CN103811886A - Electrical connector for circuit substrate and electrical connector assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly capable of increasing the amount of protrusion of a locking portion of a locking metal fitting provided in the electrical connector for a circuit board, thereby ensuring a stable locked state of the locking portions. The locking metal piece (30) has: a base portion having a portion extending along the terminal arrangement direction at a lower position of the housing (10); upward from a part of the base portion within the range between the end walls (14) in the terminal arrangement direction and a locking portion that protrudes from the upper portion of the erecting portion to the end wall side and can be locked with the locked portion provided on the mating connector above, and the base of the locking metal piece has an elastic deformation portion , during the mating process of the connector, when receiving the external force in the direction of the terminal arrangement, the elastic deformation part elastically deforms in the direction of the terminal arrangement, so as to allow the upright part and the locking part to move from the end wall corresponding to the locking metal piece Move away from that terminal arrangement direction.

Description

Electrical connector for circuit board and electrical connector assembly

technical field

The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly including the electrical connector for a circuit board and a mating connector, wherein the electrical connector for a circuit board is arranged on a mounting surface of a circuit board, and the mating connector The up-and-down direction at right angles to the mounting surface is regarded as the connector insertion and extraction direction, and is fitted and connected to the circuit board from above with the electrical connector.

Background technique

Such an electrical connector assembly is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In this Patent Document 1, the receptacle-side housing of the receptacle connector has a rectangular planar shape, and the receptacle-side terminals are aligned and held with the longitudinal direction thereof being the terminal arrangement direction. The receptacle-side housing has a bottom wall facing the mounting surface of one circuit board, a protruding wall erected from the bottom wall facing upward at right angles to the mounting surface and extending along the terminal arrangement direction, and a surrounding wall. The protruding wall is formed as a frame-shaped peripheral wall that rises upward from the bottom wall, and an annular space that is opened upward between the peripheral wall and the protruding wall is formed as an insert for accommodating a plug connector. The storage department of the joint department. The peripheral wall has two receptacle-side side walls extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and end portions in the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle-side side walls extending in a connector width direction at right angles to the terminal arrangement direction and connecting to each other. side end wall of the receptacle.

The receptacle-side housing holds receptacle-side locking metal pieces at both ends of the terminal arrangement direction outside the terminal arrangement range. The socket-side locking metal piece is made by punching a metal plate and then bending the metal plate in the direction of plate thickness. The socket-side locking metal piece has a tongue-shaped engaging piece, and the engaging piece starts along the side end of the socket. The upper edge of the belt-shaped portion where the wall extends is bent toward the storage portion and extends downward. The engaging piece is elastically deformable in the terminal array direction, that is, in the plate thickness direction of the engaging piece, and functions as a receptacle-side locking portion for locking with the plug connector.

On the other hand, in the plug-side housing of the plug connector, the plug-side terminals are aligned and held with the longitudinal direction thereof being the terminal arrangement direction. The plug-side housing has a peripheral wall including two plug-side side walls extending in the same direction as the receptacle-side side wall, and extending in the same direction as the receptacle-side end wall and extending the plug-side side wall. The plug-side end wall connecting the ends in the terminal array direction is formed as a fitting portion that enters from above into the annular housing portion formed in the receptacle-side housing in the connector-fitted state.

The plug-side housing holds plug-side locking metal pieces at both ends of the plug-side housing outside the terminal-arrangement range in the terminal-arrangement direction. The plug-side locking metal piece is produced by punching a metal plate and then bending the metal plate in the direction of plate thickness. The plug-side locking metal piece has a plate-shaped engaging protrusion having a shape extending from the plug-side end wall. The outer side of the board protrudes toward the outside of the terminal arrangement direction and is at right angles to the up and down direction. The engaging protrusion functions as a plug-side locking portion for engaging and locking with the lower edge of the above-mentioned engaging piece as the receptacle-side locking portion at the front end of the protruding side and in the direction (upward) in which the connector is pulled out. .

In the connector assembly of Patent Document 1, during the connector fitting process, when the locking protrusion of the plug-side locking metal is lowered, its front end presses the receptacle-side locking metal toward the outside in the direction of terminal arrangement (board thickness direction). The plate surface of the engaging piece of the piece is elastically displaced in the same direction, thereby allowing the further decline of the above-mentioned locking protrusion. When the device is engaged with the device, the engaging piece returns to the free state, so that the lower edge of the engaging piece is located above the locking protrusion. As a result, when an external force directed upward (connector pull-out direction) acts on the plug connector in the connector-fitting state, the engaging protrusion is locked upward by the lower edge of the engaging piece, The locked state of the connectors to each other is thereby maintained.

Patent Document 1: JP 2011-065861

In Patent Document 1, when an upward external force acting as an unexpected pull-out force acts on the plug connector in the connector-fitting state, the engaging piece of the socket-side locking metal fitting is positioned under the above-mentioned engaging piece. The edge receives the above-mentioned pull-out force upward from the engaging protrusion of the plug-side locking metal fitting. However, the size of the part of the locking piece that can be locked to the locking protrusion can only ensure the plate thickness of the locking piece, so the locking protrusion is located at a position that is offset from the plate in the direction of terminal arrangement relative to the locking piece. The location of the thick dimension, so that the locking of the connectors to each other cannot be achieved. In addition, since the above-mentioned engaging piece is formed as a part of the socket-side locking metal fitting, and its thickness is the same as that of other parts, there is a limit to the above-mentioned plate thickness dimension.

Therefore, in order to ensure a stable locked state with the mating connector in the electrical connector for a circuit board of the type described in Patent Document 1, it is preferable to increase the protruding amount of the locking portion on the receptacle side so as to increase the ability to lock with the plug side. The range of the part where the part is locked, and the locking and unlocking are performed in such a manner that the socket-side locking part can move a distance corresponding to the above-mentioned range.

Contents of the invention

In view of this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for a circuit board and an electrical connector assembly including the electrical connector for a circuit board and a mating connector, wherein, for the electrical connector for a circuit board, In other words, the amount of protrusion of the locking portion of the locking metal fitting provided on the electrical connector for a circuit board can be increased, and a stable locked state of the locking portions can be ensured.

As described above, in order to secure a stable locked state between the connectors of the electrical connector for a circuit board, it is necessary to increase the protrusion amount of the locking portion of the electrical connector for a circuit board. In addition, in order to make the locked part of the mating connector at a position capable of locking with the above-mentioned locking part in the connector mating state, it must be formed to allow the above-mentioned locking part to move in the terminal arrangement direction during the connector mating process. As a result, the locked portion of the mating connector moves downward.

As shown in Patent Document 1, when the locking portion is provided on the end wall side, in order to avoid an increase in the size of the connector in the terminal arrangement direction, it is necessary to orient the above-mentioned locking portion in the terminal arrangement direction during the connector fitting process. Move it outside to accommodate it within the above wall thickness range. However, even if the protrusion amount of the lock portion is increased, increasing the thickness of the end wall just to accommodate the lock portion will lead to an increase in the size of the connector in the terminal array direction, so there is a natural limit. The present invention has achieved the following first and second inventions in consideration of the above circumstances.

(first invention)

For the electrical connector for circuit substrates according to the first invention, it is arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit substrate and the up-and-down direction at right angles to the mounting surface is used as the connector plugging and unplugging direction so that the mating connector connects with it from above. Fitting connection, the electrical connector for the circuit board has: a housing extending in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as the longitudinal direction; a plurality of terminals; and a locking metal piece held at the end of the housing in the direction in which the terminals are arranged, the housing has a bottom wall facing the mounting surface of the one circuit board above, and a An upright peripheral wall, the peripheral wall has two side walls extending along the direction of the terminal arrangement, and extending along the width direction of the connector at right angles to the direction of the terminal arrangement and connecting the ends of the side walls in the direction of the terminal arrangement to each other The connected end walls and the space surrounded by the above-mentioned surrounding walls form a receiving portion for receiving a mating connector.

