JP7748833B2 - Socket Connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a socket connector.

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector 102 including a housing 100 made of an insulating material and two inner reinforcing brackets 101, as shown in Figure 20 of the present application. The housing 100 is formed with a recess 103 and a protrusion 104 into which a mating connector is inserted. The two inner reinforcing brackets 101 are attached to two island ends 105 corresponding to both longitudinal ends of the protrusion 104. Each inner reinforcing bracket 101 covers the top surface and three side surfaces of the corresponding island end 105. Therefore, it is believed that this prevents the mating connector from coming into contact with any of the island ends 105 and damaging that island end 105 when the mating connector is inserted into the recess 103 of the housing 100 without being properly positioned relative to the housing 100 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100.

Patent No. 6842359

However, with the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the inner reinforcing bracket 101 is prone to deformation, which may damage the corresponding island end portion 105.

The object of the present invention is to provide technology that effectively protects the island ends.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a socket connector comprising: a housing having an island portion and a peripheral wall surrounding the island portion protruding upward from a bottom plate; a plurality of contacts arranged in a row on the housing; and a protective fitting that protects the island end portion, which is the end portion of the island portion in the pitch direction of the plurality of contacts, wherein the protective fitting includes an upper surface protective portion that covers the upper surface of the island end portion; two first side surface protective portions that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective portion in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and face each of the two side surfaces facing the width direction of the island end portion; and two wrap-around portions that extend toward each other from the respective lower ends of the two first side surface protective portions.
The plate thickness direction of the two roll-up portions may be parallel to the up-down direction.
The two rolled-up portions may be exposed downward.
Each of the turn-in portions may be asymmetrical with respect to a bisecting line that extends in the width direction and divides each turn-in portion into two in the pitch direction, and the tip shapes of the two turn-in portions may be formed to be complementary to each other.
The protective fitting may further include a second side surface protective portion extending downward from the end portion in the pitch direction of the upper surface protective portion and facing the side surface of the island end portion facing the pitch direction, and a connecting portion extending outward in the pitch direction from the lower end of the second side surface protective portion and exposed outward in the pitch direction from the housing.
The connecting portion may be formed so as to branch out in the width direction toward the outside in the pitch direction.

This invention effectively protects the island ends.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a socket connector. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the socket connector seen from another angle. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the socket connector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a socket housing. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 5 . FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the protective fitting as seen from another angle. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of socket contacts. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the socket connector taken in the pitch direction. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the socket connector taken in the width direction. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plug connector as seen from another angle. FIG. FIG. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of a protective fitting as a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 19.

Figure 1 shows a connector assembly 1 that mechanically and electrically connects two parallel boards. The connector assembly 1 is composed of a socket connector 2 (first connector) mounted on one of the boards, the socket board, and a plug connector 3 (second connector) mounted on the other board, the plug board. The socket connector 2 is a type of connector and is also called a receptacle connector.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the socket connector 2 includes a plurality of socket contacts 4, a socket housing 5 that holds the plurality of socket contacts 4, two protective fittings 6, and two socket auxiliary fittings (hold-downs) 7.

The socket contacts 4 are arranged in two rows parallel to the connector mounting surface of the socket board. Two socket support brackets 7 secure the socket housing 5 to the connector mounting surface of the socket board.

Here, the "vertical direction," "pitch direction," and "width direction" are defined with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The vertical direction, pitch direction, and width direction are perpendicular to each other.

As shown in Figure 1, the up-down direction is the direction in which the plug connector 3 is inserted into and removed from the socket connector 2. Therefore, the up-down direction coincides with the height direction of the socket connector 2 and also coincides with the height direction of the plug connector 3. The up-down direction includes the upward (removal direction) and downward (mating direction). The upward direction is the direction in which the plug connector 3 is removed from the socket connector 2. The downward direction is the direction in which the plug connector 3 is mated with the socket connector 2. The terms upward and downward are used merely for convenience of explanation and do not specify the orientation of the connector assembly 1 during use.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pitch direction is the direction in which multiple socket contacts 4 are arranged. When multiple socket contacts 4 are arranged in two parallel rows, as in this embodiment, the pitch direction can be defined as the direction in which multiple socket contacts 4 belonging to one of the two rows are arranged. The pitch direction includes the inward pitch direction and the outward pitch direction. The inward pitch direction is the direction toward the center of the connector assembly 1 in the pitch direction. The outward pitch direction is the direction away from the center of the connector assembly 1 in the pitch direction.

