Connector, connector module, connector device, mating connector, and connection method

Abstract

A connector (C1) comprises a plurality of terminals (10) and a housing (2) that holds the plurality of terminals (10). The housing (2) has a front part (22), in which the plurality of terminals (10) are disposed, at the front on a mating connector (C2) side in the front-rear direction. The housing (2) has formed therein a through hole (25) which passes through the housing (2) in the front-rear direction and in which a member to be connected (C11) is disposed. The housing (2) has a partition wall (27) between the member (C11) to be connected and the plurality of terminals (10) in the vertical direction.

Description

Connector, Connector Module, Connector Device, Mating Connector, and Connection Method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector, a connector module, a connector device, a mating connector, and a connection method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a connector set including a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is, for example, a plug connector mounted on a cable such as FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) or FFC (Flexible Flat Cable). The second connector is, for example, a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board.

[0003] The plug connector includes a plug housing and plug terminals held by the plug housing. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing and receptacle terminals held by the receptacle housing. The plug housing is inserted into and fitted to the receptacle housing. The receptacle terminals are conductively connected to the plug terminals in a state where the plug housing and the receptacle housing are fitted together.

[0004] A housing main body of the plug housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls that respectively connect both ends of the top wall and the bottom wall in a width direction, and a front wall connected to front ends of the top wall, the bottom wall and the pair of side walls. A recess that accommodates a cable connection region is formed in the bottom wall.

[0005] The housing main body is further provided with a plurality of partition walls connected to the top wall, the bottom wall and the front wall, and a space formed in the plug housing is partitioned into a plurality of spaces by the plurality of partition walls. In this way, a plurality of spaces penetrating in a front-rear direction are formed in the housing main body of the plug housing. Further, a plurality of through holes are formed in the front wall of the housing main body so as to communicate with the plurality of spaces.

[0006] The plug terminals are press-fitted (inserted) forward from the opening (insertion port) at the rear end of the space. The opening at the front end of this space serves as an inlet for introducing the contact portion of the receptacle terminal of the receptacle connector into the space.

[0007] The plug connector is mounted to the cable by electrically connecting (mounting) its plug terminals to the conductor portion of the cable. The plug terminals are mounted to the conductor portion by soldering or other means.

[0008] International Publication No. 2020 / 217882

[0009] In connectors such as the plug connector described in Patent Document 1, there is a need to improve the connection reliability at the connection point between the connector terminals and the conductor of the connected component, such as a cable.

[0010] A connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to a member to be connected and is connected to a mating connector by moving relative to the mating connector in the front-rear direction. The member to be connected comprises a plate-shaped base material and a plurality of conductors provided on the base material. The connector comprises a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals has a contact portion and a connecting portion. The contact portion contacts a corresponding mating terminal among a plurality of mating terminals provided on the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are connected. The connecting portion is connected to a corresponding conductor among the plurality of conductors of the member to be connected. The housing has a front portion on the front side facing the mating connector in the front-rear direction, where the plurality of terminals are arranged. The housing has a through hole formed therein that penetrates the housing in the front-rear direction and in which the member to be connected is arranged. The housing has a partition wall between the member to be connected and the plurality of terminals in the vertical direction.

[0011] A connector module according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises the connector and the connected member.

[0012] A connector device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a connector module and a mating connector. The mating connector comprises a plurality of mating terminals and a mating housing that holds the plurality of mating terminals. The front portion of the connector is housed in a mating recess that opens to the rear of the mating housing when the connector and the mating connector are connected.

[0013] A mating connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is connected to the connector module. The mating connector comprises a plurality of mating terminals and a mating housing that holds the plurality of mating terminals. The mating housing has a mating recess at the rear that accommodates the front portion of the connector when the connector and the mating connector are connected.

[0014] A connection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for connecting a member to be connected and a connector that is connected to a mating connector by moving relative to the mating connector in the front-rear direction. The member to be connected comprises a plate-shaped base material and a plurality of conductors provided on the base material. The connector comprises a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals. Each of the plurality of terminals has a contact portion and a connecting portion. The contact portion contacts a corresponding mating terminal among a plurality of mating terminals provided on the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are connected. The connecting portion is connected to a corresponding conductor among the plurality of conductors of the member to be connected. The housing has a front portion on the front side that faces the mating connector in the front-rear direction. The housing has a through hole formed therein that penetrates the housing in the front-rear direction. The connection method includes a member to be connected placement step and a laser connection step. The member to be connected placement step includes placing the member to be connected in the through hole of the housing. The laser connection step includes irradiating laser light onto the positions where the multiple connection portions of the multiple terminals and the multiple conductors of the connected member overlap, thereby connecting the multiple connection portions of the multiple terminals and the multiple conductors, respectively.

[0015] According to this disclosure, there is an advantage in that it is possible to improve the reliability of the connection between the terminals of the connector and the conductor of the connected component.

[0016] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a connector device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a connected state with the connector and the mating connector connected. Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the same connector device with the connector disconnected from the mating connector. Figure 3 is an exploded top perspective view of the connector module in the same connector device. Figure 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the same connector module. Figure 5 is a top view of the same connector module with the connected member disconnected from the connector. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same connector module. Figure 7 is a right-side perspective view of the first terminal of the connector. Figure 8 is a left-side perspective view of the first terminal. Figure 9 is a right-side perspective view of the second terminal of the connector. Figure 10 is a left-side perspective view of the second terminal. Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the housing of the connector. Figure 12 is a front view of the housing. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a bottom perspective view of the housing. Figure 15 is a front view of the connector shown above, with the terminals and front sealing member attached to the housing. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in Figure 15. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in Figure 15. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15. Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module shown above, a perspective view from below with the terminals and front sealing member attached to the housing. Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module shown above, a perspective view from below with the first sealing member attached to the housing and the fixing member temporarily attached, from the state shown in Figure 19. Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module shown above, a cross-sectional view of the state shown in Figure 20. Figure 22 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module shown above, a perspective view from below with the connected member placed in the through-hole of the housing, from the state shown in Figure 20. Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module shown above, and is a perspective view from below showing the state after the fixing members have been permanently installed, compared to the state shown in Figure 22.Figure 24 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module described above, and is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in Figure 23. Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module described above, and is a perspective view from below of the state shown in Figure 23, with the elastic member attached to the housing. Figure 26 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module described above, and is a cross-sectional view of the state shown in Figure 25. Figure 27 is a diagram illustrating the assembly method of the connector module described above, and is a perspective view from below of the state shown in Figure 25, with the retaining member attached to the housing. Figure 28 is a perspective view from above of the main part of the connector module described above. Figure 29 is a perspective view from above of the mating connector in the connector device described above. Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device described above in a connected state with the connector and mating connector connected. Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of the rear sealing member provided in the connector device of Modification 1. Figure 32 is a perspective view from below of the connector module provided in the connector device of Modification 2, with the second sealing member removed. Figure 33 is a perspective view from above of the second sealing member in the connector module provided in the connector device described above.

[0017] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments described below are only one of many embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiments described below can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. In addition, the figures described in the embodiments below are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0018] (1) Embodiment (1.1) Schematic of the connector device As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector device C100 (connector set) of this embodiment comprises a connector module C10 and a mating connector C2 (receptacle connector).

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the connector module C10 comprises a connector C1 (plug connector) and a plate-shaped connected member C11 (cable) that is connected to the connector C1.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the connector C1 comprises a plurality of terminals 10 and a housing 2 that holds the plurality of terminals 10. The connected member C11 comprises a plurality of conductors 5.

[0021] Multiple terminals 10 of connector C1 are connected to multiple conductors 5 of the connected member C11 (see Figure 6). This connects connector C1 and connected member C11 to each other, forming connector module C10. The multiple conductors 5 of connected member C11 are connected to an external first electrical component on the side opposite to connector C1. The first electrical component is, for example, a first circuit board, but is not limited to this and may be other connector components, etc.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating connector C2 comprises a plurality of mating terminals 8 and a mating housing 9 that holds the plurality of mating terminals 8. The plurality of mating terminals 8 of the mating connector C2 are connected to an external second electrical component. The second electrical component is, for example, a second circuit board, but is not limited to this and may be other connector components, etc. Furthermore, the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2 may be part of an external housing that accommodates the second electrical component, that is, the mating housing 9 may be formed integrally with the external housing.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2 has a mating recess 90 that accommodates a part of the housing 2 of the connector C1.

[0024] Connector C1 connects to the mating connector C2 by moving relative to it in one direction. That is, as connector C1 and the mating connector C2 move relative to each other in one direction, a part of the housing 2 fits into the mating recess 90 of the mating housing 9. At this time, the multiple terminals 10 of connector C1 are connected to the multiple mating terminals 8 of the mating connector C2 (see Figure 30). As a result, connector C1 and the mating connector C2 are connected to each other (connected state). With connector C1 and the mating connector C2 connected, the first electrical component and the second electrical component are electrically connected to each other.

[0025] The connector device C100 can be used, for example, in applications where waterproofing and dustproofing are required, such as in vehicles.

[0026] For the sake of explanation, as shown in Figure 1, the three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of the right-handed three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system for the connector device C100 are defined as follows. Specifically, the direction in which connector C1 and the mating connector C2 move relative to each other when connecting connector C1 and mating connector C2 is defined as the X-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and along the height of connector C1 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and Z-axis directions and along the width of connector C1 is defined as the Y-axis direction. For the sake of explanation, the X-axis direction is defined as the front-back direction, with the side of connector C2 that is positioned relative to connector C1 (the positive direction of the X-axis) being defined as "front" and the opposite side as "back". The Y-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction, with the positive direction of the Y-axis being defined as "left" and the opposite side as "right". The Z-axis direction is defined as the up-down direction, with the positive direction of the Z-axis being defined as "up" and the opposite side as "down". However, the terms for axis and direction in this disclosure merely indicate the relative positional relationship between the components of the connector device C100 and do not limit the orientation of the connector device C100 when it is in use.

[0027] (1.2) Connected Member First, the connected member C11 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The connected member C11 is connected to the connector C1, and together with the connector C1, constitutes the connector module C10.

[0028] The connected member C11 is plate-shaped. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the connected member C11 is sheet-like (flat) with thickness in the vertical direction, width in the horizontal direction, and length in the front-to-back direction. The connected member C11 has a first surface S1 (top surface) and a second surface S2 (bottom surface) in the vertical direction (thickness direction). Furthermore, the connected member C11 is flexible and can be bent (curved) in the thickness direction.

[0029] The connected member C11 may be, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). However, the connected member C11 may be any plate-shaped member having multiple conductors, and may be, for example, an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable).

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the connected member C11 has a connecting region A11 used for connecting with the connector C1, and an extending region A12 to which the conductor 5 extends for wiring to an external first electrical component.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the connected member C11 comprises a base material 6 and a plurality (in this case, 20) of conductors 5.

[0032] The base material 6 is an insulating film having electrical insulating properties. The base material 6 is plate-shaped and is a sheet-like (flat) shape that is long in the front-to-back direction.

[0033] A first opening 61 is formed near the front end of the base material 6. The first opening 61 penetrates the base material 6 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The first opening 61 is formed to be long in the width direction (left-right direction) of the base material 6 (see Figure 4), and in this case it is a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0034] Near the front end of the base material 6, a plurality (in this case, 10) of second openings 62 are formed behind the first opening 61. Each of the plurality of second openings 62 penetrates the base material 6 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The plurality of second openings 62 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) of the base material 6. The plurality of second openings 62 are arranged at equal intervals. Each of the plurality of second openings 62 is a long rectangle in the front-to-back direction. Here, the front-to-back dimension of the second opening 62 is the same as the front-to-back dimension of the first opening 61. Also, the right edge of the rightmost second opening 62 among the plurality of second openings 62 is aligned with the right edge of the first opening 61. The left edge of the leftmost second opening 62 among the plurality of second openings 62 is aligned with the left edge of the first opening 61.

[0035] Near the front end of the base material 6, an opening 60 is formed further behind the multiple second openings 62. The opening 60 penetrates the base material 6 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The opening 60 is located in the center of the base material 6 in the width direction (horizontal direction). Here, the opening 60 is a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction. Thus, the connected member C11 has an opening 60 that penetrates in the vertical direction.

[0036] Multiple conductors 5 are provided on the base material 6. Each of the multiple conductors 5 is a conductive film. The multiple conductors 5 are multiple pattern conductors corresponding to the multiple terminals 10 of the connector C1. The multiple conductors 5 are not electrically connected to each other.

[0037] Each of the multiple conductors 5 is, for example, a conductive film printed on the upper surface of the insulating film that constitutes the base material 6.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, each of the multiple conductors 5 extends along the length direction (front-to-back direction) of the base material 6 on the upper surface of the base material 6. The multiple conductors 5 are arranged side by side on the upper surface of the base material 6 in the left-to-right direction.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, in the extended region A12 of the connected member C11, 10 of the 20 conductors 5 are provided at equal intervals in the region on one side (right side) in the width direction of the base material 6. The remaining 10 of the 20 conductors 5 are provided at equal intervals in the region on the other side (left side) in the width direction of the base material 6. The set of 10 conductors 5 on the right and the set of 10 conductors 5 on the left are provided spaced apart in the left-right direction to avoid the opening 60 formed in the base material 6. In the region behind the opening 60, the 10 conductors 5 on the right and the 10 conductors 5 on the left may be extended diagonally so as to approach the center in the left-right direction, so that in the region further behind, the 20 conductors 5 are equally spaced in the left-right direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, in the connection region A11 of the connected member C11, the multiple conductors 5 extend diagonally such that the right conductor 5 and the left conductor 5 approach the center in the left-right direction.

