Patent Publication Number: US-2022216630-A1

Title: Connector assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2021-000377 filed Jan. 5, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector mateable with each other. 
     For example, this type of connector assembly is disclosed in JPA 2003-017162 (Patent Document 1), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly  90  comprising a receptacle (connector)  92  and a plug (mating connector)  96  mateable with each other. The connector  92  comprises a receptacle contact (contact)  93 . The contact  93  has a held portion  94  and a contact portion  95 . The held portion  94  is held by a housing of the connector  92 . The mating connector  96  comprises a plug contact (mating contact)  97 . The mating contact  97  is formed with a step  98 . 
     The contact  93  and the mating contact  97  are brought into contact with each other under a mated state where the connector  92  and the mating connector  96  are mated with each other. In detail, the contact portion  95  of the contact  93  is brought into contact with a part of the mating contact  97  which is located above the step  98 . For example, when the mating connector  96  is moved upward from the connector  92  because of impact applied to the connector assembly  90 , the contact portion  95  of the contact  93  is brought into abutment with the step  98 . The tangent line CL passing the thus-located contact portion  95  is greatly inclined to the vertical line VL. According to this structure, the mating contact  97  hardly comes off the contact  93  even if the connector assembly  90  receives impact. Thus, the contact  93  and the mating contact  97  work as lock members which lock the mated state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , the contact  93  and the mating contact  97  theoretically work as described above. However, the contact  93  has a curved shape and is resiliently deformed easily. For example, when the mating connector  96  receives a force due to impact and is moved upward from the connector  92 , the contact portion  95  of the contact  93  is pushed by the step  98  and is moved toward the held portion  94 . The thus-pushed contact  93  tends to be resiliently deformed so that the inclination of the tangent line CL relative to the vertical line VL becomes gentle. In other words, the illustrated contact angle θ tends to become smaller. As a result, the mating contact  97  might easily come off the contact  93 . Therefore, a more reliable locking mechanism is required not only for the contact such as that of Patent Document 1 but also for a general locking member having a structure which is resiliently deformed easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new connector assembly which has a more reliable locking mechanism. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a connector and a mating connector. The connector is mateable with the mating connector, which is located below the connector in an upper-lower direction, along the upper-lower direction. The mating connector comprises a mating holding member and a mating lock member. The mating holding member holds the mating lock member. The mating lock member has a mating lock portion. The mating lock portion faces at least downward. The connector comprises a holding member and a lock member. The holding member has a holding portion and a stop portion. The lock member has a held portion, a lock portion and a coupling portion. The held portion is held by the holding portion. The lock portion and the mating lock portion are configured to lock a mated state where the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other. The coupling portion couples the held portion and the lock portion to each other. The lock portion is located below the mating lock portion and faces the mating lock portion in the upper-lower direction under the mated state. The coupling portion has an abutment portion. When the lock portion is moved toward the held portion in a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the upper-lower direction in accordance with removal of the connector from the mating connector under the mated state, the abutment portion is brought into abutment with the stop portion so that a movement of the lock portion is restricted. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, when the lock portion is moved toward the held portion in the first horizontal direction in accordance with the removal of the connector from the mating connector under the mated state, the abutment portion is brought into abutment with the stop portion so that a movement of the lock portion is restricted. As a result, the lock member is prevented from being resiliently deformed in such a way that the lock portion easily come off the mating lock portion. Thus, an aspect of the present invention provides a new connector assembly which has a more reliable locking mechanism. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a connector is attached to a board and is hidden behind the board, a position of the hidden connector is illustrated with dashed line, a mating connector is attached to a base member, and the connector and the mating connector of the connector assembly are under a separated state where they are separated from each other. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 , wherein the connector and the mating connector are under a mated state where they are mated with each other. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 1 , wherein the mating connector is attached to the base member. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 4 , taken along line V-V. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 4 , taken along line VI-VI, wherein a part of the mating connector enclosed by dashed line is enlarged and illustrated. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of  FIG. 3 , wherein only one of twelve mating contacts is illustrated, the illustrated mating contact is further enlarged and illustrated, a part of a lower holding member of the mating connector enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, an outline (including a hidden part) of the mating contact attached to the lower holding member is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing an upper holding member of the mating connector of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing the mating contact of the mating connector of  FIG. 7 , wherein a part of the mating contact enclosed by dashed line is enlarged and illustrated. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 , wherein the connector is attached to the board. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view showing the connector of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 11 , taken along line XII-XII. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 11 , taken along line XIII-XIII, wherein a part of the connector enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, outlines of a hidden press-fit projection and a hidden guide projection of a contact are illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 11 , taken along line XIV-XIV. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 10 , wherein only one of twelve contacts is illustrated, and the illustrated contact is further enlarged and illustrated. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing a holding member of the connector of  FIG. 15 , wherein two parts of the holding member each enclosed by dashed line are enlarged and illustrated. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view showing the holding member of  FIG. 16 , wherein a part of the holding member enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, an outline of the contact held by the holding member is partially illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line XVIII-XIII, wherein a part of the holding member enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, an outline of the contact held by the holding member is partially illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line XIX-XIX, wherein a part of the holding member enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, an outline of the contact held by the holding member is partially illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line XX-XX. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line XXI-XXI, wherein a part of the holding member enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member of  FIG. 17 , taken along line XXII-XXII. 
