JP2007323854A

JP2007323854A - Electric connector

Info

Publication number: JP2007323854A
Application number: JP2006150299A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuya Midorikawa; 和弥緑川; Kazuhiko Ikeda; 多彦池田
Original assignee: Hirose Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hirose Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-30
Filing date: 2006-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily fit, to each other, connectors each mounted to a circuit board. SOLUTION: This electric connector is structured such that circumferential surfaces of a reception recessed part 16 for receiving a mating connector are formed by a pair of parallel sidewalls 17 of a housing 11 and a pair of end walls 18 thereof orthogonal to them; contact parts 12A on one end sides of a plurality of terminals 12 arranged and held by the sidewalls 17, and connection parts 12B on the other end sides thereof are projected into the reception recessed part 16 and to the outside relative to the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 17, respectively; the end walls 18 have recessed parts 18A formed on the inside surfaces thereof, and each recessed part forms a part of the reception recessed part 16; and an introduction slant surface 19 for receiving the mating connector is formed on the upper surface of each end wall 18 toward the circumferential surface of the reception recessed part. In the electric connector, the end walls 18 are formed by being projected sideward relative to the positions of the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 17 in the facing direction of the pair of sidewalls, and the introduction slant surfaces 19 are formed by being extended to the outside relative to the positions of the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 17 in the facing direction. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は電気コネクタに関し、特に相手コネクタの受入れを容易とする導入斜面がハウジングに形成されている電気コネクタに関する。 The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector in which a housing is provided with an introduction slope that facilitates receiving a mating connector.

この種のコネクタとしては、特許文献１に開示されているコネクタが知られている。この特許文献１のコネクタは、相手コネクタを受入れる受入凹部が、端子を保持する対向側壁とこの両方の側壁をその端部で連結する端壁により形成されている。端壁は凹部を有し、受入凹部の一部をなしている。この端壁は、その上面で、上記受入凹所に面するように、導入斜面が形成されている。この導入斜面は、コネクタの嵌合方向でみたときに、受入凹部の端側で略Ｕ字状をなす領域に形成されている。 As this type of connector, a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the connector of Patent Document 1, the receiving recess for receiving the mating connector is formed by an opposing side wall that holds the terminal and an end wall that connects both side walls at the ends. The end wall has a recess and forms a part of the receiving recess. The end wall has an introduction slope formed on its upper surface so as to face the receiving recess. The introduction slope is formed in a region that is substantially U-shaped on the end side of the receiving recess when viewed in the connector fitting direction.

相手コネクタの受入れに際し、相手コネクタが受入凹部からずれていてもこの相手コネクタは上記導入斜面によって受入凹部へ向け導入案内され、円滑に上記受入凹部へ嵌入する。
特開２００５−５０７０２ When the mating connector is received, even if the mating connector is displaced from the receiving recess, the mating connector is guided to the receiving recess by the introduction slope and smoothly fits into the receiving recess.
JP2005-50702

導入斜面はその領域が大きい程、相手コネクタのずれの許容範囲が大きくなり、好都合である。 The larger the area of the introduction slope, the greater the allowable range of displacement of the mating connector, which is convenient.

しかしながら、特許文献１では、導入斜面が形成されている端壁がコネクタの側壁よりも側方に張り出して大きく形成されているにも拘らず、上記導入斜面はそれ程広く確保されていない。したがって、コネクタが上述のように側方に張り出しているにも拘らず、上記相手コネクタのずれの許容範囲もあまり大きくなく、コネクタの嵌合をさらに容易にするべく、改善の余地があった。この種のコネクタそして相手コネクタは、それぞれ回路基板等に取りつけられた状態で嵌合されることがあり、その場合には、受入凹部は相手コネクタの回路基板によって視界が遮ぎられて見えない。したがって、見当をつけて嵌合させることとなり、導入斜面は少しでも広い方が、それだけ嵌合作業を楽にする。 However, in Patent Document 1, the introduction slope is not secured so widely even though the end wall on which the introduction slope is formed is larger than the side wall of the connector. Therefore, despite the fact that the connector protrudes laterally as described above, the allowable range of displacement of the mating connector is not so large, and there is room for improvement in order to further facilitate the fitting of the connector. This type of connector and the mating connector may be fitted in a state where they are respectively attached to a circuit board or the like, and in this case, the receiving concave portion is blocked from view by the circuit board of the mating connector. Therefore, the fitting is done with a register, and the wider the slope of introduction, the easier the fitting work.

