Patent Publication Number: US-9899771-B2

Title: Connector

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. JP2016-049755 filed Mar. 14, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector mateable with a mating connector. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , JP-A 2015-207557 (Patent Document 1) discloses a connector  900  which is mateable with a mating connector (not shown) along a Z-direction. The connector  900  comprises a plurality of data terminals  910 , a housing  920  and two terminals  930 . Specifically, the housing  920  holds the data terminals  910 , and the terminals  930  are attached to the housing  920 . The housing  920  has a loop frame  922 , a receiving portion  926  and a boss  928 , namely, an island-like portion. The receiving portion  926  is configured to receive a mating connector (not shown). The boss  928  is arranged in the receiving portion  926  and protrudes upward. The loop frame  922  has longitudinal frames  923  and lateral frames  924 . Specifically, each of the longitudinal frames  923  extends in an X-direction, and each of the lateral frames  924  extends in a Y-direction. The boss  928  extends long in the X-direction and is formed with restriction grooves  929 . The restriction grooves  929  are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the boss  922  in the X-direction. Each of the terminals  930  comprises a first U-shaped portion  932 , two second U-shaped portions  934  and a third U-shaped portion  936 . The first U-shaped portion  932  covers the lateral frame  924  of the loop frame  922  of the housing  920 . Each of the second U-shaped portions  934  covers the longitudinal frame  923  of the loop frame  922  of the housing  920 . The third U-shaped portion  936  extends inward from the first U-shaped portion  932  and has a tongue portion  937  at an end thereof in the X-direction. The tongue portion  937  of the third U-shaped portion  936  is arranged so as to be movable in the restriction groove  929  of the boss  928 . 
     In the connector of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the connector and the mating connector (not shown) cannot be properly mated with each other by damaging the boss  928  or/and the tongue portion  929  of the connector  900  when the connector and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other under a state where the connector and the mating connector (not shown) are misaligned with each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector which prevents an island-like portion from being damaged when the connector and a mating connector are mated with each other under a state where the connector and the mating connector are misaligned with each other. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a connector mateable with a mating connector along an up-down direction. The connector comprises a contact, a holding member and two reinforcing members. The holding member holds the contact. The two reinforcing members are embedded into the holding member. The holding member has an accommodation portion and an island-like portion. The accommodation portion is configured to accommodate a part of the mating connector. The island-like portion is arranged in the accommodation portion and protrudes upward in the up-down direction. The island-like portion extends long in a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The island-like portion has two end portions in the first horizontal direction. The reinforcing members are positioned at the two end portions, respectively. Each of the reinforcing members has a guard portion and a supporter. The guard portion of each of the reinforcing members guards the corresponding end portion of the island-like portion. The supporter supports the guard portion. The guard portion has an upper surface, an embedded portion and an exposed coupling portion. The upper surface is exposed upward from the island-like portion in the up-down direction. The embedded portion is embedded into the island-like portion. The exposed coupling portion couples the upper surface and the embedded portion with each other and is exposed from the island-like portion. The supporter has a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion. Each of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion extends downward from the upper surface in the up-down direction in a first plane or in a second plane. The first plane is defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction. The second plane is defined by a second horizontal direction and the up-down direction. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to both the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the second supporting portion has a size which is not less than one half a size of the first supporting portion and which is not greater than the size of the first supporting portion. 
     The connector of the present invention is provided with the guard portions at the two end portions, respectively, of the island-like portion. Accordingly, the island-like portion can be prevented from being damaged when the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other under the state where the connector and the mating connector are misaligned with each other. 
     The connector of the present invention is provided with the supporter which supports the guard portion. In other words, the guard portion is reinforced by the supporter. Accordingly, the connector of the present invention has a structure which prevents deformation of the upper surface of the guard portion when the connector and the mating connector are mated with each other under the state where the connector and the mating connector are misaligned with each other. 