         FIG. 23  is a front view showing the contact of the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 24  is a top view showing the contact of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a side view showing the contact of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 2 , taken along line XXVI-XXVI, wherein a part of the connector assembly enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, outlines of the hidden press-fit projection and the hidden guide projection of the contact are illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG. 27  is another cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 26 , wherein the connector is moved upward from the mating connector, and a position of an assumed contact which is not provided with the guide projection is partially illustrated with two-dot chain line. 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly of Patent Document 1. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a connector assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector  12  and a mating connector  16 . The connector  12  is mateable with the mating connector  16 , which is located below the connector  12  in an upper-lower direction (Z-direction) and faces the negative Z-side of the connector  12 , along the Z-direction. 
     The mating connector  16  of the present embodiment is attached to a bendable sheet member  82  and a base member  88  such as clothes. The connector  12  of the present embodiment is a so-called on-board connector. The connector  12  is mounted on a circuit board  70  of a module (not shown) which works as an electronic device. The module works under a mated state where the connector  12  and the mating connector  16  are mated with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto but is applicable to various connector assemblies. For example, the mating connector  16  may be an on-board connector configured to be mounted on a mating circuit board (not shown). In this instance, the connector  12  may be an on-board connector or may be attached to the sheet member  82  and the base member  88 . 
     Hereafter, explanation will be made about the mating connector  16  of the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  together with  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mating connector  16  of the present embodiment comprises a mating holding member  18  and a plurality of mating contacts  60  each made of conductor. Each of the mating contacts  60  of the present embodiment is a member for electrically connecting the mating connector  16  with the connector  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). In addition, each of the mating contacts  60  works as a mating lock member  60  which locks the mated state. Thus, the mating connector  16  comprises the mating holding member  18  and a plurality of the mating lock members  60 . The mating lock members  60  of the present embodiment have shapes same as each other. The mating holding member  18  of the present embodiment comprises an upper holding member  40  made of insulator and a lower holding member  50  made of insulator. 
     The mating connector  16  of the present embodiment comprises the aforementioned members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mating lock members  60  may have shapes different from each other. The number of the mating lock members  60  may be one. Each of the mating lock members  60  does not need to be a member for electrical connection. In this instance, the mating connector  16  may comprise another mating contact in addition to the mating lock members  60 . Instead, the mating connector  16  may comprise another mating lock member in addition to the mating contacts  60 . The upper holding member  40  and the lower holding member  50  may be members integral to each other. In other words, each of the upper holding member  40  and the lower holding member  50  is a part of the unitary mating holding member  18 . Instead, the mating connector  16  may further comprise another member in addition to the aforementioned members. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lower holding member  50  of the present embodiment has a lower plate  52  and an accommodated portion  54 . The lower plate  52  has a flat-plate shape in parallel to a horizontal plane (XY-plane) perpendicular to the Z-direction. The accommodated portion  54  is located at the middle of the lower plate  52  in the XY-plane. The accommodated portion  54  extends along a second horizontal direction (X-direction) perpendicular to the Z-direction. The accommodated portion  54  projects upward, or in the positive Z-direction, from an upper surface (positive Z-side surface) of the lower plate  52 . 
     The lower holding member  50  of the present embodiment has a plurality of lower holding portions  58  in addition to the lower plate  52  and the accommodated portion  54 . The lower holding portions  58  have shapes same as each other. Each of the lower holding portions  58  projects upward from an upper surface of the accommodated portion  54 . The lower holding portions  58  are provided so as to correspond to the mating lock members  60 , respectively. The lower holding portions  58  are divided into two rows in a first horizontal direction (Y-direction) perpendicular to both the X-direction and the Z-direction. The two rows of the lower holding portions  58  are arranged to be mirror images of each other with respect to a vertical plane (XZ-plane) defined by the X-direction and the Z-direction. The lower holding portions  58  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. 
