Female connector and card edge connector

A female connector connected with a card member includes a contact and a housing. The contact includes a connecting part connected to a card edge terminal on one side and a wire mounting part integrally formed with the connecting part on the other side. The housing has a flat opening to which the card edge part is inserted on one side and an inserting part through which the wire is inserted on the other side. The housing has inside an interior space communicating with the flat opening and accommodates the card edge part, and includes contact accommodating parts oppositely provided with the interior space interposed therebetween. The interior space of the housing has on at least one spot a rib connecting one side and the other side of the contact accommodating part. This can prevent reduction in contact pressure between the contact and the card edge terminal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a female connector connected to a card member in which card edge terminals are formed on a substrate, and a card edge connector. Specifically, the present invention relates to a female connector and a card edge connector in which contact pressure between the card member and a contact accommodated in the female connector is prevented from being reduced by preventing deformation of an opening of a housing included in the female connector, the opening through which the card member is inserted, and by providing a configuration for fixing the contact accommodated in the housing of the female connector to the housing.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, a card edge substrate and the like is known in which a terminal is formed at an end of the substrate to directly connect the substrate and a connector, whereby the substrate on which an electronic circuit and the like are printed is connected to electronic equipment and the like. A card edge connector, for example, is also known in which the above-described card edge substrate and a counterpart female connector are combined. In a female connector used in such a card edge connector, an opening to which the card edge substrate and the like are connected is formed to have a width corresponding to the width of the substrate.

For example, JP-A-2000-003759 discloses an invention of a connection structure of a card edge connector. In the description, the card edge connector includes a connector housing and a terminal fitting, the card edge connector is connected with a printed-circuit board, and the connector housing has at its front face an insertion space that opens in a horizontal slit shape and has a plurality of cavities that open at a ceiling surface of the insertion space.

However, with an insertion space that opens in a horizontal slit shape and is connected to a wide printed-circuit board formed in the card edge connector, opening deformation may occur from the opening to the insertion space. Such a deformation may result in reduction in the contact pressure between the terminal fitting and the printed-circuit board. Such a deformation is substantial when the card edge connector is in a high-temperature state.

Therefore, JP-A-2008-098063 discloses a card edge connector intended to prevent opening deformation. The card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063 includes: a connector housing having a substrate insertion space to which an end of the substrate is inserted and that is mounted so as to sandwich the end of the substrate with both surfaces of the substrate; a plurality of terminal fittings arranged in the connector housing so as to face both surfaces of the substrate and having a contacting part that elastically contacts with a conducting path of the substrate; and an opening prevention member mounted to a position corresponding to the terminal fitting around an outer periphery of the connector housing.

In the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063 with such a configuration, the conducting path of the substrate and the contacting part of the terminal fitting elastically contact with each other when the substrate enters the substrate insertion space, and the terminal fitting receives force in a direction away from both surfaces of the substrate. The opening prevention member prevents opening deformation of the connector housing in a direction away from both surfaces of the substrate via the terminal fitting, so that the contact pressure between the contacting part and the conducting path can be secured.

In the card edge connector, a plurality of contact terminals are provided in the housing included in the card edge connector. These contact terminals are fixed in the housing so as not to move in order to be accurately connected to a terminal formed on the card edge substrate.

For example, in the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, when the terminal fitting is inserted from behind into a cavity, a part of a body anterior to a step part is fitted between a receiving wall and a ceiling wall, and a front end of the body is stopped by a front-stop restriction wall. When the terminal fitting is thus inserted to a normal position as described above, the terminal fitting is prevented from falling off backward by a double-acting deflection locking piece and an engaging part that engages with a lance hole.

In the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, a metal ring is mounted as an opening prevention member at a position corresponding to the terminal fitting around the outer periphery of the connector housing. Mounting the metal ring prevents opening deformation of the connector housing. However, there is a problem that providing the metal ring increases the whole number of parts and production cost. In addition, a mounting part should be formed in the connector housing for mounting the metal ring, and the metal ring should be formed in consideration of a shape of the mounting part and the connector housing. This complicates the design and results in high production costs.

Since the outer periphery of the connector housing is held by the metal ring, a width of the substrate insertion space is increased when a wide printed-circuit board is inserted, so that the metal ring should be correspondingly formed to have a large width. The strength of a central part of the metal ring is accordingly reduced and the opening deformation of the connector housing cannot be sufficiently prevented, so that the contact pressure with respect to the contact may be reduced.

In addition, in the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, when the printed-circuit board is inserted into the connector housing of a metal terminal, the metal terminal receives pressure from one side. The metal terminal continuously receiving the pressure may move away from the printed-circuit board in the cavity. This may cause a risk that it is difficult to obtain sufficient contact pressure due to the metal terminal moving away from the printed-circuit board and a trouble may occur in a connection.

There is also a risk that the cavity itself may deform by receiving pressure from the metal terminal. The metal terminal may move in the cavity away from the printed-circuit board, so that it is difficult to obtain sufficient contact pressure. Therefore, it is difficult to prevent the metal terminal from moving in the cavity only by fitting the metal terminal in the cavity or preventing the metal terminal from falling off.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, some aspects of the present invention provide a female connector connected to a card member in which a card edge terminal is provided to a substrate, wherein opening deformation of an opening of a housing to which the card member is inserted is prevented by forming a rib at the opening, and contact pressure between a contact and the card edge terminal of the card member is prevented from being reduced by providing a configuration for fixing the contact accommodated in the housing to the housing.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a card edge connector in which a card member is connected to a female connector.

