阅读说明：本技术 连接器装置以及基板安装方法 (Connector device and substrate mounting method ) 是由 牧贤太郎 铃木孝弘 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种连接器装置以及基板安装方法,能够使基板安装省力且抑制端子的变形。连接器装置(2)包括与基板(6)上的第一连接器(10)连接的第二连接器(30)。第一连接器包括支承于第一外壳(11)的第一端子(21)以及设置于第一外壳的第一副锁定部和第一主锁定部,第二连接器包括支承于第二外壳(31)的第二端子(41)以及设置于第二外壳的第二副锁定部和第二主锁定部。第二连接器在使第一副锁定部和第二副锁定部卡合的预设位置(P1)与使第一主锁定部和第二主锁定部卡合的设定位置之间移动,在第二连接器位于预设位置的情况下,端子(21、41)彼此相互分离,在第二连接器位于设定位置的情况下,端子(21、41)彼此以具有弹性力的方式相互接触。(A connector device and a substrate mounting method are provided, which can save labor for mounting a substrate and inhibit the deformation of terminals. The connector device (2) comprises a second connector (30) connected to the first connector (10) on the substrate (6). The first connector includes a first terminal (21) supported by the first housing (11), and a first sub-locking portion and a first main locking portion provided to the first housing, and the second connector includes a second terminal (41) supported by the second housing (31), and a second sub-locking portion and a second main locking portion provided to the second housing. The second connector is moved between a preset position (P1) where the first sub locking portion and the second sub locking portion are engaged and a set position where the first main locking portion and the second main locking portion are engaged, and when the second connector is located at the preset position, the terminals (21, 41) are separated from each other, and when the second connector is located at the set position, the terminals (21, 41) are brought into contact with each other with an elastic force.)

1. A connector device including a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector,

the first connector includes:

a first housing;

a first terminal supported by the first housing;

a first sub-locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal; and

a first main locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal,

the second connector includes:

a second housing mounted to the first housing;

a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal; and

a second locking portion provided to at least either one of the second housing and the second terminal and selectively engaged with either one of the first sub-locking portion and the first main locking portion,

the second connector moves between a preset position where the first sub-locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged and a set position where the first main locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged, and is held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other or head ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are brought into contact with each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

2. A connector device including a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector,

the first connector includes:

a first housing;

a first terminal supported by the first housing; and

a first locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal,

the second connector includes:

a second housing mounted to the first housing;

a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal;

a second sub-locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first locking portion; and

a second main locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first locking portion,

the second connector moves between a preset position at which the first locking portion and the second sub-locking portion are engaged and a set position at which the first locking portion and the second main locking portion are engaged, and is held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other or head ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are brought into contact with each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

3. A connector device including a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector,

the first connector includes:

a first housing;

a first terminal supported by the first housing; and

a first sub-locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal; and

a first main locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal,

the second connector includes:

a second housing mounted to the first housing;

a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal;

a second sub-locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first sub-locking portion; and

a second main locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first main locking portion,

the second connector is moved between a preset position where the first sub-locking portion and the second sub-locking portion are engaged and the engagement of the first main locking portion and the second main locking portion is released and a set position where the engagement of the first sub-locking portion and the second sub-locking portion is released and the first main locking portion and the second main locking portion are engaged,

the second connector is held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other or head ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are brought into contact with each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

4. The connector device of claim 3,

the first sub-locking portion includes:

a sub locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and

a sub-locking protrusion provided so as to protrude on an upstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-locking groove,

the second sub-locking portion includes:

a sub-lock arm that is provided extending from upstream to downstream in the connection direction and elastically deformed in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and

a sub lock claw formed on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the sub lock arm and slidably fitted in the sub lock groove,

the sub lock claw is caught with the sub lock projection from a downstream side in a connection direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

the sub lock claw is separated from the sub lock projection portion toward a downstream side in a connection direction in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

5. The connector device of claim 3,

the second sub-locking portion includes:

a sub locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and

a sub-locking protrusion provided protrudingly on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-locking groove,

the first sub-locking portion includes:

a sub-lock arm that is provided extending upstream from downstream in the connection direction and elastically deforms in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and

a sub lock claw formed on an upstream side in a connection direction of the sub lock arm and slidably fitted in the sub lock groove,

the sub lock claw is caught with the sub lock projection from an upstream side in a connection direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

the secondary locking claw is separated from the secondary locking protrusion on the upstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

6. The connector device according to any of the claims 3 to 5,

the first main locking portion includes:

a main locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and

a main locking protrusion protrudingly provided at a middle of the main locking groove in a connecting direction and dividing the main locking groove into an upstream locking groove located on an upstream side in the connecting direction and a downstream locking groove located on a downstream side in the connecting direction,

the second main locking portion includes:

a main lock arm that is provided extending from upstream to downstream in a connecting direction and elastically deformed in a radial direction orthogonal to the connecting direction; and

a main lock claw formed on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the main lock arm and slidably fitted in the main lock groove,

the primary locking claw is fitted in the upstream locking groove and abuts against the primary locking protrusion from an upstream side in a connection direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

in a state where the second connector is held at the set position, the primary locking pawl is fitted in the downstream locking groove and is engaged with the primary locking protrusion from a downstream side in a connecting direction.

7. The connector device according to any of the claims 3 to 5,

the second main locking portion includes:

a main locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and

a main locking protrusion protrudingly provided at a middle of the main locking groove in a connecting direction and dividing the main locking groove into an upstream locking groove located on an upstream side in the connecting direction and a downstream locking groove located on a downstream side in the connecting direction,

the first main locking portion includes:

a main lock arm that is provided extending upstream from downstream in the connection direction and elastically deforms in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and

a main lock claw formed on an upstream side in a connecting direction of the main lock arm and slidably fitted in the main lock groove,

the primary locking claw is fitted in the downstream locking groove and abutted to the primary locking protrusion from a downstream side in a connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position,

in a state where the second connector is held at the set position, the primary locking pawl is fitted in the upstream locking groove and is engaged with the primary locking protrusion from an upstream side in a connecting direction.

8. The connector device of claim 6 or 7,

the convex side abutting surface of the main locking convex portion and the claw side abutting surface of the main locking claw, which abut against each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, are inclined at the same angle so as to elastically deform the main locking arm outward in the radial direction in a process of moving the second connector from the preset position to the set position.

9. A substrate mounting method for mounting the connector device of any one of claims 1 to 8 to the substrate, characterized by comprising:

a first step of heating a solder paste to melt the solder paste in a state where the connector device holding the second connector at the predetermined position to the first connector is arranged on the substrate to which the solder paste is applied, and soldering the first terminal to the substrate; and

a second step of moving the second connector held by the first connector from the preset position to the set position.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector device and a substrate mounting method.

