CN111435770B - Connector connecting structure and connector connecting body - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector connection structure and a connector connection body that can assemble two connectors to each other on a mounting surface of a circuit board even if adjacent connectors in the connector connection are displaced in height. The held portions (151, 152) of the connecting member (150) have an edge portion between the inner wall surface of the holding portion (12A, 82A) and a connector height direction that is perpendicular to the mounting surface with respect to the circuit board. The position of the gap extends in the direction in which the connectors adjoin each other; the press-fitting portions (151C, 151D, 152C, 152D) protrude from the edge in the height direction of the connector and are engaged with the inner wall surface of the holding portion; and the fulcrum portion (151E, 152E), in the adjacent direction and at a position separated from the press-in part, it is supported by contacting the inner wall surface of the holding part, and the connecting member is allowed to be relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap with the fulcrum part as a fulcrum. tilt.

Description

Connector connection structure and connector connection body

Technical field

The present invention relates to a connector connection structure in which two electrical connectors are connected to each other using a connection member, and a connector connection body in which the two electrical connectors are connected by the connection member.

Background technique

When a plurality of electrical connectors are mounted adjacent to each other on the mounting surface of one circuit board, the adjacent electrical connectors are connected to each other with connecting members, and then these electrical connectors are arranged in the above-mentioned position. The solder is then connected to each corresponding circuit part on the assembly surface, so that the plurality of electrical connectors can be assembled at the same time, and the assembly operation can be performed efficiently.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses two connector couplings that are respectively mounted on different circuit boards and are fitted and connected in an up-down direction at right angles to the circuit boards. Each connector coupling is a connecting direction in which a plurality of electrical connectors holding metal terminals with a holder made of an electrically insulating material is connected in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board, and is connected along the connecting direction. It is formed by connecting a pair of connecting members made of extended metal plates to form a unit. In addition, in Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned electrical connector that becomes an element of the unit is called a “connector”, and the unitized connector unit is called an “electrical connector”.

In Patent Document 1, one of the two connector couplings is a receptacle connector coupling in which receptacle connectors (female connectors) that are a plurality of elements are connected by a receptacle-side coupling member, and the other is a receptacle connector coupling that is a receptacle connector. A plug-connector connection in which multiple plug connectors (male connectors) are connected by a plug-side connecting member.

In the above-mentioned receptacle connector coupling body, the held portion formed in each receptacle connector is pressed into the holding groove portion formed in the receptacle side connecting member and extending in the vertical direction, so that all the receptacle connectors are held by the receptacle side connecting member. and link. In addition, in the above-mentioned plug connector coupling body, the plurality of metal ground plates that are continuously provided with the plug-side connecting member and become one component with the plug-side connecting member are held by the corresponding plug connectors by integral molding. The housing allows multiple plug connectors to be firmly connected by the plug-side connecting parts. In other words, in any connector connection, each connector is immovable relative to the connecting member.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6174005

As described above, in Patent Document 1, in any connector connection structure, the connector is immovable with respect to the connecting member, so the vertical position of the connecting portion of the terminal of each connector connected to the circuit board by solder ( height position) is also immovable relative to the connecting member. Therefore, if the height position of the connecting portion of the terminal is shifted between a plurality of connectors due to a manufacturing error of the unitized connector connected body, etc., in this case, some of the connectors may not be able to There are concerns about soldering the connecting portion of the terminal to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly capable of mounting two connectors to each other on a mounting surface of a circuit board even if adjacent connectors are displaced in height. connector connection structure and connector connection body.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by the following connector connection structure according to the first invention and the connector connection body according to the second invention.

＜First invention＞

The connector connection structure according to the first invention is a connector connection structure in which two electrical connectors that are adjacent to each other on the mounting surface of one circuit board and assembled by solder connection are connected to each other with a connection member.

In the above-mentioned connector connection structure, the first invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned connection member extends in a range spanning the above-mentioned two electrical connectors in the adjacent direction of the two electrical connectors, and has both ends in the adjacent direction. Each side has a held portion held by a corresponding electrical connector. The two electrical connectors have a holding portion. The holding portion is open in a direction facing each other in the adjacent direction and accommodates the held portion of the connecting member. to hold it, and the held portion of the connecting member has an edge portion with a gap between the edge portion and the inner wall surface of the holding portion along the height direction of the connector that is perpendicular to the mounting surface, along the above-mentioned Extending in the adjoining direction; a press-fitting portion protruding from the edge portion in the height direction of the connector and snapping into the inner wall surface of the holding portion; and a fulcrum portion at a position separated from the press-fitting portion in the adjoining direction , is supported by contacting the inner wall surface of the holding portion, and the connecting member is allowed to incline relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap using the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum.

In the first invention, the connecting member is allowed to tilt relative to the mounting surface of the circuit board with the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum within the gap formed between the connecting member and the inner wall surface of the holding portion of the electrical connector in the height direction of the connector. When the electrical connectors adjacent to each other are shifted in the connector height direction, the connecting member assumes an attitude inclined relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap, so that the connection portions of the terminals between the electrical connectors come to the same level. height position. As a result, by connecting the adjacent electrical connectors with the connecting member, the two electrical connectors can be assembled substantially simultaneously and efficiently, and in addition, the offset in the height direction of the connector between the two electrical connectors can be dealt with. The connecting portions of the terminals of the two electrical connectors are arranged in corresponding circuit portions formed on the mounting surface of one circuit board and soldered.

In the first invention, the connecting member may be a metal plate member with the adjoining direction as a longitudinal direction, and the plate thickness direction of the connecting member may be arranged in two directions with respect to the adjoining direction and the connector height direction. In a right-angled posture, the connecting member is held by the holding portion of the electrical connector. Since metal plate members are easy to process, by using the connecting member as a metal plate member, the connecting member can be easily manufactured.

In the first aspect of the invention, the press-fitting portion of the connecting member may be formed to have a smaller plate thickness than other portions of the connecting member. In this way, the press-fitting portion of the connecting member is formed to have a smaller plate thickness than other portions of the connecting member, so that the press-fitting portion can be easily engaged with the inner wall surface of the holding portion of the electrical connector. Therefore, when electrical connectors adjacent to each other are shifted and positioned in the connector height direction, the connecting member is likely to assume a tilted posture.

＜Second invention＞

The connector connection body according to the second invention is a connector connection body formed by connecting two electrical connectors that are adjacent to each other on the mounting surface of one circuit board and assembled by solder connection, and are connected by a connecting member.

In the above-mentioned connector coupling, the second invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned connecting member extends in a range spanning the above-mentioned two electrical connectors in the adjoining direction of the two electrical connectors, and has both ends in the adjoining direction. Each side has a held portion held by a corresponding electrical connector. The two electrical connectors have a holding portion. The holding portion is open in a direction facing each other in the adjacent direction and accommodates the held portion of the connecting member. to hold it, and the held portion of the connecting member has an edge portion with a gap in the height direction of the connector at right angles to the mounting surface between the edge portion and the inner wall surface of the holding portion, along the above-mentioned Extending in the adjoining direction; a press-fitting portion protruding from the edge portion in the height direction of the connector and snapping into the inner wall surface of the holding portion; and a fulcrum portion at a position separated from the press-fitting portion along the adjoining direction, The connecting member is supported by contacting the inner wall surface of the holding portion, and the connecting member is allowed to incline relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap with the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum.

