Patent Publication Number: US-9413090-B2

Title: Female connector and card edge connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a female connector connected to a card member in which card edge terminals are formed on a substrate, and a card edge connector. Specifically, the present invention relates to a female connector and a card edge connector in which contact pressure between the card member and a contact accommodated in the female connector is prevented from being reduced by preventing deformation of an opening of a housing included in the female connector, the opening through which the card member is inserted, and by providing a configuration for fixing the contact accommodated in the housing of the female connector to the housing. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, a card edge substrate and the like is known in which a terminal is formed at an end of the substrate to directly connect the substrate and a connector, whereby the substrate on which an electronic circuit and the like are printed is connected to electronic equipment and the like. A card edge connector, for example, is also known in which the above-described card edge substrate and a counterpart female connector are combined. In a female connector used in such a card edge connector, an opening to which the card edge substrate and the like are connected is formed to have a width corresponding to the width of the substrate. 
     For example, JP-A-2000-003759 discloses an invention of a connection structure of a card edge connector. In the description, the card edge connector includes a connector housing and a terminal fitting, the card edge connector is connected with a printed-circuit board, and the connector housing has at its front face an insertion space that opens in a horizontal slit shape and has a plurality of cavities that open at a ceiling surface of the insertion space. 
     However, with an insertion space that opens in a horizontal slit shape and is connected to a wide printed-circuit board formed in the card edge connector, opening deformation may occur from the opening to the insertion space. Such a deformation may result in reduction in the contact pressure between the terminal fitting and the printed-circuit board. Such a deformation is substantial when the card edge connector is in a high-temperature state. 
     Therefore, JP-A-2008-098063 discloses a card edge connector intended to prevent opening deformation. The card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063 includes: a connector housing having a substrate insertion space to which an end of the substrate is inserted and that is mounted so as to sandwich the end of the substrate with both surfaces of the substrate; a plurality of terminal fittings arranged in the connector housing so as to face both surfaces of the substrate and having a contacting part that elastically contacts with a conducting path of the substrate; and an opening prevention member mounted to a position corresponding to the terminal fitting around an outer periphery of the connector housing. 
     In the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063 with such a configuration, the conducting path of the substrate and the contacting part of the terminal fitting elastically contact with each other when the substrate enters the substrate insertion space, and the terminal fitting receives force in a direction away from both surfaces of the substrate. The opening prevention member prevents opening deformation of the connector housing in a direction away from both surfaces of the substrate via the terminal fitting, so that the contact pressure between the contacting part and the conducting path can be secured. 
     In the card edge connector, a plurality of contact terminals are provided in the housing included in the card edge connector. These contact terminals are fixed in the housing so as not to move in order to be accurately connected to a terminal formed on the card edge substrate. 
     For example, in the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, when the terminal fitting is inserted from behind into a cavity, a part of a body anterior to a step part is fitted between a receiving wall and a ceiling wall, and a front end of the body is stopped by a front-stop restriction wall. When the terminal fitting is thus inserted to a normal position as described above, the terminal fitting is prevented from falling off backward by a double-acting deflection locking piece and an engaging part that engages with a lance hole. 
     In the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, a metal ring is mounted as an opening prevention member at a position corresponding to the terminal fitting around the outer periphery of the connector housing. Mounting the metal ring prevents opening deformation of the connector housing. However, there is a problem that providing the metal ring increases the whole number of parts and production cost. In addition, a mounting part should be formed in the connector housing for mounting the metal ring, and the metal ring should be formed in consideration of a shape of the mounting part and the connector housing. This complicates the design and results in high production costs. 
     Since the outer periphery of the connector housing is held by the metal ring, a width of the substrate insertion space is increased when a wide printed-circuit board is inserted, so that the metal ring should be correspondingly formed to have a large width. The strength of a central part of the metal ring is accordingly reduced and the opening deformation of the connector housing cannot be sufficiently prevented, so that the contact pressure with respect to the contact may be reduced. 
     In addition, in the card edge connector disclosed in JP-A-2008-098063, when the printed-circuit board is inserted into the connector housing of a metal terminal, the metal terminal receives pressure from one side. The metal terminal continuously receiving the pressure may move away from the printed-circuit board in the cavity. This may cause a risk that it is difficult to obtain sufficient contact pressure due to the metal terminal moving away from the printed-circuit board and a trouble may occur in a connection. 
     There is also a risk that the cavity itself may deform by receiving pressure from the metal terminal. The metal terminal may move in the cavity away from the printed-circuit board, so that it is difficult to obtain sufficient contact pressure. Therefore, it is difficult to prevent the metal terminal from moving in the cavity only by fitting the metal terminal in the cavity or preventing the metal terminal from falling off. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, some aspects of the present invention provide a female connector connected to a card member in which a card edge terminal is provided to a substrate, wherein opening deformation of an opening of a housing to which the card member is inserted is prevented by forming a rib at the opening, and contact pressure between a contact and the card edge terminal of the card member is prevented from being reduced by providing a configuration for fixing the contact accommodated in the housing to the housing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a card edge connector in which a card member is connected to a female connector. 
     A female connector according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to a card member having a card edge part in which at least one card edge terminal is formed on at least one surface. The female connector includes: 
     at least one contact including a connecting part connected to the card edge terminal on one side and a wire mounting part to which a wire is mounted on the other side, the connecting part and the wire mounting part being integrally formed; and 
     a housing having a flat opening to which the card edge part is inserted on one side and an inserting part through which the wire is inserted on the other side. The housing has inside an interior space communicating with the flat opening and accommodates the card edge part, and contact accommodating parts oppositely provided with the interior space interposed therebetween and accommodating the contact positioned and fixed therein. 
     The interior space of the housing has on at least one spot a rib connecting one side and the other side with the flat opening of the contact accommodating part interposed therebetween. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the first aspect, the connecting part of the contact has a first opening formed on the flat opening side of the housing and a second opening formed on the side in which the wire mounting part is provided, and is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a contacting part contacting the card edge terminal. 
