Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

A connector includes a housing supporting a plurality of terminals, each terminal including a board connection part, the plurality of terminals being arranged so that the board connection parts are in four rows and in a staggered pattern, wherein each terminal is retained in the housing by insert molding and includes first and second exposed parts with a planar shape exposed on both widthwise side surfaces of the protruding part of the housing. The plurality of terminals can be arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and the second exposed part of the terminal is shifted inward relative to a first exposed part of the adjacent terminal; and the housing includes a wall part and a space between adjacent first exposed parts and second exposed parts, the wall part abutting the first exposed part, and the space facing the side surface of the second exposed part.

Description

CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, connectors such as board-to-board connectors have been used to electrically connect pairs of parallel circuit boards to each other. These types of connectors are attached to both opposing surfaces of a pair of circuit boards and fitted together to ensure electric conduction (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 39 is a perspective view depicting a conventional connector.

[0004] In the drawing, 811 is a connector housing mounted on a circuit board (not illustrated), which has a pair of protruding parts 812 extending in the longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, a plurality of terminals 861 are mounted to the protruding parts 812 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Each terminal 861 includes a board connection part 862 that is connected to the circuit board, and a contact part 863 that contacts with a counterpart terminal of a counterpart connector (not depicted).

[0005] The terminals 861 include two types, 861 A and 861 B. A first type terminal 861 A has, as a board connection part 862, a first board connection part 862A that extends linearly downward along an outer wall of a protruding part 812. In addition, a second type terminal 861 B has a crank-shaped second board connection part 862B as the board connection part 862, which extends downward along the outer wall of the protruding part 812 and then part way bends to extend outward. Furthermore, the terminals 861 are attached to eachof the protruding parts 812 in a line such that the first type terminal 861 A and the second type terminal 861 B alternate. As a result, the positions of the lower ends of the board connection parts 862 when viewed from above and below are arranged in a staggered pattern, which simplifies soldering the lower ends of the board connection parts 862 to the circuit board front surface.

[0006] In addition, the contact part 863 protrudes inward beyond the inner wall of the protruding part 812. Furthermore, when the connector is mated with the counterpart connector, the contact part 863 comes into contact with the corresponding counterpart terminal and becomes conductive.SUMMARY

[0007] However, the conventional connectors described above are unable to adequately accommodate the trend toward smaller and lower profile members in recent electronic apparatuses.

[0008] In recent years, electronic apparatuses such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, music players, game consoles, and navigation devices have required smaller and lower-profile cases, and therefore smaller and lower-profile components, which has led to a demand for even smaller and lower-profile connectors.

[0009] However, in the conventional connectors described above, if the width or height is narrowed or made lower to make them even smaller and lower-profile, stability cannot be maintained when mated, and if excessive force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the connector and / or the counterpart connector, the adjacent counterpart terminal of the counterpart terminal corresponding to terminal 861 may fall between adjacent contact parts 863 in the longitudinal direction and come into contact with the side surface of contact part 863. In this case, a counterpart terminal other than the counterpart terminal corresponding to terminal 861 will come into contact with terminal 861and become conductive, which may cause an electrical short circuit and reduce the reliability of the connection.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector and connector assembly which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the conventional technology, is easy to manufacture, can be made compact and thin, and is highly reliable.

[0011] Therefore, a connector includes a housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, each terminal including a board connection part, the plurality of terminals being arranged so that the board connection parts are in four rows and in a staggered pattern, wherein each terminal is retained in the housing by insert molding and includes first and second exposed parts with a planar shape exposed on both widthwise side surfaces of the protruding part of the housing; the plurality of terminals are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and the second exposed part of the terminal is shifted inward relative to a first exposed part of the adjacent terminal, and the housing includes a wall part and a space between adjacent first exposed parts and second exposed parts, the wall part abutting the first exposed part, and the space facing the side surface of the second exposed part.

[0012] In another connector, the width of the space is narrower than the width of a contact part of a counterpart terminal electrically connected to the terminal.

[0013] In still another connector, the inward shift amount of the second exposed part of the terminal is smaller than the plate thickness of the terminal.

[0014] In still another connector, the inward shift of the second exposed part of the terminal is achieved by shifting the terminal in the width direction of the connector.

[0015] In still another connector, the inward shift of the second exposed part of the terminal is achieved by forming a step at the upper end of the second exposed part of the terminal.

[0016] In still another connector, the wall part includes an upper end and a lower end, and the space includes an upper space above the upper end, a lower space below the lower end, and a communication space connecting the upper space and the lower space, and is U-shaped when viewed from the side surface.

[0017] In still another connector, the board connection part is connected to a lower end of the first exposed part, and at least a portion between the board connection part and a lower end of the first exposed part is embedded in the housing.

[0018] In still another connector, the wall part includes a lower end on the board connection part side of the first exposed part, the side surface of the first exposed part closer to the board connection part side than the lower end is exposed, and a lower end of the second exposed part is a free end, the tip end of which is embedded in the housing.

[0019] In still another connector, a portion of the side surface of the first exposed part that abuts against the wall part is not exposed.

[0020] In still another connector, the connector further includes a reinforcement fitting and a through-hole penetrating vertically, the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part of the reinforcement fitting being solder-connected to the board within the through-hole.

[0021] A connector assembly includes the connector according to the present disclosure, and a counterpart connector that mates with the aforementioned connector.

[0022] In another connector assembly, the counterpart connector comprises a counterpart housing and a plurality of counterpart terminals attached to the counterpart housing, each counterpart terminal including two protruding parts and a board connection part, the protruding part distal from the board connection part being capable of abutting against the first exposed part, and the protruding part proximal from the board connection part being capable of abutting against or approaching the second exposed part.

[0023] In still another connector assembly, the proximal protruding part is positioned so as to overlap a side surface of the first exposed part of a terminal adjacent to a terminal opposing the proximal protruding part when viewed from the longitudinal direction when the connector and the counterpart connector are mated.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, the connector and connector assembly is easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and thinner, and has improved reliability.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to Embodiment 1 , as viewed from a first connector side;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector assembly according to Embodiment 1 , as viewed from the first connector side;

[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 3A is a view when viewed from a mating surface, and FIG. 3B is a view when viewed from a mounting surface;

[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 ;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting a state in which a metal member and an insulating member of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 are separated;

[0030] FIGS. 6A-6D are a four-plane diagram of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 6A is a top view, FIG. 6B is a side view, FIG. 6C is a bottom view, and FIG. 6D is a front view;

[0031] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams depicting a first cross section of the first connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 7A is a perspective view including a cross section of the first connector taken along line A-A in FIG.2, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2;

[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams depicting a second cross section of the first connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 8A is a perspective view including a cross section of the first connector taken along line B-B in FIG.2, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2;

[0033] FIGS. 9A and 9B are two-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 9A is a side view and FIG. 9B is a perspective view;

[0034] FIGS. 10A and 10B are enlarged views of a main part of the first connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9A;

[0035] FIGS. 11 A and 11 B are perspective views of the second connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 11 A is a view when viewed from a mating surface, and FIG. 11 B is a view when viewed from a mounting surface;

[0036] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to Embodiment 1;

[0037] FIGS. 13A-13D are four-plane diagrams of the second connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 13A is a top view, FIG. 13B is a side view, FIG. 13C is a bottom view, and FIG. 13D is a front view;

[0038] FIGS. 14Aand 14B are diagrams depicting a first cross section of the second connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 14A is aperspective view including a cross section of the second connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2;

[0039] FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams depicting a second cross section of the second connector according to Embodiment 1, where FIG. 15A is a perspective view including a cross section of the second connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2;

[0040] FIG. 16 is a bottom view depicting the first connector according to Embodiment 1 ;

[0041] FIG. 17 is a bottom view depicting the second connector according to Embodiment 1 ;

[0042] FIGS. 18A and 18B are first two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state, where FIG. 18A is a plan view and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view along line E-E in FIG. 18A;

[0043] FIGS. 19A-19C are first three-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and second connector of Embodiment 1 in a mated state where FIG.19A is a plan view as viewed from the first connector, FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 19A, and FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional view along line G-G in FIG. 19A;

[0044] FIGS. 20A and 20B are second two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state, where FIG. 20A is a side view and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view along line H-H in FIG. 20A;

[0045] FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state, and is an enlarged view of part I in FIG. 20B;

[0046] FIGS. 22A and 22B are two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to a reference example in a mated state, where FIG. 22A is a side view and FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view along line J-J in FIG. 22A;

[0047] FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the reference example in a mated state, and is an enlarged view of part K in FIG. 22B;

[0048] FIGS. 24A and 24B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 1 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 24A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 24B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9A;

[0049] FIGS. 25A and 25 B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 2 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 25A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 25B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9A;

[0050] FIGS. 26A and 26B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 3 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 25A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 25B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9A;

[0051] FIGS. 27A and 27B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 4 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 27A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 27B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9A;

[0052] FIGS. 28A and 28B are second two-plane diagrams of a modified example of the second connector according to Embodiment 1 , where FIG. 28A is a plan view and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view taken along line L-L in FIG. 28A;

[0053] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from a first connector side;

[0054] FIGS. 30A and 30B are perspective views of the first connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 30A is a view when viewed from a mating surface, and FIG. 30B is a view when viewed from a mounting surface;

[0055] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector according to Embodiment 2;

[0056] FIG. 32 is a perspective view depicting a state in which a metal member and an insulating member of the first connector according to Embodiment 2 are separated;

[0057] FIGS. 33A-33D are four-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 33A is a top view, FIG. 33B is a side view, FIG. 33C is a bottom view, and FIG. 33D is a front view;

[0058] FIGS. 34A and 34B are two-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 34A is a side view and FIG. 34B is a perspective view;

[0059] FIGS. 35A and 35B are enlarged views of a main part of the first connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 35A is an enlarged view of part N in FIG. 34B, and FIG. 35B is an enlarged view of part M in FIG. 34A;

[0060] FIGS. 36A and 36B are perspective views of the second connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 36A is a view when viewed from a mating surface, and FIG. 36B is a view when viewed from a mounting surface;

[0061] FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to Embodiment 2;

[0062] FIGS. 38A-38D are four-plane diagrams of the second connector according to Embodiment 2, where FIG. 38A is a top view, FIG. 38B is a side view, FIG. 38C is a bottom view, and FIG. 38D is a front view; and

[0063] FIG. 39 is a perspective view depicting a conventional connector.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0065] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the first connector side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a connector assembly according to Embodiment 1 , as viewed from the first connector side. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the firstconnector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view depicting a state in which a metal member and an insulating member of the first connector according to Embodiment 1 are separated. FIGS. 6A-6D are four-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams depicting a first cross section of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 8Aand 8B are diagrams depicting a second cross section of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 9A and 9B are two-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 10A and 10B are enlarged views of a main part of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. Note that in FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG. 3A is a view as seen from the mating surface side, and FIG. 3B is a view as seen from the mounting surface side. In FIGS. 6A-6D, FIG. 6A is a top view, FIG. 6B is a side view, FIG. 6C is a bottom view, and FIG. 6D is a front view. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIG. 7A is a perspective view including a cross section of the first connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. 8A is a perspective view including a cross section of the first connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the first connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, FIG. 9A is a side view and FIG. 9B is a perspective view. In FIGS. 10Aand 10B, FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of part C in FIG.9A.

