阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 权藤大志 于 2020-04-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：为了提供小型化且可靠的且能容易地制造的此外实现具有附接的多个端子的凸部之间的间隔变窄的连接器,这样的连接器因此提供为包括：多个半体部,各半体部包括连接器本体以及附接于所述连接器本体的多个端子；以及本体端部,通过使多个半体部的所述连接器本体邻接,形成在所述连接器本体的各端。各所述连接器本体为与所述多个端子一体化的元件,且包括：凸部,在长度方向上延伸并保持所述多个端子；以及埋设部,连接于所述凸部的长度方向的各端。所述本体端部包括覆盖部,所述覆盖部覆盖各所述连接器本体的埋设部的至少一部分,从而所述覆盖部为与所述埋设部一体化的元件。(In order to provide a connector which is compact and reliable and can be easily manufactured, and which furthermore achieves narrowing of the interval between the convex portions with a plurality of terminals attached, such a connector is therefore provided as including: a plurality of half bodies, each half body including a connector body and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body; and a body end portion formed at each end of the connector body by abutting the connector bodies of the plurality of half portions. Each of the connector bodies is an element integrated with the plurality of terminals, and includes: a convex portion extending in a longitudinal direction and holding the plurality of terminals; and an embedded portion connected to each end of the protruding portion in the longitudinal direction. The body end portion includes a covering portion that covers at least a part of the embedded portion of each of the connector bodies, so that the covering portion is an element integrated with the embedded portion.)

1. A connector, comprising:

a plurality of half bodies, each half body including a connector body and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body; and

a body end portion formed at each end of the connector body by abutting the connector bodies of the plurality of half portions;

wherein each of the connector bodies is an element integrated with the plurality of terminals, and includes: a convex portion extending in a longitudinal direction and holding the plurality of terminals; and an embedded portion connected to each end of the convex portion in the length direction; and

the body end portion includes a covering portion that covers at least a part of the embedded portion of each of the connector bodies, so that the covering portion is an element integrated with the embedded portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the buried portion is entirely covered by the covering portion, so that an end wall inner face toward a longitudinal direction center side of the connector body is formed on the covering portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the buried portion has: an inner side surface as a surface facing the other embedded portion; an outer surface located on the opposite side of the inner surface in the longitudinal direction of the connector body; an upper face and a lower face connecting the inner face and the outer face; and an end face located at a longitudinal end of the connector body, and at least the inner side face, the outer side face, the upper face, the lower face, and the end face are covered with the covering portion.

4. The connector of claim 1,

the embedded portion includes an inclined inner side surface facing the other inclined inner side surface with a gap becoming larger toward a longitudinal direction center side of the connector body,

the covering portion includes an end wall inner surface facing a longitudinal direction center side of the connector body, and the end wall inner surface is formed by filling the gap between the inclined inner surfaces with a molding material of the covering portion.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an extension end portion is connected to each end of the convex portion in the longitudinal direction, and the buried portion extends from the extension end portion.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein an extended end portion of the connector body is inclined to the inside in the width direction of the connector and extends from each end in the length direction of the convex portion, and the width of the body end portion is smaller than the width of the connector.

7. A connector pair comprising the connector of any one of claims 1 to 6 and a mating connector fitted with the connector.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to connectors.

Background

Conventionally, connectors of substrate-to-substrate connectors or the like have been used to electrically connect pairs of parallel circuit substrates to each other. These types of connectors are attached to opposite surfaces of a pair of circuit substrates and fitted together to ensure conduction (see, for example, patent document 1).

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

In the figure, 811 is a connector base mounted on a circuit substrate (not shown) and has a pair of projections 812 extending in the longitudinal direction thereof. Further, a plurality of terminals 861 are attached to the male portion 812 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the connector.

Further, when the connector is fitted with a mating connector (not shown), the convex portion 812 is inserted into each of a pair of grooves formed in a mating base of the mating connector. This process causes the respective terminals 861 to contact mating terminals (not shown) attached side-by-side within the grooves and establish conduction.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent publication No. JP2001-126789

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the conventional connector, the terminals 861 are integrated with the housing 811, and in the case of downsizing the connector, the interval between the two convex portions 812 is reduced, whereby the pitch between the terminals 861 is reduced. As a result, the manufacture of the connector is made more difficult. The terminals 861 are generally integrated with the pair of convex portions 812 of the base 811 by a molding method called over-molding or insert molding. In this way, the interval between the projections 812 and the pitch between the terminals 861 become narrow, making it difficult to correctly arrange a large number of terminals 861 in correspondence with the pair of projections 812 in the molding die of the base 811.

In order to solve the above-described problems in the conventional connector, an object herein is to provide a miniaturized and reliable connector that can be easily manufactured while achieving narrowing of the interval between the convex portions with the terminals attached.

Means for solving the problems

From the above viewpoint, the connector includes: a plurality of half bodies, each half body including a connector body and a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body; and a body end portion formed at each end of the connector body by abutting the connector bodies of the plurality of half portions. Each of the connector bodies is an element integrated with the plurality of terminals, and includes: a convex portion extending in a longitudinal direction and holding the plurality of terminals; and an embedded portion connected to each end of the protruding portion in the longitudinal direction. The body end portion includes a covering portion that covers at least a part of the embedded portion of each of the connector bodies, so that the covering portion is an element integrated with the embedded portion.

In another connector, the buried portion is entirely covered with the covering portion, and an inner face of an end wall facing a longitudinal direction center side of the connector body is formed on the covering portion.

In a further connector, the buried portion includes: an inner side surface as a surface facing the other embedded portion; an outer surface located on the opposite side of the inner surface in the longitudinal direction of the connector body; an upper face and a lower face connecting the inner face and the outer face; and an end face located at a longitudinal end of the connector body. At least the inner side surface, the outer side surface, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the end surface are covered with the covering portion.

In still another connector, the embedded portion includes an inclined inner side surface facing the other inclined inner side surface with a gap increasing toward a longitudinal center side of the connector body. The covering portion includes an end wall inner surface facing a longitudinal direction center side of the connector body. The end wall inner face is formed by filling the gap between the inclined inner side faces with a molding material of the covering portion.

In still another connector, an extension end portion is connected to each end of the projection in the longitudinal direction, and the embedded portion extends from the extension end portion.

In still another connector, an extended end portion of the connector body is inclined inward in the width direction of the connector and extends from each end in the longitudinal direction of the projection. The body end has a width less than a width of the connector.

The connector pair includes the connector according to the root publication and a mating connector fitted with the connector.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, a connector that is miniaturized and reliable and can be easily manufactured is provided while achieving narrowing of the interval between the convex portions having terminals attached thereto.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the left half body of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a process for manufacturing the left half body of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 provides a two-sided view showing a first process of manufacturing a first protrusive end portion of a first connector according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view.

Fig. 6 provides a two-sided view showing a second process of manufacturing the first protrusive end portion of the first connector according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a bottom view.

