portion and a other-sided pressing contact portion. In the embodiments described later, the multiple terminals constituting the terminal section have the same shape as each other. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the terminal section is composed of multiple terminals. And the multiple terminals have the same shape. And the number of one-sided pressing terminals is greater than the number of other-sided pressing terminals, so that the supported portion of the object to be connected is pressed against the support portion. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the number of one-sided pressing terminals and the number of other-sided pressing terminals may be the same. In this case, the pressing portion may be configured by making the elastic force of the other side pressing terminal stronger than the elastic force of the one side pressing terminal. In the embodiments described later, the one side pressing contact portion and the other side pressing contact portion are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the housing portion consists only of a fixed housing that is fixed to the object to be attached. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The housing portion may include, for example, a fixed housing that is fixed to the object to be attached and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing. In the embodiments described later, the one side pressing contact portion is located to one side in the width direction compared to the other side pressing contact portion. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the supported portion is the tip of the object to be connected. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the support portion is a part of the housing made of synthetic resin that is included in the housing portion. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the pressing portion consists only of a terminal portion. However, this embodiment is not limited to this.The pressing portion may consist, for example, a terminal portion and one or more pressing members provided separately from the terminal portion.

[0011] In the second embodiment of the connector, the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two locations separated in the front-rear direction, as in the first embodiment.

[0012] In this embodiment, the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two points separated in the front-rear direction. Therefore, rotation of the object to be connected can be suppressed when viewed from the connection direction.

[0013] In the third embodiment, the connector comprises, in the first or second embodiment, a housing portion made of synthetic resin, and the support portion is a part of the housing.

[0014] In this embodiment, the housing portion comprises a housing made of synthetic resin. The support portion is part of the housing. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which the support portion is provided as a separate component from the housing.

[0015] In the fourth embodiment, the connector, in the third embodiment, comprises a housing chamber for accommodating the supported portion of the object to be connected, and the supporting portion is a wall surface on one side in the width direction of the housing chamber.

[0016] In this embodiment, the housing includes a housing chamber for accommodating the supported portion of the object to be connected. The support portion is the wall surface on one side in the width direction of the housing chamber. Therefore, movement (relative movement with respect to the housing) of the portion of the object to be connected that is housed in the housing chamber of the housing can be effectively suppressed.

[0017] The connector according to the fifth embodiment is configured such that, in the fourth embodiment, the support portion contacts the object to be connected at two locations separated in the front-rear direction, and the terminal portion has a plurality of one-sided pressing contact portions, all of which are located between the two locations in the front-rear direction.

[0018] In this embodiment, the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two points separated in the front-rear direction. Therefore, rotation of the object to be connected when viewed from the connection direction can be suppressed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal portion has multiple one-sided pressing contact portions, and all of the multiple one-sided pressing contact portions are located between the two aforementioned points in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the distance between the two aforementioned points can be increased, so that rotation of the object to be connected when viewed from the connection direction can be suppressed more effectively.

[0019] In the embodiments described later, the front-to-rear dimensions of the housing chamber are greater than the front-to-rear dimensions of the supported portion of the object to be connected. Therefore, a front-to-rear positional deviation of the object to be connected relative to the connector is permitted by the amount of the dimensional difference. An inclination of the object to be connected relative to the connector (inclination around the axis in the connector width direction) is also permitted. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, whether the supported portion of the object to be connected is positioned closer to the front end of the housing chamber or closer to the rear end of the housing chamber, the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two points separated in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the housing chamber functions to restrict the front-to-rear position of the supported portion of the object to be connected so that the support portion contacts the object to be connected at two points separated in the front-to-rear direction. However, this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0020] The connector according to the sixth embodiment, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, the terminal portion is composed of a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals comprising at least one one-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to one side in the width direction and at least one other-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, the plurality of terminals comprising a pair of terminals composed of the one-side pressing terminal and the other-side pressing terminal arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction, and the connector separately comprises a pressing member for pressing the supported portion of the object to be connected to one side in the width direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the multiple terminals constituting the terminal section include a pair of terminals, each consisting of a one-sided press terminal and a other-sided press terminal, which are positioned at the same location in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, compared to embodiments where the multiple terminals do not include a pair of terminals, the connector can be made smaller in the front-to-back direction.

[0022] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connector is provided with a pressing member separate from the pair of terminals, which presses the supported portion of the object to be connected to one side in the width direction. Therefore, compared to embodiments in which the connector is not provided with a pressing member, the supported portion of the object to be connected can be pressed more reliably against the support portion.

[0023] In the seventh embodiment of the connector, in the sixth embodiment, the pressing member is the one-sided pressing terminal.

