JP6625706B2 - Electrical connector for circuit board - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a circuit board electrical connector arranged on a mounting surface of a circuit board.

  As such a circuit board electrical connector, for example, a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The connector of Patent Literature 1 has a housing having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and terminals arranged and held integrally with the housing in a connector length direction (longitudinal direction of the housing). The housing has a bottom wall facing the mounting surface of the circuit board, a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall rising upward from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, a connector width direction (a short side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing). And a protruding wall protruding upward from the bottom wall in the central region (i. A rectangular annular space which is surrounded by the peripheral wall and the protruding wall and opened upward is formed as a receiving portion for receiving a mating connector from above.

  The terminal has a base extending in the connector width direction along the bottom wall, and a contact arm that is elastically displaceable in the connector width direction extends upward from one end of the base along the protruding wall. . At the upper end of the contact arm, a contact portion for contacting a mating terminal provided on the mating connector is formed so as to protrude toward the receiving portion. In addition, a free end of a portion extending from the other end of the base has a connection portion that can be soldered to the mounting surface outside the housing.

  On the projecting wall of the housing, at the terminal position in the connector length direction, a groove portion that allows entry of the displacement when the contact arm portion is elastically displaced is formed at a side surface of the projecting wall (at right angles to the connector width direction). ) And extend vertically. The lower end of the groove is open, but the upper end is closed. In addition, a gap is formed between the opposed inner wall surface (the inner wall surface facing in the connector length direction) of the groove and the contact arm, and the groove and the receiving portion communicate with each other via the gap. are doing.

  Further, a hole is formed in the bottom wall at a terminal position in the connector length direction so as to penetrate in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the bottom wall) over a range including the contact arm portion and the protruding wall in the connector width direction. Have been. The groove of the protruding wall and the hole of the bottom wall are spaces formed by removing the mold downward after integrally forming the housing and the terminal during the manufacture of the connector, and communicate with each other.

JP 2012-160360A

  When the connector of Patent Document 1 is mounted on a circuit board by soldering at a terminal connecting portion to a mounting surface of the circuit board, molten solder (molten solder) is applied between the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the housing and the mounting surface. In other words, the solder may flow through the gap of the terminal and further crawl up the surface of the contact arm of the terminal through the hole in the bottom wall, that is, a so-called solder up may occur. If the solder attached to the surface of the contact arm is solidified, there is a possibility that a sufficient elastic displacement state of the contact arm may not be obtained. In addition, the molten solder that has risen on the surface of the contact arm further reaches the protruding surface of the contact portion, that is, the contact surface with the counterpart terminal, through a gap between the contact arm and the inner wall surface facing the groove of the protruding wall. In such a case, there is a possibility that contact failure with the partner terminal may be caused.

  Further, in order to prevent corrosion of the solder connection portion between the connection portion and the mounting surface, a coating agent such as a resin may be applied to the solder connection portion. Similarly, it flows in a molten state and adheres to the surface of the contact arm, which may cause elastic displacement of the contact arm and poor contact with the partner terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electric connector for a circuit board that can prevent solder or a coating agent from adhering to a contact arm of a terminal.

  An electrical connector for a circuit board according to the present invention is an electrical connector for a circuit board having a housing and terminals held by the housing, the electrical connector being provided on a mounting surface of the circuit board, wherein the housing has the mounting A receiving portion for receiving a mating connector in a connector insertion / removal direction perpendicular to the surface, a bottom wall which is parallel to the mounting surface and forms a bottom surface of the reception portion, and stands upright from the bottom wall in the connector insertion / removal direction. And an upright wall extending in a connector length direction perpendicular to the connector width direction, and the upright wall is formed with a groove that is recessed from a side surface perpendicular to the connector width direction and extends in the connector insertion / extraction direction. The terminal has a base extending in the connector width direction along the bottom wall and held integrally with the bottom wall, and a mating connector extending from one end of the base in the connector insertion / removal direction. A contact arm that can be brought into contact with the mounting portion, and a connection portion formed at a portion extending from the other end of the base portion and that can be soldered to the mounting surface. The contact arm portion has a connector width direction and a connector length. The groove is housed in the groove with a gap between the groove and the inner wall surface of the groove so that the groove can be elastically displaced in the connector width direction.

  In the circuit board electrical connector, in the present invention, the groove of the upright wall is formed over the entire upright range of the upright wall, and the bottom wall is provided at least at the terminal position in the connector length direction. It is characterized in that it is formed to include a range corresponding to the contact arm in the width direction.

  In the present invention, the groove of the upright wall is formed over the entire upright range of the upright wall. That is, the groove is opened in the connector insertion / removal direction at the top surface position of the upright wall (the end surface opposite to the bottom wall). Therefore, the upright wall having the groove can be formed by moving and arranging the mold from the top surface side to the bottom wall side of the upright wall in the connector insertion / extraction direction. As a result, on the side opposite to the top surface side, at the terminal position in the connector length direction, the contact position of the terminal accommodated in the groove in the range corresponding to the groove in the connector width direction, in other words, A bottom wall can be formed in a range corresponding to the arm.

  Therefore, in the present invention, at the time of mounting the connector, when soldering the connection portion of the terminal to the mounting surface, the molten solder is directed between the bottom wall of the housing and the mounting surface toward the contact arm portion side of the terminal, In other words, even if it is attempted to flow toward the above range, since the bottom wall is closed in the range, the molten solder does not creep up on the surface of the contact arm, and the solder adheres to the contact arm. Is prevented. As a result, the solder does not hinder the elastic displacement of the contact arm. Further, since the solder does not adhere to the contact portion of the contact arm portion, a contact failure state at the contact portion can be prevented. Also, when a coating agent such as a resin is applied to the solder connection part, the adhesion of the coating agent to the contact arm is prevented, as in the case of the solder described above, and the elastic displacement state of the contact arm and the mating terminal The contact state with satisfactorily is secured.

  In the present invention, the bottom wall of the housing is formed with a bottom hole penetrating the bottom wall in the connector insertion / removal direction in a range different from the contact arm in the connector width direction, and the base of the terminal is located in the connector width direction. The base may be formed so as to include a range corresponding to the bottom hole, and the bottom surface of the base is exposed at the bottom hole, and both end surfaces of the base may be held by the bottom wall. .

  In the case where the bottom hole is formed in the bottom wall of the housing in this way, when the housing and the terminal are integrally formed, the terminal has a bottom surface of a base formed by a mold within a range where the bottom hole is formed in the connector width direction. It is suppressed. The bottom hole is formed in the bottom wall in the above range by removing the mold. At the bottom hole, both side end surfaces of the base whose bottom surface is exposed are held by the bottom wall. That is, there is no gap between both end surfaces of the base and the bottom wall, and the bottom hole is closed by the base. Therefore, even if the molten solder or coating agent may flow into the bottom hole from the mounting surface side of the circuit board, the solder or coating agent is prevented from further proceeding by the bottom surface of the base, and the bottom hole is prevented from flowing. Since it stays in the part, the solder and the coating agent do not creep up to the contact arm side of the terminal. As described above, according to the present invention, even when the bottom hole is formed by pressing the terminal with the mold, the elastically displaced state of the contact arm and the state of contact with the counterpart terminal can be ensured satisfactorily.