本発明は、かかる事情に鑑み、特許文献１のコネクタに比しコネクタを側方に過大に張り出すことなく、導入斜面をより広く確保して、コネクタの嵌合作業を楽に行えるようにしたコネクタを提供することを課題とする。 In view of such circumstances, the present invention is a connector that can secure the introduction slope more easily and can easily perform the fitting operation of the connector without excessively projecting the connector to the side as compared with the connector of Patent Document 1. It is an issue to provide.

本発明に係る電気コネクタは、ハウジングの一対の平行な側壁とこれに直角な一対の端壁により、相手コネクタの受入れのための受入凹部の周面を形成し、側壁により配列保持された複数の端子の一端側における接触部が上記受入凹部内に、そして他端側における接続部が上記側壁の外面よりも外方に延出しており、上記端壁はその内面に凹所が形成されて該凹所が上記受入凹部の一部を形成し、該端壁の上面に上記受入凹部の周面へ向け相手コネクタの受入れのための導入斜面が形成されている。 In the electrical connector according to the present invention, a pair of parallel side walls of the housing and a pair of end walls perpendicular thereto form a peripheral surface of a receiving recess for receiving the mating connector, and a plurality of arrayed and held by the side walls. The contact portion on one end side of the terminal extends in the receiving recess, and the connection portion on the other end side extends outward from the outer surface of the side wall, and the end wall has a recess formed on the inner surface thereof. The recess forms a part of the receiving recess, and an introduction slope for receiving the mating connector is formed on the upper surface of the end wall toward the peripheral surface of the receiving recess.

かかる電気コネクタにおいて、本発明では、端壁は、一対の側壁の対向方向で、側壁の外面の位置よりも側方に向け張り出して形成されており、導入斜面が上記対向方向で側壁の外面の位置よりも外側にまで及んで形成されていることを特徴としている。 In such an electrical connector, in the present invention, the end wall is formed to protrude in a direction opposite to the position of the outer surface of the side wall in the facing direction of the pair of side walls, and the introduction slope is formed on the outer surface of the side wall in the facing direction. It is characterized by being formed so as to extend outside the position.

このような構成の本発明によると、端壁における導入斜面がハウジングの側壁の外面よりも、さらに外方位置にまで及んでいるので、それだけ導入斜面の領域が大きくなり相手コネクタの導入が容易となる。端壁が側方に張り出しても、通常、回路基板上でのその領域はデッドスペース（使用されない領域）であり、回路基板上での他の電子部品の配置に何ら支障はない。又、コネクタは、高さ方向で若干大きくなるが、張り出しを過度に大きくしない限り回路基板同士間に十分な間隔があるので問題とされない。 According to the present invention having such a configuration, since the introduction slope on the end wall extends further to the outer position than the outer surface of the side wall of the housing, the area of the introduction slope is increased accordingly, and the mating connector can be easily introduced. Become. Even if the end wall protrudes to the side, the area on the circuit board is usually a dead space (an area that is not used), and there is no problem in the arrangement of other electronic components on the circuit board. Although the connector is slightly larger in the height direction, there is no problem because there is a sufficient space between the circuit boards unless the overhang is excessively increased.

本発明では、端壁の導入斜面は、一対の側壁の対向方向に傾斜する斜面と、端子の配列方向に傾斜する斜面とで形成されていることが好ましい。こうすることにより、上記対向方向と配列方向での両方で相手コネクタの導入案内を容易とする。 In the present invention, it is preferable that the introduction slope of the end wall is formed by a slope that is inclined in the opposing direction of the pair of side walls and a slope that is inclined in the arrangement direction of the terminals. By doing so, introduction guidance of the mating connector is facilitated both in the facing direction and in the arrangement direction.

本発明において、端壁は、一対の側壁の対向方向で、端子の接続部の先端位置まで張り出しているようにできる。上記先端位置での範囲は、回路基板上、当該コネクタのために用いられる領域であり、周囲の他の電子部品の配置に全く係りなく使用できる。 In the present invention, the end wall can be extended to the tip position of the terminal connection portion in the opposing direction of the pair of side walls. The range at the tip position is an area used for the connector on the circuit board and can be used regardless of the arrangement of other surrounding electronic components.

本発明では、導入斜面は傾斜方向で複数の斜面の連続として形成されているようにすることができる。こうすることにより、コネクタの高さをあまり増すことなく、導入斜面を大きく形成できる。 In the present invention, the introduction slope may be formed as a series of a plurality of slopes in the tilt direction. By doing so, the introduction slope can be formed large without significantly increasing the height of the connector.

