阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 大坂纯士 于 2020-01-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种能够沿预定方向与配接连接器配接的连接器。配接连接器包括配接锁定部。连接器至少包括连接器主体。连接器主体包括保持构件、多个接触件和两个锁定部。保持构件具有板状部。接触件由保持构件保持。各锁定部具有被保持部和弹簧部。被保持部由保持构件保持。弹簧部可弹性变形。弹簧部在预定方向上从被保持部延伸。弹簧部在第二方向上具有预定尺寸,在垂直于第二方向的平面内具有预定厚度。预定尺寸大于预定厚度。弹簧部具有锁定突起和弹性支承部。锁定突起在第一方向上向外突出。锁定突起和配接锁定部锁定连接器和配接连接器的配接状态。弹性支承部支承锁定突起。连接器主体具有位于弹簧部的第一方向上的内侧、允许弹簧部弹性变形的空间。(A connector capable of mating with a mating connector in a predetermined direction. The mating connector includes a mating locking portion. The connector includes at least a connector body. The connector body includes a holding member, a plurality of contacts, and two locking portions. The holding member has a plate-like portion. The contact is held by the holding member. Each locking portion has a held portion and a spring portion. The held portion is held by the holding member. The spring portion is elastically deformable. The spring portion extends from the held portion in a predetermined direction. The spring portion has a predetermined dimension in the second direction and a predetermined thickness in a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The predetermined dimension is greater than the predetermined thickness. The spring portion has a locking protrusion and an elastic support portion. The locking protrusion protrudes outward in the first direction. The locking protrusion and the mating locking portion lock the mated state of the connector and the mating connector. The elastic support portion supports the locking protrusion. The connector body has a space located inside the spring portion in the first direction, allowing the spring portion to be elastically deformed.)

1. A connector capable of mating with a mating connector in a predetermined direction, wherein:

the mating connector includes a mating locking portion;

the connector includes at least a connector body;

the connector body includes a holding member, a plurality of contacts, and two locking portions;

the holding member has a plate-like portion;

the contact is held by the holding member;

each of the contacts has a contact portion;

the contact portions are arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction on the plate-like portion;

the contact portion is exposed from the plate-shaped portion in a second direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the first direction;

each of the locking portions has a held portion and a spring portion;

the held portion is held by the holding member;

the spring part can be elastically deformed;

the spring portion extends from the held portion in the predetermined direction;

the spring portion has a predetermined dimension in the second direction;

the spring portion has a predetermined thickness in a plane perpendicular to the second direction;

the predetermined dimension is greater than the predetermined thickness;

the spring part has a locking protrusion and an elastic support part;

the locking protrusion protrudes outward in the first direction;

the locking protrusion and the mating locking portion lock a mating state in which the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other;

the elastic support portion supports the locking protrusion;

the connector main body has a space located inside of the spring portion in the first direction; and is

The space allows elastic deformation of the spring portion.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein:

both sides of the space in the second direction communicate with the outside of the connector body; and is

The space is at least partially visible when the connector body is viewed in the second direction.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein:

the spring portion has an end in the predetermined direction;

each of the locking portions further has an additional held portion provided on an end portion of the spring portion; and is

The additional held portion is held by the holding member.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein:

the connector body further comprises an intermediate plate;

the contacts form two contact rows;

the contacts of each of the contact rows are arranged in the first direction;

the contact rows are arranged apart from each other in the second direction;

the intermediate plate is held by the holding member so as to be located between the contact rows in the second direction; and is

Each of the locking portions extends from the intermediate plate to be integrally formed with the intermediate plate.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking portions is held by the holding member only at the held portion.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein:

the spring portion has an end in the predetermined direction;

the connector body further includes a protection portion that protects an end portion of the spring portion;

the protection portion is held by the holding member;

the protection portion has an end in the predetermined direction; and is

An end of the spring portion is located between an end of the protecting portion and the held portion in the predetermined direction.

7. The connector of claim 5, wherein:

the connector body further includes a restricting portion;

the restricting portion is held by the holding member;

the spring portion has an end in the predetermined direction; and is

The restricting portion restricts movement of an end portion of the spring portion in the second direction.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein:

the end part of the spring part is provided with a limited part which is bifurcated into two parts; and is

The restricting portion is sandwiched by two portions of the restricted portion in the second direction.

9. The connector of claim 5, wherein:

the plurality of contacts includes at least one ground terminal;

the locking portion has a connecting portion; and is

The connecting portion is connected to the ground terminal.

