JP2019185880A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of suppressing complication of wiring.SOLUTION: A connector includes: a lower housing 200 which includes a lower base 210 defining a first recession 220; an upper housing 300 which is arranged on the lower housing 200 and is equipped with an upper base 310 for defining an array of slender opening portions 340 vertically oriented; a circuit substrate 500 which is arranged in the first recession 220 and includes a conductive terminal area 510 disposed corresponding to the array of the slender opening portions 340; a plurality of conductive contacts 600 which is oriented so as to be substantially orthogonal to the circuit substrate 500, and includes a holding part stored in the corresponding slender opening portion 340, a terminal part extending from the holding part and connected to a corresponding terminal area 510 of the circuit substrate 500, and a pair of elastic contact arms extending upward from the holding part and opposing to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  Conventionally, there is a connector described in Patent Document 1, for example. This conventional connector includes a cable housing in which a cable can be preliminarily fixed between an upper cable housing and a lower cable housing, and a contact housing in which a contact having a U-shaped pressure contact portion is disposed. The upper cable housing and the lower cable housing each have a guide upper groove and a guide lower groove. The cable is pressed against the U-shaped press contact portion between the upper and lower guide grooves.

JP 2003-173827 A

  In the conventional connector as described above, the cables are connected by connecting a pair of connectors having a socket shape and a plug shape to each other. Therefore, when connecting a plurality of sensors to one device, for example, when connecting a projector and a light receiver to a programmable controller, it is necessary to wire cables according to the number of sensors. In this case, the wiring may become complicated due to an increase in the number of cables.

  In one side, it aims at providing the connector which can suppress that wiring becomes complicated.

  The connector on one side is a lower housing that includes a lower base that defines a first recess in a main upper surface, the first recess being surrounded by a wall and disposed on the lower housing. And an upper housing comprising a first end wall and a second end wall facing each other, wherein the first end wall and the second end wall are the upper base. And defining a second recess for receiving a plurality of engaging connectors therebetween, and the upper base defines an array of vertically oriented elongated openings, each elongated opening Includes an upper housing, including a lower opening portion proximal to the bottom of the elongated opening, and an upper opening portion proximal to the top of the elongated opening, and disposed in the first recess and electrically conductive. Circuit including an array of terminal areas An array of terminal areas is a circuit board disposed corresponding to the array of elongated openings and a plurality of conductive contacts oriented substantially perpendicular to the circuit board. Each contact extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board from the lower edge of the holding portion, which is received in the lower opening portion of the corresponding elongated opening for holding the contact in the upper housing A terminal portion extending downward from a lower opening portion of the upper housing and connected to a corresponding terminal region of the circuit board and above the corresponding elongated opening from the holding portion; A contact including a pair of opposing resilient contact arms extending upwardly into the opening.

  The upper housing may be removably assembled to the lower housing in a state where a circuit board is disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.

  Each of the upper housing and the lower housing may have an integral structure.

  Further, the walls surrounding the first recess are the first end wall and the second end wall facing each other and extending between the first end wall and the second end wall. Opposite first and second sidewalls may be included.

  The connector may further include a fixing portion for fixing the connector to the object.

  The upper housing includes a plurality of upper engaging portions, the lower housing includes a plurality of lower engaging portions, and the upper housing is configured such that the lower engaging portion and the upper engaging portion are engaged with each other, It may be assembled to.

  The lower engaging portion may be an engaging claw that protrudes upward from the lower housing, and the upper engaging portion may be an engaging hole that is formed in the upper housing and engages with the engaging claw.

  Further, the array of elongated openings formed in the upper base forms a regular array including a plurality of elongated opening rows, and the rows of elongated openings arranged adjacent to each other are separated from each other by a wall. May be.

  The second recess is divided into a plurality of slots by a wall, each slot including a ridge surrounded by a channel, the ridge having a group of elongated openings therein. And the plurality of slots may receive the engagement connector with a portion of the housing forming the corresponding engagement connector inserted into the channel.

  Each contact holding portion also includes a base portion and a pair of arm portions extending vertically from opposite edges of the base portion, and the terminal portion of the contact extends from the lower edge of the base portion. The elastic contact arm may extend from each upper edge portion of the pair of arm portions facing each other.