Background

For example, a substrate-to-substrate connector for HF signal transmission connection described in patent document 1 includes a first connection piece for fastening to a first circuit substrate, a second connection piece for fastening to a second circuit substrate, and an intermediate piece connecting the first connection piece and the second connection piece. The first connecting piece is fastened to the first circuit substrate by soldering, and the second connecting piece is fastened to the second circuit substrate by soldering. After the two connecting pieces are fastened to the two circuit substrates, the intermediate piece is connected with the second connecting piece.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In the substrate-to-substrate connector, it is necessary to separately perform the step of soldering the second connecting piece to the second circuit substrate and the step of connecting the intermediate piece to the second connecting piece, and there are the following problems: the work of mounting the second connecting piece and the intermediate piece to the second circuit substrate takes labor and time.

The above problem can be solved if it is assumed that the intermediate sheet and the second connecting sheet can be connected in advance and the second connecting sheet can be soldered to the second circuit substrate. However, when the intermediate piece and the second connecting piece are connected, the metal terminals are brought into contact with each other by elastic deformation (receiving a load due to contact), and when the metal terminals are heated and welded in this state, the metal terminals are bent or warped due to thermal stress. Since the metal terminals still remain after heating due to deflection, warpage, and the like, the contact pressure between the metal terminals changes, and a cause of contact failure is formed.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connector device and a substrate mounting method, which can save labor for mounting a substrate and suppress deformation of a terminal.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above problem, a connector device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the first connector includes: a first housing; a first terminal supported by the first housing; and a first sub-locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal; and a first main locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal, the second connector including: a second housing mounted to the first housing; a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal; and a second locking portion provided to at least either one of the second housing and the second terminal, and selectively engaged with either one of the first sub-locking portion and the first main locking portion, the second connector moves between a preset position where the first sub-locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged and a set position where the first main locking portion and the second locking portion are engaged, and is held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position, the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other or head ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are brought into contact with each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

In order to solve the above problem, a connector device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the first connector includes: a first housing; a first terminal supported by the first housing; and a first locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal, the second connector including: a second housing mounted to the first housing; a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal; a second sub-locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first locking portion; and a second main locking portion provided to at least any one of the second housing and the second terminal, and is engaged with the first locking portion, the second connector is moved between a preset position at which the first locking portion and the second sub-locking portion are engaged and a set position at which the first locking portion and the second main locking portion are engaged, and is held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position, the first terminal and the second terminal are separated from each other or head ends of the first terminal and the second terminal are brought into contact with each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a connector device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a first connector connected to a substrate and a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the first connector includes: a first housing; a first terminal supported by the first housing; a first sub-locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal; and a first main locking portion provided to at least any one of the first housing and the first terminal, the second connector including: a second housing mounted to the first housing; a second terminal supported by the second housing and in contact with the first terminal; a second sub-locking portion provided to at least one of the second housing and the second terminal and engaged with the first sub-locking portion; and a second main locking portion that is provided to at least either one of the second housing and the second terminal and that engages with the first main locking portion, the second connector moving between a preset position at which the first sub-locking portion and the second sub-locking portion are engaged and the engagement of the first main locking portion and the second main locking portion is released and a set position at which the engagement of the first sub-locking portion and the second sub-locking portion is released and the engagement of the first main locking portion and the second main locking portion is released, the second connector being held at the first connector at the preset position and the set position, the first terminal and the second terminal being separated from each other or the first terminal and the head end of the second terminal being in contact with each other in a state in which the second connector is held at the preset position, the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other with an elastic force in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

In the connector device according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the second connector moves between the preset position and the set position. Further, the first terminal and the second terminal are not elastically deformed (not subjected to a load due to contact) by the second connector being held at the preset position, and the first terminal and the second terminal are elastically deformed (subjected to a load due to contact) to be brought into contact by the second connector being held at the set position. According to the above structure, for example, the first connector, which holds the second connector at the preset position in advance, can be soldered to the substrate. This enables the terminals that are not subjected to the contact load to be heated. In other words, the terminals subjected to the contact load can be prevented from being heated, and the deflection, warpage, and the like of the terminals heated while being subjected to the load can be suppressed. Further, after the connector device is soldered, the second connector can be moved to bring the second terminal into contact with the first terminal with a normal contact pressure. As a result, labor and time required for mounting the substrate of the connector device can be reduced as compared with performing the step of soldering the first connector to the substrate and the step of connecting the second connector to the first connector separately. That is, the substrate mounting of the connector device can be made labor-saving and deformation of each terminal can be suppressed.

In the connector device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the connector device according to the third aspect, the first sub-locking portion preferably includes: a sub locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and a sub-locking protrusion provided protrudingly on an upstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-locking groove, the second sub-locking portion including: a sub-lock arm that is provided extending from upstream to downstream in the connection direction and elastically deformed in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and a sub-lock claw formed on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-lock arm and slidably fitted in the sub-lock groove, the sub-lock claw being engaged with the sub-lock protrusion from the downstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, and the sub-lock claw being separated from the sub-lock protrusion to the downstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position.

In the connector device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the connector device according to the third aspect, the second sub-locking portion preferably includes: a sub locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and a sub-locking protrusion protrudingly provided on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-locking groove, the first sub-locking portion including: a sub-lock arm that is provided extending upstream from downstream in the connection direction and elastically deforms in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and a sub-lock claw formed on an upstream side in a connecting direction of the sub-lock arm and slidably fitted in the sub-lock groove, the sub-lock claw being engaged with the sub-lock protrusion from the upstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, and the sub-lock claw being separated from the sub-lock protrusion to the upstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position.

According to the connector device of the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the secondary locking claw is engaged with the secondary locking protrusion, whereby the second connector can be prevented from being pulled out from the first connector. This can maintain the state in which the second connector and the first connector are connected in advance.