In the present invention, such an electrical connector for a circuit board is characterized in that the above-mentioned locking metal member has: a base portion having a portion extending in the direction of the terminal arrangement at a lower position of the housing; and an end wall in the direction of the terminal arrangement. An upright portion that rises upward from a part of the above-mentioned base portion within a range between them; and an upright portion that protrudes from the upper portion of the upright portion toward the above-mentioned end wall side and can be locked upwardly with the locked portion provided on the mating connector. The locking part, the base of the above-mentioned locking metal part has an elastic deformation part, and when the external force in the direction of the terminal arrangement is received during the connector fitting process, the elastic deformation part is elastically deformed in the direction of the terminal arrangement, thereby allowing the above-mentioned The upright portion and the locking portion move in the terminal arrangement direction away from the end wall corresponding to the locking metal piece.

In the present invention, the locking portion of the locking metal piece protrudes from the upper portion of the upright portion located within the range between the end walls in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, in the present invention, since the above-mentioned existing range is utilized, in the process of setting the locking metal piece and then implementing the locking action, compared with the case where the locking metal piece is not provided here, the terminal arrangement will not be caused. direction of upscaling. In the present invention, during the mating process of the connector, the locking portion of the locking metal piece abuts against the locked portion of the mating connector from above, and the locking portion of the locking metal piece moves toward the slave terminal through the locked portion. The inner side of the alignment direction, that is, the direction away from the end wall corresponding to the above-mentioned locking metal piece is pressed. At this time, the elastically deformable portion of the base is elastically deformed in the terminal arrangement direction to allow movement of the rising portion and the lock portion toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction, so that the lock portion is accommodated in the groove portion. That is, since the locking portion retreats from the original position interfering with the vertical movement of the locked portion, downward movement of the locked portion is allowed. As a result, when the locked portion reaches a lower position than the locking portion, the elastic deformation portion reduces the amount of elastic deformation so that the locking portion moves in a direction returning to the original position, and the locking portion moves toward the upper position of the locking portion. protruding so that the locked portion can be locked upward with the locking portion, that is, the locked state.

In addition, in the present invention, the erecting portion and the locking portion move within the range between the end walls in the terminal arrangement direction. Since the above-mentioned terminal arrangement direction is the longitudinal direction of the housing, even if a large amount of protrusion of the locking portion is ensured, it is possible to easily ensure that the locking portion and the erected portion are positioned within the range between the above-mentioned end walls. There is room for movement in the terminal arrangement direction, so that a stable locked state can be ensured.

In the present invention, the base portion of the locking metal fitting may have a bent portion protruding outward in the width direction of the connector at a position close to the end wall, the bent portion is formed as a lock release operation portion, and the bent portion has a curved portion extending toward the housing. The exposed part exposed outside the body, the exposed part receives the pressing force toward the storage part side of the above-mentioned housing as the operating force in the direction of the terminal arrangement, so that the erect part and the locking part can be positioned from the end corresponding to the above-mentioned locking metal piece The walls move away from the direction in which the terminals are arranged.

By providing the above-mentioned lock release operation part, when the connector is pulled out, if the exposed part of the base part receives the pressing force as the operation force, since the upright part and the lock part of the lock metal piece are directed toward the case in the above-mentioned terminal arrangement direction, The side of the storage part moves, so the locked state is released, and the mating connector can be easily pulled out upward.

In the present invention, the lock metal fitting may have an extended arm portion extending in the width direction of the connector at a position close to the end wall, and the end portion of the extended arm portion is formed as a held portion for being held by the housing. , and has a locked protrusion protruding from the up and down direction edge of the held part, and the end wall is configured to: form a holding groove for accommodating and holding the above-mentioned held part, the holding groove extends in the up and down direction and It opens downward, and a step-shaped locking portion is formed on the groove inner wall surface of the groove inner wall surface that forms the holding groove portion, which is opposite to the vertical direction edge of the above-mentioned held portion. The downward position of the locking protrusion is opposite to the lower edge of the locking protrusion and can be locked with the lower edge, and the locking portion restricts the downward movement of the locked protrusion.

Since the locking portion of the receiving groove portion of the end wall restricts the downward movement of the locked portion of the locking metal piece by providing the locking portion and the locked portion above, it is possible to more reliably prevent the locking metal piece from being removed from the housing. body pulled out.

In the present invention, the housing has a protruding wall that rises upward from the bottom wall and extends in the accommodating portion along the direction in which the terminals are arranged. In the storage groove extending in the vertical direction, the upright portion of the locking metal fitting can be positioned inside the storage groove, and at least a part of the locking portion of the locking metal fitting can be positioned outside the storage groove.

Since the protruding wall extends in the direction in which the terminals are arranged, the depth of the storage groove can be sufficiently increased compared to the case where the storage groove is formed on the end wall. Therefore, even if a large amount of protrusion of the locking portion is ensured, the rising portion can move in the storage groove by an amount corresponding to the size required to store the locking portion in the storage groove. That is, by sufficiently increasing the protrusion amount of the locking portion, a large range of the portion that can be engaged with the locked portion of the mating connector can be ensured, and thus a stable locked state can be ensured.

In the present invention, it is also possible to configure that the upright portion of the locking metal fitting has a restricted portion bent from the edge portion in the vertical direction toward the outer side in the width direction of the connector, and the groove inner wall surface forming the housing groove portion of the above-mentioned housing is formed with a step. A restricting portion having a surface facing the lower edge of the restricted portion at a position lower than the restricted portion and capable of locking with the lower edge, the restricting portion restricts the direction of the locking metal fitting Move below.

During the connector fitting process, since the locked portion of the mating connector abuts against the locking portion of the connector from above, the locking portion is pressed downward. The portion to be regulated of the locking metal fitting subjected to this pressing force is engaged with the restricting portion of the housing, thereby restricting the downward movement of the locking metal fitting, thereby preventing the locking metal fitting from being pulled out of the housing.

In the present invention, the projecting wall of the housing may be formed with an upper wall that closes at least part of the storage groove of the projecting wall at a position above the upright portion of the locking metal fitting. The lower surface faces the upper edge of the rising portion and is located at a position capable of locking with the upper edge, thereby restricting upward displacement of the upper portion of the rising portion.

By providing the above-mentioned upper wall, even if the mating connector is accidentally pulled upward (in the pulling direction) in the mated state of the connector, since the upper edge of the upright portion is engaged with the lower surface of the upper wall of the case, Displacement toward the upper portion of the above-mentioned standing portion is also restricted. As a result, the locked state of the locking portion and the locked portion can be maintained, and a stable locked state can be maintained.

In the present invention, it may also be configured such that, among the groove inner wall surfaces forming the storage groove portion of the housing, facing each other in the width direction of the connector, a vertical groove facing the locking metal fitting is formed. The raised portion protrudes toward the width direction of the connector. The protrusion is located at a position where it can abut against the above-mentioned upright portion in the width direction of the connector. position is restricted.

By providing the above-mentioned protruding portion, the protruding portion restricts the position of the raised portion in the width direction of the connector with the protruding top, thereby restricting the position of the locking portion in the width direction of the connector. As a result, the locked state with the locked portion can be reliably ensured, and a stable locked state can be maintained.

(second invention)

The electrical connector assembly according to the second invention is characterized by comprising the electrical connector for a circuit board according to the first invention, and a mating connector fitted and connected to the electrical connector for a circuit board from above, the mating connector The connector has a locked portion that can be locked upwardly with a locking portion of a locking metal fitting of the electrical connector for a circuit board in a state where the connector is fitted.

As described above, in the present invention, the erected portion and the locking portion of the locking metal member move in the terminal arrangement direction, in other words, move within the range between the end walls in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Therefore, even if a large amount of protrusion of the locking portion is ensured, it is possible to easily ensure the locking metal fitting and the erection function within the range between the above-mentioned end walls that exist regardless of whether the locking metal fitting is arranged or not. There is no space for the part to move in the above-mentioned direction of terminal arrangement, so that the size of the connector in the above-mentioned direction of terminal arrangement will not be caused, and a reliable locked state can be stably obtained.

Description of drawings

1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector according to a first embodiment and a plug connector fitted to the receptacle connector from above, showing a state before the connectors are fitted.

2 is a perspective view showing the receptacle connector and plug connector shown in FIG. 1 upside down, and is a perspective view showing a posture in which the plug connectors are fitted from below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a posture in which only the locking metal fitting of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 is held by the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 .

Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing the installation process of the locking metal piece of the socket connector of Fig. 1, on a plane perpendicular to the width direction of the connector, wherein Fig. 4(A) shows the installation process of the locking metal piece state, Fig. 4(B) shows the state after installation of the locking metal piece.

5 is a cross-sectional view on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle connector of FIG. 1 , showing a cross section at the position of the held portion of the locking metal piece in the terminal arrangement direction.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on a plane at right angles to the connector insertion and extraction direction of the receptacle connector of Fig. 1, showing the cross-section at the position of the locking part within the range of the side wall in the direction of the terminal arrangement, in the above-mentioned terminal arrangement The range of the end wall in the direction shows the section at the position of the upper end of the held portion in the up-down direction.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a part of the receptacle connector showing the movement of the locking metal piece, in which Fig. 7(A) is a sectional view on a plane at right angles to the connector insertion and extraction direction, and Fig. 7(B) is arranged with terminals A section view on a face whose orientation is at right angles.

FIG. 8(A) is a perspective view showing a modified example of the locking metal fitting of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8(B) is a perspective view showing another modified example.

9 is a partial transverse sectional view of the receptacle connector according to the second embodiment, showing a section perpendicular to the direction in which the connector is inserted and removed.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 11 shows a plug connector according to a fourth embodiment, wherein Fig. 11(A) is a perspective view of the plug connector, and Fig. 11(B) is a connector width of the plug connector of Fig. 11(A) A cutaway view of a face whose orientation is at right angles.

Explanation of reference signs:

1...Socket connector; 2...Plug connector (matching connector); 10...Socket side shell; 11...Bottom wall; 12...Protruding wall; 12A...Upper wall; 13...Peripheral wall; 14...Side wall; 15... End wall; 16...accommodating part; 18...accommodating groove; 18A-2...retaining groove; 18A-3...locking part; 18B...inner groove; 18B-1...protruding part; 18B-1A...restricting part; 20...Terminal; 30...Lock metal fitting; 31...Base; 31B...Lock release operation part; 31C...Extended arm part; 31C-1...Elastic deformation part; 31C-2...Hold part; Protruding portion; 32...rising portion; 32A...restricted portion; 33...locking portion; 62C-1...locked portion.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

1 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector 1 according to the present embodiment and a plug connector 2 fitted thereto from above, showing a state before the connectors are fitted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 of FIG. 1 upside down, and is a perspective view showing a posture in which the plug connector 2 is fitted from below.

The receptacle connector 1 in this embodiment and the plug connector 2 as a mating connector of the receptacle connector 1 are circuit board connectors arranged on the mounting surfaces of different circuit boards (not shown), respectively. And it is comprised as the connector assembly which makes the direction (up-and-down direction in FIG. 1) at right angles to the surface of each circuit board|substrates the insertion-extraction direction.

As shown in Figure 1, the receptacle connector 1 has: a receptacle-side housing 10, which is approximately in the shape of a cuboid; The bodies 10 are arranged and held in two rows; and two locking metal pieces 30 and four fixing metal pieces 70 are held at both ends of the above-mentioned socket-side housing 10 in the above-mentioned longitudinal direction. The receptacle connector 1 is arranged and mounted on a circuit board in the posture shown in FIG. 1 .

The receptacle-side housing 10 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating material such as resin, and extends in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as a longitudinal direction (terminal arrangement direction). The socket-side housing 10 has: a bottom wall 11 parallel to the installation surface (refer to FIG. 2 ); a protruding wall 12 erected upward from the bottom wall 11 in FIG. The wall 11 rises upward and surrounds a frame-shaped peripheral wall 13 of the protruding wall 12 . The peripheral wall 13 has: a pair of side walls 14 extending in the direction in which the terminals are arranged; and a pair of ends extending in the width direction of the connector at right angles to the direction in which the terminals are arranged and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 14 to each other. wall 15. An annular space opened upward between the protruding wall 12 and the peripheral wall 13 is formed as a storage portion 16 for accommodating the peripheral wall 43 as a fitting portion of the plug connector 2 .

In the above-mentioned socket side housing 10, the terminal holding grooves 17 for holding the terminals 20 are arranged at equal intervals in the terminal arrangement direction, and the terminal holding grooves 17 are arranged in the width direction of the connector with respect to the longitudinal center line of the protruding wall 12. Formed as two symmetrical columns. Each terminal holding groove 17 is continuous over the side surface of the protruding wall 12, the upper surface of the bottom wall 11, the inner surface of the side wall 14 (the surface opposite to the side surface of the protruding wall 12), and the upper surface and the outer surface of the side wall 14. Extended and recessed to form a transverse S-shaped groove when viewed in the above-mentioned direction in which the terminals are arranged.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , for the bottom wall 11 , at positions close to both end walls in the direction of terminal arrangement, in other words, at positions outside the range of terminal arrangement, there are fixed metal member holders for holding the fixed metal member 70 . Slot 11A. The fixing metal holding groove 11A is in the shape of a slit extending in the vertical direction, and is opened downward and outward in the width direction of the connector.

The above-mentioned receptacle-side housing 10 is in the form of accommodating and holding the locking metal fittings 30 at both ends in the direction of terminal arrangement. In order to understand this configuration, before further describing the receptacle-side housing 10, the above-mentioned locking metal fittings 30 are first described. illustrate.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a posture in which only the locking metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 1 is held by the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 1 . The locking metal fitting 30 is produced by punching a metal plate into a predetermined shape, and then bending it back in the thickness direction so that the metal plate has the bent edge 30A. As shown in FIG. 3 , the locking metal member 30 has a substantially T-shape as a whole when viewed from above. shaped base 31; a raised portion 32 raised upward from the right end side (bend edge 30A side) of the base 31; and a locking portion protruding leftward at a position close to the upper end of the raised portion 32 33.

As shown in FIG. 3 , either of the two base portions 31 has a base arm portion 31A, a lock release operation portion 31B, and an extension arm portion 31C, so that the two base arm portions 31A are formed by folding back a metal plate along the terminal In the state where the two strip-shaped portions extending in the alignment direction are overlapped, the two unlocking operation portions 31B extend toward the connector width on the left end side of the above-mentioned strip-shaped portion of the above-mentioned base arm portion 31A that is bent and enlarged in the thickness direction, respectively. The two extension arm portions 31C are respectively continuous from the unlocking operation portion 31B and extend outward in the connector width direction.

As shown in FIG. 3 , each base arm portion 31A has a connection portion 31A- 1 connected to the lock release operation portion 31B on the left end side thereof. The connecting portion 31A- 1 is slightly bent in the plate thickness direction so that the distance between the two base arm portions 31A gradually increases as it goes to the left, and is located at positions separated from each other. The unlocking operation part 31B is bent at an acute angle slightly smaller than the right angle with the plate surface of the base arm part 31A, and as shown in FIG. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the above-mentioned curved top is protruded and exposed toward the outside of the socket-side housing 10 , and as described below, it is formed so that the pressing force toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction (toward the protruding wall 12 side) A part that receives the operation force for unlocking the connectors.

The extension arm portion 31C is formed by continuously extending from the unlocking operation portion 31B, and is formed with an elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 extending slightly obliquely toward the standing portion 32 side as going outward in the width direction of the connector; And the held portion 31C- 2 is bent so as to be inclined in the opposite direction to the elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 near the free end of the extension arm portion 31C and has a plate surface at right angles to the terminal arrangement direction. The locking metal fitting 30 is held by the socket-side housing 10 at the above-mentioned held portion 31C- 2 . The above-mentioned elastic deformation part 31C-1 is located at a position (refer to the solid line part in FIG. Elastic deformation can be performed toward the inclined surface 18A- 1 (see the dotted line portion in FIG. 7(B) ), so that the rising portion 32 and the locking portion 33 can be moved in the terminal arrangement direction as described below.

The held portion 31C- 2 is formed with a locked protrusion 31C- 2A protruding outward in the connector width direction from an upper portion of an edge portion (free end edge) extending in the vertical direction, and can be locked on the locked protrusion 31C. -2A and is locked in the vertical direction with a locking portion 18A- 3 described below of the socket-side housing 10 (see FIG. 5 ).

