Patent Publication Number: US-10763617-B2

Title: Movable connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a movable connector that has a floating function and a connection structure for the movable connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Movable connectors are known as connectors that establish conductive connection between a circuit on a substrate and a connection object. A movable connector includes a fixed housing to be installed on the substrate, a movable housing to be fitted with the connection object, and a terminal that supports the fixed housing and the movable housing so as to be relatively displaceable. The terminal is formed as a conductive metal piece. The terminal includes a substrate connection portion to be connected to the substrate, a contact portion disposed on the movable housing to make conductive contact with the connection object, and a movable portion that supports the movable housing so as to be displaceable with respect to the fixed housing. The movable portion is formed as an elastically deformable spring piece. An example of the movable connector is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-16363 (FIG. 3), for example. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The movable connector discussed earlier is occasionally subjected to vibration in a fitted state in which the movable connector is fitted with the connection object. The vibration is transmitted to the movable connector through the substrate, on which the movable connector is installed, because the substrate is deflected. Alternatively, the vibration is transmitted to the movable connector from the connection object. Specifically, in the case where the connection object is a mating connector, the vibration is transmitted to the movable connector through a mating substrate, on which the mating connector is installed, and the mating connector because the mating substrate is deflected. When the vibration is transmitted to the movable connector, “contact point slide”, in which the contact portion of the terminal slides finely with respect to the connection object, is occasionally caused. The contact point slide tends to be caused in the case where the vibration is transmitted to the movable connector along a fitting direction, in which the connection object is fitted with the movable connector, and an extraction direction which is opposite to the fitting direction. When the contact point slide is repeated, plating at a contact point portion of the terminal and plating at a portion of contact with a contact point portion of the connection object are peeled to increase a resistance value. As a result, good conductive connection may be impaired. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the related art described above as the background. That is, it is an object of the present invention to suppress occurrence of contact point slide due to vibration in a movable connector that has a floating function from a technical approach that is different from the related art. 
     In order to achieve the foregoing object, the present invention is configured to be characterized as follows. 
     That is, an aspect of the present invention provides a movable connector including: a first housing to be fixed to a first substrate; a second housing to be fitted with a connection object; and a terminal that includes a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively displaceable and a contact portion that makes conductive contact with the connection object, in which the movable connector further includes a displacement support member that includes a flexible support portion that is elastically deformable in a fitting direction, in which the connection object is to be fitted with the second housing, with the flexible support portion abutting against the second housing, the second housing includes a connection object abutment portion, against which the connection object abuts in the fitting direction, and the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction with the flexible support portion elastically deformed in the fitting direction when the connection object presses the connection object abutment portion in the fitting direction. 
     In the present invention, when the connection object presses the connection object abutment portion of the second housing, the flexible support portion of the displacement support member is elastically deformed in the fitting direction with the flexible support portion abutting against the second housing. Consequently, the second housing, which is displaceably supported by the movable portion of the terminal, can be displaced in the fitting direction. After that, when pressing of the connection object in the fitting direction is canceled, the second housing is displaced in a direction opposite to the fitting direction with the flexible support portion and the movable portion of the terminal returned to the original state. The movable connector according to the present invention is configured as a “Z-direction movable connector” that is displaceable in the Z direction (fitting direction and a direction (extraction direction) opposite thereto). 
     When the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction, the second housing is in abutment with the flexible support portion, and is supported by the flexible support portion while receiving a repulsive force of the flexible support portion which is elastically deformed. Therefore, the position of fitting between the second housing and the connection object is not varied even if the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction. Hence, with the movable connector according to the present invention, there is no positional deviation in the position of contact between the contact portion of the terminal and the connection object, and occurrence of contact point slide can be suppressed. 
     The displacement support member may include a first housing fixed portion fixed to the first housing, and a first substrate fixed portion to be fixed to the first substrate. 
     With the present invention, the displacement support member can also be used as a fixing member that fixes the first housing to the first substrate, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the area occupied on the first substrate compared to a case where the displacement support member and the fixing member are provided separately. The first substrate fixed portion can be fixed to the first substrate using solder, by way of example. 
     The displacement support member may include an auxiliary flexible support portion formed of a spring that biases the second housing in an extraction direction for extraction of the connection object, which is opposite to the fitting direction, to maintain the connection object abutment portion and the connection object in abutment with each other. 
     With the present invention, the connection object abutment portion and the connection object are maintained in abutment with each other with the auxiliary flexible support portion, which is formed of a spring, biasing the second housing in the extraction direction when the connection object is relatively displaced in the extraction direction with respect to the second housing. Therefore, the connection object and the second housing are displaced in the extraction direction without varying the position of fitting therebetween. Thus, occurrence of contact point slide can be suppressed without deviation in the position of contact between the connection object and the contact portion of the terminal, even if the connection object is relatively displaced in the extraction direction with respect to the second housing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a movable connector including: a first housing to be fixed to a first substrate; a second housing to be fitted with a connection object; and a terminal that includes a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively displaceable and a contact portion that makes conductive contact with the connection object, in which the first housing includes a flexible support portion that is elastically deformable in a fitting direction, in which the connection object is to be fitted with the second housing, with the flexible support portion abutting against the second housing, the second housing includes a connection object abutment portion, against which the connection object abuts in the fitting direction, and the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction with the flexible support portion elastically deformed in the fitting direction when the connection object presses the connection object abutment portion in the fitting direction. 
     In the present invention, when the connection object presses the connection object abutment portion of the second housing, the flexible support portion of the first housing is elastically deformed in the fitting direction with the flexible support portion abutting against the second housing. Consequently, the second housing, which is displaceably supported by the movable portion of the terminal, can be displaced in the fitting direction. After that, when pressing of the connection object in the fitting direction is canceled, the second housing is displaced in a direction opposite to the fitting direction with the flexible support portion and the movable portion of the terminal returned to the original state. The movable connector according to the present invention is configured as a “Z-direction movable connector” that is displaceable in the Z direction (fitting direction and a direction (extraction direction) opposite thereto). 