     The lower holding member  50  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the structure of the lower holding member  50  can be modified as necessary. 
     The upper holding member  40  of the present embodiment has an upper plate  42  and a received portion  44 . The upper plate  42  has a flat-plate shape in parallel to the XY-plane. The received portion  44  is located at the middle of the upper plate  42  in the XY-plane. The received portion  44  extends along the X-direction. The received portion  44  projects upward from an upper surface of the upper plate  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the upper holding member  40  is formed with an accommodation portion  46 . The accommodation portion  46  is a recess formed in the upper plate  42 . The accommodation portion  46  is located at the middle of the upper plate  42  in the XY-plane. The accommodation portion  46  is recessed upward from a lower surface (negative Z-side surface) of the upper plate  42 . Referring to  FIG. 8  together with  FIG. 7 , the accommodation portion  46  has a shape corresponding to the accommodated portion  54  of the lower holding member  50 , and the accommodated portion  54  is accommodatable therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the upper holding member  40  is formed with a plurality of upper holding portions  48  in addition to the accommodation portion  46 . Each of the upper holding portions  48  is a space formed in the received portion  44 . The upper holding portions  48  have shapes same as each other. Each of the upper holding portions  48  is further recessed upward from an upper end (positive Z-side end) of the accommodation portion  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  together with  FIG. 7 , the upper holding portions  48  are provided so as to correspond to the mating lock members  60 , respectively. Thus, the upper holding portions  48  correspond to the lower holding portions  58 , respectively. The upper holding portions  48  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The two rows of the upper holding portions  48  are arranged to be mirror images of each other with respect to the XZ-plane. The upper holding portions  48  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. Each of the upper holding portions  48  has a shape corresponding to the lower holding portion  58 , and the lower holding portion  58  is receivable therein. 
     The upper holding member  40  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the structure of the upper holding member  40  can be modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the mating lock members  60  are attached to the lower holding portions  58 , respectively. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the mating lock members  60  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The mating lock members  60  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. The two rows of the mating lock members  60  are arranged to be mirror images of each other with respect to the XZ-plane. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the upper holding member  40  and the lower holding member  50  with the mating lock members  60  are combined to each other so as to sandwich and hold the base member  88  and the sheet member  82  therebetween in the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the base member  88  extends along the XY-plane. The base member  88  is formed with an attachment hole  882 . The attachment hole  882  passes through the base member  88  in the Z-direction. The attachment hole  882  has a shape and a size in the XY-plane which correspond to those of the accommodated portion  54  of the lower holding member  50 . 
     The sheet member  82  comprises a thin insulation sheet  84  made of insulator. The insulation sheet  84  has a planar portion  844  and two connection pieces  846 . The planar portion  844  is formed with an attachment hole  842 . The attachment hole  842  passes through the insulation sheet  84  in the Z-direction. The attachment hole  842  has a shape and a size in the XY-plane which correspond to those of the accommodated portion  54  of the lower holding member  50 . The two connection pieces  846  are located at opposite sides of the attachment hole  842  in the Y-direction. Each of the connection pieces  846  extends upward from the planar portion  844  as a whole. 
     The insulation sheet  84  has an upper surface formed with a plurality of conductive patterns  86 . The conductive patterns  86  are provided so as to correspond to the mating lock members  60 , respectively. The conductive patterns  86  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The conductive patterns  86  of each row are arrange along the X-direction. Each of the conductive patterns  86  extends along the insulation sheet  84  from an upper end of one of the connection pieces  846  to an end of the planar portion  844  in the Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the base member  88  is placed on the sheet member  82 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the attachment hole  842  of the sheet member  82  is located just under the attachment hole  882  of the base member  88 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the connection pieces  846  of the sheet member  82  extend upward through the attachment hole  882 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the accommodated portion  54  of the lower holding member  50  extends through the attachment hole  842  and the attachment hole  882  and is accommodated in the accommodation portion  46  of the upper holding member  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , each of the mating lock members  60 , which is attached to the lower holding member  50 , is sandwiched between an inner wall of the corresponding upper holding portion  48  of the upper holding member  40  and the corresponding lower holding portion  58  of the lower holding member  50  and is thereby fixed to the mating holding member  18 . In other words, the mating holding member  18  holds the mating lock members  60 . The mating lock members  60  of the present embodiment are sandwiched between and held by the upper holding member  40  and the lower holding member  50 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mating lock members  60  may be press-fit or insert-molded into the lower holding member  50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each of the mating lock members  60  of the present embodiment has a supported portion  62 , a horizontal portion  64  and a mating connection portion  66 . Each of these portions of each of the mating lock members  60  has the structure described below. 
