Patent Publication Number: US-11381018-B2

Title: Connector, connection object and electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-211826 filed on Nov. 1, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector, a connection object and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, in view of improvement of usability, a structure that allows for easy insertion and removal of a connection object is required for a connector used for an electronic device and the like. When all processes are performed automatically by machines without using hand for manufacture of electronic devices, and when connectors are inserted and removed by hand for maintenance of devices, there is an increased demand for improvement of usability of the connectors. 
     For example, in a connector for cable disclosed in patent literature 1 (PTL 1), a connector for cable and a connection object are securely connected to each other by one operation of inserting a connection object. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP2016-062851 A 
     SUMMARY 
     Solution to Problem 
     A connector according to an embodiment of this disclosure includes: 
     an insulator into/from which a connection object can be inserted/removed; and 
     an actuator capable of rotating between a closed position where the actuator closes with respect to the insulator and an opened position where the actuator opens with respect to the insulator, wherein 
     the actuator rotates from a removal side to an insertion side of the connection object with respect to the insulator when moving from the closed position to the opened position and holds the opened position independently. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view illustrating a connector and a connection object according to an embodiment in a separation state; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective back view illustrating the connector and the connection object in  FIG. 1  in a separation state; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded back perspective view of the connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VI-VI in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VII-VII in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VIII-VIII in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows IX-IX in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows X-X in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XI-XI in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is inserted; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XIII-XIII in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XIV-XIV in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XV-XV in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVI-XVI in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVII-XVII in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVIII-XVIII in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is completely inserted; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XX-XX in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXI-XXI in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXII-XXII in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIII-XXIII in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIV-XXIV in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXV-XXV in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is removed; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXVII-XXVII in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXVIII-XXVIII in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIX-XXIX in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXX-XXX in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXXI-XXXI in  FIG. 26 ; and 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXXII-XXXII in  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In a connector for cable disclosed in PTL 1, although usability is improved when a connection object is inserted, usability for removing a connection object is not considered. 
     In a connector according to an embodiment of this disclosure, usability for removing a connection object is improved. 
     An embodiment according to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings. Hereinafter, front and back, right and left and up and down directions are based on the arrows in each drawing. The direction of each arrow is common to all drawings from  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 32 . For simplified illustration, illustration of a circuit board CB is omitted in some drawings. 
     An connection object  60  connected to a connector  10  according to an embodiment is described as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), for example, but not limited thereto. Any connection object  60  may be used as far as it can be electrically connected to a circuit board CB through the connector  10 . For example, the connection object  60  may be a flexible flat cable (FFC). 
     Hereinafter, an explanation is given as the connection object  60  is connected to the connector  10  vertical to a circuit board CB on which the connector  10  is mounted. As an example, the connection object  60  is connected to the connector  10  along the up/down direction. The “insertion/removal direction” used below refers to the up/down direction as an example. The “removal direction” refers to the up direction as an example. The “insertion side” refers to the down side. The “removal side” refers to the up side. The connection method is not limited thereto. The connection object  60  may be connected to the connector  10  in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB. The circuit board CB may be a rigid board or any other circuit boards. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective front view illustrating the connector  10  and the connection object  60  according to an embodiment in a separation state.  FIG. 2  is a perspective back view illustrating the connector  10  and the connection object  60  in  FIG. 1  in a separation state.  FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the connector  10  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded back perspective view of the connector  10  in  FIG. 1 . Configuration of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the connector  10  according to an embodiment has, as large components, an insulator  20 , a first contact  30 A, a second contact  30 B, a pressing member  40  and an actuator  50 . As an example, the connector  10  is assembled by the following method. The first contact  30 A and the second contact  30 B are pressed into the insulator  20  from underneath of the insulator  20 . After the pressing member  40  is pressed into the insulator  20  from above, the actuator  50  is attached to the insulator  20  from above. Then the pressing member  40  is engaged with the actuator  50 , and thus the actuator  50  is prevented from coming off upward. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  10  is mounted on the circuit board CB. The connector  10  electrically connects the connection object  60  and the circuit board CB through the first contact  30 A and the second contact  30 B. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the insulator  20  is a symmetrical box member formed through injection molding of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The insulator  20  has an insertion groove  21  extending in the insertion/removal direction and recessed in the right/left direction. The connection object  60  is inserted into and removed from the insertion groove  21 . The front upper portion of the insertion groove  21  is opened such that the actuator  50  is attached to the insulator  20 . In order to improve the insertion performance of the connection object  60 , the upper edge on the back surface of the insertion groove  21  is formed by a slope inclined to inside of the insertion groove  21  from the removal side to the insertion side. The substantial central portion of the insertion groove  21  in the insertion/removal direction is formed by a slope inclined further to inside of the insertion groove  21  from the removal side to the insertion side. The front-back width of the insertion groove  21  is largest at the inlet portion and is decreased in stages from the removal side toward the insertion side due to the slope. 