     When the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction, the second housing is in abutment with the flexible support portion, and is supported by the flexible support portion while receiving a repulsive force of the flexible support portion which is elastically deformed. Therefore, the position of fitting between the second housing and the connection object is not varied even if the second housing is displaced in the fitting direction. Hence, with the movable connector according to the present invention, there is no positional deviation in the position of contact between the contact portion of the terminal and the connection object, and occurrence of contact point slide can be suppressed. 
     In the present invention, in addition, the flexible support portion is formed on the first housing. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the flexible support portion is constituted as a single part. 
     The first housing may include a pair of first side walls, and the movable connector may further include a displacement regulation member provided on the first housing so as to cross between the first side walls, the displacement regulation member including a first displacement regulation portion that regulates displacement of the second housing in an extraction direction which is opposite to the fitting direction. 
     In the present invention, the movable connector includes the displacement regulation member which is separate from the first housing and which includes the first displacement regulation portion which regulates displacement of the second housing. Thus, the first housing can be simplified in structure, and can be manufactured easily. 
     The displacement regulation member may include a second displacement regulation portion that regulates displacement of the second housing in a direction that intersects the fitting direction. 
     In the present invention, the displacement regulation member includes the second displacement regulation portion. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, simplify the connector structure, and reduce the size of the movable connector compared to a case where the second displacement regulation portion is constituted as a separate member. 
     The first housing may be formed from a bottom wall disposed on the first substrate and the pair of side walls which are formed as vertical walls that extend upward from the bottom wall, and the displacement regulation member may be provided on the first housing so as to cross above the second housing which is disposed inside the first housing. 
     In the present invention, the first housing is constituted from the bottom wall and the pair of side walls in a vertical wall shape. Therefore, the first housing can be simplified in structure, and can be manufactured easily. The second housing is disposed inside the first housing, and the displacement regulation member is provided on the first housing so as to cross above the second housing, which regulates excessive displacement of the second housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the first housing with a portion that regulates displacement of the second housing. Thus, with the present invention, the structure of the first housing can be further simplified. 
     With the movable connector according to the present invention, occurrence of contact point slide between the contact portion of the terminal and the connection object can be suppressed while the second housing is displaceable in the fitting direction for the connection object, which can achieve stable conductive connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view including a front surface, a left side surface, and an upper surface of a movable connector according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the movable connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view including a front surface, a left side surface, and a bottom surface of a fixed housing in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the appearance of a terminal of the movable connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a displacement support member of the movable connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view illustrating the course of establishing fitting connection between the movable connector in  FIG. 1  and a mating connector, illustrating a section of the movable connector at the middle in the front-rear direction in a pre-fitting state; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view illustrating a fitting complete state which follows  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating a fitting displacement state in which the movable housing has been relatively displaced downward in the Z direction from the fitting complete state in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view illustrating a fitting displacement state in which the movable housing has been relatively displaced upward in the Z direction from the state in  FIG. 8 or 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view including a front surface, a left side surface, and an upper surface of a movable connector according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of the movable connector in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of the movable connector in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a displacement regulation member of the movable connector in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 14 , illustrating a fitting complete state in which the movable connector in  FIG. 11  is completely fitted with a mating connector; 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 14 , illustrating a fitting displacement state in which the movable housing has been relatively displaced downward in the Z direction from the state in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 14 , illustrating a fitting displacement state in which the movable housing has been relatively displaced upward in the Z direction from the state in  FIG. 16 or 17 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the displacement support member of the movable connector according to the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following describes a movable connector  10  and a structure for connection between the movable connector  10  and a mating connector  20  which serves as a “connection object”. In the specification, claims, and drawings, the longitudinal direction (right-left direction) of the movable connector  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is defined as the X direction, the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the movable connector  10  is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) of the movable connector  10  is defined as the Z direction. However, specification of such directions does not limit the mount direction or the use direction of the movable connector  10  according to the present invention unless stated otherwise. In addition, the terms “first” and “second” as used in the specification and claims are used to discriminate different constituent elements of the invention, and are not used to indicate any specific order or order of superiority/inferiority thereof. 
     First Embodiment [FIGS.  1  to  10 ] 
     Configuration of Movable Connector  10  [ FIGS. 1 to 6 ] 
     The movable connector  10  includes a fixed housing  11  which serves as a “first housing”, a movable housing  12  which serves as a “second housing”, and a plurality of terminals  13 . The movable connector  10  according to the present embodiment further includes a displacement support member  14 . 
     The fixed housing  11  is formed as a resin molded body, and has a peripheral wall  11   a . A housing portion  11   b  is formed inside the fixed housing  11 . The housing portion  11   b  serves as a space that houses the movable housing  12  and that allows displacement of the movable housing  12 . 
     The peripheral wall  11   a  has a pair of first side walls  11   a  l in the shape of vertical walls that extend along the right-left direction X and a pair of second side walls  11   a   2  in the shape of vertical walls that extend along the front-rear direction Y. A plurality of fixed-side terminal holding portions  11   a   3  are arranged in the inner surface of each of the first side walls  11   a  l, and spaced from each other along the right-left direction X. A bottom wall  11   a   4  that projects inward of the peripheral wall  11   a  is formed on each of the second side walls  11   a   2 . A displacement regulation protrusion  11   a   5  that projects downward in the height direction Z is formed at the middle portion of each of the bottom walls  11   a   4  in the front-rear direction Y ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The movable housing  12  is formed as a resin molded body, and has a peripheral wall  12   a , a bottom wall  12   b  ( FIG. 3 ) which serves as a “connection object abutment portion”, and a middle wall  12   c.    