As shown in FIG. 3 , the upright portion 32 is formed by folding back the metal plate into a state where two vertically extending plate-shaped portions overlap each other. The above-mentioned bent edge 30A is connected. The upright portion 32 has a vertically curved portion that is bent outward in the connector width direction from the left end edge of each vertical strip plate-shaped portion extending in the vertical direction in the range between the base arm portion 31A and the locking portion 33 . Restricted portion 32A. This restricted portion 32A can be engaged with the restricting portion 18B- 1A of the outlet-side housing 10 as described below.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the lock portion 33 is also formed in a state in which two metal plates are partially overlapped similarly to the base arm portion 31A and the erect portion 32 , and is formed as one lock portion as a whole. The locking portion 33 has an upper edge inclined downward toward the left, and a lower edge formed in a hook shape extending in the left-right direction (terminal arrangement direction) at right angles to the up-down direction. As will be described later, the locking portion 33 can be locked upwardly with a locked portion 62C- 1 of a mating locking metal fitting 60 provided on the plug connector 2 in the connector fitting state.

Returning to the description of the socket-side housing 10 . As shown in FIG. 2 , in the socket-side housing 10 , the two storage grooves 18 for accommodating the locking metal piece 30 are symmetrical with respect to the central position in the direction of the terminal arrangement. Both end sides and the upper side (bottom wall 11 side) have a substantially T-shape when viewed, and are formed to open upward.

Hereinafter, the shape of the storage groove portion 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 . Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the mounting process of the locking metal piece 30 of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. FIG. 4(B) shows the state of the lock metal fitting 30 after the installation of the metal fitting 30 . 5 is a sectional view on a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction of the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 1 , showing a section at the position of the held portion 31C- 2 of the locking metal fitting 30 in the terminal arrangement direction. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on a plane at right angles to the connector insertion and extraction direction of the receptacle connector 1 of Fig. 1, and shows a cross-section at the position of the locking portion 33 within the range of the side wall 14 in the terminal arrangement direction. A section at the position of the upper end of the held portion 31C- 2 in the up-down direction is shown within the range of the end wall 15 in the above-mentioned terminal array direction. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a part of the receptacle connector 1 showing the movement of the locking metal piece 30 , wherein FIG. 7(A) is a sectional view on a plane at right angles to the connector insertion and extraction direction, and FIG. 7(B) is a sectional view with A cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the receiving groove portion 18 has: an outer groove portion 18A, which is formed on the bottom wall 11 at the lower portion of the end wall 15 outside the terminal arrangement direction and extends along the width direction of the connector; an inner groove portion 18B, which is formed at the end of the protruding wall 12 in the terminal arrangement direction and the bottom wall at a position inside the terminal arrangement direction below the end, and extends in the vertical direction; and the bottom groove part 18C, which is formed at The end wall 15 and the bottom wall 11 extend along the terminal arrangement direction so that the outer groove portion 18A and the inner groove portion 18B communicate with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned outer groove portion 18A extends almost over the entire area in the width direction of the connector except for both ends of the direction, and is directed toward the bottom wall 11 side (upper in FIG. 2 ) and outside in the terminal arrangement direction. The two extension arm parts 31C (see also FIG. 4(B) ) of the lock metal fitting 30 are accommodated by being opened. In addition, at a position corresponding to the elastic deformation portion 31C-1 of each extension arm portion 31C in the connector width direction, the outer groove portion 18A is formed with an inclined surface inclined toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction as it goes inward in the connector width direction. 18A-1. As described above, a space is formed between the inclined surface 18A- 1 and the above-mentioned elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , slit-shaped holding grooves for accommodating and holding the held portion 31C- 2 of the extended arm portion 31C are formed at both ends in the connector width direction of the outer groove portion 18A. 18A- 2 , the holding groove portion 18A- 2 extends in the vertical direction and opens toward the inside in the width direction of the connector (also refer to FIG. 5 ). As shown in FIG. 5 , the holding groove portion 18A- 2 is formed on the groove inner wall surface facing the edge portion extending in the vertical direction of the above-mentioned held portion 31C- 2 among the groove inner wall surfaces forming the holding groove portion 18A- 2 . The upper portion is formed with a stepped locking portion 18A- 3 , which is positioned below the locked protrusion 31C- 2A of the above-mentioned held portion 31C- 2 with the locked protrusion 31C. The lower edge of -2A faces and can be engaged with the lower edge.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the bottom groove portion 18C penetrates in the vertical direction (also refer to FIG. 7(B)), and is located below the erected portion 32 except for the base arm portion 31A in FIG. 4(B). Store the parts other than the ends.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the inner groove portion 18B is formed to be recessed from the end surface (a surface at right angles to the terminal arrangement direction) of the protruding wall 12, and is downward and outward in the terminal arrangement direction (left side in FIG. 4(A) ). side) open. In the inner groove portion 18B, protrusions 18B- 1 are formed on groove inner wall surfaces facing each other in the connector width direction near the outer side in the terminal arrangement direction. The protruding portion 18B-1 is approximately L-shaped when viewed in the width direction of the connector, and includes a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion, wherein the longitudinal portion is located in the middle of the terminal arrangement direction of the inner groove portion 18B and along the vertical direction. Extending substantially over the entire area of the inner groove portion 18B, the horizontal portion extends from the lower portion of the vertical portion toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction, and the approximately L-shape is formed by the vertical portion and the horizontal portion.

As shown in FIG. 4(B) , the protruding portion 18B- 1 protrudes in a region corresponding to the right end portion of the base arm portion 31A of the locking metal fitting 30 and the upright portion 32 . The distance between the protruding facing surfaces (surfaces at right angles to the connector width direction) of the tops of the protruding portions 18B- 1 that face each other in the connector width direction is smaller than that of the base arm portion 31A and the rising portion. 32 is slightly larger in width (see also Fig. 6 and Fig. 7(A)). Therefore, in the above-mentioned protruding portion 18B-1, the protruding facing surface is located at a position that can be in contact with the above-mentioned end portion of the base arm portion 31A and the side surfaces of the upright portion 32 at a certain distance, thereby restricting the base arm portion 31A. The position of the right end portion of the arm portion 31A and the standing portion 32 in the connector width direction. In addition, it is not necessary to provide the above-mentioned longitudinal portion on the above-mentioned protruding portion 18B-1, for example, in the case of making it difficult to displace in the above-mentioned connector width direction by making the rising portion 32 of the locking metal piece 30 sufficiently rigid or the like. Next, the above-mentioned vertical portion may be omitted from the above-mentioned protruding portion 18B- 1 and the structure may be constituted only by the above-mentioned horizontal portion.

The lateral portion of the protruding portion 18B- 1 is formed as a stepped restricting portion 18B- 1A located below the restricted portion 32A of the rising portion 32 . As shown in FIG. 4(B), the upper end surface of the restricting portion 18B-1A faces the lower edge of the restricted portion 32A and is located at a position capable of locking with the lower edge in the vertical direction, thereby restricting the above-mentioned locking metal fitting. 30 towards the downward movement. In addition, an inclined surface 18B- 1B that inclines toward the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction as it goes downward is formed at the lower corner of the restriction portion 18B- 1A. This inclined surface 18B- 1B functions as a guide surface for guiding the above-mentioned portion to be regulated 32A when the lock fitting 30 is attached to the socket-side housing 10 as described below.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B), the protruding wall 12 extends from the longitudinal portion of the above-mentioned protruding portion 18B-1 to the groove bottom 18B-2 of the inner groove portion 18B in the terminal arrangement direction (with the terminal The upper wall 12A that closes the upper side of the inner groove portion 18B is formed over a range where the arrangement direction is at right angles to the plane). The lower surface of the upper wall 12A is opposed to the upper edge of the upright portion 32 of the locking metal fitting 30 and is located at a position capable of locking with the upper edge (see also FIG. 7(B)), thereby restricting The upward displacement of the upper portion of the erected portion 32 is ensured.