  Further, the plurality of contacts form a regular array constituting a plurality of rows and columns, and the terminal portions of the contacts may be electrically connected to each other via the conductive circuit of the circuit board for each column. Good.

  The connector on one side is a lower housing assembled to the upper housing and includes a lower housing defining a gap therebetween, a plurality of conductive terminal regions disposed in the gap, and a plurality of conductive terminal regions. A circuit board and a plurality of contacts, each contact being in electrical and physical contact with a corresponding terminal area of the circuit board, and when the connector is engaged with the engagement connector, A plurality of contacts including a pair of spaced apart resilient contact arms defining a clamping portion for receiving a corresponding contact in the engagement connector, wherein the terminal portion of each contact is a conductive circuit of the circuit board Is electrically connected to the terminal portion of at least one other contact.

  According to the connector of one side surface, it can suppress that wiring becomes complicated.

It is a perspective view which shows the connector assembly which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a connector. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a connector. It is a disassembled sectional view which shows the upper housing and lower housing which comprise a connector. It is a disassembled sectional view which shows the upper housing and lower housing which comprise a connector. It is sectional drawing which shows a connector assembly. It is a perspective view which shows a contact. It is a perspective view which shows a contact.

  A connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lower housing including a lower base defining a first recess in a main upper surface, the first recess being surrounded by a wall, and the lower housing An upper housing disposed above and comprising an upper base and first and second end walls opposite each other, wherein the first end wall and the second end wall are Extending upwardly from the upper base and defining a second recess for receiving an engaging connector therebetween, the upper base defining an array of vertically oriented elongated openings, each elongated opening The portion is disposed in the first housing and in the upper housing, including a lower opening portion proximal to the bottom of the elongated opening and an upper opening portion proximal to the top of the elongated opening, and electrically conductive Including an array of terminal areas An array of terminal areas, the array of terminal regions being arranged corresponding to the array of elongated openings, and a plurality of conductive contacts oriented substantially orthogonal to the circuit board Each contact extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board from the lower edge of the holding portion, which is received in the lower opening portion of the corresponding elongated opening for holding the contact in the upper housing A terminal portion extending downward from a lower opening portion of the upper housing and connected to a corresponding terminal region of the circuit board and above the corresponding elongated opening from the holding portion; A contact including a pair of opposing resilient contact arms extending upwardly into the opening.

  In such a connector, the array of terminal areas formed on the circuit board corresponds to the array of elongated openings formed in the upper housing. A contact is held in the elongated opening. The terminal portion of the contact extends from the lower opening of the elongated opening and is connected to the terminal region of the circuit board. Therefore, one contact can be electrically connected to another contact according to the wiring of the circuit board. Further, the elastic contact arm in the contact extends to the upper opening portion of the elongated opening portion. In such a connector, a plurality of engagement connectors can be connected to the second recess of the upper housing. In this case, by electrically connecting the terminals of the plurality of engagement connectors to the corresponding elastic contact arms, the plurality of engagement connectors can be electrically connected to each other via the circuit board. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wiring from becoming complicated by reducing the wires that should be necessary according to the connection between the engagement connectors.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same elements, and the description thereof may be omitted. In the description, reference is made to the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in the drawing. The X-axis direction may be described as the left-right direction and the row direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-rear direction and the column direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing the connector. FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing an upper housing and a lower housing constituting the connector. In FIG. 4, the upper housing and the lower housing are cut along the XZ plane. FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view showing an upper housing and a lower housing constituting the connector. In FIG. 5, the upper housing and the lower housing are cut along the YZ plane. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly. In FIG. 6, the connector assembly is cut along the YZ plane.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connector assembly 1000 includes a connector 100 and a plurality of engagement connectors 400 engaged with the connector 100. In the illustrated example, a maximum of three engagement connectors 400 can be engaged with one connector 100. A plurality (four in the illustrated example) of wires 450 are connected to the engagement connector 400. The wire 450 is an electric wire covered with a member made of an insulator. In the connector assembly 1000 according to the present embodiment, in a state where the engagement connector 400 is engaged with the connector 100, the wire 450 in one engagement connector 400 is electrically connected to any one of the wires 450 of the other engagement connector 400. Can be connected to. In the present embodiment, the engagement connector 400 can be engaged with the connector 100 by engaging the engagement hole 105 formed in the connector 100 with the engagement claw 445 provided in the engagement connector 400.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 100 includes a lower housing 200, an upper housing 300, a circuit board 500, and contacts 600.

