JP2013232386A - Electric connector assembly and plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connector assembly which has a structure making a fitting part of a housing of the plug connector less likely to be damaged and includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector fitted in and connected with the receptacle connector, and to provide the plug connector forming one side of the assembly.SOLUTION: A plug connector 2 has a reinforcement metal fitting 60 attached to an end part of a fitted part in a terminal arrangement direction. The reinforcement metal fitting 60 includes: a base part 61 which is formed by bending a metal plate serving as one member and covers a lower surface of the end part of the fitted part with a plate surface arranged perpendicular to a connector insertion/removal direction with the fitted part of the plug connector 2 facing downward; a side plate part 63 covering both side surfaces of the end part with plate surfaces arranged in parallel with the terminal arrangement direction and the connector insertion/removal direction; and an end plate part covering an end surface of the end part with a plate surface arranged perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly having a receptacle connector arranged on a circuit board and a plug connector arranged on another circuit board and fitted and connected to the receptacle connector, and a plug connector forming one of the assemblies.

  This type of electrical connector assembly is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In Patent Document 1, the housing of the receptacle connector has a shape in which a peripheral wall standing from the bottom wall surrounds a protruding wall portion that stands up from the bottom wall facing the circuit board and extends in the terminal arrangement direction. A square annular space opened upward between the protruding wall portion and the peripheral wall is formed as a receiving space for receiving the fitting portion of the plug connector. On the other hand, the housing of the plug connector rises from the bottom wall facing the other circuit board, and forms a fitting portion with a peripheral wall having a shape suitable for the receiving space of the receptacle connector. The peripheral wall of the plug connector has two side walls extending in the terminal arrangement direction and two end walls extending in the connector width direction perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and connecting the ends of the two side walls. ing. Further, the fitting portion is formed with a groove-like space surrounded by the peripheral wall.

  At the time of connector fitting, the plug connector fitting portion is inserted into the receptacle connector receiving space from above, and the receptacle connector protruding wall portion is placed downward in the groove-shaped space surrounded by the plug connector fitting portion. It comes to enter from.

JP2004-241253A

  In the connector assembly of Patent Document 1, the fitting portion of the plug connector may receive an undesired external force when the connector is inserted or removed or in the connector fitting state. For example, when the plug connector is fitted to the receptacle connector from above, if the connectors are misaligned, the lower surface of the plug connector fitting portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the peripheral wall of the receptacle connector or the upper surface of the protruding wall portion. There is a risk of damage.

  In addition, the plug connector may be inserted and removed with a so-called squeeze that tends to be inclined with respect to the receptacle connector. As a result, the fitting portion of the plug connector is such that the side surface perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and the end surface perpendicular to the connector width direction are in contact with the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall forming the receptacle connector receiving space. The fitting portion may be damaged, for example, the side surface or the end surface may be scraped or the fitting portion may be destroyed due to excessive stress. Further, among the fitting portions, particularly, the end wall is easily damaged when it is in contact with the inner wall surface in two directions of the terminal arrangement direction and the connector width direction when the above-described positional deviation or twisting occurs. However, in Patent Document 1, since the end wall of the fitting portion of the plug connector does not have a configuration for resisting the external force, damage to the end wall and thus the housing cannot be prevented.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an electrical connector assembly having a receptacle connector and a plug connector that is fitted and connected to the receptacle connector, and an assembly of the assembly. It is an object to provide a plug connector that forms one side.

<First invention>
An electrical connector assembly according to the present invention includes a receptacle connector as a mating connector disposed on a mounting surface of a circuit board, and a vertical direction that is disposed on a mounting surface of another circuit board and is perpendicular to the mounting surface. An electrical connector assembly having a plug connector fitted and connected to the receptacle connector as a connector insertion / extraction direction, wherein the receptacle connector has a plurality of directions in which one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board is an array direction. The mating terminals are arranged and held in the receptacle housing, and the receptacle housing has a receiving space that opens upward so as to receive the plug connector, and the plug connector is connected to the receptacle in a connector fitting state. Multiple terminals connected to mating terminals provided on the connector are in the same direction as the above arrangement direction Together are arranged and held in the plug housing, the plug housing has a fitting portion which is fitted to the receptacle connector formed receiving space.

  In such an electrical connector assembly, in the present invention, the plug connector has a reinforcing metal fitting attached to an end of the fitting portion in the arrangement direction, and the reinforcing metal fitting is a metal plate as one member. A base portion that is made by bending and covers the lower surface of the end portion of the fitting portion with a plate surface perpendicular to the connector insertion / extraction direction in a posture in which the fitting portion of the plug connector is directed downward; A side plate portion covering both side surfaces of the end portion with a plate surface parallel to both the arrangement direction and the connector insertion / extraction direction, and an end plate portion covering the end surface of the end portion with a plate surface perpendicular to the arrangement direction. It is characterized by having.

  In the present invention, the reinforcing metal fitting attached to the end portion of the fitting portion of the plug connector covers the lower surface, both side surfaces, and the end surface of the end portion of the fitting portion. Even if it abuts, the end portion is hardly damaged. Further, since the reinforcing metal fitting is made by bending a metal plate as one member, the strength of the reinforcing metal fitting itself is increased by this bent shape. As a result, the effect of preventing damage to the housing is further increased.