  In the present invention, the terminal base has a terminal width in the connector length direction larger than the bottom hole, and at least one plate surface at a side edge of the terminal width in addition to both side end surfaces has a bottom surface. It may be held by a wall.

  In this way, the base of the terminal is held not only by both end surfaces but also by the bottom wall at the side edge of the terminal width, so that the bottom hole is more securely closed by the base. You. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the solder or the coating agent from creeping up to the contact arm portion side of the terminal via the bottom hole.

  In the present invention, a plurality of terminals are arranged in the connector length direction, terminals located at both end regions of the terminal arrangement range constitute power supply terminals, and other terminals located at an intermediate region of the terminal arrangement range are signal terminals. The bottom holes of the bottom wall of the housing are formed in a plurality at regular intervals in the connector length direction, and the base of the power supply terminal is formed of a plurality of the bottom holes in the connector length direction. And the base of the signal terminal may be formed to cover at least one of the bottom holes in the connector length direction.

  The base of the terminal formed so as to cover the plurality of bottom holes is pressed by a mold at each position of the plurality of bottom holes when the terminal and the housing are integrally formed. Therefore, when the base of the terminal is formed so as to cover one bottom hole, that is, as compared with the case where the base of the terminal is pressed by a mold at the position of the one bottom hole during integral molding. Since the number of positions for pressing the plate surface of the base increases, the area for pressing the plate surface increases accordingly, and the posture of the terminal at the time of integral molding can be further stabilized.

  As described above, in the present invention, the groove for accommodating the contact arm of the terminal is formed over the entire upright range of the upright wall of the housing, and is opened in the connector insertion / removal direction at the top surface position of the upright wall. Accordingly, the upright wall can be formed by moving and arranging the mold from the top surface side to the bottom wall side of the upright wall in the connector insertion / extraction direction. Therefore, since the bottom wall of the housing can be formed in a range corresponding to the contact arm portion accommodated in the groove portion in the connector width direction, by preventing the inflow of the molten solder or the coating agent at the bottom wall, The solder and the coating agent can be prevented from adhering to the contact arm. As a result, the elastic displacement state of the contact arm portion and the contact state with the partner terminal can be favorably secured.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector according to the embodiment of the present invention and a plug connector fitted to the receptacle connector from above, showing a state before the connector is fitted. 1A is a sectional perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1 at a plane perpendicular to the connector length direction, and FIG. 2B is a sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 at a plane perpendicular to the connector length direction. It is a figure, each shows a cross section at the center position in the connector length direction, shows a state in which the housing is omitted in the left half, and shows a reinforcing bracket held by the right half at a position below the right half. Is shown. 2A is a perspective view showing the plug connector of FIG. 1 upside down, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 1A with the housing omitted. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a part of the bottom surface of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1, in which a receptacle signal terminal and a receptacle reinforcing bracket are indicated by broken lines. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector and the plug connector of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the connector, showing a cross section at a position of a signal terminal. B) shows a connector fitting state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector and the plug connector of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the connector width direction, showing a cross section at a central position in the connector width direction, (A) showing a state before the connector is fitted, B) shows 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 of the receptacle connector according to the present embodiment and a plug connector as a mating connector fitted to the receptacle connector from above, and shows a state before the connector is fitted. The receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 according to the present embodiment are electrical connectors for circuit boards arranged on mounting surfaces of different circuit boards (not shown), respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of each circuit board. (The vertical direction in FIG. 1) constitutes a connector assembly with the insertion / removal direction. In this embodiment, the direction in which the plug connector 2 is fitted to the receptacle connector 1, that is, the direction in which the plug connector 2 is moved downward in FIG. 1, is referred to as the "connector fitting direction", and the opposite direction, that is, the direction in FIG. The upward direction will be described as a “connector withdrawal direction”. Further, the fitting direction and the pulling-out direction of the receptacle connector 1 as the mating connector with respect to the plug connector 2 are opposite to the “connector fitting direction” and “connector pulling-out direction” of the plug connector 2 described above, respectively.

[Configuration of Receptacle Connector 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle connector 1 includes a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a housing length direction (longitudinal direction of the housing 10) which is one direction parallel to the mounting surface. It has a plurality of receptacle signal terminals 20 and receptacle reinforcement fittings 30 that are arranged and held by integral molding. The receptacle connector 1 is arranged and mounted on a circuit board in the posture shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle signal terminals 20 are provided in two rows symmetrical in the connector width direction in a range of a later-described protruding wall 12 of the housing 10 in the connector length direction. The receptacle reinforcing metal fittings 30 are provided on the housing 10 at both outer positions with respect to the arrangement range of the receptacle signal terminals 20 in the connector length direction. Further, as described later, the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 has a receptacle power supply terminal 45 as a part of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle power supply terminals 45 are located outside both of the arrangement range of the receptacle signal terminals 20 at both end regions of the projecting wall 12 in the connector length direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 is made of an electrical insulating material such as a resin, has a bottom surface parallel to a mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) to be attached, and has the connector length. A bottom wall 11 (see FIG. 4) extending in the width direction of the connector, and a projecting wall 12 extending upward from the bottom wall 11 in the central region of the bottom wall 11 in the connector width direction and extending in the connector length direction. A rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 13 that stands up from the bottom wall 11 and surrounds the protruding wall 12 is provided. The peripheral wall 13 has a pair of outer walls 14, which extend from the edge of the bottom wall 11 facing in the connector width direction and extend in the connector length direction, and the edge of the bottom wall 11 facing in the connector length direction. And an end wall 15 as a pair of outer walls extending in the connector width direction by connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 14 to each other. A rectangular annular space opened upward between the peripheral wall 13 and the protruding wall 12 forms a receiving portion 16 for receiving the fitting portion of the plug connector 2.

