Connector, header and connection device

A connector includes a housing and a contact held by a peripheral wall of the housing. The housing has a recess that another connector is put into and the peripheral wall surrounding the recess. The contact has a pair of holders and a pair of connecting parts included in the respective holders. The pair of the holders face each other through a first space that is disposed in the recess. The pair of the connecting parts each face the first space. The other connector is designed to be electrically connected to the pair of the connecting parts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. national stage application of the PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2018/007350 filed on Feb. 27, 2018, which claims the benefit of foreign priority to Japanese patent application No. 2017-046347 filed on Mar. 10, 2017, the contents of both application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to connectors, headers, and connection devices, and particularly to a connector, a header, and a connection device that are used to electrically connect electrical parts together.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that a conventional connector is used to electrically connect electrical parts together, as is disclosed, for example, in PTL 1. A connector described in PTL 1 includes a substantially rectangular housing made from an insulator and a plurality of terminals (contacts) that is arranged in the housing and electrically connected to a circuit board.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing and a contact held by a peripheral wall of the housing. The housing has a recess that another connector is put into and the peripheral wall surrounding the recess. The contact has a first holder, a second holder, a first connecting part included in the first holder, and a second connecting part included in the second holder. The first holder and the second holder face each other through a first space that is disposed in the recess. The first connecting part and the second connecting part each face the first space. The other connector is designed to be electrically connected to the first and the second connecting parts.

A header according to another aspect of the present disclosure is the other connector connected to the connector according to the aspect of the present disclosure described above. The header has another housing including a main body designed to be put into the recess, and a first other contact and a second other contact that are held by the main body so as to be exposed from the main body. The first contact is electrically connected to the first connecting part. The second contact is electrically connected to the second connecting part.

A connection device according to the present disclosure includes the connector according to the aspect of the present disclosure described above and another connector having a first other contact and a second other contact that are electrically connected to the contact.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is desired that a connector, such as the conventional connector described above, has a contact that provides improved strength while being electrically connected to a contact of another connector.

In view of the challenge described above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector, a header, and a connection device that have a contact capable of providing improved strength while being electrically connected to a contact of another connector.

First Exemplary Embodiment

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 5B, an outline of connector101according to a first exemplary embodiment will now be described. Connector101of this exemplary embodiment is attached to substrate4(seeFIG. 10A) such as a printed wiring board or a flexible printed wiring board, for example. Connector101is used, for example, to electrically connect a plurality of substrates4together incorporated in a smartphone or other mobile terminals. This, however, should not be construed to limit a range of uses of connector101. Connector101may be used, for example, in an electronic device, such as a camera module, other than mobile terminals. Connector101may be used to electrically connect a plurality of components together, such as substrate4and a display, and substrate4and a battery, other than electrically connecting the plurality of substrates4together.

Connector101includes housing1and contact2. In this exemplary embodiment, connector101has four contacts2. Housing1includes recess13into which housing1A of another connector (seeFIG. 6; hereinafter also referred to as “housing1A”) of other connector102(seeFIG. 6) is put and peripheral wall12surrounding recess13. Contacts2are held by housing1. A dimension of housing1in a thickness direction (an up-down direction) is, for example, less than or equal to several mm. A dimension of housing1in a longitudinal direction (a front-rear direction) ranges, for example, from several mm to a dozen or so mm. A dimension of housing1in a transverse direction (a left-right direction) is, for example, several mm.

Each contact2has a pair of holders21and a pair of connecting parts22. In this exemplary embodiment, inner section211of holder21acts as connecting part22. Contact2is held by peripheral wall12such that the pair of holders21is aligned along the transverse direction of housing1. Gap60is formed between the pair of holders21. In this configuration, gap60is a part of recess13. The pair of connecting parts22each face gap60and confront each other through gap60. The pair of connecting parts22are each electrically connected to contact2A of other connector102(seeFIG. 6; hereinafter also referred to as “contact2A”).

In connector101of this exemplary embodiment, the pair of connecting parts22put into contact with contacts2A of other connector102are held by housing1while other connector102is connected to connector101. Hence, according to this configuration, contact2provides improved strength while being electrically connected to contacts2A of other connector102.

Connector101, other connector102, and connection device100according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described in detail. In the description given hereinafter, a longitudinal direction of housings1,1A is referred to as a front-rear direction (a first direction), a transverse direction of housings1,1A is referred to as a left-right direction (a second direction), and a thickness direction of housings1,1A is referred to as an up-down direction (a third direction). InFIGS. 1 to 14B, arrows indicating these directions (up, down, left, right, front, and rear) viewed from a center of connector101(or other connector102) are shown. These arrows are, however, illustrated to solely assist description, and they are unsubstantial. It should be noted that the definition of the directions above is not intended to limit modes of use of connector101or other connector102of this exemplary embodiment.