     The peripheral wall  12   a  is formed in a rectangular tube shape. A fitting chamber  12   a   1  for fitting connection with the mating connector  20  as the “connection object” is formed inside the peripheral wall  12   a . A plurality of retention protrusions  12   a   3  are formed on each of right and left side walls  12   a   2  of the peripheral wall  12   a  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The retention protrusions  12   a   3  are formed as “retention portions” in a protruding shape, disposed on the front and rear sides in the front-rear direction Y, and spaced from each other. A recessed portion  12   a   4  is formed between two retention protrusions  12   a   3  ( FIG. 2 ). The displacement regulation protrusion  11   a   5  of the fixed housing  11  is disposed in the recessed portion  12   a   4 . 
     A front-rear movable gap dl is formed between the two retention protrusions  12   a   3  and the displacement regulation protrusion  11   a   5  ( FIG. 2 ). The front-rear movable gap dl enables the movable housing  12  in a stationary state (pre-fitting state and fitting complete state) to be displaced in the front-rear direction Y. The movable housing  12  can be displaced in the front-rear direction Y (forward and rearward) until the retention protrusions  12   a   3  abut against the displacement regulation protrusions  11   a   5 . In addition, a right-left movable gap d 2  is formed between the side walls  12   a   2  of the movable housing  12  and the bottom walls  11   a   4  of the fixed housing  11  ( FIG. 3 ). The right-left movable gap d 2  enables the movable housing  12  in the stationary state (pre-fitting state and fitting complete state) to be displaced in the right-left direction X. The movable housing  12  can be displaced in the right-left direction (rightward and leftward) until the side walls  12   a   2  abut against the bottom walls  11   a   4  of the fixed housing  11 . Further, an upper movable gap d 3  is formed between the two retention protrusions  12   a   3  and the bottom walls  11   a   4  ( FIG. 3 ). The upper movable gap d 3  enables the movable housing  12  in the stationary state (pre-fitting state and fitting complete state) to be displaced upward in the up-down direction Z. 
     The bottom wall  12   b  which serves as the “connection object abutment portion” is formed between the peripheral wall  12   a  and the middle wall  12   c . Movable-side terminal holding portions  12   b   1  in a hole shape are formed in the bottom wall  12   b  ( FIG. 2 ). The terminals  13  are press-fitted into the movable-side terminal holding portions  12   b   1  to be fixed. 
     The middle wall  12   c  projects upward in the height direction Z from the bottom wall  12   b  to form a fitting space (fitting chamber  12   a   1 ) in a rectangular frame shape in the internal space of the peripheral wall  12   a . A plurality of terminal holding grooves  12   c   2  are disposed in parallel in the right-left direction X in wall surfaces  12   c   1  of the middle wall  12   c  on the front and rear sides in the front-rear direction Y. The terminal holding grooves  12   c   2  hold contact portions  13   e  of the terminals  13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the plurality of terminals  13  are each formed as a bent terminal by stamping a conductive metal piece in a flat plate shape as the material by pressing and bending the metal piece in the plate thickness direction at predetermined locations. The terminals  13  each have a substrate connection portion  13   a , a fixed housing fixed portion  13   b , a movable portion  13   c , a movable housing fixed portion  13   d , and the contact portion  13   e.    
     The substrate connection portion  13   a  is soldered to a substrate circuit on a first substrate P 1 , which will be discussed later, to be fixed. The fixed housing fixed portion  13   b  is press-fitted into the fixed-side terminal holding portion  11   a   3  to be fixed to the fixed housing  11 . The movable housing fixed portion  13   d  is press-fitted into the movable-side terminal holding portion  12   b   1  to be fixed to the movable housing  12 . The contact portion  13   e  is formed in a flat plate shape, and inserted from the movable-side terminal holding portion  12   b   1  of the bottom wall  12   b  to be disposed in the terminal holding groove  12   c   2  of the middle wall  12   c . A plating layer (not illustrated) such as gold plating is formed on the surface of the contact portion  13   e.    
     The movable portion  13   c  is formed as a spring piece in a bent shape that is elastically deformable. The movable portion  13   c  includes a first extended portion  13   c   1 , a first bent portion  13   c   2 , a second extended portion  13   c   3 , a second bent portion  13   c   4 , a third extended portion  13   c   5 , and a third bent portion  13   c   6 . 
     The first extended portion  13   c   1  is formed in a straight shape to extend upward while being inclined in the direction closer toward the movable housing  12  and connect between the upper end of the fixed housing fixed portion  13   b  and the first bent portion  13   c   2 . The first bent portion  13   c   2  is formed to be bent in an inverted U-shape and connect between the first extended portion  13   c   1  and the second extended portion  13   c   3 . The second extended portion  13   c   3  is formed in a straight shape to extend downward while being inclined in the direction closer toward the movable housing  12  and connect between the first bent portion  13   c   2  and the second bent portion  13   c   4 . The second bent portion  13   c   4  is formed to be bent in an L-shape and connect between the second extended portion  13   c   3  and the third extended portion  13   c   5 . The third extended portion  13   c   5  is formed in a straight shape to extend horizontally along the bottom wall  12   b  of the movable housing  12  and connect between the second bent portion  13   c   4  and the third bent portion  13   c   6 . The third bent portion  13   c   6  is formed to be bent in an L-shape and connect between the third extended portion  13   c   5  and the movable housing fixed portion  13   d.    
     The first extended portion  13   c   1 , the first bent portion  13   c   2 , and the second extended portion  13   c   3  function as a “front-rear direction movable spring” that is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction Y with the first bent portion  13   c   2  serving as a main displacement support point. The “front-rear direction movable spring” absorbs relative positional deviation in the front-rear direction Y between the fixed housing  11  and the movable housing  12 , and causes relative displacement in the front-rear direction Y therebetween, through elastic deformation. 
     In addition, a portion from the first extended portion  13   c   1  to the third extended portion  13   c   5  is elastically deformable while being warped in the right-left direction X to function as a “right-left direction movable spring”. The “right-left direction movable spring” absorbs relative positional deviation in the right-left direction X between the fixed housing  11  and the movable housing  12 , and causes relative displacement in the right-left direction X therebetween, through elastic deformation. 