In the connector device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the connector device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, it is preferable that the first main locking portion includes: a main locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and a main locking protrusion protrudingly provided in the middle of the connection direction of the main locking groove and dividing the main locking groove into an upstream locking groove located on an upstream side in the connection direction and a downstream locking groove located on a downstream side in the connection direction, the second main locking portion including: a main lock arm that is provided extending from upstream to downstream in a connecting direction and elastically deformed in a radial direction orthogonal to the connecting direction; and a primary locking claw formed on a downstream side in a connecting direction of the primary locking arm and slidably fitted in the primary locking groove, the primary locking claw being fitted in the upstream locking groove and abutting on the primary locking protrusion from an upstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, and the primary locking claw being fitted in the downstream locking groove and being engaged with the primary locking protrusion from a downstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

In the connector device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the connector device according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, it is preferable that the second main locking portion includes: a main locking groove concavely provided along a connection direction of the second connector; and a main locking protrusion protrudingly provided in the middle of the connection direction of the main locking groove and dividing the main locking groove into an upstream locking groove located on an upstream side in the connection direction and a downstream locking groove located on a downstream side in the connection direction, the first main locking portion including: a main lock arm that is provided extending upstream from downstream in the connection direction and elastically deforms in a radial direction orthogonal to the connection direction; and a primary locking claw formed on an upstream side in a connecting direction of the primary locking arm and slidably fitted in the primary locking groove, the primary locking claw being fitted in the downstream locking groove and abutting against the primary locking protrusion from a downstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, and the primary locking claw being fitted in the upstream locking groove and being engaged with the primary locking protrusion from an upstream side in the connecting direction in a state where the second connector is held at the set position.

According to the connector device of the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, the primary locking claw abuts against the primary locking protrusion, and the secondary locking claw and the secondary locking protrusion can be maintained in the engaged state. This can restrict the second connector from being pulled out, and can maintain the second connector in a state of being moved to the preset position. Further, the primary locking claw is engaged with the primary locking protrusion, so that the second connector moved to the set position can be prevented from being pulled out and returned to the preset position.

In the connector device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the connector device according to the sixth or seventh aspect, it is preferable that the convex side abutting surface of the main locking convex portion and the claw side abutting surface of the main locking claw, which abut against each other in a state where the second connector is held at the preset position, are inclined at the same angle so that the main locking arm is elastically deformed outward in the radial direction in a process of moving the second connector from the preset position to the set position.

According to the connector device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second connector can be held in the state of being arranged at the predetermined position by the contact of the convex side contact surface with the claw side contact surface. Further, with the second connector moved from the preset position to the set position, the claw-side abutment surface slides on the convex-side abutment surface to elastically deform the main lock arm outward in the radial direction. According to the above configuration, the main lock claw can return to the original position after passing over the main lock protrusion and can be engaged with the main lock protrusion.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a substrate mounting method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a substrate mounting method for mounting a connector device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects to a substrate, the substrate mounting method including: a first step of heating a solder paste to melt the solder paste in a state where the connector device holding the second connector at the predetermined position to the first connector is arranged on the substrate to which the solder paste is applied, and soldering the first terminal to the substrate; and a second step of moving the second connector held by the first connector from the preset position to the set position.

According to the substrate mounting method of the first aspect of the present invention, in the first step, the first connector (first terminal) that holds the second connector at the predetermined position in advance can be soldered to the substrate. Thus, since the terminals that are not subjected to the contact load are heated, the terminal can be prevented from being bent or warped while being heated under the load. In the second step, after the first connector (first terminal) is soldered to the board, the second connector may be moved to bring the second terminal into contact with the first terminal at a predetermined contact pressure. According to the above-described board mounting method, compared to performing the step of soldering the first connector to the board and the step of connecting the second connector to the first connector separately, it is possible to reduce labor required for board mounting of the connector device and the like and to suppress deformation of each terminal.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the substrate mounting of the connector device can be made labor-saving and the deformation of the terminal can be suppressed.

Drawings

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

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a board-to-board connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing a first connector of the connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view IV-IV of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a second connector (or a connector device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view vi-vi in the case where fig. 5 shows a second connector.

Fig. 7 is a vii-vii cross-sectional view in the case where fig. 5 shows a second connector.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view VIII-VIII of the situation where the connector device is shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view IX-IX in the case where the connector device is shown in FIG. 5.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view x-x of the connector device shown in figure 5.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the connector shown in fig. 8 set in a set state.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the connector shown in fig. 9 set in a set state.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the connector shown in fig. 10 in a set state.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device according to a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view showing a connector device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side.

Description of the symbols

2. 3, 4, 5 connector means;

6a substrate;

10 a first connector;

11a first housing;

13. 71 a first secondary locking portion;

14 pairs of locking grooves;

15 pairs of locking projections;

16. 72 a first primary locking portion;

17 a primary locking groove;

17U upstream lock slot;

17D downstream lock-up slot;

18 primary locking lobes;

18A main convex side abutment surface (convex side abutment surface);

21 a first terminal;

30 a second connector;

31a second housing;

36a second secondary locking portion;

36A secondary locking arm;

36B secondary locking pawls;

37a second primary locking portion;

37A primary locking arm;

37B primary locking pawl;

37C main-claw-side contact surfaces (claw-side contact surfaces);

41 a second terminal;

70 a second locking portion;

80 a first locking portion;

81 secondary projections (second secondary locking portions);

82 a main projection (second main locking portion);

p1 preset position;

p2 set position.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, "X1" represents "left", "X2" represents "right", "Y1" represents "front", "Y2" represents "rear", "Z1" represents "upper", and "Z2" represents "lower". The vertical direction is an example of a "connecting direction", and a direction extending radially from the center (center of gravity) of a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction is an example of a "radial direction". In the present description, terms indicating directions and positions are used, but the terms are used for convenience of description and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[ overview of substrate-to-substrate connector ]

The board-to-board connector 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a board-to-board connector 1. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the board-to-board connector 1.

The board-to-board connector 1 is a connector for electrically connecting a board 6 and a counter board 7 arranged opposite to each other. The substrate 6 and the counter substrate 7 are formed, for example, by forming printed wiring (circuit) on a plate made of an insulator.

The board-to-board connector 1 includes a connector device 2 and a mating connector 50. The connector 2 includes a first connector 10 connected to the substrate 6 and a second connector 30 connected to the first connector 10. The mating connector 50 is mounted (connected) to the mating substrate 7. As will be described in detail later, the mating connector 50 is fitted to the second connector 30 of the connector device 2 and electrically connected to the first connector 10 via the second connector 30. Thereby, the two substrates 6 and 7 are electrically connected.

[ first connector ]

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the first connector 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the first connector 10. Fig. 4 is a sectional view IV-IV of fig. 3.

The first connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and four first terminals 21. The first housing 11 constitutes an outer package of the first connector 10. The four first terminals 21 are supported by the first housing 11. Since the four first terminals 21 have the same configuration, the following description will mainly describe one first terminal 21.