     The insulator  20  has a plurality of first mounting grooves  22 A extending in the up and down direction at the lower half portion on the back surface of the insertion groove  21 . A plurality of first contacts  30 A is pressed into a plurality of first mounting grooves  22 A, respectively. The first mounting grooves  22 A are arranged separated from each other in the right and left direction at specific intervals. Each first mounting groove  22 A passes through the bottom of the insulator  20  and is recessed up to the substantial central portion in the up and down direction of the insertion groove  21 . The insulator  20  has second mounting grooves  22 B respectively extending in the up and down direction on the right and left sides of the back surface of the insertion groove  21 . A second contact  30 B is pressed into each second mounting groove  22 B. Each second mounting groove  22 B passes through the bottom of the insulator  20  and is recessed up to the upper end of the insertion groove  21 . The insulator  20  has third mounting grooves  23  respectively widely notched on the right and left ends of the front surface. A pressing member  40  is pressed into each third mounting groove  23 . 
     The insulator  20  has rotating shaft receivers  24  at the front upper portion opened for the actuator  50  to be attached. Four rotating shaft receivers  24  are formed in total, two on the left half portion and two on the right half portion of the insulator  20 . The two rotating shaft receivers  24  formed on the left half portion and those formed on the right half portion are formed substantially axisymmetric with the center of the insulator  20  in the right and left direction as a reference. The insulator  20  has first closed position regulating portions  25 A that are respectively formed facing forward in the substantial central portion in the front and back direction on the right and left ends. The insulator  20  has second closed position regulating portions  25 B that are respectively separated inward from the first closed position regulating portions  25 A along the right and left direction and located one step in front of the first closed position regulating portions  25 A. As with the first closed position regulating portions  25 A, the second closed position regulating portions  25 B are formed facing forward. The insulator  20  has supporting portions  26  respectively formed upward of the third mounting grooves  23  on the right and left sides. The insulator  20  has open position regulating portions  27  respectively formed discontinuously in the right and left direction at the upper edge on the front surface and facing upward. 
     The first contact  30 A is obtained by molding a thin plate made of copper alloy including phosphor bronze, beryllium copper and titanium copper having a spring elasticity or Corson copper alloy by using a progressive die (stamping) into the shape illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A surface of the first contact  30 A is treated with nickel plating as an undercoat and then plated with gold or tin. A plurality of arrays of first contact  30 A is disposed along the right and left direction. 
     Each first contact  30 A has a fixing portion  31 A that fixes with respect to the first mounting groove  22 A of the insulator  20 . Each first contact  30 A has a mounting portion  32 A extending from the lower end of the fixing portion  31 A toward back in a substantial L-shape. Each first contact  30 A has an elastically deformable elastic portion  33 A that is formed continuously with the upper portion of the fixing portion  31 A and bends downward after extending upward. Each first contact  30 A has a contact portion  34 A located at the end thereof and formed continuously with the elastic portion  33 A. 
     The second contact  30 B is obtained by molding a thin plate made of copper alloy including phosphor bronze, beryllium copper and titanium copper having a spring elasticity or Corson copper alloy by using a progressive die (stamping) into the shape illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A surface of the second contact  30 B is treated with nickel plating as an undercoat and then plated with gold or tin. The second contact  30 B is disposed on the right and left sides of the insulator  20 . 
     Each second contact  30 B has a fixing portion  31 B that fixes with respect to the second mounting groove  22 B of the insulator  20 . Each second contact  30 B has a mounting portion  32 B extending from the lower end of the fixing portion  31 B toward back in a substantial L-shape. Each second contact  30 B has an elastically deformable elastic portion  33 B that is formed continuously with the upper portion of the fixing portion  31 B and extends upward. Each second contact  30 B has a contact portion  34 B located at the end thereof and formed continuously with the elastic portion  33 B. 