  As can be seen in FIG. 4 which is a bottom view of the receptacle connector 1, the bottom wall 11 is positioned at a terminal position in the connector length direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 4) in the connector insertion / removal direction (perpendicular to the paper). The bottom holes 11A penetrating the connector (in the direction) are arranged and formed in the connector length direction (see also FIGS. 5A and 5B). The bottom hole 11A is formed when the mold is pulled down after integrally molding the housing 10, the receptacle signal terminal 20, and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30. The bottom holes 11A are arranged at equal intervals except for the bottom holes 11A located at both ends in the connector length direction (see FIG. 4). The space between the two bottom holes 11A located at both end regions in the connector length direction is slightly smaller than the space between the other bottom holes 11A (see FIG. 4). The bottom holes 11A located at both ends in the connector length direction are slightly smaller in the connector width direction than the other bottom holes 11A.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are cross-sectional views at the position of the receptacle terminal 20, the bottom hole portion 11A has a connector when viewed in the connector length direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface). In the width direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 5A and 5B), it is formed in a range from a position slightly outside the side surface of the protruding wall 12 to a position slightly outside the inner surface of the side wall 14. . That is, the bottom hole 11A is formed in a range outside the contact arm 22 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 described later in the connector width direction. Similarly, the bottom hole 11A formed at the position of the receptacle reinforcing metal member 30 in the connector length direction is formed outside the contact arm portion 44 of the receptacle power supply terminal 45 described later of the receptacle reinforcing metal member 30. I have. In other words, the bottom wall 11 is closed in a range corresponding to the contact arms 22 and 44 in the connector width direction. Hereinafter, the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the receptacle power supply terminal 45 are generically referred to as “receptacle terminals 20, 45” unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

  Further, at a position corresponding to the connection portion 24 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the side fixing portion 42 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, the bottom surface of the bottom wall 11 is formed on the top surface and the side fixing portion of the connection portion 24. 42 is in contact with the upper surface. In addition, the bottom wall 11 has the bottom surface of the bottom wall 11 at the position between the connection portions 24 and at the position between the connection portion 24 and the side fixing portion 42. 42 is located above the top surface, and a bottom groove 11B is formed below the bottom surface (see also FIG. 4).

  The projecting wall 12 has a signal terminal groove 12A at a position corresponding to the receptacle signal terminal 20 and a power terminal groove 12B at a position corresponding to the receptacle power supply terminal 45 in the connector length direction. It is formed so as to sink from a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction and extend vertically (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Hereinafter, the signal terminal groove 12A and the power terminal groove 12B are collectively referred to as “terminal groove portions 12A and 12B” when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish them. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the terminal grooves 12A and 12B are formed over the entire rising range of the protruding wall 12, are open at the upper end position, and are open at the lower end position. It is closed by 11. The terminal grooves 12A, 12B accommodate the contact arms 22, 44 of the receptacle terminals 20, 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the signal terminal groove 12A and the power terminal groove 12B are formed with the same groove width dimension (dimension in the connector length direction).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 is formed such that an end in the connector length direction is higher than a portion in the arrangement range of the receptacle terminals 20 and 30. At the end, a side guide surface 14A is formed on the upper surface of the inner surface of the side wall 14 (the surface located on the side of the receiving portion 16), and is inclined inward in the connector width direction as it goes downward. The side guide surface 14A guides the plug connector 2 into the receiving portion 16 in the connector width direction during the connector fitting process.

  At the upper part of the inner surface of the end wall 15 (the surface located on the receiving portion 16 side), an end guide surface 15A is formed which is inclined inward in the connector length direction as it goes downward at both end regions in the connector width direction. . As seen in FIG. 1, the upper and lower edges of the end guide surface 15A are located at the same height as the upper and lower edges of the side guide surface 14A. The end guide surface 15A guides the plug connector 2 into the receiving portion 16 in the connector length direction during the connector fitting process.

  A corner guide surface 10A is formed between the side guide surface 14A and the end guide surface 15A, and is inclined downward and inward in the connector width direction and in the connector length direction. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the upper and lower edges of the corner guide surface 10A are located at the same height as the upper and lower edges of the side guide surface 14A and the end guide surface 15A. The corner guide surface 10A guides the plug connector 2 into the receiving portion 16 in the connector width direction and the connector length direction during the connector fitting process.

  FIG. 2A is a sectional perspective view of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 1 in a plane perpendicular to the connector length direction, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the plug connector 2 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along a plane perpendicular to the plane. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a cross section of the housing at the center position in the connector length direction, showing a state in which the housing is omitted in the left half, and the right side is located below the right half. Fig. 2 shows a reinforcement fitting held in half. Further, in the left half of FIGS. 2A and 2B, for convenience of explanation, the spacing between the terminals and the spacing between the terminals and the reinforcing bracket are shown larger than those in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the receptacle signal terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2B, and 5A. The receptacle signal terminal 20 is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate strip in the thickness direction, and extends along the bottom wall 11 of the housing in the connector width direction, and the base 21 has a protruding wall 12 side. A signal contact arm portion 22 extending upward from an end of the base portion, an inverted U-shaped held portion 23 extending upward at an end of the base portion 21 on the side wall 14 side and then folded downward. And a connecting portion 24 extending outward from the lower end of the held portion 23 in the connector width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the base 21 extends over a range including the receiving portion 16 in the connector width direction, and is held on the bottom wall 11 by integral molding. The base 21 has an upper surface exposed toward the receiving portion 16 and a lower surface exposed to the circuit board in a range corresponding to the bottom hole 11 </ b> A of the bottom wall 11. In the base 21, the portion on the side of the protruding wall 12 in the longitudinal direction (connector width direction) is formed as a narrow portion, and the portion on the side wall 14 side has a smaller terminal width (in the connector length direction) than the narrow portion. (Dimensions) are formed as wide portions.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 4, the base 21 has the wide portion corresponding to most of the area of the bottom hole 11 </ b> A of the bottom wall 11 in the connector width direction, and The portion is located corresponding to the range of the remaining portion of the bottom hole 11A. The terminal width of the narrow portion and the wide portion of the base 21 is larger than that of the bottom hole 11A of the bottom wall 11, and both side end surfaces and both side edges of the base 21 (edges extending in the connector width direction). ) Is held by the bottom wall 11. Therefore, there is no gap between both end surfaces (side end surfaces extending in the connector width direction) of the base 21 and the bottom wall 11, and the bottom hole 11 </ b> A has its upper end opening covered by the lower surface of the base 21. Is closed. Note that it is not essential that the plate surface of the side edge of the base 21 is held by the bottom wall 11 within a range corresponding to the bottom hole 11A, and it is sufficient that at least only both side end surfaces of the base 21 be held. . When the plate surface of the side edge of the base 21 is held by the bottom wall 11, only the upper surface of the side edge or both the lower surface and the upper surface may be held.