  The lower housing 200 includes a lower base 210. The lower base 210 defines a first recess 220 in its main upper surface 222. The first recess 220 is surrounded by the wall 230. That is, the lower base 210 includes a bottom plate 225 that has a rectangular plate shape, and a wall 230 that rises from the periphery of the bottom plate 225. The wall 230 surrounds the first recess 220. The wall 230 includes a first end wall 231 and a second end wall 232 that face each other, and a first end wall 231 that extends between the first end wall 231 and the second end wall 232. One side wall 233 and a second side wall 234.

  The lower housing 200 includes a plurality of lower engaging portions 236. As an example, the lower engagement portion 236 is an engagement claw that protrudes upward from the lower base 210. The engaging claws in the illustrated example protrude upward from the first end wall 231 and the second end wall 232 constituting the lower base 210, respectively. A plurality of engagement claws (three in the illustrated example) are arranged along the Y-axis direction.

  The lower housing 200 includes fixing portions 201 and 202 for fixing the connector 100 to an object 700 (see FIG. 6) such as a board. The fixing portions 201 and 202 of the present embodiment include holes 201a and 202a for inserting fastening members such as screws. As an example, the fixing portions 201 and 202 protrude from the first side wall 233 and the second side wall 234 along the Y-axis direction. Note that at least one of the fixing portions 201 and 202 may be provided. Further, for example, the fixing portions 201 and 202 may be provided on the first end wall 231 or the second end wall 232.

  A recess 231 a is formed at the upper end of the first end wall 231. A recess 232 a is formed at the upper end of the second end wall 232. In the illustrated example, the recessed portion 231a and the recessed portion 232a are located between the lower engaging portions 236. The first side wall 233 has a step 233a at the center in the X-axis direction. On the second side wall 234, a step portion 234a is formed at the center in the X-axis direction. Such a lower housing 200 is made of an insulating resin material and has an integral structure. The “integrated structure” means a structure formed in an inseparable state by integral molding or the like.

  The upper housing 300 is disposed on the lower housing 200. The upper housing 300 includes an upper base 310 and a first end wall 320 and a second end wall 322 that face each other. For example, the upper base 310 has a rectangular shape that is the same size as the lower base 210 when viewed in plan, that is, in the Z-axis direction, and a rectangular base plate 325 that rises from the periphery of the bottom plate 325. A frame-shaped peripheral wall 326. Upper base 310 defines an array of vertically oriented elongated openings 340. The array of elongated openings 340 forms a regular array including a plurality of elongated openings 340 rows 345 (see FIG. 4). The peripheral wall 326 includes a first end 312 and a second end 314 that face each other in the X-axis direction. By disposing the upper housing 300 on the lower housing 200, a gap 380 is formed by the first recess 220 and the bottom plate 325 (see FIG. 6).

  The first end wall 320 and the second end wall 322 extend upward from the first end 312 and the second end 314. A second recess 330 is defined between the first end wall 320 and the second end wall 322 for receiving a plurality of engagement connectors 400. An engagement hole 105 for engaging the engagement claw 445 of the engagement connector 400 is formed in the first end wall 320.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second recess 330 is divided into a plurality of slots 360 by walls 346. The wall 346 extends along the XZ plane in the second recess 330. In addition, the wall 346 divides the second recess 330 equally in the Y-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the second recess 330 is divided into three slots 360 by two walls 346.

