Connector assembly having an improved connection mechanism

[0001] Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. JP2009-161276 filed Jul. 7, 2009.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector assembly having two connectors, and more particularly to a connector assembly with a reduced height.

[0003] For example, connector assemblies for connecting a plurality of cables to a circuit board are disclosed in JP-A 2008-258112 and JP-A 2008-140555. Each of the connector assemblies has two connectors including a first connector mounted on a circuit board and a second connector to which cables are connected.

[0004] In the connector assembly disclosed in JP-A 2008-258112, the second connector is inserted into the first connector along the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the circuit board) and mated with the first connector. In the following description, this type of connector assemblies is referred to as a vertical-connection connector assembly. In the case of the vertical-connection connector assembly, large stress is applied to the circuit board when the second connecter is mated with the first connector. Therefore, problems such as deformation of the circuit board may arise.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the connector assembly disclosed in JP-A 2008-140555, the second connector is inserted into the first connector along the horizontal direction (a direction parallel to the circuit board) and mated with the first connector. In the following description, this type of connector assemblies is referred to as a horizontal-connection connector assembly. In the horizontal-connection connector assembly, stress applied to the circuit board when the second connector is mated with the first connector is reduced as compared to the vertical-connection connector assembly.

[0006] However, in the horizontal-connection connector assembly, an insertion hole formed in the first connector is narrowed as the height of the connector assembly is reduced. Accordingly, the workability of mating the first connector and the second connector is problematically deteriorated.

[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly exhibiting excellent workability with a reduced height.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly having a first connector and a second connector matable with the first connector. The first connector includes a first contact having a first contact portion and a first housing configured to hold the first contact. The second connector includes a second contact having a second contact portion that is brought into contact with the first contact portion and a second housing configured to hold the second contact. The connector assembly further includes a positioner operable to position the second contact portion in a first direction so that the second contact portion corresponds to the first contact portion when the second connector is moved relative to the first connector along the first direction. The connector assembly further includes a movement guide operable to guide a relative movement of the second connector relative to the first connector along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a state in which the second contact portion has been positioned in the first direction until the second contact portion is brought into contact with the first contact portion.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention provides the first connector in the aforementioned connector assembly.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention provides the second connector in the aforementioned connector assembly.

[0011] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a connector assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 100 mounted on a circuit board 300 and a second connector 200 to which cables 400 are attached. For example, the cables 400 are coaxial thin wires. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, each of the cables 400 includes a signal conductor 410, an insulator 420 covering the signal conductor 410, a ground conductor 430, and an insulative cover 440. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cables 400 are arranged in the X-direction, and a common conductive member 500 is fixed to the ground conductors of the cables 400. Thus, a plurality of cables 400 is handled as one unit.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first connector 100 includes a plurality of signal contacts (first contacts) 110, a first housing 120 configured to hold the signal contacts 110, and a shell 130 covering part of a base portion 124 of the first housing 120. The first housing 120 is formed of an insulating material. The signal contacts 110 and the shell 130 of the present embodiment are incorporated into and/or attached to the first housing 120 along with formation of the first housing 120 by a mold-in-place method.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, each of the signal contacts 110 has a contact portion (first contact portion) 112 and a fixing portion 114 fixed to the circuit board 300 by solder. Each of the signal contacts 110 is held on the first housing 120 so that the first contact portion 112 and the fixing portion 114 are exposed.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the base portion 124 of the first housing 120 generally extends along the X-direction and holds the plurality of signal contacts 110 in a manner such that the signal contacts 110 are arranged in the X-direction. Side portions 122 are provided on opposite ends of the base portion 124 in the X-direction. Each of the side portions 122 includes a front wall (pressure application portion) 122-1, a side wall 122-2, and a rear wall 122-3. A recess surrounded by the front wall 122-1, the side wall 122-2, and the rear wall 122-3 serves as an end receiver 122-4. Ends of the second connector 200 in the X-direction are received in the end receivers 122-4 as described later. The end receivers 122-4 are designed so as to be slightly larger in size than the ends of the second connector 200 in the X-direction (portions to be received in the end receivers 122-4). Therefore, the front walls 122-1 regulate movement of the ends of the second connector 200 in the X-direction along the Y-direction (second direction) so as to position the second connector 200 in the Y-direction when the ends of the second connector 200 in the X-direction (third direction) are received into the end receivers 122-4. Specifically, the end receivers 122-4, the front walls 122-1 in particular, serve as first positional regulators operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200 in the Y-direction. Furthermore, the two side walls 122-2 sandwich the ends of the second connector 200 therebetween in the X-direction for thereby positioning the second connector 200 in the X-direction. Specifically, the two side walls 122-2 of the end receivers 122-4 serve as second positional regulators operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200 in the X-direction. The two types of positional regulators are useful for a mating operation, which will be described later.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the base portion 124 of the present embodiment includes a support portion 126 provided so as to have a height along the Z-direction (first direction) and an overhanging portion 128 supported by the support portion 126 so as to extend along the Y-direction. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the support portion 126 of the present embodiment has an L-shaped cross-section on the YZ-plane. The support portion 126 and the overhanging portion 128 form a cranked shape. Specifically, the support portion 126 according to the present embodiment is formed by two parts including a short part having a relatively small height and a tall part having a relatively large height. More specifically, the short part of the support portion 126 is designed so as to be longer in the Y-direction than the tall part. The shell 130 is held on an upper surface of the short part. The shell 130 held on the upper surface of the short part also serves as a first abutment portion 136 that contributes to positioning of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 in the Z-direction at an initial stage of a mating operation of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the overhanging portion 128 has two surfaces 128-1 and 128-2 in the Z-direction. Furthermore, each of the first contact portions 112 of the present embodiment has a U-shaped cross-section on the YZ-plane. The first housing 120 of the present embodiment holds the signal contacts 110 so that the first contact portions 112 are located on the surfaces 128-1 and 128-2 of the overhanging portion 128. Thus, each of the first contact portions 112 is exposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the overhanging portion 128. Therefore, electrical inspection can readily be performed even after the first connector is mounted to the circuit board. Nonetheless, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, each of the first contact portions 112 may be exposed on only one of the surfaces 128-1 and 128-2 of the overhanging portion 128.

