Patent Description:
For reducing erroneous insertion of a partner connector into a connector, it has been known that fitting ports for fitting these connectors have characteristic shapes (see, e.g., <CIT>). Since the fitting ports have the characteristic shapes as described above, it is difficult to fit the connectors in each other in a case where the shapes of the fitting ports of these connectors do not match each other. With this configuration, damage or breakage of a connector terminal due to forcible insertion can be reduced.

As the method in which the fitting ports have the characteristic shapes, a technique in which a bent piece is provided at an edge of a fitting port of a shell of a connector to form an asymmetrical shape of the fitting port has been known (see, e.g., <CIT>). <CIT> discloses a surface-mounted connector socket. <CIT> discloses a connector device using a lid member and a lid member.

An electric connector includes: a housing having a plate-shaped body; multiple terminals held on the plate-shaped body; and a metal shell surrounding the plate-shaped body and the terminals and having a tubular shape. The shell has: a fitting port in which a partner connector is to be fitted; two or more side walls provided along a partner connector fitting direction; a coupling portion coupling adjacent ones of the two or more side walls; and a first branched band-shaped piece provided closer to a fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side. The first branched band-shaped piece is bent about an axis along the fitting direction from one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and extends toward another one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and an edge of the first branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port. The shell further has a second branched band-shaped piece provided closer to the fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side. The second branched band-shaped piece is bent about the axis along the fitting direction from the other one of the adjacent ones of the two or more sidewalls, and extends toward the one of the adjacent ones of the two or more sidewalls. An edge of the second branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port.

In the following detailed description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments.

The above-described bent piece stands in a connector fitting direction on the shell edge forming the fitting port, and is bent such that a tip end portion thereof is perpendicular to the fitting direction. Thus, in a case where the shape or orientation of the fitting port of the partner connector does not match the bent piece, the bent piece can block fitting of the partner connector by a bent piece surface forming the tip end portion, and therefore, erroneous insertion can be reduced.

However, the partner connector is received by the surface of the tip end portion of the above-described bent piece. For this reason, the bent piece itself is easily deformable, and the shell is also deformable by force on the bent piece.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric connector capable of reducing erroneous insertion of a partner connector and reducing deformation of a shell.

An electric connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a housing having a plate-shaped body; multiple terminals held on the plate-shaped body; and a metal shell surrounding the plate-shaped body and the terminals and having a tubular shape. The shell has: a fitting port in which a partner connector is to be fitted; two or more side walls provided along a partner connector fitting direction; a coupling portion coupling adjacent ones of the two or more side walls; and a first branched band-shaped piece provided closer to a fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side. The first branched band-shaped piece is bent about an axis along the fitting direction from one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and extends toward another one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and an edge of the first branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port. The shell further has a second branched band-shaped piece provided closer to the fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side. The second branched band-shaped piece is bent about the axis along the fitting direction from the other one of the adjacent ones of the two or more sidewalls, and extends toward the one of the adjacent ones of the two or more sidewalls. An edge of the second branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the electric connector capable of reducing erroneous insertion of the partner connector and reducing deformation of the shell can be provided.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of an electric connector according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a back perspective view of the electric connector according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a top view of the electric connector according to the present embodiment.

For the sake of convenience in description of the embodiment below, a longitudinal direction (a terminal array direction) of the electric connector <NUM> is taken as an X-direction (an X1X2 direction), a lateral direction (a terminal facing direction) is taken as a Y-direction (a Y1Y2 direction), and a height direction (a fitting/removal direction) is taken as a Z-direction (a Z1Z2 direction). The Z2 direction is a fitting direction, and the Z1 direction is a removal direction. Note that each direction is for describing a relative positional relationship among portions forming the electric connector and does not indicate a precise direction. In the height direction, a side relatively on the Z1 side will be sometimes referred to as "above," an "upper side," or "upper," and a side relatively on the Z2 side will be sometimes referred to as "below," a "lower side," "lower," or a "bottom side.