The width direction is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the pitch direction. The width direction includes the inward width direction and the outward width direction. The inward width direction is the direction approaching the center of the connector assembly 1 in the width direction. The outward width direction is the direction away from the center of the connector assembly 1 in the width direction.

(Socket connector 2)
The socket connector 2 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4, the socket connector 2 includes a plurality of socket contacts 4, a socket housing 5 that holds the plurality of socket contacts 4, two protective fittings 6, and two socket auxiliary fittings 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the socket housing 5 is a rectangular plate made of insulating resin in a plan view, and is elongated in the pitch direction. The socket housing 5 includes a bottom plate 10, an island portion 11, and a peripheral wall 12.

The bottom plate 10 is a flat plate with its thickness direction extending vertically.

The island portion 11 protrudes upward from the center of the bottom plate 10 in the pitch and width directions, and extends elongatedly in the pitch direction. The island portion 11 includes an island main body 13 and two island end portions 14. The two island end portions 14 correspond to both ends of the island portion 11 in the pitch direction. The island main body 13 is the portion between the two island end portions 14.

As shown in Figure 6, each island end 14 has an upper surface 14A facing upward, two lateral side surfaces 14B (side surfaces) facing outward in the width direction, and a vertical side surface 14C (side surface) facing outward in the pitch direction. The upper surface 14A is perpendicular to the up-down direction. Each lateral side surface 14B is formed slightly upward while facing outward in the width direction. The vertical side surfaces 14C are perpendicular to the pitch direction.

Returning to Figure 5, the peripheral wall 12 is formed in an annular shape to surround the island portion 11 and protrudes upward from the bottom plate 10. The peripheral wall 12 includes two contact retaining walls 15 that hold a plurality of socket contacts 4, and two reinforcing bracket retaining walls 16 that respectively hold two socket reinforcing brackets 7. The island portion 11 and the two contact retaining walls 15 are disposed between the two reinforcing bracket retaining walls 16 in the pitch direction.

Each contact holding wall 15 is positioned to face the island portion 11 in the width direction. Each contact holding wall 15 has multiple slits 15A formed therein for holding multiple socket contacts 4, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6 , each auxiliary fitting retaining wall 16 is U-shaped and opens inward in the pitch direction when viewed from above. Each auxiliary fitting retaining wall 16 is formed with a vertical press-fit groove 16A that opens outward in the pitch direction and extends vertically, and two horizontal press-fit grooves 16B that open outward in the width direction and extend vertically. The vertical press-fit groove 16A and the two horizontal press-fit grooves 16B are used when attaching the corresponding socket auxiliary fitting 7 to the auxiliary fitting retaining wall 16.

As shown in Figure 5, the peripheral wall 12 is formed in an annular shape at a distance from the island portion 11 in the pitch direction and width direction, thereby forming an annular fitting recess 17 between the island portion 11 and the peripheral wall 12.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the two protective fittings 6 are intended to protect the two island ends 14 of the island portion 11, respectively. As shown in Figure 4, each protective fitting 6 is formed by stamping and bending a single metal plate. Since the two protective fittings 6 have the same shape, only one protective fitting 6 will be described, and the description of the other protective fitting 6 will be omitted.

Figures 7 to 9 show the protective fitting 6. The protective fitting 6 includes a C-shaped protective portion 20, a vertical protective portion 21 (second side protective portion), and a connecting portion 22. The C-shaped protective portion 20, the vertical protective portion 21, and the connecting portion 22 are connected in this order outward in the pitch direction.

As shown in Figure 8, the C-shaped protective portion 20 is formed in a C-shape that opens downward when viewed along the pitch direction. The C-shaped protective portion 20 includes an upper surface protective portion 23, two lateral surface protective portions 24 (first side surface protective portions), and two wrap-around portions 25.