Next, attachment of the locking metal fitting 30 to the socket-side housing 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B). As shown in FIG. 4(A) , the locking metal fitting 30 is attached to the storage groove portion 18 of the socket-side housing 10 from below. During the installation process of the locking metal fitting 30, if the locked protrusion 31C-2A of the held portion 31C-2 of the locking metal fitting 30 and the holding groove portion 18A-2 (see FIG. 5 ) of the outer groove portion 18A When the inner wall surface of the groove (the surface at right angles to the width direction of the connector) contacts and receives a pressing force, the elastic deformation part 31C-1 is elastically deformed so as to be separated from the inclined surface 18A-1 of the outer groove part 18A, thereby allowing Further upward movement of the above-mentioned held portion 31C- 2 . Then, when the locked protrusion 31C-2A is positioned above the locking portion 18A-3 of the above-mentioned holding groove portion 18A-2, as shown in FIG. The elastic deformation amount is deformed, and the locked protrusion 31C- 2A is located at a position capable of locking with the locking portion 18A- 3 downward. In addition, the edge portion extending in the vertical direction of the held portion 31C- 2 comes into contact with the groove inner wall surface of the holding groove portion 18A- 2 with a contact pressure, and is held in the holding groove portion 18A- 2 by the contact pressure. Inside.

In addition, during installation of the locking metal fitting 30 , the restricted portion 32A of the rising portion 32 of the locking metal fitting 30 abuts against the inclined surface 18B- 1B of the protruding portion 18B- 1 formed on the regulating portion 18B- 1A. When the restricted portion 32A receives a pressing force toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction from the above-mentioned inclined surface 18B-1B, the elastic deformation portion 31C-1 elastically deforms so as to be separated from the inclined surface 18A-1 of the outer groove portion 18A, thereby allowing The restricted portion 32A is displaced outward in the terminal arrangement direction (leftward in FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) ), and further upward movement of the restricted portion 32A is allowed. When the restricted portion 32A reaches above the restricting portion 18B-1A, the elastic deformation portion 31C-1 is released from the elastically deformed state, and the restricted portion 32A moves toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction due to the elastic restoring force (Fig. 4(A). ), the right side in FIG. 4(B)) is displaced and returned, so that the portion to be restricted 32A is located at a position where it can be locked downward with the above-mentioned restricting portion 18B- 1A.

As described above, the held portion 31C- 2 and the restricted portion 32A of the locking metal fitting 30 are located at positions capable of being engaged with the engaging portion 18A- 3 and the restricting portion 18B- 1A of the socket-side housing 10 , respectively. As a result, the lock fitting 30 is accommodated and held in the storage groove portion 18 , and the attachment of the lock fitting 30 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminal 20 is produced by bending a strip-shaped piece obtained by punching a metal plate in the plate thickness direction. The terminal 20 has a horizontal S-shape as a whole when viewed in the direction of the terminal arrangement, and a contact portion 21 bent so as to contact the mating terminal 50 provided on the plug connector 2 is formed on one end side. The other end side is formed with a connection portion 22 that is soldered to a corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board. The terminal 20 is press-fitted into the terminal holding groove 17 from above in such a way that the held portion 23 in the shape of an inverted U straddles the side wall 14 when viewed in the above-mentioned terminal arrangement direction, and is mounted on the side wall 17 . The walls 14 are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. A locking protrusion 23A for locking with the mating terminal 50 is formed on the held portion 23 , and the locking protrusion 23A protrudes toward the contact portion 21 side.

In the state where the above-mentioned terminal 20 is held by the above-mentioned terminal holding groove 17, as shown in FIG. The inner side of 14 protrudes toward the receiving portion 16 . Furthermore, the connecting portion 22 of the terminal 20 protrudes from the receptacle-side housing 10 outward in the connector width direction at substantially the same height as the bottom surface of the receptacle-side housing 10 .

The fixing metal fitting 70 is formed by punching the metal plate so as to maintain its flat surface, and is press-fitted and held in the fixing metal fitting holding groove 11A of the socket-side housing 10 from below. The fixing metal piece 70 helps to fix the receptacle connector 1 relative to the circuit substrate by being welded to a corresponding portion (not shown) of the circuit substrate.

Next, the structure of the plug connector 2 as a mating connector will be described based on FIGS. 1 , 2 and 7(B). The plug connector 2 has: a plug-side housing 40, which is approximately in the shape of a cuboid; a plurality of supporting terminals 50, which are arranged and held by the plug-side housing 40 with the length direction of the plug-side housing 40 as the terminal arrangement direction. two rows; and two mating locking metal pieces 60 held at both end portions (end walls 45 described below) of the above-mentioned plug-side housing 40 in the above-mentioned longitudinal direction. The plug connector 2 is arranged and mounted on the circuit board in the posture shown in FIG. 2 , and is fitted and connected to the receptacle connector 1 in an upside-down posture as shown in FIG. 1 .

The plug-side housing 40 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating material such as resin, and extends with one direction parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board as its longitudinal direction (terminal arrangement direction). The plug-side housing 40 has a bottom wall 41 (see FIG. 1 ) parallel to the mounting surface, and a frame-shaped peripheral wall 43 as a fitting portion that rises upward from the bottom wall 41 as shown in FIG. 2 . . The peripheral wall 43 has a pair of side walls 44 extending in the direction in which the terminals are arranged, and a pair of ends extending in the width direction of the connector at right angles to the direction in which the terminals are arranged and connecting the ends of the pair of side walls 44 to each other. wall 45. A space surrounded by the peripheral wall 43 and opened upward is formed as a housing portion 46 for housing the protruding wall 12 of the receptacle connector 1 .

As shown in FIG. 7(B), for the end wall 45, a retaining recess 45A is recessed from the inner surface of the end wall 45, and the retaining recess 45A is used to lock the following mating parts installed on the end wall 45. The folded-back plate portion 62 of the metal fitting 60 is accommodated and held. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7(B), a through hole 41A is formed on the bottom wall 41, and the through hole 41A penetrates in a slit shape in the vertical direction at a position above the holding recess 45A and communicates with the holding recess 45A (it may also be Refer to Figure 1).

As shown in FIG. 2 , a guide portion 45B for guiding the plug connector 2 is formed on the end wall 45 above the holding recess 45A. The upper surface of the guide part 45B is inclined downward as it goes toward the terminal arrangement direction. During the connector fitting process, the upper surface of the guide part 45B serves as a function for guiding the plug connector 2 toward the receptacle-side housing 10 in the terminal arrangement direction. It functions as a guide surface for the storage part 16 to guide. The above-mentioned guide portion 45B is cut at a central position in the connector width direction. A notch portion 45C as this cutout portion is formed at the same position in the connector width direction as a hole portion 62C of a mating locking metal fitting 60 described later. During the connector fitting process, since the locking portion 33 of the locking metal piece 30 of the receptacle connector 1 passes through the notch portion 45C, the interference between the locking portion 33 and the above-mentioned guide portion 45B can be avoided, so that the guide portion 45B can be prevented from damage (cutting).

The mating terminal 50 is produced by bending a strip-shaped piece obtained by punching a metal plate in the plate thickness direction. The mating terminals 501 are held by integrally molding the mating terminals 50 with the respective side walls 44 of the plug-side housing 40 , and the mating terminals 501 are arranged at equal intervals in the length direction of the side walls 44 . The mating terminal 50 has: a straight connecting portion 51 protruding from the side wall 44 toward the outside in the width direction of the connector at almost the same height position as the bottom wall 41 of the plug-side housing 40; and an inverted U-shaped portion, which It is connected to the connection portion 51 to bend upward in FIG. 2 (downward in FIG. 1 ), and is folded back into an inverted U shape to be depressed and held by the side wall 44 . The inverted U-shaped portion extends along the side wall 44 and is exposed so that the inverted U-shaped plate surface is formed on the same surface as the side wall 44 .

Among the two legs of the inverted U-shaped part of the mating terminal 50, for one leg located on the inner side of the side wall 44, a recess for accommodating the terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 is formed from the plate surface. The protruding contact portion 21 is the contact recess 52 that contacts the contact portion 21 . In addition, in the other leg located on the outer side of the side wall 44 , a locked concave portion 53 for accommodating the locking protrusion 23A of the terminal 20 and locking with the locking protrusion 23A is recessed from the plate surface.