  Each slot 360 is formed with a ridge 361 surrounded by a channel 362. That is, in the slot 360, a ridge 361 that protrudes upward from the bottom plate 325 is formed. The channel 362 is formed between the ridge 361 and the wall 346 and between the ridge 361 and the peripheral wall 326. Ridge 361 defines a group of elongated openings 340 among the plurality of elongated openings 340 therein. Hereinafter, the group of elongated openings 340 arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction may be expressed as rows 345 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the ridge 361 has a rectangular shape having a long side along the X-axis direction and a short side along the Y-axis direction in plan view, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In one ridge 361, a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of elongated openings 340 arranged in the X-axis direction (row direction) are formed. Here, the “elongated opening” means an opening having a columnar space, which is formed over a distance longer than the width of the opening end.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each elongated opening 340 penetrates the ridge 361 in the vertical direction, a lower opening portion 341 proximal to the bottom 342 of the elongated opening 340, and a top portion of the elongated opening 340. 344 includes an upper opening 343 proximal to 344. Here, “proximal” means being located on the side close to the object. The space formed by the elongated opening 340 forms, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view. The lower opening portion 341 is formed through the bottom plate 325. The upper opening 343 is formed up to the upper end of the ridge 361. As a result, the gap 380 formed by the first recess 220 and the bottom plate 325 communicates with the external space in the second recess 330 of the upper housing 300. The plurality of ridges 361 formed in the second recess 330 are separated from each other by a wall 346. That is, the rows 345 of the elongated openings 340 arranged adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are separated from each other by the wall 346. The plurality of slots 360 can receive the engagement connector 400 with a portion of the housing forming the corresponding engagement connector 400 inserted into the channel 362.

  Upper housing 300 includes a plurality of upper engaging portions 327. As an example, the upper engagement portion 327 is an engagement hole that is engaged with the lower engagement portion 236. The engagement hole in the illustrated example is formed in the peripheral wall 326 of the upper base 310. At a position where the engagement hole is formed, a step portion 327a for engaging the engagement claw is formed on the bottom plate 325 (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, the upper housing 300 is detachably assembled to the lower housing 200 by the lower engagement portion 236 and the upper engagement portion 327 engaging with each other. In the present embodiment, the upper housing 300 is assembled to the lower housing 200 with the circuit board 500 disposed between the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200.

  A convex portion 312a corresponding to the concave portion 231a is formed at the lower end of the first end portion 312 (see FIG. 2). A convex portion 314a corresponding to the concave portion 232a is formed at the lower end of the second end portion 314 (see FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, the convex portion 312a and the convex portion 314a are located between the upper engaging portions 327. The peripheral wall 326 has a recess 326a corresponding to the step 233a at the end in the Y-axis direction. In a state where the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200 are combined, the concave portion 231a and the convex portion 312a are fitted, the concave portion 232a and the convex portion 314a are fitted, and the step portions 233a and 234a and the concave portions 326a and 326a Are fitted. Therefore, the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200 are suppressed from being shifted from each other in the XY plane. The upper housing 300 is formed of an insulating resin material and has an integral structure.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the circuit board 500 has a rectangular plate shape that can be accommodated in the first recess 220, for example, and is disposed in the first recess 220. That is, the circuit board 500 is disposed in the gap 380 (see FIG. 6). Circuit board 500 includes an array of conductive terminal regions 510. Here, the “terminal region” means a region that is electrically connected to the external terminal by physical contact. The array of terminal regions 510 is arranged corresponding to the array of elongated openings 340. In other words, in this embodiment, three sets of a group of four terminal regions 510 arranged along the X-axis direction are formed in the Y-axis direction. The terminal region 510 may be a conductive through via, for example. The terminal region 510 is electrically connected to any one of the other group of terminal regions 510 by the conductive circuit 520. In the illustrated example, three terminal regions 510 formed at the same position in the X-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by a conductive circuit 520.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship of electrical connection between the terminal regions 510 is indicated by a mark 226 formed on the back surface of the bottom plate 225 in the lower housing 200. In the example shown in FIG. 3, an inscription 226 in which a circular concave portion 226 a and a linear concave portion 226 b are combined is formed on the back surface of the lower housing 200. For example, a circular recess 226 a indicates the terminal region 510, and a linear recess 226 b indicates the conductive circuit 520. In addition, for example, the relationship of electrical connection between the terminal regions 510 may be indicated by sticking a seal or the like printed with a graphic similar to the stamp 226 on the back surface of the bottom plate 225. Further, a graphic similar to the stamp 226 may be printed on the back surface of the bottom plate 225.