  The signal contact arm 22 is accommodated in the signal terminal groove 12A of the protruding wall 12, and is elastically displaceable in its thickness direction (connector width direction). The signal contact arm 22 has a lower portion having the same width dimension (dimension in the connector length direction) as the base portion 21 and an upper portion having a smaller width dimension than the lower portion. The signal contact arm 22 has a signal contact protruding portion 22A whose upper end portion, which is a free end side, is convexly curved toward the side wall 14 and contacts a plug signal terminal 60 of the plug connector 2 described later. (See FIG. 5B). In the free state, the signal contact arm 22 is positioned in the receiving portion 16 with the curved top of the signal contact protrusion 22A protruding from the signal terminal groove 12A of the housing 10 (see FIG. 5A).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the held portion 23 includes an inner arm 23 </ b> A extending upward from the end of the base 21 on the side wall 14 side along the inner surface of the side wall 14, and an upper end of the inner arm 23 </ b> A. From the inner arm 23A to the connector width direction outside at a position that is folded back downward, and an outer arm 23C that extends downward through the transition 23B. It is held on the side wall 14 by integral molding.

  A plate surface of the inner arm portion 23A is exposed toward the inside of the receiving portion 16, and a lock recess 23A-1 which is sunk into a rectangular shape from the plate surface is formed. The lock recess 23A-1 is formed by, for example, press working or the like, and its width dimension (dimension in the arrangement direction) is smaller than the width dimension of the inner arm 23A. The locking concave portion 23A-1 is engaged with a locked stepped portion 61A-1 of a plug signal terminal 60 of the plug connector 2 to be described later to maintain a mating state of the connector and prevent the connectors from coming off. By making electrical contact with the locked stepped portion 61A-1 when it is locked, it also plays a role of assisting the signal contact protruding portion 22A (see FIG. 5B).

  The transition portion 23B is convexly curved upward, and the upper surface of the transition portion 23B is exposed from the side wall 14. The outer arm portion 23C is buried and held in the side wall 14 without being exposed from the side wall 14 (see also FIG. 5A). As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer arm portion 23C has a lower end portion having a smaller width dimension (dimension in the arrangement direction) than the other portions.

  The connecting portion 24 extends straight from the lower end of the outer arm portion 23C outwardly in the connector width direction to substantially the same position as the outer surface of the side wall 14 at a position lower than the base portion 21. It is exposed from 11. The connection section 24 is connected to the corresponding signal circuit section of the circuit board by soldering.

  In the present embodiment, by increasing the position of the distal end of the connection portion 24 in the connector width direction to be substantially the same as the outer surface of the side wall 14 as described above, an increase in the size of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector width direction is avoided. . Further, as described above, the bottom groove 11 </ b> B is formed in the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 at a position between the connection parts 24. Therefore, at the time of the solder connection, the molten solder flows into the bottom groove 11B, so that the solder can be soldered to both end surfaces (side surfaces extending in the connector width direction) of the connection portion 24. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently large area of a portion that can be soldered at the connection portion 24, while avoiding an increase in the size of the connector in the connector width direction.

  Next, the configuration of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2B. In the present embodiment, the receptacle reinforcing metal member 30 has not only a function of reinforcing the housing 10 but also a function as a lock metal member and a function as a power supply terminal as described later. However, it is not essential that the receptacle reinforcing fitting 30 have a function as a lock fitting and a function as a power supply terminal.

  The receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and includes a portion provided at the position of the end wall 15 and a portion provided at the position of the protruding wall 12 when viewed from above. The portion provided at each position of the two side walls 14 and the portion provided at the position of the receiving portion 16 are roughly classified.

  The portion provided at the position of the end wall 15 in the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is folded back downward from the upper end of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 extending along the inner surface of the end wall 15 and the upper end of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31. End wall top reinforcing portion 32, end wall side held portion 33 extending downward along the outer surface of end wall 15 through end wall top reinforcing portion 32, and end wall inner surface reinforcing portion in the connector width direction. 31 has end fixing portions 34 extending outward from the lower end of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 in the connector length direction at positions near both ends.

  The end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 has a lower half extending over the entire end wall 15 in the connector width direction, and an upper half extending upward from an upper edge of the lower half in the lower half connector width direction central region. ing. 1 and 2B, the plate surface of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 is slightly protruded from the inner surface of the end wall 15 and is exposed. The end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32 is formed to have the same width dimension (dimension in the connector width direction) as the upper half portion of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31, and protrudes upward continuously from the upper half portion. It is curved, and its upper surface slightly protrudes from the upper surface of the end wall 15. The end wall side held portion 33 is formed to have the same width as the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32, extends continuously from the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32, and has a plate surface extending from the outer surface of the end wall 15. It is slightly protruding. In the present embodiment, since the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 and the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32 respectively cover the inner surface and the upper surface of the end wall 15, the inner surface and the upper surface of the end wall 15 are plugged during the connector insertion / removal process. Damage due to interference with the connector 2 can be prevented.

  The end fixing portion 34 is exposed from the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and is fixed to the corresponding power supply circuit portion of the circuit board by soldering on its lower surface. The end fixing portion 34 extends to almost the same position as the outer surface of the end wall 15 in the connector length direction. By setting the distal end position of the end fixing portion 34 to be substantially the same as the outer surface of the end wall 15 in this way, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector length direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 provided at the position of the protruding wall 12 extends along an end surface (a surface perpendicular to the connector length direction) as an upright surface of the protruding wall 12. A projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35, a projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36 bent downward from the upper end of the projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35, and a projecting wall side cover extending downward through the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36. It has a holding portion 37 and a power supply contact arm portion 44 extending upward from an extension portion 43 described later in the power supply terminal groove 12B of the protruding wall 12.

  The projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 and the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36 are held by the projecting wall 12, and their respective plate surfaces expose the same level surface as the end surface and the upper surface (top surface) of the projecting wall 12. ing. In the present embodiment, the projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 and the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36 cover the end surface and the upper surface of the projecting wall 12, respectively. 2 can be prevented from being damaged.

  The power supply contact arm 44 is positioned in the same row as the signal contact arm 22 of the receptacle terminal 20 and elastically displaces in the plate thickness direction (connector width direction), so that the corresponding power supply provided on the plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 described later. The inner plate 73 (see FIG. 2A) as a contact portion can be contacted with a contact pressure (see FIG. 5B). The power supply contact arm 44 is formed as a power supply contact protrusion 44 </ b> A for which the upper end portion, which is the free end side, is convexly curved toward the side wall 14, and the convexly curved portion comes into contact with the inner plate 73. Have been. The power contact arm 44 is located in the receiving portion 16 in a free state, with the curved top of the power contact protrusion 44A protruding from the power terminal groove 12B of the housing 10. When the function as the power supply terminal is not provided in the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, the power supply contact arm 44 is omitted.

  The portion of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 provided at the position of the side wall 14 is a side wall held portion extending inward in the connector length direction along the side wall 14 from both ends in the connector width direction of the lower half of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31. 39, a transition portion 40 folded downward from the upper edge of the side wall-side held portion 39, a lock plate portion 41 extending downward along the inner surface of the side wall 14 via the transition portion 40, and a side wall-side cover. And a lateral fixing portion 42 extending outward from the lower edge of the holding portion 39 in the connector width direction.