Fig. 7 provides an enlarged view of essential parts showing first and second processes of manufacturing a first protrusive end portion of a first connector according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is an enlarged view of a portion E of fig. 5, and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion F of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 provides sectional views showing first and second processes of manufacturing a first protrusive end portion of a first connector according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a sectional view along arrows a-a of fig. 5, (B) is a sectional view along arrows B-B of fig. 5, (C) is a sectional view along arrows C-C of fig. 6, and (D) is a sectional view along arrows D-D of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state just before the first connector is fitted with the second connector as viewed from the first connector side according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a left half portion of a modification of the first connector of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a first connector according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing a first connector according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 13 provides a first two-sided view showing a first projecting end portion of a first connector according to a second embodiment, wherein (a) is a bottom view, and (b) is a sectional view along arrow G-G of (a).

Fig. 14 provides a second two-sided view showing the first protrusive end portion of the first connector according to the second embodiment, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a sectional view along arrow H-H of (a).

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

Detailed Description

The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector according to a first embodiment, fig. 2 is an exploded view of the first connector according to the first embodiment, and fig. 3 is a perspective view of a left half body of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

In these figures, 1 is a first connector which is one of substrate-to-substrate connectors of a pair, and is a connector in the present embodiment. The first connector 1 is a surface-mount type connector, is mounted on a surface of a first substrate (not shown) serving as a mounting element, and is fitted to a second connector 101 serving as a mating connector, which will be described later. Further, the second connector 101 is the other of the pair of board-to-board connectors and is a surface mount type connector mounted on a surface of a second board (not shown) serving as a mounting component.

The first connector 1 and the second connector 101 according to the present embodiment are preferably used for electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate, but can also be used for electrically connecting other elements. For example, the first substrate and the second substrate are each a printed circuit board, a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC), a flexible circuit board (FPC), or the like used in electronic devices or the like, but may be any type of substrate.

Further, in the present embodiment, expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear for explaining the action and constitution of each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are not absolute but relative, and these expressions are suitable when each part of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is in the posture shown in the drawing, that is, when the posture thereof is changed, the directions should be interpreted differently according to the change of the posture.

The first connector 1 is configured by connecting a pair of left and right half portions (i.e., the left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B) to each other using a first reinforcing metal fitting 51 as a reinforcing metal fitting and a covering portion 16 integrally molded by a molding method (hereinafter, described as "insert molding") called overmolding (over molding), over-molding (outsert molding), or insert molding (insert molding). Note that the left half body 10A and the right half body 10B are the same members arranged to face each other on the left and right sides, and in the case of collectively describing, the left half body 10A and the right half body 10B will be described as the half body 10. The left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B each have a substantially gate-like shape (shape projected onto an X-Y plane) in a plan view, and a space between the combined left half portion 10A and right half portion 10B is an elongated groove portion 13 extending in a longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 1. The recessed portion 13 is a through hole that opens on the upper surface and the lower surface of the first connector 1.

Note that, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the first connector 1 is explained as having a pair of half portions 10, that is, as having a configuration in which two half portions 10 are arranged in parallel, however, three or more half portions 10 may be arranged in parallel. Further, the half body portion 10 does not necessarily have a substantially gate shape, but may have any shape as long as both ends in the longitudinal direction can be joined by the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 and the covering portion 16.

The half body 10 has a first base 11 as a connector body, the first base 11 being integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and shaped into a substantially gate shape in a plan view. Each first base 11 includes: an elongated strip-shaped bottom plate portion 17 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first base 11; and a first convex portion 12 as an elongated convex portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11 and integrally formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 17. The first convex portion 12 is an element having a cross-sectional shape similar to an inverted U shape and has a curved fitting surface 12a located on the upper side (the positive Z-axis direction side), and an outer side surface 12b and an inner side surface 12c connected to both left and right sides of the fitting surface 12 a. The outer side surface 12b and the inner side surface 12c are a pair of mutually parallel opposing flat surfaces and extend in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11. Note that the dimension of the first convex portion 12 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) is smaller than the dimension of the bottom plate portion 17 in the width direction, so that the bottom plate portion 17 protrudes outward in the width direction from the outer side surface 12b and the inner side surface 12c at the lower end (Z-axis negative direction side end) of the first convex portion 12. The lower surface of the bottom plate 17 is a mounting surface 17a of the first base 11 facing the surface of the first substrate.

Further, a first terminal 61 as a terminal is provided on each first convex portion 12. The first terminals 61 are arranged in a predetermined number (32 in the example shown in the figure) and at a predetermined pitch. The first terminal 61 is an element integrally formed by performing processing such as punching, bending, or the like on a conductive metal plate, and includes: a body portion 63 extending in the width direction of the first projection 12; a tail part 62 connected to a first end of the body part 63; a contact portion 65 connected to the second end of the body portion 63 at an angle of about 90 degrees and extending in the up-down direction; and an upper end portion 64 connected to an upper end of the contact portion 65 at an angle of about 90 degrees.

The body portion 63 is a portion buried and held in the bottom plate portion 17. Further, the tail portion 62 extends outward in the width direction from the bottom plate portion 17 and is connected to a connection pad by soldering or the like, the connection pad being connected to the conductive trace of the first substrate. The conductive traces are typically signal lines. Further, the contact portion 65 includes a contact recess 65a, and the contact recess 65a is a portion that contacts a second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later, when the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 are fitted, and is preferably a portion recessed from the surface.

The first terminal 61 is integrated with the first base 11 by insert molding. That is, the first base 11 is formed by filling an insulating material in a cavity of a mold in which the first terminal 61 is provided. Therefore, the first terminal 61 is integrally attached to the first base 11 in a state where the lower surface of the body portion 63 and the lower surface of the tail portion 62 are exposed to the mounting surface 17a of the bottom plate portion 17 and the surfaces of the contact portion 65 and the upper end portion 64 are exposed to the outer surface 12b or the inner surface 12c of the first projection 12 and the fitting surface 12 a.

Further, the plurality of first terminals 61 attached to each first convex portion 12 are oriented such that postures of adjacent first terminals are opposite to each other in the width direction of the first convex portion 12. In the example shown in the drawing, among the plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first convex portion 12 of the left half portion 10A, the first terminal 61 located at the front end (X-axis positive direction end) is oriented in a posture in which the tail portion 62 protrudes outward (Y-axis positive direction side), and the first terminal 61 located at the second position from the front end is oriented in a posture in which the tail portion 62 protrudes inward (Y-axis negative direction side). In this manner, since the plurality of first terminals 61 are attached to the first convex portion 12 in a staggered juxtaposition in opposite directions, the pitch of the tail portions 62 protruding from each of both sides of the first convex portion 12 is twice the pitch of the first terminals 61. Therefore, this arrangement makes it easy to perform the work of connecting the first terminals to the connection pads of the first substrate by soldering or the like. The pitch of the contact portions 65 exposed on the outer side surface 12b and the pitch of the contact portions 65 exposed on the inner side surface 12c of the first convex portion 12 are also twice the pitch of the first terminals 61.