  In the first invention, the reinforcing metal fitting of the plug connector has a locking portion that can be elastically displaced in the thickness direction on at least one of the side plate portion and the end plate portion, and the plug housing includes a side surface of the end portion of the fitting portion and A step-like corresponding locking portion may be formed on at least one of the end faces, and the locking portion of the reinforcing metal fitting may be locked to the corresponding locking portion of the plug housing in the connector insertion / extraction direction.

  By locking the engaging portion of the reinforcing metal fitting and the stepped corresponding engaging portion of the plug housing in the connector insertion / extraction direction, the reinforcing metal fitting is not easily detached from the plug housing in the connector insertion / extraction direction. In addition, by forming the engaging portion on the reinforcing metal fitting and the corresponding engaging portion on the plug housing, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the plug housing. More specifically, for example, a slit-like holding groove parallel to both side surfaces of the end wall of the plug housing is formed in the end wall, and the held portion of the mating lock fitting is press-fitted into the holding groove. In the form of attachment, it is necessary to form a wall portion surrounding the holding groove with a sufficient thickness. As a result, the plug housing becomes large in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the plug housing. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the step-shaped corresponding locking portion is formed by cutting out part of both side surfaces of the end wall of the plug housing, it is not necessary to form the holding groove as described above, and the width The plug housing does not increase in size in the direction and the longitudinal direction. Moreover, since the said corresponding latching | locking part is a simple shape, formation is also easy.

  In the first invention, according to the present invention, the plug connector includes a groove that extends in the arrangement direction of the terminals on the lower surface of the end portion of the fitting portion, and the groove portion at a position where the base portion of the reinforcing metal fitting corresponds to the groove portion. The receptacle connector includes a slit portion extending in the arrangement direction, and the receptacle housing protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the receiving space at the end portion in the arrangement direction, and has the same width as the groove portion and the slit portion. And has a protrusion extending in the arrangement direction, and when the connector is fitted, the protrusion of the receptacle connector penetrates the slit of the plug connector and enters the groove. It is good to be.

  When the protrusion of the receptacle connector penetrates the slit portion of the plug connector and enters the groove portion in the connector fitting state, even if external force such as vibration is received in this connector fitting state, The movement of the protruding portion in the connector width direction is regulated by the wall surface and the edge of the slit portion. As a result, the shift between the connectors in the connector width direction can be prevented. In particular, the edge portion of the slit portion is a part of a reinforcing metal fitting that is a metal member and has high strength, so that the effect of regulation is improved accordingly.

<Second invention>
The plug connector according to the present invention is inserted into and removed from the receptacle connector as a mating connector arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board, in the vertical direction that is arranged on the mounting surface of another circuit board and is perpendicular to the mounting surface. A plug connector that is fitted and connected from above as a direction, and a plurality of terminals that are connected to mating terminals provided in the receptacle connector in a connector-fitted state are parallel to the mounting surface of the other circuit board. The plug housing is arranged and held in one direction as an arrangement direction, and the plug housing has a fitting portion to be fitted from above into a receiving space formed in the receptacle connector.

  In the plug connector, in the present invention, the plug connector has a reinforcing metal fitting attached to an end of the fitting portion in the arrangement direction, and the reinforcing metal fitting is formed by bending a metal plate as one member. A base portion that covers the lower surface of the end portion of the fitting portion with a plate surface perpendicular to the connector insertion / extraction direction in a posture in which the fitting portion of the plug connector is directed downward, and the arrangement direction and It has a side plate portion that covers both side surfaces of the end portion with a plate surface parallel to both the connector insertion / extraction direction, and an end plate portion that covers the end surface of the end portion with a plate surface perpendicular to the arrangement direction. It is characterized by having.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the reinforcing metal fitting is attached to the end portion of the fitting portion of the housing of the plug connector so as to cover the lower surface, both side surfaces, and the end surface of the end portion. Damage to the part can be prevented. Further, the reinforcing metal fitting is made by bending a metal plate as one member, and the strength of the reinforcing metal fitting itself is increased, so that the effect of preventing damage to the housing is greater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows the whole receptacle connector and plug connector in embodiment of this invention, (A) is shown in the attitude | position which faced the receiving space of both connectors, (B) is a fitting of both connectors Shown in the previous posture. It is a perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1, and has shown the state before mounting | wearing with the other party lock metal fitting. It is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1, and has shown the state before mounting | wearing with a locking metal fitting. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mating lock fitting of the receptacle connector of FIG. 2 and a lock fitting of the plug connector of FIG. 3, wherein (A) shows a state before connector fitting, and (B) shows a locked state after connector fitting. Yes. It is a figure which shows the other party metal fitting of the receptacle connector of FIG. 4 before connector fitting, and the lock metal fitting of a plug connector, (A) is VA-VA sectional drawing of FIG. 4 (A), (B) is FIG. ) Is a VB arrow view. It is a figure which shows the other party locking metal fitting of the receptacle connector of FIG. 4 in the locked state after connector fitting, and the locking metal fitting of a plug connector, (A) is VIA-VIA sectional drawing of FIG. 4 (B), (B) is a figure. It is a VIB arrow directional view of 4 (B). It is sectional drawing in the position of the edge part of a receptacle connector and a plug connector in a terminal arrangement direction, (A) is a cross section in the state before connector fitting, (B) has shown the cross section in a connector fitting state. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a receptacle connector and a plug connector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 (A) shows a posture with the receiving space of both connectors facing upward, and FIG. 1 (B) shows both connectors. The posture is shown immediately before the mating. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 and shows a state before the mounting of the lock fitting. In FIG. 2, the receptacle connector of FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown upside down. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1 and shows a state before the mounting of the lock fitting.

