WO2011148638A1

WO2011148638A1 - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2011148638A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/002926
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勝彦小林
Original assignee: タイコエレクトロニクスジャパン合同会社
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: JP2011249230A; CN102906945A; KR20130080006A; JP5597030B2; CN102906945B

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrical connector assembly (1), wherein the height in the intermeshing direction thereof can be made lower, and the insertion/pull-off durability thereof is high. The electrical connector assembly (1) is comprised of a pair of connectors (10, 40) that intermesh with each other. One of the connecters (10) is provided with first contacts (30). The first contacts (30) extend from anchored sections (31), and are provided with locking arms (34) for locking the other of the connecters (40) when the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other. The locking arms (34) bend in a direction (Y-y direction) intersecting approximately at right angles with the direction (Z-z direction) in which the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other. The direction (X-x direction) in which the locking arms (34) extend from anchored sections (31) intersects approximately at right angles with the direction (Z-z direction) in which the pair of connectors (10, 40) intermesh with each other.

Description

Electrical connector assembly

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly including a pair of connectors that are fitted to each other and used to connect circuit boards to each other or between a circuit board and an electric wire.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a small electronic device such as a mobile phone, an electrical connector assembly including a pair of connectors that are fitted to each other is used to connect circuit boards or circuit boards and electric wires. FIG. 9 shows a conventional electrical connector assembly (see Patent Document 1).
An electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9 connects circuit boards (not shown) to each other, and includes a plug connector 110 and a receptacle connector 120 that are fitted to each other.

The plug connector 110 includes an insulating first housing 111 and a plurality of pairs of metal first contacts 112 attached to the first housing 111. Each first contact 112 includes a fixed portion 113 fixed to the first housing 111, a contact arm 114 extending from the fixed portion 113, and a substrate connecting portion 116 extending from the fixed portion 113. The contact arm 114 extends upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9) from the fixed portion 113, and is further bent back (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 9). The contact arm 114 is formed with a locking projection 115 at the tip. ing. The board connecting portion 116 is soldered on one circuit board (not shown).

On the other hand, the receptacle connector 120 includes an insulating second housing 121 that receives the plug connector 110 and a plurality of pairs of metal second contacts 122 that are attached to the second housing 121. Each second contact 122 includes a fixed portion 123 fixed to the second housing 121, a contact portion 124 extending from the fixed portion 123, and a board connecting portion 126 extending from the fixed portion 123. The contact portion 124 extends substantially linearly downward (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 9) from the fixed portion 123 and is configured to contact the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 114. A locking protrusion 125 is provided at the tip of the contact portion 124. The locking protrusion 125 is elastically engaged with the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 112 when the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 are fitted to prevent the

connectors

110 and 120 from coming off. It has become. The board connecting portion 126 is soldered on the other circuit board (not shown).

According to the electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9, the fitting of both the

connectors

110 and 120 can be locked by the engagement of the first and

second contacts

112 and 122 of the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120.
As an electrical connector assembly for connecting circuit boards to each other, for example, the one shown in FIG. 10 (see Patent Document 2) is also known.

An electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10 includes a first connector 210 and a second connector 220 that are fitted together.
The first connector 210 includes an insulating first housing 211 and a plurality of pairs of metal first contacts 212 attached to the first housing 211. Each first contact 212 includes a base 213 and a fixing portion 214 that extends upward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10) from the base 213 and is fixed to the first housing 211. The first contact 212 includes a contact arm 215 extending inward from the base 213 and extending upward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10), and a substrate connecting portion 218 extending outward from the base 213. Further, the first contact 212 includes a lock piece 216 extending upward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10) from the fixing portion 214, and a lock projection 217 is provided at the tip of the lock piece 216. The board connecting portion 218 is soldered on one circuit board (not shown).

On the other hand, the second connector 220 includes an insulating second housing 221 that fits with the first connector 210 and a plurality of pairs of metal second contacts 222 that are attached to the second housing 221. Each second contact 222 includes a fixed portion 223 fixed to the second housing 221, a contact portion 224 extending from the fixed portion 223, and a board connecting portion 225 extending outward from the fixed portion 223. The contact portion 224 extends substantially linearly downward (in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 10) from the fixed portion 223 and is configured to contact the contact arm 215 of the first contact 212. Further, a locking groove 226 is provided on the side wall of the second housing 221. When the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 are fitted into the locking groove 226, the locking protrusion 217 of the locking piece 216 of the first contact 212 enters, and the two

connectors

210 and 220 are prevented from coming off. The The board connecting part 225 is soldered on the other circuit board (not shown).