The electric connector <NUM> described herein is a receptacle connector mounted on a not-shown substrate. The electric connector <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, multiple terminals <NUM>, and a metal shell <NUM>. The electric connector <NUM> and a not-shown partner connector are electrically connected to each other in such a manner that the partner connector is fitted in the shell <NUM> through a fitting port <NUM> thereof and the multiple terminals <NUM> held on the housing <NUM> and terminals of the partner connector contact each other in the shell <NUM>. Note that the electric connector <NUM> of the present embodiment is configured such that the fitting direction is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. Note that the fitting direction may be substantially horizontal to the substrate.

The housing <NUM> is, for example, made of resin, and has a base <NUM> and a plate-shaped body <NUM>. The base <NUM> is a mount placed on the substrate and having a flat substantially-rectangular parallelepiped shape. The base <NUM> described herein is formed with a step in the upper-lower direction. The plate-shaped body <NUM> is in a plate shape, and stands to upwardly (the Z1 direction) extend from the base <NUM> in a state in which the surface of the plate-shaped body <NUM> is perpendicular to the Y-direction. The multiple terminals <NUM> are arrayed on both surfaces of the plate-shaped body <NUM>. In this example, five terminals <NUM> are arrayed on one surface of the plate-shaped body <NUM>, and five terminals <NUM> are arrayed on the other surface.

The terminal <NUM> is a conductor to be electrically connected to the terminal of the partner connector by contacting the terminal of the partner connector and to be electrically connected to a circuit on the substrate. The terminals <NUM> are held on the housing <NUM>. For example, the terminal <NUM> has a substantially L-shape such that one side of the L-shape is held on the plate-shaped body <NUM> and the other side is exposed through a lower portion of the base <NUM>, extends in the Y-direction, and is electrically connected to the circuit on the substrate. That is, one side of the L-shape is a contact portion configured to contact the terminal of the partner connector, and the other side of the L-shape is a mounting portion to be mounted on the substrate. The terminal <NUM> may be, for example, held on the plate-shaped body <NUM> in such a manner that the terminal <NUM> is attached to a hole of the plate-shaped body <NUM> by, e.g., press-fitting, or may be held on the plate-shaped body <NUM> in such a manner that part of the terminal <NUM> is embedded in the plate-shaped body <NUM> by, e.g., insert molding. The multiple terminals <NUM> are arrayed in the X-direction to form first and second terminal arrays. The first terminal array in the Y2 side and the second terminal array on the Y1 side face each other in the Y-direction with the plate-shaped body <NUM> being interposed therebetween. Note that in the present embodiment, the multiple terminals <NUM> are arranged in a zigzag pattern such that each terminal <NUM> of the terminal array on one side is positioned between adjacent ones of the terminals <NUM> of the terminal array on the other side, considering reduction in crosstalk.

The shell <NUM> is a metal member surrounding the plate-shaped body <NUM> and the terminals <NUM> and having a tubular shape. The shell <NUM> has the fitting port <NUM>, two or more side walls <NUM>, coupling portions <NUM>, a first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, a second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, a cutout portion <NUM>, lock holes <NUM>, claw portions <NUM>, and guide pieces <NUM>.

The fitting port <NUM> is an opening in which the partner connector is to be fitted. The fitting port <NUM> serves as an inlet of the shell <NUM> when the partner connector is fitted, and serves as an outlet of the shell <NUM> when the partner connector is removed. That is, the fitting port <NUM> is positioned at an upper portion of the electric connector <NUM>, specifically a portion above an upper edge of the plate-shaped body <NUM>. The fitting port <NUM> of the present embodiment has a pentagonal shape formed by cutting out of one corner of a rectangular shape, and has an asymmetrical shape in the X-direction and the Y-direction.