     The contact accommodating part of the housing has a side wall part formed on the side surface sides of the accommodated contact and an end wall part formed on the first opening side to cover the contact, and has an opened part accommodating at least the contacting part of the contact. 
     The end wall part includes a protruding part fitted in the first opening of the connecting part on the side opposed to the contact. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is connected to a card member including a card edge part in which at least one card edge terminal is formed on at least one surface. The female connector according to the third aspect includes: 
     at least one contact including a connecting part connected to the card edge terminal on one side and a wire mounting part to which a wire is mounted on the other side, the connecting part and the wire mounting part being integrally formed; and 
     a housing having a flat opening to which the card edge part is inserted on one side and an inserting part through which the wire is inserted on the other side. The housing has inside an interior space communicating with the flat opening and accommodates the card edge part, and contact accommodating parts oppositely provided with the interior space interposed therebetween and accommodating the contact positioned and fixed therein. 
     The connecting part of the contact has a first opening formed on the flat opening side of the housing and a second opening formed on the side in which the wire mounting part is provided, and is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a contacting part contacting the card edge terminal. 
     The contact accommodating part of the housing has a side wall part formed on the side surface sides of the accommodated contact and an end wall part formed on the first opening side to cover the contact, and has an opened part accommodating at least the contacting part of the contact. 
     The end wall part includes a protruding part fitted in the first opening of the connecting part on the side opposed to the contact. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the second or third aspect, the end wall part formed at the housing is integrally and continuously formed on one side and the other side with the flat opening interposed therebetween. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the second or third aspect, the connecting part is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape having: 
     a rectangular bottom surface having a particular area; 
     one side surface and the other side surface formed by bending the bottom surface at a right angle at both edges thereof parallel to an axial direction; 
     a top surface formed by bending the one side surface at a right angle at an edge thereof on the opposite side to the bottom surface; and 
     a contact segment arranged below the top surface and formed by bending the other side surface at a right angle at part of an edge thereof on the second opening side on the opposite side to the bottom surface. 
     The other side surface has a notch formed by cutting out the other side surface on the top surface side at a part other than an extended part in which the contact segment lies. 
     The notch is closed by a short side surface having a size corresponding to the notch and formed by bending the top surface on the other side surface side at a right angle at an edge thereof. 
     The contact segment is formed of a curved plate body, includes the contacting part contacting the card edge terminal on one side, is connected to the extended part of the other side surface on the other side, and is arranged so as to have the contacting part protruded from an aperture formed on the top surface. 
     The contacting part is pressed and moved by attachment/detachment of the card member and is elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the fifth aspect, the bottom surface of the contact has an opened locking hole. 
     The contact accommodating part has a locking protrusion locked to the locking hole on the side where the bottom surface of the contact is arranged when the contact is accommodated therein. 
     The locking hole is locked to the locking protrusion when the contact is accommodated in the contact accommodating part. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the one side surface or the other side surface of the contact includes a regulation part for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment is pressed down. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the housing is provided with an annular sealing member formed of an elastic material at an outer circumference thereof on the side to which the card member is connected, and 
     the sealing member is formed to have a size to be sealed with part of the card member when the card member is connected to the housing. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the eighth aspect, the outer side of the housing and the sealing member is mounted with a hollow exterior covering member having an insertion slot to which the card member is inserted on one side and an insertion port through which the wire is inserted on the other side. 
     The exterior covering member is formed in a size to cover the card member connected. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the ninth aspect, the exterior covering member has a guide groove to which a guide protrusion formed on the card member is guided and fitted. 
     A female connector according to one aspect is configured so that, in the female connector according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the exterior covering member includes a coupling part coupled to a lock part formed in the card member. 
     A card edge connector according to one aspect includes: 
     the female connector according to any one of the first, second, and fourth to eleventh aspects; and 
     the card member in which the card edge part has a slit corresponding to the rib formed in the housing of the female connector. 
     A card edge connector according to one aspect includes: 
     the female connector according to any one of the third to eleventh aspects; and 
     the card member connected to the female connector. 
     Generally, a flat opening of a housing to which a card member is mounted is formed to have a large width. Consequently, a central part of the housing easily deforms toward the outside, and especially easily deforms under high temperature due to heat. With the female connector of the above aspect, a rib is formed that connects one side and the other side of the contact accommodating part formed with a flat opening interposed therebetween, which can prevent deformation of the flat opening. In a case where the number of the card edge terminals and a width of a substrate are increased, the width of the housing is correspondingly increased and consequently the central part of the flat opening tends to be easily deformed. With the female connector of the first aspect, deformation of a wide and large housing can also be prevented by forming ribs for preventing deformation at a plurality of points. Preventing the deformation of the flat opening can prevent loss of contact pressure between the contact and the card edge terminal when the card member is connected. In addition, by forming a groove or slit corresponding to the rib in the card member to be connected to the female connector, the rib can accurately guide the card member to a particular position when the card member is connected. This can prevent misconnection between the card edge terminal of the card member and the contact of the female connector. 
     With the female connector of the above aspects, the contact accommodated in the contact accommodating part is surrounded by a side wall part and an end wall part integrally formed with the housing. The end wall parts arranged in a width direction are integrally and firmly formed. The protruding part formed on the end wall part is fitted in a first opening formed on the contact, so that the contact can be firmly fixed to the housing. This can prevent loss of contact pressure when connected to the card member. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the housing can be firmly formed. This can prevent movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part and can further prevent the loss of the contact pressure. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the contact can be efficiently formed by bending one plate body to integrally form the connecting part having the contacting part of the contact. In addition, a rectangular parallelepiped can be more firmly formed by aligning ends of the rectangular parallelepiped of the contact formed by bending the plate body at side surfaces, compared to a case in which the ends are aligned at corners. With the female connector of the third aspect, because the ends are not at the corners, the corners are not caught by a contact accommodating part in assembling and the assembly is facilitated. In addition, by forming the contacting part at a contact segment elastically deformed, displacement of the contacting part can be increased and this enables secure contact with the card edge part of a substrate having a large tolerance in thickness. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the contact can be securely accommodated in the contact accommodating part, and the contact can be prevented from falling off from the contact accommodating part. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, deformation of the contacting part can be kept within a certain range even when external force is applied to the contact, which can prevent reduction in the contact pressure. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the female connector can be sealed together with the card member by the sealing member provided in the housing of the female connector, which enhances water proofing property thereof. 