The upper surface protection portion 23 is a portion whose plate thickness direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface protection portion 23 is positioned so as to face the upper surface 14A of the island end portion 14 shown in Figure 6 in the vertical direction. The upper surface protection portion 23 covers and protects the upper surface 14A of the island end portion 14.

Returning to Figure 8, the two lateral surface protection portions 24 are portions that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protection portion 23 in the width direction. The plate thickness direction of each lateral surface protection portion 24 is substantially perpendicular to the width direction, and more specifically, is formed slightly upward. The two lateral surface protection portions 24 are each positioned so as to face the two lateral side surfaces 14B of the island end portion 14 shown in Figure 6 in the width direction. The two lateral surface protection portions 24 each cover and protect the two lateral side surfaces 14B of the island end portion 14.

Returning to Figure 8, the two roll-up portions 25 extend toward each other from the respective lower ends of the two lateral surface protection portions 24. That is, the two roll-up portions 25 extend inward in the width direction from the respective lower ends of the two lateral surface protection portions 24. The plate thickness direction of each roll-up portion 25 is perpendicular to the up-down direction.

Figure 9 shows a bottom view of the protective fitting 6. As shown in Figure 9, the two wrap-around portions 25 are formed asymmetrically with respect to a first bisecting line C1 that bisects the C-shaped protective portion 20 in the width direction. Furthermore, each wrap-around portion 25 is formed asymmetrically with respect to a second bisecting line C2 (bisecting line) that bisects the C-shaped protective portion 20 in the pitch direction. Specifically, each wrap-around portion 25 includes a first wrap-around portion 25A and a second wrap-around portion 25B. The first wrap-around portion 25A and the second wrap-around portion 25B are adjacent to each other in the pitch direction. The first wrap-around portion 25A is longer in the width direction than the second wrap-around portion 25B. The first roll-up portion 25A of one roll-up portion 25 and the second roll-up portion 25B of the other roll-up portion 25 face each other in the width direction, and the second roll-up portion 25B of one roll-up portion 25 and the first roll-up portion 25A of the other roll-up portion 25 face each other in the width direction. In other words, the tip shapes of the two roll-up portions 25 are formed to complement each other. This ensures a large maximum dimension in the width direction of each roll-up portion 25, while also resolving the backlash problem that occurs when forming the C-shaped protective portion 20.

In other words, in Figure 8, to form a bent portion between the upper surface protective portion 23 and each of the side surface protective portions 24 so that each side surface protective portion 24 is perpendicular to the upper surface protective portion 23, it is necessary to first tilt the two side surface protective portions 24 inward in the width direction and bring them closer to each other, taking backlash into consideration. However, there is a trade-off between the inclination angle when tilting the two side surface protective portions 24 inward in the width direction and the maximum dimension in the width direction of each roll-up portion 25. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the two roll-up portions 25 are asymmetrical with respect to the second bisector C2 as described above, and the tip shapes of the two roll-up portions 25 are formed to be complementary to each other, thereby eliminating the above trade-off.

Now, returning to Figure 7, the vertical protective portion 21 extends downward from the end portion of the upper surface protective portion 23 of the C-shaped protective portion 20 that is on the outer side in the pitch direction. The thickness direction of the vertical protective portion 21 is perpendicular to the pitch direction. The vertical protective portion 21 faces the vertical side surface 14C of the island end portion 14 shown in Figure 6 in the pitch direction. The vertical protective portion 21 covers and protects the vertical side surface 14C of the island end portion 14.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the connecting portion 22 extends outward in the pitch direction from the lower end of the vertical protective portion 21. The plate thickness direction of the connecting portion 22 is the up-down direction. The connecting portion 22 is formed in a Y shape in a plan view. That is, the connecting portion 22 is formed so as to branch out in the width direction toward the outward pitch direction. In this embodiment, the protective bracket 6 is attached to the socket housing 5 by insert molding. The connecting portion 22 is used to hold the protective bracket 6 within the mold during insert molding. That is, the connecting portion 22 has two branch portions 22A that protrude outward in the pitch direction, and the two branch portions 22A are connected to a common carrier during insert molding. After insert molding, the two branch portions 22A are detached from the carrier.