[0066] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a connector in the present embodiment, which is a first connector serving as a first connector of a pair of board-to-board connectors. The first connector 1 is a surface-mount type plug connector that is mounted on a front surface of a first board, which is a board (not depicted) serving as a mounting member and has a generally rectangular planar shape and is mated with a second connector 101 serving as a counterpart connector. In addition, the second connector 101 is a second connector of the pair of board-to-board connectors and is a surface-mount type receptacle connector surface-mounted on a front surface of a second board(not depicted) serving as a mounting member. Note that the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are counterpart connectors in a pair of board-to-board connectors. Furthermore, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 constitute a connector pair or a connector assembly.

[0067] It should be noted that the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 according to the present embodiment are preferably used to electrically connect a first board to a second board, but can also be used to electrically connect other members. For example, the first board and the second board are each a printed circuit board, a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible circuit board (FPC), or the like as used in electronic apparatuses or the like, but may be any type of board.

[0068] In addition, in the present embodiment, expressions indicating direction such as top, bottom, left, right, front, rear, and the like used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are relative rather than absolute and are appropriate when each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in the orientation depicted in the drawings, or in other words, these directions should be interpreted as changing in accordance with the change in orientation when the orientation thereof is changed.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the first connector 1 has dimensions of a length (size in the X-axis direction) of about 6.0 mm, a width (size in the Y-axis direction) of about 2.0 mm, and a height (size in the Z-axis direction) of about 0.5 mm. However, the dimensions can be changed as appropriate.

[0070] In addition, the first connector 1 is composed of a pair of right and left half body parts, or a left half body part 10A and a right half body part 10B, joined by a first reinforcement fitting 51 as a reinforcement fitting, or in other words a plug nail, and a first protruding end part 16 as a cover part that is integrally molded by a method of molding called over-molding, outsert molding,or insert molding (hereinafter, referred to as “insert molding”). Note that as the left half body part 10A and the right half body part 10B are the same members arranged so as to face each other on the left and right sides, they will be described as half body part 10 when comprehensively described. The left half body part 10A and the right half body part 10B are each substantially gate shaped (a shape projected on the X-Y plane) in a plan view, with the space between the left half body part 10A and the right half body part 10B that are joined together being a long and narrow recessed groove part 13 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The recessed groove part 13 is a through hole that is open on the upper surface and the lower surface of the first connector 1.

[0071] Note that in the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the first connector 1 is described as having a pair of half body parts 10, or in other words, a configuration in which two of the half body parts 10 are arranged in parallel; however, three or more of the half body parts 10 may be arranged in parallel. In addition, the half body part 10 does not necessarily need to be substantially gate shaped and may have any shape provided that both ends in the longitudinal direction can be joined by the first reinforcement fitting 51 and the first protruding end part 16.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, the recessed groove part 13 is described as one through-hole; but may be a hole with a bottom having a bottom plate. Even if the connector has a bottom like conventional connectors, it is easy to conceive that the reliability of mating and connection will decrease due to the narrower width and lower height. In addition, the bottom plate may have a plurality of through-holes and in this case, the through-holes are desirably set to at least enable visually confirming a tail part 62 of the first terminals 61 positioned in the recessed groove part 13. Thus, the appearance and the like of the connected state of the tail part 62 and the board by means of soldering or the like can easily be confirmed from the outside.

[0073] The first connector 1 has a first housing 11 which is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like and has a generally gate-like shape in plan view as the plug housing that is the housing. The first housing 11 has a pair of side wall parts 18 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the side wall parts 18 are parallel to each other, and both ends of the side wall parts 18 are connected by a pair of first protruding end parts 16. It should be noted that the pair of first protruding end parts 16 may also be referred to as a pair of end walls of the first connector 1. Each side wall part 18 includes an elongated strip-shaped bottom plate part 17 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and a first protruding part 12 as a convex wall which is an elongated protruding part extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and integrally formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate part 17. In other words, the side wall parts 18 include a bottom plate part 17 and a first protruding part 12 as a convex wall protruding from the bottom plate part 17 in the mating direction (Z-axis positive direction). The pair of first protruding parts 12 face each other and are parallel to each other, and the pair of first protruding end parts 16 also face each other and are parallel to each other.

[0074] The first protruding part 12 is a member having a roughly arch-shaped cross section, is positioned on an upper side (Z-axis positive direction side), and has a mating surface 12a, which is an upper surface facing upward and a side surface 12b connected to both the left and right sides of the mating surface 12a. The side surface 12b includes an outer-side surface 12b1 facing outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first housing 11, and an inner-side surface 12b2 facing a recessed groove part 13 on the inner side in the width direction of the first housing 11. In addition, the outer-side surface 12b1 and the inner-side surface 12b2 are a pair of flat surfaces that face each other in parallel and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11.

[0075] In addition, the first terminals 61 are terminals disposed on each first protruding part 12. The first terminal 61 is a terminal of the first connector 1,which is a plug connector, and is therefore sometimes referred to as a plug terminal. Furthermore, the first terminals 61 are arranged at a prescribed pitch and in plural numbers. The first terminal 61 is a member integrally formed by carrying out processing such as punching and bending on a conductive metal plate. It should be noted that the first housing 11 is integrally formed with the first terminals 61 by insert molding. In other words, the first housing 11 is molded by setting the first terminals 61 inside and then filling in the cavity of the metal mold with an insulating material. Therefore, the first terminals 61 do not exist separated from the first housing 11, or in other words, the shape depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like where the location of the first terminals 61 mounted in the first housing 11 in a state where the first terminals 61 are separated does not exist. It should be noted that the depictions in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like are solely for the convenience of description. In addition, similarly, the first reinforcement fitting 51 is not spaced apart from the first protruding end part 16, and the location where the first reinforcement fitting 51 is attached to the first protruding end 16 is not spaced apart from the first reinforcement fitting 51 and does not have the shape depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like. It should be noted that the depictions in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like are solely for the convenience of description.

[0076] In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of first terminals 61, which are attached to and supported by the first protruding part 12 of the side wall part 18, forming a plurality of terminal rows 60 (two in the example depicted in the figure), which are rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. In the first housing 11 , a plurality (two in the example depicted in the figure) of side wall parts 18 are connected to the first protruding end part 16 and integrally connected, so the plurality of terminal rows 60 can be said to be also retained by the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11 and integrally connected.

[0077] In addition, the first terminals 61 include a first type of terminal first terminals 61 A and a second type of terminal first terminals 61 B. Furthermore,in each terminal row 60, the first terminals 61 A and the first terminals 61 B are arranged alternately. In addition, a first terminal row 60 and an adjacent second terminal row 60 are arranged so that the first terminals 61 A and the first terminals 61 B are lined up in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. Note that in the example depicted in the figures, eight first terminals 61 A and eight first terminals 61 B are arranged at a prescribed pitch (for example, approximately 0.15 to 0.18 [mm]) in each of the terminal rows 60, but the number and pitch of the first terminals 61 in each of the terminal rows 60 can be changed as appropriate.

[0078] Note that the first protruding part 12 has a recessed part 12d formed in the inter-terminal wall 12c between mutually adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, in other words, between adjacent first terminals 61 A and first terminals 61 B, which is indented inward, in other words, is indented toward the center of the first protruding part 12 in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction). The recessed part 12d is formed on the side surface 12b of the first protruding part 12, which is a wall surface, in the inter-terminal wall 12c between the adjacent first terminal 61 A and first terminals 61 B. Because the recessed part 12d is formed, the wall surfaces of the outer-side surface 12b1 and inner-side surface 12b2 of the inter-terminal wall 12c, which is the portion that maintains insulation between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, become curved surfaces, and the distance between the first terminals 61 along the wall surface, in other words, the creepage distance, becomes longer compared to when the wall surface is flat, thereby improving the insulation between mutually adjacent first terminals 61.

[0079] In addition, the bottom plate part 17 is positioned on a lower side and forms a flange 17a serving as a flat plate-shaped collar part protruding outward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the outer-side surface 12b1, and protruding inward in the width direction of the first housing 11 beyond the inner-side surface 12b2, and protruding largely outward in the width direction of the first housing 11. In other words, flanges 17a are formedon both outer edges in the width direction of the first housing 11 in the side wall parts 18, which are the regions where the first terminals 61, which are plug terminals in the first connector 1, are mounted. In addition, a lower surface 17a2 (surface on the mounting surface side) of the flange 17a may be flush with a lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17, and whether or not flush with the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17 can be selected as appropriate. Note that the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17 is a mounting surface of the first housing 11 facing the front surface of the first board.

[0080] Furthermore, the flange 17a preferably includes an anchor cover part 17e as an inner column lower cover part formed on an upper surface 17a1 (surface on the mating surface side) thereof. The anchor cover part 17e is formed to cover at least a part of both widthwise surfaces of the first protruding part 12 at the lower end of an inner column part 65 of the first terminal 61 and / or an anchor part 65b formed at said lower end. By forming the anchor cover part 17e, the strength of the flange 17a is improved, and the lower end of the inner column part 65 and / or the anchor part 65b are securely retained and protected by the first housing 11.

[0081] The first terminal 61 is a member integrally formed by carrying out processing such as punching and bending on a conductive metal plate. It should be noted that the first terminals 61 A and first terminals 61 B are substantially identical, but are arranged so as to face in opposite left and right directions when viewed from the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1.

[0082] Furthermore, the first terminals 61 include an outer column part 63 as a first contact part extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail part 62 as a board connection part that protrudes from the lower end of the outer column part 63 toward the widthwise outer direction of the first protruding part 12, an inner column part 65 as a second contact part extending in thevertical direction opposite the outer column part 63, and a bent connecting part 64 that connects the upper end of the inner column part 65 to the upper end of the outer column part 63.

[0083] The widthwise outer-side surface of the first protruding part 12 in the outer column part 63 is a planar first exposed part 63a that can also function as a first contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101 , and the widthwise outer-side surface of the first protruding part 12 in the inner column part 65 is a planar second exposed part 65a that can also function as a second contact surface that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101. In addition, the anchor part 65b having an anchor shape that is embedded in the bottom plate part 17 of the side wall part 18 and does not come out is formed at the lower end of the inner column part 65. Furthermore, the second exposed part 65a and the first exposed part 63a are exposed on the side surfaces 12b, which are the wall surfaces on both sides of the first protruding part 12 in the width direction.