  The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 in the present embodiment are circuit board connectors arranged on mounting surfaces of different circuit boards (not shown), respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the surface of each circuit board (see FIG. 1 (A) and 1 (B) constitutes a connector assembly having an insertion / extraction direction.

  Prior to the description of the plug connector 2, the receptacle connector 1 as a mating connector will be described first. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the receptacle connector 1 includes a receptacle housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and the receptacle housing 10 in two rows with the longitudinal direction of the receptacle housing 10 as an arrangement direction. A plurality of terminals 20 held in an array “hereinafter referred to as“ mating terminals 20 ”and two lock fittings 30 held at both ends of the receptacle housing 10 in the longitudinal direction are hereinafter referred to as“ mating lock fittings 30 ”. And so on. The receptacle connector 1 is arranged and mounted on a circuit board in the posture shown in FIGS.

  The receptacle housing 10 is made of, for example, an electrical insulating material such as resin, and extends in one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as a longitudinal direction (terminal arrangement direction). The receptacle housing 10 has a bottom wall 11 parallel to the mounting surface (see FIG. 2 showing the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 turned upside down), and rises upward from the bottom wall 11 and has a terminal arrangement direction. And a frame-shaped peripheral wall 13 that rises upward from the bottom wall 11 and surrounds the protruding wall portion 12. The peripheral wall 13 includes a pair of side walls 14 extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and a pair of end walls 15 extending in the connector width direction perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 14. Have. An annular space opening upward between the protruding wall portion 12 and the peripheral wall 13 is formed as a receiving space 16 for receiving the peripheral wall 43 as a fitting portion of the plug connector 2.

  In the receptacle housing 10, terminal holding grooves 17 for holding the mating terminal 20 are formed in two rows symmetrical with respect to the protruding wall portion 12 in the connector width direction and are arranged at equal intervals in the terminal arrangement direction. Yes. The terminal holding groove 17 is continuous over the side surface of the projecting wall portion 12, the upper surface of the bottom wall 11, the inner surface of the side wall 14 (surface facing the side surface of the projecting wall portion 12), the upper surface and the outer surface of the side wall 14. It extends and sunk, and is formed as a groove having a lateral S shape when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction.

  The receptacle housing 10 holds the mating lock fitting 30 at both end portions 10A in the terminal arrangement direction. In the present embodiment, the end portion 10A of the receptacle housing 10 is a portion located outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, a portion outside the terminal holding grooves 17 located at both ends of the terminal arrangement direction. It shall be said. In the present embodiment, a portion of the receiving space 16 that is located outside the terminal arrangement range, in other words, a space surrounded by the end wall 15 that forms the end portion 10A of the receptacle housing 10 and the two side walls 14 is “ It is referred to as “end space 16A”.

  The receptacle housing 10 is connected to the end of the protruding wall 12 in the terminal arrangement direction at the center position in the connector width direction and protrudes upward from the bottom wall 11 toward the end space 16A. It has a protrusion 18 extending in the arrangement direction. The protruding portion 18 is formed lower than the protruding wall portion 12 and the peripheral wall 13. The protruding portion 18 is adapted to enter an end groove portion 45B of the plug connector 2 to be described later in the connector fitting state, and has a function of guiding the plug connector 2 in the connector width direction. (See also FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  The receptacle housing 10 is configured to receive and hold the mating lock metal fitting 30. To understand the form, the mating lock metal fitting 30 is first described prior to further description of the receptacle housing 10. .

  4 is a perspective view showing the mating lock metal fitting of the receptacle connector of FIG. 2 and the lock metal fitting of the plug connector of FIG. 3. FIG. 4A is a state before connector fitting, and FIG. 4B is a lock after connector fitting. Indicates the state.

  The mating lock fitting 30 is made by punching a metal plate into a predetermined shape and then bending it in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, the mating lock fitting 30 has a substantially U shape when viewed in the vertical direction, and a held portion 32 extending from the base portion 31 together with a base portion 31 whose plate surface extends in the vertical direction. The end wall side lock arm part 33 and the side wall side lock arm part 34 are provided in two each.

  The base portion 31 includes an end wall side base portion 31A extending in the connector width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4A), and a terminal arrangement direction (left oblique in FIG. 4A) from both ends of the end wall side base portion 31A. And a side wall side base portion 31 </ b> B extending in the downward direction. The held portion 32 includes a fixed portion 32A that is bent and extended outward in the connector width direction at the lower edge of the side wall side base portion 31B, and a side wall side base portion that is bent upward and continuous with the fixed portion 32A. And a press-fitting arm portion 32B extending to substantially the same position as the upper edge of 31B.