As shown in Figure 2, the two socket auxiliary brackets 7 are used to secure the socket housing 5 to the socket-side substrate. As shown in Figure 4, each socket auxiliary bracket 7 is formed by stamping and bending a single metal plate. Since the two socket auxiliary brackets 7 have the same shape, only one of the socket auxiliary brackets 7 will be described, and the description of the other socket auxiliary bracket 7 will be omitted.

As shown in Figure 10, the socket auxiliary bracket 7 includes an upper surface protection portion 30, three solder legs 31, and two spring pieces 32.

The upper surface protection portion 30 is U-shaped in a plan view, opening inward in the pitch direction, and covers and protects the upper surface of the auxiliary fitting holding wall 16 shown in Figure 6. The thickness direction of the upper surface protection portion 30 coincides with the vertical direction.

The three solder legs 31 are formed to extend downward from the upper surface protection portion 30. The three solder legs 31 include two horizontal solder legs 33 and one vertical solder leg 34.

The two lateral solder legs 33 are formed to protrude outward in the width direction from the upper surface protection portion 30. Each lateral solder leg 33 includes a press-fit portion 33A and a solder portion 33B formed at the lower end of the press-fit portion 33A. The press-fit portion 33A is press-fit into the corresponding lateral press-fit groove 16B in Figure 6. The solder portion 33B is soldered to an electrode pad on the socket side substrate.

The vertical solder legs 34 are formed to protrude outward in the pitch direction from the upper surface protection portion 30. The vertical solder legs 34 include an extension portion 34A and a solder portion 34B formed at the lower end of the extension portion 34A. The extension portion 34A is inserted into the vertical press-fit groove 16A shown in Figure 6. The solder portion 34B is soldered to an electrode pad on the socket side substrate.

Each spring piece 32 is a cantilever supported by the upper surface protection portion 30 and extends in the pitch direction. Each spring piece 32 is configured to be elastically deformable in the width direction and has a raised portion 32A that protrudes inward in the width direction.

Figure 11 shows multiple socket contacts 4. The multiple socket contacts 4 belonging to one row include three signal contacts 4A that are relatively small in the pitch direction and two power supply contacts 4B that are relatively large in the pitch direction. The three signal contacts 4A are arranged between the two power supply contacts 4B. Each socket contact 4 is formed by stamping and forming a single metal plate.

Each socket contact 4 includes a U-shaped contact portion 40 that opens upward, and a solder leg 41 that extends downward from the outer end of the contact portion 40 in the width direction. The solder leg 41 includes a press-fit portion 41A and a solder portion 41B. The press-fit portion 41A is press-fit into the corresponding slit 15A in Figure 5. The solder portion 41B is soldered to an electrode pad on the socket side substrate.

Figures 12 to 14 show the protective fitting 6 integrated with the socket housing 5 by insert molding.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the two wrap-around portions 25 of the C-shaped protective portion 20 of the protective fitting 6 are exposed downward from the socket housing 5. Similarly, the connecting portion 22 of the protective fitting 6 is exposed downward from the socket housing 5.

As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the two branches 22A of the connecting portion 22 of the protective bracket 6 are exposed outward in the pitch direction from the socket housing 5. That is, the end faces 22B facing outward in the pitch direction of the two branches 22A of the connecting portion 22 of the protective bracket 6 are in the same plane as the end face 5A facing outward in the pitch direction of the socket housing 5. The end faces 22B are the cut surfaces that are created when the connecting portion 22 of the protective bracket 6 is separated from the carrier.

As shown in Figure 12, the connecting portion 22 branches out in the width direction so as to bypass the solder portion 34B of the vertical solder leg 34 of the socket auxiliary bracket 7. This ensures sufficient clearance between the protective bracket 6 and the socket auxiliary bracket 7.

(Plug connector 3)
Next, the plug connector 3 will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 17. Note that, since the orientation of the plug connector 3 relative to the socket connector 2 is uniquely determined when the plug connector 3 is mated with the socket connector 2, the various directions already defined with reference to Figures 1 to 4 will be used as they are in the following description of the plug connector 3.

15 to 17 , the plug connector 3 includes a plurality of plug contacts 50, a plug housing 51 that holds the plurality of plug contacts 50, and two plug auxiliary metal fittings 52. The plurality of plug contacts 50 and the two plug auxiliary metal fittings 52 are integrated with the plug housing 51 by insert molding.