     With the female connector one of the above aspects, the card member connected can be covered with the exterior covering member, which leads to the female connector that prevents the card member from being damaged due to a collision or the like. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the card member is covered with the exterior covering member. The guide groove formed in the exterior covering member accordingly guides the guide protrusion formed in the card member, so that connection is securely established. With the female connector of the eighth aspect, the guide groove of the exterior covering member is engaged with the guide protrusion of the card member. Therefore, if the female connector vibrates, the card member also vibrates with the exterior covering member, which can prevent the card member from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal of the card member connected to the contact. 
     With the female connector of one of the above aspects, the coupling part formed in the exterior covering member is coupled with the lock part formed in the card member, which can prevent the card member from falling off from the exterior covering member. 
     With the card edge connector of one of the above aspects, a card edge connector including a female connector as in any one of the first, second, and fourth to eleventh aspects can be obtained. In addition, the card edge part of the card member is formed with the slit corresponding to the rib formed in the housing of the female connector, which enables positioning and can prevent misconnection. Furthermore, the contact is fitted in the protruding part formed in the housing, which can prevent the movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part even when pressure is applied when the card member is connected. This can prevent the loss of the contact pressure. 
     With the card edge connector of one of the above aspects, a card edge connector including a female connector as in any one of the third to eleventh aspects can be obtained. In addition, the contact is fitted in the protruding part formed in the housing, which can prevent the movement of the contact within the contact accommodating part even when pressure is applied when the card member is connected. This can prevent the loss of the contact pressure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a card edge connector according to Embodiment 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of a female connector according to Embodiment 1,  FIG. 2B  is a top view thereof,  FIG. 2C  is a bottom view thereof,  FIG. 2D  is a side view thereof viewed from one side,  FIG. 2E  is a side view thereof viewed from the other side, and  FIG. 2F  is a back view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the female connector according to Embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of part V in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a contact according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front view of the contact, and  FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken along line VIIB-VIIB of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a card member according to Embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are sectional views illustrating a connecting process of the card edge connector. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a card edge connector according to Embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 11A  is a front view of a female connector according to Embodiment 2,  FIG. 11B  is a top view thereof,  FIG. 11C  is a bottom view thereof,  FIG. 11D  is a side view thereof viewed from one side,  FIG. 11E  is a side view thereof viewed from the other side, and  FIG. 11F  is a back view thereof. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a female connector according to Embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged sectional view of part XIV in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a card member according to Embodiment 2. 
         FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  are sectional views illustrating a connecting process of the card edge connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below only exemplify a female connector and a card edge connector for the purpose of embodying the technical idea of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. The present invention is also applicable to other embodiments included in the scope of claims. 
     [Embodiment 1] 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 9 , a card edge connector  10  according to Embodiment 1 will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the card edge connector  10  includes a female connector  11  and a card member  56  connected to the female connector  11 . 
     First, the female connector  11  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4 , the female connector  11  includes a plurality of wires  46  connected to external devices, a plurality of contacts  28  to which the wires  46  are mounted and that are connected to a card member, and a housing  12  in which a contact accommodating part  16  ( 16   a ,  16   b ) supporting and fixing the contacts  28  therein is formed. The housing  12  is provided with an annular sealing member  49  at an outer circumference of the housing  12  on the side to which the card member is connected. A wire seal  47  is provided to the inner side of the housing  12  on the opposite side to the side on which the sealing member  49  is provided. An exterior covering member  50  formed so as to cover the housing  12  and the sealing member  49  is provided on the outer side of the housing  12  and the sealing member  49 . Hereinafter, each of the components will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , the housing  12  includes a flat opening  13  on one side and an inserting part  14  on the other side. The flat opening  13  is formed to be wide in a width direction to which a card edge part  58  of the card member  56  is inserted and connected. Through the inserting part  14 , a wire  46  is inserted. The housing  12  is provided inside with an interior space  15  communicating with the flat opening  13 . The housing  12  is a flat tubular body in which the contact accommodating parts  16  communicating with the inserting part  14  are provided at the upper side and the lower side opposed to each other with the interior space  15  and an internal structure  12   a  of the housing  12  interposed therebetween. The interior space  15  provided inside the housing  12  is a part where the card edge part  58  of the connected card member  56  is arranged, and the contact accommodating part  16  is a part where the contact  28  is positioned and fixed to be accommodated. A wire seal mounting part  27  to which the wire seal  47  is mounted is provided inside the housing  12  on the inserting part  14  side. 
     In the contact accommodating part  16 , each of an upper contact accommodating part  16   a  (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an upper side  16   a ) and a lower contact accommodating part  16   b  (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a lower side  16   b ) opposed to each other with the interior space  15  and the internal structure  12   a  of the housing  12  interposed therebetween includes an accommodating space in which each of the contacts  28  is accommodated. The upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16  are alternately formed. The upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16  each have a side wall part  18  formed on the side surface side of the contact  28  to be accommodated, and an end wall part  19  formed on the flat opening  13  side of the housing  12 , so that the contact  28  is covered with the side wall part  18  and the end wall part  19 . 