[0043] The overhanging portion 128 of the present embodiment extends along the Y-direction from an end of the support portion 126 in the Z-direction. A space is defined between the overhanging portion 128 and the circuit board 300 (i.e., below the overhanging portion 128). This space serves as a receptacle portion 128-3. Part of the receptacle portion 128-3 is illustrated by broken lines. Functions of the receptacle portion 128-3 will be described later.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the shell 130 includes shell connection portions 132 located on opposite sides of the array of the first contact portions 112 of the signal contacts 110 and fixing portions 134 projecting from the side portions 122 of the first housing 120. The fixing portions 134 are fixed to the circuit board 300. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the shell connection portions 132 has a U-shaped cross-section on the YZ-plane as with the first contact portions 112 of the signal contacts 110. Each of the shell connection portions 132 is exposed on the overhanging portion 128 of the first housing 120.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the second connector 200 includes signal contacts (second contacts) 210, ground contacts 220, a second housing 230 configured to hold the signal contacts 210 and the ground contacts 220, an upper shell 260, and a lower shell 270. The second housing 230 is formed of an insulating material. The upper shell 260 and the lower shell 270 cover at least part of an upper portion and a lower portion of the second housing 230.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the signal contacts 210 includes a second contact portion 212 (second contact portion) that contacts the corresponding first contact portion 112 of the first connector 100 in a mating state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200. Each of the signal contacts 210 also includes a connection portion 214 connected to the corresponding signal conductor 410 of the cable 400. Specifically, each of the cables 400 is attached to the second connector 200 such that it is connected to the connection portion 214 in a state in which the signal conductor 410 projects from the insulator 420 toward the second contact portion 212. With this configuration, the second connector 200 can be reduced in height.

[0047] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the ground contacts 220 includes a contact portion 222 that is brought into contact with the corresponding shell connection portion 132 of the first connector 100 in a mating state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200.