本発明は、以上のように、導入斜面が形成されるコネクタの端壁を側壁の位置よりも側方に張り出すように設け、導入斜面を側壁の外面の位置よりもさらに外方にまで及ぶようにしたので、導入斜面の領域を大きく確保でき、コネクタの嵌合作業を楽にする。しかも、上記端壁はコネクタが取りつけられて回路基板上でのデッドスペースを利用して張り出すようにできるので、周囲の電子部品の配置に何ら不都合をもたらすことがない。 In the present invention, as described above, the end wall of the connector on which the introduction slope is formed is provided so as to protrude laterally from the position of the side wall, and the introduction slope extends further outward than the position of the outer surface of the side wall. As a result, it is possible to secure a large area of the introduction slope and to facilitate the connector fitting work. In addition, since the connector is attached to the end wall and can be extended using a dead space on the circuit board, there is no inconvenience in the arrangement of surrounding electronic components.

以下、添付図面の図１ないし図４にもとづき、本発明の実施の形態を説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

図１及び図２は、第一実施形態のコネクタを示し、図１は本発明のコネクタたる一方のコネクタと相手方たる他方のコネクタの嵌合前における断面図であり、図２（Ａ）は上記一方のコネクタについての部分省略平面図、図２（Ｂ）はその正面図である。 1 and 2 show the connector according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the present invention before the mating of the other connector and the other connector, and FIG. A partially omitted plan view of one connector, FIG. 2 (B) is a front view thereof.

図１に見られるように、一方のコネクタ１０及び他方のコネクタ３０は電気絶縁材を成形して得られた薄型のそれぞれのハウジング１１，３１に複数の端子１２，３２をそれぞれ保持して構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, one connector 10 and the other connector 30 are configured by holding a plurality of terminals 12 and 32 in thin housings 11 and 31 obtained by molding an electrical insulating material, respectively. ing.

一方のコネクタ１０のハウジング１１は、図１に見られるように高さに対して幅が大きく、図１の紙面に直角方向（図２では左右方向）に長く延びる略直方体外形を有している。該ハウジング１１は周壁１３内の中央位置に嵌合凸部１４を有しており、周壁１３と嵌合凸部１４とは底壁１５で連結されている。上記周壁１３と嵌合凸部１４との間の空間は、相手コネクタたるコネクタ３０の受入れのための受入凹部１６を形成している。 The housing 11 of one connector 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape that is wide with respect to the height as seen in FIG. 1 and extends long in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (left and right in FIG. 2). . The housing 11 has a fitting convex portion 14 at a central position in the peripheral wall 13, and the peripheral wall 13 and the fitting convex portion 14 are connected by a bottom wall 15. A space between the peripheral wall 13 and the fitting convex portion 14 forms a receiving concave portion 16 for receiving the connector 30 as a mating connector.

上記周壁１３の長手方向（図１にて紙面に直角方向）に延び左右方向で互いに対向せる側壁１７（図１にて左右の周壁部分）には、図１にて紙面に平行な面で延びるスリット状の端子溝１７Ａが所定間隔をもって紙面に直角な方向に複数形成されている（図２をも参照）。各端子溝１７Ａは上方に開口されていると共に上記側壁１７の内面側すなわち、嵌合凸部１４に対向する側で深くそしてその外面側では浅く形成されている。 The side walls 17 (left and right peripheral wall portions in FIG. 1) that extend in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 13 (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) and oppose each other in the left-right direction extend in a plane parallel to the paper surface in FIG. A plurality of slit-shaped terminal grooves 17A are formed at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (see also FIG. 2). Each terminal groove 17A is opened upward, and is formed deep on the inner surface side of the side wall 17, that is, on the side facing the fitting convex portion 14, and shallow on the outer surface side.

上記対向せる二つの側壁１７をそれらの端部同士で連結している端壁１８は、図２（Ａ）に見られるように、コネクタの長手方向で対向して一対をなし、上記側壁１７と相俟って周壁１３をなし、その内部に受入凹部１６を形成している。上記端壁１８は、図２（Ａ）からも判るように、二つの側壁１７の対向方向で、これらの側壁１７の外面よりも外方に張り出している。すなわち、端壁１８は、上記対向方向で、二つの側壁１７の外面同士間距離よりも大きく延びている。好ましくは、後述の端子１２の接続部１２Ｂの先端の位置に対応する位置まで延びている。さらに、上記端壁１８は、図２（Ｂ）からも判るように、上記側壁１７よりも高くなっている。 As shown in FIG. 2 (A), end walls 18 that connect the two opposing side walls 17 with each other form a pair facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the connector. Together, a peripheral wall 13 is formed, and a receiving recess 16 is formed therein. As can be seen from FIG. 2A, the end wall 18 projects outward from the outer surfaces of the side walls 17 in the opposing direction of the two side walls 17. That is, the end wall 18 extends larger than the distance between the outer surfaces of the two side walls 17 in the facing direction. Preferably, it extends to a position corresponding to the position of the tip of a connecting portion 12B of the terminal 12 described later. Furthermore, the end wall 18 is higher than the side wall 17 as can be seen from FIG.