     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 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 3 , taken along line A-A. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 4 , taken along line B-B. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing one of reinforcing members which are included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear, perspective view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view showing the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a side view showing the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 17 , taken along line C-C. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of  FIG. 18 , taken along line D-D. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing one of reinforcing members which are included in the connector of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 22  is a rear, perspective view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 23  is a top view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 24  is a rear view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 25  is a bottom view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 26  is a front view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 28  is a side view showing the reinforcing member of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing a connector of Patent Document 1. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view showing a reinforcing member which is included in the connector of  FIG. 29 . 
     
    
    
     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 
     First Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a connector  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mateable with a mating connector (not shown) along an up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the up-down direction is a Z-direction. Specifically, upward is a positive Z-direction, and downward is a negative Z-direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the connector  100  of the present embodiment comprises a holding member  300 , a plurality of contacts  200 , two reinforcing members  400  and two guide members  500 . Specifically, the contacts  200  are held by the holding member  300 , and the reinforcing members  400  are embedded into the holding member  300 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 , the holding member  300  is made of resin and has an accommodation portion  310 , an island-like portion  320  and a surrounding portion  330 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the accommodation portion  310  accommodates a part of the mating connector (not shown) when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other. The accommodation portion  310  has a roughly angular O-shape in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the plane perpendicular to the up-down direction is an XY-plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 , the island-like portion  320  is arranged in the accommodation portion  310  and protrudes upward in the up-down direction. More specifically, the island-like portion  320  extends long in a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and has two end portions  321  at opposite ends, respectively, thereof in the first horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the first horizontal direction is an X-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the island-like portion  320  has opposite ends in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the first horizontal direction, and each of the opposite ends of the island-like portion  320  in the second horizontal direction is provided with three first contact portion accommodation portions  322 . In the present embodiment, the second horizontal direction is a Y-direction. Each of the first contact portion accommodation portions  322  is recessed inward in the second horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the surrounding portion  330  has two first facing walls (facing walls)  332  and two second facing walls  333 . 
     The first facing walls  332  are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the connector  100  in the second horizontal direction. Each of the first facing walls  332  faces the island-like portion  320  in the second horizontal direction. Each of the first facing walls  332  is formed with two recesses  334  and three second contact portion accommodation portions  335 . Each of the second contact portion accommodation portions  335  is positioned between the two recesses  334  in the first horizontal direction. Each of the recesses  334  is recessed outward in the second horizontal direction. Each of the second contact portion accommodation portions  335  is recessed outward in the second horizontal direction. The recesses  334  correspond to the reinforcing members  400 , respectively. 
     The second facing walls  333  are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the connector  100  in the first horizontal direction. The second facing walls  333  face the end portions  321 , respectively, of the island-like portion  320  in the first horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in the plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, namely, in the XY-plane, the surrounding portion  330  has a roughly angular O-shape and surrounds the accommodation portion  310 . More specifically, the surrounding portion  330  surrounds the island-like portion  320  through the accommodation portion  310  in the XY-plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , each of the contacts  200  is made of conductor and has a first contact portion  210 , a second contact portion  220 , a coupling portion  230  and a fixed portion  240 . The first contact portion  210  and the second contact portion  220  are coupled with each other by the coupling portion  230 . The first contact portion  210  and the second contact portion  220  face each other in the second horizontal direction. The fixed portion  240  extends outward in the second horizontal direction from the second contact portion  220 . The first contact portion  210  is accommodated in the first contact portion accommodation portion  322  of the island-like portion  320  so as to be movable in the second horizontal direction. The second contact portion  220  is accommodated in the second contact portion accommodation portion  335  of the first facing wall  332  of the surrounding portion  330 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 , the reinforcing members  400  are positioned at the two end portions  321 , respectively, of the island-like portion  320  in the first horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 to 13 , each of the reinforcing members  400  has a symmetrical structure with respect to a plane, wherein the plane is defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction while passing through a center of the reinforcing member  400  in the second horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the plane defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction is an