Note that, since the first terminal 61 is an element integrated with the first base 11 by insert molding or the like, there is no separation of the first terminal 61 from the first base 11. Note, however, that the first terminal 61 is shown separately from the first base 11 in fig. 2 for convenience of explanation.

Further, first protruding end portions 18 as body end portions and fitting guide portions are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first convex portion 12. The first projecting end portion 18 is a member connected to both ends of each first projecting portion 12 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed to join the left half portion 10A and the right half portion 10B. In the state where the first connector 1 is fitted to the second connector 101, the first projecting end portion 18 functions as an insertion convex portion to be inserted into a fitting concave portion 122 of a second projecting end portion 121 of the second connector 101, which will be described later.

The first projecting end portion 18 is constituted by the extending end portions 14 and the embedded portion 15 of the left and right half portions 10, the covering portion 16, and the first reinforcing metal fittings 51.

Extension end portions 14 extending in the longitudinal direction are integrally connected to both ends of the first convex portion 12 of each half portion 10 in the longitudinal direction, and embedded portions 15 further extending in the longitudinal direction of the first convex portion 12 are integrally connected to the extension end portions 14. Note that the extended end portion 14 extends obliquely inward, and the embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position eccentric inward of the tip of the extended end portion 14, and is located inward of the outer side surface 12b of the first convex portion 12. In other words, the extended end portion 14 of the left half portion 10A extends obliquely in the right direction (Y-axis negative direction), and the embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position eccentric in the right direction from the tip of the extended end portion 14. The extended end portion 14 of the right half portion 10B extends obliquely leftward (in the positive Y-axis direction), and the embedded portion 15 extends in the longitudinal direction from a position eccentric to the tip of the extended end portion 14 in the leftward direction. As described above, since the embedded portion 15 is eccentric with respect to the extended end portion 14, the embedded portion 15 can be formed so as to protrude toward the inside of the extended end portion 14. This formation is such that the inside of the buried portion 15 is closer to the first convex portion 12 to be covered with the resin forming the end wall inner face 16d of the covering portion 16. The strength of integration is thus further improved.

At least a part of the extended end portions 14 of the left and right half portions 10 and the entire embedded portion 15 are covered with a covering portion 16 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. Specifically, the covering portion 16 is formed by performing insert molding while the embedded portions 15 of the left and right half portions 10 are brought close to each other and covered with the first reinforcing metal fittings 51. Thereby, the extended end portions 14 of the left and right half portions 10 are integrated with the embedded portion 15, the covering portion 16, and the first reinforcing fitting 51 to form the first projecting end portion 18, and the left and right half portions 10 are joined. The covering portion 16 does not necessarily cover the entire embedded portion 15, but may cover the embedded portion 15 to an extent sufficient to join the left and right half portions 10. However, in order to maximize the bonding force, it is desirable to cover the entire buried portion 15. The cover 16 is an element integrally formed with other components by insert molding and is not a separate element separated from the other components. However, for ease of illustration, in fig. 2, the cover 16 is shown as a separate element.

As shown in fig. 3, the extension end portion 14 includes an upper surface 14a positioned on the upper side, an outer surface 14b and an inner surface 14c connected to both left and right sides of the upper surface 14a, and a lower surface 14d positioned on the lower side. Lower surface 14d is positioned above mounting surface 17a, and at least a portion of lower surface 14d is covered by cover 16. The upper surface 14a is substantially flush with the fitting surface 12a of the first projection 12. The inner side surface 14c is a surface inclined obliquely inward with respect to the inner side surface 12c of the first convex portion 12. The outer side surface 14b includes: an inclined outer side surface 14b1 inclined inward with respect to the outer side surface 12b of the first convex portion 12; and a parallel outer side surface 14b2 substantially parallel to the outer side surface 12b of the first convex portion 12. The parallel outer side face 14b2 is substantially flush with the outer side face of the covering portion 16 and becomes a part of the outer side face of the first protruding end portion 18. The covering portion 16 includes an extended covering portion 16e extended to be integrated with the lower surface 14d of the extended end portion 14. Extending the covering portion 16e can increase the contact area between the covering portion 16 and the first base 11, further improving the strength of integration. Although preferred, the lower surface of the extended covering portion 16e does not have to be flush with the mounting surface 17 a. The formation of the lower surface of the extended covering portion 16e flush with the mounting surface 17a can increase the mounting surface of the first connector 1 to the first substrate, which is advantageous for stabilizing the mounting state.

The embedded portion 15 is an element having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped overall shape, and has five surfaces including an upper surface 15a located on the upper side, outer and inner surfaces 15b and 15c located on the left and right sides, a lower surface 15d located on the lower side, and end surfaces 15e at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. The upper face 15a and the lower face 15d are planes parallel to each other. The distance between the upper face 15a and the lower face 15d (i.e., the thickness of the buried portion 15) is smaller than the thicknesses of the extended end portion 14 and the first projection 12. The upper surface 15a is positioned below the fitting surface 12a, and the lower surface 15d is positioned above the mounting surface 17 a. The outer side surface 15b is a plane substantially parallel to the outer side surface 12b of the first projection 12, and is located inward with respect to the outer side surface 12b, that is, near the center in the width direction of the first base 11. The inner side surface 15c includes: a parallel inner side surface 15c1 that is a plane substantially parallel to the inner side surface 12c of the first convex portion 12; and an inclined inner side surface 15c2 substantially parallel to the inner side surface 14c of the extension end portion 14. The end surface 15e is a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. The buried portion 15 is entirely covered with the covering portion 16, that is, buried in the covering portion 16.

The above configuration can increase the gap between the end wall inner face 16d and the left and right inclined inner side faces 15c2, so that the filling amount of the insulating material is increased. Since all five surfaces are flat, the resin flows on these flat surfaces during insert molding, moldability is improved, and integration is easy. The five surfaces do not have to be parallel or flat. For example, the buried portion 15, particularly, a portion thereof near the end portion may be a curved surface such as a cylindrical shape instead of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The portion corresponding to the inclined inner side face 15c2 may have a shape similar to a sphere or a cone including an oval. As described above, forming the concave-convex shape, the curved surface, or the like can increase the contact area between the embedded portion 15 and the covering portion 16, thereby improving the strength of integration. Like buried portion 15, the planes of the outer shape of covering portion 16 do not have to be parallel or flat. The gap existing between the opposing inner side faces 15c allows the resin to flow smoothly through the gap during insert molding, thereby allowing the resin to be easily distributed over the entire surface of the embedded portion 15. However, the gap is not necessarily formed. This gap may be eliminated if the covering portion 16 and the embedded portion 15 can be integrated smoothly.

