Patent Grant
11251556
The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly.
Conventionally, electric wire-to-substrate connectors for connecting electric wires such as cables to circuit boards such as printed circuit boards have been widely used for example, see Patent Document 1. In such an electric wire-to-substrate connector, an electric wire connector connected to the end part of the electric wire mates with a substrate connector mounted on a circuit board.
In the figure, 811 is a housing of a substrate connector and has a bottom plate part 812 along with a pair of side wall parts 814 which are connected to both the left and right ends of this bottom plate part 812. Moreover, 851 is a terminal of the substrate connector and is attached to each side wall part 814. In addition, when a tail part 853 of the terminal 851 is connected to a connection pad (formed on the surface of a circuit board (not illustrated)) via soldering, etc., the substrate connector is mounted on the circuit board. Moreover, a mating recess 813, the underside of which is defined by the bottom plate part 812 and both the left and right sides of which are defined by the side wall part 814, is formed in the center of the housing 811.
In addition, 911 is a housing of the electric wire connector and has an engagement projection 912 formed on the front and rear of the lower face along with an elastic piece 914 protruding downward from four corners. Moreover, terminals (not illustrated) which are connected to the end of a pair of electric wires 991 inserted in a terminal support hole 913 (formed in the housing 911) so as to be supported are attached to the lower face of the housing 911.
When the electric wire connector mates with the substrate connector, the housing 911 of the electric wire connector is housed in the mating recess 813 of the housing 811 of the substrate connector, with the terminal connected to the end of each electric wire 991 contacting the terminal 851 of the substrate connector so as to be conducted. Moreover, each engagement projection 912 of the housing 911 of the electric wire connector engages with the front end and rear end of the bottom plate part 812 of the housing 811 of the substrate connector. Herein an engagement claw 914a formed at the tip of the elastic piece 914 in the housing 911 of the electric wire connector engages with an engagement projection 814a formed on the side wall part 814 in the housing 811 of the substrate connector. As a result, the mating state between the electric wire connector and the substrate connector is maintained.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-28303.
Unfortunately, in conventional connectors, the mating state between the electric wire connector and the substrate connector is maintained when the engagement projection 912 and the engagement claw 914a of the housing 911 made of resin, etc. engage with the bottom plate part 812 and the engagement projection 814a of the housing 811 similarly made of resin, etc. Therefore, the engagement maintenance force is not necessarily sufficient and, for example, as in the case in which an operator, etc. raises the electric wires 991 by hand, when strong external force is applied to the electric wire connector, the engagement is easily released. Specifically, the recent reduction in the size and thickness of electric apparatuses and electronic equipment with a connector mounted thereon has tended to lead to a reduction in the size and height of even the connector. Unfortunately, a reduction in the size and height of the housing 911 of the electric wire connector and the housing 811 of the substrate connector, in conventional connectors, causes a reduction in the size and thickness of the engagement projection 912, the engagement claw 914a, the bottom plate part 812, and the engagement projection 814a, leading to a further reduction in the engagement maintenance force.
Here, in order to solve the problems of conventional connectors, an object is to provide a connector and a connector assembly which provide a simple configuration which, even upon a reduction in size and height, is able to assuredly maintain the conduction state with a counterpart terminal and to assuredly maintain the mating state with a counterpart connector, thereby providing high reliability.
Therefore, a connector includes: a housing, and a terminal installed in the housing; wherein the housing includes: a receiving space in which the upper face receiving a counterpart connector is opened; a pair of side wall parts defining at least a portion of both the left and right sides of the receiving space; a front wall part defining at least a portion of the front of the receiving space; and a pair of rear wall parts defining at least a portion of the rear of the receiving space; wherein the terminal includes: a front contact part provided on the front of the receiving space so as to be adjacent to each side wall part; and a rear contact part provided on the rear of the receiving space so as to be adjacent to each side wall part; and wherein the front contact part and the rear contact part are disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, face each other, and are capable of holding a counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector from the front and rear thereof.
Further, in another connector, the front contact part and the rear contact part elastically hold the counterpart terminal when the front contact part elastically deforms.
Further, in yet another connector, the front contact part is an elastically deformable band plate shaped member separated from the front wall part, and includes: an arm part which stretches towards the rear of the receiving space; and a contact curved part connected to the tip of the arm part; wherein the rear contact part is integrated with at least a portion of the rear wall part.
Further, in yet another connector, a recess engageable with the counterpart terminal is formed on the surface facing the front of the receiving space of the rear contact part.
Further, in yet another connector, the terminal includes a side part which is integrated with at least a portion of the side wall part so as to be exposed to the outer surface, wherein the front contact part and the rear contact part are respectively connected to the front end and rear end of the side part.
Further, in yet another connector, the terminal includes a reinforcing part which is integrated with at least a portion of the front wall part so as to be exposed to the outer surface, wherein the reinforcing part is provided closer to the center in the width direction of the housing than the front contact part so as not to contact the counterpart terminal.
A connector assembly includes: the connector, and a counterpart connector capable of mating with the connector.
Further, in another connector assembly, the counterpart connector includes: a counterpart housing and a counterpart terminal which is connected to the end of an electric wire and installed in the counterpart housing; wherein the periphery of the counterpart housing is defined by an upper surface, a bottom surface, left and right side surfaces, a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the electric wire stretches backward from the rear surface, and wherein the counterpart terminal includes: a front plate part exposed to the front surface; and a rear plate part exposed to the rear surface, wherein the front plate part includes a contact point region which is disposed more externally in the width direction of the counterpart housing than the electric wire so as to be adjacent to the side surfaces, with the contact point region and the rear plate part disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction so as to be capable of being held by a front contact part and rear contact part of the terminal of the connector from the front and rear thereof.
According to the present disclosure, the connector and the connector assembly provide a simple configuration which, even upon a reduction in size and height, is able to assuredly maintain the conduction state with a counterpart terminal in addition to assuredly maintaining the mating state with a counterpart connector, thereby improving reliability.
An embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
In the figures, 1 is a connector in the present embodiment, which is a receptacle connector serving as a substrate connector in an electric wire-to-substrate connector serving as a connector assembly, and is mounted on a substrate (not illustrated). The substrate is, for example, a printed circuit board, a flexible flat cable (FFC), or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The board, however, may be any type of substrate.
Moreover, 101 is a counterpart connector in the present embodiment, in addition to being a plug connector as the electric wire connector in the electric wire-to-substrate connector serving as the connector assembly, and is connected to the end of multiple (two in the example illustrated in the figure) electric wires 191, in addition to mating with the receptacle connector 1 in the direction (Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the surface of the substrate. Note that the electric wires 191 correspond to, for example, American Wire Gauge (AWG) #30 (outer diameter: 0.255 [mm]) or #28, etc., with any kind of electric wire that can turn on electricity, such as electric wires (using single core wires and strand wires) and coaxial electric wires, capable of being used. In the example illustrated in the figure, each electric wire 191 has: a core wire 192 as a conductive electric wire made of a conductive metal such as copper alloy; and an insulation coat 193 coating the periphery of this core wire 192.
The connector assembly consisting of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 is used, for example, to connect an electric power line which connects a power source (such as batteries) and a member (for consuming an electric power), in electronic equipment, electrical appliances, etc., but can be used to connect a signal line. Note that electronic equipment, electrical appliances, etc. with the connector assembly attached thereto may be any kind of equipment, but are herein equipment having a size which is relatively small and can be carried by a person. In addition, the receptacle connector 1 is described as a receptacle connector wherein the dimensions in the anteroposterior direction, that is, in the length direction (X-axis direction) are approximately 1.2 [mm], the dimensions in the left and right direction, that is, in the width direction (Y-axis direction) are approximately 2.0 [mm], and the dimensions in the vertical direction, that is, in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) are approximately 0.6 [mm]. These dimensions may be appropriately changed in accordance with the application of the connector assembly, the thickness and the number of electric wires 191, etc.
Note that expressions indicating directions, such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, used to describe the operations and configurations of each part of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 in the present embodiment do not indicate absolute directions but rather relative directions. The expressed directions are relevant when each part of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 are in their respective orientations illustrated in the figures. In the event the orientations of each part of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 change, these directions should be interpreted differently in accordance with the new orientations after the change.
The receptacle connector 1 is a connector including the below-mentioned substantially recessed receiving space 13 receiving the plug connector 101, and includes: a receptacle housing 11 as a housing made of an insulating material such as resin; and a receptacle terminal 51 as a terminal made of a conductive metal and installed in the receptacle housing 11. Note that the receptacle housing 11 and the receptacle terminal 51 are configured to be planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1.
Moreover, the plug connector 101 is a connector having a box shaped outer shape which is housed in the receiving space 13, and includes: a plug housing 111 as a counterpart housing made of an insulating material such as resin; and a plug terminal 151 as a counterpart terminal made of a conductive metal and installed in the plug housing 111. Note that the plug housing 111 and the plug terminal 151 are configured to be planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the plug connector 101.
The plug housing 111 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member whose periphery is defined by an upper surface 111a, a bottom surface 111b, left and right side surfaces 111c, a front surface 111f, and a rear surface 111r, wherein an electric wire covering part 111d which covers a portion of the periphery of the electric wire 191 connected to the receptacle connector 1 is formed in the rear surface 111r. This electric wire covering part 111d is a cylindrical member which stretches backward (towards the negative X-axis direction) from the rear surface 111r. In the vertical direction, the electric wire covering part 111d includes: an upper end which is disposed so as to be the same as the position of the upper end of the upper surface 111a or lower than the position of the upper end of the upper surface 111a; and a lower end which is lower than the position of the lower end of the bottom surface 111b. That is, the outer diameter of the electric wire covering part 111d is larger than the dimensions in the thickness direction of the plug housing 111. Note that the outer diameter of the electric wire covering part 111d can be set as required, and in terms of a reduction in size and height of the plug connector 101, is preferably set to be equal to the outer diameter of the electric wire 191, that is, the outer diameter of the insulation coat 193. Moreover, the plug connector 101 has the electric wire covering part 111d and therefore does not require a crimping barrel for holding coated parts of electric wires used for general crimping terminals, making it possible to contribute to the reduction in size and height, as well as the cost reduction, of the plug connector 101 and the plug terminal 151.
Next, the configuration of the receptacle connector 1 will be described below in detail.
As illustrated in
Moreover, the receptacle connector 1 includes: the receptacle housing 11 integrally formed with an insulating material such as resin; and the receptacle terminal 51 which is integrally formed by subjecting a conductive metal plate to processing such as punching, pressing, and folding. Note that the receptacle housing 11 is a member integrated with the receptacle terminal 51 via insert molding (overmolding) and is not independently present (while separated from the receptacle terminal 51), but for convenience of description, is depicted as independently present in
In addition, the receptacle terminal 51 forms a left and right pair, wherein the receptacle terminal disposed on the left (towards the positive Y-axis direction) is referred to as a first receptacle terminal 51A, while the receptacle terminal disposed on the right (towards the negative Y-axis direction) is referred to as a second receptacle terminal 51B. Note that the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B are configured to be planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1, with substantially no difference therebetween in the configuration. With that, when the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B are comprehensively described, they are described as the receptacle terminal 51. Note that only the first receptacle terminal 51A is depicted in
The receptacle terminal 51 includes: an elongated side part 52 which extends in the anteroposterior direction; and a front part 53 and a rear part 54 which are connected to the front end and rear end of this side part 52 via a front corner part 52d1 and a rear corner part 52d2 and stretch towards the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1.