XZ-plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 to 14 , each of the reinforcing members  400  is made of metal and has a guard portion  410 , a supporter  420 , a first lower exposed portion (lower exposed portion)  424 , a second lower exposed portion  428  and two resilient pieces  430 . Specifically, the guard portion  410  of each of the reinforcing members  400  guards the corresponding end portion  321  of the island-like portion  320 , and the supporter  420  supports the guard portion  410 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 to 14 , the guard portion  410  has an upper surface  412 , embedded portions  414  and an exposed coupling portion  416 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 , the upper surface  412  is exposed upward from the island-like portion  320  in the up-down direction. More specifically, the upper surface  412  of the present embodiment is perpendicular to the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 to 14 , the exposed coupling portion  416  extends downward from an outward end of the upper surface  412  in the first horizontal direction. Specifically, in the illustrated reinforcing member  400 , the exposed coupling portion  416  extends downward from a positive X-side end of the upper surface  412 . More specifically, the exposed coupling portion  416  couples the upper surface  412  and the embedded portions  414  with each other and is exposed from the island-like portion  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 , the embedded portions  414  extend downward from lower ends, respectively, of the exposed coupling portion  416 . Specifically, the embedded portions  414  of the guard portion  410  of each of the reinforcing members  400  are embedded into the corresponding end portion  321  of the island-like portion  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the supporter  420  has a first supporting portion  422  and a second supporting portion  426 . Specifically, each of the first supporting portion  422  and the second supporting portion  426  extends downward from the upper surface  412  in the up-down direction in a plane defined by the second horizontal direction and the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the plane defined by the second horizontal direction and the up-down direction is a YZ-plane. More specifically, the first supporting portion  422  extends downward from one of two ends of the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  in the second horizontal direction, and the second supporting portion  426  extends downward from a remaining one of the two ends of the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410 . In the up-down direction, the second supporting portion  426  has a size which is not less than one half a size of the first supporting portion  422  and which is not greater than the size of the first supporting portion  422 . In other words, in the up-down direction, the second supporting portion  426  has a size A which satisfies a condition B/2≦A≦B, wherein B is the size of the first supporting portion  422  in the up-down direction. More specifically, in the up-down direction, the second supporting portion  426  of the present embodiment has a size equal to the size of the first supporting portion  422 . 
     As understood from  FIGS. 6 to 14 , in the connector  100  of the present embodiment, each of the two end portions  321  of the island-like portion  320  is provided with the guard portion  410 . Accordingly, the island-like portion  320  is prevented from being damaged when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other under a state where the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are misaligned with each other. In particular, even if downward force is applied to the upper surface  412  by a mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) abutting against the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  of the connector  100  when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the upper surface  412  is prevented from being deformed because the upper surface  412  is supported by the first supporting portion  422  and the second supporting portion  426 , which are symmetrically arranged with each other, so that the force applied to the upper surface  412  is distributed to the first supporting portion  422  and the second supporting portion  426  in a balanced manner. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 , a region, which is defined by the first supporting portion  422 , the second supporting portion  426  and the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410 , is filled with the resin of the holding member  300 . In other words, in the region defined by the first supporting portion  422 , the second supporting portion  426  and the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410 , there is no area where the resin of the holding member  300  does not exist. Accordingly, even in a case where the mating connector (not shown) abuts against the upper surface  412  of the reinforcing member  400  when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  is never deformed, so that deformation of the reinforcing member  400  and damage to the island-like portion  320  can be more prevented. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 12 and 13 , the first lower exposed portion  424  extends outward from a lower end of the first supporting portion  422  in the second horizontal direction and is exposed downward from the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. More specifically, in the up-down direction, the first lower exposed portion  424  is positioned at a position same as a position of a bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  or protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300 . The first lower exposed portion  424  of the present embodiment protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 6, 7, 12 and 13 , the second lower exposed portion  428  extends outward from a lower end of the second supporting portion  426  in the second horizontal direction and is exposed downward from the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. More specifically, in the up-down direction, the second lower exposed portion  428  is positioned at a position same as a position of the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  or protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300 . The second lower exposed portion  428  of the present embodiment protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 to 13 , the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  is positioned between the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  in the second horizontal direction. A part of the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  is positioned at a position same as a position of each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  in the first horizontal direction. The upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  is positioned above each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  in the up-down direction. 