     Each pressing member  40  is obtained by molding a thin plate made of any metal material into the shape illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  by using a progressive die (stamping). Each pressing member  40  has a fixing portion  41  fixed with respect to the third mounting groove  23  of the insulator  20 . Each pressing member  40  has a mounting portion  42  extending forward from the lower end of the fixing portion  41  in a substantially L-shape. The mounting portion  42  has a through hole formed therein. The pressing member  40  has an elastically deformable elastic portion  43  extending obliquely upward from the substantial central portion of the fixing portion  41 . The elastic portion  43  is formed such that its end extends in a substantial L-shape, more specifically, extends in obliquely upward, and bends backward at substantially right angle. 
     The actuator  50  is a symmetrical plate member extending in the right and left direction as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and is obtained through injection molding of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The actuator  50  has an operating portion  51  that is located in the central portion and extends in the right and left direction. The actuator  50  has a projection  52  projected to the insertion side. Seven projections  52  are formed in total along the right and left direction, and projections  52 A,  52 B,  52 C,  52 D,  52 E,  52 F and  52 G are disposed in this order from left to right. 
     The actuator  50  has four rotating shafts  53  in a substantially columnar shape respectively projected from the left side of the projection  52 C, from both of the right and left sides of the projection  52 D and from the right side of the projection  52 E, along the right and left direction. The four rotating shafts  53  are aligned to each other and projected in the right and left direction. The actuator  50  has first closed position regulated portions  54 A respectively formed facing backward at a projection  52 A and a projection  52 G. The actuator  50  has second closed position regulated portions  54 B each separated inward from the first closed position regulated portion  54 A along the right and left direction and located one step in front of the first closed position regulated portion  54 A. The second closed position regulated portions  54 B are formed backward at the projections  52 B and  52 F, respectively. The actuator  50  has first holding portions  55 A formed of a slope inclined backward from the end of the insertion side to the removal side of the projections  52 C,  52 D and  52 E, respectively. The actuator  50  has second holding portions  55 B formed of an angle on the front side of the projections  52 A,  52 B,  52 F and  52 G, respectively. The actuator  50  has pivots  55 C respectively formed of an angle on the back side of the projections  52 B and  52 F. The actuator  50  has position regulated portions  56  formed of a slope on the top of the projections  52 C,  52 D and  52 E, respectively. 
     The actuator  50  has cams  57  each formed by being sandwiched between a pair of corresponding projections. One of the cams  57  is formed between the lower portion of the projection  52 A and the lower portion of the projection  52 B. The other cam  57  is formed between the lower portion of the projection  52 F and the lower portion of the projection  52 G. The upper edge of each cam  57  is formed by an arc-like curve. The front surface of each cam  57  is formed by a slope that is continuous with the curve of the upper edge and inclined backward from the removal side to the insertion side. The actuator  50  has hooked locking portions  58  each formed on the removal side of each cam  57 . Each locking portion  58  projects backward from the upper end on the back surface of the actuator  50 . Each locking portion  58  has a curve  58 A forming an external surface of the removal side and curving obliquely downward after extending backward. The external surface on the removal side of the locking portion  58  has an R-shape. Each locking portion  58  has a hook  58 B forming the end of the insertion side and projecting one step toward the insertion side. The actuator  50  has a pressing portion  59  formed between the locking portions  58  on both right and left sides and formed of an entire back surface that inclines backward from the removal side to the insertion side. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  10  is mounted on a circuit forming surface formed on the circuit board CB disposed substantially vertical to the insertion/removal direction. More specifically, the mounting portion  32 A of the first contact  30 A is placed on a solder paste applied to a signal pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion  32 B of the second contact  30 B and the mounting portion  42  of the pressing member  40  are placed on a solder paste applied to a ground pattern on the circuit board CB. Each solder paste is heated and melted by a reflow furnace and the mounting portion  32 A is soldered to the signal pattern. The mounting portions  32 B and  42  are soldered to the ground pattern. As a result, mounting of the connector  10  to the circuit board CB is completed. In this case, the through hole formed in the mounting portion  42  of the pressing member  40  allows the solder to be collected easily, and the fixing strength with respect to the circuit board CB is increased. At the same time the through hole formed in the mounting portion  42  prevents the excessive solder from flowing up, and as a result the spring elasticity of the elastic portion  43  is maintained. 