     The end wall part  19  of the contact accommodating part  16  is formed such that the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  opposed to each other with the flat opening  13  interposed therebetween are integrally connected. The end wall parts  19  of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  are also connected to a side surface side  22  of the housing  12 . The side wall parts  18  of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  lie opposite from the flat opening  13  and the interior space  15  side so as to be connected to a top surface side  20  and a bottom surface side  21  of the housing  12 , respectively. As described above, the end wall part  19  and the side wall part  18  of the contact accommodating part  16  are connected to and integrally formed with the side surface side  22 , the top surface side  20 , and the bottom surface side  21  of the housing  12 , thereby enhancing the strength of the contact accommodating part  16 . 
     The end wall part  19  includes a protruding part  23  having a particular length formed on the contact accommodating part  16  side so as to correspond to the accommodated contact  28 . The protruding part  23  is formed to have a cylindrical shape or a prism shape, for example. In the contact accommodating part  16 , the end wall part  19  of each of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  has a convex part  24  for regulating insertion of the contact  28  when the contact  28  is inserted. 
     In the end wall part  19  of each of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b , the convex part  24  has a taper  25  on the flat opening  13  side so that the card edge part  58  inserted of the card member  56  can be smoothly introduced into the interior space  15 . In this case, the convex part  24  of the end wall part  19  functions as a wall against the contact  28  placed on the side to which the card edge part  58  is inserted, thereby preventing a tip of the card edge part  58  from contacting an end of the contact  28  and preventing damage on the card edge part  58 . 
     In the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16 , the side to which the card edge part  58  is inserted is at least partially opened, so that the contact  28  accommodated can be connected to the card edge terminal  59 . A locking protrusion  26  that is locked to the accommodated contact  28  is formed on the side opposite from the side where the contact accommodating part  16  is opened. 
     The housing  12  has a rib  17  formed integrally therewith that connects the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16  from the flat opening  13  toward the interior space  15 . The rib  17  extends from the end wall part  19  of the contact accommodating part  16  toward the interior space  15  of the housing  12  in the depth direction thereof so as to be integrated with the internal structure  12   a . In this case, the rib  17  is formed to be also integrated with the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  from the end wall part  19  to the internal structure  12   a . The rib  17  thus formed can prevent deformation of the flat opening  13  and the interior space  15  even when the flat opening  13  of the housing  12  is formed to have a large width. The rib  17  is formed at one position in  FIG. 3 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto and the ribs  17  may be formed at a plurality of positions. Forming the ribs at a plurality of positions can prevent deformation of a large housing having a widened flat opening that is connected to a wide card member including many card edge terminals. 
     Next, the contact  28  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 . The contact  28  is electrically connected to the card edge part  58  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) of the card member  56 . The contact includes a connecting part  29  connected to the card edge terminal  59  on one side and a wire mounting part  44  to which the wire  46  is mounted on the other side, and a connecting part  29  and a wire mounting part  44  are integrally formed. The contact  28  is formed by, for example, pressing and folding a punched metal plate body. 
     The connecting part  29  has a first opening  30  formed on the flat opening  13  side when the contact  28  is accommodated in the contact accommodating part  16  and a second opening  31  formed on the wire mounting part  44  side. The connecting part  29  is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a bottom surface  32 , one side surface  34 , the other side surface  36 , and a top surface  38 , for example. 
     The bottom surface  32  included in the connecting part  29  is formed in a rectangular having a particular area. The bottom surface  32  has both ends, parallel to the axial direction of the bottom surface  32 , bent at a right angle to form the one side surface  34  and the other side surface  36 . The one side surface  34  has an end on the opposite side to the bottom surface  32  side bent at a right angle to form the top surface. The other side surface  36  has part of an edge on the second opening  31  side on the opposite side to the bottom surface  32  side bent at a right angle to form a contact segment  41  arranged below the top surface. 
     The other side surface  36  has a notch  37  formed by cutting out the other side surface  36  on the top surface  38  side at a part other than an extended part  43  in which the contact segment  41  lies in an upper part of the other side surface  36 . The top surface  38  has a short side surface  39  having a size corresponding to the notch  37  and formed by bending the top surface  38  at a right angle at an edge on the other side surface  36  side. The notch  37  is closed by the short side surface  39 . With such a structure, the connecting part  29  is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. 
     The contact segment  41  is formed of a curved plate body. The contact segment  41  includes a contacting part  42  contacting the card edge terminal  59  on one side, and is connected to the extended part  43  connected to the other side surface  36  is integrally provided on the other side. An aperture  40  is formed on the top surface  38 , and the contacting part  42  provided on the contact segment  41  is arranged so that it protrudes from the aperture  40 . 
     In this manner, at the connecting part  29 , the contacting part  42  is pressed and moved by the card edge terminal  59  when the card member  56  is attached or detached and elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part  43 , so that sufficient contact pressure can be obtained even if there is a strain at the card edge part. 
     The bottom surface  32  of the contact  28  has a locking hole  33  and can be locked to the locking protrusion  26  formed in the contact accommodating part  16  of the housing  12 . The contact  28  includes on the one side surface  34  side a regulation part  35  for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment  41  is pressed down by connection with the card member  56 . The regulation part  35  is formed by bending part of the one side surface  34 . Forming the regulation part  35  leads to deformation of the contacting part  42  of the contact  28  within a certain range, thereby preventing reduction in the contact pressure between the card edge terminal  59  and the contact  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , piece parts  45  on both sides of the wire mounting part  44  is upwardly formed when the wire  46  is not mounted. When the wire  46  is mounted, the piece parts  45  on both sides are bent to hold the wire  46  therebetween, so that the contact  28  is mounted to the wire  46 . One end of the wire  46  is mounted to the contact  28  and the other end thereof is connected to external electronic equipment and the like to exchange an electric signal between the card edge connector  10  and the external equipment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the wire seal  47  has a plurality of through holes  48  through which the wire  46  passes and is formed of an elastic member having a shape that enables the wire seal  47  to be mounted to the wire seal mounting part  27  of the housing  12 . The wire seal  47  fixes the wire  46  arranged in the housing  12  and prevents liquid and the like from entering from the side where the wire  46  is arranged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the sealing member  49  is arranged at the outer circumference of the housing  12  on the flat opening  13  side and is formed in a large tubular shape that protrudes from the end of the housing  12 . A card member  56  connected is fitted in the protruded inner side of the sealing member  49 . Projections and depressions are annularly formed on the inner side of the sealing member  49 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the exterior covering member  50  is formed in a size to cover the housing  12  and the sealing member  49  attached to the housing, and the card member  56  connected to the housing  12 . The exterior covering member  50  is formed in a tubular shape having an insertion slot  51  to which the card member  56  on one side thereof and an insertion port  52  through which the wire  46  is inserted on the other side thereof. An upper part of the exterior covering member  50  is provided with a coupling hole  55  that is used when connected to the card member  56 . The exterior covering member  50  has inside an engaging groove  54  and a guide groove  53 . 