[0084] The second exposed part 65a is preferably formed by pressing the front surface of the inner column part 65 to provide an indentation by a prescribed dimension (for example, about 0.01 mm). As a result, a step 65c is formed at the boundary between the upper end proximal portion of the inner column part 65 and the second exposed part 65a, in other words, at the upper end of the second exposed part 65a. The front surface of the inner column part 65 above the step 65c protrudes outward in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 beyond the second exposed part 65a by the prescribed dimension (for example, approximately 0.01 mm). Note that in the example depicted in the figure, the thickness (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the inner column part 65 at the portion where the second exposed part 65a is formed is desirably, for example, approximately 0.05 to 0.06 mm, and the thickness (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the outer column part 63 is desirably, for example, approximately 0.05 to 0.06 mm. In addition, the lowerend of the second exposed part 65a is the lower end of the inner column part 65 and is a free end, but is embedded in and covered by the first housing 11.

[0085] Furthermore, an end surface 62a at the tip end of the tail part 62 is a cut surface that is generated when the tail part is separated from the connecting arm of a terminal carrier (not depicted). Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail part 62 is adjacent to the end surface 62a and connected to the conductive trace of the first board and is a connecting surface that is connected, by means of soldering or the like, to a connection pad formed on a front surface of the first board. Note that the conductive trace is typically a signal line but also may be a power line.

[0086] Each first terminal 61 is a member formed by bending a thin metal strip extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0087] As described above, in each of the terminal rows 60, the first terminals 61 A and first terminals 61 B are alternately arranged, or a first terminal row 60 and an adjacent terminal row 60 are arranged so the first terminals 61 A are mutually aligned and the first terminals 61 B are mutually aligned, with regards to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. Therefore, in the example depicted in FIG. 6A, the first terminal 61 positioned at the front end (end in the X-axis positive direction) of the terminal row 60 positioned on the upper side is the first terminal 61 B, and the orientation is such that the tail part 62 protrudes toward the inside in the width direction of the first connector 1, whereas the first terminal 61 positioned second from the front end is first terminal 61 A, and the orientation is such that the tail part 62 protrudes toward the outside in the width direction of the first connector 1. In this manner, the first terminals 61 are mounted on the first protruding part 12 arranged in a line in mutually opposing directions in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), so the pitch of the tail parts 62 protruding from both sides of the first protruding part 12 is twice that of the pitch of the first terminal 61. In addition, the tail part62 of the first terminal 61 supported by a first side wall part 18 that is the tail part 62 extending toward a second side wall part 18, and the tail part 62 of the first terminal 61 supported by the second side wall part 18 that is the tail part 62 extending toward the first side wall part 18 are arranged so as to be mutually shifted by half a pitch in a staggered pattern. In other words, the plurality of tail parts 62 of the first connector 1 are arranged in four rows overall, in a staggered pattern. Thus, this configuration facilitates the operation of connecting the first terminal to the connection pad of the first board by soldering or the like.

[0088] Furthermore, with the first terminals 61 in a state of being integrated with the first housing 11, the upper surface of the connecting part 64 is positioned roughly the same as the mating surface 12a that is the upper surface of the first protruding part 12. In other words, the upper surface of the connecting part 64 of each of the first terminals 61 is substantially flush with the mating surface 12a of the first protruding part 12. The connecting part 64 includes an upper part 64a whose front surface is a curved surface curved in an arc shape, and a pair of vertical parts 64b extending downward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) from each end of the upper part 64a. Note that the length (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of the vertical part 64b is very short. Furthermore, the upper end of the inner column part 65 and the upper end of the outer column part 63 are connected to the lower end of the vertical part 64b. Note that the upper part 64a is a portion that can be seen from above (when viewed from above) because the perpendicular line to the surface thereof includes a Z-axis component, while the vertical part 64b is a portion that cannot be seen from above because the perpendicular line to the surface thereof does not include a Z-axis component.

[0089] In addition, the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 is substantially flush with the side surfaces 12b on both sides of the first protruding part 12 of the side wall parts 18. In other words, the first exposed part 63a of each first terminal 61 is located in a positioncorresponding to the outer-side surface 12b1 and the inner-side surface 12b2 on both sides of the first protruding part 12, in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1. On the other hand, the second exposed part 65a of the inner column part 65 of the first terminal 61 is positioned more inward in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12 than the side surfaces 12b on both sides of the first protruding part 12. In other words, on both sides of the first protruding part 12, in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 , the second exposed part 65a of each first terminal 61 is offset so as to be retracted more inward in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 than the first exposed part 63a, in other words, so as to be shifted inward. In this case, in the first terminals 61 that are adjacent to each other, the connecting parts 64 that connect the outer column parts 63 including the first exposed parts 63a and the inner column parts 65 including the second exposed parts 65a are offset so as to shift relative to each other in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1.

[0090] In this manner, in each terminal row 60, the first exposed parts 63a and the second exposed parts 65a of the first terminals 61 adjacent to each other are offset so as to shift relative to each other with respect to the width direction of the first protruding part 12. Note that the difference between the position of the first exposed part 63a and the position of the second exposed part 65a with respect to the width direction of the first connector 1 , or in other words, a shift amount between the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a, is smaller than a plate thickness of the first terminal 61. In the example depicted in the figure, the plate thickness (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the first terminal 61 is, for example, approximately 0.05 to 0.06 mm at the inner column part 65 and approximately 0.05 to 0.06 mm at the outer column part 63, and the shift amount is, for example, approximately 0.03 mm. In addition, in the present embodiment, in the terminal row 60, the positions of adjacent first terminals 61 in the width direction of the first connector 1 are shifted from each other, in other words, offset, so that the second exposed part 65a is shifted inward more than the first exposed part 63a.

[0091] Note that for each of the terminal rows 60, there are inter-terminal walls 12c between adjacent outer column parts 63, inner column parts 65, and connecting parts 64 of adjacent first terminals 61, and these inter-terminal walls 12c are integrated with the outer column parts 63, inner column parts 65, and connecting parts 64. As a result, insulation is reliably maintained between adjacent first terminals 61 while the first terminals 61 are firmly retained in the first protruding parts 12 of the side wall part 18.

[0092] Furthermore, since the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a are shifted and offset in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12, the spacing between adjacent first exposed part 63a and second exposed part 65a corresponds to the distance between the vectors formed by the vector representing the distance in the X-axis direction and the vector representing the distance in the Y-axis direction, and is even wider than the distance in the X-axis direction. This more reliably maintains insulation between adjacent first exposed parts 63a and second exposed parts 65a, and also more reliably fills the insulating material between adjacent first exposed parts 63a and second exposed parts 65a.

[0093] On the other hand, between the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 and the second exposed part 65a of the inner column part 65 of adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, in other words, between the adjacent first exposed part 63a and second exposed part 65a, a recessed part 12d is formed that is indented toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12. Furthermore, in the recessed part 12d, spaces 12e are present on both sides of the second exposed part 65a, and wall parts 12f are present on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. In other words, a wall part 12f and a space 12e are present between the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a that are adjacent to each other on both sides of the first protruding part 12. Furthermore, the wall parts 12f abut against both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a, and thespaces 12e face both side surfaces of each second exposed part 65a. Note that on both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a, the portions where the wall parts 12f are present are covered by the wall parts 12f and are therefore not exposed.

[0094] As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, a wall part 12f has an upper end 12f1 and a lower end 12f2, and a space 12e has an upper space 12e1, a lower space 12e2, and a communication space 12e3 through which the upper space 12e1 and the lower space 12e2 communicate. Furthermore, the upper space 12e1 is located above the upper end 12f 1 , and the lower space 12e2 is located below the lower end 12f2. The upper space 12e1 and the lower space 12e2 are continuous with each other via a communication space 12e3. In addition, the space 12e is generally U-shaped in side view (viewed in the Y-axis direction). As a result, strength of the mold used for molding the first housing 11 can be improved when the first housing is molded by filling an insulating material into a cavity of the mold in which the first terminal 61 has been set in advance, in insert molding. Note that the position of the upper end 12f1 is below (Z-axis negative direction) the boundary between the upper part 64a and the vertical part 64b of the connecting part 64 of the first terminal 61 , or in other words, below the position of the lower end of the upper part 64a. In addition, the position of the lower end 12f2 is on the tail part 62 side of the first exposed part 63a, and more specifically, is above (Z-axis positive direction) the position of the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a that covers the vicinity of the lower end of the outer column part 63. Furthermore, the side surface of the first exposed part 63a below the lower end 12f2 is not in contact with the inter-terminal wall 12c and is exposed.

[0095] The inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 does not include a portion that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a above the upper end 12f1 of the wall part 12f. Note that above the upper end 12f1 of the wall part 12f, the inter-terminal wall 12c has a tapered part 12g having an inclined surface as a front surface, the inclinedsurface being inclined with respect to side surfaces on both sides of the connecting part 64 and the first exposed part 63a. As depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the tapered part 12g abuts against a part of the side surface of the upper part 64a of the connecting part 64, but does not abut against at least the vertical part 64b of the connecting part 64 or the side surface of the wall part 12f. Therefore, on an upper side of the wall part 12f, there is no portion that projects toward the inner column part 65 beyond the wall part 12f, or in other words, there is no ceiling. In other words, the inter-terminal walls 12c present on both sides of the first exposed part 63a are of a tapered type with no ceiling. In this manner, due to the presence of the tapered part 12g, when molding the first housing 11 by filling an insulating material into the cavity of the mold in which the first terminal 61 has been set beforehand, the position of the outer column part 63 in the width direction (X-axis direction) can be stabilized, and ultimately the position of the first terminal 61 in the width direction (X-axis direction) can be stabilized.

[0096] In addition, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes a groove part 12h formed below the lower end 12f2 of the wall part 12f, and does not include a portion below the lower end 12f2 that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. In this manner, due to the presence of the groove part 12h, when the first housing 11 is molded by filling an insulating material into the cavity of the mold in which the first terminal 61 has been set beforehand during insert molding, the position of the outer column part 63 in the width direction (X-axis direction) can be stabilized, and ultimately the position of the first terminal 61 in the width direction (X-axis direction) can be stabilized.

[0097] Note that in the example depicted in the figure, the dimension of the gap (in the X-axis direction) between the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a, which are adjacent to each other on both sides of the first protruding part 12, is, for example, approximately 0.065 mm, the dimension of the thickness direction (in the X-axis direction) of the wall part 12f is, forexample, approximately 0.03 mm, and the dimension of the communication space 12e3 within the recessed part 12d in the width direction (in the X-axis direction) is, for example, approximately 0.035 mm. The widthwise dimension of the space 12e, more specifically, the widthwise dimension of the communication space 12e3, is formed to be smaller than the widthwise dimensions of the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a, preferably smaller than the widthwise dimension of the second terminal 161, more preferably smaller than the widthwise dimension of a contact part 167 of the second terminal 161 described later, and even more preferably smaller than the widthwise dimensions of a proximal protruding part 166a and distal protruding part 165a of the contact part 167, described later. As a result, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in a mated state, even if the relative positions of the first connector 1 or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) are offset, the contact part 167 of the second terminal 161 will not become stuck in the recessed part 12d including the communication space 12e3.