     The connection object  60  has a layered structure formed of thin films adhered to each other. The connection object  60  has a reinforcing portion  61  that forms an end in the extending direction, that is, the insertion/removal direction, and is harder than the other portions. The connection object  60  has a plurality of signal lines  62  linearly extending along the insertion/removal direction and extending to the bottom of the reinforcing portion  61 . On the removal side, although the signal line  62  is covered by an exterior on the back side of the connection object  60 , it is exposed backward near the end in the insertion/removal direction. The connection object  60  has contact portions  63  each formed of a side edge of the reinforcing portion  61  near the end in the insertion/removal direction. The connection object  60  has locked portions  64  each being adjacent to the contact portion  63  on the removal side and formed by cutting off the side edge of the reinforcing portion  61 . The connection object  60  has guiding portions  65  each being adjacent to the contact portion  63  on the insertion side and formed by cutting off the right and left corners of the reinforcing portion  61  so as to correspond to the shape of the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50 . The lateral surface of the connection object  60  has an R-shape at the guiding portion  65 . The lateral surface extends from the end to the removal side along the insertion/removal direction, and inclines outward toward the removal side further. The connection object  60  has a layered ground  66  forming the back surface of the exterior on the back side. 
       FIG. 5  is  FIG. 5  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VI-VI in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VII-VII in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows VIII-VIII in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows IX-IX in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows X-X in  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XI-XI in  FIG. 5 . Function of each component of the connector  10  will be described in detail below with reference mainly to  FIGS. 5 to 11 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , when the first contact  30 A is pressed into the first mounting groove  22 A of the insulator  20 , the first contact  30 A is elastically deformable along the front and back direction. When the first contact  30 A is in a free state where it is not elastically deformed, the contact portion  34 A projects from the first mounting groove  22 A and locates in the insertion groove  21 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , when the second contact  30 B is pressed into the second mounting groove  22 B of the insulator  20 , the second contact  30 B is elastically deformable along the front and back direction. When the second contact  30 B is in a free state where it is not elastically deformed, the contact portion  34 B projects from the second mounting groove  22 B and locates in the insertion groove  21 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , when the actuator  50  is attached to the insulator  20 , the rotating shaft  53  of the actuator  50  is accepted by the rotating shaft receiver  24  of the insulator  20 . When the rotating shaft  53  is supported by the rotating shaft receiver  24  from the insertion side, the actuator  50  is rotatable between a closed position where the actuator  50  closes with respect to the insulator  20  and an opened position where the actuator  50  opens with respect to the insulator  20 . In the connector  10  according to an embodiment, when the actuator  50  moves from the closed position to the opened position, it rotates from the removal side to the insertion side with respect to the insulator  20 . When the actuator  50  moves from the closed position to the opened position, it rotates counterclockwise in  FIGS. 6 to 11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , when the actuator  50  is attached from above to the insulator  20  into which the pressing member  40  is pressed, the elastic portion  43  of the pressing member  40  elastically deforms forward by a slope that forms the front surface of the cam  57  of the actuator  50 . When the elastic portion  43  elastically displaces forward, the cam  57  enters further into the insertion side than the end having a substantially L-shape of the elastic portion  43 , and the elastic portion  43  and the cam  57  are engaged with each other. Then, the slightly and elastically deformed end of the elastic portion  43  of the pressing member  40  comes in contact with the cam  57  of the actuator  50  from front. As a result, an urging force acts on the actuator  50  through the cam  57 , and the pressing member  40  urges the actuator  50  to rotate toward the closed position. The pressing member  40  elastically deforms and allows the actuator  50  to rotate to the opened position side. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , when the actuator  50  is located in the closed position, the first closed position regulating portion  25 A of the insulator  20  and the first closed position regulated portion  54 A of the actuator  50  come in contact or come close to each other. In the same manner, with reference to  FIG. 8 , when the actuator  50  is located in the closed position, the second closed position regulating portion  25 B of the insulator  20  and the second closed position regulated portion  54 B of the actuator  50  come in contact or come close to each other. The first closed position regulating portion  25 A and the second closed position regulating portion  25 B of the insulator  20  apply a drag that balances with the urging force acting from the pressing member  40  on the actuator  50  to the actuator  50 . The first closed position regulating portion  25 A and the second closed position regulating portion  25 B define the closed position of the actuator  50  and serve to prevent the actuator  50  from rotating excessively over the closed position. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is inserted,  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XIII-XIII in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XIV-XIV in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XV-XV in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVI-XVI in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVII-XVII in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XVIII-XVIII in  FIG. 12 . Function of each component when the connection object  60  is inserted into the connector  10  will be described in detail below with reference mainly to  FIGS. 12 to 18 . 