[0024] In this embodiment, the pressing member is a one-sided pressing terminal. Therefore, the number of terminals can be increased compared to an embodiment in which a one-sided pressing terminal that does not constitute part of a pair of terminals is not provided.

[0025] In the embodiments described later, the one-sided pressing terminal electrically connects the object to be mounted and the object to be connected. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. As long as the one-sided pressing terminal has the function of electrically connecting the object to be mounted and the object to be connected, this function does not need to be used when the connector is in use. In other words, the "terminal" of this disclosure only needs to have a connection portion that can be connected to the object to be mounted and a contact portion that can come into contact with the object to be connected. In the embodiments described later, the pressing member which is the one-sided pressing terminal has the same shape as the one-sided pressing terminal which constitutes a part of the pair of terminals. However, the pressing member of this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0026] The connector according to the eighth embodiment, in any of the first to seventh embodiments, comprises the pressing portion consisting only of the terminal portion, the terminal portion consisting of a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals comprising at least one one-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, wherein the number of one-side pressing terminals is greater than the number of other-side pressing terminals.

[0027] In this embodiment, the pressing portion consists only of the terminal portion. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to embodiments in which the pressing portion includes components other than the terminal portion.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal section is composed of multiple terminals. The multiple terminals include at least one one-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction. The number of one-side pressing terminals is greater than the number of other-side pressing terminals. Therefore, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the supported portion of the object to be connected is pressed against the support portion.

[0029] In the connector according to the ninth embodiment, the plurality of terminals constituting the terminal portion are identical in shape to each other, as in the eighth embodiment.

[0030] In this embodiment, the multiple terminals constituting the terminal section are all the same shape. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced.

[0031] The connector according to the tenth embodiment, in the eighth or ninth embodiment, comprises a housing made of synthetic resin, the housing having a one-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding the one-side pressing terminal and a other-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding the other-side pressing terminal, and the same number of one-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves and the other-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves are provided.

[0032] In this embodiment, the housing portion comprises a housing made of synthetic resin. The housing has a one-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding one-side pressing terminal, and a other-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding the other-side pressing terminal. The same number of one-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves and the other-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves are provided. Therefore, the housing can be shared with a connector in which the number of one-side pressing terminals is the same as the number of other-side pressing terminals. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the connector can be reduced.

[0033] In the eleventh embodiment, the connector, in any of the first to tenth embodiments, comprises the pressing portion consisting only of the terminal portion, and the terminal portion includes at least one one-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the pressing portion consists only of the terminal portion. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to embodiments in which the pressing portion includes members other than the terminal portion. Furthermore, the terminal portion includes at least one one-sided pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-sided pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction. Therefore, a configuration can be achieved in which the supported portion of the object to be connected is pressed to the support portion by the difference between the pressing force of at least one one-sided pressing terminal and the pressing force of at least one other-sided pressing terminal.

[0035] In the embodiment described later, the number of pressing terminals on one side is greater than the number of pressing terminals on the other side. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. By providing a difference between the pressing force from one side pressing terminal and the pressing force from the other side pressing terminal, a configuration can be achieved in which the supported portion of the object to be connected is pressed against the support portion.

[0036] In the twelfth embodiment, the connector is such that, in any of the first to eleventh embodiments, the object to be attached is a circuit board, and the object to be connected is a relay circuit board.

[0037] In this embodiment, the object to be attached is a circuit board, and the object to be connected is a relay circuit board. Therefore, a card edge connector that can suppress contact sliding can be realized.

[0038] (Connection Structure) The connection structure according to the 13th embodiment is a connection structure in which a first mounting object and a second mounting object are electrically connected by a first connector, an intermediate board and a second connector, wherein the first connector is attached to the first mounting object and connected to the intermediate board, thereby electrically connecting the first mounting object and the intermediate board, the first connector comprises a first terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the first mounting object and the intermediate board, and a first housing portion that holds the first terminal portion, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the intermediate board is connected to the first connector, and when the directions perpendicular to each other are called the width direction and the front-rear direction of the first connector, the first terminal portion comprises a first one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the intermediate board so as to press the intermediate board to one side in the width direction, and a first other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the intermediate board so as to press the intermediate board to the other side in the width direction, the first connector comprises a first support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a first supported portion which is a part of the intermediate board connected to the first connector, and the intermediate board connected to the first connector The second connector comprises a first pressing portion that presses the first supported portion of the substrate against the first support portion, and is attached to the second mounting object and connected to the relay substrate, thereby electrically connecting the second mounting object and the relay substrate, the second connector comprises a second terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the second mounting object and the relay substrate, and a second housing portion that holds the second terminal portion, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the relay substrate is connected to the second connector, and where the directions perpendicular to each other are called the width direction and the front-rear direction of the second connector, the second terminal portion comprises a second one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay substrate so as to press the relay substrate to one side in the width direction, and a second other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay substrate so as to press the relay substrate to the other side in the width direction, the second connector comprises a second support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to the second supported portion which is a part of the relay substrate connected to the second connector, and a second pressing portion that presses the second supported portion of the relay substrate connected to the second connector against the second support portion.