The side part 52 is a part which is integrated with at least a portion of a side wall part 14 of the receptacle housing 11 so as to be exposed to the outer surface. In addition, the side part 52 includes: a flat plate shaped side plate part 52a extending in the anteroposterior direction; a coupling part 52b as a member which is connected to the upper end of this side plate part 52a so as to extend in the anteroposterior direction, in addition to having a substantially U shaped cross section; a cantilever beam shaped tab part 52c which stretches downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the lower end on the opposite side of the side plate part 52a among the lower end in this coupling part 52b; the front corner part 52d1 and the rear corner part 52d2 which are connected to both the front and rear ends of the side plate part 52a; and a substrate connection part 56 stretching downward from the lower end of the side plate part 52a. Note that the tab part 52c is disposed closer to the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 than the side plate part 52a. Moreover, the tab part 52c is preferably bent such that the vicinity of the lower end thereof is disposed closer to the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 than the vicinity of the upper end thereof.
The side plate part 52a is a flat plate shaped member which extends in the anteroposterior direction and the vertical direction as mentioned above, such that an outer surface 52a1 serving as the side face facing the outside in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 is a flat face which configures a portion of the outer surface serving as the side face of the receptacle connector 1. Moreover, the outer surface 56a of the substrate connection part 56 is flush with the outer surface 52a1 and configures a portion of the outer surface serving as the side face of the receptacle connector 1. In the example illustrated in the figure, two of the substrate connection part 56 are formed so as to be arranged in parallel on the front and rear, wherein the lower end thereof serves as a connection end part 56b which is curved so as to stretch towards the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1. This connection end part 56b is a part which is connected to a conductive pad (formed on the surface of a substrate (not illustrated)) via a connection means such as soldering. Further, the front corner part 52d1 and the rear corner part 52d2 are members having a shape such as a portion of a cylindrical surface of a cylinder extending in the vertical direction extend, and as seen from above, as illustrated in
Moreover, in the example illustrated in the figure, the part between two substrate connection parts 56 below the side plate part 52a serves as a notch part 56c, wherein a portion of the side wall part 14 of the receptacle housing 11 is exposed in this notch part 56c. The surface exposed to the notch part 56c of this side wall part 14 is preferably substantially flush with the outer surface 52a1 of the side plate part 52a and the outer surface 56a of the substrate connection part 56. Note that it is not necessarily required that a portion of the side wall part 14 be exposed in the notch part 56c. Moreover, without forming this notch part 56c, the majority of the side faces of the receptacle connector 1 may be configured by the outer surface 52a1 of the side plate part 52a along with the outer surface 56a of the substrate connection part 56.
The front part 53 includes: an elongated band shaped front plate part 53a extending in the left and right direction; an elastically deformable front contact part 53b which is connected to the upper end of this front plate part 53a so as to stretch backward; a front beam part 53c which is connected to the lower end of the front plate part 53a so as to stretch backward; and a reinforcing part 53d which is connected to the center side end in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in the front plate part 53a. Note that the front contact part 53b and the front beam part 53c are connected to the upper end and lower end of the front plate part 53a at the same positions in the left and right direction, and overlap each other as seen from above as illustrated in
In the front plate part 53a, an outer surface 53a1 serving as the side face facing the front of the receptacle connector 1 is a flat face which configures a portion of the outer surface serving as the front face of the receptacle connector 1.
Moreover, as illustrated in
The front beam part 53c is an elongated band shaped plate member which stretches from the lower end of the front plate part 53a to the rear of the receptacle connector 1, wherein, in the example illustrated in the figure, the tip thereof is disposed at nearly the same position as the front end of the notch part 56c of the side wall part 14 in the anteroposterior direction. Moreover, the lower face of the front beam part 53c is nearly flush with the lower face of the connection end part 56b of the substrate connection part 56.
As illustrated in
The rear part 54 includes: a band shaped rear plate part 54a extending in the left and right direction; a rear contact part 54b which is connected to the upper end of this rear plate part 54a so as to stretch forward; and a rear beam part 54c which is connected to the lower end of the rear plate part 54a so as to stretch forward. Note that the rear contact part 54b and the rear beam part 54c are connected to the upper end and lower end of the rear plate part 54a at the same positions in the left and right direction and overlap each other as seen from above as illustrated in
In the rear plate part 54a, an outer surface 54a1 serving as the side face facing the rear of the receptacle connector 1 is a flat face which configures a portion of the outer surface serving as the rear face of the receptacle connector 1.
Moreover, as illustrated in
Note that the rear contact part 54b preferably has high rigidity and does not elastically deform. That is, the contact plate part 54b4 is preferably not elastically displaced in the anteroposterior direction. Consequently, a rear contact part inner space 54d serving as a space between the rear plate part 54a and the rear contact part 54b is preferably filled with a portion of resin making up the receptacle housing 11.
The rear beam part 54c is an elongated band shaped plate member which stretches from the lower end of the rear plate part 54a to the front of the receptacle connector 1, wherein, in the example illustrated in the figure, the tip thereof is disposed at nearly the same position as the rear end of the notch part 56c of the side wall part 14 in the anteroposterior direction. Moreover, the lower face of the rear beam part 54c is nearly flush with the lower face of the connection end part 56b of the substrate connection part 56.
Further, the front contact part 53b and the front beam part 53c, as well as the rear contact part 54b and the rear beam part 54c, are disposed parallel to the X-axis, that is, in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, in a plan view, that is, as seen from above, as illustrated in
The receptacle housing 11 includes: a bottom wall part 12 defining at least a portion of the underside of the receiving space 13; a pair of left and right side wall parts 14 defining at least a portion of both the left and right sides of the receiving space 13; a front wall part 15 defining at least a portion of the front of the receiving space 13; and a rear wall part 16 defining at least a portion of the rear of the receiving space 13.
As illustrated in
As mentioned above, because the receptacle housing 11 is configured to be planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1, the left and right side wall parts 14 are also configured to be mutually planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1, with substantially no difference therebetween in the configuration. In addition, each side wall part 14 includes: a main body part 14a connected to both the left and right ends of the main body part 12a of the bottom wall part 12; an elongated side beam part 14b which is connected to the upper end of this main body part 14a so as to extend in the anteroposterior direction; a front corner cap 14e1 and a rear corner cap 14e2 which are connected to the upper end thereof, on both the front and rear ends of this side beam part 14b; and a connection leg 14c stretching downward from the lower end of the side beam part 14b.