     When the connection object  60  is inserted into the connector  10 , the end of the reinforcing portion  61  of the connection object  60  enters into the insertion groove  21  along a slope formed at the upper edge on the back surface of the insertion groove  21 . In this case, even if the insertion position of the connection object  60  is slightly misaligned with respect to the insertion groove  21 , the end of the reinforcing portion  61  slides over the slope of the insertion groove  21 , and as a result the connection object  60  is guided into the insertion groove  21 . In the same manner, even if the insertion position of the connection object  60  is slightly misaligned in the right and left direction with respect to the insertion groove  21  or even if the connection object  60  is slightly inclined to the right and left from the insertion/removal direction, the lateral surface of the connection object  60  at the guiding portion  65  slides on the inner surface of the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50 , and the connection object  60  is guided into the insertion groove  21 . More specifically, the inclined lateral surface of the connection object  60  forming the guiding portion  65  allows the connection object  60  to move from the outside to the inside in the right and left direction with the insertion groove  21  as a reference. 
     When the connection object  60  moves further to the insertion side of the insertion groove  21 , the contact portion  63  of the connection object  60  and the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50  come in contact with each other. The external surface on the removal side of the locking portion  58  is formed of the curve  58 A having an R-shape, and drag is generated toward the opened position of the actuator  50  due to contact between the locking portion  58  and the connection object  60 . Therefore, a moment of force toward the opened position is generated with respect to the actuator  50 . When the connection object  60  moves further toward the insertion side of the insertion groove  21  with the locking portion  58  and the contact portion  63  being in contact with each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the actuator  50  moves forward with respect to the insulator  20  and rotates to the opened position side by the moment of force toward the opened position. On the other hand, when the actuator  50  moves forward and rotates to the opened position, the pressing member  40  elastically deforms and an urging force toward the closed position acts on the actuator  50  through the cam  57 . Therefore, the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50  rides over the front surface of the contact portion  63  of the connection object  60 . The contact portion  63  slides with respect to the end portion of the locking portion  58  as the connection object  60  moves to the insertion side. 
     With reference to  FIG. 18 , rotating shafts  53  projected respectively from the right and left sides of the projection  52 D are supported by the rotating shaft receiver  24  of the insulator  20  from the insertion side. The actuator  50  is supported by the insulator  20  from the insertion side to the removal direction. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 to 18 , the back surface of the signal line  62  of the connection object  60  comes in contact with the contact portion  34 A of the first contact  30 A and elastically deforms the first contact  30 A to the inside of the first mounting groove  22 A. In the same manner, with reference to  FIG. 15 , the ground  66  of the connection object  60  comes in contact with the contact portion  34 B of the second contact  30 B and elastically deforms the second contact  30 B toward the inside of the second mounting groove  22 B. 