First, with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5B, connector101according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail. Connector101of this exemplary embodiment is a socket (a female connector) that includes housing1, a plurality of (in this example, four) contacts2, and a pair of metal brackets3.

Having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the first direction (the front-rear direction), housing1is a resin molding made of a resin material (e.g., a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) resin) with insulating properties. In this exemplary embodiment, housing1is an insert mold including the pair of metal brackets3as an insert. Housing1has bottom wall11and peripheral wall12. Bottom wall11is a plate-shaped part that is long in the first direction and constitutes a bottom of housing1. Projecting upward from a peripheral edge of bottom wall11, peripheral wall12is formed into a rectangular frame in a plan view. The “plan view” is hereinafter referred to as a view taken along the third direction (the up-down direction).

Specifically, peripheral wall12is made up of a pair of first peripheral walls121and a pair of second peripheral walls122. Of peripheral wall12, the pair of first peripheral walls121is a pair of walls extending along the first direction (the front-rear direction). Of peripheral wall12, the pair of second peripheral walls122is a pair of walls extending along the second direction (the left-right direction). A site surrounded with the pair of first peripheral walls121, the pair of second peripheral walls122, and bottom wall11constitutes recess13, into which housing1A of other connector102is put. In other words, recess13is surrounded by peripheral wall12. Housing1A of other connector102is put into recess13and hence other connector102is connected to connector101.

Housing1has four slits123that are disposed at intervals in the first direction (the front-rear direction). In the plan view, four slits123each have a rectangular shape that is long in the second direction (the left-right direction) and each have openings passing through the pair of first peripheral walls121in the third direction (the up-down direction) and an opening passing through bottom wall11in the third direction such that the openings are joined together. Four contacts2are thrust into respective four slits123from below and hence are held by housing1. The “thrust into” herein is referred to as being pushed into with a certain degree or greater of force and thus conceptually includes the meaning of being pressed fit.

Housing1has tapered areas124that are formed at a peripheral edge of recess13on both ends in the first direction (the front-rear direction). Tapered areas124are inclined such that an area of an opening of recess13widens with an increase in level of the opening from one end (a lower end) to the other end (an upper end) in the third direction (the up-down direction). Tapered areas124are surfaces that guide housing1A of other connector102into recess13in connector101when housing1A is put into recess13.

Contact2is, for example, a metal molding made of a metallic material such as a copper alloy. Contact2is plated with gold. Contact2may not be plated with gold. As shown inFIGS. 4 to 5B, each contact2includes a pair of holders21, bottom23, and a pair of junctions24that are integrated together.

The pair of holders21each have inner section211, outer section212, and link section213that are integrated together. The pair of holders21are each formed into an inverse U shape having an apex on one end (an upper end) in the third direction in an elevation view. The “elevation view” is hereinafter referred to as a view taken along the first direction (the front-rear direction). The pair of holders21are held by the pair of first peripheral walls121such that the holders are aligned along the second direction (the left-right direction). In other words, the pair of holders21are disposed in recess13and held by peripheral wall12(first peripheral walls121). In this exemplary embodiment, no obstacle (e.g., a part of housing1) exists between the pair of holders21(seeFIG. 1). In other words, the pair of holders21face each other without any obstacle interposed in recess13. Gap60is formed between the pair of holders21of contact2.

Inner section211has a rectangular plate shape extending in the first direction (the front-rear direction) and the third direction (the up-down direction) and faces gap60(seeFIG. 1). Inner section211is disposed so as to come into contact with contact2A of other connector102while housing1A of other connector102is put into recess13. In this state, other connector102is partly put into gap60.

Specifically, a pair of contacts2A that are included in other connector102and aligned along the second direction (the left-right direction) are electrically connected to contact2. Inner section211on a first side (a left side) of contact2in the second direction comes into contact with contact2A on a second side (a right side) in the second direction while housing1A is put into recess13. Similarly, inner section211on a second side (a right side) of contact2in the second direction comes into contact with contact2A on a first side (a left side) in the second direction while housing1A is put into recess13. In this exemplary embodiment, the pair of connecting parts22constitute inner sections211of the pair of respective holders21.