     The supported portion  62  has two parts which arranged in the Y-direction and extend along the Z-direction. In addition, the supported portion  62  has another part which couples these two parts in the Y-direction. The mating connection portion  66  extends along the Z-direction. The horizontal portion  64  extends along the Y-direction and couples a lower end of the supported portion  62  and an upper end of the mating connection portion  66  to each other. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the supported portion  62  is formed with a projecting portion  63  and a mating contact portion  68 . The projecting portion  63  is located in the vicinity of an upper end of the supported portion  62  and projects outward in the Y-direction. More specifically, the projecting portion  63  projects so as to be close to the mating connection portion  66  in the Y-direction. The mating contact portion  68  is a surface of the supported portion  62  which is located outward in the Y-direction. More specifically, the mating contact portion  68  is arranged toward the mating connection portion  66  in the Y-direction. The mating contact portion  68  is located under the projecting portion  63 . 
     The projecting portion  63  of the present embodiment is formed with a mating lock portion  69  for locking the mated state. Thus, the mating lock member  60  has the mating lock portion  69 . The mating lock portion  69  of the present embodiment is a lower surface of the projecting portion  63 . The mating lock portion  69  faces downward and outward in the Y-direction. More specifically, the mating lock portion  69  is arranged toward the mating connection portion  66  in the Y-direction. 
     The structure of the mating lock portion  69  is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the mating lock portion  69  may be formed on a part other than the projecting portion  63  of the mating lock member  60 . For example, the supported portion  62  may be formed with a recess which is recessed so as to be away from the mating connection portion  66  in the Y-direction. In other words, this recess of the supported portion  62  may be recessed inward in the Y-direction. The mating lock portion  69  may be an upper wall surface (positive Z-side wall surface) of this recess. Instead, the supported portion  62  may be formed with a hole which passes through the supported portion  62  along the Y-direction. The mating lock portion  69  may be an upper wall surface of this hole. The mating lock portion  69  may face only downward. Thus, the mating lock portion  69  should face at least downward. 
     Each of the mating lock members  60  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the structure of each of the mating lock members  60  can be modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , when each of the mating lock members  60  is attached to the corresponding lower holding portion  58 , the supported portion  62  is supported by the lower holding portion  58 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the mating holding member  18  is attached to the sheet member  82  and the base member  88 , the mating connection portions  66  of the mating lock members  60  are connected to the conductive patterns  86 , respectively. Each of the mating lock portions  69  of the thus-connected mating lock members  60  is located above the mating holding member  18  and projects outward in the Y-direction. More specifically, each of the mating lock portions  69  projects so as to be away from the lower holding portion  58  in the Y-direction. 
     Hereafter, explanation will be made about the connector  12  (see  FIG. 10 ) of the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the connector  12  of the present embodiment comprises a holding member  20  made of insulator and a plurality of contacts  30  each made of conductor. Each of the contacts  30  of the present embodiment is a member for electrically connecting the connector  12  with the mating connector  16  (see  FIG. 2 ). In addition, each of the contacts  30  works as a lock member  30  which locks the mated state. Thus, the connector  12  comprises the holding member  20  and a plurality of the lock members  30 . The lock members  30  of the present embodiment have shapes same as each other. The holding member  20  of the present embodiment is a unitary member. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , the contacts  30  are provided so as to correspond to the mating contacts  60  of the mating connector  16 , respectively. In other words, the mating connector  16  comprises a plurality of the mating contacts  60  which correspond to the contacts  30 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the connector  12  of the present embodiment comprises the aforementioned members. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the lock members  30  may have shapes different from each other. The number of the lock members  30  may be one. Each of the lock members  30  does not need to be a member for electrical connection. In this instance, the connector  12  may comprise another contact in addition to the lock members  30 . Instead, the connector  12  may comprise another lock member in addition to the contacts  30 . The holding member  20  may be formed of a plurality of members which are combined to each other. Instead, the connector  12  may further comprise another member in addition to the aforementioned members. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the holding member  20  of the present embodiment has a flat-plate shape in parallel to the XY-plane. Referring to  FIGS. 10, 14, 15 and 22 , the holding member  20  is formed with a receiving portion  22 . The receiving portion  22  is a recess formed in the holding member  20 . The receiving portion  22  is recessed upward from a lower surface of the holding member  20 . The receiving portion  22  is located at the middle of the holding member  20  in the XY-plane. The receiving portion  22  extends along the X-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 16 , the holding member  20  of the present embodiment is formed with a plurality of accommodation holes  24  in addition to the receiving portion  22 . Each of the accommodation holes  24  is a recess which is formed in the holding member  20  and has a bottom. Each of the accommodation holes  24  is recessed downward from an upper surface of the holding member  20 . The accommodation hole  24  