  The side wall-side held portion 39 is embedded and held in the side wall 14. The transition portion 40 is convexly curved upward, and as shown in FIG. 1, its upper surface exposes the same level surface as the upper surface of the side wall 14. The lock plate portion 41 is held by the side wall 14 with the plate surface located on the receiving portion 16 side being exposed from the inner surface of the side wall 14, and a lock recess 41 </ b> A which is sunk into a rectangular shape is formed from the exposed plate surface. Have been. In addition, when the function as a lock metal is not provided in the receptacle reinforcing metal 30, the lock plate portion 41 may be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the side fixing portion 42 is exposed from the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10, and is soldered and fixed to a corresponding power supply circuit portion of the circuit board on a lower surface thereof. It also has a function as a connection part for. The side fixing portion 42 extends to substantially the same position as the outer surface of the side wall 14 in the connector width direction. In the present embodiment, by increasing the position of the distal end of the lateral fixing portion 42 in the connector width direction to be substantially the same as the outer surface of the side wall 14, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the receptacle connector 1 in the connector width direction. I have. Further, a bottom groove 11B is formed in the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 at a position between the side fixing portion 42 and the connecting portion 24 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 which are adjacent to each other in the connector length direction. The molten solder flows into the bottom groove 11B and can be soldered to the side end surface of the side fixing portion 42. In this manner, as a result, it is possible to secure an area of a portion that can be solder-connected at the connection portion 24, while avoiding an increase in the size of the connector in the connector width direction.

  The portion of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 provided at the position of the receiving portion 16 extends in the connector length direction along the bottom wall 11 and connects the lower end portions of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 and the protruding wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 to each other. A connecting bottom portion 38 (see also FIGS. 6A and 6B) and an extension extending in the connector width direction along the bottom wall 11 to connect the lower end portions of the power supply contact arm portion 44 and the lock plate portion 41 to each other. And a portion 43. The connecting bottom portion 38 and the extension portion 43 are held by the bottom wall 11 with their upper surfaces exposed to the receiving portion 16. In addition, when the function as a power supply terminal is not provided in the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, the extension portion 43 may be omitted.

  The extension 43 has the same terminal width as the lock plate 41 and extends from the lower edge of the lock plate toward the protruding wall 12. Further, at the same position as the power supply terminal groove 12B of the projecting wall 12 in the connector length direction, the extending portion 43 is directed upward from an edge (edge extending in the connector length direction) near the projecting wall 12. The power contact arm 44 extends. Hereinafter, a portion including the extension portion 43 and the power contact arm portion 44 is referred to as a “power terminal 45”. In the present embodiment, an example in which the power supply terminal 45 is formed as a part of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 will be described. However, instead of this, the power supply terminal is made as a member separate from the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting. Is also good.

  The extension 43 forms a base of the power supply terminal 45. The extension portion 43 extends over a range including the receiving portion 16 in the connector width direction in the same manner as the base portion 21 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 described above (see FIG. 5A for the base portion 21 of the receptacle signal terminal 20). , (B)). Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 4, the extension portion 43 is formed to include a range corresponding to the two bottom holes 11A located at both end regions in the connector length direction, The lower surface (plate surface) at both end surfaces and both side edges (edges extending in the connector width direction) of the extension portion 43 is held by the bottom wall 11. Therefore, there is no gap between both end surfaces (side end surfaces extending in the connector width direction) of the extension portion 43 and the bottom wall 11, and the upper end openings of the two bottom hole portions 11A are one extension. It is covered and closed by the lower surface of the protrusion 43.

  The receptacle connector 1 having the above configuration is manufactured in the following manner. First, the receptacle signal terminals 20 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fittings 30 are arranged in the connector length direction. Next, the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 are connected to a mold provided from above (hereinafter referred to as an “upper mold”) from above and a mold provided from below (“lower mold”). (Referred to as a “mold”). At this time, the upper mold and the lower mold are pressed so as to sandwich the upper surface and the lower surface of the base 21 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the extension 43 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, respectively.

  By the way, when a plurality of terminals having the same terminal width are held by a housing by integral molding, conventionally, when the terminals are pressed by a mold at the time of integral molding, all the terminals are pressed in one place with the same area. There are many. However, when the base of some terminals of the plurality of terminals is wider than the base of other terminals, one portion of the base of the some terminals is connected to the base of the other terminals. If the pressing is performed with the same area as the pressing area (the area pressed by the mold), the posture of the above-mentioned terminals during the integral molding becomes unstable.

  In the present embodiment, the extension 43 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is wider than the base 21 of the receptacle signal terminal 20, but the extension 43 is provided at a plurality of locations in the connector length direction (in this embodiment, (Two places), and the pressing area is almost the same as the total area of the two bottom holes 11A. Therefore, as compared with the case where the wide extending portion 43 is pressed at one location with the area of one bottom hole 11A, the number of locations to be pressed increases, and the pressing area increases, so that the receptacle reinforcement at the time of integral molding is formed. The posture of the metal fitting 30 can be further stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 11 is closed in a region other than the plurality (two in this embodiment) of the bottom holes 11 </ b> A in a region corresponding to the extension 43. 32 are held by the bottom wall 11. Therefore, in order to secure a large holding area and stability of the terminal at the time of the integral molding, the extended portion is formed in the bottom wall in a region extending over almost the entire region of the extended portion. The strength of the housing 10 in the region corresponding to 43 can be increased.

  Next, a resin is poured into the combined upper and lower molds, and the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 are integrally molded with the housing 10 to be held by the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the receptacle signal terminals 20 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fittings 30 are pressed by the mold at a plurality of positions at substantially equal intervals when viewed from the entire connector, so that the resin can be poured evenly over the entire connector. it can.

  After integral molding, the upper mold and the lower mold are moved upward and downward, respectively, and withdrawn, whereby the receptacle connector 1 is completed. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), the terminal of the projecting wall 12 in the connector width direction is located at the terminal position in the connector length direction, as shown in FIGS. A bottom hole 11A is formed in the bottom wall 11 outside the use grooves 12A and 12B. A bottom groove 11B is formed at a position between the connection portions 24 of the receptacle signal terminals 20 and at a position between the side fixing portion 42 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 and the connection portion 24.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal grooves 12A and 12B of the protruding wall 12 are formed over the entire upright range of the protruding wall 12, and are opened upward at the upper surface (top surface) position of the protruding wall 12. Therefore, the protrusion wall 12 having the terminal groove portions 12A and 12B can be formed by disposing the upper mold by moving it from above. Therefore, the receptacle terminals 20, 45 accommodated in the terminal grooves 12A, 12B in the range corresponding to the terminal grooves 12A, 12B in the connector width direction at the terminal positions in the connector length direction. The bottom wall 11 can be formed in a range corresponding to the contact arm portions 22 and 44 of FIG.