After punching a metal plate into a predetermined shape, bending is performed so as to be folded back in the thickness direction of the plate, and the mating lock metal fitting 60 is produced. As shown in FIG. 7(B), the matching locking metal piece 60 has: a fixing portion 61 (also refer to FIG. 1 ), which is at the position of the end wall 45 of the plug-side housing 40 in the terminal arrangement direction, and is in line with The bottom surface (upper surface in FIG. 1 ) of the bottom wall 41 protrudes toward the outside in the terminal arrangement direction at almost the same height; and the folded plate portion 62 is continuous with the fixed portion 61 and goes downward in FIG. 7(B) (upper in Fig. 2) and fold back up (upper in Fig. 2) at the lower end.

The fixing portion 61 contributes to the fixing of the plug connector 2 relative to the circuit board by being soldered to a corresponding portion (not shown) of the circuit board. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the folded-back plate portion 62 has two plate-shaped portions that face each other in the terminal array direction. Hereinafter, among the above-mentioned two plate-shaped parts, the plate-shaped part located outside the terminal arrangement direction (the left side in FIG. The plate-shaped portion on the inner side (right side in FIG. 7(B) ) in the terminal arrangement direction is referred to as “inner plate portion 62B”. Holes 62C penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the outer plate portion 62A and the inner plate portion 62B are formed at the same positions when viewed from the terminal array direction (also refer to FIG. 2 ). In the present embodiment, the two hole portions 62C complement each other and function as a locked portion 62C- 1 for locking with the locking portion 33 of the locking metal fitting 30 . In addition, on both side edges extending in the vertical direction of the outer plate portion 62A, there are protrudingly formed push-in protrusions for holding the mating locking metal fitting 60 in the holding recess 45A of the plug-side housing 40 during the press-fitting. section (not shown).

From the bottom side of the bottom wall 41 (upper side in FIG. 7(B) ), the folded plate portion 62 is pressed into the holding recess 45A through the through hole 41A, thereby attaching the mating locking metal fitting 60 to the plug-side housing 40 . In the mounted state, the press-fit protrusions of the outer plate portion 62A are engaged with the inner edges of both sides extending in the vertical direction of the above-mentioned holding recess 45A, thereby preventing the mating locking metal fitting 60 from being pulled out. Moreover, the plate surface of the said inner plate part 62B is exposed to the accommodation part 46 so that it may form the same surface as the inner surface of this end wall 45 (refer FIG. 2 also).

Next, the connector fitting operation of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 will be described based on FIGS. 1 , 7(A) and 7(B). First, the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are mounted by soldering them to corresponding circuit boards. Next, as shown in FIG. 1 , the accommodating portion 16 of the receptacle connector 1 is formed in an upward posture, and above the receptacle connector 1 , the accommodating portion 46 (see FIG. 2 ) of the plug connector 2 is formed to downward facing pose.

Next, the plug connector 2 is lowered while maintaining the posture in FIG. 43 enters into the housing portion 16 of the receptacle connector 1 from above. As a result, the contact portion 21 and the locking protrusion 23A of the terminal 20 of the receptacle connector 1 protrude into the contact recess 52 and the locked recess 53 of the mating terminal 50 of the plug connector 2, respectively, so that the terminals are locked together. Electrical contact, and locking towards the connector pull-out direction (up).

In addition, during the mating process of the connector, the lower end of the folded-back plate portion 62 of the mating locking metal piece 60 abuts against the upper edge (inclined edge) of the locking portion 33 of the locking metal piece 30, and presses toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction. Press the locking portion 33 with pressure. When the locking portion 33 is subjected to the above-mentioned pressing force, the locking portion 33 moves toward the groove bottom 18B-2 of the inner groove portion 18B (a surface at right angles to the terminal arrangement direction. Also refer to FIG. 4 ) moves sideways and is accommodated in the inner groove portion 18B. At this time, movement of the lock portion 33 is allowed by elastic deformation of the extension arm portion 31C of the lock metal piece 30 . Specifically, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7(A), the elastic deformation portion 31C-1 of the extension arm portion 31C uses the vicinity of the boundary position with the held portion 31C-2 as a fulcrum and faces inward in the terminal arrangement direction, in other words, toward The inclined surface 18A- 1 of the outer groove portion 18A is elastically deformed. As a result, the connecting portions 31A- 1 of the locking metal fitting 30 are displaced so as to be close to each other, and the rising portion 32 and the locking portion 33 are directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, toward the groove bottom 18B- 2 side of the inner groove portion 18B. move.

In addition, if the lower end of the folded-back plate portion 62 abuts against the upper edge of the locking portion 33, the upper edge of the locking portion 33 that receives the pressing force becomes an inclined edge, so unless the upper edge receives the pressing force, the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction will not be pressed. In addition to the pressing force of the component force, the pressing force of the downward component force is also received. However, in the present embodiment, the restricting portion 18B- 1A of the socket-side housing 10 is located below the restricted portion 32A of the locking metal fitting 30 at a position capable of engaging with the restricted portion 32A, thereby restricting the locking metal fitting 30 The downward movement further prevents the locking metal part 30 from being pulled out from the socket-side housing 10 .

As described above, further lowering of the plug connector 2 is permitted by accommodating the locking portion 33 in the inner groove portion 18B. And, as shown in FIG. 7(B), if the hole portion 62C of the matching locking metal piece 60 reaches the position of the locking portion 33 of the locking metal piece 30 so that the locking portion 33 is released from the action of the above-mentioned pressing force, it will extend. The arm portion 31C is released from the elastically deformed state as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) and then returns to the free state due to its elastic restoring force. As a result, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7(B), the locking portion 33 enters into the hole portion 62C, and is positioned toward the connector pull-out direction (upward) so as to be able to contact the locked portion 62C-1, that is, the hole portion 62C. The position where the lower edge is locked, thereby forming a locked state.

In this embodiment, the locked portion 62C-1 of the mating locking metal fitting 60 is formed on the two board portions of the folded-back board portion 62 of the mating locking metal fitting 60, that is, the outer board portion 62A and the inner board portion 62B. Therefore, compared with the case where the locked portion is provided on only one plate portion, the range of the portion that can be locked with the locking portion 33 of the locking metal fitting 30 is equivalent to two. The total plate thickness is doubled, and accordingly, the reliability and stability of the locked state can be improved. In the present embodiment, although the locked portion is provided on two plate portions, it is needless to say that the locked state can be further stabilized by providing it on three or more plate portions.

In this way, the terminals 20, 50 are connected to each other to be locked, and the locking metal pieces 30, 60 are locked to each other, thereby completing the connector fitting action. As described above, the protruding wall 12 of the socket-side housing 10 is provided with the upper wall 12A facing the upper edge of the upright portion of the locking metal fitting 30 and at a position capable of locking with the upper edge. Therefore, in the connector mated state, even if the plug connector 2 is accidentally pulled out in the connector pull-out direction (upward), since the upper edge of the raised portion 32 is engaged with the lower surface of the upper wall 12A, Displacement of the upper portion of the above-mentioned erect portion 32 can also be restricted. As a result, the locked state between the locking portion 33 of the locking metal fitting 30 and the locked portion 62C- 1 of the mating locking metal fitting 60 can be maintained, and a stable locked state can be maintained.

In addition, as described above, for the upright portion 32 and the base arm portion 31A of the locking metal fitting 30, the connection is restricted by the protruding opposing surface of the protruding portion 18B-1 protruding from the opposing inner wall surface of the inner groove portion 18B. Therefore, the locked state of the locking portion 33 and the locked portion 62C- 1 can be ensured, and a stable locked state can be maintained.

Next, the connector extraction operation will be described based on FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B). When pulling out the plug connector 2 in the connector mated state with the receptacle connector 1, press the lock release operation part 31B of the lock metal fitting 30 of the receptacle connector 1 inwardly in the terminal arrangement direction to perform the release operation. . When the lock release operation portion 31B receives a pressing force directed inward in the terminal arrangement direction as the release operation force, the elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 of the extension arm portion 31C elastically deforms in the same direction. Furthermore, similarly to the connector fitting process described above, the connecting portions 31A- 1 of the locking metal fitting 30 are displaced so as to approach each other, and the upright portion 32 and the locking portion 33 are directed inwardly in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, It moves toward the groove bottom 18B- 2 side of the inner groove portion 18B (see dotted lines in FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B )).