< first housing >

The first housing 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The first housing 11 is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from the bottom (plane) (see fig. 3). The first housing 11 is formed with four first through holes 12 penetrating in the vertical direction. Each of the first through holes 12 is a circular hole when viewed from the bottom surface (plane), and four first through holes 12 are arranged in a lattice shape when viewed from the bottom surface (plane). A tapered portion 12A whose diameter decreases from the upper end to the lower end is formed at the upper portion of each first through-hole 12. At the bottom surface of the first housing 11, four positioning projections 11A are provided extending downward from the bottom surface. Each positioning projection 11A is a columnar projection, and four positioning projections 11A are arranged at four corner portions of the first housing 11 when viewed from the bottom (see fig. 3).

(first secondary locking part)

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a pair of first sub-locking portions 13 is provided on both side surfaces of the first housing 11 in the left-right direction. Each first sub-locking portion 13 includes a sub-locking groove 14 and a sub-locking protrusion 15. In addition, since the pair of first sub-locking portions 13 is formed to be symmetrical left and right, hereinafter, one first sub-locking portion 13 will be explained.

The sub-lock groove 14 is provided in a side surface of the first housing 11 so as to be recessed in the vertical direction. The sub-lock groove 14 is formed near the center in the front-rear direction on the side surface of the first housing 11. The sub-lock groove 14 is a groove having a rectangular cross section, and is formed from the lower end of the first housing 11 to the vicinity of the upper end. The sub-locking protrusion 15 is provided protruding above (on the upstream side in the connection direction) the sub-locking groove 14. To be precise, the upper end portion of the side surface of the first housing 11 left without forming the sub-lock groove 14 is the sub-lock projection 15. Therefore, the upper end of the sub-locking groove 14 is closed by the sub-locking protrusion 15. In addition, the lower end of the sub-locking groove 14 is open. Further, a chamfered portion 15A inclined downward from the radially inner side to the radially outer side is formed on the upper end outer peripheral portion of the first housing 11 including the sub-locking protrusion 15.

(first Main locking part)

A pair of first main lock portions 16 are provided on both end surfaces of the first housing 11 in the front-rear direction. Each first main locking portion 16 includes a main locking groove 17 and a main locking protrusion 18. In addition, since the pair of first main locking portions 16 is formed to be symmetrical in front and rear, hereinafter, one first main locking portion 16 will be explained.

The main lock groove 17 is provided concavely in the up-down direction at the end face of the first housing 11. A main lock groove 17 is formed near the center in the left-right direction at the end surface of the first housing 11. The main locking groove 17 is a groove having a rectangular cross section, and is formed from the lower end to the upper end of the first housing 11. Therefore, the upper and lower ends of the sub-locking groove 14 are opened. The main locking protrusion 18 is provided so as to protrude from the middle of the main locking groove 17 in the vertical direction. To be precise, the intermediate portion of the end surface of the first housing 11 left without forming the main lock groove 17 is a main lock protrusion 18. Further, the main locking projection 18 divides (divides) the main locking groove 17 into an upstream locking groove 17U located on the upper side (the upstream side in the connecting direction) and a downstream locking groove 17D located on the lower side (the downstream side in the connecting direction). Further, a main convex side abutment surface 18A inclined downward from the inner side to the outer side in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper end surface of the main locking convex portion 18.

< first terminal >

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the first terminal 21 is a so-called coaxial terminal including a first center terminal 22 and a first outer terminal 23. The first center terminal 22 and the first outer terminal 23 are formed by, for example, press working a metal plate.

The first center terminal 22 is provided to extend in the vertical direction, and the upper portion of the first center terminal 22 is divided into two. A first center fixing portion 22A is formed at a lower portion of the first center terminal 22. The first outer terminal 23 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and is provided radially outward of the first center terminal 22 via a first support 24 having insulating properties. At the lower portion of the first outer terminal 23, four first outer fixing portions 23A are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, the first center fixing portion 22A and each first outer fixing portion 23A constitute a portion soldered to the substrate 6.

The first support 24 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first support 24 is integrally molded (insert molded) with the first outer terminal 23. A press-fitting hole 24A (see fig. 4) penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the axial center portion of the first support 24. The first center terminal 22 is press-fitted into the press-fitting hole 24A and fixed to the first support 24. The first support 24 is provided between the first center terminal 22 and the first outer terminal 23, and the first outer terminal 23 is supported so as to concentrically surround the first center terminal 22. The diameter of the upper portion of the first support 24 is formed smaller than the diameter of the lower portion thereof, and the upper portion of the first support 24 is spaced radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the first outer terminal 23 (see fig. 4). The first support 24 is provided inside the first outer terminal 23 so as not to protrude from the upper end opening of the first outer terminal 23. The first center terminal 22 is provided inside the first support 24 so as not to protrude from the upper end opening of the first support 24 (see fig. 4).

[ Assembly of first connector ]

As shown in fig. 4, the first terminal 21 (first outer terminal 23) is pressed into the first through hole 12 of the first housing 11 and fixed to the first housing 11. In this way, the four first terminals 21 are supported by the first housing 11, thereby completing the first connector 10. The upper end of the first outer terminal 23 does not protrude to the tapered portion 12A of the first through hole 12. The first center fixing portion 22A and the first outer fixing portions 23A are provided to extend downward (exposed) from the first housing 11 (the first through hole 12).

[ second connector ]

The second connector 30 will be explained with reference to fig. 2, 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the second connector 30. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view VI-VI of fig. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the VII-VII of FIG. 5. In addition, since the plan view of the connector device 2 is expressed in the same manner as the plan view of the second connector 30, fig. 5 shows the plan view of the second connector 30 and also the plan view of the connector device 2.

The second connector 30 includes a second housing 31 and four second terminals 41. The second housing 31 constitutes an outer package of the second connector 30 and is mounted to the first housing 11. Four second terminals 41 are supported by the second housing 31 and are in contact with the four first terminals 21. Since the four second terminals 41 have the same configuration, one second terminal 41 will be described below.

< second housing >

The second housing 31 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (a square tube shape) which is long in the vertical direction, for example, by an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The second housing 31 is formed in an approximately square shape when viewed in plan (see fig. 5). As shown in fig. 6 and 7, an upper fitting recess 32 is provided in a recessed manner in an upper portion of the second housing 31, and a lower fitting recess 33 is provided in a recessed manner in a lower portion of the second housing 31. The upper fitting recess 32 is a square hole (recess) with a bottom surface and an upper end surface opened, and the lower fitting recess 33 is a square hole (recess) with a top surface and a lower end surface opened. The upper portion (upper fitting recess 32) of the second housing 31 is formed larger than the lower portion (lower fitting recess 33) of the second housing 31 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction via the step portion 31A. The upper fitting recess 32 is formed to be substantially entirely recessed in the mating connector 50, and the lower fitting recess 33 is formed to be substantially entirely recessed in the first connector 10.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, an intermediate body portion 34 that constitutes the top surface or the bottom surface of each of the recesses 32 and 33 is formed between the upper fitting recess 32 and the lower fitting recess 33. The intermediate body portion 34 is formed with four second through holes 35 that penetrate in the vertical direction. Each of the second through holes 35 is a circular hole when viewed in a plane, and four second through holes 35 are arranged in a lattice shape when viewed in a plane (see fig. 5). Each second through-hole 35 communicates the upper fitting recess 32 and the lower fitting recess 33.