As shown in Figure 17, the plug housing 51 is a rectangular plate made of insulating resin in a plan view, and is elongated in the pitch direction.

The plug housing 51 includes a bottom plate 53 and a peripheral wall 54.

The bottom plate 53 is a flat plate with its thickness extending vertically.

The peripheral wall 54 is formed in an annular shape and protrudes downward from the bottom plate 53. The peripheral wall 54 includes two contact retaining walls 55 that retain a plurality of plug contacts 50, and two auxiliary fitting retaining walls 56 that respectively retain two plug auxiliary fittings 52.

Each auxiliary fitting retaining wall 56 is U-shaped and opens inward in the pitch direction when viewed from above.

Each plug contact 50 is formed by stamping and bending a single metal plate.

The two plug auxiliary fittings 52 are used to secure the plug housing 51 to the plug-side substrate. Each plug auxiliary fitting 52 is formed by stamping and bending a single metal plate. Since the two plug auxiliary fittings 52 have the same shape, only one of the plug auxiliary fittings 52 will be described, and the description of the other plug auxiliary fitting 52 will be omitted.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 17, the plug auxiliary fitting 52 includes a lower surface protection portion 57, a vertical protection portion 58, two horizontal protection portions 59, and two flange portions 60.

The underside protection portion 57 is U-shaped in a plan view, opening inward in the pitch direction, and covers and protects the underside of the auxiliary fitting holding wall 56. The thickness direction of the underside protection portion 57 is aligned with the vertical direction.

The vertical protective portion 58 covers and protects the vertical end surface 56A of the auxiliary fitting retaining wall 56 facing outward in the pitch direction. The vertical protective portion 58 extends upward from the end of the lower surface protective portion 57 facing outward in the pitch direction.

The two lateral protection portions 59 are portions that cover and protect the two lateral end faces 56B facing outward in the width direction of the reinforcing bracket holding wall 56. The two lateral protection portions 59 each extend upward from both ends of the lower surface protection portion 57 on the outward side in the width direction.

The two flange portions 60 are soldered to the plug-side board. The two flange portions 60 extend outward in the width direction from the upper ends of the two lateral protection portions 59, respectively. The two flange portions 60 may be connected to each other.

In this embodiment, each plug auxiliary metal fitting 52 is formed by drawing. Therefore, the vertical protective portion 58 is directly connected to the two horizontal protective portions 59 without going through the underside protective portion 57. This ensures the strength of the plug auxiliary metal fitting 52 in the vertical direction, making it difficult for the plug auxiliary metal fitting 52 to be crushed in the vertical direction.

(Manufacturing method)
Next, a method for manufacturing the socket connector 2 will be described.

First, the socket housing 5 and two protective fittings 6 shown in Figure 4 are integrally formed by insert molding.

Next, the multiple socket contacts 4 and two socket auxiliary fittings 7 are attached to the socket housing 5. Specifically, the press-fit portion 41A of the solder leg 41 of each socket contact 4 shown in FIG. 11 is press-fit from below into the corresponding slit 15A of the socket housing 5 shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, the press-fit portions 33A of the two lateral solder legs 33 of the socket auxiliary fitting 7 shown in FIG. 10 are press-fit from above into the two lateral press-fit grooves 16B of the corresponding auxiliary fitting holding wall 16 of the socket housing 5 shown in FIG. 6.

Next, we will explain the manufacturing method of the plug connector 3. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, multiple plug contacts 50, a plug housing 51, and two plug auxiliary fittings 52 are integrally formed by insert molding.

(How to use)
Next, a method of using the connector assembly 1 will be described.

To mount the socket connector 2 shown in Figure 3 on the socket substrate, the solder portion 41B of each socket contact 4 and the two solder portions 33B and 34B of each socket auxiliary bracket 7 are soldered to the corresponding electrode pads on the socket substrate by solder reflow.

Similarly, to mount the plug connector 3 shown in Figure 15 on the plug side substrate, each plug contact 50 and each plug auxiliary metal fitting 52 is soldered to the corresponding electrode pad provided on the plug side substrate by solder reflow.