In this embodiment, since the extended end portion 14 extends obliquely inward and the embedded portion 15 is located inward of the outer side surface 12b of the first projection 12, the width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of the first protruding end portion 18 can be smaller than the width of the first connector 1 (the distance between the outer side surfaces 12b of the left and right first projections 12). Note that, in the case where it is not necessary to make the width of the first projecting end portion 18 smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the extended end portion 14 does not have to extend obliquely inward but may extend straight. Further, the extension end portion 14 can be omitted by directly extending the embedded portion 15 from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first convex portion 12. In this case, the dimension of the first connector 1 in the longitudinal direction can be shortened. Further, when three or more half bodies 10 are arranged in parallel, the extended end portions 14 may extend from both ends in the length direction of the first convex portion 12 to form a Y-shape.

The structure in which the extended end portion 14 extends obliquely inward and the embedded portion 15 is located inward with respect to the outer side surface 12b of the first protrusion 12 enables the embedded portion 15 of the left half body 10 and the embedded portion 15 of the half body 10 (i.e., the left and right embedded portions 15) to approach each other. The two buried portions 15 close to each other are then integrated with the covering portion 16. In comparison with a structure in which the interval between the two buried portions 15 is large, the portion between the two buried portions 16 has a stable shape without being skewed or warped. The connector 1 can thus be formed accurately.

The first reinforcing fitting 51 is an element integrally formed by applying a process such as punching, bending, or the like to a metal plate, and includes: a substantially rectangular upper plate 54 extending in the width direction of the first base 11; substantially rectangular leg portions 55 connected to both left and right side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward; and an end wall outer covering portion 52 and an end wall inner covering portion 53 connected to front and rear side edges of the upper plate 54, respectively, and extending downward. Note that the tail portion 52a is connected to the lower end of the end wall outer covering portion 52. The width of the end wall outer covering 52 is greater than the width of the end wall inner covering 53.

As described above, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the covering portion 16 to constitute the first protruding end portion 18. The upper plate 54 is buried above the first protruding end portion 18. In this state, the upper face of the upper plate 54 is flush with the upper face of the covering portion 16 to constitute more than half of the area of the upper face of the first protrusive end portion 18. The left and right leg portions 55 are embedded in the left and right outer side surfaces of the first projecting end portion 18. The outer side face of the foot portion 55 is flush with the outer side face of the covering portion 16 to constitute the majority of the area of the outer side face of the first protrusive end portion 18. Further, an end wall outer surface covering portion 52 and an end wall inner surface covering portion 53 are embedded in the end wall outer surface and the end wall inner surface of the first protrusive end portion 18, respectively. The outer side face of the end wall outer face covering portion 52 and the outer side face of the end wall inner face covering portion 53 are flush with the end wall outer face and the end wall inner face of the covering portion 16, respectively, to constitute the majority of the area of the end wall outer face and the majority of the area of the end wall inner face of the first protrusive end portion 18, respectively.

The tail portion 52a is bent by about 90 degrees and connected to the lower end of the end wall outer covering portion 52, extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11, and is connected to a connection pad by soldering or the like, and the connection pad is connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate. Note that the conductive traces are typically power supply lines. The lower ends of the legs 55 may be proximate to or in contact with the surface of the first substrate, if necessary. In this case, the lower ends of the leg portions 55 are connected to the connection pads on the first substrate by soldering or the like, thereby enhancing the connection strength of the first reinforcing fitting 51 to the first substrate.

A method of manufacturing the first connector 1 constructed as described above will be described below.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a process for manufacturing the left half body of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 provides a two-sided view illustrating a first process of manufacturing a first protruding end portion of a first connector according to a first embodiment. Fig. 6 provides a two-sided view illustrating a second process of manufacturing the first protrusive end portion of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 provides an enlarged view of essential parts showing first and second processes of manufacturing the first protrusive end portion of the first connector according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 provides a sectional view showing first and second processes of manufacturing the first protrusive end portion of the first connector according to the first embodiment. In fig. 5 and 6, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a bottom view. In fig. 7, (a) is an enlarged view of a portion E of fig. 5, and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion F of fig. 6. In fig. 8, (a) is a sectional view along arrow a-a of fig. 5, (B) is a sectional view along arrow B-B of fig. 5, (C) is a sectional view along arrow C-C of fig. 6, and (D) is a sectional view along arrow D-D of fig. 6.

The first terminals 61 are formed by bending a metal plate in a plate thickness direction, are formed by applying processing such as pressing and bending to the metal plate, and are provided in a state of being connected to a flat terminal tape 68 as shown in fig. 4. Such an element as shown in fig. 2 is obtained by attaching the ends of the tail portions 62 of the plurality of first terminals 61 to the terminal tape 68 via the elongated connecting arms 68a, and then cutting the tail portions 62 away from the connecting arms 68a at the cut portions 68 b.

For the process of integrating with the first base 11 by insert molding, as shown in fig. 4, a plurality of first terminals 61 are provided in a state of being attached to the tape 68. Fig. 4 shows an example of manufacturing the left half body 10A. In this example, the plurality of first terminals 61 having the tail portions 62 protruding outward (Y-axis positive direction side) are connected to the right terminal tape 68 in fig. 4, and the plurality of first terminals 61 having the tail portions 62 protruding inward (Y-axis negative direction side) are connected to the left terminal tape 68 in fig. 4. In this state, these terminals 61 are set in a not-shown first-time molding die. By holding and operating the terminal tape 68 to which the plurality of first terminals 61 are connected, the plurality of first terminals 61 are simultaneously positioned and set in the molding die.

Subsequently, an insulating material such as a molten synthetic resin is filled in the cavity of the molding die. The first insert molding is performed in this manner. The insulating material may be any kind of material. In this example, a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) is employed. In the first insert molding, it is preferable to select a material in which flowability is important. When the filled insulating material is cooled and solidified to form the first base 11, the molding die is opened, and the left half body portion 10A with the terminal tape 68 connected to the first terminal 61 as shown in fig. 4 is taken out. The right half 10B with the terminal strip 68 connected to the first terminal 61 is manufactured in the same manner.

Subsequently, as shown in fig. 4, the terminal tape 68 connected to the inwardly projecting tail portion 62 (the left terminal tape 68 in fig. 4) is cut from the left half portion 10A with the terminal tape 68 connected to the first terminal 61, while the terminal tape 68 connected to the outwardly projecting tail portion 62 (the right terminal tape 68 in fig. 4) is left as it is. Similarly, the terminal tape 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding inward is cut off from the right half portion 10B with the terminal tape 68 connected to the first terminal 61, and the terminal tape 68 connected to the tail portion 62 protruding outward is left as it is.