     Next, assembly of the female connector  11  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . In assembling the female connector  11 , first, the wire  46  is mounted to the wire mounting part  44  of the contact  28 . As described above, the wire  46  is fixed by bending the piece parts  45  on both sides of the wire mounting part  44  of the contact  28  to hold the wire  46  therebetween. 
     Next, the contact  28  with the wire  46  mounted is inserted into the insertion port  52  of the exterior covering member  50 , so that the wire  46  is inserted through the exterior covering member  50  in advance. In this case, the contact  28  protrudes from the insertion port  52  of the exterior covering member  50 , thereby facilitating subsequent assembly. 
     The contact  28  with the wire  46  mounted is then attached to the housing  12 . In this attachment, the wire seal  47  is mounted to the wire seal mounting part  27  of the housing  12  in advance, and the contact  28  is inserted along with the through hole  48  of the wire seal  47  from the inserting part  14  side of the housing  12  in which, so that the contact  28  is accommodated in the contact accommodating part  16 . In this case, the contact  28  is inserted such that each of the contacting parts  42  of the connecting part  29  of the contact  28  faces the interior space  15  side of the housing  12  on the upper side and the lower side of the contact accommodating part  16 . 
     The contact  28  is inserted such that the protruding part  23  formed at the end wall part  19  of the housing  12  is fitted in the first opening  30  of the contact  28  and the locking protrusion  26  of the contact accommodating part  16  is locked to the locking hole  33  of the contact  28  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The contact  28  is thus fitted in the protruding part  23  of the end wall part  19  of the contact accommodating part  16 , so that the contact  28  is firmly fixed to the contact accommodating part  16 . This can prevent loss of the contact pressure when the contact  28  is connected to the card member  56 . 
     The sealing member  49  is then attached to the housing  12 , and the housing  12  is arranged inside the exterior covering member  50 , so that the assembly of the female connector  11  is completed. 
     Next, connection of the card member  56  to the female connector  11  will be described. The card member  56  according to Embodiment 1 will be described first with reference to  FIG. 8 . The card member  56  includes: a substrate  57  on which circuit wiring and the like are printed and a plurality of card edge terminals  59  to contact with the contact  28  included in the female connector  11  are formed on one end thereof; and a resin molded part  61  integrally molded with a synthetic resin material so that the card edge part of the substrate  57  protrudes. 
     The substrate  57  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) has a printed circuit or an integrated circuit, for example, mounted on the front side or back side thereof. The substrate  57  includes, at the end thereof, the card edge part  58  in which a plurality of card edge terminals  59  to contact with and electrically connected with the contact  28  of the female connector  11 . The card edge terminals  59  are formed of an electrical conducting material conducted with the circuit wiring and the like formed on the substrate  57  and are arranged at particular intervals so as to be alternate on the front side and the back side. In addition, the card edge part  58  has a slit  60  formed at a position slightly shifted from the center thereof. The slit  60  is a part to be fitted in the rib  17  formed in the housing  12  of the female connector  11  when the card edge part  58  is connected to the female connector  11 , that is, a part used for positioning or preventing reverse attachment of the card member, for example. The slit  60  and the rib  17  formed in the housing  12  of the female connector  11  are formed having corresponding size and number. 
     The resin molded part  61  is formed in a low-profile rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to enclose the substrate  57 . The top surface  62  and the bottom surface  65  of the resin molded part  61  have engaging protrusions  69  used for guiding or positioning when the resin molded part  61  is connected to the female connector  11 . Both side surfaces  63  and  64  of the resin molded part  61  have guide protrusions  67 . The top surface  62  of the resin molded part  61  has a lock part  68  coupled to the female connector  11  substantially at the center thereof. 
     The resin molded part  61  has an annular engaging part  66  at a part connected to the female connector  11  on the side where the card edge part  58  protrudes. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the engaging part  66  is formed at the outer circumference of the resin molded part  61  where the card edge part  58  protrudes, and is engaged with the sealing member  49  provided in the female connector  11  when the card member  56  is connected to the female connector  11 . 
     Next, connection of the card member  56  to the female connector  11  will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . To connect the female connector  11  with the card member  56 , first, the card member  56  is inserted into the insertion slot  51  of the exterior covering member  50  with the card edge part  58  of the card member  56  being in the lead. In this case, the positions of the engaging groove  54  and the guide groove  53  of the exterior covering member  50  and the engaging protrusion  69  and the guide protrusion  67  of the card member  56  are aligned, respectively, for the insertion. The slit  60  formed at the card edge part  58  of the card member  56  is engaged with the rib  17  formed at the flat opening  13  of the housing  12 . In this case, the rib is fitted in the slit formed at the card member, so that the rib can accurately guide the card member to a particular position when the card member is connected. This can prevent misconnection between the card edge terminal of the card member and the contact of the female connector. 