(second sub-locking part)

As shown in fig. 2, a pair of second sub-locking portions 36 that engage with the pair of first sub-locking portions 13 are provided on both side surfaces of the second housing 31 in the left-right direction. Each second sub-locking portion 36 includes a sub-locking arm 36A and a sub-locking claw 36B (see fig. 6). In addition, since the pair of second sub-locking portions 36 is formed to be left-right symmetrical, hereinafter, one second sub-locking portion 36 will be explained.

The sub-lock arm 36A is provided at the side surface of the second housing 31 so as to extend from the upper side to the lower side (from the upstream side to the downstream side in the connection direction). The sub-lock arm 36A is formed below the step portion 31A at a position near the center in the front-rear direction on the side surface of the second housing 31. Specifically, a pair of slits S1 are cut in parallel from the lower end of the side surface of the second housing 31 to the vicinity of the step 31A, and a sub-locking arm 36A is formed between the pair of slits S1 (see also fig. 1). The sub-lock arm 36A is elastically deformed in the radial direction about the upper portion (the vicinity of the step portion 31A).

The sub-lock claw 36B is formed at a lower portion (downstream side in the connection direction) of the sub-lock arm 36A (see fig. 6 and 8). Specifically, the sub-lock claw 36B is provided to protrude from the lower inner surface of the sub-lock arm 36A toward the inside (the inner side in the front-rear direction) of the lower fitting recess 33. A sub-pawl-side abutment surface 36C (see fig. 6 and 8) inclined upward from the outside to the inside in the left-right direction is formed on a lower end surface (head end surface) of the sub-locking pawl 36B.

(second Main locking part)

As shown in fig. 2 and 7, a pair of second main locking portions 37 that engage with the pair of first main locking portions 16 are provided on both end surfaces of the second housing 31 in the front-rear direction. Each second main lock portion 37 includes a main lock arm 37A and a main lock claw 37B. In addition, since the pair of second main locking portions 37 is formed to be symmetrical in front and rear, hereinafter, one second main locking portion 37 will be explained.

The main lock arm 37A is provided at an end surface of the second housing 31 so as to extend from above to below (from upstream to downstream in the connection direction). The main lock arm 37A is formed at an end surface of the second housing 31 at a position below the step portion 31A and near the center in the left-right direction. The main locking arm 37A has substantially the same structure as the sub locking arm 36A, and is formed between a pair of slits S2 cut in parallel to the end surface of the second housing 31 (see also fig. 1). The main lock arm 37A is elastically deformed in the radial direction about the upper portion (the vicinity of the step portion 31A).

As shown in fig. 7, a main lock claw 37B is formed at a lower portion of the main lock arm 37A. Specifically, the main lock claw 37B is provided to protrude from the lower inner surface of the main lock arm 37A toward the inside of the lower fitting recess 33. A main-pawl-side abutment surface 37C that is inclined upward from the outer side to the inner side in the front-rear direction is formed on the lower end surface (head end surface) of the main lock pawl 37B. The main-claw-side abutment surface 37C is inclined at the same angle as the angle of the main-convex-side abutment surface 18A of the main locking protrusion 18.

< second terminal >

As shown in fig. 2, 5 and 6, the second terminal 41 is a so-called coaxial terminal including a second center terminal 42 and a second outer terminal 43. The second center terminal 42 and the second outer terminal 43 are formed by, for example, press working a metal plate.

As shown in fig. 6, the second center terminal 42 is formed in a rod shape having a circular cross section and being long in the up-down direction. The second center terminal 42 includes a second center upper contact portion 42B continuously provided at an upper end portion of the second center body portion 42A and a second center lower contact portion 42C continuously provided at a lower end portion of the second center body portion 42A. The second center upper contact portion 42B and the second center lower contact portion 42C are formed slightly thinner than the second center body portion 42A.

As shown in fig. 2 and 6, the second outer terminal 43 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and is provided radially outward of the second center terminal 42 by a second support body 44 having an insulating property. The second outside terminals 43 include second outside upper contact portions 43B continuously provided at the upper end portions of the second outside body portions 43A and second outside lower contact portions 43C continuously provided at the lower end portions of the second outside body portions 43A. The diameters of the second outside upper contact portion 43B and the second outside lower contact portion 43C are formed slightly smaller than the diameter of the second outside body portion 43A. The head end side of the second outer upper contact portion 43B and the head end side of the second outer lower contact portion 43C are divided into a plurality in the circumferential direction, and are formed to be elastically deformed in the radial direction.

The second support 44 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in fig. 6, the second support body 44 is insert-molded to the second outer terminals 43. A press-fitting hole 44A penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the axial center portion of the second support 44. The second center terminal 42 (second center body portion 42A) is press-fitted into the press-fitting hole 44A and fixed to the second support body 44. The second support 44 is provided between the second center terminal 42 and the second outer terminal 43, and the second outer terminal 43 is supported so as to concentrically surround the second center terminal 42. The second outer body portion 43A surrounds the second central body portion 42A, the second outer upper contact portion 43B surrounds the second central upper contact portion 42B, and the second outer lower contact portion 43C surrounds the second central lower contact portion 42C. The second support 44 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second outer terminal 43 except for the two sides (divided portions) in the vertical direction. The diameter of both sides in the vertical direction of the second support 44 is formed smaller than the diameter of the other portions, and both sides in the vertical direction of the second support 44 are spaced radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the divided portion of the second outer terminal 43. The second support 44 slightly protrudes from the openings on the upper and lower sides of the second outer terminal 43. Further, both ends of the second center terminal 42 in the vertical direction are provided inside the second support body 44 so as not to protrude from the openings on both the upper and lower sides of the second support body 44.