図２（Ａ）に見られるように、上記端壁１８はその内面に凹所１８Ａが形成されていて、該凹所１８Ａが上記受入凹部１６の一部をなしている。 As shown in FIG. 2A, the end wall 18 has a recess 18 A formed on the inner surface thereof, and the recess 18 A forms a part of the receiving recess 16.

上記端壁１８の上面には、上記凹所１８Ａに向けて導入斜面１９が形成されている。該導入斜面１９は、一端の側壁１７の対向方向に傾斜する側斜面１９Ａと、端子の配列方向すなわちコネクタの長手方向で対向する一対の端壁１８の対向方向に傾斜する端斜面１９Ｂと、側斜面１９Ａと端斜面１９Ｂとをつなぐ中間斜面１９Ｃとを有している。又、上記側斜面１９Ａ、端斜面１９Ｂそして中間斜面１９Ｃの下端に接続して幅狭な水平縁２０Ａ，２０Ｂ，２０Ｃそしてテーパ縁２１Ａ，２１Ｂ，２１Ｃが形成されている。上記側斜面１９Ａは、図２（Ａ）からも判るように、一対の側壁１７の対向方向で、該側壁１７の外面の位置よりも外方にまで広く及んでいる。 An introduction slope 19 is formed on the upper surface of the end wall 18 toward the recess 18A. The introduction inclined surface 19 includes a side inclined surface 19A inclined in the opposing direction of the side wall 17 at one end, an end inclined surface 19B inclined in the opposing direction of the pair of end walls 18 opposed in the terminal arrangement direction, that is, the connector longitudinal direction, An intermediate slope 19C connecting the slope 19A and the end slope 19B is provided. Further, narrow horizontal edges 20A, 20B, and 20C and tapered edges 21A, 21B, and 21C are formed so as to be connected to the lower ends of the side slope 19A, the end slope 19B, and the intermediate slope 19C. As can be seen from FIG. 2A, the side slope 19 A extends in the opposite direction of the pair of side walls 17 to the outside rather than the position of the outer surface of the side walls 17.

嵌合凸部１４は、図１からも明らかなように、その上面１４Ａは上記側壁１７の上面とほぼ平行な面をなしている。又、上記嵌合凸部１４は側面に側壁１７の端子溝１７Ａに対向して溝部１４Ｂが設けられていて、ここに、後述の端子１２の接触部１２Ａ側が部分的に収められている。 As is apparent from FIG. 1, the upper surface 14 A of the fitting convex portion 14 is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the side wall 17. Further, the fitting convex portion 14 is provided with a groove portion 14B on the side surface so as to face the terminal groove 17A of the side wall 17, and a contact portion 12A side of the terminal 12 described later is partially accommodated therein.

上記コネクタ１０の端子１２は、例えば、図１にて紙面に直角な面をもつ帯状金属片を屈曲加工して作られており、一端に接触部１２Ａ、他端部に接続部１２Ｂそして中間部にＳ字状の湾曲部１２Ｃを有している。接触部１２Ａは上記湾曲部１２Ｃに対して嵌合凸部１４側に位置し、該湾曲部１２Ｃは受入凹部１６の底部の方へ向けて巻込むようにして湾曲され、上記接触部１２Ａが溝部１４Ｂから受入凹部１６内へ突入している。したがって、この接触部１２Ａは、相手コネクタたる他方のコネクタ３０が受入凹部１６へ進入する際に、コネクタ３０と当接するとその当接力によって主としてこの進入方向と直角な横方向に弾性撓みを生ずる。 The terminal 12 of the connector 10 is made, for example, by bending a band-shaped metal piece having a surface perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1, with a contact portion 12A at one end, a connection portion 12B at the other end, and an intermediate portion. Have an S-shaped curved portion 12C. 12 A of contact parts are located in the fitting convex part 14 side with respect to the said curved part 12C, this curved part 12C is curved so that it may wind toward the bottom part of the receiving recessed part 16, and the said contact part 12A is from the groove part 14B. It rushes into the receiving recess 16. Therefore, when the other connector 30 which is the mating connector enters the receiving recess 16, the contact portion 12 A is elastically bent mainly in the lateral direction perpendicular to the entry direction by the contact force.