have shapes same as each other. The accommodation holes  24  are provided so as to correspond to the lock members  30 , respectively. The accommodation holes  24  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The two rows of the accommodation holes  24  are arranged to be mirror images of each other with respect to the XZ-plane. The accommodation holes  24  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. Referring to  FIGS. 13, 20 and 21 , a lower part (negative Z-side part) of each of the accommodation holes  24  communicates with the receiving portion  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , each of the accommodation holes  24  is formed with two holding portions  26  and two guide channels  28 . Thus, the holding member  20  is formed with the holding portions  26  and the guide channels  28 . Each of the holding portions  26  and the guide channels  28  is an indent which is located in the accommodation hole  24 . Each of the holding portions  26  and the guide channels  28  is recessed in the X-direction and extends in the Z-direction. In detail, each of the holding portions  26  and the guide channels  28  is recessed outward in the X-direction from an inner wall of the accommodation hole  24 . Each of the holding portions  26  and the guide channels  28  extends along the Z-direction to open upward. 
     The two holding portions  26  of each of the accommodation holes  24  are located at positions same as each other in the Y-direction and face each other in the X-direction. Thus, the two holding portions  26  of each of the accommodation holes  24  are recessed so as to be away from each other in the X-direction. The two guide channels  28  of each of the accommodation holes  24  are located at positions same as each other in the Y-direction and face each other in the X-direction. Thus, the two guide channels  28  of each of the accommodation holes  24  are recessed so as to be away from each other in the X-direction. For each of the accommodation holes  24 , the two holding portions  26  are located outward of the two guide channels  28  in the Y-direction, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , each of the guide channels  28  is formed with two inner walls  282  and  284 . The two inner walls  282  and  284  of each of the guide channels  28  are apart from each other in the Y-direction. Each of the inner walls  282  and  284  of the present embodiment is a planer surface perpendicular to the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the inner walls  282  and  284  may be oblique to the Y-direction. Thus, each of the guide channels  28  may be formed with the inner walls  282  and  284  each intersecting with the Y-direction. 
     As described later, each of the inner walls  282  works as a stop portion  282  which is configured to partially catch and stop the lock member  30 , and each of the inner walls  284  works as a facing portion  284  which faces the stop portion  282 . Thus, the inner wall of each of the guide channels  28  of the present embodiment includes the two inner walls  282  and  284 , wherein one of the two inner walls  282  and  284  works as the stop portion  282 , and a remaining one of the two inner walls  282  and  284  works as the facing portion  284 . 
     The holding member  20  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. In particular, the holding member  20  has the holding portions  26 , the stop portions  282  and the facing portions  284 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The structure of the holding member  20  can be modified as necessary, provided that the holding member  20  has the holding portion  26  and the stop portion  282 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the lock members  30  are attached to the holding member  20 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the lock members  30  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The lock members  30  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. The two rows of the lock members  30  are arranged to be mirror images of each other with respect to the XZ-plane. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the holding member  20  with the lock members  30  is mounted on a lower surface of the circuit board  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the circuit board  70  extends along the XY-plane. The lower surface of the circuit board  70  is formed with a plurality of conductive pads  72 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the conductive pads  72  are provided so as to correspond to the lock members  30 , respectively. Referring to  FIG. 15 , the conductive pads  72  are divided into two rows in the Y-direction. The conductive pads  72  of each row are arranged along the X-direction. Each of the conductive pads  72  extends along the Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 23 to 25 , each of the lock members  30  of the present embodiment has a lock projection  32  for locking the mated state, a coupling portion  33 , a held portion  36  and a connection portion  37 . For each of the lock members  30 , each portion has the structure described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15, 24 and 25 , the lock projection  32  and the connection portion  37  are located at opposite sides of the lock member  30  in the Y-direction, respectively. The held portion  36  is located between the lock projection  32  and the connection portion  37  in the Y-direction and extends along the Z-direction. The lock projection  32  projects inward in the Y-direction. More specifically, the lock projection  32  extends along the Z-direction as a whole while projecting in arc so as to be away from the connection portion  37  and the held portion  36  in the Y-direction. The coupling portion  33  couples an upper end of the lock projection  32  and a lower end of the held portion  36  to each other. The connection portion  37  extends from an upper end of the held portion  36  along the Y-direction as a whole so as to be away from the lock projection  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 25 , the coupling portion  33  is resiliently deformable. In particular, the coupling portion  33  of the present embodiment has a meander shape in a predetermined plane (YZ-plane) defined by the Y-direction and the Z-direction and has a long spring length. In other words, the coupling portion  33  is a so-called soft spring and is easy to be resiliently deformed. 