To mate the plug connector 3 with the socket connector 2, as shown in FIG. 1, the plug connector 3 is aligned vertically with the socket connector 2 and then lowered toward the socket connector 2, inserting the annular peripheral wall 54 of the plug connector 3 into the annular mating recess 17 of the socket connector 2. Then, each plug contact 50 is inserted into the U-shaped contact portion 40 of the corresponding socket contact 4, pushing the contact portion 40 wider in the width direction. This establishes a mechanical and electrical connection between each plug contact 50 and the corresponding socket contact 4. At the same time, each plug auxiliary fitting 52 is inserted between the two spring pieces 32 of the corresponding socket auxiliary fitting 7, pushing the two spring pieces 32 outward in the width direction. This establishes a mechanical and electrical connection between each plug auxiliary fitting 52 and the corresponding socket auxiliary fitting 7. The raised portion 32A of each spring piece 32 contacts the corresponding lateral protective portion 59. The electrical contact between each plug auxiliary fitting 52 and each socket auxiliary fitting 7 may be used for power supply.

When mating the plug connector 3 with the socket connector 2, it is not easy to visually confirm the relative positions of the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 2 until just before mating. Therefore, in practice, the plug connector 3 is pressed against the socket connector 2 and rocked in the pitch and width directions until the plug connector 3 fits into the mating recess 17 of the socket connector 2. At this time, even though the plug connector 3 is misaligned from its correct position in the pitch direction relative to the socket connector 2, the plug connector 3 may be mistakenly considered to be in the correct position and the plug connector 3 may be forcefully pressed into the socket connector 2. In this case, the lower surface protective portion 57 of one of the plug auxiliary fittings 52 of the plug connector 3 shown in Figure 17 comes into contact with the upper surface protective portion 23 of the C-shaped protective portion 20 of the protective fitting 6 of the socket connector 2 shown in Figure 2, pushing the upper surface protective portion 23 downward. Figure 18 shows the upper surface protective portion 23 being pushed downward by the plug connector 3. When the plug connector 3 presses the top surface protection portion 23 downward, a distributed load that is distributed in the width direction acts downward on the top surface protection portion 23. For convenience of explanation, Figure 18 shows a resultant force F1 of this distributed load. When the resultant force F1 acts on the top surface protection portion 23, this resultant force F1 is received by the two retracting portions 25, and a distributed load that is distributed in the width direction acts upward on each retracting portion 25. For convenience of explanation, Figure 18 shows a resultant force F2 of this distributed load. The resultant force F2 acts on the center in the width direction of each retracting portion 25. In this embodiment, the distance D1 from the bisecting line C3 that divides the C-shaped protection portion 20 in the width direction to each retracting portion 25 is short, so the amount of deviation D2 in the width direction between the resultant force F1 and the resultant force F2 is small. Therefore, the moment acting on each side protection portion 24 by resultant forces F1 and F2 is kept small, and each side protection portion 24 is primarily subjected to compressive forces in the vertical direction. As a result, the side protection portions 24 do not tilt, but merely deform by bulging outward in the width direction. Therefore, even if resultant force F1 acts on the top protection portion 23, the C-shaped protection portion 20 is unlikely to be crushed in the vertical direction.

In contrast, as shown in Figure 19, if two wrap-around portions 25 protrude outward in the width direction from the lower ends of two side protection portions 24, the amount of widthwise displacement D2 of resultant forces F1 and F2 is large, and the moment acting on each side protection portion 24 by resultant forces F1 and F2 becomes large, resulting in each wrap-around portion 25 moving outward in the width direction as shown by the two-dot chain line. Therefore, in the comparative example of Figure 19, when resultant force F1 acts on the top protection portion 23, it can be said that the protective fitting 6 is likely to be crushed in the vertical direction.