[0041] Here, the plurality of conductors 5 include at least one (a plurality in the present case) first conductors 51 and at least one (a plurality in the present case) second conductors 52. The number of the first conductors 51 and the number of the second conductors 52 are equal to each other, and are each 10 in the present case.

[0042] In the connection region A11, each first conductor 51 extends obliquely forward from the front end of the portion of the first conductor 51 located in the extension region A12. Each first conductor 51 has a first connection portion 511 near the front end thereof. The first connection portion 511 has a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction. The first connection portion 511 extends in the front-rear direction so as to bridge between the front edge and the rear edge of the first opening 61 of the base material 6. Therefore, the lower surface of the first connection portion 511 is exposed downward through the first opening 61 of the base material 6 (see FIG. 4). The first connection portions 511 of the plurality of first conductors 51 are arranged side by side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the base material 6 at equal intervals in the present case.

[0043] In the connection region A11, each second conductor 52 extends obliquely forward from the front end of the portion of the second conductor 52 located in the extension region A12. Each second conductor 52 has a second connection portion 521 near the front end thereof. The second connection portion 521 has a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction. The second connection portions 521 of the plurality of second conductors 52 and the plurality of second openings 62 of the base material 6 are in one-to-one correspondence. The second connection portion 521 extends in the front-rear direction so as to bridge between the front edge and the rear edge of the corresponding one second opening 62 among the plurality of second openings 62. Therefore, the lower surface of the second connection portion 521 is exposed downward through the second opening 62 of the base material 6 (see FIG. 4). The second connection portions 521 of the plurality of second conductors 52 are arranged side by side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the base material 6 at equal intervals in the present case.

[0044] In the following description, unless particularly distinguished, the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51 and the second connection portion 521 of the second conductor 52 may be collectively referred to as "conductor-side connection portion 501".

[0045] Each of the multiple first conductors 51 has a front end that is held in the base material 6 by a portion that is in front of the first opening 61. Similarly, each of the multiple second conductors 52 has a front end that is in the base material 6 that is behind the first opening 61 and in front of the multiple second openings 62 (the portion between the first opening 61 and the second opening 62). Thus, the base material 6 has a tip portion 600 that is formed in front of the front ends of the multiple conductors 5 and holds the front ends of the multiple conductors 5 together. Because the base material 6 has a tip portion 600, the front ends of the multiple conductors 5 are less likely to separate. Therefore, insertion of the connected member C11 into the through hole 25 (described later) of the housing 2 becomes easier. As shown in Figure 5, rectangular notches 601 are formed on both the left and right sides of the tip portion 600 in the base material 6.

[0046] The connected member C11 may further include an electrically insulating covering portion. In the covering portion, for example, a covering film is formed so as to cover the upper surfaces of the plurality of conductors 5 and the base material 6 from above. The covering portion may be formed integrally with the insulating film of the base material 6, for example. It is preferable that the covering portion has an exposed portion that exposes the conductor-side connection portion 501 upward. The exposed portion may be a single opening that exposes the plurality of conductor-side connection portions 501, or it may be a plurality of openings that expose the plurality of conductor-side connection portions 501 individually or in groups of several. The exposed portion may include a notch formed at the front end of the covering portion so as to expose at least one of the plurality of conductor-side connection portions 501.

[0047] The connected member C11 may further include a reinforcing plate to reinforce the strength of the base material 6. The reinforcing plate is formed from an insulating resin such as glass epoxy resin or a metal such as aluminum. The reinforcing plate has the same shape as, for example, the connecting region A11. The reinforcing plate has openings formed in the same positions as the first opening 61 and the plurality of second openings 62, and openings of the same shape as these openings (or slightly larger). The reinforcing plate is attached to the lower surface of the base material 6 (the surface opposite to the upper surface on which the conductor 5 is provided) with, for example, an adhesive.

[0048] (1.3) Connector Next, the connector C1 to which the member to be connected C11 is connected will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 28.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connector C1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, a housing 2, a front seal member 30, a rear seal member 3, a fixing member 4, and a slide member 7. For convenience, illustration of the slide member 7 is omitted in drawings other than FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0050] (1.3.1) Terminals The plurality of terminals 10 are respectively connected to a plurality of conductors 5 of a connected member C11. In the present embodiment, the plurality of terminals 10 are respectively connected to the plurality of conductors 5 by laser welding using a laser beam L10 (see FIG. 27) (see FIG. 6).

[0051] Further, as described above, in a connected state where the connector C1 and a mating connector C2 are connected, the plurality of terminals 10 are respectively connected to a plurality of mating terminals 8 of the mating connector C2 (see FIG. 30).

[0052] The plurality of terminals 10 include at least one first terminal 11 and at least one second terminal 12. Here, the plurality (twenty) of terminals 10 include a plurality (ten) of first terminals 11 and a plurality (ten) of second terminals 12. The plurality of first terminals 11 have the same shape as each other. Each first terminal 11 is connected to a corresponding first conductor 51 among a plurality of first conductors 51 of the connected member C11. The plurality of second terminals 12 have the same shape as each other. Each second terminal 12 is connected to a corresponding second conductor 52 among a plurality of second conductors 52 of the connected member C11.

[0053] (1.3.1.1) First Terminal As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first terminal 11 integrally includes a first contact portion 111, a first connection portion 114, and a first coupling portion 115.

[0054] The first contact portion 111 is a portion of the first terminal 11 that contacts and is connected to the mating terminal 8 of the mating connector C2.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the first contact portion 111 includes an upper arm 112 and a lower arm 113.

[0056] The upper arm 112 integrally includes an upper arm main body 1121 and an upper arm contact piece 1126.

[0057] The upper arm body 1121 has a flat plate portion 1122 and an inclined plate portion 1123. The flat plate portion 1122 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The normal direction of the flat plate portion 1122 is along the vertical direction. The inclined plate portion 1123 is a flat plate that extends diagonally downward from the front end of the flat plate portion 1122. The inclined plate portion 1123 is elastically movable in the vertical direction relative to the flat plate portion 1122.

[0058] The upper arm contact piece 1126 has a first bending piece 1127 and a second bending piece 1128. The first bending piece 1127 is bent diagonally downward from the front end of the inclined plate portion 1123. The second bending piece 1128 is bent diagonally upward from the front end of the first bending piece 1127. The upper arm 112 has an upper contact portion 1120 at the connection point between the first bending piece 1127 and the second bending piece 1128.

[0059] The forearm 113 is positioned below the upper arm 112. The forearm 113 integrally comprises a forearm body 1131 and a forearm contact piece 1136.

[0060] The forearm body 1131 has a flat plate portion 1132 and an inclined plate portion 1133. The flat plate portion 1132 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The normal direction of the flat plate portion 1132 is aligned with the vertical direction. The inclined plate portion 1133 is a flat plate that extends diagonally upward from the front end of the flat plate portion 1132. The inclined plate portion 1133 is elastically movable in the vertical direction relative to the flat plate portion 1132.

[0061] The forearm contact piece 1136 has a first bent piece 1137 and a second bent piece 1138. The first bent piece 1137 is bent diagonally upward from the front end of the inclined plate portion 1133. The second bent piece 1138 is bent diagonally downward from the front end of the first bent piece 1137. The forearm 113 has a lower contact portion 1130 at the connection point between the first bent piece 1137 and the second bent piece 1138.

[0062] The upper contact portion 1120 of the upper arm 112 and the lower contact portion 1130 of the lower arm 113 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the vertical direction. At the first terminal 11, the first contact portion 111 makes contact with the mating terminal 8 by sandwiching the tip portion (first end 81) of the mating terminal 8 between the upper contact portion 1120 and the lower contact portion 1130. This connects the first terminal 11 to the mating terminal 8.

[0063] The first connecting portion 114 is the part of the first terminal 11 that connects to the first conductor 51 of the member to be connected C11. The first connecting portion 114 is positioned in front of the first contact portion 111 (upper contact portion 1120 and lower contact portion 1130). The front end of the first connecting portion 114 is positioned in front of the front end of the first contact portion 111. In this case, the entire first connecting portion 114 is positioned in front of the front end of the first contact portion 111.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the first connecting portion 114 integrally includes a flat portion 1141 and a guide plate portion 1142.

[0065] The flat portion 1141 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The flat portion 1141 has a flat lower surface whose normal direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The guide plate portion 1142 is a plate that extends upward from the rear end of the flat portion 1141. The guide plate portion 1142 extends diagonally upward and backward from the rear end of the flat portion 1141.

[0066] The first connecting portion 115 is the part of the first terminal 11 that connects the first contact portion 111 and the first connecting portion 114.

[0067] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first connecting portion 115 integrally comprises a main body portion 116, a guide plate portion 117, a leg portion 118, and a curved portion 119.

[0068] The main body portion 116 is plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The main body portion 116 is connected to the first contact portion 111. More specifically, the flat plate portion 1122 of the upper arm 112 of the first contact portion 111 is connected to the rear end portion of the upper side of the main body portion 116 via an upper curved portion 1161. Also, the flat plate portion 1132 of the lower arm 113 of the first contact portion 111 is connected to the rear end portion of the lower side of the main body portion 116 via a lower curved portion 1162. The first contact portion 111 is located on the left side of the main body portion 116. Viewed along the left-right direction, the upper contact portion 1120 and the lower contact portion 1130 of the first contact portion 111 are covered by the main body portion 116.

[0069] Furthermore, the main body portion 116 has a projection 1160 that protrudes upward at its front end. The main body portion 116 also has a projection 1163 that protrudes upward and downward at a position behind the projection 1160. The projection 1163 press-fits the first terminal 11 into the first housing space 2201.

[0070] The guide plate portion 117 is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 116. Notches 1171 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the guide plate portion 117 at the connection point with the main body portion 116. The guide plate portion 117 guides the first terminal 11 (more specifically, the first contact portion 111) to facilitate insertion when housing the first terminal 11 into the first housing space 2201 (see Figure 6) of the housing 2. Furthermore, when housing the first terminal 11 into the first housing space 2201, the guide plate portion 117 can also prevent the first terminal 11 from being pushed too far into the first housing space 2201 by contacting the front surface of the rear wall 229 of the front portion 22 of the housing 2 that constitutes the first housing space 2201.

[0071] The leg portion 118 extends downward from the front end of the main body portion 116. The leg portion 118 is plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction. The leg portion 118 extends diagonally downward and forward from the front end of the main body portion 116.

[0072] The curved portion 119 curves to the left from the lower end of the leg portion 118. The curved portion 119 connects the lower end of the leg portion 118 to the left side of the first connecting portion 114 (more specifically, the flat portion 1141).

[0073] Here, the front end of the flat portion 1141 of the first connecting portion 114 is located in front of the front end of the curved portion 119 of the first connecting portion 115. Therefore, it can be said that the first connecting portion 114 has a connecting portion 1143 (the rear part of the flat portion 1141) that is connected to the curved portion 119 of the first connecting portion 115, and a protruding portion 1144 (the front part of the flat portion 1141) that protrudes forward from the connecting portion 1143. The flat portion 1141 of the first connecting portion 114 may also have a rear protruding portion that protrudes rearward from the connecting portion 1143. The rear protruding portion is a flat plate that protrudes rearward from the rear end of the connecting portion 1143. In other words, the flat portion 1141 may have a connecting portion 1143 connected to the curved portion 119 of the first connecting portion 115, a protruding portion 1144 projecting forward from the front end of the connecting portion 1143, and a rear protruding portion projecting backward from the rear end of the connecting portion 1143. In this case, it is preferable that the length of the protruding portion 1144 in the front-rear direction is greater than the length of the rear protruding portion in the front-rear direction. The guide plate portion 1142 can also be formed by connecting it to the rear end of the rear protruding portion. Note that the flat portion 1141 may have the connecting portion 1143 and the rear protruding portion without having the protruding portion 1144.

[0074] (1.3.1.2) Second terminal As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 10, the second terminal 12 integrally includes a second contact portion 121, a second connection portion 124, and a second connecting portion 125.

[0075] The second contact portion 121 is the part of the second terminal 12 that contacts the mating terminal 8 of the mating connector C2 and connects to the mating terminal 8. The second contact portion 121 has a structure that is symmetrical to the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9, the second contact portion 121 includes an upper arm 122 and a lower arm 123.

[0077] The upper arm 122 integrally comprises the upper arm body 1221 and the upper arm contact piece 1226.

[0078] The upper arm body 1221 has a flat plate portion 1222 and an inclined plate portion 1223. The flat plate portion 1222 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The normal direction of the flat plate portion 1222 is along the vertical direction. The inclined plate portion 1223 is a flat plate that extends diagonally downward from the front end of the flat plate portion 1222. The inclined plate portion 1223 is elastically movable in the vertical direction relative to the flat plate portion 1222.

[0079] The upper arm contact piece 1226 has a first bending piece 1227 and a second bending piece 1228. The first bending piece 1227 is bent diagonally downward from the front end of the inclined plate portion 1223. The second bending piece 1228 is bent diagonally upward from the front end of the first bending piece 1227. The upper arm 122 has an upper contact portion 1220 at the connection point between the first bending piece 1227 and the second bending piece 1228.

[0080] The forearm 123 is positioned below the upper arm 122. The forearm 123 integrally comprises a forearm body 1231 and a forearm contact piece 1236.