The main body part 14a is a relatively thick member, wherein the entire side face is substantially T shaped and the side face facing the outside in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 is a flat face which is nearly flush with the outer surface 52a1 of the side plate part 52a of the receptacle terminal 51 and configures a portion of the outer surface serving as the side face of the receptacle connector 1. Moreover, the side face facing the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in the main body part 14a is a flat face which is nearly flush with the side face facing the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in the coupling part 52b of the receptacle terminal 51 and configures a portion of the internal surface of the walls defining the side of the receiving space 13.
The side beam part 14b is a thin elongated band shaped member (wherein, the dimensions in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 are smaller than the main body part 14a) and is preferably adhered and housed in an internal space having a substantially U shaped cross section in the coupling part 52b of the receptacle terminal 51. As a result, the coupling part 52b has improved rigidity and tends not to be deformed. Moreover, each of the front corner cap 14e1 and the rear corner cap 14e2 is a member which has a shape such as a quarter of a hemisphere and covers the upper face of the front corner part 52d1 and the rear corner part 52d2. In the example illustrated in the figure, as in the substrate connection part 56, two connection legs 14c are formed so as to be arranged in parallel on the front and rear, the side face facing the outside in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in each connection leg 14c is preferably adhered to the side face facing the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in the corresponding substrate connection part 56, while the lower face in each connection leg 14c is preferably adhered to the upper face of the connection end part 56b. As a result, the substrate connection part 56 including the connection end part 56b has improved rigidity and tends not to be deformed. Note that the side face facing the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in each connection leg 14c is nearly flush with the side face facing the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 in the main body part 14a.
Moreover, below the side beam part 14b, a tab housing notch 14d is formed between the main body part 14a and the connection legs 14c disposed on the front and rear thereof. The tab part 52c of the receptacle terminal 51 is housed in the tab housing notch 14d serving as a space, thereby allowing it to be elastically displaced in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1.
The front wall part 15 is a member stretching upward from the front end of the extension part 12b of the bottom wall part 12 and a plate member extending in the left and right direction and the vertical direction. In addition, the front wall part 15 includes: a relatively thick main body part 15a; and a pair of relatively thin wall parts 15b stretching from this main body part 15a in both the left and right directions. Each of the left and right thin wall parts 15b is preferably adhered and housed in an internal space having a substantially U shaped cross section in each reinforcing part 53d of the receptacle terminal 51. As a result, each reinforcing part 53d has improved rigidity and tends not to be deformed. Moreover, the main body part 15a is housed between the reinforcing part 53d of the first receptacle terminal 51A and the reinforcing part 53d of the second receptacle terminal 51B. In addition, the entire outer surface of the main body part 15a is nearly flush with the entire outer surface of the reinforcing part 53d. Therefore, the outer surface of the main body part 15a configures a portion of the internal surface, external surface, and upper face of the walls defining the front of the receiving space 13, together with the outer surface of the reinforcing part 53d. Moreover, when the main body part 15a is integrated with the reinforcing parts 53d of the left and right first receptacle terminal 51A and second receptacle terminal 51B, the left and right reinforcing parts 53d are integrally firmly bonded, such that the left and right first receptacle terminal 51A and second receptacle terminal 51B are integrally firmly bonded.
The rear wall part 16 is a member stretching from the rear end of the side wall part 14 towards the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1. However, the dimensions in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1 are small. Therefore, the rear wall part 16 is divided into the left and right, while between the left and right rear wall parts 16, a space of larger dimensions than the dimensions in the left and right direction of the bottom wall part 12 is present. Therefore, the rear of the receiving space 13 is opened within the range of this space. As illustrated in
In addition, the rear wall part 16 includes: a main body part 16a which is connected to the rear end of the side beam part 14b so as to stretch from this rear end towards the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1; a rear contact reinforcing part 16b which is connected to the tip of this main body part 16a so as to stretch downward; and a rear wall cap 16c connected to the upper end of the main body part 16a.
The main body part 16a is preferably adhered to the side face facing the front in the rear plate part 54a of the receptacle terminal 51. As a result, the rear plate part 54a has improved rigidity and tends not to be deformed. Moreover, the rear contact reinforcing part 16b is preferably adhered and housed in the rear contact part inner space 54d serving as a space between the rear plate part 54a and the rear contact part 54b in the rear part 54 of the receptacle terminal 51. As a result, the rigidity of the rear contact part 54b is improved, preventing elastic displacement of the contact plate part 54b4 in the anteroposterior direction. Further, the rear wall cap 16c is a member which is integrated with the rear corner cap 14e2 and coats a region with the rear contact part 54b not connected thereto at the upper end of the rear plate part 54a. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the rear wall cap 16c is nearly flush with the outer peripheral surface of the rear contact part 54b and the overall side face shape is substantially U shaped.
As mentioned above, the receptacle connector 1 is obtained by integrating the receptacle housing 11 and the receptacle terminal 51 via insert molding (overmolding). Specifically, a conductive metal plate is first subjected to processing such as punching, pressing, and folding to mold the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B. Subsequently, the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B are disposed in the molding die so as to abut the inner face in the left and right direction and the anteroposterior direction of a molding die (not illustrated). Subsequently, this molding die is filled with an insulating material such as fused resin and this insulating material is cooled and solidified, after which a molded product is extracted from the molding die. As a result, the receptacle connector 1 can be obtained, wherein the receptacle housing 11 and the receptacle terminal 51 as illustrated in
Note that when the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B are disposed in the molding die as mentioned above, the flow pressure of the fused insulating material which flows in this molding die is applied to each of the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B. As a result, in the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B, each outer surface of the side part 52, the front part 53, and the rear part 54, as well as each upper face of the coupling part 52b, the reinforcing part 53d, and the rear contact part 54b, is assuredly adhered to the inner face of the molding die. Consequently, the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B are accurately positioned relative to the receptacle housing 11, making it possible to reduce the tolerance of the distance between the first receptacle terminal 51A and the second receptacle terminal 51B, in addition to obtaining a receptacle connector 1 having good positional accuracy.