Based on the above considerations, by adopting a configuration in which the two wrap-around portions 25 protrude widthwise inward from the lower ends of the two lateral surface protection portions 24, as shown in Figure 18, the technical effect is achieved in that the protective fittings 6 are less likely to be damaged when mating the plug connector 3 with the socket connector 2.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which has the following features:

That is, the socket connector 2 includes a socket housing 5 (housing) having an island portion 11 and a peripheral wall 12 surrounding the island portion 11 that protrude upward from a bottom plate 10; a plurality of socket contacts 4 (contacts) arranged in the socket housing 5; and a protective fitting 6 that protects the island end portion 14, which is the end of the island portion 11 in the pitch direction of the plurality of socket contacts 4. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , the protective fitting 6 includes an upper surface protective portion 23 that covers the upper surface 14A of the island end portion 14; two lateral surface protective portions 24 (first lateral surface protective portions) that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective portion 23 in the width direction and face two lateral side surfaces 14B (lateral surfaces) facing the width direction of the island end portion 14; and two wrap-around portions 25 that extend toward each other from the lower ends of the two lateral surface protective portions 24. This configuration makes the protective fitting 6 less susceptible to vertical crushing, thereby effectively protecting the island end portion 14.

In this embodiment, the socket connector 2 is equipped with two protective fittings 6, but a configuration with only one protective fitting 6 is also possible.

Furthermore, the thickness direction of the two wrap-around portions 25 is parallel to the vertical direction. With the above configuration, when the upper surface protection portion 23 receives a downward load, the two wrap-around portions 25 can reliably withstand the load.

Furthermore, the two wrap-around portions 25 are exposed downward. With the above configuration, a configuration is achieved in which the two wrap-around portions 25 directly face the socket-side substrate.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, each of the roll-up portions 25 is asymmetrical with respect to a second bisecting line C2 (bisecting line) that extends in the width direction and bisects each of the roll-up portions 25 in the pitch direction. The tip shapes of the two roll-up portions 25 are formed to be complementary to each other. This configuration ensures a large maximum width dimension for each roll-up portion 25 while solving the backlash problem that occurs when forming the C-shaped protective portion 20. Furthermore, the maximum width dimension of each roll-up portion 25 contributes to shortening the distance D1 shown in FIG. 18, making it even more difficult for the protective fitting 6 to be crushed vertically.

As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the protective fitting 6 further includes a vertical protective portion 21 (second side protective portion) that extends downward from the end of the upper surface protective portion 23 in the pitch direction and faces the vertical side surface 14C (side surface) facing the pitch direction of the island end portion 14, and a connecting portion 22 that extends outward in the pitch direction from the lower end of the vertical protective portion 21 and, as shown in Figure 12, is exposed outward in the pitch direction from the socket housing 5. The connecting portion 22 is formed so as to branch out in the width direction toward the outside in the pitch direction. This configuration ensures sufficient clearance between the protective fitting 6 and the socket auxiliary fitting 7.

Note that the above embodiment can be modified, for example, as follows:

In other words, in the above embodiment, the protective fitting 6 and the socket auxiliary fitting 7 are separate components, but instead, the protective fitting 6 and the socket auxiliary fitting 7 may be configured as a single component.

1 Connector assembly 2 Socket connector 3 Plug connector 4 Socket contact (contact)
4A Signal contact 4B Power supply contact 5 Socket housing (housing)
5A End surface 6 Protective metal fitting 7 Socket auxiliary metal fitting 10 Bottom plate 11 Island portion 12 Peripheral wall 13 Island portion main body 14 Island end portion 14A Top surface 14B Lateral surface (side surface)
14C Vertical side (side)
15 Contact holding wall 15A Slit 16 Auxiliary fitting holding wall 16A Vertical press-fit groove 16B Horizontal press-fit groove 17 Fitting recess 20 C-shaped protective portion 21 Vertical protective portion (second side surface protective portion)
22 Connecting portion 22A Branch portion 22B End surface 23 Top surface protection portion 24 Side surface protection portion (first side surface protection portion)
25 Wrapping portion 25A First wrapping portion 25B Second wrapping portion 30 Upper surface protective portion 31 Solder leg 32 Spring piece 32A Raised portion 33 Horizontal solder leg 33A Press-fit portion 33B Solder portion 34 Vertical solder leg 34A Extension portion 34B Solder portion 40 Contact portion 41 Solder leg 41A Press-fit portion 41B Solder portion 50 Plug contact 51 Plug housing 52 Plug auxiliary metal fitting 53 Bottom plate 54 Peripheral wall 55 Contact holding wall 56 Auxiliary metal fitting holding wall 56A Vertical end surface 56B Horizontal end surface 57 Lower surface protective portion 58 Vertical protective portion 59 Horizontal protective portion 60 Flange portion C1 First bisecting line C2 Second bisecting line (bisecting line)
C3 Bisecting line F1 Resultant force F2 Resultant force D1 Distance D2 Displacement