[ Assembly of second connector ]

As shown in fig. 6, the second terminal 41 (second outside body portion 43A) is press-fitted into the second through-hole 35 of the second housing 31 and fixed to the second housing 31. The second outer upper contact portion 43B protrudes upward from the intermediate body portion 34 (second through hole 35) and is exposed in the upper fitting recess 32. The second outside lower contact portion 43C protrudes downward from the intermediate body portion 34 (second through hole 35) and is exposed in the lower fitting recess 33. Four second terminals 41 are supported by the second housing 31, thereby completing the second connector 30.

[ opposite side connector ]

As shown in fig. 2, the mating connector 50 includes a mating housing 51 and mating terminals 61, as in the first connector 10. Since the mating connector 50 is the same as the first connector 10 which is turned upside down, detailed description thereof is omitted. The mating connector 50 may have a different structure (shape) from the first connector 10.

[ temporary Assembly of connector device ]

Next, referring to fig. 8 to 10, the temporary assembly of the connector 2 will be described. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views VIII-VIII, IX-IX and X-X of FIG. 5 in the case where the connector device is shown in FIG. 5. Here, a procedure of temporarily assembling the connector device 2 by the worker will be described as an example. The connector device 2 may be delivered to a customer (another manufacturer who mounts the connector device 2 to the substrate 6, etc.) in a state of being temporarily assembled by the manufacturer, for example. In the following description, the description will be continued with a focus on one first terminal 21 and one second terminal 41.

As shown in fig. 8, the worker relatively fits the first connector 10 (first housing 11) into the lower fitting recess 33 of the second housing 31. In the process of fitting the first connector 10 into the lower fitting recess 33, the sub-pawl-side abutment surfaces 36C of the pair of sub-locking pawls 36B move while contacting the chamfered portions 15A of the first housing 11 (sub-locking convex portions 15), and therefore, the pair of sub-locking arms 36A elastically deform outward so as to be away from each other. When the sub-lock pawls 36B go over the sub-lock protrusions 15, the sub-lock arms 36A are restored by their own elastic forces, and the sub-lock pawls 36B are slidably fitted in the sub-lock grooves 14. Further, each sub-locking claw 36B is engaged with the sub-locking protrusion 15 from the lower side (the downstream side in the connecting direction).

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 9, each primary locking pawl 37B is slidably fitted in the upstream locking groove 17U (primary locking groove 17) and abuts against the primary locking protrusion 18 from above (upstream side in the connecting direction). That is, the main-pawl-side abutment surface 37C of each main lock pawl 36B abuts against the main-projection-side abutment surface 18A of the main lock projection 18. Further, each of the main locking claws 37B abuts only the main locking convex portion 18 without being caught.

Through the above steps, the temporary assembly of the connector device 2 is completed. As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in the state where the temporary assembly is completed, the second connector 30 engages the first sub-lock portions 13 with the second sub-lock portions 36, and is held by the first connector 10 at a predetermined position P1 where the engagement of the first main lock portions 16 with the second main lock portions 37 is released. In this state, the upper portion of the first connector 10 is fitted in the lower fitting recess 33, and the lower portion of the first connector 10 is exposed. The upper surface of the first housing 11 faces the lower surface of the intermediate body portion 34 of the second housing 31 with a space therebetween.

Further, as shown in fig. 10, in a state where the second connector 30 is held at the preset position P1, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are separated from each other. That is, the second terminal 41 is not in contact with the first terminal 21, and the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are not elastically deformed with each other. In other words, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are not subjected to a load due to mutual contact. To be precise, the lower end of the second outer terminal 43 (second outer lower contact portion 43C) of the second terminal 41 lightly contacts the tapered portion 12A of the first housing 11 to such an extent that elastic deformation does not occur. In the present specification, the "state in which the connector device 2 is temporarily assembled" or the "state in which the second connector 30 is held by the first connector 10 at the preset position P1" may be also expressed as a "preset state" or the like.

[ method of mounting substrate of connector device ]

Next, a method of mounting the connector device 2 on the substrate 6 (a substrate mounting method) will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 13. Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing the connector shown in fig. 8 set in a set state. Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the connector shown in fig. 9 set in a set state. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the connector shown in fig. 10 in a set state.

< first Process >

In the related art, the first connector 10 (first terminal 21) is soldered to the substrate 6, and then the second connector 30 is mounted to the first connector 10. In contrast, in the first step of the board mounting method of the present embodiment, the first terminals 21 are soldered to the board 6 in a state where the temporarily assembled connector device 2 is disposed on the board 6.

First, as a first step, the connector device 2 holding the second connector 30 at the predetermined position P1 on the first connector 10 (in a predetermined state) is arranged on the board 6 coated with the cream solder (see fig. 10). The first center fixing portion 22A and the first outer fixing portion 23A of the first terminal 21 are in contact with the substrate 6 via solder paste. Further, the second connector 30 may be held by the first connector 10 after the first connector 10 is disposed on the substrate 6. That is, the connector device 2 may be temporarily assembled after the first connector 10 is disposed on the substrate 6.

Next, the substrate 6 on which the connector device 2 is mounted is passed through a reflow furnace, and the solder paste on the substrate 6 is heated and melted, thereby soldering the first terminals 21 to the substrate 6. Through the above steps, the first connector 10 is fixed to the substrate 6 by the first terminals 21.

< second Process >

Next, as a second step, the second connector 30 held by the first connector 10 is moved from the preset position P1 to the set position P2. Specifically, the operator pushes the second connector 30 downward (toward the first connector 10). As shown in fig. 12, in the process of pressing down the second connector 30, the main-pawl-side abutment surfaces 37C of the pair of main locking pawls 37B move while contacting the main-protrusion-side abutment surfaces 18A of the main locking protrusions 18, and therefore, the pair of main locking arms 37A elastically deform outward so as to be apart from each other. When the main lock claws 37B get over the main lock protrusions 18, the main lock arms 37A are restored by their own elastic forces. Next, each primary locking claw 37B is slidably fitted into the downstream locking groove 17D and is engaged with the primary locking protrusion 18 from the lower side (downstream side in the connection direction).

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 11, each of the sub-lock pawls 36B moves downward along the sub-lock groove 14, and is separated downward (downstream side in the connecting direction) from the sub-lock protrusion 15.

Through the above steps, the substrate mounting of the connector device 2 is completed. In this state, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the second connector 30 is held by the first connector 10 at a set position P2 at which the first main locking portion 16 is engaged with the second main locking portion 37 while the engagement between the first sub locking portion 13 and the second sub locking portion 36 is released. In this state, substantially the entire first connector 10 is fitted into the lower fitting recess 33 and hidden inside the lower fitting recess 33. The upper surface of the first housing 11 contacts the lower surface of the intermediate body portion 34 of the second housing 31, thereby restricting the second connector 30 from being pressed downward. Further, the force (resistance) for preventing the second connector 30 from being pulled out in the state where the main locking claw 37B is engaged with the main locking protrusion 18 is set to be larger than the resistance in the state where the sub locking claw 36B is engaged with the sub locking protrusion 15. When the second connector 30 moves to the set position P2, the second connector 30 is not easily pulled out from the first connector 10.