[0098] In addition, with respect to the width direction of the first protruding part 12, the second exposed part 65a is shifted and offset so as to be retracted more inward in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 than the first exposed part 63a, and therefore, as can be seen when viewed from the mating direction (Z-axis direction) of the first connector 1 , the anchor part 65b, which is the lower end of the inner column part 65, is also shifted and offset so as to be retracted more inward in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 than the tail part 62 connected to the lower end of the outer column part 63. As a result, near the lower ends of the side surfaces 12b on both the left and right sides of the first protruding part 12, a wide gap can be maintained between adjacent anchor parts 65b and tail parts 62 in the longitudinal direction of the first protruding part 12, ensuring insulation between adjacent anchor parts 65b and tail parts 62 and ensuring that insulating material is filled between adjacent anchor parts 65b and tail parts 62.

[0099] Furthermore, a lower surface 62b of the tail part 62 is substantially at the same position as the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17, in other words, substantially flush with the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17. Furthermore, the lower surface 62b of the tail part 62 is exposed from the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17. On the other hand, the end surface of the free end of the inner column part 65, or in other words the lower surface of the anchor part 65b, is located at a higher position (Z-axis positive direction) than the lower surface 17c of the bottom plate part 17, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, but at least a part is exposed when viewed from the mounting surface (lower surface 17c) side.

[0100] Note that the flange 17a protruding outward in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 covers at least a part of the upper surface of the tail part 62. More preferably, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, at least the midpoint of the range from the point adjacent to the outer column part 63 to an end surface 62a of the tail part 62 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12 is covered. In other words, at least a part between the lower end of the first exposed part 63a and the tail part 62 connected to the lower end is embedded in the first housing 11. In addition, the anchor part 65b positioned on the opposite side of the tail part 62 in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 is embedded in the bottom plate part 17. Thereby, the first terminal 61 including the tail part 62 and the anchor part 65b is more firmly held by the first protruding part 12 of the side wall part 18. Note that in addition, slit-shaped grooves 17b extending in the width direction of the first protruding part 12 can be formed in the bottom plate part 17 and the flange 17a at locations corresponding to each tail part 62.

[0101] In addition, on the lower surface 62b of the tail part 62, a connecting agent such as solder is applied to the portion that protrudes outward from the bottom plate part 17, but the distance from this portion to the first exposed part 63a exposed on the side surfaces 12b, the left- and right-side surfaces of the first protruding part 12, is long in both the width direction (Y-axis direction) andthe up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12, so that the connecting agent such as solder does not adhere to the first exposed part 63a due to so-called solder wicking. In addition, the distance from the aforementioned portion to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a is long in the width direction, longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and vertical direction of the first protruding part 12, and since there is an insulating material that constitutes the first housing 11 , solder wicking will not cause connecting agents such as solder to adhere to the second exposed part 65a.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the first terminals 61 are assumed to have a highly conductive metal such as gold, nickel, palladium, or the like that is typically used for connectors plated on the front surface thereof to reduce electrical resistance. However, the end surface 62a of the tail part 62 of the first terminal 61, which is the cut surface generated by being cut off from the connecting arm of the terminal carrier (not depicted), is not plated.

[0103] With the first connector 1 and second connector 101 in a mated state, the first protruding end part 16 is a portion that functions as an insert protruding part inserted in a mating recessed part 122 of the second protruding end part 121, described later, provided on the second connector 101 and the first reinforcement fitting 51 is integrally mounted thereto.

[0104] An extended end part 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is integrally connected to both longitudinal ends of the first protruding part 12 of the side wall part 18 in each half body part 10, and an embedded part 15 extending further in the longitudinal direction of the first protruding part 12 is integrally connected to each extended end part 14. Note that the extended end parts 14 extend obliquely inward, while the embedded parts 15 extend in the longitudinal direction from an inwardly-eccentric position at the tip end of the extended end parts 14 and are positioned inward from the outer-side surface 12b1 of the first protruding part 12. In other words, the extended end part 14of the left half body part 10A extends obliquely in the right direction (Y-axis negative direction), while the embedded part 15 extends longitudinally from a position eccentric in the right direction at the tip end of the extended end part 14. In addition, the extended end part 14 of the right half body part 10B extends obliquely in the left direction (Y-axis positive direction), while the embedded part 15 extends longitudinally from a position eccentric in the left direction at the tip end of the extended end part 14.

[0105] Furthermore, at least part of the extended end part 14 of the left and right half body parts 10 and the entire embedded part 15 are covered by a first protruding end part 16 formed from an insulating material such as a synthetic resin or the like. In other words, at least a part of the extended end part 14 and the entire embedded part 15 are embedded within the first protruding end part 16.

[0106] Specifically, the first protruding end part 16 is formed by performing insert molding with the embedded parts 15 of the left and right half body parts 10 arranged in proximity to one another and covered by the first reinforcement fitting 51. Thereby, a first protruding end part 16 integrating the extended end part 14, the embedded part 15, and the first reinforcement fitting 51 of the left and right half body parts 10 is formed, and the side wall parts 18 of the left and right half body parts 10 are joined together. The first protruding end part 16 does not necessarily cover the entire embedded part 15, but may cover the embedded part 15 to a degree sufficient to join the right and left half body parts 10. However, the entire embedded part 15 is preferably covered to increase the binding strength to the highest degree. It should be noted that the first protruding end part 16 is a member formed so as to be integrated with other members by insert molding and is not an independent member separate from other members. It should, however, be noted that, for convenience of description, the first protruding end part 16 in FIG. 4 is depicted as being an independent member.

[0107] In this manner, as the extended end part 14 extends inwardly at an oblique incline and the embedded part 15 is positioned inwardly from the outerside surface 12b1 of the first protruding part 12, the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding end part 16 can be made smaller than the width (distance between the outer-side surface 12b1 of the left and right first protruding part 12) of the first connector 1. Note that in the event the width of the first protruding end part 16 does not need to be smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the extended end part 14 does not necessarily have to be inclined obliquely inward, but rather can be extended directly. In addition, the extended end part 14 can be omitted by extending the embedded part 15 directly from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first protruding part 12. In this case, the longitudinal dimension of the first connector 1 can be shortened. Furthermore, when three or more half body parts 10 are arranged in parallel, the extended end part 14 can be extended so as to have a Y-shape from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first protruding part 12.

[0108] The first reinforcement fitting 51 is a member integrally formed by subjecting a metal plate to processing such as punching and bending, and includes a top plate 54 that extends in the width direction of the first housing 11, and a substantially rectangular leg part 55 connected to both the left and right edges of the top plate 54 and that extends downwardly, is connected to both the front and rear edges of the top plate 54, and includes the end-wall outer-side-surface cover part 52 and end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53 that extend downwardly. The width of the end-wall outer-side-surface cover part 52 is larger than the width of the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53.

[0109] Note that an outer-side surface tail part 52a is connected to a lower end of the end wall outer-side surface cover part 52 as a board connection part. Furthermore, an inner-side surface tail part 53a serving as a board connection part is connected to a lower end of the end-wall inner-side-surfacecover part 53. Furthermore, the lower end of the leg part 55 functions as a side surface tail part 55a which serves as a board connection part.

[0110] As described above, the first reinforcement fitting 51 is integrated with the first protruding end part 16. Furthermore, the upper plate 54 is embedded in the upper surface of the first protruding end part 16. In this state, the upper surface of the top plate 54 is flush with the upper surface of the first protruding end part 16 and constitutes over half the area of the upper surface of the first protruding end part 16. In addition, the right and left leg parts 55 are embedded in the right- and left-outer-side surface of the first protruding end part 16. The outer-side surface of the leg part 55 is flush with the outer-side surface of the first protruding end part 16 and constitutes over half the area of the outer-side surface of the first protruding end part 16. Furthermore, the end-wall outer-side-surface cover part 52 and the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53 are embedded in the end-wall outer-side surface and the end-wall inner-side surface of the first protruding end parts 16. The respective outer-side surface of the end-wall outer-side-surface cover part 52 and the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53 are flush with the end wall outer-side surface and the end-wall inner-side surface of the first protruding end part 16 and constitute over half of the end-wall outer-side surface and the end-wall inner-side surface of the first protruding end part 16.

[0111] Note that the outer-side-surface tail part 52a is connected to the lower end of the end wall outer-side-surface cover part 52 at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and is connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the first board. In addition, the inner-side-surface tail part 53a is bent at approximately 90 degrees and connected to the lower end of the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53, extends toward the longitudinal center of the first housing 11 within the recessed groove part 13, which is a through hole that penetrates the first housing 11 in the vertical direction, and is connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad that isconnected to a conductive trace of the first board. Furthermore, the side surface tail part 55a is connected by soldering or the like to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first board at the lower end of the leg part 55 extending downward along the left- and right-outer-side surfaces of the first protruding end part 16. Furthermore, the conductive trace is typically a power line but also may be a signal line.

[0112] In this manner, the first reinforcement fitting 51 has an outer-side surface tail part 52a, an inner-side surface tail part 53a, and a pair of side surface tail parts 55a located on all four sides around the first protruding end part 16, and is connected to the first board by soldering or the like, thereby improving the connection strength of the first reinforcement fitting 51 to the first board, and as a result, improving the mechanical strength of the first connector 1 connected to the first board.

[0113] Note that furthermore, whether the recessed groove part 13 is a single through hole or a bottomed hole with a bottom plate, the pair of half body parts 10 as the first housing 11 and the pair of first protruding end parts 16 as a pair of end walls may be integrally molded with the first terminal 61 and the first reinforcement fitting 51 by a single insert molding. Furthermore, the first reinforcement fitting 51 may not be integrally molded, but may be press-fitted into the first housing 11 or the first protruding end part 16 to be retained therein.

[0114] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 that constitutes a connector assembly together with the first connector 1 will be described.

[0115] FIGS. 11 A AND 11 B are perspective views of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 13A-13D are four-plane diagrams of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 14Aand 14B are diagrams depicting a first cross section of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams depicting asecond cross section of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. Note that in FIGS. 11A and 11 B, FIG. 11 A is a view as seen from the mating surface side, and FIG. 11 B is a view as seen from the mounting surface side. In FIGS. 13A-13D, FIG. 13A is a top view, FIG. 13B is a side view, FIG. 13C is a bottom view, and FIG. 13D is a front view. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, FIG. 14A is a perspective view including a cross section of the second connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 15Aand 15B, FIG. 15A is a perspective view including a cross section of the second connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the second connector taken along line B-B in FIG. 2.