Subsequently, as shown in fig. 5, the left half body portion 10A and the right half body portion 10B with the terminal strip 68 connected only to the tail portion 62 protruding outward are set in a mold for molding (not shown) for the second time in a state of being opposed to each other. Specifically, the insides of the left and right half bodies 10 face each other, the first bases 11 of the left and right half bodies 10 are parallel to each other, the mounting surfaces 17a of the first bases 11 of the left and right half bodies 10 are flush with each other, the end surfaces 15e at both ends in the longitudinal direction are flush with each other, and the embedded portions 15 of the left and right half bodies 10 are close to each other but do not contact each other. Further, as shown in fig. 7(a), the opposing left and right half portions 10 are positioned so that the interval between the parallel inner side surfaces 15c1 of the opposing embedded portions 15 is a predetermined distance L2, and set in the second-time molding die.

Subsequently, the first reinforcing metal fittings 51 are set in the second forming mold so as to cover at least a part of the extended end portions 14 of the left and right half bodies 10 and the entire embedded portion 15. In this case, the first reinforcing fittings 51 are provided in a state where the end of the tail portion 52a is attached to the fitting tape 58 as a tape. The tail portion 52a is cut off from the fitting tape 58 at the cut-off portion 58b to obtain the first reinforcing fitting 51 shown in fig. 2. Specifically, as shown in fig. 7(a), 8(b), and the like, first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is provided such that upper plate 54 has a space from upper surface 15a of embedded portion 15, leg 55 has a space from outer side surface 15b of embedded portion 15, end wall outer surface covering portion 52 has a space from end surface 15e of embedded portion 15, end wall inner surface covering portion 53 has a space from inclined inner side surface 15c2 of embedded portion 15, and the lower end of leg 55 is located below lower surface 15d of embedded portion 15 and has substantially the same height as attachment surface 17 a.

Subsequently, a molten insulating material such as a synthetic resin is filled in the molding die. In this manner, the second insert molding is performed. The insulating material may be any kind of material. In this example, as in the first insert molding, LCP in which flowability is important is used. The insulating material for the second insert molding may be selected based on importance attached to strength and melt-bondability with the insulating material for the first insert molding. When the filled insulating material is cooled and solidified to form the covering portion 16, the molding die is opened. The left and right half bodies 10 are taken out with both ends in the longitudinal direction joined to each other by the first projecting end portions 18 as shown in fig. 6.

In this configuration, the left and right half portions 10 are integrated with the covering portion 16 in a state where at least a part of the extended end portion 14 and the entire embedded portion 15 are covered with the covering portion 16. The first reinforcing fitting 51 is integrated with the cover 16 to cover at least a part of the outer side face of the cover 16. Specifically, as shown in fig. 7(b), 8(c), 8(d), and the like, the gaps between the upper plate 54, the leg portion 55, the end wall outer surface covering portion 52, and the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51, and the upper surface 15a, the outer surface 15b, the end surface 15e, and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15 are filled with the insulating material of the covering portion 16, respectively. Similarly, the gap between the parallel inner side surfaces 15c1 of the embedded part 15 facing each other is also filled with the insulating material of the covering part 16. The lower surface 15d of the buried portion 15 is also filled with the insulating material of the covering portion 16, and the lower surface of the covering portion 16 is substantially flush with the mounting surface 17 a. The parallel outer side face 14b2 of the extended end portion 14 is substantially flush with the outer side face of the covering portion 16 and becomes a part of the outer side face of the first protruding end portion 18.

As shown in fig. 7(a), a gap is formed between the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15. Since the inclined inner side surfaces 15c2 are inclined, this structure allows the molten insulating material filled in the cavity of the molding die in the second insert molding to flow between the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 and the left and right inclined inner side surfaces 15c2 and between the parallel inner side surfaces 15c1 of the opposed buried portion 15. The cavity is thus filled without leaving any gaps. Further, the large space formed between the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 and the left and right inclined inner side surfaces 15c2 allows the filling amount of the insulating material to be increased.

As shown in fig. 7(a), it is preferable that a width L1, which indicates a dimension of the end-wall inner face covering portion 53 of the first reinforcement fitting 51 in the width direction of the first connector 1, which opposes the gap between the parallel inner side faces 15c1 of the buried portion 15, be set larger than a distance L2, which indicates the interval between the parallel inner side faces 15c 1. In other words, it is preferable that L1 be greater than L2. The width of the end wall outer covering 52 is greater than the width of the end wall inner covering 53. When viewed from the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the boundary between the parallel inner side face 15c1 of the embedded portion 15 formed via the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed via the second insert molding is covered by the end wall outer surface covering portion 52 and the end wall inner surface covering portion 53, and therefore, it is difficult to separate and the strength of the first protrusive end portion 18 is increased.

As shown in fig. 7(a), it is preferable that a dimension or length L3 of the leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1 is set to be greater than a length L4 of the outer side surface 15b of the embedded portion 15. In other words, it is preferable that L3 be greater than L4. Further, it is preferable that the end of the outer side surface 15b near the center in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1 is closer to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1 than the end of the leg portion 55 near the center in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. This structure allows the boundary between the outer side face 15b of the embedded portion 15 formed through the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed through the second insert molding to be covered with the foot portion 55 when viewed from the width direction (Y-axis direction), and thus makes it difficult to separate and improves the strength of the first protruding end portion 18.

Further, the embedded portion 15 is provided: at least a portion of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51 is overlapped (i.e., superimposed) with any one of the upper plate 54, the end wall outer surface covering portion 52, the end wall inner surface covering portion 53, and the leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51, as viewed from both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) or as viewed from the left-right direction (width direction). This structure increases the strength of the first protrusive end portion 18.

Finally, the remaining terminal tape 68 and the remaining accessory tape 58 shown in fig. 6(a) and 6(b) are cut out from the left and right half bodies 10 in a state where both ends of the left and right half bodies 10 in the longitudinal direction are coupled by the first projecting end portions 18. Thereby, the first connector 1 as shown in fig. 1 can be obtained.

Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 forming a connector pair with the first connector 1 and the action of fitting the first connector 1 with the second connector 101 will be described.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state just before the first connector is fitted with the second connector as viewed from the first connector side according to the first embodiment.

The second connector 101 as a mating connector according to the present embodiment has the second base 111, and the second base 111 is integrally formed as a mating connector body from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the drawing, the second base 111 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a substantially rectangular thick plate shape. Further, a substantially rectangular closed recess 112 into which the first base 11 is fitted is formed on the side of the second base 111 where the first connector 1 is fitted (i.e., on the side of the fitting surface 111a (the Z-axis negative direction side)). Second convex portion 113 as an island portion to be fitted into recessed portion 13 is formed integrally with second base 111 in concave portion 112, and side wall portions 114 extending parallel to second convex portion 113 are formed integrally with second base 111 on both sides of second convex portion 113.

The second convex portion 113 and the side wall portion 114 protrude upward (Z-axis negative direction) from the bottom surface of the concave portion 112, and extend in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. Therefore, groove portions 112a, which are elongated concave portions extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101, are formed on both sides of the second convex portion 113 as a part of the concave portion 112.