     Further, the second bent portion  13   c   4 , the third extended portion  13   c   5 , and the third bent portion  13   c   6  function as an “up-down direction movable spring” that is elastically deformable in the Z direction (up-down direction; fitting direction and extraction direction) with the second bent portion  13   c   4  serving as a main displacement support point. The “up-down direction movable spring” absorbs relative positional deviation in the up-down direction Z between the fixed housing  11  and the movable housing  12 , and causes relative displacement in the up-down direction Z therebetween, through elastic deformation. 
     In this manner, the movable portion  13   c  can function as the front-rear direction movable spring, the right-left direction movable spring, and the up-down direction movable spring to absorb positional deviation in the X, Y, and Z directions when fitting connection between the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  is established and absorb relative displacement between the movable housing  12  and the mating connector  20 , which is caused by external vibration and an external impact received by the movable connector  10  under the use environment, through a combination of displacements in the X, Y, and Z directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the displacement support member  14  is formed as a metal fitting by stamping a metal piece in a flat plate shape as the material by pressing and bending the metal piece in the plate thickness direction at predetermined locations. The displacement support member  14  includes a pair of substrate fixed leg portions  14   a  as a “first substrate fixed portion”, a base portion  14   b , a flexible support portion  14   c , and a fixed housing fixed portion  14   d  as a “first housing fixed portion”. It is not essential that the displacement support member  14  should be constituted from a metal piece, and the displacement support member  14  may be constituted as a resin molded body. In this case, the substrate fixed leg portions  14   a  may be fixed to the first substrate P 1  using an adhesive etc. 
     The substrate fixed leg portions  14   a  are portions to be soldered to the substrate P 1  to be fixed, and are used to fix the fixed housing  11  to the first substrate P 1 . Thus, in general, the displacement support member  14  also functions as a fixing metal fitting used to fix a connector to a substrate. The substrate fixed leg portions  14   a  are provided at both ends of the base portion  14   b , and each include a distal end portion  14   a   1  that extends in the horizontal direction and a rising portion  14   a   2  that extends upward from the distal end portion  14   a   1 . With the rising portions  14   a   2 , the base portion  14   b  and the flexible support portion  14   c  are disposed at a floated position above the surface of the substrate P 1 . 
     The base portion  14   b  is formed as a band-like piece that extends in the front-rear direction Y. 
     The flexible support portion  14   c  is formed with a pair of spring piece portions  14   c   2  that extend in the right-left direction X from the lower edge of the base portion  14   b  via bent portions  14   c   1  and a support surface portion  14   c   3  in a flat plate shape to which the respective distal ends of the pair of spring piece portions  14   c   2  are connected. A hole portion  14   c   4  is formed between the pair of spring piece portions  14   c   2 . The flexible support portion  14   c  is configured such that the support surface portion  14   c   3  is displaceable in the up-down direction Z with the pair of spring piece portions  14   c   2  deflected in the up-down direction Z with the bent portions  14   c   1  serving as a displacement support point. 
     A first lower movable gap d 4  is formed between the support surface portion  14   c   3  and the two retention protrusions  12   a   3  ( FIG. 7 ). The first lower movable gap d 4  enables the movable housing  12  in the pre-fitting state to be displaced downward in the up-down direction Z. In addition, as discussed earlier, with the substrate fixed leg portions  14   a  having the respective rising portions  14   a   2 , the support surface portion  14   c   3  is disposed at a position away from the first substrate P 1 . A second lower movable gap d 5  is formed between the first substrate P 1  and the bottom surface (retention protrusions  12   a   3 ) of the movable housing  12  ( FIG. 8 ). The second lower movable gap d 5  enables the movable housing  12  and the support surface portion  14   c   3  to be displaced downward in the up-down direction Z. The movable housing  12  is displaceable toward the second lower movable gap d 5 , and can be actually displaced to the limit of displacement of the support surface portion  14   c   3  or until the support surface portion  14   c   3  abuts against the first substrate P 1 . 
     The first lower movable gap d 4  is a space that allows the movable housing  12  of the movable connector  10  in the pre-fitting state before being fitted with the mating connector  20  to be displaced toward the first substrate P 1 . The second lower movable gap d 5  is a space that allows the movable housing  12  of the movable connector  10  in the fitting complete state after being fitted with the mating connector  20  to be displaced toward the first substrate P 1 . The movable connector  10  is structured to have the first lower movable gap d 4  and the second lower movable gap d 5  which are used in accordance with the state of connection with the mating connector  20 . The first lower movable gap d 4  may not be provided. That is, the movable connector  10  may be configured such that the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are placed on the support surface portion  14   c   3  in the pre-fitting state. 
     The fixed housing fixed portion  14   d  is press-fitted into a displacement support member holding portion  11   a   6  formed in the bottom wall  11   a   4  of the fixed housing  11  ( FIGS. 4 and 7 ). Consequently, the displacement support member  14  is fixed to the fixed housing  11 . To press-fit the fixed housing fixed portion  14   d  into the displacement support member holding portion  11   a   6 , the fixed housing fixed portion  14   d  is pushed into the displacement support member holding portion  11   a   6  with a press-fitting tool pushed against the lower edge portion of the base portion  14   b  which forms the hole portion  14   c   4 . That is, the lower edge portion forms a press-fitting receiving portion  14   b   1 . 
     Configuration of Mating Connector  20  [ FIG. 7 ] 
     The mating connector  20  which serves as the “connection object” includes a mating housing  21  and a plurality of mating terminals  22 . The mating connector  20  is mounted on a second substrate P 2 . 