[0116] The second connector 101 as a counterpart connector, which is a receptacle connector in the present embodiment, has a second housing 111 as a counterpart housing, which is a receptacle housing integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. An upper wall surface 111a, which is the upper surface of the wall part of the second housing 111, is the surface of the second housing 111 on which the first connector 1 is mated, or in other words, the mating surface. As depicted in the figure, the second housing 111 has a substantially rectangular thick plate-like shape that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Furthermore, a generally rectangular recessed part 112 that is surrounded by a periphery and fits into the first housing 11 is formed on the upper wall surface 111a side (Z-axis negative direction side). Furthermore, the second protruding part 113 is integrally formed with the second housing 111 as an insular part to be mated with the recessed groove part 13 in the recessed part 112. Moreover, the side wall parts 114 extending parallel with the second protruding part 113 on both sides of the second protruding part 113 are integrally formed with the second housing 111. Here, the upper surface of the second protruding part 113 is also in the same plane as the upper wall surface 111a, and therefore will be referred to as the upper wall surface 111a.

[0117] The second protruding part 113 and the side wall parts 114 protrude upwardly (Z-axis negative direction) from the bottom surface of the recessed part 112 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. Consequently, a recessed groove part 112a that is an elongated recessed part extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101 is formed as a portion of the recessed part 112 on both the sides of the second protruding part 113.

[0118] A second terminal stowing groove cavity 115a in the shape of a recessed groove is formed on the side surfaces of both sides of the second protruding part 113 and the side surfaces of the inside of the side wall parts 114. In addition, a second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b in the shape of a hole is formed on the second protruding part 113 and the side wall parts 114. Furthermore, the second terminal stowing groove cavity 115a and the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b are connected and integrated with each other on the bottom surface of the recessed groove part 112a. The second terminal stowing groove-shape cavity 115a and the second terminal stowing holeshape cavity 115b are therefore described as a second terminal stowing cavity 115 when collectively described. The second terminal stowing cavities 115 are provided at a pitch corresponding to the first terminals 61 and at the corresponding appropriate number. Furthermore, each second terminal stowing cavity 115 stows the second terminals 161 as counterpart terminals; thereby, the plurality of second terminals 161 are aligned in each recessed groove part 112a at a pitch and quantity corresponding to the first terminals 61 (16 pieces in the example depicted in the figures).

[0119] The second terminal 161 is a member integrally formed by subjecting a conductive metal plate to processing such as punching, and includes a main body part 163 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail part 162 as a board connection part formed and connected to the lower end (Z-axis positive direction end) of the main body part 163, a proximal connection part 163b as a second connecting part extending from near the lower end of themain body part 163 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101 , a proximal arm part 166 as a second arm part extending in the vertical direction and connected near the lower end thereof to the tip end of the proximal connection part 163b, a distal connection part 164 extending in the width direction of the second connector 101 from the lower end of the proximal arm part 166, and a distal arm part 165 as a first arm part extending upward (Z-axis negative direction) from the tip end of the distal connection part 164.

[0120] When describing the proximal arm part 166 as the second arm part or second contact part, the distal arm part 165 as the first arm part or first contact part, and the distal connection part 164 as the connecting part connecting them collectively, they will be described as contact part 167. The contact part 167 is an elastically deformable portion that comes into contact with the first terminal 61 and has a generally U-shape as a whole.

[0121] Note that a proximal protruding part 166a and a distal protruding part 165a are preferably formed facing each other near the tip ends of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165. Furthermore, the main body part 163 is a portion that functions as a press-fit part that is pressed into and retained in the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b, and an engaging protruding part 163a that bites into the side surface of the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b is preferably formed near the tip end thereof.

[0122] In addition, the tail part 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the main body part 163, extends in the width direction of the second housing 111, and a lower surface 162b thereof is connected to the connection pad coupled with the conductive trace of the second board by soldering or the like. Note that the conductive trace is typically a signal line but also may be a power line. Furthermore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165 are portions that can contact or approach the first terminal 61 provided on the firstconnector 1, and the proximal protruding part 166a can contact or approach the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 , and preferably engages with the step 65c, and the distal protruding part 165a contacts the first exposed part 63a of the first terminal 61. In other words, the distal protruding part 165a, which is the protruding part distal to the tail part 162, functions as a contact part that abuts and makes contact with the first exposed part 63a of the first terminal 61, while the proximal protruding part 166a, which is the protruding part proximal to the tail part 162, may function as a contact part that abuts and makes contact with the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61, or may function only as a lock part that is close to the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 without abutting thereto, engages with the step 65c, and locks the second terminal 161 to the first terminal 61.

[0123] The second terminal 161 is inserted into the second terminal stowing cavity 115 from the lower part of the second housing 111 and mounted in the second housing 111. Therefore, the main body part 163 is press fit and retained in the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b, the proximal arm part 166 and distal arm part 165 are exposed in the recessed groove part 112a, and the lower surface 162b of the tail part 162 of the second terminal 161 is exposed to a mounting surface 111b as the lower surface of the second housing 111. Note that the side edge of the upper wall surface 111a on the side of the recessed groove part 112a forms an overhang part 111 d that projects toward the center of the width of the recessed groove part 112a so as to cover at least a part above the second terminal stowing groove cavity 115a. Furthermore, the overhang part 111 d is configured to cover at least a part of the upper surfaces of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165 of the second terminal 161 stowed in the second terminal stowing groove cavity 115a.

[0124] In addition, the second terminals 161 attached to each recessed groove part 112a form a plurality of terminal rows 160 (two in the example depicted in the figure), which are rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 along each recessed groove part 112a. Inaddition, the second terminal 161 includes a first type of terminal second terminals 161 A and a second type of terminal second terminals 161 B. Furthermore, in each terminal row 160, the second terminals 161 A and the second terminals 161 B are arranged alternately. In addition, a first terminal row 160 and an adjacent second terminal row 160 are arranged so that the second terminals 161A and the second terminals 161 B are lined up in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101. Note that the second terminals 161 A and second terminals 161 B may be identical to each other or may include different portions, but here, an example in which they are identical to each other will be described.

[0125] In the example depicted in FIG. 12, of the second terminals 161 mounted in the recessed groove part 112a, the second terminals 161 positioned at the front end (X-axis positive direction end) are oriented such that the tail part 162 protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction, while the second terminals 161 positioned second from the front end are oriented such that the tail part 162 protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction. In this manner, as the second terminals 161 are mounted in the recessed groove part 112a arranged in a line in alternating directions, the pitch of the tail parts 162 exposed on the mounting surface 111b on both sides of the recessed groove part 112a is set to twice the pitch of the second terminals 161. Furthermore, the tail parts 162 of the second terminals 161 attached to the first of the recessed groove parts 112a and extending toward the second recessed groove part 112a, and the tail parts 162 of the second terminals 161 attached to the second recessed groove part 112a and extending toward the first recessed groove part 112a, are arranged so as to be offset from each other by half a pitch and form a staggered pattern. In other words, the plurality of tail parts 162 of the second connector 101 are arranged in four rows overall, in a staggered pattern. Thus, this configuration facilitates the operation of connecting the second terminal to the connection pad of the second board by soldering or the like. In addition, the pitch of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165 exposed tothe recessed groove part 112a is two times the pitch of the second terminals 161.

[0126] Each second terminal 161 is preferably formed such that at least a dimension of the contact part 167 in the width direction (X-axis direction) is substantially constant and is larger than a dimension in the width direction (X-axis direction) between adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60, or in other words, a width-direction dimension of the inter-terminal wall 12c, and each second terminal is preferably formed such that the dimension in the width direction is larger than a width-direction dimension of the communication space 12e3 in the recessed part 12d formed in the inter-terminal wall 12c (for example, about 0.08 mm). More preferably, at least the widthwise dimension of the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 in the contact part 167 is formed to be larger than the widthwise dimension of the recessed part 12d. As a result, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in a mated state, even if the relative positions of the first connector 1 or the second connector 101 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) are offset, the contact part 167 of the second terminal 161 will not become stuck in the recessed part 12d.

[0127] The second protruding end parts 121 are disposed as mating guide parts on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111. The mating recessed parts 122 are formed as part of the recessed part 112 in each second protruding end part 121. The mating recessed part 122 is a recessed part having a substantially rectangular planar shape, and is connected to both longitudinal ends of each recessed groove part 112a. Furthermore, the first protruding end part 16 provided on the first connector 1 is inserted in a state in which the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated inside the mating recessed part 122.

[0128] In addition, a second reinforcement fitting 151 as a counterpart reinforcement fitting is attached to the second protruding end part 121. Notethat the second reinforcement fitting 151 is a member that is integrated with the second housing 111 by insert molding, and therefore does not exist independently and separated from the second housing 111. However, the second reinforcement fitting is depicted in FIG. 12 as being present independently for convenience of explanation. In addition, the location on the second housing 111 where the second reinforcement fitting 151 is attached does not exist separately from the second reinforcement fitting 151.

[0129] The second reinforcement fitting 151 is a member integrally formed by subjecting a metal plate to processing such as punching and bending, and includes a second main body part 152 extending in the width direction of the second housing 111 , side cover parts 153 connected to both left and right ends of the second main body part 152, a tail part 156 serving as a board connection part connected to the lower end of the second main body part 152, an end wall cover part 157 connected to the upper end of the second main body part 152, a recessed part cover part 155 connected to the end wall cover part 157, and contact arm parts 154 as a pair of left and right elastic members connected to both left and right side edges of the recessed part cover part 155. The tail part 156 extends facing outwards in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 and is connected to a connection pad (not depicted) by soldering or the like connected to a conductive trace on the second board. Note that the conductive trace is typically a power line but also may be a signal line. In addition, a lower end 153c of the side cover parts 153 may get close to or come into contact with the front surface of the second board, as necessary. In this case, the lower ends 153c of the side cover parts 153 are connected to connection pads on the second board by soldering or the like as board connection parts, thereby improving the connection strength of the second reinforcement fitting 151 to the second board.

[0130] Upper ends of each of the side covering parts 153 are connected by a side wall upper cover part 153b. This side wall upper cover part 153b is bent more than 90 degrees and the tip end thereof extends obliquely downwardfacing the inside of the mating recessed part 122. In addition, a contact protruding part 154a is formed near an upper end, in other words, a tip end of the contact arm part 154 as a contact part is formed in a shape so as to swell towards the center in the width direction of the second housing 111. Furthermore, an island end cover part 155a is connected to the tip end of the recessed part cover part 155, centered in the width direction of the second connector 101.

[0131] Furthermore, the recessed part cover part 155 is stored in a bottom plate opening 128b formed penetrating a bottom plate 122b of the mating recessed part 122 in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the contact arm part 154 is stored in the bottom plate opening 128b and a side wall recessed part 128a formed on the inner-side surface of the mating recessed part 122 continuous with the bottom plate opening 128b. Note that the contact arm part 154 is not integrated with the second housing 111 and is stored in an elastically deformable state in the bottom plate opening 128b and the side wall recessed part 128a. Therefore, the contact arm part 154 that functions as an elastic member has a long spring length and can exhibit a spring force, thus applying contact pressure on the contact protruding part 154a for securely retaining the contact protruding part 154a on the first reinforcement fitting 51.