[0081] The forearm body 1231 has a flat plate portion 1232 and an inclined plate portion 1233. The flat plate portion 1232 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The normal direction of the flat plate portion 1232 is along the vertical direction. The inclined plate portion 1233 is a flat plate that extends diagonally upward from the front end of the flat plate portion 1232. The inclined plate portion 1233 is elastically movable in the vertical direction relative to the flat plate portion 1232.

[0082] The forearm contact piece 1236 has a first bent piece 1237 and a second bent piece 1238. The first bent piece 1237 is bent diagonally upward from the front end of the inclined plate portion 1233. The second bent piece 1238 is bent diagonally downward from the front end of the first bent piece 1237. The forearm 123 has a lower contact portion 1230 at the connection point between the first bent piece 1237 and the second bent piece 1238.

[0083] The upper contact portion 1220 of the upper arm 122 and the lower contact portion 1230 of the lower arm 123 are positioned opposite each other with a gap between them in the vertical direction. At the second terminal 12, the tip portion (first end 81) of the mating terminal 8 is sandwiched between the upper contact portion 1220 and the lower contact portion 1230, causing the second contact portion 121 to contact the mating terminal 8. This connects the second terminal 12 to the mating terminal 8.

[0084] The second connection portion 124 is the part of the second terminal 12 that connects to the second conductor 52 of the member to be connected C11. In the front-rear direction, the second connection portion 124 is located in the same position as the second contact portion 121 (upper contact portion 1120 and lower contact portion 1130). The rear end of the second connection portion 124 overlaps with the second contact portion 121 in the vertical direction.

[0085] As shown in Figure 9, the second connecting portion 124 integrally includes a flat portion 1241 and a guide plate portion 1242.

[0086] The flat portion 1241 is a flat plate with thickness in the vertical direction. The flat portion 1241 has a flat lower surface whose normal direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The guide plate portion 1242 is a plate that extends upward from the rear end of the flat portion 1241. The guide plate portion 1242 extends diagonally upward and backward from the rear end of the flat portion 1241.

[0087] The second connecting portion 125 is the part of the second terminal 12 that connects the second contact portion 121 and the second connecting portion 124.

[0088] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second connecting portion 125 integrally comprises a main body portion 126, a guide plate portion 127, a leg portion 128, and a curved portion 129.

[0089] The main body portion 126 is plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The main body portion 126 is connected to the second contact portion 121. More specifically, the flat plate portion 1222 of the upper arm 122 of the second contact portion 121 is connected to the rear end portion of the upper side of the main body portion 126 via the upper curved portion 1261. Also, the flat plate portion 1232 of the lower arm 123 of the second contact portion 121 is connected to the rear end portion of the lower side of the main body portion 126 via the lower curved portion 1262. The second contact portion 121 is located to the right of the main body portion 126. Viewed along the left-right direction, the upper contact portion 1220 and the lower contact portion 1230 of the second contact portion 121 are covered by the main body portion 126.

[0090] Furthermore, the main body portion 126 has a projection 1260 at its front end that protrudes upward. The projection 1260 protrudes higher than the rest of the second terminal 12. The main body portion 126 also has projections 1263 located behind the projection 1260 that protrude upward and downward. The projections 1263 press-fit the second terminal 12 into the second housing space 2202.

[0091] The guide plate portion 127 is plate-shaped and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 126. Notches 1271 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the guide plate portion 127 at the connection point with the main body portion 126. The guide plate portion 127 guides the second terminal 12 (more specifically, the second contact portion 121) to facilitate insertion when housing the second terminal 12 into the second housing space 2202 (see Figure 6) of the housing 2. Furthermore, when housing the second terminal 12 into the second housing space 2202, the guide plate portion 127 can also prevent the second terminal 12 from being pushed too far into the second housing space 2202 by contacting the front surface of the rear wall 229 of the front portion 22 of the housing 2 that constitutes the second housing space 2202.

[0092] The leg portion 128 extends downward from the front end of the main body portion 126. The leg portion 128 is plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction. The leg portion 128 has a first portion 1281 that extends downward from the lower end of the front end of the main body portion 126, a second portion 1282 that extends diagonally downward and rearward from the lower end of the first portion 1281, and a third portion 1283 that extends downward from the lower end of the second portion 1282.

[0093] The leg portion 128 of the second connecting portion 125 of the second terminal 12 is longer vertically than the leg portion 118 of the first connecting portion 115 of the first terminal 11. Therefore, when the first connecting portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connecting portion 124 of the second terminal 12 are on the same plane, the second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 is located above the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11.

[0094] Furthermore, in the front-to-back direction, the direction in which the legs 128 of the second terminal 12 extend from the main body 126 (rearward) is opposite to the direction in which the legs 118 of the first terminal 11 extend from the main body 116 (forward). Therefore, it becomes possible to arrange the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11 and the second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 vertically, while arranging the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 front-to-back, thereby enabling miniaturization of the connector C1.

[0095] The curved portion 129 curves to the right from the lower end of the leg portion 128 (the lower end of the third portion 1283). The curved portion 129 connects the lower end of the leg portion 128 to the right side of the second connecting portion 124 (more specifically, the flat portion 1241).

[0096] Here, the rear end of the flat portion 1241 of the second connecting portion 124 is located further back than the rear end of the curved portion 129 of the second connecting portion 125. Therefore, it can be said that the second connecting portion 124 has a connecting portion 1243 (the front part of the flat portion 1241) that is connected to the curved portion 129 of the second connecting portion 125, and a protruding portion 1244 (the rear part of the flat portion 1241) that protrudes rearward from the connecting portion 1243. In the second connecting portion 124, a guide plate portion 1242 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the rear end of the protruding portion 1244. The flat portion 1241 of the second connecting portion 124 may also have a front protruding portion that protrudes forward from the connecting portion 1243. The front protruding portion is a flat plate that protrudes forward from the front end of the connecting portion 1243. In other words, the flat portion 1241 may have a connecting portion 1243 connected to the curved portion 129 of the second connecting portion 125, a protruding portion 1244 projecting rearward from the rear end of the connecting portion 1243, and a forward protruding portion projecting forward from the front end of the connecting portion 1243. In this case, it is preferable that the length of the protruding portion 1244 in the front-rear direction is greater than the length of the forward protruding portion in the front-rear direction. The flat portion 1241 may have the connecting portion 1243 and the forward protruding portion without the protruding portion 1244. In this case, the guide plate portion 1242 can be formed by connecting it to the rear end of the connecting portion 1243.

[0097] (1.3.1.3) Connection with the conductor of the member to be connected As shown in Figure 6, the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 (more specifically, the lower surface of the flat portion 1141) is positioned on the upper surface of the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51 of the member to be connected C11. The first connection portion 114 is connected to the first connection portion 511 by laser welding. The reliability of the connection is improved because the lower surface of the flat portion 1141, which is connected to the first conductor 51 by laser welding, is flat. In addition, the connection area can be enlarged by forming the protruding portion 1144 (and the rear protruding portion), which improves the reliability of the connection.

[0098] Furthermore, the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 (more specifically, the lower surface of the flat portion 1241) is positioned on the upper surface of the second connection portion 521 of the second conductor 52 of the member to be connected C11. The second connection portion 124 is connected to the second connection portion 521 by laser welding. The reliability of the connection is improved because the lower surface of the flat portion 1241, which is connected to the second conductor 52 by laser welding, is flat. In addition, the connection area can be enlarged by forming the protruding portion 1244 (and the forward protruding portion), thereby improving the reliability of the connection.

[0099] In the following, the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11 and the second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 may be referred to as "contact portion 101".

[0100] Furthermore, the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 are sometimes referred to as "connection portion 104". Also, the flat portion 1141 of the first terminal 11 and the flat portion 1241 of the second terminal 12 are sometimes referred to as "flat portion 1041". Also, the guide plate portion 1142 of the first terminal 11 and the guide plate portion 1242 of the second terminal 12 are sometimes referred to as "guide plate portion 1042". Also, the connecting connection portion 1143 of the first terminal 11 and the connecting connection portion 1243 of the second terminal 12 are sometimes referred to as "connecting connection portion 1043". Also, the protruding portion 1144 of the first terminal 11 and the protruding portion 1244 of the second terminal 12 are sometimes referred to as "protruding portion 1044".

[0101] Furthermore, the first connecting portion 115 of the first terminal 11 and the second connecting portion 125 of the second terminal 12 may be referred to as "connecting portion 105". Also, the main body portion 116 of the first terminal 11 and the main body portion 126 of the second terminal 12 may be referred to as "main body portion 106". Also, the leg portion 118 of the first terminal 11 and the leg portion 128 of the second terminal 12 may be referred to as "leg portion 108". Also, the curved portion 119 of the first terminal 11 and the curved portion 129 of the second terminal 12 may be referred to as "curved portion 109".

[0102] (1.3.2) Housing The housing 2 holds a plurality of terminals 10. The housing 2 is formed using, for example, an electrically insulating resin material.

[0103] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the housing 2 integrally comprises a main body portion 21, a front portion 22, a rear portion 23, and a skirt portion 24.

[0104] As shown in Figure 13, the main body portion 21 is the central part of the housing 2 in the front-to-back direction. The main body portion 21 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the left-to-right direction.

[0105] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the front portion 22 is the front part of the housing 2 that faces the mating connector C2 when connector C1 and mating connector C2 are connected (see Figure 2). The front portion 22 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the left-right direction. The front portion 22 protrudes forward from the main body portion 21. The front portion 22 is connected to the front end of the main body portion 21. The front portion 22 is, for example, the part of the housing 2 that is housed in the mating recess 90 of the mating connector C2 when connector C1 and mating connector C2 are connected (see Figure 30).

[0106] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a step 221 is formed around the rear portion of the front section 22. As shown in Figure 13, the vertical dimension of the portion of the front section 22 in front of the step 221 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the main body section 21. The horizontal dimension of the portion of the front section 22 in front of the step 221 is smaller than the horizontal dimension of the main body section 21.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the front portion 22 has a placement recess 222 for positioning the fixing member 4. The placement recess 222 includes a first recess 2221 and a second recess 2222.

[0108] Furthermore, on the lower surface of the front portion 22, two positioning protrusions 223 are provided on the periphery of the positioning recess 222 (second recess 2222), which are L-shaped in a view from below and protrude downward. The positioning recess 222 (second recess 2222) is formed by being separated by the positioning protrusions 223.

[0109] More specifically, the first recess 2221 is formed by cutting out the front end portion of the front section 22, and opens in the center in the left-right direction so as to penetrate the front end portion of the front section 22 in the vertical direction.

[0110] The second recess 2222 is connected to the first recess 2221 in the front-rear direction. The second recess 2222 is formed to cut out a rectangular shape from the lower surface of the front portion 22. The second recess 2222 has a front portion formed to open downward in a rectangular shape from the lower surface of the front portion 22 between the positioning protrusions 223 on both sides in the left-right direction, and a rear portion formed to penetrate the lower surface of the front portion 22 in the left-right direction, behind the positioning protrusions 223 on both sides.

[0111] The front end of the lower cover portion 41 (described later) of the fixing member 4 is positioned between the positioning projections 223 of the first recess 2221. The portion of the lower cover portion 41 of the fixing member 4 rearward from the front end is positioned opposite the bottom surface of the second recess 2222 (the lower surface of the front portion 22).

[0112] Here, as shown in Figures 15 and 17, the connection portion 104 of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 is positioned in the placement recess 222. The connection portion 104 is positioned below the bottom surface of the placement recess 222 (the lower surface of the front portion 22) when viewed along the front-rear direction. In the placement recess 222, a stepped portion 2223 (see Figure 17) is formed so as to be recessed upward so that the tip of the guide plate portion 1042 (see Figure 6) of the connection portion 104 can be positioned. This ensures that the guide plate portion 1042 reliably guides the insertion of the member to be connected C11.

[0113] Multiple terminals 10 are arranged in the front section 22 (see Figures 15 to 18). More specifically, as shown in Figures 11, 12, and 14, the front section 22 has a housing section 220 that is recessed from the front to the rear of the front section 22. At least the contact portion 101 of each of the multiple terminals 10 is housed in this housing section 220.

[0114] Here, the housing section 220 includes a plurality of housing spaces 2200. The contact portions 101 of the plurality of terminals 10 are each housed in one of the plurality of housing spaces 2200. Here, the number of housing spaces 2200 is the same as the number of terminals 10, which is 20. And one contact portion 101 of the terminal 10 is housed in each housing space 2200.

[0115] Each storage space 2200 is a recess in the front section 22 that extends from the front to the rear in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In other words, each storage space 2200 is formed by a peripheral wall 228 that opens to the front and surrounds the storage space 2200, and a rear wall 229 (see Figure 16) that is connected to the peripheral wall 228 and closes the rear of the storage space 2200. The peripheral wall 228 includes an upper wall, a lower wall, a right wall, and a left wall.

[0116] In this way, the accommodation space 2200 accommodates the contact portion 101 of at least one of the multiple terminals 10. By housing the terminal 10 (contact portion 101) in the accommodation space 2200, the terminal 10 (and the mating terminal 8 that contacts the terminal 10) can be protected by the peripheral wall 228 of the accommodation space 2200.

[0117] The multiple storage spaces 2200 include at least one first storage space 2201 and at least one second storage space 2202. Here, the multiple (20) storage spaces 2200 include multiple (10) first storage spaces 2201 and multiple (10) second storage spaces 2202.