A female connector according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to a card member having a card edge part in which at least one card edge terminal is formed on at least one surface. The female connector includes:

at least one contact including a connecting part connected to the card edge terminal on one side and a wire mounting part to which a wire is mounted on the other side, the connecting part and the wire mounting part being integrally formed; and

a housing having a flat opening to which the card edge part is inserted on one side and an inserting part through which the wire is inserted on the other side. The housing has inside an interior space communicating with the flat opening and accommodates the card edge part, and contact accommodating parts oppositely provided with the interior space interposed therebetween and accommodating the contact positioned and fixed therein.

The interior space of the housing has on at least one spot a rib connecting one side and the other side with the flat opening of the contact accommodating part interposed therebetween.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the first aspect, the connecting part of the contact has a first opening formed on the flat opening side of the housing and a second opening formed on the side in which the wire mounting part is provided, and is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a contacting part contacting the card edge terminal.

The contact accommodating part of the housing has a side wall part formed on the side surface sides of the accommodated contact and an end wall part formed on the first opening side to cover the contact, and has an opened part accommodating at least the contacting part of the contact.

The end wall part includes a protruding part fitted in the first opening of the connecting part on the side opposed to the contact.

A female connector according to one aspect is connected to a card member including a card edge part in which at least one card edge terminal is formed on at least one surface. The female connector according to the third aspect includes:

at least one contact including a connecting part connected to the card edge terminal on one side and a wire mounting part to which a wire is mounted on the other side, the connecting part and the wire mounting part being integrally formed; and

a housing having a flat opening to which the card edge part is inserted on one side and an inserting part through which the wire is inserted on the other side. The housing has inside an interior space communicating with the flat opening and accommodates the card edge part, and contact accommodating parts oppositely provided with the interior space interposed therebetween and accommodating the contact positioned and fixed therein.

The connecting part of the contact has a first opening formed on the flat opening side of the housing and a second opening formed on the side in which the wire mounting part is provided, and is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a contacting part contacting the card edge terminal.

The contact accommodating part of the housing has a side wall part formed on the side surface sides of the accommodated contact and an end wall part formed on the first opening side to cover the contact, and has an opened part accommodating at least the contacting part of the contact.

The end wall part includes a protruding part fitted in the first opening of the connecting part on the side opposed to the contact.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the second or third aspect, the end wall part formed at the housing is integrally and continuously formed on one side and the other side with the flat opening interposed therebetween.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the second or third aspect, the connecting part is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape having:

a rectangular bottom surface having a particular area;

one side surface and the other side surface formed by bending the bottom surface at a right angle at both edges thereof parallel to an axial direction;

a top surface formed by bending the one side surface at a right angle at an edge thereof on the opposite side to the bottom surface; and

a contact segment arranged below the top surface and formed by bending the other side surface at a right angle at part of an edge thereof on the second opening side on the opposite side to the bottom surface.

The other side surface has a notch formed by cutting out the other side surface on the top surface side at a part other than an extended part in which the contact segment lies.

The notch is closed by a short side surface having a size corresponding to the notch and formed by bending the top surface on the other side surface side at a right angle at an edge thereof.

The contact segment is formed of a curved plate body, includes the contacting part contacting the card edge terminal on one side, is connected to the extended part of the other side surface on the other side, and is arranged so as to have the contacting part protruded from an aperture formed on the top surface.

The contacting part is pressed and moved by attachment/detachment of the card member and is elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the fifth aspect, the bottom surface of the contact has an opened locking hole.

The contact accommodating part has a locking protrusion locked to the locking hole on the side where the bottom surface of the contact is arranged when the contact is accommodated therein.

The locking hole is locked to the locking protrusion when the contact is accommodated in the contact accommodating part.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the one side surface or the other side surface of the contact includes a regulation part for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment is pressed down.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the housing is provided with an annular sealing member formed of an elastic material at an outer circumference thereof on the side to which the card member is connected, and

the sealing member is formed to have a size to be sealed with part of the card member when the card member is connected to the housing.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the eighth aspect, the outer side of the housing and the sealing member is mounted with a hollow exterior covering member having an insertion slot to which the card member is inserted on one side and an insertion port through which the wire is inserted on the other side.

The exterior covering member is formed in a size to cover the card member connected.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the ninth aspect, the exterior covering member has a guide groove to which a guide protrusion formed on the card member is guided and fitted.

A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the exterior covering member includes a coupling part coupled to a lock part formed in the card member.

A card edge connector according to one aspect includes:

the female connector according to any one of the first, second, and fourth to eleventh aspects; and

the card member in which the card edge part has a slit corresponding to the rib formed in the housing of the female connector.

A card edge connector according to one aspect includes:

the female connector according to any one of the third to eleventh aspects; and

the card member connected to the female connector.