     As described above, the connector  100  of the present embodiment has the first lower exposed portion  424 , which extends from the first supporting portion  422 , and the second lower exposed portion  428  which extends from the second supporting portion  426 . In a case where downward force is applied to the upper surface  412  by the mating connector (not shown) abutting against the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  of the connector  100  when the mating connector (not shown) is mated with the connector  100  mounted on a circuit board (not shown), each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  is moved downward to abut against the circuit board (not shown). In other words, the downward force applied to the upper surface  412  is received by the circuit board (not shown) through the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428 . Accordingly, the upper surface  412  is more prevented from being deformed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 , each of the resilient pieces  430  is brought into contact with the mating connector (not shown) when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other. One of the resilient pieces  430  extends upward from one of two ends, or an outward end, of the first lower exposed portion  424  in the second horizontal direction, and a remaining one of the resilient pieces  430  extends upward from one of two ends, or an outward end, of the second lower exposed portion  428  in the second horizontal direction. In the second horizontal direction, the island-like portion  320  is spaced apart from the two resilient pieces  430  and is positioned between the two resilient pieces  430 . The first facing walls  332  correspond to the resilient pieces  430 , respectively. The resilient piece  430  is accommodated by the recess  334  of the first facing wall  332 . Specifically, each of the resilient pieces  430  of each of the reinforcing members  400  is accommodated by the corresponding recess  334  of the corresponding first facing wall  332 . In other words, the recess  334  of the first facing wall  332  allows the resilient piece  430  to be deformed. Specifically, each of the recesses  334  of each of the first facing walls  332  allows the corresponding resilient piece  430  of the corresponding reinforcing member  400  to be deformed. An upper end  432  of the resilient piece  430  is positioned below an upper surface  336  of the first facing wall  332  in the up-down direction. Specifically, the upper end  432  of each of the resilient pieces  430  is positioned below the upper surface  336  of the corresponding first facing wall  332  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 to 14 , the guide members  500  correspond to the reinforcing members  400 , respectively, and each of the guide members  500  is formed integrally with the corresponding reinforcing member  400 . The reinforcing members  400  and the guide members  500  are embedded into the holding member  300  via insert-molding. Each of the guide members  500  is made of metal and has a first guide portion  510 , two second guide portions  520 , a fixed portion  505  and coupling portions  508 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7 to 14 , the first guide portion  510  faces the guard portion  410  of the reinforcing member  400  in the first horizontal direction. Specifically, the first guide portion  510  of each of the guide members  500  faces the guard portion  410  of the corresponding reinforcing member  400  in the first horizontal direction. More specifically, the first guide portion  510  of each of the guide members  500  faces each of the exposed coupling portion  416  and the embedded portions  414  of the guard portion  410  of the corresponding reinforcing member  400  in the first horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the second guide portions  520  are positioned to interpose the accommodation portion  310  of the holding member  300  therebetween in the second horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the fixed portion  505  of the illustrated guide member  500  extends in a positive X-direction from positive X-side ends of the embedded portions  414  of the guard portion  410  of the reinforcing member  400 , and a positive X-side end of the fixed portion  505  is a free end. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 to 13 , each of the coupling portions  508  of the illustrated guide member  500  extends downward from a negative X-side end of the first guide portion  510  of the guide member  500 . In detail, the coupling portions  508  correspond to opposite ends, respectively, of the fixed portion  505  in the second horizontal direction, and the first guide portion  510  and each of the opposite ends of the fixed portion  505  are coupled with each other by the corresponding coupling portion  508 . 
     As understood from  FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 , a lower end  524  of each of the second guide portions  520  and the free end of the fixed portion  505  of the guide member  500  are configured to be soldered on the circuit board (not shown). 