As a result, the locking portion 33 is accommodated in the inner groove portion 18B, and the locked state of the locking portion 33 and the locked portion 62C- 1 of the mating locking metal fitting 60 of the plug connector 2 is released. Then, the plug connector 2 is pulled out in the direction (upward) of the connector pulling out without much effort, thereby completing the connector pulling out operation.

In this embodiment, the upright portion 32 of the locking metal fitting 30 is located in the inner groove portion 18B, and the locking portion 33 protrudes from the upper portion of the upright portion 32 toward the outside of the inner groove portion 18B and is located in the accommodating portion 16 . In other words, the rising portion 32 and the locking portion 33 are located within the range between the end walls 15 in the terminal arrangement direction, and move within this range. Therefore, even if a large amount of protrusion of the locking portion 33 is ensured, it is possible to easily ensure the above-mentioned range for allowing the locking portion 33 and the erected portion 32 to remain within the above-mentioned range regardless of whether the locking metal fitting 30 is arranged or not. There is no room for movement in the direction of terminal arrangement, so that the size of the connector can be avoided in the direction of terminal arrangement. In addition, in the present embodiment, the portion of the locking metal fitting 30 arranged within the above-mentioned range has a plate shape having a plate surface perpendicular to the connector width direction. Therefore, it is sufficient to ensure that the board thickness of the above-mentioned part in the width direction of the connector is in the range between the side walls 14 in the width direction of the connector, so that the connector can be avoided in the width direction of the connector. Upsizing.

In addition, since the protruding wall 12 extends along the direction in which the terminals are arranged, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the socket-side housing 10, it is possible to make the above-mentioned groove (inner groove) 18B) is sufficiently increased in depth. Therefore, even if a large amount of protrusion of the locking portion 33 is ensured, the standing portion 32 can move in the inner groove portion 18B by an amount corresponding to the size required to accommodate the locking portion 33 in the inner groove portion 18B. . That is, by increasing the protrusion amount of the locking portion 33 sufficiently, a large range of a portion capable of locking with the locked portion 62C- 1 of the mating locking metal fitting 60 can be ensured, and a reliable locked state can be stably obtained.

In addition, in the present embodiment, movement in the terminal arrangement direction of the locking portion 33 and the rising portion 32 is permitted by elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 provided on the base portion 31 of the locking metal fitting 30 . In this way, since the elastic deformation portion 31C- 1 is provided on the base portion 31, there is no need to make the locking portion 33 itself elastic, so the rigidity and strength of the locking portion 33 itself can be increased, and a stable locked state can be obtained. In addition, by increasing the amount of protrusion of the lock portion 33, the rigidity and strength of the lock portion 33 can be further increased, and thus the stability of the locked state can be further improved.

The locking metal fittings in the present invention are not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(A) , an elastic deformation portion may be formed not only in the extension arm portion but also in the base arm portion. In FIG. 8(A), the symbols "100" are added to the same parts as those of the locking metal fitting 30 of the first embodiment. In this modified example, the elastically deformable portion 131A- 2 of the locking metal fitting 130 that is elastically deformable in the terminal arrangement direction (the length direction of the base arm portion 131A) is formed in a curved manner so that both sides of the base arm portion 131A Two strip-shaped plate portions protrude in directions away from each other at the middle position in the length direction of the base arm portion 131A. In the elastic deformation portion 131A- 2 , a slit hole 131A- 3 extending in the terminal arrangement direction is formed at a position adjacent to the connection portion 131A- 1 at an intermediate position in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the small parts above and below the slit hole 131A- 3 are used as the elastic deformation portion 131A- 2 , so that the elastic deformation portion 131A- 2 is more easily elastically deformed. In addition to the elastic deformation portion 131C-1 of the extended arm portion 131C, the above-mentioned elastic deformation portion 131A-2 is added to the base arm portion 131A, so that the locking portion 133 and the erect portion 132 can be more smoothly connected during the connector fitting process. The ground moves toward the inner side (right side in Fig. 8(A)) of the terminal arrangement direction.

In addition, as a further different modification example, as shown in FIG. 8(B) , the lock release operation portion may not be provided on the extension arm portion, and the elastic deformation portion may be formed on the base arm portion instead of the extension arm portion. In FIG. 8(B), the symbols "200" are added to the same parts as the locking metal fittings 30 of the first embodiment. In this modified example, only the inner part of the base arm part 231A of the locking metal fitting 230 in the terminal arrangement direction, the erected part 232 and the locking part 233 are formed by overlapping two strip-shaped plates, and the other parts are formed by one Ribbon plate formation.

As shown in FIG. 8(B), for the base arm portion 231A of the locking metal piece 230, an elastic deformation portion 231A-2 is formed at the middle position in the longitudinal direction and at a protruding bent portion facing one side in the width direction of the connector. The straight portion extending continuously from the elastic deformation portion 231A- 2 extends in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the elastic deformation portion 231A- 2 . In addition, a folded portion is formed at the end of the straight portion, and the extended arm portion 231C is formed by extending the front thereof in the same direction as the protruding direction of the elastic deformation portion 231A- 2 . The extension arm portion 231C protrudes and bends outward in the terminal arrangement direction at its intermediate portion.

In this modified example, for the above-mentioned elastic deformation part 231A-2, when the locking part 233 and the erected part 232 in the connector fitting process are oriented toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction due to elastic deformation in the terminal arrangement direction ( When the right side in Fig. 8(A) moves, the movement is allowed.

(Second Embodiment)

In the first embodiment, although the lock release operation portion 31B is bent at an acute angle with respect to the connector width direction, in the second embodiment, the lock release operation portion is bent at a right angle toward the outside in the connector width direction. One point is different from the structure of the first embodiment. 9 is a partial transverse sectional view of the receptacle connector according to the second embodiment, showing a section perpendicular to the direction in which the connector is inserted and removed. The shape of the receptacle connector of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the base of the above-mentioned locking metal piece, therefore, for the same parts, "300" is added to the reference numerals of the first embodiment and omit its description.

As shown in FIG. 9 , for the locking metal fitting 330 in the second embodiment, the two strip-shaped plate portions of the base arm portion 331A are at positions close to each other at intervals of the same width over the entire area in the terminal arrangement direction. extend in the same direction. Also, the two unlocking operation portions 331B are bent at right angles at the left end portion of the base arm portion 331A in directions to separate from each other toward the outside in the connector width direction. In this way, by bending the lock release operation portion 331B at a right angle, the elastic deformation portion 331C- 1 extends outward in the connector width direction instead of being inclined with respect to the connector width direction.

In the second embodiment, when the locking portion 333 is pressed toward the inner side in the terminal arrangement direction by the mating locking metal piece provided on the plug connector during the connector fitting process, and when the connector is pulled out, the lock release operation is performed. When the portion 331 is pressed inward in the terminal arrangement direction, the locking metal fitting 330 is displaced as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 9 . Specifically, the elastic deformation portion 331C- 1 is elastically deformed so as to incline inwardly in the terminal arrangement direction, and the connection portions 331A- 1 (left end portions) of the base arm portion 331A and the unlocking operation portions 331B are connected to each other in a direction. Displacement in an oblique manner in directions separated from each other in the width direction of the device. As a result, the locking portion 333 is housed in the inner groove portion of the receptacle-side housing 310 , and the connectors can be fitted and pulled out.

(third embodiment)

In the first embodiment, although at least a part of the locking portion 33 and the erected portion 32 are located in the inner groove portion 18B of the protruding wall 12, in the third embodiment, the locking portion and the erected portion of the locking metal piece are located in the terminal It differs from the structure of the first embodiment in that it is exposed in the arrangement direction and at a position different from the protruding wall of the socket-side housing, and is provided in the storage portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector 401 according to the third embodiment. The shape of the receptacle connector 401 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the receptacle connector 1 of the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned protruding wall of the receptacle-side housing. Add "400" to the base of the mark and omit its description.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the protruding wall 412 of the receptacle-side housing 410 is formed so that both ends of the protruding wall 12 in the terminal arrangement direction of the first embodiment are removed, that is, the inner groove formed in the terminal arrangement direction is removed. Partial shape of section 18B. Therefore, in the protruding wall 412 of the third embodiment, the inner groove portion in the first embodiment is not formed, and the locking portion 433 and the erecting portion 432 of the locking metal piece 430 are outside the protruding wall 412 and in contact with the protruding wall. The end wall surfaces 412B (surfaces at right angles to the direction in which the terminals are arranged) of the terminal portion are exposed in the housing portion 416 at a position spaced apart from each other.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the terminal 420 is formed over a portion from a position slightly below the locking protrusion 23A to the contact portion 21 (free end) in the terminal 20 of the first embodiment. The shape after being omitted. In the terminal 420 having such a shape, the locking protrusion 423A has a function as a locking portion that engages with a locked portion (not shown) of a mating terminal, and a contact portion that contacts and electrically connects to the locked portion. function.