Generally, a flat opening of a housing to which a card member is mounted is formed to have a large width. Consequently, a central part of the housing easily deforms toward the outside, and especially easily deforms under high temperature due to heat. With the female connector of the above aspect, a rib is formed that connects one side and the other side of the contact accommodating part formed with a flat opening interposed therebetween, which can prevent deformation of the flat opening. In a case where the number of the card edge terminals and a width of a substrate are increased, the width of the housing is correspondingly increased and consequently the central part of the flat opening tends to be easily deformed. With the female connector of the first aspect, deformation of a wide and large housing can also be prevented by forming ribs for preventing deformation at a plurality of points. Preventing the deformation of the flat opening can prevent loss of contact pressure between the contact and the card edge terminal when the card member is connected. In addition, by forming a groove or slit corresponding to the rib in the card member to be connected to the female connector, the rib can accurately guide the card member to a particular position when the card member is connected. This can prevent misconnection between the card edge terminal of the card member and the contact of the female connector.

With the female connector of the above aspects, the contact accommodated in the contact accommodating part is surrounded by a side wall part and an end wall part integrally formed with the housing. The end wall parts arranged in a width direction are integrally and firmly formed. The protruding part formed on the end wall part is fitted in a first opening formed on the contact, so that the contact can be firmly fixed to the housing. This can prevent loss of contact pressure when connected to the card member.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the housing can be firmly formed. This can prevent movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part and can further prevent the loss of the contact pressure.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the contact can be efficiently formed by bending one plate body to integrally form the connecting part having the contacting part of the contact. In addition, a rectangular parallelepiped can be more firmly formed by aligning ends of the rectangular parallelepiped of the contact formed by bending the plate body at side surfaces, compared to a case in which the ends are aligned at corners. With the female connector of the third aspect, because the ends are not at the corners, the corners are not caught by a contact accommodating part in assembling and the assembly is facilitated. In addition, by forming the contacting part at a contact segment elastically deformed, displacement of the contacting part can be increased and this enables secure contact with the card edge part of a substrate having a large tolerance in thickness.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the contact can be securely accommodated in the contact accommodating part, and the contact can be prevented from falling off from the contact accommodating part.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, deformation of the contacting part can be kept within a certain range even when external force is applied to the contact, which can prevent reduction in the contact pressure.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the female connector can be sealed together with the card member by the sealing member provided in the housing of the female connector, which enhances water proofing property thereof.

With the female connector one of the above aspects, the card member connected can be covered with the exterior covering member, which leads to the female connector that prevents the card member from being damaged due to a collision or the like.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the card member is covered with the exterior covering member. The guide groove formed in the exterior covering member accordingly guides the guide protrusion formed in the card member, so that connection is securely established. With the female connector of the eighth aspect, the guide groove of the exterior covering member is engaged with the guide protrusion of the card member. Therefore, if the female connector vibrates, the card member also vibrates with the exterior covering member, which can prevent the card member from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal of the card member connected to the contact.

With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the coupling part formed in the exterior covering member is coupled with the lock part formed in the card member, which can prevent the card member from falling off from the exterior covering member.

With the card edge connector of one of the above aspects, a card edge connector including a female connector as in any one of the first, second, and fourth to eleventh aspects can be obtained. In addition, the card edge part of the card member is formed with the slit corresponding to the rib formed in the housing of the female connector, which enables positioning and can prevent misconnection. Furthermore, the contact is fitted in the protruding part formed in the housing, which can prevent the movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part even when pressure is applied when the card member is connected. This can prevent the loss of the contact pressure.

With the card edge connector of one of the above aspects, a card edge connector including a female connector as in any one of the third to eleventh aspects can be obtained. In addition, the contact is fitted in the protruding part formed in the housing, which can prevent the movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part even when pressure is applied when the card member is connected. This can prevent the loss of the contact pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below only exemplify a female connector and a card edge connector for the purpose of embodying the technical idea of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. The present invention is also applicable to other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

With reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 9, a card edge connector10according to Embodiment 1 will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the card edge connector10includes a female connector11and a card member56connected to the female connector11.

First, the female connector11will be described with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 7. As illustrated inFIG. 2toFIG. 4, the female connector11includes a plurality of wires46connected to external devices, a plurality of contacts28to which the wires46are mounted and that are connected to a card member, and a housing12in which a contact accommodating part16(16a,16b) supporting and fixing the contacts28therein is formed. The housing12is provided with an annular sealing member49at an outer circumference of the housing12on the side to which the card member is connected. A wire seal47is provided to the inner side of the housing12on the opposite side to the side on which the sealing member49is provided. An exterior covering member50formed so as to cover the housing12and the sealing member49is provided on the outer side of the housing12and the sealing member49. Hereinafter, each of the components will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 3toFIG. 5, the housing12includes a flat opening13on one side and an inserting part14on the other side. The flat opening13is formed to be wide in a width direction to which a card edge part58of the card member56is inserted and connected. Through the inserting part14, a wire46is inserted. The housing12is provided inside with an interior space15communicating with the flat opening13. The housing12is a flat tubular body in which the contact accommodating parts16communicating with the inserting part14are provided at the upper side and the lower side opposed to each other with the interior space15and an internal structure12aof the housing12interposed therebetween. The interior space15provided inside the housing12is a part where the card edge part58of the connected card member56is arranged, and the contact accommodating part16is a part where the contact28is positioned and fixed to be accommodated. A wire seal mounting part27to which the wire seal47is mounted is provided inside the housing12on the inserting part14side.