接続部１２ＢはＬ字状に屈曲されていてハウジング１１外に突出して該ハウジング１１の底面と同一レベル若しくは若干下方に位置するようになっている。 The connecting portion 12B is bent in an L shape, protrudes out of the housing 11, and is positioned at the same level as or slightly below the bottom surface of the housing 11.

Ｓ字状をなす湾曲部１２Ｃは、外側（右側の端子では右側）の湾曲部分が上方にそして内側の湾曲部分が下方に位置しており、外側の湾曲部分がハウジングの側壁１７に対して上方から嵌着されて端子の固定部として機能する。この外側の湾曲部分は、図１にて、側壁１７の内面側、すなわち、内側溝部との間に隙間を形成しているが、側壁１７の外面側、すなわち外側溝部と接している。一方、この外側の湾曲部分は、上記端子溝１７Ａの外側溝部の紙面に対して直角方向で対向する溝対向内側面により保持されている。したがって、端子１２は上記外側の部分で保持され、受入凹部１６側では弾性変形が可能となっている。さらに、上記外側の湾曲部分は、上記内側位置にロック用突起１２Ｄが設けられている。一方、内側の湾曲部分は端子溝１７Ａ内にあって端子１２に可撓性を与え、図１にて、上記接触部１２Ａの横方向での弾性変位を可能としている。本発明では上記端子１２自体はその要旨としておらず、その形態には限定しない。 The curved portion 12C having an S-shape has an outer curved portion (on the right terminal on the right side) located above and an inner curved portion located below, and the outer curved portion is located above the side wall 17 of the housing. It functions as a terminal fixing part. In FIG. 1, the outer curved portion forms a gap between the inner surface side of the side wall 17, that is, the inner groove portion, but is in contact with the outer surface side of the side wall 17, that is, the outer groove portion. On the other hand, this outer curved portion is held by a groove-facing inner side surface that faces in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the outer groove portion of the terminal groove 17A. Therefore, the terminal 12 is held by the outer portion and can be elastically deformed on the receiving recess 16 side. Further, the outer curved portion is provided with a locking projection 12D at the inner position. On the other hand, the inner curved portion is in the terminal groove 17A to give flexibility to the terminal 12, and in FIG. 1, the contact portion 12A can be elastically displaced in the lateral direction. In the present invention, the terminal 12 itself is not the gist thereof and is not limited to the form.

次に、相手コネクタたる他方のコネクタ３０は、ハウジング３１が上記コネクタ１０の受入凹部１６に収められて嵌合凸部１４と嵌合するような、外形そして嵌合凹部３３が形成されている。 Next, the other connector 30, which is the mating connector, is formed with an outer shape and a fitting recess 33 such that the housing 31 is received in the receiving recess 16 of the connector 10 and fits with the fitting protrusion 14.

ハウジング３１の外側面には、図１の紙面に直角方向で、上記コネクタ１０の複数の端子１２に対応するそれぞれの位置に、端子３２が設けられている。この端子３２は、ハウジング３１と一体モールド成形により該ハウジング３１により保持されている。該端子３２も、上記コネクタ１０の端子１２と同様に、帯状金属片を屈曲加工して作られていて、該端子３２は接触部３２Ａ、接続部３２Ｂそしてロック部３２Ｃを有している。接触部３２Ａは上記嵌合凹部３３の内面に形成された端子溝３４に収められており、接続部３２Ｂはハウジング３１外に突出し、ロック部３２Ｃはハウジング３１の外面に位置している。このロック部３２Ｃには、若干の深さではあるが没入部を形成していて、上記一方のコネクタ１０の端子１２に形成された上記ロック用突起１２Ｄがこの没入部に係止し、係止時にクリック感を得る。このロック部３２Ｃは、上記一方のコネクタ１０の端子１２と接触するので、接触部としての機能も有していることとなる。さらに、このロック部３２Ｃを有する外面側端子は、図１にて上方に向け、若干内方へ、すなわち接触部３２Ａ側へ傾斜していてハウジング３１の外面よりも没入している。これにより、上記一方のコネクタ１０の端子１２のロック用突起１２Ｄとの係止が確実性を増す。又、さらに良好なクリック感が得られる。 Terminals 32 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 31 at positions corresponding to the plurality of terminals 12 of the connector 10 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The terminal 32 is held by the housing 31 by integral molding with the housing 31. Similarly to the terminal 12 of the connector 10, the terminal 32 is made by bending a band-shaped metal piece, and the terminal 32 has a contact portion 32A, a connection portion 32B, and a lock portion 32C. The contact portion 32 A is housed in a terminal groove 34 formed on the inner surface of the fitting recess 33, the connection portion 32 B protrudes outside the housing 31, and the lock portion 32 C is located on the outer surface of the housing 31. The locking portion 32C is formed with an immersion portion although it is slightly deep, and the locking protrusion 12D formed on the terminal 12 of the one connector 10 is engaged with the immersion portion, Sometimes you get a click. Since the lock portion 32C comes into contact with the terminal 12 of the one connector 10, the lock portion 32C also has a function as a contact portion. Further, the outer surface side terminal having the lock portion 32C is inclined upward in FIG. 1 and slightly inward, that is, toward the contact portion 32A, and is recessed from the outer surface of the housing 31. Accordingly, the locking of the terminal 12 of the one connector 10 with the locking projection 12D increases the reliability. Further, a better click feeling can be obtained.