[0039] This embodiment relates to a connection structure in which a first mounting object and a second mounting object are electrically connected by a first connector, an intermediate board, and a second connector. In this embodiment, the first connector is attached to the first mounting object and connected to the intermediate board, thereby electrically connecting the first mounting object and the intermediate board.

[0040] The first connector comprises a first terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the first object to be mounted and the relay board, and a first housing portion that holds the first terminal portion. When the directions perpendicular to the direction in which the relay board is connected to the first connector, and the directions perpendicular to each other, are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the first connector, the first terminal portion comprises a first one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to one side in the width direction, and a first other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to the other side in the width direction. The first connector further comprises a first support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a first supported portion which is a part of the relay board connected to the first connector, and a first pressing portion that presses the first supported portion of the relay board connected to the first connector against the first support portion.

[0041] The second connector is attached to the second mounting object and connected to the relay board, thereby electrically connecting the second mounting object and the relay board. The second connector comprises a second terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the second mounting object and the relay board, and a second housing portion that holds the second terminal portion. When the directions perpendicular to the direction in which the relay board is connected to the second connector are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the second connector, the second terminal portion comprises a second one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to one side in the width direction, and a second other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to the other side in the width direction. The second connector also comprises a second support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a second supported portion which is a part of the relay board connected to the second connector, and a second pressing portion that presses the second supported portion of the relay board connected to the second connector against the second support portion.

[0042] Therefore, the first supported portion of the relay substrate is pressed against the first support portion of the first connector, and the second supported portion of the relay substrate is pressed against the second support portion of the second connector. Thus, the occurrence of contact sliding between the first terminal portion of the first connector and the relay substrate is suppressed, and the occurrence of contact sliding between the second terminal portion of the second connector and the relay substrate is suppressed.

[0043] In the connector according to the 14th aspect, in the 13th aspect, one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as one side in the width direction of the second connector.

[0044] In this aspect, one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as one side in the width direction of the second connector. Therefore, regardless of the direction of misalignment of the second connector with respect to the first connector, it is easy to stably support the relay substrate by the first connector and the second connector.

[0045] In the connector according to the 15th aspect, in the 13th aspect, one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as the other side in the width direction of the second connector.

[0046] In this aspect, one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as the other side in the width direction of the second connector. Therefore, when the second connector is misaligned with respect to the first connector on one side in the width direction of the first connector, the distance between the portions of the relay substrate supported by the first support portion and the second support portion becomes smaller. Thus, in this case, the support of the relay substrate by the first connector and the second connector is stabilized.

[0047] It is an exploded perspective view of the connector. It is a perspective view of the connector. It is another perspective view of the connector. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector (a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction of the connector). It is another cross-sectional perspective view of the connector (a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction of the connector). It is a cross-sectional view of the connector (a cross-section perpendicular to the front-back direction of the connector). It is a perspective view of a pair of terminals. It is a cross-sectional view showing a joining structure, where (A) shows a state in which the first connector and the second connector are displaced in the width direction, and (B) shows a state in which the displacement is in the opposite direction to that of (A). It is a cross-sectional view showing a joining structure different from that of FIG. 8, where (A) shows a state in which the first connector and the second connector are displaced in the width direction, and (B) shows a state in which the displacement is in the opposite direction to that of (A).

[0048] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the connector and the connection structure according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the connector 10 is a connector that is attached to the attachment object 90 and connected to the connection object 80 to electrically connect the attachment object 90 and the connection object 80.

[0050] The attachment object 90 is a substrate 90, and the connection object 80 is a relay substrate 80. That is, the connector 10 is a card edge connector. The connection direction of the connection object 80 with respect to the connector 10 is a direction perpendicular to the substrate 90 which is the attachment object 90.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector �0 includes a housing portion 12, a terminal portion 14, and a reinforcing portion 16.