     The mating housing  21  is formed as a resin molded body in a rectangular tubular shape, and includes a peripheral wall  21   a  and a bottom wall  21   b . Fitting connection of the mating housing  21  with the movable housing  12  is established with the peripheral wall  21   a  inserted into the fitting chamber  12   a   1 , in a rectangular frame shape, of the movable housing  12  and with fitting-side end portions  21   a   1  abutting against the bottom wall  12   b  of the movable housing  12  (see the fitting complete state in  FIG. 8 ). The middle wall  12   c  of the movable housing  12  is inserted into a space inside the peripheral wall  21   a . A plurality of terminal holding grooves  21   a   2  are formed in the inner surface of the peripheral wall  21   a  to be arranged in the right-left direction X. A mating contact portion  22   a  of the mating terminal  22  is disposed in each of the terminal holding grooves  21   a   2 . The mating contact portion  22   a  of the mating terminal  22  has a two-contact point structure with a front contact portion  22   a   1  positioned on the front side in the fitting direction and a rear contact portion  22   a   2  positioned on the rear side in the fitting direction. The front contact portion  22   a   1  and the rear contact portion  22   a   2  are each formed as a bent terminal formed by bending a conductive metal piece, and each formed as a contact point spring bent in a mountain shape. Thus, such contact portions press-contact the contact portion  13   e  of the terminal  13  of the movable connector  10  with a predetermined contact pressure. Consequently, the terminal  13  and the mating terminal  22  make conductive contact with each other. Terminal holding portions (not illustrated) in a hole shape are formed in the bottom wall  21   b . The mating terminals  22  are press-fitted into the terminal holding portions to be fixed. 
     Fitting Connection and Fitting Displacement between Movable Connector  10  and Mating Connector  20  [ FIGS. 7 to 10 ] 
     First, fitting connection between the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the movable connector  10  is mounted on the first substrate P 1 , the mating connector  20  is mounted on the second substrate P 2 , and the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  are located away from each other (pre-fitting state). From this pre-fitting state, the second substrate P 2  is moved closer toward the first substrate P 1  to insert the mating housing  21  of the mating connector  20  into the movable housing  12  of the movable housing  10 . Upon receiving the force of inserting the mating connector  20 , the movable housing  12  is displaced downward. At this time, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are moved in the first lower movable gap d 4  to abut against the support surface portion  14   c   3 . The force of inserting the mating connector  20  is received with the retention protrusions  12   a   3  abutting against the support surface portion  14   c   3 . Consequently, the mating housing  21  is inserted into the fitting chamber  12   a   1  of the movable housing  12 , and the insertion of the mating connector  20  is stopped when the fitting-side end portions  21   a   1  abut against the bottom wall  12   b  which serves as a “connection object abutment portion”. Consequently, fitting connection of the mating housing  21  with the fitting chamber  12   a   1  of the movable housing  12  is established (fitting complete state in  FIG. 8 ). 
     In the course of establishing fitting connection described above, the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  occasionally positionally deviate from each other in at least one of the right-left direction X and the front-rear direction Y. However, when the mating housing  21  is inserted into the fitting chamber  12   a   1  of the movable housing  12 , the movable portion  13   c  of the terminal  13  is elastically deformed so as to absorb the positional deviation. Consequently, the movable housing  12  can be displaced in the front-rear movable gap d 1  and the right-left movable gap d 2 . Thus, fitting connection of the mating connector  20  with the movable connector  10  can be established with the positional deviation absorbed even if the housings deviate from the fitting position. 
     When the pre-fitting state illustrated in  FIG. 7  and the fitting complete state illustrated in  FIG. 8  are compared with each other, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  and the support surface portion  14   c   3  do not contact each other in the pre-fitting state, while the retention protrusions  12   a   3  and the support surface portion  14   c   3  contact each other in the fitting complete state. That is, in the fitting complete state, the movable housing  12  is slightly displaced toward the first substrate P 1  with the movable portion  13   c  deflected. This state is obtained by fixing each of the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  to a support member, causing the weight of the second substrate P 2  including the mating connector  20  to act on the movable portion  13   c , etc. Thus, in the fitting complete state in  FIG. 8 , the movable portion  13   c  is slightly elastically deformed, and thus a repulsive force toward the mating connector  20  acts on the movable housing  12 . The support member discussed earlier supports the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2 , and keeps the separation distance therebetween constant. Such a support member can be constituted of a spacer disposed between the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2 . The support member can also be constituted from a first split housing for electronic devices in which the first substrate P 1  is disposed and a second split housing for electronic devices in which the second substrate P 2  is disposed. In this case, the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  can be brought into the fitting complete state by combining the first split housing and the second split housing. The first split housing can be a body of a housing, for example, and the second split housing can be a lid that tightly closes the housing, for example. 
     Next, fitting displacement in the up-down direction Z between the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  will be described. 
     In the fitting complete state illustrated in  FIG. 8 , either of the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  is occasionally deflected in the up-down direction Z (fitting direction or extraction direction) because of vibration or an impact caused under the use environment of the movable connector  10 . Here, by way of example, fitting displacement caused in a state in which the first substrate P 1  is deflected so as to project toward the second substrate P 2  so that the movable connector  10  is biased toward the second substrate P 2  while the second substrate P 2  is not deflected and the mating connector  20  is not moved will be described. 
     When the first substrate P 1  is deflected so as to project toward the second substrate P 2 , the movable connector  10  is urged to be displaced toward the second substrate P 2 . At this time, the fixed housing  11  is displaced toward the second substrate P 2 , but fitting connection of the movable housing  12  with the mating connector  20  in the stationary state has been established. Therefore, the movable housing  12  is not displaced toward the second substrate P 2 , and the first substrate P 1  is displaced closer toward the movable housing  12 . This, in other words, corresponds to only the second substrate P 2  being deflected so as to project toward the first substrate P 1  and the mating connector  20  being displaced in the fitting direction (downward in the up-down direction Z) closer toward the first substrate P 1 . 