かかる本実施形態のコネクタ１０，３０は、次の要領で使用される。 Such connectors 10 and 30 of this embodiment are used in the following manner.

（１）先ず、二つのコネクタ１０，３０をそれぞれ対応する回路基板（図示せず）に取りつけ、そして端子１２，３２を回路基板上の対応回路部に接続する。この接続は、端子１２，３２の接続部１２Ｂ，３２Ｂをそれぞれの回路基板の回路部へ半田付されることによりなされる。回路基板は、通常、コネクタ１０，３０よりも大きく張り出す。 (1) First, the two connectors 10 and 30 are respectively attached to corresponding circuit boards (not shown), and the terminals 12 and 32 are connected to corresponding circuit portions on the circuit board. This connection is made by soldering the connection portions 12B and 32B of the terminals 12 and 32 to the circuit portions of the respective circuit boards. The circuit board usually projects larger than the connectors 10 and 30.

（２）回路基板に取りつけられたコネクタ１０，３０を互いに対向させて嵌合可能と思われる位置にもたらす。図１に見られるように、一点鎖線に沿って両コネクタ１０，３０を近接せしめれば、そのまま嵌合してしまう場合もあるが、回路基板によって視界が遮られて嵌合状態を目視確認できないことが多く、かかる場合、図３（Ａ）のごとく、左右にずれてしまうが、両コネクタをそのまま嵌合方向で近接させると、コネクタ３０の下面がコネクタ１０の端壁１７の上面に形成された導入斜面１９に当接する。 (2) The connectors 10 and 30 attached to the circuit board are brought to a position where they can be fitted to face each other. As shown in FIG. 1, if the connectors 10 and 30 are brought close to each other along the alternate long and short dash line, they may be fitted as they are, but the visual field is blocked by the circuit board and the fitting state cannot be visually confirmed. In many cases, as shown in FIG. 3A, the left and right sides are displaced from each other. However, when both connectors are brought close together in the fitting direction, the lower surface of the connector 30 is formed on the upper surface of the end wall 17 of the connector 10. It abuts against the introduced slope 19.

（３）次に、コネクタ３０の下面をコネクタ１０の上記導入斜面１９上でスライドさせながらコネクタ３０を左右前後に移動させる操作を行なうと、コネクタ１０の上記導入斜面１９はコネクタ３０の下面よりも十分に大きく確保されているので、コネクタ３０は上記導入斜面１９に沿って受入凹部１６へ案内される。すなわち、コネクタ３０のずれの方向によって、側斜面１９Ａあるいは端斜面１９Ｂ、さらには両者で案内される。 (3) Next, when an operation of moving the connector 30 left and right and back and forth is performed while sliding the lower surface of the connector 30 on the introduction slope 19 of the connector 10, the introduction slope 19 of the connector 10 is more than the bottom surface of the connector 30. Since the connector 30 is sufficiently large, the connector 30 is guided to the receiving recess 16 along the introduction slope 19. That is, it is guided by the side inclined surface 19A or the end inclined surface 19B, and further by both depending on the direction of displacement of the connector 30.