Moreover, the insulating material enters between the coupling part 52b and the side plate part 52a, between the reinforcing part 53d and a front plate part 53a, and between the rear contact part 54b and the rear plate part 54a, in the receptacle terminal 51. Accordingly, the coupling part 52b, the reinforcing part 53d, and the rear contact part 54b are integrated with the side wall part 14, the front wall part 15, and the rear wall part 16, in the receptacle housing 11, thereby preventing the coupling part 52b, the reinforcing part 53d, and the rear contact part 54b from elastically deforming. Therefore, the receptacle connector 1 can include a rigid structure. In contrast, the insulating material is not adhered to the periphery of the tab part 52c and the front contact part 53b in the receptacle terminal 51, such that the tab part 52c and the front contact part 53b can be elastically deformed while remaining unrestrained, so as to assuredly abut the plug connector 101.
Further, the side faces, front face, and rear face of the receptacle connector 1 are configured by the outer surfaces and upper faces of the side part 52, front part 53, and rear part 54, of the receptacle terminal 51, along with the outer surfaces and upper faces of the side wall part 14, front wall part 15, and rear wall part 16, of the receptacle housing 11. Similarly, the inner face of the receptacle connector 1 is configured by the internal surfaces of the coupling part 52b, reinforcing part 53d, and rear contact part 54b, of the receptacle terminal 51, along with the inner face of the receptacle housing 11.
Moreover, the free ends (tips) of the front beam part 53c and the rear beam part 54c are integrally molded and fixed to the front end and rear end of the main body part 12a of the bottom wall part 12. As mentioned above, because the front contact part 53b and the front beam part 53c of the receptacle terminal 51, as well as the rear contact part 54b and the rear beam part 54c, are disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, the rear contact part 54b into which the insulating material has entered can directly receive the elastic force of the front contact part 53b, suppressing the deformation volume. Moreover, the front beam part 53c and the rear beam part 54c function as beams, making it possible to further suppress the deformation volume.
The configuration of the plug connector 101 will hereinafter be described in detail.
As mentioned above, the plug connector 101 is a connector having a box shaped outer shape, and includes: a plug housing 111 integrally formed with an insulating material such as resin; and a plug terminal 151 which is integrally formed by subjecting a conductive metal plate to processing such as punching, pressing, and folding. Note that the plug housing 111 is a member integrated with the plug terminal 151 via insert molding (overmolding) and is not independently present (while separated from the plug terminal 151).
In addition, the plug terminal 151 forms a left and right pair, wherein the plug terminal disposed on the left (towards the positive Y-axis direction) is referred to as a first plug terminal 151A, while the plug terminal disposed on the right (towards the negative Y-axis direction) is referred to as a second plug terminal 151B. Note that the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B are configured to be planarly symmetric on the left and right with respect to the X-Z plane passing through the center in the width direction of the plug connector 101, with substantially no difference therebetween in the configuration. With that, when the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B are comprehensively described, they are described as the plug terminal 151. Note that only the first plug terminal 151A is depicted in
The plug terminal 151 includes: an upper plate part 152 disposed at the upper part; a front plate part 153 disposed on the front; a side plate part 154 disposed on the side; a rear part 155 disposed on the rear; and an electric wire connection part 156 connected to the electric wires 191.
The upper plate part 152 includes: a side upper plate part 152b extending in the anteroposterior direction; and a front upper plate part 152a and a rear upper plate part 152c which stretch from the front end and rear end of this side upper plate part 152b towards the center in the width direction of the plug connector 101. Note that in the left and right direction, the dimensions of the front upper plate part 152a are set to be larger than those of the rear upper plate part 152c. That is, the free end (tip) of the front upper plate part 152a is disposed closer to the center in the width direction of the plug connector 101 than the free end of the rear upper plate part 152c. The upper plate part 152 has high rigidity and tends not to be deformed because the front upper plate part 152a, the side upper plate part 152b, and the rear upper plate part 152c are integrally connected on the same plane and the shape as seen from above (in a plan view shape) is substantially U shaped.
The front plate part 153 is a flat plate shaped plate member which stretches downward from the front end of the front upper plate part 152a of the upper plate part 152 and is exposed to the front surface 111f of the plug housing 111. In addition, a connection beam part 153a and a front beam part 153b are connected to the lower end of the front plate part 153. The connection beam part 153a is a band shaped cantilever beam shaped plate member which is connected closer to the free end (tip) of the front plate part 153, that is, closer to the center in the width direction of the plug connector 101, so as to stretch backward, wherein the electric wire connection part 156 is connected to the free end. Moreover, the front beam part 153b is a band shaped cantilever beam shaped plate member which is connected closer to the base end of the front plate part 153, that is, in the vicinity of the side plate part 154, so as to stretch backward. Note that in the front plate part 153, a region with the front beam part 153b connected to the lower end thereof functions as a contact point region 153c contacting the front contact part 53b of the receptacle terminal 51.
The electric wire connection part 156 includes a crimping part 156a electrically connected to the core wire 192 of the electric wire 191. As with a common crimping terminal, this crimping part 156a includes a connection tab 156b to be electrically connected to the outer periphery of the core wire 192. Note that in the example illustrated in
The side plate part 154 is a flat plate shaped plate member which stretches downward from the side end of the side upper plate part 152b of the upper plate part 152 and is exposed to the side surface 111c of the plug housing 111. In addition, a recess 154b is formed on an outer surface 154a of the side plate part 154. In the example illustrated in the figure, two recesses 154b are formed in parallel in the anteroposterior direction. In addition, a step 154c with the outer surface 154a is formed at the lower end of each recess 154b.