Groove-shaped second-terminal accommodation cavities 115a for accommodating the corresponding second terminals 161 are formed on the side surfaces on both sides of the second projection 113 and the side surfaces on the inner side of the side wall portion 114. Hole-shaped second-terminal receiving cavities 115b for receiving the corresponding second terminals 161 are formed on the second projecting portions 113 and the side wall portions 114. The second terminal receiving cavity 115a and the second terminal receiving cavity 115b are joined and integrated with each other on the bottom surface of the groove portion 112 a. Therefore, when the second terminal receiving cavity 115a and the second terminal receiving cavity 115b are collectively described, they are described as the second terminal receiving cavity 115. The second-terminal accommodation cavities 115 corresponding to the number of the first terminals 61 are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the first terminals 61.

The second terminal 161 is an element integrally formed by applying a process such as punching to a conductive metal plate, and includes: a body portion (not shown); a tail part 162 connected to the lower end of the body part; a connecting portion extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101 from the vicinity of the lower end of the main body portion; and a contact portion 165 extending upward (negative Z-axis direction) from the connection portion. Note that a contact protrusion 165a protruding toward the body portion is preferably formed in the vicinity of the tip of the contact portion 165.

The body portion is a portion pressed and held in the second terminal receiving cavity 115 b. Further, the tail portion 162 is bent and connected to the lower end of the body portion, extends in the width direction of the second base 111, and is connected to a connection pad (the connection pad is connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate) by soldering or the like. The conductive traces are typically signal lines. The contact portion 165 is a portion that contacts the first terminal 61 provided in the first connector 1 when the first connector 1 is fitted to the second connector 101. Preferably, the contact protrusion 165a engages with a contact recess 65a formed on the contact portion 65 of the first terminal 61.

The second terminals 161 are inserted into the second terminal receiving cavities 115 from below the second base 111 and attached to the second base 111. In this way, the body portion of the second terminal 161 is pressed and held in the second terminal receiving bore 115b, and the contact portion 165 is received in the second terminal receiving groove cavity 115a and exposed to the groove portion 112 a. And the lower surface of the tail portion 162 is exposed to the mounting surface 111b as the lower surface of the second base 111.

Further, like the first terminals 61, the second terminals 161 attached to each groove portion 112a are oriented such that the postures of the adjacent second terminals 161 are opposite to each other in the width direction of the groove portions 112 a. In the example shown in fig. 9, among the plurality of second terminals 161 attached in the groove portions 112a on the Y-axis positive direction side, the second terminal 161 located at the front end (X-axis positive direction end) is oriented in a posture in which the tail portion 162 protrudes in the Y-axis negative direction, and the second terminal 161 located at the second position from the front end is oriented in a posture in which the tail portion 162 protrudes in the Y-axis positive direction. In this manner, since the plurality of second terminals 161 are alternately oriented in opposite directions and attached in the recessed groove portions 112a, the pitch of the tail portions 162 exposed on the mounting surface 111b on both sides of the recessed groove portions 112a is set to be twice the pitch of the second terminals 161. This structure facilitates the work of connecting the second terminal connections 161 to the connection pads of the second substrate by soldering or the like. The pitch of the contact portions 165 exposed in the recessed groove portions 112a is also set to be twice the pitch of the second terminals 161.

Further, second protruding end portions 121 as fitting guide portions are provided at both ends of the second base 111 in the longitudinal direction. A fitting recess 122 as a part of the recess 112 is formed in each second projecting end portion 121. The fitting recess 122 is a substantially rectangular recess connected to both ends of each groove portion 112a in the longitudinal direction. Further, in a state where the first connector 1 is fitted with the second connector 101, the first projecting end portion 18 of the first connector 1 is inserted into the fitting recess 122. A second reinforcing fitting 151 as a fitting is attached to the second projecting end portion 121. The second reinforcement fitting 151 is integrated with the second base 111 by insert molding.

The second reinforcing fitting 151 is an element integrally formed by applying a process such as punching, bending, or the like to a metal plate, and includes: a second body portion 152 extending in the width direction of the second base 111; side cover portions 153 connected to both left and right ends of the second body portion 152; contact side portions 154 provided on left and right inner walls of the fitting recess 122; and a tail portion 156 connected to a lower end of the second body portion 152. The tail portions 156 extend outward in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101, and are connected and fixed to connection pads (not shown) exposed on the surface of the second substrate by soldering or the like. Note that, for example, the connection pad is preferably connected with a conductive trace as a power supply line.

Next, the fitting action of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 having the above-described configuration will be described.

The first connector 1 is mounted on the surface of the first substrate by connecting the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 to connection pads joined to conductive traces on the first substrate, not shown, via soldering or the like, and connecting the tail portions 52a of the first reinforcing fittings 51 to connection pads joined to conductive traces on the first substrate via soldering or the like. Note that the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 62 of the first terminals 61 are connected are signal lines, and the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 52a of the first reinforcing fittings 51 are connected are power supply lines.

Likewise, the second connector 101 is mounted on the surface of the second substrate by connecting the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 to connection pads joined to conductive traces on the second substrate, not shown, via soldering or the like, and connecting the tail portions 156 of the second reinforcing fittings 151 to connection pads joined to conductive traces on the second substrate via soldering or the like. Note that the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 162 of the second terminals 161 are connected are signal lines, and the conductive traces connected to the connection pads to which the tail portions 156 of the second reinforcing fittings 151 are connected are power lines.

First, the operator faces the fitting surface 12a of the first projecting portion 12 (the fitting surface 12a is the fitting surface of the first base 11 of the first connector 1) and the fitting surface 111a of the second base 111 of the second connector 101 to each other, so that when the position of the first projecting portion 12 of the first connector 1 coincides with the position of the corresponding groove portion 112a of the second connector 101 and the position of the first projecting end portion 18 of the first connector 1 coincides with the position of the corresponding fitting recess portion 122 of the second connector 101, the alignment between the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed.

In this state, when the first connector 1 and/or the second connector 101 are moved in a direction approaching the mating side (i.e., the fitting direction), the first projecting portion 12 and the first projecting end portion 18 of the first connector 1 are inserted into the groove portion 112a and the fitting recess portion 122 of the second connector 101. Through this process, fitting of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 is completed. Further, the first terminal 61 is electrically connected to the second terminal 161.

Next, a modification of the first connector 1 will be explained.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view showing a left half body of a modification of the first connector according to the first embodiment.

In the illustrated modification, the first terminal 61 does not include the body portion 63, but includes: a contact portion 65 extending in the vertical direction; a tail portion 62 bent approximately 90 degrees and connected to a lower end of the contact portion 65; and an upper end portion 64 bent approximately 90 degrees and connected to an upper end of the contact portion 65. Note that a buried portion 64a bent approximately 90 degrees and extending downward is connected to the tip of the upper end portion 64. The embedded portion 64a is a portion that is embedded downward from the fitting surface 12a into the first convex portion 12.