  At the time of mounting the receptacle connector 1 on the mounting surface of the circuit board, when the connection portion 24 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the side fixing portion 42 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 are connected to the mounting surface by soldering, the molten solder forms the bottom of the housing 10. There is a case where the flow tends to flow between the wall 11 and the mounting surface toward the contact arm portions 22 and 44 of the receptacle terminals 20 and 45. However, in the present embodiment, since the bottom wall 11 is closed in a range corresponding to the contact arms 22, 44, the molten solder does not creep up on the surface of the contact arms.

  Further, a bottom hole 11A is formed in the bottom wall 11, but all the bottom holes 11A are closed at the upper ends by the base 21 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 or the extension 43 of the receptacle power supply terminal 45. Therefore, even if molten solder flows into the bottom hole 11A from the mounting surface side, the solder is prevented from further proceeding by the bottom surface of the base portion 21 and the extension portion 43, and Since it stays in the hole 11A, it does not crawl up to the contact arm portions 22 and 44 side.

  Also, when the coating agent is applied to the solder connection portion after the connector is mounted, the coating agent is prevented from creeping up to the contact arm portions 22 and 44 as in the case of the solder described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent the solder and the coating agent from adhering to the contact arms 22, 44, and to ensure the elastic displacement state of the contact arms 22, 44 and the contact state with the partner terminal.

[Configuration of Plug Connector 2]
Next, the configuration of the plug connector 2 will be described based on FIGS. 1, 2A, 3 and 5. FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the plug connector 2 of FIG. 1 upside down, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the plug connector 2 shown in FIG. It is.

  The plug connector 2 has a frame-shaped fitting portion (see FIG. 3A) adapted to the receiving portion 16 of the receptacle connector 1, and the fitting portion is fitted into the receiving portion 16, The connectors 1 and 2 are fitted and connected. The plug connector 2 is formed by integral molding with a housing 50 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a housing 50 in a connector length direction (longitudinal direction of the housing 50) parallel to a mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). It has a plurality of plug signal terminals 60 and plug reinforcing metal fittings 70 that are arranged and held.

  The housing 50 is made of an electrical insulating material such as a resin, and has a bottom surface parallel to a mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown) to be attached, as shown in FIG. A bottom wall 51 extending in the direction is provided, and a peripheral wall 53 is provided as a fitting portion that stands downward (upward in FIG. 3A) from the bottom wall 51. The peripheral wall 53 has two side walls 54 facing each other and extending in the arrangement direction, and a connector width direction connecting the ends of the two side walls 54 and being perpendicular to the connector length direction (the short side direction of the housing 50). ) And two end walls 55 extending therethrough. The space surrounded by the peripheral wall 53 and opened downward (upward in FIG. 3A) in FIG. 1 forms a receiving portion 56 (see FIG. 3A) for receiving the projecting wall 12 of the receptacle connector 1. ing.

  1 and 3A, the bottom wall 51 is formed with a projecting portion 51A that projects outward in the connector width direction over the entire area of the side wall 54 in the connector length direction. The overhang portion 51A is located corresponding to the transition portion 23B of the receptacle terminal 20 and the transition portion 40 of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 (the positional relationship with the transition portion 23B of the receptacle terminal 20 is shown in FIG. 5B). reference). As is often seen in FIG. 3A, the upper surface of the overhang portion 51A is located higher than the upper surface of the connection portion 62 of the plug signal terminal 60 and the upper surface of the side fixing portion 74 of the plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 described later. I have. By providing the overhanging portion 51A having such a shape, even when the molten solder tends to flow inward in the connector width direction during the solder mounting of the connection portion 62 and the side fixing portion 74, the side surface of the overhanging portion 51A ( The plane perpendicular to the connector width direction prevents further progress. That is, the molten solder does not flow into the position corresponding to the transition portions 23B and 40 in the connector width direction.

  Conventionally, a plug connector does not have a housing portion in a range corresponding to a transition portion of a receptacle terminal in a connector width direction, and molten solder flows into the above range at the time of solder mounting. At this time, the solder solidified in the above range may interfere with the transition portion. In the present embodiment, as described above, the overhanging portion 51A of the housing 50 prevents the molten solder from flowing into the above-described range, so that when the connector is fitted, the solidified solder is removed by the transition portions 23B and 40. Interference can be prevented.

  The plug signal terminals 60 are provided in two rows symmetrical in the connector width direction in a range near the center of the housing 50 in the connector length direction. The plug signal terminal 60 is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate strip in the thickness direction, and is held on the side wall 54 as often seen in FIGS. 2 (A) and 3 (B). FIG. 2A illustrates a U-shaped U-shaped portion 61 and one of the two arms of the U-shaped portion 61 (an inner arm portion 61C described later) located on the receiving portion 56 side. And a connection portion 62 extending outward from the upper end (the lower end in FIG. 3B) in the connector width direction and connected to the corresponding signal circuit portion of the circuit board. The plug signal terminal 60 is held at the U-shaped portion 61 by integral molding with the housing 50.

  The U-shaped portion 61 is a portion that protrudes between the signal contact arm portion 22 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 and the inner arm portion 23A when the connector is fitted, and the lower side wall 54 (FIG. 3). It is embedded in the side wall 54 so as to straddle from above (in (A) and (B)). As shown in FIG. 2A, the U-shaped portion 61 has an outer arm portion 61A extending downward along the outer surface of the side wall 54, and a lower end of the outer arm portion 61A at an inner position in the connector width direction. It has a transition portion 61B that is folded upward and an inner arm portion 61C that extends upward through the transition portion 61B. The dimension of the U-shaped portion 61 in the connector width direction is slightly larger than the distance between the signal contact protrusion 22A of the receptacle signal terminal 20 and the plate surface of the inner arm 23A facing the signal contact protrusion 22A. I have.

  The outer arm portion 61A of the U-shaped portion 61 has a plate surface exposed from the outer surface of the side wall 54 as seen in FIG. On the exposed plate surface, there is formed a locked step portion 61A-1 which has a stepped shape formed by sinking an upper portion of the plate surface and extends in the width direction (connector length direction) of the outer arm portion 61A. The locked stepped portion 61A-1 engages with the locking recess 23A-1 of the receptacle terminal 20. The transition portion 61B extends in the connector width direction as seen in FIG. 2A, and the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the transition portion 61B is exposed from the side wall 54. As shown in FIG. 3A, the inner arm portion 61C has a plate surface on the receiving portion 56 side exposed from the inner surface of the side wall 54, and the exposed plate surface is connected to the receptacle signal in a connector fitted state. It is formed as a corresponding signal contact portion that contacts the signal contact protrusion 22A of the terminal 20 with a contact pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting portion 62 extends straight from the upper end of the inner arm portion 61C to the outside in the connector width direction along the bottom surface of the bottom wall 51, and extends out of the housing 50. (See also FIG. 1), and can be connected to the corresponding signal circuit portion of the circuit board by soldering.