     More specifically, the coupling portion  33  of the present embodiment has a first bent portion  34  and a second bent portion  35 . The first bent portion  34  has a U-like shape. The second bent portion  35  has a reversed U-like shape. The thus-formed coupling portion  33  has an S-like shape in the YZ-plane. This shape enables the lock member  30  to have a long spring length even when the lock member  30  is reduced in size in the Z-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first bent portion  34  may have a reversed U-like shape, and the second bent portion  35  may have a U-like shape. Moreover, the coupling portion  33  may have only one of or none of the first bent portion  34  and the second bent portion  35 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first bent portion  34  is connected to the held portion  36 , and the second bent portion  35  is connected to the lock projection  32 . The thus-formed first bent portion  34  is located between the second bent portion  35  and the held portion  36  along a direction in which the lock member  30  extends. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the lock member  30  may have a shape which is obtained by vertically reversing the shape illustrated in  FIG. 25 . In this instance, the reversed U-like shaped second bent portion  35  may be connected to the held portion  36 , and the U-like shaped first bent portion  34  may be connected to the lock projection  32 . In other words, the second bent portion  35  may be located between the first bent portion  34  and the held portion  36  along a direction in which the lock member  30  extends. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15, 23 and 25 , the held portion  36  of the present embodiment is formed with four press-fit projections  362 . Thus, the lock member  30  of the present embodiment has the four press-fit projections  362 . Each of the press-fit projections  362  of the present embodiment has a flat-plate shape in parallel to the XZ-plane. Two of the press-fit projections  362  are located on one of opposite sides of the held portion  36  in the X-direction, and the other two of the press-fit projections  362  are located on a remaining one of the opposite sides of the held portion  36  in the X-direction. Each of the press-fit projections  362  projects outward in the X-direction. Thus, two of the press-fit projections  362  project so as to be away from the other two of the press-fit projections  362  in the X-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15, 24 and 25 , the coupling portion  33  of the present embodiment is formed with two guide projections  352 . Thus, the lock member  30  of the present embodiment has the two guide projections  352 . As described later, each of the guide projections  352  is a portion which is configured to be caught and stopped by the stop portion  282  (see  FIG. 16 ) of the holding member  20  (see  FIG. 16 ). Each of the guide projections  352  of the present embodiment has a flat-plate shape in parallel to the XZ-plane. The guide projections  352  are located on opposite sides of the coupling portion  33  in the X-direction. Each of the guide projections  352  projects outward in the X-direction. Thus, the two guide projections  352  project so as to be away from each other in the X-direction. 
     The coupling portion  33  has two abutment portions  38 . The abutment portions  38  of the present embodiment are provided so as to correspond to the two guide projections  352 , respectively. Each of the abutment portions  38  is a part of the corresponding guide projection  352 . In particular, each of the abutment portions  38  of the present embodiment is one of opposite surfaces of the corresponding guide projection  352  in the Y-direction which is nearer to the lock projection  32  than a remaining one of the opposite surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the abutment portions  38  may be the remaining one of the opposite surfaces of the corresponding guide projection  352  in the Y-direction which is farther from the lock projection  32  than the one of the opposite surfaces. 
     The lock projection  32  of the present embodiment is formed with a lock portion  39  for locking the mated state. Thus, the lock member  30  has the lock portion  39 . The coupling portion  33  couples the held portion  36  and the lock portion  39  to each other. The lock portion  39  of the present embodiment is an upper surface of the lock projection  32 . The lock portion  39  faces upward and inward in the Y-direction. More specifically, the lock portion  39  faces opposite to the held portion  36  in the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the lock portion  39  may be formed on a part other than the lock projection  32  of the lock member  30 . The lock portion  39  may face only upward. Thus, the lock portion  39  may face at least upward. 