According to the electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10, the first contact 212 is provided with the locking piece 216 that mechanically locks in the locking groove 226. For this reason, the fitting holding force of the 1st connector 210 and the 2nd connector 220 of the other party can be held stably.

JP-A-4-43579 Utility Model Registration No. 3040314

However, the conventional electrical connector assemblies 100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 have the following problems.
That is, in the case of the electrical connector assembly 100 shown in FIG. 9, when the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 are fitted together, the locking projection 115 and the locking projection 125 are elastically engaged with each other so that both

connectors

110 and 120 are prevented from coming off. Here, since the locking protrusion 115 of the first contact 112 having a locking function and the locking protrusion 125 of the second contact 122 are elastically engaged, the insertion / extraction durability between the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 is improved. Can be high.

However, the extending direction of the contact arm 114 of the first contact 112 having a locking function is the vertical direction from the fixed portion 113 (the direction of arrow Aa in FIG. 9), and the contact portion 124 of the second contact 122 is downward from the fixed portion 123 (see FIG. 9 in the direction of arrow a). These directions substantially coincide with the fitting direction of the plug connector 110 and the receptacle connector 120 (the direction of arrow Aa in FIG. 9). For this reason, the height of the electrical connector assembly 100 in the fitting direction (arrow Aa direction) cannot be reduced.

In the case of the electrical connector assembly 200 shown in FIG. 10, when the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 are fitted, the locking protrusion 217 enters the locking groove 226, and the

connectors

210 and 220 are disengaged. Is prevented. Here, since the lock piece 216 of the first contact 212 having the lock function is elastically displaced, the insertion / extraction durability between the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 can be enhanced.

However, even in the electrical connector assembly 200, the extending direction of the locking piece 216 of the first contact 212 having the locking function is upward from the fixing portion 214 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10). This direction substantially coincides with the fitting direction of the first connector 210 and the second connector 220 (arrow Bb direction in FIG. 10). Therefore, even in the electrical connector assembly 200, the height of the electrical connector assembly 200 in the fitting direction (arrow Bb direction) cannot be reduced.

In recent years, in small electronic devices such as cellular phones, it is desired to reduce the height in the fitting direction of a pair of connectors even in an electrical connector assembly that connects circuit boards to each other and circuit boards to electric wires. It is rare.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that can achieve a low profile in the fitting direction of the electrical connector assembly and has high insertion / extraction durability. There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrical connector assembly comprising a pair of connectors that fit together, and one of the pair of connectors. The connector includes an insulative first housing and a first contact attached to the first housing, and the first contact extends from the fixing portion and a fixing portion fixed to the first housing. A contact portion; a board connecting portion extending from the fixed portion; and a lock arm extending from the fixed portion and locking the other connector of the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are fitted. The lock arm bends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors, and a direction extending from the fixed portion of the lock arm is the same as that of the pair of connectors. It is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction.

Further, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, the fixing portion includes a horizontal portion extending in a horizontal direction, a base portion that falls from a substantially central portion of the horizontal portion, and a fall from an end portion of the horizontal portion, A side plate portion fixed to the first housing, and the contact portion extends from a side edge of the base portion in an inward direction substantially perpendicular to a fitting direction of the pair of connectors, and the board connecting portion is The lock arm extends from the lower end of the base portion in an outer direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors, and the lock arm extends in an inner direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors. Preferably it extends.

Furthermore, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, the other connector of the pair of connectors includes an insulating second housing having an electric wire outlet port through which an electric wire is led out at one end, and the second housing. And a second contact that is connected to the electric wire and that contacts the contact portion of the first contact, and that engages with the lock arm in the vicinity of the electric wire outlet of the second housing. It is preferable that the stop part is provided.
In addition, in the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the locking portion is reinforced by a lock reinforcing portion provided in the second contact.

According to the electrical connector assembly of the present invention, the lock arm bends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors, so that the insertion / extraction durability of the pair of connectors can be increased. In addition, since the direction extending from the fixing portion of the lock arm is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors, the height of the pair of connectors in the fitting direction, that is, the fitting direction of the electrical connector assembly Can be achieved.