[0052] The housing portion 12 is composed of a fixed housing 20 that is fixed to the attachment object 90. The fixed housing 20 is a resin molded product formed of synthetic resin and is integrally molded by injection molding.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixed housing 20 has a housing chamber 21 in which the tip portion 81 of the connection object 80 (see FIG. 6, sometimes referred to as the supported portion 81 or the accommodated portion 81) is accommodated. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixed housing 20 has inner wall surfaces 22a, �2d that form the housing chamber 21. The housing chamber 21 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, the terminal section 14 is composed of a plurality (seven) of terminals 30. The plurality (seven) of terminals 30 are all the same shape.

[0055] The multiple terminals 30 consist of multiple (two) one-side terminals 30a arranged on one side in the connector width direction, and multiple (five) other-side terminals 30b arranged on the other side in the connector width direction.

[0056] One-sided terminal 30a presses the object to be connected 80 to the other side in the width direction, and is therefore hereinafter referred to as the other-side pressing terminal 30a. The other-side terminal 30b presses the object to be connected 80 to one side in the width direction, and is therefore hereinafter referred to as the one-sided pressing terminal 30b.

[0057] The number of other-side pressing terminals 30a (5) is greater than the number of one-side pressing terminals 30b (2). As a result, the tip portion 81 (supported portion 81) of the object to be connected 80 is pressed by the terminal portion 14 to one side in the connector width direction. Consequently, the tip portion 81 (supported portion 81) of the object to be connected 80 is pressed against parts 22a2, 22a2 (see Figures 5 and 6) of the inner wall surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d of the fixed housing 20. In other words, the terminal portion 14 constitutes a pressing portion 60 that presses the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 connected to the connector 10 against the support portion 22a2.

[0058] The reinforcing section 16 reinforces the mounting strength of the connector 10 to the object 90 to be attached. The reinforcing section 16 comprises one or more reinforcing members 40. In this embodiment, the reinforcing section 16 is composed of a plurality (two) of reinforcing members 40. The two reinforcing members 40 are arranged on one side in the front-rear direction and the other side in the front-rear direction relative to the terminal section 14.

[0059] (Details of the housing 20) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inner wall surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d that form the housing chamber 21 have a pair of widthwise inner wall surfaces 22a and 22b that constitute the outer wall surface of the housing chamber 21 in the width direction of the connector, and a pair of front-to-rear inner wall surfaces 22c and 22d that constitute the outer wall surface of the housing chamber 21 in the front-to-rear direction of the connector.

[0060] The pair of widthwise inner wall surfaces 22a and 22b have their normal directions oriented inward in the connector width direction. The pair of front-to-back inner wall surfaces 22c and 22d have their normal directions oriented inward in the connector front-to-back direction. As a result, the normal directions of the inner wall surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are oriented perpendicular to the vertical direction of the connector.

[0061] The fixed housing 20 has guide inclined surfaces 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d that guide the tip 81 of the object to be connected 80 to the housing chamber 21. The guide inclined surfaces 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are inclined inward in the connector width direction or inward in the connector front-to-back direction toward the downward direction of the connector.

[0062] The guide inclined surfaces 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d each have a pair of width-direction guide inclined surfaces 23a and 23b and a pair of front-rear direction guide inclined surfaces 23c and 23d.

[0063] The pair of widthwise guide inclined surfaces 23a and 23b are inclined inward in the width direction of the connector toward the downward direction of the connector. The lower ends of the widthwise guide inclined surfaces 23a and 23b are connected to the upper ends of the widthwise inner wall surfaces 22a and 22b.

[0064] The pair of front-to-rear guide inclined surfaces 23c and 23d are inclined inward in the front-to-rear direction of the connector, with the connector facing downward. The lower ends of the front-to-rear guide inclined surfaces 23c and 23d are connected to the upper ends of the front-to-rear inner wall surfaces 22c and 22d.

[0065] The housing 20 has a plurality of terminal placement grooves 25a, 25b on which terminals 30 can be placed. The terminal placement grooves 25a, 25b are grooves formed in a pair of widthwise inner wall surfaces 22a, 22b and a pair of widthwise guide inclined surfaces 23a, 23b. The terminal placement grooves 25a, 25b are grooves whose depth direction is outward in the connector width direction and whose extension direction is in the vertical direction of the connector.