In the second invention, similarly to the first invention described above, when the electrical connectors adjacent to each other are shifted in the connector height direction, the connecting member becomes inclined relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap. The position is such that the connecting parts of the terminals of the electrical connectors come to the same height position. Therefore, by connecting the adjacent electrical connectors with the connecting member, the two electrical connectors can be assembled substantially simultaneously and efficiently. In addition, it is possible to cope with the offset between the two electrical connectors in the connector height direction. On the other hand, a connecting portion of the terminals of the two electrical connectors is arranged in a corresponding circuit portion formed on the mounting surface of one circuit board and soldered.

In the present invention, as described above, within the range of the gap in the height direction of the connector formed between the edge of the connecting member and the inner wall surface of the holding portion of the electrical connector, the connecting members are allowed to face each other with the fulcrum portion as the fulcrum. It is tilted to the mounting surface of the circuit board. Therefore, when the electrical connectors adjacent to each other are at offset positions in the connector height direction, the connecting member is inclined relative to the mounting surface of the circuit board within the range of the gap, thereby causing the terminals between the electrical connectors to be The joints come to the same height. As a result, according to the present invention, by connecting the electrical connectors with the connecting member, the two electrical connectors can be assembled substantially simultaneously and efficiently, and in addition, the height direction of the connector between the two electrical connectors can be dealt with. According to the deviation, the connecting portion of the terminals of the two electrical connectors is arranged in the corresponding circuit portion formed on the mounting surface of one circuit board and soldered.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector coupling according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state seen from the male connector side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 viewed from the female connector side.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 taken at a right angle to the connector width direction. FIG. 3(A) shows a cross-section at a terminal position in the connector width direction, and FIG. 3(B) shows A cross section at the position of the connecting member in the width direction of the connector.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connector coupling shown in FIG. 2 turned upside down.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the male connector, the female connector, and the connecting member of the connector connection shown in FIG. 2 in a state where they are separated from each other.

Fig. 6 (A) is a front view of the connecting member, Fig. 6 (B) is a VIB-VIB cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 (A), and Fig. 6 (C) is a VIC-VIC cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 (A) .

7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting member of the connector coupling body in the connector width direction, showing a state in which the connecting member is tilted.

Explanation of reference symbols:

1...male connector (electrical connector); 2...female connector (electrical connector); 12A...connecting member holding part (holding part); 82A...connecting member holding part (holding part); 150...connecting member ; 151...rear held part (held part); 152...front held part (held part); 151A, 152A...upper edge part (edge part); 151B, 152B...lower edge part (edge part); 151C , 152C...large press-in part (press-fitting part); 151D, 152D...small press-fitting part (press-fitting part); 151E, 151E...fulcrum part.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector coupling according to the present embodiment together with a mating connector, and is shown in a state seen from the male connector side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 viewed from the female connector side. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , the object connector is shown by a chain double-dot line. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 taken at a right angle to the connector width direction. FIG. 3(A) shows a cross-section at a terminal position in the connector width direction, and FIG. 3(B) shows A cross section at the position of the connecting member in the width direction of the connector. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connector coupling shown in FIG. 2 turned upside down. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the male connector, the female connector, and the connecting member of the connector connection shown in FIG. 2 in a state where they are separated from each other.

The connector connection body according to this embodiment is configured by connecting the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 with the connecting member 150 . The male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are electrical connectors for circuit boards mounted on respective circuit boards through solder connections. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, on the mounting surface of one circuit board B, The X-axis direction is the adjacency direction and assembly is performed at positions adjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the direction in which the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are adjacent to each other (the X-axis direction) is called the "front and back direction" as necessary, and the direction that is perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board B is (Z-axis direction) is called the "connector height direction", and the direction (Y-axis direction) at right angles to the two directions of the adjacent direction and the connector height direction is called the "connector width direction".

In this embodiment, a plurality of connector coupling bodies are prepared in which the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are coupled by the coupling member 150 , and each of the plurality of connector coupling bodies is mounted on a corresponding circuit board. In the state of the mounting surface, the connectors are connected in series with the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) as the connector connection direction (see Figures 1 and 2).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a female connector R as a counterpart connector is fitted and connected to the male connector 1 of one connector connection body from the rear (illustrated by a two-dot chain line). The female connector R is provided on another connector connection body located on the rear side (X2 side) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). In addition, a male connector P (illustrated by a two-dot chain line) as a mating connector is fitted and connected to the female connector 2 of the connector coupling body from the front, and the male connector P is provided at the front and rear Other connector combinations on the front side (X1 side) in the direction. In this embodiment, the female connector R has the same structure as the female connector 2 , and the male connector P has the same structure as the male connector 1 .

The male connector 1 has a housing 10 made of an electrically insulating material and made in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of metal upper male terminals 20 and metal lower male terminals 30 arranged and held in a row. This housing 10; and an upper shield plate 40 and a lower shield plate 70 made of metal, which are installed on the housing 10. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish the upper male terminal 20 and the lower male terminal 30 , they are collectively referred to as “male terminals 20 and 30 ”.

The rear portion (the portion on the X2 side) of the housing 10 is formed as a fitting portion 11 for mating with the female connector R as the mating connector, and the front portion (the portion on the The terminal holding portion 12 holds the head terminals 20 and 30 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the fitting portion 11 has an upper wall 13 and a lower wall 14 that are opposed in the up-down direction and extend in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction); and a pair of end walls 15 that are located in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). Both ends of the fitting portion 11 in the connector width direction extend in the up and down direction (connector height direction), and connect the ends of the upper wall 13 and the lower wall 14 . In addition, a space surrounded by the upper wall 13, the lower wall 14, and the pair of end walls 15 is formed as a receiving recess 16. The receiving recess 16 is formed at the rear (X2 direction) in order to receive a corresponding fitting portion provided in the female connector R. Open your mouth.

As shown in FIG. 1 , opening edges forming the receiving recess 16 from the rear end portion of the upper wall 13 are formed on the upper wall 13 at a plurality of locations (four locations in this embodiment) in the connector width direction. The upper mounting groove 13A has a recessed lower surface. This upper mounting groove 13A holds the upper inner shield portion 60 pressed in from the rear.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , openings from the rear end portion of the lower wall 14 (where the receiving recess 16 is formed) are formed on the lower wall 14 at a plurality of locations (four locations in the present embodiment) in the connector width direction. The lower mounting groove 14A is recessed in the upper surface of the edge portion). This lower mounting groove 14A holds the lower shield plate 70 pressed in from the rear.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the terminal holding portion 12 has connecting member holding portions 12A recessed from outer surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) located at both ends in the connector width direction. The connecting member holding portion 12A extends in the front-rear direction and is open toward the front (X1 direction) and outward in the connector width direction, and holds the connecting member 150 in a rear holding portion 151 described below and is press-fitted and held therein.