The rear part 155 includes: a rear plate part 155a serving as a flat plate shaped plate member which stretches downward from the rear end of the rear upper plate part 152c of the upper plate part 152; a rear beam part 155b serving as a band shaped cantilever beam shaped plate member which stretches forward from the lower end of this rear plate part 155a; and a projection 155c which is formed on the outer surface of the rear plate part 155a exposed on the rear surface 111r of the plug housing 111 so as to protrude backward. Note that this projection 155c can be omitted.
Moreover, the contact point region 153c and the front beam part 153b of the front plate part 153, as well as the rear plate part 155a and the rear beam part 155b of the rear part 155, are disposed parallel to the X-axis, that is, in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, in a plan view, that is, as seen from above. Moreover, the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a are turned such that their backs mutually face each other and are integrally formed together with each part of the upper plate part 152, the front plate part 153, the side plate part 154, and the rear part 155. Thereby, the distance between the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a can be assuredly maintained.
Further, three sides of the electric wire connection part 156 are surrounded by the upper plate part 152, the front plate part 153, the side plate part 154, and the rear part 155, wherein the electric wire connection part 156 does not include the part which protrudes outward from the plug connector 101. Thereby, the plug connector 101 can be reduced in size and height.
Note that in the process as illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Finally, a bending process is carried out such that the connection beam part 153a is curved at approximately 90°. As a result, as illustrated in
As mentioned above, the plug connector 101 is obtained by integrating the plug housing 111 and the plug terminal 151 via insert molding (overmolding) Specifically, a conductive metal plate is first subjected to processing such as punching, pressing, and folding to mold the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B, with the end of the electric wire 191 further connected thereto. Subsequently, the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B, which are connected to the electric wire 191, are disposed in the molding die so as to abut the inner face in the left and right direction and the anteroposterior direction of a molding die (not illustrated). Subsequently, this molding die is filled with an insulating material such as fused resin and this insulating material is cooled and solidified, after which a molded product is extracted from the molding die. As a result, the plug connector 101 can be obtained, with the plug housing 111 and the plug terminal 151 as illustrated in
Note that when the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B are disposed in the molding die as mentioned above, the flow pressure of the fused insulating material which flows in this molding die is applied to each of the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B. As a result, in the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B, each outer surface of the upper plate part 152, the front plate part 153, the side plate part 154, and the rear part 155, as well as each lower face of the front beam part 153b and the rear beam part 155b, is assuredly adhered to the inner face of the molding die. Consequently, the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B are accurately positioned relative to the plug housing 111, making it possible to reduce the tolerance of the distance between the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B, in addition to obtaining a plug connector 101 having good positional accuracy.
Moreover, the insulating material enters between each part of the plug terminal 151, while the insulating material enters between the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B. Therefore, each part in the plug terminal 151 is integrated with the plug housing 111, thereby preventing each part in the plug terminal 151 from elastically deforming, in addition to preventing changes in the interval between each part of the first plug terminal 151A and each part of the second plug terminal 151B. Thereby, the plug connector 101 can include a rigid structure.
Further, as mentioned above, the contact point region 153c and the front beam part 153b of the front plate part 153, as well as the rear plate part 155a and the rear beam part 155b of the rear part 155, are disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, while the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a are integrally formed together with each part of the upper plate part 152, the front plate part 153, the side plate part 154, and the rear part 155. Therefore, even when force is applied in the anteroposterior direction from the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b of the receptacle terminal 51, the distance between the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a does not change. Moreover, the front beam part 153b and the rear beam part 155b function as beams, making it possible to assuredly prevent the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a from deforming. Note that the free ends (tips) and upper faces of the front beam part 153b and the rear beam part 155b are integrally molded and fixed to the plug housing 111.
Further, the electric wire connection part 156 is also contained in the plug housing 111, thereby further increasing the strength of the plug connector 101.
Note that in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the crimping part 156a of the electric wire connection part 156 is crimped to the core wire 192 of the electric wire 191 so as to electrically connect the electric wire connection part 156 and the core wire 192. However, the electric connection between the electric wire connection part 156 and the core wire 192 is not limited to this example. Any connection means such as pressure welding, welding, soldering, etc. of the core wire 192 to the electric wire connection part 156 may be used, or multiple connection means may be used in combination.
The operation for mating the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 will hereinafter be described.
Here, the receptacle connector 1 is mounted on the surface of the substrate, such that the connection end part 56b in the substrate connection part 56 of the receptacle terminal 51 is connected to a conductive pad (which is formed on the surface of a substrate (not illustrated)) via soldering, etc. Moreover, as illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
Subsequently, the operator lowers the plug connector 101 relative to the receptacle connector 1, makes the plug connector 101 enter the receiving space 13 of the receptacle connector 1, and as illustrated in
Upon the completion of mating, as illustrated in
In the state prior to mating, that is, the state in which force is not applied to the front contact part 53b of the receptacle terminal 51, the distance from the front contact point 53b5 to the contact plate part 54b4 (more specifically, the rear contact point recess 54b5) in the receptacle terminal 51 is shorter than the distance from the contact point region 153c to the rear plate part 155a (more specifically, the projection 155c) in the plug terminal 151. Consequently, when mating, the contact point region 153c of the plug terminal 151 pushes forward the front contact point 53b5 of the receptacle terminal 51, thereby elastically deforming the front contact part 53b of the receptacle terminal 51, while elastically displacing forward the front contact point 53b5. Upon the completion of mating, the repulsive force exerted by the elastically deformed front contact part 53b presses the front contact point 53b5 against the contact point region 153c of the front plate part 153 of the plug terminal 151, thereby assuredly maintaining contact between the front contact point 53b5 and the contact point region 153c so as to assure the conduction state therebetween.