Inner section211is integrated with projection214protruding along a thickness direction of inner section211(along the left-right direction). While housing1A of other connector102is put into recess13, projection214is aligned with projection251(described later) of corresponding contact2A along the third direction (the up-down direction) and is located above projection251(seeFIG. 10B). Thus, as long as a predetermined degree or greater of force is not applied to pull other connector102out of recess13, connection of other connector102to connector101is not broken because of projection251of contact2A getting caught on projection214of contact2. In other words, projection214of contact2and projection251of contact2A constitute a mechanism for locking connection between connector101and other connector102and breaking the locked connection in response to application of a predetermined degree or greater of force. To put it another way, the pair of connecting parts22(inner sections211) have a mechanism (projections214) to lock connection between contact2and contact2A and break the locked connection in response to application of a predetermined degree or greater of force.

Outer section212has a rectangular plate shape extending in the first direction (the front-rear direction) and the third direction (the up-down direction) and faces inner section211. Outer section212is located outside inner section211in a longitudinal direction of contact2(in the second direction). Outer sections212that are not exposed to gap60are held by peripheral wall12(first peripheral walls121). One surface (a left surface) of outer section212on the first side (the left side) of contact2in the second direction is in contact with a part of first peripheral wall121on the first side in the second direction (seeFIG. 10A). Similarly, one surface (a right surface) of outer section212on the second side (the right side) of contact2in the second direction is in contact with a part of first peripheral wall121on the second side in the second direction. In other words, of outer sections212, surfaces212afacing inner sections211and surfaces212bopposed to surfaces212aare in contact with the parts of peripheral wall12(first peripheral walls121).

Link section213links one end (an upper end) of inner section211in the third direction to one end (an upper end) of outer section212in the third direction. In other words, link section213links the one ends (the upper ends) of inner and outer sections211and212remote from bottom23. Link section213is formed into an inverse U shape having an apex on one end (an upper end) in the third direction in the elevation view.

Bottom23has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the second direction (the left-right direction). Bottom23is positioned between the pair of holders21so as to close the opening of slit123for bottom wall11. A first end (a left end) of bottom23in a longitudinal direction is integrated with one end (a lower end) of inner section211on the first side (the left side) in the second direction. A second end (a right end) of bottom23in the longitudinal direction is integrated with one end (a lower end) of inner section211on the second side (the right side) in the second direction. In other words, bottom23located at bottom wall11for recess13links the pair of holders21together.

The pair of junctions24are disposed on both ends in the longitudinal direction of contact2(in the second direction). In other words, the pair of junctions24are located outside the pair of holders21in the longitudinal direction of contact2(in the second direction). The pair of junctions24stick out beyond housing1in the second direction (the left-right direction). The pair of junctions24each have one surface (a lower surface) that is a junction face joined to substrate4by soldering, for example. In other words, the pair of junctions24are disposed on both ends of contact2in a direction (the second direction) along which the pair of holders21are aligned. The pair of junctions24are configured to be joined to substrate4.

In this exemplary embodiment, pairs of junctions24are disposed on both sides of housing1in the second direction (the left-right direction). In the plan view, the pairs of junctions24are disposed symmetric with respect to a line passing through a center of housing1in the second direction (seeFIG. 2). Hence, in this exemplary embodiment, a phenomenon of balanced self alignment readily happens on both sides of housing1in the second direction when a plurality of contacts2is joined to substrate4by soldering, for example. This configuration in the present exemplary embodiment reduces the occurrence of an imbalance in self alignment on both sides of housing1in the second direction and thus reduces the occurrence of rotation of connector101relative to substrate4owing to a phenomenon of imbalanced self alignment.

The plurality of contacts2is largely classified into first terminal51and second terminal52(seeFIG. 1). First terminal51and second terminal52can be each used as a terminal for signals. In this exemplary embodiment, four contacts2are made up of two first terminals51and two second terminals52. In this exemplary embodiment, four contacts2are aligned along the longitudinal direction of housing1(the first direction) such that two first terminals51are disposed between two second terminals52. Second terminal52is greater than first terminal51in width (a dimension in the first direction (the front-rear direction)). Hence, impedance of second terminal52is lower than that of first terminal51. In other words, second terminal52has a rated current higher than the rated current of first terminal51. As a result, second terminal52can be used as a terminal for a battery or other power sources, for example.

The pair of metal brackets3are each, for example, a metal molding made of a metallic material such as a copper alloy. The pair of metal brackets3are disposed on both ends of housing1in the longitudinal direction (the first direction). The pair of metal brackets3mounted on housing1possess a function of improving strength of housing1. The pair of metal brackets3each include one main section31, a pair of side sections32, and a pair of bottom sections33that are integrated together. Of the pair of metal brackets3, metal bracket3mounted on a first end (a front end) of housing1in the first direction is taken as an example in the following description. Metal bracket3mounted on a second end (a rear end) of housing1in the first direction has a similar configuration.