An upper groove 12A-1 for accommodating the upper part of the connecting member 150 is formed in the upper part of the connecting member holding part 12A, and a lower groove part for accommodating the lower part of the connecting member 150 is formed in the lower part of the connecting member holding part 12A. Section 12A-2. The upper groove portion 12A-1 extends in the front-rear direction and is open forward and downward. As shown in FIG. 3(B) , the upper inner wall surface of the upper groove portion 12A-1 (a surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction) is stepped in the middle position in the front-rear direction, and the front half (X1 side portion) is located more than The rear half (X2 side part) is toward the top. The lower groove portion 12A-2 has a shape obtained by inverting the upper groove portion 12A-1 up and down.

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the terminal holding portion 12 has a slit-shaped terminal holding groove 17 extending at right angles to the connector width direction. The terminal holding portion 12 is formed with a groove width dimension (dimension in the connector width direction) slightly larger than the plate thickness of the male terminals 20 and 30, and can accommodate the male terminals 20 and 30.

Before describing the shape of the terminal holding groove 17 , first, the shapes of the male terminals 20 and 30 held by the terminal holding groove 17 will be described. The male terminals 20 and 30 are produced by punching a metal plate member in the direction of the thickness of the metal plate. As shown in (A) of Fig. 3 , the male terminals 20 and 30 are generally L-shaped as shown in Fig. 1 . The terminal width direction (Y-axis direction) is the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminals are arranged and held in the housing 10 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 3(A) , the male terminals 20 and 30 are held in the terminal holding groove 17 in an attitude that the plate surface is perpendicular to the connector width direction. The upper male terminal 20 among the male terminals 20 and 30 has a transverse portion 21 extending straight in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) in the terminal holding groove 17 and a vertical portion 22 in the terminal holding groove 17 and a contact portion 23 that extends straight downward from the front end portion (end portion on the X1 side) of the cross portion 21 toward the rear (X2 direction). extends and is located in the receiving recess 16 .

The transverse portion 21 has a plurality of locking protrusions formed on its upper edge. The transverse portion 21 is engaged with the inner wall surface of an upper groove portion 17A of the terminal holding groove 17 to be described later by the locking protrusions, and is held in the upper groove portion. Within 17A. The vertical portion 22 extends downward to a position that slightly protrudes from the bottom surface of the terminal holding portion 12 , and the protruding lower end portion is formed as a connection portion for soldering connection to the mounting surface of the circuit board B (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 22A (see also Figure 4). The contact portion 23 is thinner than the lateral portion 21 , that is, the size in the connector height direction (up-and-down direction) is formed smaller, and as shown in FIG. 1 , it has a substantially pin shape.

The lower male terminal 30 has the transverse portion 31 , the vertical portion 32 and the contact portion 33 in the same manner as the upper male terminal 20 described above. However, the transverse portion 31 and the vertical portion 32 are smaller than those of the upper male terminal 20 . The lower male terminal 30 is different from the upper male terminal 20 in that the horizontal portion 21 and the vertical portion 22 are short. A plurality of locking protrusions are formed on the lower edge of the transverse portion 31 . The transverse portion 31 is engaged with the inner wall surface of a lower groove portion 17B of the terminal holding groove 17 to be described later by the locking protrusions, and is thereby held in the lower groove portion. Within 17B. The vertical portion 32 extends downward to a position that slightly protrudes from the bottom surface of the terminal holding portion 12 , that is, to the same position as the lower end of the vertical portion 22 of the upper male terminal 20 . The protruding lower end portion is formed to provide a downward direction. The connection portion 32A is soldered to the mounting surface of the circuit board B (see also FIG. 4 ). In addition, the contact portion 33 is formed in the same size as the contact portion 23 of the upper male terminal 20 and extends to the same position as the rear end of the contact portion 23 as shown in FIG. 3(A) .

Return to the description of the housing 10 . As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the terminal holding groove 17 of the housing 10 that holds the male terminals 20 and 30 has an upper groove portion 17A that engages the lateral portion 21 of the upper male terminal 20 . accommodating; a lower groove portion 17B that accommodates the lateral portion 31 of the lower male terminal 30; and a front groove portion 17C that extends to the terminal holding portion in a region forward of the upper groove portion 17A and the lower groove portion 17B 12 from the front end to the lower end.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 3 , the upper groove portion 17A extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) at the upper portion of the terminal holding portion 12 , has a rear end that opens toward the receiving recess 16 and is connected to the receiving recess 16 , and a front end that is connected to Front groove part 17C. The lower groove portion 17B is located below the upper groove portion 17A and extends in the front-rear direction, and is formed shorter in the front-rear direction than the upper groove portion 17A. The rear end of the lower groove portion 17B opens toward the receiving recess 16 at the same position as the rear end of the upper groove portion 17A and is connected to the receiving recess 16. The front end is located rearward of the front end of the upper groove portion 17A and is connected to the front groove portion. 17C. As already described, the front groove portion 17C extends to the front end and the lower end of the terminal holding portion 12 and is opened forward and downward to communicate with the outside. Terminal holding grooves 17 adjacent to each other in the connector width direction are separated by partition walls extending parallel to the terminal holding grooves 17 .

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , in the upper part of the housing 10 , the upper surface of the terminal holding part 12 is located below the upper surface of the fitting part 11 , and is formed in the boundary area between the fitting part 11 and the terminal holding part 12 There is step part 10A. The step portion 10A is formed with an upper through hole 18 that penetrates the front portion of the fitting portion 11 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the upper through holes 18 are formed at a plurality of locations (five locations in FIG. 2 ) in the width direction of the connector, and allow the inner connection portion 63 of the upper inner shield portion 60 to be described later to be inserted from behind. .

As shown in FIG. 3(A) and FIG. 4 , in the lower part of the housing 10 , the lower surface of the terminal holding part 12 is located above the lower surface of the fitting part 11 , and between the fitting part 11 and the terminal holding part 12 A step portion 10B is formed in the boundary area. As shown in FIG. 4 , in this stepped portion 10B, a lower through hole 19 is formed that opens rearward and downward (in the upper direction (Z2 direction) in FIG. 4 ). The space located below the terminal holding portion 12 (in the upper direction (Z2 direction) in FIG. 4 ) and the receiving recessed portion 16 are connected through the lower through hole 19 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower through holes 19 are formed at a plurality of places (six places in FIG. 4 ) in the width direction of the connector corresponding to the leg portions 72 of the lower shield plate 70 to be described later, and are formed from the rear side. Accept the leg 72.

The shielding plate installed on the casing 10 includes: an upper shielding plate 40 that is installed on the casing 10 at a position far away from the circuit board B; and a lower shielding plate 70 that is installed on the casing 10 at a position close to the circuit board B. . In addition, the upper shield plate 40 has an upper outer shield portion 50 that covers the outer surface (upper surface and front surface) of the terminal holding portion 12 of the housing 10 and an upper inner shield portion 60 that covers the housing. The upper inner wall surface of the receiving recess 16 of the body 10 is covered.