[0132] In addition, the island end cover part 155a covers both ends of the second protruding part 113, or in other words, the island ends, with at least the tip end part embedded. Therefore, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second protruding part 113 will not break when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated even if a portion comes into contact with the first connector 1.

[0133] Subsequently, the operation of mating together the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 with the above configuration will be described.

[0134] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 18Aand 18B are first two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state. FIGS. 19A-19Care three-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state. FIGS. 20A and 20 B are second two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state. FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector according to Embodiment 1 in a mated state, and is an enlarged view of part I in FIG. 20B. FIGS. 22Aand 22B are two-plane diagrams depicting the first connector and the second connector according to a reference example in a mated state. FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the reference example in a mated state, and is an enlarged view of part K in FIG. 22B. Note that in FIGS. 18A and 18B, FIG. 18A is a plan view, and FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 18A. In FIGS. 19A-19C, FIG. 19A is a plan view as viewed from the first connector side, FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 19A, and FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 19A. In FIGS. 20A and 20B, FIG. 20A is a side view and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H in FIG. 20A. In FIGS.22A and 22B, FIG. 22A is a side view and FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J in FIG. 22A.

[0135] For convenience of explanation, the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 will be described as being connected to a first board and a second board (not depicted) by soldering, or in other words, solder-connected.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the first reinforcement fitting 51 of the first connector 1 is connected to a first board (not depicted) by soldering, and as depicted in FIG. 16, each first reinforcement fitting 51 is preferably solder-connected to the connection pads of the first board at four soldering parts 91.This improves the connection strength of the first reinforcement fitting 51 to the first board, thereby improving the overall strength of the first connector 1 mounted on the first board. Note that the description will be provided on the assumption that the connection pad to which the first reinforcement fitting 51 is soldered is connected to a conductive trace, and that the conductive trace is a power line.

[0137] Similarly, the second reinforcement fitting 151 of the second connector 101 is connected to a second board (not depicted) by soldering, and as depicted in FIG. 17, each second reinforcement fitting 151 is preferably solder-connected to connection pads of the second board at four soldering parts 191. This improves the connection strength of the second reinforcement fitting 151 to the second board, thereby improving the overall strength of the second connector 101 mounted on the second board. Note that the description will be provided on the assumption that the connection pad to which the second reinforcement fitting 151 is soldered is connected to a conductive trace, and that the conductive trace is a power line.

[0138] In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the first terminals 61 of the first connector 1 is described as having the tail part 62 thereof soldered to a solder pad 93 provided on a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the first board, as depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Note that the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail part 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected will be described as a signal line. In addition, the outer-side-surface tail part 52a at a lower end of the end-wall outer-side-surface cover part 52, the inner-side-surface tail part 53a at a lower end of the end-wall inner-side-surface cover part 53, and the side-surface tail part 55a at a lower end of the leg part 55 in the first reinforcement fitting 51 are preferably surface-mounted to the first board by solder connection using a solder pad 92 provided on a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the first board.

[0139] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each of the second terminals 161 of the second connector 101 is described as having the tail part 162 thereof soldered to a solder pad 193 provided on a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the second board, as depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Note that the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail part 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected will be described as a signal line. In addition, the tail part 156 of the second reinforcement fitting 151, the lower end 153c of the side cover part 153, and a lower surface of at least a portion of the recessed part cover part 155 that is proximate to a connection location with the end wall cover part 157 are preferably surface-mounted to the second board by solder connection using a solder pad 192 provided on a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the second board.

[0140] More preferably, the solder pad 193 provided to connect the lower surface of at least the portion of the recessed part cover part 155 close to the connection point with the end wall cover part 157 and the solder pad 193 provided to connect the tail part 156 are at least partially overlapping when viewed from the mating surface (Z-axis direction). This improves the attachment strength of the second reinforcement fitting 151 to the second board, and as a result, improves the overall mechanical strength of the second connector 101 surface-mounted on the second board.

[0141] Thus, in the present embodiment, the first connector 1 has each of the first terminals 61 solder-connected to the first board, and the first reinforcement fitting 51 solder-connected to the first board at four locations, and the second connector 101 has each of the second terminals 161 solder-connected to the second board, and the second reinforcement fitting 151 solder-connected to the second board at four locations. Therefore, even if an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 for some reason (for example, an electronic apparatus on which the connector assembly is mounted is dropped to the floor or another member collides with the electronic apparatus, thereby applying a large external force) when the firstconnector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the stability of the mated state between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is maintained, and the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 are unlikely to be damaged, and the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are unlikely to move or tilt relative to each other, thereby maintaining the reliability of the mating.

[0142] Furthermore, when mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, the operator first positions the mating surface 12a of the first protruding part 12, which serves as the mating surface of the first housing 11 of the first connector 1 , opposite the upper wall surface 111a, which serves as the mating surface of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101. Furthermore, the position of the first protruding part 12 of the first connector 1 is matched to the position of the corresponding recessed groove part 112a of the second connector 101 and the position of the first protruding end part 16 of the first connector 1 is matched to the position of the mating recessed part 122 corresponding to the second connector 101, completing positioning of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101.

[0143] In this state, when the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 are moved in a direction approaching the other side, in other words, in a mating direction, the first protruding part 12 and the first protruding end part 16 of the first connector 1 are inserted into the recessed groove part 112a and the mating recessed part 122 of the second connector 101. Therefore, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 18 to 20 and the like, mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is complete.

[0144] Furthermore, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are electrically connected and brought into a conductive state. Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C, the outer column part 63, connecting part 64 and inner column part 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165 of each secondterminal 161. Furthermore, the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 contacts or approaches the second exposed part 65a of the inner column part 65, and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 functions as a contact part and contacts the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63, which is the contact surface. Note that the proximal protruding part 166a may function as a contact part by coming into contact with the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 , but may also function only as a lock part that engages with the step 65c without coming into contact with the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 and locks the second terminal 161 to the first terminal 61.

[0145] Here, since the distance from the first exposed part 63a to the second exposed part 65a in each first terminal 61 is greater than the distance from the proximal protruding part 166a to the distal protruding part 165a in the corresponding second terminal 161, when the outer column part 63, connecting part 64, and inner column part 65 of the corresponding first terminal 61 enter between the proximal arm part 166 and the distal arm part 165 of each second terminal 161 , the second terminal 161 is elastically deformed and the distance between the proximal protruding part 166a and the distal protruding part 165a is pushed wider. Therefore, the repulsion force generated by the second terminal 161 presses at least the distal protruding part 165a against the first exposed part 63a, thereby reliably maintaining contact between at least the distal protruding part 165a and the first exposed part 63a, and reliably maintaining a conductive state between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161.

[0146] Note that the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 in the present embodiment has a housing wall part 111 e positioned between the main body part 163 as the press-fit part of the second terminal 161 and the contact part 167, as depicted in FIGS. 14Aand 14B, FIGS. 15Aand 15B, and FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C. The lower end of the housing wall part 111 e faces the proximal connection part 163b of the second terminal 161 with a gap therebetween.Furthermore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are completely mated, as depicted in FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a formed on the bottom plate part 17 of the first housing II can abut against the upper wall surface 111a, which is the upper surface of the housing wall part 111 e present on at least one side of the second housing III in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Preferably, more than half (50%) of the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a can come into contact with the upper wall surface 111a of at least one of the housing wall parts 111 e. Furthermore, the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall part 111 e is formed up to an overhang part 111 d that is a region that covers a part of the upper portion of the proximal arm part 166.

[0147] In addition, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a and / or the upper wall surface 111 a of the housing wall part 111 e functions as a reference surface for mating the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 together.

[0148] In this manner, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a of the first housing 11 and the upper wall surface 111a of the housing wall part 111 e of the second housing 111 can abut against each other. Therefore, even if, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in a mated state, an excessive load is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 in the mating direction for some reason (for example, the electronic apparatus on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor or another member collides with the electronic apparatus, causing a large external force to be applied), the stability of the mated state between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is maintained, so that the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 will not be damaged and relative movement or inclination of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 will be reduced, thereby enabling reliable maintaining of mating.

[0149] Furthermore, the upper surface 17a1 of the flange 17a of the first housing 11 can abut against the overhang part 111 d on the upper wall surface111a of the housing wall part 111 e, which is a location close to the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b into which the main body part 163 of the second terminal 161 in the second housing 111 is pressed and engaged. As a result, even if excessive load is applied in the mating direction, the load is received by the overhang part 111 d, which is close to the second terminal stowing hole cavity 115b, which has a relatively high strength, and the stability of the mated state is more reliably maintained.

[0150] In addition, when the mating of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed and the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are in a conductive state, more specifically, as depicted in FIGS. 20B and 21, the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 of each second terminal 161 contacts or approaches the second exposed part 65a of the corresponding inner column part 65, and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 contacts the first exposed part 63a of the corresponding outer column part 63. Furthermore, the proximal protruding part 166a is positioned so as to overlap the side surface of the first exposed part 63a of the first terminal 61 adjacent to the first terminal 61 that has the inner column part 65 corresponding to the proximal protruding part 166a, in other words, the first terminal 61 that the proximal protruding part 166a faces.

[0151] Note that the recessed part 12d is formed in the inter-terminal wall 12c between adjacent first terminals 61 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1 , which is indented toward the center of the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12, and within this recessed part 12d, a space 12e is present on both sides of the second exposed part 65a, and wall parts 12f are present on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. In other words, a wall part 12f and a space 12e are present between the first exposed part 63a and the second exposed part 65a that are adjacent to each other on both sides of the first protruding part 12. Furthermore, the wall parts 12f abut against both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a, and the spaces 12e face both side surfaces of each secondexposed part 65a. In addition, on both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a, the portions where the wall parts 12f are present are covered by the wall parts 12f and are therefore not exposed.

[0152] In the example depicted in the figure, the communication space 12e3 of the space 12e is a groove-shaped recessed indent part having an approximately U-shaped cross-section (X-Y axis cross section), with a curved bottom surface formed by the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 which is part of the first housing 11, one side surface formed by the wall part 12f, and the other side surface formed by the side surface of the adjacent second exposed part 65a. In addition, the widthwise dimension (X-axis direction) of the communication space 12e3 is set to approximately 0.035 mm, which is narrower than the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 at the contact part 167 of the second terminal 161. Note that the widthwise (X-axis direction) dimension of the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 is set to approximately 0.080 mm, which is narrower than the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and the second exposed part 65a of the inner column part 65, but wider than the communication space 12e3.