Main section31is mounted on second peripheral wall122on one end side (in this example, a front side) in the first direction. The pair of side sections32protrude toward an inside of housing1(in this example, rearward) from both ends of main section31in the second direction (the left-right direction). The pair of side sections32each include projected section321protruding downward. One end (a lower end) of projected section321in the third direction is exposed to an outside by passing through bottom wall11of housing1(seeFIG. 3). One surface (a lower surface) of projected section321is a junction face joined to substrate4by soldering, for example.

The pair of bottom sections33are integrated with one end (a rear end) of main section31in the third direction and are bent so as to run along bottom wall11of housing1. Bottom section33on the first side (the left side) in the second direction is held by housing1such that the bottom section and a plurality of (in this example, four) junctions24located on the first side (the left side) in the second direction are aligned along the first direction (the front-rear direction). Similarly, bottom section33on the second side (the right side) in the second direction is held by housing1such that the bottom section and a plurality of (in this example, four) junctions24located on the second side (the right side) in the second direction are aligned along the first direction (the front-rear direction). The pair of bottom sections33each have one surface (a lower surface) that sticks out beyond bottom wall11of housing1and that is a junction face joined to substrate4by soldering, for example.

(2.2) Other Connector

With reference toFIGS. 6 to 8B, other connector102corresponding to connector101according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described in detail. Other connector102of this exemplary embodiment is a header (a male connector) that includes housing1A and a plurality of (in this example, eight) contacts2A. In this exemplary embodiment, a pair of contacts2A aligned along the second direction (the left-right direction) make up one contact group. A plurality of (in this example, four) contact groups is aligned along the first direction (the front-rear direction) and is held by housing1A. The plurality of the contact groups corresponds one to one to the plurality of contacts2of connector101.

Housing1A is a resin molding with insulating properties. In this exemplary embodiment, housing1A is an insert mold including the plurality of contacts2A as an insert. Housing1A has main body14and a pair of flanges15.

Main body14has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape that, is long in the first direction (the front-rear direction). Main body14has dimensions such that the main body combined with the pair of flanges15are put into recess13in connector101. The plurality of contacts2A partly sticks out from both ends of main body14in the second direction (the left-right direction). In this exemplary embodiment, four contact2A are aligned along the first direction and held on a first end (a left side) of main body14in the second direction, with each contact2A including contact section25(described later) and terminal section27(described later) exposed to the outside. Similarly, four contact2A are aligned along the first direction and held on a second end (a right side) of main body14in the second direction, with each contact2A including contact section25and terminal section27exposed to the outside. In this example, the pair of contacts2A aligned along the second direction are apart from each other in the second direction and are held by solid main body14. In other words, the space between the pair of contacts2A is occupied by housing1A.

The contact groups are electrically connected one to one to the pairs of connecting parts22of contacts2while housing1A is put into recess13of connector101. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the pair of contacts2A aligned along the second direction (the left-right direction) are electrically connected to the corresponding contacts at an identical potential. In other words, other connector102has at least one (in this exemplary embodiment, four) pair of contacts2A that are held by housing1A so as to be each exposed partly to outside main body14and that are electrically connected one to one to the pair of connecting parts22.

The pair of flanges15protrude from both ends of main body14in the first direction (the front-rear direction). A dimension of the pair of flanges15in the second direction (the left-right direction) is larger than a dimension of main body14in the second direction. Specifically, the pair of flanges15each have a dimension in the second direction such that contact sections25of the plurality of contacts2A protruding from main body14are hidden in the elevation view. In other words, other connector102further includes the pair of flanges15protruding from both ends of main body14in a direction (the first direction) intersecting with a direction (the second direction) along which the pairs of contacts2A are each aligned. The pair of flanges15protrude beyond areas (contact sections25) of the pairs of contacts2A that come into contact with the pairs of connecting parts22in the direction (the second direction) along which the pairs of contacts2A are each aligned.

Contact2A is, for example, a metal molding made of a metallic material such as a copper alloy. Contact2A is plated with gold. Contact2A may not be plated with gold. Each contact2A includes contact section25, pendent section26, and terminal section27that are integrated together (seeFIGS. 8A and 8B). Contact section25is shaped like a rectangular plate. Contact section25is disposed so as to stick out from a surface of main body14in the second direction (the left-right direction). Contact section25is configured to come into contact with corresponding connecting part22while housing1A is put into recess13in connector101.