The upper outer shield portion 50 is produced by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction so that the overall shape when viewed in the connector width direction becomes a substantially L-shape. The upper outer shield part 50 has: an upper plate part 51 extending along the upper surface of the terminal holding part 12; a front plate part 52 extending along the front surface of the terminal holding part 12; and a front ground part 53. It is formed by bending forward from the lower end of the front plate portion 52 . The upper outer shield part 50 covers almost the entire area of the upper surface of the terminal holding part 12 with the upper plate part 51 , and covers almost the entire area of the front surface of the terminal holding part 12 with the front plate part 52 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the upper plate portion 51 has a plurality of positions (five positions in FIG. 2 ) corresponding to the upper through-hole 18 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction. The rear end portion is bent in the plate thickness direction to form an outer connection portion 51A (see also FIG. 3(A) ) such that it becomes a crank shape when viewed in the connector width direction. As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the outer connecting portion 51A is located above the other portions of the upper plate portion 51 and forms an upper inner portion between the outer connecting portion 51A and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12 for receiving from the rear, which will be described later. The gap between the inner connecting portion 63 of the shielding portion 60 . The lower surface of the outer connection portion 51A comes into contact with the upper surface of the inner connection portion 63 , thereby achieving electrical conduction between the upper outer shield portion 50 and the upper inner shield portion 60 (see FIG. 3(A) ).

As shown in FIG. 5 , the lower portion of the front plate portion 52 is cut rearward at a plurality of locations (five locations in FIG. 4 ) in the connector width direction to form retaining parts. Sheet 52A. When the upper outer shield part 50 is attached to the terminal holding part 12 from the front, the held piece 52A is pressed in from the front and held in a holding hole (not shown) formed in the terminal holding part 12 as will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 5 , two front ground portions 53 are provided at each position corresponding to the outer connection portion 51A in the connector width direction. As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the front ground portion 53 is located at the same height as the connection portions 22A and 32A of the male terminals 20 and 30 and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion on the mounting surface of the circuit board B. Ground.

The upper inner shield part 60 and the upper outer shield part 50 are independent of each other and are produced by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction. As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 3 , the upper inner shielding portion 60 is positioned in the receiving recess 16 of the housing 10 along the upper inner wall surface of the inner wall surfaces forming the receiving recess 16 . and covers almost the entire area of the inner wall.

The upper inner shield portion 60 has a plurality of upper long shield contact pieces 61 and upper short shield contact pieces 62 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “upper shield contact pieces 61, 62” as necessary). Arranged and formed in the direction; a plurality of internal connecting portions 63 formed at the front end of the upper inner shielding portion 60 ; and a plurality of mounting pieces formed at the rear end of the upper inner shielding portion 60 .

The upper long shield contact pieces 61 and the upper short shield contact pieces 62 are formed to be alternately arranged in the connector width direction. The upper long shield contact piece 61 and the upper short shield contact piece 62 are formed by cutting the upper inner shield portion 60 as shown in FIG. It is formed into a cantilever-shaped elastic piece that extends obliquely downward and is elastically displaceable in the up-and-down direction (plate thickness direction). In addition, the upper short shield contact piece 62 is formed shorter in the front-rear direction than the upper long shield contact piece 61 . The rear end portions of the upper shield contact pieces 61 and 62 are respectively provided with contact portions protruding downward for use with an upper portion provided in the female connector R (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 ), which will be described later. The side shield plates 110 are in contact.

The inner connection portion 63 is formed by connecting the upper inner shield portion 60 to a position corresponding to the upper through hole 18 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction, as shown in FIG. 3(A) . The front end is bent into a crank shape. As shown in (A) of FIG. 3 , the inner connection portion 63 is located below the other portions of the upper inner shield portion 60 , penetrates the upper through hole 18 of the housing 10 from the rear, and enters the upper outer side from the rear. The gap between the outer connecting portion 51A of the shield portion 50 and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12 . The upper surface of the inner connecting portion 63 located in the above-mentioned gap is in contact with the lower surface of the outer connecting portion 51A.

The mounting piece is provided in a plurality of locations (four locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the upper mounting groove 13A of the housing 10 in the connector width direction by bending the rear end portion of the upper inner shield portion 60 into a crank shape. formed into shape. The upper inner shield part 60 is mounted on the fitting part 11 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1 ) by pressing the mounting piece into the upper mounting groove 13A from behind.

The lower shield plate 70 is produced by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction. The lower shield plate 70 has: a lower inner shield portion 71 , which is positioned in the receiving recess 16 of the housing 10 along the inner wall surface of the lower side of the receiving recess 16 and covers almost the entire area of the inner wall surface; a plurality of Legs 72 that are bent into a crank shape and extend from the front edge of the lower inner shield portion 71 and a plurality of mounting tabs that are bent and extend from the rear edge of the lower inner shield portion 71 .

The lower inner shield portion 71 has a shape in which the above-described upper inner shield portion 60 is inverted vertically. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1 , in the lower inner shield portion 71 , the lower long shield contact piece 75 and the lower short shield contact piece 76 (hereinafter collectively referred to as necessary as necessary) are elastic pieces that can be elastically displaced in the up and down direction. ("lower shield contact pieces 75, 76") are alternately positioned and arranged in the connector width direction (see also FIG. 3(A)). The lower shield contact pieces 75 and 76 themselves also have a shape in which the upper shield contact pieces 61 and 62 of the upper inner shield portion 60 are inverted vertically. The lower shield contact pieces 75 and 76 can elastically contact the lower shield plate 140 provided in the female connector R (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 ) by using the contact portion formed at the rear end.

The leg portions 72 are provided at a plurality of locations (six locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the lower through-hole 19 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction (see FIG. 4 ). The leg portion 72 is formed by bending the front end portion of the upper inner shield portion 60 into a crank shape. The leg portion 72 has a rear ground portion 72A that is positioned at the rear portion of the terminal holding portion 12 along the mounting surface of the circuit board B and extends forward (see also FIG. 4 ), and the leg portion 72 uses this rear portion. The ground portion 72A is grounded to the mounting surface.

The mounting pieces are provided at a plurality of locations (four locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the lower mounting groove 14A of the housing 10 in the connector width direction, and are formed in a crank shape from the rear edge of the lower inner shield portion 71 formed by bending. The lower shield plate 70 is mounted on the fitting portion 11 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1 ) by pressing the mounting piece into the lower mounting groove 14A from the rear.

The male connector 1 with the above structure is assembled according to the following essentials. First, the lower male terminal 30 is inserted into the terminal holding groove 17 of the housing 10 from the front, and the lateral portion 31 of the lower male terminal 30 is pressed into the lower groove portion 17B of the terminal holding groove 17, so that the lower The side male terminal 30 is mounted to the housing 10 . Next, the upper male terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal holding groove 17 of the housing 10 from the front, and the lateral portion 21 of the upper male terminal 20 is pressed into the upper groove portion 17A of the terminal holding groove 17, thereby The upper male terminal 20 is mounted to the housing 10 . In this way, when the male terminals 20 and 30 are installed in the housing 10, the contact portions 23 and 33 of the male terminals 20 and 30 are arranged in the receiving recess 16 of the housing 10.

Next, the held piece 52A of the upper outer shield part 50 is pressed into the holding hole (not shown) of the terminal holding part 12 of the housing 10 from the front, thereby attaching the upper outer shield part 50 to the terminal holding part. 12. When the upper outer shield portion 50 is attached, a gap is formed between the outer connection portion 51A of the upper outer shield portion 50 and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 12 .