     Subsequently, the insertion is continued to connect the connecting part  29  of the contact  28  to the card edge terminal  59 , the coupling hole  55  of the exterior covering member  50  is coupled to the lock part  68  of the card member  56 , and the sealing member  49  provided in the female connector  11  is engaged with the engaging part  66  of the card member  56  to complete the connection. 
     With the card edge connector  10  thus assembled, the rib  17  is formed in the housing  12  of the female connector  11 , thereby preventing deformation of the flat opening  13  connected to the card edge terminal  59  and preventing loss of the contact pressure. In the contact accommodating part  16  accommodating the contact  28 , the end wall part  19  having a protruding part  23  in which the contact  28  is fitted formed thereon is formed integrally with the housing  12 , so that the contact  28  can be firmly fixed. This can prevent loss of the contact pressure. 
     The card member  56  is covered with the exterior covering member  50  provided to the female connector  11 , thereby preventing the card member  56  from being damaged due to a collision or the like. The exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11  formed so as to cover the card member  56  causes the guide protrusion  67  formed on the card member  56  to be guided by the guide groove  53  formed in the exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11 , thereby securely performing the connection. 
     The guide protrusion  67  is formed at the part other than the engaging part on the side surface of the card member  56 , and the guide protrusion  67  is engaged with the guide groove  53  of the exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11 . Therefore, the card member  56  vibrates together with the card edge connector  10 , which can prevent the card member  56  from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal  59  connected between the card member  56  and the female connector  11 . 
     [Embodiment 2] 
     In the above Embodiment 1 of the female connector  11  and the card edge connector  10 , it is described that the flat opening  13  of the housing  12  of the female connector  11  is formed with rib  17 , and that card edge  58  of the card member  56  of the card edge connector  10  is formed with the slit  60 . In the following Embodiment 2 of the female connector  11 A and the card edge connector  10 A, it is described that the flat opening  13 A of the housing  12 A of the female connector  11 A is formed with no ribs, and that card edge  58 A of the of the card member  56 A of the card edge connector  10 A is not formed with no slits. In the following explanation, identical codes are given to the corresponding elements without adding explanations since the female connector  11 A and the card edge connector  10 A of the Embodiment 2 correspond to the female connector  11  and the card edge connector  10  of the Embodiment 1 except for the Embodiment 1 only having the rib and slit. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 15 , a card edge connector  10 A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the card edge connector  10 A includes a female connector  11 A and a card member  56 A connected to the female connector  11 A. 
     First, the female connector  11 A will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 14 , the female connector  11 A includes a plurality of wires  46  connected to external devices, a plurality of contacts  28  to which the wires  46  are mounted and that are connected to a card member, and a housing  12 A in which a contact accommodating part  16  ( 16   a ,  16   b ) supporting and fixing the contacts  28  therein is formed. The housing  12 A is provided with an annular sealing member  49  at an outer circumference of the housing  12 A on the side to which the card member is connected. A wire seal  47  is provided to the inner side of the housing  12 A on the opposite side to the side on which the sealing member  49  is provided. An exterior covering member  50  formed so as to cover the housing  12 A and the sealing member  49  is provided on the outer side of the housing  12 A and the sealing member  49 . Hereinafter, each of the components will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 14 , the housing  12 A includes a flat opening  13 A on one side and an inserting part  14  on the other side. The flat opening  13 A is formed to be wide in a width direction to which a card edge part  58 A of the card member  56 A is inserted and connected. Through the inserting part  14 , a wire  46  is inserted. The housing  12 A is provided inside with an interior space  15 A communicating with the flat opening  13 A. The housing  12 A is a flat tubular body in which the contact accommodating parts  16  communicating with the inserting part  14  are provided at the upper side and the lower side opposed to each other with the interior space  15 A and an internal structure  12 Aa of the housing  12 A interposed therebetween. The interior space  15 A provided inside the housing  12 A is a part where the card edge part  58 A of the connected card member  56 A is arranged, and the contact accommodating part  16  is a part where the contact  28  is positioned and fixed to be accommodated. A wire seal mounting part  27  to which the wire seal  47  is mounted is provided inside the housing  12 A on the inserting part  14  side. 
     In the contact accommodating part  16 , each of an upper contact accommodating part  16   a  (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an upper side  16   a ) and a lower contact accommodating part  16   b  (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a lower side  16   b ) opposed to each other with the interior space  15 A and the internal structure  12 Aa of the housing  12 A interposed therebetween includes an accommodating space in which each of the contacts  28  is accommodated. The upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16  are alternately formed. The upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16  each have a side wall part  18  formed on the side surface side of the contact  28  to be accommodated, and an end wall part  19  formed on the flat opening  13 A side of the housing  12 A, so that the contact  28  is covered with the side wall part  18  and the end wall part  19 . 
     The end wall part  19  of the contact accommodating part  16  is formed such that the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  opposed to each other with the flat opening  13 A interposed therebetween are integrally connected. The end wall parts  19  of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  are also connected to a side surface side  22  of the housing  12 A. The side wall parts  18  of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  lie opposite from the flat opening  13 A and the interior space  15 A side so as to be connected to a top surface side  20  and a bottom surface side  21  of the housing  12 A, respectively. As described above, the end wall part  19  and the side wall part  18  of the contact accommodating part  16  are connected to and integrally formed with the side surface side  22 , the top surface side  20 , and the bottom surface side  21  of the housing  12 A, thereby enhancing the strength of the contact accommodating part  16 . 
     In the housing  12 A of the Embodiment 2, the end wall part  19  includes a protruding part  23  having a particular length formed on the contact accommodating part  16  side so as to correspond to the accommodated contact  28 . The protruding part  23  is formed to have a cylindrical shape or a prism shape, for example. In the contact accommodating part  16 , the end wall part  19  of each of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  has a convex part  24  for regulating insertion of the contact  28  when the contact  28  is inserted. 