In the first terminal 61 shown in fig. 2 and the like, the tail portion 62 extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the contact portion 65 faces, but in the first terminal 61 of the modification shown in fig. 10, the tail portion 62 extends in the same direction as the direction in which the contact portion 65 faces. This structure facilitates the work of holding the terminal strip 68 connected to the distal end of the tail portion 62 via the elongated connecting arm 68a and setting the plurality of first terminals 61 in the first-time forming mold from both the left and right sides so that the plurality of first terminals are alternately oriented in opposite directions.

Since other configurations, actions, and effects of the first terminal 61 of the modification in fig. 10 are the same as those of the first terminal 61 shown in fig. 2 and the like, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 1 includes: a plurality of half bodies 10, each half body 10 including a first base 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first base 11; first protruding end portions 18 formed at both ends of the first bases 11 by abutting the first bases 11 of the plurality of half bodies 10; and a first reinforcing fitting 51 attached to the first projecting end portion 18. Each first base 11 is an element integrated with the first terminal 61 by first insert molding. The first base 11 includes: a first convex portion 12 extending in the longitudinal direction and holding the first terminal 61; extension end portions 14 connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first projection 12; and an embedded portion 15 extending from the extended end portion 14. The first protrusive end portion 18 includes a covering portion 16, and the covering portion 16 covers at least a part of the extended end portion 14 of each first base 11 and the entirety of the buried portion 15. The covering portion 16 is an element integrated with the extended end portion 14, the embedded portion 15, and the first reinforcing fitting 51 by the second insert molding.

This configuration achieves narrowing of the interval between the first projections 12 of the first base 11 to which the plurality of first terminals 61 are attached, thereby miniaturizing the first connector 1. Further, this configuration makes the first connector 1 easy to manufacture while improving the reliability of the first connector 1.

The first reinforcing fitting 51 includes: an upper plate 54 extending in the width direction of the first base 11; a pair of left and right leg portions 55 connected to left and right side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward; and an end wall outer covering portion 52 and an end wall inner covering portion 53 connected to front and rear side edges of the upper plate 54 and extending downward. Buried portion 15 is provided so as to overlap at least partially with upper plate 54, leg portion 55, end wall outer covering portion 52, and end wall inner covering portion 53 when viewed from the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions. This structure allows the embedded portion 15 of the half body 10A and the embedded portion 15 of the right half body 10B to be firmly joined together by integrating the covering portion 16 with the first reinforcing fitting 51, whereby the first projecting end portion 18 is reliably configured and the left half body 10A and the right half body 10B are tightly joined.

Further, the embedded portion 15 of each first base 11 includes: the parallel inner side surface 15c1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11 and faces the embedded portion 15 of the other first base 11. The distance L2 between the opposing parallel inner side faces 15c1 is smaller than the width L1 of the end-wall inner covering portion 53 of the first reinforcement fitting 51 that is arranged to face the gap between the opposing parallel inner side faces 15c 1. With this structure, the boundary between the parallel inner side surface 15c1 of the embedded portion 15 through the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 through the second insert molding overlaps with the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 when viewed from the front-rear direction, and therefore, it is difficult to separate and the strength of the first protrusive end portion 18 is increased.

The end wall inner surface covering portion 53 is provided so as to face the inclined inner surface 15c2, the inclined inner surface 15c2 is connected to the respective facing parallel inner surfaces 15c1, and the inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first base 11. Further, a gap is provided between the end wall inner surface covering portion 53 and the inclined inner surface 15c 2.

The embedded portion 15 of each first base 11 includes: the outer side surface 15b extends in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11 and faces the leg portion 55 of the first reinforcing metal fitting 51. The length L4 of lateral side 15b is less than the length L3 of foot 55. This structure makes it difficult to separate and increase the strength of the first protruding end portion 18 because the boundary between the outer side surface 15b of the embedded portion 15 formed by the first insert molding and the covering portion 16 formed by the second insert molding is covered with the leg portion 55 when viewed from the left-right direction.

The extension end portion 14 of each first base 11 is inclined inward in the width direction of the first connector 1 and extends from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first projection 12. The width of the first protrusive end portion 18 is smaller than the width of the first connector 1. Since the width of the first projecting end portion 18 can be smaller than the width of the first connector 1, the present structure enables the first projecting end portion 18 to be inserted into the fitting recess 122 even when the contact side portions 154 are provided on the left and right inner walls of the fitting recess 122 of the second base 111 and the width of the fitting recess 122 is substantially reduced when the first connector 1 is fitted with the second connector 101.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained. Note that, as for portions having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals thereto. Further, the explanation of the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a first connector according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing a first connector according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13 provides a first two-sided view illustrating a first protruding end portion of a first connector according to a second embodiment. Fig. 14 provides a second two-sided view illustrating the first protruding end portion of the first connector according to the second embodiment. In fig. 13, (a) is a bottom view, and (b) is a sectional view along arrow G-G of (a). In fig. 14, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a sectional view along an arrow H-H of (a).

In the present embodiment, the first reinforcing fitting 51 is omitted. The covering portion 16 of the present embodiment is not covered with the first reinforcing fitting 51, whereas the covering portion 16 of the first embodiment is covered with the first reinforcing fitting 51.

In the present embodiment, at least a part of the extended end portions 14 of the left and right half portions 10 and the entire embedded portion 15 are covered with the covering portion 16 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, as in the first embodiment. The covering portion 16 is formed by performing the second insert molding in a state where the embedded portions 15 of the left and right half portions 10 are close to each other. Through this process, the extended end portions 14 and the buried portion 15 of the left and right half bodies 10 are integrated with the covering portion 16 to form the first protruding end portion 18, thereby joining the left and right half bodies 10.

The covering portion 16 includes an upper surface 16a positioned on the upper side, a lower surface 16b positioned on the lower side, side surfaces 16s on both left and right sides, outer end surfaces 16c facing the outer sides of both longitudinal ends of the first connector 1, and an end wall inner surface 16d facing the longitudinal center side of the first connector 1. The embedded portion 15 is provided so as to overlap any one of the upper surface 16a, the lower surface 16b, the side surface 16s, the outer end surface 16c, and the end wall inner surface 16d of the covering portion 16 when viewed in the vertical direction, the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction), and the left-right direction (width direction). This structure improves the strength of the first protrusive end portion 18.