[0118] The first storage space 2201 is formed in the lower part of the front portion 22 of the housing 2. Multiple first storage spaces 2201 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) of the front portion 22, at equal intervals.

[0119] The second storage space 2202 is formed in the upper part of the front portion 22 of the housing 2. Multiple second storage spaces 2202 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction) of the front portion 22, at equal intervals.

[0120] In the storage section 220, one first storage space 2201 and one second storage space 2202 are formed side by side, one above the other. The lower surface of the lower wall of the peripheral wall 228 in the first storage space 2201 is the lower surface of the front section 22. The upper wall of the peripheral wall 228 in the first storage space 2201 is also used as the lower wall of the peripheral wall 228 in the second storage space 2202, forming a partition wall between the first storage space 2201 and the second storage space 2202. The upper surface of the upper wall of the peripheral wall 228 in the second storage space 2202 is the upper surface of the front section 22.

[0121] As shown in Figure 16, the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11 is housed in the first housing space 2201. The second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 is housed in the second housing space 2202. With the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11 and the second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 housed in the first housing space 2201 and the second housing space 2202, respectively, which are arranged vertically, the first contact portion 111 and the second contact portion 121 are aligned vertically. Furthermore, with the first contact portion 111 of the first terminal 11 and the second contact portion 121 of the second terminal 12 housed in the first housing space 2201 and the second housing space 2202, respectively, the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 are at the same position (height) vertically and aligned front to back.

[0122] The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are positioned in the housing 2 by being inserted along the front-to-back direction from the front openings of the first housing space 2201 and the second housing space 2202, respectively.

[0123] As shown in Figure 17, the main body 116 of the first connecting portion 115 of the first terminal 11 is also housed in the first housing space 2201. As shown in Figure 18, the main body 126 of the second connecting portion 125 of the second terminal 12 is also housed in the second housing space 2202. In this way, the main body 106 of the connecting portion 105 of terminal 10 is also housed in the housing space 2200.

[0124] Furthermore, the protruding portion 1144 of the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 protrudes forward beyond the front portion 22 of the housing 2. On the other hand, the protruding portion 1244 of the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 protrudes rearward from the connecting portion 1243 so as to overlap with the front portion 22 of the housing 2 when viewed along the vertical direction. This makes it possible to arrange the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 side by side, enabling miniaturization of the connector C1.

[0125] As shown in Figure 12, a first groove 224 is formed in the left wall of the peripheral wall 228 that forms the first accommodation space 2201, extending vertically from the upper wall to the lower wall. The upper end of the first groove 224 is open to the upper surface of the lower wall of the peripheral wall 228 of the second accommodation space 2202. The lower end of the first groove 224 is open to the lower surface of the lower wall of the peripheral wall 228 of the first accommodation space 2201. The first groove 224 is in vertical communication from its upper end to its lower end.

[0126] As shown in Figures 15 and 18, the leg portion 128 of the second terminal 12, whose second contact portion 121 is housed in the second housing space 2202 located above the first housing space 2201, is positioned in the first groove 224.

[0127] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, a second groove 225 extending vertically is formed in the upper wall of the peripheral wall 228 that forms the second accommodation space 2202. The upper end of the second groove 225 is open to the upper surface of the upper wall of the peripheral wall 228 of the second accommodation space 2202 (i.e., the upper surface of the front portion 22). The lower end of the second groove 225 is open to the lower surface of the upper wall of the peripheral wall 228 of the second accommodation space 2202. The second groove 225 communicates vertically from its upper end to the lower end of the first groove 224 via the second accommodation space 2202.

[0128] As shown in Figures 15 and 18, the projection 1260 of the main body portion 126 of the second connecting portion 125 of the second terminal 12, which has the second contact portion 121 housed in the second housing space 2202, is positioned in the second groove 225.

[0129] As shown in Figure 12, a recess 226 is formed on the upper surface of the front portion 22 of the housing 2, above the second groove 225. The upper end of the second groove 225 is connected to the bottom surface of the recess 226. As a result, as shown in Figure 18, the upper end of the projection 1260 of the main body portion 126 of the second connecting portion 125, which is positioned in the second groove 225, is exposed upward.

[0130] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, at least one opening 227 is formed in the front portion 22. Here, a pair of openings 227 are formed on both the left and right sides of the housing portion 220 in the front portion 22. Here, the opening 227 penetrates the front portion 22 in the vertical direction. A fixing member 4 (a protruding wall portion 44, described later) is placed in the opening 227.

[0131] Protrusions 2270 are formed on the inner side surfaces of the opening 227 in the left-right direction. In this case, two protrusions 2270 are formed on the inner side surfaces of the opening 227 in the left-right direction.

[0132] The two protrusions 2270 are formed at different positions in the vertical direction. That is, the two protrusions 2270 are formed at different positions relative to each other when viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0133] Furthermore, the two protrusions 2270 are formed at different positions in the front-to-back direction. The two protrusions 2270 are formed so that they do not overlap each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0134] Furthermore, the rear end of one of the two projections 2270 that is further forward than the other, and the front end of the other projection 2270, may be formed flush with or overlapping each other when viewed along the vertical direction.

[0135] In the following, the lower of the two protrusions 2270 will also be referred to as the "first protrusion 2271," and the upper protrusion 2270 as the "second protrusion 2272." The front end of the first protrusion 2271 is located in front of the front end of the second protrusion 2272. In other words, the first protrusion 2271, which is formed on the lower side, is located in front of the second protrusion 2272, which is formed on the upper side.

[0136] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the rear portion 23 is the rear part of the housing 2 that is on the opposite side of the mating connector C2 from the front portion 22 in the front-rear direction (see Figure 2). The rear portion 23 protrudes rearward from the main body portion 21.

[0137] As shown in Figures 13, 14, and 19, the rear section 23 has a rear section body 231 and a wall section 232.

[0138] The rear section body 231 is roughly rectangular in shape, elongated in the left-right direction.

[0139] The rear section body 231 protrudes rearward from the central part of the main body 21 in the vertical direction. The wall portion 232 is a peripheral wall that protrudes downward from the outer circumference of the lower surface of the rear section body 231. The rear section 23 has an upwardly recessed insertion recess 233 formed therein, surrounded by the lower surface of the rear section body 231 and the inner surface of the wall portion 232.

[0140] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the wall portion 232 includes a front wall 2321, a rear wall 2322, a right wall 2323, and a left wall 2324.

[0141] The front wall 2321 is formed along the front end of the lower surface of the rear body 231. The front portion of the front wall 2321 is formed integrally with the rear portion of the main body 21.

[0142] The rear wall 2322 is formed along the rear end of the lower surface of the rear section body 231. The rear wall 2322 has a pair of partial walls 23221 (see Figure 14) that extend in the left-right direction from the rear portions of the right wall 2323 and the left wall 2324, facing each other.

[0143] The rear wall 2322 has a concave rear end recess 234 separated by a pair of partial walls 23221. The distance between the inner surfaces of the rear end recess 234 in the left-right direction is greater than the left-right dimension (width dimension) of the connected member C11.

[0144] The right wall 2323 is formed along the right edge of the lower surface of the rear section body 231. The right wall 2323 connects the right edges of the front wall 2321 and the rear wall 2322. The left wall 2324 is formed along the left edge of the lower surface of the rear section body 231. The left wall 2324 connects the left edges of the front wall 2321 and the rear wall 2322.

[0145] The distance between the inner surfaces of the insertion recess 233 in the left-right direction is greater than the left-right dimension of the member to be connected C11. It is possible to insert the member to be connected C11 from the rear through the rear end recess 234 formed in the rear wall 2322 and position the member to be connected C11 in the insertion recess 233 (see Figure 22). Therefore, the lower surface of the rear body 231 (the bottom surface of the insertion recess 233) is an opposing surface 2330 that faces the member to be connected C11 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, it can be said that the rear part 23 has a pair of protruding walls 2320 (the right wall 2323 and the left wall 2324 of the wall part 232) that project downward from the periphery of the opposing surface 2330.

[0146] As shown in Figures 4 and 19, a recessed area 235 is formed on the lower surface of the rear portion 23 (the bottom surface of the insertion recess 233), which is recessed upward. Thus, the opposing surface 2330 of the rear portion 23 has the recess 235. The recess 235 is elongated in the left-right direction. Here, the left-right dimension of the recess 235 is larger than the left-right dimension of the connected member C11.

[0147] As shown in Figures 13 and 19, the rear surface of the front wall 2321 of the wall portion 232 is an inclined surface 236 that slopes upward and diagonally backward. In this way, the inner surface of the insertion recess 233 includes an inclined surface 236 that slopes so that the insertion recess 233 narrows towards the bottom of the insertion recess 233. The right wall 2323, left wall 2324, and rear wall 2322 of the wall portion 232 may also have inclined surfaces.

[0148] As shown in Figures 14 and 19, each of the left and right outer surfaces of the rear section 23 is provided with a first recess 2391 that is recessed upward from the lower end, and a first projection 237 (first engaged portion) located within the first recess 2391. Furthermore, the rear surface of the rear section body 231 of the rear section 23 is provided with a second recess 2392 that is recessed upward from the lower end, and a second projection 238 (second engaged portion) located within the second recess 2392.

[0149] As shown in Figures 12, 13, and 19, the housing 2 has a through hole 25 that penetrates the housing 2 in the front-to-back direction. The through hole 25 is a rectangular, flat hole when viewed from the front along the front-to-back direction.

[0150] The through-hole 25 penetrates the front portion 22, the main body portion 21, and the front wall 2321 (rear portion 23) of the wall portion 232.

[0151] The inner surface (upper surface) of the through hole 25 is flush with the opposing surface 2330 of the rear portion 23. The rear opening of the through hole 25 opens onto the rear surface of the front wall 2321 (rear portion 23) of the wall portion 232. As described above, the rear surface of the front wall 2321 of the wall portion 232 is an inclined surface 236, so it can be said that the housing 2 has an inclined surface 26 that is obliquely inclined around the rear opening of the through hole 25.

[0152] The through-hole 25 is larger in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The dimensions of the through-hole 25 in the left-right direction are larger than the dimensions of the connected member C11 in the left-right direction. The connected member C11, which is inserted into the insertion recess 233 from the rear, is inserted into the through-hole 25 from the rear and positioned therein. As described above, because the dimensions of the through-hole 25 are larger in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, it becomes possible to easily position the multiple conductors 5 of the plate-shaped connected member C11 so that they correspond to the connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10.

[0153] As shown in Figures 12 and 16, the through-hole 25 is formed in the housing 2 in a portion below the housing portion 220 in the front portion 22. Thus, the through-hole 25 is formed in the housing 2 below the housing space 2200. The through-hole 25 is formed in the housing 2 overlapping the housing space 2200 in the vertical direction.

[0154] As shown in Figure 6, the tip of the connected member C11, which is inserted into the through hole 25 from the rear, is located below the front portion 22 (inside the second recess 2222 of the arrangement recess 222).

[0155] As described above, the contact portion 101 of the terminal 10 is housed in the housing space 2200, and the member to be connected C11 is placed in the through hole 25. Therefore, the housing 2 has a partition wall 27 (the lower wall of the peripheral wall 228) between the member to be connected C11 placed in the through hole 25 and the multiple terminals 10 housed in the multiple housing spaces 2200 (see Figure 6). In other words, the peripheral wall 228 includes the partition wall 27 (at least a part of it). The partition wall 27 is located between the multiple contact portions 101 of the multiple terminals 10 and the member to be connected C11. Preferably, the partition wall 27 is located between the portion of the multiple contact portions 101 of the multiple terminals 10 that contacts the mating terminal 8 and the member to be connected C11. The through hole 25 is aligned with the housing space 2200 in the vertical direction, with the partition wall 27 in between.

[0156] As shown in Figure 13, the skirt portion 24 is connected to the front end of the main body portion 21 where the main body portion 21 and the front portion 22 are connected, and is integrally formed on the outer surface of the front end of the main body portion 21. The skirt portion 24 is formed in a roughly rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the front, so as to surround the step 221 of the front portion 22 from above, below, left, and right.

[0157] As shown in Figure 13, the skirt portion 24 integrally includes a flange portion 241 extending outward from the outer surface of the front end of the main body portion 21, and a cylindrical portion 242 extending forward from the tip of the flange portion 241. As shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13, a notch 243 is formed in the central part in the left-right direction at the front end of the upper wall of the skirt portion 24 (upper wall of the housing 2), which is cut out so as to penetrate the front end of the skirt portion 24 in the vertical direction.

[0158] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the housing 2 further integrally includes a locking portion 28 and a roof portion 280.

[0159] The locking portion 28 is a component for holding the housing 2 of connector C1 and the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2 in a mated state, and for releasing the mated state. The locking portion 28 is formed on the upper wall of the housing 2.

[0160] As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the locking portion 28 has an engaging portion 281, an operating portion 282, and a swinging support portion 283.

[0161] The engaging portion 281 is a U-shaped plate in top view, having a right frame and a left frame extending forward from the operating portion 282, and a front frame connecting the front ends of the right frame and the left frame. The operating portion 282 connects the rear ends of the right frame and the left frame of the engaging portion 281. The swing support portion 283 connects the lower surfaces of the right frame and the left frame of the engaging portion 281 to the upper surface portion of the main body portion 21 of the housing 2. The swing support portion 283 supports the engaging portion 281 so that it can swing up and down. The front frame of the engaging portion 281 can swing up and down within the notch 243 of the skirt portion 24.