[0048] As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the second contact portions 212 and the contact portions 222 of the present embodiment has a hooked-shape and sandwiches the first contact portion 112 or the shell connection portion 132, which is exposed on the overhanging portion 128 of the first connector 100, in the Z-direction for thereby establishing connection with the first contact portion 112 or the shell connection portion 132 in a mating state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200. If the first contact portions 112 or the shell connection portions 132 of the first connector 100 are exposed on only one of the surfaces 128-1 and 128-2 of the overhanging portion 128, then each of the second contact portions 212 and the contact portions 222 sandwiches the first contact portion 112 or the shell connection portion 132 and the overhanging portion 128 in the Z-direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the second housing 230 of the present embodiment includes a temporary receptacle portion 232 capable of temporarily receiving the overhanging portion 128 of the first connector 100 along the Z-direction and a receiver 234 disposed adjacent to the temporary receptacle portion 232 in the Y-direction. The receiver 234 communicates with the temporary receptacle portion 232. Part of the receiver 234 is illustrated by broken lines, which also holds true in the following description. The signal contacts 210 are held on the second housing 230 so that at least part of the second contact portions 212 is exposed to the receiver 234.

[0050] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second housing 230 of the present embodiment includes a locator member 240 configured to hold and align the signal contacts 210 and the ground contacts 220 and a space defining member 250 configured to define the receiver 234. The locator member 240 and the space defining member 250 have insulating characteristics. Specifically, the signal contacts 210 and the ground contacts 220 are aligned by a mold-in-place method when the locator member 240 is formed. In the present embodiment, there are two ground contacts 220. Each of the ground contacts 220 is located outside of the outermost signal contact 210 in the X-direction. Furthermore, the upper shell 260 is attached to the space defining member 250 by a mold-in-place method when the space defining member 250 is formed. The second housing 230 is produced by combining, melting, and integrating the locator member 240 into which the signal contacts 210 and the ground contacts 220 have been incorporated and the space defining member 250 to which the upper shell 260 has been attached. The locator member 240 may be pressed into the space defining member 250 and integrated with the space defining member 250.

[0051] On the YZ-plane, as shown FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the space defining member 250 of the present embodiment includes a base portion 252 extending along the Y-direction, a wall 254 extending along the Z-direction from the base portion 252, and a receivable portion 256 extending along the Y-direction from the wall 254. The receiver 234 is defined by a space surrounded by the base portion 252, the wall 254, and the receivable portion 256. The temporary receptacle portion 232 is defined by a space below the base portion 252 that is adjacent to the receiver 234 in the Y-direction.

[0052] More specifically, the wall 254 of the present embodiment extends along the Z-direction from an end of the base portion 252 in the Y-direction. The receivable portion 256 extends along the Y-direction from an end of the wall 254 in the Z-direction. Thus, the base portion 252, the wall 254, and the receivable portion 256 form a hooked-shape cross-section on the YZ-plane. The signal contacts 210 are held on the second housing 230 so that part of the second contact portions 212 projects into the receiver 234, which is defined by the hooked-shape cross-section. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the locator member 240 and the space defining member 250 are combined with each other so that the aforementioned relationship is established between the receiver 234 and the second contact portions 212.

[0053] As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, part of the lower shell 270 of the present embodiment serves as a second abutment portion 272 that is brought into abutment against the first abutment portion 136 for positioning the second connector 200 in the Z-direction when the second connector 200 is moved relative to the first connector 100 along the Z-direction. Specifically, the second abutment portion 272 and the first abutment portion 136 are configured such that the positions of the second contact portions 212 correspond to the positions of the first contact portions 112 in the Z-direction when the second abutment portion 272 and the first abutment portion 136 are brought into abutment against each other. In other words, the first abutment portion 136 and the second abutment portion 272 serve as positioners operable to position the second contact portions 212 with respect to the first contact portions 112 in the Z-direction when the second connector 200 is moved relative to the first connector 100 along the Z-direction. In the present embodiment, when positioning is carried out by the first abutment portion 136 and the second abutment portion 272, the overhanging portion 128 of the first connector 100 is received into the temporary receptacle portion 232 of the second connector 200.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the first abutment portion 136 of the present embodiment extends along Y-direction by a predetermined length. Therefore, the first abutment portion 136 can guide the second abutment portion 272 along the Y-direction when the second connector 200 is moved relative to the first connector 100 along the Y-direction in a state in which the first abutment portion 136 abuts the second abutment portion 272 (i.e., in a state in which the second contact portions 212 have been positioned in the Z-direction). This guide function allows the second contact portions 212 to be moved along the Y-direction with maintaining the relative relationship between the second contact portions 212 and the first contact portions 112 in the Z-direction until the second contact portions 212 are brought into contact with the first contact portions 112. Thus, the first abutment portion 136 of the present embodiment also serves as a movement guide operable to guide a relative movement of the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100 along the Y-direction in a state in which the second contact portions 212 have been positioned in the Z-direction until the second contact portions 212 are brought into contact with the first contact portions 112. In the present embodiment, when the second connector 200 is moved relative to the first connector 100 along the Y-direction, the receivable portion 256 is received into the receptacle portion 128-3 whereas the overhanging portion 128 is received into the receiver 234. This configuration can increase the contact reliability between the first contact portions 112 of the first connector 100 and the second contact portions 212 of the second connector 200.