Next, the mounting piece of the upper inner shield part 60 is pressed into the upper mounting groove 13A of the housing 10 from the rear, thereby mounting the upper inner shield part 60 to the fitting part 11 of the housing 10 . When the upper inner shield part 60 is mounted on the fitting part 11, the inner connection part 63 of the upper inner shield part 60 penetrates the upper through hole 18 of the housing 10 from the rear and enters the outer connection part 51A and the terminal holding part. The gap between the upper surfaces of the outer connection portion 51A is in contact with the lower surface of the external connection portion 51A and enables electrical conduction. In addition, the portion of the upper inner shielding portion 60 located within the receiving recess 16 is positioned along the upper inner wall surface of the receiving recess 16 and covers the inner wall surface.

Next, the mounting piece of the lower shield plate 70 is pressed into the lower mounting groove 14A of the housing 10 from the rear, thereby mounting the lower shield plate 70 to the fitting portion 11 of the housing 10 (see FIG. 1 ). When the lower shield plate 70 is installed on the fitting portion 11 , the lower inner shield portion 71 of the lower shield plate 70 is positioned along the lower inner wall surface of the receiving recess 16 and covers the inner wall surface. At this time, the leg portion 72 of the lower shield plate 70 is brought outside the lower through hole 19 through the lower through hole 19 of the housing 10 to a position where it can be soldered to the circuit board B.

In this way, the upper male terminal 20 , the lower male terminal 30 , the upper outer shield 50 , the upper inner shield 60 and the lower shield plate 70 are mounted to the housing 10 , thereby completing the male connector 1 . In this embodiment, although the upper outer shield part 50 , the upper inner shield part 60 , and the lower shield plate 70 are installed to the housing 10 in this order, the order of installation is not limited to this, and any installation may be performed first. One, additionally, can also be installed simultaneously.

Next, the structure of the female connector 2 will be described. As already described, the female connector 2 is fitted and connected to the male connector P (illustrated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) as a counterpart connector from the front (X1 side).

As shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 , 4 and 5 , the female connector 2 has a housing 80 made of an electrically insulating material and generally in a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and a plurality of metal upper female terminals 90 and metal lower female terminals 100 , which are arranged and held in the housing 80 ; and metal upper shield plates 110 and lower shield plates 140 , which are installed in the housing 80 . Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish the upper female terminal 90 and the lower female terminal 100 , they are collectively referred to as “female terminals 90 and 100 ”.

The front part (the part on the X1 side) of the housing 80 is formed as a fitting part 81 for fitting with the male connector P as the mating connector, and the rear part (the part on the The terminal holding portion 82 holds the head terminals 90 and 100 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the housing 80 has an upper wall 83 and a lower wall 84 that are opposed in the connector height direction (up and down direction (Z-axis direction)) and extend in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). ; and a pair of end walls 85 that extend in the up and down direction at both ends of the fitting portion 81 in the connector width direction, and connect the ends of the upper wall 83 and the lower wall 84 .

As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 3 , the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 82 is located at the same height as the upper surface of the fitting portion 81 , but the lower surface is located above the lower surface of the fitting portion 81 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , the outer surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) located at both ends of the terminal holding portion 82 in the connector width direction are located further in the connector width direction than the outer surfaces of the fitting portion 81 . On the outside.

The terminal holding part 12 has a connecting member holding part 82A recessed from the outer surface. The connecting member holding portion 82A extends in the front-rear direction and is open toward the rear (X2 direction) and outward in the connector width direction, and accommodates and press-fits a front held portion 152 of the connecting member 150 described later. The connecting member holding portion 82A has a shape in which the connecting member holding portion 12A of the male connector 1 described above is inverted in the front-rear direction, and has an upper groove portion 82A-1 and a lower portion like the connecting member holding portion 12A. Groove portion 82A-2.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , the housing 80 has: one transverse partition wall 86 extending in the connector width direction at a central position in the up-down direction and connecting the inner wall surfaces of the end walls 85 to each other; and a plurality of vertical partition walls. 87, which extend in the up and down direction at multiple positions in the width direction of the connector, and connect the inner wall surfaces of the upper wall 83 and the lower wall 84 to each other. The space surrounded by the peripheral wall formed by the upper wall 83, the lower wall 84, and the two end walls 85 is partitioned into a plurality of small spaces by the one transverse partition wall 86 and the plurality of vertical partition walls 87. This small space is formed into two levels in the vertical direction and 13 rows in the connector width direction.

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the small space penetrates the housing 80 in the front-rear direction. Among the plurality of small spaces, the small space located on the upper level becomes the upper hole part 88A of the terminal accommodating part 88 which will be described later, and the small space located on the lower level becomes the lower hole part 88B of the terminal accommodating part 88 which will be described later. The upper hole portion 88A accommodates a later-described horizontal portion of the upper female terminal 90 , and the lower hole portion 88B accommodates a later-described horizontal portion of the lower female terminal 100 (see FIG. 3(A) ).

As shown in FIG. 2 , the upper wall 83 is formed at a plurality of locations (five locations in this embodiment) in the connector width direction from the front end portion (the end portion on the X1 side) of the upper wall 83 . The upper mounting groove 83A is recessed in the surface. This upper mounting groove 83A opens upward (Z1 direction) and forward (X1 direction), and as will be described later, holds the mounting piece 134 of the upper front shield portion 130 pressed in from the front (see FIG. 3 (A)).

As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower wall 84 is formed at a plurality of locations (five locations in this embodiment) corresponding to the upper mounting groove 83A in the connector width direction from the front end portion (X1 The lower side mounting groove 84A is recessed in the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 4 ) of the side end). The housing 80 uses the lower mounting groove 84A to hold the mounting piece 143 of the lower shield plate 140 pressed in from the front as will be described later (see FIG. 3(A) ).

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the housing 80 has a terminal accommodating portion 88 for accommodating and holding the female terminals 90 and 100 .

Before describing the shape of the terminal accommodating portion 88 , first, the shapes of the female terminals 90 and 100 held by the terminal accommodating portion 88 will be described. The upper female terminal 90 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the connector width direction, it has a transverse portion extending in the front-rear direction and a vertical portion extending in the up-down direction, and the overall shape is approximately It has a horizontal L shape and is stored in the terminal receiving portion 88 . The upper female terminal 90 has a pair of elastic arm portions 91 at the front end of the lateral portion, and a connecting portion 92 located outside the housing 80 at the lower end of the vertical portion.

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the pair of elastic arm portions 91 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction and are elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. The pair of two elastic arm portions 91 are inclined and extended so as to approach each other toward the front, and are bent so as to be inclined in a direction away from each other at their front ends. The bent portion of the front end portion, that is, the portions protruding so as to approach each other, serve as contact protrusions capable of contacting the contact portion 23 of the upper male terminal 20 . The distance between the contact protrusions in the vertical direction is smaller than the vertical dimension of the contact portion 23 of the upper male terminal 20 . In the connector mating state, the pair of contact protrusions face the upper male terminal 20 in the vertical direction. The contact portion 23 is pressed.

The connecting portion 92 is formed by bending the lower end portion of the vertical portion at a right angle in the plate thickness direction, and is located below the lower surface of the terminal holding portion 82 of the housing 80 (see also FIG. 4 ). When the female connector 2 is arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board B, the connecting portion 92 is in such a manner that the lower surface of the connecting portion 92 (a plate surface perpendicular to the up-down direction) is in surface contact with the mounting surface. Position it and solder it to the corresponding circuit part on the assembly surface.