Contact section25is integrated with projection251protruding along a thickness direction of contact section25(along the left-right direction). While housing1A is put into recess13in connector101, projection251is aligned with projection214of corresponding contact2along the third direction (the up-down direction) and is located below projection214(seeFIG. 10B). As already described, projection251together with projection214of contact2constitute a mechanism for locking connection between connector101and connector102and breaking the locked connection in response to application of a predetermined degree or greater of force.

Pendent section26has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the third direction (the up-down direction). Pendent section26is opposed to contact section25in the second direction (the left-right direction). A first end (an upper end) of pendent section26in the third direction is bent into an inverse U shape and is integrated with a first end (an upper end) of contact section25in the third direction.

Terminal section27has a rectangular plate shape that is long in the second direction (the left-right direction). A first end of terminal section27in the second direction is integrated with a second end (a lower end) of pendent section26in the third direction. A second end of terminal section27in the second direction sticks out from housing1A. One surface (a lower surface) of terminal section27in the third direction is a junction face joined to substrate4by soldering, for example.

In this exemplary embodiment, pairs of terminal sections27are disposed on both sides of housing1A in the second direction (the left-right direction). In the plan view, the pairs of terminal sections27are disposed symmetric with respect to a line passing through a center of housing1A in the second direction (seeFIG. 7A). Hence, in this exemplary embodiment, a phenomenon of balanced self alignment readily happens on both sides of housing1A in the second direction when a plurality of contacts2A is joined to substrate4by soldering, for example. This configuration in the present exemplary embodiment reduces the occurrence of an imbalance in self alignment on both sides of housing1A in the second direction and thus reduces the occurrence of rotation of other connector102relative to substrate4owing to a phenomenon of imbalanced self alignment.

In a similar way to contacts2, the plurality of contacts2A is largely classified into first terminal51and second terminal52. In this exemplary embodiment, eight contacts2A are made up of four first terminals51and four second terminals52. In this exemplary embodiment, four contacts2A on either side of main body14in the second direction (the left-right direction) are aligned along the longitudinal direction of housing1A (the first direction). On either side of main body14in the second direction, two first terminals51are disposed between two second terminals52. In this exemplary embodiment, other connector102has no metal brackets3. Instead, four contacts2A equivalent to second terminals52function as metal brackets.

Concerning both contacts2,2A in this exemplary embodiment, a cross-sectional shape of first terminals51is identical to a cross-sectional shape of second terminals52when viewed along the first direction (the front-rear direction). The “identical” used herein includes a meaning of “substantially identical”. Accordingly, a slight difference in cross-sectional shape between first and second terminals51and52due to manufacturing errors or variations falls within a permissible tolerance.

(2.3) Connection Device

Connector101is, for example, mounted on substrate4(hereinafter also referred to as “first substrate41”) built in an electronic device such as a smartphone (seeFIG. 10A). Similarly, other connector102corresponding to connector101is mounted on other substrate4(hereinafter also referred to as “second substrate42”) built in an electronic device (seeFIG. 10A).

As shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, when connector101is connected to other connector102, a first conductor included in first substrate41and a second conductor included in second substrate42are electrically connected to each other. Specifically, the plurality of contacts2of connector101is electrically connected to the pairs of contacts2A of other connector102and thereby connector101is connected to other connector102. In this state, the plurality of (in this example, two) first terminals51of connector101is electrically connected to the pairs of (in this example, two pairs of) corresponding first terminals51of other connector102, respectively. The plurality of (in this example, two) second terminals52of connector101is electrically connected to the pairs of (in this example, two pairs of) corresponding second terminals52of other connector102, respectively. In other words, connector101and other connector102constitute connection device100. To put it another way, connection device100includes connector101having contacts2and other connector102having the pairs of contacts2A electrically connected to contacts2. InFIGS. 10A and 10B, other connector102inverted longitudinally is illustrated.

As shown inFIG. 10B, when connector101is connected to other connector102, the pair of connecting parts22(inner sections211) are pressed by the pair of contacts2A along the second direction (the left-right direction). Thus, the pair of connecting parts22are elastically deformed along the second direction and put into contact with the pair of contacts2A. Specifically, inner section211and outer section212of holder21on the first side (the left side) in the second direction are elastically deformed leftward. Similarly, inner section211and outer section212of holder21on the second side (the right side) in the second direction are elastically deformed rightward. Hence, while connector101is connected to other connector102, the pair of connecting parts22apply an elastic force to the pair of contacts2A to return to respective original positions. In other words, contact2has a structure such that the holders bend outward to lengthen a distance between the pair of connecting parts22when the pair of connecting parts22are pressed by the pair of contacts2A.