  The contact 600 can be formed of a conductive metal such as a copper alloy. The contact 600 is held in the elongated opening 340 of the upper housing 300 and is electrically connected to the terminal region 510 corresponding to the held elongated opening 340. Therefore, the plurality of contacts 600 can be arranged in the same arrangement as the arrangement of the terminal regions 510 in the circuit board 500. That is, the plurality of contacts 600 form a regular array comprising a plurality of rows and columns.

  7 and 8 are perspective views showing the contact 600. FIG. Contact 600 includes a holding portion 610, a terminal portion 620, and an elastic contact arm 630. The retaining portion 610 is received in the lower opening portion 341 for retaining the contact 600 in the upper housing 300. For example, the retaining portion 610 can be fitted into the lower opening portion 341. The holding portion 610 of each contact 600 includes a base portion 613 and a pair of arm portions 614. The base portion 613 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. The pair of arm portions 614 extend perpendicularly to the base portion 613 from mutually facing edges 619 of the base portion 613. As a result, the pair of arm portions 614 face each other.

  The terminal portion 620 extends from the lower edge portion 611 of the base portion 613 of the holding portion 610 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board 500. In a state where the contact 600 is held in the elongated opening 340, the terminal portion 620 protrudes from the elongated opening 340 and extends downward from the back surface of the upper housing 300 (ie, the back surface of the bottom plate 325). The terminal portion 620 is physically and electrically connected to the corresponding terminal region 510 of the circuit board 500. In the illustrated example, the terminal portion 620 has a curved plate shape. By inserting the terminal portion 620 into the through via constituting the terminal region 510, the inner peripheral surface of the through via and the terminal portion 620 are brought into contact with each other. Since the terminal portion 620 is curved, it comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through via with a predetermined urging force. In the present embodiment, the terminal regions 510 formed at the same position in the X-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by the conductive circuit 520. Therefore, the array of contacts 600 is electrically connected to each other via the conductive circuit 520 of the circuit board 500 for each column.

  The elastic contact arm 630 is a part that contacts the target (terminal) by an urging force based on elasticity. The pair of elastic contact arms 630 extends upward from the upper edge 612 of each of the pair of arm portions 614. The pair of upper edge portions 612 face each other. The pair of elastic contact arms 630 extend upward to the upper opening portion 343 of the corresponding elongated opening 340 and face each other. The pair of elastic contact arms 630 are inclined so as to approach each other toward the upper end (tip). Further, the region including the upper ends of the pair of elastic contact arms 630 is inclined so as to be separated from each other toward the upper end. That is, the space formed between the pair of elastic contact arms 630 has a constricted shape on the distal end side. The tip portions of the pair of elastic contact arms 630 function as a sandwiching portion (contact receiving opening) 632 for receiving a terminal inserted into the elongated opening 340. Therefore, in the natural state (no load state), the shortest distance between the pair of elastic contact arms 630 is smaller than the thickness of the terminal inserted into the elongated opening 340.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement connector 400 includes a socket (housing) 410 that engages with the slot 360, and a cover 405 that fits into the socket 410. The cover 405 is removably combined with the socket 410. The cover 405 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material. The cover 405 is formed with a plurality of (for example, four) hole portions 406 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. A wire 450 can be inserted into each of the plurality of holes 406. As an example, the outer diameter of the wire 450 may be about 1.6 to 2.0 mm.

  A connection terminal 430 is inserted through the cover 405. The connection terminal 430 is held by a socket 410, for example. Connection terminal 430 includes a wire connection portion 432 and a terminal 435. The wire connection portion 432 is one end of the connection terminal 430, and is disposed in the hole portion 406 through the insertion hole 407 formed in the cover 405. The wire connection portion 432 is pressed against the wire 450 inserted into the hole 406. The wire 450 and the connection terminal 430 are electrically connected. The terminal 435 is the other end of the connection terminal 430. The terminal 435 is exposed in the inner space of the connection frame (part) 401 constituting the tip of the socket 410. In the connection frame 401, the plurality of terminals 435 are arranged in the X-axis direction so as to correspond to the plurality of elongated openings 340, respectively. The connection frame 401 has a cylindrical shape that is complementary to the shape of the channel 362. By inserting the connection frame 401 into the channel 362, the engagement connector 400 is engaged with the slot 360. In a state where the engagement connector 400 is engaged with the slot 360, the terminal 435 is inserted into the elongated opening 340 and is sandwiched by the sandwiching portion 632 of the elastic contact arm 630 of the corresponding contact 600.