[0162] The locking portion 28 is formed by the engaging portion 281 and the operating portion 282, and the locking projection 92 (locked portion; see Figure 2) of the mating housing 9 is positioned within this rectangular space when viewed from above, thereby holding the housing 2 and the mating housing 9 in a fitted state (see Figure 30).

[0163] The roof portion 280 is formed to cover the locking portion 28 (more specifically, the locking projection 92 of the mating housing 9 that is locked to the locking portion 28) from above. The roof portion 280 is positioned above the notched portion 243 of the skirt portion 24 in the vertical direction. The roof portion 280 is provided so as to span between the ends of the notched portion 243 of the skirt portion 24. The presence of the roof portion 280 in the housing 2 helps to prevent the locked portion (locking projection 92) from unintentionally disengaging from the locking portion 28.

[0164] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the slide member 7 is engaged with the locking portion 28 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The slide member 7 integrally comprises a central frame portion 70 extending in the front-rear direction, a pair of side frame portions 71 positioned to the left and right of the central frame portion 70 and extending in the front-rear direction, and a connecting portion 72 connecting the rear ends of the central frame portion 70 and the pair of side frame portions 71. Engaging grooves extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of side frame portions 71. Engaging ribs formed on the left and right side walls of the engaging portion 281 of the locking portion 28 are fitted into these engaging grooves, thereby allowing the slide member 7 to slide in the front-rear direction relative to the locking portion 28. A projecting rib 701 is formed at the front end of the central frame portion 70, projecting downward. When the locking portion 28 is engaged with the locking projection 92, the projecting rib 701 catches on the front end surface of the front frame of the engaging portion 281 of the locking portion 28. This further reduces the likelihood of the locked portion (locking projection 92) unintentionally disengaging from the locking portion 28.

[0165] (1.3.3) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connector C1 includes a front sealing member 30 and a rear sealing member 3.

[0166] The front sealing member 30 is made of an elastic resin such as rubber. The front sealing member 30 is formed in a rectangular annular shape when viewed from the front.

[0167] The inner circumferential surface of the front sealing member 30 is provided with inner projections 301 arranged around it. At least one (two in this case) inner projections 301 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the front sealing member 30.

[0168] Outer projections 302 are provided around the outer circumferential surface of the front sealing member 30. At least one (two in this case) outer projections 302 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the front sealing member 30.

[0169] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the front sealing member 30 is positioned along the outer circumference of the front portion 22. The front sealing member 30 is positioned in front of the step 221 formed behind the front portion 22. The two inner projections 301 of the front sealing member 30 are in circumferential contact with the outer surface of the front portion 22. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the through hole 25 is circumferentially surrounded by the front sealing member 30.

[0170] The rear sealing member 3 is attached to the rear portion 23 of the housing 2.

[0171] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rear sealing member 3 includes a first sealing member 31 and a second sealing member 32 which is formed separately from the first sealing member 31.

[0172] The first sealing member 31 is made of an elastic resin, for example, a silicone-based gel-like material.

[0173] The first sealing member 31 is formed in a plate shape that is long in the left-right direction. The first sealing member 31 is positioned in the recess 235 of the opposing surface 2330 of the rear portion 23. In the vertical direction, the first sealing member 31 is positioned between the opposing surface 2330 of the rear portion 23 (the bottom surface of the recess 235) and the connected member C11. As shown in Figure 23, the left-right dimension of the first sealing member 31 is larger than the left-right dimension of the connected member C11.

[0174] The second sealing member 32 is attached to the rear portion 23 of the housing 2. The second sealing member 32 is positioned so as to sandwich the connected member C11 between the first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 in the vertical direction. In addition, the first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 abut each other on both sides in the left-right direction, sandwiching the connected member C11. As a result, the rear sealing member 3 can make close circumferential contact with the connected member C11, as shown in Figure 26. This can improve the sealing performance (waterproof and dustproof) of the surface of the connected member C11 in the front-rear direction.

[0175] Furthermore, the second sealing member 32 is positioned in the region surrounded by the pair of protruding walls 2320 and the opposing surface 2330. This makes it easier to position the second sealing member 32 in the rear portion 23, potentially improving the sealing performance.

[0176] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second sealing member 32 comprises an elastic member 33 and a pressing member 34.

[0177] The elastic member 33 is made of an elastic resin, for example, a silicone-based gel-like material. The elastic member 33 is elongated in the left-right direction and has a tray-like shape with an upwardly recessed recess 330 on its lower surface. The elastic member 33 is shaped to fit into the insertion recess 233 of the rear portion 23.

[0178] The elastic member 33 is positioned so as to contact and be sandwiched between the connected member C11 and the pressing member 34 in the vertical direction.

[0179] It is desirable to form an adhesive layer between the elastic member 33 and the pressing member 34. For example, the adhesive layer can be formed on the surface of the recess 330 of the elastic member 33.

[0180] The elastic member 33 has a front end wall 3301 formed at its front end and projecting downward, a pair of side walls 3302 connected to both left and right ends of the front end wall 3301 and projecting downward, and a rear end opening 3303 that opens rearward at the rear end of the pair of side walls 3302.

[0181] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, gaps are formed between the pair of side walls 3302 and the inner surfaces of the pair of protruding walls 2320 of the wall portion 232 in the rear portion 23 of the housing 2. This makes it easy to place the elastic member 33 in the insertion recess 233.

[0182] Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the pair of side walls 3302 of the elastic member 33 may have convex projections that extend long in the front-rear direction. In this case, the convex projections can be positioned to contact the inner surface of the protruding wall 2320 of the wall portion 232.

[0183] On both sides in the left-right direction, with the connected member C11 in between, the first sealing member 31 and the elastic member 33 come into contact with each other (see Figure 26).

[0184] The retaining member 34 is a member for attaching the elastic member 33 to the rear portion 23. The retaining member 34 is made of, for example, resin. The retaining member 34 has a greater hardness than the elastic member 33. In other words, the elastic member 33 has a less hardness than the retaining member 34. Hardness here refers to, for example, Rockwell hardness (for example, the A scale). The retaining member 34 is attached to the rear portion 23 so as to press the elastic member 33 against the connected member C11.

[0185] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the retaining member 34 integrally comprises a plate-shaped main body portion 349 that is long in the left-right direction and an engaging portion 340.

[0186] The main body portion 349 is the part that contacts the elastic member 33 from below and presses down on the elastic member 33. Here, the main body portion 349 has a pressing projection 3491 on its upper surface facing the elastic member 33. The pressing projection 3491 has a shape that fits into a recess 330 on the lower surface of the elastic member 33. As shown in Figure 6, the front end portion 3490 of the main body portion 349 protrudes forward from the pressing projection 3491. The front end portion 3490 of the main body portion 3490 contacts the lower end of the front end wall 3301 and the lower surface of the front wall 2321 (rear portion 23) of the wall portion 232 so as to cover the front end wall 3301 of the elastic member 33.

[0187] The engaging portion 340 is the part of the retaining member 34 that is attached to the rear portion 23 of the housing 2. The engaging portion 340 includes a pair of first engaging portions 341 and a second engaging portion 342.

[0188] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pair of first engaging portions 341 are provided so as to protrude upward from both left and right end faces of the main body portion 349. The first engaging portions 341 are rectangular frame-shaped. The first engaging portions 341 engage with the side walls of the rear portion 23 by hooking onto the first projections 237 (see Figure 14) provided on the left or right outer surface of the rear portion 23 (see Figure 2). In this way, the pair of first engaging portions 341 engage with the pair of left and right side walls of the rear portion 23.

[0189] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second engaging portion 342 is a convex portion. The second engaging portion 342 is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 349 so as to protrude upward from the center in the left-right direction and from the front-rear end (in this case, the rear end). The second engaging portion 342 is plate-shaped and has a hook portion 3421 at its tip (upper end). The second engaging portion 342 engages with the rear end wall of the rear portion 23 by hooking the hook portion 3421 at its tip onto the second projection 238 (see Figure 13) provided on the rear surface of the rear portion 23 (see Figure 6). In this way, the second engaging portion 342 engages with the front-rear end wall of the rear portion 23. Here, the second engaging portion 342 engages with the rear end wall of the rear portion 23.

[0190] With the connected member C11 and the elastic member 33 sandwiched between the opposing surface 2330 of the rear portion 23 and the pressing member 34, the pair of first engaging portions 341 and second engaging portions 342 engage with the rear portion 23, thereby attaching the second sealing member 32 to the rear portion 23 (see Figure 6).

[0191] As shown in Figure 6, the rear sealing member 3 (here, the elastic member 33) is positioned to close the rear opening in the through hole 25 of the housing 2. The pressing member 34 presses against the elastic member 33, making contact with the area around the rear opening of the through hole 25 so as to increase the adhesion of the front end wall 3301 of the elastic member 33 to the inclined surface 26 of the front wall 2321 of the wall portion 232. The rear sealing member 3 seals the gap between the rear opening in the through hole 25 of the housing 2 and the connected member C11.

[0192] As shown in Figure 6, the front surface of the second sealing member 32 (here, the elastic member 33) abuts against the inclined surface 236 of the rear portion 23. This makes it easier for the front surface of the second sealing member 32 and the inclined surface 236 of the rear portion 23 to come into contact on a planar basis, which can improve sealing performance (waterproofing and dustproofing).

[0193] Furthermore, the pressing member 34 presses against the elastic member 33, causing the elastic member 33 to elastically deform. This improves the adhesion of the elastic member 33 to the bottom surface of the insertion recess 233 of the rear body 231 (the bottom surface 2331 formed between the recess 235 and the inclined surface 236 of the rear part 23) near the rear of the opening of the through hole 25 in the left-right direction relative to the connected member C11, thereby sealing the area around the gap between the rear body 231 and the connected member C11. This can improve the sealing performance (waterproof and dustproof).

[0194] Furthermore, the elastic member 33 also comes into contact with the front surface 2332 of the rear wall 2322 (the side surface of the insertion recess 233: see Figure 13).

[0195] (1.3.4) Fixing Member The fixing member 4 is attached to the front portion 22 of the housing 2. The fixing member 4 is a member for fixing the front sealing member 30 to the housing 2. The fixing member 4 can abut against the front end surface of the front sealing member 30. The fixing member 4 prevents the front sealing member 30 from falling forward.

[0196] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing member 4 integrally comprises a lower cover portion 41, a pair of lateral cover portions 42, and an upper cover portion 43.

[0197] The lower cover portion 41 is plate-shaped, elongated in the left-right direction and having thickness in the up-down direction. The lower cover portion 41 has a lower opening 410 that penetrates it vertically. The lower opening 410 is a rectangular hole when viewed from above, elongated in the left-right direction. Thus, the fixing member 4 has a lower opening 410.

[0198] The lower cover portion 41 has two lower openings 410. The two lower openings 410 are arranged in the front-to-back direction. Hereinafter, the front lower opening 410 of the two lower openings 410 will also be referred to as the "first lower opening 411," and the rear lower opening 410 will also be referred to as the "second lower opening 412."

[0199] As shown in Figure 6, the lower opening 410 exposes a plurality of conductors 5 (conductor-side connection portions 501) of the member to be connected C11 downward when the member to be connected C11 is positioned on the connector C1. The first lower opening 411 exposes a plurality of first connection portions 511 of a plurality of first conductors 51 downward. The second lower opening 412 exposes a plurality of second connection portions 521 of a plurality of second conductors 52 downward. The plurality of conductors 5 (conductor-side connection portions 501) of the member to be connected C11 are visible from below through the lower opening 410.

[0200] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the pair of lateral cover sections 42 has a lower wall section 421, a side wall section 422, and a front wall section 423.

[0201] The lower wall portion 421 of the lateral cover portion 42 is plate-shaped with thickness in the vertical direction. The lower wall portion 421 is connected to the left or right end of the lower cover portion 41. An L-shaped positioning hole 420 is formed in the connection portion between the lower wall portion 421 and the lower cover portion 41 when viewed from above. The rear end surface of the lower wall portion 421 is flush with the rear end surface of the lower cover portion 41.

[0202] The side wall portion 422 of the lateral cover portion 42 is plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction. The side wall portion 422 is wall-shaped and protrudes upward from the left or right end of the lower wall portion 421.

[0203] A lateral projection 4221 is formed on the side wall portion 422 of the lateral cover portion 42, projecting in the left-right direction.

[0204] The front wall portion 423 of the lateral cover portion 42 is plate-shaped with thickness in the front-rear direction. The lower end of the front wall portion 423 is connected to the front end of the lower wall portion 421, and the outer ends of the front wall portion 423 in the left-right direction are connected to the front end of the side wall portion 422. The front wall portion 423 forms a step that protrudes upward from the front end of the upper cover portion 43 (see Figure 3). Also, the front wall portion 423 forms a step that protrudes downward from the front end of the lower cover portion 41 (see Figure 4).

[0205] In the connected state where connector C1 and mating connector C2 are connected, the lateral projection 4221 and the front wall portion 423 abut against the inner surface of the mating recess 90 of the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2.

[0206] The upper cover portion 43 is plate-shaped with thickness in the vertical direction. The upper cover portion 43 is connected to a pair of horizontal cover portions 42 such that a front opening 430 that opens in the front-to-back direction is formed. More specifically, the upper cover portion 43 connects the upper ends of the front wall portions 423 of each of the pair of horizontal cover portions 42 in the left-to-right direction. As a result, the fixing member 4 has a front opening 430 that opens in the front-to-back direction. With the fixing member 4 attached to the front portion 22, the contact portions 101 of the multiple terminals 10 are exposed to the front through the front opening 430 (see Figure 6). The presence of the upper cover portion 43 of the fixing member 4 improves the strength of the fixing member 4.