1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention. However, both electric wires are shown. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the electrical connector assembly taken along line 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the receptacle connector in the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 from the surface side. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector shown in FIG. 4 in a state where one side receptacle contact is removed and disassembled. It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector in the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 1 from the back surface side. However, both electric wires are shown. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 6 in a state in which a plug contact before connecting an electric wire is insert-molded. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of plug contacts in the plug connector shown in FIG. 6. It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector assembly of a prior art example. It is sectional drawing of the electric connector assembly of the other conventional example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electrical connector assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is used when a circuit board (not shown) and an electric wire W are electrically connected in a small electronic device such as a mobile phone.
Here, the electrical connector assembly 1 includes a receptacle connector (one connector) 10 and a plug connector (the other connector) 40 which are fitted to each other. An electric wire W is connected to the plug connector 40. On the other hand, the receptacle connector 10 is mounted on a circuit board. By fitting the plug connector 40 to the receptacle connector 10, the electric wire and the circuit board are electrically connected.

1 to 3, the fitting direction of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 40 is indicated by an arrow Zz direction, and directions orthogonal to the fitting direction are indicated by an arrow Xx direction and an arrow Yy direction. Of the directions orthogonal to the fitting direction, the arrow Xx direction is the same as the width direction of the receptacle connector 10, and the arrow Yy direction is the same as the direction orthogonal to the width direction of the receptacle connector 10. Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption of the arrow Xx direction, the Yy direction, and the Zz direction.

4 and 5, the receptacle connector 10 includes a receptacle housing (first housing) 20 and a pair of receptacle contacts (first contacts) 30 attached to the receptacle housing 20. .
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the receptacle housing 20 is formed by molding an insulating resin into a substantially rectangular shape. In the receptacle housing 20, a connector receiving recess 21 is formed so as to open on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20. The connector receiving recess 21 receives a wall portion 52, a raised portion 53, and a contact portion 63 of the plug contact 60 described later of the plug connector 40. A recess 22 that receives the flat plate-like portion 51 of the plug connector 40 is formed on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20. A pair of receptacle contact mounting portions 26 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20 (both ends in the arrow Xx direction). A pair of press-fitting grooves 24 for press-fitting and fixing a side plate portion 31c of each receptacle contact 30 described later are provided on both sides of each receptacle contact mounting portion 26 in the arrow Yy direction. A lock arm insertion groove 25 is formed from each press-fit groove 24 toward the inside of the receptacle housing 20 in the direction of the arrow Xx. In addition, a protrusion 23 is provided below the receptacle contact mounting portion 26 so as to project outward from the receptacle contact mounting portion 26 in the direction of the arrow Xx. A pair of through holes 27 are formed in the bottom wall 21a of the connector receiving recess 21 of the receptacle housing 20 at a portion where the pair of raised portions 53 of the plug connector 40 to be fitted is located. These through holes 27 are formed to ensure a sufficient fitting length between the plug contact 60 and the receptacle contact 30 while keeping the electrical connector assembly 1 low in the fitting direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the pair of receptacle contacts 30 are installed at both ends in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20, that is, at both ends in the arrow Xx direction. The receptacle contact 30 installed at one end in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contact 30 installed at the other end in the width direction are symmetrical and have the same shape. For this reason, as for the shape of the receptacle contact 30, only the shape and structure of the receptacle contact 30 installed at one end in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20 (the right end in FIG. 5) will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the receptacle contact 30 includes a fixing portion 31, a pair of contact portions 32, a substrate connection portion 33, and a pair of lock arms 34, and is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. It is formed.

The fixing portion 31 is fixed to the receptacle housing 20, and includes a horizontal portion 31a extending in the horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction) as shown in FIGS. The fixing portion 31 includes a base portion 31b that falls from the substantially central side edge in the arrow Yy direction of the horizontal portion 31a. In addition, the fixing portion 31 includes a pair of side plate portions 31c that fall from both ends of the horizontal portion 31a in the arrow Yy direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the horizontal portion 31 a of the fixing portion 31 is placed on the upper surface of the receptacle contact mounting portion 26 of the receptacle housing 20. Further, each side plate portion 31 c provided in the fixing portion 31 enters and press-fits the press-fit groove 24 provided in the side portion of the receptacle contact mounting portion 26. Further, an opening 35 is formed in the base portion 31b so as to straddle the board connecting portion 33. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the projection 23 of the receptacle housing 20 enters the opening 35. Thereby, the receptacle contact 30 is supported.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each of the pair of contact portions 32 has an inward direction (arrow) that is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of the