10. The connector of claim 5, wherein:

the connector body further comprises an intermediate plate;

the contacts form two contact rows;

the contacts of each of the contact rows are arranged in the first direction;

the contact rows are arranged apart from each other in the second direction;

the intermediate plate is held by the holding member so as to be located between the contact rows in the second direction;

the intermediate plate is different and separate from the locking portion;

each of the locking portions has an additional connecting portion; and is

The additional connection part is connected with the middle plate.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein:

the locking projection has a first curved portion, a sliding surface, and a second curved portion; and is

The sliding surface joins the first curved portion and the second curved portion to each other in the predetermined direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector including a connector body having a locking portion.

Background

Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-98052 (patent document 1) discloses a connector 900 of this type. As shown in fig. 20 and 21, the connector 900 of patent document 1 can be mated with the mating connector 950 in the X direction. The mating connector 950 has a mating lock portion 952. The connector 900 includes a connector body 910. The connector body 910 includes a holding member 920, a plurality of contacts (not shown), and two multifunctional plates 925. Each of the multifunctional plates 925 is formed by punching a metal plate and then bending it. Each multifunctional plate 925 has a locking portion 930. The locking part 930 has a held part 932 and a spring part 936. The held portion 932 is held by the holding member 920. The spring portion 936 extends in the X direction from the held portion 932. The spring portion 936 has a locking protrusion 937 and an elastic support portion 939. The locking protrusion 937 and the mating locking portion 952 are configured to lock a mating state in which the connector 900 and the mating connector 950 are mated with each other. The locking protrusion 937 protrudes outward in the Y direction. The elastic support portion 939 is elastically deformable and supports the locking protrusion 937. The connector main body 910 has spaces 940 corresponding to the elastic bearings 939, respectively. Each space 940 is located inside the corresponding elastic support portion 939 in the Y direction. Each space 940 allows elastic deformation of the corresponding elastic support portion 939.

The connector 900 is configured such that the elastic supports 939 are elastically deformed inward in the Y direction according to a force applied to the locking protrusions 937. This configuration makes the connector 900 have a reduced frictional force between the locking protrusion 937 of the connector 900 and the mating locking portion 952 of the mating connector 950 when the connector 900 is mated with or removed from the mating connector 950, as compared with the assumption that the elastic support portion 939 is not deformable.

As described above, the multifunctional board 925 of the connector 900 is formed by punching a metal plate and then bending it. Therefore, the outer surface of the locking protrusion 937 of the connector 900 is a rough fracture surface. Therefore, if the process of mating and removing the connector 900 with and from the mating connector 950 is repeatedly performed, the locking protrusion 937 of the connector 900 may be worn out by repeatedly contacting with the mating locking portion 952 of the mating connector 950.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of preventing abrasion of a locking protrusion even if a process of mating and removing the connector with a mating connector is repeatedly performed.

One aspect of the present invention provides a connector capable of mating with a mating connector in a predetermined direction. The mating connector includes a mating locking portion. The connector includes at least a connector body. The connector body includes a holding member, a plurality of contacts, and two locking portions. The holding member has a plate-like portion. The contact is held by the holding member. Each contact has a contact portion. The contact portion is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction on the plate-like portion. The contact portion is exposed from the plate-shaped portion in a second direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the first direction. Each locking portion has a held portion and a spring portion. The held portion is held by the holding member. The spring portion is elastically deformable. The spring portion extends from the held portion in a predetermined direction. The spring portion has a predetermined dimension in the second direction. The spring portion has a predetermined thickness in a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The predetermined dimension is greater than the predetermined thickness. The spring portion has a locking protrusion and an elastic support portion. The locking protrusion protrudes outward in the first direction. The locking protrusion and the mating locking portion lock a mating state in which the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. The elastic support portion supports the locking protrusion. The connector main body has a space located inside the spring portion in the first direction. The space allows elastic deformation of the spring portion.

The connector of the present invention is constituted as follows: the spring portion has a predetermined dimension in the second direction and a predetermined thickness in a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and the predetermined dimension is greater than the predetermined thickness. This structure can prevent the abrasion of the locking projection even if the process of mating and removing the connector with and from the mating connector is repeated.

The objectives of the invention, and the structure thereof, will be understood more fully by a study of the following description of the preferred embodiments and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a connector body included in the connector of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another perspective view showing the connector body of fig. 2. In this figure, the contacts are omitted.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the connector body of fig. 2. In the figure, a part of the connector main body is shown enlarged.

Fig. 5 is a perspective sectional view showing the connector body of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an intermediate plate and a locking part included in the connector main body of fig. 2. In the figure, a part of the spring portion is shown enlarged.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a mating connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing the mating connector of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line a-a showing the mating connector of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a connector body included in the connector of fig. 10. In the figure, a part of the connector main body is shown enlarged.