  The fixing portion 32A is a portion that is solder-fixed to a corresponding portion of the circuit board, and has a function of fixing the receptacle connector 1 on the circuit board in combination with the connection portion 22 of the mating terminal 20. The connecting portion (bent portion) between the fixing portion 32A and the press-fitting arm portion 32B is formed with a hole portion 32C penetrating in the plate thickness direction. When the fixing portion 32A is fixed by soldering, the molten solder However, by filling the holes 32C, the fixing to the circuit board becomes stronger. The press-fitting arm 32B is formed with a press-fitting protrusion 32B-1 protruding from both end edges extending in the vertical direction. When the press-fitting arm 32B is press-fitted into the metal fitting holding groove 14A of the receptacle housing 10, the press-fitting protrusion 32B-1 bites into the inner wall surface of the metal fitting holding groove 14A to strengthen its fixation. Yes.

  The end wall side lock arm portion 33 is folded back from the lower edge of the end wall side base portion 31A to the inside of the terminal arrangement range (left obliquely lower side in FIG. 4A), and upwards on the end wall side base portion 31A. The belt extends in the same position as the edge, and can be elastically bent in the thickness direction, in other words, in the terminal arrangement direction. The end wall side lock arm portion 33 is formed with an end wall side lock protrusion 33A in which a part of the plate surface protrudes substantially hemispherically toward the terminal arrangement range side at a position near the upper end (FIG. 5). (See also (A)). As will be described later, the end wall side lock projection 33A can be engaged with an end wall side locked recess 62A of the lock fitting 60 of the plug connector 2 (see FIG. 6A). The end wall side locking projection 33A is formed, for example, by pressing in the plate thickness direction.

  The side wall-side lock arm 34 extends from the side wall-side base 31B toward the inside of the terminal arrangement range, and is slightly inclined toward the inner side in the connector width direction. It can be elastically bent in the width direction. The side wall-side lock arm portion 34 is formed with a side wall-side lock projection 34A in which a part of the plate surface protrudes inward in the connector width direction at a position near the upper end. The side wall-side lock projection 34A has a ridge extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and can be locked to the side wall-side locked recess 63A of the lock fitting 60 of the plug connector 2, as will be described later. Further, the upper surface of the side wall-side lock projection 34A is formed as an inclined surface that inclines in the connector width direction as it goes downward, and when the lock fitting 60 comes into contact with the inclined surface from above, the side wall The side lock arm 34 is elastically displaced in the same direction by receiving a force including an outward component in the connector width direction. The side wall-side lock protrusion 34A is formed, for example, by pressing in the plate thickness direction, similarly to the end wall-side lock protrusion 33A described above.

  Returning to the description of the receptacle housing 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the end 10A of the receptacle housing 10 has a metal holding groove 14A for press-fitting and holding the press-fitting arm 32B of the mating lock metal 30 on the two side walls 14 (see FIG. ) And (B) are formed so as to open downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a housing groove portion 10B for housing the base portion 31 and the side wall side lock arm portion 34 of the mating lock fitting 30 is formed in the side wall 14 and the end wall 15 forming the end portion 10A. Has been. The housing groove 10B is substantially U-shaped when viewed from above in FIG. 2 (downward in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and opens upward. Further, in the accommodation groove 10B, a portion along the side wall 14 of the end 10A is opened toward the end space 16A. Accordingly, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the mating lock fitting 30 is mounted on the receptacle housing 10, the side wall side base 31B and the side wall side lock arm portion 34 of the mating lock fitting 30 are not connected. It is exposed toward the partial space 16A.

  2, the end 10A of the receptacle housing 10 has an end wall 15A for receiving the two end wall side lock arm portions 33 of the mating lock fitting 30, respectively. 15 are opened upward (downward in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and arranged in the connector width direction. The two receiving hole portions 15A are positioned so as to be surrounded by the substantially U-shaped receiving groove portion 10B when viewed from above in FIG. 2, and open toward the end space 16A. Accordingly, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the end wall side lock arm portion 33 is exposed toward the end space 16A when the mating lock fitting 30 is mounted on the receptacle housing 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inner edge of the upper surface of the end 10A of the receptacle housing 10, that is, the edge extending in a substantially U shape along the end space 16A, is directed toward the end space 16A. A guide surface 10C inclined downward is formed. When the connector is fitted, an end wall 45 of the plug connector 2 described later is guided into the end space 16A by the guide surface 10C, so that the peripheral wall 43 of the plug connector 2 is brought into the receiving space 16 of the receptacle connector 1. It is supposed to be.

  The mating terminal 20 is made by punching the metal plate while maintaining the flat surface of the metal plate, and is arranged so that the plate surface is perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. The mating terminal 20 has an overall S-shape when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction (plate thickness direction), the corresponding contact portion 21 that comes into contact with the terminal 50 of the plug connector 2 is on one end side, and the circuit board corresponds. A connecting portion 22 that is solder-connected to the circuit portion is formed on the other end side. The mating terminal 20 is attached by being press-fitted into the terminal holding groove 17 from above so that the held portion 23 having an inverted U shape straddles the side wall 14 of the receptacle housing 10 when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. It is done. The held portion 23 is formed with a locking projection 23A for engaging with the terminal 50 of the plug connector 2 so as to protrude toward the corresponding contact portion 21 side.