     Each of the lock members  30  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the structure of each of the lock members  30  can be modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 18 , for each of the lock members  30 , the held portion  36  is press-fit into and held by the holding portions  26  of the corresponding accommodation hole  24  of the holding member  20 . In detail, two of the press-fit projections  362  of each of the held portions  36  are pressed outward against wall surfaces of the corresponding two holding portions  26  in the X-direction, respectively, and the other two of the press-fit projections  362  of each of the held portions  36  are pressed against bottom surfaces of the corresponding two holding portions  26 , respectively. Thus, each of the held portions  36  is fixed to be unmovable relative to the holding member  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13, 17 and 19 , for each of the lock members  30 , the two guide projections  352  are received in the two guide channels  28  of the corresponding accommodation hole  24 , respectively. Each of the guide projections  352  is apart from a bottom surface of the corresponding guide channel  28  and is apart from a side wall surface of the corresponding guide channel  28 , the side wall surface being located at an outer side the corresponding guide channel  28  in the X-direction. In addition, each of the guide projections  352  is apart from the stop portion  282  and the facing portion  284  of the corresponding guide channel  28  in the Y-direction and is located between the stop portion  282  and the facing portion  284  in the Y-direction. Each of the thus-located guide projections  352  is movable relative to the holding member  20 . Thus, referring to  FIG. 13 , for each of the lock members  30 , the whole coupling portion  33  is supported by the holding member  20  to be resiliently deformable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , when the holding member  20  is mounted on the circuit board  70 , each of the connection portions  37  of the lock members  30  is fixed on and connected to the corresponding conductive pad  72  via soldering, etc. Referring to  FIG. 13 , each of the lock portions  39  of the lock members  30  projects into the receiving portion  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , under the mated state, the lock projections  32  of the lock members  30  are brought into contact with the mating contact portions  68  of the mating lock members  60 , respectively. As a result, the connector  12  is electrically connected with the mating connector  16 , and thereby the module (not shown) with the connector  12  works. Under the mated state, the mating lock portion  69  of each of the mating lock members  60  is located over the lock portion  39  of the lock member  30  to prevent the connector  12  from unintentionally coming off the mating connector  16 . Thus, the lock portions  39  and the mating lock portions  69  are configured to lock the mated state. 
     According to the present embodiment, the connector  12  comprises a plurality of the contacts  30  which work as the lock members  30 , and the mating connector  16  comprises a plurality of the mating contacts  60  which work as the mating lock members  60 . Thus, each of the contacts  30  and the mating contacts  60  of the present embodiment works as a member for locking the mated state as well as works as a member for electrical connection. According to the present embodiment, the connector assembly  10  can be reduced in size while the mated state is securely locked by a large number of the lock portions  39  and a large number of the mating lock portions  69 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the contacts  30  are linearly arranged, and the mating contacts  60  are linearly arranged. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the contacts  30  may be arranged in a ring shape, and the mating contacts  60  may be arranged in a ring shape. The number of the contacts  30  may be one, and the number of the mating contacts  60  may be one. 
     Hereafter, explanation will be made about one of the contacts  30  and the corresponding mating contact  60  thereof which are under the mated state. The explanation described below is applicable to each of the contacts  30  and the corresponding mating contact  60  thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , the lock portion  39  of the lock member  30  is located below the mating lock portion  69  of the mating lock member  60  and faces the mating lock portion  69  in the Z-direction under the mated state. For example, when the connector  12  is moved upward from the mating connector  16  because of impact applied thereto, the lock portion  39  is brought into abutment with the mating lock portion  69 , and thereby the connector  12  is prevented from coming off the mating connector  16 . Thus, the lock portion  39  locks the mated state together with the mating lock portion  69 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , when the connector  12  under the mated state is removed from the mating connector  16 , the connector  12  is pulled upward. The lock portion  39  of the thus-pulled connector  12  is brought into abutment with the mating lock portion  69 . When the connector  12  is continuously pulled upward, the coupling portion  33  of the lock member  30  is resiliently deformed. In particular, the second bent portion  35  of the coupling portion  33  is moved in such a way that the second bent portion  35  is dragged by the mating lock portion  69 , and the coupling portion  33  is resiliently deformed so that the second bent portion  35  is inclined toward the mating lock member  60  in the Y-direction. Meanwhile, the lock portion  39  is moved so as to be turned about a contact point between the lock portion  39  and the mating lock portion  69 , and the abutment portions  38  are brought into abutment with the stop portions  282 , respectively. 