[0207] As shown in Figure 3, the front-to-rear dimension of the upper cover portion 43 is smaller than the front-to-rear dimension of the lower cover portion 41. More specifically, the front-to-rear dimension of the upper cover portion 43 is defined such that the rear end of the upper cover portion 43 is located in front of the front edge of the lower opening 410 (first lower opening 411) formed in the lower cover portion 41 (see Figure 6).

[0208] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing member 4 further integrally has a pair of protruding wall portions 44. The protruding wall portions 44 are plate-shaped with thickness in the left-right direction. The protruding wall portions 44 extend in the vertical direction. The protruding wall portions 44 project upward from the edge portion of the positioning hole 420 in the fixing member 4. The pair of protruding wall portions 44 are located between the side wall portions 422 of the pair of lateral cover portions 42.

[0209] At the upper end of the protruding wall portion 44, a projection 441 is formed on the inner surface in the left-right direction, projecting inward in the left-right direction. The projection 441 is a rib-like projection extending in the front-rear direction.

[0210] The fixing member 4 is attached to the front portion 22 from below. The positioning projection 223 of the front portion 22 fits into the positioning hole 420 of the fixing member 4. Then, the pair of protruding wall portions 44 of the fixing member 4 are inserted into the pair of openings 227 of the front portion 22 and positioned.

[0211] As shown in Figures 6 and 30, the fixing member 4 (lower cover portion 41) abuts against the second surface S2 of the connected member C11. The lower cover portion 41 has a contact portion 414 that abuts against the second surface S2 of the connected member C11. Here, the contact portion 414 is formed to protrude upward around the lower opening 410 (see Figure 3). The upper end of the contact portion 414 abuts against the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 (see Figure 6).

[0212] The contact portion 414 is formed in a frame shape that surrounds the lower opening 410. Here, two contact portions 414 are formed around the two lower openings 410 (the first lower opening 411 and the second lower opening 412). Hereafter, the contact portion 414 formed around the first lower opening 411 will also be referred to as the "first contact portion 4141," and the contact portion 414 formed around the second lower opening 412 will also be referred to as the "second contact portion 4142" (see Figure 30).

[0213] The fixing member 4 further includes a connecting portion 4143 that connects the left-right outer ends of the first contact portion 4141 and the second contact portion 4142 (see Figure 3).

[0214] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the fixing member 4 has a connecting portion 415 that connects the first contact portion 4141 and the second contact portion 4142. The connecting portion 415 is formed to be elongated in the left-right direction and connects the lower end of the rear edge portion of the first contact portion 4141 and the lower end of the front edge portion of the second contact portion 4142 (see Figure 30).

[0215] As shown in Figure 30, with respect to the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51 and the second connection portion 521 of the second conductor 52, which are arranged in the front-to-back direction, the two contact portions 414 (first contact portion 4141 and second contact portion 4142) are in contact with the lower surface (second surface S2) of the portion of the connected member C11 corresponding to the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51 and the lower surface (second surface S2) of the portion of the second connection portion 521 of the second conductor 52, respectively.

[0216] Furthermore, at least one of the two contact portions 414 (the first contact portion 4141 and the second contact portion 4142) is in contact with the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 at a position between the two connecting portions 104 (the first connecting portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connecting portion 124 of the second terminal 12) that are aligned in the front-rear direction. Note that the contact portion 414 of the fixing member 4 may overlap the two connecting portions 104 (the first connecting portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the second connecting portion 124 of the second terminal 12) that are aligned in the front-rear direction in the vertical direction.

[0217] Furthermore, the contact portion 414 of the fixing member 4 contacts portions on the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 that correspond to at least two (or more) conductors 5 arranged in the left-right direction. The first contact portion 4141 contacts portions on the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 that correspond to at least two first conductors 51 arranged in the left-right direction. The second contact portion 4142 contacts portions on the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 that correspond to at least two second conductors 52 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0218] Here, the contact portion 414 is in continuous contact with portions of the second surface S2 of the connected member C11 that correspond to multiple conductors 5 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0219] (1.4) The assembly method of the connector device C100 will be explained with reference to the assembly diagrams 15 to 27 of the connector device. Note that in Figures 19 to 27, the connector device C100 is shown upside down for convenience.

[0220] First, as shown in Figures 15 to 19, the contact portions 101 of the multiple terminals 10 are housed in the multiple housing spaces 2200 of the housing 2. In addition, the front sealing member 30 is inserted from the front into the annular recessed space between the skirt portion 24 and the front portion 22 of the housing 2 and is positioned along the outer circumference of the front portion 22.

[0221] Next, as shown in Figure 20, the first sealing member 31 of the rear sealing member 3 is fitted into the recess 235 of the rear portion 23 of the housing 2 from below.

[0222] Furthermore, the pair of protruding wall portions 44 of the fixing member 4 are inserted into the pair of openings 227 of the front portion 22, and the fixing member 4 is fitted into the arrangement recess 222 of the front portion 22 from below. At this stage, as shown in Figure 21, the protruding wall portions 44 of the fixing member 4 are not pushed all the way to the back (near the upper end) of the opening 227, and the projection 441 of the protruding wall portion 44 of the fixing member 4 is hooked onto the lower first projection 2271 of the two projections 2270 (first position; temporary mounting state of the fixing member). Note that Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the connector module C10 in the state shown in Figure 20, cut by a virtual plane passing through the first lower opening 411 and perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0223] Thus, the front portion 22 and the fixing member 4 have a first holding mechanism (projection 441 and first projection 2271). The first holding mechanism holds the fixing member 4 relative to the front portion 22 in a first position where the vertical distance between the fixing member 4 and the plurality of terminals 10 is relatively far. In the first position, the engagement of projection 441 and first projection 2271 prevents the fixing member 4 from coming out below the front portion 22. Because the front portion 22 and the fixing member 4 have the first holding mechanism, the connector C1 can be easily transported with the fixing member 4 temporarily held in place by the front portion 22 before the connected member C11 is connected.

[0224] Here, when the protruding wall portion 44 is inserted into the opening 227, the projection 441 overcomes the first projection 2271, creating a clicking sensation. This allows the worker (or work equipment) to determine that the fixing member 4 has moved to the first position.

[0225] Furthermore, even in this state (when the fixing member 4 is in the first position), the fixing member 4 can prevent the front sealing member 30 from falling forward. Also, in this state, when viewed from the front (see Figure 21), the through hole 25 is not blocked by the fixing member 4.

[0226] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the lower opening 410 exposes the multiple connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10 downwards when the member to be connected C11 is not placed on the connector C1.

[0227] Next, as shown in Figure 22, the member to be connected C11 is inserted into the through hole 25 from the rear through the rear end recess 234 and the insertion recess 233. The member to be connected C11 is positioned between the pair of protruding walls 2320. Here, since the dimension of the through hole 25 is larger in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction, and the left-right dimension of the through hole 25 is larger than the left-right dimension of the member to be connected C11, the multiple conductors 5 of the plate-shaped member to be connected C11 can be easily arranged to correspond to the connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10.

[0228] The worker inserts the member to be connected C11, for example, until the opening 60 aligns vertically with the second projection 238. In this way, the opening 60 also functions as an insertion position identification unit for adjusting the front-to-back position of the member to be connected C11.

[0229] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, when the member to be connected C11 is inserted, the notch 601 of the member to be connected C11 comes into contact with the positioning projection 223, thereby restricting the insertion position of the member to be connected C11 in the front-rear direction.

[0230] Here, the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 has a plate-shaped guide plate portion 1242 extending upward from the rear end of the flat portion 1241. Similarly, the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 has a plate-shaped guide plate portion 1142 extending upward from the rear end of the flat portion 1141. That is, the connection portion 104 of terminal 10 has a plate-shaped guide plate portion 1042 extending upward from the rear end of the flat portion 1041 (see Figure 6). The member to be connected C11 is guided by the guide plate portion 1042, allowing the member to be connected C11 to be smoothly inserted below the flat portion 1041.

[0231] Next, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, the fixing member 4 is further pushed into the opening 227 (see the hypothetical arrow P1 in Figure 23). The fixing member 4 is pushed in until the projection 441 of the protruding wall portion 44 catches on the upper second projection 2272 of the two projections 2270 (second position; the final mounting state of the fixing member). The fixing member 4 is held in the second position by the projection 441 catching on the second projection 2272.

[0232] Thus, the front portion 22 and the fixing member 4 have a second holding mechanism (projection 441 and second projection 2272). The second holding mechanism holds the fixing member 4 relative to the front portion 22 in a second position where the vertical distance between the fixing member 4 and the plurality of terminals 10 is relatively close. In the second position, the engagement of projection 441 and second projection 2272 prevents the fixing member 4 from coming out below the front portion 22.

[0233] In the first and second positions, at least one of the protruding wall portion 44 and the lateral cover portion 42 of the fixing member 4 is pressed against the front portion 22, thereby holding the fixing member 4 in place of the front portion 22.

[0234] Here, when the fixing member 4 is moved from the first position to the second position, a clicking sensation is generated as the projection 441 overcomes the second projection 2272. This allows the operator (or work equipment) to determine that the fixing member 4 has moved to the second position.

[0235] In this embodiment, the housing 2 is a member that does not elastically deform (or undergoes less elastic deformation) compared to the fixing member 4, so the housing 2 is provided with protrusions 2270 (first protrusion 2271 and second protrusion 2272). Therefore, the magnitude of the click sensation can be adjusted by the magnitude of the elastic deformation of the protruding wall portion 44 when moving the fixing member 4 to the first position and the magnitude of the elastic deformation of the protruding wall portion 44 when moving the fixing member 4 from the first position to the second position. Furthermore, compared to the case where protrusions are formed on the protruding wall portion 44 of the fixing member 4 instead of the protrusions 2270 on the housing 2, the amount of lateral movement due to the elastic deformation of the protruding wall portion 44 (amount of movement due to elastic deformation) can be suppressed, and the size of the opening 227 can be reduced. By making the opening 227 (cavity portion) smaller, the strength of the housing 2 can be improved as a result.

[0236] With the fixing member 4 pushed to the second position, the member to be connected C11 is sandwiched between the connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10 and the fixing member 4 (see Figure 24). That is, the second position of the fixing member 4 is the position where the fixing member 4 (contact portion 414) contacts the second surface S2 of the member to be connected C11.

[0237] Next, the elastic member 33 of the rear sealing member 3 is fitted from below into the insertion recess 233 of the rear portion 23 (see Figure 25), and the retaining member 34 is then fitted in. The pair of first engaging portions 341 of the retaining member 34 are hooked onto the pair of first projections 237 on the rear portion of the housing 2, and the second engaging portion 342 (protrusion) of the retaining member 34 passes through the opening 60 of the connected member C11 and is hooked onto the second projection 238. This fixes the connected member C11 to the housing 2. The insertion of the second engaging portion 342 of the retaining member 34 into the opening 60 allows for the position of the connected member C11 in the front-rear direction to be restricted.

[0238] In this embodiment, the rear sealing member 3 and the fixing member 4 are attached to the housing 2 from the same side (one side in the vertical direction). This allows the attachment of the rear sealing member 3 and the final attachment of the fixing member 4 to be performed consecutively from the same direction while keeping the orientation of the housing 2 constant, which can improve the workability of the assembly process.

[0239] By attaching the retaining member 34 to the rear portion 23, the first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 come into contact with each other on both sides in the left-right direction, flanking the connected member C11, as shown in Figure 26. Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the connector module C10 with the retaining member 34 attached, cut by a virtual plane passing through the first projection 237 and perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0240] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 27, the laser beam L10 is shone from below through the lower opening 410 of the fixing member 4, and the multiple terminals 10 of the connector C1 and the multiple conductors 5 of the member to be connected C11 are connected by laser welding. Specifically, the laser beam L11 is shone through the first lower opening 411, connecting the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51. Furthermore, the laser beam L12 is shone through the second lower opening 412, connecting the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 and the second connection portion 521 of the second conductor 52. At this time, since laser welding is performed with the member to be connected C11 pressed against the terminals 10 by the fixing member 4, the occurrence of connection failures is suppressed. In addition, the projection 441 of the fixing member 4 is hooked onto the projection 2270 of the housing 2, which increases the pressing force applied by the fixing member 4.

[0241] As described above, in this embodiment, laser welding is performed after the step of placing the second sealing member 32 in the insertion recess 233. However, this is not limited to this, and the step of placing the second sealing member 32 in the insertion recess 233 may be performed after laser welding.

[0242] In this embodiment, the terminal 10 has a connecting portion 104 that is connected to the lower end of the leg portion 108 of the connecting portion 105 via a curved portion 109. This increases the contact area between the terminal 10 and the conductor 5, which can improve the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal 10 of the connector C1 and the conductor 5 of the connected member C11.

[0243] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 1144 of the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 protrudes forward away from the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12, while the protruding portion 1244 of the second connection portion 124 of the second terminal 12 protrudes backward away from the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11. That is, the connection portion 104 has a connecting connection portion 1043 that is connected to the curved portion 109, and a protruding portion 1044 that protrudes from the connecting connection portion 1043 in at least one direction, forward or backward. This makes it easier to increase the connection area of ​​the connection portion 104 while increasing the distance between the first connection portion 114 and the second connection portion 124 to secure an insulation distance.