[0066] The multiple terminal placement grooves 25a and 25b consist of multiple one-side pressing terminal placement grooves 25b in which one-side pressing terminals 30b can be placed, and multiple other-side pressing terminal placement grooves 25a in which other-side pressing terminals 30a can be placed. One-side pressing terminals 30b are placed in all of the multiple one-side pressing terminal placement grooves 25b. On the other hand, other-side pressing terminals 30a are placed in only a portion of the multiple other-side pressing terminal placement grooves 25a.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, the inner wall surface 22a on one side in the width direction of the housing chamber 21 is separated into multiple inner wall surfaces 22a1 and 22a2 by multiple other-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves 25a. The multiple inner wall surfaces 22a1 and 22a2 consist of a pair of inner wall surfaces 22a2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction and multiple other inner wall surfaces 22a1. The positions of the pair of inner wall surfaces 22a2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction are the same in the connector width direction. The positions of the other multiple inner wall surfaces 22a1 are also the same in the connector width direction. Furthermore, the pair of inner wall surfaces 22a2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction are located on the other side in the connector width direction than the other multiple inner wall surfaces 22a1. Therefore, the tip portion 81 that is pressed to one side in the connector width direction by the terminal portion 14 (pressing portion 60) is pressed against the pair of inner wall surfaces 22a2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, the inner wall surface 22b on the other side in the width direction of the housing chamber 21 is separated into a plurality of inner wall surfaces 22b1 and 22b2 by a plurality of one-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves 25b. The plurality of inner wall surfaces 22b1 and 22b2 consist of a pair of inner wall surfaces 22b2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of other inner wall surfaces 22b1. The positions of the pair of inner wall surfaces 22b2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction are the same in the connector width direction. The positions of the other plurality of inner wall surfaces 22b1 are the same in the connector width direction. Furthermore, the position of the pair of inner wall surfaces 22b2 that are furthest outward in the front-rear direction is the same as the position of the other plurality of inner wall surfaces 22b1 in the connector width direction.

[0069] The housing 20 has suction surfaces 24. A pair of suction surfaces 24 are provided in the width direction. With respect to the vertical position, the suction surfaces 24 are located below the upper ends of the guide inclined surfaces 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

[0070] (Details of terminal 30) As shown in Figure 7, the terminal 30 has a base portion 34, a contact portion 32 that contacts the object to be connected 80, and an elastic support portion 33 that elastically supports the contact portion 32 so that it can be displaced relative to the base portion 34. Therefore, the contact portion 32 is made to elastically contact the object to be connected 80. The elastic support portion 33 is formed such that the contact portion 32 is located below the upper end of the elastic support portion 33.

[0071] The base portion 34 is held in place by the fixed housing 20. Specifically, the base portion 34 of the terminal 30 is held in place by press-fitting it into the fixed housing 20. The press-fitting direction is upward.

[0072] The terminal 30 has a connecting portion 35 that connects to the object to be mounted 90. The connecting portion 35 is joined to the object to be mounted 90 by soldering. In this way, the terminal 30 is configured to be electrically connectable to the object to be mounted 90. The connecting portion 35 is formed on the lower side of the base portion 34.

[0073] The terminal 30 is oriented in its entirety so that its thickness direction is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the connector. Specifically, the base portion 34 is oriented so that its thickness direction is in the direction of the connector width. The connecting portion 35 is oriented so that its thickness direction is in the direction of the connector up and down. The connecting portion 35 is provided on the outside of the base portion 34 in the direction of the connector width.

[0074] (Details of the reinforcing member 40) As shown in Figure 1, the reinforcing member 40 has a holding portion 41 that is held by the fixed housing 20 and a joining portion 42 that is joined to the object to be attached 90.

[0075] The retained portion 41 is oriented with its plate thickness in the front-to-back direction. The retained portion 41 is held by the fixed housing 20 by being press-fitted into the fixed housing 20. The press-fitting direction of the retained portion 41 is upward.

[0076] The joint portion 42 is oriented with its plate thickness in the vertical direction. The joint portion 42 is positioned outward in the front-rear direction relative to the retained portion 41. The width dimension of the joint portion 42 (dimension in the connector width direction) is greater than the width dimension of the retained portion 41.

[0077] <Effects> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 comprises a terminal portion 14 that forms a conductive path between the object to be attached 90 and the object to be connected 80 (see Figure 6), and a housing portion 12 that holds the terminal portion 14. When the directions perpendicular to the connection direction of the object to be connected 80 to the connector 10, and the directions perpendicular to each other, are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the connector 10, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the terminal portion 14 comprises a one-side pressing contact portion 32b that contacts the object to be connected 80 so as to press the object to be connected 80 to one side in the width direction, and a other-side pressing contact portion 32a that contacts the object to be connected 80 so as to press the object to be connected 80 to the other side in the width direction.