  In the connector 100 described above, the array of terminal regions 510 formed on the circuit board 500 corresponds to the array of elongated openings 340 formed in the upper housing 300. A contact 600 is held in the elongated opening 340. The terminal portion 620 of the contact 600 extends from the lower opening portion 341 of the elongated opening 340 and is connected to the terminal region 510 of the circuit board 500. Therefore, one contact 600 can be electrically connected to another contact 600 in accordance with the conductive circuit 520 of the circuit board 500. Further, the elastic contact arm 630 in the contact 600 extends to the upper opening portion 343 of the elongated opening 340. In such a connector 100, a plurality of engagement connectors 400 can be connected to the second recess 330 of the upper housing 300. In this case, the plurality of engagement connectors 400 can be electrically connected to each other via the circuit board 500 by electrically connecting the terminals 435 of the plurality of engagement connectors 400 to the corresponding elastic contact arms 630. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wiring from becoming complicated by reducing the wires that should be necessary according to the connection between the engagement connectors 400.

  As an example, the programmable controller and the projector are connected by connecting the engagement connector 400 connected to the programmable controller, the engagement connector 400 connected to the projector, and the engagement connector 400 connected to the light receiver to the connector 100. And the light receiver can be connected to each other.

  The upper housing 300 is detachably assembled to the lower housing 200 in a state where the circuit board 500 is disposed between the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200. In this case, by releasing the engagement between the upper engagement portion 327 and the lower engagement portion 236, the user or the like can replace the circuit board without damaging the housing.

  Each of the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200 has an integral structure. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced.

  The connector 100 includes fixing portions 201 and 202 for fixing the connector 100 to an object 700 such as a board. In this configuration, the connector 100 can be fixed to a desired object.

  The upper housing 300 is assembled to the lower housing 200 by the lower engagement portion 236 and the upper engagement portion 327 engaging with each other. The lower engagement portion 236 is an engagement claw protruding upward from the lower housing 200, and the upper engagement portion 327 is an engagement hole formed in the upper housing 300 and engaged with the engagement claw. In this configuration, the upper housing 300 and the lower housing 200 can be easily engaged and released.

  The array of elongated openings 340 formed in the upper base 310 forms a regular array that includes a plurality of elongated openings 340 rows 345. Rows 345 of elongated openings 340 located next to each other are separated from each other by walls 346. In this configuration, the insulation between the slots can be enhanced. Further, the plurality of slots 360 can be clearly separated.

  The plurality of slots 360 receive the engagement connector 400 with a portion of the housing forming the corresponding engagement connector 400 inserted into the channel 362. In this case, the engagement connector 400 can be engaged with the slot 360 with minimal alignment with respect to the slot 360.

  The holding portion 610 of each contact 600 includes a base portion 613 and a pair of arm portions 614 extending perpendicularly from opposite edges 619 of the base portion 613. In this configuration, the shape of the holding portion 610 and the shape of the internal space of the elongated opening 340 can be matched. Thereby, the holding part 610 which can be easily fitted into the elongated opening 340 can be formed. In addition, a shape in which the pair of elastic arm contacts face each other can be easily realized.

  The plurality of contacts may form a regular array comprising a plurality of rows and columns, and the terminal portions of the contacts may be electrically connected to each other via a conductive circuit of the circuit board for each column. In this case, the row unit of the contact corresponds to one engagement contact.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, a specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment.

  For example, an example in which one connector 100 has three slots 360 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Four or more slots 360 may be formed for one connector 100.

  Moreover, although the example in which four wires are inserted into one cover is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of wires inserted into one cover may be less than 4 or more than 4.