Claims (6)

a housing having an island portion and a peripheral wall surrounding the island portion, the peripheral wall projecting upward from a bottom plate;
a plurality of contacts arranged side by side in the housing;
a protective metal fitting for protecting an island end portion, which is an end portion of the island portion in the pitch direction of the plurality of contacts;
Equipped with
the protective fitting includes an upper surface protective part that covers an upper surface of the island end part; two first side surface protective parts that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective part in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and face both side surfaces of the island end part that face in the width direction; and two wrap-around parts that extend linearly along the width direction from the lower ends of the two first side surface protective parts so as to approach each other,
the two first side surface protection portions extend substantially along the mating direction;
The two roll-up portions extend linearly along the width direction, so that the plate thickness directions of the two roll-up portions are parallel to the up-down direction,
The two rolled-up portions are exposed downward.
Socket connector. a housing having an island portion and a peripheral wall surrounding the island portion, the peripheral wall projecting upward from a bottom plate;
a plurality of contacts arranged side by side in the housing;
a protective metal fitting for protecting an island end portion, which is an end portion of the island portion in the pitch direction of the plurality of contacts;
Equipped with
the protective fitting includes an upper surface protective part that covers an upper surface of the island end part; two first side surface protective parts that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective part in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and face both side surfaces of the island end part that face in the width direction; and two wrap-around parts that extend linearly along the width direction from the lower ends of the two first side surface protective parts so as to approach each other,
the two first side surface protection portions extend substantially along the mating direction;
The two roll-up portions extend linearly along the width direction, so that the plate thickness directions of the two roll-up portions are parallel to the up-down direction,
each turn-in portion is asymmetric with respect to a bisecting line that extends in the width direction and bisects each turn-in portion in the pitch direction;
The tip shapes of the two rolled-up portions are formed to be complementary to each other.
Socket connector. The protective fittings are
a second side surface protection portion extending downward from an end portion in the pitch direction of the upper surface protection portion and facing a side surface of the island end portion facing the pitch direction;
a connecting portion extending outward in the pitch direction from a lower end of the second side surface protection portion and exposed outward in the pitch direction from the housing;
Further comprising:
3. The socket connector according to claim 1 or 2 . The connecting portion is formed so as to branch out in the width direction toward the outside in the pitch direction.
4. The socket connector according to claim 3 . a housing having an island portion and a peripheral wall surrounding the island portion, the peripheral wall projecting upward from a bottom plate;
a plurality of contacts arranged side by side in the housing;
a protective metal fitting for protecting an island end portion, which is an end portion of the island portion in the pitch direction of the plurality of contacts;
Equipped with
the protective fitting includes an upper surface protective part that covers an upper surface of the island end part, two first side surface protective parts that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective part in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and face both side surfaces of the island end part that face in the width direction, and two wrap-around parts that extend from lower ends of the two first side surface protective parts so as to approach each other,
The two rolled-up portions are exposed downward.
Socket connector. a housing having an island portion and a peripheral wall surrounding the island portion, the peripheral wall projecting upward from a bottom plate;
a plurality of contacts arranged side by side in the housing;
a protective metal fitting for protecting an island end portion, which is an end portion of the island portion in the pitch direction of the plurality of contacts;
Equipped with
the protective fitting includes an upper surface protective part that covers an upper surface of the island end part, two first side surface protective parts that extend downward from both ends of the upper surface protective part in a width direction perpendicular to the pitch direction and face both side surfaces of the island end part that face in the width direction, and two wrap-around parts that extend from lower ends of the two first side surface protective parts so as to approach each other,
each turn-in portion is asymmetric with respect to a bisecting line that extends in the width direction and bisects each turn-in portion in the pitch direction;
The tip shapes of the two rolled-up portions are formed to be complementary to each other.
Socket connector.