     Then, the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced closer toward the first substrate P 1  with the movable portion  13   c  elastically deformed. At this time, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  of the movable housing  12  push down the support surface portion  14   c   3  of the flexible support portion  14   c  toward the first substrate P 1  to be deflected as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The support surface portion  14   c   3  is displaced toward the second lower movable gap d 5  to approach the first substrate P 1  with the spring piece portions  14   c   2  elastically deformed with the bent portions  14   c   1  serving as the displacement support point. Consequently, the movable housing  12  is also relatively displaced toward the second lower movable gap d 5  closer toward the first substrate P 1 . In this manner, the movable housing  12  can be relatively displaced downward (fitting direction) in the up-down direction Z. 
     In a state in which the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced downward in the up-down direction Z, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  of the movable housing  12  contact the support surface portion  14   c   3  of the flexible support portion  14   c , and the fitting-side end portions  21   a   1  of the mating housing  21  contact the bottom wall  12   b  of the movable housing  12 . Therefore, the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is not varied, and the position of contact of the mating contact portion  22   a  of the mating terminal  22  with the contact portion  13   e  of the terminal  13  is maintained. Thus, contact point slide between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is not caused. 
     When the first substrate P 1  is returned to the original non-deflected state, the fixed housing  11  is returned to the position in the fitting complete state. At this time, the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced upward (extraction direction) in the up-down direction Z with respect to the fixed housing  11  and the first substrate P 1 . Then, the support surface portion  14   c   3  which has been deflected is returned to the original state, and can be returned to the position in the fitting complete state. In this manner, the movable housing  12  can be relatively displaced upward (extraction direction) in the up-down direction Z. 
     Also when the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced upward in the up-down direction Z, the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is not varied. That is, an extraction force that is necessary to extract the mating housing  21  from the movable housing  12  is larger than a force that is necessary to displace the movable housing  12  upward in the up-down direction Z by elastically deforming the movable portion  13   c . Thus, the position of contact of the mating contact portion  22   a  of the mating terminal  22  with the contact portion  13   e  of the terminal  13  is maintained also when the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced upward in the up-down direction Z, and contact point slide between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is not caused. 
     Operation of the movable connector  10  described above has been described using an example in which only the first substrate P 1  is deflected so as to project toward the second substrate P 2  in the stationary state and thereafter the first substrate P 1  is returned to the original state. However, operation of the movable connector  10  is also the same for a case where only the second substrate P 2  is deflected so as to project toward the first substrate P 1  in the stationary state and thereafter the second substrate P 2  is returned to the original state and a case where both the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  are deflected so as to project toward each other and thereafter the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  are returned to the original state. It should be noted, however, that initial motion of the movable connector  10  is different as described next in the case where at least one of the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  is deflected so as to project in the direction away from each other and thereafter the substrate is returned to the original state. 
     In the fitting complete state illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the retention protrusions  12   a   3  of the movable housing  12  contact the support surface portion  14   c   3  of the displacement support member  14 . When at least one of the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  is deflected from this state so as to project in the direction relatively away from each other, the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced in the direction away from the first substrate P 1  through elastic deformation of the movable portion  13   c.    
     At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are occasionally moved away from the support surface portion  14   c   3 , and the state in which the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is maintained is occasionally canceled. Then, the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  cannot be maintained, and contact point slide may be caused. In the present embodiment, however, an extraction force that is necessary to extract the mating connector  20  from the movable connector  10  is set to be high. In this embodiment, this extraction force is composed of a contact pressure between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  in the fitting complete state and a friction force (interterminal friction force) between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a . Thus, the movable portion  13   c  can be elastically deformed with the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  maintained. In other words, in the connection structure for the movable connector  10  according to the present embodiment, the extraction force between the terminals is set to be larger than the displacement load for the movable portion  13   c . Therefore, even if the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are moved away from the support surface portion  14   c   3 , the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is maintained since the extraction force is set to be high, and contact point slide between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is not caused. That is, the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is not varied. 
     The contact pressure between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is determined in accordance with the arrangement of the contact portion  13   e  in the movable connector  10 , which affects the distance between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a , the plate thickness of the contact portion  13   e , the spring constant of the mating contact portion  22   a , etc. Thus, the contact pressure is not determined in accordance with a structural element that includes only the mating contact portion  22  with a spring structure, but the contact portion  13   e  of the terminal  13  is also a structural element that affects the contact pressure and, further, the extraction force including the contact pressure. 
     As has been described above, the movable connector  10  according to the present embodiment can effectively suppress occurrence of contact point slide. Examples of the method of suppressing occurrence of contact point slide include setting the spring of the movable portion  13   c  to be stiff in order that the movable portion  13   c  biases the movable housing  12  against the mating connector  20  at all times. With that method, however, the spring of the movable portion  13   c  is so stiff that it is difficult to design the movable connector  10  which exhibits a floating function that makes use of flexible deformation of the movable portion  13   c . With the movable connector  10  according to the present embodiment, in contrast, the spring of the movable portion  13   c  can be set to be soft, and thus a floating function that makes use of flexible deformation of the movable portion  13   c  can be achieved. 
     Second Embodiment [FIGS.  11  to  18 ] 
     Configuration of Movable Connector  10  [ FIGS. 11 to 15 ] 
     The movable connector  10  according to a second embodiment differs from the first embodiment, in which the displacement support member  14  is separate from the fixed housing  11 , in that a flexible support portion  15  is formed integrally with the fixed housing  11 . In addition, the movable connector  10  according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment, in which displacement regulation is performed by the fixed housing  11 , in that a displacement regulation member  16  regulates displacement of the retention protrusions  12   a   3 . The other components of the second embodiment and the functions and effects based thereon are similar to those according to the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described unless such components, functions, and effects are to be particularly referred to. The features of the second embodiment will be mainly described below. 