In the contact accommodating part16, each of an upper contact accommodating part16a(hereinafter, also simply referred to as an upper side16a) and a lower contact accommodating part16b(hereinafter, also simply referred to as a lower side16b) opposed to each other with the interior space15and the internal structure12aof the housing12interposed therebetween includes an accommodating space in which each of the contacts28is accommodated. The upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16are alternately formed. The upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16each have a side wall part18formed on the side surface side of the contact28to be accommodated, and an end wall part19formed on the flat opening13side of the housing12, so that the contact28is covered with the side wall part18and the end wall part19.

The end wall part19of the contact accommodating part16is formed such that the upper side16aand the lower side16bopposed to each other with the flat opening13interposed therebetween are integrally connected. The end wall parts19of the upper side16aand the lower side16bare also connected to a side surface side22of the housing12. The side wall parts18of the upper side16aand the lower side16blie opposite from the flat opening13and the interior space15side so as to be connected to a top surface side20and a bottom surface side21of the housing12, respectively. As described above, the end wall part19and the side wall part18of the contact accommodating part16are connected to and integrally formed with the side surface side22, the top surface side20, and the bottom surface side21of the housing12, thereby enhancing the strength of the contact accommodating part16.

The end wall part19includes a protruding part23having a particular length formed on the contact accommodating part16side so as to correspond to the accommodated contact28. The protruding part23is formed to have a cylindrical shape or a prism shape, for example. In the contact accommodating part16, the end wall part19of each of the upper side16aand the lower side16bhas a convex part24for regulating insertion of the contact28when the contact28is inserted.

In the end wall part19of each of the upper side16aand the lower side16b, the convex part24has a taper25on the flat opening13side so that the card edge part58inserted of the card member56can be smoothly introduced into the interior space15. In this case, the convex part24of the end wall part19functions as a wall against the contact28placed on the side to which the card edge part58is inserted, thereby preventing a tip of the card edge part58from contacting an end of the contact28and preventing damage on the card edge part58.

In the upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16, the side to which the card edge part58is inserted is at least partially opened, so that the contact28accommodated can be connected to the card edge terminal59. A locking protrusion26that is locked to the accommodated contact28is formed on the side opposite from the side where the contact accommodating part16is opened.

The housing12has a rib17formed integrally therewith that connects the upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16from the flat opening13toward the interior space15. The rib17extends from the end wall part19of the contact accommodating part16toward the interior space15of the housing12in the depth direction thereof so as to be integrated with the internal structure12a. In this case, the rib17is formed to be also integrated with the upper side16aand the lower side16bfrom the end wall part19to the internal structure12a. The rib17thus formed can prevent deformation of the flat opening13and the interior space15even when the flat opening13of the housing12is formed to have a large width. The rib17is formed at one position inFIG. 3, but the embodiment is not limited thereto and the ribs17may be formed at a plurality of positions. Forming the ribs at a plurality of positions can prevent deformation of a large housing having a widened flat opening that is connected to a wide card member including many card edge terminals.

Next, the contact28will be described with reference toFIG. 4toFIG. 7. The contact28is electrically connected to the card edge part58(refer toFIG. 9) of the card member56. The contact includes a connecting part29connected to the card edge terminal59on one side and a wire mounting part44to which the wire46is mounted on the other side, and a connecting part29and a wire mounting part44are integrally formed. The contact28is formed by, for example, pressing and folding a punched metal plate body.

The connecting part29has a first opening30formed on the flat opening13side when the contact28is accommodated in the contact accommodating part16and a second opening31formed on the wire mounting part44side. The connecting part29is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a bottom surface32, one side surface34, the other side surface36, and a top surface38, for example.

The bottom surface32included in the connecting part29is formed in a rectangular having a particular area. The bottom surface32has both ends, parallel to the axial direction of the bottom surface32, bent at a right angle to form the one side surface34and the other side surface36. The one side surface34has an end on the opposite side to the bottom surface32side bent at a right angle to form the top surface. The other side surface36has part of an edge on the second opening31side on the opposite side to the bottom surface32side bent at a right angle to form a contact segment41arranged below the top surface.

The other side surface36has a notch37formed by cutting out the other side surface36on the top surface38side at a part other than an extended part43in which the contact segment41lies in an upper part of the other side surface36. The top surface38has a short side surface39having a size corresponding to the notch37and formed by bending the top surface38at a right angle at an edge on the other side surface36side. The notch37is closed by the short side surface39. With such a structure, the connecting part29is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The contact segment41is formed of a curved plate body. The contact segment41includes a contacting part42contacting the card edge terminal59on one side, and is connected to the extended part43connected to the other side surface36is integrally provided on the other side. An aperture40is formed on the top surface38, and the contacting part42provided on the contact segment41is arranged so that it protrudes from the aperture40.

In this manner, at the connecting part29, the contacting part42is pressed and moved by the card edge terminal59when the card member56is attached or detached and elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part43, so that sufficient contact pressure can be obtained even if there is a strain at the card edge part.