  As shown in FIG. 1, one plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 is provided at each end of the housing 10 in the connector length direction, corresponding to the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1. The plug reinforcing member 70 not only has a function of reinforcing the housing 50 but also has a locking function of locking with the receptacle reinforcing member 30, and furthermore, a power supply that is electrically connected to the power supply contact arm 44 of the receptacle reinforcing member 30. It also has a function as a terminal. However, it is not essential that the plug reinforcing metal member 70 have a function as a lock metal member and a function as a power supply terminal.

  The plug reinforcing metal member 70 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the plate thickness direction, and as shown in FIG. 2A, an outer plate portion 71 extending along the outer surface of the side wall 54 of the housing 50; A side transition portion 72 extending inward from the lower end of the outer plate portion 71 in the connector width direction; an inner plate portion 73 extending upward along the inner surface of the side wall 54 via the side transition portion 72; A side fixing portion 74 extending outward from the upper end of the plate portion 73 in the connector width direction, a connecting portion 75 extending in the connector width direction and connecting the two inner plate portions 73, and a connector length from the lower edge of the connecting portion 75 An end transition portion 76 folded upward at the outer position in the direction, an end held portion 77 extending upward along the outer surface of the end wall 55 via the end transition portion 76, and a connector from the upper edge of the connection portion 75 An end fixing portion 78 extending outward in the length direction. There.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the outer plate portion 71 has a plate surface exposed from the outer surface of the side wall 54, and the upper surface of the plate surface is formed on the exposed plate surface. A locked stepped portion 71A which is stepped and extends in the width direction of the outer plate portion 71 (the connector length direction) is formed. The locked stepped portion 71A is formed at the same height position as the locked stepped portion 61A-1 of the outer arm portion 61A of the plug signal terminal 60. The locked stepped portion 71 </ b> A locks with the locking recess 41 </ b> A of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 in the fitted state with the receptacle connector 1.

  The side transition portion 72 extends in the connector width direction along the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the side wall 54, and the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the side transition portion 72 is the side wall. It is exposed from 54 (see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the inner plate 73 has a plate surface exposed from the inner surface of the side wall 54 and a corresponding power contact portion that comes into contact with the power contact arm 44 of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 with a contact pressure. It is formed as.

  The side fixing portion 74 extends outward from the upper end (the lower end in FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the inner plate portion 73 in the connector width direction as seen in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), it extends out of the housing 50 and can be connected to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board by soldering.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the connecting portion 75 has a connecting base 75A having a plate surface perpendicular to the connector length direction and extending in the connector width direction, and a connecting base 75A bent at both ends of the connecting base 75A. And a connection end 75B extending inward in the length direction. The connecting portion 75 is embedded and held in the end wall 55.

  The end transition portion 76 extends in the connector width direction along the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the end wall 55, and a part of the lower surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the end transition portion 76. Are exposed from the end wall 55 (see FIG. 3A). The end held portion 77 is held by the end wall 55, and the plate surface is exposed from the outer surface of the end wall 55 as seen in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the end fixing portion 78 protrudes from the bottom wall 51 of the housing 50 in the connector length direction, and has an upper surface (a lower surface in FIG. 3A) connected to a corresponding portion of the circuit board by soldering. Being fixed.

[Connector mating operation]
Next, a fitting operation of the connectors 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the connector length direction, and shows a cross section at the position of the signal terminal. (B) shows a state before the connection, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector and the plug connector of FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the connector width direction, and shows a cross section at the center position in the connector width direction. (B) shows the connector fitting state.

  First, the connection part 24 of the receptacle signal terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 and the side fixing part 42 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 are soldered to the corresponding circuit part of the circuit board, respectively, and the end fixing part 34 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is connected to the circuit. The receptacle connector 1 is mounted on a circuit board by soldering to a corresponding portion of the board. In addition, the connection portion 62 of the plug signal terminal 60 of the plug connector 2 and the side fixing portion 74 of the plug reinforcing metal member 70 are connected by soldering to corresponding circuit portions of another circuit board, respectively, and the end fixing portion 78 of the plug reinforcing metal member 70 is connected. Is soldered to the corresponding portion of the other circuit board, and the plug connector 2 is mounted on the other circuit board. Further, a coating agent for preventing corrosion may be applied to each of the solder connection portions of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 as needed.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 (A) and 6 (A), the receptacle connector 1 is set to the posture in which the receiving portion 16 is opened upward, and the plug connector 2 is moved to the receiving portion 56 downward. It is positioned above the receptacle connector 1 as an open posture. Then, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 1, 5A and 6A, the plug connector 2 is moved downward, and the fitting portion of the plug connector 2 is moved to the receiving portion 16 of the receptacle connector 1. To fit inside.

  As a result, the U-shaped portion 61 of the plug signal terminal 60 of the plug connector 2 pushes and expands between the signal contact projection 22A of the receptacle signal terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 and the lock recess 23A-1. Then, the signal contact arm 22 is elastically displaced inward in the connector width direction. Further, as the U-shaped part 61 advances, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the signal contact protruding part 22A is connected to the inner arm part 61C of the U-shaped part 61 (corresponding signal) in the connector fitted state. Contact portion) with a contact pressure, and the locked stepped portion 61A-1 of the outer arm portion 61A of the U-shaped portion 61 protrudes into the lock recessed portion 23A-1 and the upper edge of the lock recessed portion 23A-1 On the other hand, it is positioned so that it can be locked in the connector withdrawal direction. As a result, the terminals 20, 60 of the connectors 1, 2 are electrically connected to each other and are locked together.

  In addition, the power supply contact protrusion 44A of the receptacle reinforcement metal fitting 30 comes into contact with the inner plate 73 (corresponding power supply contact part) of the plug reinforcement metal fitting 70 located corresponding to the power supply contact arm 44 with a contact pressure. Further, in the connector fitted state, the locked stepped portion 71A of the plug reinforcing metal fitting 70 protrudes into the locking concave portion 41A of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 and engages with the upper edge of the locking concave portion 41A in the connector extraction direction. It is located so that it can be stopped. As a result, the reinforcing fittings 30, 70 are electrically connected to each other and locked together. Thus, the fitting connection operation between the connectors 1 and 2 is completed. When the connector is pulled out, the plug connector 2 can be pulled out by lifting the plug connector 2 upward to release the locked state between the terminals and the reinforcing brackets.