[0244] Laser welding marks are formed at the joint between each of the multiple conductors 5 of the connected member C11 and the corresponding terminal 104 of the multiple terminals 10.

[0245] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when the terminal 10 and the connected member C11 are connected, the connected member C11 is arranged in an inclined position, extending linearly from the opening behind the through hole 25 in the rear portion 23 to the rear of the connection portion 104 of the terminal 10, sloping diagonally downward. By sandwiching the connected member C11 between the connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10 and the fixing member 4, even when the connected member C11 is arranged in an inclined position, the reliability of the laser-welded joint between the connection portion 104 of the terminals 10 and the connected member C11 can be improved, while the rear sealing member 3 can provide a seal.

[0246] As described above, the method for connecting the member to be connected C11 and the connector C1 (the method for assembling the connector module C10) includes a step of arranging the member to be connected and a laser connection step.

[0247] The step of arranging the member to be connected includes arranging the member to be connected C11 in the through hole 25 of the housing 2 (see Figures 22 to 24). In the step of arranging the member to be connected, for example, the member to be connected C11 is inserted into the through hole 25 from the rear, thereby arranging the member to be connected C11 in the through hole 25.

[0248] Furthermore, in the connection member placement process, the connection member C11 is inserted into the through hole 25 while the fixing member 4 is held in a first position where the vertical distance between the fixing member 4 and the multiple terminals 10 is relatively far (see Figure 22). In the connection member placement process, after the connection member C11 is inserted into the through hole 25, the fixing member 4 is moved to a second position where the vertical distance between the fixing member 4 and the multiple terminals 10 is relatively close (see Figures 23 and 24).

[0249] The laser connection process involves irradiating a laser beam L10 at a position where multiple connection portions 104 of multiple terminals 10 and multiple conductors 5 (conductor-side connection portions 501) of the member to be connected C11 overlap, thereby connecting the connection portions 104 of the multiple terminals 10 and the multiple conductors 5 respectively (see Figure 26). In the laser connection process, the laser beam L10 is irradiated through the lower opening 410 formed in the fixing member 4.

[0250] As shown in Figure 28, the connector C1 has an upper opening 450 that exposes multiple terminals 10 upward when the fixing member 4 is attached to the housing 2. The upper opening 450 is an opening formed between the front edge of the upper surface of the housing 2 and the rear edge of the upper cover portion 43 of the fixing member 4.

[0251] Here, a portion of the terminal 11 that is away from the first connection portion 114 (for example, the leg portion 118 of the first terminal 11) is exposed upward through the upper opening 450 and is visible. This allows a test probe to be brought into contact with the leg portion 118 through the upper opening 450, and it is possible to check whether the first terminal 11 and the first conductor 51 are properly electrically connected. In particular, since the probe can be brought into contact with a portion other than the first connection portion 114 (for example, the leg portion 118), the possibility of misjudging the electrical connection state is reduced compared to when the test is performed by bringing the probe into contact with the first connection portion 114. Misjudgments may occur, for example, when the first connection portion 114 of the first terminal 11 and the first connection portion 511 of the first conductor 51 are not actually connected and there is a gap, but the first connection portion 114 is pressed by the probe, causing it to come into contact with the first connection portion 511, and thus the first terminal 11 and the first conductor 51 are connected.

[0252] Furthermore, by bringing the probe into contact with the upper opening 450, which is on the opposite side of the lower opening 410 from which the laser beam L10 is irradiated, it is possible to check whether the first terminal 11 and the first conductor 51 are properly electrically connected.

[0253] Furthermore, a portion of the device that is separated from the first connection portion 114 (for example, the leg portion 128 of the second terminal 12) is exposed upward through the upper opening 450 and is visible. Also, as described above, as a portion separated from the first connection portion 114, for example, the projection 1260 of the main body portion 126 of the second connecting portion 125 of the second terminal 12 is exposed upward through the second groove 225 and is visible. This allows a test probe to be brought into contact with the leg portion 128 or the projection 1260 through the upper opening 450, and it is possible to check whether the second terminal 12 and the second conductor 52 are properly electrically connected.

[0254] (1.5) Mating connector As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 29, the mating connector C2 comprises a plurality of mating terminals 8 and a mating housing 9 that holds the plurality of mating terminals 8.

[0255] The mating housing 9 holds a plurality of mating terminals 8. The mating housing 9 is formed using, for example, an electrically insulating resin material.

[0256] The mating housing 9 has a hollow cylindrical portion 91 that opens to the rear. The cylindrical portion 91 is roughly rectangular in shape when viewed from the rear. A mating recess 90 is formed in the cylindrical portion 91 so as to open to the rear. A part of the housing 2 of the connector C1 (the front portion 22) is housed in the mating recess 90. A locking projection 92 is formed on the upper surface of the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 91, which the locking portion 28 of the housing 2 of the connector C1 is hooked onto.

[0257] Each of the multiple mating terminals 8 has a first end 81 located inside the mating recess 90, and a second end 82 located in front of the cylindrical portion 91, passing through the bottom of the cylindrical portion 91. Each of the multiple mating terminals 8 is connected to the multiple terminals 10 of the connector C1 by the first end 81 contacting the contact portion 101 of the multiple terminals 10 (being sandwiched between the upper contact portion and the lower contact portion).

[0258] (1.6) Connection State The connector module C10, which includes connector C1, and the mating connector C2 are connected to each other by relative movement in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 30, in the connected state where connector C1 and mating connector C2 are connected, the multiple terminals 10 of connector C1 are connected to the multiple mating terminals 8 of mating connector C2. Also, in the connected state, the front portion 22 of the housing 2 of connector C1, the fixing member 4, and the front sealing member 30 are housed in the mating recess 90 of the mating housing 9 of mating connector C2. The rear end of the mating recess 90 (the opening end of the cylindrical portion 91) is inserted up to the connection between the main body portion 21 and the skirt portion 24. As the area around the front portion 22 is housed in the mating recess 90 of the mating housing 9, the multiple terminals 10 of connector C1 and the connected member C11 are protected by the cylindrical portion 91 of the mating housing 9. Furthermore, when connected, the fixing member 4 abuts against the side surface of the mating recess 90 of the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2, thereby reducing rattling in the connected state.

[0259] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30, in the connected state, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 91 of the mating housing 9 of the mating connector C2 (the side surface of the mating recess 90) circumferentially contacts the outer projection 302 of the front sealing member 30 of connector C1. Also, the front sealing member 30 expands forward and backward by being sandwiched between the front portion 22 of housing 2 and the cylindrical portion 91 of mating housing 9, contacting the stepped portion 221 of housing 2 and contacting the fixing member 4 (the rear end of the lower cover portion 41 and the side cover portion 42). In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the front portion 22 contacts the inner projection 301 of the front sealing member 30 circumferentially. This improves the sealing performance (waterproof, dustproof, etc.) of the front sealing member 30.

[0260] As shown in Figure 30, in the connected state, the space S10 in which the terminal 10 of connector C1 and the mating terminal 8 of mating connector C2 are housed is sealed by the front sealing member 30 and the rear sealing member 3. This effectively suppresses the intrusion of moisture and other substances into the space S10 (see the hypothetical arrows W1 and W2 in Figure 30). In particular, the portion of the connector module C10 that is connected by laser welding (connection portion 104, conductor-side connection portion 501) is located in front of the sealing members (front sealing member 30 and rear sealing member 3), and this portion can be sealed by the sealing members, thus achieving both improved workability by laser welding and the assurance of waterproof and dustproof performance. Although not particularly limited, the connector device C100 of this embodiment can achieve a waterproof performance of approximately IPX7.

[0261] In particular, in this embodiment, since the connected member C11 is inserted into the through hole 25 for connection, it becomes easier to achieve both laser welding connection and waterproof / dustproof properties. Furthermore, in the connector device C100 of this embodiment, by forming at least one of the front sealing member 30 and the rear sealing member 3, the space S10 can be sealed (waterproof, dustproof, etc.) even more reliably.

[0262] (2) Modifications The above embodiments are merely one of many embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of the present disclosure are achieved. Modifications of the embodiments are listed below. The above embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate. In the description of each modification below, explanations of configurations similar to those of the above embodiments may be omitted as appropriate.

[0263] (2.1) Modification 1 In the connector device C100 of this modification, as shown in Figure 31, the main body portion 349 of the retaining member 34 of the rear sealing member 3 has a retaining recess 3492. The retaining recess 3492 is a rectangular recess into which at least a part of the rectangular parallelepiped elastic member 33 fits. In this case, the front end of the protruding peripheral wall of the recess 3492 can be formed to contact the rear surface of the front wall 2321 (rear portion 23) of the wall portion 232 so as to seal the through hole 25.

[0264] Thus, the pressing member 34 has a pressing recess 3492 or a pressing projection 3491 (see Figures 3 and 4) on the surface facing the elastic member 33.

[0265] It is not essential that the pressing member 34 has a pressing projection 3491 or a pressing recess 3492, and it does not need to have both. Also, as shown in Figure 31, the elastic member 33 does not need to have a recess 330 on its lower surface.

[0266] (2.2) Modification 2 In the connector device C100 of this modification, as shown in Figure 32, the left-right dimension of the first sealing member 31 is the same as or smaller than the left-right dimension of the connected member C11. The connected member C11 also has notches 63 on both sides in the left-right direction that expose the left and right end portions of the first sealing member 31. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 33, the elastic member 33 of the second sealing member 32 has protrusions 331 at both ends in the left-right direction that fit into the notches 63.

[0267] Then, the projection 331 abuts against the first sealing member 31 through the notch 63, so that the first sealing member 31 and the elastic member 33 abut against each other on both sides in the left-right direction, with the connected member C11 in between.

[0268] In this modified example, the rear portion 23 can be made smaller in the left-right direction. In addition, the first sealing member 31 and the second sealing member 32 can come into contact more easily, which can improve the sealing performance of the rear sealing member 3.

[0269] (2.3) Other Modifications In the modified example, the plurality of terminals 10 may include only one of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In that case, the shape of the housing portion 220, the shape of the conductor 5 of the connected member C11, etc., can be changed as appropriate.

[0270] In one modified example, the second sealing member 32 of the rear sealing member 3 may be a single member. In one specific example, the elastic member 33 and the pressing member 34 may be integrally formed by two-color molding.

[0271] In one modified example, the partition wall 27 of the housing 2 may have irregularities or holes. The through hole 25 may be in partial communication with the housing space 2200.

[0272] In one modified example, the housing portion 220 may be formed not only in the front portion 22 but also in the main body portion 21 or the rear portion 23 (rear body portion 231).

[0273] In one modified example, the protruding wall portion 44 of the fixing member 4 may have multiple (for example, two) protrusions 441 at different positions in the vertical direction. In that case, the front portion 22 of the housing 2 may have only one protrusion 2270.

[0274] In one modified example, one of the projections 441 and 2270 may be a recess.

[0275] In one modified example, when the terminal 10 and the member to be connected C11 are connected, the member to be connected C11 may be arranged to extend linearly parallel to the direction in which the through-hole 25 penetrates, from the rear portion 23 to the rear opening of the through-hole 25 and to the connection portion 104 of the terminal 10. In this case, the member to be connected C11 can be arranged along the upper surface of the through-hole 25, and the lower surface of the connection portion 104 of the terminal 10 can be flush with the upper surface of the through-hole 25. In this case, the guide plate portion 1042 of the terminal 10 may be omitted.

[0276] (3) Embodiments As is clear from the embodiments and modifications described above, the following embodiments are disclosed in this specification.

[0277] The connector (C1) in the first embodiment is connected to a member to be connected (C11) and is connected to a mating connector (C2) by moving relative to the mating connector (C2) in the front-rear direction. The member to be connected (C11) comprises a plate-shaped base material (6) and a plurality of conductors (5) provided on the base material (6). The connector (C1) comprises a plurality of terminals (10) and a housing (2) that holds the plurality of terminals (10). Each of the plurality of terminals (10) has a contact portion (101) and a connecting portion (104). In the connected state in which the connector (C1) and the mating connector (C2) are connected, the contact portion (101) contacts the corresponding mating terminal (8) among the plurality of mating terminals (8) provided on the mating connector (C2). The connecting portion (104) is connected to the corresponding conductor (5) among the plurality of conductors (5) of the member to be connected (C11). The housing (2) has a front portion (22) on the front side facing the mating connector (C2) in the front-rear direction, where a plurality of terminals (10) are arranged. The housing (2) has a through hole (25) that penetrates the housing (2) in the front-rear direction and in which the connected member (C11) is arranged. The housing (2) has a partition wall (27) between the connected member (C11) and the plurality of terminals (10) in the up-down direction.

[0278] In this embodiment, multiple terminals (10) are arranged on the front portion (22) that faces the mating connector (C2) when connected, and the connected member (C11) is arranged with a partition wall (27) in between the multiple terminals (10). As a result, the peripheral portion of the front portion (22) can be housed in the mating housing (9) when connected, and the multiple terminals (10) and the connected member (C11) can be protected. Consequently, the reliability of the connection between the terminals (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0279] In the connector (C1) of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the partition wall (27) is located between the multiple contact portions (101) of the multiple terminals (10) and the member to be connected (C11).

[0280] According to this embodiment, the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0281] In the connector (C1) of the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, the housing (2) has a housing space (2200) in the front part (22) that accommodates the contact portion (101) of at least one terminal (10) among a plurality of terminals (10). The housing space (2200) is formed by a peripheral wall (228) that opens forward and surrounds the housing space (2200), and a rear wall (229) that is connected to the peripheral wall (228) and closes the rear of the housing space (2200). The peripheral wall (228) includes a partition wall (27).