     The fixed housing  11  is formed with a pair of side walls  11   a   7  in a vertical wall shape that extend in the right-left direction X and that project upward in the up-down direction Z and right and left bottom walls  11   a   8  in a flat plate shape that connect between both ends of the pair of side walls  11   a   7 . In this manner, the fixed housing  11  has a housing structure in which there are no walls that form a closed space or a space surrounded by a peripheral wall above the pair of side walls  11   a   7  and the right and left bottom walls  11   a   8 . In addition, an opening portion  11   a   9  is formed between the right and left bottom walls  11   a   8 . The movable housing  12  is positioned above the opening portion  11   a   9  ( FIG. 13 ), and the lower end portion of the movable housing  12  is inserted into the opening portion  11   a   9 . Thus, the height of the movable housing  12  is reduced, and the overall size of movable connector  10  is reduced. 
     The right and left bottom walls  11   a   8  are each formed with the flexible support portion  15 . The flexible support portion  15  according to the present embodiment is a resin molded body formed integrally with the fixed housing  11 . However, the flexible support portion  15  may be constituted as a metal piece insert-molded in the fixed housing  11 . The flexible support portion  15  is formed as a spring piece in a cantilever shape. More specifically, the flexible support portion  15  includes a spring piece portion  15   a  that extends obliquely upward in the up-down direction Z from the bottom wall  11   a   8  of the fixed housing  11  and a support surface portion  15   b  that extends in the horizontal direction from the spring piece portion  15   a . The spring piece portion  15   a  is deflectable upward and downward in the up-down direction Z, and thus the support surface portion  15   b  is displaceable in the up-down direction Z. 
     A first lower movable gap d 4  is formed between the support surface portion  15   b  and the retention protrusions  12   a   3  of the movable housing  12  which face each other ( FIG. 12 ). The first lower movable gap d 4  enables the movable housing  12  in the pre-fitting state to be displaced downward (fitting direction) in the up-down direction Z. 
     A second lower movable gap d 5  is formed between the first substrate P 1  and the bottom surface (lower end surfaces of the side walls  11   a   7  and the bottom walls  11   a   8 ) of the movable housing  12  ( FIG. 12 ). The second lower movable gap d 5  enables the movable housing  12  to be displaced downward (fitting direction) in the up-down direction Z with the support surface portion  15   b  deflected using the spring piece portion  15   a  as the displacement support point. 
     The movable housing  12  is displaceable toward the second lower movable gap d 5 , and can be actually displaced over a distance to the limit position of deflection of the support surface portion  15   b  toward the bottom wall  11   a   8 , the distance becoming longest when the support surface portion  15   b  abuts against the bottom wall  11   a   8 . In this manner, the movable connector  10  according to the second embodiment is also structured to have the first lower movable gap d 4  and the second lower movable gap d 5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the displacement regulation member  16  is formed as a metal fitting by stamping a metal piece in a flat plate shape as the material by pressing and bending the metal piece in the plate thickness direction at predetermined locations. The displacement regulation member  16  includes a pair of fixed housing fixed portions  16   a , a base portion  16   b , a bent portion  16   c , and a displacement regulation portion  16   d . 
     The fixed housing fixed portions  16   a  are press-fitted into displacement regulation member holding portions  11   a   10 , which are provided in the pair of side walls  11   a   7  of the fixed housing  11 , to be fixed. The base portion  16   b  extends between the pair of fixed housing fixed portions  16   a  so as to cross between the pair of side walls  11   a   7 . The bent portion  16   c  is bent from the lower edge of the base portion  16   b  to support the displacement regulation portion  16   d.    
     The displacement regulation portion  16   d  is supported by the bent portion  16   c , and has a function of regulating displacement of the movable housing  12  with the retention protrusions  12   a   3  of the movable housing  12  abutting against the displacement regulation portion  16   d . More specifically, the displacement regulation portion  16   d  includes a transverse piece portion  16   d   1  which serves as a “first displacement regulation portion” that extends along the front-rear direction Y and a pair of side piece portions  16   d   2  which serve as a “second displacement regulation portion” that extends vertically downward from both ends of the transverse piece portion  16   d   1 . 
     An upper movable gap d 3  is formed between the transverse piece portion  16   d   1  and the retention protrusions  12   a   3  ( FIG. 12 ). The upper movable gap d 3  enables the movable housing  12  in the stationary state (pre-fitting state ( FIGS. 12 and 14 ) and fitting complete state ( FIG. 16 )) to be displaced upward in the up-down direction Z. In addition, a front-rear movable gap dl is formed between the pair of side piece portions  16   d   2  and the retention protrusions  12   a   3  ( FIG. 12 ). The front-rear movable gap dl enables the movable housing  12  in the stationary state to be displaced in the front-rear direction Y. Further, a right-left movable gap d 2  is formed between the transverse piece portion  16   d   1  and the side piece portions  16   d   2  and the side walls  12   a   2  of the movable housing  12  ( FIG. 13 ). The right-left movable gap d 2  enables the movable housing  12  in the stationary state to be displaced in the right-left direction X. 
     As described above, the displacement regulation portion  16   d  of the displacement regulation member  16  can function to regulate excessive displacement of the movable housing  12  in the right-left direction X (direction which crosses the fitting direction), the front-rear direction Y (direction which crosses the fitting direction), and upward (extraction direction) in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the displacement regulation member  16  is formed separately from the fixed housing  11 , and thus the fixed housing  11  can be structured simply, and manufactured and assembled easily. Further, the displacement regulation member  16  includes both the transverse piece portion  16   d   1  and the side piece portions  16   d   2 , and thus the number of parts can be reduced and the connector structure can be simplified compared to a case where such portions are constituted from separate members. Consequently, the size of the movable connector  10  can be reduced. 