In the receptacle connector 401 configured in this way, the locking portion 433 and the rising portion 432 can move toward the end wall surface 412B side of the above-mentioned protruding wall 412 during the connector fitting process and the connector extraction process, thereby enabling connection. Fitting and pulling out of each other.

(Fourth embodiment)

In the first embodiment, although the locked portion 62C-1 of the mating locking metal piece 60 of the plug connector 2 is provided at the edge of the hole portion 62C of the folded back plate portion 62, in the fourth embodiment, the locked portion It is different from 1st Embodiment in the point formed as the protrusion which protrudes from the plate surface of a folded-back plate part. Fig. 11 shows a plug connector 502 according to the fourth embodiment, wherein Fig. 11(A) is a perspective view showing the plug connector 502, and Fig. 11(B) is a plug connector similar to Fig. 11(A) 502 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the plane on which the width direction of the connector is at right angles. The shape of the plug connector 502 of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the plug connector 2 of the first embodiment except for the above-mentioned locking portion, and therefore, for the same parts, the reference numerals of the first embodiment are added. "500" and omit its description.

As shown in FIG. 11(A) and FIG. 11(B), the locked portion 562C of the mating locking metal piece 560 is formed as a protrusion protruding from the plate surface of the folded plate portion 562 toward the inner side of the terminal arrangement direction. As shown in FIG. 11(B) , the locked portion 562C is formed by pressing the inner plate portion 562B. In the mated state of the connector, as shown in FIG. 11(B), at the lower position of the locking portion 533 of the locking metal piece 530 of the receptacle connector 501, the above-mentioned locked portion 562C is located in the direction in which the connector can be pulled out (upward). ) is locked with the locking portion 533 .

In the first to fourth embodiments, the lower edge of the locking portion of the locking metal piece extends almost at right angles to the up-down direction, and the lock-releasing operation at other locations is necessary during the pulling-out operation of the plug connector, but Alternatively, it may have an inclined edge that inclines upward as it goes outward in the terminal arrangement direction. In this way, when the inclined edge is provided on the locking portion, if the plug connector is pulled upward with a pull-out force greater than a constant amount when the connector is pulled out, the locked portion and the inclined edge of the locking portion ( lower edge) to press the locking portion inward in the terminal arrangement direction. As a result, the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion of the locking metal allows the locking portion to move inwardly in the terminal arrangement direction, and the locked state is released, so that the plug connector can be pulled out. That is, since the plug connector can be pulled out only by pulling out the plug connector, it is not necessary to provide a lock release operation portion on the lock portion. In this way, it is preferable to apply a connector whose locking strength is not too great. Also, the same effect can be obtained by providing an inclined edge that slopes downward as it goes inward in the terminal arrangement direction instead of the lower edge of the locking portion or on the lower edge of the locking portion and on the edge of the locked portion.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the locked portion of the plug connector is formed on the mating locking metal fitting, but it does not necessarily have to be formed on the mating locking metal fitting, and may also be formed on the plug side housing of the plug connector, for example.

In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the plug connector is an electrical connector for a circuit board, but the type of the plug connector is not limited thereto, and may be an electrical connector for a cable connected to a cable, for example.

Claims (8)

1. An electrical connector for a circuit substrate, which is arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit substrate and takes the up-and-down direction at right angles to the mounting surface as the connector insertion and extraction direction so that the mating connector connects with the circuit substrate from above. connector mating connection, The electrical connector for a circuit board has: a housing extending in a direction parallel to a mounting surface of the circuit board as a longitudinal direction; a terminal; and a locking metal piece held at the end of the housing in the direction in which the terminals are arranged, The housing has a bottom wall facing the mounting surface of the one circuit board; and a peripheral wall erected upward from the bottom wall, the peripheral wall has: two side walls along the extending in the direction in which the terminals are arranged; and an end wall extending in a width direction at right angles to the direction in which the terminals are arranged and connecting end portions of the side walls in the direction in which the terminals are arranged to each other, by the peripheral wall The enclosed space is formed as a storage part for accommodating mating connectors, The electrical connector for a circuit board is characterized in that, The locking metal piece has: a base portion, the base portion has a portion extending along the terminal arrangement direction at the lower position of the housing; an upright portion, the range between the end walls of the upright portion in the terminal arrangement direction and a locking part protruding from the upper part of the erecting part toward the side of the end wall and capable of locking with a locked part provided on the mating connector above. , The base of the locking metal part has an elastic deformation part, and when receiving an external force in the direction of the terminal arrangement during the connector fitting process, the elastic deformation part is elastically deformed in the direction of the arrangement of the terminals to allow The movement of the rising portion and the locking portion in the terminal arrangement direction such that the end wall corresponding to the locking metal piece is separated. 2. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1, wherein: The base of the lock metal fitting has a bent portion protruding outward in the width direction of the connector near the end wall, the bent portion is formed as a lock release operation portion, and the bent portion has an exposed portion exposed to the outside of the housing. The terminals receive a pressing force toward the storage portion side of the housing as an operating force in the direction of the terminal arrangement, whereby the erected portion and the locking portion can be separated from the end wall corresponding to the locking metal fitting. Movement in the alignment direction. 3. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The locking metal piece has an extended arm portion extending in the width direction of the connector at a position close to the end wall, an end portion of the extended arm portion is formed as a held portion for being held in the housing, and has a The locked protrusion protrudes from the edge in the vertical direction, and the end wall is configured as follows: a holding groove for accommodating and holding the held portion is formed, and the holding groove extends in the vertical direction and opens downward. Among the groove inner wall surfaces of the holding groove portion, the groove inner wall surface facing the vertical edge of the held portion is formed with a stepped locking portion, and the locking portion can be positioned closer to the locked protrusion. The lower position is opposed to the lower edge of the locking protrusion and locked with the lower edge, and the locking portion restricts the downward movement of the locked protrusion. 4. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing has a protruding wall that rises from the bottom wall upwards in the receiving portion and extends along the direction of terminal arrangement. The two ends of the protruding wall in the direction of terminal arrangement are formed with openings that are open toward the end wall side and extend in the vertical direction. The storage groove part, the upright part of the locking metal part is located in the storage groove part, and at least a part of the locking part of the locking metal part is located outside the storage groove part. 5. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 4, wherein: The upright portion of the locking metal piece has a restricted portion bent outward in the width direction of the connector from the edge portion in the vertical direction, and the inner wall surface of the groove forming the receiving groove portion of the housing is configured to have a stepped restricting portion. The restricting portion has a surface facing a lower edge of the restricted portion at a position below the restricted portion and capable of locking with the lower edge, and the restricting portion restricts downward movement of the locking metal fitting. 6. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein: The protruding wall of the casing is formed with an upper wall that closes at least a part of the storage groove of the protruding wall at a position above the upright portion of the locking metal fitting, and the lower surface of the upper wall is in contact with the upright portion. The upper edge faces and is located at a position capable of locking with the upper edge, thereby restricting upward displacement of the upper portion of the erected portion. 7. The electrical connector for a circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Among the groove inner wall surfaces forming the receiving groove portion of the housing, the opposing groove inner wall surfaces facing each other in the connector width direction are formed with protrusions protruding toward the rising portion of the locking metal fitting in the connector width direction. The protruding portion is located at a position capable of abutting against the rising portion in the width direction of the connector, and restricts the position of the rising portion in the width direction of the connector by protruding the top. 8. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that, It comprises: the electrical connector for a circuit board according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a mating connector fitted and connected to the electrical connector for a circuit board from above, the mating connector having a locked portion The locked portion can be locked upwardly with the locking portion of the locking metal fitting of the circuit board electrical connector in the connector fitting state.

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