       FIG. 19  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is completely inserted,  FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XX-XX in  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXI-XXI in  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXII-XXII in  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIII-XXIII in  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIV-XXIV in  FIG. 19 , and  FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXV-XXV in  FIG. 19 . Function of each component when the connection object  60  is completely inserted into the connector  10  will be described in detail below with reference mainly to  FIGS. 19 to 25 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 21 , when the connection object  60  is completely inserted into the insertion groove  21 , the contact portion  63  of the connection object  60  passes the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50  and is completely accommodated in the insertion groove  21 . Then, the locking portion  58  and the contact portion  63  come in no contact with each other, and the actuator  50  automatically moves to the lock position by the urging force from the pressing member  40 . The lock position refers to the position of the actuator  50  for retaining the connection object  60  inserted into the insertion groove  21 . Comparing  FIGS. 6 to 11  with  FIGS. 20 to 25 , respectively, at the lock position, the actuator  50  moves to a position which is a little bit in front of the closed position and slightly inclines toward the connection object  60  so that the removal side comes close to the connection object  60 . At the lock position, the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50  engages with the locked portion  64  of the connection object  60 . The connection object  60  is retained in the insertion groove  21  due to the engagement between the locking portion  58  and the locked portion  64 . In this state, even if the connection object  60  is forced to be removed, the contact portion  63  of the connection object  60  comes in contact with the hook  58 B of the locking portion  58  and generates a moment of force toward the closed position with respect to the actuator  50 . Therefore, a moment of force toward the opened position with respect to the actuator  50  that is about to rotate to the opened position associated with removal of the connection object  60  is suppressed. As a result, the connection object  60  is retained more effectively. 
     In this manner, the connector  10  retains the connection object  60  with only one operation in which the connection object  60  is inserted, without requiring an operator or an assembly apparatus to perform any operation of the actuator  50 . When the actuator  50  is located at the lock position, the slope forming the front surface of the cam  57  of the actuator  50  is disposed along the back surface of the elastic portion  43  of the pressing member  40 . Therefore, the cam  57  receives an urging force from the elastic portion  43  in any aspect such as point contact, line contact and surface contact. With reference to  FIGS. 22 to 25 , in this case, due to the urging force toward the closed position received from the pressing member  40 , the actuator  50  presses the connection object  60  backward through the pressing portion  59 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 23 to 25 , the contact portion  34 A and the signal line  62  of the connection object  60  come in contact with each other with the first contact  30 A elastically deformed. In the same manner, with reference to  FIG. 22 , the contact portion  34 B and the ground  66  of the connection object  60  come in contact with each other with the second contact  30 B elastically deformed. As a result, the circuit board CB on which the connector  10  is mounted and the connection object  60  are electrically connected to each other through the first contact  30 A and the second contact  30 B. When the contact portion  34 B and the ground  66  come in contact with each other, the connection object  60  is grounded to the circuit board CB through the connector  10 . In this manner, when the ground  66  is formed on a position different from a position of the signal line  62  and is grounded to the circuit board CB, noise can be reduced also during high-speed transmission. 
       FIG. 26  is a front view of the connector in  FIG. 1  when the connection object is removed,  FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXVII-XXVII in  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXVIII-XXVIII in  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXIX-XXIX in  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXX-XXX in  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXXI-XXXI in  FIG. 26  and  FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows XXXII-XXXII in  FIG. 26 . Function of each component when the connection object  60  is removed from the connector  10  will be described in detail below with reference mainly to  FIGS. 26 to 32 . 
     In the connector  10 , when an operator or an assembly apparatus operates the operating portion  51  of the actuator  50  to rotate the actuator  50  to the opened position with the connection object  60  completely inserted into the insertion groove  21 , the actuator  50  holds the opened position independently. With reference to  FIG. 28 , when the actuator  50  is located at the opened position, the pressing member  40  elastically deforms significantly and an urging force toward the closed position acts on the actuator  50  through the cam  57 . On the other hand, with reference to  FIG. 31 , when the actuator  50  is located at the opened position, the first holding portion  55 A of the actuator  50  comes in contact with the front surface of the reinforcing portion  61  of the connection object  60  inserted into the insulator  20 . Then, an urging force acting on the actuator  50  from the elastic portion  43  of the pressing member  40  through the cam  57  and a drag acting on the actuator  50  from the front surface of the reinforcing portion  61  of the connection object  60  through the first holding portion  55 A are balanced, and as a result a moment of force is cancelled. Therefore, rotation of the actuator  50  is suppressed, and the actuator  50  holds the opened position independently. In order to cancel a moment of force in the aforementioned manner to effectively suppress the rotation of the actuator  50 , when the actuator  50  is located at the opened position, the contacts between the rotating shaft  53 , the first holding portion  55 A and the cam  57  of the actuator  50  and the pressing member  40  are respectively located at substantially the same position in the insertion/removal direction. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 27 to 29 , when the actuator  50  is located at the opened position, the second holding portion  55 B of the actuator  50  is located further on the insertion side than the cam  57  and comes in contact with the supporting portion  26  of the insulator  20 , and as a result, the actuator  50  is supported by the insulator  20  along the insertion/removal direction from the insertion side. 