The lower female terminal 100 has a shape in which the lateral portion and the vertical portion of the upper female terminal 90 have been shortened respectively. Like the upper female terminal 90, the lower female terminal 100 has a pair of elastic arm portions 101 on one end side. And it has the connection part 102 on the other end side. As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the pair of elastic arm parts 101 is located in the lower hole part 88B of the terminal receiving part 88 . In the connector mating state, the pair of elastic arm parts 101 use a pair of contact protrusions to move up and down. The contact portion 33 of the lower male terminal 30 is clamped in the direction. As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the connecting portion 102 is located at the same height position as the connecting portion 92 of the upper female terminal 90 and is located in front of the connecting portion 92 (see also FIG. 4 ).

Return to the description of the terminal accommodating portion 88 . As shown in FIG. 3(A) , the terminal accommodating portion 88 has an upper hole portion 88A that accommodates the lateral portion of the upper female terminal 90 and a lower hole portion 88B that accommodates the lateral portion of the lower female terminal 100 . and a rear groove portion 88C (see FIG. 4 ) that receives the vertical portion of the upper female terminal 90 and the vertical portion of the lower female terminal 100. The upper hole portion 88A and the lower hole portion 88B are arranged in parallel with each other, extend in the front-rear direction, and penetrate the housing 80 . The rear groove portion 88C has a slit shape extending from the rear end side portion of the housing 80 to the rear end and the lower end of the terminal holding portion 82, and communicates the upper hole portion 88A and the lower hole portion 88B with the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3(A) , in the lower part of the housing 80 , the lower surface of the terminal holding part 82 is located below the lower surface of the fitting part 81 , and is formed in the boundary area between the fitting part 81 and the terminal holding part 82 There is a step portion 80A (see also FIG. 4 ). As shown in FIG. 4 , in this stepped portion 80A, a recess 80B for accommodating the leg portion 142 of the lower shield plate 140 is formed, opening forward and downward.

The shielding plate installed on the casing 80 includes: an upper shielding plate 110 that is installed on the casing 80 at a position far away from the circuit board B; and a lower shielding plate 140 that is installed on the casing 80 at a position close to the circuit board B. . In addition, the upper shield plate 110 has an upper rear shield portion 120 that covers the outer surface (upper surface and rear surface) of the terminal holding portion 82 of the housing 80 , and an upper front shield portion 130 that covers the housing. The upper surface of the fitting portion 81 of the body 80 is covered.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 , the upper rear shield portion 120 has substantially the same shape as the upper outer shield portion 50 of the male connector 1 , and is oriented so as to face the upper outer shield portion in the front-rear direction. 50, it is attached to the terminal holding portion 82 of the housing 80 from the rear. In this embodiment, the portion of the upper rear shield 120 that corresponds to the upper outer shield 50 is denoted by adding “70” to the reference numeral of the upper outer shield 50 . Mark and omit description.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5 , the upper front shield portion 130 has a shape in which the upper shield contact pieces 61 and 62 of the upper inner shield portion 60 of the male connector 1 are omitted. The upper front shield part 130 is attached to the fitting part 81 of the housing 80 from the front in an attitude facing the opposite side to the upper inner shield part 60 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the portion of the upper front shield 130 that corresponds to the upper inner shield 60 is denoted by adding “70” to the reference numeral of the upper inner shield 60 . Mark and omit description.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 , the lower shield plate 140 has a shape in which the lower shield contact pieces 75 and 76 of the lower shield plate 70 of the male connector 1 are omitted. The lower shield plate 140 is attached to the fitting portion 81 of the housing 80 from the front in an attitude facing the opposite side to the lower shield plate 70 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the portions of the lower shield plate 140 that correspond to the lower shield plate 70 are denoted by adding “70” to the reference numerals of the lower shield plate 70 and are omitted. illustrate.

The female connector 2 with the above structure is assembled according to the following essentials. First, the lower female terminal 100 is attached to the housing 80 by pressing the lateral portion of the lower female terminal 100 into the upper hole 88A of the terminal accommodating portion 88 from behind. Next, the lateral portion of the upper female terminal 90 is pressed into the lower hole portion 88B of the terminal accommodating portion 88 , thereby attaching the upper female terminal 90 to the housing 80 .

Next, the retained piece (not shown) of the upper rear shield part 120 is pressed into the holding hole (not shown) of the terminal holding part 82 of the housing 80 from the rear, so that the upper rear shield part 120 is Attached to the terminal holding part 82. When the upper rear shield 120 is attached, a gap is formed between the external connection portion 121A of the upper rear shield 120 and the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 82 .

Next, the mounting piece 134 of the upper front shield 130 is pressed into the upper mounting groove 83A of the housing 80 from the front, thereby mounting the upper front shield 130 to the fitting portion 81 of the housing 80 (see FIG. 3 of(A)). When the upper front shield part 130 is attached to the fitting part 81, as shown in (A) of FIG. There is a gap therebetween, so that it is in contact with the lower surface of the external connection portion 121A and can be electrically conductive.

Next, the mounting piece 143 of the lower shield plate 140 is pressed into the lower mounting groove 84A of the housing 80 from the rear, so that the lower shield plate 140 is mounted to the fitting portion 81 of the housing 80 (see ( in FIG. 3 ) A)). When the lower shield plate 140 is attached to the fitting portion 81 , the lower shield portion 141 of the lower shield plate 140 is positioned along the lower surface of the fitting portion 81 and covers the lower surface. At this time, the leg portion 142 of the lower shield plate 140 is located below the lower surface of the fitting portion 81 and reaches a position where it can be soldered to the circuit board B.

In this way, the upper female terminal 90 , the lower female terminal 100 , the upper rear shield 120 , the upper front shield 130 , and the lower shield plate 140 are mounted to the housing 80 , thereby completing the female connector 2 . In this embodiment, although the upper rear shield part 120 , the upper front shield part 130 and the lower shield plate 140 are installed to the housing 80 in this order, the order of installation is not limited to this, and any installation may be performed first. One, additionally, can also be installed simultaneously.

The connecting member 150 is made of a metal plate, and is produced by punching a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction and performing a press process on a part thereof. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the connecting member 150 extends in the longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) across both connectors 1 and 2 , and is in contact with the connector in the thickness direction of the connecting member 150 . One connector is provided on both sides of the two connectors 1 and 2 in the connector width direction in the same posture in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 6(A) , the connecting member 150 is symmetrical in both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction with respect to the center position in the front-rear direction, and has a rear held portion 151 located on the rear end side in the front-rear direction. (the Extends upward and downward.

The rear held portion 151 has an upper edge portion 151A and a lower edge portion 151B extending in the front-rear direction, press-fit portions 151C and 151D (large press-fit portion 151C and small press-fit portion 151D to be described later) and a fulcrum portion 151E. The upper edge portion 151A and the lower edge portion 151B respectively protrude.

Since the rear held portion 151 has a vertically symmetrical shape, the press-fit portions 151C and 151D and the fulcrum portion 151E will be described for each portion provided on the upper edge portion 151A side, and the description of each portion provided for the lower edge portion 151B side will be omitted.