Fig. 12 is a perspective sectional view showing the connector body of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the connector body of fig. 11. In the figure, a part of the connector main body is shown enlarged.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing one of the locking portions included in the connector main body of fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a plan view illustrating the locking part of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is an outside view showing the locking part of fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is an inside view showing the locking part of fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a front view showing the locking part of fig. 14.

Fig. 19 is a rear view showing the locking part of fig. 14.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view showing the connector and the mating connector of patent document 1. In this figure, the connector and the mating connector are not mated with each other.

Fig. 21 is another sectional view showing the connector and the mating connector of fig. 20. In this figure, the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

Referring to fig. 1 and 7, the connector 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be mated with the mating connector 700 in a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the predetermined direction is the front-rear direction. In the drawings, the front-rear direction is shown as the X direction. Suppose that forward is the + X direction and backward is the-X direction.

As shown in fig. 9, the mating connector 700 of the present embodiment has a mating accommodating portion 705, a mating fitting portion 708, a mating holding member 720, a mating locking portion 710, a mating contact 730, and a grounding spring 740.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the mating accommodating portion 705 of the present embodiment is a space that is open at the rear end and extends in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 9, the mating fitting section 708 of the present embodiment is located at the rear end of the mating connector 700 in the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 8, the mating fitting portion 708 surrounds the mating accommodating portion 705 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

Referring to fig. 8, the mate holding member 720 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator.

As shown in fig. 9, the mate lock 710 of the present embodiment is retained by a mate retention member 720. Each mating lock 710 has a mating lock surface 712.

Referring to fig. 9, each mating contact 730 of the present embodiment is made of metal. The mating contact 730 is held by the mating holding member 720. As shown in fig. 8, each mating contact 730 protrudes in the mating accommodating portion 705.

Referring to fig. 9, each grounding spring 740 of the present embodiment is made of metal. The grounding spring 740 is held by the mating holding member 720. As shown in fig. 8, each grounding spring 740 protrudes in the mating accommodating portion 705.

As shown in fig. 1, the connector 100 of the present embodiment has a connector main body 200 and a housing 650. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The connector 100 may be modified as long as the connector 100 includes at least the connector body 200.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the connector main body 200 of the present embodiment includes a holding member 300, a plurality of contacts 400, an intermediate plate 600, and two locking portions 500.

Referring to fig. 2, the holding member 300 of the present embodiment is made of an insulator. The holding member 300 has a plate-like portion 310, an intermediate portion 330, and a base portion 320.

As shown in fig. 2, the plate-like portion 310 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape extending in a plane defined by the front-rear direction and a first direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction is a left-right direction. In the drawings, the left-right direction is shown as the Y direction. When the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 700, the plate portion 310 is received in the mating receiving portion 705.

As shown in fig. 2, the intermediate portion 330 of the present embodiment is located between the plate-shaped portion 310 and the base portion 320 in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. The intermediate portion 330 is located rearward of the plate-like portion 310 in the front-rear direction. The intermediate portion 330 is located forward of the base portion 320 in the front-rear direction. The intermediate portion 330 has a larger outer periphery than the plate-shaped portion 310 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. When the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 700, the intermediate portion 330 is received in the mating receiving portion 705.

As shown in fig. 2, the base 320 of the present embodiment defines the rear end in the front-rear direction of the connector body 200. The base portion 320 has a larger outer periphery than the intermediate portion 330 in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the contact 400 of the present embodiment is held by the holding member 300. Referring to fig. 2, the contact 400 of the present embodiment forms two contact rows 450. The contacts 400 of each contact row 450 are arranged in a left-right direction or a first direction. The two contact rows 450 are arranged apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In other words, the two contact rows 450 are arranged apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the first direction. In the present embodiment, the second direction is an up-down direction. In the drawings, the up-down direction is shown as the Z direction. Specifically, assume that upward is the + Z direction and downward is the-Z direction. The plurality of contacts 400 includes a plurality of ground terminals 410. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The plurality of contact members 400 may be modified as long as the plurality of contact members 400 includes at least one ground terminal 410.

Referring to fig. 2, each contact 400 is made of a conductor. Each contact 400 has a contact portion 420. The contact portion 420 is arranged in the left-right direction or the first direction on the plate-shaped portion 310 of the holding member 300. The contact portion 420 is exposed from the plate-shaped portion 310 in the up-down direction perpendicular to both the front-back direction and the left-right direction. In other words, the contact portion 420 is exposed from the plate-shaped portion 310 in a second direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the first direction. When the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 700, the contact portions 420 of the contacts 400 are connected with the mating contacts 730, respectively.

Referring to fig. 6, the intermediate plate 600 and the locking part 500 of the present embodiment are formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it.