[0055] As described above, the second contact portions 212 are positioned in the Z-direction by the abutment of the second abutment portion 272 against the first abutment portion 136. (The overhanging portion 128 is temporarily received in the temporary receptacle portion 232.) Then the second connector 200 is moved relative to the first connector 100 only along the Y-direction. Therefore, the first contact portions 112 of the first connector 100 and the second contact portions 212 of the second connector 200 can be brought into contact with each other in the receiver 234 and the receptacle portion 128-3, irrespective of the positional relationship between the overhanging portion 128 and the receiver 234 in the Z-direction and the positional relationship between the receivable portion 256 and the receptacle portion 128-3 in the Z-direction. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 can readily be mated with each other even if the connector assembly is reduced in height.

[0056] The first abutment portion and the second abutment portion are not limited to those illustrated in the present embodiment. Other parts may be used for the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion as long as the second contact portions 212 and the first contact portions 112 are brought into positions at which the second contact portions 212 correspond to the first contact portions 112 in the Z-direction by the abutment of the second abutment portion against the first abutment portion through the movement of the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100 along the Z-direction. For example, inner bottoms of the end receivers 122-4 formed in the side portions 122 of the first housing 120 may be used as first abutment portions, and the opposite ends of the second connector 200 in the X-direction (portions to be received in the end receivers 122-4) may be used as second abutment portions. In this example, the size, shape, and position, and the like of the first abutment portions and the second abutment portions are determined such that the overhanging portion 128 and the receiver 234 are located at the same level in the Z-direction when the overhanging portion 128 is temporarily received in the temporary receptacle portion 232 and the second abutment portions abut the first abutment portions.

[0057] With the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion, the first contact portions 112 and the second contact portions 212 of the present embodiment are held on the first housing 120 and the second housing 220, respectively, such that they are out of contact with each other when the overhanging portion 128 is temporarily received in the temporary receptacle portion 232, but that they are in contact with each other when the overhanging portion 128 has been received in the receiver 234. Therefore, it is possible to minimize unnecessary metal deterioration by friction between the first contacts 110 and the second contacts 210.

[0058] In the connector assembly according to the present embodiment, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 4, holes extending along the X-direction are formed at opposite ends of the space defining member 250, which constitutes the second housing 230, in the X-direction. Rotatable portions 282 provided at opposite ends of a lock member 280 are rotatably supported in those holes. The lock member 280 is produced by bending a metal rod into a convex shape. The rotatable portions 282 of the lock member 280 are arranged so as to face each other in the X-direction. In the present embodiment, pushers 284 of the lock member 280 are pressed against the front walls (pressure application portions) 122-1 of the side portions 122 by rotating and pushing down the lock member 280 in a mating state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 in which the overhanging portion 128 has been received in the receiver 234. Reaction forces produced by the pushers 284 are used to move the second connector 200 relative to the first connector 100, thereby maintaining the mating state of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200. The lock member 280 may be used as an operation member when the second connector 200 is to be separated from the first connector 100.

[0059] The present invention has been described with the specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment. For example, the support portion 126 for supporting the overhanging portion 128 has an L-shaped cross-section on the YZ-plane in the above embodiment. Nevertheless, the support portion 126 may have a rectangular cross-section as shown in FIG. 8 or may have another cross-section.

[0060] Furthermore, the overhanging portion 128 of the above embodiment faces the circuit board 300 in the Z-direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first housing 120 may have a plate 140 extending along the Y-direction on the YZ-plane. The support portion 126 may support the overhanging portion 128 in a state such that the plate 140 and the overhanging portion 128 are spaced from each other in the Z-direction. In this case, a receptacle portion 128-3 is formed between the plate 140 and the overhanging portion 128.