The two or more side walls <NUM> are four side walls <NUM> in this example, and in a rectangular tubular shape, surround the plate-shaped body <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> surround the plate-shaped body <NUM> along the Z2 direction which is the fitting direction. Specifically, the side walls <NUM> include a pair of side walls 41a provided parallel with the ZX plane and a pair of side walls 41b connecting end portions of the side walls 41a and provided parallel with the ZY plane. The pair of side walls 41a and the pair of side walls 41b surround the plate-shaped body <NUM>. That is, the side wall 41a on the Y2 side is adjacent to the side wall 41b on the X1 side in the X1 direction, and is adjacent to the side wall 41b on the X2 side in the X2 direction. The side wall 41a on the Y1 side is adjacent to the side wall 41b on the X1 side in the X1 direction, and is adjacent to the side wall 41b on the X2 side in the X2 direction. A shell of the partner connector is fitted in an internal space among the four side walls <NUM> and the plate-shaped body <NUM>. Note that a phrase "along the fitting direction" means parallel or substantially parallel with the fitting direction. A phrase "substantially parallel with the fitting direction" means, in one example, a direction at an angle of -<NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the fitting direction.

A pair of fixing pieces 41c extending downwardly is provided at lower ends of the side walls 41b. The fixing pieces 41c are press-fitted in a pair of holes 20a of the base <NUM>, and accordingly, the shell <NUM> is fixed to stand on the base <NUM>. Moreover, lower ends of the fixing pieces 41c are exposed through the base <NUM> so that the fixing pieces 41c can be electrically connected to the circuit on the substrate.

The coupling portion <NUM> is a portion coupling adjacent ones 41a, 41b of the two or more side walls <NUM>. In this example, the coupling portions <NUM> are provided at four corners of the shell <NUM>. For example, the coupling portion <NUM> couples, at least at one or more corner portions of the shell <NUM>, the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other at a position lower than the height of the center of the side wall <NUM>. At each of the remaining corner portions, the coupling portion <NUM> couples, across the upper-lower direction, the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other.

<FIG> is a partially-enlarged view of one corner portion of the shell <NUM> provided with the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM>, as viewed from the outside of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> is a partially-enlarged view of one corner portion of the shell <NUM> provided with the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM>, as viewed from the inside of the shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> are band-shaped bodies provided on a fitting port <NUM> side with respect to the coupling portion <NUM> and branched from the side walls <NUM>. The first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is bent about an axis J along the fitting direction from one 41a of the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other, and extends toward the other one 41b of the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other. The axis J is parallel or substantially parallel with the fitting direction. The second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is bent about the axis J along the fitting direction from the other one 41b of the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other, and extends toward one 41a of the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other. Edges E of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> on the side opposite to the coupling portion <NUM> form part of the fitting port <NUM>. That is, each of the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM> forms the asymmetrical shape of the fitting port <NUM>. A clearance between a tip end of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and a tip end of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the thickness of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> or the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>.

The width W1 of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, i.e., the length of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> in the fitting direction, is equal to or greater than the length L1 of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> extending from one side wall 41a to the other side wall 41b (W1/L1 ≥ <NUM>). The width W1 of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, i.e., the length of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> in the fitting direction, is greater than the thickness of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. Note that a thickness direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction of the width W1 and the direction of the length L1 and the thickness is equal or substantially equal to that of the side wall 41a.

The width W2 of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, i.e., the length of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> in the fitting direction, is equal to or greater than the length L2 of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> extending from the other side wall 41b to one side wall 41a (W2/L2 ≥ <NUM>). The width W2 of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, i.e., the length of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> in the fitting direction, is greater than the thickness of the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. Note that a thickness direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction of the width W2 and the direction of the length L2 and the thickness is equal or substantially equal to that of the side wall 41b.

As long as deformation of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> or the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> can be reduced, the width W1 (W2) with respect to the length L1 (L2) is not specifically limited. Note that <NUM> ≤ W1 (W2)/L1 (L2) ≤ <NUM> is preferred and <NUM> ≤ W1 (W2)/L1 (L2) ≤ <NUM> is more preferred. As compared to a typical technique, the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and/or the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> have/has not only the effect of reducing deformation in response to force in the Z1 direction, but also the effect of reducing deformation in response to force in the X-direction and/or the Y-direction.