[0079] Incidentally, if, in the connected state, the object to be connected 80 is supported only by the one-sided pressing contact portion 32b and the other-sided pressing contact portion 32a, contact sliding is likely to occur between the terminal portion 14 and the object to be connected 80. This is particularly noticeable when the connector 10 is used in a vibrating environment. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the connector 10 includes a support portion 22a2 located on one side in the width direction relative to the supported portion 81, which is a part of the object to be connected 80 connected to the connector 10, and a pressing portion 60 that presses the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 connected to the connector 10 against the support portion 22a2. As a result, in the connected state, the object to be connected 80 is pressed against the support portion 22a2 by the pressing portion 60.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the support portion 22a2 is configured to contact the object to be connected 80 at two points separated in the front-rear direction. Therefore, rotation of the object to be connected 80 when viewed from the connection direction can be suppressed.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the housing portion 12 includes a housing 20 made of synthetic resin. The support portion 22a2 is part of the housing 20. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which the support portion 22a2 is provided as a separate component from the housing 20.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 20 includes a housing chamber 21 that accommodates the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80. And, as shown in Figure 5, the support portion 22a2 is the wall surface 22a2 on one side in the width direction of the housing chamber 21. Therefore, the movement (relative movement with respect to the housing 20) of the portion of the object to be connected 80 that is housed in the housing chamber 21 of the housing 20 (the housed portion 81) can be effectively suppressed.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the support portion 22a2 is configured to contact the object to be connected 80 at two locations separated in the front-rear direction. This suppresses the rotation of the object to be connected 80 when viewed from the connection direction. Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the terminal portion 14 has a plurality of one-sided pressing contact portions 32b, and all of the plurality of one-sided pressing contact portions 32b are located between the two locations in the front-rear direction. This allows for a larger distance between the two locations, thus more effectively suppressing the rotation of the object to be connected 80 when viewed from the connection direction.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the plurality of terminals 30 constituting the terminal portion 14 include a pair of terminals 30a1, 30b1 (see Figure 7) consisting of one-sided pressing terminal 30b and the other-sided pressing terminal 30a, which are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which the plurality of terminals 30 do not include a pair of terminals 30a1, 30b1, the connector 10 can be made smaller in the front-rear direction.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the connector 10 is provided with a pressing member 30b2 in addition to the pair of terminals 30a1 and 30b1, which presses the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 to one side in the width direction. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which the connector 10 is not provided with the pressing member 30b2, the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 can be pressed more reliably against the support portion 22a2.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the pressing member 30b2 is a one-sided pressing terminal 30b. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which a one-sided pressing terminal 30b that does not constitute a part (one side) of the pair of terminals 30a1, 30b1 is not provided, the number of terminals 30 can be increased.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the pressing portion 60 consists only of the terminal portion 14. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which the pressing portion 60 includes members other than the terminal portion 14.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the terminal section 14 is composed of a plurality of terminals 30. The plurality of terminals 30 include at least one one-side pressing terminal 30b that presses the object to be connected 80 to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal 30a that presses the object to be connected 80 to the other side in the width direction. The number of one-side pressing terminals 30b is greater than the number of other-side pressing terminals 30a. Therefore, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 is pressed against the support portion 22a2.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the multiple terminals 30 constituting the terminal section 14 are all the same shape. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the connector 10 can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing portion 12 includes a housing 20 made of synthetic resin. The housing 20 has a one-side pressing terminal arrangement groove 25b capable of holding one-side pressing terminal 30b, and a other-side pressing terminal arrangement groove 25a capable of holding the other-side pressing terminal 30a. The same number of one-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves 25b and other-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves 25a are provided. Therefore, the housing 20 can be shared with a connector in which the number of one-side pressing terminals 30b is the same as the number of other-side pressing terminals 30a. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the connector 10 can be reduced.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the pressing portion 60 is composed only of the terminal portion 14. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which the pressing portion 60 includes members other than the terminal portion 14. The terminal portion 14 includes at least one one-sided pressing terminal 30b that presses the object to be connected 80 to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-sided pressing terminal 30a that presses the object to be connected 80 to the other side in the width direction. Therefore, a configuration can be achieved in which the supported portion of the object to be connected is pressed against the support portion by the difference between the pressing force of at least one one-sided pressing terminal 30b and the pressing force of at least one other-sided pressing terminal 30a. Note that in order to achieve this effect, the number of one-sided pressing terminals 30b is not necessarily required to be greater than the number of other-sided pressing terminals 30a. A configuration can be achieved in which the supported portion 81 of the object to be connected 80 is pressed against the support portion 22a2 by providing a difference between the pressing force from one side pressing terminal 30b and the pressing force from the other side pressing terminal 30a.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the object to be attached 90 is a circuit board 90, and the object to be connected 80 is a relay circuit board 80. Therefore, a card edge connector 10 that can suppress contact sliding can be realized.

[0093] (Connection Structure) Next, connection structures S1 and S2 using connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0094] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the connection structure S of this embodiment is a connection structure in which the first mounting target 90A and the second mounting target 90B are electrically connected by a first connector 10A, a relay board 80, and a second connector 10B.