  In the present embodiment, the plate surface of the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is exposed on the inner surface of the end wall 15 of the housing 10, and the protrusion of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 is formed on the end surface of the protruding wall 12 of the housing 10. The plate surface of the wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 is exposed. Therefore, when the fitting portion of the plug connector 2 is displaced from the regular fitting position toward the end wall 15 in the connector length direction in the process of inserting and removing the connector, the fitting portion is replaced with the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion. Since it abuts against the plate surface of the end wall 31, there is no direct contact with the inner surface of the end wall 15. When the fitting portion is displaced from the regular fitting position toward the protruding wall 12 in the connector length direction, the fitting portion comes into contact with the plate surface of the protruding wall end face reinforcing portion 35. Therefore, there is no direct contact with the end face of the protruding wall 12. As a result, damage to the end wall 15 and the protruding wall 12 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the plate surface of the end wall top reinforcing portion 32 is exposed on the top surface of the end wall 15 of the housing 10, and the protruding wall top surface reinforcing portion is provided on the top surface of the protruding wall 12 of the housing 10. 36 plate surfaces are exposed. Therefore, in the connector fitting process, the fitting portion of the plug connector 2 is displaced from the regular fitting position to the end wall 15 side in the connector length direction and fitted to contact the top surface side of the end wall 15. However, since the fitting portion contacts the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32, the fitting portion does not directly contact the top surface of the end wall 15 of the housing 10. Also, during the connector fitting process, the fitting portion of the plug connector 2 is shifted from the regular fitting position to the protruding wall 12 side in the connector length direction and is fitted to come into contact with the top surface side of the protruding wall 12. However, since the fitting portion abuts on the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36, it does not directly contact the top surface of the projecting wall 12 of the housing 10. As a result, damage to the end wall 15 and the protruding wall 12 can be more reliably prevented. It is not necessary to provide the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32 and the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36 in the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, and the end wall top surface reinforcing portion 32 and the projecting wall top surface reinforcing portion 36 are not required. Only one of them may be provided.

  Further, since the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 of the present embodiment is held by the end wall 15 by the end wall-side held portion 33 and held by the protruding wall 12 by the projected wall-side held portion 37, the connector insertion / extraction process Thus, it is possible to more reliably prevent the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 from coming off the housing 10 due to the contact force from the fitting portion of the plug connector 2. It is not essential to provide the end wall side held portion 33 and the protruding wall side held portion 37 on the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30, and the end wall side held portion 33 and the protruded wall side held portion 37 are not required. Only one of them may be provided.

  Further, in this embodiment, the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 and the projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 are integrally formed by being connected by a connecting bottom portion 38, and the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 and the projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion are formed integrally. Since the portions 35 and 35 have a relationship that complements each other's strength, the strength of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 itself is improved, and careless deformation and the like of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 are prevented, and the housing 10 can be made more rigid. Can be reinforced.

  In the present embodiment, the end wall inner surface reinforcing portion 31 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 30 and the projecting wall end surface reinforcing portion 35 are connected at a connecting bottom portion 38 to prevent damage to the housing 10 due to displacement of the connectors in the connector length direction. At the same time, the strength of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 itself is improved, but the configuration of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 30 can be further changed. For example, the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting includes a side wall inner surface reinforcing portion that extends along the inner surface of the side wall of the housing and is held by the side wall, and an upright surface of the projecting wall of the housing facing the side wall inner surface reinforcing portion. And a projecting wall side reinforcing portion as a projecting wall standing surface reinforcing portion which extends along the side surface) and is held by the projecting wall, and the lower ends of the side wall inner surface reinforcing portion and the projecting wall side reinforcing portion are attached to the bottom wall. The connection may be made by a connection bottom extending along the connector width direction. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent damage to the housing due to displacement of the connectors in the connector width direction, and to improve the strength of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting itself.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to the receptacle connector 1 having both types of terminals, a receptacle signal terminal and a receptacle power supply terminal. However, the present invention employs only one type of terminal. The present invention is also applicable to terminals having the same.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the groove for accommodating the contact arm of the terminal is formed on the protruding wall has been described, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the groove is formed on the side wall. In this case, the bottom wall is formed so as to include a range corresponding to the groove of the side wall at the terminal position in the connector length direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 24 Connection part 2 Plug connector 30 Receptacle reinforcement metal fitting 10 Housing 31 End wall inner surface reinforcement part (outer wall standing surface reinforcement part) 11 Bottom wall 32 End wall top surface reinforcement part (outer wall top surface reinforcement part)
11A Bottom hole 33 End wall side held part (outer wall side held part)
12 Projected wall 35 Projected wall end surface reinforcing portion (Projected wall standing surface reinforcing portion) 12A Signal terminal groove portion 36 Projected wall top surface reinforcing portion 12B Power supply terminal groove portion 37 Projected wall side held portion 14 Side wall 38 Connecting bottom 15 End wall 42 Side fixing part (connection part)
16 Receiving part 44 Power contact arm part 20 Receptacle signal terminal 43 Extension part (base part)
21 Base 45 Receptacle power supply terminal 22 Signal contact arm

Claims (5)

In a connector assembly consisting of a first connector and a second connector that can be fitted and connected,
The first connector has a first housing and a plurality of first terminals arranged and held in the first housing,
The second connector has a second housing and a plurality of second terminals that are arranged and held in the second housing and can be connected to the first terminal when the first connector and the second connector are fitted and connected. ,
The first housing has a pair of first side walls, each extending along the arrangement holding direction of the plurality of first terminals, and arranged to face each other,
The second housing has a pair of second side walls, each extending along the arrangement holding direction of the plurality of second terminals, and arranged to face each other,
The first terminal has a convex surface protruding toward a fitting side of the first connector and the second connector along a fitting direction of the first connector and the second connector, and the convex surface is It is exposed from the first side wall,
The second side wall has a projecting portion that projects outward along the facing direction of the pair of second side walls, and the projecting portion is in a state where the first connector and the second connector are fitted. Is located at a position corresponding to the convex surface in the facing direction ,
The second terminal has a connection portion extending outward along the facing direction,
Of the outer peripheral surfaces of the connection portions included in a surface orthogonal to the facing direction, the outer peripheral surfaces other than the surface mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board when mounted on the circuit board are integrally formed by the overhang portion. Covered ,
A connector characterized in that: Before Kise' connection portion, in the fitting direction, located on the side away from the mating side of the second connector and the first connector than the protruding portion, the connector according to claim 1.   When the first connector and the second connector are in a fitted state, the end of the projecting portion in the facing direction is the end of the projecting surface and the extension side of the connecting portion in the facing direction. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is positioned between   4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the overhang is provided over a wider range than the plurality of second terminals in the direction in which the plurality of second terminals are arranged and held. 5.   The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end surface of the overhanging portion of the overhanging portion extends along the fitting direction.

Images