When the rear held portion 151 is pressed into the connecting member holding portion 12A of the male connector 1, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the pressing portions 151C and 151D are engaged with the upper side of the connecting member holding portion 12A. The inner wall surface (a surface perpendicular to the up-down direction) prevents the rear held portion 151 from falling off (see also FIG. 7 ). The press-fitting parts 151C and 151D are positioned apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and as shown in FIG. 6(A) , have a large press-fitting part 151C, which is positioned close to the extension part 153 in the front-rear direction, and a small press-fitting part 151D. , it is positioned rearward (in the X2 direction) of the large press-fitting portion 151C and close to the rear end of the rear held portion 151 .

As shown in FIG. 6(A) , the press fitting portions 151C and 151D have a substantially triangular shape having an inclined edge that inclines downward toward the rear when viewed in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). The small press-in part 151D is lower than the large press-in part 151C, that is, it is formed smaller in the up-down direction. In addition, the press-fitting portions 151C and 151D are press-processed from the Y2 side in the plate thickness direction (connector width direction (Y-axis direction)), and are formed farther back than the Y2 side as shown in FIGS. 6(B) and (C) . The other portions of the held portion 151 are thin. In this way, by making the press-fitting parts 151C and 151D thin, the press-fitting parts 151C and 151D can be easily engaged with the inner wall surface of the connecting member holding part 12A.

As will be described later, when the connecting member 150 changes from the normal posture (see FIG. 3(B) ) that is not tilted with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) to the tilted posture (see FIG. 7 ), the fulcrum portion 151E serves as the connecting member. The inner wall surface of the component holding portion 12A functions as a fulcrum in sliding contact. This fulcrum part 151E is located at the rear end part of the rear held part 151, that is, behind the small press-fit part 151D, and is located at a position separated from the small press-fit part 151D. As shown in (A) of FIG. 6 , the fulcrum portion 151E has a substantially triangular shape when viewed in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), but has an edge portion that is inclined so as to approach downward toward the rear. It becomes an arc-shaped arc portion 151E-1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(A) , the arc portions 151E-1 of the two fulcrum portions 151E located at the upper and lower portions of the rear end portion of the rear held portion 151 are located at the upper and lower portions of the rear held portion 151 . The position close to the rear end has a common center P1 (illustrated by a "+" mark in (A) of FIG. 6 ).

The front held portion 152 has a shape obtained by inverting the already described rear held portion 151 in the front-rear direction. The front held portion 152 is denoted by a reference numeral obtained by adding "1" to the reference numeral of the rear held portion 151 , and description thereof is omitted. In addition, in FIG. 6(A) , the common center P2 of the arc portion 152E-1 of the two fulcrum portions 152E is shown with a “+” mark.

As shown in FIG. 3(B) and FIG. 7 , the extension portion 153 extends in the up-down direction to the outside of the connecting member holding portions 12A and 82A of the two connectors 1 and 2 , and its plate thickness surface is in contact with the male connector 1 The front surface of and the rear surface of the female connector 2 are opposite. In other words, the extended portion 153 is positioned so as to be in contact with both connectors 1 and 2 in the front-rear direction, thereby preventing the held portions 151 and 152 from being excessively pressed into the connecting member holding portions 12A and 82A.

The connector assembly according to this embodiment is assembled according to the following procedures. First, the rear held portion 151 of the connecting member 150 is pressed into the connecting member holding portion 12A of the housing 10 of the male connector 1 from the front. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3(B) and FIG. 7 , the pressing portions 151C and 151D of the rear held portion 151 are engaged with the inner wall surface of the connecting member holding portion 12A, whereby the rear held portion 151 is connected. The component holding part 12A holds. At this time, the large press-fitting part 151C is engaged with the inner wall surface of the front half of the upper groove part 12A-1 and the lower groove part 12A-2 of the connecting member holding part 12A, and the small press-fitted part 151D is engaged with the upper groove part 12A-1 and the lower groove part 12A-2. The inner wall surface of the rear half of the groove portion 12A-2. In addition, a part of the arc portion 151E-1 of the fulcrum portion 151E is in contact with the inner wall surface of the rear half of the connecting member holding portion 12A. In addition, a gap is formed in the vertical direction between the upper edge portion 151A and the lower edge portion 151B of the rear held portion 151 and the inner wall surface of the connecting member holding portion 12A.

Next, in the same manner as the rear held portion 151 described above, the front held portion 152 of the connecting member 150 is press-fitted from the rear toward the connecting member holding portion 82A of the housing 80 of the female connector 2 . As a result, the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are connected by the connecting member 150, thereby completing the connector connection body.

Here, although the connecting member 150 is installed to the female connector 2 after being installed to the male connector 1, the order of installation is not limited to this. It may be installed to the female connector 2 first, or it may be installed to both connectors. 1 and 2 are installed at the same time.

Next, the fitting connection operation of the connector coupling bodies will be described. First, the assembled connector coupling body is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board B. Specifically, the connection portions 22A and 32A of the male terminals 20 and 30 provided in the male connector 1, the front ground portion 53 of the upper outer shield portion 50, and the rear ground portion 72A of the lower shield plate 70 are soldered. Connect to the corresponding circuit part on the mounting surface of circuit board B. In addition, the connection portions 92 and 102 of the female terminals 90 and 100 provided in the female connector 2, the rear ground portion 123 of the upper rear shield portion 120, and the front ground portion 142A of the lower shield plate 140 are soldered to Corresponding circuit portion on the mounting surface of circuit board B. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned "connection parts 22A, 32A", "front ground part 53", "rear ground part 72A", "connection parts 92, 102", "rear ground part 123", "front ground part 142A" are used as needed. ” collectively referred to as the “Solder Assembly Department”.

In this embodiment, even if it is assumed that due to a manufacturing error of the connector coupling, etc., a gap occurs between the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 and at the height position (position in the vertical direction) of the solder mounting portion. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 , the coupling member 150 is tilted with respect to the mounting surface of the circuit board, so that the above-described displacement can be dealt with, and a corresponding circuit formed on the mounting surface of one circuit board can be dealt with. The solder fitting parts of the two connectors 1 and 2 are arranged at the bottom and the solder connection is made.

When the connector coupling is completed, the coupling member 150 assumes a regular posture extending straight in the front-rear direction without inclining with respect to the mounting surface of the circuit board B (see FIG. 3(B) ). Assume that when the connecting member 150 is in the normal posture and the height positions of the solder fitting portions of the two connectors 1 and 2 are different, for example, when the solder fitting portion of the female connector 2 is higher than that of the male connector 1 When the solder fitting portion is shifted upward and positioned, first, the solder fitting portion of the male connector 1 located relatively below is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board B.

Next, the female connector 2 is moved downward so that the solder mounting portion of the female connector 2 reaches the same height position as the solder mounting portion of the male connector 1, that is, the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board B. Contact location. At this time, the connecting member 150 assumes an inclined posture as shown in FIG. 7 , that is, an inclined posture in which the front end of the connecting member 150 is located below the rear end, thereby allowing the downward movement of the female connector 2 . The connecting member 150 is allowed to move within the range of the vertical gap formed between the upper edge portions 151A and 152A and the lower edge portions 151B and 152B of the held portions 151 and 152 and the inner wall surfaces of the connecting member holding portions 12A and 82B. of tilt. In FIG. 7 , the inclination angle of the connecting member 150 with respect to the normal posture is represented by “θ”. Then, the solder mounting portion of the female connector 2 is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion, thereby completing the mounting of the connector assembly.