  In a state where the mating terminal 20 is held in the terminal holding groove 17, the corresponding contact portion 21 of the mating terminal 20 is received from the side surface of the projecting wall portion 12 as seen in FIGS. The lock protrusion 23 </ b> A protrudes from the inner surface of the side wall 14 toward the receiving space 16 while protruding toward the space 16. Further, the connecting portion 22 of the mating terminal 20 extends from the receptacle housing 10 outward in the connector width direction at substantially the same height as the bottom surface of the receptacle housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described mating lock fitting 30 is attached from the bottom wall 11 side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the receptacle housing 10. Specifically, the base 31 and the side wall side lock arm part 34, the press-fit arm part 32B, and the end wall side lock arm part 33 of the mating lock metal fitting 30 are respectively in the receiving groove part 10B, the metal fitting holding groove 14A of the receptacle housing 10, It is accommodated in the accommodating hole 15A. As a result, the press fitting protrusion 32B-1 of the press fitting arm 32B bites into the inner wall surface of the metal fitting holding groove 14A, so that the mating lock metal fitting 30 is press fitted and held in the receptacle housing 10.

  Next, the configuration of the plug connector 2 will be described mainly based on FIGS. 1 (A), (B) and FIG. The plug connector 2 includes a plug housing 40 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a plurality of terminals 50 that are arranged and held in two rows by the plug housing 40 with the longitudinal direction of the plug housing 40 as an arrangement direction, and the above-described longitudinal direction. It has two lock fittings 60 held at both ends (end wall 45 described later) of the plug housing 40. The lock fitting 60 also has a function as a reinforcement fitting for reinforcing the plug housing 40 as will be described later. The plug connector 2 is arranged and mounted on the circuit board in the posture shown in FIG. 1 (A), and is fitted to the receptacle connector 1 as a mating connector in a vertically inverted posture as shown in FIG. 1 (B). Connected.

  The plug housing 40 is made of, for example, an electrical insulating material such as resin, and extends in one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as a longitudinal direction (terminal arrangement direction). The plug housing 40 has a bottom wall 41 (see FIG. 1 (B)) parallel to the mounting surface, and upward from the bottom wall 41 as seen in FIGS. 1 (A) and 3. And a peripheral wall 43 as a frame-like fitting portion that stands up. The peripheral wall 43 includes a pair of side walls 44 extending in the terminal arrangement direction and a pair of end walls 45 extending in the connector width direction perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 44. Have. A space surrounded by the peripheral wall 43 and opening upward is formed as a receiving space 46 for receiving the protruding wall portion 12 of the receptacle connector 1.

  The plug housing 40 is configured to hold the lock fitting 60. For the understanding of the form, the lock fitting 60 will be described first prior to further description of the plug housing 40.

  The configuration of the lock fitting 60 held by the plug housing 40 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 4A, the lock fitting 60 is shown in the same vertical direction as the lock fitting 60 of FIG. 1B, and the lock fitting 60 of FIG. 1A and FIG. Inverted in direction is shown. The lock fitting 60 is made by punching a metal plate into a predetermined shape and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The lock fitting 60 includes a base 61 that covers the lower surface (the upper surface in FIGS. 1A and 3) of the end wall 45 of the plug housing 40 in FIG. 1B, and the end 61 bent upward from the base 61. An end wall side locked portion 62 as a side plate portion covering the end surface of the wall 45 and a side wall side locked portion 63 as an end plate portion bent upward from the base portion 61 and covering the side surface of the end wall 45 are provided. ing.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the lock fitting 60 is attached to the end wall 45 of the peripheral wall 43 as the fitting portion of the plug connector 2, and the lock fitting 60 is attached to the lower surface, both side surfaces, and the end surface of the end portion. Covering. Therefore, even if each surface of the end wall 45 abuts on the receptacle housing 10 of the receptacle connector 1, the end wall 45 is not easily damaged. Further, since the lock fitting 60 is made by bending a metal plate as one member, the strength of the reinforcing fitting itself is increased by this bent shape. As a result, the effect of preventing damage to the plug housing 40 of the plug connector 2 is further increased.

  The base portion 61 is formed with a slit portion 61A extending in the terminal arrangement direction (downward diagonally left in FIG. 4A) at the center position in the connector width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4A). . The slit portion 61A is positioned corresponding to an end groove portion 45B of an end wall 45 of the plug housing 40 described later in a state where the lock fitting 60 is mounted on the plug housing 40 (FIGS. 1A and 7A). ), (B)).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the end wall side locked portion 62 is positioned at a position corresponding to the end wall side lock arm portion 33 of the mating lock metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector width direction. The upper edge of the wall-side locked portion 62 is cut out in a substantially semicircular shape, and the end-wall-side locked recess 62A for engaging with the end-wall-side locking protrusion 33A of the end-wall-side locking arm portion 33. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the side wall-side locked portion 63 is located at the lower side of the base 61 and is located at the inner edge of the terminal arrangement range (left obliquely lower side in FIG. 4 (A)). A side wall-side locked recess 63A for engaging with the side wall-side locking protrusion 34A of the mating lock fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 is formed extending in the terminal arrangement direction. A locking arm portion 63B for mounting the lock fitting 60 to the plug housing 40 is formed above the side wall-side locked recess 63A so as to extend inwardly in the terminal arrangement range. The locking arm portion 63B is bent slightly inwardly in the connector width direction to form a locking portion that can be elastically displaced in the connector width direction. As will be described later, the side wall-side locked recess 63A receives the side wall-side locking protrusion 34A of the mating lock fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector-fitted state, and the lower edge of the side wall-side locked recess 63A. Thus, the side wall side locking projection 34A and the connector are pulled out (upward).