The bottom surface32of the contact28has a locking hole33and can be locked to the locking protrusion26formed in the contact accommodating part16of the housing12. The contact28includes on the one side surface34side a regulation part35for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment41is pressed down by connection with the card member56. The regulation part35is formed by bending part of the one side surface34. Forming the regulation part35leads to deformation of the contacting part42of the contact28within a certain range, thereby preventing reduction in the contact pressure between the card edge terminal59and the contact28.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, piece parts45on both sides of the wire mounting part44is upwardly formed when the wire46is not mounted. When the wire46is mounted, the piece parts45on both sides are bent to hold the wire46therebetween, so that the contact28is mounted to the wire46. One end of the wire46is mounted to the contact28and the other end thereof is connected to external electronic equipment and the like to exchange an electric signal between the card edge connector10and the external equipment.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the wire seal47has a plurality of through holes48through which the wire46passes and is formed of an elastic member having a shape that enables the wire seal47to be mounted to the wire seal mounting part27of the housing12. The wire seal47fixes the wire46arranged in the housing12and prevents liquid and the like from entering from the side where the wire46is arranged.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the sealing member49is arranged at the outer circumference of the housing12on the flat opening13side and is formed in a large tubular shape that protrudes from the end of the housing12. A card member56connected is fitted in the protruded inner side of the sealing member49. Projections and depressions are annularly formed on the inner side of the sealing member49.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 4, the exterior covering member50is formed in a size to cover the housing12and the sealing member49attached to the housing, and the card member56connected to the housing12. The exterior covering member50is formed in a tubular shape having an insertion slot51to which the card member56on one side thereof and an insertion port52through which the wire46is inserted on the other side thereof. An upper part of the exterior covering member50is provided with a coupling hole55that is used when connected to the card member56. The exterior covering member50has inside an engaging groove54and a guide groove53.

Next, assembly of the female connector11will be described with reference toFIG. 4andFIG. 5. In assembling the female connector11, first, the wire46is mounted to the wire mounting part44of the contact28. As described above, the wire46is fixed by bending the piece parts45on both sides of the wire mounting part44of the contact28to hold the wire46therebetween.

Next, the contact28with the wire46mounted is inserted into the insertion port52of the exterior covering member50, so that the wire46is inserted through the exterior covering member50in advance. In this case, the contact28protrudes from the insertion port52of the exterior covering member50, thereby facilitating subsequent assembly.

The contact28with the wire46mounted is then attached to the housing12. In this attachment, the wire seal47is mounted to the wire seal mounting part27of the housing12in advance, and the contact28is inserted along with the through hole48of the wire seal47from the inserting part14side of the housing12in which, so that the contact28is accommodated in the contact accommodating part16. In this case, the contact28is inserted such that each of the contacting parts42of the connecting part29of the contact28faces the interior space15side of the housing12on the upper side and the lower side of the contact accommodating part16.

The contact28is inserted such that the protruding part23formed at the end wall part19of the housing12is fitted in the first opening30of the contact28and the locking protrusion26of the contact accommodating part16is locked to the locking hole33of the contact28(refer toFIG. 5). The contact28is thus fitted in the protruding part23of the end wall part19of the contact accommodating part16, so that the contact28is firmly fixed to the contact accommodating part16. This can prevent loss of the contact pressure when the contact28is connected to the card member56.

The sealing member49is then attached to the housing12, and the housing12is arranged inside the exterior covering member50, so that the assembly of the female connector11is completed.

Next, connection of the card member56to the female connector11will be described. The card member56according to Embodiment 1 will be described first with reference toFIG. 8. The card member56includes: a substrate57on which circuit wiring and the like are printed and a plurality of card edge terminals59to contact with the contact28included in the female connector11are formed on one end thereof; and a resin molded part61integrally molded with a synthetic resin material so that the card edge part of the substrate57protrudes.

The substrate57(refer toFIG. 9) has a printed circuit or an integrated circuit, for example, mounted on the front side or back side thereof. The substrate57includes, at the end thereof, the card edge part58in which a plurality of card edge terminals59to contact with and electrically connected with the contact28of the female connector11. The card edge terminals59are formed of an electrical conducting material conducted with the circuit wiring and the like formed on the substrate57and are arranged at particular intervals so as to be alternate on the front side and the back side. In addition, the card edge part58has a slit60formed at a position slightly shifted from the center thereof. The slit60is a part to be fitted in the rib17formed in the housing12of the female connector11when the card edge part58is connected to the female connector11, that is, a part used for positioning or preventing reverse attachment of the card member, for example. The slit60and the rib17formed in the housing12of the female connector11are formed having corresponding size and number.

The resin molded part61is formed in a low-profile rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to enclose the substrate57. The top surface62and the bottom surface65of the resin molded part61have engaging protrusions69used for guiding or positioning when the resin molded part61is connected to the female connector11. Both side surfaces63and64of the resin molded part61have guide protrusions67. The top surface62of the resin molded part61has a lock part68coupled to the female connector11substantially at the center thereof.

The resin molded part61has an annular engaging part66at a part connected to the female connector11on the side where the card edge part58protrudes. As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, the engaging part66is formed at the outer circumference of the resin molded part61where the card edge part58protrudes, and is engaged with the sealing member49provided in the female connector11when the card member56is connected to the female connector11.