connectors

10 and 40 from the side edge of the base portion 31 b. It is bent to extend in the direction of arrow x). As shown in FIG. 5, each contact portion 32 includes an arm portion 32a, a support portion 32b, and a contact 32c. The arm portion 32a extends from the side edge of the base portion 31b in the direction of the arrow x, and the support portion 32b is provided at the tip of the arm portion 32a. The contact 32c is provided at the tip of the support portion 63b. Here, the support portion 32b includes a downward extending portion extending downward from the tip of the arm portion 32a, a bent portion bent inward in the arrow Yy direction (on the opposite contact arm side) from the lower end of the downward extending portion, And a rising part rising from the part. The press surface of the bent portion is supported by the bottom wall 21a of the connector receiving recess 21 of the receptacle housing 20 when the contact portion 32 is displaced downward. Further, the contact 32 c is located at the upper end of the rising portion of the support portion 32 b and is provided at the tip portion of the contact portion 32. The contact 32c comes into contact with both side surfaces of each contact portion 63 curved in a U shape of the plug contact 60 at its shear surface.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the board connecting portion 33 extends from the lower end of the base portion 31b in an outward direction (in the direction of the arrow X) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the connectors 10 and 40 (in the direction of the arrow Zz). It is formed so as to be bent. The board connecting portion 33 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and is soldered on a circuit board (not shown).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each of the pair of lock arms 34 has an inner portion that is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of the

connectors

10 and 40 from each of the pair of side plate portions 31c. It extends in the direction (arrow arrow x direction). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lock arms 34 are inserted into the lock arm insertion grooves 25 extending from the both press-fit grooves 24, and when the side plate portion 31 c is press-fitted and fixed, the tip ends from the first housing 20. Protruding state. The lock arm 34 is configured to bend in a direction (arrow Yy direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both the

connectors

10 and 40. Of the pair of lock arms 34, the lock arm 24 on the front side in the direction of the arrow Yy perpendicular to the width direction of the receptacle connector 10 (the front side in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) is fitted with both

connectors

10 and 40. In this case, the plug connector 40 is locked. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (FIGS. 2 and 3 show the lock arm 34 of the receptacle contact 30 installed at the other end in the width direction of the receptacle housing), the arrow Yy front side. When the

connectors

10 and 40 are fitted together, the lock arm 24 on the side is locked by a concave locking portion 54 provided on the plug connector 40 described later to lock the plug connector 40. On the other hand, the lock arm 24 opposite to the arrow Yy direction does not have a function of locking the plug connector 40. From the viewpoint of strength, the holding force by the lock arm 24 on one side in the arrow Yy direction is sufficient. On the other hand, the lock arm 24 is provided on both sides in the arrow Yy direction so that the receptacle contact 30 installed at one end in the width direction of the receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contact 30 installed at the other end in the width direction are made symmetrical and the same. The shape is designed to share parts.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plug connector 40 includes a plug housing (second housing) 50 and a pair of plug contacts (second contacts) 60 attached to the plug housing 50. is doing.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plug housing 50 is provided with a substantially rectangular flat plate-like portion 51 that extends in the thin horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction). The plug housing 50 is formed by molding an insulating resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the flat plate-like portion 51 of the plug housing 50 is received in a later-described concave portion 22 formed on the top surface of the receptacle housing 20 when the plug connector 40 is fitted to the receptacle connector 10. On the back surface of the flat plate-like portion 51 (in FIG. 6, the back surface side faces upward), a quadrangular wall portion 52 having a soldering opening 52e at the center is erected. The wall portion 52 is orthogonal to the front wall 52a extending in the width direction (arrow Xx direction) of the flat plate portion 51, the rear wall 52b extending in parallel to the front wall 52a, and the front wall 52a and the rear wall 52b. A left wall 52c and a right wall 52d extending in the direction (arrow Yy direction) are provided. In addition, on the back surface of the flat plate-like portion 51, a pair of raised portions 53 that protrude outward from the left wall 52c and the right wall 52d are provided at a substantially intermediate portion in the arrow Yy direction of the flat plate-like portion 51. Yes. Each raised portion 53 is raised from the back surface of the flat plate-like portion 51 to a position slightly higher than the left wall 52c and the right wall 52d. The pair of raised portions 53 extends straight from the same position in the arrow Yy direction in the arrow Xx direction, functions as a beam with respect to the flat plate-like portion 51, and reinforces the mechanical strength of the flat plate-like portion 51. The wall portion 52 and the pair of raised portions 53 are received in the connector receiving recess 21 formed in the receptacle housing 20 when the plug connector 40 is engaged with the receptacle connector 10.