  Returning to the description of the receptacle housing 10. The end wall 45 of the receptacle housing 10 holds a lock fitting 60 as seen in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B). As is often seen in FIG. 3, the end wall 45 has an upper surface (a lower surface in FIG. 1B), a side surface (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction), and an end surface (in the terminal arrangement direction) except for the corners. The surface perpendicular to the surface is subtracted by the thickness of the lock fitting 60. Further, the side surface of the end wall 45 is further submerged in a substantially lower half portion to form a step portion, and the step portion is a corresponding latch for mounting the lock fitting 60 to the plug housing 40. It functions as the part 45A. As can be seen in FIG. 3, an end groove portion 45 </ b> B is formed on the upper surface of the end wall 45 as a groove portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction at the center position in the connector width direction. As will be described later, the end groove 45B receives the protrusion 18 of the receptacle housing 10 of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector fitting state (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

  The terminal 50 is formed by bending a strip-like piece obtained by punching a metal plate in the plate thickness direction. The terminals 50 are integrally molded and held on the respective side walls 44 of the plug housing 40, and are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the side walls 44. The terminal 50 includes a straight connection portion 51 that extends outward from the side wall 44 in the connector width direction at substantially the same height as the bottom wall 41 of the receptacle housing 10, and the connection portion 51 in FIG. A) and an inverted U-shaped portion that is bent upward in FIG. 3 (downward in FIG. 1B), folded back in an inverted U shape, and embedded and held in the side wall 44. . The inverted U-shaped portion extends along the side wall 44 and is exposed such that the inverted U-shaped plate surface is flush with the side wall 44.

  Of the two legs of the inverted U-shaped portion of the terminal 50, one leg located on the inner surface side of the side wall 44 is formed as a contact portion 52 for making contact with the mating terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1. ing. The contact portion 52 is formed with a contact recess 52 </ b> A for receiving the protruding corresponding contact portion 21 of the mating terminal 20 so as to sunk from the plate surface. Further, the other leg portion located on the outer surface side of the side wall 44 is formed as a locked portion 53 for locking with the locking projection 23 </ b> A of the mating terminal 20. The locked portion 53 is formed with a locked concave portion 53A for receiving the lock protrusion 23A so as to sunk from the plate surface.

  The mounting of the lock fitting 60 to the plug housing 40 of the plug connector 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the lock fitting 60 is mounted so as to cover the end wall 45 of the plug housing 40 from the side where the receiving space 46 of the plug housing 40 is open (upward in FIG. 3). Is done. As a result, the upper surface, both side surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction), and end surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction) of the end wall 45 in FIG. Therefore, the end wall 45 is reinforced by the lock fitting 60, and the end wall 45 is not easily deformed even when an inadvertent external force is applied.

  In the mounting process of the lock fitting 60, first, the two locking arm portions 63B as the locking portions of the lock fitting 60 are brought into contact with the side surfaces of the end walls 45 of the plug housing 40 on the plate surface, respectively. Elastically displaced outward (in the direction away from each other). When the locking arm portion 63B gets over the stepped corresponding locking portion 45A and reaches a position below the corresponding locking portion 45A, the locking arm portion 63B returns from the elastically displaced state. As a result, the locking arm portion 63B is locked with the corresponding locking portion 45A, so that the lock fitting 60 is prevented from coming off from the plug housing 40 in the vertical direction (FIGS. 7A and 7B). See also).

  In the present embodiment, the entire locking arm portion 63B is formed as a locking portion, but instead of this, only a part of the locking arm portion 63B may be bent and deformed to be formed as the locking portion. Good. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the latching arm part and the to-be-locked recessed part were provided in the side wall side of the housing, it cannot be overemphasized that it may replace with this and may be provided in the end wall side.

  In the present embodiment, the locking arm portion 63B of the lock fitting 60 and the stepped corresponding locking portion 45A of the plug housing 40 are locked. Miniaturization is possible. Specifically, for example, a slit-shaped holding groove parallel to both side surfaces of the end wall of the housing is formed on the end wall, and the holding portion of the lock fitting is press-fitted into the holding groove. In the embodiment, since it is necessary to form the wall portion surrounding the holding groove with a sufficient thickness, the housing is enlarged in the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the housing. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the corresponding locking portion 45A for locking the locking arm portion 63B of the lock fitting 60 is simply cut out from both side surfaces of the end wall 45 of the plug housing 40 so as to be stepped. Therefore, the plug housing 40 does not increase in size in the width direction and the longitudinal direction. Further, since the corresponding locking portion 45A has a simple shape, it can be easily formed.

  Next, the fitting operation between the connectors will be described based on FIG. 1 (B), FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing the mating lock fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 4 and the lock fitting 60 of the plug connector 2 before connector fitting, and FIG. 5 (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VA-VA of FIG. (B) is a VB arrow view of FIG. 4 (A). 6 is a view showing only the mating lock fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 4 and the lock fitting 60 of the plug connector 2 in the locked state after the connector is fitted, and FIG. 6A is a view of VIA- of FIG. VIA sectional drawing, (B) is a VIB arrow directional view of FIG. 4 (B). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction at the positions of the receptacle connector and the plug connector in the terminal arrangement direction, and (A) is a cross-section in a state before connector fitting. ) Shows a cross section in the connector fitting state.