     In the end wall part  19  of each of the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b , the convex part  24  has a taper  25  on the flat opening  13 A side so that the card edge part  58 A inserted of the card member  56 A can be smoothly introduced into the interior space  15 A. In this case, the convex part  24  of the end wall part  19  functions as a wall against the contact  28  placed on the side to which the card edge part  58 A is inserted, thereby preventing a tip of the card edge part  58 A from contacting an end of the contact  28  and preventing damage on the card edge part  58 A. 
     In the upper side  16   a  and the lower side  16   b  of the contact accommodating part  16 , the side to which the card edge part  58 A is inserted is at least partially opened, so that the contact  28  accommodated can be connected to the card edge terminal  59 . A locking protrusion  26  that is locked to the accommodated contact  28  is formed on the side opposite from the side where the contact accommodating part  16  is opened. 
     Next, the contact  28  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The contact  28  is electrically connected to the card edge part  58 A (refer to  FIG. 16 ) of the card member  56 A. The contact includes a connecting part  29  connected to the card edge terminal  59  on one side and a wire mounting part  44  to which the wire  46  is mounted on the other side, and a connecting part  29  and a wire mounting part  44  are integrally formed. The contact  28  is formed by, for example, pressing and folding a punched metal plate body. 
     The connecting part  29  has a first opening  30  formed on the flat opening  13 A side when the contact  28  is accommodated in the contact accommodating part  16  and a second opening  31  formed on the wire mounting part  44  side. The connecting part  29  is formed in a hollow tubular shape including a bottom surface  32 , one side surface  34 , the other side surface  36 , and a top surface  38 , for example. 
     The bottom surface  32  included in the connecting part  29  is formed in a rectangular having a particular area. The bottom surface  32  has both ends, parallel to the axial direction of the bottom surface  32 , bent at a right angle to form the one side surface  34  and the other side surface  36 . The one side surface  34  has an end on the opposite side to the bottom surface  32  side bent at a right angle to form the top surface. The other side surface  36  has part of an edge on the second opening  31  side on the opposite side to the bottom surface  32  side bent at a right angle to form a contact segment  41  arranged below the top surface. 
     The other side surface  36  has a notch  37  formed by cutting out the other side surface  36  on the top surface  38  side at a part other than an extended part  43  in which the contact segment  41  lies in an upper part of the other side surface  36 . The top surface  38  has a short side surface  39  having a size corresponding to the notch  37  and formed by bending the top surface  38  at a right angle at an edge on the other side surface  36  side. The notch  37  is closed by the short side surface  39 . With such a structure, the connecting part  29  is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. 
     The contact segment  41  is formed of a curved plate body. The contact segment  41  includes a contacting part  42  contacting the card edge terminal  59  on one side, and is connected to the extended part  43  connected to the other side surface  36  is integrally provided on the other side. An aperture  40  is formed on the top surface  38 , and the contacting part  42  provided on the contact segment  41  is arranged so that it protrudes from the aperture  40 . 
     In this manner, at the connecting part  29 , the contacting part  42  is pressed and moved by the card edge terminal  59  when the card member  56 A is attached or detached and elastically deformed in a vertical direction with respect to the extended part  43 , so that sufficient contact pressure can be obtained even if there is a strain at the card edge part. 
     The bottom surface  32  of the contact  28  has a locking hole  33  and can be locked to the locking protrusion  26  formed in the contact accommodating part  16  of the housing  12 A. The contact  28  includes on the one side surface  34  side a regulation part  35  for regulating a movable range in which the contact segment  41  is pressed down by connection with the card member  56 A. The regulation part  35  is formed by bending part of the one side surface  34 . Forming the regulation part  35  leads to deformation of the contacting part  42  of the contact  28  within a certain range, thereby preventing reduction in the contact pressure between the card edge terminal  59  and the contact  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , piece parts  45  on both sides of the wire mounting part  44  is upwardly formed when the wire  46  is not mounted. When the wire  46  is mounted, the piece parts  45  on both sides are bent to hold the wire  46  therebetween, so that the contact  28  is mounted to the wire  46 . One end of the wire  46  is mounted to the contact  28  and the other end thereof is connected to external electronic equipment and the like to exchange an electric signal between the card edge connector  10 A and the external equipment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the wire seal  47  has a plurality of through holes  48  through which the wire  46  passes and is formed of an elastic member having a shape that enables the wire seal  47  to be mounted to the wire seal mounting part  27  of the housing  12 A. The wire seal  47  fixes the wire  46  arranged in the housing  12 A and prevents liquid and the like from entering from the side where the wire  46  is arranged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the sealing member  49  is arranged at the outer circumference of the housing  12 A on the flat opening  13 A side and is formed in a large tubular shape that protrudes from the end of the housing  12 A. A card member  56 A connected is fitted in the protruded inner side of the sealing member  49 . Projections and depressions are annularly formed on the inner side of the sealing member  49 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 , the exterior covering member  50  is formed in a size to cover the housing  12 A and the sealing member  49  attached to the housing, and the card member  56 A connected to the housing  12 A. The exterior covering member  50  is formed in a tubular shape having an insertion slot  51  to which the card member  56 A on one side thereof and an insertion port  52  through which the wire  46  is inserted on the other side thereof. An upper part of the exterior covering member  50  is provided with a coupling hole  55  that is used when connected to the card member  56 A. The exterior covering member  50  has inside an engaging groove  54  and a guide groove  53 . 
     Next, assembly of the female connector  11 A will be described with reference to  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 . In assembling the female connector  11 A, first, the wire  46  is mounted to the wire mounting part  44  of the contact  28 . As described above, the wire  46  is fixed by bending the piece parts  45  on both sides of the wire mounting part  44  of the contact  28  to hold the wire  46  therebetween. 