Referring to fig. 2 and 5, the intermediate plate 600 of the present embodiment is held by the holding member 300 so as to be located between the contact rows 450 in the up-down direction or the second direction. Specifically, the intermediate plate 600 is incorporated into the holding member 300 by insert molding at the time of molding the holding member 300. Thus, the intermediate plate 600 is embedded in the holding member 300.

As shown in fig. 5, the intermediate plate 600 of the present embodiment includes an intermediate plate main body 605 and two coupling portions 610.

As shown in fig. 6, the intermediate plate main body 605 of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 6, the connection portions 610 of the present embodiment are located at both ends of the intermediate plate 600 in the left-right direction. Each coupling portion 610 extends outward in the left-right direction from the intermediate plate body 605, and then downward in the up-down direction. The coupling portions 610 respectively correspond to the locking portions 500. Each coupling portion 610 couples the intermediate plate body 605 and the corresponding lock portion 500 to each other.

As shown in fig. 2, the locking portions 500 of the present embodiment are respectively located at both ends in the left-right direction of the plate-shaped portion 310 of the holding member 300. As shown in fig. 5, each locking portion 500 of the present embodiment extends from the intermediate plate 600 to be integrally formed with the intermediate plate 600. Specifically, each locking portion 500 extends forward in the front-rear direction from the front end of the corresponding coupling portion 610 of the intermediate plate 600.

As shown in fig. 6, each locking portion 500 has a held portion 510 and a spring portion 550.

As shown in fig. 5, the held portion 510 of the present embodiment is held by the holding member 300. Specifically, the held portion 510 is incorporated into the holding member 300 by insert molding at the time of molding the holding member 300. Thus, the held portion 510 is embedded in the holding member 300.

As shown in fig. 6, the held portion 510 of each locking portion 500 extends forward from the front end of the corresponding coupling portion 610 of the intermediate plate 600 in the front-rear direction or the predetermined direction. The held portion 510 defines the rear end of the lock portion 500 in the front-rear direction.

Referring to fig. 6, the spring portion 550 of the present embodiment is elastically deformable. The spring portion 550 extends from the held portion 510 in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. More specifically, the spring portion 550 extends forward from the front end of the held portion 510 in the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 4, the spring portion 550 has a predetermined thickness PT in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction or the second direction. As shown in fig. 6, the spring portion 550 has a predetermined dimension PS in the up-down direction or the second direction. Since the locking part 500 is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it as described above, the predetermined dimension PS is greater than the predetermined thickness PT.

As shown in fig. 6, the spring portion 550 of the present embodiment has an end 551, a locking protrusion 552, and an elastic support portion 554.

As shown in fig. 6, the end 551 of the present embodiment is the front end in the front-rear direction of the spring portion 550.

As understood from fig. 4 and 9, the locking protrusion 552 and the mating locking portion 710 of the present embodiment are configured to lock a mated state in which the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated with each other. As shown in fig. 6, the locking protrusion 552 protrudes outward in the left-right direction or the first direction. The locking protrusion 552 has a first sliding surface 5521, a first curved portion 5522, a second sliding surface (sliding surface) 5524, a second curved portion 5526, a locking surface 5527, a first surface 5528, and a second surface 5529.

As shown in fig. 6, the first sliding surface 5521 of the present embodiment intersects both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. More specifically, the first sliding surface 5521 extends forward in the front-rear direction and inward in the left-right direction. The first sliding surface 5521 is a flat surface facing forward in the front-rear direction and facing outward in the left-right direction. The first sliding surface 5521 is located at the front end of the lock projection 552 in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 6, the first curved portion 5522 of the present embodiment connects the first sliding surface 5521 and the second sliding surface 5524 to each other. The first curved portion 5522 is coupled to a rear end of the first sliding surface 5521. The first curved portion 5522 is coupled to a tip end of the second sliding surface 5524.

As shown in fig. 6, the second sliding surface (sliding surface) 5524 of the present embodiment is a flat surface facing outward in the left-right direction. The sliding surface 5524 connects the first bent portion 5522 and the second bent portion 5526 to each other. The second sliding surface 5524 is coupled to the rear end of the first curved portion 5522. The second sliding surface 5524 is coupled to the tip of the second curved portion 5526.

As shown in fig. 6, the second curved portion 5526 of the present embodiment couples the second sliding surface 5524 and the locking surface 5527 to each other. The second curved portion 5526 is coupled to a rear end of the second sliding surface 5524. The second bent portion 5526 is coupled to a front end of the locking surface 5527.

As shown in fig. 6, the locking surface 5527 of the present embodiment is a curved surface recessed rearward in the front-rear direction and outward in the left-right direction. The locking surface 5527 joins the second bent portion 5526 and the elastic support portion 554 to each other. The locking surface 5527 is coupled to the rear end of the second bent portion 5526. The lock surface 5527 is coupled to the front end of the elastic support portion 554. When the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated with each other, the locking surface 5527 faces the mating locking surface 712 of the mating locking portion 710 in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction to lock the mated state of the connector 100 and the mating connector 700.