A part of first peripheral wall121in contact with outer section212is pressed by elastically deformed outer section212and thus is elastically deformed, albeit slightly. Specifically, this wall is elastically deformed by somewhere between several μm and several tens of μm, while the dimension of housing1in the transverse direction (the second direction) is several mm and a dimension of first peripheral wall121in the transverse direction (the second direction) is several hundreds of μm.

In connector101of this exemplary embodiment, contacts2each have a pair of connecting parts22. In connector101of this exemplary embodiment, the pair of holders21including the pair of connecting parts22are held by housing1. In other words, in connector101of this exemplary embodiment, one contact2has two electrical contact points that are held by housing1. Hence, the pair of connecting parts22put into contact with contacts2A of other connector102are held by housing1while other connector102is connected to connector101. As a result, in connector101of this exemplary embodiment, contact2provides improved strength while being electrically connected to contacts2A of other connector102.

As with connector101of this exemplary embodiment, in the connector described in PTL 1 (hereinafter referred to as the “connector of a comparative example”), socket-side terminals (contacts) each have two electrical contact points that come into contact with a header-side terminal (a contact of the other connector). However, in the connector of the comparative example, one of the two contact points of the contact is not held by the housing and is allowed to freely move relative to the housing. Meanwhile, in connector101of this exemplary embodiment, the pair of connecting parts22of contact2are held by housing1. Thus, connector101of this exemplary embodiment enables housing1to receive pressure exerted from contacts2A on the pair of connecting parts22while other connector102is connected to connector101.

In other words, connector101of this exemplary embodiment has stronger force than the connector of the comparative example in clamping contacts2A between the pair of connecting parts22. Hence, connector101of this exemplary embodiment is also advantageous in that other connector102is hard to be disconnected from connector101even if external force is applied to other connector102in a direction in which to shift other connector102from connector101.

In connector101of this exemplary embodiment, a dimension of first peripheral wall121in a longitudinal direction (the front-rear direction) is greater than a dimension of second peripheral wall122in a longitudinal direction (the front-rear direction). However, the connector may have another configuration. For example, the dimension of first peripheral wall121in the longitudinal direction may be smaller than the dimension of second peripheral wall122in the longitudinal direction. The dimension of first peripheral wall121in the longitudinal direction may be substantially identical to the dimension of second peripheral wall122in the longitudinal direction. In these cases, a shape of other connector102of this exemplary embodiment is suitably changed in accordance with the shape of connector101.

In this exemplary embodiment, contact2is fixed to substrate4with the pair of junctions24that each have one surface (the lower surface) joined to substrate4by soldering. However, the contact may have another configuration. For example, contact2may be fixed to substrate4with bottom23that has one surface (a lower surface) joined to substrate4by soldering, as well as the pair of junctions24. Contact2may be fixed to substrate4only with one surface (the lower surface) of bottom23joined to substrate4by soldering.

In this exemplary embodiment, the pair of contacts2A aligned along the second direction (the left-right direction) of other connector102may be integrated together. This configuration can be achieved if the pair of contacts2A aligned in the second direction form one metal molding with pendent sections26of contacts2A joined together, for example. In this case, other connector102has four contacts2A aligned along the first direction (the front-rear direction).

In this exemplary embodiment, connector101includes two contacts2equivalent to first terminals51and two contacts2equivalent to second terminals52. This, however, should not be construed to limit a number of contacts2. For example, connector101may include three or more contacts2equivalent to first terminals51, or three or more contacts2equivalent to second terminals52. Connector101may include contacts2only equivalent to first terminals51, for example. Moreover, connector101may include contacts2only equivalent to second terminals52, for example.

In this exemplary embodiment, contacts2are thrust into slits123from below and hence are held by housing1. However, the connector may have another configuration. For example, housing1may be an insert mold including contacts2as an insert. This configuration dispenses with slits123.

In this exemplary embodiment, other connector102has no metal brackets3. However, other connector102may have metal brackets3. In this case, metal brackets3may be, for example, installed on both ends of main body14in a longitudinal direction (the second direction). In this case, a shape of metal bracket3may be suitably changed in accordance with the shape of other connector102.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

With reference toFIGS. 11 to 14B, connector101, other connector102, and connection device100according to a second exemplary embodiment will now be described in detail. However, the present exemplary embodiment basically shares a configuration with connector101, other connector102, and connection device100of the first exemplary embodiment, and thus redundant descriptions of shared elements are omitted. In the present exemplary embodiment, connection device100is made up of connector101of this exemplary embodiment and other connector102of this exemplary embodiment.