As shown in fig. 13, in a state where the second connector 30 is held at the set position P2, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are in contact with each other with an elastic force. Specifically, the second center lower contact portion 42C of the second center terminal 42 is inserted between the first center terminals 22 divided into two, and is sandwiched between the first center terminals 22 divided into two with an elastic force. The second outer lower contact portion 43C of the second outer terminal 43 is inserted into the first outer terminal 23 while being slightly reduced in diameter, and is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first outer terminal 23 with an elastic force. In this state, the first terminals 21 and the second terminals 41 are brought into contact with a predetermined normal contact pressure to ensure normal energization. That is, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 receive a load due to mutual contact. In the present specification, the "state in which the second connector 30 is held by the first connector 10 at the set position P2" may be expressed as a "set state" or the like.

Although not shown in the drawings and described in detail, the mating connector 50 is also heated in a reflow furnace while being disposed on the mating board 7 to which the solder paste is applied. Thereby, each of the pair of square-side terminals 61 is soldered to the corresponding square-side substrate 7.

[ connection of connector device to mating connector ]

As shown in fig. 1, the electrical connector device 2 mounted on the substrate 6 is connected to the mating electrical connector 50 mounted on the mating substrate 7. Specifically, the worker relatively fits the mating connector 50 (the mating housing 51) into the upper fitting recess 32 of the second housing 31. When the mating connector 50 is fitted into the upper fitting recess 32 substantially entirely, the lower surface of the mating housing 51 comes into contact with the upper surface of the intermediate body 34 of the second housing 31, and the second connector 30 is restricted from being pushed up relatively. In this state, the second terminal 41 (the second center upper contact portion 42B, the second outer upper contact portion 43B) and the counterpart terminal 61 are in contact with each other with an elastic force. Since the contact action between the second terminal 41 and the counterpart terminal 61 is the same as the contact action between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41, which has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

By the above steps, the connector device 2 and the mating connector 50 are connected to each other, thereby constituting the board-to-board connector 1. Thereby, the two boards 6 and 7 are electrically connected to the board-to-board connector 1.

In the connector device 2 of the present embodiment described above, the second connector 30 is configured to move between the preset position P1 and the set position P2, and is held by the first connector 10 at the preset position P1 and the set position P2. In the preset state, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are not elastically deformed (are not subjected to a load due to contact), and in the set state, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are brought into contact with each other while being elastically deformed (are subjected to a load due to contact). According to the connector device 2 (substrate mounting method), the connector device 2 temporarily assembled in advance (in a preset state) can be soldered to the substrate 6. This enables the terminals 21 and 41 not subjected to the contact load to be heated. In other words, the terminals 21 and 41 subjected to the contact load can be prevented from being heated, and the deflection, warpage, and the like of the terminals 21 and 41 heated while being subjected to the load can be suppressed. After the temporarily assembled connector device 2 is soldered, the second connector 30 can be moved to bring the second terminals 41 into contact with the first terminals 21 at a normal contact pressure. As a result, labor and time required for mounting the substrate of the connector device 2 can be reduced as compared with performing the step of soldering the first connector 10 to the substrate 6 and the step of connecting the second connector 30 to the first connector 10 separately. That is, the board mounting of the connector device 2 can be made labor-saving and deformation of the terminals 21, 41 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the connector device 2 of the present embodiment, the second connector 30 can be prevented from being pulled out from the first connector 10 by the sub locking claws 36B engaging with the sub locking protrusions 15 (see fig. 8). This can maintain the connector device 2 in a predetermined state (a state in which it is temporarily assembled in advance).

Further, according to the connector device 2 of the present embodiment, the main locking claws 37B abut on the main locking convex portions 18, and the sub locking claws 36B can be maintained in the state of being engaged with the sub locking convex portions 15. This can restrict the second connector 30 from being pulled out, and can maintain the connector device 2 in a predetermined state. Further, by the engagement of the main locking claws 37B with the main locking protrusions 18 (see fig. 12), the second connector 30 moved to the set position P2 can be prevented from being pulled out and returned to the preset position P1. This can maintain connector device 2 in the set state.

Further, according to the connector device 2 of the present embodiment, the main convex side contact surface 18A is brought into contact with the main claw side contact surface 37C (see fig. 9), whereby the state in which the second connector 30 is arranged at the preset position P1 can be maintained. Further, with the second connector 30 moving from the preset position P1 to the set position P2, each of the main-claw-side abutment surfaces 37C slides on the main-convex-side abutment surface 18A, and elastically deforms the main lock arm 37A outward in the radial direction. With this configuration, each of the main locking claws 37B can return after passing over the main locking convex portion 18 and can be engaged with the main locking convex portion 18 (see fig. 12).

[ modified examples ]

Next, a modified example of the connector device 2 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or corresponding components as those of the connector device 2 of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same or corresponding descriptions as those of the connector device 2 are omitted.

< first modification >

In the connector device 2 of the present embodiment described above, the pair of second sub-locking portions 36 are provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the second housing 31, and the pair of second main locking portions 37 are provided on both the front and rear end surfaces of the second housing 31. For example, as shown in fig. 14, in the connector device 3 of the first modification, the pair of second sub-locking portions 36 is deleted, and the second housing 31 is provided with the pair of second locking portions 70 that selectively engage with either the first sub-locking portion 71 or the first main locking portion 72. The second locking portion 70 has substantially the same structure as the second main locking portion 37 (the main-pawl-side abutment surface 37C is omitted). The pair of first sub-locking portions 71 and the pair of first main locking portions 72 are provided recessed in both front and rear end surfaces of the first housing 11. The first main locking portion 72 is formed below the first sub-locking portion 71. In this structure, the second connector 30 moves between a preset position P1 at which the first sub latch 71 and the second latch 70 are engaged and a set position P2 (not shown) at which the first main latch 72 and the second latch 70 are engaged, and is held at the first connector 10 at the preset position P1 and the set position P2. In addition, it is also possible to delete the pair of second main locking portions 37 and use the pair of second sub-locking portions 36 as the second locking portions 70. In this case, the first sub-locking portions 71 and the first main locking portions 72 are concavely provided on both left and right side surfaces of the first housing 11.