Moreover, when mating, the tab part 52c of the side part 52 of the receptacle terminal 51 relatively rises along the outer surface 154a of the side plate part 154 of the plug terminal 151, passes through the step 154c, and engages with a recess 154b. At this time, the cantilever beam shaped tab part 52c (the vicinity of the lower end of which is bent so as to be disposed closer to the center in the width direction of the receptacle connector 1) is elastically deformed by the step 154c, then reaches the recess 154b so as to release the elastic force, generating a clicking sound and vibrating. As a result, the operator can easily detect the completion of mating. Note that if the clicking sound and vibrating are unnecessary, the formation of the tab part 52c, the recess 154b, the step 154c, etc. can be omitted. Moreover, in accordance with the usage status of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101, the presence of the tab part 52c, the recess 154b, the step 154c, etc. may be selected.
Further, in the mated state, the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b in the receptacle terminal 51, as well as the contact point region 153c (of the front plate part 153) and the rear plate part 155a in the plug terminal 151, are disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, while the rear contact part 54b of the receptacle terminal 51 and the rear plate part 155a of the plug terminal 151 abut each other without elastically deforming. Therefore, even when the repulsive force of the front contact part 53b of the elastically deformed receptacle terminal 51 acts backward, the rear contact part 54b of the receptacle terminal 51 and the rear plate part 155a of the plug terminal 151 do not directly attenuate the repulsive force of the front contact part 53b. Further, because the front contact point 53b5 of the front contact part 53b of the receptacle terminal 51 assuredly presses the contact point region 153c in the front plate part 153 of the plug terminal 151, a connector assembly can obtain assured connection stability.
Moreover, because the receptacle terminal 51 has a front beam part 53c and a rear beam part 54c which are disposed in nearly a straight line, even if excessive force (generated when the electric wire 191 is pulled or the receptacle connector 1 erroneously mates with the plug connector 101) is applied via the plug connector 101, the front beam part 53c and the rear beam part 54c function as beams, preventing the receptacle terminal 51 and the receptacle connector 1 from deforming.
Further, the receptacle terminal 51 has a reinforcing part 53d and this reinforcing part 53d is integrated with the front wall part 15 of the receptacle housing 11, making it possible to maintain the mechanical strength of the receptacle connector 1 as a whole.
Moreover, an engagement mechanism for maintaining the mating state between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 may be included. For example, as illustrated in
Further, the bottom wall part 12 of the receptacle housing 11 is absent behind the rear end of the main body part 12a, while the lower part of the receiving space 13 is opened in the range from the rear end of this main body part 12a to the rear wall part 16 so as to form even more space. Consequently, even if the underside of the electric wire 191 and the electric wire covering part 111d which are connected to the plug connector 101 protrudes below a bottom surface 111b of the plug housing 111, that is, the electric wire 191 having a larger outer diameter than the dimensions in the vertical direction of the plug connector 101 is used, because the underside of the protruding electric wire 191 and electric wire covering part 111d is housed in the further space, the dimensions (height) in the vertical direction of the mutually mated receptacle connector 1 and plug connector 101, that is, the connector assembly, can be maintained.
In this way, in the present embodiment, the receptacle connector 1 includes the receptacle housing 11, along with the receptacle terminal 51 installed in the receptacle housing 11; wherein the receptacle housing 11 includes: the receiving space 13 in which the upper face receiving the plug connector 101 is opened; a pair of side wall parts 14 defining at least a portion of both the left and right sides of the receiving space 13; the front wall part 15 defining at least a portion of the front of the receiving space 13; and a pair of rear wall parts 16 defining at least a portion of the rear of the receiving space 13, wherein the receptacle terminal 51 includes: the front contact part 53b provided on the front of the receiving space 13 adjacent to each side wall part 14; and the rear contact part 54b provided on the rear of the receiving space 13 adjacent to each side wall part 14, and wherein the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b are disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction, face each other, and are capable of holding the plug terminal 151 of the plug connector 101 from the front and rear thereof.
As a result, the receptacle connector 1 provides a simple configuration which, even upon a reduction in size and height, is able to assuredly maintain the conduction state with the plug terminal 151 of the plug connector 101 in addition to assuredly maintaining the mating state with the plug connector 101. Thereby, reliability can be improved.
Moreover, the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b elastically holds the plug terminal 151 when the front contact part 53b elastically deforms. Therefore, the rear contact part 54b can define the position of the plug terminal 151 in terms of the receptacle terminal 51, wherein the positional relationship between the receptacle terminal 51 and the plug terminal 151, as well as the positional relationship between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101, can be stably maintained.
Further, the front contact part 53b is an elastically deformable band plate shaped member separated from the front wall part 15, and includes: an arm part 53b3 which stretches towards the rear of the receiving space 13; and a second curved part 53b4 connected to the tip of the arm part 53b3, wherein the rear contact part 54b is integrated with at least a portion of the rear wall part 16. Therefore, the second curved part 53b4 contacting the plug terminal 151 in the front contact part 53b can be sufficiently elastically displaced, while assuredly preventing the rear contact part 54b from elastically deforming. Thereby, while assuredly maintaining the contact and conduction state between the receptacle terminal 51 and the plug terminal 151, the positional relationship between the receptacle terminal 51 and the plug terminal 151, as well as the positional relationship between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101, can be stably maintained.
Further, the rear contact point recess 54b5 engageable with the plug terminal 151 is formed on the surface of the rear contact part 54b facing the front of the receiving space 13. Therefore, the engagement between the rear contact part 54b and the plug terminal 151 which do not elastically deform is assuredly maintained, such that the plug terminal 151 and the receptacle terminal 51 are locked with high locking strength.
Further, the receptacle terminal 51 includes a side part 52 which is integrated with at least a portion of the side wall part 14 so as to be exposed to the outer surface, wherein the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b are respectively connected to the front end and rear end of the side part 52. In this way, the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b are connected to the side part 52 (which is a member having high strength) to provide a stable positional relationship therebetween, thereby providing a stable positional relationship between the receptacle terminal 51 and the plug terminal 151 which is held by the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b from the front and rear thereof.