The cutout portion <NUM> is, at the side wall <NUM>, provided closer to the fitting port <NUM> side than the coupling portion <NUM> is to the fitting port <NUM> side, and branches the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM> from the side walls <NUM>. The cutout portion <NUM> has a first cutout <NUM> arranged over one side wall 41a and the other side wall 41b and extending in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and a second cutout <NUM> extending from the first cutout <NUM> to the fitting port <NUM> in the same direction as the fitting direction. Since the first cutout <NUM> and the second cutout <NUM> communicate with each other, the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM> can be branched from the side walls 41a, 41b. In the present embodiment, the first cutout <NUM> is, at the corner portion of the shell <NUM>, provided over the side walls 41a, 41b adjacent to each other. The second cutout <NUM> is provided at the corner portion of the shell <NUM> provided with the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The cutout portion <NUM> is provided closer to the fitting port <NUM> side than the lock hole <NUM> is to the fitting port <NUM> side. That is, the cutout portion <NUM> is provided at a position (the Z1 side) higher than the height position of the lock hole <NUM>.

The lock hole <NUM> is a hole provided at the side wall <NUM> for locking the partner connector. When the partner connector is fitted, claws of the partner connector are fitted in the lock holes <NUM>, and accordingly, the partner connector and the electric connector <NUM> can be engaged with each other. The lock holes <NUM> described herein are provided at center portions of the pair of side walls 41b.

The claw portions <NUM> are provided at the side walls <NUM>, and are configured to contact the shell of the partner connector. In the present embodiment, the claw portion <NUM> has an opening 47a provided at a center portion of each of the side walls 41a in a pair and a claw 47b. The claw 47b extends upwardly from a lower edge of the opening 47a. A tip end of the claw 47b projects to the outside. The claws 47b contact the shell of the partner connector when the partner connector and the electric connector <NUM> are fitted in each other, and accordingly, the partner connector can be connected to the ground, for example.

The guide piece <NUM> stands at least on part of an upper edge of the side wall <NUM> forming the fitting port <NUM>. The guide piece <NUM> is provided to extend outwardly from the fitting port <NUM>. The guide pieces <NUM> guide the partner connector so that the partner connector can be easily fitted.

In the present embodiment, the rectangular tubular shell <NUM> can be produced in such a manner that a single long metal plate is bent multiple times. The shape of the fitting port <NUM> can be such a pentagonal shape that one corner of the rectangular shape is cut out in such a manner that the cutout portion <NUM> is formed by a cutting device before such a bending process and the branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are bent about the axis J after the bending process. A raised portion 49a projecting in the Z-direction on a tip end side is provided at one end portion of the single long metal plate, and a recessed portion 49b having the same shape as that of the raised portion 49a is provided at the other end portion. The raised portion 49a and the recessed portion 49b can be fitted in each other to form the shell <NUM>.

With this configuration, erroneous insertion of the partner connector can be reduced, and deformation of the shell <NUM> can be reduced. That is, the edge E of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> forms part of the fitting port <NUM>. Thus, even when the partner connector of which shape does not match the shape of the fitting port <NUM> or the partner connector of which direction does not match the orientation of the fitting port <NUM> is about to be erroneously inserted, the partner connector can be blocked not by the surface of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> but by the edge E of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. Thus, damage or breakage of the terminal <NUM> due to erroneous insertion of the partner connector can be reduced.

Note that a typical electric connector has a bent piece standing in a fitting direction on a fitting port of a shell and bent such that a tip end portion thereof is perpendicular to the fitting direction. In such a typical electric connector, an erroneously-inserted partner connector is received by a surface of the bent piece forming the tip end portion. For this reason, deformation of the bent piece is easily caused. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is bent about the axis along the partner connector fitting direction. Thus, force applied in the fitting direction is received by the edge E of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. With this configuration, the stiffness of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM> or the entire shell <NUM> can be enhanced, and therefore, deformation of the shell <NUM> can be reduced.

With this configuration, the length of each branched band-shaped piece can be shortened. Thus, the effect of reducing erroneous insertion of the partner connector can be improved. That is, the length of each branched band-shaped piece from any surface to the tip end can be shortened, and therefore, the moment of force in the fitting direction on the branched band-shaped piece when an attempt is made to forcibly fit the partner connector can be decreased. Thus, deformation of the shell <NUM> can be reduced.