In this exemplary embodiment, other connector102without a pair of flanges15as described later is put into recess13of connector101. Thus, a dimension of recess13in a longitudinal direction (the first direction) is made smaller because of no occupancy of the pair of flanges15. In connector101of this exemplary embodiment, unlike connector101of the first exemplary embodiment, pairs of holders21of two contacts2equivalent to second terminals52are covered with first peripheral walls121. Further, in connector101of this exemplary embodiment, a pair of metal brackets3are without projected section321.

Consequently, housing1of connector101in this exemplary embodiment is made smaller in dimension along a longitudinal direction (the first direction) than housing1of the first exemplary embodiment.

(1.2) Other Connector

In other connector102of the present exemplary embodiment, unlike other connector102of the first exemplary embodiment, housing1A includes main body14without a pair of flanges15. As a result, housing1A of other connector102in this exemplary embodiment is made smaller in dimension along a longitudinal direction (the first direction) than housing1A of the first exemplary embodiment. In other connector102of this exemplary embodiment, a dimension of terminal section27in the second direction (the left-right direction) is larger for contacts2A equivalent to first terminals51than for contacts2A equivalent to second terminals52. In other words, an extent of terminal section27protruding from housing1A is greater for contacts2A equivalent to first terminals51than for contacts2A equivalent to second terminals52. Thus, every terminal section27of contacts2A equivalent to first terminals51has an increased amount of protrusion from housing1A and an increased junction area that is joined to substrate4. This configuration enables contacts2A to be more firmly fixed to substrate4.

As described above, connector101and other connector102of this exemplary embodiment are smaller in dimension along the longitudinal direction (the first direction) than connector101and other connector102of the first exemplary embodiment, respectively. In other words, connector101and other connector102of this exemplary embodiment owing to other connector102without the pair of flanges15are made smaller in size than connector101and other connector102of the first exemplary embodiment, respectively.

In a similar way to connector101, other connector102, and connection device100of the first exemplary embodiment, connector101, other connector102, and connection device100according to the present exemplary embodiment can be suitably combined with any of the modifications of the first exemplary embodiment.

CONCLUSION

As described above, connector101according to the present disclosure includes housing1and contact2held by peripheral wall12of housing1. Housing1has recess13that other connector102is put into and peripheral wall12surrounding recess13. Contact2has a pair of holders21and a pair of connecting parts22included in respective holders21. The pair of holders21face each other through gap60(a first space) that is disposed in recess13. The pair of connecting parts22each face gap60(the first space). Other connector102is designed to be electrically connected to the pair of connecting parts22.

According to this configuration, the pair of connecting parts22put into contact with contact2A (another contact) of other connector102are held by housing1while other connector102is connected to connector101. Hence, according to this configuration, contact2provides improved strength while being electrically connected to contact2A (the other contact) of other connector102.

Preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Contact2further includes a pair of junctions24each extending in a direction along which the pair of holders21are aligned. One of junctions24is disposed on a first end of contact2, and the other of junctions24is disposed on a second end of contact2. The pair of junctions24are configured to be joined to a substrate.

This configuration ensures that both ends of contact2are fixed to substrate4and hence the pair of holders21are readily and firmly held by housing1. Thus, according to this configuration, contact2provides further improved strength while being electrically connected to contact2A (the other contact) of other connector102. This configuration also means that at least two places of contact2are joined to substrate4and hence enables contact2to provide improved heat dissipation. However, this configuration is not essential, and a portion of contact2other than the pair of junctions24may be joined to substrate4. For example, bottom23of contact2may be joined to substrate4.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

The pair of connecting parts22have a mechanism to lock connection between contact2and other connector102and break the locked connection in response to application of a predetermined degree or greater of force.

This configuration with the lock mechanism hinders other connector102from being disconnected from connector101. In particular, this configuration owing to the lock mechanism provided for each of the pair of connecting parts22makes it more difficult for other connector102to be disconnected from connector101as compared to a configuration with only one lock mechanism. However, this configuration is not essential, and the pair of connecting parts22may have no lock mechanism. Only one of the pair of connecting parts22may have a lock mechanism.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Contact2further includes bottom23linking the pair of holders21. Bottom23is disposed in recess13. The pair of holders21each include inner section211facing gap60(the first space), outer section212opposed to inner section211, and link section213linking inner section211to outer section212. Each connecting part22is a portion of inner section211.

According to this configuration, while connector101is connected to other connector102, inner sections211acting as connecting parts22apply elastic force to contact2A (the other contact) with which the inner sections are in contact. Thus, this configuration contributes to improved reliability in electrical connection between contact2and contact2A (the other contact). However, this configuration is not essential, and the pair of holders21may not include any of inner sections211, outer sections212, and link sections213, for example.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Contact2is held by peripheral wall12through the pair of outer sections212.