     With reference to  FIG. 31 , when the actuator  50  is located at the opened position, the open position regulated portion  56  of the actuator  50  comes in contact with or comes in close to the open position regulating portion  27  of the insulator  20 . The open position regulating portion  27  serves to define the opened position of the actuator  50  and to prevent the actuator  50  from excessively rotating over the opened position. As a result of this, the open position regulating portion  27  can prevent each member such as the insulator  20  and the actuator  50  from being damaged. 
     When the connection object  60  is removed with the actuator  50  located at the opened position, after the front surface of the reinforcing portion  61  of the connection object  60  slides relative to the first holding portion  55 A of the actuator  50 , the first holding portion  55 A and the connection object  60  come in no contact with each other. Then, the actuator  50  moves slightly backward from the opened position illustrated in  FIGS. 27 to 32 , and the pivot  55 C illustrated in  FIG. 29  comes in contact with the second closed position regulating portion  25 B of the insulator  20 . The actuator  50  automatically returns to the closed position about the pivot  55 C by an urging force from the pressing member  40 . 
     According to the connector  10  of an embodiment described above, the usability during removal of the connection object  60  is improved. In the case of a conventional connector in which the actuator  50  cannot hold the opened position independently, it is necessary for an operator or an assembly apparatus, during removal of the connection object, to rotate the actuator to the opened position and hold the actuator to the opened position and at the same time to remove the connection object from the connector. For example, an operator is required to operate with both hands. An assembly apparatus is required to operate with two working arms, for example. In the connector  10  according to an embodiment, the actuator  50  holds the opened position independently, and thus it is not necessary for an operator or an assembly apparatus to hold the actuator  50  at the opened position during removal of the connection object  60 . For example, an operator may, after rotating the actuator  50  to the opened position with one hand, remove the connection object  60  from the connector  10  with the same hand. An assembly apparatus may, after rotating the actuator  50  to the opened position by using one working arm, for example, remove the connection object  60  from the connector  10  by using the same working arm. 
     The actuator  50  rotates from the removal side to the insertion side when moving from the closed position to the opened position. As a result a working space where the actuator  50  is operated on the circuit board CB can be reduced. Here, as for a conventional connector in which an actuator rotates from the insertion side to the removal side, the insertion/removal direction of the connection object with respect to the connector is in parallel to the circuit board, and when the connector is mounted on the end of the circuit board, the opening of the insertion groove faces outward of the circuit board, for example. In this case, the operating portion of the actuator is disposed inside the circuit board. Therefore, it is necessary for an operator or an assembly apparatus to operate the actuator inside the circuit board. Thus, a working space is needed in a region inside of the connector on the circuit board. Since a lot of electrical components other than the connector are disposed on the circuit board, it may be difficult to secure such a working space. On the other hand, in the connector  10  according to an embodiment, even if it is disposed in the same manner as the conventional connector, the operating portion  51  of the actuator  50  is disposed on the end of the circuit board CB and faces outward. Therefore, an operator or an assembly apparatus can operate the actuator  50  outside the circuit board CB. As a result, a working space on the circuit board CB is not required. In this manner, the connector  10  can contribute to space saving on the circuit board CB. 
     In the case of the conventional connector in which the actuator rotates from the insertion side to the removal side, it is difficult to dispose the connector such that the connector and the connection object are connected vertical to the circuit board. On the other hand, when the actuator  50  rotates from the removal side to the insertion side when moving from the closed position to the opened position, the connector  10  according to an embodiment can be both vertical to and in parallel to the direction of connecting with the connection object  60  with respect to the circuit board CB. 
     When the connection object  60  is removed from the insulator  20 , the actuator  50  rotates and automatically returns to the closed position, and thus it is not necessary for an operator or an assembly apparatus to perform operation of returning the actuator  50  to the closed position. An operator can return the actuator  50  to the closed position with a single operation of removing the connection object  60  from the connector  10  after rotating the actuator  50  to the opened position with one hand, for example. An assembly apparatus can return the actuator  50  to the closed position with a single operation of removing the connection object  60  from the connector  10  after rotating the actuator  50  to the opened position by using a single working arm, for example. 