[0153] In this manner, since there are wall parts 12f on both sides of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61, even if an excessive load in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 for some reason (for example, a large external force is applied when an electronic apparatus on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor or when another member collides with the electronic apparatus), when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 corresponding to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a will not come into contact with the first exposed part 63a,and therefore an electrical short circuit will not occur, and the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and / or the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 will not be damaged or broken. In addition, the widthwise (X-axis direction) dimension of the communication space 12e3 is narrower than the width of the second terminal 161, and more preferably, is smaller than the proximal protruding part 166a of the proximal arm part 166 and the distal protruding part 165a of the distal arm part 165 at the contact part 167 of the second terminal 161. Therefore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, even if an excessive load in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 for some reason (for example, an electronic apparatus on which the connector assembly is mounted falls to the floor or another member collides with the electronic apparatus, thereby applying a large external force), the second terminal 161 will not fall into the recessed part 12d, and the first terminal 61 and / or the second terminal 161 will not be damaged. Furthermore, when the excessive load is released, the relative positional relationship between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and the relative positional relationship between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 can return to their original state. Therefore, the reliability of the connection can be maintained.

[0154] For comparison, a reference example depicted in FIGS. 22A and 22B and 23 will now be described. The connector assembly in this reference example has a configuration that is almost the same as that of the connector assembly in the present embodiment, and therefore the symbols assigned to each part thereof will be described using the symbols assigned to each part of the connector assembly in the present embodiment with an apostrophe added. The parts of the connector assembly in the present embodiment, which use symbols without an apostrophe, and the parts of the connector assembly in the reference example, which use symbols with an apostrophe added, will be described as being approximately the same.

[0155] When the mating of the first connector T and the second connector 10T is completed and the first terminal 61' and the second terminal 161' are electrically connected, the proximal protruding part 166a' of the proximal arm part 166' of each second terminal 161' contacts or is close to the second exposed part 65a' of the inner column part 65' of the corresponding first terminal 61', and the distal protruding part 165a' of the distal arm part 165' contacts the first exposed part 63a' of the outer column part 63'. Furthermore, a recessed part 12d' is formed in an inter-terminal wall 12c' between adjacent first terminals 6T in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1', and indented toward the center in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the first protruding part 12', but there are no wall parts on either side of the first exposed part 63a', and both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a' are exposed within the recessed part 12d'. Note that the width of the recessed part 12d' is wider than the width of the proximal protruding part 166a' of the proximal arm part 166' and the distal protruding part 165a' of the distal arm part 165' of the second terminal 161'.

[0156] In the reference example, as in the present embodiment, although the first exposed part 63a' and the second exposed part 65a' are shifted in the width direction of the first protruding part 12' by an amount smaller than the plate thickness of the first terminal 6T, there are no wall parts on either side of the first exposed part 63a', and both side surfaces of each first exposed part 63a' are exposed within the recessed part 12d'. Therefore, as shown in FIGS.22 and 23, when an excessive load directed in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is applied to the first connector T and / or the second connector 101' and a state occurs in which the relative position between the first connector T and the second connector 10T is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the proximal protruding part 166a' of the proximal arm part 166' and the distal protruding part 165a' of the distal arm part 165' of the second terminal 161' are relatively displaced, in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector T and the second connector 10T, from the first exposed part 63a' of the outer column part 63' and the second exposed part 65a' of theinner column part 65' of the first terminal 61 and the proximal protruding part 166a' of the proximal arm part 166' comes into contact with or approaches the first exposed part 63a' of the outer column part 63' corresponding to the distal protruding part 165a' of the adjacent distal arm part 165'. This can result in an electrical short circuit and / or damage or breakage of the outer column part 63' of the first terminal 6T and / or the proximal arm part 166' of the second terminal 16T. Furthermore, once the side surface of the first exposed part 63a' engages with the proximal arm part 166' and / or the distal arm part 165', even if the excessive load is released, the relative positional relationship between the first connector T and the second connector 10T and the relative positional relationship between the first terminal 6T and the second terminal 16T cannot return to their original state. Therefore, the reliability of the connection cannot be maintained.

[0157] Next, a modified example of the connector assembly according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0158] FIGS. 24A and 24Bare enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 1 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 25A and 25B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 2 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 26Aand 26B are enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 3 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 27A and 27 Bare enlarged views of a main part of Modified Example 4 of the first connector according to Embodiment 1. FIGS.28A and 28B are two-plane diagrams of a modified example of the second connector according to Embodiment 1. Note that in FIGS. 24 to 27, (a) is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 9B, and (b) is an enlarged view of part C in FIG.9A. In FIGS. 28A and 28B, FIG. 28A is a plan view and FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view along line L-L in FIG. 28A.

[0159] Modified Example 1 of the first connector 1 depicted in FIGS. 24A and 24B are an example in which the side portion of the first exposed part 63a ofthe outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 in the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11 is of a roofed wall type, rather than the roofless wall + tapered type as depicted in FIGS. 10Aand 10B.

[0160] As depicted in the figure, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes upper abutting parts 12j, which are portions that contact the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a, above the wall part 12f. The upper abutting part 12j has a boundary part that abuts the upper end 12f1 of the wall part 12f and a portion above the boundary part formed thicker than the wall part 12f, or in other words, formed with a larger dimension in the thickness direction (X-axis direction), and covers the upper end 12f1 of the wall part 12f, and therefore the upper abutting part can be referred to as a roof part. Note that in Modified Example 1, there is no distinction made for the lower end 12f2 of the wall part 12f, and no distinction is made for the upper space 12e1, the lower space 12e2, and the communication space 12e3 in the space 12e, and there are no tapered parts 12g and groove parts 12h.

[0161] As described above, in Modified Example 1 , since there are wall parts 12f on both sides of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61, even if, for some reason, an excessive load is applied in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 corresponding to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a will not come into contact with the first exposed part 63a, and therefore an electrical short circuit will not occur, and the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and / or the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 will not be damaged or broken.

[0162] Modified Example 2 of the first connector 1 depicted in FIGS. 25A and 25B are examples in which the side portion of the first exposed part 63a of theouter column part 63 of the first terminal 61 in the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11 is of an unroofed wall type rather than the roofed wall type as depicted in FIGS. 24Aand 24B.

[0163] As depicted in the figure, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes an upper abutting part 12j, which is a portion above the wall part 12f that abuts against both side surfaces of the first exposed part 63a. However, the boundary part of the upper abutting part 12j that abuts against the upper end 12f 1 of the wall part 12f and the portion thereabove have the same thickness as the wall part 12f, in other words, the dimension in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) are set to be equal, and the upper end 12f1 of the wall part 12f is not covered, and therefore cannot be called a roof part. In addition, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes a groove part 12h formed below the lower end 12f2 of the wall part 12f, and does not include a portion below the lower end 12f2 that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. Note that in Modified Example 2, the space 12e is not differentiated between the upper space 12e1 and the communication space 12e3, and the tapered part 12g is not present.

[0164] As described above, in Modified Example 2, since there are wall parts 12f on both sides of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61, even if, for some reason, an excessive load is applied in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 corresponding to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a will not come into contact with the first exposed part 63a, and therefore an electrical short circuit will not occur, and the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and / or the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 will not be damaged or broken.

[0165] Modified Example 3 of the first connector 1 depicted in FIGS. 26A and 26B are examples in which the side portion of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 in the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11 is of a roof + tapered type, rather than the roofless wall + tapered type as depicted in FIGS. 10Aand 10B.

[0166] As depicted in the figure, the inter-terminal wall 12c has a tapered part 12g whose surface is an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. Note that the wall part may be of any shape as long as the side surface is covered with an insulating material and is not exposed. For example, as in Modified Example 3, a part of the tapered part 12g can function as a wall part, thereby improving reliability. Therefore, the description will be given here assuming that the wall part is a tapered part 12g. In addition, the inter-terminal wall 12c includes upper abutting parts 12j, which are portions that abut the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a, above the tapered part 12g. The upper abutting part 12j is thicker than the tapered part 12g that does not abut the side surface of the first exposed part 63a, in other words, the dimension thereof in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) is set to be larger, and covers the upper end of the tapered part 12g, and thus can be called a roof part. In addition, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes a groove part 12h formed below the lower end of the tapered part 12g, and does not include a portion below the lower end that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. Note that in Modified Example 3, there is no distinction between the upper space 12e1 and the communication space 12e3 in the space 12e.

[0167] Thus, in Modified Example 3, although there are no wall parts 12f on either side of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61, there are tapered parts 12g. Therefore, even if, for some reason, an excessive load in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 when the first connector1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 corresponding to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a will not come into contact with the first exposed part 63a, and therefore no electrical short circuit will occur, and the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and / or the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 will not be damaged or broken.

[0168] Modified Example 4 of the first connector 1 depicted in FIGS. 27 A and 27B are examples in which the side portion of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 in the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11 is of a roofless + tapered type, rather than the roof + tapered type as depicted in FIGS. 26A and 26B.

[0169] As depicted in the figure, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 does not have a wall part 12f, and the inter-terminal wall 12c has a tapered part 12g whose surface is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the side surfaces on both sides of the connecting part 64 and the first exposed part 63a. Note that the inter-terminal wall 12c does not include a portion that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. In detail, as depicted in the figure, the tapered part 12g abuts against a part of the side surface of the upper part 64a of the connecting part 64, but below that, the tapered part does not abut against the side surfaces of the connecting part 64 and the first exposed part 63a. In this manner, since there is no member covering the upper end of the tapered part 12g, the part can be called roofless. In addition, the inter-terminal wall 12c of the first protruding part 12 includes a groove part 12h formed below the lower end of the tapered part 12g, and does not include a portion below the lower end that abuts against the side surfaces on both sides of the first exposed part 63a. Note that in Modified Example 4, there is no distinction between the upper space 12e1 and the communication space 12e3 in the space 12e.

[0170] Thus, in Modified Example 4, although there are no wall parts 12f on either side of the first exposed part 63a of the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61, there are tapered parts 12g. Therefore, even if, for some reason, an excessive load in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 corresponding to the second exposed part 65a adjacent to the first exposed part 63a will not come into contact with the first exposed part 63a, and therefore no electrical short circuit will occur, and the outer column part 63 of the first terminal 61 and / or the proximal arm part 166 of the second terminal 161 will not be damaged or broken.

[0171] A modified example of the second connector 101 depicted in FIGS.28A and 28B are examples in which the tip end of the island end cover part 155a of the second main body part 152 in the second reinforcement fitting 151 extends downward (Z-axis positive direction) and forms an island-end-cover tail part 155b as a board connection part.

[0172] As depicted in the figure, the lower end of the island end cover tail part 155b can approach or abut the front surface of the second board, similar to the lower end of the tail part 156 and the lower end 153c of the side cover part 153. Furthermore, the lower surface of the portion of the recessed part cover part 155, including at least the lower end of the island-end-cover tail part 155b, close to the second protruding part 113, is solder-connected to a solder pad 192 provided on a connection pad connected to a conductive trace of the second board (not depicted).