Next, connection of the card member56to the female connector11will be described with reference toFIG. 9. To connect the female connector11with the card member56, first, the card member56is inserted into the insertion slot51of the exterior covering member50with the card edge part58of the card member56being in the lead. In this case, the positions of the engaging groove54and the guide groove53of the exterior covering member50and the engaging protrusion69and the guide protrusion67of the card member56are aligned, respectively, for the insertion. The slit60formed at the card edge part58of the card member56is engaged with the rib17formed at the flat opening13of the housing12. In this case, the rib is fitted in the slit formed at the card member, so that the rib can accurately guide the card member to a particular position when the card member is connected. This can prevent misconnection between the card edge terminal of the card member and the contact of the female connector.

Subsequently, the insertion is continued to connect the connecting part29of the contact28to the card edge terminal59, the coupling hole55of the exterior covering member50is coupled to the lock part68of the card member56, and the sealing member49provided in the female connector11is engaged with the engaging part66of the card member56to complete the connection.

With the card edge connector10thus assembled, the rib17is formed in the housing12of the female connector11, thereby preventing deformation of the flat opening13connected to the card edge terminal59and preventing loss of the contact pressure. In the contact accommodating part16accommodating the contact28, the end wall part19having a protruding part23in which the contact28is fitted formed thereon is formed integrally with the housing12, so that the contact28can be firmly fixed. This can prevent loss of the contact pressure.

The card member56is covered with the exterior covering member50provided to the female connector11, thereby preventing the card member56from being damaged due to a collision or the like. The exterior covering member50of the female connector11formed so as to cover the card member56causes the guide protrusion67formed on the card member56to be guided by the guide groove53formed in the exterior covering member50of the female connector11, thereby securely performing the connection.

The guide protrusion67is formed at the part other than the engaging part on the side surface of the card member56, and the guide protrusion67is engaged with the guide groove53of the exterior covering member50of the female connector11. Therefore, the card member56vibrates together with the card edge connector10, which can prevent the card member56from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal59connected between the card member56and the female connector11.

In the above Embodiment 1 of the female connector11and the card edge connector10, it is described that the flat opening13of the housing12of the female connector11is formed with rib17, and that card edge58of the card member56of the card edge connector10is formed with the slit60. In the following Embodiment 2 of the female connector11A and the card edge connector10A, it is described that the flat opening13A of the housing12A of the female connector11A is formed with no ribs, and that card edge58A of the of the card member56A of the card edge connector10A is not formed with no slits. In the following explanation, identical codes are given to the corresponding elements without adding explanations since the female connector11A and the card edge connector10A of the Embodiment 2 correspond to the female connector11and the card edge connector10of the Embodiment 1 except for the Embodiment 1 only having the rib and slit.

With reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, andFIG. 10toFIG. 15, a card edge connector10A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the card edge connector10A includes a female connector11A and a card member56A connected to the female connector11A.

First, the female connector11A will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, andFIG. 10toFIG. 14. As illustrated inFIG. 11toFIG. 14, the female connector11A includes a plurality of wires46connected to external devices, a plurality of contacts28to which the wires46are mounted and that are connected to a card member, and a housing12A in which a contact accommodating part16(16a,16b) supporting and fixing the contacts28therein is formed. The housing12A is provided with an annular sealing member49at an outer circumference of the housing12A on the side to which the card member is connected. A wire seal47is provided to the inner side of the housing12A on the opposite side to the side on which the sealing member49is provided. An exterior covering member50formed so as to cover the housing12A and the sealing member49is provided on the outer side of the housing12A and the sealing member49. Hereinafter, each of the components will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 12toFIG. 14, the housing12A includes a flat opening13A on one side and an inserting part14on the other side. The flat opening13A is formed to be wide in a width direction to which a card edge part58A of the card member56A is inserted and connected. Through the inserting part14, a wire46is inserted. The housing12A is provided inside with an interior space15A communicating with the flat opening13A. The housing12A is a flat tubular body in which the contact accommodating parts16communicating with the inserting part14are provided at the upper side and the lower side opposed to each other with the interior space15A and an internal structure12Aa of the housing12A interposed therebetween. The interior space15A provided inside the housing12A is a part where the card edge part58A of the connected card member56A is arranged, and the contact accommodating part16is a part where the contact28is positioned and fixed to be accommodated. A wire seal mounting part27to which the wire seal47is mounted is provided inside the housing12A on the inserting part14side.

In the contact accommodating part16, each of an upper contact accommodating part16a(hereinafter, also simply referred to as an upper side16a) and a lower contact accommodating part16b(hereinafter, also simply referred to as a lower side16b) opposed to each other with the interior space15A and the internal structure12Aa of the housing12A interposed therebetween includes an accommodating space in which each of the contacts28is accommodated. The upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16are alternately formed. The upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16each have a side wall part18formed on the side surface side of the contact28to be accommodated, and an end wall part19formed on the flat opening13A side of the housing12A, so that the contact28is covered with the side wall part18and the end wall part19.

The end wall part19of the contact accommodating part16is formed such that the upper side16aand the lower side16bopposed to each other with the flat opening13A interposed therebetween are integrally connected. The end wall parts19of the upper side16aand the lower side16bare also connected to a side surface side22of the housing12A. The side wall parts18of the upper side16aand the lower side16blie opposite from the flat opening13A and the interior space15A side so as to be connected to a top surface side20and a bottom surface side21of the housing12A, respectively. As described above, the end wall part19and the side wall part18of the contact accommodating part16are connected to and integrally formed with the side surface side22, the top surface side20, and the bottom surface side21of the housing12A, thereby enhancing the strength of the contact accommodating part16.