[0061] In the above embodiment, after the overhanging portion 128 is temporarily received in the temporary receptacle portion 232, the second connector 200 is pulled toward the cables 400 and moved relative to the first connector 100 along the Y-direction in order to move the overhanging portion 128 into the receiver 234. However, the present invention is not limited to that example. For example, in order to receive the overhanging portion into the receiver, the positions and directions of the overhanging portions and the receivers may be changed so as to push the second connector toward a direction in which the cables extend.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the cables 400 connected to the second connector 200 are coaxial thin wires. The present invention is not limited to that example. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a second connector 200′ may be connected to an FFC or FPC 500. The illustrated FFC or FPC 500 has signal conductors 510 spaced on an upper surface thereof at predetermined intervals and a ground conductor 530 formed on a lower face thereof. Furthermore, the second connector 200′ has at least second contacts 210′, a second housing 230′, and a lower shell 270′. The second contacts 210′ have substantially the same structure as the aforementioned second contacts 210 except in that each of the second contacts 210′ has a connection spring 214′ formed at its rear end for connection with the signal conductor 510. Specifically, each of the second contacts 210′ has a hooked-shape end, and a second contact portion 212′ is provided on part of the hooked-shape end. The second housing 230′ holds the second contacts 210′ and has a receiver 234′ as with the aforementioned second housing 230. A lower part of the second housing 230′ is partially covered with the lower shell 270′. Connection springs 274′ to be connected to the ground conductor 530 of the FFC or FPC 500 are formed on the lower shell 270′. With this structure, when the FFC or FPC 500 is inserted from the rear end of the second connector 200, the FFC or FPC 500 is held between the connection springs 214′ and the connection springs 274′. Thus, the FFC or FPC 500 is held by the second connector 200′. At that time, the connection springs 214′ and the connection springs 274′ are respectively connected to the signal conductors 510 and the ground conductor 530 of the FFC or FPC 500.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the first connector 100 is mounted and fixed on the circuit board 300, and the cables 400 are connected to the second connector 200. However, the present invention is not limited to that example. For example, both of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 may be mounted and fixed on circuit boards so as to form a connector assembly for connection between the circuit boards.

[0064] A connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. In the aforementioned first embodiment, the second connector 200 is mated with the first connector 100 by moving the second connector 200 toward the direction (the positive Y-direction) in which the cables 400 extend from the second connector 200 after positioning the second connector 200 with respect to the first connector 100 in the Z-direction. Referring to the FIGS. 11 to 13, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the second connector 200a is mated with the first connector 100a by moving the second connector 200a toward a direction (the negative Y-direction) opposite to the direction (the positive Y-direction) in which the cables 400 extend from the second connector 200a after positioning the second connector 200a with respect to the first connector 100a in the Z-direction. In FIGS. 11 to 13, the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals for the sake of brevity.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 11, the first connector 100a of the present embodiment is formed like a frame as viewed along the Z-direction. The first connector 100a includes a first housing 120a having insulating characteristics and first contacts 110a held on the first housing 120a.

[0066] The first housing 120a has an opening 125a formed therein. The first housing 120a has a rear wall 122a-3, which serves as a positional regulator (first positional regulator) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200a in the Y-direction when the second connector 200a is moved relative to the first connector 100a along the Z-direction. Side portions of the first housing 120a in the form of a frame serve as abutment portions 136a that is brought into abutment against part of the second connector 200a as described later. The first housing 120a has a front wall, which serves as a support portion 126a for supporting an overhanging portion 128a extending along the Y-direction. Thus, a receptacle portion 128a-3 is formed below the overhanging portion 128a. Engagement portions 122a-1 projecting in the Z-direction are formed near opposite ends of the overhanging portion 128a in the X-direction. Furthermore, first contact portions 112a of the first contacts 110a are exposed on a surface of the overhanging portion 128a. Within the opening 125a of the first housing 120a, the first contacts 110a are connected to a wiring pattern on a circuit board on which the first connector 100a is mounted.

[0067] The second connector 200a of the present embodiment includes a second housing 230a having insulating characteristics, second contacts (not shown) held on the second housing 230a, and a lock member 280a rotatably supported on the second housing 230a. The cables 400 are held by the second housing 230a so that they extend rearward (along the Y-direction) from a rear end of the second housing 230a. For example, each of the second contacts (not shown) is in the form of a tuning fork. Rear ends of the second contacts are connected to the cables 400. Second contact portions (not shown) are provided near front ends of the second contacts (not shown), which are in the form of a tuning fork.

[0068] The second housing 230a has a front end having a hooked-shape as viewed along the X-direction. A lower portion of the hooked-shape serves as a receivable portion 256a that is received in the receptacle portion 128a-3 of the first housing 120a in a mating state of the first connector 100a and the second connector 200a. Specifically, the receivable portion 256a of the present embodiment extends frontward (toward the negative Y-direction). Furthermore, a space above the receivable portion 256a serves as a receiver 234a for receiving the overhanging portion 128a in the mating state of the first connector 100a and the second connector 200a.

[0069] Moreover, second abutment portions 272a are formed at opposite ends (side portions) of the second housing 230a in the X-direction. Those second abutment portions 272a are brought into abutment against the first abutment portions 136a of the first housing 120a when the second connector 200a is moved toward the first connector 100a along the Z-direction. This abutment allows the first contact portions 112a of the first connector 100a to correspond to the second contact portions (not shown) of the second connector 200a. Specifically, the first abutment portions 136a and the second abutment portions 272a serve as positioners operable to position the second contact portions (not shown) when the second connector 200a is moved toward the first connector 100a along the Z-direction. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIGS. 12 and 13, the second abutment portions 272a are slid on the first abutment portions 136a when the second connector 200a is moved relative to the first connector 100a toward the negative Y-direction after the first abutment portions 136a have abutted the second abutment portions 272a. Specifically, the first abutment portions 136a serve as movement guides operable to guide the relative movement of the second connector 200a relative to the first connector 100a along the Y-direction.

[0070] The lock member 280a of the present embodiment is produced by bending a metal rod. As shown in FIG. 11, the lock member 280a includes rotatable shafts 282a rotatably supported by the second housing 230a and engaging portions 284a spaced from the rotatable shafts 282a by a predetermined distance. Those engaging portions 284a are brought into engagement with the engagement portions 122a-1 of the first connector 100a by rotational operation of the lock member 280a in a mating state of the first connector 100a and the second connector 200a. The engagement of the engaging portions 284a locks the mating state of the first connector 100a and the second connector 200a.

[0071] A protrusion (not shown) projecting downward (toward the negative Z-direction) is formed on a bottom of the second housing 230a. The protrusion (not shown) is located between inner walls of the first abutment portions 136a when the second abutment portions 272a abut the first abutment portions 136a. Therefore, the protrusion (not shown) and the inner walls of the first abutment portions 136a serve as positional regulators (second positional regulators) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200a in the X-direction when the second abutment portions 272a abut the first abutment portions 136a.

[0072] The second connector 200a is moved from the state shown in FIG. 11 toward the first connector 100a along the Z-direction. Thus, the second abutment portions 272a are brought into abutment against the first abutment portions 136a. That state is illustrated in FIG. 12. Then the second abutment portions 272a are slid on the first abutment portions 136a so as to move the second connector 200a relative to the first connector 100a toward the negative Y-direction. Thus, the second connector 200a is mated with the first connector 100a, and the first contact portions 112a are brought into contact with the second contact portions (not shown). Thereafter, the lock member 280a is rotated to engage the engaging portions 284a with the engagement portions 122a-1. Thus, the mating state is locked as shown in FIG. 13. At that time, the overhanging portion 128a is received in the receiver 234a, and the receivable portion 256a is received in the receptacle portion 128a-3.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 100b in the form of a box having a cavity 102b defined therein and a second connector 200b that is receivable in the cavity 102b and matable with the first connector 100b.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the first connector 100b includes first contacts 110b and a first housing 120b configured to hold the first contacts 110b. Each contact 110b has a first contact portion 112b and a fixing portion 114b. The first housing 120b has insulating characteristics.

[0075] The first housing 120b has the cavity 102b defined therein. The first housing 120b includes a thick front wall as a support portion 126b, an overhanging portion 128b supported by the support portion 126b, two side walls 122b-2, a rear wall 122b-3, and a bottom as a first abutment portion 136b. A receptacle portion 128b-3 is formed below the overhanging portion 128b, i.e., in an area that faces both of the overhanging portion 128b and the support portion 126b. The first contacts 110b are supported on the support portion 126b so that the first contact portions 112b extend within the receptacle portion 128b-3. The overhanging portion 128b has an end 122b-1 opposed to the rear wall 122b-3 in the Y-direction. The end 122b-1 of the overhanging portion 128b serves as a positional regulator (first positional regulator) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200b in the Y-direction when the second connector 200b is received into the cavity 102b. The two side walls 122b-2 are opposed to each other in the X-direction. The side walls 122b-2 serve as positional regulators (second positional regulators) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200b in the X-direction when the second connector 200b is received into the cavity 102b.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the second connector 200b includes second contacts 210b each having a second contact portion 212b and a second housing 230b configured to hold the second contacts 210b. The second housing 230b has insulating characteristics.

[0077] The second housing 230b includes a receivable portion 256b, which is received in the receptacle portion 128b-3. As can be seen from FIG. 15, the receivable portion 256b has a step-down portion 236b formed on an upper surface thereof. The step-down portion 236b and an upper portion of the second housing 230b form a receiver 234b. The second housing 230b has a bottom, which serves as a second abutment portion 272b that is brought into abutment against the first abutment portion 136b when the second connector 200b is received into the cavity 102b. The first housing 120b and the second housing 230b are arranged such that the positions of the second contact portions 212b correspond to the positions of the first contact portions 112b in the Z-direction when the second abutment portion 272b abuts the first abutment portion 136b.

[0078] The first abutment portion 136b and the second abutment portion 272b serve as positioners operable to position the second contact portions 212b when the second connector 200b is moved toward the first connector 100b along the Z-direction. Furthermore, as described later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the second abutment portion 272b is slid on the first abutment portion 136b when the second connector 200b is moved relative to the first connector 100b along the Y-direction after the first abutment portion 136b has abutted the second abutment portion 272b. Specifically, the first abutment portion 136b also serves as a movement guide operable to guide the relative movement of the second connector 200b relative to the first connector 100b along the Y-direction.

[0079] The second connector 200b is moved from the state shown in FIG. 15 toward the first connector 100b along the Z-direction. Thus, the second abutment portion 272b is brought into abutment against the first abutment portion 136b. That state is illustrated in FIG. 16. Then the second abutment portion 272b is slid on the first abutment portion 136b so as to move the second connector 200b relative to the first connector 100b along the Y-direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 17, the first contact portions 112b are brought into contact with the second contact portions 212b, and the first connector 100b and the second connector 200b are mated with each other. At that time, the overhanging portion 128b is received in the receiver 234b, and the receivable portion 256b is received in the receptacle portion 128b-3.

[0080] The first connector 100b of the present embodiment is mounted on a circuit board. The first contacts 110b are connected to a wiring pattern of the circuit board. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0081] For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the cables 400 may be connected to a first connector 100b′. The first connector 100b′ includes first contacts 110b′ and a first housing 120b′ configured to hold the first contacts 110b′. Signal conductors of the cables 400 are connected to the first contacts 110b′.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19, an FFC or FPC 500′ may be connected to a first connector 100b″. The FFC or FPC 500′ has signal conductors on either one or both of surfaces. The first connector 100b″ includes first contacts 110b″ and a first housing 120b″ configured to hold the first contacts 110b″. The first contacts 110b″ are connected to the signal conductors of the FFC or FPC 500′.

[0083] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 20, an FFC or FPC 500″ may be connected to a first connector 105b. The FFC or FPC 500″ has signal conductors on one surface and ground conductors on the other surface. In the illustrated example, ground conductors are formed on an upper surface of the FFC or FPC 500″, whereas signal conductors are formed on a lower surface of the FFC or FPC 500″. The first connector 105b includes first contacts 115b, a first housing 125b configured to hold the first contacts 115b, and a shell 135b partially incorporated in the first housing 125b. The first contacts 115b are connected to the signal conductors of the FFC or FPC 500″, and the shell 135b is connected to the ground conductors of the FFC or FPC 500″.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a connector assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 100c and a second connector 200c, which have the same structure. The first connector 100c has a cavity 102c as with the first connector 100b of the third embodiment. Specifically, in the structural aspect, the second connector 200c also has a cavity. The first connector 100c and the second connector 200c are mated with each other in a state in which part of the connector is received in the cavity of the other connector. Only distinctive parts for functions of the first connector 100c and the second connector 200c will be described below.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the first connector 100c includes first contacts 110c each having a first contact portion 112c and a first housing 120c configured to hold the first contacts 110c. The first housing 120c has insulating characteristics.