As described above, the lock portion 500 is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. Accordingly, each of the first sliding surface 5521, the second sliding surface 5524, and the locking surface 5527 is a smooth surface formed by roll forming. In other words, each of the first sliding surface 5521, the second sliding surface 5524, and the locking surface 5527 is not a rough fracture surface.

As shown in fig. 6, the first surface 5528 of the present embodiment defines an upper end of the locking projection 552 in the up-down direction. The first surface 5528 is a surface facing upward in the up-down direction.

Referring to fig. 6, the second surface 5529 of the present embodiment defines a lower end of the locking protrusion 552 in the up-down direction. The second surface 5529 is a surface facing downward in the up-down direction.

As described above, the lock portion 500 is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. Thus, each of the first surface 5528 and the second surface 5529 of the present embodiment is a rough fracture surface. In other words, each of the first surface 5528 and the second surface 5529 is not a smooth surface formed by roll forming.

As shown in fig. 6, the elastic support portion 554 of the present embodiment supports the locking protrusion 552. The elastic support portion 554 couples the locking protrusion 552 and the held portion 510 to each other. The elastic support portion 554 extends rearward from the rear end of the locking protrusion 552. The elastic support portion 554 extends forward from the front end of the held portion 510.

As shown in fig. 4, the connector body 200 has a space 220 located inside the spring portion 550 in the left-right direction or the first direction. The space 220 allows elastic deformation of the spring portion 550. As understood from fig. 4, the space 220 communicates with the outside of the connector body 200 at both sides in the up-down direction or the second direction. The space 220 is at least partially visible when the connector body 200 is viewed in the up-down direction or the second direction. In other words, the space 220 communicates with the outside of the connector body 200 on both the upper and lower sides. The space 220 is at least partially visible when the connector body 200 is viewed from above in the up-down direction. Similarly, the space 220 is at least partially visible when the connector body 200 is viewed from below in the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 5, each locking portion 500 of the present embodiment further has an additional held portion 556 provided on an end 551 of the spring portion 550. The additional held portion 556 is held by the holding member 300. More specifically, the additional held portion 556 is held by the holding member 300 near the front end of the plate-like portion 310. The additional held portion 556 is incorporated into the holding member 300 by insert molding at the time of molding the holding member 300. Therefore, the additional held portion 556 is embedded in the holding member 300. This prevents the spring portion 550 from being excessively deformed even if the mating lock portion 710 of the mating connector 700 abuts against the end 551 of the spring portion 550 when the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 700.

As shown in fig. 1, the housing 650 of the present embodiment surrounds the connector body 200 in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The housing 650 is attached to the connector body 200. More specifically, the housing 650 is attached to the base 320 of the holding member 300 of the connector body 200. The housing 650 has a housing 652 that opens forward in the front-rear direction. The receiving portion 652 receives the mating portion 708 when the connector 100 and the mating connector 700 are mated with each other.

(second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 10, the connector 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be mated with a mating connector (not shown) in a predetermined direction. The connector 100A according to the present embodiment has a structure similar to that of the connector 100 according to the foregoing first embodiment as shown in fig. 1. Therefore, the same components as those of the connector 100 of the first embodiment in the connector 100A shown in fig. 10 to 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the connector 100 of the first embodiment. The mating connector of the present embodiment has a structure similar to that of the mating connector 700 according to the foregoing first embodiment as shown in fig. 7. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted. Regarding the direction and orientation in the present embodiment, the same expressions as those of the first embodiment will be used below.

As shown in fig. 10, the connector 100A of the present embodiment has a connector main body 200A and a housing 650. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The connector 100A may be modified as long as the connector 100A includes at least the connector body 200A.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the connector main body 200A of the present embodiment includes a holding member 300A, a plurality of contacts 400, an intermediate plate 600A, and two locking portions 500A. The contact 400 of the present embodiment has the same structure as the contact 400 of the first embodiment as shown in fig. 2. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 11, the holding member 300A of the present embodiment has a plate-like portion 310A, an intermediate portion 330A, and a base portion 320A. The base 320A of the present embodiment has a structure similar to that of the base 320 of the foregoing first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 11, the plate-like portion 310A of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape extending in a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. When the connector 100A is mated with the mating connector, the plate-like portion 310A is received in a mating receiving portion (not shown) of the mating connector.