A pair of wire outlets 55 are formed in the rear wall 52b of the plug housing 50 so as to penetrate in the arrow Yy direction, as shown in FIGS. The pair of electric wire outlets 55 are cut out so as to communicate with each other.
A pair of concave locking portions 54 are formed in the vicinity of the pair of electric wire outlets 55 on the rear wall 52b of the plug housing 50, as shown in FIGS. . Each locking portion 54 is provided outside the electric wire outlet 55 in the direction of the arrow Xx. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each locking portion 54 has a lock arm 24 on the front side in the arrow Yy direction of the pair of lock arms 34 when the plug connector 40 is fitted to the receptacle connector 10. Is to be locked.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pair of plug contacts 60 are attached to the plug housing 50 side by side in the width direction (arrow Xx direction) of the flat plate-like portion 21. As shown well in FIG. 8, the plug contact 60 attached to one side in the width direction (upper side in FIG. 7) of the flat plate-like portion 51 and the plug contact 60 attached to the other side in the width direction (lower side in FIG. 7) It has a symmetrical shape.

As shown in FIG. 8, each plug contact 60 includes a reinforcing portion 61, a wire connecting portion 62, a contact portion 63, and a lock reinforcing portion 65. Each plug contact 60 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The reinforcing portion 61 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction (arrow Xx direction and arrow Yy direction), but is divided back and forth by a contact portion 63 provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction (arrow Yy direction). Yes. The rear reinforcing portion 61a extends from the base of the contact portion 63 to the rear side, and its rear end is insert-molded into the flat plate-like portion 51 of the plug housing 50 as shown in FIGS. Thereby, the thin flat plate-like part 51 is reinforced. Further, the front side reinforcing portion 61b extends from the base of the contact portion 63 to the front side, and its side portion (the right side portion in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction and the left side portion in the case of the plug contact on the other side in the width direction). Insert molding is performed on the flat plate-like portion 51 of the plug housing 50. Thereby, the thin flat plate-like part 51 is reinforced.

Further, the wire connecting portion 62 of each plug contact 60 extends from the side of the front reinforcing portion 61b (the left side in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction and the right side in the case of the plug contact on the other side in the width direction). It extends through the connecting portion 64. The wire connecting portion 62 is formed in a flat plate shape, and extends in parallel with the reinforcing portion 61 and toward the rear (in the direction of the arrow y) from the connecting portion 64 along the surface of the flat plate-like portion 51. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a part of the connecting portion 64 and the wire connecting portion 62 is insert-molded on the flat plate-like portion 51 of the plug housing 50. Thereby, the thin flat plate-like part 51 is reinforced. The remaining portion of the wire connecting portion 62 is disposed at the position of the soldering opening 52e of the plug housing 50 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the core wire W <b> 1 of the electric wire W is soldered on the electric wire connecting portion 52.

Further, as described above, the contact portion 63 of each plug contact 60 is provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the reinforcing portion 61, the front base is the front reinforcing portion 61b, and the rear base is the rear reinforcing. It is connected to the part 61a. The contact portion 63 is formed in a U shape between the front reinforcing portion 61b and the rear reinforcing portion 61a. The contact portion 63 is bent from the front reinforcing portion 61b at the front base, rises, curves and falls at the U-shaped top surface, and is bent at the rear base to reach the rear reinforcing portion 61a. The contact portion 63 of each plug contact 60 is disposed so as to cover each raised portion 53. However, the outermost corner of each contact portion 63 (the rightmost side in the case of a plug contact on one side in the width direction and the leftmost side in the case of a plug contact on the other side in the width direction) is covered with the insulating material of the raised portion 53. ing. A pair of contact portions 32 of the receptacle contact 30 are in contact with both side surfaces (front surface and rear surface) of each contact portion 63 curved in a U shape.