This configuration enables housing1to hold connecting parts22while elasticity of inner sections211acting as connecting parts22is maintained. However, this configuration is not essential, and a portion of contact2(e.g., bottom23) other than outer sections212may be held by housing1.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Outer sections212each have surface212afacing inner section211and surface212bopposed to surface212a. Surfaces212aand212bare in contact with peripheral wall12.

This configuration prevents outer sections212from being excessively deformed even if these sections are pressed by contact2A (the other contact) when other connector102is connected to connector101. However, this configuration is not essential, and surface212bof outer section212opposed to surface212amay not be in contact with a part of peripheral wall12.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

The pair of holders21face each other without any object interposed.

This configuration allows a distance between the pair of holders21to be made smaller as compared to an instance where an obstacle (an object) exists in recess13. Hence, this configuration contributes to a reduction in size of contact2and in turn contributes to a reduction in size of housing1holding contact2. However, this configuration is not essential, and the pair of holders21may face each other through a part of housing1, for example, in recess13.

More preferably, connector101according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Contact2further includes a pair of junctions24that are disposed on both ends of contact2and configured to be joined to substrate4, and bottom23that is disposed in recess13to link the pair of holders21together. The pair of junctions24are each disposed on an opposite side of one of holders21from the other of holders21. The pair of holders21each include inner section211facing gap60(the first space), outer section212opposed to inner section211, and link section213linking inner section211to outer section212. The pair of connecting parts22are each a portion of inner section211.

According to this configuration, while connector101is connected to other connector102, inner sections211acting as connecting parts22apply elastic force to contact2A (the other contact) with which the inner sections are in contact. Thus, this configuration contributes to improved reliability in electrical connection between contact2and contact2A. According to this configuration, in a direction along which the pair of holders21are aligned, the pair of junctions24are disposed outside the pair of holders21and are fixed to substrate4. Thus, this configuration enables junctions24to receive pressure exerted from contact2A on connecting parts22while other connector102is connected to connector101. Hence, this configuration contributes to a further improvement in the reliability of electrical connection between contact2and contact2A (the other contact). However, this configuration is not essential, and the pair of holders21may not include any of inner sections211, outer sections212, and link sections213, for example. The pair of junctions24may be, for example, disposed inside the pair of holders21in the direction along which the pair of holders21are aligned.

A header according to the present disclosure is equivalent to other connector102connected to any connector101described above. The header has housing1A including main body14designed to be put into recess13, and a pair of contacts2A (the other contact) that are held by main body14so as to be exposed to outside main body14. The pair of contacts2A (the other contact) are electrically connected to the pair of connecting parts22.

This configuration enables the header to be used for connector101that has contact2capable of providing improved strength while being electrically connected to contacts2A (the other contact) of other connector102.

More preferably, the header according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

A space between the pair of contacts2A is occupied by main body14.

This configuration enables main body14to receive pressure exerted from connecting parts22on contacts2A (the other contact) while the header (connector102) is connected to connector101. Hence, this configuration prevents contacts2A (the other contact) from being excessively deformed. However, this configuration is not essential, and a gap may exist between the pair of contacts2A.

More preferably, the header (the other connector) according to the present disclosure has the following configuration.

Housing1A (another housing) further includes flanges15each protruding in a direction intersecting with a direction along which the pair of contacts2A (the other contact) are aligned. Each flange15protrudes beyond areas of the pairs of contacts2A that come into contact with connecting parts22in the direction along which the pair of contacts2A are aligned.

This configuration hinders housing1A from being put into connector101with other connector102shifted relative to connector101in the second direction (the left-right direction) when housing1A (the other housing) is connected to connector101. Hence, this configuration makes it difficult for contacts2A (the other contact) to come into contact with any portion of connector101other than contact2when other connector102is connected to connector101. However, this configuration is not essential, and housing1A may not include the pair of flanges15.

Connection device100according to the present disclosure includes any connector101described above and a pair of contacts2A (the other contact) electrically connected to contact2.

Connection device100according to this configuration includes contact2capable of providing improved strength while being electrically connected to contacts2A (the other contact) of other connector102.

Connector101, other connector102, and connection device100according to each of the first and the second exemplary embodiments have been described. However, the first and the second exemplary embodiments described above are each merely one example of various exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. Various modifications may be made to the first and the second exemplary embodiments to suit design or other requirements as long as the object of the present disclosure is fulfilled.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS