Patent Description:
Connectors connecting different substrates are known. This type of connector is configured such that a first connector attached to one substrate is fitted to a second connector attached to the other substrate. The first connector includes: a fixing insulator fixed to a substrate surface of one substrate; a movable insulator that is disposed to be movable relative to the fixing insulator; and a plurality of contacts that are mounted on the one substrate, that are held by the fixing insulator and the movable insulator, and that are arranged alongside in one direction.

Each of the contacts includes an elastic deformation portion that can be elastically deformed. In the first connector, elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion allows the movable insulator to move relative to the fixing insulator. This can absorb positional deviation when the second connector is fitted to the first connector and allows positional deviation after the fitting. Part of the movable insulator is disposed between the fixing insulator and the substrate surface. This allows the movable insulator to be fitted to the fixing insulator when the second connector is removed from the first connector, whereby the movement of the movable insulator toward the second connector is restricted.

Size reduction has been demanded for the above-described connector, including reduction in the occupied area of the connector mounted on the substrate. For size reduction in the fixing insulator and the movable insulator, there is a limitation on size reduction in a contact array direction in which a plurality of contacts is arrayed because the number of contacts is fixed. In view of the above, size reduction in a width direction orthogonal to the contact array direction is conceivable. However, the size reduction in the width direction causes decrease in strength. For this reason, there is a possibility of the fixing insulator or the like being damaged when, for example, the second connector is removed from the first connector or unintentional force is applied.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to prevent decrease in strength while reducing the size of a connector.

The present invention is defined by the independent claim. Further embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

A connector has a movable insulator, both ends in a contact array direction of which face metal fittings. Thus, if the movable insulator is pulled toward another connector when the other connector is removed or unintentional force is applied, the metal fittings restrict the movement of the movable insulator in a fitting direction. As a result, since direct application of force from the movable insulator to the fixing insulator is avoided, damage to the fixing insulator can be prevented during removal or at the time of application of intentional force. The connector is provided in a state where the metal fittings are disposed inside the fixing insulator, i.e., in a state where the metal fittings are not exposed on the surface at the fitting side of the fixing insulator. Accordingly, in comparison with a case where the metal fittings are disposed on the surface of the fixing insulator, damage to other connectors caused by metallic fittings is suppressed, or unevenness of the surface of the fixing insulator is reduced. This allows the other connector to smoothly slide on the surface of the fixing insulator when the other connector is fitted to the connector, thereby making the other connector to be easily inserted into the connector. In this way, the connector may reduce its size, prevent decrease in strength, and improve fitting performance when the other connector is fitted to the connector.

With reference to the drawings, embodiments of a connector according to the present invention will be explained below. Embodiments do not limit the present invention. Components in embodiments include the ones that are straightforward and replaceable by a person skilled in the art or substantially identical ones.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views each illustrating an example of a connector <NUM> according to embodiments. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the connector <NUM>. <FIG> is a bottom view illustrating an example of the connector <NUM> when viewed from a first substrate <NUM> side. As illustrated in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> includes a first connector (connector) <NUM> and a second connector (another/the other connector) <NUM>. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> each illustrate a state where the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other. While embodiments refer to the connector as being configured to include the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, each of the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> is actually configured as a single connector. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the first connector <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first connector <NUM> when viewed from a fitting surface side of the first connector <NUM>, the fitting surface being fitted to the second connector <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the second connector <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the second connector <NUM> when viewed from a fitting surface side of the second connector <NUM>, the fitting surface being fitted to the first connector <NUM>.

The first connector <NUM> is fixed to the first substrate <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> includes a fixing insulator <NUM>, metal fittings <NUM>, a movable insulator <NUM>, and contacts <NUM>.

The fixing insulator <NUM> is formed into a rectangular frame shape by using, for example, a resin material. The fixing insulator <NUM> is disposed with a spacing from a substrate surface 101a of the first substrate <NUM>. The fixing insulator <NUM> includes a wall portion <NUM> and a wall portion <NUM>, and a beam portion <NUM> and a beam portion <NUM>. The wall portion <NUM> and the wall portion <NUM> are arranged in parallel to a contact array direction D1 of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The contact array direction D1 is a direction in which the contacts <NUM> are arrayed in the first connector <NUM>. The wall portion <NUM> is disposed on one side of the fixing insulator <NUM> in a width direction D2. The wall portion <NUM> is disposed on the other side of the fixing insulator <NUM> in the width direction D2. The width direction D2 is a direction orthogonal to the contact array direction D1 on the plane perpendicular to a fitting direction D3 in which the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other.

The wall portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 31b. The wall portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 32b. The fitting surface 31b and the fitting surface 32b are plain surfaces perpendicular to the fitting direction D3. The fitting surface 31b and the fitting surface 32b are flat. The fitting surface 31b and the fitting surface 32b slidably guide the second connector <NUM> into the inner side of the fixing insulator <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM>.

The beam portion <NUM> and the beam portion <NUM> are disposed in parallel to the width direction D2. The beam portion <NUM> is disposed on one end side of the contact array direction D1. The beam portion <NUM> is disposed on the other end side of the contact array direction D1. The spacing between the beam portion <NUM> and the substrate surface 101a and the spacing between the beam portion <NUM> and the substrate surface 101a are larger than the spacing between the wall portion <NUM> and the substrate surface 101a and the spacing between the wall portion <NUM> and the substrate surface 101a. The beam portion <NUM> includes a support surface 33a facing the substrate surface 101a. The beam portion <NUM> includes a support surface 34a facing the substrate surface 101a. The support surface 33a and the support surface 34a are perpendicular to the fitting direction D3.

The beam portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 33b. The beam portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 34b. The fitting surface 33b and the fitting surface 34b are plain surfaces in parallel to the substrate surface 101a. The fitting surface 33b and the fitting surface 34b are flat. The fitting surface 33b and the fitting surface 34b are coplanar with the fitting surface 31b of the wall portion <NUM> and the fitting surface 32b of the wall portion <NUM>. The fitting surface 33b and the fitting surface 34b, together with the fitting surface 31b and the fitting surface 32b, are continuously formed on the whole circumference of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The fitting surface 33b and the fitting surface 34b, together with the fitting surface 31b and the fitting surface 32b, slidably guide the second connector <NUM> into the inner side of the fixing insulator <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM>.

The metal fittings <NUM> are disposed inside the fixing insulator <NUM>. The metal fittings <NUM> are locked in a state of being inserted into the fixing insulator <NUM> in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second connector <NUM> enters. The metal fittings <NUM> are provided in a state of being not exposed on the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The metal fittings <NUM> have a plate-like shape. The metal fittings <NUM> each include mounting portions 12a, an insulator support portion 12b, and insulator lock portions 12c. One of the mounting portions 12a is disposed at one end of the metal fitting <NUM> and another one of the mounting portions 12a at the other end of the metal fitting <NUM>, and the mounting portions 12a are bent toward the substrate surface 101a. The mounting portions 12a are fixed to the substrate surface 101a.

The insulator support portion 12b is disposed in parallel to the plane orthogonal to the fitting direction D3. The insulator support portion 12b is disposed in parallel to the width direction D2. The insulator support portion 12b faces or abuts the support surface 33a or the support surface 34a of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The insulator lock portion 12c is locked with the fixing insulator <NUM>. This allows the insulator support portion 12b to be positioned immediately beneath the beam portion <NUM> or the beam portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration taken along A-A of <FIG> in cross-section. As illustrated in <FIG>, the insulator support portion 12b includes a protrusion portion 12d. The protrusion portion 12d protrudes from the insulator support portion 12b toward the movable insulator <NUM>. The protrusion portion 12d is formed in, for example, a semispherical shape. <FIG> illustrates the configuration in which the single protrusion portion 12d is provided. However, the configuration does not limit embodiments, and may have two or more protrusion portions 12d.

The movable insulator <NUM> is formed by using, for example, a resin material. The movable insulator <NUM> is provided inside the fixing insulator <NUM>. The movable insulator <NUM> is disposed with a spacing from the substrate surface 101a. The movable insulator <NUM> includes a contact holding portion <NUM>, an insert hole <NUM>, a lock portion <NUM>, and a lock portion <NUM>.

The contact holding portion <NUM> extends in parallel to the contact array direction D1. The contact holding portion <NUM> holds the contacts <NUM>. The contact holding portion <NUM> includes groove portions 41b (see <FIG>) that hold the contacts <NUM>. The groove portions 41b, the number of which corresponds to the number of the contacts <NUM>, are arranged alongside at a predetermined interval in the contact array direction D1.

The contact holding portion <NUM> is disposed with a spacing in the width direction D2 from the wall portion <NUM> and the wall portion <NUM> of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The contact holding portion <NUM> is disposed with a spacing in the contact array direction D1 from the beam portion <NUM> and the beam portion <NUM> of the fixing insulator <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration taken along B-B of <FIG> in cross-section. As illustrated in <FIG>, the contact holding portion <NUM> includes a bottom surface portion 41a. The bottom surface portion 41a faces the substrate surface 101a of the first substrate <NUM>. The bottom surface portion 41a has a shape in which the distance from a virtual plane S increases from the center to both ends in the width direction D2. The virtual plane S is a plane facing the bottom surface portion 41a. According to embodiments, for example, the substrate surface 101a is the virtual plane S. The bottom surface portion 41a may have a curved shape in which it is curved in its entirety in the width direction D2 or a curved shape in which it is curved only at both ends in the width direction D2. The curved shape of the bottom surface portion 41a prevents the contact between the bottom surface portion 41a and the substrate surface 101a even when the movable insulator <NUM> sways with an angle relative to the virtual plane S (the substrate surface 101a) in the width direction D2. This allows improvement in fitting performance and prevents damage to the first connector <NUM> during fitting or after fitting when, for example, the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM> in a tilted state with respect to the fitting direction D3.

The insert hole <NUM> is provided at the center of the contact holding portion <NUM> when viewed in the fitting direction D3. Part of the second connector <NUM> is inserted into the insert hole <NUM>.

The lock portion <NUM> is disposed at one end of the contact holding portion <NUM> in the contact array direction D1. The lock portion <NUM> is disposed at the other end of the contact holding portion <NUM> in the contact array direction D1. The lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> are each inserted between the insulator support portion 12b of the metal fitting <NUM> and the substrate surface 101a. Each of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> is arranged facing the protrusion portion 12d of the insulator support portion 12b. The arrangement of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> so as to face the protrusion portion 12d restricts the movement of the movable insulator <NUM> in the fitting direction D3. That is, the movable insulator <NUM> is held so as not to be removed from the fixing insulator <NUM>. Since each of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> is locally in contact with the protrusion portion 12d, not the entire insulator support portion 12b, sliding resistance is reduced.

A width L1 that is the dimension of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> in the width direction D2 (the dimension in the width direction D2 is hereinafter referred to as a width) is larger than a width L2 of the contact holding portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). The width L1 being larger than the width L2 allows the movable insulator <NUM> to have improved strength of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating an example of the connector <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the connector <NUM> when viewed from the beam portion <NUM> side of the first connector <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lock portion <NUM> includes a bottom surface portion 44a. The bottom surface portion 44a faces the substrate surface 101a of the first substrate <NUM>. The bottom surface portion 44a has a shape in which the distance from the virtual plane S increases from the center to both ends in the width direction D2. The virtual plane S is the plane facing the bottom surface portion 44a. According to embodiments, for example, the substrate surface 101a is the virtual plane S. The bottom surface portion 44a may have a curved shape in its entirety in the width direction D2 or a curved shape in which it is curved only at both ends in the width direction D2. The bottom surface portion 44a may be coplanar with the bottom surface portion 41a of the contact holding portion <NUM>. A bottom surface portion 43a (see <FIG>) of the lock portion <NUM> has the same configuration as that of the bottom surface portion 44a of the lock portion <NUM>. The curved shapes of the bottom surface portion 43a and the bottom surface portion 44a prevent the contact between the bottom surface portion 43a and the bottom surface portion 44a and the substrate surface 101a even when the movable insulator <NUM> sways in the width direction D2. The first connector <NUM> thus allows the movable insulator <NUM> to sway in the width direction D2.

The contacts <NUM> are arranged alongside in the contact array direction D1. The contacts <NUM> are formed by, for example, conducting bending processing on a metallic material. The method for forming the contacts <NUM> is not limited to the bending processing, and the contacts <NUM> may be formed by, for example, conducing die-cut processing on a metallic material.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the contacts <NUM> each include a mounting portion 14a, a first lock portion 14b, an elastic deformation portion 14c, a second lock portion 14d, a third lock portion 14e, a first connection portion 14f, and a second connection portion <NUM>. The mounting portion 14a is mounted on the substrate surface 101a. The first lock portion 14b is locked with the fixing insulator <NUM>. The elastic deformation portion 14c is a portion that is disposed between the first lock portion 14b and the second lock portion 14d, and that can be elastically deformed. The second lock portion 14d and the third lock portion 14e are locked with the contact holding portion <NUM> of the movable insulator <NUM>. The first connection portion 14f and the second connection portion <NUM> are in contact with a contact <NUM> of the second connector <NUM>. The first connection portion 14f is disposed closer to the fixing insulator <NUM>. The second connection portion <NUM> is disposed inside the insert hole <NUM>.

The second connector <NUM> is fixed to a second substrate <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> includes an insulator <NUM>, metal fittings <NUM>, and the contacts <NUM>.

The insulator <NUM> is formed in a rectangular shape by using, for example, a resin material. The insulator <NUM> is disposed with a spacing from a substrate surface 102a of the second substrate <NUM>. The insulator <NUM> includes a contact holding portion <NUM>, an outer insertion portion <NUM>, and an inner insertion portion <NUM>.

The contact holding portion <NUM> is disposed facing the substrate surface 102a. The contact holding portion <NUM> extends in parallel to the contact array direction D1. The contact holding portion <NUM> holds the contacts <NUM>. The contact holding portion <NUM> includes groove portions 51b (see <FIG>) that hold the contacts <NUM>. The groove portions 51b, the number of which corresponds to the number of the contacts <NUM>, are arranged alongside at a predetermined interval in the contact array direction D1. The interval between the two adjacent groove portions 51b is the same as the interval between the two adjacent groove portions 41b of the contact holding portion <NUM> in the first connector <NUM>.

The outer insertion portion <NUM> is integrally formed with the contact holding portion <NUM>. The outer insertion portion <NUM> is formed in a ring shape (see <FIG>). When the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM>, the outer insertion portion <NUM> is disposed between the wall portion <NUM>, the wall portion <NUM>, the beam portion <NUM>, and the beam portion <NUM> of the fixing insulator <NUM> and the contact holding portion <NUM> of the movable insulator <NUM>. In this case, the outer insertion portion <NUM> is provided at a position to surround the contact holding portion <NUM>. The outer insertion portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 52b caused to face the first connector <NUM> at the time of the fitting (see <FIG>).

The inner insertion portion <NUM> is integrally formed with the contact holding portion <NUM>. The inner insertion portion <NUM> is provided inside the outer insertion portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). The inner insertion portion <NUM> is formed in a plate-like shape. The inner insertion portion <NUM> is inserted into the insert hole <NUM> of the movable insulator <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is fitted to the first connector <NUM>. The inner insertion portion <NUM> includes a fitting surface 53b caused to face the first connector <NUM> at the time of the fitting (see <FIG>).

The metal fittings <NUM> have, for example, a plate-like shape. The metal fittings <NUM> each include a mounting portion 22a and an insulator lock portion 22b. One of the mounting portions 22a is provided at one end of the insulator <NUM> and another one of the mounting portions 22a at the other end of the insulator <NUM>, and the mounting portions 22a are arranged in parallel to the substrate surface 102a. The mounting portion 22a is fixed to the substrate surface 102a. The insulator lock portion 22b is bent with respect to the mounting portion 22a toward the inside of the insulator <NUM>. The insulator lock portion 22b is locked with the insulator <NUM> in a state of being inserted into a metal fitting holding section 21b of the insulator <NUM>.

The contacts <NUM> are arranged alongside in the contact array direction D1. The contact <NUM> is formed by, for example, conducting die-cut processing on a metallic material. The method for forming the contacts <NUM> is not limited to the die-cut processing, and the contacts <NUM> may be formed by conducting, for example, bending processing on a metallic material.

The contacts <NUM> each include a mounting portion 24a, a lock portion 24b, a first connection portion 24c, and a second connection portion 24d. The mounting portion 24a is mounted on the substrate surface 102a. The lock portion 24b is locked with the contact holding portion <NUM> of the insulator <NUM>. The first connection portion 24c is disposed on the inner periphery of the outer insertion portion <NUM>. The first connection portion 24c is connected to the first connection portion 14f of the contact <NUM> provided in the first connector <NUM>. The second connection portion 24d is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner insertion portion <NUM>. The second connection portion 24d is connected to the second connection portion <NUM> of the contact <NUM> provided in the first connector <NUM>.

The following describes the steps for assembling the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the flow of assembling the first connector <NUM>. A first assembly step (ST1 in <FIG>) will be explained. At the first assembly step, the contacts <NUM> are inserted into the groove portions 41b of the movable insulator <NUM> from above. This step allows the contacts <NUM> to be locked and held by the movable insulator <NUM>.

A second assembly step (ST2 in <FIG>) will be explained. At the second assembly step, the metal fittings <NUM> are inserted into the fixing insulator <NUM> from beneath. The insulator support portions 12b abut the support surface 33a and the support surface 34a of the fixing insulator <NUM>. The step allows the insulator lock portions 12c to be locked with the fixing insulator <NUM>. Thus, the metal fittings <NUM> are locked with the fixing insulator <NUM> in a state of being disposed inside the fixing insulator <NUM>, i.e., in a state of being not exposed on the surface at the fitting side of the fixing insulator <NUM>. Either one of the first assembly step and the second assembly step may be performed first.

A third assembly step (ST3 in <FIG>) will be explained. At the third assembly step, the movable insulator <NUM> holding the contacts <NUM> is inserted into the fixing insulator <NUM>, with which the metal fittings <NUM> are locked, from beneath. This step allows the movable insulator <NUM> to be disposed inside the fixing insulator <NUM> in a state where the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> of the movable insulator <NUM> face or abut the respective metal fittings <NUM>. Assembling of the first connector <NUM> is thus completed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the flow of assembling the second connector <NUM>. A fourth assembly step (ST4 in <FIG>) will be explained. At the fourth assembly step, the contacts <NUM> are inserted into the groove portions 51b of the insulator <NUM> from above. The step allows the contacts <NUM> to be locked and held by the insulator <NUM>.

A fifth assembly step (ST5 in <FIG>) will be explained. At the fifth assembly step, the metal fittings <NUM> are inserted into the respective metal fitting holding sections 21b of the insulator <NUM> from above. The insulator lock portions 22b are locked with the insulator <NUM> inside the respective metal fitting holding sections 21b. Assembling of the second connector <NUM> is thus completed. Either one of the fourth assembly step and the fifth assembly step may be conducted first.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state where the first connector <NUM> faces the second connector <NUM>. When the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b of the first connector <NUM> face the fitting surface 52b and the fitting surface 53b of the second connector <NUM>. In this state, the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are moved relative to each other to adjust positions.

At the time of the positional adjustment, for example, the fixing insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> and the insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> are brought into contact with each other, and caused to slide in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction D3. In the first connector <NUM>, the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b of the fixing insulator <NUM> are flat. Consequently, the second connector <NUM> smoothly moves on the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b.

The positional adjustment allows the outer insertion portion <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> to be inserted between the fixing insulator <NUM> and the contact holding portion <NUM> of the first connector <NUM>, and allows the inner insertion portion <NUM> to be inserted into the insert hole <NUM>. This allows fitting among the fixing insulator <NUM>, the movable insulator <NUM>, and the insulator <NUM>. The fitting brings the first connection portion 24c of the contact <NUM> in contact with the first connection portion 14f of the contact <NUM>. The fitting also brings the second connection portion 24d of the contact <NUM> in contact with the second connection portion <NUM> of the contact <NUM>. Consequently, the contacts <NUM> are electrically connected to the contacts <NUM>.

If relative force is applied between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> in the width direction D2 when or after the outer insertion portion <NUM> and the inner insertion portion <NUM> are inserted, the movable insulator <NUM> sways in the width direction D2. Accordingly, when the fixing insulator <NUM> and the movable insulator <NUM> of the first connector <NUM> are fitted to the insulator <NUM> of the second connector <NUM> in a state of being shifted in the width direction D2, for example, the positional relation between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> is easily corrected by the movable insulator <NUM> swaying in the width direction D2. Since the bottom surface portion 41a, the bottom surface portion 43a, and the bottom surface portion 44a are curved, the bottom surface portion 41a, the bottom surface portion 43a, and the bottom surface portion 44a are prevented from being in contact with the substrate surface 101a even when the movable insulator <NUM> sways in the width direction D2.

When the second connector <NUM> is removed from the first connector <NUM>, force is applied to the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> in a direction to separate from each other. This force pulls the contact holding portion <NUM> toward the second connector <NUM>, and the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> press the respective insulator support portions 12b of the respective metal fittings <NUM> toward the second connector <NUM>. Accordingly, the metal fittings <NUM> restrict the movement of the movable insulator <NUM> toward the second connector <NUM>.

At this time, force directed to the second connector <NUM> side is applied to the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>. As the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> have the width L1 that is larger than the width L2 of the contact holding portion <NUM> and have improved strength, they are held by the respective insulator support portions 12b of the respective metal fittings <NUM> without any damage or the like. As the metal fittings <NUM> are made of metal and fixed to the substrate surface 101a of the first substrate <NUM> with the mounting portions 12a, they are not deformed or separated from the substrate surface 101a, whereby the movement of the movable insulator <NUM> toward the second connector <NUM> is reliably restricted. Since direct application of force from the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM> to the fixing insulator <NUM> is avoided, damage or the like to the fixing insulator <NUM> is prevented.

Accordingly, without any damage or the like to the fixing insulator <NUM> and the movable insulator <NUM>, the outer insertion portion <NUM> of the insulator <NUM> is pulled out from between the fixing insulator <NUM> and the contact holding portion <NUM>, and the inner insertion portion <NUM> is pulled out from the insert hole <NUM>. Thus, the first connection portion 24c and the first connection portion 14f are separated from each other, and the second connection portion 24d and the second connection portion <NUM> are separated from each other. As a result, the contact <NUM> and the contact <NUM> are electrically disconnected.

As described above, in the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the lock portion <NUM> is disposed at one end of the movable insulator <NUM> in the contact array direction D1 and the lock portion <NUM> at the other end of the movable insulator <NUM> in the contact array direction D1 such that the lock portions <NUM> and <NUM> face the respective metal fittings <NUM>. Accordingly, if the movable insulator <NUM> is pulled toward the second connector <NUM> when the second connector <NUM> is removed from the first connector <NUM> or when unintentional force is applied, the metal fittings <NUM> restrict the movement of the movable insulator <NUM> in the fitting direction D3 (in the direction to remove the second connector <NUM>). This prevents direct application of force from the movable insulator <NUM> to the fixing insulator <NUM>, thereby preventing damage to the fixing insulator <NUM> during removal or in the case of unintentional force being applied. In the connector <NUM>, the metal fittings <NUM> are locked with the fixing insulator <NUM> in a state of being disposed inside the fixing insulator <NUM>, i.e., in a state of being not exposed on the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b of the fixing insulator <NUM>. Accordingly, in comparison with a case where the metal fittings <NUM> are disposed on the surface of the fixing insulator <NUM>, damage to other connectors caused by metallic fittings is suppressed, or unevenness of the surface of the fixing insulator <NUM> is reduced. This allows the second connector <NUM> to smoothly slide on the surface of the fixing insulator <NUM> when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other, thereby making the second connector <NUM> easily inserted into the first connector <NUM>. In this way, the connector <NUM> can reduce its size, prevent a decrease in strength, and improve fitting performance when the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are fitted to each other.

In the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the movable insulator <NUM> has the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>, the width L1 of which is larger than the width L2 of the contact holding portion <NUM>. Accordingly, even when the width L2 of the contact holding portion <NUM> is made smaller for downsizing, a reduction in strength of the movable insulator <NUM> can be prevented.

In the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the entire surfaces of the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b are exposed to the second connector <NUM>. In the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b for guiding the second connector <NUM> are coplanar and flat surfaces in the fixing insulator <NUM>. In the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and the fitting surface 34b are flat and continuously formed on the whole circumference of the fixing insulator <NUM>. Accordingly, even when an operator tries to fit the first connector <NUM> to the second connector <NUM> in a state of being shifted from the normal position, the second connector <NUM> can smoothly move on the fitting surface 31b, the fitting surface 32b, the fitting surface 33b, and 34b, and they are not damaged by metallic fittings or the like. This allows the second connector <NUM> to be easily and securely guided, thereby improving operational performance for fitting task.

In the connector <NUM> according to embodiments, the bottom surface portion 41a and the bottom surface portion 44a of the movable insulator <NUM> facing the substrate surface 101a have a shape in which the distance from the substrate surface 101a increases from the center to both ends in the width direction D2. Accordingly, even when the movable insulator <NUM> sways in the width direction D2, the bottom surface portion 41a and the bottom surface portion 44a can be prevented from being in contact with the substrate surface 101a.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to embodiments, and modifications may be appropriately made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The explanation given to embodiments takes an example in which, at a contact portion between the insulator support portion 12b and each of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>, the protrusion portion 12d is provided to the insulator support portion 12b. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion portion may be provided to each of the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>. The protrusion portions may be provided to both the insulator support portions 12b and to the lock portion <NUM> and the lock portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A connector (<NUM>) including a plurality of electrically conducting contacts (<NUM>) and to be fitted in a fitting direction (D3) to another connector (<NUM>), said connector (<NUM>) to be fixed to a substrate (<NUM>) and comprising:
a fixing insulator (<NUM>) having a frame shape;
a plurality of metal fittings (<NUM>) that are disposed at both ends of said fixing insulator (<NUM>) in a contact array direction (D1) in which said contacts (<NUM>) are arrayed, and that are provided inside said fixing insulator (<NUM>); and
a movable insulator (<NUM>) that is disposed inside said fixing insulator (<NUM>), that is connected to said fixing insulator (<NUM>) through elastic deformation portions (14c) of said contacts (<NUM>), and that is movable at least in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction (D3) by elastic deformation of said elastic deformation portions (14c), wherein a lock portion (<NUM>) is disposed at one end of the movable insulator (<NUM>) in the contact array direction (D1) and another lock portion (<NUM>) at the other end of the movable insulator (<NUM>) in the contact array direction (D1) such that the lock portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) face the respective metal fittings (<NUM>),
wherein
the metal fittings (<NUM>) are locked with the fixing insulator (<NUM>) in a state of being disposed inside the fixing insulator (<NUM>) and are provided in a state of being not exposed on a surface at a fitting side of the fixing insulator (<NUM>), and wherein
both ends of said movable insulator (<NUM>) are formed to be wider than a central part of said movable insulator (<NUM>) in a width direction (D2) orthogonal to said contact array direction (D1), on a plane perpendicular to said fitting direction (D3),
characterized in that
each lock portion (<NUM>,<NUM>) is adapted to be inserted between a respective insulator support portion (12b) of the metal fitting (<NUM>) and a substrate surface (101a) of the substrate (<NUM>).