     Referring to the coupling portion  33  illustrated with two-dot chain line in  FIG. 27 , if the abutment portions  38  which work as described above are not provided, the coupling portion  33  would continue to be resiliently deformed in accordance with the upward movement of the connector  12  so that the second bent portion  35  is inclined. This resilient deformation makes a contact angle  82  small. The contact angle  82  is the angle of inclination of a tangent line CL  2 , which passes the lock portion  39 , relative to a vertical line VL in parallel to the Z-direction. In other words, the tangent line CL  2  is close to the vertical line VL, and thereby the lock portion  39  becomes easy to come off the mating lock portion  69 . In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the resilient deformation of the coupling portion  33  is reduced since the abutment portions  38  are brought into abutment with the stop portions  282 , and thereby a contact angle  81  is kept large. The contact angle  81  is the angle of inclination of a tangent line CL  1 , which passes the lock portion  39 , relative to the vertical line. As a result, the lock of the mated state by the lock portion  39  and the mating lock portion  69  is maintained. 
     Summarizing the explanation described above, according to the present embodiment, when the lock portion  39  is moved toward the held portion  36  in the Y-direction in accordance with removal of the connector  12  from the mating connector  16  under the mated state, the abutment portions  38  are brought into abutment with the stop portions  282  so that a movement of the lock portion  39  is restricted. As a result, the lock member  30  is prevented from being resiliently deformed in such a way that the lock portion  39  easily come off the mating lock portion  69 . For example, even when the connector  12  receives impact and is moved upward from the mating connector  16 , the lock portion  39  of the present embodiment hardly comes off the mating lock portion  69 . Thus, the present embodiment provides the new connector assembly  10  which has a more reliable lock mechanism. 
     Each of the stop portions  282  of the present embodiment is the inner wall  282  of the two inner walls  282  and  284  of the guide channel  28  and is located inward of the inner wall  284  in the Y-direction. In other words, each of the inner walls  282  of the guide channel  28  works as the stop portion  282 . Moreover, each of the stop portions  282  is located between the abutment portion  38  and the lock portion  39  of the lock member  30  in the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in an instance where the second bent portion  35  has a U-like shape in the YZ-plane, the inner wall  284  of the two inner walls  282  and  284  of the guide channel  28 , which is located outward of the inner wall  282  in the Y-direction, may work as the stop portion. Thus, each of the abutment portions  38  of the lock member  30  may be located between the stop portion and the lock portion  39  in the Y-direction. 
     According to the present embodiment, one of the two inner walls  282  and  284  of the guide channel  28  works as the stop portion  282 . When the guide projection  352  is in abutment with the stop portion  282 , which is one of the two inner walls  282  and  284 , in accordance with the removal of the connector  12  from the mating connector  16  under the mated state, the guide projection  352  is apart from the facing portion  284 , which is a remaining one of the inner walls  282  and  284 . According to the present embodiment, the guide projection  352  can be moved so as to be turned about a contact point between the guide projection  352  and the stop portion  282  in the YZ-plane even when the guide projection  352  is in abutment with the stop portion  282 . Therefore, spring characteristics of the whole coupling portion  33  can be maintained. 
     The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment described above. For example, the guide projection  352  may be temporarily brought into abutment with the facing portion  284  when the guide projection  352  is in abutment with the stop portion  282 . However, according to this modification, when the guide projection  352  is brought into abutment with the stop portion  282  and the facing portion  284 , only a part of the coupling portion  33  which is located inward of the guide projection  352  in the Y-direction works as a spring portion. Thus, a spring length of the coupling portion  33  becomes short, and thereby a spring of the coupling portion  33  becomes hard. As a result, the lock member  30  might be plastically deformed. Therefore, the present embodiment is preferable from a viewpoint of keeping the spring of the coupling portion  33  soft. 
     The present embodiment can be further variously modified as described below in addition to the already described various modifications. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , according to the present embodiment, each of the guide channels  28  is provided with two portions consisting of the stop portion  282  and the facing portion  284 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but each of the guide channels  28  may be provided with only the stop portion  282 . For example, a step recessed outward in the X-direction may be formed instead of the guide channel  28 . In this instance, a wall surface of the step may work as the stop portion  282 . Moreover, a projecting portion partially projecting inward in the X-direction may be formed instead the guide channel  28 . In this instance, a wall surface of the projecting portion may work as the stop portion  282 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24  together with  FIG. 17 , according to the present embodiment, the lock member  30  is provided with the two guide projections  352 , and the guide channels  28  are provided with the two stop portions  282  which correspond to the guide projections  352 , respectively. This structure enables each of the guide projections  352  to be securely kept in the corresponding guide channel  28 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of the stop portions  282  may be one. Moreover, when the projecting portion partially projecting inward in the X-direction is formed instead of the guide channel  28 , the guide projection  352  does not need to be provided.