（４）かくして、上記コネクタ３０はコネクタ１０の受入凹部１６へ向け導入され嵌合位置にもたらされる。この時点で、コネクタ３０の動きが停止するので、その感触で嵌合位置に一致したことを判断できる。上記操作時には下方（嵌合方向）にも同時に力を受けているので、しかる後、コネクタ３０は水平縁２０Ａ，２０Ｂ，２０Ｃそしてテーパ縁２１Ａ，２１Ｂ，２１Ｃを経て、嵌合状態に入る。この状態で、さらに力を加えて、該コネクタ３０を深く受入凹部１６へ押し込む。 (4) Thus, the connector 30 is introduced toward the receiving recess 16 of the connector 10 and brought to the fitting position. At this point, the movement of the connector 30 stops, so that it can be determined that the connector 30 matches the fitting position. At the time of the above operation, a force is also applied downward (fitting direction) at the same time, and thereafter the connector 30 enters the fitting state via the horizontal edges 20A, 20B, 20C and the tapered edges 21A, 21B, 21C. In this state, further force is applied to push the connector 30 deeply into the receiving recess 16.

（５）コネクタ３０がコネクタ１０の受入凹部１６へ嵌入し始めると、コネクタ３０の嵌合凹部３３へコネクタ１０の嵌合凸部１４が嵌入状態となり、両者は正規の嵌合位置へ正確に位置づけられる。さらに嵌合が進むと、図３（Ｂ）に見られるように、コネクタ３０の端子３２の接触部３２Ａとコネクタ１０の端子１２の接触部１２Ａは互いに接触して接触部１２Ａから弾圧を受け、端子１２は嵌合方向と直角な横方向に弾性変位する。 (5) When the connector 30 starts to be fitted into the receiving recess 16 of the connector 10, the fitting convex portion 14 of the connector 10 is fitted into the fitting concave portion 33 of the connector 30, and both are accurately positioned at the normal fitting position. It is done. When the fitting further proceeds, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), the contact portion 32A of the terminal 32 of the connector 30 and the contact portion 12A of the terminal 12 of the connector 10 contact each other and receive a pressure from the contact portion 12A. The terminal 12 is elastically displaced in the lateral direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

（６）嵌合が所定位置まで行われると、コネクタ３０の端子３２のロック部３２Ｃにコネクタ１０の端子１２のロック用突起１２Ｄが係止し、端子同士が係止される。 (6) When the fitting is performed to a predetermined position, the locking protrusion 12D of the terminal 12 of the connector 10 is locked to the lock portion 32C of the terminal 32 of the connector 30, and the terminals are locked.

次に、図４にもとづき本発明の他の実施形態を説明する。 Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG.

図１ないし図３に示された実施形態は導入斜面の傾斜は直線的で一様に傾いていたが、本発明ではこれに限定されず、複数段をなすようにして傾斜していてもよい。例えば、図４のごとく、導入斜面１９、図示の場合、側斜面１９Ａが互いに接続せる上方側斜面１９Ａ−１と下方側斜面１９Ａ−２とから形成されていて、後者が前者よりも傾斜が緩くなっている。このように部分的に傾斜の緩い範囲を設けることにより、コネクタ嵌合方向から見た導入斜面の広さを変えずに、コネクタの高さ寸法を抑えることができる。換言すれば、同じコネクタ高さならば、より広い導入斜面を得ることができる。 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the slope of the introduction slope is linear and uniformly sloped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slope may be sloped in a plurality of stages. . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the introduction slope 19, in the illustrated case, the side slope 19 A is formed of an upper slope 19 A- 1 and a lower slope 19 A- 2 that are connected to each other, and the latter is less inclined than the former. It has become. Thus, by providing the part where the inclination is partially loose, the height dimension of the connector can be suppressed without changing the width of the introduction slope as seen from the connector fitting direction. In other words, a wider introduction slope can be obtained with the same connector height.

また、本発明は、図示の実施形態に限定されず、他にも変形が可能である。例えば、図４の例の変形として、導入斜面の断面形状を直線的に傾斜する二つの斜面を接続して形成せずとも、一つの曲線として傾いていてもよい。さらには、受入凹部の周方向では、導入斜面を、側斜面、中間斜面、そして端斜面と不連続に接続しなくとも、これらを曲線的につなげて形成してもよいし、側斜面と端斜面のみから形成しても良い。 Further, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and other modifications are possible. For example, as a modification of the example of FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the introduction slope may be inclined as one curve without being formed by connecting two slopes that linearly slope. Furthermore, in the circumferential direction of the receiving recess, the introduction slope may be formed by connecting the slopes in a curved line without connecting to the side slope, the intermediate slope, and the end slope. You may form only from a slope.