     As understood from  FIGS. 2 and 4 , each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  of the present embodiment is positioned above any of the lower end  524  of each of the second guide portions  520  and the free end of the fixed portion  505  in the up-down direction. In addition, each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  is positioned below the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. In order to secure a spring property of each of the resilient pieces  430 , each of the first lower exposed portion  424  and the second lower exposed portion  428  of the present embodiment is not soldered on the circuit board (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in the up-down direction, the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  is positioned below any of an upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  and an upper end  522  of each of the second guide portions  520 . Specifically, in the up-down direction, the upper surface  412  of the guard portion  410  of each of the reinforcing members  400  is positioned below any of the upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  and the upper end  522  of each of the second guide portions  520  of the corresponding guide member  500 . Accordingly, in a case where the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is misaligned with the accommodation portion  310  of the holding member  300  of the connector  100  in the XY-plane when the connector  100  and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is brought into contact with the upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  or/and the upper end  522  of the second guide portion  520  of the connector  100  before being brought into contact with the island-like portion  320  or/and the reinforcing member  400  of the connector  100 . Thus, in the aforementioned case, the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is guided toward the accommodation portion  310  of the holding member  300  of the connector  100 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 to 28 , a connector  100 A according to a second embodiment of the present invention has a structure same as that of the connector  100  according to the aforementioned first embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  except for reinforcing members  400 A. Accordingly, components of the connector  100 A shown in  FIGS. 15 to 28  which are same as those of connector  100  of the first embodiment are referred by using reference signs same as those of the connector  100  of the first embodiment. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 15, 17 and 20 , the connector  100 A of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of contacts  200 , a holding member  300 , the two reinforcing members  400 A and two guide members  500 . Specifically, the contacts  200  are held by the holding member  300 , and the reinforcing members  400 A are embedded into the holding member  300 . As for the aforementioned components of the connector  100 A, the contact  200  and the guide member  500  have structures same as those of the connector  100  of the aforementioned first embodiment. Although the holding member  300  of the connector  100 A has a structure different in detail from that of the connector  100  of the first embodiment because the reinforcing members  400 A, which are embedded into the connector  100 A, are dissimilar to the reinforcing members  400  of the connector  100  of the first embodiment, the holding member  300  of the connector  100 A has a structure substantially same as that of the connector  100  of the first embodiment. Accordingly, detailed explanation about those components is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17 and 19 , the reinforcing members  400 A are positioned at two end portions  321 , respectively, of an island-like portion  320  in a first horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the first horizontal direction is the X-direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17 and 20 to 27 , each of the reinforcing members  400 A has a symmetrical structure with respect to a plane, wherein the plane is defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction while passing through a center of the reinforcing member  400 A in a second horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the plane defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction is the XZ-plane, and the second horizontal direction is the Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17 and 19 to 28 , each of the reinforcing members  400 A is made of metal and has a guard portion  410 A, a supporter  420 A, a lower exposed portion  424 A and two resilient pieces  430 A. Specifically, the guard portion  410 A of each of the reinforcing members  400 A guards the corresponding end portion  321  of the island-like portion  320 , and the supporter  420 A supports the guard portion  410 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19, 23, 24 and 27 , the guard portion  410 A has an upper surface  412 A, an embedded portion  414 A and an exposed coupling portion  416 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17, 19 and 20 , the upper surface  412 A is exposed upward from the island-like portion  320  in the up-down direction. More specifically, the upper surface  412 A of the present embodiment is perpendicular to the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19, 21 to 24, 27 and 28 , the exposed coupling portion  416 A extends downward from an outward end of the