[0282] According to this embodiment, the terminal (10) (and the mating terminal (8) that contacts the terminal (10)) can be protected by the peripheral wall (228) of the housing space (2200).

[0283] In the connector (C1) of the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the through hole (25) is aligned with the housing space (2200) in the vertical direction, with the partition wall (27) in between.

[0284] According to this embodiment, the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0285] In the fifth embodiment of the connector (C1), in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the multiple connection portions (104) of the multiple terminals (10) are exposed downward from the housing (2).

[0286] According to this embodiment, the connection portion (104) can be connected to the conductor (5) by laser welding, and the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the member to be connected (C11) can be improved.

[0287] In the connector (C1) of the sixth embodiment, in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, the through hole (25) has a larger left-right dimension than its vertical dimension.

[0288] According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily arrange the multiple conductors (5) of the plate-shaped connectable member (C11) so as to correspond to the connection portions (104) of the multiple terminals (10).

[0289] In the connector (C1) of the seventh embodiment, in any one of the first to sixth embodiments, each of the plurality of terminals (10) further has a connecting portion (105) that connects a contact portion (101) and a connecting portion (104). The connecting portion (105) has a main body portion (106) connected to the contact portion (101) and extending in the front-rear direction, a leg portion (108) extending downward from the front end of the main body portion (106), and a curved portion (109) that curves to the left or right from the lower end of the leg portion (108) and connects the leg portion (108) and the connecting portion (104).

[0290] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the terminal (10) and the conductor (5) is increased, and the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0291] In the connector (C1) of the eighth embodiment, in the seventh embodiment, at least one terminal (10) among the plurality of terminals (10) has a connecting portion (104) which is connected to a curved portion (109) and a protruding portion (1044) which protrudes from the connecting portion (1043) in at least one direction, forward and backward.

[0292] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the terminal (10) and the conductor (5) can be further increased, and the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0293] In the connector (C1) of the ninth embodiment, as in the eighth embodiment, the protruding portion (1044 (1144)) protrudes forward of the front portion (22) of the housing (2), or the protruding portion (1044 (1244)) protrudes rearward from the connecting portion (1043 (1243)) such that it overlaps with the front portion (22) when viewed along the vertical direction.

[0294] According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to increase the connection area of ​​the connection portion (104) of the terminal (10) while ensuring an insulating distance from other terminals (10).

[0295] In the connector (C1) of the tenth embodiment, in any one embodiment of the first to ninth, at least one terminal (10) among the plurality of terminals (10) has a connecting portion (104) which includes a flat portion (1041) having a flat lower surface whose normal direction is aligned with the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped guide plate portion (1042) extending upward from the rear end of the flat portion (1041).

[0296] According to this embodiment, the insertion of the member to be connected (C11) into the through hole (25) can be guided, and the member to be connected (C11) can be smoothly inserted into the through hole (25).

[0297] In the connector (C1) of the eleventh embodiment, in any one of the first to tenth embodiments, the plurality of terminals (10) include a first terminal (11) and a second terminal (12). The first terminal (11) has a first connecting portion (114) which is a connecting portion (104) whose rear end overlaps with a first contact portion (111) which is a contact portion (101) in the vertical direction. The second terminal (12) has a second connecting portion (124) which is a connecting portion (104) whose front end is located in front of the front end of a second contact portion (121) which is a contact portion (101).

[0298] According to this embodiment, the first connection portion (114) of the first terminal (11) and the second connection portion (124) of the second terminal (12) can be arranged front to back, making it possible to miniaturize the connector (C1).

[0299] The connector (C1) of the twelfth embodiment further comprises, in any one of the first to eleventh embodiments, a front sealing member (30) arranged along the outer circumference of the front portion (22), and a rear sealing member (3) that seals the gap between the rear opening in the through hole (25) and the member to be connected (C11).

[0300] According to this embodiment, the front sealing member (30) and the rear sealing member (3) can protect the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11), thereby improving the reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11). Furthermore, in the connected state, the space (S10) in which the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the mating terminal (8) of the mating connector (C2) are housed can be sealed by the front sealing member (30) and the rear sealing member (3), effectively suppressing the intrusion of moisture and other substances into the space (S10).

[0301] In the connector (C1) of the 13th embodiment, in any one of the first to 12 embodiments, the housing (2) further has a rear portion (23) formed at the rear of the front portion (22) in the front-rear direction, opposite to the mating connector (C2). The rear portion (23) has an opposing surface (2330) that faces the member to be connected (C11) in the vertical direction, and a pair of protruding walls (2320) projecting downward from the periphery of the opposing surface (2330). The member to be connected (C11) is positioned between the pair of protruding walls (2320).

[0302] According to this embodiment, it becomes easier to position the member to be connected (C11) in the rear portion (23).

[0303] In the connector (C1) of the 14th embodiment, in any one of the first to 13 embodiments, the base material (6) of the member to be connected (C11) has a tip portion (600). The tip portion (600) is formed in front of the front ends of the plurality of conductors (5) and integrally holds the front ends of the plurality of conductors (5).

[0304] According to this embodiment, insertion of the member to be connected (C11) into the through hole (25) of the housing (2) becomes easier.

[0305] The connector module (C10) of the 15th embodiment comprises a connector (C1) of any one of the first to 14th embodiments and a member to be connected (C11).

[0306] According to this embodiment, a connector module (C10) can be provided in which the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) is improved.

[0307] In the connector module (C10) of the 16th embodiment, as in the 15th embodiment, a laser welding mark is formed at the joint between each of the plurality of conductors (5) of the connected member (C11) and the connection portion (104) of the corresponding terminal (10) among the plurality of terminals (10).

[0308] According to this embodiment, the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0309] A connector device (C100) according to the 17th embodiment comprises a connector module (C10) according to the 15th or 16th embodiment and a mating connector (C2). The mating connector (C2) comprises a plurality of mating terminals (8) and a mating housing (9) that holds the plurality of mating terminals (8). The front portion (22) of the connector (C1) is housed in a mating recess (90) that opens to the rear of the mating housing (9) when the connector (C1) and the mating connector (C2) are connected.

[0310] According to this embodiment, a connector device (C100) can be provided in which the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) is improved.

[0311] The mating connector (C2) of the 18th embodiment is connected to the connector module (C10) of the 15th or 16th embodiment. The mating connector (C2) comprises a plurality of mating terminals (8) and a mating housing (9) that holds the plurality of mating terminals (8). The mating housing (9) has a mating recess (90) at the rear that accommodates the front portion (22) of the connector (C1) when the connector (C1) and the mating connector (C2) are connected.

[0312] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a mating connector (C2) that is connected to a connector module (C10) in which the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) is improved.

[0313] The connection method of the 19th embodiment is a method for connecting a member to be connected (C11) and a connector (C1) that is connected to a mating connector (C2) by moving relative to the mating connector (C2) in the front-rear direction. The member to be connected (C11) comprises a plate-shaped base material (6) and a plurality of conductors (5) provided on the base material (6). The connector (C1) comprises a plurality of terminals (10) and a housing (2) that holds the plurality of terminals (10). Each of the plurality of terminals (10) has a contact portion (101) and a connecting portion (104). In the connected state in which the connector (C1) and the mating connector (C2) are connected, the contact portion (101) contacts the corresponding mating terminal (8) among the plurality of mating terminals (8) provided on the mating connector (C2). The connecting portion (104) is connected to the corresponding conductor (5) among the plurality of conductors (5) of the member to be connected (C11). The housing (2) has a front portion (22) on the front side facing the mating connector (C2) in the front-rear direction. The housing (2) has a through hole (25) that penetrates the housing (2) in the front-rear direction. The connection method includes a member to be connected placement step and a laser connection step. The member to be connected placement step includes placing the member to be connected (C11) in the through hole (25) of the housing (2). The laser connection step includes irradiating a laser beam at a position where the multiple connection portions (104) of the multiple terminals (10) and the multiple conductors (5) of the member to be connected (C11) overlap, thereby connecting the multiple connection portions (104) of the multiple terminals (10) and the multiple conductors (5) respectively.

[0314] According to this embodiment, the connection reliability of the connection point between the terminal (10) of the connector (C1) and the conductor (5) of the connected member (C11) can be improved.

[0315] 10 Terminal 101 Contact part 104 Connection part 1043 Linking connection part 1044 Protruding part 105 Linking part 108 Leg part 109 Curved part 11 First terminal 111 First contact part 114 First connection part 12 Second terminal 121 Second contact part 124 Second connection part 2 Housing 22 Front part 2200 Housing space 228 Peripheral wall 229 Rear wall 23 Rear part 2320 Protruding wall 2330 Opposing surface 25 Through hole 27 Partition wall 3 Rear sealing member 30 Front sealing member 5 Conductor 6 Base material 600 Tip part 8 Mating terminal 9 Mating housing 90 Mating recess C100 Connector device C10 Connector module C1 Connector C11 Connected member C2 Mating connector

Claims

1. A connector that is connected to a member to be connected, which includes a plate-shaped base material and a plurality of conductors provided on the base material, and is connected to a mating connector having a plurality of mating terminals by moving relative to the mating connector in the front-rear direction, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of terminals having a contact portion that contacts a corresponding mating terminal among the plurality of mating terminals in a connected state in which the connector and the mating connector are connected, and a connection portion that connects to a corresponding conductor among the plurality of conductors of the member to be connected, the housing has a front portion on the front side facing the mating connector in the front-rear direction where the plurality of terminals are arranged, the housing has a through hole formed therein that penetrates the housing in the front-rear direction and in which the member to be connected is arranged, and the housing has a partition wall between the member to be connected and the plurality of terminals in the up-down direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall is located between the plurality of contact portions of the plurality of terminals and the connected member.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a housing space in its front portion for housing the contact portion of at least one of the plurality of terminals, the housing space being formed by a peripheral wall that opens forward and surrounds the housing space, and a rear wall connected to the peripheral wall and closing the rear of the housing space, the peripheral wall including the partition wall.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the through-hole is aligned with the housing space in the vertical direction, with the partition wall in between.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection portions of the plurality of terminals are exposed downward from the housing.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the through hole is greater in the left-right direction than in the vertical direction.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of terminals further has a connecting portion that connects the contact portion and the connecting portion, and the connecting portion has a main body portion connected to the contact portion and extending in the front-rear direction, a leg portion extending downward from the front end of the main body portion, and a curved portion that curves to the left or to the right from the lower end of the leg portion and connects the leg portion and the connecting portion.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of terminals has a connecting portion which is connected to the curved portion, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the connecting portion in at least one direction, forward and backward.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the protruding portion protrudes forward of the front portion of the housing, or protrudes backward from the connecting portion so as to overlap with the front portion when viewed along the vertical direction.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of terminals has a connection portion comprising: a flat portion having a flat lower surface whose normal direction is aligned with the vertical direction; and a plate-shaped guide plate portion extending upward from the rear end of the flat portion.

11. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of terminals include a first terminal whose rear end of the first connecting portion overlaps with the first contact portion in the vertical direction, and a second terminal whose front end of the second connecting portion is located in front of the front end of the second contact portion.

12. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a front sealing member arranged along the outer circumference of the front portion; and a rear sealing member that seals the gap between the rear opening in the through hole and the connected member.

13. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing further has a rear portion formed at the rear of the front portion opposite to the mating connector in the front-rear direction, the rear portion having a facing surface that faces the connected member in the vertical direction, and a pair of protruding walls projecting downward from the periphery of the facing surface, and the connected member is disposed between the pair of protruding walls.

14. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base material of the connected member is formed in front of the front ends of the plurality of conductors and has a tip portion that integrally holds the front ends of the plurality of conductors.

15. A connector module comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and the member to be connected.

16. The connector module according to claim 15, wherein a laser welding mark is formed at the joint between each of the plurality of conductors of the connected member and the connection portion of the corresponding terminal among the plurality of terminals.

17. A connector device comprising: a connector module according to claim 15; and a mating connector, wherein the mating connector comprises: a plurality of mating terminals; and a mating housing that holds the plurality of mating terminals, and the front portion of the connector is housed in a mating recess opening at the rear of the mating housing when the connector and the mating connector are connected.

18. A mating connector connected to the connector module described in claim 15, comprising: a plurality of mating terminals; and a mating housing that holds the plurality of mating terminals, wherein the mating housing has a mating recess at the rear that accommodates the front portion of the connector when the connector and the mating connector are connected.

19. A method for connecting a member to be connected and a connector that is connected to a mating connector by moving relative to the mating connector in the front-rear direction, wherein the member to be connected includes a plate-shaped base material and a plurality of conductors provided on the base material, the connector includes a plurality of terminals and a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, each of the plurality of terminals having a contact portion that contacts a corresponding mating terminal among a plurality of mating terminals provided on the mating connector in a connected state in which the connector and the mating connector are connected, and a connection portion that connects to a corresponding conductor among the plurality of conductors of the member to be connected, the housing has a front portion on the front side that is on the mating connector side in the front-rear direction, the housing has a through hole formed therein that penetrates the housing in the front-rear direction, the connection method comprising a member to be connected placement step of placing the member to be connected in the through hole of the housing, A connection method comprising: a laser connection step of connecting the multiple connection portions of the multiple terminals and the multiple conductors of the connected member by irradiating laser light onto the positions where the multiple connection portions of the multiple terminals and the multiple conductors of the connected member overlap.

Images