As shown in fig. 11, the intermediate portion 330A of the present embodiment is located between the plate-shaped portion 310A and the base portion 320A in the front-rear direction or the predetermined direction. The intermediate portion 330A is located rearward of the plate-like portion 310A in the front-rear direction. The intermediate portion 330A is located forward of the base portion 320A in the front-rear direction. The intermediate portion 330A has a larger outer periphery than the plate-shaped portion 310A in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. When the connector 100A is mated with the mating connector, the intermediate portion 330A is received in the mating receiving portion.

Referring to fig. 13, the intermediate portion 330A of the present embodiment has four protruding portions 332 and four exposure holes 336.

Referring to fig. 13, the four protrusions 332 are composed of two upper protrusions 332 and two lower protrusions 332. Each upper projection 332 is located on the upper surface of the middle portion 330A. Each lower projection 332 is located on the lower surface of the middle portion 330A. Each of the projections 332 projects outward in the up-down direction. Each projection 332 has a first facing portion 334. The first facing portion 334 is a surface facing inward in the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 13, the four exposing holes 336 are composed of two upper exposing holes 336 and two lower exposing holes 336. Each upper exposure hole 336 is located on the upper surface of the intermediate portion 330A. Each lower exposure hole 336 is located on the lower surface of the intermediate portion 330A. When the connector main body 200A is viewed in the up-down direction, a part of the ground terminal 410 is visible through the exposure hole 336. A part of the ground terminal 410 is exposed to the outside of the intermediate portion 330A through the exposure hole 336.

Referring to fig. 12, the intermediate plate 600A of the present embodiment is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. The middle plate 600A is different and separated from the locking part 500A. The middle plate 600A is made of the same material as the locking part 500A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The locking part 500A may be made of a material harder than that of the intermediate plate 600A.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, the intermediate plate 600A of the present embodiment is held by the holding member 300A so as to be located between the contact rows 450 in the up-down direction or the second direction. Specifically, the intermediate plate 600A is incorporated into the holding member 300A by insert molding at the time of molding of the holding member 300A. Thus, the intermediate plate 600A is embedded in the holding member 300A.

As shown in fig. 12, the intermediate plate 600A of the present embodiment has an intermediate plate main body 605A and two connected portions 620.

As shown in fig. 12, the intermediate plate main body 605A of the present embodiment has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 12, the connected portions 620 of the present embodiment are respectively located at both ends of the intermediate plate 600A in the left-right direction. Each connected portion 620 extends outward in the left-right direction from the middle plate main body 605A. Each connected portion 620 has a flat plate shape perpendicular to the up-down direction. The outer end of the connected portion 620 in the left-right direction is exposed to the outside of the intermediate portion 330A of the holding member 300A.

Referring to fig. 14, each of the locking portions 500A of the present embodiment is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. Although the locking part 500A of the present embodiment is made of the same material as the intermediate plate 600A as described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The locking part 500A may be made of a material harder than that of the intermediate plate 600A.

As shown in fig. 13, the locking portions 500A of the present embodiment are located at both ends of the plate-like portion 310A of the holding member 300A in the left-right direction, respectively. As shown in fig. 14, each locking portion 500A has a held portion 510A, a spring portion 550A, a connecting portion 570, and a connected portion housing portion 575.

As shown in fig. 18, the held portion 510A of the present embodiment extends inward in the left-right direction or the first direction. The held portion 510A has a lateral U-shape when viewed in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. As shown in fig. 15, the held portion 510A defines the rear end of the lock portion 500A in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 14 and 18, the held portion 510A has two pressing portions 512 and two protruding portion accommodating portions 513. The two pressing portions 512 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. The two protrusion receivers 513 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. Each protruding portion accommodating portion 513 is a hole that penetrates the held portion 510A in the vertical direction. Each projection accommodating portion 513 has a second facing portion 514. The second facing portion 514 is a surface facing outward in the left-right direction.

As shown in fig. 13, the held portion 510A is held by the holding member 300A. Specifically, the locking portion 500A is held by the holding member 300A only at the held portion 510A. The pressing portion 512 located on the upper side of the held portion 510A presses down the upper surface of the intermediate portion 330A of the holding member 300A. The pressing portion 512 located on the lower side of the held portion 510A presses the lower surface of the intermediate portion 330A of the holding member 300A upward. The protruding part accommodating part 513 located on the upper side of the held part 510A accommodates one of the two upper protruding parts 332. Similarly, the protrusion accommodating portion 513 on the lower side of the held portion 510A accommodates one of the two lower protrusions 332. The second facing portion 514 located on the upper side of the held portion 510A faces the first facing portion 334 of one of the upper protruding portions 332 in the left-right direction. Similarly, the second facing portion 514 located on the lower side of the held portion 510A faces the first facing portion 334 of one of the lower protruding portions 332 in the left-right direction.