     Next, the contact  28  with the wire  46  mounted is inserted into the insertion port  52  of the exterior covering member  50 , so that the wire  46  is inserted through the exterior covering member  50  in advance. In this case, the contact  28  protrudes from the insertion port  52  of the exterior covering member  50 , thereby facilitating subsequent assembly. 
     The contact  28  with the wire  46  mounted is then attached to the housing  12 A. In this attachment, the wire seal  47  is mounted to the wire seal mounting part  27  of the housing  12 A in advance, and the contact  28  is inserted along with the through hole  48  of the wire seal  47  from the inserting part  14  side of the housing  12 A in which, so that the contact  28  is accommodated in the contact accommodating part  16 . In this case, the contact  28  is inserted such that each of the contacting parts  42  of the connecting part  29  of the contact  28  faces the interior space  15 A side of the housing  12 A on the upper side and the lower side of the contact accommodating part  16 . 
     The contact  28  is inserted such that the protruding part  23  formed at the end wall part  19  of the housing  12 A is fitted in the first opening  30  of the contact  28  and the locking protrusion  26  of the contact accommodating part  16  is locked to the locking hole  33  of the contact  28  (refer to  FIG. 14 ). The contact  28  is thus fitted in the protruding part  23  of the end wall part  19  of the contact accommodating part  16 , so that the contact  28  is firmly fixed to the contact accommodating part  16 . This can prevent loss of the contact pressure when the contact  28  is connected to the card member  56 A. 
     The sealing member  49  is then attached to the housing  12 A, and the housing  12 A is arranged inside the exterior covering member  50 , so that the assembly of the female connector  11 A is completed. 
     Next, connection of the card member  56 A to the female connector  11 A will be described. The card member  56 A according to Embodiment 2 will be described first with reference to  FIG. 15 . The card member  56 A includes: a substrate  57 A on which circuit wiring and the like are printed and a plurality of card edge terminals  59  to contact with the contact  28  included in the female connector  11 A are formed on one end thereof; and a resin molded part  61  integrally molded with a synthetic resin material so that the card edge part of the substrate  57 A protrudes. 
     The substrate  57 A (refer to  FIG. 16 ) has a printed circuit or an integrated circuit, for example, mounted on the front side or back side thereof. The substrate  57 A includes, at the end thereof, the card edge part  58 A in which a plurality of card edge terminals  59  to contact with and electrically connected with the contact  28  of the female connector  11 A. The card edge terminals  59  are formed of an electrical conducting material conducted with the circuit wiring and the like formed on the substrate  57 A and are arranged at particular intervals so as to be alternate on the front side and the back side. 
     The resin molded part  61  is formed in a low-profile rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to enclose the substrate  57 A. The top surface  62  and the bottom surface  65  of the resin molded part  61  have engaging protrusions  69  used for guiding or positioning when the resin molded part  61  is connected to the female connector  11 A. Both side surfaces  63  and  64  of the resin molded part  61  have guide protrusions  67 . The top surface  62  of the resin molded part  61  has a lock part  68  coupled to the female connector  11 A substantially at the center thereof. 
     The resin molded part  61  has an annular engaging part  66  at a part connected to the female connector  11 A on the side where the card edge part  58 A protrudes. As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the engaging part  66  is formed at the outer circumference of the resin molded part  61  where the card edge part  58 A protrudes, and is engaged with the sealing member  49  provided in the female connector  11 A when the card member  56 A is connected to the female connector  11 A. 
     Next, connection of the card member  56 A to the female connector  11 A will be described with reference to  FIG. 16 . To connect the female connector  11 A with the card member  56 A, first, the card member  56 A is inserted into the insertion slot  51  of the exterior covering member  50  with the card edge part  58 A of the card member  56 A being in the lead. In this case, the positions of the engaging groove  54  and the guide groove  53  of the exterior covering member  50  and the engaging protrusion  69  and the guide protrusion  67  of the card member  56 A are aligned, respectively, for the insertion. 
     Subsequently, the insertion is continued to connect the connecting part  29  of the contact  28  to the card edge terminal  59 , the coupling hole  55  of the exterior covering member  50  is coupled to the lock part  68  of the card member  56 A, and the sealing member  49  provided in the female connector  11 A is engaged with the engaging part  66  of the card member  56 A to complete the connection. 
     In Embodiment 1, the rib  17  is provided in the housing  12 , thereby preventing the flat opening  13  and the interior space  15  communicating therewith from opening at a high temperature. In addition, the protruding part  23  formed on the housing  12  is fitted in the contact  28 , thereby preventing loss of the contact pressure. However, some card edge connectors have a narrow substrate of the card member. If the substrate is narrow, there may be no space in which the slit to be fitted with the rib is formed. Even in such a case, with the card edge connector  10 A of Embodiment 2, the end wall part  19  including the protruding part  23  formed thereon to which the contact  28  is fitted is integrally formed with the housing  12 A in the contact accommodating part  16  for accommodating the contact  28 , thereby firmly fixing the contact  28  to the contact accommodating part  16  and preventing the loss of the contact pressure. A narrow card edge connector can lead to a structure of the female connector that can almost prevent the flat opening and the like from opening due to a high temperature, thereby eliminating the rib as in Embodiment 1. 
     The card member  56 A is covered with the exterior covering member  50  provided to the female connector  11 A, thereby preventing the card member  56 A from being damaged due to a collision or the like. The exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11 A formed so as to cover the card member  56 A causes the guide protrusion  67  formed on the card member  56 A to be guided by the guide groove  53  formed in the exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11 A, thereby securely performing the connection. 
     The guide protrusion  67  is formed at the part other than the engaging part on the side surface of the card member  56 A, and the guide protrusion  67  is engaged with the guide groove  53  of the exterior covering member  50  of the female connector  11 A. Therefore, the card member  56 A vibrates together with the card edge connector  10 A, which can prevent the card member  56 A from vibrating independently. This can prevent load on the card edge terminal  59  connected between the card member  56 A and the female connector  11 A.