The extension end portion 14 of the present embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment, in which at least a part of the lower face 14d is covered by the covering portion 16. The embedded portion 15 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, has five surfaces, and includes an upper surface 15a covered with the covering portion 16, outer surfaces 15b and inner surfaces 15c on both left and right sides, a lower surface 15d located on a lower side, and end surfaces 15e at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 1. In other words, the embedded portion 15 is embedded in the covering portion 16. The gap between the inclined inner side surfaces 15c2 of the opposing inner side surfaces 15c becomes larger toward the longitudinal direction center side of the first connector 1. The above configuration can increase the gap between the end wall inner face 16d and the left and right inclined inner side faces 15c2, so that the filling amount of the insulating material is increased. Further, since all five surfaces are flat, the resin flows on these flat surfaces during insert molding, moldability is improved, and integration is easy. The five surfaces do not have to be parallel or flat. For example, the buried portion 15, particularly, a portion thereof near the end portion may be a curved surface such as a cylindrical shape instead of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The portion corresponding to the inclined inner side face 15c2 may have a shape similar to a sphere or a cone including an oval. As described above, forming the concave-convex shape, the curved surface, or the like can increase the contact area between the embedded portion 15 and the covering portion 16, thereby improving the strength of integration. As with buried portion 1, 5, the planes of the outer shape of covering portion 16 do not have to be parallel or flat.

The gap existing between the opposing inner side faces 15c allows the resin to flow smoothly through the gap during insert molding, thereby allowing the resin to be easily distributed over the entire surface of the embedded portion 15. However, the gap is not necessarily formed. This gap may be eliminated if the covering portion 16 and the embedded portion 15 can be integrated smoothly.

The covering portion 16 includes an extended covering portion 16e extended to be integrated with the lower surface 14d of the extended end portion 14. Extending the covering portion 16e can increase the contact area between the covering portion 16 and the first base 11, which further improves the strength of integration. Although preferred, the lower surface of the extended covering portion 16e does not have to be flush with the mounting surface 17 a. The lower surface of the extended covering portion 16e flush with the mounting surface 17a is formed to increase the mounting surface of the first connector 1 to the first substrate, which is advantageous for stabilizing the mounting state.

The structure in which the extended end portion 14 extends obliquely inward and the embedded portion 15 is located inward with respect to the outer side surface 12b of the first protrusion 12 enables the embedded portion 15 of the left half body 10 and the embedded portion 15 of the half body 10 (i.e., the left and right embedded portions 15) to approach each other. The two buried portions 15 close to each other are then integrated with the covering portion 16. In comparison with a structure in which the interval between the two buried portions 15 is large, the portion between the two buried portions 16 has a stable shape without being skewed or warped. The connector 1 can thus be formed accurately. Since the embedded portion 15 is eccentric with respect to the extended end portion 14, the embedded portion 15 can be formed in such a manner that it protrudes toward the inside of the extended end portion 14. This formation is such that the inside of the buried portion 15 is closer to the first convex portion 12 to be covered with the resin forming the end wall inner face 16d of the covering portion 16. The strength of integration is thus further improved.

The covering portion 16 does not necessarily cover the entire embedded portion 15 as in the first embodiment, but may cover the embedded portion 15 to a degree sufficient to bond the left and right half portions 10, however, in order to maximize the bonding force, it is desirable to cover the entire embedded portion 15.

The cover 16 is an element integrally formed with other components by insert molding and is not a separate element separated from the other components. It should be noted, however, that in fig. 12, the cover 16 is shown as a separate element for ease of illustration.

Since the constitution and the manufacturing method of other aspects of the first connector 1, the constitution of the second connector 101, and the fitting method of the first connector 1 and the second connector 101 in the present embodiment are the same as those in the case of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 1 includes: a plurality of half bodies 10, each half body 10 including a first base 11 and a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first base 11; and a first protruding end portion 18 formed at each end of the first base 11 by abutting the first bases 11 of the plurality of half bodies 10. Each first base 11 is an element integrated with the first terminal 61 by first insert molding. The first base 11 includes: a first convex portion 12 extending in the longitudinal direction and holding the first terminal 61; and an embedded portion 15 connected to each end of the first convex portion 12 in the longitudinal direction. The first projecting end portion 18 includes a covering portion 16, and the covering portion 16 covers the entire embedded portion 15 of each first base 11. The covering portion 16 is an element integrated with the embedded portion 15 by secondary insert molding.

This configuration achieves narrowing of the interval between the first projections 12 of the first base 11 to which the plurality of first terminals 61 are attached, thereby miniaturizing the first connector 1. Further, this configuration makes the first connector 1 easy to manufacture while improving the reliability of the first connector 1.

The extended end portion 14 is connected to each end of the first projection 12 in the longitudinal direction, and the embedded portion 15 extends from the extended end portion 14. The embedded portion 15 of the first base 11 includes an inner side surface 15c extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11 and opposite to the embedded portion 15 of the other first base 11. The gap between the inner side faces 15c opposed to each other is filled with the molding material of the covering portion 16. The covering portion 16 further includes an end wall inner surface 16d facing the longitudinal direction center side of the first base 11. The end wall inner surface 16d faces an inclined inner surface 15c2 of the embedded portion 15 included in the opposed inner surface 15c and inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first base 11. The inclined inner side face 15c2 is covered with the molding material of the covering portion 16. The covering portion 16 further includes left and right side surfaces 16s extending in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11. The embedded portion 15 of the first base 11 includes an outer surface 15b extending outward of an inner surface 15c in the longitudinal direction of the first base 11. The outer side surface 15b is covered with the molding material of the covering portion 16. The buried portion 15 has five surfaces covered with the covering portion 16. This structure causes the buried portion 15 of the left half body 10A and the buried portion 15 of the right half body 10B to be firmly bonded together by the covering portion 16, thereby achieving a reliable construction of the first protruding end portion 18 and a tight bond between the left half body 10A and the right half body 10B.

It is noted that the disclosure of the present specification illustrates features relevant to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, the staggered arrangement of the plurality of terminals need not be regular. The arrangement of the terminals in the left and right half portions is not necessarily the same. Further, the left and right half portions need not be axisymmetric.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The present disclosure may be applicable to connectors.

Description of the reference numerals

1 first connector

10A left half part

10B right half body part

11 first base

12 first convex part

12a, 111a fitting surface

12b, 14b, 15b outer side

12c, 14c, 15c on the medial side

13. 112a groove part

14 extended end portion

14a, 15a, 16a above

14b1 inclined outer side surface

14b2 parallel outer side surface

14d, 15d, 16b below

15 buried portion

15c1 parallel medial side

15c2 inclined medial side

15e end face

16 cover part

16c outer end face

16d inner face of end wall

16e extended covering part

16s side surface

17 bottom plate part

17a, 111b mounting surface

18 first projection end

51 first reinforcing fitting

52 end wall outer covering

52a, 62, 156, 162 tail

53 inner surface of end wall

54 upper plate

55 feet

58 accessory material belt

58b, 68b cut part

61 first terminal

63 body part

64 upper end portion

64a embedded part

65. 165 contact part

65a contact recess

68 terminal material belt

68a connecting arm

101 second connector

111 second base

112 recess

113 second projection

114 side wall part

115 second terminal receiving cavity

115a second terminal receiving cavity

115b second terminal receiving cavity

121 second projecting end portion

122 fitting recess

151 second reinforcing fitting

152 second body portion

153 side covering part

154 contact side

161 second terminal

165a contact projection

811 base

812 convex part

861 terminal