Referring to fig. 9 and 13, when the connector 100A is mated with the mating connector, the held portion 510A of the present embodiment contacts with a ground spring (not shown) of the mating connector to form a ground plane.

Referring to fig. 14, the spring portion 550A of the present embodiment is elastically deformable. The spring portion 550A extends from the held portion 510A in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. More specifically, the spring portion 550A extends forward from the front end of the held portion 510A in the front-rear direction. As shown in fig. 13, the spring portion 550A has a predetermined thickness PT in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction or the second direction. As shown in fig. 14, the spring portion 550A has a predetermined dimension PS in the up-down direction or the second direction. Since the locking part 500A is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it as described above, the predetermined dimension PS is larger than the predetermined thickness PT.

As shown in fig. 14, the spring portion 550A of the present embodiment has an end 551A, a locking projection 552A, and an elastic support portion 554A.

As shown in fig. 14, the end 551A of the present embodiment is the front end in the front-rear direction of the spring portion 550A.

As understood from fig. 9 and 13, the locking protrusion 552A and the mating locking portion (not shown) of the mating connector of the present embodiment are configured to lock the mated state in which the connector 100A is mated with the mating connector. The locking protrusion 552A protrudes outward in the left-right direction or the first direction. The locking projection 552A has a first sliding surface 5521A, a first curved portion 5522A, a second sliding surface (sliding surface) 5524A, a second curved portion 5526A, a locking surface 5527A, a first surface 5528A, and a second surface 5529A.

As shown in fig. 13, the first sliding surface 5521A of the present embodiment intersects both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. More specifically, the first sliding surface 5521A extends forward in the front-rear direction and inward in the left-right direction. The first sliding surface 5521A is a flat surface facing forward in the front-rear direction and facing outward in the left-right direction. The first sliding surface 5521A is located at the front end of the locking projection 552A in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 13, the first curved portion 5522A of the present embodiment connects the first sliding surface 5521A and the second sliding surface 5524A to each other. The first curved portion 5522A is coupled to the rear end of the first sliding surface 5521A. The first curved portion 5522A is coupled to the tip of the second sliding surface 5524A.

As shown in fig. 13, the second sliding surface (sliding surface) 5524A of the present embodiment is a plane surface facing outward in the left-right direction. The sliding surface 5524A couples the first curved portion 5522A and the second curved portion 5526A to each other in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. The second sliding surface 5524A is coupled to the rear end of the first curved portion 5522A. The second sliding surface 5524A is coupled to the tip of the second curved portion 5526A.

As shown in fig. 13, the second curved portion 5526A of the present embodiment couples the second sliding surface 5524A and the lock surface 5527A to each other. The second curved portion 5526A is coupled to the rear end of the second sliding surface 5524A. The second bent portion 5526A is coupled to the tip of the lock surface 5527A.

As shown in fig. 13, the locking surface 5527A of the present embodiment is a curved surface recessed rearward in the front-rear direction and outward in the left-right direction. The locking surface 5527A couples the second bent portion 5526A and the elastic support portion 554A to each other. The locking surface 5527A is coupled to the rear end of the second bent portion 5526A. The lock surface 5527A is coupled to the front end of the elastic support portion 554A. When the connector 100A and the mating connector are mated with each other, the locking surface 5527A faces a mating locking surface (not shown) of the mating locking portion in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction to lock a mated state of the connector 100A and the mating connector.

As described above, the lock portion 500A is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. Therefore, each of the first sliding surface 5521A, the second sliding surface 5524A, and the locking surface 5527A of the present embodiment is a smooth surface formed by roll forming. In other words, each of the first sliding surface 5521A, the second sliding surface 5524A, and the locking surface 5527A of the present embodiment is not a rough fracture surface.

As shown in fig. 18, the first surface 5528A of the present embodiment defines an upper end of the locking projection 552A in the up-down direction. The first surface 5528A is a surface facing upward in the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 18, the second surface 5529A of the present embodiment defines a lower end of the locking projection 552A in the up-down direction. The second surface 5529A is a surface facing downward in the up-down direction.

As described above, the lock portion 500A is formed by punching a single metal plate and then bending it. Therefore, each of the first surface 5528A and the second surface 5529A of the present embodiment is a rough fracture surface. In other words, each of the first surface 5528A and the second surface 5529A of the present embodiment is not a smooth surface formed by roll forming.

As shown in fig. 15, the elastic support portion 554A of the present embodiment supports the locking projection 552A. The elastic support portion 554A couples the locking projection 552A and the held portion 510A to each other. The elastic support portion 554A extends rearward from the rear end of the locking projection 552A. The elastic support portion 554A extends forward from the front end of the held portion 510A.