  Further, although the example in which the three terminal regions 510 formed at the same position in the X-axis direction are electrically connected to each other by the conductive circuit 520 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal regions 510 having different positions in the X-axis direction may be electrically connected by forming the circuit board 500 with a multilayer board.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Connector, 200 ... Lower housing, 210 ... Lower base, 220 ... 1st dent, 300 ... Upper housing, 310 ... Upper base, 330 ... 2nd dent, 340 ... Elongated opening, 400 ... Engagement connector, 500 ... circuit board, 510 ... terminal region, 600 ... contact, 610 ... holding portion, 620 ... terminal portion, 630 ... elastic contact arm.

Claims (12)

A connector,
A lower housing including a lower base defining a first indentation in a main upper surface, the first indentation being surrounded by a wall; and
An upper housing disposed on the lower housing and comprising an upper base and first and second end walls facing each other, the first end wall and the second end wall. An end wall extending upwardly from the upper base and defining a second recess for receiving a plurality of engaging connectors therebetween, the upper base having a vertically oriented elongated opening. The upper housing defining an array, each elongated opening including a lower opening portion proximal to the bottom of the elongated opening and an upper opening portion proximal to the top of the elongated opening;
A circuit board disposed in the first recess and including an array of conductive terminal regions, wherein the array of terminal regions is disposed corresponding to the array of elongated openings; The circuit board;
A plurality of conductive contacts oriented substantially orthogonal to the circuit board,
Each contact has a retaining portion received in the lower opening portion of the corresponding elongated opening for retaining the contact in the upper housing;
A terminal portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board from a lower edge of the holding portion, the terminal portion extending downward from the lower opening portion of the upper housing, and of the circuit board The terminal portion connected to the corresponding terminal area; and
A pair of opposing resilient contact arms extending upwardly from the holding portion to the upper opening portion of the corresponding elongated opening; and the contact;
Comprising a connector.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein the upper housing is detachably assembled to the lower housing in a state where the circuit board is disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.   The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the upper housing and the lower housing has an integral structure.   The wall surrounding the first recess includes a first end wall and a second end wall facing each other, and a gap between the first end wall and the second end wall. The connector of claim 1, comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending opposite each other.   The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing portion for fixing the connector to an object. The upper housing includes a plurality of upper engaging portions;
The lower housing includes a plurality of lower engaging portions;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the upper housing is assembled to the lower housing by the lower engagement portion and the upper engagement portion engaging with each other. The lower engaging portion is an engaging claw protruding upward from the lower housing;
The connector according to claim 6, wherein the upper engagement portion is an engagement hole formed in the upper housing and engaged with the engagement claw. The array of elongated openings formed in the upper base forms a regular array including a plurality of rows of the elongated openings;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the rows of elongated openings disposed adjacent to each other are separated from each other by a wall. The second recess is divided into a plurality of slots by a wall;
Each said slot comprises a ridge surrounded by a channel;
The ridge defines therein a group of the elongated openings of the plurality of elongated openings;
The connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots receive the engagement connector with a portion of the housing forming the corresponding engagement connector inserted into the channel. The retaining portion of each of the contacts includes a base portion and a pair of arm portions extending perpendicularly from opposite edges of the base portion;
The terminal portion of the contact extends from a lower edge of the base portion;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic contact arms of the contacts extend from respective upper edges of the pair of arm portions that face each other. The plurality of contacts form a regular array comprising a plurality of rows and columns;
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal portions of the contacts are electrically connected to each other via a conductive circuit of the circuit board for each row. A connector,
A lower housing assembled to the upper housing, the lower housing defining a gap therebetween;
A circuit board disposed in the gap and including a plurality of conductive terminal regions;
Multiple contacts, each contact
A terminal portion in electrical and physical contact with a corresponding terminal area of the circuit board; and
A plurality of contacts including a pair of spaced apart resilient contact arms defining a pinching portion that receives a corresponding contact in the engagement connector when the connector is engaged with the engagement connector;
With
The connector, wherein the terminal portion of each contact is electrically connected to the terminal portion of at least one other contact via a conductive circuit of the circuit board.

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