[0095] The first mounting target 90A is the first circuit board 90A, and the second mounting target 90B is the second circuit board 90B. The first circuit board 90A and the second circuit board 90B are installed so that their surfaces face each other. The first connector 10A and the second connector 10B are attached to the respective surfaces of the first circuit board 90A and the second circuit board 90B that face each other. As a result, the connector-up direction of the first connector 10A faces in the opposite direction to the connector-up direction of the second connector 10B.

[0096] As shown below, both the first connector 10A and the second connector 10B have the same configuration as the connector 10 described above.

[0097] The first connector 10A includes a first terminal portion 14 that forms a conductive path between the first mounting object 90A and the relay board 80, and a first housing portion 12 that holds the first terminal portion 14. When the directions perpendicular to the direction in which the relay board 80 is connected to the first connector 10A are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the first connector 10A, the first terminal portion 14 includes a first one-side pressing contact portion 32b that contacts the relay board 80 so as to press the relay board 80 to one side in the width direction, and a first other-side pressing contact portion 32a that contacts the relay board 80 so as to press the relay board 80 to the other side in the width direction. The first connector 10A also includes a first support portion 22a2 located on one side in the width direction relative to a first supported portion 81A which is a part of the relay board 80 connected to the first connector 10A, and a first pressing portion 60 that presses the first supported portion 81A of the relay board 80 connected to the first connector 10A against the first support portion 22a2.

[0098] The second connector 10B is attached to the second mounting target 90B and connected to the relay board 80, thereby electrically connecting the second mounting target 90B and the relay board 80. The second connector 10B includes a second terminal portion 14 that forms a conductive path between the second mounting target 90B and the relay board 80, and a second housing portion 12 that holds the second terminal portion 14. When the directions perpendicular to the connection direction of the relay board 80 to the second connector 10B, and the directions perpendicular to each other, are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the second connector 10B, the second terminal portion 14 includes a second one-side pressing contact portion 32b that contacts the relay board 80 so as to press the relay board 80 to one side in the width direction, and a second other-side pressing contact portion 32a that contacts the relay board 80 so as to press the relay board 80 to the other side in the width direction. The second connector 10B includes a second support portion 22a2 located on one side in the width direction relative to the second supported portion 81B, which is part of the relay board 80 connected to the second connector 10B, and a second pressing portion 60 that presses the second supported portion 81B of the relay board 80 connected to the second connector 10B against the second support portion 22a2.

[0099] Therefore, the first supported portion 81A of the relay board 80 is pressed against the first supported portion 22a2 of the first connector 10A, and the second supported portion 81B of the relay board 80 is pressed against the second supported portion 22a2 of the second connector 10B. Thus, contact sliding between the first terminal portion 14 of the first connector 10A and the relay board 80 is suppressed, and contact sliding between the second terminal portion 14 of the second connector 10B and the relay board 80 is suppressed. In Figures 8 and 9, the positions indicated by circles are the positions of the relay board 80 that are supported by the first supported portion 22a2 and the second supported portion 22a2.

[0100] In the connection structure S1 shown in Figure 8, one side of the first connector 10A in the width direction is in the same direction as one side of the second connector 10B in the width direction. Therefore, the support of the relay board 80 by the first connector 10A and the second connector 10B is easily stabilized regardless of the direction of misalignment of the second connector 10B relative to the first connector 10A. That is, as can be seen from Figures 8(A) and 8(B), the distance between the parts of the relay board 80 supported by the first support portion 22a2 and the second support portion 22a2 is stable regardless of the direction of misalignment of the second connector 10B relative to the first connector 10A.

[0101] In the connection structure S2 shown in Figure 9, one side of the first connector 10A in the width direction is in the same direction as the other side of the second connector 10B in the width direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(B), when the second connector 10B is misaligned with respect to the first connector 10A on one side in the width direction, the distance between the positions of the relay board 80 supported by the first support portion 22a2 and the second support portion 22a2 becomes smaller. Thus, in this case, the support of the relay board 80 by the first connector 10A and the second connector 10B becomes stable.