     Fitting Connection and Fitting Displacement between Movable Connector  10  and Mating Connector  20  [ FIGS. 16 to 18 ] 
     Fitting connection between the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  is the same as that for the movable connector  10  according to the first embodiment. That is, the mating housing  21  may be inserted into the movable housing  12  by moving the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20  in the pre-fitting state closer toward each other. Upon receiving the force of inserting the mating connector  20 , the movable housing  12  is displaced downward. At this time, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are moved in the first lower movable gap d 4  to abut against the support surface portion  15   b  (position of the movable housing  12  in  FIG. 16 ). The force of inserting the mating connector  20  is received with the retention protrusions  12   a   3  abutting against the support surface portion  15   b . Consequently, the mating housing  21  is inserted into the fitting chamber  12   a   1  of the movable housing  12 , and the insertion of the mating connector  20  is stopped when the fitting-side end portions  21   a   1  abut against the bottom wall  12   b  which serves as a “connection object abutment portion”. Consequently, fitting connection of the mating housing  21  with the fitting chamber  12   a   1  of the movable housing  12  is established (see the fitting complete state in  FIG. 8 ). 
     Next, fitting displacement in the up-down direction Z between the movable connector  10  and the mating connector  20 , which is the same as fitting displacement of the movable connector  10  according to the first embodiment, will be described. That is, when the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced downward in the up-down direction Z with the movable portion  13   c  elastically deformed, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  push down the support surface portions  15   b  toward the first substrate P 1  to be deflected as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The support surface portions  15   b  are displaced to approach the first substrate P 1  with the spring piece portions  15   a  elastically deformed. Consequently, the movable housing  12  is also relatively displaced toward the second lower movable gap d 5  closer toward the first substrate P 1 . In this manner, the movable housing  12  can be relatively displaced downward (fitting direction) in the up-down direction Z. In this manner, contact point slide is not caused, as in the first embodiment, in the case where the movable housing  12  is displaced in the fitting direction. 
     In addition, when the movable housing  12  is relatively displaced in the direction away from the first substrate P 1  through elastic deformation of the movable portion  13   c , the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are occasionally moved away from the support surface portion  15   b , and the state in which the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is maintained is occasionally canceled, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . Then, the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  cannot be maintained, and contact point slide may be caused. Also with the movable connector  10  according to the present embodiment, however, the extraction force in the fitting complete state is set to be large, and the movable portion  13   c  can be elastically deformed with the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  maintained. Thus, even if the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are moved away from the support surface portion  15   b , the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is maintained since the extraction force is set to be high, and contact point slide between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  is not caused. That is, the position of fitting between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  is not varied, as in the first embodiment. 
     Modifications 
     The above embodiments can be implemented with the components partially modified. Several examples will be described. 
     In the first embodiment, the flexible support portion  14   c  is configured such that the support surface portion  14   c   3  is provided at the distal ends of the pair of spring piece portions  14   c   2 . However, auxiliary flexible support portions  17  which serve as an “extraction direction bias spring” formed of a spring piece that extends upward in the up-down direction Z with respect to the support surface portion  14   c   3  in the free state may be provided in addition to the support surface portion  14   c   3 , for example. An example of such a modification is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
     In the first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when excessive deflection is caused in the direction in which the first substrate P 1  and the second substrate P 2  are moved away from each other, the retention protrusions  12   a   3  may be moved away from the support surface portion  14   c   3  with the movable housing  12  relatively displaced. Then, the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  may be relatively moved away in the extraction direction. In order to prevent that, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the extraction force which is necessary to extract the mating connector  20  from the movable connector  10  is set to be larger than the displacement load for the movable portion  13   c , and the movable portion  13   c  can be elastically deformed with the position of contact between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  maintained. 
     By providing the auxiliary flexible support portions  17  which are each formed of a spring piece as in the modification, in contrast, the movable housing  12  can be biased toward the mating housing  21  by the auxiliary flexible support portions  17  even if the retention protrusions  12   a   3  are moved away from the support surface portion  14   c   3 . Thus, the movable housing  12  can be caused to follow displacement of the mating housing  21  with the fitting complete state maintained, which can suppress occurrence of contact point slide. In this case, the contact pressure between the terminals can be set to be low compared to the movable connectors  10  according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and thus advantageously the insertion force during connection work can be further reduced. 
     From the viewpoint of preventing positional deviation of the fitting position in the fitting direction and the extraction direction between the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21 , the second housing  12  and the mating housing  21  may be provided with a press-fitting portion so that a friction force (interhousing friction force) for positional deviation prevention may be generated in the fitting complete state, for example. This friction force composes an “extraction force” for suppressing occurrence of contact point slide when the movable housing  12  is displaced in the extraction direction, together with the contact pressure between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a  and the friction force (interterminal friction force) between the contact portion  13   e  and the mating contact portion  22   a . Alternatively, the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  may be provided with a fitting lock portion formed from an engagement protrusion and an engagement recessed portion that lock each other in the fitting complete state to prevent positional deviation. 
     In the embodiments described above, the mating terminal  22  is provided with the mating contact portion  22   a  with a spring structure, and the terminal  13  of the movable connector  10  includes the contact portion  13   e  in a flat plate shape. However, the terminal  13  may be provided with a contact portion with a spring structure, and the mating terminal  22  may be provided with a contact portion without a spring structure. 
     In the embodiments described above, an electric connector (mating connector  20 ) is provided as an example of the “connection object”. However, the “connection object” is not limited to an electric connector, and may be a flat conductor such as an FPC and an FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic part including an electric element, etc. In this case, the configuration of the movable connector  10  can be varied in accordance with the “connection object”. 
     In the embodiments described above, the bottom wall  12   b  of the movable housing  12  is the “connection object abutment portion”, against which the fitting-side end portions  21   a   1  of the peripheral wall  21   a  of the mating housing  21  abut. However, the structure for achieving such interhousing contact is not limited to interhousing contact made inside the fitting chamber  12   a   1 . In short, it is only necessary that there should be a portion in which the movable housing  12  and the mating housing  21  contact each other, and it is only necessary that the contact portion should be located outside the fitting chamber  12   a   1 . For example, the opening-side end portion of the peripheral wall  12   a  of the movable housing  12  may contact the mating connector  20  or the second substrate P 2 .