     The cam  57  to be in contact with the pressing member  40  and the first holding portion  55 A to be in contact with the connection object  60  at the opened position cancel a moment of force generated at each position, and as a result the actuator  50  can stably hold the opened position. The second holding portion  55 B to be in contact with the supporting portion  26  of the insulator  20  allows the actuator  50  to be stably supported from the insertion side to the removal direction at the opened position. The pivot  55 C to be in contact with the insulator  20  when rotating allows the actuator  50  to rotate stably about the pivot  55 C. For example, when the connection object  60  is removed, the actuator  50  can stably rotate about the pivot  55 C to the closed position by an urging force from the pressing member  40 . 
     Since the connection object  60  is retained by the locking portion  58  with only a single operation of insertion of the connection object  60 , the usability of the connector  10  is improved not only when removing but also inserting the connection object  60 . It is not necessary for an operator or an assembly apparatus to rotate the actuator  50  to the opened position side when the connection object  60  is inserted and to hold the state. Therefore, an operator can insert the connection object  60  into the connector  10  with one hand, for example. An assembly apparatus can insert the connection object  60  into the connector  10  with a single working arm, for example. 
     Since the connection object  60  has the guiding portion  65  corresponding to the shape of the locking portion  58  of the actuator  50 , an insertion performance of the connection object  60  into the connector  10  is improved. 
     It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be realized in other specific embodiments other than the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit or the essential characteristics thereof. Therefore the above description is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The scope of the invention is defined not only by the above description, but also defined by the accompanied claims. Some changes within the scope of equivalents of all changes are included therein. 
     For example, the shape, the disposition, the number and the like of each of the aforementioned components are not limited to those described above and illustrated in the drawings. The shape, the disposition, the number and the like of each component may have any configuration as far as each component can realize each function. The assembly method of the aforementioned connector  10  is not limited to those described above. Any assembly method can be used as far as each component is assembled such that it can exhibit its function. For example, the first contact  30 A, the second contact  30 B and the pressing member  40  may be integrally molded with the insulator  20  not by press-in, but by insert molding. 
     The aforementioned connector  10  or connection object  60  is mounted on an electronic device. Examples of electronic device include any information equipment such as a personal computer, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile and a complex machine. Examples of electronic device include any audio and video equipment such as a liquid crystal television, a recorder, a camera and a headphone. Examples of electronic devices include any in-vehicle equipment such as a camera, a radar, a drive recorder and an engine control unit. Examples of electronic device include any in-vehicle equipment such as a car navigation system, an advanced driving support system and a security system. Furthermore examples of electronic device include any industrial equipment. 
     Improved usability of the connector  10  and improved insertion performance of the connection object  60  allow for improved usability during assembly of an electronic device, and manufacture of an electronic device will be facilitated. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               10  Connector 
               20  Insulator 
               21  Insertion groove 
               22 A First mounting groove 
               22 B Second mounting groove 
               23  Third mounting groove 
               24  Rotating shaft receiver 
               25 A First closed position regulating portion 
               25 B Second closed position regulating portion 
               26  Supporting portion 
               27  Open position regulating portion 
               30 A First contact 
               30 B Second contact 
               31 A Fixing portion 
               31 B Fixing portion 
               32 A Mounting portion 
               32 B Mounting portion 
               33 A Elastic portion 
               33 B Elastic portion 
               34 A Contact portion 
               34 B Contact portion 
               40  Pressing member 
               41  Fixing portion 
               42  Mounting portion 
               43  Elastic portion 
               50  Actuator 
               51  Operating portion 
               52 ,  52 A,  52 B,  52 C,  52 D,  52 E,  52 F,  52 G Projection 
               53  Rotating shaft 
               54 A First closed position regulated portion 
               54 B Second closed position regulated portion 
               55 A First holding portion 
               55 B Second holding portion 
               55 C Pivot 
               56  Open position regulated portion 
               57  Cam 
               58  Locking portion 
               58 A Curve 
               58 B Hooking portion 
               59  Pressing portion 
               60  Connection object 
               61  Reinforcing portion 
               62  Signal line 
               63  Contact portion 
               64  Locked portion 
               65  Guiding portion 
               66  Ground 
             CB Circuit board