[0173] In this manner, in the modified example, the distance between the two solder-connected points in the second reinforcement fitting 151 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101 is wider than in the example depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18, so the connection state ofthe second reinforcement fitting 151 to the second board is more stable, and the second connector 101 is more firmly surface-mounted to the second board.

[0174] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the first connector 1 includes a first housing 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11 , each first terminal 61 including a tail part 62, and the plurality of first terminals 61 are arranged so that the tail parts 62 are in four rows and in a staggered pattern. Furthermore, each first terminal 61 is retained in the first housing 11 by insert molding, and includes planar first exposed part 63a and second exposed part 65a exposed on both widthwise side surfaces 12b of the first protruding part 12 of the first housing 11, the plurality of first terminals 61 are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1, the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 is shifted inward more than the first exposed part 63a of adjacent first terminals 61 , the first housing 11 includes wall part 12f and space 12e between adjacent first exposed part 63a and second exposed part 65a, the wall part 12f abuts against the first exposed part 63a, and the space 12e faces the side surface of the second exposed part 65a.

[0175] As a result, even if, for some reason, an excessive load in the longitudinal direction is applied to the first connector 1 and / or the second connector 101 when the first connector 1 is mated with the second connector 101, the second terminal 161 will not come into contact with or approach the first exposed part 63a of the first terminal 61 , and therefore an electrical short circuit will not occur, and the first terminal 61 will not be damaged. In addition, when the excessive load is released, the relative positional relationship between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101, and the relative positional relationship between the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 can return to their original state, thereby maintaining the reliability of the connection. Therefore, a first connector 1 and a connector assembly that are easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and thinner, and are highly reliable can be provided.

[0176] In addition, the width of the space 12e is narrower than the width of the contact part 167 of the second terminal 161 that is electrically connected to the first terminal 61. Furthermore, the amount of inward shift of the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 is smaller than the plate thickness of the first terminal 61. The inward shift of the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 is achieved by shifting the first terminal 61 in the width direction of the first connector 1. Furthermore, the wall part 12f includes an upper end 12f1 and a lower end 12f2, and the space 12e includes an upper space 12e1 above the upper end 12f1 , a lower space 12e2 below the lower end 12f2, and a communication space 12e3 connecting the upper space 12e1 and the lower space 12e2, and is U-shaped when viewed from the side. Furthermore, the tail part 62 is connected to the lower end of the first exposed part 63a, and at least a part between the tail part 62 and the lower end of the first exposed part 63a is embedded in the first housing 11. Furthermore, the wall part 12f includes a lower end 12f2 located on the tail part 62 side of the first exposed part 63a, and the side surface of the first exposed part 63a closer to the tail part 62 than the lower end 12f2 is exposed, and the lower end of the second exposed part 65a is a free end, the tip end of which is embedded in the first housing 11. Furthermore, the portion of the side surface of the first exposed part 63a that abuts against the wall part 12f is not exposed. Furthermore, the first connector 1 further includes a first reinforcement fitting 51 and a recessed groove part 13 that penetrates in the vertical direction, and the end wall inner surface cover part 53 of the first reinforcement fitting 51 is solder-connected to the first board within the recessed groove part 13. Furthermore, the connector assembly includes a first connector 1 and a second connector 101 that mates with the first connector 1. Furthermore, the second connector 101 includes a second housing 111 and a plurality of second terminals 161 attached to the second housing 111, each second terminal 161 including a distal protruding part 165a, a proximal protruding part 166a and a tail part 162, the distal protruding part 165a distal from the tail part 162 being capable of abutting the first exposed part 63a, and the proximal protruding part 166a proximal from the tail part 162being capable of abutting or approaching the second exposed part 65a. Furthermore, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are mated, the proximal protruding part 166a is positioned so as to overlap the side surface of the first exposed part 63a of the first terminal 61 adjacent to the first terminal 61 that the proximal protruding part 166a faces when viewed from the longitudinal direction.

[0177] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. It should be noted that a description is omitted for parts having the same structure as those of Embodiment 1 by assigning the same reference numbers. In addition, descriptions of the same operations and effects as those of Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0178] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the first connector side. FIGS. 30A and 30 B are perspective views of the first connector according to Embodiment 2. FIG.31 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 32 is a perspective view depicting a state in which a metal member and an insulating member of the first connector according to Embodiment 2 are separated. FIGS. 33A-33D are four-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 2. FIGS. 34Aand 34B are two-plane diagrams of the first connector according to Embodiment 2. FIGS. 35A and 35B are enlarged views of a main part of the first connector according to Embodiment 2. FIGS. 36A and 36B are perspective views of the second connector according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector according to Embodiment 2. FIGS. 38A-38Dare four-plane diagrams of the second connector according to Embodiment 2. Note that in FIGS. 30A and 30 B, FIG. 30A is a view as seen from the mating surface side, and FIG. 30B is a view as seen from the mounting surface side. In FIGS. 33A-33D, FIG. 33A is a top view, FIG. 33B is a side view, FIG. 33C is a bottom view, and FIG. 33D is a front view. In FIGS. 34A and 34B, FIG. 34A is a side view and FIG. 34B is a perspective view. In FIGS. 35Aand 35B, FIG.35A is an enlarged view of part N in FIG. 34B, and FIG. 35B is an enlarged view of part M in FIG. 34A. In FIGS. 36Aand 36B, FIG. 36A is a view as seen from the mating surface side, and FIG. 36B is a view as seen from the mounting surface side. In FIGS. 38A-38D, FIG. 38A is a top view, FIG. 38B is a side view, FIG. 38C is a bottom view, and FIG. 38D is a front view.

[0179] In Embodiment 1 , an example was described in which the positions of adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 of the first connector 1 in the width direction of the first connector 1 were shifted from each other, in other words, offset, thereby shifting the second exposed part 65a inward from the first exposed part 63a. However, in the present embodiment, the positions of adjacent first terminals 61 in the terminal row 60 of the first connector 1 in the width direction of the first connector 1 are not shifted from each other, in other words, are not offset. However, the second exposed part 65a is formed by pressing the front surface of the inner column part 65 to cause indentation by a prescribed dimension (for example, about 0.01 mm), and a step 65c is formed at the boundary between the upper end proximal portion of the inner column part 65 and the second exposed part 65a, so that the second exposed part 65a is shifted inward by a prescribed dimension (for example, about 0.01 mm) relative to the first exposed part 63a.

[0180] In other words, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first terminals 61 are arranged in line in each terminal row 60, but the second exposed part 65a is formed by pressing the front surface of the inner column part 65 to cause indentation, and therefore can be said to be shifted inward from the first exposed part 63a. Therefore, in each terminal row 60, the positions of the vertical parts 64b in the connecting parts 64 of adjacent first terminals 61 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 1 are shifted (offset) from each other in Embodiment 1, whereas in the present embodiment, they are not shifted (not offset) and are the same. Note that the positions of the upper surfaces of the upper parts 64a of the connecting parts 64 of adjacent first terminals 61 in the height direction (Y-axis direction) are thesame as each other and are also the same as the mating surfaces 12a of the first protruding parts 12, which is the same in both the present embodiment and Embodiment 1.

[0181] In other words, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first terminals 61 are arranged inline in each terminal row 60, but the second exposed part 65a has a step 65c formed at the upper end of the second exposed part 65a, and so can be said to be shifted inward from the first exposed part 63a. Note that the inward shift amount of the second exposed part 65a (for example, about 0.01 mm) is preferably set smaller than the plate thickness of the first terminal 61 (for example, about 0.05 to 0.06 mm).

[0182] In addition, as depicted in FIGS. 35A and 35B and the like, the interterminal walls 12c of the first protruding parts 12 in the present embodiment are filled between the connecting parts 64 of adjacent first terminals 61 in each terminal row 60. Therefore, the positions of the recessed part 12d and the space 12e in the height direction (Z-axis direction) are the same as the vertical part 64b or higher than the vertical part 64b of the connecting part 64.

[0183] In this manner, with the present embodiment, the inward shift of the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61 is achieved by forming the step 65c at the upper end of the second exposed part 65a of the first terminal 61.

[0184] Note that other components of the first connector 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and thus, description thereof is omitted. In addition, the configuration of the second connector 101 in the present embodiment is also similar to that of Embodiment 1 , and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, other basic configurations and effects in which the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are in a mated state are also similar to those of Embodiment 1 , and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0185] In addition, the specification disclosure herein describes features relating to suitable typical embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the patent claims appended hereto will naturally be conceived of by a person of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the specification herein.

[0186] The present disclosure can be applied to a connector and a connector assembly.

Claims

Claims1. A connector comprising:a housing and a plurality of terminals attached to the housing, each terminal including a board connection part, the plurality of terminals being arranged so that the board connection parts are in four rows and in a staggered pattern, whereineach terminal is retained in the housing by insert molding and includes first and second exposed parts with a planar shape exposed on both widthwise side surfaces of the protruding part of the housing;the plurality of terminals are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the connector, and the second exposed part of the terminal is shifted inward relative to a first exposed part of the adjacent terminal; and the housing includes a wall part and a space between adjacent first exposed parts and second exposed parts, the wall part abutting the first exposed part, and the space facing the side surface of the second exposed part.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the space is narrower than the width of a contact part of a counterpart terminal electrically connected to the terminal.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inward shift amount of the second exposed part of the terminal is smaller than the plate thickness of the terminal.

4. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inward shift of the second exposed part of the terminal is achieved by shifting the terminal in the width direction of the connector.

5. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the inward shift of the second exposed part of the terminal is achieved by forming a step at the upper end of the second exposed part of the terminal.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the wall part includes an upper end and a lower end, and the space includes an upper space above the upper end, a lower space below the lower end, and a communication space connecting the upper space and the lower space, and is U-shaped when viewed from the side surface.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the board connection part is connected to a lower end of the first exposed part, and at least a portion between the board connection part and a lower end of the first exposed part is embedded in the housing.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the wall part includes a lower end on the board connection part side of the first exposed part, the side surface of the first exposed part closer to the board connection part side than the lower end is exposed, and a lower end of the second exposed part is a free end, the tip end of which is embedded in the housing.

9. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the side surface of the first exposed part that abuts against the wall part is not exposed.

10. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement fitting and a through-hole penetrating vertically, the end wall inner side surface cover part of the reinforcement fitting being solder-connected to the board within the through-hole.

11. A connector assembly, comprising the connector according to claim 1 and a counterpart connector that mates with the aforementioned connector.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the counterpart connector comprises a counterpart housing and a plurality of counterpart terminals attached to the counterpart housing, each counterpart terminal including two protruding parts and a board connection part, the protruding part distal from the board connection part being capable of abutting against the first exposed part, and the protruding part proximal from the board connection part being capable of abutting against or being close to the second exposed part.

13. The connector assembly according to claim 12, wherein the proximal protruding part is positioned so as to overlap a side surface of the first exposed part of a terminal adjacent to a terminal opposing the proximal protruding part when viewed from the longitudinal direction when the connector and the counterpart connector are mated.

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