  First, the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are attached to the corresponding circuit boards by solder connection. Next, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), the receptacle connector 1 is placed in a posture in which the receiving space 16 faces upward, and the receiving space 46 of the plug connector 2 faces downward above the receptacle connector 1. Pose. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A), 5 (A), 5 (B) and 7 (A), the lock metal fittings are connected to the end wall side locked recess 62A and the side wall side cover of the lock metal fitting 60. The lock recesses 63A are positioned above corresponding to the end wall side lock protrusions 33A and the side wall side lock protrusions 34A of the mating lock fitting 30, respectively. 7A, the end groove portion 45B and the slit portion 61A of the plug connector 2 are positioned above the protrusion 18 of the receptacle connector 1. As shown in FIG.

  Next, while maintaining the posture of FIG. 1B, the plug connector 2 is moved downward to cause the protruding wall portion 12 of the receptacle connector 1 to enter the receiving space 46 of the plug connector 2 from below, and the plug connector 2 The peripheral wall 43 of 2 is entered into the receiving space 16 of the receptacle connector 1 from above. As a result, the corresponding contact portion 21 and the locking protrusion 23A of the mating terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 enter the contact recess 52A and the locked recess 53A of the terminal 50 of the plug connector 2, respectively, and the electrical connection between the terminals Contact and locking in the connector removal direction (upward).

  7B, the protrusion 18 of the receptacle housing 10 of the receptacle connector 1 penetrates the slit 61A of the lock fitting 60 of the plug connector 2 from below, and the end groove of the plug housing 40 Enter 45B. As a result, even when an external force such as vibration is received in the connector fitting state, the inner wall surface of the end groove 45B and the edge of the slit 61A in the connector width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 7B). Since the movement of the ridge portion 18 is restricted, the displacement of the connectors in the width direction can be prevented. In particular, the edge portion of the slit 61A is a part of the lock fitting 60, which is a metal member, and has high strength. Therefore, the effect of regulation is improved accordingly.

  Further, in the connector fitting process, the end wall side locked portion 62 of the lock fitting 60 faces the end wall side lock arm portion 33 of the mating lock fitting 30 outward in the terminal arrangement direction (end wall side base portion 31A side). While elastically displacing, the plate surface of the end wall side locked portion 62 is in sliding contact with the end wall side lock protrusion 33A of the end wall side lock arm portion 33. 4B and 6A and 6B, the end wall side locked recess 62A of the end wall side locked portion 62 is formed of the end wall side locking projection 33A. When the position is reached and the lock fittings are brought to the proper locking position, the end wall side locking arm 33 returns to the free state, and the end wall side locking projection 33A is moved to the end wall side locked recess 62A. Rush into. As a result, the end wall side locking projection 33A and the end wall side locked recess 62A are engaged with each other.

On the other hand, the side wall side locked portion 63 of the lock metal fitting 60 is elastically displaced toward the outer side in the connector width direction while the side wall side lock arm portion 34 of the mating lock metal fitting 30 is elastically displaced outward.
The plate surface is in sliding contact with the side wall-side lock projection 34A of the side wall-side lock arm 34. As shown in FIGS. 4B, 6A, 6B, and 7B, the side wall-side locked recess 63A of the side wall-side locked portion 63 has the side wall-side locking protrusion. When the position of the portion 34A is reached and the lock fittings are brought into the normal locking position, the side wall-side lock arm portion 34 returns to the free state, and the side wall-side lock projection 34A is moved to the side wall-side locked recess 63A. Rush into. As a result, the side wall-side locking projection 34A and the side wall-side locked recess 63A are engaged with each other.

  In this way, the fitting operation between the connectors is completed by bringing the lock fittings to the proper lock position. As a result, the locking between the end wall side locking projection 33A and the end wall side locked recess 62A and the locking between the side wall side locking projection 34A and the side wall locked recess 63A cause a problem between the connectors. Prepared omissions are prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the end wall side lock arm portion 33 and the side wall side lock arm portion 34 of the mating lock fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 are connected to the end wall of the lock fitting 60 until the lock fittings reach the proper locking positions. The side locked part 62 and the side wall side locked part 63 are in sliding contact with each other on the plate surface. Therefore, stress concentration is less likely to occur as compared with the conventional case where the lock fitting is slidably contacted with the cut surface or edge of the plate thickness direction. As a result, the plate surfaces of the mating lock metal fitting 30 and the lock metal fitting 60 are not easily damaged, so that a reduction in engagement margin due to wear does not occur, and a decrease in lock engagement force can be avoided.

  The mating lock fitting 30 and the lock fitting 60 have lock portions at a total of three positions on the end wall side and on the two side wall sides facing each other at the end of each connector. Therefore, even if the plug connector 2 is tilted in any of the terminal arrangement direction and the connector width direction in the connector fitting state, a strong locking force is secured against this, so careless connector disconnection can occur. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the side wall side lock arm portion 34 of the mating lock fitting 30 extends in the terminal arrangement direction, the side wall side lock arm portion is compared with the case where it extends in the vertical direction (connector insertion / extraction direction). 34 can be lengthened. Accordingly, the amount of elastic displacement due to the sliding contact with the plate surface of the side wall-side locked portion 63 of the lock fitting 60 is increased, so that the plate surfaces of the lock fitting are brought into contact with each other until reaching the proper lock position. The pressure can be lowered, and the amount of locking between the lock fittings after completion of connector fitting can be increased. As a result, the plate surfaces of the mating lock fitting 30 and the lock fitting 60 are not easily damaged, and the locking of the lock fittings can be ensured.