upper surface  412 A in the first horizontal direction. More specifically, the exposed coupling portion  416 A couples the upper surface  412 A and the embedded portion  414 A with each other and is exposed from the island-like portion  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19, 21, 23, 24, 27 and 28 , the embedded portion  414 A extends downward from a lower end of the exposed coupling portion  416 A. Specifically, the embedded portion  414 A of the guard portion  410 A of each of the reinforcing members  400 A is embedded into the corresponding end portion  321  of the island-like portion  320 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 21 to 28 , the supporter  420 A has a first supporting portion  422 A and a second supporting portion  426 A. Specifically, each of the first supporting portion  422 A and the second supporting portion  426 A extends downward from the upper surface  412 A in the up-down direction in the plane defined by the first horizontal direction and the up-down direction. More specifically, the first supporting portion  422 A extends downward from one of two ends, or an inward end, of the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A in the first horizontal direction, and the second supporting portion  426 A extends downward from a remaining one of the two ends, or the outward end, of the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A. In other words, a part of the second supporting portion  426 A functions as the exposed coupling portion  416 A, and a remaining part thereof functions as the embedded portion  414 A. In the up-down direction, the second supporting portion  426 A has a size which is not less than one half a size of the first supporting portion  422 A and which is not greater than the size of the first supporting portion  422 A. In other words, in the up-down direction, the second supporting portion  426 A has a size C which satisfies a condition D/2≦C≦D, wherein D is the size of the first supporting portion  422 A in the up-down direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 19 and 21 to 28 , in the connector  100 A of the present embodiment, each of the two end portions  321  of the island-like portion  320  is provided with the guard portion  410 A. Accordingly, the island-like portion  320  can be prevented from being damaged when the connector  100 A and a mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other under a state where the connector  100 A and the mating connector (not shown) are misaligned with each other. In particular, even if downward force is applied to the upper surface  412 A by a mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) abutting against the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A of the connector  100 A when the connector  100 A and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the upper surface  412 A is prevented from being deformed because the upper surface  412 A is supported by the first supporting portion  422 A and the second supporting portion  426 A so that the force applied to the upper surface  412 A is distributed to the first supporting portion  422 A and the second supporting portion  426 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , a region, which is defined by the first supporting portion  422 A, the second supporting portion  426 A and the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A, is filled with resin of the holding member  300 . In other words, in the region defined by the first supporting portion  422 A, the second supporting portion  426 A and the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A, there is no area where the resin of the holding member  300  does not exist. Accordingly, even in a case where the mating connector (not shown) abuts against the upper surface  412 A of the reinforcing member  400 A when the connector  100 A and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the upper surface  412 A of guard portion  410 A is never deformed, so that deformation of the reinforcing member  400 A and damage to the island-like portion  320  can be more prevented. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 to 21 and 24 to 28 , the lower exposed portion  424 A extends from the first supporting portion  422 A and is exposed downward from the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the lower exposed portion  424 A is positioned at a position same as a position of a bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  or protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300 . More specifically, the lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment protrudes downward from the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 to 21, 27 and 28 , the lower exposed portion  424 A extends to reach at least below a lower end of the second supporting portion  426 A. More specifically, the lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment extends outward from a lower end of the first supporting portion  422 A in the first horizontal direction. The lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment is not connected with the lower end of the second supporting portion  426 A, i.e. a lower end of the embedded portion  414 A. Specifically, the lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment is positioned to be spaced apart by a constant distance from the lower end of the second supporting portion  426 A in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower exposed portion  424 A may be configured so as to abut against the embedded portion  414 A without any gap therebetween. 