さらには、導入斜面は、受入凹部の隅部に位置する側斜面と端斜面が重要なのであり、図２（Ａ）における端斜面の中間部分では切欠部によって端壁が不存在であってもよい。 Furthermore, since the introduction slope is important for the side slope and the end slope located at the corner of the receiving recess, the end wall may be absent due to the notch in the middle part of the end slope in FIG. .

なお、本発明のコネクタが回路基板に取りつけられて使用されることが多いが、ここにおける回路基板とは、通常の回路基板以外に、フレキシブル回路基板等の他の回路基板も含まれる。 In many cases, the connector of the present invention is attached to a circuit board, and the circuit board here includes other circuit boards such as a flexible circuit board in addition to a normal circuit board.

本発明の一実施形態を示し、一方のコネクタと相手方たる他方のコネクタの正規嵌合位置での嵌合前における断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention before mating at the regular mating position of one connector and the other connector. 図１の一方のコネクタを示し、（Ａ）は、部分省略平面図、（Ｂ）はその正面図である。FIG. 1 shows one connector of FIG. 1, (A) is a partially omitted plan view, and (B) is a front view thereof. 図１の一方のコネクタと他方のコネクタの断面図を示し、（Ａ）はコネクタがずれた位置での嵌合開始時、（Ｂ）は正規嵌合終了時である。Sectional drawing of one connector and the other connector of FIG. 1 is shown, (A) is the time of a fitting start in the position which the connector shifted | deviated, (B) is the time of regular fitting completion | finish. 他の実施形態を示し、一方のコネクタと他方のコネクタのずれた位置での嵌合開始時における断面図である。It is sectional drawing at the time of the fitting start in the position which showed other embodiment and the one connector and the other connector shifted | deviated.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０コネクタ１８端壁
１１ハウジング１８Ａ凹所
１２端子１９導入斜面
１２Ａ接触部１９Ａ（側）斜面
１２Ｂ接続部１９Ａ−１，１９Ａ−２（側）斜面
１６受入凹部１９Ｂ（端）斜面
１７側壁

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector 18 End wall 11 Housing 18A Recess 12 Terminal 19 Introduction slope 12A Contact part 19A (Side) Slope 12B Connection part 19A-1, 19A-2 (Side) Slope 16 Receiving recessed part 19B (End) Slope 17 Side wall

Claims

ハウジングの一対の平行な側壁とこれに直角な一対の端壁により、相手コネクタの受入れのための受入凹部の周面を形成し、側壁により配列保持された複数の端子の一端側における接触部が上記受入凹部内に、そして他端側における接続部が上記側壁の外面よりも外方に延出しており、上記端壁はその内面に凹所が形成されて該凹所が上記受入凹部の一部を形成し、該端壁の上面に上記受入凹部の周面へ向け相手コネクタの受入れのための導入斜面が形成されている電気コネクタにおいて、端壁は、一対の側壁の対向方向で、側壁の外面の位置よりも側方に向け張り出して形成されており、導入斜面が上記対向方向で側壁の外面の位置よりも外側にまで及んで形成されていることを特徴とする電気コネクタ。 A pair of parallel side walls of the housing and a pair of end walls perpendicular thereto form a peripheral surface of a receiving recess for receiving the mating connector, and a contact portion on one end side of a plurality of terminals arranged and held by the side wall A connecting portion on the other end side extends in the receiving recess and outward from the outer surface of the side wall, and the end wall has a recess formed on the inner surface, and the recess is one of the receiving recesses. And the end wall is formed in a direction opposite to the pair of side walls in the opposing direction of the pair of side walls, wherein an inclined surface for receiving the mating connector is formed on the upper surface of the end wall toward the peripheral surface of the receiving recess. An electrical connector, characterized in that it is formed so as to project laterally from the position of the outer surface of the cable, and the introduction slope is formed so as to extend outside the position of the outer surface of the side wall in the facing direction.

端壁の導入斜面は、一対の側壁の対向方向に傾斜する斜面と、端子の配列方向に傾斜する斜面とで形成されていることとする請求項１に記載の電気コネクタ。 2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the introduction slope of the end wall is formed of a slope that is inclined in the opposing direction of the pair of side walls and a slope that is inclined in the terminal arrangement direction.

端壁は、一対の側壁の対向方向で、端子の接続部の先端位置まで張り出していることとする請求項１又は請求項２に記載の電気コネクタ。 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the end wall extends to a tip position of a connection portion of the terminal in a direction opposite to the pair of side walls.

導入斜面は傾斜方向で複数の斜面の連続として形成されていることとする請求項１又は請求項２に記載の電気コネクタ。

The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the introduction slope is formed as a continuation of a plurality of slopes in the inclination direction.