[0086] The first housing 120c has the cavity 102c defined therein. The first housing 120c includes a thick front wall as a support portion 126c, an overhanging portion 128c supported by the support portion 126c, two side walls 122c-2, a rear wall 122c-3, and a bottom as a first abutment portion 136c. A receptacle portion 128c-3 is formed below the overhanging portion 128c, i.e., in an area that faces both of the overhanging portion 128c and the support portion 126c. The first contacts 110c are supported on the support portion 126c so that the first contact portions 112c extend within the receptacle portion 128c-3. The overhanging portion 128c has an end 122c-1 opposed to the rear wall 122c-3 in the Y-direction. The end 122c-1 of the overhanging portion 128c serves a positional regulator (first positional regulator) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200c in the Y-direction when part of the second connector 200c (such as a receivable portion 256c described later) is received into the cavity 102c. The two side walls 122c-2 are opposed to each other in the X-direction. The side walls 122c-2 serve as positional regulators (second positional regulators) operable to regulate the position of the second connector 200c in the X-direction when the second connector 200c is received into the cavity 102c.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the second connector 200c includes second contacts 210c each having a second contact portion 212c and a second housing 230c configured to hold the second contacts 210c. The second housing 230c has insulating characteristics.

[0088] The second housing 230c includes a receivable portion 256c, which is received in the receptacle portion 128c-3. The receivable portion 256c of the second housing 230c has a bottom, which serves as a second abutment portion 272c that is brought into abutment against the first abutment portion 136c when the second connector 200c is received into the cavity 102c. The first housing 120c and the second housing 230c are arranged such that the positions of the second contact portions 212c correspond to the positions of the first contact portions 112c in the Z-direction when the second abutment portion 272c abuts the first abutment portion 136c.

[0089] The first abutment portion 136c and the second abutment portion 272c serve as positioners operable to position the second contact portions 212c when the second connector 200c is moved toward the first connector 100c along the Z-direction. Furthermore, as described later with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, the second abutment portion 272c is slid on the first abutment portion 136c when the second connector 200c is moved relative to the first connector 100c along the Y-direction after the first abutment portion 136c has abutted the second abutment portion 272c. Specifically, the first abutment portion 136c also serves as a movement guide operable to guide the relative movement of the second connector 200c relative to the first connector 100c along the Y-direction.

[0090] The second connector 200c is moved from the state shown in FIG. 22 toward the first connector 100c along the Z-direction. Thus, the second abutment portion 272c is brought into abutment against the first abutment portion 136c. That state is illustrated in FIG. 23. Then the second abutment portion 272c is slid on the first abutment portion 136c so as to move the second connector 200c relative to the first connector 100c along the Y-direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 24, the first contact portions 112c are brought into contact with the second contact portions 212c, and the first connector 100c and the second connector 200c are mated with each other. At that time, the receivable portion 256c is received in the receptacle portion 128c-3.

[0091] The first connector 100c and the second connector 200c of the present embodiment are mounted on circuit boards. The first contacts 110c and the second contacts 210c are connected to wiring patterns of the circuit boards. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to this example. As with the variation of the third embodiment, either one or both of the first connector 100c and the second connector 200c may be connected to coaxial cables, an FFC, or an FPC.

[0092] A connector assembly according to the present invention has a positioner operable to position in a first direction (vertical direction) and a movement guide operable to guide movement in a second direction (horizontal direction) after the positioning. Therefore, a first contact portion can be brought into contact with a second contact portion by moving the second connector relative to the first connector along first direction (vertical direction) and then moving the second connector relative to the first connector along the second direction (horizontal direction). Thus, according to the present invention, a circuit board is not subjected to any stress, which would be caused in a vertical-connection connector assembly. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the positioner positions the second contact portion with respect to the first contact portion in the first direction (vertical direction), a subsequent operation only includes moving (sliding) the second connector along the second direction (horizontal direction). In other words, the present invention facilitates the mating operation as compared to a horizontal-connection connector assembly.

[0093] The present application is based on a Japanese patent application of JP2009-161276 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 7, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0094] 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.