     As described above, the connector  100 A of the present embodiment has the lower exposed portion  424 A, which extends from the first supporting portion  422 A, and the second supporting portion  426 A. The second supporting portion  426 A has the size which is not less than one half the size of the first supporting portion  422 A and which is not greater than the size of the first supporting portion  422 A. The second supporting portion  426 A is continuous with the lower exposed portion  424 A through a part of the holding member  300 . In a case where downward force is applied to the upper surface  412 A by the mating connector (not shown) abutting against the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A of the connector  100 A when the mating connector (not shown) is mated with the connector  100 A mounted on the circuit board (not shown), the lower exposed portion  424 A is moved downward to abut against the circuit board (not shown). In other words, the downward force applied to the upper surface  412 A is received by the circuit board (not shown) through the lower exposed portion  424 A. Accordingly, the upper surface  412 A is more prevented from being deformed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17 and 20 , each of the resilient pieces  430 A is brought into contact with the mating connector (not shown) when the connector  100 A and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other. The resilient pieces  430 A extend upward from opposite ends, respectively, of the lower exposed portion  424 A in the second horizontal direction. In the second horizontal direction, the island-like portion  320  is spaced apart from the two resilient pieces  430 A and is positioned between the two resilient pieces  430 A. First facing walls  332  of the holding member  300  correspond to the resilient pieces  430 A, respectively. Recesses  334  of the first facing wall  332  correspond to the reinforcing members  400 A, respectively. The resilient piece  430 A is accommodated by the recess  334  of the first facing wall  332 . Specifically, each of the resilient pieces  430 A of each of the reinforcing members  400 A is accommodated by the corresponding recess  334  of the corresponding first facing wall  332 . In other words, the recess  334  of the first facing wall  332  allows the resilient piece  430 A to be deformed. Specifically, each of the recesses  334  of each of the first facing walls  332  allows the corresponding resilient piece  430 A of the corresponding reinforcing member  400 A to be deformed. An upper end  432 A of the resilient piece  430 A is positioned below an upper surface  336  of the first facing wall  332  in the up-down direction. Specifically, the upper end  432 A of each of the resilient pieces  430 A is positioned below the upper surface  336  of the corresponding first facing wall  332  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17, 19 and 21 to 28 , the guide members  500  correspond to the reinforcing members  400 A, respectively, and each of the guide members  500  is formed integrally with the corresponding reinforcing member  400 A. Specifically, the reinforcing members  400 A and the guide members  500  are embedded into the holding member  300  via insert-molding. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15, 17, 19 and 21 to 27 , the first guide portion  510  faces the guard portion  410 A of the reinforcing member  400 A in the first horizontal direction. Specifically, the first guide portion  510  of each of the guide members  500  faces the guard portion  410 A of the corresponding reinforcing member  400 A in the first horizontal direction. More specifically, the first guide portion  510  of each of the guide members  500  faces each of the exposed coupling portion  416 A and the embedded portion  414 A of the guard portion  410 A of the corresponding reinforcing member  400 A in the first horizontal direction. In other words, the first guide portion  510  of each of the guide members  500  faces the second supporting portion  426 A of the supporter  420 A of the corresponding reinforcing member  400 A in the first horizontal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22, 25 and 27 , a fixed portion  505  of the illustrated guide member  500  extends in the positive X-direction from a positive X-side end of the lower exposed portion  424 A of the reinforcing member  400 A, and a positive X-side end of the fixed portion  505  is a free end. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 16 and 18 to 20 , similar to the first embodiment, the lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment is positioned above any of a lower end  524  of each of the second guide portions  520  and the free end of the fixed portion  505  in the up-down direction. The lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment is positioned below the bottom surface  302  of the holding member  300  in the up-down direction. In order to secure a spring property of each of the resilient pieces  430 A, the lower exposed portion  424 A of the present embodiment is not soldered to the circuit board (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in the up-down direction, the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A is positioned below any of an upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  and an upper end  522  of each of the second guide portions  520 . Specifically, in the up-down direction, the upper surface  412 A of the guard portion  410 A of each of the reinforcing members  400 A is positioned below any of the upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  and the upper end  522  of each of the second guide portions  520  of the corresponding guide member  500 . Accordingly, in a case where the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is misaligned with an accommodation portion  310  of the holding member  300  of the connector  100 A in the XY-plane when the connector  100 A and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is brought into contact with the upper end  512  of the first guide portion  510  or/and the upper end  522  of the second guide portion  520  of the connector  100 A before being brought into contact with the island-like portion  320  or/and the reinforcing member  400 A of the connector  100 A. Thus, in the aforementioned case, the mating end (not shown) of the mating connector (not shown) is guided toward the accommodation portion  310  of the holding member  300  of the connector  100 A. 
     While the present invention has been described with specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. 
     Although the reinforcing member  400 ,  400 A of each above-described embodiment has the first supporting portion  422 ,  422 A and the second supporting portion  426 ,  426 A, the upper surface  412 ,  412 A may have another supporting portion similarly extending therefrom in addition to the first supporting portion  422 ,  422 A and the second supporting portion  426 ,  426 A. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.