Furthermore, the lock reinforcing portion 65 of each plug contact 60 extends from the rear end of the rear reinforcing portion 61a. As shown in FIG. 3, the lock reinforcing portion 65 is insert-molded in the vicinity of the locking portion 54 of the rear wall 52 b of the plug housing 50 and functions to reinforce the locking portion 54. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the lock reinforcing portion 65 includes a rear end side edge of the rear side reinforcing portion 61a (in the case of the plug contact on one side in the width direction, the left side edge, and the plug contact on the other side in the width direction). In this case, a standing portion 65a rising from the right edge) is provided. The lock reinforcing portion 65 includes a first reinforcing portion 65b extending forward (in the direction of arrow Y) from a substantially central portion in the vertical direction (arrow Zz direction) of the standing portion 65a, and rearward (in the direction of arrow y) from the upper end of the standing portion 65a. And a second reinforcing portion 65c extending in the direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reinforcing portion 65 b reinforces the bottom side (right side in FIG. 3) of the locking portion 54 formed in a concave shape, and the second reinforcing portion 65 c is above the locking portion 54. Reinforce (lower side in FIG. 3).

Next, a method for assembling the electrical connector assembly 1 and a method for fitting the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 will be described.
First, the board connecting portion 33 of the plug contact 30 constituting the receptacle connector 10 is soldered on a circuit board (not shown). Thereby, the receptacle connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of the two electric wires W is positioned on the electric wire connecting portion 62 from the electric wire outlet 55 of the plug connector 40, and the core wire W1 of the electric wires W is connected to the electric wire from the soldering opening 52e. A solder connection is made to the connecting portion 62. Then, the wall portion 52 of the plug connector 40, the raised portion 53, and the contact portion 63 of the plug contact 60 are inserted into the connector receiving recess 21 of the receptacle connector 10, as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lock arm 34 of the receptacle connector 10 is locked to the locking portion 54 of the plug connector 40, and the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 are fitted.

When the

connectors

10 and 40 are fitted together, the lock arm 34 of the receptacle connector 10 is once bent backward (in the direction of the arrow y) by the rear wall 52b of the plug connector 40. When the engagement proceeds and the locking portion 54 of the plug connector 40 reaches the lock arm 34, the lock arm 34 bends forward (in the direction of the arrow Y) and is restored to the original state. Locked. Thereby, the plug connector 40 is locked to the receptacle connector 10.

Thus, in the electrical connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the lock arm 34 is bent in a direction (arrow Yy direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of both the

connectors

10 and 40. It is configured. For this reason, even if the number of times the plug connector 40 is inserted into and removed from the receptacle connector 10 is increased, the function of the lock arm 34 is not hindered, and the insertion and removal durability of both the

connectors

10 and 40 can be increased.

The direction extending from the fixing portion 31 (side plate portion 31c) of the lock arm 34 is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) between the

connectors

10 and 40. That is, each lock arm 34 extends from each of the pair of side plate portions 31c in an inner direction (arrow x direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the connectors 10 and 40 (arrow Zz direction). For this reason, the height in the fitting direction of both the

connectors

10 and 40, that is, the reduction in the height of the fitting direction of the electrical connector assembly 1 can be achieved.

Then, when the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10 are fitted, both U-shaped side surfaces of the contact portions 63 of the plug contact 60 come into contact with the contacts 32 c in the pair of contact portions 32 of the receptacle contact 30. Thereby, the electric wire W and the circuit board are electrically connected.

In addition, after fitting the plug connector 40 and the receptacle connector 10, the electric wire W may be pulled by an operator and the fitting of both the

connectors

40 and 10 may be released. Here, when the wire W is pulled, if the distance from the portion that pulls the wire W to the portion that locks both the

connectors

40 and 10 is short, the bending moment applied to the portion that locks both the

connectors

40 and 10 becomes small. . For this reason, in this case, the fitting of both the

connectors

10 and 40 is difficult to be released. In the electrical connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the locking portion 54 that locks to the lock arm 34 is provided in the vicinity of the electric wire outlet 55 provided in the plug housing 50. For this reason, the part which locks both the

connectors

40 and 10 is close to the part which leads out the electric wire W, and the distance from the part which pulls the electric wire W to the part which locks both the

connectors

40 and 10 can be shortened as much as possible. . Therefore, the bending moment applied to the portion that locks both the

connectors

40 and 10 when the electric wire W is pulled can be reduced, and inadvertent release of the fitting can be prevented even if the electric wire W is pulled.