The technique of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and also includes other embodiments described below. Moreover, the technique of the present disclosure also includes combinations of all or some of the above-described embodiment and the other embodiments. Further, modifications including various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the technique of the present disclosure, and these modifications are also included in the present disclosure.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the group of the first branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, the second branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, the cutout portion <NUM>, and the coupling portion <NUM> is provided at one corner portion of the shell <NUM>. Instead, these groups may be provided at opposing corner portions of the shell <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the groups may be provided at corner portions positioned at both ends of the side wall 41a as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the groups may be provided at corner portions positioned at both ends of the side wall 41b as shown in <FIG>. As described above, the number of groups and/or the location of the group are optional.

In accordance with the invention, in the above-described embodiment, the two branched band-shaped pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are provided. Instead, one branched band-shaped piece <NUM> may be provided in a background variation not covered by the appended claims. <FIG> is a partially-enlarged view of the corner portion of the shell <NUM> according to an unclaimed variation of the branched band-shaped piece, as viewed from the outside of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> is a partially-enlarged view of the corner portion of the shell <NUM> according to the variation of the branched band-shaped piece, as viewed from the inside of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> is a partially-enlarged top view of the corner portion of the shell <NUM> according to the variation of the branched band-shaped piece. Hereinafter, the configurations of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> and the cutout portion <NUM> different from those of the above-described embodiment will be described, and description of the same configuration will be omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the single branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is provided, and extends from the side wall 41a until a tip end of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> can contact the other side wall 41b adjacent to the side wall 41a. Even in such a configuration, erroneous insertion of the partner connector can be reduced, and deformation of the shell <NUM> can be reduced. Even in a case where the partner connector is forcibly inserted, the tip end of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> contacts an inner surface of the side wall 41b, and therefore, deformation beyond such an inner surface can be reduced.

The length of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> in an extending direction thereof may be equal to or greater than the width of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM>, or may be smaller than the width of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. The tip end of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> is inclined along the side wall 41b. Thus, even in a case where the partner connector is forcibly inserted, the tip end of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> surface-contacts the inner surface of the side wall 41b. Thus, stress on the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> upon erroneous insertion can be dispersed to the side wall 41b having a higher stiffness than that of the branched band-shaped piece <NUM>. Consequently, deformation of the shell <NUM> can be reduced. Note that such inclination can be formed by, e.g., pressing.

The cutout portion <NUM> is different from that of the above-described embodiment in the position of the second cutout <NUM>. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the second cutout <NUM> is provided in the upper-lower direction along the corner of the shell <NUM>. On the other hand, the second cutout <NUM> of the present variation is provided in the upper-lower direction at the side wall 41b. Thus, the cutout portion <NUM> is in an L-shape, and branches the branched band-shaped piece <NUM> from the side wall <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiment, the electric connector <NUM> is the receptacle connector. On this point, the electric connector <NUM> may be a plug connector.

Claim 1:
An electric connector (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a plate-shaped body;
multiple terminals (<NUM>) held on the plate-shaped body; and
a metal shell (<NUM>) surrounding the plate-shaped body and the terminals and having a tubular shape,
wherein the shell has
a fitting port (<NUM>) in which a partner connector is to be fitted,
two or more side walls (<NUM>) provided along a partner connector fitting direction,
a coupling portion (<NUM>) coupling adjacent ones (41a, 41b) of the two or more side walls, and
a first branched band-shaped piece (<NUM>) provided closer to a fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side,
the first branched band-shaped piece is bent about an axis along the fitting direction from one (41a) of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and extends toward another one (41b) of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and
an edge (E) of the first branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port characterized in that the shell further has a second branched band-shaped piece (<NUM>) provided closer to the fitting port side than the coupling portion is to the fitting port side,
the second branched band-shaped piece is bent about the axis along the fitting direction from the other one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and extends toward the one of the adjacent ones of the two or more side walls, and
an edge (E) of the second branched band-shaped piece opposite to the coupling portion forms part of the fitting port.