In the housing12A of the Embodiment 2, the end wall part19includes a protruding part23having a particular length formed on the contact accommodating part16side so as to correspond to the accommodated contact28. The protruding part23is formed to have a cylindrical shape or a prism shape, for example. In the contact accommodating part16, the end wall part19of each of the upper side16aand the lower side16bhas a convex part24for regulating insertion of the contact28when the contact28is inserted.

In the end wall part19of each of the upper side16aand the lower side16b, the convex part24has a taper25on the flat opening13A side so that the card edge part58A inserted of the card member56A can be smoothly introduced into the interior space15A. In this case, the convex part24of the end wall part19functions as a wall against the contact28placed on the side to which the card edge part58A is inserted, thereby preventing a tip of the card edge part58A from contacting an end of the contact28and preventing damage on the card edge part58A.

In the upper side16aand the lower side16bof the contact accommodating part16, the side to which the card edge part58A is inserted is at least partially opened, so that the contact28accommodated can be connected to the card edge terminal59. A locking protrusion26that is locked to the accommodated contact28is formed on the side opposite from the side where the contact accommodating part16is opened.

Next, the contact28will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, andFIGS. 13 and 14. The contact28is electrically connected to the card edge part58A (refer toFIG. 16) of the card member56A. The contact includes a connecting part29connected to the card edge terminal59on one side and a wire mounting part44to which the wire46is mounted on the other side, and a connecting part29and a wire mounting part44are integrally formed. The contact28is formed by, for example, pressing and folding a punched metal plate body.

The connecting part29has a first opening30formed on the flat opening13A side when the contact28is accommodated in the contact accommodating part16and a second opening31formed on the wire mounting part44side. The connecting part29is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a bottom surface32, one side surface34, the other side surface36, and a top surface38, for example.

The bottom surface32included in the connecting part29is formed in a rectangular having a particular area. The bottom surface32has both ends, parallel to the axial direction of the bottom surface32, bent at a right angle to form the one side surface34and the other side surface36. The one side surface34has an end on the opposite side to the bottom surface32side bent at a right angle to form the top surface. The other side surface36has part of an edge on the second opening31side on the opposite side to the bottom surface32side bent at a right angle to form a contact segment41arranged below the top surface.

The other side surface36has a notch37formed by cutting out the other side surface36on the top surface38side at a part other than an extended part43in which the contact segment41lies in an upper part of the other side surface36. The top surface38has a short side surface39having a size corresponding to the notch37and formed by bending the top surface38at a right angle at an edge on the other side surface36side. The notch37is closed by the short side surface39. With such a structure, the connecting part29is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The contact segment41is formed of a curved plate body. The contact segment41includes a contacting part42contacting the card edge terminal59on one side, and is connected to the extended part43connected to the other side surface36is integrally provided on the other side. An aperture40is formed on the top surface38, and the contacting part42provided on the contact segment41is arranged so that it protrudes from the aperture40.

In this manner, at the connecting part29, the contacting part42is pressed and moved by the card edge terminal59when the card member56A is attached or detached and elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part43, so that sufficient contact pressure can be obtained even if there is a strain at the card edge part.

The bottom surface32of the contact28has a locking hole33and can be locked to the locking protrusion26formed in the contact accommodating part16of the housing12A. The contact28includes on the one side surface34side a regulation part35for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment41is pressed down by connection with the card member56A. The regulation part35is formed by bending part of the one side surface34. Forming the regulation part35leads to deformation of the contacting part42of the contact28within a certain range, thereby preventing reduction in the contact pressure between the card edge terminal59and the contact28.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, piece parts45on both sides of the wire mounting part44is upwardly formed when the wire46is not mounted. When the wire46is mounted, the piece parts45on both sides are bent to hold the wire46therebetween, so that the contact28is mounted to the wire46. One end of the wire46is mounted to the contact28and the other end thereof is connected to external electronic equipment and the like to exchange an electric signal between the card edge connector10A and the external equipment.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the wire seal47has a plurality of through holes48through which the wire46passes and is formed of an elastic member having a shape that enables the wire seal47to be mounted to the wire seal mounting part27of the housing12A. The wire seal47fixes the wire46arranged in the housing12A and prevents liquid and the like from entering from the side where the wire46is arranged.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the sealing member49is arranged at the outer circumference of the housing12A on the flat opening13A side and is formed in a large tubular shape that protrudes from the end of the housing12A. A card member56A connected is fitted in the protruded inner side of the sealing member49. Projections and depressions are annularly formed on the inner side of the sealing member49.

As illustrated inFIG. 11andFIG. 13, the exterior covering member50is formed in a size to cover the housing12A and the sealing member49attached to the housing, and the card member56A connected to the housing12A. The exterior covering member50is formed in a tubular shape having an insertion slot51to which the card member56A on one side thereof and an insertion port52through which the wire46is inserted on the other side thereof. An upper part of the exterior covering member50is provided with a coupling hole55that is used when connected to the card member56A. The exterior covering member50has inside an engaging groove54and a guide groove53.

Next, assembly of the female connector11A will be described with reference toFIG. 13andFIG. 14. In assembling the female connector11A, first, the wire46is mounted to the wire mounting part44of the contact28. As described above, the wire46is fixed by bending the piece parts45on both sides of the wire mounting part44of the contact28to hold the wire46therebetween.