Further, in the electrical connector assembly 1 of the present embodiment, the locking portion 54 is reinforced by the lock reinforcing portion 65 provided in the plug contact 60. For this reason, even if it repeats insertion / extraction of both the

connectors

10 and 40, the latching | locking part 54 does not damage easily, and can make durability of insertion / extraction still higher.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change and improvement can be performed.

For example, the lock arm 34 is provided on the receptacle contact 30 on the receptacle connector 10 side, and the locking portion 54 is provided on the plug housing 50 on the mating plug connector 40 side. On the contrary, the receptacle on the receptacle connector 10 side is provided. A locking portion may be provided on the housing 20 and a lock arm may be provided on the plug contact 60 on the plug connector 10 side.

Further, the fixing portion 31 is fixed to the receptacle housing (first housing) 20 by falling from the horizontal portion 31a extending in the horizontal direction, the base portion 31b falling from the substantially central portion of the horizontal portion 31a, and the end portion of the horizontal portion 31a. Side plate portion 31c. However, the fixing portion 31 only needs to have a configuration having a function of being fixed to the receptacle housing (first housing) 20, and is limited to a configuration including the horizontal portion 31a, the base portion 31b, and the side plate portion 31c. Absent.

Moreover, although the contact part 32 is extended in the inner direction (arrow x direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) of a pair of

connectors

10 and 40 from the side edge of the base 31b, it is not restricted to this. Instead, any configuration that extends from the fixing portion 31 may be used. The board connecting portion 33 extends from the lower end of the base portion 31b in the outward direction (arrow X direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) between the pair of

connectors

10 and 40, but is not limited thereto. Instead, any configuration that extends from the fixing portion 31 may be used.

Further, the extending direction of the lock arm 34 is an inner direction (in the direction of the arrow x) that is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (in the direction of the arrow Zz) between the pair of

connectors

10 and 40 from the side plate portion 31c, but is not limited thereto. The fixing portion 31 may be in the inner direction (arrow x direction) or the outer direction (arrow X direction) substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction (arrow Zz direction) between the pair of

connectors

10 and 40.
Although a so-called board-to-wire electrical connector assembly has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a board-to-board electrical connector assembly.

1 Electrical connector assembly 10 Receptacle connector (one connector)
20 Receptacle housing (first housing)
30 Receptacle contact (first contact)
31 fixed portion 31a horizontal portion 31b base portion 31c side plate portion 32 contact portion 33 substrate connection portion 34 lock arm 40 plug connector (the other connector)
50 Plug housing (second housing)
54 Locking portion 55 Electric wire outlet 60 Plug contact (second contact)
65 Lock reinforcement

Claims

An electrical connector assembly comprising a pair of connectors that fit together,
One connector of the pair of connectors has an insulating first housing and a first contact attached to the first housing;
The first contact is fixed to the first housing, a contact portion extending from the fixing portion, a board connecting portion extending from the fixing portion, and extending from the fixing portion, and the pair of connectors are fitted. A locking arm that locks the other of the pair of connectors when combined,
The lock arm bends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors, and a direction extending from the fixing portion of the lock arm is substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the pair of connectors. An electrical connector assembly.
The fixed portion includes a horizontal portion extending in a horizontal direction, a base portion that falls from a substantially central portion of the horizontal portion, and a side plate portion that is lowered from an end portion of the horizontal portion and is fixed to the first housing. ,
The contact portion extends from a side edge of the base portion in an inward direction substantially orthogonal to a fitting direction of the pair of connectors;
The board connecting portion extends from a lower end of the base portion in an outward direction substantially orthogonal to a fitting direction of the pair of connectors;
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lock arm extends in an inward direction substantially perpendicular to a fitting direction of the pair of connectors from the side plate portion.
The other connector of the pair of connectors includes an insulating second housing having an electric wire outlet port through which an electric wire is led out at one end, and is attached to the second housing and connected to the electric wire and the first connector A second contact contacting the contact portion of one contact;
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion that locks the lock arm is provided in the vicinity of the electric wire outlet of the second housing.
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking portion is reinforced by a lock reinforcing portion provided in the second contact.