[0102] While preferred embodiments of the connector described herein have been described above, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0103] 10 Card edge connector (connector) 10A First connector 10B Second connector 12 Housing section (first housing section, second housing section) 14 Terminal section (first terminal section, second terminal section) 20 Fixed housing (housing) 21 Housing chamber 22a Inner wall surface on one side in the width direction 22a2 Outermost inner wall surface in the front-rear direction (support section, first support section, second support section) 25a Other side pressing terminal arrangement groove 25b One side pressing terminal arrangement groove 30 Terminal 30a One side terminal (other side pressing terminal) 30b Other side terminal (one side pressing terminal) 30a1, 30b1 Pair of terminals 30b2 Pressing member (one side pressing terminal) 32a Other side pressing contact section (first other side pressing contact section, second other side pressing contact section) 32b One side pressing contact section (first one side pressing contact section, second one side pressing contact section) 60 Pressing part (first pressing part, second pressing part) 80 Intermediate board (object to be connected) 81 Tip part (supported part, housed part) 81A First supported part 81B Second supported part 90 Board (object to be mounted) 90A First board (first object to be mounted) 90B Second board (second object to be mounted) S1 Connection structure S2 Connection structure

Claims

1. A connector that is attached to an object to be mounted and connected to an object to be connected, thereby electrically connecting the object to be mounted and the object to be connected, wherein the connector comprises: a terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the object to be mounted and the object to be connected; and a housing portion that holds the terminal portion, wherein, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the object to be connected is connected to the connector, and where the directions perpendicular to each other are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, the terminal portion comprises: a one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to one side in the width direction; and a other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the object to be connected so as to press the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, wherein the connector comprises: a support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a supported portion which is a part of the object to be connected that is connected to the connector; and a pressing portion that presses the supported portion of the object to be connected that is connected to the connector against the support portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two locations separated in the front-rear direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing portion comprises a housing made of synthetic resin, and the support portion is a part of the housing.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a housing chamber for accommodating the supported portion of the object to be connected, and the support portion is a wall surface on one side in the width direction of the housing chamber.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the support portion is configured to contact the object to be connected at two locations separated in the front-rear direction, the terminal portion has a plurality of one-sided pressing contact portions, and all of the plurality of one-sided pressing contact portions are located between the two locations in the front-rear direction.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal portion is composed of a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals comprises at least one one-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, the plurality of terminals comprises a pair of terminals composed of the one-side pressing terminal and the other-side pressing terminal arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction, and the connector comprises a pressing member separately from the pair of terminals for pressing the supported portion of the object to be connected to one side in the width direction.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the pressing member is the one-sided pressing terminal.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is composed solely of the terminal portion, the terminal portion is composed of a plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals comprises at least one one-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal that presses the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction, and the number of one-side pressing terminals is greater than the number of other-side pressing terminals.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of terminals constituting the terminal portion are all the same shape.

10. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the housing portion comprises a housing made of synthetic resin, the housing having a one-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding the one-side pressing terminal, and a other-side pressing terminal arrangement groove capable of holding the other-side pressing terminal, and the same number of one-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves and the other-side pressing terminal arrangement grooves are provided.

11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is composed solely of the terminal portion, and the terminal portion comprises at least one one-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to one side in the width direction, and at least one other-side pressing terminal for pressing the object to be connected to the other side in the width direction.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the object to be attached is a circuit board, and the object to be connected is a relay circuit board.

13. A connection structure in which a first mounting object and a second mounting object are electrically connected by a first connector, an intermediate board, and a second connector, wherein the first connector is attached to the first mounting object and connected to the intermediate board, thereby electrically connecting the first mounting object and the intermediate board, the first connector comprises: a first terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the first mounting object and the intermediate board, and a first housing portion that holds the first terminal portion, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the intermediate board is connected to the first connector, and where the directions perpendicular to each other are referred to as the width direction and the front-rear direction of the first connector, the first terminal portion comprises: a first one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the intermediate board so as to press the intermediate board to one side in the width direction, and a first other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the intermediate board so as to press the intermediate board to the other side in the width direction, the first connector comprises: a first support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to a first supported portion which is a part of the intermediate board connected to the first connector, The second connector comprises: a first pressing portion that presses the first supported portion of the relay board connected to the first connector against the first support portion, the second connector is attached to the second mounting object and connected to the relay board, thereby electrically connecting the second mounting object and the relay board, the second connector comprises: a second terminal portion that forms a conductive path between the second mounting object and the relay board, and a second housing portion that holds the second terminal portion, the second terminal portion comprises: a second one-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to one side in the width direction, and a second other-side pressing contact portion that contacts the relay board so as to press the relay board to the other side in the width direction, the second connector comprises: a second support portion located on one side in the width direction with respect to the second supported portion which is a part of the relay board connected to the second connector, A connection structure comprising: a second pressing portion that presses the second supported portion of the relay board connected to the second connector against the second support portion.

14. The connection structure according to claim 13, wherein one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as one side in the width direction of the second connector.

15. The connection structure according to claim 13, wherein one side in the width direction of the first connector is in the same direction as the other side in the width direction of the second connector.

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