Further, the receptacle terminal 51 includes a reinforcing part 53d which is integrated with at least a portion of the front wall part 15 so as to be exposed to the outer surface, wherein the reinforcing part 53d is provided closer to the center in the width direction of the receptacle housing 11 than the front contact part 53b so as not to contact the plug terminal 151. Thereby, the strength of the receptacle connector 1 is improved.
Further, the plug connector 101 includes: the plug housing 111; and the plug terminal 151 which is connected to the end of the electric wire 191 and installed in the plug housing 111; wherein the periphery of the plug housing 111 is defined by an upper surface 111a, a bottom surface 111b, left and right side surfaces 111c, a front surface 111f, and a rear surface 111r, wherein the electric wire 191 stretches backward from the rear surface 111r, and wherein the plug terminal 151 includes: the front plate part 153 exposed to the front surface 111f; and the rear plate part 155a exposed to the rear surface 111r, wherein the front plate part 153 includes the contact point region 153c which is disposed more externally in the width direction of the plug housing 111 than the electric wire 191 so as to be adjacent to the side surfaces 111c, with the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a disposed in nearly a straight line extending in the anteroposterior direction so as to be capable of being held by the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b of the receptacle terminal 51 of the receptacle connector 1 from the front and rear thereof. In this way, the contact point region 153c and the rear plate part 155a disposed on the front and rear of the plug terminal 151 are capable of being held by the front contact part 53b and the rear contact part 54b of the receptacle terminal 51 from the front and rear thereof, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the plug terminal 151 to the receptacle terminal 51, as well as the positional accuracy of the plug connector 101 to the receptacle connector 1. Moreover, the plug connector 101 is retained in the receptacle connector 1 at high positional accuracy even when the dimensional accuracy in the width direction is low.
Next Embodiment 2 will be described. Note that the description of elements having the same structures as those of Embodiment 1 will be omitted by being denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, a description of operations and effects that are the same as those of Embodiment 1 will be omitted.
The electric wire 191 connected to the plug connector 101 as an electric wire connector in the present embodiment has a smaller outer diameter than the electric wire 191 in the abovementioned Embodiment 1, in addition to having a large number, and configures rows arranged in parallel in the width direction of the plug connector 101 (in the example illustrated in the figure, eight electric wires are arranged in parallel in one row in the width direction of the plug connector 101 so as to configure one row on both the left and right). The electric wire 191 in the present embodiment is typically an electric wire (having a small diameter) referred to as a magnet wire, is generally used while wound in a coil shape, for example, and has a core wire 192 as a conductive electric wire made of a conductive metal such as copper alloy and an insulation coat 193 (which is enamel, polyimide, etc. and coats the periphery of this core wire 192), in addition to having an outer diameter of approximately 0.03 to 0.25 [mm], with any kind thereof capable of being used. In addition, as illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
Note that compared with the plug terminal 151 according to the abovementioned Embodiment 1, while the plug terminal 151 according to the present embodiment has different ratios between the dimensions in the left and right direction and the dimensions in the anteroposterior direction and the vertical direction, it does have substantially the same structure except in the abovementioned respect, so descriptions thereof have been omitted.
In addition, as in the abovementioned Embodiment 1, the plug connector 101 in the present embodiment is also obtained by integrating the plug housing 111 and the plug terminal 151 via insert molding (overmolding), wherein the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B which are connected to the electric wire 191 are disposed in the molding die while maintaining the arrangement as illustrated in
Moreover, compared with the receptacle connector 1 in the abovementioned Embodiment 1, as illustrated in
Note that because the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as the receptacle connector 1 according to the abovementioned Embodiment 1 except in the abovementioned respect, descriptions thereof have been omitted.
It should be noted that descriptions of the configurations, operations, and effects of other aspects of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 that are the same as those of Embodiment 1 have been omitted.
Next, a third embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the description of elements having the same structure as the first and second embodiments will be omitted by denoting these elements using the same reference numerals. Furthermore, descriptions of operations and effects that are the same as those of the first and second embodiments will also be omitted.
The electric wire 191 connected to the plug connector 101 as the electric wire connector in the present embodiment is the same as in the abovementioned Embodiment 2, wherein rows arranged in parallel in the width direction of the plug connector 101 are disposed to form vertical multiple rows (in the example illustrated in the figure, two vertical rows).
In addition, an electric wire housing recess 113 is formed in the center of the plug housing 111, wherein the core wire 192 which is exposed by a predetermined length from the tip of the electric wire 191 is housed in the electric wire housing recess 113. This electric wire housing recess 113 is a substantially rectangular-parallelepiped space which is opened to the upper surface 111a, the bottom surface 111b, and the rear surface 111r of the plug housing 111. Note that while the plug housing 111 is a member integrated with the plug terminal 151 via insert molding (overmolding) and is not independently present (while separated from the plug terminal 151), for convenience of description, it is depicted as independently present in
As illustrated in
Moreover, as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
In addition, as in the abovementioned Embodiment 2, the plug connector 101 in the present embodiment is also obtained by integrating the plug housing 111 and the plug terminal 151 via insert molding (overmolding), wherein the first plug terminal 151A and the second plug terminal 151B which are connected to the electric wire 191 are disposed in the molding die while maintaining the arrangement as illustrated in
Note that because the receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as the receptacle connector 1 according to the abovementioned Embodiment 1, descriptions thereof have been omitted.
Moreover, it should be noted that descriptions of the configurations, operations, and effects of other aspects of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 101 that are the same as those of Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted.
Further, the disclosure of the present specification describes characteristics related to a preferred and exemplary embodiment. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto could naturally be conceived of by persons skilled in the art by summarizing the disclosures of the present specification.
The present disclosure is applicable to a connector and a connector assembly.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019-052128 | Mar 2019 | JP | national |
This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2019-052128 filed on Mar. 20, 2019, and U.S. Provisional application No. 62/782,079 filed on Dec. 19, 2018, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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| 20200203872 A1 | Jun 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 62782079 | Dec 2018 | US |