In this way, according to this embodiment, by connecting the electrical connectors with the connecting member, the two connectors 1 and 2 can be assembled substantially simultaneously and efficiently. In addition, the connectors of the two connectors 1 and 2 can be processed. By shifting in the height direction, the connecting portions of the terminals of the two connectors 1 and 2 and the grounding portion of the shield plate are arranged and soldered to corresponding circuit portions formed on the mounting surface of one circuit board.

When the connecting member 150 changes from the normal posture to the tilted posture, it displaces using the fulcrum portions 151E and 152E as fulcrums. At this time, focusing on the fulcrum portions 151E and 152E, each of the fulcrum portions 151E and 152E revolves around the center while being in sliding contact with the inner wall surfaces of the connecting member holding portions 12A and 82A using the arc portions 151E-1 and 151E-1. P1 and P2 rotate in the XZ plane. In the example of FIG. 7 , the upper fulcrum portion 151E of the rear held portion 151 and the lower fulcrum portion 152E of the front held portion 152 serve as fulcrums. However, the rear end side of the connecting member 150 is inclined in a downward manner. In this case, the fulcrum portion 151E on the lower side of the rear held portion 151 and the fulcrum portion 152E on the upper side of the front held portion 152 serve as fulcrums.

In this embodiment, as described above, the arc portions 151E-1 of the two fulcrum portions 151E have a common center P1, and the arc portions 152E-1 of the two fulcrum portions 152E have a common center P2. Therefore, the fulcrum portions 151E and 152E can rotate smoothly.

Next, prepare a plurality (for example, 2) of other connector combinations having the male connector P and the female connector R. In other words, prepare a plurality of other connector combinations having the male connector 1 and the female connector as described above. A connector connection body having the same structure as the connector connection body to which the head connector 2 is connected. Furthermore, in accordance with the same procedure as described for the connector coupling body having the male connector 1 and the female connector 2, those connector coupling bodies are respectively assembled to the corresponding circuit boards.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1 , the female connector R (illustrated by the two-dot chain line) that is the target connector provided in one of the two other connector couplings is male from the rear. Head connector 1 is fitted and connected. At this time, the receiving recess 16 of the male connector 1 receives the fitting portion of the female connector R, and the male terminals 80 and 90 of the male connector 1 are received by one of the corresponding female terminals of the female connector R. The elastic contact portion is clamped and electrically connected to the corresponding female terminal. In addition, the upper shield contact pieces 61 and 62 of the upper inner shield part 60 of the male connector 1 are in elastic contact with the upper surface of the upper front shield part of the female connector R, and the lower side of the male connector 1 The lower shield contact pieces 75 and 76 of the shield plate 70 are in elastic contact with the lower surface of the lower shield plate of the female connector R.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1 , the male connector P (illustrated by a two-dot chain line) that is the target connector provided in the other of the two other connector couplings is directed toward the female connector from the front. The header connector 2 is mated and connected. At this time, the male connector P and the female connector 2 are fitted and connected in the same manner as described for the male connector 1 and the female connector R.

In this embodiment, the connecting member 150 has a plate shape, but the shape of the connecting member is not limited to this and can be formed in various shapes. In addition, in this embodiment, although the connecting member 150 is made of metal, the material of the connecting member is not limited thereto. For example, it may be an electrically insulating material such as resin.

Although the press-fitting portions 151C, 151D, 152C, and 152D of the connecting member 150 are formed to be thinner than other portions of the connecting member 150, the press-fitting portions do not necessarily need to be thin as long as the press-fitting portions are formed to sufficiently engage the inside of the connecting member holding portion. The shape of the wall surface may be formed to have the same thickness as the other parts of the connecting member.

In this embodiment, the connecting member 150 is independently formed with press-fitted portions having different heights, that is, a large press-fitted portion and a small press-fitted portion. However, instead of this, press-fitted portions with the same height may be formed. In addition, in this embodiment, although two press-fitting parts are provided at each edge of the connecting member 150, the number of press-fitting parts is not limited to this, and may be one, or may be three or more.

In this embodiment, the connector connection body is configured by connecting the male connector 1 and the female connector 2. However, the combination of connected connectors is not limited to this. For example, the male connector may be connected. Connect connectors to each other, or connect female connectors to each other to form a connector connection. In addition, in the present embodiment, the embodiment has been described in which the present invention is applied to a connector connection in which a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board is used as the connection direction to the mating connector. However, the present invention may also be used, for example. It can be applied to a connector connection body in which a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board is used as the connection direction to the mating connector. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a connector assembly in which connectors mounted on a mounting surface of one circuit board are connected to each other.

Claims (4)

1. A connector connection structure that connects two electrical connectors that are adjacent to each other on the mounting surface of one circuit board and assembled by solder connection with each other using a connecting member, The connector connection structure is characterized by: The connecting member extends in a range spanning the two electrical connectors along the adjacent direction of the two electrical connectors, and has a held portion held by the corresponding electrical connector at both ends in the adjacent direction, The two electrical connectors have holding portions that are open in a direction facing each other in the adjacent direction, and receive and hold the held portion of the connecting member, The held portion of the connecting member has an edge portion extending in the adjacent direction at a position with a gap from the inner wall surface of the holding portion in a height direction of the connector that is perpendicular to the mounting surface. ; a press-fitting portion protruding from the edge portion in the height direction of the connector and snapping into the inner wall surface of the holding portion; and a fulcrum portion at a position separated from the press-fitting portion along the adjoining direction, It is in contact with the inner wall surface of the holding part and supported, The connecting member is allowed to incline relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap using the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum. 2. The connector connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting member is a metal plate member with the adjacent direction as the longitudinal direction, and the thickness direction of the connecting member is at right angles to both the adjacent direction and the connector height direction. , the connecting component is held on the holding portion of the electrical connector. 3. The connector connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The press-fitting portion of the connecting member is formed to have a smaller plate thickness than other portions of the connecting member. 4. A connector connection body formed by connecting two electrical connectors that are adjacent to each other on the mounting surface of one circuit board and assembled by solder connection by a connecting member, The connector assembly is characterized by: The connecting member extends in a range spanning the two electrical connectors along the adjacent direction of the two electrical connectors, and has a held portion held by the corresponding electrical connector at both ends in the adjacent direction, The two electrical connectors have holding portions that are open in a direction facing each other in the adjacent direction, and receive and hold the held portion of the connecting member, The held portion of the connecting member has an edge portion at a position with a gap between the edge portion and the inner wall surface of the holding portion in the height direction of the connector that is perpendicular to the mounting surface, and in the adjacent direction. extension; a press-fitting portion protruding from the edge portion in the height direction of the connector and snapping into the inner wall surface of the holding portion; and a fulcrum portion at a position separated from the press-fitting portion along the adjoining direction , in contact with the inner wall surface of the holding part and supported, The connecting member is allowed to incline relative to the mounting surface within the range of the gap using the fulcrum portion as a fulcrum.