Next, the contact28with the wire46mounted is inserted into the insertion port52of the exterior covering member50, so that the wire46is inserted through the exterior covering member50in advance. In this case, the contact28protrudes from the insertion port52of the exterior covering member50, thereby facilitating subsequent assembly.

The contact28with the wire46mounted is then attached to the housing12A. In this attachment, the wire seal47is mounted to the wire seal mounting part27of the housing12A in advance, and the contact28is inserted along with the through hole48of the wire seal47from the inserting part14side of the housing12A in which, so that the contact28is accommodated in the contact accommodating part16. In this case, the contact28is inserted such that each of the contacting parts42of the connecting part29of the contact28faces the interior space15A side of the housing12A on the upper side and the lower side of the contact accommodating part16.

The contact28is inserted such that the protruding part23formed at the end wall part19of the housing12A is fitted in the first opening30of the contact28and the locking protrusion26of the contact accommodating part16is locked to the locking hole33of the contact28(refer toFIG. 14). The contact28is thus fitted in the protruding part23of the end wall part19of the contact accommodating part16, so that the contact28is firmly fixed to the contact accommodating part16. This can prevent loss of the contact pressure when the contact28is connected to the card member56A.

The sealing member49is then attached to the housing12A, and the housing12A is arranged inside the exterior covering member50, so that the assembly of the female connector11A is completed.

Next, connection of the card member56A to the female connector11A will be described. The card member56A according to Embodiment 2 will be described first with reference toFIG. 15. The card member56A includes: a substrate57A on which circuit wiring and the like are printed and a plurality of card edge terminals59to contact with the contact28included in the female connector11A are formed on one end thereof; and a resin molded part61integrally molded with a synthetic resin material so that the card edge part of the substrate57A protrudes.

The substrate57A (refer toFIG. 16) has a printed circuit or an integrated circuit, for example, mounted on the front side or back side thereof. The substrate57A includes, at the end thereof, the card edge part58A in which a plurality of card edge terminals59to contact with and electrically connected with the contact28of the female connector11A. The card edge terminals59are formed of an electrical conducting material conducted with the circuit wiring and the like formed on the substrate57A and are arranged at particular intervals so as to be alternate on the front side and the back side.

The resin molded part61is formed in a low-profile rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to enclose the substrate57A. The top surface62and the bottom surface65of the resin molded part61have engaging protrusions69used for guiding or positioning when the resin molded part61is connected to the female connector11A. Both side surfaces63and64of the resin molded part61have guide protrusions67. The top surface62of the resin molded part61has a lock part68coupled to the female connector11A substantially at the center thereof.

The resin molded part61has an annular engaging part66at a part connected to the female connector11A on the side where the card edge part58A protrudes. As illustrated inFIG. 16, the engaging part66is formed at the outer circumference of the resin molded part61where the card edge part58A protrudes, and is engaged with the sealing member49provided in the female connector11A when the card member56A is connected to the female connector11A.

Next, connection of the card member56A to the female connector11A will be described with reference toFIG. 16. To connect the female connector11A with the card member56A, first, the card member56A is inserted into the insertion slot51of the exterior covering member50with the card edge part58A of the card member56A being in the lead. In this case, the positions of the engaging groove54and the guide groove53of the exterior covering member50and the engaging protrusion69and the guide protrusion67of the card member56A are aligned, respectively, for the insertion.

Subsequently, the insertion is continued to connect the connecting part29of the contact28to the card edge terminal59, the coupling hole55of the exterior covering member50is coupled to the lock part68of the card member56A, and the sealing member49provided in the female connector11A is engaged with the engaging part66of the card member56A to complete the connection.

In Embodiment 1, the rib17is provided in the housing12, thereby preventing the flat opening13and the interior space15communicating therewith from opening at a high temperature. In addition, the protruding part23formed on the housing12is fitted in the contact28, thereby preventing loss of the contact pressure. However, some card edge connectors have a narrow substrate of the card member. If the substrate is narrow, there may be no space in which the slit to be fitted with the rib is formed. Even in such a case, with the card edge connector10A of Embodiment 2, the end wall part19including the protruding part23formed thereon to which the contact28is fitted is integrally formed with the housing12A in the contact accommodating part16for accommodating the contact28, thereby firmly fixing the contact28to the contact accommodating part16and preventing the loss of the contact pressure. A narrow card edge connector can lead to a structure of the female connector that can almost prevent the flat opening and the like from opening due to a high temperature, thereby eliminating the rib as in Embodiment 1.

The card member56A is covered with the exterior covering member50provided to the female connector11A, thereby preventing the card member56A from being damaged due to a collision or the like. The exterior covering member50of the female connector11A formed so as to cover the card member56A causes the guide protrusion67formed on the card member56A to be guided by the guide groove53formed in the exterior covering member50of the female connector11A, thereby securely performing the connection.

The guide protrusion67is formed at the part other than the engaging part on the side surface of the card member56A, and the guide protrusion67is engaged with the guide groove53of the exterior covering member50of the female connector11A. Therefore, the card member56A vibrates together with the card edge connector10A, which can prevent the card member56A from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal59connected between the card member56A and the female connector11A.