As shown in fig. 13, the connector body 200A has a space 220A located inside the spring portion 550A in the left-right direction or the first direction. The space 220A allows elastic deformation of the spring portion 550A. As understood from fig. 13, the space 220A communicates with the outside of the connector body 200A on both sides in the up-down direction or the second direction. The space 220A is at least partially visible when the connector body 200A is viewed in the up-down direction or the second direction. In other words, the space 220A communicates with the outside of the connector main body 200A on both the upper and lower sides. When the connector main body 200A is viewed from above in the up-down direction, the space 220A is at least partially visible. Similarly, when the connector main body 200A is viewed from below in the up-down direction, the space 220A is at least partially visible.

As shown in fig. 15, the connecting portion 570 of the present embodiment is provided on the held portion 510A. The connection portion 570 is located at the rear end of the locking portion 500A. The connection portion 570 extends inward in the left-right direction or the first direction. As shown in fig. 13, the connection portion 570 is connected to the ground terminal 410. More specifically, the connection portion 570 is connected to a portion of the ground terminal 410 exposed to the outside of the intermediate portion 330A of the holding member 300A through the exposure hole 336.

As shown in fig. 16, the connected portion accommodating portion 575 of the present embodiment is a hole that penetrates the held portion 510A in the left-right direction. The connected part receiving part 575 has an additional connecting part 580 at a lower end thereof.

As shown in fig. 16, the additional connection part 580 of the present embodiment is located near the rear end of the lock part 500A. As shown in fig. 14, the additional connection portion 580 is a surface facing upward in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 12, the additional connection part 580 is connected to the middle plate 600A. More specifically, the additional connecting portions 580 of the two locking portions 500A are connected to the left and right-directional outer ends of the two connected portions 620 of the middle plate 600A, respectively.

As shown in fig. 16, an end 551A of the spring portion 550A of the present embodiment is provided with a restricted portion 558 bifurcated into two. More specifically, the restricted portion 558 is bifurcated into two portions arranged in the up-down direction or the second direction.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the connector main body 200A of the present embodiment further includes a protection portion 240. The protection portions 240 protect the ends 551A of the spring portions 550A of the two lock portions 500A, respectively.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, each protection portion 240 of the present embodiment is held by a holding member 300A. More specifically, each protection portion 240 is held by the front end of the plate-like portion 310A of the holding member 300A. Each protector 240 is incorporated into the holding member 300A by insert molding at the time of molding the holding member 300A. Therefore, a part of each protection portion 240 is embedded in the holding member 300A.

As shown in fig. 12, each protection portion 240 is integrally formed with the intermediate plate 600A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The protection part 240 may be different and separate from the middle plate 600A.

As shown in fig. 11, the protecting portion 240 has an end 242 in the front-rear direction or a predetermined direction. The end portion 242 is the front end of the protector 240 in the front-rear direction. The end 551A of the spring portion 550A is located between the end 242 of the protecting portion 240 and the held portion 510A in the front-rear direction or the predetermined direction. An end 551A of the spring portion 550A is located between the end 242 of the protector 240 and the first bent portion 5522A in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the connector main body 200A of the present embodiment further includes a restricting portion 260.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, each restricting portion 260 of the present embodiment is held by a holding member 300A. More specifically, each restricting portion 260 is held by the holding member 300A in the vicinity of the front end of the plate-like portion 310A. Each restricting portion 260 is incorporated into the holding member 300A by insert molding at the time of molding of the holding member 300A. Therefore, a part of each restricting portion 260 is fitted into the holding member 300A.

As shown in fig. 12, each restricting portion 260 is formed integrally with the intermediate plate 600A. In other words, the intermediate plate 600A, the protective portion 240, and the restricting portion 260 of the present embodiment are integrally formed with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The restriction part 260 may be different and separate from any one of the middle plate 600A and the protection part 240.

As shown in fig. 11, the restricting portion 260 is sandwiched by two portions of the restricted portion 558 in the up-down direction or the second direction. This restricts the movement of the end 551A of the spring portion 550A in the up-down direction or the second direction. In other words, the restricting portion 260 restricts the movement of the end 551A of the spring portion 550A in the up-down direction or the second direction. This restriction prevents buckling of the spring portion 550A when the lock 500A is in contact with the mating lock. In addition, such restriction prevents the spring portion 550A from being accidentally deformed in the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 10, the housing 650 of the present embodiment partially surrounds the connector main body 200A in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The housing 650 is attached to the connector body 200A. More specifically, the housing 650 is attached to the base 320A of the holding member 300A of the connector main body 200A. The housing 650 has a housing 652 that opens forward in the front-rear direction. The accommodating portion 652 accommodates a mating engagement portion (not shown) of the mating connector when the connector 100A and the mating connector are mated with each other.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto but is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms.

While there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.