< second modification >

In the connector device 2 of the present embodiment described above, the pair of first sub-locking portions 13 are provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the first housing 11, and the pair of first main locking portions 16 are provided on both the front and rear end surfaces of the first housing 11. For example, as shown in fig. 15, in the connector device 4 of the second modification, the first sub-locking portion 13 and the first main locking portion 16 are deleted, and the pair of first locking portions 80 are provided recessed in both front and rear end surfaces of the first housing 11. In this case, the sub-lock arm 36A and the like are deleted, and the sub-projection 81 and the main projection 82 are provided so as to project from the main lock arm 37A. The main protrusion 82 is formed above the sub-protrusion 81. In the second modification, the main locking arm 37A and the sub projection 81 are an example of a second sub locking portion, and the main locking arm 37A and the main projection 82 are an example of a second main locking portion. In this configuration, the main projection 82 and the sub projection 81 are exclusively engaged with the first locking portion 80. The second connector 30 moves between a preset position P1 where the first locking portion 80 engages with the sub projection portion 81 (second sub lock portion) and a set position P2 (not shown) where the first locking portion 80 engages with the main projection portion 82 (second lock portion), and is held at the first connector 10 at the preset position P1 and the set position P2. The pair of first locking portions 80 may be provided in a recessed manner on both left and right side surfaces of the first housing 11. In this case, the main locking arm 37A and the like are deleted, and the sub projection 81 and the main projection 82 are provided so as to project from the sub locking arm 36A.

< third modification >

In the connector device 2 of the present embodiment described above, the first sub-locking portion 13 and the first main locking portion 16 include the grooves 14, 17 and the protrusions 15, 18, and the second sub-locking portion 36 and the second main locking portion 37 include the arms 36A, 37A and the claws 36B, 37B, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 16, in the connector device 5 of the third modification, the second sub-locking portions 36 include the sub-locking grooves 14 and the sub-locking protrusions 15, and the first sub-locking portions 13 include the sub-locking arms 36A and the sub-locking claws 36B. In this case, the sub-lock arm 36A is provided so as to extend upward from below (from downstream to upstream in the connection direction), and the sub-lock pawl 36B is formed at an upper portion (upstream in the connection direction) of the sub-lock arm 36A. Further, as shown in fig. 17, the second main locking portion 37 includes the main locking groove 17 (the upstream locking groove 17U, the downstream locking groove 17D) and the main locking protrusion 18, and the first main locking portion 16 includes the main locking arm 37A and the main locking claw 37B. In this case, the main lock arm 37A is provided so as to extend upward from below (from downstream to upstream in the connection direction), and the main lock claw 37B is formed on an upper portion (upstream in the connection direction) of the main lock arm 37A. In this configuration, in a state where the second connector 30 is held at the preset position P1, the sub-lock claws 36B are engaged with the sub-lock convex portions 15 from above (see fig. 16), and the main lock claws 37B are engaged with the downstream lock grooves 17D and abut against the main lock convex portions 18 from below (see fig. 17). In a state where the second connector 30 is held at the set position P2, the sub locking claw 36B is separated upward from the sub locking convex portion 15, and the main locking claw 37B is fitted into the upstream locking groove 17U and is engaged with the main locking convex portion 18 from above (not shown).

In the connector devices 2 to 5 (hereinafter referred to as "connector device 2 and the like") according to the present embodiment (including the first to third modified examples, the same applies hereinafter), the first sub-locking portion 13 and the first main locking portion 16 are provided in the first housing 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, both or either one of the first sub-locking portion 13 and the first main locking portion 16 may be provided to the first terminal 21, and the plurality of first sub-locking portions 13 and the plurality of first main locking portions 16 may be provided to both the first housing 11 and the first terminal 21 (both not shown). That is, the first sub-locking portion 13 and the first main locking portion 16 may be provided to at least any one of the first housing 11 and the first terminal 21. As the same point as above, for example, both or either one of the second sub-locking portions 36 and the second main locking portions 37 may be provided in the second terminals 41, or a plurality of the second sub-locking portions 36 and a plurality of the second main locking portions 37 may be provided in both the second housing 31 and the second terminals 41 (neither of which is shown). That is, it is sufficient if the second sub-locking portion 36 and the second main locking portion 37 are provided to at least any one of the second housing 31 and the second terminal 41. Further, as the same point as described above, it is sufficient if the first locking portion 80 is provided to at least any one of the first housing 11 and the first terminal 21, and it is sufficient if the second locking portion 70 is provided to at least any one of the second housing 31 and the second terminal 41.

In the connector device 2 and the like of the present embodiment, the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 are separated from each other in the predetermined state, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 may have their tips (lightly) in contact with each other. In this case, it is preferable that the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 41 do not receive a load due to mutual contact, and thus do not elastically deform. In the present specification, "not subjected to a load due to contact" includes not only a case where the terminals 21 and 41 are not in contact with each other but the load is "zero", but also, for example, a state where the terminals 21 and 41 are in contact with each other lightly at a contact pressure that is much lower than a normal contact pressure. Further, "not elastically deformed" includes not only a state where elastic deformation is not generated at all, but also a state where, for example, the terminals 21 and 41 are slightly elastically deformed to be lightly brought into contact with each other at a contact pressure much lower than a normal contact pressure to be slightly elastically deformed.

In the connector device 2 and the like according to the present embodiment, the first connector 10 is configured to be fitted to the inside (lower fitting recess 33) of the second connector 30, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second connector 30 may be configured to be fitted inside a fitting recess (not shown) provided in a recessed manner in the first connector 10. In this case, the first sub-locking portion 13, the second sub-locking portion 36, the first main locking portion 16, the second main locking portion 37, and the like may be formed on surfaces facing each other in a state where the two connectors 10 and 30 are fitted to each other. Further, similarly to the above, the second connector 30 may be configured to be fitted into a fitting recess (not shown) provided in a recessed manner in the mating connector 50.

The board-to-board connector 1 (the connector device 2 and the like) according to the present embodiment includes four terminals 21, 41 and 61, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided with one or more terminals 21, 41 and 61. The terminals 21, 41, and 61 are formed by pressing a metal plate, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed by forging, casting, or cutting a metal material. The terminals 21, 41, and 61 are so-called coaxial terminals, but are not limited thereto, and may be any terminals such as a terminal having a single contact.

In the above description, the board-to-board connector 1 for connecting the board 6 and the mating board 7 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mating connector 50 may be electrically connected to a cable (not shown) instead of the mating board 7. That is, the mating connector 50 may be a cable connector.

The above description of the embodiments shows one embodiment of the connector device and the substrate mounting method of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The components of the above embodiments can be replaced with or combined with existing components, and the description of the above embodiments is not intended to limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.