  In this embodiment, the side wall side lock arm portion of the mating lock fitting extends from the side wall side base portion in the terminal arrangement direction, but the extension direction of the side wall side lock arm portion is not limited to this, and the height of the connector When the dimension is sufficiently large, for example, the dimension may be extended from the side wall side base portion in the connector insertion / removal direction (vertical direction).

  In this embodiment, the end wall side lock arm part of the mating lock metal fitting and the end wall side locked recessed part of the lock metal fitting are each provided two, but instead of this, only one each may be provided, Three or more of each may be provided.

  In this embodiment, the mating lock fitting of the receptacle connector is provided with a projecting lock portion, and the lock fitting of the plug connector is provided with a concave locked portion. It is good also as providing a protruding lock part in the above-mentioned lock metal fittings while providing a concave lock part to the above. Further, in the present embodiment, the lock arm portion that can be elastically displaced is provided on the mating lock fitting, but instead, the lock arm portion may be provided on the lock fitting, and the lock arm may be provided on the mating lock fitting. It is good also as providing a part.

1 Receptacle connector 45A Compatible locking part 2 Plug connector 45B End groove (groove)
10 Receptacle housing 50 Terminal 16 Receiving space 60 Lock bracket (reinforcing bracket)
18 ridge portion 61 base portion 20 mating terminal 61A slit portion 30 mating lock fitting 62 side wall side locked portion (side plate portion)
40 Plug housing 63 End wall side locked part (end plate part)
43 Peripheral wall (fitting part) 63B Locking arm part (locking part)

Claims (4)

A receptacle connector as a mating connector arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board, and a vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface arranged on the mounting surface of another circuit board is fitted to the receptacle connector as a connector insertion / removal direction An electrical connector assembly having a plug connector connected thereto,
In the receptacle connector, a plurality of mating terminals are arranged and held in the receptacle housing with one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as an arrangement direction, and the receptacle housing is positioned upward so as to receive the plug connector. It has a receiving space that opens toward
In the plug connector, a plurality of terminals connected to mating terminals provided in the receptacle connector in a connector fitting state are arranged and held in the plug housing in the same direction as the arrangement direction. In the electrical connector assembly having a fitting portion to be inserted into the receiving space formed in the receptacle connector,
The plug connector has a reinforcing bracket attached to the end of the fitting portion in the arrangement direction,
The reinforcing metal fitting is made by bending a metal plate as one member, and the fitting is performed on a plate surface perpendicular to the connector insertion / removal direction with the fitting portion of the plug connector facing downward. A base portion covering the lower surface of the end portion of the portion, a side plate portion covering both side surfaces of the end portion with a plate surface parallel to both the arrangement direction and the connector insertion / extraction direction, and a plate surface perpendicular to the arrangement direction And an end plate portion covering the end face of the end portion.   The reinforcing metal fitting of the plug connector has a locking portion that can be elastically displaced in the thickness direction on at least one of the side plate portion and the end plate portion, and the plug housing is provided on at least one of the side surface and the end surface of the fitting portion. 2. The electricity according to claim 1, wherein a step-shaped corresponding locking portion is formed, and the locking portion of the reinforcing bracket is locked to the corresponding locking portion of the plug housing in the connector insertion / extraction direction. Connector assembly. In the plug connector, the plug housing has a groove portion extending in the arrangement direction of the terminals on the lower surface of the end portion of the fitting portion, and the base portion of the reinforcing metal fitting has the same width as the groove portion at a position corresponding to the groove portion in the arrangement direction. Has an extending slit,
In the receptacle connector, the receptacle housing has a protrusion that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the receiving space at the end in the arrangement direction, has the same width as the groove and the slit, and extends in the arrangement direction.
3. The electricity according to claim 1, wherein, in a connector fitting state, the protrusion of the receptacle connector penetrates the slit portion of the plug connector and enters the groove portion. Connector assembly. The receptacle connector as a mating connector placed on the mounting surface of the circuit board is fitted and connected from above with the vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface being the connector insertion / removal direction. Plug connector
A plurality of terminals connected to mating terminals provided on the receptacle connector in the connector fitting state are arranged and held in the plug housing with one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the other circuit board as an arrangement direction. In the plug connector, the plug housing has a fitting portion that is fitted from above into a receiving space formed in the receptacle connector.
The plug connector has a reinforcing bracket attached to the end of the fitting portion in the arrangement direction,
The reinforcing metal fitting is made by bending a metal plate as one member, and the fitting is performed on a plate surface perpendicular to the connector insertion / removal direction with the fitting portion of the plug connector facing downward. A base portion covering the lower surface of the end portion of the portion, a side plate portion covering both side surfaces of the end portion with a plate surface parallel to both the arrangement direction and the connector insertion / extraction direction, and a plate surface perpendicular to the arrangement direction And an end plate portion covering the end face of the end portion.

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